InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Fates touch ( Chapter 2 )

A/N~ Thank you to all who reviewed the first chapter of Sunset love. I'm glad you enjoyed it and hope that I can keep you entertained as the story progresses. I will warn you that there will be OCCness in later chapters and hope this one will explain why. Enjoy!

 

Disclaimer~ I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters in this story.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 ~ Fate's Touch

 

 

Five years past in a blur of time as Kagome threw herself into modern life. Five long years had passed since she had awoken at the bottom of the Bone-Eaters-Well, alone and crying for her lost friends. She longed to return, to make sure that her friends were well and happy, but the well did not respond to her whenever she tried. Fate had taken the ability to travel from her.

 

During this time, Kagome resigned herself to finishing school, graduating with high honors, a feat in itself. The two years she had spent traveling in the Feudal Era had instilled in her a love of the past, of the mythological creatures she had come to know on a first hand basis. It was that love that decided her collage courses, majoring in history and mythology. A small piece kept close to her heart even if she could no longer visit the wondrous places she studied.

 

No longer did she ignore her grandfather's stories, but listen with deep interest, a shadowed hope that she would catch tidbits about her friends. The tales she did recognize, she relayed enthusiastically to her grandfather, telling him all she had experienced.

 

Yet she felt she needed more, something missing that she could not quite figure out. Determined to find what that was, Kagome continued with her Miko training. She was strong enough to sense the demons that lived in her time, cloaked by human appearance and living peacefully with the ones that long ago had been beneath them.

 

Kagome wanted to be ready should she ever have to face such powerful foes, so she began taking various martial arts. Precariously balancing her schoolwork, her training sessions, and her duties at the shrine, she helped her grandfather with. Kagome understood that if she had to face a demon here she would be doing it alone, no Inuyasha to come to her rescue or the others to aid in the coming battle.

 

A faint, sad smile would grace her lips each time Kagome thought of Shippo, missing the warm of his small body cuddled in her arms. She wondered if he still lived in her time or if the long years had taken him as well.

 

So she trained hard, studied diligently as she waited, watching for whatever was to come. Kagome could feel it, even though she didn't know what it was. The anticipation lingering year after passing year as though the world was holding its breath and Kagome knew instinctively she had to be ready when it happened.

 

Kagome learned quickly, her knowledge and proficiency of weapons surpassing that of the masters who taught her. Her movements quickened till none could keep up with her and few dared to challenge the deceivingly slender young woman. As her knowledge grew, so did her powers, the training Kaeda had given her was the basics of learning and even the great Lord Sesshomaru had taught her things about her abilities in those final days of travel. Kagome used them now as she trained. Research and study from any book she could find on Mikos added to those ancient lessons brining out new abilities even in modern day Japan. Powers she nurtured till she could call on them with little to no thought.

 

With her grandfather and mother's help Kagome also became a skilled healer, coming to know each hers properties for healing or destruction with a need born from anticipation of the unknown.

 

Even as she graduated from collage visitors to the shrine would seek her out for the healing potions she concocted. The healing properties becoming widely know for their accuracy. The young woman winning the hearts of many who met her, with her sad smiles and gentle manners.

 

At night she endured vivid dreams where she gazed up into warm golden eyes bright with some unfathomed emotions. Two strong arms held her tightly to a muscular chest. She felt safe there in that tender embrace; felt the love this unknown person felt for her.

 

Kagome wanted desperately to know who he was but no matter how hard she tried his face was hidden to her. She could only see those twin suns staring intensely down at her as if she were some prized treasure of unknown worth. One thing Kagome did know was it was not Inuyasha that held her so close. The hanyou would never see her as she truly was; only the reincarnation that she was suppose to be. Inuyasha had never looked at her with those intense emotions. His eyes were a different shade of amber than the dream man, dull compared to those brightly glowing golden orbs.

 

These dreams and her mother's words, a long held secret confided on her twenty-first birthday, told Kagome that fate held a plan for her. A destiny not yet uncovered in the scheme of things. Even now, a year later as she looked back on it, Kagome could remember the feeling of deep foreboding as her mother spoke.

 

That day her mother had given her a gift, a perfect dark sapphire teardrop nestled securely in a silver claw suspended from a delicate looking silver chain. A symbol was carefully etched in the precious stone, one that stood for sunset. It had been the symbol of her household and maybe even her destiny.

 

“The sun sets even as the crescent moon rises to greet his eternal love.”

 

Kagome had read those words once in one of her mythology books only to have her mother repeat them before divulging her greatest secret. The words spoke of destiny, wrought in the pages of time and sealed on Kagome's heart by her mother's voice. A cryptic prophecy that whispered of love, undecipherable yet gave the young woman hope for her future.

 

The necklace would guide her down the path fate had chosen for her, her mother had promised, even though she didn't know what it meant either.

 

On that same day, several hours after talking with her mother, Kagome had been drawn to the shed where her grandfather housed most of his precious relics. She couldn't explain it, something there called out to her.

 

She discovered a sword hidden among the items in the storage. Few items had escaped the fire caused by the Noh mask so many years earlier, but her grandfather had rebuilt the shed and placed what was left inside. The sword been covered in layers of soot and dust, yet it called out to her, its silent voice like a beacon light in a world wrapped in darkness.

 

Her grandfather begrudgingly allowed Kagome to take the sword, claiming it was to be her birthday gift before proceeding to teach is granddaughter how to care for the precious blade.

 

Slowly the dirt gave way to Kagome's painstaking care to reveal an ancient katana. A plain black sheath allowed only a whisper of the blade's power to seep out, calling to the Miko that lovingly wiped away centuries of decay.

 

Black and gold cording carefully wrapped the hilt, the pattern a magnificently crafted in some semblance of chaotic order. The hilt fit her fingers perfectly, almost as if it had been made especially for her.

 

Drawing the blade had been an eye opening experience for Kagome as the power hit her full force. Only three other swords had felt this powerful and those where lost to time. Powers of a Miko's aura radiated off the sharpened edge drawing Kagome's own powers out.

 

Surprisingly, the edge held its sharpness, one so finely honed that Kagome cut her thumb unknowingly as she pulled it from its sheath. Only as she set about cleaning the blade did the small gash announce its existence when the cleansing liquid touched it. Burning with intensity, Kagome had been forced to lay the blade aside long enough to bandage the annoying wound.

 

Returning to her work of polishing the hardened steel, Kagome found the same sunset symbol etched lovingly into the blade just below the hilt on both sides as the one on her pendant.

 

Curiosity gripped her as the last bit of dirt came free and Kagome sought her grandfather's stories. Everything contained in the shed had a tale. The sword's proved interesting, speaking of a powerful unknown Miko commissioning the sword to protect the village where the Higurashi shrine now stood. Grandfather believed that the Miko was one of their ancestors, born several centuries before Kagome first set foot in the Feudal Era.

 

It had been a sad tale, one of betrayed love with the Miko disappearing into the mists of time. The story reminded Kagome of her love for Inuyasha and how she felt when she found out about Kikyo.

 

A smile had crossed her lips because she realized that her love for him wasn't meant to be. The dreams had confirmed that, showing the young woman that there was another in her destiny. Sometimes Kagome wondered if the dreams were a premonition of things to come or a warming to tread carefully in life.

 

Now as she greeted the sun on her twenty-second birthday, her body going through the motions of her intensive training, Kagome couldn't help but smile. If her friends could only see her now they wouldn't recognize her anymore. Her body had filled out; losing those childish qualities behind forever though her innocence remained. The long ebony locks swayed past well-rounded hips, long shapely legs hard with muscle moved gracefully through the routine she'd kept faithful to for the past few years. Beads of sweat glistened against sun-kissed skin gained through long hours outdoors.

 

Her mind played out each moment of the past few years even as she went through the motions. So lost in her memories, Kagome failed to notice that the symbols on both sword and pendant began to take on a soft bluish glow. Her own Miko powers surfaced to mingle with the symbols, reflecting the swirl of magic in eyes the color of midnight sky.

 

The sword effortlessly sliced through air as she twirled, thrust than spun away, the actions graceful and deadly. The loose traditional Miko garments she wore allowing her the freedom she needed for such intense training.

 

“Looking good sis as always,” a familiar voice broke through her thoughts and she turned to grace its owner with a loving smile.

 

“Thanks Souta,” Kagome replied wiping the sweat from her forehead with the white sleeve of her haori. “We're still going to practice when you get home?”

 

“Yeah sure,” Souta brushed his unruly bangs from dark brown eyes. A boyish grin graced the curve of his mouth as he watched her sheath the katana. “Just don't bruise me so much this time.”

 

“Its for your own good,” Kagome chuckled reaching up to muss his hair. At sixteen he was taller than her by six inches, making it harder for her to tease him anymore.

 

“Hey cut it out!” Souta grumbled combing strong fingers through his hair trying to repair the damage Kagome had done.

 

Souta had been training with Kagome regularly since she begun taking the classes. Now he was the only one around who gave her any sort of a challenge and she loved him dearly for it. The road had been a long one, but her little brother had been there to steady her when Kagome faltered. He let her cry on his shoulder when the separation from her friends became too much for the young girl to bear alone, had been her rock when all she wanted to do was lay down and die. They had laughed together, cried together and became closer throughout everything. Souta had been her best friend, her confident, her teacher and so much more whenever she thought that nothing would work out. Kagome would eternally be grateful to the support her brother had given her.

 

“Just don't be late,” Kagome turned back to training again only to be stopped short as a cracking sound permeated the air around them, startling the siblings.

 

“It came from the well house,” Souta whispered as both advanced toward the barred doorway. A single wooden beam anchored at both sides by metal slats on either side. Small strips of paper were stuck securely to the wood, warding spells against demons that sought passage through the archway.

 

The splintering of dry wood came again, a powerful force pushed against the doors strong enough to buckle the heavy wooden beam.

 

“It wont hold much longer!” Souta exclaimed dropping his black backpack to the ground. Kagome had already drawn her sword, the Miko powers gathering in the deadly blade. Both stood ready as the bar splintered and gave way under the continuous assault. The doors sprang open, her grandfather's spells completely ignored.

 

Minutes ticked slowly by as the two waited silently for whatever broke the wood to emerge from the dark interior, but after several minutes passed and nothing appeared Kagome took cautious steps forward to investigate.

 

Memories of the first time she passed through the well foremost on Kagome's mind as she entered the darkness. Half expecting Mistress Centipede to reach out and drag her down into the blackness below, Kagome edged closer to the well's lip, Souta right behind her.

 

A familiar blue glow suddenly flickered to life, illuminating the small space casting eerie shadows along the walls and across the floor. Kagome couldn't not see or sense anything other than Souta and the well's magic.

 

“It's working again!” Souta's excited voice broke through the silence startling Kagome.

 

“Yeah,” she replied her eyes trained on the well in both confusion and anticipation.

 

“Kagome!” a voice drifted up to them from the bottom, one that Kagome immediately recognized from long ago. It tore at her heart when Shippo's voice called out to her.

 

“You better go sis,” Souta said behind her, his hand gently coming to rest on her shoulder. “The past needs you.”

 

“But what about you, mom, and grandpa?” Kagome asked turning to face him.

 

“We'll be alright, just like before,” He smiled reassuringly. Kagome looked up at him with the realization that without her even knowing it Souta had grown up. She sighed, hugging Souta tightly. “When did you get so smart?”

 

“Someone's got to take care of things while you're out saving the world,” he chuckled squeezing her tightly.

 

Kagome pulled away, giving him a bright smile of gratitude. “Thanks Souta for everything.”

 

“Don't worry about it, besides what are little brothers for?” Souta rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment, a faint crimson spreading across his cheeks. Kagome rarely praised him but when she did he knew it was well worth it.

 

 

“Well I better go collect a few things before I go. It can wait for a few moments.” Kagome sighed her words braver than what she felt.

 

“I'm sure,” Souta chuckled going outside to retrieve his school bag. “Gotta go before I'm late.”

 

Kagome waved good-bye before hurrying into the house. This time she would be ready, not stumble into it blindly as she had the first time. Collecting a few much-needed items from her room, Kagome gathered her weapons. A bow and quiver of arrows were strung across her back, her sword tied securely at her side, and several hidden weapons were hidden about her body with a familiarity of long-time use. Once prepared, Kagome when to stock up on medical supplies and ramen, the only thing she would need to bring from her time.

 

The excited woman left a note on the table for her mother than headed for the well house, the heave pack slung over one shoulder.

 

She was determined to undertake this adventure with a new outlook on things, this time she knew there would not be a dog-eared hanyou trapped to the god tree to show her the way. Kagome did hope that she would get to see Miroku and Sango again along with her adoptive kit Shippo.

 

Kagome even missed the rude hanyou turned demon and his harsh demands. A small worry of meeting Kikyo again stirred in her chest only to be replaced with harsh acceptance.

 

Kikyo had amazed them all, coming to fight Naraku along side of Inuyasha in that final battle, where the undead Miko had sacrificed her life to save his. When the jewel had restored Kikyo's soul to her, Kagome had expected to die, but instead she felt whole as if the part of Kikyo's soul had hid something else, something much more powerful. It has gladly given Kikyo's soul away as it expanded filling Kagome till she could barely breath. The sensation had only lasted a heartbeat in time but Kagome remembered it clearly. She couldn't help but wonder if Kikyo hated her for the jewel transforming her into a demon.

 

Now standing on the wooden rim of the Bone-Eaters-Well, Kagome watched enthralled as the mystic blue lights skittered across the room's surface. Worry filled her as Shippo's drifted up to her from beyond. It had changed, grown deeper more manly than childish yet it held the same desperate edge to it that she remembered so clearly. She would recognize that voice anywhere no matter how much it changed. So many emotions played in that voice, tugging at her heart and stirring maternal instincts long buried.

 

“Shippo?” She called softly down into the light; she waited to see if he would answer not wanting to lose him to the passage of time. If he had somehow made it to this side he could be waiting for her at the bottom of the well. Hurt and calling out to her in his time of need, she worried.

 

When no one answered her third or forth call, Kagome took a deep breath and with a silent prayer jumped into the swirling blue light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next chapter will deal with Kagome's return to the Feudal Era.

I would like to take this moment to answer one reviewers question. Yes I do intend on this being a long story, the relationships developing slowly.