by: Del_kaidin and Tiranth.
She had managed to remain calm nearly all day but as they approached the castle she became more and more nervous. What if there was no Sesshomaru here? What if there was and he was even more cold and cruel than he was in Leena's time. When they could finally see the castle walls through the trees, Taka took several exploratory sniffs and was rewarded with the scent that she knew so well. There was a Sesshomaru but what would he be like. Should they try to sneak in? No, she thought. Best to just ask for admittance. She took a deep breath and straightened her gi. As much as she tried to emulate her Grandsire, she found that it was difficult to maintain the indifferent mask he so easily wore. Her nervousness was showing and she knew she reeked of it. She stopped and closed her eyes, knowing Leena would sense her hesitation. She had to regain control, if she came before the Western Lord like a scared little pup...she derailed her train of thought and concentrated on clearing her mind.
"Wait." she had sensed Taka's nervousness. She too needed a moment to compose herself. This could either be a gentle Sesshomaru, something she'd never known or as violent as her own sire. Which ever was the case, she would defend the pup. She centered her energy, calming herself and increased her power. She checked Desu and felt the swords persistent demand for blood. "Ok, let's do this." She stepped forward knowing the pup would walk beside her. At the door she raised her fist and knocked.
The door gate opened soundlessly, Taka almost chuckled, trust Sesshomaru not to tolerate a squeaky gate. When the gate opened fully they saw no one. Then a small clearing of a throat directed their gaze downward and they saw Sesshomaru's faithful servant Jaken. She forced away a sneer of revulsion. She never did like the toad youkai. "State your business."
"We wish to see the Lord of the West," Taka responded, making her voice sound as regal and unyielding as she could.
Jaken stared at them both a moment, thinking that there was something familiar in both faces before him. Then the toad beckoned for them to follow. The women followed him down the hall, to the meeting hall. Everything was exactly as it was in her time. Nothing was different. She felt herself relax a little in the familiar surroundings. "Except maybe him,". At the far side of the room, staring out the open window, was Sesshomaru. He turned slowly to face them, looking at them with his typical bored expression. "Jaken," he said, his voice low and deadly, "Why have you brought these two half breeds before me?"
The small youkai immediately set to groveling at his master's feet. "They requested to see you Sesshomaru-sama. Please forgive if I have angered you."
"Stop your sniveling Jaken," he said, "Why have you come here?"
"We have need of information, great lord," Taka replied, bowing low.
For a moment he merely gazed at them with cold amber eyes and Taka felt her nervousness grow. Finally he spoke again. "What information do you seek. The sooner you ask the sooner you can begone from my presence."
Leena held her tongue, she knew Taka had more experience dealing with the youkai in front of them. She kept her position slightly behind the red head on the left, her eyes focused on his feet. Her ears flicked back and forth, the only thing that betrayed her agitation. 'Nothin' I'd like better' she thought in answer to his wish for them to begone. She had done this many times for Katsura, acted as his bodyguard. That she had unconsciously placed herself in the same position didn't surprise her. It was a good strategy, no one would take a sword from a bodyguard.
Taka breathed a little easier. He didn't want them here but he wasn't going to toss them out either. At least he was civil. She could feel the tension flowing in waves from Leena and she hurried with her next words. "My companion and I would be grateful if you gave us any information you have heard concerning a youkai by the name of Naraku and the Shikon Jewel."
A slight raise of his eyebrow betrayed his slight surprise at her question. "What does not concern my lands does not concern me," she felt her stomach drop, "However, I believe rumors have been circulating that a youkai of that name has stolen the Jewel from the miko that protected it."
Taka passed a hopeful glance to Leena but before she could say anything, Sesshomaru spoke again. "Now get out of my sight before I change my mind."
She needed no prompting, merely bowed and expressed her thanks. "Many thanks to you Sesshomaru-sama."
Jaken once again escorted them through the halls and outside. Once the gate had closed behind him, Taka breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to Leena. "So we know there's a Naraku and a Jewel. What do we do now? Should we go look for it?"
"That is good, bad news. It means Naraku is involved in some way." She continued walking, wanting to put as much distance as possible between her and the castle behind her. "But why, would he bring two who know about him and how to defeat him. It doesn't make sense. Unless it was....." she let the thought trail off as she stopped and studied the land around her.
Taka hurried to catch up and matched her pace to Leena's. She was glad to get away from the Sesshomaru in this world. He was nothing like her own and she didn't want to get used to him being that way. Then stopped as the hanyou began to study the landscape. "What are you thinking?"
"It has to be her. Naraku wouldn't want anyone who could possibly challenge his right to the Shikon no Tama. Now let's see...." Leena was unaware she had been speaking aloud until she noticed the puzzled look on Taka's face. "Come on Taka, we're going to Midoriko's cave." She took off at the easy jogging pace she and Uncle Inu had traveled at so many times.
Taka took to the trees, preferring to leap from branch to branch. "So why are we going to the cave. Do you think she has something to do with us being here?"
"You better believe it. As for why we are going to the cave, that is where we might find... KIRARA!!!!!!!! YES!" Leena was excited, the fire cat youkai had died grieving Sango, but maybe in this reality she might be waiting with Midoriko. "Hey, before we get there I better mention that it is near a taijiya village. So, I'll need you illusions. Oh thanks for getting us out of there so fast." Maybe it was getting away from Sesshomaru without any new scars. Maybe it was going to the one place in the world she felt safe. Maybe it was the knowledge that somewhere Uncle Inu was in this world. What ever the reason she was happy. Giddy, puppy, carefree happy.