AN: Hello! Hope you like this next chappie!
Author: Icewings
Beta: Aysel
Chapter 2: Losing Control
Last Chapter: As Kagome plummeted to the river below, she heard the hanyou's scream of rage. Time seemed to move in slow motion as she watched Lady Koshi turn into her youkai form and take a battle stance before Naraku. The last thing she saw before reaching the water was her mother being hit in the side, hate and frustration pouring off her attacker's body.
~~%~%~~%End of Vision%~~%~%~~
Kagome was suddenly released from the vision, hot tears coursing down her cheeks. The pain of loss and confusion resurfaced after almost a decade of lying dormant deep in her heart. Gasping for breath for a couple of minutes, she composed herself enough to climb out of the spring, and toweled off.
She was just slipping on her clothes when she heard a crash in the foliage nearby, a loud hissing voice saying, "You'll pay for that, human."
Tightly securing the sash on her white and red miko clothing, Kagome rushed over to help.
She arrived at the scene to see she'd stumbled across a youkai camp, where a group of snake and weasel demons were crowded around a small figure slumped at the base of a tree.
As she stepped closer, a twig snapped beneath her foot, and a half a dozen bloodthirsty youkai turned to look at the new threat. When they turned away from their victim, Kagome could see Souta was the object of interest. He was defiantly wiping at his split lip with the back of his hand, and the sight of blood made her own blood boil. "Souta!"
"Stay back, sis. I don't want you to get hurt!" he called back.
"Well, well." Sneered a weasel youkai. "Another human, and a pretty one at that. We could always use one more. You can be a sort of present, for our most esteemed master. We've already got our lunch right here." He walked over to Souta, and kicked him in the side. The boy cried out in pain, and bit the youkai on the leg.
"Ahhhh!" Screamed the weasel demon, then bent to cuff the small youkai child across the temple, knocking him to the ground and making a small stream of blood run down his face.
Kagome felt herself lose control at this sight. Shock and wonder were apparent on her features as she felt an unexplainable surge of power turn her blood into fire, and she saw red.
A strange feeling overtook her, and her instinct told her to kill the threat on her brother.
"You filthy, repulsive scum." She spat, her head bowed with long, black bangs hiding her eyes from view. Suddenly, her head snapped up, and her lips twisted into a horrifying smirk.
The gang of youkai watched in growing fear as Kagome's eye whites turned red. Her black hair was turning to an iridescent midnight blue, and her nails lengthened to claws that resembled scythes. A bright blue light glowed from the jewel around her neck, but she paid it no heed. She was possessed with a lust to kill.
She launched herself fifty feet into the air to point her claws at the weasel youkai. She slashed twice at her victim, who was frozen in shock, then landed on the corpse. After that, she was nothing more than a spinning blur of claws, night-black hair, and scythe-like fangs.
~~~~*~~~~*Three Minutes Later*~~~~*~~~~~
Kagome stood unharmed, retracting claws dripping with blood, over the mangled bodies of the youkai gang. There was an eerie silence to the air after all of the clatter of ripping flesh and cries of pain.
She'd been swift and ruthless, cutting into each youkai with a mad sort of glee. It was almost like she'd enjoyed it, and that was what scared her the most.
Kagome broke the silence as she fell to her knees in shock at what she'd just done. Her eyes and claws had returned to normal, and Souta rushed over to her side. He was calling her name and trying to get a reaction out of his shocked sister.
"Kagome, are you alright?"
Thoughts were swirling around in the chaos that was her mind, and the only thing that registered was the smell of blood everywhere, making her want to throw up.
She slowly rose to her feet, miraculously calm considering what had just happened. Souta was pelting her with questions that went unanswered, and as they were leaving, something caught the light from the corner of her eye.
Curiosity got the best of her and she waked over to the corpse of a snake demon. Bending down toward the pink glow, she saw that it was a shard of crystal.
Kagome picked it up and examined it in the sunlight. A strange feeling of warmth spread through her body and the shard seemed to glow brighter.
Shrugging it off as her imagination, she pocketed the piece and the siblings made their way back to the village.
~*~ ~* ~ *~ ~* ~ ~* ~ * ~ ~ * ~
The cicadas were singing their woodsy songs when Kagome, supported by Souta entered Kaede's hut. The two had previously agreed that Kaede was the one to tell because she was the only villager that they could trust, and she could help to explain what was going on.
"What has happened to ye, child?" Kaede exclaimed, noticing the streaks of blood across Kagome's hakama. Kaede and Souta sat her by the fire.
Kagome quickly explained all that had happened, Souta adding in small details like how he'd seen that strange glow from her necklace.
Kaede sighed and shook her head. "I had suspected this might happen."
"What? What do you mean Kaede-sensei?" Kagome said confused.
"I knew ye might be youkai, and if it were so, then it would show itself eventually. That is why I have been training you and Sango to control your chi."
Kagome wasn't really surprised actually. She'd always noticed how Sango, Souta and herself had been able to do things that none of the other village kids could do. They could run faster, jump farther, and learn more than all of them put together. "So... what do we do about this, Kaede-sensei?" she asked slowly.
"It seems that ye might need to leave this village and find refuge in the woods."
Kagome and Souta were shocked. This was their home! They couldn't just up and leave! "Are you sure, Sensei Kaede?"
The old priestess looked closely at her, and replied, "Let me see the necklace around ye neck, child."
Kagome touched the arrowhead jewel on her chain, and held it out for inspection, still clasped around her neck. "Can ye not unclasp it?" Kaede questioned.
Kagome just shook her head, and leaned forward to give the old priestess a better look. After examining the jewel, chain, and clasp, Kaede leaned back with a sigh of resolution. "Aye, child. The stone that hangs from the chain is called a Kage stone."
Seeing the blank looks the siblings were giving her, she went on.
"Long ago there was an ancient priestess name Midoriko, who created what was known as the San stones. The first was knows as the Shikon no Tama, created during her first life. It can give a demon incredible power. When she was reincarnated, she created another called the Kassin stone, which can protect a being from any and all harm. When she was reincarnated for a third time, she made the Kage no Tama, which creates a concealment spell. In order to make sure that none would ever possess such an imbalance of power, all three stones were shattered and scattered to the winds by a powerful miko named Kikyou. Now it is almost impossible to obtain one because they are incredibly valuable and rare. A single shard can increase any being's power ten times."
"What does this have to do with us having to leave?" Souta interjected impatiently.
"Patience, young one, and let me continue." The old woman reprimanded, and went on. "I believe that Kagome possesses a large shard of the Kage jewel. The Kage concealment spell hides a demon's scent, appearance, and power from all other youkai. It also will hide any who stand near, though not as well. The spell ceases when the bearer releases a surge of power strong enough that the stone's spell can no longer conceal the demon. From what you've told me, this afternoon's occurrence was more that enough to un-shield you. I fear this Naraku will be coming for you soon."
As the words left her mouth, Sango stumbled in dressed in her oversized kimono, her hair loose down her back. Smiling weakly, she rasped out, "What'd I miss?"
Kagome scolded her for getting out of bed, which Sango simply brushed off and took a seat on the floor. Then she was filled in on the day's events.
After getting over the shock of finding out about being a youkai, Sango growled, "We'd best not waste any time then. Come on, we must pack for the journey."
"Wait. If ye be leaving so soon, then ye had better take these." Kaede said, going to the basket she kept in the corner. Sango and Kagome looked on in curiosity. After a moment of rummaging, she brought out two things wrapped in cloth.
"I was going to present these on ye birthdays, but it seems that I will need to give them to ye now."
Kagome remembered that her and Sango's fifteenth birthdays were that very next week, and frowned that she had forgotten.
Kaede handed the first package to Sango, who promptly unwrapped it to reveal a small mirror. Sango picked it up and arched an eyebrow. "What do I need this for, Kaede?" she asked, her tone puzzled.
Kaede smiled. She knew Sango wasn't the kind to dwell on her looks, but the mirror had special powers. "That is no ordinary mirror, child."
Sango looked up from examining it. "What do you mean, Kaede? Does it have a spell on it?"
The old miko's eye glittered with mystery. "It is known as Annak's mirror, and used properly, it will reveal to you anything you wish to see."
Sango looked skeptically at the round piece of glass and said slowly, "How does it work?"
Kaede frowned. "Ye are going to have to find that out on your own."
Sango looked closely at the elegant engravings on the silver and crystal frame, as if they might reveal the secrets of the odd mirror. "Can you give me a clue at least?" She said, while examining the smooth back where sharp black lines cut through the crystal. What amazed her most though was that it seemed to emit a faint pulse. She could feel its energy weigh on her hand more than the mirror.
"Only that ye must look with your heart." Was Kaede's vague reply.
"Great." The young protectress muttered. "That's REALLY helpful."
Ignoring Sango's muttering, Kaede turned to Kagome and handed her a long package. Kagome guessed it was a dagger by the shape of the bundle, and was disappointed at the thought. She did not really want a weapon. She felt through the cloth, and was surprised that it was not the thin, flat shape of a knife, but something round.
She fully unwrapped it to reveal a flute.
Kagome carefully lifted it in her hands and her eyes widened when she barely felt it press against her skin. "Kaede?" Kagome questioned. The old miko had taught her to play the flute, but this was so much different. Besides it being so light, it had an aura, like it was alive or something. She marveled at the elaborate carvings along its length that swirled in an almost mesmerizing pattern.
"Take care of it, child." Kaede said quietly. "Its power will be as important to ye as Sango's mirror."
Kagome was curious. 'What could a flute do besides make pretty sounds?' she wondered.
Kaede answered her unspoken question. "It brings submission. The flute can charm any listener to do what the musician wishes when used with the purpose on the musician's mind, but ye must have control of thy emotions to use the flute's power, or it will use ye. Now Sango, let me have a look at thy sheath." Kaede held out a withered hand. The young protectress looked at her curiously, unsheathed her sword, and handed the scabbard to her. The old woman held it in aged hands and began chanting a spell.
The black wood slowly began to glow a misty gray, and the old woman held out her hand to both the girls for their gifts. She first placed the flute against the sheath, and to the girl's surprise, it seemed to melt into the wood, and then there was a lacquered picture of a flute on the smooth ebony surface. She did the same with the mirror and the same thing happened. "For safety and easy storage." She said, handing it back to the confused protectress. "Now it can't be stolen, only lost, and if it's lost, a beam of light shoots to the sky from it when you call its name, Kakunou (storage) on a moonless night."
Sango carefully took it back and sheathed her sword.
Souta, who'd been sitting quietly this entire time, spoke up. "Hey! Don't I get a present?"
"Ye are of much too young an age to receive your gift. When it is time, I shall give it to you." Kaede said tartly.
"Hmm." Souta pouted.
"Kaede, do you know if and when we can come back?" Sango asked quietly.
"I am not sure, but it might be for many years yet. It might be best if ye took everything with ye."
Sango nodded. Suddenly, her cat-youkai senses picked up the sound of rustling grass behind one wall. Bristling, she said in a low voice, "Something's outside."
Kagome sniffed at the air, and carefully shifted her weight from her knees to her feet. "I smell it. There are fifteen, and definitely not friendly." She said after a sniff of the leftover blood on their weapons. Youkai blood.
"Kaede" Kagome said in a low voice, "I need you to take Souta into the woods to hide until we come to get you."
Kaede nodded in agreement, and firmly grasped Souta's hand and moved to the doorway where she lifted her bow and quiver from their places on the wall. Kagome and Sango rose to their feet and moved to the corners of the back wall.
There was a soft thump, then something crashed through the wall they guarded; chunks of wall flying everywhere. All inside ducked for cover, arms over their heads to protect themselves from the jagged projectiles.
The dust cleared to reveal a gang of rat youkai. Kagome and Sango rose from the floor to fighting stances and watched as a particularly greasy one, presumably the leader, stepped forward.
"Kagome and Souta Higurashi," it sneered, "you are sentenced to death by the Eastern crown." And with a snap of his fingers, the youkai charged.
Sango surprised them from the side, her katana drawn. Kagome backed up to where Souta and Kaede were, using her miko power to disintegrate any who came into her line of sight.
She and Sango proceeded to wreak havoc on the enemy's ranks, until one got by Kagome's defenses and targeted Souta.
It reached out to grab the boy, and screamed in pain as it looked over it's shoulder to see a sword embedded deep in it's back, and the rapidly reddening eyes of its owner.
'How dare he', was the only thought that raged through Kagome's mind as her hair streaked the color of fresh blood and her claws lengthened to deadly points. 'How dare they come and attack us, the heirs of the Eastern Lands?'
The placid concentration needed to perform miko spells was gone, and all that was left was her untrained demon rage.
With a blood-chilling cry exploding from her throat, Kagome leaped over a group of 5 youkai where the rat leader was frantically screaming somewhat ineffective orders to attack. The five youkai gazed up in paralyzed terror at the beautiful, enraged demoness, and at the 10-inch long claws that seemed to glow with some sort of blue power.
Kagome slashed down on two of them, slicing through the steel spear handles raised in defense; they died instantly. She turned to the other three, not noticing Sango gaping in amazement at the merciless killer her cheerful, innocent friend had become. Kaede and Souta had long gone, Sango warding off any that might try to follow them.
With a fierce cry of victory, the battle-crazed priestess easily took out the last three, and turned her attention to the trembling rat leader. Se noticed out of the corner of her eye that Sango had been knocked to the ground, a nasty bruise already forming on the side of her head.
Kagome grabbed up a discarded katana from the wood floor, and hurled it at the two attackers, killing both, but in the process, exposing her back to her opponent.
Her superior senses picked up the rat youkai's movements behind her a second too late, and she was knocked to the floor, courtesy of the heavy club in rat-boy's claw.
At the last moment before unconsciousness, a streak of silver and then a cry of pain reached her mind before she fell into darkness.
~~~!~~~!*The Eastern Castle: Private chamber*!~~~!~~~
The room was dark, the crescent moon the only source of light. A shadowed figure sat behind a shoji screen, from behind which a sinister voice came. "Kagura, did you sense that surge of power?" it said. "She has awakened."
A woman in heavily embroidered kimono answered. "Yes, Lord Naraku." The wind demon replied. "What would you have me do?"
"Send the first assassin team. Also, send the miko and the hanyou with the second and third legion to the Western Lands."
"As you wish, master." Came the reply. There was a pause. "Master?"
"Why have you not left yet, Kagura?" The hanyou's darkly handsome face had a ghostly look to it in the dim light.
Kagura took in a deep breath, preparing to ask for something she'd only recently had the courage to ask for. "What about my sister? Our agreement was for six years, and might I remind you that the end is in a week?"
Her reply was cool and amused. "And what will you do if I don't keep to the bargain?"
Kagura was quiet. She hadn't thought of that, and she seethed with hatred at his casual words. 'How could he do this? After all these years of loyal service, he was going to go back on his word?' she grimaced. 'I should've known.' The familiar hatred began to fire her blood, and she struggled to keep it in. "I don't know." She finally replied, and with that she quickly turned and walked out of the room, a single tear coursing down her cheek.
~*~ ~* ~ *~ ~* ~ ~* ~ * ~ ~ * ~
AN: *sweatdrops* I know it doesn't make a lot of sense now, but bear with me! It'll be more understandable soon enough. I promise. *crosses fingers* ^_~
Read and Review!!! Please? *looks up with huge, anime-style watery eyes*
Inu Reikon: Thanks for being my first reviewer!*grins* I'm glad you like it so far *is flattered at the compliment*, and I hope you liked this chapter too!
Suki1: Thanks! *beams happily* btw, I'm reading your story and I'm absolutely LOVING it! I'm only on like, the fifth chapter, but I can hardly put, er, click it down! lol
Lilly pateal: I hope I do not disappoint, thanks for reviewing! ^_^
Rushyuo: *sweatdrops* Sorry it didn't make that much sense, I hope this chapter cleared some things up though! Heee!!!
Read and Review!!! Please? *looks up with huge, anime-style watery eyes*
Author: Icewings
Beta: Aysel
Chapter 2: Losing Control
Last Chapter: As Kagome plummeted to the river below, she heard the hanyou's scream of rage. Time seemed to move in slow motion as she watched Lady Koshi turn into her youkai form and take a battle stance before Naraku. The last thing she saw before reaching the water was her mother being hit in the side, hate and frustration pouring off her attacker's body.
~~%~%~~%End of Vision%~~%~%~~
Kagome was suddenly released from the vision, hot tears coursing down her cheeks. The pain of loss and confusion resurfaced after almost a decade of lying dormant deep in her heart. Gasping for breath for a couple of minutes, she composed herself enough to climb out of the spring, and toweled off.
She was just slipping on her clothes when she heard a crash in the foliage nearby, a loud hissing voice saying, "You'll pay for that, human."
Tightly securing the sash on her white and red miko clothing, Kagome rushed over to help.
She arrived at the scene to see she'd stumbled across a youkai camp, where a group of snake and weasel demons were crowded around a small figure slumped at the base of a tree.
As she stepped closer, a twig snapped beneath her foot, and a half a dozen bloodthirsty youkai turned to look at the new threat. When they turned away from their victim, Kagome could see Souta was the object of interest. He was defiantly wiping at his split lip with the back of his hand, and the sight of blood made her own blood boil. "Souta!"
"Stay back, sis. I don't want you to get hurt!" he called back.
"Well, well." Sneered a weasel youkai. "Another human, and a pretty one at that. We could always use one more. You can be a sort of present, for our most esteemed master. We've already got our lunch right here." He walked over to Souta, and kicked him in the side. The boy cried out in pain, and bit the youkai on the leg.
"Ahhhh!" Screamed the weasel demon, then bent to cuff the small youkai child across the temple, knocking him to the ground and making a small stream of blood run down his face.
Kagome felt herself lose control at this sight. Shock and wonder were apparent on her features as she felt an unexplainable surge of power turn her blood into fire, and she saw red.
A strange feeling overtook her, and her instinct told her to kill the threat on her brother.
"You filthy, repulsive scum." She spat, her head bowed with long, black bangs hiding her eyes from view. Suddenly, her head snapped up, and her lips twisted into a horrifying smirk.
The gang of youkai watched in growing fear as Kagome's eye whites turned red. Her black hair was turning to an iridescent midnight blue, and her nails lengthened to claws that resembled scythes. A bright blue light glowed from the jewel around her neck, but she paid it no heed. She was possessed with a lust to kill.
She launched herself fifty feet into the air to point her claws at the weasel youkai. She slashed twice at her victim, who was frozen in shock, then landed on the corpse. After that, she was nothing more than a spinning blur of claws, night-black hair, and scythe-like fangs.
~~~~*~~~~*Three Minutes Later*~~~~*~~~~~
Kagome stood unharmed, retracting claws dripping with blood, over the mangled bodies of the youkai gang. There was an eerie silence to the air after all of the clatter of ripping flesh and cries of pain.
She'd been swift and ruthless, cutting into each youkai with a mad sort of glee. It was almost like she'd enjoyed it, and that was what scared her the most.
Kagome broke the silence as she fell to her knees in shock at what she'd just done. Her eyes and claws had returned to normal, and Souta rushed over to her side. He was calling her name and trying to get a reaction out of his shocked sister.
"Kagome, are you alright?"
Thoughts were swirling around in the chaos that was her mind, and the only thing that registered was the smell of blood everywhere, making her want to throw up.
She slowly rose to her feet, miraculously calm considering what had just happened. Souta was pelting her with questions that went unanswered, and as they were leaving, something caught the light from the corner of her eye.
Curiosity got the best of her and she waked over to the corpse of a snake demon. Bending down toward the pink glow, she saw that it was a shard of crystal.
Kagome picked it up and examined it in the sunlight. A strange feeling of warmth spread through her body and the shard seemed to glow brighter.
Shrugging it off as her imagination, she pocketed the piece and the siblings made their way back to the village.
~*~ ~* ~ *~ ~* ~ ~* ~ * ~ ~ * ~
The cicadas were singing their woodsy songs when Kagome, supported by Souta entered Kaede's hut. The two had previously agreed that Kaede was the one to tell because she was the only villager that they could trust, and she could help to explain what was going on.
"What has happened to ye, child?" Kaede exclaimed, noticing the streaks of blood across Kagome's hakama. Kaede and Souta sat her by the fire.
Kagome quickly explained all that had happened, Souta adding in small details like how he'd seen that strange glow from her necklace.
Kaede sighed and shook her head. "I had suspected this might happen."
"What? What do you mean Kaede-sensei?" Kagome said confused.
"I knew ye might be youkai, and if it were so, then it would show itself eventually. That is why I have been training you and Sango to control your chi."
Kagome wasn't really surprised actually. She'd always noticed how Sango, Souta and herself had been able to do things that none of the other village kids could do. They could run faster, jump farther, and learn more than all of them put together. "So... what do we do about this, Kaede-sensei?" she asked slowly.
"It seems that ye might need to leave this village and find refuge in the woods."
Kagome and Souta were shocked. This was their home! They couldn't just up and leave! "Are you sure, Sensei Kaede?"
The old priestess looked closely at her, and replied, "Let me see the necklace around ye neck, child."
Kagome touched the arrowhead jewel on her chain, and held it out for inspection, still clasped around her neck. "Can ye not unclasp it?" Kaede questioned.
Kagome just shook her head, and leaned forward to give the old priestess a better look. After examining the jewel, chain, and clasp, Kaede leaned back with a sigh of resolution. "Aye, child. The stone that hangs from the chain is called a Kage stone."
Seeing the blank looks the siblings were giving her, she went on.
"Long ago there was an ancient priestess name Midoriko, who created what was known as the San stones. The first was knows as the Shikon no Tama, created during her first life. It can give a demon incredible power. When she was reincarnated, she created another called the Kassin stone, which can protect a being from any and all harm. When she was reincarnated for a third time, she made the Kage no Tama, which creates a concealment spell. In order to make sure that none would ever possess such an imbalance of power, all three stones were shattered and scattered to the winds by a powerful miko named Kikyou. Now it is almost impossible to obtain one because they are incredibly valuable and rare. A single shard can increase any being's power ten times."
"What does this have to do with us having to leave?" Souta interjected impatiently.
"Patience, young one, and let me continue." The old woman reprimanded, and went on. "I believe that Kagome possesses a large shard of the Kage jewel. The Kage concealment spell hides a demon's scent, appearance, and power from all other youkai. It also will hide any who stand near, though not as well. The spell ceases when the bearer releases a surge of power strong enough that the stone's spell can no longer conceal the demon. From what you've told me, this afternoon's occurrence was more that enough to un-shield you. I fear this Naraku will be coming for you soon."
As the words left her mouth, Sango stumbled in dressed in her oversized kimono, her hair loose down her back. Smiling weakly, she rasped out, "What'd I miss?"
Kagome scolded her for getting out of bed, which Sango simply brushed off and took a seat on the floor. Then she was filled in on the day's events.
After getting over the shock of finding out about being a youkai, Sango growled, "We'd best not waste any time then. Come on, we must pack for the journey."
"Wait. If ye be leaving so soon, then ye had better take these." Kaede said, going to the basket she kept in the corner. Sango and Kagome looked on in curiosity. After a moment of rummaging, she brought out two things wrapped in cloth.
"I was going to present these on ye birthdays, but it seems that I will need to give them to ye now."
Kagome remembered that her and Sango's fifteenth birthdays were that very next week, and frowned that she had forgotten.
Kaede handed the first package to Sango, who promptly unwrapped it to reveal a small mirror. Sango picked it up and arched an eyebrow. "What do I need this for, Kaede?" she asked, her tone puzzled.
Kaede smiled. She knew Sango wasn't the kind to dwell on her looks, but the mirror had special powers. "That is no ordinary mirror, child."
Sango looked up from examining it. "What do you mean, Kaede? Does it have a spell on it?"
The old miko's eye glittered with mystery. "It is known as Annak's mirror, and used properly, it will reveal to you anything you wish to see."
Sango looked skeptically at the round piece of glass and said slowly, "How does it work?"
Kaede frowned. "Ye are going to have to find that out on your own."
Sango looked closely at the elegant engravings on the silver and crystal frame, as if they might reveal the secrets of the odd mirror. "Can you give me a clue at least?" She said, while examining the smooth back where sharp black lines cut through the crystal. What amazed her most though was that it seemed to emit a faint pulse. She could feel its energy weigh on her hand more than the mirror.
"Only that ye must look with your heart." Was Kaede's vague reply.
"Great." The young protectress muttered. "That's REALLY helpful."
Ignoring Sango's muttering, Kaede turned to Kagome and handed her a long package. Kagome guessed it was a dagger by the shape of the bundle, and was disappointed at the thought. She did not really want a weapon. She felt through the cloth, and was surprised that it was not the thin, flat shape of a knife, but something round.
She fully unwrapped it to reveal a flute.
Kagome carefully lifted it in her hands and her eyes widened when she barely felt it press against her skin. "Kaede?" Kagome questioned. The old miko had taught her to play the flute, but this was so much different. Besides it being so light, it had an aura, like it was alive or something. She marveled at the elaborate carvings along its length that swirled in an almost mesmerizing pattern.
"Take care of it, child." Kaede said quietly. "Its power will be as important to ye as Sango's mirror."
Kagome was curious. 'What could a flute do besides make pretty sounds?' she wondered.
Kaede answered her unspoken question. "It brings submission. The flute can charm any listener to do what the musician wishes when used with the purpose on the musician's mind, but ye must have control of thy emotions to use the flute's power, or it will use ye. Now Sango, let me have a look at thy sheath." Kaede held out a withered hand. The young protectress looked at her curiously, unsheathed her sword, and handed the scabbard to her. The old woman held it in aged hands and began chanting a spell.
The black wood slowly began to glow a misty gray, and the old woman held out her hand to both the girls for their gifts. She first placed the flute against the sheath, and to the girl's surprise, it seemed to melt into the wood, and then there was a lacquered picture of a flute on the smooth ebony surface. She did the same with the mirror and the same thing happened. "For safety and easy storage." She said, handing it back to the confused protectress. "Now it can't be stolen, only lost, and if it's lost, a beam of light shoots to the sky from it when you call its name, Kakunou (storage) on a moonless night."
Sango carefully took it back and sheathed her sword.
Souta, who'd been sitting quietly this entire time, spoke up. "Hey! Don't I get a present?"
"Ye are of much too young an age to receive your gift. When it is time, I shall give it to you." Kaede said tartly.
"Hmm." Souta pouted.
"Kaede, do you know if and when we can come back?" Sango asked quietly.
"I am not sure, but it might be for many years yet. It might be best if ye took everything with ye."
Sango nodded. Suddenly, her cat-youkai senses picked up the sound of rustling grass behind one wall. Bristling, she said in a low voice, "Something's outside."
Kagome sniffed at the air, and carefully shifted her weight from her knees to her feet. "I smell it. There are fifteen, and definitely not friendly." She said after a sniff of the leftover blood on their weapons. Youkai blood.
"Kaede" Kagome said in a low voice, "I need you to take Souta into the woods to hide until we come to get you."
Kaede nodded in agreement, and firmly grasped Souta's hand and moved to the doorway where she lifted her bow and quiver from their places on the wall. Kagome and Sango rose to their feet and moved to the corners of the back wall.
There was a soft thump, then something crashed through the wall they guarded; chunks of wall flying everywhere. All inside ducked for cover, arms over their heads to protect themselves from the jagged projectiles.
The dust cleared to reveal a gang of rat youkai. Kagome and Sango rose from the floor to fighting stances and watched as a particularly greasy one, presumably the leader, stepped forward.
"Kagome and Souta Higurashi," it sneered, "you are sentenced to death by the Eastern crown." And with a snap of his fingers, the youkai charged.
Sango surprised them from the side, her katana drawn. Kagome backed up to where Souta and Kaede were, using her miko power to disintegrate any who came into her line of sight.
She and Sango proceeded to wreak havoc on the enemy's ranks, until one got by Kagome's defenses and targeted Souta.
It reached out to grab the boy, and screamed in pain as it looked over it's shoulder to see a sword embedded deep in it's back, and the rapidly reddening eyes of its owner.
'How dare he', was the only thought that raged through Kagome's mind as her hair streaked the color of fresh blood and her claws lengthened to deadly points. 'How dare they come and attack us, the heirs of the Eastern Lands?'
The placid concentration needed to perform miko spells was gone, and all that was left was her untrained demon rage.
With a blood-chilling cry exploding from her throat, Kagome leaped over a group of 5 youkai where the rat leader was frantically screaming somewhat ineffective orders to attack. The five youkai gazed up in paralyzed terror at the beautiful, enraged demoness, and at the 10-inch long claws that seemed to glow with some sort of blue power.
Kagome slashed down on two of them, slicing through the steel spear handles raised in defense; they died instantly. She turned to the other three, not noticing Sango gaping in amazement at the merciless killer her cheerful, innocent friend had become. Kaede and Souta had long gone, Sango warding off any that might try to follow them.
With a fierce cry of victory, the battle-crazed priestess easily took out the last three, and turned her attention to the trembling rat leader. Se noticed out of the corner of her eye that Sango had been knocked to the ground, a nasty bruise already forming on the side of her head.
Kagome grabbed up a discarded katana from the wood floor, and hurled it at the two attackers, killing both, but in the process, exposing her back to her opponent.
Her superior senses picked up the rat youkai's movements behind her a second too late, and she was knocked to the floor, courtesy of the heavy club in rat-boy's claw.
At the last moment before unconsciousness, a streak of silver and then a cry of pain reached her mind before she fell into darkness.
~~~!~~~!*The Eastern Castle: Private chamber*!~~~!~~~
The room was dark, the crescent moon the only source of light. A shadowed figure sat behind a shoji screen, from behind which a sinister voice came. "Kagura, did you sense that surge of power?" it said. "She has awakened."
A woman in heavily embroidered kimono answered. "Yes, Lord Naraku." The wind demon replied. "What would you have me do?"
"Send the first assassin team. Also, send the miko and the hanyou with the second and third legion to the Western Lands."
"As you wish, master." Came the reply. There was a pause. "Master?"
"Why have you not left yet, Kagura?" The hanyou's darkly handsome face had a ghostly look to it in the dim light.
Kagura took in a deep breath, preparing to ask for something she'd only recently had the courage to ask for. "What about my sister? Our agreement was for six years, and might I remind you that the end is in a week?"
Her reply was cool and amused. "And what will you do if I don't keep to the bargain?"
Kagura was quiet. She hadn't thought of that, and she seethed with hatred at his casual words. 'How could he do this? After all these years of loyal service, he was going to go back on his word?' she grimaced. 'I should've known.' The familiar hatred began to fire her blood, and she struggled to keep it in. "I don't know." She finally replied, and with that she quickly turned and walked out of the room, a single tear coursing down her cheek.
~*~ ~* ~ *~ ~* ~ ~* ~ * ~ ~ * ~
AN: *sweatdrops* I know it doesn't make a lot of sense now, but bear with me! It'll be more understandable soon enough. I promise. *crosses fingers* ^_~
Read and Review!!! Please? *looks up with huge, anime-style watery eyes*
Inu Reikon: Thanks for being my first reviewer!*grins* I'm glad you like it so far *is flattered at the compliment*, and I hope you liked this chapter too!
Suki1: Thanks! *beams happily* btw, I'm reading your story and I'm absolutely LOVING it! I'm only on like, the fifth chapter, but I can hardly put, er, click it down! lol
Lilly pateal: I hope I do not disappoint, thanks for reviewing! ^_^
Rushyuo: *sweatdrops* Sorry it didn't make that much sense, I hope this chapter cleared some things up though! Heee!!!
Read and Review!!! Please? *looks up with huge, anime-style watery eyes*
