InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Life ❯ Chapter 22 ( Chapter 22 )

Year: 1535
Month: April

Kagome panted as she dropped to her knees. What had that been? Kikyo had been directing her how to summon her miko powers when the images had barreled through her mind. `Chi? What was that?'

She could feel Chi's melancholy. “She was the one I originally protected.”

`That was Midoriko though! The stories about her were nothing like what I saw!' She felt Chi close herself off completely. On either side of her were Zia and Sango. Before her was Kikyo. All three looked worried.

Sango spoke softly. “Kagome, are you okay?” Nodding, she attempted to rise but winced in pain. Everything hurt.

“I… I saw something.” Kikyo studied her a moment. She had an odd look in her eyes but then Zia spoke up.

“I know.”

Sango and Kikyo stared over at her in consternation. “You know what?” Sango's voice had gotten defensive.

“Opening to power inside brought memories of old life.” Kagome tilted her head.

Kikyo nodded. “I understand. Kagome, when you died, what soul were you given?” Kikyo's voice was calm.

“Midoriko's.”

Kikyo and Sango froze in shock. Kirara had already curled up in her lap earlier. She now looked up and mewed happily. Sango stared at Kirara and frowned. “Did you know about this Kirara?” The neko turned to Sango and merely purred, rubbing against Kagome's stomach before jumping off to sit on Sango's shoulder.

Kagome looked down, fidgeting. “Who Midoriko?”

Kikyo looked over at Zia. “She was a great priestess that saved the humans.”

Kagome shook her head. “She wasn't just a priestess. She was… something more. She was a youkai and yet she wasn't. It's hard to explain.”

Kikyo frowned. “I don't get it.”

Kagome shrugged. She already had her bottom lip in between her teeth in worry. “I don't get it either but what I saw… it's different than the stories we've heard.” At that moment, they heard a rustle, and everyone whirled to face what was coming. Shippo had paused in his own meditation, knowing if he had been needed, they would have called him. This information worried him, but he dares not say anything now at least. He rose to stand near Kagome, almost protectively.

Rin grunted as she finally fell through the brush into the area where she had heard their voices. Looking up sheepishly, she smiled and waved slightly. “Hi! Rin… Rin wanted to come too.” Kagome attempted to rise once more but her body was still hurting.

Glancing at Shippo, she nodded to him to take lead. “Where is Sesshomaru-Sama Rin?”

Rin bowed her head bashfully. “Ah Un helped Rin sneak off. Rin wants to know how to fight like Sesshomaru-Sama. Rin wants to be strong.” Kagome's eyes softened. She should have known. Living around someone like Sesshomaru, it would be expected that anyone would want to become better at fighting.

She spoke up, craning her neck to look at Rin. She winced at the pain. “Rin, come here.” Turning back, the others moved back some, watching. When Rin stood before her, she had her head bowed as if fearful of punishment. She didn't quiver though at the prospect of being hit. That said a lot. Words were enough for punishment when it came to Sesshomaru. “Rin, we can't train you without Sesshomaru-Sama's permission. If one of us were to accidentally injure you, he wouldn't be very happy.” Shippo could smell the tears coming.

It was Zia that moved forward and cradled the girl. “Hush child.” Zia began to speak in her own language. “Don't cry now child. Tears do not befit you little one.” Kagome felt her own eyes water.

She allowed Zia's soothing words to flow over the girl before she spoke up. “When we return to camp, perhaps you can ask Sesshomaru-Sama to allow us to teach you.” This brought Rin's face up, hopeful. Kagome gave a small smile. “For now, watch training. Perhaps you can meditate. That is something that is a must.” Rin nodded, determination sparking in her eyes. She scrambled nearby and settled into a kneeling pose easily and closed her eyes. Shippo chuckled before moving right next to her and continuing his meditation.

The pain was still there after about fifteen minutes, but Kagome managed to make herself rise. Sango and Zia stood on either side of her, ready to catch her if she fell. Kikyo watched with a distant look to her eyes. “We must continue.” Kagome gave a determined nod. “Pull out your reiki. Form a ball on your hand.” Kikyo demonstrated. Kikyo's reiki was focused more on the destructive side of Reiki.

Kagome closed her eyes, holding her hand out. She had gotten somewhat better at controlling her Reiki, but it was still an issue. Her own Reiki was more focused towards healing than destruction. Even firing a purifying arrow usually drained her. Letting out a slow breath, she wrapped her mind around the light that was within. It pulsed around her own soul. Should her Reiki ever be completely drained, she would suffer the same fate as Midoriko. She didn't plan on letting that happen though. Calling on that light, she brought it forth into her palm. It shimmered and danced around her hand, glittering the lightest of pinks, almost silver.

“Turn it toward destruction Kagome. You must focus and hold it. Don't let yourself fall into memories of Midoriko's past.” Taking a deep breath, she began to change the intention behind her powers. Her eyes were closed as she did so. The others watched as the light pink began to darken and shift color. Soon, it was glittering icy blue. It seemed to feel as though ice were washing through them. They could also see Kagome's body trembling. Kikyo spoke up louder. “Hold it Kagome! Don't let it control you. You control it.”

Kagome's arms quivered as she raised her hand. Sango and Kikyo held their breath. Nearby, Shippo was attempting to keep Rin focused on meditation. Rin was attempting to watch Kagome. Zia was already at least 20 feet away, quivering at the heavy feel of the purity in the air. “Don't let it surge Kagome. Keep it a constant. This is the only way you will be able to endure. You must keep it the same level and hold it.”

Kagome's eyes snapped open, narrowing on her hands that now were both covered. Dropping to her knees, she brought her hands down and forced the light to form into balls in her hands. Sweat dripped down her forehead and into her eyes but she didn't bother wiping it away. Her power was wavering between going out of control or dying altogether. Her eyes began to flash purple.

Kikyo's voice brought her to her senses though. “Do not let that side take over! You must do this Kagome, not her!” There was anger in Kikyo's voice. Almost as if Kikyo didn't like that other side. She felt Chi slip farther into the back of her mind.

She continued the battle for another 10 minutes before her power finally fizzled out. Dropping, her arms caught her body as her head hung, her hair hiding her face. She gasped for air, the urge to simply curl up and sleep almost too great. Kikyo was suddenly there with Sango. “You did good Kagome…” Sango's voice was soft and encouraging.

“Yes Kagome, you did good for our first night.” Kagome lifted her face, her eyes narrowed on Kikyo thoughtfully.

“You hate that other side of me…” Her voice was nothing more than a whisper. Kikyo instantly turned her gaze away, refusing to speak. Kagome gave a harsh laugh. “I should have known.”

Sango frowned between the two. “What do you mean Kagome?”

Kagome allowed her body to drop to the ground. “She hates that side of me because it makes me stronger than her. If that other side isn't in control, she can be the more powerful. I may be able to hold more Reiki within me, but I have no control over it while she can control her own. A part of her still wishes to feel superior.” Sango glanced over at Kikyo, as if to verify what Kagome had spoken. Kikyo moved away, refusing to look toward them. Sango's expression darkened.

It was Zia that stopped any further arguments. “Enough. Kikyo have reason behind her. Kagome not completely right but right some. Now, we go back to camp and sleep.” Zia lifted Kagome into her arms and turned to head back into camp.

Kikyo allowed the others to move ahead of her. Kagome had been partially correct. She didn't like that other side of Kagome. It brought fear into her heart, as if something about that other side was… not quite right. She didn't understand it herself. It was Kagome she had gotten close to and yet that other side of her… Everything about that other side screamed danger. It could be that the fact that when Kagome's eyes turned purple, she reminded her too much of Naraku. Almost as if they were siblings. It wasn't true though was it? They weren't the same. Frowning, she leaned against a tree. Pressing her fingers to her temple, she groaned softly. Why did that side of Kagome remind her of Naraku so much? There was a look within the eyes that was the same. Like they were both insane, but Kagome hadn't let it control her and Naraku had. Sliding down the tree, she stared into the trees silently. It didn't matter to her. That was still Kagome. There was no doubt about that. Maybe, perhaps if Kagome received enough control… that side would never need to come out. It did only come out when she was in danger after all. That and the fact, she could only sense the jewel when that other side came out and allowed her aura to be felt. That side of Kagome was the jewel it seemed. Heaving silently, she rose and moved back toward camp before Inuyasha would get worried.

Shippo had seen the tension. It worried him. He hadn't seen it before but then again, this was the first time Kikyo and Chi were able to interact without having to pretend. He had been able to feel the hatred that had surged in Kikyo's aura when his mother's eyes had begun to flash. It was strange. What about Chi made Kikyo hate her so? If anything, Chi reminded him of a youkai in the ways that she acted. Then again, Kikyo was a human Priestess born in this era and so had been taught to believe that youkai was evil. Perhaps that was the issue. Perhaps she thought Chi evil because she acted much like a youkai. Glancing over at Rin, he was surprised to find her quiet. “Rin?” Rin looked over at him, her eyes dark for the moment. This was very strange. Rin was always cheerful. “What's wrong Rin?”

Rin looked away into the trees. “Rin wishes to become silent and deadly like Sesshomaru-Sama. Rin does not wish for him to say no.” Her voice was a whisper. Shippo instantly understood. She wanted to learn to fight and she was worried that Sesshomaru would deny her.

He grabbed her hand to comfort her, tossing a warm smile her way. “Don't worry Rin. Why wouldn't he let you learn how to defend yourself?” Rin's eyes instantly warmed and a real smile appeared.

“Thank you Shippo.”

Shippo nodded. “Rin thinks you will be a great big brother.” Shippo glanced over her in surprise.

He finally chuckled. “Is that your way to say you think of me as a big brother and that I'm good at it?” Rin instantly blushed. Shippo chuckled and pulled Rin onto his back. They were about the same size, Rin being a little shorter, but he was able to maneuver her adequately. “Then hang on Sister. I'll get you back to camp safely.” Rin instantly buried her face against Shippo's back, laughing happily as he leapt into a tree to head back.

Kagome refused to speak. Her thoughts were in turmoil over the revelation she had. Did Kikyo really hate Chi? She didn't understand why. Chi was a guardian, wasn't she? `Chi, can you explain this?' There was silence in her mind. A sigh escaped her lips.

Zia spoke softly. “Not worry. Chi will explain in time. Try being strong without Chi. Priestess wants you get strong on your own. Not need other side. She no like other side because it feels wrong to her.”

Kagome opened her eyes. “Thank you, Zia.” Zia nodded, a smile playing on her lips.