A/N: I'm sorry!! I'm late on my update! . I debated a lot about what should happen in this chapter and it was a little harder to write. I hope I didn't lose any of my..um...eight fans! Enjoy!!
The Return of the Jewel
Kagome and Sesshoumaru
It was still early morning when the pair set out. Kagome felt like walking, besides the fact that her entire body felt like stiff wood from riding the entire three day trip.
The western land was a vast territory indeed. To travel from one border to anther would take a human two weeks. But it would take a demon five days if they were to travel all night and day.
Kagome walked beside her new close friend. (The horse not Sess) Kagome wanted to save his energy for the journey home for they were leaving almost immediately. Kagome didn't need to lead Ji, as she now called the male horse, because he just he followed knowing she wanted him to. Sesshoumaru's horse seemed to have disappeared overnight.
--Most likely to graze--
Kagome had urged Ji to go as well, but the protective male wouldn't leave her side. So, the girl had just picked some fruit and vegetables that she found near their temporary campsite, that she knew were edible.
Sesshoumaru didn't seem to mind as he walked in the very front of the caravan. His long metallic locks fluttered on the wind's wisps and his clothes fluttered matching his movements. Sesshoumaru looked as if he were floating; his movements were so flowingly graceful.
Kagome got the impression, or rather the blunt obvious truth that the brother's dislike each other. So most likely they wouldn't spend much time here.
Kagome actually wasn't that fond of Kikyo either, the protectress of the Shikon no Tama. There was just something about her that was off. The girl always bothered Kagome, kind of rubbed Kagome the wrong way. But she just always kept an eye on her to make sure she was trustworthy. Their resemblance was uncanny, but they were significant differences.
Kikyo was kind, but she was in now way a loving creature. If you were in trouble you could ask her for help if she trusted you that it wouldn't be a trap or deceptive in some way. Her powers were immense and her beauty unparalleled, except for Kagome.
Kagome was beautiful, but in a different way. Her smile was always shining and her laugh bubbly. She was a true loving creature. She would go out of her way to help anyone in trouble or any one who asks, no matter who or what they were. She believed strongly that all humans, demons, and hanyous deserved to be equal. The only thing that separated them was breed. The word given to describe the different species, but there was no true difference. Only you parents and the customs you were born into. It was much like religion. Demons were stronger to protect those who couldn't protect themselves, what gave them the decision of life or death? Humans were meant to heal and care for all. Hanyous were to guide and assist. Or that was how she saw it and her sister as well.
--Onee-san...--
Kagome directed her thoughts to the scenery and realized the village was in sight. Looking to her companion whom had moved beside her now, she smiled.
--Soon the Shikon no Kakera will be where it belongs and the weight of its burden will descend from my shoulders.—
The walk had been shorter than she'd first thought. Kagome was so entangled in her contemplation; the small settlement was now just in front of her. The two stood on the small hill leading down. There were lines of huts on both sides that curved around forming what looked like alleyways and small streets between. Kagome could see fields of rice with irrigation. Many villagers had their yukatas hooked into their sashes or obis as they worked.
Kagome nudged Ji and turned her head to look at a group of young children. They were playing in a field just beyond the town. But when the three had left the shade of the forest all attention was turned from the game they were playing to the strangers. Kagome could see the look of yearning in their eyes and smiled when she noticed they were looking at her animal companion.
So she nudged him and he snorted in response. But he still meandered half heartedly over to the children and flopped into the grass and somehow did it gracefully. Kagome smiled and jogged to catch up to Sesshoumaru who was waiting at the edge of the village for her, but he didn't turn around to face her. Once she caught up, he continued on without a word or glance.
The awkward pair strode into the closest line of huts. Most of the townsfolk regarded the two cautiously. Prince Sesshoumaru's reputation set them immediately on edge. The demon had obviously traveled a long way for a reason. And said reason wouldn't be frivolous. Many had run into their homes and retrieved weapons should they be needed. Though the sight of the human beside the demon prince, their anxiety was settled somewhat. Many were surprised at the resemblance to their priestess and suspected her to be a relation.
Others, however, regarded them queerly. The pair looked quite strange walking side by side. The human girl took two steps to every long stride of the male. A demon and a human as companions weren't rare, but the two were like exact opposites. The demon had long, straight silver locks with split bangs. He had the most piercing, cold gold eyes. He would send glares every now and then to those who were clearing staring. The male was quite handsome, almost in a feminine way. No one was sure how old the demon was, but it was over a century to be certain.
Sesshoumaru ignored those who had exited with weapons in hand. He regarded them as no more than then pesky flies that deserved nothing more than to be squashed on the spot. But his father wouldn't approve and he couldn't, once again, go against him. His father was strangely protective and caring of them. Almost as if they were pets.
But the woman couldn't keep the smile from her features. The girl had wavy ebony tresses that fell to her mid-back and full bangs the framed her young face. She also had sparkling cerulean irises. This girl, or child, looked no more than sixteen. Though in human years thirteen was the age to marry, compared to the male beside her she was an infant. Of course she seemed ignorant to the stares of those around her.
Many young men had stopped what they were doing and were clearing gawking at Kagome's beauty. For though she was similar to Kikyo, this woman held a shine to her and was much more welcoming.
Sesshoumaru clenched his teeth. He was unsure as to why, but seeing the looks of lust at the sight of Kagome was disgusting. It made his stomach clench in a strange way that it had never done so before. Well it had once.
Flashback
A young teen is walking through a small town dominated by demons. But the boy is barely even noticed because there aren't many children in the village. They are all in the woods and fields playing during the still burning daylight.
Beside him is a demoness who is still a head taller than him. The woman has light, flowing footsteps and her long dazzling fire-colored tresses that flared while she walked. Her shimmering blue eyes were alight with happiness and her face revealed her contentment.
The young Sesshoumaru couldn't help but notice the deep-filled stares of lust directed at the woman beside him. Many demons had been killed to gain the right to court his mother. He growled low in warning. The males at first chuckled, but at the feral growl they instantly backed off. They weren't afraid of the young demon, but the look in his golden eyes was too similar to that of Inutaisho for their tastes.
At his growl his mother looked at him concerned, but she then realized the lust-filled glares they were receiving. Though most had lessened somewhat, it was still visible. She smiled at her sound and chuckled slightly before gently linking arms with him. His face returned passive as he looked up at his goddess of a mother.
End of Flashback
Sesshoumaru's thoughts
In the old traditions, demons married their equals. A demoness would have to been defeated by the male who wished to mate her. Therefore they two earned the right to produce offspring who would be just as strong.
Even years after being mated, his mother was still sought after. Though no one ever verbally revealed their desires or intents, it was all in a look. His father had been challenged several times to court the woman, known as Atsaiyaka. (at-sigh-yah-ka) Atsai, for short, was strong, intelligent, and held unsurpassable beauty.
No one, but his father had been able to defeat her. His grandparents had said it was a sight to be seen. Their children had been reduced to animals as they fought it out, both using their instincts only to guide them. All reason had been dropped. The two were bleeding from beyond several places, blood had slicked the floor. They were afraid they two would be killed before one was beaten, they were so evenly matched. But in the end Inutaisho had remained standing and with his last bit of his strength he carried Atsai up to her room.
When the two sets of parents followed they found the pair unconscious. Inutaisho held Atsai in his arms, her back to his chest. The once white sheets were turned a faded red as blood seeped into their fibers. Inutaisho held no expression beyond that of angelic and Atsai had a small smile gracing her rose lips.
All
Sesshoumaru growled low in warning. This made many of the young men turn their gazes to the demon, which was followed by the paling of their faces. It was if their faces had been doused in white paint that children used to make pictures using the petals of flowers.
Kagome turned at the sound that came from the demon beside her. Looking around she saw the boys who were now white as sheets, but the burn of lust was still present in their depths. Kagome turned her head to the left and the right, before a light redness crept into her apple cheeks at the realization that they'd been looking at her.
But this was not out of shyness or flattery. She hated that. People looked at her as an object of beauty that could be bought with money (a dowry or price the girl's parents will give along with their daughter). Something just for decoration, intelligence meant nothing, it was all by appearance.
Kagome clenched her fists, but swiveled to look at the silent prince that was now slightly behind her since he had stopped first. Her face was at first hidden by her long bangs, but she turned up to lock eyes with Sesshoumaru. The bright blue eyes still held some specks of grey that represented her anger. But along with those were larger white, almost silver, specks in the girl's depths.
Sesshoumaru was surprised. There was appreciation shining in her aura and her eyes seemed to be another unique color. In the time he had known her, he realized that besides being able to tell her emotions by the tint of her aura, but also the shades of her eye color. And this was one he'd only seen once, when she saw him for the first time in the garden. That is before he spoke. Then her eyes had tinted grey with anger. He smirked at the memory. How he enjoyed making her angry, though it wasn't his original intention. Just to see the girl flush and stutter was too entertaining.
Kagome in the meantime was scouting the vicinity for Kikyo. Allowing her miko senses to expand she searched for the welcoming tingle of Kikyo's aura. Although Kagome had never personally met the woman, Kagome had helped in stealing the Shikon no Tama, or rather the evil spirit of Kaekei. Kagome herself was trapped and hadn't at the time been able to do anything.
Even though the spirit was sealed inside her, their thoughts were separate as far as she knew. Or at least Kagome couldn't sense anything from her. Perhaps she was being blocked? But the spirit had watched the miko from afar and therefore knew what her aura was like. Kagome had also been watching from her imprisoned state. Imagine her surprise at the sight of the woman, who looked to be her twin, who was the target.
Kagome felt traces towards the edge of town.
"She's near the eastern edge of town."
Sesshoumaru was shaken back to reality and away from visions of Kagome's embarrassment. He nodded and noticed the electric blue that was now fading from her orbs.
--She obviously searched for the miko's presence using her own abilities.—
He followed her lead and soon they found themselves in front of a case of steps.
"A shrine." Her eyes were raised, as if counting the number of steps.
The girl's sentence was short, but it explained much to the demon. A shrine was a human construction that they built so they may be closer to the kami-sama. (god) The villagers would pray there and even travelers would ask for guidance for the kami-sama. But this was for humans, no demons allowed. It reminded him of when children would play and the boys would build forts or hide outs. Then in the dirt or pieces of wood they found would write 'no girls allowed' or 'boys only'. This relation reminded him of how foolish humans could be. Allow some demons would taint the aura of the 'holy' place, what made it holy in the first place?
To Kagome
Kagome rotated her head to Sesshoumaru. He simply nodded and then bent his knees to leap into the air. The humans near them gasped in surprise and their eyes turned fearful. But the demon only landed softly in the nearest tree. (the village is surrounded on both sides by forest, so they walked from one edge to another)
--What is it that set them so on edge?—
But even as the thought crossed her mind she knew. The Shikon no Tama would call many demons and humans with evil intentions in their hearts. So truly they wariness was understandable for they were attacked frequently. It was more of a surprise that it was still a peaceful farming village. Many demons attacked knowing this, but underneath the smiling faces and tranquil atmosphere were men and women prepared to fight should the occasion arrive.
Even in the dappled shadows of the large oak tree, Kagome could see the glimpse of smirk on Sesshoumaru's face. His eyes were illuminated in the shadowed area and humor was lit in them. Kagome's eyes widened at the sight, but for once it didn't disappear. Usually she'd catch him with such fleeting looks, but they would vanish so quickly when he realized she was looking that she was left with doubts that it had never been there.
The young female smiled, but not her normal broad, child-like grin. In its stead was a mature, womanly smile. Even though it was small and revealed no white teeth, it was beautiful and lit up her face all the same. It just had more of a soft quality.
Kagome then turned and began her assent up the light grey stone steps.
To Sesshoumaru
He watched the woman-child ascend the stone steps that were speckled light gray and white. As she moved, her hips swayed rhythmically unconsciously. Her steps were light as she bounced up each step, sometimes taking two at a time. When he had leapt into the tree, he had been able to smell the fear of the peasants around them. This only caused him humor.
--but the girl looked somewhat...repulsed. That a town whose main job was to protect the jewel would frighten so easily.—
Then Sesshoumaru was caught off guard. He was rarely ever, but the girl had smiled. Not her usual grin, but a genuine, womanly smile that was full of grace and maturity.
--I've been spending too much time with this child.—
Prince Sesshoumaru concluded that to be stunned by a simple smile meant that he was getting too soft. It was ridiculous for him, a demon prince; soon to be lord of the western lands, to be surprised by something so frivolous. He'd seen so many before, but why was this particular one different? Besides the fact that it was the first one he'd ever seen cross her peachy lips. Many women, demons and humans, had fawned over him and flashed such qualities.
Sesshoumaru swallowed these lingering thoughts and focused on the area around him. His shoulders wilted slightly and he mentally sighed. His half brother was coming for another tiring visit.
And there he was. The hanyou was walking through the village with an arrogant grin spread across his face and there was an evil glint in his eyes. Sesshoumaru became wary.
--He's up to something.—
The villagers around the younger lad, the prince noticed, seemed peculiarly interested as well to the hanyou's unexpected happiness. Those trained could see the mischief in his golden pools and they shooed away the children in case the brother's had another 'training session.' This is basically where they fight each other like no tomorrow and then say it was all practice, though it's more for Inuyasha than Sesshoumaru. For the elder practiced every night where he could find solace and tranquility.
--Also no irritating observers.—
Yes, the women of the castle, whom his father always had visit every now and then hoping one would catch his eldest son's eye, would gawk and cheer at his display. All he ever did were simple katas, or simple to him, and such things.
With Kagome
An ebony haired girl passed the entrance way of the shrine. Her hair glistened in the early morning sun and her azure eyes flitted about drinking in every surrounding detail.
In front of her was the shrine, surprisingly not small, made of gray stone walls much like the steps and had a darker stone roof. The doors were heavy stone and had silver-looking handles. These handles were about a foot long and the doors must have been about eight feet high. In two rows lining the walkway to said shrine, were statues of past priestesses in stone. Below each were their names engraved in curving kanji. There were some trees behind the statues where people of the town could rest in the shade. There was one huge Sakura tree to the right with still blooming soft pink petals.
The petals fell from the swooping branches already pregnant with more plentiful numbers of baby buds as well as petals just beginning their life. The circles of leaves fell in patterns onto the solid earth at Kagome's feet. The woman stared up into the branches half expecting to see Tai there. He always had affection for these trees. The demon would constantly find him self a Sakura tree and slouch among the branches. He said that 'Within all their beauty, even in death, Sakura trees can bring happiness to anyone. The tree is full of wisdom for it is always speaking. When the wind whispers through the branches, you can hear it crying for this world and awaiting salvation. '
Tai would always start out with a 'you know... ' and then go into it in detail. Kagome would sit down amongst the great roots and rest against the bark. There were many tales he would tell. Even though she'd heard the story of the great Sakura trees many times, she always listened. It calmed her.
--I'll tell it to my children one day. Before they go to bed, so they'll have good dreams.—
Kagome laughed lightly and spun on her toes in a circle. The light crimson petals changed the path of their descent to flow in a cyclone-like spiral around the woman's lithe form. Once they reached the bottom of the spiral they'd fall lifeless to the earth. Kagome smiled.
She often had to release energy so it wouldn't build up in her system. This was one of the many easy ways she found that she could do it. Plus it always made her content. To give life back to the dying petals, even if it's only momentary, it's like they have one time to shine.
There was a soft chuckle behind Kagome. The young girl spun around so fast that her hair whipped around her shoulders to rest naturally partly down the front of one side and then down the back. Kagome's eyes widened and a silent gasp left her mouth parted open.
With Sesshoumaru
Inuyasha sauntered over to where his brother lay casually lounging in the oak tree.
"Hello, Sesshoumaru."
Inuyasha was one of the only who could call Sesshoumaru his name without an honoring suffix, him and his father anyways. The silent prince didn't even acknowledge the other's presence, but Inuyasha was beyond used to this treatment.
"Who's the girl? I didn't know you fancied humans..."
Sesshoumaru remained impassive. His brother was trying to get him to react. It was like poking a sleeping viper with a stick and Inuyasha was the stupid five year old with the stick.
"You would know of her circumstances had you not been gallivanting across the land courting a human." Sesshoumaru replied, with an icy tint to his tone.
Inuyasha was visibly bristled by this comment, but he chose to ignore it because it was his brother's nature. They both received satisfaction in annoying the other, but in different ways. Sesshoumaru tried to get Inuyasha, or rather provoked him, to act irrationally. Inuyasha merely annoyed his brother to no end and tried to get any reaction out of him because Sesshoumaru saw most emotions as weaknesses.
"So, what are you doing here?" Inuyasha was just more than a little irritated with his brother, but remained calm.
"None of your business half breed. We are here to see the miko."
"If you're both here to see Kikyo, then why aren't you up there?" Inuyasha smirked at his own cleverness.
"Because it is a human shrine where the miko dwells at the moment and it would cause unnecessary disruption if I were to proceed." The elder stated quite matter-of-factly.
Inuyasha was about to say something else, but a little girl ran up to him. The small child had black hair that fell straight to her shoulders. The little one has freckles and tanned skin from playing in the sun. Her bright green eyes dazzled in the light. The girl bowed politely making sure to keep her plain blue yukata from hitting the dirt.
"Inuyasha-sama, would you mind telling us a story?" The girl asked.
Her eyes flitted to the tree trunk, but she dared now to look up into the branches. Making eye contact with a youkai, especially one like Prince Sesshoumaru, was often deadly. Sesshoumaru smirked.
--Smart human.—
The younger of the two inuyoukai smiled a grin. He couldn't refuse the girl. Her name was Lili and one of the nicest and most polite of all the children in the village. The girl had one of the purest hearts he'd ever seen.
"Hai." Inuyasha said as he mockingly sighs, but smiled once again in his gruff manner when the child raised her eyes to his. He had felt her disappointment, taking the silence as rejection. But when he answered positively, her green eyes brightened almost three shades and shimmered with child innocence once more.
Inuyasha took Lili's small hand inside his much larger clawed one and practically engulfed the entire palm. The two walked back the way Inuyasha had just come. The split between two houses and Sesshoumaru watched as they crossed into an open field where other children sat playing a game of what looked like tag. A game Rin was quite fond of. The group instantly stopped and turned in the direction of the approaching pair. A cheer erupted causing his brother to laugh quietly before sitting down to tell a tale.
Of course, Sesshoumaru knew the girl had been stitching a blanket in a nearby hut when Inuyasha had arrived at the base of the tree. When he passed her hut, her head had popped out for a moment. A second later an elderly citizen entered and Sesshoumaru had heard the woman tell the girl to ask Inuyasha to tell a story. The townsfolk obviously wished to avoid a conflict between the two brothers.
With Kagome
"Kaede-obaa-sama!" Kagome leapt into the open arms of the older woman.
Kaede merely smiled and laughed heartily. She wrapped her arms around her past apprentice, only to frown at the girl's obvious loss in weight.
"Have ye been eating right, child?" Kaede asked, more of a mother to Kagome than anyone else.
Kagome giggled and waved the woman's concern away, "Yes, yes and hello to you too."
Kaede gave the girl an once-over glance. Kagome was smiling and her face held a brightness she'd never seen before. The girl was practically beaming and as happy as ever, if not more.
--What brought this change? Kagome has always been a blissful child, but there was always a dark rain cloud covering her inner soul. But it seems the long rainy season has passed.—
Kagome did have a dark past. Sometimes the girl would share, but more often she would just cry inwardly and silently without saying a word. During her apprenticeship, Kaede had been able to sense the sadness buried deep down, but the girl never wanted to trouble anyone. But now, it seems all a dream that simply vanished without a trace of ever being there.
--Perhaps my apprentice is getting better at hiding her emotions...or I am getting older. Most than likely...both.—
But even more puzzling was the fact that she looked like she'd barely changed in the three years they'd been apart after the completion of her training. It was almost as if she hadn't aged at all. Granted one wouldn't change all that much, but you'd expect a change. And Kagome looked exactly the same as Kaede remembered.
--I'll leave this topic for another day--
"What brings ye here? Last I heard you were in the south under the lord's hand." Kaede didn't miss the visible cringe.
--Obviously not a good subject—
So, Kaede avoided the subject of Naraku, though she had wished to ask if the rumors were true. Some were saying that the dark lord had had a servant steal the Shikon no Tama and it was currently in his possession.
"I'm here to see Kikyo-sama, the protectress of the Shikon no Tama." Kagome stated more to the woman who was approaching behind them.
Kikyo stood not but a few feet away and Kagome had either been so distracted or the female was excellent at stealth and concealing auras. Kagome hadn't felt her aura since she reached the top of the temple, but then she hadn't felt Kaede's presence either.
--Oh...there must be a barrier surrounding the shrine and all that I felt before was a miko presence, but I couldn't tell how many. But then if you can pass through this barrier or find some way to break it, you wouldn't be able to find the miko in the area because the miko energies are so strong here.—
To be able to protect something as dangerous and unique as the Shikon no Kakera, one would need several spells in concealment, protection, and restriction. Concealment spells would hide the aura more than it would normally, but it couldn't dissipate the pull that calls to demons completely. Protection spells would protect the shrine, like the barrier that told a person only one miko was present and left you in a false sense of security. Lastly, restriction spells would decrease the power of the intruder or any demon crossing the sacred area.
--That's the true reason why Sesshoumaru shouldn't enter. Who knows how long the restriction spells last. They are harder to break than barriers because they are the darker, or stronger, side to white magic. I might not be able to remove these if he were to come up, but I'm sure Kikyo could.—
Kikyo was almost a mirror image of Kagome. There were slight differences though. The basic differences were the numbers of age, height, and weight. Kikyo was the older, taller, and slightly heavier one of the two mikos. Not that Kikyo is fat, not at all, she has more muscle density and her form isn't as lean as Kagome's. Kikyo, at this point is eighteen to Kagome's sixteen, and she is about three inches taller.
Kagome was definitely the smaller of the two. Her shoulders were narrow and she had longer legs, where Kikyo had a longer torso. Of course, these were seen by the two, but no one would know at first glance beneath the loose clothes.
The most prominent difference, besides their demeanor, was their eyes. Kikyo had chocolate brown pools, a normal color for a Japanese woman (in humans), where Kagome's were the brightest blue. Anyone, like Kaede, who knew them well enough, would see these differences as clearly obvious.
"How may I help you?" Kikyo's calm, soft voice sounded across the courtyard much like the wind.
"I wish to return the Shikon no Tama to you." The pair of miko sisters was surprised to say the least at Kagome's statement.
"Child, how have you concealed the object, I felt nothing from you." Kaede was bewildered; her apprentice must have grown much since she last saw her.
Kagome pulled the small black box, which Sesshoumaru had handed over just this morning before they entered the town, from inside her forest green sleeve. Kagome handed it over to Kikyo,
"If you wish to open it, you may ask my companion, Prince Sesshoumaru-sama, to unlock it."
If Kaede wasn't surprised before, she was now. Her apprentice was traveling with one of the most revered and feared youkai princes of all four cardinal lands. Kikyo merely nodded and began to descend the steps Kagome had come up just moments previous.
With Sesshoumaru
Sesshoumaru lounged in his tree quite comfortable. He had tried to sense Kagome and the miko they'd traveled to find, but only found one aura.
--Most likely a barrier.—
But that wasn't all the barrier did. Besides concealing the exact number of auras that were present, giving protection, no sound could be detected. The barrier hid all sounds, so any conversations said behind its invisible shields, were deaf to demon ears.
But after about ten minutes or so, he saw a miko pass the edge of the steps to look at his directly through the branches of the tree. It must have been the one they searched for because she was holding the black box in her pale hands. The woman was surprisingly similar to the girl he'd rescued that they could be sisters.
Sesshoumaru left his place in the tree and stood at its base instead. Kagome bounced over to him and smiled before turning to the other two.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, this is Kikyo-sama and Kaede-sama." Kikyo and Sesshoumaru nodded to each other, though Sesshoumaru's was much stiffer and less noticeable.
"Pleasure to meet ye, Western Prince." Kaede replied.
"Kaede is Kikyo's younger sister." Kagome continued.
Indeed, Kaede was Kikyo's younger sister. The Shikon no Tama has the power to slow or completely stop the aging process for a human miko compared to its compatibility to of the human to the jewel.
Basically, the more the Shikon and the miko's energies are neutralized and work together the longer the miko will live. Since miko protectors of the jewel are rare, the Shikon no Tama would want to preserve its protector. Kikyo is one of the longest to live so far and the most compatible to the jewel.
Of course, the girl will age, but it will be more like a hanyou. Which is one of the reasons Inuyasha is courting her, besides her looks and power. Kikyo will even die as well, but only when the next protector is born and able to fulfill their duties. This is how it has been since the jewel's creation from Midoriko.
"Would you mind opening this box, Prince Sesshoumaru-sama?" Kikyo asked breaking off conversation.
To which, Sesshoumaru opened the little black box where a whole Shikon no Tama is seen inside. The spherical object seemed almost like glass as light danced on the surface and morphing shadows lurked below. The Shikon was like a sheep in wolf's clothing. It had good promises of power, but it has deeper darker motives as well.
"Perhaps ye will stay the night and tell us yer tale of how it is the Shikon no Tama ended up in yer possession." Kaede asked, though it was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, I agree." Kikyo responded.
"I'm afraid we cannot. With the lord's homecoming in just a short two weeks, we must be on our way."
Kagome turned to her silent partner as if asking permission. Sesshoumaru simply nodded his consent and turned to leave the way they'd entered. Kagome quickly bowed respectfully to Kikyo and hugged her past master. Then she too swiveled and followed after the alabaster prince. When they reached the edge of the town again Kagome saw Ji lying in the field with at least ten children sitting around or on him. Kagome laughed lightly. This caused Ji's ears to perk up in the cutest way possible.
Inuyasha was sitting there after just finishing his story. Inuyasha waved at the two standing by under a gently blooming sakura tree. Inuyasha stood and helped dismantle the children from the horse's back. The horse stood carefully so as to not step on any of the children and trotted softly next to his woman friend. Sesshoumaru then turned and headed back into the forest whose trees held glossy green leaves. Kagome waved back to Inuyasha and then also entered the deep forest with Ji following next to her.
Sesshoumaru's POV
The girl had spoken the very response he was about to utter. It was like they shared a common link without even knowing that they formed one. The girl now walked silently and easily beside him. Over the course of a few days, she'd grown quite accustomed to him. Many would be a nervous wreck, but this girl seemed to have immeasurable courage. This irked him to no end.
The odd pair had entered the woodland a few minutes prior. The trees created intricate patterns and shapes on the still dewed grass fronds that carpeted the ground. The girl seemed to be focused fully on her feet, had been for about three minutes now, and the ground surrounding them that was contained in her eyesight.
He knew the older woman had been the girl's master of the miko arts. So why had she wanted to leave so soon. The girl obviously hadn't seen the woman for some time now.
--I wonder what's on her mind, this enigma of mine.--
Kagome's POV
--Should I have told them? Kaede and Kikyo...they would find out eventually...but the council...they said if my power was ever released again after that incident, I'd be sealed away for good. I don't like cages...--
Kagome sighed and realized the lord's stare. He had been for some time now, but she'd chosen to ignore his silent question. Why did she leave so soon? She didn't want Kaede to know of her betrayal of Kikyo. Her treachery still ate her up inside, even if she didn't have control of herself, she should have.
--It's still my fault.--
A few hours later
--How do I find myself in these situations? All the time!—
Kagome was irritated to say the least. They had been walking for a few hours, skirting the edges of human villages. They were trying to cause as less commotion as possible. But they encountered an ice demon, named Yukiro (you-key-row). The boy was just a few inches shorter than Kagome and reminded him of Kieina. He had the rich blue skin, but no black stripes on it and his eyes were a deep purple. His hair was a paler blue with dark blue streaks. His hair was short and layered with the bangs pushed back so that only a few thin strands were in front.
Yukiro had introduced himself and then also had the courtesy to state he was a messenger from Naraku. Except unlike Kagura, he had no message. The male demon had simply formed his hands into a few memorized movements. From Kagome's training with the council, not Kaede, she recognized the symbols. They were for storm, snow, and wind.
After which the boy disappeared in a whirlwind of snow laden wind. But this time Sesshoumaru couldn't have acted even if he wanted. The pair had been trapped in a spell that prohibited movement. Of course, Sesshoumaru had noticed the scent of magic. That was why they had detoured, that and the smell of Naraku were unsettling.
They exited a thick brush, but then it was too late. Before they could blink the trap was set and the boy had appeared.
Now they were stuck traveling through an abnormal snow storm. Though most people, who had been absent at the meeting with Yukiro, would think this storm was normal. For there was always one last snow fall before spring truly broke out. Many would be rejoicing while in the warmth of their homes. They had been waiting for this for a few weeks, with plenty of wooden logs stored in their huts. Soon, the planting seasons could begin.
Kagome wished she could be one of them or at least be a demon. Sure, she had a demonic spirit inside her, but she was still human.
--Or at least I assume it's a demon, but who knows nowadays.—
Kagome shivered. All she that was wearing wasn't much. She wore a forest green haori that had silver crescent moons, which were about two inches in size, by the collar and trailed down the back to form a larger crescent moon outline from the smaller ones. There was also one larger one at the bottom of her lengthened sleeves.
Right now, Kagome wished that Jisuai was with her. The horse had been sent back to the village to warn them of the storm blustering their way. Kagome knew that Kikyo would most definitely be able to create a link seeing as how she had many years of miko training that Kagome didn't.
She was lucky she decided to wear the thickest of the three haori she brought. She had decided such since it was on the chilly side this morning and she didn't get hot easily, but was usually cold.
This haori had a white under-layer and the top layer was made from fire rat fur. At her waist, the outfit was tied with a white sash. Kagome had decided against the flat sandals and traded them for the black boots. Now, she was silently proud. Though her instincts had been on edge since she woke up, perhaps this was why? But it wasn't just that. It was like a whisper deep in her spirit that said to dress warmly. Kagome hadn't second guessed herself; it's always good to be overly prepared than under.
Sometime during their escapade through the winter wonderland, Kagome had brought out a black cloak she stuck in her bag at the last moment. The large hood was now covering her head and there was a face covering that was attached. Normally it just folded down by the collar so that it wouldn't bother the wearer, but if needed the person could lift the covering. Then it had two strings that would attach or rather wrap around the wearer's ears. Then the cloth covered up to the nose, leaving only the eyes and forehead visible.
--Winter wonderland...MY FOOT! Though with this cloak I feel kind of like a gypsy.—
Kagome laughed lightly, causing Sesshoumaru to tilt his gaze backward for a few moments.
--Even in such horrid weather, she can laugh. Strange woman.—
Sesshoumaru had moved to the front in an attempt to block the girl from the brunt of the force. Granted this was more for his ear's sake. The girl's chattering teeth had been driving him nuts. At least this way, it was duller with the wind whipping in and around his sensitive protrusions of hearing. The storm was definitely focusing on them. It slowed their pace tremendously.
Kagome coughed, not even bothering to cover her mouth. The risk of freezing was too great. It just wasn't worth the exposure. Another shiver racked her frame. But they stopped. All shivers or spasms of her body's attempts to warm itself had finished.
--This...isn't...g-good—
Kagome's mind went blank and the blackness she'd been fighting for the past half hour finally took over. The weather had finally taken its toll on her delicate body. Kaede always said she was always too skinny. Fat gave warmth.
Sesshoumaru
Sesshoumaru lifted his head. The girl had collapsed. She would need shelter or she would die. His father had put her under his protection, she was his responsibility. And she was the only major link they had to Naraku. She could be the key to the West's victory; Sesshoumaru wasn't going to lose such a valuable asset to a storm, even if it wasn't natural.
Sesshoumaru removed his armor slinging in onto his left shoulder. He picked the girl up bridal style, so she would get the most out of his body heat that was now radiating off of him. Seeing as how it was trapped more or less by his armor it was now free.
The woman-child unconsciously snuggled into his shoulder, her head buffered by his tail. Sesshoumaru then wrapped the loose end of the appendage around his middle and the girl. Her freezing cold hands, he noted, grasped his tail, pulling it closer. She was also making sure it wouldn't leave judging by the death grip she now had on the silk-like fur.
Sesshoumaru had to resist the urge to drop her right there and then. He realized now how much she must have been suffering and her endurance was remarkable for a human to have lasted this long.
Sesshoumaru didn't notice the weather too much at first, but after the first two hours the wind started to bite at his hands and face. But he paid it no mind. He had trained in the mountains as a boy as well as near the volcano that lied on the edges of the Western territory. So he was used to a wide range of temperatures.
Though it was almost like the storm was mocking him, seeing how much he could take. Sesshoumaru could feel that infernal ice demon. It was like his spirit dwelled in each flake of white powder snow and every chilled gust. He could almost hear the boy laughing on certain occasions. Like his joy was carried by said wind. It was ironic that such warmth and joy could be spread about on the wings of the wind that was so icy.
One of these occasions had been when Kagome had first fallen. The boy had been chuckling before, but when she fell, the laughter grew ten fold. He was trying Sesshoumaru's patience, which is unlike popular belief, not immeasurable.
Sesshoumaru was worried about the miko child. Normally in a situation like this one, the human would be shivering like mad. It was normal. It was the human system's way of creating warmth through friction. Sesshoumaru wouldn't have known this had it not been for Inuyasha.
Flashback
A young Sesshoumaru walks into a small hut in the mountains carrying Inuyasha in tow. The hut was placed in the fields where the village children played. This way when Inuyasha and per chance Sesshoumaru as well were to venture out, Riviei could watch over them. Riviei (re-vee-ay) was Lord Inutaisho's second wife and the mother of Inuyasha.
The hut was basically a hole dug out of a mountain side. A nicer way of saying this is a niche. The mountain curved downwards but then shrunk inwards. This was creating because there was once a great boulder lying there and the mountain had worn away around it creating an indentation. This was where the cottage was built, so that only half of the building was revealed to the valley. But most was protected by the rock's face.
It was in this hut on one winter's day, Riviei is sitting sewing and cooking a simple vegetable soup that would warm up the boys when they came in from outside.
She always made some for Sesshoumaru, but he never accepted. He usually walked Inuyasha to the hut to ensure he wouldn't be attacked by those against Inutaisho, and then would continue on to the mountain lodge. Riviei and Inuyasha would always wait for Lord Inutaisho to accompany them back.
One this particular day the sun rose with an odd red gleam foretelling of supernatural events, whether good or bad. The day was colder than usual and soon the snow was falling. Riviei had warned the two inuyoukai, but both still found their way outside.
The younger was playing by him self on the opposite end as the other human children. The older hopped into a nearby tree to read the novel he took along with him. He stayed close to his younger brother because he often had to threaten the human children when they teased him. Though he never said a word, just his presence set them on edge and often scared the girls into crying.
The snow had started falling, but the two were still playing. Sesshoumaru was reading and Inuyasha was running around laughing his head off while trying to eat the snow before it hit the ground. Although he just ended up falling face first only to get up and repeat. Sesshoumaru meanwhile had taken to falling asleep for a little while atop his oak tree.
But soon it was falling almost abnormally fast. The mountains were encased and swept up in a torrent of white. Several feet had already fallen when Sesshoumaru jumped down from his perch. He always liked trees, being so close to nature was relaxing.
Sesshoumaru searched for his half brother only the hanyou wasn't in sight. Sesshoumaru used his nose as best he could in the swirling drafts of wind. A few minutes later he had dug out his brother who had fallen in a snow drift and fallen asleep only to be buried. It seems the boy had just lay down and just never stood up, but was coaxed into a false sleep by the cold. It was a good thing that Sesshoumaru had slept in a tree or he would be in the same situation.
But something was wrong. His brother was unconscious and not responding to Sesshoumaru's shaking. It was then that Sesshoumaru saw the boy's slight, almost unseen, bluish tint of skin. The elder then rushed him to his mother's hut. Or as swiftly as he could in the waist deep snow and he couldn't take to the skies with his brother as well. He still had to perfect this skill and his lack of ability angered him somewhat.
When he entered he saw that as usual the woman was there sewing and tending to a soup. She turned startled eyes to the demon in the doorway covered in a layer of white that piled on the doorstep threatening to invade the warm sanctuary. The woman beckoned the pair inside and quickly shoveled as much snow as possible back out the door before shutting it.
Sesshoumaru meanwhile placed the younger inuyoukai on one of the two small futons that lined the far wall. They each met each other in the corner. The closest is where Inuyasha now laid. The boy neither shivered nor responded when he was placed upon the patched quilt.
"He has hypothermia." Riviei said quietly as she rushed around the small area of the room, grabbing random things.
Of these included several blankets which were placed on the floor next to the bed. Then the woman paced to the fire placed and removed the soup, seeing as how it was finished anyway, and replaced it with a tea kettle filled with water from a nearby stream.
"..." Sesshoumaru didn't deem her worthy of a reply.
This was because one she was human, but also because he did not know of such a thing. It seemed to be a sort of disease.
As Sesshoumaru careened backwards against the way in somewhat of a slouch he noticed that while the two were out the woman had rearranged the furniture.
--This must be a human thing--
His back was to the door and to his left was a small window. Then to his far right in the corner of the hut was the fireplace. It had to be there so that a chimney could be constructed against the mountain's face. In front of him was a rocking chair made of simple oak along with a sewing basket full of colorful threads, needles, etc.
There was a small table to his right of the chair with a cup of tea that he imagined was forgotten and had long since lost its warmth escaping to the surroundings never to return to the source. Then beyond the table was one futon that turned into the corner. There was another futon in the same position as the first but on the adjacent wall, so that the heads of the futons met each other at the far corner of the hut.
Sesshoumaru head was redirected to the stove where the soup was still softly simmering even after been removed from the heart of the flames. The curling tendrils of steam wafted almost seductively and coaxingly into his chilled nose that had been severely nipped by the cold. This pervading pleasure brought delicious smells that he could practically taste in tow.
His mouth involuntarily watered, saliva leaking from his glands to moisten his tempted cavernous mouth. But Sesshoumaru defiantly clicked his jaw shut with a barely audible snap. He would never indulge in the disgraceful wench's stew, no matter how much his grumbling stomach persisted.
The woman sat beside her son and started to remove the soaked clothes from his frozen frame. While she did this she continued her simple explanation as if Sesshoumaru cared.
"Hypothermia is when the body is surrounded by cold for a long period of time. The body's temperature drops too low and it shuts down."
The woman's young face was wrought with worry. Her violet eyes no longer danced, but shined with unshed tears of guilt. Her lips were quivering and her hands shook, but she busied herself all the same. Sesshoumaru could hear a few motherly statements flutter through her mind without even trying.
--I should never have let him go out. He tries so hard to be like his brother, but he's just not as strong. Kami, I hope he's okay...--
The woman had replaced Inuyasha's drenched clothes with a warm, dry red haori and hakama. Those these were cotton, instead of the thick protective fire rat clothes he was wearing. And the outfit was thinner, truly meant for sleeping.
Riviei rubbed her son's arms causing friction, trying desperately to warm his body. But Inuyasha lay there, cold as stone. The woman pulled the boy into her lap and surrounded him as best she could.
The unconscious boy sat there for what seemed like an eternity. Sesshoumaru watched, sitting on the wall and leaning on the door frame. His arms were resting across his chest. He was curious as to what the woman was doing.
He knew he should go and report these events to his father, but he wanted to know if the woman could figure this out by herself. For once Sesshoumaru wanted to see her handle something. Besides if it got anymore serious he would send for the Taiyoukai. But Sesshoumaru knew Inuyasha wasn't going to die. He could see this condition was serious, but the boy was a hanyou, not a human. It would be doubly serious for a human to come under such a condition.
Many more layers of blankets were wrapped around the boy to substitute the loss of warmth from Inuyasha's mother for a period of time. Riviei stalked to the fire with a determination that Sesshoumaru was not waiting for. She glanced in his direction, but he merely raised a sculpted eyebrow in response. This gesture clearly stating that the woman was alone in this situation.
Using a thick cloth, Riviei folded it over to shield her sensitive skin from the heat of the kettle. Pulling this from the heart of the fire she set it on the stone just beyond the flames. This area was placed especially to place hot dished or pans and was meant to deal with such hot and wild temperatures.
Rushing to one of the cabinets that lined the wall on the opposite side of the door where Sesshoumaru sat, Riviei pulled out several different herbs. She smelled each one to test the freshness and dampness. The human woman picked the best of her stock and sat before the fire. She used a mortar and pestle to grind the herbs and placed them in a ceramic cup that had blue flower designs lining the outside. Then she poured the hot water, normally for tea, into the cup. The remedy would help to warm his body and begin to soothe the fever that would rise as an inevitable effect.
After feeding this to the younger demon, she laid with the boy amongst all of the blankets. In a few hours, Inuyasha was fine beyond a mild fever. When Inutaisho arrived, Sesshoumaru was gone and the two left were taken home still wrapped in the blankets, but also wrapped safely in the taiyoukai's long tail.
End Flashback
Least to say, Sesshoumaru was for the first time impressed with the woman and how well she handled it. Of course she was worried and upset, but she kept her head and healed her son. The disease could be deadly for the hanyou had it been ignored and the woman act correctly in time to save him. Sesshoumaru had truly expected her to call his father; he'd been waiting for it. But she'd caught him somewhat off balance when she gave that look of determination.
Turning his full attention back to the woman wrapped carefully in his arms. He could see the similarities between what his brother had then and what she has now. Only it would be much worse since she was a human.
--And once again...I am saving her life...doesn't this get old.—
It was true. This girl seemed to be followed by trouble and trouble seemed to like her. Yet still, he was bound to her. And he was to protect her, until it was time for her to play a part in this whole charade called war.
--I'll need to find shelter first...Then a means to warm water—
The girl now had a grip just short of painful on his tail. The very tip was twitching like mad in an attempt to free itself, though its efforts were fruitless. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes into a squint, if he was correct in his positioning of their progress, then a small cabin should be near. This was built by his father at his mate's request. It was meant for humans who were traveling through the mountains.
Sesshoumaru gritted him teeth. He still didn't approve of the idea of his father and his human mate; this was put lightly and deeply underestimated. Inuyoukais mated for life, even in death. And his father hadn't upheld the sanctity of this bonding. Therefore he was publicly humiliating Sesshoumaru's mother and what was even worse was that the woman was human. It was unheard of for a taiyoukai to mate a human, or was until his father.
His father was considered weak for it, but of course...it didn't bother the youkai. In the event of his death, it would be his sons that would feel the grit of the mockery. Sesshoumaru would have to work twice as hard to gain back the respect of the other three cardinal lords. And Inuyasha...well...enough said. He would always be left as an outcast. Sesshoumaru always pitied his half brother, but he never did anything because he figured it would only strengthen the hanyou. But for now, the boy was safe, Inutaisho was still alive.
Kagome's mind
Kagome tried to open her eyes, but for some reason her eyes wouldn't open. She had a bad feeling squirming around in her stomach. The girl whipped her raven clad head back and forth, but still her eyes refused to open. It was almost as if they didn't wish to see where she was. Then incredible warmth seemed to wrap itself around her body and stuck to her skin. The heat created a slight condensation. But the woman-child wrapped her thin, yet slightly muscular arms around herself as a harsh wind blew away all the previous warmth she'd felt by the unknown source.
Suddenly an aura pricked and tingled at her senses. Kagome lifted her head toward the direction it had come from. A slender hand reached to caress her chin. Kagome 'eep'ed and jumped slightly, but the hand remained in place. The girl relaxed, somehow she knew this person. She wasn't she how this was, but the presence of them was comforting.
Kagome reveled in the feel of the hand. The skin was soft like no other she'd ever felt. Also the temperature wasn't overly warm or cold, but a tepid cooling sensation on Kagome's wind burned skin. She tried to ask who the person was, but found her voice lost. It wasn't responding to the nerve signals her mind was spiraling through her worn out cells. It was if her voice was malfunctioning or rebelling, wishing to remain dormant.
Kagome was starting to get frustrated, but the calm steady voice of the person now known to be a female pacified her irritation. The woman's voice was almost angelic sounding and swept into Kagome's ears and calmed her heart. Without even realizing it, Kagome was swept into the protecting embrace of the stranger who continued to lull the raven child to sleep.
Isa daisuke xiayem
Nac rieski tos lazulity
Dan kaekei bea ella takeida
--That voice...so soft...so familiar.—
The soft lyrics invaded her blinded mind bringing warmth much like one only the sun could bless upon a being. Kagome felt the unknown female's arms around herself tighten.
Tasa kaimi's batsasi saura
Obahas ka tasa abamei fe tasa sakabu
Oukamig kopan tos tise quo evah ninia
Kagome felt her eyes soften as a salty saline crossed her blistered cheeks. The raven girl blinked. Her eyes were once again free from their lidded prison. A gasp escaped her chapped lips.
Ichie saerig viviriele
Pris nitos tasa zaerud horroto
Tos waso bea zei fe quapakai
Kagome almost sincerely wished her eyes remained ignorant to the scenery she found herself immersed in. Thick, rolling grey clouds spanned the horizon shrouding all signs that light existed in this plane. Kagome looked below, her muscles tightening involuntarily. One more inch and she would have leapt off a giant cliff that dropped straight down several hundreds of feet. The ground was blurry as a fog pervaded the air a foot or two below her bare feet.
--Bare...feet?--
Indeed, she was not in the clothes she thought, no that she knew she had dressed in the morning. The barren ground was empty of forestry or anything at all. The earth was a dull grey and cracked. There were empty river beds that stretched into the distance. Kagome body tensed even further as she was lifted and dropped over the cliff. Still, her voice would not come to her. Sapphire eyes widened, mouth gaping open in a silent mortified scream. Her hands flew out instinctively as she fell almost in slow motion.
--This is it. Only a few more feet...--
Just before she hit the ground, saliva flowed from her glands to moisten her mouth. Kagome's voice sprang to life and her eyes closed to hinder the sight of her death approaching. One phrase escaped her abused lips.
In reality
Sesshoumaru kicked open the wooden door open from its frozen state. He didn't even bother to notice how the metal abused hinges basically cracked off leaving the door hanging quite precariously. Sesshoumaru also didn't see the slight splintering of wood where his foot made contact. The sound of the damage and the evidence that consisted of slivers of wood were swept away with the lustful wind's gusts. The wind acted almost as if it wished to sweep and steal everything in its wake.
He looked around the long abandoned cabin and frowned in distaste. It seems that no one had been this far west in awhile. But then again it was a little early; most were still recovering from the winter. Most travelers didn't begin their quests for another month seeing as how it was still late January.
He dropped the girl with a lifeless plop on the small futon. Sesshoumaru was not encouraged by the fact that the girls made no sounds- not grunt, groan, or even a gargle. She was silent; it was almost as if she couldn't speak at all. He went to a simplistic wooden chest placed in the corner to the right of the fireplace and diagonally across the room from the futon.
He pulled out several blankets; actually he took them all out. Sesshoumaru knew for a fact that he should give his direct body heat as the most sufficient way, but he would not lower him self to such unheard of actions.
There was once a chair in the room, but it had been cut to pieces by someone because it now lay is a messy pile of spindle to the left of the fireplace and nearest to the girl. He easily started a crackling fire with the flint he found beneath the blankets in the chest. Then he piled the blankets around the girl tightening them so as to give as much warmth as possible.
Around the storm swarmed and howled away as if screaming its pleasure at the challenge it was receiving. Sesshoumaru knew that the storm would only cease when both their bodies were lost in its world of ice and death where no heat could survive.
The prince perused through the girl's cloth sack that she insisted that she bring with her everywhere. Somehow she seemed empty and almost naked without the thing hanging out her shoulders. He'd gotten used to the light flopping sound it creating when she walked.
Inside it, he was surprised, were several, no countless numbers of herbs. Each different kind had a pocket that was created by sewing extra fabric to the inside walls of the bag. There were also several vials of different colors and mixtures in some pockets that contained potions or poisons, he couldn't be sure. The girl seemed to run out of these and so some even lay loosely at the bottom, but were contained by a string to keep them separated from all the others.
Sesshoumaru had always wondered why she constantly had a fresh earthly smell to her, but he assumed it was just the fact that she was a miko. Mikos were known to have deep connections with herbs and so it was be plainly natural for her to smell like the objects she worked with often.
Also located in the bottom was a petite and portable tea kettle that most likely only served two or three cups of water. The woman also had one wooden cup that was obviously crafted by her dexterous hands seeing as how it was slightly misshapen.
Sesshoumaru searched and easily found the herb that Inuyasha's mother had used when he was sick so long ago. Using the mortar and pestle he found in one of the larger pockets at the very base of the bag, he ground the herbs. In this pouch was a small towel no bigger than his hand as well as vials of water that were about one inch thick and five long.
Taking one vial of water and pouring it into the kettle, her placed it on the fire. In a few short minutes the water had sounded its soft squeaking. Preparing the healing drink, he walked over to the futon. He kneeled down and lightly lifted the girl into a sitting position. Carefully he poured the warm drink down her throat, using the towel from her sack to wipe the extras that rolled down her chin and neck.
He realized that her clothes were soaked and that staying in them would only worsen her condition. The blankets warmth would increase this as well. So, Sesshoumaru set about removing the hindering clothes, gritting his teeth as he went.
--I am constantly reminded as to why this girl is not worth the trouble.--
Once finished, he left the girl in her undergarments, allowing her that decency. Sesshoumaru covered the shivering girl with the blankets and tightened them, perhaps a little too much in his irritation.
Kagome's mind
"Nie!" (no)
The word was screamed hollowly and time seemed to stop. The raven child felt liquid power flow through her veins along with her crimson life flow. The girl's hair flowed around her by an unnatural force and swirled around her shoulders defying gravity. Kagome eyes opened and instantly blinked in confusion. Here she was stretched out, her belly facing the ground. The dry, tortured earth still laid about six inches below her floating form. Tentatively she reached out a hand and was somewhat worried by the paleness of it.
Once her fleshy palm hit the earth, grass spread out from just a single touch. Kagome lowered her body gently bringing her knees down and resting on them. The girl released a breath she didn't know she was holding. More grass had grown after being graced with her touch. Kagome lifted her head from her study of the grass when she heard approaching steps behind her.
There in front of her stood a female. The woman had hair whose color that would have made fire bow its head in head and striking charcoal grey eyes. The woman's eyes changed color as she stood in front of Kagome. The irises once dark grey softening to a cool, foggy tint as her peach lips formed a small waning smile. There were white markings on her face.
The pallid lines dropped down from the outer corner of her eye and small white dots, twice the size of a freckle, lined the lower lid. On her forehead was a white circle with what looked like a cross inside of it. Except instead of straight lines they were wavy and curved with the arms touching the outer circle encompassing it.
Kagome tilted her head, the woman before her mimicked at the same exact moment. The raven child couldn't figure out what she was.
--Youkai or human?--
Kagome couldn't tell because her long hair covered her ears. The pale strands were pulled back in a half pony tail. The pieces pulled up were braided at the crown of her head and twisted into a bun then held in place with two ornately decorated chop sticks. The rest, the majority, was left loose and fell down to about her calves.
Her clothes were navy blue hakama and a pale violet matsuri happi coat. The happi coat had a kanji symbol on the back that said life. On the front were pale blue cranes soaring across the fabric starting at the top left shoulder and flying down the right hem. This was odd since happi coats were uncommon and had to be personally made. They weren't popular with the older generations and were a fairly new type of clothing. The woman also had bare feet.
The girl's face was warm and inviting. There were silver streaks starting at the outer edge of her eyes and then small solid circles lining just below the bottom eyelid. Her top eyelids were layered with a white shadow that gradually darkened to a charcoal grey as you traveled backwards across the lid. The woman spoke, but not in Japanese. Instead it was something other language, but Kagome understood just like it was her native tongue.
"Meisei nyamo ala Yukila."
"My name is...Yukila."
Kagome repeated in Japanese. She knew the woman understood because she then nodded after Kagome's softly repeated sentence before continuing on.
"Beh mai tasa zai tos Kaekei."
"I am the yang to..."
Kagome trailed off at the mention of that name. The name that represented the darkest evil that lay trapped within her soul. So, if this woman was her yang...then she was the light to Kaekei's darkness? Confusion flitted across the girl's eyes and was clearly shown on her young face. This brought about some questions to grown in Kagome's mind.
"So why did I not know of you?"
The woman answered in the unknown language, but when Kagome heard it was translated directly to Japanese.
"You have always known you just did not realize it." The woman replied.
"How was she let out?"
Yukila knew whom the girl was speaking without Kagome having to mention the name. Kagome preferred not to say it seeing as how it brought too many harmful memories forward to plague her consciousness.
"That man somehow found the releasing spell. There is only one and long ago it was lost. We'd hoped it was destroyed."
"Who thought it was destroyed?"
"The council of elders."
"That group of old..." Kagome trailed off as childish insults crossed her lips that were now resting in a frown. To her surprise, Yukila laughed lightly when 'geezer' reached her hearing and a brilliant smile graced her face.
"Not those specific souls, but their ancestors. Kaekei and my soul are intertwined. You cannot have yin without yang. Just like a human has good and evil. It is only that these darks and lights are separated instead of as one."
"Why are you separate?" Kagome asked her curiosity about to explode.
"Our soul was reincarnated too soon. A dark miko called it forth to create an evil like no other. She separated our soul into two parts since she only wanted the dark. The council was able to defeat the miko, but the evil being was different."
"So what did they do?" Kagome was now leaning forward on her knees her innocent eyes wide with curiosity.
"They called me forth from the nether and I was pulled into the body of the strongest elder. Together we defeated my darker side. But the elders did not know of the spell the miko used and the only way to protect the world was to seal us away in a pure being."
Kagome looked down at her lap. She knew the rest. Somehow it saddened her. Kagome found her hands much more intriguing as she held back the dam of tears threatening to flood. She only looked up when she felt the same soft, slender hand under her chin.
"You were chosen because you were the purest miko blood child born in several centuries; both your parents of spiritual blood. I had hoped you would never know of the danger locked inside your soul."
"You were the one...when I was trying to gain control over her who helped me. You did, didn't you? You told me how to do it!"
"Yes, I was the silent wisdom that was there to guide you in the right direction."
"Then were you the one who told me what Jisuai meant."
"Yes, I opened a link between us. Since then your mind has adapted and by now has full ability to communicate with Eitei. You are fluent, that is how you know what I am saying now."
Kagome nodded she knew what she was speaking was true. A cold wind blew up around Kagome and she shuddered. But then she felt a hot, but not overly so, liquid move down her throat. A hand moved up to touch her esophagus and she cast a baffled glance at Yukila.
"You must return to reality now."
Yukila cupped Kagome's face gently, a small smile upon her peach lips. A purplish light encased Kagome and she had to close her eyes from the bright exposure, but the brilliance highlighted her sight from even behind her closed eyelids.
"Wait! What is this place?!"
Kagome yelled her voice desperate as she searched the light. Her eyes stung slightly at this effort, but she couldn't find the red haired beauty.
"My prison sealed inside your soul."
The words that Yukila said were dulled as the scene faded to black. The raven child could feel herself enveloped in warmth that was almost stifling. The woman-child was aware of several layers of blankets around herself as well as a cool, slightly calloused hand on her forehead.
Bewildered sapphire eyes opened and the first thing she did was flail her legs and throw off the covers. Kagome's breath was heaving, somehow tired from such a simple act. Clawed hands gripped her shoulders and she gazed up into honey pools with slit pupils. The girl took a deep breath and calmed her tense muscles. The hands removed themselves, but the bed dipped down a little as the prince placed him self easily next to her.
Sesshoumaru watched as the girl struggled to sit up and he waited until she was fully vertical or at least as far as she was going to get. Then carefully handed her a wooden cup holding warm water and herbs making sure she had a good hold before releasing his grip.
Kagome gratefully took the cup the texture rough against her smooth palms. Sipping it slowly, sighing as it flowed down her throat. She smiled thankfully at the silver haired prince who left her side to retrieve the covers that her legs kicked off the bed and pulled only one back to cover her up to her waist. He then placed himself against the wall near the door.
"You had hyperthermia. We had to stop for shelter. Rest, we'll be leaving in the morning."
Kagome nodded and didn't bother saying anything else since he obviously wasn't going to reply. Looking around it seemed as if they were in a small traveler's cabin. There was one window and between gusts of wind and snow, Kagome caught sight of a night sky.
With a sigh she downed the rest of the drink and leaned over the side of futon to place the used cup on the ground. Kagome lay back and with heavy eyelids fell back to the welcoming void of slumber.
--Who knows what knowledge tomorrow will reveal.--
Sesshoumaru glanced at the girl one last time before resting his weary eyes. He'd never admit it, but for just a second the girl had worried him. She most likely didn't realize the fact that just before she woke she quietly groaned one word that was in a language he couldn't understand. It was the same one as last time, Eitei. This was followed by a glow that surrounded her body in a purplish flame. The girl was trouble and a pain, but he'd be lying if he said she wasn't intriguing.
-To be continued-
Extra!
I'm sorry this took so long, but it's almost twice as long...so I hope that makes up for it. I'm pretty lazy, so if you want me to update then motivate me with reviews! Kick my butt into action .
Lyrics
One pure touch
Can ripple to eternity
And heal all hearts sorrow
The angel's beautiful song
Echoes in the abyss of the lonely
Offering company to those who have none
True trusting friendship
Pries into the betrayed mind
To bring all out of shrouding shadows