Eons ago the world was chaos and darkness. There were beings in the darkness some had voices louder than others, some had no voices at all. We say voice but at the time there was no sound so the voices were much closer to thought, the raw presence of many souls interacting. The kami had strength in the darkness but also ambition and curiosity. They wanted more senses to define themselves and others they wanted to see, to feel, to smell, to hear, to taste. They elected Izanagi, and izanami they were given a jeweled spear and together they stirred the darkness. Creation had begun many beings became imbedded into the world as its foundation and it is said that there are eight million kami.

Sesshomaru's brow creased in incomprehension trying to understand the magnitude of the number.
"If they are so great in number why have we not seen them?"
He was shushed gently, and a look indicated all questions should wait for the end of the tale.

Robed in flesh all beings became subject to the senses of Touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight. Some became more attuned to particular senses but as these things became more developed the base understanding of the spirit gradually dulled. As time passed original spirits claimed shapes to set themselves apart. The powerful could change shape at will and do so even now, those that were not powerful became permanently bound to their chosen shape or could only create an illusion of being something else.

Distinguished gods took on similar forms and many imitated them, certain species began to claim gods as their ancestors. The time in the dark was forgotten and tales of gods, demons, and humans washed away truth like a tsunami. Now we must choose for ourselves what to believe.

"Where have they all gone?"

"They are separate from us in the pure land, heaven."

"How far and where?"

"Farther than the most distant star in the sky"

"How does one go there"

"We do not venture thus, it as separate from us as is death."

"Then how will I arrange an audience with a kami?"

"Lesser ones yet remain in these lands, but beware of Lord Susano-o, if you should chance encounter one as powerful as he be respectful for there are few who could withstand his might and none that can destroy him"

As if in response to the warning the clouds that had been brewing throughout the day split with lightening followed by fast heavy sheets of rain. The water drummed the roof ominously, as thunder boomed close.

"Mother and Father are out there" sesshomaru frowned

"For all you know they dance above the clouds and their foot falls have dislodged this torrent"

Sesshomaru eyed his tutor skeptically; there had been no sarcasm in voice and no falsehood in scent. Still he could not reconcile the image in his mind of his parents stepping on clouds to release rain like prancing on waterlogged sponges. Deciding to disregard the idea altogether he decided to return to his calligraphy practice and felt chagrined to see an ink painting instead. His neat rows of characters were interrupted by Izanagi, and izanami stirring an inky depth with the jeweled spear. The two kami shared suspiciously similar attire and hair styles comparable to Lord Inu-no-Taisho and Lady Inu-kimi. Demons and gods formed clouds behind them and farther below humans raised their arms in adulation.

The sweep of robes behind him made his muscles tense in displeasure he did not like the sensation of anyone looking over his shoulder. Yet he did not hide the indiscretion from his lessons.

"My lord with your prowess in the dojo none would assume you to be as adept with the ink brush"

Sesshomaru rose and took a place at the veranda before shooting back a cocky glance

"I have many skills"

"Indeed you do"

"Was there a point to your story?"

"Only that you seemed bored M'lord"

"hnn"

"I shall find us tea"

sesshomaru nodded

"When you return you shall continue and tell of the kami and Susano-o"