An: Just a quick note to say thanks to my reviewers and readers. Candice-J, SkaQueen, MoonlitBlackRose, You guys are great sorry for the delay in updating.
NordicaVB: sorry for confusing you. This story is a bit different in alot of respects due to Naraku isn't as much of an evil dude as most are used to. Yes you could say Kagome has some feelings but she likes alot of people and so far he has not given her a reason to be spiteful. She is basically convinced that his actions so far were to protect her so she isn't all that angry. No it isn't a Naraku/Kagome (not that Naraku wouldn't mind it, LOL) this is definately a Inu/Kag fic. I hope that clears it up for you some.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about the Inuyasha series or anything else that I can get sued over.
Song of My Soul
Part Thirteen
Inuyasha held Kagome close while they waited for his brother to arrive. If anyone could find out who those two youkai were he could. She leaned against his shoulder and sighed again deep in thought. He wanted to know what she was thinking but knew if he wasn't careful about the words he used it would just start a fight. Right now he didn't think she could take an argument with him. So it was basically better to remain quiet. He was surprised when she didn't even get emotional after what happened to Naraku. But she was very quiet since then. The whole incident even shook him up. Of course he wouldn't admit that to anyone but in this day and age this sort of thing was unthinkable.
Even the police were stumped and had no leads. That is why he called on his brother for assistance. Sesshomaru was an arrogant bastard most the time but when it came to Kagome he did have a soft spot. He had many connections and ways to find out what he needed so it was only a matter of time before they tracked them down.
He hugged her closer when she rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. Even though she still wouldn't agree to go somewhere safer she confessed that she didn't want him to leave her either. That alone made him feel happier then he had in two years. Only two things could make him leave her side right now. One was if she wouldn't let him be with her and the other would be in death. He would prefer the first reason more then the second but if he had to give his life to protect her then he would gladly do it with out regret. If there was anything he had learned over the past two years was with out her he had no life.
When the front door opened they both looked up expectantly hoping it was Sesshomaru with some news but it was only Miroku and Kagome's grandfather returning from setting the spiritual barrier around the shrine grounds. Another safe guard her family felt would help to repel any bad spirits or unwanted youkai. Sango entered just after them with her pet neko cat, Kirara, cradled in her arms. She walked over and sat next to Kagome quickly. The cat jumped into Kagome's lap and nuzzled her arm affectionately. Kagome smiled as she scratched her little ears.
"Oh Kagome, I am so sorry about what happened." Sango said sympathetically.
"There would have been nothing you could have done. It caught us all off guard." Kagome replied without even looking up.
"I know but it still makes me feel badly. Poor Naraku."Sango looked down at the ground. "Who could have done this?" She asked in a hushed tone. Kagome frowned.
"I don't know." Kagome paused for a moment. "I have my suspicions." She admitted finally.
"Have you told the police?" Miroku kneeled down in front of her being careful of his newly un-casted ankle. Kagome raised her eyes to meet his dark violet blue ones.
"They wouldn't listen even if I did." She said profoundly. He placed a hand over the one she was scratching the cat's ears with.
"Surely they would. There are no other leads." He patted her hand reassuringly. She shook her head and looked him square in the face.
"No they wouldn't. They don't chase ghosts." She said seriously. Miroku's hand slid from hers and he blinked a couple of times.
"Ghosts? Why would you think that?"Miroku looked at her shocked she would suggest such a thing. Kagome glanced from him to Sango who also had a surprised look on her face. Then she turned her eyes to Inuyasha. He, however, held no emotion in his face but his eyes told her he was thinking of something along the same lines. Her eyes traveled back to Miroku's.
"It was more something I felt." She began slowly. "I...they didn't..." She stopped her exclamation and worried her bottom lip with her teeth. Sango and Miroku looked at each other frowning.
"They didn't what Kagome?" Sango pressed for her to finish her sentence. Kagome lifted sad eyes to her. Her face held that of sorrow and pain but not for herself. It was for another.
"They didn't seem natural. I can't explain it." She lowered her eyes to the cat that had curled up in her lap to sleep. She let out a sigh. "Inuyasha knows what I mean. You would of had to be there to understand." She said in defeat. A sudden knock on the door broke the tension in the room. Kagome's grandfather went and opened it.
"Yes?" He said. "I'm sorry but the shrine is closed today." He went on politely.
"I am not here for the shrine." A woman's gentle voice came from beyond. "I am looking for my bother-in-law, Inu..." Was all she got out before Inuyasha came to his senses.
"Rin? Is that you? Where is Sess?" He quickly stood up and went to the door.
"Hey Inu. Um...Sess is on the steps. He said something about a barrier that he couldn't cross." Rin pointed toward the entrance of the shrine steps.
"Oh that would be mine." Miroku stood up as quickly as he could. "I'll go let him in." He started to go through the door. "Your looking as healthy as ever Rin." He patted her hand gently but stopped the minute he heard a loud growl coming form beyond the barrier. "I better let your husband in before he attempts to uproot all the ground to get in here." Miroku limped as quickly as he could toward the steps. Rin smiled after him shaking her head. She turned her attention back to the others and suddenly remembered why she came with Sesshomaru in the first place. With a squeal of excitement she ran over to Kagome and hugged her tightly.
"Oh Kami it is so good to see you again Kagome." She giggled when Kagome hugged her back.
"I missed you too Rin. How have you been?" Kagome leaned back when Rin released her. Rin took Kagome by the hand and placed it on her slightly swollen belly.
"How do you think?" Rin's grin grew larger when Kagome's eyes became as big as saucers. Kagome jumped up and hugged her even tighter.
"When? How?" She stammered.
"If you don't know how by now then Inuyasha needs to start being a real husband." Came the dry humor of Sesshomaru from the door. Kagome squealed and launched herself at him. He caught her in mid flight with an 'omf' and returned her hug. "It is good to see you alive and well Kagome." He held her close with out any emotion on his face but if one looked into his eyes they would see relief.
"Hey what the hell did you mean by that comment?" Inuyasha stood and tugged Kagome from his brother's grip.
"If you have to ask then the statement is more then true." Sesshomaru smirked at Inuyasha's glare. Rin quickly stood between the two placing her hands on their chests.
"Ok that is quite enough you two." She scolded. "Save the fight until some other time." They glared at each other for a moment then stepped apart. Inuyasha plopped down on the couch taking Kagome with him and neatly set her on his lap to leave room for others to set since there were so many of them in the livingroom now. Sesshomaru took a seat in one of the recliners while Rin set next to him on the arm. Kagome looked from one brother to the other with a frown.
"I take it you two still haven't grown up any." She said dryly. They both looked at her with surprise.
"I assure you the problem doesn't lie with this Sesshomaru as you can tell from the condition of my mate." The inuyoukai said stoically crossing his arms over his chest. Rin smacked him on the arm in shock he would say that.
"If you think I'm not grown enough how about we take a trip up to your old bedroom and I'll show you just how grown I am." Inuyasha licked his lip seductively teasing her. She narrowed her eyes frowning.
"I think you have been around Miroku too much." Sango spoke what both the other women were thinking.
"What?" Miroku finally stepped into the door. "I heard my name along with too much." He grinned from ear to ear stepping behind Sango. She scowled but then her face took on a more shocked look as it became red. Soon her hand was flying around behind her and connected with his cheek with skilled accuracy. "Owe." Miroku whined rubbing his sore cheek that sported a flaming red hand print.
"Hentai!" Sango started to step away from him but was quickly grabbed from behind by his arms wrapping around her waist.
"Oh come on Sango you know I can't resist you." He pouted and pulled her close kissing her neck. She closed her eyes and sighed but the frown didn't leave her face.
"Alright I understand, but not in front of people." She hissed but didn't seem all that mad now. Miroku smiled wide from behind her knowing he got away with groping her again. Kagome looked at him with a raised eyebrow knowing that if Sango saw that smile he would be flat on his butt by now. She shook it off and turned her attention back to Sesshomaru.
"So, Sesshomaru," Kagome began knowing that the inuyoukai didn't like to be pushed but she couldn't stand the waiting any longer, "did you happen to find out anything?" She bit her lip hoping he wouldn't get mad at her for asking before he had a chance to tell them in his own good time. He looked at her for a minute feeling a bit put out at her sudden request. He thought she knew better then to rush him. But then he studied her movements and could tell she was stressing beyond compromise. Inuyasha had only given him a brief account of what happened on that roof. Now that he saw her he could tell it shook her up pretty bad even though she was hiding it well.
'Just this once.' He told himself and cleared his throat. "I am a bit confused by the information I was able to gather on said 'Thunder Brothers.' It seems they are dead." He stated plainly. Everyone gasped.
"But they said that was who they were." Kagome started to shake trying desperately to hold back the break down she knew was coming. This was one time she really needed to be strong. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her tightly. A low purring rumble from his chest filled her body with gentle vibrations that helped to calm her.
"Steady koishii." He whispered in her ear. She turned and looked into his amber eyes finding the strength she lacked. Slowly her nerves began to settle and she turned her attention back to Sesshomaru.
"I see. What else did you find out about the brothers?" She asked holding back tears.
"They were the last males of their war clan almost five hundred years ago. They were killed in battle against a miko and a half breed who were protecting an orphaned kit whose parents were killed by the brothers for their skins to be made into rugs. They only had one surviving relative. A small girl around the age of 5 in human years. She later married the orphaned kit when she fell in love with him after trying to avenge her brothers. Fate is fickle is it not." Sesshomaru stated simply as if reciting from a book.
"I wonder who they were then?" Kagome leaned against Inuyasha feeling drained. All her hope was deflated.
"My contact at the museum emailed me a picture taken of a portrait of the brothers." He took a piece of paper out of the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it to her. She unfolded it curiously. She couldn't contain the gasp of surprise when she looked at it. Inuyasha looked over her shoulder and frowned.
"It's them." She said holding back the cry that wanted to escape her lips. Her body began shanking nervously as she glanced at her grandfather. He looked at the floor with sad eyes. Everyone looked at her with wide eyes.
"But how?" Sango expressed confused.
"Then it is true. Kikyo has slipped to the darker side of spirituality." Kagome's grandfather's voice was low. "She was responsible for that mess in the shrine library last week." Kagome's grandfather hung his head, disappointment shown clearly. Kagome looked at him in surprise.
"What happened in the library grandpa?" She asked quickly.
"The Tama no Jigoku was stolen." He still wouldn't look at anyone. A gasp escaped Kagome. Her eyes filled with worry and fear. Inuyasha pulled her closer to sooth her worry.
"What the hell is that?" He asked gruffly. Kagome looked at him with sad eyes.
"The Soul of Hell, to be exact, is an ancient book that our family has guarded for generations." She said calmly.
"A book? Is that all?" He snorted. Kagome shook her head.
"Not just any book." Her grandfather interrupted. "That book holds the dark secrets of hell its self. The charms on the outside have sealed the contents for centuries." He rubbed his face with his hands.
"What does that have to do with this?" Inuyasha asked curiously.
"Isn't it obvious dear brother?" Sesshomaru replied dryly. Inuyasha snarled at him lightly.
"I wouldn't be askin' if it was obvious." He growled back.
"Yes well, father always said you could never figure out why you couldn't catch your tail." Sesshomaru said smugly. Red flashed in Inuyasha's eyes.
"I don't have a fucking tail you jacka..." Inuyasha started to stand up.
"Stop it both of you!" Rin yelled. She stood glaring at both with her hands on her hips. "Can't you two put your petty differences behind you for just one second." Inuyasha's ears flattened from the shrillness of her voice. Sesshomaru just looked down. "That's better. Please continue Higurashi-sama." She bowed to Kagome's grandfather respectfully then set back down. Kagome had to stifle a giggle. It still amazed her how much control Rin had over the great Sesshomaru. She turned her attention back to her grandfather.
"Well basically it has everything to do with this. That book had strong spells in it." He started slowly then cleared his throat. "One was how to bring the dead back." They gasped but he held up his hand as a signal to let him finish before they asked questions. "The book was sealed by our ancestors and only one of our blood with major spiritual power could remove those seals. I am pretty sure it had to be Kikyo. There were other things missing from the shrine warehouse too. Herbs and magical items she would have needed to give them life. She would have needed a cadaver for each as well. Where she got those I wouldn't know." He put his face in his hands again shaking it. Kagome had a look of horror on her face. Sango grimaced and leaned on Miroku.
"Cadavers? But how would they look like their old selves if they died 500 years ago and she used bodies from now?" Miroku just had to ask.
"The jaki in the soul of a youkai is very strong. They were from a powerful war clan. I have no doubt they had the power to transform the appearance of the bodies to match what they were used to being." Sesshomaru answered.
"Like I said, they just didn't seem right." Kagome said more to herself then to anyone else. Her grandfather only nodded.
"So your saying Kikyo or someone got some dead bodies and brought them back to life using the souls of those two dead brothers?" Inuyasha blurted out.
"Yes Inu, I think that is what he is saying." Miroku said dryly. He then looked the older priest. "What can we do about it Higurashi-sama?" The old man looked up at him and frowned.
"I am not the one to ask that. I know little about fighting undead let alone undead youkai. But I know someone who does." He stood and quickly walked into the next room. Shortly he returned with an address book in his hands flipping through the pages. "Here." He scribbled something down on a piece of paper and handed it to Kagome. "He'll be able to answer any questions you have about the subject." Kagome looked at the name and smiled.
"Aritomo Yamura? I remember him." Her grin became wider. "I didn't know he was still alive."
"Whose that?" Inu asked curiously since he never heard of this person before.
"Oh, he used to train Kikyo and me with our miko powers. He's funny." Kagome giggled while remembering some thing from the past. "It is quite a drive from here we better get going." She stood up to retrieve her jacket from the coat rack.
"What about the shrine?" Rin stood with a worried look. "What if she returns?"
"Don't worry dear. That is why I had Miroku do the seals. He isn't of our family blood so she won't be able to break through." Kagome's grandfather said soothingly. Sesshomaru stood up to tower over his small wife.
"I am afraid we will not be accompanying you." He stated calmly. Inuyasha started to say something but he stopped him. "I will not put Rin at risk in her condition. But if there is anything you need call me. I will do what I can." With that the couple left to go home. Kagome looked at Sango and Miroku.
"I would understand if you two didn't want to come with us." She said but held hope in her eyes. Sango smiled at her reassuringly.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Miroku wrapped an arm around Sango's shoulders and followed the other couple out the door.
"I'll call him so he will be expecting you." Kagome's grandfather yelled from the door as he waved goodbye.
AN: Not as much as I wanted to get in this chapter but didn't want it to get too long. Decided that since it has been so long since I updated I should give you two chapters so please keep going.