Chp 12: Wounds not yet healed, reopened.
Disclaimer: If I have to do this again, FF.net staff is stupider than I thought. I don't own fluffy.
It was now one night before they would leave for the southern lands. Sesshoumaru was teaching Kagome the proper way to act, dance, and all the other things she would need to know.
Kagome was thinking how she could get away from Sesshoumaru for 15 minutes so she could get outside the castle walls. 'Damn it! If he keeps this up, I'm not gonna see my true form before the gathering! Grrrr. And I have to tell him about one of my new powers. I suppose shape shifting is a good one. Why the hell does Mio want me to tell him now? Never mind. Finally these stupid etiquette lessons are over.'
Sesshoumaru was thinking of a way to get rid of her for 15 minutes so he could get something. But nothing came to mind. Kagome asking a question saved him.
"Sesshoumaru? Could I take a walk before I continue? I need to relax a little. I would go to the garden, but I would actually like to go for more of a run than a walk. I'll be back I about twenty minutes."
Sesshoumaru thought, 'Good, now I can get what I need to get.' "Yes you may, but if you are not back in twenty minutes, I will come after you and it will not be a pretty site when I find you." With that he turned and left the dojo. (they had been practicing etiquette in there.)
Kagome hurriedly changed into her traveling wear and left the castle with only her sword, claws, and athemaes.
When she reached a clearing that was well away from Sesshoumaru's earshot she did as Mio told her to do.
Two things happened at once.
First she felt her blood boil, and then she felt an excruciating pain in her back and every other bone in her body.
After that, she felt her body go into a state of numbness. She could feel her shape changing, she new that her wings were no longer feathered, but leathery and were getting bigger with each passing second; her claws were lengthening and turning a deep emerald green. A bright white light tore from within her and it took all of her will not to scream her vocal cords out.
After about five minutes, the light receded. Kagome knew she was big, very big. She opened her eyes to see her head was above the treetops. She looked down at her body.
Kagome was greeted with an expanse of black scales, huge black leathery wings, emerald green claws, and a long tail with a strange type of spike on the end that looked like it could act as scissors. She tried to open the spike on the end of her tail and it did.
She was greeted by a sound not unlike a sword being unsheathed. The black spikes at the end of her tail were now vicious looking scissors.
Then she remembered she only had twenty minutes. 'Oh shit! I'm gonna be late!' Deciding to take her true form for a spin she flapped her wings. The treetops swayed from the gust. She did this over and over until she was up I the air. She streaked toward Sesshoumaru's castle like a black bullet. She hid her scent and aura so they would not sense her unless they looked at her.
She landed just behind the cover of trees in front of the clearing that led to Sesshoumaru's front gate.
She did as Mio instructed to get back to her humanoid form. Her skin was still tingly but it passed after a minute. She walked back to the castle and went inside. She followed Sesshoumaru's scent to the dojo.
He was standing waiting for her. She walked over to him and said, "Sesshoumaru, I have something to show you."
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow but nodded his head for her to continue.
Kagome bit her lip as she lifted the ends of her hakama legs off of her ankles. She slipped off the stockings and shoes. She exposed the twin arrowhead marks to him.
Sesshoumaru, not being easily surprised, or fooled, looked down at the marks with both eyebrows now raised. He bent down to inspect them, and after tracing his finger across one of them, he decided that they were genuine. He looked at her and re-raised an eyebrow. "Do you know how to shape-shift?"
Kagome huffed indignantly. "As a matter of fact, I do! And I think I'll shift into something familiar just to piss you off!" In a flash of pink light, there stood the very same horse he had chased after their night of training.
Sesshoumaru's eyebrows lowered and he growled. "So I see you have known how to shape-shift for a while. You are aware that if you stay in that form any longer, no pink bubble will be able to save you."
Kagome shifted back and thought, 'Was that an attempt at humor? Not bad for Mr. Personality.' She grinned widely at Sesshoumaru. "I take it you didn't like my dirty trick huh?"
Sesshoumaru just glared, then said. "I have something for you."
Kagome stood up straight and said. "What?"
Sesshoumaru drew two fans from his belt. He handed them to Kagome.
Kagome slipped one of them open. It was jet black with a red dragon winding in a design on the front and back. She slipped open the second. It was the same except that it was red with a black dragon, and in place of the wooden spines, there were sharp metal blades that curved at the top into hooks. Kagome marveled at the fans raw, but deadly, beauty.
Sesshoumaru observed her inspecting the fan. "It is for you to bring to the gathering in case you are in need of protection when I am not present and you are nowhere within reach of your weapons. The other is for display at the gathering. It will match the outfit to be made for you either way."
Kagome got an evil grin. "Hey Sesshoumaru, I was thinking maybe I should go like this." She shifted to look like the human she was before turning youkai.
Sesshoumaru blinked in surprise but then asked, "Why would you want to go as a human? It would make me look bad, and they would trust you much less if not at all."
Kagome's grin died to a smirk. "I just want to see how far they'll actually go before they realize they are stupid and not to trust their eyes. If they actually trust me and not treat me like something off the bottom of their shoe, they might not be as dumb as I initially thought. But if they try to hurt me or Rin and Shippou, or they shun me, they will get what is coming to them. And do not worry, your name will not be tarnished in any, way, shape, or form. If anything, they will respect and/or fear you more because of me."
Sesshoumaru was slightly impressed by her plan, but did not show it. He merely nodded. "Alright. But be warned, because you are going to look like a human, many there who do not respect humans," 'Like myself'. "Will try and do something to you, especially the female youkai. Oh, and, I do not believe that you can hold yourself in that shape long without draining yourself."
Kagome looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I think since I look so much like I did before, and I used to look like this, I will be able to hold this shape for longer. And if worst comes to worst, I can fuel my shape-shifting ability with my miko powers. Besides, I don't plan on leaving without them knowing I am a youkai."
Sesshoumaru nodded and said, "Come we must get you fitted for a kimono, for both your forms."
Kagome nodded and followed.
After she had been fitted and the kimono's made, Kagome looked at herself in a long mirror. She wore a kimono that was on one side, red with black dragons, and on the other side, black with red dragons. Kagome had no trouble in changing the color of the stripes in her hair and tail, on her wings and face, and her horns, to red with her Shape-shifting powers. She had found a magical way to have her kimono's switch places when she changed from one form to the other.
She was sure that if she had both fans out and crossed over her face, she would look like a hime. Well, a hime that had deadly taste in fans.
Kagome shifted back to her youkai form and her kimono changed only to suit her wings tail, height, and length in limbs. All in all, Kagome was set to go. They needed to head out a night before the gathering so they would make it on time.
Kagome, in her youkai form, changed to traveling attire. She headed out with her yellow pack carrying her clothes and fans. She brought her sword and athemaes, just in case she needed them. In the month of training she had undergone, she had become much better in the sword, and come close to mastering her athemaes, in fan and dagger form.
Kagome walked to the front gate where Sesshoumaru was waiting. He had the children on the two-headed dragon Ah-Uhn. Ah nuzzled Rin and Uhn nuzzled Shippou. Kagome thought, 'For his fearsome appearance, Ah-Uhn is a big softy. He would probably kill anything that looked at Rin the wrong way. It seems he's taken a liking to Shippou too.'
Kagome smiled at them and walked to the right side of Ah-Uhn, while Sesshoumaru walked to the left. Sesshoumaru took off on his youki cloud while Kagome and Ah-Uhn took off with their wings. Being part dragon formed some sort of bond between her and the dragon steed. But it surprised her most when he spoke to her. Well, in her mind of course.
-Hello lady Kagome. You are accompanying Sesshoumaru-sama to the gathering of the lords and ladies? If you are, you must know that there will be many lesser lords and ladies there too. - Said Ah.
$Yes, it will not be our first experience with some of them. They are very un-honorable youkai. Well, some of them anyway.$
Kagome knew they were communicating with her through a telepathic link so she replied.
'Yes, I am accompanying Sesshoumaru-sama to the gathering. When you say lesser lords and ladies, do you mean like small tribes of youkai, like Kouga and his pack?'
-Yes, in fact, Prince Kouga will be there.-
'Oh no.'
$What is it Lady Kagome?$
'Well.ummm.you see, Kouga sort of thinks.that.I'm.his woman, I've tried to put him down so many times, but the man just can't take a hint.'
-I see. Well, with Sesshoumaru-sama there, he will not go near you. He is not that stupid.-
Kagome mentally made a face. 'Yes he is. You seem to be very fond of Rin. Am I right? -
Yes, she is a remarkable human. She does not flee at the sight of us as many others would. We would gladly give our life to protect her. In case you haven't already noticed, dragons are extremely protective. You are part dragon after all. We're almost there. Said Uhn.
'Has it been that long already? Are we supposed to arrive early?'
-Yes, it is nearly dawn. Sesshoumaru-sama must take care of a few things before the gathering commences. The lesser lords and ladies will come more around dusk. -
'Okay I've gotta shift now so I need to get on your back.'
-Okay. -
She flew onto Ah-Uhn's back and shifted to human form. She cast the same spell on her travel outfit as she had with her kimono. Now they were close to landing and Kagome was getting tense.
Sesshoumaru landed gracefully on the ground. Ah-Uhn landed with Kagome and a sleeping Shippou and Rin on his back. Kagome stepped off while carrying Shippou and Rin. Sesshoumaru turned his back and indicated for her to follow.
Sesshoumaru was let pass by the guard and walked to the study of the southern lord.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, you are here early and, what's this you have with you?"
Sesshoumaru looked at the hawk youkai with cold indifference. "This is Lady Kagome. I am sure she knows more about this Naraku than any of you. She also knows of the ones who made the attempt on your life."
Makuro gave her a swift glance. "And who are the others?"
Sesshoumaru gave him a glare that could have frozen fire. "The kitsune is lady Kagome's adoptive kit. And the young girl is my ward."
Makuro looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "I will call a servant to show you to your rooms. The gathering will start at dusk. You are the first here Sesshoumaru-sama."
Sesshoumaru gave a small nod as the servant appeared. He and Kagome followed the servant through the halls of the castle until they reached the guest wing. They were put in separate rooms, but the rooms were next to each other.
Shippou, who had slept the whole time on Ah-Uhn's back, woke up rubbing his eyes. "Are we here Kagome?"
Kagome smiled at the kit. "Yup! We're here. Now that you are awake, all we have to do is wait for Rin to get up!"
At that moment Rin sat up, rubbing her eyes in the same manner as Shippou. "*yawn* Hi Kagome nee-chan. We are here right?"
Kagome gave them a broad smile. "Yeah. Do you guys want to go for a walk with me?"
"Yeah!" They said in unison.
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Kagome had found her way to the front entrance easy enough. Even if she looked like a human, she still had her youkai senses.
It hadn't taken much convincing on Sesshoumaru's part, considering she would be there.
They had gotten into the forest which was filled with the sounds of nature. Once they reached a meadow, there were flowers, and there was Rin. Rin ran too and fro in the meadow picking each 'pretty' flower she found. Shippou had settled for chasing Rin.
Kagome watched them with a smile on her face. Pretty soon they exhausted themselves and they sprawled themselves in front of Kagome.
"Kagome nee-chan? Will you sing us a song?"
Kagome smiled at Rin and Shippou's hopeful faces.
"Sure, What to sing, what to sing,.I know!"
".A new day
A new day
I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on, and don't shed a tear
Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you
Hush, now
I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe, I've been touched by an angel with love
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
Where it was dark now there's light
Where there was pain now there's joy
Where there was weakness I found my strength
All in the eyes of a boy
Hush, now
I see the light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe, I've been touched by an angel with love
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
Hush now, I see the light in your eyes
All in the eyes of a boy
I can't believe, I've been touched by an angel with love
I can't believe, I've been touched by an angel with love
Hush now
A new day
Hush now
A new day."
"Wow Kagome. That was a pretty song."
Kagome smiled. "I know. It's one of my favorites. Yikes, we've been gone for a long time. It's almost noon. We should go back before Sesshoumaru- sama gets worried about you."
She took one of each their hands and walked toward the direction of the castle.
When she got there the guard stopped her.
"What business do you have here human?"
Kagome mentally sighed. 'Don't these guys have any short-term recognition? Guess not.'
"I came here with Sesshoumaru-sama. Please let me pass."
The guard smirked. "You dare lie to me? Sesshoumaru would never dirty his hands with the likes of you. Leave now, before I make you leave"
Kagome looked at the guard angrily. 'I hoped it wouldn't come to this. Oh well.'
Kagome pointed her index finger at his forehead and a little static stream of energy shot at his head, temporarily stunning him.
Kagome walked past the stunned guard and blew on her finger like it was a gun. Shippou and Rin were raging in fits of laughter.
Kagome looked at them. 'I guess they find stupid guards getting stunned by a bolt of purifying power funny, strange.'
Kagome brought them to her room and took a coloring book and crayons out of her pack. She had brought them in case Shippou and Rin got bored. 'That should keep them entertained for a while.' She thought.
Kagome followed her nose to the garden and sat down on a bench.
Kagome sighed. 'After all this time, I thought the pain would be gone, but it's not. I can't keep this up for much longer. All these fake smiles and fake arguments with Sesshoumaru. The only time I am truly at peace is when I'm meditating. Maybe I should do that right now. Kami knows how much it would help tonight.'
Kagome sat down on the soft grass in the middle of the rose garden, and crossed her legs like a person who was doing yoga. She closed her eyes and concentrated on going into a meditative state. What she did not notice, yet again, was that she glowed with a pink and blue light swirled together, or that she was levitating, again.
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Sesshoumaru had been speaking with Makuro and his mate, Asahane, about Naraku, when every hair on his body stood on end, as did Makuro and Asahane's. He growled at the energy. It seemed to radiate from the center of Makuro's castle. The gardens!
He stood up and calmly walked out the door before taking off towards the strange, yet, familiar energy in a blur of silver and white, Makuro and Asahane not far behind.
When he reached the gardens, the pure energy was agitating his demon blood. He leapt to the spot in the garden where the energy was emanating from.
A truly strange sight greeted him. Kagome was cross-legged and had her hands in something like a praying position, but they were pulled apart and were more squared. It would have looked normal, if it were not for the fact that tendrils of pink and blue purifying energy were swirling around her, and she was levitating four feet off the ground. Makuro and Asahane dropped down beside him and saw this and their jaws dropped.
"What is she doing?" Asked Makuro with his eyes still wide.
Sesshoumaru just kept staring at her, and answered. "I believe she is meditating."
"Well snap her out of it before she purifies my castle!" Snapped Makuro while glaring angrily at her.
Asahane tried in vain to calm her mate. "Makuro! Calm yourself, she is probably not even aware of what she is doing. Stop before you give yourself a stroke!" (They probably don't know what a stroke is but they do so don't ask. -_-)
Sesshoumaru was getting irritated, as was his blood, he needed to stop Kagome before her aura of energy grew. He growled and snapped her name. "Kagome!"
Kagome was broken out of meditation by a sharp voice. Her eyes flew open to be meted by the site of, one pissed looking youkai, one youkai trying to calm the pissed one, and a youkai giving her a cold glare that could have stopped the sap from flowing through a tree.
*eeep*
Then Kagome noticed, she could not feel the ground anymore.
'Oh shit.'
Kagome plummeted from her four-foot levitation to land hard on her tailbone.
"Ow! What the hell happened?! What the.hell.Uh oh."
Kagome then noticed there were still traces of energy tendrils around her body. Kagome got a face that said. "Oh shit," "Uh oh," and "Not good." at the same time.
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru and said, "Ooops."
Sesshoumaru was amused to say the least. 'She really had no idea what she was doing.'
Before Sesshoumaru or Kagome could say anything, Makuro interrupted with a loud bark, "Stop! You Human! I allow you into my home for which you should not have been allowed in the first place because you are human, and then you try and purify it!?! Have you no respect for your betters!?! I thought Sesshoumaru had more honor than to have a human wench!"
Sesshoumaru looked about ready to rip Makuro's throat out, Asahane looked positively mortified by the possibility of a fight. Kagome needed to do something, and quick.
First she held out her hand and used her telekinetic powers to hold Sesshoumaru in place. Then she turned burning eyes to Makuro.
"You have no right to insult Sesshoumaru or myself Makuro! You dare to insult someone who has come willingly to help with a growing problem!? You of all people I thought would have common sense. You say Sesshoumaru has no sense of honor? You insult me on charge of trying to purify your home when I was in a meditative state and unaware of what I was doing, and then you insult Sesshoumaru and myself again by calling me his wench! No one calls me that! He cant and you cant! If anyone has shame put to his or her name over this incident it should be you Makuro! You say I have no respect for my betters? Well Sesshoumaru-sama is your better, so where is your respect? And even now you ignore your mate when she is trying to help you! You Makuro are the one with the dishonor on this part!"
She released her hold on Sesshoumaru and walked out of the garden with her head held high.
Makuro was truly shocked by this young ningen's words to him. But what shocked him the most, was how right she was, and how she was able to hold Sesshoumaru from ripping his head off with a single outstretched arm. 'What creature could possess such wisdom and power of so young an age?' He knew he would have to apologize and he did not like that idea, but it seemed his only choice. He turned to Sesshoumaru who again wore his mask of cold indifference. He bowed once before saying,
"I apologize for my rash words towards you Sesshoumaru-sama. The young miko is right. Please accept my humble apologies." With that he looked at Sesshoumaru's still impassive face. Sesshoumaru gave a curt nod. Makuro bowed again and turned and left.
Sesshoumaru was impressed and surprised at the young woman's words at the same time. Had she really just made this youkai who was almost as stubborn as he apologize? 'Damn.' He thought. 'She sure can argue a point. Hell, she would argue until the other submitted even if she knew she was wrong.' He knew Makuro had gone to seek Kagome and apologize. He smirked.
'If his apology comes out wrong, I will enjoy seeing him blown through a wall. It's probably almost as painful as hitting an energy shield full force.' He knew from personal experience.
He decided to go check on Rin and Shippou before it became to late in the day and he would have to greet the lords and ladies.
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Kagome walked off with her head held high but as soon as she was out of earshot. She took off outside into the forest. As soon as she was far enough away from the castle she shifted back into her demon form and decimated any tree that was within her reach. The anger in her had stirred memories of the past that she had so forcefully tried to keep at bay. She fell to her knees amidst the splinters and churned up earth.
Her body shook with silent sobs. She was so alone. She would never have anyone's love. She was not meant to love, and she could live with that. She never wanted to feel heartbreak and betrayal like she had when Inuyasha said those words. And if never knowing love was the cost, then she would pay it. All the wounds Inuyasha had made had only begun to heal. And all the anger that swept through her tore them open mercilessly. The blood from the wound on her broken heart poured over every inch of her soul. She never wanted to feel heartbreak again, she never would. She would be strong and alone. She could survive on her own. She needed no one. She only needed herself, her power, and her weapons. She would leave Sesshoumaru's castle, leave her adoptive mother, and leave Rin, leave.Shippou. And, she would leave Sesshoumaru, whom she had just started looking upon as a friend. Sesshoumaru survived just fine with no one, and so would she. After the gathering she would go back to Sesshoumaru's castle, take her things, and leave them, all of them. (Not really, she's just thinking that. Things will happen.)
She got up, composed herself, purified the scent of tears and earth, and shifted back to her human form.
'All I have to do is leave. No goodbye. It would be too painful.'
Save me from the nothing I've become! Bring me to life.
Disclaimer: If I have to do this again, FF.net staff is stupider than I thought. I don't own fluffy.
It was now one night before they would leave for the southern lands. Sesshoumaru was teaching Kagome the proper way to act, dance, and all the other things she would need to know.
Kagome was thinking how she could get away from Sesshoumaru for 15 minutes so she could get outside the castle walls. 'Damn it! If he keeps this up, I'm not gonna see my true form before the gathering! Grrrr. And I have to tell him about one of my new powers. I suppose shape shifting is a good one. Why the hell does Mio want me to tell him now? Never mind. Finally these stupid etiquette lessons are over.'
Sesshoumaru was thinking of a way to get rid of her for 15 minutes so he could get something. But nothing came to mind. Kagome asking a question saved him.
"Sesshoumaru? Could I take a walk before I continue? I need to relax a little. I would go to the garden, but I would actually like to go for more of a run than a walk. I'll be back I about twenty minutes."
Sesshoumaru thought, 'Good, now I can get what I need to get.' "Yes you may, but if you are not back in twenty minutes, I will come after you and it will not be a pretty site when I find you." With that he turned and left the dojo. (they had been practicing etiquette in there.)
Kagome hurriedly changed into her traveling wear and left the castle with only her sword, claws, and athemaes.
When she reached a clearing that was well away from Sesshoumaru's earshot she did as Mio told her to do.
Two things happened at once.
First she felt her blood boil, and then she felt an excruciating pain in her back and every other bone in her body.
After that, she felt her body go into a state of numbness. She could feel her shape changing, she new that her wings were no longer feathered, but leathery and were getting bigger with each passing second; her claws were lengthening and turning a deep emerald green. A bright white light tore from within her and it took all of her will not to scream her vocal cords out.
After about five minutes, the light receded. Kagome knew she was big, very big. She opened her eyes to see her head was above the treetops. She looked down at her body.
Kagome was greeted with an expanse of black scales, huge black leathery wings, emerald green claws, and a long tail with a strange type of spike on the end that looked like it could act as scissors. She tried to open the spike on the end of her tail and it did.
She was greeted by a sound not unlike a sword being unsheathed. The black spikes at the end of her tail were now vicious looking scissors.
Then she remembered she only had twenty minutes. 'Oh shit! I'm gonna be late!' Deciding to take her true form for a spin she flapped her wings. The treetops swayed from the gust. She did this over and over until she was up I the air. She streaked toward Sesshoumaru's castle like a black bullet. She hid her scent and aura so they would not sense her unless they looked at her.
She landed just behind the cover of trees in front of the clearing that led to Sesshoumaru's front gate.
She did as Mio instructed to get back to her humanoid form. Her skin was still tingly but it passed after a minute. She walked back to the castle and went inside. She followed Sesshoumaru's scent to the dojo.
He was standing waiting for her. She walked over to him and said, "Sesshoumaru, I have something to show you."
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow but nodded his head for her to continue.
Kagome bit her lip as she lifted the ends of her hakama legs off of her ankles. She slipped off the stockings and shoes. She exposed the twin arrowhead marks to him.
Sesshoumaru, not being easily surprised, or fooled, looked down at the marks with both eyebrows now raised. He bent down to inspect them, and after tracing his finger across one of them, he decided that they were genuine. He looked at her and re-raised an eyebrow. "Do you know how to shape-shift?"
Kagome huffed indignantly. "As a matter of fact, I do! And I think I'll shift into something familiar just to piss you off!" In a flash of pink light, there stood the very same horse he had chased after their night of training.
Sesshoumaru's eyebrows lowered and he growled. "So I see you have known how to shape-shift for a while. You are aware that if you stay in that form any longer, no pink bubble will be able to save you."
Kagome shifted back and thought, 'Was that an attempt at humor? Not bad for Mr. Personality.' She grinned widely at Sesshoumaru. "I take it you didn't like my dirty trick huh?"
Sesshoumaru just glared, then said. "I have something for you."
Kagome stood up straight and said. "What?"
Sesshoumaru drew two fans from his belt. He handed them to Kagome.
Kagome slipped one of them open. It was jet black with a red dragon winding in a design on the front and back. She slipped open the second. It was the same except that it was red with a black dragon, and in place of the wooden spines, there were sharp metal blades that curved at the top into hooks. Kagome marveled at the fans raw, but deadly, beauty.
Sesshoumaru observed her inspecting the fan. "It is for you to bring to the gathering in case you are in need of protection when I am not present and you are nowhere within reach of your weapons. The other is for display at the gathering. It will match the outfit to be made for you either way."
Kagome got an evil grin. "Hey Sesshoumaru, I was thinking maybe I should go like this." She shifted to look like the human she was before turning youkai.
Sesshoumaru blinked in surprise but then asked, "Why would you want to go as a human? It would make me look bad, and they would trust you much less if not at all."
Kagome's grin died to a smirk. "I just want to see how far they'll actually go before they realize they are stupid and not to trust their eyes. If they actually trust me and not treat me like something off the bottom of their shoe, they might not be as dumb as I initially thought. But if they try to hurt me or Rin and Shippou, or they shun me, they will get what is coming to them. And do not worry, your name will not be tarnished in any, way, shape, or form. If anything, they will respect and/or fear you more because of me."
Sesshoumaru was slightly impressed by her plan, but did not show it. He merely nodded. "Alright. But be warned, because you are going to look like a human, many there who do not respect humans," 'Like myself'. "Will try and do something to you, especially the female youkai. Oh, and, I do not believe that you can hold yourself in that shape long without draining yourself."
Kagome looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I think since I look so much like I did before, and I used to look like this, I will be able to hold this shape for longer. And if worst comes to worst, I can fuel my shape-shifting ability with my miko powers. Besides, I don't plan on leaving without them knowing I am a youkai."
Sesshoumaru nodded and said, "Come we must get you fitted for a kimono, for both your forms."
Kagome nodded and followed.
After she had been fitted and the kimono's made, Kagome looked at herself in a long mirror. She wore a kimono that was on one side, red with black dragons, and on the other side, black with red dragons. Kagome had no trouble in changing the color of the stripes in her hair and tail, on her wings and face, and her horns, to red with her Shape-shifting powers. She had found a magical way to have her kimono's switch places when she changed from one form to the other.
She was sure that if she had both fans out and crossed over her face, she would look like a hime. Well, a hime that had deadly taste in fans.
Kagome shifted back to her youkai form and her kimono changed only to suit her wings tail, height, and length in limbs. All in all, Kagome was set to go. They needed to head out a night before the gathering so they would make it on time.
Kagome, in her youkai form, changed to traveling attire. She headed out with her yellow pack carrying her clothes and fans. She brought her sword and athemaes, just in case she needed them. In the month of training she had undergone, she had become much better in the sword, and come close to mastering her athemaes, in fan and dagger form.
Kagome walked to the front gate where Sesshoumaru was waiting. He had the children on the two-headed dragon Ah-Uhn. Ah nuzzled Rin and Uhn nuzzled Shippou. Kagome thought, 'For his fearsome appearance, Ah-Uhn is a big softy. He would probably kill anything that looked at Rin the wrong way. It seems he's taken a liking to Shippou too.'
Kagome smiled at them and walked to the right side of Ah-Uhn, while Sesshoumaru walked to the left. Sesshoumaru took off on his youki cloud while Kagome and Ah-Uhn took off with their wings. Being part dragon formed some sort of bond between her and the dragon steed. But it surprised her most when he spoke to her. Well, in her mind of course.
-Hello lady Kagome. You are accompanying Sesshoumaru-sama to the gathering of the lords and ladies? If you are, you must know that there will be many lesser lords and ladies there too. - Said Ah.
$Yes, it will not be our first experience with some of them. They are very un-honorable youkai. Well, some of them anyway.$
Kagome knew they were communicating with her through a telepathic link so she replied.
'Yes, I am accompanying Sesshoumaru-sama to the gathering. When you say lesser lords and ladies, do you mean like small tribes of youkai, like Kouga and his pack?'
-Yes, in fact, Prince Kouga will be there.-
'Oh no.'
$What is it Lady Kagome?$
'Well.ummm.you see, Kouga sort of thinks.that.I'm.his woman, I've tried to put him down so many times, but the man just can't take a hint.'
-I see. Well, with Sesshoumaru-sama there, he will not go near you. He is not that stupid.-
Kagome mentally made a face. 'Yes he is. You seem to be very fond of Rin. Am I right? -
Yes, she is a remarkable human. She does not flee at the sight of us as many others would. We would gladly give our life to protect her. In case you haven't already noticed, dragons are extremely protective. You are part dragon after all. We're almost there. Said Uhn.
'Has it been that long already? Are we supposed to arrive early?'
-Yes, it is nearly dawn. Sesshoumaru-sama must take care of a few things before the gathering commences. The lesser lords and ladies will come more around dusk. -
'Okay I've gotta shift now so I need to get on your back.'
-Okay. -
She flew onto Ah-Uhn's back and shifted to human form. She cast the same spell on her travel outfit as she had with her kimono. Now they were close to landing and Kagome was getting tense.
Sesshoumaru landed gracefully on the ground. Ah-Uhn landed with Kagome and a sleeping Shippou and Rin on his back. Kagome stepped off while carrying Shippou and Rin. Sesshoumaru turned his back and indicated for her to follow.
Sesshoumaru was let pass by the guard and walked to the study of the southern lord.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, you are here early and, what's this you have with you?"
Sesshoumaru looked at the hawk youkai with cold indifference. "This is Lady Kagome. I am sure she knows more about this Naraku than any of you. She also knows of the ones who made the attempt on your life."
Makuro gave her a swift glance. "And who are the others?"
Sesshoumaru gave him a glare that could have frozen fire. "The kitsune is lady Kagome's adoptive kit. And the young girl is my ward."
Makuro looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "I will call a servant to show you to your rooms. The gathering will start at dusk. You are the first here Sesshoumaru-sama."
Sesshoumaru gave a small nod as the servant appeared. He and Kagome followed the servant through the halls of the castle until they reached the guest wing. They were put in separate rooms, but the rooms were next to each other.
Shippou, who had slept the whole time on Ah-Uhn's back, woke up rubbing his eyes. "Are we here Kagome?"
Kagome smiled at the kit. "Yup! We're here. Now that you are awake, all we have to do is wait for Rin to get up!"
At that moment Rin sat up, rubbing her eyes in the same manner as Shippou. "*yawn* Hi Kagome nee-chan. We are here right?"
Kagome gave them a broad smile. "Yeah. Do you guys want to go for a walk with me?"
"Yeah!" They said in unison.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kagome had found her way to the front entrance easy enough. Even if she looked like a human, she still had her youkai senses.
It hadn't taken much convincing on Sesshoumaru's part, considering she would be there.
They had gotten into the forest which was filled with the sounds of nature. Once they reached a meadow, there were flowers, and there was Rin. Rin ran too and fro in the meadow picking each 'pretty' flower she found. Shippou had settled for chasing Rin.
Kagome watched them with a smile on her face. Pretty soon they exhausted themselves and they sprawled themselves in front of Kagome.
"Kagome nee-chan? Will you sing us a song?"
Kagome smiled at Rin and Shippou's hopeful faces.
"Sure, What to sing, what to sing,.I know!"
".A new day
A new day
I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on, and don't shed a tear
Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you
Hush, now
I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe, I've been touched by an angel with love
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
Where it was dark now there's light
Where there was pain now there's joy
Where there was weakness I found my strength
All in the eyes of a boy
Hush, now
I see the light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe, I've been touched by an angel with love
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
Hush now, I see the light in your eyes
All in the eyes of a boy
I can't believe, I've been touched by an angel with love
I can't believe, I've been touched by an angel with love
Hush now
A new day
Hush now
A new day."
"Wow Kagome. That was a pretty song."
Kagome smiled. "I know. It's one of my favorites. Yikes, we've been gone for a long time. It's almost noon. We should go back before Sesshoumaru- sama gets worried about you."
She took one of each their hands and walked toward the direction of the castle.
When she got there the guard stopped her.
"What business do you have here human?"
Kagome mentally sighed. 'Don't these guys have any short-term recognition? Guess not.'
"I came here with Sesshoumaru-sama. Please let me pass."
The guard smirked. "You dare lie to me? Sesshoumaru would never dirty his hands with the likes of you. Leave now, before I make you leave"
Kagome looked at the guard angrily. 'I hoped it wouldn't come to this. Oh well.'
Kagome pointed her index finger at his forehead and a little static stream of energy shot at his head, temporarily stunning him.
Kagome walked past the stunned guard and blew on her finger like it was a gun. Shippou and Rin were raging in fits of laughter.
Kagome looked at them. 'I guess they find stupid guards getting stunned by a bolt of purifying power funny, strange.'
Kagome brought them to her room and took a coloring book and crayons out of her pack. She had brought them in case Shippou and Rin got bored. 'That should keep them entertained for a while.' She thought.
Kagome followed her nose to the garden and sat down on a bench.
Kagome sighed. 'After all this time, I thought the pain would be gone, but it's not. I can't keep this up for much longer. All these fake smiles and fake arguments with Sesshoumaru. The only time I am truly at peace is when I'm meditating. Maybe I should do that right now. Kami knows how much it would help tonight.'
Kagome sat down on the soft grass in the middle of the rose garden, and crossed her legs like a person who was doing yoga. She closed her eyes and concentrated on going into a meditative state. What she did not notice, yet again, was that she glowed with a pink and blue light swirled together, or that she was levitating, again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sesshoumaru had been speaking with Makuro and his mate, Asahane, about Naraku, when every hair on his body stood on end, as did Makuro and Asahane's. He growled at the energy. It seemed to radiate from the center of Makuro's castle. The gardens!
He stood up and calmly walked out the door before taking off towards the strange, yet, familiar energy in a blur of silver and white, Makuro and Asahane not far behind.
When he reached the gardens, the pure energy was agitating his demon blood. He leapt to the spot in the garden where the energy was emanating from.
A truly strange sight greeted him. Kagome was cross-legged and had her hands in something like a praying position, but they were pulled apart and were more squared. It would have looked normal, if it were not for the fact that tendrils of pink and blue purifying energy were swirling around her, and she was levitating four feet off the ground. Makuro and Asahane dropped down beside him and saw this and their jaws dropped.
"What is she doing?" Asked Makuro with his eyes still wide.
Sesshoumaru just kept staring at her, and answered. "I believe she is meditating."
"Well snap her out of it before she purifies my castle!" Snapped Makuro while glaring angrily at her.
Asahane tried in vain to calm her mate. "Makuro! Calm yourself, she is probably not even aware of what she is doing. Stop before you give yourself a stroke!" (They probably don't know what a stroke is but they do so don't ask. -_-)
Sesshoumaru was getting irritated, as was his blood, he needed to stop Kagome before her aura of energy grew. He growled and snapped her name. "Kagome!"
Kagome was broken out of meditation by a sharp voice. Her eyes flew open to be meted by the site of, one pissed looking youkai, one youkai trying to calm the pissed one, and a youkai giving her a cold glare that could have stopped the sap from flowing through a tree.
*eeep*
Then Kagome noticed, she could not feel the ground anymore.
'Oh shit.'
Kagome plummeted from her four-foot levitation to land hard on her tailbone.
"Ow! What the hell happened?! What the.hell.Uh oh."
Kagome then noticed there were still traces of energy tendrils around her body. Kagome got a face that said. "Oh shit," "Uh oh," and "Not good." at the same time.
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru and said, "Ooops."
Sesshoumaru was amused to say the least. 'She really had no idea what she was doing.'
Before Sesshoumaru or Kagome could say anything, Makuro interrupted with a loud bark, "Stop! You Human! I allow you into my home for which you should not have been allowed in the first place because you are human, and then you try and purify it!?! Have you no respect for your betters!?! I thought Sesshoumaru had more honor than to have a human wench!"
Sesshoumaru looked about ready to rip Makuro's throat out, Asahane looked positively mortified by the possibility of a fight. Kagome needed to do something, and quick.
First she held out her hand and used her telekinetic powers to hold Sesshoumaru in place. Then she turned burning eyes to Makuro.
"You have no right to insult Sesshoumaru or myself Makuro! You dare to insult someone who has come willingly to help with a growing problem!? You of all people I thought would have common sense. You say Sesshoumaru has no sense of honor? You insult me on charge of trying to purify your home when I was in a meditative state and unaware of what I was doing, and then you insult Sesshoumaru and myself again by calling me his wench! No one calls me that! He cant and you cant! If anyone has shame put to his or her name over this incident it should be you Makuro! You say I have no respect for my betters? Well Sesshoumaru-sama is your better, so where is your respect? And even now you ignore your mate when she is trying to help you! You Makuro are the one with the dishonor on this part!"
She released her hold on Sesshoumaru and walked out of the garden with her head held high.
Makuro was truly shocked by this young ningen's words to him. But what shocked him the most, was how right she was, and how she was able to hold Sesshoumaru from ripping his head off with a single outstretched arm. 'What creature could possess such wisdom and power of so young an age?' He knew he would have to apologize and he did not like that idea, but it seemed his only choice. He turned to Sesshoumaru who again wore his mask of cold indifference. He bowed once before saying,
"I apologize for my rash words towards you Sesshoumaru-sama. The young miko is right. Please accept my humble apologies." With that he looked at Sesshoumaru's still impassive face. Sesshoumaru gave a curt nod. Makuro bowed again and turned and left.
Sesshoumaru was impressed and surprised at the young woman's words at the same time. Had she really just made this youkai who was almost as stubborn as he apologize? 'Damn.' He thought. 'She sure can argue a point. Hell, she would argue until the other submitted even if she knew she was wrong.' He knew Makuro had gone to seek Kagome and apologize. He smirked.
'If his apology comes out wrong, I will enjoy seeing him blown through a wall. It's probably almost as painful as hitting an energy shield full force.' He knew from personal experience.
He decided to go check on Rin and Shippou before it became to late in the day and he would have to greet the lords and ladies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kagome walked off with her head held high but as soon as she was out of earshot. She took off outside into the forest. As soon as she was far enough away from the castle she shifted back into her demon form and decimated any tree that was within her reach. The anger in her had stirred memories of the past that she had so forcefully tried to keep at bay. She fell to her knees amidst the splinters and churned up earth.
Her body shook with silent sobs. She was so alone. She would never have anyone's love. She was not meant to love, and she could live with that. She never wanted to feel heartbreak and betrayal like she had when Inuyasha said those words. And if never knowing love was the cost, then she would pay it. All the wounds Inuyasha had made had only begun to heal. And all the anger that swept through her tore them open mercilessly. The blood from the wound on her broken heart poured over every inch of her soul. She never wanted to feel heartbreak again, she never would. She would be strong and alone. She could survive on her own. She needed no one. She only needed herself, her power, and her weapons. She would leave Sesshoumaru's castle, leave her adoptive mother, and leave Rin, leave.Shippou. And, she would leave Sesshoumaru, whom she had just started looking upon as a friend. Sesshoumaru survived just fine with no one, and so would she. After the gathering she would go back to Sesshoumaru's castle, take her things, and leave them, all of them. (Not really, she's just thinking that. Things will happen.)
She got up, composed herself, purified the scent of tears and earth, and shifted back to her human form.
'All I have to do is leave. No goodbye. It would be too painful.'
Save me from the nothing I've become! Bring me to life.