FOREINGER By: OtakuSailorV
Chapter 21: Goodbye My Lovely Kikyo!
They had woken up early & walked a ways from the camp the night before when Hikari spotted the low flying demons. They looked like giant birds but had bodies connected on the top of them. Their feathers were dark & larger than anything Hikari had ever seen. "The Birds of Paradise?" Miroku asked raising his staff. Hikari looked over at him. "No, they smell like 'em though. I'd say this is their family coming to seek revenge for their comrades at the mountain." Inuyasha growled. The birds took no notice of them as they swooped over. Hikari gasped. "Heather's at the mountain!" She looked toward the formation in time to see a sickle shaped energy blade fly from the mountain & strike one of the demons overhead. It screamed as it was sliced in two. Heather hid Rin's eyes until the bird had fallen to the ground a good ways from them. Sesshoumaru sniffed the air. "The attack was from human hand. I think your friend is Ok." Hikari sighed & looked happily toward the mountain. "I'll call her later then."
The birds were upon them before the demons had returned. Kouga kicked & slashed at them. Heather swung her sword down & cut one open. Kouga looked back at her for a brief moment to see a different side that he had never seen before. Her eyes were narrowed, bot in anger or hate, but in the will to live. It also expressed deep concentration that could not be broken or certain death was the penalty. Looking away he slashed at another open mouth full of jagged teeth. "Argh!" Heather lifted the sword above her head & it disappeared with a slight twinkle of light. Heather looked at the feathered birds that were flying toward her. Her black wings spread out & glowed a deep red. Her eyes glowed the same deep color & she pulled into a tight ball. The red light glowed around her & all matter seemed to hold still for a brief moment when Kouga turned to see the cause of the light. She pulled from the ball suddenly, her hands clenched into tight fists as she lifted them up. Her eyes still glowed even though they were closed. Kouga's mouth opened into a yell of surprise but no noise was heard above the roar of the attack. The light shot out like arrows & struck every one of the remaining birds. They fell to the ground in bloody heaps, wings flapping desperately in the air. Heather's eyes still glowed slightly when the attack was finished. Her wings disappeared & she sank slowly to the ground, holding her head in her hands. "Aw, shit." She said shaking her head against the headache. Kouga dodged off the wall & landed next to her. She was sitting on her knees then sank slowly to sit on her butt. Her legs spread to allow her body to move downward. She shook her head again & Hisui appeared on her head. "Reinforcements are no longer needed but they are coming." The little dragon flexed her wings & looked down at Heather. "Aspirin?" She asked sticking out her long neck to peer at her master's face. Heather smiled & touched Hisui's nose with her hand. "No thanks just a little dizzy. It's been a while since I did that. I'm stunned I was so rusty that it made me feel woozy." Kouga looked at the girl in wonder. Only moments before she had killed off an entire tribe of bird demons, now she was smiling like she had nothing. Putting a hand on her arm Heather smiled. When she pulled it away, blood was dripping from it. Multiple other cuts appeared on her body & clothing. Kouga looked at her in horror but was unable to ask what she was doing. The wolf demon tribe ran as fast as they could over the ridge to see Kouga sitting on his heels by Heather on the blood covered crest. They stopped feet away from them. Ginta walked over to Kouga, his mouth hanging open. "Kouga did the girl.?" He looked down to see her covered in blood & cuts. He looked at Kouga questioningly. Kouga stood & looked at Heather who stood woozily, like she was tired & really had been beaten. "I fought & killed a lot of them but." He raised an eyebrow at Heather who was looking instead at the cliff. "I fought & earned my share of scars." Was all she said. Kouga put a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to look at him. "I saw you.you." Heather smiled. "That was nothing. I simply was getting bored despite the fact that I haven't fought for a long time." Her pocket rang. She looked down & took out the phone. "Hello?" Kouga stared at the strange contraption. "Heather? Heather I saw the light & the birds! What the hell are you doing setting off a beacon for everyone to see?" "Hikari I!" "I know you like to have fun but you just can't erase memories or something! This is." "I'm Sorry Hikari but your *Skrich* breaking up. I can barely *Skrich* hear you! You'll have to *Skrich* call me later!" Heather shouted into the phone then with a smile hung up & stowed it back in her pocket. Kouga stared at her with questioning eyes. "What in all the hells was that?" Heather smiled. "That was my friend that likes to make sure that I don't kill myself. That thing that I was talking to her through is a cell phone. It's kinda like letters or messages sent over wires into a small handheld tellie like that one." Kouga tilted his head. "Strange." Was all he said. "I am a girl of many mysteries." Heather repeated for a third time. Back in the den Heather was aloud to walk freely around & without bonds. "The secret to my power is that I'm not exactly human & I'm not exactly demon. I am more of a thing between. No, not a hanyou. I'm a Dragon. A Black Dragon Clan member if you want the long term. We are human looking beings with demon like powers." Kouga scratched his head. Heather was sitting in on a rock that was sitting in the middle of the room. "So, that was why you were able to heal all the wounds you inflicted on yourself & destroy an entire demon bird flock." Ginta watched his leader look back at the girl that was sitting on the rock with deep interest. "You also mentioned that you would have to leave soon, when is that?" Heather calculated the days. "I'd say by tomorrow night. I have a party that I need to go to & meet my friend again. We were going to come here after the party but I decided to come by myself & transport there later." Kouga nodded. "So, until tomorrow?" Heather nodded. Hisui lifted off her shoulder & landed on Kouga's head. "Thoughts read: I don't mmph!" Heather had cupped her hand over the mouth of the tiny dragon with a smile. Lifting her from his head she laughed. "Just ignore her, she likes to do that when she feels bored." "I wasn't bored, just acting in your best interest." Hisui said through her hand. Heather laughed again. "No more beer for you." She said removing her hand. Kouga watched the dragon walk up her arm & settle back on her shoulder. "Kouga! We're going to hunt now! Are you coming or are you going to talk to her all day?!" The wolf demon with the scar over his eye yelled into the cave. Heather stood. "You're going?" She asked him turning slightly. He nodded after he had risen. "Yes, as leader it is my duty to lead them on the hunt." Heather nodded. A wet nose was stuck in her palm. She patted the furry head without looking down. "Can I come too?" She asked. Kouga looked at her in surprise. "If you can keep up." He said over his shoulder while walking out. Heather smiled & ran after him. "Thank you." Hikari gasped when the spear of red energy hit beside her. She had felt it coming toward her but had paid little notice of it. Looking up she spotted more of them raining down from the sky or shooting over their heads. Kirara growled as he transformed into the giant cat. Hikari stuck out her hand toward Sango. "Hold Sango. They won't hit us, this is Heather's work." Sango put her foot back down on the ground, Miroku lowered his staff & Kagome her bow. Inuyasha drew from his fighter's stance & let his clawed fingers slip to his sides. Sesshoumaru had not moved an inch & stood watching the spears fall around them & disappear, leaving nothing but broken & charred earth. Hikari looked at the red sphere that was glowing in the distance. "Heather." She sighed while rubbing her head. "I don't know what toll that took on her so I don't think I'll call her quite yet." Kagome spotted the orb & watched it slowly grow dimmer & finally disappear. When it was finally over Sesshoumaru turned & walked on into the forest. A few minutes later they discovered that they were being followed. Hikari glanced back slightly to see the person duck out of the way. "I think we're close to a village Sesshoumaru." She said spotting more people on either side watching her. "I know, we will have to pass through it unless we want to cause a disturbance by flying over." Hikari nodded noticing a young boy watch her in wonder. "We won't cause a disturbance by going there on foot?" He shook his head. "The people of this village are terrified by flying demons because they were once attacked by flying demons. They will be less threatened by us if we walk." Hikari nodded & walked slightly closer to him. The village was large, full of shops & houses of all sorts. Hikari had never been in a village except for Keade's, so it was all new to her. Rin had seen the village from afar before, from the ridge of the mountain on the other side. It had looked small from up there but now it seemed to be bigger than ever. The people parted in the streets & looked on in wonder at them. Some whispered things that were only slightly understood or heard by the travelers. "Youkai, stay back." One woman whispered to her son. "The poor girls, caught by youkai suitors. And the monk, I wonder what they plan on doing with him?" Hikari almost burst out laughing at the people's misconception. "That one with the funny colored hair seems to be from somewhere far away. Maybe she is a demon from a foreign country?" The man next to him whispered back. "I once heard that Chinese dragons had hair like that & that they could change to any form the wanted." The man looked nervously at Hikari, half expecting her to blow a flicker of flame at him. Farther up when they were about out of the village & away from the whispers Hikari caught a final whisper in her ears. "Hey, that dragon-girl is nice looking." "Are you sure she's a dragon?" Whispered a voice back. "I like the human girls that they got with them better. You'd do best to stick to your own species." The first voice didn't sound persuaded to do so. "No way that dragon-girl is too strange to pass by, full of foreign beauty." Hikari about gagged when she saw the men that were staring at her. They were both much younger than she thought they were. The one was also so short that Hikari mistook him for a younger Kohaku at first. "I think I'll go ask her if she wants to come with me instead." Said the first boy. The other warned him away. "I bet that's her kid on the dragon you idiot! That means she is already taken by someone like that tall youkai she's so close to." They were about to walk by them now & Hikari decided to have a little fun. Thinking of Saisei she was able to get him to appear on her shoulder with a roar. He spat a bit of flame & flexed his leathery wings. The two boys stepped back with a gasp. Shiro appeared next to Rin & copied Saisei. Hikari let a pair of dragon ears slide out to replace her human ones. The boys watched them in shock until they had disappeared down the road. "You wanted a dragon for a wife?" He asked looking at the first boy who only shook his head dumbly.
Heather grabbed up a spear as she walked out of the cave mouth. She could feel her friend moving across the country, they were behind by a few miles, maybe she would be able to stay longer at the mountain then? Putting the spear over her shoulder she walked down by the other youkai that were going on the hunt. "Kouga are you bringing the human on the hunt?" Asked one of the wolves that had failed to see any of her feats due to the fact that he had been gone to the tribe across the wide river. Kouga turned an annoyed eye toward him. "I am allowing her to come so long as she can keep up. She has proven that she can fight, so she can hunt." Heather paid little mind to the speech, she was busy trying to get Hisui to stop flying around her head. Kouga pointed to the forest below. "Now, let's go!" He called & took off ahead of them. Heather held the spear at her side & ran at a fairly slow pace by the doubting demon. He grinned at her & took his speed up a notch. "So, he wants to play 'speed' huh? Alright, let's play." Heather took her speed up several notches & sped past him. Looking back she saw the stunned look on his face as she ran by. The spear jutted out in front of her & threatened to take the legs out from any who dared to get too close. She could feel eyes on her but couldn't tell from where. On a rock overlooking the running pack sat Kouga. He had told Ginta of his plan to run up the cliff & watch the progress of the human before he had left. Smirking he watched her speed by & run up by Ginta himself. Hakkaku was running on her other side & happened to notice him. He nodded & steered down the face of the cliff directly into the forest below. Kouga watched as the demons ran down the face of the cliff. Heather seemed to be laughing as she ran at the cliff at a tremendous rate & jumped. She fell straight down the cliff with her arms & legs spread, still laughing. He could hear her yelling all the way down. "Yahoo!" She screamed. Her ponytail whipped back behind her & blew furiously in the wind. Bringing her spear forward she pushed it down in front of herself, falling still toward the ground below. Kouga ran down the cliff & stood on the top of the next one. Heather fell straight down the ravine, past the demons that had passed her, past the head of the pack, past everyone. Kouga smirked again. Heather was still giggling as she landed. Her arm brought the spear back & with a good thrust it went into the earth with a 'twang'. She stretched out her arms & grabbing the middle of the spear she swung around the pole until her feet touched the ground. The demons ran by & she ran after them. A dart was seen going by & she knew immediately who it was. She smiled at Kouga who was kicking up dust all over with his shards. She sped up & soon it was neck & neck. Heather dug her heels into the ground when she saw him stop. He turned toward a bush stepped down. Heather held her spear tighter & walked by him. On the other side was a herd of boars. Heather wondered for a moment if anything else lived on the mountain & in the forest besides wolves & boars. The rest of the group arrived & knelt down or went around the sides of the bushes with spears drawn. Kouga motioned Heather to come closer. She knelt down beside him & waited patiently for instructions. "Do you know what to do?" He asked. Heather shrugged. "Run out & kill one with this thing." She said raising the spear slightly. Kouga smiled at her. "No, you wait until I give the signal then run out & kill them with that thing." He pointed to her spear. Heather smiled. "Aha." She said. Kouga smiled at her one last time then he put an arm in the air & lowered it suddenly. "Now." He whispered to her & jumping up he ran out of the bushes. Heather ran out after him, her spear by her side. The boars squealed & tried to flee but were blocked by the demons that were waiting for them on the other side of the bushes. Heather watched for a slight moment while they slashed at the boars & picked up the dead bodies. With a shrug she ran at one & flung the spear at it. The spear fell short & hit the ground in front of it. Heather looked dumbfounded. "Damn." She muttered & jumped into the air. The pig had fled in the opposite direction but wasn't getting away. Kouga watched her throw then jump. Her descent was much better than her spear throw. She turned her self down & raised her hands as if they had claws. With a smirk of concentration she straightened out her legs to make herself go faster. Whizzing down toward the pig she slashed at it. The pig had turned slightly only to receive crimson claw marks in his side. He squealed & ran bleeding toward a tree. Heather landed & glided low over the ground after him. Kouga had let his pig lay on the ground by his feet while he watched her swipe at it's legs & finally break it's neck. With a slight sigh she lifted it up from the ground. Slinging the bloodied pig over her shoulder she walked back toward the mountain. "What do we do when we're done?" She asked looking at Kouga with a calm expression. He starred at her for sometime. "You take it back to the top with you & eat it." Heather nodded & was gone in a snap. Kouga shook his head clear when she had left. "Strange." Was all he said as he hefted up his own pig & started back.
They had stopped at a small clearing to eat lunch & talk. They girls discussed what they had heard said about them in the village while the men talked about fighting & Sesshoumaru's territories. "So, what is the house like now?" Inuyasha asked through a hand fool of something that Kagome called 'dog chow'. Sesshoumaru grabbed a handful of the tasty stuff & popped a few into his mouth. Smirking at his little brother he shrugged. "I haven't been back for a year or so, so I'm not quite sure either." Inuyasha gave him a funny look & grumbled a curse through the dog food. "Osuwari!" Kagome yelled. The 'dog chow' flew through the air into Sesshoumaru's lap as Inuyasha was pulled to the ground. He cursed again as he pulled himself from the ground. "What the hell was that for?!" Kagome glared at him. "You shouldn't say those words in front of small children." Inuyasha rubbed his head & looked at the clueless Rin who was trying to get a handful of the dog food. Hikari pushed the bag away from her. "I don't think you should eat that Rin." The girl cocked her head to one side. "Why not Hikari-sama?" Hikari smiled at her. "Well that's more of a grown-up food." Rin thought it over for a second. "Like that stuff that Heather-san drinks?" Hikari nodded. "Something like that." Rin smiled. "Ok Hikari-san." Hikari could fell a strange presence near by. Looking around she could feel her skin becoming clammy, like when she had met Hana. Kagome noticed how pale Hikari looked & walked over. "Hikari are you.?" Hikari pointed toward the stand of trees behind them. "Someone's coming." She gasped out. Kagome looked behind her to see Kikyo looking down on them. She was riding a brown horse & beside her was a woman who looked like she was Kagome & Kikyo's twin sister. Her horse was white & her hair was longer than both Kikyo & Kagome's. It reached down to her knees & was set in a ponytail like Kikyo's. Both women wore a shrine priestess outfit as they descended on their horses. Inuyasha looked at Kikyo & felt his heart leap into his throat. He had confessed to Kagome that he loved her & always wanted to be by her, what was he going to tell Kikyo? Sliding gracefully from her horse Kikyo walked past Inuyasha & stood in front of Kagome. She didn't say a word, she simply stopped & stared at Kagome with deep eyes. The other priestess who's eyes were not of the same color as her companion either shone in the sun. Her green eyes sweeped from Inuyasha, to Kikyo, to Kagome, to rest on Hikari. "This is for you from someone you have met." She said in a cool voice without emotion. She held out a large, leather bound book that had an inscription on it in English. "She was going to give it to you herself but circumstances change." She looked at Sesshoumaru who had moved protectively in front of Hikari & Rin. Jaken stepped back behind Hikari's legs. Hikari looked at the book & gasped. "So this is how she knew." Opening the book Hikari found unwritten songs dating to her period in time. "The songs change as to when & where you are." Hikari looked at her. "What do you mean?" The woman gave her a mysterious smile. "In your time it will have different songs in it. If you go to an alternate dimension then it will have different songs in it." Hikari nodded. "Thank you.uhh." Hikari looked at her questioningly. The woman smiled warmly. "My name is Kachiki. And I am the former Kikyo which means I'm also Kagome." Everyone sat in shocked silence for a few minutes. Kachiki smiled still. "I have come from the past to check out how things are going. But since I have seen that a Megami Hogasha is present & myself I am content." Kikyo looked harder at Kagome. Then with a small turn she walked over to her brown horse & mounted it. "I will return Inuyasha." She said & galloped away. Kagome watched her disappear into the trees. With a small sigh Kachiki mounted her horse. "I promise to take care of myself that does not belong here while I can, until she has to rest eternally & give up her dead passion." Riding off Kachiki's horse made no noise, as if it were a ghost.
Kouga arrived back at the camp & ate the boar that he had killed. He gave some to the wolves around him. A strange music filtered down to him from nowhere again as he sat on the bed. The den around him was full of the demons, eating & laughing but not one was singing or playing an instrument. Kouga looked for the human girl to no avail. She was not in the den. Kouga looked at her straw bed but it was empty. He sniffed the air & could smell her, she was on the top again. With a huff he got up on his legs. Following the strange music he walked to the top of the mountain.
If you want me to wait, I would wait for you
If you tell me to stay, I will stay right thru
If you don't want to say anything at all
I'm happy wondering
Kouga listened to the words that seemed strange to him. He knew what she was saying but was unsure of why her voice sounded so sad. Slowing to a walk he listened to the guitar strum again.
Now my life is changing, it's always rearranging
Always getting stranger than I thought it ever could
Ever since I found you, I wanna be around you
I wanna get down to the point that I need you
The guitar & words went off but Kouga was looking at the pile of bones. Stopping he looked at them with his glowing eyes. He felt slightly sadder at the sight of his long dead brother's bones. But the song went on & caught his attention again. Standing rooted to the spot he listened.
Don't tell me
The bad news
Don't tell me anything at all
Just tell me
That you need me
& Stay right here with me
Kouga was about to start when a flapping made him stop. A black face was shoved into his. "Hello Kouga." Said a strange voice that sounded familiar. Kouga looked at the tiny dragon. "Hisui?" He asked. The dragon nodded. "Hai." He walked past her. "Hello."
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb without a soul
My spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there & bring it back home.
Kouga stepped by her & felt the power rise through the air as she played. Her music stopped. The power left the air & the strange music that seemed to appear out of nowhere & didn't seem to come from the guitar stopped. Heather turned around to look at Kouga who was staring down at her. "Why are you up here alone?" He spotted where a fire had been built & the bones of the boar in the ashes. "I wanted some time to think." She said leaning on her guitar. Kouga saw the distant look in her eyes. "You sounded sad when you were singing, why?" He asked looking away from her sad eyes. For some reason seeing her sad made him feel sad also. "There is no reason, & if there is one then I do not wish to speak of it at the moment." Kouga nodded. "I was just making sure that you weren't trying to bottle it up inside." Heather shrugged. "Part of being a Dragon is that you have to keep a secret bottled up. Along with powers & hidden tears. There is no emotion that a Dragon does not try to cover up at one time." Kouga saw the look in her eyes again, the sad, loss of energy look. Her wisdom seemed to show when she was in this slump. He touched one of the freckles on her face curiously. He had no idea why but they were strange to him & he felt that he had to know what they felt like. Heather's eye trailed down to the claw that was poking her cheek, then up at Kouga. He pulled the claw away hastily & looked away, a slight blush on his face. "You did well at hunting today, have you hunted before?" He asked her. She smiled sadly, he had hoped she would be smile happily. "No. That was my first time hunting. It was fun though." Kouga stared at her. A brief picture of Kagome caught his attention & he looked away. "So, tomorrow?" He asked. Heather shook her head. "The person I was supposed to meet is falling behind schedule, I thought she was going to move faster &." Heather dropped off when her pocket rang. "Hold on." She rooted around in her pocket & pulled out the cell phone. Its buttons glowed in the dark light around them when it rang. Heather pressed a green button & put the device to her ear. "Hello?" Heather already knew who it was. "Hey, what's going on? I thought you would have caught up with us by now." Hikari said. Heather laughed. "Well, I decided to stay at the mountain one more day to enjoy myself. I'll just transport by you, I won't be winging it." Hikari laughed. "Well as long as you don't use your tricks again." Heather smiled. "What tricks?" She asked in an innocent tone. "Don't get innocent with me Heather Dunaway. You know very well what I mean." Heather sighed. "Aw man, come on! You sound like my fricken mom!" Hikari laughed. "At least one of us does." Heather laughed at that. "If I turned out like my mom I'd kill myself!" "Don't do that it hurts!" Both girls laughed until they had calmed down. "I'll see you soon Hikari." "Alright Heather." Hikari hung up & Heather stowed the phone back into her pocket. Kouga watched her with great interest. "So that was her?" Heather nodded. "She just wants to make sure that I'm safe." She leaned against the guitar again. Kouga saw her eyes change from the amused look to a hurt, sad look again. "I'll teach you how to throw a spear tomorrow." He offered, hoping it would cheer her up. Heather nodded. "Thank you, I'll need the practice." Kouga nodded & stood. "Are you spending the night up here or are you coming down?" He asked with a smile. Heather smiled back at him & stood up. "I'll come down."
They had marched past another village before the day was done. Hikari was glad that they didn't have to go through it but around it. Sesshoumaru had said that his castle was only a two days walk away. Hikari had already called Heather to make sure she was Ok & was trying to get Rin to go to sleep. The girl finally gave in to her tiredness & fell asleep on Kirara's back. Kohaku walked beside his sister & they chatted about the old days. Kagome & Inuyasha had been silent toward one another since Kikyo & Kachiki had visited. Miroku wondered on the idea that Naraku had no idea that they had arrived back from the well. "You don't suppose he is unaware of our return do you?" He asked looking at everyone in turn. "He hasn't attacked or sent anything after us like Kagura, so I would think not." Hikari said but she wasn't entirely sure. Kohaku looked slightly nervous when they talked about Naraku, he still had the shard in his back that Naraku had placed there. Hikari was sure that Naraku could feel the presence of such a jewel shard that he himself had planted. Hikari put her hands behind her head & looked up at the clouds for some time before she spoke again. "I wonder." She opened the book she had in her satchel & looked over the songs that were in every language that existed. "Hey Kagome here's Do As Infinity's 'Fukai Mori'. Or 'Heaven' by DJ Sammy in America." Kagome walked up & looked into the book. "Hey, I know this band." She said pointing out 'The Pillows'. "They made a song for this wacky anime." "Furi Kuri!" Both girls yelled at the same time & laughed. Everyone stared at them. "Who is 'The Pillows' & what is 'Furi Kuri'?" Sango asked with a raised eyebrow. Hikari & Kagome told of the anime & the famous band. "They're really good." Sango nodded. "I see, & girls in your time listen to this 'music' through a thing on their heads?" Hikari nodded. "It's called a 'Walkman' or 'headset' & sometimes 'headphones'." Kagome said. Sango thought it over. "Ok." At nightfall they set up camp along the road again & instantly fell asleep. Hikari had shown Sango her headphones & even let her listen to music on it. Sango had liked the songs, even the American ones that she couldn't understand. Inuyasha sat in a tree over Kagome's sleeping body, thinking over what Kikyo had said. She hadn't tried to hurt Kagome or anything, & what the heck was she doing with her former self? Kachiki was obviously present because she had a job to do. Was her job to put Kikyo to rest? Did the resting plan involve him? He groaned & rolled over to fall asleep thinking of what Kachiki was up to. Kagome woke with a start, she could feel Kikyo nearby. Kachiki however was nowhere near them. Kagome got up & walked around the camp. No one else was awake or moved at all. Kagome put her hand by Hikari's mouth as she passed her, the girl was still breathing but seemed to be dead asleep. Kagome turned when a twig snapped behind her. Kikyo stood under the tree where she had been sleeping. "I have come for Inuyasha. Do not try to stop me." Kagome looked at Kikyo with stunned eyes. Kikyo's soul catchers slipped Inuyasha from his tree branch. Kagome glared at her. "Kikyo!" She growled & grabbed for her bow & arrows that had been in her hands at the time. Kikyo thrust out her hand & the equipment fell from Kagome's hands, clattering on the ground. "Two can play that game!" Kagome yelled & thrust out her arms. Kikyo fell back & hit the tree with a gasp. Wincing she stood & pulled out her arrows. "You are most troublesome." She said as her cool eyes narrowed & her hand let the arrow fly. Kagome put her arms out as if in a trance & the arrow stopped an inch from her hands & fell to the ground. Kagome flinched & looked at the arrow on the ground with scared eyes. When the arrow had flown at her she had the brief image of a face that looked like hers but she knew it wasn't her face that she saw. It was Kikyo's face! Kagome thought it over quickly while Kikyo pulled another bow. "This time it will hit." She said. Kagome looked up but the arrow fell feet from her. 'She can't hit me!' Kagome almost said aloud. Her mouth hung open but Kikyo knew what she was thinking. "It seems Kachiki was right when she told me that you & I could not kill each other with weapons, she was wrong on her other warning though. I will prove that she is wrong." Kikyo put an arm on Inuyasha's head. "My soul is nothing but hate! I will kill Inuyasha like I should have 50 years ago, then I will kill Naraku & take the jewel with me to hell." Her hair flew around her & Inuyasha started to sink slowly into the ground with the soul catchers still holding him. Kagome took a swift step forward but she froze in her steps. "I no longer love Inuyasha, I am nothing but hate that will not rest till he is dead!" Kikyo's eyes looked slightly sad as she yelled. Power swirled around both girls while Kagome struggled to reach Inuyasha. "You're a liar Kikyo! You've had plenty of opportunities to kill him yet you haven't because you love him! You are not hate, you do not belong here because you are dead! Deal with it!" Kagome took several steps forward against the power that emitted from Kikyo's clay body. "I will kill Inuyasha & you Kagome! I don't care if we are the same, you will not live in the same time as me!" Kagome stumbled back. 'We ARE the same aren't we?!' Kagome suddenly realized. "We are the same Kikyo! You cannot hate Inuyasha while I love him! We love him & you know it!" Kikyo let her force field of power slide. "No." She breathed. "She isn't right.Kachiki.Kikyo.Kagome.we're all the same.then how? How was Kachiki able to resist Inuyasha if we couldn't?" Kagome watched Kikyo grab her head. "Is it because she had no Inuyasha before?" Kikyo began to sweat from her over use of soul power. "No, it was because I knew my place Kikyo. I know that I cannot have Inuyasha because I was not meant to." Kachiki stood among the trees, watching them silently. "You died at the hands of a jealous monster Kikyo, let it rest. Inuyasha loves your soul not you alone, therefore you will be with him, no matter what age or body. You were brought back by a cruel twist of fate, you & Inuyasha were simply not meant to be, besides do you really intend to kill the one you love & make yourself miserable in the future?" Kikyo looked confused & slightly anxious. "Kachiki, I am a soul of hate! I was brought back to kill him!" Kachiki simply smiled. "You question your existence, don't you?" Kikyo glared. "Rest in peace Kikyo, you are a lost soul seeking comfort among the living, rest until you are needed again." Kachiki put a hand on Kikyo's shoulder. The clay skin melted away under her grasp. Kikyo tried to pull away but Kachiki held fast. "Kikyo you are not welcome in the land of the living when you are dead, it becomes harder everyday to collect souls. You have caused enough pain, go back & be ready in 500 years." Souls started to escape through the melted shoulder. Kikyo screamed as it ripped through her entire body & finally she turned to dust. The remainder of her soul that had been in her hung in mid air for a slight second before it dove into Kagome's chest. Kagome gave a slight yelp, the soul burned as it settled in her among the other half of Kikyo's soul. Sighing Kachiki grabbed hold of the tree next to her. The soul catchers had disbanded when Kikyo's soul had left & Inuyasha was asleep on the ground like nothing had happened. "Kachiki." Kagome breathed uneasily, the woman had just killed Kikyo, if 'killed' was the right word! "Don't worry, she is resting it all out now, the mission I was on is now complete. I must go now, I have little time before the same thing will happen to me." Kachiki was sweating & breathing heavily as she spoke. Kagome picked up the clothes Kikyo's had been wearing. "Inuyasha." She sighed knowing he would accuse her of the resting of Kikyo. "Tell him the truth, if he loves you he will believe you." Kagome nodded, he had already told her that he loved her. Kachiki started to turn to dust. "Right on time." She breathed. Kagome watched her until only her upper body was left. "Why are you doing it so willingly? Having Kikyo's soul you should be acting like she did right?" Kachiki shook her head wearily. "Someday you will know more but it is because I know my place in time. My time is up, I was sent to Kikyo to show her that her time was up too, that it had been up for 50 years. She would not believe me & insisted on taking Inuyasha if she was to go. So, taking Inuyasha was out of the question. I had to get her to see it my way by force." She smiled sadly. "Forgive her. She was lost in a world she didn't belong in." Kachiki's head disappeared & the dust floated into the sky & seemed to touch the stars. Sighing Kagome laid back down on her bed with Inuyasha next to her. He rolled over so she could see his face & saw that he was smiling in his sleep. "Yeah.that's *yawn*.how you do it Kagome." He said through his sleep. Kagome giggled lightly. "Thank you for teaching me Inuyasha." He twitched one ear. "You needed to know how to run right." He said. Kagome about whacked him but remembered that stupid things happen in dreams & that she shouldn't hit him because he was having a strange dream. With a soft smile she pulled the blankets closer to herself. "Goodnight Inuyasha." "Night mommy." ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............ Got to cut it short again. Sorry.
They had woken up early & walked a ways from the camp the night before when Hikari spotted the low flying demons. They looked like giant birds but had bodies connected on the top of them. Their feathers were dark & larger than anything Hikari had ever seen. "The Birds of Paradise?" Miroku asked raising his staff. Hikari looked over at him. "No, they smell like 'em though. I'd say this is their family coming to seek revenge for their comrades at the mountain." Inuyasha growled. The birds took no notice of them as they swooped over. Hikari gasped. "Heather's at the mountain!" She looked toward the formation in time to see a sickle shaped energy blade fly from the mountain & strike one of the demons overhead. It screamed as it was sliced in two. Heather hid Rin's eyes until the bird had fallen to the ground a good ways from them. Sesshoumaru sniffed the air. "The attack was from human hand. I think your friend is Ok." Hikari sighed & looked happily toward the mountain. "I'll call her later then."
The birds were upon them before the demons had returned. Kouga kicked & slashed at them. Heather swung her sword down & cut one open. Kouga looked back at her for a brief moment to see a different side that he had never seen before. Her eyes were narrowed, bot in anger or hate, but in the will to live. It also expressed deep concentration that could not be broken or certain death was the penalty. Looking away he slashed at another open mouth full of jagged teeth. "Argh!" Heather lifted the sword above her head & it disappeared with a slight twinkle of light. Heather looked at the feathered birds that were flying toward her. Her black wings spread out & glowed a deep red. Her eyes glowed the same deep color & she pulled into a tight ball. The red light glowed around her & all matter seemed to hold still for a brief moment when Kouga turned to see the cause of the light. She pulled from the ball suddenly, her hands clenched into tight fists as she lifted them up. Her eyes still glowed even though they were closed. Kouga's mouth opened into a yell of surprise but no noise was heard above the roar of the attack. The light shot out like arrows & struck every one of the remaining birds. They fell to the ground in bloody heaps, wings flapping desperately in the air. Heather's eyes still glowed slightly when the attack was finished. Her wings disappeared & she sank slowly to the ground, holding her head in her hands. "Aw, shit." She said shaking her head against the headache. Kouga dodged off the wall & landed next to her. She was sitting on her knees then sank slowly to sit on her butt. Her legs spread to allow her body to move downward. She shook her head again & Hisui appeared on her head. "Reinforcements are no longer needed but they are coming." The little dragon flexed her wings & looked down at Heather. "Aspirin?" She asked sticking out her long neck to peer at her master's face. Heather smiled & touched Hisui's nose with her hand. "No thanks just a little dizzy. It's been a while since I did that. I'm stunned I was so rusty that it made me feel woozy." Kouga looked at the girl in wonder. Only moments before she had killed off an entire tribe of bird demons, now she was smiling like she had nothing. Putting a hand on her arm Heather smiled. When she pulled it away, blood was dripping from it. Multiple other cuts appeared on her body & clothing. Kouga looked at her in horror but was unable to ask what she was doing. The wolf demon tribe ran as fast as they could over the ridge to see Kouga sitting on his heels by Heather on the blood covered crest. They stopped feet away from them. Ginta walked over to Kouga, his mouth hanging open. "Kouga did the girl.?" He looked down to see her covered in blood & cuts. He looked at Kouga questioningly. Kouga stood & looked at Heather who stood woozily, like she was tired & really had been beaten. "I fought & killed a lot of them but." He raised an eyebrow at Heather who was looking instead at the cliff. "I fought & earned my share of scars." Was all she said. Kouga put a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to look at him. "I saw you.you." Heather smiled. "That was nothing. I simply was getting bored despite the fact that I haven't fought for a long time." Her pocket rang. She looked down & took out the phone. "Hello?" Kouga stared at the strange contraption. "Heather? Heather I saw the light & the birds! What the hell are you doing setting off a beacon for everyone to see?" "Hikari I!" "I know you like to have fun but you just can't erase memories or something! This is." "I'm Sorry Hikari but your *Skrich* breaking up. I can barely *Skrich* hear you! You'll have to *Skrich* call me later!" Heather shouted into the phone then with a smile hung up & stowed it back in her pocket. Kouga stared at her with questioning eyes. "What in all the hells was that?" Heather smiled. "That was my friend that likes to make sure that I don't kill myself. That thing that I was talking to her through is a cell phone. It's kinda like letters or messages sent over wires into a small handheld tellie like that one." Kouga tilted his head. "Strange." Was all he said. "I am a girl of many mysteries." Heather repeated for a third time. Back in the den Heather was aloud to walk freely around & without bonds. "The secret to my power is that I'm not exactly human & I'm not exactly demon. I am more of a thing between. No, not a hanyou. I'm a Dragon. A Black Dragon Clan member if you want the long term. We are human looking beings with demon like powers." Kouga scratched his head. Heather was sitting in on a rock that was sitting in the middle of the room. "So, that was why you were able to heal all the wounds you inflicted on yourself & destroy an entire demon bird flock." Ginta watched his leader look back at the girl that was sitting on the rock with deep interest. "You also mentioned that you would have to leave soon, when is that?" Heather calculated the days. "I'd say by tomorrow night. I have a party that I need to go to & meet my friend again. We were going to come here after the party but I decided to come by myself & transport there later." Kouga nodded. "So, until tomorrow?" Heather nodded. Hisui lifted off her shoulder & landed on Kouga's head. "Thoughts read: I don't mmph!" Heather had cupped her hand over the mouth of the tiny dragon with a smile. Lifting her from his head she laughed. "Just ignore her, she likes to do that when she feels bored." "I wasn't bored, just acting in your best interest." Hisui said through her hand. Heather laughed again. "No more beer for you." She said removing her hand. Kouga watched the dragon walk up her arm & settle back on her shoulder. "Kouga! We're going to hunt now! Are you coming or are you going to talk to her all day?!" The wolf demon with the scar over his eye yelled into the cave. Heather stood. "You're going?" She asked him turning slightly. He nodded after he had risen. "Yes, as leader it is my duty to lead them on the hunt." Heather nodded. A wet nose was stuck in her palm. She patted the furry head without looking down. "Can I come too?" She asked. Kouga looked at her in surprise. "If you can keep up." He said over his shoulder while walking out. Heather smiled & ran after him. "Thank you." Hikari gasped when the spear of red energy hit beside her. She had felt it coming toward her but had paid little notice of it. Looking up she spotted more of them raining down from the sky or shooting over their heads. Kirara growled as he transformed into the giant cat. Hikari stuck out her hand toward Sango. "Hold Sango. They won't hit us, this is Heather's work." Sango put her foot back down on the ground, Miroku lowered his staff & Kagome her bow. Inuyasha drew from his fighter's stance & let his clawed fingers slip to his sides. Sesshoumaru had not moved an inch & stood watching the spears fall around them & disappear, leaving nothing but broken & charred earth. Hikari looked at the red sphere that was glowing in the distance. "Heather." She sighed while rubbing her head. "I don't know what toll that took on her so I don't think I'll call her quite yet." Kagome spotted the orb & watched it slowly grow dimmer & finally disappear. When it was finally over Sesshoumaru turned & walked on into the forest. A few minutes later they discovered that they were being followed. Hikari glanced back slightly to see the person duck out of the way. "I think we're close to a village Sesshoumaru." She said spotting more people on either side watching her. "I know, we will have to pass through it unless we want to cause a disturbance by flying over." Hikari nodded noticing a young boy watch her in wonder. "We won't cause a disturbance by going there on foot?" He shook his head. "The people of this village are terrified by flying demons because they were once attacked by flying demons. They will be less threatened by us if we walk." Hikari nodded & walked slightly closer to him. The village was large, full of shops & houses of all sorts. Hikari had never been in a village except for Keade's, so it was all new to her. Rin had seen the village from afar before, from the ridge of the mountain on the other side. It had looked small from up there but now it seemed to be bigger than ever. The people parted in the streets & looked on in wonder at them. Some whispered things that were only slightly understood or heard by the travelers. "Youkai, stay back." One woman whispered to her son. "The poor girls, caught by youkai suitors. And the monk, I wonder what they plan on doing with him?" Hikari almost burst out laughing at the people's misconception. "That one with the funny colored hair seems to be from somewhere far away. Maybe she is a demon from a foreign country?" The man next to him whispered back. "I once heard that Chinese dragons had hair like that & that they could change to any form the wanted." The man looked nervously at Hikari, half expecting her to blow a flicker of flame at him. Farther up when they were about out of the village & away from the whispers Hikari caught a final whisper in her ears. "Hey, that dragon-girl is nice looking." "Are you sure she's a dragon?" Whispered a voice back. "I like the human girls that they got with them better. You'd do best to stick to your own species." The first voice didn't sound persuaded to do so. "No way that dragon-girl is too strange to pass by, full of foreign beauty." Hikari about gagged when she saw the men that were staring at her. They were both much younger than she thought they were. The one was also so short that Hikari mistook him for a younger Kohaku at first. "I think I'll go ask her if she wants to come with me instead." Said the first boy. The other warned him away. "I bet that's her kid on the dragon you idiot! That means she is already taken by someone like that tall youkai she's so close to." They were about to walk by them now & Hikari decided to have a little fun. Thinking of Saisei she was able to get him to appear on her shoulder with a roar. He spat a bit of flame & flexed his leathery wings. The two boys stepped back with a gasp. Shiro appeared next to Rin & copied Saisei. Hikari let a pair of dragon ears slide out to replace her human ones. The boys watched them in shock until they had disappeared down the road. "You wanted a dragon for a wife?" He asked looking at the first boy who only shook his head dumbly.
Heather grabbed up a spear as she walked out of the cave mouth. She could feel her friend moving across the country, they were behind by a few miles, maybe she would be able to stay longer at the mountain then? Putting the spear over her shoulder she walked down by the other youkai that were going on the hunt. "Kouga are you bringing the human on the hunt?" Asked one of the wolves that had failed to see any of her feats due to the fact that he had been gone to the tribe across the wide river. Kouga turned an annoyed eye toward him. "I am allowing her to come so long as she can keep up. She has proven that she can fight, so she can hunt." Heather paid little mind to the speech, she was busy trying to get Hisui to stop flying around her head. Kouga pointed to the forest below. "Now, let's go!" He called & took off ahead of them. Heather held the spear at her side & ran at a fairly slow pace by the doubting demon. He grinned at her & took his speed up a notch. "So, he wants to play 'speed' huh? Alright, let's play." Heather took her speed up several notches & sped past him. Looking back she saw the stunned look on his face as she ran by. The spear jutted out in front of her & threatened to take the legs out from any who dared to get too close. She could feel eyes on her but couldn't tell from where. On a rock overlooking the running pack sat Kouga. He had told Ginta of his plan to run up the cliff & watch the progress of the human before he had left. Smirking he watched her speed by & run up by Ginta himself. Hakkaku was running on her other side & happened to notice him. He nodded & steered down the face of the cliff directly into the forest below. Kouga watched as the demons ran down the face of the cliff. Heather seemed to be laughing as she ran at the cliff at a tremendous rate & jumped. She fell straight down the cliff with her arms & legs spread, still laughing. He could hear her yelling all the way down. "Yahoo!" She screamed. Her ponytail whipped back behind her & blew furiously in the wind. Bringing her spear forward she pushed it down in front of herself, falling still toward the ground below. Kouga ran down the cliff & stood on the top of the next one. Heather fell straight down the ravine, past the demons that had passed her, past the head of the pack, past everyone. Kouga smirked again. Heather was still giggling as she landed. Her arm brought the spear back & with a good thrust it went into the earth with a 'twang'. She stretched out her arms & grabbing the middle of the spear she swung around the pole until her feet touched the ground. The demons ran by & she ran after them. A dart was seen going by & she knew immediately who it was. She smiled at Kouga who was kicking up dust all over with his shards. She sped up & soon it was neck & neck. Heather dug her heels into the ground when she saw him stop. He turned toward a bush stepped down. Heather held her spear tighter & walked by him. On the other side was a herd of boars. Heather wondered for a moment if anything else lived on the mountain & in the forest besides wolves & boars. The rest of the group arrived & knelt down or went around the sides of the bushes with spears drawn. Kouga motioned Heather to come closer. She knelt down beside him & waited patiently for instructions. "Do you know what to do?" He asked. Heather shrugged. "Run out & kill one with this thing." She said raising the spear slightly. Kouga smiled at her. "No, you wait until I give the signal then run out & kill them with that thing." He pointed to her spear. Heather smiled. "Aha." She said. Kouga smiled at her one last time then he put an arm in the air & lowered it suddenly. "Now." He whispered to her & jumping up he ran out of the bushes. Heather ran out after him, her spear by her side. The boars squealed & tried to flee but were blocked by the demons that were waiting for them on the other side of the bushes. Heather watched for a slight moment while they slashed at the boars & picked up the dead bodies. With a shrug she ran at one & flung the spear at it. The spear fell short & hit the ground in front of it. Heather looked dumbfounded. "Damn." She muttered & jumped into the air. The pig had fled in the opposite direction but wasn't getting away. Kouga watched her throw then jump. Her descent was much better than her spear throw. She turned her self down & raised her hands as if they had claws. With a smirk of concentration she straightened out her legs to make herself go faster. Whizzing down toward the pig she slashed at it. The pig had turned slightly only to receive crimson claw marks in his side. He squealed & ran bleeding toward a tree. Heather landed & glided low over the ground after him. Kouga had let his pig lay on the ground by his feet while he watched her swipe at it's legs & finally break it's neck. With a slight sigh she lifted it up from the ground. Slinging the bloodied pig over her shoulder she walked back toward the mountain. "What do we do when we're done?" She asked looking at Kouga with a calm expression. He starred at her for sometime. "You take it back to the top with you & eat it." Heather nodded & was gone in a snap. Kouga shook his head clear when she had left. "Strange." Was all he said as he hefted up his own pig & started back.
They had stopped at a small clearing to eat lunch & talk. They girls discussed what they had heard said about them in the village while the men talked about fighting & Sesshoumaru's territories. "So, what is the house like now?" Inuyasha asked through a hand fool of something that Kagome called 'dog chow'. Sesshoumaru grabbed a handful of the tasty stuff & popped a few into his mouth. Smirking at his little brother he shrugged. "I haven't been back for a year or so, so I'm not quite sure either." Inuyasha gave him a funny look & grumbled a curse through the dog food. "Osuwari!" Kagome yelled. The 'dog chow' flew through the air into Sesshoumaru's lap as Inuyasha was pulled to the ground. He cursed again as he pulled himself from the ground. "What the hell was that for?!" Kagome glared at him. "You shouldn't say those words in front of small children." Inuyasha rubbed his head & looked at the clueless Rin who was trying to get a handful of the dog food. Hikari pushed the bag away from her. "I don't think you should eat that Rin." The girl cocked her head to one side. "Why not Hikari-sama?" Hikari smiled at her. "Well that's more of a grown-up food." Rin thought it over for a second. "Like that stuff that Heather-san drinks?" Hikari nodded. "Something like that." Rin smiled. "Ok Hikari-san." Hikari could fell a strange presence near by. Looking around she could feel her skin becoming clammy, like when she had met Hana. Kagome noticed how pale Hikari looked & walked over. "Hikari are you.?" Hikari pointed toward the stand of trees behind them. "Someone's coming." She gasped out. Kagome looked behind her to see Kikyo looking down on them. She was riding a brown horse & beside her was a woman who looked like she was Kagome & Kikyo's twin sister. Her horse was white & her hair was longer than both Kikyo & Kagome's. It reached down to her knees & was set in a ponytail like Kikyo's. Both women wore a shrine priestess outfit as they descended on their horses. Inuyasha looked at Kikyo & felt his heart leap into his throat. He had confessed to Kagome that he loved her & always wanted to be by her, what was he going to tell Kikyo? Sliding gracefully from her horse Kikyo walked past Inuyasha & stood in front of Kagome. She didn't say a word, she simply stopped & stared at Kagome with deep eyes. The other priestess who's eyes were not of the same color as her companion either shone in the sun. Her green eyes sweeped from Inuyasha, to Kikyo, to Kagome, to rest on Hikari. "This is for you from someone you have met." She said in a cool voice without emotion. She held out a large, leather bound book that had an inscription on it in English. "She was going to give it to you herself but circumstances change." She looked at Sesshoumaru who had moved protectively in front of Hikari & Rin. Jaken stepped back behind Hikari's legs. Hikari looked at the book & gasped. "So this is how she knew." Opening the book Hikari found unwritten songs dating to her period in time. "The songs change as to when & where you are." Hikari looked at her. "What do you mean?" The woman gave her a mysterious smile. "In your time it will have different songs in it. If you go to an alternate dimension then it will have different songs in it." Hikari nodded. "Thank you.uhh." Hikari looked at her questioningly. The woman smiled warmly. "My name is Kachiki. And I am the former Kikyo which means I'm also Kagome." Everyone sat in shocked silence for a few minutes. Kachiki smiled still. "I have come from the past to check out how things are going. But since I have seen that a Megami Hogasha is present & myself I am content." Kikyo looked harder at Kagome. Then with a small turn she walked over to her brown horse & mounted it. "I will return Inuyasha." She said & galloped away. Kagome watched her disappear into the trees. With a small sigh Kachiki mounted her horse. "I promise to take care of myself that does not belong here while I can, until she has to rest eternally & give up her dead passion." Riding off Kachiki's horse made no noise, as if it were a ghost.
Kouga arrived back at the camp & ate the boar that he had killed. He gave some to the wolves around him. A strange music filtered down to him from nowhere again as he sat on the bed. The den around him was full of the demons, eating & laughing but not one was singing or playing an instrument. Kouga looked for the human girl to no avail. She was not in the den. Kouga looked at her straw bed but it was empty. He sniffed the air & could smell her, she was on the top again. With a huff he got up on his legs. Following the strange music he walked to the top of the mountain.
If you want me to wait, I would wait for you
If you tell me to stay, I will stay right thru
If you don't want to say anything at all
I'm happy wondering
Kouga listened to the words that seemed strange to him. He knew what she was saying but was unsure of why her voice sounded so sad. Slowing to a walk he listened to the guitar strum again.
Now my life is changing, it's always rearranging
Always getting stranger than I thought it ever could
Ever since I found you, I wanna be around you
I wanna get down to the point that I need you
The guitar & words went off but Kouga was looking at the pile of bones. Stopping he looked at them with his glowing eyes. He felt slightly sadder at the sight of his long dead brother's bones. But the song went on & caught his attention again. Standing rooted to the spot he listened.
Don't tell me
The bad news
Don't tell me anything at all
Just tell me
That you need me
& Stay right here with me
Kouga was about to start when a flapping made him stop. A black face was shoved into his. "Hello Kouga." Said a strange voice that sounded familiar. Kouga looked at the tiny dragon. "Hisui?" He asked. The dragon nodded. "Hai." He walked past her. "Hello."
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb without a soul
My spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there & bring it back home.
Kouga stepped by her & felt the power rise through the air as she played. Her music stopped. The power left the air & the strange music that seemed to appear out of nowhere & didn't seem to come from the guitar stopped. Heather turned around to look at Kouga who was staring down at her. "Why are you up here alone?" He spotted where a fire had been built & the bones of the boar in the ashes. "I wanted some time to think." She said leaning on her guitar. Kouga saw the distant look in her eyes. "You sounded sad when you were singing, why?" He asked looking away from her sad eyes. For some reason seeing her sad made him feel sad also. "There is no reason, & if there is one then I do not wish to speak of it at the moment." Kouga nodded. "I was just making sure that you weren't trying to bottle it up inside." Heather shrugged. "Part of being a Dragon is that you have to keep a secret bottled up. Along with powers & hidden tears. There is no emotion that a Dragon does not try to cover up at one time." Kouga saw the look in her eyes again, the sad, loss of energy look. Her wisdom seemed to show when she was in this slump. He touched one of the freckles on her face curiously. He had no idea why but they were strange to him & he felt that he had to know what they felt like. Heather's eye trailed down to the claw that was poking her cheek, then up at Kouga. He pulled the claw away hastily & looked away, a slight blush on his face. "You did well at hunting today, have you hunted before?" He asked her. She smiled sadly, he had hoped she would be smile happily. "No. That was my first time hunting. It was fun though." Kouga stared at her. A brief picture of Kagome caught his attention & he looked away. "So, tomorrow?" He asked. Heather shook her head. "The person I was supposed to meet is falling behind schedule, I thought she was going to move faster &." Heather dropped off when her pocket rang. "Hold on." She rooted around in her pocket & pulled out the cell phone. Its buttons glowed in the dark light around them when it rang. Heather pressed a green button & put the device to her ear. "Hello?" Heather already knew who it was. "Hey, what's going on? I thought you would have caught up with us by now." Hikari said. Heather laughed. "Well, I decided to stay at the mountain one more day to enjoy myself. I'll just transport by you, I won't be winging it." Hikari laughed. "Well as long as you don't use your tricks again." Heather smiled. "What tricks?" She asked in an innocent tone. "Don't get innocent with me Heather Dunaway. You know very well what I mean." Heather sighed. "Aw man, come on! You sound like my fricken mom!" Hikari laughed. "At least one of us does." Heather laughed at that. "If I turned out like my mom I'd kill myself!" "Don't do that it hurts!" Both girls laughed until they had calmed down. "I'll see you soon Hikari." "Alright Heather." Hikari hung up & Heather stowed the phone back into her pocket. Kouga watched her with great interest. "So that was her?" Heather nodded. "She just wants to make sure that I'm safe." She leaned against the guitar again. Kouga saw her eyes change from the amused look to a hurt, sad look again. "I'll teach you how to throw a spear tomorrow." He offered, hoping it would cheer her up. Heather nodded. "Thank you, I'll need the practice." Kouga nodded & stood. "Are you spending the night up here or are you coming down?" He asked with a smile. Heather smiled back at him & stood up. "I'll come down."
They had marched past another village before the day was done. Hikari was glad that they didn't have to go through it but around it. Sesshoumaru had said that his castle was only a two days walk away. Hikari had already called Heather to make sure she was Ok & was trying to get Rin to go to sleep. The girl finally gave in to her tiredness & fell asleep on Kirara's back. Kohaku walked beside his sister & they chatted about the old days. Kagome & Inuyasha had been silent toward one another since Kikyo & Kachiki had visited. Miroku wondered on the idea that Naraku had no idea that they had arrived back from the well. "You don't suppose he is unaware of our return do you?" He asked looking at everyone in turn. "He hasn't attacked or sent anything after us like Kagura, so I would think not." Hikari said but she wasn't entirely sure. Kohaku looked slightly nervous when they talked about Naraku, he still had the shard in his back that Naraku had placed there. Hikari was sure that Naraku could feel the presence of such a jewel shard that he himself had planted. Hikari put her hands behind her head & looked up at the clouds for some time before she spoke again. "I wonder." She opened the book she had in her satchel & looked over the songs that were in every language that existed. "Hey Kagome here's Do As Infinity's 'Fukai Mori'. Or 'Heaven' by DJ Sammy in America." Kagome walked up & looked into the book. "Hey, I know this band." She said pointing out 'The Pillows'. "They made a song for this wacky anime." "Furi Kuri!" Both girls yelled at the same time & laughed. Everyone stared at them. "Who is 'The Pillows' & what is 'Furi Kuri'?" Sango asked with a raised eyebrow. Hikari & Kagome told of the anime & the famous band. "They're really good." Sango nodded. "I see, & girls in your time listen to this 'music' through a thing on their heads?" Hikari nodded. "It's called a 'Walkman' or 'headset' & sometimes 'headphones'." Kagome said. Sango thought it over. "Ok." At nightfall they set up camp along the road again & instantly fell asleep. Hikari had shown Sango her headphones & even let her listen to music on it. Sango had liked the songs, even the American ones that she couldn't understand. Inuyasha sat in a tree over Kagome's sleeping body, thinking over what Kikyo had said. She hadn't tried to hurt Kagome or anything, & what the heck was she doing with her former self? Kachiki was obviously present because she had a job to do. Was her job to put Kikyo to rest? Did the resting plan involve him? He groaned & rolled over to fall asleep thinking of what Kachiki was up to. Kagome woke with a start, she could feel Kikyo nearby. Kachiki however was nowhere near them. Kagome got up & walked around the camp. No one else was awake or moved at all. Kagome put her hand by Hikari's mouth as she passed her, the girl was still breathing but seemed to be dead asleep. Kagome turned when a twig snapped behind her. Kikyo stood under the tree where she had been sleeping. "I have come for Inuyasha. Do not try to stop me." Kagome looked at Kikyo with stunned eyes. Kikyo's soul catchers slipped Inuyasha from his tree branch. Kagome glared at her. "Kikyo!" She growled & grabbed for her bow & arrows that had been in her hands at the time. Kikyo thrust out her hand & the equipment fell from Kagome's hands, clattering on the ground. "Two can play that game!" Kagome yelled & thrust out her arms. Kikyo fell back & hit the tree with a gasp. Wincing she stood & pulled out her arrows. "You are most troublesome." She said as her cool eyes narrowed & her hand let the arrow fly. Kagome put her arms out as if in a trance & the arrow stopped an inch from her hands & fell to the ground. Kagome flinched & looked at the arrow on the ground with scared eyes. When the arrow had flown at her she had the brief image of a face that looked like hers but she knew it wasn't her face that she saw. It was Kikyo's face! Kagome thought it over quickly while Kikyo pulled another bow. "This time it will hit." She said. Kagome looked up but the arrow fell feet from her. 'She can't hit me!' Kagome almost said aloud. Her mouth hung open but Kikyo knew what she was thinking. "It seems Kachiki was right when she told me that you & I could not kill each other with weapons, she was wrong on her other warning though. I will prove that she is wrong." Kikyo put an arm on Inuyasha's head. "My soul is nothing but hate! I will kill Inuyasha like I should have 50 years ago, then I will kill Naraku & take the jewel with me to hell." Her hair flew around her & Inuyasha started to sink slowly into the ground with the soul catchers still holding him. Kagome took a swift step forward but she froze in her steps. "I no longer love Inuyasha, I am nothing but hate that will not rest till he is dead!" Kikyo's eyes looked slightly sad as she yelled. Power swirled around both girls while Kagome struggled to reach Inuyasha. "You're a liar Kikyo! You've had plenty of opportunities to kill him yet you haven't because you love him! You are not hate, you do not belong here because you are dead! Deal with it!" Kagome took several steps forward against the power that emitted from Kikyo's clay body. "I will kill Inuyasha & you Kagome! I don't care if we are the same, you will not live in the same time as me!" Kagome stumbled back. 'We ARE the same aren't we?!' Kagome suddenly realized. "We are the same Kikyo! You cannot hate Inuyasha while I love him! We love him & you know it!" Kikyo let her force field of power slide. "No." She breathed. "She isn't right.Kachiki.Kikyo.Kagome.we're all the same.then how? How was Kachiki able to resist Inuyasha if we couldn't?" Kagome watched Kikyo grab her head. "Is it because she had no Inuyasha before?" Kikyo began to sweat from her over use of soul power. "No, it was because I knew my place Kikyo. I know that I cannot have Inuyasha because I was not meant to." Kachiki stood among the trees, watching them silently. "You died at the hands of a jealous monster Kikyo, let it rest. Inuyasha loves your soul not you alone, therefore you will be with him, no matter what age or body. You were brought back by a cruel twist of fate, you & Inuyasha were simply not meant to be, besides do you really intend to kill the one you love & make yourself miserable in the future?" Kikyo looked confused & slightly anxious. "Kachiki, I am a soul of hate! I was brought back to kill him!" Kachiki simply smiled. "You question your existence, don't you?" Kikyo glared. "Rest in peace Kikyo, you are a lost soul seeking comfort among the living, rest until you are needed again." Kachiki put a hand on Kikyo's shoulder. The clay skin melted away under her grasp. Kikyo tried to pull away but Kachiki held fast. "Kikyo you are not welcome in the land of the living when you are dead, it becomes harder everyday to collect souls. You have caused enough pain, go back & be ready in 500 years." Souls started to escape through the melted shoulder. Kikyo screamed as it ripped through her entire body & finally she turned to dust. The remainder of her soul that had been in her hung in mid air for a slight second before it dove into Kagome's chest. Kagome gave a slight yelp, the soul burned as it settled in her among the other half of Kikyo's soul. Sighing Kachiki grabbed hold of the tree next to her. The soul catchers had disbanded when Kikyo's soul had left & Inuyasha was asleep on the ground like nothing had happened. "Kachiki." Kagome breathed uneasily, the woman had just killed Kikyo, if 'killed' was the right word! "Don't worry, she is resting it all out now, the mission I was on is now complete. I must go now, I have little time before the same thing will happen to me." Kachiki was sweating & breathing heavily as she spoke. Kagome picked up the clothes Kikyo's had been wearing. "Inuyasha." She sighed knowing he would accuse her of the resting of Kikyo. "Tell him the truth, if he loves you he will believe you." Kagome nodded, he had already told her that he loved her. Kachiki started to turn to dust. "Right on time." She breathed. Kagome watched her until only her upper body was left. "Why are you doing it so willingly? Having Kikyo's soul you should be acting like she did right?" Kachiki shook her head wearily. "Someday you will know more but it is because I know my place in time. My time is up, I was sent to Kikyo to show her that her time was up too, that it had been up for 50 years. She would not believe me & insisted on taking Inuyasha if she was to go. So, taking Inuyasha was out of the question. I had to get her to see it my way by force." She smiled sadly. "Forgive her. She was lost in a world she didn't belong in." Kachiki's head disappeared & the dust floated into the sky & seemed to touch the stars. Sighing Kagome laid back down on her bed with Inuyasha next to her. He rolled over so she could see his face & saw that he was smiling in his sleep. "Yeah.that's *yawn*.how you do it Kagome." He said through his sleep. Kagome giggled lightly. "Thank you for teaching me Inuyasha." He twitched one ear. "You needed to know how to run right." He said. Kagome about whacked him but remembered that stupid things happen in dreams & that she shouldn't hit him because he was having a strange dream. With a soft smile she pulled the blankets closer to herself. "Goodnight Inuyasha." "Night mommy." ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............ Got to cut it short again. Sorry.