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 10

Kagome was the first student to arrive at the training grounds the next morning. She'd spent a full hour on mediation and breathing exercises after breakfast. She'd picked out her own clothes and topped them off with Ayumi's spare parka. She was armed with a clear head, a full stomach and - no small thanks to Kaede - ten hours of blissfully dreamless sleep. Nothing was going to stand in her way.

Hitomiko met her change of clothing with a silent stare. Kagome stood her ground. The Master looked her up and down before she gave her verdict.

"Is something wrong, Avatar?"

"Oh, I'm much better, Master," she replied with a determined smile. "I just feel more comfortable in my own clothes." She smoothed her parka with a touch of self-consciousness.

"I see." Hitomiko's expression stayed flat. She offered no further comments.

Not that she needed to. At least her own clothes really were more comfortable. She gave her a bow, her smile still fixed on her face. It would take far more than that to put her down.

Hitomiko bobbed her head in acknowledgement. "We'll continue where we left off yesterday."

She nodded and settled into her waterbending stance. She could do this. She would do this. She wouldn't let them down.

That was easy enough to say. Her bending was still as tempestuous as a winter storm. Keeping her frustration in check was more exhausting than any exercise Hitomiko could dream up. Keeping her eyes from her reflection was almost more than she could bear. The morning passed like a week.

Her final attempt emptied the entire pool. She braced herself and held the water steady. Her jaw clenched against the strain. She swore one of the guards was smirking behind his fingers. She forced her eyes back to the ball. She wouldn't back down now.

Tsubaki's smirk flashed before her eyes. The water wavered. She lifted her hands to steady it. It swirled into a wobbling globe. She ground her teeth tighter. This would be so much easier if she could get Kikyou out of her-

The ball burst with a vengeance. The guards ducked for cover. She wasn't so quick on her feet. The deluge knocked her flat.

"Avatar!"

Hitomiko swept to her side. Kagome heaved herself onto her elbows with a splutter. Hitomiko uncorked her waterskin and drew out a glowing stream.

"Don't get up. Hold still."

Kagome dripped and shivered as Hitomiko examined her. She swirled the water over her body three times before she returned it to the skin. Her eyes were still troubled.

"No breaks. There may be some bruising." The worry in her eyes deepened. "Did you see Master Kaede?"

"Yes, Master." Kagome gave another shiver. Her teeth rattled like dice in a cup.

Hitomiko dried her off with another sweep of her hand. She tossed the water back into the pool. It was now a mere puddle. She regarded it with a sigh.

"Perhaps a change of pace is in order."

"A change?" She stifled a groan. Another day's rest would be exhausting.

"Master Kaede is holding a seminar at the temple this evening. You would be welcome to attend."

"A seminar?" She sat straight up. Kaede hadn't struck her as one for show.

"Just a group session," Hitomiko explained. "Some of the visiting benders wish to learn more about our healing techniques."

Did she expect that to help? There was only so much she could learn in five days. It was clear Hitomiko wanted a break, at any rate. She got to her feet with a wince.

"If you say so, Master."

"The choice is yours, Avatar."

Of course it was. Her fists tightened as she drew them back inside her sleeves. The puddle trembled. Hitomiko glanced at the pool. She unclenched them in a hurry.

"I'll think about it."

"You'll have the afternoon to decide."

Hitomiko turned away and began to refill the pool. A couple of other benders hurried to join her. Best not get in their way.

"Thank you for the lesson, Master." Kagome took her leave with a bow.

Hitomiko dipped her head and returned to her task. Her gaze had already drifted away. The far courtyard still echoed with splashes and crashes. No need to ask who she had her eyes on. Amaruq's presence lingered like a shadow.

No doubt Kallik would be there too. He'd been suspiciously absent all morning. Whatever they were up to, it had to be more impressive than her. Not that that was hard.

She shook the self-pity from her head. No, there was no temptation for her. She wasn't the only one under pressure, after all.

She gathered up her waterskin and made her way back to the lodge. Perhaps a change wouldn't be so bad. It could hardly be any worse.


She was allowed another visit after lunch. Mama and Souta shared what little news they had. Grandpa was only too happy to fill her in on every detail of the island's history and a fair few anecdotes besides. For once she hadn't the heart to discourage him. By the time he stopped for a tea break the seminar had almost begun.

The guards cleared a path for her down the corridor to the healers' hall. She hurried along, squeezing out a few thank yous and sorrys between breaths. Her aches and bruises didn't thank her for it. She made it with a bare minute to spare.

The hall itself was a cavernous space, carved and sculpted from an enormous block of ice. It was plain compared to the tower but there was beauty in its simplicity. Not that she had much time to admire it. She slipped through the crack between the doors with as little fanfare as possible.

Kaede had drawn quite a crowd. There were enough benders here to populate an entire village. Mostly women, of course and more than a few girls but there were a handful of men and even a couple of boys scattered about the room.

There were a few familiar faces. Hitomiko wasn't among them. Much of her day was still taken up by preparations and rehearsals.

The island's novices had claimed most of the front row but there were a couple of spaces left. Meriwa and Tapeesa had saved her one at the far end of the room. They shouted her over with a wave.

A sea of heads turned towards her. Kagome swallowed a groan and returned the wave. She set her smile and made her way across the hall.

The audience scuffled aside to let her pass. Some bowed, some waved and some could only stare. One slender snub-nosed girl tugged at her sleeve and patted a nearby pelt. Kagome brushed her off as politely as possible. She sank down next to the two benders with an audible sigh of relief.

The other girl blinked as though she'd been slapped. Kagome leant across to soothe her but she'd already turned her back on her. She whispered something in one of her friends' ears. Their laughter was not kind. She was about to speak up when Meriwa patted her shoulder.

"Don't mind Reika. She always takes stuff personally."

"You don't say." Tapeesa rolled her eyes.

Kagome frowned. "That doesn't make it okay for her to-"

"I don't mind," Meriwa added in a hurry.

Tapeesa's lips tightened. "I do-"

"Is this everyone?" Master Kaede surveyed the room with a small frown. Her frown relaxed as the benders nodded in agreement. "Very well. Let us begin."

Meriwa and Tapeesa forgot Reika in an instant. They craned their necks to follow Kaede's words. They nodded and murmured along with her explanations of chi and chakras and balance. Fascination shone in their eyes. Even Reika had forgotten her slight.

Kagome followed along as best she could. Her thoughts stayed stubbornly astray. No matter which path she went down it always led back to Kikyou. She'd been a healer first, after all. What that really what made the difference? Or was she just-

"Avatar?"

Kaede's voice brought her back to the present in a rush. Meriwa and Tapeesa gave her anxious looks. She tugged at her collar sheepishly.

"Sorry, it's a little warm in here." Well, it was warm compared to the rest of the temple.

Kaede was unconvinced. She gave Kagome a good look up and down before she turned back to row of mannequins spread out on the platform.

"We'll begin with a quick refresher. Who can show me the seven chakras?"

A forest of hands sprang up around her. Reika's was one of the first. Kagome kept hers clasped in her lap. Meriwa did likewise. Tapeesa gave her a gentle nudge.

Meriwa clutched her hands tighter. "I'm not sure I... "

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Kagome reassured her.

"Well... "

"Don't worry, Kagome. She's got this." Tapeesa flashed Meriwa a smile.

Meriwa's cheeks pinked. She rubbed at the back of her neck. "I guess I could... "

Kaede scanned the room with a considered frown before her eye settled on Meriwa.

"Is something the matter, child?"

"Oh!"

Tapeesa gave Meriwa another nudge. Kagome smiled encouragement.

"I'll do it, Master." Meriwa's cheeks bloomed. She scrambled to her feet and gave Kaede a hurried bow.

"Very well," said Kaede. "Show me what you know."

"Of course, Master." Meriwa made her way up to the platform with a face like a bonfire. "Where should I-"

"This one will do." Kaede pointed towards the nearest mannequin. "Show me the root chakra."

Meriwa knelt down beside the mannequin. Her face burned brighter than ever. She held her hand to the base of the mannequin's spine. A faint blue glow rose beneath her palm.

"Very good." Kaede nodded. "And the sacral?"

Meriwa's hand moved smoothly up the mannequin towards its navel. A network of blue lines formed in its wake.

"The solar plexus?"

Meriwa continued the exercise all the way through to the crown. By the time she'd finished the entire mannequin was aglow. Her cheeks had just about dimmed.

"Excellent work, Meriwa. You show real promise."

Tapeesa broke into enthusiastic applause. Kagome was right behind her. The other benders were a little more restrained. Reika wasn't among them. She turned away with a pout.

Meriwa's face broke straight back into a blaze. She gave another frantic bow and hurried back to her seat.

Tapeesa greeted her with a hearty pat on the back. "See? I told you there's nothing to worry about."

"It's nothing." Meriwa was crimson.

"Nothing, my arse. You sure showed Reika."

"Tapeesa... " Meriwa groaned.

Kagome waved away Tapeesa's retort. "No, really, you were great," she agreed. "I'd love to be able to bend like that. You make it look so effortless."

"Effortless?" Meriwa's blush faded into shock. "But you're the-"

"Avatar?" Kaede peered down at her from the stage.

"Oh." Kagome gave a start. Her own cheeks began to burn. "Master Kaede."

"We'll be spending the rest of the session on practical exercises. I'd like you to come with me."

Kagome blinked. "But what about-"

"We'll be fine," Tapeesa replied. "At least, I've got Meriwa." She patted her friend's shoulder.

Meriwa shook her head with a faint smile. "It's okay. Really."

"Uh, thanks."

Kagome stumbled to her feet. Her legs groaned in protest. She gave them a hasty shake.

Kaede swept herself down from the platform to join her. "We'll need some peace and quiet. After me."

The benders parted to let her pass. Kagome stumbled after her. She kept her eyes on the back of Kaede's head. At least there'd be no spectators this time. It could hardly be any worse. Right?


Kaede led her away from the halls at a surprisingly brisk pace. Kagome kept after her, ignoring her body's complaints. She led her through a warren of corridors until they arrived at the benders' quarters. They stopped before a sizeable chamber with a curtained doorway.

Kagome blinked as she took in her surroundings. These were Master Kaede's private rooms. Was it really okay to go in?

"Go ahead." Kaede answered her thoughts. "I just need a few supplies."

She bustled into one of the neighbouring chambers before Kagome could muster a reply. She waited a few moments while Kaede rummaged and muttered. After a few more moments it was clear she wouldn't emerge in a hurry. She shrugged and pushed the curtain aside.

The chamber was simple and cosy. Blubber lamps winked from the alcoves. Horn and soapstone carvings basked in their gentle glow. Soft pelts carpeted most of the floor. The area near the fire pit was left bare. A stone basin stood at the far end of the room. A flicker of lamplight across its surface beckoned her closer.

It didn't take long for her curiosity to get the better of her. She wandered over to inspect the basin's contents. It was filled with clear, calm water, without so much as a splinter of ice floating on it. It caught the moonlight in a soft shimmer. She reached out to brush the surface.

The water trembled at her approach. A small ripple spread towards her. A thin tendril rose towards her hand. She snatched it back in shock.

"Don't worry. It won't bite."

Kagome gave another start. She glanced back at Kaede. The older woman ducked through the curtain, clutching a basket of roots and berries under one arm. She set it down on a ledge and picked up a mortar and pestle. She drew a handful of berries from the basket and made her way over to Kagome.

"It's spirit water. From the Oasis," she explained.

"Oasis?"

"The Goshinboku Oasis. It's buried deep in the earth, far below the Goshinboku itself," said Kaede.

She settled down beside her and put the mortar on her knee. She dropped the berries into it, grasped the pestle and got to work.

Kagome peered in for a closer look. A faint glow rose from the water. She shivered at the memory of the broken vial. What could drive someone to take a risk beyond imagination?

"Did you never wonder how it survived out here?" Kaede asked.

Now that was a good question. "Ah, I guess I just put it down to the spirits." She rubbed at her nose sheepishly.

"Well, you weren't too far from the truth," said Kaede. She carried on grinding. "Of course, that's far from all of it. The Oasis was here long before the Goshinboku took root. Before the Avatar, in fact."

"Before the Avatar?"

Grandpa had her told some stories of such a time, back when the human and spirit worlds were one, but he'd never mentioned anything about the Oasis. If he hadn't known then how on earth had the thief?

"The Oasis dates back to the world's very birth," Kaede continued. "Some say it goes back even further. If you care to listen to the Sages for more than an hour or dozen." She cleared her throat. "Still, I didn't bring you here for a history lesson." She motioned for Kagome to approach the basin.

"Put your hand in."

Kagome blinked. "Um... "

"It's quite harmless, I assure you. Not all that cold either."

She dipped her finger into the water. She drew it out and held it up for Kagome's inspection. A faint glow clung to her fingertip. She beckoned for her to follow suit.

Kagome swallowed. She pulled up her sleeve and reached towards the basin again. The water reached back towards her. She held her hand still. A tendril brushed against her finger.

It wasn't cold. Its touch was gentle, almost soothing. She held out another finger. Kaede gave her a nod. She gathered her breath and dipped her hand beneath the surface. She breathed out and focused on the flow of energy.

The glow brightened. The tendril reached up and curled around her forearm. An invigorating warmth spread through her bones. She drew back her arm with a gasp.

The tendril plopped back into the basin. A few splashes hit the floor. The water didn't so much as stiffen on the snow. Kaede guided it back into the basin with a sweep of her hand.

Kagome brought her hand to her mouth. "Ah, sorry!"

"No need to apologise." Kaede gave her a brief smile. "Have a look at your arm."

Kagome shook the last few drops from her hand and pushed up her sleeve. Another gasp escaped her. Her skin was smooth and sound. Not a trace of a bruise remained.

"It's healed!"

"You healed it," Kaede corrected her. She studied her arm with approval. "Well. It seems you're a natural."

"I am?" She stared at her arm. She flexed her fingertips. There wasn't so much as a twinge. She broke into a grin. "Wow."

"A natural," Kaede repeated to herself. Her brow furrowed in thought. "Of course,Kikyou was an excellent healer... "

Kagome's grin slipped from her face. The warmth faded from her arm. Gooseflesh prickled her skin. She pulled down her sleeve with a sigh. "Of course she was."

Kaede gave her a puzzled look.

"Sorry." She bowed her head. "I didn't mean-"

"No need to apologise," said Kaede.

"No, it's just, well... " Kagome rubbed at her arm. She avoided her reflection's eyes. "She was your sister. Wasn't she?"

"My sister, yes," Kaede nodded. "I see she's been troubling you."

Kagome blinked. "How-"

"It wasn't hard to guess." She laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Kikyou has been weighing on all of our minds lately."

Some more than others. She kept that thought to herself. "I guess so."

"Perhaps it would help to talk?"

"I... " She broke into a sigh. "I don't know. I mean, I'm not Kikyou."

"Perhaps," Kaede granted. "Still, a problem shared is a problem halved. She has been troubling you, has she not?"

"She's... "

She hesitated. Did she really want to dive right into this? She weighed her options. The chances of keeping this to herself were growing slimmer by the minute. She pictured Miroku's awestruck gaze, followed by Hitomiko's eyes narrowed in disbelief. Kaede's reaction couldn't be any worse. She took the plunge.

"I've been having... dreams. Strange ones," she admitted.

"Dreams." Kaede considered the word with a thoughtful eye. "And these dreams trouble you?"

"They're... strange." No better word would come to her. "I don't know. It's almost like - like they're not mine. Like they belong to someone else."

"Someone else?"

No need to say her name. No lie would escape Kaede. "Maybe. I'm not... " Her gaze dropped. "I'm not making sense, am I?"

"No."

Kagome jerked her head up. That was blunt, even by Kaede's standards. Yet there was no reproach in her gaze.

"You may be on to something." Kaede pursed her lips. "Tell me more of these dreams."

"They're... well, they're not like other dreams. More like memories, really." The word sent a shiver through her.

"Memories?"

She gathered her breath and took another plunge. "Master Kaede, did you ever know a bender named Tsubaki?"

A soft gasp escaped Kaede's lips. The pestle dropped with a clunk. Her hand rose to her mouth.

"Wh- where did you hear that name?" Her voice was suddenly frail.

"Master Kaede?" Kagome peered at her stricken face with concern. "Is something-"

"I haven't heard it in fifty years." Her eye was distant with memory. "Kikyou said never to-"

"I'm sorry." She reached out to reassure her. She hesitated as Kaede gave a shudder. "I didn't-"

"You have not offended me." Her voice was still a little faint. "My apologies, Avatar. We do not speak of her lightly."

She fumbled for the waterskin at her waist. Kagome drew out her own and offered it to her. She waited until she'd wetted her throat before she risked another question.

"I don't mean to cause any offence but may I ask... ?" She paused at the look in Kaede's eye.

Kaede held her gaze for a heavy moment. She didn't flinch. Kaede heaved a sigh.

"Very well. I can't keep this from you." She took another sip to steady herself. "Tsubaki was banished from Goshinboku Island."

"Banished?"

"By my sister. The Avatar. She forbade her to set foot on our land ever again."

"But why?" Only the Fire Nation were forbidden to set foot on Goshinboku Island. "Was this Tsubaki... a traitor?"

The look in Kaede's eye said far worse. "Tsubaki betrayed more than just the Water Tribe, Avatar. Her crimes threatened the Spirit World itself."

"The Spirit World? But she was human, wasn't she?"

"She was. But that was never enough for her." Kaede's face darkened. "Tsubaki's hunger for power knew no bounds. Not even those between humans and spirits."

Kagome shivered as the thief's face rose before her eyes. Such things were not unheard of but few dared to speak of them. This was far from a light matter indeed.

"She sought to bend the spirits themselves," Kaede continued. "She tried to bind them to her, make their power her own. They said she could even bend other people."

Kagome caught her breath. Was such a thing even possible? She shuddered at the memory of the invisible grip on her throat. That couldn't be just a coincidence.

"No way."

"Hard to believe, I know. Yet if you saw the look in their eyes... " Kaede shook her head. "She more than paid for her folly."

Kagome swallowed. "Is she-"

"Dead? I cannot say." Kaede pursed her lips. "No more was heard of her after she left the island."

"Do you think she's still-"

"My guess is as good as yours, Avatar," said Kaede. "Still, I would hardly expect her to trouble us these days."

Kagome frowned. "She was the same age as Kikyou, right? There are older masters."

"Oh, age is no great barrier to a true master," said Kaede. "No, Tsubaki, be she alive or dead, will never trouble us again. My sister made sure of that."

The certainty in her voice sent another shiver through her. "Pardon me, Master but how can you be so sure?"

"I understand you're concerned. But dreams can be misleading," Kaede replied. "After their final battle Tsubaki could never bend again."

The words chilled her to the core. "Tsubaki was injured?" she asked.

"Not physically, at least no more than usual," said Kaede. "No, Tsubaki lost her bending. I know not how but she couldn't bend so much as a drop afterwards. Kikyou made sure of that."

Kagome met Kaede's gaze with a stare. Her eye told no lies.

"Tsubaki knew no bounds." Kaede shook her head. "I can only hope she learned her lesson."

"I hope she did."

The words brought her little relief. That stare had pierced her to the core. Best not dwell on it for now. She dipped her head in a bow.

"Thanks for teaching me, Master."

"Oh, we're far from done," Kaede chuckled. "Why, we haven't even opened your first chakra yet. That reminds me." She heaved herself to her feet with a grunt.

Kagome scrambled up from the floor. Her body was lighter already. "It's okay, I can get-"

"I'm not that old, Avatar." Her mouth twitched with amusement.

She raised her hands and drew them towards her chest. A mannequin slid across the floor and came to a halt beside Kagome. She jumped back to give it some much needed space.

"Don't worry. It's full of water, that's all." Her amusement spread into a full smile.

"Guess I've got a lot to learn, huh?" She gave a silent laugh. "Being a late bloomer and all."

Kaede laid an unexpected hand on her arm. "Perhaps you do. But that may not be a bad thing. Kikyou did start very young. Too young, some might say. You've had other opportunities."

Kagome shook her head. A small fishing village only had so many opportunities for a latent waterbender. Penguin sledding wasn't going to help her out much.

"You're... kind, Master. But let's just say I'm no Kikyou."

"Perhaps," Kaede replied. "But it seems you have your own strengths." She regarded the pool with a smile. "Focus on those for now."

Kagome gave her a grateful nod. For all her brusqueness she was far easier to confide in than Hitomiko. She sank back to her knees and glanced up at Kaede.

"Okay, where should I start?"

Kaede bowed her head in approval. "Let's see what you remember from Meriwa's demonstration. The first chakra?"

Kagome raised a wary hand and held it over the mannequin. The water stayed tranquil. She slid her hand lower down. Wasn't it somewhere near the base of the spine? Her gaze trailed down the mannequin, over the lines and pathways that ran like veins. Veins full of...

"Ah!" Something flickered before her eyes. She clapped a hand to her forehead as her concentration shattered. She groaned. Why now?

"Avatar?" Kaede knelt down to take her arm. "What ails you? Another vision?"

"I-" She grasped after the fleeting thought. It flickered away like smoke. "I - don't know. Why does this keep-"

"Relax." Kaede reached towards the basin and crooked her finger. The water rose to sheathe her hand in a glove. She held it before Kagome's forehead. "May I?"

"O... okay." Kagome let out a shaky breath. "It's okay."

Kaede pressed the water to her brow. Coolness and calm washed over her. A rush of images followed in their wake: a crimson moon, a shattered tree, a silent stare. In the middle of the chaos stood a man, torn between two worlds. And there, behind him...

"Avatar!"

Kagome blinked. Kaede's hazy face peered down at her. She shook her confusion away. Kaede pressed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't get up." Her voice was gruff with worry. "Let your head clear first. I fear I may have-"

"No. Don't worry, Master." Her voice was soft but certain.

"Avatar?"

Kagome brushed her hand aside. She hauled herself into a sitting position. Kaede crouched anxiously at her side. She gave her a hazy smile.

"I'm alright."

"Are you quite sure?"

She nodded. Her heart still scampered in her chest, her eyes still swam with light, yet her mind was as clear and steady as the basin before her. She could be grasping at straws. Yet there was no denying all those coincidences. There was no ignoring all those omens. There was no way a mere thief knew of mysteries held so dear. Some questions had to be answered.

She let out a hollow laugh. This was ridiculous. But it was worth a try. She'd promised them all she'd try.

She raised her gaze to meet Kaede's. It was as steady as a mountain.

"Forgive me, Master. But I'm going to have to ask you another favour... "


Constructive criticism is very welcome!

I update once a month.