The Other Side

Chapter 25

Kagome Heads to the South

Kagome reappeared in the Southern Lands with little flickers of light coming off of her. She sniffled her way down a path that led her to a section of forest that was completely covered in vines. So this was what Naraku was talking about? She could understand now why he was worried.

She spotted one of the huts that he was talking about and walked over to it. She saw that it too was covered in vines and wondered how this came to be. Kagome knew that it had something to do with her, she knew; she could feel it. She placed her hand down on a vine and watched in fascination as the vine weaved it's around her arm.

It wasn't harming her; better yet, it was almost like it was trying to calm her down. It was like it could feel her pain. It recoiled when she sniffled again before gently rubbing against her in a soothing fashion.

Kagome flicked her hand to her left as she watched the plants come to life and come off the hut. She made it into a dance, her legs gliding on the ground as her arms and hands did motions that gently sent the plants away and out of the forest.

It was at this that Naraku had found her. He was patrolling his lands, a habit that he had gotten into as of late. Stupid vines. He stumbled upon Kagome of all people and gaped at the sight. She was taking care of the mess that was in his lands. But why was she here? Not that he wasn't grateful or anything, he just didn't expect to see her so soon.

He watched her move; she seemed completely free and one with nature. It was an odd thing to witness though. It was like the plant life loved to be around her. She would move her hands, making a cross shape in the air and the plants simply poofed. She would move her legs further into the ground and the plants would go into the ground, just like that.

He cleared his throat and amused himself when Kagome flung herself in one direction, whirled around, and fell forwards into the dirt. She spluttered the dirt from her mouth and said, "Give a girl some warning when you just decide to sneak up on me!"

Naraku chuckled before helping her up. "And where's the fun in that?" Kagome tried her best glare on him, which only caused him to laugh. She was adorable. "Can I ask why you're in my lands?" What he wasn't expecting was her to cry.

"I got kicked out."

She what? Why? Naraku hummed. "Can I ask why?"

Kagome bent her head then shook it. "It's complicated."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Why don't you come to my castle? We can come back to cleaning up this mess when you don't look like you're about to collapse."

To which, Kagome was led by Naraku to his castle. She was amazed that the vines had traveled so far. And when they got to the castle; she noted that the plants were close but didn't go anywhere near the building. Odd.

The second they went in, Kagura was there in a flash before gaping at Kagome, who could only guess what she looked like. "Kagome!" she yelled as Naraku flinched at the noise. Kagome was yanked from his side and was in Kagura's arms in two seconds flat. "Oh you poor thing! I hope the big bad mean Naraku hasn't hurt you!" Naraku scoffed at such an idea.

"I'm fine. I tripped. Nothing more," Kagome said, hoping that Kagura would believe that. No such luck.

"Yes, yes, of course. You and me are going to go straight and get a bath." She pulled her with her leaving Naraku at the doorway in awe. Kagura never acted like that with him. He pouted.

Kagura brought her to a hot spring inside the castle and Kagome resisted the urge to squeal. When they settle in and sighed, Kagura asked, "So, what's up? What's brought you to the South?" Kagome dunked her head into the water leaving her nose and eyes out of the water. Kagura gave Kagome a look. "I don't speak mumble."

"I said, Sesshomaru kicked me out."

She gasped at her. "No way! Why! He was so worried last time I saw you. Hell, he wouldn't even let anyone come near you. What happened? Oh my god, the thing that happened with Kanna! Need me to strangle him for you?"

Kagome giggled. "Yeah that thing that happened with Kanna. I said that fate intervened and told me something that... seemed to send him to his breaking point."

"Kagome, I know that you didn't trust me in my last life but know now that I would never think to cause you harm. I will however hurt the one that hurt you because you do not deserve that whatsoever. So please, tell me what happened," Kagura said sincerely as Kagome gave her a real smile. Kagura smiled back.

"The main thing that was said was that I was... am the heart of the West but not just the west but everything around me. Honestly though, I don't feel special enough for this treatment."

Kagura was in awe. "Kagome, being the heart of the West is a gift." Kagome looked at her in confusion. "There is a heart for each lord but there is never more than one at a time. Many people dream that they would be the heart, to dream of becoming the intended to the lord, to dream of having control over the lands. It's not something that should be taken lightly."

"Well, Sesshomaru hates me for it."

"Then he doesn't understand what it means to be the heart then."

"I guess not."

"Then let me tell you what it means to be the heart," Kagura said as Kagome leaned back in the spring. She was comfortable around her; that pleased Kagura. "Being the heart comes with so many chances at life, love, happiness. If you are the heart of the West, then you are Sesshomaru's intended—whether he sees that or not. You have control over his lands just as much as he does.

"You have the ability to use plants, to see the gardens in the West to their full potential, not just a dull piece of land. You are a part of the lands; if you are feeling happy, the lands show it. They reflect on you. The heart of the West doesn't die so easily," she finished explained as Kagome started to tear up.

"That's what Fate said to me."

"Let his words sink in then. Everything has a reason."

..::..

Kagome stayed with Naraku and Kagura for the week and she was having a blast. She never thought she would be considering who they were. It was now a favorite part of her day to gang up on Naraku with Kagura. Naraku for the most part took it in stride; something about liking women around him...

It was a week later that Kagome found herself in a weird position. "Would you two stop ganging up on me?" Naraku asked as he sent a playful glare their direction. Kagura stuck her tongue out at him.

"No can do. It's too much fun!" said Kagome, smirking. A habit she learned as she was around the two of them. "It's not like you can even one up me anyways."

Naraku grinned wickedly at her. "Oh but my dear, that is where you are wrong. I can very much one up you and leave you speechless."

"I'd like to see you try."

He nodded to her, accepting the challenge and told her, "I have sent a letter to Lord Sesshomaru. He is coming here very soon."

Kagome gaped and went silent. Kagura's eyes simply widened. Naraku had a permanent smirk on his face, chuckling wickedly.

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