. : Inazuma : .
: . By Akikazu . :
. : Chapter Twenty Four : .
The next few days saw great changes in the world.
Kagome looked harried as she crashed into the classroom seconds after the bell rang. Nakaura Sensei was not pleased in the slightest.
"Timeliness is a virtue Higurashi," he scowled.
She scowled right back, "I'm not in the mood. I've been dealing with the press all morning. Isshin Sempai usually handles them because he has the time and patience, but his parents finally cornered him into another meeting with Arisugawa-san. I got stuck with it instead."
"Very well, take your seat. Don't let it happen again."
Kagome rushed over to the empty seat by Mana and Tsukasa and slid into it. The trio quietly whispered greetings before Mana and Tsukasa gave their full attention to Nakaura for his math lecture. Kagome leaned forward to take a nap.
She was exhausted from dealing with reporters and all the questions and interviewer that seemed to follow every member of their group. The world seemed to take to psychics better than the psychics seemed to take the world knowing about them. But fear or respect the status of psychics rocketed and they were now honored. Laws were nearly instantly passed about discrimination against psychics, psychic killing and murderers. Psychic and Mind Breakers now had to register themselves and get a license and training.
Each faction, save E.G.O., was required to have a leader or spokes person to act as a go between for their faction and the government. Tsukasa, of course, had taken over the Erasers and had taken it upon himself to act as the go between. It had surprised the others when he had insisted that Erasers remain the name of his faction, Kagome understood that though they no longer erased it was to remember. Kaname, being the incarnation of the evil god Bael, took a place in the Darklore courts and being quiet influential he had also managed to land the go-between position, though he only served because Mana asked him to. Isshin also took the post, being the heir to one of the most prominent families of the Arayashiki. Nakaura Sensei had been chosen to serve by the counsel. Mana served being the most prominent Mind Breaker at the time. Noya had denounced the honor and it had been up to Sota to serve as he was one of very few Sightless.
Kagome couldn't serve as she was a mix of nearly all factions, but she was happy with the fact. She had other things to worry about. Like take down the E.G.O. without bring a heap of repercussions down on her head. That would come to pass this very afternoon.
Another thing that she was dealing with was a certain fan club that was once again bothering Mana but her as well. Apparently being a Mind Breaker made Mana a witch and she had "bespelled" the boys to her side where she held them as her obedient slaves. To Kagome's amusement and horror, they had also caught onto a rumor that there was something going on between Itsuki and her. She didn't know how it worked that Mana being a Mind Breaker made her a witch while Itsuki was her Mind Breaker but for some reason he was said to be under her spell. Kagome didn't even pretend to have the slightest idea about how their minds functioned.
Nothing was going on between her and Itsuki. They hadn't even seen each other lately. He was always off doing something or another but she hadn't even seen him at school but she knew he was here, she could sense him on the fringe of her awareness. Kagome found that missed him.
Okay so maybe "nothing" wasn't the correct way to describe it.
Someone shook her shoulder and she stirred, turning her head to the side she say Tsukasa standing at her side. The Eraser had been getting training from Mythrel and as such had yet to return her to her original host. They would do that today as well. Kagome slide out of her seat and accompanied by Mana and Tsukasa the trio made their way to the cafeteria.
"I don't know how you can sleep through Sensei's class Kagome-kun," Mana said. "He doesn't seem to mind all that much now either."
"I turn in all my work," Kagome explained. "I have Tsukasa teach me everything when we have free time. It's easier than learning when I'm half asleep."
"Oh."
Kaname joined them and claimed Mana's attention. This left Tsukasa and Kagome to talk.
"How's training with Mythrel going?" Kagome asked.
"Well. I finished my last lesson last night," he replied. "She says she's ready to move on."
The other's had already gone, passed on to another life. Mythrel had only remained to train Tsukasa but as soon as she rejoined Kagome she would also pass on. Kagome guessed that they had finished what they were supposed to do. Soon they would all rest in peace.
Kagome absently wondered if Tsukasa would miss hearing the voices as much as she would.
But speaking of laying to rest, Kagome had some of her own memories that she had to let go. But that was for later. Again she turned to Tsukasa.
"Have you seen Itsuki? I haven't seen him for a while," she explained.
The blond shook his head, "not today. He was with Sota yesterday though."
Kagome frowned, Sota didn't say anything about seeing Itsuki. She could bet that the two were up to something.
Small talk reined over the rest of lunch and soon the bell rang. A groan was heard from the student body as they trudged their way back to class. Kagome and Tsukasa lingered, the former not wanting to go back to class and the latter for a certain moment.
Suddenly Tsukasa swung in front of her and pressed his lips to her. It was over as soon as it began but Kagome could see a sheen over her skin. The light intensified before gathering and shooting away. Kagome felt the presence of Mythrel leave them completely.
Finding nothing else to do, Kagome grabbed Tsukasa's hand and dragged him back to class.
I . I . I . I . I . I . I . I . I . I .
Hours later Kagome stood in front of a familiar hospital.
Psychics assigned to help with this task as well as a small chunk of the local police force surrounded her. They had found an efficient amount of evidence and now had an order straight from the Emperor and parliament to take down the E.G.O.
They were given a signal and Kagome went through the doors. There were psychics waiting for the attack but with help from the other psychic they were quickly exhausted and restrained by the police. Unfailingly Kagome took one of the psychic's cards and used it to bring a group down into the restricted basements.
The area was nearly untended.
There was only one woman standing in the middle of the lab. She had a remarkable resemblance to Itsuki and Haruna. Kagome knew that this woman was their mother, she was also the person heading the E.G.O. at the moment.
"Itsuki Kana, by order of the Emperor and the Japanese Parliament we're to place you under arrest," a police officer declared.
"I see." Golden eyes stared at her picking her apart. "Are you satisfied with what you've done, one zero? Destroying the E.G.O. faction and ripping my family apart."
"I've only returned the favor," Kagome answered simply.
"As you say," Kanna held her wrist out. "Go ahead, I will stay by my faction members."
The police officer moved forward and handcuffed the woman with cuff that had a power binding spell inlayed in it. Kagome waited till Kanna was restrained before going off to look for her mom.
Her mother hadn't been expecting her.
"Oka-san?"
"Kagome?"
Kagome moved forward and hugged her mother. She was finally back, Kagome had nearly gone crazy when Itsuki had told her that her mother was being held here. But now she was safe and she would never have to worry about this happening again.
"I sorry Kagome. I should have told you about the Aquarian Age," her mother rambled.
She hushed her mother, "it's alright. It's over, the war is over."
Kun Loon's nightmare was finally over.
I . I . I . I . I . I . I . I . I . I .
After getting her mom to rest Kagome hung out on the porch of her family's new house.
She had been avoiding this ever since she had returned to this time but Kagome knew now that she had healed enough to review the final day of her last trip to the Sengoku Jidai (Feudal Era).
It had been a gorgeous day but Naraku had attacked causing the deaths of Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Shippo. Kagome herself had been taken captive. Inu Yasha had no doubt felt helpless and useless at that point all of his friends dead. He had no doubt trained while Naraku had held her prisoner.
Then Kagura had set her free. Kagome didn't know if it was by Naraku's orders or an act of defiance against the hanyou. Still Kagome had been grateful and had made her way back to the well.
Kagome had no idea how it had come to pass but the next thing she knew she was near the well and under attack by Naraku. Inu Yasha had sat placidly at the other hanyou's side.
She had been forced to kill both hanyou. As soon as she had killed Naraku, Inu Yasha had gone berserk. She had sat with him for his finally moments. His words would always haunt her.
"I wish you had never been born."
She had immediately returned home. And now she found that she was able to forgive him, just this last time.
"Kagome?"
The miko looked up and was surprise to find Itsuki standing right in front of her. She blinked, thinking that the image was just an illusion but her hand stretched and touched his chest and she found him to be very real.
"Itsuki," she breathed, nearly launching herself at the young man.
He smiled down at her and held out a hand in order to help her up. She let him have her hand without question.
"I have something to show you," he said. "But it's a surprise so you have to close your eyes."
She was a little nervous, but that might have only been a result from their closeness. Kagome shut her eyes without voice a single question or doubt.
He began to lead her away.
They eventually came to a stop and Kagome felt a wave of purity crash over her. Itsuki leaned closer to her and she felt his breath wash over her ear and neck.
"Open your eyes."
Again she obeyed and her breath caught as she saw the magnificent tree before her. She turned to Itsuki.
"How?"
"I came back to get the jewel that Sota said you dropped here," he explained. "Instead there was a little sapling. I got Sota and with some help it grew back to its former state." He led her over to Goshinboku (God Tree) and pointed at it. "There's even a scar on the bark that Sota said you would recognize."
This time Kagome did launch herself at him. The force of impact sent them both tumbling to the ground and it came to pass that Kagome sat up on Itsuki stomach. She looked at him with a grin. Itsuki smirked and brought his hand up to the back of her neck. A firm pull brought her down on top of him and he sealed her lips with his.
A minute or two later they pulled away and stared at each other.
"Itsuki I think I might love you," Kagome whispered.
"Good, we're even then," he replied.
Before she could say anything else he pulled her back down for another kiss.
. : End Chapter : .
: . Author's Note . :
That was the last full chapter of Inazuma!
This story is almost over, only an epilogue, which I will work on immediately after this, to go.
Originally nothing was going to be said about why Kagome left the Feudal Era but reviewer insistence got me to post a quick little summary in this chapter.
And Itsuki and Kagome confessed! Aren't you happy? A note, Tsukasa does see Kagome in a romantic light, they're good friends nothing more.
Questions, comment, concern? Review!
Ciao
. : Next Time : .
Forgiveness
Teacher
Lightning