InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secret Soul ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

*Disclaimer* I do not own Inuyasha. The world of Inuyasha was created by Rumiko Takahashi. Neither do I own the plot/storyline of the novel I am basing my story off of. I want it to be a surprise, so I won't say it until some people start guessing. But the plot is not my own. The way I write it, and the liberties I take, are my own, as are any OC's that grace the pages. THANK YOU!

 

~Author's Note~

I know, I know…the last chapter was depressing. Didn't I apologize? Well, in any case, I decided to get this chapter out as fast as I could so I could finally get on with the story and into the good parts! he he he. It felt a little rushed to me, but I tried to fit a lot in so I could, as I just said, get to the good parts!

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

Kagome sat, wrapped in a warm wool blanket in front of a fire, staring at the woman serving her tea. She was certainly an odd looking character, and not at all like she thought a lady of a great estate would be. Kaede, as the woman had asked to be called simply Kaede, was a short, stout woman with hard lined features. A patch covered one eye, and her silver-gray hair was tied back into a loose bun behind her head. Kagome also considered the woman's clothing odd, for a woman of her importance. Instead of an elaborate silk kimono, she was wearing a simple dark grey cloth kimono with a black obi. It was far from elaborate, but somehow, the woman still held an air of importance and softness, despite her appearance.

 

“I'm happy that you were able to make it safely,” she said, handing Kagome a cup of jasmine tea. “I'm actually quite glad that you were able to come at all. I don't know who I could have asked to come, had you not accepted.”

 

“I'm just honored to have been so singled out,” Kagome answered taking a sip of tea. It was incredibly delicious, and very soothing to her nerves.

 

“Nonsense! I may live here in the middle of nowhere, but I am quite aware of what is going on in the world.” She smiled, sipping her tea, and continued. “When Rin began to show signs of having spiritual powers, I thought it best to ask for the best.”

 

“Well, I don't know about being the best,” Kagome said, clutching the blanket more tightly around her shoulders, “But I will do what I can.”

 

“I see you are very modest…that is always a good sign. Would you like some more tea?”

 

“Yes, please,” Kagome answered, placing her cup back on the table. “You said that Rin shows signs of spiritual abilities…what sort of signs?”

 

“Well, the usual I would think,” the woman answered vaguely, pouring more tea and handing the cup back to Kagome. “She's taken particularly to a set of flowers in the garden, and they seem to be growing much better than any others.” Kagome paused, mid sip. A flower garden? It was all too similar.

 

“Anything else?” Kagome asked. “I hardly think good gardening abilities a sign of spiritual power.”

 

“I thought so too, at first,” Kaede said, leaning back in her chair. “But when you see it tomorrow, you will understand that the extent of it goes far beyond that of anything along normal lines.”

 

“I see,” Kagome answered, sipping her tea again.

 

“Also, and more importantly, she sometimes seems to be glowing.” At this Kagome's eyes flew straight to the old woman.

 

“Glowing, you say.” It was more of a comment than a question.

 

“I have only seen it happen twice, but once it was when she was out playing in the rain. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me but the other servants saw it too. There was a light purple haze around her as she spun around in circles. Quite unnatural.” Then it is true.

 

“I believe you completely. It is too late to see her tonight?” Kagome asked.

 

“Yes, it is. I'm afraid she has all ready gone to bed. She is looking forward to meeting you though.” Kaede smiled and placed her tea cup back on the table. “Yes, she has been quite a handful for an old woman like myself since the master's been away.” Kagome froze.

 

“The master?” she asked tentatively.

 

“Yes, Master Inuyasha. Did you not know his name?” she asked, as though Kagome had always known of him.

 

“No, I did not,” she answered, confused. “I believed you were lady of this estate,” she continued softly, earning quite a hardy laugh from Kaede.

 

“Master Inuyasha leaves me in charge while he is away. I am no lady, but I do run the estate quite well.” Kagome was feeling extremely embarrassed, but now the old woman's appearance made more sense. Wait a minute…Inuyasha?

 

“Inuyasha…that's a very interesting name,” she said cautiously. If her thoughts were right…

 

“Oh yes, of course it is. It was given to him by his father, Inutaisho, who was the master of this estate before him. His half brother, Sesshomaru, died tragically about ten years ago, leaving Master Inuyasha the only one with the rights to inherit it.”

 

Inutaisho…Sesshomaru…these names were…

 

“The master has had quite a rough time of it, with his mother being human and all.”

 

Demons.

 

“The master is half youkai?” Kagome asked, her cup of tea still suspended in mid air.

 

“Why, yes he is! You speak as if you've never heard of him!” The old woman laughed again, taking a small tea cake and placing it on a plate before handing it to her. Of course Kagome had never heard of him! This is the first time the…demon's name had ever been mentioned to her! Kagome's nerves began to shake, but she hid it well, taking the plate from Kaede's hand. She fought to calm her mind. Just because he was a youkai, did not mean that he was anything like the demons she had known before…mainly her aunt, her…cousin…and the rest of her aunt's household. Miroku had spoken many times of great youkai lords who were on excellent terms with, and even protected, human villages. But…she never thought she would be in one's house…under the care of a youkai…ever again.

 

“He is not at home?” she asked, trying to be polite in the face of her body's instinctive reaction.

 

“No, he is rarely home. He came back from one of his journeys, bringing the young Rin with him. He stayed for only a week before leaving again. That was four months ago, and I do say that Rin is quite sad about it.”

 

“Rin is human?” Kagome asked, trying to figure it all out.

 

“Yes. I don't really know any of the particulars, but the master said she was to live here and that I was to care for her and get her anything she needed. That is why I took the liberty of sending for you.” Now Kagome grew worried.

 

“Does he not know that I've come here?” she asked, concerned. “Surely he would not want a priestess in his house without him knowing about it! He is a demon after all.”

 

“Well, that is what I suspected, but do not worry. I wrote to him of Rin when I first understood what was happening, and asked him what was to be done. It was he that told me to find a priestess to train her, and so I have. My dear, you look quite pale…” Kaede leaned forward in her chair.

 

“I assure you, I'm fine,” Kagome said, smiling slightly. All this new information was just a bit too much for her.

 

“You must be tired from your journey,” Kaede said softly. “You are also still soaked to the bone. I'll show you to your room so you can rest. We can't have you getting ill.” Kagome simply nodded, feeling it best not to mention the fact that she had never been ill in the whole course of her life. She had once asked Miroku about it, and about the fact that her cuts and bruises from training usually healed within a couple of hours.

 

Kagome stood and placed the plate onto the table before quietly following Kaede down the hall and up a beautifully decorated stone staircase. She clutched the blanket tightly to her and forced herself to remain calm. She had done her best not to think about Miroku, but now that she was, she missed him desperately to the point she ached for him to hold her and comfort her.

 

A hallway or two traversed, a gallery of art and tapestries passed, and yet another hallway…Kagome was getting lost. She had been too engulfed in her own thoughts and emotions to remember to try and take notice of where she was going.

 

“Here we are,” Kaede said slowly, opening a door. “I had one of the maids light a fire upon your arrival, and your things have been unpacked. Take care now, and rest. If you do feel unwell in the morning, though, do tell me.” Kagome entered the room. “Goodnight dear,” the old woman said kindly, before shutting the door.

 

Kagome knew she would not get sick. Miroku had told her that the small amount of demon blood inherited from her mother was most likely the cause of her body's ability to heal and remain healthy. No other signs of her youkai heritage had ever been shown, and she had certainly kept it a secret from the village. Miroku himself had been amazed at the fact that her demon blood had somehow lived in harmony with her spiritual powers. It was strange that, with her enormous ability, he had said, that she had not purified herself somehow.

 

Coming out of her memories, Kagome finally took in her surroundings. The room was not large, but neither was it small. There was a large standing cabinet with two halves, and she saw that her night kimono had been hung nicely on one side. On the other side was her cloak, obviously hung to dry.

 

There was also a dresser against the wall next to the bed. On top of it lay a set of combs for her use, as well as a set of hair ties. She smiled and ran her hand along the handles of the combs. Upon opening the drawers, she found her nightclothes and under-things neatly arranged. She shut the drawer with a slightly red face, and looked out the window into the black rain. She was tired, mind, body and spirit. She looked back to the room.

 

A large bed was in the center, which made Kagome's sore muscles relax at the sight of it. A bed…she hadn't slept in a bed since… Well, she had only slept on the floor on a thin futon since she had lived with Miroku and Sango. This made her heart sink. She would have gladly slept on the floor without futon, blanket, or anything if only she could have them back again. Despite the roaring fire in the small fireplace, Kagome suddenly felt cold.

 

Slipping out of her clothing, she hung it in the standing cabinet next to her cloak to dry, and got dressed into her nightclothes. She made use of one of the combs and combed through her wet, now tangled hair. At least now, it would not be worse in the morning. She pulled down the coverlet over the bed and climbed in.

 

In the firelight, after the long hard journey, the memories, emotions and aches and pains, Kagome was finally able to find release as her pillow soaked in the evidence of her tears.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The morning seemed extremely bright, and though her priestess clothing was still slightly damp, Kagome had nothing else to wear. It would dry by the afternoon. After dressing, she left her room, to try to find her way downstairs.

 

Kagome felt hopelessly lost. She knew enough to not go up, but she could not find her way down! But then she heard something that chilled her to the bone. A low moan seemed to echo through the walls of the house. Was she the only one who heard that? She was about to make her way to the steps leading upward, for that's where she thought it had come from, when she felt something. It was a strange energy…spiritual…with the possibility of being very strong. There was something going on. She took a step.

 

“Miss Kagome! There you are. When I came to get you this morning, you had disappeared.” The voice came from Kaede, who was smiling strangely and walking toward her quickly.

 

“But, I thought I heard something,” Kagome said, looking back up the dark staircase.

 

“Oh, you probably heard Tsubaki,” Kaede said decidedly.

 

“Tsubaki?” She asked, looking back at Kaede.

 

“Yes,” she answered. “She usually keeps to the upper rooms. Don't mind her; she's a strange sort of person.” Kaede took her arm and began to lead her away. Kagome thought it best not to ask about the spiritual energy she felt, considering the old woman probably didn't know anything about it. This time, as she made her way downstairs, she took notice of the surroundings. She was fairly confident that she would be able to get around better now…at least on the second floor.

 

“Rin has been asking about you. She's so excited you've finally arrived! She has far too much energy for me, I must say.” Kagome laughed as they entered a room the was probably a parlor. “Rin!”

 

Almost immediately standing in front of her, big smile spread on her face, was a beautiful child with long dark hair and soft blue eyes. She seemed about to burst with excited energy.

 

“Rin, this is Miss Kagome. She's going to be training you. I'll let you two get acquainted.” Kagome did not miss that Kaede took this moment to leave the room. She turned back to the child, who was studying her quite intently.

 

“It's nice to meet you Rin.” Kagome held out her hand and the child took it.

 

“I'm so happy to have someone here to play with me!” Rin exclaimed. She jumped up and down, and turned in a circle. Kagome placed her hands on her shoulders and quieted her.

 

“I will play with you, but only after we talk a little bit. I want to know more about you!” Rin then pulled Kagome's hand, leading her to the couch. There, Rin began to tell of her likes and dislikes, and how sad she had been since Master Inuyasha left. She missed him. Kagome asked her many questions about how she felt when certain things happened, and it became quite clear that Rin did have spiritual abilities. They were small, and needed to be trained, but she could become a very effective priestess if Kagome had anything to do with it.

 

The day was spent easily enough, as Rin showed Kagome the around. Her flower garden was her pride and joy, and Kagome smiled and complimented her. Rin was very young, and she was easily distracted by the simplest things. But it was only because she had spent so much time trying to entertain herself. She had a long road ahead of her. But the child was naturally good natured, and she could see herself getting very attached to her.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

It had been about two months, and Rin was very tired after her training today. Kagome took pity on her and gave her the rest of the day off. She had made great progress, and even had more focus. Kagome was very proud of her. After putting Rin down for a nap, she stole some bread and cheese from the kitchen and left for a walk.

 

In her spare time she would walk the grounds. After a while, the grounds were not enough, and she found herself wandering further and further from the estate. Her favorite spot was the edge of a large cliff that dropped off into the crashing sea, about two miles from the main house. While some would find it a little alarming, Kagome loved the smell of the wind as it blew in from the salt water. The sound was also very calming to her senses. She loved that spot, and spent much time there alone in meditation.

 

It was at this spot that Kagome found herself that evening after taking her walk. The air was slightly chilled, but it felt good. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, before suddenly going stiff. Something was behind her…or rather, was coming up behind her.

 

She turned, taking a very familiar fighting stance taught to her by Sango, and faced the path that came from the woods. Suddenly, flying through the air, a giant cat demon with fire on its feet and two tails landed within only a few yards of her. Though it looked fierce, she sensed no danger from it. It began to approach though, and it made her a little nervous. She allowed her aura to flare forward to warn it, when a voice stopped her.

 

“Kirara!” Kagome froze as the owner of the voice came falling down next to the cat, landing with an ease that only meant one thing.

 

A demon. Her voice stilled in her throat and her nerves tingled with horrid rememberance.

 

The angry demon, wearing a full read haori, with long white hair and a strange pair of ears atop his head, seemed more than a little annoyed at the sight of her.

 

“What the hell!?”

 

 

END OF CHAPTER

 

 

I almost stopped the chapter with Kagome falling asleep, crying into her pillow, but I thought that after the last chapter, the readers deserved something more! So I hope this ending gets everyone excited for the coming chapters. Let me know what you think! Please? Reviews are my food for writing…Thanks!

 

~chosuki