Kagome Hurt: Chapter 12
Whoa. So many youkai. And the combined power was overwhelming.
Kagome blinked, and then felt a portion of her mind ice over. Her thoughts starting becoming clearer and her confusion subsided so that native razor intellect was not hindered. The miko could now analyze the situation with a calm inner eye.
She moved from the doorway, her bright pale eyes flicking over the massed demons, idly wondering where she was meant to sit. Sesshoumaru had found his perch at the center of a high table, but that was only natural. It was his castle. Rin was at his side, but had a little table to herself back from the high one.
'Must be the kiddies table,' she mused, 'and the since she's the only child, she gets her own table.'
A demoness dressed all in black was eyeing her from a corresponding place of honor at the high table. Two other lords also in color coded red and blue outfits were talking amongst themselves, and seemingly did not notice the human.
Kagome dismissed the higher ups from her thoughts as her attention turned toward the four lower tables. Because she was not looking, she missed Sesshoumaru's eyes flashing in annoyance. Not many can ignore the demon lord of the West like that, especially when his gaze was on his quarry.
Kagome was calculating the risk of finding a place to sit. If she opted for somewhere near the only people she knew, it would place her in the thick of the youkai throng. That meant up close to the high table. There was no way she could conceive of sitting at Sesshoumaru's side, and even she knew that going for the kiddy table would make a statement she could ill afford.
That left the open ended tables near the other side of the room. They were closer to the door, and thus freedom should things get rough. Once her mind recognized the positive tactical value such a choice would provide, her slippered silent feet took her to the empty cushion at the end of the table with adjoining absent places to either side. She did not want to willingly sit by someone who would rather take her head off than speak with her.
When she gracefully knelt down and turned her patient attention to the setting on the table, voices once again resumed their murmuring comment. Kagome sat in silence as she monitored the goings on of the youkai around her with a crude aura awareness technique. All she could feel was a general proximity alarm and a scale of hostility in those around her. At present, the majority was uneasy toward her, but only a few had an outright malicious hatred. Those few were two tables away and seemed to be coming from a group of kappas and other higher evolved demons.
Surreptitiously surveying those in her close proximity, Kagome internally exhaled a sigh of relief. It appeared that her closest neighbors had a feel that whispered that they belonged here. The only thing the miko in training could come up with to explain this, was that they belonged to the land. They were 'of the West' so to speak.
Deciding to test this assumption, she directed her aura of miko energy at those of a table to the right of her own. What her senses brought back was a feeling of wintry winds and mildly warm summer breezes. She had the feeling of a capricious people. Her eyes were drawn up the length of the Northern table, for that was what it was, and met surprisingly green orbs of an elderly avian youkai male dressed in blue at the high table. Startled, but determined, she maintained eye contact. While she did not know, her eyes flashed again with the arctic blue, which was greeted with the elder male's upraised brow and then followed by a quirked grin and him turning away to again converse with his fellow lords.
Disgruntled but not dismayed at the fact her probing had been noticed, Kagome did it again with the table beyond the Northern lord's. She tasted water and salt, the windy breezes of her mind laden with moisture and change. It did not escape her notice either, that the kappas who retained an active hatred for her were also sitting along that table.
This time, it was the feel of powerful eyes boring into her that made her again look at the high table. The youkai in red was watching her intently now, with the laughing one in blue looking on. Kagome fervently fought a blush but smiled brazenly before quirking a brow.
Their reaction almost made her laugh as they then broke off the staring match looking surprised and disgruntled. The two started speaking rapidly together, and shooting quick glances at her. She rolled her eyes before contemplating doing the aura trick again with the lady in black's table. Before she could decide one way or another, the miko's attention was captured as two youkai took the places on either side.
Kagome narrowed her eyes a little, before giving them the benefit of the doubt. Smiling a little to encourage conversation, she nonetheless kept her hands glowing with a priestess's purification powers underneath the table and pointed at her audience. The one on her right was a very old kitsune male. He looked kindly enough, but there was this gleam in his eyes that spoke to her untrained counseling senses of an obsession or a fixation. Nothing too bad or it would be affecting his health. For some odd reason, he reminded her of Marisa somewhat, but it was hard to tell underneath all of the wrinkles.
The one on the left was a young demonling. Looking closer, Kagome was able to discern that he was something of a vulpine youkai. Perceptive too, since he took one look at her delicately furrowed brow and said "Mink. I'm an weasel youkai. My name's Asoiharu."
He looked a little shellshocked when she bestowed upon his forthright manner a brilliant smile with her normal swirling crystal blue eyes. The kitsune too looked a little awed, but he plowed ahead with the single- mindedness that all old people seemed to have.
"You are the one that my granddaughter serves, Kagome no miko?"
"You're granddaughter? Marisa-chan's your grand-"
She was interrupted though with an excited rush of words.
"Aye, aye, Marisa, the flighty kit of my daughter's. Quite a handful. My name is Kooranai, but there is something that I might ask of ye later? After the banquet? Please?!" and he turned on the 'I'm-a-helpless-lovable- old-coot-and-will-probably-annoy-you-to-death-if-you-don't-agree-to-my- request-right-now look. A life long experience with her own jii-chan enabled Kagome to withstand the assault for exactly 15.2 seconds before caving.
Defeated, she nodded to the old fox before turning to look again at the vulpine, since she couldn't bear to be reminded of her easy capitulation right now. Asoiharu had a look of awe on his face that easily dwarfed what the two high and mighty's had given her earlier.
With the kitsune off in his own happy world since he got the powerful figure beside him to agree, Asoiharu leaned in closer to Kagome and asked with a reverent tone of voice, "How did you ever build up the skills to resist him like that?"
The green robed miko was at a loss.
The mink went on. "C'mon, you can tell me. From one recipient of the 'grandther's look' to another. I've got a patriarch in my own family who pulls just that same thing, and the record is 9 seconds. Is it 'cause you're a priestess?"
A sigh was his answer, followed by, "No, its not because I'm a miko. I think it's a little more complicated than that."
Intrigued, the weasel nodded for her to go on.
"Well, have you noticed that there aren't that many very elderly youkai in your society?"
"Wha? No, not really. Most of them are killed once they've passed their prime. They are unable to defend themselves for the most part."
"Exactly," she pointed out. "Most of the older generation is wiped out, and those that are left have to gain alternate methods to get the younger generation to do what they want. Thus what you've termed 'the grandther look'. Where I come from, there are many more elderly people, so I've had time and opportunity to build up immunity to just that technique."
"oooohhhhh."
"Yeah, oh. Hey, what are you doing here anyway? I didn't think that any of these nobles wanted to associate with the 'lowly ningen' let alone speak with me."
He gave her a quick and ready 'devil may care' smile. "Ah, but I am one of the reckless youth that have yet to be formally presented. It is allowed for us to disregard most of the smaller unwritten rules from time to time before we are up before the cardinal lords."
"Geez, Asoiharu-kun. You just sounded so much like my brother right there. How old are you?"
"Aw, why'd you ask? Now you are going to think I'm a baby and not worth talking to anymore." The little monster just pouted!
"Che, its not like I'm forcing you to tell, if you want to keep it a secret that much." Kagome looked a little peeved but resigned.
The sable haired mink was downcast. "But I do. You just invoked one of the bigger unwritten rules. 'Answer questions truthfully of anyone a)powerful enough to blow you away, b)older than you, who might have the knowledge to blow you away, or c)who asks, unless you think you can get away with it.' You fall into category A. I'm thirty four years old. Just barely old enough to be presented."
"Thirty four huh." She was trying very hard not to sound impressed. It was about twice her age! "Yeah, you're quite the unproven child."
The little rat caught on to her light sarcasm and looked up at her with his head cocked to the side. Again he twitched a smile. "Ano, Kagome-sama, in a little bit, would you like to meet my Hob and Jill?"
Traditional confuzzled Kagome.
And seeing this, Asoiharu explained. "My father and mother. Like how Inu youkai are a sire and bitch and have pups, and kitsune are kits with a vixen and jack. I suppose the polite way would be sire and dam for any of the species."
Kagome returned his earlier statement. "Oh."
At this time, most of the present seats had been filled and the host of this cycle's gathering rose to address the collective whole. The whiteness of his features and attire drew the attention of all the glittering deadly throng and conversation snapped to a halt at the glance from this austere personage, conveying to the watching miko like nothing else before, just how much power her captor wielded.
Very subtly, she gulped as this realization made its way into her consciousness and her reaction to it. She was afraid, not because of his dangerous abilities or power, but because of the fact that she was not afraid. Intellectually, the spirited girl from the future knew she should be scared out of her gourd right now, but somehow, there was only faint pooling warmth at the pit of her stomach. Something clenched inside of her, and it wasn't terror.
"Lords and Ladies of the ruling class. I bid you enter my place of dwelling. If not welcome here, then at least mild acceptance. This cycle's renewing of alliances, forging the beginning of others, and airing of old slights will commence on the morrow, and servants will lead you to your rooms and suits when you leave your table.
"I give one warning only. Your treatment will rely solely on your actions. Like will be rewarded with like."
And with that, Sesshoumaru, Taiyoukai lord of the Western lands sank back into his seat and waved a pale striped hand and the banquet commenced!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Sorry, but this seems to be another filler chapter to explain some more of the rules and regulations of demon kind. I also added a hint of waffyness if you care to pinpoint it. I also seem to be adding a few more personalities. Mink are cool! So are sables, ermine, ferrets, and weasels.
Plus some of the plot has been introduced. You guys remember that creepy figure in the closed room right? Wonder what Kooranai is going to ask Kagome. And can anyone guess what the artifacts are? C'mon, it plays a very important role later.
Anyway, some people have commented on the character bio's I did and seemed to like them. Here are a few more. Enjoy!
~-~-~-
Midoriko: Rukio's best friend and mentor. Also very gifted with miko power, creator of the Shikon no Tama. Was the first person Rukio met after being displaced. Died in battle long before Rukio with the making of the Shikon no Tama. I'll include Rukio later, but can't spoil the surprise.
Kooranai: Marisa's grandfather. An elderly kitsune who was charged by his own grandfather to watch for candidates to fulfill the 'prophecy'. Really really wants to know what the artifacts are, and what's written on the scroll.
Taki: wolf messenger on loan from Kouga to Sesshoumaru as his vassal. Not quite bishie, but not bad either. Chestnut hair, and a lithe figure, he has his pack's interests at heart.
Asoiharu: mink youkai youth to be presented at court. Kagome's first contact with the demon nobility. Inquisitive, cunning, friendly, but a little pouty and childish. Sable hair with a white splotch of short hair at the center of his hairline, and a black tip to his tail. Young bishie.
Kikyo: bitch. Normally I'd leave it at that for shits and giggles, but she needs a description. Thought to be Kagome's incarnation, resurrected from dirt and bones, has only the goal of bringing Inuyasha to hell with her and her hatred to keep her going. Oh, that, and making Kagome's life pure hell. Also has some pieces of Shikon shards and is tentatively allied with Naraku.
Kouga: overeager wolf leader. Wants Kagome as a mate. Figures she would make the pack much stronger, and he admires 'his woman' for her determination and strengths. Has an ongoing rivalry with Inuyasha. Very speedy and has two Shikon shards in his legs.
Kanna: child of Naraku. Very emotionless, wields a mirror that sucks out souls. Also is the Nanban Mirror which can travel through time, and transport across land, but it requires a tear to be shed on its surface. Kanna is emotionless, so no tears, and no one discovers the mirror's other powers.
Kagura: also a child of Naraku. Will do his bidding, but wishes to be free of her 'father'. Remotely considers herself Kanna's older sister. Has control of the winds with her nifty little fan, and can travel on a leaf on wind currents.
Jakin: Sesshoumaru's toad youkai servant. Miserly old man who generally hates kids and is stuck with watching over Rin a lot. His attitude may change with Kagome around though. Wields the staff of heads which shoots out fire and other blasts.
Souta: Kagome's younger brother. Concerned for his sister, but acts as the typical younger brother. You know how these things go.
Jii-chan: Kagome's grandfather. No one seems to know his first name. Has an intense fascination with all the old legends, but never gets them right. Wields useless ofuda wards as he doesn't have the training to charge them correctly.
Nanoko Higurashi: Kagome's mom. Kasumi like in her general niceness and obliviousness, but she really cares for her daughter. Is friends with C.C.'s CEO Bulma Briefs, since she was the scientist's baby sitter long ago. Wields lotsa luv for everyone. Oh and a frying pan... Can't forget the frying pan. Also don't ask..another plot point.
Whoa. So many youkai. And the combined power was overwhelming.
Kagome blinked, and then felt a portion of her mind ice over. Her thoughts starting becoming clearer and her confusion subsided so that native razor intellect was not hindered. The miko could now analyze the situation with a calm inner eye.
She moved from the doorway, her bright pale eyes flicking over the massed demons, idly wondering where she was meant to sit. Sesshoumaru had found his perch at the center of a high table, but that was only natural. It was his castle. Rin was at his side, but had a little table to herself back from the high one.
'Must be the kiddies table,' she mused, 'and the since she's the only child, she gets her own table.'
A demoness dressed all in black was eyeing her from a corresponding place of honor at the high table. Two other lords also in color coded red and blue outfits were talking amongst themselves, and seemingly did not notice the human.
Kagome dismissed the higher ups from her thoughts as her attention turned toward the four lower tables. Because she was not looking, she missed Sesshoumaru's eyes flashing in annoyance. Not many can ignore the demon lord of the West like that, especially when his gaze was on his quarry.
Kagome was calculating the risk of finding a place to sit. If she opted for somewhere near the only people she knew, it would place her in the thick of the youkai throng. That meant up close to the high table. There was no way she could conceive of sitting at Sesshoumaru's side, and even she knew that going for the kiddy table would make a statement she could ill afford.
That left the open ended tables near the other side of the room. They were closer to the door, and thus freedom should things get rough. Once her mind recognized the positive tactical value such a choice would provide, her slippered silent feet took her to the empty cushion at the end of the table with adjoining absent places to either side. She did not want to willingly sit by someone who would rather take her head off than speak with her.
When she gracefully knelt down and turned her patient attention to the setting on the table, voices once again resumed their murmuring comment. Kagome sat in silence as she monitored the goings on of the youkai around her with a crude aura awareness technique. All she could feel was a general proximity alarm and a scale of hostility in those around her. At present, the majority was uneasy toward her, but only a few had an outright malicious hatred. Those few were two tables away and seemed to be coming from a group of kappas and other higher evolved demons.
Surreptitiously surveying those in her close proximity, Kagome internally exhaled a sigh of relief. It appeared that her closest neighbors had a feel that whispered that they belonged here. The only thing the miko in training could come up with to explain this, was that they belonged to the land. They were 'of the West' so to speak.
Deciding to test this assumption, she directed her aura of miko energy at those of a table to the right of her own. What her senses brought back was a feeling of wintry winds and mildly warm summer breezes. She had the feeling of a capricious people. Her eyes were drawn up the length of the Northern table, for that was what it was, and met surprisingly green orbs of an elderly avian youkai male dressed in blue at the high table. Startled, but determined, she maintained eye contact. While she did not know, her eyes flashed again with the arctic blue, which was greeted with the elder male's upraised brow and then followed by a quirked grin and him turning away to again converse with his fellow lords.
Disgruntled but not dismayed at the fact her probing had been noticed, Kagome did it again with the table beyond the Northern lord's. She tasted water and salt, the windy breezes of her mind laden with moisture and change. It did not escape her notice either, that the kappas who retained an active hatred for her were also sitting along that table.
This time, it was the feel of powerful eyes boring into her that made her again look at the high table. The youkai in red was watching her intently now, with the laughing one in blue looking on. Kagome fervently fought a blush but smiled brazenly before quirking a brow.
Their reaction almost made her laugh as they then broke off the staring match looking surprised and disgruntled. The two started speaking rapidly together, and shooting quick glances at her. She rolled her eyes before contemplating doing the aura trick again with the lady in black's table. Before she could decide one way or another, the miko's attention was captured as two youkai took the places on either side.
Kagome narrowed her eyes a little, before giving them the benefit of the doubt. Smiling a little to encourage conversation, she nonetheless kept her hands glowing with a priestess's purification powers underneath the table and pointed at her audience. The one on her right was a very old kitsune male. He looked kindly enough, but there was this gleam in his eyes that spoke to her untrained counseling senses of an obsession or a fixation. Nothing too bad or it would be affecting his health. For some odd reason, he reminded her of Marisa somewhat, but it was hard to tell underneath all of the wrinkles.
The one on the left was a young demonling. Looking closer, Kagome was able to discern that he was something of a vulpine youkai. Perceptive too, since he took one look at her delicately furrowed brow and said "Mink. I'm an weasel youkai. My name's Asoiharu."
He looked a little shellshocked when she bestowed upon his forthright manner a brilliant smile with her normal swirling crystal blue eyes. The kitsune too looked a little awed, but he plowed ahead with the single- mindedness that all old people seemed to have.
"You are the one that my granddaughter serves, Kagome no miko?"
"You're granddaughter? Marisa-chan's your grand-"
She was interrupted though with an excited rush of words.
"Aye, aye, Marisa, the flighty kit of my daughter's. Quite a handful. My name is Kooranai, but there is something that I might ask of ye later? After the banquet? Please?!" and he turned on the 'I'm-a-helpless-lovable- old-coot-and-will-probably-annoy-you-to-death-if-you-don't-agree-to-my- request-right-now look. A life long experience with her own jii-chan enabled Kagome to withstand the assault for exactly 15.2 seconds before caving.
Defeated, she nodded to the old fox before turning to look again at the vulpine, since she couldn't bear to be reminded of her easy capitulation right now. Asoiharu had a look of awe on his face that easily dwarfed what the two high and mighty's had given her earlier.
With the kitsune off in his own happy world since he got the powerful figure beside him to agree, Asoiharu leaned in closer to Kagome and asked with a reverent tone of voice, "How did you ever build up the skills to resist him like that?"
The green robed miko was at a loss.
The mink went on. "C'mon, you can tell me. From one recipient of the 'grandther's look' to another. I've got a patriarch in my own family who pulls just that same thing, and the record is 9 seconds. Is it 'cause you're a priestess?"
A sigh was his answer, followed by, "No, its not because I'm a miko. I think it's a little more complicated than that."
Intrigued, the weasel nodded for her to go on.
"Well, have you noticed that there aren't that many very elderly youkai in your society?"
"Wha? No, not really. Most of them are killed once they've passed their prime. They are unable to defend themselves for the most part."
"Exactly," she pointed out. "Most of the older generation is wiped out, and those that are left have to gain alternate methods to get the younger generation to do what they want. Thus what you've termed 'the grandther look'. Where I come from, there are many more elderly people, so I've had time and opportunity to build up immunity to just that technique."
"oooohhhhh."
"Yeah, oh. Hey, what are you doing here anyway? I didn't think that any of these nobles wanted to associate with the 'lowly ningen' let alone speak with me."
He gave her a quick and ready 'devil may care' smile. "Ah, but I am one of the reckless youth that have yet to be formally presented. It is allowed for us to disregard most of the smaller unwritten rules from time to time before we are up before the cardinal lords."
"Geez, Asoiharu-kun. You just sounded so much like my brother right there. How old are you?"
"Aw, why'd you ask? Now you are going to think I'm a baby and not worth talking to anymore." The little monster just pouted!
"Che, its not like I'm forcing you to tell, if you want to keep it a secret that much." Kagome looked a little peeved but resigned.
The sable haired mink was downcast. "But I do. You just invoked one of the bigger unwritten rules. 'Answer questions truthfully of anyone a)powerful enough to blow you away, b)older than you, who might have the knowledge to blow you away, or c)who asks, unless you think you can get away with it.' You fall into category A. I'm thirty four years old. Just barely old enough to be presented."
"Thirty four huh." She was trying very hard not to sound impressed. It was about twice her age! "Yeah, you're quite the unproven child."
The little rat caught on to her light sarcasm and looked up at her with his head cocked to the side. Again he twitched a smile. "Ano, Kagome-sama, in a little bit, would you like to meet my Hob and Jill?"
Traditional confuzzled Kagome.
And seeing this, Asoiharu explained. "My father and mother. Like how Inu youkai are a sire and bitch and have pups, and kitsune are kits with a vixen and jack. I suppose the polite way would be sire and dam for any of the species."
Kagome returned his earlier statement. "Oh."
At this time, most of the present seats had been filled and the host of this cycle's gathering rose to address the collective whole. The whiteness of his features and attire drew the attention of all the glittering deadly throng and conversation snapped to a halt at the glance from this austere personage, conveying to the watching miko like nothing else before, just how much power her captor wielded.
Very subtly, she gulped as this realization made its way into her consciousness and her reaction to it. She was afraid, not because of his dangerous abilities or power, but because of the fact that she was not afraid. Intellectually, the spirited girl from the future knew she should be scared out of her gourd right now, but somehow, there was only faint pooling warmth at the pit of her stomach. Something clenched inside of her, and it wasn't terror.
"Lords and Ladies of the ruling class. I bid you enter my place of dwelling. If not welcome here, then at least mild acceptance. This cycle's renewing of alliances, forging the beginning of others, and airing of old slights will commence on the morrow, and servants will lead you to your rooms and suits when you leave your table.
"I give one warning only. Your treatment will rely solely on your actions. Like will be rewarded with like."
And with that, Sesshoumaru, Taiyoukai lord of the Western lands sank back into his seat and waved a pale striped hand and the banquet commenced!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Sorry, but this seems to be another filler chapter to explain some more of the rules and regulations of demon kind. I also added a hint of waffyness if you care to pinpoint it. I also seem to be adding a few more personalities. Mink are cool! So are sables, ermine, ferrets, and weasels.
Plus some of the plot has been introduced. You guys remember that creepy figure in the closed room right? Wonder what Kooranai is going to ask Kagome. And can anyone guess what the artifacts are? C'mon, it plays a very important role later.
Anyway, some people have commented on the character bio's I did and seemed to like them. Here are a few more. Enjoy!
~-~-~-
Midoriko: Rukio's best friend and mentor. Also very gifted with miko power, creator of the Shikon no Tama. Was the first person Rukio met after being displaced. Died in battle long before Rukio with the making of the Shikon no Tama. I'll include Rukio later, but can't spoil the surprise.
Kooranai: Marisa's grandfather. An elderly kitsune who was charged by his own grandfather to watch for candidates to fulfill the 'prophecy'. Really really wants to know what the artifacts are, and what's written on the scroll.
Taki: wolf messenger on loan from Kouga to Sesshoumaru as his vassal. Not quite bishie, but not bad either. Chestnut hair, and a lithe figure, he has his pack's interests at heart.
Asoiharu: mink youkai youth to be presented at court. Kagome's first contact with the demon nobility. Inquisitive, cunning, friendly, but a little pouty and childish. Sable hair with a white splotch of short hair at the center of his hairline, and a black tip to his tail. Young bishie.
Kikyo: bitch. Normally I'd leave it at that for shits and giggles, but she needs a description. Thought to be Kagome's incarnation, resurrected from dirt and bones, has only the goal of bringing Inuyasha to hell with her and her hatred to keep her going. Oh, that, and making Kagome's life pure hell. Also has some pieces of Shikon shards and is tentatively allied with Naraku.
Kouga: overeager wolf leader. Wants Kagome as a mate. Figures she would make the pack much stronger, and he admires 'his woman' for her determination and strengths. Has an ongoing rivalry with Inuyasha. Very speedy and has two Shikon shards in his legs.
Kanna: child of Naraku. Very emotionless, wields a mirror that sucks out souls. Also is the Nanban Mirror which can travel through time, and transport across land, but it requires a tear to be shed on its surface. Kanna is emotionless, so no tears, and no one discovers the mirror's other powers.
Kagura: also a child of Naraku. Will do his bidding, but wishes to be free of her 'father'. Remotely considers herself Kanna's older sister. Has control of the winds with her nifty little fan, and can travel on a leaf on wind currents.
Jakin: Sesshoumaru's toad youkai servant. Miserly old man who generally hates kids and is stuck with watching over Rin a lot. His attitude may change with Kagome around though. Wields the staff of heads which shoots out fire and other blasts.
Souta: Kagome's younger brother. Concerned for his sister, but acts as the typical younger brother. You know how these things go.
Jii-chan: Kagome's grandfather. No one seems to know his first name. Has an intense fascination with all the old legends, but never gets them right. Wields useless ofuda wards as he doesn't have the training to charge them correctly.
Nanoko Higurashi: Kagome's mom. Kasumi like in her general niceness and obliviousness, but she really cares for her daughter. Is friends with C.C.'s CEO Bulma Briefs, since she was the scientist's baby sitter long ago. Wields lotsa luv for everyone. Oh and a frying pan... Can't forget the frying pan. Also don't ask..another plot point.