Somewhere in Time

Memories of a Little Sister (never-before-seen chapter)

The people cowered in fear as Sesshomaru entered the village. It was common knowledge that he was Inuyasha's half-brother, but unlike the hanyou, the daiyoukai was not accepted mainly because of his infamous power and legendary distaste for humans and lowly youkai alike. Kagome stepped closer to him in an attempt to show the villagers that he did not come to harm them. Sesshomaru looked unfazed, however. Perhaps he was already used to eliciting such reactions. Kagome sighed and felt guilty. He was so misunderstood by everyone. If only people took the time to get to know him, they would know that the Western Lord was not evil—okay, just a little bit, maybe—but not entirely.

"I'm glad you are well, child," Kaede said when she emerged from her hut. She turned to the daiyoukai standing beside the young miko. "Ah, Sesshomaru-sama, I have you to thank for saving Kagome from Naraku. Such gesture merits a warm welcome to the village."

Sesshomaru merely nodded. Kagome stepped forward and smiled gently to the old woman. "Kaede-obaasan, I came to get my things. The rift with Inuyasha will make things difficult so I'm staying with Sesshomaru-sama for a while."

"I understand. Come, I have just prepared tea."

Kagome turned to follow her, but stopped when she realized that the daiyoukai was not beside her. "Sesshomaru-sama?"

"It seems Inuyasha has left the forest. The taijiya and the rest of your friends are headed this way. Spend time with them while I retrieve Rin and Jaken. We will return on the next day, at sunrise." His gaze penetrated her more than it should and Kagome found herself drifting towards him, the silver and pink thread pulling them closer, and suddenly the suspicious eyes around them didn't matter anymore.

Kagome softly caressed Sesshomaru's white fur and a low, pleased growl rumbled in his chest. She giggled involuntarily. "Arigato, Sesshomaru-sama."

The tall daiyoukai slightly leaned down and looked as if he was going to kiss her, but he straightened up quickly. Kagome blinked. Was it just her imagination? Before her mind could process what just happened, his face was back to its perpetual stoic expression. "Should there be a threat to your safety..."

"Don't worry, Sesshomaru-sama," she assured him. "Even if Inuyasha comes back, I'm sure Sango and Miroku will not let him near me."

"Very well." Sesshomaru turned around and walked away, parting the sea of onlookers that have gathered around. Kagome sighed as she watched his retreating figure. His absence gnawed at her already, leaving her almost paralyzed with longing. After the daiyoukai disappeared into the shadows of the woods, she turned around and followed Kaede into her small hut.

It was as how she remembered it. The faded wooden planks and the walls were scrubbed clean, just the way Kaede liked it. There was a faint whiff of herbal medicine and the strong tang of green tea that was brewing filled the cozy room.

Kaede sat near the pit and checked on the tea kettle. "You seem better, Kagome."

The young miko walked towards her bow and quiver leaning against the wall, along with her yellow backpack. She knelt in front of it and set down the backpack and the stack of bento she brought from the well. She smiled affectionately at the old woman then proceeded to organize her things. "Sesshomaru told me a healer from the south helped with Naraku's poison."

"From the south? Another miko?"

Kagome shook her head. "Sesshomaru did not mention it. Do you know another miko in the south?"

The old priestess did not answer. She sifted the herbal brew and poured Kagome a cup. "There are very few of us now, and you and my sister are possibly the last of us who possess great spiritual power."

There it was again... the inevitable tie between them. Kagome looked at Kaede and spoke carefully. "Do you... do you really think I'm Kikyo's reincarnation?"

"Hmm... do you remember the first time you came to the village? I was alarmed by the uncanny resemblance between you and my sister. Inuyasha also mistook you for her when he saw you for the first time. When Mukade Joro tore the Shikon no Tama from your body and you broke my sister's eternal seal, I begin to truly suspect that you are indeed her reincarnation."

"But... but how can it be?" Kagome asked with a lump in her throat. "How did the Shikon jewel end up inside my body?"

Kaede stared at the dying embers, her one remaining eye glazed over with memories. "When my sister died, she wanted me to burn her body with the Shikon no Tama, so that no one will ever be able to use it again. She died a tragic death thinking Inuyasha turned his back on her, but the jewel used her love and desire to see Inuyasha again to return to the world of the living... through you."

The tea nearly sloshed out of the cup as Kagome set it down with shaking hands. A gnawing feeling of loss chewed her from the inside. If what Kaede said was true, then she truly was Kikyo's reincarnation. Being born with the jewel was the irrefutable proof.

And yet...

A part of her rejected it. No matter how many people in this era believed that she was the great miko's rebirth, something in her utterly refused to accept it.

I am Kagome, she told herself firmly. I am no one else.

But the more she tried to convince herself, the more she lost faith.