Chapter 6: A Promise Is A Promise
Just be careful
Love ain't simple
Promise me no promises
- Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato "No Promises"
Kagome heard the rumble of his growls as he fought with himself to concede or attack. Inuyasha remained still and darted his eyes back and forth, cautiously anticipating the next move from the opposition. Kagome didn't ignore the threat that surrounded them. Those spears were very much pointed at her just as much as they were pointed at Inuyasha. However, the spears were farther away from her body than they were towards Inuyasha's neck.
Miatku smiled knowing how much this infuriated the hanyou to no end. He casually waved a hand towards the wolves around Kagome, allowing them to lower their weapons around her. He had heard rumours of the girl's connection to the pack. It was an interesting development that he was unsure how to feel about. On one hand, it was an act against their way of life. On the other...she had saved the Eastern tribe from extinction. A puzzling creature this human was indeed.
Miatku took an alarming step towards Inuyasha. Inuyasha counted the seconds until he pummelled the wolves that held him captive. Miatku watched Inuyasha very closely as he crept forward. It was only until Inuyasha grabbed the underside of one of the wolf demons spears aimed at his neck that he began to fling warriors left and right. He jumped out of the way of a flying scythe on a chain, this was an easy fight. His ego inflated as he evaded attacks, faint shouts of his name echoed in his ears.
Kagome struggled against the wolves that held her back from approaching Inuyasha. She had intervened in his stead as much as she could the entire time he was here. It was her fault she dragged him with her. It was the unbreakable vow they silently obeyed. It was the reason she had to do what she was about to do now. Muttering an audible apology in advance, Kagome mustered enough spiritual power to slightly zap the wolves keeping her from running towards her best friend. It was enough time for her to jolt forward at a sprint as the shock registered on the warrior's faces. She could feel her heart pounding, the steps of wolves following after her to regain their grip on her. She moved with the adrenaline warming her veins, and her muscles contracting from the cool brisk air assaulting her skin.
She could see the congregation of wolf demons sneaking up behind him they were ready to use the butt ends of their weapons to knock him out. It was like a blur of slow moments that led up to her next move. Her hands tingled with something foreign. Without much notice to what was going on, she reached him and got in a protective stance...and the words that came out of her mouth astounded her as well as the audience. "Mine."
As soon as she uttered those words a barrier erected around her and Inuyasha. The shock registered in everyone's faces, and soon it reflected in her expression. Everyone stopped everything they were doing including her friends who were trying to negotiate with Kouga.
"Wha..what did you just say?" Inuyasha struggled to breathe, his heart skipped a beat and his voice hitched in his throat. Clearing his throat, he was about to ask her if she was feeling okay. Kagome didn't dare to look at him. She couldn't believe the words she confessed. It was like a primal admission to her buried feelings and it's not like she owned him or anything like that...it just happened. She felt like slapping herself. It was like a wave of body language switching to look at their leader. Kouga. Kouga had his arms crossed and looked away. This wasn't how she wanted things to go.
"Kagome..." Inuyasha was waiting for her to look at him. It no longer mattered that wolves were trying to attack him. He didn't care for the hurtful exchanges he had with the girl prior to the moment she confessed that he was hers in demon language. He reached for her arm, but immediately regretted doing so as he felt her spiritual powers threaten to touch her. How was that even possible when she was the one who summoned a barrier around them.
"We are leaving. This has gone far enough, Miatku. Your 'hospitality' ends here, and we will take our leave." It didn't take much to beckon her friends out of the group of wolf demons that were now looking horrified at the situation. No one dared talk to the elders in such a way.
Miatku smirked. Wolf demons backed up away. That was never a good sign. Kagome had her crew in her sights, and they were close enough for her to extend the barrier to cover them. An energy was brewing in front of them. Winds from outside had been summoned into the cave as a whirl of wind was circling around a very bemused demon.
Kagome's heart fell to her stomach. She didn't know if she could hold a barrier against this demon or what would happen. She had come here for a favour...and now she was stamping over the deal with not so much as an apology.
"Start backing up, and Kirara get ready to fly us out of here." As per usual, Inuyasha reluctantly obeyed her orders. Favouring the alternative to always protect her. Kagome glanced back knowing he stayed behind with her. She avoided eye contact...she didn't want to be rejected for the umpteenth time, and for a while she has been repressing feelings and telling herself that she is over him...but there is just this connection she cannot shake. Their friends had escaped out the entrance, as Kagome allowed the barrier to let them break through the back and out of the cave.
"Inuyasha, please go. I can only hold this for so long..." Kagome felt the jolts of her barrier losing its momentum. The elder was transforming. They needed to escape now. Inuyasha protested, but it only took Kagome's stern voice yelling 'Go' to get him to budge.
Once Inuyasha was out of the barrier, Kagome retreated just outside the parameters of the cave entrance and held the barrier up while letting the barrier from behind dissipate. Using the reserve of the ki from the dissipating barrier, Kagome felt the thundering blows to the other side. It felt like she was stuck in a crevice hiding from a monster trying to get a piece of her.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha made no mistake, he knew she was taking one for the team when she didn't need to. He grabbed her by the mid section and pulled her backwards away from her concentration. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as the strain from her powers released and took their toll on her body and mind. Inuyasha picked her up bridal style and started jumping away into the air away from the entrance. There was only seconds until the barrier would break and a murderous wolf demon would be on their tails.
"Inuyasha...I tried." Kagome muttered before falling unconscious while shivering uncontrollably in his arms. The blast of the barrier falling apart as Miatku tore through relentlessly. The wolf demon now in his animosity was covered in grey and brown fur. Inuyasha had landed on the ground and bounded away from the explosion. They were all moving now, escaping away back in the direction they had arrived. Another large creature tore through the smoke and dust to chomp at the back leg of Miatku. This wolf demon seemed more fit, and had thick dark brown fur covering every inch of its massive form. Although slightly smaller in size to the Elder, this demon still looked like a formidable opponent. Miatku snapped and whipped his head around to see who had dared take a snipe at him.
Kouga barked and growled in response to Miatku. He knew this was treasonous to attack his own, let alone an Elder. Even if Kagome had confessed her feelings to Inuyasha and his entire pack. The thought of her getting killed numbed him to the core. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if anything happened to her on his turf, especially because of Inuyasha and the Elder. He wouldn't have to do this if Inuyasha didn't start flapping that big mouth of his. He was going to lose his title and rights all because a puppy couldn't stand to submit in another demons home.
"Kouga. You fool!" Miatku barked in demon tongue. "You dare attack your own and let the enemy escape."
"I won't let you lay a hand on, Kagome." Kouga snapped, while widening his stance. "Or her friends."
"You should have let go of those feelings for her long ago. Now it will cost you your life. If you dare stop me again, I will sentence you to death."
"I'll never let you get to her, even if it kills me." With that, Miatku lunged towards Kouga angered by the Prince's defiance. Before Kouga focused all his attention on Miatku he noticed Inuyasha's red cloth getting fainter in the distance. They were getting far away quick, and that's all he needed to accomplish to save the woman he loved. If she didn't want him, he would at least do this for her.
He jumped away from the explosion of Miatku's form colliding with the ground. The impact shook the sides of the mountain and caused falling rocks to roll down the faces of the slopes. All he had to do was wear the elder down until he slowed his movements. He wasn't motivated to kill the Elder, he wouldn't gain respect or forgiveness of his people. He would only need to knock him out and state that he would grant mercy to Miatku.
"Don't think I'm too old to keep up with a pup like you. I've got more experience on you, boy," the deep growling vibrated through the brisk air around them. It wasn't until white flurries drifted down from the dusk sky, that Kouga knew winter had arrived and that the storm was just beginning. This would be a long fight.
Inuyasha and the gang were far away from the Eastern Mountains. They returned to the forest they had trekked through earlier that day. It was getting darkand they needed to find a suitable and safe place to get rest. Everyone worried about Kagome's condition as she had yet to wake up from her unconscious state. She was breathing, but you could tell from the beads of sweat on her skin that she had run a fever. Inuyasha had long since shed his haori to cover her to keep her warm. Sango had grabbed Kagome's bag as they left and found some red pills that Kagome had once given her when she was ill. Sango crushed the pill with her blade and cupped the powder in a dry leaf. She had also found a cup and bottled water in the bag before walking over to Inuyasha and Kagome. "Here, she needs to take this." Inuyasha reached for the medicine, but Sango rejected the offer. "Sit her up and tilt her head up, and I'll give her the medicine." Miroku had taken the water to fill the cup as Sango was cupping another hand over the leaf, protecting the medicine from blowing away in the wind.
Inuyasha did as Sango told him, and Sango carefully dropped the contents of the leaf into the opening of the younger girl's mouth followed by the cup full of water Miroku handed her. The water slipped down Kagome's throat with the medicine. All they could do was wait and see if Kagome's condition changed in an hour. That's when a snowflake floated down and landed on Sango's hand. She looked up and watched as more dropped down from the darkening sky.
Sango frowned. "We can't stop. For Kagome's sake, we need to keep moving tonight." Inuyasha and Miroku nodded their heads. Inuyasha resumed holding Kagome close to him making sure that the cloth of the fire rat was now swaddled around her head and front so she wouldn't get snow on her.
"If there is shelter, we will need to stop. I don't think we'll come out alive if it storms." Miroku added as he starred up at the sky contemplating if the gods will be merciful to them and their comrade. "We owe it to Kouga for buying us time to get away, but I'm afraid we wouldn't be in this situation if you weren't so coarse, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha was about to object to the monk's comment, but he didn't allow him to utter one word when he continued to berate his friend.
"All that work Kagome did to get them to help us is now wasted because you couldn't handle the situation diplomatically." Although Inuyasha didn't want to hear it, Miroku was right. He couldn't handle it because the idea of being there and watching Kagome spend time alone with the wolf prince repulsed him. They were fighting constantly the whole trip and he squandered her efforts..but that wasn't completely his fault either. She didn't have to claim him as hers in front of everyone. She didn't have to save him or help him. This foolish girl always did the most oddest and compassionate things during intense moments. What an interesting person she was in his life. She could be so driven in her goals and put it all aside when he got in trouble. It was their unspoken pact. They just had each other's back no matter what...Miroku was right after all. He had to trust her to do what she needed to do without getting in the way.
"Inuyasha, I know you two have been fighting, but if everything Kagome has told us this far is true...you might want to help her to make this easier on her. We can't ignore what we saw back there. Her powers are stronger and I don't think she has the strength to control it yet. If she takes on too much at once she could get hurt or worse."
"Yeah, that was something wasn't it?" Inuyasha stated more than asked. He watched her face, it seemed like the medicine was kicking in. Her scent had shifted and her breathing had calmed slightly. Kagome's expression changed from haggard to peaceful as she lay in his arms. He could feel the wetness of the snowflakes melting against his skin. They had to move out now before they get stranded.
"Let's go." With that Inuyasha bounded off with intense speed propelling him forward into the vast distance. Miroku watched as the hanyou ran off with Kagome. He shook his head only hoping that Inuyasha would heed his advice for once. Sango and Shippo watched from afar pretending to pack up Kagome's things. Sango gave the monk a knowing look, mentally telling him not to worry and that Inuyasha had listened. Miroku shrugged his shoulders and hopped onto Kirara.
"Shippo you're so quiet. Are you alright?" Miroku asked looking at the young kit. Shippo was looking down, solemnly fisting his hands into Kirara's fur. Sango swung her leg up on Kirara and was ready to take off, but realized the kitsune was very silent while they had stopped to talk.
"I just want Kagome to be ok...I'm worried about her." Shippo bit his his lip anxiously. Sango looked behind her at the kit and softly smiled.
"Don't worry, Kagome is strong. She will make it through this. We just need to help her out as much as we can until she can take care of herself again."
Sango squeezed Kirara's shoulder to motion her to take off. Kirara looked back to make sure everyone was ready, and she pushed off into a trot before leaping into the sky after Inuyasha and Kagome. They had to stay relatively low because the higher they went the colder it was and the more snow that pelted them in the face.
It was a silent and cold travel to get back to the village, Miroku only wished he knew where Hachi was to make the trip a bit shorter. Although Miroku knew that when it came to Kagome's life, Inuyasha would go full speed no matter if his legs were broken. He would push his limits to save her.
Inuyasha on the other hand, was thankful he wasn't human and that his father had bequeathed him the robe of the fire rat. It had come in handy on more than one occasion, and had saved Kagome's life more than it did for him.
He still couldn't shake the words she shouted out in front of the wolf demon tribe. 'Mine.' It was weird hearing that spill out of her lips. That was demon language for mating, how did she recognize or think to say that to throw everyone off? That was before she showed so much spiritual energy, and the feeling of the energy wafting and threatening him while in the barrier was a bit more than he could take for his liking. There were only a few times when Kagome had used spiritual powers without an arrow. She had used a technique Kikyo had used when battling Tsubaki, and had used her hands to push away demons. He had never seen her erect barriers on her own, or control the radius of them to bubble over people further away. These things were beyond even Kikyo's abilities.
As he rushed through the trees, the scent of a storm was looming. He had to keep pushing his legs harder if he was going to get to the village in one piece. He could only hope that everyone else was doing well in the sky. He was lucky he had the coverage from the trees for mild protection.
Looking down at the girl in his arms, he noticed that the tip of her nose was red from the cold. If only he could cover her entire body with the robe and not suffocate her at the same time. He prayed to Kami that he could get her to the village in time. "Hang in there, Kagome. I'll save you."
What he thought would be an easy feat to knock out the Elder, was a treacherous battle with someone he had never fought before, and clearly underestimated in endurance and stamina.
Both Miatku and Kouga were visibly panting from exertion. They had each sustained injuries to the stomach, back, and legs, but not enough to fatally end the match.
"What's wrong? Just figuring out that I'm far from exhausted?" Miatku taunted, able to read the perplexed expression on Kouga's face.
"No, just wondering how good it will feel to take you out once and for all," Kouga lied, he had to fool the Elder into thinking he was hellbent on killing him to try and speed up the match. At the current moment they were circling each other waiting for the other to make the first move since their slight moment to catch their breath. Miatku's agility was almost as fast as Kouga with the jewel shards embedded in his legs. It was astounding how the Elder was able to keep up with him. Then again, considering the lineage. He shouldn't be surprised too much at all.
Miatku huffed in annoyance. "You've always been cocky. Even as a youngster you had to be the best in everything you did, and in order to get ahead you would always abandon the wolf way. I wonder what he would think if he knew you were using the jewel shards to gain strength? He would be so ashamed. Or that you fell in love with a mere human, and a priestess no less."
This struck a nerve with Kouga. "There's not only one option or way to achieve something. It's not a weakness, and has made me leader of this tribe. My choices are not a reflection of arrogance. I choose what's right for the tribe, and right now, I'm doing what's right by them. I claimed Kagome as mine, and as such anyone in her pack is welcome and is to be treated like a member of the tribe. You decided to become hostile towards her and Inuyasha. You were out of line."
At this the members of his tribe were nodding their heads and talking about the accuracy of what Kouga said. "Even when my men had their spears pointed at them did you notice that there was very little on my intended? Do you know why? She has shown more compassion to my people than you have. When Kagura had murdered half the men of my tribe, how long did it take for you to come here? As I recall, it took you a year. Your ignorance and selfishness speaks volumes. You cause a problem on the day of a mating ceremony, and don't even have the decency to keep your drama in line. So where do your priorities lie? It certainly isn't with us."
"Ya! Kouga's right!" The mate-to-be's shouted out in the midst of the crowd. More voices chimed in to agree until you had a chanting of words being thrown down to the Elder.
"We don't need the Elders!"
"Screw you, Miatku!"
Miatku roared in response to the defiance. "You fools! You should count yourselves luck I don't banish you right now along with your whelp of a Prince."
Kouga felt the confidence rise in himself as his comrades back him up, but grimaced at Miatku for the whelp comment. In that moment of distraction, Kouga dashed toward the Elder ready to make the strike that would render him unconscious. The Elder anticipated the attack, and caught Kouga's forearm in his mouth. The fangs of the elder crunched into Kouga's arm and the younger leader cried out in anguish. Kouga retaliated and used his left paw to scratch at the Elder's eye. The Elder immediately slackened its jaws as he was caught by surprise. Miatku shook his head vigorously, while seeing red from his eyes. His eye was gushing blood, and he could only see from his right eye.
"Kouga. You will pay with your life for this. DIE!" Miatku blind in his rage from losing his sight, lunged for the Prince's throat. He was too late as Kouga had anticipated a headstrong attack. Evading the slice at his neck, Kouga sliced the Elder's arm with his paw. All the attacks on the Elder were on defence and his entire tribe could see that he wasn't attacking with murderous intent like the Elder was demonstrating. Kouga remained calm as Miatku became aggravated from receiving wounds to his body. The energy of remaining in the demonoid form was also taxing his agility.
"Elder Miatku," a voice rose from the audience. It was one of the younger Elders. "Concede this match before you lose too much blood. This is no longer proving to be a beneficial fight for us."
Miatku snapped towards the younger Elder. "Silence, Dokumara."
"This fight won't end until he dies."
A steady murmur of whispers amongst the tribe broke out. Hakkaku, Ginta, and a few other warriors stepped out across the imaginary barrier between the fight and the crowd. Kouga looked out to his comrades as they entered the fighting ring. Kouga cocked his head in question. He didn't want them involved. "This is a fight between me and Miatku. Stay away."
"There seems to be a disagreement between the Elders, this is no longer a sudden death fight between two leaders. We're here to serve you and stand by your side." Hakkaku proclaimed as he yelled up to his Prince. At the sight of their comrades joining their leader, more tribe members pushed through to join the fight.
"This is the way of the wolf. Together we fight. Together we die." An older Northern tribe member by the name of Koutsu held his sword pointed at the Elder. "It's time for a new way to lead, no more Elders telling me what to do. I pledge my allegiance to Kouga, King of the Eastern Mountains."
Kouga was taken back by the title and devotion, but his pride swelled as his tribe came together to stand beside him as their rightful leader. If he died, they would follow.
"Insolence! You wouldn't be here if it weren't for myself and the Elders." The Elders looked amongst one another as Miatku tried to diminish the riot of wolf demons before him.
A female wolf demon piped up as soon as Miatku finished that sentence. "Wasn't it you who told my mate to go off to war with the Northern tribe to Naraku's castle? You sent the man to his grave, leaving me with two pups to look after on my own. I never received sympathy or help from you after I approached you for help. You told me that it was the price to pay as war is war and I needed to step up to contribute to the tribe. It was Kouga who granted me safe passage into his tribe where he had other families helping me while I raised my children. Not you. You caused me more pain!"
"See. What has the Elders ever done for us? Can you remember anything good that came out of their existence?"
"Your patriarchy has ended with us. We don't need you looking down your nose at us to show us that we are insignificant and smaller than you. We are much more than your underlings to govern over." Ginta pointed his finger up at Miatku. Miatku roared at the slew of demons from the Eastern Tribe.
"You defy the order of the Elders and the Order of Tribes. You are all banished from the Order." The Elders were now standing behind Miatku as he spoke harshly to the tribe.
"Now, now. Don't get political with us, Miatku. It's us banishing you all from our lands. There's no rule saying you can banish us as a tribe. If you don't notice, there are a lot of members representing other tribes in my pack. We have ambassadors of North, West, and South all present. So collectively. We are ending your ridiculous reign of governance over us. My people answer to me, they put their trust in me."
"This is an outrage!" Miatku paced in front of the entire tribe.
"You're outnumbered 300 to 4. I'd like to see you try and stop this. Your banishment starts now, you must leave immediately or face the wrath of the tribe." Kouga announced clearly while looking at each Elder in the eye. The other Elders growled in protest, but knew that this arrangement and situation was not favourable in the least. One Elder closer in age to Miatku walked calmly to the transformed wolf. "We are leaving this land. You can either join us or stay to fight, but we vote to leave and majority rules. You can leave the order of Elders and fight or leave as the leader of the Order. We will negotiate with the other tribes to go to war with the Eastern Tribe. This is not over."
Miatku considered this for a moment before addressing the Eastern tribe and their self-proclaimed King. "Let me leave you all with this. You might have the numbers for now, but we will be back the next full moon and if you, Kouga, do not step down and give your life over to the Order. We will be at war, and will destroy every last one of you for going rogue. We'll see what your King will do for you when you're begging us for mercy." As he finished he turned his back and ran off with the rest of the Elders.
The threat weighed heavy amongst the tribe. They all looked around at each other, but the victory of standing up to them after centuries of the order suffocating their tribe was a reason to celebrate an intense and unexpected achievement. Kouga on the other hand, transformed back into his humanoid form. He looked at his right-hand men Ginta and Hakkaku and spoke in hushed tones towards them. Ginta and Hakkaku understood Kouga's orders as they made off to gather the tribe ambassadors to leave immediately for the Northern, and Southern tribe.
Ginta and the Southern Tribe ambassador transformed into their demonoid forms and ran off towards the South, meanwhile Hakkaku teamed with the Western Tribe ambassador and followed suit towards the West. Meanwhile Kouga left the North to himself. He knew that the Elders were headed back to the Northern tribe and he had to make it there before they did. The Northern tribe was a difficult pack to persuade as they were always under the guidance and close scrutiny of the Elders. Kouga shouted out to Koutsu, the demon who proclaimed him as King. "Koutsu you're with me. Adamara, we're heading back North." Koutsu bowed to the one he called King, and Adamara raised her head in acknowledgement. She had noticed the other ambassadors take their leave with two of Kouga's men, she only had to wait until her King gave her the orders. This was not going to be an easy task convincing her tribe of the new developments between the Eastern tribe and the Elders. She would do what it takes come hell or high water.
They three transformed into larger wolves and took off into the snowy night following the faint footprints of the Elders. They would need to cover a lot of ground to catch up and beat them to the Northern Tribe. Kouga looked back into the direction Kagome and her pack left earlier. He could only hope that she wasn't out in this storm.
Inuyasha had exhausted his legs in the journey back to the village but he managed to cut the time more than half to Kaede's hut. He reached the hut, now covered in light snow. The hut was dark, indicating that Kaede had fallen asleep. Inuyasha rushed into the hut unannounced. He gently lay Kagome down against the far wall, and moved towards Kaede's sleeping form. "Kaede, wake up!" Inuyasha shook the old woman's shoulder to rouse her from her slumber.
Kaede startled awake, and yelled in terror as a dark figure hovered over her. "Begone demon!" Inuyasha held his hands up in defence as Kaede grabbed the front of his robe.
"Kaede it's me! Kagome is here too, but she needs your help." Inuyasha reasoned with the sleep-deprived and anxious priestess.
"Oh, Inuyasha. Ye trying to give me an early death. Ye could have knocked. I cannot see ye in the dark." Inuyasha as usual keh'd in response.
"Hurry and help Kagome. I think she's suffering from using too much of her spiritual power, and she's probably sick from the weather."
Kaede quickly re-ignited the fire in the middle of the room. Once lit, she could make out the figure lying across the floor near the wall. "Inuyasha bring Kagome to this mat. Lay her body here and I will examine her." Inuyasha did as he was told, picking up Kagome and hopping back over to the mat while placing the young girl on the mat. Kaede put a hand on Kagome's head and started feeling around for any possible internal injuries. She analyzed the girl's spiritual power by placing her hands over her torso and then to her arms.
Kaede got up to fetch some herbs from the pots lining the opposite wall on the other side of the room. Inuyasha grew impatient at the older priestess' silence.
"Well is she ok? Can you do anything for her? What's wrong with, Kagome?" Inuyasha looked at Kaede who was now grounding up the herbs into a smaller bowl.
"Inuyasha she is suffering from energy depletion, and has succumbed to the weather. Kagome will need all the rest she can get. All I am able to do is make a tonic that she will need to drink to help with the fever and loss of energy. The rest is up to her."
"What do you mean the rest is up to her?" Inuyasha pondered.
"When a spiritual being depletes their ki they lie dormant, until all their energy reserves are fully restored. Kagome is lucky she is not dead. Most often when this sort of thing happens, the person will lie in a coma until they find their way back. Kagome still has energy within her, but not much. It will take some time to regain her strength. Until then she must remain here with me, and ye must sleep elsewhere. Her spiritual energy will not be restored if ye are in the room. Ye demonic energy will stifle her progress."
Inuyasha was about to protest, he wasn't ready to leave her yet. However Kaede gave him a look when he was about to open his mouth. "Feh. Just make sure she comes back to us, Kaede."
"I will do everything I can, Inuyasha." Kaede opened the cloth covering the door to let Inuyasha take his leave.
"That's all I'm asking" Inuyasha nodded, and made his leave with as much will power as he could muster.
With Kagome, she could see everything that was happening around her with very little in the way of control. She was aware of her surroundings from the moment she fell unconscious to the moment Inuyasha had brought her here. She couldn't feel or speak in this dimension of consciousness. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't stir herself awake. For the past four hours she had realized a soft hum. The hum was somewhat soft in the beginning, but now it was getting so loud she couldn't focus on what was being said between Inuyasha and Kaede.
The hum began to grow now until she felt vibrations shake the room. The hut began to fall apart around her. She spun around to see if Kaede was alright, but the older woman had vanished in thin air. Gone from this realm. Kagome closed her eyes, frightened of what would become of her. The humming and vibrations ceased and a bright light flashed. Through closed eyes she could tell that something was shining bright in front of her. Shielding her eyes from the light source, Kagome gradually opened her eyes to see what waited for her.
Her eyes took in the scene. She was amazed, and uncertain. She was kneeling beside the bone eater's well with her hands touching her cheeks. A soft pink glow encased the figure standing in front of her. It was Midoriko in the flesh.
"This can't be..." Kagome said without realizing she had spoken her thoughts.
Midoriko chuckled at the girl's expression. "I've been waiting a long time to meet you in person, Kagome Higurashi."
"Midoriko." Kagome was at a loss for words. How could this be happening? She had to be in a dream.
"This is as real as it can be, my dear. I wish this was under better circumstances that I meet you. I see you've run yourself low on spiritual energy. We have but mere minutes to discuss a few things I'm sure you are quite aware of thanks to my subordinate, Kiori Sudaka." Midoriko held out a hand to Kagome so that she was no longer sitting on the ground.
"Kiori Sudaka? I've never met such a person." Kagome blinked her eyes in confusion and thought about Midoriko's words. What was she supposed to be aware about?
"It's because she is't a person, but a spirit of my past." Midoriko explained seeing the confusion remaining in Kagome's eyes. "Kiori, was from my time before I time travelled to the Heain era. She was my companion and student."
"Time traveled? You time traveled? Did you use the well too?" Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maybe the reason she could time travel was because she was the reincarnation of Midoriko.
"I did. I was born an orphan in 1927, and I was sixteen when I first travelled back in time through an old fireplace. Although, I didn't know my purpose at first, I happened upon a Miko training temple in the South where the High Priestesses took care of me. I didn't have a family in the modern era at the time, and so as I travelled back and forth I found myself staying for long periods of time in the Heain era. The era was rife with problems, and while world war two was ongoing I found that escaping to a different time was just what I needed. Much of the foster children I lived with were being adopted into families that would take care of them. I was not among the children to be adopted, and neither was Kiori. Kiori would accompany me on travels as she was only able to time travel by holding my hand. One day I had left without her to help some villagers fend off a horde of demons. I tried to go through the cave I could time travel through, but it had lost its power to send me to the future. I was forever trapped in the Heain Era. Later I found out through meeting Kiori's spirit about the bomb that hit Hiroshima, which unfortunately was where the orphanage was located. I believe things happen for a reason, Kagome. I cried for weeks not being able to go back to my own era, and missed my best friend, Kiori very much. I didn't sleep for a week and ate very little, but it was that moment that I had passed out when Kiori visited my dreams and told me of the bombing. She had died in her sleep at the orphanage, unaware of the pain. The fireplace had disintegrated in the blast, and with that so were my time travelling days."
"That's horrible, I'm so sorry. You were very fortunate to have escaped that terrible fate. I can't imagine how hard that must have been to lose your best friend in such a short amount of time."
"Thank you, it was hard. After all these years, I still remember the heartbreak. I realized that my destiny was much greater than the era I was born into. I never felt right in those days, always felt like something was ultimately missing." Midoriko's gaze remained solemn until she snapped out of her thoughts and remembered that she had little time to waste.
"Ah, we have no time to waste now. Kagome hold onto my hand, we are going to visit an old friend. Her name is Lady Giya. You will need her help to get you back to your friends."
"What do you mean? Can't I get back myself?" Kagome questioned with uncertainty laced in her voice. She felt small next to this woman warrior. She heard countless tales, fantasized of one day having her strength, learned about being her reincarnation, but standing before her now was like she was standing next to the moon itself. How could she ever amount to being like her? Kagome hesitantly grasped the older woman's hand, and Midoriko firmly curled her fingers around Kagome's hand.
"You don't have a full soul. You will need the help to regain your consciousness. I must warn you the next time you use that much power, you will die. You must promise me you will do as Lady Giya says no matter what. She will challenge you, and push you to change and become stronger. This is what you need to focus on, Kagome. Do not overstrain your powers, but instead focus on training your body to keep up with your blossoming spiritual energy. You are becoming mature now, and so are your powers. You must learn to harness and control these powers before they consume and kill you."
Kagome was bewildered beyond her reckoning. Her powers were becoming stronger and too much to handle she already could feel that, but she didn't know that it was as serious as Midoriko claimed. "Alright, I'll do what this Lady Giya says."
"Excellent, now whatever you do don't let go go my hand." As Kagome nodded earnestly, Midoriko's aura encased them both and they started to fade as they were travelling to a different location.
Kagome looked around her as Midoriko's power danced around them. The purple aura tickled Kagome's skin and was warm to the touch. It almost felt like her energy, but it was ten times stronger. The aura felt a bit suffocating the longer she stayed in it with Midoriko. As soon as she felt like her breathing was becoming haggard, the aura dispelled and they were in a new place.
"Where are we?" Kagome's eyes took in the scenery. They were in a foggy and rocky terrain surrounded by heavy mist cascading down the mountain walls that were surrounding them on either side.
"We are in the Misty Valley. This is where we will find the entrance to the Miko Temple where I once lived." Midoriko let go of Kagome's hand and took the lead in front. "Let's hurry along, Kagome. Just follow me and don't wander off. It's easy to get lost in the mist."
Kagome nodded in affirmation. "Okay." They walked for what felt like ten minutes and then Midoriko paused her footsteps as they both reached a dead end. The wall of the mountain had small, intricate engravings carved into the surface. Symbols were written strategically in a line, but then wandered into design that swirled in vine like patterns. Kagome was about to say something to Midoriko when Midoriko broke the silence and put a hand up to the first symbol and began to hum. The tune she hummed was a haunting but beautiful melody with variety of high and low notes.
The symbols lit up like light bulbs as Midoriko hummed the secret tune. As the song came to an end, there was a crack in the face of the wall, and a small crevice appeared before them. The crevice was just big enough for both of them to pass through but it was a tight fit. Kagome moved sideways and slowly through the space, they were travelling through the mountain and it was damp and dark. Midoriko sensed Kagome's cautious movements and blazed her powers in her hands for light. Kagome felt relieved now that she could see her feet and what was in front of her.
Again they walked on, it seemed like they were climbing through the mountain as the pressure built up in Kagome's ears. Midoriko smiled reassuringly back at Kagome, "You must know from that book you have what's to come and that you are my reincarnation."
Kagome was stunned yet again at the comment. "How did you know? I mean yes I do know this, but I don't know what that means or how that is even possible."
Midoriko chuckled lightly. "There are many mysteries in this life, but some things just happen for a reason. When I died, you weren't reincarnated right away. My soul lived on in the Jewel as it still does, but before I died I made a request to the jewel. I had requested that the jewel be kept in the cave I time travelled through...over time the villagers felt like the jewel was beckoning demons to the area, and they needed to be rid of the amount of demons that were attacking the village. The jewel was then bequeathed to Kikyo a very reliable Miko, but not emotionally strong. So naturally, demons were drawn to the jewel's power and sought after Kikyo. After Kikyo died, she made a wish to me. I heard her plea for the jewel to leave this world and to be hidden from evil." Midoriko shook her head. "She had made the wrong wish, and then when you were born her wish had been granted. The jewel needed a spiritual being to keep it in dormancy for fifteen years. The jewel is not meant to lie dormant for too long. It had sought to return to feudal Japan, and it was by the jewel's doing that portal opened in the Bone Eater's Well between this world and yours. It was because of Kikyo that you were born, and that you became my reincarnation. Don't fret though, your existence isn't just based on the jewel...it goes further than that. Oh yes you have a destiny to fulfill and only you can see it through."
"The book didn't mention the dormancy thing or anything really about Kikyo's wish." Kagome said incredulously as she huffed on that note.
"It's because no one knew except me. Kikyo's wish was a dying wish; it wasn't audible." Midoriko surmised. "Aside from this...
For the past two years you have been using your spiritual powers, and now they are peaking past what your body can handle. I was lucky that I had stumbled upon this place when I had first travelled in time so that I was consistently training my powers. You, on the other hand, will need to back track to learn the way of the Miko. You won't like it, and your body will be tested to endure the training to make you stronger." Midoriko paused before going onto a more grim tone. "That book is accurate in the way the battle was planned out. These Mikos will teach you strategy and attacks to use against your opponents. As for how you plan to fight with Naraku on your own, you will need me to teach you that. But first, learn the basics and then I will come to you at a later time when you prove that you are ready to take the next step. Alas, we have arrived to the temple. I will let you enter first to make your presence known."
Kagome stepped out anxiously past the older, more experienced Miko and found herself in an empty courtyard of an ancient temple. She looked behind her and Midoriko was gone. She was alone. Kagome thought over what Midoriko said, that she had to make her presence known.
"Uh, hello? My name is Kagome Higurashi...I'm hear to see Lady Giya..." Kagome looked around to see if anyone would answer her and come out of the courtyard. She received no answer. "Hello? Is anyone there. My name is Kagome and I'm-" before Kagome could say another word an arrow flew past her and knocked the side of her cheek.
"We heard you girl, but that doesn't gain you entrance to the temple. How is it that you were able to enter the mountain?" The voice questioned adamantly.
"I-" Kagome was unsure of how to answer. Was she in another state of her mind or in real life? Speaking with Midoriko and travelling to the Misty Valley could have been all in her head.
"Speak true, girl or lose your life whilst singing your lie."
"I am here to speak to Lady Giya, and I came here to seek help. My spiritual powers are dangerously low and I don't have a complete soul. Please I need your help, if I don't get help I will die. My body is lying comatose in a hut, please you must help me."
A figure appeared before Kagome. The person was dressed in traditional miko garbs like Kikyo, but wore a cloak over their head. The figure held a bow and arrow in her hand. "Who are you? How did you come here? Your powers lack recognition and proper training. If you do not answer what we ask, we will kill you."
"I already told you my name is Kagome Higurashi. I am a miko like yourself," Kagome could see the figure prepare her bow and arrow as Kagome's time was coming to an end. But Kagome felt desperate and hoped to bank on the statement she was ready to unleash. " And I am the reincarnation of Midoriko."
"Wh-what did you say?" The figure walked closer now, loosening the string on the bow. "That is not possible. Midoriko's soul still lives on in the jewel, she cannot have a reincarnation. Hold out your hand, let me see your soul."
Kagome did what she was told, knowing full well that this person would likely kill her if she didn't oblige. As the figure came closer, she noticed that she was blind. Her vacant eyes stared forward but she had accurate awareness of her surroundings as she took Kagome's hand without needing to fish around looking for the appendage. The figure took a moment to search for Kagome's soul as weak as it was. Kagome forced away shivers as a crawling feeling crept through her body. It felt close to the same sensation as that moment when Naraku's abominable infant had searched for the speck of darkness in her soul. "Ah there it is, your soul is there and hanging on by a mere hour. It seems you do share a connection to Midoriko and that her soul was in contact with you mere minutes ago. Remarkable."
Kagome waited for the figure to let go of her hand, but she didn't. Instead she held the hand and let her cloak drop from her head. The woman had long black curly hair pinned back into a low ponytail. "My name is Rossi, I am Lady Giya's ward. She will see you now."
As fast as that sentence finished, Rossi released Kagome's hand and began walking back from whence she came, with Kagome following closely behind. Kagome and Rossi walked through the courtyard and passed ponds filled with orange and white koi and cat fish. Frogs jumped onto lily pads that floated seamlessly on the surface.
When they had reached a white bridge, Kagome noticed another person on the other side. The individual sat below a cherry blossom tree with legs crossed and hands placed gracefully in their lap.
"M'lady. The reincarnation of Midoriko has arrived...as you foretold." Rossi bowed deeply in respect for the older woman.
"I see, well this is a disappointing sight. My vision foretold of a young, fit woman with powers matching that of the great Midoriko herself. All I see is a scrawny girl with a broken soul."
Kagome felt anger bubble at the audacity of this woman sizing her up on just meeting her. The lady pulled her grey long hair into a low bun at the back of her head. Her eyes opened to reveal bright blue orbs carelessly staring back at Kagome.
"You're dying and you need my help...I get it. Well you want my advice? You better shape up and learn how to use those powers of yours before you kill yourself." As the woman was moving to get up from her spot, Kagome half expected her to get up slowly from old age. However the old woman seemed to have no trouble getting up from her meditation spot. She moved like she was still in her prime.
Kagome resisted the urge to argue with this woman as Midoriko said to do what she's told no matter what. "I understand I'm not what you expected, but I have less than an hour to live. Can you help me find my way back to consciousness?"
Lady Giya now looked Kagome square in the eye with so much intensity it felt like her soul was once again being searched through.
"Oh, I'll help you, but on one condition." The lady closed her eyes again. "You must journey back to this temple by yourself to train for two months. I don't idly help people without a little commitment in return. You want to become stronger, it can't happen in one day."
Kagome weighed this condition in her head. Two months was a bit too much time to commit when the battle was not too far away. How was she supposed to prepare with only a couple weeks left before the battle? She would have to either leave before the two months, or finish whatever training in a one month span.
"Well, what's it going to be girl? You're short on time here." Lady Giya impatiently prodded.
Kagome sighed. "Fine. I will return when I return to my conscious state." Lady Giya smiled, and began to walk past Kagome. In passing Lady Giya looked to Kagome and replied with, "good."
"Now.. Kagome, is it? Follow me, we will be going inside to the meditation room to locate where your body is." Lady Giya turned her back and motioned for Rossi and Kagome to follow suit. "Walk quickly, meditation for you at this stage is not going to be easy."
Inuyasha had grown impatient as Kagome's breathing laboured on and her fever was getting worse. Kaede was looking very grim now at the chances of Kagome ever being able to come back on her own. He couldn't stand sitting by Kagome's side and not being able to do anything while she was suffering.
"Come on Kaede, can't you do anything more for her?" Inuyasha didn't care if he took out his frustration on the older woman, this was serious. If her fever doesn't go away her heart will fail.
"Inuyasha, I am doing everything I can. Her energy isn't responding to mine. It would have if she had her entire soul, but it is in Kikyo's hands and ye would have to fight Kikyo to save Kagome." Kaede didn't look at Inuyasha as she mentioned her older sister and his former lover. She heard a rustle of fabric, and when she looked at Inuyasha he had got up from his spot beside Kagome and started walking towards the door.
"Kaede don't let her die on me. I'll be back." With that, Inuyasha sprung through the mat covered door and left with no other word to say. Kaede only looked on in shock. Was he really going to fight Kikyo to get the rest of Kagome's soul returned to her. She took a look at Kagome wondering how far Inuyasha would go to save her. She didn't like seeing the young priestess fighting for her life, but her odds were not very high as time kept slipping away from them.
Kaede heard a commotion outside suddenly. She could see Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippo arrive as they wonder where Inuyasha was going in such a rush without Kagome. Shippo bounded towards her hut and she took a step away from the door.
"Kagome?!" Shippo had fear struck in his face after watching Inuyasha dash into the forest without a glance towards them. "Kaede, what's going to happen to Kagome. She doesn't look good."
"Aye, Shippo. Kagome is fighting for her life now. I've done as much as I could, we just need to try and keep her fever from rising while she works on getting herself back to us." Shippo walked slowly to Kagome, he could smell her sickness in the air of the hut. It was a heavy scent of despair he couldn't bear to see her in such a state. Shippo stopped just before Kagome's head and curled up beside her with tears in his aquamarine eyes. "Don't leave me.."
