InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Suffer The Fray ❯ From One Miko To Another ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I hold no claim to InuYasha....Rumiko Takahashi does. Bummer.

A/N: Reviewer Acknowledgments- Sassa & InuyashasBiggestFan. Thanks so much for the reviews! I'm feeling very generous and thought I'd update early. I've had a lot of free time at work lately and have Chapter 11 written up. I'm still going to update on Sunday, so it's even better. And I understand that is seems like a century for Inuyasha and Kagome to get back together, but that's just how my plot goes. I promise it'll make up for the wait. So, read on and enjoy!

Reux

Goodbyes were almost always tearful and this one was no exception. She tried valiantly to stay dry, but the weight of the situation was hitting her hard. She was leaving her family to chase down a homocidal youkai-maniac. And this time there weren't going to be any pit stops back home. She was going to finish this escalating disaster once and for all.

Or die trying.

That single thought had followed her the entire morning as she went about her to-do list that she'd put together years ago. She had written lengthy letters to each of her friends. And Hojo. Each one had inevitably held a strong 'I'm-never-coming-back' vibe. And to her ultimate dismay, she believed it. Maybe it was the five years of waiting? A person's patience could only hold out for so long before giving out.

Kagome inhaled her mother's smell as she hugged her tightly. She wasn't going to lie to herself or them. The possibility of her not returning was good and she had never, ever been a skilled liar. "I'll be careful, I promise."

"I know you will." She pulled back and framed her hands around her daughter's face. "You've grown into a strong, independent young woman and I'm so proud of you."

"Oh jeez, Mom." Kagome swiped at the enormous tears leaking out of her eyes.

Her mother was crying just as strongly. "Just remember that no matter what happens, I love you." She smiled. "My beautiful daughter."

A sob slipped out of her lips and she clutched her mother's hands. "I love you, Mom." She reluctantly let go and turned to her Jii-chan. "So, what are you going to tell people this time?"

His wrinkled face wrinkled some more with his warm smile. "That my precious Kagome is off saving the world from its youkais."

Her watery mahogany eyes drifted over his short, hunched frame and wooden cane with affection. She smiled through her tears. "I think you finally got it right." She knelt down and embraced him.

He patted her back after a moment. "It is time for you to go now child."

Kagome bit back another sob and nodded, moving away and getting to her feet. He was right. The longer she lingered, the direr the situation became. "Alright." She turned and picked up the small brown bag from behind her. She slid it over her shoulder messenger-style and blinked through fresh tears. "I miss you both already."

They nodded and smiled. "Good luck Kagome."

She tore her tearful gaze away reluctantly and sauntered in the direction of the well with her head down. She didn't need her eyes to know where to step. The well's power called to the Sacred Jewel shard around her neck and that was all the direction she needed. Her strides were ominously silent; the thick rubber soles of her boots masked any sound against the chalky pavement. Silence was always more severe than noise and she recalled the soft clacking sound her old school shoes used to make on this very same trek.

The steps of the shrine popped into her peripheral vision as well as a pair of sneaker-clad feet. Souta was wearing his good luck sneakers- for her. She finally lifted her gaze and met his dark eyes. Their melancholy sparkle matched the ones by her mother, but with more admiration. He'd grown out of his weepy stage years ago and simply straightened up and smiled. "This one's for the long haul, I take it?"

Kagome smiled at his attempt at comedic relief. "Yes." She could tell from his voice that he still hoped she'd stay. "It's time I put an end to this."

He nodded and held up two very vital items. "You'll be needed these then."

Kagome admired the rosy lacquered wood for a moment before relinquishing the custom made antique bow from his hands. The grain ran smooth under her fingers and she tested the string of authentic horsehair. It was taunt and thrummed when she snapped it. A couple of years after returning home, she'd sought out the most skilled crafter of wooden bows in Japan. The price had been hefty, but the shiny short bow fit her hands perfectly. Kagome also took hold of her quiver's solid leather strap. It was large enough to hold upwards of twenty arrows at a time, and was also specially designed to serve as a protective carrier for her bow. She slid the bow into its pocket and slung the weighty quiver across her shoulders. Weapons weren't permitted on campus and she'd been forced to keep them at home. "Thanks Souta."

He shrugged. "Anytime." He ran a hand through his short hair and sighed. "I don't know how you say goodbye and not upset you."

Kagome caught hold of his fidgeting fingers. "Then don't worry about it. Being a little sad is what makes this a true goodbye." She ran her thumb over his knuckles in a motherly gesture. "And even if I don't come back, you know where to find me." She pressed their conjoined hands over his heart.

He blew out a tense breath. "There are times I wish you'd never told me about this Naraku stuff." He looked away. "This is one of them."

"You deserved to know the truth." She wouldn't call a thorn a rose just because it made her feel better.

He dropped his hands down. "You always were the different one. I could just tell, even though I was younger." He frowned as if searching for the right words. "Its like you were never comfortable with yourself, but then you went back to the feudal era. You were suddenly a whole lot calmer."

She gaped for a moment searching for a response. When she couldn't find one, she frowned. He'd known all along what it had taken her years to comprehend. "Souta,"

He jerked her to him and hugged her fiercely. "Go be where you truly belong and be happy."

Tears burned in her eyes again. "Souta,"

He squeezed her harder. "I love you, Kagome." He set her away abruptly. "Good luck and tell Inu no Nii-chan that I give him my best." He brushed past her.

She stared emptily at the steps for a moment. Did everyone in her life know her better than she did? Everybody was telling her to go where she belonged- even Hojo. Well, he meant 'who' rather than 'where'. She glanced at her family as they walked hand in hand towards the house. Their words echoed in her mind and it was followed by a sharp spurt of anger. Where did they get off telling her what to do? She was an adult and ran her own life. She scowled at the doors to the shrine. How the hell did they know what she truly wanted?

'Go be where you truly belong and be happy.'

Her anger was deflated by shame. What is wrong with me? They were her family. They only wanted what was best for her. They wanted her to be happy. She sniffed and wiped at her face. Why am I lying to myself? She secured both the bag and quiver tighter across her chest and strode to the door. Fighting youkais in the feudal era alongside my friends does make me happy. Sighing, she steadied herself and slid open the doors she hadn't touched in five years. The musky dirt smell that wafted out reminded her of when she first returned home. There had been many times during the first few months she'd locked herself up in her room to keep herself from running here.

Sitting at the bottom of the old wooden stairs was Inusaiai, gazing languidly at the well. Kagome shut the door behind her and went down the steps to sit beside him. The thick white ruff of his neck was inviting and she sank her fingers deep into it. She caressed his fur lightly. "I've thought about it all day and decided that you can't be any kind of spiritual reincarnation of Inuyasha." He turned his glowing gold eyes toward her. Kagome slid her hand up to fiddle with his soft, triangular ears. "In order for that to be, he would have to have died." She let go and stood up. "And I refuse to believe that." Inusaiai blinked up at her questioningly. She smiled. "There's only one dog spirit I can think of that would willingly protect a ningen girl." She patted the flat expanse of his furry head. "This miko would only ask that the great Inu no Taisho watch over her family as he has so diligently done for her and allow his hanyou son to continue in his stead."

The white Akita met her gaze and in those amber orbs she saw the flicker of a face and recognition. Inusaiai woofed softly and she pulled back her hand. Her instincts were right. Inuyasha's father had been acting as her guardian angel all this time. Who would've thought that was possible? She smiled. "Thank you." She couldn't stop herself from reaching out and giving his velvety ears another scratch. Inusaiai merely ducked his head under her hands.

She giggled nervously and jerked her hands back. "Sorry." Kami was she pathetic. Forcing herself to face the well, she bolstered up her bravado. "Alright Inusaiai, I'll be going now." She caught herself waiting for someone to stop her and felt like crawling in a hole. Quite stalling! Just go! Kagome steeled herself and marched over to the old wooden well. She congratulated herself for practical thinking. Wearing heavy denim jeans definitely cut down on the amount of splinters she got in her legs.

Perched on the makeshift ladder, she called out a final goodbye to the dog watching her before dropping out of sight. "Wish me luck!" Figuring she'd stalled enough time already, she let go. The stomach-in-throat falling sensation only lasted for a moment before the whole body tingle commenced. The jewel shard dangling between her breasts glowed brightly and she was suddenly kneeling in cool, moist dirt.

Dusting off her hands, she stood up. "Was it always that fast?" Kagome shook her head and latched onto the thick, tumbling vines that grew along the well wall. "Talking to myself already." There was plenty of new growth she had to navigate, but a few of her trusty handholds were still there. Her climbing skills were a bit rusty, but she managed to reach the top in less than ten minutes.

Gripping the vines so tightly cramped her fingers and she flexed her fingers as she looked around. The clearing around the well was nearly unchanged but for a few flower patches that sprouted up sporadically. Kagome straightened out her ivory turtleneck sweater and started walking. The trail to the village was overgrown with weeds as if it hadn't been used since she left. The thought made her frown. Had no one even thought about her? Surely Miroku and Sango had stopped...wouldn't they? Shippo had said he'd visit all the time, but by the looks of it, no one had even wandered this way by accident.

The possibility that she was so easily forgotten cut deep. At least Inuyasha had a legitimate reason for avoiding the well. She'd basically told him off and deserted him. There may have been issues between them, but she was still his friend and you didn't abandon your friends.

Kagome realized she'd stopped walking and looked up. It was the same tree she'd used her hand to press a kiss to not half an hour ago. Gazing up at the Goshinboku, she clearly remembered the first time she'd fallen through the well. She'd been disoriented and scared half out of her mind until she burst through the shrubbery and saw him pinned to the tree. He'd still been under Kikyo's spell, so his face was peaceful with magic- induced sleep. Despite being thoroughly entangled with the overgrown vines, Inuyasha still managed to chase away her fears. She'd felt an instant calm unlike any she'd experienced before and it was only in his presence that she felt that secure.

Striding closer, she stopped at the base and gazed up along its smooth trunk to the stout branches. She rested an open palm on the almost-polished bark and something brushed against her aura. Kagome jerked her hand back and scowled. It wasn't the touch of a youkai, but it was something just as dangerous. I haven't even been here for twenty minutes and she's already harassing me. She whirled around and dropped the hand she instinctively lifted to her bow. "Come out, Kikyo. You can't hide from me."

The energy pushing against hers flared and Kagome glanced to her left just as a pair of Shinidamachuu emerged from the woods. The reanimated miko glided out behind them and stopped when she was an arms- length away. "You came back after all."

Gone was the somewhat civil Kikyo she'd left behind. It seemed her aggressive nature had returned during her absence. Kagome sighed. "Yes. I came back."

"You don't sound so enthusiastic about it.'

She wanted to roll her eyes with exasperation. "That's because I'm standing here talking to you." Kagome shrugged. "Why? I don't know. I don't see how this benefits me at all considering the number of times it's bitten me in the ass in the past." She almost smiled at the fallback to Inuyasha's manner of speech.

Kikyo seemed content with her assessment. "Your spirit energy has grown stronger. Manipulating you would prove difficult."

Kagome crossed her arms under her breasts in a slightly defensive manner. "I felt you pushing at my soul. That's never happened before." Her eyes narrowed accusingly. "You were trying to mess with me before I even realized you were lurking in the forest. You tried that crap in the past, but this time I knew."

The miko only smiled. "I must act upon all advantageous opportunities to defeat my enemies."

"I am not your enemy!" Kagome had to restrain herself from shouting hysterically. "I just don't desire Inuyasha's death! Does that really make me your enemy?!"

Kikyo's amusement faded. "Yes."

Kagome hardly believed that was the only reason. "Miroku and Sango don't want him dead, but I don't see you singling them out to kill them." She had a horrible urge to close the distance between them and take back the remainder of her soul. "There's more to it than that, there has to be." She stared coldly into eyes that matched her own chocolate brown.

Kikyo remained silent under the scrutiny and Kagome took a threatening step forward. "Fine. Don't admit it. You don't have to. I know why you want me gone." She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "It must really burn to see him with me knowing that I'm alive and you're dead."

"You wouldn't understand." Kikyo sneered at her.

"Try me." Kagome forced herself to take a step back and relax. This wasn't like her to antagonize Kikyo. In fact, the only real emotion she felt for her was pity. "I understand perfectly." Her left hand rested over the jewel shard hidden beneath her shirt. She felt all the same emotions whenever Inuyasha had spoken of Kikyo. "I know that I'm the one that receives the warmth of his smiles, the comforting strength of his arms, and the confidence of his secrets. If Naraku hadn't killed you, then it would be you standing alongside him. I know exactly-"

"Enough!" Kikyo's anger lashed out in a slap so strong it spun her head. Her aura crackled with energy and her knee-length black hair fanned out around her head like some sort of twisted halo. "I've grown tired of your all-knowing wisdom!"

Kagome threw her hands up to shield her face. The ferocity of her power was strong, blowing the air around like a vortex. Flashes of lavender light streaked out to strike her body, tearing at her clothes. She jerked back and moved out of range. She'd never seen Kikyo this enraged. It was like looking upon her evil twin hell-bent on destruction. She chanced glancing away to examine her clothes. The heavy cable-knit turtleneck was unraveling from numerous rips, exposing the simple white tank top she wore underneath. Her legs weren't double layered. Each tear in the denim showed a hint of red and she realized she was bleeding from numerous shallow slashes.

She hadn't felt any pain until now. Why was it that they hadn't hurt until she'd seen the blood? Kagome stiffened her shoulders and turned back to Kikyo. "What are you trying to do? Shred my clothes?" She planted her hands on her hips. "You know that your power can't hurt me if I don't want it to."

Kikyo's snarl faded to an arrogant smirk. "Then why do you?" She laughed. "You deserve to feel what my heart feels every time I see you with him. Even if the pain is fleeting, knowing that you truly understand will satisfy me."

I never thought I'd say this, but Kikyo has gone insane. Had something happened while she was gone to make her act this way? "Stop this! The only reason you feel pain is because you wish to take Inuyasha's life with you when you die and he refuses because of me! I'm not really the one you're angry with, but I'm just an easy target!" She staggered under another blast and was left panting from the force of it. The sting of pain told her that her left shoulder had taken the brunt of it. Covering it with a hand, she pulled it away with a hiss and stared at the rusty blood staining her fingers. Kagome glared at her scornfully. "You wouldn't be so bold if he were here now." She ripped the tattered remains of her sweater off and threw it aside. "Inuyasha would be severely disappointed if he saw you now."

Kikyo suddenly disappeared in a flash of white and crimson. Kagome caught the snapping twang of a bowstring, an almost natural sound to her now, and her instincts shot her into motion. Jumping to her right, she tried to evade the arrow sailing for her head.

And only partially succeeded.

A white hot burn seared her left cheek and she winced. She'd assumed she would be able to dodge it. That tells me how much I should be assuming things. Keeping her hands away from the cut on her cheek, she moved only her eyes to gaze at where the arrow had imbedded itself in the trunk of the Goshinboku. A warm wetness streaked down her cheek and dripped off her chin to spot blaringly on her pristine tank top. Kagome cut her fiery brown eyes back to the miko. "You just tried to kill me."

"And failed." She strung another arrow. "If you so much as utter a single syllable of his name again, I'll make sure I don't miss twice."

Her body was bleeding just about all over and now her life had been threatened. Everyone reaches a point where enough is enough and Kagome had blown past hers by a mile. She'd tried to give the dead miko the benefit of the doubt, but having it thrown back in her face was aggravating. "I didn't want to fight you, but you've forced my hand."

At one time she was unable to use her spiritual energy consciously, having it only sprout up to protect her and could only channel it within her arrows. That was then and this is now. She could manipulate it into any form she wished. There weren't many people well-versed in spiritual energy like hers, but weekly meditation with a local psychic had allowed her to unlock the power and control it. It had actually been a fortune teller at a carnival she'd gone to with friends that had commented on it, suggesting meditation to help her master her gift. Kagome put all that hard work to the test and allowed her eyes to slip shut.

Calming her mind, Kagome reached deep within herself. A few months had passed since the last time she'd used her power and it took her a moment to find the thread of it. Her eyes snapped open as she wrapped herself in its tingling warmth like a cloak. It permeated the air around her until her hair fluttered in the breeze. Locking eyes with the unnerved miko across the clearing, she held out her hand as if she was longing for a lost lover's touch. "Kikyo."

The ethereal miko gritted her teeth and shot another arrow. "No!"

Kagome's aura billowed around her willowy figure like a fog, blanketing the wooden projectile. The arrow stilled in its flight and dropped harmlessly to the forest floor. Kagome shook her head sadly as she stared at it. "I warned you." Stiffening the fingers on her out-stretched hand, she curled into the depths of her energy and shot it outward.

It manifested itself physically, snapping the elegant longbow into pieces and throwing Kikyo to the ground. She cried out softly from the impact and gasped when the air around her started to glow. The faded blue light intensified and Kagome dropped her hand when the first soul orb vacated Kikyo's body.

She groaned and crawled to her feet, her soul-collecting eels winding themselves around her. "I will not allow you to steal back the last piece of my soul." She hovered off the ground and disappeared into the forest.

Kagome didn't watch her go. Her power was stronger than she remembered. She hadn't intended on striking her so deeply, but she was out of practice. Now that she'd tapped into that enormous reservoir of power, it would take no real conscious thought on her part to use it skillfully. She shivered as she stared at the broken weapon in the grass. It's my soul too. Rubbing her chilly hands up and down her arms to warm them, she turned back toward the Goshinboku and wondered if coming back had been such a good idea after all.

A/N: Okay, just a note: I love the idea of tragically beautiful woman who knows nothing than revenge, but I'm not really a big fan of Kikyo. I guess that might be obvious since this is an Inuyasha/Kagome fic, but I thought I'd just clear that up. Comments from the peanut gallery are warmly welcomed. XD.