A/N: I am glad that everyone likes my new story! Make note that I will continue Other Half, Drug Addiction and so on.
They are still in the process after my computer deleted all the files from my system! So, the chapters that were done, and deleted are now being retyped as you read this. They will be out sooner or later, more likely sooner then later, but at least I am doing another story to keep you satisfied ne?
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and co.
Claimer: I do own Tsuta, and Yuki, and Shouou, and Hoshi!
Recap
Once the Jewel of Crystal's Earth, and The Shikon no Tama are combined. They can either do two things; Keep the peace or create destruction. The only one who can decide the fate is the owner of the new jewel, which is to be called: Life and Death. There is only a sole owner of this new powerful, the only way the possessor can claim this newly found jewel is to kill the owner of the other jewel, whether it be; Jewel of Crystal's Earth or the Shikon no Tama. Then, and only then, can one possess: Life and Death.
"Yes, Midoriko; such a lovely prophecy. Though, your heir to the jewel won't possess Life and Death. I will, that is a promise."
End Recap
Chapter 2: Arrivals and Settling In
Kagura scoffed silently outside her father's door, more likely her boss than 'father'. She quickly left the Shoji door, and opened the western looking glass doors to the open garden. Far off to the right of the garden, was a fence surrounding a certain area. Kagura still remembered the story of Hoshi and what he created. Foolish creatures that thought the jewel of Crystal's Earth was useless. The CE was as powerful as the Shikon no Tama. While the Shikon no Tama was the soul of the entire planet, the Crystal's Earth was in the name itself. The crystal of the earth, or in other words the very center or heart.
Kagura was confused at first when Naraku had explained it to her, but it all made sense in the end. No one really knew that much about the Shikon no Tama, except for the owners. All everyone really knew was that it could grant wishes to its owner. Yet, Kagura knew it was more then that. It would be a pretty useless jewel if all it could do was grant one wish, and disappear in the next seconds. Just like everyone knew that that Crystal's Earth can give and take away life. They were wrong though. Crystal's Earth just takes away life. That's why Naraku loved it so much.
One touch of the Jewel, and a cruel intention towards someone you immensely hated, and they would disappear. Kagura had always wondered where the person would go to, she found out though. The person would end up in the Jewel itself, just like Hoshi did. The only way Hoshi could be freed is when the Shikon no Tama would combine with Crystal's Earth. Kagura knew that Naraku wouldn't rest until Kagome was dead. That wouldn't happen, not in a million years.
If her calculations were correct, the Lord of the Western Lands was going to fall madly and deeply in love with the precious miko. The Prince of the Western Lands, was a different story. Kagura, being the wind witch knew that he was already in love. Not with Kagome, but with Kikyou, the village miko not far from the Western citadel. She had a little feeling that the retired Lord, Lord InuTaisho knew this for a fact too.
Kagome's nose wrinkled as she felt the morning sunrays upon her porcelain face. She felt someone move beside her. She quickly grabbed onto something solid, and snuggled in deeper into it.
Miroku sighed as he felt his sister grab onto him. Knowing that she still needed her sleep, he left her alone. Looking outside his carriage, he saw nothing but vast lands of green, and trees upon piles of trees. When on Kami's earth were they going to get there? Miroku sighed longing, as he looked on. The citadel must be ages away, just brilliant! Miroku really didn't plan on sitting in the carriage for another day. He had half the mind to tell the driver to stop, he really needed to use the bathroom.
Finally after losing his patience, which wasn't very often, Miroku stuck his head of out the window and tried to yell at the driver to stop. He didn't even as so much utter a word though, because before them was a regal gateway. It was made of iron bars, and the surrounding fence was made out of grey stone with different shapes and sizes. Miroku was amazed at what majestic beauty it held. There was the Western Castle, towering over him, staring him down.
Ever so slowly, Miroku brought his head back into the carriage. He looked to the side, to find Kagome leaning against the other side of the carriage, still fast asleep. 'Oh brother.' Miroku thought to himself. Shaking his head, Miroku nudged his sister in the sides. Kagome sleepily waved him off, and dozed back to sleep. Miroku grumbled under his breath, and shook her gently.
"Wake me up later okaa-san," Kagome mumbled, and nuzzled her head into the cushions in the side.
"Wake up you baka, we're here."
Kagome groaned, and opened her eyes slightly. It was all blurry, blinking her eyes a couple of times everything got into focus. Everything was shaking still though, she could feel a hand pressed and squeezed upon her lower her arm. She shook her brother off, and stretched yawning loudly.
"Did you hear me sleeping beauty? We're here," Miroku said watching his sister stretched uninterestedly.
That caught Kagome's attention. Quickly closing her open jaw, Kagome snapped her head to where her brother sat; looking at her. "What?"
Miroku merely nodded his head, and slouched. There wasn't anything that would amuse him in the castle. Maybe there were lovely servants there he could flirt with. Or, the brothers would have a sister? 'Dream on Miroku,' he said to himself. No youkai would want to do anything with him that was because he was a ningen.
There wasn't anything wrong with the way he was born. The fact was that humans were constantly in fear of being persecuted by youkai's. Well, at least his little sister wouldn't be hurt, after all she was marrying the Prince of the Western Lands. Maybe, he would be protected slightly because his sister was soon to be the Princess of the Western Lands.
"What do you mean we're here?" Kagome exclaimed, after getting over her initial shock.
Miroku rolled his eyes at how dense his sister could be sometimes.
"Self explanatory Kagome," Miroku said.
Kagome grumbled and started smoothing out her kimono. Great, she had just arrived at her betrothals home-more like castle-and she looked like a complete wreck. She smoothed out her kimono as best as she could. She then tried to find her wooden brush, with the wooden pricks that would go through her hair to make it straight and smooth.
"Miroku where's the luggage?" Kagome asked looking around her.
Miroku looked at his surroundings, before looking behind him. There was big gap between the cushion he was sitting on, and another cushion behind him. He reached behind, and grabbed out a silk bag with patterns and the Shikon No Tama symbol sewed onto it. He handed it to his sister. He felt the carriage lurch forward, he looked out the window once again to find that the gates had opened letting them through. He heard his sister rummaging through the silk bag he had given her. Hearing a little 'Found it', Miroku turned his head to find his sister combing her hair. Miroku rolled his eyes, and slumped back into his earlier position.
"Sit up straight Miroku, it's not part of protocol," Kagome said regarding her brother.
Miroku raised an eyebrow at his sister. Since when did she give out reminders about protocol?
"Glad I have set an example for you," Miroku replied.
Kagome snorted at her brother's comment. No way in hell was she going to turn into her brother. Imagine, her going up to strange men asking them if she could bear their children. That was a laugh. Just the mental image of Kagome going up to a normal handsome village man, and asking him if she would be able to bear his child made Kagome giggle.
"What is so amusing?" Miroku questioned.
Kagome glanced at her brother, her eyes sparkling with laughter.
"When you said that you have set and example for me, I picture myself asking a man if would be able to bear his child," Kagome said trying to keep her voice from squeaking. At this Miroku let out a smile. Yes, wouldn't that be interesting? His fiery sister going down on one knee and begging a man to let her bear his child.
"That would be amusing ne? I just could imagine you doing that," Miroku said. "I would say yes if we weren't related dear sister," he commented with a lecherous grin on his face.
Kagome's eyes widened, and promptly smacked him in the head. The nerve of him! Honestly, his own sister.
"Aniki, that's called incest!" Kagome exclaimed, a horrified expression on her face.
Miroku laughed, "I was joking you fool, keep your voice down. They could hear you, you know."
Kagome's mouth made an 'O' in understanding. She remembered what her father had told her. She was marrying to a family of proud inu youkai's. The dog-clan to which she was marrying into was very powerful, and from what her father had told her only the most powerful demons can be granted passage into the family. Well, Kagome knew why her parents were able to set herself and the Prince of the Western Lands up that was because Kagome herself was powerful. Not that Kagome was conceited and bragged about all the power that was in her tiny little palms. No, she would never. That would bring dishonour to the family if she were to go about flaunting all the power she had. Everyone would be after her, if they already aren't after her at the current moment.
For you see, anyone could feel her power. Even the humans. They wouldn't feel it through the lands, and the magical strings in their bodies like the magical creatures that roamed the earth did. They would feel it in the whether. Their skins would get goose bumps, and you could tell that there was something powerful near by. Magical creatures like youkai's, and dwarves for example would feel a tingling in their scalps, or a surge of power would go through the lands. That wasn't the point to all this though. You see, she had to hide her power. It had taken her three years for her to finally get it down pact, and to her amazement she was able to control her power. Yet, one slip from her, and the entire country could feel such a magical force.
"Now dear sister, remember do not talk to them unless you are spoken too. Let me do the talking, Kami knows that, that mouth of yours can get itself into trouble," Miroku said as the carriage door opened.
"Hai, aniki."
Sesshoumaru woke up that morning to find himself very disgruntled. He hadn't the faintest idea as to why he felt so melancholy today. Usually he was always so grumpy and furious at everything, not depressed. He didn't ponder it any longer as his servants came into his bedchambers. He gracefully got out of his futon, and glided his way towards them.
"Ohayo, Lord Sesshoumaru," a chorus of voices came from them, as they greeted their master with a low respectful bow.
Sesshoumaru nodded, and they immediately set to work to get their master dressed for the day. One of the youkai's, was a panther youkai who had been dressing Sesshoumaru since he was but a pup. Sesshoumaru tolerated this one more than the rest of the servants that walked the castle. After they had dressed Sesshoumaru in his robes, did he notice that he was wearing one that was usually meant for a special occasion.
"Kouiichi, what is the meaning of this?" Sesshoumaru asked in his cold tone.
The panther youkai regarded his lord with a respectful gaze.
"Do you not remember my lord? Today is the day that Lord Inuyasha's bride is to be arriving."
Sesshoumaru scowled at this piece of information. He nodded curtly at the servants and shooed them away with a wave of his hand. So, his brother's betrothed was to be arriving today? He faintly remembered his father informing him yesterday. That was probably the reason why he felt so somber when he had awoken from his slumber. Anyone would be; having another ningen roam the castle. His nose would be abused yet again, thanks to the smell of ningens. Perhaps he should order the servants to bathe the ningen woman every other hour, so that his nose would not be offended by such a foul smell.
Speaking of a foul smell, a foul one indeed assaulted his senses as he stepped outside his living quarters. Looking to the left, to where the foul smell was coming from; recognizing that it was his servant Jaken. Turning the other way abruptly; trying to get away from the squeaking toad. Once he was sure that he was safe, he went into the banquet hall for his daily routine. Standing in front of two, western looking doors with guards in front, Sesshoumaru nodded at the guards as they let him pass. Sesshoumaru entered the hall, seeming very uninterested with the people that took up air in space in the room.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru, ohayo, how was your night?" a deep rich voice filled his ears.
Sesshoumaru controlled himself from rolling his eyes at his father. Every morning they went through this conversation. InuTaisho would bid him a good morning, ask him how he slept, asked how Rin was, and then ask him when he was going to mate. They always ended up arguing over the subject of him finding a mate. Frankly, Sesshoumaru could care less if he died without mating anyone.
"Chichiue, we've been through this before," Sesshoumaru said his tone on an extra icy edge.
InuTaisho bit back a sigh, and kept his face as usual emotionless. InuTaisho, deep down, felt disappointed in his son. He knew that his son thought all humans were a disgrace that had unfortunately walked the planet earth. Yet, he just couldn't look past the way they were born. Yet, his son's thinkings were just drilled into his mind, he couldn't erase them with a wave of his hand. If only though...
"Chakunan, re-"
"No. Chichiue, end of story," Sesshoumaru said as he took a seat on the pillows.
InuTaisho didn't say anything else while they ate. !Chew!Munch!Munch!Munch! Silence. No one spoke throughout the entire meal. After a while, Inuyasha entered the room in a grumpy fashion. InuTaisho reprimanded him for this, while Sesshoumaru smirked slightly in the background.
"Inuyasha! Is that the way you enter a room?" InuTaisho roared.
Inuyasha's ears flattened on his head. This was not a good way to start the day. First of all, he wasn't able to visit Kikyou because his so-called betrothed was arriving today. His father expected him to spend the whole day with her. That was bad, he didn't even know who the hell this person was!
"Feh," Inuyasha responded.
"What is that? Feh? Inuyasha, that is not part of protocol," InuTaisho reprimanded harshly as his son sat down.
Inuyasha nodded his head meekly at his father. He had been getting reprimanded a lot lately for the past week. By his father, and by Sesshoumaru as well. It was probably the whole marriage thing. The sooner his soon-to-be-wife was out of his castle, the better.
"Father, I have to go out for a while before she comes," Inuyasha said looking at his plate.
InuTaisho looked curiously at his son. He was no fool, InuTaisho knew perfectly well were Inuyasha had been heading off to the past months. He was visiting the village miko, Kikyou. InuTaisho had no problem with his son marrying a miko, because she was powerful, but if it wasn't for the fact that Kikyou was a two-faced bitch, he couldn't allow it. InuTaisho would kill her before she would mate with his son. No, he wouldn't have that.
Now, the girl that he was setting Inuyasha up with was a perfect bride for his son. He would've betrothed Sesshoumaru to Kagome, if it wasn't for the fact that Sesshoumaru would kill the poor girl before she got a chance to lay eyes on him. He couldn't have that either. InuTaisho knew that by bringing Kagome over to his castle, she would fall in love with both of his sons. Or so, her ancestor had said.
Yes, Midoriko was a fine beautiful lady. She had come to him while he was out surveying his lands. Sesshoumaru had been with him, InuTaisho doubted that Sesshoumaru remembered anything of the woman. Anyway, she had gone to him to tell him of a vision she had just received. It was that Sesshoumaru was to mate with one of her descendants later on. Her name, was Kagome. She had said that Inuyasha would be her betrothed, but they would just turn out as friends, and he will find someone else. InuTaisho had gone back to the woman asking for more information. She had given him a leather bound book with all of his questions answered. InuTaisho knew what was going to happen for the next 500 years. Well, what was going to happen with people in his family of course.
"Go where?" InuTaisho questioned.
"Out." was the response he got.
InuTaisho shook his head no, "I'm afraid you cannot go Inuyasha. Kagome should be arriving soon."
Inuyasha stared at his father, with a cold glare before returning back to his food. 'Kuso' he thought.
Padding of feet brought the family out of their thoughts. The doors opened, and in stepped Jaken with a worried look on his face.
"InuTaisho-sama, Lady Kagome is now here!" Jaken said in a high-pitched voice.
InuTaisho stood, signalling to his sons to do the same. They grudgingly stood up, and followed their brother. Inuyasha looked like an exact replica of Sesshoumaru, since he wasn't wearing his usual red clothing that he wore when he went out. He was wearing a silver haori with pants, and black slippers. He had black paw prints placed randomly here and there. Sesshoumaru was wearing a black haori with pants, and silver slippers. Instead of black paw prints, he had silver paw prints. If it wasn't for the magenta stripes on Sesshoumaru's face, and Inuyasha's dog-like ears, they would've looked identical.
(A/N: Here, Inuyasha's going to have a Crescent Moon his forehead.)
They arrived at the entrance and stood there regally, and watched as Kagome's ladies in waiting came out of the first carriages. They then moved to stand to the sides. Finally the last carriage moved past the entrance. The carriage stopped in front of the Taisho family. They could smell a ningen scent inside the carriage, as well they could feel holy power coming from the carriage.
A man stepped out, he had black hair that went up to his shoulders and was tied. He was wearing long purple monk robes, and had a staff in his hands. InuTaisho assumed that this man, was Kagome's brother. The man, back towards the Taisho family stretched his hand towards the inside of the carriage. They saw a dainty hand grab onto the monk, and a leg step out. The kimono had an elegant slit, and showed a bit of leg. Milky white skin was exposed, and pink material descended upon the leg. The lady gradually stepped out. First they saw long ebony shiny black hair. The woman's hair was so dark, it looked midnight blue when the sun shone on it.
Once completely out of the carriage, they heard slight whispers coming from the two. InuTaisho cleared his throat lightly, reminding the two that they had an audience. The young man lifted up his head towards the three, and smiled slightly. He guided the lady, and led her to them. The woman kept her head down, only when she was in speaking distance with them did she lift her head up.
Sesshoumaru was slightly bemused by the woman's scent, he was also confused. While as the man had a sweat-based scent, signalling that he was ningen, this woman did not. She smelled of lavender, and jasmine. He watched as she lifted her head.
Inuyasha was slightly annoyed that the two down there took their sweet time.
Kagome lifted her head, and stared into three amber eyes. She tried to hide the fact that she was shocked. These youkai in front of her, were the most beautiful sight she had seen. There they were standing. First was a man with silver hair, tied up high upon his head. He had purple stripes on his face, and a blue crescent moon on his forehead. He was wearing a black and silver haori and pants. He had a certain stern disposition. The next man, was wearing a black haori. He had a blue crescent moon on his forehead, and magenta stripes. His hair fell up to his knees, and his bangs neatly fell into place of his forehead. The bangs separated like curtains, only showing the crescent moon. She felt an icy chill run up and down her spine, as she looked at him. The male next to him, was wearing a silver haori. He had dog-ears atop of his head that she just wanted to touch. Kagome restrained herself as she looked him over. He looked at her crossly, with a certain defiance. He took had a blue crescent moon on his forehead.
Inuyasha was taken aback by how she looked. She had porcelain white skin, with pink full luscious lips. She almost looked like Kikyou, if it wasn't for the fact that Kikyou had dull chocolate eyes, while Kagome had cerulean blue eyes. InuTaisho hid his shock. This woman before him, looked like Midoriko. Except for the eyes, Midoriko had honey-golden eyes.
"Good day Lord InuTaisho, Lord Sesshoumaru, and Lord Inuyasha," Miroku spoke.
InuTaisho looked at the monk and smiled slightly.
"Ohayo Lord Miroku, and Lady Kagome. Welcome to my home," InuTaisho spoke.
(: End Chapter 2:)
Thanks to all the reviewers! I love you all!
