Enchanted Orbs

Chapter 36 Aishi's Realization

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Doubt. When had he, the Lord of the Western Lands, ever experienced doubt? It wasn't a common occurrence, in the least; it had to have happened once before, or he wouldn't know what he was experiencing now. But it was extremely rare.

Why? Simple, everything about his controlled, orderly world had been thrown off axis since she had been introduced into it's environment. Like a superior species introduced into a foreign ecosystem, she had thrown every detail off balance and become a plague to the indigenous population.

Plague? It was a strong word to describe someone as seemingly harmless as Kagome, but it was very appropriate. When she was introduced into his haven, Sesshoumaru had found her amusing but defiant. If that had remained constant, there would be no problems now, but his opinion of her was constantly shifting, ever changing.

Amusing turned to interesting and entertaining with the onset of their morning practice ritual. Entertaining became alarming with the show of her power, shocking in her protection of him before herself, when she had been originally forced into her position of loyalty to him, and disconcerting with the realization that he cared whether she lived or died in his quarters after her minefield mishap.

As confusing as these thoughts were, the taiyoukai had ignored them all. But the emotions caused by the emotional girl resurfaced numerous times more. She took the poison for him, nearly killing herself in the process; that wasn't intentional. But what had happened after that? Why did her scent change? And since that time, why does her entire body occasionally glow when healing herself? It just didn't make sense.

And on top of all of this, the feeling of memory and vivid images were starting to constantly haunt him in addition to those questions. Hopeless, desperate, teary, blue eyes pleading with him to save his own life and leave a lost battle. The numb shock he felt when he watched her eyes leave his to glance at his lips before pressing her own to them; the sensation of allowing himself to participate in her kiss.

The image of Kagome falling from the building surrounded by her own tears was a frequent visitor. Even the image of the first time her saw her manifesting power surfaced from time to time; Kagome in the forest surrounded by her swirling lights which cast shadows but illuminated all the same. The vision was ethereal.

Yes, it was safe to say the girl was a plague, one that attacked his sanity and decayed all of his barriers. Many could fall to this sickness, and he was beginning to believe he already had; somewhere within the politics and protocol of his fortress, his actions and emotions betrayed him for her.

But, as he suppressed those images and feelings again, the question to ask himself was why. Why was all of this attacking him now? It took little thought to realize why.

The great Taiyoukai of the Western Lands was worried about her.

Kagome was easily capable of defending herself, but could she defend Shouron as well? Yes, she could, in a normal situation. But Sesshoumaru hadn't given her a normal situation. Kagome, as a human, would have to keep up with youkai traveling pace with little to no recuperation time while defending Shouron from any assassination attempts.

It was true, his brother was there to help Kagome, but this was little comfort. He would carry his intended on his back. But Kagome, what of her? There was no possibility of her maintaining the speed needed, and none of his soldiers would help a ningen.

A thought came, unbidden, to Sesshoumaru of one of his troops carrying her in his arms as Sesshoumaru once had. A growl surfaced.

He would not allow that to happen, despite the improbability of the situation. But if no one carried her, what would happen? She would use too much of her own strength keeping up, Shouron would be unprotected…

And Kagome would die. Her own power would rip through her weakened body leaving nothing to remain.

Something clenched in his chest, a terribly painful feeling, when he carried the thought to completion.

This would not happen either. The desire to protect her hadn't dissipated in the least. So what to do now? Sesshoumaru turned toward the human village. He had avoided all contact with the humans, had stayed as far as possible from them, but right now he could not hold this habit any longer.

Sesshoumaru needed to speak with the taijiya.

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"Kariudo! Subdue your brothers!" Shouron shouted.

Kagome's focus was immediately drawn to him; she had never heard him sound so stern or commanding.

All three ceased their attacks on the shield. They took a step back allowing the general to walk between them and their former target. "Yes, General Shouron, as you wish." The youkai in the middle, now known as Kariudo replied in his deep bass voice with a small bow.

Shouron's head turned over his shoulder to speak to the girls standing behind him. "Kagome, you may lower your shield. Girls, these three will give you no more problems. Isn't that right?" His voice, while gentle at first, hardened at the last sentence to voice an obvious threat to those standing before him.

"Yes, General Shouron." All three replied.

Kagome dropped the shield, and the girls stepped forward to line up beside the general. All three were still tense and ready to fight at any time, but they would trust Shouron and his men.

Shouron nodded to the girls as they stepped up to him. "Girls, these are three who will be traveling with us. I would like to introduce you to Kariudo, Kinzi, and Kento." He turned his back to the soldiers and faced the girls. "Play nice now." He said with a wink before he returned to his previous position on the rock within the roots.

The girls watched him sit and begin his meditations again. Kagome put a shield up around him again and then turned back to the youkai in facing her.

The three newcomers tensed when the shield went back up around their general, but they did not attack, as was promised.

Kikyou took this time to speak up. Her voice was firm but gentle as a teacher's voice should be to her students, but her face lacked all emotion. "The shield does no harm to him. It will only block out the sounds and visions surrounding him. He is gathering energy for the upcoming journey, so meditation is necessary. The barrier will only help maintain mental isolation until it is time to depart."

With those words the girls saw the three relax slightly, but their distrust was still obvious.

Kagome was still upset at their attitude and comments, but she decided to swallow it for now and try to make amends.

"My name is Kagome. It is a pleasure meeting you." She made eye contact with all three and bowed her head slightly with the introduction. The miko made gestures to the girls behind her. "My companions are Kikyou and Mokuso." Each nodded when their name was spoken. Kagome continued. "And Inuyasha, who is presently out hunting, is another who will be present for the journey." She took a brief scan of the area for his aura. "He should be back in a few moments."

Kariudo, Kinzi, and Kento nodded slightly at her information.

Kagome turned to take a seat; as she sat, she looked back up at the three. "Forgive me, but I could not distinguish who went with which name. Would you mind telling me?"

Though she made certain that she did not come across as weak or dumb to these three, there was a slight plea in her words. It was going to be a long walk, and she had no intentions of making enemies of her traveling companions.

The three glanced between themselves before Kariudo spoke up. "I am Kariudo. I am the eldest of the three." His voice was deep and smooth.

Kagome quickly associated his appearance with his name. Kariudo had midnight black hair down to his lower back, simlar to hers, but where hers shined with a hint of blue in the sunlight, his had a purple glare when light was reflected. His features were strong and lovely. Strong cheekbones held a slight tint of color to them which accented his strong jawline which tapered in its heart-like shape. His eyes were the deep violet that matched the highlights of his hair.

"My brothers are Kinzi and Kento." Each nodded with their name.

Kagome noticed that Kinzi and Kento had the same face; both were very similar to Kariudo, but these were identical in features. Strong features adorned their faces, but their cheekbones weren't as pronounced as their elder brother.

Both brothers had violet-black hair very similar to Kariudo's color, but the twins had more pronounced violet. Kento's hair was short and spiky about the crest of his head with a few wayward strands curling in towards his eyes. Kento had no height given to his hair. His style was shaggy with hair reaching the nape of his neck and cut just above his eyebrows.

Their hair seemed to be the only way Kagome could tell them apart because she didn't know them well enough to be capable of distinguishing based on personality. Though, from their prior comments, she wasn't too thrilled about becoming closer to them.

After her observations of her three newest traveling companions, Kagome turned her attention back to her fellow females. Kikyou was looking out into the tree-filled distance awaiting Inuyasha's return. He had obviously gained much more control over his demon blood if he could go such distance away from Kikyou. She didn't seem worried, so Kagome decided she wouldn't either.

While she was away with Sesshoumaru, Kikyou and Inuyasha must have been practicing and pushing to see how far they could extend from each other without him losing control. The distance Inuyasha had gone from his intended impressed Kagome.

Mokuso was lost in her own thoughts. She had isolated herself as much as she could while remaining in the clearing. The miko continued to watch her for a moment, honoring her wish for solitude until the scout sighed heavily.

Kagome watched as a clawed hand came up to trace her fingers across her lips as copper eyes closed in a pained remembrance.

This was the last straw for her; Kagome could easily tell that Mokuso was in pain, and she would not sit idly by and do nothing to at least try to help. She just wasn't capable of such inaction where her friends were concerned.

Walking up quietly behind the scout, Kagome leaned against a nearby tree, crossed her arms across her chest, and spoke. "He most be some kind of wonderful to sweep you away like that." Her voice was soft to prevent scaring her new friend, but firm enough to prove her support of her friend.

Mokuso smiled, fingers still pressed to her lips, and turned towards Kagome. "I think so."

Kagome sat down beside her keeping only a few inches between them hoping to keep the conversation as private as possible in an area full of creatures with demonic hearing. "Is he waiting for you?"

A small smile crept across her face as Mokuso replied. "He said he would, and I believe him."

Kagome giggled. "So tell me about him." Her gossiping tone made the other blush.

"He is intense." Mokuso's eyes glazed over a bit as she recalled some private memory. Kagome held her silence to allow for her to elaborate, and the youkai continued.

"On the outside, he is hard and cold to all who see him, but I can see through to his emotions. It took me time to learn to read him, but his eyes give him away. His eyes are beautiful, and his touch makes my heart race…"

Kagome heard little after that. Mokuso's description sounded so much like Sesshoumaru, and the miko was suddenly lost in thoughts of the stoic lord. Memories revisited her of perceived flashes of emotions through his eyes, but at the times, she convinced herself that he was stone.

Nothing below the solid surface.

But the visions kept coming, worry, amusement, and even passion clouding his eyes during their various encounters. Passion.

Passion was present after she kissed him. He not only acquiesced to her, but he began to participate. Kagome would have never tried to deepen the kiss; that was something she wanted, but kissing him without expressed permission was assumed offensive enough. So she had planned on keeping things chaste, but he hadn't let her.

Sesshoumaru had taken it further. And he had set her on fire. Tingles raced across her skin at the memories of her lord embracing her.

Passion. Kagome wasn't very experienced in that field, but her mind started to run away with her…

Until a roar from the youkai gathering ripped her thoughts away. Turning her head towards the commotion, Kagome saw a semi-circle of soldiers surrounding Inuyasha and Kikyou who were in defensive positions protecting a battle form of Kirara.

While her conversation with Mokuso had progressed, Inuyasha had returned, and many more soldiers had arrived.

Both girls sprang to their feet and ran to help.

"Inuyasha, what's going on?" Kagome yelled above the indignant shouts of the other demons.

"How the hell should I know? I just saw two of 'em messing with Kirara." He yelled over his shoulder as he stared down the advancing soldiers.

Kagome quickly turned to Kirara. "Are Sango and Miroku in trouble?" Her voice was panicked, but the great neko shook its head and opened its mouth, dropping a scroll.

"What's this?" She asked as she picked up the parchment.

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Kagome,

Upon Sesshoumaru's request, I have sent Kirara to you to help. Your journey will be trying enough without trying to keep pace with youkai. You will be in my thoughts, and do not worry about the village. Miroku sends his best wishes, as well.

Sango

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She smiled thinking of her friends in Kaede's village, but the pleasant thoughts were short-lived. Outrageous roars and condescending comments flew from the soldiers around them.

From what Kagome could tell, two or three of them wanted to keep the neko as a pet, and the rest were banding together to fight the strangers. But one other thing was made clear to the miko as well.

Now she didn't have to conserve every ounce of strength for travel pace and Shouron's protection. All she was responsible for with the addition of Kirara was protecting the general, Kirara, and herself.

Her full attention went to the scene around her.

The majority of the creatures surrounding her were beautiful, jeweled eyes, vivid hair, and perfect skin, but the insults spewing from their mouths were not complimentary to the appearances of all.

"ENOUGH!!" Kagome shouted, watching with glee as many winced at her tone. Her voice chilled, infusing strength into her tone she began. "I know you are all civilized beings, otherwise you would not be allowed under Lord Sesshoumaru's service, so let us try to act as the refined creatures we are. What is the problem?"

"This is none of your concern, ningen. Now leave before you get hurt." A demon with red hair and a flaming temper spoke loudly.

Kagome answered evenly. "It concerns my friends, youkai; therefore, it concerns me as well. Have you more to argue, or are you willing to speak of what troubles you?" Kagome tried to keep her comments strictly political, but she couldn't help it. The last comment was meant to antagonize and couldn't be contained.

The prior youkai and two others stepped menacingly forward with their fists clenched at her words. Kagome's face remained calm as she assessed her likely opponents.

Her view became blocked; however, when three tall males with black-violet hair stepped between her and the soldiers. She recognized Kariudo's voice as it echoed across the clearing.

"General Shouron informed my brothers and I upon our arrival that these behind us will be traveling with us, and that they are not to be harmed. If you wish their pain, take it up with the general first. You have been warned." Reaching the end of his speech, Kariudo, followed by his brothers, turned and left the mob.

Kagome received many glares from those surrounding her, and she could barely contain the urge to roll her eyes.

"You cannot hide behind the general forever, wench." She heard someone hiss at her.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously at his comment, but she refused to rise to his bait. Kagome was here to protect Shouron from any possible traitors. This journey was not for her to prove herself against arrogant fools, so she held her silence.

'Besides,' she reasoned with herself, 'the less they know of my abilities, the quicker I can dispatch them if trouble arises.' A smile crossed her face that confused all around her, and she turned her back on the offensive creature before her to return to Mokuso's side.

"Don't turn your back on me, wench!" The flame haired demon yelled at the silent insult she sent him.

Kagome's walk stopped for a minute second before continuing to the scout, inwardly laughing when she heard the quiet growl echo from the soldier.

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Gleaming eyes peered through the foilage at its prey. Watching as the little girl looked around suspiciously. She could tell she was being watched but she couldn't tell where the danger stemmed from.

Her brown eyes widened when she heard the wind rustle through the leaves, and she spun quickly to avert the attack, but none came.

His elevated senses could pick up the increase in her heartbeat as adrenaline started to pump through her veins, but still he held his position. He would attack when victory was certain. Eager eyes watched as she took a step backwards, then another. She was now directly underneath the branch on which he perched. The girl's chest heaved with heavy breaths, and she nearly jumped out of her skin when her back hit the trunk of the tree.

A glance behind her told her that nature was the cause of her scare. He watched with muscles coiled, ready to spring, as a sigh of relief passed her lips. And he attacked.

He heard her scream as she spotted him, but it was too late now. He had her pinned beneath him, and he would tickle her until tears of laughter fell from her cheeks.

"Shippo, no!!" Rin squealed as she tumbled to the ground, laughter forcing its way from her mouth.

Souta stood nearby laughing at the tumbling two. Rin's eyes squeezed shut tight as she fought against the kit. "Souta, help Rin!!" She managed between giggles. The eldest took a step forward and Shippo's head popped up to look at him. Souta laughed again and ran towards them.

The kitsune squeaked and ran up the tree again.

"We've treed him, Rin." The boy said as he extended his hand to help her up. Her clothing was in disarray, and her hair resembled a birds nest, but her brilliant smile showed Souta just how much she didn't care about those details.

"Shippo, come down and play more!" Rin laughed as she bounced up and down to emphasize her words.

"Come and get me if you can!!" Shippo challenged.

Rin began to scramble towards the tree, but Souta put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She turned to look at him in question, but his mischievous smile stopped her words.

"Hey, Rin, I have a better idea. I've got some candy in my room. If Shippo is in the tree, there will be more for us." His voice was pitched in a stage whisper that was loud enough for any human to hear, let alone a youkai.

Rin giggled and ran towards the house followed by Souta.

"No fair!!" Shippo called from his vantage point. "Wait for me," was heard as a red streak of fur was spotted flying towards the shrine.

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Shouron breathed a sigh of relief when his mind settled back into place after his extensive meditation session. He had been temporarily setback after being pulled so brutally from them earlier, but upon returning to his solitude, he found the interruption was not as detrimental as he originally thought it would be.

Glancing around, he found his isolation shield was now his prison. He rolled his eyes, at the problem, but quickly settled on a solution. Swirling his aura around him almost violently, he caught Kagome's attention, and she quickly released him.

The miko ran up to him and apologized profusely thinking he was angered at her inattention. He heard the snickers of the soldiers around them, and assumed they thought he would punish her. He only smiled.

"I only just finished Kagome, my intention was to gain your attention. It worked, and I am free with minimal loss of strength." He grinned at her, and she returned the favor with a radiant smile.

The general turned his attention elsewhere. "Kariudo." He called out amongst those gathered.

Kagome recognized the youkai she had been introduced to earlier as he walked towards the two. "Yes, General Shouron."

"How many have arrived, and has there been any trouble?" Shouron's voice was smooth and relaxed with his gathered power.

"Fifty have arrived and reported to me, milord. There was an incident earlier; many of the soldiers are curious about the strangers among us." He hesitated, but Kagome cut in.

"Shouron, Kirara has joined us to help me with the journey on Sesshoumaru's request." Kagome handed Shouron the scroll carried by the neko.

A murmur traveled through the troops with Kagome's words as Shouron read the scroll. The general nodded at the new information. "What was the incident?" He turned to Kariudo.

"It did not sit well with the warriors to have an unidentified youkai drop into the campsite without announcing its intentions. And a few of the men were offended at the presence of ningens amongst our lord's business." He spoke clearly.

Shouron's eyes quickly assessed Kagome and Kikyou for any evidence of a skirmish.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "It was negligible, Shouron. Nothing of importance happened, just an exchange of words."

The general nodded once again before a smile tugged at his lips. "I am assuming you didn't provoke the men in any way." His voice was wry.

The miko smiled back as Kariudo and the others watched on, bewildered at her casual manner with the general.

"Perfectly innocent." She batted her eyes before laughter spilled from her mouth. Her voice became serious as her laughter dimmed. "Just remember, you were the reason Aishi and I had it out. I started nothing, then; why would I now?"

"True. I was at fault at that time, but it was a good show. And extremely funny, if I remember correctly." His laughter echoed across the camp.

The soldiers were exchanging curious looks at the overheard information. Mokuso walked up to the two engaged in the conversation and joined in.

"Hilarious, General Shouron." She could barely contain her laughter at the memory of Kagome trying to douse the flames in her hair. "Tell me, Kagome, has your hair grown back, yet?" Both youkai started laughing so hard they had to grab their sides from the pain.

Kagome huffed. "No. The jerk, why did he have to aim for the hair? That was a dirty tactic."

Mokuso stopped laughing long enough to speak again. "He does have a sense of humor, Kagome. He just does not show it often. He wanted to embarrass you as well as defeat you."

"Well, I guess the embarrassment succeeded but at least he didn't defeat me." She huffed again as the two began their laughter anew. Eager to change the subject, Kagome spoke to Shouron. "When are we scheduled to depart, Shouron?"

Wiping the tears from his eyes, the general looked to the sky. The sun had begun its decent and was only a few inches from touching the horizon. "As quickly as possible." He turned to Kariudo, who stood there looking extremely uncomfortable. "Tell all to gather their things and prepare to leave."

"Yes, General Shouron."

Within moments the temporary campsite was cleared of all signs of inhabitance, and everyone was ready to leave. Kagome had mounted a grounded Kirara, Kikyou was astride Inuyasha's back, and Mokuso was standing next to Shouron ready for the upcoming run.

The soldiers were in their standard formation for sprint speed, forest traveling, three lines of partners with similar skills ready to dodge in and out of, run amongst the branches of, or bound over the covering trees. Shouron took a brief assessment of all those under his command then turned in the direction of their target.

Wisps of fog swirled around Shouron's feet before a cloud formed, lifting him inches above the ground. He hovered for a moment then took to sky directly above the trees' canopy. In one great leap, Kirara was right behind the general.

Kagome watched in awe as the sky darkened threateningly and lightning flashed. Thick, deep clouds formed from nothing as rain began to fall from the sky. The light sprinkling on her skin soon became a pelting that left her skin feeling a bit numb, but the temperature remained warm enough to prevent her from becoming sick.

The darkness of the clouds took on a greenish hue and the clouds began to swirl and dip in the beginnings of a tornado. Nature's fury was truly astounding especially when one is able to stand by without fear of their own death.

When Shouron was sufficiently satisfied with the provided cover, his cloud began to move towards the Eastern Lands. Mokuso took off at a sprint to catch up with him in order to show him the quickest path. Kirara bounded through the raindrops just below Shouron's altitude, paws brushing the treetops, to serve as a physical barrier between the general and any possible traitorous turncoats.

Looking down, Kagome could see the many colors and forms of the youkai below her, but they were moving to quickly for any more than a blur to be distinguished.

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Sesshoumaru and Aishi had begun their journey to the Western Lands. The two were nothing more than the whistle of the wind through the trees with the speed they were traveling.

But all was not well amongst the lord and his general, though none could tell but the two.

Aishi's sanity was once again in danger. Why? Because something was troubling his Lord, or someone, rather.

The first general had barriers to prevent others' thoughts from intruding upon his mental sanctuary, but extreme thoughts could penetrate those carefully laid barriers. Extreme fear, elation, anxiety, and even exhaustion in Mokuso's case could all rip their way into his mind.

Lord Sesshoumaru had defenses against mental attacks; every strong youkai establishes those defenses at some point in their existence to prevent some power-hungry creature from forcing them into slavery. As a taiyoukai, Sesshoumaru's defenses are in pristine condition.

This just proved how disturbed he was.

But Aishi couldn't really make sense of any of his thoughts. Images of the miko pierced his barriers frequently. He had to admit that the visions were nothing short of art, and Aishi was left to wonder if the circumstances had really occurred or if Sesshoumaru had conjured them.

The verbal thoughts confused him greatly. Contempt, irritation, and fear were abundant. Fear? Aishi had never known his master to fear anything, so what was this about. There were other emotions as well; concern, fondness, and a gentleness that the general couldn't explain.

It was as if, even though the images were not a tactile thing, the taiyoukai feared to touch her lest he break her, though not physically. An image of Kagome's face twisted in horror and fear struck him so fiercely that Aishi almost stumbled. But the image continued. He watched as Kagome took a step backwards and fell from an astounding height.

Fear ripped through his mind and he saw from Sesshoumaru's perspective as he leaped off after her. Aishi's eyes widened with realization. His lord was afraid of breaking her spirit.

But Sesshoumaru was not happy with himself over his concern for a ningen, and he was confused as to why he couldn't stop caring for her despite his attempts to hate her.

'Hate her?' The general was reminded of himself for a brief moment. Aishi almost laughed at his initial attempts to hate Mokuso. He had no reason to hate the scout, but he tried so hard to force himself into that emotion. Why? Because he had loved…

"Holy shit." Aishi swore aloud for the first time he could ever recall. His legs halted, refused to move was more accurate, and the shock which overtook him visibly showed on the normally stoic general's beautiful face.

Sesshoumaru heard the quiet curse. He was extremely surprised at his general's outburst and his halt in their travels, so he stopped as well to discover the reasons behind Aishi's actions.

The taiyoukai saw his general looking at the ground, eyes wide, and breathing heavily. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and tried to find any malady which might be affecting him. Silver eyes snapped up and locked with gold.

"You love her." Aishi whispered quietly.

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Note: I was not certain what word to use upon Aishi's realization. I am not comfortable enough with Japanese to attempt to use it in such a vulgar fashion, but I did wish for my readers to know the extreme shock and "uh-oh"ness of the situation. So yes, it is very out of character and not a word familiar to the feudal era, but work with me here. It had to be done.

Heehee. Now you see why I separated Kagome and Sesshoumaru, don't you, my intelligent readers. I had a lot of complaints, but this is how I wanted to do it (Use Mokuso and Aishi as a contrast and stepping stone). All is well, you shall see.

My apologies about my absence, again, but my computer has been disconnected and sitting useless on the dining room table for about two weeks now. I just got it set back up in my room yesterday. Sigh. Moving sucks. Whatever.

Not too much more to go in the story. I'll update again pretty quickly (within a week, this time). You have my word. Much Love, Syrinx