It's been a while, huh? Well, here's another chapter while I have the free time. It feels so good to be back and I don't know how to act now! All the more reason to hate me when I show up once again (that's what I call motivation and keep fueling the fire).
CHAPTER 15
A Haunting Omen
"What's taking her so long? I wonder what Higurashi-san wanted to talk to Kagome about?" Said Chi. "By the look she had on her face it had to be something important."
"Whatever it is, it's obvious that it doesn't concern us." Inuyasha shrugged with a roll of his shoulders. "So it's none of our business. Don't catch a migraine worrying the situation, would you?"
Chi rolled her eyes at the half demon, slightly incensed at him for being so indifferent about things. "Why the nerve of you? At least I have enough brain to catch one... unlike someone I know who has a massive head without a brain in it."
Inuyasha rose to his feet and approached her. Despite being several inches taller than Chi, the brunette held her ground with a pout and fists balled at her hips. "Listen you, Kagome's been in there for an awful long time and whatever they are talking about inside... it's they're business. So don't be a bitch about it because it's taking longer than expected."
A scowl of contradiction appeared on the girl's face. "I'm being a bitch about this? If that's the case then being a bitch about things kept both of us alive and healthy after all the years we've know each other." Believe it or not, she had a point. Her anger simmered a bit. "Inuyasha... Kagome and I are like sisters, if I were in her shoes she'll be concerned about me, too."
After realizing the solemn expression on Chi's face, Inuyasha mentioned, "Don't you think that I'm just as worried about her as you are?"
"Well you certainly don't act like you are." She replied wryly.
"Just to let you know-- I am." He retorted. "After meeting the Higurashi's her life as she know it may be changed. Had it ever occurred to you that Kagome even looks like that woman?"
Chi gave that statement a brief thought. "Well, I did noticed some similarities between the two of them..." She admitted, prodding lightly at the beauty mark on her jugular. "So? What are you trying to get at, Inuyasha? Just because they look somewhat alike doesn't mean that they're actually related. If so, then just shoot me because fate has it's way with some people."
Inuyasha slapped his forehead. "Now I can see where you get your klutziness from..." He grounded out. "You have more Kagome in you than I originally thought."
The brunette snapped a glare at him. "Hey! What the hell was that suppose to mean?" She demanded indignantly. "Are you taking shots at me now?"
"Well you've started it really." He replied matter-of-factly. "That little crack about me having a huge head and no brain in it wasn't exactly a compliment." He folded his arms inside his sleeves. "Or haven't you already forgotten about that already?"
Her glare faded. "I'm sorry for saying that." She apologized. "It's... it's just that... that I have a feeling something about to change... a significant one at that. You know that I'm worried about Kagome, right? What if the Higurashi's really are her..."
"Hi guys!" Said Kagome as she marched up the stairs towards them at the shrine house. "I' back. Sorry it took me a long time." She gazed at the barely featured crescent moon in the darkening sky. "Our conversation took a lot out of me."
"Kagome..." Chizaki looked worried, "the Higurashi's... are they really..."
"It's highly likely," Kagome nodded. "But I can't come up to any sort of conclusion yet."
"Hey, what if they really are your kin?" Inuyasha prompt, just as concerned. "Then what would you do? Would you continue your journey of obtaining the Shikon?"
Kagome appeared downcast, looking solemn. "I shall continue the journey. If it weren't for it then I wouldn't have met you guys in the first place. Even thought it has been a little past a week, you guys are my best friends. I'm willing to go through all the tribulations with all of you."
Inuyasha nodded, satisfied with the simple answer. "Alright then it's settled, you continue to lead us into Edo." He yawned shortly. "If anyone needs me, I'll be inside and catching some sleep." He slid open the door and entered the shrine.
Chi, however, was skeptical. "Kagome... you're so strong."
Kagome gazed at the younger girl for a moment. " Little sister, may I have a word with you?" She beckoned, finding it strange that she referred to Chi as such, though they were like siblings in a sense. She sat at the edge of the shrine deck and Chi joined her. "The Higurashi's, they sure are intriguing people. Kaoru and her father told me many things..."
"So is Kaoru really your mother?" Chi asked her anxiously.
"I strongly believe it is so, Chizaki." Kagome replied to her, somewhat uncertain. "I'm eighteen-- no, nineteen comes winter, and that is a long time..." She sighed. "After all these years, I getting closer and closer to discovering my origin."
"What do you mean?"
"Chi, I'm willing to find out more and they are just the people that can help me do it." Kagome retorted. "I mean... have you ever wondered who your parents were and where you come from ? In all your seventeen years, Chi, you got to admit that you've at least thought of that once."
"Kagome, I know that I was an orphan for as long as I can remember." Chi reasoned. "Yoriko is my mother-- OUR mother. She sacrificed a lot in order to create a very town that houses us. Don't you at least consider that a blessing?"
"I do, believe me." Kagome agreed. "It's true, if it weren't for her we probably would have been long gone. And I truly appreciate everything that she has done for us."
Chi raised a brow. "But..."
"If I'm still alive after all of this..." Kagome began, "I want to return here and stay here with the Higurashi's for a while. It's just that, I have a strong feeling about all of this." She encircled her arms around the back of her thighs and hung her head, thinking. "I'm sure you understand."
"No. I don't understand." Chi contradicted.
"Chizaki, stop this. You're know that you're just being immature about this." Kagome chided lightly. "Right now there is a lot on my mind and it's taking a lot out of me to keep a straight face. After all, I'm free to pursue my ideals and lead the life that I lead."
Chi gasped. "You're planning on leaving the village for good, aren't you?" She inquired. "You're planning on doing what so many others in our village have done over the years."
"Something like that, but I plan on returning after some time." Kagome revealed. "Besides, why are you so worried about me? I remember you was very close to Masae but you didn't try to stop her when she left the village. If I'm correct, she should be twenty by now, right?"
Chi cast her eyes at the ground. "Kagome... Masae's dead." The news surprised Kagome. "When she left the village three years ago, she was murdered-- killed by her very own mother."
"... I'm sorry." Kagome apologized in shock. "I didn't know. How come I wasn't informed about the incident?"
"It was only a family matter." Chi told her, though suspicious. "Her so-called 'family' decided that many of us in the village was better off not knowing about her death. There was a funeral in which her mother didn't even attended to and she's been in hiding since. If Masae wouldn't have left she... she... probably would have been alive and happy with us."
"That's terrible." Kagome admitted. "Weren't you worried that something similar may happen if I ever leave the village?"
Chi nodded.
Kagome laid a hand on Chi's shoulder. "You was worried about me." She stated rather than inquiring. "This is all about if I were to decide to live with the Higurashi's, huh? Chi, I'm sorry for worrying you. But I am really contemplating on coming back here once we're done with our ordeal."
"What would Kikyou think if she were to find out that you may be planning on living here for a while? Or Yoriko for that matter?" Chi wondered.
"No Chi, that is not their place to say so." Kagome reasoned. "Besides, I know Kikyou probably would think it's for the better and Yoriko would respect my wishes."
"You're fading from me, Kagome." Chizaki said reluctantly. "I knew this may happen someday."
"Even if it were to be true, Chi there's still Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka back in Kofu. They're you best friends as well."
"Those three?" Chi stifled a chuckle. "Eri's the oldest out of all five of us and that heifer is so cunning yet childish sometimes. Humph, Yuka's a tomboy, and she probably can whoop both Inuyasha and Miroku's asses in a fair fight. Ayumi... that girl's brain is as big as her chest but she can be quite an airhead." They both started chuckling.
"Like us, they too, have flaws but they are your friends as well, Chi. They'll be there for you when I'm gone." Kagome explained.
"But Kagome," Chi beckoned, "they're close to me but their not like a sister to me. Not like you."
"I knew you would say that." She grinned. "Listen, no matter how adverse our journey may be I promise that we do our best to have a lot of fun out of all of this-- just like true siblings."
"Ha. I can't argue with you there." Chi agreed. The screen behind them slowly slid open.
"It looks as though you two are in the middle of an important conversation." Said Kikyou, emerging from the shrine house. Strangely enough, she was armed with her bow and quiver. "I'm sorry if I interrupted you two. Please, forgive me."
"I thought you were already asleep inside, Kikyou." Kagome pointed out.
"I was." Kikyou admitted. "I just need to go for a walk."
"What for?" Chi asked her. "And what's with the weapons?"
"I need to ward off this feeling of unease within me about this place." Kikyou answered mysteriously. "Or it could be just me. It's like I sensing a presence-- a minor one but it's looming nothing less. Can you sense it Kagome?"
"Hmm..." Kagome concentrated. "...ah... a few creatures deep in the forest but they aren't anything worth worrying about. I can get Mr. Higurashi to set up spirit wards around the perimeter if you want to. He is very knowledgeable about the holy arts."
"I'll investigate." Kikyo confirmed and ambled off for some strange motive.
"Man, Kikyou's getting worried for no reason." Chi scoffs. "She's as uptight as an Imperial Soldier."
"Just let her be. I suppose she knows what she's doing. Let go inside and get our night's worth of winks."
"Right. But I have to advise you to sleep as far away from Miroku as possible." Chi cautioned. "He gropes in his sleep."
"I'll keep that in mind." Kagome noted and went inside the shrine.
(Scenario)
"Jaken, you didn't even try to cook this piece of fish." Rin told the scaly troll. "The fire you set wasn't enough and you didn't even put any real thought into the seasoning."
Jaken looks offended, catching two additional fishes from the stream. "Oh yeah? And what do you know about cooking? You know, thirty years ago I was known all throughout this country as the Demon Chief and my slogan was 'I Can Torture You With One Hell Of A Meal '."
"Well you do have the torture part down." She slammed the fish on the ground. "Yuck!"
Sesshoumaru was not to far off away from them. He was gazing off at the distance and was being his cool self as usual. "Rin, Jaken... you have fifteen more minutes."
"Yes Milord!" Jaken croaked.
"Right, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin chirped.
Sesshoumaru resumed his survey of his surroundings, suddenly sensing a presence. 'That scent, could it be that she's still following me?' He wondered. "Rin, Jaken, we have company."
"Wow! Really? We don't see many people when traveling through deep dark forests."
"Milord, are they life-threatening?" Jaken was immediately in a defensive stance with his staff. "Do you need my assistance?"
"No." He replied simply. "It's that snooping child. She's here with two others people... one of them human." And that's when she appeared.
"You're as sharp as ever, Sesshoumaru." Kagura intoned, appearing from another part of the forests. "It's no wonder that I'd admired you since I was just a small child. I honestly thought that I had grown out of that little habit."
"Kagura... it's been a while. I can still remember when I saved your life many years ago." Sesshoumaru replied. "How are your companions, pray tell?"
"You haven't changed at all-- not even your physical appearance."
"Humph. You look different every time I see you, Kagura." Sesshoumaru droned, face remaining sphinx-like. "You really altered a lot from being a tiny brat."
"Don't remind me." Kagura slapped her forehead. She glance at Tsubaki and noticed she was already sitting propped against a tree, fighting sleep. "Damn you're pitiful, Tsubaki."
"Well excuse me for being human, you base half-wit." Tsubaki shot back sarcastically.
"Why hello there, handsome?" Yura was already by Sesshoumaru's side, checking out his hair. "Never seen you around these neck of the woods before? You're a rare case indeed."
"Sesshoumaru-sama, shall I remove this barely clothed harridan away from you?" Jaken glared at Yura rather dangerously.
"Who are you calling harridan, wart face?" Yura raged and quickly grabbed to lift him and began slapping him repeatedly in the face. "Let me knock those warts off of ya."
"HELP!" Jaken cried.
"I don't know..." Rin seemed unconvinced. "You did sort of started it, Jaken. Sorry."
At the sight of Rin, Yura tossed Jaken aside and squealed. "Oh my! Aren't you just the cutest little thing! C'mere!" She lifted her in a bone-crushing bear hug. "You're so adorable! What is your name, you little cutie, you?"
Rin strained an answer, asphyxiating from Yura's surprisingly strong small arms and being held right in the middle of her breasts. " My name... is... I'm Rin... Help me!..."
"Aw..." Yura cooed, ignoring the little girl's plea. "You have the cutest little voice too..."
"It's because... my lungs are being... crushed."
"So, are you still pursuing me after all these years, Kagura?" Sesshoumaru intones, passive as ever. He seriously wanted to laugh at the current situation that Rin was in. "Or are you on another one of your errands that your master instructed you to do?"
"That is my father..." Kagura retorted, somewhat distant. "You know how it is with him."
"Whatever..."
"So, any whereabouts of your brother and his companions?" She asked him. "You of all people would know where he is."
"I am not his keeper." Sesshoumaru remarks with little annoyance. "If you are searching for him then you should open your ears carefully. His insolent whining could be heard for miles. Other than that, be on the lookout for the little priest girl that travels with him... they're inseparable."
"I take it that you haven't seen them then." She nodded and did a bow. "You've been helpful. Thank you once again."
Sesshoumaru accepted her thanks in an unusual manner. "Humph..." He turned the opposite direction and began walking the path ahead of him. "Jaken, Rin... we're leaving."
"Ah! Of course!" Jaken immediately responded, ignoring his swollen left eye. "Let's get going Rin!"
"I would... only if I were back on my feet." The little girl replied. Her cheeks were now red from Yura's pinching them. "Excuse me miss, but I really most join my friends now."
"Aww..." Yura held the girl tighter. "You want to leave so soon?"
"You can let her go now, Yura." Kagura commanded with a chuckle. "You'll get to meet her again."
"Thank you, ma'am!" Rin took in a deep inhale of fresh air and quickly trailed behind Sesshoumaru. "Master Sesshoumaru! Wait for me!"
"Such a cute kid," Yura commented. "It's a shame that I couldn't keep her around a little longer. Ah... humans are so adorable until they grow up and develop."
"That is strange, indeed." Kagura replied. 'He's allowing a child to travel with him.' She thought. 'Him, of all people... I guess him and his brother inherited that trait from their father.' A smirk appears on her face. "Those boys aren't any different from their dad after all."
(SCENARIO)
It was an experience that she would never forget. She promised herself that she will relish that taste forever! The taste of the boy's lips - and she didn't even kissed him. She was quite stunned at the notion. Because of her lifestyle, Ayumi seldom laid eyes on males of her age. And, in a sense, the sight of a man was considered a privilege, not by mere chance. She could just imagine how it would feel if she was actually kissing him. Would it truly be as wondrous as some of her friends say it was... or was it just plain overrated?
The boy was regaining his consciousness- she could tell because his pulse was recovering. She sat him up a bit and rested his head on her left bosom. 'He's coming around,' she thought hopefully. She inhaled another short breathe and crushed her lips against his to resume resuscitating him. 'Just a bit more... I'm going to save you.'
"How is he coming along?" Yuka returned inside the cave after warding away some of the monster menaces. The metal staff she carried with her was rust colored with fresh blood of the beasts. Eri, however, has yet to return. "Is he alive?" She asked, kneeling besides the older girl.
Ayumi blushed, slightly embarrassed of being caught by her long time friend during an 'intimate' moment. "Yeah..." She presumed. "There wasn't as much water in his lungs as I originally thought. This guy is going to be just fine."
Yuka squinted, sensing something was peculiar about the situation. The discoloration on her friend's face definitely didn't went by unnoticed. This time, she took a good look at the boy's features and even the shape of his face. "He's pretty cute, Ayumi." She told her, making Ayumi blushed brighter.
"Ah! This is not the time to praise his appearance, Yuka." Ayumi chided in order to hide her embarrassment and in order to cool off her blush a bit. "He's been in a very dangerous situation."
Yuka shrugged innocently. "Yeah, but... look at him," she pointed out. "He's fine!"
"Yuka, stop the nonsense."
"And you had the opportunity to put your lips against his! Damn, you're a fortunate girl." Yuka told her matter-of-factly. "Plus you have him cradled against your chest."
Ayumi blushed more furiously than before. "Would you stop your insinuations of sensual innuendo, Yuka, please!" She squealed.
"Hey, what are you guys prattling about?" Eri scolded her friends as she entered the cave as well. "I swear, when you two are together there's a guarantee argument every twenty minutes." She glared at the two younger girls and balled her fists on her hips. However, at that very moment she noticed the boy at last. "Oh..." her eyes widened a little. "He's plenty cute. Is he okay?"
Yuka piped up. "I said the same thing."
Eri nodded her head while clicking her tongue. "It would be quite a loss if the demons we fought off actually succeeded in killing him."
"Is that all what you two can thank about at a time like this - how cute he is?" Ayumi practically snapped at her friends, but not on purpose. And from the looks on their faces, she came to the realization. "Oh my... Guys, I'm so sorry for what I just did just now." She lowered her head. "Please forgive me for my rude behavior."
"We accept the apology." Eri reassure, looking strangely stern.
"And... we can understand." Yuka followed with a mischievous wink.
"Is he injured, Ayumi?" Eri wondered. "He may be regaining consciousness but he still could be suffering from some sort of injury."
"Yes he is. Look here," she pointed to a gash on the shoulder of his robe. "It's a pretty nasty bruise. We may need to bring him into the valley with us."
Yuka gasped. "That could be a problem..."
"Ayumi, are you serious?" Eri questioned with edge in her voice. "Males aren't truly allowed in the valley. And surely Yoriko-sama would not tolerate his--" Her statement was cut short because of the sudden presence of demons at the entrance of the cave. "Oh no, not now!" She wailed. "I'm out of arrows!"
"Are you sure that we could still take them on?" Yuka held her rod at ready. "There's more of them than before."
The wicked creatures slowly advances towards them. "That's what I'm afraid of." Ayumi cowered in fright.
"Well... it was nice know you guys." Yuka mentioned sadly, earning a look from her friends. "It looks like we're not going to live to see Kagome and Chi return from Edo."
Ayumi closed her tear stained eyes shut as the creatures continued impending on them. "Unfortunately, it won't be so upon my flesh - but may the heavens please have mercy on our souls!" She wailed.
The three closed their eyes shut, bracing themselves for their demise. But there was a sudden light sound filling the airwaves which was followed by flesh being torn and the horrid screeching of demons. Yuka was the first to peer open her eyes-- and gasped at the scene before her. "What happened?" She wondered in awe, prompting her friends to open their eyes as well.
"This is quite a mess that you girls gotten yourselves into." A older woman commented as she entered the cave. "You should be more careful the next time."
The girls noticed their savior at once. "Yoriko!"
A ghost of a smirk was on her face as she allowed a pink aura to simmer back into her form. "You guys fought well but they were massive in numbers." She said. "It's a wonder why they are around this area. Demons usually doesn't linger around here because they can sense the energy of the priestesses in our village."
Ayumi was the first to speak. "The monsters were after this boy, apparently." Behind her, Yuka was rolling her eyes and Eri seemed particularly nervous. "They've managed to hurt him, but he should recover in no time with proper nursing."
Yoriko didn't like where this was going. "So, it's a boy...?" She let her statement lingered for a moment, inducing suspense. Ayumi had a pleading look on her face. "I cannot allow it, Ayumi."
"But Yoriko-sama!" Ayumi cried. "He's in critical condition!"
Yuka and Eri actually agree but they were wise to hold their tong.
"He may corrupt the maids of our village." Yoriko continued seriously. "I forbid his presence... I'm sorry."
Ayumi grew desperate. "But Yoriko-sama, how about the time when those merchants came into the village claiming to be real ones but instead, they turned out to be thieves and their leader was a demon? You must consider!"
"I am aware of that, Ayumi, but I can't." Yoriko replied. "There has been countless times when men entered the village, and a majority of them was in secrecy." She glanced at Eri, noticing the guilty blush on her face. "But nobody didn't suspect that I would find out..." She admit that she found those peculiar memories of the countless attempts of many village maidens sneaking male suitors into their home for a night or two quite funny. "I remember all of the girls who committed that act. You think I didn't know anything about that? And what's worse, most of those men turned out to be no good."
Ayumi hung her head in defeat, and it was certain what expression was on her features... submission. "Please forgive me Yoriko-sama... I... I just wanted to help." She spoke sadly. "I wouldn't have thought that I have to leave him here to wither away and die."
Yoriko raised a brow. "You watch your tongue, young lady." She scolded her in a light tone but Ayumi gasped and jumped back as if she was roared at. Yoriko softened as she glance at the boy leaning on Ayumi's chest by his head. "Very well." She finally stated. "You're allowed to nurse the child back to health... but only for a day and an afternoon."
Ayumi lightened up immediately. "Thank you for your grace, Yoriko-sama!"
"Ah... you're welcomed child, just don't push it." She shrugged. "Come, the skies are already dark and we need to return home."
SCENARIO
Kagome awoke from her slumber, her heart fluttering heavily in her chest. Her face was covered in warm sweat and she was largely disturbed by the recent nightmare she had. It had all seem so real! That woman... that terrible, horrible woman with the red hair... was staring at her. It was the very same woman that they encountered earlier that evening. She threatened to kill Kagome for some mysterious cause but she was destroyed by Inuyasha.
So what was she doing in her dream?
Kagome remembered the look on Maki's face. That penetrating glare that could easily rival that of the devil. She quickly came to fear that expression she had. Maki was looking at her as if she was peering directly into Kagome's soul-- analyzing her. She looked as though she know more about her better than herself... It was almost as if she knew a terrible secret about Kagome.
And then...
...Then she lashed out at Kagome. And that was pretty much the bad dream in a nutshell. She awoke at the very last moment. She looked around the room and saw that her companions were deep asleep. Inuyasha wasn't far from her. He was laying on his back in 'star' position on his futon, snoring loudly. Hikari was right beside him on a separate futon, sleeping like a fetus-- only she had a pillow over her head. She grinned at her, the snores of the half demon must have prompt her to sleep like that.
She glanced over at Sango, and to her surprise, found Miroku right behind her. She surely didn't remember him that close to Sango because he was told to sleep in the farthest corner of the shrine. There Sango slept-- pretty much like Hikari, in fetal position. Her hips were naturally high-propped and Miroku had his arms wrapped around her slim waist as if they were a couple. Her hair was strewn all across the monk's shoulder and there was even a smile on her sleeping face. Kagome grinned again, surely Sango would be blushing in embarrassment if she were to find out how Miroku got himself over to her during the night.
Then she gazes over at Chizaki, the 'little sister'. By the way she was sleeping, one would come up with a baby in mind because that's just how she was sleeping. She was asleep on her stomach, her arms over her head and hands balled into soft fists. She was sleeping on the left side of her face and it was sort of hard to see her face because of her thick, medium length brown hair hiding most of her face. Also much like an infant, her legs were bowled as well because of rough sleep. Her comforter was strewn besides her and her short yukata hiked up to the top of her legs.
Kagome stifled a laugh.
Kikyou came in mind at last. Kagome realized that she was still gone because there was a futon specifically for her as it lay unperturbed by the entrance. Feeling a little worried, Kagome rose from her futon and put on her dark kimono. She disregarded her obi because it was quite tedious to bind it by herself and she didn't want to awaken Chi to help her. She noticed a strange red light emanating from the slits of the wooden screen door. But it couldn't have been... it was a very cloudy night.
That's when she knew something was wrong.
Sensing something amiss, she slid open the shrine door and gasped at the steamy red/lavender fog outside. The fog was the very color of a full moon on a cool autumn evening and something else dawned on her... it was also the color of Maki's eyes. She had to go out and find Kikyou to see if she's okay. But just as she was about to awake the others, the creepy fog slowly invaded the insides of the shrine! Kagome sensed a sort of spell as well. The spell had a demonic signature.
She knelt between Inuyasha and Hikari, trying her best to wake them up. She even tried beating the two upside their heads, but nothing works. Panic rising within her, she tried another tactic. She lifted Inuyasha's eyelids and there was two characters in his eyes that read, "OUT COLD!"
"Just as I thought! Something is not right about this!" Kagome wondered aloud in fright. "I got to go out and find Kikyou, and quick!" She gathered a quiver of arrows and a bow in one of the shrine's corners and heads for the door. But before she left out the shrine into the night, she stood over Inuyasha, noticing his sword. "Sorry big guy, but I'm going to have to borrow this for a while."
She bind the sword around her back by a long piece of thread and trekked out the shrine. It has ceased raining, but the skies were still cloudy. Once outside, her fears rose even more at the sight of the ghastly fog blanketing over the length of the entire area. Right there and then, Kagome knew she was being led. But by whom?
Kagome gulped the lump in her throat and steeled her resolve. She descended the stairs and walked upon the dew kissed lawn of the Higurashi estate. She gazes down the steep hill that lead deep into the forest and even that glowed slightly red from the fog. "Oh man, what to do?" She wondered. "Kikyou is nowhere in sight and I don't think I can do this alone." A sudden twinkle of white flashed by her and she paid heed to it-- whatever it was. "Eh? What was that?"
She glances back and forth, hoping to see the tiny phenomenon that just occurred. And then, looking up, she saw it: it was a specter of white of some sort and she couldn't tell exactly what it was. One thing for certain about it was that it was leading her. As the ball of light traveled, it cause the fog to instantly diminished along it's path, parting like the Red Sea. "Wait!" Kagome cried and hurried after it.
Kagome ran vigorously after that ball of light, her leg muscles locking and stretching painfully for running so hard. The more she ran after it, the clearing the scenery became. After several minutes, she found herself deep in the forest and it definitely wasn't a pleasant scenario. As Kagome stopped to catch her breath, the ball of light ceased movement as well. It was as if it was waiting for her.
Kagome rested her hands on her thighs. You're a troublesome little thing, aren't you?
She suddenly sensed movement in the trees above her. Was she being followed? The situation was becoming more ominous by the second. Kagome drew her bow and readied an arrow with determination. "Whoever you are, trying to scare me, show yourself!"
Then she saw a shadow. It was high up in the trees. And whatever it was, it was looking directly at her. Kagome strung her arrow tighter, but she was shaking in her shoes. "I see you!" She announced. "Whatever you are, I'll blast you dead!"
"I understand that you are afraid, priestess." The voice said, a voice that Kagome heard before. "Fear has an essential role in all our lives but we cannot allow them to stop and defeat us."
Kagome frowned. "You!" She released the arrow and it hit the shadow directly. And there was an explosion before the shadow disappeared. Kagome eased a little, relieve at whatever it was is now gone but something tapped her shoulder.
"Boo..."
"YAH!" Kagome shrieked and grabbed the sheath on her back and started beating away on whatever it was behind her. "STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY! YOU CAN'T TAKE ME!"
"Please calm down, girl." The deep voice drawled, obviously annoyed. Come to find out, it was Iga. Kagome realized this and blushed. He removed his mask and revealed his strange cat face once more. However, he may seem friendly at times, Kagome reminded herself that the quasi-companion of her and her friends could be an enemy in the long run. "Nice running into you again." Said Iga. "But could you avoid hitting me with that enchanted sheath, it hurts."
Kagome scratched the back of her head with sheepish laughter. "So sorry about that." She replied and then grew serious. "But have you been following me? And what's all the talk about fear?"
"You are about to face a major fear of yours, priestess." Iga simply replied. "The one that you are about to face is indeed a clever nemesis. She uses fear as a weapon. She has a fascinating way of confronting her foes."
"Who is 'she'?" Kagome wanted to know.
"It's the monster that you and your companions encountered earlier today." Mentioned Iga. "You haven't exactly defeated her, but you did manage to down her spirit a little."
"You mean Maki?" Kagome grew nervous again. "What do you mean by downing her spirit?"
Iga reminisced. "From what I can tell, it's obvious that she has a grudge against you. Whatever reason it is, I don't know."
"But I never met her before prior earlier this evening." Kagome reasoned. "Why does she want to murder me? What does she want from me?"
"That is more to the reason why you must confront her." Iga remarked, his deep silver clear eyes gleaming in the darkness. "I guess it is a destined situation. An act of fate, if you will..." He gazes at the hovering sphere of light above them. "You see that, Kagome? That would be fate."
She now became confused, and his words now had her frightened. "You mean this... This ball of light, glowing like a miniature sun?"
"I suppose." He twitched his whiskers. "However, your main priority is to follow it. It guides you. What does it hold for you?"
"Hey, hey, enough with the rhetorical mumbo-jumbo and tell me what's up!" Kagome practically squealed. She hate suspense. "I can tell that it holds trouble for me, that much I know. I'm going to have to face Maki... ALONE. And there isn't any sign of Kikyou!" She started looking absolutely pitiful. "Would you mind lending me a hand and help me defeat her? She has my friends under a sleeping curse after all!"
Iga looked apologetic. "No... I cannot." He turned away and started walking off, slowly.
"Hey wait!" Kagome followed him. "You're not going to help me? I mean, you can't be serious, are you?" She laid a hand on his shoulder and he glances over his shoulder at her. "Well... are you?"
Iga had that same contrite look on his features. Then, he suddenly became intangible, causing Kagome to stumble forward and fall on the ground. The next thing Kagome knew, he vanished. Now exasperated, she drew in a breath and yelled, "Just so you know, I never trusted ninjas anyway!"
Great, a possible aide to help her deal with Maki just vanished before her eyes. And there still wasn't any sign of Kikyou. What's a girl to do? It looks like I don't have a option now.
She gazed at the light, The light known as 'fate'. Feh...
Here goes nothing. She resumed following that sphere of light.
Over the course of several minutes, Kagome had to climb a steep hill, cross a river, and trek through a wooded area of bamboo plants. The light began dimming and she now found herself in front of a lone, foreboding temple. The shrine was incorporated of a certain design style of several centuries ago and she had to admit, the architecture was impressive. It was elegant but was outweighed by a spooky atmosphere.
This must be the place, she thought. Please allow me to see another day after this... She slowly began heading towards the entrance on heavy guard. There were two torch posts on each side of the entrance doorway. And when she laid her hands on the door, the posts instantly blazed in blue flames. Kagome gasped and held a hand over her rushing heart. Easy! It's just the flames... really spooky flames...
"Huh?"
The sphere of light began pulsating once more and it glided ahead of her, directing her. There it goes again.
However creepy the temple be, it was no turning back now. She had to save her friends and hopefully find out about Kikyou's whereabouts. She was still hot on the trails of the softball sized light and every post and candle inside the place she passed, they lit up. Eerily enough, there was virtually nothing inside the temple, only a garden and a synthetic pond. But once she was led up the flight of stairs, Kagome noticed something highly unusual...
The stairs were littered with dolls.
Yes, the usual toys that little girls play with and adore. There were hundreds of them, diverse and represented different locales all across the planet. What was up with all the dolls? Did Maki murdered many young maidens and collected their dolls for a wicked memento? Is she a victim of a freak accident... just a little girl herself? Or was she just straight obsessed with them? One thing was for certain: Kagome was about to find out.
The light awaited her at the top of the stairs, in front of a final door.
This is it. She's right in this very room... I can sense her. Kagome thought gravely. She pushed the door, it hinges creaking agonizingly slow. The room was fairly spacious and there wasn't anyone or anything inside. The only thing there was a doll...
A doll that looked frighteningly like Maki.
Kagome stared at the doll on the alter in shock. What is the meaning of this? She mentally screamed.
Suddenly, the light that was guiding Kagome all this time shot at the doll-- fusing into it. The light... the light was Maki herself! Horror dawned on Kagome's face as she watched the doll took on a human formed and blazed in flames. She shielded her eyes from the blaze and in mere moments the blaze diminished. Before her eyes was the very person that wanted to end her life.
"Well...well... well..." Her voice was strong, ominous, and a bit demented. She was sitting in her calves, head bowed and hidden in the dark cloak. "We finally meet face to face at last. Thanks to my composition..."
Kagome tried to squelch her fears. "What do you want?" She beseeched. "What have I ever done to you? Why do you want to kill me?"
Maki scoffs with a cruel chuckle underneath her cloak. "Foolish girl... Even now, a wide hipped wench whose barely passed her first bleed continues to defy me." Kagome frowned deeper in confusion as she said those words. "The very infant that so defied me years ago... You, Kagome!"
"I've done what to you?..." Kagome wondered again.
"I've always did held a hatred towards your kind, little girl." Maki stood on the alter. She stood very straight and astute, but she also seemed sad. "Maidens, such as yourself with extraordinary hallowed power..." Her face appeared downcast, as if she was recalling a memory. "I've seen it all before my eyes, girl. They murdered her. They murdered my mother!"
Admittedly, Kagome began feeling sorry for her. Maki, apparently, is a little girl in mourning for her mother. And it's clear that she wants to take her anger out on Kagome. But what the hell does all of this has to do with her? She don't know. "But... why me?"
"Dear mother was destroyed mercilessly!" She spat. "I was powerless to stop her! For, they could of killed me as well if they knew of my presence. But, watching those miko reducing my mother to nothingness... I made a vow. I vowed that I shall make them suffer when I'm bigger and stronger."
Kagome was coming around to understanding her plight but she was still afraid. No longer because of Maki herself, but the lack of rationale concerning her. "I'm sorry that you've lost your mother, Maki. I'm truly am."
Maki scowled at her fiercely underneath her hood. "What do you know about the anguish of loosing the one that birthed you into this cruel world?" She scoffs. "At least you rediscovered your mother! Knowing this fact sickens me!"
Kagome widened her eyes in astonishment. She suspected that Kaoru was her mother, but she wasn't really thinking of considering the said fact. She was willing to solve the mystery that has been plaguing her all day. After hearing Maki's enraged tongue, she somehow knew it was true. "Kaoru Higurashi is my mother, isn't she?" Kagome demanded. " Tell me? You two seem to know each other... what's up?"
Maki smiled cruelly, her lavender eyes gleaming with mischievous intent. "You're a bold one, aren't you? I hate you for that. Very well, I assume you should know your origins before your demise." Kagome stared into her horrifying eyes. "This forest that you're in now, is called the Forest of Maki. My mother was the very spirit of these part herself... for centuries."
"Go on..."
"But you are not worthy to know about her. She's way before your time... even before your entire family's estate here. So, I spare you." She took a breath. "Nearly two decades ago, years after my mother's passing, a young woman was expectant of a child. A child with horrific powers, the strongest I've felt in years."
Kagome assumed that the woman was Kaoru.
She continued. "I've vanquished many priestesses in my fury. They were strong, but one day, I've sense a spirit just as strong but it wasn't in existence at the time." She told her. "I've once thought that it was Kaoru herself, but I came to find out that it was the unborn child-- you."
"Even as a fetus, my qui was that great?" Kagome wondered in awe.
"Oh, very well great, that disgusting power of yours." Maki replied acidly. "Your qui was the bane of my existence. Back then, I knew your qui was highly unusual. I was told by many a monster that you are quite possibly a reincarnation of Midoriko; The Malevolent One. The very mortal that went to war alone against an army of demons."
"Priestess Midoriko..." Kagome wondered. "I'm a reincarnation?"
"Really, it was just a ridiculous assumption, but, the fact that your power was highly significant in your uncompleted form simply could not be ignored." She removed her hood, looking peculiar. Her long, blood-red wavy hair touched the ground. She was hauntingly beautiful. "The monsters feared that the Malevolent One will once again walk the earth. I had to investigate further."
"But... you never confronted Kaoru... why?" Kagome inquired worriedly. Somehow, it would have been much easier if Maki killed Kaoru nineteen years ago."
"The girl... Kaoru, plump, thick, and defenseless with your developing body inside." Maki looked thoughtful. "I am not the type to take on a exposed opponent." She admitted. " True, I could have destroyed you both on many occasions; picking fruit from trees, bathing in the springs, attending school... Kaoru was open for instant death by my hands countless times. Instead, I haunted her in her sleep, promising her that I will snatch you away from her. The woman actually thought the visits were mere fleeting nightmares. "
"You've did something..." Kagome was suspicious. "How did I ended up as an orphan even when she is still alive today?"
"I'm glad you've asked." Maki sneered. "A little after a year you were born, your power grew considerably. Even I couldn't believe it. At that point, there was no doubt that you'll soon grow to be the strongest priestess in ages. Something had to be done. Then, opportunity knocked. A man in the military, slightly younger than Kaoru, proposed that she should join him on his vacation trips. That young man was your father."
Kagome gasped. "It was you! You killed him, along with many innocent lives!"
Maki smirked. "So, you know about that particular tidbit eh? It all happened on that ship to Korea."
"You monster! The ship was destroyed by your hands! The few survivors thought the ship sank mysteriously, but it was you all along!" Kagome pointed at her in smoldering rage. "The sailor-- my father carried my mother to safety, but he returned to the sea in order to find me... but he never returned."
"The fool died searching for you and he had salvation awaiting him." Maki nodded. "Such a fool. He risked his life for a monstrosity such as you."
"Don't you dare speak ill of my father!" Kagome spat, stringing an arrow. "You're the monster in this picture! Your mother probably was a bigger one!"
"You bold fool! You've disappeared for all these years and now you returned in order to mock me?" She stood abruptly and her cloak burned away, revealing her voluptuous, but powerful built body. Clothed in a deep blue long dress which was tied by a red obi at her little waist, and descended the rest of the length of the fabric by twin splits at the sides. "Foolish girl! Your life's journey is over!"
"No when I can help it!" Kagome declared and fired her arrow. Unfortunately she missed her. Maki's long legs wasn't just for looking because they posses great strength. She quickly sidestepped and leapt in the air and ended up behind Kagome. Maki was so fast! "Why you!"
Kagome turned around to attack Maki, only to be grasped by the throat with her newfound nemesis right hand. Maki lifted Kagome off her feet several inches off the ground as if she was a toy. Then she held Kagome against the cold wall. "Right now..." Maki snarled, her lavender eyes glowing eerily. " I should be fearing you because of the radiance of your qui at this moment. It's so strong now, you could destroy me if I drop my guard. But, instead of fear," she suddenly smirked, "I feel anger... and intrigue."
"What the hell kind of nonsense that you are on about now?" Kagome growled against the hand vice-gripped on her neck.
"I feared this power of yours for a long time, girl. It now exceeds all of the miko that I've encountered in the past." She admitted. "But there is something very interesting about your qui."
"What is it then?"
"Even though you are the reincarnation of the Malevolent One, you also have a semblance to a forbidden power... This is remarkable." Maki said critically. "Your anger demands my destruction, in the most horrendous method as possible. What is pure within you, is also the tainted."
Kagome was catching on to what Maki was talking about for a bit. Could she possibly know about the, "Powers of a dark miko?"
Maki's eyes widened in delighted. "Such wondrous news! You match the requirement as the miko of fables, girl! You are like a coin! You're are the Yin and Yang of your own form!"
"The nonsense about the dark miko myth." Kagome grumbled. "I've heard of that before. But when I'm done with you, you'll surely gonna think of me as such!"
"I can sense it burrowing throughout your soul, girl." Maki smirked even crueler. "You are an even bigger menace than I am. And that's saying a lot."
"Lies... all lies!" Kagome shook her head violently. "How could I be a dark priestess? For one thing, there's has to be a demonic basis to become one." Inuyasha came into her mind and her eyes widened in shock. "No? Not him! Not Inuyasha? Could my fondness to him could be doing this to me?"
"Ah, the half demon that you are with. Yes, you like him right? Oh yes, no wonder!" Maki practically sang. "This is marvelous! You are a very interesting creature."
"Like hell I am!" Kagome spat. "That is just a legend. An old hocus-pocus fable to scare shrine maidens and raise false hope in demons."
"Is that so?" She asked Kagome. Then she suddenly frowned, sensing another presence. "It appears that we have a guest. I though my spell had consumed her as well."
Could she be referring to Kikyou? Kagome thought hopefully. All of a sudden, Maki roughly threw Kagome to the opposite wall as a pink beam of light streaked it's way at her. Before the very moment the light collided into her, Maki looked deathly scared.
Then the room was filled with bright pink light.
"Kagome! I'd finally found you." Kikyou rushed to her aid at her side. "Are you okay?"
"Kagome sat up and rubbed her aching neck. "I'll live." She replied with a grin. "So that's the presence that you've sensed earlier this evening, right?"
Kikyou nodded. "Indeed. She created a spell that induces slumber... quite possible eternal if she isn't taken care of. Unfortunately for her, I was way out of harm's way when her spell invaded the estate and thus I've followed you here."
Kagome grinned. "You're mighty clairvoyant, Kikyou. Taking great risks just to be sure everything will be alright for the good of our friends."
"So why was she after you?" Kikyou asked. "Did you found out why?"
"Yeah. That monster is responsible for the death of my father and the separation of my mother and me." Kagome revealed. "I felt a great weight being lifted off my shoulders when she told me that. And now I know the truth."
Kikyou eyed the younger girl curiously. "So, Kaoru is indeed your mother?"
"Yes she is. I think I deserved to know that fact. In fact... huh?" She was cut off as the dust from the explosion cleared and a red aura filled the other side of the room. Kagome looked on in horror. "Oh no! It can't be? She's still alive?"
Kikyou looked at Maki in disbelief as well. "How? What is she?"
Maki emerged from the aura. The red force was actually a sort of shield to defend herself from the enchanted arrow. She glared at the two shocked women and her hair started swaying like a flame. "You though you had me didn't you?" She growled. "How's about a final confrontation... the symphony of your demises. I promised you, for you, this will not be a easy composition, nor an enjoyable one."
Kagome finally managed to close her gaping mouth. "Well girl, it looks like we have quite a fight on our hands."
Kikyou held her stare at their opponent. "Yes indeed."
Maki slowly approaches them. "I am the stone, and you fools are the unfortunate birds that are on the brink of extinction!"
END OF CHAPTER 15
NEXT CHAPTER
Kagome's Grey Heart