Chapter Twenty: Path of Hope
"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."
-Eskimo Proverb
Kagome struggled against her captors unsuccessfully as they drug her back to a sort of camp on the empty sands, there were probably a hundred or more heavily injured souls around the outside of it, some with crushed limbs...many she figured had been banished back here after Sestran had done a number on them. It certainly didn't make her worry as much for him seeing how many he'd apparently had no trouble taking apart himself. Why did he even need a personal guard?
She was drug to the center of the camp and a series of stones that appeared to have places purposely in a circle, they removed her ropes just long enough to chain her to one of the rocks with a groove that went to a small circular shaped bowl about the size of a baseball. Within it was seemed like a glue like substance but she could feel a dark energy surrounding it.
"You see." Kashizu commented as others strapped her down. "We have the right stone, the correct solution, we certainly have more than enough members willing to make the thing correctly. But we need the blood of someone pure, or at least someone so powerful it makes up for any imperfections. You though, are a perfect candidate. It resolves us of the need to get it from the Prince. The King is far too mad for it to work correctly with his you see, he's been mad for many an age now, it's been quite difficult leading his actions with Koridomi without that meddling Sestran noticing."
"Once your blood mixes with the rest, we'll get you to release your untrained power and seal it into a solidified form for us."
Kagome wasn't sure why the bad guy always felt the need to explain, but she shut up and listened hoping she could figure out something to help once she got out of here. "Why do you want the jewel?"
"It's not the jewel exactly." The man stated with a shrug as he pulled at a few of her straps and went to reset one that wasn't as tight as he'd like. "You see, it'll be similar to the jewel thanks to the priests, but it will also be a combination of a Hyogaku. Though I doubt they told you much of it we witnessed it and what it was capable of while the soul society warred with their errant captain. The one the Prince used your wedding as a trap to kill him, Aizen I believe was his name."
"But they destroyed that." She didn't know much of what happened in the war that caused her to meet Byakuya that strange night in the alley, but she knew that the strange item he'd used to cause so much trouble had reminded her of the jewel even then so a combination of the two made her concerned. "Besides, you know the stories of the jewel, it never truly answers the wishes of those that use it! A new one would be no less cursed than the last."
"And that is where the combination of the Hyogaku comes in." Kashizu answered with a dark grin. "The Hyogaku always tries to grant the wishes of those closest to it. When we successfully combine the pair then we'll have the power to do as we wish."
"You are insane." Kagome shook her head. "It's pure madness. The last man that possessed a Hyogaku is dead, obviously it's no more effective than a Tama. What would you even wish for?"
"For everything to be destroyed, so no one has to suffer anymore. As to if it will work? I suppose we'll find out then when I slit your throat and we make one won't we?" Kashizu commented, drawing what appeared to be a curved ceremonial dagger from a sheathe he was brought by one of the others, they'd begun to gather around the stones and were bowing to them in prayer.
Kagome renewed her struggles as he approached her, but the restraints were thick and she knew she had to try not to use too much or her power or it would only make things worse. She heard him cry out in protest then and glanced up expecting to see someone coming to rescue her, she didn't have time to realize that she was fading from the underworld entirely before his strike with the knife ever reached her.
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Byakuya only glared at the boy Ginta when he came in and suggested they move 'the body' out of Urahara's room. His spiritual pressure flaring enough that the redhead made himself scarce and the rest of the people staying at the shop avoided the room afterward, even it's owner.
It had been hours, and he wasn't sure when Sesshomaru would return, but he wasn't willing to leave her, though her body had begun to stiffen now that death had time to set into her bones and he couldn't bring himself to continue holding her hand out of fear he'd break something. Senbonzakura was around them in the room, casting a beautiful salmon shroud that didn't at all fit it's owners mood, however it was protecting her from the insects that would otherwise be drawn to her body in such a state. He'd cooled the room with magic, and Urahara could deal with it, the betrayer was lucky to be able to help someone so much greater than himself.
He was uncertain what to feel, a sort of confused ache had settled around his heart and he couldn't cry anymore, his body was simply empty of the tears with which to do so. He wanted to do more but he had to protect her out of hope that this demon she'd always spoken so highly of would succeed at his seemingly impossible task. If not, he would travel to Hueco Mundo himself and find a way to return her to the soul society and his side, the laws and traditions be damned. He wouldn't allow anyone else he loved to suffer because of any rules, particularly Kagome.
As the door opened Senbonzakura shifted in a mirror of his irritation but then floated back to the floor as it was Sesshomaru that was returning inside. His blade was apparently fixed, it felt as if it had taken eternity but he wasn't certain of the time. The silver haired man drew the fine new blade, as repaired as any soul reapers zanpaktou, as if it were a living thing that had regenerated itself.
There was an ambience of spiritual energy around the Tensaiga when it was drawn unlike any item the captain had ever seen, it was so intense it would be a wonder if anything in the city with the vaguest ability to sense Reitsu failed to notice it. He blinked a little as he could barely make out strange shadowy figures around Kagome and the thick chains they held that nearly smothered her entire body, was this how a none ghost whose soul immediately left the body was left on earth then? Why had he never read anything that reported souls like this?
Sesshomaru ignored the spirit vermin nearby, at least he'd stayed and watched Kagome as requested, perhaps he wasn't a complete failure. He instead focused his gaze on the larger group of imps and chains that had surrounded Kagome in the few hours of his absence at the sword-smith's cave. He felt the Tensaiga pulse in his grasp, his power added to it's original ability sought to be released.
He remembered Totosai's words of warning that he may not be able to immediately command the new power of the sword and drew the blade up next to his side in preparation of a strike. "Just whom does that old fool take me for?"
He swung through the imps around her and immediately they shattered into dust and faded away, there wasn't even the few moments of them doing so as there was before. The links of the chains fell away and the wound on her hip faded instantly as the healing sword's power curled into her being and not only called back her soul but reversed any sort of negative effects on her body as the nasty wound on her hip and the poison in her body was banished as fully as the servants from the underworld.
Byakuya even felt renewed, as if the soreness from sitting for so long or the tired from not having rested with such stress was wiped away with the strike. The entire household felt instantly better, though Sesshomaru couldn't know just how far his new power had reached, or even that it had effected anyone else at all.
The demon lord smiled just a moment as she opened her eyes, though that didn't last as Byakuya pulled her into a tight embrace, the spirit vermin and her attachment to him he couldn't understand and didn't approve of.
"Byakuya..." She managed to whisper returning the deep embrace, and glad to have him there with her. She knew somehow she was fine, but wasn't entirely certain as to how until she saw Sesshomaru sliding away the Tensaiga. "Sesshomaru...you saved me?"
"Where your chosen mate could not." He stated with the same harshness toward the spirit vermin that had failed in his eyes. "Yes, and now I should go, I dislike being here, these spiritual creatures are as tiresome as children. Stay well Kagome, you know the limits of the Tensaiga's abilities..."
"Yes." She nodded slowly. "Thank you Sesshomaru..."
He didn't answer again, moving out of the room and sliding the doors closed to allow them peace, he didn't even look at the curious glances the rest of the household offered him as he made his exit.
Inside Byakuya hadn't yet let Kagome go, he was offering whispered apologies as he held her tightly wanting to absorb the fact that she was back. She was smiling at the way his arms seemed to fear letting her go...she returned a series of kisses then raised her hands to touch his cheeks. Her heart went soft when she saw the moisture in his gaze, and she shook her head negatively. "It is not your fault Byakuya, I am fine now...see, Kagome's all good, no bruises or anything."
She tried to lighten the mood but felt her own chest tighten when he drug her into another tight embrace and released a sob on her shoulder. It was both strange and endearing to see that he was so effected by what had happened to her. She was still having a hard time believing she'd returned at all, Sesshomaru was a good friend to have, she had no idea how she could thank him for bringing her back from the dead.
Byakuya though, she realized, must have been devastated, she was the one that asked him to travel to help the Prince when he didn't need it, she'd gotten herself hurt but she knew he'd blame himself. Men in her life always blamed themselves if she got injured, even if they weren't at fault. She wiped his face and shook her head again. "It is not your fault Byakuya...I know that, I wish you'd realize it too. And look again, see, really, Kagome, right here...if you don't stop making a fuss I'm going to have to tell everyone that you were sobbing like a child."
That much got him to show her a small smile and he took her hands, kissing them and staring at her as she pulled them away gently to wipe at his face. "See, that's much better, I don't get to see you smiling much either, I'd much rather see that than you crying."
"It is out of joy Kagome." He managed to say with a steady voice, starting to relax and pull his composure back together. "I thought...I would have come for you you know. If he couldn't have helped you I'd of gone into hell itself to get you back."
"I know." She kissed him gently and pushed his bangs to one side so she could see his face better. "I know you'd find me anywhere. Oh! The priests..."
He canted his head at the sudden change, noticing the light bulb that had proverbially come on in Kagome's mind.
"They want to make a combination of the jewel of four souls and a Hyogaku...like Aizen had or something." She commented, the memories were starting to blur now but she did her best to focus. "They think if they make both they can use it to destroy everything...they said they needed my power and blood, or the princes...but that the kings wouldn't work...the king is mad they say, that they're using his ex-wife to control him somehow..."
She frowned as she muttered but then shook her head. "I can't remember anything else."
He nodded, touching her chin to lift it up and kiss her again. "We'll take care of it...you are back, everything will be fine now."
Though he knew he couldn't stay and enjoy her, duty would pull him to alerting whoever was left to alert with the head captain turning against the Prince. If they didn't return and try to organize things, there was little knowing what was happening in their absence.
"Okay...so...where are we anyway and whose bed am I in?" Kagome finally had to ask as she didn't recognize the room at all.
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Ukitake, Kyoraku, Hitsugaya, and Renji were seated together in a side room of the expansive space of the Sereitei, it wasn't generally used and they were counting on that keeping out other people listening.
"So..." Kyoraku commented with a sigh, scratching at his beard. "The Prince wants us to deliver the arrow that hit Kagome to him? And she was horribly poisoned by it? Doesn't that seem a little unwise?"
"It's all about choosing a side, as I said before." Hitsugaya pointed out with a frown. "I don't like it much either, but the Prince's interactions with us have helped and not harmed the soul society. He helped set up the cue that took down Aizen."
"Which was well thought out and only a few of the people involved even knew his plan...who is he going to kill this time is the issue...he wants us to deliver it through the Heaven's Gate...which is forbidden to the soul reapers. How exactly does he plan on us accomplishing it?" Kyoraku asked with a deep frown that made him seem older.
"Kagome..." Ukitake guessed before Renji could answer, but the lieutenant nodded that the white haired captain was correct. "...but she's possibly dead, which means we'll need to retrieve her soul from the underworld and figure out how to even get her free of there. Aren't all the souls of the priests suppose to be bound there?"
Renji shrugged. "The Prince said it wouldn't apply to Kagome, I can only guess that he's right, it's all we really have to go on."
"Kurotsuchi sure picked a horrible time to get himself killed." Kyoraku commented. "We'll need to look through the records and see if we can find anything."
"I'm not sure that will be needed..." Hitsugaya commented as he glanced out toward the Sereitei. "I think I just felt Byakuya and Kagome's spiritual pressure."
The others nodded a bit, exchanged surprised and confused expressions, perhaps they'd been misinformed in all the chaos. They flash stepped almost in sink to the place where Kagome and Byakuya had come through, pausing when Byakuya slipped Kagome behind him just before they'd appeared.
"It is you Captain..." Renji was the first to speak. "We are glad to have you back, and you as well Kagome."
Kagome offered him a small smile and stepped to Byakuya's side as she watched him enter 'business mode' glad to see some things would never actually change.
"What has happened?" Byakuya demanded the report immediately, despite several other captains being nearby, he offered them a small bow of greeting but no formalities were actually required beyond that and he needed to be caught up on things.
"The Prince has returned through the Heaven's Gate. Captain Yamamoto is missing after their battle, what few of the attackers survived are being hunted out to be jailed by Captain Soifon and the second squadron." Renji answered immediately. "The prince wants however, the arrow that struck Kagome to be taken to him...by her."
"Not possible." Byakuya replied immediately. He had almost lost her once, he wasn't willing to do so again. "Someone else will have to go."
"Be reasonable Captain Kuchiki." Ukitake suggested softly. "We as soul reaper's cannot enter the Heaven's Gate. If we are to deliver it in a reasonable time, it must be Kagome."
"Why does he want the arrow?" Kagome asked to try to ease some of the tension that had appeared in the air, surprised at the intensity of Byakuya's protectiveness.
"We aren't sure...and I'm with Byakuya." Kyoraku answered with a nod to his fellow when he spoke his name. "It seems a bit fishy to me."
"The Prince told me to tell you that the fate of soul society as well as Kagome could depend on it Captain Kuchiki." Renji said to Byakuya. "His orders were to find you specifically but then we discovered Kagome's ailment, we were just planning to put together a rescue party for Hueco Mundo but then..."
"We arrived." Byakuya finished for him. "I am not willing to allow Kagome to take that risk. Either I go with her or she doesn't go."
Kagome frowned. "Uh, I think I should have a say in this."
"She's right." Hitsugaya commented, he still didn't really like the girl but he had to agree. "What is it you want to do Kagome?"
She felt a bit bad when she saw the short indignant expression on Byakuya's face. She knew it had been hard on him what happened...but if she was the only one that could go then she couldn't just leave Sestran when he was counting on them. She hesitated though and chewed her lip a few moments before finally answering. "I...I would like to have Byakuya come along if possible, but if not I will go alone."
"Then that settles it." Hitsugaya commented. "If the girl volunteers the point is moot really as to listen or not to the orders. Lets see if we can find a way for Byakuya to get in but we shouldn't wait too long. Can you take her to the gate and wait there? We'll research and catch up to you or send you a message."
"Yes." Byakuya was right back in business mode, he offered Kagome a hand and she took it resisting the urge to give him an apologetic expession in front of his fellow captains, she knew it would only complicate things further.
That waited until they arrived after the series of flash steps in which he transfered her. "Byakuya...I..."
"How can I protect you if you aren't willing to stay within my reach Kagome?" He immediately demanded once they were out of the presence of the other soul reapers. "You don't know what you agree to do...most that enter the Heaven's Gate never return."
"I came back from the dead for you already Byakuya." She leaned up and kissed his nose. "Heaven isn't going to keep me away either, it's not paradise if it's not with you."
Byakuya's expression softened at her words and he held her hands. "I do not wish for you to go alone. I will come with you."
His confidence was just there, as if there was no question as to if he'd be able to be at her side, despite what was just said with the group moments before. It was nice to see him back to his normal self-assured person, it made her nod as opposed to question him. If he said he would do it, she trusted that he would. She turned toward the large stones that were the gateway and around to see where they'd actually ended up.
They were in a sort of garden with no noise around them but their voices, breath, and heartbeats. The stone gateway appeared as if it was made of some sort of complicated white and gold marble with detailing of the palest jade and ivory. It was smaller than she expected given the grand nature of almost everything else here. Only large enough to comfortably fit two people and probably three if they were closer together. It was on a tiny island at the center of a pool littered with lilies. There was a single path coming from a large building around it she didn't recognize.
"Where are we?"
"The headquarters of the cental 46. The main government building of the soul society, normally not allowed to us soul reaper's but these aren't common times." Byakuya replied, his perfectionist manner neatly back in place. "The heaven's gate doesn't open without a key or direct order however, so I'd assume Prince Sestran set something up that would allow you to pass given his request for you specifically."
"Oh...right. That makes sense." She nodded, looking over the gate and feeling the intense energy it was holding just beneath it's surface. Unlike much of the energy that was dark or holy, it felt different, as if it were simply there, neutral. "It feels weird."
She figured heaven would feel holy.
"Things aren't normal now." Byakuya replied, but watched her observations curiously, she could notice things he could not. "but what do you mean?"
She explained her issue. "It's like it's just there...not really good or bad."
Byakuya nodded, but kept his thoughts to himself, considering the gate thoughtfully with her. Though as she touched the rock, the energy flickered down it's center and ebbed out in a net of lightning before revealing a path a moment later.
"Guess I should have waited..." Kagome said sheepishly and glanced at the path, not sure how long it would last. "Well...oops...should we go?"
End Chapter
So like Kagome to accidentally set things in motion. Whew, lots of writing lately. Still a lot to cover. I liked doing this chapter, moments in it were very sweet. Thanks so much for the feedback lately, it makes me quite happy to see others enjoy my work!
-Aura
To my reviewers:
Teldra - Yes, I felt sad for him even writing it.
o0KittyBlue0o - Hehehe, it took me reading your post a couple times, but yes there was a lot going on last chapter.
fierynightangel - I do try from time to time. The recognition is appreciated.
Sugar0o - Not just a jewel even! Le gasp! And Tensaiga is the sexy now what with it being sesshy's power. I want to put him reforging it into a sesshy/kagome fic sometime cause I like the concept of it. The last jewel vanished at the end of Inuyasha as I understood it. And I've considered having the troops attack sesshy but they aren't that stupid.
Neo-Crystal - I don't plan on a Sesshy vs Byakuya battle. Sesshomaru knows it would just cause heartache to Kagome to kill Byakuya and Byakuya (like the rest of captains after Kenpachi's stunt) is under orders not to engage him specifically. And, the way Sesshomaru see's the chains on the body is different than the way a soul reaper does, which I tried to explain during this chapter, Tensaiga being special and unique. The Prince has yet to have been informed that Kagome passed away, even if only for a little while. Thank you and keep reviewing :)!