Rummaging around her backpack Kagome let out a frustrated huff and sat back on her heels.
"Inuyasha, do you know where my shampoo went? I just got it and was excited to try out the new scent but I can't find it anywhere!"
Leaning against a nearby tree he gave her a confused look, unsure why she thought he of all people would know. Secretly he was glad it went missing, the heavily scented stuff she tries to use on occasion seriously hurt his nose.
"Don't you remember? You got up last night and dumped it out. "
For a moment she didn't move then dropped her head in her hands with a groan, worry mixing with the frustration. Everyone realized together what they meant and it concerned them.
"I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm getting tired of waking up to find out I did yet another thing to inconvenience myself."
Thankfully she'd learned from the last couple times and had packed a backup of her fragrance free stuff, still, it was unnerving to realize she wasn't completely in control of her own body. Gathering everything together she made her way over to the hot spring with Shippo and Sango, settling in quickly while the memory of being controlled by Hakudoshi playing over and over in her mind.
"Kagome, you keep brushing me off but this is getting concerning. Just have Kaede take a look and make sure it's nothing!"
Being so close Sango could see the unease that filled the other girl as well as the brave face she was trying to put on for everyone. Though they were roughly the same age there were times she seemed nearly like a child with how little she understood of this world. With her protective instincts yelling at her to do something, she vowed today would be the day she'd make Kagome listen to her.
"I know Sango, you're right; I keep telling myself I'll do it when it's the right time, but I don't think there will be one."
Though much less arguing than Sango was prepared for, she wasn't upset by it. Kagome appreciated how much the other girl cared for her, and it helped to make her not feel like she was overreacting. Truthfully, with how scared she'd been getting off all the possibilities once she was asleep, she'd been pushing the limits of her body. Looking down she could see the dark circles under her eyes as well as the small stress lines that had started appearing around them.
Clenching her fist, Kagome decided to fight for her peace of mind, no matter how obnoxious Inuyasha got. Lifting her head, tbe girls smiled at each other when Shippo piped up, his own concerns being voiced.
"I'm glad you said something Sango, I was gonna if you didn't. You're pushing yourself too much Kagome, you've even started smelling sick. Honestly, we should just go back so you can deal with it right away. Although we did only had out yesterday, I'm kinda worried Inuyasha is gonna blow a fuse."
Both women thought about it for a moment then groaned which made them share a giggle. Anyone who knew the half-demon knew how much he hated anything getting in the way of the hunt for jewel shards.
"That isn't such a bad idea except..."
"Except Inuyasha is going to throw a fit about about for days, just like he does when I want to go home."
They all took a few minutes to think it over before Kagome straightened her shoulders.
"No, we'll do it. Inuyasha is just going to have to deal with it. So we better really enjoy this bath while we can!"
That was, in fact, exactly what they did, choosing to ignore the loud grumbling from the half-demon. Maybe procrastinating wasn't the best choice, but they all knew there'd be no peace once Inuyasha learned of their new plan. When they did eventually make it back to camp and update the others on the change Inuyasha threw a fit a expected. A few well timed 'sit boy!'s and they were back on the trail towards Kaede. It did help that everyone was on Kagome's side and didn't allow the half-demon room to talk. (Secretly Kagome thought he didn't argue as much as he normally did and took that as a sign of him caring as well.) Of course the pup complained under his breath the whole way, even making lunch awkward, but they managed to reach the village just as the sun fell below the horizon the large amount of Ramen in the backpack having gone far to ease the way.
"It is unusual for ye to be back so quickly, is something amiss?"
Kaede greeting them at the border of the village. She was glad to see them back, having had a bad feeling to do with the young priestess in training. There was something... off and she hoped they were back long enough for her to talk the girl into letting her figure out what it was.
Taking their usual places in the hut after following the older woman back, Kagome explained everything to her with the others filling in as needed. A huge weight lifted from her shoulders as she finally admitted just how scared and out of control she felt, relief taking it's place at having the situation in the hands of someone knowledgeable.
"Ah, yes. I do see the concern for the odd behavior. And ye said it only started after the splitting of yer soul?"
With a nod Kagome looked at her hands, missing the worried look Inuyasha gave her. Though they all knew there was a problem, this was the first the really understood how big it was. Suddenly they were all really glad to have been pushed into coming back.
"Yes. At first I didn't notice, it was all small stuff like not having a bar of soap or being in a slightly different place when I woke up. It was all stuff easily explained away, but then I started getting rid of different things, going so far as to practice archery and having to find then collect my arrows once I woke up. I can't say for sure it wasn't there beforehand, but the split seems to be the beginning." Kagome gripped get hands together to try and get them to stop before admitting her true fear quietly. "What if I'm still being controlled by Naraku?"
When she looked up everyone could see the tears in her eyes and felt a bit of guilt at having been so blind to the true struggle the girl was dealing with. Sango reached out and put a hand on top of both of hers which comforted her, though it was the silent head pat Inuyasha gave that really made her feel like she was going to be okay.
With a nod Kaede stood and walked over to a nook where she started and rummaging around, pulling out a small box covered in seals. With a deep breath she walked back over and placed it in front of Kagome with a compassionate smile.
"Ye wouldn't know, but we have held on to a remnant of an incredibly strong demon. She had the favor of most, human and demon alike, which caused her to be hunted by those with holy powers. In fear they slew her and this be the only surviving part of her, imbued with all the unjust rage she felt."
Though feeling for the demon, the young girl was confused at what brought this on. Looking around it seemed like her confusion was shared, so she decided to be patient and wait for more to be explained. Inuyasha wasn't anywhere near as patient though and crossed his arms while huffing where he stood behind Kagome. Outwardly he portrayed annoyance and irritation, but inside he was worried; usually when the old lady started pulling out obscure things it meant shit was really bad. All he could do though was believe they could handle it - whatever it was.
"Thanks for the history lesson grandma, but what does that have to do with anything?'
With no small amount of exasperation, she looked up with a glare and maintained eye contact until he looked away. She understood how he felt, at least she thought she did, but he could be damn annoying to deal with when he wanted to be.
"If ye would let me talk, I could explain as much. Or do ye just want to sit and listen to me talk for the rest of the day?" When all she got was a 'Keh' in response she continued. "As I was saying, this piece holds an immense amount of power and it targets that which is unjust. Mayhap this won't work, but mayhap it will. I will admit to having an uneasy feeling about this matter and cannot help but see the likelihood of your fear. We will only do this if ye agree, but I believe, if it is Naraku, the power from the demoness will give you enough of a boost in yer own natural powers ye will be able to banish the unwanted intruder."
A shared feeling of apprehension went through the hut, the group being worried at the lack of confidence Kaede had in this plan. Kagome, however, took a deep breath and shoved the feelings down to deal with later and asked the most important question.
"And if it isn't him?"
The old priestess looked her right in the eyes, seriousness in every line and the very definition of leader in that moment. She refused to look away while knowing the ramifications of what she was suggesting should it go wrong.
"Should it not be Naraku, it could give the entity, should there be one, the power necessary to gain complete control of yer body."
Inuyasha jumped forward and held a hand out in front of Kagome to block her from view, the fear that filled him too much to handle in that moment.
"Fuck that, no way! We'll just have to find another way, cuz there's no way I'm going to let some dead bitch take Kagome away!" The pup's statement was at once touching and ironic since Kikyo could very easily have been the one discussed. For him it was touching though, and just as he had everyone starting to agree, he continued on. "How the hell am I suppose to find the jewel shards without her?"
With no hesitation Kagome spoke the command words and took pleasure from the multiple thuds and resulting curses.
'That'll teach him to only treat me like a detector!'
All he needed to do was just admit his actual feelings, instead he hid behind insults and made her feel inadequate. Pushing the hurt down and taking strength from the others around her, she nodded to Kaede.
"Okay, let's try it. I admit I'm a little worried, but I don't want to continue losing sleep over the not knowing. What do I need to do?"
The older priestess had her lay out on the ground and instructed Miroku to start and maintain a chant that brought Kagome's holy powers to the surface. Tension filled the group, but Sango forced Inuyasha back willing to put her faith in Kaede and Kagome.
'Regardless of how this turns out, she needs to go through this. Even if it doesn't turn out to be Naraku, knowing that it isn't him will give her a huge amount of peace.'
With a frustrated huff, Inuyasha dropped to the ground, crossing his arms while staring intently at the group. He understood that he hurt others when he was afraid, and though he wouldn't admit it, he was worried something was going to go wrong and he wouldn't be able to apologize.
Kaede carefully undid the seals, making sure everyone had enough time to get use to the increased demon power without reacting negatively. Sweat trickled down her back as she put all her concentration into the task, knowing any slip could cause things to end in a possession no one was prepared to deal with. Eventually the last seal was removed and inside was an old skeletal finger that slow started vibrating. Placing the digit on the floor next to Kagome, Kaede started chanting causing the finger to slowly lift up and start making a low humming noise.
At first it seemed like everything was going as planned, but put of nowhere the focus switched from Kagome to the jewel shards. Unable to do anything but continue on, Kaede and Miroku watched in worry as the shards broke free from their bottle and began circling the finger. This was far and beyond anything anyone had been prepared for, and as the elder began debating on stopping the ritual and dealing with the consequences the choice was taken away from them. With a sudden bright flash the finger dissolved and the power it contained flowed into the jewel shards.
Fear struck Kaede and she immediately tried to blast a wave of holy power at them, trying the only thing she could think of. This... this wasn't suppose to happen, this was never even an option on her mind. The demons in the jewel could have just gained enough power to permanently overthrow Midoriko! Feeding off her fear, the others jumped into action as well; Miroku stopped chanting and instead created a barrier around Kagome, Sango grabbed Shippo and Kilala and moved as far away as she could. Inuyasha unsheathed Tetseiga, but became distracted by it's refusal to transform.
"Come on you stupid thing! Can't you see there's a problem!"
As he looked up, panic replacing the blood in his veins, he saw Kagome reach out. Almost as if they'd been waiting for that, the shards flew at her, breaking the barrier and planting themselves in her forehead forming the shape of a star. For a brief moment she made eye contact with the half-demon, the whisper of his name escaping before she slumped back in a feint.
"K-Kagome?" Rushing to her side, Inuyasha grabbed the girl to him and shook her gently, desperation making his next words come out harsh. "What the hell did you do to her old lady?! You never told us about any of this!"
Kaede moved towards them slowly, watching for any reaction or shift in energy and though she put on a confident face, Inuyasha could smell the fear coming from everyone in the hut.
"Calm ye self Inuyasha, we know not what has happened. Lay her down so I can look her over."
With a steady breath Kaede started doing everything she knew to check on the girl, even getting help from the monk. She knew she'd be blaming herself over this for a long while to come, and even longer if the outcome was bad. Nothing seemed to be wrong, aside from a shift in her power but though they waited, she continued to sleep.
Three days passed, everyone worried and scared for their friend, and Inuyasha picking fights with the priestess whenever he could. The only time they had a break was when he ran off to take his anger out on some demon, though he hardly used Tetseiga after it failing him. Scared and despondent, the mood shifted when midway through the morning odd markings started appearing on Kagome's body. Throughout the next few hours her hair changed colors, nails and ears grew, and her spiritual power drastically increased. That, more than anything, is what really confused them since they expected demon energy to surge forward.
It was as the sun started lowering that She finally moved, a hand lifting to her face and rubbing her eyes. The group rushed forward, joy overtaking the worry, and called out to their friend. No one cared how much the younger girl might have changed so long as she was okay and the relief in the air was testament to that.
"Will you back up and give me some space?"
The voice, though Kagome's, was deeper and more mature, annoyance clear in her tone. As her eyes opened it shocked everyone to see they were now red with rings of gold and showed the depth of her emotions. Watching her sit up and run her hand over the ground, one thought ran through each of them.
'This isn't Kagome.'