InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Deify You ❯ What She Never Knew ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: Me no own Inu Yasha or the lyrics to Disturbed's “Deify You.”

 

Story Summary: Pairing: Eventual SK. Naraku's power is rising, Kagome finds herself between heaven and hell and all alone and abandoned by her 'friends'. For every shard Kagome purifies, she takes that much evil into her own soul. No energy can be gained or lost, so eventually, an equilibrium must be reached, and Kagome has become a center, globally attracting equilibrium point.

 

Chapter 4: What She Never Knew

 

Kagome's terror grew with each passing moment as she locked gazes with Sesshoumaru's gold eyes. Would he attack her? This was Sesshoumaru she was thinking about. He had tried on numerous occasions to kill her and Inu Yasha. She struggled to keep her body from trembling but she couldn't get rid of the `deer caught in the headlights' look that was plastered across her face. His eyes and face revealed nothing of his thoughts, so she jumped in surprise when he began to speak.

 

“Miko, this Sesshoumaru has no intention of harming you, so stop being so terrified. If I had wanted to kill you, I would have done so while you were still in that abomination of a village.” He was a mask of indifference, his voice clear of any emotion other than calm and boredom, and his eyes and face expressing nothing but coldness. But Kagome was no fool. Somewhere simmering beneath the surface was disdain toward her. “Why did you save me Sesshoumaru-sama?” Kagome calmed a little, but her fear would not be fully assuaged. He had attacked her too many times for her to trust him fully. She remained on the ground, but shifted herself so that she faced the demon lord. She bowed lightly while asking her question, for though he was a demon, he was still the Lord of the West.

 

“This Sesshoumaru does not need to answer your petty questions. But this Sesshoumaru is curious. That despicable village has been growing in population for sometime within this Sesshoumaru's borders. Every person, be they demon, hanyou, or human, who passes through has remained there. They live in perfect harmony and they worship a man they have not met, but claim can give them all they desire. By worshipping this, let's say mortal for this Sesshoumaru does not know what he is, they hope to elevate him to an immortal status and grant him power so that peace may spread through the land. This Sesshoumaru is suspicious of this village, for it is not natural for demons, hanyous, and humans to drop their differences so easily for the sake of a foundling religion. This Sesshoumaru wants to know why you were not affected by the village's influence when all but this Sesshoumaru have been.” Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru quietly, thinking about the question the demon lord had asked her.

 

“I do not know Sesshoumaru-sama. All I know is that about ten feet out from the edge of the village I was too terrified to go any closer to it. I sensed something very wrong about it, and after my friends entered, that sense of wrongness was on them also. And their attitude toward me became hostile. But whoever this man is, he can do wondrous things…the monk's kazaana had been removed. That is something he desired with all his heart and soul to be rid of.” Tears entered Kagome's eyes once again.

 

She cast her eyes down to her lap where her hands were gently clasped. “Forgive my weakness Sesshoumaru-sama. There's no excuse for my behavior.” Kagome prepared herself for barbed words about weak human females to pass from Sesshoumaru's lips. But none came. Instead she heard the rustle of fabric as she watched the tall form of Sesshoumaru settle down in front of her from the corner of her eyes.

 

“This Sesshoumaru is not as cold as his brother portrays him to be. I understand that humans are ruled by their emotions and I do not hold it against them.” Kagome's head jerked up in shock as she looked up at Sesshoumaru in wonderment. His eyes, face, and voice still let no hint of emotion through. “However this Sesshoumaru does hold their poor hygiene and lack of courage against them. And you do not fit in with those criteria Miko, so this Sesshoumaru can tolerate you easily.” Kagome gave the stoic demon a relieved smile and wiped away at her tears.

 

“As I am not a properly trained miko, I am unable to understand the mechanics of whatever the wrongness was that hung over the village. All that I knew was that I did not like whatever it was and that while I was subjected to it, I felt that I was being pressed back into my own mind, like something was trying to take control of me and alter my thoughts.” Kagome seemed to curl in again, the memory of what she felt was enough to set off her self-preservation instincts. “Miroku looked like he wanted to kill me, and my friends probably wouldn't have done anything to stop him had he tried. But he wanted to take them somewhere so that they could be `enlightened.'”

 

Sesshoumaru sat perfectly still, his sharp golden eyes trained attentively to Kagome's grey-blue as he soaked in all the information she recited. “This is unusual. This Sesshoumaru is concerned about the nature of whatever is affecting the village, for he does not understand what it is either. It seems like a plague, for it is starting to grow rapidly. In a year or so, over six thousand of each race will live there if they continue to grow at this rate. The village has only been there for a few months, and it is already a hefty size.”

 

Kagome gave Sesshoumaru a look of shock. “It's increasing exponentially? That's almost absurd, for they certainly aren't reproducing at a rate that would increase the population that much. Which means a large volume of travelers would have to keep increasing with size with each passing week. Where would so many travelers come from, why would they be attracted to this one village, and how would they know that such a place existed if no one ever leaves?” Sesshoumaru sniffed a little. “Your group stumbled across it did you not? Why should it be any different for other travelers who seek safe haven for a night?”

 

Kagome nodded. “It still doesn't seem right. How can the amount of travelers grow exponentially? Before hand, I never saw but the occasional traveler. Sesshoumaru-sama, there is something big and malicious at work…I don't know what though…” She stopped speaking and looked down at her hands with a glazed stare, her eyebrows drawn together in concentration, and biting her bottom lip gently. Sesshoumaru sat and watched her for a few minutes before gracefully standing up.

 

“Come Miko. The sun has set and the nights are growing cooler. This Sesshoumaru does not wish to have sick humans in his household.” Kagome snapped out of her thoughts, and felt her ire rise a little bit, but calmed herself down. She was to expect this behavior from the demon lord, so she should not get mad at him for it. And he did have a valid point.

 

Kagome gave a light shiver as she finally felt the chill in the night air. She slowly stood and looked up at Sesshoumaru. “I do not mean to be a bother Sesshoumaru-sama, but I do not know your household very well. Would you be kind enough to show me back to my room?” Sesshoumaru gave a miniscule nod and whirled around, heading back into the humongous castle, his long silver hair glowing a miraculous light blue underneath the light of the moon. Kagome followed behind the tall taiyoukai, silently wondering at the twist her life had made, losing everyone she cared about in one day, to find an indifferent ally in the one full blooded demon who used to try to kill them. Her eyes watered with silent tears. She must have stepped on many people's dogs to have this sort of karma.

 

When Sesshoumaru stopped in front of her door, he turned to look down at her. “You have had a rough day Miko. Should you need anything, Rin's room is located to your left.” He explained, nodding his head to a door farther down the hallway. “This Sesshoumaru would suggest that you not wander the palace by yourself. Most of the inhabitants in the castle are youkai and do not take well to new humans in the castle. If you are with Rin you will be left alone until they get adjusted to your presence. You are of particular interest due to the shikon no kakera around your neck and your threatening miko powers.” Kagome nodded her head in understanding. “Thank you for your gracious hospitality Sesshoumaru-sama, and for saving my life. If you should like me to help with any tasks around your palace, I am at your service.” She bowed lightly in respect.

 

Sesshoumaru remained quiet for a few seconds before speaking up. “Miko, you are a guest in this Sesshoumaru's house. You are not required to do anything, but if you should wish something to do, this Sesshoumaru knows that you are educated and would request that you take over Rin's teaching. I'm afraid that Jaken, though a good teacher, does not treat Rin with enough respect for her to pay attention to him.” Kagome's eyes lit up in happiness. “That would be wonderful Sesshoumaru-sama! Thank you! And, this is my last question I promise Sesshoumaru-sama, but do you have a dojo where I may practice my archery?” Sesshoumaru nodded his head. “This Sesshoumaru will show you where the dojo is tomorrow after Rin's lessons. Get some sleep Miko.”

 

With that, Sesshoumaru turned and walked off down the hallway, disappearing around a corner. Kagome smiled sadly as she opened her door and walked in. A new home, a new ally, a new friend, and a new purpose. But she still had the same monumental duty of completing the shikon no tama, which is something she'd discuss with Sesshoumaru after she became adjusted to the household.

 

_____________

Kagome groaned as her door burst open and Rin came bouncing in for the fifth time that week. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a pink light throughout the large grey-blue hued room. “Kagome-oneechan! Time to get up! Rin-chan's ready to be taught and Kagome-oneechan still needs to eat.” Rin came up next to Kagome's futon and knelt down so that her face was a few inches from Kagome's. Kagome cracked a reluctant eye open to glance at her pupil only to groan. “Don't look at me like that Rin. You know I hate it when you do that…” Rin just amplified what Kagome called `the look.' The eyes were large and the lower lip was stuck out and quivering and melted Kagome like butter instantly. She didn't understand how Jaken was able to resist the little girl, but then again, this was the little toad that thought a diet of flies was cuisine. Kagome shuddered at the thought. Sighing, Kagome sat up and stretched, giving a large yawn. Rin smiled up at Kagome then ran over to the wardrobe and pulled the doors open. As Kagome rose to follow, she winced as her muscles protested her movement.

 

Over the past week Sesshoumaru had taken it upon himself to dedicate two hours of his time to put Kagome through rigorous martial arts training and training with a light rapier, rather than her hoped for archery. Sesshoumaru had explained it that the bow and arrow were only good for long distances and that should an enemy grab her, she would be unable to defend herself. He was a good but brutal sensei, unrelenting for the whole two hour period. Sesshoumaru forbid the use of her purification powers, saying that they were too erratic and unpredictable for Kagome to rely on them for her protection. But in return, he promised that the day Kagome landed a killing blow on him, her training would be over. Which Kagome of course had scoffed at, saying that her human body would never be quick enough to chase the demon lord down.

 

Kagome had been surprised when Sesshoumaru gave her a guarded look and a few words. “You are not you think you are Kagome. It would not be hard for you to bring this Sesshoumaru to his knees. You just need to find it within yourself to step up for what you believe in and find discover that not all that dwells within the darkness is evil. Peace comes with balance. You are too pure to find peace, so you must find the darkness within and let it grow.” She had regarded him with a horrified look. She would not allow herself to fall within the clutches of darkness! Sesshoumaru, seeing the look upon her face, motioned for Kagome to sit down. “Miko, do you know what the symbol of the ying-yang represents? What value?”

 

Kagome gave him an absurd look. “It stands for peace and harmony. Balance.” Sesshoumaru nodded his affirmative. “The ying-yang is a balance between light and dark. One cannot be without the other and balance and harmony cannot be achieved unless they are in equilibrium. You, being educated as you are Miko, have probably heard of the theories of alchemy. Alchemy is the study of matter and how it interacts, and what the world is composed of. Things cannot be gained unless something is given. This is balance, how the world operates.” Kagome butted in. “The theory of conservation of energy. `Energy cannot be created nor destroyed in any system.'” Sesshoumaru again nodded. “Everything in the world seeks balance, seeks equilibrium. This is why the cold enters a warm house or why when food is scarce, predators die of starvation so that the prey cannot be made extinct. When a balance is met, harmony and peace is the result. This is why you will never find peace unless you can find the courage within yourself to accept the darkness as a part of who you are. You are not what or who you think you are Kagome, and until you let the darkness into your heart, you never will.”

 

Sesshoumaru had quit speaking then and left the dojo, not leaving Kagome time to ask him any of the many questions now swarming her mind. What did he know that she didn't? About her full potential? He acted like she should be somebody other than Kagome, or that the true Kagome had not been fully realized by her yet. Like there were more pieces yet to be found and fitted to the puzzle that was Kagome.

 

Kagome decided to put her conundrum on the back burner for a while, because Rin was currently picking out the most horrid pink kimono Kagome had ever laid eyes on with a puce obi to complete the ghastly out fit. As Kagome found the energy to rush forward and quickly select a sapphire blue kimono with emerald green vines stitched into it, she caught that smile on Rin's face that suggested a `I knew it would get your attention' thought had been going through the mischievous child's mind. Kagome sighed to herself. Her birthday was next week. If this schedule continued, she wondered if she would make there intact or not what with Sesshoumaru running her ragged.

 

A/N: And end chapter! Soooo…how was it? I spent some time on this one. I think it's okay, with a few errors. I'm very impatient, so it's frustrating for me to try and draw out the story line and be very descriptive of the characters, their surroundings, etc…Oh well. The chapter's posted, and that's what matters. Cheers!