Re-Written
Chp. 1 Decisions
"Good job! Why don't you just stop and let me protect you like always." Inuyasha had yelled, while Kagome had been trying to develop her powers with Kaede.
She had been attempting, and failing miserably, to conjure a bow and arrow out of her miko, but all she had managed to produce was a small, wavering ball of light that immediately flickered out of existence and left her both physically and spiritually tired.
"Because Inuyasha, I want to help when we have to fight demons." Kagome told him, tired of having the same conversation I want to do more than point to the stupid and then hide behind you guys. I feel pathetic."
"That's because you are. Just tell us were we need to aim like a good little shard detector and shut up. That's your place."
Kagome took a deep breath, ready to put the hanyou in his place. "My place, Inuyasha?" But as she turned around, he was already gone. He could smell a sitting coming.
"Don't worry Kagome, you're getting better." Kaede told her soothingly. "He's just afraid that you won't need him one day."
"Well I just wish he'd get over himself and tell me personally." Kagome muttered, tired of getting her feeling hurt because the hanyou was too thickheaded to admit his feelings.
Later that night, and after everyone had gone to bed, Kagome, awaken by the movements of the kitsune in her sleeping bag, found herself missing one companion.
"Where's Inuyasha?' she asked herself as she sat up.
Being careful not to wake the sleeping kitsune by her side, nor any of her other friends, Kagome inched out of her sleeping bag and wandered outside. The night air was brisk, with the feel of on coming winter. Looking up into the night sky, Kagome relaxed, it was getting close to Inuyasha's time of the month and he was out sulking about it.
"Big baby." she muttered with a warm smile before heading off into the woods. Her mind made up to keep her moody hanyou company until he came to his senses.
She had gotten far enough into the woods that she began to worry again when she heard them. The whispering voice of lovers in the night. She froze on the spot, knowing that she'd only be hurting herself if she ventured further. She knew those voices, her heart was already constricting, yet her feet moved her further along.
The voices got louder and clearer as she slinked through the woods Then she saw them.
'Maybe she's trying to kill him again and he's talking sense into her.'Kagome
hopefully thought, but as she crouched behind some bushes, she saw from their body language that it was the complete opposite. 'Damn.'"I promise I'll always protect you Kikyo." Inuyasha said longingly as he swept his beloved into a one armed, yet intimate, hug.
"I know you will Inuyasha." Kikyo said running her hands through his hair.
"I love you, Kikyo." Inuyasha said leaning in for a kiss, but stopped as Kikyo leaned back and put a finger over his lips.
"What about my reincarnation?" she asked removing her hand for him to speak.
"What about her?" he asked agitated at her resistance.
"We can't be truly be together, Inuyasha. I'm only a shadow in this world without a whole soul." Kikyo said as she nuzzled Inuyasha's neck.
"So what do you want me to do?" he asked with an uncertain edge to my voice.
"I need the rest of my soul." She told him in a voice as cold as her body.
"You want me to kill her?" he asked in surprise as Kikyo stepped away from him. "Isn't their any other way?"
"If there was, do you think I'd be here?" Kikyo asked him sharply, but sensing that she was losing him, she edged back into his embrace and softened her
voice. "Please, being apart from you is worse than undeath."
"But…she trusts me, she loves me…" he pleaded quietly, as he inhaled her scent.
"I love you too, Inuyasha. I need you. And you love me too. You loved me first." Here she kissed him. "Don't let me go…again."
"I'll kill her before dawn, while everyone is still asleep," he finally answered after a pause before kissing her Kikyo passionately, and erasing Kagome from his heart.
Kagome, who had been watching sadly and was started to tear up, now became scared for her life. With moves, she didn't even know she had, she began running in her crouch position until she was out of Inuyasha's earshot and then ran with all her might until she was back in the village.
She made it back to the hut in record time and found that everyone was still sleeping. She thought about waking and telling them or not, but at the last minute she decided against it.
Quickly grabbing her essentials, Kagome left Shippo in the sleeping bag, threw her sack over her shoulder, and with a final, and long, look back at her
friends, Kagome headed for the door.
"Lady Kagome are you trying to sneak off again, without saying good-bye?" Miroku asked, as he awoke to see Kagome trying to escape, but as he saw her face filled with distress and fear, he knew it was more than sneaking off. "What is the matter?"
"Oh Miroku, he's going to kill me." She said distressfully, her voice flat with heartbreak.
"You must be mistaken, Kagome, it was probably just a nightmare."
"I wish it was, but I saw them. I heard them. They plan to get her soul back. He's going to kill me, for her."
He thought this over. "Well, you know we won't let him hurt you Kagome."
"I know, but I don't want you guys to get hurt over me."
"I'll miss you Kagome." He said sweeping her into a non-perverted hug. "Be safe."
She was shocked for a moment before returning the hug, and with a polite peck on the lips, she backed away. "I don't know what his reaction will be when he finds me gone."
"I'll let you get ahead before I wake the others. I'll get them awake and away from here before he knows what happens." Miroku promised, catching her unspoken warning.
"Good-bye Miroku." And with a last look, she grabbed her bag and darted out the door.
"So long, Kagome."
She was running again. She ran out the village, over the bridge, through the field, through the forest, and before she knew it she was at the well. Tossing her bag in she took one last look at the feudal age before she jumped. Leaving only a pained tear as a good-bye.
She sat at the bottom of the well in her own time now. Not crying, or thinking but just sitting. It was all she could do. She felt so numb. A sudden clap of thunder jolted her out of her trance. Climbing out of the well with bag in hand, she saw that there was a storm going on. Putting her bag down, she grabbed one of her grandpa's seals, and using the little bit of miko she could gather, she sealed the well with the one spell she successfully learned from Kaede.
She left the bag in the well house as she slowly made her way to the house, not caring that she was being soaked to the bone. Making it to the door, she turned the knob on the door to find it locked. She knocked so lightly that she doubted anybody heard it. She didn't care though, she felt like dirt.
As she stood at the door, she stared at it as if it was the cause of her problems. When the door was opened, she didn't even flinch at the sudden burst of light. There stood her mother holding the door open with one hand and her robe closed with the other.
"Kagome?" she asked taken aback, "I thought I heard someone out here."
"Mama!" Kagome cried as she launched herself onto her mother letting the tears she was holding in come out with vengeance. She sobbed loudly as she held onto her mother, knowing she couldn't stop the tears even if she tried.
"It's alright Kagome, come on and tell me what happened." She said as she led Kagome into the living room. By now, Sota and grandpa had arrived. And sat down listening to Kagome's story with a patience she never knew they had.
After she finally mamaged to get her story out, and they promised her that she never had to go back down the well, Kagome retired to her room, now in dry clothes and wrapped in blankets. She sat on her window sill, and watched the rain as her tears continued to fall.
She sighed a shaky sigh, as she frowned. She was so damn tired of crying.
It took a little over six months, but she did it. Her life was finally normal again.
She had brought her grades up, her friends no longer thought of her as terminally ill, and she was pretty sure she could beat any demon that came her way. Especially if it was a certain white-haired hanyou.
With him freshly on her mind, Kagome gave an extra edge to her attack as she kicked the hell out of her punching bag, fittingly named 'Inuyasha.'
She started training a few weeks after arriving home. And her family were more than supportive of her. Her mother and grandpa had turned the basement into a private gym for her. It was filled with a punching bag, mats, weights, Trampolines, back and abs machines, balance bars, a flat bench, a bicep blaster, a pec dec, elliptical trainers, a medicine ball, and an exercise bike. She studied kickboxing, martial arts, wrestling, and street fighting. She also tried some yoga to make herself flexible. Souta was the most helpful of them all. He was like her little trainer. He'd jog with her. Watch her exercise and sometimes acted as an opponent when she was sparring.
To come to think of it, she enjoyed spending time with her brother, especially with him so supportive. She even started getting him to become a better fighter, after he came home from school with a black eye and torn clothes, because of bullies.
Kagome wore gray spandex pants and a tank top, and had her hair in a ponytail. She had ankle and wrist weights on now as she punched the Inuyasha bag.
"Alright Kagome, that's enough. Time for a run." Souta said handing Kagome a towel and water bottle.
"Okay Souta and how about after that, I buy pizza?" Kagome asked as they walked out side.
"Sounds great." He said as he jumped on Kagome's back. Then she started her daily run with Souta on her back.
Today was Kagome's day to relax. Too bad she couldn't since her friends decided she needed to spend it with them.
"So Kagome, what ever happened to that guy you were going out with behind our backs." Yuri asked as they walked down the streets of Tokyo.
Kagome's turned red when she realized they were talking about Inuyasha. "Oh him, we were never really going out. But I wouldn't even if he was the last guy on earth, the bastard."
"So that means you're on the market again." Ayame said not un-nerved by Kagome's language.
"Yeah, I guess." Kagome said not liking where this was going.
"Too bad Hojo moved away huh?" said Ayame.
"Yeah." Kagome lied, she was actually glad.
"Well you need a boyfriend." Yuri said thinking
"No I don't really need anyone right now." Kagome said trying to get them to lie off.
"How about one of those guys over there?" Ayame asked.
"Didn't I just say I don't need anybody?"
"Where? What guys?" Yuri said looking around frantically.
"What are you looking for? I said no."
"Over there looking at us." Ayame said indicating across the street.
"Ooh there cute. Which one do you want Kagome? Kagome? Hey what's the matter?" Yuri asked looking concernedly at Kagome, who was currently frowning at the boys, who in return, were looking at her.
Kagome didn't pay any attention to her friends. She had sensed demonic energy from the boys staring at her. One was wearing a green suite, and had black slicked back hair. There was a tall goofy looking red head guy wearing a blue suite. There was another red head, wearing pink? He looked the nicest of the group, but she sensed the demon aura around him and the last guy. He looked the meanest, someone you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, cemetery, or anything dark. He had spiky black hair and a serious look, and he was the shortest of them all, wearing all black.
There was an eerie silence as Kagome stared at the strange guys, the strange guys stared at Kagome, and Yuri and Ayame stared at them both.
Kagome's eyes narrowed as they started to whisper among themselves. She knew she could fight them, but that would be endangering her friends and everyone else in the area.
"Umm Kagome, do you know them?" Ayame asked breaking the staring contest between them.
"No, come on. I...I don't feel very good now, take me home." she lied as they ushered her home.
When Kagome arrived home, it was dark out. Going up to her room, she ran herself a hot bath. She found herself doing this a lot. Soaking in the tub for thinking time.
While she soaked in the bath, she thought about those demons.
She stayed in the water until it started to get cold. Getting out she wrapped a towel around her and went in her room to put on her sleeping clothes. In her room, she got a sudden chill. Wrapping her arms around herself, she looked around for the source of coldness. The window, it was wide open. Walking over to it, she stuck her head out looking around for any sign of movement. Not seeing any she quickly stood up and slammed it closed. And the curtains.
The weekend came and went quickly. Too quickly for Kagome. It was a dreary day that looked as if it promised rain. The weather reflected Kagome's mood perfectly. She trudged her way slowly to school, all thoughts of demons gone from her head. She merely thought of the day ahead of her filled with evil teachers, gossiping friends, and guidance counselors who thought you would just breakdown at any moment.
Kagome made it to school about a minute before class. And as she sat with her friends gossiping, she started to feel cheery again, ignoring the faint throbbing of the Shikon jewel around her neck. It wasn't until the throbbing started pushing against her throat, making it hard to breathe, that she acknowledged it.
'Oh, no,' She was so engrossed into thinking about the Shikon jewel shards around her neck; she didn't hear a word the teacher was saying. Not that anyone was though. "Okay, you bunch quiet down." The teacher said at the front of the class. Catching everyone's attention. "For some bizarre reason, the school board has chosen our school to receive transfer students." "There are four of them, and they are from the other side of Tokyo. And luckily, they all have been put in my class." He said sarcastically. Going over to the door, he yanked it open then turned around and headed for his desk, where he sat down and began to read his newspaper. Four boys walked in looking around at the class. Kagome choked down the gasp that begged to be let out. 'Those are the guys from town.' She thought. "These are the new transfer students." The teacher droned on behind his paper. 'That's why the Shikon jewel was acting funny.' "Yuske, Kurama, Hiei, and Kuabawra take a seat, and be quiet." 'It's acting funny, because there after it.' A sudden chill went down Kagome's spine. Looking up she saw why. The two guys with the demon auras had just passed her on either side, and they were very close. Glancing behind her to the left, she saw the red head with green eyes had sat a seat behind her on the row next to her. She also saw the two humans had taken seats at the back of the classroom. Looking back at the redhead demon, she began to analyze his type. 'A kitsune.' she noted in her mind. Feeling her gaze on him Kurama looked up and gave her a gentle smile. Realizing she had been caught staring quickly turned her head. After a few minutes, she looked over to the other demon. He had taken a seat by the window, and was currently staring out of it. Using this distraction to her benefit, she quickly analyzed this one. 'A fire demon,' she thought, 'but there's more than meets the eye on this firecracker.' With his head still facing the window, Hiei glared at the girl, who was currently looking at him, out the corner of his eye. She seemed to notice this for she had tensed up and quickly faced the other way. He couldn't help it as a smirk soon adorned his face. 'Twice. I've been caught staring twice. They probably know I know now. Or they think I'm one of those girls who do nothing, but stare at cute guys.' Now that she thought about it, she almost giggled at the thought that she was going to have a chance to finally see if her training had paid off. But that thought was pushed down as, she felt the pulsing of the Shikon jewel half around her neck. And it was at that precise time that she felt four pairs of eyes glaring, and staring at her from behind. 'Must keep this baby safe.' She thought taking off the necklace and placing it in her bra. 'Now let them try to get it.' She thought proudly as she took out her CD player and began to sketch in her sketchbook.
'Whew this has been one long day.' "Oh great." She yelled in frustration as she stooped down to gather her fallen things. "Thanks for helping people." She muttered as they walked over her stuff. Some even laughing. "Is this yours?" A gentle voice asked in front of Kagome. She looked up into he green eyes of the kitsune. His three friends behind him. "Umm, yeah thanks." She said quickly taking it and stuffing it in her book sack. "I'm Kurama, by the way, and these are my friends Yuske, Kuabawra, and Hiei," he said as he knelt down in front of her to help, as his friends just nodded when they were named. Kagome was silent a moment, before she realized that they wanted to know her name. "I'm Kagome." "It's nice to meet you Kagome. My friends and I were wondering if you could show us around the school, we can hardly find anything without becoming lost." Gathering the last of her things in her backpack, and zipping it thoroughly, she stood up and swung it onto her back. She glanced around and making sure that they were the only ones left in the hall, and then gave the boys in front of her a good glare. "Oh come off it foxy, how dumb do you think I am? Firstly, you've been here half the day, and you just decided to ask someone for a tour. And secondly I don't go off with strange demons, and their pet humans, I don't know." They were startled at first, before what she said registered on their mind. Kurama looked impressed. Hiei was smirking. And... "WE ARE NOT THEIR PETS!" Kuabawra and Yuske screamed at the same time. Yuske then stepped forward. "I'm Yusuke Urameshi, Spirit detective, and if you ever insult me like that again you'll regret it." He said brandishing a fist in her face. She didn't even flinch. Looking at his fist, she pushed it slowly out of her face with her hand then looked him calmly in the eyes. "Was that supposed to intimidate me? And what is a spirit detective?" "Wait you mean to tell me you know about demons, but not spirit detectives. I'm confused," Kuwabara, asked scratching his head. "Yeah, that's right. Now what do you want?" Kagome snapped at them. "We are here to retrieve the Shikon jewel shards you possess." Hiei spoke up, startling Kagome. "Well I'm sorry you came all the way over here for nothing, because you aren't getting it." She then turned around to leave, only to come face to face with Hiei. "I'd change my mind if I were you, girl." He sneered. Looking him in the eye, she smiled. "I'm shaking in my little skirt?" this only made him madder. "Hand it over, girl." he growled reaching his hand out to grab her, but Kagome, who had been training her miko skills, had trained her eyes to see even the slightest movemnets, and when he stuck his hand out, she grabbed it caught him in the stomach with her foot and sent him flying over her head and into the others. She now stared at them in a crouched position, with a wicked grin on her face, and just as Hiei was about to attack again. She was gone. Leaving only her laughter. And four dazed boys.
After school, Kagome slipped away from her friends and the boys, and made it home without a problem.
"Mom? Grandpa? Sota?" she yelled into the quiet house.
No answer.
"Wonder where they are?" she asked herself.
Walking into the kitchen, she snuck some cake out of the refrigerator. Closing the door, she finally noticed the note pinned to it.
Dear Kagome
Grandpa stubbed his toe on a tree root today. We have taken him to the hospital. We will try to be back as soon as possible. And don't eat any more cake.
Mom
P.S Make sure to take your jog, and exercise.
Souta
Sighing Kagome finished her piece of cake, and headed upstairs for her exercise suit.
After a few stretches in her yard, Kagome began her run, taking the stairs one at a time with her ponytail flopping behind her like a... something that flops. Once reaching the end of the steps, Kagome turned and went towards the city where she got practice in agility by jogging through the crowds of people in town.
Waving to familiar faces, and just nodding at people she didn't know, she headed to the park, where she would turn and head home
She jogged to a secluded area of the park where thick trees grew. This was her daily routine and she loved this part of the park. Here she would rest on he lone bench in privacy before beginning her trek home.
She was catching her breath on the bench, when two newly familiar auras hit her senses.
'Uh-oh, time to go. But it was too late. As she stood up to leave, there in her path stood Yusuke and Kuabawra, smirking at her. Turning on her heel she tried the other way, but found it also blocked by Hiei and Kurama. "Now you weren't trying to leave were you?" Hiei smirked as she sneered at them and started to back up. 'Shit!' she muttered at they closed in on her. She didn't hear what they were saying and she didn't care. All she knew was that she had to escape. Smirking she gathered her energy to perform her vanishing act. Casting the spell, she made a wild dash towards the exit, only to see Kurama and Hiei already standing there. "Huh? How? Why aren't you? Why didn't my spell work on you?" Kagome stammered. "Because we're invincible." Yusuke told her cockily. And the next thing Kagome knew were two strong arms being wrapped around her. Pinning her arms to her side. Thrashing her feet around frantically, Kagome tried with all her might to shake the person off, with no avail. "I'll scream rape, I swear I will!" "Would you please calm down Miss Higurashi, this won't hurt a bit." Kurama said politely, ignoring the scowl Kagome was giving him as he held a yellow flower in her face, which spurted out an orange fume. As Kagome inhaled the gas, she began to feel dizzy. The last thing she saw before sub coming to the darkness clouding her mind, was a blue haired girl, on an oar?
When Kagome had awoken, she had to blink a few times for the room to come into focus. The first thing she noticed was that she had been tied up by some black rope that came somewhere from the ceiling, which had her hanging about 5ft from the floor. Looking around she noticed she was in an office, alone.
Realizing this she began to think of some kind of escape plan. But before a plan could formulate, the door to the office opened, and five figures walked in.
'Oh look it's my four favorite kidnappers, and a baby.' Kagome thought as she eyed them with an evil glare no sign of a blue haired girl anywhere.
"Ah, I see you're finally awake Miss Higurashi." The new guy said now standing in front of Kagome, unwary of her glare.
"Who are you, and what do you want with me?" Kagome asked.
"Ahem, I am Koenma prince of the spirit world, and I have summoned you miko, Higurashi, Kagome, to help my spirit detectives on their next assignment. To find 5 magical relics."
"What do you need me for? That sounds pretty easy enough."
"The relics were made by a powerful miko, by the name of Midoriko. These relics alone are very powerful, but combined can make a tremendously powerful weapon."
"Which is?" Kagome dragged out.
"Don't know." Koenma said causing everyone to sweat drop.
"And why do you need me again?"
"Because the relics were made by a miko so they can be easily found with a miko."
"Well tough cookies cause I ain't doing it." Kagome said sticking her tongue out at him, satisfied with herself.
"But you are the only known miko in history." Koenma whined.
"Too bad, too sad."
"Hmm. I thought that might be your answer. So that is why I've had the decency to have this made for you," he said pulling out a black band as wide as a basketball.
Stepping closer to Kagome he put it over her head, were it immediately shrunk to fit her neck like a chocker, and a little blue gem appeared in the middle.
It was a collar.
Gasping, Kagome swung her legs up and locked them around Koenma's neck "GET THIS OFF ME YOU JERK!" she screamed while trying to choke the life out of him.
Kagome had been so enraged that she didn't notice that someone had pried her legs off Koenma's neck until she saw him straightening his clothes with a calm expression on his face like nothing had happened, although his neck was pretty red.
"Now. Ahem. Miss Higurashi. This coll..." he started to say but stopped after seeing the look Kagome gave him. "Err I mean. This choker is linked spiritually to the four people standing behind you there."
Kagome didn't need to look to know who he was talking about. She just continued to stare at him. "So how is this going to keep me from not helping you?" she asked with begrudged interest.
"Well let's just say it keeps you from killing or being out of a mile of either of them. Or you would be put under 120 watts of electricity."
"Ah. I see." she said eyebrows disappearing into he bangs.
There was a strained silence.
"So, how am I supposed to help you again?" she asked in a defeated tone.
"Good girl." Koenma said as he snapped his fingers. And the rope that held Kagome gently lowered her to the floor, where she stood with her back to the spirit detectives, arms crossed and nose in the air. Listening to what Koenma said although it looked as if she wasn't paying attention.