Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or the original characters from the story.
Italics means thoughts, flashbacks, or sounds & ("") Quotes are what the characters are saying
Chapter 3
Royalty
"You're shittin' me, right?" Inuyasha questioned as he looked at Naoko dumbfounded. "I mean you calling me a Prince. Don't make me laugh."
"Inuyasha…Wait! Let's at least hear them out." Kagome reached for Inuyasha's shoulder. He just moved around to look her straight in the eyes and continued to walk on the dirt path to a nearby lake. Kagome just stood there in shock. His eyes. The held such bitterness in them. He's always been so secretive about his past. Inuyasha…A prince. Well I guess that's about right. His brother is a Lord.
"Prince Inuyasha! Please I implore you to come with us. It's urgent."
"I ain't interested. Whatever that bastard wants with me I don't care."
"Don't insult our Lord, Prince Inuyasha." Naoko stated as he appeared right in front of him. His dark hair fell out of the chop sticks that held his man bun as he bent on one knee. "Me and Saburo have traveled many miles to get you. Our Lord told us by any means necessary we must bring you back to the palace." Naoko's sword glimmered in his hand as he narrowed his green eyes at Inuyasha.
"You're serious? Well it's been a minute since I've had a good fight." Inuyasha gruffly told him as he gripped the hilt of Tessaiga. "This should be interesting."
"Don't fight… Inuyasha, Stop! Just listen." Kagome quickly got in between the warriors once their demonic auras rose.
"Naoko" The baritone voice of Saburo chimed in. Saburo, although a bit shorter than Naoko, had a handsome face. His short black hair hung just passed his ears. His brown eyes were intense as he stared at Naoko. "We didn't come here to fight. We had one mission. Deliver Prince Inuyasha to Lord Sesshomaru. Or did you hear a different order?"
"No I didn't" Naoko mumbled as pushed the hilt of his sword back in the scabbard. "It wouldn't have lasted long no way." He brushed past Inuyasha and Kagome to go back to his steed.
"Our Lord knew you would be stubborn." Naoko pulled out a small object from his saddle bag.
"What is that?" Kagome questioned as she got near Naoko.
"You mean…Who is that" Saburo answered with a slow smirk.
"MMMMMMmmmmmMMMMM"
Naoko unwrapped the small object and out popped Myoga in desperation.
"I don't know why I had to be tied up. The nerve of Lord Sesshomaru!"
Naoko smirked while he squished his little body. "Because he knew you would try to run away."
"I wouldn't ever run away…Not after seei…"
"Ahem" Saburo cleared his throat. He narrowed his eyes at Myoga as he sweatdropped.
"Oh yes! Inuyasha…It's been a while…Hasn't it?" Myoga leaped up on Inuyasha's shoulder as he looked at him. "Myoga, what are you doing with Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha said. He couldn't contain the surprise on his face as his eyebrows rose up into his bangs.
"I know you always believed that I was too afraid to be in Sesshomaru's presence, but your brother has made some noticeable changes. He isn't who he used to be."
"Hahahahahahaha! That's a good one Myoga!" Inuyasha bended over clutching his stomach in laughter as everyone looked at him. "What?" Inuyasha said as he looked around. Kagome strode up to him and grasped his hand. "Inuyasha…I know how you feel about Sesshomaru, but I believe this might be serious. I mean if Myoga is with him you know it's important because he runs away from everything."
"Heyyyyy…Not everything"
"What the hell! I'll go see what the bastard wants." Inuyasha sets Myoga in Kagome's hands as he looked to the West. He made one jump over to where the demon horses grazed and waited.
"Well didn't ya say you was in a hurry?! The quicker we get there…the better!?" Inuyasha yelled while his foot tapped up and down from impatience.
Saburo and Naoko shook their heads as they prepared for the journey back to the Western domain.
"Myoga, please help Inuyasha when he gets to the palace. I think he will definitely need it." Kagome told Myoga as he jumped off her hand. "You know I will Kagome. I will see you soon."
Kagome strode up to Inuyasha; his face held irritation from the situation. "You know this might not be a bad thing. Maybe you and Sesshomaru can hash out your differences."
"Kagome that sounds all nice, but me and that asshole will never be okay. I'm just going to see what he wants, then I'm coming back."
"Okay…well safe journey then." Kagome softly told him.
Neigh.
Neigh.
Neigh.
The gray demon horses raised their two front legs as they bounded off West.
"See ya" Inuyasha made one powerful leap and he was off into the treeline.
Be careful.
…7 hours later
"Prince Inuyasha, we should make it to the palace around noon!" Saburo hollered over the gusty wind. The forest was tapering out. More tropical plants started appearing. Sakara blossoms were whooshing in the wind from the speed of the travelers.
He hastened his pace. Inuyasha flew from tree to tree in a red blur. Prince...Huh. Keh. Whatever… We're getting closer to the sea. I can smell it on the wind…Huh…I haven't been here since I was a small child…
Flashback:
The wind shifted. Sakara blossoms rapidly fell to the grounds of the Western courtyard. In the center, a vast Koi pond dwelled with all varieties of fish from Kohaku Koi to Dragon Koi. The attention to detail was impeccable with gold trimming on the pathways, and marble stone was used for benches. No expense was spared.
"Mommy let's play!"
A young Inuyasha joyfully bounced his ball on the courtyard grounds, while regarding his mother with child-like glee.
"Patience dear one" Izayoi laughed. She gracefully sat on a nearby stone bench. She watched Inuyasha huff and run off to the Koi pond. She sighed as she glanced up to see a teenaged Sesshomaru appear.
"Why are you here, human?" Sesshomaru demanded.
"We have no where else to go. I couldn't let Inuyasha grow up around people who despises him for being a hanyou. I wanted him to have a male figure in his life. So I as…" She clutched her silk kimono in her hands as her lips trembled.
"You assume too much, human." Izayoi raised her head in surprise as her eyes widen.
"You do not belong here. And neither does he." Sesshomaru took a threatening step towards her. Fury was in his eyes.
"But he's your brother!" Izayoi pleaded. She got up to reach for Sesshomaru, but he moved away.
"Leave"
"No…Please"
"Leave! Now!" Sesshomaru yelled.
"Mother…What's going on?" Inuyasha hid behind Izayoi. She grabbed Inuyasha's hand as they made their way out of the courtyard to the main gate.
"Let's go" Inuyasha looked back at the man who looked so similar to him and the only thing he saw was a cold golden gaze.
End of Flashback
Yeah…Brother. Inuyasha made one last leap and started running on the ground. Hopefully this will be over quick.
Bong.
Bong.
Bong.
"Western soldiers approach! They are back!" A sentry yelled as he hammered the entrance bell in the tower.
"Hn" The silhouette of Lord Sesshomaru stood facing the grounds of the Western palace watching from the floor-to-ceiling window the figure of Inuyasha stopping at one of the main gates. So he came.
"It is time" A baritone voice filled the room.
Archways of the castle was as tall as an Inu-yokai in demon form with a wide, marble stairway going up to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Golden candelabras hung from the ceiling. Silk tapestries of former rulers were on the walls as the red and black colors of the West showed proudly in each one of them.
What am I doing here? I don't belong. This palace isn't for me. I belong in the wild. Inuyasha glanced around the entrance of the castle.
"Well Prince Inuyasha, this is where we leave you." Saburo bowed and walked back outside the massive grandeur wooden doors as a servant held it open for him.
"Yes Prince Inuyasha, it was my pleasure. I hope to see you soon." Naoko smirked. He bypassed Inuyasha while tapping on the hilt of his sword in a mocking manner.
"I'm looking forward to it." Inuyasha stated as he raised his fist in the air. "Asshole!"
"Inuyasha, please refrain from getting into fights with my soldiers."
"He's the one that started it. I just intended to finish it." Inuyasha replied with his back facing Sesshomaru. "Why did you want me to come here."
"There's something we need to discuss."
"Discuss, Hmph!" Inuyasha shook his head from side to side. "Well this could have been at the village. Why bring me here?...Am I finally…worthy?" He spun around and narrowed his eyes at Sesshomaru.
"Stop being childish, Inuyasha. This is important. I'm not here to listen to your sorrows." Sesshoumaru's mouth turned down in disgust.
"You know you will always be the same damn asshole that you have always been. I bet you were even like this before old man died." Inuyasha teeth clenched in rage as his fangs started poking out.
Sesshomaru disappeared and reappeared in front of Inuyasha seizing him by the neck firmly with his claws digging into his flesh. His eyes bleed red from his demonic rage. The servants bustling around the entrance ran as they saw their Lord's anger.
"Go ahead! Do It! This is what you have always wanted to kill the half-breed!" Inuyasha yelled and for the first time since adulthood a look of hurt flashed in his eyes before fading.
"That is enough, pups!"
Sesshoumaru threw Inuyasha down when a dark figure appeared in the hallway ahead of them.
"Pups" Inuyasha said in confusion while laying on the floor.
"Yes, pups" The figure finally showed his face as he got closer to them. The tall phsyique of the former Western Lord Inu no Taisho strode up to them in all of his regal glory.
"F..Father"
…Back In The Village
"Have you seen, Kagome?" Sango yawned as she walked into Kaede's hut.
"No she was gone before I woke." Kaede stated while stirring the cauldron filled with porridge.
"Thanks, I'll see if she's in the herb garden." She moved over the flap on the doorway as she exited. Dust from the roads floated around her as she walked to the garden.
"I don't see her." Sango said out loud. I wonder where…? I know.
Sitting seiza in front of the Bone Eater's Well was Kagome.
"Kagome are you okay?" Sango softly said as she approached her.
"Yeah, I've actually never been better. It just helps me coming here. I was meditating." Kagome said as she slowly opened her eyes and gave her a small smile.
"I've been wondering if anyone could tell me how long this transformation is going to take?" Kagome asked as she looked up at Sango.
"Well, Miroku told me that you should be fully transformed in about a week or two. He said your aura has been going up and down a lot." Sango replied.
"Really? This is sure taking a long time? And the craziest part is...I don't even know what I'm feeling sometimes. Sometimes my instincts guide me and let me know, then other times I'm at a lost." Kagome stared at her body in frustration. "I need training. I mean if I'm going to be this for the rest of my life, I could at least be somewhat good at it."
"That's the spirit! Maybe Kaede or Miroku knows someone that will be willing to help you."
"Yeah" Kagome looked down. Training will help me get my mind off of things.
She sadly glanced back at the well.
"I just don't want you to start until after my wedding." Sango reminded her as she helped Kagome to her feet.
"That was my plan all along. I mean I am the maid of honor." Kagome stated with pride.
The women giggled as they walked back to the village.
oOo
Sunlight poured into the open window of Kaede's hut as she and Miroku sat and talked about the new developments in the group.
"I see young Shippo is ready to go off to Kistune School." Kaede said while crossing her fingers in her lap.
"Yes he told me earlier. It's past time for him. I guess he's ready to grow up." Miroku stated thoughtfully. "Lady Kaede, I've been meaning to ask you if you've been reading Kagome's aura as of late because I've notice something that has me troubled."
"Aye, I've have noticed it as well… I've heard legends."
"What is it?"
"I believe our young Kagome has not only demonic powers, but she still has her miko powers." Kaede replied to Miroku as his eyes widen in disbelief.
"But that can't be possible. Demons and mikos are sworn enemies. The power of both would tear her apart."
"Aye, there is a struggle of balance I sense in her. But her aura will eventually level out. Then she will be fully transformed." Kaede nodded her head in thought.
The sound of footsteps could be heard outside the hut as the conversation stopped.
"Ahhhhhh, I could sure eat some of that porridge, Lady Kaede." Sango stated as she stepped inside the hut with Kagome at her side.
"Sure let me get ye bowl" Kaede went to the corner where she stored her eating utensils.
Sango sat beside Miroku while she ate and Kagome sat cross-legged near Kaede as they rested in silence for a minute. Miroku cleared his throat while looking at Kagome.
"Lady Kagome, we've been meaning to talk with you about your transformation." Miroku stated.
After getting Kagome caught up with their analysis, she stared at the wooden wall. Well at least I get to keep some part of my former life. Even if it is just my miko powers.
"Kaede could you tell me of this legend."
"Aye, this goes back more than a thousand years, young ones…"
The Legend of Akari
It was said that a beautiful miko by the name of Chiharu fell in love with a youkai general named Takai. Although their love was forbidden, she couldn't stop herself from seeing him. They would meet in the night, so eyes couldn't catch them in their act. It was from that love they created a baby girl. Who they named Akari. Chiharu and Takai was in utter disbelief of their child. A youkai born with miko powers. They decided to only meet once a month so suspicion wouldn't rise. They even put a powerful cloaking spell over their child, so she could appear human. This arrangement worked for about four years. Until someone from Chiharu's village caught Akari without her cloaking spell. The villagers reeked havoc on Chiharu and Akari. They burned down their hut and tied them up. The villagers were going to kill them, until Takai rescued his love and child from the village. Chiharu then decided to shelter herself and her daughter away from the outside world up at the top of Mount Yari for Akari's protection. Although sadden by the news, Takai knew it was best. He kissed his love and held his child as he said farewell. It was the last time Chiharu would ever see him. Takai had perished in the Great Youkai War a few months later. Chiharu had trained her daughter in all arts of control, offense, and defense before she too died. It was said that Akari had come down from the mountain a few times to help demons and humans alike. Her healing powers supposedly could raise the dead and her fighting techniques were most impressive. Many have tried to go up the mountain to find her location, but none have found it.
"Wow" Kagome said to Kaede as she finished her story. "I wonder if the legends are true."
"Ye won't know until ye try." Kaede nodded to her with a twinkle in her eye.
…Unknown location at the top of Mount Yari
A lone hut covered in vines resided near the edge of a cliff cloaked by an invisibility spell. A small pot brewing with herbs steamed up in the air as a delicate hand stirred. A young woman in an old training kimono raised her head as her senses picked up something. She sniffed the air, and eventually a smile could be seen on her lips.
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