'Our boy is a small universe.' ~Daoren

Standard disclaimer applies

"Talking"

Thoughts

Ethereal Voices/Beasts/ Spirits

Apocalyptica:

Chapter 9

Heartfelt Goodbyes

Modern day, Tokyo

"I am standing outside the Hall of Council in Kyoto where the current council meeting has been called to deal with the necessities of succession for the Youkai council. It has been several weeks since the incident at the Grand Plaza, everything had been turned upside down, with the death of three of the Youkai council Lord, there had been an immediate meeting of congress called to appoint the next leaders. Lord Kouga Ookami of the Southern wolf tribe had been appointed the Southern leader. The plans for his mating to the Southern Lord's daughter, Ayame have been pushed forward so that the claiming of the title would be legitimate within the eyes of the council.

Sesshoumaru Tashio had taken the title of Western Lord, following in his father's lead as the eldest and heir to the Tashio Enterprises. Like Sesshoumaru, Naraku Onigumo had been offered the title of Northern Lord as the succession was dictated through the bloodline for the male in the families to take on the title. Despite all the controversy and the ongoing investigation of the incident, there is much celebrated relief within Japan today as the new leaders have been announced.

Several suspects have been identified as being responsible for the explosions at the Grand Plaza, some are blaming organised freedom fighters, a group of humans that are eager to see the downfall of the Youkai and Human peace treaty signed over 1000 years ago.

Later on today, we will bring you live coverage from the joint state funerals that shall be held at Tokyo Shinto Shrine for the deceased Lords as well as other members of parliament that were caught in the explosions. The Prime Minister extends his condolences in a statement-"

Inuyasha muted the TV as he turned to his mother. Izayoi was seated in the lounge are of the estate. Dressed in black, they were all preparing for the funeral that was to be held that afternoon.

" Mom, are you sure you want to go this afternoon? You know it's not the real funeral, there is no way they would be able to fit pops' true form in that small box..."

" Inuyasha, do not speak so ill of you father!" came the automatic reprimand as Izayoi stood and embraced her son.

"Sesshoumaru should be arriving back from the council meeting soon. It would not be right if we do not support him the way we supported your father. Plus, Hana has done so much for all of us, it is only right that we attend, if not for your father, but to support her..."

Pulling away from his mother, Inuyasha's ears pinned to the back of his head as he thought about the day ahead for his best friend.

'Kagome...'

~~~~~~~~~~A~~~~~~~~~~

Since they had been at the Tashio estate, the recovery from the shock of the deceased has been great, Inuyasha was inseparable from Kagome, and she took comfort in his fussing over her. On the first night they arrived, when all the distraction of making sure Hana and her baby were safe and tucked in and Izayoi was put to bed, Inuyasha had said good night to Kagome, only to return a couple of minutes later when he had heard Kagome start to cry. He had held her that night, leaking small tears of his own at the loss of one of his parents. Since that night, they had fallen asleep in each other's arms, eager to share the comfort of having the other near.

Kagome found herself staring into space across one of the many gardens situated in the Tashio estate, her mind reeling with all the past events of the last few weeks. Lately, Kagome would find solace in amongst the nature and beauty of the summer garden in the eastern wing of the Tashio estate. Its' flower beds where awash in colour, from the daisies to the red roses and somewhere in between the purple of agapanthus poked through the greenery. Situated right in the heart of all the flowers was a shallow fountain that trickled water into a small pond. The fountain was of a small mermaid, her tale tucked gently under her as she washed her hair forward into a seashell twice her size. Kagome had found the marble artwork capturing, not because of the beauty of the carved girl, but rather of the irony, that a Inu-household would find the myths and legends of the mer-people beautiful.

When Kagome would wake, often in the early hours of the morning, right before dawn kissed the inky sky of night, she would often wiggle out of Inuyasha's hold and wonder the halls, she often would end up at this fountain. This is where Kagome's beast and her conscious seemed to be at peace within the tranquillity and sheltered nature of the garden that urged the flowers to grow and kissed them with gentle sunlight.

Kagome was perched on the edge of the pond, dressed in the signature black that marked the day, she had wondered into the garden again to seek a small amount of refuge for her shattered heart before they would all head off to the funeral. She had her manuscript in her hands and as she ran her hand over the leather cover again, a lone tear slipped out from under her black lashes.

'Pappa, I miss you already...' she bit her lip in a meagre effort to hold back the tears.

"Focus Kagome... you need to write the speech..." Kagome wiped the lone tear hastily from her damp cheek and took a deep breath; she then opened the clasp to her manuscript and found a blank page. A small smile graced her lips at the thought of writing the speech in her manuscript, a parting gift to her father, seeing as it was his last gift to her.

She picked up the pen and began to write, the tranquil atmosphere of the gardens and the gentle sound of tinkling water from the fountain lulling the Youkai into herself as she began.

'Today we have not come here to mourn the passing of a life, but rather to celebrate the existence of one that is no longer among us...My father, Kei Higurashi, like that of Inu No Tashio, touched many lives. He was a mentor, a teacher; at times, a disciplinarian and an avid fan, no matter what catastrophe I created, he was always proud. My father was many things, but most importantly he was just that, a father. I cannot express the depth of my sorrow, of my pain that I feel to his early passage through this life, but I delight in the legacy he has left behind, in myself, in my Mother and in my soon to be brother, he will live on through us in love and memory...'

The words flowed in motion across the page, drawing inspiration from an unknown source.

'I really am going to miss you Daddy... Uncle Yasashii...'

As the words seeped into the manuscript, another broken heart whispered back to her through the pages of the book, and the words began to glow a deep blue.

Kagome groaned as she was swept away in the mist again.

'This seems to becoming a regular thing, always at the most random times...' her beast grunted its affirmation.

When the mists cleared, she was transparent, see through.

'ohhhhkay and now I'm a ghost... Wonderful...'

She squinted into the sun as it basked the valley in light, she then looked down, and found two figures under a dying sakura tree. She instantly recognised the one as Megumi from her previous dwellings in the manuscript and the other seemed vaguely familiar, as if from a dream, one that she could not quite remember.

She floated down into the valley and got closer to the couple. They embraced and a transparent Kagome stopped, not eager to interrupt the intimate moment.

The couple clung to one another in a tight embrace that spoke of sorrow and parting.

"Why do you have to go Shiro, can they not send an envoy?" came Megumi's voice as they parted. Kagome gapped at the swell of her stomach, draped in her Kimono, barley hiding her pregnancy.

" Yes, my love, I have to go..."

The male was Inu Youkai, with long flowing silver hair, pulled together in a top knot above his head, the blue crescent moon stood out against his light features, his golden eyes unmistakable as belonging to the Tashio clan. The twin blue stripes on each temple enhanced the fierceness that shone in his golden orbs and the passion he carried for the tiny halfling in his arms.

"You will be well with our daughter, look after her, Koi, our treasure, Takara..."

Megumi's blue eyes swelled with unshed tears as Shiro's clawed hand came to rest on her bulging stomach. Megumi covered his huge hand with her own. The two then shared a passionate kiss, Shiro enveloped Megumi in his arms, clinging to her for what he was sure, was the last time.

The lent on each other for a moment, and, in a mingling of united breath, the whispered their goodbyes.

" I will wait for you..." he said. " I will find you..." she answered, and then with silent tears, he walked away...

Megumi then faced the transparent Kagome, and with eerie blue eyes addressed her.

" This was the last time the Tashio clan and ours was united, through my daughter Takara... it is time to unite them again Kagome, this is your path... unit the houses, bind us in strength before it is too late..."

Kagome choked back a sob as the mist enveloped her again. Her world once again became a sea of questions and answers. One thing that stood out was the sorrow she could see etched into Megumi's face at the parting of her love.

'Is that how I feel now? Broken and alone? But Megumi was not alone, she was going to have a baby... Takara. But Megumi is my ancestor, and if her child is Takara, could it be THE Takara no Higurashi that married the Shinto monk and gave us the Higurashi name? Why was that man so familiar? Shiro she had called him... What did it all mean? How do I unite the houses? '

It was in this gentle moment of quiet contemplation that Kagome's beast let loose a subconscious growl letting her know that she was not alone. When Kagome returned to reality, she felt the suppressive force of the aura that was headed in her direction. She swivelled on her seat, not even aware that the subconscious growl from her beast actually escaped her now slightly parted lips.

The footsteps ceased their movement towards her at the sounds of the growl, guttural, instinct.

" What business do you have to be in these gardens, wench?" The voice spoke blades of ice at the Youkai sitting by the pond, her pond.

She blinked cautious blue eyes at his form. A moment passed between them. His ire rose with each ticking second.

'Who does she think she is, coming here, violating this sacred place... her resting place...'

His anger grew with his aura at her lack of response. His temper a short fuse to begin with as she has been occupying his thoughts again all too often, and now, arriving home only to find the object of every passing contemplation sitting in the resting place of his beloved sister, it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

" I was just , just, gathering my thoughts for today." came her clipped response. Her own ire rising at the tone he had used. They had been having these short run ins quite often with the Higurashi's staying at the Tashio estate, each one a little more violent and angry.

" Who gave you permission to enter MY gardens? I did not decree any to step foot into MY sanctuary. You-"

Her aura grew in size, challenging the new Taiyoukai at his own game of power, as she spoke over him, cutting his rant off mid sentence.

" I do NOT need PERMISSION to be here, you big pooch, I was just minding my own business and you-"

He spoke over her then, overtaking her in an instinctual display of dominance. His tone, molten lava filled with rage at her audacity.

" You desecrate the Lady Rin's resting place with your presence, you abomination."

His eyes flickered to red as his aura grew, threatening to drown Kagome in his anger and power. He opened his mouth in a verbal explosion of anger, but the wind was taken out of his sails just as the last word left his mouth. His golden pools of raging heat widened at his own harsh words. He deflated even more at her response.

" Forgive me Sesshoumaru-sama", she began, using his formal title now, " I... I was drawn here by the beauty and tranquillity that flows in this garden... I did not mean to intrude..." her head down in a submissive gesture, hiding her watery eyes that betrayed her emotions as she tried to reign in her hurt over her already flustered emotions.

Sesshoumaru said nothing, too shocked at his own anger; he stared at her, a similar emotion of his own swimming in his eyes.

Kagome stared up at him, her lip firm, and her eyes an endless sea of pain. He stared back, something passing between the two again. Her aura came to wrap around herself, a protective gesture from her subconscious beast, his lay idle around his form, all anger and maliciousness gone. She rose from her sitting position, her manuscript hugged safely to her breasts as she stared into his now cloudy yellow eyes a moment longer before her lower lip began to tremble and she ran past the offended Taiyoukai.

Just as she breezed past him, the Inu 's arm shot out, grabbing Kagome by the upper arm, halting her in her retreat. Surprise laced her sent as Sesshoumaru inhaled.

'Spice... Cinnamon... and vanilla, her hair products laced in with her perfume... and underpinning that... a gentle allure that was entirely Kagome.' His clever mind subconsciously broke down the layers of her smell and filed it away.

Kagome turned towards the Taiyoukai, her blue eyes awash with all her emotions fighting for dominance in her head.

" I'm sorry." Came the small voice of the Taiyoukai. He turned to Kagome then, giving her arm a gentle squeeze as if he physically wanted to pass on what he could not put into words.

A gentle understanding settled within Kagome's mind as she studied the Taiyoukai. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his tie loose. His hair looked like it had not been maintained in a short while, but what she mostly noticed from this close to the man was the subtle bags that had taken up residence under his eyes. He was obviously frazzled, and had the mood of been any different; Kagome would have found the sight sexy. Who wouldn't, it was THE Sesshoumaru Tashio that stood before her.

"This was her garden..." Sesshoumaru somewhat hesitantly said, removing his hand from Kagome, and gesturing towards the fountain.

" She, Rin, was my sister... she died a few moments after we were born, the poison in our systems killed our mother shortly after the birth... the garden was made and erected in her honour, she rests just beneath the fountain..." Sesshoumaru walked over to the small stone nestled in the paving of the fountain on the other side where Kagome sat, with the symbols etched in ancient Kanji.

Kagome followed the Taiyoukai, shocked by what he had just divulged to her. Her eyes followed the Taiyoukai's as he knelt down and placed one claw had in a practised gesture of affection on the stone, tracing the ancient Kanji.

" Rin" Kagome read as she too bent down and placed her hand over the Taiyoukai's.

In that gentle moment, the world Kagome knew to be true tilted. She eyed Sesshoumaru from the corner of her eye as she processed the information he had just shared with her, a secret that would of eaten her alive. His twin sister and him, responsible for the death of his biological mother, topping it off, the death of his twin, his other half. It would have been a heavy burden to bear all this time through life. He hid it well under that mask of power, as any Youkai would, emotion being a weakness they would very rarely show. It was a human trait, a human thing, emotion, weakness, and it had no part in the reality of Youkai. She was suppose to become one of these beings that did not show her emotions, that did not display weakness, but right now, in her reality, she might be clothed in a Youkai form, but her heart was still very much human.

In that moment of secrecy, shared between the Inu Taiyoukai and the Youkai enigma that was Kagome, she gasped at the vulnerability and emotion of Sesshoumaru. Never in her short life had she ever seen the stoic lord look more... human. She smiled at that thought and from the bottom of her soul; she thanked him, for now she felt like she was not alone.

The Taiyoukai felt her hand cover his larger one, as she read the name out loud. His emotions rocked an unyielding storm against his tight control, control that he never let slip, until he had seen her sultry eyes, and the pain and alienation she had felt at his words. His beast had broken the bonds of his conscious mind and in unison had bent out to stop her from leaving. Now, as he uttered his broken secret to another's ears, and her ease of acceptance and gentle grace, he felt the burden of his own guilt lift ever so slightly. As their hands touched a tiny shock of power, electricity, they did not know, but it shot, from her hand into his, warming the flesh as it connected.

"Thank you..." She whispered, small, gentle, powerful. He stared into those crystal eyes of hers again, a subtle understanding taking form between the two. A lone tear leaked out her eyes again; the Taiyoukai raised his other hand and brushed the small droplet away with such gentle care that it felt as if a ghost had caressed her cheek.

"Kagome?" came the call from her brash Hanyou from inside. It was enough to break the magic and surreal nature of their shared moment and send both Youkai spiralling back to their characteristic roles. Sesshoumaru rose, excusing himself from her company. Kagome remained crouched over the small tombstone, still pulling her thoughts together.

"Kagome!" the call came louder this time. Inuyasha found Kagome in the Eastern garden, in Rin's garden as he followed her sent.

" Kagome, whattcha doing here in Ice Pricks' garden?" he questioned as he made his way over to her.

" I was just writing my speech..." She answered him, her tone shaky.

He pulled her into a tight hug at the broken sound of her voice. Kagome took the hug with gratitude, wrapping her arms around the younger Inu, burring her nose in his neck, taking in his scent and letting her emotions and the turbulence of what had just transpired with her manuscript and Sesshoumaru melt away as the safety and reassurance he brought seeped into her form.

" Come let's get you inside and ready..." the half Inu said ushering her inside. All Kagome could do was nod, Megumi's plea echoing in her head.

'... Unit the houses, bind us in strength before it is too late...'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tokyo was blanketed in sorrow. It seemed as if the entire city had stopped what they were doing to pay homage to the passing of the figure heads of the society. The processions rivalled that of the Royal family, with the coffins being walked down the main street in Tokyo towards the Shinto shrine where the funerals would take place, followed by a long march of Shinto Mikos and Monks, all performing the salt cleansing rituals as they ferry the dead to the afterlife. Tokens of praise and appreciation where thrown at the coffins as they walked passed tributes to Amaterasu and Izanami-no-Mikoto.

The procession itself was short, time seem to pass slowly as the coffins where followed by the grieving families and the boy guards that shadowed them.

After the ceremonies and rituals where complete, the immediate families where all invited back to the Tashio mansion to hold a small reception and proceed with the Youkai burial customs. Hosted in the garden, the atmosphere was palpable. You could taste the sadness in the air that left a bitter tang on your tongue.

Sesshoumaru was his usual reserved self, his mask of stoic perfection in place, as he took his place amongst the Lords of the Youkai Council in the front, coming to stand in-between Naraku and Kouga. The face of the Council, a snow wolf Youkai named Konayuki, head of the HR and public relations in terms of the councils movements, took his place at the podium, beginning the ceremony in typical Youkai custom, by reciting the pledge.

"United we stand, brought together by creation, bound in the blood of our fore fathers, brothers, sisters, we uphold our past, through the houses of our lineage to bind together and hold strong our Youkai bonds, in power, conquest, truth and honour."

There was a murmur of sound as the Youkai present, too recited the oath. Kagome instinctually echoing the words as well. It was a declaration of their heritage, the past, their Youkai blood that sang with power and history. It was now hers to claim as well.

Kagome had been chosen as their latest member of Youkai society, it was a declaration that she too now belonged and had been accepted as a Youkai to her brethren, even though her transformation was still taking place, and they could not quite pin down her exact heritage yet. She had been chosen to say a few words on behalf of the grieving families in memoriam of their lives. Kagome's eyes found Inuyasha in the crowd; he gave her a reassuring wink from his position near his family. Kagome drew in a shaken breath and offered a small smile to Inuyasha in thanks. Over the last few weeks, he really had become her anchor, her rock, solidifying her to this new reality. With renewed courage, she opened her manuscript and did her speech.

As Kagome spoke, her voice was heavy with emotion, she scanned the audience, picking faces out amongst the crowd. She turned to address the Youkai Council and thank them for the honour of performing the speech. As she turned to address them, her eyes automatically sought out Sesshoumaru's golden orbs. All the power and prestige reflected in his eyes as he turned to face her. Her mind reeled back to the intimate moment they had shared earlier today. She halted in her speech as she took in the full impact of his piercing gaze; a sheen of something flickered within the molten depths for just a second, recognition, acceptance, understanding... She wasn't too sure, it wrapped her in a transparent blanket of giddiness as her inner beast purred with acceptance. Then it was gone. Kagome bowed to the Lords of Council and to the audience, attempting to hide the dusky pink that settled on her cheeks at the intensity of the Inu Lord's gaze, she completed her speech and made her way back to her seat next to Inuyasha, who welcomed her back with a gentle hung. As she made her way back to her seat, dark eyes followed her retreating form, possession vivid in his black depths.

'I will have you yet, Kagome... before your form settles'

Hana had tears in her eyes at her daughters beautiful words, and as Kagome closed her manuscript, and ran a hand over the cover of the book, the book seemed to hum under her gentle fingertips, offering a small amount of comfort from Megumi.

Konayuki then turned his magnificent blue eyes on the people, and after a few short words, he proceeded with the passing, each fallen Youkai remembered in name, each with their chosen method of burial as to their houses. As each Youkai was mentioned so to was the successor in the newly appointed titles. Konayuki's eyes landed on the Onigumo heir. Naraku was amongst the chosen to proceed to Lords of Council.

"Naraku Onigumo, we share the passing of your father, and as birthright, written in the blood of your house, we present to you the title of Lord of the Northern Lands. Do you accept to carry on your father's legacy?"

Bowing, a steep show of respect to Konayuki, Naraku took his position as Northern Lord, taking his place once again in the Lords Council. The audience then turned back to Konayuki as he recited the death wish of Lord Onigumo.

" He has chosen, as his ancestors before him, to be burned in the poisonous Miasma of his own blood, thus it has already been done."

A small smile passed across the stoic face of Naraku at the words as he recalls the burning of his father's body.

FLASHBACK

Naraku stood over his fallen father's Youkai form, the eight legs of the giant spider where tucked into the body, the small hairs on the spindly appendages already grey from decomposition. The black Miasma filled the room, seeping out of every pour in the dead Youkai's form.

Naraku was the only person permitted to enter the death chamber as the toxic gasses would kill anything they came into contact with. He could hear his henchman, Hakudoshi outside the door.

With a disgusted sneer, Naraku flicked his wrist and released his own Miasma, drowning the body in the putrid gas. Within seconds the once giant spider was no more, leaving a stinging smell of noxious odour in its wake.

Naraku readjusted his suit jacket, and with parting words, exited the chamber.

"Good bye father, enjoy hell."

END FLAHSBACK

The small grin grew into a malicious smirk at the memory.

Konayuki turned to the Western Heir now.

"Sesshoumaru Tashio we share the passing of your father, and as birthright, written in the blood of your house, we present to you the title of Lord of the Western Lands. Do you accept to carry on your father's legacy?"

With another low bow, Sesshoumaru too accepted the Rite of Passage.

" As of your Rite, decreed by the Great Dog General, I present you with Tensaiga, the Sword of Heaven."

Sesshoumaru reached out and with another small bow, accepted his father's sword. He tied the sword to his hip, in declaration of his father's memory.

"The great Dog General has asked for his remains to be installed in the portal pearl. This he wished to be kept as legacy in his younger son, Inuyasha." A gasp was heard throughout the crowd, as a most unusual request for the burial was heard. Inuyasha turned to a shocked Kagome, offering her a small shrug; he squeezed her hand once before he got up from his position next to his best friend. Kagome followed him with her eyes as he approached the podium where he stood eyes downcast waiting for Konayuki to continue.

" Inuyasha, please step forward so we may place the portal pearl in you."

He did as he was told, and then there was a small flash of light, as Konayuki's hand rose with the pearl towards his right eye. Inuyasha was on the ground, the pain exploded behind his vision, he looked up and in his peripheral vision, he saw the worried faces of his mother and Kagome before everything went black.

~~~~~~~A~~~~~~~~~

End

Konayuki~ Powdered snow

Amaterasu~ Goddess of Sun and Universe

Izanami-no-Mikoto~ Goddess of Creation and Death