Chapter 28
Succession
It took the three of them a full day to make it back to the palace. They had walked in silence for the most part, Sesshomaru far ahead, leading the way, while InuYasha followed at a cautious pace, trailed by Karitei who picked her way gracefully over the rocky terrain. InuYasha could feel her large, sapphire eyes burning holes into his back, and to be frank he was getting annoyed with her. He felt like he must look ridiculous or something, and he wondered what was so damn fascinating she just couldn't take her eyes off him for. But he held his tongue, using the time to explore his heightened senses.
When they finally came upon the massive stronghold it was the dead of night.
The sky was a black velvet expanse laden with stars and all was quiet and almost eerily still. It was the first real look InuYasha had gotten of his father's home, considering he couldn't remember much of anything after he'd been injured and brought here initially. It was all a smear of agony that he would much rather forget, anyway. With his heightened demonic vision, he could see that it was a complexly built palace, with many floors and ornate curved ceilings supported by thick, sturdy-looking columns, all surrounded by stone walls that rose high into the sky. He could see warriors stationed along them at intervals, guarding the massive gate as well as keeping watch. With Sesshomaru leading the trio, there was no hesitation. The heavy wooden gates swung open silently, and they walked through the opening unbothered. No one spoke a word. The warriors, dressed in dark toned armor, knelt as they passed, their faces lit dimly by torch light.
InuYasha took in everything with eyes that were hungry for every last detail. Outside the beautiful palace that was set up high on the hill far ahead, there were acres and acres of land. Some of this lush land was used to farm and source various things needed to run such a large compound, but they passed barracks for soldiers and even shops and homes too. It was an entire city unto itself, and he picked up on the mixed scents of the many different breeds of Yokai that had passed through here recently. It was all a marvel to him, and he couldn't stop staring.
Sesshomaru led the three of them through the small town and up the path, past beautiful gardens, and finally up a long set of smooth stone steps, where they were met with another pair of guards who were stationed just outside the palace doors. Again, they silently melted into the shadows and let them pass with bowed heads.
The large, ornately carved doors were the height of at least two of him combined, made of rich, dark wood that he took notice of as the warm light of the oil lamps that were set into the wall on either side of them flickered against it. They swung open without a hinge or a single squeak to break the calm of the night. Golden light poured out into the darkness, silhouetted by the figure of his brother as he glided through the doorway. InuYasha followed lamely behind, urged by Karitei who was still close on his heels.
The wooden floor was cold and completely even beneath his bare feet, and the air held many different and confusing scents. One of which stood out to him in particular and had him pausing in shock for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as he shot a questioning look at Sesshomaru.
The Daiyokai seemed frozen himself, looking off with his eyes glazed over slightly and a rigid set to his shoulders. He looked down, noticing that his hands were clenched at his sides, a clear sign that he was fighting some hidden battle.
And sure, InuYasha could admit that while the perfume of a flowering Inu female was indeed rather sweet, it did not call to him. Though his brother was clearly struggling. He wanted to probe a little, be nosy just because he could probably get a rise out of Sesshomaru in this state as he was clearly already riled up, but just then the three of them were greeted by a pair of servants.
The two female Kitsune were dressed in identical off-white cotton kimonos, the color paired nicely with their pale freckled skin and auburn hair. They were identical in every way, with large, forest green eyes and delicate features. They bowed deeply, their plain robes sweeping across the floor.
"Have the young Lord's rooms cleaned and show him to the hot springs." Sesshomaru's voice rang cold and harsh, his tone dismissive as the kitsune rose to their feet smoothly.
"Yes, my lord." The two servants spoke in unison, but InuYasha was too busy staring at his brother with his eyes wide and his jaw hanging open slackly to take notice of them herding him away.
Lord?
Was that what he was now?
Never in his life… even though his mother had been a Hime in the palace he'd lived in as a child, he had never been addressed as such. He could feel the mark of the moon on his forehead tingling, almost burning and he wondered if that was all that had been missing this entire time.
He was being led down a darkened hallway, throwing one last look over his shoulder. Sesshomaru stared back at him, his face schooled into a blank mask, his golden eyes giving away nothing as finally they rounded a corner, erasing the dimly lit foyer from his sight.
The halls were darkened and unlit, but with his demonic eyes InuYasha could see clear enough to make out the details in the dark wood of the walls and floors. The two kitsune twins led the way, walking at a brisk pace. Suddenly, they veered a corner, and were met with a large set of shoji doors. In front of them there was a hallway on either side, and as they approached, he could see that both led to the outdoors. He could smell the scent of flowers and herbs heavy on the night air that was held back only by thin screens.
The kitsune paused in front of the doorway, turning to look back at InuYasha with large, unblinking eyes.
"The hot springs, my lord." They bowed lowly, sliding open the door with ease. He was immediately met with hot steam curling out into the hallway from the surprisingly well-lit room. As he stepped in, the shoji door quietly snapped shut behind him, but he hardly noticed.
The floor was made out of soft wooden slats with just enough space between them to allow water to drain through, built around smooth rocks that rose out of the ground to form a sort of deep natural tub.
It could hardly be called a spring, he mused as his slid his new robes from his shoulders. The fabric felt so thick and heavy in his hands. The red crest of royalty stood out boldly against the white that made up the majority of the kimono, and his expression fell as his eyes landed on it. For a long moment, he just looked at the pattern and felt a heaviness overcome him that he could not shake. There was a wooden stool in the far corner, and InuYasha carefully laid them over it with a sigh, making sure that they would stay dry as he bathed.
As was customary for bathing in a spring, he first rinsed himself off with a bucket of water that had been sitting off to the side before sinking into the steamy bath. His muscles were losing some of their stiffness as the hot water did its work but still, he couldn't relax. Something didn't feel right.
Maybe he was just disappointed.
Many times, throughout his childhood, and even in his later years InuYasha had fantasized about the moment he was finally allowed to step foot in his father's halls for the first time. He expected to have to fight for this right, to spill blood and prove his worth. Maybe he'd been a fool. He'd always imagined it differently… something profound that would change him as a person. He wanted to feel like he'd earned this.
But he didn't.
These walls are just walls and I didn't do anything to deserve this… all I did was almost die.
Steam curled through the air and he sunk even deeper into the water, letting it come up to his neck as he slowly surrendered. A sour feeling settled in his gut then, because he realized that everything in his world had shifted with just one defining act. A choice he'd made with the poorly plotted revenge he'd tried to enact upon the Band of Seven.
He would've never thought it would end up like this. But he was getting everything he'd ever wanted… so why did it feel so hollow now?
He'd always pictured it different. Maybe that was the problem.
Through the clear water, he looked down at his hands, studying the markings there with his brow deeply furrowed. He was struggling to get used to them. Every time he looked down, he wanted to wince. And what was more… he could see a wavering image of his reflection on the surface of the bath, and all at once he was frozen there, with a stranger staring back at him from the wavering water.
But it wasn't a stranger. It was his own face still, his mother's nose and the familiar gold of his eyes but now the same markings that Sesshomaru bore now adorned InuYasha's face too. A purple crescent moon directly in the center of his forehead, buried beneath his shaggy bangs and a jagged magenta stripe on each cheek. Not exactly like his brother's, but similar enough to where it almost made him feel uncomfortable.
Who was he supposed to be now?
His whole life, he'd just been the forgotten bastard orphan who lived off of scraps and hatred. But now, here he was, in the ancient halls of his family with the mark of the moon on his forehead and yet his heart was filled with dread and uncertainty. And they had called him a Lord. As if every painful rejection from his past could just be erased now because he wasn't a Hanyou anymore.
InuYasha sank deeper into the steaming water, letting his hair soak as he relaxed his whole body and let his eyes drift shut. He didn't want to think about it anymore. He couldn't trust anyone in this place, but he owed it to himself to face whatever lay ahead rather than tuck his tail and run. Inside of him, there was now a massive well of power that he was altogether clueless in the face of. He had to learn how to control it, and perhaps he would truly master his father's sword along the way too.
With his resolve solidified he let out a heavy sigh of mixed relief, his thoughts drifting for a moment before landing on the dark-haired beauty that danced through his dreams, as they usually did. His heart skipped a beat when the memory of her rich brown eyes flashing with warmth flickered like the flame of a candle in his mind. Longing swept over him in a tsunami; the waves were crushing him, and he was drowning in it. Her touch could fix anything. She was soft and open, and her love felt like the warm spring after a dark, cold winter. He didn't want to live in a world without her light. But she was five hundred years away and all he wanted was to have her by his side again even though he new it was impossible. He wasn't sure when he'd be able see her again. It could be weeks. He cringed at the thought, his heart sinking in his chest as a hollow feeling spread throughout him.
She had no idea what had been going on since she'd been in her own time… and he dreaded how she would react when she was faced with the physical changes that had come with his ascension. If he were being honest with himself, he would admit that he was scared. Maybe she would be disappointed… but InuYasha was good at shoving his feelings down, deep into a place where they couldn't bother him. For now, at least.
He let out a deep breath, dunking himself under the water for a long moment before breaking the surface again. He soaked for a while longer before the Kitsune came to fetch him, their voices soft and quiet as they announced themselves. He stayed submerged as they padded into the room silently, their eyes trained on the floor. In their hands they each held a pile of neatly folded fabric. The pair worked in complete unison together, gathering up the robes he'd worn here and replacing them with the garments they had brought.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing with that?" InuYasha bit out sharply, eyeing the kitsune who had his new robes draped over her slender arms. Her wide green eyes snapped up to meet his own for a brief second before they settled on the wooden floor again.
"Forgive us, my Lord, would you not have us clean your robes? I would have them placed in your chambers by morning." The Kitsune's voice was soft and quiet, she did not look up when she spoke. Her twin stayed stock still, unmoving beside her, a statue that hardly seemed to breathe. But the Inu was focused on the kimono in the servant's hands still, his brow furrowed. He was unwilling to part with them, but as it was, he didn't feel like arguing. Exhaustion had begun to seep into his bones, and he realized how truly tired he was all of the sudden. All he wanted was sleep.
"Fine." He conceded with a heavy sigh. "just get out so I can get dressed, will ya." The last part slipped out in an irritable mumble. He wasn't used to having anyone wait on him and he didn't much care for it already.
"Hai, my Lord." The kitsune said in perfect harmony, slipping out of the room in the next second, sliding the door closed to afford him some privacy.
InuYasha rose from the stone basin, feeling a rush of cold as the air hit his skin after soaking in the steamy waters for so long. He dried himself and dressed in the clothes they'd brought him. They were simple garments comprised of black silk, obviously made for sleeping. When he was done, he slid open the door and found the pair waiting for him in the hallway, their faces lit dimly now as one of them held an oil lamp in one hand, the flame flickering weakly.
They began to lead him back towards the other side of the palace where they had come from initially, but they took a different turn along the way, taking them deeper into the belly of the palace. All was silent, save for the sound of his own footsteps against the wooden floor. The kitsune moved noiselessly.
Eventually they came upon a large set of intricately carved wooden doors, and up close he could see that they were crafted beautifully. They pushed open inward, and as they crossed the threshold his eyes widened as he took in his surroundings. The hallway was wide, farmed by thick wooden pillars that were painted a deep red, and the walls were paneled in a dark wood that matched the tortuously laid flooring. He could see different hallways branching off on either side, as well as large and impressive doorways. They led him down the long hallway before finally stopping outside one of the sets of doors at the end.
"Your chambers, my Lord." The servants bowed as they spoke together, neatly backing away to allow him entry.
He stood there for a moment, his hands resting lightly on the doors, hesitating. He felt his heart seem to still in his chest as he almost unconsciously held his breath. Why was he so nervous all of the sudden? It was stupid. It was just a room.
He silently chided himself, and with sweaty palms he pushed open the doors.
He was greeted by the warmth of a weak flame flickering against the wooden walls from the lamps that were lit there. Large columns rose up to support the vast ceiling that rose high above him, and as he stepped cautiously over the threshold, he could tell from the few pieces of lavish furniture that this was a sitting room of sorts. There was a fireplace set off to the right, but the ashes were cold and dead, and he could tell that no flame had been lit there for a long time. On either side of it there were arched open doorways, but he was not in the mood to explore. On the far side of the large room there were a set of shoji doors, and he figured that's where he would find a bed.
The kitsune had slipped away into the shadows, sliding the main door shut but he didn't notice. He was drawn to the Yokai energy he felt pulsating from behind the wall. All too familiar, it called out to him, brushing along his aura comfortingly. The Tessaiga. He would know it anywhere.
The futon in the center of the room dominated the space. It was raised up slightly on a platform, and it seemed very regal looking to him as it was framed in long, wine colored curtains that were almost sheer and draped from wooden posts. But even so, that was not what drew his attention the most.
There, in the corner there was a wooden stool with a neatly folded red robe sat atop of it, and beside it, propped up against the wall was his father's sword. In glinted in the lamplight, and he felt his heart swell in response, his fingers instantly reaching out to touch the metal. A shiver of satisfaction raced down his spine as his own energy collided with that of the sword once more. Without thinking he wrapped his fingers around the hilt and lifted it in the air. The familiarity of the action felt like a wave of relief washing over him. The weight of it in his hands alone was a comfort. But a small part of him had been worried that the sword would reject him, because he was different now…
But that didn't happen.
He could feel a difference in his own Yokai and the way it reacted to the Tessaiga, but he didn't think that was necessarily a bad thing. Maybe now that he wasn't depending on the sword to bring balance to his being, he could focus on mastering it. He could see that the sheath had been laid on top of his folded garments, and he could admit to himself that he was also relived to see the robe of the fire rat again too. It meant a lot to him… another thing his father had given him along with his sword, and his name.
With his thoughts weighing heavy on his mind he set the weapon back down again, turning to the futon with a sigh. He couldn't be bothered to throw the blanket over himself, so he just plopped on top of the made bed, laying spread eagle for a long moment as he stared up at the ceiling. How was he supposed to sleep without the sound of wind rustling the trees around him, or the call of birds on the night breeze? The only times he could ever remember managing to fall asleep in a real bed Kagome had always been there.
When he thought of her his chest began to ache. He missed her… her smell, her touch, her smile. The way she whispered his name so softly in the mornings. This futon was so cold without her there to wrap around him. as he laid there staring up at the ceiling, he wondered what she was doing in that moment. She was probably asleep, but a part of him hoped that he was at least crossing her mind.
Kagome wanted to scream.
Looking down at her hastily written notes and back up at the board again, she just couldn't wrap her mind around what the sensei was trying to drill into her. Math was not her strong suit.
It had been a few days since she had practiced her aim at the archery range with Mamoru. And while there had been a tickle there at the edge of her senses telling her that something was off, she had not felt it dire enough to traverse back into the feudal era just yet. Mamoru had assured her that she was right in her choice, he was against going back until she was close to breaking the second gate on the seal that had been placed on her powers by her father when she was only a few hours old. She reluctantly agreed, for more reasons than just that.
There were people in the past that she didn't know if she was ready to face yet… people who she owed an explanation, still. Like Sango.
When the Taijiya crossed her mind, she felt a twang of guilt twist in her chest remembering the last time she'd seen her. Kagome had been so torn up after what had happened with Bankotsu, she wanted to cringe thinking about how she'd acted. But at the same time, she couldn't exactly blame herself. Trauma could lead a person to do and say things that they normally wouldn't… if anyone could understand such a feeling, it would be Sango.
And then there was Shippo too.
She thought about him every day, and she hoped he wasn't causing too much mischief around the village, but she knew enough to assume that he was probably raising hell. She missed him.
The bell rang, signifying the end of third period and thus the start of lunch hour, and the sensei dismissed them all with an impatient wave of his hand. Chatter instantly broke out around her as her peers began to shuffle through the doors, but Kagome stayed seated and quietly put her things into her backpack, keeping her gaze lowered.
She could feel the stares of three different pairs of eyes burning into her almost balefully. Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi. Just a week ago she would have considered the girls to be some of her closest friends, but ever since "Hinata" had, from their perspective, shown an interest in her, they'd been nothing but frigid. It was stupid and childish, just petty nonsense that she didn't much have the time for these days. Her jaw was set in a rigid line as she did her best to ignore them, feeling Mamoru's aura tingle across her own as he came up behind her with Hojo in tow.
"C'mon 'Gome, looks like we're sittin' inside today." The Yokai broke her internal reverie, shoving his hands into his pockets as he leaned against an empty desk.
It was raining. The sky was overcast in shades of gray, fat droplets of waters streaking down the glass windowpanes. Very fitting. Stormy enough to match her mood as it was quickly souring.
She zipped her backpack shut and stood, slinging it over her shoulders as she plastered a wan smile on her face solely for Mamoru and Hojo's benefit.
"let's go then."
She let herself disappear between the two of them as they walked out into the wide hallway that was crammed with students stuffed together like sardines. They chatted about trivial things that she mostly ignored, detaching herself as she turned inwards toward her own thoughts. Her insides felt like a raging sea, tumultuous and charged with energy. Her mood plummeted as the day had wore on, and now she was just ready to get her last two periods over and done with so they could go and work on her training. Surprisingly, she had grown to like their sessions. Mamoru had shifted his focus to meditation, but they still sparred and did cardio almost daily. But she found that after their workout was over, she felt almost content, even accomplished. It felt good to be getting better at something, especially something that was so important.
Kagome, smushed between the two much taller boys who were laughing at something Mamoru had said, walked into the school cafeteria, catching more than a few looks. She was grateful for Hojo and Mamoru in that moment, they provided a barrier between the gawkers even though they probably had something to do with why people were staring at her. Girls, mainly. Jealous ones.
She fought the urge to roll her eyes, feigning indifference as she could hear the whispers faintly carried on the air. Not loud enough to make out exact words but just enough so that she knew they were talking about her. Probably calling her all sorts of awful things and making up rumors like teenage girls often did. She sighed heavily, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear and keeping her eyes trained straight ahead as the three of them sat at an empty table.
"Why so down, Kagome?" Reo elbowed her lightly, a soft, endearing smile on his face.
She gave him a wan smile in return, pulling out the lunch her mother had packed for her from her backpack with a shrug. "I'm just miss the girls, that's all." though in reality it was much more than that, it was still true enough.
His brow furrowed, "What did I miss? Are you guys in a fight or something?"
"Something like that." She said, unable to hide the annoyance in her voice. "Ayumi had a massive crush on Hinata," she threw said boy an evil look before continuing, "and because him and I have been hanging out they think I stole him from her."
Hojo laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Man, you women sure are something else. Don't they know that you have a boyfriend?"
"Mhm." She said around a mouthful of rice, knowing he was talking about InuYasha. "Doesn't seem to matter to them though. It's all pretty ridiculous if you ask me."
"Yeah, as if I would ever get with Kagome," Mamoru, or rather, Hinata, piped up from beside her with a snort. "She's practically like a little sister to me. And besides, I had no idea that Ayumi felt that way to begin with, otherwise I probably would've screwed her already and been done with it."
"Hey! Don't be crass, you asshole. She's still my friend, even if we aren't talking right now, so watch your mouth before I knock a couple of your teeth out. Let's see who'd want to fuck you then." The small girl all but growled, shooting daggers at the Yokai with her eyes narrowed. He had the good sense to put his hands up in apology, leaning back from the table with a cocky smile that irritated her beyond belief.
"Alright alright, simmer down you two." Hojo chuckled, used to their arguments by now. They threated to kill each other almost daily, as the boy seemed to push her buttons like no other. "Anyway Kagome, I'm sure they'll get over it in a few days. You guys have been friends forever, and it's just a misunderstanding. They'll come around."
"I Hope so." She appreciated him trying to reassure her, but honestly at this point the petty argument was the last thing on her mind. She had much bigger things to worry about, like getting stronger so she could return back to the feudal era and kill Bankotsu. That was the thought that drove her to work hard in every training session with Mamoru, to push herself every day because she knew that she would be facing the specter soon enough. And when that day came, she needed to be ready. Not only physically, but mentally as well. She could still remember the stale stink of sake on his rank breath, could still feel his foul lips and hands on her while she was almost entirely helpless against him. That night had broke her, scarred her, and she would never forget how it had felt to be at the whim of that evil man. And maybe once he was dead the nightmares would finally stop.
The rest of the day passed without much excitement. As usual, she trained with Mamoru after school let out and after, he had taken her home where she had dinner with her family. That night, as she lay in bed her thoughts wandered over to her Hanyou, as they often did. She missed him so much that it hurt. The very thought of him made her chest feel heavy, her throat tight with emotion. He hadn't come to visit her at all, like she had expected that he would after they had been apart for so long. It only furthered her worry that something had gone down in the feudal era, and that must be what was keeping him away. But still, she knew without a doubt that if he had been killed she would just know. She would feel it in her bones. They were so deeply connected. Tsukuyomi had said it himself, their souls were intertwined. They could be no question of the fact that he was alive. And that knowledge comforted her a bit at least.
His eyes, the color of liquid amber, flashed through her mind. And for a moment she could almost pretend that he was there with her, cradling her against his hard chest, though her cold, empty bed said otherwise.
She turned, looking at the moon through the slats of her blinds as its light poured in. It was only half full, but still, it was beautiful and it calmed her, her eyes already feeling a bit heavier. She wondered then if she would see Tsukuyomi again soon, wondered if he was there, watching her right now. She hoped she was making him proud.
The air was thick with heady mist as Kagome faded into a state of consciousness. Her eyes blinked open slowly, staring up at the sky that was heavily laden with stars, greeted by the fresh scent of wild flowers. She knew this place.
She slowly sat up in the soft grass, looking around the all too familiar meadow as fireflies flitted through the air lazily all around her, flickering in and out.
"Musmume." Her fathers voice, low and soft and layered like a song. A smile curved at the corners of her full mouth as she rose to her feet, dusting off her silken kimono out of habit though it was completely pristine and free of wrinkles.
"Father." She greeted in return, bowing respectfully. The word felt a little less foreign on her tongue now.
"My, you have certainly blossomed." A warm look was glittering in his obsidian eyes. A blush was brought to her cheeks at his praise and a feeling of pride expanded in her chest. "And your power grows stronger by the day, it brings me much happiness watching you grow, my child."
His words were not lost on her and she shone under the light of his praise.
"Thank you, father." She bowed again, not bothering to hide her smile now.
"Quickly, let us sit and talk before the night wanes further, there are a few things we must discuss." He urged, leading her to the very same stone bench where he had first revealed his true nature to her. It all seemed so eerily familiar, though she was now getting used to this realm and the odd sensations that came with it.
They sat beside each other and she appreciated his ethereal, stoic beauty for a moment as he gazed out over the meadow, his eyes swirling with an unreadable storm that was brewing there. Cloudy and mysterious.
"You're progressing very well. Better than I had dared to hope, even. And Mamoru has done nothing but sing your praises, of course." He folded his hands in his lap elegantly, his river of inky black hair lifting in the breeze. "How are you finding your training with him?"
All at once those all encompassing eyes were trained on her, looking straight through her and into her heart with little more than a glance.
"Well, I-" she faltered, unable to withstand the full weight of his gaze without looking away. "We work very hard. He is... becoming a good friend." She said honestly, and she meant it, though her emotions towards the yokai were a bit more complicated than she was letting on. Though, she was sure he already knew that.
"That pleases me to hear." Tsukuyomi smiled briefly, sensing she had more to say.
"But I did want to ask you..." she swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. "Well, I-" her eyes flashed up to meet his briefly, she wasn't quite sure what she wanted to know but she still felt like she was missing something when it came to Mamoru. But she had to choose her words carefully, they were on borrowed time here in his dreamscape.
"Mamoru is of the Tatsu clan, yes? If it's not too bold of me to ask... how did he come to be in your service?" She said finally, her voice tepid, unsure if she had overstepped an invisible boundary.
She watched as his face became pensive, his eyes that seemed to sparkle with stars also danced with amusement, though he seemed thoughtful for a moment. A ghost of a smile flitted across his mouth as he spoke at last.
"Now that is a story I think best saved for Mamoru himself." His voice was warm with laughter and she knew that whatever memory played in his head now was a happy one. "Though, I will say this. Mamoru is a Yokai unlike any other I have met in my many lifetimes." His voice turned serious then. "His unique power and self control alone is impressive, and his loyalty is unmatched. He is my most favored among my acolytes, and I would not have entrusted you to him unless I was absolutely certain of his worth. And he is worthy Kagome, of this you can be sure."
Their eyes locked and in those infinite swirling depths she saw everything. Past, present, and future all at once locked in an eternal embrace. Kagome could only nod thoughtfully, though admittedly she didn't feel completely satisfied with his answer. But she knew that everything Tsukuyomi said was based in complete truth, she knew enough now to sense a lie when she heard one.
"Enough about Mamoru. I called on you to speak of a serious matter." He cut off her line of thought abruptly, his voice turned firm.
She straightened, her expression falling into one of worry as her brows knit together with concern.
"It is time you returned to the feudal era for a while. You are nearing breaking the second seal on your power... and the past is calling to you. I know that you feel it."
He was right. She felt it's pull down deep in her bones, whispering, tugging. She could only nod mutely, sure that longing was written plainly in her expression but she couldn't find it within herself to even try to be false with Tsukuyomi in any way. He knew her heart, he'd read it front to back the instant he'd laid eyes on her. It was fruitless trying to hide from those cosmic eyes.
"Yes," she said with a heavy sigh. "I miss InuYasha." The words had slipped past her lips just as they crossed her mind, her voice filled with deep, aching want that she could not bury. Tsukuyomi's face became guarded, he looked away, off across the tall grass that was met by murky waters along its border.
"You must not falter, Kagome. Not even for a moment. Mamoru is already making the arrangements." His voice was laced with ancient intent as he gracefully rose to his feet, giving her a pointed look. "I must go now my child, but take this, and use it to call on me if your need grows dire." He reached out a slender hand to her, his draping sleeve falling away from his strong wrist as he slowly unclenched his fist to reveal a small circular compact laying in the center of his palm.
It was sliver, ornately engraved and delicate looking that she almost didn't dare to take it. It seemed to fragile, too perfect. Her fingers reached out cautiously, hesitating before she picked it up, her eyes flashing up to meet Tsukuyomi's briefly, as if for reassurance.
It was cool to the touch, and incredibly light. She turned it over in her hands, caressing the images that were imprinted over it. Sliver cherry blossoms floating on an invisible breeze as a crane swooped gracefully through the air, a mountain range outlined by a shining sun. It was so detailed that it could've been a picture, every petal and every feather seemed to portray movement and life. It was small and round but the edges were scalloped, so fine and smooth, it seemed to almost shine with an ethereal glow.
"It's beautiful." She whispered, her voice betraying her absolute wonderment.
"It is a celestial mirror, intertwined with my own magic. Use it wisely..." his voice was layered with a sage tone that spoke of the objects power.
She was flustered, but managed to give him a tepid smile. "Thank you, father. I will treasure it." She meant it. It was the first and only gift he had ever given her and that meant more than she could express in that moment.
"Open it." He urged, a smile curving at the corners of his mouth, his hands folded in front of him expectantly, long draping sleeves cascading off of his pale wrists.
"Oh, okay." She tittered nervously, her slim fingers fumbling with the fine silver clasp for a moment before it finally clicked open.
Instantly she caught her reflection in the small, round mirror. The image of her perfectly almond shaped eye swirling and glittering like it was made of stardust, reflecting off of crystalline waves.
"How do I use it?" She asked, still caught by the startling beauty of her own reflection in the celestial mirror.
"Mamoru will instruct you. I must go now, it is nearing sunrise." He rose smoothly, robes falling elegantly off of his strong frame. She found herself standing along with him, bowing low in the traditional manner before straightening to look him in the eye.
"Thank you, father." Her voice was hardly a whisper.
He smiled, just a gentle uplifting of the corners of his sculpted mouth.
"It is I who should be thanking you. There is a great burden on your shoulders, my child. One that only you yourself could ever truly grasp..." his pale hand came up to ghost along her cheek then, for a brief moment, his dark eyes seeming to speak of a deep sadness. "And it is one that I wish I could take from you."
After a few more minutes of contemplating her confusing feelings she finally managed to drag herself out of bed. It was Saturday, and though she and Mamoru had made plans to meet up later in the afternoon the morning was hers. She stretched her arms up over her head, loosing the remaining sleep from her stiff body as she made her way to her bathroom to tend to her personal needs.
Rain pounded against the window and outside the sky was cast in tones of heavy gray, somehow reflecting the storm that was tearing at Kagome's heart. Something felt wrong... off, somehow. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but the feeling was unsettling and sent a shiver over her skin.
She dressed for the day simply in a pair of leggings and an oversized sweater, leaving her ever growing hair tumbling long and free down her back. She no longer took notice of the way her body had been subtlety changing over the past few weeks. After she had gotten over the initial shock of her altered appearance it hardly crossed her mind and she nearly forgot that she had changed at all as her power steadily grew. That, however, didn't escape her notice. She was stronger than she had ever been, her reiki swirling inside her like sharp electricity that zinged beneath her skin. It was something she took a small amount of pride in, though she was nowhere near as powerful as she longed to be. But at least now she knew that when she did at last travel back to the Feudal era she would not be easily over taken again.
Images of the night Bankotsu had nearly done the unspeakable flashed through her mind against her will. Her fists clenched at her side and she visibly flinched at the force of the memory. His voice seemed to float through her mind, whispering things she wished with all of her being that she could forget.
She shook her head, fighting to clear it.
No.
She would never let that happen again. She would be the one to kill Bankotsu for all he had done. That is, unless InuYasha had gotten to him first. Thoughts of her beloved Hanyou chased away the darkness that lingered in her mind as she made her way downstairs to the kitchen, where she could hear her family chatting idly as she was sure her mother was just beginning to put breakfast on the table.
A few hours later Kagome found herself at the park where she and InuYasha had first consummated their love, though she tried to keep her thoughts purely pg-13 even as her cheeks flushed and her lips twisted in a smile at the warm memory. Mamoru had instructed her to meet him here at 12, by the gazebo he had said specifically. She pulled out her phone, checking the time as she strolled idly.
12:10
Her screen read plainly. She rolled her eyes, knowing that the Yokai would be annoyed at her tardiness.
But she was coming up on the spot they were set to meet, and she had already spotted him. In full glamour with his black spiky hair and darkened eyes he stood with his hands shoved in his pockets, his expression set into a mask of idle boredom that she was familiar with.
She could tell he had already picked up on her presence, probably as soon as she had entered the park honestly. He was dressed in a torn pair of dark jeans and a black hoodie that he had pulled up over his head, and his eyes met hers as she came closer.
"Hey." She greeted casually, giving a small wave.
"You're late." He said tartly, his voice laced with underlying sourness.
She grit her teeth, fighting the urge to roll her eyes because she knew he was going to say something exactly to that effect.
"It's ten minutes. You'll live."
Her hand brushed along the wooden rail of the gazebo, feeling it's dampness as she looked out over the small pond, ignoring the yokai's attitude. The rain from this morning had faded away, leaving the earth covered in a layer of fine moisture, the sky cast with gray clouds as the sun fought to peak through.
He muttered something, probably calling her lazy. Usually she would snap back but she wasn't in the mood to argue with him today.
"Let just get down to business, shall we?" She pulled the mirror Tsukuyomi had given her from her pocket so that Mamoru could have a look. "I'm sure you have already spoken with him, but he gave this to me last night and he said that you could show me how to use it. A... celestial mirror, he called it."
"Yes yes, now put it away before someone sees." His eyes darted around the park, dark and hooded. She slid the compact back into her pocket, away from the prying gazes of pedestrians.
"Well?"
"It's not that hard to figure out, honestly. Open it, and tell it what you want to see. And sometimes you can use it to speak with Tsukuyomi directly, but on both accounts it's works best at night." He shrugged as if this were obvious information that any village idiot would readily know. This time she didn't fight to roll her eyes at him. He was certainly in a nasty mood today.
"Thanks." She didn't bother to hide her sarcasm. "So now what? We go through the well?" She leaned against the railing, sighing heavily.
"Yes. In two days time, so you'd better start thinking of an excuse for school. And you might want to pack your bag for an... extended stay." He punctuated the sentence with a small, hollow smile, a far away look reflected in his dark, magicked eyes.
Kagome decided not to read into his slightly odd behavior, brushing it off as his own reluctance to return back to the past that he had once called his home. After all, he had been here in the present since she was born, her silent guardian. Maybe he had his own heartaches there in the feudal era that he wished to leave buried in the past.
"Sure." She nodded, shoving her hands into her pockets. Two days seemed like an eternity from now, and she couldn't help but wish that she would be going alone, like she had so many times before. But things were different now. Even though she knew with a deep certainty that these next few weeks would be harrowing, she also realized that everything would work out how it was supposed to. How it was always meant to. Still, she couldn't help but dread InuYasha's reaction to the news that Mamoru would be traveling with them from now on. After all, he had no clue of what had been going on with her as of late. And on the reverse, she didn't know how things were in the Feudal era either. Something told her that something serious had gone down. She didn't know how she knew, but she could feel it settled deep into her spirit with a hollow trepidation that she didn't like. Not one bit.
A/N:
So I know its been forever but I hope some of you guys are still around. Initially, I only stopped writing because I no longer had access to a laptop and I ended up losing all of my files. But this story was always on my mind still, and I've pretty much just been waiting for the opportunity to continue it. And I don't have any plans of stopping again. I love ya'll, don't hate me! I'm hoping to get out another chapter by next Friday, and I'm working on a Hanako/Sesshomaru side story as well. As always, please let me know what you guys think and thank you so much for reading.
