It was two weeks later after sitting in on lesson after lesson with Higashigawa and Shippou that Kagome finally decided it was time to set forth again and travel, so once again she sought out Sesshomaru and he finally gave her the news she wanted to hear above all.
"Yes Kagome, the fates have been in contact, it is time for you're next to last task, you have a month to complete it, unfortunately we'll have to leave the Eastern Regions and travel to the West to Bokuseno and seek out his council" Sesshomaru chuckled lightly as the kitsune squealed.
"Oh thank goodness, don't get me wrong I love being the lady over the Eastern lands, but I love to travel" her chocolate brown eyes were filled with excitement as she jumped up and down long hair bouncing along with her.
The daiyoukai shook his head as Kagome took off down the halls to the main hall ordering her two hand maids to gather everyone in the main hall so that she could tell them that she would be leaving for awhile to complete the rest of her tasks the fates had given her.
Bankotsu sighed, he was on his way to find Kagome and ask her when she planned on leaving so that he could tell Noko, don't get him wrong, he loved the panther youkai something fierce but she had the tendency to drive him a little crazy every now and then.
He looked up as a black and aquamarine blur sped past him "Hey Kago..." Bankotsu didn't get to finish her name as the kitsune female turned a corner and disappeared out of sight, next Natsumeru sped passed him yelling a message for him to go to the main hall.
Eye twitching slightly in exasperation, the ebony haired man turned on his heel and headed back to his room where Jakotsu and Zengo still were, he didn't need to tell Noko as she had probably already been told "Hey Ja, Zengo, Lady Kagome wants us in the main hall" he rapped on the door.
It was yanked open a moment later and the two males flew out of the room, Bankotsu pressed his lips together and took off after his best friend and his best friends partner, once they all made it to the main hall nearly everyone had been gathered excluding Hinoko and her pup as they were still in hiding.
Kagome was practically twittering in excitement as she sat on her padded throne, the female could barely sit still "I apologize for having one meet so early in the morning, but I got news this morning that the fates have decided on my next task" she called, her voice ringing through the hall and echoing off the walls.
Everyone went silent at that, they had expected it of course but not so soon after her coronation, it had only been a month since Kagome had been crowned as the recognized Lady of the Eastern Region "Now I realize it's soon after the coronation, but Hakari has promised to take care of you in my stead" Kagome continued.
"Also, I'll be returning periodically to check on things and deal with any problems that crop up in my absence, I am not abandoning you, I am merely completing the task I was assigned so that I may focus completely on my duties to the Eastern Lands" she stared out over her servants, guards and pack so that none of them misunderstood what she was saying.
"With that I end this meeting everyone carry on with what they were doing before and if you have any questions before I leave don't be afraid to ask" Kagome hopped from her chair and skipped down the steps that led to the pedestal and charged out of the main hall to everyone's amusement.
"Our Lady sure is a lively one, you know it might not be so bad, it looks like Lady Kagome could use a break, we all know she's been stretching herself as thin as butter lately, so this traveling might do her some good and bring back some of that happiness she had before everything got complicated" some of the maids started whispering to each other as they all left the main hall.
Bankotsu and Jakotsu shared a look as they walked side by side back to their room so that Bankotsu could pack his things and be ready to leave with Kagome, she was going to need a strong warrior with her in the case everything got difficult and the group was attacked.
"So if others have noticed Kagome's unhappiness, do you think her friends, or her pack knows she's unhappy in the estate" Jakotsu whispered to Bankotsu as the younger male grabbed up his rucksack, the one he had bought with his last pay and started tossing random things in it.
Cobalt blue met dark brown "Not to smash her friends or anything but they can be a little oblivious, but the big one Sesshomaru, I do believe he knows, she's not happy with being cooped up in the estate for so long" Bankotsu threw over his shoulder as he riffled through his closet for clothes to take.
Jakotsu grimaced, yeah her friends could be extremely oblivious to the kitsune's inner turmoil most often than not, especially if they are in their own little happy bubbles, "Yeah, I feel ya there Ban" he flopped down on his bed as Bankotsu lifted his halberd and attached it to his back.
"It's not banryuu but that is one gorgeous sword" Jakotsu whistled once again for what was probably the millionth time in awe over the massive blade, Kagome had put a lot of thought into that obviously to make it more familiar to Bankotsu, hence the banryuu like characteristics.
Bankotsu smirked "You're sword isn't half bad either Ja" he tossed back as he grabbed his rucksack and slung it onto his shoulders "Well see ya in two weeks for a brief moment, this guy is outta here" he chuckled as he sped from the room.
Meanwhile Kagome was going through item upon item, kimono after kimono, trying to decide which one to take along with her on this newest task, Sesshomaru hadn't told her what it was so she only assumed that the fates hadn't mentioned it and that's why they needed to seek out Bokuseno again.
Her hair was ruffled as she kept tugging on it in frustration and once again she tripped over the long hair and promptly fell on her ass just as Bankotsu swung open her door, he blinked before his face twitched in obvious laughter, but he managed to hold back and shuffle forward.
"I could help you with that if you'd like" he offered pointing at her long unruly blue/black locks, Kagome shifted around until she was facing him her chocolate brown eyes pleading with his cobalt blues to do something about her hair.
"Would you Bankotsu, I want to cut it, but then again I don't you know" Kagome ran her hand through her hair and heaved a sigh, it was getting extremely unmanageable, Bankotsu chuckled and motioned for her to turn around and she did so.
For twenty minutes the two sat there in complete silence as Bankotsu fiddled with her hair and tried to get it into a long braid, it was thicker than his own but he managed to shorten the thing till the braid rested against her calve muscles.
"There ya go" Bankotsu stood and Kagome immediately grabbed at the braid and lifted it to eye level before deeming it acceptable, the kitsune popped up from the floor and opened her void pocket and tossed a bunch of random items within before turning to face him once again.
He took one look at her nervous expression and hightailed it out of the room, no way was he going to stick around, Kagome giggled and stripped down to her under clothes and chest bindings, as she had made the switch from her era clothing to the feudal era, next she found a knee length kimono in all sky blue and slipped it onto her body tying the obi around her waist as she had practiced until she was properly dressed and ready to leave.
Along the way out of the estate, Kagome passed Koware and Kegawa "Milady am I to follow you as well" the imp questioned waddling up to her, the poor kappa looked as if she was about to burst any day now and give birth to Jaken's hatchlings.
"No Koware, you have to keep you're precious little ones safe and sound, that means you get to stay in the estate, but if you ever feel the need to join me just make sure it's after you've given birth" Kagome warned before scooping Kegawa into her arms.
'As for you my precious nekomata friend, stay here with Hakari, I've got a method of travel I need to practice and plus a little walking will do me good, that way if there was ever a need, Hakari could send you to fetch me' Kagome spoke through their mental link.
The black fire neko mewed softly in acquiesce before rubbing her head against Kagome's hand 'I understand Kagome-chan, I promise to obey Hakari-san' Kegawa responded before jumping to the floor and padding off to find the dragon.
Business finished Kagome gathered her reiki into her feet and practically floated forward, the thrill of doing such a thing made her put a little to much and she slammed right into one of the elemental youkai she had her eye on.
"Sorry Ramei-san, in a bit of a hurry" Kagome apologized without thought and got a chuckle from the male, he quickly pulled her to her feet and without a word bowed his head and carried on his way, she blinked in confusion before shrugging.
Everyone was gathered minus Hinoko, Fuketsu, Koware, Kegawa and Hakari, it shortened her pack down a lot but Kagome wasn't willing to risk everyone's safety, Miroku and Sango were strong and Kirara was a fierce fighter as well.
Jaken had the staff of two heads so Rin was well protected, but there was also Shippou, along with herself, Bankotsu and Sesshomaru, once she had made it to them, the daiyoukai gathered his cloud beneath his feet and took to the skies.
Shippou climbed on the back of AhUn with Rin and Jaken, while Sango and Miroku rode on the back of Kirara, "Well it looks like we are out of luck huh" Bankotsu sighed and started forward, Kagome grinned and used her foxfire as Higashigawa had taught her and floated a few feet off the ground.
Next she widened it so that two people could fit comfortably on the cloud of foxfire "Nope, get on" Kagome gestured to the spot next to her and Bankotsu grimaced before jumping from the ground and landing on the cloud of foxfire.
Sesshomaru glanced back to make sure everyone was following as they should and was surprised to see Kagome using a mode of transportation much like his own, except hers was made out of her foxfire 'She's a very quick study' he nodded before leading the joint packs to the well for a brief visit.
As they got closer and closer to the village where Kaede lived and Inuyasha's forest, Kagome felt a bad feeling in the pit of her gut, she didn't want to go there, goosebumps broke across her flesh and a cold sweat began on her forehead.
Bankotsu felt the cloud of foxfire waver beneath his feet and glanced to the side at Kagome and noticed she was extremely pale, "Hey up there, I think we need to stop, somethings wrong" he hollered at the daiyoukai.
Sesshomaru came to a screeching halt and in a flash of light was soon next to Kagome "What is the matter, has something happened" he asked worried, Kagome looked as if she was about to be sick, seeing the stop, everyone landed on the ground.
"I don't know, something's wrong, I can feel it in here you know, every instinct I possess is telling me to run away and never look back, I think somethings happened to the village" Kagome babbled brown eyes wide in fright and small trembles shook her body.
The daiyoukai frowned before folding into his light orb and traveling the rest of the distance to the ningen village that was close by the well, once Sesshomaru had arrived he could instantly tell what the problem was, an aura of evil hung over the village like a veil.
The villagers didn't seem as if they were in distress and that was perhaps the most unsettling thing, instead of dwelling on what if's Sesshomaru headed back to his pack and Kagome to apprise her of the situation but that it was also safe to go through the well.
Bankotsu jumped in front Kagome when feet hitting ground alerted his ears, he relaxed upon noticing it was only Sesshomaru "Is everyone okay, how about Kaede, I need to know Sesshomaru" Kagome practically jumped the inuyoukai daiyoukai and latched onto his haori.
"The village is fine, it is safe to use the well, the Kaede woman you speak of is alive and well" Sesshomaru commented vaguely not letting the kitsune know the whole truth to save her from the unavoidable truth that he would eventually have to tell her.
Kagome relaxed considerably as they started forward again until they made it to the well clearing, Sesshomaru's golden eyes followed the female as she hefted herself over the edge of the well and jumped into it's depths, the blue lights surrounding her until she had vanished as usual.
Once she was gone everyone settled against a tree or the well except for Bankotsu, taking the initiative at seeing the question on the other males face Miroku cleared his throat "There are things not everyone knows about our Lady Kagome, such as she is not from this era, instead she was born five hundred years in the future" the monk explained easily.
Bankotsu's cobalt blue eyes grew wide in surprise "Is that why she talks differently and says strange things" he asked and Miroku nodded "Oh, well I guess there is still a lot we don't know about her huh" Bankotsu sighed to himself before flopping down against the well to wait for Kagome's return.
In the future, Kagome made it to her era and performed the transformation to make her features the same as they use to be and once she had looked both ways checking to see if there were any people loitering about Kagome made a dash to her house and yanked open the door entering the foyer.
Upon entering the house several things happened at once, Yuka, Eri and Ayumi exited the kitchen, the three girls gave a shout in surprise before they each glared at her, Souta flew down the stairs eyes wide in excitement, her grandfather peeked his head through the living room door and her mother Satomi leaned her head around the kitchen entrance before disappearing from view probably to make tea.
"Oi we have a bone to pick with you Kagome, we waited and waited and waited for you that one day but you never came out, nor did you sign up for college, like seriously don't you want to get a better education and figure out something to do with your life" Ayumi started lecturing Kagome.
Kagome pressed her lips together "I've already got what I want to do in life figured out and I'm not interested in joining college as I am much to busy" she answered tonelessly before gliding past the three girls uncaring if she had been rude to them, she was tired of them making decisions for her.
Gaping in surprise, Ayumi's face flushed hotly in anger "Are you serious Kagome, is our friendship worth that little to you that you don't care, we just want what's best for you and it's obvious you don't have a clue what you want to do, judging by you're constant vanishing acts" she snapped.
Brown eyes hardening in anger, Kagome whirled around, long braid slapping Ayumi in the face accidentally "I'm sorry Ayumi, but neither you, Eri, or Yuka get to decide what I want to do in life, and as I've already stated I've already found something I like doing" Kagome growled in warning.
"And for the record, I travel a lot and I take care of an entire estate of people, they love me and I'm very happy, I get paid a lot" Kagome ticked off her fingers before whipping around done with the entire conversation and settled her gaze onto her little brother.
"Hello Souta-otouto" she skipped forward and pulled the boy into a hug, he was getting big and it saddened her that because of her newest duties and only getting to come back whenever Sesshomaru deemed it necessary that she was missing out on a lot.
Appalled at the lack of interest Kagome showed them, Eri, Yuka and Ayumi stormed out of the house, once they were gone and the kitsune heard Ayumi's car start and drive off, then she dropped the transformation to Souta's complete awe.
"Wow sis you look gorgeous as a kitsune, Mom's been telling us all about it and I'm glad I was actually here this time to see you in this form" Souta latched onto his older sister as she walked forward and seated herself primly in a chair.
A wide grin spread across her lips at the compliment "Thanks Souta, and despite my rocky start I do believe I've finally got most of my newest abilities down, except for actually transforming into a fox, or any abilities Shippou-kun and I have yet to discover" Kagome patted the boy on the head.
Satomi placed a cup of tea before her daughter "How is life as Lady of the Eastern Regions Kagome, have you had you're coronation yet, do you have any suitors that would like you're hand in marriage" she questioned gently as she sat down at the table with her son and daughter.
Soon enough all four members of the Higurashi family were seated at the table as Kagome began answering her mother's questions "Oh it's going great, though I have a feeling that the Lord of the South doesn't like me very much, other than that, I've had my coronation" Kagome paused to take a sip of her tea.
"Gotten through two pack weddings, Kouga and Ayame's, along with Sango and Miroku, and I've also been through the treaty signing with Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome chattered on endlessly as she finished off her tea, the silence that ensued made her fidget a bit.
Satomi glanced around at the table, each of them were in agreement of this, now came the hard part "Kagome dear, lately you're grandfather and I have been talking, and Souta's already on board with this idea" she started slowly not sure how Kagome was going to react to this.
"We all want to move" Satomi got out and the kitsune's expression dropped into one of horror, "Not to anywhere in town" she smiled inwardly enjoying teasing her daughter just a bit "Or out of town" Satomi pressed onward before finally getting to her point.
"We want to move to the feudal era with you, everything is getting difficult, and just a couple days ago I lost my job, the shrine isn't getting as many visitors as usual and we've already started packing, is there a way you can take us with you to you're world" Satomi finished.
Jaw hanging open, Kagome was completely flabbergasted, it was like all of her dreams had come true, but there was also a downside, she didn't know if she would be able to fulfill her mother's wishes and take all three of them to the feudal era.
"What about Souta's schooling" Kagome asked to pass the time while she thought of a way and prayed to the fates to answer her question, it would be understandable if they wanted her to continue on with their task that they allow her to do this, she only hoped it wouldn't be difficult.
Satomi glanced at her son, "We thought that you might be able to provide an instructor for him and teach him the ways of youkai, much like you, teach him how to use a sword and all that" she smiled sheepishly not quite sure how to word her answer/question.
Kagome sighed and attempted to reach out the fates again, before she could begin 'As they are connected to you by blood and so long as you claim them as family, then those three will be allowed through the well' a voice echoed through her mind.
Chocolate brown eyes wide in excitement "How long will it take you to finish packing" Kagome bounced up and down in her seat "I claim you as my family and since we are related by blood the well is going to let you through" she clapped her hands for effect.
"Is a week alright dear" Satomi bit her lip when Kagome blanched "Right is there a way we may speed up the process of packing, the shrine has already been bought by someone else and they gave us a month to pack and move out" she asked instead.
Breathing through her nose, Kagome went through everything that needed to be done, "If we are working together, the amount of time we spend on packing can be drastically decreased so long as I use my void pockets, no electronics, keep it simple, clothes, makeup, artifacts and the like" she added so that her family would no what to leave behind.
Souta was up off his chair a split second later and Kagome followed him "Okay sis, I've already got all my clothes and sports gear packed up but I was torn between taking my pictures, can I do that or is that a no go" Souta asked gesturing to the pile of frames.
"You can keep those, is there anything else" Kagome asked as she opened her void and threw Souta's things into it alongside her own stuff, Souta sighed in relief before heading out of his room "Are we taking Buyo" she called before Souta had completely disappeared from sight.
The boy turned and grimaced "So I don't think Mom told you but Buyo kinda died last week and we buried him already" Souta announced and Kagome shed a couple of tears before getting her emotions under control as she followed Souta out of the room and went down the hall to her own room.
Her room was quickly cleared out, alongside her mothers, her grandfathers, the shed and anything else they wanted to take a long, until finally the entire house was cleared out and the four headed to the shrine to make the switch from the future to the feudal era.
Bankotsu felt the well swelling and glanced over his shoulder to see blue lights, it had only been seven hours since Kagome had left, Sango had told him that it would probably take her a few days, so he wondered what was going on that would bring her back so early.
"Hey Sesshomaru, would you give me a hand" Kagome called as she leaped out of the well, a little boy attached to her back, the daiyoukai glanced into the well before jumping into it's depths and emerging with an elderly man, and then he went back in and emerged with a older woman.
"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru for helping us, we decided to move here to the past, the future is getting a bit difficult and we thought it might be a little easier if we moved so that way Kagome can see us anytime she wants" Satomi thanked the inudaiyoukai.
Shippou jumped to his feet "Hello Grandm...grand...grandmother" he stuttered shyly, Satomi flashed the kit a kind smile and scooped him into her arms, "Does that mean Kaa-san won't be getting anymore ninja food" he asked.
Satomi smiled softly "Afraid not, but it seems Kagome has more than enough money to provide you with what ever you need to eat" she ruffled his orange hair before setting him on the ground and taking in the other people gathered around "I'm Kagome's mother, Satomi Higurashi" she finally introduced herself.
"And I'm Souta, Kagome's brother" Souta puffed out his chest acting manly and the little girl that was standing next to a very large creature giggled at him, his cheeks turned red in embarrassment and he hid behind Kagome to her amusement.
Before the elderly man could introduce himself "That's my grandfather, he's going senile so don't pay attention to him" Kagome smiled innocently distracting the elderly man by what she had just said "Now, would you like to travel with me some or go straight to the village" she got everyone in order.
"I for one want to travel with Sis" Souta jumped in choosing his words carefully, he knew that by asking he ran the risk of getting injured or possibly dying but if Kagome had gotten as strong as she implied without implying it then he was certain he would be more than protected.
Satomi shared a look with her father, "I as well would like to travel and see what this era has available, as for you're grandfather, I believe he should stay in the village" she supplied and her father nodded in acceptance, he doubted he'd get very far in his old age as it was.
"Alright then" Kagome smiled and led the group forward, Sesshomaru at her side, the pack behind and her family in between, Bankotsu five feet behind her as one of the strongest in her pack for the time being, as she got closer to the village she began to feel that awful feeling again.
"You did say everyone was alright didn't you Sesshomaru" Kagome shifted her brown eyes to lock onto the inuyoukai's moving form, Sesshomaru didn't outwardly make a sign of discomfort but something in his golden eyes told her that he hadn't told her the whole truth earlier.
Knowing he was basically found out "There is an aura of evil that covers the village like a veil, it's nothing to worrisome as you can simply raise a barrier around the village and have it stabilized with a few of you're arrows" Sesshomaru announced.
Kagome sighed in relief glad it wasn't something to bad and sped forward after telling everyone to wait, as she appeared in the village for the first time in nearly a year, the villagers cheered bringing Kaede from her hut just as she dropped her barrier around her scent and aura and raised a shining pink protective and purifying barrier.
Once the air was cleansed, she dropped the purifying part allowing her youkai companions through the barrier and went around putting arrows in the ground to make sure the barrier would hold before raising her scent and aura blocking aura once again.
"What on earth Kagome, ye have changed, no longer are ye human, you are youkai, a fox to be precise" Kaede started chattering, Kagome turned towards her and soon she was engulfed in a warm hug, it had been a long time since she had been given such a living embrace.
"This Kagome has missed you Lady Kaede" Kagome hugged the elder miko tightly before finally releasing her "I have a couple of questions to ask you but give me one minute while I fetch them" she rattled off and not giving the elderly woman to respond zipped off.
Sesshomaru chuckled inwardly, Kagome was this great big ball of energy, the girl couldn't sit still unless it was for very important reasons, "Do we have access through the barrier" he questioned, the kitsune nodded her head.
"Yep, come on everyone the air is cleansed and for the youkai of our packs, the barrier is free for you're access, unless you have bad intentions" Kagome warned with a teasing smile, she didn't think anyone in her pack would have bad intentions unless they were someone that didn't want to be there.
Kaede blinked as Inuyasha's older half brother appeared in the village, followed by a little girl, his gami that could only be Jaken, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Kirara, Shippou and three extras "What's this, who are they" Kaede asked curiously eyeing the elder man.
Kagome cleared her throat "This is my family, Souta, my little brother, Satomi, my mother and my grandfather, they've come to live in the feudal era, would you mind if my grandpa stayed with you in you're hut Lady Kaede" she prodded lightly just in case.
"If ye trust them, then I have no problem allowing them to stay in me hut" Kaede nodded in acceptance and shuffled into her hut, Kagome nudged her grandfather forward and he walked forward ignoring all the strange stares and entered the hut behind the fascinating elder.
Seeing as their business was finished, Sesshomaru turned on his heel, Kagome followed and they led the pack away from the village until they had reached the well clearing again "Walking will take to long, we'll fly" he commanded forming his cloud beneath his feet and rising into the sky.
This prompted everyone to do the same, Kagome grinned in excitement as she used her foxfire and formed a much larger cloud so that her mother, Souta and Bankotsu could ride comfortably with her, when she started rising, Souta latched his arms around her waist and held on for dear life.
"I don't know about you sis, but this seems kind of dangerous, do we really have to fly" Souta gulped as he eyed the ground that was slowly becoming farther and farther away as they started going in a seemingly random direction, but Kagome seemed to know where she was going and that was all that mattered.
Kagome glanced down at her little brother, then to her mother, Satomi seemed to be enjoying the ride and had her legs dangling over the edge of the cloud of foxfire, her hands to her sides "It's quite safe I assure you Souta-otouto, and yes, it's the only way to cross distance in the shortest amount of time possible" she patted his head before adding a little more youkai to her foxfire cloud.
"Oh, and how long will it take us to reach this place we are going, I mean we've already been flying for a really long time now and I think I might get sick if we stay up here any longer" Souta grimaced turning a little green from his first flight.
The kitsune snickered and glanced at Sesshomaru, Souta was right, they had been flying for several hours now, sure enough the inudaiyoukai started his descent and she followed until they were all safely on the ground.
Sesshomaru didn't need to say a single word and started into the glade, Sango and Miroku started preparing camp "It's better if we just wait for them" the slayer called as the other ningen's of the group minus Rin started after them.
"When will they return, where are they going" Satomi questioned inquisitively, not that she didn't trust the daiyoukai, it's just that as they were new to the feudal era, they didn't have the assurances the others had that Kagome would be alright.
Miroku glanced up "Probably within the hour, and I have no idea, this is the second time we've been here" he shrugged, if Kagome or Sesshomaru saw fit to tell them where they were exactly that was just fine with him as well, though it was probably better they didn't in the case someone got captured.
"I see, thank you, Miroku-san correct" Satomi correctly guessed the name of the person she was speaking to, the monk nodded and she seated herself on the ground, she shivered lightly due to her still wearing her clothes from the future, that was just one more thing she was going to have to change.
In the glade, Sesshomaru led Kagome forward through the tree's and through the brush until they made it to the clearing Bokuseno the Magnolia youkai resided in, they didn't have to wait any longer than a minute before a face appeared before them in the magnolia tree in front of them.
"Kagome, miko/kitsune, this Bokuseno has a message for you from the fates" the aged youkai started slowly "In the underworld, guided by a single light you will find that which you seek, Lord Inutaisho's soul, you have a month to find Lord Inutaisho's soul and return to the land of living" he continued.
"If you do not complete this task, you're life is void, you have one week to decide if you wish to continue with you're next to last task" Bokuseno finished before his face sunk into the bark and the clearing remained silent, Sesshomaru sent Kagome a sharp look partly worried and partly fearing for her life.
She was pale, but not so much as he expected, Sesshomaru sighed, Kagome wouldn't even need a day to decide what she would want to do "Kagome, you need not do this" he sighed tiredly already knowing the kitsune's response.
"No, the fates asked me to do this and I'm going to do this, if that means going into the underworld to search for Lord Touga's soul then I'll do it, and I'll succeed just as I have every other task the fates have given me" Kagome raised her chin high and stared the daiyoukai straight in the eyes daring him to challenge her and make her change her mind.
Having expected this "Very well, then the light in that which was mentioned, is a lantern filled with you're purifying reiki to keep the netherworld youkai from coming after you're soul, it will lead you straight to my father's soul, then you will travel back the same way you came" Sesshomaru informed her as they headed back to where they had left their currently joint pack.
As they exited the glade, another inuyoukai landed gracefully on the ground before them, it was a female that bore similar features to Sesshomaru "Ah Sesshomaru, this one has been informed of the fate's plan, is this Kagome" the female inuyoukai turned her golden orbs on the kitsune.
"Mother" Sesshomaru nodded his head politely "And yes this is Kagome, kitsune/miko of the jewel of souls, Lady of the Eastern Lands, and sister of this one's heart" he added all of her titles into one effective and mind blowing sentence.
The inuyoukai female looked Kagome up and down before nodding "This way child, if you are prepared for you're next task" she gestured for the kitsune to follow and Kagome didn't hesitate worrying her mother and brother but not the others.
"She will return in a month, just have faith that she finds her way safely" Sesshomaru's mother warned the ningen and the youkai in the pack before heading after Kagome herself, the warning scared them but most remained calm while only a few panicked inwardly.
Kagome took a deep breath "I'm ready" she announced and was handed a lantern, it was quickly filled with her purifying reiki and without a single word of encouragement, her whole world went dark and Kagome found herself on a path with soul stealing youkai surrounding her.
In a single moment they flinched and reeled back as if electrocuted, they might as well have been since her barrier had automatically raised as well in defense of the lantern she had been given, taking a deep breath for the second time, Kagome started forward.
The path continued on for days, and days, never getting shorter, and always staying the same, when she grew tired, Kagome set up camp and made sure her barrier wouldn't fall during the night and ate whatever she had left from her last supply run to the store.
On the outside, Kagome's pack, and family were getting extremely worried, but Sesshomaru's mother kept assuring them that she was fine but that's all the inuyoukai female would give them, Sesshomaru didn't look very happy himself but suffered in silence as he was prone to doing.
'Man how long is this damn path going to be, when will I get to where I'm supposed to be' Kagome sighed inwardly for the millionth time, days were blurring together and she had no idea how long she had been in there, she could be on her last day or still on her very first week, she didn't know anymore.
She ran a hand through her, it was still in it's braid, she refused to take it out, Kagome sighed again and went to take another step when she found herself physically unable to move, her brown eyes widened and she swung around to face her left, there floating in her face was a soul.
Not just any soul, Sesshomaru's father's soul, heart rate increasing, Kagome slowly raised her hands and cupped them around the tiny soul, funny how for such a larger than life youkai, he sure had a small soul, when she had it cradled in her arms, she tore off back the way she had come.
Three weeks, that's how long Kagome had been gone, Souta sighed and tossed a stick on the fire, he was slowly growing use to living outdoors, but he was kind getting tired of the scenery, did they have to stay there in that specific spot it was like they couldn't go anywhere without Kagome.
"Doesn't sitting here in the same place bother you guys" he couldn't stop himself from asking, but nobody was paying attention as Sesshomaru's mother stepped out of the tree line to give them the daily news, which wasn't much.
"The kitsune/miko has found Touga's soul and she will be back most likely tomorrow, considering how fast she is traveling" the inuyoukai female announced before disappearing from view, sure enough the next day, she appeared again this time a void opened up and Kagome stepped into view.
She dropped to her knee's utterly exhausted, out of youkai and reiki, in her arms was cradled a soul and that soul was quickly stored in the lantern for safe keeping, then to their surprise due to not having much youkai or reiki to sustain her humanoid form, Kagome transformed into a small black fox before their eyes.
Sesshomaru frowned and scooped the sleeping kitsune into his arms, Jakotsu who had taken Bankotsu's place a week before jumped up from his spot "Now where do we go" he asked holding tightly to the hilt of his sword to reassure himself that Kagome was going to be fine.
"We'll head to the miko Kaede's village, Satomi, boy, you will fly with this one" Sesshomaru gathered his youkai beneath his feet and formed a much larger than normal cloud, it drained him slightly but it would get them to the village so that they could all rest easier.
Kaede nearly jumped out of her skin as Sesshomaru charged through her hut carrying a black fox in his arms "It's Kagome, she exhausted herself on her latest task, thus she doesn't have enough youkai or reiki to sustain her humanoid form" he explained running a gentle hand down the black foxes body.
Soon after, the others poured into the hut and that's where they stayed for three whole days until Kagome finally regained enough of her strength to transform back, she sat up with a yawn falling from her lips before she took in her surroundings, very familiar surroundings.
"Well done Kagome, the fates are pleased, now that you are in possession of massive youkai, massive reiki and this Sesshomaru's father's soul, you are now qualified to complete you're task to revive Inutaisho" Sesshomaru murmured when he noticed her awake.
Her arms lowered to her side and Kagome couldn't help but smile happily "This Kagome is glad that she will be able to finish her task, so where do we go from here" she questioned, wanting to get all the details before she threw herself into the eleventh and final task.
"We'll travel to caves on the Western Lands, there stored and hidden away for safe keeping is Lord Inutaisho's true body, this one knows as he was the one who hid it there" Sesshomaru started before dropping the most important news on the kitsune/miko.
"To revive this one's father, you must combine you're reiki and youkai together after restoring the soul to the body, then after you're reiki and youkai are coursing through his veins, this Sesshomaru will use tenseiga to completely revive Inutaisho" he finished.
Kagome's jaw dropped before she nodded "I understand and I'll be ready, you can count on me Sesshomaru, I won't let you or the fates down" she stated bravely before laying back down in her sleeping bag to catch some more sleep.
Sesshomaru leaned against the wall of the hut, he truly hoped Kagome had managed to amass all the power she needed, otherwise the last and final bit that he hadn't mentioned yet would all be for naught, all he could do now is wait and see and hope everything turned out as it should.