Protector
This chapter is dedicated to Hanyou Lord125 for getting the trivia question right.
Chapter 6: Flight of the Dove
Kagome leaned against the rough bark of the majestic tree, eyes trained on the flickering flames in the middle of the clearing. The sun was setting, the inky darkness of night encroaching on the clear brightness of day. Kirara was curled up in her lap, tired out from the day's journey. The calming sounds of the forest animals preparing for a night of rest surrounded them, her personal favorite lullaby. Kirara's ears pricked up and she jumped from her warm bed. Kagome listened carefully.
She picked up the distinctive song of a dove, one she had trained to be in her service. Raising two fingers to her lips, she whistled a snatch of tune, guiding the bird towards her. She heard the cry of the approaching avian as it followed her signal. A few minutes later, the dove stooped from the sky above, a streak of white and gray against the impending darkness. It landed on her outstretched wrist, cooing and twittering. The female dove she had named Rinoa held out her leg, revealing the paper of a message wrapped about the limb. Gently, she detached the scrap, and Rinoa flew to a perch in the nearest tree, tucking her head under her wing. She'd had a long flight, and she was weary. Kagome scanned the parchment quickly.
Miko-sama, she read
Our village is in dire need of help. Animated skeletons have been seen in the forest. Please come to our aid.
Kachi
She still remembered, Rinoa had been left in a small village a day's flight from here. If she and Kirara both transformed, they could be there in half a day. Folding up the message, she tucked it into a billowing black sleeve and sat down again. Power spilled from her palms; sparkling violet fire raced to form a shield stretching overhead. She broke the fiery ribbon of magic, and watched as the barrier rippled, then firmed. She curled up on one side, one finger idly toying with the tip of Kirara's twitching ear, gazing at the dancing fire as darkness blanketed the land.
-----The Next Morning-----
"All right, Kirara. Let's begin. Rinoa, you take your time going back, there's no need for you to rush," Kagome tapped the bird on her beak, smiling, before gracefully stepping back. Pink flame veiled her blurring form, and when it cleared, an elegant black panther stood in her place. Releasing a loud roar, she surged forward. Kirara zoomed above her, fire wreathing her paws and tails, a flash of crimson and cream against the clear azure sky. Rinoa rocked from foot to foot, annoyed at the wind of their passing, for it had ruffled her feathers up. She put them all neatly back in place before extending her wings and rapidly rising higher, until she was only a speck of white.
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Kagome sped forward, muscles moving swiftly in concert. She barely avoided crashing into trees and rocks that mysteriously cropped up in her path more than a few times. Her sensitive black button-like nose itched, unused to the heightened sensitivity and scents. Her mobile ears swiveled on the top of her head, hearing the whoosh of the wind as Kirara swept past overhead.
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She walked into the village named Shakkan a few hours later, back in her human form, Kirara perched on her shoulder and looking about in interest. She heard muffled whispers from the wooden huts scattered about, and the people slowly left their perceived 'safety' and approached her. A man named Kachi, the village headman, who had written the letter, was at the head of the crowd.
"Miko-sama, we are glad that you spared the time to help this worthless village…" Kachi babbled. Kagome winced. Evidently, his conciseness on paper did nothing for his endless chatter in reality. She raised a hand, effectively cutting him off. She noticed him shooting curious glances at Kirara, and answered his unspoken question. "She is my pet," she said. Her eyes conveyed a rather expressive message. Not that it's any of your business.
"H-hai, Miko-sama," he nodded repeatedly. It made him look like a jack-in-the-box, one of those funny toys in the future. "You stated that animated skeletons were seen in the area, no?" she asked. "Hai, Miko-sama. They were seen in the north woods, and also, we have seen a few small youkai about," Kachi said in a rush, pointing. Kagome nodded to him, smiling politely at the people, before walking northwards.
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There was a smile etched on Kagome's serene face as she sensed an aura that she recognized well. Picking up her pace, she started walking faster, in an effort to reach the person. Kirara mewed and jumped to the ground, trotting along obediently. A breeze rustled past them, shaking the remaining red and orange leaves of autumn from the trees. Kagome could hear the soothing sound of water running, and the sunlight reflected off the shallow brook nearby.
Kagome smiled as the aura came closer and closer, speeding towards her.
A beautiful girl dropped out of the sky, a feather clasped between two fingers daintily. "Yo," she said, reaching up and fixing it back into her hair.
"Hello, Kagura," Kagome smiled. Kirara mewed happily, and wove a figure eight around Kagura's ankles. "Long time no see. Did you come to see me, or are you just passing by?" Kagura asked. "Actually, the village nearby said they saw walking skeletons in these woods, and I came to check it out," Kagome shrugged. Kagura sighed heavily.
"The skeletons were controlled by me," she admitted guiltily. Kagome gave her a funny look. "I thought you didn't harm humans, Kagura… I didn't want to hurt you," she frowned, upset. Kagura looked startled.
"Oh, no, they weren't dispatched to raid villages," she exclaimed, shaking her head vigorously. "Huh?" Kagome asked intelligently. "My fan broke in a fight I had to protect that village – I sent the skeletons to get me spider silk, so I could weave a new one," she held up her fan, which indeed looked brand new and untried. Kagome laughed, smiling. "I knew you wouldn't do that. I would have thought you did enough killing of humans under Naraku," she grinned.
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"We haven't seen each other in a really long time," Kagome plopped down on the hillside lazily, Kirara seated by her hand. Kagura sat beside her, fan in one hand. "Yeah," she agreed, looking up at the sky. "So, where's Kanna?" Kagome asked curiously. At Kagura's flick of her fan, the winds rushed to surround them, cooling them down. The autumn sunshine beat down on them. Their long hair was gently borne on the breeze, trailing out behind them.
Kagura looked different now – if Kagome had not detected her aura, she might not have recognized the wind user. Naraku had dressed her in shades of white, maroon and gold – she now wore a purple under kimono and a blue outer one, along with a silver obi tied around her waist. Her mocking, laughing crimson eyes were the same, and she was as sarcastic and full of arrogance as ever. Glossy ringlets of black hair cascaded over her shoulders, freed from its former high ponytail. Her earrings were the same, five shrinking turquoise beads glued together, dangling from each delicately pointed elfin ear. She wore cherry red lipstick, and it suited her. Her eyes were outlined with kohl, and the effect was striking. Her feathers used to be bound up in her ponytail, now they were braided in. Her fan had been dyed a pale purple color, and a pair of blue ribbons dangled from the end, replacing the formerly red ones. The wood frame, instead of normal pale wood, was painted black, and stood out against the light spider silk. The spider mark on her back was gone too, erasing the only link between her and her cruel creator, Naraku. Kagura had been so happy when it vanished, she and Kanna had come to tell Kagome personally, celebrating late into the night.
"Kanna decided to do a little traveling," Kagura sighed out. "She was not content here. She prefers to wander – just as you do," she continued, sneaking a sidelong glance at Kagome's profile. "Strange. I would never have pegged Kanna down as the type who wasn't content to stay in the same place for more than three days," Kagome mused. "So where did she go?" she asked, idly sifting a hand through her hair, straightening the errant strands. "She intended to go to China to explore. I can only hope that she will make it back safe and sound," Kagura explained. Kagome smiled. "You know, you treat Kanna more like your daughter than like your little sister," she teased lightheartedly. "N-nonsense!" Kagura blushed, pale pink tinting her usually porcelain white face.
"So what have you been doing lately?" Kagura asked, lying down on her back. "I ran into Sesshoumaru and the little girl who follows him around, Rin," Kagome said absent-mindedly. "Sesshoumaru? Has he gotten any nicer? You know, he's cute, but he was soooo cold to me, I decided that I had better not put any moves on him," Kagura giggled like a teenage girl, whom she definitely wasn't.
"Nah, he's still the same – the Ice Prince is really a good nickname for him, ne?" Kagome laughed, a smile tilting the corners of her lips. "Well, maybe someday someone will defrost the Ice Prince. Who knows, you might be the one to do it!" Kagura snatched the opportunity to get her own back for that jibe about her acting like a mother. Kagome mimed falling over, defeated, laughing all the time. "Fine, fine, I give up already – but there's no way that will happen," she chuckled.
"Why not?" Kagura asked, obviously intending to delve further into the matter. "He's a taiyoukai. I'm a miko. How can we possibly be friends?" Kagome shook her head, serious now. "Strange things have happened before. Look at us. I'm a youkai, born of Naraku, and you are the miko, Naraku's greatest enemy. Are we not good friends now?" Kagura pointed out. Kagome groaned. "Must we talk about this?" she grumbled. "I suppose not," Kagura laughed. Kirara mewed excitedly, waving her tails hypnotically side to side, swatting Kagome's nose hard.
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A/N: Okay, another chapter done. I'm depressed today, guys. I received my end of year results today… and they are not good. I failed Maths and Geography… and I got B4 for Chinese and English… and C6 for Literature. I got D7 for both Maths and Geog… and I don't dare to tell my parents yet. I think I failed science as well… damn. Oh well. That's the reason why I decided to finish this chapter today, actually – I need the mood improving effect of receiving reviews. Oh well.
Last time's question was, what is the opening song from the second season? The answer is, I Am, by Hitomi. It's a nice song – check it out if you have the time. Hanyou Lord125 got this right.
Reviewer replies:
1kenshinlover: I hope you enjoy this one too. Actually, about the reincarnation thingy – well, you'll just have to see! But, in this fic, Sesshoumaru is about 150 years old and his mother died when he was 10. That's a long time indeed… Thanks for reviewing! Please continue.
Koga and Sesshy Lover: Hi! Good to hear from you again. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Kagura makes her reappearance here – although she may disappear for a while again. Maybe. Maybe not. Kirara's my favorite character – couldn't bear to let her die. I like Sess calling himself an idiot too… so… unlikely to happen, ne? Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Burningcherry55: Here's your update! Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Kagome21: Glad you think so! Here's the update… hope you liked it. Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Kyoko super girl: Haha! I hope lots of people like it too… wahaha. Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Hanyou Lord125: Glad you think so! Congratulations on getting the answer right first! hands you a cookie Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Midnight Faerie: Ah – you gave me my first threat. I'm so touched… I think I'm gonna cry. AHH! Run for your lives! The dust bunnies are here! Hehe. Rin stayed alive so long – well, Kagome doesn't know how yet, so I can't tell you. But you'll find out. Here's your update! Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
XoKayeBabyoX: Hello! Oh, don't die… that would be very sad. Anyway. Here you go! Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Your Crimson Death: Nice name. Here you go! Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
The Squabbit: Hello! Well, if you answer another question quickly, you might get the chapter dedication again- you never know. Here's the update! Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Nomadgirl66: Here's the update – hope you liked it. Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
StarPrincess2020: Yes! Sess/Kag pairings rock! Thanks for adding me to your favorites- I'm so touched. Really. Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Gothic-ember: You cried? Twice? Wow. Is it really all THAT sad? I mean, if someone cried while reading my 'Depression', I wouldn't be surprised, but I thought this one was relatively happy compared to my other fics. Seriously. I'm more of an angst writer, but I thought I'd try my hand at romance. Thanks for reviewing! Please continue, all right?
Pricelessprincess: Here you go! Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Aaliyahluvah: Oh, story's not gonna finish for a while – I don't want them to fall in love quickly, because it takes the fun out of everything. Thanks for reviewing! Please continue.
Traveler of the World: Me-chan? Cute nickname! Hmm… I'll do that the next time I write an argument featuring him on both ends. I'll bear that in mind. Thanks for the tip! Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Kagome-chan: Wow! Thanks for saying so – means a lot to me. I'm glad you like it. Thanks for reviewing, please continue, all right?
Inuyasha's hun: Hey there! Well, here's the sixth chapter – hope you liked it. Thanks for reviewing – please continue, ok?
Hermonine: I'm glad you think so. Here's your update! Hope you like it. Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
AlwaysSearching: I'm glad you do. Yeah – I don't like Kagome as a demon – she's a human, and she will stay one in my fic! Hmm… actually that's not set yet. I haven't decided… I thought it would be easier for Sesshoumaru to accept her because she looks so much like someone he loved. And that can also be the basis of a major fight they might have. Haha! Not gonna divulge anymore. Oops, you didn't learn much this time – I just reintroduced Kagura. Sesshoumaru didn't even appear in this chapter. I just realized. Thanks for reviewing, please continue.
Kage bi Koori: Hey! Here you go… hope you like it. Thanks for reviewing… please continue, ok?
Youkai99Angel: Hello! I haven't really decided – I don't think I will bring him back in this fic- let him mysteriously vanish. I haven't really considered how Sesshoumaru keeps Rin alive. I was thinking maybe a potion, but using Tenseiga is also a good idea. Like, maybe, the sword tied Rin's life to Sesshoumaru's, so she'll only die when he does. Hmm… that might work. Thanks for the suggestion! I'm glad you do… I love yours too! Aww… this is getting sort of fluffy. Thanks for reviewing, please continue! (And please update!) I'm glad you found the time to review – I know you're really busy and stuff. Thanks again!
Right, now that I'm done with that. If anyone has spare time to check out my blog, please do so and tag on it! My blog address is… http// oniongirlzworld. blogspot. com minus the spaces. Ok?
And this time's question is, what is the name of the witch who revived Kikyo? Japanese name, people – not English.
Gotta go now… have a good week, everyone!
Kyasarinyume07 signing off. Remember to review! Brighten my day up – I could really use it now. Or I might end up biting someone's head off and sent to jail for murder. Ugh. Wouldn't want that to happen.