Disclaimer: I do not own any of the plot or characters in InuYasha
I don't know when or how often I'll be updating. It's just a little story I'm doing in my free time. Please feel free to comment but constructive criticism only, please. If you don't like it then feel free to not read it.
3
Kagome allowed herself no more than one day to rest and recover at home before at least going to check in with her friends. After all, she still had a duty back in the feudal era and the more time she spent at home, the more the chance of innocent lives being lost because of misused jewel shards increased. Kagome spent the day after she returned home doing chores around the house while her mom was at work and researching on the computer for local defense and meditation classes. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense for her to spend time alone to train and become stronger. How was she supposed to help others if she couldn't help herself in battle? She was supposed to be a miko, protector of the Shikon Jewel and the innocent. She knew the hanyou would never allow her the time to train, and she didn't expect the others to join her. It wasn't their responsibility. No, this was something she would do on her own.
I'll find someone to teach me however much is available here, then I'll go train in the feudal era. A wry smile appeared on Kagome's face. There are no real threats for me to practice with here, I think I'd have heard if there were any demons running about. The image of a regal demon like Sesshomaru walking around modern-day Tokyo among all of the 'despicable humans' popped into her mind and she giggled to herself, mood lightening a bit. She didn't find any promising meditation classes that were within her budget, but she did find a week-long self-defense class that she signed up for, to add to what she learned from Sango. Screw him, she thought, unwilling to even say InuYasha's name for the moment. I will 'sit' him into the center of the Earth if that's what it takes for me to stay for this.
The eighteen-year-old miko also decided to switch to online classes for her school work. I don't know whether I'll be sent back here after the jewel is gone. I need to keep up with my studies. Kagome was desperately behind in classes and close to being kicked out of school for her lack of attendance. This would allow her to do the classes at her own pace between learning physical defense and asking Kaede for spiritual lessons. Not to mention her family would no longer have to make up fake illnesses and deal with worried classmates or calls from the school. College could wait until after she jewel was completed, but she had to graduate high school to go to college, which was a more time sensitive.
Leaning back in her chair, Kagome let her mind wander to InuYasha. I'm surprised the hanyou hasn't come to get me yet - I've been here for longer than two minutes, she thought sarcastically. Her mind wandered to her diminishing feelings for him. Kagome was starting to realize that she didn't know why she liked him so much. For so long she had believed that she was in love with him but now? He was always telling her how weak and useless she was, always comparing her to Kikyo. Of course, he had nothing negative to say about her. Apparently, she was perfect. You know, aside from being walking bones and dirt. She was stronger, knew how to use her powers, prettier, quieter, and the list went on. You know what though? I haven't seen her use her powers in a long time. The last several encounters we've had with her she's given no indication that she even has any. I wonder what that's about. Kagome mused silently.
Restless, Kagome stood to walk outside. It was a beautiful sunny day. Walking across her yard, she stood under Goshinboku, the Sacred Tree that Kikyo pinned InuYasha to fifty years ago. It's been three years since I released him from Kikyo's spell. Could that be why? Kagome's eyes widened in realization. I was only fifteen when I was forced into the feudal era, and he was the first guy I spent an extended amount of time around. Not to mention him saving me all the time… he was kind of my knight in bright red armor.
Kagome placed her hand on the tree, gently tracing the natural grooves in the wood. I think that's it… the only source of my feelings for him is the infatuation of a teenage girl. Sure, he's attractive and those ears of his are so stinking cute but I'm not a child anymore. Her hand curled into a fist on the trunk of the tree as she set her mouth in a straight line, teeth clenching together tightly. I have been nothing but kind and accepting of him since we met. I have cooked for him, put up with his attitudes and him calling me anything derogatory instead of my name. I am done! I will not put up with his immaturity anymore. I do not deserve to be verbally and emotionally abused like this.
Kagome realized that she could not love someone who treated her like InuYasha did and seemingly only cared because she was his shard detector and willing to let someone else walk around with a piece of her soul. With the ability to defend herself, there would be no reason for her to stick around him. She could take Shippo with her, and Miroku and Sango would no doubt support her. Being adults, they could choose to continue to travel with the hanyou, which Kagome had no problem with. She would miss them, but she needed to look out for herself now.
The door bounced behind Kagome as she let it fall shut behind her. Grabbing a pen and paper, she wrote a note for her mom to let her know she'd be back in a couple of hours before grabbing a light jacket and heading toward the well house. She didn't doubt that Miroku had something to do with InuYasha's lack of appearance and knew that sooner or later he'd have to be set free. Hopefully she could seal the well by then.
The blue light set Kagome down gently in the feudal era, and she looked up to see a cloudy sky. The young miko climbed out of the well, where she was immediately tackled in a flying hug by Shippo. Gripping the well to steady herself, Kagome smiled fondly down at the fox kit and gave him a little squeeze. "Hey Shippo, what're you doing by the well? I hope you didn't stay out here all night."
Shippo looked up at her seriously. "I didn't want you to be alone when you came back. Everyone else is in the village, Miroku just left here a little while ago. We camped out here. Don't worry though, InuBaka is stuck in Kaede's hut for a while." At the mention of the hanyou, Kagome's smile faltered. Even with her revelations earlier that day, the thought of him still stung. Setting Shippo down, she leaned back against the well.
"Do you think you could do me a favor?" The fox kit immediately nodded, willing to do anything for his adoptive mother. "Could you go get Kaede for me? I don't really want to see InuYasha right now but I need to talk to her."
"Sure Kagome, I'll be right back!" And off he went. Kagome smiled at Shippo's retreating form, her affection for him swelling in her chest. Looking around the clearing, she settled in to wait. It wouldn't be long before they came, but she knew that it would take the old miko a little longer than her companions to make the trip to the well.
Kagome didn't have to wait too long before she spotted four figures in the distance. Waving, she met them halfway and greeted Sango and Kaede with a hug. Miroku stood back and watched the exchange before giving Kagome a sad smile. Once Shippo had some to gather Kaede, he had a suspicion of what Kagome wished to do. Sango was looking at Kagome worriedly, but didn't wish to upset her by bringing anything up so she remained quiet.
"It is good to see ye child. I hope ye have been able to rest at home. What is it you need of this old lady?" Kaede peered up at Kagome with her one good eye, looking for any signs of distress from her ordeal with the hanyou. Having no other living family, Kaede had come to view the younger miko as part of her own, and worried for her well-being.
"It's good to see you too Kaede. I actually have a couple things to ask of you, if that's alright."
The old miko nodded, never one to deny the girl anything. "Of course child."
Taking a deep breath, Kagome began. "I've decided to stay in my time for a little while. I've found a self defenseself-defense class to add to what Sango has been teaching me and I'm doing my school work from home now." The raven-haired girl continued, her voice growing soft. "I know he won't agree, but it's time for me to start taking care of myself. I'm not abandoning my duties here, just," Kagome paused, looking for the right words. Nobody needed to ask who 'he' was. "creating some balance in my life."
Her companions nodded, nobody finding fault with her decision and all silently glad that she had finally put her foot down. Kaede smiled fondly up at her, taking Kagome's young, smooth hand into her old, wrinkled one. "And the request ye have of me?"
Gesturing to the well with her free hand, Kagome looked around at her friends, her family in the past. Her gaze landed lastly on Sango and remained there though her words were directed at Kaede. "I would like you to teach me to seal the well from letting InuYasha through." Shippo hopped onto her shoulder, leaning into his surrogate mother with his silent support. Miroku nodded, unsurprised, while Sango sucked in a breath at Kagome's request. How would they know when, or if she was returning without the hanyou to relay the information? Shaking her head, the demon slayer silently chided herself for doubting her friend. Of course Kagome would come back, and if she didn't, who could blame her?
Kagome's gaze moved to Kaede, who squeezed her hand. "I will help ye seal the well." The younger girl blinked gratefully at the old woman. "Ye had one other thing to ask of this old woman, no?"
Nodding, Kagome smiled. "Yes, I was wondering if you could teach me what you know about my spiritual powers." Hearing those words, Sango hid her grin, proud of her friend. "We know they exist, but I don't know how to use them beyond randomly in battle. I'd like to know how to use them for defense but also if they could be used for healing others as well." Kagome looked hopefully at Kaede.
Pride swelled in the old woman's chest at Kagome's request. She had been hoping the girl would ask for a while, but didn't offer because she didn't want InuYasha to become angry with Kagome. "I am glad ye asked, of course I will help ye." Turning, Kaede began leading the girl the rest of the way to the well. "Come, let us begin with the well so that ye may come and go as ye please."