Author's Note: The final chapter of Kannon. Bring on the flames. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this story, and as soon as I find a way to fix what I did- I'll come up with a proper sequel. Hope you enjoy this. DPM, don't worry about it. No harm, no foul. Truth is, I eagerly await your reviews (as I do all of them) and if nothing else I was able to get two! Read and review. Thank you for reading my story. And to Squishjakken. I am proud my story invoked such strong emotions in you.
"Lord, what was it the barbarian said,
as the riders vanished?
-Omnia mutantur, nihil interit.
"Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost."
-Master Li and Dream, in The Wake
Chapter Six: CrowJaken was waiting for him when Sesshoumaru rose to dress. The Imp folded Sesshoumaru into his pressed white robes, and went about running his hands over the creases and curves of the body and ensuring it hung perfectly. He tied the stash dutifully about his Lord's waist, and hung the two swords in their proper places. Jaken lingered with his small hands over the sheathed Tenseiga and then played it off as he pretended to fold the empty sleeve properly in place.
"Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru shook his head from his daydream and was surprised with himself. He had been fighting the sensation that he was forgetting something, and the way he was startled by someone as loud as Jaken annoyed him. He gave the vassal a withering glare as he waited.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, pardon." Jaken meeped as he continued to fake his grooming. "But we are leaving, correct?"
Sesshoumaru waited.
"Well my Lord, I have the dragon prepared, as well as provisions. Lady Kannon said he would meet us at the gate, to bid us farewell. All is prepared milord, as you requested."
"Get on with it."
"Only, milord, that it feels like we have lacking something. Something is missing."
Sesshoumaru arched a brow. Jaken was many things, but intuitive and careful were not counted among his abilities. "Such as?"
"Something important." Jaken mumbled. "I cannot expound beyond that."
Sesshoumaru stopped himself from agreeing. His hand went subconsciously to Tenseiga's hilt, and he pulled away quickly. He looked down at the sword and frowned. It was angry with him, determined somehow to warn him or spur him to action, Sesshoumaru couldn't tell. He did know, however, that whatever Tenseiga wanted had something to do with the feeling of uneasiness in his stomach. Somehow, someway he knew something was wrong.
He just couldn't tell what.
"It is this place." He told Jaken. "In Kannon's domain, much can be lost. If we are not careful, we would lose…"
Something strange danced upon the air then, catching Sesshoumaru's attention. It was a scent. A dead thing, a small thing that was mingled with flowers and sweat that clung to his brain long after it passed. It was a human's scent. Sesshoumaru turned, sniffing the air for the origin of the smell and attempting to recall where from where it had come. Sesshoumaru knew it. It had spurred him to action before, and had stayed his hand. But when pushed, Sesshoumaru could not place the scent, nor the human's face. It felt for a moment as if it had been washed from his mind.
But it was on his clothes, Sesshoumaru realized looking down. It clung to him, pushing into his senses and demanding attention but not releasing any other clue to its identity. Yet it lingered on him, seeped into his mind and his mantle. Idly, Sesshoumaru ran his hand down his boa, in thought. He knew this scent. He knew this person.
But how?
"Jaken. We're leaving."
"Yes milord in a moment, but …oh my Lord don't leave me!"
Sesshoumaru had already pushed outside before Jaken caught up with him. The Courtyard was filled with Kannon's servants and her sacrifices. The women looked up at him, smiled respectfully, and then went about their chores as if he had not existed at all. Sesshoumaru frowned a little. He had been here for some time, but could not seem to remember how long or in truth what had progressed.
Something had happened. Something had changed.
And Sesshoumaru had a sickening feeling that it was he. For good or bad, he did not know as of yet.
"Where will you go, Sesshoumaru Lord?" Kannon asked as she appeared from behind him, carrying a child on her hip. Sesshoumaru half-turned and made an effort to hide a smile. He was grateful for the respite he had taken from her, though he remembered little. He felt refreshed, unleashed in a manner despite the grave fears that plagued his mind.
"I thought to find Tama." He told her. "And then Naraku. He is a new enemy but one who has hindered me for too long."
"How did he wrong you? This Naraku…"
Sesshoumaru frowned, and shook his head. "It matters little. The offense was done. The vengeance likewise. In time."
"Why do you seek Tama?"
"I…miss him." Sesshoumaru admitted uncomfortably after a time. "I feel as if something has passed between us I need to amend."
"And who is Sesshoumaru that he feels the need to make amends?" Kannon teased lightly, her dim eyes bearing darkly into him.
Sesshoumaru smiled then, and turned, favoring the girl on Kannon's hip with a soft look. The girl, around seven years for a human, blushed deeply and smiled at him. The smile reminded Sesshoumaru of someone. She seemed to want to speak to him but chose not to. He was a little disappointed that she hadn't.
"I am the Hunger." He told her lightly, returning the tease in turn. "Never stratified nor content. Why should I be pleased with our relationship as it is?"
"Sesshoumaru," Kannon whispered and looked as if she wanted to speak. The child was staring at her expectantly. "Do not forget me. Do not think you cannot return, and…claim what perhaps you thought to lose."
"What are you talking about, milady?" Sesshoumaru asked, laughing at his concern. Then, when he saw that she had not smile. "Kannon," He called softly. His golden eyes searching for an understanding that would not come. "Do you weep?"
"I do." She responded, and inhaled, pulling her attention back to the present. She kneeled down, and with the arm that was not cradling the child, she hugged Jaken tightly. "Do not forget me either, my little Lord. You are the true reason I suffer Sesshoumaru's whims. When you are done with him, I will bring you to my court and make you my lover." She cooed playfully.
Jaken pulled himself and sputtered. "I am in my Lord's faithful service, Goddess. None can tear me from my duty."
"Then I envy the Western Lord." She smiled. "Oh kiss me, Jaken and promise you will not forget me."
"Of course, milady. Of course." Jaken continued. He was frowning, but secretly, Sesshoumaru knew he cherished Kannon's attention. One did not shy away from Kannon. Putting his small arms around Kannon, he gave her a kiss on the cheek that Kannon turned at the last second to meet with her lips. Jaken blushed but did not get angry. Then, without reason, he reached over and hugged the girl Kannon held.
To Sesshoumaru's surprise, the girl returned Jaken's embrace tightly. Jaken brushed back the girl's hair, and patted her head before returning dutifully to his side.
"Be well," Kannon said easily as she rose, "and be happy in the life you've chosen."
Sesshoumaru frowned as he took the reigns of Ah-Un and let Jaken claw up to the saddle. He ran his hand over the leather, and turned as if he had meant to help someone else unto the dragon's back. This was foolishness.
It was Sesshoumaru and Jaken, as it had been for centuries and would continue to be. When had that been any different? He couldn't remember a time without Jaken, and was a little disgusted to think that there should ever be someone else that dared encroach on their time.
Sesshoumaru walked Jaken out of courtyard, and into the forests. He did something childish then, and something that if he was true with himself he should regret. He turned back to stare at Kannon.
The child in her arms was watching him with deep, sad eyes that followed even the slightest of his movements. She was a skinny little whisper of a thing, really with wild unruly hair that knotted in a little ponytail on top of her head. She wore a dirty little red dress with a green obi, and its age surprised Sesshoumaru. She must have been a new arrival; as of yet unattended too by Kannon and her servants. But she had a smile that seared even Sesshoumaru heart. He was not one to be impressed by humans but this girl.
This girl was different.
He just wished he could figure out where he'd seen her before.