AUTHOR'S NOTES~
1. Inuyasha is not my creation but I am eternally grateful for Rumiko Takahashi because she brought Sesshoumaru to me, and nothing had been the same ever since.
2. I do deeply apologize to everyone who had been waiting for this story/chapter to get finished. I'm so eternally grateful for your support and love.
3. I'm still not sure as of this time if this is the last chapter but I will try to create a wonderful one for your enjoyment. Love you all! ~ SMI
~~My stories were created as my stress reliever. I love writing. I may not be in the same caliber as the other great writers here but this helped me a lot emotionally. I thank people who enjoy it and I stopped asking for people to review. Matter of fact if you write a review or not don't matter. All I'm saying is that if you make a request I'm just hoping you ask nicely. Some of you were really nice but some are not. I do not get paid to do this, this is a labor of love and even if NO ONE reads or review this I would still continue. 'Kay, nuff said.
CHAPTER 26
Bokuseno no Hayashi
It was mid-afternoon and the sun's rays were teasing the shimmering azure water of the lake down below. Far beyond, framed by puffy clouds, the border of the Western and Northern territories could easily be identified by the series of mountain ranges, its craggy summit liberally coated with snow. Thin wispy columns of smoke rise from villages hidden under thick forest trees at the foot of the mountain.
Returning home from a visit to his old friend, Sesshoumaru breathed a little easier for the miko who accompanied him back was quiet.
It was a welcome respite not to be inundated by questions and comments or random expletives and piercing squeals of delight about this and that. He had reached his limit during the trip when the woman insisted they gather some flowers to bring back to Rin. Who does she think he is, a lowly flower gatherer from the palace? Preposterous!
That woman must think that this Sesshoumaru is like Inuyasha. She would grab hold of his hand , drag him and tug him anywhere her short attention span focused next without any regard or respect to his position and rank! Good thing no one was around to see this or else no one from the council would fear and respect him anymore. The Kami forbid!
Then his musings were interrupted; he sensed the miko's presence fading behind him. Stopping and hovering gracefully mid air, he could hear the gentle breeze ruffle the leaves of the trees of the verdant forest below.
What is detaining her now? Annoyed at whatever possible trivial reasons the miko had fabricated this time. Kagome's always finding something kawaii or trivial around her. It's either a baby rabbit, a baby fox, a baby bird….Bah! It is irksome how her attention shifts from one thing to another like a spinning discus. How could a fully-grown woman have the comparative immaturity of Rin at his ward's eight summers?
Thinking back about the almost cancelled trip due to the untimely demise of the three sons of Wrath Sesshoumaru found that it opened up a lot about what was happening about the miko. Hopefully Bokuseno's insights had brought some clarity for the miko….
In the forest~
"Fascinating." Bokuseno, the forest guardian gasped in awe after the introductions were made. "Welcome to my abode, Kagome-sama."
"Thank you, Bokuseno-sama. I've heard many things about you."
"Good things, I hope." he tree youkai intoned wryly.
"Oh, of course they were!" Kagome assured him.
The tree youkai smiled in pleasure. "I have heard about the fascinating new addition to the Western lord's protection but I was not prepared for this." The tree youkai closed its eyes at the power emanating from Kagome as if basking in it.
"Bokuseno."
"Hm?" Startled, the forest guardian realized that the Western lord had been calling his name. Bokuseno sleepily opened his eyes to the First Cardinal's slightly annoyed ones. "Pardon me my lord for forgetting myself. I couldn't help it. Her aura was so pure and so untainted. My lady, you are truly magnificent."
"Well, not to burst your balloon but I do not share your feelings about …" Stiff jawed and looking annoyed, Kagome jerkily pointed her stiff finger at her 'new' self with distaste "this!"
"Forgive me, mik…"
"Could I ask you to call me Kagome, please?" she chopped the air, holding up a hand. "Not miko. No 'sama' just Kagome, okay?" Kagome tried to ignore Sesshoumaru's put upon sigh.
"Very well, Kagome." Bokuseno acquiesced. "May I voice my opinion that I truly hold you as a miko of the highest esteem."
The First Cardinal knew that Kagome didn't agree with Bokuseno but the miko nodded nonetheless. "Ok. Thank you" she said quietly.
"May I ask bluntly, when you said 'this,' were you referring your distaste about the persona you were changed into?" Both youkai looked at the miko. The feeling was a little rattling to be under the scrutiny of two beings who's acute senses could sniff out and feel an inconsistency of a lie a mile away.
"Uh." Kagome frowned. "If you mean if I was disgusted that I became a youkai." She looked back at them. "No. I was not. I have come to respect and admire them, even some that I was intimidated with." a slight flicker of amusement sparked in Sesshoumaru's eyes upon hearing that. "I was in lo….uh, I was friends with a handful of them." then her smile vanished. Kagome didn't see the narrowing of the Cardinal's eyes. "Bokuseno, I want to know if this is permanent. I want to know if I could go back to my own time. I have a life there, a career. I have…I have friends and….and family…" it became hard to speak when her throat choked up.
Sesshoumaru and Bokuseno traded a meaningful glance. The forest guardian took a moment to reply, picking his words carefully. "My lady, I admit that I have witnessed many a wondrous happenings in my long life and I will acknowledge, and I am certain that Sesshoumaru-sama will also agree with me, that as confusing as what had happened to you, this truly is a first for ningen and youkai race alike." the tree youkai pressed on in spite of the dismay that changed Kagome's face. "I will not tell you that I understand the travails you were going through because I could not. I cannot. I will not burden you with false sentiments and platitudes that would not ease the disorientation." Sesshoumaru nodded his approval of Bokuseno's words. "What I could do is to help you understand what is being asked of you by the artifact."
Asked? With a deep frown Kagome mouthed the word with some foreboding.
"Hm." the tree youkai replied in assent. "Before anything else, I suggest we go about what you came here for. Do you have the mirror with you?"
"Uh…yes." Kagome nodded briskly and bent down to her knapsack where she carefully pulled out the mirror that was the reason for all this. She looked at Sesshoumaru trying to get some strength to steel her from whatever answers they will get.
"Bring it in front of me and hold it up, please. Good." The branches bobbed. "I would need you to hold it just so and no matter what happened, my lady, do not let go of it." Bokuseno returned his gaze at the mirror at her nod. The tree youkai closed his eyes and opened up his senses to commune with it. By and by a glow came from the tree and touched the mirror.
The communion lasted for a few quiet minutes and when Sesshoumaru looked back to Kagome the miko's hands were shaking. Sesshoumaru walked nearer to lend her some comfort. "Calmly, Kagome." he whispered. He cupped his hand at the bottom of the mirror to steady it. He was rewarded with a shaky smile from the miko as she breathed deeply and exhaled softly, she gave him a nod and a more confident smile.
It is just now, from this proximity that Sesshoumaru could really feel how close to a breaking point the miko really is. He could see how her body is shaking badly. It is sometimes hard to gauge her feelings by appearance alone because she acts flighty and carefree most of the time. In this persona of hers the miko gained the ability to camouflage her aura.
"Priestess," Kagome visibly jumped at Bokuseno's soft baritone. Sesshoumaru put a bracing hand around her shoulders. "The mirror is a living entity, it is sentient." the tree youkai said in wonderment at his discovery. "For millennia it had been under the ownership and protection of a youkai from a distant land but she was killed by Naraku and been taken into the mirror. When Naraku came back from this land and created his alter ego…one of his children…a pale girl…."
"Kanna…" Kagome nodded.
"You are correct." the boughs of the magnolia tree agreed. "Kanna became the new mistress of the mirror. " Bokuseno looked at Kagome seriously. "Kagome, I am afraid that you were transformed in the image of the former mistress of the mirror."
" So…so…you mean…" Kagome slowly said. "This…this… this body…these marks…this face is of the mistress of the mirror?" Dismay was clearly etched on her face as her fingers trace the tattoo and other markings.
"There is also one more thing…." The ki (tree) youkai looked to the side as if contemplating a great secret.
"There's more?" I don't think I can stand more of it, Kagome thought. "What is it?"
"Kagami has chosen you."
"Huh? Kagami who?" Kagome and Sesshoumaru both looked at the tree youkai.
"The mirror." The tree youkai's expression was like, 'Duh. Who else am I talking about?'
"Oh, yes, the mirror, of course! Silly of me…" She laughed as she lightly slapped her cheek. She froze then took a step back. "What do you mean it has 'chosen' me?"
Sesshoumaru lifted his brow at the answer that dawned on him. "Hn. I speculate that it is looking for a new mistress."
"You are correct in your speculation, my lord." the branches swayed in assent.
She looked at the both of them vacantly. Slowly it dawned. "No!" Kagome burst out as she shook her hand at the tree youkai. "No! NO! Dammit! Not another artifact that wants a protector!" The woman walked in distress to and fro as she worked herself into a fit, her long platinum hair whipping about. "What is it with these things? Why do they keep on turning to me for protection? I still don't have any idea what to do with the jewel and now another one's applying for witness protection? What's next? An enchanted comb? A sentient cup?" She stomped her feet and resumed her pacing, her hands thrown up in the air. "What am I, a museum? Why can't these things find another one to help them? Why me? Why me? Why?" she spread her arms wide to address her question to creation as her heated tantrum stopped her in front of the amused tree.
"You were chosen for you are not power hungry, miko." The smirk was still in evident at the Western lord's voice at her outburst.
"Hogosha-sama…"
"Don't!" she waved her hand. "Please don't call me guardian, Bokuseno-sama!"
"But you are." The usually soft-spoken tree youkai declared firmly. "There is no denying it. It is a role that you have been destined to no matter how you refuse it." The guardian of the forest looked at the fabled guardian of souls. "I have seen where Kanna tried to absorb your soul…where Urasue the witch tried to drain you to reanimate Kikyou." The tree youkai gentled his voice. "I saw how you have freed the soul of the honorable Midoriko from that trap. Tell me, miko, after all of that how is it that you have retained your own soul?" The old tree youkai asked. "Deep inside you, this mirror reflects the soul that is within you. You need to understand and learn to harness it."
"'Harness it? How?" Kagome shook her head. "How do I do that? Who will teach me?"
Bokuseno nodded and looked past her shoulders. Kagome turned. "The First Cardinal, Lord Sesshoumaru will be your mentor as well as your protector." The taiyoukai nodded in acceptance.
"First Cardinal? What does that mean?" She looked up with a frown. "Is that similar to being a president…." she shook her head. "eh, a leader or something?"
"Do you know the reason why we are here, Kagome?" Sesshoumaru moved farther now that she's gotten more control of herself. He continued when she shook her head. "I am the First Cardinal of the youkai realm, and yes, that is the highest position of leadership among the youkai."
"Wait a minute…you mean…you're not just the lord of the West but the entire..." she swept her hand in a big circle, encompassing the land, her eyes as big as saucers trying to understand the meaning of his statement. "Whoa!" She said after a while, stepping back. "Why in hell didn't Inuyasha tell me this?" then blinking, she waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, not important but…whoa!" she said it again, this time with a smile with her awed expression.
"What is this 'whoa' you keep repeating, miko?" Sesshoumaru quierried peevishly.
"'Whoa' means an expression of amazement." she shrugged. "Sorry. So, what's the other reason why we're here?" she politely indicated to continue his explanation.
"Yes, as I was endeavoring to explain before you interrupted me…" Sesshoumaru looked annoyed at the miko who only shrugged with a sheepish expression. "As the superior amongst the youkai part of the duty I was entrusted with was enforcing discipline upon wayward and rebellious youkai to maintain order. I am judge, jury and executioner…"
"Oh my god…" she paled and her knees weakened. Kagome sank on the mossy ground with the mirror on her lap. She looked up at him. "Is that why you were called the 'Killing Perfection? Because it is your job?"
"Hn." The First Cardinal nodded. "Are you still awed by my title, miko?"
She looked green at the gills. "Sorry I asked." she stood up after a few contemplative seconds. "Okay." Kagome slowly stirred after a few moments. "I get it that there might not be anything I could so about what has happened. But please tell me that there aren't any more maniacs living inside that thing, okay? I might snap the next time."
"'Snap'?" Sesshoumaru got stumped again.
"I mean I might go crazy the next time." she shrugged.
~O~O~O~
The Western lord's thoughts halted back to the present and he began scanning the horizon. There. He spied Kagome in the far distance. The very slight narrowing of his eyes only subtly revealed the tall daiyoukai's concern; she had been like this since they left Bokuseno's forest. As they return home she seemed to take what she heard in all seriousness, a thing that comforted the inu lord.
I have to make a point to have a talk with Kagome upon coming home but…Peace and quiet at last. I just hope she would not do anything foolish, Sesshoumaru griped. Again.
Her volatile disposition always catch him unaware so much like his half-brother Inuyasha. His younger sibling's hot-blooded nature was one of the reasons why he chose to stay away from the boy. As the elder brother he would have wanted to guide his sibling, as per tradition and duty dictates but he was afraid that he might cut down the stupid idiot when his own temper flares. That would not be good for their number, as sparse as they were since white inu like him were not so prolific with pupping. Most pairings were done mainly for political purposes, as was the norm. As only one heir is needed, mostly, and afterwards, if the female inu feels her own part of the bargain had been settled she and her political mate would often find their own lovers. Hn, much like mother and father, he mused. And I would not like to be forced into the same predicament like them. Although if I were to choose a mate….
He frowned at where his mind had wandered. Doubtless, Rin would be ecstatic to find out that her father has finally contemplated mating. Sesshoumaru shuddered. Rin could sometimes be as relentless as he on some matters and she would pour all efforts in making his engagement and mating into a big successful affair. But he has not decided on the female….
Turning his attention, the backdrop of the dark mountains made Kagome's broad white wings stand out in contrast. Hovering there, he took the time to observe the quiet woman. Only his gaze followed her as she glided past him-blank, out of focus eyes staring straight ahead.
Hn…
Behind that tightly controlled stoic exterior is a secret that Sesshoumaru kept hidden from everyone except from one person. From years of traveling and living with him Rin was able to realize this peculiar trait of the lord of the West.
But what would that be?
Was it is his pitiless and brutal character?
Well, everyone knew that he is the feared Lord of the West and the First Cardinal of the Four Realms of the Youkai. During his path of conquest for the title of First Cardinal of the Four Realms no one could stand against him. But it is not that.
Would that be his obsession about the fangs his father had left behind?
Yes and no. Sesshoumaru had always coveted Tetsaiga and before that, Sou'unga. But his father never wanted Sou'unga to fall to anyone's hands, the sword had been banished to the underworld along with that Takemaru of Setsuna.
Yes, he craved the power of the Sword that Protects but he could never have it, even if he wanted to. Besides, Inuyasha's sanity depended on that fang. Sesshoumaru would rather not be beset with a lot of headache had the hanyou gone on a killing spree if Inuyasha's youki had gone rampant on him. It was indeed better to have left the weapon to his brother after Sesshoumaru realized Inuyasha needed it more than he does.
So was it their sibling rivalry then?
Perhaps if he were asked this question years ago then his answer would be an affirmative. When Sesshoumaru first learned of Inuyasha's existence, yes, he was jealous and he felt that his father might love the younger one enough to give the position to the hanyou. But no, the title is his and his alone.
However these were not even close to what Sesshoumaru had been keeping secret all these years. It is just plain and simple….
Lord Sesshoumaru has a wicked sense of humor.
Sesshoumaru enjoyed riling his half-brother to the limit. It was a game on how long Inuyasha would let his temper get the best of him and what reckless moves he would launch on Sesshoumaru. The Lord of the West had perfected the goading of his brother down to an art form. It was so challenging and a source of enjoyment how his brother would begin with verbal attacks that Sesshoumaru would counter and the insults would fly back and forth until the hanyou lost it and swing their father's fang heedlessly like a drunken commoner. Oh yes, it was so much fun baiting his brother to exasperation.
Tsk! Jaken's simpering devotion was no challenge at all. The toad youkai was only good for rock target practice and Rin's nanny.
And the miko's temper as well always rises to the challenge whenever they get into a few meters of each other. It was amusing to see how easy to stoke it and make it flare up.
And so, tawny eyes narrowed and gleaming in anticipation, bated breath, smirk in control Sesshoumaru could not resist the impulse to give in to his mischievous streak. Eyes dart between the miko and incoming traffic, he allowed her absorbed preoccupation continue hoping she would collide with an incoming flock of geese. I hope the noise of the avians do not jar her from her musings…
He distracted that uncontrolled smirk by biting the inside of his lower lip; his impious imagination already visualizing the miko and the geese getting all entangled making such loud squawking noises, feathers exploding fantastically in all directions.
Steady….a little bit more….a few meters….
Ahr! Mottainai!
The birds' noisy complaint at the obstruction and his soft growl of disappointment fell to deaf ears. How disappointing when the avians steered away from the preoccupied miko. Only his hair was ruffled as the affronted flock passed by above him. As its silken length settled down on his back the slow flap of her wings gave him an impression of melancholy. He follows the still dazed Kagome at a leisurely pace, still on the lookout for more objects that he hopes she might run into. That tree would be a good one. Imagine smacking senseless onto it. Too bad it is still a bit a ways off. Hn, let us hope she doesn't come out of this catatonic state until…
Mildly irritated again as his short-lived amusement was brought to an end; the miko descended and landed on a clear area on one of the highest peaks. She still had that same preoccupied look about her as she gazed down, her feet dangling at the edge.
"Kagome…" An especially infuriating comment froze on his lips as tears fell from her eyes. "What is it?"
Her fists were knots of white flesh. "I just….I just wanna go home."
Sesshoumaru straightened as a dark and heavy pressure began to bear down at the atmosphere around them, stirring up youkai senses on edge. Sesshoumaru swiftly unsheathed Bakusaiga and pointed it to where he knew the pressure was mounting. He was careful not to allow any weakness show be it in his expression or his stance. An entity was coming and it was also gauging him and….
Sesshoumaru quickly got in between Kagome and the forthcoming entity when it began to focus its attention to the miko.
"Se…Sesshoumaru? What…" Kagome grabbed Sesshoumaru's arm in her fear, forgetting the Western lord's penchant for a very wide personal space.
"Be ready, miko…"
Both of them looked up when a loud crack and booming sound reverberated from above them. The sound was like the crack of thunder but afterwards a high whining sound like the jet from an airplane, which was impossible at this time, could be heard…it was approaching nearer.
"What is coming?"
"Danger."
And the danger appeared as it swooped low and landed with a great flap of its snowy white wings. As it curled back the wings vanished like an illusion. Long silvery hair sway at the wind framing ice blue eyes as if astounded at what it was seeing.
Kagome gasped and was nailed to where she was standing equally astounded at the person standing a few feet away from her. They looked like mirrors of each other except for the form of Kanna's mirror branded on her forehead. Her opposite's throat moved as if choked with a great emotion, its eyes blinked as if beholding a dream and willing itself to wake up but wishing it would not.
Kagome found herself taking a step from around Sesshoumaru and pacified the Western lord with a gentle touch, her eyes fixed upon the stranger. Her hand slid down to grasp Sesshoumaru's and gave it a squeeze. Sesshoumaru could not stop her and just hope that this creature would not make any aggressive moves. The Western lord kept a close watch upon the miko and the creature braced for anything.
As if in tandem both Kagome and the stranger stepped closer and closer, each one fixated upon the other, eyes flitting from head to foot.
Now, mere few inches separate them from one another, both breathing a little hard. Slim sharp tipped hands shakily reached up and cupped Kagome's both cheeks reverently, lovingly.
"It couldn't be true. This is a miracle. I thought….I thought I have lost you, my love."
~}O{~