Author's Notes: So I was planning to throw this story away for quite some time now, it seems that my Inuyahsa faze has passed and now I'm more into other ships and other shows but to my surprise there has been a lot of readers who wished I would update. Luckily, I can say that I have the whole story in planned out and that it is merely a matter of writing that keeps me from finishing. However, it is summer now, and since I have nothing else to do besides homework and listening to my little brother yell at the video games he likes to play and watching him drool over the Video Game Vixens of the Year, I've decided that I'm going to not only try to once again start the story but finish it as well. That's defiantly not a promise. But I'm hoping that with this story done I can start with some of the other plot bunnies that have running rampant in my head, not to mention that everything I write might get eaten by the real bunny I have running rampant in my room. That's not an excuse so I will at least try to continue.
Disclaimer: is that I do not own Inuyasha and blah blah blah… I think you know the rest. If you don't I doubt that you actually care.
Previously on Miko Soul and Demon Heart: Kagome is kidnapped for ransom and remains in a cell until her mother comes to rescue her but dies in the attempt. Kagome is devastated by the loss and has vowed revenge. If you want more…go back and read.
Kagome sat up and cleared her head when she heard the roster's call of the coming morning. She figured she had an hour or so before her training with her master began. Best if I take a bath first, hopefully the cleansing of her body would help the cleansing of her mind. Or something to the same extent. I'm beginning to sound like the master and Lady Kaede. The former was also her teacher but instead of teaching her the art of fighting, she taught the art of healing.
Kagome gathered her few belongings she had within the village and ventured to the center of town where the town bath was located. A few mothers had their newborns when she entered. It was convenient for mothers to wash their babes while they were still resting, and before the crowd came into awaked the sleeping children. Kagome quietly disrobed herself, respecting the mothers' right to be there, and slipped into the water.
"Surprise, surprise. Look who's here." Kagome grinned up at her training partner and best friend in the village. In fact, her best friend that was not a youkai. Another teen with black hair bound up in a ponytail, joined the girl. Sango nodded her head in greeting towards the mothers before turning to her friend again. "It is not a surprise I should find you here."
"But it is to see you here, Sango. Finally decided that you should relax in the morning instead of warming up?" Kagome was lathering herself up with soaps that were placed in the bathhouse. She smiled and tossed it over to Sango who caught it easily.
"Of course not, I came because I wanted to see you." A look over concern washed over the girl. "You had your nightmare last night, didn't you?"
Kagome smiled, hoping to reassure her friend, and turned away, "Now why would you say that?"
"Because you weren't snoring." Kagome gasped and splashed water at her friend, "I do NOT snore."
Sango rolled her eyes, "Why didn't you go to Masa or Lady Kaede? They're supposed to help you."
"I know but it's been so long since I've had it and even longer since when it actually happened. It was simply a shock for it to come back all of a sudden." Kagome wrapped her arms around herself. Sango did the same and hug her tightly. "You can always come to me."
"I know, Sango. Thanks."
"Come on, let's get going before my dad gives another lecture on how a warrior should never be late to training."
They had both groaned when had heard that they were to go hunting for the day. "But, Father, that it training for young ones new to battle."
Sango had tried to her friend and herself out of such a humiliating task, but her father was a stubborn man and, as the head of the village, he had plenty of authority to support that. "It is attitude like that that makes me think if either of you truly wish to finish learning."
Kagome tried her luck, "That is not what Sango meant, Master. It's just that we are not used to doing chores for our training."
"The young warriors are advancing in their training and the villagers are already at work. I thought that you two would not mind taking the burden of the village and helping others." The two girls sighed and went to gather the hunting gear. Sango knew when not to test her father's patience. Kagome knew, that besides her escort and teacher from the palace, she was the only demon in the entire village. This was not normal considering that it was a taijiya village, and knew not to push her luck.
There was a five mile radius that the hunters usually chose to look for prey. Both Sango and Kagome knew the land well from their early days of training. So they stalked through the well-known terrain and set up a temporary camp to keep any goods that they found. They started in the same direction, talking about the unfairness of it all. Surly, trainees as skilled as themselves should not have to do such demeaning tasks. "Well," Kagome began, "Like Masa always says, 'A good lord knows when to royal and when to be a peasant.'"
"Yes, but you're the princess and the lion is not my teacher."
Kagome smiled and shrugged, "You forgot old. Masa is an old lion youkai that is not your teacher."
"No respect for the elders. We should split up, we'll never catch anything if we keep talking."
They headed in different directions. Occasionally one or the other would venture back to the camp to deliver meat or edible plants. The afternoon passed with a dull slowness and Kagome thought that she would rather be in her lessons with Masa then hunting right now. She began to laugh at that, wishing Sango was there to listen to her insanity.
It seemed as if her wish was going to be answered for, moments later, she heard footsteps heading her way. She turned and waiting for the other and was surprised to see instead a young male who was known in the village to deliver messages the fastest. He looked up at her with worry, "The village has been attacked. The lord wishes to speak of you." But before Kagome sped away she asked the man if everyone had come out alive. He only said that this has been the worst attack yet. The village has been under attack more than usual lately. Of course, there were always youkai wishing for revenge and bandits trying to raid, but in the recent attacks, youkais and ningens alike seem to have been going after one thing. Unfortunately, no one Sango or Kagome talked to knew what they were after.
She raced the five miles at her fastest pace not even breaking a sweat or wasting her energy. She stopped in front of the gate that was the only entrance to the village, unless you scaled the walls or broke them down. She called up to one of the guards who recognized her and instantly opened the gate. She raced inside and looked around.
She wasn't happy by what she saw. Some of the villagers lay injured and many were dead. Though she was satisfied to see that most were up and walking and the village was still intact, and it looked as if the enemy had been completely eradicated.
She saw a small boy of about eleven ran up to her, "Kagome, Father wants to see you."
She turned to Sango's younger brother, "So I've heard but he can wait. How is everything out here. Enough herbs? Do you need any help? Where's Sango?"
Kohaku smiled; Kagome and Masa were the only demons to step in the village and walk back out in one piece. He had to admit that these demons were unlike any he's seen and he has grown attached to both. "Where fine out here, everything is under control, or as controlled as it can be after an attack. And Sango is with my father, I think."
Kagome smiled sadly, "Understood. If you could point me in the right direction."
Kohaku nodded and pointed to one of the houses, then went off to help the wounded. It was then that Kagome noticed Kohaku's shoulder which had been cut obviously from a lower class demon.
'If they're allowing him to fight then things must be getting worse.' Kagome made her way through the mess, stopping at times to give out advice or help someone. All of the villagers happily accepted her help, for they all respected her even if she was a demon.
She stopped hesitantly at the door before entering. The inside looked like a shrine but the outside was fortified like all the other buildings. She could see Sango and her father standing near what looked like a glowing round stone. Kagome stepped closer to see it better. The stone was emanating a powerful, purplish-pink energy, and was so small that her whole hand could cover it.
Kagome stepped forward again, somewhat intrigued by the little jewel. She then stopped remembering her place in the village. She wasn't the Great Lord's daughter inside these walls but a lowly demon who, if took a wrong move, could be dead in less than a minute, if she was a weak demon. But even Kagome couldn't take on a whole village by herself, even if it was full of humans.
So she stopped and bowed to the lord she spoke to only hours ago and gave Sango a friendly smile, which she returned. She noticed something different in the man's eyes. They usually held caution, as if he could never trust his own apprentice, but those eyes now held only the highest respect.
Kagome bowed again, "My lord if I knew that there was an attack I would have come sooner. But I had no knowledge until the messenger was sent to find me."
The man nodded his head, "I know that you, both of you, would have helped. But you may help the village even more if you accept what I have to offer."
He carefully took out the jewel that had held Kagome's curiosity. She scolded herself and made sure that her intrigue didn't get her into too much trouble, 'Remember, Kagome, curiosity killed the neko, and you ARE a neko youkai after all.' She turned her attention fully to the lord who was holding the jewel.
"This," he began. "is the notorious Shikon Jewel. I'm sure your already aware that it can grant any wish, but at a price. However you may not know that this Jewel was created by the Lady, though no one is exactly sure why, who ruled the North lands so long ago. She was a powerful miko who had gained the respect of everyone. When she died many evil ningens and youkais got a hold on it, but when a member of this village exterminated one of the youkais, the responsibility to protect it rested on our shoulders. However, as you can see we are now unable to protect the jewel as well as protect our home. Too many have come in search of this jewel, and each group has been more powerful than the last."
Kagome looked at the man confused, "Excuse me, sir, but what does any of this have to do with me?"
His hold on the jewel tightened and he walked up to her, took her hand and gently placed the jewel on her palm. Kagome instinctively closed her fist, firmly holding the jewel in place.
"I want you be the Shikon Jewel's protector, you are strong as a youkai, wise and powerful as a miko, but you are kinder than any I have met and you place yourself after others. You might be the only person who can guard the jewel safely without tainting it. Will you accept my offer?"
Kagome carefully studied the man before then the jewel that lay in her now opened palm. This was just going to be another responsibility that would hang over her. She remembered all the people who were killed and the buildings that were destroyed in the village. She also recalled the cut on Kohaku, and how he reminded her of Souta. That was more than enough to accept this new burden.
"Of course I'll say yes to your offer. If it means that the village will be safer than I readily take the Shikon no Tama. And I swear on my life that I will never use this power for evil or let evil take it away from me."
Sango smiled at her friend who was now the protector of the Shikon Jewel. Her father thanking Kagome, just nodded.
Kagome decided the next day, after her lessons with Masa, she would pay a visit to Lady Kaede. The village that she protected was near the palace, a good eight miles away from her current residence. She talked with her Master to see if he would her allow her to leave village. She was under his teachings, therefore, under his ruling. What he said was what was done.
Of course, it wouldn't be a problem…that is if she made up for the training she was going to miss. She thought a moment. Let's say half a day's for travel, the next is spent with Lady Kaede. I'll need to visit my family…so that might be two or three days and the travel back. There was a pause in her thinking before she sighed, she would be making up for five days, six is she was slow. However, she agreed to the terms and set off right after Masa let her leave the comforts of his lecturing room.
She was right in her calculations, and she arrived near the village around dawn. When she arrived a few villagers fled at the sight of her. She was, after all, one of the most powerful youkais in the Eastern realm.
More however just went about their business but they too were wary when she approached. Kagome sighed; this isn't what she wanted. She didn't want to be feared by any humans, only by evil men and wicked youkais. But that wasn't how it happened; any one who knew her held either fear or respect for her, most times it was both.
She ignored the villagers and made her way to Kaede's hut, which was near the shrine in the village. Kagome saw Kaede gathering some herbs from her garden. She walked up to the huddled lady.
"When will you stop with the herbs, Lady Kaede? I would think by now that you would have enough to choke several horses."
The old lady just kept on tending to her garden, "When will ye learn, young one, 'tis not the only village around these parts with ill-stricken villagers." Kagome smiled, this lady had been the person to teach Kagome patience. 'The gods know that she has enough of that and she when she wants to she can be as stubborn as a jack…'
"Now child, what was it that ye came to me for," replied the old lady, standing up with a bunch of herbs gathered in her arms, "Hopefully it just wasn't to bother me about my herbs, now was it."
Kagome followed as Kaede walked into her hut, "No it's much more important than that. You know I wouldn't waste what precious time you have."
Kaede looked up for her herbs that she was sorting, and raised an eyebrow, "Oh come on," Kagome exclaimed, "I know you have better things to do than to baby-sit a princess." Kaede laughed and went back to her herbs.
"Actually I came on very important business," at this Kaede looked up at her once again. Kagome opened her clenched fist, her knuckles had started to turn white because she was holding it so hard. She could see Lady Kaede's eyes widen in surprise. "The responsibility for the Shikon Jewel rests on my shoulders. The taijiya's village couldn't protect it any more. So they gave me the job"
"I see, and how do ye expect me to help. I am but a protector of this village who is getting on in years."
Kagome nodded her head, "I know that, but you also trained me and you are a miko after all. I need a spell that will that can bind the jewel to me." the old miko looked up, a bit confused. Kagome rethought her statement.
"All right you know since any and every evil thing that has heard of the jewel most likely wants it for themselves? Well, the word is going to get around that the village isn't protecting it any more. As soon they figure out that only one person is going to protect it than many will try to steal it. What I'm thinking will happen is that one of them will try to get me unconscious than just take the jewel right off my neck and be off with it. I need a spell or something to prevent that from happening."
Kagome knew she had finally explained herself clearly enough because when she finished Kaede got up and left through the doorway leading to the back of the hut. She reentered the room a little while latter with something dangling from her hand. It was a necklace of prayer breads.
The beads were small like pearls and there were spaces between them, and they were pink but didn't have that purple hue like the jewel. Kagome handed the jewel to Kaede who attached it to the necklace.
She then turned back to Kagome, "I need to gather some of your energy."
Kagome nodded, closed her eyes and concentrated on her energy while Kaede strung it among the beads. When she was finished, they necklace was glowing bluish-pink from the energy of the Shikon Jewel and Kagome's own spirit energy. Kagome took the necklace from Kaede and placed it around her neck.
Kaede looked at Kagome, "The necklace will not move from your neck unless you wish it to or unless your powers are drained."
Kagome thought carefully about when any of those things might happened, "Ok, since I promised I would always protect the jewel than I won't allow it to be removed so the only other thing is if I'm wiped out in a battle or someone or thing has been able to kill me."
Kaede nodded her head. Kagome smiled, "So all I need to do it avoid getting killed or defeated in battle. How hard could that be? Besides I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to attack me." Kaede gave her a wary look but escorted her to the front and bided her a good-bye.
It was barely two days after Kagome became the Shikon's protector that a pact if hyenas decided to pay her a visit. They began to attack the palace, but when they started ranting for the Shikon Jewel Kagome made her way out of the castle to an open meadow that was some ways away. Of course there were plenty of areas to battle that were closer to the castle but Kagome was in the mood for a good run and she knew that the run would tire the hyenas out.
So leading the hyenas far away from the castle wasn't only tactically practical but it was also for her own amusement. Defeating the pack was pretty easy once Kagome figured out that there was only one real hyena and the rest were basically illusionary copies that could hide the real hyena. Kagome might have been seriously hurt, that is if she didn't realize that the real hyena demon had black pupils while all the others had red. She left the battlefield pretty much unscathed except for one or two minor bruises.
What was bothering Kagome while taking her time to get back to her home was something the demon had said. It was near the end of the battle and Kagome had landed a serious blow to the hyena's side. It was lying on the ground panting for air. Kagome walked up to it and picked it up with her tail around its throat. She asked it why it came after the jewel.
The hyena started laughing hysterically in a high-pitched bark that hurt Kagome's sensitive ears. Through the barking she could hear the dying dog say something like "I came after the jewel for my master. My master wanted the Shikon so my master ordered me to retrieve it. But don't think that because I die no more will come. Oh, no. My master controls many, and the best thing is that you can't stop my master."
The laughing then again started, but Kagome quickly ended the hyena's life and then left it in the field. Now walking back to her home she wondering if the hyena was bluffing about the whole master thing in hopes of mercy. But Kagome was not only known for her strength as a demon, a female demon at that, but also the kindness and mercy she gave. But most didn't realize that her mercy was only reserved for those who deserved it.
Kagome sighed, I don't think the stupid dog was faking it. Something didn't seem right about he was willing to give up his life. And he never gave any hint to who his 'master' might be. Not even a he or she. If he was making the whole thing up then he most likely would have blamed it on someone else in order to save his own life.
Also there-there was something about his eyes. They seemed almost devoid of any thought. But what am I thinking? I'm probably just being paranoid…still I should be more careful in case is this 'master' is real.
A few weeks passed and during that time several large groups of demons have tried to invade the Eastern boarders. The groups usually consisted of lower class demons who were lead by one powerful demon. Though the attacks were unusual, they were never considered any threat and were easily taken care of by Lord Higurashi's soldiers. But as the weeks passed the attacks became bolder and were consisting of more youkais, powerful or not. It was around this time Lord Higurashi called Kagome back to the palace.
"You've trained enough under the taijiya master. It is time for you to come home where it is safe. It is where you belong." So she went, continued training by herself, with frequent visits from Sango, and continued to learn under Masa. Despite the attacks that still continued.
One particular invasion had worried Kagome. One of the lesser lords that watched over the western border had sent a messenger to the great lord of the Eastern land who was under attack by a large group of demons. Lord Higurashi immediately sent out troops but when they came back, more than half were severely injured and a third of the group were dead. The ones who came back had reported that enemy group had kept calling for their 'master', but they never gave a single clue to whom it was.
Lord Higurashi was perturbed by this news, just as Kagome was. The attacks had always came from the South, West, or North-Western borders, but what was peculiar was that none had come from the North lands. Kagome and Lord Higurashi were conversing in the main study when they decided that it was time to take action. Lord Higurashi had sent two messengers on an errand; one to Lord Sakamoto, requesting that he join the two noble neko youkais at their home, and one to the Western lord, asking for the same thing.
A week after the messengers went out Lord Sakamoto and Shippo arrived at the palace. Both didn't look any better than Kagome or her father, who had spent restless nights trying to figure out what was going on. Kagome was out in the courtyard to greet the two kitsunes. Lord Sakamoto had looked like he aged a couple decades, while Shippo had dark circles under his eyes and a fatigue etched face showing that he too hadn't had much sleep.
Kagome walked up to Lord Sakamoto, and hugged him hello. This wasn't a big deal at all considering how close the two families were. She than turned to Shippo and also gave him a hug.
"It's been two months and you look like shit Shippo, what do you do when you don't see me?"
Shippo smiled, but instead yawned, "I usually get peace and quite, but some strange things have been happening."
Kagome looked towards the older lord, and he in turn nodded, "Peculiar. Well, I think that before anything gets done that you two should get some food in your tummies, and a nap to rest your weary eyes. Come on."
Shippo and Lord Sakamoto smiled at her as she lead them to two of the many guest rooms and ordered the servants to bring them what ever they needed. She then ordered the two to get some rest before they fall down from exhaustion. Both happily complied. Kagome then went in search for her father to see if the messenger they sent to the Western lands had come back yet.
She found him in his private study, looking over maps of the all the lands. She knocked softly before entering, and sitting before her father. He still was looking over the maps marking all the areas where invasions have taken place. Kagome studied her father carefully and noticed that he looked even more worn than Lord Sakamoto. Fed up with waiting she stood and slammed a hand upon the desk.
"Enough," she said exasperated, "You look worse than our two guests, and sitting here hovering over these papers aren't going to help. You are to go to bed and rest, papa. You need it."
She walked behind her father and helped out of the chair and towards the door, while he was muttering excuses on why he needed to stay. "Don't worry I'll clean up, you get some rest and we'll have the meeting tomorrow, since I'm guessing that the messenger still hasn't arrived."
She ordered one of the servants to escort her father to his room and to stay there until he got enough rest. She slowly turned back to the study, and walked to the desk. The papers were scattered all over the top. She sighed and began to organize the papers, separating the maps and documents. Something caught her eye though; it was a letter addressed to her father from the lord of the Western lands.
Her father rarely talked of him, but she knew that he was a inu youkai, and a obnoxious one at that. She knew that she shouldn't be reading his personal letters but she couldn't help herself, the letter was rather old, so it must have some sort of sentimental value. She read the letter quickly:
Higurashi,
I want to tell you that I apologize for what has happened at your daughter's celebration. I don't know why I laughed at her speech, nor do many others. You have got to understand though that she is talking of unheard things. 'Joining the high and lower classes together' and 'forming a friendship between civilized youkais and ningens'. Those are big ideas coming from such a small girl. I only realize how rude I was when my son chewed me out for my behavior. Can you believe that? Me, the great lord of the Western lands getting yelled at by a boy. But he was right, and so I once again apologize for my behavior.
Do me a favor and make sure that that girl grows up strong because though what she said may seem a little unrealistic, she is what this society needs, and she will have many who oppose her. Like Asahiko, for example. He wasn't to happy about what she said but I guess it doesn't matter what he thinks, but his son, Hojo, also agrees. So just make sure that she grows up strong enough to defend herself and the ones she wishes to help. Then again maybe I shouldn't be talking, I have enough troubles raising my own two kids. But what's worse a raising two boys or a girl and boy? Oh, well, guess they can both be troublesome. Hope you don't hold a grudge but I'll understand if you do.
Sincerely,
The Great Lord of the Western lands
Inutaisho
Interesting. Maybe this Western lord isn't as bad as people think.Kagome thought to herself as she once again went about fixing her father's desk. When everything was done, she carefully picked up a map of the Western realm.
We sent out the messenger about a week ago, a least he should have been back by now. I wonder if something went wrong?But she wasn't going to think about it for she also would need some rest before the meeting tomorrow. So she placed the map back on the desk and slipped out the study and walked wearily to her room.
Author's Note: Alright, I know that this is totally different from last chapter but it's supposed to be. Don't worry I didn't skip a chapter or anything, although I'm not very happy with how this chapter turned out. It just doesn't seem to "flow" as well as the others. Anyways, her whole "darkness possessing her heart" thing might come later. And her mother isn't mentioned because, well, her mother isn't really that big of a character. There may be confusion as to why she is at Sango's village and I probably should have explained it but it really doesn't have to do with the story so I thought it unnecessary. But if you are confused: Lord Higuarashi asked a favor of Sango's father, the man would train and protect Kagome while she tried to recover from her loss by befriending Sango. It's a sentence that I couldn't seem to fit in. Maybe I'll write a chapter of how they meet but I hadn't planned on it. Also I know I didn't write Kagome's speech, so don't go and try looking for it. The main point for the crowd laughing was because she was a girl and Inutaisho's note was to go over any other possibilities and that is really all there is of the speech. The note is more or less to shift views to the west…because we all know who lives there!
So till next time
Ryuu Madoshi