Constellation of Blood: Dig Up the Better Part of Me –
Mab scooped the ivory snow away from the wind sorceress' limp form with the upmost care. This woman had managed to enflame her lost love and Mab would be damned if the wind witch lost this battle. Amidst various objects that led to Mab's survival, she happened upon a worn kimono that would shield Kagura's wounded flesh from the elements. Using every bit of strength she had left, Sesshomaru's former love lifted the ebony haired enchantress onto her back and began the long journey to a nearby village.
He had taken her heart from her. The emptiness in her chest was like a dried creek – devoid of the life that once flowed freely amongst it. She knew she was still technically alive – her breasts heaved up and down in accordance with breathing and warm blood was still trickling from her wounds. But the thing she cherished most in this world was taken from her once again. Kagura squinted as the soft light from a nearby fire danced along wooden walls. The embers were vibrant against the dark logs that fueled its life and she quietly wished she could actually feel a fraction of that life once again. The only other time she had felt this secure and energized was…with Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru! She had to tell him about Rin! Kagura's body jerked up at once, forgetting that she had just had her ego handed to her by Naraku.
"Easy, Kagura, your body hasn't quite caught up to your emotions." Across the room sat a pale figure. Her body was slowly giving up on her as she huddled into a corner. But Kagura knew at once who it was – the woman from the picture. This was the woman that had captured the demon lord's heart and tore it to the point of never being mended again.
"M-Mab? The woman smiled gently and tossed another log onto the calm fire. She nodded and stood to retrieve another blanket. Kagura eased her own body into a sitting position and winced in pain as she felt her bones rearrange to accommodate her new stance. She would be relieved once she healed. "No offense…but I was expecting…"
"Someone a little healthier?" Her ocean colored eyes flickered amongst the playful light. Sighing, Mab curled up in the blanket. "Unfortunately, my family has a long line with this disease. My body is dying but –"
"Your heart is still strong." Kagura had heard of the demonic disease before. A demon could seem strong and virile but the sickness would eventually cripple the body. The heart would remain intact, however, thus leaving them open for attack from another demon that could steal their heart and absorb their powers. The disease was rare amongst demons but it was always a crying shame to hear about it. Mab nodded and stretched her body out to lie down.
"I have to admit…I'm a little envious. I saw the mark Sesshomaru had left on you and didn't think anything of it because I assumed you were dead. But seeing you here now, I can understand why he's so attracted to you." Kagura felt a deep blush forcing its way through. She had learned a long time ago to use her looks as a weapon when it came to the opposite sex but Sesshomaru had turned his nose up at her so many times that she had forgotten her vanity. And to hear it from a woman who used to love him…it was just unbelievable. "Come now, Kagura. Don't be bashful. I have a lot to say to you and very little time to say it in." She turned on her back and held up her palm, as if her entire memory was locked in that little part of her body.
"My death is inevitable. But I have to tell you this now before it's too late. Nigi is up to something and he's using Sesshomaru's link to you as a weapon. I don't know what his plan is but I know there is one." She turned to her side, allowing her vibrant locks to drape over her shoulder. "I truly loved him, Kagura, but I think my love ran deeper than his." Kagura bit her bottom lip at that accusation.
"You're wrong, Mab. He may not have spoken about his love as openly but he loved just as deep." She gasped as the words rolled out of her mouth. Listen to her, talking about Sesshomaru as if she knew him like the back of her hand. He was still surprising her and he was nowhere to be seen at that instant. Mab laughed and for a moment, Kagura could see the woman from the picture.
"I've chosen wisely, then. Kagura, you can't tell by looking at me but I was once a very powerful demon. I think the power is what attracted my prince and I don't want to die knowing that some awful creature is going to attain that power. Kagura…in a few moments I'm going to take my last breath and I want you to take my heart. Consider it a gift." A tight knot began to work its way through the wind witch's stomach. The words kept echoing in her brain until the same sentence was screaming through her thoughts. Her heart? She hadn't noticed until that very second that Mab's breathing was shallow and every short gasp of air was a struggle. "Kagura…take this gift. And please, don't let it be a burden to you as it was to me." Reaching deep inside her chest, Mab pulled an orange orb from its hiding place – her heart, and pushed it towards the wind sorceress. Kagura gulped.
But Mab's eyes were pleading with her, begging her to take the one thing she had kept to herself for so long. The flames from the hearth were dying now just as the demoness was. Kagura pulled at the fabric of her kimono as a choice lay before her.
Sesshomaru knocked himself out of a steady meditation as the wind swept through the cave, causing Mab's fire to dance wickedly in front of him. Her scent had long since vanished and yet, it seemed as if she were sitting by him once again. He studied the weather outside of the cave and breathed in the crisp night air. Behind him, Mab's fire was extinguished.
A heart is indeed a heavy burden. It houses the greatest of joys and the deepest of sorrows. There are moments when it is filled with such happiness that one fears it might burst and then there are the moments when it is broken to such extremes that one fears it will never mend on its own. These burdens are a heavy load and Kagura wasn't prepared for the weight.
Sesshomaru's ears twitched at the sound of screaming villagers. A cloud of smoke loomed up ahead, mocking the small village like a scornful monster. The fire wouldn't normally affect the dog prince but there was a familiar scent reaching out to him. He livened up his pace and ran towards the burning town. Rushing past the buildings, Sesshomaru could hear the hisses of the flames licking at the town and the smell of ash taunting his nostrils. He hated fires, but he ran until he came upon the village's small inn.
"Kagura!" He kept yelling her name as he knocked down the entrance doorway. Checking every room, he finally saw some movement behind a back screen. He called for her again and swung open the sliding door. She was there, tucking a blanket over a body and searching the floor for something else. He pulled at her arm but the woman yanked it back and pulled a jade necklace from a worn bag. With a delicate touch, Kagura placed the necklace on the body and whispered a few words. "Kagura! The roof is going to cave in. Let's go." There was no urgency in his voice but his tone was stern and she nodded obligingly. He calmly lifted her into his arms and burst through the enflamed roof. The cold was a stark sensation on Kagura's skin and she nestled her cheek into the regal fur that the prince always carried with him.
"She deserved a decent burial, Sesshomaru. Surely you would understand that." His expression was blank but he nodded in understanding. The body had been Mab's.
Behind enemy walls an echo of cackles created an uneasy environment for the young Rin. It had been several days since Naraku had taken her and she was beginning to think that Sesshomaru had given up on his two faithful comrades. No, that was impossible. He had always shown up at the last possible second…he had always come for her. Why would this situation be any different? Across the hall, a small lantern silhouetted Naraku's body. His head jerked back as another howl of laughter was emitted from his body. Rin maneuvered her small form until she could listen in on the conversation behind the screen.
"So, my dear Kagura, you have found yourself a heart." The child pressed her cheek against the iron bars to try to listen more intently. Without hearing the scratches of the screen being slid open, Rin was unable to notice Naraku standing over her until it was too late. He quickly unlocked her small prison and grabbed her by her hair. It wasn't until she was directly at eye level that she noticed the evil smirk teasing the corners of his mouth.
"She must think I'm completely ignorant now that she's found a replacement for that hole in her chest." His snake like glare scanned its way over Rin's face. He couldn't understand the dog demon's soft spot for the child for it was an obvious weakness. Any demon could pluck her from the earth and use her just as Naraku was. But his plan wasn't to lure the prince into a trap. Oh no…what he had in mind for the great Sesshomaru was something far more painful than he could ever imagine. He wouldn't torture him with sharp blades until his impeccable complexion was forever scarred. The plan he had for the dog demon was something far simpler and he was up to his knees in anticipation. Most of the details had been taken care of without any aid from the demon. And one thing was for certain: he would kill numerous birds with one stone, beginning with Kagura. A slick smile draped his mouth as he thought of the most deliciously vile things. He couldn't possibly wait for the hour when Sesshomaru would have to listen to her screams; her pleas for death being whispered into the ears of those who couldn't care less.
Naraku pushed the child back into her cell alongside Jaken. He certainly didn't need the child in any shape or form after she served her purpose. Wasting the energy to rid the world of another orphan was low, even for Naraku. Rin closed her eyes and silently prayed for her prince to come rescue her.
A/N – It's a little scrambled, I know, but I'm getting back into the original idea behind the story. It's been too long…