Hey everyone,
So i worked really hard to get this update done faster than my last one - plus i'm sick so that gave me free time to type this all out - I hope no one is upset. I will warn you though, i have Exams coming up in the next month so I will be a little slower, I'm going to try really hard to have another one up before christmas though - really really hard!!
anywasy this is just some babble, just a few things that needed to be in to make sense, but i still hope you all like it.
Summary: She wasn't a priestess, she wasn't even 17 years old, and she didn't come from the year 2007. It wasn't until after her death that Kagome learned the truth about who she was.
Chapter: Redemption or Revenge.
Sesshomaru stood stock still, how could this possibly be?
All of the times he had seen her, caught her scent, felt her powers. In her human form all of these things – scent, power, and her looks – were suppressed in some way, somewhat diluted, but it was still her. She had been here, been alive, always trying to bring peace.
Reaching her human hand out the disguised Goddess pleaded, "Take my hand Sesshomaru, take my hand and remember. Remember our past."
Unsteadily the Demon Lord grasped her hand, when their skin made contact her human façade shattered and she was once again the goddess that he loved. From their connected joints magic began to flow and soon the lands around them began to morph.
Mid-day melted into early evening, the sun just sinking into the earth. Painting the sky a vivid pink, the old city ruins transforming into huts and buildings of all kinds. The palace across the valley grew into it's former beauty. People wandered the streets, children played in the fields and men worked in the crops in the last of the light.
"This was our city and our home years ago my love, and soon it will thrive again. My love for you has never faded Sesshomaru. But you need to tell me if you are still the man I love or if you have changed so drastically that I can no longer understand you," she spoke solemnly.
Sesshomaru started for a long moment at his lost love, the busy city dissolving into its current ruined state.
It was true, he had changed. Even he had difficulties finding similarities between the young demon he used to be and the cold Lord he had become. Rin being his only weak spot. But had he changed too much?
Looking down at Kagome he knew that answer. Found it in her captivating blue eyes. Glowing depth he found himself drowning in as much now as he had hundreds of years before.
No, he had not changed too much, not when it came to her.
In just the short time that she had reappeared in his life his cold demeanour had already begun to melt away.
Gripping her hand just a little tighter Sesshomaru effortlessly pulled Kagome towards him. Wrapping his free arm around her shoulders and the hand which had previously held the beautiful Goddesses hand now encircled her slim waist. "Just don't ever leave me again," he growled affectionately, touching his lips to the top of her head.
Kagome smiled, resting her head against his broad chest, "Never again, I promise."
The two stood in silence for a long while, comfortable in the warm embrace of the other until finally a question crossed Sesshomaru's mind, "earlier, you said that Naraku had 'returned'. What do you mean by that?"
Kagome stepped back, but only a little. "It was him. It has been Naraku this entire time. It was he who attacked the village. Naraku is the creature that rose form hell."
Immediately Sesshomaru's eyes began to leak red, his claws growing larger. A low growl began deep in his chest and ripped its way out.
Naraku had been in front of him hundreds of times, an easy kill. But Sesshomaru had just let him pass, allowed him to live. It was not acceptable.
"Lord Sesshomaru?" Came the small, frightened voice of his young charge. Almost instantly Sesshomaru managed to compose himself. "Are you alright Lord Sesshomaru?"
Both Jaken and Rin had returned from their exploration of the city just in time to be witness to their Lords' loss of control.
The soothing voice of his Kagome was the one that came to the reassurance of the worried Rin, don't worry Rin, Sesshomaru is just a little angry right now, he will be fine."
"Is he upset with you pretty lady?" the child asked most innocently.
The delightful sounds of the Goddesses light laughter filled the air, "No my darling, I don't believe he is angry with me, at least I most certainly hope not."
By this time Sesshomaru had calmed himself enough to speak, "This Sesshomaru could never be angry with you."
"'This Sesshomaru'?" Kagome playfully quirked a fine brow.
He had to resist the strong urge to roll his eyes at her before he was forced to rephrase and speak in a way in which he had not spoken for many years, "I could never be angry with you."
"Well that's quiet a relief, I was worried there for awhile," his Angel smiled brightly, moving closer to him she rested her hand on his forearm.
"Lord…. Sesshomaru?" the old green toad questioned taken off guard by his Lords sudden change in behaviour, and in small, personality.
Though, much to his usual self, the Demon lord chose to ignore his servant and spoke to the Lady that was with him, "we must find him. He will pay for what he has done."
"We will, I swear that he will pay. All in time though. First, there is much we must discuss and we cannot do this alone remember. As well I'm not sure it would be safe for Rin to be near when the time comes for us to fight," Kagome spoke, directing her gaze to the child again.
Sesshomaru nodded his head in agreement at her logic then turned to the toad like demon, "we will return to the castle."
"Lord Sesshomaru, who's the pretty Lady? Is she an angel? She had wings when she saved me from the mean bear," Rin's innocents shone through her simple questions.
Kagome smiled, Rin was very quick witted and Kagome found it interesting that even while she had been in grave danger, Rin had taken notice of her wings – which were now hidden by invisibility.
But surprisingly it was Sesshomaru who answered, "Not just any Angel Rin, she's a Goddess, Princess of all Angels."
Rin now gasped excitedly, "Oh! Is she the Princess your going to marry Lord Sesshomaru?!"
Kagome turned her head to look at Sesshomaru when the child posed the seemingly trivial question, the back at her yet again, "at one point we were to be—"
"Yes. She is the Princess I plan to marry," he spoke to the child, his eyes remaining trained on Kagome. Then he dropped his voice so only she could hear, "that is, if you'll still have me."
Kagome danced her hand across Sesshomaru's cheek and over his markings, "I never stopped wanting you my Love."
But Rin had stopped paying attention after Sesshomaru's first statement. "You're getting married!! Will you wear a pretty Kimono? Will there be babies for Rin to look after? Rin is so happy for you!!"
Jaken, who had been busy trying to scrape his jaw off the ground and put it back into place after the final statement, "Lord……. Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru acknowledged his retainer finally, knowing that an explanation must be given, yet he was not used to explaining himself to the toad. Sesshomaru was aware that Jaken knew a little information of his past and planned to try and convey the correct message without actually having to say much. "The Lady of the Central Lands and the future Lady of the West has returned to her rightful place. Lady Kagome is above every being here on Earth and will be treated as such. The Goddess is to be respected."
Jaken looked between his long time Lord and the woman, who he now could only assume was the Great Goddess Princess Kagome. Jaken nodded his understanding of Lord Sesshomaru's command. This was all so strange though; Suddenly Sesshomaru was being….. Kind?
"We will leave for the castle immediately. From there, Jaken I expect you to watch over Rin while Lady Kagome and I go find Naraku and deal with him, "Sesshomaru began, but was interrupted.
"Aahhhmmmm," Kagome looked pointedly at Sesshomaru, "This cannot be done on our own. We must find your brother."
The lord glared at Kagome a moment before relenting, "alright, first we go find Inuyasha and his pack. Then we will destroy Naraku."
Then with their plan set in motion the odd group set off towards the Western Lands. Rin and Jaken upon Ah-Un's back, Sesshomaru on his cloud and right at his side Kagome carried herself on her wings.
:: With the Others ::
They had been wandering for a few days now, trying to get word of where Sesshomaru was, but thus far no one knew anything.
"This is pointless! Why do we even need that bastard?" Inuyasha grumbled for the thousandth time that day as the pack approached a small village.
"Because Inuyasha, he may know something about what seems to be going on. So will you please just be quiet?" Miroku sighed in reply.
"There is something going on in the village up ahead," Kikyo stopped, calling everyone's attention to the commotion ahead.
"Let's go find out, ' Miroku picked up his pace, leading the way to the large group of villagers pilling up weapons and packing food and water.
Sango was the first to speak, "excuse us, but may we ask what's going on? Is there some kind of war in this area or something?"
A young woman who appeared to be the priestess of the village came forward. She paused a moment and took in Inuyasha's appearance then to Kikyo in her priestess garb and once more to Sango and Miroku. Smiling softly she answered, "No there is no war, not yet anyways."
"What do you mean, 'not yet'?" Miroku questioned.
"This morning our village was visited by an Angel. She said that it was time for the battle between humans and demons to end, but in order for this to happen those who know the history and origins of the feud must travel to the sacred Center Lands. For that is where it will all end," the young Priestess replied kindly.
"This Angel, did she by any chance have long black hair and really light blue eyes?" Sango asked.
"Why yes, her eyes were almost like ice, they were incredible," the priestess nodded.
Sango looked at the others, "that's the same Angel that I saw." She turned back to the villagers, "and you're all traveling to the Central Lands now? Because that is where it will all end?"
The Priestess smiled and looked to where all 4 regions – North, South, East, and West – all met, "She called it 'The Final Battle'. If it means our people can live in peace without fearing for their lives then we will try anything we can."
"What if it's a trap? Are you willing to die for no reason?" Inuyasha sneered.
"We can only have faith in Kami that this is not a set-up. We have heard the stories of the Central Lands and the time of hundreds of years past – maybe we can live in that peace again." She replied calmly before turning back to the people of her village, "We set out at sun rise."
:: Later that Night ::
The group had set up camp for the night not far from the village.
"This is ridiculous! Why would they willingly walk into a death trap like that?" Inuyasha bellowed when the fire was burning hot and everyone had finished their dinner.
"Think about it Inuyasha, the final battle. Maybe this is where we'll find Naraku. If it's an angel telling the people this then it's possible that Sesshomaru and this mysterious Goddess will be there. Think of all the connections – an Angel, the Central Lands, bringing the people together to witness demons, and humans work together, united. This could be it," Miroku explained logically.
Inuyasha just rolled his eyes and sat back on his haunches.
Eventually the fire died out everyone turned in for the night, deciding it was best if they were fully rested. But as everyone drifted off into a peaceful nights sleep Kikyo quietly slipped from her spot and began to walk deeper into the forest, feeling the sudden need to be alone. As she kept walking she came across a small hot spring, it was here that she stood alone, curious as to why she felt the urge to be by herself.
"Priestess Kikyo," kikyo was startled by the musical voice that floated through the peaceful clearing. She whipped around thinking it was coming from behind her, but no one was there. "How did a soul so good turn so evil?" Still she could not see anyone. "I entrusted you with the jewel until I could give it to my Granddaughter and look what has come of that."
Finally, before her eyes a being began to materialize. The dead Priestess reached for her bow, but the beings voice stopped her.
"Your arrows will not hurt me so do not waste your energy trying," as she said this the being became clearer, yet still slightly transparent, Kikyo knew who she was instantly. She dropped into a bow.
"Lady Midoriko," Kikyo gasped, "but you're dead."
Midoriko smiled, "As are you Priestess Kikyo, yet here we both stand." Kikyo had no reply to this. "I choose you as a protector of the Jewel priestess, because of how pure of heart and soul you were, yet you still stand before me, and empty shell, your soul devoured by hatred and your need for revenge. Killing the innocent."
Kikyo took a step back involuntarily, "I have no idea what you mean my Lady."
"Kikyo, I know the legends say that I'm stuck in that jewel, but only part of me is there. Which explains why I'm so transparent, but just because there is part of my soul still fighting the evil in the jewel does not mean that I am oblivious to what is happening in my husbands' lands. I know more than you seem to think I do. What possible crime could the young Priestess Kagome have committed?" the ancient Priestess questioned, expecting an answer.
"She…." Kikyo began, but knew she could not lie, "She had my soul and my Inuyasha. They were mine."
"Yet that is not the truth," Midoriko sighed. "Kagome harboured your human soul to give you another chance. To give your soul an opportunity to become pure again so that it would not be devoured by those creatures of hell. As for Inuyasha, well part of her draw to him had to do with her harbouring your soul, but also because of his connection to Sesshomaru."
"I don't understand, what would Inuyasha's half-brother have to do with this?" kikyo was confused.
"all will make sense in time Priestess, but it is up to you to make the right decisoion when the final battle comes. There is still a chance for you to redeem yourself. Your pack must go the the city of Ruins, the Central Lands. There you will find the opportunity you need." Midoriko said before the disappeared from sight as quickly as she had come.
Kikyo was left alone once more, left to figure out things for herself.
Redemption or Revenge?
Ok well thats it for this chaper everyone!
I really hope you liked it, and that everyone is doing well.
(anyone else a Twilight fan? what did you think fo the movie?"
much luv,
Aya Chan
