Chapter 5: Answers and Plans
Rin's blue skirt to her dress pooled around her. She sat on her knees on the soft ground. As usual white surrounded her and she could see nothing else but the gorgeous woman before her. Midoriko sat across from her in the same fashion with the skirt of her gold dress pooled around her. She smiled gently at Rin.
"Thank you. You had the opportunity to turn away from all of this. You could have gone back home, but you didn't. Now I know I can trust you. Now I know you will be with me."
Rin nodded, gathering the fabric of her dress in her fists while they rested on her legs. "So now you'll tell me what's going on?"
"Yes. I am going to tell you." Rin wanted to scream out in relief in success but decided to keep quiet should the goddess change her mind. "Close your eyes."
Rin gave Midoriko a questioning look. "Close them, count to three and then open them."
Rin obeyed. When she opened her eyes it was pitch black. She looked around but could not see anything. "Goddess?"
Before the creation of the world there was just heaven. She heard Midoriko's voice say. And in heaven is where the gods lived, in the form of galaxies.
Small swirls of lights in numerous pastel colors began to appear around Rin. They looked like stars surrounded by miniature stars.
The galaxies created the universe. Our galaxy is ruled by Mother Sun. All the other galaxies faded away as one grew in size before Rin. It zoomed and soon a miniature sun was in front of her, burning brightly and hot.
Mother Sun was very powerful, but she was very lonely. So she had two children. A son she created from the shadows she cast, and a daughter from the light she burned. They were known as Midoriko and Magatsuhi.
Two figures appeared, one outlined in white light that took the form of a female, one that was lined in shadows that took the form of a male.
In them Mother Sun gave them the power to create and a planet to put their creations on. Midoriko, being a creature of the light created a world of life with animals, plants, and humans. The sun shined all day and there was constant singing and dancing.
The two forms then shimmered. The female became maiden holding a flower, and the male formed into a beastly demon with fur, tusks, sharp claws, and red eyes.
Magatsuhi, being a creature of darkness created a world similar to Midoriko's, only his was consumed by war and death. He created magical creatures, made from animals that battled each other for power. These creatures were called yokai, or demons. Midoriko's world was on the surface of the planet, whereas Magatsuhi's world, known as Havoc was beneath the crust.
The figures disappeared as a shadowed face with gray hair and glowing red eyes appeared.
Both worlds' co-existed fine until one day Magatsuhi became jealous of Midoriko's world. He wanted to rule both worlds. He wanted to be the only god, so using his dark magic, he opened the portal between the worlds and together his demons overtook the once peaceful world Midoriko had built. Unable to destroy him, Midoriko used her power to lock him away in a prison of light that he cannot escape, only she has to sit in that prison with him to make sure he never gets out again, leaving the physical world behind.
It was pitch black again, then suddenly it grew lighter and lighter, until Rin recognized Midoriko sitting in front of her again.
"So… what does it all mean?" Rin asked.
"The prison I locked Magatsuhi in I am also locked within it. We are in constant battle to keep the other from escaping."
"But I see you all of the time."
"I am only an apparition. I have no physical body, neither does Magatsuhi… Not yet at least. This is what I need your help for. Magatsuhi has been gaining followers, strengthening his powers so that he can break out of his prison and resume life in the physical world. The only way to do that is to take the body of another."
Rin's eyes widened. "You mean he will try to come back?"
The goddess nodded with a sad expression. "He has been trying to for centuries now, but he's only recently gotten so close. In order to be released from his prison he will need three things, the blood of a purebred innocent, the heart of a dragon, and most importantly, the Jewel of Souls."
"Jewel of Souls?"
"It was created from a combination of both our powers. It has the ability to grant powerful wishes."
"Why would you create something like that?"
"We created it in the beginning so that we could never overpower the other. Understand that the jewel was created by us, but neither one of us can use it. Whoever is in possession of it has the power equivalent to a god."
"Again why would you create that?"
"The Jewel was to be protected always by a combination of human and yokai guardians. They were specially trained from a very young age to care for the jewel, to keep it from being corrupted. Unfortunately when the Divine War broke out, many of the priests and priestesses protecting the jewel were slaughtered and the jewel was lost forever."
Rin took a moment to absorb everything she had just learned. Now she understood why Midoriko waited so long to tell her these things. If everyone knew about the Jewel of Souls she could imagine what a chaotic place the world would be. "So what do you need me to do?"
"I need you to find the Jewel and give it to your husband, Sesshomaru. But when he receives the jewel his heart must be pure, or else it will be corrupted."
"Why Sesshomaru?"
"Because I have seen his future, both in light and in darkness; many things are uncertain on his path to being king, but one thing is certain. He will be one of the most powerful yokai to ever walk the planet. It is my hope that with the Jewel he will be able to keep Magatsuhi from leaving his prison."
Rin nodded. It was a lot. Suddenly she felt as if the world were in her hands. Hell the world was sitting in her hands. How would she ever be able to do this?
"Do not worry," Midoriko said. "I will help you as much as I can. As far as the jewel goes, it is my belief that it is still in existence on the earth, because if it had been destroyed I would have felt it. The Priests and priestesses that kept the jewel were not all wiped out. A handful of them survived and escaped with the jewel. They all went on to have children. In their children is the ability to sense whenever the jewel is near… Take this."
The Goddess held out a large hand. With her palms cusped together, Rin extended hers. A long string of black beads attached to a long silver chain dropped into her hands. Rin lifted the weighty necklace, and surveyed the shining round obsidian crystals.
"It's lovely."
"These are sacred beads, used for prayer and purification by the old priests and priestesses. With these you should be able to find any person with blood linked to them. Also, with these beads, I have put some of my power in them. Keep them with you for protection." Rin nodded. "Also Rin, as I have stated before. A god's power is only measured by the prayers we receive. My power over Magatsuhi is slipping because I am not receiving that many prayers. It's like all who once followed me don't care to anymore."
Rin nodded. "I know, and I swear to you, I will bring you followers." Rin clasped the beads in her right hand and held it up to her chest over her heart. "I will send you prayers, I will find the Jewel of Souls, and I will get Sesshomaru to defeat Magatsuhi. I will."
The goddess smiled, and with a rather large hand framed Rin's left cheek with it. "I know, little Rin. I know. That's why I picked you… Right now you have some time before the wedding. Get to know as many people as possible, sort the good from the bad, the loyal from the treacherous. Do not tell anyone of our secret because if anyone should find out the truth, you will be killed…"
Rin swallowed. "I understand."
"I'll let you go now," Midoriko said.
Soon the light was swallowed by darkness and Rin once again plummeted from whatever solid foundation she was sitting on into a tunnel of shadowed nothing until she hit something soft but firm. Rin opened her eyes and the early morning light welcomed her to a new day.
Slowly she sat up, rubbing her neck, to loosen the aching muscles. She looked around her bedroom; it was much larger than the one back home. Her bed was on the ground and had no frame: futon is what they had called it. They were uncomfortable as heck. How anyone slept comfortably on these things, she did not know. Straight ahead there was a fire pit in the center of her room, surrounded by thick gray stones, she assumed was to be a hearth during the winter. To her right was an ample amount of space and a white wall. To the left was a screen door that led out to a small balcony area where a gorgeous view of the gardens below could be seen. Opposite of the wall her futon was posted against was a screen door that led to the second part of her room, her public chambers where she would receive visitors and lounge.
That door slid open as a familiar old woman dressed in traditional Southern maids' clothes entered holding a lavender dress in her arms. She slid the door shut and turned to see Rin grimacing in her bed. "Oh good, ye're already awake. I already picked ye out something to wear."
Rin rolled her shoulders in a last attempt to relax her neck and upper back muscles. "I feel like I slept on a log."
"Aye, my sleep was probably more painful than yours. At least they gave you a bed. I had to sleep on a straw mat!"
"I'm sorry, Kaede," Rin said sheepishly, feeling bad for complaining now. She pulled the covers back to get out of bed wen heavy weight in her lap made her look down. The sacred beads were in her lap. Rin scooped them up quickly and very awkwardly rolled out of bed.
When she was finally on her feet she put the beads around her neck. She stripped of her plain white linen gown and waited for Kaede to pull the dress over her head. When she did Rin stuck her arms through the sleeves. Kaede left and brought in a mirror and leaned it against the wall so that Rin could see herself she got dressed, how she liked it. The lavender gown was loose. It tied at the back of her neck and was backless. In the front however she was fully covered in the light fabric. The sleeves went to her wrist but were loose and had whole cut in the upper arm part. The skirt was straight and flowing.
Kaede quickly put her hair in a thick braid down her back and tied it with a ribbon. "The Queen has requested you meet her for breakfast along with the Second wife and the Crown Princess."
"By myself?"
"Aye. She wishes to discuss wedding details with you."
Rin did not even bother to stifle the sigh she let out. "This will be fun."
"Do not give me that! Ye had the opportunity to go home and be done with this whole mess and ye chose to stay. Now ye must deal with the consequences of yer actions."
Rin rolled her eyes. "I know… I am just … I know nothing of planning weddings and… I don't want it to be all in Western fashion. I do not want to lose myself here."
"That will not happen, Child. Put on yer shoes so we can go."
Rin obediently slid her feet in the flat slippers Kaede had brought in. When they walked into her public chambers, where all of her belongings were being held she was grateful to see all of her friends sitting at a table eating breakfast together. They saw her enter and greeted her cheerfully. Kagome who was sitting on a couch stood up and walked over to her.
The taller blue eyed beauty wore a dress that matched her eyes. It was held up by two straps and a sash around the waist provided definition in the dress from her bust to the flowing skirt. Her wild hair was pulled back in a braid similar to Rin's. Behind her Yuka followed, who was wearing a dress similar to the one Rin arrived in, in a rose color. Only on her curvy body the dress was much more risqué.
"Ready to go?" Kagome asked.
"You both are coming with me?"
"Of course we are," Yuka said placing her hands on her hips. "We're not sending you into a lion's den alone. Besides they want to discuss wedding plans, which is something that is done with both the bride and her mother."
"And since your mother is not here," Kagome went on. "We decided to step in."
"Both of you?"
Both girls' nodded, blue eyes filled with determination. It was Ayumi who spoke out from her seat this time. "They spent the last thirty minutes arguing over who would go with you. Kagome said it should be her because she's your cousin and knows you best."
Then Eri spoke, "Yuka said it should be her because she would be your sister in just a few months and her mother and your mother were very close friends anyway. That's when Kaede told them both to be quiet and make a decision before she came back out with you because you were leaving regardless of who goes."
"And now we are both going!" Yuka cheered.
Rin smiled sweetly. "Thank you."
"Come, before we are late!" Kaede hissed, urging all three girls toward the exit.
The door slid open and a tall red haired girl with sparkling green eyes, pointed ears, and clawed hands smiled pleasantly at them, exposing her fangs. With her hands clasped in front of her she bowed at them from the waist. "Good morning, your highness. My name is Ayame, handmaid to the Queen. I will be escorting you to her chambers."
With that the girl straightened and walked down the hall. Rin followed quietly with Kagome to her left, Yuka to her right, and Kaede following behind the three of them. They were walking for some time and exited the building they were in, crossed the a path in the gardens to a building opposite of the one Rin was staying in, up several flights of stairs until they reached a large screen door that had a finely painted portrait of a large white dog with silver eyes and a purple crescent moon on its forehead.
The guards outside the door stood at attention. The one on the left in a loud voice called out, "Now entering the Queen's chambers, her highness, the Princess Rin of the Southern Island, and a party of three."
With that Ayame slid the screen back so that they could enter. Taking a deep breath and stealing her nerves, as best she could, she lifted her chin and put on her best smile. She entered the room smiling confidently. Immediately she saw the Queen. It was the first time she had seen her up close and in such close proximity, without the company of her father, her brother, the King of the West and several guards.
She was breathtaking. She was dressed in lavender, like Rin, only far more covered up in her rich silk kimonos. Her hair was in many intricate braids all held in place by several silver barrettes, combs, and pins. She seemed unreal she was so beautiful. Though her face was passive, it held a pleasant expression.
Standing behind her were two dark haired women. The one of the right was Lady Izayoi, the Inu no Taisho's second wife, a human. She smiled warmly at Rin, almost welcoming. Rin could see her swollen abdomen in her light blue kimono she wore. The other was the Crown Princess Kagura, Sesshomaru's first wife. She stared at the ground, not even making eye contact with Rin, and her face was tense.
Taking a silent breath Rin brightened her smile and curtsied politely. "Good morning your majesty, your highness, your ladyship. It is finally nice to meet you on more intimate terms." Rin straitened. "Allow me to introduce my cousin, Kagome, and my sister-in-law to-be, Yuka." Both young women bowed. "They are acting as my mother since she could not be here."
Inukimi spoke in her usual smooth, honey like voice. "It is very nice to meet you all, come have a seat so that we may get down to business. Ayame, tell the servants to bring in the food."
They all had a seat at a long table. Inukimi sat on the end with Rin on her right and Kagura to her left. Beside Kagura was Izayoi. Beside Rin were first Kagome and then Yuka. Kaede stood by at the wall by the door facing Rin with a seemingly bored expression. The food was brought out immediately and after a few moments of silence, conversation began.
"So, Lady Yuka," Izayoi began, "Aren't you cold with your arms and back exposed in such a way?" Rin could tell she was curious.
Yuka smiled pleasantly. "The climate down South is much more forgiving. This is how women in the south dress."
"Well hopefully, Princess Rin will grow accustomed to how women in the West dress."
"I will dress according to the weather," Rin answered sounding confident. "But I will not sacrifice the ways of my culture for another."
There was a long silence. "Understood." Izayoi finally said.
Just when the silence became unbearable and the tension in the room was almost too thick to breathe the air, servants came and took their dishes.
Kagome spoke up first. "About the wedding plans. In the South we have very traditional ceremonies. We are very superstitious and want all things to be done a certain way or else it spells ruin for the marriage."
"I am actually quite familiar with customs from the South," Izayoi said calmly. "What we wanted to do was to find the most critical things in each cultures ceremonies, what is alike, what is different and find the best way to blend the two…
Slowly her words were no more than the muffled whispers of someone in another room. Rin was not listening. How could she when her future husband's pregnant wife sat across from her and refused to even acknowledge her. What's more, the beads around her neck were sending vibrations through her body. They weren't doing that before. What did it mean? Was someone in this room a descendant of the old priest and priestesses? She looked at the three unfamiliar women and scanned them warily while sucking on her bottom lip.
"… then of course there is the chaining."
"No chaining!" Rin all but screamed, startling not only everyone around her, but herself. Then Kagura did look up at her frowning.
Rin not know what to say. The chaining was such an important part of a wedding. It symbolized the union of the marriage, but she did not want it.
"No chaining? Are you sure, Rin? Yuka asked.
Rin nodded. "I would rather perform the Western custom."
"What is chaining, if I may ask?" Everyone turned to look at Kagura. It was the first time she had spoken.
Kagome answered. "It's when a man places a small chain around the bride's waist, and the bride placing it around the man's neck. It symbolizes how they are chained to each other, like a slave would be chained to its master. It's Southern tradition."
"What is the Western custom?" Rin asked.
"A small exchanging of vows, followed by a kiss." Kagura answered. "Perhaps the Southern custom would be more appropriate."
Rin and Kagura looked each other steadily in the eye. Friend or foe? That's what Rin was trying to decipher. She did not want to be chained to a man who may not even like her. She wanted to wait until she gained his favor, that way the marriage would not be official for her, but… a kiss? Could she perform such an intimate act?
"Both," Inukimi said. "They will exchange vows, and instead of a sealing kiss, they will to the chains." With that the decision seemed to be made. The Queen went on. "Now, about your dress. I was told by your maid that the one you had picked out something was wrong with it?"
Rin looked away from Kagura to her future Mother-in-law and nodded. "I will need a new one."
"Very well, we have a very talented seamstress that will have your dress ready in just four days. I will send her to your room later on in the afternoon to take down your measurements and any other requirements you may have." After that they sorted out the fine details as for as the wedding date and who would all be in attendance. After only maybe an hour more they were dismissed.
When they returned to Rin's room Eri and Ayumi were excited to see them return. "Rin we have something to show you!" Eri cheered.
The two girls dragged the princess to the screen to her private chamber. Ayumi slid it back and ran inside before them. When Rin stepped in followed by all the others. She looked around and her jaw dropped.
"Tadah!"
Everything she had packed from her old room was now laid out in perfect position. It almost looked like her old room, bar the futon and the fire pit sitting in the middle of the room. Other than that all of the old tapestries that hung on the walls, the fur rug in front of her bed, the covers and pillows that adorned her bed, even her tall closet sat against the wall next to her mirror, just how it was back at home. Tears filled her eyes.
"Oh, girls…" She wiped her tears away and smiled gratefully at them. "Thank you."
They all rushed forward and hugged her. "So how did it go?" Eri asked when they all pulled back.
"I think I went well," Yuka said going back into the public room and siting on the couch. "The wedding will be in eight days. A seamstress should be coming soon to take in her measurements for her dress."
"We should celebrate!" Ayumi said, as they all trailed back into the other room. "This will be out last time all together like this. We need to have as much fun as possible together."
"Yes, we should all sleep together while we are here, at least up until the wedding… obviously." Eri added.
Rin smiled. She liked the idea but she could not shake the feeling that she should be doing something else. She wanted to spend as much time as possible with her friend but… she also knew she had a job to do. Her beads were still throbbing around her neck. She had to get ready to get married to one of the most powerful yokai in the world and somehow win his favor. She had a lot to do, but not much time. How would she balance it all?
I do hope this answered some questions. Please be sure to review. I love interacting with you guys so tell me what you thin. Mostly because this next chapter is going to be hard to get out.
Byeeeeee!