The well calls Kagome home. When she returns, it's not the same. She spends time away from the feudal era, time she needed to grow as a priestess.
Takes place at a random starting location within the anime, before the ending of the seventh season.
-Inuyasha absent, Sango absent-
Non-cannon.
Miroku X Kagome pairing - possible other pairings later if it becomes a longer story. -Will be 18+ rated-
Disclaimer:
I don't own the anime/ manga/ characters/ or anything in this - just the idea I had to see through.
Enjoy, and I hope you leave a review, because I can't get better without them!
When the last thud resounded around the clearing the smell of putrid flesh began. While the demons that attacked were purified and disintegrated during the fight, the biggest one was left for Inuyasha to take care of. Once he did, the body began to decompose immediately. Kagome covered her face with her sweater and slowed her breathing.
"Tch! Well, we barely survived... Again! You need to do better Kagome! Those arrows could kill me too!" Inuyahsa turned on his heel and jumped through the closest trees, red disappeared into the darkness quickly.
She waited until the body was completely decomposed and the smell had dissipated before she lowered her sweater and turned to look at her group. That had given her some extra time to get her wits about her after his insult and the toxic air. They were still holding their own clothing over their faces. Sango was the only one wearing her miasma mask, so she needn't worry about the toxic smell. She stood cleaning off her weapon and armor ignoring the rest of them. Kagome eyed her for a moment, Sango had been acting strange in the past couple of days and it was bothering Kagome.
Kagome sighed before dumping her bag to the ground and rolling her shoulders. She plopped where she stood and laid back in the grass, throwing an arm over her face to hide her eyes. She stayed like that, ignoring the whisperings of her companions, the trees, and the wind. There was a change between Miroku and Sango she was ignoring lately. If it became a problem, she would address it, but until then it wasn't her problem.
A while later, a touch to her thigh drew her attention and she raised her arm to glance down. She sat up on her elbows slowly and tilted her head to the side.
"I think I'm the wrong target, Miroku." She looks around the small clearing they had stumbled upon hours earlier before the demon attack. He remained silent as he fixed her skirt, pulling it down from where it had flopped over her stomach. She turned her head away with a blush, the tips of her ears and the tops of her cheeks burning. She clenched and unclenched her bow arm.
"Indeed, yet, the most opportune target of the moment I would say." While he joked back, his tone gave her pause and she eyed him. He sat next to her, pulling his legs in and placing his weapon on his other side. "Kagome, I know he does not wish to take the time to teach you properly, the sense of urgency is felt by us all. However, I still believe you need said lessons in not only your reiki, but your bow as well." He reached over and pulled her hand to his lap. His thumbs dug into her flesh, and she winced as he caught on a knot.
She attempted to pull her arm back but gave in after a soft chiding glare.
"I know. Honestly, it's been my main stress from the start. I've consulted with Shrine Keepers in my time." She gasped and let a hiss out as he pushed on another knot. His nod asked her to continue. "None actually have what it takes to help me, they back away fast when I display the powers I do have. They aren't equipped to handle someone with actual powers in my time. If I could stay more in school, I would join the archery team, but I don't have the time." She used her extra elbow to prop her up more. "Where did the others go?" she asked as she noticed no one else around.
He hummed, taking a moment to respond as he found another sensitive spot in her arm, and she winced at the pain. "Sango took Shippo to bathe. I will bathe after. This will give you time to soak in the water last. When I am done here, you will need it."
As he worked the muscles in her arm, they grew quiet. When he finished and her arm long had turned sufficiently red and throbbing, yet more relaxed, he patted the spot directly in front of him. She shifted over and he took her other arm in hand.
"Tomorrow, perhaps the day after as well, the bow will be difficult. Your muscles will protest. I suggest we head back to Edo. We have been gone weeks already; I am sure your mother would like word of you."
He took her arm, not waiting for a response from her. The knots and tension less than her dominant arm, but still more than should be there.
"I would recommend you still have your arm worked on now and then, relieving the pain will help you prevent issues down the line."
"Thank you, Miroku." She watched him. His guarded look, the concentration, the avoidance of looking at her. "What aren't you telling me?"
He sighed but stayed quiet. When he finished with her arm he stood then patted the dirt from himself. He began to walk away, stopping to stare at her, the secret burning in his eyes.
"Miroku?" She stood slowly with her arms throbbing.
"Sango will be finished soon; you can have the water once I'm done. I shall be back."
She sat in shock at his departure. The rustle of the bushes as Sango, carrying Kirara, and Shippo startled her. She scrambled to her feet and grabbed at her bag.
"We're staying here tonight, right?"
"I think so, Kagome. Where's Miroku?"
"You didn't pass him? He just left to go bathe." Kagome pointed in the direction they walked from.
"No. Guess he took a different path. I'm going to go for a walk. Please stay with Kagome, Kirara." She handed Kirara over to Shippo then disappeared into the darkened underbrush.
"Kagome?"
She paused and looked around. There was something different about tonight, she could feel it. How, she couldn't place the feeling, nor tell how, yet something about tonight called to her instinct.
"Shippo, we're close to Kaede's village, right?" She turned to look up at the rising moon.
"I'm not sure, 'Gome. Why?"
"Shippo... I need to go home."
"But, 'Gome!"
"Kirara?" Kagome called out as she ignored his outburst.
Shippo watched as Kagome's eyes began to glow under the moonlight as she turned to look back at them. The pink glow startled them. Kirara and he shared a look but as Kagome shouldered her yellow backpack, they knew they wouldn't stop her. She would walk or Kirara would fly her to her destination.
Kirara transformed but hesitated before she allowed Kagome to climb onto her back. Kagome noticed the hesitation and placed a gentle hand on her cheek and petted her for a moment.
"It's ok, Kirara. The well calls me. I need to go back to the well."