The Scent of Despair
Written by Catrina Winner
Author's Notes: Anyway, you can credit this chapter to Kaen's hyperness, me becoming a section leader, and the all-powerful Inuyasha plushy, Inu-chan, given to me by Kaen, who did not realize the consequences of her actions… until now. Who knew I'd carry it around by an ear? Or protect it with a vengeance? Or worship it with my rosary until inspiration comes to me? Oi… Just go read the fic. And review!
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Chapter Twelve
Kagome looked up at the glaring sun as she was escorted to the sacred washing area. She had awoken in Inuyasha's arms, stiff from sleeping on the cliff, but happier. Definitely happier. Nothing could keep them apart, not even four hundred years. She grinned and looked down at one of the ladies near her. They were to assist her in preparing for the ceremony, though she was fairly sure anything that needed to be done could be executed without the help of ten young girls.
The next hour moved by sluggishly for the raven-haired woman. Kagome was brought to a small lake, where she met with Kaede. Accompanied by awed whispers and giggling, she bathed in the pure waters and was dressed in strange robes. They were very loose and billowing, yet somehow utterly uncomfortable. Perhaps it was the several layers they had her wear in the overbearing heat. The inner kimono was patterned strangely, purple flowers and petals placed sporadically across a calm white background. Her outer robe was simpler, and fit for a Miko. It was white and purple, no decorations on it anywhere. Kagome stared at it for a long time, trying to figure out why they had covered up the prettier clothing, having her wear such a bland ensemble. Having no answer, she shrugged it off and concentrated on remaining still while two of the girls pulled her hair into a purple ribbon.
She was finally allowed freedom and trudged up to the shrine Kaede had pointed out to her on the way down. Another five women, all murmuring chants for good fortune in the coming ceremony, joined her. All Kagome could think to do was keep her head high and walk quickly through the village. Everyone had turned out to see her and it was unnerving. Kaede had refused to allow anyone save those necessary to be present when the wish was cast outside the shrine. She sent a silent thank you to her.
All the females escorting her stopped, but continued praying for good fortune just behind her. Kaede appeared from behind a tree and gave her an encouraging nod.
"Are you ready?" she asked, looking at her with the old wisdom she possessed.
Kagome sighed and stood straighter. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied. Kaede nodded again in approval, and the two of them entered the clearing in front of the shrine.
Her friends were all lined up in a loose half-circle surrounding the entrance to the sacred building. In the center was a young girl, dressed in the Miko robes of a trainee, holding a small pillow with the Shikon Jewel arranged neatly on it. The cursed stone caught the light in pretty patterns, sparkling and catching her eye. It was certainly beautiful for such a deadly item, lying on its decorative fabric like that.
Kagome strode into the center of the semi-circle and took a closer look at the shrine's entrance. A few women stood and left a statue they had been surrounding and praying to. The little girl below her cleared her throat and Kagome glanced down, realizing she was supposed to take the Jewel into her hands and begin the ceremony.
Her eyes traveled away from the child for a moment, taking in the sight of her closest friends. They had all been through so much together, and this was the end of it all for them. She had carefully thought out her wish, and was assured everything would end properly, and there would be a happy ending.
Sango stood to her immediate right, smiling nervously at her, trying to be reassuring. She was almost as worried as Kagome was about the outcome of this occurrence, but wasn't managing to conceal it as well as the Miko could. Shippo was on her left, looking terrified. The little kitsune had never been quite as brave as the others, when he could avoid it, and the idea of an unpredictable force more powerful than even Inuyasha was a horrifying thought for him. Kirara was in front of Sango, appearing calm as if this was just another day for her. She had eaten every single kitty treat Kagome had given her and was constantly looking for more. Miroku stood across from the cat demon. He stood tall and proud, but Kagome could see how tightly he was holding onto his staff. Kaede was the farthest in front of her, on the right. She didn't look apprehensive at all, but rather confident. Kagome wished she could feel the same way. Her eyes skipped over to Inuyasha's. His gaze met hers steadily and she tried to smile for him, but failed. Finally realizing she could not delay the inevitable any longer, Kagome squared her shoulders and lifted the Shikon Jewel from its resting place. The little girl scurried off and everyone turned to face the shrine. Kagome turned to face the opposite direction. Kaede's voice broke her thoughts and initiated the future.
"The ceremony begins."
Kagome nodded and closed her eyes, threading her fingers together and preparing for anything. Her voice began the summoning incantation she had prepared the day before almost without her knowledge.
Watashi kensei Shikon Houshu shokan hando
Kafu shitashii nozomi fukai kokoro
Hyuushaku mie kontan ranpuA bright flash of pink light surrounded her, slowing fading away to a softer red. The strange aura of power shifted over to drape itself over Sango. She didn't move, eyes closed tightly. The others watched, prepared to rush in at any moment and save her from something they didn't understand.
A glint of light came from the forest surrounding the shrine and a little boy stumbled out. Sango's eyes flew open, and she stared for a moment.
"Ko… Kohaku!" she rushed towards him and the child's face broke into an enormous grin.
"Sister!" he cried. They met in a fierce hug, the older girl appearing frightened to let go. The red light covered them both for a moment, its color lightening slightly, then leapt across the half-circle to Shippo. He was shivering madly, but stood his ground as the cloud engulfed him. Two glints came from the forest next to him, and a pair of adult fox kitsune stepped forward. Shippo did not hesitate as Sango had, but threw himself in their arms. The three of them were sobbing and clutching each other.
"Mama!! Papa!! You're alive!!" Tears fell from the child demon as he looked back at the girl in the center of the ring. Kagome's eyes were slightly glazed over, and she seemed frozen in her place, but as he stared, she turned and gave him a warm smile. The power from the Jewel surrounded Shippo and his parents and grew slightly clearer, turning a dark pink.
The aura fell onto Miroku, who held his staff tighter. A second later, it lightened again, and his rosary and arm guard clattered to the ground beside him. He almost panicked, but then saw there was no hole remaining in his hand. He broke from his position and rushed towards Sango, who was looking at him wide-eyed. He embraced both Kohaku and his fiancée with a broken cry of joy.
The light broke upon Kirara. The little cat demon yawned and looked back and forth. A large crash sounded next to her as the Jewel's power sparked to life. When the glow faded, an enormous pile of the same kitty treats Kagome had given her lay on the ground. The happy demon leapt into them, mouth wide open. The glow brightened and focused its energy onto Kaede. It hovered there for a moment, then exploded outward, cloaking the entire village in its power.
Slowly, the glimmering surge poured back towards the old woman, leaving in its wake cheering people. The village was like new, not a single board out of place. A barrier surrounded its outside, protecting the mortals inside from attacks forevermore. Kaede smiled and hobbled out towards the children running close to the shrine.
Now the light seemed more sluggish in its movements. It wavered in the air for a time, demonstrating some power, perhaps. The radiance covered Inuyasha, who looked fearful of whatever he might become when the spell was completed. He had seen the full power of the Jewel, but had no way of understanding anything that was going on.
The luminosity spread suddenly from the hanyou to engulf Kagome with him. It hovered there for a long time, seeming completive in the decision it was making. The glow between the two strengthened, brightening ever more until it hurt the other's eyes when they gazed upon it. The large lake of power fluctuated and cleared, turning the color of angel's feathers. Another flash, and it straightened into a single thin line, like a rope, turned a deep blood red color, and exploded into the sky. Sango shrieked and covered Kohaku with her own body. Miroku, his eyes smarting, continued to stare, muttering something about the red string of fate. The colorful ray landed somewhere deep in the forest behind the group. Just as quickly it returned, and blanketed Kagome and Inuyasha again. It remained there for several seconds before turning nearly clear and rushing back into the Shikon Jewel.
Kagome swallowed, but did not move. She had experienced a strange sensation when that tie had passed between her and Inuyasha. It felt as if something had delved into the farthest recesses of her very soul, probing into her heart. When she finally did open her eyes, she found herself stretched across the ground, looking into a pair of concerned gold pools. The last thing she was expecting was the hanyou to remain the thing he disdained so very much. But there he was, the snowy white hair falling around them both, the beautifully clear eyes, his fangs… Nothing had changed for the half demon. He was still what he hated. She had been led to believe he would either turn human or demon, but nothing like this…
With his help, she stood and turned to receive the cheering villagers and her dearest friends. With a sidelong look at Inuyasha, she saw he was just as confused with his predicament as she. Perhaps Kaede would explain what had happened as they walked to the well to be parted.
With a gentle smile and a troubled conscious, Kagome allowed herself to be lead away by a young woman so she could change into her regular clothing and join the rest of her party to travel to the well, where their destinies would again change.
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Sorry if this chapter seemed boring, but I needed to have it for the wishes. Does anyone know what the red string/tie of fate/destiny is? I learned about it awhile back, and for some reason it popped into my head while I was writing this. It just seemed to work, and I had to change the ending slightly to match what I was thinking. That's why it seems a little awkward, and I lost a good majority of foreshadowing in the switch, but I think it was absolutely imperative that I put it in here. For those of you who want to know, I did write Kagome's summoning incantation myself, and that's why it may translate out slightly strange. I'm not experienced enough to write perfectly in Japanese, though I can translate better. This is her chant in English:
I summon the Shikon Jewel's power into my hands
To grant the deepest desires of my closet friends
Dispel all doubts and show the souls to the lightI used the general form of "watashi" because when the Jewel was created, its powers could be properly summoned by either gender, hence the choice. "Atashi" or "ore wa" would have stood out far too much against the actual plotline… Or at least that's how I see it. Please review, as it makes me happy, and I'll get to work on the next chapter as soon as I can.
Only 13 chapters to go!