To Catch The Last Falling Star
Japanese Definitions:
Aku : (n) evil; wickedness; vice; wrong
Youkai : (n) ghost; apparition; phantom; specter; demon; monster; goblin
Hikari : (n) light; shine; ray; luster
Shikon no Tama : Jewel of the four souls
Anata : (n) dear; darling (what a wife calls a husband). Anata translates as "you," but its use is generally avoided. One exception is when wives call their husbands anata; then it has a special meaning of 'darling'.
Koi bito : (n) sweetheart; lover
Koishii : (adj) darling; dearest; beloved Prologue:
Midoriko's eyes misted as she gently watched the sleeping form of her 3 year old daughter. She knew that she would miss her daughter's sweet smile and laugh, but there was nothing else that she could do. She was not sure whether their decision was a good one. Her husband, Kutani, had convinced her that it would be the best thing that they could do in order to protect her. They needed to buy their daughter, Kagome, some time before the inevitable came to pass, before Aku arrived.
Kutani motioned for the two figures that were in the shadows to move closer. They were two of their loyal retainers. When they stepped into the circle of light, one could plainly see that they were not human at all. They were youkai.
'Hikari.' Clearly, Kutani was addressing the taller youkai.
'Hai, Kutani-sama.,' said Hikari.
'Are you sure you don't have any regrets about accepting this mission? It is surely the most difficult mission that I have ever assigned you. Are you sure that you will be able to handle it?' Kutani inquired of taller youkai.
'It would be an honor to serve you, Midoriko-sama and especially Kagome- sama. I am confident that I will be able to handle the situation.' replied Hikari.
'And you, Buyo. Are you sure as well?' Kutani was now addressing the other youkai.
'Hai Kutani-sama. I have no regrets, and I would gladly give my life just to protect Kagome-chan.' Buyo said.
Kutani embraced the two youkais happy with their answers. He knew that he could trust the two of them. He had known them for such a long time, and they were his friends. When Kutani and Midoriko had Kagome, they had become frequent visitors, Kutani had gone so far as to offer to let them stay at his castle since they were visiting Kagome everyday. Since then, the two youkais had become Kagome's constant companions, as well as her guardians.
Kutani then removed himself from their embrace and patted both their backs. 'Come on you two, we need to go over the plan again. Midoriko has already sealed most of Kagome's powers and transformation abilities into the Shikon no Tama. Now you, will take Kagome into the enchanted well. Beyond the other side of the well resides the Higurashi family. You know of this, Buyo, since you observed them for me. You told me that they are the best candidates to take care of Kagome.'
'Hai, Kutani-sama. They will surely welcome Kagome-chan with open arms and treat her as their own daughter.' assured Buyo.
'Now you two will become Kagome's protectors and advisors. When the right time comes, you will guide her and release her seal to teach her how to control and develop her powers. While in the other dimension, you should take your inconspicuous forms. Remember not to show your youkai or humanoid forms and communicate only through telepathy. Help her grow strong, because if all else fails, she will be our only hope. She will have to come back in our time and redeem us all from Aku's monstrosity.'
Midoriko approached Buyo and handed Kagome over to his arms. The child nestled into his conforting embrace. In her innocent slumber, Kagome smiled and murmured 'Buyo-chan'. They all smiled at this. The child was very perceptive, even in a dream state she was still somewhat aware of her immediate surroundings.
Midoriko then turned to kiss her daughter's forehead. After the kiss was executed, the yellow star that adorned Kagome's forehead flickered for a moment and vanished. Midoriko had simply cast a spell that would camouflage Kagome's heritage so that she could easily blend in. The yellow star upon Kutani, Midoriko, and Kagome's forehead were proof that they were Sentinels, a powerful ancient species that ruled together with the Mystics and the Youkais.
Kutani then reached for the gold chain that circled his neck. As he pulled it off, the orb that accompanied the chain pulsed and emitted a pink aura. It was the Shikon no Tama in all it's magnificence. Kutani handed the jewel to Hikari. 'Keep the jewel safe for Kagome, my friend, until the time comes.' Hikari then placed the precious necklace around his neck and slipped the jewel within the folds of his tunic.
Suddenly, the stars on both Midoriko's and Kutaini's forehead flashed in warning. Midoriko closed her eyes. In a trance, a short vision was presented to her. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes again and glanced toward her husband. "Anata, the enemy will be arriving soon within the boarders of our land."
Kutani motioned for the two youkais to get going. 'Hurry my friends, time is of the essence. The scent of doom is drawing near.'
Hikari and Buyo also had star insignias on their foreheads. Theirs were not yellow, but were instead the navy blue color that denoted them as retainers of the Sentinels. Hikari's star flashed marking the execution of magic. A wind stirred in their midst, developing into torrents of gales that concentrated before enveloping Hikari entirely. An eerie howl was emitted, and a shockwave of light burst through the epicenter of the whirlwind. Everything settled, and then a proud white inu youkai in all its glory stood amongst them. Buyo cradled Kagome in his arms carefully and leapt onto Hikari's back. The two youkais nodded both their heads toward Kutani and Midoriko. The two Sentinels did the same.
Hikari glanced at his back and cautioned his passenger. 'Hold on, you're in for a rough ride.' Hikari rushed out of the castle and bounded towards the fields and into the dense foliage of the forest.
Kutani and Midoriko held hands as their gaze followed the two youkais who had fled with their daughter. When Midoriko saw them enter the forest, she started to cry. Kutani wrapped his wife in his warm embrace, trying to comfort her.
'Hush now koi bito. You know she'll be fine,' consoled Kutani.
'I know, but I'll definitely miss her. Why does this have to happen?' ranted Midoriko.
'I don't know koishii, but these are the cards that fate has dealt us. We can do nothing but deal with it. At least we have our trump card,' Kutani replied.
'Yes we do have our trump card. Kagome and the Shikon no Tama will be perfectly safe,' Midoriko expressed this as she gazed into the gray eyes of her husband.
Kutani kissed the yellow star on his wife's forehead. He drew her closer, and brushed her tear stained cheeks with his right hand. Midoriko leaned into her husband's sweet caress. Kutani traced his wife's enchanting face before his hand settled on her chin, tilting it upwards to have her lips meet his halfway. They shared a passionate kiss, a kiss that could be their last.
Japanese Definitions:
Aku : (n) evil; wickedness; vice; wrong
Youkai : (n) ghost; apparition; phantom; specter; demon; monster; goblin
Hikari : (n) light; shine; ray; luster
Shikon no Tama : Jewel of the four souls
Anata : (n) dear; darling (what a wife calls a husband). Anata translates as "you," but its use is generally avoided. One exception is when wives call their husbands anata; then it has a special meaning of 'darling'.
Koi bito : (n) sweetheart; lover
Koishii : (adj) darling; dearest; beloved Prologue:
Midoriko's eyes misted as she gently watched the sleeping form of her 3 year old daughter. She knew that she would miss her daughter's sweet smile and laugh, but there was nothing else that she could do. She was not sure whether their decision was a good one. Her husband, Kutani, had convinced her that it would be the best thing that they could do in order to protect her. They needed to buy their daughter, Kagome, some time before the inevitable came to pass, before Aku arrived.
Kutani motioned for the two figures that were in the shadows to move closer. They were two of their loyal retainers. When they stepped into the circle of light, one could plainly see that they were not human at all. They were youkai.
'Hikari.' Clearly, Kutani was addressing the taller youkai.
'Hai, Kutani-sama.,' said Hikari.
'Are you sure you don't have any regrets about accepting this mission? It is surely the most difficult mission that I have ever assigned you. Are you sure that you will be able to handle it?' Kutani inquired of taller youkai.
'It would be an honor to serve you, Midoriko-sama and especially Kagome- sama. I am confident that I will be able to handle the situation.' replied Hikari.
'And you, Buyo. Are you sure as well?' Kutani was now addressing the other youkai.
'Hai Kutani-sama. I have no regrets, and I would gladly give my life just to protect Kagome-chan.' Buyo said.
Kutani embraced the two youkais happy with their answers. He knew that he could trust the two of them. He had known them for such a long time, and they were his friends. When Kutani and Midoriko had Kagome, they had become frequent visitors, Kutani had gone so far as to offer to let them stay at his castle since they were visiting Kagome everyday. Since then, the two youkais had become Kagome's constant companions, as well as her guardians.
Kutani then removed himself from their embrace and patted both their backs. 'Come on you two, we need to go over the plan again. Midoriko has already sealed most of Kagome's powers and transformation abilities into the Shikon no Tama. Now you, will take Kagome into the enchanted well. Beyond the other side of the well resides the Higurashi family. You know of this, Buyo, since you observed them for me. You told me that they are the best candidates to take care of Kagome.'
'Hai, Kutani-sama. They will surely welcome Kagome-chan with open arms and treat her as their own daughter.' assured Buyo.
'Now you two will become Kagome's protectors and advisors. When the right time comes, you will guide her and release her seal to teach her how to control and develop her powers. While in the other dimension, you should take your inconspicuous forms. Remember not to show your youkai or humanoid forms and communicate only through telepathy. Help her grow strong, because if all else fails, she will be our only hope. She will have to come back in our time and redeem us all from Aku's monstrosity.'
Midoriko approached Buyo and handed Kagome over to his arms. The child nestled into his conforting embrace. In her innocent slumber, Kagome smiled and murmured 'Buyo-chan'. They all smiled at this. The child was very perceptive, even in a dream state she was still somewhat aware of her immediate surroundings.
Midoriko then turned to kiss her daughter's forehead. After the kiss was executed, the yellow star that adorned Kagome's forehead flickered for a moment and vanished. Midoriko had simply cast a spell that would camouflage Kagome's heritage so that she could easily blend in. The yellow star upon Kutani, Midoriko, and Kagome's forehead were proof that they were Sentinels, a powerful ancient species that ruled together with the Mystics and the Youkais.
Kutani then reached for the gold chain that circled his neck. As he pulled it off, the orb that accompanied the chain pulsed and emitted a pink aura. It was the Shikon no Tama in all it's magnificence. Kutani handed the jewel to Hikari. 'Keep the jewel safe for Kagome, my friend, until the time comes.' Hikari then placed the precious necklace around his neck and slipped the jewel within the folds of his tunic.
Suddenly, the stars on both Midoriko's and Kutaini's forehead flashed in warning. Midoriko closed her eyes. In a trance, a short vision was presented to her. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes again and glanced toward her husband. "Anata, the enemy will be arriving soon within the boarders of our land."
Kutani motioned for the two youkais to get going. 'Hurry my friends, time is of the essence. The scent of doom is drawing near.'
Hikari and Buyo also had star insignias on their foreheads. Theirs were not yellow, but were instead the navy blue color that denoted them as retainers of the Sentinels. Hikari's star flashed marking the execution of magic. A wind stirred in their midst, developing into torrents of gales that concentrated before enveloping Hikari entirely. An eerie howl was emitted, and a shockwave of light burst through the epicenter of the whirlwind. Everything settled, and then a proud white inu youkai in all its glory stood amongst them. Buyo cradled Kagome in his arms carefully and leapt onto Hikari's back. The two youkais nodded both their heads toward Kutani and Midoriko. The two Sentinels did the same.
Hikari glanced at his back and cautioned his passenger. 'Hold on, you're in for a rough ride.' Hikari rushed out of the castle and bounded towards the fields and into the dense foliage of the forest.
Kutani and Midoriko held hands as their gaze followed the two youkais who had fled with their daughter. When Midoriko saw them enter the forest, she started to cry. Kutani wrapped his wife in his warm embrace, trying to comfort her.
'Hush now koi bito. You know she'll be fine,' consoled Kutani.
'I know, but I'll definitely miss her. Why does this have to happen?' ranted Midoriko.
'I don't know koishii, but these are the cards that fate has dealt us. We can do nothing but deal with it. At least we have our trump card,' Kutani replied.
'Yes we do have our trump card. Kagome and the Shikon no Tama will be perfectly safe,' Midoriko expressed this as she gazed into the gray eyes of her husband.
Kutani kissed the yellow star on his wife's forehead. He drew her closer, and brushed her tear stained cheeks with his right hand. Midoriko leaned into her husband's sweet caress. Kutani traced his wife's enchanting face before his hand settled on her chin, tilting it upwards to have her lips meet his halfway. They shared a passionate kiss, a kiss that could be their last.