The Celestial Tiger's Notes: Tons of notes this time. I want to start by apologizing for not updating in such a long time. Not only have I had my attention split between writing and building a website, it turns out that the viral infection I mentioned before wasn't actually a viral infection but rather gallbladder problems. I'm feeling ill off and on and it's making it very hard to keep up with all of my creative ventures. I'm sure a report on my health is of little concern because none of you know me at all but I just wanted to explain why chapters are taking so long and to assure everyone that I haven't put this story on the shelf. It's just very slow-going for the time being. Now on to business.
I went back and reformatted all of the previous chapters and made a few grammatical corrections and occasional minor alterations to wording. As I've said before, I'm somewhat obsessive/compulsive and it was driving me crazy so I fixed it.
I was asked more than once about pairings. Since I am trying to maintain the feel and flow of the actual shows, the pairings are conventional: Yusuke/Keiko, Inuyasha/Kagome, Miroku/Sango, etc. The pairings in the story aren't really its focus, but since I do deal with relationships on all levels, there will, of course, be a fair amount of romantic exploration. In addition, there will be some character attractions that will naturally be formed and possibly experimented with to add to either humor or angst, but no pairings will be permanently formed that supersede the conventional ones.
Despite the fact that I haven't seen that far into the show, I researched enough to know that Yusuke has dormant demon blood in him. This will be alluded to but not dealt with since that part of him hasn't been unlocked yet as this story takes place well before those events. Therefore, it's not something that can be readily sensed... it just gives him an unidentifiable difference. I knew that things would seem amiss if I didn't address this issue in some form.
Another self-promotion alert! I have a new Kurama-centric Yu Yu Hakusho fic up entitled, "The Lessons of Humanity." It's a story about what it was like for Youko Kurama to become human. In essence, it's my take on Kurama's childhood and the war between his human and demon spirits. What exactly did he do to cause his mother such a horrible illness? That's what I address. It's going to be a very angsty story.
I also have a couple of miscellaneous one-shots that you can check out through my profile. They're short and humorous and worth reading.
Last thing, I promise!
A gigantic thanks to all of you who read and review! Your feedback and opinions are very much valued and appreciated and I'm thrilled that you like this story! One little request...if you can, please say more than just 'update soon' when you review. This isn't a complaint, just a respectful request. I like tangible feedback. Tell me a part that you liked or didn't like, or maybe some humor that made you laugh...anything will do. I just want to get a feel for what appeals to my readers the most so that I know what to use and what to avoid in future chapters. Thankee muchly! I'll shut up now, since I've been blah-blahing far too long.
Chapter 8: Down the Well...With Passengers
Kagome was a whirlwind as she frantically stuffed her backpack to the brim with supplies and school books. She couldn't help but be anxious about leaving on such short notice, but she didn't have a choice. Everyone was waiting for her.
She wasn't even sure that everything had properly sunk in yet. She was about to take a group of very peculiar strangers back to the past with her. What would her friends there think? How could she explain this to them? It was complicated enough even for her. How would Inuyasha even begin to comprehend this?
Inuyasha...Lord Koenma had mentioned a banishment of demons from this world that presumably took place somewhere between the time she was traveling back to and the present. That was why she never saw any demons in her time. But...did that include Inuyasha? Shippou? Kirara? They were demons. Were they banished to some place when that happened?
Kagome paused for a moment and sat down heavily on her bed. She couldn't imagine her friends being ripped away from the only world they had ever known and sent to some horrible place. They shouldn't suffer the same fate as all of the bad demons...they were trying to save humanity!
Kagome took a deep breath and resolved to speak with Lord Koenma about all of this later. If he had any decency at all, he would understand. But for now, the matter at hand was winning the battle. All of this would be moot if they didn't secure a victory first.
One last glance around the room assured Kagome that she was as prepared as she could be under the circumstances. She sighed and rose from her bed, hefting her backpack with more than a little effort. After stumbling and teetering and then experimenting with various tactics to keep her balance while walking, Kagome finally found one that worked and made her way precariously downstairs and out to the shrine. She found everyone waiting for her and took a deep breath as she joined them by the well.
Everyone looked a bit on edge. Yusuke peered down into the well, an uncertain expression on his face. "Um...is this gonna hurt or feel freaky or anything?"
Kagome smirked slightly. "No...just a little tingly...and you feel like you're weightless for a moment." A thoughtful expression then came over her face. "You know...I just thought of something. Up until now, not just anybody's been able to pass through the well. I don't even know if it'll let you guys through."
Koenma appeared unconcerned. "Those of us from Spirit World can open gateways and portals unaided. If it becomes necessary, either Botan or myself can activate it. However, I'd like you to give it a try first."
Kagome nodded and turned to everyone else. "Well...I suppose the best way to test is for someone to get in with me and see what happens."
Without hesitation, Genkai stepped forward. "I'll go first." With an effortless leap, she jumped over the ledge of the well and landed a second later on the well floor. Kagome climbed down into the well next to Genkai, huffing heavily from the weight of her bag. As soon as she touched down, unnatural light rose up around them and when it dissipated, a late afternoon sky hung above them and the songs of a forest filled their ears.
Genkai looked up and smiled slightly. "It seems to have worked."
Kagome grinned. "Welcome to the Warring States Era. Thank you for choosing Sacred Well Transportation Services!" Then she thought about how inane that must have sounded and internally reprimanded herself. Here she was standing with the most renowned spiritual woman in the world and she was making silly jokes!
To Kagome's surprise, however, Genkai smirked. "Since this is a one-way ticket for now," she said genially, "...I'll stay here while you go back for everyone else." She then leapt out of the well with the same ease that she had leapt in.
Kagome stood in awe for a moment. 'She actually joked with me! She's even cooler than I thought she'd be!' she thought giddily. She could still hardly believe that she was getting a chance to share an adventure with the Genkai. No matter what else came out of all of this, just being around Genkai was an honor that she'd cherish for the rest of her life.
She got so wrapped up in admiration that she nearly forgot she had more to do. After a moment, she looked around and realized that she was still just standing there. She wiped the dreamy look off of her face and returned her attention to the matter at hand, traveling back to her own time and the people still waiting there.
"Hey! Hello? Anybody down there?" Yusuke'sshouts fell to her ears the moment she reappeared.
"Yes! I'm back! It worked!" Kagome replied. "Genkai's waiting on the other side!"
Koenma then stepped forward and made a shooing gesture. "Ok...let's keep it moving then!"
"It'd be a little tight, but I could probably take two people at once!" Kagome shouted upward.
Kuwabara stepped forward and assumed an ostentatious stance. "I, Kazuma Kuwabara, will be the next to travel through time!" he announced pompously.
Yusuke cut his eyes at him. "Not before I do, moron!" Then both of them grabbed their belongings and clambered down into the well simultaneously.
"Hey!" Kagome protested as she dodged both boys who were racing to beat each other to the well floor. "It's too tight down here for you two to be pushing like that! Stop it! Cut it out!" Her rants continued even after the well transported them back in time.
Genkai saw the light that signified Kagome's return but then heard the sudden accompanying clamor. It only took her a second to realize who Kagome must be yelling at and she leaned over the edge, scowling forbiddingly at Yusuke and Kuwabara. "You two! Get your asses up here right now and stop farting around!"
Kagome was more than grateful when Yusuke and Kuwabara climbed out of the well, a great deal less rambunctious than they had been. As she began to travel back, she caught the beginnings of Genkai's lecture to the boys and smiled. 'Serves them right!' she thought to herself.
When she was back in her time once again, she sighed, grateful that her subsequent passengers were more docile. "Next!" she called upward.
Keiko looked back at Kurama and Hiei but Kurama gestured for her to go. "We'll wait for the last trip," he said with a smile. Keiko nodded and climbed down into the well and the strange light rose up once again.
After a minute or so of silence, Kagome's voice returned again. "Ok! All aboard for the last trip to Feudal Japan!"
"Good luck," Botan waved to Kurama and Hiei. "I'll see you guys later."
"And be careful," Koenma added. Kurama nodded and then he and Hiei leapt gracefully into the well beside Kagome.
Souta ran over to the ledge of the well and peered in. "Bye, Sis!" he called down. "Take care!"
"Bye Souta! Bye Mom! Bye Grandfather!" Kagome called back. "I love you and I'll see you later!"
"We love you too, Kagome!" her mother replied.
Hiei narrowed his eyes impatiently but before he could voice his irritation, light rose up around them and they were engulfed in the temporal transition.
When they reappeared, they heard the voices of everyone else above them and looked up to see the open sky. "Incredible," remarked Kurama.
Hiei, however, huffed softly. "Let's get on with it," he snapped and leapt out.
Kagome turned to Kurama. "Is he always like that?" she asked quietly.
Kurama smiled slightly. "Don't worry. It isn't you. Hiei acts that way to everyone."
Kagome nodded. "I see." She then looked up and slumped wearily at the thought of having to climb out with her backpack.
Kurama realized what was on her mind and smiled elegantly. "May I save you the trouble of climbing out of here? First, let me take that." He extended his arm to receive her bag.
Kagome beamed appreciatively at him. "Oh! Thank you!" she said in relief as she handed him her backpack. She watched in surprise as he put it on his back, not seeming the least affected by the weight.
Kurama then picked up his own suitcase with his left hand while extending his right arm to Kagome. "Hold on to me," he instructed.
Kagome blushed ever so slightly as she pressed up against Kurama's side and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt a little thrill run down her spine when he closed his right arm around her.
It wasn't that she liked him, but being so close to any guy felt sort of intimate in a way. Kurama was very good looking and she couldn't help but notice that he smelled good too. She decided that she could allow herself to enjoy the brief attention. After all, Inuyasha was never this polite.
Once Kurama secured his hold on her, he leapt out of the well, landing gracefully on the surface and setting her down gently. He refused to surrender her backpack, assuring her that he would carry it. Kagome thanked him again, unable to prevent the blush that tinted her cheeks when he smiled sweetly in return.
Because everyone was watching, however, Kagome straightened immediately into her all-business demeanor. She cleared her throat and then walked into the center of the group. "Ok!" she said authoritatively. "The first thing we should do is head to Kaede's village. She's a local priestess and a friend. My other friends should be there too."
Everyone nodded in agreement and they began to follow Kagome toward the village. Very quickly, however, Kurama detoured just like he had when they had first arrived at the Higurashi Shrine. "The tree..." he uttered, heading toward the same tree he had seen in the present.
Kagome noticed what he was referring to and nodded. "That's the Sacred Tree and there's quite a bit of story to be told about it."
Kurama smiled. "I would very much like to hear those stories some time," he replied. "It is a rare tree, indeed...ancient and powerful."
Kagome looked at him in confusion. "How did you know that? Most people think it's just a plain old tree unless you tell them about it."
Yusuke grinned. "Kurama's got a knack for plants, to put it mildly."
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "That's some knack! I have a feeling that getting to know all you guys is going to be interesting."
"Interesting probably doesn't begin to describe it," Keiko remarked with a smirk.
Kagome smiled and then began to walk again. "Come on...the village is close-by." With that, they all resumed their trek toward the village.
---
Inuyasha sat up in a tree, staring off toward the horizon. His thoughts kept returning to Kagome. He had been consumed by her absence and had grumped around ever since the night of their argument, masking his misery with aggression. He regretted what he had done and he missed her greatly, but he'd never admit to either.
Miroku, Sango and Shippou were sitting outside as well, very near to the tree that Inuyasha was in. They were chatting lightly, casting occasional glances at Inuyasha and sharing meaningful looks with each other in agreement that he wasn't fooling anyone.
Inuyasha sighed loudly in exasperation and crossed his arms.
"Come off it, Inuyasha," called Shippou playfully. "Stop moping after Kagome and go apologize!"
"Hn!" scoffed Inuyasha as he turned his back to all of them. "Apologize for what?"
"For whatever you did to Kagome. It's obvious that you two fought, for you to come back in such a rampage," replied Sango in a casual tone that annoyed Inuyasha even further.
"Yes," agreed Miroku. "You only storm around like this when you and Kagome have had a fight...not to mention the fact that you returned with food. I'd venture to say that you wouldn't have needed to bring it with you if all had been well."
"Shut up!" growled Inuyasha. "Will all of you just get the hell off my back!" He missed the exchange of smirks that took place between them.
After a moment, however, Inuyasha suddenly became tense, sniffing the air as his body posture reflected complete alertness.
"What's wrong, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked, rising immediately.
"Kagome's back," growled Inuyasha. "...and she's not alone. I smell a demon."
Additional notes: I know! The chapter was short and it was terrible of me to end on a cliffhanger. But trust me, if I hadn't posted this much, the wait for a new chapter would have been even longer. I'll try to get the next one up a little quicker. Thank you for bearing with me. Long-term illness really sucks!