Shayril: Hiya! I have the newest chapter of 'Tarnished Armor' for you.
(Door bursts open and Kalika rushes in.)
Kalika: What in the world are you doing??? Where's the next chapter to 'Of
Youkai and Gypsies'?????
Shayril: (Shrugs) You're the muse in charge of that story. You took a
hiatus so it kinda took a hiatus.
Kalika: Well, I'm back. Get started.
Aliri: Stop telling her what to do. She's the boss, not you.
Kalika: (glares) What are you doing here?
Aliri: Shayril needed another muse while you were gone.
Shayril: Yup and I've decided to hire her on full time. Now, you start
giving me inspiration for 'Of Youkai and Gypsies' while the readers read
the new chapter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tarnished Armor
The Dreamscape
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He stood in a secluded corner of the library, staring out the window. His golden eyes saw nothing of what went on below. It had been two days since he shared his blood with Kagome and now she was a full-blooded youkai, but still she lay pale and unmoving in her bed. Never would he admit it to anyone, but he was worried about her. He didn't even want to admit it to himself. To admit that he was worried was to admit that he cared for her. He wasn't ready for that, yet. Especially now, when he was certain that her trust in him was scattered on the wind like ashes from a long dead fire.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Why does she not awaken?" He demanded. "She is a full youkai now."
"Her injuries were quite extensive, my lord, and her body is still growing accustomed to the changes. Her metabolism hasn't quite caught up yet," the healer explained. "As it is, the healing process has been much faster than it was in the beginning of this entire ordeal."
"There is something else," a miko said. Sesshoumaru arched an eyebrow, indicating that she should continue. "It is my belief that the Lady Kagome's subconscious is preventing her from healing faster, even with the miasma almost completely gone."
"And why would that be, miko?"
"Because, my lord, the Lady Kagome's spirit has been broken. She believes that she was betrayed by her betrothed and she doesn't want to return to a world where it is possible to be betrayed again by one she trusted so well."
A new voice spoke. "Is there anyway to get her to come back? To heal her spirit?" Those standing in the room turned to face Lord Hyouga. "I will not lose my daughter to that bastard Naraku!"
The miko hesitated before replying. "There is one possibility, my lord, but there is no guarantee it will work."
"How?"
She took a deep breath, before explaining. "The technique I am referring to is called the Dreamscape. With the use of herbs and spells Lady Kagome and one other, a guide, will be drawn to a plane created solely of dreams. It is then up to the guide to convince her to come back. As for her spirit, the Dreamscape cannot be used to heal it. Only by choosing to come back and learning how to trust again can that happen."
"How do we begin the ritual?" Sesshoumaru asked. "I will be her guide."
The miko shook her head. "I do not believe that is a good idea. You are the one she believes betrayed her. If she were to see you in the Dreamscape she would most likely retreat deeper within herself and closer to death."
"I agree," Lord Hyouga said. "I'm sorry to say, Sesshoumaru, that you had best let someone else do this. You can help best by being here to help heal her spirit once the guide convinces her to return."
"Who will be the guide, then?" asked the unhappy, though he didn't show it of course, inu youkai.
"I will."
All eyes once again turned to the doorway. Leaning against the doorframe was a woman that looked like she was a few years older than Kagome. She was dressed in an elegant kimono with her ebony hair pulled into a simple braid down her back and a patch over one eye. Her face was gaunt and pale, and she seemed very weak. It wasn't hard for Sesshoumaru to figure out who she was as Hyouga went to lend his support with a worried expression.
"Are you certain you can be her guide, dearest? I know such a ritual can be taxing and you are unwell."
Lady Kaede's eye flashed. "I will guide our daughter through her Dreamscape. I know the ritual and Kagome trusts me still."
"My darling..."
"DO NOT try to dissuade me. I will not let my daughter be lost. She doesn't know anyone around here enough to trust them, in addition to not trusting Sesshoumaru any longer she probably does not trust men in general, and she does not like Kikyo."
She glared at them all, daring them to continue arguing with her. When no one offered any further protests she motioned for them all to leave the room. The Lady of the Northern Lands immediately began preparations for the ritual the moment she was left alone with her daughter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome looked around in confusion, trying to get her bearings in this strange place. For as far as she could see in all directions there was nothing. It was just a vast white expanse with a kind of soft glow to it.
"What is this place?" She asked aloud.
"This is the Dreamscape," an unexpected, yet familiar voice answered.
The Northern Princess spun around to face the voice. "Mama! What are you doing here?"
Her mother's brow arched. "Are ye not happy to see yer mother?"
"Of course I am, but shouldn't you be resting? You've been so ill. How'd you get here? And what's the Dreamscape?"
"I have rested enough, child. And I came here through a ritual. The Dreamscape is just that. It is a blank canvas for people's dreams. Anything can be seen, heard, and experienced here. Some of it actual pieces of one's life, whether it be past, present, or future and some of it mere figments of the imagination."
"Why are we here? I want to leave, now."
Kaede shook her head. "I'm sorry, my daughter, but I cannot let ye go. Yer life is fading."
"I know it is," Kagome told her. "I don't want it anymore."
"Why not, child?"
"If you're here than you know what's happened to me. I don't want to continue living in a world where those you trust can betray you at any moment."
"Ye were not betrayed, child."
The younger woman gaped at her. "How can you say that? I saw him. I trusted him and he hurt me so much."
Again her mother shook her head. "That was not him. It was another in his guise. Surely you know that Sesshoumaru would never bring harm to you. He cares for you more than either of you know."
Having said that, she waved a hand and the scene from the tower suddenly came to life. Pain filled Kagome's as she relived those moments. Her mother's filled with rage and her miko powers flared into a pink aura around her. Neither one spoke as they watched the scene play until Sesshoumaru, the real Sesshoumaru lifted Kagome into his arms and sped out of the tower. Kagome turned back to her mother as the scene faded.
"I don't believe it. You're just trying to protect him."
"Child, do ye honestly think that I would do such a thing? If Sesshoumaru had been the one to hurt ye do ye not think that I would be doing everything in my power to destroy him? Ye're my daughter, Kagome. I carried ye within my womb for nine months, I would never stand for someone bringing harm to ye. Especially like that."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been an hour since Lady Kaede ushered everyone out of the room. Lord Hyouga was restless with worry. His wife was ill and such a ritual could kill her if she wasn't careful, his daughter already lay near death not allowing herself to heal because she thought her betrothed had betrayed her. Said betrothed was pacing like a caged animal waiting for word of the woman that was supposed to become his mate. Pride and denial kept the Western Prince from admitting it was worry he felt and not duty to his future mate or insult because of what Naraku had done. The Northern Taiyoukai sighed. There was no possible way that their marriage would work if the inu-youkai didn't come to terms with his emotions. That was, of course, assuming that his daughter would come back to them and learn to trust Sesshoumaru again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaede sighed. "I don't know what else to do, child. I don't know what will convince ye that Sesshoumaru was not the one who hurt ye."
"I know what I saw, Mama."
"Well, then come back to prove that this hasn't broken ye. Whether it was or was not Sesshoumaru you should prove that ye're better than him. Whoever it was only did it to break ye," the Northern Lady urged. "Don't let him win."
Kagome grew thoughtful, barely hearing her mother say goodbye. She sat down in the air without even realizing it. And there she sat, floating in the vast, glowing, white expanse of the Dreamscape.
Shayril: There you go. It's kinda short, but it's better than nothing. Aliri: 'Sides, she's already working on a new chapter. (Kalika grumbles in the corner.) Navi: Would you cease that infuriating noise. It's your own fault. Sesshoumaru: I cannot believe that you and Pai did that to me. I thought I was supposed to be Kagome's one true love. Shayril: You will be, after she realizes that it was Naraku and learns to trust you again, which will just make your love even stronger.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tarnished Armor
The Dreamscape
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He stood in a secluded corner of the library, staring out the window. His golden eyes saw nothing of what went on below. It had been two days since he shared his blood with Kagome and now she was a full-blooded youkai, but still she lay pale and unmoving in her bed. Never would he admit it to anyone, but he was worried about her. He didn't even want to admit it to himself. To admit that he was worried was to admit that he cared for her. He wasn't ready for that, yet. Especially now, when he was certain that her trust in him was scattered on the wind like ashes from a long dead fire.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Why does she not awaken?" He demanded. "She is a full youkai now."
"Her injuries were quite extensive, my lord, and her body is still growing accustomed to the changes. Her metabolism hasn't quite caught up yet," the healer explained. "As it is, the healing process has been much faster than it was in the beginning of this entire ordeal."
"There is something else," a miko said. Sesshoumaru arched an eyebrow, indicating that she should continue. "It is my belief that the Lady Kagome's subconscious is preventing her from healing faster, even with the miasma almost completely gone."
"And why would that be, miko?"
"Because, my lord, the Lady Kagome's spirit has been broken. She believes that she was betrayed by her betrothed and she doesn't want to return to a world where it is possible to be betrayed again by one she trusted so well."
A new voice spoke. "Is there anyway to get her to come back? To heal her spirit?" Those standing in the room turned to face Lord Hyouga. "I will not lose my daughter to that bastard Naraku!"
The miko hesitated before replying. "There is one possibility, my lord, but there is no guarantee it will work."
"How?"
She took a deep breath, before explaining. "The technique I am referring to is called the Dreamscape. With the use of herbs and spells Lady Kagome and one other, a guide, will be drawn to a plane created solely of dreams. It is then up to the guide to convince her to come back. As for her spirit, the Dreamscape cannot be used to heal it. Only by choosing to come back and learning how to trust again can that happen."
"How do we begin the ritual?" Sesshoumaru asked. "I will be her guide."
The miko shook her head. "I do not believe that is a good idea. You are the one she believes betrayed her. If she were to see you in the Dreamscape she would most likely retreat deeper within herself and closer to death."
"I agree," Lord Hyouga said. "I'm sorry to say, Sesshoumaru, that you had best let someone else do this. You can help best by being here to help heal her spirit once the guide convinces her to return."
"Who will be the guide, then?" asked the unhappy, though he didn't show it of course, inu youkai.
"I will."
All eyes once again turned to the doorway. Leaning against the doorframe was a woman that looked like she was a few years older than Kagome. She was dressed in an elegant kimono with her ebony hair pulled into a simple braid down her back and a patch over one eye. Her face was gaunt and pale, and she seemed very weak. It wasn't hard for Sesshoumaru to figure out who she was as Hyouga went to lend his support with a worried expression.
"Are you certain you can be her guide, dearest? I know such a ritual can be taxing and you are unwell."
Lady Kaede's eye flashed. "I will guide our daughter through her Dreamscape. I know the ritual and Kagome trusts me still."
"My darling..."
"DO NOT try to dissuade me. I will not let my daughter be lost. She doesn't know anyone around here enough to trust them, in addition to not trusting Sesshoumaru any longer she probably does not trust men in general, and she does not like Kikyo."
She glared at them all, daring them to continue arguing with her. When no one offered any further protests she motioned for them all to leave the room. The Lady of the Northern Lands immediately began preparations for the ritual the moment she was left alone with her daughter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome looked around in confusion, trying to get her bearings in this strange place. For as far as she could see in all directions there was nothing. It was just a vast white expanse with a kind of soft glow to it.
"What is this place?" She asked aloud.
"This is the Dreamscape," an unexpected, yet familiar voice answered.
The Northern Princess spun around to face the voice. "Mama! What are you doing here?"
Her mother's brow arched. "Are ye not happy to see yer mother?"
"Of course I am, but shouldn't you be resting? You've been so ill. How'd you get here? And what's the Dreamscape?"
"I have rested enough, child. And I came here through a ritual. The Dreamscape is just that. It is a blank canvas for people's dreams. Anything can be seen, heard, and experienced here. Some of it actual pieces of one's life, whether it be past, present, or future and some of it mere figments of the imagination."
"Why are we here? I want to leave, now."
Kaede shook her head. "I'm sorry, my daughter, but I cannot let ye go. Yer life is fading."
"I know it is," Kagome told her. "I don't want it anymore."
"Why not, child?"
"If you're here than you know what's happened to me. I don't want to continue living in a world where those you trust can betray you at any moment."
"Ye were not betrayed, child."
The younger woman gaped at her. "How can you say that? I saw him. I trusted him and he hurt me so much."
Again her mother shook her head. "That was not him. It was another in his guise. Surely you know that Sesshoumaru would never bring harm to you. He cares for you more than either of you know."
Having said that, she waved a hand and the scene from the tower suddenly came to life. Pain filled Kagome's as she relived those moments. Her mother's filled with rage and her miko powers flared into a pink aura around her. Neither one spoke as they watched the scene play until Sesshoumaru, the real Sesshoumaru lifted Kagome into his arms and sped out of the tower. Kagome turned back to her mother as the scene faded.
"I don't believe it. You're just trying to protect him."
"Child, do ye honestly think that I would do such a thing? If Sesshoumaru had been the one to hurt ye do ye not think that I would be doing everything in my power to destroy him? Ye're my daughter, Kagome. I carried ye within my womb for nine months, I would never stand for someone bringing harm to ye. Especially like that."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been an hour since Lady Kaede ushered everyone out of the room. Lord Hyouga was restless with worry. His wife was ill and such a ritual could kill her if she wasn't careful, his daughter already lay near death not allowing herself to heal because she thought her betrothed had betrayed her. Said betrothed was pacing like a caged animal waiting for word of the woman that was supposed to become his mate. Pride and denial kept the Western Prince from admitting it was worry he felt and not duty to his future mate or insult because of what Naraku had done. The Northern Taiyoukai sighed. There was no possible way that their marriage would work if the inu-youkai didn't come to terms with his emotions. That was, of course, assuming that his daughter would come back to them and learn to trust Sesshoumaru again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaede sighed. "I don't know what else to do, child. I don't know what will convince ye that Sesshoumaru was not the one who hurt ye."
"I know what I saw, Mama."
"Well, then come back to prove that this hasn't broken ye. Whether it was or was not Sesshoumaru you should prove that ye're better than him. Whoever it was only did it to break ye," the Northern Lady urged. "Don't let him win."
Kagome grew thoughtful, barely hearing her mother say goodbye. She sat down in the air without even realizing it. And there she sat, floating in the vast, glowing, white expanse of the Dreamscape.
Shayril: There you go. It's kinda short, but it's better than nothing. Aliri: 'Sides, she's already working on a new chapter. (Kalika grumbles in the corner.) Navi: Would you cease that infuriating noise. It's your own fault. Sesshoumaru: I cannot believe that you and Pai did that to me. I thought I was supposed to be Kagome's one true love. Shayril: You will be, after she realizes that it was Naraku and learns to trust you again, which will just make your love even stronger.