Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Her Spirit ❯ Choices ( Chapter 16 )

Shikato looked up and shook his head, hands splayed to keep his balance as he remained on the floor. That shock had left the whole household shaking, and his head was ringing with the effects of the power.

Power calling out to power.

Souta shook his head as he sat up, looking around carefully as he heard his elders doing the same down the hall. He groaned and looked up, his neck still weak that his head lolled slightly before he righted it. “Damn, I felt that even with my power!”

Shikato gaped at him, not knowing whether it was for the curse or for, “even with your power?”

Souta nodded absently, rubbing his temple to ease some ache. Shikato suspected he had hit his head harder than it looked. “Yeah, even with my power. I don't have the best control and not even the greatest reserve.” Souta's brown blue eyes were looking at him again. “I suppose right now you are at my level of control, not saying much since I can't practice.”

Shikato shook his head rapidly, eyebrows scrunching up with his equally rapid thoughts though it did naught to help. “What exactly are you saying?”

Souta gave him a measuring look, before his lips smiled and he stretched, getting up to turn on a small TV and seeming to ignore the human Eschew in front of him with questioning eyes. He grinned a little but wider; “I'm saying that people like my sister would have felt that coming, and maybe even been able to stand during it.”

“But the calling was meant to knock all to their knees, `in reverence for the coming of our miko's revolution we will all bow to the calling power and answer it with haste. The world will know of our intentions, and all will come to be as it was supposed to be.'” Souta simply looked at him oddly, face going off in thought as he breathed in deep.

“My sister withstood that power surge.”

Shikato left it alone, there was something in the way the Higurashi said it that made it closed for conversation. “Do you know what's happening? I only have been told of the call. The histories didn't establish anything past what needed to happen for that.”

X.x…

Yusuke and the tantei settled in the park again, the bench and the trees and the grass hiding them from the ignorant world and comforting them slightly from their confusion. The baffling encounter at Koenma's office had left them to a quiet stillness that gave Yusuke the shivers- no ghosts this time. It wasn't that this was so unsettling…not that their life was ever somewhat normal in any sense of the word. It was that there was so much here that they never knew before. Koenma had kept this from them, maybe afraid that they would turn tail and aid the fall, or aid the demons. Maybe he was afraid that the jewel so talked about would tempt them…

And here they were, confused and unsure, something that Yusuke hated and he knew his friends hated as well. They had built up their trust in their work and their fights. To have it betrayed so was…ludicrous, uncanny, unsettling…degrading. They needed each other to work as a team, because that is what they trained as, that was what they were, and Koenma had just broken that.

Yusuke wondered how they should go about things now…

X.x…

Shippou couldn't help but bounce around the halls of his fortress, well not his but theirs. There was so much energy in his body he couldn't' help but terrorize the more aged youkai and the quieter demons that inhabited their stronghold. He grinned tauntingly at a passing Eschew that gave him an odd look. He didn't care.

Anyone would be idiotic to not be energetically bouncing around and grinning madly like any common fool. Kagome was ready, the ningen Eschew were ready, and the youkai Eschew were ready. The call that rang out literally threw stolid youkai to the floor, spirits were pushed along the supernatural currents, ningen who were unaware of any mystical beings were knocked down by the force, and Kagome had laughed.

He had heard it.

X.x…

“What exactly do you know about my sister?” Shikato looked up from where he was looking out over the shrine grounds, finding the more traditional side of the house perfect for sliding shoji doors open and simply sitting and gazing. Souta and he had been knocked from their conversation by the power flare that shook the world- literally.

The TVs were raging with newscasts about the phenomenon, and Shikato found he was not interested because he had felt the truth in his soul. That was power calling to power, that was contact with what people of like desire and like heart could accomplish.

Kagome had returned, stopping briefly at their room to greet them and share with them an odd but happy reunion with the demon cat. And then she had smiled and told of business she had to accomplish.

Through all this they hadn't finished their conversation, and Shikato knew it would be best for both of them to share their versions of the histories. He shook his head, eyes blinking as he tried to collect his thoughts with the TV in the background- talking about disasters and riots and panic in the streets; a brief expose on the cults' activity, some president's speech, the military being sent out, the earthquakes and natural disasters that strangely enough never harmed anyone.

X.x…

Hiei leaned back, face blank in contemplation as he regarded his friends and their reactions to this revelation. He for one had never liked the toddler, but even he was surprised by the miko's words with the Taiyoukai. He had always been somewhat sensitive to the rambling thoughts and connecting images of strong emotions, with the help of his Jagan he had been able to discern their truth from their words.

The barrier was falling.

It was inevitable, since the reikai was unable to properly care for it like the jewel (it being sentient being was still a concept that somewhat shocked the hybrid) had hoped for. Hiei let out an exasperated breath, shaking his friends out of their stupor and drawing their attention to him. “I hate to say it but we need to…talk.” The disgusted sneer on his face set Yusuke off, Kuwabara covering his mouth to hold in an outbreak of laughter. He rolled his eyes and settled further against the tree, finding the team once again seeking refuge and answers in the park.

After the encounter in Reikai, they were all rather disgruntled and confused. This laughter was to release their tension so Hiei would allow it. They had all had separate encounters with either of the Higurashi, and then the instances where they all met. And yet they hadn't talked deeply about it yet. They hadn't discussed what was really going on, what would happen if it were all true and what they all suspected.

It was time for their confessions. Hiei entertained briefly a humorless smirk, wondering if the miko of peace could sit and listen to his confessions…

Kurama licked his lips in hesitation, fingers tapping some rhythm against his arms as he regarded some point in the past of his mind. “I went to her old school,” his eyes flickered briefly to them, ascertaining he had their attention. “I had a rather unpleasant encounter with her friends.” He spoke hesitantly, and Yusuke sat up stiffer with a growl.

“Those twits; the three giggly girls and hussy male?” Kuwabara lowered his head ominously, eyes flashing and glaring from under his fringe of red hair.

Hiei smirked slightly; lip rolling up in what some would call a sneer as he pondered Yusuke's ability to nail a descriptive so easily and brusquely. Kurama smirked, his amusement clear as well before he nodded his head and casually brushed his crimson locks behind his shoulder. “I had a rather enlightening conversation, despite their obvious bias and ignorant opinion.” His hand ran through his hair and Hiei faintly growled as he tilted his head back to hit the tree trunk. The damn fox was so used to being the drama queen it came naturally.

“Speed it up kitsune.”

Kurama caught himself with a surprised face and then sheepish amusement. “The odd spells were seizure like instances where Kagome was unresponsive to any outside stimuli. It happened often I gather, at least once a day. From what they describe she went into a meditative like trance, eyes were dilating with stillness and body going limp.” He hesitated and Hiei stiffened up straighter. Something was very personal about what he wanted to say, and he was uncertain whether he should say it or not.

The two humans were discussing the importance of this, eyes calculating and shifting between thoughts they had gathered on their own. `What is there?'

Kurama shifted, settling more weight onto one foot as he ran his fingers through his hair in nervousness. `I picked up…some faint amusement over these episodes. With the disgust and fear that came from knowing someone was different.'

Hiei stiffened more, his ability to empathize with that causing memory to briefly press against the barriers he had erected to keep his mind intact. He had been strangely at ease with the Higurashi onna, at ease enough that he could sympathize with her and not be offended in the slightest. From what he had seen she was strong enough to respect and Hiei knew there were still things they were missing. He dared to think they could only respect her more when/if they found out the rest.

“I am still unsure if Kagome is a miko reincarnate or the descendent who stumbled upon some scrolls and had her power awoken- that would account for her seizure.”

Kuwabara spoke up, bringing about a question that had been tossed about in his mind often by the telling look on his face…

X.x…

“My sister is the Heiwa no miko, and it is not because she is a reincarnation.”

X.x…

Shippou jerked as he was caught by the collar of his vest; grabbing onto his throat at the release of pressure and turning his glare up to the wolf. Ayame grinned toothily at him, arms crossing over her chest as he balefully glared at her from under his bangs.

How come the wolves were always so violent?

She let out a laugh, head tilting in distraction as she watched some other demons go about their business without hurting the ever abused Shippou-chan!!! He got up and dusted off the seat of his hakama, wondering if he had a sign on his back that made wolves treat him so roughly.

“What did you want Red?” Ayame scowled at her nickname, and he grinned unrepentantly up at her. He needed to get one up on the bigger demons every once in a while, at least until he could take refuge with his Kagome-chan.

She sighed at his theatrics, easily recognizing his shifting face for the inner mischief they had all come to recognize without Kagome there to stifle it under good intentions. “Would you calm down? Everyone is antsy enough without your jubilant display of kitsune enthusiasm.”

Hey! He caught that sarcasm.

But Shippou sighed and settled, his face turning stony as he regarded the wolf in front of him, realizing belatedly that others were trying not to eavesdrop and failing as they went about their duties.

Might as well make the most of it.

“Kagome called us, she was there. I heard her and I could almost see her and I could practically feel her warmth right in front of me.” His voice was the quiet hiss of an affronted kitsune, something that he hadn't done since he had met Kagome. How could one feel affronted when she was near to soothe and her dreams were there to guide?

Ayame drew back in alarm, her hands coming up in reflex to guard her neck at his vicious tone. “I…what?”

X.x…

The background noise of the other household occupants reached his ears, blending almost harmoniously with the sounds of the quiet television news broadcast. The whole world had been affected by the power surge on some level.

Shikato looked oddly at the fire cat, grateful for its distraction and wondering just exactly how big BIG was. Souta had been relating tales of travel and adventure and loss and the cat had played an important role. He was still trying to wrap his head around the timeline. And then he was shocked with the realization that Kagome-sama had really meant everything she said, that everyone would be welcomed equally and treated equally.

It was hard to imagine this cat being anything other than a cat.

“So you only know the brief stuff in the scrolls, a traveling monk who started your clan?” Souta questioned curiously, his hand going up to hold his chin as his gaze fell into thought. Shikato had tried to read into his personality, but he had never really been good at that, having been forced into seclusion because he believed in the old tales while everyone else had lost faith.

It wasn't really their fault; as imposters had come over time and scrolls had been lost to the natural elements.

“That must have been Miroku the pervert then.”

Shikato sputtered, rushing to sit up straighter and grasp the arms of his chair with a white knuckled grip. “What?”

Calm brown blue eyes sent him a quelling look, and Souta shook his head slightly as he scratched the demon cat absently. “I told you there was a pervert monk that traveled with my sister - con artist too - he would have been one of those able to write down the logs. He started the Ningen Eschew with Sango the demon exterminator, holding true to my sister's teachings and welcoming everyone who needed sanctuary into their home for however long it was needed.” His eyes grew calculating, darting about as he finished his thoughts before he finished his words. Shikato found the enlightenment there somehow threatening, as if he couldn't decide what would happen with this new development- or if he even wanted to hear it. “Most chose to stay and were welcomed, the clan grew to one big family without the threat of extinction due to inbreeding and the ningen warriors needed for the revolution were expanded.”

Shikato leaned back, relieved that this wasn't as big as it looked. But then he scowled; “And then they lost the spiritual path but continued the warrior teachings because it was what they worked as- bodyguards, martial arts teachers, blacksmiths and weapon smiths, you name it and its physical we love it.”

Souta still had that unholy gleam in his eye, and Shikato stumbled to a halt with his words. There was something still there, as if Souta had something to say and his eyes were the only thing that would announce his intentions. The Higurashi boy looked down slightly and his tongue came out to swipe across his bottom lip in nervousness that had Shikato raising his brow in curiosity.

“I need to offer an apology, my behavior previous wasn't awfully welcoming.”

X.x…

Damn this…

He pushed himself away from the tree lightly with his foot, catching their attention as he settled on the ground and slowly placed his katana across his lap. His elbows settled on his knees, and then his chin upon his hands. “This doesn't matter.” He ignored their surprised faces. “What matters is what we are going to do.”

Kurama's face cleared and he nodded. “Now that we have some answers from her directly we know what Koenma was being so paranoid about.” Hiei sneered and tilted his head with his eyes closed; easily recalling the baka prince's concern over a violent coup. “Since he didn't want us to know about her powers or the barrier, even with the presence of that jewel, I don't think he was planning on telling us anytime soon- even though our lives and companions are at stake.” He knew they were all looking at each other with thoughts of their loved ones, worried now that they were brought up to attention and all the repercussions of Reikai's actions reached their minds.

If the barrier was falling and they were only frantically searching for ways to repair it…what would happen when it fell? There would only be a force of magicians to try to put something powerful back up again and no one to fight the demons and possible humans that were going to make use of the lapse of force.

Everyone would be unprepared for the fall.

“There are very few humans that could hold up against any assault, the army is only for peace keeping and natural disasters since the human wars…they have no hope against trained demons that live to kill.”

“Kagome is trained like that…” Yusuke paused. “Well I know she can use weapons.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets ad slouched against a tree, Hiei looking at him askance as he let out a puff of breath that was slow and absent minded as his thoughts went elsewhere. “I caught her and her brother out shopping one time; she had weapons in one of her bags though I don't think her brother noticed. We encountered her friends then.” He briefly inclined his head to Kurama, and then his gaze drifted off slowly before coming to rest on some stray weeds that had popped up on the path near them.

They all went silent for a bit, Kuwabara leaning back heavily on the ground with a flop as he stared up at the sky.

“What we need to decide is what we are going to do about it.”

There was a silence between them; one of contemplation and memories. Because that really was the question; what are they going to do about it?

What are they going to do…?

What are you going to do?

What am I going to do?

What is going to happen?

Why were we told all of this?

X.x…

There was a silence, something that Shikato found he could ignore in favor of gaping and distracting himself with the sounds of the news. It didn't quite work as he had hoped, Souta coming up and kneeling in front of him to catch his attention.

“My sister had just come back to me after four years, years when my elders told me she would be happier wherever she was and that she probably wouldn't come back. We had always been close…” he closed his eyes, Kirara weaving around his neck for comfort as he tipped his head back in memory. “Imagine my joy when she came back to me, when she just smiled and pulled me to her for a hug and a story like the ones I had been missing.”

Shikato shifted, eyes confused and wondering.

“I had missed her. A lot.” Souta smiled dreamily, eyes softening into something Shikato had never really seen on anyone other than his father when he talked of his lost family. “And then I went with her, to simply be beside her and watch her back, to greet the remaining Eschew that needed to be contacted.” He grinned slightly, eyes still far off and adding something to the smile that made it less than happy and more than sad. “I was very put off when you came up and started talking to her with your reverent attitude; I guess I wanted to keep her to myself for a while longer.” He shifted, eyes darting to his face and he smiled apologetically.

“Then I had to call Sesshoumaru, he was to escort my sister into Reikai when they questioned her.” Shikato gaped, he had met The Sesshoumaru? “He said something to me, and it made me think. I've had my sister most my life, and she came back to me because I needed her. While she was gone she met people that needed her too, and I was being selfish. These were all her family, and I had no right to want her for myself when she was already mine. I didn't need to tell the world that and I acted like a brat when I did.”

Souta looked at him keenly, and Shikato found his throat swelling with words. The tumbled over each other in a rush to get out, and he couldn't even predict what he was going to say when he opened his mouth. “Don't apologize.” He hurried, “I would have locked her up in a closet to keep her!”

Souta's eyes widened in surprise, and then his face smiled with enlightenment and ease that had not been there previous. “You would have been surprised at what she would do to get out,” he said with that gleam back making Shikato wonder if he was speaking from experience, though now there was something there that called for Shikato to join in the mischief. “I guess the only thing I can say is welcome to the family.”

X.x…

Shippou shook his head, feeling his ponytail hit his neck and his tails swish in agitation. “I know most of you think of me as a kit, but if so then I am her kit. I have a connection with her, aided by our bond and my powers.” Here he sent her a sideways glare with a tilt of his head. “And I don't care if you guys are unsure of the revolution, or that you don't really understand what is going on. I heard her call and her dream, and it is going to happen.”

Ayame opened her mouth to say something, form now not intimidating or sure as she usually was. A few of the demons who had been trying to subtly listen were now blatantly staring, hoping for the reassurance they needed and Shippou was all too ready to give.

He snarled- ashamed a little at their disbelief, all too easily remembering himself doing the same thing at one point…all the more for him to advocate now. “The barrier is falling, and we will have secured our side of the revolution, the ningen eschew have called, and they too will secure their side. The spirits are restless, the time has come.” He looked around, making sure that his eyes did not miss a single listener so that they could all swear he was talking directly to them when they later recalled this. “Kagome has given her life to this dream, to the peace that can be achieved, and we should stand by it through all its troubles and turns- she would have done the same for our dreams.”

The frenzied motion of his own hand surprised him slightly, having gotten so worked up about Kagome and her dream and their doubt that he had been unconsciously moving his hands like she had when she had been excited about a topic. His smile returned, wistful and reminiscing.

The whispers of the audience came then, approving and certain of their path even with the uncertainty of it all and his smile broadened.

He opened his eyes lowly to watch Ayame and her blush, her hands on her hips but her posture defeated, giving the pose an odd unfinished look. His smile gentled, and she sighed and rolled her eyes, recovering and reestablishing her usual coarse dominant personality.

He stuck out his tongue in response, and he returned to bouncing off the walls.

Besides, Kagome would be there soon, and he might as well live it up while he could- there were things that would need to be done after the fall, and time for laughter and gleeful energy would be hard pressed.

He needed to be her laughter.

And he would see her, he would be able to feel her warmth as she hugged him and smell her soothing scent as she whispered in his ear about how much she'd missed him and how she couldn't believe it was all finally coming together for them. And he would smile and stay there.

With her.

He would be there with her.

Wow.

He could practically feel it. And what did he care that his enthusiasm was bordering on the insane for normal demons? He was a kitsune, and he was meeting with his soul sibling.

Yeah, who really cares?

All that mattered was a dream, the ability for them to remain strong for that dream that would aid them all.

And so he would.

And god was it fun!

Shippou laughed as he ran away from the screaming Ayame, briefly wondering about some of her curses' origins before he squeaked as an attack landed due to his wandering mind.

The surrounding demons laughed as he was chased through the halls, and he even caught the amused face of Sesshoumaru- looser with his emotions now that everything was falling into place.

Sure there was always something to do, but now they would have their miko to do it with.

And he ran and laughed and smiled.

Because right now he could.

And tomorrow….

Tomorrow he could do it with her.

.x.x.

.x.x.x.x.x

.x.x.x.X.x..x.x.