Twisted Accusations

Chapter Eleven


As the name escaped her lips, another blast was heading straight for her. "Fuck me," She brought her hands up forming a barrier to take the blast. The force still made her stumble back a few inches. What was he doing? It had to be him, she'd never forget him. Didn't he recognize her? It had been over four centuries for him. "Shippou, stop it's me Kagome."

"Don't think I'll fall for that lie." He charged the woman, bearing his claws. He had kept perfect count of all the years that had passed. The girl from his childhood wouldn't even be born for another century. He'd lived all these centuries, a lonely existence waiting to see her again.

Kagome stood her ground waiting for him to get close. His claw came down aiming for her face. It raked across her cheek while she brought her hand down across his. The slap rang out followed by the her cry of pain. She felt the claws leave her flesh, the skin burning. She stared into his stunned green eyes, blood was dripping down her face. "Don't make me hit you again. If you had a rosary I would sit your ass."

"Ka...gome!" He threw his arms around her neck, pulling the girl close. How was it possible? She shouldn't be here yet but she was. All his life he'd been wanting to see her again. Miroku and Sango had died twenty years after she'd left them, leaving him without family once more. His only reason for living was knowing that he'd one day be able to meet up with Kagome again. Now, she was with him and he'd just attacked her. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

Kagome reached up to touch her torn face. "Yeah, I guess you did. Damn, now I'm going to have to explain why I'm covered in blood. Not to mention who you are." She could hear them running towards her. "Listen, I'll explain everything later, just go along with what I have to say." He nodded eyeing the wound on her face. Kagome swore and concentrated, she had to heal before they saw it.

"You bastard!" Sano swung at the man, landing a punch to his jaw. The boy went down on his back, fear in his eyes. They'd come out at hearing the first loud sound. Whatever his man had been using almost killed her. He'd seen him go for her face also.

Shippou looked up to find the tip of a blade at his throat. He was going to die if Kagome didn't speak out soon, they looked ready to tear him apart. He hadn't known it was her, or he'd never would have attacked. Then again he had wounded her, if she wasn't a healer she would have been permanently scarred. He didn't want to die now, not after finding her. Who were these men and how did they know Kagome?

"Stop both of you, I'm fine. I know him, he's an old friend. Put your sword away Aoshi, please." Kagome wouldn't be able to watch her friend die. "He isn't the one that's been messing with the villagers, he came looking for me." She knew that was a small lie but it wouldn't hurt anyone. They would accept that and let him be. She'd take care of him now, so the village would be safe. After she kicked his ass for terrorizing these people, what had made him do it?

"Then explain the blood covering your face." Aoshi applied pressure to the hilt causing the boy to wince. He'd seen him attack the girl, the blood said the attack had landed. He shouldn't have listened to the old man, he should have killed the man the second he appeared. The girl shouldn't have been out here, doing this type of work. The bastard harmed an innocent girl, anger filled him. His face remained emotionless, while he looked the boy in the eyes.

Shippou was sure he saw his death in the green eyes. There wasn't a hint of anger or rage in them, it was being spoken with the blade now pressed into his neck. The other man didn't worry him as much even if he was showing his anger. He knew this was the one he'd have to worry about. They kind of reminded him of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, one had expressed his feeling too much while the other always kept a cool head. Everyone had known which was the bigger threat, as he did now.

"I'm fine, it's just a little scratch. He didn't realize it was me, so let him go." Kagome tried wiping the blood to show off that she was indeed fine. Her hand was sticky, she'd need another bath before heading to bed. Not before Shippou gave her a few answers though.

"You're only fine because you healed yourself. We saw him attack you, the blood didn't get there on it's own." Sano palmed his fist ready to beat the guy senseless if Aoshi didn't take his head first.

"I won't say this again, let him go. You draw one ounce of blood then you will have to deal with me. So unless you feel like having your ass purified I suggest you back the fuck off. He is my friend and I won't let you hurt him. He may have harmed me but the only one that has the right to retaliate is me not you." She placed a barrier around the boy on the ground forcing the blade to be pushed aside. "Do not take me lightly."

"Fine," He wasn't stupid, he knew she was lying. The boy was most likely the cause for the village's problem. It didn't concern him either way. She'd been brought here to stop it. If she did so without bloodshed then that was her call. Did she really know the boy or was that a lie. He couldn't tell if that was one. "Finish up here, so we can return to Kyoto."

Kagome watched him walk away, what an asshole. She saw a rock lying near her foot, she'd had enough of him. She pitched it with all her strength. His head moved to the side allowing the stone to fly past. "Uhhhh, what a jerk! Get up Shippou, you're okay now."

"What about the problems we've been having? If this boy isn't the cause then what is?" The elder asked.

"I believe you have a few evil spirits running around. I'll place up some wards throughout the village it should take care of any problem that you have." Kagome smiled at him, she'd have to thank Miroku for this one. "I'll stay the rest of the night to make sure they are working properly. Sano and Shippou can help me hang them, won't you two?"

"I traveled around after their deaths, looking for somewhere to go. Doing what you said, to take care of myself. I wanted to see you again knowing you'd be alive in another time. So I was going to wait until then. Two hundred years ago youkai became hunted, we were outnumbered. Slowly we began to disperse, hardly any left. Those strong enough went into hiding, not wanting to fight everyday. Some hanyous still walked around not really belonging to either race. What youkai aren't hiding have been breed out. I sense small traces of youkai in some I meet but not enough to be considered hanyou. I've lived this long because no one believes in us anymore. Except some religous folks but they are few and far between. I can pass myself off as a human, so I get by. I know you are disappointed in me but I didn't kill anyone. I was hungry needing to eat, so I started stealing live stock. The men I did attack, they came after me first. I made sure I didn't kill them, knowing you wouldn't approve. Some people did die in this village but I had nothing to do with it, though I got the blame."

"I believe you," Kagome slapped a ward on the tree. "Sounds like you've had it as rough as me. The well didn't take me home like it should have. The first time I came up I was a century short of my time. I stayed long enough to be attacked and left for dead." She left out the part of who had attacked her knowing Shippou wouldn't take the news well. "I was able to make it through and ended up here. I was planning on trying again soon."

"You're going to try and go home?" He hung his head low, of course she wanted to go home. It had been her plan all along, he could wait another century. "I guess you want to know why I attacked you."

"Yes, that is bugging me." Kagome walked over to the next tree letting him trail beside her. She had Sano in the village slapping wards around leaving her and Shippou to take the outskirts. It gave them time alone to catch up and she was able to get away from Aoshi. Too bad her rock had missed, she would have loved for it to make a solid impact on his hard head.

"I was listening earlier this evening, I heard one of the villagers say they'd hired someone to kill me. I figured I didn't want to be hunted down like a dog so I'd face whomever it was. I just saw someone sitting there waiting on me, I wasn't expecting you. I'm glad you weren't hurt." Shippou handed her another ward, waiting to see if she accepted his explanation. Truthfully, he'd been pissed off thinking he was going to be hunted. Just like Inuyasha had always done, he'd attacked without thinking things through.

"It's okay, things must have been really hard. We're together again, everything will be okay." She placed her hand on his, giving him comfort. She couldn't imagine what all these years had been like for him. It made her sad knowing that he had to see Miroku and Sango die. Their deaths made her sad but she'd known they still didn't exist in this time. Now the image of them living long healthy lives was forever taken from her. Shippou was with her now, that made her happy.

She looked at the fox, trying to examine the young man he had become. The boy had grown up while she'd been away, she didn't really know him anymore. Then people change, sometimes for the worst, some for the better. It was all in how they dealt with what life handed them. Some people are naturally strong, some are weak to begin with and some get stronger. She liked to think of herself as one of those people. First entering the well she had been a niave immature girl, that really hadn't known anything. Always been quick to smile, trying to make sure all those around her were just as happy as she. Years of pain and hurt, feeling second best to another woman had made her somewhat bitter. Had it changed her outlook on life? Yes. Was she crude and a little outspoken now? Yes. She didn't care if anyone didn't like her the way she was now, her past had made her this way. Spending years with a colorful hanyou, one can't help but pick up the language; not that she'd been a complete angel before that. After years of trying to make everyone else happy, it got old. She felt jaded in her young age, a little sour. But after everything she'd been through wasn't she allowed for it to effect her personality some? No one could go through all that and not change. She kind of liked her new self, she didn't worry as much. "So are you still the adorable little kit I once knew?"

Shippou hung his head, not wishing to lie. "No, I"m sorry Kagome. Times were hard and I had no one. I've never killed a human but I have stolen. Everything is so different now, I guess I'm different now as well." Shippou handed her another ward feeling sad and depressed. He knew Kagome would still accept him, give him forgiveness. Even if her outside manner had changed, she was still the loving Kagome he'd always known.

"Don't worry about it Shippou. Come, let's get the rest of these wards up. I don't think it will be a good idea to sleep in the village tonight. After this ward, head out towards the road and I'll meet you there okay." Kagome knew that most were unsure of her story but were trying to believe it. She would make sure no harm came to Shippou no matter what happened.

"Man, I don't see why we couldn't stay in the village. I was looking forward to sleeping on something softer than dirt tonight." Sano grumbled and rolled over facing towards the fire. They were a little ways from the village already heading home. It wouldn't have been so bad if he had a blanket but the girl was sharing hers with that boy now. What was up with them two? She said he was a friend, just who the hell was he?

"Because that boy there caused a lot of trouble in the village. It wouldn't do well for him to stay the night and the girl wouldn't leave him." Aoshi turned to see the girl's shoulders bristle in anger. He didn't care for the boy they'd picked up or the way they seemed so close. She openly admitted to sleeping next to Sano, had anything happened between them? The thought angered him, jealousy reared it's ugly head. He remembered waking up next to her, the feel of her in his arms. They were both males, had Sano felt the same desires as he? Better yet had he acted on them? Would she have responded to him in the same manner?

He didn't like thinking about it, he didn't want to believe she would respond the same way. The kiss had left an undeniable imprint on his mind and body. The girl was crude, blunt and too outspoken but it didn't stop him from wanting her. With his recent state of mind, he was able to sort out his feelings better. Himura had shown him it is was best to deal with them instead of hiding behind them. Be it guilt, sorrow, pain, or his desires; he had to find an outlet. The girl angered him but it was due to knowing he wanted her and couldn't have her. Leaving her had done nothing but made the want stronger. Should he try and pursue her or try to forget he'd ever layed eyes on her?

"Who asked you? He only fought back those few times because they attacked him first. I don't think either of you two have a right to bitch about it. He was defending himself, you two don't have to stay." Kagome didn't bother looking at Sano, his snort was his answer. Aoshi however met her eyes, those green orbs stared right at her. She felt like he was trying to probe her mind for some answer to a question only he knew. The gaze was intense and caused her heart to beat faster, her blood to race. The urge to look away was strong but she wouldn't give in, not to him.

'Just admit it, you like him.' She blushed at the thought and turned away from him. Did it matter if she did like him? They'd go their seperate ways once they returned. There was a good chance she'd be going home. Should she try the well again? Could she leave Shippou again, after learning of how hard life had been for him? Did she want to go home? The thought of never seeing her family again caused her pain. What was she to do now?

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