Sorry about the long wait! Sometimes you just lose steam on big projects, but hurricane Matthew sure made me miss this story. Thankfully the storm didn't destroy anything of mine even while living on Florida's coast, so life went right back to normal. This chapter has much more about Kagome finishing up her reports on the finalists than her and Sesshomaru. Its a bummer and why it was so hard to get through. Excuses, excuses. I'm already working on the next chapter, some fanart, and an epilogue via Sesshomaru so don't think I'm giving up just yet. Please be patient with me and enjoy. Thank you for reading! ~catclass
Chapter 14
A new dawn starts a new day and Kagome would have it never come. Servants left a tray of food for breakfast, but she hardly touched it. She dutifully tucked her white kimono into the red hakama of a shrine maiden. Brushing out her black hair, the miko paused. Had it grown again? It may have been her imagination but surely it wasn't so far down her thighs a couple days ago.
With a deep sigh, she started gathering it up to be bound by her elastic band. This one happened to be lime green, since Sesshomaru stole her red one. Another sigh escaped her in an over dramatic manner. It was just her luck that she'd be in love with another unavailable guy.
Splashing morning cold water on her face, Kagome used the pain and shock to recharge. Renewed vigor rushed through her as she burst from her room and out upon the palace. With her pride in one hand and the surveys in the other, she hunted down each contestant. She would do this right.
"This is the survey I mentioned last night." The miko painstaking explained to each of the five women, individually. "You are to read the questions and write your answer to the best of your ability. Do not leave any blank and do not talk with the other contestants about your answers until you have yours in my hands. Questions?" There never were questions, but she found it didn't hurt to ask.
Delivering the assignment to the last woman, Kagome made her way to the garden. The girls hadn't yet infected this place with their perfumes and noise. It was still perfect for meditation and she could use some inner peace while she waited.
Sitting cross legged on the bare grass before a gentle koi pond Kagome released a veil of energy around herself. The slow ripples of her visible purple and pink aura pulsated across the top of the water's surface. Focusing, a pink bubble formed before beginning to lift and reveal the half under the water. It poured out and back into the pond.
"Again." She demanded herself. And again she created that barrier but again, the nonliving, non-evil water slipped right out. The pulses came more rapidly and more uneven in her frustration.
"Again." She told herself. The bubble formed and rose. Blue eyes peaked open when no sound of water reached her ears. Kagome did it. Floating in her pink barrier was pond water. Slowly lowering it back into the pond, the miko released her work to try again.
After an hour of repetitive practices, the holy priestess sat peacefully at the edge of the pond with her fingers dipped below the surface. As the large white koi languidly swam over to investigate, she carefully lifted him. Above the pond's surface she followed the fish's movements to give the illusion that he was simply swimming around of his own accord and not trapped within her pink bubble. His big eyes would turn one way then she would move him that way. When his fanned gossamer tail flickered more then he looked to be speeding by.
It was upon her second fish that Oceana came across the scene. Two luxurious koi magically swimming about a gentle maiden, few ever witnessed these things in person. Regardless, the intellectual goddess had finished her scroll and came here to return it.
The fish were carefully returned to their home and the colorful glowing faded. "Finished?" The miko asked passively. The dragoness nodded and handed it to her. When Kagome went to grab the paper Oceana's second right hand lightly grabbed at her shoulder. Green eyes stared at her in all seriousness. "Have you thought about the blessing?"
Paled, pink lips drew into a thin line, "I have." Kagome turned into the breeze to feel it caress her cheeks. "Do I still smell human?" She softly asked; her blue eyes drifting to their surroundings with serene thoughts.
It was awkward, but the Hindu goddess leaned forward to sniff the woman before her. "You do, but…" She paused and her gold jewelry tingled with a soft head tilt. Kagome didn't need to look at her; sapphire eyes slid shut.
"But…" The miko echoed and sighed.
Red fabric rustled as she stood; time itself seemed slow. In a subdued confidence, Kagome breathed, "But some things are not the same anymore. It reminds me of how it felt to get my miko powers for the first time; it's not scary anymore, just different than my previous self."
Both pairs of eyes shifted to the two women loudly entering the garden. Haruka and Hina swept across the stone paths with flowing kimono of green and orange. Oceana bowed and started to leave down the other path. She barely heard Kagome humorlessly joke, "Am I a butterfly yet?"
"Hi! Are you done with the survey?" With a genuine smile and bright voice the miko walked over to them. There was no point in bothering them with her melancholy mood. They didn't even bother to glance about to the pound or greenery; their focus fell solely on the matchmaker. Kagome vaguely felt disappointed that they could walk past such beauty.
"I thought to find you praying or cleaning, priestess." Haruka teased, "Take this from me before I rewrite it for the hundredth time!" The blonde fox plopped the scroll into small, calloused hands, while Hina gently placed hers. Rubies sparkled amongst orange locks as the fire bird warmly smiled, "Your smile puts my worries at ease, Miko Kagome. I know that the bride chosen will indeed be the best for Lord Sesshomaru."
"Thank you." She replied, "Please change or prepare for this afternoon's sparing. I shall collect you all again after lunch." The fox giggled and made another teasing comment about which attendee she could take down, but their silly topic shifted to attractive soldiers by the change from stone path to wooden walkway.
Lunch sounded really good to the miko, so she sent a servant to bring some food to her room. Well into her world history readings, a knock came from the light screen door. "Come in!" She called. It was the female servant that told Inuyasha to stay.
"Ah, you!" Kagome sat up, scaring the girl.
"Is there something wrong, my lady?" The servant asked as she quickly kneeled just beyond the tray.
"No! Nothing's wrong." Kagome clumsily started, "I'm Kagome, friends with Inuyasha. I saw you too talk before. Are you close?" Dark brown eyes met her in surprise. Though there were no outward features showing her species, the miko just knew that this was a boar demon in front of her.
Blonde hair that could be described as light tan gathered into a bun at the back of her human shaped head. Pointed ears framed a round, caramel face with naturally darkened lips and upturned nose. She looked to be sturdy in build but definitely shorter than Kagome. Dark brown markings helped contour her cheeks and show her full blooded heritage. Finally, with those big almost black eyes, she just felt like a fluffy, baby boar.
"I am Umi." The servant admitted, "Lord Inuyasha has been kind to me." Kagome's smile blossomed with excitement.
"So do you like him?"
"It's not my place to say as a servant, my lady."
"I heard you tell him to stay. That wasn't your 'place' either, so how'd you two meet?"
"I served him, my lady." Even though Umi started getting defensive about the questions, Kagome giggled as if her guest were just shy.
"Duh, of course you did!" It was when the miko laughed at her silly question that the boar seemed to relax. "Are you the one who got him to wear that armor?"
A soft blush formed over dark cheeks as matching hands fiddled with a brown hem. "It helped to wear his father's old armor. He felt like he belonged here with it on." Raven hair swung to and fro as Kagome nodded her head and hummed in agreement.
Another knock had Umi on her feet to slide open the door and slip out. She mumbled a quick, "Please excuse me" as she escaped. Noriko watched the small girl skitter off before returning to greet the priestess. "Miko, I have the scroll for you."
"Wait!" Keiko shouted as she glided over the wooden panels. "I, too, am ready with her scroll, matchmaker." Kagome nodded as the two demoness entered to place their papers on her desk.
"Alright, I'll come get you in a few minutes for sparing. Please be ready." The miko responded as the women turned to hustle out. She wouldn't look at their answers just yet; it would blind her with too many thoughts.
Minutes passed as Kagome retied her hair and setup a scroll for easy note taking on each demoness. It was time; she pepped herself back up. The women awaited her outside the doors to their rooms lining down both sides of the hall way. Haruka wore armor that reminded her of Sango's, though it came with a fox mask and the freedom of her four golden tails. Hina and Oceana had not changed, though they held a fan and small swords respectively. Keiko and Noriko had shed their bold outer layers to show traditional, high-waist hakama. Both held swords of similar size to Tokijin. They followed behind her to the training grounds where the soldiers stood waiting.
Five soldiers perked up at the sight of the battle ready women, while other men hid behind walls to watch. Even their commander, the bird demon from before came to oversee his men. Kagome loudly started, "This is not a battle to the death!" Her blue eyes roamed seriously to all ten people. "You are to make your opponent submit and surrender and that is all. Am I clear?"
They didn't respond. Military movies flashed in her memory as Kagome yelled louder, "Am I clear?"
"Yes, my lady!" A chorus rung out in response. She smiled while holding in a giggle at the small victory.
"Now, we shall go in alphabetical order. Haruka! You are first; choose your opponent and enter the sparring area." As told, the fox took her time deciding on a soldier before they both entered the clearing. Kagome took her seat in the grass and began writing notes.
The demon Haruka chose had a brown horse head, black, light armor, and a short katana. She looked much more vibrant than him amongst the simple back drop. "Begin!" Kagome shouted and they were off.
The quick soldier sprinted towards his opponent with his katana ready in hand and landed a blow. The image of Haruka popped and in its place was a log. She reappeared in wisps of blue fox fire where he had once stood. The fox wore her mask, but her posture told of the playful expressions hidden beneath.
He stomped in embarrassment before inhaling a mighty breath. Suddenly, the soldier shot molten meteors of red and yellow from his long snout. Her image flickered as she shot towards him, but another her came up from the ground beneath him. Haruka dragged the poor warrior into the dirt as her shadow clone cartwheeled over him in distraction. Only his head stayed visible as he desperately started shooting molten balls at the multiplying forms flipping about. The others had to step out of the way of his attacks, while Kagome focused on writing her notes. The flaming meteors bounced off her barrier leaving pink ripples to fade over the transparent surface.
Soon, the horse demon gasped for air and eventually became too tired to continue. Not only had she dragged him underground but she had used a talisman to seal him there much like Shippo had used in the past to stick Inuyasha to boulders and statues.
"Next is Hina." Kagome ordered.
The fire bird stepped forward with a golden fan to match her folded wings. Hina's luxurious kimono dragged across the dirty sparring field. Her wings seemed to be perpetually glowing as if to melt off any dirt that would dare to sully their majesty. This demoness chose a large bull demon who wore little armor to cover his minotaur physique. His weapon of choice seemed to be his reinforced horns and fists.
"Begin!" This time Kagome watched as neither party moved. Both bull and lady stood their ground. The soldier beat his hooved feet into the earth before moving to punch his opponent. They did not move as fast as the last pair so Kagome easily saw the yellow light grow from his clenched fist. He withdrew his sizzling punch seconds from her face before immediately trying a second. This attack, though also cut short, allowed him to be close enough to slice one of her kimono layers open with his horn.
Hina stepped backwards and her previous bored expression twisted to anger. The fan flicked and the bull slid back to his starting position as he fought against heated gusts. The lady glared down on him as she softly flicked her wrists causing searing winds to push him further into the ground and away. The large demon dug his hooves into the grass behind him and held onto the earth with a stubborn grunt.
In a blink, the demon rolled to the side, escaped the wind, and pounced at the overdressed woman. He almost got her, but she took to the skies with wings spread wide. That didn't stop his attack though. The bull slammed his fist into the ground and sent shards of rock at the demoness instead. A graceful spin and those lovely wings rained terror down on the poor soldier. Those shards burned bright and were sent right back at him. The soldier fell to one knee as he peered up at her. Blood trickled from several places of impact and his soft cow skin sizzled and smoked.
Hina pointed the fan in his direction once more and a circle of heat turned the dirt beneath him red. Human eyes could not see the waves of heat she sent at him, crushing his will to fight. He couldn't breathe anymore and his eyes rolled back in his head. The bull demon crumbled in unconsciousness and Hina became victorious.
Kagome allowed for the medical aid to collect the fallen soldier, before calling out, "Keiko!" The dog demon doppelganger chose a wolf demon that had two toned grey hair much like Ginta. His armor matched his fellow soldiers in dark colors, but his wolf pelt skirt and tail still defined his heritage.
"Begin!" The miko tried to not taint her opinion of the demoness simply because she was creeped out by the shared appearance. Instead, she focused on the speed of both fighters. Blue eyes darted back and forth as the two bounced around the area in battle. The wolf used two scythes and armored kicks to dance about Keiko's claws and sword.
Their weapons and attacks sung as metal slid against metal and claws blocked claws. The demoness's black braid floated around them as they fought. As quickly as it began, the wolf's blades were sent flying and her sword rested below his chin. Both fighters panted as he surrendered.
"Noriko!" The miko called next. The bear Daiyoukai stepped forth and picked another bear as her opponent. Perhaps, it was to show the power difference between her and her fellow species. As Kagome cued the start of their fight, the two bowed to each other in respect. The demoness let him attack her as savagely as he could. She merely dodged and defended as he yelled out fierce blows. His claws and sword twirled and switched as he tried to trick her, but she blocked all the same. To be fair, this soldier had beautiful swordsmanship skills and performed them with perfection. Sadly, she was still far better.
The Daiyoukai merely looked at him and a pulse of demon aura sent him tumbling back. It was obvious that she grew ready to end this fight and that her skills had been well displayed. Before the bear could stand from his kneeled position, she had her sword at his neck. Noriko was victorious to the point that she hadn't even started to sweat. And with that, her battle was over. Several soldiers stared at her awestruck as she passed by.
Kagome clapped as she had for everyone thus far. She was still the supportive and caring miko after all. This time though her clap merged with the sound of several others. Finally, they had reached the last fight.
"Oceana!" She called. The blue skinned dragoness stepped forward to nod to the remaining soldier. He resembled a crane with a tuff of yellow amongst white hair. His sword was thin and long and his armor light. "Begin!"
Gold jingled as a blue leg rose and four arms readied blades and magic. The soldier also drew his leg up before lunging forward in a sweeping attack. Oceana dodged but her counterattack never struck as he blocked her arm from moving further. The graceful bird slipped out of the dangerous situation before she could catch him with her magic. Water floated around her in oblong forms before striking at him. The crane dodged around them with a face of quiet peace.
Decorated arms danced through the air as the dragoness controlled her magic while slicing at stoic demon with both water and blades. The bird seemed so peaceful at first, but after a full minute of dragon fury he cracked and opened his eyes in worry. A swift kick to the unsuspecting soldier had his back hit the ground. This beautiful oddity of a demoness stood over the simple bird demon with her weapons and water ready to strike. Perhaps she got this blood thirst from her mother. With his surrender, peace melted into her features and Oceana folded her arms to bow before leaving the field.
"Thank you for all of your help today!" The miko spoke to the men receiving medical attention before turning to bow their nearby commander. She then turned to the bored and slightly sweaty women before offering, "Would you ladies like to hit the hot springs and bathe before dinner?" Most of them offered some verbal agreement but Oceana and Noriko simply nodded.
The herd of dirty demonesses made their way to the baths as Kagome quickly dropped of her notes before joining them. Admittedly, it struck her as odd to see them in short white bathing kimono. The miko knew she didn't look as different when stripping from her red hakama, but Oceana finally removed all of her ornaments and turquoise sari. Blue eyes stared as she saw four smaller shoulder blades beneath blue skin.
The dragoness wasn't the only ones with hidden surprises though. Haruka was not as thin as she appeared, but it looked much more natural with her breast size. The fox used thin armor as a corset of sorts to help her keep the illusion of a skinny hourglass figure. Hina actually had soft red marking covering half her body from her left foot up to her shoulder. Noriko also had a variety of simple markings, but in contrast to Haruka, the Daiyoukai was pretty flat. Her voluminous hair made her form all the smaller looking without the padding of her kimono. Then, there was Keiko.
Several of the demonesses soaked while quietly watching Kagome enter the spring. Keiko sat on one side, her black hair slipped over her shoulder and into the water as it floated released from its braid. The miko sat on the other as her black hair floated in a similar manner.
"I had not noticed before, but you two sure do look alike." Haruka started.
"I think so too, if you would not find offense, matchmaker." The dog demoness replied, nodding towards her miko counterpart.
"Oh, no. I think it's a little weird. There was once someone else that I resembled. It's been years but I still see a glimpse of her in every reflection and I know my friends see it too." Memories of Inuyasha pausing or staring at her with wide eyes seemed to reflect over the water's surface until it left the image of Kikyo rippling back into the blued eyed Kagome. These were all in her mind's eye, but she saw them clear as day.
"We are almost exactly the same with exception to our ears, claws, and markings." Keiko offered. The roles seemed reversed as the modest demoness smiled in excitement and the bright miko somberly smiled.
"There are also my scars and callouses." The human supplied.
This caught Hina's attention, amongst some others'. "How did you get such a nasty scar on your arm, lady Kagome?" "Yeah, and how do you know Lord Sesshomaru?" "How does a demon lord meet a miko, anyway?" It seemed the ladies had been holding back their questions for quite some time.
Kagome blushed and almost attempted to hide under the water. "Sesshomaru has a brother."
Noriko actually chimed in, "The hanyou, Inuyasha, was it?"
"Yes. I've known him for years and he's like a brother to me. I met Sesshomaru through him several years back and not on good terms."
"You've known Lord Sesshomaru for years?" Haruka almost whined.
"Yes, he is a valued friend." A couple looks showed disbelief. "And, I hurt my arm while we were interviewing a pair of sisters. Their grandmother decided to try and eat me."
A chorus of laughter from fox, bird, and dog surprised the miko, as Keiko spoke up, "The elder's hold such strange traditions like that. Human doesn't even taste that good."
When several others nodded in agreement, Kagome let out an uneasy chuckle. Light pruning of her finger pads told, the miko that it was time to get out and grade those papers. She excused herself and the demonic beauties left her with light partings. "Until morning, miko!" and, "Write good things about me!"
Kagome braided her hair and wrapped it into a bun before getting dressed. She didn't need any droplets smearing the ink. In a moment, she was sitting before her short table with a small mound of scrolls. The miko asked Jakken to bring her some tea and candles as she knew she would be working well into the night. Five scrolls held notes on the sparring and five held the answers to her surveys. It was up to her to provide Sesshomaru with five new scrolls containing a synopsis of both.
With a sigh and a body jiggle, Kagome got herself in gear. First, she moved all of the scrolls to her left and then picked one randomly to start. She would find its pair and then compare them on the emptier table to write her final report. Finally, she would put the new scroll on the table across from her and the old scrolls would end up on the floor to her right. This was her plan.
Noriko happened to be the first.
Noriko, Retired Lady of the North and Bear Daiyoukai. Her hobbies included wood instruments and gardening. She has not had any past relations since her first husband died a couple centuries ago. She believes that those who betray should be punished or killed. If the western lands were attacked, she would raise defense before perfecting an effective offence. Her heir would be raised with humility, but an emphasis on physical training. She was a defensive fighter, but she managed to defeat her enemy by the intensity of her demonic aura alone.
Keiko, Daughter of Western General and Dog Demon. Her hobbies include swordplay and flower arrangement. She did have a youthful romance to a human that ended when her father killed him. She believes that their betrayal would be her fault in not being someone worthy of their loyalty. If the western lands were attacked, she would respond offensively while focusing on protecting the western heir. Her heir would be raised learning war strategies with an emphasis on physical training. She was an offensive fighter, and she managed to defeat her enemy by disarming her opponent with her sword skill.
Oceana, Daughter of Deceased Southern Lord, Niece to Southern Lady and Water Dragon. Her hobbies include reading and organizing. She has never had a previous romance. She believes that betrayal is statistically unavoidable so one should always have a secondary plan to counteract it. If the western lands were attacked, she would respond defensively while focusing on protecting the western heir. Her heir would be raised learning everything with an emphasis on perfecting technique and skill. She was an offensive fighter, and she managed to defeat her enemy by swords and water magic.
Hina, Daughter of Southern General and Fire Bird Demon. Her hobbies include singing and blacksmithing. She has had a couple short relationships, but nothing in the past century. She believes that betrayal deserves death. If the western lands were attacked, she would respond defensively while planning offense. Her heir would be raised learning war strategies with an emphasis on stamina training. She was balance between defense and offense, and she managed to defeat her enemy by breaking his will with the heat of her fire.
Haruka, Daughter of Northern General and Fox Demon. Her hobbies include fashion and market. She has had a couple short and long relationships. Her last one ended about fifty years ago. She believes that betrayal deserves punishment. If the western lands were attacked, she would respond offensively. Her heir would be raised learning fighting strategies with an emphasis on magic training. She was offensive, and she managed to defeat her enemy by wearing him out with her stamina.
Done.
She hurried the pages to Sesshomaru's office and knocked on the door. His quiet hum of approval granted her access and she quickly found her place sitting before his table. Kagome stumbled a bit with her words, "I've them complete." She paused to try again, "The reports are ready for you to make the final decision. You are going to announce it in the morning, aren't you?"
Gold eyes studied her for a moment, before the smallest of sighs. He glance somewhere else in casual thought before asking, "Have you eaten dinner?"
