I thought after I made my wish on the Shikon Jewel I would never see anything like I did back then again. I should have known from the rare occurrences in my journey that came into my time that things weren’t as they seemed in the modern day. I never did go to college. My job field became clear the first time I ended up teaming up with him: Sesshomaru. He’s my partner in crime. I never expected that I’d see him, let alone be his partner. In a way, I’m glad he found me. It gives me a glimpse back into the life I wished I could return to.
….
My name is Kagome Higurashi, and I used to be the reincarnation of a priestess to protect the Shikon no Tama, a jewel made from a powerful priestess’s sacrifice to stop a horde of powerful demons. Its power could grant any wish placed upon it, but only a selfless wish would not be corrupted, and the jewel would finally vanish from the world. I only learned about all this because I had been dragged into the past by a demon through the Bone Eater’s Well on my family’s shrine. There, the jewel was ripped out from inside my body, and there my journey began. It was only a few days after that I accidentally shattered the jewel through my miko powers, forcing me to search for the scattered pieces all over Japan. I met a lot of friends and enemies along the way. It was during the journey that my quest not only became to make the jewel whole once again, but to never let it fall into the wrong hands again. I completed my quest, with my many friends as my allies. When I did, I could no longer return to the past in which the jewel had originally brought me. I felt empty. Alone. Useless. I finished high school, without any idea of what I would do. I trained to be the miko for our family shrine, but the training was cut short. I learned more than I needed to, so became the shrine maiden instantly. Still, I was unsatisfied with my life.
I had been closing up the shrine's gift shop one night, when I could feel a demonic aura coming towards the shrine. I had to double take, since I never thought I’d feel another one after 4 years. Quickly, I grabbed a bow and quiver from the once powerful Bone Eater’s Well. I readied myself at the top of the shrine’s stairs. There is was. It was a type of lizard demon, but it looked off. Steaming ooze poured from its body. Its eyes shone up at me. Before I could ask what its business was at our shrine, it raced up the stairs at its demonic speed, claws out for attack. Without hesitation, I shot and disintegrated the beat with my purification powers. I sighed relief, but a feeling of excitement coursed through me. I hadn’t felt like this in a long time. I felt another demonic presence coming then, and I quickly readied another arrow. I pulled back, but then started to loosen my grip.
“I know this aura.”
Out of the darkness between street lamps, I saw the waving silver hair pouring forth from under a fedora. He wore what appeared to be a bluish-black suit, which was partially covered in blood and who know what else. He stopped at the edge of the stares. He looked to be saying something, but then stared right up at her.
“…Kagome?”
S-Sessh….I couldn’t stop my faintness. Was it the fact I thought I’d never see Inuyasha’s brother, or was it the putrid smell still hanging in the air of the destroyed beast? Either way, I fell weak and then saw nothing. I awoke later on the couch in my home. My mother had just placed a damp washcloth on my forehead.
“Mom, she’s awake.”
I could hear Souta’s voice. My, had he grown. It seemed like only yesterday he still had his squeaky-like voice and was still not sure of what he wanted to be or do. Now he was a teenager who wanted to do everything that had nothing to do with family…usually. I opened my eyes and looked over at my mom, who was now staring at me with relief, like she used to when I would return home from the past. There are more wrinkles on her face, but she is still as beautiful as ever.
“I’m glad. If it had not been for Mr. Akiyama here, I wouldn’t have known how to treat you.”
“Mr….Akiyama?” My voice was creaking, like I just recovered from being really ill. Eyes now wide, I looked at the figure I saw before standing in front of me. He was no longer wearing the messy suit top, but had a light blue collared shirt on, the same dirty pants, and the blue fedora. There is no way I couldn’t recognize that face.
“It wasn’t a trick of the eyes then, was it Sesshomaru?”
“Kagome, do you know him,” asked mom
“I was surprised too, Kagome. So, this is the era you were from,” he spoke.
“Era,” questioned Souta. He gasped. “Dude, you’re from the past?!”
Sesshomaru looked at the boy. “Not quite. I was still young back then. It’s more like I lived through it.”
Mom had a worried look on her face. I knew that look well. It was the one she wore every time I left for the Feudal Era.
“I should leave you two to catch up then. Souta, let’s go see how Grandpa is doing. He’s been at the tree praying for hours now.”
“Okay, mom.” Souta looked back and forth from me and Sesshomaru for a bit, before following mom out of the house.
That fake happy demeanor. Mom always tries to make the best of a situation. I looked at Sesshomaru, who now pulled up a chair and sat in front of me. Still, he felt towering over me. So tall. Still looks a lot like I did the last time I saw him. I started to ask him a question-
“No, miko. Inuyasha is not still around. Half demons do not live as long as full. He died some time during the 1940s. He lived a good life, but never had a family. I’m sorry for the terrible news.”I shook my head. “I had already given up ever seeing him again. I had been hoping he had lived a good life though. I almost wished he had moved on and had a family. I would have at least felt better about never seeing him again.” I sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
“You were trailing that demon. What was that all about? That had been the first demon I had seen in many years.”
“We try to keep ourselves hidden, but lately there has been much more demon-related crime in the area. While I wished you hadn’t killed my suspect in a case I’m following, I agree with your decision to do so.”
Suspect, huh? “Are you telling me the great Lord Sesshomaru is some sort of Detective now?” I pulled the blanket that was covering me over my mouth to hide the smile. It just seemed like a funny job for someone who didn’t care much about others outside his circle to have.
“Just because times have changed, doesn’t mean it is not my duty to still protect the west. The only reason I was this far east was because my suspect was trying to escape me. “He raised a brow at me, as if saying he could see my smile. He turned his head away. “Still, it is good to see someone else from that time. Rin grew up to be a powerful miko, like yourself, under the care of Kaede. Seeing you reminded me of those times.”
There was something in his face. Was it sadness? Duh! That was his daughter, in a way. He probably misses her. After all, she was human. I tried to change subjects a bit.
“You said the crime rate has increased. Do you know the reason?”
“No. I’ve been trying to get with the other leaders, but I can’t get in contact with all of them. I was able to get in touch with the dragoness of the South, and she too is having trouble getting in touch with the the bird of the East and the wolf of the North.”
“Wolf of the North? You don’t mean Kouga, do you?”
“Hn.” He nodded.
So, Kouga was still around. I has wondered if he finally got with Ayame or not, after my absence had taken hold. As I was thinking, I noticed another strange look come over his face. It was so strange to see so many emotions. I was so used to stoic and angry.
“Kagome, there aren’t many of us that are helping with the crime troubles. Without the help of the four leaders working together, this is becoming even more difficult to find out who’s really behind all these crimes. As you are a human with the powers of a miko, you may be able to help in this endeavor. I still have Jaken, but he is not helpful out on the field. You, on the other hand might be the best to help me in finding these criminals. I can disguise my demon heritage, but I do get tired from it. If there was a human that could help me with those tasks I cannot always perform as well as have the strength in battle, I would appreciate your assistance.”
“M-Me!?” I was so shocked. HE was asking ME for help?! I knew back then that we were at least no longer enemies. But for him to ask me for help??
He stood up. “I see that it may take you some time to decide. Here. When you’ve made a decision, just call this number. You might be surprised at who picks up.” He held out a card to me. I looked it over. It had a beautiful depiction of the mood on it. By the time I looked up, I knew he and his aura were already gone. I looked back down at the card.
West Detective Agency. Detective Akiyama Sesshomaru. Trying to keep the West safe from harm.
“Hmmm. The writing could use some work.” I looked at the phone number and thought back on how good I felt when that lizard showed up. How much it reminded me of the best time of my life.