This chapter is going out to midnight because she had me howling with her review! But I must say I write nothing that isn't already there. And yes worshiping me is a VERY good thing!
Chapter 9 The Wolves
Ginta picked up Kagome and brought her inside. "Hakkaku, make sure there is room for her in the medical ward."
His friend nodded and set off down one of the many caverns. True, most of the wolves still lived in the cave, but they were far from being primitive. The cave was the only place where they were actually protected. Instead of leaving the cave and living among the humans—or trying to live—they made it as technologically advanced as possible.
Some took electrical engineering or apprenticeships with contractors to learn the know-how. All in all they educated themselves. It wasn't just wires and wood they learnt. Some studied law, others medicine, computers, and even psychology. With over 1946 wolves living in the caves someone was bound to know the solution to the problem.
Ginta leaned on the wall trying to catch his breath. 'I wish I was 500 years younger. I can't keep doing this! She feels like dead weight; what has she been eating?'
Hakkaku finished and rushed over to help his exhausted friend. They hadn't always been friends. Hakkaku had stopped talking to Ginta shortly after Kouga's death. No one remembered why, but it was Ayame that slapped both of them upside the head a few hundred years later.
As quickly as it had happened, the feud stopped. It almost seemed like they never fought in the first place.
"Here, you look tired old man, let me take her." Hakkaku easily took Kagome out of his arms.
Between pants Ginta asked, "How the hell can you be so fit?" They had entered the medical ward of the cave.
Hakkaku laughed and shook his head. "Trust me you don't want to know." He rounded a bend and took note of all the pictures on the wall. They were pictures of all the wolves that entered the medical field. Some had died of natural causes, some were killed in battle, and some were still living. The moment a wolf received a diploma in medicine, their picture was placed here.
With so many wolves, the corridor was plastered with all sorts of pictures. Some were starting to wither, and some simply had a plaque with his or her name on it; representing those that couldn't have their picture taken.
Ginta nudged him his with shoulder, "So are you going to tell me or not?"
"Sex."
Ginta stopped dead with his mouth dropped. Hakkaku continued along the way chuckling quietly to himself. It was the truth. He had a son and a wife with very demanding needs.
Ginta followed his friend and said not one word. How could he…he had no mate, no lover, no nothing. Time had not been kind to him.
It was 1756. Ginta was out on patrol when he was stopped by a gang of blood-thirsty shark demons. He had been cleaning the blood off his claws from a kill when he was attacked. He was almost dead when he finally clawed his way back to the cave.
His left arm was torn from the shoulder. It was a miracle and demon blood he could still use it. His kneecaps were torn off, his face was half eaten, and he lost use of his right arm for a few centuries as the nerves were torn out.
He lay in recovery for over five years by himself. They were the most agonizing years of his life.
This was the result: he looked like a beaten old war hero. He was still in his prime. He understood that no one wanted to be attached to someone who struggled each day to survive. He didn't want to burden anyone with that responsibility. Instead he lived for his tribe. It was the only way he could be of use to anyone.
Ginta shook away the horrible memories. He couldn't remember the last time he was with anyone in the way Hakkaku was talking, but then he was leader of this tribe now, and that's what kept him going.
He survived, he now had use of all his body parts, and that's all that mattered to him. He was still young…
"Ginta!"
He snapped his head up to look at his friend. Blinking, he didn't even realize that they already had made it to the medical room.
Kagome was poked and prodded with needles. Boy was he glad he wasn't her. He hated needles! He had a bad experience onc—he shivered at the memory.
"Doc, how's she doin'?" Ginta said looking over her blood pressure and heart rate.
"Ginta, how many times have I told you to use proper English while in my wing?" The doctor scolded.
"Come on Suuka, I don't have time for this now! Just tell me what her condition is like." He tried to read the chart information, but he would have had a better chance of reading it if it was in pig Latin, reversed and misspelled.
"She's going to be just fine. I can find nothing physically wrong with her, so why did you guys bring her to me? Besides, she's human." Suuka stood with her hand on her hips waiting for an answer.
"Where have you been for the last hour?" Hakkaku asked in disbelief.
"Umm let's see," She place her finger on her lip and thought, "Saki gave birth to twins; Ryo still has that nasty viral infection and I had to check up on him; oh, and there was a new edition of the medical journal that came out. Why do you ask?"
Ginta shook his head, "You missed quite a fight."
Suuka groaned, "So, you mean I'll be here all night again?"
Hakkaku started to laugh, "If only she was a little weaker then maybe."
Suuka raised her eyebrow. "Umm, someone care to explain? I'm smart, but I don't possess E.S.P."
Both wolf demons told her what had happened outside. Suuka's face dropped to the ground in disbelief.
"She's the one! This little human? I can't…No I won't believe it!"
Kagome started to stir and managed to groan, "Can someone turn off that screeching? It's kinda loud for first thing in the morning."
The doctor's face turned beet red while the males stood there laughing. Kagome opened her eyes and groaned, "Can I go back to sleep?"
"First tell me if you're hurt." Suuka prodded and felt Kagome's body for any possible injuries.
"No, I feel fine. I'm just a little tired; that's all." The doctor continued to feel for injuries. "I said I feel fine doc, unless you like to give the guys a free show." The doctor immediately stopped and turned even redder.
"Kagome, are you sure you're okay? You exerted a lot of power back there." Ginta came up and held her hand.
Kagome smiled tiredly at him "Yeah, I'm fine, just really really tired. If everything is fine, can you call my mom and tell her I won't be home for supper? She worries about me." Ginta nodded in response. "Good 'cause I think I'm going to pas-" Kagome fainted.
Ginta looked wildly at the doctor, "Oh, she's fine, and you don't have to be such a mother hen! She just fainted; she's not dead."
Ginta sighed in relief.
"Is that really her?"
"Yeah. Amazing isn't she?"
Suuka noticed the glimmer of admiration in Ginta's eyes. "Not really," She scoffed. "She's mortal and human, and if that isn't limiting then I don't know what is."
Hakkaku watched as the vein in Ginta's forehead started to throb. "Come Ginta, I'm sure the tribe members would like a full report, and I'm sure Kagome would like her sleep. The last thing we need is a tired and irritable miko on our hands. Plus, you have to call her mother."
Sighing in defeat, he agreed. His friend shoved him towards the exit. He looked back at Kagome. He hoped she would really be fine.
Dreamland
Kagome looked around. It was like she was back in the feudal era again. The stream before her was full of life. Fish were jumping, and the green vegetation was swaying in the crystal blue waters.
A sad smile graced her lips as she remembered memories of a past life.
She turned around and looked at her companion. He looked just like her first love. She felt the tiny sting of regret. It was only for a moment before the feeling was gone.
"Do you know why I brought you here?"
Kagome snapped out of her reprieve and looked at him. "Yeah, I got the message." She sat down beside her companion and looked up at the cloudless sky. "Inuyasha."
"Yes something needs to be done. I've existed this long without my youngest son by my side. He's so out of reach it hurts."
"I know the feeling. I miss him you know. He did what he felt he needed to do. Some part of me feels like I should hate him for leaving me, but I can't." Tears started to sting her eyes.
"I know young one." Inu no Tashio wiped away her stray tears. "One son is far away from me, and the other one is closed off. You know I was thinking since you're still in love with Inuyasha, maybe you could use some transference and use it with the son that's still alive."
Kagome's tears immediately stopped. She began choking. She couldn't breathe. "Are you telling me that I should love Sesshomaru?" She asked when she was finally able to regain her breath.
"Love is such a strong word…" He thought for a moment, "Yeah. I like you Kagome; you've got spunk. I've always wanted a daughter."
Kagome started to laugh and she couldn't stop.
"What's so funny?"
Kagome threw her arms around the dead demon's neck, "Thank you, I needed that."
He looked confused, "What? I was being serious."
Kagome shook her head. 'Parents' she thought. "I plan on killing your son for what he's done to Inuyasha. I have no love for him in my heart or ever will."
Sadly the old demon nodded his head, "Yeah, I figured you'd say something like that. But you can't blame a father for trying. You'd make a great Lady of the Western Lands."
"Let's get down to business because I feel myself wanting to wake up." She said looking at her hands as if they were foreign objects.
Inu no Tashio nodded. "Very well. As you know the time draws near, and since you're so zealous for revenge, I'll give you the chance."
Kagome was confused, "He's your son, and yet you're giving me permission to kill him?"
He snorted. "You won't be able to kill him, but you can try. He's no longer the son I knew. But you leave all the preparation work to me. Just make sure that you're ready to leave when I give the signal."
"What's with the urgency?"
"Inuyasha's soul is slowly being torn apart. Soon he will no longer exist."
Kagome's face drained of all life. No longer…exist? She felt sick to her stomach. "Can you see Inuyasha?"
Sadly, he shook his head, "No but I can feel him."
Anxiously she looked into his eyes and pleaded, "What does he feel now?"
"Alone. Lost. Afraid."
Her heart hurt. It covered over in ice as she spoke her next words. "Do as you must, I'll be ready when the time comes. Inuyasha will be free. I can promise you that."
Solemnly he nodded, "I knew you would be. You know my eldest son feels the same way as Inuyasha. You could be the one to melt his hardened heart and sooth his torn soul."
Kagome stood and scoffed. "Come get me when you're ready."
Back in the medical ward
With that Kagome awoke. She bolted out of her bed. Her head was spinning and she groaned. "God my head hurts."
"You're awake."
Kagome looked over and saw Ginta sitting in a chair beside her bed. He was fast asleep. She looked around the room. The walls were made of stone, but everything else was modern looking.
"Let's not wake him yet."
Kagome's eyes flew to the door. A wolf walked towards her and checked her pulse and other vital signs. "You seem to be in perfect health."
"How long have I been sleeping?" She asked making sure to keep her voice down.
"Three days."
"Three days!" She screamed. Ginta shot straight up in his chair. "What do you mean I've been asleep for three days?" She demanded.
"You exerted too much power, and you've been sleeping since the battle at the barrier." Ginta said rubbing his sleep deprived eyes.
"I'm sorry I woke you Ginta." She placed a comforting hand on the old wolf's shoulder.
"I'm just glad that you are awake now."
Kagome nodded. "Yeah me too." She got out of the bed.
Both flew to her side. "Kagome please try not to exert yourself right away."
"Why, I feel perfectly fine." She brushed off both their hands. "What I want to know is what the hell is going on."
Ginta nodded. "I've assembled a meeting for the moment you woke up. I'll go tell them that we will meet in an hour." Kagome nodded and watched as he left.
Kagome took a shower and changed back into her washed miko clothing. As much as she loved hospital gowns, the opened space in the back was just a little too breezy for her liking.
She ate some of the stew the doctor had left out for her. It wasn't too bad, if you liked baby food. The doctor had told her something about not being able to digest solid food right away, but Kagome stopped listening as she shoved the food into her mouth.
In a conference room in the cave
Kagome sat and listened as the wolves explained the purpose of the barrier. It made sense, but these wolves would never hurt anyone. But she also realized that if they made an exception for them, others would demand the same treatment. This caused her to think of the protection spell she placed on the cave. The last time she saw the cave, it was growing over in wolf's bane. Somehow it manifested itself as a powerful aura-like barrier.
So there was a barrier now that separated demons from humans. It went with what Shizuru said, and the lack of demons now in the present time.
Now that she was perfectly aware as to why the wolves were attacked, something had to be done.
She was in the middle of daydreaming when one of the elders spoke up. "There is some of our tribe on the other side we have yet to get in contact with."
"Why?"
"It's not like we can simply walk in the barrier and say how's it goin'?" Ginta told her.
"Oh, that sucks."
One of the elder wolves set a box on the table. Kagome raised her eyebrow with curiosity. "What's in the box?" She asked.
He opened the lid. A clump of crystal was sitting in the center of the plush, velvet lined box. Everyone looked on with mild surprise. Kagome guessed no one had ever seen this before. She would have guessed right.
"Hey Gerzu you've been holding out on us!" One of the wolves pouted before settling back down.
"I have done no such thing! This thing hasn't worked yet that's all."
While the wolves were bickering, Kagome reached over and grabbed the crystal. Some were watching her and gasped when she took it out of the box. This drew the rest of their attention.
It hummed in her hands. She gasped as it turned a bright white and the wolves around her faded away. It was weird. She'd been to another plane of existence, or rather a dream world when she talked to Inu no Tashio, but this place was pure white. It felt like she was back in Kanna's mirror.
For a brief instant she wondered if the was dead. There were no walls, no sky, and she panicked when there was no ground. She relaxed when she realized that she wasn't falling. She merely was.
She wondered how she would get out of this one.
"Hello." She whirled around when she heard the voice behind her.
She let out a mild scream of surprise when she saw a giant wolf behind her. "Umm hi, who are you?" Had there been ground, she would have landed hard on her butt.
"My name is Raisha." The wolf took a step towards her.
"Do you know where we are?" Kagome looked around still seeing only white.
"No idea, you are the one that summoned me." He said looking around noting the white scenery. "Not much for color is there?"
Kagome chuckled. The wolf had broken the ice. "Unless you like white. Personally I'm not a big fan. Oh wait, I summoned you?" She was shocked and confused.
The wolf nodded his giant head.
"Oh, I guess I'm sorry about that. Last thing I remember was that I picked up this crystal thing and then I was here."
"What were you trying to do?"
Kagome brightened. This was an answer she knew. "This guy said something about wanting the crystal to communicate with the wolves on the other side of the barrier and I wanted to see if I could help. Sorry, I wasn't paying that much attention, my mind wandered."
"Why are you with the wolves? You are neither a wolf nor a demon." Raisha slanted his eyes suspiciously.
"Oh long story," Kagome brushed off his suspicious nature. "So are you one of the demons on the other side?"
"And if I was?"
Kagome squealed in delight. She never had hoped to expect this. "Tell me, how is everyone?"
The wolf was taken aback by her interest in the wolves on the other side of the barrier. He sniffed the air and couldn't smell anything foul about her. She was genuinely interested in the welfare of his people.
He relaxed a little, "They are well. Although Sayako is worried about the daughter she lost when the barrier was first placed."
Kagome's heart broke for the mother. "If you know the girl's name I'd gladly ask for you."
The wolf nodded; it wouldn't hurt to ask. Besides, it would shut up the mother wolf's constant crying; even if they found out she was dead. "The daughter's name is Suuka."
Kagome's eyes grew wide and a silly smile found its way on her face. "Tell the mom that Suuka is just fine. She's a highly respected doctor."
Raisha's eyes grew wide. The girl was telling the truth. He was relieved. The tribe would be able to sleep finally in peace without having to drown out the constant wail of a weeping mother. "Thank you."
Kagome smiled. "You're welcome. So everyone is alive and well?" She watched as the giant wolf nodded. She had a nagging question eat away at her. "Umm, can I ask you a question?"
Raisha looked at her nervous stance. He wondered why all of a sudden she would be nervous. He nodded his head in response.
"You're a giant wolf. How can you talk if you're not in human form?"
'That was the question?' He thought. Silently, he laughed to himself. "Taking on human form serves no purpose for me remember?"
"Oh." Kagome said smiling at him now feeling stupid for even asking. "So how do we get back?"
If the giant wolf could have shrugged, he would have. "I have no idea. You're the one that summoned me here."
Kagome's face fell. "Oh. I'm sorry."
She was about to say something else but everything started to shake. She opened her mouth to scream but she found herself sitting back at the table with the wolves. They were all staring at her.
She suddenly felt very out of place. "Wow that was a tri-" The crystal exploded in her hands. She let out a yelp of surprise and used her free hand to block her face from the flying fragments of crystal.
"Kagome what happened?"
She couldn't see who asked her it. She suspected, despite blocking her face, a piece of crystal flew into her eye. "It was so weird. I was talking to this giant wolf and next thing I knew I was here."
She rubbed her eye furiously with her fist. "Don't do that!" She recognized the sound of Suuka's voice.
"Sorry." She placed her fist at her side and allowed the doctor to examine her.
She told them about what had happened to her. She forgot about Suuka and her mother until she felt liquid going all over the place.
"My mother is alive?"
Kagome nodded. She blinked her eyes. The piece of crystal was gone and all she felt was relief.
She watched as the doctor ran from the room. She was probably too overcome with emotion. It was understandable. Kagome would do the same thing if she was in her shoes. She wondered if the wolf would be alright. She almost ran after her, but she too longed to see her own mother.
"Guys," She addressed the group. "I think I'm going to go home now." No one said a word but nodded in agreement.
Kagome walked out of the cave and was shocked to see the sun starting to set. She had figured it was only around noon-ish…if not earlier than that. She shrugged. She figured it was because of the darkened cave that confused her internal clock, oh and not to mention the fact that she was asleep for three days.
"Can I walk you back?"
Kagome smiled and looked at the withered face, "I'd love that. Ginta. thank you."
"Time heals all wounds huh?"
Kagome gave a sad smile. That was the same thing he said when she was in the feudal era for the last time. "Yeah, but it still hurts like hell."
Ginta nodded and looked towards the horizon. "Now I know why you wanted me to be pack leader."
Kagome turned her head in surprise. Ginta continued, "Yeah you knew it would be a bitch and didn't want the responsibility."
Kagome had to stop and catch her breath because she was laughing too hard. "Ginta you are priceless." She straightened herself. "Thank you," she said wiping away tears of mirth, "I needed that."
"I kept them safe like I promised."
Kagome nodded. She didn't know what else to say, so she walked on with silence as company.
The barrier hummed as she walked through it. Ginta was still beside her. "Are you coming back?"
Kagome thought for a second, "Yeah, I think I will. I mean if you'll allow me to come back, that is."
"You know you are. We'd all miss you; besides, you are our guardian." Ginta smiled as he walked along side their protector.
The two continued to walk in silence or idle chit chat until they reached the train station.
"This is my stop." Kagome said brightly as she turned fully to Ginta.
"I wish you the best of luck Kagome. I hope you come back and see us soon."
Kagome noticed the sad tone in her old friend's tone. Impulsively, she flung herself onto Ginta's neck. "I'll be back," She whispered into is ear. "Besides," She said pulling back, "Ayame will show you where I live so you can come and see me anytime you want."
Ginta started to blush, "I'd like that."
Kagome smiled and got onto the train. She took a seat near the window and waved to Ginta as the train took off.
'First thing I'm going to do when I get home is give my mom a big hug and tell her how much I love her. I know my mom missed me when I was gone to the feudal era, but she knew I would return. Oh I hope she's cooking oden for supper,' She thought as the train sped towards the shrine.
End Chapter 9
AN: okay people not too long of a wait for this chapter. (Under a month) I had so much more planned but I'm already pushing 12 pages…don't know why but my chapters keep getting longer and longer…
People keep asking me about the pairings of the story. My belief is that a story should just be written without love getting in the way of a telling good story. I've had several pairings in mind, yet somehow when I'm writing it…it never works out that way…so the honest answer is that I don't know.
Okay I'd like to thank every sweet reviewer that's written me a kind word so far. So if you've reviewed then thank you so very much. Now this chapter is done…I get to start writing some of the fun things :evil grin: I can't wait! I warned everyone that this chapter would be dull...but it's a "setting up the plot" chapter…
If any of you want to e-mail me personally then I would be more than happy to strike up a conversation with you! E-mail me day or night at (yes I'm lonely)
Please remember to review...it inspires me to write more!
Beta: sure she's lonely. I'm not a psycho Inuyasha fan! After 12 pages I'm so sick of commas. Oh well, time to work on the next chapter of RR! Mwahaha! Happy reading all.