A/N: Enjoy and review as you please
Beta: Cstorm86
The Miko of the Present and the Past
Inuyasha was barely managing to dodge or block the huge boomerang, his left side too stiff to allow him the usual agility and speed. The woman on the other hand was fast and obviously experienced with her weapon as she swung it, barely missing Inuyasha's head.
"Calm your tits, bitch!" Inuyasha yelled, catching the flying weapon on the flat side of his sword. The boomerang flew off course, digging in the already plowed ground to the side.
"Did you harm the other human? Were you hunting them down before the spiders went after them?" The woman spared only a short glance at her huge weapon before she charged at Inuyasha again, this time wielding her sword and throwing small projectiles at him that looked kinda like bone shuriken.
"What? Fuck!" Inuyasha barked when one of the shuriken whistled dangerously close to his ear. Kagome took a step towards him, but stopped when she heard his growl. 'Stay back!'
He stumbled back, his left leg barely able to support him as he dodged and deflected the woman's attacks. Somehow he managed to keep her at a distance, the size of his sword helping him. Then the female reached into a small pouch on her belt and threw a tiny ball - but this time under his feet, not at him.
As soon as the ball hit the ground, it exploded in a cloud of green smoke and... A stench akin to rotten eggs wafted towards where Kagome stood. The woman calmly put a mask over her mouth and nose, watching Inuyasha, who swayed on his feet.
'Inuyasha...?' Kagome asked, confused. What was going on? The next moment the hanyou fell to the ground, his huge sword transforming to a much less impressive, battered katana. He tried to say something to her, but all she got was a broken word before his mind went silent. The stranger stepped forwards, sword ready to strike. "Inuyasha!"
Later, when she thought about it, she couldn't recall how she managed to cross the distance. One moment she was standing near the Sacred Tree, the next one she was laying across Inuyasha's back, coughing in the revolting odor of the smoke.
"You can't hurt him!" she cried out, her eyes squeezed shut so she couldn't see the blade falling on her. But the blow never came and she realized there was an echo to her voice.
The echo sounded differant thanit should be, there was no desperate determination in it, just a calm warmth. And it sounded old.
Carefully, she lifted her face from where she had been pressing it against Inuyasha's neck.
The smoke was scattering on the breeze. The strange warrior stood just a meter away from them, frozen with her sword above her head.
Something hovered in between them. Something red and white. Kagome blinked at the miko that somehow materialized in front of them, a long ponytail of silver running down her back. The warrior relaxed and lowered her weapon.
"Lady Kaede," she said. "Is it not my duty to fight youkai?"
The old miko chuckled. "Not this one. This one is special. Can't you tell from the way this young miko is trying to protect him with her body?" She said in amusement and Kagome blushed hotly. Still, she didn't move from where she was, just in case.
The aged woman turned her head to look at her. She had one eye covered, but the other peered down at her with wisdom, kindness, and amusement.
"You know he will bark at you for being a stupid moronic idiot if he learns what you had done, child," she pointed out in a casual tone.
"Huh?" Kagome blinked at her, rising to sit on Inuysha's back, her hands clutching onto his hair. As she stared at the priestess, she noticed something unsettling - the woman appeared to not have feet. She was just hovering a few centimeters above the ground. Yet, her aura was warm and gentle, her reiki somewhat similar in feel to Kagome's own power.
"I am happy to, finally, officially meet you. I am Kaede of Higurashi shrine," the miko smiled at her "And even if I wish we could've met in a much more... orderly manner, let me greet you in the hidden realm."
"Uh... Thank you?" she uttered. Inuyasha had mentioned this name, had told her it belonged to a friend, but Kagome hadn't been expecting a ghost of a Higurashi miko.
A sudden realization came to her mind as she looked at the pale, wrinkled face. She had seen her, in Inuyasha's feverish dreams, she had been one of those few kind to him, concerned with his well-being as much as she had been with the humans. A smile found its way to Kagome's face, the first real one since the whole affair had started.
"It's nice to meet you, granny Kaede," she said and bowed her head in respect. After all, this being was the yurei that had once been her ancestor. Kaede chuckled, obviously pleased with her reply. Then she turned to the other woman, standing with her weapons hidden and mask down. The smoke was long gone.
"You already met Sango. She's the newest addition to our little community on this end of the Bone Eater's Well," the young fighter bowed, still looking confused. "And they, Sango dear, are Kagome of Higurashi shrine, the current miko there. And her most loyal and fierce komainu Inuyasha, known to those who are in the know as the Destroyer of Cities."
Inuyasha let out a moan, but Kagome knew it had nothing to do with the conversation. He was awake now, but dizzy and subdued. Without thinking, she stroked his hair in a soothing manner.
"I'm terribly sorry for assaulting your youkai companion, lady miko." Sango said with genuine regret. The huge cat rubbed her flank against her thigh and she put a hand between her ears. "I'd be angry if someone attacked Kirara by a mistake, thinking she was a vile youkai, too."
"It's fine. And thank you for saving us." Kagome beamed at her and saw the other woman relax and smile shyly back at her.
"It's what we taijiya do, lady miko," she said humbly and glanced down to the moaning Inuyasha. 'If you let me, I can help him get better."
"Oh, just call me Kagome," the miko waved a hand and considered her suggestion. She opened her mouth to thank her for offering help, but suddenly a tremor went through the body under her. She squealed and clung to the shrine guardian's back as he rose to his knees and hands. He somehow managed to fit his sword in its scabbard and then transformed into his huge dog form. Feeling his body shift under her and grow fur was weird, but the wash of familiar youki was highly welcome. Somehow it was the surge of his power that finally cued her body to relax and sag as she sat there, clutching his fur.
Was it her imagination or was he much bigger than usual? She was pretty sure he could peer into the second story windows if he wanted to. Sango gasped and took a step back, her feline laying her ears back, but staying her ground. Kaede smiled and shook her head. From the direction of the Sacred Tree came a muffled cry and a dull thump of Hojo finally giving up and fainting.
"A true form!" shrieked Myouga, but no one paid attention to him, nor to poor Hojo, forgotten in the grass.
'You stay away from me with your dumb potions!' Inuyasha growled, laying his ears back in intimidation. Kagome giggled and patted his shoulder as the voice in her mind sounded more like the complaint of a dog that didn't want to take medicine than an angry growl.
"You know they can't hear you, right?" she asked, lightly, wanting to show through her voice that there was nothing to worry about. Kaede didn't look any bit surprised by the sudden transformation, but Sango relaxed upon seeing Kagome's reaction to him. The wary look changed into one of curiosity and awe.
"You managed to tame a silver inu to be your companion?" she said, her eyes trailing over the canine.
"Oh, no," Kagome shook her head. "I hardly did anything. Inuyasha here has been the most esteemed shrine guardian of the Higurashi shrine for centuries and recently allowed me to be his partner. He's very much not tamed."
Inuyasha snorted and it sounded much like a muffled 'damn right!'
"We used to play when we were kids," Kaede added. The dog flicked his tail at her, but it passed through her form without causing her any discomfort. Sango stared at her in shock.
"What silver inu dame allowed her pup to play with human kids?" she asked, looking back to Inuyasha, who pretended not to pay any attention to the discussion, exchanging sniffs with the nekomata. Kagome guessed he had to pass her test, because the feline butted his foreleg with her head
"None. His mother was human," Kaede shrugged.
"Impossible! He's way too strong for a hanyou! And he has a true form!" Sango argued.
"He is a dai hanyou," the yurei corrected. "His father was the West's daiyoukai lord Touga."
As if on cue the huge dog shrank down to a smaller size and then transformed back to his humanoid form. He stood up, making Kagome stumble back to her feet to avoid being dumped on her butt.
"Are we done with discussing my lineage now?" he barked. Kagome grasped his arm to help her stand straight. "We gotta go."
"Aye. Come back later," Kaede nodded, her eyes turning to the west. "It might be wise to take Sango and Kirara with you."
"What? Where are you going?" Sango inquired.
"There is no time to linger," Kaede sighed and favored the taijiya with a kind smile. "Don't fret, child. You two will visit the other world for a while. Learn and get to know the new Higurashi miko."
"Uh... Alright, I guess. If it's okay with you, Kagome?" Sango turned to Kagome.
"Sure," she nodded. "It will be fun. I mean after some rest. It was a hard night."
She was so tired after the whole night on her feet, trying to run to safety. Now they all were safe and Inuyasha was back to his normal self. She could go to bed soon... She had been on edge, using her reiki excessively during the night, trying to keep Inuyasha and Hojo moving towards the shrine and safe, and...
"Hojo!" she shrieked, finally remembering about her friend. The ghost and warrior blinked at her confused.
"What about Hujo?" Inuyasha asked, but Kagome just patted his arm as she looked around to spot the passed out boy under the Sacred Tree.
"Goodness, Hojo," she groaned and walked to check up on him. Behind her back Inuyasha and Kaede exchanged looks and glanced towards the west. Kagome crouched by her friend and touched his cheek.
"He is only unconscious," the yurei informed as she started moving towards the other side of the field, the one where an old well was standing. "Sango, dear, you and Kirara have to jump inside the well. You will have to climb out of it afterwards and wait for Inuyasha and Kagome," she said as her pale fingers touched the wooden structure. Pure light rose from the wood, glowing faintly blue.
"Lady Kaede..." the warrior started, concerned and confused.
"It will be fine. I assure you it will all be fine. You can trust Inuyasha with your life and to explain the basics. You will come back in a few days. I will keep everyone safe, don't worry. Besides, I will have Kohaku to help me."
"Alright," the fighter sighed and stroked Kirara's head. The nekomata shifted to a small feline form and leaped into her arms. The exterminator glanced at the old miko, the Sacred Tree and the other people approaching before she nodded sharply and easily leaped over the lip of the well to disappear in the darkness lingering inside.
Meanwhile Inuyasha crouched beside Kagome and grunted.
"We gotta go, wench," he reached his hands and grabbed Hojo to throw him over his shoulder. "We can deal with this later."
"What's going on?" Kagome asked, following him as he walked after Kaede and Sango. The two women exchanged a few words and the younger one jumped in the well that looked just like the one in Higurashi shrine. "Gods!"
"Calm down," Inuyasha put a hand on her shoulder. "She's fine. I told you, the well is a gate between the worlds. She's at the shrine. We will have to jump in too."
"Uh..." she bit her bottom lip. She wasn't sure she could just do it with the easy faith Sango had exposed. After all, it was still a deep well... She didn't want to break her leg or worse.
"Keh, I'll hold you, so don't worry," he grumbled, guessing her sudden anxiety.
"But... Why the haste? You're back to normal and not paralyzed by the spider venom anymore," she said, stopping by the well. Inuyasha shrugged. His face was frozen in a determined, tense look and she didn't like how tight his youki was to him, as if he was trying to hide it.
"I just went overboard with the sword and now we don't have time to linger. We will come back some time later," he assured her. Kaede nodded and offered Kagome a soothing smile.
"See you soon, child. Hiro is probably worried sick for you," she patted the well. Kagome gulped at the thought of her poor grandpa waiting for her at home, but she still tensed when she felt Inuyasha's arm wrapping around her. "Be sure to bring some of the coffee for me next time."
Something had been nagging at her senses and suddenly, as Inuyasha leaped on the lip of the well, balancing her and Hojo as he did, Kagome realized what it was.
'Youkai!' A terribly strong one, coiling like a tornado of immense power, approaching with lightning speed from the west. Her head snapped that way, but all she could glimpse when Inuyasha jumped in the darkness of the well, was a cloud-covered sky. 'Inuyasha, what is that?'
Inuyasha's reply came to her when he landed lightly on his feet on the bottom of the dry well. It sounded tight, almost frightened, annoyed and disgusted.
'My brother.'
.
Kaede's ghostly fingers lifted from the lip of the well, the power in it fading into slumber again. She had been the one to seal it the last time, and even if it had been from the other side, she could lift the seal just enough to allow others to pass.
She let her reiki flare out in a gentle wave, cleansing the field around the Sacred Tree from any leftover signs of Inuyasha's youki. His scent was already lost to the faint, but terrible odor of Sango's stink pellet.
Sadly, she had no time to do anything about the distinct scars on the ground.
The youkai descended from the sky as lightly and gracefully as if he weighed nothing. His golden eyes were rimmed with red when he mutely scanned the area, taking in the Tree, the well, the battlefield and the ghost of a miko watching him. When his eyes landed on her, Kaede offered a polite bow.
"Lord Sesshomaru," she greeted kindly, but with no sign that she deemed him her lord. She was in her domain and held great power herself. Still, the man in white was not his usual calculated, controlled self.
"Old miko," he growled out. His usually cold and flat voice held now a hint of tension and roughness, a clear warning. He always was able to keep his youki on a tight leash, so no one could guess his power but now that leash was failing and sensitive people could sense his approach, especially if they knew what to look for.
"What has brought the Lord of the West to the Sunset Mountain? I can assure you that my village and I do not ally ourselves with the cats, nor with the moths. The kitsune from the inn at the foot of the mountain are your allies." Kaede spoke softly, choosing her words carefully.
"This one doesn't doubt your loyalty," he glared around again, his nose lifting up as he inhaled, probably trying to pick a scent. "This one sensed power that rightfully belongs to him being used here. He came to claim it."
"The power that is rightfully yours, my lord, is at your hip, as it had always been."
The daiyoukai sneered at her, his mokomoko fluffling out in anger. He rested his hand on the hilt on one of two swords he carried.
"The swordsmith told this one that the Tessaiga was lost and that this one could never wield it." he growled. "But today it was used to destroy this field. You will tell me where it is and what worthless scum stole it from the rightful heir of Inu no Taisho."
"My lord," Kaede lifted her hands in a calming motion. He could sense a lie, so she had to word her response carefully. "I do not possess the Tessaiga. When I arrived here the field was already in the state you can see. I cannot sense any youki beside yours, so there are no trails for me to follow the one who had done it. Can you waste your time on trying to catch what might be just a mirage of your own making?"
He glared at her, but stood motionless. He couldn't sense youki that had been purified and the scents that lingered in the area couldn't tell him much. Kaede thought that it was partially a blessing that Inuyasha had been a human when he had come to this place. Sesshomaru knew his hanyou sncent, but had never met him in human form.
"My lord, let me give you my most sincere assurance that I pray that your mate is returned to your side," Kaede added quietly. His eyes narrowed. "We all know that she has been kidnapped on her way from Lord Naraku to your palace. It is the work of the foes of this land and we at the Sunset Mountain want them all punished accordingly. Please, my lord. Let go of your old obsession with the sword that was never meant for you and focus on more pressing matters. Lady Kagura and the West are your treasure, not a rusty katana."
"You are correct, they will pay for assaulting my mate and being so arrogant to think they could bring the West to its knees." he declared. It looked like her words reached him, at least partially. She doubted he would let go of his old desire to claim all three swords of his father, but at least he chose to forget it for now. "You are also bold."
"This happens when you are dead for centuries," she chuckled dryly. Without a warning or a word of goodbye, the daiyoukai ascended to the skies and disappeared in the clouds rolling in from the west.
Kaede sighed in the silence of the serene Sacred Tree meadow. Then she chuckled again, with more mirth, when she heard a tiny, awed voice, shrieking from under the ageless tree. She also thanked the gods it hadn't spoken earlier.
"A true form...!"