Enchanted Orbs

Chapter 35 Beginning the Journey

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It wasn't dawn quite yet. The barest trace of pink graced the horizon, the precursor to a beautiful morning, but both on the shore saw nothing glorious about this morn. It was an ominous event that neither wanted to discuss or think about, but it seemed that there was no time left.

Mokuso sat on the ground between his legs with her back leaning against his chest. Aishi's head rested on her shoulder, and his cheek brushed sweetly against hers as they watched the dreaded arrival of the sun.

She nestled further into his embrace and nuzzled his face with hers. "Its not fair." She whispered.

He pulled away from her slightly to better look upon her. Aishi knew what she meant, but he gave her the opportunity to expand.

"All I have wanted since I left the Eastern Lands is to return home, and now that I'm so close, you give me a reason to stay." Her eyes shined to him in the coming light. "And I no longer want to return home," Her eyes dropped to his arms around her waist. "not alone."

His arms tightened around her as if to keep her with him. Aishi was hesitant to say anything for fear of offending her with words that came out harsher than he wished, but he knew he needed to say something. He searched for the words needed, and kept his voice soft so at least the tone would not hurt. "I understand your duty as you must understand mine."

She nodded. "Its strange to me; this is the first time that I have not wanted to follow my lord's command. Does that make me low in obedience?" Mokuso questioned in a weak whisper.

"Only if you don't comply." He answered steadily.

She sighed, but Mokuso didn't want the little time they had left to be spent in misery. She tried to lighten the mood. "You are cruel in your timing." She spoke with a lilt and nudged him with her shoulder.

His face remained solid, but his voice rose slightly in pitch letting her know he was trying to continue her attempt at carefree conversation. "You have never heard of the terrible and cruel general of Lord Sesshoumaru?"

The red head smiled brilliantly. "I thought General Shouron was sweet." She then burst into laughter.

Aishi's brow furrowed at her comment as he tried not to scowl, and her laughter just grew. When she saw that he wasn't pouting and truly was troubled by her comment, her mirth faded.

"The terrible and cruel General Aishi of the Western Forces is famed throughout the lands, but I doubt many know of the gentle Aishi that holds me now. Is there room for both when you are with me?" She asked solemnly turning in his lap to face him.

"You ask for cruelty?" He was puzzled by her want of both versions of him.

A shy smile captured her face. "If it is a part of you, then yes."

For the first time her could remember since youth, Aishi smiled without promise of pain. She truly was someone to return to if she understood him so well. It seemed as if everything he wanted was dropped into his very lap, the very place she sat currently. It was then that something gripped him fiercely.

It scared him. Everything was coming together so beautifully; he was actually happy at this moment. The dread that filled him was so cruel because now he could only wonder when it would end. Such fortune lifted you above all others only to crush you under its wheel at the end of its turn. Mokuso seemed to be thinking the same thing because she looked up with fear in her eyes.

The scout shyly confessed her opinion on the general's fierce reputation, and his smile was her reward. She gasped at the sight. His beauty was almost as famed as Sesshoumaru's, but at this moment, with the rising sun casting its glow across his features and that breathtaking smile, she could think of no Kami that would be his rival.

Warmth spread through her and she was overwhelmed with desire to press her lips to his as they had through the night, and with those thoughts her mind flared with her joy at finding him. She had actually been found by someone who was terrifyingly beautiful, fiercely strong, and as gentle as a breeze when with her. Elation filled her as she sat on top of the world only to realize that things could not get better than they were right now.

Her head dropped to look at her lap; they were about to be separated for an undetermined amount of time. A dangerous journey welcomed both to its path. Would he return to her? Or would they be ripped from each other so soon after their meeting?

Mokuso looked up at him with fear shining through the unshed tears in her eyes. He seemed just as worried as she; and she was shocked to see fear in his expression as well.

A hand reached down to her cheek, and Mokuso leaned into it. Determination then spread across his face. "I will return to you if you will wait for me."

She smiled at his words. "None other could fill this void."

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By the time the sun had completely cleared the horizon, almost everyone had gathered at the clearing of the Bone Eater's Well.

Inuyasha and Kikyou waited at the edge of the clearing talking amongst themselves privately and waiting for the journey to begin.

Shouron, Sesshoumaru, and Aishi were discussing time constraints of the journey and when the lord and his generals would meet up again.

Mokuso sat on the edge of the well waiting for the signal for departure and sneaking longing glances at a certain general. They had said their goodbyes in private, and both agreed that it was probably best to keep the blooming feelings for each other private.

Aishi had many enemies and was loathe to have her punished because of his actions.

Only Mokuso's furious speed and quick reflexes allowed her to dodge the small black pack that was thrown over the edge of the well at that moment.

A faint grumbling and movement of the vines encasing the well signaled Kagome's return from the future. The demons near hid their smirks at her discontent mutters about having to climb the vines to escape the well, but soon her head popped into sight and her feet thrown over the wooden lip.

Aishi turned to her. "I was informed by you that you would return shortly, yet the night has passed and you are just now returning." His tone was flat, and Mokuso was disturbed at how harsh he could be with the girl.

Kagome sent him a glare which was only amplified by her dislike of being up so early with little sleep. Inuyasha took a step backwards. That glare usually meant pain for whoever was on the receiving end, but, then again, Aishi wasn't weary a rosary.

"Since it was the last night I would be able to sleep in my own bed for quite a while, I took the opportunity." She stated heatedly.

Aishi merely looked bored with her answer. "You're late." He tilted his head towards the risen sun.

"Last time I checked, you were not my lord, so you have no authority over me, Aishi." She looked at Sesshoumaru. "I had some difficulties detaching myself from three over amorous children." She said with a slight bow to the taiyoukai.

He merely nodded in acceptance.

"So when are we leaving? I'm gettin bored." Inuyasha chose this moment to cut in.

"It seems that all is in accordance, my lord. Unless there is anything else you wish of me, I think we are ready to leave." Shouron spoke as he turned to face Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru nodded again, and Shouron turned to face the direction of the assigned meeting area of the Western troops.

Kagome's eyes slid to Sesshoumaru and caught his eyes on her. A silent second passed before both looked away.

She picked up the grounded pack and turned to smile at Mokuso. "Its going to be a long trip." She breathed out.

"I agree." The red head answered with one final glance at Aishi. Their eyes met, and she offered him a small smile before she and Kagome began following Shouron.

Inuyasha and Kikyou took up the rear, and the journey began.

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About an hour into the journey, Inuyasha broke the pleasant silence of morning.

"Oi, wench!" A grunt followed shortly because of the elbow that found its way to his ribs. He sent a look at Kikyou who answered it with a heated gaze. "I mean, Kagome, what happened to your other pack?" He answered.

Kagome tossed a glance over her shoulder; she hadn't been affected by his first title for her, but that didn't mean she had to be friendly to him after calling her such a name. "Its at Sesshoumaru's fortress. We left in a hurry, and I didn't think to grab it." She made a simple but nondescriptive answer.

Inuyasha snorted. "Figures. You got a smaller pack now that I don't have to carry it." He spoke tersely as he studied the pack that smelled like Kagome's little brother.

Kikyou shook her head. She knew what was coming with the fiery priestess, and she felt no pity for her love.

Kagome stopped to fully turn and face him. Mokuso, who had been walking alongside her in silence, took a few more steps but stopped then to turn and watch the interaction. She wasn't sure how the bonds of relationship connected the two girls with uncanny similarities and the loud-mouthed inuyoukai. If she hadn't known by the plan, she knew by appearance that Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were related, but that seemed to be their only commonality. Their personalities were as different as night and day.

Kagome's calm tone echoed through the trees surrounding them. "You never had to carry it, Inuyasha. In fact, half of the time you carried it despite my objections, so you have no right to speak that way." Her voice gained momentum and force by the end of her words. With an evil glint in her eyes she finished her spiel with a nonchalant tone that belied her actual emotions. "Sit."

She turned back to Mokuso and smiled, fully satisfied. The two girls began walking again.

Inuyasha propped himself up off the ground with his elbows, the rest of his body still prone on the ground. Kikyou knelt beside him trying to hide her smile. "You should not anger someone who has such a powerful hold over you."

The former hanyou looked to her with shock in his eyes. "I thought she gave the ability to subdue me to you."

A slight smile painted her lips. "Yes, she did, but that does not mean she relinquished her power over you as well."

Kagome heard her words and smiled.

Mokuso took this time to voice her questions over what happened. One moment Inuyasha was standing, and the next his necklace glowed as he crashed to the ground.

Kagome smiled and cheerfully explained the rosary situation.

Both Shouron, who had been listening intently, and Mokuso laughed at the inuyoukai's misfortune.

"Kagome," Mokuso couldn't hold her curiosity. "can only a priestess exert such control? Perhaps a youkai might do the same?" She asked wondering evilly how Aishi would look crashing to the ground as she had seen earlier.

Shouron cracked into violent laughter, and all eyes focused on him. He sent a knowing look towards Mokuso then continued his progress. The scout blushed and wished she hadn't said anything.

"I'm not sure. It has never been tried to my knowledge." Kagome silently wondered what she missed until she saw light pink blush which painted her companion's face. She then wondered who Mokuso wished to subdue.

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They were the perfect couple; brash, quick-tempered, and audacious meets patient and gentle yet stern. Kagome tried not to watch them for fear of a sense of longing overtaking her and displayed through her once calm eyes.

She no longer craved Inuyasha's affections as she once had, but she was beginning to realize just how lonely it could be without someone to share experiences verbally. She caught herself before chuckling out loud when her thoughts turned to the possibilities of sharing with her most recent companions.

'I'm sure Aishi would be a very attentive listener, right before he ripped my throat out for talking to him without permission.' That thought amused her. 'Shouron would be easy to talk to unless he's still attempting to discover all my secrets, but then again, he's already found out most of them. And Sesshoumaru? Well, I don't know what to think of him anymore.' She released a weary sigh. 'I miss Sango.'

A similar sigh brought her attention to the scout walking a few steps in front of her.

Kagome smiled. 'I may have some one to talk with after all.'

The sun was finishing its decent, and the land surrounding them seemed to come alive with the sounds of nocturnal beasts.

Shouron stopped and sat down at the base of a tree. Looking up at those around him, he spoke, "This seems like a good place to settle for the evening."

Everyone looked to him curiously. No one expected to stop for the night, not when they had an appointment to keep. Shouron gave a half smile. "Lord Sesshoumaru incorporated a stop knowing the humans would need rest before a trip where there would be few, and I need to conserve as much energy as possible before we embark for the Eastern Lands."

Kagome smiled and began to gather wood for a fire as the others settled into other evening activities. Inuyasha hunted, Mokuso scouted the area for predators that may have sliped under everyone's notice, and Kikyou retrieved water and gathered some herbs to flavor the meal.

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"Lord Sesshoumaru, I wish to discuss something with you." Aishi spoke as he neared his lord.

Sesshoumaru was standing at the shore of the lake gazing out into the horizon. He nodded slightly in acknowledgement, but he never turned to face him just continued his stare.

Aishi searched his profile in attempt to gauge his mood at this time. What he wanted to discuss was extremely important to the general, and he didn't want it blown off just because the lord was being particularly stubborn. But he could tell nothing at this time, Sesshoumaru had his perfect façade calmly placed over his features.

"I have recently had reason to question my term of office. I was curious…" But Sesshoumaru cut him off.

Still not facing him, the lord spoke. "We will discuss this when the events to come have occurred." His tone was flat, but final.

Aishi still maintained the perfect posture demanded of his position, but his shoulders twitched with the urge to let them slump in defeat. He knew the tone of voice his lord had used, and it meant that no negotiation or persuasion would proof effective. Aishi set his face determinedly and nodded in affirmation.

Sesshoumaru saw the minute movement of his shoulders. It wasn't a habit, and it was never going to become one, but he actually had the urge to clarify his sentiments at that time. His primary general had been unfailingly loyal, inexcusably useful, and the closest thing to a confidant he had held since he was thrown into his position as Lord of the Western Lands.

The taiyoukai turned to his general. "Events to come are unpredictable. If all goes according to plan and exceedingly well, we will all survive this ordeal. If things fall into chaos, I will not remain to give you leave to start your plans with the scout."

Aishi's eyes widened at his words, but Sesshoumaru continued.

"Rhetorical situations are not to be relied upon. Focus on the trials to come, and we may live to look to the future. Remember this, Aishi, I have never been unjust in my decisions, not when those requesting my favor deserved my respect. That should be all the answer you need at this time." Sesshoumaru's intense eyes bored into Aishi's silver for a moment, willing the words to settle into the proper place, and he turned back to face the stillness of the lake.

Silence held for a moment until Aishi split it with a short chuckle.

Sesshoumaru's eyes slid to him at his movement.

"At times I forget how superior your senses are; even after I covered the evidence, you had no doubt." He spoke as he shook his head, now joining his lord in gazing into the waters.

Muscles tightened in his jaw to prevent a smirk at his general's admiration. "Do not think me a fool, Aishi. Even without uncovering your attempt to hide the entwined scents in the forest, I am not unobservant."

"Yes, this is a fact. There has never been a time where I have wished otherwise until now." He spoke flatly, but both knew the other well enough to judge their meaning without hearing it inflected within the tone of voice.

Minutes passed in quiet reflection, each to his own thoughts, until Sesshoumaru spoke again.

"They should be arriving at the meeting location within the hour. We will leave for the West tomorrow, and observe all we are able until Rokoshi sets a plan in motion."

Aishi nodded. "Understood. I will make arrangements for departure." He waited until Sesshoumaru gave him permission to leave, bowed, and walked back into the forest.

A brief glance was cast to the tree which supported he and Mokuso as she rested against him. Determination sunk into every pore. He would see her again, and they would watch another sunrise exactly as they had lacking only the fear of separation the rising sun brought.

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They had reached the designated rendezvous point early in the afternoon as planned. As soon as Shouron stopped he alerted the others that they had arrived, and he immediately retreated to a large rock embedded within the protruding roots of a tree that rivaled the Goshinboku back near the well.

Finding a comfortable spot, he began a meditative trance to gather the energy necessary for the journey. It would be at least a five day trek at a fast pace; one or two night stops would be necessary for both the humans and him.

It was hard for him to concentrate, though. There was a village not too far from this spot, and the activity of the town and incoming and outgoing travelers grated against his senses as he tried to dive into himself.

Before he could become too frustrated at his lack of control over his thoughts and senses, a flush of spiritual energy surrounded him. Opening his eyes, he saw a miko's shield around him; he could see nor hear nothing beyond his own movements. Smiling, he silently thanked whichever priestess had provided the barrier.

Inuyasha had felt the need to hunt and scout the surrounding land. The group had arrived several hours before the soldiers were required to be there, so the inu felt it safe to leave the girls to their rest while he stretched his legs and senses throughout the woods.

It was a warm day, and the sky was a clear blue interrupted only briefly and occasionally by white clouds.

But it had now been an hour since Inuyasha had left. The girls had spent that time talking mildly and taking in the serene setting, but there was an edge under Kikyou's movements. It was easily told that she was beginning to wonder why Inuyasha hadn't come back yet.

Kagome expanded her senses and searched for his aura, letting everything in a wide radius show itself to her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she felt him about five miles away and returning.

But then she felt others, strong others.

There were three of them, obviously youkai. They were headed straight for the gathering site. Kagome prayed to all the gods listening that they were some of the Western Soldiers arriving early, but the odds were not so good.

The troops were required to be present for two more hours.

She got a sinking felling in her stomach. Kagome was strong enough to handle most anything thrown at her; Sesshoumaru's sparring had made sure of that, but she would need to conserve her energy as Shouron had been.

But that in no way meant she would sit around and get trounced by some youkai passers-by that wanted to have a bit of fun at three women's expense.

Kikyou and Mokuso felt the presence, also, and soon they were standing, ready for whatever was headed towards them. Kagome was gathering energy to her in case of a fight, Kikyou had an arrow aimed at the direction of the arrivals, and Mokuso was crouched, ready to carry Shouron off at a seconds notice in case he was in danger.

No amount of energy could be stolen from the general without great probability that the journey would fail. This was well known to all in their group; Sesshoumaru had made sure of that.

Kagome searched for Inuyasha again; he was coming quickly, but he wouldn't make it in time because the intruders were upon them.

The three youkai burst through the trees in a 'V' formation, one out front and two behind, and came to an abrupt stop before the three battle ready girls. All three had confused looks on their faces because they were not expecting anyone to be in the clearing.

Kagome had covered them, aura and scent, in hopes that they would pass by without noticing. But her hope was for naught.

Confused eyes narrowed on the unexpected presences.

"Who the hell are you?" One of the youkai in the back spoke roughly.

The one up front raised his hand to discontinue his speech.

But Kagome decided to answer anyways. "That may be none of your concern. What is your purpose here?" She was unwilling to give away any information to these three unless they were under Sesshoumaru's summon.

The leading youkai spoke. His voice was a deep bass. "That most definitely is none of your concern. Humans have no business here." He glanced at the miko's shield holding Shouron. "I suggest you leave before you attain unnecessary injuries."

Kagome's eyes narrowed, but before she could reply, Kikyou stepped forward to keep her from speaking harshly.

Kikyou's attempt to silence Kagome failed when the girls heard the last youkai speak.

"Can't we play with the a little, I've never had the chance to kill a miko?" His voice was deep but held a bit of a whine in his request.

"I'd like to see you try to kill me you little…" But Mokuso squeezed Kagome's shoulder before she could finish her taunt.

The one in front spun to the one's behind him. "We are here under strict orders, and we have no time to sully our hands with humans."

"Strict orders?" Kikyou spoke quietly, but they heard her.

All three pinned her with a dangerous look. Kikyou saw intent to kill in their movements, so she pulled back the arrow creating the tension needed to pierce flesh.

Everyone crouched ready to begin the fight, but before anyone moved, Kikyou swung her bow away from the youkai. Her new aim was the miko's shield.

The priestess fueled enough energy into her arrow and released it. Every demon near, including Mokuso, felt the purity of the arrow as it flew toward its target.

Shouron's shield shattered, and he was ripped from his meditation with the sudden surge of energy.

The soldiers saw that Shouron was the one in the barrier and rounded on the girls thinking they had somehow contained him. They lunged, but Kagome erected a barrier around themselves just as they crashed against the barrier in attempt to break through.

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Sigh Ok, so I am now officially one of "those" authors who disappear for a month. I apologize. I got some rather depressing news and for about two weeks locked myself in my room, exiting only for work (which only made things worse) and school. No joke, I didn't even read my email but once in that period, so if I seemed incredibly rude for not answering your emails…it was because I never checked it. SORRY!!

I will try, but I cannot promise with FINALS impending that I will update next week. I will send out my little "newsletter" to those who reviewed and tell them when I update since the fanfiction server is now allowing me to access email addresses again.

ALSO: I'm sorry about my lack of creativity with this last section. I really could NOT for the life of me think of any names or descriptions of these new characters that I was satisfied with. That and I'm HORRIBLE with names. SO any of you lovely people have any ideas about what to call them…I'd be more than grateful…my brain took Thanksgiving Holiday off. Just know this for suggestions…the three are triplets, so their appearances and their names need to be somewhat parallel. KNOW THIS: the quicker I can get past the "What the hell do I call them?" question, the faster I can update. Yes, that's a bribe, and I'm not ashamed of it. evil grin

I'll update as soon as I can, but I have another fic that has been sorely abused when it comes to updating. So that needs to come first. Love you all so much, and you're sweet words and, yes even the death threats, did help out a lot when I decided to venture out of my room. I'm not usually a pessimistic person, but for some reason I just could shake it. Oh well, its over now. I got to watch my guy blow shit up online. If any of you are into MechWarrior, drop me a line, I got some pretty interesting stories!!