I Am Me; No One Else

Chapter 13: The End of the Long Month

The next few days passed without too much incident; Kagome was somewhat relieved there hadn't been an ambush yet, but was surprised too. The low-level demons in the cave seemed almost as if they were shying away from her now, and she had no idea as to why...other than the obvious reasons for them to be wary of her and not instigate an attack from her. However, she wasn't complaining.

She had noticed that her normally pink reiki had turned to a very soft and pale lilac. Midoriko later told her that it was because her power was growing and becoming more stable as her experiences grew. The low-level demons sensed her power now and did not wish to antagonize it unless necessary.

Kagome had been rather thankful for learning that bit of information; news she had shared with her two demon companions and they merely smiled to her to see her so happy.

Sesshoumaru made good on his promise to teach Kagome how to handle her sword. Every evening they continued to have lessons in a large open area that Kagome surrounded in a barrier to keep the noise inside of. To dissuade any potential demons that wanted to sneak in on them while otherwise distracted and preoccupied.

In only another one short week, Kagome had made leaping strides in her mastery. While still not quite a match for the Inu Lord; it was clear that one day she would be able to hold her own to him. Ashura had born witness to her great power and purposeful will that allowed nothing to deter her from her goals.

So, it was as they had stopped for the night, bathed in the warm cavernous springs, and come to eat that with the neko demon before the glimmering fire they placed in their camp; that he had decided to try and trust them both. He didn't know how well Kagome would take his information as Sesshoumaru had told him that she hadn't wanted to have him recognize her, but he was hoping that Kagome at least; that she would wish to hear him out.

"Kagome, I have been pondering something for some time now and I hope that you will answer me honestly." He said with a slow drawl as Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes to him, "I know that you and Sesshoumaru-sama have been...very cautious in how you answer things to me. I didn't know why at first, but then something struck me."

"Something I had forgotten of until more recently." He said slowly to draw it out

He eyed the fire as both watched him with tense frames, "I remember an...incident with my clan. One that happened three years ago; perhaps more. My sister Megumi had found the Sword of Hell; Sounga as it is called, and she had told the clan. They argued endlessly over whether or not to awaken it.

One of the elders seemed intent on it being unleashed. My parents and I didn't think it wise to do so; and therefore rejected the action. He, the elder of our clan I mean, he left without word and awakened it anyhow. He then caused untold catastrophe and disaster in doing so without any form of permission; I was powerless to stop him or the sword."

Kagome eyed him warily, "And now you want to know if I was the miko who sealed it back to from whence it had come?"

Ashura eyed them, "No, I had already figured out that you were one and the same. But not because I want to unseal it. No, that is the very last thing I desire to do. Nor do I intend to use the knowledge to aid my sister. I have no wish to return to the clan until my name, honor, and exile can be cleared; not with how Megumi will likely have destroyed us soon."

"I merely want to know if it's you I have to thank for the lives that survived the aftermath of the sealing. I want you to know that I do not intend you harm; that I deeply regret the actions I made when we met, but as you are aware...I wasn't fully in my right mind at that particular time. Not that it is an excuse."

He eyed her, "I would like for you both to feel comfortable enough to trust me. I have had enough fighting in my life to want peace. Or some semblance of it; for I know that traveling as we are, I am bound to have to need to fight. I already have."