Chapter Ten
It ended up taking Sesshomaru longer than he thought it would; so when he returned it was well after sundown and many of the shiro's occupants had gone to bed. Unfortunately his guests numbered among the few people who hadn't gone to sleep and the moment he swept into the room that held their auras, they leapt to their feet.
"What the hell took you so long?" Inuyasha grumbled.
"Apparently there are a number of items required when one is evoking Death." He said as he shot the lounging figure a look.
"Hey don't get mad at me, I told you it was complicated." She said defensively as she climbed to her feet.
"Indeed." He said. "The rest of you wait here, come Death."
"Aw man I wanted to see what happens." Shippo groaned.
"I'd rather you didn't." She sighed as she maneuvered around the several bodies in her way. When she finally got to Sesshomaru's side she watched as he gripped the hilt of Tenseiga before he gripped her by the arm and led her out of the room.
"If I ever have to fight a fire worm in order to gain what is required again I'll kill you myself." He growled once they were in the hall.
"Why did you have to fight a fire worm?" She asked as he led her up the stairs.
"One of the items required was the combustible saliva it carries." He said. "Along with that I had to collect soil from your grave, water from the well of tears- which is no easy feat considering very few know where it resides- you are lucky that Bokuseno knew of its location; and last but not least I had to capture wind in a bottle from the Whispering Cliffs."
"I'd wager that one was the most interesting." She mused. "So my evocation requires a piece of the four elements, fascinating."
"Indeed." He said. "But that is not all, there is also a fifth element that was required, you are only lucky that I already am in possession of it."
"Let me guess, Tenseiga." She ventured.
"Indeed." He said as he led her to a set of large double doors at the end of the hall.
"Wait why are we going to your room?" She asked warily.
"Once the elements are mixed you will be evoked, and your evocation will last until I scatter them. It is not wise to leave them sitting around where someone will happen upon them."
"Ah I see." She said as they entered a sitting room that was spartan in comparison to the rest of the shiro. "Who knew that beneath all the grandeur you really are just a simple demon with simple needs after all?"
"I do not spend much of my time in here, therefore material possessions are unnecessary." He said as he led her over to a table. "Sit."
"Is that a command?"
"It's a request."
"You really need to learn how to say please." She chided as she folded herself onto one of the cushions before resting her scythe at her side. "How are you supposed to get all of this rolling?"
"I first require the Staff of Two Heads since I do not have a witch at my disposal." He said as he removed several bundles from his sleeve and set them on the table before pulling a chord to summon Jaken.
She waited in silence as the imp handed over the requested staff before bowing out of the room; she couldn't help but quirk her lips since Jaken was still blubbering about something or other, even after Sesshomaru had closed the door.
Once they were alone again he headed over to a cabinet and pulled out a simple stone bowl and carried it over to the table.
"Please tell me there isn't some stupid incantation you have to say." She said. "That's so cliché."
"No." He smirked. "The spell itself is actually very simple; it is only the gathering of the elements that is bothersome."
"Splendid, I can deal with that."
"Hn," He grunted before picking the staff up and slamming the end of it against the floor. "Awake, I wish to do an evocation."
"And who does My Lord wish to evoke?" The female half asked.
"Death herself."
"Have all the elements been acquired?" The male half asked.
"Yes."
"Then let us begin." The woman said. "First the soil wrought from the grave of Death."
She watched with intense fascination as Sesshomaru took a cloth and emptied its contents into the bowl. I really hope I'm not going to end up like Kikyou did when she was brought back to life. She thought as he shook the cloth to ensure he got it all.
"And now the tears of those fallen." The male said.
He poured the bottle of liquid he acquired into the bowl as well.
"And now the saliva of the fire worm must be added."
She couldn't help but be curious as to how he was going to get wind in there as well; but opted not to comment on it, instead she watched as the old man let his flame fly to ignite the gooey saliva that coated the water. Within a heartbeat it had ignited; but instead of it glowing red, it was glowing blue and green.
"And now prepare to add the Whispering Wind." The Woman said. "Hold the bottle over the flame and pull it open."
He did as told and for a moment held his breath; and then he heard them, the soft whispers that floated on the wind as it slipped out of the bottle and was pulled into the bowl. There was a flash of light and when it faded, there were several sparks of light swirling around the flames.
"And last but not least, take the Fang of Heaven and dip it's blade into the bowl." The man said. "Once doused, plunge the blade into the heart of the one you would evoke while saying the words."
Death started at that as she whipped her gaze back to Sesshomaru to watch as he climbed to his feet and withdrew Tenseiga. Very carefully he lowered the blade into the bowl until the tip met with the bottom; after another flash of light he pulled it out to find that the blade was coated with all four elements.
"Are you ready?" He asked as he looked over at her.
"About as ready as I'll ever be," She sighed as she grabbed her scythe and climbed to her feet. "If this doesn't work and you end up obliterating me, I'm going to be very cross with you."
"It'll work." He smirked as he stepped around the table while she turned to face him.
"So be it then." She said as she lifted her chin and held her hands away from her sides.
He nodded once then brought Tenseiga up; and confident that it would work, he didn't hesitate in plunging it into her chest. "In our time of need, I evoke you Death so that you may be able to fight on the side of life."
He watched as she tensed a moment before Tenseiga began to hum and glow; once the blade was shining brightly, the light was sucked into her chest and she stumbled backwards as the whispering wind began to swirl around her. So mesmerized by what was going on, he remained rooted to his spot as he watched her robe swirl around before expanding and wrapping around to cover her from his sight completely.
For several moments the wind swirled around her while Tenseiga continued to hum and then before he knew it both were settling down. Once they had faded completely the folds of her robe began to fall away until he could see the top of her head.
She remained curled in on herself until it had fallen away completely then vanished; she then climbed to her feet while bringing up her un-bandaged hands to look at them. Instead of the robe she was dressed in a white under and black over kimono that were both sleeveless and slightly tattered; they were belted at the waist with a length of black cloth that matched the bandages wrapped around her forearms, over a pair of black breeches that were loose in the thighs then tightened over her calves with more bandages that wrapped from below her knees to her toes.
He watched as she flexed her fingers while her knee-length raven tresses spilled over her shoulders; and another glance told him that her skin was glowing slightly. "Well?" He finally asked when it became too much to bear.
"I… I can feel again." She said softly as she rested a hand over her heart. "But my heart still does not beat."
"Explain, what do you mean you can feel again?"
"Ever since I died, I haven't been able to feel what I touch." She said as she lifted her head to look at him. "But I can now."
"I see." He said. "And what of your touch? Will it claim those you come into contact with?"
"No." She said after a moment. "They say that as long as the spell is active no one need fear my touch, unless I call upon my ability to claim a soul."
"Then it was successful." He said as he sheathed Tenseiga.
"So it would seem." She mused before bending down to pick up her scythe. "What will you do with the bowl?"
"I will seal it in the cabinet and place a barrier over it to prevent anyone from gaining a hold of it."
"Alright," She said then watched as he carefully lifted the bowl and walked it over to the cabinet. Once it was sealed, she headed for the door. "Let's go, I want to see if it really worked or if we just think it did."
"Are you so impatient to scare the wits out of your friends?" He asked. "You do realize that your features are visible do you not?"
"Yes and don't worry; they may be able to see my face, but they won't recognize me." She said. "Only those on the verge of death or those who have been returned and have not forgotten what it's like to die will know who I really am."
"Understood." He said as he followed her out of the room. "Bokuseno also told me something, he said it was something he learned shortly after he was born."
"And what's that?" She asked as they headed down the hall.
"Apparently you are not the first of your kind, nor will you be the last." He said. "This form of atonement is favored by the Kami and usually it happens when there is the most need. Your kind is called 'Shinigami' or Soul Reaper."
"Ah I see, and here I thought I was one of a kind." She sighed.
"Do not be foolish, you have always been one of a kind." He snorted.
She couldn't help but give him a startled glance at that but refrained from saying anything as they neared the sitting room where the others were waiting. "You go first." She murmured.
He nodded once then slid the screen open and stepped into the room as the occupants scrambled to their feet once more; he arched an eyebrow at them then glanced at her over his shoulder.
Taking a breath she didn't need she stepped into the room then watched as all eyes swiveled over to her; for a moment she thought they could see her as looks of shock sprouted, but then she decided it was simply because they hadn't taken her existence seriously.
"Can you see her?" Rin finally asked.
"Yes." Inuyasha squeaked.
"So it did work." She mused as she smirked at Sesshomaru. "Not bad considering you are not a witch."
"Indeed." He smirked then watched as the others slowly began to close the distance; each of them looked as though they wanted to get a better look at her, but were afraid for their lives.
"Relax please, I don't bite." She said as she smiled then reached out and poked Sesshomaru in the arm. "And my touch will not kill you unless I will it to."
"That makes me feel so much better." Inuyasha snorted.
"It should, for none of you need fear me for many years to come." She said. "It is not your time and I do not believe in claiming a soul before it's rightfully their time."
"Yeah relax would you?" Kohaku chided as he moved to rest his forearm on her shoulder. "She's Death; she has no reason to lie to you."
"Oh go easy on them little brother; they are not accustomed to being faced with me in such a manner." She chided as she reached up and tweaked his nose.
"Little brother?" Sango ground out. "He is not your little brother."
"Come on nee-chan." Kohaku mumbled. "She's just as much my sister as you are; the only thing that makes it different is that we were both dead."
"Well you were dead, and now you're alive." She said. "I on the other hand, am still dead."
"Then how is it you are standing before us Lady Death?" Miroku asked curiously.
"I'm here by the grace of the Kami and the spell that Sesshomaru used to evoke me." She said. "While it lasts you will see me, and I will aid you in this battle. Then once it is done the spell will end and you will see me no longer, well at least you won't see me until the time comes for me to ferry your soul to the other side."
"I see." He mused as he rubbed his chin.
"I can tell by the glint in your eyes that you're hoping to try your 'cursed hand' on me and while it may be amusing I do not recommend it." She chided as her eyes flashed.
"How did you know about that?" Sango asked suspiciously.
"I… have been informed of it." She said slowly then smiled sadly. "A spirit once kindred to yours has asked that I watch over you when my task permits."
"Kindred spirit, you mean Kagome?" Inuyasha asked in disbelief.
"Yes." She smiled, and this time it was tinged even more with sorrow. "She misses you terribly and hopes that your lives are filled with happiness and joy."
"We miss her to." Shippo said softly. "Why couldn't she be brought back?"
"It is not my place to say." She said regretfully. "While I am a servant of the Kami they do not dispense their reasons to me as to why they think the way they do."
"It is late and we still have work to do." Sesshomaru said. "Perhaps you should all seek your beds and save the rest of the questions for tomorrow?"
"Wait, you owe me an explanation." Sango said.
"And so I do." She said. "Might I suggest a walk in the gardens? The rest of you go to bed, I'm not leaving any time soon."
"Alright, goodnight nee-chan," Kohaku said as he hugged her.
"Goodnight." She murmured as she returned the embrace.
"What's up with the scythe? Do ya carry that thing everywhere?" Inuyasha asked.
"Yes I do." She said once she'd separated herself from Kohaku. "As your sword is your weapon, this scythe is mine."
"What the hell does Death need a weapon for?"
"Not all souls are ready to be taken." She said pointedly. "And in times like these it helps to have a weapon."
"Enough questions Inuyasha, let's go and get some rest." Kikyou said as she studied Death a moment before turning to look at him.
Death nodded to Inuyasha before turning and smiling at Rin as she hugged her. "Sleep well little sister."
"You to nee-chan."
"Rin I'm dead, I don't really need sleep." She mused as she tapped her nose.
"Well then have a good night." She grinned as she rubbed her protruding stomach.
"I will goodnight."
Once everyone had gone save for Sango and Sesshomaru, Death turned to him. "Go on, it's girl talk time."
"I will be in my study." He inclined his head before leaving the room.
"Shall we?" She gestured to the open screen that led to the balcony.
Sango nodded stiffly then turned on her heel and stalked out of the room; Death repressed a sigh as she ran a hand over her face before trailing after.
Neither said a word as they headed deeper into the gardens until they were well away from any prying ears.
"Alright, we're alone." She said.
"Why did you take my child?" Sango demanded as she whirled around.
"It is as I said; her soul did not fit properly in her body." She said softly. "When that happens, the Kami see to it they are recalled before the agony can continue. I have no say in the matter, I'm simply the ferrymen."
"It's not fair."
"When have you known life to be fair Sango?" She chided as she arched an eyebrow. "Look at it this way; if I hadn't taken her from you then she would have been faced with a life full of misery and pain. As a mother could you really wish that on your child just because you weren't willing to part with them?"
Sango reeled back as a look of horror crossed her features. "Of course not, how could you think such a thing?"
"I do not think that of you, it was simply a question to help you put this matter into perspective." She said gently. "If there had been a way for me to prevent her from suffering while allowing her to keep her life I would have done so in a heartbeat. This I swear to you."
Sango studied her for several moments before her eyes filled with tears. "For so long I've always wondered why…"
"You are not alone in your thinking, believe me." She murmured. "And I'm sorry that I can't give you a better answer than the one I have; but some things are beyond your knowledge and will continue to be so until you pass into the afterlife."
"And how long do I have until that happens?" She wondered.
"You have a ways to go yet."
"Sometimes it doesn't feel like that." She sighed as she moved to take a seat on a nearby bench. "I feel so old, and sometimes I'm so tired."
"You have lived an eventful life, it's only natural you would feel weary from time to time." She said as she took a seat next to her. "It's just the way life is."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Earlier today Sesshomaru-sama said something that's gotten me to thinking."
"What did he say?"
"He said that if it weren't for us then she wouldn't have sacrificed herself."
"What is your question?" She asked after a moment.
"Did Kagome sacrifice herself for us or was she killed by Naraku?" She asked as she turned to face her.
"Your friend… her time was up on this earth." She said softly. "The means behind her expiration do not matter, nor should they. Instead you can simply honor her by living your life as best as you can."
"That still doesn't answer my question."
"Because it is a question I can't answer." She said. "Just live your life Sango, and hold her memory in your heart, I can think of no greater compliment than that."
"I do hold her in my heart." Sango murmured as she rested a hand over her chest. "And I think of her every day of my life; sometimes I think I can feel she is near, and in those times I miss her so fiercely that it nearly brings me to my knees."
"Don't worry Sango, one day you will see her again." She whispered. "And then you two can have a good conversation, no doubt she'll want to hear everything about your life."
"Forgive me for my earlier anger, I see now that you are the Kami's conduit and you act on their will, not your own."
"Don't apologize; I'm sure I would feel the same way were I in your shoes." She said. "And Sesshomaru was right; it is late, you should go inside and get some rest."
"And what about you? I'd feel bad for leaving you out here all alone."
"Oh don't worry about me; solitude is something I'm used to." She smiled. "Besides I think Sesshomaru wished to speak with me before he turned in for the night."
"Alright then, see you in the morning."
Death smiled and nodded but said nothing more; and once Sango had retreated into the shiro, she buried her face in her hands and shed the silent tears she'd been holding back for far to long.
~*~
A/N: woot Death finally walks amongst mortals!! anywho i had to do a little bit of fixing when a couple of things came to my attention. First was i got the whole invoke/evoke thing a little mixed up so i went back and fixed it, if i missed one though feel free to let me know (it's supposed to be evoke since invoke means you take a spirit into yourself) Shoutout to Altheafor pointing that out to me, and since i didn't feel like scrounging up a witch to aid with the evocation i substituded the Staff of Two Heads for it (that things has always been witchy in my point of view). Also another shoutout to Readalot-TMB for reminding me that Japan does have soul reapers known as Shinigami (and seriously i watch Bleach to! *headdesks* -Doh) so i let Sesshomaru learn that little bit from the tree demon Bokuseno, but in no way is this story going to resemble Bleach in anyway. This is an Inuyasha universe thing only. Once again thanks so much and please review!