InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost of Love ❯ chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

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

“So this is your home,” Kagome asked as she looked around the cozy establishment. The house was far different than the last she had been in.

“Yes. We wanted to preserve the area that would one day become your family shrine. Inuyasha constructed the wall around the land and this became our home.” Sango explained as she poured her guest a cup of steaming tea.

“Seems a little strange to have a Buddhist shrine so close to the Shinto shrine.” Kagome didn't have the heart to tell her friends that nothing remained of Miroku's modest temple. In fact, none of the buildings on this property currently would last through the centuries to her birthplace. A few of the stone ruins still littered her grandfather's shrine but it would be difficult to tell if they were the foundations of either shrine that presently occupied the property.

“Unusual yes but there is a reason for that. Our daughters were so enthralled with our stories of the great Shikon miko that they devoted their lives to the Shinto religion. One daughter remains here, in the building you were first in, and the other is a resident miko in a neighboring village. Neither possess the power that you have but they are very skilled in healing and are a great asset to the people they serve.” Sango shifted slightly on the thin mat before pouring herself a cup of tea. “Our sons have followed in the footsteps of their father. You met the oldest of them earlier.”

Kagome nodded as she carefully sipped on the hot tea. So much had changed. It felt odd to be sitting with someone who resembled her own mother, knowing that the last time they had been together they were only separated in age by a few years. Sango had children that were older than her for goodness sake. Surreal was the only way to describe it.

Waking up in strange surroundings had initially spurred the panic inside her. It had taken time to adjust to the fact that the people around her were her friends. Her now much older friends. In the hours that had passed since her arrival she had learned very little. The first few she had spent sitting on the steps to her friends' home watching the activity at the Shinto shrine in the distance. As evening approached Sango and Miroku had joined her, finished with their daily tasks, ushering her into their home and sharing their meal.

The longing in her heart grew with each moment that passed with her new companions. Gone forever were the days of their youth while she was still experiencing hers. All afternoon she had dreamed of days long passed. She lingered on memories of campfires and days filled with laughter and action. The only reassurance was the knowledge that Sango and Miroku had finally been granted the happiness they so rightly deserved. Gone was the threat of Naraku and nightmares he had put these two wonderful people through.

“I'm happy to learn that my family shrine was started with your family Sango. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have believed that we would be connected in such a way.” Try as she might she couldn't get the smile to reach her eyes. A failure that she knew the wise slayer would pick up on.

“It must be quite a lot to adjust to Kagome. I can not image returning only to find out that so much time has passed.”

Smiling slightly Kagome nodded in agreement. What could she say to that? No response could come close to describing the landslide of mixed emotions she had been experiencing since stepping into this changed world. Absence was something she was used to in both time frames, but the rapid acceleration of time between visits was something entirely different.

Fear was also something she was struggling with. The evidence around her clearly stated the absence of the rest of their traveling pack. The missing traces of one person in particular had the most awful feeling stirring inside. Fear kept her from asking the one question she sought the answer for most.

“He's been gone for quite some time now,” Miroku voiced beside his wife as if reading her thoughts. “For the first few years he checked the well faithfully. Every few days he would linger there in wait. Days turned to weeks as the years rolled by. Eventually he took to wandering, only returning in passing as he ventured on a new quest. I think perhaps it was easier on him to keep busy with trivial matters than to simply stay in this village.”

Kagome sat in silence, her heart clenched in mournful abandon. This was her fault and hers alone.

“Inuyasha was the one who made sure that this property would be kept for the Shrine and your family. He built the massive wall that protects the lands that were named after him. He helped erect my daughters' shrine and homes. 'Twas only by his hand that we were allowed to reside at the back of the property and practice our own faith.” Miroku continued, pausing often between sentences to sip his evening tea.

“Kagome,” Sango chimed in, “how would you like to stay with us. I'm sure you would be welcome at the shrine. It isn't everyday that the Shikon miko is resurrected. Our daughter has plenty of clothes that she could give you.”

“Oh no I couldn't. I'll just pop home and get whatever I need. There's no need for any special treatment,” Kagome laughed in embarrassment. The laughter faded as she watched the couple before her exchange worried glances.

“Lady Kagome, the jewel no longer exists. I believe you told us before that it was through its power that you were able to pass through the well. You may have conquered the jewel and returned here but it is unlikely that the well will let you pass through.” Miroku explained with deep concern.

Kagome sighed in desperation, frantically trying to hold back the tears of frustration she was overwhelmed by. This day was fast becoming a total write off. Her friends had changed to the point of being more like parental figures, Inuyasha had pulled the vanishing act and now she was likely stuck in the past completely separated from her own family. Yes, this day was ranking likely as the worst ever.

She could hear the comforting words of her friends, feel the taijiya's arms around her but nothing mattered. All she felt was pain and her world had fast become blurred with her flowing tears. Had the ground opened up at that moment and swallowed her she would have welcomed the darkness. Never had she felt more alone and lost in this world. Even in the home of her former companions she was by herself. Everyone, including Inuyasha, had moved on without her.

Kami she was tired. For days she had learned both the finer aspects of healing and the more grotesque side of the art. This had been Miroku's idea and at the moment she was torn between thanking him and hitting him.

Months had past since she had returned from the jewel. Months of long days and eye opening reality. One of Sango and Miroku's twin daughters had taken Kagome as a student and instructed her on all things required of a miko. That's how she had ultimately found herself here, arm deep in blood and guts; exhausted from hours spent on the battle torn field.

A small feud had developed into an all out battle between poverty stricken villagers and the area Lord. Looking at the carnage it was clear to see who won. All around her was evidence of the senseless slaughter. Villagers moaned in pain, most she feared would not live to see the morning sun.

Washing her blood soaked hands in the nearby river she again thought of her lecherous friend turned enlightened guardian. He had pushed her to accept his daughter's offer, telling her that it would do her good to learn how to control her powers and find a place in this new world. It hadn't taken her long to reflect upon her options. He had pushed her just as hard as the resident miko to learn the finer arts of her chosen profession. Now she could say that she was thankful for his guidance.

Aided by her own natural talents she had taken to her duties with relative ease. Kagome had found her ability to suture, mix medicines and diagnose illness had come as naturally as her ability to charge an arrow with her reiki. What she had taken to in the matter of months, most med students had spent years learning. She chalked it up to another bonus of her unusual abilities. Well as much of a bonus as it could be.

Deep down she knew this was her true calling. At first the blood had been a little hard to stomach but her time hunting the shards of the jewel had somewhat conditioned her to the horrors she now witnessed. Overall, she had found a greater feeling of satisfaction than she had ever experienced. Saving lives had given her more than just something to pass the time with. She had renewed her own interest in life.

Not that she had forgotten the past. A single day didn't go by without her thinking about Inuyasha. The days passed relatively quickly as she either trained or healed. Eventually she found it easier to work than regress to the longing she felt. After all, months had gone by without a single hint to her wandering hanyou's whereabouts. Better to work through the day than get lost in the hole of emptiness that had come to surround her thoughts of him.

Sighing she lifted her tired limbs from beside the shallow river and wiped her wet hands on her legs. A shiver passed over her and she clutched her robes tighter around her. Fall would soon fade and the cold winds of winter would be upon them.

Trudging back to her own campfire she worried her lip. The days were easy. She could simply immerse herself in her tasks. Night was an all together different story. Amber eyes haunted her dreams and left her with a growing sense of despair.

She felt his absence as if it was a hole in her very soul. A gaping crevice she had to tread lightly around for one misstep and she would fall into it and straight into despair. The problem was that as soon as sleep claimed her she fell. Drifted into the depths of his memory and wept in longing for his company. Night was what she feared most. Seemingly endless hours spent dreaming of nothing but red fire-rat, silver hair and glorious amber eyes. Kami she missed him.

The campfire was reduced to glowing embers that she carefully had to stoke to rekindle the tiny flame. A few more logs were added and soon Kagome had the fire crackling merrily in the wanning light. With limited rations she cooked a makeshift meal to ease the tightness in her stomach. The long journey here had seen most of her food utilized. What little that had made it to the battlefield had been used to provide for the injured.

Earlier she had managed to scavenge some late berries and edible roots from the local forest. It wasn't much but it would be enough to quiet her noisy belly. With sleep threatening to claim her she tossed another log onto the fire and climbed beneath her meager blanket. At least she would be warm until the fire burned down. Hopefully that was long enough for her to fall asleep. She almost prayed to the Kami to bless her with a dreamless night. Deciding that would be a selfish request she gritted her teeth and closed her eyes.

Moments passed before those familiar golden eyes flashed before her. Groaning she cracked open her eyes to stare at the mesmerizing dance of flames before her. Apparently this was going to be just like every other night. Try as she might she couldn't shake his memory. Kami she missed him. Where the hell had he disappeared to? Spring had faded to summer and now she watched as fall came close to passing as well. Seven months she had spent in the feudal era. Seven long months with not even a trace of the hanyou.

Miroku had sent word to Shippo, who now lived with another fox youkai tribe in the south of Japan, but not even the young kitsune had seen or heard from Inuyasha of late. Sesshoumaru had been through the village in passing during the summer and she had carefully made her inquiry to him. The Taiyoukai had looked at her in mild curiosity before merely brushing past her without a single word. She had taken his response, or lack thereof, as that he simply didn't know.

Signing she closed her eyes once more and relaxed as exhaustion finally claimed her. If all that remained of him was her dreams then that was what she would settle for.

Wiping the sweat from her brow she frowned at her grim task. Her initial thoughts had been right. Most of the villagers had not lived to see the morning sun. The few who were uninjured from the battle where now helping her bury the helpless souls. After she was finished she would return to her own village as there was little more she could do.

What patients were still alive would fair just fine as their injuries were mere mild ones. Grabbing another cold limb she pulled a body towards it's final resting place. She wished she could offer a more dignified trip to his grave but they simply didn't have the manpower or strength left to carry each body to the row of graves that had been prepared. She was left straining to drag the heavy burden over the ground.

“Lady Miko, we are almost finished. Stay strong!,” a young man called out to her, offering her strength in words as he too struggled to reach his destination.

Kagome nodded and smiled encouragingly back at him before breathing deeply and resuming her task.

The sun was already lowing in the sky when the last of the bodies had been buried. A short ceremony was preformed and she said her farewells. The people in this village had many grievous days ahead of them as they struggled to repair their damaged village and store their winter supplies. They were a resilient bunch though and Kagome was certain that they would pull through. With a final wave she crested the hill of the village and disappeared into the dense forest. If she traveled until night fell, she would only have one full day of traveling ahead of her in the morning.

Her pace was slow as she picked her way along the narrow pathway. Her limbs and back ached from the hard labour of the day. Kagome was determined to cover some ground so she concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Before she knew it the light of the sun had faded and she exited the thick forest and emerged in the wide open plains of the meadow. Satisfied with her progress she made camp on the edge of the forest, scrounging up fire wood and a vegetarian supper once again.

Not long after she had finished her meal she felt the familiar tingle that signaled the approach of a youkai. Grabbing her bow she quickly notched an arrow and searched the darkness for the threat at hand.

“Now now, is this any way to welcome an old friend?” A voice called out from the shadows.

Eyes narrowed Kagome tried to make out the form that was emerging into the light of her campsite. Her eyes widened when first one wolf than another came to stand in the illuminating fire. A tall figure with dark hair and laughing eyes stepped into her surroundings.

“Kouga,” she breathed in relief, somewhat awestruck at the sudden appearance of a long lost ally.

“I heard a rumor while I was passing through this area that the Shikon Miko had been resurrected. I couldn't help but check it out.” The wolf youkai grinned as he dropped two skinned and gutted rabbit carcasses beside the fire.

Kagome didn't miss how his eyes scanned the area, no doubt in search of Inuyasha. She was surprised when he frowned and looked at her.

“Traveling alone Kagome? Not a very smart thing for a pretty girl like yourself.”

He hadn't said it directly but she knew exactly what he was thinking. She hadn't an answer for him. Inuyasha had disappeared and she was alone without her fearless protector. He must have caught on when she dropped her eyes to stare at the fire, for it wasn't long before he was seated beside her. They sat in comfortable silence while he skewered the rabbits and roasted them over the flames.

“Smells good,” she broke the silence around them.

“Here,” he offered her a helping of the roasted meat.

“It's been a long time for you I guess. I mean, so much time has passed since you last saw me.”

“Yeah, I've kept busy though. Took over leadership of the northern tribes and had quite a time keeping both sides civil towards one another. Ayame birthed me a fine pup a few years back and that has been keeping me busy for the last few years. He's quite a handful that little one.” Kouga beamed brightly at her as he finished off one of the rabbits.

“That's wonderful!”

“What about you Kagome? I mean, you've been gone for so many years and then suddenly just show back up.”

Kagome stared back at the fire as she told her tale since the final battle with Naraku. Her eyes shifted to the two wolves who happily lapped up the remains of the rabbits as she explained just how so much time passed while she remained inside the Jewel of Four Souls. Finally she ended with her account of the last few months since her return.

“So no sign of Inuyasha huh?,” Kouga responded softly.

“None,” she countered tiredly.

“You'd best get some rest Kagome. I'll keep an eye out and in the morning I'll take you back to your village.”

“Thank you Kouga,” Kagome yawned as she curled up by the fire. She could feel warm fur when one of the wolves settled behind her. Through tired eyes she watched as her old friend scoured the area with his eyes before settling on the opposite side of the fire.

“I'll find him for you Kagome so don't worry about it anymore.”

She heard the quiet words before she drifted off to sleep.


A/N: Thank you to Kokoronagomu for being my dedicated beta once more.

Thanks to psyco_chick32, little25victor, madmistress65, hanmanjoerin, and arizonasiren1 for the great reviews.