Title: The Heart of the Nile: The Wishing Stone Maiden
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and all credit for the anime should be directed to the Inuyasha corp. and author.
Rated: M – Mature language, violence, and adult content in various chapters.
Warning: Slight nudity in this chapter.
While reading: Listen to "Davy Jones (Music Box Version) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "The Swan Princess – Odette turns into a Swan Music" on YouTube. When you see this symbol, (***) start to play specific piece when written. When you see this symbol, (xxx) stop playing the music. This is not my channel nor do I have rights to the soundtracks/movie but I think it adds a great atmosphere while reading. Enjoy!
The Heart of the Nile: The Wishing Stone Maiden
Sesshomaru returned to his room after dinner and collapsed upon the bed bringing one of his arms to rest over his eyes. After lying there a couple of minuets he sits up on the bed and opens his bag attached to his belt and pulls out the little black box with the painted blue moon and pink lotus flower on the lid.
(*** Davy Jones Music ***)
Popping the it open he listens to the music of the box as he thumbs the stone between his fingers. Holding it up to the moon to get a better look at it he notices the stone appears to be more of a jewel in opaqueness than a solid rock. After the song finished playing he put the stone back in the box. Setting it on his side table next to his bed it soaks in the moonlight. He left the lid open, however so he could keep looking at it. Standing up he begins to change into his sleeping pants, washes the kohl makeup from around his eyes and runs his fingers through his silver hair.
(xxx Stop Music Box xxx)
As he turns around he notices the stone is starting to glow a soft pink. The box begins to shake and it falls to the floor making a loud clanking sound. The pink stone rolls on the floor and makes its way towards a small pound located in the middle of the wing. See this Sesshomaru quickly dives for the stone but it bounces off of his hand and lands on the pedals of a lotus flower. It is then a bright light burst from the pink stone. It is so bright it causes Sesshomaru to bring his hand up to shield his eyes.
(*** Swan Princess – Odette turns into a Swan Song ***)
Still lying on the floor he pulls his hand away from his face as the light fades and looks towards the pond where he had last seen the stone land. There materializing before his eyes was a beautiful woman lying on the steps of the pond with her arms resting above her head. She was on her stomach and the water hiding her from the waist down. As she begins to become less transparent he notices her eyes were closed and she had long dark eyelashes. Her hair was black with dark blue undertones and it went to her knees. It had a soft wave to it as it lay about her still form. Her skin was porcelain white, had rose-dusted cheeks and her pouty-pink lips were slightly parted as she breathed softly in and out.
(Warning: slight nude)
Her eyes began to flutter open revealing piercing blue eyes that took his breath away. As she began to push herself up from the steps he noticed her beautiful body. Her delicate stature was enhanced by a perfect hourglass waist, curvy hips and a full chest with rosy nipples. Now sitting up on the stairs of the pond she rubbed her eyes and blinked a couple of times trying to bring her vision into focus. Turning her head she catches sight of Sesshomaru mere feet from her still lying on the floor. Both with wide eyes, she takes in her first glimpse of her new master.
As he picks himself up off of the floor she notices he was a fairly large man. He was at least 6'3 in height and was very well built. His arms, broad chest and washboard abs were well defined. He was lightly tanned and the moonlight caught every ripple of muscle. He wore loose fit white cotton pants that hung low on his waist revealing hard cut lines above his hips. His silver hair went to his butt and he had crisp amber eyes. His cheekbones were set high on his face and his jawline was strong. Everything about him screamed beauty, power and strength. She had never seen such a man before and her heart beat heavily in her chest.
(End nude)
"H..Hi…" she said softly with a light blush on her checks as she brought up her arms to cover her chest, fully aware of her state of nakedness.
"Hi…" he replied never taking his eyes off of her. He was captured by the beauty before him.
They continued to stare at each other for a few more minuets until a light breeze caught the wind and she began to shiver. He noticed her discomfort and grabbed the sheet off of his bed and wrapped it around her.
"Thank you," she said with a soft smile upon her lips. Her voice was like wind chimes singing softly. "May I ask where I am and who you might be? Are you my new master?"
"I am Lord Pharaoh Sesshothumote and you are in the palace of the Nile, my home. My men and I uncovered your black box amongst some treasure we came upon and I used my blood to open it," said Sesshomaru. His rich baritone voice still ringing in her ears. She loved the sound of it.
"I see," She said. "Egypt… I have heard of this place and its river, Nile. Have I been here long master?" The maiden looked up into his amber eyes.
"Please, call me Lord Sesshomaru and no you have only just arrived here," he said. Offering his hand to her she takes hold and pulls herself up off of the pool stairs. Walking her over to a chair he offers for her to sit. "Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable." After she is sitting comfortably he continues.
"Please tell me girl, what is your name and how did you come from the stone?" He asked while sitting on the edge of his bed leaning toward her with his elbows resting against his knees.
"My name is Kagome, daughter of the Sea King Triton. The god Hades tried to take my mother as his wife and when my Father refused our people were cursed and I was sealed off inside this stone in punishment. Our entire kingdom was destroyed by sinking to the bottom of the sea."
"Atlantis…" Sesshomaru said softly.
"Yes… and now I am only free from the jewel to serve as a slave to its master," she said with a sad smile. Looking towards the moon out the window she then quoted:
"By night one way, by day another, amongst the lunar flowers awake.
This is my fate. Every night under the light of the moon will I be released from the stone, but by mornings light I am sealed back inside. If the stone remains in the box even at night I cannot be free of it. Hades created the box to hold the stone and to contain its power. I have been in the box a very long time my Lord."
"How can you become free of this curse? Surly there is a way." Sesshomaru asked while taking her hand in his and rubbing his thumb lightly across her soft skin.
She tightened her hand in his and said,
"A heart of stone, changed by fate, only true loves kiss will it break."
A selfless wish, untainted power released, only then will the test be beat.
Caution must be taken, or plagues and curses awaken, sacrifices must be made.
My curse has bound me to change my masters fate. After I change your fate through a wish I must then be kissed by my true love to break it. However, being stuck inside the stone it never allows me the freedom to do so. You see I can never leave your side or be away from the box. If I do I grow weaker and when the sun rises on the following day I will die. My previous master did not listen very well and would travel often without me accidentally taking the box with him. Because of that I was in pain often. It would only stop when he would return and place me back in my box. You must always carry me with you my Lord."
Sesshomaru was shocked. This beautiful woman was bound to such a horrible fate and was at the mercy of others.
"I promise you here and now as your new master I will do whatever I can to assist you in gaining your freedom," he said with finality.
The most beautiful smile he had ever seen graced her angelic face. "Thank you my Lord." Unshed tears dared to be shed clung to her eyes making them sparkle in the moonlight. "I am not sure what all must be done to do so but I am happy to know I am no longer alone," she said.
They sat there comfortably for a few minuets when Sesshomaru looked next to her and saw the map sitting on his desk. It was then his thought of the maps creation came to his mind. He had been thinking about that ever since he obtained it. It was so complex and very specific it could have only come from someone who had survived. But then why hadn't they of come back for the treasure? Also how did word of it holding a great and powerful treasure transpire?
"I do have a question though, how did there come to be a map when no one survived the shipwreck and how did people hear of you?" asked Sesshomaru.
"Ah yes... that too is bound to the curse. You see I have had many masters. None... have asked selfless wishes and therefore failed their tests to changed fate. None have found a way to release me from my curse either. Hades keeps his ever watchful eye on the Wishing Stone and therefore ties my fate to another. Each master that has been chosen is a single male of royal blood seeking to better themselves and is in need of a changed fate unknown to them. These fates either have the chance to do great good for their people or complete distruction. The choice is completely up to the master upon what they wish for. None have passed the test to change fate positively so Hades has had to create ways for each new master to be fated to find the jewel. Just like you have my Lord with your map. As for my power and the treasure, my last master was fleeing from his curse and loaded all of his most precious items onto his ship. His people were left to suffer while he fled. Many people saw him cower away with his ship. I can only imagine word of his massive treasure was spread from that. As for my power, he was a very boastful master and told many. It cost him and I greatly though for many came to seek my power. He was too focused on his own happiness that he lost focused on those around him." she finished.
Reaching up she then lightly brushes his bangs away and touches his forehead with her pointer finger. A crescent moon appeared in its center along with magenta strips that wrapped around his forearms, wrists, ankles, back, hips and chest. Two pink lines also dust behind his upper eyelashes.
"You have now been marked at the guardian of the Wishing Stone. These markings will only appear when I call upon them or if I am in danger. You've probably noticed by now you no longer feel tired?"
After seeing him shake his head yes she fingering his magenta stripes along his arms and says, "That is because you have to protect the wishing stone day and night. You don't need as much sleep anymore. Your stamina has doubled and you won't need to eat as often. This is part of the power given to you as the master of the stone. Are you ok with all of this? If not we can revoke your ownership of me and I can be sealed again? It is a lot of responsibility and can greatly affect your people." she asked with a small hint of concern.
"I am certain." He said without a doubt. Just then the first rays of the sun began to filter into the room. Slowly his markings began to fade away along with the beautiful maiden Kagome.
"Until tonight my Lord," she said raising her hand and gently brushed his cheek. "Remember keep me with you always," she said as she faded away leaving behind glistening sparkles in her wake.
"Until then my maiden of the night…" he said softly into the wind.
Sesshomaru sat there for a few moments watching the sun continue to rise as he thought about his first encounter with the maiden of the Wishing Stone. After a while he picked up the stone off of the chair where she had been sitting moments before and returned it to its box. Placing the box in his leather bag once more he made his way out of his bedchambers and into the palace throne room to begin his first day back as Pharaoh.
