God, these swiss people still baffle me even after six months of being here! Not only are they able to WAKE UP at 5.45AM every morning, but they are able to THINK too! Here is bumble, barely awake in her math class (which is in french, I might add), and everyone around her is wide awake and answering math questions the teacher is doing on the chalkboard. I don't know about all of you, but I barely function that early, let alone write!
Okay, enough about me.
Before I let you read, I would like to dedicate this chapter to Teensie-sama, who is kind of like my mentor. She's given me good advice, and I just want to thank her for being a good friend!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
--Chapter Ten--
"She was where?" Sango nearly dropped her cup full of hot tea on her lap. She leaned forward in morbid curiosity, waiting for the monk's answer.
"In another dimension." Miroku sipped his tea thoughtfully. While Kagome was out thinking things through, Miroku had made tea and had decided to tell Sango of his discovery. When the priestess had finally responded to his voice, she had come back flustered and confused. What she had told him in the darkness had baffled the young monk. How was what she saw even possible?
"Miroku, I don't understand," Sango said bluntly, her voice laced with irritation at the monk's short answers.
Miroku took a deep breath, placing his cup on the floor before giving Sango a serious expression. "I have heard of this once before, but never have I actually given the matter thought. What Kagome described to me sounded almost exactly like the stories I heard when I was just a child."
"What exactly happened?" Sango took another sip of her tea, trying to calm herself.
"The beginning went better than I had first anticipated. She sunk into meditation quite quickly, and was able to focus clearly on her mind. I decided to push her further, and see what would happen. Remembering those stories, I told her to break down the walls of her mind. From then on, she said the walls disappeared and she found herself in a white world, all alone. That is, until she saw a panther approach her." Miroku shrugged lightly. "She said that the panther told her that it was the ancient power within her, and it would do anything if she just commanded it."
"A panther?" Sango was confused, and she tried to keep up with the story.
"I guess the spiritual powers of one changes into the forms of animals in this dimension, depending on their strength. She said I was a mole," Miroku sweat-dropped at the thought. Was his power so weak that it was a miniscule rodent?
Sango didn't laugh. "So what our animal is in that dimension depends on how strong our aura is?"
Miroku nodded solemnly. "Exactly. She said the world was only white, no houses, no trees. There was nothing but the other animals."
"So, in other words, she could see all living beings? Without any obstacles blocking her way?"
Miroku thought for a second. "I would believe so. She said the humans were only insects or especially tiny rodents."
"Miroku!" Sango exclaimed. "Kagome could locate Naraku!"
"I guess she could, but I don't think she would be able to pinpoint his exact location, only his general area."
"That's better than nothing!"
Miroku placed a hand on Sango's arm to keep her sitting. "Dear Sango, we shouldn't just run after Naraku like we used to in the old days. I don't think we need any more loses than we already have."
Sango calmed under his wise words. Her thoughts briefly touched on her brother and Inuyasha's deaths. "You want us to train more before going after him?"
Miroku shook his head. "No, that's not what I meant. Kagome herself needs more training with her spiritual powers, but I still think we need to sort out rumors and such before going after him. Remember, we don't have Inuyasha's strength anymore to help us. That's a major minus for us."
Sango nodded, agreeing with the monk's logic. "Okay. Now before I go off to try and find Kagome, tell me what these stories you heard as a child were."
Miroku smiled, happy the demon slayer was able to understand so quickly. They all were practically twitching inside with just the thought of getting their revenge. "Let me pour myself more tea before I start."
/----------
Kagome found herself standing on the bank of the same pond she had found a couple of days ago. She was ankle deep in cool clear water, her chin raised to the clear night sky. The moon was full overhead, casting the young girl in its ghostly light.
A breeze blew softly by, twisting and turning the priestess' raven locks behind her back. She ignored the cool chill the wind caused to run up and down her skin, instead closing her eyes to the soft humming it sang as it ran through the various bushes and trees around her.
Acting on an impulse, she undressed under the full moon, throwing her clothes to the bank. She let out a sigh as the breeze picked up again and swirled around her pale form, caressing silky skin and playing gently with her long hair. She took a step farther into the pond, cold water rushing up to meet her calves. She took step after step, heading farther into the deepness of the little pond. The cool water made goose bumps stand up all over her smooth skin. The little shivers of cold that ran up and down her body almost drowned out the distinct sliver of recognition that ran down her spine.
She dropped one hand to dip her fingers in the water that had reached her waist. One arm instinctively wrapped around her chest to conceal her breasts from the demon behind her.
She didn't turn to acknowledge the demon lord behind her. "Sesshomaru," She greeted, her voice soft on the night's chilly air.
He only grunted, and she slowly turned her head to stare at the full-blooded demon behind her. His silver hair shone in the moon's ghostly glow, arrogant golden eyes blazing calmly in the darkness. His pale skin was porcelain under the light; the magenta strips on each side of his face that marked him as a youkai were barely noticeable. He stood not five feet from the edge of the body of water, his honey coloured eyes fixated on the young priestess who was half-surfaced in its cool depths.
Kagome turned her gaze back to the water's surface, trying to see past its black appearance. "I assume you're here to ask me something," She told him softly, pressing her hand to the water's glossy surface, half emerging her fingers in the dark water.
"Then you have assumed right," He answered coolly, sarcasm always evident in his voice under the meaning. His golden gaze never wavered from her form, focused on her slim back. His eyes admired pale but silky skin, and the hardening muscles underneath. It was obvious to his eyes that she had been training.
"Ask away," She told him, no interest laced in her soft tone. She already knew what he was going to ask, and she knew he would feel no emotion at her answer.
"Is it true Inuyasha is dead?" Kagome's lips twisted up into a sarcastic smile at his question. So I was right.
She slowly eased her body into the cool water up to her slim shoulders. She turned in the water to face him, her creamy skin below the surface blurred by the small waves in the water. She gave him her most blank expression. She would not show weakness in front of Inuyasha's brother. "Yes, it is. Naraku killed him six months ago."
Sesshomaru only let out a soft 'hm' while he thought for a second, no emotion on his face as he heard of his young brother's demise.
Kagome raised a slim eyebrow at him. "I would've suspected that you would've heard the news of Inuyasha's death months ago."
Sesshomaru didn't answer the question underlying in her statement, nor did he feel compelled to. What he did in his life was no business of hers. With an internal smirk, he acknowledged the fact that the wench was trying to be as cold and heartless as he was. But she would never succeed in reaching his level; the demon lord had had years of experience. "You have changed," He stated coolly, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his thin lips.
"Changing the topic?" She inquired before her dark eyes hardened. "Yes," She replied, her voice like ice. "I have." Her eyes lowered to his feet, trying to avoid the golden gaze that was so alike his dead brother's.
"I see Inuyasha's death has hardened you," He mused softly, his voice relaying no emotion. "Or is that just what you want others to believe?"
Her head jerked up sharply, eyes burning with anger. As she opened her mouth to deny his question, he let a cold smirk grace his thin lips, cutting the priestess off.
"Or maybe you're just trying to convince yourself that you don't need anyone in your life that was as close as Inuyasha was?" He went on, ignoring her death glare. "I even bet that his pathetic memory still haunts your dreams."
"Stop," Kagome hissed at the demon lord, demanding that he stop this accusing. His words were like ice; cutting away at the brick wall she had placed around her heart. She wanted to believe she had grown; she needed to. But the fact that someone other than her conscious had pointed this out really hurt her newly found pride. She didn't want it obvious to all around her that she was still internally suffering from his death, even six months later.
She turned from Sesshomaru, giving him her back. Her hands rose from the water to wipe at the breakaway tears that had run down her cheeks. She took a deep breath to steady her voice. "I did what I had to do," She told him, her voice barely more than a whisper. "If that meant growing from his absence, then so be it. I will not let another person die trying to protect me." She took another breath, trying to get her runaway emotions under control.
"Do what you want to do, priestess. It matters not to this Sesshomaru. I came here for only one reason, and now that I have my answer, I will be leaving." His cold voice held no emotion; as if he didn't care at all that he had managed to chip at the barrier around Kagome's heart.
When she turned around to verbally assault the demon lord, her blood boiling savagely under her skin, the night was still, and the only sounds that filled the air were the chirping of the nearby crickets.
Sesshomaru was gone.
/----------
"Long ago, when Inuyasha's great-grandfather walked the earth, there was supposedly a very powerful monk named Botan. The stories I heard as a child were always about a 'White World' he was able to visit in his mind. He was able to see reality, but it was told that he could also see the White World too, enabling him to protect his village whenever youkai came to slaughter his people." Miroku paused to take a sip of his tea. "His aura was said to be in the shape of a great snake. He could also kill another demon by ordering his snake to attack the particular demon's aura. If his snake succeeded in slaughtering the other animal in the White World, then the demon itself in reality would disappear." Miroku's gaze fell to the floor as he thought for a second, recalling everything he could remember.
"What ended up happening to Botan?" Sango asked softly, setting her empty cup on the wooden floor.
Miroku shrugged. "No one knows, but I assume he was killed off by a strong youkai."
"I guess Kagome is even more powerful than she had ever thought," Sango stated, her eyes widening a fraction at just the extents of Kagome's spiritual energy.
"It would seem that way. I haven't ever heard of any other being able to do that." Miroku drained the rest of his cup, his voice remaining calm.
Sango sighed before suddenly deciding it was time to go talk to Kagome. As she stood, she asked, "Are we still going to do more physical training with minor demons?"
Miroku nodded. "Yes, but I would think in a few days time. I want to see if Kagome is able to keep her spiritual powers in her sword while she fights."
"And this other dimension?" Sango asked, pulling the straw mat out of her way, exposing the warm air of the hut to the night's cold breeze.
Miroku sighed. "I'm afraid I can't help her there. She'll have to figure it out on her own."
/----------
"Keep your concentration," Miroku told her softly, seeing the young priestess struggle to keep her mind blank.
When nothing more happened, the monk sighed. "Kagome, take a break. You're just going to frustrate yourself."
Kagome let out a harsh breath as she opened her eyes; her swords tip lodging itself into the earth despite her wishes. Obeying the monk's kind command, she slumped to the ground, her sword barely keeping her sitting. Panting hard, she refused to meet the monk's gaze. Why am I so weak? Why can't I do this?
"Kagome, listen." He placed a hand under her chin to lift her gaze to his. Giving her a friendly smile, he regarded the anger drawn on her face. "Just relax. If you just hold your concentration, I'm sure you can do it. We've been at this all morning, and I know it takes great strength to just search for the power inside you. Just take a few minutes for a break."
Kagome only nodded, a drop of sweat working its way down the side of her face. The monk left her in the open air, letting her calm alone. She appreciated it, but she refused to take a break.
After managing to get herself in a sitting position, Kagome successfully emptied her mind, letting all her thoughts drain away with the wind that passed by. As her body began to relax and sink into almost numbness, Kagome searched through her body, looking for that one place of energy that had not been reached by her consciously.
Kagome almost sighed out in relief when she detected its presence, a small but weak pulsing sphere just under her heart, alive with the natural energy of a priestess. She reached out with her mind, just gently prodding it. The sphere reacted instantly, its aura growing larger and its pulse stronger. Sensing its reaction, Kagome prodded the sphere harder, and was shocked to find that the ball of energy acted right away at her whim, expanding itself. The energy grew and spread, and she felt it flow through her limbs, the natural tinge of power underneath her fingertips. It wasn't a burning affect like the first time it had exploded, but a gentle stream of warm power. Kagome knew she was in charge of how powerful it could get, and how it would act. She was entirely in control.
Focusing her mind, she felt the power slowly ebb from her fingertips into the silver hilt of her sword. The natural energy surged through the weapon's blade, a circuit of priestess powers as it flowed back into her body.
Opening one eye cautiously, she was greeted with the sight of a bright glowing sword. On an impulse, she urged the priestess energy inside herself to strengthen, and she watched with mild surprise as the sword's blade brightened as the power going into the weapon increased, and the pure aura around the blade grew and strengthened.
Suddenly feeling her physical energy return to her, Kagome stood up slowly, her gaze entirely fixed on the glowing sword in front of her eyes. Facing a tree to her right, Kagome shifted into a ready position before she swung her energy-filled blade at the thick trunk.
She watched with a passive expression as long straight blades of purple light flew towards the tree from the sword's blade, completely tearing the trunk apart. The tree let out a low groan before tumbling to the ground at her feet.
Kagome frowned, seeing how clumsy her attack had been. The blades had hungrily eaten and torn at the bark of the tree, tearing it apart. She knew she had a lot of training to do before she could cut down an enemy with a single, clean stroke.
"Not bad." Kagome spun at the voice, her eyes landing on a smiling Miroku. He was leaning casually against another tree, his staff gripped in one hand.
"You were watching?" She asked, her eyebrow rising in the process.
"Only to see you destroy that tree," He admitted, walking over to her.
"I have a long ways to go," Kagome muttered, her eyes traveling from her sword to the dormant tree at her feet.
Miroku smiled as he came to a stop before her. "Tell me, did you manage to find the center of spiritual powers inside your body?"
Kagome nodded solemnly. It didn't matter that the monk was impressed with the simple act of locating the core of her spiritual energy; Kagome wanted to master control. She wanted the blade to glow instantly at an easy command, and she wanted to take down dangerous enemies without the use of so much spiritual strength.
"That's a start, Lady Kagome," He told her. "Meditation always works, and I would suggest that you practice everyday to gain control. It seems right here would be the best, since it is away from the village, and you wouldn't be bothered."
"I'll be training on my own from now on?" Kagome welcomed the idea, knowing that testing out her strength boundaries would be easier alone. Her goal was set, and nothing would stop her from reaching it.
Miroku nodded. "Starting tomorrow. We heard about a small demon ambush a couple of days from here, and we should be heading out to exterminate them within two days. I know that doesn't give you a lot of time to train."
Kagome nodded her head, not concerned about the limited time at all. She would work her body until it was literally dripping in sweat and screaming for a break. If it meant skipping meals, or missing sleep, so be it.
Miroku smiled, seeing the determination set on the girl's face. "I am going back to the village to talk about tactics with Sango. Would you like to accompany me?"
Kagome shook her head, her eyes lowering to her sword once again. "I'd like to spend a few more hours working on my attacks."
"I understand. Don't be late for dinner, Lady Sango is cooking!" He grinned, knowing the girls did not favour his cooking as well as he had hoped. He mentally shrugged it off, knowing woman were more likely to have more talent in the kitchen than the everyday monk.
With a wave of his hand as he departed, he left her alone once again. Kagome's eyes travelled back down to her sword, her mind set on its goal. With a quick turn of her heel, she flung the glowing sword at a large tree.
Watching it plunge to the forest floor with a loud groan, Kagome sighed. This is going to take a while, she thought before swinging her blade again.
/----------
"Where exactly is this village?" Miroku asked, his eyes focused on the young demon slayer walking beside him. It was weird for him to not see Kirara trotting alongside the girl's side, but Sango had decided it was best to leave the demon cat back at the abandoned village.
"We should be there within the half hour," Sango told him. They had been travelling since dawn, and Miroku was just itching inside to see other village maidens.
Kagome's eyes fell to her sword, its sheath tied tightly around her hips. Two days of immense practicing had made her attacks more powerful without using the amount of spiritual energy it had once taken. Her aim also improved, and the once messy assaults were cleaner.
"Kagome?" Sango's voice was soft, her head angled towards the other girl.
Kagome's gaze travelled up to her companion's face. "Yeah?"
Sango shook her head, brown eyes gentle. "Nothing. You've just been quiet ever since we left, and I was wondering what's on your mind."
Kagome shrugged, her eyes dropping to her feet, trying to avoid Sango's gaze. "Just focusing on our task."
Sango nodded. "I understand."
Kagome visibly grimaced at the gentle sympathy lying underneath her best friend's words. She couldn't stand the sorrow and understanding that showed themselves in the demon slayer's eyes and in her voice. I don't need your sympathy, Kagome thought softly. Just believe in me, Sango.
"Help! Someone, please help!"
All three heads snapped up from their silence as an elderly man half limped half ran towards them, his eyes wide with fear. The old villager was sweating buckets, his face dripping in it. From his old wrinkled mouth he screamed for help, desperately looking for anyone to help him.
Miroku ran to meet the man halfway, the two girls following close behind. "Villager, what has happened?" Miroku demanded gently, his face serious.
"Demons…" The man rasped out, nearly falling to his knees in front of the trio. As Miroku helped him stand, the old man whispered, "Please, monk! …My village is in… trouble! Demons…"
"Demons," Kagome clarified loudly, her excitement peaking.
"Where is your village?" Sango asked gently.
"Follow this… road…" He rasped out, his body crumpling to the dirt road.
"Sango, come on!" Kagome gestured wildly for Sango to follow her. "Let Miroku take care of the old man!"
At Sango's confused expression, Miroku sighed. "Sango, go with Kagome. I will be there to help you shortly."
Sango nodded slightly before taking off after Kagome, leaving the monk behind. He watched their retreating forms, wishing he were able to go with them. But then again, seeing Sango's well-formed rear end bounce with every step she took almost made it worthwhile staying behind. Miroku sighed again before bending down and picking up the old man.
The villager gave the monk a bewildered look before coughing out, "You're not going… to help my… village?"
Miroku half dragged the man to the side of the dirt road. "Kagome and Sango have gone ahead. Once you are safe, I will go after them."
The man wheezed harshly. "But… they are women… how can women… fight…?"
Miroku chuckled. "Don't worry, they can handle themselves."
/----------
"I see the village!" Kagome shouted, her strides lengthening.
"And I see the demons!" Sango shouted back at the priestess running beside her, the demon slayer's hand pointed towards the figures of five large demons in the middle of a small village.
As the two girls neared the small community, cries for help and ear-piercing screams became almost unbearable as the villagers ran for shelter from the attacking demons. The demon group had yet to move onto the vulnerable villagers; they were still preying on the village animals.
Kagome and Sango skidded to a stop before the five demons, the only two daring to get that close to the attackers. All around them, villagers fled frantically, reminding the demon slayer vaguely of bees. Kagome regarded the demons with a look that would scare a lesser being, judging their traits.
One demon was a caterpillar the size of a bus in the twenty-first century with long spiked legs that ran down each side of its disgusting body; a towering red praying mantis stood over a barn, a horse clenched in its strong jaws as it consumed the animal whole; another demon was a large green snake with one black eye in the middle of its deformed head; a coach roach the size of a one-roomed hut was happily devouring the village chickens; and in the middle of the group stood a tall bright yellow salamander, lime green acid dripping from its fangs as it eyed the little human girl in its claws.
"Sango, take the others! I need to save that girl!" Kagome shouted over the screams and cries to her companion.
"If you need help, yell at me!" Sango hollered back before she charged at the coach roach, throwing her Hiraikotsu at the same time.
Kagome left the demon slayer to take over the process of eliminating the lesser demons as she approached the obvious leader of the demon group. The young girl in the salamander's claws wiggled her small frame back and forth, desperate to get out of its clutches. Tears streaked down her pale face as she screamed time and time again for help.
"Animals not good enough for you?" Kagome shouted angrily at the demon leader, fire blazing in her eyes.
The demon seemed taken back by her confidence, but it only made him pause for a moment before he opened his fangy mouth in a sarcastic grin as loud rumbles of insane laughter poured from his chest. Dropping the human girl, the demon straightened up to its full height and faced Kagome, accepting her challenge. "You, human wench, dare to speak to me?" He demanded.
Watching the young girl land on her rear before taking off to safety, Kagome placed a hand on her sword's hilt, a sarcastic smile snaking its way onto her lips, confidence burning in her eyes. "I suggest you leave, or die," She told him, her eyes shining in the blaze of the sun's last rays. She half hoped he wouldn't give up so she could destroy him and rid the world of another demon, but then again she knew it would draw a lot of her strength to battle him, and there were still the other demons to think about.
He laughed again, more acid dripping from his jaws. "You shall die for your impudence," He stated before lunging for her with his open mouth.
Kagome unsheathed her sword, satisfied that it glowed immediately at her command, and stood ready as the salamander's fangy mouth grew closer, his aim to catch her and devour her in one charge.
Not happening today, she thought with a confident smirk. As the demon came closer, Kagome swung her sword at his form. Long blades soared from the end of her blade, slicing through the air towards the unsuspecting demon. He let out an ear-piercing roar as her bright blades pierced his skin and half purified his deformed body. Her attack left him without one arm, and large gashes all over his warped body.
"A priestess?" It snarled before attacking again.
Kagome lithely sidestepped his advance, causing the demon to fall flat on its face. With a disappointed sigh, the priestess leaped onto its back. That was more pathetic than I had first anticipated, she internally groaned.
After increasing the energy input into her blade, she plunged it into the back of the salamander's head. The demon let out a high-pitched squeal before lying completely still. Jumping off of its back, Kagome barely saw the group's leader disintegrate and disappear with the light breeze before she charged at the unsuspecting caterpillar…
/----------
The last rays of the setting sun clouded the world, turning the land a dark orange colour, throwing her face in its shadow. The gentle wind played with her bound hair, wanting the bun to come loose so that the long strands of glossy black hair could be caressed in its passing breeze. She barely saw the silent land below her, her thoughts only on the freedom the wind seemed to carry with it.
Turning blood red eyes to the horizon, she contemplated on whether she should go back, or keep going until she reached the continent. It doesn't matter where I go, she internally growled. He will always find me.
The wind picked up once again, and it seemed to caress her face in a soothing manner as it passed. She wanted revenge, but she knew she couldn't do it alone. If only Sesshomaru would help me…
Her thoughts were cut off from the Lord of the Western Lands at the deafening roar of an enraged demon. Throwing irritated blood red eyes to the destroyed village below her, Kagura narrowed her eyes at the beast that dared break into her thoughts.
Shocked eyes widened as she watched a young girl, clothed in the normal demon slayer's attire, plunge a glowing sword into a salamander demon's head. Kagura almost guessed it was Sango, but after her gaze skimmed over the entire scene and landed on the demon slayer's form as she battled a praying mantis, she knew she was wrong.
Who could that be… she mused, daring to lower her feather to get a better look.
What greeted her eyes stunned the wind sorceress into silence. Kagome, the priestess Kikyo's incarnation, was battling demons with a sword brightened with her spiritual powers, with no sign of Inuyasha around. In fact, the only ones battling the invading group of demons seemed to be Kagome and Sango… no monk, no hanyou, no cat demon, and no fox kitsune.
Maybe Naraku did manage to kill Inuyasha after all… Kagura mused silently to herself. In any case, I don't think the fact that this Kagome has such control over her spiritual energy will prove anything good for Naraku.
Not daring to linger any longer, the wind sorceress took to the sky.
I think I made Kagome a bit too dark. She likes killing now? Sheesh.
Until next time! (Read and Review if you want a next time.. nudge nudge)
xxx. bumble.