Chapter 20: Three kids + One angry miko + Two teenagers + One bewildered mother = problems for the gang
Legal: Blah, blah, blah. I don't own them. None of them are mine except Tao and Momiji.
The wolf dog kicked open Sesshomaru's door, avoiding the ragged hole less it cut the pale youkai, and shut it closed after entering the den. On the bed, Kagome and Inu Yasha slept on, the two still curled together as they rested there in the center of the bed. Taomaru laid Sesshomaru near the couple and then knelt on the floor, rummaging through Kagome's ruckasack for what he needed. When he stood, Taomaru nearly dropped the cloth and water he had found, stunned as he stared at the bed.
Kagome and Inu Yasha had moved to Sesshomaru's side, curling around the youkai as they slept. It was a strange scene, Taomaru decided as he vaulted onto the bed and put the bag down beside him. He wiped Sesshomaru's exposed skin free of sweat by using the washcloth, checking on all three sleepers when he was finished. Taomaru picked up Kagome's discarded robe and covered her naked body, not disturbing her at all as she slept curled around Sesshomaru, one hand touching Inu Yasha. On the youkai's other side was the hanyou; also sound asleep. Inu Yasha's dark tail had flicked over Sesshomaru's waist, insulating his brother from the cool air around them.
All in all, Taomaru scratched his head as he considered the three, though they were completely innocent of any wrong- doing, the scene made an outsider think other wise. As the wolf dog looked on, they piled closer together like a heap of puppies, each comforting the other with sheer physical closeness. Taomaru blinked his bronze eye, thinking back to what he knew of the behavior of dog youkai children. It wasn't an oddity to see pups curl up together when sleeping, constantly with each other whether awake or asleep in either form. It was normal for pups to do this, to establish bonds with others their own age or other members of the clan. If, for whatever reason, a pup didn't have the opportunity to do this, to curl up with a sibling or even a parent, that child had a part of him or her that wouldn't develop completely. No one understood why this simple act was important but it had proved its worth- it was why it was acceptable for clan pups to crawl into their parent's bed if they were an only child, or to sleep in the same room with their siblings when everyone was young. In later years, the pups would outgrow this behavior and received their own rooms for privacy. If Taomaru hadn't known that Kagome was from the future, he would never have believed she wasn't a dog youkai herself.
And that was the clincher revolving around Kagome; Sesshomaru had been correct when he had stated that the bond between the wolf dog and miko was different. Taomaru had met Kagome long ago while she had been a child, around the same age as the younger Kagome that had appeared. The wolf dog had known it would only be a matter of time before someone put things together; it was just that he had hoped that it would come after the battle.
Sesshou is just too damn smart. Taomaru thought, looking down at the pile of 'pups' he sat beside. Just like Momaru. A soft smile touched the wolf dog's lips briefly before it slipped away. Because Taomaru still lived, and as long as he lived, he would carry the guilt of being unable to help his brother or Lady Kitori. To make up for being unable to protect those two, Taomaru would protect the three children sleeping nearby; protect them as long as he was able.
Though Taomaru couldn't prove it, the wolf dog was almost positive that Lady Kitori's death was not natural. Taomaru rolled his bronze eye at himself and barrowed an expression from Kagome's time. Duh, he thought. Healthy youkai women don't just roll over and die for no reason. With no proof however, no one could prove any foul play. Taomaru, sealed down in his underground prison, remembered listening through the walls as Momaru seethed about that fact, angry that he didn't know who or what had killed his first wife and that the very threat could cost him his second-, which in the end it had. The wolf dog had to agree that Lady Yui had been in danger from an unknown threat while she walked the castle halls and even as he sensed his power fading away, Taomaru had tried to manipulate the castle itself to keep her safe. It had grieved the wolf dog greatly when Kitori had been murdered, a fact that Sesshomaru had never been informed of, and had weakened Taomaru in the fight to stay alive. When Momaru fought Ryuukossei and died soon after, Taomaru had lost almost every reason he had to become Guardian- with no incentive other than to protect the Western Lands, Taomaru had fallen victim to the energy draining waters that surrounded him in the underground chamber. Though Momaru had forbidden his half brother from interfering at all, Taomaru still took the inability as a personal weakness.
When Kagome had reinitiated the link she and he shared, Taomaru had been able to awaken again enough to help her through the dream mesh. To say that it had startled the wolf dog a few weeks ago when he had heard a much older Kagome reaching out for help would be an understatement. It had surprised him even more when, thanks to Kagome's magic awakening, he had been released from his imprisonment and was now able to walk freely around the castle, reanimated and whole. The spirits that haunted the halls were also being woken up and given substance by the amount of power Kagome, Inu Yasha and Sesshomaru were radiating.
Kagome is the key, Taomaru was now positive that this was true. She effects too many not to be so important. The young woman in question snuggled closer to Sesshomaru, the pale youkai responding by wrapping his tail around her. Taomaru paused a moment in his musings and pulled up the comforter enough so that he could cover the sleepers. Yes, Kagome was the key. In the short span of time Kagome had been interacting with Sesshomaru and Inu Yasha, she had already secured Sesshomaru's power base, united their troops, thawed Sesshomaru's icy heart, partially healed the rift between the two brothers, had reanimated all the ghosts in the castle… Taomaru's mind boggled at the list that went on and on, most of the hurdles jumped small but important ones.
The wolf dog shook his head and slid off the bed, fully intending to let the three get the rest they all so desperately needed. Taomaru slipped out the door silently and made several trips back and forth from Sesshomaru's den and other rooms in the wing. When he was through, he shut the door of Sesshomaru's den, still inside the room, and quietly asked Momiji to have the door open to the upstairs regions. The dead woman appeared before him, looking as solid and as real as he did.
"The Shikon Jewel isn't complete yet." She whispered, looking worriedly over his shoulder at the bed. "Do you think they will be strong enough to take on the force nipping at their heels?"
Taomaru glanced over his shoulder and then back at his ancestress. His shoulders slumped as he answered her truthfully. "I do not know. They are all so young." He shook his head. "The Dark Army will attack whether we are ready or not, whether they are ready or not. As ghosts, you and I have nothing to fear in death, but those who still live do. Aside from our pride, we have nothing to lose. They have their lives and their loved ones." The wolf dog sighed sadly at the uncertain future. "It is a heavy burden to bear."
Momiji nodded sadly in agreement and disappeared, fading away into the door itself. The wolf dog opened the heavy doors, blinded by the sudden light filtering around the wood. With his head positioned so that his missing eye faced the illumination, Taomaru walked through the doors.
Kouga, Sango, Miroku and all the children had quietly left Kagome and Inu Yasha. The band of unhappy people had gone up the long hallway while Taomaru had been dealing with the other three. The small group had been keeping a sharp eye out for the undead priestess Inu-chan had spoke of. They had found nothing and had decided to go to the castle proper and help prepare for the upcoming assault.
"I hope Kagome's okay." Shippo said worriedly, watching the two small versions of his friends.
"Rin wants to go back and see Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin said as she started down the hallway back the way they had come. Sango grabbed the little girl's kimono and pulled her backward, preventing any escape.
"It may be too dangerous for you, little one." Miroku said soothingly, watching tears pool in Rin's dark eyes. "Let Taomaru deal with the others."
"Kouga," Shippo said, eyeing the strangely silent wolf youkai. "You're awfully quiet. What's wrong?" The others turned toward Kouga, waiting for his reply.
The wolf youkai shifted the two children he held, looking down at the dark and the silver white heads. As he watched, little Kagome stirred, yawning hugely into Kouga's chest before she looked up at him. Her blue eyes widened in fear while the wolf youkai blinked and tried to look less frightening. So this is Kagome- the same woman just her child self. Kouga smiled down at her, trying in vain to hide his fangs. The little girl shrank back, her eyes still wide as she tried to become as small as possible. Her lip trembled, the first warning that she was about to cry. Kouga's face fell and he looked desperately at Sango and Miroku for help.
"Kago-chan?" Inu-chan had taken that moment to join the waking world. Kagome reached out and took Inu-chan's hand. The hanyou boy squeezed his hand around hers and blinked, looking around at their surroundings. When he realized that he was no longer in Sesshomaru's arms, Inu-chan took a firm hold on Kagome and squirmed out of Kouga's hold.
"Hey, dammit!" Kouga said, making a grab for the boy's fluffy white tail. "Come back here!" Inu-chan and Kago-chan ignored him and dived for cover behind the pack of wolves that had just shown up, the canines also doing their own inspections of the area. Duchess and Socrates immediately began licking the pair, wagging their tails joyfully as the rest of the pack formed around them. Every time the two children tried to get away the pack of canines herded them back or simply picked them up by their clothing and pulled them back into the center of the pack.
Sango and Miroku peered down at the two tiny tots. The demon exterminator knelt and the pack formed around her, including her in their midst. Sango looked at the two frightened children and tried to be soothing. "We know you're frightened. We mean you no harm- we only wish to help." Inu-chan pushed Kagome behind him, wrapping his tail around her when she ducked down to hide.
"Where's Sesshomaru? Where are father and mother?" The little hanyou demanded, backing away from Sango and being careful not to trip over Kagome as she moved. The adults around him were confused, totally at a loss and that made him even more on edge. He bared his teeth and growled as the woman held her hands out to him.
"We don't know but your brother told us to take care of you and Kago-chan." Miroku said quietly, looking up and down the hallway.
"Did they go after that lady?" Inu-chan asked and behind him little Kagome stood up, looking fearful.
Sango sighed to herself as Shippo jumped onto her shoulder from Miroku's. Rin looked around at everyone, taking note of the tension in the air and stepped forward into the circle of wolves.
"My name's Rin," the little girl said and bowed clumsily. "Pleased to meet you."
Little Kagome stepped out from behind Inu Yasha and walked forward until she was a polite distance away. "I'm Kagome." The little girl bowed formally. "That's Inu Yasha over there." Kagome nodded in Inu-chan's direction. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." Kagome straitened and looked up at the adults, moving closer to Inu-chan when she saw Kouga. "Who're you guys?"
Introductions were made all around and the odd group walked up the remaining bit of hallway and into the castle proper. As the doors opened, Kago-chan stiffened and hid behind Inu-chan. Immediately, the little hanyou began to growl, bringing his claws up to attack. The pack of canines that had thus far formed a loose circle surrounding the group began to growl and snap at the air. Their fur bristled, hackles raised and the loose formation became more structured, forming a tight knot of sharp teeth and tensed muscles.
"What is it?" Shippo asked nervously, watching the dogs and the younger versions of Kagome and Inu Yasha.
"It's her!" Inu-chan snarled and his eyes bled from gold to red. "It's that lady who attacked Kago-chan earlier!"
"How can you tell?" Miroku asked, looking at the empty hall. "There's no one here but us."
"I can feel her." Kago-chan's voice wavered slightly as she hid behind her hanyou companion. "I can feel her nearby and she's coming closer."
"But we just searched this area." Sango said, moving through the doorway and looking around the empty area. The monk was right- there was no one here at all. Kouga frowned and moved up beside Sango, flaring his nostrils and inhaling deeply.
"I smell earth and… bones?" The wolf youkai frowned as he continued to scent the air. "I can smell something but I don't see anything." He blinked and looked over at a darker corner of the room.
"She's here!" Kago-chan insisted and Inu-chan growled menacingly at everything.
"Point her out, Kago-chan." The boy whispered as the dogs spread out to inspect their surroundings. By now everyone was inside the castle, milling about and searching for the invisible threat.
"Come out, Kikyo." Miroku's voice sounded louder than normal in the silent room. "We know you are here!" Beside him, Sango silently drew her boomerang and settled into an attack crouch.
"So she can sense me, can she?" a quiet voice asked from the shadowed corner Kouga had glanced at moments before. For all their superior senses, Kouga, Shippo, Inu-chan and the pack of canines still couldn't make out anything except darkness in the corner. "The younger self of my rival." They heard slow footsteps and now a figure could be seen from the corner.
It was indeed Kikyo but a pale version of her normally malicious self. She leaned to one side slightly as if she were having difficulty moving- as if she had suddenly come down with a severe case of arthritis. She had a pained look on her face as she looked at them, as the light settled on her. Her miko robes were dirty, a surprising first for those who had always seen her in perfect conditions, her bow and arrows showing signs of neglect. And then of course there was the fact that she gave off the feeling of being transparent- as if, somehow, Kikyo was dwindling before their eyes.
"Little bitch," Kikyo spat as she advanced a pace and drew an arrow. "You summoned your power and now are calling me back." Inu-chan snarled and leapt at her intending to slash her face to make her shut up. How dare she talk to his friend that way! Kikyo didn't seem to notice the fuzzy bundle's identity as she knocked him away and kicked his little body out of view, the small heap vanishing into the darkened corner she had emerged from. "I have not the time left to deal with all of you." Even as Miroku and Kouga charged, Kikyo prepared to fire her arrow, leveling the deadly projectile at the tiny dark haired girl.
Time slowed down for everyone and reality narrowed into one diamond edged picture.
Kouga lashed out with his feet while Miroku brought down his staff, both intending to prevent the undead priestess from ever loosing her arrow. Behind them, Sango brought her bone boomerang around to take the arrow if either ally should fail. The pack of wolves and their dog leaders surged forward, an angry tide of flesh and fur and teeth- a postal worker's worst nightmare come to life. Little Kagome dived for the floor, screaming.
Every movement was done at hyper speed and yet in agonizing slowness; there was plenty of time to complete their actions and yet there wasn't.
Kikyo let the arrow fly, the shaft glowing brilliantly as it speared the air and zoomed toward Kago-chan. Light washed over the undead miko from behind, from the not-so-dark corner, surprising her and blinding everyone else. Shouting, screaming, barking and general noise filled the air as Kikyo was pushed forward and hit from behind. An explosion sounded near the doorway leading down into the tunnels and Sango grabbed the screaming little girl, protecting Kago-chan from the falling debris as the doorway behind them was destroyed by Kikyo's arrow. Youkai ran into the room, alerted to the sudden threat by Kago-chan's screaming.
In the blink of an eye it was all over. Confusion reigned in the suddenly over crowded room.
Miroku raised his head and forced himself to stand up. He offered a hand to Kouga as the wolf youkai also began to rise. Both had hit the floor, blinded, when the light had appeared. This wouldn't have been a problem except after that they had been hit by chunks of wall from behind thanks to Kikyo's arrow. The monk looked around, stunned into silence as he watched the youkai of Sesshomaru's army dig Sango and Kago-chan out from the heap of rubble that had fallen on the two. In a heartbeat, the monk was helping the soldiers, taking Sango's arm and helping her stand while she continued to cradle Rin and Kago-chan.
The pack of canines were also finding its footing, nuzzling each other as they picked their way among the debris. Miroku let go of Sango, watching her begin dusting herself off before he looked at the corner all the trouble had started from, expecting to find Inu Yasha in demon form and genuinely surprised when all he found was a doorway.
A door? The monk wondered. Obscuring his view was a bunch of girls and for a moment the priest forgot about the new mystery entirely. He walked over and tapped the nearest girl on the shoulder, smiling pleasantly when he saw her beautiful face.
He took her hands as she stared at him. "My name is Miroku, fair maiden. Will you bear my child?"
The girl stared at him in fear, edging closer to her friend. "Suki…!"
Miroku blinked in confusion. "Who is Suki? Is she as beautiful as you are?"
"You're scaring her you idiot!" Kouga hit the monk casually in disgust. Miroku promptly fell to the floor, rubbing his head. "Who are you anyway?"
"We're friends of Kagome." The other new girl said. As she spoke, the girl Miroku had been talking to pulled away from him and dived behind her friend for cover. Both girls were dressed in an outfit similar to the uniform Kagome always wore. Both girls were looking down at Kikyo as the priestess got to her knees.
Shippo wobbled over to Miroku and the monk picked up the kitsune as he himself rose. The little youkai had not escaped injury- he had a deep cut over one eye- and Miroku guessed that was the source of Shippo's imbalance.
"Shippo-chan!" A familiar voice called from the doorway and everyone looked in that direction. Sango, covered in dust from the stony heap she had been buried under felt her jaw drop. Kago-chan and Rin sat up, looking around. Kago-chan saw the figures in the doorway and her tear streaked face brightened considerably.
"Mommy!" The little girl called, struggling to get down and go to the woman in the doorway.
"By Buddha." Miroku said, and Kouga looked from the monk to the doorway. "Mrs. Higurashi! Sota! What are you doing here?"
Mrs. Higurashi looked at the faces staring at her, trying to think of how to explain it all when a furry white heap moved by her feet. At first glance it looked like the world's largest dust bunny but then Inu-chan sat up, blinking his golden eyes. While Mrs. Higurashi watched the hanyou she felt a tug on the pants of her miko robes.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Little Kagome cried, fresh tears falling as her mother knelt, a look of wonder on the older woman's face. "Mommy, I was so scared!" And then little Kagome began to cry in earnest and Mrs. Higurashi could only pick up the small girl and hold her tightly. Inu-chan rose stiffly, bleeding from myriad cuts, and stumbled over to the pair.
"Its okay, Kago-chan." He said awkwardly, alarmed when Mrs. Higurashi looked at him sharply.
"Inu Yasha?" The woman asked as the little boy began to keel to one side. Without thinking, Mrs. Higurashi picked him up too, cradling both children against her chest protectively. "Miroku, Sango, Shippo." She barked out orders and everyone snapped to attention, responding to the authority in her tone. "We have a lot to do and I've got some things that can help you in the battle."
"Mrs. Higurashi, what's going on?" Yukari asked, shaking her head in confusion. "We came to see Kagome and now… and now…" She looked at the youkai standing around and began screaming. Hands covered ears all around while everyone present winced at the high pitched sound. Suki tried shaking her friend to shut her up but it was Sango and a hard slap on the cheek that finally made Yukari to fall quiet.
There were so many questions, hundreds from each person present, waiting to burst forth in the pursuit of knowledge. For a moment there was stunned silence while everyone stared at everyone else. Kikyo took that moment to disappear- literally. One minute she was there, solid and real and, as everyone watched, she faded away into nothing, an angry frown on her face. It would be too much to hope for that she had finally been put to rest but it was a nice wish while it lasted; in all likelihood, Kikyo had probably learned a new trick and would show up again later.
This left the matter of the child versions of Inu Yasha and Kagome, of Kagome's mother and brother, and of Kagome's two friends, for everyone else to deal with. As Miroku, Sango, Shippo and Rin stood there, new problems were added to the tally: What was happening with the current Kagome and Inu Yasha? What were they all going to do about the quickly approaching battle with the Dark Army? What of the bond, the rare merging of two spirits fusing into one, the bond which was causing massive problems for all those involved? With so many problems compounding each other, how would any of them survive? An all out war was bearing down on them and, overall, they were not prepared in any way. Suddenly the future looked bleak, dark and lonely, because in that instance defeat hung over the castle like an ominous cloud. So many questions, so few answers.
"Sometimes," Rin said quietly as she stood looking at them all, reflecting on these major issues, on these major dictations of her short life. "Sometimes life just isn't fair." And to that, no one could disagree.
Elsewhere, miles away from the castle and moving fast, the leader of the Dark Army moved his troops forward. The menagerie of youkai moved like a spreading disease, slow and unstoppable- a malignant force that left destruction in its wake with no regard to the consequences. This place would be theirs, once and for all, with nothing to stop them.
The leader of this horrible thing rode atop a black horse, a fitting steed for him. The rider wore armor; black with silver etchings that glinted in the low light that penetrated the trees overhead. He wore no helmet, only a burka to protect his head as he scanned the surrounding area warily. The beast was huge with a body designed for battle, adorned with black and silver armor. The beast snorted, steam puffing from its nostrils, while mighty hooves gouged the earth as it moved from side to side working at its bit.
"Welcome to the Western Lands." A voice said from the shadows. There was a lilt to the voice, as if its owner were quietly laughing at the spectacle of an entire advancing army.
The leader of the Dark Army turned toward the shadow and in the blink of an eye a dagger whipped from his hand and embedded itself in the darkness. The soldiers on the front lines aimed their weapons at the forest: swords, spears and, in a few rare cases, handheld cannons.
"You had best come out or my army will destroy you, deal or no." The leader had a rolling voice, surprisingly smooth with a trace of an accent. He closed his eyes and let another dagger fly.
There was a slicing sound and a white figure walked calmly out of the darkness. The dagger was held in one white furred hand, the other absently pulling at the new hole in the pelt. "It would be unwise to anger me." The figure said, warm anger creeping into the cultured voice. "With out my aid, you would not be here."
"With or without your aid, we would still be here-- the only difference would have been time." The leader of the Dark Army removed his burka, revealing his face. "Let's get on with this, Naraku."
For a moment, Naraku paused as he looked at the clean shaven face of the man before him and felt Onigumo's heart stir to life. This was what had prompted the baboon clad hanyou to aid the man in conquering the Southern Kingdom and what kept Naraku from simply killing him now that that goal had been reached. Naraku hated this, hated this as much as he hated Inu Yasha and that monk Miroku, and hated it even more that there was nothing he could do about it. Yet.
Once the Dark Army had served its purpose, the Western Lands and the Southern Kingdom would be open to occupation and Naraku intended to seize control. Yes, the hanyou thought as he smiled beneath his baboon pelt. All the pieces are falling into place. The final piece would be destroying Onigumo's heart and half of the answer to that obstacle was right in front of the hanyou.
"Indeed. My minions are already in place and ready to attack." A horse was brought by a small spiderish creature that scurried away once its task was done. Naraku mounted the horse and took his place beside the Dark Army leader. The man donned his burka again and gave the order to move out.
Notes: Well, instead of chopping this into two chapters I just decided to finish it and give everyone something to chew on while I'm trying to write the ending of the story. In the next Part, everything hits the fan rather messily and the Dog Clan is getting hit hard. Is Kagome really the key to victory? Will she be able to use her growing powers to help or will they ultimately destroy her? Will Sesshou save his kingdom or will he be subjected to the political plotting going on behind his back? Though Inu Yasha is in his original form, will it make a difference against the odds they face? What connection is there between Naraku and the leader of the Dark Army? And just what the hell is Mrs. Higurashi and Kagome's friends doing there?!
ARG! So many questions! I hope I have all the answers! Please keep a look out for Part 4!