Part 9: Human Soul

          "Well, the obvious course of action would be to send her back through the well." Kaede said simply, leaning forward to stir a viscous green liquid boiling in a heavy black pot.
          "No!" Inuyasha snapped. Kaede and Kagome looked at him in surprise, "I mean, I don't think it's a good idea yet."
          "Why not? I want to go home! I'm only sixteen and I have to go to school!" She complained angrily.
          "No."
          Kaede watched him curiously. "Why do you not wish for the girl to return to her home?"
          Inuyasha glared at her, "Do you remember when I was just a little brat? I used to have that same dream every night. . ."
          "Aye, I recall." Kaede nodded.
          "Well the girl. . . that's her. . .and I want answers from her before she leaves." Inuyasha finished lamely.
          Kaede's eye seemed to bore into Kagome. She shifted uncomfortably under the old woman's gaze and averted her eyes to Inuyasha. He was watching Kaede expectantly, as though he thought the woman had some information to give. "You, child, are Kikyo, aren't you?"
          Kagome swallowed, "I'm Kagome."
          "Aye, but you were Kikyo. It's very clear to me now; I don't know why Inuyasha's dream never made sense before now. But I understand." Kaede said intensely.
          "And. . ." Inuyasha prodded eagerly.
          "You share more than your name with the legendary warrior, Inuyasha. It appears that you are actually him, reincarnated." Kaede said softly, her face old and dark in the dim cabin.
          "No. It can't be. Youkai can't be reincarnated." Inuyasha argued.
          Kaede frowned, "The warrior wasn't youkai, and neither are you."
          "I'm half youkai!"
          "But also half human." Kaede argued, "And it seems that your human half is stronger than the youkai. Congratulations, Inuyasha, you have a human soul."
          Inuyasha stared at her for a moment in utter shock. "This is nonsense. I don't know why I came to you, you rotten old hag!" he stormed furiously, tearing out of the house. Kagome stared after him with a mix of surprise and shock.
          "Lady Kaede, I don't understand. . ." she said softly. "None of this makes any sense. What's the difference between a human soul and a youkai soul?"
          Kaede watched her, calmly stirring her brewing potion. "Youkai souls, after death, simply go to a different plane. They aren't held accountable for anything they do in their life, simply because they only have one. However, human souls are recycled over and over until the world ends, or they go to hell. Inuyasha. . . he has always believed that he was more youkai than human, but now. . .he learns he's wrong."
          Kagome glared at Kaede's brew, "I don't understand why he's so angry. Isn't it better to be human if you get to come back?"
          Kaede sighed, "I don't know. I couldn't tell you to be honest. Sometimes, people don't like what they hear, and they can't bear the truth."
          "What now?" Kagome asked, peering at the door Inuyasha stormed through.
          "I don't know. Stay with him awhile. After all, Kikyo and Inuyasha are destined to always have intertwining fates." Kaede told her and nodded toward the door, indicating for Kagome to follow Inuyasha. Kagome smiled sadly, and rose, chasing after the wild hanyou.