Disclaimer: In no way, shape or form do I own the base anime/manga that I use. I do, however, have a Sesshoumaru action figure and all the YYH manga!
Chapter 2The Past is Relative
"What's your job?" Kagome asked, confused.
"I'm a Spirit Detective. I work tagging and bagging illegal youkai and hanyou in the Ningenkai. According to my boss, the guy that kidnapped Souta is a youkai magician. That's why there's no trace of where Souta went,"
"I thought that there was a feel of youki around the shrine. But there's so much holy energy that any traces would be purified in no time. So your job is to get Souta back and defeat this magician guy?"
"And whoever is backing him, yeah," Yuusuke nodded. Kagome stood and headed for the stairs.
"I'm coming with you. There is no way that I'm gonna let you go look for my baby brother without me," she declared.
Yuusuke panicked. "Wait Kagome! You can't come into battle with us! It's too dangerous!" Kurama nodded and stepped in to support the young toushin.
"Yuusuke is right, Miss Kagome. Battling youkai is not something that should be taken lightly," he cautioned. Even Hiei agreed, though not with the same words.
"The battlefield is no place for weak human women," he declared. "Miko or not,"
"You're not leaving without me," Kagome muttered. "You will need me. And I'm not weak."
"Kagome, You can't come with us,"
"If you don't let me come with you then I'll just have to go on my own. Which do you think is safer? At least if I'm with you then you can make sure I don't do anything ridiculously stupid. Besides, I bet I still have a few friends that might be willing to help in any upcoming battles," she rounded on Kurama and Hiei, "You two! Is Kouga, prince of the wolf tribe still around?"
Kurama nodded, "Yes, and his mate, Ayame as well,"
Kagome smiled, "So they did get together. Good. They'll help. What about Shippou, a red-kitsune youkai? Do you know of him?"
"Yes, he works under Lord Sesshoumaru," both Kurama and Hiei were confused. How did she know these youkai? Why did she ask if they were 'still around'?
"Sesshoumaru-kun as well? Good, they kept their promises. That's four very skilled fighters that I can talk into helping. They either owe me big time or are really, very close. Goodness knows how many others are still around," she smirked in triumph over the dumfounded expressions on her guest's faces.
"Oh don't look that way. Did you think I didn't have connections in the Makai? All of them have fought beside me in battle more than once. I've watched their backs and they've watched mine. They at least can attest to my skills," she sighed, "Now if only Miroku-sama was still alive. It would be nice if Sango-chan were around too... but she might have been reincarnated already. She did die before anyone else, and I'd be cutting it close with Miroku-sama as it is," She muttered to herself.
"Uh," Yuusuke asked after a moment of silence, "Who's Miroku?"
"Miroku-sama is a very powerful and talent priest. He's the one who taught me how to harness my mikoki instead of letting it run semi-rampant," she explained, then a though occurred to her, "Wait! Yuusuke-kun! You don't happen to work for that toddler Koenma, do you?"
"You know Koenma?" all three boys were shocked. Kagome was nearly skipping in glee.
"Oh! This makes my job so much easier! Wait here while I pack my bag," she commanded as she bounded up the stairs to her room.
"Yuusuke, did you have any idea your cousin knew so many powerful youkai?"
"No. She was always coming down with these really rare illnesses. According to Jii-chan she was constantly away in hospitals just to keep alive. And she always seemed too innocent. How could she have met so many bloodthirsty youkai if she was always sick? And how did they meet her? They haven't left the Makai, have they?"
"Not since the establishment of the Barrier, I don't think. It seems that your cousin is quite the enigma," said Hiei.
It really was not long before Kagome barreled down the stairs again, this time dragging a huge yellow backpack behind her.
"Well, lets be off!" she smiled. They Spirit Detectives stared.
"Kagome, can you even carry that?" Yuusuke asked, goggling at the bag.
"Of course I can! But if it gets to be to heavy then you can, right Yuusuke?" Yuusuke swallowed nervously, but Kagome ignored him, "Well, let's see. First, I need to talk to Sesshoumaru-kun, he can help me talk Koenma into bringing back Miroku-sama. Of course I need to see my son-"
"YOUR SON!" Kagome blinked at Yuusuke's outburst.
"Of course. Shippou-chan. I practically raised him back when he was still just a kit. Don't worry, he's just adopted. Sesshoumaru-kun won't let anyone near me that doesn't pass inspection." Yuusuke quieted down. "Well, then after I see Sesshoumaru-kun and bring back Miroku-sama then we need to track down Koga... or wait until he finds me. Waiting would probably be quicker," the Miko nodded absently to herself. "I wonder how Ayame-chan will take to me showing up again. I hope Koga-kun has grown up and is happy with Ayame-chan. If he hasn't then he's going to be one lonely wolf. I can't see Ayame-chan standing for him trying to court another woman."
Hiei raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I thought wolves were monogamous,"
"They are. But Koga-kun fancied himself in love with me."
"Well, Yuusuke, aren't you going to arrange a portal to Makai? We need to find Souta as soon as possible. Who knows what could be happening to him right now while he's in the evil clutches of this magician! And in order to do that I have to talk to Sesshoumaru-kun. He's the strategist after all."
Flipping open his compact communicator Yuusuke held a short conversation with Botan who promised to come right away to the Shrine. Within seconds of closing the communicator the cotton candy blue haired ferrygirl knocked on the door.
"What is it Yuusuke?" She asked brightly. Kagome examined the newcomer closely, recognizing the odd ki she possessed.
"Well, Botan, My cousin needs to get to the Makai. Do you think you could open a portal there for us?"
"Your cousin? I can't do that Yuusuke, not without Koenma's permission, you know that," Botan protested. Kagome stepped forward.
"Ferrygirl, I have places to go and people to talk into going to war with me. Yuusuke and his friends are on the same mission as I am, so unless you really want the Miko Kagome to open the bad side of the Reikai, you should open that portal now," she smiled sweetly. Botan stared in disbelief.
"The Miko Kagome lived over five hundred years ago. You can't be her. It's not possible."
Kagome stared at Botan for a moment. "Well, I suppose that that would make sense, but you haven't figured in the licensed time rip that I have access to. But if you still don't want to open that portal for me I guess that I can just send Yuusuke and his little friends to Sesshoumaru-kun's palace with a note saying that his little sister's little brother has been kidnapped and that he should break the barrier to come talk to me. He could you know. I keyed it so that if there was an emergency then my Lord-brother and son could cross over to the other worlds. I'd do it myself but it would take to long to rewrite the spell-scroll." She started tapping her foot, staring at the ferrygirl expectantly. Botan's eyes were as wide as dinner plates.
"You're the Miko Kagome?" she whispered. The Spirit detectives all exchanged a glance. Kagome nodded. Botan squeaked out an apology, bowing low and opened a portal as close as she could to Sesshoumaru's palace.
The moment they stepped through Kagome could feel the difference in the planes and she clutched her chest, groaning in pain.
"Kagome! Are you okay? I told you, you shouldn't have come," he gripped Kagome's shoulders in worry. After taking a few deep breaths Kagome brushed the concerned hands off and smiled her thanks.
"It's alright Yuusuke, I was just taken by surprise. This is the first time I've been to the Makai and the youki is more than I'm used to. I'll adjust, so don't worry. Right now we need to convince the guards to let us in to see Sesshoumaru-kun. Shouldn't be too difficult,"
-'Shouldn't be too difficult'? Who is this miko?-
Kagome led the group to the Palace gates. A pair of tough tiger youkai barred their way.
"No humans allowed," they growled in unison. Yuusuke's hackles rose as he took offence at the prejudice. Kagome held up her hand, stalling any action on his part.
"Do you even know who we are, you pathetic, prejudiced, excuses for palace guards?" She snarled, doing a very good impersonation of Sesshoumaru's icy anger. "There is only one human here and I don't think that Lord Sesshoumaru would be too pleased if he found out that his little sister was forced to purify her way into his home just to talk to her brother," she pushed up her left sleeve to show off a small, vivid blue crescent moon on her forearm. The guard's eyes both widened in shock and they dropped to their knees in respect. "Now. Is my Lord-brother in?"
"Please forgive our offence, Lady, we had no idea. Our Lord Sesshoumaru is in currently. We offer an escort if you so wish,"
Kagome waved her hand, "There will be no need. I can already sense him approaching," and with that she regally brushed past the guards and entered the Palace grounds.
"Kagome! What was that about? The Lord of Makai is your older brother? What's the deal!" Yuusuke demanded. Hiei was almost growling in frustration as her mental shields were still refusing him entrance into her thoughts and Kurama and Yoko were silently wracking their combined memories for any mention of the youkai lord having a miko sister.
"It's another adoption thing, Yuusuke. He did it for my own protection. A powerful miko is quite the trophy to go after, but a powerful miko who is the blood-bonded sister to a even more powerful, cold-blooded and outwardly sadistic youkai lord is another matter entirely," Kagome stopped suddenly. "Now were did he get to? He was just ahead of me..."
Silence filled the halls as the Spirit Detectives wisely held their collective tongues. Kagome inched a couple of sutra into her hands and grinned. So he was testing her, was he?
A flash of warning flitted across her senses and Kagome uttered a quick prayer, holding up a sutra. Yuusuke cried out in alarm as a silver-haired youkai's sword met with a shimmering blue barrier. The youkai leapt back and returned the sword to his side.
"Very good Kagome," he nodded, "You held back the Tokijin, still as impressive as the last time this Sesshoumaru laid eyes on you,"
"Sesshoumaru-kun!" Kagome grinned and threw her arms around the stoic Lord, conveniently missing the deadly spikes on his chest armor. Kurama, Yoko and Yuusuke almost died of a wholesale heart attack and Hiei's eyes bulged in shock. "How have you been? How's Shippou-chan?"
"Kagome, it is good to see you once more. I am well, as is your kit. Now, who are your companions? You still keep the most interesting company, even after all these years,"
"Oh, right. The kitsune with the red hair is Kurama. There's something odd about him, I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I will. The short black hybrid is Hiei. He has a temper worse than Inuyasha before I met him and his base youki is mixed in the most interesting way. And this delinquent is Yuusuke, my cousin on my mother's side. I think he's a hanyou, but I can't tell what percentage and he hasn't told me,"
Now Yuusuke choked.
"How did you know?" he demanded. Kagome scoffed.
"Miko, remember? I figured that it was your business and you'd tell me when you wanted, but Sesshoumaru-kun hates it when details are left out. So, why don't you tell him who your dad is?"
"No need," Sesshoumaru said blandly, looking the young toushin up and down critically, "He smells of Raizen. I had no idea that the toushin had a son, much less a hanyou. I hope he has better manners than Inuyasha had?"
"They could be twins, I'm sorry,"
"HEY! Don't compare me to that mutt!"
Sesshoumaru smirked and Kagome groaned. "You're right, boy. Inuyasha is a mutt, but do not forget this: the blood of the Great Taisho-sama ran through his veins and mine. Only I am allowed to demean his name. Furthermore, it is bad karma to speak ill of the dead,"
Kagome gasped. "He died? When?"
"Hold on! He can't be dead! We just saw him a couple'a minutes ago!"
"Hold Yuusuke, I think that there is more going on here than meets the eye,"
"The fox is right, detective. Be silent for once and listen,"
"The well was sealed temporarily and the priestess came to lay claim on his body and soul. It seems that he followed her willing to Hell. You did not know this?" Sesshoumaru raised a perfectly sculpted silver eyebrow. Kagome shook her head, her eyes wide and haunted.
"No. I just sealed the well. I...he...oh Sesshoumaru!" She cried into her hands, "He's dead already and it's all my fault. If I had let him stay with me then he'd still be alive and annoying everyone,"
"It was his choice, Kagome," Sesshoumaru placed a hand on the miko's shoulder. "Do not worry about him. He may have been a worthless hanyou but his deeds were not enough to keep him tied to Hell. I am sure that he shall soon on to reincarnation along with his mortal lover,"
"You're right. It has been about the allotted time for that cycle, hasn't it? Wait! That means that Miroku-sama could be reincarnated soon too! We have to hurry! I need Miroku-sama to help us, and we don't have time to wait for his reincarnation! Sesshoumaru, we have to talk to Koenma. Could you bring Tenseiga?"
"What are you planning, Kagome?" The youkai lord narrowed his eyes at his adopted sister. She met the gaze unflinchingly.
"War, elder brother. Someone kidnapped Souta and we're going to get him back."
"Indeed. Wait here. This Sesshoumaru will inform Shippou of your return to us. No doubt he will be ecstatic,"
Kagome bowed her head respectfully. "Thank you Sesshoumaru-kun." They watched as he strode off down the halls. "Gee he hasn't changed much over five hundred years," she muttered.
:Five hundred years? That could explain how she knows all these powerful Youkai Lords... But how she survive:
Rather, how did a seventeen-year-old human travel through time?
:You think it's time-travel do you:
-They spoke of a well. That could possibly be the medium for the travel.-
"Kagome... how do you know Sesshoumaru?" Yuusuke asked, rubbing his temples. Kagome looked back at her cousin.
"He's my adopted brother, as I told you. He helped me out in the past and trained me in combat of almost every kind. He's also the one who dragged my bloodied carcass away from Naraku's castle after I purified the filthy hanyou. I still have the scars if you don't believe me,"
:Naraku! He died over five hundred years ago! How could she have fought against him:
"But Miss Kagome, That was over five hundred years ago," Kurama furrowed his crimson eyebrows. Kagome flushed bright red.
"Uh, well, yes that's right. Let's just say I found – or rather, it found me – something that will take me back five hundred years. It's a long, complicated story that I really don't want to get into right now."
Ha! I was right. Time travel it is. Hiei, you owe me 5,000 yen.
-Hn. Whatever,-
"So, wait. You've been going back in time, fighting deadly demons and whatnot? How long has this been going on?"
"Since my fifteenth birthday. Why? It's no big deal," she shrugged at him, "You fight demons in this era, I fight them in the past. The only difference is that you have Reikai on your side and I don't. Or didn't, depending on who's talking,"
"So the miko traveled back in time from her comfy life in the modern era to fight youkai in the sengoku jidai and aided in the destruction of one of the most elusive youkai in history," Hiei commented. "Hn. Maybe you won't be so much dead weight after all. At least you seem to have some form of intelligence, unlike the idiot,"
"Why Hiei! That was almost an outright complement! I'm so proud of you," Kurama teased and received a deadly glare for his efforts.
"Momma!"
Three boys tensed and Kagome whirled around. "Shippou-chan!" a tall red kitsune was sprinting towards the miko. When he reached his adopted mother he scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around. "Sesshoumaru just told me that you came back! I've missed you so much! Where have you been? Who are these people? Why did Sesshoumaru say that we had to prepare for battle? Did you bring me candy?"
"Whoa! Slow down Shippou-chan, one thing at a time. As far as I have gotten Inuyasha has just died. Sesshoumaru just told me. I'm sorry that I've been gone for so long but you knew the time difference, I know you did, I told you. We have to prepare for battle because someone has taken Souta and my cousin, Yuusuke and his friends Kurama and Hiei are helping. And no, I'm sorry, I forgot to bring the Great Kitsune a humble offering of his favorite candy." She laughed and tugged his long red hair. "Goodness you've gotten tall. Last time I saw you, you could sit right on my shoulder and still not get in the way! Now I could probably sit on your shoulder!" she joked. Shippou grinned, his white fangs flashing mischievously.
"Wanna see if you could?" he asked as he picked her up and set her on his shoulders.
"Wha-? No! Shippou-chan! Put me down! You're over five hundred years old! Stop acting like a child!"
Yuusuke was killing himself laughing as he watched Kagome cling for her life to the older man's hair, no doubt causing some pain. Kurama and Yoko smiled, understanding the other fox's antics. It was in their nature, after all, to be playful. Hiei just rolled his eyes.
"Watching you two it makes one wonder who is the parent and who is the child," Sesshoumaru commented as he made a dignified entrance, now wearing three swords at his hip and carrying a fourth.
"Sesshoumaru! Make Shippou put me down!" The miko whined. Sesshoumaru sighed.
"Kit. Put your mother down. We must hasten to meet with the toddler,"
With all care Shippou set Kagome on her feet and gave her one more bone crushing hug. "I've missed you so much momma," he sighed. Kagome returned the embrace lovingly, her head tucked under his chin.
"And I've missed you too. It may not have been as long for me but it felt like an eternity, with everything that's happened,"
Sesshoumaru sighed. "Come, we must leave. You two can catch up later, on the road."
The youkai Lord pulled out a necklace from under his kimono. Shippou grabbed Kagome's hand and Sesshoumaru's arm, then told the Detectives to hold on as well. Once everyone was touching, Sesshoumaru released a small amount of his youki into the amulet and their world melted into a thousand colours.
When Kagome opened her eyes she was standing in a very busy office. Oni carrying stacks of papers rushed about and shouted at each other like brokers at a stock exchange. Sesshoumaru led them straight into Koenma's office.
"Ah! Lord Sesshoumaru! This is a surprise. What brings you to Reikai?" asked the child god from behind his desk.
"Kagome brings me here. Apparently your Detectives are on a case that concerns her, and therefore me. We require the resurrection of a soul. A priest by the name of Miroku that lived five hundred years past," Sesshoumaru stated, as cold as ice. Koenma paled.
"A resurrection? That's very picky business, Lord Sesshoumaru, I don't know if I can arrange it," he stuttered. Kagome stepped forward and leaned over his desk and started to whisper. Only the closer youkai – Sesshoumaru and Shippou – could hear.
"Do it toddler," She hissed. Koenma shuffled papers nervously.
"There are certain procedures to go through and my father would never approve," he hesitated. Kagome's patience ended.
"Koenma, if you bring Miroku-sama's soul here so that Sesshoumaru-kun can work his magic then this little mission of yours that you sent my cousin on can go that much faster. As it is we have your detectives, which I trust can take care of themselves, Sesshoumaru-kun, Shippou-chan and myself. Now, I'm still only part-trained, nowhere near being in complete control of my devastating power. And if Miroku-sama was with us we would have two that could wield Holy Powers and someone who could contain me if anything got out of hand. Think of it. IF you help us out here you might even get a few more extremely skilled detectives on call just to thank you for doing such a good turn." She smiled. "Then again, if you don't then I can't promise that after we rescue Souta and destroy his kidnapper that the Barrier of Worlds will stay up. Do you forget who constructed it in the first place? Imagine, toddler, youkai in the Ningenkai once more. It would something like the sengoku jidai again, only worse because now the people don't hold faith in their houshi and miko. They have allowed the Holy Bloodlines to die out and replaced them with halfhearted imposters. True spiritualists are so hard to come by in this era. It would be a pity if your bull headed nature cost the tentative peace we so enjoy now..."
"You wouldn't dare." Koenma stuttered. "Your own human family would be in jeopardy as well."
"True. But I live at a truly Holy Shrine. No youkai with evil intent can set foot on the grounds, thanks to me, and my blessings."
Koenma fell silent. Yuusuke looked at Kurama and Hiei and they both gave him minute shrugs. Shippou and Sesshoumaru on the other hand were both smirking. Koenma was between a rock and a hard place, namely his father's rules and Kagome's wrath.
It was not a hard decision.
"Jorge! Find the soul of the priest Miroku. STAT!"
Kagome fell back and smiled sweetly at everyone. "Good baby," she muttered. Shippou heard and cracked up.
"Oh, Momma, I've missed you so much," he said as he wiped a small tear from the corner of his eye.
"What did you say to him Miss Kagome?" Kurama asked.
"Just that if he didn't help out in any way possible that I would withdraw my services indefinitely." Another innocent smile.
:This girl could be a kitsune with the way she works people:
I wonder what it is that she's got on the Brat...
-This girl is turning out to be too trying-
:Oh, your just upset because she can counter your jagan
-Shut it Fox!-
:Oh! Hiei's mad:
-Fox!-
Yoko, don't tease, please. Your arguing is giving me a headache.
"And what services are those?" Yuusuke asked. Kagome coughed, Shippou grinned and Sesshoumaru answered for her.
"Kagome is the one who created the Barrier of Worlds,"
The Spirit Detectives all reacted in shock, each in their own way. Yuusuke cried out in loud disbelief.
"No way! Kagome, you made the Barrier?"
Kurama was slightly quieter. "Miss Kagome, you would take the Barrier down for something so petty?"
Hiei silently stewed in his thoughts.
"Yuusuke, yes. I created the Barrier. And Kurama-san, if I gave you an answer to that then the brat here might think I was bluffing," she pointed to Koenma who glared at her back. "Besides, to me, family is nothing to ignore. I've seen the results of a violent family feud. Whoever has Souta is kidnapping innocents and I cannot allow such an injustice to continue. It would go against everything that makes me the miko that I am if I did,"
"Oh, that reminds me," Shippou interjected. "Nothing has happened to the Jewel, right? It could come in handy,"
"Don't worry, I won't loose it or break it again," she joked, but it sounded slightly bitter to everyone who heard. "and I don't intend on using it,"
"Kagome, do not let the Hanyou weigh down your spirit. You are stronger than he," Sesshoumaru advised with a small smile.
"You're right, Sesshoumaru-kun. Inuyasha's a jerk. Now," she rounded on Koenma, "What's taking so long!" she yelled.
"Well, you see he was slated to be reincarnated in a couple of days. It takes time to find a appropriate substitute," the young god stuttered.
"Bring Miroku here now. Find the substitute later."
"Yes ma'am!" Koenma cowered in fear.
"Gees, momma, you still can scare the pants off anyone when you try," Shippou praised.
"It comes from taking my experiences of talking to Naraku, then taking some of Sesshoumaru-kun's finesse, putting them in a blender and pressing the liquefy button." She giggled. Sesshoumaru's eyebrow hitched up to his hairline at her analogy. Kurama and Shippou grinned, both looking absolutely mischievous.
"Jorge!" Yelled Koenma, "Where is that soul!"
"Ah! Here he is sir!" Jorge cried as he burst into Koenma's office. Miroku followed at a more dignified pace.
"Miroku-sama!" Kagome launched herself at the dead priest. He looked startled but didn't refuse the embrace. In fact, he even returned it.
"Ah, Lady Kagome, it has been a long time since I have been able to hold your soft body in my arms," he smiled. Kagome stiffened. Miroku's 'cursed' hand was slowly traveling south, down her back.
"Hands where I can see them, Houshi," Sesshoumaru growled. Miroku jumped back, hands held in the air.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru, how have you been these past centuries?" he asked with a friendly – and deceptively innocent – smile.
"Tolerable,"
"Miroku," Shippou asked, "Where is your shakujou?"
Miroku sighed, looking very sad. "Alas, it has been lost ages ago. It had been left in a temple as a holy relic but the because of the wars it has been taken. I fear that I may be in need of a new staff,"
"I wonder if Totousai would be willing to make you one," Kagome wondered, "He made a regular katana for Souta,"
"We will visit the swordsmith as well then," Sesshoumaru decided. He passed the fourth sword he had brought to Kagome, "Hold this," he commanded.
Taking the sword Kagome gasped in shock as warmth filled her body. Ages flitted past her eyes, stars were born and died in the blink of an eye and the universe, for just one splendid moment, was laid plainly in front of her. She felt the wonder of creation and the marvel of life. Worlds could have perished at that moment and Kagome would have smiled at the onset of their next journey.
However, all too soon she was back in Koenma's office with eight pairs of eyes on her.
"Well, it seems that I was right after all," Sesshoumaru said smugly.
