Chapter V: The Leader of the Wolves
A/N: I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY for not updating in so long! I had a heavy workload the last two weekends, including:
Reading 130 pages and typing a ten page book report Writing 32 definitions Doing the same old homework Trying my damndest to understand factoring quadratic polynomials, trinomials, difference of squares, and perfect square trinomials.I sincerely hope for your forgiveness!
Reviewer Responses:
Mukyuu Tenshi: I'm really glad you like it! I liked that joke too. ^_^ I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thanks a billion for your review.
Orion Kohaishu: THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH! I really needed that review! I'm glad you appreciated the fluff of the one-shot! Enjoy the next chappie!
Shadow Walker343: You're too kind! I'm glad you like it so much. Yeah, the idea of Sesshomaru-sama being bossed around by a human is great, ne? Thank you for the review!
Shikon: You SERIOUSLY have never read a Sesshomaru/Adult Rin story? I CAN'T believe it! I must say I like the Kagura/Sesshomaru pairing also, but Rin just has her way with the lord of the west. Don't believe me? If you get a chance, I recommend
My Beloved Master by: Miyu6 ()
I hope you still enjoy the story and will keep reviewing! Thanks!
MirokuHoushi: Phew! For a second there, I thought you stopped liking this. I tried to make it funny; I'm glad I succeeded! Thanks for the reviews!
Laku: I'm glad you appreciated the humor! I hope you continue to like it!
Warbeak: I'm glad you keep liking it! Please continue to review!
Playmer: Thanks for the review! Bloody Brilliant? Dude, lay off the Harry Potter for awhile…
Now that I've bored you enough, on with the story!
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The party dragged on for many hours. Sango and Miroku's children were forced to bed around ten o'clock, with the exception of Kohaku, who went to bed around eleven. Kaede also retired around midnight, just a half-hour before the present. Everyone present were enjoying themselves immensely, especially the five adults wasted from sake.
"Y'know," Kagome said, swaying ever so slightly, "I'm so glad I finally decided to come back here. I've misssssssed out on sooooooooo much."
Sango giggled, "Yeaaaaaah, Kag-chan, you've missed out on mannnnnnnnny parties!"
"The best ones are when we get into fights," Miroku hiccuped, "Those are realllly a blast!" Sesshomaru howled in laughter. Shippo, whom was sober so Kou wouldn't be left out, stared at Sesshomaru with wide eyes. Who'd ever think the oh-so-great Lord of the West could laugh? It dumbfounded him to no end. Kou was fairly impressed with his mother at the moment—never in his fifteen years of living had he seen his mother go near a bottle of alcohol. It was rather amusing.
Rin, in her drunken stupor, made a rather sobering comment, "Yeah, like when Sesshomaru would fight Inu-Yasha!" And sober up they did. A deafening silence followed, and Sesshomaru decided it was time for him and his mate to take their leave.
"Thank you for the drinks, Sango, Miroku," Sesshomaru said as he nodded, somewhat gratefully, "I think its about time for us to call it a night."
Miroku stood up and shook his hand in a very western like fashion. "Anytime Sesshomaru, any time. Don't be a stranger though, okay?"
Sesshomaru nodded. He then looked towards Kagome. "The same could be said for you, miko," Sesshomaru told her, "Do not go another sixteen years without coming to see us." Kagome nodded. "It was nice to meet you, too, Ko-Inu-Yasha."
Kou nodded and bowed deeply, "It was also nice to meet you, Sesshomaru-sama."
Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow, "Drop the –sama, hanyou, it does not suit you."
Kou nodded once again, "Sure, oji-san." Sesshomaru smirked and nodded his approval.
Rin gave the travelers from the future a big hug, "Are you guys going to be here awhile?" she asked them.
Kagome gave her a big smile, "I think we just might."
"Good!" Rin chirped, "Then we'll see you in a couple of days." Rin turned to walk towards Sesshomaru.
"Oh," Sango called, "Rin? We'll have to work twice as hard at the next lesson!" Rin just waved her off. The remaining quintet walked outside to see the lord and lady off.
Sesshomaru and Rin mounted the twin headed dragon and started to ride off, when Sesshomaru stopped briefly. "Miko, do not be a stranger to my castle. You and your whelp are welcome there always. Also, should you need my help or advice, hanyou, I shall be ready and waiting. I made a mistake with my brother; one that shall not be repeated with his son." With that last comment, the duo rode off towards the west.
"Seesh!" Kagome exclaimed as they walked back inside, "Sesshomaru has really mellowed out! He even shows respect to ningens! Amazing!"
"He's been doing that for quite awhile, actually," Sango said as she sat back down, "After he found out what happened to Inu-Yasha, he was devastated. Rin was the only person that could pull him out of his shell for months."
"Weird," mumbled Kagome.
"Okaa-san, is it all right if I go to bed now?" Kou asked his mother.
"Sure, hon," she told him, "Is it all right if we camp out on your floor for the night?" she asked her best friends.
"Of course. We have an extra bedroom, would you like to use that?" Sango offered.
"No thanks," Kou replied, "I have my sleeping bag and besides, mom could use that bed a lot more than I could." Kou laid out his sleeping bag on the other side of the room and sleep took over immediately. Shippo said his goodnights and laid his bag down next to Kou's, and also fell asleep for a few moments.
Kagome watched her sons for a few moments, before turning to her oldest friends with a sigh, "Oh you guys, I miss him so much," she admitted, "It's been sixteen years and the pain hasn't let up an inch."
"Oh Kagome, I know it's hard," Sango told her, "We miss him a lot too y'know. I understand it's not the same way you do, but I know what it's like."
"Yeah, when I saw Kou today I was so hopeful that he'd finally returned," Miroku interjected, "It was a really mean joke, Kagome."
Kagome smiled ruefully, "I had to be back with a bang!"
"You certainly pulled that off," he admitted, "But we all miss him, you didn't have to be so cruel." Miroku gave a false pout.
"Oh, you have no idea…" Kagome trailed off.
"What do you mean?" Sango asked.
"I'm saying you have no idea what I've been through," she snapped.
"Kagome, you've had a couple of drinks, you're tired, maybe you should go to bed," Sango suggested.
"I know, Sango, I'm sorry," she apologized, starting to sob lightly, "It's just that—well, it's not possible for me to forget."
"What do you mean?" asked Miroku.
"I'm constantly reminded of him. Kou is so much like his father it's down right scary. Besides the obvious similarities in appearance, you'd never know he never met his father. For instance, whenever he's confused or has a lot to think about he jumps into the Go-Shinboku. Remember Hojo?" she asked, waiting for them to nod. "After I had Kou and enrolled in college, he started asking me out again. We went out for a couple of years, and he only knew Kou as my little brother. Shippo helped Kou keep up the charade, but whenever Hojo would come anywhere near me, if Kou were nearby he'd start growling. He absolutely adores ramen, says 'Keh' and 'Feh' all the time, and wears his fire rat haori every chance he gets. To top it off, he hates to see me cry. Don't get me wrong, all kids hate to see their parent cry, but if I even get a little depressed he goes into 'cheer up mode'. Do you guys remember what I've told you about Halloween?"
"Yeah," Sango spoke, "That's the western holiday with kids dressing up like demons and going door to door asking for candy, right?"
"Mmhm, it has started to catch on around Tokyo in recent years and Kou takes off his human disguise every year. Since he's in his hanyou form, he knows the punishment he'll get if he does something bad—a sit. So, every year I tell him to be back by 11:00, and every year he stays out until 11:01, knowing he'll get sat, just to make me feel better." Kagome yawned rather loudly. "That was enough emotional drainage for one night. Mind if I get some sleep?"
"No, go ahead, I'll show you the room," Sango said as she got up to show Kagome the room.
"Goodnight, Houshi-sama," Kagome bowed to Miroku before leaving.
"Goodnight, Kagome-sama," Miroku returned the gesture.
Sango returned moments later and started cleaning up. "Well, Miroku, she's finally back!" Sango exclaimed, "It's been sixteen years, but she's finally back!"
Miroku finished tidying up and sat down opposite his wife. "Yeah, she is. So is Shippo," he added with a goofy grin, "And her son is the spitting image of Inu-Yasha! It's nice to have our family together again.
"Except Inu-Yasha," Sango added with a sigh, "That would take the cake."
"Yes, having Inu-Yasha back would definitely be nice," he admitted, "But we have to make due with what we've got, ne?"
"Hai, we will, we will."
"Miroku, Sango?" Kou asked as he made his way towards the table.
"Oh, Kou, you're still up, are you?" Sango asked as he sat down at the table, "What do you need?"
"I was wondering if you could tell me about my father?" Kou asked shyly.
"We can try," Miroku said, "What have they told you all ready?"
"Well," Kou started, "I've heard he was strong, brave, rude, mean, annoying, and extremely over protective of my mom."
Miroku gave an amused chuckle. "That's Inu-Yasha in a nutshell all right. What do you know about our journeys?"
"Um… I know about the history of the jewel, how dad met mom, how they met Onii-san and you two, and all about Naraku. They explained about most of their adventures and how dad died during the battle with Naraku."
"Out of curiosity, how much did she tell you about Kikyo?" Sango asked.
"The original protector of the jewel? She said that Kikyo died after pinning Otou-san to the Go-Shinboku, why?" Kou asked her.
"Just wondering, that's all," Sango told him, "What you said about your father before was absolutely correct. But do you know why he was like that?"
"Not really, do you?" Kou asked them.
"Actually, yes," Miroku answered, "Your father's parents died when he was very young. He had to fend for himself for a long while and didn't know the love of a family."
"What about Sesshomaru? Didn't he know his brother?" Kou asked, confused.
"Your oji-san wasn't always particularly nice to your father," Sango admitted, "That's the mistake he's trying to correct now that it's too late. You saw the hostility your mom showed when he arrived today, ne?" Kou nodded.
"Anyway, Inu-Yasha was a lone for many years when he met Kikyo. He wanted the Shikon no Tama to become a full youkai so…" Miroku watched as a now awake Shippo made a cutting motion with his finger across his neck, his eyes wide.
"So… what?" Kou asked, turning to see what was catching Miroku's attention. The kitsune was quick, however, and avoid being caught.
"So he could… fend for himself easier! Yeah, that's it, fend for himself easier!" Miroku quickly corrected himself. "It's been awhile since I've thought of it, that's all."
"By some strange twist of fate," Sango took over, "Your father and the miko found companionship with each other, something they claimed was 'love'. That's when Naraku interfered. Between his rough childhood and the supposed betrayal of his 'love', Inu-Yasha erected strong walls around his heart and soul; the reason he was so cold. You mother broke through those walls, however, and that's what made you father one of the greatest friends and heros of this time." Sango yawned loudly.
"I'm sorry for keeping you up," Kou apologized, "But thank you for you information, I greatly appreciate this." Kou stood, bowed low, and said his goodnights.
Sango and Miroku smiled. "What did we say about being so respectful?" Miroku asked.
Kou smiled at them and climbed into his sleeping bag. Sango and Miroku nodded, put out the fire they had going for light, and went to bed themselves.
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It was a rather odd morning at Sango and Miroku's place the next day. After everyone went to bed, Shippo tossed and turned in his sleep. Sensing that he was home, he transformed into his chibi form and crawled into Kagome's room. Also letting déjà vu get to her, Kagome snuggled with the kit telling him to go back to sleep. She got up about an hour after sunrise and, still half asleep, made her way over to her bag to get out some ramen. She walked over to the fireplace, lit a match, poured some bottle water into a pot, and put the ramen over the fire, where she started dozing again.
Moments later she had little fingers poking her. "Mmm, Inu-Yasha, it'll be done in a moment, hold on…" she mumbled, trying to catch some more z's. What answered her was a fierce set of giggles.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" she shouted, causing Kou to bolt upright. "W-W-What's going on? Where am I? Kou?" she asked frantically.
"Mom, you're at Sango and Miroku's… we came back to the past yesterday…. Do you understand the words coming out of my mouth?" he asked watching his mom's dumbfounded expression.
"Oh yeah, that's right! Gomen ne!" she said, causing Kou and the twins to facefault.
"Hiroshi! Hideki!" called a young voice from the nearest room, "Why did you do that? You should treat our guests with respect!" Yuki walked out of her room with her arms folded and a scowl on her face.
"Gomen ne, onee-san!" they exclaimed at once.
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to our guest," she chided.
They turned around and bowed simultaneously, "Gomen Nasai Kagome-sama!"
Kagome giggled, "It's okay." The twins beamed at her and left to play with their sister.
"Good morning, Kagome-sama," Sango called from the doorway to her and Miroku's room, "Did you sleep well?"
"Very well, Sango-chan," she replied, "Yuki is quite the babysitter."
"Hai, she is. She makes it her duty to keep the twins in line," Sango informed her, "I'm going to make some breakfast, stew good for everyone?"
"Yeah!" the youngest chorused in unison.
"That sounds fine," Kagome said.
"Would you like some Kou?" Sango asked.
"No thanks," Kou replied, "I'll just have ramen. Which, mom, is beginning to boil…"
"Huh?" Kagome asked, looking at the pot-o-ramen in her hands. "Oh!" she exclaimed as she pulled the noodles off of the fire.
Kou just sighed, "My okaa-san, the ditz."
Kagome scowled, "OSUWARI!" Kou met his old friend the dirt. Shippo took the opportunity to reveal himself.
"Inu-Yasha, stop being an idiot," Shippo said rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "What's for breakfast okaa-san? When are we going to be back at Kaede's?"
"Kawaii," cooed Sango.
Kou was laughing hysterically as he walked up to Shippo and started poking him. "Jeez Shippo!" he exclaimed, "This is the second time this week! I thought coming back to the past was supposed to stop that?"
"What? Kou? What are you talking about?" A now awake Shippo asked, confused. Kou started laughing and pointed down. Shippo followed his gaze and blushed an amazing shade of crimson. "Hehe… whoops!" He quickly pulled a leaf out of his hair to turn off the illusion.
"What's all the racket?" Chi asked as she walked out of her room, "What's with all of the noise?"
"Oh, nothing much honey," Sango said, "Just some old fashioned antics. Did they wake you up?"
"No, I was getting up anyway," she admitted, "So, how late were you guys up last night?"
"Oh, not long," Kou said, "Just until about four in the morning."
"Huh?" Chi asked, cocking her head to the side.
"Oh, whoops!" Kou said, "Sengoku Jidai, duh!" Kou slapped his forehead. "What I meant to say was about halfway through the hour of the Ox."*
"Oh, now I see," Chi replied with a smile, "What's for breakfast okaa-san?"
"We're having stew. Would you wake up your father and brother?" she asked her.
"Sure, those two sleep through anything!" she commented as she turned to go wake them up.
As Sango was cutting vegetables, Miroku walked out of their room. "What's for breakfast Sa—" he cut himself off, "By the gods, is that… ramen?" he asked, his eyes wide with hope.
"Um… yeah?" Kou told him. Miroku walked straight up to Kagome and took her hands in his.
"Kagome-sama," he asked her, "Would you – "
"Miroku, you're married for crying out loud!" Kagome shrieked.
"What?" he asked, running the situation over and over in his head. "Oh! No, gods no, I wasn't going to ask that! I was just wondering if I could have some ramen?"
"Sure Miroku!" Kagome replied with a grin, "You had me going there for a minute."
"Hey! We want ramen too!" Hiroshi declared.
"Yeah, us too!" Hideki seconded.
"Actually, I'd like to try some of that too," Kohaku commented from the doorway.
"Whaddaya think mom?" Kou asked, "Do we have enough for everyone?"
Kagome sighed. "I knew this would happen," she mumbled. "Yeah, we'll have enough—as long as you can keep from pigging out for once," she told him. Kou gave her a mock glare and mimicked her.
After breakfast, Kagome took a walk in the village, Kou went for a swim, and Shippo watched as Miroku and Sango gave Chi and Kohaku fighting lessons. Kagome returned an hour later and Kou came back shortly after that.
"Oh geez, what's that smell?" Kou asked as he approached the group who was sitting outside of the hut.
"Hm?" Shippo asked and gave the air a sniff. "Oh, gods, not now; not this soon…" Shippo sighed as he hopped down from the tree he was sitting in.
"What is it Shippo?" Kagome asked.
Shippo looked her straight in the eye. "I smell wolves." Not long after he said that, a twister of wind could be seen making its way towards the hut. Kou instinctively jumped in front of his mother and unsheathed Tetsusaiga.
"Outta my way Inukuro!" Kouga shouted as he smacked Kou into a nearby tree. "Ah Kagome, my woman," Kouga said as he clasped her hands in his in a very familiar Miroku like fashion. "Where have you been all of these years? What did Inukuro do to you? They told me he was dead, but I knew he did something with you. Do you want me to kill him for you?" he asked.
"Okay, OW!" Kou said as he climbed off of the ground, "What the hell was that for? That kind of hurt y'know!"
"Just where the hell have you been with her, Inukuro?" Koga roared at him as he walked over to him. He picked Kou up by the front of his haori. "Well? Answer me!"
"What the hell are you talking about, you stupid wolf?" Kou barked at him.
"Where have you been with MY WOMAN?" Koga yelled in his face, "You kidnapped her, didn't you? That has to be it. You're a hanyou after all; a filthy, dirty, scummy, poor excuse for a creature. You're just the horrifying product of the sick, twisted mating of a low class human and demon! Hanyous can't be loved. They're the freakish combination of two races! Disgusted by both! What in the seven hells makes you think she would ever love you?" Koga released his hold on Kou and let him stumble back. "Get out of my sight you disgrace. I can't believe you did that to sweet, innocent Kagome you bastard!"
Kagome gasped at the expressions of utter hurt and confusion on Kou's face. Koga did something Kagome tried to prevent by coming here for sixteen years. Kou knew how humans in this time didn't remember youkai and could be scared of something different, but neglected to tell him how much of an outcast he would be back here, in his true home. Like Inu-Yasha's mother before her, she attempted to shield Kou from the hate and scrutiny of the people of this time. She realized that hanyous are some of the most magnificent creatures of all—from the human-like Inu-Yasha to the more demon ones like Jinenji, they had the hearts of a human and the powers of a demon; the ultimate combination.
"Okaa-san," Kou asked, his voice shaking with sorrow, "What is he talking about?" Koga turned to look at Kagome, his eyes wide with confusion. Kou looked at them all briefly before turning to dart into the forest.
"Kou, matte!" she called after him, "Wait! Please, wait!" her cries fell on deaf ears.
"Kagome, has dog-boy gone nuts?" Koga asked from his fixed position. Kagome started shaking with fury. She turned sharply towards Koga, giving him a glare that could scare the gods.
"How DARE you?" Kagome asked through clenched teeth as she walked up to Koga, "How dare you talk about my son like that!? Who the HELL do you think you are? For your information, Kouga, that dirty, filthy, unlovable hanyou is my SON! In case your puny wolf mind cannot comprehend this, he is also Inu-Yasha's son! Also for your information, my mate is dead, and has been for the past SIXTEEN years! Now get this straight: If you EVER insult my mate or son EVER again, you will face my WRATH!" To emphasize her point, Kagome used a burst of miko energy to send Koga into a tree. She then set out to find her son.
"Kagome, where are you going?" asked Sango.
"I'm going to get my son," she replied.
"But he could be anywhere, why don't we…"
"I know where he is," Kagome cut her off, "When I told you he was just like his father, I meant it. He's in the Go-Shinboku."
"Do you want us to come with you?" asked Miroku.
"Not now," she told them, "I'll send for Shippo if I need him."
"Although, Sango?" Kagome asked, "If you were to use Koga's body as a dummy for your training, I wouldn't mind at all."
"Hai, Kagome," Sango smiled at her, "Whatever you say." Kagome nodded to her best friend and started to walk towards the forest. "But, Kagome?" Sango asked. Kagome turned to her briefly. "Tell Kou that he has friends who love him?" Kagome smiled and went back on her way.
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Moments later, Kagome arrived at the Go-Shinboku. "Kou?" she asked, "Could you come down here for a second?" She received no answer. "Kou, do you want to make me get you down here?" she asked him again in a commanding tone.
"Is that all I am to you? A dog on a leash you can make obey whenever you want?" he asked her coldly as he leaped down from the god tree with his back turned to her.
"What kind of question is that?" Kagome asked. "I'm your mother. I love you!"
"But I'm "unlovable"," Kou said with spite.
"That's the same thing he said about your father, and I loved him more than any man in my entire life," she assured him.
"I know," Kou said as he turned around with a smile, "I just wanted to hear you say it. But was what he said true? How come you never told me?"
"Because I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want you to fear humans and this time."
"Was what he said about you and him true? What he said about otou-san?"
"No, none of it was. When I first met Kouga, he was after the Shikon no kakera. When he saw that I could locate the shards, he kidnapped me and claimed me as his woman. Your father would have nothing to do with that and attacked Kouga whenever he came within arms' reach. Being young and foolish, I would sit you father and let Kouga get away. Looking back, I guess that fueled his ego a bit."
"Oh, okay. But, mom, will everybody in this time shun me like he said?"
"No, you've met Sango and Miroku and their kids; they all like you the way you are. Besides, anybody that came across your father knew that hanyous aren't bad at all. Here, I'll show you." Kagome took her son's hand and led him to the village.
Today the village was bustling with activity. The village girls were talking and giggling while the children wrestled around. Even the men seemed to be enjoying themselves on this day, without a care in the world
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" a female screamed as they were at the edge of the village, causing Kou to turn around quickly. "Kagome-sama, is that really you?" The girl shrieked as she walked up to Kou and his mother.
"Miyu-chan, is that you?" Kagome asked the woman. The woman nodded. "Wow, you've grown so much!" Kagome cooed.
"Thank you Kagome-sama," Miyu said as she bowed. "And who would this be?" she asked regarding Kou, "Is it really you, Inu-Yasha?"
"Actually, this would be my son," Kagome replied.
"I take it he's Inu-Yasha's too?" Miyu asked with a sly grin on her face.
"Hai, he is," she told her. Miyu turned to look at Kou.
"You're father was a good man, Kou," Miyu told him, "He protected the village many times. I'm sorry you could never meet him."
"So I hear," Kou replied giving a little grin.
"I have to go, my husband is expecting me. Don't be a stranger Kagome-sama!" Miyu called as she walked away. Kou was astounded as they walked through the village. Every one who could remember his mother bowed respectively. What amazed him even more was how a hanyou and miko could walk through this village without even a single stray glance. Maybe things weren't as bad as Kouga said after all…
On their way back to Sango's hut, Kou's questioning continued. "Okay, so this village is peachy, but what about everybody else?"
"Well, anyone in the western lands won't fear you, seeing as you're the lord's nephew. Besides there, you're the son of the hanyou that took down Naraku, you brandish a sword that can kill a hundred demons with one swing, and your uncle is quite the intimidator. Only stupid people would dare to insult the son of Inu-Yasha. Besides, if we go anywhere we'll probably be with Sango, a taijiya, Miroku, a monk, and I'm a miko. What does it matter?"
"I guess you're right…"
"Hey! You guys are back all ready?" Shippo asked as he approached them.
"Yeah, sorry about that…" Kou trailed off.
"Don't worry about it! We just want to make sure you know that what Koga said isn't the views of all of us," Sango said.
"I know that now." Kou gave them all a very Inu-Yasha-like grin.
"Now, we still have over a half-a-day to kill!" Kagome exclaimed clapping her hands together. "What does everyone want to do?"
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"This was another interesting day," Kou commented as he laid down in his sleeping bag.
"Yeah, it was," Shippo agreed.
"Well, goodnight onii-san," Kou said.
"Goodnight," Shippo replied.
"Oh, and Kou? Just remember that above all things, your father was a hero."
"Hai, onii-san, I'll remember." Ko-Inu-Yasha fell into the land of dreams after his second day in the Sengoku Jidai…
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Kaede laid down on her futon after a hard day's work. There was a small outbreak of sickness, a woman gave birth, and there was the customary collection of herbs. Besides, she was still tired from the past nights' events. Kaede smiled at the thought. Kagome had finally returned to the past—to her home. Just as her good eye was about to close, a blue serpent youkai flew through her hut, and a pale figure with raven black hair and dressed in the garbs of a miko stood in the doorway.
"Kaede, we need to talk," an emotionless voice said.
"Onee-sama?" Kaede asked. "But I thought ye died again? Kagome said so herself."
"Ah, my reincarnation. I've waited sixteen years for her to return. I can finally fulfill my final task in this world…"
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* The hours in Feudal Japan were measured as follows:
Midnight to 2:00am: Rat
2:00am to 4:00am: Ox
4:00am to 6:00am: Tiger
6:00am to 8:00am: Hare
8:00am to 10:00am: Dragon
10:00am to Noon: Snake
Noon to 2:00pm: Horse
2:00pm to 4:00pm: Ram
4:00pm to 6:00pm: Monkey
6:00pm to 8:00pm: Cock
8:00pm to 10:00pm: Dog
10:00pm to midnight: Boar
A/N: Did I just… write a cliffhanger? Gah! *leaps away from keyboard * Demon! Oh no! It won't let me change it! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Once again, I'm sorry I didn't update sooner. The next chapter should be out by next Monday, but I don't really know where to go from here… so it may take an extra week. Thanks for all reviews in advance. If anyone likes fluff, could you read my one-shot, "Songfic: The Power of Love" ? It's Inu/Kag! Big props will be awarded to anyone who reads it!