Within Darkness
Chapter 6
With the entire camp packed, the entire tribe, with the three from the Western Lands, made its way to its sothern camp. Som of the Ryuu rode horseback while the rest led the pack horses. Amaya and Sesshomaru were two of those who rode to the southern camp. Amaya had refused to ride a horse that could have been used for carrying things.
"And risk being seen as we're not respecting your position," Aiko told Amaya before the tribe left.
Amaya suffered the treatment the best she could. Though it appeared that Sesshomaru suffered it better than she.
"We're near there," Aiko told Amaya.
Amaya had not noticed that Aiko had ridden up next to her. "We've traveled for two days. How could we be nearly there?"
Aiko did not answer Amaya. The tribal leader merely rode away from Amaya. She huffed.
"Tell me again why I chose to do this," Amaya asked out loud.
"To grow stronger in your natural powers," came the answer. Amaya looked and saw that Sesshomaru had taken AIko's spot. "Your words."
"I know."
0o
Two hours past before the tribe arrived at their shouthern camp site. The hundred or so member tribe, plus the three from the Western Lands, began to set camp. By dusk, the camp was set and most of the tribe had retired for the night. Amaya had been one of the first to do so, having felt uneasy.
The next morning began Amaya's advanced training with her mother's Ryuu tribe. Amaya saw little of Moriko and Sesshomaru during the course of her training. The winter months past cold enough for all those in the tribe. One day, Amaya finally gained a reprieve from the training. Even in the southern area of the Eastern Lands, there were a few feet of snow on the ground.
"I see that Aiko finally gave you a reprieve," Amaya heard.
She turned and saw Sesshomaru there. "She did. According to her, my training's near its completion. I'm not sure it is."
"What makes you think that?"
Amaya shrugged. "I'm not sure."
"I believe your training is near completion. I can sense they are."
Really?" Amaya looked at Sesshomaru, surprised. She knew it was rare for Sesshomaru to give a compliment. "Does that mean we can go home soon?"
Sesshomaru gave a slight nod. Amaya smiled and hugged him.
0o
The cold months passed and Aiko found that Amaya had completed her training.
"You're free to leave as the spring thaws the winter," Aiko told Amaya. "All your belongings are being taken west as we speak."
The welcome home for Amaya and Sesshomaru was beyond description; for Amaya anyway. All those who resided in the Castle of the Moon welcomed the two taiyoukai home. Amaya beamed, merely glad to be home. The only one that did not welcome them home was Togaou.
0o
"What about your Eastern garb," Moriko asked Amaya while she relaxed within her private hot spring.
"Keeping them."
Moriko did not argue with Amaya. Moriko left Amaya to soak in the hot spring.
0o
Spring truly arrived in the West when Amaya heard Sesshomaru grumbling over having stepped in mud. She could not help but smile.
"You know, if you just avoided the mud, you wouldn't have this problem," Amaya told him.
Whistling was heard and Sesshomaru and Amaya turned to see young youkai watching Amaya.
"The panther tribe," Sesshomaru said. "Nothing but brutes."
The panther tribe members walked over to the two sibling friends.
"Greetings, Lord Sesshomaru," one said, the apparent leader. "Who is this? One to give you pleasure?"
The one smiled while his coherts laughed. AMaya glared at them and had just begun to step forward to defend herself, but Sesshomaru stopped her.
"You insult Lady Amaya's person. Do well to remember she is born of the stars and chosen by the ruler of the moon," Sesshomaru told them with a glare.
The panther youkai went into shock at hearing Amaya's titles. Amaya stepped up to Sesshomaru's right side and looked at the panthers.
"The Eastern Lands were destroyed a year and some weeks ago," the group leader said.
"Point?"
When no answer came, Sesshomaru led Amaya away from the panther youkai. Amaya did not resist the lead from her brother.
"The panther tribe is allies from the borht; that's possibly the only reason Father deals with them."
"Please tell him what they attempted to do with me," Amaya requested.
"I will."