Okay, Here's chapter ten! I haven't had time yet to check if I have reviews. But if you did, I'll thank you now! I hope you enjoy!
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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
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Warning: There will be a little swearing and violence in this chapter. You are warned.
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Chapter Ten
"How are you doing, Kagome?" Sango asked, the concern and hesitation evident in her voice.
Kagome looked up at her and managed a small smile. "I'm okay." Kagome sighed, then returned her attention to Sango. "I…I still can't believe that my family is gone but…but I have memories of them and their love. And I'll make sure I never forget them. That they are not forgotten."
"If there's anything I can do…"
Kagome looked at her. "There is…will you tell me about your family?"
Sango gave a small sad smile before saying, "Yes."
And the two girls sat up well into the night, sharing stories of their late families. Sharing memories, tears, and laughter. Sharing and helping one another to heal from the pain of losing those they loved.
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Kagome sighed quietly before glancing at the clock. She had not slept well and had awoken very early and not been able to fall back asleep. 5:32. Maybe she should just get up. Kagome swung her feet out of bed and pulled a robe on over her pajamas. She quietly left the bedroom and went into the kitchen. Maybe a cup of tea? Kagome made the tea before sitting down at the dinning room table, looking out at the still dark sky. She had been feeling better these last couple of weeks but it was moments like these, when she was alone, that she missed her family the most.
"Kagome?"
Kagome turned around. "Sesshomaru! What are you doing up?"
Sesshomaru sat down before saying, "I came to check on you."
"I'm sorry if I woke you up."
"You did not."
Kagome looked him over. His hair was rumpled, his face was slightly pale, and his eyes were lassitudinous. He looked like someone who had been roused from a sound sleep. Kagome raised her eyes to his and simply looked at him. Sesshomaru's mouth quirked upward slightly at one corner.
"Well," he amended. "Perhaps you did. But I assure you it was not because you were making noise. I am a light sleeper."
"I'm sorry all the same."
"It is nothing."
Sesshomaru seemed to consider her.
"Why are you awake so early?" he asked.
"I haven't been sleeping well."
Sesshomaru nodded.
"Its just," Kagome said hesitantly. "Its just that…sometimes I feel so alone. Its gotten easier to accept that my family is gone but…but sometimes I feel so alone. Like there's no one left to care for me. Or to think of me…" Kagome whispered, staring at her cup of tea.
There was a silence.
"No one can replace your family," Sesshomaru finally said. "But you are not alone."
Kagome raised her gaze. "I know," she whispered, vexed to hear the slight quiver in her voice. "But…its just that…sometimes…sometimes I almost wish I was."
"Why would you wish to be alone, Kagome?"
Kagome ducked her head to hide the tears that came to her eyes. "Because…if I'm alone…I can't lose anyone."
Kagome looked up in shock as Sesshomaru suddenly knelt down beside her, taking one of her hands in his. There was both sympathy and sadness in his eyes.
"I can understand how you feel," he said. "But being alone will not protect you from heartache. If anything, it will only make it worse. I made that mistake, and it made me bitter as I pushed all away from me."
"What happened?" Kagome asked.
Sesshomaru seemed to hesitate. "My father betrayed my mother and married another woman. With the birth of their son, Inuyasha, they seemed to forget about me. I was still very young when they both died, along with my mother."
"I'm sorry," Kagome whispered.
Sesshomaru nodded.
"What did you do?" Kagome asked. "You said you tried to be alone but…you're not now…how did you change your mind?"
"I did not. Instead, I had someone who refused to leave my life."
"Rin…"
"Yes."
"She must have loved you a lot."
"I believe so, to have stayed with me. And…Kagome?"
"Yes?"
"I will do the same for you. I refuse to leave your life."
Kagome looked at him for a long time before sliding out of her chair and throwing herself into his arms, crying openly now.
"But my family was taken from me," Kagome managed to say through her tears. "How do you know something wont happen?"
"You will never be alone."
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"You are doing quite well," Sesshomaru told Kagome.
The two of them were walking home after another training session at the park. Sesshomaru had been coaching her not only on hand to hand combat but also with how to properly use the sword that they had found for her to use.
"I suppose so," Kagome said doubtfully.
"Why do you doubt what I say?"
"I don't doubt you, Sesshomaru. I doubt myself."
"You should not."
"Why?"
Sesshomaru had been working with her a great deal, but Kagome was feeling disheartened by her progress. She had yet to even come close to being an equal opponent to Sesshomaru. Who was she kidding? She could never be of use in a battle.
"Why do you feel so, Kagome?"
"I'm a completely inadequate fighter," she said, some of her misery creeping into her voice.
"Kagome. You must not compare yourself with me. I was trained by masters when I was only a child. And I have had many years in which to train. You have great potential to be a valuable fighter."
"Maybe. Maybe not. But what good is potential if I cannot fight when I am needed?"
Kagome's startled eyes flew to Sesshomaru when he gently placed his fingers to her cheek, gently coaxing her to raise her gaze to his.
"Kagome. You are missing the point."
"Am I?"
"It is not your skills, your potential, or even you intentions that matter. It is your actions and you mindset. Your reasons for fighting, your priorities, what you protect, and how far you would go to protect that which you value."
Kagome looked up into Sesshomaru's serious eyes. Not what she was capable of…but what she did?
"You could be the most powerful and skilled demon in this world," Sesshomaru said softly. "But it would not matter if you took no action to protect that which is important."
Kagome looked down at her hands. But did actions and your heart really matter…if you could not succeed?
"But what if one fails? Despite all that they have worked for? If they die, and fail to protect those things which truly matter?" Kagome asked, a plea for understanding in her tone.
"Then they would die, or fail, with their honor intact. Kagome, no amount of thought or training can truly prepare us for what life may bring. All we can do is try. All you can do, is simply try."
Kagome was silent for a long time before slowly raising her eyes and gazing up at Sesshomaru.
"I will try," she said softly.
"I never doubted that you would. And no matter what the future brings, you are not one who would ever lose their honor."
"Thank you, Sesshomaru."
He looked at her. "For what?"
"For believing in me."
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"But I don't want you to go, Kagome!" Shippo wailed, burying his face in the fabric of her pants. Kagome knelt until she was eye level with Shippo.
"I know, Shippo. But we have to go. We have to make this world safe. We'll meet again."
"Do you promise?"
Kagome hesitated. "Yes."
Shippo gave her a fierce hug and then released her. Kagome would never have thought that it would be this hard to leave Shippo. But she had come to think of him almost…almost as a son. And she was determined to return to him. Kagome straightened and picked up her bow and quiver of arrows. She glanced around the room. Sesshomaru was speaking softly with a visibly upset Rin. Miroku and Sango were speaking with Kaede while Inuyasha was lounging against a wall. Kagome was slightly confused regarding Inuyasha. She wasn't sure why he was joining their journey to find Kikyo, Naraku, and the sacred jewel. But he was.
Eventually goodbyes were exchanged and last minute advice was given. Kaede was taking care of Shippo and Rin while the others went about on their journey.
Kagome took a good look at everyone as they grouped outside in the fading light. Miroku was dressed in dark jeans and t-shirt. He carried a staff and Kagome saw the holster wrapped around his chest that held his gun. Kagome had also seen the holy sutras he'd placed within his shirt. Sango was dressed once again in her pink and black armor, the sleeve Kagome had torn off had been sewn back on. She carried not only her huge boomerang but several traditional weapons as well as poison and several grenades strapped across her chest. Kagome thought she made a very imposing figure. Inuyasha was dressed in dark jeans along with a black sweatshirt. He'd strapped the old sword to his side. Sesshomaru wore black slacks and a black dress shirt he'd rolled the sleeves up on. He had two swords at his waist. Kagome had also dressed in black, recognizing the importance of being able to blend into the darkness whenever possible. She carried not only her bow and quiver of arrows but a sword at her waist. Kagome preferred to use the arrows, which she had more experience with but, thanks to Sesshomaru's teaching, she felt confident enough to use the sword.
Last minute goodbyes were exchanged before the group of five set out. Their trip to the north country did not take long. Kagome carried Sango on her back. Inuyasha had reluctantly, after a whack on the head from Miroku's staff, agreed to carry the monk. So the three demons set off at a run, heading for the area believed to be the location of Kikyo and Naraku.
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"Stop you guys," Kagome said as they were halfway up the mountains. The two other demons did so.
"Why?" Inuyasha asked.
She didn't answer him but craned her neck to look at Sango. "Can you get down for a second?"
"Sure."
Sango slid down and Kagome walked forward. Her companions made to follow her but Kagome held a restraining hand up.
"Stay back. Especially you, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha."
There were questioning looks but everyone did as they were told. They had all been preparing for this day for more than a month. Not only had they all been privy to any information that Kaede could provide but they had all been training together. They all had come to know their companions strengths and weaknesses. And in this time, they had all come to know that Kagome was a very powerful miko with good instincts. And they trusted this instinct now and no one said a word but silently watched her. Kagome walked forward slowly and eventually came to a stop and held her hands up, palms forward. Gradually her hands began to glow pink and soon a large barrier made of swirling black energy appeared. Not only could they all see the barrier but even Sango, who was neither demon nor possessing spiritual powers, could feel it as well. They could feel the power and evil that it was made of.
'That's why she wanted us to stop,' Sesshomaru realized.
More pink energy began to flow from Kagome's hands and into the barrier until, gradually, an opening materialized.
"Hurry," Kagome whispered, hands still outstretched.
Everyone speedily complied and Kagome darted in after them, the barrier snapping shut behind them. Kagome froze in her tracks, her eyes closed in concentration. Soon she re-opened them and looked at her companions.
"They know we're here."
No one said a word but everyone's face grew tense and grave as they began to move forward. This was an unfortunate development, but it could not be helped. Kagome knew that they could only be alert, as they prepared to meet the danger that was now coming to meet them.
Kagome suddenly felt herself lifted in Sesshomaru's arm and hurling to one side. Kagome whirled her head around and saw a large boar youkai with an unsheathed sword, the tip of which was where Kagome had been standing. He was not the only one however. A quick count revealed 15 all together. Where had they come from? None of them, including the three demons, had sensed their approach. Sesshomaru released her and launched himself toward the group of enemy demons.
As Kagome joined, she saw Inuyasha slashing at some of the demons, Miroku in a hand to hand, and Sango with her boomerang upraised. Even as Kagome took in her companions, three of the boar demons separated themselves and came running at her, their swords drawn. Kagome halted and let them come to her, this extra time would give her precious moments to try and assess their capabilities. She unsheathed her sword and dodged a thrust from the first boar. She side-stepped around him and, with gritted teeth, thrust the blade through his back. There was no time for remorse as she quickly extracted the sword and met another attack just in time.
Kagome's blade was locked with her opponent's when Kagome felt a piercing pain in her side. The third boar had attacked her when her back was turned. Struggling to focus, Kagome forced the sword of the boar she was facing to the ground and kicked at him. As his attention was turned she turned slightly and grasped the boar behind her by the neck. She sank her claws into that tender flesh (or as tender as flesh on a boar can be) of the neck and released her poison. She heard the body drop and quickly, with a scream of pain, yanked the unmanned sword from herself and quickly faced off once again with the boar who had by now risen to his feet. They sparred for a bit with neither gaining ground until the boar managed to slice her arm. It wasn't deep enough to do serious damage but the pain was immense. Kagome gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand still, a plan suddenly coming to her mind. When the boar thrashed at her she hit his sword from the bottom and, as he was unbalanced, quickly kicked his feet out from under him. As the boar fell, Kagome wiped regret from her mind and pierced him through the chest.
She quickly straightened, removed her sword, and whirled around in time to see the last boar fall. Thankfully all her friends still stood. Finding that her assistance wasn't needed she quickly stooped by one of the boar and tore off a large piece of his cloak. She ripped the piece in two. The first she wrapped around her arm, wincing slightly. Now for her torso; she lifted the bottom of her shirt and was about to hold it in place with her teeth when Sesshomaru stepped up to her.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes. But I need to wrap my side."
He held out his hand and Kagome handed him the fabric. She saw him frown at the wound which, despite what Kagome said, was significant. Sesshomaru wrapped Kagome's wound as gently as possible but how tense she became when he touched her skin did not escape his notice.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"Its okay. Thank you."
Kagome and Sesshomaru rejoined Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha. Miroku had a large tear in his sweatshirt and Sango was limping slightly.
"Are you okay?" Kagome asked.
"Yeah," Sango said. "Are you?"
"Yes."
They began moving forward again. They had not been walking more than five minutes when a volley of arrow came falling from the sky. The group dove behind a grouping of rocks. Kagome looked around. Sango was pulling an arrow from her shoulder armor while Inuyasha, cursing loudly, pulled an arrow from his arm.
"Inuyasha. Sango. Are you okay?" Kagome asked urgently
"Yes."
"Feh. Only a scratch."
Well, if he could act all macho, perhaps he was all right after all…
The sound of arrows was constant and Kagome took a deep breath. Now what? They were trapped her, to come out would be suicide. Inuyasha suddenly leapt up onto the grouping of rocks, his sword upraised. The sword suddenly grew at least ten times in size and began to glow with a bright blue light. Inuyasha brought the sword down in an arc and bright light shot forward, disintegrating at least 2/3 of the archers. All human. Kagome, after taking a deep breath, had leapt upon a rock as Inuyasha was attacking and withdrew her bow. She began to shoot into the midst of the remaining archers, ignoring the arrows falling all around her, she had no time to think of them. She had dispatched at least six of the archers when she felt a searing pain in her right shoulder. She gave a small cry of pain and hunched her body instinctively. She rolled to the side as another arrow embedded itself near her feet. Where was her bow?! She'd dropped it! How could she be so stupid? Now she was defenseless. Suddenly she was pulled back behind the rock and she was met with Sesshomaru's angry face.
"What were you doing!" he exclaimed. "You could have been killed!"
"I was doing what I had to do!" she shot back and, with a grimace, yanked the arrow from her shoulder. She rose and saw Inuyasha and Sango dispatching the last of the archers. Kagome checked her shoulder. It hurt badly and she wouldn't be able to shoot her bow or use her sword effectively. She hesitated about it, should she wrap it?
"I'm sorry," Sesshomaru's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Kagome turned and he stood next to her.
"Let me see," he requested gently.
He gently touched it and then in a quick movement tore off his left sleeve.
"Your shirt!" Kagome protested.
"Is less important than your shoulder," he supplied, carefully tying it in place.
The group emerged from the rocks and Kagome was concerned to notice Inuyasha holding his side. But he waved off her concern and pointed to the piece of Miroku's sweater that the monk had bound to the half-demon's torso.
The group continued moving. They encountered more adversaries on three occasions in which at least one of the group sustained an injury. Miroku had a bad wound to the leg and Sango had many cuts on her face and an injury to one of her arms. Inuyasha sustained an injury to his stomach and Sesshomaru's left arm and shoulder were injured. Despite the serious circumstances, Kagome was able to notice with some amusement that everyone had sacrificed some amount of their clothing for the injuries of the others.
Despite their injuries, everyone was lent courage and strength with the support of the others.
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Kagome was feeling nervous. They had not encountered anyone or anything in some time. It was too quiet. Suddenly, she paused.
Everyone stopped as well and looked at Kagome. When she didn't move or respond, Sesshomaru touched her lightly on the shoulder. She looked at him.
"What is it?" he asked softly.
She closed her eyes and then reopened them. "Danger is coming. Kikyo and Naraku."
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Okay! That's it for this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! Please Read and Review!