{Chapter Ten}
~Elessandria's Point of View~
I flinched bringing up my sword to block the blade of one of Seiko's soldiers feeling tired from the long battle that we had faced. We had been fighting for pretty much three days straight to clear the two mountain bases in the eastern lands with assistance from their soldiers. After confirming their location, we immediately departed to kill them. The problem was how large the bases were and there were well over a thousand demons with tainted auras in both.
I led the Western Soldiers with General Juntao and Inuyasha while Sesshomaru was with Kagome and the others helping the north fight. It had been quite a fight to get them to understand that it was best to split this way to ensure that the four bases we knew of were destroyed. If we attack here, then tried the other bases then they would be gone before we had the chance. I managed to convince them to trust me and so far, we had succeeded in destroying the first base and were attacking the second one.
Kagome was understanding when we had to push their ceremony to the following month since we would be in battle on the date they originally choose. It was better to weaken the enemy first and although we still didn't know where he was located, although Juntao and I had managed to capture two of the generals to hopefully gather more information from. It was clear that I was a target the moment they saw me enter battle, it seemed that every single one of them were trying to capture not kill me. Juntao was very serious to ensure that would not happen.
If all else failed, the battle gear provided to me when I accepted being an Ally to the west seemed to protect me better than anything I had ever worn. I was surprise how durable it was considered how light weight it was. For some reason just wearing it made me feel more powerful and I looked every bit the warrior as the woman that once appeared in my dreams, which both scared me and made be a little bit relieved.
"Elessandria" Juntao said breathing heavily from exhaustion "You should fall back and rest"
"I am fine" I growled out as he frowned at me "I am not leaving unless we are all going home"
"You have exhausted your powers" He said seriously, and I shook my head in denial "You haven't been using them"
"I know" I said seriously knowing that I have used more than I ever have before as I stabbed another demon in the chest. The truth was I was scared to use more since I had used more than I ever had before, it was still there humming beneath my skin ready to be used on command.
"Elessandria, I promised my lord to ensure you returned to him" Juntao said seriously and I sighed deeply pushing my Ki into the sword
I spun slashing two more demons not bothering to look to know that they were dust and smirked at Juntao who nodded in understanding before continuing in battle. I continued fighting as well stabbing my way towards the silver hair of my best friend's fiancée. I felt my heart drop sensing the power of the one he was fighting, he was different then the others. I saw the demon about to drive a sword into his chest and screamed to warn him knowing there wasn't enough time. Kagome wouldn't survive without him.
Everything slowed as something broke inside me I felt everything release, all the control I held on my powers disappeared. Before I knew it there was a sword in my chest as I jumped in the path and the light burst from me blinding me. I felt like I was disappearing as I begun to fall to the ground slowly, painfully slow. I could feel my heart beating hard and the warmth of my own blood pouring out as the blade was removed. I heard screams being heard but couldn't tell who. I thought back to my biggest fear, of being like Midoriko. Was this the end?
~Inuyasha's point of view~
The force of the hit took me from surprise and turned quickly gasping seeing Ellie with a sword in her chest. I knew immediately that she had just saved my life. I stumbled her powers burst from her and closed my eyes being hit suddenly. I opened them wide in shock as warmth wrapped around me still meeting the light and seeing nothing else. The light faded, and I stared in shock as she fell to the ground. Juntao screamed her name as I moved forward taking notice of two things, that all the western soldiers were healed, and all the enemy soldiers had been turned to ash. I knew she was powerful, but I had no idea that she held this much power, she never showed this much before.
I felt my eyes water at the woman laying on the ground smelling the scent of her blood filling the air. I listened for a heart beat not finding one choking in the realization as Juntao kneeled next to her. She had died to protect me.
"This can't be" He whispered coarsely in disbelief
"She saved me" I choked out feeling sick to my stomach in realization that the only person that my brother had ever loved "Fuck"
Everyone was silent almost too quiet as every realized that she was not moving. She was strong, and she looked ghostly pale without life. She had been a powerful woman who had gained all their respect long. Too see her like this was hard and not believable, there had to be mistake. The gods wouldn't send her here and have Sesshomaru fall for her just to take her away.
"We can't leave her here" Juntao said seriously after awhile attempting to keep it together but his aura showed his distress
"I will carry her back, she will be buried in the west" I said voice thick with sadness picking her up into my arms carefully as if I could harm her now, Kagome and Sesshomaru will never forgive me for this
~Elessandria's point of view~
I stood looking over a valley that seemed to simmer in confusion, where am I? I frowned remembering that battled and touched my chest feeling no wound there, was this heaven then?
"No" Midoriko said appearing beside me "You have died but this is not heaven"
"I am not you" I said after a few moments causing her to nod "I wasn't scared at all to die. I knew that I was going to die and willingly accepted it"
"I knew you wouldn't be, but it is something that you had to learn on your own" Midoriko said with a smile "You still hide away from your powers as if you were, I hope that you will not continue to do so"
"I am dead, my powers are no longer needed" I said saddened over the thoughts, the people I wouldn't see for a while. I had left Sesshomaru and everyone else behind, it hurt to admit
"You died, as you were meant to" Midoriko said softly "But you are far from dead"
"I don't understand" I said seriously looking at her in confusion over her statement "How could I die but not be dead?"
"You are not complete human remember?" Midoriko said with amusement and I nodded remember that I was immortal "You are also of the heavens and were created from their image as well. You are being reborn in your true self"
"I don't understand" I replied trying to understand what I was being told "True self?"
"Indeed, the time has come for your true self to awaken. For that to happen, unfortunately you had to die first and be brought to this realm" She said shocking me to my core
"I still don't understand" I said ready to start screaming at her
"While many things are not known regarding you, you had to die to gain access to your other abilities. Nothing born on earth can maintain or use the attributes that are provided by the gods. Your soul had provided them from each god, but you had to die for them to be unsealed here in their realm. You had to die to be reborn into as you were always meant to be" Midoriko explained carefully as I absorbed the information and understanding dawned on me
"What am I?" I questioned seriously "I am not human or demon, I am not just a priestess"
"Balance" She said with a bright smile "You are balance and that is all I will tell you, the rest is up to you to learn"
I frowned at the lack of information, this occurrence meant something important. I felt a warmth spreading from my chest and looked down to see it glowing a pale golden color. My eyes widened as the light and feeling begun to spread until it surrounded my entire body. I saw Midoriko smiling at me along with several figures appearing being her looking like ghosts, they all were looking at me in wonder and awe. The light got hotter and brighter for several moments.
I gasped in shock holding my chest as my heart begun to beat painfully hard. I watched as Midoriko nodded and I knew that she was saying good luck as I was suddenly thrust into darkness once more. Everything hurt as my body felt like it was on fire. I could feel two sets of powers in the powers, one pink and one pale golden fighting against one another. I reached out surprised to find that they settled under my command. I calmed my mind remembering words from Miroku on mediation and worked of recontroling the Miko Ki I held while attempting to understand my new aspect. I dived into the power allowing it to meld to me surprise to find that it was just as familiar to me as my spiritual powers despite never using them before.
I opened my eyes sitting up quickly gasping and grabbing my chest as hands much larger then mine placed themselves on my face gently lifting to command my attention. I calmed slightly seeing Sesshomaru before me and before I could open my mouth to speak his lips found mine in a deep yet gentle kiss that stole my breath once more.
~Sesshomaru's point of view~
I watch the figure on the bed that laid motionless for the past three days praying for her eyes to open. I had never been so broken as the day that Inuyasha and Juntao informed me of her passing in battle. My beast broke free and had it not been for their combined strength I would have killed them both for failing to protect the most important thing in the world to me. I settled only when they informed me of the unusual occurrence that happen when coming back to the west.
They told me everything detail ensuring to leave nothing out. A sort time after the battle her chest wound began to heal and by the time they made it to the palace she had a heart beat again. That was when the unusual gold light began to surround her. It was unlike anything that I had seen before and had confused my healers. I had refused to leave her afraid that she would disappear if I left. I needed her to return to me, I would give anything to have her back.
The others had stopped in repeatedly leaving because it was too hard to see her like this. Kagome cried and pleaded for her to come back. Inuyasha just teared up and I knew that he felt guilty, I couldn't blame him for her state no matter how much I wished to do so. I knew she wouldn't like me blaming someone else for her saving them. Rin had surprised me the most and I came to realize how much Elessandria had come to mean to her as well. The only one that refused to come was Juntao who blamed himself for failing to protect her as I ordered to, again I couldn't blame him.
I was at her side in a moment as she gasped bolting upright and needed to see her eyes. I pulled her face to look at me relaxing at the sight of her eyes. I felt her relax focusing as me and the movement of her lips drew my attention. Before I could stop myself, I kissed her deeply relishing in her sweet taste as I caved showing her how much it meant to me that she returned to me. I pulled back after a moment knowing that I couldn't control myself now.
"I died" She whispered after a moment and I nodded in confirmation pain shooting threw me at the statement from her mouth "I came back"
"I am joyous that you did" I said honestly enjoying the sound of her heartbeat
"I was meant to" She whispered in response shocking me "I had to die for them to bring me back as I am meant to be, as they created me to be"
"Don't worry about this now" I said seriously wanted to relish is the fact she was alive and with me once more "Do you wish to go outside?"
"I would love to" She said with a bright smile attempted to stand but falling back down "Maybe I should stay in bed"
"I will carry you if you allow" I suggestive sounding almost painfully hopeful she would allow this
"If it is no trouble" She mumbled slightly, and I smiled slightly bending to pick her up easily allowing my tail to wrap around her tightly to protect her against the cold air "Thank you"
"It is no hindrance" I whispered in her ear enjoying her shiver and the smell of arousal from the action
I enjoyed the feeling of her snuggling into me and the feel of her breath on my neck as she rested her head on my shoulder. I passed a maid who I am sure would inform the others that Lady Elessandria had awoken. I walked to the center of the garden sitting to ensure she stayed in my arms. I glanced down at her as she looked up at the stars with a smile completely relaxed in my arms. Kagome was correct, she loved the stars.
"I have something I wish to ask you" I said feeling slightly anxious "I had wished to do this differently. However, I am now unable to wait"
"Okay" She said looking up at me confused
"I would like to court you if you permit it" I stated in a whispered watching as her eyes widened in shock "I mean what I ask, I wish to court you"
"Why me?" She questioned through her confusion causing me to smile once more
"None have ever affected me as you have done so, I have grown to care for you deeply" I explained softly as she looked into my eye and I knew that she was aware of all of the emotions showing in them "I wish to pursue these emotions if you would allow it"
"I would be honored" She whispered filling me with joy and I kissed her deeply for accepting it and finally being able to do so
I pulled back enjoying that sparkle of happiness in her eyes that I had placed there and smiled at her "There is still a courting gift that I must give you" I said seriously as she nodded knowing the customs and that I was bond by honor to do so "That can wait until later"
I watched as she smiled allowing me to kiss her gently once more before pulling back allowing her to lay her head back down on my shoulder. I held her in my arms watching her as she watched the stars. I enjoyed the moment while I was able to away from prying eyes. I would gain answers about her recovery tomorrow and continue to make strategies to win this war. Tonight, I wasn't the Lord of the West, tonight I was just a male who had gotten his angel to accept his offer.