Katreal- Dude, you are so cool! Someone figured out who Kikyo's reincarnation is… Heh heh heh… anywho, I would be on the comp that much, but I can't wake up that early, so its pretty much 4:45pm to 1:00am every day… then sleep and school… ((the only time I got up early to go on was during a horrible World of Warcrack addiction… but I'm better now… kinda…)) I wanna write Kagome discovering the cousin thing, too… but I can't seem to find the right place to put it… in… I JUST THOUGHT OF IT! THANK YOU FOR THE INSPIRATION! And, as always, thanks for the chocolate. Just know that I am deeply sorry for not writing… and for all the previous chapters… ((I reread them before writing this… and I don't know how you can stand to read it… :sweatdrop: )) Well, my writing style has changed a little bit since the last chapter… so I hope that you enjoy it more than the other ones… if you're still bothering to read this…
Kagegrl- …perhaps, to make up for the wait, you could beat me upside the head with a mallet or something? I hope that would compensate in some way… at least it would kinda make you feel better… hopefully…
Xxprincess-sakuraxx- GOMEN NESAI! …I kinda forgot that this even existed until a few hours ago… :mass amounts of shame, and low bows:
Kit and Oasuke- Hmm… well, it should be… but I'm still deciding. In the middle of writing this, I kinda went on a Naraku/Kagome binge (…we just don't ask anymore…) and was like "hmm… nice…" but I think that ending it with Yoko/Kagome would be very cute. I guess it all depends on my mood. (…there's a good chance you haven't bothered to read this anyway… heh… n.n;;)
Gothmiko- Its alright that you haven't reviewed… because I haven't really been updating…:sweatdrop; bows head in shame: Gomen.
Sqeekers- Thanks for the compliments and all that… I guess, since there's someone still reading this and all… that I have to actually finish it now, ne? I'll do my best not to disappoint you. . By the way, what happened to your internet connection? Did your computer break or something? If so, you have my sympathies… I don't think I could last very long without Omoikani… -my comp .;; Wait… wasn't your last review around chapter five? (( -…creepy that I noticed… o.0 Its like I'm some kind of stalker… :evil laughter: Heh, just kidding)) To go that long without the internet… :brain exploads: (( - Hee hee, special spelling))…yeah, I'm a loser…
Disclaimer- I've been doing this for how long now? I DON'T OWN INUYASHA OR YU YU HAKUSHO!
Ch8
"Kagome?" Souta asked, trying to figure out what the ghost could possibly have to tell him about his sister.
Kohaku nodded, "Hai… I'm not too sure how to say this…" he shifted, a bit uneasy, as he tried to pick the right words.
The other boy smiled, "Whatever it is, you can tell me. Don't worry about it, ok?"
"She…" he figured it would be best to not beat around the bush, as it were, and just say the news outright, "She's back."
There was a pause as the meaning of those two words processed in the boy's mind. She's back. She's back. Kagome's back. His older sister, who had been gone for what seemed like forever was back. He blinked stupidly, not exactly sure how to react before the words left his mouth, "You can't joke about something like this." Tears of joy started to form, "Please, don't be joking."
The ghost smiled, "I'm not lying. She's really back. And, as soon as I can, I'll take you to go see her. I promise."
"Wh-what do you mean 'as soon as you can'! Why can't I see her now! She's my sister! I've missed her for so long!" Souta wasn't sure whether he should be glaring at Kohaku or not, but he was; he realized that the ghost had to have a good reason- or he would've already taken him to see Kagome- but, at the moment, no reason seemed good enough.
"I'm sorry, but I can't now. I just wanted to tell you so you know that she's still alive and that she'll be able to be with you again when things calm down. For now, that's all that I can really do is tell you that she's alright," Kohaku knew how it felt to lose a sister- at least, he knew the longing for them to be there; but he was able to reunite with Sango fairly quickly, even though it felt like an eternity, and didn't have to wait with the knowledge that she was there- just out of reach. He was beginning to think that telling Souta wasn't the best option. He smiled sadly, "I have to go now, but I promise that I'll reunite you with her. I know how you must feel, so I'll get her back to you as soon as I can. Just try to be patient, alright?"
Souta nodded as he watched the other seem to fade away, tears beginning to roll down his cheeks. They were a mixture of joy for Kagome being alive and well, and sadness for not being able to speak with- or even see- her for who knows how long. But he trusted Kohaku, and would wait as patiently as he could. At the moment, all he wanted to do was go home and think about what he had just been told.
(((((((-)))))))
The wolf king ran at top speeds until he reached the Western Fortress of SesshouMaru. The journey would've taken a day, at least, for any normal demon to travel- and who know's how much longer for a human- but Kouga had grown stronger over the years, and had the help of his two jewel shards. He had to stop just outside the gates and nearly fell; his legs felt weird. The shard that had been bright pink seemed to be acting up again, and the dark purple one was responding to it. Half of him felt like it was being purified, and the other half seemed to be trying to corrupt and possess him. Growling, Kouga closed his eyes and tried to stop the problem… he just wasn't sure how he was going to do that.
(((((((-)))))))
Hiei's eyes narrowed as the toddler and the annoying girl continued to argue. Their yelling had been annoying, but it wasn't anything he couldn't block out; what caught his attention, however, was the energy radiating from the girl. The chunk of jewel was reacting, nearly violently, with her anger that seemed to be growing from nowhere. Not only that, but her eyes seemed to be… changing. He recognized the signs of transformation: high emotions, sudden burst of energy, and the change in her eyes. The fire apparition was mildly interested by this, and briefly wondered if he would have to kill the girl… after all, they couldn't get upset if it was to 'protect the toddler', now could they?
Yusuke smirked as he watched them argue. This was great! Something about it was exciting… especially that odd light that was practically surrounding the girl. If that was spirit energy… he couldn't wait to see what would happen.
'Something's not right,' Yoko whispered to Shuichi, who mentally nodded. The fox knew that Kagome could have a temper, but this seemed… different. Was it there jewel? Was it something else? Then it hit him. She was part demon. She was holding the corrupted half of the Shikkon no Tama. She was transforming. He knew that stopping it had something to do with Tetsuaiga, but how was he going to get the blade? If he left she could attack, and nothing good could possibly come from that. He would have to be there to hold her- or maybe even one of his teammates if the look in Hiei's or Yusuke's eyes were anything to go by- back.
Shippo's tail twitched nervously as he watched Kagome. He had seen Inuyasha act odd before transforming, and he had seen what the half-demon was capable of when his human blood was pushed back. He had briefly hoped that- since there was so much more human than demon- Kagome wouldn't have to deal with it as much as Inuyasha, but the demon blood that she had was very strong and probably wouldn't have any trouble taking over. He had to get Tetsuaiga. But how?
Kuwabara, however, was frightened. His heightened ability to sense things around him told him that something bad was happening. The girl was making him very uneasy, and he glanced around at his teammates to see their reactions. Did they notice it too? Hiei seemed as apathetic as ever, Yusuke was practically on the edge of his seat, Kurama seemed worried, and the other guy was twice as antsy as Kurama. Pause. Rewind. Replay. Kurama seemed worried. Well, if it was enough to worry him, Kuwabara knew that something serious was happening.
Botan, who stood to Koenma's right, tried to say something to get the arguing pair's attention, but it was to no avail. They both seemed too far-gone into their argument to notice anything else, which wasn't really like her boss. Could it be that jewel thing that they were talking about? She wasn't sure, but she was very worried.
(((((((-)))))))
Naraku growled deeply as his typing was interrupted, again, by the pure jewel. It was glowing with a brilliant pink light, and annoying him greatly. He always did think that the thing was hideous when it was pure. He closed his fist around the tama and glared at it, willing it to calm down. When that didn't work, he tried putting some of his energy into it; after all, he had been able to control his jewel shards just fine years ago when they were infused with his evil energy. As he did this, the question of why he didn't corrupt he didn't corrupt the thing early drifted in the back of his mind. But that wasn't exactly important at the moment, so he pushed it away and put his full concentration into calming the jewel down and possibly gaining control over it again.
(((((((-)))))))
Anger seemed to be building up inside her, and it made Kagome's blood boil. She wasn't sure why, but she had to win this argument. The jewel couldn't be kept in Reikai! It wouldn't be safe there! She felt like a volcano, about to erupt. Her blood seemed to be replaced with fire, and she couldn't really understand the words coming out of the infant's mouth. She couldn't think of anything to say, either. All she could think to do was growl at him. Something within screamed at her to attack him, to paint her claws in his blood; the girl clenched her fists to keep herself from giving in. But she wanted to. Wanted to very badly.
Then, something seemed to happen. She could feel the pulsing of the jewel begin to change. It was edging her on before, pushing her closer and closer to the point of no return; but now something seemed to be calling it back. The words that Koenma was saying began to reach her ears more clearly, and Kagome could feel herself calming down. The jewel was trying to resist an outside force, but something was happening to it. She could feel it wavering between remaining as it was being changed. The miko couldn't tell if it was trying to gain or lose purity, all she knew was that she couldn't let it react with so much force.
Kagome took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She concentrated on the jewel and nothing else, focusing on calming it down. Slowly, her fist unclenched and her heart slowed down to it's normal pace, no longer pulsing with fire. The jewel seemed to react to whatever else was acting upon it, along with her will; it calmed down and stopped glowing, but remained a deep purple.
((((((((-))))))))
After a while, the tama's light died down, and Naraku knew that it was stable once again. Unfortunately, it was still disgustingly holy. 'At least it is calm,' the half-demon thought as he put the stone away and finished his work.
He would defiantly find Kagome and speak to her about this later. Perhaps she was having the same problem… or maybe it occurred because she had been trying to purify her half. The thought made Naraku growl, but he wasn't sure why. He knew that she was still a miko and it was still her responsibility to cast the evil out of the jewel… but he still felt somehow betrayed by the thought. The half-breed growled again; he shouldn't feel betrayed! Besides, it's not as though he had planned on letting his half of the jewel remain uncorrupted so he was, in a way, going to betray her as well.
But such things were for later, when he would next talk to the girl. For now, he was going to finish what he had recently started, and then find his new home… perhaps remodel it, and even create an offspring to act as his slave.
(((((((-)))))))
Feeling an odd energy outside his Keep, SesshouMaru calmly put down the scroll he had been working on and walked outside. He was mildly surprised to find the Northern Lord- whom he had smelt long before he saw- kneeled down with his eyes closed. If one didn't know better, they might think that Kouga had been kneeling before SesshouMaru like a servant.
The Western Lord decided to wait for the other to open his eyes, and perhaps explain both his presence and the energy.
(((((((-)))))))
Koenma had stopped arguing with the girl when he noticed the red that hard started to bleed into her eyes. He knew what it meant when that happened with Lord SesshouMaru- at least, he had heard stories- and he didn't want to know what happened to Kagome when she got too angry to control herself. He had even begun to apologize, and tried to reason with the half-demon, but he didn't think she was even listening. It was when she started to growl that the child-ruler decided to forget about any form of saving face in front of his Spirit Detectives, and began to flat-out beg the girl to calm down.
He didn't stop until the red, which had almost consumed her eyes, receded. Koenma sighed in relief, and went back to his chair, no longer feeling like he could stand, "Kagome…"
The half-demon blinked at him, almost surprised to hear him speaking, "Y-yes?"
"I'll allow you to keep the jewel for now… but know that it is now a possession of Reikai and will be taken away should anything happen. Is that clear?" he hoped that she wasn't listening when he had said that she could keep it earlier, when he had been trying to calm her down.
Before Kagome said anything, Shippo cleared his throat, "Didn't you say otherwise not too long ago?" He was relieved that she didn't transform, but couldn't figure out why. The jewel was tainted, heavily, with evil and seemed to be spurring her on. What brought about its sudden change? He could ask her later.
Clearing his throat out of embarrassment, the child-ruler spoke, "I know what I said, but after this incident-"
"Don't worry about it," Kagome smiled, "I won't let anything happen to the Shikkon no Tama. Ano… can I go home now?"
"Of course," Koenma was thankfully that she didn't press the matter, and watched as she smiled before walking out the door. She was followed by the fox demon SesshouMaru had sent, and Kurama.
"She is no longer my responsibility," Hiei glared at the toddler, disappointed that he didn't get to kill anything, "the fox can handle things on his own."
"Yeah right, Shrimp," Kuwabara scoffed, "did you see the look on Kurama's face a minute ago? There's someth'n going on between him and that girl. Now, listen, I know Kurama's a good guy and all, but I think there's something here that we don't know."
The Koorime rolled his eyes, "Hn. You think? I find that rather hard to believe." He mentally cursed himself for paying more attention to what was happening than to his surroundings. It was and unforgivably careless thing him for him to do.
"SHUT UP!" the baka yelled.
Hiei didn't even bother to respond as the toddler cleared his throat, "I think Kuwabara may have a point, but I trust Kurama. Hiei, you're relieved of that mission-"
"And my sentence," the apparition cut him off, "Just like the ferry girl said earlier."
Botan shifted uneasily when Koenma turned his attention towards her, "Is this true, Botan?"
"W-well, Sir…" she wasn't exactly sure how she could get out of this, "I didn't think that he would agree to take the girl any other way… so it seemed smart at the time…" Laughing nervously, the ferry-girl made a mental note to never lie again… ever.
"I'm sorry, Hiei, but your penalty still stands." Seeing the demon twitch, Koenma quickly added, "Botan, why don't you go open a portal for Kurama and the rest to get home through?"
Smiling gratefully, Botan nodded, "Yes, Sir, right away!" She hurried out of the room, grabbing Yusuke and Kuwabara as she left.
(((((((-)))))))
Kouga's eyes opened as soon as the energy died down. He wasn't too sure, but he had felt something in the shards; as though they were reacting to a greater force. Two greater forces. At least his shards were calm now. The Northern Lord would've put more thought into the subject… had the scent of SesshouMaru not been so close.
He looked up to see the Western Lord staring, impassively, down at him. Quickly, the wolf stood up and dusted himself off as though nothing odd had happened at all, "Hey, SesshouMaru, I got some questions for ya'!" His smirk was as cocky as ever.
"We can discuss things inside," SesshouMaru turned to walk back inside, hearing Kouga following behind him.
Rolling his eyes at the dog's attitude, Kouga followed him. He knew that there was a very good chance that Kagome was back- and Naraku as well- and figured that SesshouMaru would know something about it. After all, he seemed to know everything about everything… which pissed Kouga off to no ends most of the time.
(Ok, another chapter… that took forever to write… actually, it took about two or so hours… but that's not the point! It was very wordy, but that's alright, I guess. Its not as long as I had hoped it would be, but I wouldn't have a next chapter if I put everything down in this chapter. I think Keiko might make an appearance in the next one… but I doubt it. I need to find the right place to put events and all. I tried to include every character that has something to do with the plot in this… and an interesting thought came to mind. Kohaku/Souta pairing. Personally, I think its adorable, but I might as well see what the fans think… all few of you that still bother to read this. ((and words cannot properly describe how much I appreciate that)) Anywho, I should go… I'm getting so tired I'm semi-poetic. -.- Oyasumi, mina-san.)
(PS. Since I'm so tired I'm not going to bother going over this for mistakes once again before posting... gomen nesai, mina-san... :passes out:)
