Disclaimer:I do not own Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku or any of the other original characters in the Anime/Manga series. They are the property of their creator Rumiko Takahashi, I bow before her in awe. But I do love playing with them, so I thank her for her indulgence.
This story is for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be used for profit in any way.
Summary:Not much going on here, but if you think this is a filler chapter, you'll miss some pretty important moments. Oh, and Kikyo reappears in this one, so any Kikyo fans out there, enjoy. I will be including a brief glossary at the end once more, as there are a couple of "creative license" words included in this chapter. There will also be a short note on Japanese legend regarding Kikyo and Koga.
Chapter Eight: A Reason for Celebration
The next few days were incredibly stressful for the entire group. Many Youkai lords were in and out of the palace, and many of them were furious that things as lowly as Humans and Hanyos were included in the whole affair. Sesshomaru proved how much he learned from hard experience by owning the entire affair with a power and flair that they had rarely suspected of him. Calm and cool and poised; or fierce, intimidating and cold; he kept the other lords in line with a presence that was truly awe-inspiring.
But it was not just Sesshomaru, who impressed. Kirara proved constantly that she was every bit the Daiyoukai princess that tales whispered of. Cool and forbidding or warm and gracious; whatever the situation required, she made no bones about the fact that she was planning to be the Lady of the Western Lands, and no one was going to treat her as inferior, or theirs to reclaim. The two beautiful Daiyoukai made it a point to be seen together as often as possible, and though the mating ceremony was not going to be until the last day of the gathering, the two involved were going to make it very plain that they already considered the arrangement unbreakable and a foregone conclusion.
But the one who impressed Kagome the most was Inuyasha. Not only did he always look absolutely gorgeous, but he never gave in to the clear unfriendly feelings that his presence often caused. He managed to constantly and thoroughly support his brother without seeming the least bit submissive. He was never rude, but he wasn't servile or cowering either; he acted as he was treated by his brother and his staff: He belonged here as much as his noble sibling.
Unless there was a formal cause, which required Sesshomaru and Kirara to stand together alone, he was at his brother's side: a strong, discreetly and intimidatingly silent right hand. He had Tetsusaiga sheathed at his side constantly, as Sesshomaru had Tenseiga: the two sons of Inu No Taishou, with their rightfully inherited and glorious legacy blades. Most of their guests were actually enchanted by the sight, particularly many of the females. Then on the third day, two things happened that would change things once again.
The first thing was good. Morning was always a time when the odd "family" could have a little peace and quiet from their many guests. They used the "breakfast room," a smaller and more intimate room in the family quarters, with the standard low table and cushions all around. It was right near the veranda allowing the shojii to be slid open to reveal the first of the private gardens; a large, poetic space in the very center of the family quarters. A fresh spring flowed into a clear pond beneath a hanging dwarf pine, with water-purifying natural plants, and tiny minnows growing and darting about in the clear, clean water. The rocks around the spring's origin point had been built out into a beautiful fountain and waterfall that looked both structured and natural. It had many more plants in and about it, including a weeping, bonsai finger-leaf maple and camellia tree, and the water was stocked with beautiful, colorful koi.
For the rest of the garden, there was a natural, built on bench by the fountain, where one could sit and watch the koi play; a romantic bamboo grove and a large sakura tree, which had been planted at Sesshomaru's birth. A slightly smaller ornamental maple tree (Japanese Maple) had been planted at Inuyasha's birth as well. There was a ceder-chip path, beautiful clay lanterns, wooden benches, and nature inspired formal plantings, but there was also a large soft lawn and moss space that was perfect for young children to play on. After a relaxed breakfast, the small, intimate group eventually wandered out into the garden and enjoyed a little more free family time, as they slowly got to know each other better and started developing a true bond of trust between them all.
This day started out just like any other. Yuchiri, Kikota and Koshiku were clearing away the breakfast dishes, while the young boy who attended Miroku, his name was Hoshiro, swept and swabbed the veranda. They looked with great pleasure at their "family" scattered languidly about the open area, and yet still together in their silence and companionship. Inuyasha stood on the beautiful half-moon bridge over the narrow end of the pond created by the spring. He was wearing a simple black shitake and red kobakama and he was thinking how incredibly beautiful Kagome looked in her pale green kimono. It was decorated around the hem and lower sleeves with white puffs of dandelions gone to seed and then several single seeds embroidered in a scattered pattern around the rest of the lovely garment. Her hair was still loose, worn with a single comb holding back the silky raven waves on one side of her face. It had silk apple blossoms decorating it.
Sesshomaru was rather absorbed in admiring his Lady's mating marks. A woman's marks only appeared on the skin after several consummations had solidified her place at her new mate's side, or more his place at hers. Female Youkai's bodies and instincts knew exactly what matings would bring about the strongest heirs, so they expected to have their strong gene-sensors take a little time to "taste" even a marked mate's seed. If the body decided that match had the potential for too many weaknesses, the woman's mating heat receded, and she could "unpartner" her previously selected mate without consequence. The mating marks would eventually fade from the unfortunate partner's body, but hers did not appear until the body was sure it had made an excellent match. No wonder the Daiyoukai lord was so enchanted with the marks. The one, a black crescent moon, had appeared last night in the delicate, sensitive hollow at the base of the throat, just to the side of where the collarbone met the sternum. It was the left side, nearest to her heart, but she had a matching mark high up on her right shoulder blade in back as well.
She wore her usual light jewel-blue trimmed white kimono and an under-robe of white-trimmed, lacquer-brown silk. The dark blue and orange obi was of the most informal style and tied somewhat loosely allowing one bare leg to emerge from the folds and the robes to slide off her beautiful, white shoulders, just enough to expose those marks easily for his attention. Sesshomaru wore only a red-trimmed shatsu and a long white, men's kimono secured with a gold and blue obi. It was mostly open over his throat and chest, again to display his own mating marks for all to see.
The picture was one of graceful sensuality and tender love, and Kagome found herself thinking that it would make a beautiful, sensual woodblock. She had been inspired by the beautiful aesthetics of this traditional, old-style palace to take up sketching once more; something she had once greatly enjoyed when she was younger. She flipped away from the sketch she had been doing of one of the flowerbed arrangements and began working on the picture, half by sight, half by some inner instinct that she did not quite understand. When it was done, she found herself greatly surprised and pleased with the quick result. She wondered if she could find a woodblock artist to reproduce it; it might make a nice wedding gift. She would have to ask Koshiku.
Meanwhile, Sango sat on the bench by the koi pond and fountain, watching the koi swim happily around in the bubbling water, while Miroku meditated beneath the sakura tree, though he feasted his eyes on her during his breaks. She wore a deep blue kimono showered all over in white myrtle blossoms. Her hair was down and lose, some of it secured with a delicate comb decorated in soft pink hydrangea flowers. She looked absolutely enchanting. Sango, for her part, could not help but sneak shy glances in Miroku's direction as well. He wore dark blue today too; a simple unbleached linen shatsu, dark kimono and hakama trousers. His obi was plain and simple: black decorated in deep violet, like his eyes. He looked so serene and composed, sitting relaxed and yet aware and alert in that beautiful, straight-backed pose. It made her heart race and her cheeks flush. "Kami! He is so beautiful!"
Shippo and Rin were exploring the wonder of the crayons and coloring books that Kagome had brought back from the future, and they looked so adorable: red and dark heads bent close together as they worked, giggling and talking softly, that no one could not pause and watch them as frequently as possible. It was at this point that Sesshomaru lifted his head followed shortly by Inuyasha. Surprisingly, Sesshomaru noticed.
"So you feel it too, Little Brother."
"What?" Kagome asked.
"Someone wants to get through the barrier around the family quarters." Inuyasha replied, still sniffing and watching the sky.
Both Sango and Miroku were alert now too. "Is it an attack?" Sango asked nervously.
"A request." Sesshomaru replied, his golden eyes narrowed in concentration. "Little Brother; this is someone you know well."
Inuyasha concentrated briefly as well, then his eyes widened with alarm. "Kikyo!" He breathed, and Kagome stiffened. Not surprisingly, Inuyasha did not seem to notice. "Her scent's changed."
"Yes." Sesshomaru replied thoughtfully. "But there is no malice in it. Come, Brother, I will show you how to open the barrier."
"I--I don't know, Sesshou..." Inuyasha sounded very worried, which actually relieved some of Kagome's own tension.
"You must face her sooner or later, Otouto. If only to tell her who you have chosen to mate."
"What?" Kagome exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise. Strangely, crazily her heart began to pound with the faintest of hope.
"Sessh!" Inuyasha protested.
Surprisingly, what looked to be a slightly mischievous smirk pulled briefly at the older brother's mouth. "My apologies, Little Brother; I did not realize that I revealed a confidence." Something in the tone of his voice made the others realize that he knew damn well what he had done. And with a start, Inuyasha realized that his brother had just teased him! Teased, not taunted. Tears pricked in his eyes and his throat went tight.
"Aniki..." He whispered.
"Enough, Pup." The older interrupted. "Do you wish to learn how to open the barrier or not?"
"Yes." Inuyasha replied.
"Then stand by me, Koi, and I will guide you." Despite the tension, everyone found themselves both moved and surprised once again by the loving nickname, Sesshomaru had just unguardedly bestowed on his brother, even though it still seemed perfectly cool and precise.
No one really knew what was passing between the two brothers, but as Inuyasha moved to stand at his brother's side, everyone was again struck by the picture of solidarity that it displayed. In fact, with Inuyasha's darker colors and Sesshomaru's lighter ones, it looked like the perfect Yin and Yang balance. "Their relationship changes more quickly every day."Miroku silently observed. "And yet it feels as if they have been this way before. Things come to a full circle. Is this a good sign or a warning?"
Everyone was standing now, their eyes facing the sky, and then from afar, a dark shape started to take form. It moved closer, and soon everyone beheld a large graceful, almost lupine figure, and yet it also had elements of a feline. The size was probably larger than a full grown Two-Tail, but it did have two tails. Almost as if thoughts had summoned them, Issokuryoka and Issokurinku appeared from somewhere in the gardens, their fetlocks and tails, and the lion's middle, showing their normal flames once more. They moved forward to stand on either side of Kirara. The approaching beast also had flames all about it. Like the the Two-Tails, flames blazed around the creature's paws and the tails, but it also glowed in a slight mane around the head and shoulders and wreathed the lithe, sinuous body. The creature's pelt was black, though the ears were tipped in deep red-gold, and the tails in red-gold and white. All could see the unusual markings that graced it's face and forepaws, and as it drew closer, they could also see billowing white clouds that clung near the flames. From a distance it had simply looked like smoke.
"DaiTsurayoukai!" Sango gasped. "Fire-blooded Daiyoukai!"
"Phoenix-blooded." Sesshomaru corrected unemotionally.
"It's a Kitsune!" Shippo piped up, and with a start everyone realized that he was right. No wonder the creature had appeared both feline and canine to them.
The graceful creature made straight for them, it's effortless lope through the sky moving downward as it got closer, and as all of them continued to watch, it landed gracefully before Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. It was much bigger than what they first imagined, the size of a small house, and then in a whirl of flames and clouds, it transformed! The flames metamorphasized into the long,slender worm-like creatures, that were known as "soul collectors," but only the clouds changed into the white kind, the flames turned into ones colored Opaline red. The beast itself, shifted rapidly into the beautiful woman that they all knew as Kikyo, but how incredibly changed she was!
Of course she had always been beautiful, but now her beauty had changed into the kind of ethereal perfection displayed by Sesshomaru, and Kirara, and yet her resemblance to Kagome seemed heightened. She also had demonic markings on her face and forearms now. They were the stylized images of rose bell-flowers on her cheeks and arms, and a white orb on her forehead from which three arrow-like rays, also in white, emerged. Though she was still dressed in the Hakama and Hakui of a Miko Priestess, they were of silk, and discreetly decorated with the dragon-like images of her soul collectors in gold. Added to that was an armored chest piece in woven gold metal and scarlet silk, and an armored girdle-like obi in black and gold. On her shoulder was a similar fur "tail" to Sesshomaru and Kirara's mokomokos, but it was deep black mixed with white and red-gold. Worn, draped off her opposite shoulder was a beautiful kimono/mantle. It was also silk, and white and crimson in color. It was elaborately decorated with gold embroidery depicting clouds, flames and phoenix. She carried her usual bow and arrows, but also the halberd-like spear known as a Nari.
As everyone continued to stare, stunned, Kikyo deferred gracefully before Sesshomaru. "I bring messages and offerings, My Liege." She told him, in her beautiful musical voice. Sesshomaru simply nodded, the smooth politician once again, and Kikyo rose with equal grace to face him. "The Lord Koga apologizes for his late arrival at the festivities. He travels to the Northern Mountains to fetch his mate. They will arrive later on this day, though they do request that once family training begins that they will be allowed to work out an agreement to join you."
"Do they seek a formal alliance with this Lord's lands?"
"They do, My Lord, and the Lady Ayame is authorized to speak on the Northern tribe's behalf."
Sesshomaru nodded again. "And what of your offerings, Betsushekima?"
"I seek only to protect my, Aineena and assist in her formal training."
"Aineena?" Kagome repeated. "Who's..." Kikyo's eyes turned to her, and Kagome was immediately struck by the change in their expression. No more coldness and hatred, no dead emptiness; they were alive and warm, and completely confident of their purpose. "Oh." She spoke softly.
Kikyo's brown eyes softened. "There is much damage that has been done, Little Sister." She spoke, "And I have wronged you. I realize now that I was not brought back to replace you, but to guide you towards fulfilling your true destiny. We still share the same soul, but it is a sign of union, not conflict. If you will agree, Onee-chan, to forgive me, I would be honoured to begin correcting past mistakes."
For a moment, Kagome could only gaze at the re-born Youkai in wonder, before tears filled her eyes. "Of course I forgive you, Kikyo." She spoke softly. "I never wanted to be your enemy. I only ever wanted to do the right thing for us both."
Kikyo smiled. "Then I will help you to do this, Aineena."
Kagome lowered her eyes, her face flushed with happiness. "Thank you, Okayoni." She spoke shyly, and felt the warmth of Kikyo's smile wash over her.
"Kikyo..." Inuyasha spoke softly, his wonder and confusion evident in his voice and expressive face. "What's going on here? How did you-- What happened to you?"
The Youkai Miko turned back to her former lover. "The Phoenix Demons revived me at the behest of Midoriko's spirit, but life could only be returned fully with the infusion of Youkai blood and a true immortal soul. I failed 50 years ago, Inuyasha. I failed you and the jewel, and Midoriko herself, because of my selfishness and lack of trust. Now is my time to make up for all of it, and so I will."
Now Sesshomaru nodded again. "Be welcome then, Priestess."
"Thank you, My Liege."
"Kikyo, " Inuyasha now spoke, his eyes full of pain. "You're wrong. You never failed me, and I messed up about the jewel too."
Kikyo moved up to him and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Your part of the responsibility was paid in your 50 years of tormented sleep and yes, I did fail you, Inuyasha. I wanted you to change to accommodate my ideals, not realizing that you were perfect just the way you were, but by far my worst betrayal was in allowing Naraku to manipulate me into believing that you had betrayed me." She laid her hand against his smooth cheek and turned his tear-filled, golden eyes to look into her own brown ones. "It's time for the pain to end, Sweet One. Go to your mate, Inuyasha; the one who loves you completely; who thinks only of your own happiness. Go to her, Inuyasha; before Naraku finds a way to steal her away from you too." Kikyo slowly turned her glance back towards Kagome, who stood, thunderstruck near the ornamental maple. Then the Miko Youkai moved away to stand near Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha stared at the beautiful young girl in the pale green kimono, framed romantically with the deep wine-colored leaves of the tree planted in his honour. "Ka-Kagome?" He whispered, as everyone found themselves holding their breaths again. She wanted to answer him, she really did, but somehow, she could only stand frozen, the tears running silently down her cheeks.
The scent of her tears brought with it the flowing scent of her love and it jarred Inuyasha out of his paralysis. "Kagome!" He breathed, moving over to her and drawing her head down to his shoulder. Her tears soaked into the cloth of his shitake as he drew her tightly and tenderly against him. "Don't cry, Kagome." He pleaded softly. "Kami! I never want you to have to cry because of me again."
He gently lifted her head from his shoulder and looked into the gorgeous chocolate depths of her eyes. He breathed deeply of her beautiful scent, letting it fill him completely. "MINE!" Every instinct in his body screamed for her, wanted her, loved her! Loved her, and with that final confirmation singing through every part of him, he gently brushed the dark, fragrant hair away from her wet cheeks and brought her sweet rose lips up to tenderly press against his own.
For a moment she seemed stiff with surprise, then her soft, slender body melted against his own. Her arms slid through the silken silver tumble of his hair to wrap around his neck, and his own encircled her waist to draw her even more tightly against his young, strong body. He deepened the kiss and felt her respond as everyone around them let out their breaths in slow, joyful sighs. Sesshomaru's reaction was the most shocking of all: He smiled! It was a full, all-out, non-psychotic smile and he crossed his arms in a satisfied manner across his chest.
It was a moment long waited for, and the entire group would have loved to just stand here and gaze at the beautiful sight forever, but just then the gong sounded from the main part of the palace indicating that it was time to give their guests some attention. Reluctantly the odd, little family broke up, to start the demands of the day.
& & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &
Koga and Ayame arrived shortly after the family joined the rest of their guests and were met at the main gates by the entire gang. Inuyasha was impressed to realize that they had truly dressed for a formal affair and came in, riding properly on the huge Demon Wolves that always followed them.
Ayame wore a kimono fastened similarly to how Kirara had been wearing hers in the garden, which allowed one shapely, toned leg to emerge from among the folds. It was a woven silk pattern of silver-gray and white over an undergarment of pale purple and yellow with a matching obi. A mantle of beautiful, silvery fur draped off one shoulder and flowed down and around her supple body to trail behind her a little on the ground. Her leather headband had been replaced with a thin circlet of silver, and her beautiful curls of sunset-red hair flowed loose and glorious about her back and shoulders, but for one gathered crest in the center, secured with a silver comb and her ever-present, mystical iris.
Koga wore a set of silk hakama trousers and a matching kimono. They were woven in deep and golden-brown threads and worn with a gold-embroidered, black shatsu and obi. He too had a flowing, formal mantle, but it was in brown fur, and though his long brown hair was still tied up in it's single, tall crest, he had replaced his leather headband with a wide golden circlet. They both bowed honourably before the White Daiyoukai Lord who greeted them.
"We thank this Lord for extending his invitation to the Wolf Tribes of the North and East."
"And these leaders seek to treat with this Liege Lord?" Sesshomaru replied, just as formally.
"They do." Was the response, and Sesshomaru nodded once.
"Then enter and be welcomed Lord Koga, Princess Ayame."
Once the formality passed, the teasing began. "So ya finally came to your senses, aye Koga? You figured out you didn't stand a chance with Kagome?"
"Laugh if you want, Mutt-face; I didn't do anything for you." He turned to Kagome. "Kagome, I did care for you; you're real special, and not just because you can see jewel shards, but Lady Kikyo helped me to realize that there was more to that promise I made Ayame than I realized. Somehow, I just knew that she was meant for me from the very start, even though she was still so young." He turned his beautiful blue eyes away in slight embarrassment. "It's a wolf thing, I guess."
"We mate for life." Ayame spoke, slipping her arms around his narrow waist and flat muscular stomach and pulling herself closer. Her stunning eyes of spring-leaf green shone with happiness. Koga grinned possessively and responded by wrapping her in his arms and pulling her even more tightly against his body.
Kagome smiled warmly, the first real smile that she had given him in a while. "It's alright, Koga; in fact it's wonderful. I'm so happy for you both." Then she hugged him quickly, but warmly and kissed him chastely on the cheek, before Inuyasha's hand claimed her own and pulled her gently, but no less possessively against his own body.
"Yeah." He spoke. "Congratulations, Flea-Bag; now get your hands off my mate."
Koga grinned ferally. "Well what do you know, Mutt. Looks like you finally came to your senses too."
"Whatever made you think I needed to, Wolf?"
The others looked on in veiled amusement at the long-time rivals' conflict, but now Sesshomaru raised one brow in elegant impatience. "Are you quite done, Little Brother?" He commented. "Then come, we have other guests to attend to."
Flashing a last annoyed glare and low growl in Koga's direction, Inuyasha returned to his brother's side. The ever increasing group moved back towards the palace, the sons of Inu No Taishou leading the way.
Note: Though you guys are not reviewing, some of you might wonder how Kikyo convinced Koga to go back and mate Ayame. There is an old Japanese legend that cats (Neko) and foxes (Kitsune) are actually spirits, some malignant, some just mischievous. The females of these spirits will often take the disguise of beautiful women to get close to lords and heroes. It was believed that they could either heal or sicken these men by sleeping with them. Since Kikyo is now a Kitsune Youkai (A fox Demon or Spirit) and a beautiful woman, I granted her that power, extending it into mental healing or harm as well. So, to answer our Chapter Five teaser: Yes, she slept with him, and she used that to guide him towards the destiny and happiness that he is meant to find, with Ayame.
So here it is, your next chapter. It may be longer between updates now. I am actually only a couple of chapters ahead of this one in my own writing of this fic, so I don't want to run out of chapters to post before I have new material available. The latest chapter I am writing is turning into a rather long one, so bear with me. I will not leave you hanging.
Glossary:
TsuraDaiyoukai: This is taken from the already accepted Daiyoukai (Greater) and a prefix (I think) that I once read meant "fire" TSU. The "ra" part is just filler so this translates roughly into "Fire Greater Youkai." Which works as fire-blooded or phoenix-blooded Youkai, considering that Phoenix are creatures of fire.
Aineena: This combines "ai" which is a word for love, "na" which means little and "nee" which is the word or part of the word for sister as "nii" is the word or part of the word for brother. Putting it all together it translates roughly to "loved little sister." Which seems appropriate.
Okayoni: Here I borrowed once again from Japanese legend. Yoni was the faithful maid and companion of a Princess, who died. Her love and faithfulness for the princess was so true that Yoni followed her into death. When the Princess reappeared as a haunting and deceptively dangerous walking spirit, Yoni could be seen following her and carrying a paper lantern decorated with chrysanthemums or peonies, or something like that. Yoni seemed like a devoted sister-figure to me, and sort of played on the death/reborn theme that Kikyo just underwent. I combined it once again with part of the word Okasa(mother) for the family and female caretaker and protector aspect. It seemed an appropriate term for "older sister," other than the more common Onee-sama.
Words I didn't make up, but am not sure are correct:
Hakui: The traditional white robe worn by Mikos
Hakama: This is the word for trousers worn by men, though I think there might be an "s" at the end of the word in that case. Used in this spelling, I believe it refers to the traditional red padded and protective split skirt worn by Mikos. I think it can also refer to a protective belt worn with armor, but again, not sure.
Shitake: A slightly shorter robe worn by men during exercise and training in Kempo and Kendo.
Kobekama: Padded, protective trousers worn by men during exercise and training and often part of full armor as well. The Shitake or Haori are usually tucked into them and then they are tightened about the waist.
Real Words:
Yomi: I have used this word often, though not in this chapter. It refers to the Shinto world of the afterlife. Sesshomaru's statement in the last chapter, I believe: "Leave the past in Yomi, Little Brother." is a more poetic way of saying: "The past is dead, so leave it in the afterlife where it belongs." Not quite as IC in my opinion, but "hey," that's me.
Betsushekima: This is another word for a Miko, but refers to one who focuses her studies with a greater emphasis on martial fighting to protect her temple and faith, basically a Priestess Warrior.
Thanks to all of you for indulging me. DoS
