Ok. First want to say hello to a new reviewer. Thank you cocoke5 for your kind review. I would answer your question about Sesshomaru but I'll let the story do the talking. Also I don't think I mentioned this but a special thanks to Kaihaku No Iroke for listing me as a favorite author. I won't lie, I only have one person on my favorites, the god-like Striking Falcon, so that means a lot to me. Also a round of applause for our most faithful reviewer, byakugan-master93! With the roman numerals you have to remember that one of the chapters was an "Author's Note" so I didn't count it. You are right when you say that I was trying to show some of Sesshomaru's resentment against his brother (the guy did invade his lands after all). However, as some of you are guessing there may be another aspect to his negative feelings. So here we go, time for Kagome to hear about some of the things in Healo's past. Trust me she will hear, and see, a lot more than Inuyasha did. Whether or not there is a reason for this is up to your own suspicions. REVIEW!
CHAPTER XV
LEARNING A SECRET
Kagome was relieved to find that Sesshomaru had left his mother's garden by the time they had returned. The sun was only now just reaching its peak so they found the children sitting under the shade of a large tree. The miko smiled at Shippo as he waved his arms around while telling some story. 'No doubt another tale of one of his glorious deeds,' she thought wryly, but with a humorous tinge.
Healo smiled at her secretively which reminded her of the confrontation that was to come. However, her thoughts were interrupted when the children noticed their return. Rin immediately stood and, with a broad grin, held out a necklace of woven flowers to the miko. Kagome's eyes lit up at the sight as she said ", Thank you very much Rin. I love it." She immediately placed it over her head and went to pull up her hair but Healo obligingly did so. "Thank you," Kagome muttered as she returned her attention to the little girl who smiled back at her.
The miko glanced around once before asking ", Where did Sesshomaru go?" Rin responded in a quiet voice ", I think he went back inside, he seemed a little sad." Kagome asked increduosly ", Sad?" 'How would you be able to tell?' she thought in confusion. Healo responded first ", It is difficult to find a facial change but his posture and movement will vary according to his mood." Kagome nodded but thought to herself ', There's another one. How is he doing this?'
Healo turned to his son and said ", Sulam I wish to speak with you for a moment." He then turned and walked short distance away where the young demon obediently joined him. As soon as they had moved Shippo's eyes widened as he said ", Kagome do you realize what just happened?" Kagome's eyes widened as she thought hopefully 'Has he spoken to Shippo to?' However, the kitsune was too impatient to wait for an answer and said ", He touched you."
Kagome was confused when she replied ", Ya. He helped me put Rin's necklace on. So?" Shippo shook his head as if trying to teach an unruly student and asked ", Kagome don't you know what that means?" The miko answered brusquely ", No." Shippo spoke earnestly ", It is very improper for a demon to touch anyone unless they are one of two things. Their either family or soon will be," he finished dramatically as Kagome understood the direction of his comment.
She was silent for a moment before she said ", But Sesshomaru and Inuyasha have both touched me before." The kitsune nodded vigorously and said ", That's what I trying to tell you! Something's not right here." The miko nodded and thought in despair ', Great yet another mystery for Kagome to solve.' Shippo turned away as Healo and his son came back when they did Kagome said ", Shippo, I've got to go to this meeting thing for a while. Will you all be ok?"
The kitsune began to respond when he was interrupted by the demon lord. "I have already spoken to my son. He will ensure that they do not leave this area unattended," he said with finality. Kagome nodded and waved to the children before following the demon back into the palace. After walking for a few moments Kagome realized that they were heading towards the North Wing so she asked ", Where are we going?" He didn't turn but said calmly ", I don't want us to be interrupted."
A short time later they both entered the Western Wing. Kagome was pretty sure of their destination and wasn't surprised to find that he led her into a small room that was filled with comfortable chairs. As the miko walked forward into the elegantly decorated room, she heard the click of a lock at the door they had passed through. The demon turned to her with a small smile and said with a gesture ", Sit."
Kagome couldn't help but smile at the irony. 'Good thing Inuyasha isn't here,' she thought as she imagined the look of annoyance he would get. However, she obeyed readily and sat down in a well-cushioned chair and Healo sat on the chair opposite of her. The demon cleared his throat before beginning ", I know that you have heard bits and pieces of what I am about to tell you. Some of it you may repeat to the rest of your group, however, there is a part that must be kept to yourself."
The miko nodded when she saw the seriousness in his eyes and replied ", I understand. So, how do you know what people are thinking." Healo smiled mischieviously and replied ", I can't tell you how because even I am not sure how, but I am going to impart most of what you need to know through one of my abilities." Intrigued Kagome leaned forward in expectation as Healo began to explain ", Normally I have the ability to read the thought and feelings of anyone. However, some demons and humans because of various innate abilities or training are harder than others. Miko's usually are very difficult to read. I believe, correct me if I am wrong, that you have received little training in this area?"
Kagome hesitated for a moment. How much should she willing to admit? She spoke calmly ", You're right." Healo nodded though his eyes narrowed slightly at her hesitation before he spoke ", Just so you know I cannot easily read memories. Especially those that are unclear or devoid of emotional attachment." He smiled and continued ", That is part of the reason that Sesshomaru became so stoical while we were growing up." Kagome nodded in understanding before asking ", So what exactly is there between you. I mean specifically. I know that one of your major issues is Inuyasha, but why?"
Healo sat back and sighed as he replied ", That is what I am going to show you. One of my abilities allows me to watch memories while they occur. I am going to allow you to see my memories of the occurrences." Kagome's eyes widened so the demon added reassuringly ", There is absolutely no danger, and you can cause me no harm. I will accompany you and help lead you to the proper times." The miko bit her lip but nodded after a moment or so.
While she was watching Healo his eyes suddenly flashed a brighter blue, then Kagome found herself standing in the gardens of the palace. She panicked for a moment as she looked left and right before she heard her friend say ", Calm down I'm right here." The miko turned back again and found Healo was a few feet away from here with a concerned look on his face. "Are you alright?" Kagome nodded relieved before turning back to examine the area. She was amazed to find that it was even more beautiful than it was in the present. Healo explained softly ", My mother was skilled at the agriculture. None of our gardeners have been able to replicate what she grew."
Kagome turned to regard the demon lord and asked ", Is she here." Healo pointed out to a bench about thirty feet away. When the miko turned to examine the area she saw a very pregnant demoness sitting on the stone bench holding a baby. Kagome's eyes widened when she saw Inutaisho standing beside his mate holding his own small bundle. She was confused and so asked ", Which one are you?" Healo pointed towards the demon lord and Kagome nodded. "How exactly does this play into the drama between you and Sesshomaru?"
Healo sighed and answered ", This is one of the first mistakes I made concerning my brothers. When Sesshomaru was about 80 years old he asked me to show him what his mother looked like. This is the memory I chose to show him." Kagome was confused and so she asked ", Umm…why was that a mistake?" Healo answered softly ", By that time Sesshomaru had started to realize how much attention I received from his father. I believe that this memory only increased his jealousy of me."
The miko's eyes flashed in realization as she muttered ", Oh. What was he like before he changed?" Healo turned to her and said ", Come. I will show you." He held out his hand which the miko took. Suddenly there was a bright flash and Kagome found herself standing in the main hall of the palace. Healo pointed towards the center of the room and Kagome saw a huge number of demons sitting at a table. "What's going on here?" the miko asked as she tried to pick out Sesshomaru or Healo.
The demon lord said quietly ", This is my 100th birthday. We are all over at the front of the table." Kagome turned to the area he had suggested and for sure there they were. The miko giggled when she saw the three young demons. She was amazed at how young they looked. Magus was seated next to Healo, but he didn't appear to be paying much attention as he looked around the hall. Sesshomaru, however, was conversing with his older brother in such a tone that Kagome could hear his voice.
She sighed sadly and said ", Well…he sure was talkative here." Healo nodded and replied ", He and I were still very dear friends. During this time he still kept his envy of me under control." Kagome turned sharply and asked ", Did you already know how he felt?" The demon lord twitched his hand and said ", Yes, but I choose to persist anyway. I did nothing to stop our father from prizing me above his own son. In this Sesshomaru has a right to be angry with me."
Kagome nodded as she saw the regret in the demon's face. She was prevented from responding when Inutaisho suddenly rose from his seat at the head of the table. His golden eyes flashed jollily as his powerful voice boomed ", Honored guests it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 100th birthday of my son, Healo." Polite applause from the foreign representatives, and enthusiastic applause from the natives greeted this phrase.
The demon made a silencing motion and continued ", As you all know a demon's hundredth birthday marks his, or her, official entrance into his family. It also is the traditional age where they are taught various battle skills." Here the demon paused and turned with an admiring gaze to the young Healo before continuing ", However, because of his wonderful aptitude for such things, my son's instructors have already taught him most of these." A loud muttering entered the chamber as Kagome asked ", Huh?"
Healo smiled and said ", At a demon's 50th birthday he begins learning basic survival skills. At his 100th he is trained in the arts of war, when he turns 150 he begins training for taking over his father's position, and on his 200th birthday he ascends to it. What my father said is true. I advanced so quickly that I was almost halfway through my combat training." Kagome's eyes widened as Inutaisho spoke again ", So I have decided that my son must begin his training to become a lord." Here the demon paused and sighed ", Unfortunately as he is not the son of my body he will not inherit the West."
Kagome was shocked at the statement and she could tell that the guests were as well. "That was a very obvious slap in the face to my brother," Healo explained softly as his eyes turned pityingly to Sesshomaru. The miko also glaned in the demon's direction and found a broken expression on the regal child's face. Inutaisho seemed to realize his statement and said ", However, young Healo will inherit the Northern Lands in one century." The various demons applauded but it was a much cooler ovation than the first.
Healo's voice was tight as he said tensly ", That is enough of this memory." Kagome shut her eyes against the flash of light she knew was coming. 'How much worse can these memories possibly get?' She had no idea.
Yay! Another chapter. I liked this one because I enjoy explained the background to the actual story. Next chapter will be a continuation with more important memories that focus more than just on Sesshomaru. Probably will get to the memory where Healo meets Naraku soon. Probably will update on Tuesday. Review!!!