Chapter 7 – Sounga Returns
I didn't get pregnant funny enough but that's okay since I have two beautiful pups, Sesshoumaru doesn't bothered either. It has been years since the say Inutaisho and everyone came to visit us, they never did come visit us again except Inuyasha but he only visited one more time. Jen and Usagi still visited and helped us raise our children into young adults. They are both 16 now and looked absolutely stunning.
We finally found Naraku and killed him, we saw Inuyasha there too along with Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kirara. Luckily none of us were killed and the best part was that Sango's brother Kohaku was given a new life. Kagura, Kanna and Hakudoushi had also been set free and promised that they would no longer trouble the world in exchange for their lives. Sesshoumaru allowed this and let them rule the South, Kagura's the eldest so she is the Lady of the Southern Lands.
Maru has been training with Sesshoumaru a lot even using Bakusaiga sometimes, he has become very strong as has surpassed his sister even though he is hanyou. I have taught him how to use his healing powers and how he can channel them into objects, he is still quite mouthy but if we have a Lord visit he is quiet and formal. He looks even more like Sesshoumaru just a little bit shorter, he comes as far as Sesshoumaru's armour and that is tall considering Sesshoumaru's height. Maru has Sesshoumaru's Tokijen and makes him a full youkai when it is near him, it would seem the sword brings out his beast but enough for him to handle. He was knighted Jade's protector and has done a great job of it. If he has Tokijen at his side the night he loses his powers he simply turns hanyou, ever since he figured this out he has taken it everywhere, he even sleeps with it
Jade has also been training with her father but mostly with Tenseiga, she has learnt the basics of self defence but doesn't wish to learn any more. She has stated that she is a young woman and doesn't wish to fight for her life, I understand but Sesshoumaru still refuses to. He is worried for her as her beauty is great and any lust filled youkai wouldn't think twice to jump her. She is just a little shorter than Maru and her attitude is a mature like Sesshoumaru but she isn't cold, she is kind and caring. She will go out of her way to help others and travels Japan to help the sick, she has developed healing powers too but she can only use them if Tenseiga is near. Sesshoumaru gave it to her on her 16th birthday and told her to protect it with her life. For some strange reason she is trying to swap her heritage with Maru so that he will remain full youkai forever whereas she turns hanyou, they have both asked me to find a way and I have agreed to do so. Sesshoumaru is also looking but for the pups not for himself. She has also learned to control her powers of reading people's minds if anyone wanted to know
Rin is 24 now and has moved out, when she found out Kohaku had been set free she was overjoyed. They would go out during the day and spend time with each other, they eventually fell in love and were happy. They wanted to marry so Kohaku went and asked for Sesshoumaru's permission which I thought was very modest of him. Sesshoumaru allowed the marriage only that Kohaku would protect Rin no matter what, he obviously agreed and moved into the demon slayer village with Sango and Miroku. Rin writes to me weekly and I have recently found out that she is with child, Sesshoumaru and I will be visiting as soon as we get a chance
Gosh a lot has happened to everyone in the past 16 years but I just wish I could have seen my friends more than I did
I was in Sesshoumaru's study going through one of the scrolls when he walked in "Are you troubled Kagome?" He asked concern in his voice
"No not really, I'm just missing Jade" I smiled "She has been travelling Japan for a while now and I'm starting to get worried"
"Maru is perfectly fine so there is nothing to worry about, he would have felt something if his sister was in danger" He reassured "If you wish I shall send him to get her, he wishes to go"
"Well as long as he wants to go, I will not force him" He nodded and pecked my lips. Maru then entered the study without knocking
"Maru have respect and knock the door" Sesshoumaru said
"Why I knew that you did not have visitors" He replied, he was in a bad mood
"What is wrong son?" I asked as I stood "Is there something wrong with your sister?" Now that he was full youkai with Tokijen his appearance was slightly different, his fangs were longer as were his nails and his hair was a more blue style silver and he also had magenta stripes on top of his eyes and wrists
"No but I will go to get her soon" He then sighed "Have you found a way for us to swap our heritage yet?"
"Not yet but we're close" Sesshoumaru said "Why are you upset Maru? I can smell your anger"
"It doesn't matter now I have sorted it" Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow waiting for what he meant by 'sorted it' "Jaken and I argued and he called me a worthless half breed in disguise" Sesshoumaru then growled and stood up straight
"Where is he now?"
"I don't know" Maru then walked in and sat on the side on the desk "What right does that imp have to call me a half breed?"
"He doesn't" Sesshoumaru growled again "I shall see to it that he doesn't walk for a week" He then left to find said imp
"Did anyone see?" I asked as I turned to him
"Yes Chiyo did" She was my lady in waiting "She used her neko powers to beat the imp until he apologized, she wanted to hurt him even though I already had"
"She has a soft spot for you" I smiled "And I don't blame her" I then stood and kissed his crescent moon "Are you ready to fetch your sister now?" He nodded and stood as well
"I shall be back by tomorrow"
"Let your father know you're leaving" He nodded and ran downstairs to where Jaken was crying for mercy
Jade's Pov
I had been travelling the Eastern lands all day and had just entered the North, I was told a very old miko called Kaede lived at a village here whose sister was once the protector of the Shikon no Tama. Since I am now the protector of the jewel I wanted to know as much about it as I could, I wore it around my neck and it glows if a great danger is near. It did it in the Western Lands but father always said that my grandfather was powerful but horrible so I'm just assuming it's him.
The village had just come into sight when I entered a forest called Inuyasha's forest, funny that name sounds familiar. I saw a tree with a dent in it which looked as if something or someone had been bound to it, I could feel the purity of the tree which gave me comfort. I gave a bow before it and continued walking, I came to the steps of the village and ascended up them. When I entered the actual village it was filled with a wonderful atmosphere There were both human and youkai children playing together and even some hanyou; the villagers worked with smiles on their faces; everyone spoke nicely to each other; the huts were adorable and the air smelt so pure. One of the villagers walked up to me and bowed "Hello Miss may I ask who you are for precaution and your business here?"
"You may" I bowed back "I am Jade Taisho protector of the Shikon no Tama and I wish to see Lady Kaede, I've heard she is over 110 years old and would like to greet her. I believe she used to know my mother"
"P-protector of the Shikon no Tama?" The villager stuttered "Please follow me my Lady" I followed him to the last hut of the village and he knocked the door "Lady Kaede I young woman is here to see you, she says she is the protector of the Shikon no Tama"
"Let me see ye" Kaede's voice came from the hut, villager then bowed to me
"You may enter" He then left
"Come in child" I entered the hut and met the gaze of an old miko with long grey hair tied loosely in a pony tail; a black eye patch over one eye; wore miko garments and certainly looked younger than she was, she roughly looked 80. I bowed low to her in respect
"Lady Kaede I have been travelling Japan seeing to the sick and problems between humans and youkai, I am the protector of the Shikon as of this year and if it is not too much trouble to ask I would like to know the history of it"
"Please sit child" She said as she sat herself "By your appearance you are of a daughter of one of the lords or ladies of the lands or are you higher" She eyed me as she spoke the last words. I was wearing white kimono with a red obi that had dark blue crescent moons patterned around, the kimono's detail had one red sleeve with dark blue flowers inside blue diamonds (think of the pattern on Sesshoumaru's sleeve). I also wore a silver bracelet with crescent moons dangling from it
"I am Jade Taisho Princess of Japan" She didn't seem too surprised when I said this but then again I was told she was a wise lady "My mother bestowed the jewel upon me a month ago when I had turned 16"
"What is ye mother's name?"
"Kagome Taisho" I smiled "Her last name was once Higurashi before she mated my father Prince Sesshoumaru"
"I remember Kagome" She smiled warmly "It has been over 16 years since I have seen her, is she well?"
"She is doing fine my Lady"
"Tell me child, ye uses formalities me even though ye is higher than me. Why?"
"You are older than me my Lady, my father raised me to always respect my elders"
"So I see" She smiled again "Ye wishes to know about the jewel?" I nodded "Then I shall tell ye" She then told me the story of how the jewel was created and the miko Kikyo that then eventually went into Naraku and she kept mentioning Inuyasha who sounded very familiar; when she finished it took me a little while to stomach everything she said
"Wow..." I was speechless "My mother told me of Naraku before but not in so much detail"
"She wouldn't want ye to know too much about such a dark hanyou"
"I understand he was evil but I think in a sick creepy way that it was romantic that he risked his human self for the Kikyo" I smiled "He must have really loved her"
"Love can make you do crazy things" We continued to talk some more when a villager ran in huffing and puffing
"I'm sorry to interrupt Lady Kaede but Prince Sesshoumaru is here and is very angry, some one has been sent to fetch Inuyasha but the youkai Prince looks like he is going to kill someone"
"Then let us see what his highness wants" Kaede replied. I helped her to her feet and we walked to my father, I was beginning to wonder what could have possibly made my father angry as he was always calm and would never show his anger unless someone had really pushed his buttons. When we got to the commotion I sighed and growled slightly
"Maru what are you doing here?" Everyone looked at me as if I was crazy
"Child I thought ye would respect thy parents" Kaede said
"He is not my father Lady Kaede" I said as I turned to her "He's my twin brother Maru" I then turned back to Maru and walked over to him "Why are you angry brother? I sense that someone has upset you"
"It does not matter right now sister" He replied as he folded his arms "We are to leave and make our way back to the palace"
"Did father send you?" He nodded "Then we will leave but you have scared the villagers with your attitude"
"Then I apologize" I guessed someone must have said the H B (half breed) word, he's usually more cheery than me. I then turned to Kaede and bowed
"Thank you for taking your time to talk to me"
"Anything for the daughter of Kagome" She smiled "Ye must return with Kagome one day"
"I shall" I smiled back "I apologize but my brother and I must leave now we..." I was interrupted by a rouge youkai running into the village
"You girl" It shouted as it came towards me "You have the sacred jewel, give it to me" As it lunged forward Maru stepped in front of me, unsheathed his sword and killed the offending youkai
"You are not safe here sister" Maru said as he sheathed his sword "Come we must return before more youkai attack, father has given me a letter that will let us stay at the slayer's village on the border of these lands"
"Yes ok" I bowed once more to Kaede "Goodbye Lady Kaede" Maru then grabbed my hand and pulled me down the steps and into Inuyasha's forest once more "Maru that was rude of you"
"Do not try to lecture me Jade I am not in the mood" He snarled
"Then what is wrong?"
"I had a problem with Jaken back at the palace"
"Let me guess he insulted your heritage again" He nodded and I squeezed his hand "Ignore him he's just pathetic, we will be swapping heritages soon so don't worry" The sun was beginning to set and I was quite worried, tonight was the first night of mating season and I remember all the things father used to tell me "Maru how long until we get there?"
"Not long why?"
"Because the sun is beginning to set and tonight is the first night of mating season"
"Do not worry Jade I will protect you"
"Let's run there"
"You and I both know you cannot run very well"
"Then carry me" He sighed but obliged "Thanks" He then used his demonic speed to get us to the slayer's village, that did make me confused though. Slayers were humans who killed youkai, why would father think we would be safe here?
We finally arrived at the village and found it was strangely unguarded, Maru let me on my feet "I guess they're on their break" He mused. When then entered the village walls and were immediately surrounded by humans
"State your business here youkai scum" One shouted
"Do you not know who you are speaking to?" Maru asked in our father's tone "You shall not speak to royalty like that. We are seeking the leaders of this village, they are old allies are my mother's"
"Hey drop your weapons" A boy with red hair ordered as he approached us "Seriously guys you can't do this to every youkai that visit our village, Inuyasha tried to kill ya last time" He then turned to us and bowed "I apologize for my guards behaviour, please follow me. My father is one of the leader's of this village" We followed him to the biggest hut of the village and went inside to meet a woman around my mother's age perhaps a little older with her hair in a long high blackish brown pony tail; brown eyes; wore pink eye shadow; a healthy skin colour; red rose lips and wore a light pink and magenta kimono. There was also a man who had short black hair in a ponytail; blue eyes; holding a staff and wore religious clothes – he must have been a monk
"Hello" The woman smiled "How may I help you?"
"My name is Prince Maru and this is my sister Princess Jade, my father asked me to give you this letter asking if it would be possible to spend the night in your village" The woman beamed as she looked at us
"Oh my gosh look how much you've grown" She said "Sorry how rude of me, you probably don't remember but I'm Sango and this is Miroku. You're mother made us your godparents years ago, we met when you were two"
"I vaguely remember your face lady Sango" Maru replied "If I remember correctly wasn't it you who carried a two tailed neko youkai with you"
"Yes" She smiled "Kirara her name is, she's out with my children at the moment. You may stay here as long as you two like but when you do return home could you please apologize to your mother that I haven't visited, I've had 6 children over the past years and I couldn't travel with them at a young age"
"Of course" I smiled
"Please sit" We sat down as she asked "Kyo you may go do your chores now" She said to the red haired boy
"Yes Step mother" He then left
"I suppose Kyo counts as my 7th son" She smiled "This lecherous monk here..." She pointed to Miroku "...got around a lot before we met and couldn't remember if he had children or not"
"Oh I think my father mentioned him once as an example of perverted men" I laughed
"That sounds like your father" Miroku mused "May I ask you something Princess?" He kneeled down in front of me and took my hand "Would you bare my child?"
"Huh?" I gapped
"HEY" Maru pulled me into his arms protectively
"I thought you two were brother and sister, not lovers" Miroku scratched his head
"We are"
"Then I am allowed to ask"
"Monk please do not tell me that you tried to get my Jade into your bed now" We looked to the door way and found Kouga standing there
"Kouga-Kun what are you doing here?" I asked
"After you left the East I worried for your safety so I decided to check in on you but it seems your brother has it under control" He smiled "Maru make sure the monk doesn't touch your sister and do not leave her alone tonight, it is the first night of mating season"
"I understand Kouga" Maru smiled
"Good, well I'll see you at the palace" And with that he ran off
"Princess is Kouga your mate?" Miroku asked
"What? No of course not"
"Oh sorry I just assumed because he said 'my Jade'"
"Oh no he always says that" I giggled "Since my father told him he cannot call my mother his he calls me his to annoy my father"
The sun had now set and we had eaten dinner. I had met Sango's children and they were adorable, she has 3 girls and 3 boys. I also met up with Rin earlier, it would seem she had moved to this village with Kohaku. Gosh you should see her bump, it will not be long until her baby is due, she has appointed me god mother but not Maru god father as he is too reckless. Maru and I were staying in the guest bedroom at Sango's house and were climbing into the double bed "Maru will we be walking, running or flying home tomorrow?" I asked sleepily as I snuggled to him
"Flying, dad will want you back as soon as possible. We will fly through the rest of the North but will walk through the west"
"Ok" I nodded and slowly drifted off to sleep...
Maru's Pov
The next morning I was the first to wake and felt a lot better than I did yesterday, I no longer felt angry just average which was happy for me. Jade was still sleeping so I slipped out of bed and went for a wander, as I walked through the giant hut well it wasn't really a hut more like a Lord's home but anyway, I continued to walk around when I bumped into Sango "Sorry" I whispered
"It's ok Maru" She had Kirara on her shoulder which made me smile "So what time are you and your sister leaving today?"
"As soon as she wakes I'm afraid, my father wishes us to be back as soon as possible"
"Oh too bad" She sighed "I really want to catch up with you guys, do tell your mother and father to visit us soon won't you?"
"Of course" I gave a small bow "I'll go check in on my sister" I then went back to the bedroom to find her awake and sitting up on the bed "Are you ready?"
"No" She frowned "Let me wake up properly first Maru" She gave a big stretch and climbed out of bed. She then slipped on her shoes as she tied Tenseiga to her boa "Now I'm ready" She then took my hand and we made our way to the village gates where Sango and Miroku were awaiting us "Good morning" Jade smiled
"Good morning Princess" Miroku bowed "I hope you had a great time here"
"We did" She beamed. Kirara then jumped out of Sango's arms and into Jade's
"It would seem she remembers you" Sango smiled as Jade giggled. Kirara mewed to her but we could understand what she was saying as we were part beast too
"Awe that's so sweet of you to say"
"What did she say?" Sango asked
"She said I am very pretty and will make a good Princess, she also said Maru is very handsome and hanyou or not he will make a fine Prince"
"Hanyou?" Miroku raised her eyebrow "You do not look hanyou Prince Maru"
"It is the Tokijen that makes me full youkai, it shall be permanent soon as Jade and I shall we swapping heritages"
"You don't mind being hanyou Princess?" Miroku asked
"Of course not, if I'm lucky I'll get me a pair of doggy ears" She smirked as she handed Kirara back to Sango "We must take our leave now, thank you for your hospitality" We both bowed and Maru lifted me bridal style
"Come back soon" Sango waved as we took to the sky and flew to the West.
Jade's Pov
It had taken a few hours to get to the Western Lands but we got there eventually, we landed outside a castle that believe it or not looked even more huge than ours "Hey Maru who do you think lives there?" I asked
"I'm not sure but nothing good, I can sense a strong demonic aura"
"So do I" I breathed "We should go" He nodded as he let me on my feet and took my hand. As we were about to leave the double doors of the castle opened and out walked a youkai and a hanyou, the youkai turned to us and spoke
"I don't think your father will want you here pups" He said casually "Or do you disobey him?"
"What's it to you youkai?" Maru growled
"Maru" I grabbed his arm "Come on let's just go, I do not like the impurity here. It is making me ill"
"Go on ahead" He said "I shall take care of this"
"No Maru use your nose" I scolded "He smells of our blood, he is our grandfather"
"Very well observed Jade" He smirked "Do you remember my name?"
"King Inutaisho of Japan" I replied "Come on Maru, father will be angry if we are late" He nodded and began to walk away when our grandfather stopped us, he jumped in front of us
"Now aren't you going to see your grandfather properly?"
"Sorry" I bowed "But we must go our father will not be happy if he finds us here"
"Sesshoumaru has stopped you from going near me?"
"No but we need his permission first"
"So move" Maru growled as he unsheathed Tokijen
"I thought you were hanyou last time we met"
"So what" The hanyou then approached us with sorrow in his eyes
"Dad just leave them alone, you know that we shouldn't mess with Sesshoumaru's rage"
"I am not afraid of Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha" I gapped as I looked at him
"You're Inuyasha" He nodded with a sad smile "I vaguely remember you, those cute doggy ears" Suddenly our grandfather's back began to glow red as a sword appeared
"Let me see the boy Inutaisho" It ordered
"No Sounga you will not see my grandchildren"
"I wasn't asking" The sword identified as Sounga flew from our grandfather and came our way "Girl I want to taste your blood"
"Run" Maru shouted. I did so but tripped and fell onto my back
"Mine"
"NO" Maru then dived forward and caught Sounga in his hand
"Nice move kid, now be mine" Veins then began to leave the sword and sink into Maru's hand binding them together, Maru cried out in pain as I ran to him
"MARU" I saw his beast take over as he lost himself "Maru get a hold of yourself, don't let it control you"
"Feh he is only a half breed" Sounga spat "Kill her Maru and you shall become full youkai" Maru then knocked me to the floor and stood over me "Discard the Tokijen" He did so and it flew into the air
"Goodbye sister" He was about to bring the sword down on me when he was knocked back and I found myself being lifted into someone's arms, I looked up to find my father holding me in one hand and Tokijen in the other. Maru stood and wiped the blood from his mouth "I thought it was wrong to beat your child?" Sounga said through Maru "But you always did follow your father's footsteps" He smirked "We shall continue this another time" Maru then span with Sounga until he disappeared
"Ah" I held my head in pain as I felt the same pain as my brother kick in "His arm is in agony" My lip had been bleeding from when my father had hit Maru but I didn't care "You have to save him Daddy" I pleaded
"I will Jade, just calm down" He let me on my feet and wiped the blood from my mouth "What can you see?"
"He's flying towards the Southern Lands to Lady Kagura's palace, he's beating her" I gasped "He's knocked her out and has killed all of her guards and is now binding them to this world so that they will fight and fight"
"Come we shall return home" He then looked up to my grandfather "Why didn't you stop Sounga from possessing my son? Is it because of our current relationship?"
"It happened too fast Sesshoumaru" He shouted
"You should have destroyed Sounga when I told you to"
"I didn't know this was going to happen"
"Well it was pretty obvious" Dad growled. He then lifted me into his arms and turned to Inuyasha "I bet he stopped you from intervening too" Inuyasha's ears drooped as he looked away "Pathetic" Dad then took to the sky and made his way back to the palace with me in his arms. His aura was frightening, I've never seen my father so angry before. I know for a fact if we ran into any youkai right now he'd kill them without a thought
"Father" I knew better than to speak casually when he was not happy "W-what is going to happen now?"
Sesshoumaru's Pov
I could smell the fear radiating off my pup and it was through my anger, I could tell when she was scared when she began to speak to me formally "We will ask Kouga and his tribe to help us bring down Sounga and save Maru" I kissed her forehead and let my aura wrap around hers, she immediately soothed and snuggled to me
"How do you think mom's going to react?" She asked
"Not well" We then landed outside the palace where Kouga was
"I know about Maru" He said as he stepped forward "He came here and attacked Kagome"
"What?!" Jade and I growled as I set her down
"She is fine I managed to knock the pup back whilst Ginta and Hakkaku took her to the wolf tribe caves, they are travelling there as we speak. I waited here for you so we could go too"
"But she is uninjured?" I asked and he nodded "Thank goodness"
"Daddy" I turned to find Jade holding her head in agony "I-I can s-see him, h-he's heading towards Inuyasha's forest" I caught her as she lost the weight in her legs "He's looking at a strange well and Sounga I'm guessing is telling him about it. I can't make out what he's saying, it's clouded by screams of all the people he's killed. They are calling to me to save them, they call me the pure one whereas he is the tainted one"
"We will find a way to restore all of the people he has killed after we have got them back Jade" I lifted her bridal style "Do not look into it further unless..."
"Oh my god" She gasped "The well is magical, it has taken him to an era with strange metal objects running in the middle of streets, huts made of brick and stone, people wearing weird clothing but there is no youkai"
"Jade listen to me that is another world that your mother shall explain but right now we need to get to the wolf den" She nodded and left her brother's mind "Kouga let's hurry"
"Don't forget I can't run as fast as I could Prince Sesshoumaru so you better go on ahead, I'll catch up"
"Kouga if I let some of the magic in the Shikon into your legs do you promise to give it back to me once we arrive in your lands?" Jade asked
"I promise" Jade then murmured a spell as some power from the jewel channelled into Kouga's legs "Ah just like old times" He smiled "Well shall we?"
"Yes" I replied. I then took to the sky and flew whilst Kouga ran beneath me "Jade I thought the last time you saw Maru he was in the Southern Lands"
"I know but he has many guards to protect it there whilst he goes to that strange place"
"But what purpose would he have there?"
"I don't know" She replied in a whisper "But I wish I did"
It was dark now and Jade was trying her best to stay awake in my arms, she wouldn't be able to sleep even if she tried. Images of Maru kept flooding through her head and so was what he was thinking "We're here" I whispered to her as we landed in the caves. All the wolves looked up at us when there was a cry and I found myself being tackled down by my mate "Kagome!" She wrapped her arms around me even though I was still holding Jade and wept
"Sesshoumaru I can't believe Maru would do something like this" Jade slipped out of my arms and let her mother go in her place "It's just not like him"
"Sounga has him" I replied as I kissed her forehead "But I promise that I will free him"
"What are you going to do, cut off his arm?" She scoffed
"If that is what I have to do to save him then yes" I then lifted her bridal style and stood "Go take Jade to bed whilst I talk to Kouga about what we are going to do"
"Ok"
Kagome's Pov
I took Jade's hand and led her to the back of the giant cave and lay her on some furs "Everything is going to be alright darling" I soothed "Maru will be home before you know it"
"I just want my brother back mom"
"And you will" I smiled sadly "There is no way that your father will let Sounga take his only son away from him" Even if he is hanyou...
Well what do you think? I would like at least 7 reviews before I continue this story and perhaps some suggestive ideas on what I could do, MOONLIGHT SHADOW HUNTRESS I know what you want and don't worry I'll find a way to get them together soon
Thanks for reading
Inuyashasesshy4eva
