A/N: I do not own Inuyasha OR Rurouni Kenshin. I do however own a big DVD collection of each and horrendous amounts of merchandise, so please don't sue I'm a loyal customer.
Chapter 4. Soujiro
The young man stepped out into the street from the alley and looked both ways before crossing the street. He'd been here before but this was the first time he was on a peaceful mission. That probably wouldn't matter to the likes of Saitoh, so he tried to keep a low profile as he moved through the crowds toward the Kamiya Dojo. He needed answers. He needed direction. He needed a purpose.
Soujiro no Tenken was confused.
He had set out to find his answers as Shishio and Himura had, by wandering. It didn't take him long to realize that wandering was probably the most inefficient method of soul searching available. You had so much else on your mind, like your next meal, how cold it was getting, rain, and such like that you very seldom got to ponder the deeper meaning of things.
This had occurred to Soujiro early on so he had approached someone who had found his peace by instead becoming a hermit. Master Hiko had been a little less than thrilled to see him, at least initially. He'd treated the man's wounds as best he could and hidden his sword until he got better, and in the end he finally got Hiko to agree not to kill him. However Hiko only told him what he already knew, that wandering was quite possibly the stupidest thing a man could do to search for inner truth as all it really entailed was running from one's own inner demons.
While that had seemed like a pretty good idea at the time, Hiko had suggested his current course of action instead. Seek out Himura and ask him why he stopped wandering. Hiko had told him that if he could find out how Himura had faced his own past, he might be able to face his own as well and find the truth he was looking for. Soujiro had been quite grateful, the lesson had only cost him three jugs of sake he had used to get Hiko drunk enough to spill it. Since Soujiro had stolen his sword, he surmised that Hiko was going to be in a pretty bad mood until he made enough pottery to buy another one.
Soujiro knocked on the gate of the dojo and waited for someone to answer. When nobody came to the gate he hopped over the wall to take a look inside. The house looked as if it had been closed up for some reason. From the state of things they hadn't expected to come back for some time.
A noise drew his attention back to the gate and Soujiro barely had time to conceal himself before he saw a young man come barreling through the gate. He ran straight into the main hall of the dojo and emerged a few moments later carrying two shinai. He carefully closed everything up and then bolted back through the gate. Not having much else to go on to find Himura, Soujiro followed at a distance. The young boy ran down the street and up the stairs to a temple.
Soujiro tried to blend into the trees as he watched the boy go racing up to a young woman who was sitting at tea with a young girl a little younger than the boy. Soujiro jumped behind a tree, as she seemed to look up in his direction.
"Here you go Kagome! Can you start teaching me now?" Yahiko said excitedly.
"I didn't mean get ME a shinai Yahiko, I only told you to get yours. What I'm going to teach you will only require one. Go get me the bow and arrow out of the store room." Kagome said to the prancing kid.
This 'Yahiko' ran off into the temple as the young woman who was apparently 'Kagome' turned to the little girl. "Alright Tsubame, time for you to show me what you've learned. Close your eyes and focus your mind. You still can't do this automatically, but you should be able to use the power over a short distance."
Soujiro pulled back behind the tree and wondered where Mr. Himura might be. He was startled to hear a yelp escape from the young girl, 'Tsubame'.
"Ms. Kagome there's someone behind that tree!" Tsubame cried. Soujiro looked down to see if any of his clothing was sticking out. He tried to think how the girl would have known he was there, when he heard the young woman again.
"Yes, I know. He's been there since Yahiko got back. I can only assume he followed him from the dojo, and if he knows what's good for him he'll be coming out where we can see him." Kagome said seriously.
Soujiro wasn't stupid. He knew when he'd been caught. It didn't happen very often, but it was pretty recognizable when it did. He stepped out from behind the tree and approached the cute young woman.
"I apologize for spying miss." Soujiro said painting on his best smile. "I'm looking for someone and I was hoping that you might know where he is."
"That depends I guess. Just exactly who are you looking for?" Kagome said looking him up and down.
"I'm looking for Kenshin Himura. I followed that young boy, Yahiko here from the dojo where he normally stays." Soujiro continued.
By this point, the young man in question had returned with the bow and arrows. He gave them to the young woman, and turned to look at their new visitor. "Who's this guy Lady Kagome?"
Soujiro smiled and crossed his fingers hoping that honesty would work out better in the long run. "My name is Soujiro. Seta Soujiro."
Soujiro could tell from their blank expressions that neither the young woman nor the girl had heard of him, but the young man leaped in front of them both with his shinai drawn. "Stand back Lady Kagome! This guys one of the Juppon Gatana!"
Soujiro bowed to the boy. "Former member actually. There isn't a Juppon Gatana left. You must be the boy I heard about that managed to defeat one of our number. It is a pleasure to finally get to meet you."
The young woman was looking at him blankly. "Yahiko do you mean this man is your enemy?"
"Yeah, he and Kenshin fought in Kyoto a few months ago. He was part of a conspiracy to overthrow the government." Yahiko said seriously.
"My word, what you children get yourselves mixed up in." Kagome said in exasperation. "Well, he isn't likely to start something here in the temple Yahiko so put your shinai down."
"Thank you miss, I'm simply looking for Mr. Himura. There are several questions I would like to ask him." Soujiro said politely.
"Well, I'm afraid you've just missed him. He left a few days ago for the mainland with his friends. I imagine if all is according to plan they are onboard ship right now." Kagome said to him.
Soujiro actually lost his smile. He'd have to wait for him somewhere, or else return later. "I'm sorry to have bothered you miss, I'll return sometime later then and speak with him then." Soujiro said as he turned to leave.
"Kagome! You aren't just going to let him leave are you?" Yahiko said incredulously.
"No, of course not Yahiko." Kagome said seriously. "If you're just looking for information, is it something that I can help you with?"
"That wasn't exactly what I had in mind." Yahiko said flatly.
Soujiro turned back to the young woman. "Not unless you can tell me why he stopped wandering." Soujiro said seriously.
"Stopped wandering?" Kagome said to herself. "Why on earth would you want to know that?"
"I spoke with Kenshin's master, Hiko. He told me that wandering around trying to find the answers to the questions I have was a bad idea. He told me the best thing to do would be to find Kenshin and ask him why he stopped wandering. If I can learn that then I might be able to come to terms with my… issues." Soujiro said sadly.
"Well, I would have to agree with this 'Hiko' then." Kagome said looking over Soujiro again. "How old are you, anyway? You don't look old enough to shave, much less have accumulated such emotional hurt that you would find it necessary to seek your answers through wandering."
"I'm…" Soujiro had to think about this one. "I guess I'm already eighteen."
"Already eighteen, huh?" Kagome said with amusement. "Very well, then you may wait here for him if you like. I've plenty of room in the temple, and you can do chores around here to earn your keep until he returns."
Yahiko was practically beside himself. "Kagome, weren't you listening? This guy is an e-n-e-m-y!"
"And the first lesson you should remember Yahiko is to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." Kagome said with annoyance. "Besides, he's polite which is more than I can say for most of my enemies that I've had to face before. Please, Soujiro sit here. I was just about to train Yahiko."
Soujiro dumbly did as he was told and took the young woman's place at the table while she got up and took the bow and arrows form Yahiko. "Now Yahiko go over and stand next to that wall over there."
Yahiko never took his eyes off of Soujiro as he did as he was told. Soujiro looked across the table at the little girl who looked ready to faint any moment. He then watched Kagome take her place at the opposite end of the temple grounds from Yahiko. Yahiko finally stopped looking at Soujiro when he noticed Kagome aiming the bow at him.
"WHOA! Kagome what are you doing?" Yahiko said looking more than a little distressed.
"I'm going to teach you how to parry arrows. Now concentrate and don't worry. More importantly, DON'T MOVE. I'm an expert marksman with a bow, so as long as you don't do anything stupid, I won't hit you. I'm going to start by shooting at the wall behind you just to the left of your right ear. I want you to try to swing and hit the arrow before it hits the wall. Then as you gain skill, we will begin to move the arrow closer and closer to your heart. Once you've mastered the technique you'll be able to defend yourself against distance weapons." Kagome said drawing careful aim at Yahiko.
Soujiro had never bothered to learn such techniques himself as his speed could easily close the distance with anyone armed with a bow, and if all else failed he could always outrun the arrow.
Soujiro watched as Kagome fired a few arrows at Yahiko. After about ten tries he stopped flinching as he realized that Kagome wasn't going to hit him. After about an hour and several trips to return her arrows to her, he still hadn't managed to hit one.
"That's all for now, Yahiko. We'll try again tomorrow." Kagome said sadly.
Soujiro watched the woman in the red hakama while she practiced with the boy. He noticed the girl was wearing similar clothing. He finally realized they were probably the priestesses in charge of the temple.
"An impressive display of marksmanship Lady Kagome." Soujiro complimented.
"I've had some time to practice." Kagome said evasively. "Tsubame, please clear away the table. I'll be in to help with the evening meal in just a moment."
The young girl and boy gathered up their things and went towards the back portion of the temple. Soujiro remained seated as Kagome sat down across from him at the small table.
She sipped her tea in silence, and laid her bow across her lap with the arrows within easy reach. She apparently didn't trust Soujiro, not that Soujiro could have blamed her. Soujiro had never really been worth trusting to anyone except Master Shishio.
Soujiro sighed and started to pick up the tea to offer her some more to drink when he felt the presence. He paused for just the briefest moment before he poured her more tea.
"Please excuse me Lady Kagome." Soujiro said standing up. He walked out into the yard of the temple and looked around. There was a presence moving amongst the trees, but try as he might he couldn't see anyone.
Soujiro looked back to notice that Kagome had not risen and was still sipping at her tea. She hadn't put down the bow either. Soujiro turned back and pulled his sword from where he kept it hidden in his pack. He put it in his belt and slowly pulled it from the sheath.
The attack came more quickly than Soujiro expected. It was fast and lethal. There were three of them, ninja from their appearance. They leaped into the yard and dashed toward Soujiro with startling speed.
Soujiro's blade whipped free of the scabbard as he met their charge. He sliced twice at the two to either side of him before bringing his sword to bear on the third. He barely managed to bring up his blade in time as his opponent drew his own weapon and slashed for Soujiro's throat.
Soujiro fought back and forth with his enemy until he realized that the other two were getting back up. Soujiro was so stunned he nearly missed the sword stroke meant for his heart. He was about to fall back when there was a sudden flash of lavender light around him and he was standing there facing only the one foe he had been fighting.
The air smelled heavily of charred remains as the two who had been about to attack Soujiro crumbled to dust with an eerie black mist rising from them. Soujiro fought with his foe for a few more moments as his mind tried to wrap itself around what was happening. She shot them both, at the same time! She is an expert marksman, but where did that light come from and how were they getting back up?
Soujiro finally drove his sword deeply into the chest of his attacker and twisted the blade for good measure. The man staggered back and hissed at Soujiro before coming forward again. What the… !
An arrow whizzed past Soujiro's ear and sunk into the things chest. Soujiro tried to shield his eyes from the flash of lavender light that enveloped his opponent, but he was still dazed for a few moments. When his vision cleared Kagome was standing before him with her bow and arrows. "I guess you are a master swordsman then." Kagome said smiling to him. "Those things aren't easy to fight and I've never seen anyone take on three before."
A scream drew their attention to the back of the temple. Soujiro ran alongside Kagome to the back of the temple to see another one of the ninjas leaping into the trees carrying Yahiko and Tsubame.
Kagome started to take of after them when Soujiro grabbed her arm. "What do you think you're doing?" Kagome hissed at him.
"I can catch him, but why can't I kill him." Soujiro interrupted.
Kagome looked at him startled and then back at the ninja. "You can't catch it, now let me go. It's a demon you fool." Kagome said snatching her arm away from the stunned Soujiro.
Kagome took off running after the demon. It was outdistancing her as she tried to get a good shot at it without hitting the children. Soujiro tapped his feet against the ground and prepared himself. He then took off after Kagome.
In a heartbeat he was behind Kagome sweeping her off her feet. Kagome's startled exclamation died on her lips, as she looked at Soujiro wide-eyed. "How are you doing this?"
"It's my special speed technique." Soujiro said concentrating on running after the two children and the ninja that was now starting to pick up speed as well. He had to hurry he looked like he was headed for the river.
Soujiro was shocked as Kagome managed to slip from his arms and straddle his back with lithe grace. He ran as hard as he could as he hooked his arms under her legs and she readied another arrow in her bow. The ninja had just reached the river, as Soujiro came barreling out of the trees at full speed.
Soujiro couldn't believe his eyes as the thing jumped. It leaped into the air and seemed to take flight as it sailed high into the air over the river. Soujiro skidded to a halt as Kagome's arrow loosed from the bow to strike the ninja in the back as it reached the center of the river.
Soujiro watched as the ninja exploded sending the boy and girl tumbling into the water below. Kagome was already screaming. "Yahiko, save Tsubame." Soujiro started to put Kagome down and jump in the river to save the girl, when he saw Yahiko making progress toward her splashing form. Somehow he managed to reach her and start pulling her toward the bank. As the two of them came to the bank they collapsed breathing for all they were worth. Soujiro had to admit; he was a bit winded himself.
"That does it Tsubame." Kagome said as she flopped to the ground next to her apprentice. "Next week we're starting your swimming lessons."
Kagome looked at the young man sitting at her table as she finished cooking supper. He didn't look like he was a threat, but looks could be deceiving. His speed was nothing short of amazing. There was simply no way he was completely human.
Apparently having helped save Tsubame had pretty much made all things forgiven in Yahiko's eyes as well. He and Soujiro sat at the table chatting about things like swords, techniques and mostly about Kenshin.
Kagome shook her head and put the food on the tray. Tsubame picked it up and the two of them joined the two young men at the table. Tsubame immediately started serving the food to her beloved Yahiko so Kagome gave a portion to Soujiro before setting about eating herself. She tried not to appear too overt as she studied the young man. He was handsome and lean, but he was still young. She had doubted Yahiko's story about him being a swordsman until the demons had shown up. He had sensed them before they had come into her range and had even managed to hold off three of them while she prepared her arrows to fire. Even one of those things usually ripped through even accomplished swordsmen without stopping.
The meal passed by in silence until Kagome finally started the conversation. "So tell me, Soujiro. What clan do you belong to?"
The reaction from Soujiro was somewhat puzzling. He had been smiling ever since he got here, but he was actually frowning sadly into his food now. "I don't have a clan. I'm an orphan."
Kagome's brow knit together as she looked up at the boy. He simply HAD to have demon blood in him. There was simply no other explanation for it. "You mean you're not part of the wolf clan?" Kagome said slowly.
"No miss." Soujiro said politely. "I'm just a wanderer, I've never heard of a wolf clan."
Kagome thought about this for a while. There were too many unexplained demons running around Tokyo these days, and now a swordsman with demon blood shows up on her doorstep that DOESN'T belong to one of the clans. Impossible.
"I must thank you for your hospitality, Lady Kagome, but I think it would be better if I left." Soujiro said starting to rise.
Kagome grabbed his hand and looked up at him. "I told you that you could wait for Kenshin here, why are you wanting to leave?"
"Those men were probably here looking for me. I've been on the run ever since I left Kyoto. There are several old enemies I have that would like nothing more than to get vengeance on me for some of the… things I used to do." Soujiro said sadly.
Kagome looked up at him. "What makes you think they were after you?"
"Who else could they have been after? That ninja was probably going to take Tsubame and Yahiko hostage. I never should have brought my troubles to your doorstep." Soujiro said trying to pull away.
"Sit down, Soujiro." Kagome commanded gently. Soujiro slowly sat down, and it took a moment for Kagome to realize she was still holding his hand. She finally released it and tried to conceal her blush.
"I'm fairly certain those things were after me, Soujiro, not you." Kagome said slowly.
"You mean you still think they were demons?" Soujiro said curiously. "They looked like ordinary ninjas to me."
"Yes, Soujiro. I was firing a magic arrow at them. Didn't that strike you as odd, the flashing lights and then them crumbling to dust. Especially when your sword had no effect on them." Kagome said looking at him for some sign of acknowledgement.
"Well, I've seen some pretty odd things in my life. Master Shishio used to incorporate fire and explosives into his sword style. I assumed you were using some sort of explosive arrow." Soujiro said uneasily. Kagome could tell that the boy was remembering the encounter and the lack of heat from the explosions were probably beginning to unsettle him.
"Trust me Soujiro, those things were here for me not you. Yes, they were demons, powerful ones. Some demons can take human form, while others take the form of animals. It merely depends on the type of demon. Your sword isn't going to be able to do much against the likes of them." Kagome said trying to explain. "I can protect you all as long as you stay here. Please just stay the night here with us and we can talk about it in the morning. I need to talk to someone about what has been going on."
Kagome thought for a moment that he would refuse, before he finally nodded. "Good. I'll show you to a room then."
Soujiro lay awake for a long time. He normally sat up when he slept, but he had been walking a lot that day and his back felt much happier lying flat. This entire demon business was a little much for him to handle. He didn't feel right leaving this young girl Kagome to try to protect those two kids by herself despite her assurances that she was up to the task.
Looking out the window of the room he had been given at the temple, he realized it was nearly midnight and the moon was full. He started to go back to sleep, but then he heard the soft brush of wood on wood that told him that someone had opened the front door of the temple.
Soujiro was up and dressed in a flash. Not only by merit of his speed, but because of his former occupation. One did not live long if you allowed yourself to be caught unprepared.
Soujiro stepped from the room and followed the sound of footsteps out into the courtyard. Once there he could make out the form of Kagome walking in the moonlight. She hadn't made any move to indicate that she had sensed him, which was unusual. He knew that with swordsmen they could miss someone's presence if they were distracted, he just hoped the same held true for her powers as well.
Soujiro followed Kagome until she stopped at the top of the stairs that led down to the bottom of the hill and the street below. She looked up at the moon high overhead and then she started to sing.
Soujiro listened as she held out two long penetrating notes. Her voice was beautiful, and it rang clearly to Soujiro's ears. It was melodic and sounded vaguely like a wolf baying at the full moon; that is if the wolf happened to a beautiful young woman with the voice of an angel. Where did THAT come from?
Kagome stood at the top of the stairs for a few minutes before Soujiro heard a lone wolf cry in the distance. As soon as she heard it Kagome nodded and turned back towards the temple. Soujiro zipped back in ahead of her quietly and got ready for bed and back into his futon in the blink of an eye.
He lay there until he heard her outside his door. He closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep as he heard the door open and her footsteps coming over to him. She knelt next to him and he was facing away from her until he felt her soft hand cup his cheek tenderly and turn his head back toward her. Soujiro looked up into her deep brown eyes as she bent down next to his ear.
"Sou-chan. Most swordsman come awake instantly when someone enters their room, no matter how deeply they sleep. I suspect you are no different." Kagome whispered into his ear. She then smiled and kissed his forehead before getting up and returning to the room she shared with Tsubame.
Soujiro grimaced in spite of himself. She was right, they normally do…
Kagome yawned briefly as she finished setting out tea after breakfast. Soujiro couldn't bring himself to look at her and she really didn't want to look at him too closely this morning. He was a gorgeous young man, of that there was little doubt, but she was too old to be acting like some giddy little schoolgirl kissing him like that last night. She'd act her age if most people weren't already dead by her age, demons included.
She had sent Yahiko down to the front step with a broom this morning to sweep the front step, and to come get her when company arrived. Yahiko didn't understand how she was supposed to be expecting company, but at this point the boy had stopped asking questions.
Soujiro squirmed around at the small table with her. Breakfast was over and she sat in silence waiting for her friend to arrive. Tsubame busied herself clearing away breakfast and preparing some food for snacks. Kagome blessed the day she managed to get an apprentice who had been a waitress in her former profession.
Yahiko appeared almost on cue at the top of the stairs. The only part Kagome could have wished for differently was the "HEY KAGOME-SAMA, THERE'S SOMEBODY HERE TO SEE YA!" that got bellowed over the sounds of the street below.
Soujiro looked askance at her, but she merely got up and headed for the stairs. She got to the top of them and looked at Yahiko. "You could have come over and said it politely you know." Kagome said wearily.
"I know." Yahiko said happily.
Kagome tried to remember to think of a fitting chore for the boy to do when she looked down at her visitor. "You? What are YOU doing here?" Kagome asked in shock.
The elderly woman walked up to the top of the stairs leaning heavily on the walking stick she carried, her eyes a complete milky white. She looked directly at Kagome and smiled. "Surprised to see me?"
Kagome couldn't help the smile spreading across her face. "Yes, a little, but you know your always welcome around me Shiori." Kagome said hugging her old friend. "Though, I sent for Lord Ginta last night."
"I know. I heard. You haven't been practicing these past few years." Shiori said sagely. "Ginta is actually the reason I'm here. I need to speak with him. When I heard your summons last night I thought it would be a good time to drop in for a visit."
"I'm glad you came. It's been too long." Kagome said happily. "I'll have Tsubame set another place for tea."
Kagome wrapped her arm around Shiori's and turned to Yahiko. "Please come GET me next time someone shows up."
"Oh, there's no need for that Kagome. I'll know when Ginta arrives." Shiori said smiling. Kagome nodded to Yahiko who promptly disappeared, probably to the kitchen to waylay Tsubame for another secret kiss.
"So who is this lovely young man you have with you?" Shiori said turning to Soujiro. "Let's have a look at you then."
To his credit Soujiro didn't move as Shiori placed her hands over his face. After a moment, Shiori blushed and put her hands down. "A fine handsome young lad this one is, Kagome. Don't let him stray too far."
Kagome and Shiori chuckled as she led her back to the table with the tea. Kagome nodded silently to Tsubame who started placing another setting for a fourth at the table.
Everyone sat when Shiori turned towards the stairs. She spoke for a moment, but no words came out of her mouth. She then turned back to Kagome. "We'll talk later, Ginta has arrived."
Soujiro looked at the old woman and then turned to the stairs as he felt the presence of the men climbing them. Two hairy burly men were carrying a bald elderly man on a sedan chair. After they reached the top of the stairs he barked a quick command and they set him down.
The two men crouched next to the chair as the old man hobbled over with his own walking stick. He stopped as the ladies and Soujiro rose to greet him. "Good morning sister, I hope you are well." He said warmly. "I got your summons last night."
Soujiro tried to contain his surprise as the four of them sat back down. There was NO way this man was Kagome's brother.
Kagome hugged the old man Ginta and she introduced the two of them to Soujiro. "Lady Shiori, Lord Ginta, may I present to you Seta Soujiro no Tenken. He's the reason I called the two of you here Lord Ginta."
"Oh? Seeing Shiori here I thought it must have had something to do with Uswe." Ginta said a bit confused.
"Actually, I am here because of him. I just heard Kagome's summons last night and decided to kill two birds with one stone. It isn't often I get to catch both of you together you know." Shiori said smiling.
"Wait a minute. You people know about Lord Uswe?" Soujiro said confused.
The three of them looked at him for a moment, before Ginta and Shiori looked at Kagome. "I assumed the boy was this new pupil I've heard so much about." Ginta said slowly.
"No he isn't. Tsubame is in the kitchen." Kagome said quietly still looking over at Soujiro.
Shiori smiled again. "No she isn't. Right now she's behind the temple kissing that chipper young boy you had sweeping the steps."
Kagome looked ready to call out when Shiori put a hand on her arm. "Leave them be, we'll get to know her later. So tell me boy, how is it you came to know Uswe?"
"He and I were comrades in arms." Soujiro said quietly. "I used to work for some very bad people."
Kagome was still staring at Soujiro as if she could see straight through his soul. Soujiro didn't like the way she was looking at him; it made him feel almost naked.
"What did you want to say about Uswe, Shiori?" Ginta was saying to the elderly woman.
"I simply wanted to express my gratitude to your clan for killing him. You did a great service to our clan when you eliminated him. He was becoming too much of a problem and we were about to have to take action. You saved us a great deal of trouble." The old woman was saying.
Soujiro swallowed hard. Uswe had been a madman, but he really didn't like the fact that these people were happy to see him dead. He had been his comrade in arms, and he didn't want to get off on the wrong foot with them.
"Think nothing of it Shiori. We actually didn't know he was part of your clan. It was pure coincidence that Saitoh killed him." Ginta was saying conversationally.
"You mean Saitoh is a member of your clan, and Uswe was a member of yours?" Soujiro said slowly. The two of them looked at him as if he'd lost his mind.
"Heaven's no child, but they are descended from our clans." Shiori was saying.
"Saitoh is my great, great… well let's just say he's my grandson." Ginta was saying proudly.
"I've met Saitoh, there's not much I'd list as 'great' about him." Kagome stated dryly as Ginta chuckled.
"Thankfully there IS no direct blood between me and Uswe." Shiori said with relief.
Soujiro's eyes were getting wider by the moment and he was finding it hard to maintain his smile by not letting his jaw drop open. "I don't mean to pry, but just how old ARE you?" He said to Ginta.
Ginta looked troubled and turned back to Kagome. "He really doesn't know ANYTHING about us?"
"No, he's one of the reasons I called you here. I need to know what clan he belongs to." Kagome said seriously as she sipped her tea.
Soujiro shook his head to tried to clear the cobwebs for a moment. "I'm sorry, is this about those demons things that attacked you earlier?"
"In a way." Kagome said uneasily. "Shiori and Ginta here are both demons themselves."
"Half-demon, thank you." Shiori said pertly.
"Nobody's perfect." Ginta chided.
"I called Ginta here because I need to know more about these demons that are roaming around Tokyo, and what clan you came from. I suspect it is from the wolf clan." Kagome said seriously.
"You mean you think I'M a demon?" Soujiro said incredulously.
"No lad, only an eighth I think; possibly a quarter." Ginta said sniffing in his direction. "And he definitely isn't one of the wolf clan, at least not any wolf clan I've ever met. What makes you think he's one of us?"
"His speed." Kagome said flatly. "I haven't seen anyone move that fast since Kouga, and HE was using jewel shards. Can you tell what clan he comes from?"
Ginta sniffed in his direction again. "Not enough for me to recognize I'm afraid. I don't recognize the name Seta either. Tell me boy, who was your mother."
Soujiro looked down and didn't speak for a moment. "She was a prostitute. My father was a rice merchant. She left me with him. I never knew her."
Soujiro looked down at the comforting hand Kagome placed on his arm. "I'm sorry Soujiro, I didn't know."
Soujiro looked up at her. "There's no way I can be part demon."
Kagome smiled sadly at him. "Yes, there is. Have you ever met anyone who could master your style of fighting, or your special speed techniques?"
"Master Shishio says it was because my leg muscles were strong from all the work I had to do as a child." Soujiro said desperately.
Kagome looked even more hurt. "I'm sorry Soujiro, but no. Normal humans can't move that fast no matter how much they train. We'll talk about it some more later, when you're ready."
"How is it you seem to know so much about these things and about me even though I never met you people before, and I only met you yesterday Lady Kagome. Why did Lord Ginta call you sister? I just really want to know what's going on." Soujiro said desperately.
"I guess it won't hurt to fill the boy in a little." Ginta said sighing. "I am Lord Ginta, boy. Don't bother asking my family name because I change it regularly. I am Lord of the Wolf Clan. We are all wolf demons, some westerners call us werewolves, but they haven't got a clue about what we're really like. All my power is based around the essence of the wolf. I've been Lord of the Wolf Clan for nearly three hundred years now. I call Kagome 'sister' because she was the wife of my clan's leader Lord Kouga. When he died she passed the mantle on to me and I have ruled ever since. I can smell the blood in your veins and I can tell you aren't one of my clan. I can also tell you have a demonic parentage."
Shiori smiled at him warmly. "I am Lady Shiori. Don't bother asking for my family name because I've never bothered to take one. I am the leader of the Bat Clan, or at least what is left of it. Lady Kagome here and her first husband Inuyasha rescued me from my evil grandfather and destroyed nearly all of my clan, thankfully. I am all that is left and the only other members of my clan are my children and grandchildren along with a few remaining offspring from other bat demons of which Uswe was descended from. Most people think of bat demons as vampires, but like Lord Ginta's clan we are greatly misunderstood. My powers are derived from the essence of the bat. I have also learned magic at the feet of Lord Shippou and Lady Kagome over the years. Ginta, Kagome, and I keep an eye out for those with demon blood in their veins and we track them to make sure they don't get into any trouble and disrupt the world of humans."
"Why?" Soujiro asked perplexed.
"Because their demon heritage makes them more powerful than their totally human contemporaries, and it would be very easy of those 'of the blood' as we call them to take over everything." Kagome said earnestly. "We have done so ever since Lord Sesshomaru, my brother-in-law, left Japan over four hundred years ago taking most of the demons with him."
"Just how old are you supposed to be?" Soujiro asked aghast.
"I'm four hundred and ninety years old Soujiro. Ginta here is nearly six hundred, and Shiori is actually younger than I am by about ten years." Kagome said slowly. "Depending on how much demon blood is in your veins, you could easily live to be one hundred to two hundred years old."
"This is a little hard to swallow, Lady Kagome." Soujiro said politely.
"I know dear, that's why I asked you to stay here yesterday. I want to know where you came from, because I need to know if there are demons roaming about that I'm not aware of. I also may need your help dealing with these new demons that are threatening the sacred jewel which I have charge of." Kagome said softly. "That is why I'm asking you Soujiro. Please, will you help me?"
Soujiro looked into her deep brown eyes. He couldn't turn away. He didn't know if he believed all the demon nonsense, but he definitely couldn't turn away from those eyes. "As you wish."
"Well, that's settled." Shiori said finally. "Now let's turn our attention to these demons that are plaguing the area. So far they have kept quiet, but I think we might be dealing with elementals here."
"What makes you say that?" Kagome asked curiously.
"Well, for starters we haven't been getting any indication that there have been any attacks against humans which would be the trademark of an animalistic clan. Since we haven't heard anyone screaming 'werewolf', 'vampire', or any other such nonsense I can only assume that they must be elemental." Shiori said sipping her tea.
"What about non-aligned demons?" Ginta asked.
"Not likely. Non-aligned demons generally lack the power of the other clans. My guess is that these demons are elemental. So what about you boy, can you do anything other than run?" Shiori said looking with her blank eyes at Soujiro.
"No. I'm fast, but I've never been able to do anything else." Soujiro said numbly.
Shiori nodded and then looked him over with her unseeing eyes. "I'm going to guess that you're probably aligned to a different animal essence. Since you don't appear to belong to a clan, I'm going to guess that it is probably one of the lesser sorts. A rabbit or deer perhaps, unfortunately I don't know of any half demons of those types that might be your mother or grandmother."
"Will you look into it Shiori?" Kagome asked her. "I need to find out what's going on with these demon attacks and Tsubaki has been reincarnated."
"Your old nemesis?" Ginta asked.
"Yes, it's getting around to being the time for those souls that lived back then to be reincarnated." Kagome said sadly. "I guess the one blessing in all of this is that I might have the pleasure of Sango's or Kaede's company once again."
Ginta grinned and Shiori smiled sadly. "I know it's been lonely for you. Don't worry though; I'll see if I can find out where this boy came from. You need to focus on the task at hand."
Ginta nodded. "I'll send a guardian spirit to you as well. If these demons try to attack again you'll need all the help you can get."
The rest of the time passed as the three of them talked about old times. Soujiro tried to wrap his mind around the idea that this young girl Kagome who looked younger than himself was actually centuries old. He tried and failed.
Finally the two elderly 'demons' bid Kagome farewell and set off around dusk. Soujiro had never been so happy to see someone leave in his life. The two of them gave him the creeps.
Soujiro kept silent as he helped Yahiko and Tsubame clean up. He didn't want to think about what had been said and he also figured that as a rurouni he should start earning his keep.
Soujiro was surprised when Kagome sought him out and pulled him away from the two young people. "Tsubame you and Yahiko finish up and then I want you to go practice meditation. Yahiko, you better not be anywhere around or she'll never get it right. Go practice swordplay or something." Kagome said off-handedly.
"I'll be glad to help you, Yahiko-san." Soujiro offered smiling.
"No Soujiro, I need your help with something tonight." Kagome said seriously. Soujiro could sense that she was troubled, but he didn't let it disturb his smile. If observing Kenshin had taught him anything it was that sometimes it was better just to smile and act stupid. "Of course, Kagome-sama."
Kagome pulled him from the room and led him toward the kitchen. There she quickly made a single cup of tea that smelled very funny. She then led Soujiro back to his own room.
Kagome opened the door and stepped aside before handing the tea to Soujiro. "Soujiro, I'm going to ask something of you. You can say no if you want to, but I really need you to do this for me."
Soujiro's heart leapt into his throat as he struggled to figure out what he was supposed to say. "What do you want of me Lady Kagome?" Was she REALLY asking him what he THOUGHT she was asking him?
"Soujiro I want to enter your dreams tonight. The last time I tried it on a swordsman of your caliber it had disastrous results. I want you to go inside and ready yourself for bed and lie down. Then I want you to drink this tea. It will make you sleep soundly. Once you're asleep I can come into your mind. It might give me a clue as to where you come from."
Soujiro almost sighed in relief but instead just smiled and nodded. "Anything to help, Lady Kagome."
Kagome waited until she could hear Soujiro's breathing steady and sure. She cracked the door open, but couldn't see inside so she stepped in to make certain he had taken the sleeping concoction she had given him. She found the cup next to him as he was propped against the wall with his sword against his shoulder.
"I swear, Inuyasha, Kenshin, and now this boy. I'm surprised that half the swordsmen in Japan aren't bent double from bad posture." Kagome said without much annoyance in her voice. It was almost cute the way they clutched at their swords as they slept for security.
Kagome started to leave, but looked back at Soujiro. Without thinking she crossed the floor to where he sat sleeping and took his sword. He didn't move. She had given him a fairly powerful sedative.
Kagome sighed and reached down to take Soujiro into her arms. She could be surprisingly strong for her size, but Soujiro was much lighter than she imagined. She pulled him over to the middle of the room and tucked him into the futon.
Kagome kneeled next to him for a moment and pulled a stray strand of hair out of his face. He looked so peaceful in that moment. He looked like a normal teenage boy and not the killer she had heard rumors about. Kagome sat there trying to wrap her mind around the idea that the innocent looking young man in front of her was the feared assassin of the Juppon Gatana. She tried and failed.
Kagome didn't realize she had fallen asleep until she awoke. The moon had already climbed high into the sky and she was lying beside Soujiro with her head resting on his shoulder. She started to rise when she realized that his arm was across her shoulders. The potion had most likely long since worn off so if she moved it would most likely wake him.
Kagome sighed and closed her eyes beginning to concentrate. At least her body would be comfortable and warm while she worked.
Kagome entered Soujiro's mind and was confronted by nothing. Where most men of war had massive emotional barriers and inner walls, here she found… nothing. It was empty. Kagome reached out with her mind until she found a trace of Soujiro's mind and then she sped towards it. She found him eventually in a barn filled with rice barrels.
Kagome looked around the barn and once again found a small boy trapped inside the mind of a swordsman. Much like the previous time, this one was crying as well. "Hello Soujiro." Kagome said walking up behind the boy.
Soujiro spun around and looked at Kagome in shock. "How did you get in here?"
"The door was open." Kagome said remembering the lack of walls. "How is it that a swordsman like you doesn't have the walls surrounding his mind that most others do? I thought most swordsmen guarded their emotions to keep them from being read by an opponent.
"I haven't had emotions for very long." Soujiro said sadly. "I locked them away for a long time."
Kagome nodded. "I see. That isn't very healthy you know."
Soujiro suddenly looked terrified. "Please Ms. Kagome you have to leave now."
"Why, what is it Soujiro?" Kagome asked puzzled. Apparently the boy didn't realize he could expel her from the dream if he really tried.
"Shishio-sama will be here soon. This was when I met him." Soujiro said looking out of the barn to see if anyone was near.
"Soujiro, if I stay hidden, can I watch. I need to know your past so I can try to find out where you're from." Kagome said pleading with what was perhaps a nine or ten year old.
"Please Ms. Kagome, you don't want to see this." Soujiro said desperately.
"Let me be the judge of that Sou-chan." Kagome said smiling. She left the boy and moved of into the shadows to watch. Soon she heard some yelling outside and Soujiro went to investigate. The dream shifted around her as she watched. Fortunately, she always seemed to be hidden when the new surroundings appeared around her. She wasn't doing anything so she surmised that Soujiro didn't want her to be discovered and subconsciously supplied her hiding places.
Kagome watched the scene unfold in front of her. There were lapses in time as she watched Soujiro take in the wounded Shishio, nurse him back to health, and subsequently kill his own family.
Kagome watched the boy's reaction. Through the rain she could tell he was crying. The scene before her shifted again and this time she was watching Soujiro fighting Kenshin. She watched as Soujiro's emotions finally resurfaced violently. Here in his dreams, Soujiro lost himself to his emotions and wailed in pain and agony. Soujiro's face was distorted in anguish.
The scene shifted and Kagome was standing amongst a crowd. She looked around to see that Soujiro's family was among the crowd still bloodied from the wounds that Soujiro had given them. Since the rest of the crowd was likewise glaring at Soujiro and were covered in blood she surmised that these must have been all the people he killed. Kagome was sad to see so many there.
Soujiro began to shrink once again, as the crowd closed in around him. "Why didn't you save me?" Soujiro shrieked.
"Who, Soujiro-chan?" Kagome asked taking the boy into her arms.
"Himura-san. If his way is so right, then why wasn't he there to save me? If his view of the world is the way things are supposed to be then why didn't he save me from my family so I didn't have to become… a MURDERER!" Soujiro wailed onto Kagome's shoulder. "If the strong are supposed to protect the weak, then why didn't someone save me? And if only the strong are meant to survive, then why am I alive?"
Kagome held the boy in her arms as he cried. She didn't have a perfect answer for the boy. She'd wondered and heard other people wail the same complaint to the unyielding heavens for over four hundred years.
"Sou-chan, look at me." Kagome said firmly. Despite this, she still had to lift the boy's chin to look into her eyes.
"No one saved you because the world is not a perfect place. Sometimes what is SUPPOSED to happen doesn't happen. Or when it does happen it turns out to be not what we wanted it to be in the first place. I cannot take away the pain in your past. All I can offer you is comfort in the present." Kagome said to the boy softly. It had been much the same with Inuyasha, so much pain and turmoil tearing him up on the inside between his unhappy childhood and his betrayal by Kikyo due to Naraku's influence.
"Why?" Soujiro said looking up into her eyes. "You've seen what I've done. Why do you still want to comfort me?"
"Yes, I've seen what you've done, but it doesn't change who you are or who you can be. You show remorse for the things in your past Soujiro. That means that the person you are now isn't the person you were then. It's the person you are now that I care about and want to comfort." Kagome said smoothing down the boy's hair.
Slowly, Soujiro's body began to change. He grew back to his normal size as Kagome embraced him. "Thank you." Soujiro said as he disappeared from Kagome's arms.
Soujiro woke feeling warm. Not just warm on the outside but warm on the inside as well. He hadn't felt this warm inside since… well, never actually. Soujiro suddenly realized he wasn't alone in his futon. Slowly he opened his eyes to see Kagome lying next to him. He had his arms wrapped around her shoulders. She had said something about wanting to get into his dreams, but he hadn't realized it entailed sleeping with him. From the warmth on his face he had to assume that for the first time in his life he was blushing madly.
Soujiro started to extricate himself from the rather intimate embrace. Fortunately, they were both still wearing the same close they had been wearing yesterday. As Soujiro tried to move his arm away, Kagome shivered and pulled his arm back over her shoulders. "Not yet Sou-chan, we've been at it all night and right now all I want to do is sleep in a little longer."
Soujiro's eyes were as wide as saucers as he looked down at Kagome. They WERE still wearing their clothes. What did she… Suddenly it struck Soujiro that last night must not have been a dream. She really had been into his mind. The gravity of this struck Soujiro like a brick between the eyes as he looked up to the door to see Yahiko standing there with eyes that were slightly wider than his own.
"Just WHAT exactly have you been up to all night…" Yahiko said incredulously.
Kagome sat straight up with a start looking up at Yahiko. "YAHIKO! Don't you ever knock?"
"I didn't think I had to, this is Soujiro's room after all." Yahiko said defensively.
Kagome looked at Soujiro and then began to blush uncontrollably. "I must have fallen asleep while getting into your dreams last night."
"Yeah his dreams weren't all you got into!" Yahiko said snidely. From the look on Kagome's face, Yahiko's life expectancy was shortening by the minute. Unfortunately, the boy was oblivious as he boldly dared to go where wiser man ran away screaming. "I mean really, for a priestess you sure work fast, you've only known him for a couple of days."
Kagome's face suddenly stopped being menacing and suddenly radiated serene calm. "Yahiko dear, I believe you've forgotten one small detail."
"Oh, what's that?" Yahiko asked.
"Kaoru only tolerates your lip because she loves you. I'm not that forgiving." Kagome said wickedly.
Yahiko's eyes opened wide as realization dawn on the barren plains of Yahiko's mind and he turned to run. Kagome however was faster, as she held forth her palm a blue spark danced from her finger to zap Yahiko soundly in the rear as he turned to run.
Yahiko's yelping could be heard through the entire house as Kagome chased him from the room. Soujiro gulped for a moment before getting up and looking for his sword.
Tsubame looked back at the stairs for the hundredth time that day and went back to her "thought bubble". It still wavered in the air in front of her wriggling around and awash with a million different colors. Kagome had instructed her to sit here and think. She was supposed to make it shape it self into a cube. She had managed a square yesterday only to be told that a square isn't the same thing as a cube.
Tsubame sighed for again the hundredth time that day. Yahiko wasn't with her today. Ever since Ms. Kagome had arrived and had insisted on making Tsubame into a priestess Yahiko had been by her side. She didn't really want to be a priestess, but Ms. Tae and her parents had both been very happy at Kagome's offer to teach the young girl to be a priestess and the decision had pretty much been made without her.
She didn't really mind, it did mean more time with Yahiko. Now though, Yahiko had managed to make Kagome fairly angry this morning and had been sent to help Tae at the Akabeko since a) Tae was short handed ever since Tsubame left and b) assigning him chores to do around the temple where he could be close to Tsubame wasn't exactly a punishment.
Tsubame went back to trying to make the cube thing that Kagome had shown her and also was trying very hard to make it black. Kagome had made a black cube this morning, and had asked Tsubame to do the same. This however was proving difficult. She couldn't remember what the colors meant except that when Yahiko was around it was a lot easier to do pink and red.
Kagome came out of the temple carrying some of the ever-present tea that the girl seemed to live off of and some food for supper, and looked at Tsubame's progress. "Did you ever manage black Tsubame?" Kagome asked setting down their dinner.
"No Ms. Kagome." Tsubame said meekly. "What does black mean again?"
"Black is the absence of emotion. You will need to detach yourself from your emotions at time or else they may very well get in the way while you need to be doing something." Kagome lectured.
"Wasn't that how I was able to save Yahiko?" Tsubame asked.
"Yes dear, your will to protect him erected the shield with the jewel's help to focus it. However, emotions are unreliable as a power source because you can't always guarantee you'll be feeling what you NEED to feel when you need to feel it. By being able to detach you're your emotions you'll be able to work powers that would normally require a different emotion. For instance, if you needed to erect a shield, but no one was in danger you wouldn't be able to do it because your emotions wouldn't be in the right place."
"But why would I want to erect a shield if no one was in danger?" Tsubame asked innocently.
"That's not the point child, and it was only an example. For now just try to make it black." Kagome scolded. "Here let me show you again."
Kagome closed her eyes and a "thought bubble" appeared in from of her. It turned black before it shaped itself into a perfect cube. Tsubame was appreciating the beauty of it when Soujiro came walking by carrying some water for the bathhouse.
Kagome looked up and Tsubame watched as her cube went from black to red that was shot through with pick specks.
"That's a pretty thing." Soujiro said as he stopped next to the porch to rest. Kagome turned and looked at the cube hovering in front of her for a moment before she quickly returned it to black.
"Oh well, it was prettier when it was red." Soujiro said picking his buckets back up innocently and heading off toward the bathhouse.
"Thought that was funny did you?" Kagome said glaring at Tsubame. Tsubame didn't think she was smiling too much or laughing, but her bubble was going crazy which was probably the equivalent.
"At least your pretty good about keeping your emotions from showing when you don't want them too." Kagome said considering her bubble. "You should be able to achieve black shapes within a few days."
"Ms. Kagome, why did your cube turn red?" Tsubame asked innocently.
Kagome looked at Tsubame's bubble for some sign of malevolence, but no finding any turned back toward Tsubame and sighed.
"Well, you know what red means Tsubame. It means physical attraction. There's no denying that Soujiro is a beautiful young man." Kagome said seriously. Tsubame blushed a little as she watched Soujiro at the corner of the grounds getting the bathhouse ready for the evening.
"You also had some pinks stars in it as well." Tsubame said watching him. "Are you falling in love with Soujiro?"
Hot tea sprayed all over Tsubame as Kagome spewed it out during mid sip of her tea. "Sorry, about that. Well, honestly I don't know. You'd think after four hundred years a woman would know some things for certain whether or not she were in love. I know that Soujiro has qualities that remind me of other men I have loved. He has Shippou's innocence while also having Kouga's straightforward nature. He also has Inuyasha's strength of heart, but I have to admit he has a certain charm about him that is all his own."
Tsubame nodded. She looked back toward the stairs for the one hundred and first time that day and was rewarded with the site of Yahiko coming up them. Yahiko was carrying something under his arm. He reached Tsubame about the time Soujiro rejoined them from getting the bath ready.
"Hi Tsubame, I brought you some food home from the Akabeko." Yahiko said happily. Tsubame decided she liked the way that sounded especially the part about 'home'. "Hey, why are you covered in tea?"
"Oh, I coughed while I was drinking and accidentally gave Tsubame an early bath." Kagome lied. "Here, Yahiko. Why don't you and Soujiro go ahead and eat while Tsubame and I go get cleaned up. We'll then come back and eat while you two bathe. I still need to help Tsubame with part of her training and you are a distraction." Tsubame noticed that Kagome was looking at her bubble. She'd managed to get the cube but the pink glow fairly illuminated the yard with the sun going down. Tsubame tried not to let it, but the bubble also started pulsing deep red when Kagome mention bath and Yahiko in the same breath.
Fortunately, Yahiko had NO idea what the colors stood for, or else Tsubame would probably be matching her cube right now.
"Yes, Ms. Kagome." Yahiko said meekly. Tsubame didn't know what spell Kagome had put on Yahiko, but he seemed to be stepping lightly around her now.
She and Tsubame banished their training bubbles and got up to leave. As they were about to head for the bathhouse Kagome stopped and turned back to the two young men. "Tomorrow, Yahiko I want you to go help Tae again. I need Tsubame alone until she manages to make black shapes. Then once she'd mastered that I'll need your help in seeing whether or not she can maintain them amidst… distraction." Tsubame definitely didn't like the malevolent way that sounded.