Secrets of the Shinju (Part III): Loss of the Demon Soul by Kilala81

Loss of the Shinju

Miroku and Sango stood in disbelief at the scene they had come upon. InuYasha had caught the scent of Naraku and hurried away from them.

When they got there they saw InuYasha standing about ten feet away from Sesshoumaru and Kagome. He was in his human form, though it was not the night of the new moon.

Then they watched in even more shock as Sesshoumaru's hair also turned a dark shade of brown. When they finally approached them, they also noticed that his once golden eyes were now brown as well. His proud demon markings gone.

Sesshoumaru looked around slowly. He was thrown off balance. Suddenly he couldn't hear very well. His sight had dimmed considerably and the scent of Naraku was gone.

He looked at the priestess, who now looked much healthier. He then turned in surprise when he heard his brother's human companions near him. The fact that he had not sensed them there astounded him.

The young boy that the priestess had saved ran past him and into her arms. She dropped to the ground and embraced him tightly, sobbing heavily.

"Kohaku, oh thank god you're ok." She continued to cling to the boy while everyone stood and watched.

"Kagome, did Naraku hurt you for saving me?" He sobbed to her.

"No, he didn't hurt me Kohaku." Sesshoumaru looked down at her, knowing that indeed the half demon had used other means to frighten her after he discovered the boy's disappearance.

Kagome then looked up at Miroku and Sango. She stood and fell into Sango's arms.

"Thank you so much for brining Kohaku back to me." Sango whispered to Kagome. Kagome hugged her tighter and then turned to Miroku.

His appearance stunned her for a moment. His skin was pale, he had very dark circled under his eyes and his cheek bones were much more prominent.

She embraced him quickly shocked at how much weight he had lost. She pulled back and he looked at her.

"Tonight, you will sleep without Hitomi bothering you." Kagome promised him. She then looked over to InuYasha. He was in his human form.

She rushed to him and threw herself into his embrace. He stood there for a moment then put his arms around her. "Kagome" was all was able to utter, his voice catching.

Once she pulled away from him, Shippou was instantly in her arms and she smothered him with motherly words and cuddles.

They all stood, not quite sure what should be done next. Finally Sesshoumaru spoke up.

"It is now obvious that we need to retrieve the shinju." He glanced at Kagome and continued. "We will return to my castle, and decide there what should be done."

He looked down at his Tokijin. Again he would be leaving it behind. He turned and began walking away from the other humans, overwhelmed with emotions that he didn't understand. For the first time realizing that he was indeed one of them.

The human's quickly caught up to him and they walked in silence. Kagome rode on the Kilala along with Kohaku and Shippou.

After an hour of traveling she looked at Miroku and focused her powers at him. He looked at her as he heard her thoughts.

'Miroku, tonight I will keep a barrier around you so that she can't make you relive your father's death again.' The monk had tears touching his eyes but blinked them back. Kagome got off of Kilala and came to his side. 'I saw it too. I am so sorry, Miroku.'

She put her hand on his shoulder as they walked. Then she spoke to him out loud.

"You should ride on Kilala for awhile. You're very tired." He continued to walk a ways further and then finally got atop the cat. Kagome moved near InuYasha and then focused on Sesshoumaru. She could feel his turmoil. Unlike InuYasha he had never before been a human.

It was now nightfall and they decided to make camp. Kagome approached Miroku and sat beside him.

"Just get some sleep; I'll keep her away from you." He looked at her, happy that they had gotten to her on time. He lay down and was almost instantly asleep. The others watched as Kagome sat close at his side with a blue glow around them both. It didn't take long for the others to sleep.

Kagome sat awake looking them all over. Sango held Kilala on her lap with Shippou and Kohaku on either side of her. InuYasha slept across from them, he too was clearly exhausted and in a deep sleep. She then turned to see Sesshoumaru watching her. She smiled at him and he blushed and turned away.

Sesshoumaru sat watching the priestess. After everything she had been through, her main concern was protecting the monk, who had clearly been having problems with his health. He looked her over, suddenly finding her very attractive.

He chastised himself, for not being able to control his human emotions and desires. She looked very tired herself, but sat awake looking over her friends.

Sesshoumaru had no doubt that she would use her powers to protect them all in an instant if it were necessary, not worrying about the effect it would have on her own health.

Slowly she turned her head towards him and gave him a warm smile. He turned away from her quickly embarrassed that she had caught him staring at her.

InuYasha woke just before the sun came up. He looked towards Kagome and Miroku. She was still awake.

He became jealous as he watched Kagome gently touch Miroku's hair and then begin speaking to him. The monk's eyes opened and they both smiled at each other.

InuYasha became angry that he couldn't hear what they were now saying. 'Damn human ears, they're useless.'

Kagome could feel Miroku beginning to stir. She brushed the hair from his face and spoke his name. He opened his eyes and she could instantly see an improvement in his aura. She smiled at him and he returned it.

"Thank you so much, Kagome." Tears came to her eyes as she remembered him as a child.

"Miroku, I am so sorry for your pain. I watched your father's death on more than one occasion." He sat up and she finally let the barrier down.

"I know I could feel you there." They sat beside each other and looked to InuYasha who was also awake. He was staring at them with an angry look. Kagome moved to him and sat close at his side.

She glanced at Sango who now had her eyes opened, but didn't move because the children were still both asleep. She then gazed at Sesshoumaru who was also awake and again watching her.