Chapter 12 - Of tsukinamisai and taijiya
Kagome found herself at the herb garden of Masae's estate for the third day in a row. Thankfully, after checking in once, the steward left them well alone. Working side by side with Jinenji was a calm and pleasant affair. The gentle giant was one of few words, preferring to work in silence. In that aspect he was similar to Inuyasha. Inuyasha. Whom she hadn't seen hide nor hair of since the night after the storm, even though she'd explicitly, embarrassingly asked. The jerk. If she wasn't worried sick, she could be properly ticked at him.
Jinenji and Kagome had both agreed that it would be best to get as much of the seedlings into the ground and established as soon as possible. They were well into the growing season and needed as much time as they could get to ensure a decent harvest before first-frost. Because a good portion of the plants were from the South, they will not survive winter and will have to be planted annually. The unspoken clause of course is whether either would be here to maintain this garden come next spring. But, it was best to ignore that for the time being, opting to enjoy the process in the present.
Kagome was wrangling a particularly gnarly weed out of the ground when Jinenji's hesitant voice came out whisper-soft beside her. "Um, Kagome... did you end up finding your friend?"
"It was more like he found me." She scoffed. "He didn't stay for long though... have you seen him around?"
"He's very strong. I guess he would be made to hunt with the rest of them."
Kagome cocked her head. "Hunt?"
"Yes... they've been bringing in many more demons lately. They replaced some of the household servants."
They lapsed into silence again, resuming their respective tasks. Kagome had adjusted rather quickly to this pattern of conversation with the half-demon. The unspoken meaning behind Jinenji's words were that they may have to be even more careful with their communication from now on out. If there were more servants with demonic senses, they could be easily overheard or spied on from a distance.
Kagome should've known something was up when Jinenji had abruptly ambled to the back of shed with an abnormal speed for him, but she was so engrossed in her pruning that she made no issue of it. It was with hands caked in mud, hair coming loose from its braid and clothing smeared with dirt that Kagome greeted the head priestess. Masae had glided gracefully up the fence behind her in crisp ceremonial miko robes.
"Good afternoon, Kagome."
"Miko-sama!" She startled, the shears slipping from her hand to land with a thud in the dirt. "Forgive me, I did not see you approach."
"You were very focused on your work." She smiled slightly, folding her hands together in front of her. "It is I that should apologize for interrupting you."
"No, not at all. Is there something I can assist you with, Miko-sama.
"Remember I said I wish for us to be more familiar, Kagome?" She chided gently.
"Ah, yes, Masae-sama." Kagome winced inwardly, wishing the older woman to be on her way already.
"Are you almost finished with your tasks today? I came to invite you to accompany me to the tsukinamisai at Tenrinji this afternoon, if it piques your interest of course."
Tsukinamisai, the monthly rituals held at the main shrine of the city always drew a decent crowd of worshippers. It was an afternoon of ceremony and group prayers. Kagome had rather lost track of the temple comings and goings, having been somewhat dissociated from that world now. Although the head priestess phrased it as an offer, Kagome made no mistake that it was an invitation she cannot realistically decline. Especially since Masae had come in person to ask her.
"That is very kind of you. I would very much like to attend." She replied, bowing to the miko. "If you could allow me a few moments to clean up and delegate?"
"Of course."
Keenly aware of the weight of Masae's gaze at her back, Kagome hurried to the end of the garden where a trough of water lay. Washing her hands vigorously before trying to discreetly tame her wayward hair, she then turned to Jinenji. She called out a terse summary of what she'd left off doing and what must still be done that day without addressing him by name. Kagome hoped he'd understand her rudeness given their audience. Then she made to depart from the manor with Masae and the entourage of servants trailing behind them.
Sneaking glances at the miko, Kagome was hit again with a queasy wave of inadequacy. While Kagome herself was still trying to rub away smudges of dirt from her green hakama, Masae looked effortlessly divine. Donning the ceremonial overcoat that was worn for slightly more distinguished services–but not nearly as decorated for main festivals– she looked impeccable. Fine features painted as usual with the dark hair, combined with the assured grace, Kagome was not surprised Masae was able to command the admiration of so many in such a short amount of time. What Kagome would really like to gauge though, is what Masae could do with her spiritual powers. Little did she know, her companion was thinking the exact same thing.
"Kagome, I must say, I am very pleased you agreed to assist with the construction of the herb garden." The priestess slowed her steps slightly such that Kagome was walking beside her, versus a few steps behind, as etiquette dictated. "The gardener has not been giving you any trouble has he?"
"Oh no, not at all." Kagome rushed to reassure her, but silently kicked herself for being too obvious.
"Good. I had reservations." She turned her head just a fraction to lay eyes on the long bow and quiver of arrows slung casually over Kagome's shoulder. "But I must know, if he does forget his place, are you able to defend yourself."
Kagome could feel the miko's eyes on her bow. It was rather unconventional for a woman other than a miko to regularly carry such a weapon. Most women her age would be married; anything other than demure and subdued mannerisms would be frowned upon, let alone blatantly flaunting potential for violent behaviour. But, Kagome hadn't fit into that category, nor one of a miko. She was comfortable with her bow, and needed it living alone in the forest, so she wasn't about to give it up any time soon. That's not to say Masae needed to know the full extent of that.
"Masae-sama, I assure you there is no need. But I am very grateful for your concern." She murmured instead.
The woman nodded. "I heard that you had trained under Kaede-sama years back, is that right?"
Therein lies what this conversation was really about. Ever since Kagome had gone back to the village, and did not become a miko, she'd almost reflexively drew back her reiki tight within herself whenever she was in the company of other people, to the point it was hardly detectable. She was doing it now as they spoke. Maybe it was a coping strategy for the shame she still felt about failing somehow, and not being able to achieve her childhood dream of being a priestess. But right now, she was incredibly thankful for that habit, because somehow, she knew that Masae knowing the depth of her spiritual abilities would be a disadvantage. It would be much better if Masae underestimated her instead. That way, the miko might actually let her guard down enough to reveal hints of how she was controlling the youkai.
"Yes, you are correct. It was a long time ago."
"Pray tell, Kagome, why did you not complete the final rites to be a miko?"
Kagome did outwardly flinch then. She couldn't help it. Those words hit her in her sore spot. "Um, my spiritual powers are lacking at best, Masae-sama. So it was best I didn't continue."
Masae paused, turning to look at her thoughtfully, one manicured eyebrow delicately arched. "You are aware that that is an immensely uncommon practice. Even if you only had a drop of reiki, surely that should be more than enough for a small village miko. Do you mean to tell me, Kagome, that you're incapable of producing a hama-no-ya?"
Kagome shrugged her shoulders meekly and then lied straight through her teeth. "No, not effectively against most youkai, Masae-sama. I'm just so used to using a bow, but mostly as a regular tool."
The dark eyes scanned Kagome's face searchingly for a few more seconds. "Ah, forgive me Kagome. I did not mean to pry. But perhaps I can look into the specifics of what occurred at the end of your training. I would hate to see any talent go to waste."
Kagome almost sighed out loud with relief when the miko let the matter drop . She did recognize the woman's tone as one she'd used that night talking about training the group of younger miko. What would be in the interest of the head priestess to attempt to win over Kagome's loyalties?
It wasn't until they were climbing the steps up to Tenrinji that Masae spoke up again and Kagome found she was very much not off the hook.
"I've been meaning to arrange training sessions for other miko in the city. It would please me to have as many spiritualists as possible for the enlightenment of youkai. I would like you to join us–" She shot a sharper glance sideway when Kagome drew in a breath to protest. "Regardless. Where should I direct the servants to send further details?"
This was bad. Kagome cannot let her know about the hut in the forest, especially if Inuyasha might be in the vicinity.
"I will be working on your herb garden." She blurted out quickly. "It will save everyone a trip if I just pick up your messages whenever I'm at the estate."
The priestess gave her the same searching look that made Kagome's palms sweat profusely. "Very well. I trust you will attend?"
It was basically a losing battle. If Kagome refused, the woman might continue to probe where she actually lived.
"Yes, of course. It would be my honour."
They made the rest of the way up to the shrine in silence, as the long flights of steep steps was no easy task to climb. Passing through the second torii, Masae excused herself to make preparations for the tsukinamisai and Kagome found herself blessedly alone again. As tempted as she was to flee immediately, there was no doubt that the head priestess would note her absence during the actual ceremony. She was stuck for the rest of the afternoon.
After making her prayers to the kami, Kagome wandered around the shrine grounds waiting for the ceremony to begin. Worshipers were beginning to filter in, some bringing offerings of various kinds to the offering hall. Maybe her memory was lacking but it seemed like that a significant portion of the people flooding into the courtyard were of the higher class nobility from the rich dress and the extravagance of offerings. Darkly, Kagome wondered if this had anything to do with the current head priestess' apparent class or if it was simply that Kyo had grown. It would be a shame if the working class believers felt ostracized and that Tenrinji was a shrine that was exclusive. That was not what her religion was supposed to promote. But then again, it wasn't supposed to support enslaving a whole species either.
Following the masses, Kagome filed into the haiden where the worship rites were held. The hall–true to the grandeur of the Tenrinji– was accordingly elaborate, boasting high ceilings and floors of pristine tatami mats leading up to a raised dais with the ceremonial altar. It could comfortably fit fifty people, more if everyone sat closer together. Masae was already stationed in the front, with half a dozen senior priestesses flanking her. Rows of candles set on their brass holders were lit, illuminating the altar.
Kagome found an inconspicuous spot in the far right, hidden behind rows and rows of worshipers. She had never been very good at paying attention during these ceremonies, at best letting her mind wander, at worse falling asleep. What she had an issue with, is that these formal rites sometimes felt more of a show than actually true commune with the kami. Surely there is better use of the time that would still reflect respect for the gods? How about nurturing plants or animals? It had always been these vaguely radical ideas that got her in trouble with Kaede-sama, who was a stickler to tradition. Now that she was no longer striving to win points with her teacher, Kagome preferred coming to the shrine in the early mornings for her own solo worship.
While Masae went through the methodical stages of the tsukinamisai prayers, Kagome felt her eyes habitually wander the room. She studied the clothing of a group of women in front of her, then moved on to ponder the relationship between two vastly different looking people that sat together before her attention landed on a young woman seated further down to the side but one row ahead. It was hard to be completely sure based on her profile alone but the girl's face struck a bell. One with such graceful features were far and few in between so Kagome was sure she'd either met or at least seen her before. Her long hair skimmed the floor while she sat, the ends of it gathered by a simple tie, with a full fringe and short locks of hair that fell to ear-length framing her face. The magenta two-toned kosode and complimentary green maekake seemed well made but functional, which meant she likely still belonged to the common class. Kagome was so fascinated to find another working woman, travelling alone like herself that she did not notice how long she'd been staring.
The beautiful woman must've felt her intent scrutiny though, as she turned her head a fraction to make eye contact with her. Kagome quickly averted her gaze, flushing lightly. Subtlety was something she definitely needed to work on. The rest of the ceremony passed by rather quickly after that, with her brain occupied trying to pinpoint where she'd seen the girl before, to no avail. As the rites concluded and the believers got up to exit the hall, Kagome tried to look for the stranger with the familiar face again but couldn't locate her in the sea of people. Shrugging, she wandered back out into the courtyard, navigating around the queues formed to offer prayers or purchase wooden plaques on which to write their wishes.
It was all a bit too crowded for her tastes, so Kagome thought perhaps she'd take the back way out of the shrine. There was a very narrow gap, obscurely hidden in the bordering fence behind the honden. By the looks of it, the opening was an intended construction but for what, she had no idea. She'd found it by chance one day as a child and used it often when she wanted to sneak away, so hopefully Kagome hadn't grown too wide to fit through. Past the fence, it was an easy scramble around the forested area to join up with the main road past the first set of Torii.
Quietly, Kagome padded down the lane that ran parallel to the engawa of the honden, ducking a little to stay out of sight. She rounded the corner to the back successfully before she swiftly doubled over, luckily biting her tongue in time to keep from crying out. It felt like someone had sucker punched her in the gut, but her incorporeal self. Even if she tried, Kagome wouldn't be able to describe the feeling to anyone, especially if they didn't have spiritual powers. The closest would be if she suddenly got hit with something that felt like someone else's reiki and it opened up a temporary hole in her. It felt like parts of her were sucked into it, hollowed out. What mattered most was the overwhelming ominous feel, the undeniable wrongness. Casting about helplessly, Kagome pressed a fist in the centre of her torso just under her breast. It seemed to relieve the feeling some. The sense of it somehow had a direction and it came from within the honden itself.
The only people that should be in the honden right now would be Masae and perhaps the miko who had assisted her. The honden was the most important structure of all, enshrining the kami within. Only very select, high ranking spiritualists were allowed inside. Whatever was happening, it might have to do with Masae. It might even be a link to how the twisted spiritual energy was formed to power the tethers and weapons. Kagome had to see.
With the horrible feeling now dissipating, she was able to carefully lift herself up to the engawa with her arms, awkwardly swinging one leg up followed by the other. She crept forward to the closed screens, hoping to find one that might have a tear or a small crack large enough for her to peek through. Before she could get close enough though, there came the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching, and the murmurs of conversation got louder.
Crap!
What the hell was she going to do now? There was zero chance she could bullshit out of this one if she was caught. Kagome vaulted back down from the engawa as quietly as she could then broke into a shuffling run down the lane to muffle the noise. Where to hide, where to hide?
A hand closed on her wrist, yanking her bodily sideways through a narrow archway she hadn't previously known to be there. A small, calloused hand pressed firmly over her mouth, tucking her flush against the wall. Kagome blinked, stupefied at a pair of large hazel eyes, that were highlighted with magenta colour and gently slanted at the corners. It was the same woman she'd been staring at the entire service. Up close she was even prettier but looked younger and Kagome finally remembered where she'd seen her.
She was the taijiya she saw the second night at the auction.
Kagome's eyes widened with the revelation but made an effort to remain quiet. Luckily, it didn't seem like her attempt at spying had been noticed and whatever group that exited trailed along the engawa back to the front of the structure. Only when there were a few sustained moments of quiet did her companion release her hold on both Kagome's arm and face.
"I–" Kagome started but was immediately cut off by a sharp gesture from the person in front of her.
"Later." She mouthed and turned, motioning Kagome to follow.
Following her rescuer's lead–who, true to her profession was many times more stealthy in comparison– Kagome successfully blended back into the throng at the front of the temple. Sticking together but not yet speaking, the two women successfully left the main shrine, walking calmly back down the long steps leading back out to the city. Even then, the slayer in regular clothing discouraged any talking, merely gesturing for Kagome to follow until the two of them downright exited the city gates proper.
She led them to a small outpost not far from the gates. It was one of those stands that offered basic refreshments for travellers, simple services for mounts and temporary stabling while their owners conducted business in the city for the day. Purchasing a pot of tea, the taijiya chose the farthest table from the stand to sit.
"Um," Kagome began, after taking a polite sip of tea from her cup. "Thank you for your help back there."
The woman looked up, eyeing her with faint amusement. "You seem to make a habit of spying on things you probably shouldn't, don't you?"
It took a minute for the implication of those words to set in before Kagome blurted out. "Wait, what? You saw me?"
Her companion smiled, but not unkindly. "Not you per se, but the cuff of your hakama. The style and colour isn't very common." She laughed a little at the expression on Kagome's face. "Fortunately for you, those dimwits wouldn't have seen you even if you sat on top of those crates and waved."
Kagome slouched lower in embarrassment. She wasn't sure if the latter statement made her feel better or worse.
"Well, I appreciate you not pointing me out anyway."
"So, what's your gain in this?" The taijiya set her cup down and levelled Kagome with a serious look. "It's obvious you don't have an in with the slavers, otherwise you wouldn't have to sneak around. You want in though? Is that it?"
"What?! No!" Kagome sputtered indignantly, almost spitting out her tea. Then sheepishly looking around to make sure she hadn't drawn any attention with her outburst–they were alone– she continued. "I want to know how they control the youkai."
"Heh. I guess we're in the same boat."
"But you...well, you supply them with slaves, don't you?" At this comment, the woman beside her clenched the hand that was resting to table into a tight fist, pulling taut the curious black wrappings that extended from out of her sleeve, around her wrist and secured to the centre finger.
"My companion is a–" She paused, as if to consider whether to divulge the information. Then her expression grew hard as she ground out the latter part of her sentence. "is a lower youkai. Although there is nothing lower about her. They abducted her, right under my nose and I couldn't stop them."
"I'm so sorry." Kagome gasped. "But if that's the case, then why would you sell to the slave drivers?"
"If someone dear to you was taken, what would you be willing to do?" Faces flashed in Kagome's mind, of Hatsue-obaa, Kaede-sama and then stopped to linger on a smug, fanged smirk and eyes of the most golden shade she'd ever seen.
The slayer continued on, not waiting for a response. "I vowed to respect my opponents. Kill if given a just reason to. I don't toy with my prey. But I will do whatever it takes. I won't attempt to hide the fact that what I'm doing right now, for these bastards, goes against our family's taijiya code. But if I have no choice but to sacrifice other youkai for the freedom and safety of my companion, I will."
Those beautiful eyes looked up directly at Kagome, as if daring her to say something in reproach. And Kagome, if she was asked prior to this, would've thought her heart would rail against this notion but surprisingly no words came to her. She was afraid to elucidate if she herself would do the same if push came to shove. If she was backed into a corner, what would she resort to?
"I–my apologies. It's not my place to pass judgement on you." Kagome sighed out at last. "While I can't agree with your methods, I understand completely. Well–I, I also have someone I care for who's a slave. That's why I was trying to peek into the honden today."
Now that both women had laid their cards on the table, the tension between them seemed to drop down a notch. They regard each other appraisingly for a moment.
"Have you found anything out yet? Is your friend in the city?" Kagome was the first to break the silence.
"I'm sure they took her here but I haven't found her yet." The slayer's fisted hands now, trembled at her sides and Kagome felt the urge to reach out, to comfort her, but refrained. "Make no mistake though, I'm getting her back. Free. They can try to stop me."
"I'll help you when you find her, in exchange for whatever information you uncover." Kagome blurted out impulsively. She really had no clue how to disarm the spelled tethers on lower youkai, but the taijiya wouldn't know that. Kagome will cross that bridge when she gets there.
"What can you, as a simple human woman, do?"
Kagome bristled. "I may not look like much, but I can use reiki." In response, one elegant eyebrow raised at her. "Look, I obviously can't show you here but if you don't believe me we can go somewhere more secluded."
"It's fine for now; time will prove. Until then, my enemy's enemy is my ally and two heads is better than one. Let's pool our findings then." The taijya paused, then pinned Kagome with a shockingly threatening look. "Do know that if you attempt anything funny, you will regret it. I won't kill you but I can hurt you. Severely."
She gulped, then nodded. The woman stood up, gathering the cloth bundle she'd set down earlier and began to re-tie it around her shoulders.
"Good. Let's meet again when I locate my companion."
"Wait," Kagome called after the older girl before she could fully turn around. "What's your name?"
Magenta lined eyes combed over her once more. When it seemed like Kagome might've passed her last internal test, the slayer responded.
"Sango. And I am not giving you my family name. Should I die in this foolish endeavour, it will not be traced back to my family."
"That's not what I meant, Sango-san. Please, call me Kagome." She placated. "How would I contact you?"
"No need. I will find you."
With that Sango turned and walked away, continuing out on the main road away from the city. Kagome watched until the tall, slender silhouette was lost among the trees, contemplating what Sango's youkai companion looked like. If she had thought of it sooner, she would've asked for a description. That way she could keep her eye out.
—-
Damn it! After all of that, the bastard got away.
Inuyasha hated to admit it but he'd miscalculated, gotten a bit prematurely confident that the cat was already in the bag. He had cut it a little short to begin with, thinking this one would be an easy catch and he'd have enough time before sunset to heal. Not only was he wrong on that account, the youkai was more adept than he looked, dealing Inuyasha several crippling blows. The assigned quotas have tripled since the head priestess came back into the city and all of them were having trouble keeping up. Honestly, any free youkai with an ounce of survival instinct would've long migrated out of the region. It wasn't like he was betraying his own kind per se; those full-blooded bastards never once thought of a hanyou like him as kin. It was just not a honourable thing to do, aiding the humans to enslave more youkai– a fate worse than death. He hated both sides, but Inuyasha didn't have a choice anyway. Another day he could stay alive was another day to find a way to break free.
He was limping quite badly now, but still tried his best to make his way amongst the thick tree roots. His senses and strength seem to trickle away like water through a sieve approaching the time of sundown. The sun was barely a sliver above the horizon and he felt the loss deep in his soul. If he was lucky, his demon blood would've at least stanched the worst of the gashes and he wouldn't bleed out before morning. Cradling his useless right arm closer to his torso, Inuyasha gritted his teeth. Fuck, he can't even really see anymore. He'd been heading the proper direction so as long as he kept going relatively straight, he should make it to her clearing.
Kagome.
Since that day on the mountaintop, he'd made a concerted effort to stay away from her. She was the only person on earth to care about him–fuck if he knew why– and he wasn't about to repay her by leading harm to her doorstep. He wouldn't draw anymore attention to her little sanctuary in the forest. He'd reached record levels of paranoia the previous week, running perimeter check after check in wider circles around the ramshackle homestead. He neither saw nor smelt anything out of the ordinary but Inuyasha knew better than to assume the miko bitch wouldn't sic youkai slaves on each other, even if they were all owned by her. The least he could do, and the most important thing he could do, was keep Kagome safe. After her bold request, if his avoidance made her hate him, that was fine by him. She can hate him as long as she's safe.
It wasn't like Kagome made it very easy for Inuyasha to stay away though. At the most random times his mind will bring up the image of her big brown eyes looking up at him from beneath wet curls of hair stuck to her forehead. His damn fire-rat took on a deeper jewelled tone when contrasted against her pale skin– how she managed to keep it that way while running around doing her plant stuff was beyond him. After she gave his clothes back, it was utterly saturated in her scent. It was hard enough that his undershirt already smelled like her, having been cleaned by said girl. Now he was properly swathed in her scent and fuck if it didn't mess with his head some.
The woman was probably the stupidest, least self-preserving human to walk the planet. No matter what he did, how much he yelled at her, she just doggedly came after him again and again. With him being a inuyoukai, that was not a bad thing. On the contrary, loyalty was an extremely endearing quality and maybe that's why she'd capture the attention of his deepest instincts. To form a pack. To protect. That's what Inuyasha tried to tell himself anyway.
He promised he'd stay away but there was no time, and he was in no shape to head to his usual safe spot. Her home was the closest place nearby that was safe. Hell, even if the girl didn't keep the barriers strict enough to his liking, it was still extremely warded. It kept a human like her safe and would keep an extra human safe tonight. He still hated to have to resort to this though. There was a shed at the end of her garden. It'll do.
A chill rippled up his spine and diffused across his skin, instigating a wave of gooseflesh in its wake. He felt the last of his heightened senses fade away as the youki drained from his blood for the night. He brought hand up to wipe away the sweat dripping into his eyes, scowling when he caught sight of the blunted nails. He couldn't help the relieved sigh when he broke through the trees and took in the familiar silhouette with its faint curl of smoke rising into the air. The shed was only a few more steps ahead.
Almost collapsing right into the door, Inuyasha managed to undo the simple latch. The interior was small but fairly tidy; otherwise he would've been stumbling into everything by now. He all but fell into a pile of empty burlap sacks in the corner. Groaning, he adjusted his bummed leg with the one functioning arm, while the other hung uselessly onto the floor. The bones should still set correctly regardless come morning. They usually do anyways.
Listlessly, he braced himself for the long night ahead. That's when he noticed the small pair of glowing eyes regarding him from the opposite corner, and he nearly yelped. There was a delay–fucking human eyes– but when he adjusted completely to the darkness he could make out a fat lump of cat. Kagome kind of kept a cat. He assumed she'd made some sort of claim on it from the collar with a bell around the chubby neck. She'd leave food out and sometimes Inuyasha would see her play with the animal on the makeshift engawa of the house. He liked cats a lot. Not that he'd tell anyone. What a joke, coming from a dog demon. The calico padded closer and after studying him for a moment, settled in his lap. The extra warmth was welcome and the hanyou started to stroke the soft, squishy feline.
There was a nekomata that lived somewhere in the neighbourhood around the estate too. Enslaved too, from the looks of the cuffs on her tails. She was friendly and would always keep him company when he was stuck there and she happened to come through. Demon pets have surged in popularity lately and he too had been tasked to bring in specifically cute looking youkai. Fucking disgusting.
His head felt a bit woozy, and maybe his leg felt way wetter than it should. Inuyasha hoped he wasn't bleeding too much. His fingers stilled, buried in the generous furry folds of skin on the cat's neck. There was a faint meow of complaint.
He wasn't supposed to sleep tonight. He had to stay awake.
Inuyasha's eyes fell closed and he slumped bonelessly into the cobwebbed corner of the shed.
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Tsukinamisai - means 'monthly worship/rites'. Thought to have originally been monthly rites that eventually morphed into biannual festivals. Some small modern sub-sects of Shinto do still hold monthly celebrations.
Torii - the gateway that symbolically marks the entrance to the sacred boundaries within a shrine
Honden - sometimes called 'shinden'. It is the heart of the shrine where the deity is enshrined. It's protected from public access.
Haiden - the worship hall or oratory. Usually situated in front of the honden.
Taijiya - demon slayer
A/N: In this chapter, the tsukinamisai is a combo of the shinto tradition, plus evening prayers (Buddhism), and mass (occurs daily - Catholicism).
I know it's a cliffie but I won't leave you hanging for long. The next chapter is written and should be fixed up and out in a week's time. A whole chapter of InuKag goodness; I can't wait to share with you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. However this plot, the exact sequence of words and any original characters described therein, I reserve all rights to.