Chapter 5: Tragedy and the Years
It happened when I slipped out to hunt for food for the village. I smelt blood. I dropped the food in the forest to run faster. When I got there, I was too late. I could see Tomoe on the other side of the clearing. The villagers in the crops were dead. Some of the crops were on fire. My eyes found and stared at Yukiji's bloody and battered body in sorrow. Hearing her dying words on the ground at the feet of the unknown youkai, I teared up in rage. But, I let Tomoe take to fight the youkai while I picked up Yukiji's body and ran.
I dashed between the trees. I stared ahead as droplets of salty water escaped my eyes. She was so cold. I suddenly tripped. I spun in the air so I would take the brunt of the impact. Her limbs moved like a doll's. I choked back a sob. I turned to have her lying on her back. I kneeled next to her and shakily placed Yukiji's hands folded in front of her. I cover my face with my hands and sobbed. I ignored her blood on my hands as my tears obscured my vision.
I set about burying her body under a nearby sakura tree barehanded. When Tomoe finally came covered in blood, he collapsed in my embrace. I squeezed him tight, ignoring the squish of his blood stained and torn clothes. He cried on my shoulder as I cried on his. I was jolted in shock when he grunted in pain. I took a closer look at his face to see a curse forming on him. I held him tighter. He only had 7 more days to live.
"No, no, please don't leave me! Tomoe! You have so much longer to live!"
I cried harder. I didn't have any abilities to help him, not since the Shikon Jewel. I picked him up and carried him on my back as I flew back to our estate. I laid him down on his futon. I made sure he would stay before dashing back out. I rocketed through the sky to get to the Fox Inn were Shippo was studying. Seeing him outside with his class, I snatched him up and cried into his neck. He struggled for a while until he recognized that it was me. I stood up with Shippo in my arms. I gave his teacher the 'family crisis' excuse before flying away. I could hear his shocked yelped as we flew through the sky. He kept shouting questions.
We landed in the court yard, but I couldn't feel him anymore. I let down Shippo before I phased throughout the house, searching in vain. I ran back to Shippo. I collapsed to my knees, gasping. I haven't been out of breath for centuries.
"He's not here anymore!"
"Who is not here anymore? What is going on Kagome?! Why do you look older?"
I finally looked at him and calmed down. He didn't know. Of course, he doesn't know. He wasn't with me. I tried to smile.
"I'm sorry Shippo for confusing you. I'll tell you once we get inside."
So, I began my tale. It was evening when I got to right now. I was exhausted, so we moved to my room. He was in awe of me now. When it clicked that he had an older brother, he got so excited, but sad when heard that in 6 days' time he was going to die. It was morning now. I wasn't as rested as I would have liked, but I must find Tomoe. I sat up, but Shippo laid me back down.
"You need your rest mama. I'm sure you will find Nii-sama quickly if you are fully rested."
I couldn't argue his point so I closed my eyes. Sleep came instantly. When I woke next fully rested, Shippo told me that I had been asleep for 3 days. I panicked and hastily fixed my appearance. I scooped up Shippo and we started to search. It took 2 days to find him. It was his last day. I descended quickly. Once I touched the earth, it stung. It was holy area, but I didn't care. Shippo stayed hidden in my hair as I rushed at Tomoe.
"Tomoe! There you are! Why did you leave?! I was so worried about you!"
I hugged him close. He didn't resist. He was limp in my embrace.
"See, there are people who care about you. Let me help you."
I looked to the god. Hope shined with in me again.
"Can you really help him? Please, please save my son!"
The god, Mikage, took us inside to start the process. He couldn't take away the curse, but he able to make Tomoe forget it as to nullify it until we could find a way to get rid of it. In exchange, Tomoe will become Mikage's familiar. I thanked Mikage so many times as I sobbed.
Until Tomoe is fully better, I won't tell Tomoe that he has a younger brother.
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When Tomoe was well enough after some odd months, I told him a little of my past and of Shippo. He only scratched his much shorter hair and said that it fit me too much. I smiled as he reluctantly welcomed Shippo as his little brother in gruff brotherly way. A few days later, Shippo left to attend his schooling that he missed. I also left for a couple of years to strengthen some ties I have in the Western Kingdom. After I secured a spot for Shippo to work there and sending a letter telling him of this news and that I will visit often, I returned to Mikage's Shrine.
I sat in front of Mikage and formally asked if I could be his second familiar. He was surprised and shocked, but he didn't mind since I could handle Tomoe a bit better and that I didn't mind humans. I wondered how my Tomoe could change so much in those centuries I was traveling. The contract was sealed, and Tomoe freaked out when he walked in on the sealing. In the years, he mellowed out.
It has been 480 years since then. Right now, Tomoe was doing his chores. I was bringing Mikage some tea and was about to give it to him when a young girl dashed out of nowhere and landed in Mikage's lap. I was going to politely remove her from Mikage, but I froze when she said she found a way to break the curse on Tomoe. Mikage was able snap me out of it. I placed the tray with his cooling tea on the solid stone bench to latch onto the girl's arms.
"You can help Tomoe? How? Please, help him!"
"Slow down Kagome and please release her arm. You're startling and scaring the poor girl!"
I immediately let go and apologized. When Mikage asked for her story, I listened. But, a nagging feeling told me I knew her name. Then I remembered. I smiled. I guess I will give her my blessing later, when I know her properly to know if she will be my daughter-in-law. She did have Tomoe's intended mark on the right side of her neck.
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Kagome's age: 3,246
Kagome's physical age: late 20s, early 30s
Kagome's number of tails: 27 tails, *3 large fluffy tails*
*for comfort, 9 tails each merge into one large fluffy tail*
Thank you all for reading and reviewing! XD
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Now, for my next story where I will be inserting the Kagome from this story with the modified manga, I want to know if you still want to have Nanami's POV or Kagome's POV telling the story.
Review on this chapter for one vote each