The sunset shrine hadn't changed much, yet the setting orange sun shimmering upon its walls made it even more beautiful then she could ever remember.
She paid off the taxi, and then looked upon the shrine steps speechlessly.
She was finally back— the place she'd grown up, the place she used to go everyday for 15 years of her life until the feudal era opened. Since then she was not to her home half as often.
Now after a good amount of years she looked upon it like someplace strange.
'Had it really been that long?' She asked herself.
For the last six years, she hadn't really been permitted to come back to live but it was open to anyone who came to pray. A few times in the past she had thought about it, but the pain would come back. Now six years later she couldn't even remember what the place looked like at sunset.
Zel moved up to her ankle, mimicking her mother's pose, looking up the steps. Kagome let a hand slip down to her head to brush over her hair. Ko and Meimi shot by running away from an angered Kawayou. They tackled the steps and ran about the open grass. Giggling the girls skidded to a halt when Kawayou stopped moving. He folded his arms and looked at them admonishingly.
"Giving up already?" They mocked in harmony.
Kawayou popped his chin up and gave a superior sniff.
"I'd have no problem catching you." Turning away, he finally gave his attention to his mother.
Kagome noticed instantly snapping out of her trance, and going up the path.
"This way kids." She announced in the most composed voice she could manage, and turned back giving them a forced smile.
Kagome surveyed the area when she got to the house. He eyes stopped at the well house.
'I still wonder if the well is sealed. Either way, it wouldn't benefit to go back there again.' Her hand unconsciously trailed her hand to the scar she gained in the years back.
A twinge struck Kagome, and she jerked her head to stare out Zel. A strong feeling of relief ran through her and Kagome's finger tips tingled. Pulling her hands away from her youngest daughter, she absently announced.
"Well we are home."
Zel promptly nodded, too engrossed in staring at the place to look up at her mother.
Kagome had often found herself pondering about the convey of emotions she would get from Zel. It was in the moment prior that Kagome was so very sure it wasn't her feeling relieved. But that Zel could, and would from time to time, convey her emotions through some type of aura. She didn't have time to ponder on the implications of it—the only way her mute daughter could communicate. In times before, she'd just let the curiosity of the thought trail settle to the reminder that there was lots of magic in the world.
The sun was setting glowed orange as it set, coloring the clouds that had tinted gray.
The auras were still strong here-- she was sure of it. In the past years she had even attended a course on how to sense auras. It was quite strange, almost like a camp. They didn't teach her much more than she already knew. It seemed her already inherent miko senses were all that would aid her.
Kagome shivered at the mere thought, it was not a time to think beyond what was present. She searched the auras, each forming its own color in her mind. The one by the well house, its magical aura was still a pulsing purple.
`Why, why hadn't it died down after all those years? Is something still pushing against its barriers? If I give the stupid sword back, will it stop pulsing? Or was it because I disposed of the Shikon no Tama'
She closed her eyes tightly shut.
The pulsing aqua she was now locked on to was giving her migraine. Years back when she climbed from the well, which would be the last time she did, bloody and beaten, she'd only made it to the God tree. Stabbing the sword into its bark, it glimmered and sealed there. The blood it'd been covered with burning into steam.
Nothing could touch it; it would purify, and most likely kill anything that did. Of course, with the exception of one who was pure to begin with.
"Mom! Wow lookie!" Meimi opened the door with ease. Kagome's own mouth fell open. Everything was new the place was amazing."I can smell the food from here." Kawayou commented taking Zel's arm and guiding her in.
`Souta must have thought I wouldn't have enough money to replace all the worn down things. He has became a really good guy over the past years.' She smiled setting down her suitcase, and following her children into the kitchen.
The kitchen remained the same, except for being touched up in the last few years.
If she could close her eyes, she could almost imagine herself walking in to see her mother in the kitchen, her grandfather at the table. 'Hello Kagome.' No matter how many times she tried to remember her mother's voice, it was already faded. Now she wouldn't even mind hearing one of her grandfather's tales about something or the other.
"Mom!" Kagome's eyebrow twitched as she snapped back to reality, she followed the voice to its source.
~*~*~
Kagome stretched her aching muscles out when she woke. A warmth overtaking her body with a strange comfort she hadn't felt before. Rain pattered outside and it left the world dark—even in the early hours of daylight.
Her children shifted in their sleep, nuzzling deeper into the mess of sheets. They hadn't felt like making the individual beds and picking the rooms, so they all bunked down in the master bedroom.
Carefully, Kagome slid out from under the covers, straining so her weight didn't shift the others on the mattress. Throwing her legs over the sides, she pushed her weight over and let out a breath when her feet touched the wooden floor. Grinning at her success, she glanced back to watch her children sleep.
Zel's eyes popped open the second Kagome looked, and Kagome's shoulder dropped. Zel frowned until Kagome silently beckoned her to stand up. Hoisting the young girl straight off the bed, the two snuck to the kitchen.
Kagome had learned very quickly to not wake the children up until breakfast was long since made or she'd have three grumpy children rubbing their eyes and whining.
A twinge of happiness struck Kagome as she put Zel down, and using the boost, she smiled and looked around for supplies.
"Zel, would you check for me if there are any eggs in the fridge?" She asked pulling out a pan from the covered. She cringed at the dust on it and ran it to the sink. Zel returned with the carton and held it as high as she could. Zel only made it to her waist and often tried to overcompensate for her size.
"I guess I might as well make omelets for everyone right?" She hummed gingerly and turned on the stove.
A crash caught her attention, and dropping her task, Kagome almost growled. She ran for the other room where the children were supposed to be sleeping.
"What's wrong?" Her voice shot up so high, she brought a hand to her mouth.
"Mommy!" Meimi and Ko reached out for her. Tears dampened their eyes and their tiny fingers reached out for her with urgency.
"What's going on here? Where is your brother?"
They cried. "Where is your brother?" Kagome demanded again, eyes shooting away from them to look around the room.
"I'm right here mom." Kawayou stood by the door, his claws tearing into the wood.
"What's going on? Please tell me what's wrong?"
Kawayou flexed his nails on the wood, his eyes widened.
"Can't you hear that?" His voice whispered.
Kagome opened her mouth and paused.
"Hear what? Kawayou what do you hear?" She pulled her children tight to her chest and sprinted for the doorway.
Zel had followed them to the hallway and she put down the twins, looking at all of them urgently.
"What are you hearing Kawayou? Please, please explain it to me. Mommy can't hear it." She reached out for his hand.
"It's horribly. It's like screaming." Kawayou whispered, his voice breaking up with fear. His hands crawled up to his ears and pressed against them.
Kagome looked amongst them, stopping when she caught Zel's eyes. The young girl took a step back, holding out her hand.
With the silent acknowledgement, Kagome turned back toward the twins and Kawayou.
"Kawayou, it's okay baby, I'm going to take care of it. Please, please watch you sisters."
She turned and grabbed Zel's hand as the small girl lead her down the hallways. Her heart thundered, the chill of sweat rushing down her back. She kept glancing around, listening acutely to the children behind her. Zel finally came to a stop at the window, and Kagome got a sudden twinge—of dread. She pointed and Kagome's breath left her when she stared at what her daughter had indicated.
The well house.