What A Nightmare!

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Kotori immediately opened her eyes and quickly sat up. She breathed heavily, waking up in the middle of the night. She heard the sound of the fire cracking in front of her. "Was that just a dream?" She asked herself." But it felt so real."

She lowered her head and looked at the piece of clothing that was probably placed on her while she was asleep. It slightest calmed down her racing heart and gave her reassurance.

This strange feeling in her chest tingled and burned with a new sensation.

"What's your problem?" InuYasha questioned with his back against the tree. He acted like he didn't care but was very concerned about her. Even with that smudge look on his face.

"It's such a relief to hear your voice, InuYasha." Kotori turned her head towards him with a genuine smile. That nightmare made her cherish the people around her more dearly. She came to realize that way she perceived herself was absurd.

" W-Wha! Are you okay?" InuYasha asked and raised one of his eyebrows.

" InuYasha, I'm sorry for handing the jewel shards to Naraku." She apologized and decided to toss her pride to the side this once. Her body trembled from embarrassment and was very flustered." I—I would probably do it again! He helped me regain some of my memories and I'm indebted into him."

Footsteps approached the two in the distance. She walked with such grace and elegance with a basket of herbs in her hand." Naraku is a very cunning and manipulative man." The priestess spoke." He will stop at nothing to get want he wants. Next time, it may be causalities."

'I didn't even realize that Kikyo was gone.'

Kotori looked down at her hands and remembered the lives of the innocent people that she took. It was the demon inside, reckless, and violent by nature, which terrified her. " Say, Lady Kikyo. What would you do if someone told you not to do something?"

Kikyo did not understand the question then saw the spirit of a little child vanish with the current of the wind.

" Er- I mean." Kotori clenched her fist together then looked up at the priestess." Lady Kikyo, what if the past caused more suffering? What if ….it even cause my own death?"

The sun peak from the horizon,

"The future is not a straight line. There are many different pathways. We must try to decide that future for ourselves." Kikyo spoke.

In this moment, Lady Kikyo's words reached her. Kotori eyes widened with such inspiration. She nodded happily," Yeah!"

"Why is everyone up so early?" Shippo yawned and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He fell back to sleep noticing Kagome and the others were still sleeping.

" Lady Kikyo, PLEASE BECOME MY MASTER!!" Kotori said loudly and bowed respectfully.

" Follow me."

InuYasha remained in the same spot and looked over his companions. He did have an uneasy feeling about the two of them together but easily shook it off.

The distance was a few miles, the land was vast. Kotori ran around like a child with her arms spread open feeling the wind at her fingertips. Even though, her wounds nearly healed the priestess still treated them.

"What do we do now? "Kotori questioned, eagerly." Are we shooting targets? Or practicing with swords?"

Kikyo closed her eyes and mediated. The half-demon leaked enormous spiritual powers from her body, untapped potential. This is definitely something Naraku will try hard to get his hands on. It's important to lead her in the direction of hope and prosperity.

'Oh, ok. Um. I guess I will do what you are doing.' Kotori looked confused and tried to copy the priestess posture to the best of her capability. It was uncomfortable. She begins to think about fresh roasted fish with a hint of rock salt, it was enough to cause her stomach to rumble.

"Who do you want to protect?"

That question caught her off guard, an imagine of InuYasha appeared in her head. She shook her head profusely then thought about the words of the child," To protect everyone and create a place where half-breeds, demons and humans can live in harmony. I want a future filled with peace, and happiness."

" Now envision a weapon for that."

Kotori closed her eyes forcefully,' How am I supposed to think about a weapon under this much pressure? I guess something simple to wield around. I do find the sutras interesting!"

A small speck of light formed in her hands of a long, skinny wooden stick and there multiple papers streaking from the top in many diamond shapes that kind of reminded her of a broom.

" I must leave, return with the others now."

" W-Wait! Master Kikyo! Aren't we supposed to get into the hardcore stuff? Like shooting spiritual balls or something? Hey, we can even practice of demons."

" Little Koto, I must attend to some affairs. I will come again and teach more to you but there's an urgent matter that needs my attention, right now." Kikyo sense that Naraku presence, over the mountain in a castle.

" What was the point? Can you at least tell me something about my father, Lady Kikyo?" She asked.

" Another time…" The priestess stood up and walked away.

Kotori felt a light weight in her hand. She lowered her eyes and her mouth dropped." WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? FOR DUSTING! "

" What a gullible girl!" Kikyo softly laughed then stared up at the beautiful blue sky." She is definitely your daughter; I do not even know where to begin. It surpasses mine. --- Perhaps, just maybe. Little Koto will be able to create such an impossible dream. She is the princess of the nation! However, accepting the demon inside of her is out of the question, I sense something far eviler and more sinister than the opponent we are facing now…"

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[ Campsite]

" Where is Ko and Kikyo?" Shippo asked, indulging in the ninja snacks which simply are barbecue potato chips.

" Ko agreed to the training with Kikyo." Miroku answered," At least, that what InuYasha informed us with."

Kotori caught everyone's scent, she ran towards the demon slayer and Kagome then gave them a hug. The walk was her time to reflect on her actions.

"What's gotten into you?" Kagome asked." Did that woman do something to you?"

" Are you alright, Ko?" Sango questioned.

" I'm sorry for giving Naraku the jewel shard and I understand that everyone worked super hard for." She pulled away and looked at everyone around her." I truly mean it! I know I am untrustworthy and it's true that I cannot be trust because I may fall for his tactics again."

" So what!" InuYasha blurted." Stop feeling sorry for yourself! It won't happen again, got it! I will protect you for Naraku."

She put her hand on her chest. Those strong words caused her heart to flutter once more.

" InuYasha meant what we will protect you no matter what. That what friends are." Miroku explained.

" F-Friend!? D-Do you all consider me as such?" Kotori thought and looked at everyone's expression. Her chest was filled with so much warmth, she had been alone for a long time.

" Thank you."