InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ A Light in the Dark ❯ Loss of a Brother ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Everyone, minus Kagome and Shippo, was staring at Arashi dumbstruck. The young miko had a grin plastered on her face and Shippo was unconscious from the sudden shock. Kagome giggled at this. ‘Poor thing. He hadn’t the slightest clue.’

Kagome picked up Shippo’s little body with care and cradled it to her chest in a motherly fashion. She smiled warmly at her adopted son, although sadness still seeped into her eyes. Tears were starting to form... and she let them fall. One blue tear after another streaked her face as she smiled down at her kit. All attention turned from Arashi to Kagome and her blue tears.

The youkai were the first to notice Kagome crying; the scent of salt reached their noses, but there was something else mixed in with scent of salt... it was the scent jasmine blossoms gave off, but at the same time it wasn’t. It was unique and strange, but very pleasant. If they let it go on any longer they would try to find a way to make sure the tears were never ending. It was addictive....

Hiei was sickened by how it was affecting him. He didn’t like to see her cry, but the smell was overwhelming. Luckily for him, he had more self-control than your average youkai... or hanyou for that matter.

‘Now I know why the hanyou made the onna cry though... It smells… nice.’

Hiei was close to taking her and ravishing her body if her tears didn’t stop falling from her eyes.

“Onna.” was the first word that came out of his mouth, breaking the silence that had covered the camp for well over 5 minutes. Both, Arashi and Kagome, looked at him; though Arashi quickly looked back to Kagome. Kagome looked confused and broken... it hurt him to see her that way.

“Stop your tears.” he flashed into a tree as soon as the words left his mouth.

Kagome blinked a few times. It was obvious that his choice of words hurt her, but she stopped crying anyways.

‘That’s what Inuyasha would’ve told me... he also said it made me weak. Then he would have said something like, “Kikyo would’ve never cried. Especially for no reason! Feh. Stupid wench.”...’

As soon as she stopped crying Arashi glared at the tree Hiei hid himself in and growled to herself.
‘Bastard! How dare he hurt Kagome-sama like that!! I should rip out his throat for even speaking to her like that. But… she was upset even before he said anything.... I wonder what could be troubling her....’

Arashi looked back at Kagome curiously wondering if she’d get her answer, but the sight she found wasn’t something she expected.

Kagome’s head was down, her bangs covering her brown eyes... there was an odd blue light mixed with flicks of pink that glowed around her, like her miko powers were hugging her for comfort, and not hurting Shippo. When she lifted her head everyone stared at her. No one was expecting something like that to happen....

When she opened her eyes they were grey. Not the warm, empty, brown everyone was becoming accustomed to, but a hope filled, welcoming gray accompanied by determination and… happiness. Also her body seemed more defined and lean than a few moments ago, if that was possible.

The same thing went through everyone’s head, but Kuwabara voiced it.

“What just happened?”

Kagome smiled at him knowing that they were all wondering the same thing. She wasn’t expecting this to happen either. To them it seemed like a couple of seconds, a minute or two the longest. But to her it was seventy-four long fulfilling years.

“I’ll tell you what happened. But first I think everyone should sit down, this could take a while.” There were gasps at the sound of her voice. It was... angelic... godly; and held so many positive emotions it started to scare them. Alas everyone did as she said and sat down.

She herself sat down and got a faraway look on her face, as though she was remembering.

“Where should I begin...” she pondered to herself aloud, tapping her bottom lip thoughtfully.

~ Flashback~

Kagome had just stopped crying when she heard a warm feminine voice call her name. Of course Kagome being a curious person, tried to figure out where it came from. Her efforts were useless though.

‘I swear I heard someone call my name...’

“Kagome.”

‘There it is again! But... where is it coming from?’

“Don’t try, Kagome. Let it come to you.”

Kagome was utterly confused at the directions given to her, but followed them to the best of her abilities.

She saw a flash of white light and suddenly found herself in a beautiful meadow. It had a river and a waterfall, while slightly behind it were elevated on rocks, to the right of the rocks was a hot spring. To the right of the waterfall was a gorgeous giant sakura tree, and to the left of the waterfall was a large boulder that seemed to support a natural privacy for the hot spring.

Kagome stared in awe at her surroundings. She wasn’t expecting to be transported to this beautiful clearing.

“Where am I?” she asked herself as she started to walk towards the boulder. She wasn’t expecting an answer; but she should always expect the unexpected, being her.

“You’re in a dreamscape...”

“Huh? But I wasn’t sleeping....” She looked around hoping to find the source of the voice.

“Correct. But you see, this is a meditative dreamscape. Your current state allowed me to transport you from there, to here.”

Kagome just nodded unaware of what was going on.

“.... But, I have also set a time barrier around your body. You will start training here with me, and leave when your training is complete.”, A womanly figure stepped from behind the waterfall, “ It will seem like a mere few seconds, minutes at most, to your companions. For every year you spend here will seem as though a few seconds have passed to your companions. However it will not affect your body, much. You will be training until you know everything you need to know.”

Kagome was appalled; it was evident all over her face.

‘Much? What does she mean “much”!?’

“Don’t worry. Your body will simply change for the better. For example: If your muscles define here, then so will your body there. It won’t age.” When the figure was fully out from under the waterfall Kagome gaped.

It was Midoriko, in all her glory. Kagome was shocked beyond belief.

As soon as she regained her composer she knelt before Midoriko, blushing in shame. She held her head down so she couldn’t see Midoriko and Midoriko couldn’t see her face. She felt more unworthy than she ever thought possible. She didn’t even have a full soul anymore, and here she was guarding the jewel of four souls.

The powerful miko frowned. She didn’t want this to happen. She didn’t want the young miko to bow before her.

‘She’s better than this. We just have to fix that.’, thought the ancient miko.

“Please rise, Kagome, as you told your new companion earlier: we are equals.” Midoriko smiled knowingly.

Kagome smiled faintly and rose, red fading from her face, but pink still adorned her features.

‘Practice what you preach, Kagome.’, she silently berated herself.

Midoriko smiled at the young miko fondly. The smile made Kagome ease a bit, it made her feel a little more relaxed as well as welcome and wanted. Thus she smiled back. That was the reaction the ancient miko wanted.

‘Much better. I prefer her smile over her frown.’

“So... what kind of training did you have in mind?” Kagome asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

Midoriko laughed at Kagome’s questionable antics. They were amusing, and led her into interesting situations.

‘She’s just as curious as that kit of hers.’

“Everything you need to know to be prepared, from fighting to controlling your miko powers.”

Kagome grinned happily. She was going to learn how to control her powers. Of course she knew the basics of fighting, thanks to Sango. She also learned some of the ways of the tajiya. It was that thought that turned her grin into a small sad smile.

‘The only good of her death is she won’t have to suffer much. Hopefully after Kohaku is beyond the grave she will fully be at peace... hopefully....’

Kagome’s eyes had a distant look in them. The older miko was saddened at this and knew it would be something they had to work on.

‘Kagome still grieves for her second family.... That is understandable, but she can’t keep her feelings in. She is deeply hurt.... The young miko just needs to see a new light.’

“Kagome.” Midoriko called her name. Kagome just looked at her, her eyes seemed lost, lonely, and held much hopelessness in them. It almost broke the older miko’s heart.

‘She needs to know she is loved.... I know a certain someone who may be willing to allow that, maybe two. Even if they are the most unlikely people, they have what it takes. They just don’t know it themselves yet.... Also something to work on.’

Midoriko held out her arms. Kagome understood and walked into them as Midoriko wrapped them around her small petite body.

“Cry, Kagome. They wouldn’t want you to be sad for them, you know that. Just let it all out, it shall make you feel better.” Midoriko ordered as she rubbed soothing circles on her back. As though she were on cue Kagome cried. She cried her abnormal blue tears until they stopped streaking down her face. Midoriko held her in a motherly embrace the whole time as if trying to protect the young miko in her arms from the real world.

When she was done Kagome pulled back and looked up at the older miko with eyes full of thanks. She really needed that, but her eyes stilled held that of loneliness. Well, Inuyasha had broken her heart mercilessly after all. More than once, more than twice... and still she loved him, she cared for him... she still had trust in him.

Kagome’s tear stained face smiled softly.

“Thank you, Midoriko-sama.” she whispered, afraid her voice would crack should she talk any louder.

Midoriko smiled back at Kagome with a knowing smile. She would tell Kagome about the two people later, in due time, when she thought Kagome would be in better condition. Although one wasn’t that hard to tell the other needed her kindness for it to become clear....

“Come Kagome, we should start with harnessing your miko power to its fullest potential. It won’t do with having it roam freely and barely used. You have to control it, not have it control you.” Midoriko said as she sat on the boulder.

‘Although if it does control you you’ll just be over protective... and kill everything to ensure your loved ones’ protection.’

Kagome just nodded dumbly. She didn’t know she was stronger than anyone let on. She was led to believe that she was weak and worthless, nothing more than a shard detector. Inuyasha had truly torn her heart, as well as filled her head with disgusting lies. But Kagome didn’t know they were lies.

“First you must become one with nature. Since you are a beginner and it is your first time, you will have to strip down to nothing. Clothes only tie you down to the material world. It keeps you from nature and your natural self.” was Midoriko’s first order. At this Kagome blushed wildly. She had to strip in front of the most powerful miko to ever exist... she’d have to show all of herself, which was weak, pathetic... and according to Inuyasha, ugly. All of her unworthiness was to be shown here and now to the most pure being to ever.

“Do not be shy Kagome. I shall join you if it will set you at ease.” Midoriko offered.

Slowly Kagome nodded. She didn’t want to be the only one nude. As soon as she made her gesture she began to lift her shirt. At first she was still a little unsure, but the feeling soon left Kagome as a warm wind wound around her petite form. It was as though mother nature was hugging her, proud that she was willing to accept the fact she was what she was; nothing more, nothing less. As the clothing came off, the feeling of freedom came forth. It was a wonderful feeling, one she never wanted to let go of. Of course Midoriko would allow this for a while longer; after all it wasn’t her fault she was tossed into this harsh world, the kami wanted her here for this task. Although Kagome would have to be brought back into the cold unforgiving world called reality sooner or later.

As Kagome took off her last piece of clothing, namely her underwear, her face was flushed. She was giddy and hot. Midoriko was almost embarrassed to be a witness to this, but knew the feeling herself being as she too had experienced it her first time becoming one with nature. In fact she was almost re-experiencing it once more.

The two mikos stood there, bathing in the fresh air, getting splashed every now and then by water from the fall that hit the rocks too hard. Finally Midoriko brought herself from the state of bliss and started to walk to the river. She stopped only once to poke at Kagome’s glowing aura to get her to follow. The young miko’s aura glittered at first turning from its calming blue color to a dark green with specks of what looked like small glimmering crystals. The closer they went towards the waterfall the more water came on them. But the two just kept walking as though nothing were happening. Their hair was becoming soaked and sticking to their face. Aside from that nothing was happening, Kagome was still berating herself and Midoriko was conflicting within herself with sympathy for Kagome, both of the mikos telling themselves that this wasn’t right, it shouldn’t be happening.

‘I shouldn’t be here. I’m not worthy; there must be someone else alive that’s stronger than me.’

‘She should not be here, not yet. She’s too young... she’s not ready. She still needs to heal her wounds. The wounds of her heart are still in turmoil.... The hanyou had no right. She will fall in love with a youkai, but her experience with the hanyou will make things harder in the future.’

‘The clay pot was stronger than me. Why not her, even if she is undeserving now, she was when she was alive; when Inuyasha wasn’t a traitor, when everyone was perfectly happy.’

Not long they reached their destination, the base of the waterfall. Kagome stared at the fall, all of her doubt somehow fading away. She took in deep calming breaths that soothed her aches. Midoriko did the same, but to her it was because she loved the smell of fresh clean water and small blossoms it produced.

“Kagome, now is the time to bring forth what you have within you.” Midoriko said.

Her eyes were full of determination and somewhat hard. She had known that this would be a very painful task, dangerous without the right instruction. And if not handled correctly and seriously could lead to death. Of course Midoriko wasn’t about to tell Kagome that. The chance of that happening was very slim.

Kagome was now a bit fidgety. The hard look in the ancient miko’s eyes... it set off a little alarm in her stomach. She knew that this task wouldn’t be easy. No it would be something that would change her forever. And maybe, most likely, require her to endure a lot of pain. The pain of betrayal from Inuyasha had already made her feel hollow, but this... this made things worse. The young priestess didn’t think it was possible. She just wanted to bolt and hurl whatever was in her belly. But her body wouldn’t allow it. It stayed there, her knees locking in position to keep her from running.

“Kagome. This needs to be done.... Now. So please... it’ll be easier if you calmed down a bit.” Midoriko advised.

Kagome nodded weakly. “Okay.” She closed her eyes and thought of one of the things that means most to her, that she loves and cares about, that was a part of her. She thought of her son, Shippo. He might not be hers by blood, but he was still her son, and always would be.

When she had finally opened her eyes, they were straight. Any sign of fear or anxiety was completely gone. Kagome was ready for this. The look of a true warrior was set in her eyes. Her lips formed a thin line, ready to overcome any obstacle in her path. She could no longer feel the cold from the waterfall.

“I’m ready.” she said strongly. Her voice seemed a bit more mature and steady.

Midoriko’s lips were also grim. She was aware of the new found power to go through with this tedious task.

“Good. This task will not be easy as you may have already guessed. But I will not have you do this until you think you are ready to do this yourself. To do this you need to be calm and ready for anything in your path. Anything can come at you at any given moment.... What they will be depends on you yourself. Although we all go through the same steps, it is different for every miko.” Midoriko informed her.

Kagome absorbed this information and thought for a few minutes. She hadn’t come this far just to say no and walk away from her task, her destiny.

“I’m ready.” she spoke. Her demeanor hadn’t let up in the slightest.

‘Good. It wouldn’t do to have you die from being unsure of yourself during the final test....’

Midoriko nodded accepting her answer. “Follow me.”, she said walking closer to the waterfall.

Kagome was no longer puzzled by things such as this. There would always be places not seen to the eye on the spot. She knew this by now. It wasn’t any different than the time she first went into the cave of where Midoriko’s body would stay in stone forever. Thus she followed; no questions to be asked.

When they reached the waterfall itself Midoriko walk until she was at its edge. It was a good thing they left their clothes behind otherwise they would’ve been soaked by now anyways. Midoriko stopped; to be sure Kagome had followed without falling into the water and accidentally injuring herself.

When her unasked question was answered she walked behind the waterfall. Kagome stood there and admired the waterfall and its secret for a few mere seconds. It calmed her a bit knowing that things may be peaceful and powerful on the outside, but can hold something and care for it on the inside, behind it’s frightening walls... like a certain taiyoukai and youkai she knew. She briefly wondered if they were vaguely the same, how they could care for something if they somehow made it through their tough defenses into their heart.

As soon as her analysis was made she walked behind the waterfall with ease. It was as though she had done it her whole life, when this was her first time.

The first sight that met her eyes when she walked into the cavern was a lovely green hue. Her eyes immediately searched for the source. They landed on the body of Midoriko sitting with her legs under her in a meditative pose. Her aura of green lit up the whole place, setting a serene look on the landscape.

Kagome continued to stare at the image through her soaked bangs, taking in the view for as long as it would last. Which, knowing her luck, wouldn’t last very long. Kagome sighed wistfully and walked to the other miko’s site. She knew what needed to be done. When she was next to the legendary miko she too sat on her legs in a Meditative position.

As soon as she sat down and made herself slightly comfortable on the stone floor Midoriko looked over to her and cracked one eye open.

“Let’s Begin, Kagome.” Midoriko said. Her voice was low and steady, yet calm and seemed peaceful.

END CHAPTER