Hitokatanaranu Kaihou - Special Key

Blessed by the Kami’s

From a world that had faded to black I opened my eyes to only to find myself in a meadow filled with the smell of sakura blossoms. In the back of my mind I knew that I had never seen this place before. Even for feudal Japan this was beautiful, surreal and untouched by man. Bubbling brooks, soft grass, intoxicating scents from the trees and local flora all combined to make a little slice of paradise. I blinked lazily as I struggled to piece together the last remnants of my memories. I remembered the vicious battle with Naraku. I even remembered his cruel game of tag. I gasped as I realized I was most likely dead and this was heaven.

So you can imagine my surprise when I heard a musical laughter trill out. My head whipped around so I could locate the owner of the laughter. Impossible! It could not be Midoriko-Sama. Oh shit there went my confirmation that I was dead, damn and so much wasted life! Midoriko shook her head. “You’re not dead Kagome-Kun. You are inside the Shikon-no-Tama. We have much to discuss you and me.”

“Okay Midoriko-Sama but where is Sesshoumaru-Sama? I remember him saving me, and even his mention of a key. I just want to make sure he is alright.” I fidgeted like a nervous child. I wasn’t sure if you were supposed to inquire about a maybe ally.

“Kagome you are so pure hearted to think of a Taiyoukai who has tried to kill you many times before” Midoriko shook her head as she delivered that line.

I jumped up furious. “Hai he has tried to kill me in the past but he’s never succeeded. Come to think about most of my friends in this era have started out as enemies. I believe you can’t always judge someone by past deeds. Has he not proven there is more to him that meets the eye by saving me at the cost of his own health?” I even stomped my foot in my ire. Really she’s been stuck in this jewel for ages. What did she know of the great Taiyoukai? I didn’t imagine it was easy to be in charge of lands, villages and ways of life. And if he was such a cold hearted bastard as one an all assumed why keep Rin and Jaken around?

“Oh little Miko, you will do. Kami has made a wise decision in their gift to you. Come Kagome let us sit and discuss the future” we both sat underneath a blooming sakura tree. “As you know I made the jewel of four souls to trap three of the most deadly and evil Youkai’s known to human kind. What you don’t know is that each owner of the jewel helps swing the balance between good and evil. The last few years in Naraku’s clutch have been difficult for me. The youkai trapped within gained power from his constant boost of evil. Now in your hands I am able to have some respite. I erred badly the day when I used my soul to form the jewel. My only thought was that an unselfish wish would purify the jewel and release us from its prison. I have learned in the course of my existence there is no such thing as an unselfish wish as any wish would benefit someone.

I have prayed to the Kami’s for their intervention in this matter. I can no longer protect the jewel on my own. Indeed I am not impervious to outside influences as I thought myself to be. Therefore a permanent Guardian of the Shikon-no-Tama must be named. This person’s entire life will change. Her life span will be made immortal. She will never be able to pass down this mantle of responsibility. The sacrifices that this will entail will be great. The Kami’s and I agree that you are the Miko of Ages and have shown yourself to be worthy of this task.”

Me, appointed the Guardian of the Jewel? I was no Kikyo; I did not have the abilities and skills required for such a job. As Inu Yasha was always telling me I was just a copy and not a great one at that. And if I was immortal did that mean everyone I loved would eventually die? Leaving me in a world of loneliness and loss? I was overwhelmed and a part of me understood the offer, but I still wanted to know what Sesshoumaru meant when he called me the key. “Ano, Midoriko-Sama can you please explain some things to me? I have a lot of questions and I pray you will provide answers. For instance, what did Sesshoumaru mean when he called me a key?”

“Kagome, have you never wondered if there was a greater purpose in your time travel? Besides freeing Inu Yasha and bringing together people who were meant to be together, was there something else you were destined to accomplish? Long before the creation of the Shikon there was a prophecy regarding youkai and humans. If balance between the two was not achieved the world would be torn asunder from the wars and battles. Come dear child did you truly believe there are no youkai in your time? They have learned to adapt and hide what they are from the world at large. Since there was no outward aggression and fighting the skills of miko’s and monk’s faded into tails of legend and fairy tails.

Kami did not intend for it to end in such a fashion. You see Kagome you have been brought back to repair the balance. In essence your pure soul is the key to a future with youkai and humans living side by side. Without the world will descend into chaos, and even the world you left behind will change. Lord Sesshoumaru as the most powerful Taiyoukai and the ruler of the Western Lands has been appointed the keeper of time. It will be his task to protect and train you until your powers are fully developed and under control.

It is known that you will not be able to accomplish this with just the two of you. Therefore the Kami’s and Fate themselves will be gifting you with the ability to give immortality to only those who truly deserve it. Your loyal friends who have fought so tirelessly to defeat Naraku will not have to grow old and die while you retain your eternal youth. A word to the wise though, be very careful to whom you bequeath this gift to. Eternity can drive some to madness. To remain unchanged in a world that’s ever changing can deeply affect a beings mind.

I expect you would also like to know about Inu Yasha and Kikyo? You are not the reincarnation of Kikyo. Indeed you are descended from my line. You have a small portion of my soul inside of you, which is why you were born with the jewel and it was also the only reason you were able to survive the ripping apart of your soul. You may not wish the dead miko back with the Shikon as this will be selfish and will taint the jewel. However I will train you during meditation on using spells to restore back her body to living with a new soul housed within. Inu Yasha I am sure you will agree does not have the discipline to become a full demon. Indeed he is very susceptible to his beast and prone to violence in his altered state. Fate made him a hanyou and that’s what he must remain. Balance is the key to everything!

I think I have covered a lot of your questions. So now for the rules, as I’ve stated before once you accept this gift you may not change your mind. You will have to train hard and Sesshoumaru is a HARD task master but your control and power will be better for training with him. Since the jewel will fuse with you I can train you when you meditate or sleep. This way will be easier that trying to project a representation of myself in the real world. You will learn to master the elements themselves.

When your training is complete you will be amongst the strongest in the world. Do not swerve from your chosen duty. Your duty will be to protect humans and youkai alike. Your role as mediator is essential to the world’s future. Love is allowed; indeed fate has a wonderful mate in mind for you. Love can be found in the least likely places and is a leap that cannot be denied. The well will continue to function until time catches up with itself or all your living relatives are gone. You may gift the ability to travel through the well to any of your companions or family. Now for the formalities, do you have any other questions and do you accept your position as Guardian?”

Wow had someone forgotten to give me a copy of the let’s dump the fate of the world in Kagome’s lap memo? Kami! I immediately felt guilty. Like grandfather would say we are all born with a purpose. It was evident from the age of 15 that mine was anything but normal. I looked at Midoriko; I was not too fond of the thought of all that power. Mine has never been the path of conquest, ne that path belonged to my new sensei. Yet how could I selfishly refuse the ability to help shape the world into a better place. I could only pray that I received wisdom along with power. Idiots with power have done much more harm than good to the world.

Did I have other questions? You bet! The most important one…. “Well Midoriko-Sama will I be allowed to talk to you and ask questions during training? I know you will my sensei but can we also be friends?” I tugged at my skirt while I waited for an answer. Her eyes lit up with joy.

“Hai Kagome we can be friends and you may call me Midi-Chan and I will call you Ka-Chan. Okay?” I nodded enthusiastically.

I took a deep breath and bowed from my waist and uttered the words that would irrevocably change my life. “I will humbly accept the position of Guardian to the Shikon-no-Tama.”………………

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AN: Yes I know short chapter but I wanted to leave it here so the next chapter flows better!

Next chapter has Sesshoumaru!

Fallen_Tenshi8