The Fang and the Flower
Chapter 07: Anything Is Possible
Jaken's urgent message close to dawn brought Sesshōmaru back to the human realm sooner than he expected.
Their rendezvous point in the message was at a rocky cliff in front of a cave that, at the first glance, looked like any other. The imp had been waiting for him, pacing back and forth, though no one could tell whether it was with excitement or anxiety.
"Come quick, my Lord," Jaken implored as soon as he saw his master's arrival. He waved his human head cane towards the dark, yawning mouth of the cave. "It's right here!"
Sesshōmaru followed his vassal inside. Nearly immediately, he wrinkled his nose at the odour of death and decay. Jaken had covered his nose with the edge of his sleeve, gagging every so often as they ventured deeper into the cavern. They had to pass through a narrow tunnel. There was not much air, and the stench steadily became more overwhelming.
"Here, look at these, my Lord!"
Jaken was pointing at a pile shoved into a corner. There, Sesshōmaru saw, dumped unceremoniously as though they were nothing better than garbage: bits and pieces of yōkai bodies. Cut-up horns, torn claws, fingers and toes, hearts and lungs, long twisted ropes of intestines, crushed eyeballs, to name a few. The cave floor was caked with dried blood and bodily waste.
Bile rose at the nauseating sight.
Sesshōmaru picked up a severed finger that lay close to the tip of his boot, finding the claw missing. Remnants of poison still dripped from the pointy end. Chill seeped into his bones at the realization: it was the finger of an inuyōkai. The scent of the poison was weak and much less potent than his own, but it belonged to his kind, nonetheless.
Uneasiness bloomed in his chest and spread.
What did this mean?
"Jaken," he said. "Find a chest and bring it here."
The imp scurried back towards the mouth of the cave, most likely relieved to leave the grim place that might have seen its share of torture and death. While Sesshōmaru waited for Jaken's return, he wrapped the finger carefully inside a scrap of cloth he fetched from the folds of his sleeve. A macabre memento to take back to his realm.
The rest of the time he spent grimly staring at the pile.
Whoever these body parts belonged to, they were most likely dead now. It seemed imperative to unite them with their owners somehow so that those souls could be made whole in the afterlife. But alas, he knew he could not perform a proper cremation just yet. These pieces were vital evidence in what was quickly becoming a serious and sinister investigation. They needed to be kept and preserved.
As soon as Jaken returned with a large cedar chest, Sesshōmaru told the imp to begin jotting down a list. Everything would need to be documented as precisely and as detailed as possible.
The process took quite a while. By the time he and Jaken were done with the grisly task, the sun had risen. Exiting a cave had never felt so relieving. Sesshōmaru was glad to be out of doors again in more ways than one, inhaling the sweet-scented air of the wide-open space, catching the earthy undertones of the trees and the forests.
The winds and clouds carried him towards the Plains of Musashi. He was to return to the yōkai realm shortly, but beforehand, he made sure to stop by the village to collect his newest houseguest. Jaken had notified Shippō in advance, so the young kitsune was already waiting at the outskirts of the village. A bundle of belongings was clasped in his hand.
"Where are we going, my Lord?" Shippō asked after a few moments of trodding a path through the woods in silence.
"To Inumura Castle," Sesshōmaru replied. "My home, and the home of my forefathers before me."
The kit seemed to mull over the response for a while before he asked another question.
"And— where is Inumura Castle?"
"In the yōkai Empire of Kin, in the yōkai realm."
Here, the kitsune was struck motionless. He halted his steps. His round green eyes stared up in confusion at the towering male before him.
"Yōkai Empire? Yōkai realm?"
Sesshōmaru stopped as well, turning around and nodding.
"It may be difficult to believe, Fox, since you have lived in these lands all your life. However, the truth is: this place is not where you, or any yōkai, are supposed to reside. All yōkai came from the yōkai realm. Your mother and father too. Even though perhaps they were born in the human world, their ancestors must have hailed from one of the yōkai Empires and made a home here."
Shippō's jaw dropped. "There's more than one Empire?!"
"There are four yōkai Empires: Kin — Gold, Gin — Silver, Seidō — Bronze, and Dō — Copper. I serve the Empire of Kin as the Lord of the Western Lands."
"And Kagome is… also in the Kin Empire?"
Sesshōmaru nodded solemnly. "She is currently residing in my home as my guest."
"But… how did she manage to find out about the yōkai realm and cross over? Is it easy to cross from one realm to the other?"
Sesshōmaru realized he did not know precisely how Higurashi Oiran had managed to end up in the yōkai realm in the first place. There was bound to be a story there. Interesting.
"It is not easy to cross over," he finally replied. "As you will see yourself later, the borders — lands, sky, and seas — are all heavily guarded. As for the other question, it is for you to ask her directly."
The kitsune fell into silence with thoughts. They continued walking until they reached a small clearing deep in the woods. It was as good a place as any, Sesshōmaru thought, away from the prying eyes of the villagers.
With yōki at his fingertips, he traced a series of characters that opened the portal from one realm to the other. Tendrils of his aquamarine aura diminishing from thin air as fast as they appeared.
And suddenly, in front of them, stretching wide as far as the eyes could see, was the Great Wall of Shimazaki. It was constructed by one of the first Lords of the Western Lands with the specific purpose of protecting the yōkai realm. Back then, it must have been a massive undertaking. Stretching to the sky at one hundred feet, it was eighteen times taller than a mature male. Today, it was one of the main crossing points between the two worlds. Constructed from gigantic slabs of smooth stones, it was nearly impossible to scale. Each slab was infused with powerful and ancient yōkai magic which, when put together, would present an impenetrable barrier.
A bevy of citizens had already lined up to get their paperwork inspected. Border crossings were permitted for limited trade, visiting relatives, and occasionally, education. Each crossing was strictly regulated and required an intricate application process that sometimes took months to review and approve.
The Chief of Border Protection on duty approached to pay his respect. He executed a courtly bow.
"Welcome back, my Lord. Your servants hope your visit to the human realm had proved successful."
"We have come across a startling discovery this morning," Sesshōmaru spoke. "Tighten security around the entire perimeter of the Wall, and increase the number of soldiers and the frequency of patrols. If there is a crack somewhere larger than a crevice, I need it reported and thoroughly inspected. It is crucial that we locate the breach before too much time passes."
The officer bowed again. "Understood, my Lord."
The officer's eyes lingered curiously on the kitsune for a few seconds, though he did not ask why his Lord returned to the yōkai realm with a young fox at his tail.
Sesshōmaru led the way through the massive wood and iron gate, barricaded heavily with yōkai charms and armed guards. Shippō tailed close behind him, an expression of awe on his face as he looked around at everyone around him. All full-blooded yōkai like himself.
Immediately beyond the gate was the town of Shimazaki. Like all border towns, it was filled with a wide range of curiosities, especially on a Market Day like today. Walking through the main streets and perusing the market stalls, one would find items from both the human and the yōkai realms. Everything would be there: household items, bolts of fabrics in all colours imaginable, unusual herbs and medicines, rare delicacies, precious spices from the faraway lands, and gemstones from the four yōkai Empires. It was a place where two different worlds merged into one. An estuary of some sort.
Sesshōmaru walked amongst the stalls, letting Shippō have a little taste, sights, and smells of the riches this realm offered. Most of the townfolks knew who he was, as he was the Lord who presided over these parts, and they parted the way and gave him their respects. They continued until they reached a clearing at the end of the street. There, they prepared to fly. For ease of travel, Sesshōmaru permitted Shippō to hold onto the end of his mokomoko as he transported them both to their destination, flying above the towns and villages on the way.
He overheard Shippō's sharp intake of breath as they flew over the capital city of the Kingdom, Anyō, over rows of shops and merchant houses, multi-storied government buildings, and expansive gardens with their rivers and streams sparkling under the sun. The golden roofs of the imperial palace glinted in the distance.
The view would have been more magnificent had it been nighttime, and the lanterns and oil lamps were lit. Still, even during the day, the sight was jaw-dropping. Especially for the young kitsune from the Plains of Musashi, where the landscapes were mainly farmlands and rustic villages of the countryside.
Once they left Anyō behind them, Sesshōmaru raised them to a new height, flying above the smatterings of white clouds towards the stretch of blue sky on the horizon.
A gentle tug at his tail prompted him to turn his head slightly.
"Thank you for flying a little lower while we passed the capital, Sesshōmaru-sama," the kitsune said. "I was able to see the city much better."
"Hnn."
Yamashiri mountain loomed large ahead of him, its peak powdery white with snow. At its foot lay Miyagawa valley, where Inumura Castle was located. The vista was green and lush. The land was rich with vegetation and game animals, and the rivers were overflowing with fish.
Sesshōmaru spotted the Oiran miles before he landed, waiting just outside the gate. She was pacing back and forth. She could hardly wait to be reunited with her young friend; her impatience palpable in every step. The jonquil of her kimono, embroidered with purple irises, blended with the colour of the sun.
The daiyōkai supposed twenty years was a long time for a human, prolonged life or not. It was nearly half a lifetime. He heard the Shippō's soft gasp and the urgent squirm that followed. The child must have spotted her on the ground as well.
He began to dip down, the kitsune's excited kicking propelling his descent.
… …
Kagome no longer ran. She had expelled that impulse, along with several others that were considered ungainly, clumsy, and unladylike, favouring graceful, languid moves that attracted the eyes.
Now, she sashayed, or at least… supposed to. But the moment she saw Sesshōmaru landing at the gate and Shippō hopping off the end of the daiyōkai's tail, the urge to run nagged at her. When the kitsune sprinted towards her, arms wide open, she could not help it. She hastened her pace.
Shippō jumped into her arms, sobbing immediately. When Kagome enveloped the young kitsune in a tight hug, the sharp sense of nostalgia nearly brought tears to her eyes. She caressed Shippō's coppery hair, longer now that two decades had passed. Her voice nearly broke when she spoke, she had to pause and clear her throat.
"Shippō! You've grown so much since I saw you last!"
The kit looked up and gaped with amazement. "Kagome. You look so… You look so beautiful! And glamorous, like a real lady. I wish Inuyasha could see you right now! He's gonna die of jealousy."
Kagome chuckled sheepishly. She ventured a peek at Sesshōmaru and found the daiyōkai watching her with rapt attention. One of his silver eyebrows arched just a touch when their eyes met.
Just when she struggled to come up with a response to Shippō's words, the kit saw the female inu standing back a distance away, as though careful to not disturb the highly personal reunion.
"Who is that?" He tugged at Kagome's sleeve and asked in a lowered voice.
"Oh. That is Lord Sesshōmaru's sister," Kagome whispered back.
Jaw slack, he gaped. "Lord Sesshōmaru has a sister?!"
Kagome nodded and smiled. "Feels weird, huh. Her name is Shōritomohime, but you can call her Lady Shōri. Come. I'll introduce you."
Kagome took Shippō's hand, and together, they went to greet the lady of the estate. Sesshōmaru had taken his place beside his sister, a stoic figure compared to her soft and welcoming presence. Together side by side, they resembled a pair of matched silver-haired figurines: pristinely perfect. Even Shori's crimson and white ensemble seemed to have been designed to compliment her brother's outfit.
"Welcome to our home, Shippō," Shōri said, pink lips curving into her usual effortlessly charming smile. "I hope you will enjoy your stay here."
Shippō blushed the way any boy would in the face of a beautiful girl.
Kagome studied Shōri as the female inu attempted a light conversation with the young kitsune, who could not say more than two words before breaking into a shy stutter. Shōri seemed to have recovered from her mysteriously unpleasant experience at the Dragon Boat Festival. Her countenance and smile were as calm and amicable as they usually were.
After the introductions were completed, they took Shippō on a tour around the estate. Almost immediately, the kitsune fell in love with it, for it was a beautiful place, granted. But, for Shippō, the best feature of the estate was still Kagome's presence.
"Is there any way I can stay with Kagome?" He ventured a hopeful question to Sesshōmaru. "Here?"
Not wanting to place their host in an awkward predicament, Kagome took it upon herself to answer. "Shippō-kun, I'm staying here only while I help Sesshōmaru-sama accomplish… something, so I don't really live here. In a couple of weeks, I have to go back to work at the Okiya in the Nishihara."
The kit's round green eyes began to water. "Can I stay with you there?"
Kagome smiled sadly. "It's not exactly a suitable place for children, Shippō-kun. I'm so sorry. Perhaps later in the future, we can ask Sesshōmaru-sama to bring you back for another visit."
Her heart clenched painfully when Shippō looked like he was about to weep bitterly. Perhaps he would have, had Sesshōmaru not spoken first.
"Shippō. Would you like to go to school here?"
"Here?" The kit repeated.
"There is a reputable yōkai academy in the capital city, where yōkai children such as yourself attend daily to study and hone their skills. You will live at the school, though if Higurashi Oiran approves, you will be able to visit her during her days off. Or perhaps she can go and visit you."
Jaw dropped, the kitsune stared up at the Lord of the Western Lands, happiness and excitement radiating from every pore.
"Is that really possible, Sesshōmaru-sama?"
"Anything is possible," he replied solemnly. "If Higurashi Oiran is amenable to it, we will go on a tour of the school tomorrow. Afterwards, you may decide if you would like to attend and live in this realm."
Shippō looked so excited that no one would question whether he would like to live in the yōkai realm. But as Sesshōmaru stepped back to allow his guests some privacy, the kit held on to Kagome's sleeve and asked:
"Kagome. What is an Oiran?"
Kagome pursed her lips. How was she to explain to Shippō the adult nature of her profession? The rising panic must have made her blanch, enough to alert one of her hosts to step in and interfered, saving her from having to explain to the young kit on the spot.
"Shippō," Shōri called. "Would you like to accompany me to the kitchen? We shall see if the cook can spare some sweets for us."
At the mention of sweets, Shippō's eyes sparkled. When the female inu offered her hand, he took it immediately, and off they went.
Afterwards, Sesshōmaru and Kagome strolled slowly towards the building that housed the kitchen. She was still reeling from all the emotions she felt during Shippō's arrival, and Sesshōmaru's generous and ingenious idea further accentuated them.
"Thank you, my Lord," Kagome said, fanning herself gently. "For bringing Shippō here."
He flashed her a glance. "Oiran, I did say I will bring him to stay here after my next visit to the human realm."
"Yes, but—" Kagome smiled sheepishly. "You do not have any obligations to keep your word. After all, Shippō is not your ward, and this is your home. You have the right to refuse any guest."
He was quiet for a moment.
"When I give my word, Oiran, I expect myself to keep it."
She inclined her head. "Furthermore, you supplied a way for Shippō to be able to remain close to me. The school that we will look at tomorrow. What kind of school is it?"
"It is a yōkai academy, the best in the kingdom," he said. Then, after a brief pause, he added: "It is also where I attended as a young pup."
Kagome flashed him a surprised look. If Sesshōmaru had gone to the same school to study, it must be as reputable as he said it was.
"This is… very kind, my Lord," the Oiran said slowly. "It is much more than what you had initially offered. May I ask… why did you go so far to help?"
He arched an eyebrow again. "You meant to inquire if I have an ulterior motive behind my offer for his education."
Kagome lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. She had learned long ago that nothing was free. Kindness was essentially a loan, and the debt of a favour must one day be paid.
Sesshōmaru tilted his head, pausing as though in contemplation.
"Essentially, it is duty that drove me to suggest it," he finally said.
"Duty?"
"Every yōkai residing in the human realm is a subject of the empire, which I serve. Shippō is an orphaned yōkai left behind in the world that is not his," he explained. "There is no path for him other than to receive an indifferent education in the human realm, or survive under Inuyasha's tutelage. Both are greatly lacking compared to the opportunities available here."
"Opportunities such as attending the academy?"
"It is a start that will open more doors for him in the future. The schools at the capital city of Anyō provide superior education compared to any yōkai school in the human realm. And when Shippō graduates as a mature kitsune, he will be able to take the entrance exams to one of the universities. If he studies diligently, he can become a scholar, and his future as an official of the yōkai court will not be out of reach."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Such a future is possible for Shippō?"
Sesshōmaru nodded. "The Emperor and Empress are advocates for hardworking individuals. The Imperial Examination is open to all wishing to become a candidate for the state bureaucracy. This will include Shippō, when the time comes that he is of sufficient age and has passed the minimum educational requirements for the exam."
Following a pensive silence, she asked: "May I ask for one more favour, my Lord?"
The corners of his lips quirked into a faint smirk. "Oiran, we have come this far. Name it."
"The fee for the school," she said. "Let me be the one to pay it."
He flashed her a surprised look. "Oiran, there is no need."
"My Lord, I insist," she said. "I may not be a wealthy Lord of the realm, but I have accumulated some gold and jewels that are mine and mine alone. Though they are not much, I believe they should be sufficient to cover the fee for Shippō's schooling. I would be most grateful if you could advise me on the amount and where to send the payment, when the time comes."
He stared at her with an odd expression, as though he was holding back a chuckle. He even looked like he was biting the inside of his cheek to maintain his grave mien.
"Oiran, I told you there is no need because the academy is free of charge," he clarified. "I am surprised you were not aware of this fact."
Kagome blushed, chagrined that she had gone on and on about her own worth. Despite twenty years of living in the yōkai realm, her knowledge was limited to things related to the Okiya, the etiquettes for entertaining, and the arts of conversations, music, dance, and the fans.
A change of subject was in dire need.
"How was your travel to the human realm? Have there been new findings on the case that you are investigating?"
As though he sensed her need to change the topic, he did not dispute the shift.
"Jaken stumbled upon a cave and found a pile of yōkai body parts," he said.
"Many different kinds of yōkai, or just one?"
"Different kinds."
"Have you deciphered what this finding means?"
"I have not yet figured it out in its entirety, but I have an idea of what had transpired," he replied. "And I do not like it."
They had reached the top of the red-lacquered bridge suspended over the koi fishpond. As though by unspoken agreement, they both stopped to look at the colourful fishes swimming beneath the water below.
"Would you like me to go back to the Okiya, see if I could hear any rumours that might lead to another useful discovery?" Kagome offered.
Life at Inumura Castle was pleasant and comfortable, yet secluded. Frankly, nothing happened here. This was a haven. A pristine, beautiful place to rest and replenish one's energy, not collect gossips and dark rumours.
"Oiran, I employed you to assist me with the matter of my sister's future," Sesshōmaru pointed out. "I will not ask you to shoulder my duties as well."
Kagome gazed at his profile as they continued to stroll. He was staring at a faraway scenery, his expression aloof. She nearly smiled. He had such a sense of integrity. Most would not hesitate to squeeze in extra favours. The more one could gain from another person, the better. When the offer was for an inch, a mile would be taken. She had learned this from her years of working at the Okiya, which remained true for both humans and yōkai.
"You may not think it trivial, my Lord, but today you did a few things that mean a lot to me," she told him.
His golden eyes returned to her face, questions in their depths.
"You brought Shippō here," she reminded him gently. "You permit him to stay with me in your estate. And even more, you are prepared to show him a path to a bright and secure future, vastly better than anything he could hope for in the human realm. I cannot thank you enough for that."
"So, if there is anything I can assist you with, please let me know." She bowed.
… …
Sesshōmaru knew Higurashi Oiran offered him the assistance out of the kindness and the generosity of her heart. But somehow, he detested the idea of her going back to the Okiya and entertaining other lords of the realm, even if it was to help him solve a mystery on behalf of the Empire.
"So, if there is anything I can assist you with, please let me know." She ended her offer with a graceful bow.
So polished, so accomplished. Sometimes, the lines blurred so much that he could no longer tell which was genuine and artificial. When they walked or talked together, was it all a part of a performance?
And then she straightened, and smiled.
Granted, as an entertainer, she was trained to always have an alluring, amiable smile on her face. But this time, with every fibre of his being, he believed her smile was not a practiced smile of a high-ranking courtesan.
This time, it was a genuine smile. He was momentarily transported to those days when they were all pursuing Naraku, and he caught glimpses of her with her comrades. It was the smile of someone who had reaped joy from life.
He recalled frequently wondering: what does that feel like?
"I will consider your offer, Oiran," Sesshōmaru said, even though he knew he would not accept. "You have my gratitude."
She nodded, the remnants of that smile still lingering on her lips.
Just then, he saw Shōri and Shippō coming out of the building that housed the kitchen, each holding several confections of some sort. They were heading towards the field where Kai usually lounged, guarding the estate and waiting for his mistress to visit him. It seemed Shōri had a mind to introduce Shippō to her hulking gigantic pet dog. Might as well. The beast had a poor habit of consuming those who did not belong within the walls of the castle. It would be a tragedy if such end should befall their kitsune guest.
Kazuhiko was following them faithfully not far behind. There was something in the guard's expression as he gazed at Shōri that nearly stopped Sesshōmaru in his track. It looked suspiciously like… tenderness. But whatever it was, it disappeared within a split second, leaving the daiyōkai feeling rather perturbed. Perhaps it was nothing but the trick of the eye, he thought, dismissing the ridiculous notion.
Because Sesshōmaru knew above all else: Kazuhiko's loyalty to their family was absolute. The servant would do nothing to degrade the House of the Crescent Moon's name.
When they reached Shōri and Shippō, he excused himself, signaling for Kazuhiko to follow him. Once he was far enough away to ensure privacy for their conversation, he stopped and turned.
"My Lord?" Kazuhiko's golden eyes greeted him.
"Have a look at this." Sesshōmaru fished out the neat package he kept in the folds of his sleeve. "And tell me what you see."
Kazuhiko began to unravel the cloth wrapping. As soon as the severed finger was revealed, the guard blanched.
"My Lord, this is—"
"Tell me my eyes have deceived me," Sesshōmaru said grimly. "Are we truly looking at the finger of an inuyōkai child?"
"Looking at the size, a child of a century-old at the most," Kazuhiko confirmed. "My Lord, where did you find this? Are there other body parts?"
Sesshōmaru explained his latest findings and handed over a rolled-up parchment that contained a detailed list of the body parts littered inside the cave before they had been gathered and placed inside a chest for further study.
Kazuhiko's eyes quickly scanned through Jaken's tiny but tidy handwriting.
"From ten different yōkai?" He asked.
"From ten different breeds of yōkai," Sesshōmaru clarified. "The victims are one of each breed, it seems."
Sesshōmaru observed the guard quietly as the latter studied the list. Kazuhiko had been a part of the House of the Crescent Moon since the servant was a newborn pup. Sesshōmaru's father had found him in the human realm in the arms of a dying female — presumably his own mother, just hours after his birth. Tōga had taken a pity on the motherless pup and brought him back to Inumura Castle where he was raised, and trained to be an outstanding warrior he was today.
"Kazuhiko, you are my best tracker," Sesshōmaru said. "I need you to travel to the human realm and see what else you can find out. Take two days for investigation. I had entrusted the chest filled with the body parts to Jaken for safekeeping. Meet him at the village so you can see the contents of the chest for yourself. Report back to me after two days, or as soon as you discover something important. Until then, I will remain here to protect the estate and oversee the preparation for the hunt."
He sighed, fingers already well on their way to pinch the bridge of his nose. "This hunt cannot happen at the worst time, but we have at least a dozen yōkai lords coming to vie for Lady Shōri's hand."
Another guard came from the direction of the main gate and rushed towards them, falling onto his knees in front of their Lord.
"Sesshōmaru-sama. Lord Ryūji is at the gate," he said. "He is adamant that he sees you at once."
Author's Notes:
I may have to take extra time with writing future chapters for this story because frankly, I am not 100% sure of the direction I should take with the plot. The way it is shaping up in my head is a bit dark, and the vibe is quite different from how the story was presented in the first chapter. I have yet to determine if it was the right path to take. Not to worry. I am not abandoning this fic in any way. I love the world that I have created for this, which is why I want to take extra care with crafting the plot. It would be such a shame if in the end it falls flat 😬
For those of you who enjoy my work and would like to read more, I have recently finished the first chapter of my new story "You and Me Equals Three". For now, it is only posted on Pink Moon Observatory site, also under the pen name "Chiaztolite".
Thank you as always for your support. This story, or any of my stories, could not have progressed this far without you. I hope you will support me on Pink Moon as well ^-^
Until next time!
