"Five weeks," Sesshomaru mused. "How could it have been that long?"
Touga responded with a sigh. "You really have no clue how fast time passes when you're unconscious."
"But how did the kit age so quickly?"
"There have been many attacks in the area, since you've been…. indisposed," Tsukuyomi answered.
"He was hiding his true age from the others, Sesshoumaru," Amaterasu said. "Now he appears closer to his true age. He simply let go of the trauma that had been holding him back."
"But why?" Sesshomaru persisted.
"He let go of old pain to be better able to protect Rin, son," Touga told him.
"You may not agree, and you may not like it, but their souls are a good match…" Amaterasu stated. "Possibly even true soul mates, not something humans find very often, given their normally short lifespans."
Sesshomaru thought for a while. The gods felt this was a favorable sign. Touga felt their optimism was a bit premature.
"The kit said both mikos were missing…" Sesshomaru said. "I know the living miko returned to her home. Shouldn't the undead miko be with my half-wit half brother?"
Tsukuyomi looked to Amaterasu. She shrugged.
"Since she is not of the living," he started, "we cannot be sure. She could very well be a pawn or spy…"
Sesshomaru appeared startled by this.
"What do you mean by pawn or spy?" he asked. "Who would need to go to such measures? Would this be part of the 'great destiny' you had mentioned?"
Amaterasu looked to Touga to field that particular explanation, then disappeared from the dream plane.
Touga was not pleased by the sun goddess' sudden absence, nor was he happy to be the one trying to explain this mess to his son.
"My son, things are far from what they seem…" he started.
~~~~~with Kagome, one week later~~~~~
Kagome and Aya were sparring in the dojo, with the others calling out pointers and tips… But mostly being a distraction, since a battlefield is rarely quiet.
After a particularly distracting call from Daniel, which also involved a quick tip from a reiki whip, Kagome found herself pinned to the mat by Aya's knees. As the girls got up to reset for another round, Take strode in, Mei and Mio running at his heels. He went straight to Elias and spoke quietly. Everyone remained still, waiting to see what was going on.
Amaterasu popped in at the edge of the training area a moment later and walked to Kagome and Aya.
"Young one, you're not quite ready," she said. "You and your Rider will remain and continue training. I'll send Bishamon when it's time for your return to the past." She looked to Aya. "Rider, you may have a few moments with your mate. It's time for him to join his Chosen."
Elias was already by Aya's side, having been told this was coming. He led Aya outside the dojo so they could speak. He knew well that yokai ears would still be able to hear what he was about to say, but they would keep his confidence.
"Love, you know what this means…" he said.
"I do… but why bring me out here for this?" she asked.
"Because… There is something you must keep to yourself here." he responded. "If Kagome finds this out before the gods give their approval, everything we've worked for thus far will be forfeit. Do you understand, my heart?"
"Tell me already, Elias," she growled. "Geez… And you complain about my theatrics!"
"Aya… This is not theatrics. If you tell her, we lose everything we've worked for. Everything."
"Ok, fine!" she relented. "What's going on?"
"The fluffy bastard is finally giving in and accepting his part," Elias said. "But he's earlier than Bishamon predicted."
"I figured that, genius," Aya huffed. "What else?"
"Take said if his memory is accurate, about 4 more weeks will pass before Bishamon is sent to retrieve you," he said. "You two have a lot of work to do between now and then. And when you come back through the well, put your theatrics to good use… Make her stand out!"
Aya looked confused. "Take? What would he know about what happens then?"
"Well…" Elias was somewhat reluctant to answer. "He was there."
"What do you mean he was there?" She questioned. "Who is he?"
At that moment, Amaterasu stepped outside.
"Now, that would be telling, wouldn't it, Aya?" she laughed. "He isn't allowed to reveal that, just yet. I'm not pleased that Take told your mate, but I won't punish either of them. Nothing more is to be said on the matter, am I understood?"
Both Riders nodded in agreement.
"Time to go," the sun goddess said.
Elias and Aya shared a brief embrace. "See you soon, my heart." he told her, before he and the sun goddess disappeared.
Kagome felt Elias leave and came outside.
"Aya, are you ok?" she asked.
Aya nodded and stayed quiet for a moment. Then she looked at Kagome… Really looked at her.
"Kags, do you think you could call my fire?"
Now it was Kagome's turn to be confused. "What do you mean, call your fire?"
"Exactly what I said," Aya said in exasperation. "Do you think you could call my fire? I'm a Phoenix. One of my powers is to control fire. Do you think you could call my fire? Do you think you could use my powers?"
"I could try…" Kagome responded.
"No, you will do better than try," Mei said from the door. "From now until you're called back, you're going to double down on your training. Your control of your spiritual power still needs work, and calling on her powers will help with that as well."
Kagome started to argue, but was silenced quickly by a very strong burst of yoki.
"Who was that?" she asked, slightly fearful. "I've felt a yoki signature like that before… But never here. He can't be here. It's impossible…"
Mei and Aya shared a glance.
Aya mostly answered her question. "You will need to be able to equal that strength, if not be stronger." She started to go back inside the dojo. "We need to get back to work."
Kagome stood still, determined to get a straight answer.
"That didn't answer my question, Aya," she growled.
Mio stuck her head out the door. "Kagome, we need to get back to your training. Come on!"
"Not until Aya answers me- who did that yoki burst belong to?!" Kagome shouted. "And don't lie to me, I know who it felt like and there is no way in hell that's possible!"
Mei looked nervous. Mio just laughed. "Kagome, Mike is still a Kitsune. One thing he learned over the years is how to mimic others, even down to their yoki signature. He's quite adept…" she explained. "Now lets get back to it."
Distracted by that piece of information, Kagome calmed quite a bit. "Really? Kitsune can do that?" she asked.
"Yes," Mei answered her, shoving her toward the door. "Now lets go!"
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a/n: So… done to death. Not quite, but yeah. And my inner critic is going crazy, telling me how much this all sucks… But I know it can't really be that bad, since y'all are still reading, lol. I do still feel it's going slow, and I am still impatient with myself… When I read back over things by way of my phone, I almost forget I'm the one writing it! If you like, let me know… If you dislike… Still let me know. But please, let me know what it is you dislike so I can try to improve upon it! Thanks, lovelies!
Cast of Original Characters
Aya— a Soul Rider, Kagome's "sister" and Phoenix yokai
Elias— Aya's mate, another Soul Rider, and Golden Inu
Mike— 4-tailed Kitsune, American Marine, General, and Aya's "dad"
Mio— Mike's human mate, Aya's "mom"
Mei— Mio's sister, Miko, assisting with Kagome's training
Take— Mei's mate. Assisting with Kagome's training.
Paul— American Marine, Cougar yokai, assisting with Kagome's training
Daniel— American Marine, human Priest, assisting with Kagome's training
James— American Army, Eagle yokai, assisting with Kagome's training
John and David— human, military, dismissed after initial altercation with Kagome.