Chapter Ten: The World I Want to See
Kagome, Inuyasha, and an unconscious Menomaru crash-landed in the council room. Kagome had been kind enough to tie Menomaru's wings to him, hoping that a healer could reattach them. Inuyasha had suggested leaving Menomaru there altogether, but she refused. Shishinki's charm had brought all three of them back to the spot they had departed from.
At their sudden appearance, the bored council members jumped into fighting positions. Lady Toran's hair was puffed up like a surprised cat, and Shishinki had fallen out of his chair in surprise.
Kagome and Inuyasha quickly scrambled to their feet, leaving Menomaru laying on the ground. For a moment the room was still. Then, Shishinki said dryly:
"Ah damn, they're still alive."
Lady Toran smoothed her hair and stepped forward.
"You have retrieved the sword?" she said. Inuyasha held up the Tessaiga.
"Yeah, and we got something else for you," he snapped. He pushed Menomaru forward with a foot. Lady Toran's eyes widened.
"He's not dead!" Kagome added quickly. The council members exchanged glances.
"Well," Sesshomaru said cooly, "It appears the Hyoga clan will no longer be a problem."
Kagome and Inuyasha sat in a side room at the council chambers, Sango pacing back and forth in front of them. Rokuro sat off to the side, arms crossed, nodding every time Sango spoke.
"-so dangerous!" she was saying, "Never, EVER do that again, Kagome-either of you! Do you understand me?" Kagome and Inuyasha nodded in unison.
"We promise," Kagome said sheepishly. Sango sighed and sat down next to Rokuro.
"Well, I'm glad you're okay," she said. Rokuro spoke up beside her.
"And I'm glad Inuyasha has Tessaiga," he said, "But I do wonder what will happen now. Kagome is supposed to go back to the mainland, right?" Kagome nodded, twisting her fingers together.
"That's what the council said," she replied. Then she gripped her fingers tighter and scowled.
"But I'll fight them on it. I have more work to do here. I can't leave yet!" Inuyasha put his hand on hers, calming her fingers. His hands were warm and calloused, and had been washed of Menomaru's blood after they got back. He still looked a little worse for wear, but Kagome wasn't much better. The shallow cut in her side had been bandaged, but her sweater still hung open at the front, revealing both her bra and the Shikon Jewel pouch. And then there was her hair. She didn't even want to think about it.
The door to the council chambers opened, and Myoga appeared there. He crossed the room quickly, dropping to his knees in front of Kagome and bowing deeply.
"Please, forgive me Lady Kagome," he pleaded. Confused, she let go of Inuyasha's hand and got to her own knees, pulling him up to face her.
"For what, Myoga?
"I asked you here, my Lady, and it was because of me you were in so much danger. I understand why you wish to return to-"
"I don't want to go back," Kagome interrupted, "I can't! Not yet." She looked at Inuyasha.
"Not until youkai and humans can live together in peace," she finished. When she looked back to Myoga, she found he had tears in his eyes.
"Thank you, Lady Kagome," he said. Jaken, panting, appeared in the doorway.
"Lord...Sesshomaru-he requests...oh, just come on!" he said.
Jaken led them back to the great council chamber. When the large doors opened, Kagome was surprised to see demons filling the stands around the room. Even more surprising, the Hyoga clan chair was filled by a nervous-looking warrior. The stands behind him were still empty though. Menomaru was nowhere to be seen.
When the crowds caught sight of Kagome, they erupted into applause and cheers. She paused, stunned by the sudden wall of sound that hit her. She glanced to Inuyasha. He seemed just as confused as she, his ears pressed into his head to dampen the sound. Sango gently pushed on Kagome's back, herding her towards her usual seat at the table.
When Kagome took her seat, Lady Toran held up a hand and the room fell silent. Her voice rang out clear and loud, with words that surprised Kagome.
"Lady Kagome and Lord Inuyasha of the House of the West, we welcome you here to this table. It was with your aid that Lord Menomaru was brought back to us and the conflict among our clans ended."
Jaken came forward and pulled out a chair next to Kagome, gesturing for Inuyasha to sit in it. Hesitantly, he took a seat at the table. Another round of cheers echoed around the stands. Lady Toran waited for it to die down before addressing Kagome again.
"We, the Youkai Council, extend our gratitude to you." Down the table, Shishinki sighed loudly.
"Are we really doing this?" All eyes turned to him. He gestured to Kagome.
"We were going to send her home until Sesshomaru pulled this crap!" his hand swept out to the room, gesturing to the surrounding stands of demons.
"I move we send her back anyway, hero or not," Shishinki said. After a second of shocked silence, the demons from other clans started to boo and his. Even some of the Poison Clan members seemed displeased with their leader's words. Kagome looked at Sesshomaru.
"What did you do?" she asked quietly. He smiled faintly at her.
"Nothing extraordinary," he replied cryptically. Kagome looked at the stands of demons again. Had Sesshomaru summoned them all here? Shishinki was standing now, yelling back at the demons in the stands.
"She caused all of this! It wouldn't happen without her here!" he said, but his words were drowned out by boos.
"Shishinki, sit DOWN," Lady Toran roared over the din. Silence fell. The only sound was the creak of Shishinki chair as he sat back down.
"Does anyone second Lord Shishinki's movement?" Lady Toran asked. Her feline eyes travelled across the table, from daiyoukai to daiyoukai. None spoke.
"Then Lady Kagome stays," Sesshomaru said. Lady Toran narrowed her eyes at him.
"That seems to be the case," she replied cordially. Sesshomaru almost smirked at her, his face on the verge of expression. Instead, he spoke to the room.
"The Lady stays!" he called out. The stands erupted into cheers again. After a minute he raised a hand and the room fell obediently silent again.
"On the business of the Hyoga clan, I move to postpone any decision until Menomaru wakes. We cannot expect one of his followers to explain his every action for him." The Hyoga warrior sitting in Menomaru's seat seemed grateful. With her second look, Kagome realized it was the young warrior Inuyasha had almost killed. A pang of guilt ran through her.
"Seconded," Taigokumaru said. The council-minus Hyoga warrior-voted and it was a unanimous aye. The warrior stood, bowing, and shuffled out of the room. He was accompanied by two House of the West guards as he left.
"Have we any other business today, or can we all go home and rest?" Sesshomaru asked the room. He was back in charge, and was revelling in it. Beside him, Kagome raised her hand her hand and cleared her throat. He raised an eyebrow, but nodded. She stood, eyes travelling around the full room of demons.
"I-" her voice faltered "-sorry. I am overjoyed to see all of you here, and grateful for your support. I hope you can support me in this, too." She looked down to Inuyasha, who took her hand and squeezed it. He didn't know what she was going to say, but he already knew he was for it.
"The first time I came to the Sector I wanted to find out why my father died, and the demon responsible. I didn't expect to make any friends-or any enemies along the way. I certainly didn't expect to become the guardian of this-" Reaching into her pouch, Kagome pulled out the Shikon Jewel. The room took in a collective breath, sensing the power in it.
"I've been keeping the jewel hidden in this pouch so no one would come and try to take it. But now I think that's wrong. If I can't trust you to respect my guardianship of the jewel, how can you trust me?"
She clasped the jewel in both of her hands and took a deep breath, summoning her spiritual energy. When she opened her hands again, it was strung on a golden chain. She held it out to Inuyasha.
"Would you mind?" she asked. His eyes flicked from the jewel to her. Then he nodded and took it, standing to clasp the chain around her neck. When he was seated again, she spoke.
"I came back to the Sector because missed the friends I made here. I'm just one human, but you all have touched my heart and changed me. And I think that there are so many other humans out there who would feel the same way if they just got the chance."
She looked to Sesshomaru. He nodded.
"I want to see a world where humans and demons aren't separated. Where humans can come into the Sector and demons can leave. I'm going to fight for that world, and I want you to fight with me too."
Her heart fell with the silence that met her words. She looked down at the Shikon Jewel, glowing at her breast. Then she heard someone clapping. Looking up, she caught sight of a tiger demoness in the stands. Tamao, who had once been in her class here. Another demon started clapping-Dr. Ooturo, her teacher. A crescendo of clapping and cheers quickly followed. Kagome blinked away tears. She ignored the sour looks of the demon council, instead clasping her hands at her heart and bowing in respect to the demons cheering her on.
To all humans of Japan:
The last time I addressed you, I said I support integration. Now I would like to explain why. My experiences in the Youkai Sector-the Floating City-have made me realize that humans can live in harmony with demons. Not only can we live together, we can help each other become better and stronger. The road to harmony may be blocked by conflicts, but working together we can clear the way. Please, read on and consider my words. Perhaps if you do, we can make the future just a bit brighter.
August 3rd:
I don't know much about Kikyo. She was the me before me, my 'pre'-incarnation. I know that she loved Inuyasha. I know that she hated him in her dying moments. I felt that hatred so strongly when her fractured soul joined mine, but now I can't seem to recall the exact sensation. I'm not sure I could ever hate Inuyasha.
But I was talking about Kikyo. Sometimes I like to imagine her life, who she was before she guarded the Jewel. I imagine she was kind, and quiet in a strong way. I imagine she was smarter than she thought she ever could be. I imagine the Jewel made her feel trapped. It's made me feel trapped. It's not good to say so, I know it is my responsibility, but it's the truth. I could never give it away though, because I don't want anyone else to feel how I do now. That thought makes me feel better. Makes me feel worthy of being the Shikon Priestess.
I don't think Kikyo felt worthy. I understand that. She was only eighteen when she died, a year older than me. People didn't live very long back then, but her death was so violent and sudden it was still a tragedy. I don't want to die like that. Is that a selfish thing to say? I can't decide.
There are many things I can't decide. I wanted to write an account of how I found the jewel and how we fought Naraku, but most people know about that already. It's not a hard story to understand. And lately it seems less important, because important things should be hard to understand. Like how Kikyo could both love and hate Inuyasha in the hundreds of years her soul resided in a clay vessel. Like how a human and a demon could ever love each other-enough to bring a half demon into the world-when they're supposed to hate each other.
Love and hate. They're opposites, but always seem to appear together. I hope that one day, love can exist without hate. I think that would be a nice world to live in.
August 5th:
Today I am going to a demon festival. I've never been to one before, but I understand they're like most traditional festivals in Japan. This one celebrates Princess Abi, leader of the Bird Clan. She's a fierce warrior-or was, once. Now she fights fiercely for the rights of her people. They're all flying demons in her clan, but Myoga says they're not allowed to fly beyond the wall of the city. I think that would be difficult, having freedom so close but being unable to take advantage of it.
I've spent some time reading about the history of the festival. When Princess Abi was young-before the Sector existed-her father was the leader of the bird clan. He was cruel and strict, and beat Princes Abi's mother when she disobeyed him. When Princess Abi was old enough to challenge him for rule of the clan, she did, and killed her father in battle. Her mother was always sickly after, however, and died before the sector opened. The festival celebrates Princess Abi's defeat of her father and ascent to the throne of the clan. She said once that it's her duty to protect the freedom of her people-they are the true spirit of freedom. I think if I had the power of flight, I would feel the same way.
When I was in school as a girl, I heard lots of terrible stories about flying demons. How they would swoop down from the sky under cover of storms or mist and snatch children. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a child that way. I hope that Abi's people didn't do things like that. Maybe I'll ask her sometime-not at the festival! That would be rude, I think.
There are a lot of terrible stories about demons-some told by humans and some told by youkai. Some youkai seem proud of the terrible things their people did. I can't understand that at all! Myoga says that demons take a long time to change, and that they are still living in a world of death and carnage. I wonder what demons would be like if they had stayed out of the Sector, seeing our world change over the years. Would they still be proud of those terrible stories?
Then again, I'm not sure humans are too different. Maybe our lives are just shorter, we don't have as much to be ashamed or proud of. I want to do things in my life I can be proud of, so one day when I look back I know I did my best.
August 7th:
I'm sitting with Inuyasha now. The Hyoga Clan attacked the festival, and then the hospital. They injured so many other demons-even killed some. Inuyasha was injured too. I don't understand why they keep attacking. Myoga says that demons are a dying race, and they're just making it worse. There are so few children here-I've seen only two in my entire time at the Sector! We got the two to safety in time, but their parents are dead now. They'll grow up as orphans. Abi has vowed to take them in and raise them herself. She's never taken a mate or had kids, but she'll treat them as her own blood, I'm sure.
Something bad happened to Inuyasha. I'm scared for him. Before the hospital attack he said...he said he wanted us to be together like I do. I was so tired from helping patients that I got mad at him. I didn't get the chance to tell him how happy it made me to hear him say that.
I can feel his yoki growing and fading. It's like a light I cannot see, that warms my skin in intervals. I'm not sure what will happen when he wakes up, if he will be the hanyou I know, or the youkai with no restraint. It's like there are two of him now, a Jekyll and a Hyde, fighting over control of one body. I want to help him fight, but I don't know how.
August 10th:
It's over. Officially, it's over. We found the Tessaiga, the sword that belonged to Inuyasha's father, and it has made his yoki stable again. We also captured Lord Menomaru, the leader of the Hyoga clan. He was gravely injured, and hasn't woken up yet. His remaining warriors-a few dozen out of nearly one hundred-are being held and watched as well. They don't want to fight though, it's obvious. I've been speaking to Gasenshi, the last Hyoga warrior from the hospital battle. Inuyasha didn't want me to go without him, but I thought his presence might be construed as a threat. I don't want to threaten the rest of the Hyoga clan. They were following the orders of their leader, nothing more. To move on, we must heal the wounds cut through the Sector by their actions. We can't do that without talking to them.
I've been talking to Abi too. I wanted to stop by and see the kids to make sure they were okay. They're still confused and sad, but I think they'll understand in time. Abi still blames the Hyoga warriors, and she was angry when I said I was visiting them. I understand, but I disagree with her. Hopefully I can convince her to forgive them. Forgiveness doesn't come easy to demons, I've learned.
The Bird Clan Housing Restoration project has started to organize. I'm actually excited to see it happen. For the first time in centuries, the youkai have the opportunity to design something new. I've been showing them pictures of modern skyscrapers, and Abi really seems to like the idea of building something similar. With modern engineering, they can build much higher than they had before. Maybe we could get some human architects in here to help with the design.
August 14th:
Menomaru woke up today. He tried to run from the hospital, but Sesshomaru's guards got him pretty quickly. They weren't able to save his wings. I feel sorry for him. Inuyasha and Sango say he deserves it, and I thought so too, before. I can't bring myself to hate him, even with all the terrible things he's done. I haven't told anyone yet, but I'm going to visit him. Maybe if we talk, I can understand.
August 15th:
I ran into Dr. Ooturo today. He was one of my teachers in the IOEP. Well, for the two weeks it existed. He's been tutoring other demons now, which was what he did before Myoga tried to start the exchange program. I asked him to tutor me too. I want to learn more about the history of the clans and what's happened since they came to the Sector. There's so much we don't learn in human schools about demons, and they're practically our next door neighbors.
For example, when demons decide to take a mate, they are with them for life. If one of them dies, the other will die shortly after. Inuyasha said once that demons don't feel love, but I can't believe that with all I've seen here. I met Tamao's mate the other day-Tamao is one of my friends from the IOEP. She's a tiger demoness in Lady Toran's Panther Clan. She's a really good archer, we were almost on a team together. Anyway, her mate is a beautiful panther demon named Aiko. She's quiet and sweet, and she weaves tapestries for the Panther Clan. She's working on one now that depicts the festival battle. I asked her to make one about the peace we're working towards, and she said it was a wonderful idea.
Tamao and Aiko are definitely in love. The way Tamao looks at her sometimes, it makes me want to cry with happiness. I like to think my dad used to look at my mom like that. I hope someday, someone will look at me like that too.
August 16th:
I spoke to Menomaru earlier today. Inuyasha made me take him too, although he did promise to stand outside the door while I was speaking. Menomaru didn't say much. He doesn't seem angry, just sort of empty. I think losing his wings hit him hard. I'll go back again soon. No one else is visiting him, and I worry about that. I'm sure I'm the last person he wants to see-except for maybe Inuyasha, but I can't just leave him alone like that.
August 22nd:
Dr. Ooturo has been teaching for almost a week now. We gathered up a group of ten people who wanted to learn about Sector history and we've been going to classes every day. He's giving us homework and everything, like real school. Dr. Ooturo isn't letting us pay him, but I like to bring presents for him anyway. Mostly food, but I found a book in Sesshomaru's library last night that I think he'd like. Sesshomaru says he can borrow it to copy down.
I think Sesshomaru is warming up to me. I've never had an older brother before, but I think this is what having one is like. Sango, Rokuro, and I are staying in his house again. I like living here more than with Myoga-I don't want to offend Myoga by saying it though. It's just nice to be close to Inuyasha. We spent a lot of time together now. We've been cooking together lately. Well, I've been cooking and he's been eating, which is fine by me. It's nice to make something for someone you love.
Wait.
Did I just write that?
August 25th:
I spoke to Menomaru again today. He told me to 'eff' off, but I didn't. Instead I just sat and asked him questions. There was one he answered. I asked him about his parents, and he said his father was the most powerful demon to ever live. One day he would surpass his father's power. I wasn't sure what to say to that, so I just wished him luck. He actually looked at me then-well, glared at me. He said I didn't understand anything about demons. I told him that maybe I didn't, but I wanted to. He got a strange look on his face then. I hope I can get through to him.
A human architect has agreed to come help design the new Bird Clan housing. He's worked on skyscrapers in Tokyo, and he's bringing a team of engineers to help teach the demons about building materials and methods. I'm really excited for them to get here-it's going to be so good for Abi and her people.
I've been spending more time out talking to people. There are a lot of demons to meet still, but I'm getting better at recognizing names and faces. Ichi-one of the injured Bird Clan youkai-invited my friends and I over for dinner with his mother and sister. His mother has made a full recovery, which I was happy to hear. We're going tomorrow night, and they promise to introduce us to all the Bird Clan delicacies. Inuyasha made a face at that, so I'm a little concerned! But I'll do my best to enjoy whatever they give us.
August 26th:
Inuyasha's an idiot, and Bird Clan delicacies are the best. Humanity has seriously missed out. That's all I have to say.
August 27th:
Tamao had a great idea today! A sports festival! She said she really wanted to try soccer, she'd heard about it from other human students but never got the chance to play with them. We could also have an archery competition and swordplay tournaments. Sango's excited about that part. She's gotten bored of sparring with Inuyasha-says he's too predictable. He didn't like that, but considering she beat him in the ensuing fight, I think she may be right. He's been practicing non-stop since. He's trying to figure out how to use Tessaiga. Myoga says it has a hidden form that is powerful, which I hope is true, because the blade looks pretty useless the way it is now. It's dull and rusted, pretty much beyond repair.
I know he'll figure it out. Once Inuyasha puts his mind to something, nothing can stop him! Speaking of, he has put his mind to sitting in the room with me when I talk to Menomaru. It's no big deal, he's overreacting, but when I spoke to Menomaru yesterday he grabbed my wrist. Inuyasha burst through the door and pulled me away, but I'm not sure Menomaru meant any harm. We were talking about his father again, and he said that he could easily reach his father's power with the Shikon Jewel. I told him he couldn't have it, and that's when he grabbed my wrist. I think he was just desperate, but Inuyasha doesn't want to take any chances. I guess I understand, but I wish he wouldn't glare at Menomaru the entire time!
August 30th:
I asked Dr. Ooturo today about demons outside the Sector. He seemed surprised to hear about the Wolf Clan near Sango's home, and even more surprised that demonslayers were still around to deal with them. I'll bring Sango tomorrow after class to tell him more. He's already started reading books about the Wolf Clans, trying to figure out who they are. I asked him not to share with anyone yet, I don't think the Sector's ready for that news.
September 2nd:
They're here! The architects are here! I met them earlier today and they're definitely freaked out by all the demons. I can understand that, but they're still here, so that's a good sign! They're staying on the IEOP campus in one of the empty dorms. Abi has so many questions for them-some I'm not sure they can answer! She especially wants to know about airports and air traffic control. I mentioned it the other day, and she wants to know how it works. I hope that means she wants to be flying outside the Sector one day, sharing airspace with planes and jets.
Menomaru spoke to me again today. Inuyasha was even there, but he spoke anyway. He asked why I kept coming back. I wasn't sure what to tell him-I'm not sure why I keep going back myself. It reminds me of Kikyo taking care of Onigumo. That story didn't turn out too well… Inuyasha mentioned it as well, and asked me to stop going. I told him I can't and it made him angry, but he came with my anyway.
I told Menomaru that if I were in his position, I wouldn't want everyone to give up on me. I'm not sure that's true, because I've never been in his position, but it's just not right to give up on people when they do bad things. He can take responsibility and move on, I'm sure of it!
September 3rd:
We had the sports festival today. It didn't take long to organize, everyone was excited about it. We held it on the IOEP campus because of their practice spaces. There was an archery competition, swordplay tournament, hand to hand combat sparring, and we taught demons how to play soccer, basketball, and baseball. They really seemed to like baseball for some reason. Maybe it's because they got to hit something with a bat. Some of them hit it so hard it flew high up in the air-but we learned quickly that Bird Clan flyers make the best outfielders. They can catch it no matter high it goes.
I think I got a sunburn today. I forgot to put on sunscreen after lunch. But I won't let that get me down, today was too much fun! Inuyasha really seemed to enjoy himself as well. He hasn't gotten Tessaiga working yet, but he was able to spar Sesshomaru in the hand to hand combat-and he won! Sesshomaru says he let him win, but I don't think so.
September 6th:
Today Menomaru told me about his mother. She died when he was young, and he says he can barely remember her face. She died way before photographs were invented, and so he doesn't even have that to remember her by like I have of my dad. I think I'm making progress with him.
Inuyasha was quiet after we left today. I think Menomaru's story reminded him of his own mom.
September 8th:
The architects are making good progress on the Bird Clan neighborhood designs, and Menomaru stands before the council today to defend his actions. I hope their punishment won't be too harsh. I told Sesshomaru as much, but he just 'hmm'd. Classic Sesshomaru.
I feel hopeful today, and I want to spread that hope to as many people as possible. The healing process has started here, and I am proud to be a part of it. I hope one day we can heal the rift between human and demonkind as well. I want to show other humans the beautiful things I've learned about demons, and help them understand that we aren't that different. Then, one day, I may live in that world where love has overcome hate.
Thank you,
Kagome Higurashi, The Shikon Priestess