InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snow White and the Seven 'Dwarfs'...Sort of ❯ Revelations ( Chapter 44 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Cat- Thank you! And it’s going to get much, much worse for Kouga. Hehehe. (You know, it’s good I don’t go to therapy, I’d probably find out I secretly hate men.) And about Soten...well you’ll find out more about that later.

Whitetiger-Isabella- It had to happen some time right? Thanks for the review.

Nightlife Maiden- OMG THANK YOU! Enjoy the new chapter.

Japanese Dreamer- Thanks, I thought the ghost thing could have been done better but I’m probably to hard on myself. Thanks for reviewing.

Star-Chan- Thank you! I hope the jokes stay funny.

Disclaimer- I don’t know own Inuyasha or Snow White nor am I making money off this.


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Kagome

"Kagome what are you doing?" Sango yelled, frustrated at me. "Your stance is completely wrong; a light wind would be enough to knock you over."

I scowled back, still not comfortable with one sword in each hand. "What’s wrong with it?"

Sango sighed, "Miroku, show her." she ordered tiredly.

Miroku smiled charmingly at her, "With pleasure my love." he cheerfully said, before suddenly attacking me so fast I was flat on my ass with no idea what had just happened.

"Monk! Be careful!" Inuyasha yelled over Miroku's and Sango's laughter.

I grimaced and got up. "Point taken, how should it be?" I asked.

Sango started to get into position, "Your legs should be spread and braced just so, your left arm here and your right arm-damn it." she cursed when pain shot up her arm.

Miroku was at her side sooner then I could blink, "Sango, what happened? Are you hurt?" he demanded.

"You should be careful to wench." Inuyasha ordered gruffly, not seeing the dark look Sango send him.

Sango batted Miroku's arms away, "I'm fine, it's been four days, I'm practically healed." she grumbled, "It's just a little sore."

Miroku's face displayed his worry despite Sango's flip answer. "I'm still worried Sango, couldn't you rest a little more, just for a few more days?" he begged.

Sango turned her dark look on him, "If I wait any longer, I'll be out of practice by the time the battle comes. I have to be ready, I won't allow my family to fight alone." she swore.

I bit my lip, and wondered if I should speak up, "Sango?" I asked, "Could I speak with you quickly?" I asked, hoping I wasn't going to do something dumb.

Her earlier annoyance with me forgotten, Sango gestured to the woods, sending a look at Miroku and Inuyasha to get them to stay put. "What's up Kag?"

I forced myself to stop chewing on my lip, so nervous I was afraid I might cut it. "I wanted to try something really quick. It should be painless." I assured her as I called my power up.

"I would have done this sooner, but I was worried I couldn't do it again. Heat of the battle and all that." I rambled as I placed my now glowing hand on her wound. To her credit, she didn't even wince; she only looked at me steadily.

I took a deep breath and poured my power into her injury.

She gasped as I forced broken muscle to knit back together, pushing my love and concern for her out along with my power, just as I had done for Miroku.

In minutes her arm was completely healed.

I leaned back against a tree, gasping for breathe. At least it didn't make me as weak as it had the first time.

"Kagome." Sango said in awe, touching her healed arm looking astonished, "That that was amazing. I had no idea you were so powerful."

"She shouldn't be." Kaede's voice rang out suddenly. She had left at dawn this morning to go out and search for herbs and different plants to add to her stock, and sure enough she was propping a basket full of plants against her hip.

"As powerful as Kagome is, it should be impossible for her to heal that quickly at her age. Healing is much more difficult then simply blasting away an enemy. You are building something and must be extremely careful." Kaede studied me thoughtfully.

"Come child, we must take a walk." she decided, pushing her basket in Sango's hands and taking me by the arm, making no complaint as she supported my weight and walked into the forest with me.

"Kagome,“ she began, "Just how much do ye know about the Sacred Jewel?" she asked.

I frowned, trying to understand why this was important, "I've been told it's created when a powerful miko gives her life and soul to save a child or a pregnant woman from a demon. She used her power to trap the demon and herself into a crystal, where they fight a unending battle. The one who has the jewel is supposed to have incredible power." I explained, "Just why is this important?" I asked.

Kaede was silent, carefully choosing her words, "I believe your mother really did turn herself into a Sacred Jewel, and that ye have had close contact with it."

I jerked, shocked behind belief, "...what?" was all I could get out.

"Kagome, Midoriko was an extremely powerful miko, one of the most powerful of all times. Even though ye are her daughter, it is still not possible for you to have gained so much power at sixteen. The only way ye can be that powerful is in close proximity to a Sacred Jewel."

I was still to shocked to speak so I waited for her to continue.

"Think carefully Kagome, is there anything in your life, anything at all that could be used to hide the jewel?"

I shook my head, "Nothing at all. I was never big on jewelry or knick knacks, unless Dad hid it in a piece of my furniture, but I doubt he would have ever allowed me to have it." I explained.

I paused for a moment, "Kaede, I've been thinking, if the jewel really is real, is it possible we can find it?" I asked.

Kaede looked over at me, "I don't see why not, Kikyo always thought ye were the key after all."

"See, I really don't want to have a battle with Naraku, I don't want anyone to end up hurt and killed. So I was thought, maybe we should just find the jewel and wish for his nature to be changed? Turn him into a good guy. Then everything would be ok, wouldn't it?" I asked desperately, hating how childish I sounded.

Kaede didn't response right away, instead she deposited me on a rock leaning next to a tree, making sure I wouldn't topple over before sitting down in front of me.

"Child that would be impossible." she tried to say as kindly as possible. "Even the jewel can not change a person's nature or force their will."

"Well why not? Naraku has Sango's entire family under control; the jewel is supposed to be good, so why can't it change evil?" I asked.

Slowly she shook her head, "Kagome, you have misunderstood me. The jewel is neither good or bad, it is what it's owner makes of it." she tried to explain, and sighed at my puzzled face.

"The jewel is neutral Kagome. It depends on the character of the wisher on what it becomes. You could change Naraku into a kind man, but you would have to taint the jewel before it could ever be done. And Kagome, corrupting the jewel changes a person."

"Fine, how about I just wish him dead?" I asked, not entirely kidding,

Kaede shook her head again, and I was slightly amazed at how patience she was being. "Let me tell ye a story Kagome, about the last time the jewel was supposedly seen. The legend says that a jewel was found by a pregnant woman after a miko saved her life. The woman, fearing the power of the jewel gave it to a local priestess named Tsubaki, thinking it would be safe with her."

Kaede paused a moment to readjust her legs, "All was well at first, Tsubaki had promised she would make a pure wish in order to free the miko and destroy the demons for good-"

"Wait, say that again." I demanded. Surely she didn't mean it.

Kaede held up her hand. "Wait Kagome." she ordered and I forced myself not to beg her to tell me. "But Tsubaki decided before she destroyed the jewel, she would use it. It was very innocent at first, she made sure the poorer families in her village had food, she brought rain during droughts and she healed a person or two."

I frowned in confusion, "But those sound pretty pure to me. Just one of those wishes would have released the miko correct?" I asked, feeling like I wasn't understanding it well since she refused to elaborate.

"Ah, but she did not have pure motives. She wanted to be well liked, she wanted to be popular, and she wanted to be able to control the villagers’ lives. After awhile however, Tsubaki became...greedy. One of her greatest fears was growing old and dying, so she used the jewel to stay young forever. However, that selfish wish forever tainted the jewel and it fed the demons instead more powerful. She never wished on it again after that, but kept it close, and just that contact caused the jewel to feed on her and become darker and darker. Finally one day, the demons inside the jewel were powerful enough to defeat the miko, break through and killed Tsubaki without thought." Kaede told her.

Kagome shivered, "But what happened to the demons?" she asked.

"The tale does not say, but it is my personal belief that the demons possessed Naraku."

"What???" I yelled as I almost fell off my stone. "Naraku? How could you tell?"

"Have you never wondered just what kind of a demon Naraku is?" Kaede asked calmly. "Of course. I just assumed it was some rare octopus demon." I explained.

Kaede shook her head, "If ye look closely, Naraku has many different parts of demons. I do not know where the tentacles come, but it could simply be something the demons created for amusement. Also, Naraku is only half demon."

I looked up to make sure the sky wasn't falling. "Naraku is a half demon? How could you know that?"

"I've heard many stories in my years of travel Kagome." Kaede explained. "Naraku appeared out of nowhere many years ago, and I have decided it is because he was once human but became demon when the demons from the former jewel possessed him. This is why he is so attracted to Kikyo, the demons inside him see the same desire for the jewel as they."

I vaguely felt a throbbing in my head while I soaked in Kaede's words. "Kikyo has really weird taste in guys doesn't she?"

Kaede nodded solemnly, "Aye."

I shook my head once to clear it. "Now that that's been explained, I want to hear about being able to free the miko in the jewel." I told her firmly.

"As I mentioned before, the jewel is neutral. The miko represents the goodness and the demons represent the evil. They are equal and they have no advantages or disadvantages over the other. They merely fight, even while knowing it would be impossible for either side to win. Thus, the battle is never ending." she started explaining, and I nodded to show I was following her.

"However, this changes when one begins to wish on the jewel. If the wish is for their own gain, it will give power to the demons. If the wish is pure, it will give power to the miko. Soon, one side will have enough power to defeat their enemy, and be free."

My heart stopped for a moment before wildly beating.

"I could...I could save my mother." I breathed and I said it again, just to hear it. "I could save my mother!"

Kaede held up a hand to still me. "Aye, ye could child. But you would be saving her soul only, her body as long rotted and your mother would never posses another merely so she could live."

My excitement died down, "I'll still do it then, my mother doesn't deserve to be locked up in a glass cage fighting demons for eternity." I said firmly.

Kaede nodded, "Very well Kagome, just remember one thing. It only takes one pure wish to free the miko, but a dozen tainted ones to free the demon." she advised me.

I nodded, "I understand."

She nodded back and slowly got up, "Come along then, it's time for lunch." she told me, extending a hand to help me up since I was still weak.

Suddenly I groaned, "Damn it, I'm to wiped out to cook lunch. Sango's going to have to cook." I moaned.


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While Kagome and Kaede are in the woods...

Sango staggered out of the forest, a slightly dazed look fixed on her face and a large basket full of herbs.

Miroku cursed under his breathe and rushed to take the basket from her, “Damn it Sango! You shouldn’t be lifting anything, your arm is in no condition-“

”My arm is fine.” Sango told him, shoving the basket at him. “Watch.” she ordered.

In on flawless movement, Sango placed one hand on the ground and hoisted herself up, showing off her perfect one handed hand stand using her formally wounded arm.

Miroku nearly fainted from fright before he realized she was fine.

She gracefully fell over and sprang back up, “Kagome healed me.” She explained to the speechless monk and hanyou.

Miroku blinked a few times before a purposeful look settled over his face, “Take that.” he ordered Inuyasha, pushing the basket over to him.

He stepped up to Sango, swept her into his arms, bent her over and gave her the hottest kiss of her life.

“You really are fine.” He murmured when he finally broke away from her.

“...don’t do that in front of me again you sickos!” Inuyasha bellowed, running away from them.

Miroku grinned and hefted Sango up into his arms. She shrieked and hit his shoulder, “I can walk! Put me down!”

“No.” he said simply.

“Tell me what you’re doing at least!” she argued back.

Miroku’s grin went wider, “Upping the intensity of my seduction plans now that your healed my dear.” he told her cheerfully.

Miroku couldn’t help but laugh when Sango’s face turned the color of Ayame’s hair.


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Rin

Rin sighed in relief once she was outside the palace gates, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The day hadn't gone horribly despite the unimportant endless rooms that needed to be cleaned. She had found Mayu and created an ally inside. She was creating a nice little spy network if she said so herself. And she was positive tomorrow would bring even more good news.

Hopefully anyway.

She squinted her eyes and saw her men, Sesshomaru and Oda waiting for her under the shadows the forest cast. She smiled at the warm feeling seeing them created. It was foolish and dumb, but almost sweet they were waiting for her to make sure she was safe.

"You can relax guys, I'm all in one piece." she assured them as she walked up to them, "And I have great news."

"You are not going back there tomorrow?" Sesshomaru guessed hopefully.

Rin rolled her eyes, "No, I'm still going back there tomorrow, calm down Sess, it's only for another day or two until we leave, but I found one of Kagome's friends in the palace! Did Kagome ever mention Mayu to you guys?"

"I have met her. She's one of the cooks, correct?" Sesshomaru asked.

Rin nodded, "Yes, and she's the one who taught Kag how to cook."

Bankotsu started drooling, "Mmmm, I hope she's hot and around my age?" he asked hopefully.

Rin shrugged, "Your age plus thirty or so probably. But maybe she's interested in a younger guy..."

He grimaced, "I'm good. Let me know if she has a young daughter or a niece or something, alright?"

Rin waved his question away, "Anyway, she's agreed to help us. I'm meeting her in town for the palace blueprints later tonight." she explained.

Oda frowned, "You sure you want to trust her? She's worked at the palace for a long time hasn't she? She might be loyal to Naraku and Kikyo."

Rin scowled back, "We trusted you and you work for them don't you?" she shot back. "She's fine."

He lifted his hands up like he was proving he was harmless. "Hey, just trying to help."

Rin wanted to snort in disbelief but managed to control herself. "Lets just go get some dinner, and then meet up with Mayu ok? It's at the bridge in the North end of town." she told them and tried her best not to look at Sesshomaru even when she felt him staring at her.

"Let’s get out of here then." Bankotsu agreed and they started heading back to town.

"Oh hey Boss, what do you want us to do with the clothing and make up we didn't get to use on Bankotsu last night?" Jakotsu asked.

Rin thought for a moment, "If Bankotsu gets his way we'll be playing the ghost act again so keep it." Rin suggested.

"Oh! Can we do it tonight? I have this other enemy I want to scare." Bankotsu asked eagerly.

"Yeah! I have this green dye I want to use, and I could make a really realistic molding effect if Bank would let me use it." Jakotsu added.

Rin shook her head, "We don't have time tonight, maybe tomorrow. Who's this enemy by the way? Is he high up in Naraku's army?" she asked.

"Uh, actually he's not even a solider. He made me eat worms when I was five and I really want to get him back-"

"And we're at town!" Rin interrupted. "Go get something to eat, we'll met up later."

Her men nodded at her, glancing once at Sesshomaru before disappearing into the crowd. Oda only followed Jakotsu.

Sesshomaru took her elbow as they walked down the street while she craned her neck to look up at him, "Why have the men become so tolerated of you?" she asked curiously.

Sesshomaru considered letting a small smile touch his lips, but decided against it. "They approve of me."

Rin snorted, "Yeah right. What did you do, pay them off?"

He looked down at her, "Would that work?" he asked patiently back.

Rin thought for a moment before sighing, "Probably not. Oh! Octopus!" she pointed out in what sounded like relief, pulling away from him to skip towards the booth.

Sesshomaru sent a longing look at the expansive tea house he had wanted to treat her to, before following her.

"Thank you!" she said cheerfully to the man behind the counter after handing them sticks of fried octopus. She paid before he even had a chance to, and rushed off to go coo over bright yellow and orange fish swimming in tanks at another store. Sesshomaru took a nibble of the meat, deciding it appropriate before taking off after her.

He watched her ogle the fish, and made a mental note to buy her a whole pond of koi fish as an engagement present. Maybe two.

Rin giggled as she watched them swim around, "They’re so cute." she told him. "I love this town."

Sesshomaru wondered how she would like the much bigger cities in the West. If she thought this place was amazing, she would be completely awed by the town around his own palace.

Although Rin’s reaction to the fish was very charming, he found himself growing bored of watching fish swim around in a narrow tank. He took hold of her hand and gently tugged, drawing her out of the crowd. He had been competing with Seven for Rin’s attention the entire day and a half, there was no way in hell he was putting up with it from a bunch of fish.

Surprisingly, Rin followed him without complaint, though she looked a little nervous when he pulled her towards a quieter, less populated street.

Wordlessly, he pulled out a folded piece of tough silk from his kimono and handed it to her, taking her octopus so she could open it easily.

Slowly, she unfolded the cloth, looking at him until it was completely opened and looked down.

And gasped as tears filled her eyes.

It was a colored map of Japan, with routes and roads clearly marked out. Friendly towns, and large cities were indicated with a house symbol, temples with a gate and there was a small scale at the bottom left corner.

It was the most important, and rarest, object for any traveler.

She sniffed, "You got me a map." she said dumbly, half in shock and half in utter joy.

He shrugged elegantly, "You could not have thought I would have given you only a mere necklace."

Rin laughed, still gazing at the map, before looking up at him and wanted to sob.

Sesshomaru was so beautiful, the moonlight turning his skin glossy alabaster, his face solemn but as she looked closer she noticed the way his shoulders looked tense, waiting.

"I love it Sess." she told him, before throwing her arms tightly around him. Slowly he drew his arms up and embraced her back, being careful with his hands as they still held the octopus sticks.

"I will be coming with you for a month after Naraku is gone." Sesshomaru suddenly announced.

Rin picked up her cheek from where it laid against his chest and smiled happily up at him, "I would be happy to have you." she told him, feeling like her heart was flying and jumping around inside her body in joy.

She laid her head back down after he gave her a short nod as they stood there, holding each other.

Everything in her life was slowly coming together. Kagome reappearing, finding her fathers old group and slowly learning about her self-appointed uncles and brothers. (She wondered how Bankotsu would react if she called him uncle later? Or maybe Grandfather Bankotsu.)And now she and Sesshomaru were growing closer. It was more then she had ever dared to dream. She had hoped to see him again someday, thank him for saving her before going on their way, she had never expected he would want to make her his mate.

And she had never thought she would start to yearn for it.

...she was falling for Sesshomaru.

Hell who was she kidding? She fell the first time she opened her eyes and saw him crouching above her, a living, breathing angel come to protect and care for her.

She was in love with Lord Sesshomaru.

...crap.


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AN: Review and I’ll update sooner. (Promise)