Where My Heart Lies

InuYasha sat on a rather high branch in the God Tree. He wanted to be away from the others, but close enough in case trouble came up. His legs dangled on either side of the branch, his back braced against the trunk. Raising a hand to his chest, he touched the healing wound then brought his hand to his eyes. Blood. Only a little now. When Kagome had struck him, most of the damage had been taken by his haori. Soon, the mark would be healed entirely and it would be as if nothing had happened at all.

He looked down at his chest. Kagome's mark was just to the side of his heart. Between his heart and where Kikyo had struck him. He felt... he didn't know. The feeling was more foreign to him than the love he felt for Kagome. And it was so much worse because of that. He still loved her... just... didn't trust her. The knowledge of that cause a deep ache in his soul. He hadn't wanted to trust her, but she had broken every barrier he had erected. And now.... He had regretted leaving the moment he leapt into the trees, but he didn't know what else to do. He had to get away, he couldn't think straight. InuYasha remembered the look in her eyes. Anger, frustration, fear... so many things. Then she had pushed him away, literally.

He closed his eyes. He was angry, mostly at himself for letting his heart get in the way of everything. He felt hurt, .. and betrayed. Kikyo's betrayal was hard, he thought he would never again feel anything like it. This had been so much worse, somehow. Kagome. Kind, gentle, loving Kagome. Never, never had he thought she would ever strike out at him, other than to sit him when she was angry. Two voices, one belonging to the part that loved and hoped, the other to the one that feared and was bitter, warred inside his head.

But she said it was an accident! This voice was small, crying out. She was angry! Kagome would never intentionally hurt you

When has she ever used her powers other than to attack? The other voice was hard, angry.

It was an accident! Remember her eyes? You ran before you or she could find out why it happened! Kagome's pleading face swam behind his closed lids. His heart lurched a little.

Come on! It wasn't like before, she wasn't possessed! She attacked you, in anger. She already knows her powers can kill you. It's just like Kikyo.

At this, InuYasha closed his mind off to the two arguing sides of his heart. Maybe she had meant to strike him. Maybe it was an accident. All he knew was that he didn't want to feel this.. hollowness, as if she had pulled away a part of him, again. He didn't want to care this much. He wasn't going to give her the chance to do so again. Hardening his heart as best he could, InuYasha jumped down and landed nimbly on the balls of his feet. Slowly, he headed back to the village.

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Sango held Kagome for a little longer as her tears subsided. The tears she had shed had been silent ones, the kind that hurt the most, making her gasp quietly and her shoulders shake. Finally she had risen, eyes dry. Wordlessly, Sango rose with her and started to walk back to the hut. Kagome wrapped her arms tight around her body and hung her head, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes, not wanting Sango to feel the need to try and talk to her. Though the energy orb had been small, the significance of her strike at InuYasha was enormous. She had literally lashed out at the one most dear to her heart, because she was angry. There was no excuse. Kagome knew InuYasha had replayed the horrible, recurring scene of he and Kikyo in his mind. Knew it from the look he had given her. She shut her eyes tight to stop fresh tears. She didn't want to be like Kikyo! She never wanted to hurt InuYasha!

"Kagome."

The two girls stopped, raising their heads at the wizened voice to the left. Kagome brought her eyes slowly to those of her sensai. Kaede read the sorrow and regret written in them, and nodded to herself. This was the right decision.

"Kagome, I need ye to come inside with me. Sango, could ye see to Shippo please?"

Sango nodded, gave Kagome a quick squeeze about the shoulders, and turned to take Shippo from Miroku. Kagome turned her head to look at the little kitsune that had always adored her, and wished she hadn't. In his eyes was an uneasiness that she wasn't accustomed to. She turned her head quickly.

Following Kaede into the hut, Kagome couldn't help but replay the whole terrible episode in her mind. In retrospection, she could see multiple times where things could have, should have, gone differently. She cursed herself under her breath.

"Kagome, what is done, is done. Ye can only repair it now and move on." The old woman had her back turned to her. Kagome sniffed. Shippo's and InuYasha's face's appeared in front of her eyes, then faded again.

"But Kaede... I... I used my power against him. I actually.. hurt him. And now... he.." her words were hoarse, trying to climb their way out of her still tender throat. She turned her face back to the door for a moment. " And Shippo...." Her words died away as her throat closed over, threatening more tears. She swallowed forcefully, trying to remove the lump that had been created. Blinking, she turned back to the woman when she laid a hand on her shoulder. She saw in Kaede's free hand a beautiful wooden box, carved and set with gemstones.

"Dear girl, Shippo is a child himself still, and what happened did frighten him, but he will not turn from you." Kaede led her to the small sitting area, when the two sat facing each other, she laid the ornate box between them. "InuYasha will take some time. He has wounds in his heart, such that even with your powers, they cannot be healed easily. But he does love ye, Kagome. He will return, ye will speak to each other, and must move on from there. Ye will rebuild the trust ye had."

Kagome started to protest, but was hushed when Kaede raised her hand. Her voice was soft, but firm.

"Quiet now child. I know the young half-demon means a great deal, and I know ye lament over what happened. We must discuss your powers now."

Kagome sat quietly with her hands in her lap. She waited for the elder to speak again.

"Ye know ye have abilities that are quite powerful. I hadn't anticipated this kind of power from ye. Have ye noticed when ye're power is most forceful?"

Kagome thought back to times when she had been overcome with her energies. Merona... The creatures.... And InuYasha. Her heart twinged a little. She answered in a whispered voice.

"It has something to do with my emotions. When they are too extreme, that's when.. I ... lose control."

Kaede nodded. "Yes child. In times of stress, the force ye have within ye pushes past ye're training, and ye're own known abilities, and takes over. Ye then rely completly on instinct as ye are not strong enough yet to keep it under ye're control." She paused.

"As such, these powers can be a danger to ye, as well as others."

Kagome had been looking down as her teacher spoke. Inwardly, she felt depressed, like there was too much pressure on a balloon, and she was the balloon.

Kaede watched Kagome's reaction to her words. The girl was dealing with so much. She was used to being a normal human, and when Miko powers had been introduced to her, she had dealt with it fairly well. Kaede hoped Kagome would have the strength to cope with what the gods now saw fit to bestow upon her.

The priestess reached across the top of the lid of the object between them. Lightly, she ran her fingertips over the center jewel. At her touch, the emerald shone, as if illuminated from within. The spell that kept the box sealed until only she decided otherwise was released. Kaede lifted the lid and picked up what looked to be a delicate chain. The fabric inside that cushioned the object was black and soft. Kaede picked up the filgree rope and raised the necklace to reveal the pendant that hung from it.

Kagome was awestruck. What hung from the woven links of silver and gold was large oval amulet, it's length easily the same as her thumb down to the second joint. As the dim light reflected off the piece, Kagome could see that the amulet was not made of one jewel, but two. On one side was a sapphire of the deepest blue. On the other, a blood red ruby. Both stones were dark, and beautiful.

"This is a very powerful amulet, Kagome. It's story started many centuries ago." Kaede's eyes were half lidded as she told the story her mother had told her, the story that had been told for generations until Another came along.

" Before there was the sacred jewel, before Midoriko was even planned, our lands were ruled by scorceresses. These women were very similar to priestesses, but their powers were much more.. extraordinary.." Kaede glanced up for a moment, seeing that Kagome was still listening intently, she continued.

"The scorceresses power was channeled spiritually, but also through their bloodlines. They often married men of strong spiritual powers as well, and the children of the unions were taught in their art. All children of these bonds had endowed blood, however females were typically stronger than males."

"Of these women, and some select men, there was a Council, made of elders, or those with wisedom beyond their years. The people that ruled the lands were fair, just, and benevolent, but highly protective. In order to ensure their world would remain a safe and beautiful place those that were strong in magic and spiritual power would enter arranged marriages, to produce strong offspring.Those with the charmed blood were marked for their sleek, smooth features, and fair skin. They had a regal bearing and lithe figures. Within their circles, they were ranked according to their strength in their abilities, and their bloodlines. Those that they ruled over often wondered if their mystical sovereigns were from another world. They were not demons, but they had demon-like strength and powers, yet they were not humans either. Although the govenors had not given a name for themselves, their subjects grew to refer to them simply as the Etainoshirenai.

For many, many years, their world was a peaceful one, but it came at a price. The powers of the Etainoshirenai were valued for their healing and more gentle tasks, but also for their battle capabilities. There were masses of dangerous demons that wanted access to these lands, more than once there were battles fought by brave Etainoshirenai knights at the borders of the lands. The Council developed many battle plans and barriers to prevent the entrance of anyone who would come to harm the people they loved dearly."

Of the council, one Scoceress came to be with child. In due time, she bore a girl-child, and named her Kaori. Her mother was the head of the council."

Kaede paused for a moment, this next part of the story was important to Kagome. Looking up, she saw Kagome still enraptured in the tale. Kaede tooka deep breath as she continued her tale.

"Kaori was a bright, playful child. Her skin was smooth and light, her face a delight to all. Her hair was raven silk, like her mothers. Her eyes were blue like jewels. She laughed easily, and loved everyone and everything around her. From her first small years, however, she displayed amazing talents in the arcane arts. She and her mother spent days upon days in a sun dappled orchard, or in the warmth of a cozy study with a window overlooking the lands, studying and practicing her skills. By three, Kaori could levitate herself, which made for a troublesome three year old. By the time she turned five, the tiny scorceress could create fairie fire and heal. There was many a day when her and her mother would walk along a river, or in the forest, in search of small creatures in need of aid.

It was on one of these noramally happy adventures that the Head Scorceress of the Council met her tragic end.

One afternoon, the two's travels brought them, unattended, to the borders of the land. Kaori's mother soon realized how far they had wandered and urged her young daughter to turn back. By the time they had started to return to their home, it was too late. That part of the borderlands had been quiet, which was the reason Royal mother and daughter had stayed in the area. Unfortunatly, it also meant that it was considerably less guarded. Before she had the chance to defend herself, the Head Scorceress was set upon by fierce, deadly demons. Upon seeing them attempt to attack her beloved child, the woman swiftly created a barrier around the terrified girl, protecting her from any harm.

Kaori cried out at seeing her mother attacked and overwhelmed. She had been taught from the time she could talk on how to send for help with her magic, and soon there was a flash of red as a stream of light flew into the sky, exploding like fireworks. The youkai paid no heed. Their mission had been slay the Head Scorceress, and that was gradually being accomplished. Kaori aid-flare was responded to with swiftness. Soon the area was filled with Etainoshirenai knights. The demons had escaped, leaving the small child still under the protection of her mother's now waivering barrier.

The knights rushed to the clearing, lead by another Scorceress. The tall, lithe woman bent to hold Kaori's mother, long silver hair cascading over both of them, tears falling from her eyes. This was her dearest friend she held in her arms. It was she who had been the most powerful of the Etainoshirenai , and it was she who was supposed to have been Head Scorceress. Instead, the silver locked woman had stepped away from the council, taking the role of advisor for all. She had done so for decades. She was different from the other Etainoshirenai. Though all had lives that extended longer than humans, she was older than all, and yet never seemed to age. Though it was not in their nature, most of the Etainoshirenai were subltey wary of her, yet Kaori's mother, Izanami, had no such qualms. They loved each other like sisters.

The child and her mother were brought to the center of the city, where their home lay. Ayana knew that Ianami did not have much time remaining, and that she was too far gone for the Etainoshirenai healing powers to help her. Upon her death bed, she named Ayana as Kaori's guardian.

After her mother's death, Kaori became somber. No longer did she run threw the halls of her home, or the cathedral where she still went with Ayana to practice and study. Instead, she curled away from the world. Over time, Ayana was able to bring the child out of herself again, although she was never the same child that all had known. The older woman took as her own, guiding her and loving her as though she were her own daughter. Although she never forgot her natural mother, and always loved her dearly, Kaori soon saw Ayana as not just her guardian, but a mother of her heart as well. Eventually, the two continued training Kaori's skills, but never again approached the distant borderlands.

As Kaori aged, her eductaion in the arcane continued. Soon she had mastered all that Ayana had taught her. Not only could she use her powers with an unheard of precision, with the exception of her emotions. If those interfered, either the uncontrollable powers within her failed, or overwhelmed her. Kaori spent a great deal of her time with Ayana, and had mastered much, but still needed a great deal of control in order to use more powerful spells or if attacking in any state of passion. Her skills however extended past the arcane, she also bested the most talented knights in archery, and battling with swords. Many thought that it was inappropriate for such a noble Etainoshirenai to take up battle arms. Ayana had approached the young girl only once about it. Kaori had refused to lay down arms. Her guradian-mother understood and let the matter drop. It was not long until the people that the Etainoshirenai, as well as the Etainoshirenai themselves, no longer called Kaori by her name, but rather by another title. Kimi.

When the young scorceress turned twenty-five, complications arose. She had been bethrothed at brith to another Etainoshirenai, by the name of Kiyoshi. He had grown to become a wise scorcerer and all, even Ayana, thought the match was a good one. Kaori rejected the marriage. This was the one subject that Ayana held firm on. She reminded the daughter of her heart that there were duties that had to be held to. Reprimanded, Kaori had reluctantly agreed after a heated arguement. She was still a child and the marriage itself would not take place for another ten years.

As years past, Kaori continued to study her craft. Soon, she was offered the seat of Head Scorceress on the Council, to which she politely declined. The harmony that had been so hard kept by the Etainoshirenai was being attacked again, and this time the forces the peaceful people fought against were much more threatening. Kaori felt her place was on the front lines, battling the demons.

One day she returned and met with Ayana. Her adopted mother felt a difference in her immediatly and knew something had changed. Kaori revealed to her that she had met a youkai while strolling through the words while she was off duty. Ayana had feared the worst, but Kaori's eyes sparkled. It had been love at first sight, and somehow, the two had managed to continue to arrange meetings. Kaori had been afraid that Ayana would scold her, but the other woman understood much about a wayward heart. She was saddened only that Kaori could not let her new-found love prosper. Gentle though they may be, the Etainoshirenai laws were binding. Kaori would have to marry Kiyoshi, regardless of her feelings, to strengthen bloodlines. Her heart-daughter then revealed further information. She was with child by the youkai prince. She had not been so for long, so there was no need for hiding an expanding figure. Knowing their people would not accept a child of Etainoshirenai and demon blood, the two made excuses of a needed sabbatical.

In their hiddedn sanctuary, the months past and Kaori had her child. A girl whom she named Nozomi. With their combined powerful magic, the two women purified the babe, removing any trace of demon blood. Only at Kaori's pleas did Ayana leave the child's eye color alone. An enchanting sable brown that she had inherited from her father. After the birth, the two conspirators returned and insisted on an immediate marriage with Kiyoshi. Soon after, with the help of their magic, they presentd a faux pregnancy and babe, that was soon replaced by Nozomi. Although eveyone who saw the ebony haired child expected her to have her mothers eyes, they were not too surprised to see that she had inherited a much richer shade of her false fathers muddy irises. With her adored daughter, Kaori was happy for a time.

Sadly, this happiness was not to last. The demons forces had strengthened and all were called to the largest war the lands had seen. Kaori left Nozomi in her guardians care, for the first time making a demand of the woman who had been her friend, co-conspirator, and mother. She was not to come to the battle, but to look after the infant. Kaori left for the duty of her lands, and with the hope that she would make it a safe world for her child.

On the battle fields, there was much blood shed. The Etainoshirenai fought with the bloodlusty demons day in and out. Kaori led many a battle herself, slaying as many demons as she could. On the third day of the battle, she saw a familiar face, but instead of being overjoyed, was furious. Ayana had come to the battle lines. The older woman sternly faced the furious scorceress as she told her that her daughter had been spirited out of the country for saftey, and that she would not be found. Kaori was battle-weary and resigned. Ayana's prescense in battle meant that things had become truly desperate.

The following battle was the last. Dressed in the slim outfits of warriors, the two women led the battle charge. Many fell, both demons and Etainoshirenai. With neither magic nor sword faltering the two fought side by side. Kaori stopped only as she drew back her katana to slay a demon with sable eyes and hair the shade of night without stars. The battle continued on around them, neither scorceress nor youkai moving. It lasted only a moment longer, before Kaori watched her love crumple before her when another demons savage-looking katana pierce his heart. Ayana was at the girls side in a heart beat. Kaori would not be moved, but the demons were fast overtaking the Etainoshirenai. Ayana knew the worst would happen if something wasn't done soon. Without thought, she placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders and instructed her to pour her heart into her powers coursing through her veins and create an energy blast.

A colossal blast of blinding blue light poured through the valley as Kaori released the tremendous power she held within her. When Ayana opened her eyes, the battle was over. There was no sign of either Etainoshirenai or demon. Kaori's blast had destroyed all, with the exception of Ayana, and the demon she loved. Ayana felt the change in the girl that was now limp inher arms. She was dying. Her powers had deteriorated her body, and her heart was not willing to live. Kaori asked her heart-mother to lay her next to the youkai. Sorrowful tears slid down her cheeks as she brought a hand lovingly to the face of the slain demon. Her last words were a request for Ayana to make sure Nozomi would have the strength to control her power as Kaori could not, and to be happy. With that, she died. Ayana wept for her daughter. Knowing she could not cry for long, the odd Etainoshirenai quickly surmised that a descendent of Kaori would need restraint. Shearing a strand of her own silver hair, Ayana used the art to create with the lock a filgree chain. Sweeping the remaining tears from Kaori's face, and cupping a small amount of blood from the youkai, Ayana murmured a chant between her closed hands. When she opened them, the tears had become a sapphire; the blood, a ruby. The two were soldered together into an amulet and connected to the chain. Whispering another enchantment over the powerful pendant, Ayana stood and swept her hand over the bodies of the daughter of her heart, and Kaori's chosen love. The silver tressed scorceress allowed herself one more tear as the two turned to dust and were swept away with the wind. "

Kagome gave a start as she dragged herself out of the picture she had created in her mind's eye when Kaede's voice stopped. Her eyes begged the woman to continue. Kaede looked past Kagome to see that outside, night had fallen. Taking a sip of water, the old woman finished the tale.

"The battle between the Etainoshirenai and the demons, and Kaori's final expenditure seemed to have had eradicated all living members of the gentle protectors. If there were any that remained alive, aside from Ayana, they had fled to another world. The fair being made her way to a small village in the rural area of the lands, and approached the temple that stood at it's borders. This temple. On her way there, she used her art to create a wooden container from an ancient time tree. She carved the story of the amulet into the box. From the woods around her, she created tiny gemstones to place into the carvings to hold the enchantment she cast upon it.

When she reached the temple, she found the family that guarded it hiding in its recesses. The fear was wiped from their faces as she told them the war was over, but sorrow marred their features again when she told them that the Etainoshirenai were no more. The wife of the priest held a small babe in her arms. There was another girl to the side, the older sister. The infant's name was Mine. Ayana had sent Nozomi away, charming the child so that she would not found by anyone through the blood that ran through her tiny veins. Ayana could not find her, but she knew with a certainty that the enchanted blood would return, and when it did, the Amulet would be needed.

Holding out her hands, she asked for little Mine. The girl's mother handed her over without question. Bending close to the tiny ear, Ayana whispered words that neither of the parents could hear. Handing the child back to her mother, Ayana also displayed the ornate box. She informed the parents that their youngest daughter, and the youngest daughter of every family that guarded the temple after, would be charged with the keeping of the container, until Another came. The words she had breathed into Mine's ear were the instructions on everything the girl would need to know about the box and what it kept. This information would make itself known when the child came of age. After giving all the information she could, Ayana moved to the corner of the temple and opened a small portal. Laying the obect inside, she closed it again. Before she left she told the awestruck family that Mine was the only one who knew of how to access the container again, and that she must hand down all the knowledge regarding it to her youngest daughter, generation over generation, until the time came that one of the blood came again. Her final request was that the parents tell their child of that day.

Ayana then walked towards the woods. The priest turned his back for ony a moment, but when he looked in her direction, she was gone. Neither Ayana, nor Nozomi were heard of again."

Kaede looked up at Kagome. The older woman was tired from telling, but Kagome's eyes were lowered.

"That's so sad. In order to save the people, she had to wipe out her own race. And her daughter had no family. Ayana was left alone. How awful to have to protect someone that way."

Kaede held the amulet a little closer to Kagome. Gently, she asked. "Child, do ye know why I am telling ye this? Do ye know what ye're powers mean?"

Kagome reached out and caressed the stones of the amulet briefly. In that moment, the dull gems sparked with life, as if they glowed from withing, only to fade again as her fingers drew away.

"I suppose I am also Kaori's reincarnation?" The words were spoken with sad expectation. Someone else I will have to live up to...

Kaede looked at the girl for a moment. Did she really not understand? Again, she spoke gently, this information was essential for Kagome.

"Kagome, ye are not her reincarnation. Ye have all the extraordinary powers of the scorceresses of the Etainoshirenai. " Kaede could see that Kagome was still trying to process this information. Reaching across with one hand she took one of Kagome's. Her next words took the breath away from the young woman.

"Child, ye are the one of the enchanted blood."

"Ye are the Scorceress Kaori's descendent."


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A/N: I'm sorry to those that were waiting on updates. While AFF was updating, I wasn't able to log in. It was only recently I attempted to log on and update. I have more chapters in wait, but here's Chapter 10! Hope you enjoy. Comments welcomed and appreciated! :) Ciao for now!

Meanings:


Etainoshirenai - mysterious
Kaori - Beautiful Girl; Kimi - she who has no equal.
Ayana - eternal bloom - nat, am
Nozomi - Hope
Mine - resolute protector
Kiyoshi - m, the quiet one