Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha...I just worship it.
Chapter 3: Revelations
Kagome opened her eyes. Everything around her was dark, she couldn't see a thing. She looked around trying to get her eyes adjusted to the darkness, but her eyes just weren't focusing! Kagome stood up wavering a bit, trying to gain her footing. She took a hesitant step forward, testing the ground that she couldn't see. Slowly she lifted both of her arms up trying to feel around for something, someone that could help her. She spun around, her fingertips not grazing anything but air.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" She looked around frantically, trying to discern something in the black void she was in. Kagome sighed and sat back down on the ground. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Where was she? Where was everyone? She couldn't remember anything that had happened to her before now. Kagome lowered her head to rest on her knees. She needed to think of a way out of here, but what could she do when she couldn't see anything? Kagome sighed dejectedly. It was dark and cold and she kept having this creepy feeling like she was being watched.
'Jeez, this is like something out of a horror movie, and I hate horror movies...' Kagome thought to herself. Maybe if she closed her eyes it would all go away? She quinted her eyes shut and willed herself to be somewhere else, anywhere but here. Kagome opened her eyes and looked around. Darkness.
'I should have known that wasn't going to work.' Kagome got back up again and began walking, determined to do something besides sit around. Suddenly a bright light in front of her appeared. Kagome shielded her eyes from the bright intrusion. She cupped her hand above her eyes, and squinted.
"Is anyone there!" Kagome yelled. She stepped back, still shielding her eyes.
"I am." A voice replied. Kagome looked to see a purple light form in front of her. The aura felt comforting and warm to Kagome. She took a step toward the ethereal light and looked at the figure forming in front of her.
"Who...Who are you?" The person stepped out of the light to reveal a woman with long black hair and lavendar eyes. She wore ancient armor that adorned the old miko garb underneath her large chest plate. Kagome was taken aback. She knew this person, but at the same time she didn't. The woman smiled warmly and then Kagome realized.
"Lady Midoriko? How are you here?" Kagome was startled. This was the priestess who created the Shikon no Tama! Wait, how was she here? Wasn't she supposed to be waging a war inside of the jewel against demons? Kagome was bursting with questions but couldn't decide what to ask her.
"Lady Kagome, I know you have many questions but I am here for a reason. I must speak to you" Midoriko kneeled and lifted her gaze to meet Kagome's. Midoriko's lavendar eyes pierced right through her, like she was peering into Kagome's very being. It was strange how Midoriko could hold Kagome there with just a look. Unsure of what to do, Kagome cocked her head to the side and waited for Midoriko to speak. It was best probably not to say anything until Midoriko told her of her purpose here.
"You are the reincarnation of a powerful priestess named Kikyo, yet your powers surpass her. The Shikon no Tama was burned with her body at the end of her life to ensure that no one could come and take the jewel. The Shikon Jewel however was never purified, Kikyo had failed to do so. Naraku tainted the Jewel because of Kikyo's hold on it. She beared a grudge against InuYasha and the Jewel reacted to her feelings. You came into possesion of the Shikon no Tama because it was inside of your body. The jewel waited for years until a suitable Miko pure of heart could finally purify and end the Jewel's existence. You are that priestess. There are powers that you possess that no one in this world has. You, Kagome, are even more powerful then the Shikon no Tama. You have the power to kill Naraku and to finally end the waging battle inside of the Jewel of Four Souls. In order to relase the power inside of you you must undergo the sacred water rite to rejuvenate your power and ask for guidance from the Gods." Kagome was completely dumbfounded. She was more powerful than even the jewel? No way!
"I don't understand." Kagome shook her head slowly at Midoriko. She stood and outstretched her hand for Kagome to take. She inched her hand closer to the woman. Midoriko clasped her hand and pulled her into a warm embrace. Kagome blinked, not sure of what was going on. She was confused, between all the things Midoriko had just told her and waking up in total darkness not knowing where she was, Kagome wasn't sure what was going on anymore.
"It was no accident, you falling into the Bone Eaters Well and meeting InuYasha. Even the friends that you met along the way, it was all for a reason. It was your destiny. You needed to go through these hardships and trials to test your physical and mental capacity, but it also allowed you to grow and mature the way that you needed to. You will decide the outcome of the battle with Naraku. It is now in your hands, My Lady." Midoriko stroked Kagome's head before pulling away and smiling sheepishly at the young girl.
"You are the chosen one. The one who will bring balance back to the world. All I can do is watch you from inside the Jewel, I am afraid I cannot aid you in your fight. You must do this alone." Midoriko bowed low before turning and walking back into the light. Kagome quickly called out to the ancient priestess.
"Wait! Midoriko!" Kagome screamed. Kagome started to run to try and catch her but she was pushed back by an invisible force. She flew backwards and fell through the floor. Kagome was falling. The wind felt so warm on her face. She thought about panicking not knowing where she would fall, but something told her not to, that everything was alright. Her eyes began to droop and become heavy. Kagome fought the feeling but eventually let herself be consumed by sleep.
Kagome bolted upright, breathing hard. She looked around frantically at the surrounding area to find that she was back at the campsite. She peeled the sleeping bag cover that stuck to her flushed skin away from her body. Kagome crawled over to her backpack resting nearby and gathered a few things from the outside pouch. She stood up and brushed her knees off then headed through the brush and tree's to her far right. She walked to the nearby Hot Springs that she had discovered earlier that day. When she arrived she stood in front of the spring. She sat down on the bank and watched the steamy water glisten in the pale moonlight. It looked so magical, like tiny blue crystals were floating around underneath the surface, glinting here and there. Kagome thought back to what Midoriko had told her and decided to give it a try.
" Well, here goes. Please guide me." Kagome silently removed her clothes and under garments. She went to walk slowly into the water when she found she couldn't. She was standing on it! Kagome was amazed and twirled around. She wasn't falling into the waters below. She stood straight and looked around, waiting for something to happen. She didn't have a clue as to what to do!
'Well this isn't going to get me anywhere.' Kagome sighed.
"Let your body take control." Kagome heard a voice speak. Well may as well try it since I have no idea what to do. Kagome shrugged her shoulders and stood there, willing her body to take control on its on. Slowly, she raised her hands at her sides, palms up. Kagome laid her head back and prayed to the God's that were listening.
"Guide me." Purple light swirled around her body, encasing her. The light dissipated a moment later and revealed Kagome. She was wearing a short white dress held up by thin straps on each of her shoulders. Straps also hung on her arms down to her elbow and a long train in the back was held on by a frilly bow. The v-neck of the dress ended a couple of inches down from her collar bone. The half completed Shikon no Tama rested in the middle. Kagome's hair grew down to her calves and streaks of silver were strewn throughout. On her wrists were silk white bands with long strings down to the ground. Knee high white boots adorned her feet. Kagome looked at her reflection in the water below.
"This is...my true form?" The tree's swayed in a light breeze, almost like they were answering her question. Kagome felt a large amount of energy flutter to her back and turned her head to look to see what it was.
"What's this?" Glitter appeared in back of her and a beautiful bow and quiver of arrows formed. Kagome reached behind her and grabbed the enchanted looking bow. It was made out of silver metal and had intricate designs carved throughout. She examined the quiver and arrows. They too were made out of silver metal. Kagome couldn't even find a word to describe the beauty of the items she had been given.
"Kagome?" Kagome turned around from her stupor. She hadn't even felt the presence of the little fox demon. Shippo stood at the bank of the springs staring at her in awe. His eyes were wide and glazed over, mouth hanging open in astonishment.
"Shippo, what are you doing here?" Kagome looked at him gently before motioning him with her hand forward.
"I couldn't sleep and I you weren't sleeping next to me. I got worried and came looking for you." Kagome smiled. Shippo hesitantly walked forward. He circled the bank trying to find the path that Kagome was standing on. Realizing that she was standing on the water Shippo gaped. Kagome laughed at his expression.
"This is my Priestess form, do you like it?" Shippo nodded his head frantically. Kagome looked so beautiful.
"You look beautiful Kagome. Like an angel!" Kagome laughed. She concentrated her energy into her body and she changed back into her form. Realizing that she was naked she quickly hid herself and hurried over to the bank. Shippo turned around to give Kagome some privacy while she changed back into her school uniform. Kagome walked over to Shippo when she was done and picked him up. She explained to him everything that had happened, her meeting with Midoriko, her destiny, and her true form. Shippo sat in her arms and listened intently. They headed back to camp together and settled in for the night, unnoticed by their sleeping friends.
The Next Day
The group woke up early and headed out after eating a small breakfast. Sango had heard a rumor of a jewel shard from a village where she and Miroku had exterminated a centipede demon while collecting firewood that morning. They decided to head in that direction and see if they could find any leads. InuYasha walked in front with Kikyo followed by Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Kagome and Shippo. Kagome had remained silent that morning keeping to herself. Sango had been worried, she had only heard Kagome make small talk during breakfast. She spoke to Miroku about it and he said it must have had something to do with InuYasha. He had come back the night before without Kagome looking peeved. Sango stopped abruptly as did Kagome. Miroku turned to see what was the matter when he sensed it. He pulled a sutra from the inside of his robe. Kirara transformed and snarled. InuYasha and Kikyo turned around. He grasped the hilt of Tetsusaiga.
"Demon." Sango said before pulling Hiraikotsu in front of her, ready to launch it at any given moment. A spider demon came out of the forest toward the group. It was large and black with 15 eyes. To say it was ugly was an understatement. The spider clenched it's jaw revealing long sharp teeth and venom spilled out of it's mouth. Kikyo grabbed her bow and an arrow and notched it. She let it fly towards the spider. The spider was hit, but wasn't killed. The spider staggered backwards before launching itself at Kikyo, angry that she had tried to kill it. Kikyo looked shocked, as did the rest of the group. Kagome couldn't believe that Kikyo's purified arrows didn't kill the giant spider. She watched the demon begin to come closer. She had to do something. Kagome stepped forward. She pulled her bow and arrow from her back and notched the arrow, she concentrated closely trying to sense where it's weak spot was before shooting.
"What makes you think you can kill it with an arrow if I couldn't?" Kikyo vehemently spoke. Kagome looked at her then back at the spider. She remembered what Midoriko told her and let her arrow go. It pierced right through the spider, ripping it's body with the impact. The spider demon fell over dead then disintegrated to ash.
"How—How did you do that?" asked Sango. Kagome shrugged and walked back to Shippo who was beaming at her. InuYasha watched Kagome. He couldn't believe that she had destroyed it with one arrow when Kikyo's couldn't. After all she was Kikyo's reincarnation so why couldn't Kikyo kill it? InuYasha removed his grip from the hilt of his sword and began walking again. He hadn't talked to Kagome since she had accused Kikyo of working with Naraku the other night. Kikyo could never do something like that, especially when she had just told him that she understood that InuYasha wasn't the one who betrayed her. It just didn't make any sense. He was full of conflicting emotions, his duty to Kikyo, the friendship he had with Kagome. Kagome wouldn't lie, would she? It seemed to be below her but he just couldn't tell anymore. After all, he didn't see Kikyo joining him so maybe he was a bad judge of character as of lately. InuYasha shrugged it off, he would think about that later. Right now he just wanted to find some jewel shards. Miroku and Sango were gushing over Kagome's awesome display of power while she kept replying with the same answer, it was just a lucky shot. Kikyo had seemed to be angry that Kagome had killed the demon so easily. As they continued walking on down the dirt path Kagome suddenly stopped.
"I sense jewel shards!" Everyone stopped in their tracks and readied their wepaons. Wherever there were jewel shards there was sure to be a demon. InuYasha sniffed the air. He snarled.
"Naraku!" Kagome could feel his evil prescence too. She wasn't sure though if it was actually him or a puppet, but she still didn't like the feeling she had. Kikyo moved to the side and watched as they all prepared to fight Naraku. Suddenly Naraku came out from behind a cluster of trees and attacked head on. Sango launched Hiraikotsu and pushed him back. InuYasha unsheathed the Tetsusaiga and lunged at Naraku. Not expecting him to suddenly move InuYasha missed as Naraku rushed towards Kikyo. He snatched her from her position on the ground and sent out a wave of poison insects towards them. InuYasha slashed at them trying to get to Kikyo. Sango and Miroku both fended them off and Kirara burned most of them with fire. Kagome tried to aim an arrow at Naraku but she couldn't get a clear shot.
"Kikyo!" InuYasha yelled. He started to run after Naraku, but with the jewel shards he possessed and all of the insects, he was too fast for him to catch up to.
"Come now InuYasha, come after me." Naraku laughed. He dissappeared into a cloud of miasma leaving an angry InuYasha behind.
"Damnit!" InuYasha clenched his fist. Kagome watched InuYasha silently, knowing that he was going to go after them.
"He got her. Let's follow him." InuYasha ran ahead, determined not to lose Kikyo to Naraku again. Sango, Miroku, and Kirara followed after him shouting for InuYasha to wait. Kagome shook her head. Shippo stared up at Kagome. Kagome looked at Shippo and motioned for him to come with her. They both headed after InuYasha and the others, running towards Naraku.
"So it begins."
A/n: Stay tuned!