Evolution of a Taiyoukai

By Danyealle

(FanFiction/MF/angst)

Chapter 19

Sitting on the weathered lip of the Bone-Eaters well, Kagome stared down into its dry depths but didn’t really see anything.  Instead, her mind was elsewhere.  Chin in her hands, she idly swung her feet back and forth as she was lost in thought.  She had a lot to think about from perspective.  So much had changed for her in just a short time.

The breakup with Inuyasha, the way she saw it, was actually a minor thing.  The mating with Sesshomaru and what happened with Naraku were big and life changing.  They had also shifted her priorities.  Things that had once meant so much to her and she felt she ‘had’ to do no longer seemed to mean anything at all.

Sighing, she shut her eyes.  This was so hard!  But there were serious hard decisions she had to face and make.  At this point she knew, though she wasn’t sure how, that the time for the deciding battle was close.  She was also sure they were going to be the victors in the end and she also knew that once the jewel was complete the well could close. Now her connection to Sesshomaru was strong enough that she knew she was going to be staying in the past with him, that her connection to her family and home would be gone.  Yes, she was upset that she wouldn’t get to see her family and friends again but she didn’t seem to be as upset as she normally would be.  Instead she viewed it as one would that got married and had to move away.  That made it all a bit easier.

Sighing, she swung her feet a bit faster.  Knowing the time was coming soon she knew she should go home as much as she could and prepare her family for it but, for some reason, she was reluctant to do so.  Part of it, she was sure, was the hurt she knew it would inflict on them.  It was going to hurt to see and feel that.  But that wasn’t all of it.  From her end she was finally able to understand why Inuyasha stressed when she went home because a part of her was afraid she wouldn’t be able to return to Sesshomaru.  Being caught on her side of the well without her taiyoukai was about the absolute worst thing that she could imagine.  There was such a connection between the two of them that to be without him for any extended period of time would be torture, pure and simple.  But she knew that it would be more cruel to not tell her family and for her to just vanish and they would never know what happened to her.  She couldn’t live with that.  She had to find a way to deal with both problems in a way that alleviated both issues.

~~~~~@~~~~~

Stepping into the clearing by the well, Sesshomaru’s eyes immodestly riveted on the little priestess.  As Jaio had told him, the little onna had just wanted some time alone to think was all and it appeared she had been right.

Over the last few days she had been in a pensive frame of mine and it was obvious she had something on her mind.  As he knew she had a lot of things she had to deal with lately, both mentally and physically.

From the physical end, she wasn’t healing as well as she should have and still needed the pain killers.  Though the open wounds were closed she was having problems walking and holding things.  The best Kaede and Jaio could come up with was that her nerves and muscles were compromised in some way.  Looking at the gold and wooden cane that was leaning against the weathered boards of the well next to her, he hitched a deep mental sigh.  He was the one that had the walking stick made for her.  Yes, she could walk without it but she could only move slowly and for short distances.  With it she did better.  He just felt it was wrong that someone so young and vibrant should have to us an aid to walk.  Worse, at least in his mind anyway, was there was no guarantee that she would ever improve.  In fact, there was a good chance that it may well get worse over time.  All he could do was vow that he would find a way to make sure that she would fully heal.

Then there were her powers… like her grandmother had told her they had increased.  In fact, they had more than doubled. She was on level, power-wise, with him now.  This was not a bad thing; any increase in her power would be most welcome.  The problem came in the area of her control of it.  It appeared she had very little of it.  She had learned to control what she had before the boost but it was such a jump in power and so quickly that she had to re-learn how to do that because what she used to do wasn’t working anymore.  It wasn’t helping that she was still in a great deal of pain and overly emotional.  But there was something to help that.  There was enough of a connection between them that he was able to help control it when that was needed.  For that he was grateful because everyone was in danger when it got out of control.

For as long as he could remember her power was understated.  He could feel it dance on his skin when they were close or involved in something intense.  Now it caressed his body at all times, making him feel like electricity danced over it as though he had been too close to a lightning strike.  No, because of his connection to her, it didn’t bother him but it sure did seem to make others with youkai blood.  It didn’t force them to stay away from her but you could see by the look on their faces that it wasn’t the most pleasant experience in the world.

Standing there, watching her, he was a bit worried about her.  With the problems she was having she was confused as well as a touch depressed.  Of course, he was sure she was going to pull out of it but it bothered him to see her suffering through it.  But, he was also sure there was more involved in her state of mind than just what he knew about.  The only way he knew to find out was to ask her.  And he planned to do just that!

Stepping out of the trees, he walked over to the old well and seated himself by her on the lip of it.  She leaned against him and smiled.  Slipping his arm around her waist, he kissed her top of the head.  “Are you already Kagome?”  He asked gently.

Leaning against him, his presence soothed her and some things seemed to be a lot clear and a few of the hard decisions she had to make a bit easier.  “Yeah, I’m fine.  I just needed a bit of time alone to think is all.  There are some things I have to decide about.”

“Are you wanting to go home for a few days?”  He inquired, thinking that may be one of them.

“Yes and no.”  She sighed.

“Explain.”  He asked softly.

Sighing, she shook her head.  “It’s a bit complicated to explain and more involved than just wanting to go home or not.”  She replied with a melancholy sigh.

“Take your time and tell me what’s troubling you.”  He told her gently.

“It’s a lot of things.  I have some big decisions to make and none of them are easy.”

“The bigger the decision, the harder it usually is to make.”  He told her philosophically.

“True.”  She replied a bit morosely.

“What kind of decisions are these?”  He prodded gently.

School is one of them.  “I’ve been thinking about that a lot.  Since I was first pulled through the well and began traveling back and forth School and all the tests I have to take has been a problem and a priority.  I’ve never questioned that and have always just done what was needed.  But now I’m questioning it. 

“Now all that stuff doesn’t seem all that important to me.  Naraku’s planning something big, I’m sure you all have felt that too.”  She said quietly, looking at him.  When he nodded she continued on.  “I’m pretty sure the big, final battle isn’t far off at this point.  After that happens and the jewel is complete I’m pretty sure the well’s going to close and I’ll be staying on this side of it.”

Though he had many questions about what she just said, he filed them away for later and let her go on.

“If that happens chances are that I’m not going to be able to finish school anyway.  But that raises the question of just how important school is right now and whether it and homework deserve the attention and priority I give them.”

“What have you concluded about that?”  He asked.

“That they aren’t all that important in the scheme of things.”  She replied quietly.  “I can’t see the point of going to school and spending all the time I do on homework in subjects that are things that have no practical use and will never be used again.”

“Such as?”

“I don’t ever foresee the need to use a linear equation as part of any future duties.  Nor do I ever see needing to dissect the metaphoric quality of the poem Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner.”

Shaking his head, he replied, “I don’t see the need for that either.  Especially since I haven’t a clue what those things are.”

“Advanced math and literature.”  She explained as simply as she could.

“No, I don’t see that they will be needed any time soon.”  He told her confidently.

Sighing, she gazed off into the trees.  “The things I could actually use during this age, like healing herbs, how to improve my fighting skills and things like that, they don’t teach so I see spending time on things like those others foolish at this point.”

Though he very much saw the merits in education of all kinds he had to agree that in times like these her focus would be better elsewhere.  But he was sure that wasn’t all that was troubling her.  “There are other things troubling you, are there not?”  He prodded gently.

“Yeah,” she said with a deep, morose sigh. “My family…”

“What about them?”

“I’m not sure if I should tell them what I think is coming or not.  I mean, if I told them and it doesn’t happen, I would have caused them all kinds of hurt and emotional pain for nothing.  But if I didn’t tell them and it did happen I would just never return.  Then they would spend the rest of their lives wondering what happened to me.  They would never know if I died or just got trapped in the past plus any other horrid things they could think of.”

“What do you feel is going to happen?”  He asked.  Though she had said it before he wondered if there was more to it than just the simple statement she had given.

“When the jewel is complete, the well’s going to close.  When it does I’ll be staying here.  My tie to you will be strong enough that it will keep me with you instead of sending me back to my time.

Now he understood what she was concerned about.  He was also relieved as well.  Somewhere in the back of his mind he had been worried that when it was all over she would vanish to her side of the well and not be able to return.  Much of that anxiety was now laid to rest.  “How sure are you about that happening?”

“As sure I am that the sun will rise tomorrow.”  She replied in almost a whisper.

“Then, in my opinion, you should tell them.  It would be easier to deal with a false warning than the questions of what happened.”

Nodding, she said nothing.

“So, you think the end is coming soon?”  He inquired.  All of them had the feeling that the spider was going to make a big move soon but he felt Kagome probably knew for sure in some way.

“Yes, very soon.  I think he’s planning for what will be our final battle.  There is something that has to happen first, but I’m not sure what.  But all of it will be coming very soon.”

That told him what he needed and wanted to know.  “Then, it’s my suggestion, that you need to see your family and start the process.  If there isn’t much time left see them as much as you are able.  We aren’t doing much now nor will we be until you finish healing, take advantage of that while you can.  You have my blessings and encouragement to do so.”  He told her, taking one of her hands and gave it an encouraging squeeze.

“Thanks Sesshomaru.”  She said quietly, squeezing his hand back.  “But I don’t think I can handle being away from you like that.”  So strong was their tie that she was sure even a couple hours away from him would be agonizing.

Quite honestly, he felt the same way.  The thought of spending any substantial amount of time away from her would be torturous.  Then, without even thinking about it, he said, “Then I’ll come with you when you go.”

Grinning, she looked up at him.  “Works for me!  When do we leave?”

He recovered quickly, “As soon as you like.”

“Let’s go grab my pack and figure out what supplies we’re going to need then we’ll leave.  That OK with you?”

Sliding off the weathered boards, he stood then held out his hand to her.  “Of course.  Come Kagome, we have things to do.”

~~~~~@~~~~~

Her family were all seated at the kitchen table, eating breakfast, when her and Sesshomaru came in the door.  Although she was greeted with their usual enthusiasm, she could see the look of shock and concern when they saw her hobbling in using the cane.  After giving out the usual hugs, she gratefully plopped down on one of the empty chairs at the table.

When she settled in and introduced Sesshomaru to her family, while her mother served them both some juice, there was dead silence at the mention of his name.

Sipping his juice, he whispered to her, “I’m gathering me and some of my exploits in the past have been mentioned to him before.”

“Some things here and there, yeah.  I think Inuyasha’s mentioned you a few times as well.”  She giggled quietly.

“Hn…” was his only reply.  All he could really think was that if some of the more violent encounters between them had been brought up he had an uphill battle to gain their acceptance.

“Um…Kagome?”  Souta asked, eyeing Sesshomaru suspiciously.  No longer a kid, Souta was a teenager that felt part of his duty now was to protect her.  “Isn’t he Inuyasha’s brother, the one that’s tried to kill the both of you a few times?”

Before she could answer, Sesshomaru jumped in.  “Half-brother.”  He corrected like he always did when someone said that.  “Yes, in the past Kagome and I have had less than a stellar relationship.  But I’ve changed since those first few encounters.”

“I think evolved would be a better term.”  Kagome added.

“I like that word much better.”  He said, looking at her.

“I thought you might.”  She replied with a grin.

Though wary looks were still in place, her family seemed to relax a bit after his admission and the little exchange between the two.  After that, as usual, she was asked to relate her ‘adventures’ since her last time home.  “Knowing Souta had to leave for school shortly; Kagome drew out the minor things until he had to leave.  She would wait to tell the worst of it after he was gone.  It wasn’t that she thought he couldn’t handle it, she knew he could, but she didn’t want him to sit in school all day and fret over something he didn’t have the whole story about. 

Once he had left she glossed through the minor things and went on to the biggies, like how she was injured.  She told them about crossing over, though Sesshomaru had to tell most of it because her memory of the incident was almost gone, having faded out almost completely.  After that she went through their mating.  Of course, she couldn’t go through that without telling what happened between her and Inuyasha because they asked about it.  That talk hadn’t been a pleasant one.  Both her mother and grandfather were very upset over the deception he had perpetuated.

Though she didn’t a to pile any more on top of all of that, her injuries alone had been worth over an hour of fussing and fretting, Sesshomaru nudged her into telling them what she felt was coming.  Of course, as expected, they were most upset by that.  The thought that her daughter may not, at some point, be able to return to her reduced her mother to tears.  It had even made her grandfather’s eyes mist over slightly.   Though Sesshomaru gave his assurances that he would make sure she was well protected and cared for, it was little comfort to them.

Kagome waited until her grandfather left for the shrine to drop the last bomb on her mother.  As calmly and gently as she could, the little miko told her mother that she was done with school.  Ignoring the flurry of protests from the elder woman she explained her reasons for the decision.

When she finished, her mother was quiet and looked down at her hands, pondering the reasons she had been given.  She had to admit that what she had been told were some very good, well thought out reasons.  Though a good education in their time was mandatory and something you really couldn’t do without if you wanted to eek out any kind of existence at all, where she was most of it was useless.  Most of what she needed wasn’t taught in high school.  Even if she were to learn modern medical techniques they would be useless where she was without the basics such and electricity and sanitation. 

In the end the best she could do was come up with a compromise.  She would allow Kagome to forgo school for now but if the well didn’t close after the jewel was complete then she would resume her studies.  That was something the little priestess could death with and could see the logic in.

Once all the topics she felt had to be covered were, they moved on.  Her mother spent a bit of time trying to get to know her daughters ‘husband’ as well as making a list of supplies they would need to stock up on.  When she left to go pick up on.  When she left to go pick up some of the things on the list Kagome gave the taiyoukai the grand tour, trying to explain to him the best she could how some things worked and what they were.

When they reached her bedroom, she unloaded her backpack and began to fill it with other things while Sesshomaru prowled around her room, investigating all the new, odd things he was seeing.  It was the little miko’s plan to slowly move what clothes she wanted as well as the few special things she had to the feudal era.  What she wanted to take were small things like trinkets, pictures or stuffed animals, things that weren’t large or unwieldy.  Because she, Sesshomaru and her mother had agreed that she would come back to spend the day every few days until Kagome was well enough to travel again she didn’t have to get everything through the well at one time.

~~~~~@~~~~~

As dark descended, the miko and taiyoukai made their way back though the well laden down with all kinds of bags.  Most of them were supplies like dry goods and medical stuff that could be stored.  There was also food and personal things of Kagome’s.  But her mother had also been able to produce some better pain killers for her daughter as well as a manual about physical therapy for patients with nerve damage to help them regain motor control and improve mobility.  She also grabbed her things like oversized chopsticks that she could better handle and manipulate.  All things Sesshomaru were both amazed by and approved of.