Lost Soul Comes Home
By: Ryu Katanna
Beta:
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Four
It was later that day that Kagome could be found staring into the water of the fountain in the courtyard. Shin had not left her side once since she had returned from Earth only a few days before. That was until today when Ken had finally managed to pull him away to discuss something. She hadn't been fooled by his reasoning. He had been trying to give her some time alone to adjust to changes that were happening, and she was very thankful to him for that.
Her fingers skimmed along the surface of the water idly as she hummed to herself a tune she could remember as a child in the Old Country as she lost herself in thought. Ulrike and the shrine girls had left her be for the most part. Those who did stop to speak with her did so only to ask if she needed anything.
'Oh, the benefits of being the long-lost little sister of the great Shinou, and their Daikenja. None of them could ever understand what it took to get us here.' Kagome thought bitterly to herself with a small sigh of resignation.
In all, Kagome did not know what to do with the rest of her life now that she had returned to where she truly belonged. The war with the Originators was finally over after all these long years. She had cleansed her soul of their taint; though the jewel had yet to be dealt with. The shards of the jewel had been gathered, and it was now well-protected while she kept it pure. She was back in her own world. Back with her brothers; in whatever form the three of them had made it through the passage of time.
There were a few other things yet to be done like testing Yuuri, Shin's chosen, to see for herself that he was someone worth following. She would need to get her weapons back from the place she had called home on Earth. The ritual that made her age to appear human would have to be performed once more to reverse it; though it would do nothing for the curse of rebirth. There was also the ritual of purification she would need to perform once she had access to the majority of her maryoku again to cleanse the land. All of which were not immediately pressing matters and would be done once she had prepared what would be needed.
She was at peace. Truly at peace after so long, and yet she didn't know what to do with that. Everyone she had known had long since passed on, or changed, in the case of her brothers. None of them had made it through their trials and the war without consequences.
Shin was now a spirit, and Kenha was not completely the same person anymore. Murata Ken had her brother's soul, his memories, his habits, his emotions, but he was still different now from who he had been. It would take her a while to get to know him as he had become. In the same way, it would take them both time to know her as she was now.
The memories of the time that had passed on Earth were old and distant for the most part as so much of it faded into the back of her mind. Most of the people she had known and cared for there were long gone as well. The world had moved on without her here, and she didn't know anything about Shin Makoku as things were now. She would have to learn of what had happened in her absence and find out what customs had changed over the course of time.
As things were at the moment she would not have the freedom to do much outside of these walls. The continued presence of the jewel was a threat that could not be ignored. Here in Shin's tomb, the promise of power that the Shikon called out with to the darkness within others was quelled as its presence was cloaked by the power of her brother's soul while hers kept the darkness at bay. If she were to leave these walls then it would be a lot harder to silence its call, and so it would be at risk of falling into the greedy hands of humans and mazoku alike. Kagome was the only one who could keep it pure until they could destroy it for good, and it was because of this that she had been told by her brothers not to leave the safety of the tomb.
Until the jewel was no more; Kagome would very well be stuck within these walls.
Kagome sighed as she dashed her hand across her reflection; scattering droplets of water that caused ripples as they rejoined the pool. It was all so frustrating! She was finally able to return to Shin Makoku, and yet she could do nothing at the moment. She wanted to know how things had changed. Wanted to meet people who would not treat her differently just because of who she was.
Ulrike was the only one who had spoken to her almost normally since her return, other than Shin and Ken, but even she used the title of Great Lady when speaking to her. The distance, respect, and reverence imposed by that title gave her little hope for true friendships to form. It distanced her and put her as a being who was higher than others. She didn't care for it. It was a title given to her once her brother had ascended the throne; a relic of a time long past. Yet, she knew that it was also who she would have to be once more. For the good of her people, and the Kingdom they had fought so hard for.
"You have visitors, my Great Lady." One of the shrine girls spoke, breaking the silence, and Kagome looked up to see the small group of four that had been there for her arrival a few days before.
"Thank you. You may leave us." She said as she stood and brushed her skirt back into place.
"I bid you all welcome to my sanctuary." She smiled softly as she nodded in greeting and looked over the people Ken and Shin had briefly told her about that morning.
"Lady Hanae." The double black teen greeted her back.
"Please, call me Kagome if you wish unless formalities are needed. I have not answered to Hanae in far too long. My brother only continues to call me by it because he is too stubborn, but it is only one of the many names I have answered to over time. Use whichever you like if it pleases you." She said softly as she folded her fingers together in front of her.
"My name is Yuuri Shibuya." The teen introduced himself and Kagome smiled as she took a step forward to get a closer look at him.
"So you are Shin's chosen-" She started to say only to be interrupted rather rudely.
"I am Lord Wolfram von Bielefelt, and I am Yuuri's fiancee! So don't go getting any ideas." The blonde said as he stepped forward and grabbed Yuuri's arm possessively to pull him away from her.
"A Bielefelt are you? That would make you a descendant of Rufus and my brother then. Only she was never quite so rude." Kagome's tone cut sharply with her displeasure at his interruption as her smile fell quickly.
A chuckle met her ears and she turned to see the one Ken had addressed as Lord Weller.
"You'll have to forgive my brother, my lady. He is the youngest and is a little brash. My name is Conrart Weller, and this is our older brother Lord Gwendal von Voltaire." He said, and Kagome's eyes lit up once more as they softened and she smiled at the man.
"That would make you both descendants of Lawrence and Sigbert while Yuuri must be the descendant of either Erhard or Crystal! It is a pleasure meeting you. They were all dear friends and comrades. It pleases me greatly to know their lines have continued." Kagome said happily as she remembered the men she spoke of fondly.
"Why are you out here alone, if you don't mind my asking?" Yuuri asked as he tried to adjust himself to the knowledge that this woman, who only looked to be his age, had been friends with their ancestors.
He had known that she was Shinou's sister when they had left the other night, but it had not really sunk in for him as it seemed so surreal. Shinou had lived over four thousand years ago, and had founded Shin Makoku. Murata had been the Daikenja in another life, yes, but from what they had gathered this girl wasn't just a reincarnation of Shinou's sister. She had known all four of their ancestors personally. She had fought beside them and been there with them when the Originators had been sealed within the forbidden boxes. It was just a little much to take in. It had been hard enough believing Ulrike was over eight hundred, but Kagome was actually so much older.
"This place was built for me as a sanctuary from the masses before I departed for Earth. I am currently hiding from Shin while Ken keeps him occupied. I have missed them both dearly for a very long time, but after recent events, I just needed some time to think. I had just returned to my home on Earth after fighting in a war for the Shikon when I was returned here and my memories were released. The seal was never meant to be removed all at once, but to break down over time. The memories, my knowledge, and my training came back to me like a flood rather than the gentle and steady flow they should have been. It has taken me some time to settle and sort through it all." Kagome said, and she knew that they would have questions.
"Will you be alright?" Yuuri asked with some alarm.
"I will be fine. The seal had already started to decay on its own. Ulrike just sped up the process that had already begun a few years ago." Kagome reassured gently when she heard his concern.
"Why have a seal on your memories, Lady Kagome?" Conrart asked, and she couldn't help but look away.
"As part of the ritual to cleanse my soul, and to appear to be human during my time on earth. It allowed me to rest during the time between trying to purify their taint from my soul." She replied with a wispy breath.
"Is that why there are no records of you?" Gwendal asked as he watched her carefully.
"It all makes her more suspicious if you ask me." Wolfram grumbled irritably as he eyed her distrustfully when she wasn't completely forthcoming.
"In a way." She said; not sure how much she should tell them until they were interrupted.
"Why else would older brothers go so far as to leave no records of the very existence of their youngest sister to be found?" Murata asked them instead of answering the question as he and Shin entered the courtyard.
"You were trying to protect her." Conrart answered with some realization after thinking about it for only a moment; being an older brother himself he didn't have to think too hard to know the answer.
"Exactly." Shin replied as he came to stand next to Kagome and Murata.
"What did she need protection from?" Yuuri asked a little confused.
"Our father was a King in the Old Country. While he may have been an adept King, he was not a faithful husband to our mother. He had many children by many different women. Hanae, Kanae, and I were three who were born of his wife; the Queen. Kenha was born of another. Out of all of the children he sired, only Hanae and I were born with exceptional raw power while Kenha was born with exceptional intelligence and a keen mind." Shin told them only for Murata to pick it up.
"Kagome became a priestess when she was found to be born with a truly pure soul. Her power far outstretches that of even Ulrike. Where one with mazoku blood would typically form a pact with a single element Kagome does not need one. The elements respond to her as naturally as breathing. That was why it was so dangerous when she was tainted by the Originators in the process of sealing them. Kenae, Shin's older sister, took her with her and her husband to Earth after the Originators were sealed within the Forbidden Boxes. She performed two rituals before leaving Shin Makoku that would allow her to slowly cleanse her soul of any corruption but at a price." Murata said with a small frown and Kagome, resting her hand on his arm in a comforting gesture, continued.
"My memories were sealed away every time I was 'reborn' so as to give me enough time to recuperate after every attempt to cleanse my soul with the death of my body. Another ritual was also meant to accelerate my growth to appear to be that of a human. I would die, and then be 'reborn' as a babe when the ritual took effect. It was with every death and rebirth that their taint on my soul was to lighten until it was weak enough for me to separate it from myself completely." She said as she explained what the rituals did.
"It was a painful process for her, and yet she fought that taint every time. When she was returned to the form of a babe, it was Kanae and her descendants who raised and cared for her until the seal on her memories was broken again. Then the cycle would repeat." Murata explained with both pride and sadness as he saw the dawning comprehension and horror from Yuuri and the three brothers.
"We had the records and portraits of her sealed so that she would not be bothered, and no one would go looking for her. Since the strength of her maryoku could match my own we did not want to risk her being sought out while in the form of a child. She would have been susceptible to manipulation while her memories were sealed. Kenha and I decided that after the Originators had already grasped her once, and the consequences for our carelessness, that she would not return until after the Originators had been dealt with." Shin said with a far-off look and Kagome scowled as she thought about how they had left her out of that part of the plan.
"Your carelessness?" Conrart asked as he picked up on the words used.
"Yes. Kagome was with us during the war and when the Originators were sealed into the forbidden boxes. They were drawn to her-" Murata started to explain only for Kagome to cut him off abruptly.
"That is enough. I have told both of you that what happened was none of your fault. We will not go there again." Kagome said with finality as she shot scolding glances at both of them.
"So you do have something to hide!" Wolfram accused when she wouldn't let them continue.
"Not really. Their guilt has just been misplaced. Some risks must be taken in every war if you want to win. To protect everything one holds dear. I chose to take one of those risks. The blame, if there is any to be had for the consequences, is mine and mine alone. We have all had to make sacrifices. Mine are my own." Kagome argued back with a wave of her hand.
"So Shinou's name is really Shin, and Murata's was Kenha back then? They were brothers?" Yuuri asked in some confusion and surprise after having heard her call them that the night she had appeared, and Kagome laughed.
"That's the first thing you ask? Yes, Shinou and Daikenja were what we had called them as a joke during the war. I guess that through the span of time their true names were forgotten. Along with our true relation to one another." She replied only for the two to shoot her a look.
"Actually, if I remember correctly, you were the one who started that." Murata teasingly said only to have Shinou confirm it.
"You'd be right. I remember it that way too." Kagome pouted as they both smirked at her.
"It was all in a bit of fun at the time! I wanted to raise the spirits of our men. I only combined Shin and Maoh to mean death and shorted Kenha to Ken when I called him Daikenja the wise one. It made the others laugh when Kenha was referred to as master for how Shin always followed his advice while he wouldn't listen to anyone else. How was I to know those nicknames would stick?" She defended herself much to the amusement of the others.
"So then what will you do now?" Conrart asked her with a small smile at their playful banter.
"Will you be coming to visit Blood Pledge Castle?" Yuri asked as well only to see Kagome's face fall.
"I would love that, but…" She said softly as she looked down sadly.
"Kagome can not leave here. The jewel she carries is the last piece of the Originators. She is the only one who can keep it pure because it was once a part of her. If she were to leave here. where she had Shin's protection, then the taint in the jewel could call to the darkness in people's hearts. She, and the jewel, would be in danger." Murata explained for her when he saw her discomfort.
She never did like to make others worry. He also knew how much she would want to explore the kingdom as it was now. So much had changed in the last four millennia, but she would have to be bound to her brother's tomb for as long as the jewel still existed. They hated to restrict her freedom in such a way, but they weren't willing to risk her safety when they had finally gotten her back.
"Is it a threat?" Gwendal asked thinking about the safety of the people.
"Not so long as she remains within the walls here. This is the center of my power. I can mask its presence while she keeps it pure until it is destroyed." Shinou said as he rested his hand on her back comfortingly.
"How will you do that?" Conrart asked as he looked at the seemingly harmless necklace she wore.
"I will be starting work on that as soon as possible. Though I have a few ideas." Murata told him so they would feel more reassured.
"It is for my safety as well as all who live in Shin Makoku that I remain here until this last piece of the Originators is destroyed. Really, for the foreseeable future, I will be living up to my current name." Kagome said sardonically with a small frown only to get confused looks from the three brothers as well as Shin.
"What do you mean by that?" Conrart asked curiously at her comment.
"The name Kagome means caged bird in Japanese. There is a children's game on earth called Kagome Kagome where one child has their eyes closed as other kids surround them and sing the song while they move around them in a circle. Once the song ends then the one in the middle guesses who is the one behind them." Yuuri tried to explain what Kagome meant in a way that would be easy for them to understand.
"Yes, and in this case, I would have to agree that you are right. A bird in a cage; at least until the jewel has been destroyed. It might take me some time, but we will make sure you are free to explore how Shin Makoku has changed." Murata said and Kagome smiled at the promise in his voice.
"He's right, little sister. We won't let you remain trapped here. I do believe we have a few thousand years to catch up on. Once the jewel is gone then you can go back to using your true name..." Shinou said gently as he placed a hand on Kagome's arm in a tender display of affection.
"Shin?" Kagome's voice was a little puzzled as she looked away from one brother to the oldest.
"You're a songbird who was never meant to be caged, Hanae." Shinou replied as Kagome's eyes misted at the sentiment when she understood what he meant.
"What about your family on Earth? You can't go visit them?" Yuuri asked knowing his family would worry if he didn't return once in a while, and Kagome wouldn't have to remain locked up in the walls of her brother's tomb if she was back on Earth.
"My sister's descendants have known all this time that I would one day return to Shin Makoku. This is my home, and now they can rest easy knowing they have fulfilled that goal." She answered as she thought about the families who had raised her in this lifetime, and in the many others before.
"So they raised you, and you'll just abandon them then? That's some loyalty." Wolfram grumbled only to flinch when her aura spiked, and a violent wind blew around them.
Blue eyes cooled and hardened like ice, sending a chill down the spines of all but Shin and Murata at that moment.
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Hello readers! Sorry, it's been a while. I've been pretty busy and when I have gotten time to write I've been more focused on my other stories. I'm hoping to get more of this one written down now while I have the inspiration. Even so, I don't know when I'll be able to get the next chapter out to you. Let me know your thoughts so far though with a review. Feedback does help me plow through with getting it down for others to read. Hope your all staying safe and healthy!
~Ryu