Witness
Kagome watched the slave train as it wound through the mountains, tears filling her eyes as the boy was defended by the women captives. This was a point in time she wasn't allowed to interfere with, so she chose to stand as witness to the bloody start of the Meiji era. She did not look away, even as the earth drank deep of spilled blood. She was no stranger to war and death.
When the samurai took the boy with him, she bowed, praying for the redemption the newly renamed child would seek in time.
"You have changed, miko."
She finished her prayer before turning to the predator behind her. She said nothing, just watched as he broke the treeline and walked toward her.
"There were rumors of my half-brother's wife. I see they have substance. Do not tell me this was how you used that false power." Centuries had only filled in the promise the inudaiyoukai had shown in his youth. Now in his prime, he had begun looking more like his father, especially with the double mokomoko that curled over his shoulders.
"No. I wished the Shikon no Tama to disappear. This... is the will of another, though I accepted it."
"You have heard of the wolves?"
"Yes." She allowed herself a brief upwelling of guilt. She'd forgotten wolves had been hunted to extinction, and without their mortal counterparts, the ookami tribes had faded away.
"Sesshoumaru... if you learned of a place, open and unclaimed, where no human had ever set foot-"
"If there was such a place, every youkai would leave this realm." Golden eyes bore into her, and she nodded.
"So be it." She stepped to the left, and was gone.
Sesshoumaru looked down at the slaughter below, wondering why she had watched it so carefully, but hadn't done anything... though it was only a passing thought. Human problems were not his concern. But Inuyasha's wife... He breathed deeply a couple of times, wondering at the oddity of her scent.
The will of another? Intrigued, he turned and headed north. Bokuseno would have answers.
~oOo~
Kagome walked the timepaths to the realm of the gods, turning onto a dark road leading to Jingoku. She waited at the edge of a large lake, knowing Ai would be along with one of her hell-bound spirits soon. It was a cruel fate for the girl, but Kagome knew it was better than other fates Enma-sama punished souls with.
The creaking of wood against wood heralded the boat Ai took souls to hell with, and Kagome bent into a deep bow as it drew near.
"Kagome-sama? Do you have a message for Enma-sama?"
Steeling herself to ignore the frantic soul sitting in the boat, she nodded. "Yes, Jingokushojou-sama. Please inform Enma-sama that I will assist him."
The red-eyed girl watched her for a moment, then gave a single nod. "As you wish."
Kagome watched as the boat carried the damned soul into the depths of hell, then turned and walked away.
.
.
.
The kami have many uses for their favored child. Nods to Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin), Yu Yu Hakushou, and Hell Girl.
Jingoku- the human hell
Enma- the god of hell
Jingokushojou- literally, Hell Girl. Ai was her mortal name, though few people remember it.