Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the OC that shows up in this chapter. (That makes 4 OC characters so far...minus the three that are simply mentioned)
Chapter 1:
An Interesting Encounter
Pushing pass a few bushes, she entered a small clearing with a giant tree standing directly the middle. It almost looked like the Goshinboku with its giant roots clearly visible as they tunneled their way into the earth. However, this particular tree was more aged, deep lines looking much like scars running down the sides. Yet, out of all of the scar like markings, the tree stood tall, the leaves a vibrant green against the darker hues of the old wood. Flowers decorated the ground around the tree, like little children huddling around a storyteller. A small patch of land was left open at its base as if it was made with that specific path in mind. Giving a huff of annoyance and eyes drooping tiredly yet with a determination to stay awake, she took everything in. Marching straight up to the tree, she veered slightly to move directly passed it.
"OUCH!" The woman spun around, glaring at any and everything while rubbing at her abused behind. She faltered when she realized nothing was there, "What the-I know something just whipped me! Where-" stepping backward, she suddenly found herself falling. Her eyes widened as she caught herself, looking to the ground where she tripped only to find a root moving back into the ground without anything around to move it.
Kagome's breath hitched as she quickly drew to a stand, backing away from the tree as a face began to morph into the bark. The humor the face showed instantly dispersed any fear, quickly igniting her anger. "Excuse me, but that was rude."
The tree's amusement only grew, taking in the miko's muddy form, "Rude? I know not what you mean."
Crossing her arms in front of her, Kagome rolled her eyes, "Of course you don't" She stated, sarcasm dripping from each word, "you're just a tree, right? Trees can't smack people's asses and trip them. Not at all. It's just all in my head."
"But of course. You are merely hallucinating the encounter."
A snort sounded through the suddenly silent clearing, "Oh, a sense of humor. Fantastic. So tell me, oh glorious hallucination, how did I become drugged and where can I get some more?"
One of the supposed scars on the tree raised slightly, as if the tree was raising a brow in question. "You stepped foot in my forest. What more is there to it?"
Slowly, Kagome sat down, placing her hands in her lap as she stared at the tree quizzically, "Right...well I suppose I've seen crazier. So, really now, what is your name?"
"Himoro."
She raised a brow, "The fox lord of the east?"
"Daishi then."
Both brows went up, "Now you're the ice dragon of the south?"
"Perhaps it was Satoshi..."
"The neko lord of the north?" She questioned, exasperated, placing her head in her left hand.
"Hmmm...no...oh! Sesshoumaru," the tree thought, a branch rubbing at the trunk above the mouth of the tree. "That sounds right."
Kagome couldn't help the next comment that came out of her mouth, "You don't look like a walking popsicle, sorry."
Amusement shown on the tree, it's leaves seeming to glow, "Oh? Wait until winter than, child."
"The Lord of the West is Sesshoumaru, Tree-san. Try again."
"...You are well informed."
"Those four have been teaching me since two days after our first meeting. That was nearly four years ago." Sitting up straight once again, Kagome continued, "I learned all about running lands, geography, and other such 'adventures' during my travels and stays with each of them." Looking directly into the tree's 'eyes' she deadpanned, "It was worth than math."
"Math?"
"Let's just say it wasn't fun at all."
The tree watched her, it's inquisitive gaze boring holes into her, "You look more unhappy than that simple task suggests."
"Thank you Captain Obvious," Kagome stated, turning her attention to the red poppies beside her. "You know...I never expected to stay here. I planned on going home and never returning. But...after Naraku's death, they gave me a choice that I found out wasn't really a choice at all. Especially since interviews are going to be conducted for positions under mine without me agreeing to it in the first place!" Her voice slowly raised from a near whisper at the beginning, to a shout toward the end.
The tree remained silent for a few moments, "What do you want?"
"I can't give out the full details, unfortunately I probably already gave out too much...whatever. I just...I don't want the responsibility that they want me to take on. I don't want to become the icon they want me to be...I don't want to be like them..." She sighed, thinking with obsidian bangs covering her eyes.
"Like them? How?"
Looking up at the blue sky, she blinked blankly, silent. A few minutes passed with no talking between the two before she looked toward the tree, worried. "I don't want to be cold and hateful like they are. Always searching for power and ways to one-up each other."
"You fear turning into them. A power hungry being."
"...Yes..."
"Then do not." It stated simply, earning a deadpanned expression in return.
"You make it sound so easy," she commented, sarcasm dripping from each word.
"Child," It started, waiting for her full attention, "Think of the Earth. Each element has it's own power yet they balance and in some cases help each other to create something new. You are a product made on this Earth. If you wish for a brighter outlook, you need not look far."
Kagome's brows furrowed, leaning forward slightly. "How so?"
"Everyone needs a goal. Look at their reasoning. Are they really power hungry, or is there another motive? Are they really cold? Hateful? Or is it created from something else entirely? Are they protecting something? Why did they choose you? Why do they stay by your side? Why do you stay by theirs? Why didn't you simply go home when you had the chance? So many questions, and yet, only you can come up with the actual answer." The tree stated, blinking slowly. "They may tell you what they want, or what you want to hear, but in the end, it all depends on what you believe."
She said nothing, leaning back on her hands from her cross-legged sitting position. Frustration was easily seen in her posture. Taking a breath, she looked back up at the sky, contemplating the conversation. "I had a responsibility before."
"Then why not leave as soon as it was finished? Why risk your life? Why stay?" The tree shot back.
"Because I want to help people!" She snapped, posture rigid as she glared at the tree, her hands clenching fistfuls of dirt. "I want to stay connected to my friends here!" Weariness seeped into her eyes, dragging her down, "I just...don't know."
A few more minutes of silence graced the clearing before Kagome stood, brushing herself off slowly. The tree merely watched her with a curious lilt to its pupil-less eyes.
When Kagome raised her head, her eyes focused directly on the tree and her posture was tall and proud. A sense of determination that was not present when she first walked into the clearing radiated off of her as she stared the tree down. "I better get over to that interview before they start without me. It'll take me a while to get there."
"Aa. It is a days travel from here through the mountain pass," The tree replied nonchalantly, watching her walk toward the mountains. "Kagome Higurashi."
She froze, eyes widening as she spun on her heel to face the tree, "How-"
"My name is Tomo. My colors are white and gold during the cooler seasons and black and blue during the warmer." Once the statement was out, the tree's face began to disappear just as it had appeared.
Slowly, Kagome began to turn the way she had been walking. Checking over her shoulder once more, she turned back to her route and started walking again. Her mind went over the conversation once more,
"Think of the Earth. Each element has it's own power yet they balance and in some cases help each other to create something new. ...Why do you stay?...Why did they choose you?...Everyone needs a goal. Look at their reasoning...are they trying to protect something?...My name is Tomo. My colors are white and gold during the cooler seasons and black and blue during the warmer."
Eyes narrowing slightly, she stopped and looked down at her clothes. Black with blue designs graced the outer kimono where as in her bag she carried a white yukata and a gold locket. It was also a warm season, being close to the end of summer. 'No...there's no way...right?' Shaking the thoughts away, she began to walk again. The encounter and the words exchanged never leaving her thoughts the entire way to the mountain.
To be continued...
Sorry this chapter took so long, it was written for a while on paper, I just had to type it up and tweek it a bit. The entire plot is figured out and the story is practically written in my head...lot of good that does to anyone else haha, but it's coming along. Plus school started again. But, I have no intention of abandoning it. Updates will just be a little slow.
Thanks for your patience, reviews, alerts, and favorites!
Full Moon Howl