Kagome's Tale or Kagome's Tail!
Chapter 13: A Time to Relax?
Last time: see last chapter
This Time:
"Father, why are those two other demons a reason for Saura to regain the throne?" asked Kagome as Inuyasha helped her up.
"I don't really think now is the most appropriate time or place to discuss that, my child," said Keago in a disturbing tone. He had an odd combination of fear and anger in his teal orbs. "I believe what we should do now is treat our wounds and train," said the demon lord. Keago himself had blood soaking his white silk robes.
"No way! Kagome isn't training to fight those freaks! She nearly got killed by that rotten brat!" yelled Inuyasha furiously. He couldn't believe that Kagome's own father would force her to fight and risk her life.
"Inuyasha, I want to fight! No one is going to stop me from training! I am going to become as strong as I can possibly be," said Kagome, her voice raised slightly. She hated that Inuyasha still treated her like a fragile human being. She was a powerful half-demon. A demon princess nonetheless.
"Kagome, I just don't want you getting hurt, okay? Think about Miroku and Sango. Think about Shippou," said Inuyasha as he cradled her face in his hands.
"I am thinking of them! And don't ever question if I'm thinking of what's best for my son! If I can't protect myself, then what good am I to them? What good am I to Shippou if you aren't around and him and I are attacked? I'm not a plain human anymore, Inuyasha! I'm a proud half-demon princess! I want to get stronger! I want to avenge my fallen comrades and defend my kingdom!" exclaimed Kagome as she pulled away from Inuyasha. Her normally calm teal eyes were tinged with red and her blood was boiling. She had never felt so angry before.
"Kagome, my child, you must relax. Getting angry at your mate will solve nothing. Right now, we need to assess the damage and create a a strategy for this brewing war," said Keago calmly, resting a hand on Kagome's shoulder. "Koro and Bakutso, go treat your wounds and then meet me in the conference room. We have much to discuss," said the demon lord. Without another word or even a confirmation from the other demons, he left the demolished room.
Kagome growled loudly and left the room after her father. The demon princess used her god-like speed to catch up with the demon lord. "Father, I want in on the conference," she demanded, struggling to keep up with Lord Keago's longer strides.
"No," said Keago simply, not bothering to look at his daughter. He made no attempt to slow down or even give off the impression that they would discuss the reasoning later.
"Why? I deserve to be in there! You wouldn't even know that Saura was planning an attack if he didn't attack my friends and me first! You wouldn't know that he was slaughtering our brethren if I didn't tell you that he had a wolf pelt around his waist! You wouldn't-" shouted Kagome before a body-binding spell from her own father cut her off.
"I knew about Saura's plan to attack before you were even aware of this era! I knew Saura was planning an uprising the minute I disinherited him! His massacres had not reached my territory therefore it was not my problem! You will not be in this conference because there is nothing you can do to help!" shouted Keago. He released his spell and tried to continue on his way. Lord Keago stopped when he smelled the salt mixed with his daughter's jasmine scent. He began to curse as he remembered the last image of Rei.
Flashback...
Teran, one of the other lords, had just left the modern era with the heavy news of the coming war. Keago stood at the base of the God Tree where Teran had left him. His teal eyes were bleeding red. He had two small children and a new mate in this era and had no desire to leave. With a sigh, the lord walked away from the old tree and headed towards the house that he had been living in for the past year. When he walked in, a very young Kagome, in demon form, attached herself to his legs. "Hey little princess," he said, lifting her up quickly by her tail. Keago placed Kagome on his shoulders and walked into the kitchen where Rei was feeding baby Souta. "Rei, we need to talk," he said, removing Kagome from his shoulders.
Rei looked at her mate and frowned slightly. "Your eyes are tinged with red. I'm guessing Teran's visit was less than pleasant," she said, lifting Souta out of the high chair. She set Souta down and turned towards Keago. "What's wrong?"
"My love, there is a war brewing in my era. The other lords and I need to fight. I'm afraid this means I must depart from this era." He frowned when he smelled salt mixing with Rei's citrus scent. "I promise that I'll return after the war."
"If you survive. You have a family now, Keago. You can't go! You just can't!" Tears poured down Rei's cheeks as she looked at her mate.
"My love, please don't cry. I promise that I won't perish." The demon lord cradled his mate's face in his hands and wiped away the tears. "Unfortunately, I must leave tonight. Bakutso will keep you informed of my situation."
"Alright. You should say goodbye to the children. I'll meet you by the well." Rei kissed her mate's cheek before she pulled away and headed towards the well.
Keago sighed as he went into the living room where his children were playing with the toys he had brought back from the feudal era. He bit back the tears as he knelt down next to them. "Hey kiddos. It's time for bed."
"But Papa! I no sleepy!" protested Kagome with a yawn.
"Well, you sound sleepy to me. Come on, little ones." Keago rose and picked up both of his children. He took Kagome to her room and tucked her in. The demon lord then placed a hand on his daughter's forehead, casting a powerful concealing spell. He watched as his little wolf princess transformed into a mere human with a heavy heart. "Goodnight, my western sun. I love you."
"Wuv you too. Night Papa." Kagome smiled sleepily before drifting into a world of dreams.
Keago left his daughter's room and headed towards the nursery. When he reached the blue painted room, he sighed heavily. The lord placed his son in the crib gently and placed a large on the infant's forehead. A tear fell as the concealing spell transformed the wolf prince into a small, fragile, human baby. "Goodnight and I love you strong prince."
When the demon lord reached the well, his heart was broken. He was leaving everything that he loved in this era behind to protect everything that he ruled in his own era. As he looked at Rei, a few tears strayed from his teal eyes. "I guess it's time."
"I suppose so. I just don't see why the other lords can't take care of this war." Rei's cheeks were stained by tears as she embraced her mate. "Why can't Koro and Bakutso take your place?"
"Because they cannot declare war, my love. They also aren't allowed to meet with the other lords. As for why the other lords can't take care of this...is my doing. Disinheriting Saura caused Saura to start an uprising." He tightened his embrace as he realized their time was coming to an end. "Rei...I must go now. Teran is waiting for me on the other side." The lord pulled away just enough so he could see his lover's face. "I love you, Rei. Never forget that."
"I love you too, Keago. Kagome and Souta love you as well." Rei kissed Keago passionately before leaving her lover's warmth. "Goodbye, my love. I'll miss you."
"Goodbye, my queen. You'll always be in my thoughts." With that said, Keago jumped into the old well and disappeared into the watery blue rip in time.
End Flashback...
Keago turned towards his daughter with a softened look. "My western sun, I apologize for my outburst. I suppose I still see you as the little child that I left behind over fifteen years ago. Please understand that it was a father's concern yelling, not anger," said Keago, extending his hand towards Kagome.
Kagome took her father's hand with reluctance. "We need Souta's help. Mom told me that he is really strong now. We need to go back to the modern era," said Kagome as Keago pulled her to her feet. Little did Keago know, Kagome was a little homesick.
"I suppose we could run back and see if he is willing. We'll have to get him through the well somehow." The lord watched as Koro and Bakutso joined. "Koro, when I return, you may have a secondary mission. For now, I need you two to contact the other wolf tribes and the lords. Bakutso, I want you to contact Sesshomaru of the West and all of the allies within our borders and his."
"Of course, my lord. Shall I take Inuyasha with me? Might help to persuade him. You know, make the war a bit more personal," suggested Bakutso, his normally jovial voice coated with seriousness.
"No. Before Inutaisho perished, he told me of Sesshomaru's hatred towards his younger brother. Take Kina and Garna though. Sesshomaru will no doubt bring his young ward and that insufferable toad." Keago's voice shook with authority.
"As you wish." Bakutso then left for the Western lands.
"Koro, I need you to contact Teran of the South and Laenaya of the East. Also contact Koga's tribe. They may be a bunch of barbarians but with the shards he has, he could be useful. Gather all allies within those borders as well." Keago ran a hand through his silver hair.
"Yes my lord," said Koro. He then turned and left the royal family's sight.
"We must leave now. The lords usually arrive within a week." Keago ushered Kagome down towards the large ice palace doors. "We'll reach the Bone Eater's Well by morning."
"Very well." Kagome and her father exited the Northern Palace and headed towards the Bone Eater's Well.
Just as dawn was breaking, the royal family spotted the God Tree and the ancient well. Both wolf demons could smell the other demons around the area closing in but they continued, confident in their speed. Unfortunately, one demon was sitting on the lip of the well. The demons stopped in front of the royally dressed, female kitsune who looked no older than Souta.
"Makana, why are you here? This well is out of your mother's lands," said Keago, his voice echoing in the woods.
"Forgive me, my lord. I was told by Lady Laenaya to see if you were aware of the Eastern kingdom's concerns," said Makana, tossing her red hair over her shoulder. She was flaunting her beauty. Like Kagome, she had a body that every woman wanted. Truthfully, the two could have passed as sisters except for the markings on Makana. Instead of a star-like symbol, Makana's forehead was graced with an orange sun, the Eastern Kingdom's symbol.
"I am more than aware of your mother's concerns about my children. If she is still concerned, tell her to bring it up at the conference." Keago motioned for her to move and when the demon fox refused, his eyes glowed red and his voice turned into a growl. "Makana, get out of my way. Get out of Sesshomaru's lands or he will not hesitate to injure you again."
"Well, we wouldn't want Kagome's mate to do that now would we?" Makana's greenish eyes glittered maliciously as she stepped aside. "Well, I bid you good day, Lord Keago, Princess Kagome." With that, she disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"What did she mean about Sesshomaru being my mate, Father?" asked Kagome, slightly confused.
"You were promised to Lord Sesshomaru at three years of age. All demon princesses are promised to a nobleman at that age. You chose Sesshomaru when he visited the castle one day. Every other suitor you met, you refused to even look at. When Sesshomaru visited, you ran right up to him. That left an imprint on both you and Sesshomaru," Keago explained. He approached the edge of the well and sighed. "I hope I can still get through."
"But Inuyasha and I are mates. Sesshomaru doesn't even like me." Kagome went and stood next to Keago, confused about the whole situation. "There must be some mistake."
"Possibly. Right now is not the time to discuss it." Keago hopped onto the edge of the well. "Come on."
"Of course." Kagome jumped onto the lip of the Bone Eater's Well. "Let's go."
The two jumped into the well and were surrounded by the watery blue of time. When they emerged in the modern era, their sensitive noses were filled with the odor of car exhaust. The demons frowned and tried to adjust to the smells. They made their way to the house slowly. They quietly entered the small home and looked around. Rei wasn't anywhere to be seen downstairs.
"Mom! I'm home!" shouted Kagome. She sniffed the air and noticed that her mother's citrus scent was coming from upstairs. "Father, wait here." Kagome headed upstairs and saw that her mother was packing up her room. "Packing?"
Rei jumped and turned to face Kagome. "You scared me! What are you doing here?"
"Dad and I need Souta's help. We came to get him." Kagome sat on the bed and looked around the empty room. "Is Souta home?"
"No. Souta is at school until three." She looked at her daughter in confusion. "Your father is here? In this era?"
"Hai. He's downstairs." Kagome smiled as her mother's lips turned upward into a grin. "Come on."
The two women headed downstairs to join the demon lord of the North. Rei's body was shaking with anticipation as they walked into the living room where Keago was waiting. When Rei saw Keago, tears spilled from her coal eyes. "Keago, my love, is that really you?"
"Hai. It's been too long, my queen. You still look as radiant as the day I met you," said Keago with a gentle smile. "I kept my promise. I returned from my era unharmed."
"You idiot." Rei laughed slightly. She ran over to her lover and jumped into his arms. "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you as well. Unfortunately, Kagome and I must leave after we gather Souta. The palace has already been attacked and so has Kagome and her friends. Souta and Kagome do not have much time to train for the upcoming war." Keago held his human queen close. He knew that Kagome was lost to the feudal era and was sure Rei wouldn't give up Souta easily.
"But Souta is still so young! Why can't you wait until the spell wears off? It's only three years away!" Rei had a look of shock on her face. Her mate was willing to risk both of their children's lives!
"Because Saura, Soayna, and Kono will not wait. We need his help, Rei." Keago cupped his lover's face in his hands and brushed away the silent tears. "I wouldn't endanger our children's lives unless it was the last hope. You know that."
"You're speaking as a lord though, Keago! Not as a father! If you were speaking as a father, you wouldn't even suggest that Kagome and Souta fight!" Rei pulled away from Keago and turned her back to him.
"Mom, you know Dad better than that. I chose to fight. Dad is going to let Souta choose as well. He would never force us to do anything," chimed in Kagome.
"Let me choose what?" asked a male voice. Everyone turned to see Souta standing in the archway. "Mom, who is this guy?"
"Great gods. Look how you've grown, dear prince!" exclaimed the demon lord. His smile widened as he eyed his son.
"Souta, this is our father. This is Lord Keago," said Kagome, gliding over to her younger brother. She hugged him briefly and then shoved him towards Keago.
"Why are you here?" Souta glared at the lord, refusing to be civil towards him.
"We need your help. Our lands, your lands, are in danger. We need you to fight with us in this war." Keago placed a hand on Souta's shoulder. The lord could see the hatred in his son's eyes and sighed. "Despite what you believe Souta, I did not abandon you, your sister, or your mother. I love each of you very much. I was forced to go back to protect our lands." He grinned when Souta's glare ceased.
"What can I do?" Souta let out a sigh as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Allow me to transform you to your true form. Your strength will increase ten-fold, you will inherit the powers both your sister and I have, and so much more. With the proper mentor, you'll be as strong as Kagome. Possibly stronger." Keago held his breath as Souta thought about it.
Souta let out a sigh. "Alright. Do it."
Keago and Kagome smiled. The demon lord then brought his arm up and bit down hard enough to draw blood and keep the wound open. "Drink until I say stop," ordered the lord.
"What? No way! That's sick!" exclaimed Souta, backing away.
"It's the only way to break the spell." Keago advanced towards Souta until his son was cornered. "Drink."
"It smells awful though!" A glare from Souta's father drew out another sigh from the demon prince. "Fine but you owe me big time!" Souta then placed his lips to the open wound and began to drink the sweet blood.
After several minutes, Keago ordered Souta to stop. The lord's teal orbs followed Souta, who was swaying slightly on his feet. As Souta's transformation began, both Rei and Keago grew nervous of the dangers.
Hours later, the transformation was complete. Souta's spiky black hair was now streaked with silver and his once coal eyes were as blue as his father's. He was taller and he was no longer lanky, but muscular. His human ears were gone and replaced with black and silver wolf ears perched on top of his head. Souta's nails were now claws and his canines were longer and sharper. The markings of the North now tattooed his body as well. Souta looked his Northern brethren.
"It is complete. The prince of the North is now in true form," said Keago, beaming with pride.
"You look incredible, little brother," praised Kagome, gently smiling.
"Mom, what do you think?" asked the prince.
"You look very handsome. Just like your father," said Rei. The Northern queen turned to her king and sighed. "You need to leave. You three need to protect your lands."
"I suppose so. Koro and Bakutso need to train them before the other lords and ladies arrive." Keago grabbed Rei's hand and led her to the ancient well with the two teens following. When they reached the Bone Eater's Well, he backed away. "Say goodbye, children."
Kagome and Souta both hugged and kissed Rei before jumping into the well and disappearing. Keago and Rei were alone in the silent shrine.
"I guess this is goodbye for good this time," muttered Rei, holding back the tears. A few fell when Keago cradled her face in his strong hands.
"No, it is not. I promise that I will return for you once the war is over," whispered Keago. He then bent down and kissed her fiercely. Once they broke their kiss, Keago broke away and backed away from his queen.
"Goodbye, my sweet. I love you." Rei's hand found it's way to the junction of her neck and shoulder; the place where Keago had marked her as his. "Be safe."
"Goodbye, my dearest. I love you as well." Keago placed his hand over his own mark. "I promise to be safe and to keep our children safe."
With those parting words, Keago jumped into the well and emerged in the feudal era. He looked around and spotted his children admiring the God Tree. "Souta. Kagome. We need to leave. Koro and Bakutso are waiting."
The heirs to the Northern throne nodded and then the royal family raced back to their icy homeland.
Author's Note~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everyone except Sesshomaru: (loudly) Took you long enough!
Me: Shut up! I've been really busy!
Sesshomaru: Everyone, let her explain why it took almost two years.
Me (hugs Sesshomaru): Thank you! Well, I apologize for taking so long! I had actually been working on about five different stories since I have had writer's block with this one. School has also been really busy. Never take Creative Writing and English Composition in the same semester! Not a fun experience. Also, I don't think I have actually thanked my readers who favorite this story or any of my stories. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. It means a lot. Anyways, I hope to update again soon! Read & Review! Thanks...Vegetasgirl91