Through A Mirror Darkly
She dreams a little, and she feels the dark
Encroachment of that old catastrophe.
Why should she give her bounty to the dead?
What is divinity if it can come
Only in silent shadows and in dreams?
Death is the mother of beauty; hence from her,
Alone, shall come fulfillment to our dreams
And our desires.
-Wallace Stevens, Sunday Morning
Chapter 5- To descend on darkened wingS
Rice and grain were stacked high the storage shed, brown wooden barrels full of food for the village kept for emergencies. Unfortunately, the shed was not overly large, and the rations were not set aside for two villages; merely one. Illuminated by the rectangle of light provided by the open door, it seemed like it would be far from enough.
"Can't you trade for more food? The village doesn't seem that badly off," Kagome murmured, idly fondling the empty bottle around her neck. Maybe they could find a source of food elsewhere.
"With who?" Chikara grunted, her thick features set in a heavy frown. "There's bandits in the forests and in the hills. There's taxes cropping up from the idiot daiymo for travelers on the roads, and of course, let's not forget the rampaging youkai that just eat the traders that actually do manage to come. No, we're on our own. Your village must be awfully safe if you can trade out in these times, Kagome-sama." She backed out, letting Kagome edge backward, without tripping over Kaede, who was frowning at the supplies the way Chikara was.
Kagome blanched slightly, but nodded. "Ah, yes, I guess you could say that..."
"Then count yourself as lucky," she told her grimly, "that whoever is in charge of your domain is strong enough to keep it that way. Just blasted chaos around here lately. Damn youkai," she spat. Then her features softened slightly as she managed a smile at Kagome. "It's good of you," she glanced down at Kaede as well, including her, "and you, to help out around here. Especially since that poor man up in the cave can't even move."
"Eh..." Kagome managed, trying not to look either disgusted or horrified. 'Onigumo' and 'poor man' did not belong in the same thought.
"Onee-sama says he probably will only last a couple more weeks, at best. Or worst," she added as an afterthought. "It must stink to live like that. I wonder if he'll even be able to talk."
"I wouldn't doubt it," Kagome muttered under her breath, though loudly enough for Kaede to hear.
"You think he will? It'd be good to at least know his name. There still are people missing from the other village. If he got burned up by the youkai in the battle, then we could tell his family, at least." Chikara was nodding in agreement with the sensible words, but Kagome's frown had deepened.
"No. You haven't seen the cave yet, Kaede-chan. He was put there. With that degree of burns, he couldn't have just run in. Besides, there was a mat or something over him, and no charring to the cave itself. The fire didn't take place in there. I seriously doubt he's from the other village," the last words were filled with such subtle bitterness that the other two blinked in surprise at the young miko. "He's a bandit that was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"You seem awfully sure of that..." Chikara trailed, trying to imagine why Kagome-sama would seem to negative about the man. It wasn't as though they knew anything about him. Though if what she said was true, it was a good speculation. She had said herself only a moment ago that there were many bandits in the area.
Kagome seemed to realize how strong she must have sounded, backing up a bit mentally and trying to smile grimly. "It's just a hunch. Intuition. But I think I'm right."
"Still," Kaede sighed, looking around at the small groups milling around the huts. Too many people in one place at one time would end up causing problems in the end, even if some of them were relatives. "It's not good to just leave him there alone to die. At least he'll have some company when we come."
Kagome's stomach turned over. She knew she'd have to end up helping him, if she stayed here in her guise as a miko. The concept, however, seemed appalling if not downright sickening. She should just place that pillow over his face. She'd been fighting him so damned long. At least, his future self. She wanted him dead. It'd be so easy... "Kikyou will probably be going to take care of him most of the time, Kaede-chan. That's why we're going over the stores."
"I know," Kaede droned. "I'd still like to see it."
Kagome wrinkled her nose. "Kaede, believe me, you don't want to see him."
"He can't be that disgusting..."
"You'll see for yourself," Chikara cut in, before Kagome had to admonish the girl for arguing over something so silly. She placed her fists on her wide hips. "I'm sure your sister will need help someday. Until then, run and see if you can find out an exact number of people now in the village, both ours and the visitors. We'll have to start rationing until we can figure out what to do."
Kaede sighed and turned, ready to start running around and gathering a miniature census. Through just as Chikara finished her words, a murmur began to rise through the people around them, heads began to lift and look towards the west, where the clattering of hooves began to sound, echoing up between the wooden walls of the houses. A moment later, a figure on horseback burst through one of the alleyways, sending several people scattering to the sides and out of the rider's way, pulling into the center of the village and wheeling the sorrel gelding around.
They'd been running for a long time, and hard. Foam laced the flanks of the horse, and it pranced nervously, eyes wild and rolling as it snorted at the people and stomped on the ground menacingly. It's rider straightened up, sending a hasty gaze around the square, searching for something. Immediately, Kagome recognized who and what their rider was. Clothed in form fitting black, with light blue armor and the familiar weapon of a chain scythe, the kusara kama, on her hip, she was clearly a taiji-ya.
Lightly built, a sweat drenched black ponytail was whipping around her shoulders as she scanned the area, shouting for attention. "Miko-sama! Is the miko-sama here? I need to speak to..." she stopped as brown eyes met with the three quickly approaching her, Kagome in the center and dressed again in the white and red robes of a priestess. Relief washed the woman's face instantly, and she urged her mount forward slightly as she swung down, bowing deeply though keeping a firm grip on the reins of the skittish horse. "You are the keeper of the tama?" came the breathless question when she came up from her bow, eyes intent on Kagome, who was already shaking her head, though slightly relieved she didn't get asked if she was Kikyou, again.
"No?" her eyes grew bewildered, then determined as she made a fist, leaning forward urgently. "Where can I find her? It's extremely important."
"Kikyou-oneesama is at the cave where there's an injured man," Kaede supplied, already edging away towards the woods and the lake. "I can get her."
"It'd be faster if I took..." came the immediate protest, only to be silenced as Chikara took the reins from her hand and began to lead the exhausted creature to the side.
Chikara's words were sharp. "You're dead tired, so is your ride. Kaede-chan, go get your sister. Quickly."
"Right!" She was off and running in an instant, tearing through the town and disappearing.
"Kaede-chan is quick," Kagome consoled as the woman's expression settled into a grimace. "Lets get your horse cooled off and you something to eat. I'm Kagome."
"I'm honored to meet you, Kagome-sama. I'm Shinju of the taiji-ya," she nodded politely in acknowledgment. Her eyes darted towards the older woman. "And?"
"Chikara, local busybody. I'll get your horse some feed. We're low on grain, but we should have some hay around. Kagome-sama, my house is over there," she gestured towards a well kept hut just down the street. "Find some food for our taiji-ya guest. There should be something around. I'll take care of my friend here," she thumped the horse lovingly on the neck, pulling it gently towards one of the water troughs.
"We'd better do as she says," Kagome urged the woman, lightly tapping her on the arm to keep her attention. She still seemed about ready to bolt off after Kaede, in order to find Kikyou herself. "It'll only be a few minutes. I'm sure Chikara-obaasan has some water and food in her house."
A consternated expression crossed Shinju's face as she deliberated between duty and the exhaustion that was settling into the weary muscles of her body. It had been a long, hard ride, and her weapon had not be unused in the race towards the village, as it was far from unused in the last two days. She was tired, saddlesore, thirsty, hungry, and though the danger was not yet fully passed, it would not be, at least not for some time yet. Perhaps, though, a few minutes reprieve would be helpful, refreshments refreshing, and she'd be able to return a bit more hale overall. After a deep sigh, Shinju allowed herself to be guided towards the hut at the end of the alley.
Kagome watched their visitor carefully, as she brushed damp bangs from her eyes with the back of her hand. The day was warm, and the exercise with the horse was causing rivulets of sweat to bead down her forehead and cheeks. Hurriedly, she swept aside the cloth covering the doorway of Chikara's home, a small, squarish hut that had recently been tidied up. The coals in the brazier were dim, giving the place a slightly smoky scent, and there was a bucket of water resting beside the small open pit, the end of a bamboo ladle extending from one end.
"I guess you should help yourself..." Kagome gestured to the water, and Shinju, now with permission, gratefully headed towards it, gulping down the cool liquid, spooning it to her lips and draining the ladle with every sip.
Kagome began to search through some of the baskets that were stacked neatly against one of the walls, hoping to find something useful. She found herself pulling out a wooden bowl and chopsticks, along with a thick green cloth a moment later, fluffy enough to use as a hand towel.
"Ah, here...I'm still looking for some food..." she offered, and the towel was accepted, wiping away the clinging strands of dark hair from the taiji-ya's face. Revealed beneath the grey road dust and tired expression was a pair of light brown eyes and a fair complexion, a sprinkle of pale freckles spotting over her nose and cheeks, giving the woman a slightly youthful look. Kagome found her brows knitting together, and forced herself to turn away before Shinju noticed her scrutiny.
Vaguely, she tried to match the face to Sango's. No, not Sango...more Kohaku. Yes, a couple generations previous. The same wide brown eyes, and the same look about the features, feminized. Not identical, certainly not the same gender, but if Shinju was from the same village of taiji-ya, which was very likely, then somewhere down the line, they could have been related. A great aunt, or cousin, perhaps. She busied herself with her search to keep from wondering too much about it, though a strained smile came to her face at the thought of meeting some ancestral relation of her friend's. Even the weapon...had she carried a giant boomerang, Kagome may have started laughing at the thought.
Pay attention, she scolded herself. Simply asking about the family of a woman she didn't know would have sounded odd or even suspicious. There were greater things going on in the world, apparently. Her head darted back and forth around the room as she moved on to another grouping of baskets. How did Chikara arrange things? In her haste, Kagome spotted at bow and quiver of arrows leaning up against the far wall as her eyes darted back and forth. The quiver was nearly empty, the bow unstrung from disuse. But it was a bow, and she wondered who used it in the household. She hadn't met Chikara's husband yet, so presumably him.
Busy hands led to the discovery of a wicker basket, the inside lined with paper and holding dried apple slices, a slightly cinnamony scent rising as she pulled the lid off in triumph. Carrying it back, she offered it to her, Shinju quickly chewing several of the slices.
"Are you injured at all? Any wounds?"
Through a gulp of water, she shook her head. "No. Nothing major and nothing unattended to. It's mostly just dirt, maybe some bloodstains, not mine," Shinju grumbled, smearing another streak of dirt off with the now stained green towel. "The roads are drying out from the rain a couple days back, so some of it's just a mess, other parts are getting dusty again. It's a nasty trip."
Kagome knelt down, stirring up the coals in the brazier. She could get some water warmed up, at least, for Shinju to wash her face with. A better job than the towel. "From where? What happened?"
"The attack the other day," she made a backward motion with her head, as though the time were a distance she were referring to, "all the people you've got in town now? From that battlefield. It started out a few leagues from here, got nasty and rolled into their town. By the time word passed up to us, it was nearly over. My husband and I...a few others of us, along with the okashira...we came down, but all we've been able to do is catch the strays and figure out what happened."
"By tracking?"
A curt nod. "The place is a mess," she set down the ladle into the bucket, now dipping past the halfway mark, and grimaced. "They're going to have a lot of rebuilding to do. It's been bad, trying to follow the path of the battle. Lots of lower level youkai, and from the looks of it, they were working in groups. That's damn rare. I'd like to know why. It stinks of leadership. And now with all the remains lying around, the bones are attracting more of the vermin. Someone needs to put the bones to rest. Burying them doesn't do enough."
"That's why you came to get Kikyou?"
Another nod. "That's why I came to get Kikyou-sama."
Kagome bit her lip. She didn't remember hearing much about any old youkai graveyards that needed to be avoided in the area, so Kikyou must have gone and succeeded in the taiji-ya's request. How did one do something like that though? A blessing? A spell? A ward? An immolation? "And if she can't do anything?" Kagome asked curiously, still trying to figure out what would be needed for a ritual like that. It was simply beyond her knowledge.
"Then the villagers have nowhere to go for a long time, and we have a haunted youkai graveyard between your village and mine." Shinju answered, taking another slice of apple from the basket and placing it to her lips thoughtfully.
A high pitched shout issued from outside lifted the heads of the two women, and a moment later, it was repeated, Kaede's figure bolting in through the door and letting the covering flap wildly behind her. "Kagome-sama! Shinju-san..." she trailed off, looking behind her expectantly. Again, the tarp rustled, and Kikyou brushed it aside, ducking under the entrance with Chikara behind her, both of them moving into the room and Kikyou setting aside her bag of medicines and her bow.
Shinju, still kneeling, immediately bowed low to the ground, then looked up with certainty this time. "You are the guardian of the Shikon no Tama?"
"I am."
"I am Shinju, of the taiji-ya. I was ordered to come and request your aid in putting to rest a battleground of the youkai." The words sounded firmly, and her eyes were expectant and hopeful. At this, Kikyou took a place on the floor, kneeling and facing Shinju while Kaede edged her way over next to Kagome, and Chikara hovered on the peripherals of the assembly, watching guardedly out one of the windows should anyone try to interrupt.
Shinju continued, "Miko-sama, I was just telling your sister about the situation..." she hesitated when Kikyou lifted an eyebrow and glanced at Kagome and Kaede, the younger of which was repressing a giggle and looking sideways at a somewhat nervous Kagome. "Miko-sama?" Shinju asked, puzzled as to the varied expressions.
"Kagome is not my sister. Kaede is."
At that, Shinju did a double take, brown eyes wide as she blinked back and forth between the three of them, trying to assimilate that information and decide what to make of it. After a moment, she decided to wonder about it later, once the trouble was past. "Goodness..." she managed after a moment, then began again, "Gomen...then...I was briefly telling Kagome-sama about the situation before you arrived, Kikyou-sama."
Kikyou nodded, waiting. "Then begin again. I'd like to hear all of it."
Shinju closed her eyes a moment before beginning. Talking to Kagome had flowed so easily; it wasn't that Kikyou was haughty, or simply that she guarded the Shikon no Tama, but with her she carried an unearthly aura that somehow kept her aloof, distant from people, a thing Kagome lacked. Did that make her a more powerful priestess, or a less powerful one? Perhaps neither, but simply an attitude acquired through life. This was the one she was sent to find, therefore this was the one she would return with.
Her words began haltingly as she recalled the events, but slowly built into an easygoing storytelling rhythm. "Three days ago, at our village, some of our watchmen noticed a build up of youki in the distance, the clouds darkened and there was an ill wind. Okashira ordered several of us out to investigate, and by the time we were halfway to the location, we could already hear the sound of battle rising up from the plains. My husband began signaling for reinforcements." She paused, looking up to explain, while touching her hip as though something should rest there. "He has our horn. I left after reinforcements began to arrive, but there were way too many for us to fight. Taiji-ya usually take on one or two at a time...we're not equipped for an all out war on youkai.
"So we stuck to the edges of the fray, cleared out a few paths for some of the refugees to head here or into the forest for cover. I've never seen anything quite like it," she shuddered at the memory. "There were two sides, nearly all lesser breeds. Both were trying to head in this direction, but they intercepted each other. It was the assumption of several of us that both groups were headed here, for the tama," she met Kikyou's eyes, "but were interrupted by the presence of the other."
"And they fought for the rights to come here," Kikyou finished for her, following the taiji-ya's train of thought. "Did you see leaders?"
"We're not sure. But there is a carcass of one torn up unusually large youkai in the middle of the rice fields. Whatever killed that one is still at large. Two of our hunters have been tracking for signs, but the search is somewhat blind."
Kagome burst in, "Did you see what the winner looked like? What...what he was?" Possibilities were reeling through Kagome's head, and she hoping that whatever the creature was, it wasn't anyone she knew, or would know.
Shinju turned her head to look at Kagome, a frown on her face. "I didn't see personally, no. The few villagers left around weren't able to get a good look, but one was claiming it was a monster. Which doesn't tell us much."
"Because it could have been a taiyoukai transformation?" Kaede queried, and was rewarded with several nods of agreement. She smiled, folding her arms at her deduction, then looked very grave. "Then we don't know how strong the thing is."
"No. Or where."
"Which brings you to why you're here," prompted Kikyou. "There must be many remains from a clash of two armies."
Shinju bent her head, her hands forming into clenched fists. "There are many. With a fight that large, the remaining youki will be a strong pull to the area for other youkai unless something is done to dissipate it. Okashira thought that you would be able to purify the area, Kikyou-sama. Or dispel the youki there, to keep the youkai from being attracted back to the area, so the villagers could return."
Kikyou's head was bowed during these last words, her gaze steady upon the wooden planks of Chikara's home. She could feel the eyes of the others pressing heavily on her, Chikara curious, Kaede hopeful, Shinju expectant, and Kagome...her look was different, watchful, weighted, as though she knew already the decision, but was almost too breathless to guess at it, for fear of being proven wrong. Somehow, the young miko knew Kikyou would be going, but also understood the predicament she left behind.
Two youkai armies, one presumably still with a leader wandering the land, had fought over the Shikon no Tama. No matter how strong she was, she could be simply overwhelmed at some point, overcome by sheer numbers. A lucky shot somewhere, from an unexpected quarter, and she would be delayed or injured or simply dead. No matter how strong she was, it was a situation she could not help but consider. She was not immortal. Death could easily wrap its wings around her, and carry her into the flames. This was a bet that a thinking youkai would take; therefore she had to assume the worse case scenario, that she was facing a taiyoukai. However, it had also lost much of its following, and may be nearly alone. She could handle that, and perhaps with some help...she bit her lip silently, pushing that thought aside. No, there would be no help. He would not help her. She was alone...alone still, despite foolish dreams. This was her battle alone, as always.
She could not abandon her duty. The taiji-ya themselves had placed the Shikon no Tama in her pale white hands, and she had taken it into her keeping. And yet, here again, was a taiji-ya, requesting her help in stopping what could also cause a disaster. Both paths led to the assembly of more youkai in the area, and the rebuilding of that massive number, that again could swarm towards her home, her shrine, and her small family. From under the length of her bangs, she glanced at Kaede, who had her brows lifted and eyes focused on her elder sister, waiting for her decision.
It really was no decision. Not going led to a small attack sooner; going led to a large attack later. But she could not take the tama away with her to the battlefield. Certainly not. That would be a pure disaster, as though setting off an alarm to every youkai in the area that the object they all so desired was walking out to meet them.
She couldn't stay, and she couldn't go. She couldn't be in two places at once, both protecting the tama and protecting the people.
"I can guard it."
The eyes that had been watching Kikyou so carefully immediately switched to the source of the soft voice, of Kagome who was sitting very still and lightly rubbing a clear little bottle that she wore around her neck. She did not meet their eyes, but looked quietly at Kikyou, the two sets of grey blue meeting each other evenly and thoughtfully.
Between the two women there was a struggle, as one's will pressed against the other's, testing and searching. Between them was a deathly calm, an openness around Kagome mingled with a determined sadness, that softened her features and made them uncharacteristically sorrowful. The onlookers of that moment saw two women sitting there, of the same face and features, of the same silent, transparent aura of power that swirled so lightly and darkly against each other, seeking out a reason why they understood each other so completely then, but still remained utterly wary and with underlying guard. Each miko, despite her misgivings or hesitancies, slowly, painfully, and silently began to respect the other, for each was equally pure and strong.
The breathlessness ended.
"You may."
Shinju and Chikara reacted first, both with bewilderment and protest despite the silent display they had witnessed a moment before. Kikyou was in charge of the tama, not Kagome, and she wasn't supposed to care for it. The tama was a powerful item, and no matter how trustworthy Kagome was, there were rules for such things.
"Kikyou-sama!"
"Miko-sama!" Shinju looked almost wildly between the two priestesses sitting before her. "Surely...but...you are..."
"I cannot be in two places at once, Shinju-san," Kikyou told her quietly, shaking her head at the impossibility. "The tama needs to be cared for, and the bones blessed to keep them from summoning further trouble. The distance is not a long one, and we will return to the village as soon as the sealing is complete."
Shinju was silent, trusting Kikyou's words as well as Kagome's silence. Both were miko, and surely if Kikyou said Kagome was capable...she only dreaded what her okashira would say at the abandonment of the tama. Chikara's opinion kept her from being silent, though she too trusted her village miko, and had come to like the new arrival. Her face was grave as she spoke.
"Kikyou-sama, it's not that I don't believe Kagome-sama could care for it," she glanced apologetically at Kagome, who gave her a small smile of understanding, "but it was placed into your care. Couldn't Kagome-sama seal away the youki, instead?"
"I would have offered to do that," Kagome broke in, sounding slightly sheepish, "but basically, I don't know how. I'm still learning things like this...if I could go, I would, but...well..."
"Someone needs to guard the Shikon no Tama," Kikyou finished for her. "Your soul is pure. Holding the tama in your hand for two days will bring neither it, nor you, enough harm."
"Then it's settled..." Shinju breathed, relief coloring her voice as she looked between the two similarly faced women. "We should go, immediately."
Kikyou rose to her feet, looking at Chikara. "We'll need fresh horses, and food. Medicines to help any of the taiji-ya."
"Kagome-sama and I were checking stores just before Shinju-san arrived. I'll see what I can do. Kaede-chan, may I request your help?"
"Coming!" The youngest leapt to her feet and headed after the older woman, ducking out of the doorway with a determined air clouding around her, Kaede's footsteps pattering against the wood and then the packed dirt as she ran.
"If we are going soon, I'd like to check on my mount," Shinju added, standing slowly on muscles that had just begun to stiffen into place. "Kikyou-sama, should I meet you back here in a few minutes?"
"That will be fine."
Shinju stood, bowed politely, and exited through the doorway, the curtain flapping behind her.
The two miko stood alone within the shaded sunlight of the house.
"There is a fence around the tama," Kikyou said after a long moment, the twin sets of eyes following the retreat of their company. At the statement, Kagome turned slightly to look at the silhouette of the previous incarnation of herself. Slowly, Kikyou's lashes fell to her cheeks, and she sighed, ever so softly, as though releasing a breath she had held for so very long a time. There was a feeling, however faint and laced with concern, of relief stirring around her, emanating from the form of the miko who was so vigilant in her watch over the tama. There was no one to help her, Kagome realized, not even this era's Inuyasha. Whatever trust or truce there was between them was not permanent, at least, not until the ultimate proof of giving away the Shikon no Tama was enacted. Until that time, there would only be Kaede, still a child, and unable to relieve much of her onee-sama's burden.
Kagome, however, could. For the next two days or so, whatever length it took for Kikyou and Shinju to travel to the location of the battlefield and back again...for that length, Kikyou would be an ordinary miko, with the same kinds of responsibilities as Kaede-obaachan would have fifty years from now. She would still worry about the Shikon no Tama; that was part of her duty. But to leave it behind, even if only for awhile, was a welcome respite.
When Kikyou's eyes reopened, she looked at Kagome with a warm kind of warning in her expression, the same kind a mother uses before reminding a child to buckle up their safety belt or wear a helmet when rollerblading. "The fence...it will fade the further I pass from it. You will have to keep the tama with you, so be very, very wary." Her brows drew together uneasily. "You are certain you can handle this?"
Kagome couldn't help but allow a small, contented smile tug at the corners of her mouth, as she replied, "I can handle it."
After all, she already had...albeit with the help of a few friends.
Shinju: pearl
kusara kama: a chain scythe, Kohaku's weapon
okashira: commander, leader of a group of fighters
youki: a youkai aura
And so the plot thickens a bit more...
Just a bit. ^.^;
I debated awhile in the very early stages of coming up with this fic about having some old family member of either Sango's or Miroku's come in...Miroku's grandfather, pre-kazaana or some relation of Sango's- one of the taiji-ya. I ended up opting for the latter, since it made more sense in the long run...despite the humorously crazed ideas about Miroku's grandpa. I haven't really specified how Shinju is related to Sango and Kohaku...having her look identical and be their grandmother just seemed too stereotypical. But it's really fun imagining that they are related. ^.~ Besides, she does live in the same village (with a fairly low population, so limited prospective marriageable men) as they do...or will...so it's not too unlikely. I tend to think of her as a great aunt.
Thanks go out to Sango-sama for telling me the name of Kohaku's weapon!
And thanks to Mina Maxwell for helping me pick the name Shinju...or at least, the name Pearl, converted into Shinju. ^.^
Riddle of the Day: Can you see Miroku's piously lecherous grandfather trying to hit on Kikyou?
Til next chapter, 'A Lady Lazarus'
~Queen
Music this chapter: Melody of the Dark and Heartbeat of a Shinma, from Vampire Princess Miyu.
