A/N: Hey there all, nothing really to say. Oh and to answer a question I gotl; Uri doesn't look like Rin. Rin will be making her appearance later in the story. I think it's about time that I bring in Miroku and Sango, but that's next chapter. Also don't forget Uri is the little girl and Yuri is the friend person.
Chapter Four
By: Mirei
Breathing in and out a few times to calm herself Kagome went to her window. The cool night air would have been refreshing if not for the fact that she had just stepped out from a three hour shower and was freezing to death. She closed the window and went to her closet to get something to wear. She decided on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. The room looked so dark, and it wasn't just because of the lights being off.
Something about it suddenly felt tainted. Like there was someone else leering in the darkness. She knew that there was no possible way that she'd sleep again that night. Each time that she'd return to their dorm she'd get the same room and have the same visions. Spirits hung in her room and she couldn't just tell that to her roommate. So she was stuck with the room. There was one large mirror that stood from the ceiling to the floor and it sat next to her closet. Her bed pointed to the west and it sat just below her window.
She moved over the mirror and looked at herself. For a second nothing looked any different. Her body still held its same shape and her waist length hair still fell all around her. She approached the mirror as if she were watching a predator on the other side. Something flickered in her refection; the girl on the other side smiled and backed up each time that Kagome approached. Kagome reached her hand out and touched the mirror and then felt her hand penetrate it. She pulled back in surprise and felt her hand. There was water on her hand. She shook her hand dry and then preceded to the mirror once more.
Her image was dressed in a dark kimono with a gray bottom that flowed around her feet. Her hair was much longer than Kagome's and she had many markings along her face and neck. The image in the mirror gave her a fanged grin and then stuck her hand out as if asking to take it. Kagome looked down at her hand and then back into the mirror and found that the girl had suddenly vanished. The once distinct image had become like a distorted memory in Kagome's mind. She wondered if it had happened at all. Before she could second guess herself another image slowly became visible. Kagome heard a gasp escape her lips.
"Yuri?" she found herself ask. It was more of a remark when she thought about it. She was her friend smile at her and then gesture for her to come forward. Kagome couldn't say no to her, she found her feet suddenly move closer to the mirror. Yuri reached out her hands to Kagome who took them without a thought. Without warning she was pulled into the mirror.
Kagome blinked a few times and then looked around. She found herself standing on a grassy plain surrounded by a field of lilacs. Yuri's face lit up when she saw that her friend was captivated by her surroundings. Yuri had always known of Kagome's love for flowers especially lilacs. Kagome looked back at her friend and found herself becoming weak.
"Kagome, please do not worry. I think it's about time that I do some explaining." She linked arms with Kagome and pulled her along. Kagome felt tears forming in her caramel eyes. "You were always the strong one you know. Now look at you all grown up and acting mature." She gave Kagome a grin and then took her to a tall apple tree. She yanked one from the tree and broke it in half. Kagome looked down at the apple that Yuri offered her. "I think I understand that saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'.
"Really, I never gave it much thought." She bit into the apple.
"Well it is said that apples gave the gods eternal youth. Now if you think about that saying it does make sense. But then again those apples had a mystic spell on them." She laughed a little.
"You didn't bring me here to discuss apples did you?" Kagome finally asked after studying her friend. She wore a light purple kimono that flowed all around her. She looked like a goddess, her hair lavished her body with soft curls that bounced when she moved, and her eyes were still as lively as they had been when she was alive.
"No. I've been watching you for quite some time my friend and I must say I'm disappointed in you." She shook her finger playfully at Kagome.
"Why?" Kagome joined her friend on the grass. Yuri looked at Kagome for a moment and then pulled her knees into her chest.
"You allowed yourself to feel guilty."
"I feel guilt each day."
"Well stop!" She pulled Kagome on the arm playfully.
"But it's my fault, if I had listened…"
"You had nothing to do with what happened. You were allowed to date whoever you wanted and it is his fault for lusting and taking advantage of me, you never saw him as nothing more than the man who made your knees go weak. I know that you might always feel responsible but I wish you wouldn't. It pains me to see you this way."
"But I thought that you didn't like the old Kagome?" Yuri laughed.
"Are you kidding, she was so fun to be around. I sometimes wished I could have been more like you. You weren't afraid to do anything and always went for what you wanted and I could always count on you when things were bad."
"But it's my fault for what happened. Where was I when he was stalking you and when he kidnapped you?"
"Do you remember that day?" Kagome gave a nod. "Then you might remember that he was supposed to meet you but never showed. Well he called the house and told me that you were hurt and needed me to come and get you. I was kind of confused by this but went anyway because I had really been worried. That was why he never showed; he wanted you out of the way so that he could get me alone." Kagome looked down with shame. "It was my own judgment that caused my downfall."
"Are you angry with me Yuri?"
"No Kagome I love you dearly and I hate to watch you grow so angry with yourself. My young child seems to love you very much and yet it seems as if the name given to her wasn't chosen right."
"Why?" Kagome was so confused.
"I would have named her after a person who has her same spirit." Kagome gave her a confused look. "She would have been well suited with the name Kagome." She smiled at Kagome when she saw that her friend caught on.
"Hey Yuri are you…"
"Dead? No far from it, actually it's really simple, you see when I supposedly died I had left my human body and was brought here. I can't leave yet because I haven't finished with my twelve tasks. I have finished ten so far but the last two seem much more difficult."
"So what happens after you complete your tasks?"
"I get a new body and get to return to earth. You could say that this is limbo. They couldn't send me to the sages because I was a priestess or rather a descendent of one. They said that I was more helpful on earth and that one day I'd get my spot on the counsel of sages. You seem to know many on the counsel already."
"How, I've never had any encounters with anyone but you and my family."
"I can't say because it is something that you must take care of on your own. I just want you to know that once I return I don't expect you to hand over little Uri to me, it isn't fair to her. She's grown up all of her life knowing only you and I'd rather not destroy her fragile little world." She gave Kagome a smile. "Plus I never could handle children. You are more of the motherly type anyway. Plus there's that other reason." She gave her friend a sideways glance.
"You shouldn't feel bad for me, I never really planned on having kids. I used to be fine with the fact that I couldn't have children but once I took home Uri I found that I wanted them." Kagome looked down for a moment suddenly saddened by her thoughts.
"Please don't Kagome, I don't wish for you to cry."
"I won't but over the time that I thought that you were dead I seemed to do that a lot."
"It would have been the same way if you'd been in my situation. You and I are one in the same Kagome. We walked the same path and lived the same life."
"I wish that you'd been my roommate. Akina is alright but really I would have been more outgoing if I had my partner in crime."
"Oh I'm flattered." They both laughed.
"We have two new roommates, both males. They're brothers."
"I know, it seems as though the younger one likes you. But then we both know Sesshomaru. Actually I never met him but I've heard about him. He's led an interesting life." She looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Why?"
"Well his parents both died when he and InuYasha were younger. His actual mother died while giving birth to him. His father remarried and they had InuYasha. But there was car accident and they both died. So then he and his brother had to be put in an orphanage, it took seven years before someone adopted them. At first they only wanted Sesshomaru but he refused to be taken in unless his brother also went with him. I guess over the years they only had one another and they couldn't be separated. So a rich couple adopted them and well the rest is history."
"Wow. He'd never really talked about his family. We usually never talked at all, unless he had something rude to say."
"It isn't just coincidence that you have him as your roommate you know. The sages are testing you."
"Why?" Kagome wondered why on earth the sages would want to place her in such a confined space with someone that she could never understand or even stand for that matter.
"I don't really know for sure but just trust that maybe you should put past any ill thoughts of him and try to get along. The sages don't want a tainted sage to join them now do they?"
"I'm not tainted."
"I know but one day all your bad thoughts are going to turn you into a prude." Kagome pushed Yuri over and then folded her arms.
"I will not, you're the one who acted like a total prude."
"Good point. I guess I have no chance of becoming a sage now." The both laughed.
"Wait I have a question."
"Yes?"
"Well how is it that I was able to go through the mirror?"
"I am able to create barriers out of reflective objects. So if you have anything that you can see your reflection in I can see you and anyone I wish. How do you think that I've been watching over you?"
"Oh."
"I can pull things through but I can't go completely out. If I manage to get out I'd get pulled back in and then I'd be stripped of my powers. So until my two tasks are complete I must remain here."
"What are your two tasks?"
"I have to fix a broken heart and bring together two clashing tides."
"Is that supposed to mean something?"
"Why yes it does. But let's not worry about that. What I want you to do now is go back and just live, be yourself and try to forget about me for a while. Oh and one more thing" She pulled out a knife, at first Kagome grew scared. "Don't worry; I just want you to transfer blood with me. Sort of like blood sisters only by doing this I'll have something to connect me to earth. This way I can be like a little voice in your head."
"Great so now I'm going to hear you and then end up in an asylum."
"Just don't talk out loud and you'll be fine." She cut along her life line on her palm then handed the knife to Kagome who did the same. "Now this blood on our hands symbolizes our loyalty and trust to one another. Think of it as protection. It connects us forever to each other." She grabs Kagome's hand and links their palms together. Kagome could feel the blood of her friend entering her body. Yuri pulled her hand away and rubbed her hand against her clothing. She stood and pulled Kagome up from the ground. She led her toward the entrance to her room.
"I don't want to go back." Kagome said when Yuri started to push her through the mirror.
"You can't stay Kagome, if you do then who will look after your daughter?" she smiled warmly at Kagome and pulled her into a hug. "You are my best friend and sister and just know that you and I can't ever really be parted. A brief separation isn't something to be saddened over. Now go back to your room." Kagome reluctantly let go of her friend and stepped into the mirror. "Oh and Kagome you might feel pain when you wake up, once you step out of here you will fall asleep." Kagome nodded and went through the mirror, once she reached her room again she felt her body give out and fall to the ground.
The sun poured through her room but she couldn't move. Her body ached and her eyes were sealed shut. She wondered what time it was. But then her thoughts were interrupted by voices out in the living room. It sounded like her mom and dad. Sesshomaru was talking with her dad about something and then she heard her name mentioned. She tried to push herself from the ground, with success she managed to crawl to the door. She pulled on to door and slid it open. Everyone from the living room looked over at her door when it opened. Kagome could be found leaning against the frame of the door. She smiled nervously at everyone as her parents rushed over to her. Akina also followed. She could feel her eyes become heavy once more but tried to stay awake.
"Kagome, stay awake." She heard her father's voice.
"Don't worry I'm fine." She muttered. She tried to swat their hands away so that she could try and lift herself up. She managed to stand but then collapsed against her father. She felt him lift her up but she pulled away from him and grabbed onto the wall. "I can do this on my own." She said stubbornly.
"What happened to you?" asked her mother watching her daughter as if she were fine china.
"I ah…took those pills again, I thought I could ah…handle it but I can't so I don't want them anymore." She lied. Her father could tell that she was lying but didn't address it.
"I just need to get to the kitchen." She still held onto the wall until she reached the couch and followed along it. Damn you Yuri. She thought as she pushed herself to walk. She passed InuYasha who was sitting at the edge of the couch he was about to get up to help her but she refused it. "I have to do this myself." She winced as the pain in her legs became unbearable.
Sesshomaru was currently located in the kitchen getting coffee for the people in the living room. He had heard the commotion from Kagome's parents and wondered what was going on. He left the kitchen and entered the living room only to see Kagome pushing all her weight against the couch. He could easily see that she was in pain, but no one around her moved to help her. His brother looked like he was about to jump up and carry her himself. She let go of the couch and lifted one foot at a time. She hadn't noticed that Sesshomaru was there. Once she let go of the couch she found herself falling forward. She closed her eyes waiting for her body to crash onto the ground. But then she felt herself land on something soft, slowly she opened her eyes and found Sesshomaru looking down at her. She didn't move at all for a few moments. His eyes were like a raging storm of hidden emotions. He was more confused than anything. She pushed him away and walked passed him still feeling the pain in her legs. She latched herself onto the wall and proceeded to the kitchen. She never said it would be this bad! She could have just said don't leave your room for a few hours, and then I would have stayed in my room. I just need to get those pills before anyone sees me. She grabbed onto the cabinet and opened it. Inside she found her pain killers staring at her.
She downed them without water and then allowed herself to fall to the ground. The people in the living room were silent; in fact the whole house was silent. She called out the first name she could think of.
"Ah, Sesshomaru could you come here?" her voice sounded unsure but at this point it didn't seem to matter so much. Something approached; at first she wasn't sure if it was real or not.
"Higurashi you are impossible." Came Sesshomaru's voice. "Why do you insist on being so stubborn?" He lifted her off the ground and carried her back toward the living room. He stopped in the hall suddenly when he noticed blood. Not just the mark on her hand but there was a large gash of blood over the flesh where her heart lay. He began to walk again only this time much faster. He placed her on the couch. The others gathered around her. Her mother took off the shirt that was now drenched in blood. There was no sign of a wound but blood seemed to be coming from her birth mark. Her birth mark was a special thing to her mother. It lay over where her heart could be found. What was strange about it was that it looked more like a scar than a birth mark. Kagome's mother wiped the blood off of Kagome mark and found that the blood was gone. She turned to her husband who stepped forward.
"Onigumo what happened?" she asked him. He touched her shoulder and bent down to his daughter. "Shouldn't we take her to the hospital?"
"No, this cannot be fixed with medication or doctors. She did this on her own, she allowed herself to trade blood with another. A demon that trades blood with a priestess will often get a reaction like this. By our laws it isn't allowed but you and I never followed much on rules were we dear." Kiki looked at him and blushed. "The blood that came from her birth mark wasn't her. All we really can do now is wait for her to heal herself. It should only take a few hours."
"How can you be sure?"
"Trust that I know these things." He kissed her forehead and lifted his daughter up into his arms. "I remember a time when she told me everything, how she would run to me when something was wrong." He gave a sigh and went toward her room to lay her down.
Akina had heard everything just like InuYasha and Sesshomaru had. Words like 'demon' and 'priestess' were thrown around. Onigumo looked at the confused young people in the living room wondered what he could say. His attention was then brought to Uri, who stood next to Kagome's room looking as if she were formulating something her mind.
"Uri what is the matter?" Uri looked up at her grandpa. She turned her body completely so that she was now standing before him.
"Is mommy going to change again?" The others looked confused. That seemed to be going around lately. People becoming utterly perplexed by the happenings in their dorm room. It seemed as though Kagome brought all of this along with her.
"I believe that she might tonight but she'll be fine tomorrow for sure."
"Hey old man when are you going to explain what happened." Said InuYasha who still sat on the couch.
"You will do well to respect your elders boy." Onigumo glared at InuYasha who flinched under his gaze. Sesshomaru watched on as the older man used his gift of intimidation on his younger brother. That was one thing that he admired about Kagome's father. He had the ability to show his feelings but still be a stone wall. He could make the strongest men crumble under is gaze. Sesshomaru's adopted father had often spoken of the man as if he were a god. Many people in their community looked to Onigumo Higurashi for guidance.
"You ain't my dad so you can't tell me what to do." Sneered InuYasha. Sesshomaru sent his brother a glared but it went unnoticed.
"InuYasha you will shut your mouth this instant." He growled, his brother glared at him but didn't speak.
"Sesshomaru, I worried at times that you might not be suitable for my Kagome, but after watching you grow into a fine young man I found myself seeing someone I knew well in you." He walked over to Sesshomaru and stared at him. Sesshomaru bowed to the older man.
"Onigumo I request information on the happenings that occurred." Onigumo smiled at Sesshomaru who remained neutral.
"I need to ask that the other members of the room leave. Or better yet you and I can leave to discuss this. It has been many years since we talked." Sesshomaru gave a nod and followed Onigumo out of the room.
Kiki sat down on the couch and sighed. Akina came over and sat down next to her.
"How is it that Sesshomaru knows Kagome and has close ties with her family?"
"I remember seeing you when you were seven. But you seemed to prefer staying at home. Sesshomaru went to school with Kagome but they never met until middle school. They only spoke once then and then she pretended as if she didn't know him. Then during high school; I believe that she was freshmen and he was a sophomore then. They both ended up taking the same electives which required them to work together on some of the activities in class. He was over at our house at least three times a week. At first we demanded that they work in our loft but then Onigumo told them it would be fine if they worked in Kagome's room. I never could understand why, but Onigumo is wise beyond his years and you don't second guess him."
"So then weren't you concerned with what they were doing in her room?"
"That's what I kept thinking about but Onigumo assured me that Sesshomaru was a boy who could be trusted."
"Feh, he wouldn't have tried anything. He isn't big on girls or dating for that matter."
"And if it had been you?" Kiki gave him a suspicious look. InuYasha blushed under her watchful eye.
"Ah…that's not what I meant at all…I a just meant that…oh I don't know what I meant." He rubbed the back of his head.
"You need to learn to watch what you say InuYasha."
"Can you tell us about what happened a while ago with Kagome?"
"Yeah Kiki why did she have a problem walking?"
"She has a 'special' gift that separates her from the rest of the world. I don't think that it is best that the world know of this. If I explain this to you I hope that you two will keep it to yourselves." Kiki looked over at Uri and smiled. Uri trotted over to her grandma and then looked at the other two.
"Mom is an angel. She can fly like this." She started to flap her arms around as if she were a bird.
"Uri you know you can't tell people things like that."
"I know but you said that you were going to tell them about mommy."
"Then why don't you tell them dear?" Uri stood in front of the group of people and saw that they were all paying attention to her.
"My mommy says that it's a curse but grandpa says that it's a gift. On full moons she becomes an angel." Kiki smiled at the little girl.
"Uri your mother told you that her form isn't an angel."
"I know but her wings are pretty." The little girl ran off to the kitchen to get a snack from the frig.
"What she means is that Kagome transforms into a demon on full moons. She isn't a normal demon though. Her father was once a powerful demon. I was a priestess then and we sort of just clicked. We didn't know that our children would be damned. We thought that if he became human then they'd be safe." Kiki looked down at her hands and rubbed them together.
"What in the hell are you talking about? Are you saying that demons are real." Said an exasperated InuYasha.
"Yes and please don't use language like that around my granddaughter."
"Why do you trust us with this sort of information?" asked Akina who was now sitting so close to Kiki that she could have ended up on her lap. Akina had always enjoyed stories about supernatural forces. All the things that Kiki had just said fascinated her.
"Because you're all going to be with her and I know that Sesshomaru will make sure that no one finds out. Onigumo and Sesshomaru have a mutual respect for one another. I could never understand them. They would sit in that damn dojo behind our house for hours, but you wouldn't hear anything. It was as if they weren't even there at all. Onigumo wants Sesshomaru to run the shrine after his death. It's really morbid on my husband but he knows best."
"What about that guy that Onigumo wants Kagome to marry?" asked Akina.
"Marry?" shrieked InuYasha. The women looked at him a laughed.
"Oh InuYasha Onigumo and his friend Hitsuma want their children to marry so that they can combine their shrines but Onigumo would never make her." She laughed at his crimson face.
"Kouga is so in love with Kagome but she brushes him off with little difficulty. In fact she completely ignores all guys. Sometimes I wonder…" Kiki gave the younger girl a scornful glance. "I wasn't inferring anything I swear Kiki." Akina put her hands up in defense and surrender.
"Kagome isn't homosexual if that is what you're conclusion is Akina. She has her reasons for giving up on the opposite sex. I really don't mind how long she takes to find a husband."
"But what if she never does?"
"My husband is sure that she will find the right guy. He has the ability of divination. He knows that she will come face to face with a decision that requires her heart to decide its out come. He refuses to tell her the truth and I can't bring myself to do so either. But just know that once she figures it out she won't be the same."
"What are you talking about mom?" Came Kagome's voice as she stood at her door looking much better.
"Oh nothing dear, how are you feeling?"
"Like I just got hit by a bus, did anyone happen to get the license plate?" she joked and went to sit next to InuYasha. "So what did I miss?" she looked around and found that they were all having trouble meeting her eye.
"Oh nothing dear, your father and Sesshomaru went to catch up on old times."
"That doesn't sound like them. You know mom that lying to your daughter might cause wrinkles." Kiki glared at her daughter but Kagome shrugged it off and went to see what Uri was doing. Uri was currently enjoying a juice box at the kitchen table.
"Hi mommy, are you feeling better?" she smiled at her mother. Kagome sat down at the table with Uri.
"I'm much better. I just wonder why your grandfather and Sesshomaru left."
"Sess-oh-mu-ru" Kagome laughed as Uri tried to say his name. "He's the tall pretty man right mommy." Uri smiled and went back to sipping her drink.
"Sure sweetie. Why don't you call him something else? That way you don't call him 'the pretty tall man'"
"But he is pretty, like when you become an angel and flap your wings." Kagome watched as Uri flapped her hair around as she happily enjoyed herself. "What's wrong mommy?"
"Nothing dear, I was just wondering how it's possible that such a treasure like you came in such a small package." Uri gave her mom a confused look. "It means that I'm lucky to have you in my life."
"Oh, me too, I love you mommy." Kagome placed her hands on the table and then a thought came to her. Why are they here? She left the kitchen and went back into the living room.
"Hey mom what exactly are you doing here?"
"Your father and I have to go see your grandmother, she was leaving for the store when she fell and broke her leg. Your uncle is going to be down on Saturday so we brought Uri here. Souta's with his friend."
"Oh, well do you mind if we go back home then, I would much rather enjoy my vacation."
"Sure dear, you have the keys as always. Your father and I will not be home until Sunday though so just bring Uri with you on Sunday and we'll pick her up here."
"Alright." Kagome suddenly felt better.
Sesshomaru and Onigumo sat across from one another for quite some time without speaking. There silence wasn't uncomfortable but it gave Sesshomaru much time to calculate what the older man might have to tell him. Something about Onigumo had always been a mystery to him. He often wondered how a man so strong and proud had the ability to show love to his family without losing respect from his peers. That was the reason that he hung around Kagome's house at first. He wanted to learn from Onigumo who was nothing like his adopted parents. His family was so emotionally unstable. His adopted mother was a lawyer and his father was a judge. Both had tempers and both couldn't control their emotions at all. He remembered his father very well. He was six and InuYasha was five. His biological father was the owner of chain of computer companies and his mother ran a kindergarten school. They were an odd couple but they loved one another. After their death Sesshomaru slipped into a secluded part of his mind and pushed all feelings of happiness or joy out of his mind.
Then there was that deep hole in his heart that nothing seemed to fill. He couldn't understand why he cared so much. Then came Kagome Higurashi, the girl who seemed to stir him. She had the uncanny ability of driving him insane. She could cause great devastation in his life on a daily basis. Yet there was something intoxicating about her. You could deny that she was nothing more than a girl but that wasn't true. There were different dimensions to her. When she found herself in a tight space she would use her mind to fix her situation. Anytime she felt helpless and lost she'd rediscover old things about herself that made her different from others. Her eyes played off her emotions like a movie screen. When she was happy they'd light up like the night sky. Then there were the many times that she felt alone and sad, he'd noticed it a few times in her eyes. Her eyes became hollow, dejected and uninterested with the world. That was when she would shut herself up and pretend to be happy.
Sesshomaru was diverted from his thoughts by Onigumo who was giving him a thoughtful look. They both were surveying each other. But it was Onigumo who finally broke their silence.
"I know what's on your mind and though I may agree fully with your views of my daughter you will do well not to do any thinking if you wish to survive this conversation." Sesshomaru's face actually changed expressions. He was generally surprised that the older man had figured out what he was thinking about. I wonder if Higurashi also can do this. Onigumo smirked at Sesshomaru who started to grow angry. "Don't worry, she can only do it for a limited time and then she loses strength. Now that is what we are here to discuss."
"Why do you insist of doing that?" demanded Sesshomaru who by now was growling deep in his throat like a rabid dog.
"Calm down boy. You have no reason to become overworked.
"I do when it comes to being perpetrated by you. If I had known of this I would have been on guard." Onigumo rolled his eyes.
"It isn't something you can just avoid boy. That is why we are sitting here. You have much to learn about my family." Sesshomaru folded his arms.
"What could there possibly be? I know that you daughter hides the child, that her friend died. She wasn't stable for a while." Onigumo looked Sesshomaru over and then folded his arms also.
"I have the ability to read minds and see two paths for each person, I cannot see which they will take but each has their advantages and disadvantages. My Kagome has many paths that she hasn't neared yet. What is odd is that each one leads her to the same destiny in the end. Some of them are going to cause her great pain while others will bring her joy and happiness. I choose the latter though."
"She seems well suited for misery." Onigumo gave Sesshomaru a cold look. "I wasn't being serious for once." Only Onigumo could make Sesshomaru flinch. He feared no one except this man. Kagome's father could take down mighty fighters in his day and still could. Onigumo had been a warrior in many wars and when he returned home he became a kung-fu fighter. Any man who could do hand-to-hand combat and almost kill a man was worth respecting. But then there was Kagome, who was able to defeat her father with ease. I bet he allows her to win. There is no possible way that she could be stronger than him. He groaned slightly when he realized that he'd had a thought.
"You are wrong Sesshomaru. Though I do appreciate the admiration you show I never go easy on Kagome. During training I am her teacher and she is my student. At home she is my daughter. There are big differences between the two, but I would never bring harm to her during our sessions. That is also why we are here."
"Why don't you just tell me already?"
"You must be hanging around your brother too much. His ignorance for respect has rubbed of on you."
"I apologize for my comment."
"Sesshomaru you don't have to apologize you just need to loosen up a little. Even the mightiest oak has splinters. Now down to business. Kagome as you know is 'special' and the training that we do has much to do with this."
"What does it have to do with anything?"
"Kagome has been training for her own self worth. She told me when she was little that she felt incomplete. I was surprised to hear my four year daughter talk with such knowledge, but I guess she could always talk." Sesshomaru watched as the older mans face suddenly twitch a little. He had never seen him do that before. "You see I could never bring myself to tell her…" he paused for a moment.
"Tell her what?" He was now interested in what Onigumo had to say.
"Kiki had never given birth to Kagome. Kagome used to ask about her baby pictures and I'd tell her that there was a fire and they all burned." He looked down ashamed suddenly.
"Then is she adopted?" he surprised himself with the question.
"No. This story is difficult to explain. To put it simply we found her at the bottom of our well. I remember hearing someone crying out while I was in the dojo. At the time I was alone and neither my son nor my wife was with me. I found it odd that one moment she was twenty six the next I have my little girl back and my family. The moment I opened up the well door and carried her out Kiki came running out with my son in her arms. She was confused by what was going on. She had died when Kagome was twenty."
"What are you talking about?" Onigumo sighed when he realized that he wasn't making any sense.
"You see I fell into that same well when I was in my twenties and was captured by a human who wanted to use my body as a host. I spend a great part of my life trying to fight him off to no avail. Then Kagome came twenty years later and saved me from him. The well was a portal to another time. I realize that this may sound strange but it is the truth." Sesshomaru gave the man a look that clearly stated that he thought that Onigumo was clinically insane. "Will you stop that this instant. Now as I was saying after the battle in the feudal era we returned here. I felt bad for taking her away from the only man she could ever love. He cared for her deeply but never told her his feelings. As far as I know they got into an argument before we left because she felt one sided. He grew angry with her because she didn't understand him and obviously had no idea how he felt. She spent those six years regretting their fight. She became really cold and I wondered if maybe it would have been best to leave her there. She went back to school and then became the owner of a computer corporation. She spent most of her time at work trying to pretend that she could take on the world with an iron fist. But then one night I saw her go into the well house and could read her thoughts. She had a bad dream about him again and then ended up there. I didn't hear her return and I knew that she had gone back."
"So then she already lived a life before this one?" he was truly confused about everything that he'd learnt.
"That isn't everything. After she returned as a four year old girl a man came to me and explained what had happened during the time that she was gone."
"How am I supposed to believe any of this?"
"You don't have to but I want you to know that maybe one day you'll find out that your life isn't exactly normal either. This guy named Uhen told me that she returned and was deceived by a man named Azulu who had once been infatuated with her in yet another life. Her lover then had despised Azulu who had gone by the name Zualuu then. But at the time they weren't exactly lovers. He was much like the man she loved in her last life. He refused to tell her how much he loved her and yet she didn't mind. She grew up in a small village and could heal with the sound of her voice or with her touch. Then the heir to the western lands came and demanded that she heal a curse that prevented him from using his full strength. She did so but he found that he couldn't leave the village. His brother had befriended her when they were kids but the older brother didn't know this. He remained in this village for over a year questioning what it was about the girl that captured him so."
"What about her last life? What happened with the guy with the silver hair?"
"Ah yes, sorry for going off track. They fought at first because they were both sour about their fight. Ten years had passed for him while six passed for her. A threat came along and he held a meeting in his lands. Kagome came up with the solution and then they set out to find the cause of the problem. But Kagome already knew how to deal with the problem. She didn't know how to tell the man she loved or her friends so she didn't for a while. The leader of the western lands demanded her to finally tell him. But they soon found that they would all be reborn back to this time. Kagome and the lord patched up their differences and then tried to spend as much time as possible with one another before they would lose each other again."
Onigumo surveyed Sesshomaru for a moment and could see that he wasn't comfortable with the idea of Kagome loving someone. It doesn't really matter to me at all. Shut up will you he can hear you remember. Onigumo stay out of my head! Onigumo gave him a smirk.
'Sesshomaru I think you protest too much. It is quite alright if you feel a need to protect my daughter.'
Then maybe you shouldn't make it a habit of yours to assume something that I wasn't getting at. You talk about such things as if you know more than you let on. Tell me Onigumo do you enjoy torturing the hell out of me?
'Yes. I'd have to say that the rush is indescribable. But that isn't why we're here. I need you to protect Kagome. In another day she will become her true form and will need to be placed in her room. She's going home today and you and your brother must accompany her. There will be a visitor later tonight. I know that Kagome refuses his offers but I'd just like for her to make peace with the poor boy. His name is Kouga and he will be there making a fool of himself once more.'
"Will you stop that, it's not normal."
"When has normal been any part of your life Sesshomaru?" Sesshomaru glared but knew that he was being honest. Sesshomaru gave a sigh and took a sip of his tea.
"I'm done torturing you. But just know that Kagome will regain her memories once she meets up with the silver haired demon. It's sort of like a curse I guess. It's to teach the lord that some things are worth sacrifice. He'll have to find his way of showing that he loves her still. I fear though that they might never connect. Kagome refuses all men because she thinks that it was her fault for her friend's downfall. That her bad choice in Yinji caused this. I hold onto my own regret. I shouldn't have brought her back the first time."
"I don't believe that you had a choice. So why exactly are you telling me all of this when your daughter has no clue? If what you are saying is true then she's two thousand four hundred years old."
"No. She died twice. You see Kagome as I've said isn't our actual daughter. There are supernatural forces at work here. The sages that look over our shrine now gave her to us. They created her from different elements. The eight sages; Sahori, Kao, Yura, Rizu, Uhen, Fuyuhiko, Kazo, and, Sakyou all gave her a gift that makes her a strong and powerful demon. But at the same time she was given beauty, humility, a tender heart, and a strong spirit. They were aiming to create a guardian for the feudal era but found that she could never truly stay there. After they created her they knew that if she died she'd just end up in the future. She is much like an immortal, if she dies she'll come back to life yet again and continue on with life."
"That's not a healthy way to live."
"If her enemies from her past were to find this out then she could be in danger. You see when she does die she loses all her memories and as I mentioned before the guy that she's connected with has to break the curse. It is plainly obvious that he hasn't otherwise she'd know about the past two thousand four hundred years." Onigumo stopped speaking suddenly. He closed his eyes and held onto his temples as if he were in pain.
Dad! What are you doing? I know for a fact that you don't just go off with strange boys just to catch up! Came Kagome's voice in Onigumo's head. Sesshomaru for some reason could hear her too but didn't flinch.
'Will you calm yourself Kagome; we are simply catching up that is all.'
You can pretend as if I don't know what's going on but I swear dad if your guys are out scouting for a mate for me I will never forgive you.
'Why on earth would I do such a thing?' Sesshomaru saw the man chuckle a little.
Because you've done it before. I don't want twenty men standing outside of our house serenading me again! That was an all time low dad.
'I don't know what you're talking about Kagome.'
She growled at him and he started to laugh.
'I promise you that I won't do that again. But as I recall you were the one who said that there weren't any good men left in the world.'
It was a joke. You take things too far.
'Oh Kagome that one hurt. Why don't you just marry Kouga?'
Because I don't love him, and I think that there's a plausible reason that I can't figure out.
'Like your heart belonging to another?' He didn't hear anything for a moment but he could feel her trying to think it over.
If that's how you put it. You remember when I told you how I felt something missing?
'Yes. I remember telling you that maybe you'd never completely understand it.'
I still don't I feel like something is missing sort of like a hole in my heart of something. She laughed. I'm sorry dad I'm doing it again I'm bothering you with my nonsense.
'Kagome my dear you are far from bothering me. But I still insist on Kouga.'
DAD!
'Fine forget the boy for now, is your mother still with you?'
Yeah she's looking at me funny though, she doesn't know that we're talking. I keep making weird faces and she looks sort of worried that I'm going to crack.
'Does she know about what happened yesterday?'
How did you, dad were you reading my mind again? What have I told you about that?
'I can't seem to recall.'
I told you to warn me. You could get me into trouble you know. She might not want others to know when she's coming back.
'But it does matter to me she is as much my daughter as you are and if there is possible hope that she'll be back I deserve to know.'
You'll throw out the natural order if you keep doing that. How much of a freak do you want me to be?
'That isn't fair Kagome; you have a special gift and should respect it.'
How can I when I scare people away?
'You haven't scared anyone away but you choose to detract yourself from men. I don't mind so much though.'
Oh so it's okay for Kouga to come over and climb my vines at night and sing to my window? You know I fell asleep during class. How is it possible that I got stuck with him?
'Good luck I guess.'
Oh yeah good luck dad, it's your fault that he follows me around and embarrasses me in public.
'Kagome he means well really. The boy is just captivated by your sparkling personality.'
Who are you trying to fool dad. I'm a total prude.
'Is that what Yuri told you?'
She warned me that if I continue to be boring and not get back out and enjoy my life that the sages wouldn't allow me to join their council. I can't believe that.
'Maybe you should review the tapes that you Yuri and Tojin took on your road trips.'
Maybe.
'I recall you jumping three hundred feet into the ocean. Then you worried Yuri and Tojin to death when you didn't surface for ten minutes'.
Dad I was reckless then I'm not going to do that anymore.
'That's the problem Kagome you should. You can't get hurt and you enjoyed it.'
Sesshomaru listened while they talked. Kagome had no respect what so ever. How could Onigumo allow her to talk to him like that.
Sesshomaru he's my dad after all and the only time that we worry about manners are when we're training. And why are you listening in on our conversation?
'If I knew I would have been gone a log time ago.'
Damn.
'Kagome what did I say about that language.' Said Onigumo.
Sorry dad but now he knows about everything.
'Though this is true Kagome maybe it's for the best that he knows. I have a feeling that you'll need him later on in life.'
What are you talking about Onigumo? Said Sesshomaru in his mind glaring daggers at he older man.
'I was merely stating that Sesshomaru will be going with you when you go home.'
What? Why? I can take care of myself!
'I never said that you couldn't but maybe having him there will keep Kouga at bay.'
And what's Sesshomaru going to do glare at him until he dies? Wait that's a good idea.
'You can't be serious Kagome.'
Dad I was kidding I swear. Kouga isn't all bad. At one point we were friends.
'Good girl Kagome now we'll be there soon so make sure you're ready, if you want Akina and InuYasha can go with you.'
What about Yuki?
'Oh yes her too, just don't forget that Uri needs to take her vitamins.'
Sure. You know dad you're the best. He could feel her leave and then took his hand off of his head. Sesshomaru looked indifferent but Onigumo could tell that he was in deep thought but decided to stay out of his head for once.
Kagome waved to her parents and their cars parted ways on the street. Inside Kagome's car it was completely crowded. In the front sat Kagome and Sesshomaru who weren't talking. InuYasha had the driver's side behind Kagome while Akina had the other. This left Yuki in the middle. InuYasha had Uri on his lap but she wanted to sit up with Sesshomaru so she cried for half an hour until Kagome convinced Sesshomaru allow Uri to sit with him.
"Mister what can I call you?" she asked Sesshomaru who was trying his best not to pay attention to her. He did hold onto her though to make sure that she didn't get hurt but he was unhappy that Kagome had 'forced' him to watch the child throughout the whole trip.
"Sesshomaru." He said simply.
"But I can't say that, it's too hard." She wrinkled her nose. He rolled his eyes at her which caused her to laugh. "You are so funny!" she squealed. Hey mommy did you know that he was funny?" Kagome gave Sesshomaru a once over and then turned her eyes back to the road.
"Nope I had no idea but then again it is possible."
"As I've told you before you should quit school and open a comedy club."
"Just as long as you join me."
"Mommy why is he growling like that?" Uri looked up at Sesshomaru with innocent eyes trying to figure out why he made such strange noises.
"Because he's angry with me; but you get used to his mood swings."
"I still don't know what to call you, Sess-oh-mu-ru." She tried to sound out.
"You almost had it that time." Said Sesshomaru with his same deadpan expression.
"Really?" her face lit up and then she did something that shocked almost everyone in the car. She HUGGED Sesshomaru who pushed himself against his seat as ifhe were being attacked. "You are so cool Sesshomaru." She said finally getting his name right. Sesshomaru calmed down a bit and glared knives at Kagome who didn't seem fazed at all.
"Sesshomaru sure has a way with the ladies doesn't he." Came InuYasha's voice from the back seat.
"I concur, he attracts them like flies." Laughed Akina.
"Oh yes and his sparkling personality dazzles and woos them." Said Yuki finally. Kagome slowed down a bit.
"Come on guys knock it off. It's not funny." Everyone shut up when Kagome said this. Why am I defending him anyway?
'Good question.' Said Sesshomaru in his mind which caused her to almost lose control of the car. She looked over at him but found that he was looking out the window while Uri joined him. He was surprised to find that the child knew how to be quiet.
How is this possible? This time the question was directed toward him. He shrugged his shoulders.
'Who knows, wait your father might.'
Yeah that's true. Maybe we should just shut our minds.
'That might be easier for you since you don't use yours half the time.'
"What do you know you jerk!" she suddenly yelled. Everyone in the car looked at her with concern.
See what I mean. What is your problem?
"Shut up already!" she yelled again.
"Kagome is there something the matter? Are you hearing the voices again? I have St. Mayo on speed dial if you need to be institutionalized" joked Yuki.
"Ha ha very funny. No I'm fine, um Sesshomaru keeps mouthing things to me that's all." Sesshomaru was about to say something but Kagome sent him a deadly glare that for some reason shut him up. Uri yawned and curled herself up in Sesshomaru's lap. It seemed to him that Kagome's whole family brought along surprises of their own. This little girl was one of many.
Don't worry Sesshomaru she won't bring harm to you. She's just a little girl. He relaxed a little but still felt uncomfortable being this close to someone else.
'How do you put up with it?'
Why not, she's just a sweet little girl Sesshomaru. For some reason she likes you. He sent her a glare and she smiled but kept her eyes on the road. The others were napping in the back. They had left after the five and it was nearing nine o' clock.
"Sesshomaru, can I ask you something?" She made a stop at the light. He gave a nod but continued to look out the window. "What did my father tell you today? I could feel that it was important and it makes me wonder if maybe he hasn't been honest with me." She looked over at him for a moment and found that he was looking back at her.
"I don't think that it's my place to tell you." His voice was calm and even.
"I bet it was about the time he found me in the well house right? He and mom don't know that I remember that. Not even dad could read my thoughts on that. I learned this trick from Yuri when we were kids. She was a great priestess. She showed me how to put some of my thoughts into a Pensieve; it is a special kind of water. You get this bowl made of pure Oak wood and then fill it with spring water. She added all of these herbs to it and then told me to place my head in it for five minutes and it would take some of my thoughts out so that no one could read my mind and get to them."
"Do you still have this Pensieve?" For a moment she was silent, as if contemplating in her mind whether she should trust him. He raised his eyebrow at her. "You don't trust me?"
"Oh it's not that I just um well okay that is it. But it's not that I'm worried that you'll use it for evil but some of the memories in the Pensieve I can't see myself. Others are dreams that I've had. In the dream I'm either watching from above the scenes or I'm involved in them. I don't think that they're dreams at all though." She blushed suddenly when she realized that she'd been rambling on.
"You know why I asked then right?" He pulled Uri close to him as Kagome turned the corner to her house.
"I do but I'm not sure if I can allow you to look in it." She knew that he would be mad, but she'd have to go in with him.
"Why not?" She found herself surprised at how calm he was.
"I have a condition that causes me to have to stay in my room tonight. The surprising thing about you is that I do trust you. I shouldn't because you seem like you would rip out a guy's heart just for kicks."
"I don't think your assumptions of me are fair."
"Sorry." She actually meant it. "How about tomorrow? I can't wake up until twelve though. If you can get the others out of the house then we can."
"Can do."
"Aren't you supposed to salute and say yes ma'am?"
"Don't push it."
Kagome pulled into her parent's driveway and woke the sleeping people in the back. Sesshomaru carried Uri up to the house while Kagome and the others gathered their items from the vehicle. Kagome tried hard not to smile to herself as she watched Sesshomaru's retreating form taking her child to the house. That is just too sweet. She knew that he could no longer enter her thoughts because she had closed him off. She could feel him trying to enter her thoughts, but couldn't. She would have laughed at his feudal attempts but she thought that her friends had seen too much of crazy Kagome for one day.
Sesshomaru waited for Kagome to show up at the front door. She was the first to get there and opened it. She told him where Uri's room was and he took her upstairs. Kagome looked at her watch and realized that she only had ten minutes left before she'd have to hide in her room for the night. Should I tell Sesshomaru that I'm going to be in my room? She decided to and went to find him. He was just pulling the covers over Uri's small form. She leaned against the door a studied him. He seemed to know exactly what to do. He'd make a great father. She smacked her forehead and felt her face flush. Shut up will you, here you are drooling over Sesshomaru again. He's E-V-I-L, evil. Wow I know how to spell. He looked up at her suddenly. She could feel a sweatdrop coming on. He just watched her shift uncomfortably under his gaze.
They left the room and Kagome explained to him that she would be in her room and that no one should enter it. She wasn't dangerous but if they saw her they'd most likely get scared.
Inside her room she shut the window and turned off the lights. She took out her candles and lit them. The scent of cherry and lilac filled the room. Something was slowly making its way to the surface, poking itself out from her back. She winced when she felt her wings push out. Each time this happened she would bleed. She gripped her pillow and squeezed it as she spread her wings out to ease the pain. At least this part is over. She thought to herself as her finger nails changed into pointed claws. Her hair became visibly longer; it flowed in front of her and engulfed her body. When she stood she almost tripped over her own hair. Its length fell far beyond her feet and ran along the carpet. She let out a sigh and laid down, stomach first on her bed.
A/N: I was waiting for the other chapter to get some reviews so sorry for the wait on this one but it's a really long chapter! So after I post this one I'm starting on chapter five, but then I'm going to wait and see if people want more. I see another sequel coming on after this story! But don't worry this story is far from over! I'm also thinking about a prequel to Mirror. It'll be about the very first Kagome and Sesshomaru. But that can wait. Okay so go and review!