Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed! It really does mean a lot, and each review made my day! This chapter is dedicated to Tani Hunter, and ocean23, as well as The Philosopher's Queen.
Kagome's arrow destroyed Konomi instantly. Arashi turned to look at her with a shocked look in his eyes, as though surprised she could do such a thing. " How did you do that? He growled, his eyes turning red as he glared at her, shocked that the human he had been protecting was one he needed protecting from.
"Arashi, wait! I only attacked Konomi to protect you! Yes, I have spiritual powers, but I would never use them on you! I'd die first, don't you know that?" Kagome said, feeling wounded that Arashi would ever think she was a threat.
Arashi visibly forced himself to calm, and apologized. "I am sorry, Sakura-san. I should have thought... But I never would have guessed that a human with spiritual abilities could befriend a youkai! Even in my dreams of coexistence, I never would have imagined that a human with the power to destroy me completely would use that power to my benefit. I have been as short-sighted as my father is, and I beg your forgiveness." He looked as though he might be sick with guilt, and Kagome couldn't stand seeing him like that.
"Of course I forgive you, you idiot! You're my friend, and it must have been shocking, to be honest." Kagome laughed depreciatingly. "Were the situation reversed, I would have felt betrayed too!"
"No, Sakura-san, you would have trusted me not to act against you. I am deeply shamed that I ever thought you would attack me, even for a second. I can only apologize." He continued as though he hadn't heard her, obviously beating himself up over his percieved mistake.
"Arashi!" Kagome yelled as she ran towards him, flinging herself into his arms as he instinctively caught her. "You see! You do instinctively trust me the way I trust you, otherwise you would have let me fall! But you caught me, even knowing that I have spiritual abilities, and after everything that happened today. So of course I forgive you!" Kagome really did forgive him, and trying to get that into his head was the difficult part. She had forgiven him the moment it happened, because in her eyes there was nothing wrong with his reaction. He had stopped himself from attacking her, which she appreciated must have been very difficult for her, and were the situation reversed, she would probably have felt decieved as well.
"I wanted to tell you, Arashi, I truly did! But I was afraid that if I did, you'd leave me, or hate me, or something! Please, believe me when I say I never meant to decieve you!" Kagome felt a pang of guilt that she was lying to Arashi about her name and family, but knew instinctively that Ishikawa no Sakura was who she had to be right now, otherwise time would be further injured. She just prayed he could forgive her if the truth ever came to light.
Arashi mulled the situation over in his mind for a few hours as he helped Sakura set up camp. To think that a human with spiritual abilities, and a woman at that, would be the only one to understand and agree with his hopes was shocking, to say the least. However, there were some upsides as well. Because she had power, the youkai at his father's court were more likely to respect her and listen to what she had to say than they were if he brought in a sheltered hime who had no skills on the battlefield. Unlike in the ningen courts, females in the youkai court had as much political power as the males, so long as they were strong enough to wield it. Arashi thought on the matter further, then reached a conclusion.
"Sakura-san," He began hesitantly, "Would you be willing to come to the court of the West and speak to my father? I believe that meeting you would help him see what I mean about ningen and youkai co-existing, and you expressed interest in meeting my brothers, so we could do that also! Then, once all is said and done, I could escort you back to your family estate. But, please, " He continued, a sudden look of worry passing over his features, "Don't feel as though you must if you feel uncomfortable or unhappy with the suggestion, I shall escort you back regardless!"
Kagome decided on the spot that going with Arashi was her best bet at completing her quest, something deep inside her settling at the decision. She rapidly agreed, and after reassuring Arashi that she felt no pressure, the two were off to the court of the west, a journey that would take about two weeks.