Chapter Three - Through the Well
Yue lay in the guest room staring up that the ceiling. His mind wandered all over the place. From, Who could have created the Dark Cards? How did they learn about the well? What are they planning? To, How can Keroberos eat so much? To, How did Kagome-sama make the hanyou do that? And then, the most shocking thoughts of all were, I wonder if Kagome-sama and Inuyasha are lovers. I hope not.
Where did that come from? Why should he care if Kagome had a lover? After this was over they would never see each other again. He didn't like that idea. He liked the young miko. Oh, for crying out loud! You only just met her, he berated himself.
* * *
Bright and early the next morning Sakura arrived to work out how they'd take care of the Dark Cards. After hours of discussion, Inuyasha was pacing back and forth, impatient to get back to shard hunting.
"Hello," he finally snapped. "All these plans are useless unless they can go through the well."
Kagome blinked. "Huh, you're right. That's one of the most intelligent things I've heard you say in a while."
"So why don't we test it?" Sakura suggested.
She led them outside to the well. Looking around at the damage, she sighed. "Mom's not going to be happy. It'll be murder to fix this place."
The Card Mistress looked thoughtful. Taking the star key she held it before her and chanted.
"Key of my Star, with powers burning bright, reveal the wand and shine your light. Release! Change Card, change this shrine back to the way it was before yesterday's battle."
Kagome watched with interest as the shrine's wall was restored. "Arigato!"
Sakura smiled. "Don't mention it. Now, how exactly does this work?"
"You just jump in. If you want, I'll go first."
She nodded. The miko gave a little wave before jumping in. As always there was a flare of magic and then she found herself in the the Sengoku Jidai. She immediately climbed out knowing that it would get crowded if the Card Mistress and her guardians were able to come through. The magic flared again and she looked down to see Sakura and Kero grinning up at her.
"This is sooo coool!" The little guardian said, flying around and around in circles.
Kagome giggled. "Come on you two. It'll get crowded once Inuyasha and Yue-san show up."
Soon they were all standing in the well clearing. The three newcomers looked around in amazement, even Yue was slightly in awe of this.
"Come on."
"KAGOME!"
The girl was cut off by the familiar voice as the young kitsune child flew into her arms, knocking the breath from her. She hugged him tightly.
"Hey, Shippo!"
"I missed you. Please stay here this time, Kagome. Don't go back."
"Shippo, you know I can't do that."
"But."
Just then the fox-child noticed the three newcomers. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Don't worry, Shippo. They're friends."
"Ok!"
The group headed for the village. The minute they reached Kaede's hut Miroku looked up and saw Sakura. Kagome swore he had to have pretty girl radar. He was in front of her and holding her hand before anyone could blink.
"Will you bear my child?" he asked.
The two guardians face faulted, something she didn't think Yue'd ever done, while the others rolled their eyes. Sakura, however, wasn't fazed.
"Sure, I'll bear your child," She said without blinking.
Everyone face faulted at that.
"When birds swim, fish fly, and Kero-chan gets tired of eating."
There was an audible sigh of relief, because while someone may be able to find a way to make the first two happen, no one would ever be able to make Kero stop eating.
"I like her," Sango declared with a grin. "She's got spunk!"
"You've just made a friend for life, Sakura-chan," Kagome congratulated the girl.
Introductions were made all around and they all, except Yue, settled down to eat the stew Kaede made for lunch, talking and laughing. After the delicious meal Kagome explained the situation to the others. The jovial atmosphere quickly sobered and once again everyone fell to planning how they would handle the Dark Cards and their master.
* * *
Kagome couldn't sleep. She was too excited about the prospect of a new adventure. Granted, her old one was yet to be finished, but that had grown boring and predictable. She had long ceased being surprised by anything that popped up during the hunt for the Shikon shards. She'd seen all before. But this new adventure, this new hunt was sure to be filled with so many surprises.
Logic dictated that she should sleep so that she would be rested for all the traveling they would be doing in the morning. But since when was she a creature of logic? Sighing, she rose to go outside. Maybe after a little fresh air she could get to sleep. She stopped short upon seeing the guardian standing looking at the moon. Her breath caught in her throat. He was really quite beautiful with his silver hair blowing in the breeze and his violet eyes shining as he looked up at the moon. Kagome suddenly wondered what it would be like to have him look at her that way. She caught herself. You've only known him two days. Besides, after this is all over you'll probably never see him again. She told herself. Now go back inside. Her legs wouldn't budge. Go back inside. He legs still wouldn't listen to her. Go back inside. Finally, her legs obeyed her command to move, but they brought her in the opposite direction.
"Yue-san? Aren't you tired?" She asked
The moon guardian started at the sound of her voice. He mentally cursed himself. What good is a guardian if he isn't paying attention to what's going on around him? Turning slightly, he looked at her out of the corner of his eyes as she approached. She was really quite beautiful with long raven-colored hair and warm chocolate colored eyes that were alight with spirit and a love of life, but also wisdom and determination.
"Yue-san?"
"I couldn't sleep, Kagome-sama. Besides, it's somewhat crowded in there."
She gave him a kind of half-smile. "I know what you mean. And then, of course, there's Kero-chan and Miroku-sama's snoring. I'm surprised the others can sleep through it."
She noticed the amusement twinkling in his violet eyes and was suddenly very glad her legs hadn't obeyed her.
"What about you, Kagome-sama? Shouldn't you rest for tomorrow's journey?"
She shrugged. "I'm too excited. Hunting shards has become boring. I'm glad for this new adventure."
Yue turned to face her fully, studying her. She was definitely different from other women. Even other women of magic would balk at the idea of such a journey, but this miko relished the idea. She actually liked the idea of upcoming challenges. Not even his mistress was eager for it.
"What about you? You didn't tell me why you couldn't sleep." She paused. "You don't have to if you don't want to."
The guardian sighed. "I'm finding it a little overwhelming being in this time again."
"Again? Oh, right, you've lived for centuries. You know, if you find it that uncomfortable you could always return to the future."
For some reason, his heart sunk at her words, at the idea that she might want him to leave. "I suppose I could."
"Of course, then I wouldn't have you to teach me about my telepathic abilities. Or have a fellow insomniac to make being unable to sleep less boring."
As quickly as his heart sank, it was buoyed. She didn't want him to leave. She wanted him to stay! This is insane! He thought. I've known her two days and she can send my emotions on a roller coaster. He was well aware of the fact that he had been watching her all day long. She was a paradox, her moods as varying as the weather. He had seen her go from happy, to annoyed, to angry, to exasperated, and back again in less than half an hour. Already he seemed to know her so well. It was confusing.
Yue lay in the guest room staring up that the ceiling. His mind wandered all over the place. From, Who could have created the Dark Cards? How did they learn about the well? What are they planning? To, How can Keroberos eat so much? To, How did Kagome-sama make the hanyou do that? And then, the most shocking thoughts of all were, I wonder if Kagome-sama and Inuyasha are lovers. I hope not.
Where did that come from? Why should he care if Kagome had a lover? After this was over they would never see each other again. He didn't like that idea. He liked the young miko. Oh, for crying out loud! You only just met her, he berated himself.
* * *
Bright and early the next morning Sakura arrived to work out how they'd take care of the Dark Cards. After hours of discussion, Inuyasha was pacing back and forth, impatient to get back to shard hunting.
"Hello," he finally snapped. "All these plans are useless unless they can go through the well."
Kagome blinked. "Huh, you're right. That's one of the most intelligent things I've heard you say in a while."
"So why don't we test it?" Sakura suggested.
She led them outside to the well. Looking around at the damage, she sighed. "Mom's not going to be happy. It'll be murder to fix this place."
The Card Mistress looked thoughtful. Taking the star key she held it before her and chanted.
"Key of my Star, with powers burning bright, reveal the wand and shine your light. Release! Change Card, change this shrine back to the way it was before yesterday's battle."
Kagome watched with interest as the shrine's wall was restored. "Arigato!"
Sakura smiled. "Don't mention it. Now, how exactly does this work?"
"You just jump in. If you want, I'll go first."
She nodded. The miko gave a little wave before jumping in. As always there was a flare of magic and then she found herself in the the Sengoku Jidai. She immediately climbed out knowing that it would get crowded if the Card Mistress and her guardians were able to come through. The magic flared again and she looked down to see Sakura and Kero grinning up at her.
"This is sooo coool!" The little guardian said, flying around and around in circles.
Kagome giggled. "Come on you two. It'll get crowded once Inuyasha and Yue-san show up."
Soon they were all standing in the well clearing. The three newcomers looked around in amazement, even Yue was slightly in awe of this.
"Come on."
"KAGOME!"
The girl was cut off by the familiar voice as the young kitsune child flew into her arms, knocking the breath from her. She hugged him tightly.
"Hey, Shippo!"
"I missed you. Please stay here this time, Kagome. Don't go back."
"Shippo, you know I can't do that."
"But."
Just then the fox-child noticed the three newcomers. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Don't worry, Shippo. They're friends."
"Ok!"
The group headed for the village. The minute they reached Kaede's hut Miroku looked up and saw Sakura. Kagome swore he had to have pretty girl radar. He was in front of her and holding her hand before anyone could blink.
"Will you bear my child?" he asked.
The two guardians face faulted, something she didn't think Yue'd ever done, while the others rolled their eyes. Sakura, however, wasn't fazed.
"Sure, I'll bear your child," She said without blinking.
Everyone face faulted at that.
"When birds swim, fish fly, and Kero-chan gets tired of eating."
There was an audible sigh of relief, because while someone may be able to find a way to make the first two happen, no one would ever be able to make Kero stop eating.
"I like her," Sango declared with a grin. "She's got spunk!"
"You've just made a friend for life, Sakura-chan," Kagome congratulated the girl.
Introductions were made all around and they all, except Yue, settled down to eat the stew Kaede made for lunch, talking and laughing. After the delicious meal Kagome explained the situation to the others. The jovial atmosphere quickly sobered and once again everyone fell to planning how they would handle the Dark Cards and their master.
* * *
Kagome couldn't sleep. She was too excited about the prospect of a new adventure. Granted, her old one was yet to be finished, but that had grown boring and predictable. She had long ceased being surprised by anything that popped up during the hunt for the Shikon shards. She'd seen all before. But this new adventure, this new hunt was sure to be filled with so many surprises.
Logic dictated that she should sleep so that she would be rested for all the traveling they would be doing in the morning. But since when was she a creature of logic? Sighing, she rose to go outside. Maybe after a little fresh air she could get to sleep. She stopped short upon seeing the guardian standing looking at the moon. Her breath caught in her throat. He was really quite beautiful with his silver hair blowing in the breeze and his violet eyes shining as he looked up at the moon. Kagome suddenly wondered what it would be like to have him look at her that way. She caught herself. You've only known him two days. Besides, after this is all over you'll probably never see him again. She told herself. Now go back inside. Her legs wouldn't budge. Go back inside. He legs still wouldn't listen to her. Go back inside. Finally, her legs obeyed her command to move, but they brought her in the opposite direction.
"Yue-san? Aren't you tired?" She asked
The moon guardian started at the sound of her voice. He mentally cursed himself. What good is a guardian if he isn't paying attention to what's going on around him? Turning slightly, he looked at her out of the corner of his eyes as she approached. She was really quite beautiful with long raven-colored hair and warm chocolate colored eyes that were alight with spirit and a love of life, but also wisdom and determination.
"Yue-san?"
"I couldn't sleep, Kagome-sama. Besides, it's somewhat crowded in there."
She gave him a kind of half-smile. "I know what you mean. And then, of course, there's Kero-chan and Miroku-sama's snoring. I'm surprised the others can sleep through it."
She noticed the amusement twinkling in his violet eyes and was suddenly very glad her legs hadn't obeyed her.
"What about you, Kagome-sama? Shouldn't you rest for tomorrow's journey?"
She shrugged. "I'm too excited. Hunting shards has become boring. I'm glad for this new adventure."
Yue turned to face her fully, studying her. She was definitely different from other women. Even other women of magic would balk at the idea of such a journey, but this miko relished the idea. She actually liked the idea of upcoming challenges. Not even his mistress was eager for it.
"What about you? You didn't tell me why you couldn't sleep." She paused. "You don't have to if you don't want to."
The guardian sighed. "I'm finding it a little overwhelming being in this time again."
"Again? Oh, right, you've lived for centuries. You know, if you find it that uncomfortable you could always return to the future."
For some reason, his heart sunk at her words, at the idea that she might want him to leave. "I suppose I could."
"Of course, then I wouldn't have you to teach me about my telepathic abilities. Or have a fellow insomniac to make being unable to sleep less boring."
As quickly as his heart sank, it was buoyed. She didn't want him to leave. She wanted him to stay! This is insane! He thought. I've known her two days and she can send my emotions on a roller coaster. He was well aware of the fact that he had been watching her all day long. She was a paradox, her moods as varying as the weather. He had seen her go from happy, to annoyed, to angry, to exasperated, and back again in less than half an hour. Already he seemed to know her so well. It was confusing.