I haven't owned anything but my own OC characters for the past 45 chapters...and that's still all I own! lmao
"You're kidding right?" asked Shiori in amazement. "This all just some elaborate joke, right?"
Emi shook her head in excitement, "No! I'm not! It's really true! Jirou asked for my hand in marriage!"
"Why on Earth would he do something like that?" asked Shiori. "Doesn't he like his sanity?"
Emi giggled, "Oh Shiori! Now you're the one joking."
Shiori stared at the girl, "That wasn't a joke!"
Shiori and Emi were peacefully walking through the meadows of the Sacred Lands. It was just as they use to do as children. Shiori was carrying a bouquet of pink flowers.
"I can barely take the excitement!" squealed Emi. "I can't wait to have our beautiful wedding. You have to be there!"
"I don't have to do anything but breathe the air and die," she casually responded.
"I'm going to be queen of the Sacred Lands! Both of us are royalty now…of course I'll be queen, and you're just a princess."
"For the record, I could've been queen…..but I declined," Shiori pointed out. "There you go again, trying to upstage me. First I find a mate, then you suddenly announce that you've found one as well. Then I become royalty, and so do you!"
"Oh, you know I'm not trying to do that," Emi playfully pushed her sister. "I think you came out better that I did. Sesshomaru's far more handsome than Jirou. He's just so beautifully handsome!"
Shiori glared at Emi, "I thought I told you to stop talking about him like that!"
"Still as jealous as ever, huh?" Emi laughed. "Oh don't worry; I don't want to steal your mate. I love mine too much."
"Feh," she scoffed. "As if you could anyway."
"By the way, where is Sesshomaru?" asked Emi.
"He's probably at Lady Kaede's village," Shiori responded. "I'm supposed to meet him there after I leave."
"Ah…..visiting your little human girl, huh? How cute and positively adorable!"
Shiori sighed and shook her head.
"So, when do you plan on having your own child?" Emi questioned.
Shiori's eyes grew ten times bigger, "What?"
"When are you and Sesshomaru ever going to conceive a child? Then, I could be an aunt!" she sang.
Shiori was starting to feel uncomfortable. She desperately tried to throw to subject of herself.
"Speaking of reproduction….please don't partake in it," said Shiori sourly. "It's bad enough I have you to deal with! I don't want to put up with your annoying offspring as well!"
"Oh, but of course I will!" she chided. "I'm hoping to have at least ten children!"
"That's a disaster just waiting to happen," thought Shiori as they crossed over a small bridge.
"So, about those children…." Emi inquired.
Shiori felt her face turning red, "That's not something I want to think about right now. It's too…early."
"Nonsense! It's never too early to have children!" proclaimed Emi.
Shiori raised an eyebrow, "You are possibly….the most delusional person in the entire world."
"Aww, why thank-you!"
"That wasn't a compliment, you bimbo!" Shiori face balmed, "Curse her ability for turning every negative thing that I say, into something positive!"
She stopped and peered down into the stream below. Her violet eyes sparkled back at her. Shiori smiled to herself. She did it. She was finally strong enough to beat the sacred lands.
"You always stare at your reflection whenever you come here," Emi pointed out. "I suppose it is pretty shocking. I'll never know how you remained unpurified. Do you have some type of barrier up around yourself?"
She grinned and continued on her way, "sure…..let's go with that."
Emi frowned. She wanted to know the real reason, but she knew Shiori wouldn't tell her. Shiori figured she'd know soon enough...since she was, in fact, about to become queen. The two women came to a tennin graveyard. Shiori carefully flew over it so she wouldn't step on anyone's grave. Emi glided after her. Shiori stopped when she finally found the grave she was looking for. She slowly landed down on her knees. Emi came up behind her.
"It's her mother's grave….I hadn't realized we were coming here."
Shiori placed the banquet of flowers down in front of the grave marker. She thought about the horrible vision Naraku forced her to watch. Shiori already knew mother was murder. She discovered that after Reika was killed…..but to actually see it take place…it was devastating.
"Her last wish was for me to live long and fight," said Shiori to Emi. "But she didn't even try to fight Reika off. Mother thought she deserved it for keeping secrets from me."
"Shiori," said Emi sadly. "She didn't deserve what happened to her. Your mother was a wonderful, kindred spirit. And that's why your father chose her over Reika."
Shiori stared at the grave stone, "You think so?"
"I'm so sorry about what happened," said Emi. "Back then…..my mother and I had no right to—"
"Emi," Shiori interrupted. "There's no need. I already forgave you, remember?"
She nodded, "Yes you did, I remember. It just seems so long ago…."
"It's only been 3 years, in fact," said Shiori standing to her feet. "3 years ago, on this very day, is when we defeated Naraku."
"That's right. What an interesting battle that was," exclaimed Emi. "It was so exciting!"
"I don't recall you being there, Lady of the Spying Waters," Shiori flatly said.
Emi chuckled, "well…I wanted to make sure you were okay!"
Shiori rolled her eyes and left the graveyard. Emi ran after her.
"Whatever happened to Inuyasha and Kagome?" she asked.
"I'm not entirely sure. The Bone Eater's Well disappeared, along with Kagome," Shiori explained. "And Inuyasha jumped into a meido in search of the girl. For 3 days, everyone wondered about their fates. Finally, the well appeared and Inuyasha along with it. But he came alone. I asked him what happened to Kagome, but he doesn't like to talk about it. He said that Kagome was safe and that the Shikon Jewel was gone forever. That was all."
"And she hasn't been seen since?"
Shiori shook her head, "No….I hear Inuyasha goes into the well every 3 days. But it no longer connects to her world. She'll most likely never return."
"How sad," said Emi softly. "They can't even see each other…."
Shiori stood up, "I should go now."
"You're leaving already? Why do you always have to go so soon?" Emi whined.
"Because unlike you carefree tennin, I actually have things to do," she scolded before running off through the fields. Emi flew after her.
"Shiori!" she cried. "Shiori, slow down! Aww, why is she so much faster than me on foot?"
Shiori ran and jumped through the trees, her dark hair trailed behind her. Tennin who were walking around outside stopped and looked up her. They waved and greeted her as she passed over them.
"Look! It's Shiori!" shouted a voice.
"Did you hear? She's not only the Princess of the Netherworld, but she's also Lady of the Western Lands!"
"I heard she and her friends defeated the evil Naraku on this same day!"
Shiori frowned. She really didn't like people gossiping about her. She looked down and saw a face proudly smiling at her. It was Oki. Shiori nodded at the old woman. Oki returned the gesture and watched as she jumped out of sight.
"She did it…She really did it," Oki thought. "Well done, little one."
Shiori came to the entrance of the Sacred Lands and phased through the rocks. She was happy to once again be back on the other side. She ran out of the damp cave and took to the skies.
"I'm on my way, Rin! I'll be there soon!"
Shiori felt the wind ripping through her head. It was such a calming feeling. Life had become so much easier since all of her enemies were taken care of. Of course, Shiori did need to make occasional trips to the Netherworld. Sometimes she went for princess duties, and sometimes for visits. But she avoided going there if she didn't have to. Her place was not among the dead, it was along the living…..with her hellhound.
"Hey….is that…?" she sensed someone flying toward her with energy similar to Kikyo's. "It's Kohaku!"
Kohaku was flying on Kirara. She spotted him and waved.
"Lady Shiori!" he said happily. "How've you been?"
"I've been alright," she answered. "How about you? How are those demon exterminations coming along?"
"They're coming along just fine. I'm actually on my way to a village now," he said.
Shiori smiled as she felt Kikyo's presence within Kohaku. Back then, Naraku finally managed to steal Kohaku's shard. But Kikyo's pure light chose to stay within Kohaku instead of going with the shard. In short, Kikyo chose saving Kohaku over killing Naraku. She left the battle with Inuyasha and the rest. And she made the right decision.
"Where are you off to?" asked Kohaku.
"To see Rin," Shiori replied. "I have something to give her. "
She sensed another presence coming up behind her. It was Toutousai.
"Hello there Kohaku, Shiori," said the elderly demon. "Kohaku, I've been meaning to give this to you! It's a new weapon, but it's heavy."
Toutousai tossed a giant Kusarigama at the boy. Kohaku caught it with one hand and examined the new weapon. It was very impressive.
"Are you going back to visit your sister every once and a while?" asked Toutousai.
Kohaku laughed, "No, her house is getting a little crowded. I'd better go now! Bye Lady Shiori! Bye Master Toutousai!"
Kohaku flew off with Kirara and his new weapon.
"And where are you off to little Miss?" Toutousai asked. "Going to see that mate of yours?"
"Hmph, maybe," she crossed her arms.
"I'm so glad he got that new sword….now he can stop harassing me all the time and I can live in peace," said Toutousai. "That Brat's finally satisfied."
"Hmmm, I don't know," she said slyly. "I think I heard him mention something about wanting a new sword…..one even more powerful than Bakusaiga."
"Eh….?" Y-you're lying!" Toutousai stammered. "That's not possible!"
Shiori deviously smirked, "maybe…..maybe not."
"Ack! Not again!" Toutousai and his cow flew off. "You tell that brat I moved!"
Shiori laughed as she continued on, "Yeah right, like Sesshomaru would ever complain about Bakusaiga's power! I can't believe he actually fell for that!"
Shiori was coming close to Kaede's village. As she flew closer, she spotted Miroku and Sango playing with their children outside. But Inuyasha wasn't with them. Where was he? Shiori flew over the happy family and landed down in front of Kaede's hut.
"Sesshomaru is already inside, huh?" she pondered.
"Ack!" she heard a voice from under her.
Shiori looked down. Jaken's flattened body was under her feet.
"Jaken, what are you doing down there?" she asked him.
"You squashed me, you stupid girl!" He yelled. "What's the matter with you?"
Shiori snickered as she stepped off his body, "apparently a lot of things."
"You're late! What were you doing anyway?" he demanded.
"Just taking care of some family affairs," she responded as she entered Kaede's hut.
Rin was talking to Sesshomaru when she spotted Shiori.
"Lady Shiori!" exclaimed Rin. She was wearing a colorful purple kimono. It was one of the Kimono's Sesshomaru brought for her.
Rin hugged Shiori, "I missed you so much! Where have you been?"
Shiori laughed, "Rin….I was here a few days ago. What are you talking about?"
The little girl also laughed, "Well….that seemed so long ago! Look what Lord Sesshomaru brought me!"
She presented a pink and green kimono to Shiori. Rin was so excited about her new outfit. The bright, happy colors definitely suited the young girl. Sesshomaru quietly watched the happy girl's expressions.
"I have something for you as well," said Shiori pulling something out of the sleeve of her kimono. "Here it is!"
"Oh, what a pretty hair pin!" said Rin as she held it in her hand.
Shiori nodded, "That belonged to my grandmother. It's very special, so don't lose it. Okay?"
"Of course I won't lose it!" Rin carefully placed the pin in her hair. She liked the dangling bead at the end. "I'm going to wear this with my new kimono tomorrow!"
"It would be pointless to tell her that they don't match….." Shiori thought.
After staying with Rin for some time, Sesshomaru concluded that it was time to leave. They said good-bye to Rin, before exiting the hut.
"Where were you this morning?" Sesshomaru asked as he stepped on Jaken.
Shiori followed after him and did the same. Both of them ignored Jaken's wallows of pain.
"I had to visit my sister for a bit," she answered. "She told me that she's getting married."
He glared at her, "Why on Earth would someone marry that bimbo?"
"Only I can call her a bimbo," Shiori complained."…..but I have no idea why someone would marry that bimbo. She seems happy though. Then again, Emi's always happy. She's going to be Queen of the Sacred Lands."
They took off into the sky. Jaken clung onto Sesshomaru's dangling white pelt. As they flew, Shiori felt a presence. She looked down to find Inuyasha and Kagome sitting on the ground. Kagome was dressed in a traditional priestess' kimono.
"Well, if it isn't the futuristic priestess," shouted Shiori. "Come to grace as all with your presence once more?"
Kagome happily waved up at them. "Hey big brother! Hey big sister!"
Sesshomaru angrily glared at Kagome, which took her by surprise.
"He gave me such a nasty look," she said with shock. She turned around to find the same expression plastered on Inuyasha's face. "Oh, you too?"
"That had a nasty ring to it!" Inuyasha spat.
"What insolence!" Jaken fussed. "We should punish her!"
"Jaken," said an annoyed Sesshomaru. "Shut-up, or I'll kill you."
"Inuyasha! Since Kagome is officially your mate now," said Shiori slyly. "Doesn't that make you her…..bitch?"
"Ha!" he laughed. "You idiot! It's supposed to be the other way around! You said the insult wrong!"
"No, I didn't!" she laughed darkly as they flew away.
Inuyasha stared into the sky, before finally understanding what she said.
"Ugh! Shiori you asshole!" He screamed after her.
Shiori looked over at Sesshomaru. He has such a calm, peaceful expression on his face. Ever since their final battle, he was a lot more relaxed. Knowing that both Shiori and Rin were safe put Sesshomaru in a good mood…..well, kind of a good mood.
"Sesshomaru?" she called his name.
"What is it?"
"How long will take for you to start your own empire?" she asked him.
"I don't know," he said. "Maybe a century, maybe two. But, it won't be my empire, it will be our empire."
Shiori nodded.
"Until then, I'm still the Lord of the Western Lands….and you are Lady of the Western Lands."
She blushed slightly.
"I really can't keep up with your titles!" Jaken fussed at Shiori. "Just who in the world are you anyway?"
Shiori smiled to herself, "Who am I really? For years, I was lied to about who I really was. When I was banished from home I thought I was simply Shiori…daughter of a tennin and shinigami."
"But aren't I also a I sister….?"
She thought about Emi…and even Inuyasha!
"A daughter….?"
She imagined her parents, smiling at her.
"A pupil….?"
She saw Oki's proud face looking up at her.
"A granddaughter…?"
She visualized Ryoko's shining light…
"A Mother Figure…?"
Rin's happy face popped into her mind.
"A friend and comrade…?"
Shiori imagined the faces of all her friends, and everyone she ever fought alongside.
"And a lover…"
She looked over at Sesshomaru and smiled. It felt good to be flying side by side with her love. It proved to her that they were now equal. But not in terms of strength. Though she was strong, there were times when she needed protection. Slowly, she slipped her hand into his. Though he kept his head forward, Sesshomaru accepted Shiori's hand.
"I've come to accept every part of myself. And I choose not to limit my abilities. Many things have changed about me as I've grown."
Shiori looked down; they were flying over her meadow and into the sunset.
"While some things will always remain the same..." She smirked to herself. "I'll never be a perfect saint. And why would I want? I enjoy causing mischief every once and awhile….okay, all the time. My mother's dying wish was for me to live long and fight. And to do so, I must be all of those things…..To be honest; I can't keep up with all of my titles either. I have so many of them. But I can handle them all. I went through Hell to get to where I am now, and I believe that I can handle anything."
"After all…." She looked straight ahead and cracked a smile, "I am Shiori, Lady of the Western Lands, Princess of the Netherlands…..Angel of Darkness….."
Well there ya have it! We reached the end of our story! I hope you enjoyed it. I want to thank all of my readers and reviews who stayed with this story all the way from the beginning. It's been really fun to write and come up with this character. Now that the story is done, I'm off to my next big adventure...Basic Training! Maybe when I'm done with training I'll write another fanfict...but for now...I love you all! Thanks for taking the time to read this story! :)