Chapter 2: Three Wishes From The Shikon No Tama
Around each of the ten camp fires were surrounded by warriors and healers the light It was
warmed them and gave them light. The battle had left them with about half of the warriors that they had started with. It was depressing if you thought about it. Most of them had been demons, and now most of the survivors were demons…almost all the humans had died, if not half way, then near the beginning of the battle. The types of demons were scattered, though they had all shown up originally together in the
groups of their type. There were two separate groups of Wolf Demons one group of them were lead by Koga and the other by Ayame. A group of dog demons had shown up when they had heard that Sesshoumaru-sama and Inuyasha, the sons of the great Dog Demon were fighting and needed assistance, well, they heard of Inuyasha needing assistance whereas Sesshoumaru-sama would never admit needing any form of 'help' from anyone. About thirty Birds of Paradise had stumbled upon the battle and ended up fighting for the flesh of their victims. The last tribe that had come was a rogue group of the Cat Demon tribe who's leader had deserted them leaving nothing, thus them becoming 'rogue'. Every one of them were receiving healers to help, though there were some that weren't part of any camp fire.
Kagome was among the few healers who were not around the fires, she had lead a while before from a request from a group of the wolf demons and hadn't been seen since.
Though among the healers was a woman who looked exactly like her, except she had a cold and almost unchanging look on her face. The few times she did smile to the warriors she appeared empty, the smile didn't mean anything, she was trying to make them feel more comfortable. Kikyo. She had been sent to the area where her expert healing powers were most needed, the fire with all the people who had been gravely injured from battle. Her face was bathed in the light of the flames that were a rainbow of red, orange and yellow, together they creating a glow around everyone and supplying light so the healers could bandage the wounds that seemed to be everywhere on these particular victims of battle. Kikyo had been brought to the camp by Inuyasha a few hours earlier against her better judgment and her will. Though when she had been asked to help bandage the wounded she decided to stay so no more would have to die. Kikyo was keeping a close eye on the cabin
Kagome was in with her soul collectors, inside were a wolf demons as well as outside. She could not go in there in her current condition, Naraku's trick had injured her a great deal. She remembered looking down at her own injuries, the worst was still dripping a bit of blood, though before it had been bandage she had been both bleeding and having the souls collected by her soul collectors leaving her body without sign of stopping, she had been positive she was going to die, finally. But Inuyasha had shown up and saved her life…gave her life, for the second time, though the first time had been by complete accident.
Turning back to bandaging the demon's arm she occasionally looked over. Waiting for Kagome to leave the hut, so she would get her chance to finished what she had tried to do on so many occasions. Kikyo smiled and continued to bandage the wound.
"Inuyasha…" She whispered under her breathe quiet enough for the demon to not hear her. "Your soul will be mine, Hell is waiting for us, my love." She smiled and finished bandaging the demon's arm, her mind never leaving her thought of having Inuyasha's soul…and being able to rest once and for all.
Kagome took out a towel into the pail of water that was in the middle of her body and Koga's unconscious body. The shock and pain had gotten to him and knocked him out about a half a hour after Ayame had been buried, that had been about two hours earlier. He had just sat and stared at where her blood soaked body had laid almost right next to him, he could still feel her soul, he could even still smell the aroma of her blood. It finally become too much for him to handle so he just fell back and went to sleep. Kagome felt so sad for Koga, though he had never loved Ayame she was important to him. After all she would never leave him alone, and being around a person long enough you grow to love them either as a lover or as a very close friend.
Kagome still couldn't get it out of her mind, and the sent of her blood either. None of what had happened would she ever forget. She was a human and still the smell of Ayame's blood was strong to her…even after it had been cleaned up. Before she felt like she was going to vomit, and now, it just made her feel a tad bit nauseous. Kagome dried her eyes and looked down at Koga replaying everything that had just happened.
Koga was crying into Ayame's lower chest, his head to where he would be able to hear her heart beat if it still could. He continued to cry, sad, long sobs of pain and loss. Every sob stabbed Kagome in her heart, it was so sad, the sound of his crying, his long hard sobs and tears streaming down his face. He looked like a child crying into her like that, like he wanted more then anything else to not be there and for it not to be happening. Mostly all of her blood had oozed or poured out of her small body, she was pale as a ghost and looked more beautiful then Kagome had ever seen her with her eyes closed, her face as expressive as a glacier and the same colour. She was so young but had died. Koga wouldn't stop crying to Ayame, it sounded like he was dying, Kagome had to say something to him, this was tearing him up inside and causing him a lot of pain and he wouldn't stop crying.
"Koga? She's gone, Koga, please stop crying, there's nothing that you could have done." Kagome shouldn't have been talking technically for the fact she was crying as well, but it didn't stop her. Koga muttered something that sounded like pure gibberish. "What is it Koga? It's okay, you did all you could and she dies happy. Talking to you like she always wanted to."
"No! I should have found Kagura faster and killed her quicker! I could have saved her, she could still be alive and joking around the camp fire and insulting Inuyasha! But instead she's right here with me and you dead, there is no blood left in her body, Kagome! Look how young and beautiful she looks…I destroyed her life, I wouldn't have married her but she could have found a mate on her own!" He screamed tears still streaming down his face, with howls of grief and sorrow. Kagome gave him a hug and cried on his shoulder and he held her crying his eyes out even still.
"Ayame! Ayame!" He shouted then collapsed down to his bed crying weakly. Kagome look over Ayame, she hadn't been able to take care of any of her injuries, she laid before her cut up and still bleeding, the floor was soaked with blood but most of it had gone through the planks of wood below where her body still laid. Kagome had just finished finish drying her tears, the wolf demons that had brought Ayame there were still crying uncontrollably.
"Okay, we need to take her body to the battle field, a monk that I traveled with is there burying bodies of the desisted and doing a service for those who were royalty." Kagome tried to smile to the depressed wolves. They dried their tears and walked over to Kagome.
"Thank you for trying, Lady Kagome. At least our princess got what she wanted." The wolf paused and smiled. "A conversation with the one she loved more then anyone else." Kagome remembered when she first met Ayame and watched her say that she was his fiancée, the look on Koga's face. It made her smile as she gently grabbed under Ayame's blood soaked arms. She was going to help them carry them to the field and stay for the service, she would go for Koga because he was unable to even move unless they wanted him in pain. Kagome didn't want to see anymore sad faces from Koga after she had just seen him crying.
Miroku stood beside Ayame's small body, brought his hands together and prayed in silence for a few minutes, the wolf demons and Kagome join in with him. Kagome thought of how she first met Ayame and how much even then she appeared to be in love with Koga, and she was, even in death Kagome believed that Ayame still loved him and once Koga died and went up to heaven she would still be waiting. Kagome had a big heart and was rather intelligent, she raised her head to Miroku, who was still praying with the wolves. Extremely quietly she snuck away back to the hut where Koga would probably still be sleeping.
"Blessed it be, may the soul pass into the Heavens where it will be relieved of pain, suffering and the problems of this life. Princess Ayame of The Mountain Wolf Demon Tribe, pass into the afterlife with no fear, there is only happiness." Miroku raised his staff and chanted for a second while waving it over Ayame's body. "Rest in peace, where you depart you will not be alone. Those who loved you will think of you until the day when they, themselves, join you in paradise. Farewell."
Ayame's soul then completely departed her body, the wolves howled and the wolf demons cried heavy sobs of grief and sorrow. The warriors who fought alongside her started to dig a grave beside her body, Miroku regarded them for a moment then returned his gaze to Ayame. Reaching down he brushed her hair out of her face then located the flower on the left side of her head. Quickly he removed it and placed it in her hands, then smiled kindly at the demons who had just finished digging her grave.
Miroku then looked over the demons with an obviously confused expression on his face. The demons looked at him and noticed what he did. Aloud Miroku stated his observation.
"Where is Kagome?"
The place where Ayame had laid was still warm, and coloured a deep crimson from her uncontrollable bleeding, Kagome would have to clean it later after she took care of Koga, not only his injuries but once he awoke he would probably be thrown into a fit of rage, or get extremely depressed.
"Koga…" Kagome whispered bandaging the last wound on his lower gut. Sitting at his side Kagome started thinking of how to have some of his pain go away. "The potion!" She said aloud. She turned and stood then, quietly, tiptoed to her bag so as not to wake Koga. She knelt down once over at the bag. It wasn't the large yellow bag that usually accompanied her to the Feudal Era, Priestess Miki's younger sister, Miyuki had given it to Kagome before the battle begun, knowing they would not meet again until it was over and Kagome might have needed it right way and Miyuki might have not been able to find her to give it to her.
"Priestess Miyuki had given me a potion to heal and eliminate pain." She turned to Koga with a smile. I can take some of his pain away, she smiled to herself being able to help him made her very happy. Kagome put the elixir in her mouth, Miyuki told her to give it to the patient like this and no matter how embarrassing it was Kagome would do it for Koga's sake. She would have to kiss him. Kagome paused just as almost all of the potion was in her mouth, Wouldn't this be kind of cheating on Inuyasha? No, it was too help Koga get better then it's just something I have to do…as his friend…and it wasn't like her and Inuyasha were 'together'.
Those were Kagome's last thoughts before she presses finger tips to Koga's lips and opened his mouth slightly, then she put her head down towards his and pressed her mouth to his putting the liquid in his mouth. Instantly Koga awoke and notice Kagome kissing him, he kissed her back and before Kagome knew what was going on she forgot it was Koga and kissed him back. When she came to her senses she shot her head up away from Koga's lips. His kiss was soft and sweet like honey, unlike when Kagome had kissed Inuyasha when he was under Kaguya's spell about a year earlier. Only he would have killed her if she hadn't. So that had been a forced kiss and he had stated that he hadn't wanted her too. Kagome out her hand to her lips not fully realizing what had completely just happened. Koga had a surprised and confused look on his face at the same time with a fragment of satisfaction, like a kitten with a bowl of cream.
"K-Koga, I a, I-I…" Kagome stuttered and couldn't get the words out properly. She was in shock from him waking, Miyuki had never said that it would wake Koga up, Kagome was going to kill her. Before she could figure out what to say to Koga to respond he fell back onto the bed that was made up for him. Kagome sighed heavily, this way she could make it pass off as a dream too him, she sighed happily. Inuyasha was the one she loved, the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with and she was just happy he had not seen it. She sighed then returned to Koga's side to check his temperature and watch over him till he woke again.
Outside the window of the cabin standing tall but shaking was a boy, dressed in a all red kimono, with long white hair that went to his around his waist, he only muttered one thing, with a great deal of sadness and shock in his voice that seemed to echo after he gasped.
"K-Kagome."
Kagome in the light, her face was coloured the same as the flames; yellow, red and orange. She sat motionless thinking of what had happened an hour earlier: Koga had kissed her…and she had kissed him back! She loved Inuyasha and now felt ashamed, she should have gotten another miko do give him the healing potion…she had been unfaithful to Inuyasha, it wasn't right. She knew that Inuyasha had been unfaithful to her on several occasions and she had forgiven him…even the time that he did it right in front of her. But he hadn't done anything lately that she knew…he had let Kikyo go and here she was doing exactly what he did to hurt her so many times. It wasn't right even if it wasn't her fault, she didn't think he'd kiss back. Why did the potion have to be given from mouth-to-mouth anyway? But that a side, Kagome was just happy Inuyasha hadn't seen her, but should she tell him? Did he really need to know? Would he understand? No. He would go into a jealous rage as usual and hurt Koga who is already injured and emotional.
"Kagome-chan!" Kagome came out of her thought and looked up. Sango was running towards her with a smile on her face. She was out of her slayers uniform and back into her normal cloths. A beige kimono with maroon stripes, a green skirt, the black part of her slayers uniform underneath and her long brown hair was tied almost at the tips with string. She looked overjoyed as she ran towards Kagome.
"Sango-chan, what's happened? What's with the happy face?" Kagome asked kindly as Sango sat beside her and gave her a hug. Kagome smiled as Sango started to cry tears of joy as she repeated a sentence she had been chanting while running towards Kagome.
"Kohaku, Kohaku, he remembers me. He remembers everything that happened, Kagome-chan. I have my brother back, Kohaku has returned to me!" Sango sobbed everything but kept the smile on her face. She was so happy, Kagome had never seen Sango so alive, her motive for going after Naraku had been to avenge her father's and the other slayer's deaths, and for Naraku to let go of Kohaku's mind so he would remember her and they could live with each other again like before Naraku destroyed their family.
Sango composed and started to breath again. The tears stopped coming and Sango stopped hugging Kagome and just held her hands. "Kagome-chan, without yours and Inuyasha's help I never would have my brother back. He would probably still be Naraku's slave, but he isn't. He's just my kid brother again." She cried slightly whipping away the last of her tears.
"Wait, Sango-chan? Does that mean that Kohaku-kun remembers killing his father and the others? Does he remember trying to kill you?" If Naraku had let go of his mind then he let go of his memory, Kohaku should have remembered all of the things he had done when he was under Naraku's control. Sango had seen this question coming but didn't know how to answer it exactly.
Sango thought about a way to explain it for a moment, then turned to face Kagome. "Kohaku remembers almost everything but the fact that he killed father, the others and almost myself is still blind to him. He does occasionally start crying for no reason and if Naraku is truly gone he'll remember everything eventually…At this moment I'm just happy that I have my brother back, I'm happy that Kohaku is with me again." Kagome looked at Sango's smile, happy herself knowing now Sango would sleep easier. Then Sango looked up and glared slightly. Kagome was confused for a moment then followed her site a head. On the other side of the fire stood a figure in miko wear, a bow and arrow, and long raven black hair that was tired back into a low ponytail. It was Kikyo, Kagome glared along with Sango. Kikyo didn't notice and probably wouldn't had cared.
"Have either of you seen Inuyasha?" She asked simply. Kagome's eyes widened, why would Kikyo want to see Inuyasha? Inuyasha rejected Kikyo and had chosen her not Kikyo! Kikyo had to still be going after him and Inuyasha just wasn't aware yet.
"Why are you looking for Inuyasha?" Sango demanded instead of Kagome. "He doesn't want you, you almost killed him and Kagome-chan. He wants you to leave this world."
Kikyo nodded and looked down for a moment with a smile then looked back up right into Sango's eyes sending a chill down Sango's spine. "Well then will the two of you accompany me to the 'Shikon No Tama' wishing ceremony? It is starting soon and I believe that Kagome has to go there to perform the ceremony." With that Kikyo turned away from Sango and Kagome and walked over to the main fire that stood at least fifty feet in the air; it looked like a phoenix spreading it's wings to the never ending sky and Kikyo heading towards it, she almost looked like a Goddess.
Kagome hadn't notice until that moment, when Kikyo stood by the fire, just how beautiful she really was. Deep brown eyes, silky, long, flowing raven black hair, a beautiful body and a beautiful, though pale, complexion. Kagome had notice that Kikyo was beautiful enough to pass off as a Goddess…un like herself. Plus Kikyo had already had Inuyasha, he promised her to protect her forever and that he would become human for her…only for her so they could live together and have children that were human just for her. How could she ever compete with that? There was no way she could ever be as loving as she had been for decades.
Kagome thought this as her and Sango walked towards the main fire where the crowd was gathering…and her time in the feudal was ending.
Priestess Kaede chanted to the fire, it grew and pieces of paper were being thrown into the still growing flame. She was an old and frail woman aged but sacred, her long gray hair was pulled back into a low ponytail that went down her back and she was wearing the traditional miko wear; a pair of red pant that were baggy and a long sleeve white shirt. The Shikon No Tama rested in Kagome's hand just as it had so long before, before it was shattered…before she had started this whole journey with Inuyasha. Kagome walked up next to Kaede and held the Shikon No Tama tightly inside her palm. It looked like Kikyo and Kaede were performing the ritual to the older members of the village who remembered Kikyo. This annoyed Inuyasha who was sitting up in one of the taller trees. He had been thinking for a long time.
"Kagome kissed Koga, I saw it. I know I saw it. I don't want to believe it but it happened, no matter what I want to think it did happen." Now I guess I know how Kagome felt every time I went with Kikyo, Inuyasha thought to himself. He couldn't be with Kagome now…not after he saw her with Koga, that mangy wolf cub. Inuyasha jumped down from the tree and through the crowd to the front where Miroku and Sango were standing with Shippo. They all turned towards him.
"Inuyasha, your just in time. We are the ones who get to make the wishes the Shikon No Tama is going to give. It was written by Midoriko on a stone in the Demon-Slayer village that read if the jewel ever broke and was brought back together that the people that brought it back would be given three wishes to thank them for their help." Miroku stated as they all watched Kagome and Kaede chant. A bright light came out of the Shikon No Tama as they chanted. They stopped as soon as the jewel was glowing brightly enough that it appeared to be day, not night. Kagome looked at the jewel in her hands. Three years of her life were spent on finding every fragment of this jewel, now it was complete. Now it was over. After this she would have to choose to stay in the Feudal Era or go back to the present and never see anyone ever again...except Inuyasha if he chooses to come with her, which in her mind was what was going to happen. Kagome turned to her companions.
Her friends. Her family. First she would ask Sango and Miroku what they had decided to wish for. Before the ceremony Sango had told Kagome that her, Miroku and Shippo all had the same wish and it would come true with all of their determination rather then just one. The jewel's light suddenly sucked back into the jewel and took the form of a woman, Midoriko! She stood in front of Kagome and everyone else witnessing the ceremony. Her feet touched the ground, her eyes opened, she became human…but only till the wishes were made, then she was pass on, with the jewel. Kagome looked at her, awestruck. Midoriko nodded for Kagome to join her friends, and she quickly walked over and stood with them, still not able to believe her eyes.
Midoriko turned to them. "Sango the Demon Slayers Village, Monk Miroku, and little Shippo," they all jumped slightly, how did she know their names? Unaffected, and unaware of why they were freaked out she continued without hesitation. "You have together helped return the Shikon No Tama back to it's whole form, like it was before it was fractured and scattered. For this you shall get one wish of the Shikon No Tama. Of Me. But only one. So make it worth your effort and suffering." She paused for a moment then smiled vibrantly and full of joy. "And thank you all very much."
Sango shook her head, recovering from the scene that had taken place. "T-thank you Midoriko-Sama, we accept your gift of a wish." She grabbed Shippo's and Miroku's hands and smiled with them. "We would like to bring back one person each who was dear to us who was killed by either the result of the jewel shards being scattered and letting demons gain power by them, or were killed through someone
who had a jewel shard." Midoriko smiled then became seriously again.
"You will have to say the person when the jewel starts to glow or the wish will not be granted for you." Everyone nodded. Midoriko held out the jewel that was now in her hand and chanted for a moment. She looked up and nodded at the jewel gained light.
"My father!" Each of them shouted the two words in unison. The light became blinding and when it cleared before each of them were their fathers. Shippo was first to react and jumped off Sango's shoulder and onto his father's back.
"Daddy!" He cried happily. His father shifted into his human like form and hugged Shippo. "You're alive! I have you back!" He continued to cry. Sango and Miroku both did the same, each of them were so happy. They had family. Midoriko turned away from them then turned to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha, son of the great dog demon, you have helped return the Shikon No Tama back to it's whole form, like it was before it was fractured and scattered. For this you shall get one wish of the Shikon No Tama. Of Me. But only one. So make it worth your effort and suffering, and thank you all very much." She repeated every word of what she said to the others. Inuyasha had originally agreed with Kagome to be human so they could live together. But after what he say between Kagome and Koga…he couldn't wish it.
"I wish to become human." He stated bluntly yet proudly. Midoriko focused on him and smiled slightly. What's with this woman and smiling? He thought to himself silently.
"Is there a reason you are wishing for this? Is it for someone you love that you wish to become human?" He nodded, and Kagome blushed. "Could that person be beside you for this wish? You have to focus everything on that person if you wish for your wish to come true." Inuyasha nodded again. Kagome started to walk over to him but was stopped by his voice calling into the crowd.
"Kikyo, would you stand beside so the promise I made you so many years ago can finally be granted for the two of us?" He stated holding out his hand to the miko. She was in the front, and didn't appear surprised by any of what had just happened. Kaede, Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Shippo looked at Inuyasha in shock. He choose Kikyo…again. Unable to talk Kagome felt the tears come to her eyes followed immediately by heavy, pain filled sobs. She didn't understand…why Kikyo? Why did he always pick Kikyo!
Midoriko focused again and the light returned blinding everyone a second time. When it cleared this time Inuyasha stood with Kikyo, his fangs replaced by human teeth, his claws replaced by human fingernails and toenails, his white hair gone in exchange for black, his dog ears disappeared and human ears appeared on each side of his head He actually did it. He became human…for Kikyo. Midoriko then turned to the crying Kagome.
"Kagome the Miko, you have helped return the Shikon No Tama back to it's whole form, like it was before it was fractured and scattered. For this you shall get one wish of the Shikon No Tama. Of Me. But only one. So make it worth your effort and suffering, and thank you all very much." Midoriko finished for the last time, there was one wish left…but what did Kagome need? Inuyasha…but now that was impossible, she needed to get away. She wanted to leave, and never come back!
"I wish I never came to the Feudal Era! I wish I never released Inuyasha! I want to forget everything that happened here and I want to return to my own time!" Kagome cried out desperately. For the last time the jewel glowed, only now Midoriko disappeared and Kagome started to glow. Inuyasha turned to her in shock.
"Kagome!" He shouted reaching out to her glowing figure. She shot a glare at him that would have frozen Sesshoumaru-Sama in his tracks.
"How could you do this to me, Inuyasha! You want Kikyo? Fine, have her! But I'm not going to stay to watch you! Good-bye Inuyasha, I love you, but right at this moment and for the rest of time I will never be able to show you anything other then hate and the pain you just put me though." With that Kagome disappeared into snow flakes of light, then the world went blank.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The sound was constant and annoying. Kagome reached to her side table and hit her alarm into silence. Putting her head down she tried to remember the dream she was having. There was a boy and a jewel, and she broke it…then what happened? She couldn't even remember his face or name, she thought for a minute or two, trying to remember… But couldn't. Shrugging it off she lifted herself out of bed and stretched. Yawning she opened her window for some fresh air. The sun pored into her room filling it with a slight warmth.
"Kagome! Yo have to get ready for school or you'll be late." Called up her mother.
"Alright mom! I'll be down in a minute." She threw off her pajamas and put non her school uniform quickly. Before stepping out of her room she stretched again then yawned. "I feel like I've been sleeping for years." She mumbled as she scratched the back of her neck. "Probably just had a good night." She finished her thoughts with her own conclusion. Satisfied she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen where her mother gave her a piece of toast and pushed her out the door.
"Don't be late Kagome!" Her mother stated again before heading inside.
"I won't!" Kagome called back. Looking over at the bone eaters well she saw her brother looking in. "Hey, Sota, we have to run." She called pointing at her watch.
"But Buyo's inside." He whimpered.
"Mom will get the cat later, or grandpa, but we have to go." Usually Kagome would go in and grab the cat but today she didn't have a good feeling about it. "So lets go." Sota groaned and followed Kagome down the stairs leaving their shrine. Kagome suddenly felt empty, but didn't mention it as she ran with her brother away from the well that, in another time, was her true love still bounded to the scared tree, and his true love, dead and in a grave in Kaede's village…in the Feudal Era. Where she never knew she had been.