InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Just to Be With You ❯ Midoriko and the Shikon ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Just settling things: Neither I, nor my kitten sisters own any of the characters used in this work. We just needed something to pass the time.

Oneesan Neko (Mrou)

Just to Be With You

Chapter 1: Midoriko and the Shikon

Kagome sighed, and placed the last fragments beside the Shikon no Tama. She watched with a sad smile as they were absorbed into the whole. Picking it up, she watched again as the last of the corrupted swirls from Naraku's miasma vanished, then turned to the quiet half demon who sat beside her.

"Well, Inu-Yasha, it's done. I guess you can have it."

"Me?" he asked, "But what would I do with it?"

"Become a demon," she replied softly. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

"No, I mean yes, I, I'm just not sure." He looked at her "What do you want?"

"I don't know either" she smiled. "Lets forget about it for now and go talk to the others."

Walking outside she waved to her friends

"Well?" Sango queried, "What did you two decide?"

"Nothing yet" Kagome replied. "Where's Miroku?"

"I don't know, " The older girls sighed gently. "He hasn't been himself since we beat Naraku. I just wish he would talk to someone about it."

"By someone you mean you, right Sango? Proof that you're not throwing yourself at a brick wall? Sigh. I understand. He just needs time to process everything. It's true the air-rip closed, but it nearly sucked him in before we killed Naraku. I think that's enough to shake anybody Sango." Kagome knew exactly what it was just to want the one you loved to trust you.

"I know, and I don't blame him, but honestly Kagome, I hate to see him like this." Sango closed her eyes against threatening tears. "It's driving me crazy"

Inu-Yasha interrupted. "Hey, I'm going off. You two stay out of trouble."

As he walked off they heard him muttering, "Keh, stupid wenches. Probably have to rescue them again."

Down on the cliffs by the river, Miroku stared at his right hand. 'It feels so different' he thought 'To be free of the curse at last, and now I wonder if that's what I really want.' He reached out a hand and touched his staff. 'I'm still a monk, but now I don't have a "last resort" trick up my sleeve. Wonder what I'm going to do?'

Inu-Yasha suddenly appeared by Miroku's shoulder "Hey, Priest boy!"

Miroku looked up. "Hey Inu-Yasha. What happened? I was expecting you to ba a full demon by now."

Inu-Yasha shrugged. "I was going to. But I started wondering about what you said a while ago. About how I might lose my soul, and about how I nearly killed Kagome as a full demon."

"Oh, I see," Miroku commented. He gave his formerly cursed hand an odd, scrutinizing look "why don't you go back to the girls. What if some demon comes after the Shikon now that it's whole? You're the only one who can protect them now."

Inu-Yasha turned and jumped away. Damn that Miroku. Why'd he have to bring that up? The real reason he, Inu-Yasha couldn't use the jewel. Because as a demon or a human he couldn't protect his friends the way he could now. As a demon he wouldn't care, and as a human he was too weak. He needed them by him, so he couldn't let them die.

With a last jump, he landed high in the tree the girls sat under. Smiling, he listened to them talk. Then he leaned against the branch to think.

That evening the five friends sat around in Kaede's hut, silently eating. Finally, Shippo, looked up from his bowl of rice.

"Hey, why's everyone so quiet?" he asked. "We finally did it! You should ba happy, not mopping. Naraku's dead, and the jewel is ours! We should decide what to do with it! Think of all the cool stuff I bet it can do!"

The others looked up from their own meals, and then started laughing

"Thanks Shippo." Kagome said around her laughter. "I guess we're just a bunch of old grumps this evening."

The others nodded their heads in agreement. Sango was the first to recover.

"Well, what are we going to do with the jewel? It was supposed to go with Inu-Yasha, but he says he doesn't know what to do with it." She shook her head in disbelief. "This whole quest was for that stupid dog!"

She was surprised when Miroku shook his head. "No. He just isn't sure how he can use it and still retain the balance of power and humanity that allows him to protect others. Perhaps it would be best if the jewel simply went back in Lady Kagome."

"NO!" Everyone jumped. "That jewel is not going back inside Kagome, and that's final!"

"But Inu-Yasha," Kagome said, "Perhaps that is best. I really wish there was some way I could stay with you forever, but you're half demon, and I'm human. You'll out live me no matter what. So perhaps it's best if I save us both some pain, absorb the jewel, and go home." She turned quickly so they wouldn't see the tears falling down her face.

With those words Kagome stood, and lifted the Jewel from its place around her neck. "I'm only doing what must be done," she whispered. "Make everything as I have said."

The Jewel began to glow with a soft, pastel light. It rose into the air. All present suddenly heard a sad, soft, voice speaking.

"Guardian child, I wish it could be as you have said. But I, Midoriko, within this jewel know all. And so, your wish shall not come in the way you have stated. Look at me, all of you, and understand."

"Naraku is dead, you know this. But from the time of my Shikon no Miko another evil is coming. You must be prepared to face it, all of you. There shall be ten who's help I need to do this, but first it is essential that the guardian child who is my priestess be trained. When I return to her once more, her form shall change. Do not worry, her heart is that of a miko, and rather than blocking her powers it shall awaken them in full. Be ready. I shall tell you when you are needed."

The Shikon flew at Kagome, striking her right over the heart. With a bright flash it disappeared into her body, which immediately began to glow. They watched in wonder as their friend began to change.

Her jet hair gained a brilliant sheen, and a single lock the width of her hand turned pure white.

Small, silver dog-ears on top of her head replaced the human ones to which they were accustomed.

Her eyes grew cat-pupiled, though their silver-blue color didn't change

Her nails grew into strong, sharp, claws.

Meanwhile, Kagome stood there, unmoving and unblinking. Suddenly she blinked, shaking her head and sniffing oddly.

"What's that smell?" she asked, revealing sharp white fangs as she opened her mouth.

"K-K-Kagome?" Shippo stuttered. "What happened to you?"

"I don't know, Shippo," she said softly, "I guess this is what Midoriko meant by changing. Now if I just knew what I was."

"That's hard to answer milady." Everyone stared at Myoga, who had just appeared on Kagome's shoulder. "Outwardly you have the appearance and scent of a half demon. But I sense that you have no youki, only human ki, and the powers of a miko.

"I smell like a half demon! What on earth does that mean?"

"It um . . . I mean . . . That is to say . . ."

"It's nothing Kagome," Inu-Yasha said. "Under your normal scent is a little bit of demon scent." He sniffed "Actually smells kind of nice."

Kagome blushed furiously, and then burst out with the first thing that came to mind.

"SIT!"

Kaede poked her head into the room, "Kagome, please do that out . . ." She stared for a moment at Kagome's streaked hair and silver ears. "Kagome, what happened to you?"

"The Shikon and Midoriko are what happened to me." Kagome sighed. "It could be worse. Myoga says I have no youki, so I can still use my powers, and Midoriko said the transformation would awaken them. Guess this means I'll need some training."

"Yes," Kaede replied. "And not just from me. You're going to have to get Inu-Yasha to teach you how demons fight."

"What!" demanded the half demon in question. "Why would Kagome need to know how to fight? Keh! Are you suggesting I can't protect her so she needs to protect herself?"

"No you idiot!" This from Miroku, "If she's going to be a half demon it's better she know how to fight so she doesn't get in trouble and let her demon instinct take over. Considering that she has no youki, who knows what could happen."

"KEH! But I guess you have a point. We'll start tomorrow."

"Wonderful!" Kaede smiles "Kagome dear, why don't you go home and explain things to your mom. It will take at least six months to complete your training, and besides, it's probably best if you're not in public looking like that."

"You're right Kaede. Don't worry Inu-Yasha I'll be right back. See you!" With that Kagome stood, turned and ran off to the well.