Soooo here this is. I was feeling crappy today so I wrote see a few guests in this one. Let me know what you think about this chapter, I went a little off track with certain people's love life. Annnnd wanna know whatcha think :D
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She had twitched in her sleep, her eyebrows knitted together. He had pulled her closer in his own sleep, sensing her uneasiness. His chest vibrated with a purr, attempting to sooth the slip of a female in his arms.
She looked around, sick to her stomach. She had watched as a familiar figure walked past her, pain clearly etched on his handsome face. His long hair tangled in the wind as he stood upon the hill before her. She had reached out, trying to grasp his hand. Her own had passed through his, as if same was merely a specter to the scene.
"You wont be able to touch him," a soft voice sounded behind her.
Turning, Kagome came face to face with a young woman. Barely twenty year old, her brown hair was pulled back in a slightly crooked ponytail. She smiled and tucked her hands in the checkered kimono she was wearing.
"W-Who are you?" Kagome asked, taking a step back surprised by the new comer.
"My name is Rin, what is yours?" The young woman asked, shifting her weight from her tippy toes to her heels again. Kagome looked her up and down, then back to the sadden male on the hill.
"You're his Rin," she said, her eyes still on the Yōkai Lord's face.
"Yes, I am Lord Sesshomaru's Rin." Rin said warmly, her eyes trained on the figure behind Kagome. He was as regal as ever, the air of superiority engulfing the threesome.
"Who are you to him?" Rin asked, moving next to Kagome. Her eyes resting on Kagome's face. She couldn't have been older then Rin. Her long black hair was loose, but her eyes were the deepest blue she had seen. They reminded her of Shippo's eager eyes when a treat was involved.
"I'm Kagome. He is my boss" her voice trailed off. How to explain it to his adopted child.
"You're his mate?" Rin asked cocking her head to the side. Kagome laughed at that statement, she reminded Rin of the priestess Kikyo. They were similar, in just the right light.
"No-no. Um we are courting," Kagome said, the word feeling foreign on her tongue.
"Oh. A human" Rin mused softly before sitting in the plush grass.
"You must be special, Lord Sesshomaru does not like many humans. I am the only one I have ever seen in his Palace," Rin mused out, before patting the grass next to her. Kagome took a seat, the pair watching the Lord move off into the distance.
"He misses you," Kagome said, trying to fill the awkward silence.
"I told him not too, he is stubborn. He was like that before he saved me," Rin said, her nose scrunching up.
"He told me you saved him," Kagome said, earning a bark of laughter from the younger girl.
" Inuyasha had beaten him up pretty bad. They always played like that, I hated it," Rin said, her face in a far off memory.
"He misses you too as well,"Kagome said, her eyes staring up at the beautiful sky. You could never see the star like this in Tokyo. The massive city was too bright to see the world above them.
"I miss them," Rin said, her voice turning sorrowful.
"You must be special to both of them if you know about me. I have watched over them, their grief hurt." Rin continued.
"I am your dependent,"Kagome said, trying to keep the uncharacteristic bitterness out of her tone. Was that the reason? She couldn't shake that nagging feeling over the whole situation.
"Ah. He did promise, a Lord never breaks a promise. But they spoke about me?" She asked, sensing the girl next to hers change in mood.
"Yes they told me stories about you. And what you were like,"
"They like you. They never speak about me, I'll always feel guilty for that sorrow I left behind," Rin said, her own brown eyes staring up to the heavens above them.
"Why do you think they like me because they talk about you?" Kagome asked, confused.
"Lord Sesshomaru hated humans before me. Inuyasha's momma was the reason his father died. They didn't get along until right before they battled the evil hanyou Naraku. Inuyasha came back a broken man, his priestess Kikyo had died. I had never seen Lord Sesshomaru so genial around anyone like he had been during those first few months of his brothers grief. Both brothers lost humans they cared deeply for. Neither trusts many people, so if you know about me then you are special." Rin explained, the childlike wonder in her voice as she laid back in the grass.
"Wait, you were there during Naraku?" Kagome asked, looking down at the girl.
"I was hiding with Shippo near the battlefield. Blood was thick that day, as were the bodies. Naraku had punctured Lord Sesshomaru's armor, snapping it in two. I was so afraid they would not survive. I remember Kikyo laughing at Naraku's horrified face when she purified him. Inuyasha was so sad," Rin's tone sadden by the memory. She had never liked seeing anyone cry, much less the two males she had chosen as her family.
"She had wished to rid the world of him," Kagome said, somehow knowing what had caused his demise.
"I think so. Your are the new guardian, that's why you glow pink?" Rin looking down at Kagome's hand. A soft pink hue glows on her skin, Kagome nodded in agreement. The familiar flow of power hummed around the pair.
"Can you promise me something?" Rin asked, suddenly sitting up to face Kagome.
"Um- I guess"
"If you and Lord Sesshomaru do not mate, promise you will be his friend. He does not have many, I worry." Rin asked, her eyes pleading. Kagome smiled then, the girl reminding her of Shippo momentarily.
"Of course, I promise,"Kagome said, holding up a pinky finger. Rin cocked her head to the side and mimicked the other girl. Kagome looped her finger with Rin's, sealing the promise.
The wind picked up then, Rin smiled but began to fade.
"W-Wait Rin!" Kagome yelled, scared she had done something wrong.
"Calm yourself guardian" another female voice sounded. Kagome turned to find the Holy One standing near her.
Her mouth fell open before she scrambled to get to her feet. Midoriko looked amused at the younger female bowed lowly to her. A gentle laugh escaped her lips.
"Kagome rise, you do not have to bow to This one." Midoriko chuckled again, Kagome expression of confusion and uncertainly.
"You are the new guardian, on equal footing" she explained with a warm smile.
"But you are Midoriko-same, the creator of the Shikon No Tama." Kagome explained, years of teaching had taught her everything she had come to know about the woman in front of her. Kagome took in her appearance, she wore a plain Priestess garb under her armor. Her long hair had fluttered in the wind much like Sesshomaru's. Her eyes though, Kagome felt a sense of Déjà vu as she stared in to the blue deeps.
Midoriko smiled knowing the next question even before Kagome could say it.
"You are my descendent and Rin's. My sister was blessed with many healthy children during her life. So too was Rin. I believe she had seven children." Midoriko mused, her eyes never leaving Kagome's face.
"How come-" Kagome stopped herself. Questions burned on her lips, but her respect for the one before her stopped her from asking.
"You have many questions, please sit with this one," Midoriko said, before gracefully sitting where Rin had sat prior. The summer air was heavy with the late blooms, the bug sung songs of their mating. Midoriko smiled as the memory of a young Sesshomaru bubbled to the surface. He had been so interested in her war stories, his little hands digging into the table as she recited details of her many adventures.
"To begin, This one is proud our line has you an an heir. Your heart is pure, This one has seen your experiences in life. Yet you sit next to this one holding no bitterness."
Kagome sat quietly, in awe of what was being said. She had been bitter though, guilt bit at her mind.
"You adapted to an unusual life, not many would have been able too. Especially after the losses you have suffered," Midoriko continued, her voice soft, reminding Kagome a lullaby her mother used to sing.
"Anger is human nature, This one understands that anger, anger at the world when it is not being fair. When the Shikon No Tama was born, this one remembers being angry at being trapped for long. Miko have been taught for generations that we will pass into the next life at peace. Yet this one was trapped with the evil that birthed darkness."
Kagome nodded in understanding, relieved at the confession Midoriko had made. Even perfect beings were not so perfect. Keade had taught her that as a child, especially when she had been picked on.
"This one understands you have wondered why you lost your sight. But to answer this, This one must tell you the story of the Shikon No Tama and its reaches into the past and future. When This one battled the Yōkai that cost This one's life, the world was a much different place. Humans and Yōkai were separated by their kinds, wars raged and plagued the earth. This one sought out the Great and Terrible Inu Tashio, to discuss a better way. Inu Tashio was a powerful Yōkai, his name struck terror into human and Yōkai alike. But he was This one's oldest friends and advisor on such matters. When the Coalition for Peace had been long lasting, as it was meant too. However forces of darkness brewed, growing angry as our kinds coupled and mixed."
"This one's final battle raged for days, it was a test to This one's conviction. On the final day, the Yōkai created by fusing of many other Yōkai drove a claw through This one's chest. The only memory This one has of that moment is sadness, This one was concerned over the life's that had been bettered by the Coalition. The peace that was finally found. Then a sudden bright light had engulfed the pair of us, This one awoken inside the Shikon No Tama, trapped with the fused Yōkai. For generations we fought, light and darkness battling. Those who wished to protect the world from the Shikon No Tama's powers were guardians of light, much like yourself. Pure of heart. However, because the Yōkai was trapped as well, it had a say in their Fates. Over the years, the jewel called to the darkness in human and Yōkai hearts. The Priestess Kikyo had been lusted after a male bandit who had been burned terribly. He had agreed with the Yōkai to give his body over, as long as he could have the Priestess for himself. The man, Onigumo had wanted love. A simple thing many humans desire and need, but the darkness in his heart tainted his wish for Kikyo."
"She had fallen in love with Inuyasha, the hanyou of the West," Kagome said softly, digesting the story being told to her.
"Yes, you see, Kikyo was of This one's blood as well. She was a lonely girl, longing for a normal human life. It is a heavy burned our kind had to carry in the past. The constant threat of evil was much more freely available to those who would use it. When Inuyasha and Kikyo met, they fate's were entertained. Both connected by a single thread of string. But Onigumo's wish to have her had snapped that string of fate. Naraku was birthed from Onigumo's body. A recreation of the fused Yōkai, This one had battled previously. Fate's saw it fitting for Kikyo to be the one to serve Naraku his death, but it came at the cost of her life. Each generation battles the same battle, the outcome the same. The same cycle has last generations, as if the Fate's are trying to get the outcome correct this time." Midoriko said, her voice soothing.
"The same Fate will happen to me," Kagome said, now concerned. Her heart beat thundered in her ears, she thought of her friends and of Sesshomaru. The worry plain on her face made Midoriko smile, she truly was worthy of This one's bloodline and power.
"Not necessarily. You see, This one struck a deal with the Yōkai that is trapped with This one. This is the final cycle, the jewel is no longer in a physical form. But it is the power you wield, This one demanded that the power of the jewel no longer be in a physical item. But in a living being of light, one strong enough to carry such power. With each condition another is made in order to continue the balance of the world," Midoriko said wearily. She had been fighting too long, much past her time. Her soul was tired after the years of fighting. She had known her counterpart was also tired of the battles.
Midoriko had been surprised when the Yōkai had compromised an end to the cycles. The deal was struck, but Midoriko had to wonder if she had made the right choice. As she view the tragedy of her line, she worried. But hope came in the form of a little girl with the same blue eyes she had. At Kagome's birth, Midoriko had worried just a little bit less. But the Yōkai had used his own power to cause destruction, trying to cheat Fate again. Midoriko had been furious with it, she had used a lot of her energy protecting Kagome. But it hadn't been enough to keep her unharmed.
"It took my sight," Kagome said, her mouth going dry. Tear stung at her eyes, she could hear her mothers voice cooing at her brother in the back seat. Then the world came crashing around her, she had never heard her mother scream like that. She had pleaded with her father to wake up when she came to. She was crying now, tears sliding down her face.
Midoriko wrapped her arms around Kagome, that familiar sting of guilt hitting her hard. She hummed softly into Kagome's hair, as she rubbed her back. The action reminded her of when she had left home for the first time, her little sister had been sobbing so hard. Midoriko gave a watery smile at the memory. She had promised the little girl she would visit, which indeed she had. She remember holding her nieces and nephews as babes, being so proud of her sister.
"This one is so sorry" Midoriko said finally, her arms wrapping just a little bit tighter around the sobbing girl. How cruel this was. She had wish to take her memories of that day, but she had saved the little girl. So the Yōkai had only been fair to force her memories to be kept. A surge of anger ran through Midoriko then. Her rage had been repressed, with utmost control over the years. So she would finish this battle and it was going to lose. She had known that the first time she had saw Kagome's eyes open.
"Kagome, This one had enough power still to save you from It's darkness. The lack of sight was a cruel blow to inflect, the cruelest of all was taking your family. But you defied It every stood up in the face of others who tormented you because you were different. Then when Keade passed, you refused to give up. This one cannot express how proud she is of you," Midoriko said softly, running her hand through Kagome's hair.
"How am I supposed to finish this fight?" Kagome asked pulling from the elder woman. The question had caused Midoriko to smile. The girl was selfless, despite her own pain, she had already resolved to battle the Yōkai for the final time.
"This one is not permitted to tell you. However, those around you in life now will be able to help. You must take up the cause for peace again. Many beings of both species are counting on you in this restless time. Listen to your heart, it will guide you. It has not failed you before. And once last piece of advice, your Fate was tied to a Yōkai much like This one's. Your red string of fate has found the other end, do not lose sight of that. Many before you only wished to have another half of their soul in this world." Kagome looked confused for a moment but opened her mouth.
"Your are talking about Sesshomaru" she stated. A knowing smile graded Midoriko face.
"He had been a young pup when this one first met him, This one won him over with a plum. It should have been clear he was important then. This one's heart loved his sire the formidable Inu Tashio. A love that was doomed from the first lock of eyes. This one supposed the Fates have a horrible sense of humor,"
"No kidding." Kagome huffed out, amazed at the confession from the Holy One.
"Did he love you back?" She asked before she could stop herself.
Midoriko was silent, her eyes searching the heavens as if looking for the answer. A soft warm smile played at her lips, Kagome caught sight of the beautiful woman Midoriko had been in her early life. Not tired or battle weary. Kagome watched as the smile traveled to her eyes, they danced as they stared at the heavens.
"Yes, This one was foolish to not understand that one can love and battle evil. That was This one's mistake which she regrets. This one did not see her love as a strength, she was worried for him." Midoriko said, the wind kicking up again.
Kagome could smell sandalwood floating over the valley they were sitting in. Midoriko smiled with a soft laugh, she should have known even in the after life she would call to him. Midoriko turned, her eyes searching the hills before them. There to the left a large figure stood, regal as ever. His long hair was tied back, his armor thick for battle once more. His amber eyes burned into her body, making her shiver.
Kagome followed Midoriko's stare, her heart skipped a beat. Where Sesshomaru had been another figure stood. His aura hummed with power, the soft lilac color glowing around him. His hair fluttered in the wind, must like Sesshomaru's.
"Koi" his voice had carried to them. Kagome's eyes widened in realization of the figure before her. The Great Inu General of the West stood just feet from her. His imposing figure shocked her, his eyes had flickered to her. Swallowing thickly, Kagome froze. That look was the same one Sesshomaru had given her the first time they had met, his eyes almost burned into her soul. Inu Tashio gave her a slow nod in recognition before Midoriko stood to greet him.
Kagome watched as the Holy One almost floated on the grass to the Inu Yōkai. He held out a hand to Midoriko, which she took with a warm smile. Inu Tashio towered over the Miko. He had bent down to place a chaste kiss on her hand, causing Kagome to blush. She felt like she had just witness the most intimate moment of their lives.
"Kagome, do not forget. Love above all else. Do not make This one's mistakes," Midoriko said softly, their hair tangling together in the wind.
"I promise,"Kagome said, feeling a pull at her chest. The world around her slowly dissolved, she panicked slightly. Her aura pulsing around her, distantly he could hear her name being called.
"Kagome. Kagome, wake up sleepy head"
Her eyes fluttered, as her body fought against the sleep she had been embraced in. Her eyes opened, seeing his face in front of her own. Blinking rapidly, she smiled as sleep loosened its grip. Her eyes traced his face, wishing to imprint it into her memory forever.
"Morning," he said softly, before leaning into to kiss her. Warmth spread through her, the lingering scent of sandalwood in her nose. Smiling against his lips, her chest expanded.
"Do you usually eat plums?" She asked smiling at him. He raised an eyebrow, confused at the question. His hair standing on edge, why had it caused such a reaction. Plums? What a weird question.
"No," he said, confused.
"Huh? You didn't have a plum with Midoriko-sama? " Kagome asked, cocking her head to the side.
His eyes widened then, the memory of the feast hitting him full blast. She had offered a dark plum, the fleshy fruit had been a real treat for him. He remembered the way she whipped his mouth after the juices had spilled from his bite.
"How did you-" his voice trailed off, only to be answered with a soft smile.
"She told me"