InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sleeping with the Enemy ❯ Reincarnation ( Chapter 31 )

Author's note!!: First of all, I'm finally home from the hospital, feeling better and officially cancer free!! WOO! Second, I'm sorry for the long await in chapters, BUT since it was such a long wait, I am blessing you with two of them. I hope that helps a little. Thirdly, I want to thank everyone that voted for this story on the IYFG! It won 3rd place! I really didn't think it could get up there at all with all of the Kagome/Sesshoumaru competition, but people are finally starting to open their minds from the typical Kag/Sess and Kag/Inu and take notice of off beat pairings and that's great!

 

Lastly, I'm going to dedicate both of these chapters to Tassana, who made a nice tribute picture for this story at deviant art. I haven't even gotten around to writing my thank you email yet, so I'll ask for permission to post a link in my profile at ff.net when I do. Enjoy the chapters...

 

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Chapter Twenty Eight:

Reincarnation

 

The unlikely group traveled for days, the aura surrounding them changing from tension to monotony. At first bickering was almost a constant, particularly when it had become time to decide upon a course of action. Naraku was no longer a threat but it seemed that Hebiakui would be an even larger one. Both InuYasha and Kouga wanted to set out to find him immediately before his strength could grow any further. It was Miroku's sensible voice that had finally talked sense into the two demons.

 

“InuYasha, I appreciate that you want to find this demon before he can cause any more destruction. But we know nothing about him, including his whereabouts. If he was strong enough to defeat Naraku, we cannot just blindly go into battle.”

 

“And if we let him get any more shards, he's gonna be too strong to fight,” InuYasha countered. The monk gave a heavy sigh, for he could see the half demon's point. This new demon needed to be stopped as soon as possible.

 

“InuYasha, we must be sensible. I no longer have the use of my wind tunnel, Sango and Kohaku are in no shape to rush into battle. Kagura is human and will be no use to us and even Kagome needs some time to recover from her encounter with Kikyo and time with Naraku,” he said gently. InuYasha's gaze flicked over to the others who were waiting by Kirara. The truth of Miroku's words was sinking into him. If they rushed out to find this demon, there would no doubt be causalities even if they could stop him. The half demon gave a relenting huff and then crossed his arms over his chest.

 

“Fine, we'll go back to Kaede's so Kohaku and Kagome can rest,” he said. “And we'll see what else Kagura can tell us about this demon.”

 

It took several days to return to the village. As time slowly passed, a mutual truce seemed to finally fall between Kouga and InuYasha. While they had no problem tossing the occasional insult at each other, they both seemed to realize that the vulnerable group needed them to work together in order to keep everyone safe. At times both would stop nearly simultaneously to sniff the air or they would both sense something at the same time. Everyone knew that saying anything about their newfound civility would only lead to a new level of competition and bickering, so it went unsaid but not unnoticed.

 

Kagura, too, seemed to relax around her new comrades. At times she would find herself watching Kagome, wondering how and why the girl had willingly allowed herself to become entangled in Naraku's life. What left her even more perplexed was Naraku. What could he possibly be planning? Certainly, he must think he could gain something from the young priestess, however it made no sense that he hadn't taken the jewel shards from her. The shards could magnify the demon blood that was left in him and make him much stronger and less vulnerable.

 

Kagome found traveling with Kagura to be uncomfortable to say the least. She almost wished that she could simply come clean so that she didn't have to suffer under the weight of her conscious and Kagura's blackmail. However, the moment they arrived at the village all of her shadowed thoughts were quickly forgotten. Shippo rushed to meet the group and the small kit was instantly at Kagome's side.

 

“Kagome! You're back!” She couldn't help but smile at the young fox's enthusiasm for her return.

 

“Of course, I'm back,” she replied. Despite his young age, Shippo was no simpleton. He quickly noticed Kouga who, despite the occasional alliance, was not a friend or comrade that would travel with them for the mere enjoyment.

 

“What's Kouga doing here? I thought he and InuYasha hated each other?” For a few seconds, Kagome hesitated. Shippo was often smarter and more observant that most of them gave him credit for and she realized she would need to watch what she said around him.

 

“We had some problems with Naraku,” she said.

 

“We always have problems with Naraku,” he quipped.

 

“Kagura is here too,” she informed him. She thought it would be best if he were told rather than find out on his own. “And Kohaku.”

 

“How did that happen?” He asked, wide eyed.

 

“Let's just say a demon more evil than Naraku got the jewel shards,” she said not wanting to go into details with him. “The best thing you can do right now is help Kohaku. You're the only one that's close to his age.”

 

“Sure I will, Kagome,” he promised.

 

“And you better steer clear of InuYasha,” she warned. “He's pretty stressed out right now.”

 

“You don't have to tell me twice,” he muttered.

 

“Speaking of InuYasha, I better go find him. I need to go home and get a few things.” Given the severity of the situation that lay before them, she knew it might be awhile before they returned to the village and she could go home again. “I'll make sure to bring you plenty of pocky when I come back.”

 

“Thanks, Kagome,” he said warmly. How innocent and trusting he was. It nearly broke her heart knowing that she was deceiving him just as much as the rest of them. When she scooted him off to find the others she went about finding InuYasha. He was already giving Kagura the third degree about Hebiakui and Kagome could tell that she was getting irritated with him quickly.

 

“InuYasha? Can I talk to you?” The half demon turned and then grunted towards Kagura.

 

“We can finish this later,” he promised.

 

“I'm looking forward to it,” Kagura replied sarcastically as he turned and walked over to Kagome.

 

“What is it?”

 

“I need to go home,” she said and then quickly added, “but just for one night.” At first he seemed as though he were about to begin a tirade and then he sighed heavily.

 

“It doesn't look like we're goin' anywhere tonight anyway.”

 

“Are you feeling okay, InuYasha?” She inquired and touched his forehead. He abruptly pulled away, partly annoyed and partly embarrassed.

 

“I'm fine, what's your problem?”

 

“You're just never this agreeable before.”

 

“Yeah, well, once we head off it might be awhile before we get back, is all. You might as well go home for one last night.”

 

“Thank you, InuYasha,” she said sincerely. The tone and grateful look she gave him caused blood to rush to his cheeks, so he turned away.

 

“Feh, whatever. Just make sure your home by tomorrow so we can leave.” Kagome sighed heavily and turned and headed off through the forest towards the well. Everything was very tranquil; the leaves blowing gently in the trees and the grass softly tickling her legs. Her thoughts wandered to the gardens at Naraku's home. She had always enjoyed walking through them, whether it was day or night.

 

'You've gotta stop thinking about him!' She scolded herself mentally. 'Maybe a good night's sleep will help clear up my mind.' She thought to herself as she reached the well and slowly lowered herself inside.

 

Once she reached the other side, she ascended the stone wall of the well and listened for any sounds that might indicate someone was nearby. It was afternoon and she knew that Souta and grandfather should both be home and her mother would soon follow. She didn't intend to stay home long but she still had to decide what to tell InuYasha and the others. She couldn't lie to them forever and there was also Kagura to worry about. And what about Kikyo? Even Sesshoumaru seemed to know that something was amiss. Maybe what disturbed her most was that her thoughts kept wandering to Naraku. Had he really left his castle as he said he would? Would InuYasha actually find and kill him someday?

 

Rather than letting herself stress over her problems she went inside and up to her room. She needed clean clothes and other supplies and a good nights sleep in her bed. After she emptied her bag, she ran herself a hot bath then relaxed until she heard noises in the house below.

 

'Mom's home, I better let her know I'm here,' Kagome thought with a sigh and then pulled herself out of the warm bath reluctantly. She quickly dressed and made her way down to the kitchen then smiled when she saw her mother already preparing to make dinner.

 

“Hey, mom,” she said in the most cheerful voice she could muster as she stepped into the room.

 

“Kagome?” Her mother asked as she turned, clearly not expecting to see her there. “Home so soon?”

 

“Yeah, I can't stay long though. Just need to get some supplies then it's back to the feudal era for me.” Again she offered her mother a bright smile. The last thing she wanted to do was let her mother think there were problems on the other side of the well. “Do you need help with dinner?”

 

“No, but if you could go find your brother and tell him to clean up, it would be a big help. He's out with your grandfather.”

 

“Sure thing, mom.” Kagome turned and headed back outside. She could only assume that her brother would be grateful to her for getting him out of whatever he had been enlisted to do. She found them both outside, Souta carrying a box for her grandfather.

 

“Souta,” she called and waved to the two of them. “Mom wants you to get cleaned up for dinner.” She could practically see the look of relief wash over her little brother, who had no doubt spent the last hour listening to her grandfather's ramblings.

 

“Sorry gramps, I'll have to finish this up later,” he said as he shoved the box into his hands and then took off for the small house. Kagome stood watching and then decided to do the right thing and carry the box inside for him.

 

“What are you doing back so soon?” Her grandfather asked suspiciously when she began walking with him, now carrying the box her brother had discarded.

 

“Oh, I just needed to get a few things,” she answered quickly. “Can't a girl come home now and then without getting the third degree?”

 

“Hmmm...” was all he replied, still wondering what had brought her home so soon after her last visit. Usually it meant she had had a fight with InuYasha. She followed her grandfather in and waited while he rearranged some of his things to make room for the box. Once she sat it down she looked around at all the mess of things in the room. Most of the items were small knick knacks, ornaments and paraphernalia that he sold to tourists. Some where charms, sutras and other things that he actually believed helped ward off demons and other evil, though they rarely, if ever, did the job.

 

What finally caught her eye was a book on the supernatural. She picked it up wondering what it had to say about demons, spirits and other things she had experienced first hand while in the feudal era. She sat flipping through the pages quietly while her grandfather began digging through the box she had carried inside, when a chapter on reincarnation caught her eye.

 

“Gramps, can I borrow this book?” She asked suddenly. He turned and looked at her strangely. It wasn't often she or Souta showed much interest in his things.

 

“I suppose, but don't go losing it,” he warned.

 

“Don't worry, I'll return it before I head back to the well,” she promised. Again her grandfather offered her another odd look and then returned to his box, so Kagome gathered the book and went back up to her room to read until dinner.

 

The first several pages were exactly what she had expected. They spoke of reincarnations as a replacement of the original, a soul's second chance. However, the second part of the chapter she found much more intriguing. It spoke of an warrior named Taisuke Kobayashi. He trained many long, hard years and was considered one of the best at what he did. He had fought in many battles and was well respected. However, during a battle to protect his home village he had been killed. An enemy soldier had literally stabbed him in the back while he was trying to usher women and children to safety.

 

Nearly a hundred years later a boy named Asaichi Nakamura was born in that very same village. From birth he held a brutal looking birthmark on his back, in the same place that Kobayashi had been stabbed. As Nakamura grew older, it became very obvious that he was skilled in fighting, even without any formal training. At a young age, he held a presence among men much older than himself and at the age of seventeen his village was attacked. Despite his young age and lack of experience, Nakamura stood up and led his villagers to victory. News of the boy's strength and leadership spread quickly and he was invited to train amongst some of the best senshi in Japan. He quickly became well respected and led an entire army of senshi to victory over thieves and rouges that had been plaguing villages and taking innocent lives. It was long believed that Nakamura was the reincarnation of Taisuke Kobayashi.

 

Many believed that Kobayahsi's life's purpose had been to train and prepare his soul for it's destiny, which had lain within Asaichi Nakamura. While some believed that the reincarnation is the soul's second chance, some also believe that the reincarnation has a greater destiny and the soul must be prepared for that.

 

For moments after reading the story, Kagome sat silently, taking in what she had read. If it were true, what could her destiny possibly be? Kikyo's life had been spent protecting the Shikon Jewel, but even her death hadn't kept it safe. Was Kagome merely the second chance at protecting the jewel? Or would she eventually serve some greater purpose? Did she exist as a replacement for Kikyo, or had Kikyo existed simply so that Kagome could exist five hundred years later? Finally, her mother's voice broke into her thoughts and she sat the book aside. She would give more thought to it later, for now she had to have dinner with her family and pretend everything was perfectly normal on the other side of the well.

 

*

 

InuYasha felt a familiar sting on his cheek and quickly swatted the pest that was there. “Well, well...if it isn't Myoga the flea.”

 

“Hello, Master InuYasha,” Myoga replied in a pained voice as he picked himself up and returned to the half demon's shoulder.

 

“What brings you here? If you think you're safe just because we're at the village, think again.”

 

“I'm here because of the Shikon jewel,” replied the small demon.

 

“What do you know about it?”

 

“There have been horrible slayings all throughout the lands. Many say it is a powerful demon named Hebiakui that possesses a great portion of the Shikon Jewel.”

 

“We heard,” InuYasha replied dryly.

 

“Hebiakui comes from a powerful clan of serpent demons. Even without shards of the Shikon jewel he would make a very powerful adversary,” Myoga informed him.

 

“Are you trying to make me feel better?” InuYasha asked abruptly.

 

“It's rumored that Hebiakui was able to get Naraku's portion of the Shikon Jewel.” InuYasha went silent for a moment and then nodded.

 

“It's true,” he admitted.

 

“Oh dear,” Myoga said quietly. “This is worse than I expected.”

 

“Tell me about it,” InuYasha muttered.

 

“There are rumors about how he was able to take the jewel,” said the small demon.

 

“What kinda rumors?”

 

“Well, it's been rumored that a powerful priestess was able to enchant Naraku. Some believe it was the undead priestess, Kikyo.”

 

“Kikyo would never give the shards away to another demon,” InuYasha scoffed. “Besides, it wasn't Kikyo that was there it was...Kagome...” His words trailed off as he finished them in his mind. Kagome had been with Naraku after Kagura was at the wolf den, and he wasn't dead. How had she gotten away without Kagura's help? There was no possible way that Naraku would let her shards of the jewel get away when he had lost his own and had no real power left.

 

“What's the matter, Master InuYasha?” Myoga inquired. He rarely saw such an intense look on the half demon's face.

 

“I need to talk to Kagura,” he said abruptly and stood and headed towards the village, not offering any more information. Someone was lying to him and he needed to know who it was. Was it possible Kagome had been working for Naraku? Or even Hebiakui? No, of course not. But was it possible that she had been under someone's control? Something wasn't adding up and he needed to find out why before they went into battle blindly.

 

*

“Bye mom, bye gramps, bye Souta!” Kagome quickly grabbed her things and rushed past the kitchen. There was little doubt in her mind that InuYasha was waiting impatiently for her. Since Kouga was there waiting as well, she half expected to find the village in ruins when she got back. Neither handled stress or their impatience well.

 

“Kagome,” her mother's voice caught up with her and caused her to slow down and slowly return to the room where her family sat eating their breakfast. “What's the rush, you haven't even eaten yet.”

 

“Oh that's alright. I'm sure there'll be plenty of food waiting for me when I get there. InuYasha wants to leave early.” Her mother gave a soft sigh, for she had been watching and listening to her daughter pine for InuYasha for quite some time now.

 

“All right,” Mrs. Higurashi relented. “You take care of yourself, Kagome.”

 

“Can you bring InuYasha back with you next time?” Souta asked excitedly. Kagome couldn't help but smile slightly at the tone in his voice. She didn't think her brother would ever find himself another hero to replace the half demon.

 

“I will, mom,” she answered before looking to her brother. “Maybe when we're not so busy, ok Souta?”

 

“Yeah, I guess,” he replied in a disappointed voice.

 

“Well, gotta run,” she said and took off again before more questions could be asked. She hated lying to her family but she didn't dare tell them anything that had gone on in the feudal era or the threat they were going to be facing in Hebiakui. She wasted no time between the house and well but once inside the well house she stopped and looked around. She could sense something but it didn't seem to be close to her and it wasn't a shard of the jewel. She walked over to the well and looked down into it, whatever she was sensing seemed to be on the other side. It was a familiar feeling and she realized that she wasn't frightened by it. Finally she shrugged off her caution and began climbing down into the well. Once she was on the other side, she began her struggle back out. No one was there waiting to help her so she assumed that InuYasha was still busy trying to learn more about Hebiakui, that or possibly killing Kouga.

 

She took a few cautious steps and then stopped and scanned the forest. She could still sense someone nearby but wasn't sure who it was or what they were doing.

 

“Hello?” She called out tentatively. There was no answer or sign of danger so she began walking again, stopping to turn and take one final look in the direction of the well. The familiar presence in the area was still tugging at her but she chose to ignore it and continue on towards the village so they could decide how they would get the Shikon Jewel away from Hebiakui.

 

*

 

Naraku sat silently looking out the window into the morning sky. He had finally found enough strength to restore some of his demon blood. His regeneration had been much more difficult than he had anticipated but it was necessary, nonetheless. Now he again sat contemplating both sides of his personality. He had regained some of his former strength, but it was minimal. The prior night's process had only managed to salvage a few of his weaker demons but the majority of him remained human.

 

'Why were my demons not able to overcome my human blood?' He questioned darkly. The scars on his chest, caused by Kagome's hands, also had not healed. However, the spider scar that she had removed from his back had yet to return. The lingering reminder of Kagome had left him overcome with a cross between annoyance and curiosity. Finally, he had decided that he wanted to know her whereabouts and opted to use a puppet to do so. His puppets would be relatively useless to him until more of his demon blood was restored, except when using them for observation. His powers simply hadn't strengthened enough to allow any sort of battles.

 

He had been aware of her departure through the well. Naraku had known it would be in his best interest to keep a watchful eye on InuYasha and the others, so he had been observing them occasionally during their travels. He had also been aware that she intended to return from her era the following morning and he decided that it would be a good test to his actual strength.

 

The puppet had been safely hidden amongst the trees near the old well when Kagome had come through. Naraku had watched her carefully a part of him feeling an almost morbid curiosity about her. He wanted to know why she intrigued him and again found himself growing unhappy at the thought of her returning to InuYasha. His private thoughts had been interrupted when the young girl began looking around the area and called out as if she could sense someone there. She had continued on her way and then turned one last time and looked directly towards the trees where the puppet was hidden, as if she could tell that he was there watching her.

 

Again he found himself with questions that he had no answers to. The puppet had carried no jewel shards nor had enough demon aura for a priestess to sense it's presence. How exactly Kagome had sensed him, he hadn't a clue.

 

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A/N: Editing and beta work will come at a time when I'm on less medication...