OMG I LOVE YOU! Lol. I squealed and did a little happy dance in my chair (you know what I'm talking about) when I checked my reviews and my dad kind of asked me if I was alright…lol.
To kogas-mate: I just read other fics and use the translator on Altavista (bloody brilliant that is!) Jyaki is (I believe) evil energy, where youki is the demonic energy (not necessary evil) and shouki is holy energy. Tadah! And I won't put up a pairing because …I might not even make this romance! OMG STOP throwing things! Lol, seriously I am trying to make this a Kurama Kagome fic, but it depends where the reviewers and my imagination take me. Like the SOC puppet I write my Stream Of Consciousness…I don't really know what the fine details are, but I know where I'm going.
I love your compliments peoples! And thanks to you TheLightintheDarkness- I'm a compliment whore…I'll admit it sighs.
Thanks for the help on indenting go to Dark Inuyoukai…although I'm not quite sure it worked for me! Lol. Enjoy the new chappie and I won't bug you any more!
BY THE WAY: Chapter #3 has replaced the A/N if you skipped it thinking it was still the A/N.
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Youko was glancing around excitedly from his vantage point of their eyes. The Makai was always a dangerous and exciting place, but now they were going to visit one of the Five. It was enough to give even the cool and collected Youko a rush. So they retained their outward calm and walked along with Kagome and her grandfather.
The central lands were indeed beautiful, and the peace that surrounded the haven was comforting. It was so unusual for a demon realm to experience this, but Lord Jinenji had accomplished it…somehow. Everywhere he looked the more peaceful breeds of youkai toiled near their homes and in their crafts.
The market place they had passed a while back had held many wonders Youko itched to steal. The general cacophony of excited bartering voices and sales pitches from the skilled partisans that inhabited the booths in the town square had created an atmosphere of fun and joviality. It was the perfect set for a quick steal and Youko was having withdrawal symptoms.
'It's not my fault you never let me out!' He whined, briefly reminiscing about a solid gold brooch inlaid and carved with rubies and silver in the form of a phoenix birth. He pouted, 'It was so pretty too.'
'You don't need to snitch things everywhere you go Youko.'
'I only snitch the pretty things kit; you of all should know this.' The reply was indignant and reproachful and made Kurama want to roll his eyes at Youko's stubbornness.
'Or for the thrill of the hunt and chase, the pride you take in a job well done, or …' Kurama trailed off in his list, wondering how many reasons Youko had that he didn't share.
Youko growled playfully. 'That is true as well…' his fingers to his chin he let his voice trail off, 'BUT if the treasure is not beautiful then there really is no point in going through all that trouble.'
Kurama allowed himself to shake his head and returned to admiring the surroundings. They reached a silent truce as they appreciated the lands under this fifth ruler and his people. It truly was a magnificent place.
"Jinenji-sama is expecting you to only give him a few Kagome." The continuing conversation between the two familial members brought him out of their musings. Kurama glanced to the side to spot the old man eyeing the full basket with hesitation.
"He will appreciate this gift."
Kurama smiled slightly at her amused tone and almost stopped to take an obvious second glance at the youkai that caught his eye (1). Instead he kept his pace beside the Higuashis and watched him covertly out of the corner of his eyes.
He was a decrepit and ill youkai, and Kurama knew then that he was truly in a peaceful realm. If this was the outer realms, other demons would have taken this one down for food and possessions. He limped with an obvious handicap, and one whole side of his face was covered in a scar with a ragged eye-patch over the eye. One hand was curled inward from being unused and the other was occupied by a cane.
He watched the miko approach with relief and joy, "Miko-sama!" He called out to their companion. "Miko-sama, I have a gift."
He watched Kagome turn and received a full view of the pleasantly surprised expression on her face. "Inochi-san," a smile played upon her lips, "you were carrying a gift around?"
The youkai flushed, and had he not been of considerable age, Kurama would have believed him to be her suitor bearing courting gifts. "I knew you'd be coming around sooner or later, but my mate bares thanks and her craft bares fruit. She refuses to listen to me when I tell her you wish for no payment."
Higurashi-san smiled proudly at his granddaughter and turned his back to gaze over the vastness that made the central lands. Kurama watched this with a silent detachment, taking notice of the way Kagome relaxed in this 'Inochi's' presence and smiled at his thanks and embarrassment.
They shared goodbyes and Kagome walked up to her grandfather and handed something to him. Kurama almost resorted to childishly craning his neck to glimpse the gift when he pulled back. Higurashi-san was laughing!
Kurama cautiously made his way over to them to spot the tears on the elders face and the smile creases created near his eyes and cheeks. The gift he looked at…had no significance to him.
Inochi's mate obviously specialized in carved jewels and the dark malachite depicting a young fox kit grinning up at you with a green leaf of jade resting on his head and had the very same jade inlaid into his eyes was testament to her skill.
Kagome patted her grandfather on the shoulder and started to walk away towards the center of the lands, head held high and a smile on her face. Higurashi-san joined her at her side, reverently putting the carved jewel into the deep pocket of his robe's sleeve.
Kurama watched them for a second; trying to figure out the unorthodox relationship this family seemed to exemplify. He only quickened up his pace when the curious but closed-eye expression Kagome threw him over her shoulder penetrated his thoughts.
The walk was more or less silent the rest of the way, but Kurama noticed the inhabitants of the land and acres slowly start to show more and more reverence to the Higurashis, or maybe it was because the inhabitants were increasing in number that it was more noticeable.
Kurama sighed; he wanted to get a look at the lands from the height of the castle towers, there had been a rumor going around amongst the plant lovers of makai that the gardens of the central lands formed a pattern or riddle when viewed from high enough above.
If Youko and Kurama were anything it was avid puzzle maniacs.
Youko sniffed haughtily in this mind. 'I'm not a maniac; I'm just…so skilled that I need all the puzzles I can get to satisfy my expertise.' Kurama smiled and inclined his head in submission to the kitsune and brought them to the present.
The gates they passed were as lovely as the rest of the lands, but the tunnels they went through under those gates were testament to the proof of war. The stone guard walls were covered in the flowering makai vines that smelled of sweet honey nectar and the daytime breeze…but the tunnels made to receive guests and other travelers to the other side was riddled with holes along the roof. Holes for hot tar to be poured into the tunnel after it had been blocked.
Youko shivered. 'I hate tar.' Kurama silently agreed, remembering images of burned and greasy corpses and the devastation of the land after such attacks.
The guards tilted their heads curtly as they passed and some of the servants waved cheerily at the group before returning to the chores they had been assigned. Kurama watched in interest, the castle was bustling with energy, not like he had pictured the residence of the calm and gentle Lord to be.
They passed through many rooms of plants, with skylights dappling the greenery white and gold and making the colored flower petals glow softly. 'I have to wonder how he cut through all that stone and got light on the bottom floor.'
Kurama smiled and nodded his head as he continued walking. They reached a large archway that was void of plants and were intercepted by the retainer of the Lord of the west. "Kagome-sama! The lord is expecting you. This way, come this way." He bowed low and gestured deeply to a corridor branching off to the right. "It is good to see you again miko, all the five were worried."
"Why so?" Her curious voice broke the sound of feet padding along stone.
The short retainer nodded gravely. "The blood rites were not supposed to leave the reikai; it is most dangerous for you." He paused and glanced back at Kurama before continuing. "The tales had been added you see."
The miko seemed to falter in her steps before she continued, acting as if nothing unusual had happened, or perhaps thinking about what this comment meant. Their entourage continued on, and the previous silence was marred by the blabbering retainer. Kurama was half tempted to hit him over the head with his garish staff before he actually focused on it. It was the legendary staff of heads.
Kurama couldn't help but stare. 'For something so powerful it sure is ugly.' Youko's disgusted voice broke into his musings. Kurama smiled because it was true, the staff could detect the spirit powers remaining around the graves of demons, and the two heads could affirm the truth or lies. It was even rumored that a monk had blessed the demonic staff, and that the staff could aid its wielder in the use of magic with this blessing.
But those had been just rumors, and from the problems with Ketsueki, Kurama knew that it was never wise to take stock in rumors.
They entered a rather brightly lit hall, with tapestries and tall vases lining the stone walls with color and splashes of metal amongst the greenery. One tapestry depicted a miko wielding a sword seated upon a fire cat, and with a start Kurama realized that the tapestries all depicted a tale from the ancient days.
His thoughts were quite abruptly cut off before he could chase that particular train of thought. They had entered a grand room, full of cloth and pillows and wine and grapes. The vines crawled their way up the high walls to the skylight, and the circular table centered near the floor was occupied by a lounging forest kitsune with his mate, the thunder youkai Souten.
Kagome smiled.
There was an excited flurry of quick movements when the two realized that people had entered the room. That is to say, the kitsune went into a flurry of movement, jumping up from his relaxed position and spinning around to grin and rush to the miko. His mate merely bowed deeply and walked a few steps back before straightening.
She smiled a small fanged grin at her mate as he crushed the miko into a bruising hug that lifted her feet off the marble floor. Higurashi-san laughed as he approached Souten-sama and nodded pleasantly to her. His hand went into his pocket and Kurama watched in curiosity as he produced the small statuette of the kit; she took it with a watery smile and kissed the elderly man on his cheek.
He blushed and smiled.
'Who cares what their doing! Let me see the miko!'
Youko's mind yell pulled Kurama's eyes to the exuberant kitsune and miko, and subsequently their conversation.
"I was so worried." A throat clearing from across the room, "we were so worried. I was cursing that we hadn't informed you of the tales being added. I knew it was a stupid thing from the start, as that tale should have remained amongst the higher Lords."
Kagome brought a hand up to cover his mouth and her laughter filled the room. The door opened and the silent and graceful form of the Lord of the West entered. "If you never let her reply to your comments you won't be around to hear them kit."
Kurama smiled wryly and bowed low as the demon lord passed him. It was almost as if he didn't notice him there as he walked on by, but the fox knew better. The Lords and Ladies were constantly aware of their surroundings, for them not to be meant dire circumstance and death. He continued past, and nodded genially at the standing pair before approaching the miko. Lord Shippou moved apart from her and waited as Sessoumaru-sama scrutinized the woman.
"I find you of good health?"
A muffled laugh sounded from Shippou-sama. "If ever you found her in ill health you'd already be in a mad frenzy. The whole of Makai would know you were on the rampage and that there would be hell to pay."
With a start Kurama heard Youko's awed voice. 'Holy shit!' Kurama almost berated him for the unneeded expletive before he continued. 'I thought this would just be a semi-formal meeting!' The awe gave him pause and Kurama glanced around at the three gathered Highers.
'I thought that, since they weren't in a political meeting, they would act like they normally would among friends.'
Youko paused and took a deep breath. 'No they wouldn't…This is fantastic!' Kurama could feel Youko stop and take a second feel of Kurama's hesitation and confusion. 'They are acting like we aren't even here… this is a good thing! They are acting like they would if the whole world and responsibilities never existed! Great to see what they are actually like you see….' The conversation outside their mind proved far more interesting and Youko trailed off to listen.
"The others are coming are they not?" Higurashi-san inquired politely. It would seem that he held no high rank, but was respected through his relation to the miko. A nod was given from the western Lord and the eastern Lord grinned.
"They wouldn't miss seeing Kagome now would they? After all, Jinenji still wants those bulbs and Kagura owes Kags a game of shougi."
Youko curiously glanced at the miko, looking at her hands as she flicked the Lord on the nose. Souten-sama laughed and Sesshoumaru-sama nodded his head before he sat down upon one of the cushions, sitting on the west edge of the vast table. Youko pondered if this was deliberate, but Kurama pointed out the effortless grace and seeming unfocused with which he sat himself down, he was completely focused on the miko.
She smiled and turned to the door in anticipation. "I was half-expecting Jinenji-chan to be the first here. I am surprised that it is not the case."
Souten grinned before giggling behind her raised hand. "I think that he got held up with Ayame and the new trainer for Koenma's lot. He was so frustrated he growled."
Kagome looked shocked before her face turned towards her basket; "How badly did he want my bulbs?"
Shippou-sama laughed. Suddenly, from the shadows, the form of one of the western lord's advisors steeped forth. His face was smiling and the eastern lord grinned slightly as Kagome stiffened.
The retainer chuckled merrily and opened his arms to the miko. She smiled brilliantly as she turned and swiftly and excitedly walked into his arms for a hug. It was a good thing that the hug was strictly platonic, otherwise Youko would be going off in his head far worse than he was already.
She pulled back and smiled up at the man, her eyes wrinkling into the happy crescents that told of her genuine emotion. He grinned even more; "I am happy to see you well, Kagome-sama."
"I am happy you are happy Onigumo-chan (2)." The seemingly human pulled back and led her to a cushion, helping her seat herself before placing his hand on her shoulder and taking his place beside her. Kurama's eyes narrowed at the covering on the hand, taking notice of the holy beads that covered the cloth. "How are the lands keeping?"
A group of people just recently entered smiled at everyone before one replied. "They're doing fine wench, you should know this." Kurama's head snapped up to eye the newcomer who had spoke, with shock and distaste. Shippou raised an eyebrow drolly before settling himself on the other side of the miko and placing his hand atop hers on the table.
"Will you?" His plea was childish at best and infantile at worst. "Please please please please? I haven't seen it in so long!"
The miko chuckled; "It would do wisely to not expose such a weakness for such a petty reason. You of all should know this." The gentle reproach in her voice silenced the kitsune and Youko watched in amusement as he settled down like a chastised child. The whole group of eleven settled in to their places at the table, a gentle banter murmuring from their general area to testify to their long-standing relations.
Kurama tilted his head to watch.
He was waved over by the southern Lady's retainers; the one who'd called Kagome wench and another dark haired youkai. He could feel them examining him as he walked over, and had to wonder if all the Highers and associated had such intense gazes.
'It's not just the Highers kit.' Youko shivered with mirth. 'It's the old youkai, after they've lived so long and seen so much, their eyes tell the story. These are youkai you don't want to fight.'
'Just how old?'
'More than three centuries. Mostly with this bunch, people guess it to be at least four centuries. There has never been an accurate date set for when they came to power, as its only in the political realm and they don't really have to enforce much among the denizens.'
'Political only?'
Youko nodded. 'Theses are the Highers, they aren't among the three who govern the land itself and deal with the more animalistic tendencies of the land, those have to fight for their position and fight for their rule. These Highers are here to deal with Reikai, and to keep their people safe from the others, they have been established as such since…a long time.'
Kurama sent a feeling of disbelief through their souls, wondering how the youkai would have to be protected from humans and spirits. Youko made a sound of amiable exasperation at him and drew in a long breath after checking that the two retainers were not trying to get his attention.
'Spirits can possess and harass, leading to mistakes and death. And humans…they experiment.' Youko shivered. 'There was once a case, with one of the mixed breeds, where one of the human governments had discovered him and captured him.' He shook his head and glanced at the Eastern leaders. 'It was a kitsune child, and the government found out that he had a high pain tolerance and quick healing abilities, but they didn't find the limit.' Kurama felt sick. 'The kit died in captivity with a tube down its throat and needles in its arms.'
Kurama nodded physically, admitting to the need to protect youkai from those stronger than them on some accounts. He had forgotten the weapons and technology humans had developed that youkai didn't know about.
He was drawn from his thoughts by the entrance of two more persons, arguing lightly with each other and waving their hands about in gestures. "I told you that I wouldn't stay long."
"And I told you that Koenma was a stupid-little-wannabe-excuse-for-a-demigod with no brains whatsoever and that it would take a long time!" The redheaded lady of the South took great pleasure in repeating herself; Kurama could see the smirk on her face and gleam in her eyes.
But when he turned to the other Lord, he was taken aback. Everyone knew that the Central Lord was a large demon with a gentle soul, and people knew that he was not the most humanoid looking of the Highers, but…wow.
He had those big blue eyes that spoke the age of the Highers, and his slightly hunched posture only made him look more intimidating, but it was his clothes and the plants. His clothes were fine silk, and they fit him beautifully, but Kurama saw the seams and folds of intricacies of designs that would have taken years to create. 'He does have power over the lands of the trades, he would have access to the skilled required to make that, maybe they'd even make it for him as a gift.'
Kurama nodded, gaze shifting to the vines and plants that all of a sudden shifted towards their Lord, little giggles and exclamations of joy running along his kitsune senses at Jinenji-sama's entrance.
The other Highers went quiet, and the miko left her murmured conversation with her neighbors to approach the large demon. Her basket was offered, and the intimidating presence of Jinenji was broken for Youko and Kurama when his eyes lit up like a child's and a smile spread his mouth into the jolly expression that made him think of a happy Buddha.
The miko smiled.
Jinenji took the basket and hugged the miko with one arm, and Kurama started at the size. He looked so much smaller on Koenma's hologram screen, and even appeared smaller just halfway between one and the doors, but Kurama knew how small the miko was compared to him, and that Lord was hefty. Youko let out an impressed whistle in his mind.
"I thank you Kagome."
"I appreciate that Jinenji-chan." Shippou snickered and elbowed the retainer beside him with a sharp blow. The hanyou retainer glared at the kitsune before he crossed his arms over his chest and turned his nose up with a snort.
"We all know she's alright, now how did it go?" The wolf retainer to Ayame-sama spoke up, silencing the whispers and creating a more somber atmosphere. Kurama almost didn't know what the Highers were talking about, until Youko nudged a memory up about their worry over Ketsueki.
So he turned to face the miko with the rest of them, and watched the miko seat herself beside the central lord with ease that spoke of repetition. She slowly set about making herself tea, and Jinenji took over it for her with a smile as he nudged her side. She sighed good-naturedly and turned her face up to the others. "What is there to know? He has been eradicated, and the tales are going to be found."
The soft and quiet voice of Sesshoumaru's last retainer broke into the thoughts of all. "It is important, Kagome-sama, that we know if he was killed properly, the techniques going with him."
Kagura nodded her head decisively. "I agree with this. You are too important to be wounded from incompetence on Reikai's part."
Kagome laughed and sobered. "Yes I was the one to kill him, and yes, he knew about the tales as he attacked me."
A second female retainer, this one working for Kagura, nodded her head with her long black hair swishing in its ponytail. "If anyone found those tales and techniques it would mean a harsh blow to the realms."
Kagome nodded and glanced towards Sesshoumaru. He smiled slightly and started to speak at her cue; "I will send out my sentry to recover the scroll, we will deliver it to your shrine as soon as possible."
Kagome nodded and stood. The whole table quickly rose to show respect to her person, and Kurama stumbled a step back from his off position. Youko gaped openly in his mind, taking note of the stiff and deep bows that retainers gave and the proud smiles on the Lords and Ladies.
Sesshoumaru broke off from the rest, coming to stand in front of he small woman they all respected. His hand took hold of her chin and tilted her head up to face his more directly. He cleared his throat and the miko smiled sheepishly with a blush on her face before she tilted her head down. Youko stammered in the back of his awareness.
When she looked back up, her eyes were open, and the starry gaze was oddly blank- even from the omniscient feel it usually had. The perceptive lord gazed into her eyes for a moment, and then he closed her eyelids with his hand, brushing back her bangs once he did.
He nodded to the other lords and Ladies and they all relaxed from their tense positions. His gaze went to the silent miko. "You were caught unaware?"
She blushed. "I am sorry Sesshoumaru."
He waved a hand aside casually to dismiss her apology. "You were not expecting it, as you should have told your family about doing such things when you are in such a state."
The silver haired retainer snorted and uncrossed his arms before he walked up to the miko and gently flicked her cheek. Her hand caught it however and her amused expression turned slowly to face him. He smiled. "You have gotten strong Kagome, but you need to remember that you still have people watching your back." He snorted in remembrance as he rolled his eyes; "That Hiei even took the time to threaten me for…err."
The miko smiled and laughed, throwing her head back to let the sound echo through the cavernous room. "I am well aware that you make Hiei boil…as I am also aware that you rarely can refrain from using such ill words despite your status. It almost makes me want to subdue you…."
The barking laughter from Ayame's other retainer filled the room boisterously along with the quieter laughter of the rest. She smiled good-naturedly and patted the retainer on the head before she too giggled out her mirth.
Shippou smirked and walked up to her as he calle dout to the room. "Shiori?" A servant carrying a pitcher of sweet smelling liquid stepped forth from the shadows. "Do you think you could open the portal for our miko?" The quiet female nodded and waved a hand distractedly as she bowed and smiled to the miko. Shippou grinned at Kagome as well, and kissed her on the cheek for farewell.
Kurama walked silently through the portal and found himself at the base of the shrine steps just in time to feel the guarding shield react to Kagome's presence and dance across his senses.
'Well that was…enlightening.' Youko laughed in his mind as they walked up the shrine steps towards the miko's home. It was going to be a long night, if the new pieces to their puzzle were anything to go by.
I wanted to end here and see if anyone thought I was going to let a female competition enter…heh. But that's so predictable.
1.HAH! Bet you were thinking it was inu now weren't you? MUAHAHAHA bow before my …I have no words, dammit. Anyhoo, whistles innocently Peace!
2.Inochi means life if you were wondering…hehe…oooh, I just had to put a Jinenji description in there, everyone makes him go handsome or stuff like that, so I wanted him to be himself yet powerful! YAY for me!
O, BTW, I'm sorry it took so long to update, See I had inspiration, and I was typing it up then I had to go to church. Sigh, oh well. ENJOY it I hope you did!
OOOOHOHOHH! CHALLENGE: Can anyone guess all the retainers? Heee. I'm evil. There are seven, three for Sesshoumaru (larger Lands), one for Kagura, as the northern lands are rather barren, two for Ayame, and one for the East. Thirteen- I had to do it. You see the retainers and the Lords and Ladies plus the miko make thirteen- this thirteen make up the Highers, my abbreviation for The Higher Lords and Ladies.
Yes, I'm obsessed with that number. Snickers. It's symbolic in lots of literature (read: horror) and it's my lucky day!