Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of "InuYasha" by Rumiko Takahashi nor do I own the world as put in place by Saranne Dawson's Secret's of the Wolf.
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A/N: I would like to give a big hug to my reviewers from the previous chapter, FlowerGirl, elemental573, 43InuAsha, SexyDemonGirl5000, Carmen, llebreknit, sayuri-girl, springscents, LadySafire and Inuforlyf. Thanks again also to all my readers—you are really too much for me: flattery, constructive criticism, encouragement . . . I'm so happy!
Now, onto the real reason you all are putting up with my jabber and sentimentalism: chapter twenty!
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« Behind Ancient Mists »
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Chapter Twenty
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When Sesshoumaru entered the adjoining room to the tower the next morning, Kagome knew two very important things: the previous night had not been a dream and she knew the very frightening truth that her heart had grown keen on the Youkai lord. Truly, it had been unexpected, but even now as Kagome's fingers reached up to brush her lips it was not an unwelcome memory that she relished. She wondered how long it had been once sleep had claimed her the night before that Sesshoumaru had left her. With a berating shake of the head Kagome shook off the lament that he had not stayed. Softly, outside in the distance, Kagome could already hear a joyous bustle that reminded her that today indeed was the day of the festival. Her breaths hitched in excitement as she scrambled for suitable clothing to wear before heading out, unconsciously feeling that she wanted to impress them for some reason. Kagome knew the main festivities would not begin until later that evening up until nightfall. It was curious, Kagome realized, that the festival— especially one that seemed to celebrate the coming of the full moon would end just at its full arrival in the sky. She had gained a repertoire from her readings of many cultures that the time of the full moon was a time of harvest, which she figured was the same in this case.
Finishing up her hurried act of dressing, Kagome grabbed a colorful garment out from the wardrobe and hurried downstairs to the awaiting streets, leaving her special kimono for later that evening.
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It was the day of the festival and Jeridiah had already arrived in the Dark Mountains. His looming form did not hinder his distinction between himself and the rest of the visitors for, while he still dressed gloatingly amongst his finery, he wore the traditional black amongst a sea of color. He had met with his underlings late that previous night while the lord was no where to be seen and had discussed what they had seen, their tales since the months of their last visit— sharing tall tales of self-righteous bravery, and of gripping hardship. Jeridiah listened to each one carefully, yet almost hurriedly for there was something pressing on his mind. The woman; she was the reason that his plotting seemed to still have an alibi to enact upon. Gleefully, the High Elder listened to reports that heightened his hopes that the two had drawn closer.
Hope. Trust. Love— Jeridiah saw no need and strength in these, but instead weakness. For years he had held grudge over the Youkai and relished in the thought of their curse, happily reminding himself that as much as he could not be happy, neither could the Youkai leaders— no matter who or what generation. It was true that should a Youkai leader find himself in love with a human that reciprocated the feelings that the curse over the people could be broken, but the most commonly overlooked aspect was that should the event not occur at the time of most vulnerability, the love would be ensured not to last and so the curse would remain. The curse could only be broken by true acceptance, which could not occur until the said woman had seen the lord for what he truly was— not just a beast, but a monster. The lord holding the curse was cursed with a love of blood and when the transformation fully overtook him the rational mind would be lost. The beast would attack all in his path and would not discern friend from foe, only himself and his own pack— any outsiders would be killed.
It was true what the stories had spoke of— that the girl could save him, but it was also she, Jeridiah knew, that would be his greatest foe as it turned out. It was a reason that the High Elder did not bother himself with such emotions and the reason a good leader did not. Hope had caused the lord to believe in such a fancy and dream of love— Love had and would continue to make him foolish. Sesshoumaru knew that should his acceptance be denied that the woman would be cast to death unless a sacrifice was made. If the lord gave himself over to hope and love he would foolishly devoid himself of his noble power and be reduced to nothing but a man, weak and easily killed. Trust— this is what the lord believed he had with him, but Jeridiah was plotting against him, had always been plotting. The lord did not, even now, hold the woman's trust even though he held an inkling of her heart and without that trust they could be broken easily. Jeridiah had been waiting for generations for the moment when a lord would willingly strip himself of his defenses so that he could be killed. If the lord was killed then the Youkai line would fall and the High Elder's twisted view of judgment could finally have its end.
Tonight— at the moments end of the festival he would drive the woman out from the safety of the Youkai— especially Sesshoumaru's protection and he and his men would attack. While her death was a hopeful outcome in the end, despite the others believing no harm would come to her, Jeridiah only hoped for it only when the trust between them was truly broken and she saw him fully.
After dismissing the others for the night, his trusted adviser Masa found his lone company once more. "My High Elder." The straggly man bowed lowly and then rose once his form was recognized.
"Yes, what is it Masa?"
"I still understand your plan— you plan it for tonight, but even so I wonder if it is truly wise or needed. I have watched the two of them and—"
"— then you understand the urgency and opportunity by that disgusting display!" Jeridiah announced triumphantly not noticing the unsure shake of Masa's head.
"Once I may have agreed with you, but the more I watch them the more I believe that this girl may actually be in his and our people's best interest. The emotions I have felt radiating off him— and his protectiveness over the girl— I believe he truly has come to love and care for her."
"Rubbish!" Jeridiah insisted and Masa lowered his head dejectedly. He could not go against his master, but at any costs he would place his faith in the girl. "Masa— remember your loyalty. You shall join us and you will not reveal to the others my final plan until the time is right— should you defy me then your life will no longer be of use to me. Now go— inform them when the morning breaks."
When Masa turned to leave, Jeridiah smirked haughtily.
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Kagome relished in the morning's sunlight as she ran unknowingly through the Youkai grounds. She frolicked like a child and wondered if it was perhaps the festival that had this effect on her. The streamers blew lightly in the wind and momentarily the land seemed less muted with mist; everything about the surroundings had grown brighter. Soon the sounds of early festivities reached Kagome's ears and in rushing toward its direction, she came upon Aya and young Rin. The three of them rushed inward just as the Elders spread amongst them. Strangely, Kagome saw that many did not seem so solemn today and in fact many had greeted her warmly, such as one Aya would later inform her was called Masa. Still, there were those who had kept their inhibitions about her, but with the rush of the festival, as both females pulled her further into a growing crowd, the feelings of inept were not significant. An overwhelming warmth surrounded Kagome and thoughts of moving a foot from where she was disappeared; the festival had woven its spell about her and all the people.
The crowd watched with awe at the display of female dancers and the short display of defense by the children in an excerpt to only entice the waiting eyes of what was to come that evening. The dancers with their fluid movement enraptured male and female observers alike. The motions were seemingly erotic and yet they maintained a balance of innocence. Each of their twists and turns seemed to do the very act of bringing the sun high up into the sky.
The children, whom in their normally rambunctious stage were flamboyant and fierce, could have chilled Kagome with the intensity on their faces. To all around her the show past as quickly and vibrant as the last, but to Kagome the more she watched the more time began to slow for her. The sun's heat beat down harshly on her and she could already feel the brimming of sweat upon her brow. Her eyes, losing themselves slowly into a haze, concentrated intently on the faces of the children. Slowly her rational brain noted how calm the older of the bunch seemed and yet the youngest seemed rather pale in comparison to the earlier night. Perhaps it was simply the fact that the others were used to the festival's heat unlike herself.
Heat. Kagome, wobbled for a split second and flashing her eyes wildly to either side of her Kagome could hear the thumping of her blood deep in her head and jarringly the cries of excitement from the crowd melded into that of the sound of howling. Vibrant howling, man woman, child—everyone was howling and then in the next moment, as Aya shook her worriedly, her vision cleared and the sounds withdrew themselves.
"Kagome? Kagome—are you alright? You look a bit flushed."
"Yes—I'm fine. Perhaps I'm merely thirsty. The heat seems to be getting to me rather quickly."
"The heat?" Aya asked unsure before the realization hit her and slowly she led the young woman away from the crowd and to one of the nearby huts which was steaming with an array of food both inside and out of its quarters. Aya took her inside. "Give this woman something for her thirst please—"Aya inquired of the server inside. "—none of our drink."
Aya had not ever witnessed this effect before—in fact none had. She like a few others had only heard about such happenings, but Aya knew that large amounts of the festival food or drink would not help her until her body adjusted to them. The food helped the Youkai people deal with the particular air the festival day always presented, but for Kagome the food would not solve the issue so easily. The food of the festival was stronger and of a quality not easily explained to an outsider, but weaned on the food bit by bit she would be fine. Truly, however, it would have been obvious the sickness it would cause upon an outsider and Aya berated herself that she should have known better..
"Here—take this," Aya prompted, handing Kagome a small piece of the festival bread with her water. The water would ease her head and the bread would slowly calm her body's adjustment to the festival's surroundings. Bit by bit Kagome ate and drank until the color returned to her cheeks.
Aya guided Kagome's hand out as she handed a small coin to the server and acknowledged her head to one of the shadows seated within sight of them. Once the two left, that same shadow moved closer to the 'bar-like' sector of the hut. Settling himself down next to another man whom he knew to be a fellow elder he acknowledged himself and with the nod of his head allowing the other man to speak with him.
"What brings you here Masa? Not on more business I trust." The other man regarded Masa, who still glanced toward the doorway from which Aya had exited before acknowledging his presence—a presence to which he had hoped to keep secret.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Come now man—enjoy the festival whilst you can!" Mid-sentence the other elder motioned for a drink and received it eagerly.
"I shall try, but meanwhile I am pleased to see that you have made it safely once more."
"Indeed—and Masa, you as well? Working under the High Elder not keeping you too strung?" The wicked banter that under-toned the comment unnerved Masa momentarily, but Masa convinced himself it was the drink talking as the man ordered yet another glass.
In the midst of the not so silent slurps and licking of lips from the man beside him, Masa contemplated on how he was to inform his dear friend, the last on his list of informees, his master's news. Finally, thinking up no other option, he simply spurted the news out in the open as his friend took another gulp. "Tonight- he plans to do it tonight when the lord is at his weakest and the other's influence its most advanced."
The man opposite Masa lowered his glass slowly and looked at him, clearly shocked. "And what brought this decision on so suddenly. The previous night I thought it was only a mere fancy that would be taken once we were sure that the opportunity would not fail. I know you think positively over the lord's feelings, but the woman is still questionable."
"What I saw and have seen could be indescribable from both their faces, but as to the true reason that Jeridiah as hastened the plan . . . I cannot tell you."
"Are we not allies . . . did we not share the same childhoods together? There has never been a moment you could not reveal something to me, my friend—why now?"
Masa was silent and in those few minutes his friend understood. "Orders, I see. So finally we see the true nature of your position." The man called once more for a drink, only this time one of water to clear his head.
"It is not like that—the master has his reasons, but until tonight they must go unknown."
"It still seems off, even for him. So we are truly to trust this 'Kagome' wench—with everything? I agree that she is amiable and holds promising qualities, but I also believe it is too soon. You, much like the lord are hoping upon a story that happened generations ago. Kikyou may have been an outsider, but she was no stranger to the ways of our people. Trust did not have to be gained and the reason in murder was not as 'alluring' as it is now. Kikyou is not this Kagome, you realize that?"
"I do." Masa nodded his head in affirmation, silently hoping in his head that the High Elder's plan would in fact fail—that Kagome would accept him.
"Your intentions are well my friend, but as much as now as in a year from now this plan could still fail. The lord has placed too much at stake already and you do know that despite your intentions it could still bring about destruction. It has broken him once before—are you willing to chance that this time he may not recover?"
"I know the risks—as does Jeridiah. I want to believe that we can take this chance on the girl."
"And what of her feelings . . . this is bound to cause her great pain and fear. She may never return." Masa locked eyes with his partner and slowly a hopeful grin spread across his face, unabashed to Masa's gaze. "—and yet still as much as it is a daft plan, I can only hope the same as you . . . that it will be successful—for all our sakes."
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Past noon and already Kagome was becoming one with the festival. All her resolve to leave the place vanished as she clung even tighter to Rin's firm hand. Earlier she had asked over a bowl of rice noodles when it would be that she might be able to see Sesshoumaru. Rin had replied by slurping up her whole bowl in one bite, animatedly and mumbling an obligated 'don't know.' Kagome smiled at her half-heartedly. It appeared the child was too in-tune with the festival to take note of his absence, much less keep track of him. Kagome supposed it would be up to her to find him; there were a few things she wanted— needed to discuss with him.
"Come on, Kagome!" Rin cried boisterously. "I want you to play a game with me."
Being pulled along by the child like a young puppy was not exactly how Kagome had pictured her day, but the child's smile was enough. Rin stopped near a small elaborately decorated area meant for the children and was endeared by the playful quality it held. Rin's particular interest was in a charming game that resembled modern fishing. Delicately Rin chose a small pole that suited her childish taste and grinned up at the taller woman proudly.
"It's orange—see? Just like your festival kimono and it's my favorite color!" Again the child smiled while she spent the next few moments adoring the stick with multi-colored ribbons and charms. Kagome was sure there was a special meaning to each— perhaps for the Youkai people or perhaps just for Rin herself, but Kagome did not ask for an explanation of them. When the child felt her work was done she strung a long string to the end and dangled a small casing from its end that rattled when shook— much like a bell would.
"Watch me Kagome— I'm going to get myself a great prize this time! Last time I only managed to scrap up a few snacks or food tokens, but this year I'm going big!" Kagome shook her head happily as Rin cast her line over a small curtain. From Kagome's height she could see overhead the curtain a man crouched behind it who randomly selected prizes and strung them on each awaiting string. The man seemed quite happy in his work and when he was through he would give each line a simple tug and the children would bring forth their lines. Many children around Rin shouted with glee as they protruded beaded jewelry, small toys and candy, but Rin still held her line firm.
"I'm afraid to look." Rin called, all the while laughing at herself. "You do it for me Kagome."
Kagome simply chided her with a grin and then watched as Rin huffed to herself before in a brash move yanked forth her pole from the curtain when she again felt a pull upon it. Rin's eyes widened. Out came a small parcel that with all the child's movement, Kagome could barely see. Even so, the moment the child cried out she knew its identity.
"A good luck charm!" Rin elaborately untied the small circular piece of metal and examined it closely, letting it catch the light of the sun. "This is very rare— Oh, I'm so sure lord Sesshoumaru will be excited!"
"Do you plan to give it to him Rin?"
"That I do— he needs it more than I do tonight."
Kagome grew confused by the comment but shook it off as the child began running off. She had promised Aya that she would keep an eye on the child and so, irate, Kagome ran after her. "Rin, get back here!"
"Nuh-uh! You've got to catch me!"
Stopping momentarily to catch her breath, Kagome called out to Rin once more. "Rin— this—isn't—funny. Hold on— now."
"Nope. You've still got to catch me— catch me! Kagome has to— Oouf!" Rin was forced to a stop as she had run smack into someone while she had been running with her back turned. Catching eye of the Head Elder, Rin sucked in a breath and in lowering her eyes, she mumbled a quick apology. True, the Youkai did not serve the elders for it was the other way around, but Rin was still just a child and like many others, she feared them.
"Rin!" Kagome called, alarmed at the sight of the girl almost trembling. Hurrying over to her, Kagome confronted the man face to face and was none too happy about it.
"Ah, Miss Higurashi I presume."
Kagome wrapped a protective hand around Rin's shoulder and nudged the child behind her, turning her gaze directly to the man in front of her. "Yes, I am she— who are you since you are so keen in knowing me?" Her voice was tight and edged, but Jeridiah only chuckled unfazed.
"Forgive my rudeness. I am the High Elder— you may have met a few of my followers previously." He smirked underneath his words and even more so when he saw her teeth grit in annoyance and anger.
"Yes, we've had quite a few encounters as you will of course be aware of."
"Indeed." His word lingered as his gaze again slipped to the young child. Seeing the trail of his eyes, Kagome tightened her grip on the child before shoving her slightly away from her.
"Leave me for now Rin, I'll be back to finish enjoying the festivities later." The child, too shocked to say much else, mumbled a simple accord and stumbled off leaving the two without interference despite the bustling crowd. The two now seemed to be in a place away from the others— a place within itself.
Jeridiah smiled. "You protect unduly— I hold no pretense against you or the child."
"I shall determine that for myself." While dislike still reflected in Kagome's eyes, she was no fool. She knew when posturing was best. "All the same— despite our obvious knowing of each other's reputations, I believe a proper introduction would be of better decorum." She paused momentarily and forced herself to outstretch her arm to the man in greeting. "My name is Kagome."
"High Elder Jeridiah," he countered. Kagome cringed in her mind; of course the man would not drop the title for her.
"Pleased to meet you." The two shook hands briefly and then released.
Again Jeridiah smiled, "I do hope you enjoy the festival, my lady. You never know what surprises you may find while here." The twinkle in his eye unnerved her, but it was the callous cry from behind her that caused Kagome to break from her thoughts and turn.
"Jeridiah!"
"Lord Sesshoumaru, at last you show your face. I was beginning to wonder if you were avoiding me."
Smoothly, Sesshoumaru relaxed his tightening muscles and the tensing of his nails to his palm. "Avoiding is not the word . . . Now, I believe you have stalled Miss Higurashi enough. The main event will begin soon and I do not desire for her to miss it."
As Sesshoumaru led Kagome off with a hidden smile, that only the High Elder could see, Jeridiah whispered underneath his breath. "Neither do I."
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So . . . Uh, what can I say other than I am so glad that I finally have Internet back since my move. Regretfully I had some issues with the cable people and luckily that has now been resolved. Sooo sorry about the extremely long wait, but the climax is in the next chapter and I'm well underway in its writing. On another note— check out my oneshot collection, "Fabled." I've two chapters so far and I'll be adding to it periodically.
As always, I would love and be honored to have any reviews/comments/suggestions that my lovely readers may have. I treasure them all! Thank you again to everyone that has been reading— I hope you keep watching out for my updates!
Truly yours,
Mickey-the-Mouse