How All Came to Be

DISCLAIMER: Rumiko Takahashi lend me your skills! -blinks at readers- Oh, I don’t own it.

Chapter 3:
Respect


“Did she kill it?” A gleam of excitement shone on the young boy‘s face.

Tsuki grumbled. “You would ask that.” She rolled her eyes.

Kagome chuckled softly. Apparently the story was sufficiently distracting them from the storm outside and the absence of their father. “Are you going to let me continue?”

Two sheepish nods were her answer.

“Alright then. The demon Lord placed faith in the miko that his charge would be protected in her hands. He did not do so in vain.”

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There was a moment, just after the head of the arrow embedded itself into the fiend on top of her, that Kagome was afraid her life really would end. Then a cloud of dust erupted around her, sparkling faintly with purity. She felt the jewel shard land on her abdomen as the remnants of the youkai drifted upward on the breeze. Her hand released the arrow and she drew in a shaky breath.

Pushing herself into a sitting position, she ran a quick mental check for injuries. The few shallow gashes and bruises were not serious. Damp fingers purified the shard before placing it reverently into the bottle with the others.

“Kagome!” Shippo collided with her. His force almost enough to knock her back down. The little kitsune nuzzled into her stomach and a small pair of arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders from behind.

She patted Rin’s hand and Shippo’s head. “I’m fine,” she said in an attempt to put them at ease. Emerald eyes brimming with tears gazed up at her. “Really. I’m alright. I didn’t get hurt.” Shippo sniffled and wiped his nose on his sleeve. A low moan brought her attention back to the others. “You guys have to move. I have to help Sango and Miroku.”

Reluctantly the two children drew away. Neither too keen on releasing her after what they had just witnessed. Shippo shivered. Another few seconds and that thing would have sunk its fangs into his mother’s throat.

Kagome stood. Her eyes searched the clearing for her yellow backpack. It rested near the base of a tree on her right, lumpy and discarded. She dashed over to it and pulled free the white first aide kit she’d kept fully stocked since her mother began insisting she take it with her. Darting to her friends she locked gazes with Miroku. The monk had staggered over to Sango and was gripping tightly to her leg wound. Her sister-friend lay on her side breathing harshly.

“Miroku...” Kagome trailed off.

His voice was a strained whisper. “My wounds aren’t deep. Sango needs treatment first. She’s losing a lot of blood.”

The miko gave a curt nod. Two metallic clicks sounded as the medical kit was flipped open and a tourniquet produced. She wrapped it around Sango’s leg just below the knee and pulled it into a tight knot. Kagome bit her lip. It was a deep wound, no doubt. Deft hands rolled up Sango’s pant leg.

Both monk and miko winced in sympathy when four perfect puncture marks, each an inch in circumference, were uncovered. They stood out angrily against the pale skin of her friend‘s calf. Though the bleeding had slowed, a thin trickle continued to run out of each hole.

Giving the wound a clinical gaze, Kagome retrieved alcochol wipes, a package of chemical used to form instant clots, and a roll of gauze. She ripped open the packages, cleaning off the wound before pouring the powder on it. A few moments later Sango was bandaged and Shippo was moving a pillow behind her head.

Miroku sat patiently, his robes already lowered to his waist. In any other circumstance the little miko would have been blushing madly, especially since her friend tended to be a pervert. However, taking in her his distracted state, she figured she was safe. The monk’s attention was firmly fixed on the taijiya, small worry lines creasing his brow.

Kagome placed a delicate hand on the slope of muscle near his neck. ‘She’ll be alright.’ Violet orbs met clear blue. He nodded, cringing at the pull of his skin. A hiss escaped the miko’s lips at the slashes across his chest. Minding their ragged edges, she cleaned them with the alcohol wipes. A few gauze pads and a full chest wrap later the monk was in pain, but no longer bleeding.

With a little help from Kirara, Kagome was able to move the demon slayer onto her bedding by the fire. The neko laid beside her, still in her larger cat form. Miroku sat down gingerly on his own sleeping bag and the children settled in against A-Un’s side.

One by one the beings around her dropped off to sleep. Soon the crackle of the fire and the soft breathing of her companions gave way to the sounds of nocturnal creatures. Every twig that snapped and every rustle in the bushes had the miko extending her senses in search of danger. The night wore on, only the shine of the fire-cat’s eyes let Kagome know there was another member of the group on guard for threats.

A thin crescent graced the sky but illuminated next to nothing for her human eyes. In another night the new moon would be upon them. Kagome propped her elbows on her knees and sighed. Inuyasha. Where are you?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last rays of the sun disappeared into the Western sky. Sesshomaru blinked slowly. He had yet to find any trace of his ignorant half-brother. Shortly before sunset two days ago he’d left. His ward had not been alone this long since before Naraku’s barrage of attacks. An uneasy feeling settled into his stomach. It was time to go back.

Why was he out looking for Inuyasha to begin with? It certainly wasn’t because he was concerned for him. No. Sesshomaru was merely attempting to keep the fool from being killed by some low level youkai. No one would be allowed to take his half-brother’s life. It was his to claim. But he had to return to his ward now. Inuyasha would simply have to ride out the night of the new moon as he had before. Though he was certain it would be the first in three years his half-brother spent without the miko.

There was yet another problem. The miko. When had she become so infernally intriguing? It was disgusting how curious he was. Sesshomaru knew she came from the future. How could anyone who spent time around her ignore all the modern devices she toted about with her? The demon Lord was no fool.

Besides, he had been keeping track of his half-brother’s movements since he was released from the sacred tree. Really, how many people jumped into dry wells and didn’t come out for days? He was rather surprised Naraku didn’t know about it yet.

Still, there was something about the miko that drew others to her and Sesshomaru found himself as no exception. She was simply too kind and open to be a natural part of the era. A delicate heart that should have long ago been crushed by the brutality around her. Yet she was strong. Something inside of her seemed forged of steel. He had seen it flash in her eyes when they were attacked. There was something there, warning all who threatened her that she would not be easy prey.

Then there was her ability to read his emotions. It baffled him. More than once she had seemed to note his curiosity about some object or another she had in her possession. She would simply walk over to him and sit, explaining away while he attempted to look as indifferent as possible. But she wasn’t deterred by his lack of response in those one-sided conversations. No, instead it appeared as if she took encouragement from not being vocally rebuffed.

He allowed his thoughts on his two most recent annoyances to trail off as he approached the camp. The first thing he noticed was the smell of old blood. For a moment it felt as if his heart stopped. Something had attacked while he’d been away. Before he could begin to berate himself he took note of whose blood it was, the monk and the slayer’s. His ward’s scent was still present and she had not been injured. Good, he wouldn’t have to stain his claws with Jaken.

When he finally entered the clearing he assesed the group’s condition. The taijiya was laying on her bed roll asleep, as was the monk. His ward and the fox kit were curled up against A-Un. Jaken, he grimaced, had his head tipped back with drool hanging from the corner of his mouth. And the miko...

Sesshomaru almost, almost, took a step back from the miko. She was sitting at the base of a tree outside the ring of firelight and she was obviously furious. The demon Lord’s mind supplied him with the image of his half-brother being forced to the ground. At least she couldn’t do that to him. Although, she could probably singe him a bit.

“Hello Sesshomaru. Do you know what happened here?” Her voice was low and tight. Kagome struggled to tread the line between righteous anger and self preservation.

The demon Lord breathed in the air, sorting through the scents and ordering the events in his mind. They had been attacked. The slayer had been injured, then the monk. Then the miko had purified the demon. His nose wrinkled ever so slightly. A demon that smelled of Naraku.

A feeling of comprehension tinged with disgust raced along their connection. Kagome took it as a sign to cotinue. “You have been gone for two days.” She hissed out. “Where have you been?”

Golden eyes flashed at her in warning, and Kagome could feel it clearly. So she lost the battle between her common sense and anger. She was so very, very tired, and seeing him stand there looking his usual cool and collected self was not helping.

“Do you realize that if there had been more of whatever that creature was that attacked us we would probably all be dead right now?” Kagome wanted to drive her point home, and the only way she knew how was to imply that Rin was in danger. Aloof youkai or not, he cared for the little girl.

The little miko’s anger was palpable, but so was her exhaustion. It was apparent that she had not slept since before he had left. Oh, he did not miss her jab about Rin’s safety, but reluctantly he admitted what she said was true. Looking down at the woman’s wan face he felt something between approval at her actions and guilt.

Sesshomaru moved toward her before lowering himself to the ground and elegantly folding his legs underneath him. “I am aware you have killed more than Naraku’s detachment.”

“Naraku?” Most of her anger melted away at the revelation.

“Indeed. The beast reeks of the hanyou.”

“That makes sense.” Her voice was contemplative. “The thing didn’t even look like a demon. It was just really, really fast. And yes, two oni.” She confirmed. Kagome studied him carefully, her eyes squinted against the lack of light. “You didn’t tell us Naraku was trying to get to Rin.”

His face gave away nothing but through the link Kagome could feel his slight surprise, and annoyance. An uncharacteristic urge to defend the little toad retainer rose in her chest.

“Don’t blame Jaken. After the second oni I was sufficiently scary enough for him to tell me.” The miko paused. “You know as much as I know that you won’t do it, I could really use an apology.”

“If you are aware that I will do no such thing why request it?”

A tendril of black hair fluttered over her shoulder and she raised a hand to tuck it behind her ear. “Hope.”

“Hn.” Golden orbs glittered.

The bastard! He was amused. She could feel it! All bets were off. Ridiculously powerful demon that he was be damned, she was going to at least scorch him.

As if some internal sense of self-preservation kicked in Sesshomaru decided to share where he had been. “The half-breed is difficult to find.”

Navy eyes went wide. All thoughts of purification swept away with his words. “You were looking for Inuyasha?” At his nod she rushed on. “Did you find him?”

There was a hopeful lilt in her voice he found himself loathe to crush.

Kagome knew the answer before he opened his mouth. The slight dip in his emotions told her everything. Was he worried about his brother?

“No.” He watched as her shoulders slumped and she sighed. Why did he care if she was dissapointed? The miko was shaking a bit, not from cold but from strain. Guilt prodded at him again.

How had this small female managed the past two days? It was obvious to him the slayer was unable to move. The monk also appeared to be laying on his side rather tenderly. Yet, everyone was clean and bandaged. There was wood for the fire and he could smell the remnants of rabbit the group had eaten for dinner. Instead of looking worried the children emitted an aura of peace. Most importantly, she had defended the group while he was abscent. The miko made a wonderful alpha.

Silence descended between the two. If it wasn’t for her heartbeat and breathing Sesshomaru would have thought she had fallen asleep. Her head was tipped back against the tree, her eyes closed. The long slender expanse of her neck bared. He shook himself. That was not a detail he needed to focus on. Thankfully he was drawn from his musings by a tired sigh.

“This will be the first time in three years he’s been alone on the night of the new moon.” Kagome lifted her lids to gaze up at the dark sky. “I hope he’s okay. I just don’t understand why he wouldn’t come back.”

A tiny snort escaped the demon Lord. “As if I could be rid of him so easily.”

The miko’s eyebrow rose in question. “Why do you hate him so much?”

Sesshomaru ran a clawed hand through his silver tresses. “Indifference is not hate.”

“Indifference?” Her words were tinged with incredulity. “You call trying to kill him indifference?” She received no answer and a wry smile spread across her lips. “Then I guess that means you like me.”

It was his turn to raise an brow. “Do not become complacent. The terms of our agreement bind me.”

A small scowl formed on her lips before she realized there was no hostility behind his words. Kagome took a page from his book. “Hn.”

“Sleep miko.” Sesshomaru said, slightly amused. He rose fluidly. “Tomorrow we resume our journey.”

Kagome followed his progress across the camp. The white of his clothing and hair stood out against the night. She cast a longing look at her sleeping bag before hauling herself to her feet. Her bow and arrows clattered to the ground as she slid happily into the nylon and cotton.

Within moments the only being conscious was the demon Lord. His amber eyes flashing eerily in the firelight.

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“I was thinking we should stop by Kaede’s. I could use a trip home to get more medical supplies.”

“And ninja food,” Shippo chirped.

“Yeah,” Rin’s exuberant voice added.

Kagome chuckled. Rin was as big a fan of pocky as Shippo was, and the miko had a sneaking suspicion that the inu youkai had been raiding her stash as well. She had always thought that chocolate was bad for dogs. Then again he was a dog demon. If poison didn’t effect him, why would chocolate? She gave a mental shrug.

Two more days had passed, making it a total of two weeks since the packs had joined, and ten days since Inuyasha had disappeared. Miroku’s chest was healing nicely. Once Kagome had been able to rest she had started using her powers little by little to speed the process along. He would probably have a little scaring, but after four days he was much better off.

Sango was still unable to walk. The puncture marks in her leg had looked clean, but in fact they had torn quite a bit of muscle. The miko had just been glad Naraku’s cast off hadn’t hit any important veins or arteries. Had she been forced to heal that there was no doubt in her mind she would have been unconscious for at least a day. Which would have left the group’s safety in the hands of a fire-cat, two headed dragon, and one three foot toad.

She hadn’t been sleeping well since the night of the new moon. It seemed like every time she closed her eyes Inuyasha was dying. First he was speared through with Naraku’s tentacles. Next a youkai had come upon him during his human night. Then Kikyo had dragged him into hell. The last one she knew wasn’t possible as she had felt the hair raising presence of the undead miko just the night before.

Sesshomaru hadn’t seemed concerned, merely reiterating that she would not approach. But more and more she was detecting a strange sensation through their bond. Dare she say the demon Lord was unsettled?

The jewel shards had dried up as well. Overall they had four new ones since the merger. Combined with the ones that had been in her possession, the group now had a little over an eighth of the jewel. Adding that to the two in Koga’s legs, and the one in Kohaku’s back made Kagome really hope Naraku didn’t have the rest.

She shook off her darker thoughts. “We’re only about half-day walk from the village right?” The miko looked over to Miroku for confirmation.

He nodded. “Perhaps while we are there we can inquire about Inuyasha?”

“That’s a good idea. I can’t think of any other place he’d go.” Sango replied as she rode along on Kirara.

Kagome jogged up next to the taciturn youkai. “So Sesshomaru, what do you say?” She could feel his reluctance and sought to cut him off before he outright said no. “Please.” She turned cobalt puppy eyes on him. “I can pick up some more food for the kids, and if we get attacked again I may not have enough bandages. Plus I would like to ask Kaede about Inuyasha, and I need more arrows.”

In the background Rin and Shippo had taken up a chant of “Ninja food, ninja food.”

Under the combined weight of a pleading stare, two rowdy children, and logic the daiyoukai of the Western Lands caved. He nodded. Plus he really did want more of what Rin called ‘pocky.’

As if reading his mind Kagome giggled. “Chocolate or strawberry?” Her soft chortles became full-blown laughter as she clearly felt his discontent with her query. “I’ll just get both.” She smiled.

His eyes narrowed in annoyance. ‘Infuriating miko.’

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It was late in the afternoon when the group made it to the village. Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose as the scents of sweat and waste hit him like a solid wall. Human settlements were disgusting and he abhorred staying in them. Surprisingly he found salvation in the scent of the miko. So long as he stayed relatively near her, the ivy blossom and river water fragrance blocked out the worst of the stench.

He noticed with mirth the way the people in the streets looked at him curiously, before skittering away once they realized who he was. Blue-gray eyes turned up to him suspiciously.

“What are you smirking about?”

Any and all emotion dropped from his face. His golden orbs slid to the side to lock gazes with her.

She huffed. “Fine, fine. Don’t tell me. Just do us all a favor and don’t terrorize the villagers.”

An eyebrow arched up into his bangs. “Nothing need be done for them to feel terror in my presence.” He stated simply.

“Yeah well then keep the presence to a minimum. Kaede doesn’t need pitchforks at her door,” she quipped.

Miroku and Sango had gone on ahead of them. Kagome could just make out the elder miko’s concerned voice as the monk helped the taijiya from Kirara. She watched Kaede’s eye widened at the sight of the demon Lord.

“Lord Sesshomaru,” Kaede bowed. To everyone’s surprise and shock the demon nodded his head in acknowledgement.

Rin and Shippo hopped down from A-Un and the great beast laid down at the side of the hut. Miroku held the bamboo flap aside and the group filed in. It was a tight fit for the five humans and four demons. The children perched themselves on Kagome’s lap. Kirara rested in Sango’s, and the two girls sat close enough together to rub knees and elbows.

Kaede surveyed the group. “Are ye not missing Inuyasha?”

The original shard hunters visibly sagged.

Kagome bit her lip. “So you haven’t seen him then?”

“Nay. I have not seen him in a moon cycle. Not since ye last passed through.”

Everyone save the demon Lord sighed in disappointment, even Jaken.

“He’s been gone since before the new moon, Kaede. I’m so worried about him. What if something happened to him?”

The elder miko shook her head. “You forget, child, that Inuyasha lived many years on his own. We have not seen the last of him.”

“Everyone keeps saying that!” Kagome’s aggravation, worry, and fatigue finally crashed over her in a wave. “What if he’s hurt? What if something worse happened?” Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. Sango wrapped a comforting arm across her shoulders and squeezed the younger girl tightly.

“Lady Kagome, there is nothing we can do until Inuyasha either decides to come back to us, or we cross paths with him along the way. I worry for our friend as well, but concentrating on it will only make it worse.” Miroku said sagely.

The young miko scrubbed at her face furiously. “I know. I just can’t help it. I’ve hardly been without him since I got here.”

“Perhaps you should take a day with your family child.” Kaede suggested.

“That’s a good idea Kagome,” Shippo piped up. “You said your Mama always makes you feel better whenever you have a fight with Inuyasha. She can probably make you feel better now. Maybe Inuyasha has even been over there.”

“I think your right Shippo.” Kagome rose to her feet, latching on to the slim possibility. “Alright then. That’s what I’ll do.” She picked up her yellow backpack. “I’ll be back tomorrow at noon.”

Miroku made to rise but was stopped when Sesshomaru spoke. “I will accompany you.” He stood abruptly and stepped out of the hut behind her.

Sango blinked. “Is it just me, or did that seem kind of odd to you?”

“It was not just you, dearest Sango. That was definitely unusual.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshomaru expanded his senses once they reached the well. He detected no other presence and deemed the area safe.

“You don’t seem very surprised that I’m about to jump down an old dry well into the future,” Kagome said softly.

“Hn,” he answered back while giving her a look that said ‘do you expect this Sesshomaru to be so ill informed.’

A giggle escaped her. “Well, if it doesn’t bother you...” She shrugged. Kagome looked down into the well suddenly feeling nervous. A light blush stole onto her cheeks as she forced herself to ask her next question. “Will you be here? When I get back at noon I mean?”

The demon Lord blinked. Why did she desire his presence? Then again, she did have the jewel shards. The monk, injured or not was not the best choice for her protection. He nodded.

For some reason Kagome felt a jolt of exhilaration. “Okay then.” She smiled widely and perched herself on the lip of the well. “See you tomorrow.” With one last little wave the miko jumped.

When she again touched solid ground she looked up to see the well house roof overhead. ‘Home sweet home.’ She closed the doors behind her as she exited. ‘Odd. Why is my bedroom window open?’ Kagome crossed the courtyard with the distinct feeling something was wrong. There was no sound from inside the house. No running water in the kitchen. No muted music as Sota played his video games. Her Grandfather wasn’t out sweeping. ‘Maybe they went out somewhere.’ If they had there would be a note on the refrigerator for her.

Kagome stepped through the door to her house and slid off her shoes. “Mama? Grandpa? Sota? I’m home!” Nothing. Complete silence.

She made her way into the kitchen, fully expecting to find an explanation for everyone’s absence. The blank white expanse of the refrigerator mocked her. The setting sun casting orange streaks across its pristine surface.

A tingle traveled up her spine. ‘That feels like...a jewel shard?’ Something was definitely wrong. Above her she heard a thump. ‘What was that?’ Her lip quivered in apprehension. It could be a burglar, or it could be Buyo. Her traitorous mind added, ‘or it could be Inuyasha.’ Just to be safe she reached into the closet in the entryway and pulled out a baseball bat.

‘This is stupid,’ she thought as she crept up the stairs. ‘I should leave and go get someone to come in with me. But who? Inuyasha isn’t around and I doubt Sesshomaru can come through the well.’

Another thump. The sounds were coming from her room for sure. She reached out a shaking hand to take hold of the doorknob. ‘Come on girl, you fight demons all the time.’ A heretofore unacknowledged voice quipped, ‘yeah, but demons don’t have guns.’

Kagome took a deep breath and pulled open the door. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Inuyasha?”

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AN:

Indigo: Dun dun dunnnnn. Hate me, love me. It’s a cliffie. Sorry. BUT our loveable hanyou is back.

I’ve currently hit a snag in this story. -bangs head on keyboard- I have a major plot decision after next chapter. I thought I had made and continued writing, but got about a chapter beyond it before I lost all steam. Now I’m going back over things and re-evaluating my choice.

However, if anything changes I’ll post the -deleted or alternate scenes- at the end of the story once I’m finished.

Well that’s all for now. Thank you to my reviewers. Your kind words help me fight the demons of writing.