{The Road Between Souls}
{epilogue - at the beginning of a new path}
~~~
Kagome sat in the sweet early morning breeze, partly wondering why she was up at such an ungodly hour, partly content to simply enjoy the sights and sounds of the late night. Early morning or late night, which was it really? It didn't matter. What mattered was that she was free to do as she wished, truly free, for the first time in over three years.
After she began sleeping with Inuyasha, she was allowed some freedom, but she was still required to do simple little things, like make and serve meals.
Now she was free, truly and completely. Inuyasha had made it very clear that Kagome was the equal of every youkai, and in some respects, their superior, as she was his mate. Sango was not so lucky. Inuyasha had, upon her request, asked his mother to have Miroku release the former taiji-ya, but Miroku said he was far too attached to the girl to "let her go". It wasn't like Sango strained either, though. It was odd that both had been so lucky as to find such caring masters.
"We need to talk." Kagome spun around to see Shuuraishi standing behind her, an unreadble expression on his face. Kagome bowed.
"All right."
Wordlessly, the taiyoukai led Kaogme through halls, into a door marked with a sign that was stamped with the sign that slaves and children were taught that meant 'keep out'. It wasn't a kanji, simply a little picture of a wilting flower. But everybody in the castle knew that each and every room stamped with it was forbidden. Shuuraishi pulled the door open, and gestured for Kagome to enter. He followed her.
"This concerns the Shikon no Tama, and what you plan to do with it," Shuuraishi said calmly as he sat at the small table, which was cluttered with writing utensils, small bowls of strange-looking powders, and a polished silver mirror.
"You know about the jewel?" Kagome asked, stunned as she flopped into a sitting position.
"Of course I do," he answered irritably. "my duty as a taiyoukai is to investigate all of my territory regularly, and even my rivals' territories. I discovered it some fifty years ago, when it was created."
"Do you know how the jewel was formed?"
Shuuraishi studied her critically. The only light in the room came from the small blue fire off in the corner. "I do. However, for reasons I am unable to explain, I am forbidden to reveal it to you. You will, however, learn of its creation very soon, unless Shirobou's visions are incorrect - which can happen when a human plays with youkai sorcery."
"But what did you want to talk about?" Kagome asked, still puzzled.
"That the jewel has been shattered, by your fool father. A young man by the name of Higurashi Houjou sent a letter to me, which said he believed that only you are capable of reconstructing the Shikon no Tama."
Kagome groaned. "And I bet every youkai, mononoke, and oni on this side of the planet is after the shards right now. Lovely. And the score is now Shikon no Tama 3, Higurashi Kaogme 0."
Shuuraishi chuckled. "In any case, Kaede, who is your younger sister if I'm not mistaken, was injured to the point of being crippled now. Otherwise, the letter said, she would deal with the crisis."
"So I get to play pick-up fairy?" Kagome sighed out.
"Apparently so. And one other thing: you were planning to hide the jewel's potential powers from my son, were you not? So he would not become a true youkai, like Sesshoumaru?"
Kagome ducked her head guiltily. "I don't want him to change. I think he'll lose his heart if he loses his human half."
"He can become human for you, as well," Shuuraishi said gently. "I believe he would, for you."
"I don't want him to change," Kagome repeated. "And the Shikon no Tama has a history of screwing with your wishes."
Shuuraishi decided to leave the last bitter comment alone. "So you must collect the shards. How are you going to go about it?"
"If I have your permission, I'll travel with Inuyasha."
"You have it. Good luck, little pup. You are now my daughter, and I give you my blessing as such."
Kagome bowed one final time, then wandered away, preparing to tell Inuyasha about the jewel.
~~~
DONE! Damn I'm good.
Expect the sequel to appear in a little bit. Sorry this took so long, Little Tokyo, karate testing, my grandmother dying, and my stupid choir teacher's Christmas program lack of planning got in the way.
Ja ne for now!
-Katra Winner
