Chapter 8: The Legend Revealed
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, but the storyline is mine.
Author's Note: Wow… it's been seemingly forever since I last updated. I had mid-terms over the last couple weeks so all I've been able to do is study..then my computer crashed…then I got sick…blahblahblah. LoL Anyyyyyyyyway…I'm on spring break this week so I'll try to get a couple new chapters up. And thank you soooooo much to all of you that have reviewed. It's really encouraging to know that people are reading, and better yet, like what they're reading! I encourage anyone that has anything to say to please review, and lemme know if there's any unanswered questions. Happy reading! azami
Last time: Kagome laughed nervously, unsure of how to approach the subject of marriage with her mother. "Well…um…actually, Mom…" she began.
Her mother could sense that the two young people in front of her had come for a very serious reason indeed. "Right on schedule…" she thought to herself. Kagome's mother then nodded, "Why don't we sit down and talk. I'll brew some tea."
Kagome shifted nervously in her seat, staring down at the teacup she held in her hands. Inuyasha sat beside her, not saying a word as she had made it more than clear that she wanted to do the talking. The young miko was oddly nervous about talking to her mother about marrying Inuyasha. She sighed heavily, trying to muster some nerve, when her grandfather entered the room. "Ji-chan! Hi!" Kagome got up and went to hug her grandfather.
"Kagome! Inuyasha! What a pleasant surprise! You're staying for dinner I hope," her grandfather exclaimed, beaming. Kagome tittered nervously, but before she could continue, her mother cut in.
"Actually, Dad, Kagome and Inuyasha have come to discuss an important matter with us. I think that you should be present for this as well," she said, smiling brightly.
Kagome's grandfather's brow furrowed, "Oh? Sounds serious. What is it, Kagome?" He took a seat next to her mother, eyeing both Kagome and Inuyasha somewhat suspiciously. Kagome swallowed nervously, and forced a smile. "Oh boy…this might be harder than I thought…" She was worried that her family would think that everything was happening far too quickly, and that she was too young to get married. "But, I love Inuyasha, and I'm going to do this!" she shouted in her mind.
Kagome cleared her throat, and spoke firmly, "Inuyasha and I are getting married." She then squinted her eyes closed, thinking that she was going to be hit with a barrage of objections, but instead all she heard was the overjoyed squeal of her mother.
"Oh Kagome! This is wonderful news!" she gushed. Kagome opened her eyes and starred at her mother, dumbfounded. "Huh?" was the only reply she could muster. Ji-chan was already up and patting Inuyasha on the back, smiling broadly.
"You mean…you're not…mad?" Kagome asked, very confused. Kagome's mother smiled sweetly at the young miko.
"Of course we're not mad, Kagome! We've been waiting for this all along!"
Kagome remained her seat, still dumbfounded at what just happened. Inuyasha, on the other hand, was grinning just as widely as her mother and grandfather. He'd also been a little worried that her family might react negatively to their plans, but not it was more than obvious that they had no reason to worry. He looked over at Kagome, who still looked confused. "Kagome? You ok?"
She turned her head to meet the amber eyes of her intended mate. Kagome nodded, "Uh huh…" she murmured. The suddenly she snapped out of her stupor and processed the last thing her mother said.
"What do you mean you've been waiting for this all along!" Kagome blurted out. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to her. Her mother's face grew serious, and she sat back down.
"I suppose it's time I tell you everything, Kagome," her mother said quietly.
Kagome's eyes grew wide, realizing that she'd never heard her mother with quite this tone before. "What is it, Mom?"
Her mother sighed deeply, "Kagome…before you were born, I went to see an old Ainu shaman woman. She was famous in her craft of soothsaying, and with everything I knew of your father, I felt it best to seek spiritual advice. Such advice could not come from that of a Buddhist official, so I sought out someone whom I knew would have the answers. She told me that I would give birth to the reincarnation of a powerful miko of the past…and that my daughter, the reincarnation of this miko, would become the guardian of the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls….otherwise known as the Shikon no Tama. This shaman also told me that my daughter would someday embark on a dangerous, but necessary journey that would involve the restoration of the sacred jewel, and during this course of events, she would come upon her intended mate…an hanyou , son of the powerful leader of the Inu-Yokai clan."
Both Kagome and Inuyasha were now starring at her, gape-mouthed. Her mother smiled softly, with a far off look in her eyes.
"I know that this seems shocking…but it is what has been told. This is why I have never opposed to you traveling to the feudal era, Kagome. Though I know you leave to fight a more fierce battle than I could ever conceive of, I know that you will return to us safely," she said, turning her eyes to Inuyasha. "I know this because you have someone watching over you that carries a love that runs deeper than the farthest depths of the ocean….just as your father did for me."
Kagome blinked repeatedly, still staring intently at her mother. Finally, she was able to find her voice. "Mom….but…how….and…but….what is going on? What'd Dad got to do with this? And…what do you mean….."
Her mother rose from her seat. "I will be right back." She exited into another room, Ji-Chan following behind her. This left Inuyasha and Kagome alone, and they were both still in shock.
"Wow," was all Inuyasha could say.
"Yeah, no kidding," Kagome muttered. She didn't understand what her mother was telling her….how could this be? Before Kagome could continue her thoughts, her mother and grandfather entered the room, carrying a large wooden box. They set it on the table top, and then her mother opened it. Kagome had never seen this box before, so she knew nothing of its contents. From the box, her mother pulled a finely carved bow, with her family surname etched into the wood.
"This bow was passed on for generations and guarded, solely intended for your use," she said, handing the bow to Kagome. "I cannot tell you the entire meaning of all of this now, as I do not know more than what I've told you. I do know, Kagome, that this is your destiny."
Kagome was speechless. Her entire life had transpired with an intended purpose. By now she knew that she must have some sort of special reason for existing, but never quite to this extent. But now, things began to make more sense….the jewel being hidden within her body….her journeys through time…her union with Inuyasha.
"Also contained in this box, are the miko robes that were to be passed on to the next guardian of the Shikon no Tama. Whether or not you choose to wear them will remain solely in your hands. As well as the robes, there are a number of anointed arrows, exorcism sutures, and miscellaneous medicinal herbs. They are yours now, Kagome, to use in your fright against Naraku," her mother finished, closing the box, still smiling at her daughter. This smile was different than any other Kagome had seen upon the face of her loving mother. Now, when she looked at her daughter, she didn't just see her "little girl"; she saw a courageous, determined woman with a fearless, but loving soul. Kagome approached her mother and hugged her tight.
The mother and daughter parted, their unspoken understanding sealed. Inuyasha watched on in amazement. He'd always known that Kagome was special, but this….this was something he hadn't expected. But in some ways…he wasn't surprised at all. From the day that he had met eyes with her after she freed him from Kikyo's curse….he'd had felt something well up inside of him and grow to magnanimous proportions. The hanyou had always felt a special connection to her…as if they were…destined…and now… he knew that his instincts were correct. Kagome glanced at Inuyasha, seeing the smile shinning upon his face, and she blushed slightly, returning the smile. She too could feel the cementing of what she'd always known… she and Inuyasha were meant to be.
A short time later, the family had sat down to celebratory dinner. Souta was more than overjoyed that Inuyasha would now officially be a part of the family. Kagome and her mother rattled on about potential wedding ideas, and Ji-chan told Inuyasha of "the duties of a married man." Nightfall came quickly, and the couple decided it would be best for them to stay overnight.
"I hope the others won't be worried…" Kagome said, as she pulled nightclothes from her dresser drawer. Inuyasha smirked knowingly.
"I think they'll be a little distracted to be thinking about what we're doing?" He chuckled smugly, knowing all too well that the monk had surely seized the opportunity of time alone with his beloved demon slayer.
Kagome looked at him questioningly and shrugged. "I'll be right back," she said, heading for the door to her bedroom.
Inuyasha frowned. "What?" she asked him, unsure of disappointed expression on his face.
"Well, where you goin?" he asked.
She looked at him innocently, still confused as to why he even asked. They'd been through this routine countless times before, and just as always she was going to change in the bathroom. "Well…to change…."
Inuyasha smirked at her, approaching the young miko quickly, slipping his arm around her waste. "Yeah… like I said…where you goin?"
Kagome blushed, finally catching on to what he was eluding to. "Oh…um…well….I…" She knew that she shouldn't be so embarrassed. They were going to be mates after all….but she still felt a great deal of shyness about exposing her bare body to Inuyasha.
Before she could continue, he pulled her into a passionate kiss, locking his lips onto hers. She sighed deeply, leaning into him, letting the warmth of his kiss envelop her entire body. She felt that familiar tingling rise up in her gut, and moaned softly against his lips.
Inuyasha slid his hands down the girl's body, smelling her arousal as he explored her body with his fingertips. When they parted, she was visibly flushed, catching her breath from the deep kiss. He smiled and brushed his fingers over her cheek. "It's alright… I'm not gonna try anything until you're ready." He winked at her, reassuring her that he meant what he said. She giggled, kissing him again.
"It's not that I don't want to….I just….well….my family is here… and….yeah…" she said breathlessly, looking up at him. She did want him…more than she could even describe in words…but when the time was right. As if he could hear her thoughts, he squeezed her gently and kissed her forehead.
"Go change. We both need some sleep. The new moon is approaching fast and we don't have any time to waste," he said, releasing her. She smiled, nodding, and then scooted off to the bathroom to change into her pajamas.
That night they laid down to sleep, their limbs entwined. Kagome fell to sleep quickly, her face nestled in his chest, but Inuyasha laid awake for some time, thinking about the coming events. Soon, they would have their meeting with Kagura, and then action would have to be taken. He wasn't sure of exactly what would befall them in the near future, but he did know that he would do whatever it took to protect Kagome. The hanyou again kissed the forehead of his sleeping miko, silently promising her that nothing would ever come between them.
Somewhere among the forest…
Kikyo walked through the trees, her soul collectors drifting about. It'd been days since she'd last caught any wind of Inuyasha, and she was growing tired of waiting to continue her plan to destroy her reincarnation. She'd made a deal with Naraku, vowing that he would have what he desired, and in turn he would assist her in obtaining what she desired.
Naraku had sent Kagura to keep an eye on the vengeful dead miko, and Kagura took this opportunity to further her own plans. With the approaching new moon, Naraku would soon go into hiding while his powers were in a weakened state, giving her the opportunity to roam outside of his barriers. Kagura knew that Naraku had a weakness for the dead miko, as his heart was that of Oni Gumo, the vanquished bandit whom had once been in love with Kikyo.
Kagura watched the miko travel through the forest, obviously searching for a sign of Inuyasha and Kagome. What Kikyo didn't know was that Inuyasha and Kagome would not be found anywhere in the forest…let alone in the feudal era. Though the miko was aware of the fact that Kagome was not of this time, she still did not fully know of who and what Kagome was. Kagura knew something far more than Kikyo or Naraku could ever know…and that simply came from watching Kagome and Inuyasha together. True…Kagome was Kikyo's incarnation…following much of the same path as Kikyo had…however…there was something far more powerful that welled inside of Kagome…and it wasn't simply that the girl was a powerful miko…the guardian of the Shikon no Tama…but the identity of Kagome's father was the key to the entire equation.
"The powers that be will rein again, Naraku," she whispered to herself. "You will be destroyed….and I will be free."
So, Kagome and Inuyasha were destined all along? Wow…and Kikyo is still on the hunt for Kagome and Inuyasha… And what does Kagura know about Kagome's father? What the hell is going on? Guess you'll have to read next time to find out! (Hint: Next time…there's gonna be some fighting action. Woo hoo! And many some other kind of action….we'll see! Thanks for reading! Please review! (Constructive criticism and question welcome!) Till next time, my pets. ;) azami