"Pardon me for asking, but why build a shrine inside the mountain?" Kenji asked once he got over the shock.
"It was dedication to the mountain itself. And this particular mountain is the tallest of the mountain range that stands as heavenly gates, protecting your clan." Lao elaborated.
"It also became our doom." Kenji remarked darkly.
"That was my fault. Mauntenrodo demanded penance. I resisted, hoping your father would come to his senses when the harsh times brought trade difficult. I began with landslides over most of the trade routes to send a message. When that didn't work, I couldn't hold back the mountain's fury. So I unleashed it in the hopes he taught one of you about the old traditions."
"What? So that was your doing?" Kenji snarled, reaching for his blades.
The narrowed eyes opened and suddenly a spell was placed upon everyone. No one could move. And horror filled them all at the thought they were at this spirit's mercy.
"I may be the messenger, but even I hold some of Mauntenrodo's power. Do not raise your weapons upon me, less you wish this shrine to become your tomb." Lao warned.
At the threat Sesshomaru snarled. His eyes burned crimson. Suddenly he managed to break free of the spell placed upon him. Before he could grasp the handle of Tenseiga, a chain erupted from the ground and grasped his wrist and pulled so violently he was forced on his knees.
"I was correct to assume your bloodline can end the children of the mountain." Lao sighed. "If I release my hold on you, will you calm yourself? I wish not to fight any of you."
For a moment the daiyokai considered. When it looked like he might not agree, he blinked. And the crimson gave into golden yellow as he calmed. Taking that as a means of acceptance Lao closed his eyes, and the spell released the others.
"Hey! Get rid of the chain!" Inuyasha demanded as he tried to remove it from his mate's wrist.
"Forgive me, but this is a mere precaution for the moment. Once I know for sure he won't attack, I will release him. Now, Kenji, please come closer." The spirit motioned.
Reluctantly the dark haired youkai made his way closer. He was nervous because of the power this spirit displayed. He didn't know spirits could hold such power over youkai or human.
"Do you know of the story behind these statues?" Lao tilted his head.
"I know they were brothers. One of them had the strength of a hundred youkai, the other had the brains to keep his brother in check." Kenji recalled what little he remembered from the lessons.
"Correct. But that is not all. The clan was young then. And they couldn't come to a decision on which of them will be the leader. Because there wasn't a decision, they ruled together. For the most part this wasn't an issue. Until came the day their home was destroyed and they had to search for a new home for the entire clan."
"Was this in the search for the current location of the castle?" Kenji raised an eyebrow.
"Correct. They searched endlessly. Soon they found themselves lost within these mountains. Until a storm forced them to seek shelter. Mauntenrodo took pity upon them, and opened the entrance you and the others found. Once inside, they found this cavern with the glowing crystals. It is here one of the brothers began to hear Mauntenrodo."
"Let me guess, it's the one with brains?" Kenji guessed.
"Yes. He heard the mountain speak. The brother began to have visions of what the land looked like on the other side of the mountain. He began to relay to the others there might be a home for them. They just had to make their way outside again. The other brother scoffed at the idea."
"The strong brother saw no point. This cavern served purpose enough for a home. They only had to venture outside to hunt and gather. What was the point of living outside? But his brother insisted they had to go outside, for that is Mauntenrodo's will."
"Let me hazard a guess, one of them dies?" Kenji crossed his arms.
"Actually, no. The brother that heard Mauntenrodo, was gifted the means to convince his brother by means not by force. He began to give his brother dreams of the mountain crushing all of them. After several nights of this, he begged his brother for help to find a way out. So Mauntenrodo created another entrance. This leads to the mountain ranges embrace, where your clan has claimed as theirs."
"And it is here the clan prospered like never before. No one troubled them. And as they established trade routes, the clan grew so powerful that they became the leading pack of the North. Because of this prosperity, the brothers agreed to create this shrine here. It finished when their sons were leading the clan, and in the honor of the brothers these statues were erected."
"So...you mean to tell me that the clan used to be ruled by two at the same time?"
"Once upon a time. Over time, less and less were able to hear Mauntenrodo. Then came along me. At the time I had four tails. I was traveling through when I heard the calling of Mauntenrodo. I found this cavern, then the shrine. The lord of that time was suspicious of me, and put me through a series of tests to ensure I wasn't tricking him that I can hear Mauntenrodo. And thus, I filled the role of the brother with the brains."
Kenji considered the information. As he did, he glanced up at the statues. He frowned at the shape of the heads. One of them looked similar enough to Sesshomaru's true form. Only without the moon mark.
"Did the mountain change our appearance?"
"Yes, actually. Mauntenrodo blessed the Mountain Dogs many things in return of becoming his children. Their hair turned black for living in Mauntenrodo's shadow. The eyes turned red to strike fear of their power upon their opponents hearts. And, the royal blood, the direct descendants of these brothers, can call upon the strength of past leaders for help in battle. But this can only be used in one's lifetime."
"That explains so much on some of the old stories. The few wars we fought, a leader was able to fell a thousand or more enemies at once." Kenji was in awe when he made that connection.
"Yes. Mauntenrodo has been nothing but generous to those he claimed as his children. That was until your father was born. Looking back on the memories now, I should have foreseen his betrayal. He disliked me greatly, and I figured it would be a phase until he learned the truth."
"That he isn't the only leader of the pack." Kenji connected the dots.
"He took it too personally. And in doing so he sealed his own fate by sealing the main entrance." Lao nodded.
"So what exactly do you want?" Kenji frowned.
"Open the seal, and carry the traditions that your clan used to have. And promise for all of your clan that the entrance never be sealed ever again. Mauntenrodo won't be so merciful if it happens again. I don't believe I would be able to stop Mauntenrodo if he chooses to end the clan that he accepted as his children."
"...Why me? Why not Asahi? I don't even know what these traditions are. I always ran away when it came to my lessons. I don't even know if Asahi knows about these so called traditions." Kenji noticed a very important detail.
Lao hesitated for a moment before sighing.
"The same day you all found your way inside the mountain, someone invaded inside the castle. This is why I didn't immediately realize there were visitors. I was watching from the statues guarding the gates. Someone poisoned your brother, then began devouring those who lived within the castle. Your cousin was rounding survivors to escape when the invader destroyed the statues."
"What!? You mean to tell me Asahi is dead? That can't be! I'm not Lord material! I'm best at fighting! He's the brains between the two of us!" Kenji panicked.
"Calm yourself. I created a spell to give him a chance at surviving. I am unsure on the state he is in currently, but my spells are almost never broken." Lao glanced at Sesshomaru. "At least not by those who are Mauntenrodo's children."
"But why help him at all?" Kenji blinked.
"Because I see a lot of potential in Asahi. And I was unsure if you would be returning anytime soon. If anyone had a chance of taking back the castle, it had to be a direct descendant. But now with you here, that just increases the chances. Together you and your brother can right the sins of your father. Just like these brothers that started your clan, you two will prosper."
Lao sounded so confident. And perhaps he had every right to. Even those who weren't part of the clan saw the symbolism. Two brothers, one the brains, the other the brawn. Together they can unite a clan and take back their home and fix a problem that plagued them since the mountain shrine was sealed away.
"...All right. I'll do it. I just hope you're right that he's alive for your sake." Kenji breathed in. When he exhaled, he turned to the others. His expression distraught.
"I know this isn't your fight. And my brother caused a lot of pain. Myself included. Nothing I say or do can make up for that. But, will you help me? Help me fight this evil that has taken over my home?"
At his words most of them glanced at each other. While he was right, it wasn't their fight. But they weren't the type to just walk away when people needed help. Wordlessly they nodded in unison.
"We'll help! So long as those of us who can't fight are somewhere safe while we fight, that's enough." Kagome spoke for them.
"There should be survivors outside the castle walls somewhere. Unite with them, and there should be a means to protect those who can't fight. With the entrance sealed my eyesight to the outside is foggy at best." Lao instructed.
"Just curious, who is the enemy that's taken over?" Miroku wondered.
"I heard someone call him Naraku. But I cannot be too sure. The screams were distracting. And at the time, saving Asahi became top priority." The spirit shuddered as he recalled that scene.
"Then this would be our fight. He's the one who reanimated Hinata." Sango was determined now.
"Yeah, I kinda guessed that when Kohaku explained his story." Kenji had noted the similarities between the two young souls.
"So, you agree to my terms, Kenji of the Mountain Dogs? Will you promise to uphold the traditions your father foolishly threw away?" Lao asked, and he turned to face the kitsune.
"Yes. On my honor as the descendant of the brothers that created my clan, I will right a wrong my father had done." Kenji promised.
"Very well. I will lead the way to the main entrance where your blood can open it." As Lao spoke, the chain that held Sesshomaru captive let go and disappeared.
The kitsune transformed into his fox form. He made a cooing sound before taking the lead. The group followed, all of them hoping this wasn't a trick.