A/N: Thank you to all my new followers: Momomiya Ichigo Loves Inuyasha, dezifish, and mia1837! I'm so sorry if I left someone out. And thank you to everyone who has left a review so far! Your comments are so encouraging. This is my first fanfic that I've published (I've thought of plenty of plots in my head and written drabbles on my laptop), so the encouraging, helpful reviews push me to write and hopefully do so decently. I know I'm not the best writer in the world, but it sounds like I'm keeping some people interested and that makes me happy. Please keep reviewing and letting me know what works for you and what I could improve!
The Castle of Edo
Chapter 4
The familiar blue time traveling light faded softly as Kagome looked up into the clear blue skies of the Sengoku Jedai. It was just past sunrise and the sky had faded from its early red and orange hues to a beautiful cerulean sky without a cloud in sight. Her feet were light as she nimbly climbed the vines out of the well. But inside, her heart felt heavy. She felt…conflicted, about how present-day Kouga had left abruptly the night before. He didn't return in the morning to see her off, yet she had left her home very early in the morning. Did she really expect him to do that?
She shook her head, climbing to the top of the well and reaching her hand onto the wooden edge.
"Whoa!" she cried. As she was reaching up to catch the ledge, someone caught her hand and pulled her swiftly up and out of the well. She toppled into the creature and was lying on top of him or her.
"I could get used to these types of 'hello's'," a familiar husky voice jested.
Kagome looked straight into a pair of handsome demon eyes that matched the sky.
"Kouga, you scared me to death!" Kagome shouted, pushing off of him to get to her feet.
Kouga chuckled and stood up with her, smirking. Kagome brushed off her knee length skirt, trying to hide her fiercely blushing face.
Kagome looked down, locating her bulging yellow backpack thrown carelessly by the Bone Eater's well.
'At least it didn't fall back into the well and go time-traveling by itself,' she thought, her eyebrow twitching in irritation.
"Eh, hem," she heard behind her, the sound of forced coughing drawing her attention.
Kagome sighed loudly, turning around slowly towards the source of the coughing. "If you try anything funny, mister…"
Kagome trailed, gasping lightly, eyes widening at what she saw. Kouga was in front of her, smiling genuinely, with a beautiful bouquet of Haru-Rinndou flowers. The lovely little flowers matched perfectly, each with ten perfect petals and a beautiful shade of light blue that matched the skies and eyes of a certain wolf demon.
"Sorry, Kagome. I meant to help you up, not embarrass you. This," he gestured toward the beautiful bouquet, "was supposed to be my 'Hello'."
Kagome grinned, then chuckled, then she laughed. Kouga raised his eyebrows and frowned like a displeased child.
"I'm sorry, Kouga. I was just thinking how you used to bring me flowers and that this just seemed…fitting. Thank you," she smiled dazzlingly up at him. "They are beautiful."
Kouga beamed, grabbing her hand and placing the flowers into her palm. He put his hand behind his head, sheepishly. "I didn't think about you not having a place to keep them."
Kagome smiled. "It was a nice thought, Kouga." She smelled them. The potent petals carried the natural perfume of springtime. "I have an idea, though."
"What's that?" he smiled, hands on his hips.
"We need to go visit someone so I can get a bow and quiver. Perhaps she will keep these flowers for me so they will be taken care of."
Kouga frowned. "Who do you need to see?"
"Kaede, in the village nearby."
Kouga vaguely remembered Kaede. She was the old priestess Kagome had known, right? Then he remembered who else knew her…
"Are you sure we need to go there?" Kouga asked reluctantly.
Kagome knew what he was thinking, or rather, who he was thinking about. She frowned. The wolf and dog really did get under each other's skin, even after all this time, didn't they?
"Yes. She's a good source for me to get a bow and arrows that have Sacred Energy. Plus, she is an old friend and it would be nice to say hello and let her know I'm not actually dead, right?"
Her attempt at humor was lost, but Kouga nodded in agreement.
Kagome reached down for her backpack, still holding the small blue bouquet in her left hand, when Kouga's larger, clawed hand beat her to it.
"C'mon, let's get going." He said, tossing the backpack over his shoulder and looking toward Kagome to lead the way.
"Okay," she replied quickly.
They walked in silence for a while on their journey to Kaede's village, both lost in thought. Kagome, naturally, was beginning to think about Inuyasha. 'I know he won't be in the village when we get there. Still, I wish…No! He didn't wait for me! He really chased after Kikyo, when we actually watched her die? He really thought of her first when he went searching for this mysterious priestess, and not me?…"
Kouga glanced over at Kagome as they walked side by side through the open meadow and along a forest path towards the village. He wasn't fond of visiting human villages and dealing with their judgment, but Kagome said she needed a bow. He couldn't say no to that.
He noticed her expression, saddened eyes, the down turn of her lips, her silence. Dog-breath on her mind or not, he wished he could make whatever plagued her thoughts disappear and make her sparkling smile return to her lovely lips.
Kagome felt Kouga watching her. Her heartbeat quickened a little. It was so strange, getting to know him at the same time on both sides of the well. Two men separated by 500 years, yet the same soul. 'Maybe that's one reason he can't go through the well. He exists on both sides.'
Kagome walked beside Kouga a moment without much thought, and then something sickening filled her mind. 'I always thought Inuyasha got through because of his prayer beads. I'm sure that's it. But what if it also means…'
"Is this it?"
"Huh?" Kagome asked, shaken from her disturbing thoughts. She noticed that they had arrived, and it was indeed Kaede's village. They were on the outskirts and could see villagers going about their day, moving around the rice fields and between huts, but their faces were obscure from distance. Then Kagome turned and noticed a familiar looking older woman, dressed in a white blouse and red hamaka, kneeling in a field of herbs, picking and placing them in a large brown wicker basket.
"That's her. In the field," Kagome said, pointing towards the older woman.
Kouga looked and noticed her features. He could see her face clearly despite the distance, thanks to his heightened demon senses. He recognized her as the old priestess.
"Alright. I'll follow you," he replied.
Kagome led them towards the old miko. Kaede may have aged, but her senses were strong. She felt a familiar aura and a strong demonic presence approaching. She looked up, scanning the scene for the intruders. She spotted them, her mouth opening in disbelief.
"Kaede! It's me, Kagome!" Kagome shouted, waving her hand enthusiastically.
"Kagome?" The old priestess questioned in disbelief, slowly getting to her feet.
Kagome couldn't help herself. She was so happy seeing another old friend, her mentor, that she ran the distance towards Kaede and threw her arms around the old woman in a friendly hug.
Kaede smiled and patted Kagome's back like a grandmother would her granddaughter. She gently pushed Kagome away, just arm's length, to better view her face. Kaede smiled brighter, "It is ye, afterall. Tell me, child, what happened to ye that ye have been gone so long?"
"I was sent back to my own time for 2 ½ years. Then I went in the well house one day, in my time, and it pulled me back through. That was about four days ago. When I first came through I ran into Kouga."
Upon hearing his name, the tense wolf demon glanced over, having been observing the comings and goings and strange looks he received from passing villagers. Kagome gestured for him to come toward her and he obliged.
Kaede offered him a polite smile. "Hello, wolf prince."
Kouga bowed his head slightly. "Hello, priestess." He was determined to be respectful toward the old woman out of respect for Kagome and her feelings for the miko.
Kaede smiled bigger. "Ye are very cordial, wolf. Kagome, would ye and your friend like to accompany me to my hut to speak more?"
Kouga put his hand on Kagome's shoulder, prompting her to turn to him. He had a mildly panicked look on his face. She supposed he was nervous about the villagers and their reactions. Kagome smiled softly and nodded towards him in understanding.
"If ye are concerned with the villagers, wolf, ye should know they are used to demons making themselves at home here and will not bother ye if ye do not bother them."
Kouga shot her a disgruntled look and nodded. He knew exactly who she was referring to, who had made himself at home in this village…
"Okay," Kagome said brightly, sensing the tension flowing off the wolf demon in waves, "what are we waiting for?"
Kaede nodded and reached for her herb basket, only to find it being snatched up quickly by a clawed hand.
"We need to move quickly. I'm sure Kagome will explain everything when we are conversing in your hut," Kouga explained quickly.
Kaede nodded, smiling. She had seen it before, a demon displaying niceties towards her for another. She glanced at Kagome, who was also smiling toward Kouga appreciatively. Yes, he was definitely being nice for the younger priestess.
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"A new demonic presence, ye say?"
Kaede was kneeling with her company. She was busy putting Kagome's blue bouquet into a small wooden vase, using a wooden ladle to fill the jug with water from her water bucket, while the small group shared information.
"Yes," Kagome answered. They had told Kaede everything that had occurred in the Feudal Era within the past few days regarding the new youkai. She watched as Kaede stared thoughtfully into the small fire pit in her hut, the trio sitting together beside it.
"I feel something foreboding. Something evil is stirring," Kaede mused.
Kagome and Kouga looked at each other, alike apprehension appearing in their eyes.
"Kagome, I suppose ye will need a bow and quiver," Kaede stated rather than questioned. Kagome nodded silently as she received the bottled flowers from Kaede's hands, watching the older miko brace herself on her right palm and push up slowly to stand. She walked to the far wall and gathered an extra bow and quiver of arrows and brought it to Kagome.
Kagome stood and bowed to Kaede, exchanging the bow and quiver for the flowers. "Thank you, Kaede."
Kaede smiled. "Of course, my child. Protect yourself and let yon wolf protect you as well."
Kagome blushed softly, her cheeks' rosy hue masked by the soft firelight flickering on her skin. She quickly changed the subject.
"Kaede, what do you know of Miroku and Sango?"
Kaede smiled. "Yon monk and the demon slayer are doing very well. They have two small children, twin girls. I believe they are expecting another."
Kagome beamed. "Really?! Oh my gosh, that is great! I'm so happy for them!" she squealed.
Kouga couldn't help but smile at her girlish enthusiasm over her friends' romantic happiness.
Kagome excitededly asked Kaede, "so where can we find them?"
Kaede put her forefinger to her chin and looked upward at her wood paneled ceiling. "I believe they are visiting Miroku's relatives in a village to the north about two week's traveling from here."
"Two…weeks?!" Kagome asked incredulously.
"Ha, I'll get us there in four days. That is if we keep at my speed."
Kagome glanced at Kouga, who had made the remark, and raised an eyebrow. "Pretty sure of yourself, huh?"
Kouga smirked. "Just confident in my abilities."
Kagome rolled her eyes, and looked back toward Kaede. "When did you last see them?"
"About one month ago," stated Kaede. "They reside here. They are merely visiting family and will return before summer."
"That's too long…" Kagome trailed. Kouga narrowed his eyes at her. He made a mental note to ask her more about this later…
Kagome sighed. "Kaede, we actually need to leave soon. We need to visit them. I'd like to tell them I'm back and I also need to talk to Miroku about the demon."
"Of course, child." Kaede said. She noticed Kagome's distant and troubled expression. She supposed there was more Kagome wanted to ask, but couldn't. "Before ye leave, Kagome" Kaede began, "I suppose ye want to know of Inuyasha?"
Kagome's eyes widened and she looked fully at the older woman. She nodded silently.
Kouga's jaw tightened at the mention of the mutt. He stood abruptly. He spoke without looking towards the women in the room. "Kagome, I'm going to wait outside. I'll be ready to go when you two are finished speaking."
"Kouga?"
He left. The bamboo curtain door swayed roughly from the force he exerted when pushing the poles aside.
'Of course he doesn't want to hear about Inuyasha. I undersand. It hurts to hear about the 'other' person…'
"Kagome," Kaede said, drawing Kagome's attention back to her.
"You care about yon wolf, yes?"
Kagome looked down and blushed again. What did she feel for Kouga? She wasn't sure, but she knew it was growing into something…
Kaede sat back down and patted the floor beside her, gesturing for Kagome to sit as well. Kagome obliged and kneeled, sitting on her heels tucked tightly under her body.
"Yon wolf surely cares for you," Kaede acknowledged.
"Yes. He does," Kagome smiled softly.
Kaede paused, contemplating her words. "Kagome, when ye left this world, all of us were distraught. Myself, the monk, the demon slayer. I imagine the wolf prince was very much."
Kagome looked into the fire, suddenly finding it fascinating. She nodded.
"Inuyasha was devastated that ye departed the way ye did. We all assumed ye were passed on from this world."
Kagome felt tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She could imagine how hurt her loved ones must have felt.
"Inuyasha was not the same after ye left. Rather, the worst in him reemerged. He was brash, unkind, angry, irritable. He had to find his place in this world again. And then, we heard a story of a miko healing villagers in a province far from here. We were told she wore similar garb as myself, white and crimson. She was described as having shining raven hair, porcelain skin, and loving eyes. The story tellers claimed she resembled my late sister."
Kagome looked intently at Kaede from the side. Kaede was now looking into the fire pit.
"And what happened? What did Inuyasha do?" Kagome found herself asking impulsively.
Kaede smiled sadly. "He found hope again. He left immediately to search for this miko he believed was his long departed soul mate. He told us he would come back when he located her, and bring her with him."
Kagome's breath caught in her throat. There was just one more thing she needed to know…
"Who did he think the miko was, Kaede?"
Kaede turned sadly to Kagome. Kagome, though, already knew the answer. She balled her hands into tight fists, her eyes flickering with indignity.
"Kagome, do ye really want me to answer that question?"
Kagome hung her head. She gritted her teeth and slammed her fists into her thighs. She was shaking with fury. How dare he!
"You don't have to," Kagome spoke lowly. "I already know…"
Kaede was quiet. She sensed that the normally bright, bubbly young woman was internally struggling with Inuyasha's actions, and rightfully so.
"Sometimes, child, the heart makes decisions for us when the mind tells us something else. In the end, it's ye heart ye must follow."
Kagome was beginning to regulate herself, yet the feelings of anger and remorse remained heavy in her heart. Didn't Kaede know that following one's heart was complicated?
"For what it's worth, Kagome, yon wolf cares for you deeply. And I sense you may care for him as well?"
Kagome couldn't answer that right now. She couldn't answer anything…
"Keep your heart open, child. Love will find you."
Kaede began the process of standing, Kagome assisting her. Kagome took the bow and quiver and bowed again. She began heading for the door when Kaede called, "take care of yourself, Kagome. Let the wolf prince protect you. And," she added, "I will take care of these lovely blue flowers. Thank you again for sharing your gift with an old woman."
Kagome looked at Kaede and smiled, although it did not reach her eyes. "Thank you, Kaede, for taking care of me."
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The orange light of sunset was already shining across the land, illuminating the countryside with a golden glow. The day had whizzed by like the swirling cloud of dust that whirled behind Kouga as he galloped through the forest holding Kagome.
They stopped to make camp, choosing a small grotto with a spring, its source dripping down into a pristine pool. Kouga scented the water and determined it was safe to drink. Kagome kneeled at the spring, cupping water into her hands and greedily gulping the cool fluid.
Kouga watched her, guiltily. "Kagome, we can stop every now and then for you to drink or eat."
Kagome shoved one more handful of water into her parched mouth and then turned to him. "It's okay. We need to get to Miroku and Sango quickly. I don't want to waste any time unnecessarily."
Kouga frowned. He needed to know…
"Why do we need to see them so urgently, Kagome?"
Kagome slapped her hand to her forehead. She hadn't told Kouga anything about what she had found out during her last visit home.
"When I went home, I went to a museum and learned about Dokan Ota. He built the castle we found. Edo Castle, he called it. He was a Buddist priest. I thought maybe Miroku would know more about him."
Kouga nodded. "That's the best lead we have for now."
"Yes," Kagome nodded determinedly.
"There's another thing, Kouga…"
Kouga looked at her intently, "Yes, Kagome?"
"Dokan Ota…" she began. She remembered something else she had picked up while skimming the article in the museum and from her school history studies. "He's, dead."
"What?" Kouga replied, stunned.
Kagome nodded. "Yes. He died in 1486."
Kouga's eyes widened. "Over 25 years ago? How the hell were you, we, able to see him if he's dead?"
Kagome furrowed her brows, studying the earth as if the soil held the answers. "I, I'm not sure. That's why we need to start with Miroku. He may be able to tell us something that leads us in the right direction."
Kouga nodded.
Both tense from late morning events, Kagome from the emotional end to her conversation with Kaede and Kouga from partially hearing this conversation, the couple quietly found firewood, caught and cooked fish, made sleeping arrangements and closed their eyes, praying that sleep would find them.
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Although her lovely face was blurred, his vision hazy as if in lucid dream, it had to be his love. The shape of her face, her shining raven hair, the glimmer in her eyes, it all matched. He stood so close. He could almost hear her speak. Though he couldn't make out the words, he heard traces of her enchanting, feminine voice wafting in and out, his auditory senses weak from an extensive confinement.
Then he noticed a man with her. No, beside her. The man was much too close. Something familiar pulsed inside him. This man was youkai!
Dokan Ota had instantly been transported to this time and place, praising the gods for this moment with his love, until his cruel fate granted him a glimpse of the demon, and her imminent danger, and pulled him roughly back through miles of forest and fields and plunged him into the darkness that was his prison. Back into the mirror, again his only window to the outside world.
Dokan pressed his palms to his temples and crumpled onto his knees. He was helpless to protect her. He knew what that demon could do to her…
"It must feel unbearable, the pain of seeing your love with a dangerous demon and you can do nothing to protect her. Poor, poor Dokan Ota," a familiar vindictive voice cooed.
Dokan roared, flying to his feet and charging at Naraku's image before him. He leaped into the air, pulling his clenched fist back, preparing a powerful punch to punish the evil youkai for inflicting this unbearable pain.
Naraku smiled sinisterly. Dokan released his fist, propelling it forward, only to smash into unbreakable glass. His hand sailed right through Naraku's miasmatic image into the glass, sending a shockwave of electrifying pain to his ethereal body. Dokan fell to his knees, choking back a scream of pain while holding his throbbing fist in his good hand.
"Poor, Dokan," Naraku sneered. "You are so hurt you are lashing out at those around you. But you know what," Naraku whispered, placing ghostly palms upon Dokan's shaking shoulders, bending low so his lips breathed upon Dokan's ear, "I can help you be with her again."
Dokan's ethereal body was trembling, his seething soul sickened by the evil bastard's touch. He hated himself, but he was broken. Maybe this would be a way out of this hell. Maybe a way back to her…
"How?" Dokan asked, hanging his head in defeat.
Naraku grinned wickedly. "It is simple. You will do as I command. And in return," Naraku began, an ominous violet glow emitting from the tainted shikon jewel and infusing a burgeoning burgundy beam in Naraku's palm, "I will grant you an earthly body, so you may protect your sweetheart."
Dokan felt more defeated now than ever before, more so then when he was betrayed and killed. Still kneeling, he placed his spirit hand over his eyes in anguish. He had no choice. If he did not comply, he would be tortured for eternity until he did. He choked back a sorrowful sob, and whispered…
"Let it be done…"