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Chapter Two - Facing Your Demons
Reiana stumbled up behind her daughter's frozen form and managed to maneuver her way into the kitchen to stand firmly between Kagome and the group at which she now glared at with obvious malice. The group had been caught off guard, not expecting the awaited arrival to barge in without warning from their host and now sat around the kitchen basking in their idiocy. Inuyasha's mouth opened and clamped shut a few times, before he crossed his arms over his chest, allowing someone else the first words.
Kagome was in utter shock. Her deadly gaze darted between her past life and her mother. They were all dressed in.. modern clothes, looking rather comfortable in her old home. As if... as if they had been allowed the proper time to settle in before now. The realization struck her then like a kick in the stomach. A rumbling started in her chest then as she focused on her mother, the growl being directed to her. The noise itself was rather impressive for a human-- enough to make the rest of them take a step back.
"Now Kagome.. " Reiana started but was halted a second later by Kagome's hand flying upward, the palm facing outward, as a sign that she did not wish to hear any of the excuses her mother had undoubtedly prepared weeks ago. Her silence through the whole encounter had begun to take its toll upon the household, and they almost sighed their relief when she began speaking. Almost, that is until they heard what she had to say.
"What, in the name of all that is Holy..." she paused, her fists clenching by her sides, knuckles tightening to a white hue, "are they doing here? And so help me mother, if you lie.. it won't be pretty." This statement received a gasp from the astonished Sango and wide eyes from the male occupants. Since when did Kagome threaten people? Especially her own flesh and blood. The question did not go unanswered as she whirled on the unsuspecting group before her mother could respond. Apparently Sango's shock had gained her attention. Another backward step was taken by the group as lids closed over her eyes while attempting to hold down her anger. "Leave." She ordered impatiently.
"But Kagome-- " The pleading fox child was cut off as those lids snapped open to reveal the level of her hostility.
"Now!" She hissed through grinding teeth, not bothered by his whimper of rejection as he was led away by Inuyasha, the others following his example. Reiana placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder, with the hopes of calming the poor girl. Kagome only jerked away from the contact, her foul mood shining through.
"Explain." Was her only comment; which was all that was needed by the elder woman to begin the tale of the last month, after all, she did understand her daughter's reaction even if she did not condone her actions. Hours ticked by as the two discussed the return of Kagome's past friends. Inuyasha had brought them all through the well in hopes of finding Kagome.. and apologizing for his rash behavior three years prior. Reiana, instinctively had defended her daughter, telling the visitors nothing. But after hearing the group's admittance of the truth behind their betrayal, she could not repress the feeling of compassion.
Inuyasha had cut down Kagome that day for her own safety, not for his love of Kikyou or his desire for the jewel; although he did take the jewel from the young miko while delivering his insults and lies. It was the only way to keep her safe and insure that she would not seek an alternate route back to feudal times. If she despised the hanyou as well as the others, then she would possess no wish to return. They were harsh and untruthful because they cared for her so.
The plan had been this-- keep Kagome safe, kill Naraku, put Kikyou and Kohaku to rest, come up with some kind of truce with Sesshoumaru and then travel through the well to find Kagome. Their plan had been severely damaged when they were a day's travel from Naraku's castle when suddenly the jewel vanished. Not stolen, not.. flown away. Dissolved into thin air vanished. Inuyasha and the others had panicked, not believing they could bring down their rival without the power from the sacred Shikon no Tama. A few hours of Inuyasha's barking had passed when he had spoken aloud the urge to be youkai.. then he would have no difficulties defeating that bastard Naraku. Much to the surprise of all, his dog ears disappeared and an elf-like pair replaced them at the sides of his head.. accompanied by a long fluffy tail much like Sesshoumaru's.
The now ex-hanyou had, of course, no idea how this change had taken place.. but wasted no time in showing his appreciation. He had marched the slightly fearful group into the castle, basking in Naraku's demise a short time after. He had still been able to use his fabled sword, the most shocking discovery yet; and with his new power and his friends' help, their to-do list was completed within the day. Kohaku had recovered from the controlling powers of the jewel, only to die in his sister's arms moments later. Kikyou had accepted her fate willingly once she had realized Inuyasha's love for the other miko and his determination to find her. She had kissed him good-bye and made her journey to hell alone. Sesshoumaru and his sad little toad servant, Jakken, had been speechless at the dog-demon before them. Inuyasha had proven his worthiness of their father's heirloom by showing its true power while in his youkai form; Sesshoumaru could do nothing but give his younger sibling a few pointers and tricks dealing with his newly acquired abilities.
Then only one task remained unfinished. Finding their lost friend and regaining her love and trust. Upon their return to the village, the group had spoken with Kaede of the disturbing events concerning Inuyasha. She had requested that he concentrate his power on shifting back to his hanyou form; after a few minutes had crept by his tail and ears were gone and he sat in his old form once more. Kaede then explained his situation-- apparently he now had the ability to move between his three forms freely and at will. The old woman could not determine the reason, but did take the time to teach him how to control the talent. Having mastered the new gift, the group said their good-byes and traveled through the well.
Reiana then went into the accounts of how she had been inspired by their tale and could not refuse their wish to see Kagome. She had bought them all clothing and other necessities used in the modern world. She had taught them all the basic knowledge of the times-- explaining slang, different machines and their uses, how to use currency, so on and so forth. She had done well with the small time slot she had been given.
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"She hates me!" Complained Shippou as he sat curled up in Inuyasha's lap. The dog-boy had finally realized no matter how much the kitsune annoyed him, he was still like a son. He gave a reassuring pat to the child's head before begining the debate. Sango, however beat him to the task.
"She doesn't hate you Shippou, or any of us is my belief. She's upset that we abandoned her. Perhaps we have no right to be here, complicating her life." She sighed audibly from her lying position, her elbow firmly on the ground so that her hand could cup her chin.
"I fear the lovely Sango may be right. Kagome is obviously not pleased with our return." Miroku added from his spot of leaning against the Goshinboku tree beside Kirara.
Inuyasha had remained quiet during their opening arguements, allowing them all a first say before he let loose on all three. "What the hell is wrong with you guys?! Did we come all this way to just give up?" He pointed harshly at each as he continued his lecture. "We knew what would happen if we ever came here. We knew we would be in for a fight. And damn it, we knew it was going to be hard! What we did NOT come here for is complaining and whining!... Feh." His arms re-crossed over his chest defiantly, immediately longing for the haori to plunge his hands into.
His companions were all taken back by his display of emotion. True, he had yelled at them as always, but this time he was yelling inspiration to not be hindered by small hurdles. After he gained a nod of approval from each, a plan began to take shape in order to sway Kagome's hate and doubt for all of them.
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Kagome's current position displayed her overwhelmed state from taking so much in at one sitting. She was seated at the kitchen table, her lithe form slouching downward as she stared at the cup of coffee before her. A scowl formed over her lips as it did not reveal the answers she had wanted it to possess. Her mother's hand clasping her own drew her from her thoughts.
"It doesn't matter, Mom. They lied to me. I can't... not again." She fought back the tears that threatened to spill, her voice cracking at the end of her decision. She wouldn't cry, damn it. She had worked too hard for the last three years to become a different person. She couldn't back down now just because the past had returned to bite her in the ass.
"Dear, as much as I know you want to, you can't just pretend they're not here. They do still love you. Maybe you should give them a chance to get to know you." She smiled over to her daughter, knowing that she needed to do this. She had lost a piece of herself over the years and now was her shot to reclaim that. Cautiously she continued. "You realize that you have some explaining of your own to do, as well."
Without a word as a response to the last comment, Kagome stood from the table and made her way outdoors to where everyone was gathered around in hushed conversation. It was then that she noticed the close proximity in which Sango and Miroku sat. A brow arched toward the two as she closed the distance, silently wondering why the monk was not sporting a new handprint. She didn't verbalize her inquiry however, that would show her weakness when dealing with these people. Her visage was smoothed over with a look of calmness, which as she had assumed calmed the fidgety onlookers. She moved to tower over the hanyou, her index finger flicking upward twice for him to stand. He complied, shifting from his sitting position with Shippou to loom a bit over his changed love. Golden pools lifted to meet blue-gray ones, his hope radiating.
"S-so... umm... ohayo." He managed to force out through his sudden need to clam up. He wanted this girl back with him so he might as well force out the dreaded argument over his actions. He stiffened when the girl's arms trapped him into a loose embrace. Unexpected was the only word he could chant subconsciously. He allowed a rare smile to slide over his lips as he returned the affection in kind.
His ears twitched instinctively as a soft crackle was heard. Confusion clouded any physical or mental reaction he could have made as Kagome forced her energy through him then, using their contact as a conductor to channel her strength. Once she was satisfied that she had achieved her wanted goal, she released the hanyou, only to smile down triumphantly upon him as he lay in the shade of the tree.
Miroku rushed to his friend's aid as quickly as the dog-boy fell. The fall was not what stole his concern.. nor the energy that had pulsated through him moments before. The monk was joined by Sango and Shippou in fear and surprise as they looked to Kagome. Miroku stood, his anger evident but still wanting to show respect for his former friend.
"Lady Kagome... what is it that you have done?"
She glared at him before responding for the first time to any of the elder visitors' presence. "What does it look like I've done to him, bouzu?"
The monk's line of sight shuffled back to his friend, unconscious on the ground. His eyes took in the scene before him slowly, as if there lingered a chance he had initially seen wrong. Not a chance, however, when dealing with an infuriated woman who just happened to be a full-fledged miko. His focus latched on to Kagome's as he stated the obvious. "You have bound him to his human form."
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Reiana rolled her eyes disapprovingly from her perch in the kitchen. She had watched the entire event. At first she was hopeful that her talk had changed Kagome's attitude. That thought was shattered as she spotted the electric energy spouting from the miko. She needed no explaination. She knew the result... and the consequences. It wouldn't be long.
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And before anyone kills me... I am already working on Chapter Three. It should be up later tonight ( 8/7/03 ) or tomorrow. Ja ne! :D