Chapter 2 Kagome, Kikyou, and a Blooming Friendship
A Hut in the Village
"Miroku?" Kagome cried, "Miroku!"
Miroku lay on his side on the floor with his eyes wide open, glassy and empty. His breath drew to a hoarse whisper. A pendant around his neck glowed black, almost like a curse.
"What's wrong with Miroku!" Sango asked.
Shippou shook, still pinned in Miroku's grasp, and squirmed free of his clutch. Shippou gasped for air. "Kagome!" he croaked.
Kikyou had already gone to Miroku's side. "He looks fine," Kikyou said, "but his souls have run away."
"Will he be alright?" Kagome asked.
Inuyasha's ears and nose twitched. They were being surrounded. Horses, dogs... even humans... there wasn't any sign of blood, but it smelled like death… decaying organs and rotting flesh.
Inuyasha growled, "You guys stay in here. Kilala, Shippou, and Sango, you have to come with me." He flicked the Tetsuiga with his thumb, with a look that spelled trouble.
The others immediately understood what was going on. They did not know how many, or how desperate the situation could be, but Kikyou and Kagome knew what Inuyasha wanted them to do. They sat beside Miroku. The four left the hut.
"Why is this happening?" Kagome forced herself to ask.
"It may just be a hunch, but..." Kikyou whispered, "This pendant is probably what kept souls intact. Since ownership has transferred to Miroku, the souls became unsettled. There are people here, dead people. All of the people here in the village are dead. They've been dead a long time ago, but because of this pendant, the souls have stayed in their bodies. Now there are just zombies out there... I think that maybe the souls still have not been able to rest in peace. Just a wild guess."
"But aren't zombies dead?"
"There is one soul that resides in the body," Kikyou explained, "the one that keeps the heart beating, but the mind empty. It makes the body a moving, living vegetable. This pendant – it was probably made to 'protect' people. Protect people from death. This was probably another wish."
"So are we just going to sit here and do nothing?" Kagome asked.
"If we go into battle, Inuyasha will have a harder time protecting everyone. Us using the bow and arrow alone are not going to protect us. We have no shield, no separate weapon. We can be killed instantly if there is more than, say, ten men or animals against us. There is nothing that we can do about them, or Miroku."
"So we let Miroku just lie here, empty?"
"Miroku has to keep the pendant on from now until its safe, or else his soul will leave completely, and he'll either become a zombie, or die."
"Die?" Kagome gasped. Thinking of Miroku dying... a close friend...
"My theory could be wrong," Kikyou told her, "we might not be safe at all. I don't know the purpose of this pendant, and neither do you or the others. Only the chief of this village and Miroku know. Let's place his body by the fire. Souls are attracted to smoke, light and heat."
They placed him near the fire that roasted in the middle of the room.
"No herbs can helps him now," Kagome gave out a frustrated grunt, "I can't just stand here and do nothing! I have to go out there and help!"
"Kagome," said Kikyou, "If you are going to help, you should stay safe. You never know when I will need your help. We are the only healers in this group, so if you get hurt, I may not be able to tend to the others. We need to stick together and stay safe. We both know when something goes wrong. That horrible gut feeling comes. Don't worry, I'm sure Inuyasha can handle it. I also want to fight and protect, but that is something that would be unwise to do."
Kagome reached for Miroku's hand and held it. She fingered the prayer beads that held the Wind Tunnel closed. Her eyes narrowed. She realized what hand she was holding and let go of it in disgust, making a face.
"I was wondering why were you holding that lecherous hand," Kikyou managed a smile.
Kagome managed to return it.
"Kagome! Kikyou!" Shippou cried out as he came in, "we have to get out of here! Inuyasha's been struck by a lot of poison powder that one of the huts carried. He needs your help!"
"Ask Sango to get some kind of a cart ready," Kikyou instructed, "Kilala will have to pull it. As much as I hate to say it, Kagome, go tend to Inuyasha."
Kagome and Shippou nodded and took their leave.
"Inuyasha is near the castle," Shippou told her, and he rushed to Sango.
Kagome ran, her hair flying behind her. Kikyou was a strong woman. She was a great leader. She could control Inuyasha.
Could I do all that? Kagome thought to herself, am I good enough for Inuyasha? Is Kikyou better than me?
"Inuyasha?" Kagome choked on the smoke and her tears for a minute.
"INUYASHA!" Kagome screamed, letting out her anger and frustration, "INUYASHA!"
Kagome knelt to the ground and sobbed. How could Inuyasha fall for Kikyou? How could he love the both of us? How could he? How could he?
How could he what, Kagome? She asked herself, what do you want from Inuyasha?
"Kagome?" a voice called from the rubble, "is that you?"
"Inuyasha?" Kagome whimpered.
"I thought I told you to stay in the freaking hut," he yelled, "you can get killed, just kneeling there, praying for death to come!"
Kagome stood, "So what if I die! You've got your lady Kikyou here don't you! It won't matter if I die! You'll have another lady to go to when I'm gone! Somebody to REPLACE me!"
Inuyasha was taken aback. "What are you talking about?" he demanded.
"You still love that woman! You're in love with a mound of clay! When she's around, its like I don't exist anymore!" Kagome screamed, "I try my hardest to put up with that whore, Inuyasha! Don't you even care how I feel!"
Inuyasha was stunned. To hear this here and now, and while he's in a daze, well... it's not a good mix. "Kagome, this isn't a good time, I really can't think straight right now, I got some of that powder up my nose... I don't have a good grip on reality..."
"WELL I'M SURE THIS WILL HELP, YOU MUTT!" Kagome screamed, "SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!"
Kagome took in a big gulp of air. It surprised her how her anger and frustration enabled her to say so many 'sit's in one time.
"Are you done?" Inuyasha grumbled, his voice muffled by the earth now down his throat.
"HELL NO!" Kagome yelled, "DO YOU KNOW HOW $#&$ HORRIBLE THIS $#$ SITUATION IS! THAT #$&# #&$ HAS TO STAY HERE WITH YOU AND SHE'S SUCH A $ I WISH SHE WOULD JUST GET THE &$ OUT OF OUR $# LIVES, AND YOU CAN BE SUCH A $$& MORON SOME TIMES! YOU #&$ SON OF A $#& YOU AND YOUR $&$& #$ RUIN EVERY $&$# THING! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!"
Kagome sank to the floor and tried to breath. Minutes passed as she stared at Inuyasha, who looked at her in confusion.
"Kagome? Are you guys alright?" Sango called. She already had a cart hooked up to Kilala. Kikyou and Shippou sat at the front, guiding Kilala.
"Yes," Inuyasha groaned into the ground.
Kikyou smiled. She knew what happened.
"Inuyasha," Kikyou and Kagome said at the same time, "SIT!"
WHAM.
Somewhere in the dense forests of Japan
Kagome turned, and checking to see how far they were from the village. She could not see the smoke anymore. She also realized that only she and Kikyou were the only ones awake, other than Kilala.
"I think Kilala deserves a good night's rest for now," Kagome suggested.
"Yes I think so too," Kikyou nodded, "Kilala? You can stop and rest now. We're far from the village. Kagome and I will keep watch, okay?"
Kilala made a satisfied purr and sank on the spot, drifting to sleep.
Kagome got up and stared at the stars.
"You know, in my time, we can't see the stars like this," Kagome sighed, "I'm pretty lucky to be able to see this."
"Why can't you see the stars anymore?" Kikyou asked.
"We pollute the air," Kagome explained, "because of the cars and… you have no clue what I'm talking about, do you?"
"I don't think so," Kikyou answered.
"My generation – we do a lot of things to make life more convenient and easy. In the process, we make the air dirty and unhealthy. We create it to be thicker and darker – almost like a darker aura, and it covers up some of the stars. We call it smog."
"Why don't you do something about it?"
"I need some of the things created in our generation. If it wasn't for them, many people would be dead by now."
Kikyou looked up, gazing up at the stars.
"Hey Kikyou," Kagome said slowly, "If Inuyasha didn't come in between us, do you think we would be friends?"
Kikyou looked at her in deep thought. It was hard to see. What it Inuyasha was not there? Without love catching them in between…
"We probably would be friends," Kikyou smiled, "if we ever met."
"Yeah," Kagome agreed, "I was thinking the same thing."
Kikyou stared at Kagome and said, "Just because Inuyasha is there doesn't mean we can't be friends."
Kagome returned the stare, and nodded. "I want to be friends, but you know, no offence, but since we actually do love him…"
"How about this: We don't talk about our love for Inuyasha as long as the two of us are in the same place. When we are both with Inuyasha, we will treat each other – even Inuyasha – like a friend. It will be hard, but don't you think friendship is worth a try?"
"Yes," Kagome nodded, "I think it's worth a try. What do you think Inuyasha will think about it?"
"I wouldn't worry," Kikyou laughed.
"Yeah, he'll probably just shrug it off." Kagome giggled.
The wind blew, and the leaves rustled. Both Kagome and Kikyou felt that gut feeling rise and grip into their innards. It felt horrible. They looked at each other in worry, and went to go wake up the others.
But instead, Miroku got up, screaming. He was sweating and panting. He cowered at the corner of the cart, hugging his knees. Inuyasha and the others woke up.
"Miroku? What's the matter with you?" Sango asked groggily.
Miroku couldn't speak. He kept waving his hands around, pointing to Shippou. He tried mouthing words, but he could not speak.
"Miroku," Kikyou said, "you have to calm down."
Miroku sat on the ground and tried to calm down. His eyes moved from side to side anxiously. Sango rushed over and hugged him, putting his head on her chest.
"Miroku, don't worry, I'm here," Sango murmured into his ear.
Miroku continued to breath hard.
"That's odd," Inuyasha said, "usually the monk would have groped your butt in a situation like that."
"Why isn't he?" Sango cried.
"Don't you think that's a good thing, Sango?" Kagome asked, "I mean, you're always mad whenever he does that."
Sango blushed madly. At least, it would have been seen, if it were daytime.
"Never mind that!" Sango cried, "what's wrong with him?"
Miroku got up and made hand movements. He pointed to a sake bottle, lying on its side. He grabbed it, and let the last drop fall out. Miroku pointed at the drop frantically, then at Shippou.
"You want Shippou to not waste a drop of sake?" Kagome guessed.
Miroku shook his head vigorously. He stamped his foot, and mouthed a curse. He grabbed the tetsuiga and put Shippou behind him, and swiped the tetsuiga in the air in front of him. Inuyasha's ears flattened as he growled, grabbing the tetsuiga back. Miroku frustratingly threw his hands in the air. Kagome glared at Inuyasha.
"Miroku, I don't get what you're saying," Kagome muttered. It looks like you're trying to protect Shippou, though."
Miroku nodded his head hard. He pointed to all of them with his right and with his left he held Shippou.
"You want us to protect Shippou?" Kikyou asked.
Miroku smiled in relief and nodded.
"What do you mean?" Shippou asked wide-eyed, "Protect me from what?"
Miroku's hands moved frantically again. Then he stopped, and his body went limp, and his body fell on top of Sango. She screamed, "MIROKU!" But took one look into his eyes and saw the emptiness that had invaded his lively blue eyes.
"His souls have left him again," Kikyou explained, "He has not control over where or when his souls go. At least they still come back to him…" she trailed off. Kikyou was thinking about her own situation – her souls depended on other young girl's souls in order for her heart to keep beating.
"Miroku's souls are still attached to his body for some reason," Kikyou continued, "It must be the pendant."
"I don't like this," Sango sobbed.
"I don't think anybody does," Inuyasha said, "Shippou the most. Stop shaking, you wimp."
Shippou shook and trembled, and his voice quivered when he spoke. "I wonder what Miroku meant… you guys will protect me, right?"
"Of course we will, Shippou," Kagome reassured him, "don't worry."
"Feh."
"Inuyasha! Sit!" Kagome ordered.
WHAM.
Somewhere among the Stars
'I feel so free,' Miroku laughed, as he danced around the stars. He was flying without a worry or care. He never knew how beautiful and awesome the universe was. So many colours – a grand symbol of pure passion!
'MIROKU!' a voice inside his head screamed.
'Who's there?' he asked.
'His souls have left him again… He has not control over where or when his souls go. At least they still come back to him…'
Silence.
'Miroku's souls are still attached to his body for some reason. It must be the pendant.'
'Pendant?' Miroku's hand flew to his neck and he felt the x mark on the pendant that Tokiri had given him. It glowed with a sickening black aura. Miroku felt weird and out of place. 'What is this?'
'I don't like this' sobbed a voice.
Silence.
The words echoed in Miroku's head.
'Sango,' he whispered. 'I have to go back. Shippou too… he needs me. I need to protect him. And Sango… I cannot possibly leave her side!'
He flew back, through the stars and the beautiful rocks that shone with a mystic aura. Back to earth. Back home.
'Inuyasha!' he called, 'Kikyou? Kagome? Shippou?' Miroku was lost. Where was earth?
'SANGO!' he screamed, 'PLEASE! ANSWER ME!'
He sobbed. Was he going to be like this? Forever lost?
A long worm slid under Miroku's chin and coiled around his neck. It slid off and looked at him, beckoning him to follow.
'You're one of Kikyou's soul collectors, aren't you?' Miroku cried in relief, 'please, lead me back to Kikyou! I need your help!'
The worm nodded, and began swimming through the darkness. Miroku followed. He grabbed its tail, and swam along through the vastness of the universe.
'I don't know if you can answer me, but I have a few questions,' Miroku asked.
The worm looked at him, but it continued to swim. Its eyes had a warm feeling to them.
'Am I… dead?'
The worm shook its head no, and continued to swim.
'Why am I the only one here?' Miroku asked.
The worm stared. It whipped its tail onto Miroku's eyes, speckling them with the dust that lay everywhere. Miroku coughed, and his eyes stung, but when he opened his eyes again, the stars looked different. They had people in them. People who can be seen right through, but they shone brightly.
Like gods.
They all smiled down on him as he passed by, and bid him good luck in their own ways. They blessed him, and let him go.
'Breathtaking,' Miroku breathed, '…but Sango's still more beautiful!'