"Talking"
'Thinking'
Stressed"Voices"
Tachi elbowed Kagome in order to keep her from falling asleep. They youkai had went through every issue abroad and ended up discussing the rise of humans for the past four hours. Kagome held in her growl of annoyance. She didn't understand how you could talk about humans for four hours. Her eyes traveled to Bankotsu and noticed that he was asleep in his corner. Kagome wished she could chuck her Zori at him in an attempt to make him suffer, but alas, that would be rude to the youkai. A sigh left her lips as they announced a change in topic.
"Tachi of the Eastern Kamaitachi clan, speak your request," Lord Yugake demanded.
Kagome mentally noted that Lord Yugake and his mate were the same. As long as they had power, they didn't care about others. He showed that through the way he spoke. Kagome turned her gaze to Sesshoumaru and could even see a bit of annoyance. Tachi stood up and bowed to the Lords and Ladies. Kagome admired how he had manners; this had to show the Youkai something.
"I am Lord Tachi, and I humbly request a change my peoples status," Tachi calmly spoke.
Kagome looked to the Lord Yugake and saw him sneer. She had learned that youkai had a certain ranking system. There was the Taiyoukai at the top like Sesshoumaru, the powerful youkai like Kouga. There were more powerful youkai in that category, but not royalty. Kagome looked around and saw many levels of youkai. At the bottom of the level, there were youkai like Tachi. They type that the considered food, the type they didn't even bother to be better. Kagome had learned that Tachi's people had an advanced fighting system, which could be put to some use.
"Why do you request such a request?" Lord Yugake questioned with blatant malice.
"I have been working to better my people. We have set up structures within our village to help lead us. I feel that we are ready to join Youkai society as equals," Tachi firmly spoke.
"What advances have you made?" Lord Tai questioned with a gentle smile.
"We have a law system, one that gives us freedom, but allows us to settle problems," Tachi explained.
"Are your people ready for this change?" Lord Fujiko asked as his blank eyes landed on Tachi.
"I have discussed this with my people, and we are ready for this step," Tachi assured.
"What can you offer to Youkai society by joining us?" Sesshoumaru questioned.
"My people are advanced in offensive attacks. Are lives are spent in learning and perfecting tactics of battle. We would be willing to teach other youkai these tactics and serve the Taiyoukai of the lands," Tachi explained.
"Do you have anyone to bear proof to your claims?" Lord Yugake questioned.
"I have witnessed all that he has spoken of," Kagome voiced as her blue-gray eyes landed on the council.
"How do we know that you do not lie?" Lady Mai snapped with malice.
"I escorted Lady Kagome to the Kamaitachi village and stayed with her there for a while," Kouga spoke up as he stood.
"A Miko's word can't be trusted," Lord Yugake stated.
"Human's are filth, but I do notbelieve that this Miko and Prince of the Eastern Wolves would lie," Sesshoumaru voiced as he looked at the Eastern lord with distaste.
"Even though you value this Miko, we can't go along with just her word," Lord Yugake carefully said as he earned himself a glare.
"You are calling the Lord of the Western lands a liar and the Prince of the Eastern Wolf tribe a liar?" Sesshoumaru sharply asked.
'He dug himself a grave,' Kagome thought.
"My mate just wishes for a more…reliable source," Lady Mai assured.
'Almost six feet under,' Kagome thought with a grimace.
"I can understand why you wouldn't trust the word of a Miko. I can't lie to you though," Kagome voiced. Any lies she told would taint the Tama with deceit.
"How can this be proven?" Lady Akicho softly asked.
"I am the Guardian of the Shikon no Tama, any wrong doings I do reflect in the purity of the Tama," Kagome explained as their eyes widened.
"You dare bring such a dangerous object here!" Lord Yugake growled.
"The Shikon no Tama is not dangerous in the hands of the Betsushimiko," Maro spoke as he stood.
"What say do you have in this matter?" Lord Yugake growled.
"I am first in line for the throne of the Tengu. I vouch that the Miko tells the truth because I have trained her to be the Betsushimiko. She would never succumb to the pettiness of a lie," Maro firmly said as he looked at the lords.
"Fine, the council will accept the word of the Miko," Lord Yugake announced with a slight growl.
Kagome nodded her appreciation the council, even though it was directed toward Maro and Sesshoumaru. She recalled every event that happened while she was at the village. Kagome explained the way the village worked together and how they trained. She talked about how Tachi ruled over them like a proper Lord would. Kagome gave examples at how the youkai were not stupid or just beasts. Kouga then gave his account on what happened at the village in short detail. Questions rose and they answered them as Tachi smiled in apperception.
Bankotsu turned his eyes to the window and noticed a few flakes of snow fell. His eyes widen in nervousness as he thought back to that deal he made with Izanami. He had gained his body back, so the woman wouldn't hold up the bargain.
"We will take all of this into account and send a chosen representative to visit this village. Is that okay with you?" Lord Yugake practically sneered.
"That is fine, but I just ask that the youkai you send is unbiased," Kagome answered as he silently fumed.
"Agreed, the Kamaitachi are not to be hunted or ostracized until further notice," Lord Yugake declared with a roll of his eyes.
Tachi put a hand on Kagome's shoulder and squeezed it in appreciation. Kagome smiled at him and embraced him to the dislike of the council. Sesshoumaru shook his head; the Miko would never be or choose to be proper.
"The Council is finished until next summoning," Lord Yugake declared.
The floor beneath Kagome began to crack. Kagome took a step back and watch as the cracks followed her. The Taiyoukai turned their gaze to the Miko as the floor underneath began to fall apart. The floor collapsed and she screamed as she fell through. Her hand caught a beam and she held onto it for dear life. A white light exploded from the ground below her as she held on. Despite her better judgment, she looked down and saw the ground below her opening into a hole. The white light from the hole shot around her and she felt the tears coming to the surface. The winds began to increase and she felt her grip loosening as the winds pulled her down.
Kagome screamed as she lost her grip. A hand caught hers and she looked up in relief. Bankotsu had his sword dug into the floor as he held onto it and her. His grip was tight against her skin and she stared up at him in fear. She didn't know what was happening.
"Hold on!" Bankotsu shouted as she nodded.
"Kagome!" Kouga shouted as he rushed over to the two.
Bankotsu lost his grip on the sword and began to fall with her. Kouga grabbed Bankotsu's legs and dug his heels into the ground. His teeth clenched as he struggled to hold onto them. Ayame grabbed him around the waist and held tightly onto him. Maro cursed he flew to the ground. He hoped he could catch them if they fell. He tired to fly toward the and just grab them. The white light formed a barrier around them, as they were pulled closer to the void.
"Just hold on," Bankotsu grunted.
Kagome stared up at his straining face and began to cry. She held onto him tighter and he offered her a weak grin. Her smile faded as she realized she was about to die. This would be her last time seeing him. She didn't want to drag him down to his death. Her eyes continued to water even more as she watched him in realization.
"Bankotsu," Kagome whispered.
"Just hold on…I won't let you go!" He promised.
"I love you!" Kagome shouted as the wind increased.
His eyes opened and he gazed down at her sadden face. This was supposed to be said at their wedding, not in a life or death situation.
"I love you too," he assured as he felt her hand slip.
'My soul…it hurts,' Kagome thought as she felt a cold wave consume her.
The Tama pulsed black as a dark aura surrounded her. The vortex increased as Lady Mai stepped over to watch them. She pulled black a feather from her feathered pelt and Kagome watched as it turned to blade.
"You will die," she whispered as she brought the blade down.
Bankotsu shook loose of Kouga's grip and covered Kagome's falling form with his own. The blade cut into his back and they fell toward the vortex. Kagome watched as his eyes showed the pain and life fading. The dark aura continued to surround her as she felt something rising to the surface. His blood dripped onto her face and her blue-gray eyes turned black.
"He's dying because of those youkai…again," the voice whispered to her as the darkness grew
'He's dead,' Kagome sobbed as she felt the vortex approaching.
"Don't they deserve to meet the same fate as your beloved? Don't they deserve to know death," the voice taunted.
Her black eyes hardened as she released Bankotsu's body from her hold. His body was consumed by the white vortex as she floated in the air. Kagome looked down and watched the vortex close; it left a crater in the ground. She softly landed on the ground and glared up at the castle.
"They don't deserve life when all they do is destroy," the voice whispered to her.
"They will pay," Kagome whispered as she felt something separate from her.
Kagome watched as the black aura separated from her body and turned into a solid form. She gazed at the man if front of her with a look of admiration. His long black hair lay against his back as his crimson eyes stared at her. A smirk reached his face as he rested his hand on her head. Kagome noticed the eight point black star on his forehead. It was long and was shaped like a four thinned out 'S'.
"You wish for your revenge?" He asked with a smirk.
Kagome nodded her head, everything in her felt weak.
"I need an answer," he purred.
"Kill them…kill them all," Kagome whispered as he nodded with a triumphant smirk.
"You need to seal your revenge in blood."
"Who are you?" Kagome weakly questioned.
"I am Amatsu-Mikaboshi," he answered as his thumb rubbed her forehead.
Kagome whimpered as she felt something stab her. When he removed his thumb, he smirked at the same symbol on her forehead. She stood up as her Chihaya changed. Her hakama turned black and her haori turned a dark purple. She clenched her fists and felt her power return to her. Her black eyes turned to those above her and she grinned when she saw the woman that killed Bankotsu.
"Go…let her be your first victim," Mikaboshi encouraged.
Kagome grinned one final time before she rushed up the steps. The guards stepped out and she smirked. She dodged each one and ran to the steps. Her first kill needed to be that woman. The guards turned back to the new intruder that approached them. He waved his hand and there eyes turned black.
"Go…kill the Betsushimiko when she completes her task," Mikaboshi ordered as they took off.
He grinned as he turned back to the crater in the ground. His mother had failed in stopping him. It was only a matter of time before that Miko sealed her life to him. Then he would live again and kill Izanagi. Then he would bring death to the world. He would have his revenge and immortality. A scream tore through the air and he could feel himself coming closer to life.