Unexpected Allies

Part Three

Trial of the Century

By Striking Falcon

Chapter Six:

Lady Mira Joins the Search

"His MOM?!!" Kagome shouted. Mira and Shorin started laughing again at the surprised look on her face as Keni'Chi shook his head.

"Since Lady Mira insists on staying outside in the cold, I'll go back inside and see if I can find her some clothes."

"There are clothes in my pack, Keni'Chi," Kagome called as he went back in the tent. Kagome glared at Shorin.

"You said Sesshoumaru's mother was dead!" Kagome accused. Shorin breathed long enough to answer.

"That's what we thought. Lady Mira disappeared years ago, before Inuyasha-san's birth."

"Inuyasha, who's he?" Mira asked. Kagome sighed. "Sesshoumaru's half brother. He's a hanyou."

"Oh, I told InuTaisho to stay away from the human women," Mira groaned. "I'm going to kill him when I get home."

Shorin sighed. "You don't have to. He's already dead."

Kagome felt like this would be a good time to leave. "Excuse me, you two. I need to make sure Keni'Chi doesn't try to wear my underwear for a hat."

She excused herself, leaving Shorin and Mira to talk. She came back minutes later to find Mira crying. Kagome handed her the clothes.

"I just came to-"

"Tell her, Shorin. Tell her what happened," Mira commanded, her hands over her face. Shorin nodded.

"Lady Kagome-"

"What did I say about that?"

Shorin cleared her throat. "Kagome, there are things you need to know. When Lord Sesshoumaru was 110 years old, the human equivalent of seven years, Lady Mira disappeared. Lords Sesshoumaru and InuTaisho, Lord Sesshoumaru's father and Lady Mira's mate, searched for her desperately. They went from one end of Japan to another, looking for her.

"Finally, it was decided that she was dead and the search ceased. Lord Sesshoumaru blamed Lord InuTaisho for her disappearance, accusing him of not wanting to find Lady Mira. There was a fight, which Lord Sesshoumaru lost. That's when the little boy I knew started to die, leaving the cold lord you see now."

"He wasn't always like that," Mira interrupted sadly. "My Maru-chan used to be full of laughter and smiles. It's a good thing he found you."

"What do you mean by that?" Kagome asked.

Mira blinked quizzically. "Don't you carry the Tetsusaiga and the Tenseiga?"

"Yeah, plus a sword I found in my family's home."

Shorin leaned over and whispered something in Lady Mira's ear. Mira gasped, the groaned as she held her forehead in her hands.

"My poor Maru-chan. I wonder how you've managed without me."

Kagome stared at them curiously before Shorin continued.

"Inuyasha's mother came years after from a nearby kingdom as a way to keep peace. Inuyasha was born soon after."

Mira choked back a sob.

"InuTaisho died years later, betrayed by a youkai lord from the north. Lord Sesshoumaru swore vengeance, leaving Inuyasha-san and his mother to the castle. We soon found out that Inuyasha's mother had a hand in the death of Lord InuTaisho, along with others in his service. Lord Sesshoumaru laid waste to them all.

"That is the reason for the rift. Lord Sesshoumaru swore vengeance for his father, and a taiyoukai's word is his bond. He had to execute her, or else his kingdom would constantly be in danger of takeover. Inuyasha-san was too young to understand."

Mira sighed, wiping the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. Kagome handed her a handkerchief.

"Thank you, little one."

Kagome nodded. "You're welcome. What I don't understand is why Sesshoumaru thought it was his father's fault that you disappeared."

Mira stood, gathered the clothes Kagome gave her, and walked behind a nearby tree before answering her. "Maru-chan's father was graced, or cursed depending on how you look at it, with the power to see the future. Not his, or mine, but anyone else's. That's why Sesshoumaru blamed him. He didn't understand."

"Do you remember anything about what happened to you?" Kagome asked.

"No," Mira said as she changed. "All I remember is a flash of blue." Mira came from behind the tree, confused. "What are these strange clothes, Kagome?" she asked.

"Your top is a sweater," she said, pointing at the burgundy top. "And the pants are made of a strong cloth. It's made to protect you from the elements," she said as she pointed to the jeans. Mira nodded in acceptance as Kagome passed her a coat and hat. "These do the same thing."

Mira nodded again and put them on as Shorin prepared to stand guard.

"Not yet, Shorin," Mira said. "I'd like to talk to Kagome first." Shorin nodded and went in the tent to get some sleep. Kagome sat down beside Mira, staring at the night sky.

"How did you meet my son?" Mira asked.

Kagome sighed. "He tried to kill me."

Mira groaned. "Why does that not surprise me? Why are you here?"

"I broke the Shikon no Tama."

"What were you doing with the jewel?" Mira asked.

Kagome shrugged. "I'm not really sure. It was in my body when I came here. I think it's because I'm an incarnation of the miko who last had the jewel."

"Hm," Mira thought a moment, then asked "Why are you helping Sesshoumaru?"

Kagome blushed. "Shorin told you about Naraku?"

"Yes, now answer my question."

"He's my friend."

"Even though you think he betrayed you?"

"Yes."

"That is not friendship, my dear," Mira said as she stood up. She brushed off the jeans and turned to Kagome. "That is love."

Before Kagome could say a word, Mira smiled. "I'll help you defeat the hanyou."

"But aren't you supposed to be weak or something since you've slept so long?"

Mira shook her head, her midnight black hair tossing in the wind. "I'm Sesshoumaru's mother, remember? Why do you think he's so stubborn?" She quirked an eyebrow defiantly as she held open the tent. Shorin came out as Kagome went inside. Kagome curled up in a corner of the tent and went to sleep.