Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love's Choices ❯ Kekkai Barrier Falls ( Chapter 18 )

Love's Choices

Chapter XVIII

Kekkai Barrier Falls

 

Summary: You love more than one person, but who do you choose? Kagome has always loved Inuyasha, but on a visit to her old friend she meets Hiei. Falling for him over the duration of the stay, but who does she choose, her new love Hiei or her first love Inuyasha? And Inuyasha has his own choice to make, the dead Kikyo or the living Kagome? Everyone seems to have their own choices to make! But when they make their choices, will it be too late?

 

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yuyu Hakusho or Inuyasha! I wish I did, but sadly... I don't.

 

Author's Note: I've created a new website where you can talk about fanfics, and in one of the boards it's possible to get a sneak peak at some of the fics I'm working on, as well as ask questions about any of my fics. Here's the site url: http://chrystalhearts64.webs.com/

 

Let's talk telepathy

//Hiei//

\\Kurama\\

--Yusuke--

((Someone else))

 

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“She's got more steps than you do grandma.” Yusuke proclaimed as he looked up the stairs of the Higure shrine.

 

“Shut up and climb dimwit. We need to hurry into the barrier.” Genkai said as she glared at the boy.

 

“I'm hurrying.” He grumbled as he began making his way up.

 

Since no one seemed to be paying them any mind, Botan was using her oar to fly up. The others were steadily making their way up, and when they reached the top they were faced with three people pointing weapons at them. “Who are you, and what business have you with this shrine?” asked a tall male with violet eyes.

 

“Miroku-san!” a boy shouted as he ran out to them and stopped him. “These are nee-san's friends and our grandmother.”

 

“Miroku?” Yusuke asked, wide-eyed. “Ah… how?”

 

“It'll be explained later.” The boy said as he turned to them with a smile. “Come on into the house.”

 

“Right,” the man said before pausing. “A man with shoulder length red hair will be coming as well. His name's Shuichi, but we call him Kurama. He'll have his mom, step-dad, and step-brother with him.”

 

“Alright,” the violet eyed man said calmly.

 

It didn't take them long to find Kagome standing in front of Goshinboku. Power was steadily rising from her body, casting a silver glow upon her silken skin. When she opened her eyes, the group was startled to see pure silver looking back at them. She smiled then, and opened her arms as Rin raced to her and Shippo also hugged her tightly. “Rin was so worried momma. Rin thought you might've been hurt.”

 

“What's happening?” Shippo questioned as he looked into the now silver eyes of his mother.

 

“The worlds are crumbling.” She replied softly. “Soon both will merge into being one again and the demons will roam throughout Ningenkai just as they did in Sengoku Jedai.”

 

“What?!” Botan exclaimed wide eyed.

 

“I don't want demons roaming around.” Keiko said as she shivered slightly.

 

Kagome's silver eyes turned a glare upon the woman who seemed to despise youkai, and yet was friends with a few. “I suggest you refrain from speaking like that while on the sacred grounds of this shrine.” Once that was said, Kagome turned her back on them and returned to the tree where she steadily increased the output of her power. A sense of calm spread throughout the grounds as the barrier once again trembled, but still it held strong; feeding off the energy of the priestess whom lay within.

 

“What're you doin Kag?” questioned Yusuke as he looked upon her glowing form.

 

“Without constant energy, the barrier will fall,” she whispered softly as the barrier in question once again trembled from the strain. “I have to keep it up in order to protect everyone.”

 

“Why are the worlds crumbling?” asked the ferry-girl as she looked to the miko.

 

“The separation barrier between the realms has shattered. Powerful enemies are approaching and this is their first step in taking over.” A sigh escaped the miko's lips before she once more looked at all of them. “Botan, can you get a message to Reikai, letting them know that they will be first to be under attack?”

 

“How do you know that?”

 

“Call it a premonition.”

 

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It had been hours since the group had arrived at the Higure shrine, and it was a bit after their arrival that Kurama had shown up. The part that surprised them was that other people soon began showing up; those of religion who believed the spirituals of the shrine could save and protect them. From what some of the people were saying, it appeared that demons had already begun crossing the now falling barrier.

 

Others who began arriving recently showed various signs that demons were indeed roaming the city, as they arrived with varying degrees of injuries and wounds. Kagome gently spoke reassuring words to them as she treated the wounds she held. It was shortly after Miroku took of powering the barrier that a strong aura began approaching the shrine. It sent all the demons on alert, but Shippo's nose began twitching as he slowly made his way over to the shrine steps, “Kaede?”

 

Kagome's eyes snapped to the boy before she herself rushed to the crest of the steps. Reaching it, she saw a young woman whom was close in looks to herself and Kikyo. As her eyes took in the woman's figure, they grew moist with happiness, “it is you.”

 

“Aye child,” the woman said with a warm smile. “I have reincarnated into this body with my memories returned to me.” Kagome rushed to embrace her as the others moved to the steps to take in the sight of her. Sango and Miroku both were teary eyed as they looked upon her younger visage. They also noticed that their miko friend had both of her eyes and was looking at them with an aged happiness. “It is good to see ye two as well.”

 

“What exactly is going on here?” Yusuke asked as Keiko moved next to his side. She had arrived shortly after Kurama's family had done so.

 

“This is Kaede-sama from the village of Edo which resides five hundred years in the past,” Kagome announced.

 

Yusuke, Hiei, Kurama, Kuwabara, and Shizuru all took in the amount of power which the young woman was giving off and were all confused on it. Kuwabara and Shizuru were curious as to how she had managed to gain so much power, but the other three were curious as to how she had so much. In the story that Kagome had told them, Kaede was not listed as one of the power fighters. It was Kagome whom answered their question, “it seems that your power has returned to you.”

 

“When I was reborn I was given the powers I once held, and I am once again in my prime.”

 

“How are all these long dead people being revived?” questioned the spirit detective as he looked at the Shikon miko.

 

“I have very powerful friends in the right places; also there is the fact that they are needed, and Kaede was reincarnated, not revived.”

 

“Powerful friends?” questioned the now curious Kurama.

 

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It had been days since the barrier separating the worlds had begun to fall, and the barrier that surrounded the shrine had ceased to tremble at all. With Kaede also residing within, the power the barrier received was maxed out and making it completely stable. Kagome's family was helping out with as much as they could considering there were many people now staying on the shrine grounds. It almost looked like a small village was forming there.

 

Kagome was currently meditating underneath the Goshinboku with her eyes closed and her countenance was seemingly peaceful. It was like this that Souta and the others found her as they rushed to her side. Both her brother and Kuwabara simultaneously shouted that demons were attacking their barrier and that Kaede had requested her presence. When her eyes opened, they were her normal sapphire with emerald flecks. They knew then that something had shifted and changed, “the barrier has finally fallen.”

 

That left several stunned people in her wake as she moved to where she felt the other miko's aura. It was near the top of the steps that lead to the shrine that Kaede stood, and Kagome moved directly to her side. “So it has happened; the barrier has finally finished falling.”

 

“Reikai will soon flee.”

 

“Koenma shall come here with Botan and his personal ogre, George, while Enma will head toward the Makai.”

 

“We need to be prepared.”

 

“First we must know what is happening in the other realm. While the barrier may be down, the worlds have not finished merging.”

 

“That will happen quickly though, and we will need to know quickly.” Kagome paused as she began thinking on what it was that they needed to do. “It is my opinion that we should send Kurama into the Makai in order to gather information.”

 

“I agree, as he seems to be one of the smarter ones, and he can use plants in his reconnaissance. It would be a very wise decision, and as it is, it is you r decision as you are the highest ranking being here.”

 

“Highest ranking?”

 

Kaede nodded with a knowing smile, “aye child. As it stands you held high youkai status and your relationship with Enma only boosts that, plus this is your shrine and you are alpha of your pack, even if you are mated.”

 

The Shikon miko blushed as she heard the last part, “so you noticed?”

 

“It was not hard to do, child. As it is, I can even see the energy that forms your mark.”

 

With another blush and her hand reaching to her neck, Kagome nodded and left to let the others know of her decision. Kurama's mother took it a little difficultly at first, before Kagome assured her that she knew the woman's son would be perfectly fine. Kurama had easily accepted the choice she had made and was planning to leave without questioning her on it.

 

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The afternoon of the day Kurama left found Souta and Shippo practicing with Sango to learn how to handle a sword. Rin was with Kaede learning how to harness her miko ki into arrows and fire them using a bow. The little girl was not the best shot, but she was pretty close to being accurate, and with practice her aim would become precise. Kagome was once again meditating below the sacred tree as Hiei and Yusuke used the time to train; Kuwabara had been training with them, but soon found himself unable to keep up with the duo and left to watch the other boys train. Upon seeing him there, Sango offered to train with him, though he was if-y knowing that he'd be fighting a girl. In the end, Kohaku showed up and offered to spar with him so his sister could focus on teaching the others.

 

Miroku was actually among the people taking shelter on the shrine premises, trying to find people who held even the smallest amount of energy within them. He found a few, all with dormant energy, but they were good enough. All that he found were ushered to another part of the grounds where he explained to them why they were picked. Several of the girls were scared when he finished explaining, and he let them know that they wouldn't need to be afraid once their training was over. A few of the men looked afraid as well, but they were all prepared to do what was needed.

 

It was while he was explaining to them how to tap into their dormant powers that Kagome showed up, and she was wearing a thoughtful frown. Noticing this, Miroku paused in his explanation, “is something wrong Kagome-sama.”

 

“I have spread my senses out as far as I could and have found several others that are still trying to survive within the city. I was thinking on a plan to get to the, though I am beginning to think it best if I go alone.”

 

“There is something else troubling you,” it was a statement and not a question.

 

“I can feel Yukina heading this way, and she is accompanied by several demons, though I know not who they are.”

 

The monk nodded at that before looking into her eyes, “you should head into town to get the survivors, I will go to Hiei and see if he can find out whom the demons with her are. Also, I should like your and Kaede's help in training those with spiritual capabilities.”

 

“You'll need to speak with Kaede on that, but I see no problem with it if she is also willing. As it is, Kaede is already helping to train Rin.”

 

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Kagome slowly made her way past the many demons that were scouring the town for human meat. It wasn't easy, but the miko had quickly reached where she sensed the most survivors. She recognized the place as being the Hojo family pharmacy. Upon entering, she saw the family themselves. Hojo instantly recognized her and raced to my side, “oh my, Kagome are you alright.”

 

Said girl gave a slow nod as she looked around the shop, also noticing Yuka, Eri, and Yume. The three girls were all huddled together in a corner with several children who looked very scared; one of the children even appeared to be injured. Her eyes roved the young child's body and noticed broken bones and even deep gashes, “what happened to him?”

 

Noticing her look, Hojo answered sadly that the boy was attacked by one of the things outside, “it was his parents that sacrificed themselves to save him, but we can't seem to do anything that helps him.”

 

“Alright,” and she slowly made her way to the young boy while carefully being watched by the others present. “What's your name?”

 

The young boy looked at her with dark almost black eyes that seemed lost and broken, “Kenji.”

 

“Would you like to come to my shrine and be safe, Kenji?” the others in the room paused at the word `safe'.

 

“No place is safe from those… demons.”

 

The girl sighed at the venom behind the term before pulling the boy into her lap and shushing him when he started to protest, “not all demons are like the ones outside, some will actually protect humans.” All those who were present were now looking at the girl like she was insane, especially the boy in her arms. “I suppose it is futile to argue you into believing me at the moment, so I will simply have to show you.”

 

“What are you talking about Kagome? We can't possibly leave this place,” Hojo argued as he looked at her. “The things outside killed most of our parents, even mine were attacked by them.”

 

Looking him in the eyes, the miko said coolly, “if you wish to die, remain here. My home is safe from the demons whom wish to do harm.”

 

“How do you want us to get there?” asked Eri as she stepped forward and away from the rest of her friends.

 

“I will lead you there and protect you, but first I must find the other survivors who remain within this city.”

 

“You can't leave!” argued Hojo as he looked right at her.

 

Eyes flashing silver as she looked at him, caused all of them to back away from her, “you can not stop me.”

 

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An hour later and all of the survivors being crowded into the pharmacy had Kagome looking around them and back to a corner that had seven wounded. Her next focus was on the medicines and other supplies that were within the store. It was then that she nodded to herself as she turned to Eri, “gather any of the girls and children, then gather any supplies we might need.” The girl nodded as she grabbed everyone that fit the description given her. Next the miko turned to the men, “you will carry any wounded, those who are not needed to do so will help with the supplies. We leave in an hour.”

 

And so was how it went until the people were all ready to leave, some more reluctantly than others. As soon as they took more than seven steps outside, the demons were on them and the people were screaming. Kagome merely looked at them calmly before raising a barrier as one of the demons attempted to strike, making it disintegrate in moments. This caused all of the other demons to hiss that a miko was among the group. Kagome simply smiled and continued walking, commanded the others to keep around her and stick close.

 

It was not long before the reached the bottom of the steps to Higure Shrine and the others all seemed to race up the steps and into the safety that they were promised. What they saw made them freeze as they crested the steps to see several demons in the courtyard. Kagome was soon to arrive and looked them over carefully before spotting Yukina and another ice maiden and waving the two over. The humans backed away slowly as the two approached, until Kagome called for the men to bring Kenji to her. Not wishing to make the demons mad, they did so.

 

As it was, the humans let go of him a ways before reaching them, causing Kagome to glare and Yusuke to race forward and catch the boy, also glaring at the now cowering humans. At least until the boy began whimpering in both fear and pain, so he quickly carried him over to the two maidens. Kagome gently soothed the boy as she asked one of the girls to do something to the boy that the others couldn't hear. The group all tensed as a blue glow encased the girl's hands as she placed them over the young boy's chest.

 

“You all can relax, Yukina is simply healing him,” said Kuwabara as he stepped from inside the house that was on the grounds.

 

“You trust that demon?” questioned several of the people.

 

Eri was one of the only ones who looked like she believed him, the only others were the smaller children who were all looking at Kenji in surprise as the pain filled look slowly eased from his face. Kagome though, turned to Rei and spoke with her a few moments before looking back at the group she had brought. “I want all wounded to see either Yukina or Rei, which would be these two women here, and all those not injured are to head to the other side of the house. I'll send Miroku there shortly to check on you.”

 

All but Eri and the children started to leave at her command. Kagome looked to her long time friend and smiled as a little girl came running up with a young woman slightly behind her, “there was an aura of fear and anger here, so we came to see what it was.”

 

“Many of the survivors are not happy with the idea of demons being here, though Eri and the children seem to be pretty ok with it.”

 

“I'm ok with your decisions, because you're my best friend and I trust in your decisions,” Eri commented as she walked over to them.

 

Kaede's eyes appraised her as she stood beside Kagome, before she turned to her fellow miko, “she has spiritual awareness.”

 

Kagome looked at her now surprised and confused friend more closely before nodding, “how would you like to train to become a priestess Eri? You woul be able to protect yourself as well as others from the demons which so relentlessly attack humans.”

 

“Would I be able to conjure that thing you did that protected all of us on the way here,” the girl asked with interest.

 

“Hai, with time you would be able to perhaps.”

 

“Then yes, I want to train. I want to be able to protect.”

 

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Here is chapter eighteen of this story, Love's Choices. I hope that you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'm sorry that I haven't been updating as much recently, but I hope I can at least update all of my stories once before schools starts again, as well as my new job. I will not be leaving any stories unfinished as I will eventually finish them no matter what. Now I want to thank all of my loyal readers who have been waiting patiently for this update.