A/N Hello again to all my wonderful fans and fellow writers out there! Has it truly been a year since I updated this story?! It seems time has dealt me a real blow this time and I am sorry that my life has gotten in the way of my writing. To make up for lost time, this chapter is a bit longer than my usual writing of 7 pages. This one is 10! Yowza! So please enjoy and don't forget to review!
Chapter 10- Facing the Truth
Nowhere to run- nowhere to hide. The phrase echoed in the daiyoukai's mind as he stared at the miko, trying to keep his composure. At this point, it was stupid to attempt to lie and there wasn't really a believable one he could conjure anyway.
"Kagome," Jojo gasped while holding back a very Cheshire cat-like grin. She took the tray from the miko and set it on the table as the great Lord of the West rose to his feet and looked down at the obviously excited miko.
The club owner tried to ease the tension, "Hey, KP, isn't that sweet? Kagome brought you a bottle of our best demon sake."
His icy glare turned to the burgundy-haired female as a growl rumbled through his chest and caused the entire club to feel the tremors of his rage. The damn witch had set this up! He turned quickly and glared down at the witch, his eyes blazing as they began to darken from amber to blood red and the marks on his cheeks began to jag into a zigzag pattern.
The witch gave a wicked chuckle and let out a warning, "Now KP, you wouldn't like it too much if I singed your pretty skin, would you?" Eyes that were pale jade became glowing silver as her hands emitted glowing fire balls of lavender that caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand at attention. She knew this and allowed her power to flare, but was abruptly halted when a brilliant pink aura surrounded hers and completely subdued her.
The miko stood with her eyes glaring coldly. Her left hand was raised in a fist, showing that she was the one in control now. When the demon lord saw his chance, a brilliant green began to glow around him as he flared his youki.
Kagome caught his actions and raised her right hand, palm facing him. The swirling pink wall kept him separated from his prey and singed him as he tried to press through it. Naraku's barriers were not nearly this strong as he found he was incapable of pressing through this wall. An angry look passed over the daiyoukai's features before he growled out, "Drop the barrier, miko."
"You know, I thought I might be talking to a descendant of Sesshomaru, but from the attitude you give off, mister, I know it's really you." She then curled her hand into a cylinder, causing the barrier to wrap around him. A half-smile came to her features as she explained, "Since you last saw me, I have been training- a lot. If you want me to demonstrate further, I will be happy to oblige."
The demon lord flashed his poison whip against the pink barrier and growled when it had no effect other than a pretty intense light show. He growled when Jojo's voice told him, "Calm yourself, KP. She's not some little miko anymore. Besides, all she's doing is caging you to protect the club and the people and demons in it."
In spite of his rage at the witch's antics, he could see her point. The barrier around Jojo had completely dissipated and she was standing calmly next to the miko. With all their past dealings, he recalled all the things this miko had done was to protect others. This was nothing she had not done before. He turned his now amber gaze to the miko and bit back a growl. He never pleaded, requested, or begged, but it seems that he would have to lower himself for the time being. "As you can see, I am no longer a threat," he bit out through clenched teeth. "This Sesshomaru requests that you release this barrier."
It was painfully obvious that the daiyoukai was not in the least bit sincere, but the miko knew just how proud he was and how much effort it took just to use a word like request. She nodded and opened her hand, causing the pink barricade to disappear.
The seasoned warrior took in his surroundings and the remnants of the pink mist that once encaged him. It seems the miko had indeed grown in strength.
Jojo came to her friend and employee's side and placed a hand on her shoulder. With a wicked smirk toward the daiyoukai, she observed, "I think you two have a lot of catching up to do." She then leaned in close and whispered into Kagome's ear, "Just remember, because of his ethics, he cannot tell you a lie."
The miko sent her a confused look, causing Jojo to explain, "As a daiyoukai, he must stand alone in strength, honor, and integrity. He would lose face if he was caught in a lie."
Sesshomaru had heard every word and was resisting the urge to rub his temples. The headache he was having right now would rival any massive hangover these club goers would wake up with in the morning. What was her game anyway? "You will go nowhere, bitch," he demanded.
Before she could respond, Kagome glared at the daiyoukai with not even a hint of fear. Her eyes were flashing a brilliant blue as her aura sizzled and expanded, pressing against his oppressively. "I don't know where your manners have disappeared to, Sesshomaru, but I really hope you find them soon. Maybe that's a good way to refer to a dog for you, but this is my friend and I don't like it when my friends are called ugly names. In case you did not know, her name is Jojo- that's JO-JO," she said slowly, causing the demon lord she spoke to to blink at the audacity of the miko in disbelief.
"If it's all the same to you, I have a lot of work to…" Jojo began to make her excuses, but was interrupted again.
"I will refrain from calling you a female dog- for the sake of the miko," he bargained as he reached over and opened the bottle of sake. He poured himself a much needed glassful and watched as Kagome turned to her boss and shrugged before taking a seat across from the daiyoukai, leaving the club owner with either seat next to Sesshomaru.
When she finally took a seat on the right of the daiyoukai and scooted it closer to Kagome, he gulped down the strong beverage and turned to the ladies, giving no indication of the potency of what he had consumed. "What is it that you wish of this Sesshomaru, miko?"
"Some answers," she revealed as she folded her hands in front of her neatly and stared intently into the golden-amber eyes across from her. "What happened to my friends? Did they marry… have kids? Is Shippo still alive?"
Sesshomaru took in a deep breath as he refilled the glass in his hand. This was not what he had wanted and not the way he wanted to bring the two back together. Again, he sent an icy glare to the witch next to Kagome. Her long, burgundy hair was facing him as she was watching the goings on of the club below, not willing to face him. Resisting the urge to growl at her inattentiveness, he responded, "The monk and slayer did indeed mate- what you ningen call marriage. They had five children- the first two were twin daughters. Their progeny still lives in Japan in various provinces. Only a handful have moved out of the country, deciding to live in Vietnam instead."
He swallowed the drink in a single gulp, hoping that he might consume enough alcohol to numb his headache. He then explained, "Shippo, the kitsune, married Shiori. She is a bat hanyou that your pack saved from her father's clan." At her nod, he knew she understood who he was talking about. "Shippo is an artist in New York and Shiori is a secretary for a private investigator. They are eager to see you again."
Kagome nodded her head absently and responded, "It would make me so happy to see them again." Her mind was wondering of the person he had not mentioned yet, but she patiently waited.
He nodded without revealing his emotions before he continued, "Rin, my ward, married Kohaku, the slayer's brother…"
At this Kagome clasped her hands over her mouth and squealed. "Oh, that is so sweet! I always hoped she would find someone- and Kohaku! I never dared to hope!"
At the cute display of happiness, Jojo decided to turn and take in the miko's comical reaction and Sesshomaru's pained expression. The miko was human after all and sometimes forgot that demon's hearing was amplified… and to top it off, she was doing this to a dog demon! Their hearing was even more sensitive… almost as sensitive as their noses.
"You will refrain from making that noise in this Sesshoamru's presence, miko," came the daiyoukai's response to Kagome's noisy antics.
"Sorry," Kogome responded, completely contrite as Jojo snickered next to her. The fox hanyou was startled from her amusement when she noticed that both Sesshomaru and Kagome were glaring at her.
With a shrug from the club owner, Sesshomaru continued the tale of his ward. "Rin remained in Kaede's village, along with the rest of your pack. She and Kohaku had three sons before they finally had a daughter. The girl's name was Kaori."
There was sadness in Sesshomaru's eyes as he continued while looking down at his now empty glass. "All this time, Inuyasha, Shippo, and I had joined together to eliminate the remaining demons since the demise of Naraku and then traveled to bring order back to the lands that were destroyed or plundered by that hanyou. When we returned to the village, we had noticed all the humans we knew had grown old."
"I knew that Kohaku was getting more and more tired and Kaori spent a lot of her time watching her mother. This was when I sought out help." He looked up at Jojo and continued, "I found a dark miko- a witch. Her name was Rika and she was very powerful. She came to the bedside of Kohaku and informed me that he had cheated death once already and she had a potion that could heal him, but it would only last for a few months."
"When she came to Rin, she immediately knew that there was nothing she could do. Rin was still strong and would live a while longer, but she had been brought back by Tenseiga once and through the meido in my mother's necklace as well."
Within a few years, Rin became ill with a very powerful lung infection and could barely breathe. Kohaku was outside, taking the sun when he collapsed and died there in the sunlight. Rin followed within a few months," he said.
With a somber expression, he added, "Rin's daughter, Kaori, married shortly after. The young man was a priest that had heard of the magical powers of Inuyasha forest and the Bone Eater's Well. He built a shrine around the well and extended his property to reach the God Tree where Inuyasha was pinned for 50 years. The priest's name was Higurashi."
Kagome gasped, "My ancestor!" Sitting back in the chair, she realized aloud, "That means that Rin and Kohaku… are part of my bloodline."
He nodded and then continued, "Yes, it was how we were able to follow your family through the years. We could not approach you until we were certain that all the events that transpired between you and the feudal era were complete. If we were to interfere, it would change the course of history."
She nodded, now understanding why they had stayed away for so long, but still… there was an expanse of seven years that they hadn't tried. "Why?" she asked. "Why did you wait so long?"
"We would have contacted you as soon as you started high school, but Shippo knew that you were concerned about your studies and refused to interfere until you graduated. Once that happened, it seems that your life was in a great deal of turmoil."
She hummed her response as she recalled her grandfather's death and how they had to move from the shrine and sell it to someone else. It was a sad day.
Something glinted out of the corner of her eye and caused her brown eyes to turn to the small pendant on a chain that sat on the table. It didn't emit any magical properties, but something about it caused her to wonder for a moment. Her finger moved to touch the small golden item. It was a crescent moon, about an inch long, and attached to a long chain. Her hand was suddenly captured by a well manicured claw, tipped with red. Her eyes came up to meet jade green.
"Don't touch it, Kagome. The spell is very powerful and you do not want to damage it," Jojo warned.
The younger miko scowled as she pulled her hand back. If the spell was so powerful, how is it possible to damage it?
She was answered when Sesshomaru continued his story with the pendant and chain in his claw. "Rika worked with one of the monk's sons. He followed in his father's footsteps," he finished mentally, "In more ways than one." The young man was exactly like his father in his ways with women and his gift as a monk. "Together, the two created these pendants to effectively disguise even the most powerful youki, but the spell is quite sensitive to reiki- especially one as pure as yours. Only a handful of demons are able to get one of these concealment pendants- all others are quite inferior in comparison."
Kagome clasped her hand, thinking that she might have nearly purified such a powerful spell by a mere touch! Her eyes then turned to her boss and softened as they recognized the angle of her jade eyes and the way her hair looked when pulled into a high pony tail. All she needed was some black hair dye, rounded ears, and harikotsu. "Sango!" she gasped as she realized.
Jojo clasped her hands and finished the thought, "Sango and Miroku are my great grandparents." She smiled as the young miko then pulled her into a surprise hug. It always amazed her when she had found out exactly who Kagome was to her family- this miko had fought alongside her ancestors. It was like she was holding a piece of her own history in her arms.
Sesshomaru decided to turn his gaze to the writhing mass of demons and humans below. The emotional scene of the hanyou and the woman did not interest him in the least and he was eager to complete his tale. Leaving out the detail of his half-brother was completely intentional. He hoped that the miko would simply not ask and he would still be able to reunite them on his own terms.
"So," Kagome wondered aloud, "did you ever get to meet your grandfather? Was he like Sango or Miroku?"
She chuckled at the memolry that came to mind. "I recall being told that he was a lot like my great grandfather. One of my fondest memories was when I was a child and we went to Japan to visit my grandparents. Grandfather had apparently been caught flirting with one of Grandmother's clients. She was throwing dark reiki at him while chasing him down the road."
Kagome began laughing at the mental image it conjured. It took her a moment to sputter out, "That sounds like Miroku, alright."
"So I've heard," Jojo finished with a sigh. They both stared at the pendant for a moment before Jojo added, "He died before I was born- Great-Grandfather, but I remember he had quite a reputation. The thing is- he never really did anything other than flirt. My grandfather did much more than flirt." She sighed and then informed the miko, "My grandmother may have only had one child, but my grandfather… let's just say he lost count at twelve."
Kagome's brows went up at the knowledge that her friends had brought someone like this into the world, but was cut off when Jojo sighed and added, "You know, KP here is heading back to Japan tomorrow?"
Sesshomaru shot the witch an angry glare, but Kagome's attention was now on him, once again. He informed her, with a perturbed spike in his aura, "I have now taken over as Lord of the Western Lands officially. There is much that I need to do. I do not leave Japan often- or for any length of time other than one day."
"That is so sad," Kagome sympathized. "All that money and power, but you have to stay in one place."
His ire rose. Who was she to sympathize with a great daiyoukai? His icy stare rested on the miko as he ground out, "I have power and wealth beyond your understanding, miko. Why should I want to leave such splendor as that?"
Undaunted by his show of pomposity, she added quietly, "It must be terribly lonely- all that space and no one to share it with."
Jojo tried to hide the smile and chuckle that nearly erupted from her as Sesshomaru sized the little miko up and was on the verge of telling her something nasty in return for her misplaced human emotions. Instead, she defended Sesshomaru, "Why would someone like him need anyone?" She then met his icy glare and continued, "The only thing that could stand being around that glare is a snowman- or Jaken."
"How is he anyway?" asked Kagome, completely ignoring the angry sparks of green youki that were flashing around her.
"He is well," responded Sesshomaru as he pulled back his powers. Confounded by her complete ignorance of his rage, he decided to instead observe her reactions to the tale that was being told. He could always find a way to return her little slight to his pride later.
Kagome was curious as to what he looked like with a concealment spell. He was an odd looking fellow and she wondered if he was still tiny… or green.
Before she could utter a single word about it, her unasked question was answered as a very short, dark-skinned man skulked into the VIP area, making himself look as small as possible. The miko hid her amusement behind her hand as she took in the sight of the tiny, plump figure with a gleaming bald head. There was nothing the concealment spell could do to disguise that voice.
"Forgive the intrusion, milord, but there has been a report from the Western Palace," the small figure squawked.
Knowing this was nothing more than yet another annoying interference from his mother, Sesshomaru responded with an icy glare at his life-long retainer. The excessive groveling and pleading that came in response did nothing to break the daiyoukai's thoughts. It was obvious Inukimi was not happy that he had left, but why would she contact him now instead of earlier? She knew what plane he had taken and had plenty of time to stop him before. What was she up to?
However, the daiyoukai saw his opportunity to escape. He rose from his chair and noted the looks that were given to him. The miko wore a look of concern mixed with a little sadness- showing him that she was concerned about the one person that had not been mentioned at this point.
The fox hanyou was obviously fuming. He was escaping without playing into her hands. Something troubled him about her actions though, what was her game? Without giving himself to think it over again, he grabbed the enchanted pendant and spoke, "If you will excuse this Sesshomaru, there are pressing matters that must be attended." His icy glare caught the jade green eyes of the troublesome vixen. He added cordially, "Josephine, would you accompany this Sesshomaru to the door?"
The kitsune hanyou bit back an urge to groan in despair. She had him trapped and he still managed to escape. Icy jade eyes threw a cold glare at the retainer, knowing that the damn ice king had somehow planned for this escape.
Both women turned their attention to him abruptly as he gave a low warning growl.
"Oh all right, your ice-ness, keep your shorts on," Jojo grumbled as she pushed herself out of the chair and made her way reluctantly to the daiyoukai's side.
She almost made it to the man when Kagome called out.
Her heart began racing. He couldn't leave, not now. Not when she was about to ask about the one person she has missed the most! "What about Inuyasha?"
The words caused the three youkai to be silent. Three different reactions slowly began to surface. Sesshomaru easily slipped from stoic facade to stoic facade, but his mind was working out what was best to say.
Jojo kept an eye on the daiyoukai for any slight tick in the jaw muscle or twitch at the corner of his eye. Growing up so close to Inuyasha had its benefits- and one of them was learning how to push the Western lord's buttons. If Inuyasha had been a thorn in Sesshomaru's side, she had been the whole thorn bush. She knew that all demons owed her family more than they could ever pay, but Sesshomaru owed even more.
Jojo's smirked wickedly as her arms folded over her ample chest. She then proceeded innocently as she could, voice dripping honey that seemed more like venom to the daiyoukai, "Oh she is so right, your lord-ship, in all the excitement, we forgot to tell her about Inuyasha."
Fire would freeze from the look he gave the bothersome hanyou witch. Without removing his golden orbs from her, he replied, "The half-breed lives with the kitsune and his wife. He has for many centuries."
Forgetting all else in her moment of triumph, the miko found her feet and launched herself into Sesshomaru's person, entangled him in a mighty hug.
The daiyoukai was quite obviously not impressed. In a cold response he pulled his body from hers and replied, "Woman, you will remove yourself from this Sesshoamru's person."
Kagome pressed her fingers to her mouth with eyes wide as she pulled away. "Sorry," she murmured.
"You should be sorry... you... human. To think you could sully the mighty Sesshomaru with your worthless..." The toad began his tirade but was cut short when the daiyoukai interrupted in an even voice.
"Jaken, we are leaving."
The imp scurried ahead with many bows and flowery words of apology. Sesshomaru leveled Kagome with an icy glare before he added, "Inuyasha is well. He resides in New York."
With that, the daiyoukai turned and left Kagome with her thoughts, dragging Jojo with him. The mind behind the stern face was racing with rage. The meddling witch just had to set something like this up and ruin his plans.
Once they were beneath the stairs, the daiyoukai turned away from the entrance and toward the stairs leading to the sub floor where Jojo's office was. He knew it would be there- just as he knew the decor would be the same. So typical of Jojo.
Once he reached the highly polished, black lacquer door, he jerked her around himself as he opened the door, thrusting her into her desk.
With a huge, "Oomph!" Jojo greeted her office desk, but before she could recover, the silver haired daiyoukai grabbed her ponytail and tugged her head back so she was looking up at him as he towered over her. A slight whimper came from the hanyou as his eyes became blood red and the marks on his face morphed into into a zigzag pattern.
An animalistic growl sent shivers down her spine as he spoke, "This is the last you interfere with my plans, bitch. As a child you were granted certain allowances because of what your family has done."
Her back arched further as the rumble in his throat grew while the clawed hand pulled her hair further. "But make no mistake in thinking this Sesshoamru will allow you any more chances. You have been sufficiently warned."
Before Sesshomaru could register what happened, he felt the heat around his neck like a collar. The witch's eyes began to fade and then glow in vibrant silver. Her voice came out as if she was speaking from a great distance, "You forget, Sesshomaru, I have powers of my own."
Releasing the red tresses, the great Lord of the West turned without the slightest sign that he had been burned. "You will not speak of this to Inuyasha."
Catching the wind that had left her, she rasped, "About what? The fact that Kagome is here or the fact that you threatened to kill me?"
Golden orbs turned and looked over the broad shoulder and regarded the hanyou witch coldly, "You know what this Sesshomaru has said. Your game ends here, Josephine."
Recovering her breath as well as her boldness, Jojo stood and glared back, "If you mind, my mother called me Josephine. My name is Jojo- not Bitch, not Witch, not Hanyou- Jojo."
Sesshomaru only gave a "hn" in response.
"And you," she pointed at the daiyoukai, "wouldn't have put us in this situation if you could just let us into your plan." She moved closer and dared to catch his eyes with hers before adding, "How can we keep from interfering if we don't know where the lines are drawn?"
All that came from from the daiyoukai was a "hn".
Letting out an exasperated breath, Jojo threw her hands in the air before exclaiming, "Of course you don't understand. I may as well be speaking to the fucking wall- it'll understand faster than you!"
He turned abruptly, but she saw the movement. In a flash, Sesshomaru was suspended in reiki that lifted under him in deep purple plumes. It singed his skin as it felt like fire. Her hand was outstretched and her eyes shined brilliant silver, sending chills through him- though he would never admit it.
"Release this Sesshomaru," He ground out, revealing not a hint of pain.
As still as a statue, the witch hanyou held her stance, therefore holding the demon lord in place, she replied, "Not a chance. You WILL listen to me."
Having run out of options, the daiyoukai gave a slight nod and affirmed, "I will listen. What is your plan, hanyou?"
She smirked, revealing her white fangs, before she slowly drew her hand downward, allowing him to come to the floor.
Once the two were eye to eye, she said, "You ever heard of Christmas break, Sesshomaru?"