Kagome felt herself shudder when they reemerged from Sesshoumaru's travel sphere. A small, sad smile appeared on her face when she saw where they were.
"The others are on the way," Sesshoumaru stated before heading inside of the building. He knew it would be hard for Kagome to be here, but it was the best place to gather those needed. No one in Spirit World could see them where they were now. The Higurashi Shrine was a total blackout to Spirit World and to everyone else.
Kagome felt a tear slide down her cheek as she watched him walk into the house. She decided to follow him but found her feet would not cooperate. After several tries and fails, she admitted her fear to herself. Instead, she chose to turn and walk over to the Goshinboku. Once among its roots, she allowed herself to slide to the ground and leaned on the tree for support.
As her eyes closed in grief, she could feel the power of the Goshinboku surrounding her in comfort. It had always been there for her family. In times of happiness, joy and even in grief and sorrow. The tree had seen it all. It had seen her at her best and at her worst. It was a pillar of strength for her.
"Please, Goshinboku!" Kagome sobbed out in a pleading, quiet voice as she turned to the tree, resting her forehead on its trunk. Her hand came up to rest on the tree beside her and she tightened it into a fist. "Please!" she pleaded again as she brought her fist weakly back and hit the tree. "Please let me find my brother's soul. I have never asked your help in anything before but now for my brother, I beg you!" she whispered out pleadingly as her fist uncurled and slid down the tree until it rested on the ground.
She was shocked when the tree gave a pulse of power. Her hand shook as she raised it back up to rest on the now glowing tree. It barely registered in her mind that her hair was now whipping around her body as the Goshinboku gave off several more pulses of power.
'Goshinboku,' Kagome thought as tears poured down her face. The tree was attempting to calm her and to lend her power. "Thank you," she whispered as she closed her eyes. Faintly, she felt her body raise from the ground as power surrounded her form.
Little did she know that her display was being watched by not only Sesshoumaru but the duo that had arrived at Lord Sesshoumaru's summoning. It was a breathtaking sight to those watching. Through the glow of power, they could just see Kagome's body floating in the air. The glow finally got so bright that they were forced to shield their eyes.
Once the glow died down, they opened their eyes to see Kagome leaned back against the tree, almost as if she were peacefully napping. The first to approach her was Sesshoumaru. He knelt down to inspect her and was relieved when he noticed nothing was wrong.
"Why is she asleep?" one of those who had just arrived asked Sesshoumaru.
"Shippou," Sesshoumaru said as he acknowledged one of the new comers. "It was the will of Goshinboku. Kagome pleaded for help for her brother and I believe it has answered her call. It will take time for her body to absorb the power," he stated as he stood back up to head back inside. There were still preparations to make.
"I see," Shippou said as he stared down at his mother. He didn't even glance up as Sesshoumaru went back inside. He felt tears gather in his eyes but he refused to let them fall. Right now, he had to be strong. His mother would need all the support she could get. His fists clenched in anger as he thought about what Enma did. He made a silent vow as he moved to curl around his mother. 'Enma will pay,' he thought as he gathered his mother's body to his own.
Shippou gave a small smile as he felt the other person who had come with him wrap themselves around the other side of Kagome. His eyes slide to their face and he could see the anger and determination there. "Don't worry, Shiori. That bastard will pay for what he's done," he told her as they both wrapped themselves securely around Kagome.
'He will pay!' Both Shippou and Shiori thought as they closed their eyes to rest and wait for Kagome to wake up.