I do not own any characters from Inuyasha. This chapter was written especially for the Rag-Doll-Sally who is now Celestial Yorda and her love of Kitties.
Chapter 14
Kilala Brings a Friend
Time passed pleasantly at the palace by the sea as Catherine had come to call it. They really had everything. A beautiful home in a beautiful place. The servants and villagers were friendly and kind. Catherine thought of them as friends. No wonder they had melted even Sesshomaru a bit.
It was the middle of autumn; the days were fine and balmy. The servants had told her that soon the rain would come and even some snow. Catherine tried to guess what the date was. Maybe somewhere in mid October she guessed. The gentle golden mare Sesshomaru had purchased for her she named Rosie after the horse she had growing up in England. She had been teaching Rin to ride. The saddles here were a little different but other than that things were pretty much the same. She and Rin went riding every morning, rain or shine. It gave them a chance to explore and meet the people of the village.
Rin was doing very well in her studies. Lady Yoko commented she had never met a child so focused and conscientious.
"Because she is doing it for him," thought Catherine. "Does he even realize how much he means to her, how much she loves him? Well, at least he has provided for her."
Catherine would see Rin standing on the balcony looking out over the sea. She herself did the same thing; gazing out across the sea, missing him. Did he miss them, did he think of them at all? It was a mute point she knew. She would love him no matter what.
It was a clear quiet afternoon. Rin was at her studies with Lady Yoko and Catherine was practicing her writing. A servant, Azuma, came running to her.
"Lady, there are visitors at the door!" she said breathless.
"Who are they?" asked Catherine.
"There are two women, a monk and two Demons also a two tail cat!"
"Kagome!" cried Catherine happily. "I wonder how they found us." She smiled broadly at Azuma. "Is one demon dressed all in red?"
"Oh yes Lady!" said Azuma.
"These are friends and the young Demon in red is Lord Sesshomaru's younger brother. Bring them to the reception room and I'll fetch Rin!"
Meanwhile at the door in the front courtyard, Inuyasha stood with his back to the door looking out over the village "Why are we here!" he said, "This palace doesn't look like my brother's style at all. It's too "nice" besides why do we want to seek him out. This is a complete waste of time!"
"Hadje said Rin and Catherine were here and that Sesshomaru was away!" said Kagome, "I want to see if they're all right."
"I have to agree with Inuyasha," said Miroku, "This doesn't look like Sesshomaru's style at all. I would imagine a huge black castle in stone somewhere high in the mountain with spikes and monster guards."
"..And booby traps and torture chambers, lot of them!" continued Inuyasha clearly enjoying himself.
The door opened and a very pretty servant appeared, "Please come with me." She said smiling.
"With pleasure!" said Miroku starting in the door and getting a slap to the side of the head from Sango.
They were led through an open corridor overlooking the interior garden. The garden was blooming with chrysanthemums of many colors. The leaves had not yet turned color and some trees were heavy with fruit. They were led to a large reception room in which stood Rin and Catherine smiling broadly.
"It is wonderful to see you again!" said Catherine, "What brings you out here?"
"Well, curiosity for one thing," said Kagome. "We were actually traveling in this direction when we heard you were here."
"Come in, I've had the servants prepare tea for us." Said Catherine. "I'd say we could catch up but I guess we'll just get to know each other since the only one I have spoken to is Kagome."
Kilala, Sango's two tail cat had been purring contentedly in Sango's arms. "Kilala seems very happy to by here." She said.
"She's a sweet kitty," said Catherine scratching her behind the ears, "Shall we?" she said leading the way.
They entered the dining room in which an elaborate tea had been spread. The boys wasted no time tucking in. Being on the road they did not often get to eat so well. Catherine chuckled to see them.
"I apologize for some people's manners," said Sango in disgust.
"Nonsense," said Catherine, "they are a pleasure to feed."
"You know," said Inuyasha between bites, "We were saying how this palace didn't seem my brother's style. I would have thought he would want something larger, more imposing and dangerous looking."
"Good heavens," laughed Catherine, "I'm sure he has one of those tucked away somewhere! This palace was purchased for Rin and me. I suppose it is so Sesshomaru can travel light again. There are certainly worse ways of being dumped."
"We were surprised that he took on another human," continued Inuyasha ignoring a very dirty look Kagome was giving him. "He always claimed to despise humans."
"Oh, I'm not human," said Catherine. The room was suddenly quiet. "Well, I mean, I'm only about one quarter human, but that's all."
"What are you?" said Miroku, "I don't detect any Demonic aura about you."
"I am descended from Llyr God of the Northern Sea in the west and the Tuatha de Danae; the Faerie Realm."
"I know about this!" said Kagome, "There is a series of books from England called The Lord of the Rings about the elves and dwarves and other magical being in the west. You asked me if Sesshomaru was a Faerie, I guess in a way perhaps he is."
"Well," said Catherine,"He is very much like some of the Elfin Lords of Tuatha de Danae in his appearance and ways but he is much more powerful."
"Yeah, well, I can always kick his butt!" said Inuyasha .
"I insist you stay the night!" said Catherine changing the subject. "We have lots of room here and even a bathhouse. Why don't you stay and rest. I'm sure the open road can be exhausting!"
"I don't know..." started Inyasha.
Kagome placed her hand on his arm, "We should stay tonight is the new moon."
Inuyasha's eyes opened wide and he grew quiet. "We'll stay, thank you."
Everyone agreed, then Shippo the little fox Demon who had been quiet up to this point piped up, "Sango where is Kilala?"
Sango stood up in alarm, "oh, where did she go!"
"She is probably just exploring and since you are staying she will know where to find you," said Catherine.
Catherine and Rin showed everyone to their rooms. The boys, well they were boys, noisy and clomping around their room. Catherine smiled as they took Sango and Kagome to their room. She and Rin had lived here so quietly up to now. Rin who up to this point had been quiet perked up as they helped Sango and Kagome get settled. She chatted happily about her little horse and riding and her lessons. Catherine noticed Lady Yoko standing in the garden close by. She knew Lady Yoko had come from a background of intrigue. Perhaps she thought things in this household were the same. Catherine excused herself and went out to the garden.
Lady Yoko smiled benignly as Catherine approached, "so many visitors" she said, "and one is the Lord's brother. I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru will be sorry he missed this."
"I'm sorry you didn't join us for tea," Said Catherine. "When I first was rescued by Lord Sesshomaru I did not speak your language. He himself sought out Kagome to translate and brought them all to me; including his brother." Catherine stood tall and looked sharply at Lady Yoko. "I trust we will see you at dinner, oh, and I shall tell Lord Sesshomaru about the visit as soon as he returns."
After the girls were finished the boys hit bathhouse with more noise and splashing. Catherine found Kagome in the garden. "I hope our house will survive the boys!" she said laughing.
"Can I ask you a question?" said Kagome quietly, "What is it like being with Sesshomaru, I mean, traveling with him getting to know Him?"
"For one thing, you don't get to know Sesshomaru. He is as mysterious now as he was the first day I met him. There always seems to be a lot going on under the surface, you know the saying "still waters run deep'." She smiled "tell me what is like to love Inuyasha."
"You could tell?" smiled Kagome, "The answer is heartbreaking. Long ago Inuyasha loved a priestess named Kikyo. She died tragically but he still loves her. Here's where it gets crazy; I'm her. I'm from the future, the year 2006. I fell down an enchanted well that is how I travel from my time to this. Kikyo's soul was reborn in 1990 as me. I suppose she, I mean we have unfinished business in this time that's why I'm here. I don't remember being Kikyo I have some of her abilities. I had never shot a bow and arrow but I learned very fast, Kikyo was an expert archer. I'm not that spiritual but I seem to have Kikyo's spiritual power so I know it is true, I am Kikyo. She was so responsible and accomplished and beautiful, I sometimes have a hard time believing I was her. Sometimes I'm even jealous of her if that makes any sense. Inuyasha does not love me, he even tried to kill me when we first met but luckily Kaede, Kikyo's sister was able to bind him with the beads he wears around his neck. I know he wouldn't kill me now even without the beads. He has pledged to protect me and he does. Even now though he gets so impatient with me and snaps at me. I unfortunately love him even though he still only loves Kikyo."
"I guess we have a lot in common," said Catherine, "Somehow, I don't know why, I fell in love with Sesshomaru. Now there's an impossible cause."
The two had a good laugh over their misfortune. Later as night fell they all sat down to a fine dinner. Lady Yoko was in attendance looking a bit sheepish. Catherine and Rin were shocked when Inuyasha entered the dining room. Instead of a young Demon with dog ears, silver hair and golden eyes, in walked a handsome Japanese youth with shining black hair and dark eyes. His manner was markedly different. He was quick to smile and well mannered and very attentive to Kagome. Sango just picked at her food, she was very worried about Kilala. Catherine told her that after dinner they could get lanterns and she would help her search for Kilala. Everyone agreed to help.
Suddenly to everyone's surprise, Kilala appeared at the dining room door. In her mouth she carried a tiny black two tail kitten. She walked daintily to Catherine and placed the kitten in her lap.
"Oh Kilala, what is this? She's so adorable!" Said Catherine picking up the tiny kitten. "Where did you find her?"
Kilala jumped into Sango's lap purring contentedly.
"I will call you Pywacket in honor of my great uncle Pwyl. Said Catherine as Rin reached over to scratch behind the kitten's tiny ears.
Later that night a contented Pywacket, her little belly full slept on a soft pillow in Catherine's room.
The next morning Catherine and Rin bid goodbye to their friends. Inuyasha was back to his old self, impatient for them get started. Catherine had food packed for them for the road and bid then come back someday for a visit. She held little Pywacket as she and Rin watched them disappear down the road.
Author's note: In Welsh mythology Pwyl is the brother of Llyr and God of the Underworld.