DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the canon characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Sunrise, Viz and all other respective copyright owners. I do not lay claim to these characters in any way, shape or form.
Chapter 6
Kagome stared wordless at Nanashi. He stared back, an eye of calm in the storm threatening to erupt around her. His headband had been tossed aside in the commotion. His bangs fluttered back from his face. She couldn't take her eyes from the arrow emblazoned on his forehead.
She clutched the root to steady herself. Her other hand was still clapped to her mouth. She lowered it to her side and took a few deep breaths.
"You. You're a monk."
"That I am," he agreed. "My apologies, Avatar but the circumstances..."
She shook her head. "A-avatar?" she managed.
The warriors' stares widened. One turned to Nanashi for answers. "Avatar?"
The other couldn't tear his stare from Kagome "The Avatar?"
She swallowed. A bead of cold sweat trickled down her forehead. She reached for her voice again. "I- I'm n-"
"Avatar Kikyou?" Another voice joined the chorus.
More voices rose to meet it. A group of warriors rushed from the mists to greet her.
"The Avatar!"
"It's the Avatar!"
"The Avatar has returned!"
Her heart and stomach lurched as a sea of voices rose around her. None of this even began to make staggered back and tripped over a trailing root.
"Avatar!"
Nanashi rushed to catch her. One of the warriors beat him to it. She raised her eyes to meet his. The awe in them sent more sweat trickling down her back.
"I... I'm Kagome." That was all she'd ever been.
"She's in shock, Nanashi."
The elder's voice broke through the commotion. It was a little steadier now she'd had some time to bring herself back down to earth. She looked at the confusion around her and turned to one of the warriors. She motioned for him to remove his cloak.
"Get this poor girl covered up before she turns into an icicle."
"Of course, Master Kaede." He hurried over to drape the cloak around Kagome's shoulders.
She accepted it with a mumbled thanks. She clutched at the other warrior's shoulder as he helped her up. Her legs were still as weak as noodles.
Hitomiko stumbled to her feet. Takeshi offered her his arm for support. She brushed his hand away. "Master Kaede." She bowed her head in greeting.
"Hitomiko," Master Kaede returned the bow. "There'll be time for explanations later, I assume?"
A flicker of hesitation crossed Hitomiko's face. She covered it with a nod and turned to Takeshi. "I'll see to the wounded."
Takeshi attempted a reply. His jaw made him think the better of it. He followed her through the snow to her patients. A couple of the warriors went to join them.
Some of the others came crowding closer to Kagome. Master Kaede lifted her hand. They drew to a respectful halt.
"She needs some space. And a healer." She turned to Nanashi. "The chiefs should know of this. Bring as many waterbenders as we can spare."
He bowed his head. "Of course, Master." He glanced back at Kagome. "I trust you kno-"
"I know not to leave patients unattended." Master Kaede gestured towards a group of hazy figures on the outskirts of the shrine. "Meriwa, Tapeesa, help Hitomiko. Kallik, make sure all those fires are out. You three over there can give him a hand. And I'm sure the rest of you can make yourselves useful."
Kagome caught a hint of a smile as Nanashi turned away from her. He left her with a wave and a gust of wind. His exit was as sudden as his arrival.
Master Kaede didn't give her the opportunity for questions. She strode forwards and uncorked the water flask at her hip. "Let her breathe, you two. This will be best done-"
"Master Kaede!"
Chief Hojo? Kagome jolted her head upwards. She winced as her shoulder gave a twinge. It wasn't helped by one of the warriors laying his hand on it. She shrugged him away with another wince.
"Master!"
The Chief emerged through the shrine gate, brandishing his spear. Aput was at his side with a club in hand. They froze in their tracks as they took in the sight before them.
"Akitoki!"
The chief's shock melted into horror. He pushed past Aput and flew to his son's side. Even Hitomiko didn't have time to hold him back. He thrust his spear into the snow and knelt beside Akitoki. He cradled his head in his hands.
"Akitoki..."
Akitoki gave a weak cough. He blinked at his father as though he was a stranger. "D... Dad?"
"I-I'm here, son." His voice cracked on the word.
Aput halted behind the Chief. He shot Takeshi a questioning look. Takeshi's eyes said more than enough.
Hitomiko laid a wary hand on the Chief's arm. "Please, Chief Hojo. Your son needs-"
He pushed her hand away. He didn't take his eyes from Akitoki's face. "He's been burned." His voice strained under the weight of his fury. "Who-"
A groan came from the Goshinboku. Chief Hojo's gaze snapped towards it. Kagome tensed as the thief's eyes slipped open. The Chief's shoulders tightened as he caught a glimpse of amber.
"Damn... cold..."
"Fire Nation." Chief Hojo's words were sharper than the wind. "You..."
He set his teeth and lowered Akitoki's head back to the ground. One of his hands tightened into a fist. The other reached for his spear.
A water whip coiled around his wrist. He turned his glare on Master Kaede.
"What are y-"
"He's already down, Ujiyasu." Her voice had lost none of its calm.
"He's a firebender."
"No shit..." the thief croaked out. His eyes were fully open now. They were no less intense than Chief Hojo's.
"A firebender. On Goshinboku Island." Chief Hojo set his teeth. "You of all people should-"
"I haven't forgotten, Ujiyasu." A flicker of irritation crossed Master Kaede's face. She smoothed it away with a sigh. "We mustn't let our hearts rule our-"
One of the warriors gave a yell. Kagome gasped as steam rose from the ice encasing the thief. Surely there was no way he could-
Hitomiko doused the boy with a blast of water. He spluttered in outrage. She readied a water whip in her hands.
"That'll do, Hitomiko." Master Kaede turned her eyes on the thief. She didn't release her grip on Chief Hojo's wrist. Her brows creased as the boy began to cough. "Let him breathe."
One of the warriors strode towards the thief with a scowl and an upraised club. He yanked the scarf covering his face away. The boy gasped and spat in relief. The warrior recoiled as though he'd been bitten by a cuttlefish.
Kagome's heart leapt back into her throat.
The warrior backed away. His club was shaking in his hands. His comrades couldn't tear their stares away. Gasps and cries of horror filled the air. Even Master Kaede couldn't find the words to face this.
Kagome could hardly blame her. This firebender would have turned heads on even the busiest of streets. His hair was white as moonlight. His teeth - no, fangs - were bared. His pupils had narrowed to mere slits. Yet none of these were the most remarkable thing about him.
Her eyes shot to the pair of small white ears perched atop his head. They were entirely inhuman; almost like a polar dog's. They quivered at the sudden rush of sound.
She swallowed. Even the spirit hadn't made her throat this dry. No wonder the boy hadn't wanted to show his face. Not when the Spirit World had marked him so deeply.
The warriors' stares remained unbroken. None dared venture a step closer. The man who'd helped her was on the verge of fainting himself. He broke the silence with a stammer.
"Wh-what's wrong with him?"
One of the others gave a snort. "Be quicker to say what's right with him, if you ask me."
Murmurs of agreement rose from his comrades. One of them gave a nod.
"Not right..."
"...not natural..."
"... not human."
"The boy's been possessed." Hitomiko's voice was leaden with shock. "No wonder..."
"It'd be kinder to end his suffering," one of the warriors declared.
Suffering? Kagome craned her neck towards the firebender. The boy was angry, exhausted, frustrated and perhaps more than a little scared. Yet he'd showed no signs of pain until the spirit's claws had run him through.
The boy faced their stares with a scowl. "Like hell you will."
Chief Hojo ground his teeth. "You will-"
"Wait." Kagome held up a hand as their eyes turned on her. She swallowed her nerves and faced down the thief. "You wanted this, right?" She pointed towards the bottle's remains.
He answered her with a flat stare.
"You'd risk the treaty for this?"
He didn't say a word in reply. She swore she caught him rolling his eyes. She bit back her irritation and pressed on.
"Why?"
No reply. Chief Hojo cleared his throat.
"I believe the evidence speaks for itself, Kagome." His hand clenched into a fist. Master Kaede held her grip on his wrist.
"That still doesn't explain-"
"Man." The thief let out a laugh that ended in a cough. "Like I'm just going to sit here and chat with you, Kikyou?"
Kagome shot him a glare. Best ignore that name for now. He wasn't getting under her skin that easily.
"Hey. It's not like you've got much of a choice, now, is it?"
The thief snorted. "Some choice."
"Still better than no choice at all."
"Wow." He weighed up his options for a second. "You must've hit the tree harder than I thought."
"Why you..." Kagome's fists clenched. The ice gave a creak. She unclenched them with a breath. He wasn't getting to her.
"You would do better to be honest," said Hitomiko. "Speak truly and we will show mercy."
"Mercy." The boy couldn't keep the amusement out of his voice. Or the bitterness. "Bit late for that."
"Not if you show some sense for once," Kagome reminded him.
The thief gave another snort. "You're telling me?"
"Yes. Yes, I am." She spoke through clenched teeth.
"Oh man." He didn't hold back his laughter this time. "You sure you're not trying to kill me, Missy?"
"You..."
Kagome strode over to the tree. The warriors drew towards the thief as she approached. She held up her hand. The warriors halted. She did the same a few paces from the boy.
"Now listen here." She jabbed her chest with her finger. "I am not Kikyou, I am not "you" and I am definitely not "Missy". I'm Kagome."
She jabbed her chest again. Snow dropped from the branches above them. A lump of it landed on his head. "Got it?"
The thief shook the snow away. "You're a damn-"
"This is getting us nowhere." Hitomiko held up her hand before either of them could get another word in edgeways. "The hour grows late and we have wounded to attend to. And much more besides." She gave Master Kaede a glance.
"Very well." Master Kaede nodded. She waved the warriors forwards. "Prepare an escort. The Council will decide his fate."
The boy jerked his head up with a frown. He and Kagome voiced their thoughts together.
"Council?"
"The Council of Tribes," said Hitomiko. "No doubt they will have much to speak of tonight."
"No doubt," Master Kaede agreed wearily. "They haven't had a meeting this large in fifty years."
Their journey back to the lodge was short, uneventful and mercifully quiet. Nanashi had brought them four waterbenders and a dozen camels. Chief Hojo took four camels with the wounded. The thief was lashed to the back of another. The benders led him away. The rest formed Kagome's escort.
Nanashi didn't stay for thanks. Kagome was too tired for questions. She snuck as much sleep as she could manage, which was less than a little. She was just about ready to sink into relief when the port came into sight.
Their arrival was met with a crowd that put the temple's to shame. She could hardly make out the lodge behind the mass of people. Big news travelled fast on a small island. A trio of guards fanned out in front of her escort to clear a path.
"Make way! Make way for the Avatar!"
She stifled a groan. She'd lost the energy to argue with them long before they reached the port. A warm bed would be worth far worse.
"The Avatar!"
"Is that-"
"The Avatar?"
"That's-"
"Kagome!"
Souta's voice almost shocked her out of the saddle. She grabbed the horn and scanned the crowd for her brother.
"Down here!"
A hand waved at her from the throng. Several others rose to join it.
"Here, Kagome!"
Yuka. Kagome craned forwards and made out Eri and Ayumi on tiptoe beside her. They'd made it back okay. She let out a sigh of relief and turned to the warrior seated behind her.
"Um, excuse me but-"
"Stand aside!"
Kagome started as the camel drew to a halt. She snapped her gaze towards the front of the procession. Grandpa stood before the camels with his arms outstretched. Her friends rushed to save him from being trampled.
"Wait!"
Kagome shot him a wave. The warrior grabbed her arm.
"That's my-"
"Kagome!" Grandpa gaped at her in bewilderment. "What in the world are you-"
One of the guards nudged him with a spear butt. "Stand aside."
"They heard you the first time, Kallik." Master Kaede muttered. Her camel drew up beside Kagome's. She fixed her eye on Grandpa. "You know the Avatar?"
"That's my granddaughter!"
"The Avatar is your-"
"Please. Let me talk to him." Kagome clutched at the warrior's arm. His grip held fast. "Please. He's just worried."
"Worried?" Grandpa's voice cracked with outrage. "Do you know how long-"
"Grandpa, I can explain-"
"There'll be time for explanations later." Hitomiko's tone brooked no argument. "The Avatar needs to-"
"We're her friends." Yuka stepped up to Grandpa's defence.
"This can wait until-"
"I'm her grandfather," Grandpa insisted.
One of the guards cleared his throat. "That doesn't give you the right to obstruct the public highway, Sir."
Grandpa drew himself up to his full height. That didn't even make him level with the warrior's chest. Yet his stare was more than level enough.
"I'm her grandfather. I have as much right to talk to her as anyone."
"You have the right to-"
"Kagome!" Mama's voice shone through the crowd like a beacon. "Kagome, I'm here."
"Sayuri?"
Grandpa turned to find Mama threading her way through the crowd towards him. Souta tugged her along, clutching her hand.
"Kagome!"
"I'm here, Mama!" She shot Master Kaede one last desperate look. "Please..."
"This really isn't the-"
"Kagome!" Souta squirmed through the crowd, pulling Mama behind him. Her face was tight with worry.
"Kagome?"
"Mama!" Kagome tore free of the warrior's grip and dropped from the saddle. She stumbled to her feet and scrambled towards her. "Mama-"
Her throat hitched as tears sprang to her she'd been holding back gave way in one great burst. She collapsed into her mother's arms with a sob.
Mama lifted a shaking hand to her hair. She smoothed it away with a sigh of relief. "Kagome... "
The crowd parted to give them space. Grandpa still stood defiant. Her friends rushed to join them. Souta clung to both of them with eyes as wide as the stars.
Master Kaede surveyed them in silence. She narrowed her eye and dismounted with a grunt.
Hitomiko slid from her saddle with a touch more grace. Her injuries caused her only the briefest of winces. She turned her implacable stare on Mama.
"You-"
"I'm her mother." The look in her eyes was enough to silence any rebuttal.
Hitomiko turned to Master Kaede. All the elder gave her was a shake of her head. She stepped back with a sigh.
Master Kaede turned to Mama. Kagome tightened her grip on her shoulders. Mama gave her a small squeeze.
The elder watched them without a word. Her eye softened at the exchange. She gave Mama a firm nod. "Of course."
Mama bowed her head in thanks.
"Master?" Hitomiko gave her a frown.
"Well." Master Kaede waved the warriors aside. They parted to clear her path. She beckoned for Mama and Kagome to follow. "I can see we have some catching up to do."
Constructive criticism is very welcome!
I update once a month.
