Alright then, next chapter… this one will clear things up for everyone… I hope. Any questions? If so, just ask away when you review!
By the way, thank you to the reviewers who pointed out my boo-boo in chapter fifty. It's all better now! I must have been on crack to have missed that one! Yeesh.
Ignore my bitching, I'm just tired. I'm in one of those giggly tired moods and the slightest thing seems to agitate me. Oh well… sleep is good. Perhaps I shall indulge in that simple pleasure. Mmm… my bed looks so comfortable. There it is, sitting neatly in the corner of my room, pale green sheets tucked tidily under the mattress, matching pillows fluffed and ready for me to nestle my head against them. Warm, baby blue, daisy comforter screaming out for me to come and immerse myself in its cushiony sanctuary… wow I need rest.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inu..mr..ung…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… uh, what! Oh… I don't own Inuyasha.
Charged; Shikon Guardians
"Are we dead?"
The question echoed through the seemingly endless plain of white, making the vast space seem all the more infinite.
"I do not know," Sesshomaru answered honestly, hand settling on his mate's shoulder.
Crossing her arms in disappointment, Kagome remarked hotly, "If this is heaven then we've been gypped."
"This is not heaven," an ethereal, almost elderly tone rang.
Crouching into a defensive pose, Kagome shouted, "Who's there?" The voice she had heard sounded as though the owner was standing in front of them, and yet there was no one to be seen.
"Calm yourself, young miko," another, much deeper voice instructed.
"Where are you?" the raven haired priestess murmured more to herself than anyone.
"Why, we are all around you," a third, feminine voice proclaimed, followed by a girlish giggle.
Righting herself, Kagome shook her head and announced, "I've lost it. That has to be it. I've gone over the deep edge and now I'm hearing voices in my head."
"No silly," a child like tone informed her, "you haven't gone crazy. You're not dead, either."
Groaning to him self in irritation, the taiyoukai declared, "Tell me, what is this place? Why have we been summoned here?"
"This," the female voice enlightened, "is limbo, a place between life and death where we spirits can converse with those from the mortal world."
"So," Kagome muttered, "you are spirits… like, as in the Kami's?"
"Not quite," the deeper male voice resounded. "We are mere messengers from the otherworld. We have been charged with appointing the two of you with a very important task."
"You see," the strong male tenor explained, "we of the otherworld are concerned with the recent occurrences on Earth. Naraku's attempt to taint the jewel so that he might obtain immortality and ultimate power has made it clear to us that the Shikon is in need of a protector."
"But the jewel is gone," Kagome elucidated, "I saw it burst into dust with my own eyes."
"Indeed it did," the child's voice told her, "but it is still in existence. It simply regrouped in a different, much more secretive location."
"And where might that be?" the young miko inquired, growing rather frustrated.
"Why, it's back in your body, Kagome," the soft, elderly voice informed her.
"Okay," the blue eyed woman shouted, "this is getting freaky. Can you please take form so I have something to look at while we're conversing?!"
A harmony of chuckles echoed through the endless, white void, and one by one the figures began to materialize from thin air.
The first was a beautiful young woman whose eyes shone a pale blue. Her hair flowed down her back like navy, liquid silk, the tips brushing the floor. Her apparel was elaborate and shimmering, like the surface of a lake come daybreak. Gold bangles hung from her slender wrists and ankles, tinkling lightly as she lifted a hand to run her fingers through silken tresses.
The second to accumulate was a young boy of no more than twelve years, his hair an unusual shade of yellow and his eyes sparking like embers. His garments were simple and few, only a pair of shorts and simple sandals clothing his body.
Thirdly, a brittle old woman whose age was undeterminable appeared, her thin, silver hair tied tightly in a bun. Her wrinkled face was marred by countless years, but had a light about it that made her seem younger. She wore several layers, each kimono seeming as though it were as light as spiders silk.
Lastly, a broad, tall man emerged, his head shaved bald and his eyes a deep, hard shade of brown. His structure was wide and imposing, making a man even of Sesshomaru's stature look miniscule. His outfit consisted of a black hakamma and haori, the nagajuban he wore beneath it a sandy brown.
"We," the woman introduced, "are the four spirits of the planet. I am Tsuyu, spirit of water."
"I am known as Dojou, spirit of the earth" the man bellowed, arms folded over his thickly muscled chest.
"The name's Hibana," the youth announced loudly, one eye closed in a mischievous wink. "I control the element fire!"
"And I am Uindo, the spirit of air," the tiny old woman greeted, her small, shimmering grey eyes flashing with wisdom. "We have been sent here to inform you of your new duties."
"You, Lady Kagome," Tsuyu instructed, "are to be the eternal guardian of the Shikon-no-tama. After years of observing this world, we have concluded that you are the only one suitable for the job."
"How can I do anything when I'm dead?" the priestess queried, hands on her hips.
"Once again, young mortal," Dojou explained, his deep, gravely voice booming through the silence, "you are not dead. You will be sent back once all is clear."
"The jewel cannot be destroyed," Hibana told her in a serious tone, "Therefore it needs a place where it can be watched over at all times. We didn't want to risk transferring it to your reincarnation in case they were unsuitable, so we decided that you were the best option."
"So does this mean that I get to go back?" Kagome stammered. Then, a thought struck her and she asked quietly, "What about Sesshomaru?"
"Patience, child," Uindo cooed, her voice soft, "all will be explained. The young western Lord has a place in this intricate web as well."
"Though you are powerful," Tsuyu commented to Kagome, "there will be times in which you, yourself will need protection. That is what we are charging this young youkai with. He is to watch over you, and make certain that nothing happens to you."
Growling, the taiyoukai hissed, "If I couldn't protect her just now… what makes you think I won't fail again?"
"Sesshomaru!" Kagome gasped, turning to him with a worried expression on her face. "Please don't say that. I put myself in danger on purpose; there was nothing you could have done about it!"
"She is right, lad," Dojou clarified, "It was through the will of the Kami's that you two fell, it was necessary for this meeting to occur."
"See," Kagome mumbled out the corner of her mouth, elbowing her mate in the side.
"The two of you will, of course, be granted immortality. It will be a difficult burden to bear, but you must know that this is for the good of all mankind." Hibana uttered.
"Immortality?" Kagome muttered to herself, her mind dwelling on the possibilities of it all. She would live to see her family again, and raise a family of her own with Sesshomaru, but she would have to live through the deaths of her loved ones, save her mate. It was very perplexing to say the least, the thought of living forever.
"Will we ever be allowed rest?" she queried, her tone gentle.
"Perhaps," Uindo supposed, "but we would need to find replacements first. That alone might take tens of thousands of years."
Nodding, the young miko turned to her mate and smiled. "Well," she chuckled, "at least we get to have a family."
Nodding in affirmation, Sesshomaru crooned, "Indeed, this Sesshomaru is greatly anticipating the future. From what you have told me, koi, it is a remarkable place."
"Technology has its ups and downs," she agreed, "but you'll adjust as time goes by."
"You accept, then?" Tsuyu questioned, hoary eyes brightening as a small smile tilted her full, ruby lips.
Taking Sesshomaru's hand, Kagome nodded. "Yes, we're ready."
"Very well," Uindo cooed, "may you stay safe in your journeys."
The couple watched as all four spirits disappeared, leaving them in the blank space once again? Twisting to the side, Kagome paused for a moment before stuttering, "Well… what now?"
Before Sesshomaru had a chance to reply, all went black, leaving them in the dark. "What in the world?" Kagome shouted, "Who turned out the lights?" Realizing her eyes were closed, the anxious priestess peered through a single cobalt orb, gasping when her gaze befell clear blue sky.
Yay… 'yawn' all done for today. I didn't edit it all… too tired, so there might be a boo-boo or two.
Hey, I've got another game to play. Who can tell me what the names of the four spirits mean in English? Tsuyu, Dojou, Hibana, Uindo. There is no prize for this game, just the satisfaction of winning. You have to get all four right!
Review…zzzzzzzzzz…