Phase 2: Widow of the Fallen Brother
The skies were dark as the rains fell. The lands were soggy with mud and heavy flooding. It seemed that the very sky was crying for the great half-demon of the East, Lord Inuyasha.
A lone soldier rode on horseback through the forest, his helmet shielding him from the needle-like drops that thrummed against his face. In one arm he clutched a sword, its scabbard scratched and damaged. The sword handle was rusted and cracked. He held it with trembling hands. This was no ordinary sword.
He continued on into the night until the palace finally came into view. It sat atop a large hill overlooking a huge forest.
It was named after him, the soldier thought somberly. Inuyasha's Forest.
He came to the castle gates and dismounted from his horse in one practiced motion. A stable boy, who had been waiting for him underneath an umbrella, came over and took the reigns. The soldier left without saying a word, the sword in hand.
The guard at the entrance recognized the man and let him pass. He went down the dim hallways until he reached the room of Inuyasha's mate and wife, Lady Kagome.
Her two ladies-in-waiting were standing on either side of the door. They looked very sad, and their heads were both bowed with their grief. The soldier knew them both and spoke to them by name.
"Sango, Rin" he said, causing them both to jerk their heads up in surprise. They both looked at him with wide eyes. He probably looked quite a sight, he just realized.
"M-Miroku," Sango acknowledged him, her voice containing slight worry.
"I've brought something the Lady will want to see." He stated.
Rin and Sango exchanged a knowing glance.
"She doesn't want to see anyone right now." Rin finally replied, looking at the door.
Miroku nodded softly. "I'm sure Kagome is feeling much pain and sorrow, but I've brought something that she will want to see. I'm sure of it." He held out the sword for them both to see.
Sango's eyes widened. She recognized it instantly. "It's…Inuyasha's sword!" she whispered. Rin had never seen it before, but knowing it had belonged to Inuyasha made her gasp in amazement.
After a moment, Sango nodded. "You're right. This will be good for Kagome."
Both girls stood on either side of the door and slid it open. Miroku stepped through, and a second later, the faint click of wood signaled it had been closed behind him.
The room was dark, a lone lantern lit in the far corner. Miroku had a hard time adjusting to the dark quarters. But once he did, he could make out the shape of Kagome's form.
She sat on her bench, over by the door leading to her private garden that overlooked the lands below. The door was open just enough to see through.
Kagome was bent over, her head in her hands. Her hair was unkempt and in tangles. She was shaking, either from crying or the cold, Miroku couldn't tell.
He hated to see her in such agony and pain. He went to her and knelt down at the foot of her bench. He reached out to touch her hand.
"Lady Kagome…"
She flinched and jerked violently, as if waking from a deep sleep. Her puffy eyes were red and raw from crying. Her cheeks were pale, and her even paler lips quivered from sobbing.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice cracking, almost inaudible.
Miroku bowed and held up the sword. "I've brought back Inuyasha's sword, the Tetsusaiga. I know he would have wanted you to have it."
He felt her take it in trembling hands. He looked up and watched as she ran her fingers along the scabbard. She gazed at for a long time, lost in thought. Miroku watched the emotions play across her face: happiness, pride, anger, sadness. He could tell she was reliving her memories with him once more.
Her hair fell in front of her eyes, hiding her sudden burst of emotion at seeing the sword once again.
"Thank you, Miroku…Thank you so much…" she gasped, hoping to convey just how happy she was at seeing it once again.
This was like a piece of Inuyasha. I feel like his soul is in this sword. I'm glad it's here now. Maybe…having the Tetsusaiga…will be like he's still here. Yes, I can feel it. This sword is a part of my beloved Inuyasha.
The rains began to let up, and the misty clouds began to clear, revealing a bright crescent moon. Kagome looked up at the sudden light source and saw in it an omen. She gazed at it with a sense of foreboding.
What is this feeling I have in my heart?
--------------O--------------
Sesshomaru stood in front of his scribe, a slight frown on his lips. He did not want to do what he was about to do, but he had no other choice.
The scribe's brush was poised above the scroll, ready and waiting.
"Lady Kagome, I have heard the news of my brother's death, and I plan on visiting your castle in the east, to pay respects to my brother's wife. I will be at your doors in three days." He said, watching the scribe take down every word.
He walked over to the window and gazed at the crescent moon that was not unlike the one on his forehead. He said the last part with barely contained contempt for what he was doing.
"My deepest sympathies, Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands."
--------------O--------------
"Lady Kagome, a letter has just been received. It was sent from the Western Lands."
Sango spoke from the entrance to Kagome's chambers. Kagome turned away from the garden, her curiosity sated. She had been staring at the soggy flowers in her garden, watching the dew slide off the leaves. But when the words "western lands" infiltrated her thoughts, her heart skipped.
"The Western Lands?" Kagome's suspicion was barely contained as she got up and went to her friend and servant. She took the letter from Sango's outstretched hand.
A sense of déjà vu took hold of her as she held the rolled up scroll. An image of the letter telling her of her husband's death came back to her in an instant. Inuyasha…
No, that was a fortnight ago, she told herself. This letter couldn't be worse than that one…
Kagome read the letter once, then again, as she was unable to comprehend the sentiments expressed in it.
"What..?" she whispered in disbelief, her brows synching with worry. "Three days?"
Sango saw the anxiety in her lady's expression and asked with concern, "What is it, Kagome?" There was no need for formalities when no one else was around; she was her friend first, her servant second.
Kagome handed Sango the letter with a dazed look in her eyes. I hadn't planned for this. I should have known, but I hadn't even thought of it…How could I have forgotten?
Sango's stunned response spoke Kagome's thoughts.
"Lord Sesshomaru! I completely forgot about him…" Sango's surprise in her voice was barely contained. "But, still," she continued, "why is he coming here?"
Kagome sighed. "Isn't it obvious? 'To pay respects to my brother's wife'" she replied sarcastically, quoting Sesshomaru's words in his letter.
Sango shook her head. "It doesn't sound like Sesshomaru at all, though." she reasoned.
Kagome nodded. "Yes, it does." She countered. Sango looked up, confusion written on her face. Kagome smiled, one of the first in two weeks, and explained,
"Sesshomaru will pay respects to me, that much I'm sure of. He'll be very polite and respectful, but--it won't be sincere. And besides that, I sense he has another motive for coming here." Her voice took on a hint of malice at the word "motive". From her words, Sango could tell it wasn't a good one.
Sango re-read the letter once more, trying to find where Kagome had seen this information. She couldn't see it, but she trusted her friend. So thinking, she asked,
"What is his 'other motive'?" Sango questioned.
Kagome shrugged, an unlady-like gesture she no doubt learned from Inuyasha. Sango had to stop herself from smiling as she saw the dog demon's influence come out in her.
"It could be anything." Kagome answered. Her expression darkened as she thought of the older, much more domineering brother. She could still picture his tall, statue-like expression. His bland, uncaring stare, a stare that hid any thought or feeling, concealing everything…
Sesshomaru, she thought with just a hint of anger, what are you planning?
--------------O--------------
Two days came and went. All the while Kagome and her servants began preparations for Lord Sesshomaru's arrival. They set aside rooms for his servants and guests, and reserved the best room for him. They bought quality meats and food for the dinner. Kagome even bought a fresh new kimono. She was still in mourning, but she would not look weak in front of Sesshomaru, no matter what.
Finally, the third day arrived, and Sesshomaru, along with his three servants, Kouga, Jaken, and Kohaku, could be seen making their way across the valley, leading up to Kagome's castle that stood on the tall, grassy hill…
Continued in Phase 3: Heirloom of the Dog Demon Lord
AN: Heh heh…I didn't realize how long this was going to be…I know the preview for this chapter was a little too far ahead (the one I wrote at the end of Phase 1)…So, I'm dividing this chapter into two chapters. Obviously, Phase 3 is the second part. I really hope I didn't ruin it for anyone. Ugh, I'm so unorganized sometimes!
Anyway…Thanks for reading all, and look out for Phase 3 soon, k? Until then, R & R!
&NiIrOkE&