Alive, Just Shattered
Chapter 3: Paths that lead us
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or YYH.
It was icy cold and the cold winds were beating down on Kagome's back as she got off of Kirara's back and down onto the frozen ground. It was now dark out but lights from the village just not to far away could be seen in the night. The bright stars and the quarter moon could be seen up above her; something she had grown used to seeing after growing up in a city and time that made it so you could not see them so clearly.
Hopefully the village would allow Kagome and Kirara as well to stay there for the night. There wasn't such a good chance that they would be able to find shelter and warmth tonight and the cold seemed unbearable; or maybe to someone other than Kagome at the moment. Kirara worried over Kagome and Kagome pretty much knew Kirara wouldn't allow her to go without shelter and warmth tonight.
The two slowly walked towards the village; their soft footsteps could be heard along with the rustle of the grass underneath their feet. The cold air and winds continued to make them shiver.
'Where will this lead me?' Kagome thought as she paused looking up at the starry sky.
Where she would go or where she would end up was not something Kagome knew. Her fate was unpredicted and maybe had yet to be written; maybe it already had been written. Written somewhere among the stars making it so she couldn't read it. Kagome couldn't help but want to know what that was, it was a pathetic trait that all humans had whether she liked it or not.
All humans want to know their paths that they will take and their futures. They were scared of what may happen and the unknown. It was like that in the time she was born in and the time she lived in now; it would continue for the rest of time. Human beings were really frail and weak. Always scared of things like death and practically everything that wasn't known to them.
That is why like in her time their were scientists and such observing things, trying to gain knowledge of what they didn't already know. Like space; they knew nothing of what was out their billion light-years away or how things became to be. So they spend their lives trying to understand and comprehend things; though in the end they run out of time and still are left with only questions and in fear.
The frailty, weakness, and fear of her kind sickened her and even more knowing she was one of such a weak race. Because her race was so weak that meant she was the same; weak and helpless. Stuck in the same pattern that would never stop. She couldn't deny it; she was weak. She had become what she was today because she was; Inuyasha was right back then when he had compared her to Kikyo. The cold distant person she had become was sign of that; or maybe it made her stronger, she wasn't sure. That was something she didn't know and didn't spend time to think about it.
Kirara mewed bringing Kagome out of her thoughts and back to the world around her. She smiled down at the fire neko telling her that she was fine before looking ahead to continue onward to the village. Kagome took two steps forward before stopping again. Before her was a priestess, wearing the formal read and white garbs. Her hair pulled back in a low ponytail like Kikyo wore hers. A bow in her hand and an arrow already out and prepared to shoot at any moment.
"Who are you?" The priestess asked; her brown orbs narrowing in suspension.
"Kagome." Kagome asked in an empty voice like always.
"Why are you here demon?" The priestess asked raising her bow, pointing it at Kagome.
"Demon? I am no demon. As a priestess shouldn't you know that?"
"But I sense-."
"I have only spiritual powers; your skills are lacking."
"Then explain why you are here." The priestess asked in annoyance.
"I have left my village and I was hoping I could stay the night at your village."
"I am the protector of this village-."
"I am not asking for your protection and I am not here to harm your village; I only ask to stay where I is warm for myself and my companion." Kagome said gesturing to Kirara.
"That is a demon; I will not risk my villagers safety."
"This demon as you put it has only helped human beings. Kirara has helped humans for years. She lived and helped the demon exterminators, myself and my friends before their demise, as well as Midoriko herself."
"Midoriko was a noble priestess who wouldn't associate with a demon neither would the demon exterminators." The priestess said as though in defense for the exterminators and the desisted priestess.
"Midoriko wasn't so cold to shun all demons just because others of their kind did such heinous things. As for the exterminators… I knew one personally, she was one of the lasts of her kind after their village had been massacred. Kirara lived with her and the exterminators before I even met my late friend."
"What are you then if you are no demon but have spiritual powers? Some kind of dark priestess?"
"No." Kagome said in anger from her words.
"Does not matter; I will not risk my villages safety. For all I know you are just like that evil half-breed that was after the jewel of four souls."
"Naraku…" Kagome said as memories played in her mind.
"That pitiful half-breed was the cause of so many of my villagers deaths after an attack by his incarnations."
"Why would I be like him when I was one of the ones that helped destroy him?"
"What?"
"Myself along with my friends helped kill him."
"The only survivors were said to be the priestess by the name of Kikyo who had protected the jewel, a half-breed by the name of Inuyasha, and an unusual priestess."
"The unusual priestess is myself."
"You do not wear the formal garbs."
"Because I chose not to."
"If you are who you are then prepare yourself." She said before letting her arrow fly.
Everything slowed down as the arrow sped towards her. An arrow, a normal arrow was all it was. It could not kill her but it could wound her but seeing as her powers would heal I quickly it wouldn't be nothing to be concerned about; not that she was. Everything returned to normal as the arrow turned to nothing in midair leaving no trace behind of its existence.
Before Kagome knew it the priestess strung another arrow pointing it at Kagome. Kagome narrowed her eyes in annoyance as she moved her hands as though she was holding a bow, stringing it with an arrow. In a matter of one second a blue glow formed in the shape of a bow and arrow before Kagome let it fly as the priestess let her own normal arrow fly. The two arrows soon collided and with a flash they were both gone; Kagome's destroying the other and disappearing with it.
"I will not kill you, nor will I continue this." Kagome said lowering her hands.
"I am sorry." The priestess said apologizing. "I had to make sure you weren't a demon; there has been many attacks on this village by both demons as well as humans sadly."
"I understand."
"You and your companion may stay the night if you wish."
"Thank you."
"I have plenty of room in my hut; you may follow me if you wish. Oh I never gave you my name; my name is Kiyoshi." The priestess said smiling before turning around and walking towards the village.
Kirara looked at the priestess the up at Kagome mewing before following the priestess. Kagome turned her head up to the sky once more gazing forlornly at the stars before walking after her companion and the priestess now known as Kiyoshi.
There was something odd about this village, Kagome could feel it. That priestess had an odd vibe coming off of her as well. Like some dark evil thing kept up inside away from prying eyes, or to anyone that might pass by. What was it, what could it be? Kagome snapped out of her thoughts and pondering as they entered the village.
Soft glowing from lights from within the huts peeked out and out onto the 'street' lighting up their path. The smells of warm food hung in the air from the villagers dinners. Kagome couldn't help but notice the villagers peeking out of their windows and doors as she followed Kiyoshi to her hut. Their faces were covered by the shadows making it unable for Kagome to see them. Kagome stopped as Kiyoshi did when one of the male villagers around the age of twenty-five or so came out and said something quietly to Kiyoshi. The priestess nodded her head and the villager left back to where he had come.
"My hut is just up this way." Kiyoshi said smiling before continuing once again.
As Kiyoshi had said her hut was just at the center. Kagome and Kirara followed her inside only to be greeted by the scents of herbs and medicines; a familiar smell that Kagome had grown accustomed to after living with Kaede for so long now.
"You may sit where ever you wish."
"Thank you."
"Welcome to our village."
"Who was the villager earlier?"
"Oh that was only one of the villagers that help protect the village. The villagers here are a bit skittish and weary of newcomers because of the constant attacks on us. He was just making sure things were fine." Kagome nodded her head in acceptance. "Are you hungry by any chance, I still have some stew left over if you like."
"No thank-you." Kagome said holding her hand up. "Thank-you though for the offer."
"No problem a all. I'll be right back." She said before disappearing into the back room, only to return a moment later with blankets folded up in her arms. "Here you go. You may set them up however you wish. I am sorry but I have to return back out side and help in patrol for awhile."
"It's fine." Kagome said quietly.
"I hope you will be comfortable; I'll be back later." She said before going back outside.
Kagome laid the blankets out getting comfortable under them with Kirara snuggled up next to her. Kagome looked up at the hut's ceiling and within moments sleep claimed her tired form.
Koenma sat up right behind his desk with his hands folded neatly on top of the large desk in front of him. A look of seriousness showed on his face, his familiar pacifier stayed still in his mouth. The noise of the ogres outside his office was quieted by the large double doors. Inside his office it was quiet except for the fuzzy sound of the large T.V. screen that was still gray. Botan stood in front of his desk with a shook look on her face and George standing next to Koenma with a nervous look. Papers were piled up on his desk that had yet to be looked at.
"Where are they?" Koenma yelled breaking the silence.
"They should be here soon Koenma sir." George said trying to calm the young ruler.
"I don't have time for this." Koenma said pushing a small red button on his desk.
A black portal appeared above their heads in front of Koenma's desk and soon Yusuke was seen plumiting down hitting the floor with Kurama, Kuwabara, and Hiei falling after him a moment later. They all fell on the ground in a pile with the exception of Hiei who landed perfectly on his feet next to their tangled forms.
"What the hell?" Yusuke yelled as he sat up pushing Kuwabara off of him.
"Hey!" Kuwabara yelled sitting up."
"I believe you wanted something; you wouldn't have brought us all here for no reason." Kurama said standing up all while brushing himself off.
"Yes-." Koenma was rudely interrupted by Kuwabara and Yusuke's bickering. "QUIET!" Koenma yelled in anger silencing the two. "You two pay attention!"
"Woah - chill man." Yusuke said standing up with Kuwabara doing the same.
"This is serious Yusuke; something horrible has happened and we don't even know how it happened. Seeing that he finally had all of their attention he continued. "Last night thousands of demon souls came pouring into our gates."
"Koenma sir; 957,962 demons have been reported dead sir, they are still going through them." George said speaking up.
"What happened to kill so many?" Yusuke asked.
"I was trying to get to that." Koenma said. "A second before this happened are radars suddenly went off because of a strong energy level in the Makai, it was so strong we could feel it here in Spirit World."
"Do you have any idea what may have caused it?" Kurama asked.
"No, we don't. When we tried to bring the site up on the screen we got this." Koenma said gesturing to the fuzzy gray screen.
"So we have to go and see what it looks like or something?" Yusuke asked.
"No, Botan already went."
"Botan?" Yusuke asked.
"Are you alright Botan?" Kurama asked noticing her appearance.
"Yeah, you don't look to good." Kuwabara said in concern.
"I'm fine." Botan said a bit shaky.
"From what Botan reported everything for miles has been destroyed leaving nothing alive in the area. We have no idea what or who could have caused this."
"So what do we do if you have no idea what happened?" Yusuke asked.
"You are to go to the site and see if you can find anything that might tell us something."
"Oh great."
Kagome woke up later on, Kiyoshi still hadn't returned it seemed; not that Kagome was concerned or anything. Outside she could hear voices. She quietly stood up telling Kirara to b quiet as well when she woke up from Kagome's movement. Kagome peered outside and saw the villager from earlier and Kiyoshi whispering about something. They both nodded before walking off. Kirara and Kagome couldn't help but notice a scream a minute later; something was going on.
Quietly the two walked out through the door looking around for a sign of someone or something but found nothing. That's when they heard it again, screaming. Kagome looked down at Kirara when she began to growl, the fire neko's hairs standing on end. Kirara quickly took off down one of the narrow 'streets' on their left with Kagome quickly following.
The streets were dark and quiet except for an area up ahead where some noise and light was coming from, peeking over the huts. The scene seemed so odd, like Kagome was watching it from outside; as though it was on a TV screen somewhere. The site she came up on was odd.
There was a demon standing in front of the priestess several of the male villagers, along with a couple of the village maidens from the looks of it. The demon had long silver hair swooped up into a high ponytail on top of his head and two golden eyes. He wore a black kimono top with silver trimming with matching pants, boots, and sash. Armor adorned his chest similar to Sesshomaru's only it had a dark tent to it, as well as a sword at his side.
"Please, I beg you to spare our village." The priestess begged.
Kagome was slightly confused to this. Why was he priestess begging the demon to spare the village? You would think as the priestess of the village Kiyoshi would be fighting the demon. Yet here she was begging, pleading practically for her village to be sparred with a look of fear on her face.
"I have sparred your village for some time now; almost a year. What makes you think I should continue to spare your worthless village?"
"Please; we beg of you!" One of the men begged speaking out earning a glare from the demon.
"Komoru, we offer some of our village maidens to you in hope that you may spare us once again." Kiyoshi begged.
"These three?" He asked. "These are the best you have to offer?"
"Please-." Kiyoshi was saying when Komoru cut her off.
"I've heard enough of your begging. If you cant even offer me something better then I see no reason why I should spare your village."
"We will do anything-."
"Having troubles priestess?" Kagome asked.
"What? You; this is none of your concern." She said bitterly.
"Now who is this? I haven't seen her in your village before." He said looking at Kagome and Kirara. "Nor the fire cat."
"They are only passing through and needed a place to stay for the night."
"Who are you demon?" Kagome asked stepping forward.
"Who are you human to speak to me?" The demon asked ignoring her question.
"My name is of no importance to you."
Just what Kagome needed, another arrogant and cocky demon. It disgusted her how some demons thought they were so much better than humans just because of their race. They go around killing villages for sport and use some for their own means, whatever they may be. This one was no different, no wonder the priestess was so cautious before.
"Just another worthless human I see who doesn't know their place."
"Please ignore her." The priestess said speaking up again.
"If it is this demon you are so scared of priestess I'll save you the trouble and kill him for you." Kagome said in her cold tone unsheathing her blade.
"You think you can kill me human, do you? And with some human blade?"
Kirara quickly transformed as Kagome unsheathed her sword preparing for battle. It had been awhile since both of them had fought; not counting the demon from the other day. But a good fight is something that neither of them have had in awhile and maybe this demon would hit the spot. Kagome quickly swung her blade around in her hand, getting the feel of it in her hand once again. The swooshing sound of the blade as it cut through the air stopped once her hand stopped. A familiar glow soon wrapped around the blade as it seemed to come to life on its own.
The villagers stepped back, surprised by this seeing as none of them had seen such a thing and wondered if she was something else; or some other kind of human. Kagome and Kirara ignored them and focused on their opponent; both very used to this by now.
"No, it is you who do not know their place." Kagome said in perfect fighting stance.
The demon gave out a laugh the moment the words had left her lips before staring her down as she prepared to attack, though he wasn't counting on her amazing speed. There wasn't a blur of any kind as she swiftly and quickly moved towards him. Somehow this human before him moved faster than any demon he had ever seen, so fast that there wasn't even movement in the air. It wasn't even a second before she stood behind him, still in perfect stance.
"Your speed surprises me human." The demon spoke as his two fingers traced the long deep cut marring his face.
"I suggest you be more careful demon, I would like a decent fight before I kill you and your carelessness could have killed you just then if I chose to kill you just then."
"Don't tell me how to fight, you are nothing but a human with a couple of tricks."
"Suit yourself then."
The demon unsheathed his own blade pointing the tip of it at Kagome's head, the gaze he was giving her would have had her frozen shitless only years before… Before everything she had come to know. The demon before her charged at her, his movements swift and quick but his sword never close enough to even graze her skin. Kagome was always faster, her movement always more elegant and swifter. Her blade making its own song as it cut through the air, magical. In all the movement neither ever noticed the glow surrounding the blade or the pulse of the blade as it was brought back to life. It only took a minute for the blades song to be complete but the second it finished Kagome realized she was being pulled into a void in the air she had seen once before.
"Koenma sir we seem to be getting a picture on the screen." George said alerting Koenma and the others before Botan made a portal for them.
Silence soon filled the room, the screen flickering a bit before showing everything clearly. What was seen looked like a wasteland, it was clear nothing was alive. Botan was the only one not shocked since she had seen it not to long ago. The silence was broken by Hiei who wasn't effected by this.
"We are to find out who caused this." He stated more than asked.
"Y-yes." Koenma said taking his eyes from the screen.
"I have never heard of such a thing ever happening." Kurama said as he still looked at the sight on the screen.
"I hope I don't have to fight whatever demon caused this." Kuwabara said shivering.
"Sounds like a challenge." Yusuke said grinning cracking his knuckles in anticipation.
"What's that?" Botan said pointing to a small flickering light off in the distance.
"George, bring that up on the screen." Koenma ordered.
"Right away sir."
"Is that a portal?" Botan asked referring to a hole appearing in mid-air as it opened up to the point someone could easily walk through it.
"It appears to be, but I don't see anyone stepping through." Kurama said examining what he saw.
"There isn't any demons standing around either just some trees hanging around." Yusuke said.
A minute later a demon was seen stepping out or well being thrown out, his body landing roughly on the ground. His appearance was soon followed by a large blast coming from the portal killing him on contact only for the portal to close after the brutal attack.
"What was that?" Kuwabara asked.
"It just appeared; quiet odd." Kurama said confused by what had happened.
"Maybe that is linked with what occurred earlier; go there and find out what's going on." Koenma instructed.