Ages of Mythology
As always:
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Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters and so on and so forth…
Chapter 8: The Slayer Village
She ran as fast as her small feet would carry her, tears flowing freely down her face. She went to the only place she could find comfort in the town's big garden. Passing through the hedges she reached her favourite spot were hibiscus trees were planted and sat on the ground crying softly.
Moments later a soft hand touched her hands covering her eyes and she looked through her tears.
"What's the matter? Why are you crying?" asked a young boy sitting down next to her whilst putting his arms around her for comfort.
"My daddy… my daddy …" she said between tears "he… he hit mommy and me… and left…mommy didn't get up"
The boy hugged her closer until she stopped crying in the warmth of his arms.
Kagura woke up with a start. That boy… she remembered that boy well…It was he who stayed with her…comforted her… took her home…gave her food and shelter… that was until he came back for her… her father came back and took her away with him. She didn't have a great upbringing with him… he kept beating her and used her to steal things and such… she didn't have a nice childhood… nor a nice adulthood… for she was still in his power. If only she could find a way to get her freedom…
Her thoughts drifted back to the boy 'Sesshomaru, after all those years, we meet again.' She thought wryly. 'I wonder if he recognized me… it's a pity we're on the wrong sides of the river'
Kagome woke up before dawn. She boiled some water and prepared some herbal tea. She looked outside her tent… no one was up yet, just the patrolling soldiers. She drank her tea and walked a few minutes away from the tents. She reached a clearing surrounded by dense trees which would provide suitable cover. She took her pendant between her palms and called for her mother. A blinding white light flashed before her and Arthemis goddess of the moon apparated.
"Oh mother!" Kagome ran to hug her mother but of course couldn't with her being only a shadow.
"Kagome dear, how are you my child?" asked her mother with a worried tone.
"Mother strange things are going on here… the wildlife seems to have gone mad. Too many things are happening for it to be a coincidence… do you think you can ask aunt Demeter to come talk to me?"
"Listen to me Kagome… you have to be careful. My hunting staff is gone… the one that controls wild animals. Few know how to use it… I asked Demeter if she's seen it or knows anything about its disappearance since she's one who knows how to use it and goes well with her own powers. But she… she's been acting really strange. Your cousin's disappeared and no one's been able to find her… since then Demeter's gone crazy… hence the erratic weather you've been experiencing. I have a feeling the disappearance of my staff has something to do with it as well."
"But what happened to Persephone?" asked Kagome, dread filling her on hearing her mother's tale.
"She was out in the fields gathering flowers and she just disappeared. She was last seen close to the gate of the underworld. Hades insists he has nothing to do with her disappearance but I'm not so sure… besides he seems to have a sort of hold on Demeter and you know how she used to keep away from him."
"I knew this was no coincidence… grandpa is right… one or more of the gods are involved in this. " said Kagome thinking hard.
They heard some rustling of leaves in the background.
"Someone's coming…I'd better go" said Arthemis looking in the direction of the sound. "But…before I go there's something else I have to tell you… don't get too close to the hanyou general."
"What do you mean mother?" asked Kagome wide-eyed.
"You know what I mean Kagome" replied her mother sternly. "You know the rules as well as I do… relationships between gods and humans are forbidden."
"But mother - "
"No buts Kagome… I've been watching the two of you together and it has got me worried so please remember the rules and be careful. Remember that I love you my darling" she said and disappeared with a flash.
"Kagome are you all right?" asked Miroku stepping out of the bushes.
Kagome jumped in fright…"I'm fine...I"
"What was that light? I thought I saw a figure or something" he persisted looking around.
"Nothing… I didn't see anything" she said hoping he couldn't hear her thundering heart beat.
Miroku looked close at her and saw her fingers tighten on her amulet. 'She's hiding something' he thought reading guilt in her eyes but he decided it was best to dismiss the whole incident for the time being.
"Oh well, as long as you're ok… we should head back. Everyone's all set to leave and we couldn't find you so Inuyasha sent me to find you."
"Right, then let's go." said Kagome as she started to walk towards the encampment hoping against hope Miroku wouldn't ask for any more questions and Inuyasha wouldn't ask for explanations.
Miroku followed her quietly trying to figure out the flash of light and Kagome. 'I've never seen a priestess with that kind of power' he thought suspiciously.
"Here's your tea my lord" said Jaken.
"Thank you Jaken" said Sesshomaru taking his tea gratefully, hoping it will sooth his terrible headache. First he had had a long night of discussion with Kouga, leader of the wolf tribe. He sure as hell was proud and pig headed, not really one to accept other's opinions and certainly not one to take orders from another. The discussion had been a nightmare… Kouga had wanted to march straight to the front gate of the city and fight while Sesshomaru had tried to explain the plan they had with their second army. After long and tiring hours they had finally agreed on their next course of action which was to go ahead with the original plan that had been discussed in Tama Village.
Then after that stressing time with Kouga he didn't get to sleep because of that dream. He stared at his empty cup of tea.
"Jaken, can I have some more tea please?"
"Right away my lord" said Jaken running over with a fresh pot of boiling water and tea leaves.
"Kagome where the hell have you been?" asked an angry Inuyasha "We've been looking all over the place for you!"
"There's no need to yell at me Inuyasha! I can take care of myself thank you very much!" replied Kagome angrily.
"That's the thanks I get for worrying about you! Don't ever leave the camp without an escort or telling me!"
"I don't need anyone worrying about me" snapped Kagome as she went to pack up her stuff.
The journey was tense. After all those attacks the soldiers were almost afraid of their own shadows so they kept close watch on their surroundings as they marched. Kagome and Inuyasha weren't speaking to each other. Miroku galloped in between his angry friends, head down with an occasional sigh. At least they were getting close to their destination. If all went well today, they should reach the village before the sun set.
After long hours of exhausting marching in the heat of the noon sun they reached the start of the mountainous region. Here they had to leave to river side and start uphill towards the village. They started the climb up the narrow, winding, cobbled path taking care to stay out of the way of falling rocks.
A couple of hours later they took a right steep path. They continued their sluggish march upwards until they found their path blocked by enormous boulders.
Miroku got off his horse and examined the path. "Looks like we have to head back… there's no way we can move these it'll take too long".
They turned round when suddenly they were hit by and avalanche of falling rocks and dozens of arrows. Panic seized Inuyasha's army. They could hear a troop of demon soldiers coming up from the path and they realized they were ambushed.
Kagome grabbed her bow and arrows but couldn't see who was firing as they hid well behind the rocks. Inuyasha tried to calm his men then saw a large boulder going straight at Kagome. He stirred his horse towards her trough his men then jumped over her throwing her off her horse whilst covering her with his body. The boulder hit him hard on the back.
"Inuyasha!" screamed Kagome. She held him close and created an energy barrier to protect them.
The soldiers fought bravely but their attackers had too many advantages. Miroku made his way towards Kagome and Inuyasha.
"Lady Kagome… do you think you can create a barrier large enough to protect us all? I'm afraid the men can't hold out for much longer. "he pleaded.
"I'll do my best." replied Kagome "but I'm afraid my barrier won't sustain us for long… it requires too much energy. She placed her hands together then spread them up above her head whilst saying the enchantment. A blue light surrounded the remaining men and shielded off the falling rocks and arrows.
Kagome fell to the ground exhausted. Miroku sat down next to her
"How's Inuyasha?" he asked worried for his friend.
"He's still unconscious" replied Kagome "oh Miroku… how are we going to make it through this? They don't seem to want to give up!"
"I think we should start praying for some help" replied Miroku in a defeated tone.
A few minutes later the barrier started to weaken. Kagome was wondering whether it would be best to summon some help from her mother when suddenly their prayers were answered. A troop of warriors appeared and started fighting off their attackers. Seeing they had help, the soldiers found their strength and were ready to fight so Kagome lifted the barrier.
A young warrior woman with long brown hair tied in a pony tail made her way towards Kagome and Miroku slaying off any enemy soldier that stood in her way with great skill and ease. Her weapon was a giant boomerang made of demon bones.
"The guard saw you from the watch post. We thought you could use some help. Those demon troops have been attacking our village incessantly."
Miroku stepped in front of Kagome and grabbed the warrior by the hand.
"Oh fair maiden" he said with starry eyes "Will you do me the honour of bearing my children?" he asked without even batting an eyelid.
The warrior's eyes widened and Miroku found himself pummeled to the ground by both females.
"Thank you very much for your help, I am Kagome" said Kagome politely introducing herself. "This is Miroku, second in command to Inuyasha here we're from Tama Village" she added pointing at their still unconscious leader.
"I'm Sango" replied to warrior shaking her hand "I'm from the Slayer Village further up in the mountains. We've been waiting for your army after Lady Kaede's scroll but I thought she was sending the village army not a troop of a few soldiers. " she added looking around at the depleted army. "Oh well, let's finish this and head to the village where you can all rest and discuss the next plans." With that she joined back in the fight and soon enough the remaining demons ran off in retreat.
Sango tied her boomerang behind her back "Come on, back to the village."
Her men followed her lead with Inuyasha's army behind them. Kagome and Miroku rode at the back after they placed Inuyasha safely in one of their few remaining carts.
They hadn't been a long way off from the village… a couple of turns uphill and they reached the heavily guarded gates to the slayer village. Sango signaled her second in command who led Inuyasha's army to the barracks to get food and rest. She led Kagome, Miroku and Inuyasha to her home.
Her father was the village chief and he welcomed them warmly into his village. Inuasha was placed in a quite room in the care of an old maid whilst Kagome and Miroku were offered a room to rest before dinner which they gratefully accepted.
Kagome went to see Inuyasha. The old maid bowed to Kagome. "I'm afraid he is no better as yet" she said and left the room. Kagome took the opportunity to place her hands on his forehead releasing a glow of faint pink light to heal him. Inuyasha opened his eyes groggily.
"Kagome" he whispered "You're ok…"
Kagome rapped her arms around him "Inuyasha don't you ever do a thing like that!" she said tears streaming down her face, "I wou;d neer have forgiven myself if something had happened to you because of me!"
"It's my job to protect you" he replied.
Kagome sat up "I'll go now and let you rest before the meal" she said getting up.
Inuyasha held her hand "Stay…" he said simply and moved aside to give her some space on the futon. Kagome's eyes widened in surprise but she sat back down and lay down next to him awkwardly. They both stared at the roof, saying nothing until they fell asleep.
She woke up moments later to find herself resting on Inuyasha's shoulder, with an arm around his chest. 'Thank Zeus he's not awake' she thought blushing like mad. She got up slowly so as not to wake him up and returned to her room until Sango knocked at her door.
"The meal will be served at sun down" she said "Do you want to come with me to the lake for a bath?" she asked with a smile. "Women in my village usually have their baths at this hour so then they can go home to prepare food for their men who have their baths after them." she explained.
"Sure" said Kagome as she fetched herself another dress and cloak "I need to wash these as well" she said pointing at the robe and cloak she was wearing which was all covered in dirt and mud.
Sango got some oils and towels and they made their way to a lake nearby. "The water is quite cold as it comes from the mountains" warned Sango as she undressed and went into the water. The water was really ice cold but as she swam around after a bit she grew accustomed to it. Kagome found Sango easy to talk to and had her same sense of humor and they became fast friends.
Sango looked really different in purple linen dress with her long hair down. Kagome put on her only item of spare clothing she had brought with her from Mount Olympus, a simple pale blue dress and dark blue cloak. Sango fixed her hair for her so that she had half of it tied up and the rest falling in loose curls around her face.
They laughed together like they'd known each other for years as they entered the main hall which was already full of people. Inuyasha stood up when both ladies entered and gallantly offered Kagome his arm and escorted her to her chair. Miroku followed suit and offered Sango his arm.
"Fair maiden" he said with shining eyes "You're even more beautiful than when we first met"
"Shut it Miroku" warned Inuyasha "Do not insult our host with your lecherous offers!" he ordered. They sat down to their meal and discussed their next course of action. The village chief fully agreed with lady Kaede's plan of splitting the army and attacking from two opposing directions. He suggested they no longer travel by the river path but take the road across the mountains. Though slightly more demanding it was faster and less likely for the area to be scouted by Naraku's troops. The chief also showed Inuyahsa a scroll he had received from Sesshomaru saying that all was going as planed.
Back on Mount Olympus Zeus was arguing with his daughter Arthemis.
"You must watch her carfully and stop her from doing anything stupid" he snapped "We have enough trouble as it is!"
"If only you'll let me go in the human world to help her" pleaded Arthemis.
"I can't have gods wandering down all over the place!" yelled Zeus banging his fists on his throne.
Two doors done Ares handed Kikyo a vial of ghastly reddish liquid.
"You know what to do" he said and left the room.
Kikyo walked out on the terrace and starred vaguely at the night sky. She looked down at the vial in her hand knowing very well what she was supposed to do with it and what would happen. She also knew that there was nothing she could do about it…she had no way out.
'Forgive me Kagome" she whispered to no one, clutching the vial tightly in her left hand.
Naraku sat back in his dark throne, a glass of blood red wine in his hand. He grinned to himself in the long mirror before him and toasted himself.
"Everything is going according to plan" he said to his reflection "Soon we'll have the greatest of powers in our hands..."
The reflection started laughing maniacally and Naraku followed suite. A knock came at the door. Naraku stopped his evil laugh and with a slight wave of the hand made the mirror disappear and the door swing open.
"Kagura" he greeted her as the young warrior stepped into the room. He could distinctly smell fear on her as well she should feel. She knew that he doesn't tolerate failures.
"I heard you had some problems finishing the job I gave you" he said in a low voice.
"Master…I …I… that is… they found help at the last minute…" she stammered as she saw a frown spread across his face. "It won't happen again" she finished falling on her knees her head hung low.
"I know it won't" replied Naraku producing a small black crystal in his hand "You know what happens to failures" he said evilly and tighting his fist around the crystal.
"Kagura screamed and crouched in pain holding her chest. The pain in her heart was excruciating. It felt like someone was squashing her from within. The pain stopped as Naraku released the crystal.
"Now get up and go finish the job!" he ordered and Kagura scrambled away as fast as her feet could carry her.
A/N to all those who bother to read this story I appologise for taking so long to update but I am currently up to my head with stuff and deadlines are getting nearer.