Chapter 7: A Different Time
While Jaken and other parties continued their search for the missing healer, the sacred sisters continued on.
"Are you ready sister Goshinboku?"
The roots of the Kokoroboku slowly outstretched itself to find her sister's. Once found, the roots wrapped itself under and over, holding each other.
"I normally only act as a transport. The young priestess and hanyou were drawn by their hearts so I did not need to do much. Their hearts found each other at the right time. Hopefully the young healer's heart will know what time is right for them."
"Let us begin."
Thump.
Kokoroboku's branches that covered the healer emanated a soft pale glow; the leaves rustled slightly. Rin's eyes shifted but remained shut and unaware. Nothing was amiss to her unconscious mind.
Her heart thumped a little stronger.
Thump. Thump.
"You think this is the right choice, sister?"
"I cannot say for certain, but can you hear her heart? Her heart beats proudly."
Thump. Thump.
Gradually, the branches encompassing Rin began to pulse in synchrony with Rin's heartbeat. At the same time, her body and belongings began to gradually fade.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Should anyone have stumbled from above or the grounds, they would have noticed the soft glow and fading body. If any youkai had been nearby, they might have caught the sound of an extra loud heartbeat. With the various search parties, someone would have, should have, noticed or caught a whiff of something strange. But no one was wiser.
"It is done."
The glow from Kokoroboku's branches faded and receded. The intertwined roots between the sisters separated and returned back to its original positions.
The soft patch of grass that had been flattened by Rin's sleeping figure gradually stood back up. The wind picked up the remaining footprints in the woods and made it disappear. Another silent truth became buried with the forest.
While the forest slept soundly for the rest of the evening, someone else's heartbeat out west began to slow down.
Jaken and A-Un had not yet returned; Sesshomaru rationalized that he could not leave in the midst of negotiations. It was too risky to leave unknown guests in the castle; if his guests knew of his abrupt departure, they would think he wasn't taking their talks seriously. That there was something more important than establishing treaties for his people and lands.
As such, he was up reviewing the potential terms of agreement the Batafurai lords discussed thus far. Territory boundaries of the ground, water and sky. Youkai types would be guaranteed safe passage in each other's territory. An offering of a lord's daughter to join his nonexistent harem. Exchange of goods. Consequences of violating terms of the agreement.
A new battle of the mind challenged Sesshomaru. Fighting for peace was easy, you knew which side to be on. Talking about peace was an entirely different game. Youkai history and relationships to be factored in; population size to be accounted for. His potential harem as a strategic move. Lives to consider.
In the late evening, as his mind wandered through these topics, he occasionally took out a mini satchel tucked in his breast plate. Less than half the size of his palm, the mini satchel was filled with dried chrysanthemum; sniffing it helped calm his nerves. Who knew flowers possessed such capabilities? Jasmine and lilac had a similar less powerful soothing effect. Occasionally, Sesshomaru would also experiment with other dry herbs and flowers to create new scents but chrysanthemum was always a classic favorite. He would never admit it aloud but the chrysanthemum's bright yellow also reminded him of a certain human.
And if he had not sniffed his satchel to calm him, he might have taken notice of his heartbeat beginning to slow down.
Rin awoke abruptly to something poking her legs, her arms and finally sniffing her face. Something was amiss.
Why is the ground cold and hard? I swear I fell asleep under a tree on grass.
Had she been snatched while asleep? What had they used on her to keep her body and mind unconscious for so long? Surely her basic training would have at least alerted her to this disturbance.
She opened her eyes slightly to better assess the situation.
One, no two fur-like creatures stood beside her.
Are those tails?
Rin fully opened her eyes and squinted to adjust to the sun.
Two pairs of cat eyes stared back at her. The cats had nothing in common with Kirara; mostly white with spots of brown and black. And very chunky.
Their lord must feed them quite well.
Taking the chance that she was amongst humans, Rin sat up to get a better look at her surroundings. The cats scattered at her sudden movement.
Despite the familiar yet foreign scent, the human had no treats for them.
Rin looked around. The ground had a mix of tiles and dirt. The structures nearby resembled the grounds of a daimyo but were slightly different. Along the walls of some structures appeared to be clear yet solid material. What was even stranger were the tall, towering structures beyond her initial view.
What a strange village. Why would the daimyo want people living so close to each other. Where is the farm land? The forests?
The familiar sounds of a broom sweeping caught her attention.
Let me ask the villager where I am.
Rin grabbed her belongings and followed the sound to a tall and lean elderly fellow with the broom.
"Uhm…excuse me? Are you the groundskeeper? May I request the presence of your lord? I think there may have been some mistake."
The elder looked up from his task with squinting eyes. His arms clutched the broom tighter than needed.
Maybe he needs more context.
"You see, I was sleeping in this forest last night but woke up here on the grounds. I'm not exactly sure who brought me here so I was wondering if I may speak with your lord to know where I am. I am trying to go East."
The elder approached Rin and asked gently.
"Your name is…?"
Her traditional clothes and tongue were not of this time. It had been over three decades since but he could recognize that speak from anywhere. He had thought the events of his past were no more; when his sister and her family suddenly stopped coming through the well. He thought he had seen it all.
"Rin."
He outstretched his hand like he did before.
"Hello Rin. My name is Higurashi Sota."