Chapter 38: The Gift

As morning came the birds happy songs and morning light was subdued by the grey clouds as ran fell across the land making most believe that even nature mourned a prince of the West. The body had been prepared for burial in only a few short hours; unlike humans of this era Kagome found that the Inu were like modern man in this aspect by burying their dead. She, like everyone present wore black and marched in a line towards the place of burial. At the head of the procession was Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Lady Kazumi with herself, Miroku and Sango behind them. The body was being carried by a dozen soldiers who's faces were as emotionless as their leaders. Behind the body was Koga and his three pack members and behind them was a crowd of people ranging from servants to the Lords that lived in the Western Palace.

They came to a large bamboo grove that had a path going to it's center. Half way there they passed under a red archway that had two Inu statues protecting it. The archway reminded her of her family shrines in that it was huge and made her feel like there was an energy going through it. As they passed under it she heard the crowd pause where they were, but they themselves continued.

"They're giving us privacy to mourn." She heard Kazumi say her voice tight with emotion.

She lifted her head to see Sesshomaru looking at her, his eyes red as fire, the golden hues hadn't returned since Fa had died the night before. Though she knew she should be scared of him when his beast was so close to the surface she just couldn't find it in herself to be frightened. She was here for him and she'd be here for him until the end. She looked at her friends when his eyes returned to face forward. I'm going to be doing this again, aren't I? She thought as she watched Miroku and Sango. They'll die one day. So will my brother, Rin and the children. Eventually I may even die, right? Life and death go hand in hand. No matter what it always comes. She felt tears fall down her cheeks as they continued in silence.

When they reached the center Kagome found herself surrounded by temple-like structures with Inu statues carved into the stone pillars that held the structures up. A large towering white Inu statue stood at the center on it's feet in the center of a fountain. Surrounding it were eight human sized pup statues chasing each other around the large one. They weaves through it's front legs and around it in circles. However there were also pups sleeping under the back legs, blissfully unaware of the playful fun the others were having. The water from the fountain shot up into the air and fell onto the center Inu but not one drop of water touched the playful or sleeping pups under it.

It was then Kagome came to a realization. She's their mother and guardian. She's protecting both the living and the dead. It was beautiful in her eyes and it pulled at her heart strings.

Sesshomaru came to a stop as they paused at the largest structure then turned to the side, Inuyasha followed with Miroku behind him. Kazumi, herself and Sango went the opposite direction so that they were across from each other. The men carrying the body climbed the many stairs to the top of the building. They followed after it. The floors were a deep cherry wood color as the walls were a black color with golden trim on the wood. They entered a room that had pink Sakura trees painted on the walls with a blue sky on the ceiling and green floorboards. In the center of the room was a crypt which is where the men gently placed Fa's body before turning towards Sesshomaru and bowing in respect, then they left.

Sesshomaru looked at Miroku. "Say something for this ones pack brother." His red eyes bore into Miroku's. The monk gave a single nod as he began a series of chants and payers.

Kagome didn't hear the prayer at all she found her mind somewhere else. She was a little girl rubbing her mothers swollen stomach and laighing lightly when she'd feel her baby brother kick. It was then she saw to policemen approaching Grandfather who stopped sweeping the top steps as they stopped in front of him. His broom fell to the ground as the news was brought to him. Her mother rushed forward leaving Kagome behind. Next she was dressed in black starring at her fathers casket. A humming sound brought Kagome out of her memory and back to the present as Miroku had finished his prayer.

As the monk stepped back Kazumi was about to speak when at the center of Fa's chest a glow appeared causing everyone to gasp. The ball of light floated above Fa's body for less than a few seconds before shooting upward towards the sky.

"The Kami has welcomed him into her bosom." Miroku stated. "It is more than likely he'll be reborn."

Sesshomaru closed his eyes. It was a relief that his kindhearted pack brother and cousin would not suffer years of torture in hell. Rebirth was something most wanted and he hoped Fa's next life was a happier one. Opening his eyes he walked over to Kagome and took her arm into his and led her out.

After returning to the shiro Kagome expected Sesshomaru to release her arm, however he didn't; instead he led her down the halls, up to the third level of his home, a place she hadn't been because she'd been told it was his sanctuary. He led her into a room with a giant canopy raised futon bed in the center of the room, to the left side was a lower area with dozens fluffy pillows laid about surrounding a fire-pit, on the right side were two doors leading somewhere but she wasn't sure where and straight ahead was a mural open balcony window. The mural was of Inu's playing in a field of flowers with two large twisted blue blossomed trees. It was beautiful.

As she was looking around the room she didn't hear what Sesshomaru was doing, so as her eyes turned back towards him she found him missing his black haori and kasode leaving him bare chested. He then approached her and removed the black haori that was over her kimono top. Once that was removed he led her over to the bed where he laid her down. Laying next to her, he pulled her body close to his and just held her.

Kagome then realized he wanted comfort from her. I can do this. She thought as she began running her hands through his hair. He had his head against her chest listening to her heartbeat as she massaged his head, tiny fingers traced the shell of his ears. His body relaxed more and more. He needed her comfort and he was thankful she was willing to give it. His eyes soon closed as he was lulled to sleep by her gentle touches.

Inuyasha growled in annoyance as he searched for Koga. The wolf was missing, as were the two idiots that followed the wolf around. Ayame was with the children watching Souta and Shippo train with their sword with the bear teacher, who sat across the dojo from the female wolf. Rin was drawing on some paper Shippo had given her while the twins napped; one on each side of Ayame. Koku he'd seen with Sango. He paused his rampage through the shiro at the sight and felt something stir within himself at the sight of the pregnant female. Inu were very protective of breeding females and his instincts had been kicking in ever since he'd first seen her. It happened with Sango too. He'd been more protective of her than Miroku had, going so far as carrying her several times so she wouldn't hurt herself. Heck he'd done their laundry for months until he'd grabbed the Monk and forced him to do it. Suddenly Koga's scent wafted through his nose.

"Oi, I've been looking for you." Inuyasha groused as he turned towards Koga who was holding a tray of food in his arms. Behind him both Ginta and Hakkaku were carrying trays of food too. "Eh?"

Koga growled. "When you've got a woman you'll understand." was his answer to Inuyasha's questioning look as he crossed the dojo with the trays and sat them in front of Ayame who just smiled happily at him. Turning back he walked over to the hanyou. "So we going hunting muttface?"

Inuyasha smirked. "Took the words out of my mouth." Inuyasha answered as he flexed his fingers.

"Good." Koga said with a nod. "You two stay with Ayame."

"Right boss!" Both wolves yelled in unison watched Koga and the Inu hanyou ran off towards the woods that led towards the Western Palace.

Long strides of legs brought the former Western Lord to his destination to a huge forest filled with tree and forest youkai. The forest maidens were startled as they watched the large white Inu rush passed them. Animals became startled and ran for cover as the beast ran by. Coming to his destination Toga stood in front of the largest and oldest of all trees in these forests in the Western Lands, Bokeseno. The trees eyes slowly opened, only to widen as he watched the former Western Lord take on his humanoid form in front of him.

"Hello my dear old friend." Toga said with a curtesy bow towards the old tree.

Pushing his limbs forward Bokeseno laid a large tree limb down to allow Toga to climb up towards him so they could talk. "It is good to see you are alive once more Inu no Taisho." The wise tree youkai spoke.

Toga coughed at his old title. "Just Toga." He stated. "Inuyasha is about to inherit my old title."

"Hmm?" questioned the old tree.

"Lord Fa is dead." Toga said with sadness flowing from his very being.

"The boy died too young." Bokeseno stated. "He never fulfilled his destiny in being Sesshomaru's beta."

Toga shook his head. "I believe in his own way he did." He paused before looking out at the forest. "Does my sister still live?"

"She left the island many years after your death to go to a place called Ireland." Bokeseno said sadly. "It has been many years since I have spoken to her." The old tree looked at Toga's back. "Why? She does not care for the son of the man who raped her."

"Because I am calling my entire clan back." He said. "The Palace is where Fa was attacked and soon the West will be drenched in blood if this one doesn't do something." He growled as he turned. "Sesshomaru feels the pain of his pack brothers death. He has given me to honor of doing what needs to be done." He looked directly at Bokeseno. "Call the Silver Warrior Clan to the West and tell them their Lord requests them to be in attendance from now until the spring because War is coming."

Kagome found herself in a beautiful green forest laying in a field of red roses. Their scent perfumed the air. She wore a white kimono with a purple white fur trimmed haori. Her chest felt heavy and upon looking down she found two tiny Inu pups sleeping in her arms. One had a crescent upon his brow as the other at two black Kanji upon his simply saying Inu Warrior. Both opened their eyes at her, the crescent one had golden eyes while other had blue. Their tiny tails wagged behind them as they saw she was awake. They jumped off of her chest onto the ground, this allowed her to sit up and watch them run up to a man behind her. She watched him turn to her and saw no mark on his forehead. It was Fa. He picked both pups up and walked over to her and sat in front of her.

"Lady Kagome." He spoke his voice gentle. "Thank-you for freeing me of my pain." He smiled down at her. "Have you guess what my gift was yet?" She shook her head from side to side. "Hold your hand out." She did as he requested and watches as light burst from her right hand as it formed in front of her, she felt weight enter into her palm. As the light dimmed she found a sword in her hand. It was red and black with diamonds embedded into the hilt. "Call it's name."

A voice in her mind spoke to her tell her it's name. "Blood-Forged Diamond." The sword pulsed as both divine and youkai energies began to swirl about herself and the weapon. Next to her the pups barked with happiness when suddenly the bright skies turned dark and a roar was heard. From the greenery that had once been beautifully green came came tentacles reaching outwards towards her and her pups. A whisper floated through her mind as she flew off and charged the beast she yelled out. "Divine Enlightenment!" Her body lit up with her purifying powers as a pillar of light surrounded her and shot off from her sword towards the beast hiding amongst the trees. The power of the attack digging into the ground five large claw marks as they lit on fire and blasted all in their path. As the dust settled she was expecting to see total destruction only find the five marks growing new seedlings quickly covering the bare land with new life.

Turning around she saw Fa smiling the pups barking at his feet. "I have left you with a new means to protect those you love." He bent down patted both pups on their heads. "The sword is made from both my youki and your reiki. When I died I sent a powerful serge of youki into your body, in time this will dissipate, but for now it'll help your body to change somewhat."

"What do you mean?" She asked not fully understanding.

"You won't turn into a youkai, but you're not fully human anymore either." He stated as he rubbed his chin. "The Crescent Moon Clan will never accept you no matter Lady Kazumi's wishes. So I made it so they can't claim that your humanity will weaken you by ensuring your longevity or immortality. You'll stop aging and when you mate Sesshomaru he will be effected by this too. He'll grow stronger and will be given some of the life force I place in you. You too will be effected. You'll become stronger, faster and more agile. Your reiki won't be effected because once my youki energy leaves you, you'll technically won't be a youkai, but as I said before not fully human either."

"Why did you do this?" She asked as the pups laid at her feet.

"Because in my final moment you could've purified me, instead you tried to save me." He shook his head. "I've met many miko's and all have died at my hands because they tries killing me. You wanted to help me. It touched my soul." Placing a hand on her shoulder he smiled. "When you awaken your face will have pink stripes over your eyelids and the kanji mark for Inu will appear on you forehead before my youki fully leaves your body."

"Why that mark?" She asked causing him to smile as he brushed his white locks away from his forehead revealing the mark for Inu Warrior upon it.

"You are now my legacy just as Sesshomaru is the Crescent Moons." He smiled. "I claim you as a sister, but females don't get the full mark only the Inu mark."

Kagome touched her chest. It was an honor to have this then and she'd ensure his gift wasn't given for nothing. "Thank-you." She said with tears in her eyes.

He looked at her sadly. "I surely wish I could've known you better little bird." He turned away and vanished leaving Kagome in the field of flowers with her pups playing at her feet as her robes blew around her from the wind.

M-Angel: Yay! Fa's gift has shown itself and it's pretty awesome; if I do say so myself. ^_^ This will be the last update of this story this week, but I promise to write another chapter soon and post it.