It's been a few weeks since I started traveling with Sesshomaru, and my dreams of the past have only increased. I've practically remembered everything from my childhood, but other than that, I still haven't been able to see that little girl with black hair's face. On top of that, Naraku's words have no intention of leaving my mind, and neither does the anxiety they bring.
"That foolish child is asleep already?" Jaken asks, causing me to pop back into reality, and I look over to see Rin sleeping soundly on A-Un's back.
"Not a care in the world, I admire it..." I trail off, but then I hear a scoff, causing me to look over to Jaken, who has an annoyed expression.
"She didn't use to be like that," Jaken whispers, causing me to put on a confused expression. "Is he talking about before she started accompanying Sesshomaru? Well, I guess in this Era, little kids aren't as lucky as I was..." I think as I let out a sigh as we continue to follow after Sesshomaru, while the bright moonlight shines down on us.
"We shall rest here." Sesshomaru's voice rang out as he stopped in his tracks, causing A-Un to lie down on the ground, and Jaken walked over and sat beside him. "I am surprised that he lets us stop and sleep even though he's a demon. They usually don't need to sleep as much as humans do, except Jaken, who sleeps all the time." I think with a chuckle.
"(Y/N), come get some rest so we don't have to take so many stop breaks tomorrow." Jaken points out, and I roll my eyes at him. "I guess he's right." I think as I walk over and lie against A-Un. I began to drift off to sleep as Sesshomaru disappeared into the distance.
"It's nice to have you back, (Y/N)." A woman's voice greets causing me to look up to see a woman with dark black hair, and I smile up at her.
"It's nice to see you, Aunty!" I chirp as the girl with black hair came out from behind her with a pretty yukata on, but this time I could see her face. "There's no mistake... It's Kagome." I think as she comes up to me with a smile.
"I'm so excited for the festival, how about you?" Kagome asks, and I nod.
"Me too," I answer as we both hold each other's hands and walk away over towards the Sacred tree.
"You're getting closer to remembering who you really are, (Y/N)." A voice echoes out as I stare up at the Sacred Tree. "Who... I really am?" I wonder as the warrior priestess comes out of the tree, causing me to look around to see that Kagome is no longer next to me.
"It's you." My voice rang out as I glared at her.
"You are making a new fate with every decision you make, remember that." The woman's reminder caused me to quickly sit up and look around to see that both Rin and Jaken were still asleep. "Damn it... That woman is always so cryptic." I think as I stand up from A-Un and begin walking till I come up to a steam. "So Kagome and I... are related, huh?" I wonder as I bend down and scoop some of the water into my hand.
"What a surprise..." A voice trails off, causing me to glance over to the other side of the stream to see Kikyo surrounded by bright lights.
"Kikyo," I say, causing a slight smirk to appear.
"You remembered my name, I would have thought Naraku would have erased our encounter from you're memory," Kikyo states, and I look away from her at the mention of Naraku. "Erase my memory... Didn't she say something similar the last time we encountered each other?" I wonder as I then hear a chuckle sound out, causing me to look over at Kikyo.
"What are you laughing at?" I ask as a few white serpents begin to swoop around, catching the flying lights.
"I thought he'd keep you beside him, but it turns out I was wrong," Kikyo answers, causing me to look down.
"Yeah, he left me and then threatened to take away something precious from me... I can't even remember what that precious thing could be. What the hell did I ever do to him?!" I exclaim as both my hands make fists.
"So that's why you're traveling with Inuyasha's older brother..." Kikyo trails off as the bright lights envelop her body.
"I know Naraku's reasonings, but it wouldn't do you any good even if you knew them," Kikyo adds, causing me to put on a confused expression.
"What do you mean?" I question, but she turns away from me.
"If you wish to know, come with me, (Y/N)," Kikyo responds, causing my eyes to widen. "I don't want to leave them, but I don't know if it's Kagome Naraku is after, though." I think as I glance back towards Rin and Jaken.
"I-
"I guess you'll be fine with not knowing what Naraku meant." Kikyo declares, while interrupting me as she starts to walk away.
"Wait!" I plead, causing Kikyo to stop in her tracks and turn to me.
"That's what I thought." Kikyo mused as she pointed towards me, which made her white serpents wrap around me. "Uh, I don't miss you guys." I think as they lift me and begin carrying me across the stream, but I look back over towards A-Un to see Jaken and Rin sleeping soundly.
"Be well, you two," I whisper as I'm then set beside Kikyo. "I'm sorry, Sesshomaru. I can't stay..." I think as I turn towards Kikyo, who begins walking away. Quickly, I rushed after her as we began walking through the forest, but my eyes were fixed on Kikyo.
(Time Skip)
Walking the whole night, Kikyo finally sits down on a rock as I see the sun beginning to rise in the distance.
"Why is your presence so strange?" I ask, causing her to glance over at me.
"Because I am not of this world... In other words, I'm dead." Kikyo answered, and I put on a confused expression.
"Dead, but then how are you..." I trail off, causing her to sigh.
"I was revived by a Witch and now must collect souls of the dead to keep this body moving," Kikyo informs as she sets down her bow and arrows beside her.
"I guess it's only natural that you can see and sense the jewels yards as well." Kikyo finally spoke again, causing my eyes to widen.
"How do you know-"
"Of course I know, I can converse with the Sacred Tree, and even though it doesn't give me the answers I seek. I can usually guess with the information it does give me, but knowing any of it would get me and you nowhere." Kikyo explains as I sit down across from her.
"Get us nowhere," I repeat, and she points at me.
"You have powers of a priestess dormant inside you." Kikyo insists, and I put on a dumbfounded expression.
"Inside of me?" I question, and she nods.
"While you are traveling with me, I will help you to awaken those powers," Kikyo responds, causing me to narrow my eyes at her.
"What do you have in mind?" I ask, and she lets out a sigh as she stands back up and grabs her bow along with her arrows. "She isn't gonna shoot me with an arrow, is she?" I wonder as she holds them out to me, and I tilt my head in confusion.
"While we're traveling, if we come across any demons, I want you to shoot an arrow towards them, but at the same time, try to get a sacred aura to surround the arrow," Kikyo instructs as I grab the bow and arrows, causing me to look between her and them.
"Y'know I've never used a bow and arrow before..." I trail off, and she rolls her eyes as she starts walking again.
"You'll figure it out," Kikyo says as we begin to walk again, but I start to get the feeling of being watched.
(To Kagura)
"Would you be Tsubaki, the Dark Priestess?" Kagura asks, causing the old woman, who was in front of her, to stand up.
"If you've come to break the curse, it's too late. The victim has already perished." Tsubaki answers as she glances over towards Kagura.
"I'm not the least bit interested. It was you I came for." Kagura points out.
"Then you must be a demon!" Tsubaki bellows as she quickly turns and throws paper that turns into a demon heading towards Kagura.
"Stop this," Kagura demands as she opens up her fan and slices through the demon.
"You are a troublesome hag, indeed. My master has asked me to request your assistance." Kagura informs, while she closes her fan.
"What does a demon want with me?" Tsubaki questions.
"Tell me, do you still bear a grudge against Kikyo?" Kagura asks, causing Tsubaki to narrow her eyes at Kagura.
"Kikyo, you say?" Tsubaki questions.
(To me)
"Something's coming," Kikyo states as she glances over, causing me to grab the bow off my shoulder and draw an arrow as I begin to sense the demon energy heading towards us. "She sensed a demon even before I did, but what does she expect me to do?" I think a giant worm-like demon is beginning to rush towards us.
"Damn it..." I trail off as I keep trying to aim the arrow, while trying to concentrate. "How does this even work?!" I think the demon was heading straight for me.
"Shoot!" I hear Kikyo call out, causing me to shut my eyes and let go of the arrow. A sigh rings out, causing me to open my eyes and see the Demon on the ground with the arrow in its head.
"I did it?" I question as I glance over, but Kikyo shakes her head as she walks over and lays her hand on the demon, causing it to disappear.
"If you had shot the demon with spiritual energy, it would have disappeared like that," Kikyo responds, and she picks up the arrow off the ground.
"You have to remain calm and concentrate next time," Kikyo advises, while she hands me the arrow, and I sigh. "How do you remain calm, while there's a Demon heading straight towards you with the intention to kill?" I wonder as Kikyo began to walk again, but I could still feel I was being watched.
(To Naraku)
(Naraku's POV)
"So she's traveling with Kikyo now... Nothing good can come from that." I say as I look over to see Kagura standing there with an old woman.
"Naraku, I found the woman," Kagura states.
"You've come, Tsubaki, the Dark Priestess." I greet.
"What is the meaning of summoning me here?" Tsubaki asks, walking over to me.
"Do you recall battling a Priestess named Kikyo half a century ago? You were trying to steal the Sacred Jewel." I answered, causing her eyes to widen.
"Oh, I'm surprised you know about such an old incident." Tsubaki points out.
"Now, Dark Priestess, would you consider using your evil powers to assist me?" I question.
"Naraku, was it? How would assisting you be a benefit to me?" Tsubaki asks.
"You shall have the Sacred Jewel," I answer, causing her to perk up.
"Oh?" Tsubaki sounds as her appearance began to change, allowing her to look younger.
"The Sacred Jewel? Oh? You have it in your possession?" Tsubaki questions.
"The old hag transformed herself!" Kagura bellows, causing Tsubaki to glare over at her.
"Watch your tongue, you wretch, because this is my true form." Tsubaki declares, causing me to narrow my eyes at her. "The old woman sold her soul to a demon in order to preserve her youth. The demon had but minor standing, so now she must seek even more power." I think as Tsubaki turns to me with a smirk.
"Show me the Sacred Jewel, if you truly possess it." Tsubaki insists.
"What is it that you desire from the Sacred Jewel Priestess? From what I understand, you would want Eternal Youth." I point out as I hold out my hand to show the Sacred Jewel in my hand causing Tsubaki to gasp and grab it out of my hand.
"Naraku, what exactly do you want from me?" Tsubaki asks with a villainous grin.
(To (Y/N) )
( (Y/N)'s POV)
Finally, I was able to go and hunt me down some food, but obviously, Kikyo told me to bring the bow and arrows just in case I ran into something. "This training or teaching is a bit tedious..." I think that as I collect fruits and certain plants, I can eat.
"A human!" I hear an ominous voice chirp, causing me to look over to see a massive green demon moving the tree limbs out of the way and peering down at me. "Great, just what I need right now." I think as I quickly grab the bow and draw an arrow.
"HAHA AS IF THAT WOULD WORK ON ME!" The demon bellows, and I shake my head. "Don't be scared, be calm and concentrated, allow the aura to surround you." I think as I began to feel something surround me, and I glare up at the demon, who was charging towards me.
"Take this!" I shout, while aiming at the demon's head and letting the arrow fly. Piercing the demon's forehead, it began to disintegrate just as that one did before when Kikyo touched it.
"You learn quickly..." A voice trails off, causing me to look over to see Kikyo standing there with a pleased expression.
"I just did what you said to do." I insist as Kikyo walks over and takes the bow and arrows from me.
"I would have thought it'd take you longer, but no matter, we shall move on," Kikyo states as she begins walking again. "Looks like I'll have to eat while walking." I think as I begin walking after Kikyo, but I look up to see the sky turning a bright orange, and pink clouds begin rolling by. "Usually I think the sky looks beautiful, so why does it look so ominous today?" I wonder as I begin to get a bad feeling.
(To Tsubaki)
A white serpent slithers up to her and wraps around Tsubaki's arm.
"Fine work, you have the girl's blood, I presume." Tsubaki's state causes the serpent to open its mouth to show blood dripping from its fangs.
"Are you finished?" Kagura asks.
"Yes. Now take me back to Naraku." Tsubaki answers, causing Kagura to glare at her.
"Bossy Witch," Kagura remarks as she grabs one of her feathers from her head and throws it up, allowing it to be lifted into the air.
(To (Y/N) )
"Now that you know what your sacred aura feels like, I want you to practice summoning it without having to use a weapon." Kikyo insists as she holds her hand up, causing bright sparkles to begin to float up out of her hand, while a light begins to shine out from her body.
"You can use Sacred Aura, like that?" I ask and she nods, but then looks away from me as a strong gust of wind blows passed us.
"Naraku's finally making his move," Kikyo informs, causing me to put on a confused expression.
"How do you know?" I question, and she turns to me with a serious expression. "Maybe that's why I have such a bad feeling." I think as Kikyo turns away from me.
"Let's go," Kikyo responds as she begins to walk again, causing me to nod and follow after her. "She's pretty cryptic, too; no wonder she knows what the Sacred Tree means even when it doesn't give her answers." I think as I let out a slight sigh, as I glance over to see the moon beginning to rise.
(To Tsubaki)
"I can perform this on my own." Tsubaki insists as they sit down in front of a small shrine.
"Do as you please," Kagura states as she then disappears, causing Tsubaki to walk up and open the doors to the shrine. Walking into the shrine, Tsubaki sets the Sacred Jewel in the center of the altar and begins laughing.
"Shards that enter her flesh then synchronize with this Sacred Jewel, which has been defined with your evil and will slowly fester in her body and mind." Tsubaki declares as she squeezes her serpent's head, allowing Kagome's blood to fall onto the Sacred Jewel.
"And then, Naraku, this young woman will be mine to control," Tsubaki adds, causing Naraku to appear behind her.
"Tsubaki, don't underestimate this young woman, Kagome," Naraku informs, causing her to glance over at him.
"Don't make me laugh. She didn't even realize she had been placed under a curse. I expected the reincarnation of Kikyo to be much more formidable. Now, what shall I do? Kill her immediately or perhaps..." Tsubaki trails off, causing Naraku to chuckle.
"Let's make Inuyasha suffer through another nightmare, a nostalgic dream about the woman he loves... Killing him." Naraku addresses.
"Huh, the defiant young wench is resisting," Tsubaki states as she stares at the jewel shard that her serpent is wrapped around.
"As I told you, this Kagome woman is the reincarnation of Kikyo, the Priestess. Taming her will require more than a little effort." Naraku advises.
"Kikyo. Hah!" Tsubaki sounds out with a deep in though expression as a scar began to appear over her eye.
"Will it take much longer?" Naraku asks.
"She should stop resisting me soon enough," Tsubaki answers as she holds her hand above the Sacred Jewel, causing a blue aura to surround her body.
"Now then, Naraku, you shall have what you wished for," Tsubaki informs as her serpent starts to wrap around her.
"Stubborn woman. I have control of her body, but her mind is still resisting me." Tsubaki declares, causing Naraku to chuckle.
"This is becoming even more entertaining. Tsubaki, if Inuyasha should flee from her, then take the chance to kill Kagome." Naraku instructs.
(To (Y/N) )
We were walking through the foggy forest until we came to a cliff, and Kikyo stopped in her tracks.
"What the hell is that?" I ask as I look over to see a giant blue light surrounding something.
"A barrier... I have faced this evil once before." Kikyo answers, causing me to look over at her with a confused expression.
"So you know who created that barrier?" I question, causing her to slightly nod and start walking along the cliff. "Who could this person with Naraku be that Kikyo's faced them before?" I wonder as I stared over at the barrier with a worried expression.
(To Tsubaki)
"I can kill her with my curse any time you wish." Tsubaki assures causing Naraku to chuckle.
"What will you do now, Inuyasha. Be slain by Kagome, or will you flee and by doing so, have Kagome killed?" Naraku asks with another chuckle.
"Will you suffer Inuyasha... Or will (Y/N) when she realizes her cousin was killed because of you." Naraku adds.