Professor of Galiifrey: Okay, okay, you will. I hereby pronounce you Champion of Cliffhangers, the Awesomest of the Awesome etc. etc. etc.
Guest Reviewer, Alice: No French? Thank you for reading!
Royiah: Yuppers, it's very cold in the north. Lots of snow and ice… and about 3 months of summer. Well, at least in North Idaho. I went ahead and posted the last chapter because I got a nasty review. But this one is very long!
riridreaheart: *salutes* Yes, ma'am!
Professor of Gallifrey: I seem to remember asking you to ignore that part. It was no big deal, just reminding scum that they were scum.
Martyna1: Haha, no it's not finished yet. Think… during Rikuo's time.
Halley Vanaria: My! How astute you are! *smile*
Aozora12: Thanks! I had been looking for a good Nurarihyon fic, didn't find one, and then decided to write my own. Yes'um, Christian I am!
Kimori Takahashi: Naturally! Thankfully, this is a part of the Nurarihyon Universe, so I don't have to come up with an explanation. I'm only visiting the Inuyasha Universe before continuing on with Nurarihyon.
Guest Reviewer: Ah, you read the response to the flame, huh? *blushes* I really shouldn't have answered that… But thank you, that means a lot.
Some time later, perhaps two hours, the sound of massive gates opening drew the lovers apart.
Yohime had been bordering on sleep, while Nurarihyon was keeping a watchingful eye out (because no one was allowed to see his sleeping hime, except for him), and the loudness brought her out of her dreamscape.
"Are they here?"
"Hm, they are."
A quiet sigh.
"I suppose I should get up."
"I suppose so."
Another moment passed in which no one moved.
"I have to see my daughter-in-law nieces though."
"You have to, huh?"
More inactiveness.
"Nura…"
"What is it, Yohime?"
A smirk formed on one mouth as the other pouted.
"Nurarihyon, please help me up."
"Anything my hime asks for, I will do."
An instant later and strong arms were hoisting her into them and standing gracefully to set her down on her feet. A arm was held out, and small hand curling around it, as Nura walked towards the great stone door the separated the courtyard from the front gardens.
He easily opened it revealing the busy yard, and the gathering of people that Shippo was clearly made out talking to.
"That must be them."
"Do you see your nieces?"
Yohime didn't say anything, just continued on her way. Closer and closer they came, until she noticed Shippo's aura touch hers. She stopped, Nurarihyon at her back. A woman who greatly resembled Sango flung herself into her son arms and laughed as he swung her around.
For an instant, she could have sworn she was looking at Sango. There was even the familiar bone boomerang strapped to her back. A soft jingle drew her attention to another woman who was the perfect blend of Miroku and Sango.
One held the weapon of her father, the other of her mother. A small two-tailed cat was winding around the feet of several kitsune and one demon slayer who promptly bent down to set her on his shoulder.
Another nudge of her son's aura and she strolled forward. She came into hearing distance and the ending conversation carried to her ears.
"-I want you to meet."
"Shiro said it was your mother, but she's dead, so I assumed it was a friend's mother or something."
Shippo tugged her hand and turned towards Yohime, pulling the woman until she stood in front of her.
"Okaa-san, this is Sango's grown-up daughter, Mai. She's my mate."
Mai's face changed drastically as she took in the holy aura, the clothes, the way Yohime held herself. And the way Shippo had introduced them.
"Auntie Kagome?"
Her face said it was impossible for the woman standing before her to exist, yet her brown eyes were so pleading. As if she needed Yohime to be her Auntie. Since Mai's father had possessed holy powers, she held a slight aura and a quick once over revealed the turmoil distorting it.
Yohime flung her arms around her, her own aura rising up ever to slightly infused with warmth and comfort.
"Precious little Mai. Look at how beautiful and strong you've become!"
To her concern and quickly growing worry, Mai sank to her knees and sobbed. Yohime followed her down, tightening her grip and soothing down her thick brown hair. She turned her eyes to her son who didn't look surprised, but rather as if he knew she was going to break like this. Shifting her gaze she met the violet eyes of Mei and in their depths, she saw guilt, shame and anger.
"Auntie Kagome I tried to be strong! I remembered how you were, how Mother was, how Father was, and I tried so hard!"
Her voice cracked and broke as she spoke, and Yohime felt the beginnings of dread as she delved deeper into Mai's soul.
"And then we found Shippo, I fell in love and we mated and- and- I'm not- I just-"
She collapsed against her aunt, her sobs going quiet, yet her shoulders shook more violently. In that moment, Mai's aura unfurled and Yohime saw the damage that had been done to her soul.
"Oh, Mai."
Her voice was almost a wail as she saw with her mind's eye the familiar jagged edges of a torn soul. Only her missing piece was filled with something dark that stretched into her whole, tainting and grabbing what should have been pure.
"Mei. Come here."
Yohime's voice was hard as steel, as cold as ice and left no room for hesitation. Slowly, Mei approached, going to her knees in front of the richly clad woman comforting her sister.
"Speak, child."
Again, it was an order and she wilted under the fire shining in those gold tinted brown eyes.
"It was a job," Mei said dismissively, " a normal, every-day job. Except that time, Mai said she didn't want anything to do with it. But, it paid very well so I convinced her. I even went as far as starting to do it on my own and she caved in."
Violet darkened into dark and her lips twisted up in disgust.
"It was a trap, of course. When I woke up, it was to the screams of my sister. I tried to get up and help her, but I was chained to a cold metal slab. Days past, and sometime later I found myself outside, Mai by my side. Turns out that scum let us go because he got bored with her screams."
"The other part of her soul?"
Mei looked away. Realization dawned.
"He attached it to yours?"
Yohime closed her eyes as if in pain.
"I assume he used a method similar to youkai mates use to bind their lives to one another?"
A nod.
"And from your guilt and shame I take it Mai was protecting you which lead to the mutilation of her soul?"
The slayer woman's fists clenched, and Yohime sighed heavily.
"I could purify it, but I'm afraid your souls would forever remain bound."
By this time, Mai's sobs had quieted.
"If you want to purify the darkness I would be thankful, but I don't think there's anything that can unseal our souls."
"I understand, Mei."
Again, the miko sighed.
First, it was someone wanted to get Sesshomaru to kill us, then it was me dealing with the Elders, now it's this. Shouldn't problems come one at a time and not one right after the other? Problem, problem, can't the gods leave me be?
"Mai, come on. Stand up."
The woman did as instructed but kept her face averted.
"You know," Yohime remarked absently, "among those such as us, be they human or not, when we cry it's only because we've been strong for far too long."
"Thank you."
Although Mai's voice was hoarse and harsh, she knew what the woman was saying.
"I know."
A pure and gentle almost transparent golden light lifted up like wings from Yohime's back and enveloped Mai. The more her powers rose, the more solid the wings grew. Eventually, there was a stillness and then there was a crack.
Yohime's reiki shattered into dust, sparkling in the sunlight of the early summer morning. Shippo went to his knees besides his mate and hugged both Mai and his mother.
"Thank you, okaa-san."
"My pleasure, Shippo."
After the incident with Mai and Mei cleared up, the rest of the members of Shippo's band were delighted and shell-shocked when they discovered his heritage. Some dropped to their knees, and others glared at their Commander. Sly trickster he was, he never told them of his ties to the West, nor of his adventures in his younger years.
The oldest fox, who served as their doctor, was one she recognized from the kitsune's village he went to all those years ago.
The youkai greeted her with respect, even going so far as to saying he remembered her (which, considering it was a human miko who claimed one of their kind as her, he probably did) and shook her hand.
When one of the younger foxes discovered Nurarihyon, his face lit up with a feral grin. Apparently, Hagoromo Gitsune had been a distant relative who had insulted one of his ancestors at their choice of bride and the hatred for that fox woman was passed down through the generations.
Of course, despite the face Hagoromo Gitsune was half-ayakashi half-youkai, she thought the other foxes were beneath her.
This was the actually surprising-but-not part, Nurarihyon was interested in the Band of Seven and hit it off extremely well with them. He took a great liking for a kitsune hanyo and even asked him to join his Hyakki Yokou.
To which Shippo threw a rock at his head (Hmm, that sounds familiar *waggles eyebrows*) and scoffed. He then said loudly enough that since he married his beloved mother, he was now his father and fathers did not go stealing their son's comrades.
He was left flabbergasted at the smile which was tossed his way coupled with the casual, "Why not? It's all right!"
His men laughed at him.
Time quickly passed as the women, banded together, and the men sat down to drink sake. Demon slayer, youkai, ayakashi and hanyo, man and woman at that moment no one cared. It was like a big family reunion.
Battle tales were told, laughter was heard 'round the yard and giggles were muffled by small hands.
As the sun journeyed higher and higher into the sky, the humans moved to the cool shade of the trees, and the scent of food drifted on the wind.
Yohime stopped in the middle of her conversation with Sango's daughters, and raised her head to look at the sun.
"Uh, considering where the sun is and how my stomach just growled, what do you say to going inside and eating?"
"That depends," Mei said.
"On what?"
"On whether the food is ready for us to eat," Mai answered rolling her eyes.
Yohime simply smiled and flared her aura slightly. The next instant, Chiyo appeared at her side.
"Yes, my Lady?"
"Chiyo, how long till the meal has been finished?"
"But half and hour, lady."
She gave a nod dismissing her, and threw a smirk to the amused slayer women. A sudden though came to her mind and she lunged up to lock onto Mai's shoulders and brought her face close.
"Why do I not have grandchildren from my son?"
From the way she was speaking one would think she was issuing a death threat (then again, maybe she was…) and her eyes bore into the girl in front of the slayer.
"Shippo says it was because you were waiting for me to return, the way the emotions were displayed in your soul said because of the darkness inside. So? Will I get my grandchildren soon?"
The poor woman blushed beet red.
"What a think to say!"
A wild look entered brown eyes and a silly grin lit up her face.
"Oh? Indeed what a think to say. But, how very relevant that question was and it requires an answer!"
Yohime scooted closer and Mai attempted to shrink back, frantically searching for someone to help her.
Mai shrugged, inclining her head toward Yohime who was beginning to resemble a madwoman.
"Mai-chan, I would love grandchildren from Shippo-chan," said kitsune cringed several yards away at the sweetness of her voice," with red hair and fox ears, wouldn't they be adorable?"
Mai found herself nodded in agreement.
"There! I knew you'd see it! Now, come with me!"
Latching on to Mai's hand, she forcibly dragged her across the courtyard to the group of men. Yohime completely missed the way Shippo slid closer to Nurarihyon and whisper furiously in his ear.
"Shippo-chan~!"
"Y-yes, okaa-san?"
He flinched when she reached out to grab his hand, but she only pushed his mate into his lap. Her fists dug into her hips and she narrowed her eyes at him.
"Now that I have returned, and Mai is whole, I assume you shall begin to start a family now."
Oh, heaven help me.
Forcing a laugh and an enthusiastic nod, he scratched the back of his head.
"Yes, okaa-san, I was thinking the very same thing."
Seeing the way she geared up to ask him, no doubt, why he wasn't doing it at this very moment, he quickly spoke.
"There's this place I want to take her to. Since I'm a Lord of the West, there's a place where you take your mate for special occasions."
His face softened as he thought of the place he had in mind.
"It's beautiful there."
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't see the proud expression on his mother's face.
"Aw, I'm so proud of you!"
With that, she sat down into her husband's lap and whispered in his ear. Not even demonic hearing could make out the words, yet he swiftly stood to his feet Yohime in his arms.
"According to Yohime, there is a feast waiting for us. Let's not keep people waiting for us."
With that, the males quickly stood, some heading for their female partners, and others waiting patiently for their neighbor to stand.
From the front door, the servants filed out and stood to attention. There was one for each guest, and they lead the visitors to the formal dinning hall.
Yohime gasped in delight at the sight of whole roasted (with firefox, most likely) pig, deer, and other kinds of meat she could not readily place.
There were dishes of fruits, vegetables, and even some food she had brought back from her time.
Potatoes, corn, pumpkins, with spices never before see outside of the Western Palace. Cinnamon, garlic, vanilla, ginger to name a few.
Her mouth watered when she recognized the smell of cinnamon rolls faintly wafting up from the direction of the kitchen.
Sayuir came and bowed to the guest, most of whom were talking among themselves concerning the smells.
"Honored Guests, with this feast we celebrate the return of our Great Lady, Kagome, now Yohime. Unfortunately this is only a visit, as she has begun a family of her own instead of just taking in strays."
A laugh was wisely turned into a cough, the voice quickly cutting off as if they had been hit.
"Come and eat this meal which was made with delicacies brought from Lady Kagome' homeland."
With that, she bowed again and stepped aside to allow the servants to lead the ayakashi, youkai, hanyo, and humans to their seat.
Sesshomaru, of course, sat at the head Rin and Kohaku to his left, Yohime and Nurarihyon to his right.
Shippo was seated next to his sister, his subordinates filling in the rest of the seats. Although it was only the afternoon, Yohime knew it would be long into the night before she would be able to return to her bed. So she geared up for the last night of her stay in the West.
Sake was passed around in abundance, the strong youkai kind, and those who would handle it freely indulged. Even Sesshomaru allowed himself freedom for his control.
Many gathered had never tasted such food as they did, marveling over the favors that burst in their mouths, and the strange things that tasted so wonderful. Musicians were called for, singers and dancers, and laughter filled the air.
Truly a party of this caliber has never been seen by the West in all it's centuries. When the most of the meat had been consumed and the men folk appeared to be slowing down, platters of sweet smelling pastries and confections were brought out.
Including the tantalizing cinnamon rolls that Yohime had caught a whiff of earlier that evening.
By the time the deserts had come, night had already fallen. Some youkai were slumped in a drunken sleep, even a couple humans who had mistakenly taken a slip of that youkai sake. Mai and Mei had succeeded in dragging their aunt to the front of the hall, and shoved a bow in her hands.
Mei gathered several peaches in her hands and threw two of them into the air. Deciding that one time wouldn't hurt, Yohime quickly lanced them on an arrow that had the misfortune to fall onto Sesshomaru's plate.
Those who saw, who were sober enough to fear the great inuyoukai, froze.
Yohime's heart stopped when his head slowly swiveled until red tinged eyes landed on hers and grinned.
Clutching at her nieces, she screamed in terror.
In a flash of blonde and black, a drunk Nurarihyon tore her away from the woman.
"Oi, oi! Who's messing with my woman?!"
Glancing down, he winked and chuckled at her proving that he wasn't as drunk as he appeared. Turning to Sesshomaru he declared in a loud voice.
"I challenge you to a fight!"
On second thought, he was totally plastered.
Youkai rose to met ayakashi, smiles painting the faces of both men.
"First blood?" The cold voice of Sesshomaru asked.
"First blood," the smooth voice of Nurarihyon confirmed.
The rules, apparently agreed on, Nura deposited Yohime in the lap of her son and both drew their swords.
"Sesshomaru! Nurarihyon!"
At the shocked tone of the miko, both turned. Dread hit her as she noticed they were really drunk.
Even Sesshomaru the youkai who prided himself on control, was totally intoxicated! Closing her eyes, she waved at them.
"Do it outside, please."
Feral grins flashed and away they went… through the wall, but outside nonetheless. Fear and youkai erupted and swirled around their blade.
Nenekirimaru.
Bakusaiga.
One that only cut supernatural things, the other destroyed all it infected.
It was the end of the world.
A/N OMG DID ANYONE SEE (read, watch, does it matter?) THE NEW FAIRY TAIL!? Awesome~! And Nurarihyon's way of speaking sounds SO MUCH COOLER in Japanese!
Anyways, here is the longest chapter I've written so far. I should actually write these kind more often. 'Course then I'd update every 1-3 days… I think it's probably worth it, though.
HOLY FLYING FUDGE MONKEYS THERE A POLL ON THAT EVIL GIRL'S PROFILE!
Thank you, my lovelies, for reading! Reviews… ah reviews, reviews, reviews. What can I say? The more I get, the desire for me to answer them grows and since I answer them when I update, well you get the picture.
Shout out for Sesshomaru's Secret Admirer! If you haven't heard of her, she writes Sess/Kag fics and her Kingdom Walls is one of the best AUs I've read! She's got a new fiction up, Masked Truth, that is seriously awesome!