1Start off with a thank you to byakugan-master93. I was listening to your advice some, but I don't think that I would be able to keep that up because I would have to switch from one mindset to another. Thanks to all that read, and to the reviewer, sorry but I can already tell you that the next update won't be till Friday because I'm at my Dad's but I might be able to if I get enough reviews. This chapter will show their return to the Western Land. So remember to Review.
CHAPTER XXVIII
CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Kagome smiled at the bright clear day. The miko was glad that they had survived their latest adventure, but she could tell that most of her companions were saddened by the lack of results. A voice responded in her mind ", Not a lack of information. We didn't find the sword but we did learn something about its' origins, and we have discovered the location of another haven. All we can do is hope that it will be found there."
The young woman nodded in acknowledgment and thought ', How do you think things are going at Ionin.' The statement was meant to sound casual but Kagome couldn't help but worry about the little kitsune while they were away. The miko felt a comforting sensation as an answer came ", Riath is an able leader. I am sure that all is well in the city and with Shippo. He may be young but I am sure that he has some resourcefulness."
Kagome smiled again at the reassuring nature of her friend. So far the day had gone smoothly for the group. The miko had been awakened slightly earlier then she would have been used to in her own era, but traveling with Inuyasha had accustomed her to dawn marches. Faustin had been a very well mannered host and had even offered to accompany them himself. The brothers had politely refused and promised to send the aid they had spoken of before.
The miko noticed though that nearly complete silence had followed all of this. They marched at a brisk pace which Sesshomaru had claimed was necessary because they could not remain away from the Western Lands for too long. Kagome had been amused by Healo's thoughts on the subject; he suggested that the safety of a certain little girl had more to do with the urgency than any real problem.
Sesshomaru and Magus were naturally quiet demons, but Inuyasha's silence as they went on was beginning to frighten the young woman. She thought with concern ', What's going on with him.' A voice answered with just as much concern ", I don't know, wait just a moment and I will attempt to find out." Kagome watched as Inuyasha's eyes narrowed and the hanyou said forcefully ", Get out."
The miko was confused when everyone stopped to see what was going on. Healo's eyes were widened for only a few moments before Kagome saw him place a hand on the hilt of his sword. The Northern Lord's eyes darkened as he said calmly ", You would not dare." Inuyasha seemed to flush but only began to walk again as he said defiantly ", I don't know what you're talking about."
The demon lord's eyes flashed as he moved with blinding speed. A moment later Kagome was horrified to find the hanyou sailing through the air before landing about thirty feet from his original position. The miko was on the verge of speaking and the others mostly had confused looks on their faces. Sesshomaru seemed to try to be hidding a small smile, but Healo's gaze only hardened as he took a step towards Inuyasha.
The hanyou rose with an irritated growl and asked angrily ", What was that for?" The Northern Lord's eyes hardened as he said with deathly calm ", You know what I saw. How can you even consider such a path? She is dead, why do you not accept this? You are following in the same trail I traveled on. The only way you can bring about her return is to cause untold suffering. Have you learned nothing from my mistakes?"
The hanyou flushed but did not respond. His golden eyes attempted to hold his brothers stare, but soon the he began moving away as if nothing had happened. The miko was surprised at the whole outbreak and thought timidly ', Healo?' The response was swift but still contained some of the force that was in his voice ", Yes." Kagome continued walking as she thought ', What did you see?' Silence followed for a few moments before an answer came ", It would only grieve you to know."
The miko was no fool. She could at least guess who was on the hanyou's mind and she knew it wasn't her. Several hours passed in silence as the sun rose higher over the island. Eventually the Northern Lord gave a sigh and said aloud ", This is a very beautiful land." Kagome was glad for the break in tension and responded ", Yes its very calm and yet alive." Healo sighed as he closed his eyes and said in a smooth tone:
The bird glides over the mists of mountains
his nest in a tree that lies near a tranquil fountain.
The streams flow gently as they sing their songs.
Could such beauty to another land belong?
No, another could not posses the shining snow
nor could it contain the melody made as waters flow.
A land of seasons; white and green
filled with life; created serene.
Bound together by bastions of stone
you are the fairest land the world has yet known.
Healo opened his eyes and said ", A poet during my reign jotted that down. He died in battle against Naraku." The miko was saddened by that turn and asked ", Do you know any others?" The Northern Lord laughed as he said ", I confess that I do not have a talent for memorizing the words of poets. I was always too absorbed in other subjects, but your words reminded me of that. I know that there is more, but I cannot remember the words."
Kagome asked ", Was the North full of such people?" Her friend nodded and answered ", The Northern Lands had long been known for their art in both word and form. However, what they say now moves others to tears more than to joy." Kagome asked carefully ", What kind of things do they say?" Her friend responded:
A great star has fallen in the West.
The bird has been driven from his nest.
The great lord has been humbled.
He watched as his lands crumbled.
The flowers no longer bloom.
The land is gripped in doom.
The light of reason has fled.
Madness has come instead.
A great star has fallen in the West.
Kagome sighed and said ", Is that about what I think it is?" Healo answered ", It was written right after the North was lost to Naraku. As you can see my people had not yet forgiven me for the evil I had brought upon them. Some still have not let it go." The miko did not respond but noticed that they had come up to the coast where their ship was resting peacefully.
The miko was surprised to see that a large guard had been set over their ship. Healo said in a matter-of-fact tone ", This is considered proper among demons." Kagome nodded as they finally arrived at the ship. Sesshomaru spoke carefully to the guards and they were quickly allowed to board the ship. The young woman said happily ", Well, it looks like we're going to make it back safely after all."
A day later Shippo's POV
The young kitsune was staring out over the silver waves of the sea. Shippo had been unable to sit still throughout the time that his friends had been gone. He understood that they meant well by leaving him here and it was true that he was having a lot of fun with his new friends, but he still missed his group. Sulam approached him and said carefully ", I'm sure they will be back soon. You mustn't worry so much."
Shippo blanced as he said ", Worried? I'm not worried." His companion eyed him in disbelief and said ", It's okay to be worried you know. I'm worried about my father, Uncle Magus, and Uncle Sesshomaru." The kitsune blinked and asked ", Really? Why are you worried about them? Their all powerful, full demons." The golden haired demon answered ", Yes they're all very strong, but everyone messes up sometimes and who knows when that will happen? Besides they were heading into unknown territory."
The kitsune turned to look out over the sea again as he said ", I know that even though he's only a half-demon Inuyasha can take care of himself, but what about Kagome?" Sulam shook his head and said ", You know that both my uncle and my father are courting her. They will not allow anything bad to happen to her." Shippo nodded as he thought about that little fact. He asked quietly ", Why do they want Kagome as their mate? She is pretty but isn't it kind of sudden?"
Sulam blinked and answered ", I don't completely understand it myself. My uncle wants her as his mate because of his lack of an heir." Shippo nodded then asked ", But what about your father?" The young demon hesitated and said ", I don't know. When my mother was killed it nearly destroyed him. I don't understand what's going on in him right now." The kitsune asked carefully ", What was your mother like?"
The blue eyed demon smiled sadly as he said ", She was very beautiful, very kind. I was very young when she died, but I can still hear the songs she would sing." He smiled then sang softly:
A warrior left his home in the hills
He traveled throughout the world.
He found fame, and he found adventure,
But still something was amiss.
Then one day a maiden came to his door.
She could not see so he led her by the hand.
The love of a maiden is better.
Then the glory found in a battle.
That bond that is shared there is stronger.
Then any metal made by the hands of man.
Then one day a man came to see him.
He brought tidings of war in the hills.
That proud man promised to return to her.
Then he rode in great glory to face many foes,
But at last at the end of strength he turned ,
and fell as he said to the world.
The love of this maiden is better.
The the glory I found in this battle.
That bond that we shared there is stronger.
Then this sword which I hold in my hand.
When word came to his love she said,
"I must go. I must not live any longer."
Then she fell before them, dead.
They buried them together by the door.
It was there they had first met,
And atop it a stone read this.
The love of a maiden is better.
Then the glory found in a battle.
That bond that is shared there is stronger.
Then any metal made by hands of men.
Shippo was silent for a moment before asking ", Isn't that a strange song to sing to a kid?"
Sulam laughed and said ", My father was away for a long time fighting the Eastern Lord. I think my mother sang this more to comfort herself then to encourage me." The kitsune shook his head and said ", You're whole family is just strange." The young demon again laughed as his eyes brightened and he said merrily ", That is very true, but you have to admit that it makes for wonderful entertainment."
The kitsune thought back to all of the arguments between his adopted mother and Inuyasha and said ", I guess you're right." He turned back to look at the ocean and asked in an excited voice ", Isn't that the ship they left in?" Sulam quickly became serious as he turned to look at the ship. After a moment of silence he smiled and nodded as he said ", Come on they will expect us to be in the palace. It would be very bad if we were caught out here." Shippo sighed as he said in a broken tone ", Then I guess we're too late." Sulam also noticed that Healo was staring right at them from the front of the tall ship.
Ok so want to apologize for the poems and stuff. I have no idea why I put them in their. So let me know what you think about the chapter. Update will probably be Friday. Hope to hear from you all. Review!!!
