Hi again!
So yes, one more chapter, I was sick last week but rather clear headed so since I had nothing else to do I spent the whole week writing.
Luckily I did a bit of editing yesterday - because the bad part of the virus is hitting now, so no more clear-headed bliss, it's all back to the traditional stuffy nose, lead-heavy head and achy body :-(
so even though I'm rushing the posting of what i've written last week, the spell-checking is probably spotty and all of that - but I'll come back to that when I'm not sick. Stupid change of season -_-
still, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter XIV. October 1996 Sango's Resolve
While InuYasha and Kanna were bonding, Kagome and Tsukiko had headed back to the future, where they were enthusiastically greeted not only by the Higurashi, but even by Saiyuri and Akane that were working together while the rest of their usual hunting party was in the past.
The friends immediately decided to come with them to Mahoutokoro, taking advantage of the travel time to catch up with both past and present happenings.
Kagome hadn't realized that Ryoichi and Tsukiko were exchanging mails on a daily basis thanks to Chaos Interface, so the stories of his travels were new to her too – and Saiyuri and Akane both took turn explaining about the changes already brought by the several dozens of orphans, and many more youkai beasts Ryoichi had dropped before heading north.
"You know, I always though you'd be Ryo-dono's beta," Saiyuri was the one to tell Akane "yet somehow it seems the post is being taken by a yama-neko hanyou brat of all things!"
"Me, beta?" the kitsune protested "No way, I don't want nor need this kind of responsibilities, thank you very much! The cat can take it all!"
They hadn't spent that much time on the school campus – barely enough for Kagome to drop by her latest batch of completed homework, get back the corrected previous one and new material to study.
"You are progressing nicely," the secretary praised her "And while some seem to think it only normal coming from the Shikon no Miko..." at that Kagome blushed, not having realized that thanks to the shenanigans of time-travel she had been famous for centuries for something she was doing just now "I think they are forgetting that school work and saving the world are two entirely separate things, and doing both at the same time can't be easy." a kind smile "So keep up the good work!"
After that, a laughing Tsukiko, Saiyuri and Akane dragged the still red miko toward the magical market.
"Since we don't know when you'll be back next," Akane was saying to the ookami that was browsing a shop for toys to help young of any species to learn to control their powers "we're celebrating your birthday tonight!"
Kagome, who'd been shopping for sweets for Shippou and Kanna, and other small treats for the rest of the pack, stopped in her steps.
"Wow, I hadn't realized we were already in October!" she admitted "They're right, your birthday is right around the corner!"
"I've already sent word home," Saiyuri was saying to the hime "the cooks will make us a feast!" she said, face already flushing in anticipation
"You were just looking for a reason to make them prepare your favorites." teased Akane
"It's not my fault they're the same as Tsuki-hime!" the miko protested immediately "Beside you wouldn't want to deprive Sesshoumaru-sama from his daughter when she's finally come home?" she added with large, innocent eyes
The kitsune sighed at the antics – wondering once more if someone called holy like a miko should be allowed to be as mischievous as a fox – but decided that Saiyuri wasn't necessarily wrong. Even if – god forbid – the Lord of the West wasn't a clingy father by any measure, protective streak non-withstanding, knowing that his daughter was currently traipsing around in the past gathering shards from a cursed jewel and playing cats and mouse with what was probably the most evil hanyou ever was probably a bit taxing on his nerves.
Even if he already knew the end of the story, so to say...
As for Kagome, she was having a small freak-out, realizing that they were dragging them toward the House of Moon main mansion, where she had never stepped before, what with not knowing about the supernatural and all that.
It was her fellow miko who reassured her, probably guessing at her thoughts "Don't worry, the public parts of the domain may look grand, we'll be in the family aisle tonight, after all, it's only friends and family, there's no need for grandstanding." a wry smile "Well not too much grandstanding, it's Sesshoumaru-sama we're talking about." a wink "But even if he may look serious, he's not as terrifying as everyone is trying to make him out... well as long as you're on his good side."
"You're... not very good at reassuring people." Kagome dead-panned – still feeling better despite her affirmation
Still, a few hours latter the whole Higurashi family was welcomed to the compound where Tsukiko had spent her childhood – Daisuke visibly having already come before, and looking quite comfortable in the rather traditional clothes he'd made them wear, while Souta was looking around with wide eyes, and Kagome and Natsumi were struggling not to do the same.
Still, Saiyuri hadn't lied, and while the whole place screamed wealth and tradition, the family aisle, where they soon were led to, managed to retain a homely feeling.
Saiyuri and Akane were present too, of course – and soon only the master of the house was missing, the reason why becoming more and more apparent as loud noises could be heard from the inner garden.
"I knew it Sesshou-chan! You're trying to keep her to yourself! Why didn't you tell me she was home!"
"Because I knew you would overreact, you overgrown brat." a calm, yet clearly annoyed voice answered "And don't call me that name!"
A yelp "No need to go all mighty Lord of the West on me, I'll behave, promise! Stop it with the poison, it'll melt my fur!"
Tsukiko's eyes widened at both the voice, which she easily recognized – and the oh so familiar smell. Even Kagome seemed startled, as if realizing that she should recognize the voice, but not quite managing to...
"I can't believe the general is at it again." Saiyuri sighed "What kind of example is that man setting for his children, really?"
"Well," Akane teased "He hasn't seen his beloved mother in centuries, after all. Or is it his daughter-in-law?" she wondered
Deciding that the verbal brawl wouldn't end without outside interference, Tsukiko raised gracefully from the cushions where they'd settled – before slamming the shoji open in a rather unlady-like fashion.
Sesshoumaru turned toward her with a single raised eyebrow, greeting contently "Okaeri nasai, musume."
"Tadaima, chichi-ue." she answered with a warm smile – before getting a hand full of brightly smiling kitsune
"Alpha! I missed you!"
"Ah but I just saw you in the past." she teased "And you saw me a few months ago at the gathering."
"Ah! But you weren't alpha yet back then!" he protested
She smiled softly – to think the famous general had seemed like such an imposing figure to her, back when he'd granted her the alpha stripes on her cheeks – but now, even centuries older and proudly sporting nine-tails, all she could see was the kit left in the past.
And so she reiterated "Tadaima, Shippou-chan."
Kagome smiled too "Well, you were right Tsuki-chan," she commented "he's grown taller than you."
The sentence was enough to make the kitsune realize that there were other people in the room, and soon it was the Shikon Miko that was being squeeze for all she was worth "I missed you too, Kagome-nee-chan!"
Letting out a long suffering, yet clearly affected sigh, Sesshoumaru commented "See. I knew it. Gross overreaction, like always."
¤.¤.¤
And just like that, any leftover tension was broken, and the group was soon seated around a low table to eat the feast Saiyuri had been dreaming about. Observing the inu daiyoukai a the head of the table, Kagome couldn't help but smile – while the Sesshoumaru of the past clearly was already quite attached to his daughter, it was easy to see just how much closer the present Sesshoumaru was with his daughter.
While the daiyoukai still looked quite reserved, his icy appearance receded when among friends, and he may not talk a lot, he seemed still quite at ease with the chatter and banter around him, in a way the past one couldn't manage yet.
"I see you've caught the eyes of a dragon." Sesshoumaru commented during a lull of the conversations "The Elder Long has been harassing me nearly as badly as this idiot or the Lord of the East about your travels."
"We decided to play a game of jan-ken-pon to decide which of us could see you first once you started your travels, because your father didn't want his home invaded by all of us!" Shippou whispered "I won in a game of luck against a dragon!" he added, a proud glimmer in his eyes
"And I'm sure you didn't cheat about it." Sesshoumaru commented, irony dripping from the icy comment "You were lucky the Elder knew enough about your antics not to get upset."
"That and there just so happen to be a large kitsune fair in Beijin's magical district." the smug fox added "He really couldn't afford not to be seen at least for the opening and closing ceremonies."
"And guess who was the main backer of this fair..." Akane whispered to Tsukiko, eyes rolling at the other's bragging "And he event managed to rope oyaji into going in his place."
"You have to admit it was well played." the kitsune laughed "And technically, the old dragon managed to use it as a pretext to hold his own fair in Mahoutokoro by the end of the year..." he grumbled "So in the end I gave him a pretext to come." a shrug "Not that he needed one, it's well known that he may hold the title of Elder, he leaves the Dragon Empress in charge for most things, despite her real charge being magical China, not youkai China."
"Well you'll note that in Japan it's our magical minister who tends to defer to the Council of Lords, so it's not that surprising..." Akane shrugged carelessly "So can we stop talking about boring politics? Poor Tsukiko is still waiting on her presents..."
Nobody commented on the fact that the kitsune was clearly the one dying to give out her presents – and sure enough, she was the first to hand out a small bundle wrapped in silk "I went on a job in the south recently," she explained away excitedly "and the client offered to make something for me as a repayment!"
Tsukiko carefully unwrapped the present, knowing that the client in question must be rather good at his job if the kitsune looked so happy – an sure enough, the tessen, for it couldn't be a simple fan given its weight, was beautiful even closed, and even more so once open.
The structure of the weapon was made of what could only be sandalwood, the wood exquisitely inscribed in an abstract pattern, while the body was of hand-painted silk, the large white dog on it impossible not to recognize.
"The wood is grown by earth spirits," Akane explained excitedly "Its solid enough on its own to be used as a blunt weapon, but there's even hidden blades," she pointed at the mechanism excitedly "And of course the silk is enchanted to resist just about anything." a candid smile "But it's when I saw his talent at painting that I knew I just had to commission something from him..."
[Leveling-weapon ShiroInu Tessen (LV1) received: +3 Luck, +10 damage, +2 Light Damage, +1 Enhancement Space]
Akane smiled knowingly at the thankful look she received, and promptly squeezed the younger youkai for all her worth, knowing well that Tsukiko rarely initiated hugs – but never refused them.
Saiyuri had found the young hime an old and rather rare tome about Asians rituals in the wizarding district, while of course Daisuke had some strange ingredients to give out.
Still – Kagome nearly fell off her spot at her childhood friend's reaction – as instead of the disgust Kagome had always reacted with to theses gifts, the ookami had grinned wildly "I can't believe you're still doing this, Daisuke-kun!"
"Well," he answered with mirth in his eyes "You're the one that told me that with all the precious presents you received from people, no one ever thought to give you dog treats for Padfoot, Tsuki-hime."
Indeed – the Grimm was already sniffing enthusiastically in the direction of the dried unidentified thing kept just out of his reach by his mistress...
"I think that mutt must be the most spoiled Grimm ever..." Tsukiko commented while eyeing said treat "Where did you find dried hell-rats?"
"I've got my ways, Tsuki-hime." was the mysterious answer – in what looked like a chat repeated countless times before
"You mean all those strange birthday presents were always meant for Buyo?" Kagome realized, thinking back about how happy the old cat always seemed at the treats
"Well, the old baka-neko is getting in on his years, but he's been protecting the shrine from nuisances ever since you healed him." her grand-father announced to her "And you couldn't guess at his favorites since you didn't realize he wasn't a normal cat, could you?"
Shippou – despite having claimed he hadn't been informed of his alpha return - went next, presenting the ookami with a set of nine crystalline looking beads who tingled lightly when shaken. Kagome looked curiously at the beautiful items she didn't identify – in fact she realized, most of those around the table seemed just as ignorant as her about the nature of the gift, with an exception made of a now pouting Akane "Of course he just had to show up and beat my gift..."
The reaction seemed to tip the old priest off, as Daisuke's eyes suddenly widened "Those are... I thought only kitsune could use those?" he wondered
"Well of course," Shippou confirmed – Kagome got the feeling she wasn't the only one getting ticked off by their blatant lack of explanation about just what were those beads "But alpha is a Kitsune Friend, so she shares all of our gifts!"
As for said alpha – she was the one initiating the hug this time.
"Thank you so much Shippou-chan, those are priceless."
"Well I've missed eighty-four years of presents haven't I..." he winked " So of course my present had to be exceptional!"
"But what is it exactly?" Souta finally was the one to blurt, not able to contain his curiosity anymore
[Hoshi no Tama(4/9): 4*10% learning speed for Tail Perks]
"Hoshi no Tama." Daisuke explained "There's all kind of tales about kitsune and their precious beads, but the truth is it's not part of their power but a training method unique to them."
As he was explaining, the golden kitsune had taken out four of the beads, somehow entwining one in each of the alpha's tails, where they glimmered faintly, tinkling lightly at every move the ookami made
"They help a kitsune master his powers faster," Shippou took over "And with mastery over each and every of your Tails ability, the corresponding bead goes silent." a cheeky smile "Even if of course, we can charm them to sing whenever we want once they're mastered!" a wink "It took Sesshoumaru decades to realize my Tama didn't sang anymore when fighting..."
"And convincing you to make them shut up out of a fight is still an ongoing effort..." the shiro inu added with a sigh
Daisuke and Shippou had taken turn explaining about how prized those Tama were among kitsune, being seen as even more important as a Coming of Age weapon in their culture – because there were so very few craftsmen able to make those, and a set could only ever be used by one person, as they attuned themselves to the one they were attached to when used for the first time.
Technically, Shippou had laughed – Tsukiko received her set even before the kitsune's first-born, seeing as he had commissioned both sets at the same time, but they hadn't been ready before their first trip to the past...
Kagome as the only one traveling with Tsukiko, didn't have any gift for her yet – but was already planning not to forget about the date anytime soon, as she just knew their pack would love celebrating their alpha's birthday, something Shippou's wink only confirmed.
As for Sesshoumaru's present – Kagome's eyes boggled as the daiyoukai uncovered the sapphire. While the stone itself was of a rather reasonable size – the young miko was pretty sure that given the House of Moon clear wealth he could have afforded about anything if it hits his fancy – it was exquisitely cut, and in a way she was pretty sure no human could, as it was a perfect, three-dimension crescent moon shape.
"This was grown by Juumyo wasn't it?" Shippou was the first to realize, clearly impressed – then seeing at Kagome's face she didn't know yet who he was talking about "Juumyo's father, Hosenki-dono, was the one who made the black pearl that was in InuYasha's eye. When his father passed away he took on the family business, and is currently the most talented Jewel Youkai." the kitsune explained
[Moon Regalia: a jewel imbued with the youki of the current Lord of the West, grants the Moon Hime Tail Perk]
The jewel, was grown around a light yet sturdy silver chain, with a needle-like ending – the use of Kagome soon understood as Tsukiko, using a nearby mirror, pressed the pointy end in the hollow of her elfin ears without encountering any opposition, then, as soon as she seemed satisfied with the placement, the excess of metal soon receded
"The chain is enchanted to adapt itself to the user's need." Tsukiko explained
"I wish all jewels could be so handy..." Akane sighed "But the enchanters good enough to do this kind of work are but a handful in Asia."
By the time the Higurashi went back home, Kagome was humming happily despite how weary she felt. Seeing her alpha among her family had made her see a whole new side about the young ookami, and it was rather amusing to realize that despite looking older, Saiyuri was clearly the little sister.
Still, despite how happy they were to go back to their own era to see their family – and as amusing as meeting the adult Shippou had been, they still had a mission, and so at the first hour the next morning, they were once more hoping down the well.
¤.¤.¤
Padfoot was the first to jump out of the old well, and immediately started to growl menacingly, making both human and youkai miko guess that something was wrong.
"Can you feel anything?" Tsukiko immediately asked
Given her face, it wasn't difficult to guess that whatever was bothering her four-legged partner, she could feel to, so Kagome, nose wrinkling in concentration, let her reiki reach around them from within the well.
And gasped, as she felt the nauseating aura that had upset both canine.
"There's a malicious aura waiting for us by the well, but it's not a youkai." she stated
"What you're feeling is tainted reiki." Tsukiko explained, dragging her friend out of the well in one easy jump
As soon as Kagome appeared, the presence they'd felt tried to strike, a serpentine form launching itself toward the young girl, fangs out – only to be promptly stopped by Padfoot, the Grimm looking like an overgrown puppy as he happily blocked the strange looking snake under one of his large paws.
Taking care not to come too close, but observing curiously her attacker nonetheless, the Shikon miko soon realized why the thing looked so strange – it wasn't alive at all.
"A shikigami." a frown "But its not like shikigami are all that dangerous, so what did it want with me?"
"Remember it's a dark miko's servant in this case." Tsukiko pointed out "it was probably aiming at putting a curse on you."
"Well," Kagome decided "We should as well go and see who's attacking so close to home, no doubt this shikigami's mistress has already realized it failed its duty."
Tsukiko nodded, and melting the snake with a slash of claws dripping in poison, started to rush toward the scent the construct had left behind, Kagome following on Padfoot while alerting the rest of the pack.
"There's a barrier ahead." Tsukiko announced as they closed on the source of the malicious reiki
"And a large Shikon shard!" Kagome added, eyes wide "This is too big to be anything but Naraku's share!"
"Well I can feel a kugutsu with his aura." Tsukiko nodded, not too surprised "So my bet is that he's trying to get rid of you by using this dark miko."
The two friends touched ground in front of the barrier, Kagome gathering her reiki in her naginata before downing it in one decisive slash under her alpha's approving gaze, before stepping toward the desecrated temple.
"I must have overestimated your powers, dark miko Tsubaki." a far too familiar voice was saying "Not even able to curse a young girl."
"She is Kikyou's reincarnation." a feminine voice answered back "So its no wonder she realized she was about to get hit with my juso."
"My bad," the evil hanyou taunted "I shouldn't have pointed you at the reincarnation when you've already lost against the original, eh?"
"You know," Tsukiko commented, announcing their presence to the duo "I had been wondering who could be audacious enough to try and curse one of mine..." a disdainful sneer "But it was only a clueless hanyou and a debased priestess possessed by low-grade youkai..."
Hanyou and dark miko turned toward them in surprised – Naraku not wasting a second, lashing out against Kagome with the wooden vines his puppets could use – only to recoil, horrified, as a glimmering shield surrounded the miko as soon as he attacked, the wooden body soon reduced to ashes.
"Well," Tsukiko commented "Kaede-san was right."
"She was, but given that hateful look he sent me before disappearing," Kagome commented "I doubt he'll let himself keep such a dangerous weakness longer than necessary."
"Don't talk as if I wasn't here!" an incensed dark miko lashed out, several youkai crawling out of her right eye-socket and making Kagome shudder in disgust "You are just as fucking annoying as Kikyou!"
"I'm not Kikyou!" Kagome bit back, now annoyed "We may share the same soul, we're not the same person so stop seeing me as her replacement!"
But Tsubaki seemed to have lost any common sense, not realizing that all the youkai sent toward them were swiftly dispatched by the two girls – and when finally another familiar looking shikigami was sent at Kagome, the young miko reflected it instinctively, sending it back right at the dark miko, who cried in agony before trying to run away – only for one last, ominous youkai to crawl out of her eye-socket before abandoning her, taking Naraku's Shikon fragment back with it.
[Hunting complete! Tsubaki the dark miko
Reward: +50XP, +1 Hunting Trophy]
"Well," Kagome commented as the saimyoushou disappeared just as the rest of their pack caught up with them "so much for that."
It was Kaede, when informed about the encounter, who identified the dark miko as a former comrade of Kikyou who'd let herself get corrupted both out of jealousy toward the stronger priestess and because she had been afraid of growing older and loosing her good looks.
While they'd chased the dark miko, another youkai had appeared in the village – looking, to the villagers' surprise, for Miroku.
Hachiemon was a tanuki, and an old partner in crime of the houshi – and while they hadn't met him before he'd apparently followed the pack's travels thanks to the rumor mill. As such, when he'd heard about the latest rumor about Naraku, the youkai had immediately rushed toward his friend to inform him about it...
"A castle disappeared over night not too far from here," Hachiemon was soon explaining "and it looks like a gigantic claw extracted it from the ground. But what really made me come is that apparently, the castle disappearance was followed by a swarm of countless winged insects..."
"You're thinking it was saimyoushou, then?" Miroku realized
The youkai nodded, adding "It was supposed to be a human shiro, but the whole place is stinking of leftovers of a malevolent youki..."
With that, they were one their way, the tanuki acting as a guide – just like he'd said, the place looked as if it had been attack by a gigantic monster, and there was nothing left but for a few stones and upturned soil.
"Are we sure it really was Naraku's hideout?" InuYasha wondered warily "I mean, it wouldn't be the first time he tried to drag us in a trap, just like with the wolves..."
"It's the place." Sango contradicted firmly
The pack turned toward the young tajiya, whose voice was strangely subdued.
Kneeling into the ground, she had unearthed a few bones, and pieces of armor.
"This..." she said, staring at the worn piece of armor in her hands "This was chichi-ue's armor."
Immediately, Miroku was by her side, starting to extract the bones and left-over weapons.
"We can't let them in this place, can we?" he commented as he worked, the rest of the pack soon helping "I'm sure they'd be more happy in your village."
"Thank you." Sango whispered, not ashamed of the tears flowing as they dug into the ground
[Goal complete!+50XP
Goal update: find Naraku's newest hiding place]
"So you're heading directly to the tajiya village?" Hachiemon was clarifying a bit later
"We are." Tsukiko nodded "Those men deserve a better resting place." a smile "Thanks for leading us here, is there anything we can do?"
The youkai nodded his head negatively "No no no," he protested "Miroku-san is a friend, and he's helped me feed my den more times that I can count!"
"That's a rather unusual relation between a houshi and tanuki." Kagome couldn't help but point out
"I've known his master for decades," the tanuki explained "so when he started to head out to search for a cure to his curse, Mushin-sama asked be to keep an eye on him." a shrug "But in the end we've helped each other countless times, that's why I don't really need anything more.."
"Bah," InuYasha pointed out in his usual blunt manner "You may not need anything right now, but who's knows what the future is made of!" he stated, ignoring Shippou's snort at the affirmation "So if you need help in the future, just drop by my forest and find the House of Moon retainers from there."
The tanuki smiled, seeing that the proposal was sincere, then went on his way, while the pack headed toward the mountains where the tajiya village was nested.
¤.¤.¤
The pack arrived to the village within a few days, meeting and dispatching a few minor annoyance of the youkai kind, and helping people they met on their way – Kagome taking enthusiastically to the role of mentoring Kanna in what she knew about miko's arts.
The young youkai had been a bit disheartened when Tsukiko had explained that she probably had difficulties with the healing part of her powers because of her link to Shadow's godly powers; but soon took heart in realizing that even if she found it more difficult that Kagome did, their alpha could still heal people with her reiki.
Since the pack had had two massive gain level in a short while, the training wasn't aimed toward gaining more power, but improving everyone's control on their previous and new abilities.
Tsukiko was also continuing her lessons about soul fire, Sango seeming especially keen on it.
"This is a power available to all humans," the tajiya explained when asked by InuYasha was she was so intent on learning something she didn't have any given advantage with contrary to, say, her lightning manipulation "it means the villagers could learn it."
Tsukiko could understand where the girl was coming from – after all, as she'd pointed out several times, tajiya were always fighting at a disadvantage.
"While I don't mind sharing what I know about flames," the ookami warned her "you have to realize that there are beings that protect and regulate the usage of such flames."
"What kind of regulation are you talking about?"
"In our era, all flame active people are automatically counted as member of the underworld." Tsukiko explained
"Does it mean you were a yakuza in a previous life?" Kagome realized, eyes wide
"Of course not!" the wolf contradicted, a wild smile on her face "I was merely number two of the largest mafia famiglia in the world."
The miko slumped to the ground.
"Of course." she sighed "That explains so much."
"What do you mean?" Shippou wondered, not having noted anything screaming 'criminal' in their leader's attitude
"When we were about six or seven, Tsuki-chan caught a little boy trying to pickpocket Saiyuri-chan, while we were in the mall. Next thing we know, she's dragging the poor boy away, taking the money back, and spending an hour lecturing him on the correct way to steal from people in the crowd, and how he didn't choose the right time of the day, or place, and so on..."
Most of the pack turned toward their alpha, speechless – except for Miroku, who looked rather impress, and a far too interested Shippou.
"And it wasn't even the only time now that I'm thinking about!" the young miko affirmed "It wasn't always pickpocket, but I remember this drug bust that was on the news, and how you dissected all the ways they failed as criminals..."
"To be fair us Vongola never stood for drug or human traffic." Tsukiko protested "It was just professional interest."
"Alpha," Miroku stopped her protest "don't try to educate the lesser being to an art they can't appreciate."
The ookami seemed ready to protest – then nodded in complete agreement with the houshi, rendering the rest of the pack speechless once more.
Except for Shippou, who had jumped on the wolf's shoulder and was whispering animatedly, and pleadingly in her ear, low enough that even the youkai and hanyou of the pack couldn't hear what they were talking about.
"Still," Sango was the first one to find her voice again "underworld or not I think it's a chance the village would have to take." a shrug "After all, as tajiya we're pretty much already warrior for hire, we're just lucky enough to be able to be picky about the jobs we take."
"You're right." Tsukiko nodded "As long as you contain the knowledge among the village, the village itself could be your underworld affiliation." a smile "And even if other groups will sooner or later try to force you into an alliance or another, I think as tajiya you should be able to fend them off."
"The way you're talking, it doesn't seems that different from normal politics." Sango realized "I mean there's always some lord or another trying to ensure we'll work only for him, or that only men should learn our trade and so on..." the tajiya's smile was rather cold when she added "We've always managed to dissuade them from interfering in our affairs."
"Sounds like the village was already on its way to the underworld anyway." Kagome laughed at the icy affirmation from her pack-mate
It was decided to stay for a few days in the village – Sango, now benefiting from Chaos Game, able to put her second recall point there just like the rest of the pack had already done the previous time they'd been there.
Hisashi, who'd taken his brother's place as leader of the tajiya village, had welcomed the pack back warmly, especially happy about seeing his niece again.
"You look better, child." he commented as they walked aimlessly through the village who still sported scars from Naraku's attack, but was faring far better than when she'd left
"I found a family, no, a pack among them." the young tajiya answered with a smile "They made me realize that there was still a life outside of seeking revenge..."
From there, the girl went over their rescue of Kohaku, easily side-stepping the strangest revelations about Chaos Game and her alpha's holy nature, before going over the on-going exactions of Naraku up to their latest finding of the empty castle – and more importantly, the bones and weapons they were bringing back home at long last.
They held the burial and sacraments the same day, Hisashi smiling gratefully at the pack "We're in your debt once more it seems. What you've just given us back is invaluable..."
"Sango's ours too, now." Tsukiko smiled "We couldn't let her hurt needlessly."
"That Naraku has a lot to pay for." the tajiya village sighed
"That he has." Tsukiko nodded somberly, before switching topic "Sango's asked me to teach something to your village." she announced "Something that even humans can learn, and that could help your people protect themselves." she eyed the leader seriously "But there are restrictions you must be aware of before accepting for your village."
That evening, the hime spent explaining the youkai hunter about the underworld existing throughout the world, grateful for all the history lessons she and her twin brother from that life had had to go through before inheriting their famiglia.
The village leader had been rather thoughtful, but by the next morning, he came to her to accept her offer.
What Kagome had said as a joke – he confirmed more soberly.
Their village was small, but counted lots of powerful and well-trained individuals, and the fact they trained every village member equally, men or women, rich or poor, didn't sit well with those of power outside the mountains. There had been numerous attempts over the years at gaining power over them, but they'd always managed to stay independent, and had no intention for this to change.
There was a reason why their village was out of the usual roads, secluded in the mountains and hidden in a dense forest – and it wasn't only to keep hidden from youkai, but humans too.
The pack's help with raising barriers had helped in that it made them even harder than before to find – but it wasn't the first time Hisashi, and his brother before him, had wondered about going even more in hiding, and start taking out spying or sabotage jobs among humans, like they'd heard some mercenary were doing in the north, getting known as shinobi...
Hisashi gathered a core group for Tsukiko to teach – not simply the more powerful of the village, but also those that learned the faster, or could teach the best, in order for the knowledge to be passed on to the rest once the pack hit the road again.
In the few days since she'd uncovered her knowledge about soul fire again, Tsukiko had spent hours meditating, not only about her own flames, but but those around her, training once more her senses to feel the flames around her again.
As such she could tell at once that the villagers all had the more usual Flames of Sky rather than the nearly extinct Flames of Earth.
History about the Flames, the Flames of Water extinction, and Flame of Earth near disappearance were as such only briefly talked about, the alpha focusing on what would be more important for the fighters in front of her.
¤.¤.¤
"Everyone has flames," she stated "as they're at the core of our life-force, but not everyone has enough flames to make active use of them, and some people will even have several flames, but here again not all flames will be equally powerful."
Around her, she realized, her pack was listening to her voice while meditating once more, letting her voice guide them toward their core...
"The Flames of Sky are colored as the rainbow," she went on, reminiscing while she talked about those first lessons with the cursed hit-men that would eventually become her husband "and each flame has a property, a power if you will, associated to it."
"And," she warned "while people with the same kind of flames tend to have the same temper traits, they can show this very same temper in completely opposite manner, so making assumption like 'this guy has this kind of flame, so of course his temper is going to be such and such' is stupid."
The alpha smiled "And being stupid gets people killed, I don't think I have to remind tajiya of this."
Everyone nodded seriously around her, and she finally went on to the flame description.
"Mist flames are indigo, and their power is construction." a smile "Those are typically used by illusion weavers, often mischievous and imaginative."
Shippou, eyes closed, smiled at the description, finding within himself the flames as she described them – a small frown as he realized those weren't his main flames, and he kept on meditating.
Kana on the contrary, seemed rather surprised but happy with her flames.
Even more surprising, the fact that both Kagome and Miroku seemed to share a faint affinity for the flame, just like she did. Realizing that all those with spiritual powers shared the flame prompted her memory - all wizards had shared a mist flame too, it must extend to holy servant too seeing as reiki was but a special kind of spiritual energy just like magic was...
[Goal update:1/7]
"Cloud flames are purple and have the ability to grow and propagate. Their users tend to be both very possessive, and quite individualistic."
She smiled softly – realizing as she described them, that she could already feel the pull of a strong Cloud linked to her own flames. And really, knowing her father, it really wasn't a surprise to realize his element...
"Lightning flames are green, and can be used to harden." she wasn't surprised when Sango's eyes opened in wonder, green sparks covering her hands before fluttering off "Their users are protectors."
[Goal update:2/7]
"Sun flames," she went on, not even needing to close her eyes to feel the bond "are yellow and activate things. Be it the speed at which a wound is healing, or the rate at which a poison is transmitted." she added with a feral smile "And their users can be a bit single-minded in their passions or opinions."
[Goal update:3/7]
Kagome's let out a small "oh" of wonder, but kept her eyes close, now clearly seeing her primary flame - and realizing that mingling with her mist secondary were a third color...
"Rain flames are blue, and have the gift of tranquility." Tsukiko kept on, not surprise when Miroku lit bright, nearly liquid-like flames, while Kagome's nodded in understanding at her third flames "They can be used to great effect by diplomats and assassins alike."
[Goal update:4/7]
"Storm flames are bright red," the hime moved on, keeping an interested eye on her beta "and their disintegration ability is quite destructive." the flames were quite intense she mused, for a first activation – but so fitting of the hard-headed hanyou
[Goal update:5/7]
"And finally..." she concentrated, smiling as she managed to call the flames that had played such a great role in her first reincarnation "Sky Flames are orange, and have the power of harmony."
"Harmony?" Shippou wondered, a note of surprise in his voice – and as she could now feel the light orange flames in his soul, she understood his curiosity
[Goal update:6/7]
"A Sky tend to gather his elements around him." she explained with a smile "Just like an alpha has a pack, a sky has guardians." a shrug "Or really, partners is a better word for it."
[Goal complete! +50XP
Goal update: have every pack member get his main Flame active
Bonus Goal complete!+100XP
Bonus Goal update: have every pack member get his main Flame active before completing the Shikon no Tama]
[New skill unlocked:
Flame of Sky: 5/100
Flame of Storm:5/100
Flame of Mist:5/100]
[New ability unlocked:
Sky Attraction (passive) :+1 Luck and +1 Charisma every 10 level (evolve to active when Flame of Sky /=25)
Storm Fury (passive): +1 Strength every 10 level (evolve to active when Flame of Storm /=25)
Mist Puzzlement (passive): +1 Wisdom every 10 level (evolve to active when Flame of Storm/=25)]
She had of course gone into more details later on, using her own memories to give them examples of the numerous different uses each individual could find for his own flames. - and of course detailing several ways people could use to find and unlock their flames, then train them.
It was only far later, when the pack retired in their own hut for the night, that they could talk a bit more about their own findings – Shippou, in particular, finding himself full of questions on his dual flames.
"You've spoke of a lot of people with multiple flames, but none were skies." he pointed out
"Simply because it's really rare." she explained "I knew a sky-storm man, but didn't get to know him too well..."
"Why?"
A shrug "He threatened my family, I killed him for it." the ookami put out bluntly, not wanting to lie "Still, it's from him I realized that as a sky we could use our flames either separately or together."
"There weren't any blood red flames in those you described." Shippou realized, remembering the aura she'd worn when saving Kanna
"Exactly. Fusing two flames together demands even more meditation, and you have to gain at least a basic grasp on each flame separately first." she explained, "But once you do, things like my own Flames of Wind can happen."
From there she went to explain why there were so many mist users in their pack, surprising them when she explain that she hadn't been attuned with those flame in her previous lives...
The next few days had been spent on doing more of the same thing – and while none of the group Tsukiko had been given to teach had activated their flames, several had managed to find the still passive flames in their core thanks to the hours of meditation done.
The pack, as they had all found their own flames on the first day, spent more time on the rest of their abilities, adding a bit of time of their daily meditation to focus on their flames but otherwise keeping in mind that while useful it wasn't an ability they could use just now – and as such, it was still important to keep up and improve those abilities they already knew how to fight with.
Sango had also gone to the local blacksmith with her weapon – Hiraikotsu still bearing the mark of Juuromaru's claws.
While he'd been able to fix the boomerang – to her questions about improving the weapon he mused a bit before explaining "I wouldn't suggest this usually, but since the village's weapons are made of purified youkai bones, there is someone who could help you." the blacksmith had finally explained "Your weapon as it is cannot be improved by a blacksmith, not even the one who made your friend's blade," he went one, gesturing toward Tessaiga
"But there is someone?"
"A youkai specialized in medicinal and poisonous potions." the human blacksmith nodded "But beware, if you go... His way of enhancing weapons is said to be dangerous, and if you're not confident enough in you and Hiraikotsu... You'll loose it."
The young tajiya nodded resolutely – mind already made.
When told about it, Tsukiko nodded "That blacksmith knows his topic." she commented ash Sango explained about her talk with him "And among us your weapon is probably the only one that could benefit from Yakuro Dokurou-sama's potions. If you're ready to face his trial, we'll go as soon as we leave the village."
One last thing was done before the pack left the village – just like promised, Kagome had kept a track of the ongoing days, and manage to discreetly remind the pack of the coming birthday.
¤.¤.¤
As such, InuYasha spent the afternoon hunting with the tajiya, and the last evening was spent feasting, the women of the village presenting a braided obijime made from a youkai horse's mane, the black strands soft and robust, and small colorful bone beads ending both ends of the braid.
Later in the evening, the pack profited of the privacy of their hut to give out their own gift to their leader.
Miroku had managed to find some scriptures when they'd visited the youkai market, Sango presented the alpha with an inro equipped not with medicines but a choice of poisons used by the tajiya. Shippou and Kanna had taken advantage of the youkai market too apparently, as they'd found an obidome for their alpha, the ornament consisting of a weight to tuck it in the obi and a chain with several wooden ornaments dangling on it – each one, they realized, representing a member of the pack.
The two children, Kagome mused, must have spent a quite a bit for the accessory as it was clearly youkai made, and there were even several kind of woods – but seeing Tsukiko's smile as she promptly wore it made clearly made it worth for the two of them, as their smile were just as big as the hime's.
As for the miko – she had found her gift in their own era, a simple but elegant ankle bangle with small bells on it. While the bells were silent most of the time, they could be made to tingle softly with each move, and more importantly, grew louder for the wearer when in range of an illusion a barrier, or any other power susceptible to entrap the user's senses.
Finally, they were back on the road the next day, heading toward the famous youkai potion master – and after a few days in the right direction, the youkai hadn't been that hard to found as even humans could follow their nose to the waterfall where he did his brewing.
What neither the blacksmith, nor Tsukiko had felt inclined to share was that all the youkai's preparation were highly alcoholic, and they found the youkai himself sleeping away in one of the multiple jar full of sake that were neatly aligned under the waterfall.
After being woken up rather violently by InuYasha, the old youkai finally turned his attention to Sango and her weapon.
"Oh, a tajiya, and a beautiful one at that! It's been some time since one of the youkai hunter came to me!"
"Another leacher..." Shippou complained in a low voice while Yakuro Dokurou examined both weapon and master
Finally the youkai stepped back, and asked "What do you want me to do? Your weapon is already in working order as it is."
"If you're as good as they say, you must realize it has been repaired recently."
"And a very correct job was done for a human." the youkai complimented "Your weapon is just as strong as it was before."
"And that's exactly the problem." Sango pointed out seriously" I wasn't strong enough, but neither was Hiraikotsu in our latest fight." a resolute nod "I can improve myself, but alone I can't overcome the weakness of my weapon."
"And you don't want another weapon?"
"Hiraikotsu is mine." Sango protested "It was presented to me once I finished basic training with my father, and I've been using it ever since."
"Ah but with the potions I use... You may well lose your weapon forever if you fail to strengthen it in time."
"That's a risk I'll have to take." Sango answered, gaze clear and decision already made "I'd rather try and lose Hiraikotsu forever, than just discard it on the side and take on a new weapon."
"Well," Yakuro Dokurou said, snatching the girl's weapon and dropping it in a jar where he'd just mixed a few liquids "We'll see if your will is strong enough then."
He pointed at the jar, where the tajiya's beloved boomerang was rapidly melting under the poison action.
"Head in and subdue the youkai in here before your weapon is completely melted."
Sango nodded, jumping on the edge of the large jar before being stopped by loud mewl – and Kirara jumping by her side.
"You can't follow your mistress in this, little nekomata." the youkai pointed out, not unkindly – before widening his eyes at the loud protesting growl "Oh I see, well, if its a familiar bond..." he gestured at the cat and the girl, and both took the movement for the authorization it was, jumping in without another thought
[Challenge LV100! Live your life as it is...
Goal : Deal with the youkai
Reward: +50XP, Hiraikotsu is upgraded upon completion]
The rest of the pack gathered round the jar, InuYasha soon loudly protesting "We don't see a thing! It's too dark!"
Yakuro's only answer was to push the hanyou in a jar – said hanyou soon came out, in a random jar and looking rather affected by the potent sake; but commenting "Oh I can see her now!"
Kagome and Miroku eyed the hanyou dubiously, then took notice of their alpha, who was comfortably propped against another jar, a cup in hands.
"Well," the priest was the first to comment "I guess we've got no choice?"
"Seems so." Kagome nodded, still looking a bit bewildered by the vision, Shippou and Kanna both looking nearly asleep on the knees of their alpha – which would have made a rather cute picture, if not for the empty cups not too far "I really hope Jinenji keeps to infusions rather than sake..." she prayed before gulping the alcohol
Sure enough, as soon as the alcohol was drank – the pack felt itself thrown in the darkness, observing Sango from afar.
Neko and tajiya we standing on emptiness, facing a hoard of youkai.
But, Sango realized as she stayed in place, observing the youkai in front of her – while they felt angry, none of them made a move to attack.
"Are you... Hiraikotsu?" she finally asked
"We are." one voice among the countless confirmed
"Have we not fought side by side all this time?" another voice echoed
"And yet you are ready to throw us away?" another protested "Dipping us in poison, watching as we disintegrate!"
"I'm not!" Sango protested "That's why I'm here!"
"Yet you're the one who let us become like this!"
"Because I want us to grow stronger together."
The calm affirmation provoked a wave of violent protest, the youkai looking ready to attack "Are you saying we're weak?"
The tajiya didn't let herself get thrown off by the youkai's attitude, instead coldly stating "Right now? Yes. You are weak." at that statement they started to rush in attack – before stopping in their track as she went on "And so am I. I can grow stronger alone, but like this..." a smile "We can grow stronger together."
"Why?" the whispered question echoed in the darkness
Countless answers flashed through Sango's mind – for vengeance against Naraku? Because she didn't want to let go of the weapon her father had gifted her so long ago, her last memento of him? Because she was a tajiya, and tajiya fought youkai?
A smile.
"For the pack."
And suddenly, the darkness was receding, the countless youkai turning back to bones, one last voice echoing.
"Your resolve has been received, Sango the tajiya, pack-member of the House of Moon."
"Let's fight together, and grow stronger again."
[Challenge LV100 Complete!
Reward:+50XP, Hiraikotsu is upgraded]
[locked-weapon Hiraikotsu (tajiya boomerang, LV100: +300 Damage) evolve into leveling-weapon Hiraikotsu (LV1: +10 damage, +3 Strength, +2 lightning damage, +1 Enhancement Space)]
[Level up! Hiraikotsu is now level 101!
+210 damages, +33 Strength, +22 lightning damage ,+2 Enhancement Space]
[Hiraikotsu Enhancement update:
A Resolve Witnessed(empowered, LV100): +100 Poison damage per second, lasts 50 seconds
(empty space)
(empty space)
You currently have 3 unused Stones:
Gokurachu-chou Crystallized Feather(normal, LV100): +10 Air damage
Solidified Poison (attuned, LV100): +20 Poison damage per second, lasts 10 seconds
Dragon Lucky Jewel (normal, LV100):+50 to critical damage]
As she stepped out of the sake, Sango was smiling – all tension draining out of her as if she had been in a fight rather that simply talking. The situation faced with Hiraikotsu's personified will had been rather intense and now that it was over, she felt herself drained.
¤.¤.¤
Ryoichi and his group of misfits, as he'd taken to fondly call them, were still growing, and as such a stop by a human village had been warranted – if only to buy a few clothes for his latest additions to the group.
Since it was a rather sunny day, something the kitsune knew wouldn't last much longer, he'd opted to let the children roam in a nearby field, each of the oldest in charge of several of the youngest, in a system that they were thankfully getting used to.
With how numerous they were growing, he found himself rather grateful for the organization skills learned a life-time earlier, stuck in a guerrilla war. Who knew taking care of dozens of kids and animals was just as hard as keeping a military regiment organized?
The humans had looked – first in fear at the invasion of youkai, then in disbelief when they realized most of them were children, and finally, when understanding the ones in charge only wanted to trade, they shrugged and got down to business.
Money and traded goods were still good to take, even when coming from youkai after all.
While giving a few pelts of the hunting trips he took the children on, and getting the clothes they so direly needed, the kitsune was chatting amicably with the people around him, managing to make the the villagers relax and nearly forget he was a youkai.
Stopping in front of a stall, he took a look at the vendor, then pointing at an ornament "How much for this?"
Shinobu, who'd been following him like a shadow as was usual nowadays peered at the item, wondering "What do you want with female jewels and hair-pieces?" a leery glare don't tell me those rumors about kitsune being promiscuous idiots are true after all?"
"For one thing," Ryoichi protested "Kitsune aren't promiscuous, we just love beautiful things. And for another, these are for my little twin-sisters! And I'm happily engaged with the most beautiful and dangerous ookami hime in existence, thank you!"
"You? Engaged?"
The fox laughed "Well, if I had forgotten that cats don't rely on their sense of smell like us canine, you're doing a good job of reminding me!" he teased, before adding, more serious "But the youki of our engagement mark you should have felt, we'll have to up your training a bit..." and with that, he was back to bartering with the bemused merchant
As the afternoon was drawing to an end, and the children coming toward their leader group by group, the fox couldn't help but laugh "I'm pretty sure there's one more than this morning!"
"This is Satsuki-chan," an old villager that had been talking with him answered in place of the children "her brother was drafted to war by a lord a few years ago..."
"And never came back." the fox sighed "The stories all ends up the same everywhere don't they?"
"They seem to." the human concurred, eyes dark as he took in all the youkai around him – all the children without parents in sight – with a sigh he explained "She doesn't want to admit her brother isn't coming back, so she's living alone in their hut, stealing what she can... Several of us have tried to take her in, but she always refuse..."
"Accepting would be admitting he's not coming back." Ryoichi understood easily enough
"I knew." the little girl, who until now had been half hiding behind Kenshin and Isamu, finally admitted "But I didn't want it to be true."
"There were boys hitting her, so we made them run." Isamu affirmed proudly
"You weren't too rough?" the fox checked "Remember..."
"Humans don't heal as fast as us so we don't play as rough with them." Isamu recited obediently – the younger kuro inu had been of of those who'd struggled the most with the usage of appropriate force when playing with youkai or humans
"They made the mean ones leave me alone!" Satsuki confirmed "And so I told them about my treasure..." at that her smile fell a bit "I thought it was a Shikon shard, and that if I prayed enough, brother would come back."
What she held out was a simple piece of crystal.
"But then they told me that it wasn't, and that if it had been bad youkai would have come to take it, because it's not truth that it answers wishes."
"They were right." his eyes wandered among the young youkai playing amicably around "Some of them were orphaned because of the usual territory conflicts, but most of them lost their parent because of this cursed jewel one way or another. It's making lots of youkai go mad, and leave the others to suffer the consequences..."
"That's what they said." the human girl nodded "Well... Kenshin-kun's words were less complicated!" she exclaimed with a pout "But he said the same thing. That some youkai went mad, and that's how his parents died." her eyes darted around the children around them "That none of them had family left either, just like me..."
The villager and the kitsune shared a glance, somehow both of them guessing what was coming next.
"They said you're taking them to a new home, but that they'll still be able to see each other..." a big breath "Can I come too?"
Bending to be at eye level with the girl, Ryoichi checked "They told you we're going to a very different place?"
A nod.
"And that if you go, you'll never come back?"
Another nod.
"There are still people who can care for you here, are you sure you want to come?"
Third nod – quite resolute.
¤.¤.¤
Sighing in defeat, Ryoichi smiled "Well, then I guess there's no real problem with having one more with us..."
With a large smile, Satsuki threw herself at the kitsune in a grateful hug, before running with her two new friends to gather the few belongings she had left.
"Will it be alright?" the villager checked
"Well, I was looking for youkai and hanyou's orphan because I knew the human ones would find people to take care of them more easily, but it can't hurts." a shrug "My country is fortunate in that we don't care about people's species, so finding her a family won't be too hard. I'll just have to be more careful about tiredness, hunger and cold..." he commented to himself
Shinobu, who'd followed the discussion in silence cut in "We'll be alright, but I really wonder how much we'll be by the time we get to your country, idiotic fox. You really are picking up any cute things with wide eyes, aren't you?"
"I'm not! Or rather yes I am, but that's exactly what I was sent to do!"
The villager nodded to himself – youkai and hanyou they may be, he'd seen enough kindness and care in those two eyes to let Satsuki leave with them without worrying.
It had been so long since they'd last seen her smile like this...
As for Kurama, who'd stayed away for the village, complaining about the scents and the lack of riches, it was the last straw.
"You're even taking humans now?" he protested "You'll regret it eventually," he promised "the world is far less kind than you seem to realize!"
"It's precisely because I understand just how unfair the world is that I'm kind." the kitsune contradicted lightly – he knew the youko wouldn't understand, but he'd at least try to explain his reasoning
"I can't take it anymore," said youko sighed "you're interesting, and the spars are fun... But all those brats around, and that annoying habit of helping people as you go... It's not even profitable!"
As the youko was walking away, Shinobu eyed his alpha in all but name, wondering "You didn't even try to make him stay?"
"I knew he'd leave one day or another." a shrug "He's not ready to see the world as I do, but I hope we'll meet again once he's matured a bit..." he added with a sharp smile "After all, like he said, the spars were nice!"
the yama-neko hanyou rolled his eyes at the fox's antics and went to find the new addition, quickly explaining to the girl their daily program – realizing as he did so that they'd had to adapt some of the lessons once more, as she only knew the bare basics of reading an writing, and didn't have any use for the youki training - even if learning meditation never hurt anyone...
And with that the misfits were on their way again.
It was a few days latter that Shinobu finally asked something he'd been wondering about for a while – something the younger kids put on 'kitsune magic' without a second thought, but he knew better.
"So... you've got all kinds of strange powers."
Ryoichi raised an eyebrow but let the cat forge on, too amused by the situation – knowing how stubborn his little follower was, it had been but a question of time before he started to ask questions.
"You make things appear and disappear, I've seen you stare into space an laugh as if you were hearing something funny, and I'm pretty sure you've disappeared yourself a few times..."
"And what do you think?"
"I don't know!" the cat admitted, clearly annoyed at the admittance "But I'm sure it all ties together one way or another!"
"You're right," the fox nodded "I've ability that ties to all of this." a smile "I've this thing called an Inventory where I can stock things," he demonstrated by getting out one of the spare fur pelts he kept for the winter "I have access to a Map that shows point of interest around us, and I can send and receive letter with this power instantly, among other things."
"Which means... There's other people with that power then?" the smart cat understood swiftly "Is it something from your mysterious home?"
"Not a bad assumption," the fox mused "but no, it's something me an my fiance were born with." seeing the rounded ears lower in disappointment, he went on "a power we can partially share with our hunting partners... And even more completely with our pack."
And the ears were up again – taking this as all the authorization needed, a hunting party invite was soon sent, and the wide-eyed yama-neko was soon familiarizing himself with the lighter version of Chaos Game.
And in Ryoichi's mind – there was little to no doubt the small hunting duo would evolve in a pack as soon as they'd have gathered enough XP for that. He was even looking forward to being stuck with the bossy hanyou as beta...