*IMPORTANT* This story contains spoliers from the Bleach Series! DO NOT READ if you don't like spoilers, ruiners, etc. I have given my warning! *IMPORTANT*
Title: Miko and Shinigami Love
Rating: T
DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo. Two respected mangaka! I do not own the characters in any way nor the story plot only the idea of this fanfiction!
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: Well, he-he, sorry for the long update! Spring break was over for me and teachers began to pile things on the students and not to mention I had auditions for a dance company. Luckily, I made it! I am so excited!
Anyways, this chapter is pretty much shorter than the rest, but the next chapter is longer so, don't get too upset with me. There will be action next chapter and even more things that I twisted with this crossover! Ha-ha! Thank you for reading this far...already to chapter 30 and past 300 reviews! Thank you sooo much!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
dragonlord1337, witch20, shippofan2k, marsreikosan16, TsukiyoTenshi, Tensa Zangetsu 17, bleach102, omaomae, Moonlight Rein, Foxluna, cheyy11, animecollector
THANK YOU ALL!
Chapter 30: Healing Within
The melody of crickets began to play as the quietness around the area grew with every second. The sound of flickering fire accompanied the tune of the named insects. A pair of chocolate eyes stared down at the calm green liquid inside the ceramic cup. Watching her own reflection through the small cup, she heard the old woman's voice.
"It really surprised me that you came to the well, Kagome-chan," she spoke. "I was afraid that you would be looking for Inuyasha and the others to hurt them."
The last sentence made Kagome wince. Dropping her view once again, Kaede quickly noticed Kagome's ache across her face.
"I hurt my own friends," she whispered but knew the old priestess heard her. "I made everyone worry and here I was, on the side of the enemy." Her bangs' shadow covered her eyes: "I am too ashamed to even look at them again. They must hate me."
Kaede sighed as she sat across her while holding her own cup of tea: "Child, they don't hate you."
Kagome slowly looked up with sorrow and let Kaede continue.
"They were fighting for you. They wanted you back and knew it wouldn't be an easy task to accomplish. They knew the hardships that awaited them and yet," Kaede gave her a sincere smile, "they went to try and get you back."
Kagome's eyes slightly widened at her words: 'T-They were willing to sacrifice themselves…for me?'
"Oh child," Kaede shook her head as she stared at the flames uprising from the wood, "the moment you turned into what they called an Espada, everyone was devastated."
Kagome's eyes shifted from corner to corner, not sure what to stare at next. A sigh passed her lips: "I am just…amazed that I was able to remember who I really was. Who knows what would of happen if I continued off as an Espada…"
"Kagome-chan?"
As Kaede called her name, Kagome looked up to stare at her directly into Kaede's own eyes.
"Kagome-chan, do you feel any different now that you have…comeback?" she asked. Confused at the sudden question, Kagome's eyebrow crooked up slightly: "What do you mean, Kaede-sama?"
"You really don't feel any different?" she repeated.
Kagome shook her head.
Kaede's eyes closed: "I was afraid of this," her eyes meet Kagome's. "Your miko-ki is weak right now."
"Weak?" whispered Kagome confused. "W-What do you mean by that?"
"Due to the enemy giving you abilities that should originally purify those you are against, your miko-ki was locked away temporarily," Kaede gave another sigh. "Your miko-ki was forcefully trying to fight against the corruption against you, child."
"Could that be why…I got all those flashbacks?" questioned Kagome.
"Could be," she replied. "If they gave you any pain, that may be why."
"Now that you mention it, Kaede-sama," Kagome's hand came up to touch her head, "my head would pulse in pain every time these flashbacks came to me."
Kaede nodded: "Hm, I see child. Either way, your miko-ki is at a weak state and nowhere near to where you had them before."
"Y-You mean," Kagome sighed in defeat, "it's like when I first came here when I didn't even know I was a miko."
"All you really need is to meditate and hone those abilities back," Kaede gave her a smile. "But I can see that even though you are fully back…you still have those Espada abilities."
Blinking, Kagome was taken back slightly by her sudden statement. 'My Espada abilities are still…within me? Does that mean I can use both my miko abilities and my Espada's?'
"Even if you have both, you still need to train both," Kaede brought Kagome's attention back.
"Train both?" repeated Kagome. "You mean, my miko-ki and Espada side?"
"Exactly, child. Like I stated before, those miko abilities of yours are primarily used to purify the darkness. I can see that the Espada abilities have a bit of darkness within them," Kaede took a sip of her tea. "You must find a way for your miko-ki to accept this new side of you."
"Find a way for my miko-ki to accept my Espada side, huh?" whispered Kagome out loud.
"The only way I can help is with advice, child," spoke Kaede. "The rest is up to you."
Meeting her eyes, Kagome waited for Kaede's words. "Go up the shrine and meditate there. I know it might make you uncomfortable knowing my sister's graveyard is located the-," she was cut off by Kagome's sudden smile.
"I'll be fine, Kaede-sama. I think I know what you mean by meditating. Just need to find my source of miko-ki within myself and my Espada source to accept each other," Kagome nodded.
"And possibly find a way to merge it."
"Merge it? Is that even possible, Kaede-sama?" questioned Kagome in interest.
"Possibly," smiled Kaede. She took another sip: "And if you succeed in doing so…your miko abilities would surpass my sister's and make history as a miko. No miko has ever combined her abilities with the darkness and keep their purity."
Kagome looked down at her cup of tea: "I see."
Looking back at Kaede, she smiled: "May I stay here for the night, Kaede-sama?"
"Child, no need to ask," she gave her that sincere smile Kagome loved and made her feel welcomed. "You are welcome to stay as long as you need to. Rest, child, you deserve it. I will find a messenger to find Inuyasha and the others to tell them of your arrival."
"No!" exclaimed Kagome, surprising Kaede in the process. "I mean," Kagome cut off the eye contact, "I already put them through so much."
"But they are out there looking for you, child."
"I know," she replied. "But…I want to look for them myself."
"Kagome-chan…"
"I put them through so much and I think it is right that I were the one to look for them. I think that is the right thing to do," whispered Kagome but loud enough for the old priestess to hear clearly.
"No, child."
Kagome looked back up.
"They deserve to know right away. You can't go out there, especially when your abilities as a miko aren't at their strongest. I will send a messenger from the village as soon as possible. You rest and train. That should be your goal right now."
"But Kaede-sama!"
"No, Kagome-chan. You forced yourself to remember who you really were and able to escape such a dangerous place in a short amount of time. You traveled all the way out here…you need to rest."
"Kaede-sama…"
"Rest, child…rest and," Kaede got up and smile one last time: "It's good to have you back, Kagome-chan."
Sesshomaru's eyes closely watched Ichigo's. Golden orbs closed: "And how do you intent to get this demon side out?"
Ichigo sighed and looked to the side: "I…am not sure."
"This Sesshomaru wonders how you brought it out the last time. You did mention that, didn't you?" he questioned seriously.
"Yes"-answered Ichigo. His view changed back to stare at the youkai in front: "The last time had to use it came with a price."
"A price?" whispered Sesshomaru. His arms were crept across his chest and soon his eyes opened to meet with Ichigo's chocolate orbs.
"I had to sacrifice my Shinigami abilities completely."
There was a moment of silence after Ichigo's words. Sesshomaru intently stared at one in front and soon spoke: "How did you get them back?"
"Long story," sighed Ichigo. "But that really isn't important anymore."
"This Sesshomaru is curious about one more thing," Ichigo's attention was fully on him. "What is the name of this demon?"
"Name? Oh, well, you see, my sword is called Zangetsu, but to call out it's so called demon side I have to say the name of it," Ichigo took a pause. "Saigo no Getsuga Tensho."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed down into slits: 'Saigo no Getsuga Tensho? In other words, The Final Moon Fang Heaven-Piecer. Moon Fang?'
"And this Zangetsu," started Sesshomaru, "has always been with you?"
"Well, it was born when I first turned into a Shinigami, should I say. It is born with us and dies with us," he explained.
As Sesshomaru began to process the information in his head, a sudden voice caught their attentions. Looking to their side, they saw Miroku breathing heavily and coughing with a smile on his face while the female demon slayer stood worriedly as he consoled her he was okay.
Renji walked towards them as he scratched the back of his head: "Sorry if I am interrupting your little chat, but it seems like we might need to go back to the old priestess' village."
Ichigo's eyes widened with anger: "W-What? Why?"
"What do you mean why? We need to think of a plan and…Captain Hitsugaya and them will go back to Soul Society."
"B-Back?" stuttered Ichigo. "At a time like this? Time is ticking!"
"That's is why!" shouted Renji. "They will bring Soul Society in here!"
"Abarai is right, Ichigo," they watched as the shorter captain came walking in. "Knowing that Aizen is going to Hueco Mundo, we need help on this and especially with his new creation. It paralyzed your abilities…that was one of their goals and we can't let them win this easily." He gave a sigh: "Besides," looking at Miroku coughing, he continued, "seems like the monk might need more treatment from that poison. Out of everyone that was affected he has the wind tunnel or whatever and it is more easily affected."
Ichigo's knuckles began to turn white from anger. Letting the frustration blow away from him, Ichigo's shoulders finally slumped down in defeat: "Fine. Let's go back."
Walking away, Sesshomaru was left on the same spot, watching the three Shinigami walk back to the fire. 'Moon Fang, huh? It seems like this kid had this Zangetsu since he was born.'
Standing up straight, he looked at the peaceful Rin sleeping soundly. A smile was plastered onto her face while Jaken argued in his slumber. 'Seems like this Sesshomaru has already seen the future.'
The sound of a sword going into its sheath caught Bankotsu's attention. Watching as Zenaku stood in front of him and tying his ribbon to make his silver hair stay high into a ponytail. Currently, Bankotsu had been given orders by Naraku himself that he was to have his brothers follow Zenaku – changing the leadership directly to someone else.
"I want to have one thing cleared, Espada," spoke Bankotsu as his arms crossed across his chest. His brothers stood behind him, except for Mukotsu. Jakotsu had arrived quickly to him and told him the dreadful news of the loss of his brother.
Seeing that he had caught Zenaku's attention, Bankotsu continued on with his talk: "I am still the leader of this group, doesn't matter what Naraku and Aizen say."
Smirking, Zenaku turned his attention back ahead: "Sure, whatever you want to do but if it is against our orders, don't blame it on me. He sent you and your brothers with me," he looked at the smaller male. "But I am still on my own. Don't expect me to help you if you need it."
Bankotsu growled under his breath: "Why you-!"
"Besides," Zenaku began to walk into the forest, "I am in hurry to see Kagome-chan in her human side."
Disappearing into the shadows, Bankotsu heard his brother speak. Sharpening his claws, he began to speak: "Bankotsu, I say to follow him with caution. Once we are close to Inuyasha, I say we find a way for our enemy's group to separate."
"Hm, sounds like a good plan, Suikotsu," smirked Bankotsu. "I think it is time that we take charge...of everything."
Opening her eyes, Kagome continued to hear the trees hit against each other as the wind blew its tune. Birds chirped happily along with the sound of the nearby river running calmly.
The sun's rays were gently touching her skin as she sat inside the shrine with her legs crossed mediating. After she had arrived with Kaede, the day after, she began to mediate but no luck. She couldn't concentrate only having the thoughts of how she was going to apologize to the others. Kaede had sensed her instability and assured her everything in the end would be fine. Another day passed and now she was trying again – she wouldn't give up. She sighed: 'I can't seem to find my miko-ki. I guess Kaede-sama was right…it's weak. I can see a small light within me but that is about it. I can't grasp it.'
Straightening her pose, her eyelids slowly came down to close. Her breathing was soothing along with the breeze that came into the windows of the shrine.
'Grasp it. Allow the miko-ki to grow,' she told herself.
She watched inside as a small pink glow rested in the middle of the darkness. Next to it floated a white ball with its own glow. Guessing it was her Espada's aura, she took a deep breath in and exhaled.
Images of her first time arriving to the feudal era appeared inside her head, the moment she first laid eyes on Inuyasha all the way to meeting her new friends and collecting the jewel shards. The miko-ki began to glow even harder.
The flashbacks quickly ran forward to meeting Ichigo as her new neighbor. The smile that first appeared on his face and the moment she had first saw him in Shinigami robes. A tear ran down her face as she remember and saw herself wounding Ichigo with one of her ribbons.
Soon enough, both glows began to get closer. Her auras touching little by little.
"Furai: Ribon no Tsubasa."
Kagome's eyes quickly opened at the sound of an unknown voice. 'W-What…was that? Who said that?'
Feeling a sudden calmness insider her chest, her hand came up to touch it. Her eyes widened as she felt her miko-ki grow more than where it was. Her birds soon greeted her as they flew inside and stopped on each of her shoulders. Their eyes stared at her, almost like telling her something.
Her eyes widened as she watched her birds flying above her head. 'Furai: Ribon no…Tsubasa is your calling name?
Her eyes traveled to see one of her birds with the jewel that had been there since day one. It was a light pink color, almost looked like a huge pearl. Seeing the other bird with a different colored jewel, she noticed his was pure white with a hint of gray.
In a matter of seconds, her birds stopped flying and landed gracefully down on her shoulders. Kagome's eyes widened as she felt a sudden familiar feeling.
'This is the feeling of the…Shikon no Tama. But I can feel it is only a…shard,' Kagome gulped nervously. 'I-Is it Naraku? Or Aizen?'
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: That concludes chapter 30! Can you take a guess on what Sesshomaru is thinking? Or perhaps what is coming towards Kagome? He-he, hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.
Thank you for reading and hope you keep on supporting me!
Ja~ne!