InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part IV): Power of the Purified Shinju ❯ Kagome's Powers ( Chapter 22 )

Chapter Twenty Two

Kagome's Powers

Everyone quickly ate their breakfast and prepared to leave the castle. Sesshoumaru again approached Kagome and told her that he would accompany them to the village before seeking out Toshi. He then pulled her aside to speak with her alone.

"Kagome, I have noticed a change in you since I revived you with the Tenseiga. Obviously you have changed physically, though I am not sure why. But I can smell a change in you as well. What happened while you were unconscious?" She thought back and told him every detail. His eyes grew dark when she told him her intention of using the dagger to end Hitomi's life and most likely her own.

"When we were brought into the darkness, we were both weak. I could see that something was wrong with her as well." He took in her words and then made a decision.

"Kagome, you should accompany me to Priestess Toshi. Something has happened to you, and it would be in your best interest if you find out what it is." She gave it some thought and then agreed.

"You're right, but after I have spoken with her I need to go back to my own era." He simply nodded his head. She told the others of her need to meet with Toshi, and less than an hour later they were all on their way to meet the Priestess.

The group was shocked by the reality of what had happened. Once they were no longer within the safety of Sesshoumaru's personal grounds, it became obvious just how extensive the damage had been. Even those without demon senses quickly became overwhelmed with the stench of blood. Villages they passed lay in ruins with no signs of life anywhere.

They moved quickly, fearful of what they would discover when they arrived at Toshi's village. Kagome held Shippou to her tightly. Her cub was shivering with fear and nearly lost consciousness on a few occasions when he was unable to handle the strong smells.

They arrived at the village just before dusk and were stunned at the sight. Not a living person was there. Kagome was thrown back the scene in her dream, where she had witnessed Priestess Hoshiko give the shinju to Bishamon Yamamoto. There were bodies of innocent villagers everywhere. Sango and Miroku took the children into a nearby field to keep them from the horrid sight.

InuYasha stood near Kagome, gawking at the carnage. Sesshoumaru too gazed around with a disgusted look on his face. Kagome was in tears as they walked to the shrine where the priestess resided. They found Toshi's lifeless body inside, apparently she had been protected by a barrier, but it had not been strong enough to keep her protected permanently.

Sesshoumaru stepped forward and unsheathed the Tenseiga, quickly using it on the priestess. Seconds later she awoke and gazed at them.

"You possess the shinju." Sesshoumaru merely nodded at her words and offered his hand to her. She took it and stood to face them.

"Death is everywhere now. Your lands have been ravaged, your people killed." Sesshoumaru stood regally and addressed her once she had finished speaking.

"Priestess, are you able to purify the shinju?" She looked from him then to Kagome.

"No, I cannot."

Toshi stepped away from Sesshoumaru, her gaze now intently on Kagome. Kagome stared in awe at the crystal blues eyes that were penetrating into her, eyes that looked very much like her own.

"Priestess, you have changed. Tell me what has happened to you." Kagome nervously told Toshi of her encounter with Hitomi. The priestess stared at her intensely and then reached for Kagome's hand. She closed her eyes and held tightly to Kagome.

"You are very powerful. I had my suspicions when I first met you, but now I am positive that you have been passed the powers of the great priestess."

Kagome's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?" Toshi smiled warmly and began to explain.

"The shinju calls to you does it not?" Kagome nodded her head softly. "Priestess Hoshiko passed her powers on once she died, though she did not reincarnate her own soul. You received those powers. I grew confused when I first met you but I now know that you are from another time. For the last priestess that had been passed the power died nearly fifty years ago." Kagome stood listening to her words, not fully understanding them.

"I thought you were Priestess Hoshiko's reincarnation." Kagome asked Toshi softly. Toshi smiled at her and shook her head slowly.

"No, it is true that I look like her. My very name means `mirror image'. However, I am not her reincarnation, nor was I passed her powers." Toshi then focused harder on Kagome.

"You now hold the blood of a demon and sorceress in you, priestess. Your powers far exceed any before you. Even the great priestesses Hoshiko and Midoriko did not possess such a great powers. The very fact that you unwittingly bound the demoness's powers and then took them as your own verifies that."

Kagome stood stunned but finally found her voice. "Does that mean I'm a demon now?" Toshi laughed lightly.

"No, you are still very much a priestess. Having demon blood in you will accentuate some of your abilities and senses, nothing more. However, the sorceress powers may prove to be a challenge for you."

Kagome grew frightened and Toshi soothingly comforted her. "Do not worry. If at any time you so choose, you may purify the demon blood that is in you. Though having demon blood will allow you to live a longer life and have added strength. Demon's can hold purity and the blood that is in you could be nothing less. As of now, you hold the purity of a priestess, the life of a demon and the power of a sorceress. No one would be better to protect the Shikon Jewel."

"What happened to Hitomi?" Kagome asked softly. The priestess watched her for a moment before speaking.

"I am not certain but I believe she is now in a weakened state. She most likely possesses some of her former abilities but not any real power. With so much of her demon and sorceress blood gone, it is likely that she has aged greatly as well. I am certain she will not be a problem for you anymore."

Toshi turned from Kagome; she glanced briefly at InuYasha and then turned back to Sesshoumaru. "The shinju is yours to purify. I cannot tell you how. If you do not discover it on your own, it will never happen." With that she turned and left them standing in stunned silence.