InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Difference a Little Time Can Make ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does. I am not making any money from this story.

 

Author's note: As I said previously, the updates will likely begin to slow down a bit. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Please continue to review and let me know what you think. The changes from canon will continue to ripple out, though some things will remain the same.

 

Note on sacred arrows: I don't know if my theory is correct or not. It is probably wrong but I am deciding to use this theory in regards to miko and their arrows. I think that miko use special arrows that they have already applied their powers to for channeling their purifying energy. I believe this based on the episode where Kikyou was explaining the difference between a sealing arrow and a purifying one. As I said it is probably wrong but that is the theory I am using for this story.

 

 

'Twang' went the bow as Kagome loosed the arrow at the target. 'Swish' went the leaves of a nearby tree as she completely missed. “Argh!” she cried. She was becoming really frustrated at her inability to hit the target. “I don't understand. I was able to do this against Yura and the crow youkai but now I can't even hit a non-moving target. What is going on?” she asked.

 

It had been two days since she had made her discovery. Kaede had stepped up her training, and after being informed of Kagome's feats against both Yura and the crow youkai in spite of never having held a bow before in her life, she had taken her out to this field to practice. But despite her earlier successes, she wasn't even coming anywhere near the target. She was really becoming frustrated at this point. Not to mention that Inuyasha seemed to be avoiding her the last couple of days. She knew that he was nearby, she could sense him, a side effect of Kaede showing her how to call upon her miko powers.

 

Flashback

 

“Now Kagome-sama, just relax and breathe deeply. Close your eyes and look deep inside yourself, towards your center. You should feel a warm spot in the center of your chest. Focus on that. Do you feel it?”

 

“Yes Kaede-sama. If feels so warm and peaceful.”

 

“Good. Now I want you to grab onto the source of that feeling and drag it too you. Can you see it? There should be a small pool of light.”

 

Kagome frowned as she did as she was told. “I can see it Kaede-sama. It's so big and bright.”

 

Kaede felt her own brow crinkle at Kagome's words. 'I know she is powerful but still. Her powers are untrained and should only appear as a small light. Perhaps she is merely overreacting, never having seen something like this before?' Kaede brushed off her doubts and continued the lesson. “Now Kagome-sama, slowly bring that light to the surface. Let it pool beneath your skin and spread over your body.”

 

Kagome tried to do as she was told but the light was so big and bright. Unknown to her, her body began to emit a pink glow that grew brighter by the second, drawing the gaze of the other occupants of the hut. She panted “Kaede-sama! It's too big. I can't hold it!” She screamed as her body felt like it was on fire.

 

Kaede's eye popped open in shock. 'Impossible! How can one person contain so much power.' Hearing the girl scream she hastened to direct her. “Let go of the energy, the light. You must allow it to return to it's previous position.”

 

But Kagome couldn't hear her. She could only focus on the pain she felt. “It hurts” she whimpered.

 

Inuyasha snapped at that, grabbing the old miko by the front of her shirt. “What the fuck did you do to her, ya old hag?!” He snarled at her.

 

“I did nothing Inuyasha. I did not realize the extent of her power. It is too much for her, untrained as she is. We must calm her before she irrevocably harms herself.”

 

At her words he dropped her before heading over to Kagome. “Oi wench, snap out of it. You need to stop whatever you are doing, you hear me Bitch!” But his words were unable to reach her either. With a growl he bent down to grab her and shake her awake.

 

“No Inuyasha! You must not touch her! You'll be purified!”

 

But Kaede's words were too late. He had already grasped Kagome and now he joined her in her pain-filled screams. He found he could not remove his hand from her shoulder and he collapsed beside her as the light spread from her body to his.

 

But his screams seemed to reach Kagome. “Inu-Inuyasha?” she gasped, forcing her eyes open. She spotted him beside her, body convulsing with the pain. “No!” she cried as she instinctively tried to protect him. Her power reacted to her wish and now the two were surrounded by the pink glow but no longer in pain. “Inuyasha?” she called again and was relieved to see his eyes open to look at her.

 

“You alright?” he asked.

 

She nodded and then their eyes connected. In that one instant it was like their souls had met, they each knew every thought, every feeling, everything about the other. Then the moment passed and the pink light faded away, leaving them panting on the ground.

 

Kaede warily approached them and Inuyasha hastily removed his hand, though both immediately missed the contact. “Are you both alright?” At their nods she apologized. “I'm sorry Kagome-sama. I did not take into account how strong your powers are. I will teach you how to draw smaller amounts of power until you are able to handle all of it. But for now you both need to rest.” And they had retired for the night.

 

End Flashback

 

Ever since then Kagome had been able to sense when Inuyasha was nearby, which was almost always, though she often didn't see him. She couldn't help but wonder if maybe she had hurt him and that's why he was now avoiding her. He hadn't even allowed her to check his wounds that morning, exiting the hut before she awoke. Only her new ability to sense him let her know that he hadn't abandoned her. She knew that he only stayed in the village because of her. 'Is that it?' she thought. 'Does he feel that I am a burden and he can't wait to be rid of me?' But her worries about Inuyasha were messing with her ability to concentrate and adding to her overall frustration.

 

Kaede simply gave a small “Hmm.” at her previous outburst. “Perhaps you are trying to force it too much. Or perhaps you simply have too much on your mind to concentrate properly.” She received a blush from Kagome in return for her statement and knowing look. “Tell me what was going on when you fought those youkai. What were they doing, what were you thinking and feeling?”

 

Kagome quickly explained her previous encounters.

 

“Ah. Perhaps that is it. In both instances you perceived Inuyasha to be in danger. Your determination to protect him led to you tapping into your miko powers which helped to guide your arrows. Let us test this. Inuyasha!” Kaede called while glancing into a nearby tree. “Come down and help us with a demonstration.”

 

Kagome glanced into the tree and saw the hanyou lounging on a high branch. “Keh!” he said but jumped down. “What do you want, baba?”

 

“Simply for you to help us test Kagome's aim. Simply stand by the target.” Grumbling he did so. “Now Kagome-sama, imagine that the target is a youkai that is about to attack Inuyasha. If you do not hit it, he will die. You must make this shot.”

 

Both Kagome and Inuyasha objected to this plan. “Oi, have you finally lost it baba? What if she hits me? I've got no wish to be purified.”

 

“Bah!” Kaede said. “Are you telling me that you are afraid of a little piece of wood. No spell has been set on the arrow, so even if Kagome-sama misses and hits you, you wouldn't be purified. Am I to believe that you are worried about an ordinary arrow injuring you?”

 

“Keh! I ain't afraid of anything. Bring it on wench!” he yelled as he took up position.

 

“I don't know about this Kaede-sama” Kagome said as she looked from her bow to Inuyasha and back again.

 

“Relax child, I know that you will not allow any harm to come to your hanyou. Now concentrate. Imagine that Inuyasha's life is at stake if you don't make this shot.”

 

Frowning Kagome did as she was told. She pictured the target to be Yura as she prepared to impale Inuyasha. With a cry of “No!” Kagome took aim and released the arrow. As it shot forward, it began to glow with a pink light before it hit the target and blew it to pieces. The occupants of the clearing froze at the destruction.

 

Inuyasha had leaped aside when the glowing missile had soared past him. “Oi baba! What was that?! I thought you said there was no spell on that arrow.” He angrily yelled as he approached the two miko.

 

Kaede continued to stare at the destruction in shock. “Th-there wasn't” she managed to say. “That should not have been possible, it was an ordinary arrow.”

 

“What do you mean Kaede-sama? That's the same thing that happened against the crow youkai and Yura.” Kagome was confused. 'I did what she told me to do. Why shouldn't it have happened?'

 

Kaede's eye widened further before she began to explain. “When a miko wishes to use purifying arrows they must first prepare the arrow with a spell in order to channel their power through it. The arrows that you have been practicing with are ordinary arrows that have not been prepared. It takes time and effort to prepare each arrow. That was also the reason why Kikyou sealed Inuyasha rather than purifying him. She had used the last of her purifying arrows and the only arrow she had left was one that had been prepared for sealing.” Kaede cleared her throat. “This is just another thing that shows just how powerful you are Kagome-sama.”

 

Kagome stood there in shock at this news. 'Great, another way that I am different' she thought. She was shaken from her thoughts by Inuyasha.

 

“Keh. Sounds like a good thing to me wench. You won't have to worry about having to prepare any arrows before hand. That would be an advantage if you ever found yourself in another battle with youkai.” He crossed his arms over his chest as he tried to ignore the voice inside that objected to her being exposed to battle.

 

Kagome's attention was drawn to his chest by his movement. “Inuyasha! What are you doing? Your wounds!” She hurried over to him.

 

He brushed aside her concerns. “Keh. I'm just fine wench. Leave it” he said with a slight blush as he batted at her hands as she tried to pull his haori and kosode open.

 

“No. Now let me see your wounds. Did you forget that you were seriously injured just a few days ago? You could have reopened your wounds.” She managed to push aside his hands and get his clothing open only to stop and stare in shock. “What?” she asked. He had removed the bandages and there was no sign of the wounds he had possessed.

 

“Keh! Haven't you realized by now that my body's different?!” Inuyasha huffed as he made to re-close his clothing. “What are you staring at?”

 

Kagome blushed as she realized that she had been staring at his chest. 'Wow, he's got a great body under those baggy clothes of his. I wonder what it would be like to rub my hands over it? No, bad Kagome, bad thoughts.' She blushed deeper but asked “Those wounds are gone already?”

 

“Yes Inuyasha” Kaede agreed. “For such a great wound to heal already and leave no scar. It is astonishing.”

 

“Keh! I'm not a weak human. Just because they would have killed a human doesn't make a big deal for someone like me” he huffed as he crossed his arms and turned his head away.

 

'It must be because of his youkai blood' Kagome thought. 'But he's only half and he still heals so fast?' She was drawn from her thoughts when she saw Inuyasha frown and pull his haori open again before slapping his hand against his chest.

 

“Ow” a little voice said from Inuyasha's hand. Kagome came closer to peer at the small creature as it turned and said “Greetings Inuyasha-sama. Long time no taste.”

 

“Keh! If it isn't old Myouga the flea youkai. What are you doing here?”

 

The flea had a grave look of concern on his face. “Oh, Inuyasha-sama, it's terrible. Someone is trying to find and rob your honored father's tomb.”

 

At his announcement Kaede invited them to continue this discussion at her hut and they agreed.

 

Once inside the hut Kaede served tea, including a drop for the flea in a tiny cup he had produced, and introductions were performed.

 

“Now, Myouga-jiji, why don't you tell me what you meant about my old man's tomb” Inuyasha growled out impatiently. He felt Kagome pat his arm from her spot next to him and calmed slightly.

 

Myouga watched this by-play with interest before responding. “As the Guardian of your honored father's final resting place I could not just sit back and let them find it.”

 

Inuyasha interrupted. “Keh! So you abandoned it and came here. Some guardian you are” he said in a bored tone.

 

Kaede turned to him. “Even here we have heard of your father Inuyasha. They say he was a great Inu-youkai, a taiyoukai and that the Western Lands were his domain.”

 

“Keh! Can't say as I remember much” Inuyasha said as he lounged there with his face on his palm.

 

“Your father was a youkai among youkai, Inuyasha-sama” Myouga sang his praises. “Great and powerful. And he had such delicious blood, something you have inherited from him” he said as he eyed Inuyasha's neck.

 

“Don't even think about it” Inuyasha warned “or I'll squash you.”

 

“Oh, the life of a flea is so full of peril, not even a taste?”

 

Kagome sat and listened with fascination. 'So his father was a powerful demon, what about his mother?' She decided to ask. “What about Inuyasha's mother, Myouga-san?”

 

“Oh she was the most beautiful princess, beyond compare-” He was cut off as Inuyasha's foot came down on top of him, squashing him to the floor.

 

“Shut up!” he ordered with a glare before moving to storm out of the hut. “Just forget about it. She died a long time ago.” With that he exited the hut, and Kagome felt him depart the immediate vicinity.

 

“Did I say something to make him upset?” she asked as she pictured the look on face as he left. He had looked so angry and full of pain.

 

Myouga answered her as his body re-inflated with a small pop. “No Kagome-sama. Inuyasha-sama has always preferred not to speak of his mother.”

 

Kagome looked out into the night before excusing herself and exiting the hut in search of Inuyasha. She calmed their concerns by telling them she was going to find Inuyasha, and taking her bow and arrows with her. She followed the feeling of his youki until she spotted him sitting high in a lone tree. She paused beneath him to admire his profile against the full moon. 'His father was a full youkai, but Inuyasha is only half. That means his mother was a mortal woman? Is that why he doesn't want to speak about her? Is he so ashamed of his blood? He couldn't hate his own mother, could he?' She couldn't imagine anyone hating their own mother, not when she missed her own so terribly.

 

She was drawn from her thoughts when a heavy object dropped down from above and pulled her to the ground. She opened her mouth to scream only to find a familiar red cloth being pulled over her head.

 

“Shh wench. We've got company.” Inuyasha's familiar voice said from beside her.

 

She looked up and spotted a carriage flying across the sky. There were some type of imp like creatures on the sides and inside she could make out the form of a woman in chains. She felt Inuyasha stiffen beside her. “Inuyasha, what's wrong?”

 

He didn't respond. Instead he slowly rose to his feet and moved forward for a better view of the carriage's occupant. The woman spotted him and her face widened in recognition. “Inuyasha?” she called.

 

Kagome looked between the two with confusion. But then Inuyasha spoke and she felt herself freeze with shock. “M-mother?” His face was a mix of pain, longing, and confusion before he settled it back into the mask he normally wore.

 

'His mother? But he said she was dead.' “Inuyasha?” she asked moving to his side. “I thought you said she was dead?”

 

He didn't have a chance to respond. The clouds in the sky swirled and descended, forming the shape of a large blue youkai. It raised it's arm and grabbed the carriage out of the sky, smashing it and clutching it's occupant in it's large hand.

 

“Let her go!” Inuyasha cried as he leaped up at the youkai, only to have to dodge a jet of flames. He landed on the ground beside Kagome and stared at the creature's shoulder. Kagome also directed her gaze to that spot.

 

Standing there were to figures. One was short and toad like, carrying a staff. The other was the one that caught her attention. He had long silver hair and golden eyes similar to Inuyasha but where Inuyasha's eyes were warm and showed his emotion, this newcomer's were cold and heartless. His pointed ears held his long hair back from his face. He had a blue crescent moon upon his forehead and twin red stripes on each cheek. He was dressed in a white outfit, with some type of fur draped over his shoulder and armor across his chest. Kagome felt herself give a little shiver at the cold look upon his face and stepped closer to Inuyasha, clutching at the sleeve of his haori.

 

Inuyasha growled out “Bastard! Should have known you'd be behind something like this. You think this is funny, trying to trick me like that? Huh, Sesshomaru?!”

 

“I've missed you as well, Little Brother.” The youkai, Sesshomaru called as he stared at Inuyasha in turn.

 

'Brother? What is going on?' Kagome thought as she looked between the two. She had to admit that she could see something of a resemblance but wondered at the apparent hostility. She had a bad feeling that this family reunion was going to be anything but happy.

 

 

Sorry for the cliffhanger but it was the best spot to end it. I should have the next chapter up in a day or two. It will mostly follow canon, though you should see some changes based on the changes in the Inuyasha/Kagome relationship.