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Chapter 4
++++++++++++++++++++
Here it is!! I believe that you all wanted some explanations? Here you go!! I shall certainly try to post more often, I promise.
A couple of notes: I changed the "style" a little. Thoughts will now appear inside a set of double-slashes. (//) And italicized words will be in single-slashes. (/)
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Kagome sighed and leaned against the wall of her new house. Kaho had fixed a wonderful breakfast and, though it was simple, it was more than enough.
"Thank you so much, Kaho-san." Kagome smiled. "It was delicious." Sesshou Maru voiced his agreement and Inu Yasha nodded as Kaho picked up his dish.
"Thank you all very much." Kaho blushed, pleased at the compliments.
"Kagome!" Touji stormed into the house, followed by Kaede. Kagome raised an eyebrow.
"You called me by my name." She observed mildly. //So much like Inu Yasha.// She glanced at the half demon seated to her right. Touji grunted and sat down near Kaho. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Kagome-sama," Kaede sat beside her niece and nephew, "you promised us all a tale of how you came to be here."
"Of course." Kagome smiled again and sat up.
She proceeded to tell them in quick succession of her past adventures with the Shikon no Tama and Inu Yasha and how it had all worked out.
"In the end, we only spent about two years searching. We had nearly completed the stone when the fever struck the village. Rin was the first to die, though she, Sango, and I all had it at the same time. The last I remember, Sango was alive. Miroku never left her side once through the whole thing. I suppose that I died. I don't really remember much of that time."
"Then the Shikon no Tama..." Kaho trailed off.
"The Shikon no Tama is the source of this soul's problems, isn't it?" Kagome's smile turned rueful. "It has replayed its life so many times through me--or rather, through my soul. But I think that it wants the cycle to be put to rest." Quizzical gazes met her last comment. "Otherwise," she expanded, "Why would I be born as Higurashi Kagome for a second time?" Kaede nodded slowly.
"That does seem an accurate interpretation. Perhaps the stone /feels/ that you can put it to rest. Perhaps it feels that you can succeed where my honoured sister could not."
Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but gasped instead. She reached up with one hand and clutched the stone at her throat.
"Kagome-sama?" Kaho moved forward, concerned.
"Kagome!" Sesshou Maru's voice was more anxious.
"Wait." Inu Yasha put a hand out, halting his brother and Kaho in their movements. "It's nothing to be concerned over. She feels a presence."
"Are you sure?" Touji asked nervously.
"I saw it in Kikyou enough times." Inu Yasha said, not glancing at his heir. "What do you feel?" Inu Yasha asked Kagome gently. He knelt beside her, one hand on her shoulder. "What is it?"
"De-Demonic energy..." Kagome said softly. "Someone... Someone is gathering a large force of demons. It's nearby."
++++++++++++++++++++
"It's nearby." Sesshou Maru glanced up at his brother. Inu Yasha returned the glance. They both knew what had to be done.
"The warriors you told us about." Sesshou Maru moved to Kagome's side. "If we gather the girl and the monk..."
"Yes. Yes, Sango and Miroku. And try to get Sango's village, if you can. Touji, you will have to do that. They don't trust demons." Kagome stood. "And if we can manage it, I would like to have Shippou and his family on our side as well."
"The kit?"
"Yes. His father had a powerful Fox Fire. I would like to have that power on our side this time." Kagome chewed her lip a little. "I don't know how to find Miroku, though..."
"Leave that to me." Inu Yasha said, moving towards the door. "I'll find the monk. Touji, you see to the fortress village. Sesshou Maru, see if you can't find the kitsune clan. The rest of you, prepare the village as best you can." Inu Yasha easily stepped back into his roll as village headmaster.
"Hold it--!" Touji's protest was cut off by Kaede.
"Touji-san, Inu Yasha, Sesshou Maru, and Kagome-sama know best how to prepare for this. Let them do it." Touji grudgingly held his silence as his sister led him out of the house. Inu Yasha followed soon after.
"Kagome-sama," Kaede said softly, "I think you should work with Kaho-san and I at honing your skills while we wait." Kagome nodded readily.
"Yes, definitely. Thank you, Kaede-san." Kaede bowed and left, leaving Sesshou Maru and Kagome alone.
"It's too soon." Kagome said softly, shaking her head. "This is all happening too soon. There's no way we can be prepared for an all-out demon attack." //Especially not if /he's/ leading it...// she added silently. Sesshou Maru stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Kagome.
"I can't honestly tell you that everything will work out." he said softly. Kagome, eyes wide, stood tensely in his embrace for a moment before letting the tension bleed away. "But I can promise you that, in the end, it shall be you who shall decide all our fates." With that, he left.
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Touji had order all projects to cease so that a wall could be erected around the village before he had departed. The work was progressing nicely and Kaho was confident that a strong wall would be finished within the fortnight.
//It's been nearly two weeks, and not a sign of any of them.// Kagome sat on her futon late one night, worrying about everyone. //Sessh, Inu Yasha, Touji-san... Please be safe.// She turned her eyes to the stack of clothing in the corner. She and Kaho had taken to wearing the arm guards and chest plates of the guards at the village, and the taller girl now carried a sword in addition to her bow and quiver. Kagome had tried the sword and found that she didn't like it at all. The thought of standing that close to a person and /watching/ them die made her heartsick.
"I wish they would hurry up..." she whispered to herself. //Is this what it feels like to be a mother, worrying about her children?// "A... mother? Ah!" she surged forward, palms slamming into the futon. "Mama! Grandpa! Souta! I completely forgot!!" She pushed herself to her feet, intent on going back to Tokyo.
//"Wait."// An oddly familiar voice stilled Kagome. //"If you leave now, what will become of these people? Of this village? Will you abandon them? And what of your family? Do you think that /he/ doesn't have the power to follow you if you go back through The Well?"//
//But...// "But...!" Kagome finally recognized the voice. "Kikyou... I have to go. They'll be so worried..."
//"No!"// Kagome started at the ferocity in the voice. //"All of your problems last time were because you went back there so persistently. You have made a commitment to these people. You swore to help them. You cannot leave until you have done so!"// There was a moment of silence. //"And besides, I have entrusted you, not only with the village and my younger sister, but with my children and my husband. You must protect them in the way I could not."// Kagome sat down on her futon again, examining her hands in her lap.
//I understand.// "Kikyou?" she whispered. "Are you still there?"
//"Yes."//
"Thank you. For trusting me." Kagome smiled and /felt/ Kikyou smile as well.
//"You are still so much a child..."// Kagome laid on the futon, closing her eyes and welcoming sleep finally. //"Will you be able to succeed in this?"// Kikyou's final comment went unheard by the girl on the bed, now fast asleep.
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"Kagome-sama!" Kaho rushed into the house the next morning, nearly frantic. Kagome was just waking and she looked up at the girl, blinking. "Kagome-sama, Touji is back!"
Kagome followed Kaho at a fast pace, not caring that she still only wore her sleeping yukatta.
"Kagome-sama!" Kaede stood in the pre-dawn, lantern in her hand. Touji stood beside her and a group was gathered in front of them. Kagome accepted the lamp from Kaede and examined the group.
Sango, she noted in relief, was there. As were her father and brother. Kagome smiled widely.
"Thank you all so much for coming here. I don't know how much of the situation Touji-san explained, but we are preparing for a full-scale demon attack any day."
"Pardon my rudeness, madam," Sango's father stepped forward, "But how did you predict this attack?" Kagome put her free hand to the Shikon no Tama.
"Maybe I'll tell you." She smiled again. "But for now, I'm sure that you are all weary from travel. I'll show you to where you will all be staying."
Kaede, Kaho, and Kagome had prepared a house near the newly constructed wall for the fighters to stay in. Looking at the group now, though, Kagome wondered if it would be large enough.
"Here it is." Kagome said, leading the way into the house. "I hope that there will be enough room for all your fighters."
"Oh, I'm sure it will be fine. This is better than some of us get at lords' manors." Sango's father stood in the door beside Kagome as the rest of his troupe made themselves at home.
"Kaho-san, Kaede-san, and I will fix your breakfast. Perhaps you would all like to sleep for a couple of hours first?"
"We thank you, Kagome-sama." The tall man bowed formally.
"Could I help?" Sango stepped forward. Kagome noted that she wore her customary kimono and Kirara was already sleeping peacefully, curled in a small ball on Sango's futon.
"Uhm... Sure!" she smiled warmly. "I'll come get you when we start. Right now, though, I'm sure that you're tired. Rest for a while." Sango smiled in return and bowed.
Kagome stepped outside and looked at the rosy horizon, wishing for Sesshou Maru and Inu Yasha's return.
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Next Chapter: Sesshou Maru and Inu Yasha return with good news, bad news, and a few unexpected visitors.
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Notes
Waah! Here it is! **runs around frantically** So much to do!! This chapter was put together so fast! I started it at midnight last night and now it's 3:30 PM. Eek! I hope that the quality isn't horrible...
The next chapter is where a bit of the action start, kay? Stay tuned!
Chapter 4
++++++++++++++++++++
Here it is!! I believe that you all wanted some explanations? Here you go!! I shall certainly try to post more often, I promise.
A couple of notes: I changed the "style" a little. Thoughts will now appear inside a set of double-slashes. (//) And italicized words will be in single-slashes. (/)
++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++
Kagome sighed and leaned against the wall of her new house. Kaho had fixed a wonderful breakfast and, though it was simple, it was more than enough.
"Thank you so much, Kaho-san." Kagome smiled. "It was delicious." Sesshou Maru voiced his agreement and Inu Yasha nodded as Kaho picked up his dish.
"Thank you all very much." Kaho blushed, pleased at the compliments.
"Kagome!" Touji stormed into the house, followed by Kaede. Kagome raised an eyebrow.
"You called me by my name." She observed mildly. //So much like Inu Yasha.// She glanced at the half demon seated to her right. Touji grunted and sat down near Kaho. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Kagome-sama," Kaede sat beside her niece and nephew, "you promised us all a tale of how you came to be here."
"Of course." Kagome smiled again and sat up.
She proceeded to tell them in quick succession of her past adventures with the Shikon no Tama and Inu Yasha and how it had all worked out.
"In the end, we only spent about two years searching. We had nearly completed the stone when the fever struck the village. Rin was the first to die, though she, Sango, and I all had it at the same time. The last I remember, Sango was alive. Miroku never left her side once through the whole thing. I suppose that I died. I don't really remember much of that time."
"Then the Shikon no Tama..." Kaho trailed off.
"The Shikon no Tama is the source of this soul's problems, isn't it?" Kagome's smile turned rueful. "It has replayed its life so many times through me--or rather, through my soul. But I think that it wants the cycle to be put to rest." Quizzical gazes met her last comment. "Otherwise," she expanded, "Why would I be born as Higurashi Kagome for a second time?" Kaede nodded slowly.
"That does seem an accurate interpretation. Perhaps the stone /feels/ that you can put it to rest. Perhaps it feels that you can succeed where my honoured sister could not."
Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but gasped instead. She reached up with one hand and clutched the stone at her throat.
"Kagome-sama?" Kaho moved forward, concerned.
"Kagome!" Sesshou Maru's voice was more anxious.
"Wait." Inu Yasha put a hand out, halting his brother and Kaho in their movements. "It's nothing to be concerned over. She feels a presence."
"Are you sure?" Touji asked nervously.
"I saw it in Kikyou enough times." Inu Yasha said, not glancing at his heir. "What do you feel?" Inu Yasha asked Kagome gently. He knelt beside her, one hand on her shoulder. "What is it?"
"De-Demonic energy..." Kagome said softly. "Someone... Someone is gathering a large force of demons. It's nearby."
++++++++++++++++++++
"It's nearby." Sesshou Maru glanced up at his brother. Inu Yasha returned the glance. They both knew what had to be done.
"The warriors you told us about." Sesshou Maru moved to Kagome's side. "If we gather the girl and the monk..."
"Yes. Yes, Sango and Miroku. And try to get Sango's village, if you can. Touji, you will have to do that. They don't trust demons." Kagome stood. "And if we can manage it, I would like to have Shippou and his family on our side as well."
"The kit?"
"Yes. His father had a powerful Fox Fire. I would like to have that power on our side this time." Kagome chewed her lip a little. "I don't know how to find Miroku, though..."
"Leave that to me." Inu Yasha said, moving towards the door. "I'll find the monk. Touji, you see to the fortress village. Sesshou Maru, see if you can't find the kitsune clan. The rest of you, prepare the village as best you can." Inu Yasha easily stepped back into his roll as village headmaster.
"Hold it--!" Touji's protest was cut off by Kaede.
"Touji-san, Inu Yasha, Sesshou Maru, and Kagome-sama know best how to prepare for this. Let them do it." Touji grudgingly held his silence as his sister led him out of the house. Inu Yasha followed soon after.
"Kagome-sama," Kaede said softly, "I think you should work with Kaho-san and I at honing your skills while we wait." Kagome nodded readily.
"Yes, definitely. Thank you, Kaede-san." Kaede bowed and left, leaving Sesshou Maru and Kagome alone.
"It's too soon." Kagome said softly, shaking her head. "This is all happening too soon. There's no way we can be prepared for an all-out demon attack." //Especially not if /he's/ leading it...// she added silently. Sesshou Maru stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Kagome.
"I can't honestly tell you that everything will work out." he said softly. Kagome, eyes wide, stood tensely in his embrace for a moment before letting the tension bleed away. "But I can promise you that, in the end, it shall be you who shall decide all our fates." With that, he left.
++++++++++++++++++++
Touji had order all projects to cease so that a wall could be erected around the village before he had departed. The work was progressing nicely and Kaho was confident that a strong wall would be finished within the fortnight.
//It's been nearly two weeks, and not a sign of any of them.// Kagome sat on her futon late one night, worrying about everyone. //Sessh, Inu Yasha, Touji-san... Please be safe.// She turned her eyes to the stack of clothing in the corner. She and Kaho had taken to wearing the arm guards and chest plates of the guards at the village, and the taller girl now carried a sword in addition to her bow and quiver. Kagome had tried the sword and found that she didn't like it at all. The thought of standing that close to a person and /watching/ them die made her heartsick.
"I wish they would hurry up..." she whispered to herself. //Is this what it feels like to be a mother, worrying about her children?// "A... mother? Ah!" she surged forward, palms slamming into the futon. "Mama! Grandpa! Souta! I completely forgot!!" She pushed herself to her feet, intent on going back to Tokyo.
//"Wait."// An oddly familiar voice stilled Kagome. //"If you leave now, what will become of these people? Of this village? Will you abandon them? And what of your family? Do you think that /he/ doesn't have the power to follow you if you go back through The Well?"//
//But...// "But...!" Kagome finally recognized the voice. "Kikyou... I have to go. They'll be so worried..."
//"No!"// Kagome started at the ferocity in the voice. //"All of your problems last time were because you went back there so persistently. You have made a commitment to these people. You swore to help them. You cannot leave until you have done so!"// There was a moment of silence. //"And besides, I have entrusted you, not only with the village and my younger sister, but with my children and my husband. You must protect them in the way I could not."// Kagome sat down on her futon again, examining her hands in her lap.
//I understand.// "Kikyou?" she whispered. "Are you still there?"
//"Yes."//
"Thank you. For trusting me." Kagome smiled and /felt/ Kikyou smile as well.
//"You are still so much a child..."// Kagome laid on the futon, closing her eyes and welcoming sleep finally. //"Will you be able to succeed in this?"// Kikyou's final comment went unheard by the girl on the bed, now fast asleep.
++++++++++++++++++++
"Kagome-sama!" Kaho rushed into the house the next morning, nearly frantic. Kagome was just waking and she looked up at the girl, blinking. "Kagome-sama, Touji is back!"
Kagome followed Kaho at a fast pace, not caring that she still only wore her sleeping yukatta.
"Kagome-sama!" Kaede stood in the pre-dawn, lantern in her hand. Touji stood beside her and a group was gathered in front of them. Kagome accepted the lamp from Kaede and examined the group.
Sango, she noted in relief, was there. As were her father and brother. Kagome smiled widely.
"Thank you all so much for coming here. I don't know how much of the situation Touji-san explained, but we are preparing for a full-scale demon attack any day."
"Pardon my rudeness, madam," Sango's father stepped forward, "But how did you predict this attack?" Kagome put her free hand to the Shikon no Tama.
"Maybe I'll tell you." She smiled again. "But for now, I'm sure that you are all weary from travel. I'll show you to where you will all be staying."
Kaede, Kaho, and Kagome had prepared a house near the newly constructed wall for the fighters to stay in. Looking at the group now, though, Kagome wondered if it would be large enough.
"Here it is." Kagome said, leading the way into the house. "I hope that there will be enough room for all your fighters."
"Oh, I'm sure it will be fine. This is better than some of us get at lords' manors." Sango's father stood in the door beside Kagome as the rest of his troupe made themselves at home.
"Kaho-san, Kaede-san, and I will fix your breakfast. Perhaps you would all like to sleep for a couple of hours first?"
"We thank you, Kagome-sama." The tall man bowed formally.
"Could I help?" Sango stepped forward. Kagome noted that she wore her customary kimono and Kirara was already sleeping peacefully, curled in a small ball on Sango's futon.
"Uhm... Sure!" she smiled warmly. "I'll come get you when we start. Right now, though, I'm sure that you're tired. Rest for a while." Sango smiled in return and bowed.
Kagome stepped outside and looked at the rosy horizon, wishing for Sesshou Maru and Inu Yasha's return.
++++++++++++++++++++
Next Chapter: Sesshou Maru and Inu Yasha return with good news, bad news, and a few unexpected visitors.
++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++
Notes
Waah! Here it is! **runs around frantically** So much to do!! This chapter was put together so fast! I started it at midnight last night and now it's 3:30 PM. Eek! I hope that the quality isn't horrible...
The next chapter is where a bit of the action start, kay? Stay tuned!
