Kagome's POV:
I looked down at my kit, who cuddled up to me. I smiled faintly. Then Shippo rolled over and curled up against a small Kirara who slept on the opposite side of him. Bother were in deep sleep and seemed so peaceful. I looked up from my sitting position. The small clearing was surrounded by tall trees that looked like ominous shadows reaching down for me, in the dark.
I looked away from the shadows I couldn't see beyond and at the last embers of the fire. They burned brightly as if fighting to live. The soft orange glow was comforting in the dark of night. Tonight even the moon and stars were clouded over. I sighed and shifted slightly as I felt my leg go to sleep. I currently sat with my legs drawn to my chest, my arms wrapped tight around my legs and my face resting on my knees. I looked deep into the embers as if memorized, as I fell into thought, which I had started to do often.
I was now nineteen. I had grown a lot in four years. My whole life had changed the day that centipede demon had pulled me down the well. I had met Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Kirara, Shippo, Kaede, Kikyo, Koga, Sesshomaru, Rin, Jaken… the list went on. Some of us had been enemies at first but in the end we some how in the end we all shared a common goal; to kill Naraku. I needed to get the Shikon No Tama too of course. We had travelled together for almost four years. I had once been an untrained girl with miko powers from the future, but over the years I had changed. For one I had grown physically and mentally. But as I had grown tired of being useless I had left our small group and got Kikyo to fill in for me while I had gone to a miko for training. It had been worth the half a year of back breaking pain, labour, and rules. I had learned a lot about my miko powers all on my own too. The miko hadn't been able to teach me completely since I had more possibilities and strength then her. So I had tinkered with my powers. I had somehow got my miko powers to strengthen my body. I could run faster then Inuyasha, jump higher then him, and I could hear and see better. I also had more strength and stamina. It had helped so much.
I was pulled from my thoughts as Kirara mewed at me. I looked down at the neko who looked up at me worriedly.
"I'll go to sleep, don't worry." I told her.
She mewed slightly and lay back down but kept watching me. I sighed and laid back. At least I didn't have to worry about demons at the moment. Somehow when I had been heading home with Kirara and Shippo the well had sent us to another dimension. I didn't know what was in this dimension but I did know it had fewer demons then the feudal era. I didn't know where we were either. It had the same land markings and such as the feudal era, though many paths had disappeared so we tried to find our way around as best as we could.
The demons here were weaker too so they could be killed easier. We hadn't found any villages or people yet though. We had decided long ago that we were in an uninhabited forest. We didn't dare to fly on Kirara either, because she could be seen by enemies easier and we didn't know how people would react to a flying neko. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I finally sighed and took even breathes, soon drifting off.
.--.
I woke to Shippo shaking me.
"Mom, wake up!" He said.
He seemed to be trying to roll me over but I of course was about seven times his size. I cracked my eyes open slightly and smiled at him. He sat back on his butt and started to pout. I noticed the fire was lit and there was some fish over it. I sat up and looked at Shippo who returned to the fish. We had been together for four years and I had become his mother. I had taught him a lot too. He always helped with the fire and he caught the food. He had become an okay cook too. I smiled proudly at him and he brightened, seeing I was proud of him.
Kirara watched me as I rubbed my eyes. I wanted and needed, more sleep. Lately I hadn't got very much. I always felt too vulnerable when asleep, and lately nightmares had plagued my nights. I had probably slept about five hours last night. That wasn't enough when we walked all day and when I carried Shippo and Kirara a lot. But I couldn't help it. I just couldn't sleep for to long. Besides that I woke up at every crack, crunch, or hoot at night. I could sleep through anything Shippo did because I was so comfortable around him. I knew I had to get more sleep because if we met a strong enemy, not one of the weaker demons we kept meeting, I would be in trouble.
Shippo looked at me, worry touching his eyes. He had started to take over my breakfast duties and tried to walk as much as possible instead of riding on my shoulder. I knew the two were worried about me but I ignored the looks and stood up. I walked to the small stream a little ways off and washed my face with the icy water. Then I brushed my long raven hair. It now fell to my waist and I loved it long. I yawned and walked back to camp. Shippo held out a fish for me and at my smile he smiled back. Then he frowned as I started to eat.
"You need to sleep more, mommy." He said.
"I will dear."
"Is it nightmares about the fight?" Shippo asked.
"Yes." I said as my face darkened.
Then I smiled.
"But I will have to stay strong so I can protect you."
"Don't worry mommy. I'll get stronger so I can protect you instead."
He puffed out his chest. I smiled at him and let him sit on my lap as we ate our food. I glanced to my black back pack. It was getting smaller each day. We had headed home with a full bag but now we had eaten almost all the food and we had only a few supplies left. We could easily survive another couple months. We could fish, hunt, and live of the land but it had already been a month here and I was a bit worried about not finding any village or people.
I shook the negative thoughts off and finished eating. When we had finished we doused the fire and buried the ashes, leaving almost no hint we had been there. Then I hefted my back pack on my back. My staff, which was tied to the bag jingled as the hoops clashed. I held out my arms. Shippo looked at them and jumped into them cuddling into me. Kirara jumped to my shoulder. Without my miko powers enhancing me I wouldn't have been able to walk with my back pack, Shippo, and Kirara for the last month without collapsing from exhaustion. I yawned silently and took off at an even pace down the deer trail we had been following these past couple days.
We had walked for a couple hours while Shippo chatted with me or jumped off my shoulder to look at an interesting rock, plant, or flower. He seemed happy. The sun was up and the clear blue sky looked like an ocean. We walked on until we found a stream. When we reached it Shippo started to splash his hands in it and skip rocks. I kneeled beside it and pulled out our canteens. I filled them and stored the back in my bag. Then I washed my face and drank some water. I found a berry plant and picked some. I gave Shippo a handkerchief full and he started to eat them quickly. Kirara ate a few but preferred meats. I ate some and then sat under a tree in the shade.
Kirara sat on my lap and I closed my eyes but kept my senses open as I 'watched' Shippo play. I could hear him, sense him with my miko powers, and I could feel his aurora. He had started to chase something. I could tell as he bounded back and forth jumping sometimes. I took a deep breath and focused my powers. I let small ripples off miko powers go as I kept my eyes shut. The ripples were so small that no one would feel them but it helped me. It was like a bat and sound. The ripples would hit and object and splash back to me telling me where the person was and who or what they were. I found out that Shippo was chasing a small bug, either a butterfly or a dragon fly. I smiled softly. I soon felt him jump into a bush after it.
"Don't go to far Shippo." I said.
"I won't mommy."
Then he bounded at the bug, which flew up into the tree. He scampered up as quickly as a squirrel. I smiled softly and started to make my powers go farther sensing other bugs and animals.
Sasori's POV:
We walked silently through the trees down the trail. Deidara had been talking almost non-stop since we had left the base and I had finally threatened him to be quiet. He had given in….for the moment. I shook my head slightly and scanned the area. There were rumours of a traveller in this forest. Not many came here. Zetsu had been the one who had caught sight of the person. He had said the person had been strong enough to kill seven other demons, three at the same time so we wondered if it was a stronger demon or a ninja. Whoever they were they had to be dealt with, since they had started to wander towards our base. I sighed inaudibly. We continued on and I glanced at the sky. It was about noon. Suddenly I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I released a kunai. I heard a cry and walked up to a tree to see I had pinned a small boy by his shirt, to the tree. Deidara and I blinked at his tail, pointy ears, and fox feet.
"A demon, un?" He asked.
"It's a kitsune. They are quite rare." I answered.
The kitsune looked up at us.
"W-who are yo-you?" He stuttered.
We just watched him. We knew demons could talk so that wasn't a surprise. He lifted his small hands and grasped my kunai trying to free him self. Deidara jumped forwards and pulled the kunai free tossing it to me. Then he grabbed the fox by the tail and looked at him.
"He's cute, un." Deidara grinned.
"Let me go!" The kitsune said squirming.
"Can we bring him with us Sasori, un?"
"No. Kill it. It is most likely alone, it'll die soon anyways."
"Fine, un."
Deidara sighed and fished a knife from his pouch. The kitsune's eyes widened and he shook. Deidara raised his knife.
"MOMMY!" He yelled.
We immediately looked up and tensed. If his mother was near we had to be ready. Suddenly a woman jumped into the clearing. She had long flowing raven-black hair that fell to her waist and deep water blue eyes. She had a nice body that filled out in all the right places, with creamy-pale skin. She wore an old fashioned outfit. Her haori was deep blue with spots of silver and icy blue. He hakamas were just deep blue. Her obi was icy blue and I saw three swords at her waist. She looked to be nineteen. I saw that she also was in a position ready to strike. She had a hard look in her eyes and she growled deep in her throat. I looked her over. She seemed to be human. She looked at the kitsune and I saw her freeze. I heard a growl at the girl's feet and saw a cat. I blinked at the two tails.
"Are you human?" I asked.
She looked at me a moment then at the kit.
"Yes."
"Why do you travel with demons?"
"Not all demons are evil." She answered curtly.
I silently agreed. I looked at the fox in Deidara's arms. I doubted it could be evil. Deidara was still ready to kill him but the fox had relaxed at the sight of the woman. He sniffed and wiggled again. The woman squinted at Deidara. She held out to fingers. They glowed blue a moment. Then suddenly she lunged at us. A blue whip cracked towards Deidara from her fingers. Our eyes widened. She hadn't used hand signs and that energy wasn't chakra. It wasn't demon energy either. Deidara jumped back and dropped the kitsune. It immediately bounded to the woman and scrambled up to her shoulder. We saw the cat do the same as it comforted the kitsune, who curled up and hugged the woman. Then the woman looked at us with a blank face.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"We're ninja from Akatsuki."
"What ninja village are you from, un?" Deidara asked.
The woman blinked.
"Ninja?"
We starred at her. She didn't know what ninja were?
"I know what ninja are." She answered as if reading our minds. "Just were we come from they aren't common."
"Really? Ninja are every where. Where do you come from, un?"
"I come from very far away. There are lots of demons and few ninja."
We blinked at her. Then I looked her over again. She seemed quite strong and I was very curious about her powers.
"What is your name?" I asked.
She looked at us a moment.
"Kagome."
"I'm Sasori."
"And I'm Deidara! Sorry about trying to kill the fox but we thought it was an orphan and were going to do the merciful thing, un."
The woman nodded okay.
"Do you want to come back to our base with us? Our Leader will want to talk to you." I said.
Deidara and the woman blinked at us. Then she peered at us closely.
"How do I know you won't turn on us?"
"We swear no harm shall come to you until you have taken to our leader."
The girl seemed to think a moment. Then she nodded.
"I will come."
I smirked slightly and Deidara grinned. Then Deidara looked at me.
"Flying will be faster, un."
I sighed and nodded. Deidara dropped clay bird and in a puff of smoke it enlarged. The woman's eyes lit up and she smiled.
"That was wonderful!" She breathed.
Deidara grinned and stood straighter at her compliment. I motioned for her to get on. She paused.
"I will ride Kirara instead."
"Kirara, un?"
She pointed to the cat on her shoulder. We starred at it then her.
"You know that is a cat and it is about ten times smaller then you right, un?"
Kagome let a small laugh go. Kirara sniffed at us and jumped to the ground. In a burst off flame she turned into a large sabre tooth cat. We starred another moment.
"Cool, un!"
He bounded forwards and stroked the cats head. The cat gave him a 'you-are-retarded' look. Deidara scowled and hoped back to his bird. We both jumped on and waited as Kagome slid onto the cat with the kitsune. I now saw she had a pack on her back. I also noticed that Kagome looked tired and they looked as if they had been out here for a while.
"How long have you been out here for?" I asked.
"A month." Kagome said.
We starred at her a moment.
"You lived off the land?" I asked.
She nodded.
"I have done that for years so it isn't hard."
We nodded and then we soared into the sky on the bird. We watched as the cat crouched then leapt. It climbed into the sky next to us and seemed to smirk at us. I saw Kagome yawn and her eyes sank. Then she shot up.
"Mommy you need to sleep more."
"I'm fine Shippo."
"No you aren't. You are almost falling asleep."
"I'll be fine so just rest okay."
She gave the kitsune a cheery smile and looked to wake up more. The kitsune nodded and curled up.
"Are you his adoptive mother?" I asked
She looked at me and nodded. She blinked slowly and seemed to nod a bit. The cat growled softly. Kagome just smiled at pet her.
"I'm fine, I really…*yawn*…am."
"How much sleep have you been getting?" I asked out of curiosity.
"About three to four hours each night, for the last month."
She yawned again. I scowled slightly. Even I couldn't get away with just that much sleep. I wanted to ask her more questions but her head drooped and her eyes shut. I saw her breathing even and sighed. We flew like this for two hour. The woman woke every time we moved too much but even when her kit jumped on her she wouldn't wake. I sighed again. Finally we reached our base. It was actually a large house. No one was outside. We dove to the ground where we touched down softly. Deidara's bird vanished in a puff of smoke and the cat turned small in a blast of fire after her passengers were off. Kagome looked a little more rested. She held her son in her arms and the cat rested on her shoulders. We walked in the door. I was in the lead with Deidara at the end. Kagome stepped in pace with us and didn't make a sound. I walked straight down the halls to a large door. I knocked and waited. Suddenly it swung open.
"What?" Pein asked.
"We found the traveller."
He looked at Kagome and blinked. Then he saw the two demons. He opened the door farther and motioned us in. We all slipped in. We sat in some chairs as he sat across from us.
"So why did you bring her here?" He asked.
"She is strong and I thought you may be curious."
"Strong?"
"She seems trained, un."
"I am trained."
We glanced at the woman.
"Are you a ninja?" Pein asked.
"No."
"Where do you come from?"
"I come from far away. In my land there are very few ninjas and a lot of demons."
We all watched her a moment.
"What are you trained in then?" Pein asked.
"I have mastered the bow, the sword, the whip, the spear, and I can use any dagger or knife. I have also been trained in hand to hand combat."
We still watched her.
"I have…other abilities too."
"Like that whip, un?"
"What whip?" Pein asked.
"She made a whip appear out of no where. And it was glowy blue. It hit my sleeve and burned it, un."
Deidara held up a sleeve and it was burned at the cuff. I wondered how I had missed that.
"Can I see the whip?" Pein asked.
Kagome sighed. She set Shippo and Kirara down and stepped away from them. She held out a hand and a blue glowy orb appeared. It was like the whip but shaped as an orb.
"This is my power. I can make weapons out of it, sense things, purify demons, and many other things."
"Purify…You are a miko?" He asked in surprise.
We blinked at him surprise.
"Yes." Kagome said.
We starred at her.
"They died out hundreds of years ago." I said.
"Well from where I'm from there are still some left. I am the most powerful though."
"Yeah. My mommy could whoop you all!" the kit bragged.
"Mom?" Pein asked.
"Adopted son." I said.
"You adopted a demon as your son?" Pein asked.
"Yes. I know it's not common, and mikos are supposed to hate demons but I like to bend the rules."
We watched her again.
"Where are you heading?" Pein asked.
"Well I don't know. I was just walking where my feet took me."
"So you aren't a ninja or from any village?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"I would like to go home but at the moment I can't."
She sighed.
"Will we miss their wedding mommy?"
"I'm afraid so Shippo."
"What wedding, un?" Deidara asked.
"Our two friends are going to get married." Kagome smiled.
We nodded.
"Why can't you get back?" I asked.
"Our… transportation was shut down for a while."
We watched her for lies but saw none.
"Deidara show them to a guest room." Pein said.
Deidara nodded and stood. Kagome stood too and the two demons jumped to her. She bowed her head to Pein.
"Thank you."
He nodded and they walked off. Then Pein turned to me.
"You thought she might join?"
"She has no where to go and I think she is quite strong. We could also train her as a ninja and she would be stronger. Along with the two demons."
He nodded.
"Well watch them. They can stay for a couple days."
I nodded and stood. Then I bowed my head and walked out the door heading to my own room. I had a good book waiting for me.
Kagome's POV:
We followed Deidara through the halls to a door. Then he stopped and opened the door. I looked in to see a large bed, a dresser, a nightstand, and a door leading to a bathroom. I looked at Deidara who smiled.
"This is your room while you stay here, un. You have to stay until leader says you can leave. And I suggest that you keep those two close, and keep your eyes out because the other members don't know about you, un."
"So you are a group of criminals." I said.
Deidara blinked.
"How did you know, un?"
"I just guessed." I grinned.
He grinned back.
"Well I'm off to make art, un."
"Like the bird?" Shippo asked.
"Yeah. I make special clay that explodes like bombs, un." H grinned.
"How?" I asked.
He held up his hands. We gasped as we saw small mouths on them.
"It is my kekkai genkai, or bloodline limit."
"Do all ninja have a blood line limit?"
"Only the clans that have always been families of ninja, un. Some don't but they can still be good ninjas, un."
"So you just have an advantage?"
"Yes, un."
"So how do you do everything you ninja do?"
"We have an energy called chakra in us, un. Kind of like your powers. But we use our in the forms of jutsus. We can make genjutsu which are illusions, ninjutsus which are techniques or we can do taijutsu which is hand to hand combat or weapon fighting, un. We can use chakra to make us walk on water, scale things, make us faster, and make us stronger, un. Some ninja are really good at genjutsu while others can't even use genjutsu. Ninjas are vary a lot in these categories, un. Like I'm best at ninjutsus and Itachi is best at genjutsus, un."
I nodded as I studied what he had given me. I faintly wondered who Itachi was.
"So you can walk up walls!?" Shippo chirped.
"Yeah."
"Show me! Please."
Deidara sighed and walked to a wall. He put his foot on it and started to walk. Soon he was upside down on the ceiling. Kirara watched with mild interest Shippo was grinning and cheering and I watched. I scanned him with my miko powers and I did find energy in him. Most of it was focused at his feet and I guessed that was how he did what he did. He let the power even back out and dropped from the ceiling.
"Can I learn to do that?" Shippo asked.
"No. I can't sense any chakra in you so you can't learn, un."
Shippo wilted slightly. Then he brightened.
"Can you make more of you?"
"Yeah, clones, un."
He brought his hands together and did a sign. Suddenly three more of him popped up and mimicked his movements. Shippo grinned.
"I can do that to!"
Deidara blinked.
"Really, un?" He asked in curiosity.
Shippo nodded. He pulled some leaves from his vest. Deidara watched as he threw them into the air and in puffs of smoke more Shippo laughed and tackled Deidara. Deidara fell back and laughed as all the clones disappeared leaving one Deidara and Shippo.
"What was the sign you made?" I asked.
Deidara looked at me.
"A hand sign. You use them to use jutsus. Use them in orders and you can use jutsus. Jutsus won't work without using hand signs….well a few will, un."
I nodded.
"Well I'm off. You can look around if you want. Oh and Sasori and I have a room next to you so if you need anything come see us, un."
We nodded and he jogged off. 'OH MY GOD! They are so hot!' the voice in my head said. 'I guess they are.' I replied. 'I love how the blonde adds un at the end of everything.' I nodded. I had gotten use to the voice. I had started to hear it right before our battle with Naraku. It had helped me a lot actually. It was one of the things that had saved my life. I wondered where it had come from but it wouldn't answer. I guessed it was me in a sense and I was going a little mad, but hey. Well it gave me lots of useful advice and was a very interesting … thing to talk with. It rarely spoke though. I shook the thoughts aside and Shippo, Kirara, and I walked into the room and shut the door.
First thing I did was drop my bag and Kirara on my bed and then Shippo and I headed for the washroom. We stripped and jumped in the shower. I turned the warm water and sighed happily. I hadn't properly scrubbed for a while. I scrubbed as Shippo did the same thing. We washed our hair then jumped from the water. We dried off then I sat Shippo on my lap as I brushed his tail and hair. I re-did his pony tail and looked at him. He looked better then before. I brushed my own hair. I sighed happily as I walked back into the room in a towel. I needed to wash my clothes I had been wearing so I needed to get a clean change from my bag. I blinked as I saw a black bundle on my bed. Kirara just mewed. I walked to the bundle and read the note on it.
Kagome
Here is a change of clothes. Please wear it while here so you don't stick out in the old fashioned outfit of yours, no offence.
Leader
I smiled slightly. I grabbed the outfit and unfolded it to find a black fighting kimono with red clouds. It looked like the cloaks the guys had worn. I smiled and pulled it on. Then I sat on my bed and brushed Kirara's fur. She purred as I brushed the burs and dirt from her. When that was done I laid down on my bed. It was about two and I decided to have a quick doze. Kirara and Shippo followed my example and curled up by my stomach. I sighed happily and soon drifted off.
.--.
I woke at Shippo's shaking once again. I blinked.
"Mom can we get up and look around?" He asked.
"Okay then."
I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Kirara was washing herself and Shippo looked bored. I glanced at the clock to see it was dinner.
"Well we might as well go find something to eat."
I threw my legs over the bed and then reached for my weapons. I hid some small daggers on myself and had strapped my three swords on. I didn't know if I was allowed to carry weapon here or if they wanted me too but I didn't want to let the swords out of my sight. I then walked for the door. Kirara trotted by my feet and Shippo was on my shoulder looking around. We looked out the door then stepped out. Shippo twitched and lifted his nose.
"I smell cooking that way." He said pointing down the left hall.
I smiled at him and set off at a brisk pace. We walked down a couple halls as Shippo directed me till we came to a large arch way. We peeked in and saw a guy in black clothes, with raven black hair, and a bright orange swirly mask on. He seemed to be trying to cook a meal for about ten or so people. He didn't seem to be succeeding either. I set Kirara and Shippo on a chair at the table and stepped up to the man.
"Do you need help?" I asked.
The person jumped about three feet in the air and whipped around to me. He looked at me a moment.
"Who are you pretty lady? Tobi is a good boy!" He sang.
My mouth twitched. He sounded like a ten year old.
"Well Tobi, my name is Kagome, I am staying here a while with Shippo and Kirara." I said motioning to the two watching us. "Do you need help?"
"Yes Tobi needs some help." He sighed.
I smiled. I stepped around him and took over as he watched over my shoulder. I saved most of the food just as it was starting to burn. I turned down the stove because it was too high, took off some lids, stirred some things, and added some things. Tobi soon followed my example and started to help. We soon finished and shut the stove off. We set the table and then I looked to where Kirara and Shippo had been sitting. I blinked at the empty seat. I knew they hadn't left the kitchen. Then I looked to the fridge. I giggled as I saw them lying on the top watching Tobi from above with curiosity. I just watched them then returned to setting the table. Suddenly I felt someone enter the kitchen. I turned to see Pein. He blinked at the food.
"Whoa! Real food!" He said in surprise.
He grinned.
"Tobi go get the others they'll want some. And tell them I said to come eat."
Tobi nodded savagely and scrambled from the room. I laughed softly and continued to finish. I noticed that Shippo and Kirara stayed on the fridge where the heat was. They seemed relaxed. Suddenly Shippo's nose twitched.
"Seven people are coming and they smell weird."
I held back giggles and Pein grinned at the fox. He was right though. A second later seven people burst into the room. One had silver slicked back hair and violet eyes. Beside him was a man in a mask. Then there was a woman with blue hair and a paper flower, and a man that looked like he was being eaten by a Venus fly trap, Sasori and Deidara followed. They stopped as Tobi slipped past them. They starred at the food which Pein was already eating.
"Real food!?" The silver haired man asked in surprise.
I felt a smirk of amusement spread on my face. I leaned against the counter and wondered when they would notice me. Sasori and Deidara moved first sitting down.
"Thanks Kagome." They chorused.
I smiled as everyone else whipped their heads to look up at me. They starred at me.
"Who are you?" The woman asked.
"That is Kagome. She will be staying with us for a while." Pein said still gulping down his food.
Tobi had grabbed some food and skipped out a while ago.
"This is Hidan, Kakuzu, Konan, Zetsu, and you know Sasori and Deidara." Pein said pointing to each member.
I bowed my head to each one.
"You all smell funny."
Everyone's head whipped up again as they starred at Shippo and Kirara. Kirara was sitting with her head tilted and Shippo had his head in his hands, and his elbowed propped up. They were still on the fridge.
"What the fuck are demons doing in here?" Hidan asked.
"Don't swear in front of children." I said calmly.
He just scowled at me.
"They are with Kagome." Pein said.
"What was that about us smelling weird?" Kakuzu asked instead.
"Well the woman smells like paper and the leader, the plant thing smelled like flesh and blood, silver man smells like blood, the mask man smells like lots of things and numerous hearts, Tobi smells like cooking, Sasori smells like wood, Deidara smells like clay, and the leader smells like the woman."
I saw Leader choke on some his food and Konan blushed almost unnoticeably, but no one paid attention to that.
"Doesn't Kagome smell?" Deidara grinned.
"No. Mommy has no smell. She cloaked it so no other demon could smell her."
"What?" Pein asked.
"I put a barrier around myself that no one can sense and it keeps my scent in so no demon or animal can smell me."
"Why do you have that on?" Konan asked.
"Because from where I'm from if a demon can smell you and you're alone you are screwed." I said evenly.
"Kagome comes from a land infested by demon, that are stronger then the ones here and there are few ninja."
Everyone glanced at me, Shippo, and Kirara. Then they also leapt to the table and dug in. I rolled my eyes slightly. I had already grabbed some food and motioned Shippo over. He jumped from the fried with Kirara. They both ate sitting on the counter and I ate leaning beside them. As everyone finished they wandered off except Pein and Konan. When everyone else was gone they looked at Shippo.
"Can you refrain from telling people you smell us on each other?" Pein asked.
I hid a grin as Shippo nodded innocently.
"Is it because you don't want anyone to know?" Shippo asked.
The two nodded.
"Just like mommy!"
Their eyes sharpened as they looked at him. I froze.
"Mommy's boyfriend used to disappear then he would smell like Kikyo. Mommy told me not to blurt it out because the others would worry about mommy. Then when mommy asked Inuyasha he would be mean to her. He hit her a couple timmmhhh."
I covered Shippo's mouth, muffling him, so he didn't say anything else. The two at the table watched me. I couldn't help but let my feelings of anger, hate, and disgust show on my face. Shippo shut up and I moved my hand.
"Boyfriend cheating on you?" Konan asked.
"No. He was never mine. He liked the dead bitch." I said coldly.
"Mommy you sweared!" Shippo said.
"Sorry."
"Dead…. You mean he couldn't get over his dead love?" Pein asked.
"No. Kikyo was dead but alive. She had a clay body and lived off of souls. She had part of mommy's soul in her toooooooo…."
Shippo quieted at my look.
"How is that possible?" Konan asked.
"Shippo, Kirara why don't you guys go to the room." I said.
Shippo and Kirara scrambled from the counter and trotted out of the room. I had my back turned to the two my hands on the counter.
"Many things are possible." I whispered.
"But the dead still walking the earth…and why would she have your soul?" Pein asked.
"I can not answer your questions. Maybe if I trust you later on. But it is too soon. You wouldn't believe me anyways."
I turned to them. My eyes were once again hard. They didn't say anything. Then suddenly Tobi came running in his hands waving frantically as he tried to get a clay bird off his shoulder. He somehow ripped it off and chucked it at me. Pein and Konan's eyes widened and Pein went to say something. Tobi froze. I guessed the bird was dangerous. Then just as it got closer to me I remembered that Deidara made clay bombs.
Pein's POV:
We froze as we saw Tobi accidentally chuck the clay bomb at Kagome. Kagome blinked at it not understanding it was dangerous. Tobi froze. Kagome needed to answer a lot of my questions and she couldn't if she was blown to bits. The bird exploded as soon as it was less then a foot from Kagome. We all winced as the explosion echoed through the room and the lights shook. We coiffed as the dust spread through the room. I wondered what Tobi had done for Deidara to through a bomb at him for. I saw Deidara come running in through the smoke.
"WHERE DID YOU PUT THE REST OF MY CLAY, un!?" Deidara yelled at Tobi.
'Ah, Tobi stole his clay.' I thought. Tobi didn't answer as he starred at the dust where Kagome was.
"Deidara! You blew Kagome up!"
Deidara gaped and spun to where the dust was the thickest. Suddenly it was blown away to show Kagome just leaning against the counter. We all blinked at the blue barrier surrounding her.
"Miko barrier…." I said.
"She's a Miko?!" Konan asked. "I thought the last died hundreds of years ago!"
"She said where she comes from there are some left." I replied.
I looked back at Kagome who looked annoyed.
"Deidara if I didn't activate that barrier in time I would have been in trouble."
Then she smiled. It wasn't a sweet or happy smile. It was a cold evil one. Deidara gulped.
"We-well got t-to go fin-find m-my clay… un." He shook giving a nervous laugh.
Then he ran for it. Tobi followed him laughing at him. We looked at Kagome who faked a pout.
"Give them a smile and they run away."
I grinned at her.
"Well I'm going off to my room. Paper work." Konan said walking out the door.
"Yeah, I have Ko… I mean paper work to do." I grinned.
Kagome raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm. Do you happen to have any books I can read on ninja stuff?" she asked.
"Yeah in the library." I said as I jogged off. "Feel free to look around the base."
Kagome's POV:
I watched them run off. I laughed. The place was odd but our old group had also been odd. I straightened and walked off to my room. When I reached it I looked in. Shippo was playing with his top and Kirara was trying to catch it. When Shippo saw me he lunged at me.
"I'm sorry I talked to much mommy."
"That's okay just don't tell anyone where we're from or what happened. Just say we're from far away."
"Okay."
Then Shippo jumped from my arms and tackled Kirara who had caught his top. They wrestled and played while I moved to the bed. I started to go through the stuff in my bag. I had some tea, very little, a thing of ramen, Kirara's brush, mine and Shippo's brush, some sleeping clothes, two other changes of clothes for both Shippo and me, a couple small trinkets like jewellery, a fan, a mirror, an extra bow string, a vial of blood, a few longer daggers, exterminator armour, a knife, some hair ties, some herbs, a few maps that would be useless here, a robe of fire rat hair, a couple scrolls, a couple books, my staff and bow with quiver which were tied to the side, and a pouch filled with money from my time and the feudal era. I would have to ask the others if any of them were worth anything. Maybe the mask man… Kakuzu, during dinner he had talked a lot about money.
I sighed slightly as I looked at the stuff. I smiled as I remembered getting the stuff. Kagura had given me the fan, Kanna had given me the mirror, I had picked up the scrolls from villages, the bow string was from Kaede along with my bow which was laid aside, the maps from Sesshomaru, the herbs I had picked myself, most of the daggers and knives were from Totosi, the staff was from Miroku, the armour was from Sango, the robe from Inuyasha, a ring and necklace from Koga and the wolves, the books from Sesshomaru's palace, and the money was my own.
I sighed slightly. I slipped the ring, which looked to be made of deep blue steel and which was from Koga, on. I slid everything else into the dresser or onto the shelf, except the vial of blood. I looked at it closely. Myoga had given it to me. He said a mouth full would heal all and any injuries. He had said it was the blood of a special healing demon. There was enough for three mouthfuls. He also told me the vial was unbreakable but I still treated it with care. I set it on my nightstand and looked at the swirling red blood inside. It was a deeper red then normal blood and always seemed to move or swirl. Suddenly Shippo popped up in front of me.
"Can we play snakes and ladders?" He asked.
I smiled and nodded. He hoorayed and ran to my 'trinket pile'. It held jewellery, small ribbons for hair, gum, Tylenol, dice, cards, small fold-up games, file, and such. Shippo grabbed the small board for snakes and ladders and the dice. Then he grabbed two small players. He sat down on the floor and started to set it up. This started an hour worth of snakes and ladders. Then after that we pulled out my cards and played war, go fish, and other fun games. When I saw that it was getting late I put everything away. I helped Shippo into some pyjamas I had got him a couple years ago and he slipped under the covers curling up. Kirara who had been watching our games also curled up with Shippo. I thought about going to the library and decided to do it in the morning. I just slipped from my kimono into my pyjamas. Then I slid under the covers with Shippo and Kirara. I yawned and cuddled into the soft bed.
.--.
I woke as soon as the door to the room opened. I sat up quickly and saw Tobi poking his head in.
"Good morning Kagome! Will you help Tobi make breakfast?" He asked childishly.
I nodded. He seemed happy and shut the door. I slipped from the covers and went to the bathroom. I had a very quick shower and pulled the kimono on. Then I brushed my hair and let it fan out over my back. Then I tucked my swords into my waist again. I slipped out the door quietly so I wouldn't wake Shippo or Kirara. I walked silently down the hall. I sensed two other people in the place and wondered if they were two other members. I made my way to the kitchen and found Tobi trying to make pancakes. It was a disaster once again. I giggled and helped the masked man out as I pointed out what he should and shouldn't have done. In half an hour we had a stack of pancakes. I now saw that it was about eight. That surprised me. I had slept in and I hadn't had one nightmare last night. And I had felt comfortable enough to sleep. I guessed I liked this place. Tobi set the table and I saw he set two extra places.
"Who else is here?" I asked.
"Kisame and Itachi came back from a mission last night." He sang.
I guessed I would see them later.
"Why don't you go wake everyone?" I asked.
Tobi nodded and skipped off. Not even a second after he left a tall man walked in. He was blue. He looked almost like a shark. His eyes were almost closed and he seemed tired.
"Tobi, make me some coffee." He said.
I grinned and obeyed. I had it ready in a few seconds because I had already started to make some a while ago. I handed him a cup and grabbed the coffee pot. As I started to pour a man with long black hair in a pony tail and who had red eyes walked in. He stopped and looked at me. Kisame held out his cup and leaned back in his chair. I smiled at him and poured the shark his coffee.
"Thanks Tobi." He said.
I held back laughter. He hadn't even realized I wasn't Tobi yet. The tall man squinted slightly.
"That isn't Tobi." The man said.
His voice was emotionless and cold. His face was also emotionless. I smirked at him and he almost scowled.
"What?" Kisame asked.
"I'm not Tobi." I purred in amusement.
The shark's eyes snapped fully opened and he fell back in his chair. Surprisingly he didn't spill a drop of coffee as he landed on his back. He stood and slowly straightened the chair as he looked at me. The two starred at me a moment. Then suddenly Sasori walked in. He looked at the two and me.
"See you're back." He said to the two. "Kagome can you get me some tea?"
"Sure Sasori."
"So who is she?!" Kisame asked.
"Her name is Kagome. She is staying here a while." Sasori answered blankly as he sat down and grabbed some pancakes.
Itachi's POV:
We both looked the woman over. She was smirking slightly. I couldn't even sense her. It was like she wasn't there. I squinted to see, better. All I saw was black hair and a kimono similar to our cloaks. I cursed mentally at my bad eye sight. It was getting so bad everything pretty much blurred together. The woman looked to the door as Deidara walked in. I noticed Deidara was fidgeting a lot.
"Sorry about yesterday Kagome, un." He said.
"What did you do?" Sasori asked.
"Almost blew her up, un."
I noticed Kisame was still starring at her. I was amused that he hadn't even known the girl wasn't Tobi till I had said something. Hidan and Kakuzu and walked in and ignored us as they sat at the table and dug into the delicious looking food. Kagome watched a second later then started to make some tea. I sat down and Kisame slowly did the same. I knew Zetsu wouldn't join us to eat. Then Konan walked in. She sat down and dug in too. It seemed almost everyone was already used to the girl. Pein walked in next. He nodded to us and grinned at Kagome.
"Well Kagome I must admit you are a very good cook."
"Thanks."
Then he sat down and dug in. Kisame and I shrugged slightly and reached for the food. We both started to eat. Finally Tobi skipped in. Kisame and I blinked at the two demons on his shoulder. One was a kitsune and the other was a cat with to tails. They leapt off of Tobi and onto the counter beside Kagome.
"Mom can I have some pancakes?" The kitsune asked.
"Yes dear." Kagome said.
"You're a demon?" Kisame asked.
"No, I'm human but I adopted Shippo." Kagome said.
Shippo nodded. Kagome grabbed some pancakes and handed them to the kit, who dug in. Suddenly Kagome turned and walked to me. She looked at me and I looked at her. The others stopped eating to watch.
"You're eye sight is getting worse. You will be blind in a month."
Everyone starred. I nodded.
"We knew he was going blind, but that soon?" Pein asked.
"Do you wish me to heal you?"
We all gaped at Kagome, well my eyes widened. I glanced at Leader. He nodded to say he trusted her. I looked back at the girl and nodded. She put her hand on my forehead. I felt suddenly pure, calm, relaxed. Kagome stood like that a moment. Then she sighed.
"I can't heal that with my powers it is to complicate for me. And because I know nothing about Chakra or your system."
I almost winced.
"But I have something that will heal it."
We all blinked. Kagome turned to her kit.
"Shippo will you get my vial. The one Myoga gave to me. Don't drop it."
"Okay mom!" He yelled scrambling out the door.
Kagome turned back to the tea which was ready and poured some for the other members. Most watched her curiously now. The kit came back carrying a vial with red liquid in it. He set it on the table and Kagome smiled at him while setting more pancakes on his plate. I inspected the liquid. It was a deeper red then blood and it seemed to move. Kagome walked back and popped the cork out. She frowned for a second. Then she grabbed a cup. She poured a mouthful of the stuff into a cup. She held the cup out to me.
"It isn't poisonous."
I hesitantly took the cup. With one last looked at it I swallowed it all. Kagome watched a second then popped the cork back into the vial. She set the vial by the two tailed cat. I suddenly felt really hot. My throat was warm where the liquid had slid down. My eyes started to hurt. I winced slightly and closed my eyes. The pain went on for another half a minute. Then I opened my eyes. I blinked. I blinked again and looked around. I looked at my hands. Everything was so…clear. I looked up and at everything. I now saw what the other members really looked like, I had known a while ago but I had forgotten as my vision failed. I looked at Kisame and the two demons. Everyone was watching me. I looked them all over then even looked at my hands.
"How bad was your eye sight?" Konan asked.
"I could make out color. But everything just blurred together."
I glanced at Kagome and starred a moment. She had a kimono that was black with red clouds. She had pale-creamy skin. Her eyes were blue like water, and she had long raven black tresses that tumbled over her shoulders to her waist. I noticed that at her waist she had three swords.
"Why do you have three swords on?" I asked.
Everyone blinked.
"I've been meaning to ask that." Pein said.
"I wear three swords because they are my most prized possessions. Tetsusaiga came from my friend."
She pointed to the first on.
"Tenseiga came from my sensei."
She pointed to another.
"And I got Tokega special made for me by a famous smith."
I looked them over.
"Are they strong or do they have any special details?" Kisame asked curiously.
Kagome finger the hilt of one.
"One is really strong, one is not for fighting, and the other is my own special one."
"So what do they do?" Kisame asked.
"Tetsusaiga has a special energy attack, Tenseiga will not hurt you, and Tokega is my illusionary sword, it bends stuff."
"What do you mean Tenseiga will not hurt you?" I asked.
"I'll show you."
She pulled the sword free and looked us over.
"I need a volunteer."
Then she smirked.
"Deidara, you're up."
Deidara gulped and stood. He took a step forwards and before we could blink Tenseiga was sticking through his heart. Sasori glared and stood. We all tensed. I doubted that anyone had been prepared for her to betray us. Then she ripped the sword from Deidara. We expected Deidara to fall dead but he just blinked.
"What, un?" He asked.
He pulled his cloak open and there was no wound.
"I could swear I felt that sword go straight though me, un."
Everyone sat gaping. Kagome grinned. She spun and slashed Deidara in half. He didn't even fall. He opened his mouth then shut it as he felt his chest.
"How?" Sasori asked.
"Simple, Tenseiga is not a sword to kill with. It is a sword of healing."
"So you can heal wounds with it?" Konan asked.
"No. It is used for a greater purpose but I won't tell you just yet."
We nodded slightly.
"Can I see Tetsusaiga?" Kisame asked.
Kagome blinked then nodded. She held out the sheath to him and he pulled the sword out. We frowned at it. She had said it was strong but it looked old and rusted.
"I could break this with my bare hands. How is it strong?" Kisame asked.
"Try to break it." Kagome said.
Kisame sniffed and tried. He tried for a minute before giving up. Then suddenly it looked as if a light bulb had lit up in his head. He walked out of the room. He came back a minute later with Samehade. Kagome blinked at the sword. Kisame stuck the Tetsiaga with his large scaly sword but it didn't even chip. In fact Kisame was pushed back by the blow.
"So it may be almost unbreakable but you said it was strong and had a special energy attack." Kisame said.
Kagome nodded.
"It is a special sword that will transform for any half demon."
"There aren't very many half demons." Sasori said.
"Correct."
"Why won't it transform for a human?" Kisame asked.
"It will if you can get past the barrier on it. There is a barrier on it that stops any demon from touching it and stops any human from wielding its true power."
"So can you get past the barrier?" I asked.
"Yes. My powers let me get past it."
"Can we see, un?"
Kagome shrugged. Kisame held the sword out to her hilt first. Kagome stuck the sheath in her waist and grabbed the hilt. She pulled back and suddenly as if a scanner was ran over the sword it started to change. We all gaped at the huge sword. It almost looked like a fang. At the hilt was a piece of something fluffy too. The sword was bigger then Kisame's. Kagome held it in one hand too. We gaped at the sword a minute. Then Kagome stuck the end in the sheath. I wondered how it would fit back in. As she slid the sword in it turned small in a flash of yellow-white. I scowled at the soaked sleeve of her kimono. It hadn't been like that before.
"Mommy! You're bleeding!" Shippo yelled.
Kagome nodded. She stuck all her sword into her obi and slowly rolled her on sleeve up. We all winced. Her whole arm had blood dripping off of it. Kagome clicked her tongue and moved to the sink.
"We should bandage what ever wound that is." Konan said.
"I guess so." Kagome said.
Then she looked at us.
"I had better not hear any comments."
We blinked wondering what about. Suddenly she slid her arms out of the whole top of the kimono showing everything waist up. She had a band that covered her breasts but I still saw the others grin. Suddenly their grins vanished as they saw her shoulder. It was covered in blood. Tobi jumped up and got a cloth. He wet it and helped Kagome wipe the blood off of her shoulder. As soon as the blood was gone we all saw a huge black tattoo that was on her right shoulder. It came down her arm to a little above her elbow. It also was on her shoulder blade and down to her cleavage. We all starred. The blood seemed to seep from the black tattoo. The tattoo seemed to be small symbols and words in the shape of a large blooming flower.
"What is that?" Pein asked quietly.
"This is what a curse looks like." Kagome whispered.
"A curse?" Konan asked.
"I battled someone and just before they died they cursed me. My miko powers softened the curse so it didn't change me."
"Mommy got it and now every time she tries to use a weapon or fight with that arm the curse makes her bleed."
The cat meowed.
"And gives her pain." The kit finished.
I now noticed the Kagome's teeth were gritted and her hands clenched the counter top till her knuckles were white. The wound seemed to be forcing her blood out.
"The curse is trying to taint me."
We looked up at her.
"It wants to turn me into a dark miko. I'll give you my warning now. If that happens, run, run as fast and far as you can. If my eyes turn black and my powers turn black I will have lost myself. I will kill everyone and everything."
We watched her a moment then nodded.
"Why not heal it or destroy the tattoo?" Sasori asked.
"It wouldn't heal, and the curse is in my blood. The tattoo would just return later."
We watched her. Tobi helped wipe the blood away and Shippo watched her anxiously as Kagome stayed tense with the pain. When the curse stopped bleeding, Kagome sighed. Tobi stepped back.
"I have to go change now." She said.
We nodded. Her kit and the cat followed her, along with Tobi. We finished the breakfast we had been distracted from.
Kagome's POV:
I walked back to my room. I knew Tobi had followed. He stood and asked if I needed help. I told him no. I grabbed a clean outfit of mine. I pulled on the deep blue Haori and the deep blue hakamas. The haori also had splashes of silver, but no icy blues. Then I pulled on a black obi. I slid my swords in the obi and pulled on some small shoes like Sesshomaru's. I thanked Sesshomaru over and over in my mind. Tobi took my Kimono and said he would wash it. Kirara and Shippo had followed him. They seemed to like him. I sat on the edge of my bed. I sighed as remembered Sesshomaru.
The great stoic, cold, cruel, taiyoukai had trained me a while ago. It had been after I had been trained by the miko. He had found me and took me to his castle. He had personally taught me hand to hand combat, swordsmanship, and how to use daggers and knives. He had got one of his guards to teach me the spear, bow, and axe. It had been hard training but more then worth the half a year. I had learned very quickly. Sesshomaru said I had been born to hold a weapon. I would never have guessed that.
Well I spent half a year with him and learned all that along with stealth, tracking, and how to survive in the wilderness. He had also taught me about running an army and commanding others. He had even got a scholar to teach me lessons. I had learned up to a college level in math, science, biology, zoology, and other subjects. I had crammed all this into six months. My miko powers had helped a lot. They had healed me when I had got injured and since they had enhanced all my abilities I could stay up longer and tax my body more. It had happened in a blur.
Then the last lesson Sesshomaru had taught me was pain. It had been a nightmare. He had said I needed to learn how to take pain and how to inflict it. He had had his top interrogator a.k.a. torturer, teach me. This meant the man had tortured me, while giving me lessons. I shivered at the memory. I was actually missing parts of my memory from that. He had tortured and 'taught' me for over three weeks and I had blacked out a lot. But after a while I could take quite a bit of pain. With out those lessons I would have been screaming from the pain my curse gave me. I shivered again. It had helped but I never wished to repeat that, ever again.
Sesshomaru had said my training was done after that. I had been thankful. Sesshomaru and I hadn't been very good friends even though he had taught me. We had been neutral which worked out well for my training. It had meant he had never gone easy on me, never let up, and pushed me to my limits. This helped because it made me learn more. I had tried to get Sango to teach me the sword but she had always been easy on me and she had always gone easy and tried not to hurt me. She had never taught or spared with me for real because she had been worried about me. That had meant I had never really learned.
When Sesshomaru had taken me under his wing he had been ruthless. It had been painful but I had learned a lot more. Well when we parted we broke the neutral agreement. We were no longer sensei and apprentice we were once again enemies. I had almost hoped to hurt him for the pain he had caused me but then I always remembered how much I had gained from that pain. I just sighed and stood.