Chapter 7 The Letter
There was a powerful girl with a kind heart and a soft smile. No one knew where she came from, but she was a blessing to all those that knew her. She united many and saved the world from succumbing to a misfortunate end.
But like she came, she was gone. She made friends, buried them, and lived to see another day. She was like the story of the phoenix I had heard about a few years later in my search for answers. She had come under my wing at an older age, but she was willing to learn the ways of the miko. Her powers were small and untapped, but then as time and training went on she became more powerful.
It was only at the end of my life did I see the good she had done. She had created a friendship between demons and humans. There was still chaos, war, and hate, but the small friendships she had formed between towns and demons were still going strong years after she had left.
I needed to find answers to questions. I could not have asked her, so I ventured out and searched. My body is not as young as it used to be, so some of the young children seeking adventure and to honor the namesake of the miko came with me.
I found that the northern lord slaughtered her friends. The usurper found a quick end. But he was only a pawn. The real culprit is still at large. It was a few days shy of a year of her passing that I found the name of the one who killed them. Had I been younger, I would have seeked retribution for my makeshift family. Instead all I can do is leave a name, and hope that this reaches my young pupil so matters can be put to rest.
The one you seek is a creation of your greatest enemy. It was the young lad riding the hell bound creation that should have stayed sealed. I know you know of whom I speak. I know I can do nothing to offer comfort and aid, but I hope this is a start for you to find your own personal peace.
I know your story is far from over, but for me it is. I have done all I could. People still speak of the great miko, and all who had seen her warm smile would be forever blessed. You were never forgotten, although I'm sad to say you've become a nightmare for young demons that become unruly and a figure humans call upon for strength when they are low.
To me you will always be the one who joined an unlikely band together and stopped evil from spreading to the hearts of those still young of mind. I give you my final blessing of peace and love for you left me without a goodbye. Remember young one, your destiny awaits whether you seek it or not.
Koenma set the scroll down on his desk. He had heard the tale of this legendary miko when he was still very young. This confirmed what he was looking for. She did exist, and was very much a real person at one time.
Yusuke had informed him upon his return that she told him that she would seek him out for the shard as a repayment of her "services". This is what scared him. He couldn't give her the shard, but he reasoned that she was very much dead so he had nothing to worry about.
The small voice of reason in the back of his mind told him otherwise. He heard people coming; he rolled up the text and placed it in his drawer. If she were alive where would she be hiding? When he first found the scroll over four hundred years ago he had searched for her, and he found nothing but legends. He was still in the dark about her.
Myths said she was the most powerful being that ever existed. Some said she was a goddess that walked among them to bring hope and peace to their state of mind. Some said that a great evil came and flooded the world with evil, and she had saved them all.
By the looks of the scroll, it was a great evil that came, but there was never a name. Every time he had enquired, people had spat at the mere mention of him. Those old enough to remember the evil kept his name a secret. Many had died with never speaking the name of this evil, and others that were still alive would rather die than to part with that evil escaping their lips.
Koenma was stumped, and it frustrated him. He had a whole staff at his disposal, and no one knew a thing. He looked up from his thoughts and saw Yusuke several shades of red. Koenma smirked. It seemed as if he was too wrapped up in his thoughts to hear Yusuke and his loud mouth.
"Yusuke, what do you want now? I gave you your mission, now get to it!" Koenma said sitting back in his chair.
"Yeah, you gave me a crack pot mission toddler. I've been on this mission since we came back from 'Amish-Ville'. You've been suspicious ever since I told you about that girl and what she said, so spill it already!" Yusuke fumed.
Koenma paused for a moment before he spoke. The rest of the spirit detective team, who were standing on the sidelines watching, looked hopeful for answers. "Sorry Yusuke, but that's classified information and is only given out on a need to know basis."
Yusuke face vaulted and became quite irate when he recovered. "Need to know! Damn straight this is a need to know. You don't even know what she looks like; you don't even know if she's alive. Tell me again, why I'm searching for a needle in a hay stack?"
"I wonder if it would be best if you waited for the girl to come to you." Kurama stated. Even he was seeing this quest as futile.
"I would, but you see this could be a disaster if she was still here, and I want to be prepared if that day comes. I want to know all I can before I'm forced to deal with her. Now leave boys! I'm a busy ruler, and I have too many things to do to entertain you and your time consuming questions."
The young ruler ushered them out of his office and slumped back down into his chair. He was distraught. He had a bad feeling about the events to come. Demons seemed to be frequenting the human realm more often, while larger and more powerful demons were close to breaking through the barrier.
Father was becoming worried, and that scared him. His father was never worried about anything, but the pace marks in the carpet were the only indication of something to come. Lately, he had been cooped up in his office with a demon lord.
It must be serious if a demon of that standing was allowed to come to the spirit world. He had been trying to get a name, but everything was so hush-hush that not even he knew.
Koenma was called into his father's office several hours later, once the demon lord had gone back to his realm. His father was briefing him on the conversation he had with the demon lord. He didn't know why his father was acting out of character, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
He was finally going to be able to get much needed information. He was disappointed when he found out that his father was unable to get any information from the demon lord concerning a certain miko.
Every time King Enma had mentioned the miko, the demon lord snarled and raised his claw allowing green venom to drip from his claw. Evidence of this was quite evident; there were acid eaten stains over the carpet.
One good thing came out of the meeting. It was decided that in one year, the realms would meet and discuss a peace treaty, so that the barrier between the worlds would stay as they had for hundreds of years. Koenma was sitting back in his office an hour later feeling better until he realized he knew nothing more about the miko sworn to come for his piece of the shard than he did an hour before.
Kagome's School
A new school was not unwelcome, but she couldn't have stayed at her old school. Her old school held too many memories of Inuyasha. Inuyasha would come and "save" her, not to mention dragging her back to the feudal era all the time.
She knew she could stay there; but it would hurt her heart too much. A new school meant a new start. This was something she needed for her peace of mind. The color of the uniform was a horrid pink. Green had worked much better with her skin tone.
The extra ten-minute walk was uneventful. The start of a new school year meant new faces, and Kagome was simply one of them. A face in the oasis of bodies.
She had picked up her schedule from the booth marked A-H. That was the easy part. The hard part was trying to find her first class. There was a 136 and a 138, but no 137. Frustrated she asked someone. This was not her morning! The girl was snobbier than Sango on a bad week. But she did find the classroom.
The first day of school was always a bore, but being the new kid in school was always worse, it meant she was alone and time seemed to drag on. Absolutely nothing interesting happened.
Her classes were dull and boring, as high school typically is. For the first time she could remember, lunch was quiet. None of her friends were there to pester her. She missed them, but she'd grown apart from them while she was away with Inuyasha. This was her choice; she had no right to be sad.
After school she'd go home and help out at the shrine. She found the seeds Kaede left for her in her bag, and she decided to plant them. She felt bad for not going to see the old woman, but she had to move on. Even one day in the past would destroy her entire being.
Each day after school she would come straight home and tend to her garden. This had become her sanctuary—or part of it. The shrine itself was her refuge. It was the large building off to the right and beside the ancient well. No one was allowed inside the shrine. This was where the sword was housed. She couldn't take it to school with her, god knows what people would say. She sat in there for hours on end meditating…thinking about the past and the future; that was if she wasn't locked in her room doing homework. She blamed this change in character to Kikyo who fused with her.
She now lived in a world where demons were like blue moons and tending to the shrine was a small way to keep her powers from becoming dormant. It was a shame, she was the most powerful priestess ever, and all she could do was dispel a few evil "spirits". They weren't even "spirits"; they were the people's fear of the unknown. Oh yes, the boogieman does exist, or that's what people seem to think. She felt like Miroku taking their hard earned money for doing nothing more than setting up a few "wards" a.k.a. pieces of sticky paper with gibberish scribbled on it.
This was her life, and this was the path she chose. She had no one to blame but herself. The school year passed, and Kagome made it to the honors list. Friends were sparse. Her friends from her old school moved on and she was left out of the loop. She had "friends" at school, but she wasn't ready for more. She felt, in a way, she'd be replacing Miroku, Sango, and Shippo. It was like she would be desecrating their memory.
She knew that was false, but she couldn't help the way she felt. So she went through her first year almost oblivious to everything around her. A few times she felt the presence of a demon, but when she went to investigate the feeling was gone. She had wondered what happened to all the demons, but she couldn't just come out and ask anyone. So she kept her mouth shut and watched in silence.
School had finished for the summer. She spent her days tending to the shrine. Her grandfather was still as loud as always, but he couldn't clean the gutters or reach high up places like he once could. Each day she would prepare a bath for him filled with herbs from her garden. It was these small pleasures in life she looked forward to.
Life was boring.
"I asked for this life, it's what I want." Kagome would repeat the mantra each day in her head. Days seemed to drag on with no end in sight.
It was in the middle of her summer vacation when she felt the energy of more demons. Usually it was one a month, if that, but recently there were a few every day.It took her first few kills to realize just how rusty she was. If it took her a quiver of arrows to slay one demon it meant she was doing fine.
It was that day she knew she had to up her training. She would spend the mornings practicing her aim. It was a sunny afternoon when she finally stepped out of the shower and into her miko clothing. This was something she blamed on Kikyo's part of her soul. She hated to wear this garment, but another part of her loved it.
She was sweeping the shrine steps, when she saw a young teenager and a young woman trying to support the weight of a wolf demon and her pup. The mother and pup had to have been hurt so badly that Kagome failed to notice them coming.
Immediately Kagome ran to them and told them to bring her up to the shrine. Kagome took over for the young teen, who looked exhausted. Once up the shrine steps, she called out for her mother. Kagome told them that she'd place her in her sanctuary.
"What happened?" She panted slightly, exhausted because of the physical labor. She wasn't used to carrying dead weight. This just showed how lazy she had become over this past year.
"We have no idea; we were walking in the park when we saw her collapse."
Kagome's mother came out and saw the commotion. "Mother take the infant inside and make sure nothing is wrong. Beware of its bite." Kagome nodded to the wolf pup.
Once the demon was lying down on a small futon in the middle of her sanctuary, Kagome examined the wolf demon. There were cuts and bruises all over her body. She got up and gathered some herbs she had cut the night before. A sense of nostalgic pride filled her being. She was going to see the fruits of her labor being put to good use, and not just for the sake of her grandfather either.
The tension was thick, and Kagome never liked silence. "What are your names?" She asked while tending to the open wounds. The female demon was not as seriously injured as she first thought. There was some sort of cloaking spell that kept most of her demon essence hidden. You could feel the energy if you were sensitive or aware to your surroundings.
"My name is Keiko and this is Shizuru." Keiko said while watching the priestess tend to the demon's wounds. "Where did you learn how to heal like that?"
Kagome let out a chuckle, "You could say I learnt in the field. But," She continued with a sad and far away sound to her voice, "That was a life time ago."
"You look about my age, how old are you?" Keiko asked.
"It all depends on whose eyes you are looking from," Kagome answered mysteriously. The two girls fell silent and watched as Kagome fixed up the demon. Keiko looked at her watch and shrieked. "Yusuke is going to kill me!"
Shizuru smirked, "At least it's not the other way around. This must be a first."
"Now Yusuke will never let me live this down."
The two girls were talking, but Kagome was lost in her thoughts. She remembered when Inuyasha would yell at her for showing up late one time. She could never live it down. The small memory was all that was left of both him and her short time there.
Shaking away her thoughts, she noticed Keiko had already left. "Sorry, that was rude of me. I should have seen her off, and said thank you."
Shizuru shrugged, "I'll tell her. You know you never told me your name."
Kagome smiled, "My apologies, I'm Kagome."
The demon started to stir. Her eyes shot wide and a low menacing growl came from the back of her throat. "Where's my pup? If you so much as harmed a hair on his head, I will kill you all!"
Shizuru seemed taken aback by the demon's audacity; however, Kagome wasn't as easily shaken. "Your pup is safe. He's with my mother being tended to. Once you are rested, I'll bring him out to see you." Kagome tried to reason.
The demon became hostile and started threatening both humans with the pleasures of death. "Kagome I think you should give back the demon child." Shizuru pointed out.
Kagome nodded and was about to say something when the wolf demon's eyes became the size of saucers, "Kagome?"
The miko turned her full attention to the demon that called her name, "Yes?" Now she was interested.
Life suddenly didn't seem as boring.
She placed herself between the demon and her sword. She was still the jewel's protector, so it just happened to be embedded in a sharp pointy stick. It wasn't her best decision, but the things people do when pissed to kingdom come.
"You look like her, but she died over 500 years ago. Are you related to the miko Kagome?" The wolf demon tried to make sense of her jumbled thoughts.
"What is your name demon?" Kagome moved away from the sword and knelt down and faced the aged female.
"My name is Ayame. I knew a powerful miko once that looked just like you." The crow lines around the wolf demon softened a little.
"Ayame," Kagome gently scoffed, "You are looking terrible for your age, my old friend. Rest for a moment I will get you your pup." Kagome placed a comforting arm on Ayame's shoulder and stood up.
"You're her aren't you? After all this time, after all this searching, but how? You look like you did 500 years ago, how is that possible?" Kagome smiled sadly while Shizuru stood back watching, analyzing the situation.
"That is a story in itself. I will bring your pup to you, and we will discuss this over tea. Shizuru, would you mind helping me?" Kagome asked.
Shizuru nodded and followed Kagome out of the room. "What are you? You have high spiritual powers, but your power didn't flare when the demon threatened you."
"I am a miko, born and pretty much raised. Now the question for you is how do you know about demons?" Kagome wasn't so dense that she never caught onto Shizuru telling her to give the demon her pup.
"I've seen more than most."
Kagome nodded, she knew what that answer met. "One question I have is what happened to all the demons?" Shizuru looked at her quizzically, so Kagome had to add more. "Over 500 years ago, demons and humans lived side by side."
Shizuru snorted, "Demons and humans never got along."
"I never said they did, I said they lived side by side, but not in harmony. So what changed?" Kagome searched the older woman's eyes for answers she's been desperate to know for over a year now.
"There is a barrier in place that keeps humans protected from demons from attacking them at will."
Kagome nodded as she took the demon cub from her mother. Her mother seemed to have expected their need and had the tea already prepared. Shizuru took the tray from the table and walked beside Kagome back to the wolf demon.
Kagome held the pup in her arms and was tickling him. The tiny creature was full of contagious laughter. She realized at that moment she missed Shippo even more than she thought possible.
When they returned back into the room, Ayame was sitting up waiting for them. The small pup saw his mother and leapt out of Kagome's arms and into his mothers. "What are you doing out of bed? You should be resting." Kagome scolded her old friend.
"These are minor scratches. Besides, I needed to give you this." She pulled out a worn looking scroll. "If you are her, you will be able to read this. An old miko once told me that she placed a spell on this so only she could open it."
Kagome nodded and easily broke the seal off the scroll.
If you are reading this, then Kagome, I'm glad this has gotten to you. I wrote another scroll before I found out that you are the new protector of the demon wolf tribe. I am not upset that you left, I understand. I hold no ill will in my heart. I knew you would not come back to see an old woman, because it is something I too could not do.
I did find out who killed your friends, I'm sorry that you have to find out from this letter, if you don't already know but it was Naraku's detachment Hakudoshi who had them slain. I heard the details once, and it saddens me to even think about it. You must excuse this old woman for not wanting to experience the pain all over again.
You should be proud my child! So much good has come out of what you've done here. You're a legend in some parts of the country, while some worship you as a goddess. But that's enough of nothing; I must warn you Sesshomaru is after your head. For this I do not know the whole story, but from what I was told, when you came into your power you killed Jaken and made Rin mute once again.
I know you did not do that on purpose, but what's done is done. Do not feel bad if you did not know, it's now been 500 years. I have also heard that Inuyasha's ashes were thrown to the wind and not buried like Sesshomaru had promised you long ago.
It's a shame that Inuyasha is not able to rest in peace, for which might be the reason he has not been reincarnated to be with you now. I am an old woman Kagome, and I can no longer write as much as I used to. I needed you to know this before I died. I know not what you are going to do with this information, I know not what the future holds, but I wish you peace and love in this hard time.
Kaede
Kagome's eyes started to burn a bright white as the parchment in her hard was purified and turned to ash. "They will pay." Her tone was a promise of things to come. The tiny demon pup made a whimpering sound as it hid in his mother's embrace.
"It is you," Ayame's voice held nothing but awe. "Mistress, you must help us. The barrier you placed is slipping and I fear that we will not be able to remain as we are. We need your help! I came in search of someone who can strengthen the walls, and I found you."
Shizuru looked confused, and stood up, "I think it would be best if I left now. I should go and meet up with my kid brother and his friends."
Kagome smiled and nodded, "I thank you for all you've done Shizuru. If it wasn't for you or Keiko, who knows how long before I would have received word about this." She looked at the pile of scattered ash on the floor.
The trio left the room and waited for Kagome to place on her bow and arrows on her back and her sword on her hip before leaving. She told her mother she was leaving for a while and not to worry. She was excited about feeling alive and needed once again.
When she got back outside, she asked Shizuru not to tell of what transpired here today. Reluctantly she agreed, and they walked down the shrine steps together. Once at the bottom, they left in separate directions.
"What did the letter say Kagome?" Ayame asked leading her back to her home.
"Sesshomaru is after my head, my friends were slaughtered by Hakudoshi, and Inuyasha cannot rest in peace." Kagome voice darkened.
end chapter 7
AN: Dances around, the long awaited chapter is finally here! Sorry about the long wait, but finals are this week (again) plus I had that big project of wireless networking and my report on Freud…But anyway it's here and it's 9 pages long! and it's not even a cliffy…looks at beta reader can you feel the love? I hope the next chapter doesn't take this long…but I'm got the whole story plotted evil insane laugh some will hate and others will kill. Did I say too much?
Beta: Blah blah… snowbound ;.; And I told you I'd do this, didn't I? Hmm, nothing to say. Need to eat my lemon cake for breakfast and take my pills