Hi everyone. Unfortunately until I can figure out a different way to upload this, the weird paragraphs are going to stay. Stupid notepad... it apparently uploads funny onto fanfic so that all my paragraphs get mashed together. I have to go through and make paragraphs inbetween dialogue, and then I get uneven paragraphs. So annoying... anyway, I guess we'll just have to deal with it until I can figure out a different way. So all that aside, here's the next chapter of Kagome's Courage.
Review Responses:
inuchick06- Hey! Glad you came back! And you're welcome for updating. I'm happy I found the time to grace you with my presence too And I'm happy you like my story enough to keep reading.
Kagome lover 2009- New reviewers are always nice. Welcome! Did I really made you cry?! Wow... I didn't think my writing was that powerful... I hope you keep reading. The next chapters are not quite as sad!
disclaimer: Still don't own Inuyasha. Sorry, I've run out of creative disclaimers. You just get the boring "I don't own Inuyasha" ones now... Maybe I'll think up something creative for the next one...
When Kagome woke up the next morning Kaede was already making broth over a fire and cleaning herbs. Kagome changed her clothes and brushed her hair. 'My hygiene has sort of suffered since I came to the feudal era,' she reflected. 'I completely took for granted simple running water and sinks. I can't even brush my teeth without going to the well or river.'
After Kagome was finished getting ready and packing for the trip she said her good byes to Kaede.
"Don't worry child. Kirara will help ye find Inuyasha and the others, and she'll keep ye safe too. And don't doubt yourself. Ye are very strong too."
Kagome looked uncertain. But one thing that Naraku said while she was his prisoner puzzled her.
"Kaede... when I was in Naraku's castle and he was trying to convert me to his side, he said something that confused me. He said that I could be even more powerful than Inuyasha. He said he could make me the most powerful human on earth. What does that mean?"
Kaede looked serious and contemplative for a moment before replying. "Well, child. Ye are the reincarnation of my sister, remember. She was an extremely powerful priestess. Ye have all of her same powers, yet lack experience and training. What Naraku meant was if he were to train ye, and also influence ye with the sacred jewel shards, ye probably could be stronger than my sister and most demons."
Kagome stared at Kaede. "Really?"
"Yes Kagome. But that kind of power also bears great responsibility. Ye would constantly be challenged. Recall Inuyasha's brother, Sesshomaru. He is a very powerful demon, but consider his lifestyle. Ye would not be suited for that."
"You're right Kaede... I don't need to be that powerful. Plus it would make Inuyasha mad. What guy would want to admit a girl was stronger than him?" Kaede smiled.
"And besides," Kagome winked, "I like it when he saves me. It gives his ego a boost."
"Good luck Kagome," Kaede said. Kagome hopped onto Kirara, who gave her a look when she felt the weight of Kagome's backpack.
"I'm sorry Kirara, but I gotta take it with me."
Kirara gave a soft growl. Kagome sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll leave my school books with Kaede." She took several out of the bag and handed them to the old priestess.
"I'll keep them safe for ye," she said.
"Thanks Kaede," Kagome called and waved as she and Kirara flew up into the sky.
As Kagome flew over the beautiful countryside of feudal Japan, she was seriously contemplating turning around going back to Kaede's and waiting a few more days before taking on this huge task. Kagome felt like a whole mess of butterflies were fluttering in her stomach. 'I really don't know if I can do this... Will I really be able to get them all back?'
Kagome was flying towards the place where the group had split when she flew over a small village that looked as though it had been burned recently.
"Kirara... fly down there for a second."
Kirara complied and Kagome hopped off to see what had happened, and also if there were any survivors. She peered into the severely charred buildings, but it seemed as though no one was there and there was no apparent cause of the fire.
Kirara gave a short growl and then transformed into her little cat form with a mew. She ducked into a building and then shortly came out with a little gray sphere in her mouth.
"Kirara... that's a bomb like the ones Kohaku uses," Kagome said, leaning down to examine the object. "Are there more?"
Kirara gently set it down and ran into a few other buildings, bringing out more that had not been set off.
"I wonder what happened here... These bombs must have set off the fire. But why? And if these were Kohaku's, why was he here?" Kagome gave one last look at the buildings while waiting for Kirara to transform. She climbed over Kirara's back and they took off once again.
'That fire was really strange. Why would Naraku send Kohaku to burn down a village like that?' Kagome thought hard. 'If he made Kohaku destroy the village Ame was living in because he didn't want me to find her, maybe there was something in that village that he didn't want me to find too.' Kagome was grim as she shaded her eyes from the bright sun. 'That means maybe I was on the trail of one of them. Who knows how far each of them could have traveled by now?'
Kagome spent another hour in the air before a town appeared on the horizon. She and Kirara stopped there to rest a bit and inquire if the town had any strange visitors. After Kagome bought some fruit from a stand, she looked around for someone who might keep track of travelers in their village. She found an old man sitting up against a shed. 'Maybe he would know,' she thought to herself. She walked up and greeted him.
"Excuse me, sir? Do you happen to see most people who come through here?"
"Maybe. I haven't got much else to do but sit back and watch people go by," he replied, not bothering to look up at Kagome. Kagome tried not to get her hopes up and described her friends.
"I saw a woman like the one you describe about a week ago. She had a huge boomerang on her back. I heard her explaining she was a traveling demon slayer, but since our village has been peaceful, she had no work to do here. She bought a few things and then went on her way again."
Kagome tried not to sound too excited and asked urgently, "Did you notice which direction she headed out of town?"
"She headed out north," he said.
"Thank you very much," Kagome said, leaning down and grabbing up his hand. She shook it fervently and then wheeled around for Kirara. "Let's go north, Kirara. Sango can't be too far away."
Kagome was finding that Sango's trail was harder to follow than she expected. She kept finding burned villages on the way. Then other towns would say she had passed through but had moved on quickly. Others also had sighted Miroku, but he had been there a lot earlier than Sango and had set off in the opposite direction than her. Kagome decided to keep following Sango's trail.
She sighed as she came upon another village that had been recently attacked. But Kagome noticed that this time there were survivors. She flew down to investigate. There were people laying on stretchers everywhere, and the village priestess was going about tending to them. Several were badly burned; Kagome tried not to gag as the smell of burning flesh permeated the air. Others seemed to have broken bones and deep wounds. Kagome wanted to ask the priestess what had happened, but she seemed busy. She opted for a group of women who were cleaning up debris.
"Excuse me, but what happened here?"
One woman looked up, then sighed and kept working. "We were attacked by a hoard of demons."
"Demons?" Kagome repeated.
"Yes," she answered. "Hundreds of them. We were lucky that our village had some defense. A demon slayer happened to be staying here a day before they attacked. She had already departed, but luckily one of our men escaped and fetched her. She killed them all and saved our village."
"A demon slayer?!" Kagome exclaimed. "Can you tell me her name, or what she looked like?"
"I believe she said her name was Sango. She wore a black and pink exterminator's outfit."
"That's her! I'm looking for her. Please, how long ago was she here?"
"She left yesterday. You should be able to catch up with her in the next village over. She can't be too far away, for she was on foot."
"Oh thank you!" Kagome said. "I really hope that you have good luck with rebuilding your town. I'm glad my friend was able to save you."
"Yes, we were extremely lucky she was here."
As Kagome set off on Kirara again, she thought about all the attacked villages. 'There has to be a connection. There was something in those villages Naraku didn't want me to find, and I think it was news of where Sango and the others had been. I can't figure out where everybody's gone if all the towns they've visited are destroyed. But this time he screwed up... Sango came back in time to save this one. In a sense, that village wasn't lucky at all that Sango had stopped by. Had she not been there it wouldn't have been attacked at all...'
Kagome was nervous as she had the next village in view. Kirara gave a happy growl and flew faster.
"Whoa! Kirara, what's the matter?!" Kagome yelped as she grabbed onto the cat's fur tighter and tried to stay on.
Kirara made a bee line for the village and seemed really excited. 'Maybe she smells Sango'
Kirara landed and didn't bother to let Kagome off. She bounded through the streets and up to the village temple. When they got to the gate Kirara stopped long enough to let Kagome get down. Kirara transformed with a mew and then happily trotted into the ornate building. Kagome followed, and then stopped when she heard a familiar voice.
"Really, sir, are you positive you have no need of my services? There is nothing you need exterminated?"
"I'm sorry miss, but we have not had any problems. Should we ever have an incident involving demons we'll remember your name."
Kagome peeked into a room where a man sat on a cushion on the floor and a girl with long black hair and a boomerang strapped across her back was kneeling on the floor in front of him. Kagome gasped.
'It's Sango!'
Kirara didn't wait. The little cat ran into the room.
"Kirara!" Kagome exclaimed, reaching for the cat but she dodged Kagome's hands and zipped over to Sango. She rubbed up against Sango's side and mewed. Sango looked down with surprise at being interrupted by a little cat that seemed to be very friendly.
"Ooh, you're adorable! Is this your cat?" she asked the temple man, while picking up the purring Kirara and petting her in her lap.
"No, I've never seen that cat before," the head man answered. "It must be a stray."
"Hi there, I'm sorry, but Kirara here is mine," Kagome said, walking into the room. She waited nervously for Sango to turn around. When Sango did she looked at Kagome and smiled.
"This little cat is so sweet. Her name is Kirara?"
Kagome's heart fell. Sango didn't recognize her or Kirara.
"Yes, it is. She... seems to like you."
"Apparently," Sango said laughing. Kirara was rubbing her head under Sango's hands, begging to be petted by her mistress.
"Kirara," Kagome called. Kirara gave Kagome one look and then hopped up onto Sango's shoulder.
"Well," Sango began, "I suppose I must be off. If you are sure, I'll just get some supplies and set out again. Thank you for your time, sir."
"It was my pleasure. Sorry I could not help you miss."
Sango got up and she and Kagome walked out the door. Sango reached up and plucked Kirara off her shoulder.
"Here," she said, offering the cat back to Kagome. "She's very nice."
"Would you believe..." Kagome said slowly, not quite sure how to break it to Sango, "That she is actually yours?"
Sango looked confused. "What are you talking about? I've never owned a cat."
"Sango, we have a lot of talking to do. My name is Kagome. I really really need to set some things straight, so if we could go somewhere where we can talk in private-"
"Look, just who are you? I'm sorry to say, but I've never owned a cat before, especially this one, and you really don't make any sense. How did you know my name?"
"Because I was your best friend."
"What?" Sango's look of utter disbelief was almost more than Kagome could bear.
"Would you just trust me? I need to sort some things out with you..." Kagome grabbed Sango's arm and pulled her out of the building. Sango shook her head and thought that Kagome was crazy.
"Listen miss, I have things to do and I really don't have time for this-"
"You're coming with me. We need to get your life back," Kagome said with determination. Sango sighed and let herself be led by Kagome. The girls found a well just outside the town and sat on the rock ledge.
"Sango. What have you been doing these past few weeks?" Kagome started.
"What do you mean? I've been traveling around and exterminating demons. That's what I do."
"It's kind of like what you used to do," Kagome muttered. "But lately you've been traveling with me, Miroku, Inuyasha, Shippo, and your cat, Kirara here, to destroy Naraku. Don't you remember at all?"
"I think you're crazy," Sango said plainly. "I don't know what you're talking about and I have never seen you before. Are we done now?"
"No," Kagome said. Then she held out her hands towards Sango and repeated the chant the priestess Ame taught her. Sango jumped up.
"Are you placing some sort of curse on me? Who are you? If you're a dark priestess-"
"Just stop Sango! I need to think of what will bring you back," Kagome interrupted. 'What could bring her back? I certainly am not going to grope her like Miroku does all the time... Kirara didn't spur any memories... what was most important to her?' Kagome thought hard while Sango stayed back and studied her, trying to figure out who the strange girl was.
"Aha!" Kagome snapped her fingers and Sango jumped. Kagome feverishly reached into her bag and dug around until she found the item she was searching for. Holding the small metal mask with fraying satin straps, she walked up to Sango and gently placed it into the surprised girl's hands.
Sango stared at the mask for a few seconds. Then all in one minute scenes of her life with Kohaku and her father, the fateful day when Kohaku struck down their friends and then was killed himself, the battle with Inuyasha, battles with Naraku, Miroku's hands wandering where they shouldn't, and Kagome's smiling face flashed through her head.
"Kohaku..." Sango said softly. Kagome raised her hands to her mouth. Did Sango say what she thought she said?
Sango lifted her head to stare at her friend. "Kagome... what has... happened?"
"Sango!!" Kagome jumped and embraced her friend as tight as she could. "I'm so glad you're back!"
"I'm... back?" Sango asked, confused. Kirara jumped up onto Sango's head with a joyful mew. Sango looked around. "Where are Miroku and the others?"
"I'll explain everything later," Kagome said, wrapping her arm around the older girl's shoulder.
Kagome and Sango returned to Kaede's hut. By then Kagome had explained what had happened to the group and how they had split up. What Kagome did not tell Sango was about the time she spent in Naraku's castle. Kagome knew her friends, and they were extremely protective of her, knowing she could defend herself the least. Well... Shippo didn't count. Kagome had her arrows but she was not strong and could not truly fight. If any of her friends knew about her torture in Naraku's castle they would never forgive themselves, especially Inuyasha. He could act tough and uncaring, but deep down even Kagome knew that he would literally destroy himself if he knew what she went through and he was powerless to stop it.
"I will never abandon you..."
Those five words had haunted Kagome's mind while she was locked up in the dark. She tried to keep herself from feeling childish and feeling exactly abandoned. How could Inuyasha save her when he didn't even know who she was? When Kagome had finally realized that all hope of Inuyasha magically breaking down the door and rushing in to pick her up and whisk her away was completely futile, she had decided that death was better than a life in Naraku's evil clutches.
Kagome was sitting by the fire with Sango as she thought of those terrible memories. A certain air of pain flitted across her features and Sango thought she saw the girl wince.
"Kagome... are you okay?" she asked, concerned. Kagome stared into the fire and then looked up at Sango.
"I'm fine," she smiled half hearted.
"Is it about Inuyasha?" Sango asked.
'If only it were,' Kagome thought. 'Still, I am worried about him.'
"I really hope he hasn't been causing too much trouble. He could easily gain more enemies if he's going to be acting like his old hostile self," she said out loud.
"What do you mean 'old' hostile self?" Sango said dryly with a hint of a smile.
Kagome laughed. "I suppose he still seems pretty unfriendly, doesn't he? But he's a lot better than when I first met him!"
Kagome relayed her first encounter with Inuyasha. He had slain Mistress Centipede, and then declared he was going to sharpen his claws on Kagome. He had almost succeeded too, had Kagome not tripped on a rock and fell just as he swooped over her.
Sango shook her head. "I'm glad I didn't have to deal with him then."
"He sure was a pill," Kagome said. 'One that now I desperately want to get back...'
The next morning Kagome and Sango prepared to embark and search for the remainder of their party members. "We probably won't be stopping back this time, Kaede," Kagome said. "We'll come back when we have them all!"
"Ah well, I'm glad ye came back this time with Sango. I told ye could do it, Kagome. Just have faith in yourself."
"Thanks Kaede," Kagome said, hugging the old woman good bye. "We'll be back before you know it."
"Aye. Good luck."
Kagome and Sango waved to Kaede and Kirara took off once again.
"Sango," Kagome said into her ear as they traveled over the trees, "It may not be quite as easy to find the others."
"Why?" Sango shouted over the noise of the wind.
"Naraku had made sure he destroyed any evidence of where you had gone. It was only by a good stroke of luck that I found you."
"How did he do that?" Sango asked in reply. Kagome was silent for a moment. How could she tell Sango that Kohaku was destroying more innocent villages again? And even worse, the villages that Sango herself had just been to.
"Well?" Sango said, turning to look at Kagome, who bit her lip.
"I'll tell you about it later Sango, when we're on the ground and we can hear each other better." Sango nodded and they continued on their way.
"No... Kagome no... he did what?" Sango moaned. "I'm sorry Sango, but it's the truth. There was nothing I could do..."
"Yes, I know." Sango's eyes blazed and she clenched her fists. "This just gives me even more incentive to rip Naraku to sheds."
Kagome nodded seriously and then looked away. So many more people have died because of Naraku. How many more lives were going to be ruined before they could stop him for good?
"Kagome, let's get some sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow," Sango said as she slipped under her blankets. Kirara mewed and curled up beside Sango's shoulder. Kagome glanced up at the night sky through the tree branches and sighed before crawling into her sleeping bag, and noticed that she missed having a sleeping Shippo in her arms. With just the three of them, it was pretty lonely around the campfire.
And that's it for another chapter! Coming up next: Looking for the Lecher