DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha is property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Onmyoji
4. Contracts
"Names are powerful things, but only for those who can wield them."
They sat in the clearing of the Bone-Eater's Well. The only light came from the numerous starts above, a chilly wind blew gently from the direction of the village, and the sounds of the forest were for the first time more soothing than alarming. Perhaps because of Kagome's company. They had arrived at Kaede's village hours before and left the rest of the tachi far behind. It was necessary - Inuyasha was near mad with anger and still refused to part from the reanimated clay body of his dead lover. Since the thing's proximity - Kagome refused to think of it as a human being, it was a thief - hurt her, Kagome had let O-Gin take her away.
Inu-Kimi O-Gin, knelt by Kagome's side as they observed the night sky. Occasionally the demoness would point to a particularly twinkling spot and name the constellation. By her side, Kagome listened and attempted to retain the information.
"It has been a long time since someone knew This One's name," O-Gin continued with a sigh. "The first was a human not unlike you, but quite different all the same. He called it eagerly as a boy, then rejected it as an adult, and from the height of This One's age it is clear that it had… hurt nearly as much as the betrayal of the one who spoke the name second."
"Was it Inuyasha's father?" Kagome asked softly. "Is it because he married a human?"
"Yes and no." O-Gin ran a clawed hand through one glimmering silver pigtail. "You see the world through such narrow windows, youngling. But you will learn. You humans learn quite well."
Some bird screeched deep in the forest and Kagome sneezed.
"It hurt because he died," O-Gin said. "This One's only equal left on the lonely path of the afterlife and This One remained behind, to live an endless life alone. Until you called This One's name."
"I don't really understand," Kagome sniffed, determined to have no snot running down her chin. She felt enough like a toddler as it was.
"Yes, it is a rather strange occurrence. Usually, it is human men with spiritual awareness that manage to produce such a bond, not you priestesses." O-Gin turned to look at Kagome and simultaneously reached over to arrange her hair safely behind her ears. "Perhaps it is because you are untrained, and therefore not bound by regulation. Either way you found This One, learnt This One's name and produced the power to wield it."
Kagome scratched at the fur and nodded, not because she understood, not yet, but because she at least managed to follow.
"You forged a contract between us, young one." O-Gin said. "You called This One's name and summoned her across mountains and plains from the Sky Castle to stop your suffering. Your power and mine own are… connected. Not shared but touching. Our life is mingling, even now. Should the contract take fully, you will not age, no illness will touch you, nor any weariness. Death would only come through battle or willing departure. Should you accept this bond you will be This One's companion and… Mistress."
"Mistress?" Kagome yelped. "Me?"
"Hmm," O-Gin chuckled. "Well, perhaps not quite. But you will be protected, truly so."
"At what price?" Kagome asked, a little bitterly. "As a shard detector? A pet? A substitute?"
"Well, as your power nourishes and cleanses This One, so will This One nourish and treasure you. All rivers flow to the sea, and all clouds come from the sea. Balance and cycles, little one, that is the way of the world."
Kagome considered it. A mutually benefitting bond. A symbiotic coexistence. To have true protection, true freedom - because who in their right minds would ever try to lay a hand on her, with someone like O-Gin there? She couldn't think of anyone that stupid. The wells of powerful youki she could sense even now, restrained as they were, promised a gruesome yet swift death.
She remembered Inuyasha and his double-edged promises.
She remembered the thing's - Kikyo's - black eyes.
"Let's complete it, then. Our contract."