The Western Shiro was located within the great walls of it's city. Before Rin arrival the city had been inhabited only by demons. From demon famous artisans to famous simple butchers sold their goods in the great city. But slowly as the bright eyed Rin grew the population of humans increased. She had been a fine example of a decent human being. While she was not the only one blurring the lines in between humans and demons. The Slayers village had shown strength and tolerance. They did not kill blindly. They were often contacted by the higher caliber demons for various reasons. It had given both races important allies that hadn't been allies available with past prejudice.
But change would not affect all that resided in the West. There were those who were not so accepting of the new found respect humans were gaining. But those who were set in their ways often died out. It was the the law of nature afterall. Adapt or die. While this was the way of the city, the court had barely changed their ways. Money, pedigree and status ruled in their world. Which is why the Ito Clan were vastly concerned for their leader.
Kazou had not been home for a long time now. He was sure his servants had kept up his house. It had been a gift from Inutaichou himself. It was the fox dogs greatest treasure. He intended to house the rest of the Ito clan there.
After conversing Kazou found out that neither Kagome or Kohaku minded him continuing to serve the West. Tenka had even given his input. He had thought it would be the best course of action for him to continue as General. As the newly named Ito Kazou the council would have trouble removing him from his position. Kagome may have been a new Kami, but her familiar had been around a long time. The dog fox had no doubt that the Raiju had a title. Kazou had known one other person with that aged look in their eyes. The former Lord of East had been extremely old in terms of youkai years. Although most wouldn't think so. He did not look like he aged past 35 if you hadn't seen his eyes. Recently the youkai had finally stepped down leaving his offspring to rule.
During the groups travel to the West Kagome had been experiencing trouble. Before she had been extremely drained, but now she seemed to glow with energy. Apparently during her rest a festival had been held. Many prayers had been given to her. The energy that soaked her shrine responded automatically to simple honest prayers. For example someone had prayed for a better crop next season. Her energy had gone into land and enriched it with much needed nutrients. Tenka had explained that not all prayers would be so simple to answer. The Kami would have to see to them personally. Meaning she would have to learn the wonders of instant travel and transformation. It was important that she could not be easily identified. As a child of Inari-sama it was their trade mark. Even though Kagome was a quick study these things would not come easily. Thankfully Tenka was more then pleased to guide her.
"Kagome before we enter the western city I would like for us to discuss a strategy. I would like for you to transform. It would be beneficial if only the Lord of the West knew of your appearance." They just a few miles outside of the city. Kagome wrinkled her nose at the thought. "I agree. Many will see you simply as a human female. Frankly it's a lower status even among demons." Kazou had been concerned of the fate that awaited the kami.
Kagome was well aware of the fact that women did not receive the same treatment as men. As woman who had grown up in time where women had equal rights... it was a hard pill to swallow. But she could not only think of herself. "Kami are actually sexless, they chose a form that benefits them and their personality. You chose to be solid, so you are. If you wanted to walk through that tree you could. Its all according to your desire. Transformation is key to being a earth bound kami. Appearance is simply preference remember that Kagome."
Tenka did have a valid point. She would live many years. But could she always endure the suffering of being a woman during such times? The threat of rape, slavery and even marriage would threaten her. Frankly the only way to gain respect was to be with a man of power. Would it really be so different to have a body of a man? Her personality would not change. Kagome was Kagome regardless of parts were attached.
As Kagome they would not part with their freedom. Being with a powerful man meant being bound to his house and name. Kagome was independent and would remain so. "I understand. It is simply the way of things. We live in a man's world and if I wish to survive it without sacrificing my freedom I will be what I must." The lightning beast was pleased with his master's choice. This was a subject that many new Kami struggled with. His Master had accepted their reality without trouble. Kagome was simply made for this.
"So... What should I do? This is very new to me." Kagome was sitting around the fire with a her gang of misfits. Kohaku seemed overly pleased with the whole situation. "You are aware of the male figure I hope? If not I am sure Kazou would be pleased to demonstrate." Kazou flushed a bit when everyone turned to him. "I know how everything works and what stuff is supposed to look like. But come on who am I going to pose as? A human man? Frankly that's not much different then being a human woman. No offense Kohaku." Kohaku simply waved it off before proposing a idea. "Why not pose as Kazou's long lost relative? Not much is known about his mother." The silver grey haired man grinned mischievously. "That would be perfect. My long lost older brother finally finds me and welcomes me into his newly formed clan." Tenka nodded in approval as he poked the fire. "Yes but... could I really pose as a demon older than Kazou? I mean come on."
The trio of men simply burst into laughter. "You are totally unaware aren't you?" Kagome merely blinked confused at the question. "Forgive me Kagome but even I can tell your soul is extremely old. You will certainly be able to pull it off." The fox dog had met few with wisdom so young. Kagome sometimes reminded him of Inutaichou and that was something to admire. The Kami looked up at the stars thoughtfully. "I haven't even tested out my new weapon." Kazou stood to his height of 5'11 with excitement clear on his face. "How about we test your skill?" Kagome nodded eagerly in the face of a challenge. Tenka touched his Master's wrist. "But first I want you to transform. You need to get used to the change." Kohaku clapped his hands with a lecherous smile. "Great! I shall be the judge then~"
Tenka had given the young Kami instructions on how to change. Upon much thought Kagome had realized that she looked the way she did simply because she expected it. Kagome knew every inch of her body and face. This appearance remained unchanged simply because that's what she expected and that had made it reality. Kagome experimented thinking of her life as Kazou's brother. He had been taken from his dear mother shortly after birth. This gave him that deep longing that Kazou felt. It was something Kagome knew all too well as she had lost her family as well.
Kagome pictured own her father who did not share her fair skin. It had been so long since she had thought of him. In his youth he had gotten a tattoo that decorated one of his arms. It looked like someone of great skill had painted on him with a calligraphy brush. From the beautiful waves crashing to the lightning and clouds all in tones of grey and black. As a child she could remember admiring the image. Kagome would wear it just as he had. She wanted to honor the father that she had missed.
"...Kagome?" Kohaku had shook the kami out of the cluster of thoughts. Kohaku had watched as bit by bit Kagome changed. First it had been something small like the tone of skin. Then the dramatic changes came through. "What I'm trying okay?!" Although Kagone looked like a grown man with sharp cobalt eyes and broad shoulders his voice had remained the same. He was about 5'10 in height. It had been hilarious to watch. The trio of trouble makers couldn't contain their laughter. "K-kagome. I think you should do something about that voice." Finding it funny themselves Kagome once again recalled the voice that had comforted her when she was a child. But also the stern authority she coward from when she was being scolded. "Is this better?" They asked with a slight rasp in the changed voice.
"Yes. Now you just need to change into clothes of the time." Tenka handed the changed Kami a fresh set of clothes he had brought just for this occasion. "Black and blue huh?" Kagome dressed without a care to the audience. Modesty did not come to her easily after years of solo travel. Thankfully they would not have to be concerned about it. On a second thought a marking that looked suspiciously similar to the ones on Tenka's face appeared on Kagome's. "There! Now we match Tenka~" The familiar merely sniffed his master. "Except the scent of fox that you are emitting." Kazou nodded in approval as well. "Only the nose blind would accuse us of lying."
Kagome had felt a bit different. Like there was dangerous and feral inside. While it was different Kagome was satisfied as youki soaked his being. "Kami are made of all energy of the world. Therefore you may be whatever you wish. The Kami have done so for as long as they have existed." Tenka explained as he looked upon Kagome with pride. His Master was certainly talented. The youki did not feel foreign to the Kami and now fox demon.
"Are you prepared little brother?" Kazou and Kagome had mirrored grins that spelled trouble. The two of them shared similar features. However they looked like night and day. Kagome was darker in skin tone. His hair was jet black. Kazou had his father's coloring with pale skin and silver hair. However his silver eyes came from his mother. The two darted off to spar with weapons in hand. "Tenka... If I had not known better I would say they were actually related." The Raiju laughed at that. Frankly it was not far from the truth. Kazou was a favored child of Inari-sama just as Kagome was. In the grand scheme of things they were family.