Found in Sand

“Speaking”
‘Thoughts’


Chapter Ten
preparations



Once the ninja that was chosen for training were dismissed those with family went home to alert them to their leaving and those without just went about their day normally.

The one who was most surprised at being chosen was Hinata Hyuuga. She could not believe that she was chosen over the others that were not. She had always seen herself as not as strong as the others. Sakura and Ino were better ninja then her and so were the men that was not chosen. Even though she felt this it did not stop the swell of pride at being chosen and first at that. ‘Now I can spend 2 months training with Naruto!’ Hinata thought blushing at the idea of training with Naruto and being so close to him.

She could not wait to tell her father that she was chosen to be trained as a taijiya and was the only female chosen on top of that. She just knew her father would be proud of her Hinata mused as she walked into her home. ‘I will tell father now so I have the rest of the day to get ready.’ Hinata thought as she approached her fathers study. She knew he would be in there since he was not training her sister or Neji right now. “Father?” she called as she knocked on the door lightly before cracking it open slightly.


“Come in Hinata” the voice of her father Hiashi sounded from within the room.


Hinata opened the door the rest of the way and walked towards her father’s desk. “I was chosen by the Miko Taijiya to be trained. We depart at sunrise.” Hinata said bowing to her father in respect as she spoke in clear tones.


“Tomorrow? Who else was chosen for this special training Hinata?” Hiashi asked looking up from the paperwork that littered his desk.


“Myself, Neji, Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, Lee, Gai, Kiba, and Sai father.” Hinata answered straightening up from her bow.


“So you and Neji were chosen?” Hiashi asked wanting confirmation of the fact.

“Yes father” Hinata said in a low shy tone.


“How long will you and Neji be gone for?” Hiashi asked looking at Hinata waiting for her to answer his question.


“Tsunade-sama said that we can expect to be gone for to months at least.” Hinata answered her father waiting to be dismissed now that she had informed him of her departure.


“That will be all Hinata you should start getting the things ready for your travels then” Hiashi said as he looked back down to his desk at the papers he was working on before she entered.


“Hai father” Hinata said as before she bowed and left her fathers study to do as he had instructed her. She was going to get ready even if he had not suggested it.

Once Kagome left her chosen students she went straight towards the shopping area. She needed to find the supplies needed to make the necklace and she also needed to pick up the things for her students that they would not have.

A few hours later found Kagome littered with bags upon bags of things she needed to take back to her hotel room. But before that she needed to check her mental shopping list to make sure she had gotten everything. ‘7 swords (since Sai and Sasuke have their own), 1 staff, prayer beads (for Lee), 2 bows and 2 quivers of arrows (for myself and Hinata), a few packs of empty ofuda parchment (for Lee, Hinata, and myself), a few journals and pens (for Lee and Hinata), 27 pairs of sea shells (for the poisons), 3 tents, a sleeping bag, matches and a lighter (just in case), feminine products (underwear, bras, deodorant, and tampons), bathing products (soaps and towels), bathing suit, Toothbrush and paste, hair brush and a few ties, and of course a durable backpack.’ Once she was satisfied she had not forgotten anything Kagome headed towards the hotel to drop off and bags and begin the blood bind ritual.

“Kagome-sensei” A soft female voice stopped Kagome in her tracks. Kagome turns towards the voice only to find it was Hinata “Ahh, what can I do for you Hinata?” Kagome asked with a smile.


“Nothing I just saw you carrying so much bags and I thought I would ask if you would like some help. And also ask what you think I should pack for the journey.” Hinata said while attempting to free Kagome of a few bags.


“Oh thanks. There was so much things I had to get and since the Hokage is paying for it I figured I would get everything since I know much more about swords and such then any of the ninja chosen. I also had to get a few special things for Myself, Lee and you for the extra lessons I will be giving.” Kagome said as they walked towards the hotel.


“Me?” she asked not knowing that Kagome had intended special training for her.


“Of course you house such a pure heart and soul that with some training you could develop Miko ki. Though at first it will not be much, but with constant training you could strengthen your soul.” Kagome answered with a wave of her bag filled hands before continuing “And you should bring a sleeping bag, bathing suit because trust me you do not want to be caught naked by one of them men or worst a demon. It is not fun fighting a demon naked trust me. You should also take female products, soap, change of clothing, toothbrush and paste, hair brush and a few ties. Basically the things you can not live without.” she said telling Hinata the basic things she should pack.


“Is there anything else I need to get for the training?” Hinata asked she knew she had to bring the necessities but she wanted to know if she needed to buy anything else.


“Nope. I gotten everything you and everyone else would need to do with the training. At least until we reach the old slayers settlement. I am sure the barrier is still surrounding it till this day.” Kagome said as they walked into her hotel room and put the bags down. “Thanks for your help Hinata. Can I treat you to ramen for dinner or something?” Kagome asked with a pleasant smile.


“No thank you Kagome-sensei. My father would want me to have dinner at home since I will be gone for a few months, but thanks for the offer.” Hinata said with a light blush and a smile.


“Ok then well have a good night and see you tomorrow at sunrise.” Kagome said to the girl as she excused herself to go and do her shopping and stuff. “Nice girl” Kagome said to herself when the girl left.

Kagome went through all the bags putting the stuff that needs to go in her bag in there and the things that need to be given to the ninja in a separate bag and once she was done she set out in search of something to eat.

Kagome walked into Ichiraku and moved to sit at one of the stool however she did not get more then 5 steps before someone was calling her name “Wow I seem popular today.” Kagome said to herself as she turned to see who it was that called her “Naruto-kun” Kagome greeted with a smile.


“Come sit with us Kagome” Naruto called over with a wave.


With one last look at the stool she was going to take Kagome nodded in agreement and walked towards the booth area. Once she reached the table she looked to see who it was that was sitting with him “Do you mind if I sit here?” Kagome asked the red head with teal eyes.

Gaara looked at the girl wondering why she would want to sit near him and not Naruto, but he nodded all the same saying without words she could sit there.


“Thanks” Kagome said with a smile before turning to Naruto “No offense Naruto, but I had a friend who loved ramen as much as you and I learned the hard way never to sit directly near him. Especially if he knows he will be ramen starved for awhile.” Kagome said with a soft chuckle.


“You mean they even had ramen back then?” Naruto asked with wide eyes he had no idea that they had ramen back in that era.


Kagome laughed “No not in the feudal era. I was from the future remember? So I was able to get ramen from my time and bring it back. I had to be very careful back then with what I brought into the past. Image if someone uncovered a site supposedly from the 1500s and found something that was not suppose to exist until the early to late 1900s? When I was home I couldn’t tell anyone what I was able to do. The trouble it would cause would be unbelievable.” Kagome said before she turned to the boy beside her “Gaara right?” Kagome asked holding a hand out in greeting.


Taking the offered hand Gaara said in a low tone “Hai” while he thought ‘soft hands for a warrior.’


“You’re the one that found me right?” Kagome asked as they released each others hand her friendly smile never once leaving her face.


“Hai, my siblings and I found you buried in sand held within a small shrine.” Gaara answered his tone as soft as ever.

Kagome laughs “Sounds like something that Miroku would do that baka houshi! He probably had poor Hachi-kun bury the shrine too.” Kagome said with a shake of her head.


“Hachi? I heard you say that name before who was he?” Naruto asked curious as ever about her life in the past.


“Hachi was Miroku’s demon vassal or servant. He was a cowardly tanuki that usually ran to us when things in the feudal era began to get bad. But other then that he was kind and as far as demons went harmless. He could transform into this bat looking thing that floated in the sky it was big enough for all 6 of my companions to travel on. He showed up off an on with information though out our journey.” Kagome explained in the same fond tone she uses when she recalls nice memories.


“So you knew a lot of demons then?” Naruto continued he knew she did but not to what extent.


“Oh yes I met many Daiyoukai and a one Taiyoukai a couple hanyou and a few mid ranked youkai. Of course those are the ones I do not count as enemy. I met many if I was to count enemy, but all the enemy demons I had met are dead now.” Kagome said out loud while thinking ‘the enemy demons I met never lived after they met our group.’


“Tell me about the fox demon you knew” Naruto asked he was curious most of all about the fox she said she knew. He wondered if all fox demons were like the one he had sealed within him.


With a happy laugh Kagome started “His name was Shippo. He was an orphaned kit when we met. His father was murdered by a pair of demons who called themselves the thunder brothers. They were thunder element demons and one of the first evil greedy demons I met. Shippo had tried to steal the shard of the Shikon no Tama that I had within my bag at the time and the little scamp got it too. He pulled a trick on Inuyasha that left him unable to go after the little guy. I of course followed Shippo to get my shards back when we ran into one of the demons that killed his father. That cur was wearing his fathers fur as a pelt and poor little Shippo of course froze upon seeing him wearing his father. The demon moved to attack him having seen his shards and I reacted releasing the arrow I had strung, but my aim back then was horrible. So of course I missed and skimmed his head I ended up only cutting the 3 pieces of hair that was on his head. The demon flipped and Shippo ran to me as the demon was getting his ultimate attack ready. Shippo said to run because that was the attack that killed his father so we ran. When they guy released the attack we were not far enough away and we got hit. The blast had knocked Shippo away from me when the demon saw me he was not concerned about the kit he was pissed at me because of my arrow. Shippo got away but I was knocked unconscious when I woke later I was at there lair. The brother that attacked us was deformed and only had a few strands of hair that I had taken with my attack. I had found out that he intended to make a Kagome hair concoction stew. After running around the room in circles his more human looking brother had come back with a demoness.”

“When I saw the brother I thought hey he looks like he could be more reasonable, but that thought was thrown right out the window when I seen what he did. He asked his brother if he found more shards and the deformed demon said he did, but he lost them because of me. His human looking brother flips yelling he was not happy that the brother was more concerned about me and not the shards. So the brother just flips his hand back towards the demoness in his rage and fries her to a crisp. So when I realized that this new demon was going to be of no help I started to think of a plan to get out safely. Of course I could not tell them that I could sense shards or see them because then they would never release me so instead I told them that my lover (which he wasn’t) Inuyasha had the shards and once he learns that they have me he would trade the shards for me. They bought it and we all left to find Inuyasha. Long story short Inuyasha kills them both gaining us 5 more shards.” Kagome finished the story with fond smile.


“So what was the trick?” Naruto asked curiously ‘why is it they always leave out the good parts?’ he asked himself as Kagome chuckles.


“Oh, ha ha ha. Fox demons are known for being trouble makers and tricksters and Shippo was no different. He acted like he was going to give Inuyasha a gift as a sorry for trying to take our shards the first time. The gift however was a little stone that when infused with his fox magic would grow and weigh a tone. So Inuyasha was stuck with both hands under the statue unable to move until Shippo takes the wards off he had placed on them. Shippo had a whole arsenal of toys he used whenever we found ourselves in a tight spot. He was such a brave kit.” Kagome said as her eyes misted slightly but her tears did not and would not fall.


“So what exactly is the Shikon?” Asked Gaara this was something he wanted to know. The Scrolls did not say much about it.


“The Shikon is my curse. It was made when one powerful miko battled an army of demon for 7 days and 7 nights. On the 7th night the 3 demons left combined to make one powerful demon and when the demon had her within his jaws she used her last bit of life to force its soul into her heart and soul trapping it, but it was too much for her and her heart burst from her body and crystalized into the jewel now known as the Shikon no Tama or Jewel of four souls. For hundreds of years the a battle between the souls continued neither side winning. The thing with the jewel is that it could be used for good or evil it depends on the person who has it. When the jewel was with its rightful guardian it was pure meaning that Midoriko’s soul was winning with the help of the holder. If the Jewel was in the hands of evil however the demon souls would begin to win, but no matter what neither side could win. At the time we thought that a pure wish would release the soul of the miko forever purifying it, but we were wrong. What we did not know was that if a wish was made then the wishers soul would take the place of either the good soul or the evil soul. The Shikon was coveted by evil humans and demons alike and that was because the Shikon enhances ones power 100 fold. The jewel is cursed because all that have used it has died. Now however the jewel is not as it was. When I was imprisoned within with the great miko we teamed up and defeated the demons of the jewel and after she trained me completely in both the ways of the miko and the ways of the Taijiya we merged our souls became one. So technically I am the soul of the Shikon and the jewel is now powerless. All that is left within the jewel is the echo of my essence.” Kagome finished explaining the jewel and after a short pause she reaches for her necklace and unsnaps it “that, that reminds me. I would like to give this to you.” Kagome said handing the Shikon to Gaara.


Gaara excepts the Shikon with a bewildered look while asking “why?”


As he excepts the Shikon Kagome holds his hands in hers the Shikon between them while answering looking into his eyes “It’s only right. You found it after all and I know it is not the all powerful Shikon no Tama that you heard of but it will protect you should you ever need it. It will also let me know if you are ever in the position were you need help. I am still connected to the Jewel and forever will be. I would be honored if you wore and protected it. The jewel houses a small piece of my soul.” Kagome finishes releasing his hands slowly.


He could not help it her soft hands holding his so gently they were the perfect contrast to his. Where his hands were cold hers were warm, where his was tan hers was milky white. He listened to her words as she spoke and when she told him that a piece of her soul was within it he looked up into her face in surprise. ‘She wants to give me a piece of her soul?’ it was unbelievable that someone would trust him with such a thing especially since she did not know him. It was unbelievably hard to stop the blush he knew would have gone to his face and his musing on the different bonds he shared did not help the cause either.

The bond of friendship he shares with his village as KazeKage and his bond of friendship he formed with Naruto had him beginning think about what a bond between a man and a woman would be like. He was 18 now and had never had that kind of bond with a female that he was interested in. He had females who wished to share this bond with him, but they only started to want that bond since he became the KazeKage of Suna. He wanted a female that would care for him as he was and not for his standing in the village or what he was.

Gaara nodded his head slowly when she released him then put the jewel back around his neck and it seemed to glow warmly as it had when he had first placed it on. ‘Even though she is no longer inside the jewel a small piece of her soul is and it still reacts warmly to me.’ he thought as he looked down at the jewel before placing it within his shirt so the warmth of the jewel would sink into his skin.


They sat in silence as the food was being placed in front of them and Kagome released a “Thank you” when her bowl was put in front of her. Once the waiter was away from there booth Naruto started a conversation once more.


“So Kagome how did you choose the ninja you would train?” He was curious about this since all she seemingly did was look at each person and spar a few.


“I looked into their souls. That boy I sparred with the one with the big sword I was going to chose him until I saw into him and I am not talking about the seal. His soul was tainted with evil. Sasuke’s soul was the only one that had the seal whose soul was not tainted to that extent. It probably has to do with his bloodline. His body was already use to housing demon blood so when he was injected with that Jugo fellows blood the cells within his body attacked them changing it into the blood he had already housed. The others however where not so lucky. They were completely 100% human and as such the tainted blood injected into them made them as insane as the carrier of the blood. Whoever the foolish person was that made that seal knew nothing of demon blood. Blood bonding with a demon is not a matter to be taken lightly by the dim-witted. And no offense Naruto but neither is soul sealing a demon. I know that it was your father that made the seal, but he knew nothing of soul sealing. Because of this you suffer the consequences. Your body deteriorate shorting your life span every time you uses the fox’s power, but if the seal was done right that would not be happening.”


“You never said before what would happen when the seal is fixed” Naruto said in a soft tone the subject a sore one for him. He did not like to think about how his father sacrificed his life when he did the seal only to learn he did it wrong.


“You would still be you Naruto; if that is what you were worried about. There will be changes though like your eye color might change you might get fangs or claws. You will receive the instincts of a fox. You might also inherit the need to energy feed, that is something that is chance. There is also a chance that you would gain the pheromones kitsune use which is dangerous for you and any female you may be around. From stories I have heard I can tell you have some of the instincts of the fox, but its just a watered down version. Controlling your instincts is something you will need to learn because fox’s are not only tricksters they are also very provocative. It could become embarrassing to you if you do not control your urges.” Kagome said while hiding an amused smile behind her hand. She could just see it now Naruto chasing anything with a skirt like Miroku. That thought caused her shoulders to shake from suppressing her giggling.


“Wait, wait” Naruto said shaking his hands in front of his face “what do you mean energy feeding, pheromones, and embarrassing instincts?” Naruto asked confused and a little afraid for himself.


“Fox demons feed on the energy or emotions of others it is something all fox’s must do. They do not just feed on energy of people though. Fox’s feed on the energy of nature as well, but are well known for feeding on energy of the sexual kind. I would go into detail, but you would pop your top in embarrassment if we had this talk where others could hear. It is extremely personal. Because fox demons prefer energy of the sexual nature they are equipt with a pheromone that attracts the opposite sex. The pheromone is released during what a kitsune would call kitsune seduction. The fox would choose a pray and isolate it whether it be human or another fox demon and release the pheromone. It is a scent that tells the brain to make the body want sex and the fox would then use a physical means of seduction. Because the pheromones would make the body of the female more sensitive to the touch. Embarrassing instincts should speak for itself really. Fox’s that are not mated are well known for having many lovers. It is within a fox’s nature to crave affection. When the fox is a kit it craves attention of the maternal kind, but when its body matures it craves attention of the mature kind between a man and a woman. I sure hope you know about the birds and the bees because that is not something I will explain to someone of your age.” Kagome finished again hiding a smile behind her hand as she looks at the red face of Naruto.


“You mean. You mean I will become like Ero-sennin? A pervert!” he asked incredulously unsure if he wants to believe that.


“Not if you learn to control your instincts. Though you may not outwardly look like a pervert you will most likely have trouble controlling your thoughts.” Kagome said this time not trying to hide the amused smile on her face as she turns to the quiet Gaara “Can you image it? Naruto’s pervert skills putting that Kakashi guy to shame. Actually if Naruto does get that pheromone he might become jealous what with Naruto living the life he only reads about in his books.” Kagome laughs it was just to funny to think of the hyper Naruto that way.


“Hey Kagome why are you laughing? Wouldn’t you be the first to know if I have that pheromone since I would be unable to control it when I first get it?” Naruto asked then Kagome’s laughing stopped mid laugh.


“I probably would be the first” Kagome paused making them both think she was worried before she added “thankfully it is not so easy to seduce me. My powers would purify the scent before it is inhaled. I know from experience. It’s the same with poison gases.” Kagome said in a smug tone.


“Sooo, you’re a 2000 and something year old virgin?” Naruto asked with a smirk as Kagome turned red from an intense blush even Gaara seemed to have a slight shade of pink powdering his cheeks for a moment before it was gone.


Gaara was caught of guard with the question and did not have time to control the blush that bloomed on his cheeks but with some concentration it was gone. ‘2000 years without having sex? God I thought my 18 years were to much image how she must feel.’ he thought as he looked at her blushing face through the corner of his eyes.


“Not that it is any of your business since I can tell that you are a virgin, but I am not. I was involved with my protector Inuyasha the inu hanyou before I was imprisoned.” Kagome said while crossing her hands over her chest.

“So 2000 years worth of knowing what you were missing?” A new voice sounded behind her and she turned to see who it was.


“Ah, Kakashi-san” Kagome said with a smile while inwardly she was hoping that he would go sit somewhere else knowing that he would probably keep questioning her 2000 years without sex.


“Kagome, Naruto, Gaara how are your evening?” Kakashi asked his eyes crinkling in what the rest perceived as a smile.


“Kakashi-sensei! Come sit with us” Naruto asked wanting to take the chance at maybe seeing what was behind the mask.


“Are you sure I do not want to impose.” he asked looking to Gaara and Kagome for reassurance that it was ok with them.


Kagome and Gaara both nodded that it was ok with them and Kakashi moved to sit beside Naruto. “So what were you talking about?” Kakashi asked looking to his student for the answer knowing that he would bring it up without a problem.


“We were talking about how long Kagome has been alive without getting any.” Naruto said with a laugh as Kagome turned red again in embarrassment.


“THAT was not what we were talking about! We were discussing the perverted characteristics in fox demons. I was telling Naruto the things that could happen should I fix his seal. And I was explaining how he will gain the instincts of a fox demon and some of its bad habits because of those instincts. Naruto became embarrassed and tried to turn the subject to me. But of course before you came I was about to tell Naruto that I can not only smell but also see the status of his virginity.” Kagome said the last part to embarrass Naruto, but she could both smell and see it in his aura.


“You mean you can smell that he has never had sex?” asked the incredulous Kakashi.


“Yes my miko sense can see his ‘purity’, but because of my blood bonds with several canine demons I can smell his ‘purity’ of the body.” Kagome said looking at the red faced Naruto before turning to Kakashi “I can also smell telling by the faded scent your excursions from a few weeks ago.”


Now it was Kakashi’s turn to blush scarlet. ‘God she can smell that?’ he asked himself as he was able to do the numbers in his head to actually tell she was right. “How?” he could not help but ask.


Kagome looked at him “Not to embarrass you or anything but the juices of the female you bedded are not completely washed off. And as the days pass the smell fades but also takes on a not so good smell.”


“Oh” he said not really knowing what to say to something like that. He thought he washed up pretty well ‘but I guess I didn’t’.


“Also just so you know everyone even males release a scent when the body is in a state of desire so when you read those books of yours... need I say more?” Kagome added in an after thought.


“So when you took my book before you could tell what I was reading?” Kakashi asked curiously.


“No the wind was carrying your scent away from me.” she informed him making him release a breath he did not know he was holding. “Actually this brings up a good point. Naruto will want to stay away from aroused females until you get your instincts under control. It is not just fox demons that it effects but all demons. The scent of a ready female depending on the male and female could drive you crazy. Like lets say you are attracted to a girl and she gets aroused by something and you can smell it your instincts will want to make you bed her. Or if it is a female you like and she smells of another male you will become jealous and possessive. That is a trait of all demons; if the demon is not mate sharing he will be overly possessive of the female.” Kagome said but was never able to finish because she was interrupted.


“Mate sharing” it was Kakashi that voiced his curiosity this time.


“It is rare, but not unheard of 2 demons sharing the same mate. It is usually within pack settings the alpha and beta sharing a mate instead of fighting to the death for mating rights to the female. It may sound barbaric, but demons live by a different set of rules then humans.” Kagome informed them it was surprising sometimes how much they did not know. “But mate sharing is only allowed when both males feel the other is worthy of the female. In demon customs because of the lack of females it is her choice in the end. But hundreds of years before then the only chance a female had to disagree to a union was to fight. If she won she did not need to mate him, but if the male won she had no choice. That was how a lot of females died. Force matings are brutal that is why when a demon rapes a human they never live. When rapes occur it is mostly the ‘beast’ that is in control. Demons have what can be considered as a double personality the rational mind and the more instinctual mind.” Kagome finished finally taking note of the time.

“Well I have much to do tonight before I can sleep so I will see you at sunrise. Remember if you are not there then we will be leaving without you. And it was nice to actually meet and talk to you finally Gaara. Hopefully we could do it again sometime it was nice.” Kagome said while slipping out of the booth.


“Bye Kagome-chan!” the voice of Naruto was heard before “Bye Kagome” the voice of Kakashi followed and Kagome turned to wave goodbye at them and Gaara. His nod of farwell had her smiling at him “bye Gaara” Kagome said with one last wave then exited the ramen stand.

Pairings Vote!!!


Kagome/Neji-62
Kagome/Kiba-41
Kagome/Kakashi-61
Kagome/Gaara-69