How All Came to Be

DISCLAIMER: Rumiko Takahashi owns it. You know I read an article on the web that said Sesshomaru was originally supposed to be Inuyasha’s older sister. Not sure if I believe it, but it was a pretty funny idea.

Chapter 2:
Appearances and Disappearances


“He called upon a miko who traveled with his hated half-brother, for he knew she could see light where there was darkness. His clan, and the clan of his half-brother joined.”

A young male’s voice asked, “How did they ally if they hated each other?”

Kagome reached out to smooth her son’s silky hair. The rain and wind tore at their home. “It wasn’t easy.”

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“What the fuck Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha pointed his sword at his elder brother.

The, now much larger group, was standing in the middle of a wide grassy road through the forest in the afternoon light. Their eyes shifted between the two dog demons in a stand-off.

Sesshomaru merely glared at his half-brother, a slight wrinkling of his nose showing his disgust. “You are in need of a bath.”

Inuyasha worked his jaw like a fish out of water. He was covered head to toe with sticky black inker. It clung to his silver hair and dripped from the sleeves of his haori. Sesshomaru stood a few feet from him like a white immaculate God. Kagome began to wonder if he even could get dirty.

Since Sesshomaru had joined the group the Inu-tachi had decided to take advantage of the opportunity, and root through his domain for any jewel shards. About two hours passed the border between East and West a group of six slug youkai had attacked them. One would not think a being such as a slug would put up much of a fight, except for the fact these slugs were roughly the size of a bus.

Two had met with Sango‘s hiraikotsu, one was sucked up by Miroku. One fell to Kagome’s arrow, and Sesshomaru had neatly dispatched the last two. Though Inuyasha had found himself directly in the path of an explosive spray of slug innards. Overall, it was a humorous situation.

Kagome blamed the adrenaline rush on the fact that a tiny snort escaped her. Furious amber eyes locked onto her and she swallowed involuntarily. Ever since the merging of the packs five days before Inuyasha’s temper had been dangerously unstable. Poor Shippo took the brunt of it and Kagome had been forced to subdue the hanyou far more than normal. The kit had taken to staying as close to her as possible for safety reasons.

Inuyasha took a menacing step toward the miko. His entire posture threatened violence, but a fairly large glob of demon guts falling from his bangs ruined the image. Not wanting to risk angering the half-demon more Kagome thought of dying puppies, Naraku, and generally did everything in her power not to give in to the hysterical laughter building in her chest.

A few more steps brought the hanyou up next to the miko. He stared down at her, clenching and unclenching his fists in impotent rage. All hilarity rapidly drained out of the situation. Kagome recognized the edge of violence her friend was dancing on. Sango seemed to take note of it too, for she stepped up beside her sister and tightened her grip on hiraikotsu. Inuyasha flicked a look at her out of the corner of his eye before spinning around abruptly and leaping off into the trees.

The miko released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and turned toward Sango with a frown. “What was that about?”

Shippo poked his head out from underneath his mother’s hair. “He’s just mad because Sesshomaru splattered him with goop.”

The original shard hunters cast suspicious looks over to the demon Lord. His gaze back was flat and uninterested as he sheathed his sword.

“Do you think he did it on purpose?” Sango asked.

“I don’t feel anything incriminating from him. I mean he was amused for a second, but mostly disgusted.” After a second of thought Kagome added, “He did tell Inuyasha to move.”

“And our dear friend, as usual, did not listen. Do not worry Lady Kagome. He will return.” Miroku stepped forward his voice dropped into a conspiratorial whisper. “Have you asked Lord Sesshomaru yet?”

Kagome shook her head. She had meant to, wanted to really, but she just couldn’t work up the courage to ask the demon about the connection between their auras. A small voice in the back of her mind pointed out that she liked having a way to read the icy Lord. It let her know that he really did have emotions, he just didn’t display them.

Sango cast another glance toward Sesshomaru watching as he nonchalantly turned and continued heading up the road. Jaken scurried passed them followed by Rin on A-Un.

The little girl twisted around to shout back to the indecisive group. “Come on. Lord Sesshomaru does not like delays.” With the parting comment she returned to her task of braiding flowers into the dragon’s harness.

Miroku shrugged as Shippo jumped onto his shoulder. He turned and fell into line behind the retreating white back of the demon Lord. Sango took a few steps before she realized Kagome wasn’t following them.

“Kagome?”

The miko stared off into the woods in the direction Inuyasha had departed. Her lips were drawn tight and turned down a bit at the corners. 'He was so angry.' She fought back a shudder. It had been a long time since she had feared the hanyou. Even the attempt he had made on her life after she had released him from the sacred tree seemed half-hearted when she looked back at it. But lately there was a rage building in him. Her mind called forth the image of blood soaked ground and slaughtered bandits.

A hand on her shoulder finally snapped Kagome from her thoughts. She gave a little jerk, her eyes rising to meet the concerned cinnamon gaze of her sister-friend.

“Miroku’s right. He’ll come back when he’s calmed down.” Sango said. She gently squeezed the younger girl’s shoulder. A hint of teasing slipped into her voice. “Maybe he even went to take a bath.”

Kagome smiled, thinking of how much Inuyasha disliked baths. “You’re right Sango. It’s not like he won’t be able to find us.”

With that said the two women jogged off, easily catching up with the monk, Rin, and A-Un.

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Night fell uneventfully. The group stopped in a small clearing near a stream. With the absence of the inu hanyou it was decided by unanimous vote to not have instant noodles for the evening meal. Instead the four humans and one kitsune headed to the water to fish.

It had taken quite a few lessons from Sango for Kagome to become passable at catching fish without a hook. She peeled off her shoes and socks, braving the chill of the early autumn, and waded in ankle deep. Miroku and Sango were nearby collecting wood for a fire. Kirara trailed faithfully behind them no doubt keeping as close an eye on the monk’s hands as the taijiya was.

After fifteen minutes in the water, Kagome had numb feet and four fish. She took a moment to watch Rin hover like a true predator a little downstream. The failing light caught in her side pony tail and gave a reddish cast to the cream swatches on her yukata.

Sango rejoined them the moment Rin’s hand shot out, cutting smoothly through the water. A triumphant smile appeared on the little girl’s face. She held her wiggling prize above her head.

“Rin has three,” she exclaimed. She waded to the bank, a small hand pulled the fabric of her clothing a little further up her knees.

Kagome opened her mouth to reply but was stopped short. A warning tingle crawled up her spine. She drew in a quick breath, her vision searching the line of trees across the stream from them.

“That should be plenty.” She stated slowly. “How about you and Shippo take the fish back to camp? Sango can start cooking them.”

“Okay,” the little girl chirped. She and Shippo tied the fish into two bundles.

A frown crossed the demon slayer’s face when she took in the tense form of her friend. “Are you alright Kagome?”

The miko bit her lip. “Do you feel that?”

“No,” Sango shook her head, confused. “Is it a demon?”

“I don‘t know. It doesn‘t feel right. It...” She trailed off, forcing herself not to shiver as the atmosphere thickened. “Can you take the kids back to the campsite and send Sesshomaru here?”

The taijiya nearly choked on the idea of telling Sesshomaru to go anywhere but... “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you alone. You should come back with us.”

“No. I don’t like whatever it is being so close to camp. I won’t be alone for long. Besides, you can’t sense it and someone needs to go with the children. I don’t want them here anymore and I don‘t want them by themselves.” Kagome hesitated. “It feels like...like it’s watching us.” Her voice dropped into a whisper.

Sango nodded and took the bundles of fish from Rin in one hand, ushering her forward with the other. Shippo hopped up onto her shoulder and the three disappeared in the direction of camp.

It disturbed Kagome that something could be so close to them, yet she felt no answering spark of awareness from Sesshomaru. Demons had previously come into close proximity of their camp and she had always felt an alertness from the demon Lord through their bond. There was nothing now. No indication that he was conscious of the entity she could feel circling through the woods across from her.

She clenched her teeth and squinted her eyes against the darkness, attempting to see into the shadows. The sensation she was focused on was vaguely familiar. It was certainly not the swell of youki she was accustomed to and it raised the small hairs on the back of her neck.

Time passed in silence. The first stars peeked through the veil of night. Kagome felt like there was dust clogging her lungs as she strained to hear any noise over the wind rustling through the trees. Sesshomaru’s white form materialized beside her moments later. The contained thrum of his youki was oddly comforting. She found the tightness in her chest evaporated.

“Do you feel it?” Her voice was a low murmur.

Sesshomaru fanned out his senses. His eyes narrowed slightly when he identified the presence that so distressed the miko. “This scent is one I know.”

A wrinkling of his nose and a distinct feeling of disgust let Kagome know how he felt about whatever he was smelling. “What is it?”

“Graveyard soil,” his clear deep voice was not loud, but he was definitely not making an effort to keep quiet. “It is the undead miko.”

Wide blue-gray eyes peered up at him. “What is she doing here?” Kagome mumbled to herself.

“Am I to know?” A silver eyebrow rose in question as he met her gaze. “She will not approach.” He turned on his heal and began walking back toward camp. “Come.”

The miko cast a last wary glance at the hulking silhouette of forest and then followed, questions buzzing through her mind.

When they entered camp the smell of roasting fish flooded Kagome’s nose. A happy mumble escaped her and she plopped down next to Sango by the fire. Rin and Shippo climbed into her lap. She ran her fingers through the little girl’s hair, still lost in thought.

“So?” Sango asked slowly.

No further prompting was necessary for Kagome. “Kikyo,” she answered distractedly. Three pairs of eyes snapped to hers.

The question slipped out before Miroku had a chance to think about it. “Alone?” He promptly received a smack on the back of the head courtesy of Sango. No one noticed the conversation had drawn the attention of the demon Lord who had moved to the edge of camp.

“Yep.” It took her a moment to register the lack of pain she felt at the monk’s insensitive inquiry. Her feelings for Inuyasha had been worn ragged the passed few months. She was relatively sure his attitude since his half-brother had joined their group had worn them straight through.

Shippo nodded, a knowing look on his face. “No wonder you were so creeped out Kagome. She’s scary.”

A ripple of agreement passed through the shard hunters. Sango determined that the fish were done and everyone sat eating in silence for a bit. Even Jaken’s mouth was occupied.

Miroku appeared deep in contemplation. His fish paused halfway to his mouth. “Why do you think she is here?” The words broke the quiet that had settled over them.

Kagome shrugged her shoulders as she took another bite.

“Perhaps she was looking for Inuyasha?” Sango suggested.

“It’s possible. But why spy on us then? And I didn’t see any of her soul collectors with her. They’re usually a big giveaway.” Kagome held her half-eaten fish out to Kirara. The neko mewed delightedly before clamping her tiny fangs around it and moving away from the fire.

“That is peculiar,” Miroku agreed, his free hand rubbing his chin.

“Sesshomaru said she won’t come near so I’m not going to worry about it.” The miko peered down at the two children who had finished their meal. She clapped her hands once. “Alright. You guys need a bath. Will you come with us Sango?”

The taijiya blinked, surprised at both the faith her sister-friend put in their enemy turned ally and the abruptness of the conversation change. “Sure,” she answer hesitantly.

When the group of four made it back down to the river Kagome was relieved to feel that Kikyo had apparently moved on. After a quick bath, due to the cold temperature of the water, she brushed the two heads and one tail, then settled the children in for the night.

Rin curled up against A-Un. The dragon nuzzling affectionately into the miko’s stomach when she finished covering the little girl with a blanket. Shippo scooted aside as Kagome crawled in her bedding. Inside she couldn’t help but worry. Between Inuyasha taking off and Kikyo’s appearance she felt out of sorts.

Sango slipped into her sleeping bag, taking in the small wrinkle in the miko’s forehead and the slight pucker of her lips. “He’ll be back,” she assured.

“I know,” Kagome answered automatically. 'He always comes back,' she told herself. A niggling doubt made its way into her mind. Since the night when Sesshomaru had shown up he hadn’t left the group at all. Now it was dark and he still hadn’t returned.

She closed her eyes and pulled Shippo closer to her. The little fox was a mini-furnace against the ever more chilly nights. 'Sango’s right. He’ll be back. When I wake up in the morning he’ll be here, bellowing about how us humans always sleep too late.' A small smile formed on her face. 'When I wake up, he’ll be yelling for ramen.' She let her thoughts trail off until sleep claimed her.

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When she woke in the morning he wasn’t there. And he wasn’t there the next four mornings either. The sun went down on the fifth day of Inuyasha’s absence and she was no longer the only one worried for their hanyou friend.

Miroku and Shippo came back from the hot springs to find Sango, Kagome, Rin, and oddly enough Jaken, gathered in a small circle to one side of camp. The stoic demon Lord was conspicuously absent.

“What do you think we should do?” Kagome’s worried voice asked the group at large.

Sango scooted to the side allowing room for Miroku to sit. Shippo leapt into Kagome’s lap with Rin.

“Appeal to Lord Sesshomaru.” Everyone started when Jaken spoke. The staff of two heads propped loosely against his shoulder. He nodded his little toady head. “The half-breed has been away for too long. The night of the new moon approaches.”

Five sets of widened eyes fixed on the diminutive youkai. Even Kirara looked surprised.

“What?” He croaked. “Did you think the great Lord Sesshomaru would not know his younger brother’s night of weakness?”

“Half-brother,” Shippo and Rin corrected automatically.

Jaken gave a disinterested sniff. “My Lord would never be without such important information. He is too powerful to...”

Everyone ignored the little toad’s rant about the greatness of his master.

“So where is Lord Sesshomaru?” Miroku asked, glancing around the small glade as if the inu youkai would pop out from behind a tree. Which in reality was a fair possibility.

It was Rin who answered. “He left after dinner and told Rin to stay with you.” She reached around and hugged Kagome’s right arm tightly.

A black eyebrow rose as the monk absorbed this new information. He took a quick glance at Kagome who shook her head. All she was receiving from Sesshomaru was annoyance. “I suppose we will simply have to wait for him to return. I cannot imagine him leaving his ward overnight. Especially with how often we have been attacked as of late.”

Kagome fingered the bottle of jewel shards hanging around her neck. They had gathered two more in the ten days the pack had been together. Not counting the one Sesshomaru had given them that first night. “It was never this bad before.” After receiving questioning looks she elaborated. “I mean we were never attacked so frequently before we joined together. I wouldn’t think three jewel shards wouldn’t make that big of a difference.”

A guilty look flashed across Jaken’s face. Everyone’s gaze settled on him.

“What aren’t you telling us, toad?” Sango grit out.

If possible Jaken’s face turned greener. “Well...I...um...” He sputtered.

Before anyone could demand answers Kagome stiffened. “I sense a jewel shard!” She put Rin and Shippo down quickly and gathered her bow as everyone in the group leapt to their feet.

Kirara transformed and A-Un lifted himself from the ground to move beside Rin.

“Where?” The taijiya shed her outer kimono and gripped her hiraikotsu.

Kagome pointed into the woods on their left. “There, and it’s moving this way.”

The shard hunters turned in the direction she indicated, readying themselves for whatever would appear. Shippo leapt onto A-Un’s back with Rin, prepared to take flight if necessary. Jaken settled himself in front of them, the staff of two heads at the ready.

They stood there waiting, watching the tree line for any disturbance. With the amount of youki the group was feeling they were expecting trees to crack and break, or the ground to shake with the creature’s steps. Instead what emerged from the forest looked about the size of a large dog.

Miroku’s lips curled in disgust. “What is that?”

“I don’t know,” Sango shook her head.

The miko’s eyes traveled over the youkai. That was bad. If a taijiya didn’t know what kind of demon it was then they had no way of knowing what they were facing.

To Kagome the creature loosely resembled a wolverine, all fangs and claws. There was a ridge of spines running the length of its back and its blue fur rippled as it snarled. It was hunched down on all fours. The set of claws on its front legs ripped at the ground.

“The shard is in its back,” she announced, readying an arrow in her bow. Kagome blinked and the youkai disappeared. “Where’d it...”

She was cut off by a sharp cry of pain. Somehow the thing had made it from the edge of the clearing to Sango in the blink of an eye. It had its claws buried in her calve and she brought her weapon down defensively. Before she could make contact the youkai released her and she crumpled to the ground, blood pouring from her leg.

“Sango!” Miroku made to run to the fallen taijiya and Kagome saw a blue blur from the corner of her eye.

“Watch out!” She called.

The monk threw his upper body back and managed to avoid the worst of the blow. Five angry gashes crossed from his lower left chest to his right shoulder. He cried out and clutched at the bleeding wounds.

The miko’s eyes darted around the clearing, searching for any sign of movement. She felt it before she saw it, coming in from her right side. Kagome flung herself to the ground and rolled, but the creature pounced after her. She kicked out with her foot, connecting with the flank of the youkai as it twisted in mid-air.

Growls and snarls echoed around her as her bow went flying. Gnashing fangs came into view. The thing was right on top of her. It was too fast. There was no way she could shoot it, she could barely see it!

“Kagome!” Shippo and Rin cried from behind her.

The youkai’s attention shifted from her for a split second and she did the only thing she could think of. The arrow had not been knocked from her grasp. There was no decision to be made. She charged the arrow and plunged it into the head of the beast as it lowered its maw to clamp over her neck.

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AN:

So, what do you think? The sections cut of with the 'xxx' denotes the original 'bedtime story' for Kagome's children. Everything else is just a scene change.

You know I've been wondering. Is it daiyoukai, or taiyoukai?

Ah well...review.