Shayril: Hi, everybody! I'm back.
(Trio of crying voices.)
Navi: (Making cooing noises.) It's all right, darlings. Mama's here.
Akemi: Awww. They're so adorable. What are their names?
Navi: Aeron, Delwyn, and Eira.
Kalika: But don't ask her which one's which, because she couldn't tell you.
Sakura: (Gaping at the fairy.) You can't be serious.
Navi: (Grimacing.) I'm afraid it's true. They look too much alike. Once
they get older I'll be able to...
Shayril: (Interrupting.) Aeron has purple tips on her wings, Delwyn has
dark blue spots on hers, and Eira has a red star in the center of hers.
(Everyone stares at Shayril gaping.)
Shayril: What? My nieces are identical twins. I've had practice. You'll get
the hang of it, Navi.
Kalika: Yeah, but I doubt Dragonclaw will. (Looking around.) Speaking of,
where is he.
Navi: (Also looking around.) I have no idea.
Shayril: Don't worry. I just sent him to get Inuyasha and my other two
white-haired cuties back. Anyway, on with the stories. I think you folks
are really going to like this chapter.
Chapter Seventeen - Wings
By noon the next day they were all frustrated by the lack of a plan to rescue Rin. Naraku could easily thwart anything they came up with. It didn't help that they were all worried sick about the girl and couldn't think straight. Finally, Sesshomaru shocked them all.
"Though I would rather it not happen if the only way to get her out is dead, then I will accept that."
Sango gasped. "What are you saying? You want her to die?"
Inuyasha snorted. "You really are heartless. I knew you couldn't care about that girl."
His brother issued a low growl. "Watch what you say, hanbun."
"Just try me. I can take you."
"Stop it, both of you," Sakura shouted. "Forgive us, Sesshomaru-sama. You'll have to explain because it does sound like you don't care for the girl."
"If I did not care for the girl I would not be here. However, I can see your point. As long as we can get Rin's body away from Naraku all will be well. You see, while Inuyasha was left with Tetsusaiga, my father gave me Tensaiga, a sword of healing. I can use it to revive Rin if necessary."
Everyone breathed easier at his words as they got back on track.
* * *
"You can't carry me! It would tire you out too soon and you wouldn't be able to help," Kagome protested.
"Well you can't ride Kirara. She's carrying enough people."
"She's only carrying three. Sakura-chan and Kero-chan are flying by themselves. And anyway, Sesshomaru can carry me if it's too crowded on Kirara."
Yue shook his head. "I don't trust him enough to carry you."
"Yue! Sesshomaru wouldn't hurt me and you know it. First of all, he is too honorable for something like that."
"It's nothing personal, koishii. I just don't trust anyone except for me to carry you. I barely even trust myself."
Kagome's gaze softened a little bit as she took his hand. "I understand that, love. But you cannot possibly carry me the whole way."
He opened his mouth to argue, but snapped it shut as a soft cough drew their attention. They both turned to find Akemi standing in the doorway. The Guardian's eyes glittered with amusement and one corner of her mouth turned up in a half smile.
"You know, this is the silliest argument I've heard since the day you two argued over the chicken and the egg."
They gave a blank expression. "Huh?"
The Guardian waved it away. "Never mind that. I know how to solve your dilemma."
"How?" Yue asked.
"Give Heaven's Priestess back her wings," she answered with a shrug.
"M. My wings?"
"Of course. You are the Queen of the heavens, after all." Akemi told her. "Now that you know who you are we can do a ritual to give you back your wings."
* * *
Akemi locked herself and Kagome in her bedroom with no way for anyone else to get in. She had the miko sit on the floor in the center of the room while she created a circle of candles and incense around her. The Guardian sat down in front of her and began the spell that would unbind her wings as well as her true powers.
Everyone gathered outside Akemi's door. There was a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air of the crowded corridor. They were anxious to see what Kagome would look like with wings. The most anxious was, of course, Yue. He knew what could happen if the ritual went wrong. He paced back and forth in front of the door waiting for a sign that he could enter. It wasn't until an hour later that a bright light burst from under the door, signaling that the ritual was almost over.
Kagome blinked as the light dissipated and looked at Akemi.
"That's it?"
"Pretty much. Now all that's left to do is wait for them to form."
"There's something I don't understand," Kagome said. "A few days ago this memory from my other life came to me in a dream. I was running from the evil that killed me last time when I tripped and fell off of the cloud. Yue caught me before I hit the ground, but if I had wings I should've been able to stop myself."
"That would be the day you first met him. That was before you became Queen. You had wings but they were dormant until your coronation."
Kagome's brow furrowed. "So how are we able to call my wings now? I'm not Queen yet."
Akemi chuckled. "Ah, but you are, my Queen. Your soul was bound as Queen."
The girl opened her mouth to speak, then groaned in pain at something tearing through her back. The Guardian held her and offered soothing words.
"Don't worry. It only hurts the first time."
After many minutes the miko felt something burst out of her back. She panted as the pain died down. She suddenly felt very exhausted. With an act of will, she made her wings disappear before collapsing from the power drain. Akemi brushed a wisp of hair from her face before going to the door. All eye tunred to her when they heard the door open.
"She's fine. Exhausted, but fine. After a good night's sleep she'll be better than ever. We can leave tomorrow. My Lord, I suggest you take her to your chambers to sleep."
* * *
"Look, Yue-kun," she said, proudly displaying her new wings for him.
He smiled at her. "They're beautiful, Your Majesty."
She pouted. "Just because I'm Queen now doesn't mean you have to start treating me like one. I order you to treat me as you always have."
"You mean as the most important person in the world and the most precious treasure I've ever found." And the love of my life, he thought to himself.
"No. I mean as your best friend whose life you saved."
"Of course I saved you. Such a beautiful person should not be harmed."
Her breath caught in her throat. "You really think I'm beautiful, Yue- kun?"
Yue nodded. "Hai, heart, body, mind, and soul. That's why you'll make a wonderful Queen."
"Arigato, Yue-kun. That means a lot to me."
* * *
Her eyes fluttered open to find both Yues gazing at her. She smiled warmly as she sat up in bed. She gave them each a good morning kiss before climbing out of bed and going in the bathroom to change. When she came out she wore clothes similar to Akemi's except the bronze was replaced with silver.
"Are you guys ready? We're leaving right after breakfast."
Breakfast went by fast, spurred by everyone's desire to get moving. Throughout the entire meal everyone kept looking at Kagome as if looking for any differenced. She couldn't help the amused glint in her eyes. The moment their plates were clear the companions were out the door. Within instants Kirara, Sakura, and Kero were transformed. They aall turned expectantly to Kagome as she stepped out into the morning sunshine. She rolled her eyes before obliging them by releasing her wings. They burst from her back in a flurry of feathers. Everyone stared in awe at the sight of her wings, even Sesshoumaru. The feathers shimmered white tinted with all the colors of the spectrum.
"They're even more beautiful than I remember," Yue said quietly.
"Aren't they?" Akemi agreed. "Hers were always the most magnificent to be seen."
"Oi!" Inuyasha's voice cut through the air. "Let's go."
The hanyou sat on Kirara's back with his arms folded across his chest. The magic in the air was broken as everyone remembered where they were going. Without another word everyone took off. Inuyasha kept throwing quick looks at Kagome out of the corner of his eye. I always knew she was an angel.
Shayril: (Cooing.) Oh, you beautiful babies. Who're my girls? (The others look on with sweat drops as she fawned over the triplets.) Inuyasha: Okay, she's beginning to make me sick.. (Shayril knocks him over the head with a bat without even looking at him.) OW! Hey! What was that for? (She ignores him.) Akemi: Oh, leave her alone, Inuyasha. Shayril: (Suddenly wailing at the top of her lungs.) I MISS MY GIRLS!!!!! Inuyasha: They're right there you stupid wench. (Breaks down into sobs.) Inuyasha: D. Don't c. cry. I. I'm sorry. Kalika: (Shaking her head.) No idiot. She means her nieces. They moved to another state on Halloween. Shayril: Seven hundred freaking miles away! Sesshoumaru: (Sneering.) You're pathetic, little brother. You can't even handle a woman's tears. Shayril: My girls!!! (Grabs hold of Sesshy and cries all over his shirt.) Sesshoumaru: Wench! Release me at once. (Shayril starts to cry harder. Sesshy looks decidedly uncomfortable.) You need not get yourself so worked up. It's not like you'll never see them again. Girl. Are you. Listen to me when I'm speaking to you. Would you just let go of me. (Sighs heavily.) Oh, very well. (Inuyasha smirks smugly at his big brother. The girls gather around Shayril trying to comfort her.) Sesshoumaru: It appears that the wench will not be able to say goodbye to you mortals today. Inuyasha's: Guess not. Hey, you guys, send lots of reviews to cheer her up. I hate it when girls are all weepy.
Chapter Seventeen - Wings
By noon the next day they were all frustrated by the lack of a plan to rescue Rin. Naraku could easily thwart anything they came up with. It didn't help that they were all worried sick about the girl and couldn't think straight. Finally, Sesshomaru shocked them all.
"Though I would rather it not happen if the only way to get her out is dead, then I will accept that."
Sango gasped. "What are you saying? You want her to die?"
Inuyasha snorted. "You really are heartless. I knew you couldn't care about that girl."
His brother issued a low growl. "Watch what you say, hanbun."
"Just try me. I can take you."
"Stop it, both of you," Sakura shouted. "Forgive us, Sesshomaru-sama. You'll have to explain because it does sound like you don't care for the girl."
"If I did not care for the girl I would not be here. However, I can see your point. As long as we can get Rin's body away from Naraku all will be well. You see, while Inuyasha was left with Tetsusaiga, my father gave me Tensaiga, a sword of healing. I can use it to revive Rin if necessary."
Everyone breathed easier at his words as they got back on track.
* * *
"You can't carry me! It would tire you out too soon and you wouldn't be able to help," Kagome protested.
"Well you can't ride Kirara. She's carrying enough people."
"She's only carrying three. Sakura-chan and Kero-chan are flying by themselves. And anyway, Sesshomaru can carry me if it's too crowded on Kirara."
Yue shook his head. "I don't trust him enough to carry you."
"Yue! Sesshomaru wouldn't hurt me and you know it. First of all, he is too honorable for something like that."
"It's nothing personal, koishii. I just don't trust anyone except for me to carry you. I barely even trust myself."
Kagome's gaze softened a little bit as she took his hand. "I understand that, love. But you cannot possibly carry me the whole way."
He opened his mouth to argue, but snapped it shut as a soft cough drew their attention. They both turned to find Akemi standing in the doorway. The Guardian's eyes glittered with amusement and one corner of her mouth turned up in a half smile.
"You know, this is the silliest argument I've heard since the day you two argued over the chicken and the egg."
They gave a blank expression. "Huh?"
The Guardian waved it away. "Never mind that. I know how to solve your dilemma."
"How?" Yue asked.
"Give Heaven's Priestess back her wings," she answered with a shrug.
"M. My wings?"
"Of course. You are the Queen of the heavens, after all." Akemi told her. "Now that you know who you are we can do a ritual to give you back your wings."
* * *
Akemi locked herself and Kagome in her bedroom with no way for anyone else to get in. She had the miko sit on the floor in the center of the room while she created a circle of candles and incense around her. The Guardian sat down in front of her and began the spell that would unbind her wings as well as her true powers.
Everyone gathered outside Akemi's door. There was a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air of the crowded corridor. They were anxious to see what Kagome would look like with wings. The most anxious was, of course, Yue. He knew what could happen if the ritual went wrong. He paced back and forth in front of the door waiting for a sign that he could enter. It wasn't until an hour later that a bright light burst from under the door, signaling that the ritual was almost over.
Kagome blinked as the light dissipated and looked at Akemi.
"That's it?"
"Pretty much. Now all that's left to do is wait for them to form."
"There's something I don't understand," Kagome said. "A few days ago this memory from my other life came to me in a dream. I was running from the evil that killed me last time when I tripped and fell off of the cloud. Yue caught me before I hit the ground, but if I had wings I should've been able to stop myself."
"That would be the day you first met him. That was before you became Queen. You had wings but they were dormant until your coronation."
Kagome's brow furrowed. "So how are we able to call my wings now? I'm not Queen yet."
Akemi chuckled. "Ah, but you are, my Queen. Your soul was bound as Queen."
The girl opened her mouth to speak, then groaned in pain at something tearing through her back. The Guardian held her and offered soothing words.
"Don't worry. It only hurts the first time."
After many minutes the miko felt something burst out of her back. She panted as the pain died down. She suddenly felt very exhausted. With an act of will, she made her wings disappear before collapsing from the power drain. Akemi brushed a wisp of hair from her face before going to the door. All eye tunred to her when they heard the door open.
"She's fine. Exhausted, but fine. After a good night's sleep she'll be better than ever. We can leave tomorrow. My Lord, I suggest you take her to your chambers to sleep."
* * *
"Look, Yue-kun," she said, proudly displaying her new wings for him.
He smiled at her. "They're beautiful, Your Majesty."
She pouted. "Just because I'm Queen now doesn't mean you have to start treating me like one. I order you to treat me as you always have."
"You mean as the most important person in the world and the most precious treasure I've ever found." And the love of my life, he thought to himself.
"No. I mean as your best friend whose life you saved."
"Of course I saved you. Such a beautiful person should not be harmed."
Her breath caught in her throat. "You really think I'm beautiful, Yue- kun?"
Yue nodded. "Hai, heart, body, mind, and soul. That's why you'll make a wonderful Queen."
"Arigato, Yue-kun. That means a lot to me."
* * *
Her eyes fluttered open to find both Yues gazing at her. She smiled warmly as she sat up in bed. She gave them each a good morning kiss before climbing out of bed and going in the bathroom to change. When she came out she wore clothes similar to Akemi's except the bronze was replaced with silver.
"Are you guys ready? We're leaving right after breakfast."
Breakfast went by fast, spurred by everyone's desire to get moving. Throughout the entire meal everyone kept looking at Kagome as if looking for any differenced. She couldn't help the amused glint in her eyes. The moment their plates were clear the companions were out the door. Within instants Kirara, Sakura, and Kero were transformed. They aall turned expectantly to Kagome as she stepped out into the morning sunshine. She rolled her eyes before obliging them by releasing her wings. They burst from her back in a flurry of feathers. Everyone stared in awe at the sight of her wings, even Sesshoumaru. The feathers shimmered white tinted with all the colors of the spectrum.
"They're even more beautiful than I remember," Yue said quietly.
"Aren't they?" Akemi agreed. "Hers were always the most magnificent to be seen."
"Oi!" Inuyasha's voice cut through the air. "Let's go."
The hanyou sat on Kirara's back with his arms folded across his chest. The magic in the air was broken as everyone remembered where they were going. Without another word everyone took off. Inuyasha kept throwing quick looks at Kagome out of the corner of his eye. I always knew she was an angel.
Shayril: (Cooing.) Oh, you beautiful babies. Who're my girls? (The others look on with sweat drops as she fawned over the triplets.) Inuyasha: Okay, she's beginning to make me sick.. (Shayril knocks him over the head with a bat without even looking at him.) OW! Hey! What was that for? (She ignores him.) Akemi: Oh, leave her alone, Inuyasha. Shayril: (Suddenly wailing at the top of her lungs.) I MISS MY GIRLS!!!!! Inuyasha: They're right there you stupid wench. (Breaks down into sobs.) Inuyasha: D. Don't c. cry. I. I'm sorry. Kalika: (Shaking her head.) No idiot. She means her nieces. They moved to another state on Halloween. Shayril: Seven hundred freaking miles away! Sesshoumaru: (Sneering.) You're pathetic, little brother. You can't even handle a woman's tears. Shayril: My girls!!! (Grabs hold of Sesshy and cries all over his shirt.) Sesshoumaru: Wench! Release me at once. (Shayril starts to cry harder. Sesshy looks decidedly uncomfortable.) You need not get yourself so worked up. It's not like you'll never see them again. Girl. Are you. Listen to me when I'm speaking to you. Would you just let go of me. (Sighs heavily.) Oh, very well. (Inuyasha smirks smugly at his big brother. The girls gather around Shayril trying to comfort her.) Sesshoumaru: It appears that the wench will not be able to say goodbye to you mortals today. Inuyasha's: Guess not. Hey, you guys, send lots of reviews to cheer her up. I hate it when girls are all weepy.