Lady of the Eastern Lands Chap. 1

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And so it starts...

A girl with midnight black hair ran up the Higurashi shrine steps in a hurry. When she reached the shrine's house door she knocked on it before opening it and stepping in. Taking off her shoes and putting on the house slippers she ran into the living room.

"Mama?" She called out.

A voice came from the room to her right, "Yes dear?"

She followed the voice into the kitchen and saw her mother cooking rice. "What is it Kagome?" Mrs. Higurashi said.

Kagome looked at the floor for a moment before lifting her chocolate colored eyes to meet her mother's own. "I have something important to ask..."

"Yes. Go on." She coaxed.

Kagome looked her mother straight in the eye with a determined look. "I don't have the same blood as either you or my father. Why is that?"

Mrs. Higurashi sighed, "Let me guess, you had a blood type test today in biology class?" Kagome nodded. "So thats why you asked for my blood type yesterday...hm. Do you really want to know?"

Kagome looked hesitant, "I'm not so sure now..."

Mrs. Higurashi giggled, "Yes or no?"

"I guess I don't really have a choice now, do I? My curiosity would kill me before I even found out." She said dryly. "Soooooo...yes."

Mrs. Higurashi frowned, "It all started when I was around 16. A girl the same age as me came to visit the shrine and we became quick friends. Her name was Kameko(Turtle child! XD That's for Nichole!)."

Kagome looked at her inquiringly, "Was she a turtle demon?"

Mrs. Higurashi giggled and answered Kagome,"No. Kameko's mother adored baby turtles. She was really a full-blooded dog demon. Now, may I continue?"

Kagome nodded vigorously and apoligized.

Mrs. Higurashi smiled. "After a while I wanted to know where she lived, she had always said that I couldn't go with her to her home. I didn't ask questions. But one day, I decided to spy on Kameko when I noticed that she hadn't left the shrine grounds." She stirred the rice around before continuing, "She had actually gone into the well house. I got curious and followed her in quietly. When I had sneaked in, I saw her standing on the lip of the bone eater's well and yelled for her to stop. I thought she was trying to hurt herself. When Kameko turned around I noticed strange markings on her face. She noticed me staring and the markings quickly disappeared. I asked what they were and she stayed silent. That was, until I asked her with tear-filled eyes, 'I thought we promised not to hide things from eachother...?' She noticed my tears and a look of guilt shot across her face. Kameko pulled me into a hug and we went to sit under the goshinboku. She explained to me that she was actually from the feudal era on the other side of the well and that she was a demoness who guarded a jewel called the Shikon no Tama. She had stumbled upon a cave with what appeared to be the remains of an ancient battle. She noticed that it was made up from a mix of demons and a woman. Kameko identified the woman to be a miko. A sudden bright light engulfed the cave and the same miko in the remains stood before her. The miko told her that her name was Midoriko and that she protected a jewel that had been created in the battle and that she was soon to be unable to guard it. She then bestowed upon Kameko the powers of a miko and a small pinkish-purple jewel. She told me that Midoriko probably gave her those powers so that she could protect the jewel. Her neice, a little girl named Kikyo-"

Kagome's eyes bulged. "Kikyo?! You mean clay-pot Kikyo? Crazy!"

Mrs. Higurashi nodded, "Yes, the Kikyo you have been told you are the reincarnation of."

"What do you mean 'told'? Does that mean I'm not her reincarnation?" Kagome inquired.

She nodded again. "Exactly. In the past, you have been told that you are the reincarnation of Kikyo, when really, you just held her soul and the jewel for safe-keeping when she died. Now, let me continue and you will get all the information you need, okay?"

"Okay." Kagome looked at her mother like a little child waiting for the exciting part of a bedtime story.

"Ahem." Mrs. Higurashi cleared her throat. "Now. Her neice, Kikyo, was currently being trained to be a miko. She, wasn't born a demon, but a human. Though she was blessed with miko powers just like Kameko for some strange reason. She didn't understand that but swore that if her own future offspring wasn't able, then Kikyo would be next in line to protect the sacred jewel. Kameko also told me that she was currently being courted by another dog demon named Tarao (it means tiger ^.^There's a tarao in the corner!) and that he was actually a demon lord. Right after describing him dreamily she told me that she needed to leave to meet up with him on the other side of the well. She asked me to promise not to tell and I, of course, promised to not tell a soul. She left and I went back to my daily life, my mind cluttered with the new information."

They sat there staring at eachother for a long moment before Kagome broke the silence. "That's it? That doesn't explain the blood types, or the reason I guard the jewel, etc. You just told me about this woman named Kameko."

Mrs. Higurashi nearly slapped herself on the forehead. "I was so caught up in my story that I forgot to tell you the main point! Kameko was your mother!" She exclaimed excitedly.

Kagome didn't cry out in surprise or anything like that, she just sat there staring at her like she was crazy. 'Okay,' Mrs. Higurashi thought, 'Maybe I was a little blunt.'

Kagome pointed at her mother and laughed dryly. "You're kidding right."

When she got no response she finally started freaking out. "What are you talking about 'Kameko was your mother.'? I thought you were my mother?!"

Mrs. Higurashi sighed. "No. Though I am your god-mother. If you'll calm down and listen I'll tell you the rest of the story and maybe we can get to the important part."

"That wasn't the important part?! My god, this has to be really important to be crazier than you not being my mother!" Kagome screeched.

A smirk snuck onto the older woman's face. "It all depends on how you look at it. Ahem. As you know, I found out she was a demon. After that she hadn't come back for a while I started to think that I would never see her again. Then one day, she came to me and told me she had mated with Tarao. She also told me that she was with child. I was so happy for her. I was even happier when she asked if I would be the god-mother. I, of course, said yes. I helped her through her pregnancy and one day she came back with a little pink bundle. She had given birth to a beautiful baby girl. They had named her Kagome. A few days later of complete joy and happiness from the little tike and she came back with terrible news. Tarao, the baby, and herself were being hunted by demons who wanted the throne. She asked me desperately if I would watch over the baby and said she had to leave and help her mate. She handed me a small star-shaped jewel and asked me to take care of the child. I promised to take care of her and asked if she would come back. She didn't answer me. Instead she gave me a hug, kissed the baby's forehead softly and jumped back through the well with a whispered 'Goodbye.' I waited nervously for her to come back through the well and everything to be happy and peaceful again but she never did. So I vowed to care for the child until the right time came. Until the day I could reveal her to be her true self. That little girl was a full-blooded demoness. That baby...was you, Kagome."

Kagome fell into a chair by the kitchen table. "Me? A demoness? No way. No way in hell. I'm a miko! Not a demon! Right?!"

Mrs. Higurashi shook her head sadly, "I'm sorry but no, though I must tell you to stop making excuses. You should be honored that you're the daughter of the Lord and Lady of the Eastern Lands! You're the only heir!" She took a few calming breaths, "Do you believe me?"

"How can I believe you?! This is just like the bedtime stories you used to tell me! For all I know this could just be one big sick joke because you finally decided to send in a video to one of those American home video shows!" Kagome was waving her arms around like she was trying desperately to grasp something invisible.

"Kagome." Mrs. Higurashi demanded softly.

Kagome did not hear her. "I don't like this mom! Stop it!"

"KAGOME!"

Kagome emmediately sat still staring frightened at the slightly annoyed woman infront of her. "Stop this nonsense Kagome and calm down! You will listen to me and you will listen well! Your mother and father were demons from the feudal era also known as the Lord and Lady of the Eastern Lands! They were being chased and you were sent to me! I took care of you until this day! This is you! You are a demon and you must accept this! I will not take no for an answer!" Her face was slightly pink and she was breathing heavily. Tears flooded her eyes. "Your parents, sadly, are dead and you must go back to the Eastern Lands and take back control from the Lords of the other three main lands! Are we clear?"

Kagome stayed quiet for a moment before tears brimmed her eyes. "I'm so sorry...I'm so s-sorry. I believe you." She looked down for a moment before flinging herself at her godmother and letting the tears flow.

Mrs. Higurashi held her tightly and patted her back. "Ssh. It's alright my dear Kagome. It'll be alright. Though there is one thing I must do." She pulled away and left the room for a few moments before coming back out clutching something to her chest. When she reached Kagome she uncurled her hands and showed her a small blue star-shaped stone. It was perfectly pointed with five points and had a slight silver sparkle glinting from the middle. Amazingly enough it was the same shade of blue as her own eyes. Kagome gasped. 'It's so beautiful!' She thought.

Mrs. Higurashi looked at Kagome. "Are you ready for your true self to be released?"

The cautious girl closed her eyes and took a moment before slowly nodding her head, eyes still closed. Mrs. Higurashi smiled and tilted Kagome's chin up. Kagome then felt something slightly cold being placed on the center of her forehead. Her eyes flew open and she saw Mrs. Higurashi's eyes closed and her hand cupped over the cold feeling on her forehead. Kagome was taken over by confusion until her godmother started muttering an incantation.

"Shukujo no ano higashi no tochi...Kizukaseru to omoidasu!"(Lady of the Eastern Lands...Awaken and remember!)

Kagome was suddenly engulfed in a blue light before a purple light burst forth to try and force it back. Mrs. Higurashi's eyes filled with fear before her face set in determination and she closed her eyes, fighting to make both Kagome's miko powers and demon powers join. Kagome felt a slight pain in her forehead as she watched her surrogate mother fight both of the auras. Sweat dripped down Mrs. Higurashi's face as her brow knit together in concentration. In a moment the pain was gone and everything turned black for both of the women.

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Mrs. Higurashi was the first to awaken into conciousness as she slowly sat up and looked around. What she saw nearly made her faint again but instead she gasped. Kagome was laying on the floor, still knocked out, glowing. Her auras flared out around her as she snored lightly. It seemed that the two different powers had finally given in and joined. Mrs. Higurashi giggled. The blue aura was surrounding the purple one, protecting it. Mrs. Higurashi scooted closer to Kagome as the girl slept.

'Kagome truly looks like her parents.' She thought happily.

Her still blackish-blue hair had lengthened to her ankles, the blue sheen brightening slightly and her fingernails had extended into claws. Her body had matured to what looked a few years older and it seemed she had grown taller too. She had two black stripes adorning each cheek and on her forehead where the star pendent had once been was the same exact star, but instead of a stone it was like the markings on her cheeks. The markings themselves reminded Mrs. Higurashi of tattoos. Ironic, eh? The thing that caught her attention the most was the two fuzzy dog ears, the same black/blue as her hair, on top of her head and a long fluffy tail coming from seemingly nowhere that had wrapped itself around her waist protectively. Once again, it was the same blacky-blue as her ears and hair. Her normal human ears had disappeared though.

One of Kagome's small dog ear twitched and Mrs. Higurashi flinched. "Can't...resist...the temptation. KAWAII!!!" She pounced on Kagome, making her wake from her reverie with a jolt.

"Gaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!" She cried, falling over. Mrs. Higurashi, having attached her hands to the appendages on Kagome's head, fell over with her.

Mrs. Higurashi sat up with an embarrassed smile. "Heheh. Sorry. I couldn't resist. They're just so kawaii!" She giggled.

Kagome looked at her with a confused expression. "What do you mean? What is?"

Mrs. Higurashi once again got up and ran out of the room coming back with a small hand mirror. "Look for yourself."

Kagome's breath hitched at the sight before her. 'All of these changes...are these my new demon features?'

"Yes. Quite beautiful if I might say so myself."

Kagome jumped a little in surprise and looked at her god-mother suspisciously. "Can you read minds and have only just conluded to reveal them to me?"

"No. You said it loud and clear." The older woman laughed.

Kagome blushed. "Ummmm...So what now?" Mrs. Higurashi calmed down and held Kagome's shoulders.

"You must seek out your cousin Kikyo and give her back the peice of her soul you have been guarding since she died. When you told me about the time she was ressurected I was surprised. I didn't think it would affect you so much to have her soul taken from you. But I took some time to think about it and finally figured that your soul had become attached to hers and was battling the force trying to take it away. When her soul was released from yours it shut down, thinking it had failed. That is why you fainted. Remember when you woke up and your body was calling the soul back. Your soul hadn't given up yet, it was still trying to guard it from the dangerous body of Kikyo that was brought back. You must now go back, return her soul to her, bring her original body back to life and make amends. She is your flesh and blood and you might need her in the future. Now, do you still love InuYasha?"

Kagome smiled and shook her head. "No, no I don't. I only wish for him to be happy. That is all."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled back. "Good. That will make things all the more easy. You must go to them and explain what is happening, okay?"

"Okay. But I have one question..." The new demoness said softly. Mrs. Higurashi urged her to continue. "Do I have any arranged marriages or anything? Like to any lords or kings or anything?" Mrs. Higurashi shook her head. "Good. 'Cuz I would never go through with them. I would make it so they hate me if I have to!"

Her godmother shook her head and put a hand on her shoulder. "You still haven't figured out that nobody can hate you. I don't know how but it's true. Even that guy Naraku has taken some kind of a liking to you."

Kagome stuck her tongue out. "Ewwwwwwwwww........ That would be disgusting! Why'd you have to say that! That's sick!" On cue her face turned a light shade of green. "Bleh. I don't feel so good..." Her eyes grew wide and she sped up the stairs and into the bathroom.

Mrs. Higurashi heard a heaving sound before the toilet flushed. She walked to the stairs to see Kagome hanging over the railing, slightly pale. "Are you alright dear?" She questioned, genuinely concerned.

The demoness took a few small breaths before nodding slowly. "I'm fine..."

Kagome slid down the rail and wobbled into the kitchen again and flopped in a chair. "So, in a nutshell...I'm the true guardian of the jewel, Kikyo is my cousin who I am to bring back to life and return her soul, I am the lady of the eastern lands, I am not engaged to anyone, you are my god-mother, ummm...I have to explain this to all of my friends, I'm a full-blooded demoness...anything I'm missing? Any family hierlooms? Swords? Castles, that I should know about?"

Mrs. Higurashi smiled, "Actually, yes. You might want to go to the eastern lands and brush up on your family history, that is, if you want to. It might help in the future. Although you might need help finding the castle, your mother never did give me directions or anything so I wouldn't know how to get there. She said something about only certain people being able to see it though, having put up a magic seal to protect it. You must also go to find an old man named Toto-sai and retrieve your father's sword. Of course you must be trained on how to use it. I guess after that you may want to find the other lords and ladies of the three lands and reclaim the eastern lands. Though I warn you now, don't expect them to just hand it over to you. That's why you want to train before-hand. Once you get that all done you can join up with your friends again, gather the shards, or even settle down with a nice man...erm...demon." She had sparkles in her eyes at the thought.

Kagome smiled nervously, "Heheh...let's not get carried away...I'll consider though, okay?"

Mrs. Higurashi nodded, slightly crest-fallen. "Okay. Let's get you dinner and then we can get you ready to go to the feudal era."

"Will I ever get to see you again?" Asked a worried miko/demoness.

The older woman smiled brightly again, "Of course! As long as you have one of those jewel shards you can travel through the well safely!"

"Hn!" Kagome nodded happily.

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                                           -End Chapter-

                           Don't worry! I've got more comin'! ^.^