*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: Hello! Sorry for the long wait! But I am back! This chapter is a bit...corny, I think you should say, but oh well! It is needed! The training and action starts next chapter! Enjoy!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
marsreikosan16, TsukiyoTenshi, Ichigoandhollowichigoforevr, witch20, omaomae, MidnightReader1, bleach102, LovingShikamaru, AKARY YAMI, AliceMarieSwan, mndstjohn.
ENJOY!
Chapter 31: Dream or Not?
Grunting, Inuyasha sighed as he finally saw the village ahead: "Finally! Miroku you need to lose a few pounds! Kagome is so much lighter!"
Miroku laughed sheepishly: "He-he, forgive me, Inuyasha. I'm just not in the condition to walk a long distance."
Ikkaku scratched the back of his head as he stared at the small village: "You idiot, obviously he would be heavier than Kagome! Kagome is a woman! Sheesh, and it shouldn't be something a hanyou would be complaining about. I thought you demons had strength!" He gave him a smirk: "But I guess I was wrong."
"Oh shut it!" glared Inuyasha.
"Stop it you two!" shouted Hitsugaya. "We have no time for arguing. We need to get back to Soul Society and bring some reinforcements."
"What for?" questioned Rangiku as she crossed her arms: "I think we should go back and tell them that they are on their way to Hueco Mundo."
"I doubt that they would leave soon," whispered Hisagi.
"Why do you say that?" Sango tightened her hold on her Hirakotsu.
"Knowing that we are far from a spiritual area, opening a Garganta to Hueco Mundo is going to take time," he explained.
"A...Garganta?" repeated Sango.
"Think of it as a door to Hueco Mundo," answered Rukia. Her plum colored eyes scanned the area only to see Kikyo walking forward: "Kikyo-san?"
No answer came, making everyone confused on why she suddenly picked up her pace. "What's wrong with her?" whispered Renji.
Crawling up to Sango's shoulder, Shippo's huge green orbs blinked: "She sure is acting strange, huh?"
Inuyasha's eyes tightened: 'Kikyo...'
Inuyasha's eyes widened as he picked up a familiar scent ahead: 'T-That smell...' Before he could take a step forward, he noticed Sesshomaru picking up the same scent: "It seems like this Sesshomaru has recognized Inuyasha's wench's scent."
"W-What?" everyone was taken back by his sudden sentence. Looking to his right, Ichigo stared at Sesshomaru. 'Inuyasha's wench? Who the heck is he talkin-?' Without hesitation, Ichigo ran in a flash step.
Everyone around didn't miss Inuyasha's growl as he ran behind Ichigo: "W-Wait! Hold on, Inuyasha!" shouted Miroku as he was astonished to be moving at full speed.
"W-What got into the both of them?" Rangiku's eyebrow curved upwards as she watched both boys running like crazy men. "It's like they finally found Kagome-chan or something."
"You said it yourself," everyone turned to see Sesshomaru walking ahead with Rin, Ah-Un, and Jaken trailing behind. "Inuyasha's wench is already here."
"Who is this Inuyasha's wench?" repeated Ikkaku. "I thought Kikyo was the hanyou's wench."
Sango gasped: "K-Kagome is here!"
Shippo clutched onto Sango's shoulder: "I-Is it really okaa-san?"
Ignoring the sudden stares, Sango ran past Sesshomaru with only the Shinigami standing there confused. "Kagome? As in the Kagome we have been looking for?" asked Hisagi. "What on earth could she be doing here?"
"Well, there is only one way to find out," glared Hitsugaya as all of them ran.
Ichigo continued his path down the hill, ignoring Kikyo as he passed her. 'Is it really her? Please let it be her! Please! Kagome! Wait for me!'
Taking a sudden stop, he looked around the village. Everything looked normal so far. Farmers continued their daily doings as woman took care of the children. His eyes landed on a familiar old priestess coming out of a hut. She was talking to a woman carrying a newborn child and it seemed like Kaede was giving her some herbs.
Taking fast breaths, Ichigo ran once again and soon surprised Kaede the moment the young woman went back inside her house. Kaede blinked, not expecting his sudden appearance: "My, I didn't expect you here, Shinigami."
Kaede watched his outer appearance and noticed his heavy pants and tired face: "Are you alright, boy?"
"K-Kag...Kagom-" before he could finish, a sweet recognizable voice was heard around Kaede's hut.
"Kaede-sama? I just sensed a shard!"
Kaede smiled the same time as her eyes closed knowing that Ichigo and the others were going to have the biggest shock in their lives. Ichigo's head slowly turned to the side only to see ebony hair swaying with the breeze.
"Oi! Shinigami!" shouted the hanyou from behind. "Is she here?" he exclaimed his question. "Hello! Answer me!"
Miroku, while still being carried by Inuyasha, noticed Ichigo with wide eyes. Following the line of sight, his own eyes expanded, surprised by the person who stood there.
"Ichigo! I'm talking to you!" once again, Inuyasha tried to get Ichigo's attention. "Stupid Shiniga-!" his own eyes mimicked the Shinigami's and monk's as he heard the voice and the sweet scent he missed so much.
"Kaede-sama! Where are you?" the voice sounded like she was in a hurry. "I just sensed the shard! Kaede-sama!"
Kaede sighed with a smile still glued onto her face: "Yes, child? I am over here."
At hearing her words, Kagome's head spun to the side, letting her ebony hair sway and little by little revealing the people that stood. She sensed the shard nearby and near Kaede. The moment she saw Kaede, she saw two men standing while another dark haired man was being carried by the silver haired hanyou.
Her eyes widened: 'H-Hanyou? Is that him?'
Her blurry vision came to a stop and soon her sight was focused to see the three men there. She gasped under her breath, not only noticing the hanyou and monk but also-
"I-Ichigo...?"
"Looks like I sensed your presence right," Kagome's head turned to her left only to see Kikyo walking towards her. "I am quite astonished you were able to escape Naraku's grasp."
"Uh...," Kagome looked down. She didn't know why, but she felt weak when Kikyo was near her. She felt like she didn't have the honor to look up at her.
Inuyasha gulped as he saw Kagome standing there. Her once pale white skin was gone. Her blood shot orbs disappeared and were back to their heart-warming color. But by looking at her attire, she had been roaming around the forest. The long white silky dress had mud sports and the bottom look somewhat ripped.
He looked at her eyes once more; tired. She was exhausted.
Inuyasha took a step forward only to come to a stop as he saw a the Shinigami running forward. 'W-What the heck is he doing?'
Sensing the shard coming closer, Kikyo's eyes narrowed down as she saw the orange haired teenager running towards her reincarnation. Kagome's head came up, sensing the shard at the same time as Kikyo. She blinked: "I-Ichi-," her eyes came to a sudden expansion. She felt his much stronger arms wrap around her petite body while burying his nose into her hair.
She continued to blink, confused by his sudden action but, his hug completely erased her surroundings. Her only focus on the Shinigami that held her close.
Ichigo tightened his hold. He knew he was the type of guy not to do such an intimate action with everyone around, for that made him a reputation. He was willing to break that just for her. He hadn't believe it at first when he laid eyes on her. It really was her. Her once chocolate orbs were back. The red was gone; faded.
He was afraid of letting go. Afraid she might have been an illusion or she might run away. She was here. Back with him. Safe...
Everyone arrived, including the Shinigami only to be greeted with Ichigo hugging Kagome. Ikkaku's eyes widened: "I-Is that the miko?" he exclaimed as he pointed. He relaxed his posture and crossed his arms: "Well you look at that. I guess she is back."
Sango gasped: 'Kagome!'
Shippo, who was on Sango's shoulder, began to climb up on her head: "It's okaa-san! She's here!"
Hitsugaya's icy cold eyes tightened: "But something is weird. How was she able to come back? Did Aizen and Naraku suddenly let her go free? This could be a trap by them."
"Captain!" shouted Rangiku. "That can't be it! Maybe she really is back on our side."
"How can we be sure?" asked Hitsugaya with a glare.
"This Sesshomaru smells no Naraku on her," all eyes were glued onto his form. They noticed his line of sight was also focused on the hug. "She is completely back. If she wasn't, this Sesshomaru would have smelt another scent on her. This is her scent."
Rangiku gave her captain a huge grin: "Well, if the big taiyoukai says so!"
"You will learn to respect My Lord!" shouted Jaken as he swung his staff around to hit Rangiku.
Sighing, Rangiku's leg came up and kicked Jaken away from her: "Annoying."
"That was a little harsh," commented Hisagi.
"Well, he wanted to hit this pretty face!" she whined as her index finger came up to point at herself.
"It's already messed up anyways," Ikkaku gave her a bored expression.
"Why you piece of sh-!" Rangiku took a step forward only to be stopped by Hitsugaya's sudden yell.
"Both of you stop this nonsense! We have no time to waste and we need to go back to Soul Society!"
All eyes landed on him, even Ichigo who had unwrapped his arms around Kagome and stared at Hitsugaya glaring at him and Kagome. Kagome gulped as she saw his eyes. She didn't now him but his eyes gave her the sense to know that she was below him when it came to power.
"We expect answers," Hitsugaya's voice staid serious only making Kagome's facial expression to relax: "I understand."
Minutes after their encounter with Kagome, everyone came walking towards the well with Kagome being the leader. Kaede walked behind her with her arms behind her back only smiling at Kagome's courage. She knew the miko was afraid to confront them but it was the only way if they wanted to defeat Aizen and Naraku.
Stopping in front of the worn out well, Kagome sighed and continued to stare at the thing that brought her here in the first place on her fifteenth birthday.
"How is it that you are here?" the question first came from the captain. "You had been consumed by darkness and suddenly you came back? That sounds a bit...odd, don't you think?"
Kagome winced at his words. 'Such harsh words for someone so...' her eyes landed on the white head and gave him the bored look, 'short.'
Shaking her head, Kagome fully turned to the group in front and glared at him: "I think we should start with introductions, don't you think?"
"You've seen us before," meeting her glare.
"Exactly," she replied. "I did see you but I think it's best that we introduce ourselves in my real self, don't you think?"
Hitsugaya sighed in defeat as he heard her words. She didn't mean to be rude or anything but she was right. Even when she was an Espada, he really hadn't given his name or the other Shinigami except for Ichigo, Rukia, and Renji.
A second sigh passed his lips: "I'm Captain of Squad 10, Hitsugaya Toshiro."
Kagome nodded as her eyes traveled to the other unknown Shinigami to her. The strawberry haired woman gave her a huge smile which made Kagome smile back.
"My name is Matsumoto Rangiku, but you can call me Rangiku," a wink came out. "I am the lieutenant of Squad 10."
'Oh, so Shinigami have their captains and lieutenants? And they did mention a number so there must be more of them,' Kagome analyzed the information that was given to her before turning to face the other last two.
Kagome was surprised by the tattoos on his face and the weird choices at that. He had the number '69' while a strip went half-way across his nose. Three scratches vertically came from his head to his eye and all the way down.
'Looks like from...a battle perhaps?' Kagome smiled: "And you are?"
The guy gave her a small smirk: "Hisagi Shuuhei and I am the lieutenant of Squad 9."
The bald Shinigami scratched his hairless head and eyed the miko: "Madarame Ikkaku, third seat in Squad 11."
"You aren't a lieutenant or a captain?" Kagome tilted her head to the side innocently.
Ikkaku growled under his breath: "No."
"Oh," whispered Kagome. She gave them all the same smile and bowed down: "Higurashi Kagome. Nothing special about me but a normal miko."
Still bent down, Kagome's eyes relaxed as her smile made the opposite. She stared at the ground below: 'Just a mere miko...a weak miko who almost killed her friends.'
Before anyone could utter a word everyone was taken back, even the old priestess as they noticed Kagome beginning to go on her knees and bent down even further. Her head hung in shame as her hands were placed in the form of...a formal apology.
"K-Kagome?" whispered Sango. "What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry everyone," she choked her words out. "I put all of you in danger and I am sorry that I let myself being consumed into darkness. As a miko I should of fought that...but I guess I was wrong in my abilities."
All eyes landed on the orange top taking a step forward, slowly. His movements seemed cautious at first but in reality he was still in shock to see the miko there and bowing down asking for forgiveness.
"I swear on my soul, I will work hard to become stronger and defeat Aizen and Naraku," with her eyes still opened, she saw a pair of feet in front of her and suddenly disappearing as black fabric covered the feet. She sensed the shard once again.
Slowly, she looked up only to meet with the same color of eyes as hers. "I-Ichigo?"
"Stop," he finally spoke. Blinking at his single word, Kagome was brought into his embrace once again. "You don't need to apologize for anything. What happened was something we weren't expecting and we couldn't do a thing about it because we didn't want to harm you."
"But I harmed you! All of you!" she exclaimed as she slightly pushed herself off from the hug. Looking down, her hands grabbed a fistful of his garments. "I don't know what happened but while being an Espada, images of my past began to flash through my head and made my head throb in pain...I hurt you, Inuyasha, Koga, everyone! I became a monster!"
Ichigo continued to listen as his face muscles relaxed. Inuyasha's fist shook with rage as he saw the scene before him and it didn't go unnoticed by Kikyo who stood beside him.
"You know," she whispered to him and made sure her voice was really low that no one around would hear, "Kagome might seem weak and thinks she is but in reality...I think my reincarnation has become stronger than before. Her miko-ki is weak right now but something else has been born."
Inuyasha's head slightly turned, giving Kikyo the sign he was listening: "What do you mean?"
"She still has the Espada abilities but her miko-ki is purifying it to make it one."
"Make it one?"
"If she does purify those abilities, her miko abilities will even surpass...mine," her whisper became lower.
Inuyasha's eyes slightly widened and turned his attention back to the duo in front. He heard Kagome's cries once more accompanied by more words .
"But yesterday night, my real self showed itself to my Espada side and finally I regained conscious. I don't know how exactly...but I just did. I came straight to the well thinking I could find more answer as to why I turned back and Kaede-sama found me. I am terribly sorry!"
Her eyes snapped open from her tears as she felt Ichigo's hand on top of her head: "Stop, please. I already told you, you don't need to apologize. It wasn't the real you and you aren't weak."
Kagome looked up to meet Ichigo's eyes once again.
"We are just glad you're back safe and sound with us," her eyes slightly grew in size seeing he was giving her that rare smile that she was sure no one in the back saw.
Standing up, Ichigo offered his hand which she gladly took it. Towering over her, Kagome looked up with a small smile. 'She's back,' Ichigo said to himself as he let go of her hand.
"Well you look at that!" shouted Ikkaku. "Seems like we have romance in the air!" He gave a whistle: "Ichigo! I didn't think you could fall in love! Better yet, have someone fall in love with you!"
Striking a nerve, Ichigo glared at him: "Shut it, Ikkaku!"
"Just saying what everyone else is seeing!" he smirked. "This scenario has made everyone...hmm, what's that word, awkward!"
A sweat drop appeared on Kagome's face: "G-Gomen..."
Ichigo sighed: "Whatever."
Coughing, Miroku, who currently was being helped by Renji to stand, smiled at the miko: "Kurosaki-san is right, Kagome-sama. You aren't weak and you shouldn't be apologizing. You're back and that is what matters."
Kagome gave him a smile: 'Miroku...'
The captain crossed his arms: "Now that the miko-," Kagome shot her glare at him: "Ka-Go-Me." Hitsugaya shook his head: "Now that...Kagome is here, we can concentrate fully on defeating Aizen and Naraku."
"We can't let our guard down," added Kikyo.
She walked towards Kagome and looked at her from head-to-toe. Kikyo's eyes glued onto Hitsugaya's: "If we let out guard down, Naraku and this Aizen man will probably be after Kagome again. There are chances that they don't know," she returned to face her reincarnation, "you escaped."
Kagome gasped: "Y-You're probably right! Damn...but he has the whole place surrounded with Espadas and not to mention, The Band of Seven. Someone had to see me run off."
"They probably did," answered Hitsugaya. "But maybe, Aizen and Naraku gave them orders not to do anything. That is the most logical answer. For a fact, Aizen and Naraku wouldn't let you go easily."
"Then that means that bastard Naraku will be after Kagome again?" exclaimed Inuyasha as he finally found a way into the conversation.
Kagome's eyes caught Ichigo's fist turning redder with each second passing as the conversation flew by. 'What's got him so worked up?'
"We need to go back to Soul Society," Hitsugaya's eyes closed as he continued. "We need to tell Soul Society that Aizen and Naraku will be on their way to Hueco Mundo and we need to be prepared. If I stand corrected, a Garganta should open in a few days from today."
Rukia looked at Ichigo: "Yes, we need to get to Soul Society and with Ichigo's current condition, he can't fight."
'What!' Kagome's eyes shifted from Rukia to the Shinigami in front of her. "Y-You can't fight?"
Ichigo looked down. He felt pathetic right now not even being able to protect the people he cared about most! 'Damn that Zenaku!'
"Apparently, one of Aizen's new Espadas paralyzed his Shinigami abilities. Their chained up inside his inner world," explained Rukia.
Kagome's head tilted to the side: "New...Espada?"
An image of a tall tanned skin man appeared in her mind. His silver hair flowing while being held up in a high ponytail. He turned his head, showing his red orbs that in just a second made her jump. "Y-You mean that youkai?" she exclaimed her question.
Ichigo looked behind his shoulder: "Youkai?"
Kagome nodded and crossed her arms: "Yeah. He's a youkai and an Espada but, not only that...he's a Shinigami as well. I didn't think it was possible. But...he was the one that paralyzed your Shinigami abilities?"
"It seems like it," sighed Ichigo.
"Keh! That's because he was too weak to defend himself!" shouted Inuyasha. "But we can't stop any longer! There are still more shards to collect and the shards that Naraku has in his possession! We got to keep moving!"
Sango walked forward and placed her hand on Kagome's shoulder: "Kagome-chan, do you remember where Naraku and Aizen were at? We can't find their hiding spot anywhere and Inuyasha can't smell his miasma."
Kagome looked down: "I remember being in a cave."
"A cave?" questioned Miroku. "Hm, it could be anywhere."
"But there were lots of stairs and openings inside," added Kagome. "More like a mountain."
"A mountain, huh?" Miroku nodded. "But which one."
"If Inuyasha can't smell his miasma, it must be because Naraku has gone off to a place were youkia can't reach him or locate him," thinking harder, Kikyo nodded to herself: "This might sound crazy, but there is one place where he could be."
"Where is that?" questioned Miroku.
"Mount Hakurei."
"Mount Hakurei?" repeated Sango. "That's further up, it would at least take three days to get there."
"Then we start moving today," Inuyasha's eyes closed as he placed his hands inside his red haori. "Now that Kagome is back, we can move forward!"
Kagome glared at the hanyou in front: "Sorry for slowing you down!"
It finally clicked into Inuyasha's head on what he had said and...said it wrong. He turned to Kagome: "No, I didn't mean it like that, Kagome."
"Osuwari," she continued to glare at him to death.
In a blink of an eye, Inuyasha was soon kissing the dirt. Hearing a familiar laugh, Ikkaku held his stomach: "Ha-ha! Baka! Sit like a good boy!"
"Shut up," growled Inuyasha into the ground.
Kagome sighed: 'Maybe I was a bit harsh on him...'
"Then it's decided," Kikyo turned around to face the others. "The Shinigami will go to their own world and prepare for war there," her eyes landed on Sango and Miroku. "We will stay here and find Naraku in Mount Hakurei."
"Wait!" exclaimed Kagome. "We are separating?"
"They need to go to their own world, Kagome," she glared back.
"Look, I did hear we were going to another place but I doubt Aizen will leave Naraku here! Naraku is in control of the shards that are in the necks of our enemies! He is either going to stay here for awhile or Aizen will take Naraku with him," Kagome's eyes narrowed down. She didn't know what had come to her, but facing Kikyo was something she never planned to do.
But hearing that the Shinigami and they were going their separate ways was something that Aizen and Naraku would want! They would become weaker as a team, as much as she hated to say that.
"So what do you have in mind?" Kagome turned her head to see Rangiku smiling.
Kagome thought about it: "Since Ichigo can't fight for the time being I think while we head to Mount Hakurei, during the travel we should find a way to free whatever is binding Ichigo's abilities."
Hitsugaya crossed his arms: "And what if Naraku and Aizen plan to leave during our way there? It would be a waste."
"First of all," glared Kagome, "do you even know how to go back to your so called 'Soul Society'? In fact," Kagome tilted her head, "how did you get here in the first place? I thought Inuyasha and I were the only ones to cross and I know Sango-chan and Miroku can cross."
"Let's just say, someone helped us," answered Ichigo.
Kagome looked behind her shoulder seeing that Ichigo seemed bothered by something: "I see."
"I think Kagome-chan is right!" exclaimed Rangiku. "We already started here! Might as well finish what we can!"
Miroku gave her an 'okay' sign with his hand: "Yes! I like the way she thinks!"
"You just want her to stay longer for her to show her cleavage all over the place," growled Sango as Miroku sensed her killing aura.
"Don't think like that, Sango," he laughed nervously.
Hitsugaya sighed and looked at the two miko: "Fine. We will accompany you to this Mount Hakurei but, when it is time to go to Hueco Mundo-," Kagome cut him off: "We will go with you."
All eyes widened realizing she was serious. In the corner, Sesshomaru sneaked a smirk: 'This miko is gaining confidence. First she was apologizing for being weak but her mood changed defensive.' His eyes landed on the miko and over to the orange haired Shinigami: 'Now, to train him.'
"K-Kagome-chan, you can't be serious," stuttered Sango. "We don't even know what this Hueco Mundo place is."
"But Sango-chan, we made a vow to complete our goal to destroy Naraku! He has done enough harm around here and playing with everyone's hearts and minds! I will follow this war wherever it goes."
A passing breeze accompanied the silence. Kaede chuckled: "Seems like Kagome-chan has made up her mind. Anyone with her?"
Eyes shared glances after another and soon landed on Kagome. Hitsugaya's small smirk appeared: "Very well, you will all come along to Hueco Mundo. Hopefully that courage won't leave you, Higurashi-san. You will need it for what is to come."
"I can handle it," she smirked back.
Ichigo gave her a small smile from behind without her looking. 'Kagome is surely becoming stronger,' his fist came up midway and his eyes glued onto the palm: 'But what about my powers? I might have to sacrifice my human blood for my demon blood...' his sights were once again on the woman in front of him. 'I have to do this. I need to do this sacrifice!'
Inuyasha glared at the Shinigami as he saw Ichigo's determined eyes on Kagome: 'What is he planning?'
"Well then, all of you should prepare to leave in a few hours," Kaede turned around, beginning to walk back to the village. "Finish whatever you have to do here. I wish you all the best."
Sighing, Kagome wiped off the sweat on her forehead as her eyes looked at where her arrow had landed. After their talk in the forest, everyone went their separate ways. The Shinigami began to make a plan while Kaede healed Miroku to the best of her ability.
As for Inuyasha and Kikyo, they were left talking in the well. Sango and Shippo, along with Kirara, walked with her up the stairs to where Kagome had been meditating.
Concentrating back to her task, Kagome relaxed her stance. "You're getting better, Kagome-chan," smiled Sango.
Returning the smile, Kagome looked at her bow: "Yeah, but it still doesn't feel the same."
"What do you mean?"
"Ever since I turned into an Espada, I really didn't use the bow and arrow much," she explained.
"Oh, that's right," Sango's index finger landed on her chin as she went back through her memories of what Kagome used to look like: "You used those birds that turned into very scary ribbons."
Sheepishly laughing, Kagome looked at her friend who was sitting on a nearby boulder: "Actually...," Shippo's eyes caught two white birds flying down and landing on each of Kagome's shoulders. "Ah! Look! Those are the two white birds!" Shippo pointed to Kagome's shoulders as she scratched the back of her head.
"Oh? They didn't leave?" asked Sango as she tilted her head to the side.
"I was surprised myself," answered Kagome. Her eyes landed on the bird on her right shoulder and smiled: "They decided to stay with me."
Sango smiled: "It looks like they really like you."
"But my miko-ki is having a hard time accepting these abilities within me," sighed Kagome, petting the bird's head with one finger.
"Abilities?" whispered Sango.
Kagome nodded as a small smile crept up her lips: "My former Espada abilities stayed inside me, but they aren't consumed by darkness."
"So you are still able to use those birds?" questioned Sango seeing that Kagome looked exhausted. "Kagome-chan, maybe you should rest."
"I can't," Kagome's eyes traveled back to look at her concerned friend. "I have to fully regain my miko-ki and for it to be able to accept my Espada abilities. We are leaving tonight and I can't slow anyone down."
"Kagome-chan, you aren't slowing anyone down," Sango shook her head. "In fact, I think you made everyone stronger."
Kagome blinked: "What do you mean?"
"We have never fought so hard when we were looking for you," smiled Sango. "Especially that Kurosaki boy. Every time he saw you, his face showed nothing but determination. We were all willing to get you back even if we were to get hurt in the process." Sango gave out a low laugh: "You're what makes this group stick together, you know?"
Kagome smiled, seeing that Sango was cheering her up: "Thank you, Sango-chan."
Sango stood from her spot, along with Shippo running towards Kagome. Kneeling down, Kagome stretched her arms out and soon, Shippo jumped into them, hugging her immediately. Returning the hug, Kagome sighed as she heard her son's words: "I am glad you're back, okaa-san."
"So am I," she replied. Loosening her hug, Shippo returned back to Sango's shoulder.
"We will leave you so you can train, okaa-san," Shippo waved good-bye. Kagome nodded: "Thank you."
Sango chuckled: "No problem, and Kagome-chan?"
"Hmm?"
"Remember, if you ever need to talk, I am here."
Kagome smiled: "I know."
Watching as Sango and Shippo slowly disappeared down the stairs, Kagome sighed: 'Alright,' grabbing another arrow, she steadied herself: 'I have to relax and allow my miko-ki to combine with the other aura so the full aura is locked inside the arrow.'
Taking a deep breath, Kagome's ear caught the sound of a twig breaking in half. Rapidly, Kagome turned the opposite direction and released her arrow towards the stairs.
"HEY!"
Kagome blinked, realizing who it was. The person had quickly dodged her arrow by ducking down. That familiar orange hair...
"Oh my! I'm so sorry, Ichigo!" putting the bow down, Kagome ran towards him.
Ichigo scratched the back of his head as he looked behind his shoulder where the arrow had gone off: "What the heck?" Hearing Kagome's apology, he saw her stop in front of him: "Are you trying to kill me?"
Surprised by his sudden scold, Kagome glared at him: "Well sorry! I didn't know who it was!"
"Don't attack so recklessly!"
"Look who's talking!" she shouted back.
Both stared at each other and cross their arms for a few seconds before Kagome sighed and looked down at the ground: "Gomen, I've just been on the edge lately. My reflexes have been high up."
Ichigo sighed after her: "Are you afraid they might come back to get you?"
Nodding, Kagome walked back to pick up her bow: "Might? No, I have a feeling they will come back for me whether to have me alive on their side or just to...kill me."
"Were you practicing your aiming?" he questioned, trying to change the subject.
"Sort of," she replied.
He knew she was afraid at the moment and he didn't need her to be so shaky. Her reiatsu was unstable at the moment...
Ichigo's eyes widened: 'I-I can sense her reiatsu...?'
"Oi, Kagome?"
Looking back, Kagome blinked: "Hm?"
"Did your Espada abilities...disappear after you turned back?" he asked as he got closer to her.
Kagome weakly smiled: "Nope," once again, her two birds flew down and startled Ichigo in the process: "T-Thos are..."
"Yeah, my ribbons," she answered.
Glaring at them, Ichigo watched both birds fly in front of his face: "So these birds were the ones that wounded me."
"Gomen," she apologized again.
"Seriously," he sighed, "stop with the apologies. You got nothing to be sorry for."
Nodding, Kagome grabbed another arrow and stopped aiming as she heard Ichigo's words: "So you're still an Espada?"
"Not quite. My miko abilities are purifying the darkness around my Espada's reiatsu. Once my miko-ki accepts my Espada side, they will both be combined and apparently, according to Kaede-sama, my abilities will double in strength," Kagome relaxed her shoulder and eyed her bow. "My miko-ki right now is just as weak as my Espada abilities so I can't even purify anything right now."
"So that arrow wouldn't of done much damage if I had been hit?" Ichigo crossed his arms.
"No, it still would of pierced into your chest," she gave him a bored look. "What did you think? It's still an arrow."
Rolling his eyes, Ichigo shook his head: "Anyways, how long will it be for your miko-ki to fully purify the dark reiatsu and combine?"
"Don't really know," she answered. "It could be a few hours, days...not sure."
"What exactly do you have to do?"
"Kaede-sama said to meditate, but it seems like a slow process. That's why I am practicing everything I knew before even becoming an Espada." Kagome sighed and soon looked at her released arrows stuck onto the target a few feet away: "So, your Shinigami abilities are paralyzed?"
No reply.
Thinking he had left, Kagome looked back only to see Ichigo looking up at the sky: "Are you okay...Ichigo?"
"No, not really," he replied. "I feel weak. I haven't felt like this since I first lost my Shinigami abilties."
"So, this isn't the first time." It wasn't a question, and Ichigo caught it. "How did you manage to get your Shinigami abilities back?"
"Rukia saved me, again," he continued to look up. "I was about to give up on myself when I felt desperate to regain my Shinigami abilities back, but fortunately, she rescued me."
Kagome smiled and walked up to him. Even with him being a foot taller than her, she looked up and caught his attention. Slowly, her hand glided up and her fingers lightly touched his cheek: "I haven't thanked you yet."
"For what?" his expression relaxed against her touch.
"Fighting for me," she replied. "I heard from Sango-chan that you wouldn't give up on getting me back even when you already sacrificed so much."
Grabbing her petite hand that had been touching his cheek, he looked at it: "I would risk my own soul for those I cared about," his eyes meet hers: "especially the one I love."
Kagome's eyes widened: "I-Ichi-..."
Suddenly, both stood frozen and a pregnant silence spread around the area as they heard bushes rustling nearby, afraid that they might of heard their embarrassing conversation. Looking behind her shoulder, Kagome was surprised to see the mighty Taiyoukai standing there with his usual emotionless face: "Oh, S-Sesshomaru-sama, you startled us."
"That shouldn't startle you, miko," he replied. "Your senses should pick up my aura by now."
Kagome glared at him: 'Always calling me miko! Never by my name!'
Sesshomaru's golden orbs landed on Ichigo who seemed to have a blush on his face: 'Seems like this Sesshomaru cut in the middle of a private love talk. But that boy should not be distracted with things when he should be concentrating on how to gain these demon abilities.'
"Shinigami," looking at him, Ichigo gulped, trying to remove the heated color on his face. "This Sesshomaru will begin to train you."
Ichigo's eyes widened: "Right now?"
Kagome looked at both the demon and Shinigami in quick turns of her head: 'T-Train...? Sesshomaru-sama is going to train Ichigo?'
"H-He's going to train you?" questioned Kagome as she looked at the tall teen.
"I asked him to," he sighed.
"But...with what? You don't have your Shinigami abilities..." Kagome's words trailed off. "How is he going to-," she was cut off by the Taiyoukai himself.
"Don't make this Sesshomaru wait, Shinigami. We are leaving once the moon rises. Your training will be a harsh one," turning around, Sesshomaru was soon gone from their sights after he looked at Kagome from behind his shoulder: "Miko, do not follow us."
Kagome sighed: "Well, you better not make him wait."
Not getting a response, Kagome looked up: "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he began to walk away and follow Sesshomaru's tracks but stopped right in front of the bushes: "Kagome."
Knowing she was listening, he continued: "If I come back from this training...different. Don't be afraid."
"What do you mean?" she tilted her head to the side, confused on his sudden sentence.
"Just know that I am doing this to become stronger and to protect you," Kagome blinked. "I am willing to risk my human self for you."
Before Kagome could stop him from leaving, he had already disappeared like Sesshomaru. Kagome looked back at her bow in hand: 'Ichigo...' her eyes traveled back to shadowy forest ahead: 'What are you thinking of doing?'
Red eyes followed Kagome's movements from above the trees. Expertly hiding his aura and reiatsu, he watched the whole lovey-dovey scene unfold before him. Really, if anything, all of these guys needed to train harder if they couldn't even sense him up here. He wasn't even 10 feet away.
He watched as Kagome walked back to her previous spot, he glared, almost as to find out more of what she was thinking.
'So that is the true Kagome-chan, huh?' his tongue came out and licked his own lips, almost like a predator: 'Interesting. Enjoy being here while you can, my dear Kagome-chan...for I will bring you back, ' a smirk snaked onto his lips while his red eyes glowed even more: 'This Zenaku won't let you go so easily.'
His eyes traveled back to where Ichigo had left: 'Seems like I haven't discouraged him enough...'
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes:
Thanks you for reading! Please tell me what you think and see you next chapter!