Chapter 2
Taisho
I felt myself groan as my eyes squeezed tightly shut. I had no idea where I was or what was going on. The last thing I could remember was fighting to save my wife…and losing. I had died during a traitorous battle. Flashes of the war, and the realization of the truth behind it, made my anger surge all over again. How dare that woman do what she did to me? I had given everything, including my life, to her, yet she betrayed me in such a way.
The one thing I was confused about was, if I was dead, why did the wind smell of summer? Why could I feel the soft breeze flowing over my exposed skin as if it were gently caressing me? I bunched up my hands and could feel the soft grass underneath them, tickling my fingers. If I was dead, how was any of this possible?
Reluctantly, I forced my eyes open and blinked a few times at the blinding light. When my eyes adjusted, the first thing I noticed was the bright blue sky. White fluffy clouds slowly made their way across my vision as they flew along with the wind. I turned my head slightly and saw a small village not too far from here.
I looked down and noticed my hand clutching onto the grass I felt earlier. I tore away the blades and lifted my hand above my face. Releasing the grass, I followed it with my gaze as the wind carried it along. My eyes froze at the being standing before me, and I was shocked.
The power that radiated off of this person was even stronger than mine. I realized, then, that this person wasn't a person. I was in the presence of the Kami. I quickly tried to sit up to show my respect but was rewarded by a sudden dizziness that sent me back on my back.
"Slowly, Inu no Taisho." The voice, which sounded like multiple voices, rang out. I looked at the Kami again and took in its appearance. It wasn't just one. The being seemed to float above the ground, its face and characteristics constantly morphing and changing from one thing to another.
"Where am I?" I asked, slowly pushing myself up into a sitting position.
"We have returned you from the land beyond. Your time was cut too short." The Kami started, its voice ringing out with authority. "As a reward for your selfless act of saving one who did not need to be saved, the Kami have decided to gift you with a second chance at life."
"How long has it been?" I asked, looking around. While I knew where I was, I could also see the changes to the landscape around me. Changes that would have taken years to complete.
"Two-hundred years." The answer came, making my eyes go wide. It had been that long since my death? The one good thing about that was, by now, that traitorous woman would be long gone, and I would not have to face her.
"You are correct, Inu no Taisho." The Kami stated, stunning me once again. "That woman has paid for her wrongful deeds."
"I assume I was given this second chance with a purpose." I stated, putting my elbows on my knees. I was grateful to be alive and be given a second chance. I would get to see my sons again, one that I had never even met.
"Indeed. There is an evil, thought to be destroyed. You will help the ones to fight it, effectively aiding in its true destruction." The Kami said before its face turned sad. "About your sons: one remains honorable and even answered for the other's mistakes; the other is not what you would think. He may not be evil, but his actions are not far from it. He needs to learn, and you will teach him."
"What has he done and which one?" I asked, a mixture of emotions flowing through me. I was confused at the words the Kami spoke. I was proud of whichever son answered for the other, keeping the family honor intact. I was also angry that he even needed to do so in the first place.
"All of your questions will be answered in due time. Find your eldest, Inu no Taisho. May you live a good life and find your true happiness." The Kami answered before slowly fading away. I looked down at myself and noticed that I was completely naked. I pushed myself to my feet shakily and grumbled about not being resurrected with some clothes. I knew I should have just been happy with my new life, but I did not wish to show everyone my goods.
I sighed before slowly, and carefully, making my way to the village. As I approached, I received quite a few stares. Even so, I held my head up high, not letting anyone notice the embarrassment I felt. I approached a woman who was sewing some clothing outside her hut. After a made-up explanation about being robbed, she gladly gave me a kimono to wear.
I offered her my services to pay for the clothing but was denied by a small wrinkled hand. She stated that it was the right thing to do because I was in need. I gave her a bow and my thanks before turning and leaving the village. I did not wish to stay long. I had many questions and the Kami stated I needed to find Sesshomaru for them to be answered. I set off in the direction of the Western Lands, hoping that whatever he or InuYasha had done was not too terribly bad.
Three days later, I felt the strong aura of my eldest heading in my direction. I knew he could feel mine as well. He was pushing his aura against mine, testing me, making sure I was who he thought. I could feel the confusion through his aura, and it was well deserved. I was surprised when I felt the aura of a miko close by. Her own aura radiated power, but it was dulled and numbed by deep sorrow. The closer I got to the two, the more questions I had.
As I came to the top of a hill, I stopped at the sight of my son at the bottom. I was about to take a step forward when the young woman beside him drew her bow and pointed an arrow straight at me. Sesshomaru quickly placed his hand on her arm and gave her a look that she could read without words. She returned the arrow to her quiver before placing the bow on her back. Knowing that it was now safe, I made my way to my son.
"Explain." Was the greeting I received, which didn't surprise me.
"Still just as cold as ever, Sesshomaru." I started, noticing the way his eyes stared at me suspiciously. "The Kami decided that my death was unjustified. They have given me a second chance to live my life, with a few stipulations of course."
"Lord Sesshomaru, who is he?" The tiny woman asked. She looked up at him through guarded eyes as he looked back down at her. I quickly wondered if maybe he had taken a human mate but shook the thought away. This was Sesshomaru after all. Not to mention the way she called him Lord.
"This is my father." Sesshomaru stated, looking back up to me as the woman's eyes went wide. I found my gaze traveling over her. She was very attractive and easy to look at. Her long black hair fell down her back in small waves, stopping just above her shapely rump. Her eyes were the color of the ocean, yet they held specks of brown within them. Her petite form held the curves of a mature young woman. Then there was her smell. It was intoxicating. It really must have been some time since I last smelled something so wonderful because I was suddenly wanting to sniff her hair and smell nothing else.
The one thing that surprised me was, in all of her beauty, her eyes were dull. Looking at her, I would have expected a light to shine through. One that was so bright, everyone would have been able to see it. Yet her eyes were laced with a deep pain that seems to have lingered for much time.
"Hello, Inu no Taisho." The woman said, giving me a small bow. I smiled down at her, surprised with her manners as much as her clean scent. Most humans did not possess such things. She must bathe quite often to carry a scent such as hers.
"You may call me Mattaki." I stated as the young woman looked back up to me.
"As you wish. I am Higurashi, Kagome." She replied, her eyes locking with mine.
"Father, you stated that the Kami revived you with a purpose?" Sesshomaru asked, taking my attention from the woman.
"Yes. They said I was to help defeat an evil which was thought to be defeated as well as teach one of my sons. Apparently one of you made a mistake that angered the Kami." I replied, noticing how the woman stiffened and Sesshomaru looked down at her.
"I do not know where the fool is." Sesshomaru stated, turning his gaze back to me.
"Sesshomaru." Kagome warned as she looked up at the tall male beside her.
"Do not give me that tone, Miko. This one has told you before that I will speak of the half-breed in any way I wish." Sesshomaru replied, anger flashing in his eyes. "You should not stick up for him. He does not deserve it."
"I know." She whispered, looking back down. "I guess after all this time, it's still habit."
"Because he still has a hold on you. Until you let go of what he has done, you will never truly be free." Sesshomaru stated, watching as Kagome's shoulders slumped.
"I'm going to go back to the others." She whispered before turning and taking her leave. Sesshomaru watched her for a few moments before turning back to me.
"I take it you are the one fixing the mistake made by the other." I stated, already knowing the answer.
"Indeed." He replied as a breeze flew past us, making our silver hair carry with the wind.
"What exactly did he do?" I asked, looking at the small dot that was the retreating form of the woman.
"He shattered a pure heart." Sesshomaru answered before turning from me. "If you wish to, you may follow. I do not like to leave my pack unguarded for long."
I followed silently behind my eldest, my thoughts on the small miko. What did InuYasha do to shatter that woman? I obviously wasn't going to get my answers from Sesshomaru. It was easy to tell that the two held a deep trust with each other, and Sesshomaru would never do anything to break that. If I wanted answers, I would have to go to the source: either the woman or my son.
The woman was a lost cause. It was plain to see that she still clung to the pain that InuYasha caused. I would never be able to get her to talk about what happened. I had never met InuYasha and had no idea what kind of personality he even held. According to the Kami, he most likely didn't even realize that he had done anything wrong so asking him would also be futile. To find out the truth, I would have to be patient. I would have to listen and put two and two together.
It didn't take long before we approached a large cave. I noticed a two-headed dragon at the entrance who picked up its heads and looked us over. The miko gave each head a small pat as she walked by, effectively causing the beast to purr. Sesshomaru walked by without any indication that he had even noticed. As I walked by, I held out my hand to let the curious creature take a sniff. He huffed against my skin before lowering his heads back to the ground.
"That's Ah-Un." A small feminine voice said, making me look into the cave. A small young woman stood not too far from the miko. She looked up at me with a warm smile that I couldn't help but return.
"And who might you be?" I asked, walking into the cave.
"My name is Rin." She replied before turning to look at Sesshomaru with adoration in her eyes. Sesshomaru returned her look, and I was amazed at how softly he gazed at her.
"Rin, this is my father, Inu no Taisho." Sesshomaru introduced before walking to the back of the cave and sitting down. He leaned against the wall and bent a knee to rest his arm on.
"Please call me Mattaki. I do not need such high formalities." I told the young woman.
"Of course, Mattaki." Rin replied before looking at the young, but older, woman beside her.
"Lady Kagome, why do you seem sadder than usual?" She asked, making the woman look at her. Before Kagome had a chance to answer, a deep voice interrupted her.
"Rin, let the miko be in peace." Sesshomaru ordered softly, receiving a grateful glance from Kagome.
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru." Rin replied before going to sit down by the fire, her smile never leaving her face.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" A squeaky voice rang out, making me flinch. Kagome let out a loud groan before throwing her head back in irritation. Sesshomaru smirked at her reaction while Rin perked up.
"Cease your squabbling, Jaken." Sesshomaru ordered as a green toad-thing ran into the cave.
"I have news from the West, my lord." The toad said, scurrying past me without even a glance. Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow, waiting on the imp to continue. "The demon slayer and monk have approached your palace. They request to see the miko."
"I am right here." Said miko stated, annoyed at being ignored. I smirked as the toad stiffened before slowly turning to look at the woman.
"Sorry, my lady, please don't purify me." Jaken squealed, falling to his knees in a bow. I let out a small laugh, making everyone look at me.
"What? It is funny, is it not?" I asked, shrugging my shoulders.
"What do they want?" Sesshomaru asked, ignoring my outburst.
"They would not say. They only said that they wished to speak to Lady Kagome." Jaken replied, turning back to his master. Sesshomaru looked towards Kagome who gave him a hopeful glance.
"Return and escort the demon slayer and monk here. Be quick." Sesshomaru ordered, receiving a bow from the toad before he turned and ran out.
"Goodbye, Master Jaken." Rin called to the green flash as he left.
"Thank-you, Lord Sesshomaru." Kagome said, giving a small bow. "If you do not mind, I would like to go to the spring and take a bath."
"Take your bow." Sesshomaru ordered before waving her off. I watched as the woman left without even giving me a glance. I could see her excitement at the news that these people would be gracing us with a visit soon, but I could also see the apprehension in her shoulders. She was nervous, but I wasn't sure why.
"Who is this monk and demon slayer?" I asked before sitting down and leaning against the cave, much in the same manner as Sesshomaru.
"They are friends of the miko." Sesshomaru replied, his eyes trailing over to the humming human who was braiding her hair. I wasn't sure what was going on with the two, but I would find out.
"Why does she seem nervous about seeing them then?" I continued, finding myself very interested in the tiny miko.
"She has not seen them in five years. Not since I took her into my pack." He answered, moving his gaze to outside the cave.
"Do you not allow her to see her friends?" I asked, suddenly very agitated with my son. I was rewarded with a low growl, telling me that I had gone too far.
"As if this one would allow my pack to go without." He growled, glaring at me with anger flashing in his eyes. I held up my hands in defeat and backed down.
"Then please explain?" I stated, noticing how he looked away from me. When he didn't reply, I knew it had something to do with InuYasha. I couldn't get Sesshomaru to tell me the details of what happened, but maybe there was something else I could figure out.
"I know you will not betray the miko's trust by telling me the circumstances as to what happened between her and InuYasha, but I need to know. The Kami sent me back for a reason." I stated, hoping that he would answer.
"InuYasha has always been very mean to Lady Kagome." Rin started, playing with her hair while looking into the fire. "There were even a few times he was mean to me just because I belong to Lord Sesshomaru."
I noticed how Sesshomaru tensed up, and I could feel his anger flowing off of him. I also realized that, while Sesshomaru may not tell me anything, this woman would, simply because she worried for the miko and wished that she would be happy. In the short moments the two had been together, I had seen Rin's concern.
"Please explain. I was sent here to help, but I need information to do so." I asked, ignoring the look I received from Sesshomaru.
"I don't know what InuYasha did to Lady Kagome when she decided to join us, but the few times I had seen her before, InuYasha was always yelling at her. He would call her names and tell her she was helpless and just a human." Rin said, making my anger spike.
My own son treated a woman with no respect. He broke her down little by little until she became the shell she is now. It made me wonder how the true Kagome was. How did she look when she smiled? How did her laugh sound? How pure was her heart before it had been shattered?
"That is enough, Rin." Sesshomaru ordered, making the girl nod. She got up from the fire and crawled over to my son. She sat down beside him and gave a quick smile before letting out a yawn. I looked outside to see the darkness of the night beginning to take over.
"I'm tired. Tell Lady Kagome I said goodnight." Rin whispered as she laid down on the cave floor beside the watching daiyokai. I cocked my head to the side, curious about these two once again. My son could never love a human, could he?
"Stupid yokai." A muttering miko said as she stomped back into the cave, covered in what appeared to be the guts of a purified demon. She threw her bow to the floor with a clatter and walked to the back of the cave, the whole time muttering about just wanting to take a bath.
"Miko?" Sesshomaru asked, his face showing his amusement. Kagome turned to him with a glare. When she noticed the look in his eyes, she reached out and flicked her fingers towards him, splashing the goo on his face.
"Do you still find this amusing?" She asked, grabbing a cloth and rubbing her arms. Sesshomaru glared up at her before wiping the droplets from his skin. I couldn't help but laugh for a second time that night.
"You are feisty, Little One." I chuckled, before my laugh was cut off by a sticky rag suddenly stuck to my face. I pulled it off to see Kagome now glaring at me. I wiped my skin of the goo and dropped the rag to the floor.
"All I wanted was a bath, which I got, but then a stupid yokai decided to attack, and in the process of defeating it, I got sprayed with its insides. So, no, this is not very amusing, and I will seriously hurt both of you if you continue laughing, silently or not." She stated, walking to the other side of the cave, cleaning off as much as she could.
"Why do you not just go take another bath?" I asked, making her glare at me again.
"Because when I killed him, he fell into the spring." She answered, crossing her arms.
"Hn. Tell me about InuYasha. What kind of personality does he have?" I asked, changing the subject and hoping to get some more information. Kagome stiffened again, then relaxed as she sighed.
"He is very brash." Kagome stated, looking as if she was no longer in the room.
"He is foul-mouthed, has no manners, is selfish, and is a dishonor to our family name." Sesshomaru added, his anger spiking again.
"He had no one to raise him, no one to teach him better." Kagome argued, looking at me to make sure she didn't offend me. It made me wonder of the wretched woman. Why was she not there to raise our son?
"It is no excuse. Even if Izayoi had been around, he would still be the same. The human woman was not much of a woman. While she was present, she cuddled him and spoiled him. In the end, the results would have been the same." Sesshomaru stated, making my blood boil just from hearing that name.
"Do not say that wench's name in my presence." I growled as my eyes bled red. I could feel both Sesshomaru and Kagome's eyes on me as my anger continued to grow. My death, and the truth behind it, flashed in front of my eyes again.
I was shocked when a small hand was suddenly placed on my forehead, a wave of calm rushing through me. As my eyes returned to gold, I realized I was staring into the deep blue of the ocean. Kagome's eyes moved slightly as she held the palm of her hand over my forehead, searching for something. I looked at her, never moving my eyes from hers as her aura washed over me from her hand.
I had never felt something so calming in my life before. Just one simple touch, and she was able to push back my black blood and beast. How strong was this miko? Although I had only been here for a few hours, I was learning that there was much more to this woman than I had originally thought, and I intended to find out everything I could.
"Sorry for touching you." She said, pulling away from me. "I just wished to help you calm down."
"And I thank you for it." I stated, nodding my head to show my thanks. She leaned back up against the wall and I noticed Sesshomaru looking at me with curiosity.
"Why do you speak so badly of your wife? Did you not die to save her?" Sesshomaru asked, cocking his head to the side. He was obviously used to this kind of power from the miko due to the fact that he never even glanced at her.
"My death was due to a trick." I stated, closing my eyes to keep calm as I began to explain. "The battle with Ryukotsusei could not be avoided. As you saw, I had been greatly wounded, but with rest, I would have healed. I had learned that a man named Takemaru was planning on killing the wench because she was pregnant with InuYasha. I had no time in between the battles. When I arrived, InuYasha was already born. I had missed the birth of my son, but I figured I would have the rest of my life to spend with him. The wench had been killed, but I used Tenseiga to bring her back. As I was battling the samurai, I figured out that the whole thing was a set-up. He and the wench planned it knowing that I would most likely be greatly injured from my battle with the dragon. She was having an affair with the man and wished to get me out of the way by killing me, rather than telling me the truth."
"Hn." Sesshomaru said, deep in thought about something.
"I'm sorry that happened to you, Mattaki. All this time, we have been told that she had loved you till her dying day." Kagome stated, making me look at her. She was apologizing for something she didn't do. How curious.
"How did she die?" I asked.
"I don't really know. I know InuYasha was young when it happened. He basically had to raise himself." Kagome answered, making me sigh. If he had to raise himself, Kagome's earlier statement would most likely be correct. He didn't know the true way to act around others. He most likely lived a hard life since he was a hanyou, and so his defense was to be cruel. I would need to get to the bottom of this if I wished to make the Kami happy.
"I wish to meet him." I stated, hoping that Kagome would not be too upset.
"That may come sooner than you think." Sesshomaru answered, looking at the tiny miko. "If the demon slayer and monk are visiting, he is most likely not too far behind."
"Kagome?" I asked, knowing that this was hard for her, even if I wasn't sure what was going on.
"It's been five years. You were right earlier, Sesshomaru. I'm still holding on to the past. I no longer love him as I did, but the pain of his actions is still there. It's time that I face it head-on. It will hurt, but it must be done." She sighed, making Sesshomaru give a nod of approval. I was taken aback. She loved him, as in in love with him, yet she traveled with Sesshomaru. Just what had InuYasha done to ruin this woman so much that she carried the pain of it for five years?
"Sleep, Miko. Your friends will be here tomorrow." Sesshomaru ordered softly. She gave a small nod before curling into a ball on the cave floor. I watched as her breathing slowed and sleep claimed her.
I had many questions about this woman, just as I had many about my sons. Sesshomaru was different from the last time I had seen him. He almost seemed softer, as if the two women in this cave had touched him in a way that made him see what love could be. I honestly wondered which one he possibly fell in love with because, with the way he treats and looks at the two, it could be either.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to claim me. I was surprised I was tired at all, considering I had been dead for two-hundred years. But as sleep eventually took over me as well, my thoughts remained on the miko. Who was she really? What was she hiding deep down? Could she ever let go of the pain that closed off her heart?
-sSs-
Teaser: Chapter 3: Why are Sango and Miroku searching for Kagome? What happens when Rin and Kagome are attacked? Continue reading to find out.
I do not own InuYasha.