Disclaimer
inuyashalovingfan- hehe, thank you so much! You're very encouraging!
inuki-san-sorry if I confused you, when I said 'evil demon', I meant that there are the good-hearted demons and then the evil hearted demons.
jayne- Thank you! I agree with you, I do like lemons in some stories, but I wanted mine to be rated T, so that people who don't like lemons can enjoy it too. So I try not to describe anything too badly lol.
Yuki Asao- Sorry if I confused you. When I said "How big do you want this barrier to be?" I meant it Kikyou asking, because she wasn't sure what size Kagome was thinking of. Thank you for reviewing!
1Tierra- lol, it's my pleasure to let you read it! I am very glad that you enjoy my writing!
shadow miko- sorry it took me a little while to update, hope you like this chapter and that it will make up for taking so long.
Eternityoftears- lol, I guess I'll give you all a spoiler, I don't plan on killing Sesshoumaru and/or Kagome off...I think...maybe...muahaha! lol you'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Love of Blue Crescent Moon- lol, thanks for telling me about the Sesshoumaru thing. I just spelt it that way because I seen it on subtitles before, but alot of people spell it differently, just like people spell Tetsusaiga differently. I'll keep it Sesshoumaru for not, just because that's the way it's been all throughout the story. But thanks for letting me know that!
Taijiya Hatake Uchiha- I like your name! Thank you for reviewing, here's my update! Hope you like it!
mangadreams- thank you! Hope you like this chapter!
Avelyn Lauren- Thank you, you are very encouraging and have been reviewing me since the beginning! Hope you like this chapter!
AN: Wow, that was long. I just love replying to all you guys and/or gals! Thank you for all your reviews, and I hope you will enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 27 – It's Begun.
"Come on Rin, its time to get up!" Kagome hollered as she got some breakfast ready for everyone in the hut. It had just barely passed dawn and the only ones that were fully awake were Kagome and Sesshoumaru, while the others were either half a sleep or asleep.
Hours before dawn, Sesshoumaru and Kagome had woken up and talked about what they should do. Together they decided that the war was getting close enough that it is time for Rin to leave for the modern era. They knew that Rin would probably not like it at all, but it was the only way they knew that she could be perfectly safe.
Inside, Sesshoumaru still wished that Kagome could go with Rin and stay at her mom's until the war is over, that way he wouldn't have to worry about the two loves of his life disappearing or getting hurt. He knew Kagome would never agree to it. She has her heart set on stopping this war, and Sesshoumaru would help her do this. But his first priority was not saving the humans or demons, but making sure Kagome was safe.
"Rin, get up." Sesshoumaru's deep, booming voice said from the table he was sitting at. Kagome's call hadn't even made Rin move, but as soon as Rin heard Sesshoumaru's voice, she jumped up and rubbed her eyes.
"Good morning, Sesshoumaru-sama." Rin said tiredly, yawning as she walked towards him.
"It's time, Rin. Kagome is making us breakfast and then we are going to the well. You should get dressed." Sesshoumaru said.
"We're going to the well?" Rin asked, beginning to open her eyes fully.
"Yes. We're taking you to Kagome's mother's house and that's where you will stay until the war here is over." He explained.
"Oh. But I want to stay here with you and Kagome." Rin said.
"I know, but it's not safe here. If you stay here, it is possible that we could lose you, that is not something we are going to take a chance on. You should understand." He said, looking Rin straight in the eyes. All he could think of is what happened before, and how he had lost her, he never wanted to feel that way again.
"Besides, you like my okaa-san and Grandpa. Last time you had a great time, and even loved the TV. My brother Souta will be there and you can have fun playing video games with him." Kagome added as she set two plates of food in front of Sesshoumaru and Rin.
"I guess you can get dressed after you're done eating." Sesshoumaru said.
"Sorry." Kagome said, forgetting that he had just told her to go get dressed.
"I know, I did have fun. How long will you be gone for? You won't forget about me?" Rin replied, looking down at her food sadly.
"Rin, we would never forget about you. We're your parents." Kagome said with a big smile.
"If this war is as long as it was last time, then we'll probably be gone for at least ten days, maybe even two weeks." Sesshoumaru answered.
"Really? I thought wars usually lasted longer than that." Kagome more or less asked.
"Normal wars probably do, but this one is fast, but deadly. Last time they came so fast, that everyone was unaware of the war and army of humans. They rampaged into villages quick and slaughtered everyone and anyone in their way." He explained further.
"Do you mean to say that they even killed humans along with the demons?" Kagome asked.
"Yes, if a human got in their way, they killed them." He replied.
"I don't like all this talk of death and war. Why don't we talk about something that's a little more cheerful." Priestess Oki suggested as she walked towards the table and Kagome set her breakfast down for her.
"Like what?" Sesshoumaru said, giving her a slightly irritated look.
"Um?" Oki stood thinking for a moment and cowered back a little.
"Exactly." Sesshoumaru said. "Anyway, this time the war will probably last longer."
"Why is that?"
"If you plan on trying to stop this war, then it's only going to hold the army back for maybe a day or two, depending on the strength of you four mikos."
Kagome clued into what he was saying. "Are you saying that the war is gonna happen; that we won't be able to stop it?" Kagome asked, staring at him with both sadness, and anger in her eyes. She didn't want to believe it.
Sesshoumaru stared back, but did not answer her. The look in his eyes should tell her what he thought.
Kagome then broke eye contact and ate own breakfast away from the table, with her back towards Sesshoumaru, Rin, and Oki. In her heart and even in her instincts, she knew her mate was right, especially since this war is big enough to wipe out all the demons. As she brought her arm up to put another piece of food in her mouth, her hand began to shake, and a tear escaped from her eye to roll down her cheek.
Sesshoumaru instantly could sense Kagome's stress, and smell the salt on her skin. "Rin, go get dressed." He said and stood up from his chair. He watched Rin obey and run into another room, along with Oki who felt uncomfortable and left as well. "Kagome." He said and walked towards her, he put his hands on her arms and laid his head along side hers.
Kagome sniffed and reached her hand up for his. "Sesshoumaru, what should we do?" She said, her voice slightly shaky.
"Kagome, if you'll let me."
She knew what he meant. He had mentioned it before, but she never agreed with it. "Sesshoumaru, no." She said quietly. "My whole purpose is to save lives, not kill them." She said, staring down at the plate of food she hardly touched.
Sesshoumaru really wished that she would agree. Whether or not she did agree, he already planned on attacking through the barrier, and InuYasha was doing it with him. He just hoped that when the time came, that she wouldn't try to stop him. "I know." He said, and hugged her gently. "Everything will be okay." He said, hoping to make her feel better.
"Mmm, what smells so good?" Kaede asked as she walked towards the two, dressed in her usual priestess clothing.
Kagome pulled herself together quickly. "Morning Kaede, your breakfast is right over there." She said and moved a few inches away from Sesshoumaru so she wouldn't make Kaede feel uncomfortable.
"Thank you, Kagome." The old woman said and sat down contently to eat.
"I'm dressed!" Rin hollered as she ran up to Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
"Good, it's time to leave." Sesshoumaru said, motioning for Rin to go to the doorway.
"We'll be back by mid-afternoon Kaede." Kagome said as the three of them left the hut.
Rin walked between demon and human without saying a word. Her head hung down, staring at the ground.
"Rin, try not to get too depressed. You'll have fun in the modern era, and I'm sure my mother will even take you shopping." Kagome said in a cheerful tone.
Rin just nodded.
"Come on." Sesshoumaru said as they got to the well. He put his arms around Rin and Kagome and leapt down into the well.
"Hey, Sesshoumaru. It's letting us through and we don't have the Tetsusaiga or the jewel." Kagome said, looking confused. "Why would that be? You didn't steal the jewel from Kikyou already, did you?"
"No, I didn't. I think the well recognizes that we are connected to both worlds now. That's the only reason I can think of." He replied as the blue light faded and they were suddenly in the well-house.
"It's a good thing that it did let us through, that would have been a hard fall."
Sesshoumaru shrugged his shoulders and then jumped out of the well. "You're mother might be a little surprised." He said, opening the doors. The modern era was in mid-day and the sun was shining brightly.
"She might be a little, but mother is very understanding."
"Kagome!"
"Souta! It's so nice to see you!" Kagome said and gave her brother a big hug. "How are you doing?"
"Great! I just got done playing some ball with the guys. Now I'm thirsty." He said smiling and wiping the sweat off his brow. I'm guessing mom doesn't know you're here yet."
"Yeah, we just arrived." Kagome replied as all three of them followed Souta up to the house.
"Mom, I'm home! And Kagome's here too!" Souta hollered.
"Really!" They could hear her mother say and come running down the stairs. "Kagome, Sesshoumaru, Rin, what are you doing here? It's been a while!" She said and gave them warm smile.
"Rin, why don't you go watch TV for awhile." Kagome suggested. "We need to ask a favor of you mom."
After explaining some things, Kagome's mother said yes to Rin staying, which both Kagome and Sesshoumaru were very happy to hear.
"She will be no problem at all, but Kagome I'm worried about you. What if something happens to you? A war. I can't believe you're going to be fighting in a war." Her mother said.
"But mom, I'm not fighting in a war, I'm going to stop the war. So there may not even be one." Kagome said.
"Kagome, I know you want to stop this war, but if this war is the reason why demons no longer exist here, then it sounds way too big to stop."
Sesshoumaru completely agreed, but he knew it was better to keep his mouth shut then.
"I know mom, but I'm going to try. I'm going to try for my friends, for Rin, Sesshoumaru, and for all the innocent lives that could get killed." Kagome said determinedly.
"You're scaring me Kagome. I could lose you."
"Mom, this is something I have to do. I will be fine, you'll see. After the war is over with, I'll be back for Rin." Kagome reassured. "But until then, I appreciate you looking after her. She's a very good girl, and does what you ask."
"Rin, come here." Sesshoumaru said. A second later Rin came into the kitchen. "Rin, we have to get going. You'll be good for Mrs. Higurashi."
"Mm hmm." She nodded and then hugged Sesshoumaru and then Kagome.
"Good, you'll have fun here, and don't worry, we'll be back." Kagome said, and gave Rin a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you so much mom." She smiled at her mother and then turned towards the door.
"Just be careful." Her mother replied.
Sesshoumaru gave Kagome's mother a nod and then shut the door behind him.
"Why do I suddenly feel like my world is ending?" Kagome said, no really expecting an answer.
Sesshoumaru put his arm around her waist as they walked towards the well. "It's not. That's the type of feeling that war always brings." He answered and then opened the doors to the wellhouse.
"Kagome, how did Rin take it?" Kaede asked as Kagome and Sesshoumaru got to her doorway.
"She is okay." Kagome replied in a depressed tone.
"Good. Come inside. Since you left this morning, everything seems to be a bit gloomier. We all decided to just rest today. Even the sky is being covered by clouds." Kaede said, glancing up at the darkening sky.
"Yes, it looks like it might rain." Kagome said, taking a look at the sky herself.
"Best get inside." Kaede said, turning into her hut.
Kagome and Sesshoumaru followed, and quickly felt the warmth of the cozy hut. With a few candles burning, and all four of them sitting quietly at the table, the first crack of lighting came down. A moment later, the sound of pouring rain came.
"Nothing like the weather matching the mood." Kagome said, smiling slightly as she looked from one person to the other.
No one said anything, and for the rest of the night, much was quiet.
For the next couple days it had rained and rained. Even through the bad weather, the entire group trained. All the training the mikos did had a big effect on their barriers. They had gotten better and better, so much that they could control any barrier and what size they wanted it. When they wanted to shrink the barrier, it would grow smaller. When they wanted the barrier larger, it would grow larger.
Kagome had become happier because of their training. She still carried a sick gut feeling in her stomach that all this was going to end badly, but as they trained, she began to get more confident that they could stop the war. To her relief, Sesshoumaru hadn't even brought up the fact that she probably couldn't stop the war. Whenever he had before, it made her sad and angry with him for not having faith in her.
The last night, Kagome had even enjoyed a night out at the hotspring with Oki and Kikyou. Yes, even Kikyou. At first she had been rather reluctant on taking a bath with Kikyou, but Oki had persuaded her with her kind words, and once she had gotten in the water, it wasn't so bad. That aura of sadness had still clung to all of them, but they were able to talk, and even after awhile Kagome and Kikyou smiled at each other. Surprisingly they had been talking about the characteristics of inu-youkai.
Sesshoumaru had done what he usually does. Most of the two days he just walked around, and observed. For a moment of his time he went to InuYasha while the girls were at the hotspring, and reminded him of their plan. InuYasha had willingly listened and still agreed to it. He would do anything to protect Kikyou.
For awhile, Sesshoumaru thought about Rin and how she was doing. He was sad to leave her back in the modern era, but also happy because he would never have to experience what he went through before. Now he knew that Rin would always be safe, whether he lived through the war or not, she would be alive.
A few times, Sesshoumaru had gotten pissed off at being in the rain all the time and took off back to Kaede's camp, while the mikos trained. He usually stood and watched them train, but he hated rain, it always made him feel heavier for some reason and suffocated. He figured it was probably just the mugginess in the air that the rain gave off.
After the good time at the hotspring, all three of the priestess's went back to their huts, clean, and ready for sleep.
The next morning came quickly, with the same weather as before. The sky was a little darker than before, and you could almost think that the sun didn't even rise. Far, far off in the distance a great army came, making thunder with the sounds of their feet. Today would be the day. The war was upon them, and they were unaware of it yet.
Everyone woke up from a good, but warm sleep. The rain made everything seem so damp; even the inside of the huts seemed to sweat. Kaede made a good breakfast that all four of them enjoyed, and inside InuYasha's own house, Kikyou made a good breakfast for him. There were soft smiles passed between Kaede, Oki, and Kagome.
"Today seems different. It's so...silent." Kagome said.
"Yes." Was all Kaede said.
Sesshoumaru had a gut feeling that today was the day that the war would begin. From the silence of the birds, and the loud raindrops that hit the ground, it could only mean that something was coming. If only they were closer he might be able to smell the army of humans.
"Kaede, Oki. You two always seem to be content. Even though you know a war is coming, you still smile and never look down. Why is that?" Kagome asked. She couldn't help but asking. Kaede and Oki never complained, and they always seemed to stay positive.
Kaede looked up from her breakfast. "I think it's because I know we can all do it. There is no point in becoming all sad and scared if ye have faith that it will not come to death. Remember Kagome, everything happens for a reason." The wise priestess finished with a smile.
Kagome smiled back. 'She's right, that makes a lot of sense. Just like me meeting Sesshoumaru in the modern era and coming back here. It all happened for a reason. Fate must have known who I was destined to be with. And maybe it's fate that Sesshoumaru and I are here to stop this war.' She thought deeply. For the past couple of days she had been quite down, but what Kaede said made her believe there is hope in what they are going to do.
"That's why I'm content too. Kaede stole the words right from me." Oki giggled.
Sesshoumaru just listened. He never quite understood how woman could make each other feel better just by a few words.
"Well, what do you want to do after breakfast?" Kagome said, looking at all three of them.
"I have to tend to the garden before this rain drowns out all my veggies. My poor herbs must be on the edge of dying soon too." Kaede replied.
"Great, I'll come help you!" Kagome said happily and finished her meal.
"Me too." Oki chipped in.
After they were all done eating, the three girls went out to the garden with their small shovels, baskets, and some older clothes on so they wouldn't get their good clothes too dirty. Sesshoumaru just went on his own merry way.
"My poor herbs." Kaede said as she looked at the amount of herbs that were wilting.
"But there is some herbs that are still okay. Did you want us to pick those for you?" Kagome asked, looking at a healthy plant.
"Yes, please do. And every good vegetable." She replied.
"Okay." Kagome said and went picking away at the healthy plants. Within an hour all of their baskets were almost full of healthy picked herbs and vegetables. They would have completely filled them if it wasn't for the soft thumping noise that seemed to be getting louder and louder. Dripping wet with rain, all three of them kept looking around for the strange sound, but nothing could be seen that was creating it.
Kagome went to continue picking when she saw Sesshoumaru come out of no where, running towards her
"Kagome, get your things in the hut!" Sesshoumaru hollered, picking up her basket for her and taking her hand.
"What, what's happening?" Kagome said as Sesshoumaru pulled her with him, and Kaede and Oki ran behind.
"They're coming. The army is not too far away from here." He replied. As soon as he said those words, the villagers that had been outside began to panic and run to their own homes.
Kagome was breathing heavily when they got in the hut. "That's what that sound is." She said, realizing that the sound they heard made sense now. "But, InuYasha. Does he know?"
"He was with me when we both sensed it. Now, you should go get your miko clothing on. And get the Tensaiga." Sesshoumaru ordered.
Kagome listened and ran into the little room that she had her stuff in. Quickly she pulled her priestess kimono over the clothes she already had on. It would take too long to take off her wet shorts and her old school hoody that she had on. The clothes beneath it made her kimono fit tighter, but she was so distracted by her thoughts that she didn't notice.
'I can't believe it. This is it. It's coming, you can do it Kagome. You've had confidence all along, and we've all trained hard.' She told herself. 'But this is the war to end the demon's existence. How can I fully stop it, if it's as big as Sesshoumaru says.' She thought, suddenly getting doubts.
Kagome turned around and looked at the giant Tensaiga that leaned against the wall. It's blade shined with radiance. Why had he asked her to get the Tensaiga? She thought that she was only going to be using her barriers. She thought she knew why though. Sesshoumaru would want her to have a weapon to defend herself if anything went wrong. 'But what about what happened last time I swung this sword? Maybe that's why he wants me to have it. Whatever shot out of it last time would really hurt somebody.' She thought and took a few steps more towards the sword, so close that she could see her reflection in the tall blade.
"Take it."
Kagome turned around to see Sesshoumaru's tall form blocking the doorway. Turning back around, she looked at the blade and put her hand around the top of it. "Sesshoumaru, I can't focus on my barrier if I have to hold this." She said, picking up the heavy blade.
"I know, that's why you can wear this." He replied and gave her a belt with the sheath on it. Moving towards her, he tightened the belt around her waist so that it wouldn't fall off.
"Thank you." She said and put the blade in its sheath.
Sesshoumaru smiled slightly and then took her in his arms.
"I never thought I'd say this before. But, now that the war is actually here, I'm scared." Kagome said, resting her head on his warm chest.
"I will never let anything happen to you." Sesshoumaru said, actually scared himself, not of getting hurt, but of losing his mate. "Let's go. The others are probably waiting." He said, beginning to pull away when suddenly Kagome pulled him back and began to kiss him.
"I love you." She said after kissing him and going back down off her tippy toes.
"Ashiteru." He replied and then led her outside where Kikyou, InuYasha, Kaede, and Oki were all waiting.
Kagome stepped outside. The noise could be heard much louder. And just on the horizon, through the mist of the rain, she could see the dark line of a massive cloud of men coming slowly towards the village.
Woooo, did I leave anyone in suspense? Anyone at all? Lol, I'm just joking. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I know I can't wait to write the next one!
