Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Inuyasha just my storyline and characters
Chapter 2: How Can It Be
Kasumi woke up slowly, she heard voices nearby, talking lowly.
"She's the reincarnation?" A girl's voice asked surprised, she then felt a pressure on her ankle, it hurt less. A cold cloth was placed on her brow. "It also seems she's the hanyou lady Kaede spoke of."
"She looks very much like Lady Kagome," a male voice said, a strange edge to his voice that made her slightly uncomfortable. There was a smacking sound, "sorry dear."
She felt a stinging in her side, she hissed, alerting the others that she was awake. She opened her eyes and found herself looking into, whom she believed to be Sango's daughter's eyes. She was close by. "Ow," she muttered. "Why is my side stinging?"
"I am applying some herbs to the wound on your side," the girl said giving a reassuring look. "Don't worry you're completely safe here. My name is Akane."
She glanced past Akane, seeing Sango standing with a man, he had black hair held in a rat tail, they looked to be arguing quietly. "Kasumi," she spoke offhandedly remembering Akane had introduced herself. "Where am I?" She refocused.
"In the late Lady Kaede's hut, which I have inherited," she sniffed lightly. "There all bandaged."
Kasumi slowly sat up, it didn't hurt like she'd expected it to. "Wow, you really know your stuff." Akane blushed. "I barely feel any pain."
"Well that's good, I almost wasn't sure if I'd gotten the mixture right." Akane said embarrassed.
"Thanks," Kasumi smiled. "Um where's Kyoshi? And that dog?"
"Inuyasha," Akane corrected as she began to clean up her supplies. "They're outside talking. It's odd, I've met demon cats before, but never one who could talk."
"Well Kyoshi wasn't always like that," Kasumi said. "He told me he used to be a man."
"Hmm," Akane shrugged. The bamboo mat moved and a young man came in, only to stop dead, his teal eyes wide. "Oh hello Shippo, I didn't know you were stopping by." Kasumi noticed the slight blush on Akane's face.
"Wh-Who are you?" Shippo asked breathless. "You look like-"
"Kagome?" Kasumi asked a brow raised. "Yeah, I've heard that a lot recently. I'm Kasumi." She held a hand out to the kitsune. When he didn't move, she let her hand fall. "Well I should go find Kyoshi before I get a lecture. Bye," she moved swiftly passed him.
Once outside she let out a breath, before taking in the new scents of the village. She caught a familiar scent and followed it, finding Inuyasha sitting on a hill. As she grew closer she could hear him talking, it seemed to be to no one.
"She looks like her, kinda acts like her, but she's not her," for some reason that comment stung.
There was a return comment. "You need her though my lord, if she is indeed the reincarnation of Kagome, she will be able to sense the shards."
"I know, I don't need the lecture Myoga." He flicked at his shoulder and something small flew off.
Before she knew what was happening she felt a small prick at her neck, she slapped it. "Ah squished again," a little flea demon floated down to land in her open palms.
"I'm sorry!" She said moving him to eye level.
"Don't worry, he's gotten worse than that." Inuyasha threw over his shoulder.
She slowly moved closer, afraid he would tell her to leave. She'd never met another half demon before, so this was new to her.
She stopped about two feet from him, her ears flattening. "I get the sense you don't like me much."
"It's not that," he said, still staring out at the sky.
The little flea reanimated himself, jumping to Kasumi's shoulder. "He's being melodramatic."
"He just found out this Kagome was-"
"This isn't the first time," Myoga said softly, solemnly. Kasumi felt shocked, but an overwhelming sorrow filled her.
"The first incarnation, Kikyo?" She wondered. "Look I don't know why I was brought here, but I'm sorry for your losses."
"This is why I don't like getting attached to humans," his voice held contempt, but also a deep sadness.
"You all are the first people I've interacted with since...Kyoshi began my training." Kasumi said, feeling slightly daring, she decided to sit next to him. She put Myoga back onto his shoulder. "Look I don't know what's going to happen from here on out, but I can guarantee that I will help find the jewel shards since it's my fault they broke." She received a slight glance. "After all this might be good for us, I'm not fully human so you don't have to get attached. Once this is over I will continue on with Kyoshi, it will be like a break." She looked down at the river below them. "I think we can be friends, but I've learned not to get attached either. I've never had anyone other than Kyoshi, for as long as I can remember." Her voice hitched. "Sorry, I didn't mean to spill my guts like this." She hastily wiped at her eyes, Kyoshi always told her to not be so emotional. "I should leave you alone, you probably don't want anyone disturbing you, if you could tell me where-" she'd stood up as she spoke, she took a step, he pulled at the sleeve of her top.
"You're definitely a talker, just like Kagome," she heard him snort.
"If you're gonna make fun of me-" she turned her eyes flashing dangerously. What she saw made her heart do a skip, she took a step back and ended up tripping and rolling down the hill.
There was a big splash as she fell into the river, which was followed by a loud howl of laughter. She surfaced to see Inuyasha at the top doubled over in laughter, it warmed her heart to know that he wasn't sad at the moment.
He jumped down, landing next to the river. He crouched down, smirking at her. "S'matter kitty? Don't like water?" She glared at him.
"Waters fine," she grumbled. "It's people laughing at me that piss me off."
"Ooh quite the tongue," he offered her a hand. She reached out to grab it, he realized too late that it was a mistake as she used the advantage of gravity and pulled him in after her.
In his surprise he flailed out, ending up landing on top of her as he fell. He popped out quickly, scowling as she surfaced near him giving off a round of giggles.
"You deserved that!" She stuck her tongue out at him. In that moment they realized how close they were, pink stained both their faces. "U-Um, we should, um, get out...now," she lowered her gaze, trying not to get lost in his Amber eyes.
"O-oh, yeah," they trudged out of the river and sat down on the bank. "A-Are you ok?" He couldn't believe how this moment had turned around on him.
"Yeah," she said softly, she rung out her long hair. She peeked at him. "So what do you say?"
"About what?" His arms were crossed in the sleeves of his haori.
"Friends?" She wondered. "I mean we are gonna be together for awhile, right? Might as well be friendly." She turned and gave him a small smile.
He was struck, with Kikyo it had been her longing to be free that hooked him, with Kagome her free spirit. With this girl, he saw himself reflected in her eyes, she knew what he'd gone through, for she had gone through it as well. It seemed fate was determined to give him the same soul, as if they were tied together. He'd never believed in soul mates, but with Kasumi's appearance, there must be a possibility.
"I mean it's fine if you don't-"
"No, I would like to be friends," he said surprising himself. He felt the need to make her smile, just like with Kagome he felt the need to keep her happy. "I've never had a hanyou friend, might be nice to have someone else know what it's like."
"Yeah," she smiled at him, this time it reached her eyes, making them sparkle. Neither of them noticed the two small figures sitting at the top of the hill.
"Do you think she's the one?" The cream colored cat turned to the black one.
"Has fate ever been wrong?" He asked staring back, his green eyes sparkling.
"Brother, you are so soft hearted," she rolled her Crimson eyes. "Your daughter doesn't even know who you are."
"She doesn't need to," he shook his head. "I am guiding her, and it seems I've found the other half. With him by her side, maybe the power won't consume her the same way it did me."
"But Kaori-"
"Is gone," he scowled at his sister. "Kirara, you watch over a human, you don't know what it's like to lose that."
"Of course brother, I meant no disrespect."
She bowed her head. "How long do you think it will take?"
"Hopefully not too long, I can't let that witch get her hands on Kasumi, with the power of a miko and neko she would be a powerful weapon in the wrong hands. I am still waiting for old Totosai to finish my order."
"You knew this was going to happen today, didn't you?" Kirara asked suspiciously.
"Not today specifically," Kyoshi shook his head. "But I knew it would be soon, she's been a lot more distracted lately, I think it was her soul reaching out to his."
"But is it wise, with her so close? For them to be together?" Kirara wondered, watching as they talked. "It would be dangerous if either is swayed."
"Their need to protect each other, even though they don't know it, it is powerful." Kyoshi said. "I would have no one else to look after her, for I'm not sure how much longer this form will allow me to teach her."
"Do not speak such things, I have been in this form for longer than you," she rolled her eyes. "Do not worry."
"Why does that girl look like Kagome?" Shippo asked helping Akane by taking the water buckets from her.
"Mom said she's the reincarnation we've been waiting for." Akane answered smiling at him. "Thanks for helping me."
"It's no problem, really." She blushed lightly at the smile he gave her. "What does Inuyasha think of her?"
"I don't know," Akane shrugged. "He was only in the hut briefly, to bring her in to be bandaged."
"Oh," he nodded. "I heard she broke the jewel, again."
"Yeah," Akane nodded. "It seems like maybe mother is thinking of going on the journey with them. But I think she should stay with father here, they need to run the village."
"Hey Kane, Shippo!" Akane's eyes brightened as a smile lit her face.
"Uncle Kohaku!" She ran full tilt at him, he caught her and hugged her tightly spinning her slightly making her laugh. "I didn't know you were coming."
"Yeah," he set her down. "I've got news."
"So do we," Akane said motioning Shippo over. "Let's get back." She pulled Kohaku by the hand.
Sango was just leaving Kaede's old hut, when she saw Akane running toward her, pulling her younger brother behind her. She smiled as they came up to them.
"Kohaku, nice to see you little brother," they hugged. "What brings you here?"
"Rin and I are having a baby," his smile was so wide it seemed like it would break his face.
"Oh my god!" Akane jumped up and down on the spot, the three around her laughed. "I finally get a cousin! Oh I hope it's a girl!"
"Oh, Akane you mentioned you had news," Kohaku said remembering.
"Oh right," she turned to Sango, who nodded in approval. "Well Inuyasha is back, due to Kagome's reincarnation appearing."
Kohaku looked shocked. "Oh," he didn't know how else to respond.
"Where is Rin?" Sango wondered.
"Sesshomaru thought it best she stay with him, so she's safe." Kohaku smiled. "I figured I'd come and see if there were any slaying orders to take care of, gotta provide for my family."
"At the moment, there aren't," Sango shook her head.
"Oh!" Akane looked as if she had an idea. "What if you accompany me and Shippo!"
"Accompany you?" Sango asked confused.
"Yeah, I was thinking of asking Inuyasha and Kasumi if we could join them, it would be great to have someone experienced in the slaying art without the responsibility of a village," Akane answered.
"Very subtle," Kohaku said with a smirk.
Sango looked affronted. "Well it so happens that I am available, your father has decided to stay behind with you and your brother-"
"No, I can't stay here," Akane shook her head determined. "I know I was training to be the priestess, but I think I can help Kasumi with that. Seeing as she does have spiritual energy."
"If you trust Miroku enough, why don't you both come?" Kohaku wondered.
Sango seemed torn, but she knew Miroku loved her enough to never actually cheat. "Let's go talk to them," she sighed.
"They're by the river," Shippo said sniffing them out.
"I think we should head back," Inuyasha said, Kasumi raised a brow. "You're shivering."
"I-"
"Inuyasha! Kasumi!" They turned to see four people coming down to greet them.
"What's up?" They stood up, moving subtly away from each other.
"We'll take a good look," Akane held her arms out to the three by her. "This is the jewel hunting team."
Kyoshi jumped onto Kasumi's shoulder, and Kirara jumped onto Sango's.
Kasumi looked at Inuyasha. "It's really up to you. I'm new here."
"Fine, but anyone slows us down they're out," he sighed. "Let's get back, we need to dry off."
AN: I really hope everyone is enjoying this chapter, I really hope I'm not too out of character I am trying my hardest. As always if you like the story leave a review, give a follower or a favorite. And as always I will see you in the next chapter, bye bye!