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Kagome's POV
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Chapter Forty-Seven: Matchmaker
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Brightly colored wild birds sang shrilly from the treetops, and Izanami flinched gently at the sound. "I'd forgotten what it's like to hear birds sing," she confided softly. "I'd forgotten what it's like to be surrounded by beautiful things . . . the green of the earth, the sound of rain in summer, the hum of cicadas in early evening . . . the Underworld has none of these."
We sat watching the sun as it descended beyond distant mountaintops. Tea lay untouched between us, and I wondered how to break the sudden oppressive silence.
We'd returned from Rin's castle not two days before, and during that time Izanami and I had become fast friends. Izanami had taken a liking to me immediately, and called me a "delicate little flower". She loved dressing me up, decorating my hair, and in general treating me as her personal doll.
The longer I was in Izanami's company, however, the more I was finding inconsistencies concerning her death and afterlife. I remembered a conversation between myself and Sesshoumaru, when we spoke of the physical similarities I had in common with his mother, and something he had said was nagging at me . . .
Horai Mountain.
He'd explained it was the gods' heaven, so to speak, and that when, if they ever, died, it was where their souls would rest.
Clearly, Horai Mountain was not where Izanami's soul had been sent.
"Tell me, Kagome," Izanami said abruptly, "what do you think of Kagutsuchi?"
Momentarily caught off-guard, I quickly recovered and managed to hide my distaste. "Think of Kagutsuchi, Izanami-dono? I hardly think of him ever."
This seemed to surprise her. "Oh? And why is that?"
"Well, for one, it's not very proper to spend time thinking of your husband's brother."
Especially when they loathe one another, and said brother has tried to kill me!
Izanami laughed. "My, what thoughts you have, my dear! I did not mean to pry, but, goodness, you all but shouted your extreme dislike for my eldest for the entire world to hear."
I flushed crimson in embarrassment. "I meant no disrespect, Izanami-dono. I've not had the best experiences where Kagutsuchi is concerned."
"Which is understandable, considering the way he's treated you." Leaning across the low table separating us, Izanami looked at me with an unusual gleam in her eyes. "But I think I know how to fix him."
"Really?" Her apparent over-eagerness was a little unsettling. "And how would you do that?"
She smiled and, to my utter amazement, clasped her hands and squealed like a young girl fresh in love. "Why, find him a woman, of course!"
Cocking my head in confusion, I started, "But, you know Rin―"
Waving her hand, Izanami nodded. "Yes, I know about Rin. I also know she will never be able to approach Kagutsuchi with her feelings. Her fear of rejection is too great. So, I have devised a plan."
I didn't like the way she was looking at me. "Izanami-dono―"
She was already too far gone, the words spilling out faster than I could comprehend them and, as she told me of her plans, I could only think of one thing.
Sesshoumaru was not going to like this.
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A/N: A break from the drama, at least for a little bit! XD
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