CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sesshomaru

How puzzling, indeed. As the boy came to stand beside me, I kneeled down to Mikage's height. She bit her lip as she looked around. She had knocked over quite a few various objects inside the basement on her conquest to defeat the cat demon. However, as she returned her gaze to me, she smiled brightly.

"I did good, huh, Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked, full of hope as she tilted her head. The boy that I now knew as Gakupo laughed.

"Wow, sis! That's got to be like, the eighth time you've beaten Yuuhi! Good job," he exclaimed, much to my surprise. I knew that I had heard him correctly. He had said eighth. After seeing her skittish nature before, I hadn't the slightest idea that she was so capable. Yet now, I had found myself feeling a strange, foreign emotion. Pride. I was proud of Mikage for her achievement, even so small. The cat was large, and she had completely pinned her. Realizing that I had left her question unanswered, I nodded.

"You did."

Her eyes seemed to light up then, before she began to cheer. Hugging her sibling, she started to laugh as well.

"Thank you thank you thank you, Lord Sesshomaru!" she squealed, obviously overjoyed. Something about my praise seemed to elate the small girl. "You too, otouto-san! Thank you!" So I see. Gakupo was her younger brother. It was hard to tell, seeing as he was around her same height.

I continued to allow them to thank and praise one another as my mind wandered. Perhaps, then... I would be able to follow through on my previous vow. She was clearly not hopeless. I would be able to train her. I would train her well, too. As I returned to my feet, I looked at both of them. They bore an easily-seen resemblance, both carrying the same markings, and hair color. However, upon closer examination, I realized something. Both children had bruises. On their legs and a couple on their arms. And now that I was looking at them that nearly, I saw four long scabs diagonal across Mikage's cheek. It was almost as though... They were purposeful. As though they had been placed on purpose. Now that I thought about it, they had been there since we had all met up, but I had paid no mind to them until now.

"Gakupo. Mikage. What are those bruises from?" I asked. When I did, their expressions changed dramatically, and the excitement ceased. They slowly pulled apart, exchanging concerned looks. Now I knew that something was wrong.

"N-nowhere... We're fine," Mikage replied, not taking her eyes off of the boy. Even the cat demon looked genuinely worried over something, though I didn't know what. Gakupo cleared his throat before reaching for Mikage's hand for comfort.

"They're just... Um... From when we were playing, you know, no big deal..." he murmured. Seeing as I was getting nowhere, I sighed.

"Fine then, don't tell me. I was only curious."

Turning around, I prepared to head up the cellar staircase. I could tell that they were lying. I could smell their fear. It didn't concern me though. It was none of my business.

"However, all three of you had best come upstairs. I am sure that my father would like to know why there are two unexpected guests in this house."

Unfortunately, this situation had gotten hold of my interest. As I went up, I heard them whisper to each other. It was indecipherable to even my ears, but I did catch one word. That word, was 'mother'.

'Mother'... What could that mean, I wonder? It was possible that she had nothing to do with the injuries. Yes, that was very possible. However, there was a possibility that she gave them the bruises. An image came into my head then. Mikage... Being scratched by her mother across the face... I shook my head before staring at my hands. Something about such a vision disturbed me.

….

What stupidity. I didn't even know what the face of her mother looked like- and here I was making assumptions about her. Still though... It wasn't unheard of to see abuse between family members. Especially being demons. Disrespecting my own father or mother would probably result in a hard slap to the face, leaving scratch marks behind. Now, anyways. When I was Mikage's age, the punishments would have been less harsh.

For some reason... I didn't want to see Mikage being forced to grow up young. Like I did. She was so innocent. Looking at her, you wouldn't suspect her to have any hardships in her life. But what if she did...?

Soon, my thoughts were interrupted by the three coming up the stairs. Gakupo was carrying Mikage in his arms, embracing her as he came up. He looked melancholic He met eyes with me. Mikage looked asleep. Something about the obscene sight made the hairs on the back of my neck go up, a cold feeling washing over me from the neck and back forward. As he came closer, he closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Please don't mention the injuries again... It only gives me more trouble. I don't like to..."

He sniffed, tears falling down his cheeks. Hugging Mikage closer, he sank before me. What was going on here...? This time, I would know...

"What's wrong with her...? Gakupo..."

"She makes me... Sesshomaru..."

He was crying hard now, holding her body close to him. I couldn't understand what he was saying... What was he talking about...? Who was she?

"Gakupo!" I said sternly. I wanted answers, now.

"I'm sorry! I didn't want to..." His eyes squeezed shut, lowering Mikage.

The cat from earlier came beside him. She was silent as she approached, pulling Gakupo and Mikage near her. As she looked to me, she kept her voice low.

"I can explain all of this," she whispered. Gakupo didn't object, just continued to cry. "You seem to be her only way out, young boy. I hope that you will be able to see that... Eventually." She motioned for me to sit down. Slowly, I dropped to my bottom.

"When Mikage was very young, an incident occurred... You see, she used to have another sibling... He was older than the both of them, and you. Mikage and Gakupo loved him dearly." I listened carefully. "The kingdom used to be like any other run by demons... They felt able to defend themselves, and would. But it was one day when a demon came that they couldn't handle. Bakushinki, was his name, I believe... Mikage... She has a scar on her back from that time. Bakushinki wounded her to the point of near death. They tried to fight him off, but none could overpower him. After turning their backs on Mikage for even a little bit, something horrible happened. Mikage transformed. She turned into her true form. I think that it was the desperation to live that did it... But... When she did, she couldn't control herself. She went on a rampage." Tears streamed down the cats cheeks, her violet eyes watery. Gakupo was shuddering violently, seeming to hold onto the girl for dear life. This was the first I was hearing of such a story.

"Her brother... He tried to stop her, to calm her down, but..." She took a breath in, her ears pressed against her head. "It was then that he realized he couldn't control her either... And... And then... She killed him by accident." I felt my eyes widen. That's... Impossible... Mikage... She was so... No. It wasn't her. It couldn't be... I refused to believe it. Mikage wouldn't. She couldn't kill anyone. Especially a family member.

"How does that explain the bruises and scratches, then...?" I heard myself ask. She looked to the side, before continuing.

"Hajime was their mother's favorite. When he died, she began to reject everything. Especially Mikage. Because she was the one who was responsible in her eyes. Gakupo has the power to erase memories. After Mikage began to blame herself... She commanded Gakupo to erase everything Mikage knew up to that point... Mikage didn't remember that she had an older brother. She didn't hardly remember Gakupo either. The kingdom was sworn to secrecy. And to keep something from triggering her memory, the kingdom was changed to non-violence, even in defense. But their mother never lost her grudge. Those bruises and scratches you're so curious about... Are from her." I felt my muscles stiffen. "Every time something happens that could trigger her memory, Gakupo has to follow orders, and erase any trace of the thing that may have caused her to remember. Which... Is what he had to do now. You could tell things were beginning to unravel in her mind again. I've been doing my best to train her to rebel. I don't want her in that kingdom... Anymore!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I understood now. I understood what the cat meant now. I was her only way out of her cycle. Her and her brother... They had it worse then anyone I knew of. Anything I could imagine, even. For once in my life, I felt real pity for someone. I didn't even have any words to say besides...

"I'm sorry."

I continued to hear Gakupo's sobs as I closed my eyes. Such a tragic tale that you could only hear in stories... Was suddenly brought to life before my very eyes. This child, that I had wanted nothing to do with had only one hope, and she didn't even know it. I had rejected her so harshly. Something inside of me now wished that I hadn't heard the story. I had felt myself being reduced to such emotions such as sadness and sympathy. It was out of character for me.

The poor girl. She was being forced to not even acknowledge who she was. What she was. The kingdom wasn't a good home for her and her brother anymore. The cat wasn't the only one who was to help them rebel. I would be the one who would train them to whip that kingdom back into shape.