InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Reunion ( Chapter 7 )

A/N ~ To answer …'s question. Originally the three to four wagons was a typo, but instead it ended up giving me an inspiration. Thank you for pointing it out… and for the idea.

 

Disclaimer ~ I do not own the anime Inuyasha or any of the characters from that anime, but I do love tormenting them with my twisted way of thinking for the pleasure of others… hehehe.

 

 

Chapter 7 ~ Reunion

 

 

 

Those golden eyes stared down at her, those wonderful, loving, caring golden suns that she saw so many times in her dreams. This one started like any other, with him holding her in his loving embrace, protecting her from the outside world. He had stared down into her own midnight blue ones, soft emotions shining clearly as he had done so many times before. And like before she had been unable to see who this unknown lover might be.

 

Then the dream changed drastically. It left her floating in the midst of the golden haze of a setting sun, separated from him. She didn't know where he had went and a feeling of being alone drifted over her. Two swords appeared then, materializing out of the haze as though she had called them to her. She knew these swords well, knew just what they might be capable of. Live and death, two halves of a whole that protected and served their master. Tensaiga and Tokijin.

 

The swords were suspended in mid air, their tips pointed toward the ground while wisps of golden smoke snaked around the hilts. Slowly they separated leaving a wide space, the haze fading between them. As she watched, Kagome saw a vivid image forming between those two blades.

 

The setting sun, the sky around it wrapped in various shades of pinks and purples, while darker smoke colored clouds drifted lazily on a destination only they knew. Overlaying the sunset, its symbol blazed brightly for a moment before fading into the darker sky.

 

In one corner of the scene Kagome could just make out the rising moon. The bright crescent slipping into the sky as easily as silk over satin, its luminescence reached toward the sunset. The last fading rays of daylight stretched outward trying to entangle themselves into the moon's soft light.

 

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

 

To Kagome's astonishment, her mother's words rang clearly through her dream and the moon and sun seemed to shift themselves to the prophesied words. Pinks and purples swirled around the two images transforming them before the woman's widened eyes.

 

A beautiful woman appeared, dressed in flowing silks the color of the fading sky. Long ebony hair swept past her waist unbound, while her arms extended toward the man who stood in the moon's place.

 

Dressed in the soft pale silver of moonlight, the man stepped forward to embrace the woman, his long silver hair mingling with hers as though they belonged together. Kagome could not make out who it was she watched because the fading light did not permit her to make out any identifying features, but a sense of longing welled up inside her. A longing for what she wasn't sure but she knew it called out to her and she wondered if what she was seeing was her own imagination or a kind of look into the past or future.

 

She felt herself take a step toward the vision, but Tokijin's evil aura immediately flared to life denying her access to them. Kagome's miko powers arose under the assault of Tokijin's aura in an attempt sooth the evil as it had within the dungeon, but it didn't have the same effect. Here in her dream, Tokijin was unsheathed, its powers unleashed from its casing to try and over power her were in the dungeon the scabbard held some of it's powers at bay.

 

Tensaiga, sensing the woman's distress, flared to life. The deep blue aura crashing with Tokijin's green one, while merging with the deep pink of Kagome's powers to create a purple barrier. At first it startled Kagome, making her wonder how a demon blade had merged so easily with miko powers without being purified but slowly understanding settled over her. Tensaiga was trying to protect her, taking the risk as readily as it would for its true master, Sesshomaru.

 

This knowledge startled her even more, knowing it shouldn't work for anyone but the great Taiyoukai. Why it was trying to save her was beyond understanding and she wondered if Sesshomaru might be able to provide her with an answer.

 

The barrier expanded, pushing Tokijin's aura back toward the vision where the two lovers still embraced. Dark met light as the two faded from view and Tokijin relented to the combined auras assaulting it.

 

Then just as swiftly as they had appeared the swords disappeared, taking the vision with them to shift instantly back to those golden eyes. Those loving eyes and protective embrace soothing her frayed nerves. This too faded, leaving the girl to fall deeper into slumber's sweet embrace.

***************************************

 

“I don't give a damn!” The deep voice yelled out still trying to keep some semblance of calm. “Get out there and found out what happened!”

 

“Yes master,” a monotone voice replied seconds before a door slammed farther back in the room.

 

“Do you really think you can trust him?” the female voice purred softly from the shadows that darkened the room. “He could just as easily betray you again.”

 

“Tanaka,” the deeper male voice sighed his impatience evident to the panther youkai as she slunk from the shadows. “Don't you worry about Iyashii, I have something he wants badly.”

 

“What would that be master?” A deep purr rumbled through the decorated chamber as she sat at her master's feet, her face rubbing along the dark silk of his hakama. The purr deepened when she felt his large hand rest on the crown of her head just behind one black ear.

 

“In due time, Tanaka my dear, all in due time.” His deep chuckle sounded malevolent even to her demented soul, causing her fur to stand on end. Her master was always one for secrets. It was what had gained him the power to take both Northern and Eastern lands from their former rulers.

 

Claws lengthened, the urge to sink them deep within a hapless victim stirring in the depths of Tanaka's heart. Her green eyes sank to half mass as her master's fingers gently stroked her head and neck as though she were a favored pet.

 

“Do not worry my dear, you will have your chance.” He promised, his voice filled with a dark desire Tanaka knew all to well. It was a desire for bloodshed and it sent the thrill of bloodlust coursing through her veins. Her master's promises were always kept, especially where she was concerned.

 

**************************

 

“I don't know where the other wagon came from.” Jodan's soft voice broke through the haze of sleep coating Kagome's mind. Keeping her eyes closed, she listened in on the conversation as voices rose and fell around her.

 

“What do you mean there were only three when you come in?” Kagome recognized Inuyasha's voice immediately. “What are you saying, that another one materialized out of thin air?”

 

“That's exactly what I'm saying.” Jodan's voice came again. From the direction it came in, Kagome guessed that he was sitting up front in the driver's seat. “When we emerged into the cavern where we left them, I saw only three, but when Hoben returned with the horses we discovered a fourth wagon and horse that we did not recognize.”

 

“So what does that mean?” This was Shippo's voice; Kagome sighed in relief knowing he was all right. She guessed he had moved away from her while she slept but didn't remember feeling him move.

 

“I do not know,” Jodan replied, “maybe someone was watching over us.”

“The whole thing was too easy,” Kisho's voice drifted to her from some distance, the crack of reigns sounding as someone spurred their horse on. He must be in another wagon, Kagome thought.

 

“Where were the soldiers that were trying to come through the passageway?” he continued with his speculations out loud. “Where did the wagon come from and why did that horse refuse to be hitched to any other wagon except that one?”

 

“It does seem to be a complex sort of puzzle, does it not?” Hoben's voice broke through somewhere near his brother.

 

“There's more questions than answers,” Jodan replied quietly.

 

“To many if you ask me.” Huffed Inuyasha. She heard him push his sword into its scabbard even as the rocking of the wagon beckoned her back to sleep. “The one thing I want to know right now is what triggered Tensaiga.”

 

“I don't know, Inuyasha,” Shippo's voice came again. “All I know is I couldn't hold onto her with both swords and her powers acting up the way it was.”

 

“Feh,” Inuyasha's irritation made itself known. “Maybe she was having a nightmare or Tokijin was trying to control her in her sleep.”

 

Kagome fought the urge to giggle, it wasn't often she heard Inuyasha come up with an intelligent answer. Though the appearance of the fourth wagon did disturb her quite a bit. Who would have known were they were at and what had happened to the soldiers?

 

Slowly she allowed her eyes to open, blinking slightly in the harsh light of midday. Kagome found she was curled in a tight ball near the front of the wagon, just behind the driver's seat, the two swords clutched tightly to her chest. The hilts dug deeply into her upper ribs, Kagome was sure it would leave a mark.

 

Her eyes landed on Shippo and Inuyasha who were sitting closest to her though there was a noticeable gap. Behind them sat two men she didn't recognize. Lifting her head enough to look over her shoulder at the two in the driver's seat she was relieved to see the twins. Though now she could definitely see the difference between them and the grown Shippo.

 

“About damn time you woke up,” Inuyasha grumbled, causing a grin to pull at Kagome's lips. It didn't seem like he'd changed much since she had last seen him. He was still grumbling about little things that were of no great importance.

 

“Sorry, I was exhausted.” Kagome replied, pushing herself into a sitting position, shifting the swords to rest more comfortable in her lap. She raised her eyes to look at her friends taking notice for the first time how bad they looked.

 

All were dressed only in ragged hakama, their chests bare and battered. Bruises covered most of their exposed flesh and their hair was badly tangled. Dirt covered them from head to toe along with dried blood and other things that Kagome dare not guess at. They were all painfully thin as though they had been starved the entire time they were there. Their muscles showed less definition than they would have had at one time.

 

“You slept half the day.” Inuyasha casually told her expecting an outburst that he had gotten use to during their shard hunting days. He was deeply disappointed when she merely smiled at him, a sight that caused his heartbeat to skip a beat.

 

“I'm sorry Inuyasha, I just over did it.” She replied warmly and then stretched, trying to loosen stiff muscles. “I'm not use to using so much power at one time.”

 

“You've gotten stronger, Mama.” Shippo smiled scooting closer to her. He had missed her deeply and now that she was here he didn't want to ever let her out of his sight again.

 

“I've been training.” She smiled up at him, one hand coming out to caress his cheek lovingly again. “But looks like you got me beat by a long shot. You've gotten so big!”

 

“Ahh,” Shippo blushed crimson his green eyes darting away in embarrassment. “Well you've been away along time, Mama.”

 

“I know,” Kagome replied quietly, sadness darkening her eyes, “and I'm truly sorry I couldn't be here for you Shippo.”

 

“Everything's all right,” Shippo gathered her in his arms as the first signs of tears formed in her eyes. “Sango and Miroku took good care of me. Plus Inuyasha made sure I got the training I needed. So don't worry Mama. Your back now and that's all that matters.”

 

“Will you stop encouraging him, Kagome.” Inuyasha snorted looking away with disdain.

 

She grinned up at Shippo for a second before pulling away from him. Crawling closer to Inuyasha, Kagome reached up and hugged the irritated demon. “I missed you too Inuyasha.”

 

“Hey! Cut it out,” He sputtered, even though his arms snaked around her waist to hug her tightly, his nose burying in the ebony tresses. Even in his filthy state, Kagome did not pull away from him, acceptance as quickly forthcoming as it had been those ten long years ago. The girl had grown up, as did her son, but somewhere buried deep within him, Inuyasha realized that he had missed everything about this girl.

 

“Irritable as always.” She laughed, reaching up to stroke the pointed ear. Kagome missed those dog-ears but they were long gone to be replaced by the slender elfin ears he now had. He let out a low growl that sent her into another fit of giggles and she drew away.

 

“What did you do that for?” He demanded scratching at the offended ear. “It still tickles.”

 

“I miss the dog ears.” She told him with a bright smile. It was so good to be back home with the family she had thought lost to her.

 

“Yeah well their gone, so don't do that.” He huffed, settling down. His back rested against the side of the wagon, the long stands of his hair blowing in the breeze. Its normal silver color was stand to an almost blackish gray from the grim that covered all of them, a sight that almost made her sick.

 

Her heart hardened slightly as she swore to herself vengeance on whoever was responsible for the pain caused to her family. She would do whatever it took, even give up her life if she had too to set things right.

 

Midnight blue settled on the wagon next to them where Kisho, Tatsu and several of the prisoners were quietly conversing. Gathering information no doubt, Kagome thought as she watched Kisho. The lord was as cold outwardly as Sesshomaru was; yet he showed more compassion toward others than she had seen the Western Lord show. Kisho's movements were precise, well thought out and he seemed to have an air of magic around him that extended beyond his youkai.

 

She tore her gaze away from him and stared out at the passing landscape around them. Her thoughts were dark as she went over the earlier event. Kisho was right, even for an armature like her, the situation had seemed too easy. There should have been more guards watching over the prisoners, a stronger sense of the power the usurper held, or at least one of his minions should have been on hand. She really didn't like where her train of thought was taking her.

 

Dark eyes narrowed as they swept around their immediate area, searching for any signs of something out of the ordinary. Shifting enough to look out between the twins, Kagome noticed the horse that was attached to the wagon.

 

Its pristine white coat and mane a stark contrast with the other brown mares they had brought along. It strode proudly, pulling the heavy wagon with little effort as though it were weightless. Kagome caught a glimpse of crystal blue eyes when the horse looked at something off to one side.

 

Kagome found her eyes trailing along the same lines, curious as to what caught its attention. There off in the distance she could just barely make out the form of a woman. She stood on top of a small rise in the land impossible long hair blowing in the wind behind her. To far away for Kagome to make out any of her features, but to her it seemed the woman was intently watching their progression.

 

The cart jerked suddenly as it hit a deep rut in the road, jarring Kagome enough to look away from the woman a split second. When she looked back the mysterious woman was gone, vanished without a trace. A new mystery added to the growing list in Kagome's mind as she settled back against the wagon side to contemplate the woman's importance.

**********

 

Night had fallen over the Western Lands, blanketing it in faint starlight. A slender slip of the moon created a soft glow. The pale light drifted coldly through the high windows of the study where Sesshomaru sat pouring over a stack of documents. Several candles burned casting eerie flickering shadows into the farthest corners of the room, though it provided him enough light to read by.

 

“Father?” Rin's voice called to him from just beyond the door. He could hear the worry in her voice. The faint scent of nervous anticipation drifted through the air to him, tainting her normally sweet one of wildflowers. A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth. The child spent so much time in the gardens that her original one had long since been replaced by that of the flowers she so loved. Not that he minded, it soothed him more than he would admit, easing his mind at how long the girl who had slowly became like his own pup had left to live.

 

Most humans held the tainted stench of encroaching death. The closer they were to it the stronger it became. When mingled with disease or infections the smell became almost unbearable. When he had first met her, the scent had been there, faint but never the less it had been present, but when Kagome had made her wish something had happened to his daughter. Something he had not noticed at first, but became obvious as Rin grew older.

 

“Enter.” He called softly knowing the girl could hear him. The door opened to admit the object of his affection, his eyes sweeping over her length for any signs of what had changed her so much. Delicate nostrils flared slightly as he scented the air looking for any undercurrents of the death scent. Nothing. Instead of becoming stronger as she grew, it had slowly faded, to be replaced by that of her beloved wildflowers. Her hearing had also increased as well as a few other subtle changes that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

 

“Father do you think they will return soon?” Rin asked sitting down on one of the mats across from him. Sesshomaru could see the worry in her eyes, the ebony pools partially hidden by her dark lashes.

 

“I do not know.” His replies were always short where she was concerned, not wanting to cause her unnecessary worry. The girl was unusually perceptive when it came to him, she had always been even back when she had followed him. Rin rarely complained, always thought of others before herself, and went out of her way to help others when needed even to the point of risking her life. She was the picture of the perfect child.

 

“Father?” She asked nervously shifting in her seat slightly. Rin kept her eyes trained on the hard surface of the desk, a sign that she was going to ask something that would probably irritate him.

 

“Yes, Rin?” Sesshomaru sighed, steeling himself for what he knew was to come. This conversation had been a while in the making and he knew he would have to answer her truthfully. She could sense a lie almost as well as any youkai could.

 

“Do you think if you gave him what he wanted that he would leave us alone?” Rin shifted again clearly uncomfortable with the situation. She knew what the terms of the treaty had demanded and why he had been sent into such a rage. Now he could tell she feared it would happen again with her questions.

 

“No,” He replied calmly, reaching out to lift her chin so that he could look into her saddened eyes. “He would only take you far from here and than continue his assault on our boarders.”

 

“Oh,” She sighed giving him a look of such helplessness that it pulled at his heartstrings. “I'm sorry, Father, but I had to ask.”

 

“Rin do not assume to sacrifice yourself for others,” Sesshomaru instructed her patiently. He would allow no one to harm what was his, the one who had taken the time to show a lethal demon what true kindness meant. “The scoundrel just wishes to have a hold over my head and believes you are the quickest way to do it.”

 

“I understand,” Rin sighed again as he released her chin and she moved to stand. “I will leave you to your work now, Father. Goodnight.”

 

“Goodnight, Rin.” Sesshomaru dismissed the girl quietly, but even as he heard the soft thud of the shutting doorway a new worry began to form in his mind. If the usurper really did want to use Rin against him, than he wouldn't stop at anything to get her. A sinking dread filled him as he thought about the terms once again. There were other things this lowly demon wished to do with Rin, things Sesshomaru dare not think of for fear of the blood-rage surfacing once again. Those terms were left unspoken to rot wherever the shredded parchment had disappeared to after he had lost control.

 

Rin had been the only one able to calm him that time and he feared that should it be allowed to rise again outside of battle, no one would be able sooth the enraged beast. It had frightened him, the worry of harming his daughter foremost in his mind. That was something he could never allow to happen.

**********************************

 

Kagome glared up at the object of irritation as it hovered over her like some kind of demented mother hen. Her eyes narrowed in obvious anger that barely fazed the creature.

 

They had stopped at one of the villages on this side of the Western Boundary to sell the wagons and horses in order to purchase much needed supplies. She had purchased a large square of cloth in order to tie Sesshomaru's swords to her back much the same way Sango had carried her bone weapon while they traveled years earlier. Kagome had not trusted the blades to be carried by anyone else for fear of Tokijin's influence.

 

The mares had gone back to the fields willingly enough but the strange white horse had refused to be sold. Rearing and gnashing teeth had deterred any farmer from buying the spirited stallion. After that it had taken to following her around much to her chagrin.

 

As they left the village it had followed quietly, glaring at any one who dared to get too close to the woman. Only Shippo could approach Kagome without fear of having sharp hoofs descend on them in a rain of blows that Kagome could not fathom. Twice she had scolded the white horse, and twice it had blatantly ignored her.

 

Later when they had settled down to rest for the night, the damn horse wouldn't allow her to fall asleep. Every time she got close it would begin nudging her till she was grinding her teeth in frustration. She was completely convinced that the creature was some sort of youkai in disguise sent to annoy her to death.

 

How many times could you push something away before it got the message? She wondered, her fingers coming against the velvet nose again in preparation to push it away. Before she had a chance the horse drew away, sending its long mane flying in all directions. Its head bobbed up and down, a single hoof pawing at the ground as though it were counting. Kagome shook her head and rolled over trying to gain some forms of rest before being forced back into the long trek ahead.

 

The Western Castle was still a day's march. They took their time on the return trip, allowing the prisoners to go at their own pace. Even with Kagome's healing, the group was still bruised and sore. Fatigue was setting over the ex-prisoners, quicker than even Kisho had planned on and Kagome knew it was due to lack of nourishment. They had bought food, and hunted whenever the chance permitted, but she had been adamant in allowing the group only small amounts of food at a time. At first it had raised an argument, a few shouts from Ozeki that the human was trying to starve his youkai brethren. But when Kagome had explained that over eating after a long fast would only succeed in making them all sick had she won out over the protests. Kisho had willingly allowed her to take over their care.

 

Now even as her body begged for sleep the damn horse once again began nuzzling against her neck. She ignored him, keeping her eyes tightly closed in the hopes that the creature would go away. It was not to be as he gripped the fabric of her clothing, just below the neckline and lifted the girl easily into the air.

 

“Alright, alright,” She sighed glaring at the creature once again. “I'm up. Happy now?”

 

She really felt like an irritated child at the moment and wasn't afraid to voice her discomfort much the same way. Her hands rested on her hips as she watched it, anger mixing with exhaustion. Kagome's head tilted to one side as the horse turned his back to her, his long neck arching back to look at her expectantly.

 

“No, no way!” Kagome raised her hands toward the horse as if to ward him off. “I can't ride you. I don't know how.”

 

The horse whinnied, his head bobbing up and down even as she glimpsed the amusement in the creature's pale blue eyes. Kagome suddenly realized he was laughing at her.

 

Kagome huffed, knowing unless she did what it wanted she wouldn't be allowed to rest. So with apprehension she slowly approached the creature's side. She had never ridden a horse before and didn't even know how to climb on the wide plain of its back. To her surprise the horse lowered himself down enough for her to clamber unsteadily on. “I don't know about this.”

 

Again the whinnying broke the silence of the air as the horse announced its amusement to the world. Grumbling, Kagome buried her fingers into the thick strand of mane, desperately holding on with both hands and legs. It started off at a slow trot, allowing her get use to the swaying of its back, then increased its speed even as she adjusted.

 

“Where do you think your going?” Inuyasha demanded seeing her on the horses back.

 

“I don't know, but I'm going to find out!” Kagome called as the horse lunged forward almost unseating her in the process. Shrieking in fright, Kagome clung tighter, her arms going around the stallion's neck trying to hang on. Inuyasha's reply was lost to the winds, going unheard by the terrified girl.

 

They flew over the land, their passage nothing more than a blur to any who happened to be near their path. Kagome hung on for dear life; terrified that if she fell she would break her neck or worse from the breakneck gallop the stallion was bent on. Four times she came close to falling off, and four times the horse had adjusted enough to catch her before she slid to the ground. She didn't understand how the horse knew but was grateful to it for saving her. Eyes were clenched tightly, so that she would not have to witness the land flying by at an impossible speed and she came to the conclusion that the horse would in fact be the death of her.

 

Finally the horse skidded to a stop and the shaking girl slid to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. She was tempted to kiss the hard soil that she was curled up on, her limbs feeling as though they were nothing more than boneless jelly.

 

Getting up enough energy to glare up at the horse, Kagome growled. “Remind me not to do that again.”

 

The horse gave that amused whinny and trotted slowly toward the center of the clearing where a shadowed figure awaited them. It butted at the figures side, rubbing alone its arms till one was raised to stroke the soft hair between the horse's eyes.

 

Kagome took a few moments to stand on shaky legs knowing she was going to be sore in the morning. Her eyes focused enough to drink in the scenery of the clearing.

 

A large waterfall descended from the shelf of a high cliff, pale white wildflowers growing on both sides of the resulting river. The soil was a rich deep brown color, exposed in several patches along the cliff's edge.

 

In the midst of the clearing the figure and horse waited patiently for the girl to acknowledge their presence. A light shone behind the figure, making it hard for Kagome to see anything of its face, but she felt sure that this was the woman who had watched from the small hill earlier. The woman projected an aura of peace and tranquility that soothed Kagome enough to think straight.

 

The figure stirred as Kagome turned to look at her, unsure how to start the conversation. After all it had been that horse's idea and now she didn't know what to do about it.

 

“Umm.. is this your horse?” Kagome cast about for anything that might lead her to the answer of why she had been brought here.

 

“Yes,” came the answer, the voice holding a musical quality to it that had Kagome imagining an angel. “I sent Goma-suri to retrieve you.”

 

“Goma-suri,” Kagome glared at the amused horse knowing the name fit the horrible creature perfectly. It meant mischief-maker and the horse was definitely that if she'd ever seen one.

 

Crystal laughter rang through the clearing bringing Kagome's attention instantly back to the woman. Her irritation growing in the face of that laughter till her face burned red.

 

“Calm yourself, Kagome.” The woman's laughter died away leaving a trace of amusement as Kagome's eyes widened. “I only wished to see you once again. It has been far too long, daughter.”

 

“I am not your daughter,” Kagome instantly snapped her eyes narrowing at the woman. “Who are you?”

 

“As fiery as you were the day you were born.” The woman laughed again sweeping several strands of the long hair from her face. Everything about her spoke of gentleness and peace, yet something about the entire situation was unsettling to the young miko.

“For now you may call me Kana.”

 

“How do you know me Kana?” Kagome asked, not liking how the woman's name sounded so much like one of Naraku's children. The void child's name had been Kanna and Kagome knew for a fact the child could not have known her at birth.

 

“I was there of course, seated by your mother's bed the day you were born, though the task was quite a difficult feat. The well barely let me through that day.” Kana's musical voice filled the air with a soft melody so beautiful that even the night creatures stopped their songs to listen. “I was also there to watch over you on your first journey into the past.”

 

“If this is true then why didn't you try to contact me then?” Kagome demanded ready to believe the woman's words to be lies. The only reason she was still here was the secret her mother had entrusted her on her twenty-first birthday.

 

“Because it was not time.” Kana replied cryptically telling Kagome that no farther answers would be forthcoming at the time.

 

“What makes it the right time now?” Kagome asked in frustration.

 

“He has emerged once again, freed from his forced slumber by your wish.” Kagome saw Kana shift slightly as though the very mention of this demon was unsettling.

 

“Are you saying it's the demon that was stuck in the Shikon with Midoriko?” Kagome felt fear beginning to take hold, a deep sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She knew that she was not strong enough to take on something so powerful.

 

“Not that one, though just as dangerous.” Kana's voice grew softer a warning clearly in the double meaning of her words. “And that is the reason I am here. To warn you that in the days ahead you must hold fast and become stronger.”

 

“How am I supposed to do that?” Kagome whispered looking at the ground near the river. “I have trained hard yet I could barely handle healing all those men back there.”

 

“That is something you must discover yourself, child.” Kana's voice became fainter as if moving away from Kagome. “Trust in those that surround you, gain their trust and guidance. Your miko instincts will draw you to those that you will need to have on your side when the dawning battle approaches.”

 

“But they hate me, for what I am.” Kagome sighed turning to look back at Kana. She was faintly surprised to see that the woman was slowly fading. “How am I supposed to get youkai to trust me?”

 

”Believe in yourself, daughter.” Kana vanished though her voice hung in the air around the stunned miko. “Goma-suri will return you to your camp now. Farewell Kagome, till we meet once again,”

 

Goma-suri whinnied once again, that same amused quality reaching the ice blue eyes that glowed brightly. Complaining about people loving to pull disappearing acts while giving out puzzle pieces, Kagome managed to climb on the creatures back once again. Dread lurched into her throat as the demented horse lunged forward.

 

My continuing thanks and deep appreciation to all who reviewed, I love you guys and draw inspiration from your words. : )

Answers to questions ~

 

…. ~ I hope this elevates those pesky nerves. Once again thank you for the inspiration.. It worked out much better than the other idea I had..

 

Kagome-Kawaii ~ Thanks hun and yes Kagome has definitely increased in her miko powers, but I hope this chapter explained the entire thing a bit more. And no, the fluffiness isn't anytime real soon, but it will start to show a bit of subtle hints in a few chapters. She just got back and even though she's thought about him over the years it hasn't quite gotten that far yet.

 

-Blanches from all the glares and begging, her feet shifting nervously as she looks down- Ehh, sorry guys, I'll try to keep the posts coming as quick as possible, but no promises on how quick that will be. It takes a bit of contemplation and rewriting. But if it helps any expect a Sess/kag one-shot in the next few days. An idea that had been bugging me for a while and making it harder to concentrate on this one. But be warned, The one-shot will not quite be what anyone expects.. -evil grin-

 

Much love! Till next we meet.