{Chapter Two}
I stopped on the overlook spreading my aura to sense anything that was hiding before us. I didn't expect any problems since we haven't found anything since arriving in the Western Lands. In the past two weeks of travel, there have been a few small problems that had to be taken care of. It was nothing they couldn't handle. I glanced at Kagome who sat down looking extremely tired, no doubt from the pace I had forced us to keep.
"Are you okay?" I questioned softly pulling out an apple from my pack taking a bite as Kagome nodded absentmindedly "Kagome"
Kagome glanced at me and sighed accepting an apple "I am just worried about everything, it's been thirty years. What if they don't want to see me again after all that time?" Kagome questioned softly
"I doubt that is the case, they would be relieved to see you have returned" I said honestly looking off into the distance "I would give anything to see those I have lost"
"I am glad you are with me" Kagome whispered causing me to smile softly in agreement
"No one better to drag with you" I said with a laugh before standing up "We need to continue"
Kagome chuckled shaking her head and followed at my side. I listened to her tell stories of her comrades as we walked at a little bit of a slower rate. I was fascinated by the tales learning about the comrades in greater understanding then I had before. I knew now why Inuyasha meant so much to her, she fell in love in war and I knew first hand how deep that love could be. I was hoping that everything would work out for her, Kagome deserved a happy ending to her story, she deserved true love.
Although, it worried me about the Kikyo and the fact that Inuyasha seemed to not be able to decide between them. I wondered if that has been resolved since she had been gone, I prayed we wouldn't be going there to find him happily mated to someone else. I couldn't protect her from that heart break and that realization killed me, I was her protector. I could always kill him or her, though Kagome would not take kindly to that. I paused hearing water in the distance and glanced at Kagome with a chuckle seeing that we both look unbelievably dirty compared to our normal appearance.
"We will stop ahead, I believe there is a pond near" I said with a bright smile "We can get a much need bath"
"Thank god" Kagome said brightly causing me to laugh "Wait, how can you tell there is a pond?"
"I can hear the water" I said tilting my head to the side "I focused my Ki on my ears, after a while it became normal and without thinking to use my powers this way just like I did for the way I became faster"
"I am always amazed at the way that you seem to use your Ki like demons do" Kagome said in amusement and I nodded in agreement
"Maybe it was the way they are meant to be used" I explained as Kagome looked at me in confusion "It is too natural to use them like this, the more I do it the stronger I become and that was before when I didn't even have a reason. Now that I have used them a few times, it's like it is changing me and absorbing into my body"
"It makes sense if I think about" Kagome said softly "You were the first person I met that used them like that"
"Maybe because I didn't grow up being taught that demons were bad and how to use my powers to fight them, I just taught myself what felt right" I explained honestly as we came to a clearing with a little pond "Perfect"
"I can't wait" Kagome said happily tossing her pack down and getting ready for a bath at that very moment
"Just let me set up barriers and I will join you" I explained with much amusement
"Hurry up" Kagome said placing a foot in the water "Oh! It's a hot spring"
I chuckled at the excitement in her voice as I readied sutras to protect us for the night and take some of the stress off. I managed to make the barrier hide away us from all potential prying eyes as well as our auras and smell. I stripped quickly grabbing some of the soap that Kari was kind enough to give us before we departed the village. Kagome laughed as I sighed loudly in relief as the hot water relaxed my extremely sore muscles.
"I have been thinking" Kagome said looking at me "I think that thirty years passed here because this was where we would have been needed most. I know that only ten years passed for us but we traveled back in time anyway so that wouldn't matter"
"I agree, I think it was only ten for you because you needed to meet me. I don't know why but It seems that fate wanted me here with you as well" I explained, and Kagome nodded "Maybe we can find answers to many questions, including why we haven't really aged"
"Hopefully" Kagome whispered quietly laughing when I splashed her hitting her in the face "We should wash the clothes as well"
"Yeah, I was dreading that" I said honestly as I breath in the fresh sent of lilac from my shampoo as I washed my hair "God this feels so good"
"I know" Kagome as before washing out her hair "You think you are going to stay with me when we find them?"
"Most likely, it's not like I know anyone here" I said as I ran conditioner through my hair "Besides, I am your protector now"
"True" Kagome said relieved "No one is a better protector"
After finishing the much need bath and the dreaded washing of the clothes we had worn, we readied for bed. I relaxed looking at the stars with a smile, I always loved when I could look at the stars without the city lights, but the sky here was breathtaking. I chuckled lightly hearing Kagome beginning to hum the familiar tune I had taught her years ago.
"You should sing" Kagome said softly as I shook my head at the request "Please"
"Not tonight" I said honestly "Not sure if the barrier will hide sounds"
"Okay" Kagome said reluctantly "I see your point"
"Rest" I commanded softly before tossing her sleeping bag at her "We leave early"
Kagome sighed and nodded as she put out her bag as I did the same. Kagome fell asleep quickly and I drifted asleep quick a bit later underneath the light of the stars. My dreams turned to a field that was all too familiar but without the battle as it shined. I smiled as glowing pink flowers appeared.
"You are quite powerful" A voice said causing me to jump and twirl to see the woman that had haunted my dreams "Forgive me"
"Who are you?" I questioned after a moment
"Midoriko" She said with a bright smile "I believe you have heard of me from your friend"
"How is this possible?" I questioned in confusion on why I was dreaming of this woman and why this felt so real
"It is real" She said with a chuckle "It a Ki dream, I have much to explain to you"
"Yeah?" I choked out in shock and confusion "Why?"
"You have wondered why you have been pulled back?" She questioned, and I nodded "You are sort of like my reincarnation"
"That is not possible" I said seriously "Your soul was in the jewel"
"Part of it was" She explained causing me to look at her confused "The creation of the jewel was an accident. I knew that I was about to die, and the thought of death frightened me. You see in that moment, I let fear consume me and it trapped part of my soul, that part, into the jewel with the demons instead of them being purified as they were meant to. That part of my soul was trapped in the jewel until Kagome destroyed it"
"Part of it?" I questioned thinking it over
"Indeed, part of it was in the jewel. The other part went back to the gods. I changed fate that day, I created quite the problem for the gods as did Kikyo when she failed her duty. Kagome was the resolution for that and she completed her task. She was always meant to return here just as you were" Midoriko explained much to my dismay as I caught on to the statement "The gods took the remaining part of my soul and added to it their essence, creating a very special soul that would hold the power to destroy the darkness that arose from the jewels creation and then released upon it's destruction"
"Wait, what do you mean created something different?" I questioned seriously
"Kagome is immortal because she bonded with the remaining power of the jewel, that power could not have been destroyed. You were born immortal" She explained causing me to gasp "You are more powerful then you can believe and more than I could have ever hoped to be. You are still growing into your power and in time you will change with it, you have done things that have even surprised the gods. I cannot provide all the answers, you are unknown even to the gods"
I frowned at that information, I held more power then the most powerful priestess to ever exist. I was created from the soul that created the most dangerous item I had ever heard of. I couldn't handle that much power, I couldn't handle the task before me. I was human and held weakness because of it, I could create the same item.
"No, you can't" Midoriko said softly drawing me out of my thoughts "You are much different from me, you have a will to assist others and a purity of heart that I never held. There are many differences between you and I as there were between Kikyo and Kagome. I have no doubt that you will forge a different path and not falter in anything that you face"
I glanced at her seriously "How can you be so sure?" I questioned calmly
"I have watched as you helped those in the villages torn by war, fought for those that could not fight for themselves, I watched you become an amazing soldier just to leave to live in war and make a difference few were ever able to. You are too pure to fear death in such a way needed to create another jewel" Midoriko explain "I have no doubt in your abilities to find a way to beat this darkness and restore balance.
"So, I will die?" I choked out realizing what this conversation meant "I am meant to die"
"That is not known, your fate is yours alone unfortunately and it means that I cannot tell you where this path will take you. I can only tell you that there is faith that you will achieve all that you are meant too and find the peace you have longed for in your heart" Midoriko said offering a kind and understanding smile "Just follow you heart as you have always done"
"What if I fail?" I questioned looking at her
"Then the darkness that the world faces now will consume it and demons will no longer exist" Midoriko said seriously
"The answer to saving demons is there enemy?" I questioned fighting my own amusement over the statement
"You are the answer to saving them, should you unlock your true self and stay true to your heart. Priestesses were not meant to be their enemy but their balance. The more the prejudice grew the weaker the lines became. You stated it correctly, the powers were always meant to be used as you have on instinct. Though I must admit that you are far more inventive in the way you have used your Ki"
"Thank you" I said with a blush of embarrassment
"You have a lot to think about, I shall leave you since dawn is approaching" Midoriko said touching my forehead with the palm of her hand as it glowed before fading from my sight
I awoke in a gasp my head spinning slightly from the information I had received. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself before walking over the pond and washed my face quickly enjoying the feel of my face being rid of the sweat. I sighed before standing to wake up Kagome who was like a little monster when she woke up. I raised my eyebrow and went about cleaning up the camp to repack our things. Kagome followed suit sluggishly as I took out a few breakfast bars for us to eat on the way.
"Here" I said handing one to Kagome and she looked at me opening the package pausing quickly as she stared at me in confusion
"What is that?" Kagome questioned pointing to my head "Since when do you have a marking on your face"
I blinked in confusion before taking over my compact mirror and gasped in shock noticing the picture three extremely three small green stars on my forehead. I frowned remembering what Midoriko did before she disappeared wondering why she had done this. What the hell did this symbol mean?
"I guess it wasn't just a dream" I mumbled before turning away from Kagome "Come on, we need to get heading out"
"What dream?" Kagome questioned hurrying to stay at my side causing me to sigh deeply
"It seems I have a Ki dream and a deep conversation with Midoriko last night. She departed leaving this fancy marking on my forehead" I explained hoping she would drop it
"WHAT?" Kagome shouted causing me to sigh deeply, apparently, she wouldn't be rest until I explained
As we continued the journey to the west I explained in detail what I had learned from Midoriko much to the shock of Kagome. She was amazed at the information that I was her reincarnation of sorts. She let me vent about my doubts and understood the weight of fate that was placed on my shoulders. I managed to change the subject to what to expect from the group upon arrival and learning about the different kinds of demons she had encountered the last time.