Through Blood and Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. He belongs the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi!


Chapter 12: Kagome's Other Family

Nico shrank back, not knowwhatwhat to expect next. The Inus just starred at her not knowing what to do next. It seemed an eternity before someone finally spoke. It was Nico.

“I just want to go home, now. My family is going to be very worried.”
“Where is your home?” asked Taki.

Nico thought for a second.

“I’m not sure, exactly.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” questioned InuYasha. He peered down at Nico and began to sniff her. He was looking for a scent that could tell him where she was from, but he couldn’t recognize anything. But her smell was very intoxicating. InuYasha inhaled deeply. He had never smelled anything more lovely.

“Um, excuse me, but could you please stop sniffing me.”
InuYasha stiffened at the request. He had not realized he was still sniffing cou couldn’t help it though. He straightened up.

“I was just trying to get a familiar scent that would tell us where your from.”
“You can do that?”
“Of course he can,” said Taki, “he’s an inu-youkai. So am I and so is our brother.” Taki pointed in the direction of Sesshoumaru.

Nico looked at all three in wonder. Dog demons. She didn’t think they were reallmonsmons like that. It was all just Japanese folk lore and “stupid stories” that Kagome’s grandpa always told them. Well after what just happened, could she really be all that surprised. Taki walked forward and stuck her hand out to Nico.

“Hi. My name is Taki.”
“Hi, I’m Nico. Nico Morisato.”

Nico didn’t know if it was a wise idea to reveal her family name. Especially if everyone wanted to kill Kagome.

“It’s nice to meet you. This is my older brother, Sesshoumaru, but I call him Fluffy.” Taki gave a little giggle and Nico snickered a little at the cuteness of “And“And this is my younger brother, InuYasha.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you. Thank you for helping me. I don’t want to think about what might have happened if you hadn’t shown up.”


Nico felt grateful for the Inus. She gave an exasperated sigh. The battle had worn her out. Taki began to sniff Nico now. Mmmm, she smells really pretty. Taki opened her eyes and saw Nico starring at her.

“Do I smell funny or something?”
“No! You actually smell very good.” Taki gave a cute smile. “I just can’t believe your only a human. That was really impressive what you did to Bankotsu and Naraku.”
“Thanks I guess.”
“Maybe we could spar sometime.”
“Sure.”
“Taki, don’t you think you should quit pestering her,” said InuYasha.
“I agree with InuYasha,” spoke Sesshoumaru finally. “She’s obviously very tired and she has already expressed she wants to go home.”
“But she doesn’t know where home is. And I’m not pestering her.” Taki stuck her tongue out at inuYasha.
“Really, it’s not bothersome. I’m used to it,” replied Nico.
“So, you really don’t know where home is?” asked InuYasha.
“No.”
“She could live with us!” exclaimed Taki.
“She’s not a pet Taki,” said Sesshoumaru.
“Well I know that. But she could be my friend. I haven’t seen Sango in forever and Kagome left us for good, so I could have another girl around.” She turned to Nico. “Only if you want to of course.”

Nico was just looking at Taki dumbfounded. She was friends with Kagome? And what did she mean Kagome left them for good. I need some answers now.

“Okay, who is this Kagome and what happened to her?”

All three Inus looked at each other, then at Nico.

“Why do you want to know?” asked Sesshoumaru.
“Well two maniacs have mistaken me for her and now you mention her. I’m just curious.”
InuYasha began, “Kagome was one of our pack mates. She came to us about three years ago. She came through the Bone Eaters well, which is some kind of portal between our time and hers. She is the reincarnation of a priestess who used to guard a sacred jewel call the Shikon No Tama. It was stolen from a nearby village and in an attempt to get it back, she shot an arrow at the demon who had stolen it. The arrow broke the jewel into hundreds of little shards that were blown everywhere. This jewel can give any demon 1,000 times it’s strength and the shards are no better. Kagome has been traveling with me for the past three years, trying to recover the jewel shards. We have picked up strong allies along the way that have become friefriends, no family, and have banded together and formed our own pack.”

Nico was shocked. All this time Kagome had kept this from her. But why? Did she not trust Nico. Sesshoumaru picked up the story.

“A month ago, Kagome came through the well and told she was not going to come back for a while. She said her cousin was coming to live with them and she didn’t want her exposed to this. She said she couldn’t put her cousin’s life endanger as well. She loved her cousin to much to do that. So she said good-bye and left. Little did we know though, her true intentions all along were that she would never return. She had Kaede and her grandfather put a powerful seal on the well. No one has been able to break it. Not even the most powerful of demons and sorcerers. We’ve had them try.”
Nico felt bad. Kagome had given up her friends here for her. And they missed her terribly. Nico could hear it in their voices as they spoke of Kagome. I wonder how many others are in their pack? As the thought crossed her mind, a group walked into the clearing. It consisted of a female about Kagome’s height and size, a male dressed in monk’s clothing, another male who wore furs and armor with long black hair pulled into a ponytail carrying a small child that looked to have tail and a small kitten, carried by the female.
When they were out in the clearing, the female set the kitten down and ran to Taki. They embraced as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. The two males also came and greeted the others. They were all talking at once.

“What are you guys doing here?” asked Taki.
“When we got to the castle, they told us what happened so we set off to find you and see if you needed any help,” said the man wearing the fur.
“Like we would need your help, wolf boy,” exclaimed InuYasha.
“Now InuYasha, we were only concerned,” said the monk.
“Oh I’m so glad your all okay,” exclaimed the female hugging Taki again.
“Who is that?” asked the child, pointing at a forgotten Nico.

Taki walked over to Nico and out her arm around her. She gently pulled her over to the group.

“It’s okay Nico. This is the rest of our pack.” She brought Nico over to the female and introduced them. “This is Sango. She is a demon slayer and the best I’ve ever known.”
“Oh Taki, your too kind.”
“This is Miroku,” Taki said facing the monk. “Don’t let the robe fool you. He maybe a monk but is a complete hentai.”

Miroku took Nico’s hands into his and asked, “Will you bear my children?”
“WHAT!” Nico smacked him hard on the head without even thinking.

Sango came up behind her. “Couldn’t have done it better myself.” She giggled.

“Don’t mind him. He asks any female he meets that.”
“y.” y.”
“It’s okay,” said Miroku, getting up, rubbing his head. Taki dragged her over to the other male.
“This guy over here is Kouga.” Nico remembered Kagome writing about Kouga once. She even found a poem about him in Kagome’s poetry book. Kagome then proceeded to spill the beans about him and told Nico that she was in love with Kouga but they couldn’t be together anymore. She wouldn’t tell Nico why though. Now Nico knew.
“Kouga is a wolf-demon, and a prince one at that.”
Kouga took Nico’s hand and kissed it. “It is nice to meet you Lady Nico.”

Nico blushed a deep red. No wonder Kagome loves him. Cute and a gentleman.

“And this little guy is Shippou. He is a fox-demon. The little kitten is Kirara. She’s a fire cat.”
Shippou jumped onto Nico’s shoulder. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Shippou.”
“Everyone, this is Nico. And this is our pack,” stated Taki. “Of course minus Kagome.” Her tone was saddend.

Everyone grew silent at Kagome’s name. Nico could feel the sadness in the air. These nice people were sad because of her. She hated it when she made people sad. Kouga then spoke.

“Yes we did have another. My mate, Kagome but she is gone now.” Kouga looked away, trying to hide the oncoming tears.
“She was your mate?” asked Nico.
“Yes,” was all he could say.
w I w I feel really bad. I can’t believe Kagome would give up all this for me. Nico decided to play along and see what other information she could get before she revealed who she was.

“This Kagome must have been some fool to give up such a family. How anyone could walk away from people who love you is beyond me.” Nico’s voice hn edn edge as what she said did strike a chord in her.

The other’s looked at her. They all just seemed so sad now. Taki decided to change the subject.

“So, Nico, did you give any thought about what I said?”
“Huh?”
“Remember? About staying with us until we can find your home?”
“Well if it’s not too much trouble. I would be very grateful.”
“Why can’t you find your home?” asked Miroku. “I find it very odd the one does not know where one lives.”

Miroku eyed Nico as the light bulb went off inside everyone else’s head. Kouga approached Nico.

“Aye, monk. How odd indeed.”
“Hey lay off her,” barked Taki. She had already grown attached to the new human and was ready to defend her off from these two, just as she used to do Kagome.
“I’m merely stating the ous,”us,” said Miroku.

Nico looked around. Miroku, Kouga, InuYasha, and Sesshoumaru were all looking at her very strangely. Taki had taken a defensive position, making Nico worried. Would they do something to her. But why? I haven’t done anything. I really don’t know where home is.
Sango came up beside Nico and put an arm around her shoudlers.

“Pay no attention to the boys. They’re just being retarded,” said Sango. She turned to the guys. “Come one guys, leave her alone. Did it ever occur to you maybe she has amnesia or something. Quit being so mean.”
“No it’s nothing like that,” said Nico suddenly.

Sango, along with Taki turned and looked at her. Now they were all just staring at heWellWell I guess it’s now or never.