This story's rating has been changed to 'M' for violence. There will NOT be any inappropiate material for those under 18, but there will be some decriptions of injuries and maybe even death. If this new rating means you cannot continue to read this fiction, I deeply apologize. Thank you for reading!
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Kagome poured a generous amount of conditioner in her hand, grumbling under her breath about over-excited half-bloods. Bathing in a hot spring, she was cleaning off the blood and guts from a youkai whose death had been brought about by Inuyasha's 'Wind Scar'. After the unscented substance was thoroughly incorporated into her hair, she ducked under the water rinsing it from her long raven locks.
Stuffing the wet bottles in a plastic bag she tossed them in the general direction of her clothing, before settling down into the deliciously warm water, allowing herself to relax her tense muscles. Today had been a stressful day. Due to the lessening amount of Shikon shards, more and more low level youkai were attacking in desperate hope that they might actually succeed. Although usually no injuries were inflicted, the amount of gore and sticky substances that were now becoming a normal part of their journey, was staggering.
Bathing at least once a day was something she insisted on, but even Inuyasha would lead her to water after particular nasty attacks. Her poor school uniform. Blood-stains were expected, but the daily showers of intestates, brain matter and other unidentifiable bodily fluids and gunk were harder to come out.
As she was about to duck under the water once more before she would have to get out, Kagome heard the sound of an animal crying. Glancing instinctively at the Jewel shards on her neck, she move closer to the edge of the spring. Peering around the rocks, she spotted a wounded fox no less than six feet away attempting to reach the water.
Leaping to her feet, momentarily forgetting her state of undress, she hurried to the fox's side. Whispering soothing words, she called forth the soft pink of her reiki managing to decently heal the four deep gashes in its side. After only a couple minutes, Kagome with drew her hand and waited a moment for the fox to move. When it could stand again, he licked her hand in thanks and trotted back off into the woods.
A sudden chill reminded her of her nakedness and she lunged in an attempt to hurry back into the comforting warmth of the hot springs. As it would be, when climbing back over the rocks, she tripped, falling into a sharp point that cut into her skin from her ankle to her knee in an instant. Letting out a cry of pain, she lost her balance and tumbled into the steaming water, striking her head on a rock. Inwardly cursing her stupidity, she totally missed the silver hair and gold eyes her body spiraling towards. The sounds rapidly dimmed as blackness clouded her vision.
Unaware of how much time passed, a pounding in her head brought her back to consciousness. Blinking unfocused eyes several times before she carefully sat up, Kagome winced at the coldness of her body. Glancing around her, she noticed she wasn't in the hot spring, drowning, but rather on a large rock. Confused, she reached for her leg, expecting blood, but there was only a light pink scratch.
Reaching for the bottle of Shikon shards, she confirmed they were still hanging about her neck. Searching the surrounding area, she also confirmed she was alone and no one was nearby. Looking back to the pink scratch, wondering if she had dreamed it, she was abruptly interrupted by a shout.
"Kagome-chan!"
She shrieked, startled by Sango who had suddenly appeared next to her, causing her to fall back into the water. Flailing about in the water, she swore she felt a hand about her ankle. Her feet scraped against a soft dirt bottom as she lunged for a rock, spreading her legs to jump leapfrog style over it landing softly on dry land. Grabbing for her towel she dried and hurriedly changed while casting suspicious looks towards the still surface of the water. When Kagome was fully clothed, she breathed a sigh of relief. A small giggle drew her attention. Turning to stare reproachfully at Sango, she crossed her arms.
"What's so funny?"
"I Just don't know if you're clumsy on purpose or it comes naturally."
Rolling her eyes, Kagome reached for her trusty yellow backpack.
"Sometimes, even I wonder. I suppose Inuyasha is wondering what was taking me too long?"
The demon slayer nodded.
"Okay, let's go back."
Casting one last lingering glance at the hot spring, she strolled away with Sango, the trees soon hiding her form. Once she was out of sight, the smooth surface of the water broke as a silver-haired youkai casually emerged. Turning and moving leisurely to the bank the youkai uttered a soft,
"Hn."
Reaching up a clawed hand he eyed the bright drops of blood coating the tips, cutting his gaze to the path the miko had departed from. His mouth moved, his tongue carefully tasting before a sharp fang sliding over his lip in what could be considered a smile.
Kagome, some very important to Rin, Sesshomaru mused, Perhaps more observation is required to determine the extent of her worth to this one.
With his thoughts centered around the extra-ordinary human woman, Sesshōmaru exited the springs, seeking out his pack.
~*~
After she had prepared dinner, everyone had eaten and things were cleaned up, Sango and Kagome discussed the increasing youkai attacks. Every once in a while, Inuyasha's ears would swivel and Miroku would reach for a sacred sultra. Thankfully, no youkai nor humans disturbed them. Presently, Sango rose and headed off to sit next to the monk as Kagome settled into her sleeping bag, heaving a sigh as she did so. Today had been hard as Kikyo had died the day before. Well, returned to the grave as it were. The future miko's soul was now complete, but she found it was slightly… difficult to wield her powers as she normally would. She chalked it up to her soul knitting back together and making sure it was the missing other piece.
"Kagome?"
Opening her eyes, she took in Shippo who held a look of hesitation on his face.
"What is it, Shippo-chan?"
He fiddled with his hands before putting them behind his back, widening green eyes and swishing a bushy tail back and forth.
"Could I sleep with you tonight?"
She smiled.
"Of course you can."
Pulling back her sleeping bag, she giggle quietly as Shippo snuggled into her stomach, the normally loud and busy ball of fur, as quiet as could be
"G'night, Kagome."
"G'night, Shippo-chan."
As she drifted off to sleep, she was unaware of her aura the slipped silently out from her, spreading over the monk and the slayer who were leaning on each other, Kirara at their back. Winding up the tree where a puppy-eared, silver-haired half-blood slept, and stretching out to some distance, warning passing youkai to keep away. Then, even if she knew, she would likely chalk it up to a side affect from the completion of her soul.
As this day passed, the Final Battle drew ever closer.
~*~
"She has grown far more than I had thought."
Standing in a hall of glittering gold, shining silver and gleaming marble, a voice spoke quietly. In answer to this statement, another snorted.
"Naturally. Throwing a normal girl from the future into the past, forcing her to use her previously unknown power to guard a Jewel made from the soul of another miko that almost every demon in existence has coveted, will require you to grow pretty fast."
Eyes narrowed, glaring at the other.
"I am just trying to clarify what is going on."
"No, you're trying to sound all wise and holy."
"In case you have not noticed, Katsuo, we are the definition of 'wise and holy'."
Katsuo fell silent as another person stepped forward, their hands folded serenely into the sleeves of a softly glowing kimono.
"One would assume so, as we are the kami, Katsuo, Rika."
The sharp tapping of shoes against the marble floor drew everyone's attention to the last kami to arrive.
"Instead of beating around the bush, Masato, let us get to the case, shall we?"
Not waiting for an answer, she strolled over to the bowl that held the reflection of a young miko of eighteen years. Placing her diamond tipped hands on the seemingly glass surface, she spoke in a hard tone.
"Fate was finally able to tell us who stands at the end of Kagome's red string. Apparently his interest in the girl has soared to great heights."
There was only a momentary pause before Rika spoke up.
"Well, Seira? Who is it?"
Seira's face twisted up and she spat the name.
"Sesshomaru. The only youkai who, despite his young age and immaturity, even us kamis hesitate before doing anything that could bring his anger on us."
Rika grabbed the nearest object, which happened to be a cup, and threw it forcefully against the wall, shattering it on impact. She swore violently in an ancient tongue and began pacing the dais in agitation.
"This is bad."
"No, really?" Katsuo said sarcastically.
She shot a glare at him before throwing up her hands.
"Just imagine what would happen if they mated, no even if he gave her a tie that binds! Sesshomaru would gain his second tail, increasing his already powerful jyaki by more than double! Kagome would gain perfect control of her vast reservoir that has not been seen since Midoriko! We could not touch any of the lives connected to them! If we did, they might rebel against us, or maybe even challenge our authority! The same thing is happening as it might have with Midoriko and you know how we dealt with her!"
"Yes and now that youkai's son is planning to mate someone of equal or greater power. While I will give them credit for picking the only females who have the power to stand against us if they wanted to, this is far too troublesome. And another thing, it has been confirmed Sesshomaru's power has surpassed his father's since he forged that sword from his own body, even when the Inu no Taisho had his two tails," Masato pointed out.
There was a stretch of silence before Rika opened her mouth.
"Can Fate not just tie a different soul to Sesshomaru's?"
Katsuo laughed harshly.
"Perhaps to yours? After all, you have been conveniently running into that inu-youkai every time you drop down to Earth."
Whirling on him, she slapped Katsuo across his face, grabbing his clothing.
"Why not?! I am beautiful, I am powerful, I am perfect! I am a kami! There is no reason why I should not have him!"
Shoving the hysterical female away from him, he held a hand to his reddened face and sneered.
"Of course, Rika, you are perfect which is exactly why Sesshomaru desires you," he laughed, knowing full well said inu-youkai deemed her unworthy of his notice.
Before the insulted woman could attack him again, Masato's voice stopped her.
"There is no need to get emotional. No, Rika, Fate ties the red string to souls as they are in their mother's womb. Never mind that, to solve this problem all you need is an answer to a question. What can we do to separate Kagome from Sesshōmaru? While keeping in mind if we returned her to her original time, that youkai would strive to live as long and they could be reunited."
Seira laughed. Ignoring the looks her fellow kami sent to her, a cunning smile graced her face.
"Are any of you familiar with the phrase 'it is a small world after all'?"
It only took a second for the answer to the question to dawn on the other three individuals. Katsuo shrugged.
"Kagome comes from an age that doesn't follow every word from the mouth of beings possessing higher powers. There is no way she is going to take that passively."
A small chuckle escaped from Masato, his face still serenely composed.
"Of course she will. We can tell her that if she stays, we will spare her family. If she still defies us…" Masato's voice faded off as his eyes opened.
"We will simply erase them from this Earth."
Not once bothering to imagine the consequences of their actions that were decided on 'might have', 'could have' and 'what if', Rika, Seira, Katsuo all nodded in agreement. From the entrance of the hall, Fate, having heard the entire conversation, sighed heavily as she wearily turned her back on the kami gathered behind her.
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A/N Hello my dear readers! *waves emphatically* This is an original faniction, I do not own Inuyasha (though I wish I did), I do own the plotline. Ahh.... I don't think there's anything else to say except leave a review....
M'kay!
Ja ne!