Escape- a Kouga/Kagome Story
Chapter 14: The Hidden Prophecy
Kagome looked nervously between Kouga and the girl- named Hotaru. Would Hotaru hurt her? Would she be a danger like the visions showed? Hotaru sensed her confusion and slight suspicion and walked to Kagome, placing a warm and soothing hand upon her shoulder. Kagome swallowed and looked up at the dragonet. She was few inches taller than Kagome, and her long midnight hair that reflected slight tints of blue looked silky to the touch. A few strands were braided; some were able to fly around her face, escaping from the red head wrap she wore. Kagome felt something extra in the girl's aura. It had an ethereal power that was as powerful as Kikyo's. And yet it was even more powerful than that, like a demonic Midoriko. "What are you?" Kagome asked suddenly, her mental question and mouth connected without permission from her common sense section. Hotaru chuckled lightly but then quickly answered. "Kimura Hotaru, I'm a Hanyouness mixed with dragon and wolf and thus gifted with elemental powers and ethereal calling, as well as foresight." Then she muttered, "Though some of those spirits aren't much help."
Kagome titled her head. "Wow, Higurashi Kagome, miko infused with ookami as well. My powers are somewhat limited in a sense, but I can purify things, shoot arrows, and at times create barriers and chi balls." She replied. The two shared a quick respectful bow and Kouga bowed as well. "Again, what's with the sudden arrival, Hotaru-san?" Kouga asked. Hotaru shook her head. "It'd be best if we discussed this with dinner, and in privacy. What I'm going to recite cannot be spoken outdoors or in any type of public." She instructed. Kagome and Kouga exchanged a confused glance and the trio walked back into the caves. When they entered the whole clan quieted, standing up and bowing to the renowned and relied upon foreseer. Hotaru gave a small smile and nod and they all sat, resuming their conversations and eating as though nothing had happened. Kagome walked close to Kouga, leaning her head on his shoulder. Kouga held her hand, and gave it a small, reassuring squeeze. He'd never feared Hotaru- at the first meeting maybe 50-60 years ago he did slightly- but now he knew she was no harm to anyone as long as they gave no reason to start being harmful- which she was very capable of becoming. Anyone gifted with elemental powers, ethereal calling and foresight was considered a highly ranked person and you were to steer clear of their bad side, less you had a suicide mission.
Finally the trio reached the main den that served as the meeting hall with which wars tactics, politics, and clan issues were discussed. Hotaru and Kouga sat at the heads of the circular table, with Kagome at the direct west head. Hotaru cleared her throat. "Lately I've been having very peculiar visions, mainly of the girl and great danger, along with constantly shining light emanating from said girl" she began, looking directly at Kagome. Kagome tilted her head. "Funny, I've been having similar visions of you and great darkness- like trouble worse than Naraku- chasing after you Kimura-san." She replied. Hotaru waved her hand. "Though I'm flattered by your formality Higurashi-san, do just call me either Kimura or if it finds you the most comfort, Hotaru." Hotaru said. Kagome smiled lightly and nodded. "Alright then, Hotaru-chan. Call me Kagome then, to return the gesture." She answered. Hotaru gave a curt nod and continued her tale. "After seeing the same vision three times a day- once in the morning, once in the direct noon, and once at sunset- I had another one with which Kagome-chan was fighting against this danger, eyes glowing many colors at once and bright light coming still from within her, but in many forms. You, Kagome-chan, are the prophesized *Han kami han-nin* who's soul has been passed down from protector to protector, and now it rests in you."
Kagome stared at Hotaru wide-eyed. She was a demi-goddess? She was to fight a great danger? Naraku maybe? "But…how? What kind of danger? Do you mean Naraku?" Kagome asked, crossing her arms on the oak table. Hotaru shook her head. "I mean as I said, Kagome-chan. I am to train you in the ways of the dragon fight, and thus teach you elemental calling. I have ninja like skill in every weapon known to man and most youkai, so I assure you you have a great senpai here. How this has come to pass? No one knows for sure. But I only know the generational skip that occurs in each protector. The last Han kami han-nin was miko-sama Kobayashi Midoriko, and after her the spirit skipped a generation- miko-sama Chiba Kikyo. Now it rests in you, miko-chan Higurashi Kagome. The protector spirit lies guarded until a foreseer like me calls it out and trains you to use said spirit, and then you will face the greatest danger you have ever known, so great it makes the threat of Naraku seem like an angry toddler attack. Are you willing to accept this, Kagome-chan?" Hotaru said with a firm voice, her chest puffed out and her head held high regally. It all depended on Kagome now, and for a short moment all doubt and fear was replaced by a sense of duty, bravery, and determination. This may be the chance to fully exert her miko powers- she hadn't missed the way that her status was miko-chan instead of miko-sama- and wanted to be able to do so. True, the training would be hard, but hey, whoever said it was easy? No one. Kagome was going to do this, and she would fulfill her inner spirit's duty that had been done for many past generations, and she knew she was just another curve in the long cycle that she needed to complete.
With her eyes in a sole color of determined oak brown she nodded. "Hai, Hotaru-chan. I accept my duty and look forward to my training."
PHEW! MAJOR CLIFFY/SUSPENSE THERE! So yeah, Kagome has been given a new label as a demigog/goddess! *grabs cheeks in shock* Review pretty please, sorry it took me so long to update, I had to form my ideas into coherent sentences to type and that takes a while when you're constantly busy with life and daily chores! *sigh* LOL anyway review pretty please! Luv u all and once again thnx HoratiosGirl101 for letting me use Hotaru (actually Akira) ok this ending note's getting too long so I'm gonna end...now!
~Kagome-chan