InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma of Power ❯ A Vision ( Chapter 5 )

Sorry it took so long, I was moving and things sort of got shuffled to the back of the pile. I hope I didn't lose any fans with the delay. I've been working to update all my stories and add a few new ones. Insomnia is truly an author's greatest ally.

Enjoy

Kagome climbed out of the well and gave a warm smile to the people waiting for her. Inuyasha helped her with her bag while Sango helped pull her from the well.

"How was home?" She asked, her spirits obviously high.

"Pretty good, I actually got to go on a real date for once." Inuyasha and Miroku visibly started. "But we got robbed and I ended up beating the crap out of the guy and scaring Hojo away."

Sango shrugged. "If he's afraid of you, you shouldn't be with him."

"I guess, but he's so damned cute I thought I would give it another try before calling it quits."

The girls started down the trail toward the village. "What does he look like?"

Inuyasha swallowed around the lump in his throat and shouldered the bag. They started down the trail, but did not rush to catch up to them. Their inane chatter was of little interest to him.

"That's the last time I let her have the weekend like that."

"Feeling threatened?"

"No." The answer was genuine and Miroku could sense that. "I just don't like the idea of her getting into trouble without someone there to watch out for her. This Hojo doesn't sound like someone who can do that."

"No, he certainly doesn't. You can't protect her all the time, you know."

Inuyasha sighed softly. "I love her like a sister. I just want to make sure she'll be all right. That world is as dangerous as this one, and she seems ill prepared for it to me."

"She seems to have handled herself well. Perhaps she is better prepared because of her time here. As you said it is dangerous, but its dangers can take different forms. She's smart and strong and she knows a few tricks thanks to us."

Inuyasha nodded. "You're right." He rested a hand on Miroku's shoulder, startling the monk. "Thanks."

They set out the next day, walking North toward a jewel fragment Kagome sensed. As they completed more and more of the Shikon no tama, the likelihood that the jewel fragment she sensed was Naraku increased. None of them were anxious to meet the hanyou in battle again, but they all knew the battle was inevitable. All of their journeys had led them to the simple inescapable fact that they seemed to have been brought together by whatever powers that be in order to combat this single evil. Inuyasha rounded a bend in the road and paused. His delicate nose was picking up a tantalizingly familiar scent. An old bent figure hobbled out into the road, using a staff almost twice her height as a walking staff. She perhaps came up to Inuyasha's waist and her face was wrinkled beyond words. It was also apparent that she was blind, her eyes milky white with no irises or pupils. Kagome and the others caught up to him and looked the figure over.

"Am I to assume that one of you is Kagome."

"I am." She stepped forward and knelt touching the hand that held the staff lightly.

"Such a kind child I am told. My name is Kaigama."

"The seer?"

"I thought I was the psychic. Ah, I see, you've had a talk with Jinenji's father. A good youkai he is. Better than most. I have come to warn you child. That which you journey toward is the gravest of perils. You will not survive if you continue your course."

"I understand. We will turn back. Thank you for the warning."

"You are welcome." She reached out and touched the place on her shirt that covered the charm and the Shikon no tama. "This would have protected you, but the others…even the kitsune would have fallen before your eyes and you powerless to stop it. There is no greater torment than watching the suffering of those you love and being incapable of easing it save to deliver that final blow."

"I could not…"

The old woman touched her right temple and Kagome gasped softly as images flooded her mind. She stood over Inuyasha holding the Tetsusaiga, weeping as she raised the sword over her head and swung downward, a blow aiming for his neck. Kagome threw herself backwards before the vision could end. Tears streaked her face as Inuyasha helped her to her feet. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. Kaigama nodded slowly.

"I must go now, my part is done."

"Wait!"

But she had already gone, vanishing into the forest. Inuyasha tried to give chase, but returned a moment later shaking his head. They turned to the West, following the far more distant jewel shard. That night Kagome slipped out of her sleeping bag. Inuyasha, perched in his tree opened a single eye as she headed toward the forest.

"You shouldn't go alone."

She gave him a trembling smile. "I need a few minutes, I won't go far, I promise."

"Kaigama always shook up Sesshomaru and father too. It took me a while but I finally remembered her. She's…eccentric."

"I think that goes without saying. I'll be back soon, I promise."

He nodded and closed his eyes again. She walked quietly into the forest and found an old tree whose roots had long ago broken the surface of the Earth to run in twisting winding paths across the forest floor. She found a small hollow and sat with her back resting against the tree. In the darkness of the forest she let the tears she'd been holding in all day come. She cried as quietly as she could, knowing that Inuyasha would hear her if she was not careful. She wondered if Kaigama knew how much it had hurt her to see that vision.