Chapter Five: Misconceptions
AN: sorry I'm so late. Well, here it is, the next chapter :D enjoy
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Stirring the soup Kagome looked at Toriasha out of the corner of her eye. Things had been going pretty well, at least, not as bad as they could have been anyway. That pang was still in her heart, the one that she got every time Toriasha did something that reminded her of Inuyasha, it seems that once her new hanyou companion realised Kagome had no intentions of killing her, she was going to be as brash as possible. The only difference between her and Inuyasha was Toriasha would actually call her by her 'name' although sometimes she was called Miko, if she did something that Toriasha deemed as stupid or unnecessary, which unfortunately, was quite often.
Right now the girl was glaring at the wall, her arms crossed and her back turned slightly to Kagome. Kagome had found out (after much cajoling and begging) that Toriasha was part Japanese Night Heron, it seemed that Toriasha was disgusted with her type, clearly believing that she was going to be an outcast, she may as well get a strong predator type, like a dog or wolf, instead of a heron. Personally, Kagome would have preferred to be a bird hanyou if she had to choose. Imagine if she could fly! It would be amazing. Although Toriasha had yet to fly, Kagome wondered if she even could, she wouldn't be surprised if the girl had never taught herself to, or if her human body was too much weight for her hanyou wings.
Toriasha was pretty much healed and would probably be going soon. Kagome wasn't surprised. It had already been a week since she dragged Toriasha back to the village and promptly set up a sling for the hanyou's arm. The girl had grumbled the whole time but put up with it; another difference with Inuyasha who would have ripped the sling off at the nearest opportunity, but because of it Toriasha's arm healed pretty fast, considering the damage of the break and other wounds the poor girl had to heal, Kagome was very surprised at the speed. Kagome still didn't know how her patient got so wounded, the girl refused to tell her, as if ashamed of the story.
Hearing the bubbling of the fish soup (her patient is a heron hanyou, of course she would love fish) Kagome took it off the fire and poured it into two bowls to cool. She grinned when the material covering Toriasha's back twitched, just like Inuyasha's ears you could tell her mannerisms by the small movements made by her wings. Kagome hadn't gotten to touch her wings again, after the healing. She actually regretted it, thinking back to the silky smoothness the feathers had once cleaned properly. She eyed the clothes the hanyou was wearing now; the girl had procured some clothes after the first day, gruffly thanking her for the miko uniform before promptly changing, her relief at being out of the miko garments almost palpable.
Kagome grinned slightly at the memory, leaning over she tapped Toriasha on the shoulder, frowning when the girl flinched slightly, she hadn't gotten over someone else touching her yet, getting startled every time Kagome (or a villager) brushed her or tapped her. The villagers assumed it was because of her beating and nodded their heads sympathetically every-time Toriasha couldn't stop herself, Kagome knew better though and couldn't help but sigh, realising that her patient still didn't trust her, not that she blamed the girl, but still…
"Dinner's ready." Kagome said with false cheerfulness, immediately Toriasha had a bowl in her hands and was looking at the food, practically drooling, another similar trait to Inuyasha. The girl noticing Kagome grinning slightly at her expression huffed and taking a wooden spoon; began carefully sipping the hot broth.
Half way through the meal Kagome noticed that the sling was gone, and Toriasha was using both arms easily, raising an eyebrow at her lack of observational skills Kagome wondered absently, how long the sling had been gone, and if this meant Toriasha would be leaving. Feeling a slight pain at the thought her eyes widened as she realised belatedly that she had already grown fond of another hanyou. Her eyes misted but she pushed back the tears angrily, wondering why she should care, she had kept the hanyou safe and looked after for as long as she was healing her, why would she want her for longer?! But the pain in her heart merely grew and she sighed in self-defeat, she could never beat her own emotions.
"What?" Snapped out of her musings Kagome looked at Toriasha who was watching her with narrowed eyes. Deciding to take this opportunity Kagome spoke softly,
"I see your sling is off. Are you planning on leaving anytime soon?" The girl snorted and finished off her food, laying the bowl and spoon to the side carefully, a curiously feminine gesture.
"Yeah, I don't have anywhere to stay. Guess I'll just travel round like I was before 'the beating'" Waving a hand around to show how much she cared for the idea, Kagome hesitantly lowered her own bowl and swallowed, knowing she was taking another emotional risk by asking this. Just as she was about to speak a soul stealer flew into the hut and twirled around Kagome, taking her extra energy, Emerald had already been curled around her but Toriasha was watching the new soul stealer with slightly widened eyes. She had never gotten used to them, Kagome remembered how she had been so surprised when the soul stealers first came to Kagome at the village, she couldn't understand how a priestess would want to hang around demons and even let them take her energy. She had been slightly freaked out but Kagome had not ordered the demons to stay back, Kagome had decided that if Toriasha couldn't accept her demons then she would just have to leave.
Toriasha, though, didn't mind too much, although she was still wary of them. Kagome on the other hand had kept her powers locked up. If Toriasha was so easily spooked by mere soul stealers, how would she feel if she knew how strong Kagome really was? Clearing her throat Kagome gained the hanyou's attention once more,
"If you want you can travel with me. I've done all I can to help this village and I will be moving on soon…" But to Kagome's slight surprise Toriasha scoffed and gave her a scorning look.
"Why would I want to travel around with you? You're so pathetically weak; I've spent a week with you and you have so little power that I can hardly sense anything. Never mind that you spend time with parasite demons. I may be hanyou but I still am stronger than some demons, I don't need you around, if we get into a fight you'll just be a distraction."
Kagome blinked at the accusations, they weren't too different from what Toriasha had said before, in fact the hanyou had said way worse things than that in the short time they had been together, but when she said that Kagome would only be a distraction her mind flashed to 'the betrayal' and she felt her heart wrench, tears gathered in her eyes as once again she heard her sons and Inuyasha's words. Her mind forced her to endure it all again, and then, as if to spite her, she once again saw the burnt down building of her shrine, she heard the detective saying that the fire had been deliberately set and that her family had been found in the dining room, clutching each other their bodies burnt into their final moments. A sob tore from her throat and she could see Toriasha's wide eyes, clearly the hanyou hadn't expected this reaction from the priestess. She dimly saw Toriasha open her mouth, her eyes going hard as if to say something harsh to snap Kagome out of her saddened state, but at that moment a soul stealer flew into the hut and Kagome felt the alarm spreading though-out every one of her companions' minds.
Abruptly standing up Kagome grabbed her bow and arrows. Pushing aside the hanging mat Kagome stepped out of the hut to meet the villagers standing outside, their faces twisted in anger and hatred, holding aloft pitch forks and torches. Immediately her thoughts washed away, her soul stealers came to her, twirling and wrapping around her, letting loose small trill's. Her voice raised in anger Kagome called out to the people facing her.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Immediately Tzu Metina, the farmer, stepped forward, his eyes narrowed and hatred pouring out of him in waves that Kagome could easily feel.
"What is the meaning of this miko?! Surely you know that the one you house, the one you healed is a hanyou?! The vile thing should be destroyed now! Before it can spread its vile diseases any further!"
The other villagers angrily cheered their agreement even as Toriasha stepped outside. Immediately the villages rounded on her, loudly jeering at the girl. Kagome felt her protective instincts come to the fore and stepped forward. She didn't see Toriasha's shocked gaze, the hanyou couldn't understand it, just a few minutes ago she had obviously said something that had terribly upset the priestess and now she was protecting her?! What kind of person did that? Especially for a hanyou?
"Toriasha has done you no harm! She is not the hanyou who spread the disease! She has been with all of you for a week. She has helped around the village, cleaning and preparing it after the evil hanyou Naraku attempted to kill you all! And how do you repay her, you come at her with pitchforks and torches, obviously intending to do her harm! Shame on you, shame on all of you! I'm almost sad to say I healed you people!"
Kagome saw one of the women about to open her mouth and she rounded on her, her hands clenched tightly around her bow,
"What are you going to say Karina? Surely you remember how just yesterday Toriasha gathered herbs for you when your newborn child fell ill and you couldn't leave his side! And you!" Here she turned to a man who had made a step forward, "Don't you remember how the hanyou who you are intending to hurt or even kill, surely you remember how she spent two whole days in the rice paddies when you sprained your ankle and couldn't feed your own family! You all forget so easily the things this girl has done for you! If you do not wish us here then simply tell us, instead of coming at us with weapons! Because I tell you right now that this girl is under my protection and should any of you attempt to harm her, you will end in pain."
Her eyes and voice spoke her conviction as she turned and reaching into her hut, she grabbed her and Toriasha's bags, handing the girl hers she glared once more at the villagers before grabbing the hanyou's hand and pulling her along the path out of the village. Her anger still pounding inside of her she felt one of her soul stealers warning and letting out a small amount of power, she raised a shield, the three rocks that had been hurtling towards them hit her shield ricocheted off at a faster pace, returning to slam into the would be assailants. Snorting with grim humour the priestess, hanyou and soul stealers disappeared into the forest, the dim light of the stealers soon fading from the village's view.
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Kagome refused to speak about it and it was clear that Toriasha was still in a vague bit of shock. After they had made a fair amount of distance Kagome simply dropped her stuff and grabbing her sleeping bag, set it up and went to sleep without a word. Toriasha watched her, her own eyes hooded with confusion and slight indignation, but she too, took out her sleeping roll and prepared for sleep, glad they had had dinner before they were kicked out, she hated going to sleep hungry, despite it being a fairly usual occurrence (before she turned up at the village, anyway).
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The next day passed in much the same way. Both prepared breakfast without comment, eating silently. It was only when Kagome began breaking down camp that Toriasha looked around awkwardly, clearly wondering what to do. Seeing her wards (for that is what she was now) confusion, Kagome stood and with a slight smile said quietly,
"My offer still stands; you may travel with me if you wish. Truthfully, I would enjoy the company." Letting out a slightly relieved smile Toriasha couldn't help but to ask a question that had been nagging her,
"Why did you do it? The things I said before the villager's came obviously upset you, I…expected you to hand me over without any complaint." Toriasha lowered her eyes, for once the guarded expression leaving her face. Smiling Kagome said lightly, even as she started to pack her things away,
"Just because you said something that hurt me, for a reason you wouldn't understand, doesn't mean I was going to give you over to have you beaten and possibly killed. You may not appreciate it, but my protection is yours as long as you stay with me."
Toriasha grinned, her guarded yet brash expression once again returning. Crossing her arms she gave a pose, so similar yet so different from Inuyasha's,
"What would I need your protection for? I can take care of myself; you're just a weak priestess who's good with a bow and scary when angry." Smiling Kagome hefted her packed bag on her shoulder, watching as Toriasha did the same.
"That's me in a nutshell." Ignoring the confused look sent her way Kagome smiled and pointing in a westward direction whilst saying ecstatically, "It's time to move out!" Humming, she and Toriasha began on their way, the soul stealers moving through the treetops around them, trilling a greeting to the dawn, Emerald once more winding around Kagome.
Just as they left the clearing Kagome said to Toriasha, her eyes slightly down in a vaguely worried pose, "By the way, my friends call me Kagome." Toriasha gave her a confused look, clearly wondering how 'Kaga-rei' had anything to do with the name 'Kagome', but shrugged her shoulders and nodded in agreement as they once more disappeared into the tree line.
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The day passed quickly, and before both of them knew it, they were both setting up a late lunch in a large clearing filled with the most beautiful flowers. Kagome grinned as she looked around her, she loved nature in all its forms, but she definitely preferred it when the sun shone through into a clearing, lighting up the branches and leaves of the surrounding trees and giving the flowers an almost glowing, ethereal look. As they were laying out their stuff off to one side of the clearing, Kagome got a start when Toriasha suddenly jerked up, her nose pricking and her eyes trained on what looked like a dot in the sky, off in the distance. Even as a heron hanyou, her senses were better than Kagome's. Her eyes went wide, her superior heron sight making an image out of the dot, her voice almost breathless she said quietly,
"Kagome, we have to run."
Seeing the distressed look Kagome couldn't help but ask,
"What? Why?"
Never taking her eyes off of the growing form Toriasha's voice rose slightly into a more hysterical quality.
"There is a very powerful being coming towards us, please, he could kill us easily…"
Turning her sights to the 'being' Kagome let out some of her senses and pushing them outwards, she brushed the yokai of the one coming near them. Her face breaking into a smile she jumped up and began waving her arms trying to gain their attention.
"Down here! Sesshoumaru-sama, Rin-chan, everyone, over here!"
Toriasha was up in a second, grabbing Kagome's wildly waving arms she pinned them back to Kagome's sides and whispered harshly to the miko.
"What do you think you're doing?! Are you stupid? He could kill us in a second! He's the Lord of the Western Lands! A weak miko like you will never stand a chance against him!" Toriasha's eyes were wide and Kagome could feel her rapidly beating heart from where they touched, she simply looked blankly at the hanyou though, wondering what she was going on about. Both their confused and agitated states were interrupted though when a thump sounded behind Toriasha. Kagome looked over the hanyou's shoulder and grinned at the group who had landed.
Pulling herself out of the hanyou's grasp she felt the excitement welling inside her, running across the field she was met halfway by an equally excited orange streak.
"Kagome-chan! Kagome-chan! Rin thought she would never get to see Kagome-chan again! It's been soooo long!" Picking Rin up Kagome let out a laugh as she spun them both around. She was so happy she felt giddiness rising inside her. Her soul stealers seemed to be picking it up as they too began brushing against Rin and her with mounting enthusiasm until they were both surrounded by glittering scales, the harmonious trills sounding around them. Laughing at their antics Kagome waved a hand to try and back them away, smiling as they did so; she swung Rin around and onto her back where Rin clung, smiling happily.
Seeing Ah-Un and Jaken across the field Kagome strode across and exclaimed happily, somehow managing to get the two dragon heads and Jaken in a group hug,
"I missed you all so much! It's great to see you Ah-Un and Jaken-sama." Jaken sputtered but those who knew him noticed that he didn't make any scathing remarks about her touching him or being a filthy human. Rin grinned and whispered into Kagome's ear,
"Jaken-sama likes you." Kagome smiled before turning when a deep voice sounded behind her,
"It seems miko, that you are making a habit of missing my presence."
Moving into a deep bow Kagome straightened and clasping her hands in front of her (despite Rin still clinging to her back) she said with as grave a voice as possible,
"No Milord, I could never forget your presence. I was merely so excited to see you all that I knew that if I greeted you before releasing said excitement I would do something we would both (most likely me) regret."
His eyebrow rose and she could see the faint amusement in his eyes,
"Like what miko?"
Answering without thinking (most likely due to Rin tickling the back of her neck whilst giggling quietly) she said;
"Like run up, hug you and say I missed you Sesshoumaru-kun." Instantly realising what she said Kagome slapped a hand over her mouth and waving a hand in front of her, her muffled words were barely heard, "I did not just say that out loud, please someone tell me I did not just say that out loud!"
Sesshoumaru merely smirked though, and taking a half step forward he asked mildly,
"And why would that be a bad thing Miko?"
Looking slightly flabbergasted Kagome said in a 'well duh' voice,
"You said you wouldn't attack me unless I provoked you, hugging you and calling you…that, would definitely come under the 'provoking' section if I do say so myself."
Shaking a head slightly at her antics he looked to the side at the wide eyed hanyou who had watched the proceedings and had somehow managed to not breathe throughout everything said.
"I see you have acquired another hanyou miko. Surely the betrayal of the last one put you off such things." Again his voice was mild, but for someone who knew him a bit better, Kagome could hear the slight scorn and interest in his words, placing her hands on her hips she said in a (very slightly) raised voice.
"Her name is Toriasha, and its ok if she betrays me because I haven't completely put my trust in her, just as she hasn't put her trust in me." It was true, they both knew it; Toriasha still hadn't told Kagome what had caused her injuries when they first met, and Kagome hadn't told Toriasha any of her past or even revealed her true strength to the girl.
Sesshoumaru raised a brow and merely said "Hn." Before turning his attention from, what he considered, the being below his notice. Looking at the miko he stated, for once no arrogance in his tone.
"You are more powerful than I gave you note for miko." At her confused look he inwardly sighed but explained further, "That disease you destroyed made of Naraku's miasma. By following the miasma through the air and purifying it, the spiritual properties you left in the air drifted on the wind and continued to purify the miasma out of the lungs of some humans in two other villages Naraku visited in his guise. Not only did you destroy the air borne disease, but you residual powers healed those hurt enough that they could live. You abilities as a healer are very good, though you abilities as a fighter are as of yet, unknown."
Kagome could only gape at him. She had done all that? And she had done it without realising? Her residual powers (residual being the key word) had had enough strength to not only fight off the disease, but to heal those affected, if only mildly…wow. Feeling a small glow of pride it was promptly destroyed when a teenage voice said loudly,
"How could she do all that? She's just a weak miko, can you not sense it Milord, she has very little spiritual power." When everyone turned their attention to her (even Rin over Kagome's shoulder), Toriasha visibly gulped but held her ground. Sesshoumaru was instantly in front of the hanyou, his claws glowing green and dangerously close to her neck.
"Do not speak of what you do not understand hanyou." His words were more acidic then the sizzling liquid dripping from his claws. "The miko you claim to be weak is the Shikon no Miko, the jewels rightful protector, and supposedly one of the most powerful priestesses of our time." His voice was deceptively calm, even as drop of acidic came dangerously close to hitting Toriasha's foot.
Lowering Rin to the ground Kagome quickly walked up and gripped Sesshoumaru's arm, looking up at him as his steely cold gaze turned to her, she fought her own slight fear and carefully pulled down his arm, aware that he was allowing her to do it, she could never beat him in a matter of strength. Saying quietly but equally firm voice, she continued to look him in the eyes.
"She doesn't know of what she speaks Sesshoumaru. I have kept my powers hidden from her for fear she would be scared away. To her I am a weak miko."
The glow in his hand died but still he scoffed,
"Those of power should not hide it for the sake of those lesser than them." Sighing quietly Kagome let a wry grin pass over her mouth, realising that Sesshoumaru wasn't going to kill her ward. Before she could say anything though, he continued, making a short leap away, "How about we give her a demonstration of your true power miko?"
She didn't have enough time to give more than a confused look before Sesshoumaru release the first gate holding back his power. He didn't direct, only released it so that those around them could feel his power expand out of him and roll towards Kagome, spreading from him in a circle. Realising what he was doing Kagome called on her own power, opening the door in her mind she felt it wash through and out of her in the form of a light blue light. Spreading from her the two circles of power met in the center, but with no direction from their two masters the power simply roiled outwards, rubbing the spiritual and the demonic together in an almost purple display.
Letting a smirk cross his lips Sesshoumaru released another gate, Kagome upped her own power to match the increasing force in his. Realising the game (if that's what you could call it) she kept letting more and more power flow out of her, reveling in simply letting it be. The wells power even expanded, and instead of trying to destroy the demons nearby, it added more power to hers. Sesshoumaru felt his smirk widen almost into a smile as he opened 3 more gates. He knew Kagome was reaching her limits, but he was actually surprised at the amount of power she had, he knew she had potential when he first met her, but he hadn't realised she had this much.
They both stopped releasing more, somehow reaching a silent agreement they just let their power exist, flowing around them and those they protected, both the red of Sesshoumaru's yokai and the light blue of Kagome's miko power mixing to make slashes and swirls of purple and magenta. The soul stealers were having a field day. They weren't consuming any energy, but simply flying through the combined auras was giving them and almost high feeling. Kagome giggled as two crashed and tangled together, floating softly to the ground. By mutual consent both her and Sesshoumaru withdrew their powers, both locking them behind their respective gates and doors. The well didn't even fight Kagome, having fully changed to her aura it only fought her at all anymore if she experienced too much of any emotion, and that was pretty much how her normal miko powers acted anyway, so Kagome was glad for the reprieve.
Toriasha was standing to the side, her eyes wide and her jaw dropped. She couldn't believe it. One moment Kagome is a weak miko with a kind heart, the next she is being proclaimed as the Shikon no Miko (by the Lord of the Western Lands himself!) and now she just witnessed the most dazzling, frightening, powerful display of miko and demonic powers, that as far as she was concerned, ever existed. Turning to Kagome she bowed her head and felt her eyes mist with tears.
"I'm sorry I called you weak Kagome. I didn't realise…" Then to her surprise she felt to arms wrap around her and Kagome saying quietly but happily to her,
"Don't worry about it. I hid it from you on purpose, I didn't want to frighten you. You're not going to leave now, are you?" Wiping the tears from her eyes Toriasha gave a grin,
"What are you kidding? I'm not letting you get away that easily, not when I just found out that I have the Shikon no Miko as my protector." Kagome smiled back before turning to Sesshoumaru and completely unable to stop herself she launched herself at him and gave him a hug, feeling him stiffen she ignored it (and her basic survival instincts) to say into his armour coated chest,
"Thank you for that Sesshoumaru-kun. I haven't ever done anything like that, it was one of the most fun and exciting things I've ever done!" Releasing him she backed away, gave a quick bow and turning to Rin who was watching everything with wide, curious eyes.
"Come, do any of you want to join us for lunch? We were just preparing it before you arrived." Sesshoumaru watched as his ward, retainer and mount all hurried to the miko, Rin exclaiming loudly that she was "very, very, very, very, veeery hungry. So could she have some cho-co-late." The laugh that Kagome released at the statement was light and carefree. Shaking his head slightly at her antics, and trying to get over the fact that she had actually hugged him…and called him Sesshoumaru-kun. Sometimes he wondered how she had managed to live this long at all. Smirking he walked up to the group and sat leaning against a tree, Kagome noticed and gave a soft smile, which he returned with a widening of his smirk, allowing some fang to show. Shaking her head at him (yes, he couldn't believe she did that either) she returned to making food for his and her own ward. In some ways he was glad to have found the miko again, it had been unexpected, but her visits always had the most unusual events happening within them. It was always something to look forward to.
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AN: One more done. Thank god. I just got back from holiday, but soon I'll be gone again. So I thought I'd give you guys another chapter whilst I had the chance. Sorry but I'll be gone for a few weeks and nothing will be up then. Hope you enjoyed this though. Please review people. Reviews make me happy, just a simple press of a button, a few short sentences and your home free. Thanks again for reading and like I said, hope you enjoyed.
-night flame miko