The Jigoku Crest part 2
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With some hesitation from the doctor, Kaishi Novum was silently called to Meioshi's hand and planted in the ground as she stood firmly before her forefathers' foe awaiting his next choice of actions and/or words. The green pheasant couldn't have been more right about this situation, but she didn't think the pheasant fully understood the significance of Shanwang's actions up to this particular moment. Relinquishing his kanabo was a major step - a direct equivalent to surrendering one's self-known identity - and even talking to his mortal enemy (though Meioshi was no more than a descendant among the ages) was unusual for the king ogre. This was the very creature that antagonized many a civilization for plunder until he made his way into the Netherworld to become a feared warrior of hell itself. Defeated by a brave human who dared to enter the Netherworld just to save someone's life and forced to serve that human until his family line fizzled out would have tempted any demon to find ways to kill their master out of fury, but Shanwang was different and always had been to Meioshi. It was why she took an interest to his story as a child. He wasn't like the typical Oni that her mother and grandfather showed her in her youth to teach her a lesson about misbehaving children. He was too smart, too physically unique, and too resourceful. Standing before him reminded her of the days when she visited the king ogre as a child.
He stood tall just like he was standing now, glaring (or throwing a jab) at Arimasa at first until he took notice to Suiren either standing behind him or next to him. Shanwang was always intrigued by Suiren being a hell traveler. Women were not often chosen to be his master, and she was such a sweet girl, but she had the most impressive control of the Mind's Eye within the family and at a surprisingly young age. She also made some of the most delicious moon cakes he ever tasted! Shanwang was more careful with his words when speaking to (and about) Meioshi's mother, but that could have been due to Arimasa always being with her since he typically demanded respect for his daughter. Suiren never visited Shanwang alone unless she absolutely had to and that was twice in her lifetime: one, when her husband was in danger and she needed the help; two, when she was pregnant because all mothers to the new heirs of the Jigoku Crest had to present themselves to Shanwang. It was to ensure a successful passing of power until the child was ready to assume his/her position as a hell traveler. Arimasa was the perfect example of how specific the passing of power truly was as a master of the king ogre. His father didn't have the Jigoku Crest, which wasn't unusual since the marking could pass down to any heir and sometimes multiple heirs, if necessary, but his uncle, Kokina Hoshi, did have the marking and taught Arimasa the ways of the hell traveler at a young age.
When Meioshi started exhibiting the signs of coming into power, she was introduced to Shanwang as a little girl and out popped her little head from behind Suiren to meet the monster living under the Jigoku estate.
"Well, if it isn't my two favorite masters," Shanwang would say with heavy sarcasm and a folding of two pairs of arms. The other pair he would use to express himself through gestures or hand signs. "What the hell do you want?"
"Mind your tongue," Arimasa demanded with narrowed eyes and a small smirk. "You are standing before my daughter and your new master."
"Yeah, yeah. Where's the little twerp?" Shanwang asked, rolling his eyes. O joy, another person to fear him.
"Hello!" a cheerful, accented voice greeted.
Shanwang looked down to see the child that spoke only to be surprised that another woman was chosen. A friendly, spunky one at that. Her hair was dark and wavy, her kimono a very flattering combination of lilac purple and bright blue, and her eyes were going to be the main feature that drew a man's attention instantly. Shanwang raised an eyebrow, grinned widely, and said, "You're going to need to stay active, Arimasa. That little one will become a blossom."
"I've no worries," Arimasa said, keeping his eye on the ogre but smirk becoming a bit larger. "She started learning how to fight not too long ago."
"Against my wishes," Suiren chimed, puffing her cheeks with displeasure and looking down at Meioshi. "But I don't want her to be bullied either."
"She can fight, eh?" Shanwang growled, interested with this information.
Shanwang, at first, tried to frighten Meioshi like he scared Arimasa's wife, Umehana, and Suiren upon their first meeting, but Meioshi showed no signs of fear towards him. She was more scared of a bug that crawled on his knee before it flew away and fascinated by his large size and multiple arms. As if Shanwang read her mind, he grinned at her and it was the same mischievous grin as back then. When he took note to Meioshi's unwavering curiosity, he somehow started speaking to her differently from the previous masters and asked about her often when Arimasa and Suiren visited without her. He took to Meioshi because of that childlike wonder she possessed more than likely, but he found he didn't mind Meioshi being his master as much as the others. She was always impressed by his ability to remember the names, personalities, events leading up to the coming of power, and strongest skill of each master. She used to wonder if any of the masters were friendly to him or if Shanwang even considered one of his masters a type of friend. The ogre rarely answered the question with a definitive yes or no, but he spoke of Bichisutomu often when the question did arise. Bichisutomu was the weakest of warriors in the Jigoku line, but he had a way with taming demons unlike any of the masters by far. Supposedly, Shanwang learned a bit of philosophy from Bichisutomu and that interaction with said man developed the king ogre's gentleness for the future masters.
Arimasa was probably the only other master he joked with, which was a pleasant change for the king ogre, and Suiren was the only other master he was gentler around, especially if he wanted more of her pastries. For whatever reason, the masters following after Bichisutomu were more pleasant to be around. They spoke to him differently and grew less afraid of him. They sort of cared about his well-being more. Meioshi was the pinnacle of the change between master and servant. She allowed him more freedoms and provided more for him on an intellectual level. Eventually, she was trusted with speaking to him alone versus how it was with Suiren. The moment Shanwang could say he never wanted to forget would be the night he shared dinner with his masters for Meioshi's thirteenth birthday. That was when he felt the shift in his relationship with the hell travelers. One hundred and some odd years of servitude for humans, who didn't even know the magnitude of his power, spent in a peaceful bliss would be somewhat missed, but he had enough of his imprisonment and was excited that the master who intrigued him the most would be the one to end his life of bondage.
Shanwang, suddently growing hesitant to give up his weapon, summoned his kanabo into his hand and let the heavier end of the club leave an impactful dent in the flooring. He then said with careful pauses, "Just so you know, I fucked up my floors for this. You can't turn back once the exchange is made."
Meioshi smiled gently at his majesty and said, "I'm nervous, too. Three hundred years' worth of a boring imprisonment soon to be no more. I guess nothing I've done will change your view of humans, but you were at least able to live out some decades as a proper judge of man and beast. Perhaps that's solace enough for me."
"Of all my masters, you've done more for me than even my servants on my home island," Shanwang said with a huff. "I don't care for humans in the slightest. Never did. But, your forefather, Bichisutomu, set the pace for my change in view of the new masters following after him. I suppose you could say I've been able to tolerate you all a bit more. You, specifically, doctor, have gained my interest over the years. Your thirst for blood and vengeance matches my thirst for higher power. As you've said in your youth, I am too different for the likes of the living world. Allowing me to choose a threshold worthy of my stature was a milestone between our relationship as master and servant and a steppingstone to realizing I am more than a mindless Oni. It is time for me to prove your theory. Complete my new trial and you will have earned my respect."
"Right then," Meioshi said, nodding. "The pact has been voiced. In exchange for your might as a titan, I relinquish the binds of servitude to the hell travelers and return your prized mirror to trap my soul if you choose to exact your vengeance upon my family through me as the acting representative should my task reach completion."
"For my strength," Shanwang hissed with a vile grin, "I form a reversal of position. I am neither titan nor king. I am rogue withstanding. The trials set before the oath keeper will be the new Path of Oni. Her power is my power and my remaining power is hers. Failure to complete the Path of Oni voids our agreement. The oath keeper's might, land, and titles in accordance with my challenges and trials belong to me, and... it shall be decided between us whether I can battle or vouch for my freedom."
"Render the pact active through blood and sacrifice," Meioshi said, twirling her spear until her palm met the sharpest edge of the blade.
Sesshomaru returned to Meioshi's estate in Heiwa, all too happy to be on his way and return to his travels, but he felt a terrible sense of foreboding as he walked alone toward Meioshi's home to retrieve Jaken and his dragon. Seeing the waterfall Meioshi had fallen near return to its serene downpour into the pond gave the land a more calming atmosphere. Looking at the marble stairs leading up to the cliff made Sesshomaru wonder about Jaken's words. Did Lady Meioshi hide the snow sword away up there? What else could she have been hiding? He then remembered her climbing out of the water and rushing up the stairs to get to something before she faced him again fully clothed in leather and armor. His rival was an interesting woman. Hearing splashing, Sesshomaru's attention was gained by children swimming in the pond with Jaken catching a ball tossed by a small boy and a little girl riding on Moeru's back. His children were also swimming about. Yuko and Ichi were watching them all with soft expressions on their faces. The two resembled Inuyasha and Kagome a bit, but Yuko was a lot sassier and Ichi was a lot bolder. That and the two didn't seem to be romantically involved with each other.
"You have to hit the ball, Lord Jaken!" the floppy-haired boy instructed, laughing.
"Well, you hit it too low!" Jaken complained, waving a fist. "I can't swim that fast, Musuko! All I could think to do was catch it!"
"Use your palms to pat it up, Lord Jaken," a little girl instructed, showing Jaken what to do while riding. "Pass it to me, Musuko!"
"Alright!" Musuko responded cheerfully, hitting the ball up high and in a perfect arc towards the girl. "Heads up, Kyoko!"
"Got it!" Kyoko responded, hitting the ball with her palms and forming a return arc to Musuko. The boy returned the hit with his own until a steady rhythm between boy and girl had formed. She then said, "See? Easy!"
"You both are quite good at that," Moeru said, hovering in place until he noticed Lord Sesshomaru standing between shadow and sunlight in the distance. He then greeted, "Oh, hello, Lord Sesshomaru! Are you back to get Lord Jaken and your dragon?"
Yuko and Ichi turned to where Moeru was looking and gasped lightly at the man just standing there like a silent poltergeist. Yuko didn't hesitant to turn her nose upwards at the man and instead focus on Kyoko and Musuko waving at him. Ichi was more suspicious of him than anything, but he did have a sliver of gratitude for his help in ending the mental terrorism he was forced to endure. Waiting to see if Sesshomaru was there for something, Ichi remained quiet but kept his eyes on the other demon.
"Oh, Lord Sesshomaru! I'm not slacking off, I swear!" Jaken tried, scrambling about before swimming to the pond shore. He retrieved his Nintojo and ran towards Sesshomaru just as the man was coming to him. Jaken bowed and said, "Your aid was needed then, me lord?"
The western lord took a moment to find his words before responding. It was uncharacteristic of him to do so, and the imp took notice to this when he looked up, but he found he couldn't honestly say if his help was needed or not. It was questioned and probably convenient more than anything. Closing his eyes, he responded with a cryptic, "Temporarily. Were those the boys you mentioned before?"
"My lord?" Jaken questioned, not remembering introducing the boys to Sesshomaru. He then realized what the lord meant and said, "Oh! Yes. Musuko and Shotaro. They wrote a pass for us to enter the village without interfering with Lady Meioshi's barrier. Kyoko is another of the doctor's apprentices. She's the little girl with Lord Moeru there."
Looking at Kyoko waving before hurriedly catching a surprise toss of the ball reminded the western lord of Rin. Kyoko was bursting through the seams with joy at spending a summer day in Meioshi's pond. The boys seemed to share the same sentiment as they waved and dove into the water before coming back up to the surface with some colorful, floating toy. Catching Kyoko's swift pass, one of the boys fell backwards with toe pointing upwards before rapid kicking followed and he came back up with a "Hey!" His rival must enjoy these peaceful moments on her property very much. What does she teach Kyoko and Yuko as medical apprentices? Will she teach them to fight as well?
A small bell ringing disturbed everyone from their play and chaperonage. From the side of Meioshi's home came an older man dressed in deep orange attire in accordance with the summer heat holding Ah and Un's reigns as he guided the dragon to the pond. His hair may have had some gray in it, but the darkness of his buzz cut showed there was still a bit of youth in him despite his older age. His dark eyes opened to see the faces of everyone present in Meioshi's backyard area. Those deep brown, serious eyes catching sight of two, unfamiliar faces to his right. The dragon responded to them through growls and mewls. His tanned skin and scar along his left eyebrow gave way to his retirement from combat, but he seemed to be well-groomed and walked with a regality in his strides. Years ago, he might've been a handsome warrior during his prime. Sesshomaru could smell a bit of metal and oil from the man like he had just handled some weaponry. He didn't smell like a blacksmith so he didn't forge weapons, but he had a sword on his belt and seemed to only handle weapons for training these days.
The man let out a sort of groan, locking eyes with Sesshomaru before saying, "I take it this beast that's been eating the fruit in my garden is yours."
"Hi, Lord Kirameku Ha!" Kyoko greeted, waving at the man.
"Lord Kirameku Ha!" Yuko said, getting up to stand before bowing low to the elder. Ichi followed suit in bowing, relaxing now that the man was there to inspect Lord Sesshomaru. Most people knew not to mess with Kirameku Ha. Though he seemed like an old timer by appearance, he fought like a man thirty years younger. Yuko then spoke again, "I didn't even hear you at the front. Would you like some water, sir?"
"No, thank you," Kirameku Ha replied, nodding at Yuko politely before bowing in response. He then clicked his tongue at the dragon, making it yip in response before one of the heads nuzzled his shoulder. "The dragon doesn't seem to be thirsty either."
"How did you tame that thing so well, old man?" Jaken asked, impressed by Ah and Un's obedience to him. Sesshomaru only narrowed his eyes before returning to a neutral expression of face.
"By letting him know what I do and don't tolerate in my gardens," Kirameku Ha answered, looking at the dragon move about but remain in place. He growled then barked at the dragon, earning a rapid flapping of ears before it stood straight in response. The man then ordered, "Return to your master."
Releasing the dragon's reigns, Kirameku Ha watched as it walked towards Sesshomaru and an open-mouthed Jaken. Such graceful handling of the beast! Sesshomaru looked at the dragon, not seeing any forced taming marks on its person, and turned to the man again quietly. He must've handled dragons before to be able to speak their language, but he didn't smell the scent of any dragon on the old man.
Furrowing his brow, Sesshomaru asked, "Who are you?"
"Do you know who lives here?" Kirameku Ha asked in response to test the lord.
"Uh, Lady Meioshi, right?" Jaken replied.
"Are you the boy that helped young Yuko return home?" Kirameku Ha asked, turning to a worried Yuko. "The one who fought by Meioshi's side?"
Sesshomaru was silent in response. He saw no reason to answer obvious questions, but Jaken was somewhat worried about the old man's response to his lord's silence. Whoever he was, he seemed to be important and highly regarded.
"I am the reason you are able to fight Meioshi with your yoki energy," Kirameku Ha replied, keeping his composure. "I am her sensei."