Lost Soul Comes Home

By: Ryu Katanna

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Chapter Five

Gwendal and Conrart's backs straitened at the cold look that was directed at Wolfram as Yuuri stared stunned at the blond's rudness. The wind picked up as Kagome tried to calm herself from the accusation. Wolfram was still relativly young for a mazoku. She knew that there must be a reason for him to be acting the way he was. He had been borderline hostile every time he had spoken in her presence. The problem was that Kagome was not one to take being treated badly without standing up for herself, even before she had her memories had been unsealed.

"Don't you dare put my loyalty into question Wolfram von Beilefelt! They raised me for the first years of this life, that is true, but so too have I been raised by many others in my other lifetimes for over two thousand years on Earth while more than twice that time passed here. My sister and her husband went to Earth to give Shin Makoku, and me, a chance. They raised me six times before they died, and I was left to mourn them only years later when my memories were finally unsealed of their true relation to me. For generations upon generations her descendants have done so. They sacrificed as their parents and grandparents before them even as their long lifespans continued to shorten as they found partners in humans. Those who grew up knowing me as a sister then went on to raise me as their daughter. My sisters line continued to make that sacrifice for a Kingdom they would and will never know, and they did it all with the purpose and wish for me to one day be able to return here to my true family. So that one day Shin Makoku could be free from the Originators. Truly free!" Her voice seemed glacial and booming as it echoed off the walls even though it didn't raise from it's even tone at all.

She glared daggers at the young mazoku. Kagome knew the accusation was unfounded, and yet she couldn't help but feel it provoke both an anger and sadness from deep within her heart. What she had said was true. Kanae had sacrificed so much in her love for Hanae. So much that her descendants had been charged with bringing her up knowing there would come a day that she would leave them. Many had been charged with her care before they had even married, and still they had accepted becoming a single parent and the stigma that had been attached to that.

All had done so with the knowledge that a day would come when her memories would awaken, and a longing to return to where she truly belonged would come. Over and over had they sacrificed for her and their ancestor's love and duty to Great Demon Kingdom. The look in the eyes of the ones she had called 'mother' or 'father' over the centuries had told her that she had been well loved even if out of a sense of duty at times. Kanae and many of her descendants had raised her with more parental love than the ones who had birthed her.

They had made that choice knowing a day would come when she would return to her brother's sides. They had done it all for her and Shin Makoku. She would not let some young upstart make a mockery of that. She couldn't. She would always remember and honor what they had done for her, and for them. There was no way her heart would allow for anything else.

Murata and Shin had both laid a hand on her arms from either side of her. It was this reminder that they were there for her that calmed her. The wind settled into a calm, cool, and gentle breeze just as her emotions were pushed down and thunder rumbled in the distance. Usually she would not have become so upset by such a petty accusation, but the memories had not yet completly settled. It would be a few days to weeks before she knew she would be able to find peace within her own mind once more. They were all just too fresh right now.

Kagome was grateful then for Shin and Kenha all over again. It was them being there, and the fullness that filled her heart at their reunion, that reminded her. Everything had been worth it for her to be able to stand beside them once more. It had been worth it for this.

"I would remain silent where my sister is concerned from now on Lord von Beilefelt. Do not speak on matters of which you know nothing about." Shin's warning was clear in his tone.

"She has not abandoned them. They have known since she came into their care in the form of a baby that the day would come where she would have to leave. When I return to Earth I will be visiting them personally, and that way they will know not to worry. That she has been brought home at last, and their duty is done." Murata told them as he watched Kirara make her way over to Kagome.

"While Hanae is of pure mazoku blood; Kanae's decendants have mixed with the blood of the humans so much that they are more human than mazoku. If Hanae were to return to earth she would one day have to watch them die. Already, my sister has lived through more than two thousand years watching as those who raised and loved her died. Only for the seal on her mind to one day break and for her to remember. It is a cycle that must be broken." Shinou explained as he watched the interaction between Kagome and her small companion.

The twin tailed cat had jumped up onto her shoulder and was nuzzling her cheek comfortingly. Kagome smiled softly down at her reassurance before she calmed completely, and the winds and distant thunder stopped. The others watched her in a type of awe. They had been told she was powerful the night she had appeared but to actually see it for themselves was another matter.

"Thank you, Kirara. I am fine now. As it is, even on Earth the jewel is not safe. I would be unable to visit until it is destroyed. The jewel has caused enough tragedy on Earth due to the darkness in the hearts of both humans and demons. At least here it is safe until we can find a way to be rid of it."

"Kirara? Isn't that the name of the large cat that was with you yesterday?" Conrart asked curiously as he tried to divert the conversation away from what was apparently sensitive territory.

"Yes, this is her as she normally is. What you saw then was her other form." Kagome replied as the small cat turned to look at them.

She watched their surprise as Kirara mewed at them in greeting. Her lip quirked in a small smile when she seen Gwendal, who had been pretty expressionless all this time, actually twitch as Kirara flicked her tails. He was a tall and stern looking man. In a way she was reminded of Sesshomaru when she looked at him with his regal bearing and mostly stoic countanence. Yet he seemed to have a soft spot that did not escape her notice.

"I never did get to ask how you came by such a creature." Shin said as he looked at the small cat demon that he had not seen leave her side.

"Kirara became a companion during my time as a traveling priestess about fifteen hundred Earth years ago. It was during that time that I was finally able to completly seperate my soul from the Originators taint, but doing so was not an easy task and I sacrificed my life to do it and kill an Earth demon that had become too powerful as it laid waste to the land. The ritual I performed before leaving Shin Makoku to make me appear human and make it possible to suvive the time needed took affect and I was returned to the form of a baby. Kirara chose to remain in the village I had lived in when the ritual returned me to my closest blood kin. She looked after the people of the village until we met again several years ago when our enemy had the villagers massacered. When… when the last of member of the village, a friend, died Kirara refused to leave me. I did not know why until the seal on my mind was removed. Kirara had recognized me even with the time that had passed, and had chosen to stay with me again." Kagome told them with a soft smile as Kirara mewed back in agreement.

In a way it had been comforting to know that Kirara had chosen to stay by her side after all she had lost. She was the only one Kagome had from her time on Earth who would remain with her in more than just her memories. While she may not have remembered the little fire cat during their time spent together these last few years; it would seem that Kirara had not forgotten her. Her presence was a comfort to Kagome after the deaths and loss of her friends in this lifetime, and words couldn't describe how thankful she was that Kirara had decided to join her as she finally rejoined her brothers.

"I think that is enough questions about the past for today. Hanae still has a lot to catch up on since her return." Shin said with finality in his voice as he could see the distress she felt at the mention of her friends' death.

"Right. You don't know how things are in Shin Makoku now after being gone for so long." Yuuri responded as he remembered how he had also not known anything about this world when he had first come there from Earth.

"I have a lot to catch up on, but Ken has agreed to help me with what he can." Kagome replied as she smiled at the teen standing next to her.

"Murata, I know you said that you would help catch her up on things but I know you will be busy figuring out a way to destroy the jewel too. Should I see about sending Gunter over to help? I know he would love having someone else to teach." Yuri asked thoughtfully as he felt bad that the woman wouldn't be able to leave the walls of her brother's tomb for an unknown amount of time.

"Actually, that would help a lot Shibuya. If Lord von Kleist can come to catch Kagome up on the changes and history from the last several thousand years then I will have more time to figure out how to destroy the jewel." Murata said with a smile at his friend's idea.

"The thought is greatly appriciated King Yuri, but I do not wish to trouble anyone. I am sure Lord von Kleist has other matters to attend to at the castle. I do not wish to distract anyone from their duties." Kagome said knowing that she did not want to burden anyone when they were needed to help run the Kingdom.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind, Lady Kagome. Gunter loves to teach about the history of Shin Makoku. I think he would be thrilled to have another student. Espesially one who would like to learn." Conrart tried to reassure her.

"The travel from the castle alone would take time on a horse... Hm. Kirara? Would you mind bringing him here and then returning him to the castle? You are so much faster than any horse." Kagome asked the small cat in her arms in Japanese.

"Mew." Kirara nodded her small head in agreement knowing that her mistress wouldn't ask without a reason.

"You mean to imply that this cat could carry a person faster than one of our horses?" Gwendal asked with some scepticisim.

"Why yes, Lord von Voltaire. Would you care to show him Kirara?" Kagome answered before switching to japanese to have Kirara understand.

Leaping from Kagome's arms, Kirara transformed to her larger form with a roar and flash of fire. Kagome petted her large head before Kirara walked around to stand behind Kagome. Shifting her skirt, Kagome hopped up to settle herself on the nekomata's back with a smile. Once she felt that her mistress was settled, Kirara ran around Murata before stepping up and taking a leap into the air. Kagome smiled at the gasps of surprise as she looked down at them with a small giggle.

"Kirara carried myself and two of my companions this way when there was a need for it. She is far from some normal house cat. She has agreed to transport Lord von Kleist here and back to the castle if he agrees to provide lessons for me. In this way he will not need to take so much time from his regular duties. Thank you Kirara." Kagome said before whispering in Kirara's ear as she brought her lower to the ground where Kagome pushed off into the air; landing on her feet with a flutter of her skirt around her.

Kirara changed back as she landed before taking a running leap toward Gwendal who looked at bit started as the small cat settled herself into his arms after he had reached to catch her. Kagome smiled at his quick reflexs as well as the soft look that came to his eyes as he looked down at the cute cat in his arms. The expression didn't last long as he cleared his throat and adapted his more formal stance once more. He looked up at Kagome with a slight raise of his brow.

"It seems she had chosen you. I ask that you care for her while she is at the castle, Lord von Voltaire. Though she will not need much looking after as she is rather self-reliant." Kagome told him knowing that, though he had not spoken, the man must have a kind heart.

One without a good heart would not have looked at the small feline in such a way.

"Very well, Lady Hanae." Gwendal replied as Kagome smiled at him before her gaze shifted to the young King.

"You wish us to take your companion when you could send her to Gunter when needed?" Conrart asked with some confusion at her request.

"Yes. I wish for her to learn the area, and she could help by acting as a messenger between here and the castle if there is a need." Kagome replied with a nod as the small feline looked at her from her perch in the mazoku's arms.

"We have messenger birds for such a task." Gwendal said even as his gaze kept getting drawn back to the small feline as his hands twitched to pet her.

"Maybe so, but Kirara is faster than any bird, far more intelligent, and strong enough in her other form if encountering any interferance. We can not risk messages regaurding any information on the jewel being intercepted. Darkness dwells in the hearts of mazoku and humans alike. There are many who would seek the jewel should it's existence become known; just as there were those who sought the forbidden boxes. I would trust Kirara to protect the information over any bird that can not defend itself or nullify a threat." Kagome explained seeing that they were starting to understand.

"Basically it's existance can not go any further than those of us that already know of it." Murata's tone was grave as the truth of the situation was brought to the front of their minds once more.

"Alright. We'll take her with us so she can learn the area." Yuuri smiled toward the small cat while Wolfram looked at her curiously as she curled up in Gwendals arms.

"You may want to talk with Lady von Karbelnikoff about making another 'Let me hear the Cries of the Heart' for Kirara as well. At least until she can understand everyone here. Kagome has had to switch languages mid-converation a few times for her to understand." Murata suggested helpfully as Kagome stepped forward.

"It has been a pleasure King Yuuri, Lord von Voltaire, Lord von Beilifelt, Lord Weller, but I'm afraid I must bid you a good afternoon. Thank you for taking the time to visit with me today, but I do believe I have taken you all from your duties long enough. There are a few things I also must attend to over the coming days, but I ask that you visit me again before your next trip to Earth, King Yuuri." Kagome said with a formal but genuinly friendly tone as she gave a small bow toward Yuuri and the Lord's before wrapping her arm through Shin's.

"It was nice meeting you Kagome. I hope we can all have the time to get to know you better. Once you are able to leave here I would like you to visit the castle and meet everyone there." Yuuri smiled even as Wolfram scowled and yanked on his arm with a glare at his fiancee for his interest in getting to know the woman who was still showing woo much skin in his opinion.

"Thank you, King Yuuri. I will see you when you join us Ken. Kirara, I will see you when you return. I will miss you while you are away old friend." She switched between languages easily before tugging on Shin's arm to pull him alongside her as she moved in the direction of the temple's inner sanctum, and leaving Murata to speak with the group without her or Shin.

She had a letter to write, and a ritual to start preparing for.

123

"How's the letter writing going?" Murata asked as he came to stand beside Kagome who was seated at the vanity in her room later that evening.

Kagome sighed in frustration as she sat back from where she had been trying to write the letter to Kanae's descendants. Looking back at Kagome he could see that she looked both sad and stressed. It was then Murata could see that though she had been in her room for hours, the parchment in front of her was blank. Looking around the room he could also see that Shin was not in the room as he had thought he would be. It surprised him because it had ben difficult to drag him aways from her side since she had returned. Even when she had been asleep for three days he had refused to be moved from the room.

"Not well. There are no words that I could say that would be enough. I..." Kagome sighed as she looked at the blank sheet where she had yet to wirte anything down.

"The Great Demon Kindom owes them all a great debt. They have sheltered and guarded you for generations. I do not think there are words that can express a thank you of that enormity." Murata nodded in understanding as he lent back against the wall next to her desk.

"I will miss them. I am happy to finally be home where I belong. Guiding and protecting Shin Makoku alongside you and Shin. I am grateful. Ever so grateful for all that they and those before them have done. I will miss them, but I..." Kagome choaked in frustration before slamming her fist on her desk.

"It's alright to feel their loss. We don't expect you not to. You have time." Murata said as he rested and hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeezed, before pulling away.

"You're right, as always. I need to relax and just let myself adjust to being home." Kagome said with a small smile as she sat back in her chair and focused he attention on the other teen.

"I'm just not used to relaxing and not looking to the next task needing to be done. I just... I can feel the darkness that has been growing in the land. It unsettles me and makes me feel like I should be doing something about it. Yet I can't even leave here until the jewel is no longer a threat." She explained as she reached up to clench the jewel in her hand.

"I have been thinking about that. After so long with the jewel you must have some idea of how to destroy it." Murata said as his head tilted down and the light flashed over the lenses of his glasses.

"I do... but I will need help." Kagome replied before sighing.

"My maryoku is deminished because I have been storing it since the jewel came to be. It is with that item returned to me, and the assisstance of Shin's chosen that I believe we can rid ourselves of it once and for all. I had hoped Shin would be able to help me, but his power has weakened from what it once was. I fear that if he were to do so then he would fade." Kagome looked up with tears in her eyes.

"I can not allow it. I just got you both back."

Murata wanted to tell her that they were all ment to fade eventually, but he could not for he knew the truth. For Shin and himself there would be an end if they desired it, but there wouldn't be one for her. The ritual of rebirth was truly a curse as there was no way to undo it, but they had been desperate to find a way.

She was a being driven by duty, compassion, honor, and an unending well of love. Even were there to be a child born with the power to replace her, to clense the land and reinforce the protections so she could step away from those duties, Kagome would never wish to curse another the way she had cursed herself.

"Don't think about everything else we will have to do right now. Come. Let's enjoy the sun in the courtyard. Night will be here soon enough." Murata said as he offered her a hand to help her rise.

There was still much to be done now that she there, but all that could wait at the moment. Her thoughts were weighted down. He would do what he could to lighten them.

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Well, that's it for chapter five. As I warned you, I only had this done to a certain point. This is the last chapter. I will try to post more if I have the inspiration, but I'm going to be honest and tell you I don't know if I will continue or not. I had a burst of inspiration and wrote this down one night. I hadn't even intended to post it until my husband reminded me that someone reading it might get some inspiration for a story of their own.

~Ryu