Hello faithful readers and reviewers. I was very pleased with the continuing trend of reviews and will take the time to thank you all right now. The first reviewer was Tina-Chan O. I want to thank you for reviewing; I was starting to wonder how you were, but I understand that it is harder for you to read and review. The next reviewer is one who has been with the fic since its infancy. Byakugan-master93 is absolutely right when she says that I was very vague with the last chapter. Part of this was because I was rushing a little bit, but with the sword I intentionally did so because I didn't want to give away what is going to happen in this chapter. Hopefully I will do better in this one. Moving right along chica blanca is right in wondering what the sword will do which you will see in this chapter. Last but not least was a very perceptive review by Kaihaku No Iroke. Your guess is very good and that is certainly a part of his perceived weakness. Whether it is a true weakness or not is one of the questions in this story. Anyway also wanted to let you all know that I updated my bio; I included the information on more of my OC characters which may or may not appear in my stories. I may change it again since I do give away a lot of stuff for my real story, but I'll let it go for now. Last thing, this chapter is dedicated to my character Sulam whose "birthday" is today. (Six years ago I finished 'creating' him) It was so much fun. I loved thinking up all of the different children and characters and family trees and…well everything. That is why the story is so complex. I am obsessed with complexity. Alright so this chapter will start from one POV but will change later. Please review!
CHAPTER XLIIX
TO FIND PEACE
Healo's POV
The Northern Lord smiled thoughtfully as he watched the heavens. Ever since he was a young child he had found comfort from the constancy of the stars and moon. True the moon would wax and wane, but it would always return again. However, a frown marred Healo's face when he realized that the new moon would be soon. He glanced at Inuyasha who seemed to have also noticed the trouble that was coming; in a few days he would be vulnerable. The demon lord's expression softened at the irritated look on the hanyou's face; he could remember the first new moon after he had found Inuyasha and Izayoi.
The young hanyou had locked himself in his room because he was afraid that the servants would find out about his secret and try to kill him. It had taken several hours of pleading before Inuyasha had opened the door to allow his protector in. It took even longer to assure the child that he had nothing to fear from the servants, but he still refused to leave his room. Healo's smiled widened when he remembered how he and Izayoi would stay with the hanyou whenever there was a new moon. Even after his mother's death Inuyasha would normally allow the Northern Lord to remain; as long as he was in a good mood that is.
The demon lord turned away sharply when the hanyou returned his gaze. The last thing he, or Kagome, needed right now was an irritated Inuyasha. However, the hanyou asked loudly from his perch in a tree, "Hey! Healo what's wrong with you?" The Northern Lord closed his eyes and answered softly, "Be quiet Inuyasha. Our friends are trying to sleep, and so should you." The hanyou said "Feh" then closed his eyes and continued pointedly, "I'm not the one that hasn't been sleeping. What's the matter; been having some nightmares?"
The demon lord stiffened at his brother's rash words. Healo felt anger well up inside him as he thought about his son kidnapped and in the clutches of the ruthless Naraku. A sharp growl escaped from the Northern Lord as he turned to glare angrily at the hanyou whose eyes widened in surprise. Healo understood his surprise; it had been a long time since he had felt this angry. Almost fifty years before when Magus had run away with Sulam to Sesshomaru the Northern Lord had killed several of his own servants in frustration before finally marshalling his troops in pursuit.
The funny thing was that Healo hadn't been angry at Magus or his son, but he had wanted to annihilate the Western Lord. The demon lord's mind had been so twisted by the malice of Naraku that he had told himself that his younger brother refused to return Sulam because he was trying to get even for losing Avia's affection. However, quite the opposite was true; even today Sesshomaru did his best to ignore Sulam. Healo had spoken to his younger brother about it before, but the Western Lord had tried to act as if it were not true. He had never stopped to consider the truth behind Magus's claim; Naraku had been corrupting his mind.
The Northern Lord stood quickly and moved away from the camp and the perplexed hanyou. He could not allow himself to stay; who knew what he could say or do in such a foul mood? After he had put several minutes of distance between himself and his friends the demon lord began to calm. Healo shook his head lightly at his lack of control; what had caused him to become so angry? He heard a small whisper of disappointment coming from the demented mind of the cursed sword.
Of course. The demon lord frowned as he held the black blade before him. His eyes glinted dangerously as he realized what had happened; the sword wanted him to fight and kill. Yamikura had strengthened a small feeling of irritation into a boiling hot rage. The Northern Lord's grip slackened as he allowed himself to fall on his knees. He stared in horror at the sword that lay in front of him; less than a day and he was already being influenced by it. However, what else could he do? Healo was the only one who could wield the sword and Yamikura was the key to defeating Naraku.
He spoke quietly to himself, "Why am I cursed with such a fate? If I use the sword my soul may be consumed and a great evil released on the earth, but if I do not then the ones that I love will suffer. I know that I will do what is necessary, but why couldn't I have prevented it from coming to this? If I had only suggested that we bring Sulam and the other children along then I would be able to wait until I became more accustomed to Yamikura's tricks." The demon lord closed his eyes in contemplation before suddenly standing. Someone was approaching.
Healo studied the trees around him for a few moments before he noticed movement. The demon lord stared coldly at the long, silver, snake like creatures that he had seen in Kagome's memories; soul collectors. Knowing that their mistress couldn't be far away the Northern Lord carefully waited for her arrival. Ever since he had learned of his brother's tragedy he had known that he would have to meet the infamous priestess. The one whose death he had caused; whose possibility for happiness he had callously discarded in exchange for the chance to heal his own broken heart.
Finally Healo saw her as she slipped quietly between two trees only a dozen yards away from him. The Northern Lord sadly considered the fallen priestess and her cold beauty. The wind sighed softly as it whipped through her long hair, but the demon lord was focused upon her eyes. So dark and cold, but for a split second he had seen the truth; the anger, bitterness, and loneliness trapped within the dead woman's soul. However, that disappeared and was replaced with a hard resolve as the priestess effortlessly drew an arrow which was aimed right at his forehead.
However, the demon lord only smiled softly at the gesture; he had no fear for her sacred arrows. He had no desire to harm her and if it did come to fight the Northern Lord felt certain that his abilities would prove to be more than a match for the miko's sacred energies. Kikyo's eyes did not waver as she asked calmly, "Have you come to take my life…again." Healo was surprised at the pleasure that the cursed sword exuded after the priestess's statement. 'Yes, she deserves to die,' the blade whispered in the demon lord's mind. 'She has so caused so much pain, she is not meant to be, and imagine the power you would gain from the bitterness of her soul."
Until the very last statement the Northern Lord had actually been considering what Yamikura was suggesting. Kikyo was truly an oddity, to say the least, and she certainly had caused more than her own share of trouble; especially for Inuyasha and Kagome. Would it not be better to slay her? However, Healo dismissed the idea when he realized that they had something; a fixation on the past. So he answered her neutrally, "I will not allow you to harm my allies, but I do not mean you any harm."
The miko laughed and said mockingly, "Yes. I had forgotten. You have fallen for my reincarnation. I suppose that you fear that my death would sadden her? What a predictable animal you have become, Healo." The demo lord repressed another sensation of rage as he replied icily, "Actually, I believe that while my mate-to-be would be saddened it would only be because of how Inuyasha would react." Kikyo's smile became softer as she said, "So, the hanyou still holds my reincarnation's heart? Where does that leave you…without son or mate. How sad for you, but at least Inuyasha will not have her for long; I will not allow myself to die unless I can take him with me."
The Northern Lord sighed softly; the priestess was signing her own death sentence. Healo could not allow her to kill his brother; if not for the affection between them then to save his own skin. If he allowed Inuyasha to be killed then he would also die, and there was far too much that still needed to be accomplished. The demon lord said softly, "Kikyo, let it go; you must let your anger go or it will doom you." He paused for a moment when he saw the surprised expression in her usually calm demeanor; she had expected him to attack her.
However, her resolve returned as she replied quietly, "This is my purpose. What else do I have to live for…" the miko glanced up at the bright stars. The Northern Lord feared to interrupt her thoughts but he answered gently, "Find peace priestess. Let go of your anger and your thirst for revenge. It will save you." Kikyou smiled sadly and said, "Save me? My love for Inuyasha was supposed to save me, but it failed. My great sacred powers were meant to protect me from harm, but they were weakened through my carelessness. My mind was supposed to see the evil in Onigumo's heart, but I ignored what I saw. I am beyond saving, and I no longer care."
Healo did not reply. What else could he say to comfort the undead priestess; there was nothing that brought her comfort except her hope for revenge. How tragic. However, the miko continued calmly, "I hope that you become wise and bury whatever feelings you may have for her. She will not have you; that part of my soul is still enshrined to your brother. Your desire is hopeless." Without another word the fallen miko turned and began to make her way through the trees; her snake-like helpers moving around her.
It was only after he had lost sight of her that he realized the biggest difference between them. Kikyo had no hope. She did not believe that anything could change her 'fate', and this lead to her resolution to kill Inuyasha. The demon lord said quietly, "I do pity her; now that I have seen her, and since I can remember what she once was." He turned quickly when he heard a sound behind him, but he calmed when he realized that it was Kagome.
The Northern Lord raised one brow as he asked inquisitively, "And what are you doing away from camp?" The girl from the future smiled reassuringly and answered quietly, "I heard you get angry and wanted to make sure that everything was ok." Healo's dark blue eyes widened as he thought, 'She was worried about me,' a warm smile banished the apology that was in Kagome's eyes. The demon lord responded softly, "I am fine, but why did Inuyasha let you leave by yourself?"
The young woman laughed hesitantly and only said, "Well…I." They were interrupted by a certain hanyou who strode into view and asked angrily, "Why don't you ever listen Kagome! I told you that you are supposed to stay with the others." The young miko folded her arms, closed her eyes and said firmly, "Sit. I am a grown woman Inuyasha I can do whatever I want." Healo laughed at the sight of the young hanyou covered in mud, but he said in mock seriousness, "Of course you are Kagome. However, I think that we had should head back before the other's find we are missing. And," he paused and pointed for emphasis, "Inuyasha IS right."
The miko only rolled her eyes and began to make her way back to their camp; an angry hanyou in toe. The Northern Lord smiled fondly at them as he stayed back about thirty feet so that Inuyasha and Kagome could apologize to each other. They behaved like little children, but the demon lord would give up anything in the world to keep them safe. They allowed the demon lord to concentrate on something other than his own troubles which was important if he were going to retain his sanity long enough to kill Naraku. Ah, now that broke him out of his happy reverie. The hanyou had kidnapped his son in an attempt to use Healo for his own gain. However, the demon lord was certain that he would be given the chance to pay him back. He looked forward to it, but so did Yamikura.
So what do you think? Was the part between Kikyo and Healo interesting or just stupid. I think it made sense though; I really wanted them to meet soon because I wanted you all to notice Yamikura's reaction to her. The point I was trying to make here is that the cursed sword actually gets more energy from purer souls; in a sense if that once pure soul has a lot of darkness in it. It's like the energy has a "higher concentration of evil" or something. Also sorry about getting sidetracked in this chapter; I had intended to show something happen with the sword, but I guess that will be next chapter. I'm not to upset with this chap though. It's kind of like a small break in between the action; it gives me a chance to let Healo have a breather and show someone else's problems for a change. So next update will be within a week. (Knock on wood) Chapter should show an important event with Yamikura and also I will attempt to at least get to the Imperial Lands, but I doubt that I will get through everything that happens there. So remember to review. Thanks!!!