Finally chapter 9! Took me forever to get here! XD
I don't own Inuyasha or Inupapa...unfortunately.
Chapter 9 New Old Village
Kagome kept a steady pace heading west towards where Kaede's village would be. She hoped it was built and that there might be a miko, she was in need of herbs to help Shippo and the quickest option was a miko. The sun was slowly rising behind her, filling the forest with light of a new day. Birds were beginning their dawn chorus. If Kagome hadn't been worried about Shippo she would have stopped to soak in the atmosphere. This time seemed to be even more peaceful than Inuyasha's. 'It must be the lack of humans' she concluded. Slowly the trees thinned and she could see a small village. It had development to make, to even come close to Kaede's village. But the same single tree towards the center of the village that Inuyasha frequently sat in was there, as were some of the paddy fields. Villagers were already out planting rice. They all stopped and stared as Kagome with Kirara on her shoulder walked through the village at a steady pace. 'Why are they all staring?' Kagome thought 'I'm not in my school uniform so what they looking at now!' She then remembered her demon aspects; with a slight blush she gave the villagers a small wave. They were used to demons, but not when they just came walking through the village. The demons they were used to killed on sight. At her wave they all gave her confused looks some even tilted their heads to the side. Kagome was about to question them when a poorly aimed arrow whizzed past her ear.
Kirara at that moment jumped off of Kagome's shoulder and transformed, ready to protect her mistress. Looking up Kagome saw a teenage girl around the age of fourteen. She had chocolate brown eyes that weren't anything that would draw your attention. Dull black hair framed her face; it looked in Kagome's opinion to need a wash and brush. Her miko garbs were not pristine white, and hung from a petite form. In her bandaged hands she held her bow; her arms were shaking with effort. Overall the young miko looked to be undernourished, dirty, battered, bruised and overall about ready to collapse. Kagome turned her body fully to the young miko while telling Kirara to stand down. She carefully took a single step forward. The miko's voice cut through the air but trailed off "Don't take another step dem…." The poor miko started to fall to the ground in a faint. Kagome rushed forward and caught the miko before she hit the ground. Brushing the hair out of the little miko's face she could see she was deathly pail. Even with demon strength Kagome could feel she weighed next to nothing and was too light for one of her age. Standing she called Kirara over and set the miko down on Kirara's back and beginning to proceed through the village which caused a series of gasps to come from the villagers. 'What's their problem did they expect me to bite her head off?... oh, maybe they did' Appalled at the idea she huffed and used her nose to search for the hut that smelt heavily of herbs. Following her nose she found a small hut on the edge of the village. It was quaint, well built with a small herb garden, considering the condition of the miko she had not expect such a well-kept hut.
Kagome's senses were assaulted with the familiar herbs of a miko's hut she instantly felt at home. Turning around she picked up the young miko from off of Kirara's back and placed her on the futon and Shippo on a spare one near the fire, she scanned the hut for herbs. Some were hanging drying out, others were placed in the sun near the doorway and some were stored in pots. Sniffing around Kagome found all the herbs she heeded to making a tonic to help with exhaustion and make a painkiller. She was lucky the fire was lit and water already boiling in a pot, placing all the herbs in separate pots of boiling water she decided to go hunting for breakfast. "Kirara I'll be right back I'm going hunting". With that said she left.
Heading out in to the forest, but keeping in sensing distance to the hut she bent into a hunters crouch. Spending a moment in a meditating state, she suddenly sprang forward running through the forest bursting into a clearing she pounced on a deer that hadn't even sensed her presence killing it with one swipe of her claws.
Everything happened so fast the next thing she knew an arrow had lodged itself in her shoulder. It wasn't a miko arrow so caused minor damaged 'ouch that hurt!' Kagome mentally wined turning she saw a young man around sixteen holding a bow and arrow pointed at her. 'What? Twice in one day not even Inuyasha had this problem with me and Kikyo!' her internal whines were interrupted by the young man standing before her "what is it you want here demon I saw you in the village" Kagome mentally rolled her eyes. Being a demon caused so many problems. Despite super speed, strength and healing it was hard to go into a human village and blend in. Huffing she decided to humor him though she doubted he'd believe her "I was hunting for the miko back in the village she needs nourishment, she is far too thin" The boy hid his surprise well but she could see it in his eyes.
Whilst he analyzed her judging if to trust her or not she decided to return the favor. His hair was similar to Hojo's from her time but it was a muddy black. He wore humble clothes with no armor, just a simple sword strapped to his side. His eyes were brown as were most human's eyes in the past. The only individual feature was the scar running from his hairline down over his right eye stopping in the middle of his cheek. His body was fit, toned and the way he held his bow showed Kagome he was a trained warrior.
Kagome was broken from her analysis of the human boy by the sound of something crashing through the forest at high speed.
The inu miko whipped her head to the boy to see if he had heard it. He appeared to not, as he was still looking at her with suspicion "You have to run to the village there is something coming through the forest at great speed and though I can deal with it. You will be no match. Go warn the village I might need their assistance." Kagome said slightly panicked as she pulled out his arrow from her shoulder and turned her body in the direction of the noise "Don't move! You really think me stupid enough that I would let a demon just walk off into the woods, after you attacked our miko" The boy's voice was strong but quivered with nerves. "Please trust me I mean no harm but you will be in danger if you stay" Kagome pleaded with the boy but he made no movement. Loud crashing caused the boys head to turn and Kagome used the distraction to run at the boy grabbing him round the waist hoisting him over her shoulder and started to run to the village. As she was about to enter the forest on the far side of the clearing the thing that had been casing such a noise burst through the tress.
Kagome's eyes widened as a huge boar demon stared at her. He was in true form. Red eyes peered down into her own, he stomped his feet and charged at her. Turning she ran through the forest with speed that would put Kouga to shame. Reaching the village she through the boy down and turned to wait for the boar to come through the tree line. Speaking over her shoulder she instructed "Get to the village! Move everyone towards the hill to the east. Go now! I will deal with this pig" the last part of her sentence came out with a snarl. It was that moment the boar appeared and she launched herself forward.
The boy whose eyes were wide started to shuffle back, before turning and running to the village.
Kagome felt the boy run and smirked at the beast in front of her 'this would be fun'. Running strait for the boar grabbed his front tusks and dug her feet into the soil to slow him down. When he was slow enough she jumped up and ran down his spine raking her claws as she went. He let out and agonized grunt of pain.
Landing on the ground behind the boar she turned as the boar hit her in her side 'ok Kagome we deserved that, got a little over excited at being able to actually do something in a real fight for once' she groaned and lifted herself from the rubble that was once a tree. ' Calm, breath, think of what Midoriko taught you' taking a deep breath she allowed her miko powers to seep down her arms creating her twin katana. Taking her battle stance she prepared as the boar charged at her again. Sidestepping him she let her sword slash down his side and span on her heal. Dispersing her blades, she grabbed on to one of his hind legs and flipped him onto his back jumping to his throat she used her whole body to applied pressure and said with a slight growl to her voice "calm down you are heading for a village that is under my protection. I can't allow you to harm anyone." He didn't speak but relaxed Kagome waited for any sign of resistance, when no came she slid down to the ground. He slowly rose and turned to her as if about to say something then used his head to send her flying into a nearby hut. The boar not waiting to see if she would attack again and started to attack the village knocking down huts.
Kagome lay in the hut. She groaned as she opened her eyes, with everything slightly blurred she could just hear the sounds of screams. Jumping up she ran from the hut in time to see the boar demolish yet another hut. Kirara jumped to her side to make sure she was alright. "I'm fine Kirara, I am just going to have a head ache after this. More importantly I need you to stay here and protect the miko, I can handle the oversized pig." She said with a smirk. She walk out of the hut to see that some of the villagers had climbed on to their roofs and were shooting arrows. The boar turned to charge at the archers but stopped and sniffed the air. The boar had an evil look in her eye that Kagome didn't like.
From where she was standing she could hear the sniffle of a single little girl as she called for her mother. The large boar turned to the little girl and started to charge, the girl stood frozen. Kagome's eyes widened as she saw the little girl, a flash of black, white and green was all that could be seen as Kagome ran in front of the little girl and let her aura go with an almighty roar. Hair blowing around with the sheer magnitude of her aura. She began to glow a bright pink and crated a large Tessaiga like sword with her powers. The village stood in awe of the display of power. The boars eyes widened but it was too late he could feel the power radiating off her. She was a daiyoukai and such disrespect that he had shown; only meant one thing. Unable to stop his charge he closed his eyes.
Kagome swung her sword down and let loses her power, it ripped through the ground and cut the boar in two and purified him as it went.
The village was silent no sound made they all merely watched as a pink glitter rained down around them. Kagome turned to see the little girl sat on her bottom, with a shocked expression on her face. Kagome bent down and lifted her into her arms and started to walk to the miko hut. She took five steps when someone through themselves at her feet. She looked up to see the whole village bowing to her some visibly shaking. "P….P…please youkai-sama d-don't take my daughter." Begged the village woman at her feet. Kagome made an understanding face and bent down and placed a clawed hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry she is in shock I was merely taking her to the miko hut" Kagome said as she pointed to the hut in the distance. The woman stared at her wide eyes moth hanging open slightly. "y-you're not g-going to take her?" the woman asked again. "No merely give her some herbs to help her" Kagome gave a kind smile and gave the child to her mother "you may take her if you wish but she must take something" turning form the stunned woman she started to walk to the miko hut.
Once inside she saw both occupants still asleep with Kirara standing at the hut's entrance. She walked over to the boiling pots and strained out the liquid, giving Shippo the pain killer and the miko the exhaustion tonic.
She then remembered the deer she caught and decided to fetch it. As she exited the hut she was met with many eyes of the villagers. Kagome took a step off the porch and most of the villagers took a step back. Kagome sighed and said in a calm and reassuring voice "I don't wish you harm if I did I would have let the boar do it. I am here to see my pup well again then I'll leave if that is your wish. Your miko also seems to be in a poor condition so I shall help her where I can." Kagome was interrupted by one of the men "why would a demon help a miko their natural enemy?" Kagome chuckled to herself and replied " I am not like other demons and wish peace with humans" silence.
Kagome went to take another step but was stopped when the boy with the scar from before came forward. "You um dropped this when you saved me" the boy held out the deer she had caught earlier. She took a step forward and when he didn't step back took the deer from him turned and started to enter the hut, she was stopped when the boy continued "and well sorry about the arrow and well *cough* thanks for saving me " The boy rubbed the back of his neck and shifted on his feet. He was clearly uncomfortable so Kagome smiled and said a simple "thank you" and continued into the hut.
She cut the deer into strips with a knife she found and took this opportunity to eat her raw meat, if the miko woke up and saw her it would only cause more problems. She also put a good portion on the fire to cook, by the looks of the villagers they were all in a malnourished state and hadn't had decent food in a while, she would distribute it later.
She looked over her kit, he was relaxed and in a restful sleep, the painkillers were working. The miko looked rested but still in a poor state. Kagome sat near the miko's head and used her claws to brush out the miko's hair. Once she was finished she remembering she had seen some dirty miko garbs in the corner, picking them up and decided to take them to the river to wash. The inu miko walked to the bend in the river where she had first put on her own miko garbs and 'sat' Inuyasha for spying. As she began scrubbing the outfit she noticed it was littered with holes. It looked to her as if this miko had been in many battles. She would have to sow these holes before putting them back in the hut. Walking back to the hut she could feel the eyes on her but decided to ignore it. Once in the hut she searched the shelves for a needle and thread. Unable to find any she huffed and decided to turn the meat.
Movement outside the door caused her to pause suddenly a little girl came bonding in and launched herself onto the inu miko. Shocked Kagome looked up to see the smiling face of the woman from before "she couldn't wait to see you again. I apologies for earlier we have never had a demon like you before. The demons we know of only cause death and destruction." Kagome laughed, "you don't find many like me, but there are some. I wouldn't recommend welcoming every demon with open arms. Like this morning demons are dangerous and sneaky. I would say never trust a demon but think I'd be shooting myself in the foot with that" Laughter came from both females.
The little girl in Kagome's arms started to pet Kagome/s tail causing a purr to erupt from her. The little girl giggled and said" look mummy she purrs like a cat" Kagome bit back a growl ' we no cat!' came her beasts voice in her head ' she is just a curious pup and relates our growl to a similar sound of a cat' Kagome replied 'hun no cat' she could just picture her best pouting and sitting in the corner. "Dose pretty lady have a name" came the little girls question. "My name is Kagome, what's yours little pup?" the little girl giggled again "mummy she called me pup my name is Koyuki it means little snow cause I was born on the first day of snow. You called me puppy does that mean you're a doggy" The little girl gave Kagome a toothy smile she reminded her of Rin. "Now Koyuki don't be nosy its rude" her mother warned with a slightly stern voice. " no no it quite alright. Yes I and an inu youkai which means I am a dog demon" The little girl gave Kagome a look of awe. "Dose that mean if I was to through this stick" she seemed to pull from thin air "you'd fetch it?" Koyuki's eyes were wide with wonder 'she's so adorable' " no I do have some restrain so I wouldn't fetch your stick" Kagome was slightly insulted and let is show in her voice. Koyuki's face did not change and she began waving the stick in Kagome's face and watched as the Inus eyes followed the sick carefully. She suddenly threw the sick through the door. Kagome tried to resist she really did but it was too much she jumped out the door and came back with the stick in her mouth. As if pulled from a trance she realized what was in her mouth and spat it out. ' Sesshomaru never had this problem; other wise I would have use it long ago. But then again I never tried. Maybe that's why he kept Rin around' an image of Sesshomaru running after a stick panting like a puppy made the miko giggle. She ruffled the pups' hair. But as Koyuki went to grab the stick again her mother picked it up and put it behind her back.
Koyuki pouted and her mother giggled, taking pity on Kagome. "Koyuki if you want you can play with my neko friend, her name is Kirara and she would love to have someone to keep her company". With that Koyuki rushed over to Kirara who was in her smaller form shouting 'Kitty' and with that the two started playing together. With all that said and done the mother decided to introduce herself "my name is Hotaru we just came to get the herbs you said she would need and say thank you" Hotaru bowed slightly " we are glad you were here Kagome-sama. The demon you killed as been attacking for many moons and our elder miko died recently protecting our village form the boar. Leaving Renia to look after the whole village. Poor dear has been running her self ragged and she hasn't even learned all there is to be a miko." Kagome looked over at the young miko and gave a week smile she new what it was like to feel to weak to protect the ones you love. "I will talk to her when she wakes. Oh which reminds me you wouldn't happen to have a needle and thread I need one to sew some holes in Renia's miko garbs" Hotaru smiled at The inu miko and said "Of course just let me fetch it I'll be right back come Koyuki you can come annoy your father" Kagome liked the woman she seemed quite relaxed for women of this time, something that reminded her of Sango. There was a groan behind her and she turned and smiled brightly at the person and said "good afternoon Renia "
