Kagome found herself inside a wooden hut. She sat on the elevated rear platform near the firepit next to Kaede. Following Tsubaki's retreat, the girl had invited Kagome inside for tea. Though the fire had been lit, no beverages had been served. Tea was the furthest thing from Kaede's mind.
"What happened to my sister?"
A pair of piercing brown eyes focused on Kagome. The child in front of her spoke with authority. It was not a tone Kagome expected to hear from such an innocent-looking little girl. Of course, nothing about the world on this side of the well was what Kagome expected. It was like a dream.
Or a nightmare.
She couldn't shake the awful feeling that Tsubaki would reappear at any moment. The white-haired woman was more determined than Kagome's friend, Eri who was diligent about scouting sales flyers for the best price on things. It wasn't a question of if Tsubaki would come back; it was a matter of when.
"What happened to Kikyo?"
Kagome blinked, her attention returning to Kaede. "I don't know," she answered honestly. "One minute I was in the well house at our family shrine and the next, I was here."
The little girl stared at her skeptically.
Kagome explained the strange noises she and Souta heard before she fell down the well. She told Kaede how she hid in the woods and about the giant white snake that attacked her.
"It is not a snake. It's a shikigami," Kaede informed her.
"You mean a ghost?"
"No, it's a spirit summoned by someone powerful," the girl corrected her.
Kagome's eyes widened. "Like magic?"
Kaede scoffed. "Onmyodo is not just magic. It is a meticulous balance of our world, the spirit world, and everything that exists in between. It incorporates the five elements and the flow of yin and yang. Few practitioners are capable of harnessing such an ability. My sister is one… was one." She dropped her gaze to the floor of the hut.
"I don't know what happened to her," Kagome confessed. "When I climbed out of the well, the only people I saw were the villagers."
"Tsubaki must have cursed Kikyo," Kaede remarked.
"Can you reverse it?" Kagome asked.
"To do that, I would have to understand exactly what she did. I would need to review the enchantment she used, if she had one, and study the steps she took to enact such dark magic."
"That's not something she's just going to tell us," Kagome replied.
"Tsubaki hated my sister. They were friends once but after Kikyo was named the Shikon Miko, things changed. Tsubaki my aspirations drove her mad with jealousy. She coveted the honor my sister was given. I told Kikyo not to trust her, but this— I didn't realize she would go to these lengths to get get rid of my sister."
"Maybe your sister survived," Kagome suggested.
"That is impossible."
"Why?"
"Because she would have never given up the Shikon Jewel," Kaede answered.
"Tsubaki kept talking about a jewel. She told me to give it to her. I didn't know what she was talking about. I don't have any jewels," Kagome said.
"You do." Kaede leaned over and placed her hand on Kagome's right side, just below her ribcage. As her fingertips brushed the fabric of Kagome's blouse, a pale pink light appeared.
"What is that?"
"That is the Shikon no Tama— the Jewel of Four Souls," Kaede responded calmly.
"But why is it inside of me?" Kagome asked, voice wavering as she rolled up her shirt. Her skin was scar-free. There was no indication of how the jewel had gotten there. Kagome wasn't sure what upset her more: not realizing when the jewel had mysteriously appeared beneath her skin or why.
"The jewel has chosen you as its protector. From now on, you are the Shikon Miko."
"What? No. There's no way. I can't stay here!" Kagome yanked her shirt down.
"You must," Kaede insisted. "The Shikon Jewel can grant and amplify powers. Whoever possesses it— demon, human, or hanyou will be unstoppable. Power of that magnitude can tempt even in the most good-natured of people to do terrible things."
"So why doesn't someone destroy it?"
Kaede stared at her as if she had just asked why the sky was blue. "The Shikon Jewel is a spiritual artifact born from the soul of the strongest priestess to ever live and the demon to who she succumbed. It may look like a glass marble but it is far from fragile. Only power of the same degree can harm it."
"Well, there have to be other priestesses around here. Why don't you ask one of them for help?" Kagome suggested.
"Haven't you been listening to me? There is no one alive who possesses that kind of power. My sister was the strongest priestess in half a century. The jewel's care was entrusted to her and now, it has been passed on to you."
"I'm not a priestess!" Kagome cried.
"You mentioned that your family members are caretakers for a shrine," Kaede reminded her.
"Yeah, but—."
"Then you are descended from a spiritual bloodline. At some point, one of your ancestors possessed the gift and that same talent flows in your blood…however distant that relative may have been."
Kagome couldn't avoid the dispatching tone of Kaede's voice. The girl was younger than her but somehow Kaede made Kagome feel like an ignorant child
"I don't know the first thing about being a priestess," she said.
Kaede stood and grabbed a tea kettle to place over the fire. "Then we should get started. We haven't much time."
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked.
"Lord Taisho's entourage is expected at dawn."
Kagome tilted her head curiously. "Is this village under his care?"
Kaede snorted. "I suppose it will be after you two are married."
"Wait, what?" Kagome jumped to her feet.
Falling through the creepy old well had been scary. Being chased by a giant white snake had been terrifying. Finding out that she had a mystical jewel stuck under her had been unnerving. But marriage… Kagome knew she wasn't ready for that.
"The daimyo decreed that the Shikon Miko wed Lord Touga Taisho's eldest son. This marriage would be the first of its kind— an olive branch extended to broker peace between those who lord over the humans and those who lord over the demon realms," Kaede explained. "My sister was set to fulfill that request. Now, her obligation passes onto you."
"I won't do it," Kagome refused. "I'm fifteen. I don't have time for marriage. I still have high school entrance exams to prepare for!"
Kaede's expression told her that the girl had no idea what she was talking about. "You will go with Lord Taisho's envoy tomorrow and you will wed his eldest son."
"You can't make me!"
"You're right. I can't make you. Just know that if you refuse, not only will your fiancée slaughter everyone in this village but he will also kill you. Is that what you want?" Kaede challenged.
Kagome held her gaze as she tried to figure out if the girl was lying.
"Lord Sesshomaru does not have a reputation as a forgiving daiyokai. I suspect he wouldn't look fondly upon you for publicly humiliating him with your rejection. If the stories I've heard about his behavior are true, then I don't think even the Shikon Jewel could save you from his wrath."
There was an audible gulp. "Right…so about this priestess thing…"
A rumbling sound pierced the air. Anyone passing through the Western Lands would consider it to be Thunder but the local inhabitants knew the true source.
Lord Sesshomaru's temper was infamous. Though he rarely raised his voice, the daiyokai was short on patience. His focus centered around developing his combat skills and increasing his abilities. As the firstborn of the Great Dog Demon, Sesshomaru possessed heightened abilities and strong yoki. His capabilities were almost as impressive as his finesse on the battlefield.
Like his father, he preferred to confront his foes alone. Any opposition he encountered was met head-on and pursued with extreme prejudice, especially in the case of humans. It had been the daimyo that dubbed Sesshomaru 'The Killing Perfection'…
…right after the demon lord ran his claws through the man's private guard.
The attack had been provoked by an announcement that set the entire court into a frenzy. The commotion fell silent when the daimyo's guard hit the floor. Every person had turned their attention to Sesshomaru. As the blood dripped from his claws, he had faced his father.
"You do not command me. You do not possess the authority to select whom I will mate."
Touga had responded in an even tone. "This union is necessary for the longevity of our kind. As my eldest son, you should feel honored to seize such an opportunity."
"It is not an opportunity; it is a prison sentence."
His opinion on the subject remained unchanged. With each passing day, the tension in the Western Palace grew. No one was immune to the dark clouds that had settled over the demon lord, least of all his vassal.
"Jaken."
"Yes, my lord!" the squat imp rushed to his master's side.
"Bring another," Sesshomaru demanded, tossing an unconscious demon aside. The guard joined a pile of other inuyokai who lay scattered across the courtyard.
"Th-there are no m-more, my lord," Jaken stuttered. He eyed the group warily. Those who were appointed as protectors of the Taisho family were vigorously vetted before joining the ranks, yet Sesshomaru had incapacitated all of them in a single training session. Jaken slowly backed away from his master, his webbed hands clutched around a wooden staff. "I could summon the perimeter guards if you wish," he offered.
"No, I will find a more suitable alternative." Sesshomaru leaped into the air and disappeared over the courtyard wall.
"My lord, wait! My lord!"
He ignored Jaken's desperate cries. If his vassal was incapable of finding a satisfying distraction, Sesshomaru would seek out one on his own.
To the north were the mountains where the wolf pack reigned. In the south, was Tekki and her brood of bird demons. Sesshomaru saw neither clan as a challenge. Not even their leaders could contend with his strength. The West held two great opponents— his father and the leader of the leopard tribe.
Though Sesshomaru respected Touga, he did not respect his decision to unify the lands through an arranged marriage. His opinion was strong but it did not translate into a need to fight— not in a physical sense. Sesshomaru had made it very clear to Touga how he felt about his upcoming nuptials.
Sesshomaru saw it as a foolish endeavor. When Touga first proposed the idea, he was met with disbelief and suspicion. Several other lords disagreed with him, though none were as vocal as his mate. Sesshomaru's mother, Arisu, openly opposed the union. She had urged Touga to reconsider. Her pleas fell on deaf ears. Touga was adamant that building trust between demon-kind and humanity would be beneficial for everyone. While he sought peace, the other members of the court valued power.
"We cannot continue to go to war with one another. Our numbers are dwindling. Fights with the demon slayers, the holy radicals, and amongst ourselves have caused great losses. Soon, our kind will cease to exist. We need to bridge the gap between us and our human counterparts. Only then can we ensure our future," Touga had implored the council.
There had been several lengthy debates about the appropriate measures to take. Touga had been prepared for all of them. Once he outlined how the other lords would profit from a trade expansion with the humans, their disapproval began to vanish. Eventually, his proposal passed. He traveled outside of the Western Lands to announce his idea to the human leaders. They had agreed to an alliance on one condition: they could choose the demon's bride.
Sesshomaru had not cared about the selection. The woman's identity was irrelevant as was her station. All of it would cease to exist the moment she stepped foot onto the altar. Once wed, her sole purpose would be to act as a pawn in his father's play for peace. Let the human rulers choose the poor woman whose life would be forfeit. It had no barring on him.
Or so he had thought.
After the human rulers provided Touga with their selection, he made one of his own. He chose his first-born son to represent demon-kind.
Sesshomaru had refused. He had no desire to play a part in his father's plan, nor did he intend to take a human for his mate. Demon-kind was far superior to the human race. As one of the strongest demons alive, Sesshomaru would only consider someone who was his equal. He would not cater to a mate who required constant supervision like a pup. A union of that type would result in weak whelps such as his half-brother, Inuyasha. Sesshomaru would rather tear off his left arm than sire such offspring.
He had requested an audience with his father to address his concerns. Touga remained resolute. The agreement had already been made. There would be no backing out.
His father was adamant that the wedding occur. Touga would not entertain any alterations to his plan. When Sesshomaru shared rumors that his betrothed was in love with another, his father chuckled. He did not believe that someone as pure as the Shikon Miko would pursue a romantic relationship. After all, priestesses were destined to live a chaste life.
Sesshomaru had sent Jaken to Edo to bring back proof of the woman's infidelity. He expected to hear tales about a stammering villager. He had not been prepared to hear that her lover was his own kin.
Inuyasha, Touga's second-born son from his human mate, Izayoi, had never been particularly partial to humans. An outcast in both demon and human society, the half-breed struggled to find his place at court. He often wandered off alone. The absences never bothered Sesshomaru. He was not his brother's keeper. Perhaps, he should have been more observant. If Sesshomaru had, he would have noticed the change in Inuyasha's mood— and the female scent upon his Fire-Rat robe.
He had traveled to Edo to see the truth for himself. The pair was far from discreet. Inuyasha trailed after the miko like a pup follows its mother. He never strayed more than a few meters from her, regardless of where she went. The villagers were wary of the half-breed, yet they didn't question his presence. They appeared to be used to his visits.
Sesshomaru confronted Inuyasha about his relationship with the woman in front of Touga but the half-breed denied everything. He claimed he had been training under their father's friend, Totosai. When the senile sword smith corroborated Inuyasha's story, Sesshomaru nearly went feral with rage. After that day, his father would not see him.
The closer Sesshomaru came to the date of the wedding, the darker his mood became. He stopped seeing visitors— not even his mother was permitted entry to his chambers. He spent his time training in the courtyard or practicing forms by himself. The only associate he conversed with was Jaken but even the imp had failed him.
He was alone.
It was her fault— that woman. If it was not for her and her meddlesome leader, the daimyo, Sesshomaru would not be trapped by circumstance. If she was gone, he would be free. With that in mind, Sesshomaru veered to the east toward Edo.
He did not relish the idea of taking her life but the instinct to protect his freedom outweighed any doubts. Sesshomaru had attempted to reason with his father and had given Inuyasha a chance to be honest. He had tried being merciful. Now, he would be direct.
As Sesshomaru crossed fields and forests, he considered his father's final words on the subject. "You will not know compassion until you have someone to protect. This decision is as much for our people as it is for you. Do not allow your pride to ruin this opportunity."
Pride, Sesshomaru scoffed was not the problem. Dishonesty was— dishonesty and disillusionment. Inuyasha had turned his back on his mate. Instead of speaking up, he had abandoned her to a cruel fate. Their father was no better. He was blinded by his goal to establish unity.
Sesshomaru did not understand Touga's desire to harmonize demon and human cultures. Both societies had a long history of civil war. The constant battles for control had resulted in an increase of mercenaries. They were nothing more than swords for hire who operated without honor or purpose. Their directive came from whoever's purse was heaviest. It was pure chaos.
What could Touga hope to gain by uniting them under a single rule?
The Great Dog General was considered an excellent strategist. When he was outnumbered, he had used his wits to gain an advantage against his opponents. The list of his victories was longer than the main hall of the Western Palace. Yet, he seemed determined to see this misguided plot through.
Sesshomaru would not allow his father's legacy to be tainted by a single misstep. He would honor the Taisho name. He would do what was necessary to ensure such a union never came to be.
After spending the entire day training, Sesshomaru had lost track of time. Night fell as he flew to Edo. His approach was shielded by clouds as they passed over the moon, casting long shadows across the lands below.
He landed along the outskirts of the village. The tree line offered camouflage while his position on the hillside gave him a prime vantage point. Sesshomaru surveyed the cluster of wooden huts, using his heightened senses to locate the one belonging to the Shikon Miko.
After a minute had passed, his brow creased. He could not pick up on her scent. Sesshomaru's yoki was thrumming, warning him of his proximity to her reiki. Yet that too was different. The energy signature he felt now was vastly different from the one he had encountered during his last trip to Edo.
Sesshomaru could sense immense spiritual power. This reiki was far more potent than anything he had experienced before. It was strong enough to rival his yoki. He understood her abilities were amplified by the Shikon Jewel but that did not explain why her energy signature felt different.
He scanned the huts, honing in on one near the center of the village. Inside was the source of the energy. Sesshomaru inhaled. He picked up on her scent almost immediately. Like her reiki, it was powerful. The blend of light floral notes and fresh spices was pleasant— much more agreeable than the pungent odor of sweat and dirt her neighbors carried.
Her hygiene was not the most striking trait he picked up on. Sesshomaru's nostrils flared as he realized she was untouched. His brother's foul scent was not on her, nor was any other's. She was pure. This woman— whoever she was —was not his betrothed.
Furious, Sesshomaru marched down the hill. He may not have agreed to this marriage but he would not be duped. The villagers could not switch out their precious Shikon Miko for another woman. The priestess had been promised to Sesshomaru and she was his to do with as he liked. If the people of Edo wished to make a mockery of him, they would pay for such insolence with their lives.
"We've been at it for hours, Kaede. I need a break."
The hut flap opened to reveal a slim woman with cerulean eyes. She stepped out into the moonlight, unaware of the danger lurking nearby.
Sesshomaru paused. He watched her stomp out and head for the bridge.
"We aren't done yet!" a young girl called after her. "Kagome."
The woman ignored her. She did not notice Sesshomaru standing across the river staring at her. Her steps were heavy as she made her way across the bridge to climb the hillside. Her hands were balled into fists at her side and her jaw was clenched. Her reiki crackled, casting off sparks of pink light.
Intrigued, Sesshomaru reached out his yoki to the woman.
Instantly, she froze. She appeared to be stunned for a moment before she glanced around. By the time she looked over her shoulder at where he had stood, Sesshomaru was gone.
