Miroku and Mikaboshi made their way to Mount Musabi. Scanning the area that led to a trail it seemed quite normal. The only indication was a sign warning hikers or travelers to enter at their own risk.
"The mountain has a reputation for people going missing or insane." Miroku explained.
"The trials." Mikaboshi said glancing at him.
"More than likely." Miroku nodded in agreement.
"Let us be off then monk." Mikaboshi said taking a few steps noting that Miroku wasn't following him. Turning back he saw the other taking a few steps back.
"I've had my own trials of courage and cowardice. I don't need a mountain barrier judging me." He smirked out.
"Alright then." With a shrug he walked into the wooded area ready for whatever it decided to throw at him.
Mikaboshi had a singular task in mind and that was to get this annoyance over and done with. Once he had the Zanseiken he could retrieve the Bakuseiken to make his sword whole again.
Then none could challenge him not even the haughty bitch of the west. Gritting his teeth he narrowed his eyes as he felt the shift in the environment.
It still appeared the same but it was different as if he had been taken to another place. Stopping to get his bearings something caught his attention in the tree line.
Moving himself to the shadows he intended to catch whatever it was and make it talk or slay it if need be. What he saw made him stall.
Her hair was long and changed color depending on how you perceived her as well as her physical features but to him he saw her as she was.
Young and petite with an ornate headdress appearing to be a crown made up of lotus blossoms and lavender. She wore a flowing kimono the colors of yellow, green, and blue with nothing on her feet.
Coming up behind her she startled but didn't flinch.
"Guanshiyin or may I refer to you as
Kannon?" Mikaboshi whispered out.
Turning to him she glanced up at him squaring her gaze with eyes the color of the reddest rose. In their depths held infinite compassion and understanding.
"Amatsu Mikaboshi." She replied. At her voice he forgot what had brought him to this moment and he fell to his knee to be the one looking up at her.
"Goddess, I am humbled to be in your presence." He said taken by her sudden appearance.
"I have heard many things about you but humbleness is not one." She returned.
"It must be your beauty then that has struck me down so thoroughly."
"Why do you bend your knee to me? I did not ask you to."
"Allow me to be beneath you where one such as myself belongs." At his words she seemed somewhat taken aback.
"My lord; you are a god of the cosmos, I am a simple servant of the heavens. You clearly are above me." She stated.
"Why have you sought me out?" He asked anxiously waiting her reply.
"I have been told by my venerable mother to stay away from you. That you are a harbinger of chaos and destruction. It made me curious of you, my lord."
"Interesting." He said amused.
"I had half expected to be afraid of you or nervous even but the only emotions I feel are a calm and familiarity I have never known before." Kannon took a step closer to him as she spoke before kneeling in front of him similar to how he was.
"I feel it as well in your presence goddess. You bring me a peace I have never known." He said softly.
"You are my other half and I am yours. Let me bring order to your chaos." She requested.
"You wish to unite with me?" He questioned in awe. Nodding Kannon reached her hand forward to his face as he closed his eyes.
"Together we can bring about a balance to all of the realms."
"Then I am faithfully yours." Feeling her hand withdraw he reopened his eyes seeing now his surroundings had changed.
He was in the celestial palace of the west. He had his arm across his chest and abdomen with a gaping wound. "How?"
"The Tensaiga is able to dispatch beings of evil to the underworld." Snapping his head up Mikaboshi saw the dog demon of the western lands standing over him with his sword in hand.
"Rumor had it you were dead." Mikaboshi mocked attempting to summon his energy but unable to.
"Hardly." The demon retorted. Seemingly from nowhere the object of his hate came into view holding the one he cherished most.
Kannon was beside herself attempting to get closer to him but held back by the elder.
"Do you see what you have done Kannon?" Seiobo questioned. "Your actions have brought this upon you both."
"This is wrong. We are balance and you are disrupting that balance." She snapped back.
"Hm. You will see in time that this is what is best for you." Seiobo replied staring at him with glee and in victory.
Glaring at her Mikaboshi stood.
"I will not be kept from her. You have not won and you never will." He said. Hearing her laugh in a way that made even his blood run cold she smirked.
"But I have. Banish him." She ordered the dog demon.
"Yes my lady." He obliged raising his sword again. Closing his eyes Mikaboshi saw Hana and remembered what had brought him to this place again.
Snapping his eyes open he let out a battle cry and lunged for the demon gripping the hilt of the Tensaiga.
"She is mine. No matter her form or if she is mortal. She belongs with me and you will not stop me from protecting her!" He shouted.
In a moment he was alone once again standing in front of a clear lake.
"Amatsu Mikaboshi." A voice seemed to come from all around him but nowhere at the same time. "Why do you seek to reunite with your sword, a weapon that became the bane of both heaven and earth?"
"To protect what is mine." He replied sternly. "I will, no matter the cost, even if it is my own life. As long as I know that she is safe and our child is well, I will move the very core of the earth to see that happen."
Looking down at his hand he saw a sword materialize before he was holding it securely in his hand.
"Protect the goddess Kanzeon. Restore balance to the universe." It said.
Finding himself standing by the entrance to Mount Musabi once again he turned to see Miroku standing where he had left him.
"Well, that was…interesting." Miroku said.
"How long was I gone for?" Mikaboshi queried.
"You didn't go anywhere. You just stood there. All in all it was a minute maybe two." Miroku replied. Mikaboshi brought the sword up to examine it flexing his fingers around the hilt. "So, how were the trials?"
"Let's go." Mikaboshi said his eye falling back on the human. "We need to find that demon to settle this."
"Right." Miroku agreed as they began to walk towards Mirokus car.