Disclaimer: I dont Own Inu-Yasha, just some random characters around.
JeniNeji's Note:
I am sorry for taking so long to update. The last of the semester got me and my beta reader awfully bad. We are already working on Chapter 13, we hope to have it soon. Thank you for your patience. Hope you like it.
There was someone who worried about, Sesshomaru and Kagome being raised as brother and sister. I never saw it like that. Kagome is being raised by Inu no Taisho because she reminded him at first of Midoriko, but then, because she was just like a daughter to him. Even when they are living "together", Sesshomaru inst free to visit her whenever he pleases, and Kagome had been taught to not to talk to Sesshomaru, and she has been raised with the reminder that he is not her brother. I would say that its a strange relationship for her, because Momo is sister. But the story goes like this, there is no possible way for me to change that now, or else the story would fall. Besides, I have always believed that Sesshomaru was a slow man to make a decision like that and that he needed to feel his life connected to her of he was going to develop some kind of feeling for her. In the next two chapter, things are going to become clearer. I promise.
Well, Enjoy !
When the Past is the Future…
Chapter 12:
The Jewel's return…
She watched the horizon. It had been so long since she had been at home, since she had seen her mother and her sister. She missed them terribly, but she knew that she was doing the right thing. No one else could do what she was currently doing.
Inu no Taisho had settled a vast territory, where humans and demons coexisted. However, few were the villages where they worked together, too many prejudices were still deeply rooted in the hearts of humans and demons alike. The problem was that humans had been causing problems lately, and due to that, she began to deal on military affairs with her father.
"You did well today" said a caring voice behind her, and she allowed a small smile grace her lips. She didn't turn to the man who spoke to her, she knew him very well. She loved the way the wind made her black hair dance and how her eyes became sleepy as the breeze constantly hit her eyes, but now she realized that she loved to be praised by her father even more.
"I didn't do much" she said with her back still to him and she heard him chuckle "Well then, from now on I want you to work harder, cause if that little makes a human village ally with us….you could do wonders" he told her jokingly and she turned with a scowl. "I want to go home" she whined, not liking the idea of staying for much longer.
Inu no Taisho became serious a moment and looked at her with sad golden eyes. "I know, I'm sorry for involving you like this... But you, my miko daughter, are the only one who can appease these people's worries" he told her with a soft tone. She turned with melancholic eyes and stared at the horizon once again, looking at the sun as it disappeared slowly.
Inu no Taisho sighed and raised his eyes to the horizon as well. He knew she liked the horizon and the sunset as well, but he had noticed that she liked the full moon even more, and this reminded him of his late wife. That single night with the full moon when her soul escaped to the other world. He had never forgiven himself for not being there, he had been fighting for territories on the borders, and he couldn't make it on time.
Since that day his only son, Sesshomaru, had hated him without reservations, but he knew he deserved it. Even when the one who suffered the most was him, the one who always blamed him was himself. The one who had to live without the love of his son was him. But it was too late to spoil him lavishly, his son had grown to be a cold man, and a frivolous ruler. He would not allow someone like him to rule his lands.
Inu no Taisho turned soft eyes to his daughter. Kagome was so vulnerable to so many things, he felt it was wrong to make her bear such a burden. Though if the time were to come, he would do it, he would name her the next ruler of the Western Land. He sighed, unwanted memories of her returning to him, memories of his lately fear. Was his son interested in his daughter? Was Kagome somehow interested in him?
He had done all he could to keep them apart. Kagome had never been too interested in him and he was grateful for that. Sesshomaru either, his hate towards humans was still as strong as always.
Nonetheless, the Kagome he had met ten years ago smelled like his son, and it could mean an intimacy bond. He wasn't sure of what to do about them, but the least he had done was letting Kagome know that Sesshomaru was not her brother. Momo was her sister, but not Sesshomaru.
He wanted the happiness of all his offspring, and he tried to help them gain it. But he feared, that he may have to hurt them somewhat, especially Sesshomaru. But if Kagome decided to love Sesshomaru in the future…he would try not to oppose to it. He will try…
Sesshomaru walked past the dense forest. He was pleased at the silence the night carried. But he knew better: demons and humans feared him. As he walked softly and swiftly, avoiding the braches and the wet pools of water, he remembered his father.
His father had sent him on a mission. It was a foolish task, to find a group of demons that had been slaughtering humans... but he had other motives for accepting it. He wanted strength, and he wanted allies. He had heard that this group was a big one, that it had some strong demons that would put on a good fight. He would defeat them all and he would certainly make them his servants. His father was a strong demon, and had many allies, if he wanted to take the throne some day, he would need to be equally strong…. No. Stronger.
Sesshomaru finally came out of the dense forest and scowled when he found a new path he had to take, a swamped forest. He debated the idea of using his cloud, but declined seconds after. If he wanted to find allies, and become stronger, his cloud would not service him. After taking a deep breath of half fresh air, he walked in the swamps.
As he walked deeper, he was reminded of Kagome. The place resembled the marshes where he tried to kill her. He had been so close that day. If he had finished what he had started, he wouldn't be having these worries that were following him every day now. Did fate really expect him to forge a bond with a human miko?
He shook his head. No, he wasn't going to accept it. He was too grand to be with a human female. His eyes blinked a moment when he remembered her. She had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen in a human... Her eyes were bigger than a human's even demons. They were clearer, almost transparent. He shook his head once again, that was the only good thing about her.
He then began to walk faster, concentrating on the upcoming battle and his new allies. He began to plan his ascension. The new Lord of the Western Lands.
Demons walked silently across the large green fields. They had their auras hidden and their thoughts closed. No longer did they speak their intentions as they had learned to think alike, to act alike and to sense evil from the heart.
Their training had ended many nights ago, and now, they were ready to snatch the freedom that was promised to them. They just needed to do one little thing, they just needed to find one item. The harshness of what they suffered for so many years was not equal to the challenge that this mission offered to them. They wouldn't waste their chance. Their time was now, they were stronger, they could challenge lords for their territories and they could rule the lands.
With those thoughts in mind, and the looks that each one sent the other, they knew they had been thinking the same. With a smirk, the three demons ran faster. Faster to freedom.
"I love it Grandma!" exclaimed a happy Momo as she touched the golden hairpin that now adorned her silvery hair. She quickly stood and ran to the mirror to look at herself.
"It's a family treasure, it was your turn to have it, my child" said the mature demoness with a smile as she saw the young one look at her reflection intently. "It means that you are now in mating age" she said with a proud voice. The tall demoness stood from her chair and her long curly blonde hair touched the floor. She walked to her granddaughter, her hair waltzing on the floor and her white silk dress floating as she walked.
Noticing her grandmother's reflection, Momo turned with a smile. The demoness smiled softly and cupped Momo's face on her hands. The mature demoness pink eyes fixed on Momo for some seconds, and then, they were gone and she sat once again on the couch.
Her eyes showed pride, and her red lips curled into a smile. "You are worth so much, you should be proud of yourself. Don't accept the first demon that comes to wooyou, you can be the greatest queen. Your eyes are exceptional and your face is perfect" she said with a resolved tone, a tone that meant she wasn't going to back down from this idea.
"Stop that nonsense, mother" came a voice and the shogi door busted open. Lady Sephira walked into the room and focused her pink eyes on her mother. She walked to Momo, her blonde hair also waving with the soft movement of her hips; her hair was some inches shorter than her mother's. She gave Momo a kiss on the head, and once again, she addressed her mother. "We don't teach her to be like that. We raised her to be humble and caring, money and power isn't a fair exchange for love. Do not push her to have an unhappy marriage" she said with a soft, but strong voice.
Sephira's mother, Almira, stood and walked to the window with a huff. "Yes, don't tell me about it. You have become mad, accepting a tainted human as your own child, that's nonsense, you have just left Momo without your care... I can't believe that you could love such an abomination" she interjected angrily.
Sephira narrowed her eyes and sent a look at Almira. "You had a child with a human, Mother, do not forget that" she replied in a dangerous tone. Her mother had surely changed. She saw as her mother turned a resentful pair of pink eyes at her "I am reminded every time I look at you, your scent, and now that silly idea of taking the human abomination" she said rudely. Sephira walked dangerously towards Almira. "Be gone Mother, no one is allowed to sleep under this roof with these ill intentions towards my daughter" she said enraged but at the same time with a cold voice, and her finger pointed to the shogi door.
Momo gasped as she heard her mother's order. She had never seen her so mad before, but she kind of understood her. After all, Kagome was her sister. She opened and closed her mouth several times, but no words came, she was astounded.
Almira stood, proud and elegant. Her perfectly blonde hair shimmered power and status. She walked past Sephira and opened the shogi door, and stopped some moments. "Momo, come with me to my palace" asked Almira, her pink eyes boring into Momo's golden ones "Your mother has gone mad... with me, you will not mate a weak and disgusting demon. With me, you will have dinner with the Gods everyday, and they will show you what true love is… immortal love".
Sephira turned to Almira with a hateful stare. "How dare you?!" bellowed Sephira with glowing pink eyes. "I forbid you to move an inch, Momo" ordered Sephira coldly "Mother, those monsters have taken your heart out and brainwashed you too. Momo is MY daughter, do not dare stand between my daughter and me" she threatened dangerously.
Almira laughed softly "Those are the gods that kept us alive, Sephira, if you have forgotten, and you know very well how that works. Did you think Momo was not going to rise to the Heavens like you did?" asked Almira with a smirk. "She carries my blood, and with that, my status. I won't let her waste her life like you did" she accused "Marrying a lowly demon, and now? Raising human children?" she said, her pink eyes vengeful "You taint my blood" she said with such poison that Momo couldn't help but let a gasp escape.
Sephira charged against her mother. Rage blinded her as she sent a wave of pure energy against her mother. Almira's eyes narrowed in anger and she took out a golden mirror. As the energy neared her, it swirled on the crystal surface and returned with equal strength. Sephira placed a barrier to protect Momo and herself, but the incoming energy took the form of ice spikes, and began to disappear as they touched the barrier. After some seconds, ice spears exploded against the barrier and sharp pieces managed to get through, slashing Sephira's face.
Sephira's eyes didn't move nor twitch in pain. Blood dripped from the wounds, and a lone spear formed and managed to break through her barrier. The spear passed Sephira's shoulder, but too high to touch her. Sephira took the spear with her nude left hand, and the ice burnt her, plus, she injured her arm by holding the sharp object. More blood began to flow down, but she didn't let go. Sephira turned her cold pink eyes over to her shoulder and saw Momo's wide eyes looking at hers, golden eyes aware that if her mother had not stopped the spear, it would have landed near her. After checking on Momo, Sephira let go of the spear, and as it touched the floor, it disappeared as if it had never existed.
Almira smirked "Do not threaten me, Sephira. Compared to me... you are a child" she said smoothly. She smiled sweetly to Momo "We will meet once again Momo. Do not intimate with anyone, I will find you a suitable candidate for someone of your blood... Oh, and Sephira, sorry about the hand…it would cause you problems for the next few days. Don't use much energy," and with that said, Almira turned and walked out of the room. Her blonde hair sparkling like gold for an instant before disappearing as the shogi door was closed.
Sephira did not move. She remained standing in the very exact position for some minutes. Momo didn't dare to move either, the display still fresh in her mind. Sephira turned to Momo, her pink eyes finding her daugther's golden ones. She felt the desperate urge to know what her daughter thought of her. Did she hate her for her actions? Was she feeling the same? Momo's eyes were, to Sephira's relief, understanding, and a tear escaped the motherly demoness. Momo stood and hugged her lovingly, showing her support; but still, it pained her that her grandmother had parted in such a terrible way.
The three demons saw as a demoness walked out of the castle. She matched the descriptions given by their Master, but she was a demon of high status, she possessed a mark….a symbol of power that was sometimes bestowed to the minor gods….
They remained quite and unmoving, moments later, they saw a carriage being pulled by strange creatures descending from the heavens and landing on the lands just outside the castle. The creatures were white, and they seemed to reflect the moon's pale glow. The demoness entered, and soon enough, the creatures flew to the clouds and disappeared.
They exchanged meaningful looks and waited. They waited for the right moment, because tonight, they would attack. This night, they will get their freedom. This time, the Lord of the castle was far in the border, the son was patrolling the lands and the second daughter was not in the castle either.
They still had to deal with the guards, but that they could do.
Two of the demons warped in the shadows, while the remaining one watched the perimeter. The one hiding inside the forest saw as the other two came out of the shadows and slaughtered a small group of guards.
He followed the bodies until they hit the ground. Then the two demons signaled for him to commence. The he disappeared in the shadows as well.
Inu no Taisho put Kagome on the floor as they arrived to the human town. Everything was quiet and he held the urge to growl. "Humans should have guards" he thought. He was about to walk inside the town to find someone, but Kagome holding his hand, made him stop to look at her. He saw as his ten year-old daughter looked at him with a smile. "Let me find the priestess" she said. "There is no need to frighten them" she asked for his permission.
Inu no Taisho kept his eyes on her for some moments, and after analyzing her words, he gave her a soft smile. "I'll check on the warriors. I'll see that they camp on the outskirts of the town" he said and ruffled her hair "Should you need me, allow your aura to flare for some seconds" he said and with a smile, he began to walk away.
Kagome kept her eyes on her father's departing silhouette. He was very tall, taller than Sesshomaru. His hair was longer as well, and was tied on a low ponytail, with her blue ribbon holding it. She smiled, remembering when he had taken it from her, making an excuse that he wanted to be reminded of her eyes. The truth was that his had broken, and he didn't like his hair loose.
She shivered as she saw the new sword her father carried. Sounga was held safely on her father's back, between her father's armor and white fur. She disliked the sword…she had felt a demonic aura sealed in it. She sighed softly, as she lost her father on the dark curtain the night had brought. She looked up, to only see a tiny part of the moon. She liked it more when it was full.
She shook her head and walked through the town. There was no one outside, but she didn't feel any strange aura, only humans. She walked to a house and took a peek. She saw a woman and children sleeping peacefully, and she frowned, confused. This was the only town where no guards were posted at night.
She kept walking, to the only temple she could see since she passed the town gates. The wood which the temple was made of was definitely strong, and it held many scriptures drawn, to protect it. There were twin stairs at each side, it was the only way to enter the temple.
Kagome stopped in front of the temple for some moments. Her black hair now reached her mid back. Her blue eyes became troubled as she stared at the town's surroundings once again. No one was awake. No one had felt her presence.
She walked up the stairs in the temple. As she reached up, she found a priestess, kneeling with both hands clasped together, meditating. Kagome stopped on the last step, and fixed her eyes to the elderly woman. The woman did not move, and Kagome scanned the aura of the woman. She was a true miko. Kagome moved to her side and kneeled.
"What ails you child?" asked the miko in a soft voice. Kagome raised her eyes and smiled. "Nothing ails me, Lady Miko" she said softly. "Why is the town defenseless?" asked Kagome cautiously. "I protect it, there is nothing to worry" said the miko.
The miko opened her eyes for the first time. Brown eyes fell on Kagome, and Kagome felt as some of the miko's energy blurted into her tiny body and scanned her soul. Kagome gasped softly, as she felt the energy passing through her veins and it felt….like a soft caress on her soul. As the energy slowly disappeared, Kagome raised her blue eyes to the miko's brown ones, curious about the miko's abilities. But, to her surprise, the look she got was that of confusion, as a frown marked the old miko's face.
"Who are you child?" asked the miko softly, her brown wise eyes looking at Kagome carefully. "Your soul is purely of a miko, yet demon aura covers it"
Kagome blinked several times and then turned her blue eyes to the miko "I live with my demon family" she said simply, but then tensed as she saw the miko's aura explode with fury. She managed to stand and give some steps backwards, suddenly wanting to get as far as she could from the miko.
The miko stood, the end of her red robe fell to the floor and her white pants made a big contrast against the darkness on the room. Kagome raised her head to look at the miko, and then, she hugged herself as she felt a strange energy invade her and burn her insides. Kagome screamed in pain and looked at the miko in the eye, begging her to stop the invasion…but the eyes seemed to be lost in a deep hatred.
Momo's hand trembled as she heard the guards scream. She was on the side of the castle near her room, desperately trying to get to her mother. She felt so alone without her sister, and without her brother and father, that she felt she couldn't think straight.
She gasped as a body flew from the door and landed in the center of the room. She instantly raised all the barriers she could and held the daggers firmly. She heard a curse and her golden eyes settled on the demon. She couldn't see much in the dark, as he was dressed all in black, but her eyes at least allowed her to distinguish his body.
She ran past him, intently trying to trace Sephira's aura; finding it moments later in the Court Room. As she passed the demon, it lunged against her, but it hit her barrier and to her amazement, the barrier pushed him back, but then it disappeared.
She turned to look at him as she kept running to her mother, surprised at the amount of strength his soul must have had to achieve that, but then, a second worry came to her…her mother was in danger. She ran to the Court Room as she felt two malice-filled, demonic auras nearing her mother.
Sesshomaru finished the last demon with his whip. Blood marked the floor behind the demon in a diagonal line, and the body fell lifeless. Sesshomaru looked at his bloody hand and his eyes displayed his anger. He made swift movements with his hand to take the blood off.
He then looked at the demons' bodies. He shook his head in disappointment. The foolish demons dared to reject his proposal, they could have lived in his reign, where humans would have been dirt and demons would be rulers, but they were weak…and stupid.
Sesshomaru turned to where he felt a concentrated demonic aura: his father's army. He walked up a cliff and remained standing, his golden eyes gazing to the horizon. He could not see them, but he knew they were there, every demon in the vicinity knew their location. Frustration welled from his insides. The demons had rejected his offer. He was a great demon, he was going to be greater than his father, why was it that every other demon resisted him? Were they mocking him? Did they like to make him feel less?
His plan to gather exiled demon forces seemed to be a little ineffective. If he was going to encounter these foolish demons all around, he may as well forget it all. Perhaps, this was not a good one after all. He growled a little out of anger at himself. He, Sesshomaru made a mistake: that was worth a punishment.
He walked away, even farther away from the castle, away from Inu no Taisho's army. He walked without purpose, just wanting to find another plan, another way to destroy his father's strength and become the new ruler of the Western Lands.
Momo's silent scream ensued as a gash made its way into her flesh, she pushed the demon away and her eyes became pink by instinct, and innumerable barriers made their way around her.
It was only a scratch on her thigh, yet, the opening on her defenses was obvious. She should have listened to her brother's advice when he told her that she became stronger, but how was she going to know this was going to happen? She was hardly left alone.
Another guard fell dead as one of the demons clawed his hand on the guard's chest. Momo's eyes were horrified in front of the grotesque image and she bit her lip in fright. She was going to die.
Sephira's battle cry made Momo turn and take in the battle between her mother and the demon. Her mother was on the central base, that was surrounded by a little staircase. The demon was still on the stairs, Sephira wasn't allowing him to get to the floor. She quickly noticed the demon was faster, but her mother was doing well, since she had the barriers to slow his attacks. Sephira was using a blade, her preferred weapon. Momo smiled a little as she saw how her mother's blade seemed to back down the demon some steps further.
The sound of one of her barriers suddenly falling made Momo turn to her left, where the second demon ran for her. Out of surprise and lack of tactics, Momo jumped back and sheathed both her daggers and held one of her own barriers. She settled in the corner that her barrier made with the roof of the room, feeling protected in that tiny space. She could see the demon below, smirking at her. He jumped to her and she was forced to jump to another barrier, the demon falling to the other side as her barrier disappeared when he touched it. Momo turned to look at the demon once again as he turned to her, his aura becoming darker and radiating fury, he was getting tired of this cat and mouse game.
"Momo" called Sephira as she pushed the first demon some meters away with difficulty "Get away from the castle, go find shelter" she finished and blocked the demon's sword as it came vertically.
Momo frowned in thought, there was no way her mother could beat them by herself. She then looked as her mother jumped to the side and screamed in pain. Momo gasped in horror as she feared the demon might have managed to injure her, but he hadn't. She didn't see him make a clear cut on her. Sephira kneeled on the floor to hold herself, her white pant had traces of blood. Momo focused her eyes on the spot and realized the wound, it had been the one her mother had gotten earlier in the fight with her grandmother... It had not healed?
Momo was taken out of her thoughts as she felt herself falling, she looked down and saw the second demon smirking, he had broken her barrier. Momo took out one of her daggers and shot it towards the demon and then took her second one on hand, ready to pierce the demon's chest if she needed to, but she didn't need to. She landed on nothing, her hands were touching a transparent surface and she could still see the demon looking up at her, his eyes annoyed. Momo stood and began to run away from the demon.
Sephira saw as Momo began to fall from her barrier and her eyes widened in horror. Where had these demons come from? She placed a barrier between Momo and the demon. A little smile made its way to her lips as she saw it worked and a proud smile graced her face when she saw Momo running over her barrier, escaping her attacker.
Sephira was forced to dodge another attack as she managed to make a precise attack that cut the demon in half. The demon screamed in horror as his upper part was torn from the lower one, but was silenced with the sound of blood splashing. Sephira stood proud and looked around her. Where were the reinforcements? Surely they hadn't killed all the guards…
She then saw as the remaining demon in the room brought down every single barrier Momo was putting between her escape route and him, Momo was growing tired, her barriers no longer pushed the demon back. Sephira ran to Momo and began to place barriers as well, to cover for Momo. Her barriers efficiently stopped the demon at least two seconds, where the barrier's power and the demon's aura battled for dominance, but the demon always won.
The demon turned to Sephira with resentful eyes and then his gaze settled on the dead body of his partner. He ran to her, with Momo's dagger in hand. Sephira stopped, her blonde long hair flying at the abrupt stop, and she blocked the demon's attack with her blade, both fighting to overpower the other.
Momo made a sound of happiness as she finally reached the door of the Court Room, she sent a blast of power to push the door open seconds before reaching it, and then jumped out, her vision blurred from the smoke of the explosion and the wood pieces floating downwards.
Momo smiled triumphantly as she came out of the room, her silver hair was floating behind her as she began to fall to the floor, but her smile disappeared as she saw the third demon standing just outside the door, the demon she had managed to run past a while ago…she had forgotten about him. A gasp left her mouth as she saw hundreds of guards behind him, or better said the lifeless bodies of the guards. Tears welled in her eyes as she saw the mess this sole demon had created, and her eyes fell on his hand as he raised it... a warp of energy left him and flew straight at her...
Momo raised her hands in front of her, trying to shield herself. As she did, she managed to see a little glowing Jewel on the demon's hand a second before the attack passed through her barrier and hit her full strength. She screamed with all she had as she felt her soul scream in pain.
Sephira pushed the demon to the side when she heard Momo's scream, and raised her eyes to see Momo's body covered in blood and falling into the room once again. She gasped and tried to run to her daughter, but the demon at her side had spinned and kicked her left hand, and she fell to the floor in pain. The burning hand began to bleed nonstop.
The demon pinned Sephira to the floor and held a fist of her hair to push her head back. Sephira made a soft, pained sound and her eyes settled once again on the unconscious Momo, her brain wreaking havoc as she saw the pool of blood forming under her daughter. The last demon walked inside the room, his steps slow and measured, his eyes never leaving Momo. He stopped in front of the young demoness, inspecting her carefully.
Sephira tried to get out of the demon's grip using energy to push him away, but as she began to do so, her hand began to pulse with pain, as soon as she stopped using energy, the pain subsided. The demon, having felt the energy being released, smacked her head on the marbled floor. Soon enough, blood began to fall from Sephira's forehead. A small cry left Sephira's lips and the demon stood and pulled her up as well then dug his nose on her hair, sniffing her scent. "So this is the scent of the ruler of these lands" he whispered with a controlled voice "but yours is more…appealing" he finished and his hand found its way to her waist.
The demon in front of Momo raised his eyes to Sephira, eyes that reflected boredom. Sephira's pink eyes and his blue ones found each other for some moments. "Kill her" commanded the demon "The little one shall be enough to get out of here" he said "I have found the Jewel" he finished and prepared to take Momo's body in his arms.
Sephira's eyes widened as her eyes fell on the Jewel "The Shikon no Tama" she whispered softly. It had been ten years since she last saw it. Her eyes became hateful as she saw the demon coming near her daughter, and when the demon behind her held her tighter to give her the final blow with Momo's dagger, she turned and punched him on the nose with her right hand. The demon staggered backwards and she found her blade and pierced his stomach with it. The demon fell to the floor and his hand held his wound to stop the bleeding.
He looked up to Sephira, and he found her eyes unfocused and full of rage behind her bloodied face. He saw her turn and knelt down, his eyes widened in disbelief as he saw her take her blade and cut her own hand out of her arm. He heard her pained scream and how it strangled on her throat.
Sephira had gone in a havoc-like state, where her brain was being shut down in fear and fright. The only real and constant thought that passed through her half consciousness was 'Momo, save Momo'.
The demon watched in amazement as Sephira began to glow in a pink color and energy began to surround her. The lone member she had cut exploded at her side, the use of energy making it burn itself. He brought his eyes to her once again and he saw that the blood that had been coming from her arm began to take a spheric form, floating and spinning around, making a shield.
The demon nearby Momo stopped as he felt the demoness preparing an attack. He cursed as a blood shield appeared around the little one, protecting her. He touched the shield with his left hand but had to retract it immediately. He looked at his left hand and saw that the energy had burned him, from his finger to his wrist. He stood and stepped towards Sephira, his desire to kill her showing on his face.
Sephira's pink eyes were unfocused and her face was moving from one side to the other as if it were a nervous tic. Soon enough, the concentrated energy on her insides began to form a warp and the wind began to form a tornado around her. The pieces of wood and marble began to spin around her as well.
The demon behind her began to push himself away from her, as he saw that bigger pieces were now swirling around her as well. He was confused, they were strong, they had been training for a long time, but one of them had already perished. He wasn't sure why, but his instincts told him, begged him to get as far away as he could. His eyes settled on his partner as he reached the demoness and smacked her, making her fall to the floor. His mouth opened slightly at his partner and his easy going appearance. He wasn't afraid of her attack…perhaps he was just acting cowardly.
Sephira raised her eyes to the demon in front of her and managed to sit once again. She saw as his blue eyes reflected the surging of his beast form, the anger he had making his beat lose control. He lunged at her once again, but as he did, the tornado intensified and he lost some balance, Sephira managed to hold both of his hands. Tears began to fall from her eyes and her eyes came to rest on Momo for some seconds…as her unconscious body was being pulled to her by the pressure of the wind inside the room.
Seconds later, resentful eyes came to rest on the demon she was holding and into the Jewel on his hand. "You will not lay a hand on my daughter" said Sephira with the most confident and passionate voice she had used on her entire life.
The next second, while drowned in tears… Sephira used the last attack her blood could achieve, Silently and with a grave expression, she mustered all she could... it all exploded in the Court Room, with such an amount of energy that part of the roof fell due to the merciless attack.
As Sephira felt her body disintegrate, that was the price she had to pay to achieve that last attack, she felt as the life of the demon behind her was extinguished and a reassuring comfort made her heart feel lighter. She focused the last of her energies on the demon holding the Jewel, she felt the Jewel escape his grip and heard him scream in agony and then his energy disappeared completely. This death, however, left her a sense of insecurity….he had disappeared too fast…
Minutes later, pieces of the roof kept falling, them being the only sound in the castle. A pulse-like feeling began to invade the room, a calling for whoever was still alive. Boulders began to move and the demon with blue eyes came out of them. He was bleeding all over, he had a broken arm and an injured ankle. Even so, he stood and walked to the pulse. He finally found it under some boulder, and he began to take them off, determined to get the item.
He looked around and saw nothing but destruction. He saw the remaining of the demoness' clothes, lying on the floor. His partner was dead, nothing remained of him. He kept looking and his eyes fell on the young demoness, the blood shield was still functioning, protecting her. He growled in anger to see she still lived.
After one last boulder of debris, that took more that he would have liked to remove, his eyes fell on the pink Jewel. He took the Jewel and instantly felt his power return and his pain disappear. With a smirk he walked to the young demoness…. Momo, was it?
He stopped in front of her and sent a blast against the barrier. He saw the barrier fall to his attack and swirl. A smirk appeared once again as he saw Momo's unconscious face. She was a fine demoness…he could take her as a potential mate…his eyes landed on the blood once again as he realized it had not disappeared. The blood reformed and formed strings that flew to the demon…piercing him once and again, and again…
The finest sound of the Jewel falling to the floor was the last thing produced by Sephira's shield blood. And once again, the Jewel began to pulse…but no one answered.
The pulsing intensified until Momo's numb golden eyes opened, and her face turned to the item resting at her side, she felt a strange and alluring energy coming from the item and without willing, she extended her arm and took the Jewel on her hand…Soon enough, her eyes clouded and a pink color settled on them, masking forever the golden eyes of her father's lineage…
Inu no Taisho arrived at the temple. A large amount of miko energy being released made him nervous. He opened the door and the picture that greeted him made his blood boil.
"...And you shall be cursed because of that…" said the older miko as her energy kept assaulting Kagome's soul. Kagome screamed in fright and Inu no Taisho held back no more.
He took Tetsusaiga out and transformed it. As Tetsusaiga transformed, the sound made the miko turn to his direction. Her brown eyes widened as she saw the blade coming at her. She managed to scream, but she was soon silenced as Inu no Taisho dug his sword on her chest and took it out so fast that the miko's body crashed against the wooden wall.
He looked at her dead body with disgust and scowled as he felt Tetsusaiga transform into its rusted form. He needed a sword, apart from Souunga that could kill humans.
He walked silently to Kagome. She was weeping on the floor, curled in fetal position. He knelt down and took her in his strong arms. She quickly embraced him and cried even more. He stood and walked out of the temple, and down the stairs. As he reached the last step, some villagers had been awoken by the screams.
He narrowed his eyes at them and walked past them, with Kagome crying in his arms. As he reached the gate, the elder of the village was standing in the middle of his way out. The human elder was around his thirties and he seemed brave, or perhaps hated the demons very much to have the courage to stand in a demon's path. That was something not many did.
Inu no Taisho stopped in his tracks. He felt a void in his heart for a few moments and a headache began to bother him. He shook his head to get rid of the sudden ails that he was getting, but it was to no avail. He began to sniff the place around, searching for a curse or something else, but found noting. There was something wrong… he wanted to get out of this village, now!
"You slaughtered our Miko" said the elder with a resentful voice, but Inu no Taisho walking once again towards him made him hush.
"Your miko hurt my daughter" he said simply and continued to walk to the gate "Because of that, this town will never receive my protection" he said and strolled past the elder, finally getting out of the town.
The elder turned to Inu no Taisho's retreating form and yelled "We don't need protection from a demon that kills our mikos"
Inu no Taisho ignored the fool and walked to the campaign. "She cursed me, she did something" whispered Kagome nervously "I feel something…different" she finished and tears welled in her eyes once again.
Inu no Taisho kissed her forehead and made comforting sounds to calm her "You are going to be all right, we will find a way to take the curse out of you" he said reassuringly.
Inu no Taisho stopped as he felt the aura of one of his commanders approaching. The demon dog landed in front of him, his black hair held on a high ponytail and his amber eyes settled on Inu no Taisho. "My Lord, the castle is under attack" he said with concern "I have dispatched units to the castle" he informed.
Inu no Taisho held Kagome tighter. He couldn't believe it, his castle under attack? His eyes showed frustration and concern. He turned to Kagome, her eyes were wide in fear. "Shh, don't worry, there are many guards in the castle, don't worry Kagome, they are going to be fine" he said trying to comfort her and himself. He turned to the guard "Fuma, take the army to the castle, and find Kagura, the Wind Sorceress and ask her to find Sesshomaru to deliver the news" he order and Fuma nodded his head and disappeared once again.
A cloud appeared under Inu no Taisho's feet and soon enough, they were flying at high speed towards the castle.
The Wind Sorceress found Sesshomaru. At last, she had been flying for almost an hour, he had hidden himself well. She gracefully landed on the soft grass and took her feather and put it on her hair. She bowed politely.
"My lord, there has been an attack to the castle, your father asks for your presence" said Kagura with concern in her voice "Some time has quite passed…I couldn't find you.." she said sadly.
Sesshomaru turned to her with cold eyes, his aura began to rise in anger. He walked past her without a word and transformed his cloud and flew to the castle.
Kagura stood and turned to the direction he had disappeared to. "That's why I am happily mated to Unno" she whispered "You are so cold…" she finished and transformed her feather once again, she had to inform Unno, Inu no Taisho may ask for his services.
Inu no Taisho and Kagome arrived at the castle. Kagome needed no more than to see the place to start crying her heart out once again. Lots of dead guards were the welcoming picture, and a silence permeated the castle.
Inu no Taisho felt his throat close in desperation. It could not be. He embraced Kagome tighter and his eyes began to water, thinking the worst. He was reminded of the feeling he got after he killed the miko, and soon enough, he felt his soul being tainted with sorrow.
A lone scream made him gasp and he began to run to the castle. Kagome opened her teary eyes confused, but didn't say anything. Inu no Taisho jumped past the bodies and tracked the scream to the Court Room. He stopped at the door as he took in the room, the dim moonlight illuminating the room since the roof was no longer there…
His eyes began to search the room, but the room was completely silent. "Momo" whispered Kagome, her hand tugging on Inu no Taisho's hakama "She's there". Inu no Taisho put Kagome on the floor and ventured on.
"Momo" he called anxiously, but no one answered. He waked in and almost instantly, his eyes found her. She was sitting over a demon's body, her dagger was bloody and the demon had been mutilated.
He gasped as he imagined the horror her daughter had passed to fall in this position. He walked silently to her, but as he was getting closer, she turned to him. Her eyes were pink and numb, and Inu no Taisho stopped as he took in her trauma. He knew the pink eyes, since she had human blood from her mother, she was unable to call upon her inner beast, the materialized form of her instincts, but like she was only 1/3 human, her pink eyes resembled her other being, the awakening of her instincts.
He saw her stand with her dagger in hand and her pink eyes looking at him full of hatred. Inu no Taisho was frozen, that was the look he had received centuries ago, when Sesshomaru saw him after his mother's death. Momo walked towards him, and then began to run, her killing aura flaring like wild.
"Dad, move!" screamed Kagome horrified "I sense a strange energy inside Momo!" she shouted hoping her father could hear her. Inu no Taisho blinked and jumped aside, Momo passing him at high speed and growling in anger as she realized she had not succeeded on killing him.
Inu no Taisho sniffed the air to see if there was a demon possessing her, but there was no way he could determine that, the scents around the castle were too many and some were new to him. He heard Kagome coming inside the room and he turned to her. She began to run to him, and Momo was preparing herself for another attack. Inu no Taisho turned to Momo, and when she came near him, he caught her wrists and held her firmly.
She kicked and growled trying to get free from his grip, but Inu no Taisho wasn't planning on letting her leave yet. As Kagome approached, he got a strange feeling, one he had felt before. Momo began to scream, her arms and legs lost their strength and she fell to the floor. Kagome hurried to her side and tried to hold her, embracing her and holding her still. A final agonizing scream left Momo and the Jewel was expelled from her body and fell to the floor. Momo fell unconscious seconds after.
Inu no Taisho looked at the Jewel with hatred. The Jewel once again caused trouble for him. Kagome however looked at the Jewel with wonder, and curiosity. She let go of Momo softly and approached the tainted item. Inu no Taisho growled his discontent, but Kagome seemed to be hypnotized.
She took the Jewel on her hand and a pink glow exploded from her and the Jewel began to glow an immense pink. Kagome's blue eyes stared at the item, marveled, and her gaze then found Inu no Taisho's. Tears fell from Inu no Taisho's eyes, the pain of seeing his daughter in such a terrible state and the return of the Jewel to his second daughter were too much for him to bear.
Sesshomaru's aura invaded the room, making Inu no Taisho turn to the door. Sesshomaru's face said that he had been there for a while. Inu no Taisho turned his back to Sesshomaru, the pain he was feeling was far more personal and deep than what Sesshomaru could understand.
"Sesshomaru, take them to shelter, take them to my room, so they can rest" he said with a broken voice. Sesshomaru turned to his father, many thoughts swarming through his head, but thinking that none deserved to go out for now.
He walked to Momo and took her in his arms. He looked at Kagome for some seconds and then at the Jewel on her hand. He snorted, telling her to follow, and he walked out of the room and upstairs to Inu no Taisho's room. Kagome looked at her father one last time, debating if she should really leave him alone, but then, she walked away, following Sesshomaru.
Inu no Taisho took a deep breath... Sephira. He felt his heart break, her presence was silent, and Momo was unconscious to tell about the happenings of the day. He began to pace the room…searching…but each step he took made his pain worsen…
Sesshomaru placed Momo on the futon, her blood had dried, but still, the futon was tainted. Her silver hair was drenched and stuck together. Sesshomaru took on her features and her wounds, his golden eyes were soft and caring. He allowed a strangled growl resound on his throat. He had left his sister unprotected. He caressed her cheek tenderly with the back of his hand. He stopped the show of his affection as he felt Kagome on the door.
"You may come in" he said in a serious tone. He heard as Kagome opened the shogi door softly and as she came in, she closed it behind her. "I found her some water" said Kagome so softly that it almost sounded as a whisper. "To clean her wounds" she added and walked silently to Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru turned to Kagome, his golden eyes piercing her blue ones. Kagome tensed and stopped walking, her eyes becoming fearful and sad. Sesshomaru sighed and signaled her to come closer. Kagome smiled softly and walked to Momo. She happily took a piece of cloth and began to clean the blood from her wounds. She noticed that Momo's demonic powers were already healing her, slowly, but it was just a matter of time until she was completely healthy once again.
Sesshomaru watched as Kagome worked. His eyes focusing on each move of her hand and each movement of her eyes. He felt unsure about his hatred to her, she had done nothing to him. Momo loved her deeply as well. He sighed internally and looked away.
Inu no Taisho's howl made them both tense and they looked at each other. Sesshomaru looked at Kagome, his eyes deep and silent. He had understood his father's howl, since he was also a full dog demon, but he knew Kagome had not. Kagome's blue eyes looked into Sesshomaru's golden ones, her hands began to tremble and the wet cloth fell to the floor.
"Father is pained" she said with a broken voice "Something is wrong" she said more than asked, her eyes begging for him to tell. Sesshomaru looked at Kagome, debating if he should tell her or not, but her worried eyes made him tell her.
"His lover is dead" he said a little coldly, but with his eyes on Kagome. He saw as she heard him and as the message was translated in her brain. He even saw when she realized that Inu no Taisho's mate was Sephira, her mother. Her eyes turned red and tears began to fall from her eyes. Her hands closed into fists, she began to wail. Sesshomaru kept watching her and he saw as she doubled over and dug her face on her legs to hide her crying face from him.
His eyes remained in her and his ears took every single sound her broken heart let go. He had never thought that her pain would move his heart, but he had been wrong. Her crying took him to a far away place, that he couldn't quite grasp, but it challenged his control.
Enraged at his weakness, he stood and clawed his eyes on her one last time before going out. Escaping her. Escaping himself.
Kagome raised her eyes as she heard the shogi screen sliding open, and she saw Sesshomaru walk out of the room, leaving the shogi door open. She felt as rage pooled inside her, feeling alone and unprotected.
She lied at Momo's side, squeezing her tightly, searching for comfort…and she cried even more when she felt her father's aura disappear as he ran out of the castle…Kagome took on the Jewel, and she felt the item free some energy to her…a little smile came to her as she allowed the item comfort her to sleep.
Before she fell asleep, she remembered she was alone…alone….and she hated Sesshomaru, from that moment and on…she would not talk to the cold-hearted demon.
So asleep Kagome was, that she didn't realized Momo waking. Momo's pink eyes looked at the roof and she smelled the air around her, instantly recognizing Kagome's scent. However, her eyes remained pink, her instincts still overpowering her real self.
A voice came to her, a haunting voice…it's her fault, because of her mother died, it was her fault, she brought the item here, she stole your mother's love, she's stealing father away from you….get rid of her…
To be Continued…..
JeniNeji:
Please review. I am starting to get some troubles putting some things together. Let me know what you think! Please.