From The Ashes

A/N: Thanks so much for the great reviews, guys. As for the question as to why Kikyo is around, well, you are simply going to have to wait and see what I am planning for her and the others. As for when they will all meet, you'll have to read to find out. :oP Anyways, please read and review. Thanks.

*editing done by Hannah (prinnybubbles). Reposted on 5/11/08*
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Morning came, finding Kagome sprawled in her bed. She grimaced when the light hit her eyes. When she slowly opened them, she winced and groaned when she realized that the soreness that she felt the previous night seemed to have doubled, making it hard for her to move.

But Midoriko was not about to let Kagome waste another minute in bed, and snapped, 'Get up and get dressed. Daylight is wasting away and we have a lot to do.'

Kagome pulled herself up and moved to her dresser. She pulled out a clean pair of panties and bra before moving to her closet. Midoriko warned her to pick something loose, and Kagome could bet that whatever the miko had in mind for her involved moving around a lot.

After a nice, hot shower, Kagome dressed and left her room. She felt much better; the hot water helped relax her aching muscles. She found her family in the kitchen, smiling at them as she slid in a chair.

“How did you sleep, Kagome?” Mrs. Higurashi asked, her eyes filled with concern. Kagome smiled up at her mom when a plate of hot food appeared in front of her.

“I feel like I can sleep for a few weeks,” Kagome said, ignoring Midoriko's muttered reply not to even think about it. “But overall, I feel really good.”

“That's good. But I still would like to throttle the necks of those young men who came here yesterday. After what they put us through, they'd be lucky to get away with only minor injuries,” Mrs. Higurashi fumed.

Kagome paled, closing her eyes. Damn. She had completely forgotten about them. Midoriko whispered, 'You have to tell them not to inform anyone that you are here. We don't need any distractions, Kagome.'

“Mom, if they come back here, please don't tell them that I came back, alright? I don't want to see them or answer their questions,” Kagome pleaded, giving her mother her best puppy-dog eyes.

Mrs. Higurashi and Grandpa eyed her suspiciously, but then nodded. After all, Kagome knew these people. If she didn't wish to see them, they would not force her.

Once breakfast was finished, Kagome announced to her family that she was going for a walk and would be back after a while.

When she was gone, Grandpa turned to his daughter and asked, “Did you notice that Kagome's hair is much longer today than it was yesterday? And it is changing to a different color.”

Mrs. Higurashi bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, I noticed it. But until she says anything about it, neither of you are to say anything to her about it. Kagome will tell us in her own time and her own way,” she instructed.

Both males nodded, and Souta moved to go and watch television. Even though she was a pain, it was good to have Kagome home.

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The meeting had ended horribly. Now, as everyone sat in the courtyard of Genkai's shrine, it was clear that no one was in the mood for conversation. However, Genkai knew that they had work to do, so she stood up, hands clasped behind her back.

“Okay dimwits, listen up and listen good. Koenma is right. We will have to worry about Kagome's soul later. We are also going to have to get used to the idea of working with Naraku, or Onigumo, or whatever he wants to be called. Like it or not, he is the best source of information for us.” she said, her face hard as she stared at the people and youkai before her.

“How in the hell can you be so calm about this, Granny?” Yusuke demanded, his anger apparent. “You really expect us to be alright with working near that sadistic bastard?”

“Yes I do, numbskull,” Genkai replied. “Koenma has ordered it, and we are going to do it. All of us.”

Sesshomaru stood up, towering over the elderly woman. “I do not take orders from anyone,” he snapped, his golden eyes narrowing.

Genkai allowed a smirk to form on her lips and she snickered. “Oh yes you do. You take orders from Koenma, or he'll send your backside back to the youkai world so fast that your head won't have time to spin. Now sit down,” she ordered.

Kikyo stood up and looked at the old psychic. “A leopard cannot change his spots. Naraku will betray us,” she warned.

“Yes, I am well aware that what you suggest is a strong possibility. But you heard him, miko. You heard his desires. I doubt he would be willing to risk his shot at a new life just so he can help kill us,” Genkai replied.

Kurama cocked his head, glancing over at the hanyou sitting beside the miko and his two human companions. Finally, his natural curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, “Are you and the hanyou mated? I heard rumors that you were together, but I cannot detect his presence upon you.”

Kikyo nodded her understanding. “The rumors flying around are that Inu Yasha and I are mates. Yes, I have heard of them, and no, they are not true. At least, not in the physical sense. Oh, we are together, but cannot be bonded in the way that matters most. I am no longer part of the living world; therefore, his mark would not remain upon me. But in every way other than that, we are mates.” She smiled down at the hanyou, who gave her a large grin in return.

As the group began talking, reacquainting themselves with one another, Botan arrived through a portal and bowed. She sighed, giving the group a sympathetic glance before saying, “I'm sorry to intrude, but he wishes to speak to all of you.”

Onigumo moved out of the portal and onto the soft grass before looking around, taking in a deep breath of fresh air. He glanced over at Botan and said, “Thank you, and I'll let you know if you are needed again. You may go.”

Botan sniffed, lifting her nose in the air. She hated having to deal with him. But because Koenma ordered it, she had to do as Onigumo said. She waved to her friends and walked back into the portal, but managed to flip off Onigumo's back before it closed. The gesture was not missed by anyone.

Glancing over his shoulder to make sure that she was gone, he moved forward, ignoring the growls that were being sent his way. He shoved his hands into his pockets and said, “You need to be aware that Chyjoko is somewhere here in the Earth realm.”

Sesshomaru stood up, approaching the former hanyou until he was eye to eye with the man. Onigumo simply stood his ground. After a minute, he said, “If you are trying to intimidate me, it is not going to work. Now, if you are done posturing, I suggest that you listen to what I have to say.”

Sesshomaru growled, but moved back. He could not detect the scent of fear from the male before him. But he did detect the scent of sadness. Could it be that Naraku, scourge of Japan, could feel remorse?

Once he had the group's attention, albeit grudgingly, Onigumo sat down on a chair and leaned forward. “Chyjoko has been gathering others to aid him in his little mission. It seems that he, too, has heard of the Shikon Jewel and wants it for himself. Now, from what I remember, the jewel disappeared back inside of the miko, Kagome, and has not been seen since. But he is determined to find it and use it to overthrow King Enma,” he said, his red eyes moving from one person to the next before settling on Kikyo.

“I believe that he may attempt to go after Kagome's family. It would be wise to have Kikyo go to them and set up a barrier, at least until we know the extent of his power,” Onigumo said, watching Kikyo stiffen.

“I doubt that her family will want me near, seeing as how I caused her a lot of pain while she was alive,” Kikyo snapped, eyes blazing with anger.

Inu Yasha stood up and grasped her hand. “Kikyo, we are not the same people that we were five hundred years ago. Kagome knew that I could not be with her, not because I didn't care for her, but because I loved you too much to let you go. She stepped back out of respect, and promised to stay beside me, even though she knew of my feelings. But as much as I hate to admit it, he is right. Without our help, Kagome's family will be easy targets. I will go with you to her family,” he said, his voice soft.

Kikyo bit her lip and shook her head. “How can I face them? We both know how much she cried over you. How can I look them in the face and expect them to welcome my help, when I am the one who hurt her so badly?” she whispered.

Hiei stood up and snorted. “If you don't mind, I would like to keep my breakfast from making an appearance. All of this self-pity is sickening. So you and the mutt fell in love and are together. Who the fuck cares? If you really wish to make things up to the miko, protect her family, since she cannot,” he snapped, his red eyes narrowing with contempt.

The courtyard grew very quiet. Then Genkai snickered, “Well, it's close to what I was going to say. Alright, do you know if he has a battle plan yet?” she asked, turning to Onigumo.

The man shook his head, but narrowed his eyes. “Koenma believes that while this group is powerful, we will still need some help. For the most part, we are going to need people who are familiar with wars, and who can help us come up with an effective battle strategy,” he said.

Sesshomaru and Kouga snorted. Standing up, Kouga announced, “We don't need anyone's help. Between us, Sesshomaru and I have more than enough experience. Both of us lead large armies and are skilled in strategy.”

“Yes, but you are used to fighting youkai. Chyjoko is enlisting the aid of both youkai and human. We will need people who know how to deal with the combined forces. Humans are not the same as they were in the feudal era. They have evolved, and gotten smarter,” Onigumo said, his tone bored. But when he glanced over at Kuwabara, finding the young man staring up at the sky with a bit of drool hanging out of his mouth, he thought, 'I stand corrected,' and amended his earlier statement. “Well, most of them, at least.”

Yusuke glared at the man before snapping, “Do you know who it is that will be working with us?”

Onigumo stood up, smirking. “Actually, yes, I do know who it is that Koenma is bringing to help you. I know, because I am the one who suggested them. They are three men. And Inu Yasha, I'm sure that you will remember them quite well, one in particular.”

As the hanyou's eyebrows knit together in concentration, Onigumo reached into his pocket and pulled out the stone that Koenma gave to him so that he could contact Botan. When the blue-haired girl appeared, Onigumo said, “It's time, Botan. Bring them to me.”

Botan sighed, opening another portal before glancing at Onigumo. “I really hope you know what you are doing. They caused a lot of problems the last time they were alive,” she said, her eyes worried. But when three forms appeared in the portal, she sighed. “As requested, Onigumo. Bankotsu, Jakotsu, and Suikotsu, at your service.”

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Kagome walked for nearly an hour before finding herself at the park. She watched as the children played and laughed. As a small boy ran by her, he tripped and fell to the ground, scraping his knee. The scent of his blood reached Kagome's nose, and she shook off the sick feeling that came over her. Instead, she gently picked the boy up and helped brush him off. The boy stared up at her with large green eyes; and for a moment, the boy disappeared and Shippo's image appeared.

The boy patted her hand and thanked her for helping him up, breaking her of her trance. When she reached over to pat his head, Kagome stopped and felt her body grow cold.

Lying on the ground was the little boy, his neck ripped open. Where other children had been were several youkai feasting on their corpses. She felt the contents of her stomach moving uneasily. Then she saw a larger youkai turn to face her, his lips coated with blood. Within his claws was the body of her beloved kitsune, Shippo.

Kagome felt her hands tingling. But the feeling left when someone nudged her shoulder. Blinking, she stared into a pair of concerned eyes, hearing a male voice ask, “Kagome, are you alright?”

Shaking her head, she looked around. She found that the children were still playing, and that the little boy was now clutching the leg of a very concerned Hojo. Giving her friend a shaky smile, she nodded.

“I'm sorry. I must have zoned out,” she murmured, giving the small boy a gentle smile.

Hojo nodded in understanding. “Yeah, with all the medicines you are on, that is something that will happen. So, other than that, how are you doing?” he asked, waving for his little cousin to go play. He grasped Kagome's hand in his and led her over to a bench.

“I'm... fine, thank you for asking. Not to sound rude, but how did you know that I was here?” she questioned, her eyes trained upon the happily giggling children.

Hojo's eyes narrowed. “Actually, I didn't. So, you want to tell me what is really going on with you? And don't bother with the excuse that you are sick or something like that. I stopped being naive years ago,” he returned, his tone soft.

Kagome's shocked eyes turned to his and he nodded. “I do know about you, Kagome. See, I came to your house about two years ago and saw you tell your family that you'd see them in a few days. I also saw your friend with the ears on top of his head, yelling for you to hurry up; and both of you went into the well house. A couple of minutes later, I followed, only to find that the house was empty. So explain to me what exactly you were doing. And please tell me the truth. School is over, so you don't have to worry about me running to them and telling them what I know,” he murmured.

Kagome sighed and began to talk. When she finally came to the end, leaving out her death of course, she glanced over at Hojo and saw that he was deep in thought. Finally, he chuckled and shook his head. “You know, because of you, I nearly became a doctor. I was so interested in how someone with as many illnesses as you didn't die. But now that I know the truth, it is pretty funny.”

Kagome gave him a weak smile, and asked, “So, since you are not a doctor, what do you do?”

Hojo stood up and reached for his back pocket. He pulled out his wallet and flipped it open. Inside was a shiny silver badge. Beside it was an identification card with the words Detective Hojo Akira printed on it. He sat back down and told her why he joined the police force, and that he finally realized that he had to let her go. In fact, he decided to go after Eri. After a year of dating, they had married.

“My cousin over there is visiting my mom, but she and Eri are working on a theme for the nursery for our first baby” He smiled. “We had to get out of the house before we went crazy, so here we are. The question is, why are you here?”

Shrugging, Kagome said, “For the first time, I feel the need for something normal, you know? After all that I have seen and done, this feels like paradise to me. I envy you, Hojo. I wish that I was planning a nursery for my own baby, and I wish that I had someone to love me the way Eri loves you. But most of all, I wish that I had a normal, boring life.”

Hojo nodded and patted her shoulder. “We are all given hardships in our life, Kagome. Clearly, you've done well with what you have received. Just as I have. We all have hardships and secrets. And you don't have to worry; your secret is safe with me,” he said, smiling down at her.

Kagome grinned and stood up. When he held his arms out, she happily went into them, hugging him tightly. She was blessed to have him as a friend, and was glad that he moved on to something better than what she would have given him.

When it was time to leave, Hojo wrote down his phone number, telling her not to be a stranger. He wanted her to see the baby when it was born, and knew that Eri would love to talk to Kagome. After he and his little cousin left, Kagome heard Midoriko say, 'Well, he was a nice young man. Pity that you were so blinded by the inu hanyou to not see that handsome fellow.'

“It never would have worked out,” Kagome murmured, and took in a deep breath.

'Yes, it is probably for the best. Your path in life has changed, and it would not be good for him should you have gotten together. So, are you ready for your next lesson?' Midoriko asked.

Sighing, Kagome nodded and listened to the old miko. She instructed Kagome in the ability to use nature as a weapon. 'Nature is its own weapon. The wind, water, lightning, and everything else tied to it can be very effective in a battle. You must be able to tap into the force of nature if you ever wish to control it. To do so, you must let go of your restrictions, especially mental ones. I want you to concentrate on the ground before you. You are going to command a rose to appear. Before you attempt to try, please remember that as phoenix, you are nature. You are neither human nor youkai. You are nature personified. Now concentrate.'

For nearly three hours, Kagome tried, but simply could not get a rose to appear. She was able to make a daisy, tulip, weed, and some poison ivy appear, but no rose. Finally, the miko within her mind snapped that her patience was at an end, and that the lesson was over. Kagome, feeling just as frustrated, snapped, “Well, excuse the shit out of me. I've only been a phoenix for a day. I can't be expected to simply look at the ground, concentrate, and suddenly make a fucking rose appear.”

But as she said the words, a green stem appeared. As it grew, it blossomed into a beautiful red rose, right before her eyes. Kagome's mouth flopped open, and she brought one of her fingers to the soft petals. 'Hmmmm, it seems that you have no problem letting go if you get angry enough. And please remember to watch your language. I'm trying to help you, and you are going to get frustrated. But don't take it out on me,' Midoriko scolded. 'Now, let's go home. You need to rest, and so do I. After all of the years listening to the souls in the jewel argue, now is the first time I have ever had this bad of a headache.'

Rolling her eyes, Kagome smiled and carefully picked the rose. She brought it to her nose and took in a deep breath. The rose was very fragrant, and she smiled. The walk home was a pleasant one. But when she reached the street where the shrine was located, she noticed the woman from the house across the street sitting on the steps in front of her house, face ashen and wet with tears.

Biting her lip, Kagome instinctively walked over to her, the woman's pain calling out to her. When the woman lifted her head, Kagome held out the rose to her.

“You know, when someone accuses another of doing something wrong, it’s often because they are the one doing the act that they are accusing the other of. It's not right for him to hit you. And it would be a shame if, one of these days, he hit you enough to cost you that precious baby beneath your heart. It would also be a shame if you hurt your baby with your drinking. Don't you think that you could do better for your baby than what you are doing?” Kagome asked, bringing herself down to look directly into the woman's eyes.

The woman's face was blank, and she softly said, “I can do better for the baby that is under my heart.”

Kagome nodded, turning. She looked both ways to make sure that there were no cars approaching, and then darted across the street and up the shrine steps.

Behind her, the woman blinked, glancing down at her hands to see a beautiful red rose. Lifting the flower up, she took in a deep breath. Then she looked up as her husband's car appeared and pulled into the driveway.

When he got out, she stood up and walked over to him. Without a word, she allowed her hand to fly, smacking him across the face as hard as she could. Bringing his hand to his cheek, he looked down at his wife, who nodded.

“You know, it just occurred to me why you keep insisting that I am cheating on you. The fact is, it's not me who has been screwing around. It's you. Well, I'm tired of taking your abuse, and I'm tired of trying to be a good wife to you. I'm tired of drinking myself into a stupor after you leave the house, just to dull the pain of your attack. Most of all, I'm tired of you. Go to your whore. You no longer have a home with me. And so help me, if you come near me or this baby that I am carrying, I will get a restraining order,” she said, her dark eyes flashing angrily.

As the man tried to talk to her, he was stunned when she turned her back and stomped up the stairs to the front door. Over her shoulder, she tossed a shiny object behind her and said, “Give that to your slut. I don't need it, or you, anymore.”

The man stared at the door as it shut behind his wife, and then allowed his shoulders to slump. He walked over and bent down to retrieve the wedding band that used to adorn her finger. He looked up at the house, but then walked over to his car. Within moments, he was gone.

Kagome watched from the top of the shrine stairs and nodded in satisfaction. Midoriko chuckled and said, 'I was waiting for a better time to teach you how to use persuasion as a tool. But you seem to be a natural at it. Did you feel him as he was leaving?'

“Yeah, I felt him. He feels guilty, but at the same time, relieved. Now he doesn't have to hide anymore. I don't think that he has digested the fact that he is about to be a father. When it happens, I think that there will be trouble for her. I might call Hojo and ask him if he can do anything for her. Legally, I mean,” Kagome murmured. She watched as the front door opened and the young woman stepped out, holding a tall paper bag. She walked to the garbage can and lifted the lid, placing it on the ground before reaching into the brown bag. She pulled out a bottle that Kagome recognized as the whiskey that she kept hidden in her drawer in the bedroom. She unscrewed the cap, proceeding to pour out the contents on the ground before throwing the bottle away.

'Well, it would seem that you save two lives today, Kagome. You saved her from a life of misery and pain with an abusive husband, and you saved her baby from being harmed by the alcohol. It's a step in the right direction,' Midoriko murmured.

Kagome smiled and took in a deep breath, closing her eyes as she savored her small victory. Never before had anything felt so good.

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“Oh, my,” Jakotsu purred, his eyes gleaming with lust as he surveyed the men before him. He gripped Bankotsu's arm and squealed, “My puppy is here, Bankotsu. Oh, the fun times we are going to have.”

Bankotsu smirked and glanced over at Onigumo. “Well, you want to tell us why you brought us here?” he demanded.

Onigumo yawned and motioned with his hand. “Your release is conditional, of course. Just as mine is. I'm sure you have been told about the threat of Chyjoko. Rumor has it that he is pulling together a group of human and youkai that he hopes will aid him in obtaining the Shikon jewel. You are here to aid the group before you with your skills as assassins, and your ability to come up with battle plans. Serve this sentence out and you will be allowed to be reincarnated. Refuse and go straight back to Purgatory,” he explained, his tone lazy.

Jakotsu paled and gripped Bankotsu's arm. “I don't want to go back there, Bankotsu. I hated it there. Let's just do as he says. I don't ever want to see Purgatory again,” he whined, shuddering.

Suikotsu's eyes traveled over the group, then clashed with a set of deep brown eyes staring into his. Moving forward and ignoring the questioning looks of his companions, he walked until he stood before Kikyo, and gave her a slight bow.

“I never got to thank you for releasing me,” he said, his tone soft and polite. He watched Kikyo straighten and nod.

“So, the good doctor emerges. What about your other side? How does he feel about helping us?” she asked.

Suikotsu glanced down at the ground, but then looked up. “He... is not happy. He doesn't wish to help, but he also doesn't want to go back to Purgatory. So he will do what he has to, and fight alongside your group. But please don't be fooled. He can't be trusted, and you should not turn your back on him. Especially you. I'm sorry, Kikyo,” he murmured.

Kikyo nodded in understanding. “He is angry that I ended his threat,” she said, and watched as he nodded. “Well, he will have to get over it. He will have plenty of time to shed blood. I, however, have none to shed for him.”

Suikotsu nodded again, and moved back over to where his brothers stood. Bankotsu hooked his thumbs into the pockets of the jeans he was wearing before asking, “So, when do we begin? I want to get this over with as soon as possible. And I am going to need Banryu.”