I just want to take this moment to thank everyone who's sticking it out with me. Life keeps stopping me from writing as much as I would like and my freaking muse keep getting herself locked in closets -_- Any who, as a way to say sorry for taking so long and thank you for still reading I made this chapter a bit longer as a way to sorry and thank you! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
Chapter 4 – Headway
Kagome would have gaped in awe at the splendor that was Sesshoumaru's home if she weren't so annoyed at the moment.
After having met Ayako in the rooms Sesshou had provided for her, Kagome was now roaming the halls in the nicest kimono she'd ever seen. Apparently The Ice Lord would be 'greatly displeased' if she were to wear the battle garb she'd arrived in. She frowned and crossed her arms as her geta clacked softly against the hardwood floors. Sighing she blew a bit of hair from her bare face, those onyx tresses still slightly damp and a few odd strands kept escaping from her loose bun. Ayako had insisted that she fix Kagome's hair and do her make-up as well, fearful that her Lord would punish her for not making Kagome 'presentable'. Kagome of course has assured Ayako she didn't give a flying hoot what Sesshoumaru thought and he was lucky she'd agreed to wear the ridiculously expensive kimono he was forcing her to. Huffing she continued on in search for the dojo where Sesshou was bound to be.
The walls were light and rich with color and she was surprised to find artwork every so often decorating the walls between the windows that peppered the hall letting in the now mid-morning light. The dark cherry wood gleamed in the natural morning light as her the clack of her sandal clad footfalls echoed into the space around her. The ceilings were higher than she would have expected, with lanterns hanging high overhead, though unlit as it was still day. Birds sang a blissful spring melody in an open window near Kagome. Her footsteps sound turned to a soft thud as she looked down, pausing to see a silk runner beneath her feet. She had to admit the man had taste. And his home was.. well warmer then she had expected. Granted she had begun to crack his icy exterior to see the real demon beneath but even he was scary and cold.. just not as much as his usual self.
"Ooof! "
Kagome exclaimed as she was bounced backward from the force of walking into someone. She promptly fell square on her backside.
"What is it with people running into me in this castle?"
She questioned aggravated as she rubbed her sore rump and looked up to see just who had knocked her down. A hand was extended to help her up and she heard a soft chuckle sound above her. Her eyes followed the hand up to find a familiar face smiling down at her.
"Someone else has had the pleasure of colliding with you this morning?"
The tall, flame haired youkai said with a smile as he hoisted Kagome to her feet. Kagome blushed at the unintended innuendo in his words. Clearing her throat and brushing the dust from her rear from the fall.
Tsuyameku was the second son of Southern Lord Takeshi. Tsuyameku and his mother had been staying with Sesshoumaru for at least 6 or 7 months now. The charming phoenix youkai had introduced himself when Kagome had come to the castle to heal Rin when she'd fallen ill a few months before the battle. She had to admit he was handsome. His choice of kimono tended to oranges with accents of red, yellow or green, though some would say it was a bit flamboyant for a straight male of his station, and today was no exception. He simply didn't care and wore what he wanted. The phoenix was tall with hair a deep flame color, tipped in crimson. Small reddish feathers traced along his forehead. Thread-thin golden highlight streaked though as his hair shone like a dancing fire in the sunlight. His features were hawkish yet still kind. High cheekbones set a thin face, his prominent yet not overly large nose stood proud almost like a beak as his species would imply. His crimson brows were thin yet still masculine and just below them were brilliant green that seemed to always be smiling.
"I guess I'm just that clumsy. How are you Tsuyameku-sama?"
Kagome asked with a pleasant smile. Every time she'd spoken to the avian male he'd had nothing but kind words and funny jokes. She adored his sense of humor, even though he often made inappropriate jokes without meaning to.
"How many times must I ask you Priestess-sama, call me Meku"
"As many times as I have to ask you to call me Kagome"
He smiled at that and bowed in concession.
"Very well. I am doing just fine Kagome-sama."
She shook her head at him but let it go. It was better than Priestess-sama, or wench for that matter.
"Actually.. I kinda got myself lost looking for the dojo. Do you think you could point me in the right direction?"
Kagome smiled sheepishly. Meku nodded and offered his arm which Kagome took gratefully.
"You are a life saver Meku-san"
Kagome beamed up to him as they began walking down the corridor, taking a right then a left.
"Think nothing of it milady. I've actually just come from there. I have taken to sparring with Sesshoumaru in the mornings. He keeps me on my toes to say the least. Though it seems he has a lot on his mind and he has some.. ah let's say things to work out. I felt would best he be alone for a while"
Kagome nodded wisely as Meku placed a hand over the one holding his arm and gave a reassuring squeeze.
"My condolences for your kit and the young mistress Rin… I know this must be hard for you"
"Thank you. They will be ok though. We'll figure this out."
She said sounding as if she were trying to reassure herself more than Tsuyameku. Her smile turned sad as she looked forward, the feel of his hand over hers caused her to relax slightly more. Kagome always felt so comfortable with him. She took comfort in his presence as if they were old friends. The only thing about him that bothered her was the look he would sometimes get in his eyes. When he thought he was alone there was a look of unbearable sadness and guilt in his eyes. She'd asked him about it a few times but he'd always brushed it off saying it was "Nothing you need worry yourself over milady. Though your concern humbles me"
The rest of the trip through the various hallways of the House of Moon was made in a comfortable silence. They stopped as the large doors to the dojo came into view.
"And this is where we part ways Kagome-sama. Perhaps once your mission is complete the two of us may speak in the gardens as we did before?"
Meku asked giving a respectful bow and kissing Kagome's hand. She blushed prettily.
"I'd like that Meku-san thank you"
"The pleasure is all mine Kagome-sama"
The sounds of the dojo doors sliding open with a snap startled them both. Kagome jumped back and looked up at the demon lord now staring down his nose at the pair.
"Jeez Sesshoumaru! Give me a heart attack why don't ya?"
Kagome scolded before shooting an apologetic glace to Meku. The phoenix simply smiled and said a quiet farewell to them both
Once the Meku had left, the smaller woman frowned at Sesshoumaru's towering form. Sesshou simply quirked a brow at her odd request.
"If you would truly like This Sesshoumaru to give you a heart attack that can be arranged. However that would be counterproductive to the mission at hand ne?"
Kagome rolled her eyes.
"Huh… who knew Lord 'Stick in the Mud' has a sense of humor?"
She grumbled walking past him into the dojo.
"I heard that"
Sesshoumaru stated as he went back to the mat in the center of the room to finish his morning routine.
Muttering something about stupid youkai hearing she went to another mat away from the grumpy demon lord to begin her own morning meditation. Her exercise routine would wait until later as she could tell he was almost done with his own.
After a few moments of silence between the two, Kagome still couldn't seem to get her aura to still. There was far too much on her mind as the words of the dream still echoed in her thoughts whenever she attempted to quiet them.
Frowning with a sigh she finally gave up her fruitless attempt to focus on her meditation and turned to watch Sesshoumaru finish his formations. The moments ticked by as the demon lord continued to bend, flex, and stretch in agonizing slow motion. She studied each of his movements carefully.
She'd watched him go through the motions of his training before during their travels before the final battle. She had to admit there was a certain beauty in the art of good swordsmanship, though she'd never really realized it until they'd begun meditating at the same time.
It hadn't been planned of course. It just happened that both found they could do their best reflection in the early light of morning. Though a year or two ago Kagome would have murdered anyone who tried to wake her before at least 9am, she'd learned to appreciate the serenity and peace of those still moments just before dawn. No to mention sunrises just seemed more beautiful in the Feudal Era for some reason.
'I wonder how long he's been at this' Kagome thought to herself remembering what Meku had said about Sesshou's "things to work out". There was a thin sheen of sweat covering the exposed flesh of his upper body as he moved through the beams of light streaming through the open window. His hair was pulled from his face in a high ponytail, showcasing the deep magenta stripes adorning his face. Bokken in hand Sesshou slowly stretched forward to move into the last few stances in his routine. Her eyes traced the marking on his wrists before moving to the two thin lines peeking out from the top of his practice hakama. 'I had no idea he had markings down there too… I wonder how far ACK! No bad… BAD KAGOME!' She blanched and mentally chided herself for almost having wonton thoughts of the demon lord.
"If you are finished ogling this Sesshoumaru perhaps we should return to the study"
Sesshoumaru's voice abruptly broke her from her thoughts. She flushed with anger and embarrassment as she quickly stood and brushed the imaginary dust from her kimono.
"In order to be ogling there'd have to be something worth looking at. Would it kill you to be humble?"
She fired back , narrowing her eyes. Sesshoumaru quirked at brow.
"Yes.."
He said matter-of-factly as he walked past her toward the table with hot towels and began cleaning his face. Shaking her head and smiling her embarrassment and anger melted away. The fact that he was bit more comfortable around her made her smile. Though she'd realized by now he simply enjoyed frustrating her.
"Well your Royal Pompousness… we have to talk."
She paused and turned to see the very tall and very sculpted tai-youkai wiping the sweat from his body.
"After you bathe"
She said hurriedly turning her back to him and dashing from the room, her cheeks burning as she made her way back to his study to wait for him. Surprisingly she'd managed to find her way back without incident.
Sesshoumaru frowned and looked down a himself, then raised his arm to his nose and took a delicate sniff. He grimaced slightly. Alright so he was a tad smelly. But who wouldn't be after working out for 4 hours? Quirking a brow he then turned to glare at the doors she'd just raced out of.
"Strange ningen…"
He said shaking his head as he sighed and headed for the baths.
After he'd thoroughly cleaned and redressed, Sesshoumaru returned to his study to find the Miko nose deep in scrolls once more, though now she had a confused look in her eyes. Not that he cared. But if she was distracted they would not complete their task as quickly.
"You wished to speak Miko?"
He said as he quietly shut the door behind him. Kagome looked up and put the scroll down in her lap.
"Right… So well.." she sighs. "There is no way to say this without sounding crazy so I'll just say it. I saw the children last night"
Sesshoumaru frowned.
"Of course you did. This Sesshoumaru placed you directly between the two of them as you slept"
"Well yea but I mean, while I asleep…"
She then went on to explain the 'dream' to him in great detail. How the children looked, how it felt, and of course of the stranger youkai who'd spoken to her there. She left out the part about his resemblance to Sesshoumaru because she didn't deem it relevant.
He sat back for a moment and thought, a clawed hand on his chin.
"It may well have been a dream born from your desire to save the little ones"
He noted.
Kagome let her gaze fall wistfully on the door connecting the study to his bedroom where she children lay.
"I know Sesshoumaru.. but what if it's not?"
He had to admit it was possible. Many other priestesses were granted visions, premonitions and sometimes visit from the Kami themselves. But something still didn't add up.
"If you spoke with the children, then it is impossible for them to be housed within the stones as we believed… and if not that means"
"That means this just got a whole lot more complicated"
Kagome finished, flopping backward on the pillow she'd been resting on.
"How is it possible I spoke with them on another plane then if they are not dead. Their bodies are alive, we both know that… none of this makes any sense. Then of course there is that cryptic prophecy.. which raises an even bigger problem considering he said it has nothing to do with saving the children"
She gave an aggravated frown as she stared toward the ceiling.
The taiyoukai simply replied 'Hn'
She sat up on her elbows and nodded solemnly.
"I should find the others and let them know what we've found out. We'll be waiting in the meeting room"
She said standing and straightening her kimono before heading toward the door.
Sesshoumaru simply nodded in acknowledgement and with that Kagome slipped from the room in search of the group.
He stood soundlessly and headed for the door between his room and the private study, clawed hand falling upon the knob and hesitating for a moment as the distant memory of a sweet laugh echoed in his mind.
The youkai frowned and shut out the voice quickly as he could. He did not want to relive the memories that followed. Steeling his grip on the door he opened it to find the children just as he left them. Laying side by side on the heavy furs of his bed.
A clawed hand reached out to slowly caress the cheek of the seemingly sleeping Rin.
She looked like a small angel in the early morning light, her hair like a chestnut brown sea cover the pillow.
Turning he stole himself away from her still form and went back toward the door.
And with that he shut the door and went to the meeting room where the others would sure have converged by now.
"Rest well Rin.."
"What does any of this mean?"
Sango asked with a gasp after Kagome had told them of her visit from the children and the strange ethereal man.
"I can't say that I have a clue right now… But what I do know is that this means Naraku wasn't the last of our problems"
Kagome said with a slight sigh. It was then That Sesshoumaru entered the room.
Kikyou and Inuyasha sat on the opposite side of the table. Kikyou had her eyes downcast from the guilt she felt.
"Forgive me Kagome. The use of my soul stealers… I had thought the souls would be stored. I had no Idea.."
"Hey C'mon it wasn't your fault"
Inuyasha said quickly putting a comforting arm around her.
"Inu is right Kikyou. None of us had any idea they would end up on another plane but hey. At least they are safe."
The elder priestess nodded.
"Lady Kagome… could you repeat the prophecy once more please?"
"Sure Miroku…
"With the coming dawn, the Crescent Moon rules.
By morning light it shines.
But should the Shadow overcome
It will be no more.
If one of light, and dark combined
Can cast the Shadow out
The Crescent moon shall rise evermore
And the stars shall be saved"
"Hmm…. Do you think maybe the Crescent Moon could have something to do with Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Miroku asked looking over to Kagome from his seat beside Sango.
It actually hadn't occurred to her but it did make sense.
"It could be. I mean he has crescent moon on his forehead and he does rule over the Western Lands.. but what could all that stuff about dawn and light mean?"
"The coming of dawn is usually associated with the end of a dark period of some sort… perhaps a victory of some sort?"
Kagome snapped and stood excited.
"The battle with Naraku!"
She exclaimed happy that they were making headway"
"So then what about the 'Shadow'?"
Sango asked resting on her forearms against the table.
They all thought in silence for a moment.
"Perhaps it simply means misfortune is on the horizon"
Sesshoumaru said from where he stood at the head of the table.
"It seems like more than that.. The prophecy speaks of the 'Shadow' overtaking the 'Crescent Moon' and the Stars being saved…"
Sango countered.
As Sesshoumaru was about to respond there came a heavy knock on the door.
"Enter"
A servant entered quickly with a message in hand. Leaving it on the table beside her lord and quickly dashed out of the room.
Sesshoumaru read the note and quickly stood from the table. Leaving the other to look puzzled as he wordlessly made for the door.
"What's going on?"
Kagome asked, standing and beginning to follow him out of the door. The others rose as well. Sesshou stopped at the door, speaking over his shoulder.
"The Lords of the South, East and North are two days from the castle. This Sesshoumaru must prepare."
And with that he left.
The group looked to one another unsure how to move forward.
"Perhaps it would be best if we research while Lord Sesshoumaru is busy with the preparations for the other Lords' arrival."
Miroku said as they all exited the meeting room.
"An excellent idea Houshi-sama"
Said a warm masculine voice from just before them in the hall. Tsuyameku bowed politely to the group and smiled.
"It is wonderful to meet you all, Kagome-sama has told me so much about you all"
He said as they bowed respectfully in return. He offered his arm to Kagome as the group turned in the direction of the library.
"Ah, any friend of Lady Kagome's is a friend of ours"
Miroku said with a smile as they all made their way to the library. Inuyasha seemed to be a bit put off by the male now escorting Kagome at the head of their walking party as they made their way through the maze of halls in the now afternoon light. Snorting he turned from the sight of the two until the barest hint of an odd scent hit his nose.
"What's that disgusting smell?"
He commented rudely as they came to their destination.
Meku frowned.
"You'll have to forgive me Lord Inuyasha.. my species are not known for their sense of smell, full blooded youkai or not."
"It's fine Meku-san… What is it Inu?"
Kagome patted Meku's arm gently before turning to speak with Inuyasha, his own woman on his arm looking away from him with the smallest frown on her lips.
Inuyasha glared softly at the Meku and kagome before stalking past them with the elder priestess in tow.
"Feh… nothin'"
He snorted. Kagome shook her head but ignored it. It wasn't her job to try and figure out his mood swings anymore. As his friend she was concerned, slightly, but at the moment they had more pressing matters at hand.
"Wow…"
Sango said with a small gasp as they entered the library. It was the largest any of them had ever seen. Rows upon rows of bound texts and scrolls decorated the walls. To say it was a bit intimidating would be putting it lightly.
"Well… let's do this"
Kagome said with an encouraging smile.
Each member of the group picked a section and dove right into looking for clues that would help solve this riddle and save their little friends. None would rest until they had found something to help them. Each felt that they owed the two slumbering children at least that much.
Glossary:
Takeshi – Unbending/ Bamboo Tree
Tsuyameku – Charming Smile
Bokken – Wooden (Practice) Sword
Hakama- Traditional Japanese "Pants"
Ningen - Human
*Author's Note*
FINALLY another installment yay! I promise no more super long gaps hehe :3
Inari: So… can I keep Meku?
Neo: Um no… He's totally mine
-Sessh and Inu are pouting in the corner-
Inari: -points to the demons- What's with them
Neo: I dunno -shrugs and continues ogling Meku from behind a bush-
Kags: -shakes her head- See you guys next chapter!
Coming up: Chapter 6 - Secrets