A deep, throaty laugh rang through the room, a strong chest rumbling with it. Fingers traced the edges of the mirror as careful eyes watched the two inu youkai walking through the forest. The female positively fumed behind the strong male. At this rate, they would never fall in love.
Perfect.
Naraku smiled, and shooed Kanna away. The image in the mirror vanished as she pulled it back, departing through the small door. The spider hanyou tapped his fingers against his chair, thinking of how he could use this to his advantage.
Poisoning the daiyoukai's had the effect he wanted. The citizens were slowly losing trust in their lord, and those that didn't were dying either way. Crops were destroyed across the area. People were starving. Even with those that hunted and ate meat, the sudden fall in farm goods meant more youkai hunting, which led to another shortage in available prey. It would not be long before the population of not only the West, but the country as a whole began to dwindle. Youkai would resort to slaughtering humans. The lords of both youkai and human lands would fight each other. A storm more than suitable for Naraku to take control.
However, that little miko would soon be a problem. Naraku was not shocked to see her paired by the Hana no Shukumei to a daiyoukai she hated. Matters of the heart rarely interested him. It was her transformation into a youkai and the subsequent strengthening of her miko powers that startled and annoyed Naraku. It made sense in context, for the godly abilities of the mysterious Hana to change her body into a form that would not harm her mate upon joining. But the combination of youki and miko powers was rare and lethal.
To see Kagome fail at protecting a village and Sesshomaru's rage pleased him. Despite their closeness and growing feelings, the daiyoukai continued to allow his pride to get in the way of truly caring for the girl. Nothing short of a life or death situation could make the great Lord Sesshomaru realize the dangers of abandoning Kagome.
If he continued to work behind the scenes, Naraku could win the game faster than he thought. He might have waited longer to initiate the plan, but one fact had started the entire escapade.
Kikyo was dead.
When Kanna showed him the death in the mirror, Naraku refused to believe it. He spent days in denial, watching the scene over and over again. She was dead the entire time she existed in the clay body. However, seeing the inu hanyou kill her for good stirred something in Naraku that he did not like. It was not long after that he began to destroy the food of the land.
If there was no further hope for restoring Kikyo, there was no point in waiting to accomplish his goals. Naraku laced his fingers together, contemplating.
At least the inu hanyou put himself in yet another idiotic predicament. Impregnating a tiger female would ensure that he could not track Naraku too far before he had to return to his mate. That left Naraku free to do almost anything he wished. And the splitting of Kagome from her friends meant they could no longer track his aura or the energy of the Shikon no Tama. After the last few shards were torn from Kagome, the wolf, and the youkai slayer boy, there would be one last shard in between the worlds of living and dead. When he retrieved that, Naraku would be unstoppable.
He felt a wind behind him, and said, "Kagura."
The wind mistress stood, her fan blocking her face. "Naraku," she said return.
"Status?" he asked, unlacing his fingers.
She did not move behind him, simply said, "The miasma is completely dispersed, despite her lack of protection for the villagers. I believe her abilities are growing."
"Believing is for fools," Naraku said. "Is her power growing or not?"
A pause. "It is."
"Fine. I will send another wave to their relative area." Naraku considered for a moment, and smiled. "Perhaps it will entertain me to accommodate them. Lord Sesshomaru is heading toward Lord Rei and his land. I will send a concentrated poison to the areas around Lord Rei's castle."
Kagura huffed. "You never bothered with the other youkai lords before, Naraku."
"I had no reason to," he said. "But now, my power is sufficient that I would not mind if the other youkai lords attacked in unison with our dear Sesshomaru. I daresay I might find it fun."
"Very well." Though Naraku did not look at her, he could feel Kagura bow. "I will continue to watch Lord Sesshomaru from a distance, if that is what you wish."
"It is." Naraku paused, and said, "If the miko shows signs of increasing ability again, alert me immediately. I want to keep tabs on our little girl."
"Yes, Naraku." Another gust of wind, and she was gone. Naraku closed his eyes, envisioning Kagura's heart, trapped and slowly breaking. It was no secret that she had affections for Lord Sesshomaru, that she hoped his power would be enough to save her from her personal Hell.
If the little miko had not been bonded to the daiyoukai, and if the inu hanyou had not made the mistake of mating with a stranger, perhaps circumstances would have led to Sesshomaru being kind as to work with the former team of friends to kill Naraku. At the moment, they were too fragmented to do anything. If Kagura thought she would be freed, she was sorely mistaken.
"Kanna."
The young girl entered the room once more, carrying her mirror. "Yes," she said, her eyes vacant and empty. Naraku never could read what was in those strange eyes, though he knew he didn't need to. "Show me my heart," Naraku said.
Kanna obeyed, holding the mirror for her master to see.
The infant was being guarded by Hakudoshi at the moment. The two of them were nestled in the depths of a youkai cave, surrounded by a protective barrier. Hakudoshi did not require the protection, but Naraku felt like taking precautions. It wouldn't hurt, either way. And it ensured that no one of the pesky band of enemies could track down his incarnations.
Naraku smiled again. His plan was going well.
()
Sesshomaru took each step with care, focusing solely on the ground. Without a threat around them, there was no need to fly back to camp. He wanted the travel time for Kagome to think about what she did. As Sesshomaru took another step, he held back a growl at the loud voice screaming at him.
You're an idiot! I can't believe you did that to her, she was just starting to trust you, now Kagome is angry again, it was clear she already felt guilty, and . . .
His inner youkai began ranting the moment Sesshomaru started the walk back to camp. He ignored it, but the voice seemed to grow louder as they walked. Sesshomaru supposed this might be what other youkai considered a conscience. He found the voice of his other half irritating beyond belief, and he wished he could kill it.
Sesshomaru was well aware of Kagome's guilt. It was obvious in her scent the moment she realized what she had done. If Sesshomaru let her get away with an apology, she would never learn. Destroy, apologize, destroy, apologize. It was the same habit the soldiers got into if they weren't disciplined. They thought being sorry could make up for a lack of skills.
He wouldn't allow that precedent to be set. The forest around them thickened the further they were from the youkai village. Smelling the air, Sesshomaru caught the scents of animals and foliage, but no sign of their camp. It would be a while until they reached it, at this speed. At least there was no trace of Naraku, either.
The daiyoukai did not care for this game. The last few months, all the reports of poisoning were merely about animals and crops. Sesshomaru spent some time investigating before he was sure it was Naraku, because it was less violent than his traditional methods. This, on the other hand, was more like him. Hurting innocent villagers for his own gain.
And Kagome saved them, you-!
Enough! Sesshomaru thought, silencing his other half. She made a mistake and this Sesshomaru will not stand for it. If I cared for her guilt, you would not need to lecture me. Leave.
His inner youkai settled in the back of his mind. Sesshomaru continued to watch the path, retracing the run through the forest Kagome did when she was following him to the village. Her scent was obvious in the trees. That she managed not to trip or fall during her first time leaping from branches was rather impressive.
Sesshomaru stopped when Kagome stalked ahead of him. "What are you doing?"
"Going back to camp," she said. "I can find my own way back from here. You aren't the only one with a good sense of smell."
Sesshomaru matched her pace, and said, "You will walk behind me. It is proper for a mate-"
"We're not mates," Kagome interrupted, "no matter what you said to the village leader. Until I agree to anything with you, we're nothing more than acquaintances, and you can't tell me where to walk. Or how to use my powers." She glared, her anger evident, and she ran forward.
Sesshomaru was wrong on one point. The long walk had not given her time to think about her actions and abrupt behavior with her powers. It gave her time to stew in her anger until she could no longer take it. He ran to match her again, saying, "Your independence cost the trust of my citizens."
"Which is more important than their lives?" Kagome countered.
"This Sesshomaru would rather have dead soldiers than live rebels."
She halted, and Sesshomaru did the same, standing several feet ahead of her. Her fists clenched, and her feet dug into the ground. "Is that what you truly think, Sesshomaru?" She narrowed her eyes. "That it's better to have obedient people die than lose their loyalty and save their lives?"
"I would rather not harm them in the process of diluting a dangerous substance," he said.
"And do you think I wanted that!?" Kagome growled, baring her fangs. It was more inu than Sesshomaru had ever seen her act. She was angrier than he anticipated. "I feel awful about hurting them, but I would do it again if it meant stopping the miasma from killing them. Go ahead and blame me, Sesshomaru, but don't act high and mighty because I'm still learning about my abilities. A true mate would support someone when they make a mistake and teach them how to fix it, not forbid them from using their powers without permission."
Sesshomaru frowned. "And how would you know? You have never been mated. My brother abandoned you for a dead woman. No respectable man would want a woman as outspoken as yourself. A female should be seen and not heard, even as the Lady of the West."
Kagome's cheeks flared red. "At least your brother showed me some affection once in a while! You claim to be tired of dancing around the mating, to like me more than other women, and then you treat me the same way you always do."
"It is not in this Sesshomaru's nature to be affectionate. I warned you of that."
"Maybe that's not what I want," Kagome said, sighing. "I want support, Sesshomaru. I want help. If I hurt someone with my powers, I want you to correct me, to show me what I did wrong. Even if you have no miko abilities, it's clear that you know more about control than I do. And if we're going to be together for the rest of our lives, I want someone who isn't afraid to show me that he cares about me." She shook her head. "I'm trying, Sesshomaru, I really am. I've told myself that we can't grow like a normal couple. That we have to battle and train together, and hunt for Naraku, and if we were lucky, we might discover our feelings. And I admire you in a lot of ways. But this is the last straw." She looked him straight in the eyes. "I won't let you control me because I make mistakes."
She ran forward, wind rushing past Sesshomaru as he watched her leave for the camp.
Kagome would not be speaking with him for a while. Sesshomaru followed her path at a slower run, turning the argument over in his mind.
Now you've done it, she's furious with you.
Sesshomaru ignored the voice. However, he could not ignore the feeling in the pit of his stomach. He would not admit it to anyone, but the argument with Kagome left him wishing he could take back his words.
()
Hatori's ears flicked, and he turned around, away from the game Shippo was showing them. He sensed a dangerous aura, and tensed, expecting the imp Jaken to do something about it.
When the imp did not move from his spot, napping under a tree, Hatori narrowed his eyes, and smelled the air. That explained it, the aura he sensed was Lady Kagome. Jaken, even if awake, would not be tuned to her. However, the edge in her aura frightened him. It had a bite that was unfamiliar to the kind miko.
"Kagome is approaching," Hatori said, looking at Shippo. The fox brightened, smelling the air and turning in the direction of her scent. It was only a moment before she appeared, and Shippo's face fell when he saw her expression.
It was worse than the face Kagome made when Inuyasha angered her. Shippo didn't know if he had ever seen her that angry outside of a fight with Naraku.
"We're going," she said curtly, picking up Shippo.
"Wait, Mama!" Shippo struggled, unable to break free. "Where? What happened?" The orders Sesshomaru gave Jaken to watch them, how quickly he left, indicated to Shippo well enough that something important was going on. His mother was upset and grabbing her backpack.
"We're going to stay with Kaede for a while," Kagome said. At that moment, Sesshomaru appeared behind them, frowning.
"You will do no such thing," he said, reaching the grab Kagome.
She jerked away, and glared. "You want me to control my powers," she said, stepping back. "Well, then, I'll learn. Kaede is the wisest miko I know, and she has plenty of knowledge about youkai. She can teach me about self control and knowing my limits, since you clearly don't care to show me." Kagome hoisted the backpack onto her shoulders, shifting her heavy son in her arms. The kit was growing, and not truly the right size to be carried anymore, but Kagome needed something to prevent her from becoming angrier than she was.
"You will restrict your powers and learn from this Sesshomaru when I decide to teach you," he said, holding back a growl. By this point, Jaken had woken and was sputtering.
"My lord," he said, "what mission did you leave for-" Upon noticing Kagome, with backpack and fox kit, he silenced himself. The tension was palpable, and even Jaken knew not to interfere.
Rin grabbed Hatori's hand, her brow furrowing with worry. Hatori glanced at her, and squeezed her fingers gently.
"A teacher who expects his pupil to be perfect on each try is not much of a teacher," Kagome said, tightening her grip on Shippo. The fox protested, and she loosened her grip. "As I said, Sesshomaru, I take full responsibility for the accident, but if you insist on boxing me up because of it, it's clear that I can't become a warrior under your wing." She turned, readying herself to leap.
Sesshomaru snatched the back of her kimono, and Kagome yelped as the cloth dug into her neck while she jumped. It was not strong enough to sustain the daiyoukai's grip, and tore. Kagome landed shakily on a tree branch, and glared again. "I'm going to see Kaede," she said. "End of discussion."
With words the mirrored Sesshomaru's, she ran through the branches, Shippo yelling and struggling. Kagome only held him tighter, and did not look back.
Sesshomaru stood with the shredded cloth of Kagome's neckline, his teeth bared. She thought she could get away with disobeying him. Foolish miko.
He took a step forward, prepared to chase, and the strange feeling in his stomach returned. Sesshomaru paused, wondering what it was. It was not unfamiliar, though he could not recall the last time he encountered it. As he considered it, he felt his heartbeat begin to quicken.
With clenched fist, he realized what the feeling was. Guilt. The same guilt Kagome felt only minutes ago, rising as they argued and her anger became evident.
The miko made him feel things he did not like. Sesshomaru released a quiet growl.
Look at you, his inner youkai chanted. You boast about not letting love stain your image. And the moment she does something, something you, as her mate, will be blamed for, and the trust of your citizens is at stake, you take it out on Kagome. She was willing to learn from her mistake, moron. You're supposed to tell her that it will be all right.
Sesshomaru frowned. I made no mention of love, he thought. The feeling in his chest twisted, and his fingers traced the armor covering it.
Dispelling the miasma was a feat, and you know it. Hurting the villagers in the process was almost guaranteed. You could have told her that, or at least shown her the proper technique for controlling herself.
The daiyoukai did not have time for this. He prepared the follow Kagome's trail, picking up her scent on the wind. As he walked forward, he hesitated.
The look in her eyes played in his memories. The distrust and anger, all covering an increasing sense of guilt over harming the innocent. Strong and weak at the same time.
That was what Kagome was. A fighting miko who could face youkai, with fragile emotions that swayed constantly on a precipice.
Sesshomaru turned around, and glared at Jaken. "Ready Ah-Un. We will continue toward the Eastern border to speak with Lord Rei about Naraku."
Jaken glanced at the spot where Kagome left. "Are you sure, my lord?"
"Indeed." Sesshomaru peered at the shredded cloth in his hands, and the scent that lingered around it. He moved to toss it away, as Jaken gathered Ah-Un's reins and ushered the children onto the dragon's back. The daiyoukai paused, and, unbeknownst to the group, tucked the cloth into his sleeve.
Rin and Hatori stayed silent as they left the camp, both children watching the spot where Kagome had been.
()
A few minutes passed. Ten. Fifteen. A half hour.
Kagome continued to leap in the trees, expecting Sesshomaru to come after her. When she left for the well, her friends kept Inuyasha at bay. And even if he did come after her, he was her friend. He didn't force her back down the well. He waited until Kagome was ready to leave.
She thought Sesshomaru would be the opposite, and drag her back to camp the moment she left. He had the strength, and certainly didn't care for how Kagome felt on the matter. He came after her when she visited her family before.
And allowed you to stay, her inner youkai chimed. Kagome frowned. The presence was making itself known more and more these days.
For one day, Kagome thought. And she wasn't visiting family this time, only Kaede. She loved the old miko like a grandmother, but Sesshomaru would claim that didn't matter and take her to their group to catch Naraku.
It didn't matter if they caught Naraku now, Kagome thought, because she clearly couldn't control her powers. Being human had the advantage of predictable abilities that could be trained well. As a youkai, it was obvious her strength had grown, but she lost control in the process.
She had to prepare herself better for the fight against Naraku. Kaede was the only woman she knew that could help. This was the argument Kagome would use when Sesshomaru insisted she go back with him and stop being disobedient.
Which made her all the more surprised when he did not show. An hour of traveling through the woods, intent on going back to Edo, and Sesshomaru had yet to show his face. Eventually, Kagome slowed, and turned back.
"Mama, put me down!"
She looked at her son, and smiled. "Sorry, Shippo." Kagome set him down gently on the tree branch they currently resided in. "We can rest for a while."
"This isn't a good idea, Mama." Shippo frowned at her. "You and Sesshomaru-"
"Will get back on track," Kagome said, sighing. "Yes, I blew up at him. I was just . . . frustrated. I don't like being put down when I'm trying my best." She ran a hand through her hair, fingers brushing the mark on her forehead. She hadn't thought about the mark in some time. Or any part of her outward appearance.
Fangs. Pointed ears. A crescent moon. Only three traits that changed, and Kagome barely thought about them. Symbols that she was bound to a man she hardly knew.
"We'll get back on track," she whispered. She picked up Shippo again, ignoring his protests, and continued on toward Edo.
The scent of humans pulled her. Kagome wasn't sure where she was going when she left, but as time passed, and she took in the scents around her, Kagome detected humans, and ran that way. Most humans lived toward the center of the country, at the outskirts of the youkai borders. As far away as possible from the powerful beings, convincing themselves that they ruled in a human system.
Kaede once told her of it, how it worked. The youkai controlled and ruled directly over other youkai, and indirectly over humans. The two species left one another alone in silent agreement that the youkai could do as they pleased, and humans would not try to kill the ones in power.
It was an imperfect system, though it left the country intact. Kagome had seen the human side, living in fear of youkai and attacking those that hurt them. And now she saw the youkai half, trying to keep lands under control and prevent rebellion.
Kagome wanted to work with Sesshomaru. She wanted to help his citizens and be a part of their lives. If Kagome was to mate Sesshomaru, she wanted to be a true Lady of the West.
For that, she needed Kaede's help.
The scent of humans grew stronger as she ran. Shippo had given up on fighting, and was lulled into sleep by the rhythm of travel.
Something that might have taken days by walking, navigating through expansive forest and fields plowed and cultivated by villages, was soon approached at Kagome's new speed through the treetops. After a few hours of constant running, the fox kit still asleep, Kagome caught the scent of humans again, stronger than before.
Minutes later, a village came into view. Kagome smiled at the sight, and sped forward. Her legs were beginning to ache from the day's work, and she couldn't wait to see Kaede.
Shippo stirred, and opened his eyes. Kagome slowed, stopping as the edge of the village came close. "We're here, sweetie," she said, setting Shippo on the ground. The sun would soon hit the horizon, cloaking the world in darkness.
Shippo glanced at the village. "Mama, are you sure we can't go back to Sesshomaru?"
"Later," Kagome said sternly. "Come on, let's go see Kaede."
The villagers recognized Kagome right away. They waved and smiled. Kagome waved back, careful to ensure her hair covered her youkai features. As much as they knew Kagome, the apprentice miko training under Kaede for the past three years, they might not accept her as an inu.
She found Kaede's hut easily. It stood apart from the other houses, and it smelled of the old miko. Kagome took the scent in, grinning. "Kaede!" she called, stepping close and pulling back the flap that covered the doorway. "It's me, Kagome-"
The miko stopped, staring at the sight before her.
The tiger hanyou looked up from the pot of stew boiling, and smiled. "Hello," she said, and her eyes widened with recognition, and mild surprise. "Oh, Kagome! It's nice to see you."
"Uh, hello," she said, searching her memory for the tigress' name. "Kyoko."
This was not what Kagome expected.
()
Mattaki, here! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I have to make this brief, I'm very tired.
The next chapter will be posted around November 3rd or 4th.
Thank you very much for reading, and please review! I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you again.
Ja ne~