T i t l e : Second Path
R a t i n g : R
P a i r i n g : Sesshoumaru/Kagome
D i s c l a i m e r : I don't own them but I'll lie that I do. It makes me feel better.
S u m m a r y : Naraku is dead. Peace is restored. Or is it? Kagome's selfless wish for everything to be restored and Naraku's nonexistence has backfired. How? You'll see.
Second Path
Chapter One
Kagome's Grandfather and Mother had returned later that evening with bags filled with groceries and mouth-watering goodness. The earlier feelings of unease were forgotten as the family gathered around their table and chatted the evening away. The topics discussed ranged from everything and nothing at all, the atmosphere was warm and tender and Kagome basked in its temperature. Something within her however, whispered that it was merely the calm before the storm.
Grandfather of course was very passionate in his topics of ancient legends, magic, curses, and all things that shouldn't be discussed at the dinner table. However, Kagome and the family loved him still, even for his disgusting chat on how dried dragon bladder was great in aiding constipation. They've learned long ago to tune out his long rants in more favorable thoughts and food. It was during this particular evening however, when Kagome's fate was once more tied to the ancient jewel that had dictated her life for the lost four years.
"-----Shikon Jewel----."
Kagome had been in the middle of spearing her peas when the familiar yet alien word reached her faraway mind. The Shikon…Jewel…and her eyes widened a fraction as she recalled a conversation with Souta earlier. It was the word that had nearly left her mouth but strangely couldn't finish. She glanced up at her Grandfather, almost immediately regretting the action as she witnessed large amounts of spit and liquid food escape the confines of the elder's mouth, and while dodging the attack she began her interrogation.
"Wait wait wait. The Shikon Jewel, what is it?"
Grandpa acted as if Kagome had uttered profanity as his face twisted into a look of horrified mortification. "Kagome! How could you not know of the Shikon Jewel! The greatest pride and duty of our Higurashi bloodline! We the descendants of the beautiful and powerful Midoriko, the priestess of great strength and--!" As he continued on his long-winded speech, Kagome gazed upon her Mother in desperation. She had only asked a simple question….
Her Mother smiled as she leaned forward and motioned Kagome to do the same. "The Shikon Jewel is a legendary treasure that had the power to grant any one wish."
Kagome wanted to roll her eyes to such a ridiculous story but something within her seemed to believe in her mother's words. Once again, her mind provided her with visions of people with no name, and a round circular jewel. Was that the Shikon Jewel? How would she know what it looks like?
"No no no! You're simplifying the tale once more!" Grandpa scolded the elder Higurashi female, Kagome sent her Mother a semi-apologetic and a little exasperated look as the old male took it upon himself to explain why it was such a great wrong-doing with a even a longer speech that required more spit and even faster dodging. To summarize, the elder revealed that the great soul of Midoriko and the demon within continued to battle and how it was the duty of the Higurashi bloodline to allow no evil befall the jewel of great power.
As Kagome gazed around her, she found that for once, she was the only one affected by her Grandfather's passionate tale and tried to focus on her food once more. Her mind was swimming with images of herself and silver and red…she frowned. This constant state of confusion was starting to get very old.
Then suddenly she was gripped with a sudden urge, a very strong need to go to the well. Without sparing herself one moment to hesitate, she stood up and excused herself from the table. Acting on instinct alone, she allowed her feet to carry her to the old well house, and only when her body tried to jump down the well did she snap out of whatever hold something had gotten on her and paused, gripping the sides of the well tightly as the need to jump still raged within her. She never figured herself to be suicidal…
"What has gotten into me?" Whispering to herself, she allowed herself to gaze down the dark foreboding well, and in a flash, she saw a creature with as many hands as centipedes had feet climb up at her and grab-Kagome flinched away from the well, gasping in heavy pants as she clutched her sid--the mouth of the creature tore into her as it ripped flesh away, a pink jewel--tripping onto the steps, Kagome shook her head, trembling from the powerful visions that rang through her mind. So real, but impossible she told herself as she continued to stare at the silent well.
Kagome.
Surprised yet not alarmed, Kagome continued to hold her gaze at the well. The voice was soft and kind. One would say that it was the voice of a mother…
It is time.
Though the voice was far from frightening, the young teen found herself tensing as if she were unconsciously aware of what was to come.
Remember.
And she did.
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The wish had been made with good intentions. There was just too much pain and too much sorrow. They all had agreed to forget but yet remember; to remember while they can, to feel as they were, and for the better good of the world, let it go.
Sango and Miroku had confessed their not so hidden love and within their last night, they had shared their first and last embrace.
Shippo and Kagome cried and held each other, Kagome had allowed him to call her mother, and she had called him her son.
Inuyasha, who never really was good at this sort of thing, watched from far away. A mixture of sadness and relief upon his face; he was to receive a second chance. He merely wished that he didn't have to lose what he had gained to make it happen.
Kaede, continued to provide them the warmth and comforts of home and accepted what was to come. She had made certain that each had received their separate and special hug, for they were her children; all of them.
Kirara knew that she will remain with her master, content but still sad, she comforted the young kitsune when Kagome had gone to say her goodbyes to Inuyasha.
Kagome and Inuyasha-
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Kagome.
Opening her eyes to darkness, it took her awhile to gather her bearings, and another moment to remember what had happened. The wish….
Clamping her eyes shut, the long overdue tears began to flow. She had remembered them all but they will never remember her. She curled into herself as her small frame began to shake uncontrollably with the force of her silent cries. She had remembered it all and now there was nothing she can do but cope with the loss.
A shimmering form caught her attention as the light grew in intensity, as if it were calling out for her.
Kagome. There isn't much time.
Time? No. There was plenty of time Kagome decided as she returned her attentions to the sharp pain within her soul. She had lost her family. She had lost Inuyasha. No matter how much she regrets it now, there was no way to take it back. There was no way to return. It was all lost. All of it.
Kagome. You must return.
Snapping her head towards the form once more, her hazy mind could not understand beyond the notion of returning. She would see them once more? As hope began to bloom in her chest, the shimmering form gave her a look that was the closest to understanding it can manage.
No Kagome. What is done is done. What you return to will not be your Inuyasha. It will be Kikyo's Inuyasha.
Unable to stop the gasp, she dropped her chin onto her chest in comprehension. Of course, she had taken the element of Naraku away. There was no one to stop their love. As jealousy flashed hotly within her, she squashed it in shame. If she truly loved Inuyasaha, and she was sure she did, she will be happy for him. She had to let him go.
Then slowly facts began to register in her mind. If Naraku wasn't there to steal the jewel, then Inuyasha and Kikyo would have followed through their plan of transforming the half demon into a…. Kagome now had new reasons to mourn. Inuyasha would no longer carry the cute puppy ears, nor would his children.
Their wish was selfish Kagome.
Kagome's head shot up at the maiden's declaration. Selfish…then the demons within the jewel would be-.
Kagome's eyes widened in surprise.
It is time to return and fulfill your duties as the guardian of the Shikon Jewel.
"But Kikyo-."
No longer does she view her duty as top priority, I can not leave the fate of the world to Kikyo alone. I wish for you to aid her.
"I-I'm not sure if I can! I've always depended on Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku. This time they won't be there with me!" Kagome tried her best to rationalize with the spirit, whom she decided to be Midoriko, due to the massive pure energy radiating from a 'mere' essence. "I'm…not as strong as-."
Midoriko placed her fingertip of pure energy against Kagome's lips in a somewhat silly, yet comforting way, of silencing her. She graced the young priestess with a radiant smile as she pulled back to her full height.
You alone have potential in becoming as strong as I. Not because of a mere fickle reason of ancestry, for you are not my descendants. It is because the jewel has chosen you and now, you must complete its wishes for the same reason.
She could somewhat understand what Midoriko was trying to say, but she wasn't too sure if she grasped the whole 'chosen one' concept at all, for it only rose more questions; a huge repetition of 'whys'.
"…."
Kagome couldn't keep the eyebrow, which moved upwards in sudden action, down even if her life depended on it. What would she tell her Grandfather now? He was oh so proud of being the descendant of the great Midoriko….
The Great Priestess's spirit began to fade, and as Kagome realized this, she began to panic as well. She had so many questions, and she still hadn't been convinced that she was capable of such feats…. And what was the jewel's wish exactly?
Before the form completely dissolved, bright eyes fixed upon Kagome's own. It had a clear gaze of complete confidence. In what, no one other than Midoriko could say.
Destroy the demons that were once housed within. There is no place for them in any time or place.
And she was gone. Releasing the breath she had been holding, she sat in mild shock as the reality of the situation began to slowly sink into her mind. She gave the well a cursory glance that soon became accusing and then to disbelief.
She had to save the past again? And with no Inuyasha?
"Oh hell no."
A/N: …bleh Long chapters are hard. I can't do it. I fail. OTZ And its very hard to catch Sesshoumaru. He always escapes at the last minute/what?
ANNNNNND RESPONSE TO REVIEW TYME 3
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