"Kagome!" We suddenly heard a shout. Lord Sesshomaru and I turned towards the direction of the voice and saw Kagome being carried off by a big black raven.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed as she struggled in the grasp of the raven. We then saw Inuyasha chasing after the air bound bird and he was carrying Tsesaiga in his hand. I suddenly stood up and whistled. A breeze blew and Youko Kurama suddenly jumped down from the tree.
"I understand, Princess." He said and immediately he jumped off in Inuyasha's direction.
I turn to look at Lord Sesshomaru and said, "I must help them."
Lord Sesshomaru shook his head and said firmly, "I forbid you to do so, ReiJin. You could get hurt."
I looked at him coldly as I shook my head and replied, "You have little faith in me, M'Lord." Without second thought, I dashed off to aid them.
As I was running towards them, I suddenly felt a presence beside me. I turned to see Lord Sesshomaru running beside me.
"I cannot allow you to do this on your own, M'Lady. Even though I disapprove of your actions and furious at the very fact that you dare defy me, however, you are my mate and carrying my child. I am therefore unable to just stand by and watch you get hurt." He said to me as he looked forward, his amber eyes cold and grim. I smiled and looked forward. Lord Sesshomaru then smiled and both of us ran faster towards Inuyasha and Kurama's direction. Inuyasha swung Tsesaiga and a big bright yellow light flashed. It was like lightning and it flew towards the bird. The raven however dodged the attack. As Lord Sesshomaru and I neared them, I noticed that the bird was not a demon on its own, but there was a rider on the back of the bird.
Kurama tried to stop the raven, but it flew to high that his rose whip attack was unable to snare the bird's leg. As Lord Sesshomaru and I arrived, I caught a glimpse of the rider of the bird. It was a tall man, with short silver hair in a short ponytail and he was wearing a kitsune ANBU mask. He took a look back before the bird flew off into the distance and gently lifted his mask slightly as I immediately caught sight of the side profile of his face. The rider wore an evil smirk as the raven started to ascend higher into the air. As I saw the smirk, I suddenly stopped in my tracks and a grim but fearful expression flashed upon my face
. "Where is it taking Kagome?" Inuyasha asked angrily. Lord Sesshomaru and Youko Kurama looked at the tiny dot that was the raven.
"Inuyasha, what happened?" Kurama-san asked calmly.
Inuyasha frowned and replied in an annoyed voice, "Well Kagome and I were sitting in the tree talking, when suddenly this bird flew down and picked her up. Every time I tried to attack it, it managed to dodge it."
"Did you see anyone riding the bird?" I asked quietly with a grim tone.
"How would I know? I was too busy trying to save Kagome that I didn't even noticed." Inuyasha replied
I calmly turned to Youko Kurama and said softly as cold expression donned on my face, "Kabuto."
Youko Kurama's violet eyes opened wide as he exclaimed, "Are you sure Princess ReiJin?" I nodded slowly as I turned toward the direction of my chambers.
I then placed my hand upon Lord Sesshomaru's arm and said quietly, "I feel tired, M'Lord. Walk with me back to the chambers, please." Lord Sesshomaru's golden eyes searched mine and I fearlessly looked back with my cold green eyes. I then felt him trying to sense my emotion and I quickly block my thoughts. Lord Sesshomaru frowned as his amber eyes slowly turned cold. "Please." I repeated softly as my hand tightened its grip on his arm.
He then nodded and then turned to Inuyasha and Kurama, saying, "I'll escort my mate back to the chambers. If you want to discuss this matter, meet us there."
Both of us then turned, when suddenly Inuyasha shouted, "Are you not going to save Kagome? Are you just going to leave this matter to rest?"
I turned my head slightly and replied, "No, but now is not the right time to act rashly, Inuyasha. Kurama-san will explain to you the consequences if you are to do so. After you have heard the outcome, you can come and see me in my chambers." I looked at Kurama-san and he nodded, as he understood what has to be done.
I gave a curt nod and turn to my husband, saying gently, "We may leave now, M'Lord." Lord Sesshomaru nodded and took my hand in his as we walked off towards the chambers.
When we were a further away from Inuyasha and Kurama-san, I suddenly said to Lord Sesshomaru in a soft voice, "I'm sorry, M'Lord. I'm afraid that I must leave the palace for a short period of time. I hope M'Lord understands that I am unable to avoid this matter or go into hiding, given the circumstances that we are facing."
Lord Sesshomaru nodded as he replied, "I understand the circumstances, M'Lady, but however, I will not allow you to go off alone, even if you have that Kitsune by your side. You are my mate and you are carrying our child."
I looked at Lord Sesshomaru with amused green eyes as a small smile appeared on my face, "Is M'Lord accompanying me on this journey?" Lord Sesshomaru's golden eyes searched my calm green eyes and he replied, "M'Lady need not question my actions. I'll do what I deem fit. Besides, I believe that I owe M'Lady a favor for rescuing me from Princess Leiona."
I shook my head in amusement as I placed my hand on his arm, "M'Lord owes me nothing of the sort. I am only doing what I am suppose to do, or what I deem fit to do, as M'Lord has put it." Lord Sesshomaru smiled a small smile and nodded.
When we arrived at the chambers, I prepared a small basin of water and order my maids to prepare three pure white candles. Lord Sesshomaru looked at me curiously as I prepared these two items as well as a silk scarf and a red obi sash of linen.
"What is M'Lady preparing to do?" He asked me as I set down a set of sewing needles of ivory. I looked up at Lord Sesshomaru with tender green eyes as I smiled gently.
"Fear not, M'Lord. This is not Kimitsu. This is a summoning spell to summon spirits of the dead. I need to consult certain entities in order to prepare for this threat." I then turned to my maids and ordered them to prepare a meal for three in the west wing pagoda. Both of them nodded and went of to prepare. I then walked to the window and whistled. As I slowly walked towards the table and sat next to Lord Sesshomaru, my hand placed in his, Youko Kurama suddenly jumped down from the rafters and bowed next to me.
"Have you explained to Inuyasha of the consequences if he acts rashly?" I asked Kurama-san calmly, my green eyes cold and harsh.
Youko Kurama smiled and nodded, "Yes, Princess ReiJin. I have done as you have asked. If I am not wrong, he should be arriving…" Kurama-san then turned towards the door and looked intently. "Right… about… now." He said and Inuyasha suddenly walked in my chambers along with Miroku, Sango and Shippo.
"I'm here to discuss about rescuing Kagome and I have asked the rest along as well."
I nodded and request them to all have a seat. When they have all sat down, I looked at all of them and then looked at Kurama-san who nodded. I nodded back in response as I started to say, "Firstly, I would like to apologize for causing this unfortunate situation. Kagome has been taken by a ruthless killer called the Masked Fiend."
"Why would he want to take Kagome?" Shippo asked. I looked at Shippo, his eyes wide with curiosity. I looked at Lord Sesshomaru; my green eyes searched his. His golden eyes looked at me tenderly, even though his facial expression remained unchanged.
I then turn to look at the rest as I started to explain, "She was taken because of me. I am the Jaded Princess of the Eastern Lands, the Mistress of the Night, I am a being that wields great power and if, evoked, will bring fear and destruction to the world. Many of the demon clans fear my mother and now they fear me."
Inuyasha looked at me with a frown as he folded his arms and said, "If they fear you so much, why do you have Kurama as a guardian?"
Youko Kurama chuckled, his violet eyes gleamed as he replied, and "I am her guardian because they can't kill her mother, but they can kill her. ReiJin is only 25 years of age and I am almost as old as Lord Sesshomaru is. The Dream Weaver clan is the worshippers of the Night and Lady MeiJi is our protector. Before she passed on, we were all sworn to protect the future generations of her family. Princess ReiJin is not as powerful as her mother is, but she has gained strength and power over the years. After she was born, many of the demon clans have been sending assassins to try to get rid of her, and I have fought many battles for her and with her. When they thought that she was dead, they ended the search for her and the desire to do away with her, but however, there is one being who does not believe that the child borne of the Mistress of the Night would perish so easily."
"Why would anyone think that she was dead?" Shippo asked.
"On her 18th birthday, she was almost killed by a Dream Catcher Demon, but however, someone did save her." Youko Kurama replied.
Inuyasha scratched his head and asked, "Didn't you save her?" Kurama-san looked at me for a moment, sadness flashed in his violet eyes for a moment before he continued. "No, I did not save her. I was occupied with certain matters of the heart, but someone close to her now did save her." With that Kurama-san's gaze fell on Lord Sesshomaru.
"What!" Inuyasha exclaimed, "You saved a human?"
Before Lord Sesshomaru could say anything, Kurama-san quickly said, "Lord Sesshomaru had already known that Princess ReiJin was his future bride and has been keeping watch over her for the past years after she turned 10. Therefore when news that the Powerful Yoktai was seen at the battle, the other demons assumed that the cold-blooded and ruthless Yoktai would have gain glory for killing her for himself."
"Thus Princess ReiJin was unharmed over the past 15 years." Sango then said.
Miroku folded his arms and then continued, "That is why we are at this current situation. I would understand why they would want to rid her, but from what I understand, you and your allies are all keeping watch over Princess ReiJin and as well as the Masked Fiend. How is it that he has been unable to track her until today?"
I stood up and then walked towards the window, reciting, "When the East wind change, towards the new moon cycle, We shall all meet on the mount of the stars. For the final battle begins, with the bloodshed of the new borne season. For the Masked being shall hunt, as the wolves' howl. Upon raven wings he shall fly, to lay the bait for his prize. For he has caught wind of the child like bride and of the news of the kingdom's pride." I then turned towards them; my green eyes glimmered sadly as tears start to form in my eyes. "I had already known that it would happen." I said in a very sad voice, "But I had not known that it would happen so soon."
Inuyasha's frown got more prominent and he exclaimed in an angry voice, "If you have already known this, why didn't you do anything to stop it!"
Sango then laid a hand on Inuyasha's sleeve and replied, "Princess ReiJin may have known what events are to happen, but she is unable to predict the time that it was to happen."
Miroku nodded as he said, "Princess ReiJin is not a celestial being, but a celestial being on Earth. She isn't powerful enough to know or to predict the future. Nor is she able to prevent things that are predestined to happen."
Suddenly, I bowed my head low and said softly, " I apologize for causing you great distress, Inuyasha. Please forgive me."
Lord Sesshomaru stood up suddenly and then exclaim in a deadly tone, "Stand up and raise your head, M'Lady. It is not your wrongdoing that has caused this situation. You have no need to apologize for such. As your mate and as the father to our child, I beseech you not to behave in such a manner. You are my wife, The Lady of the Western Lands. It does not show me any honor by behaving in such a manner."
I bowed once again and replied, "I seek forgiveness, M'Lord." I raised my head and looked at Lord Sesshomaru, our eyes met. His golden eyes cold as it searched mine.
Youko Kurama cleared his throat as he walked over to me and said in a soft voice, "Come, Princess ReiJin. Return to your seat next to your mate." I nodded and allowed Kurama-san to escort me back to my seat. Once I reached the seat next to Lord Sesshomaru, both of us slowly sat down.
"It's wrong for you to blame, Princess ReiJin, Inuyasha." Shippo said as he folded his arms and closed his eyes. "In any case, she is senior in rank, compared to you. You should be ashamed of yourself."
Inuyasha then suddenly knocked Shippo's head with his fist and replied, "Enough already. I know I was wrong to shout at her."
Sango then shook her head at the sight of both of them and then turned to me and asked, "What do you plan to do, Princess ReiJin?"
I looked at Sango and replied, "I will have to consult the entities that guard over my life and being. Kurama-san will go and inform and gather all my allies and protectors on Mount Hoshi, which is the south of the border of the Western Lands, going towards the Land of the Small. After I have consulted with the entities, Kurama-san, M'Lord and I will travel to Mount Hoshi to decide what has to be done."
"I'm coming along with you." Inuyasha exclaimed. "I promised Kagome that I will protect her."
I nodded as the rest of them expressed their desire to follow us. "Since it is decided, please prepare to leave tomorrow morning after morning meals. We will reach Mount Hoshi at twilight." All of them nodded and left.
I then turned to Kurama-san and asked in a gentle voice, "Thank you Kurama-san. The duty is yours to call upon the elders and the different clans."
Kurama-san nodded and replied, "You can always count on me, Princess ReiJin, be it in life or in death." With that, Youko Kurama jumped out of the window.