Chapter 6: Control

By Leoncia

Shippou greeted her on the other side, inhaling deeply as he waited for the blue light to fade and Kagome to appear. When she did he wrapped his arms around her and crouched down low, the muscles in his legs coiling. He released the strain and jumped up, out of the well and landed carefully on the soft grass.

"Ah…we're back! I can breathe again!" He once again inhaled deeply.

Shippou's hand shot out and grabbed Kagome's shoulder. At her confused look at his face, Shippou shook his head.

"Don't."

"What? Why not? We have to go, Shippou!" His grip on her only tightened.

"Something's attacking the village; I can smell smoke, blood, and a whole lot of other things I'm not going to mention."

Kagome's eyes narrowed as she shrugged Shippou's hand from her. "That's all the more reason for us to go, Shippou!"

Before the Kitsune could respond, Kagome was already running towards the village while removing Sanosuke's cover. Shippou sighed and ran to catch up to her, knowing that nothing was going to stop her now.

"Kagome let me take over. You're not ready for this." Sanosuke's voice traveled through her head, laced with worry. She gave the spear an odd look, "Take over? What do you mean?"

"Just let me in! Relax and let me take over!"

Kagome, confused, nodded and tried to what he asked of her. She stopped running, making Shippou skid to a halt and turn to face her, "What are you doing?" He noticed her eyes were closed tightly, only making him worry more.

But Kagome didn't hear his question. Once her body had relaxed, as well as her mind—even though it took quite a bit considering what has happening in the village—Sanosuke had literally taken over. She felt warmth surround her like a lover hugging her. She felt more than heard a heartbeat that wasn't her own. A pair of large hands were placed over her own and she felt breath against her ear as Sanosuke's familiar voice floated by.

"Thanks, Kagome."

Her eyes fluttered open against her will and they looked to Shippou. Sanosuke's voice came from her mouth and she knew then that she was just a passenger along for the ride.

"Let's go, kit."

Shippou nodded, confused as all hell, but followed Kagome (or was it Sanosuke now?) as she ran once again in the direction of the village. He briefly noted that her eyes were amber in coloration, and her black hair had a bit of a red tint to it as she sped past him.

As they neared the village Kagome cried out at the sight, "We have to help them, Sanosuke!"

Her own body nodded in agreement, "Yeah, we're going to. Don't worry your pretty little head off." Hearing his voice escape her own mouth still sent her reeling but she could tell he and Shippou were the only ones who could do this. She could tell by the feel of him—of his power that he had been quite the powerful warrior back in his time.

Kagome finally let go, giving him entire use of her body and not leaving a single part out; she gave him access to her mind, even her soul. She knew he was the one who was supposed to do this, not her amateur self.

Breaking from the line of the trees Sanosuke and Shippou immediately began attacking anyone who held a sword or some form of weapon. Sanosuke was using Kagome's memory to recognize the villagers so he wouldn't accidentally cut one of them down. While the sight of the village was nothing new to him, Kagome on the other hand was silently weeping within the deepest part of her mind.

Even though Sanosuke had complete control over her body she could still see what was before them, still hear the sounds that were echoing throughout the village—the yells and cries of pain, laughter from those who were attacking, and she could smell the copper scent of blood hanging thick in the air.

She could feel her hands tighten on the spear as Sanosuke dove for the nearest attacker, his spear sliding deep into the back of the man. He didn't stop ramming it into him until he saw the tip of his spear sticking out the attacker's—more like bandit now that Sanosuke was closer—chest. He gave a quick tug and moved onto the next one, letting the corpse fall to the ground.

Kagome felt sick. She felt the metal pierce the man and felt through her hands the vibrations of the spear as it struck bone and other bodily organs. The amount of blood that spurted out was enough for her to know that the man would never survive an attack such as that. She could only wait and hold on as Sanosuke and Shippou swept through the village, taking one after another bandit down as quickly as they possibly could.

"Kagome pay attention!" Sanosuke yelled. "You must pay attention to me and what I'm doing; else you'll never be able to do this without me!"

Shaken from her emotional state, Kagome was about to refuse until she realized he was right. What if something should happen to Sanosuke, would she ever be able to do what he was doing right then? Probably not, she decided.

Steeling herself she responded to him, "What do I need to do?"

"That's my girl," she felt him grin and suddenly, as if he was grabbing her and shoving her body, she regained partial control. He guided her along, like her father did when she was learning to write before he passed away. She felt his hands, firm and steady, on her own and she paid close attention to the feel of the spear; of his technique as he battled. She felt his body, even if it was ethereal, pressed against her own so close she would have blushed a scarlet color if the circumstances were different. She noticed he was a tall man and her head probably only reached the top of his ribcage.

He was moving with her, helping her do what she could never do by herself.

Spinning the spear in her hand and plunging it into the last bandit, Sanosuke's grip on her hands didn't lessen in the slightest. Her body was heaving from the physical exertion and she was pretty sure if it wasn't for Sanosuke she would fold in on herself and collapse to the ground.

She felt a hand on her stomach, "It's over, Kagome. You can let go now." And she did.

She dropped the spear and fell to her knees, vomiting everything she ate that day out onto the blood covered ground. She still felt Sanosuke pressed against her, his hands leaving hers and he now had his arms wrapped around her tightly. She was thankful for the contact.

Her body was shaking and she felt worse than she ever had in her life. She was covered in blood, hands and knees setting in the mud made from the rain of blood that Shippou and Sanosuke—no, and herself—had caused just moments before. But she didn't cry. She refused to cry. This is what needed to be done and she knew it, there was no other way to stop the bandits than this. She knew they wouldn't listen to reason, and really? She was tired of trying to reason with people that didn't want to hear it.

"Thank you, Sanosuke." She wheezed out between bouts of dry heaving. Shippou was standing in front of her now, also covered in blood. He turned when he heard footsteps behind him and placed himself defensively between Kagome and whoever it was.

"Calm thyself, Shippou."

It was Kaede with a grim look on her face. She hobbled past Shippou and kneeled down to Kagome, "Thank ye Kagome and ye too, Shippou. I don't think the village would be left standing if the two of ye hadn't shown up." Apparently only she could sense the presence of Sanosuke. For that Kagome was glad. She didn't have it in her to explain it all over again.

Kagome felt the sting of tears in her eyes and held them back. Slowly, with help from Sanosuke, she stood up on shaking legs and looked Kaede. She tried to give the old woman a reassuring smile, and it was given back to her.

"I'm letting go now, will you be all right?" Sanosuke asked her.

"Yes, I'm fine now, Sanosuke." And with her statement she felt suddenly cold as Sanosuke's soul retreated back into the spear.

"I'm going to sleep for a while. Wake me when you're ready to leave, will you? That drained quite a bit of energy. Either that or I'm not used to the whole astral projection thing yet."

Before Kagome could ask him how he knew the term astral projection she noticed the lack of Sanosuke's being within the recesses of her mind. When did he worm his way that far into her brain? She felt empty now that he had gone to sleep.

Kaede spoke up again, "Come, let's get ye both cleaned up. I'm sure ye want to be leaving soon." Kagome nodded as she followed Shippou and Kagome towards the area of the hot springs nearby.

Kagome walked slowly as her muscles protested with each step she took. Shippou looked in about the same shape. That had been his first real battle and she wondered how he was fairing. She took a long glance at him and he was pale as death and shaking. Kagome frowned just a tad and reached out; taking his own blood and gore covered hand into her own, giving it a small squeeze which he returned.

They reached the hot springs and immediately began to strip out of their clothes, stiff with dried blood. Kagome briefly wondered if Shippou should be bathing with her considering his size and mentality now and was about to voice it until she noticed Shippou dive into the water quickly. He surfaced to grab his pack and pull out his new toiletries.

She couldn't blame him. Modesty would have to wait until later. She stepped into the water and her muscles immediately began to relax. Dunking her head under the water she proceeded to wash the blood out of her hair. She knew that was the least thing in her hair but she didn't feel like finding out what else was stuck in her black locks.

They both scrubbed themselves furiously, their backs turned to each other. Once they were finished they moved to another area of the hot spring, not wanting to stay in the one they just washed all the human parts into. Kagome was content to soak, and apparently Shippou was as well.

Comfortable silence fell between them for some time until Shippou spoke.

"I didn't have any problem killing those humans." His voice was almost a whisper and Kagome strained to hear him.

Kagome nodded slowly, "More than likely because you're a demon. I'm pretty sure it's a natural born instinct to protect what you care about. It's in us humans as well but as I found out, it's harder to bring to the surface."

"How did you do it then?" Shippou turned to look at her, his eyes staying on her face.

"Sanosuke helped me…"

At her answer Shippou nodded, "I thought as much. When you left, you… you changed, Kagome."

Kagome opened her eyes to look at him, "Changed? How so?"

The Kitsune shrugged and fiddled with his long, auburn hair. "Your eyes were a different color; amber. Your hair had a red tint to it, too."

Kagome rolled the idea over in her head. Was it Sanosuke as he took over her body? Did his traits suddenly become her own?

As if summoned, Sanosuke spoke to both of them, "It was me. I've never done that before so I can't exactly explain how it happened, but if Shippou saw it then… I guess it's true." He chuckled as he finished.

Kagome felt his comfortable presence slowly enter back into her mind and she felt relieved. Then a thought hit her as she glared over at the spear leaning against a nearby tree. "Sanosuke…" her voice was low and dangerous.

"Uhoh," Shippou spoke up. He knew that tone. It was the one she and Sango used when Miroku were spying on the girls while they bathed.

"Yes, Kagome, what is it?"

"Can you see?" she asked in a threatening manner.

"See? See what? I don't know what you're talking about." He was avoiding the question and Kagome knew it. She stood up suddenly and rushed out of the springs, grabbing her towel and wrapping it around her figure.

"Argh, you pervert! You should have said something earlier! I thought you were sleeping, anyway."

Sanosuke gave a nervous chuckle and went quiet. Apparently he had nothing else to say on the matter. Until, at least, something dawned on him.

"So, wait. I can't see you, but Shippou can? The hell is up with that?" he asked, offended.

Kagome shrieked with frustration as she gathered her things and disappeared to change into fresh clothing. Kaede had already left with her and Shippou's dirty ones, saying she would wash them for the two.

"Shippou's been taking a bath with me since he went up to my calves! He's like my son." She said and she could hear Sanosuke grumble and go quiet once more.

Kagome fumed as she changed into a deep red (much darker than the ones Kikyou wore) hakamas and a white haori with red stitching. This particular one her mother had taken it upon herself to embroider sakura on. She angrily brushed through and tossed her still damp hair into a high ponytail, tying it with a red ribbon.

When she returned to the spring Shippou had already changed into a set of clothing that mimicked his other outfit. He was set and ready to go. Kagome grumbled and grabbed Sanosuke from his place against the tree and marched out of the clearing, Shippou close on her heels.

"Let's go and say good-bye to Kaede. We need to be on the move if we want to find Sesshoumaru." Kagome said as they walked.