The Changes of Time Chapter 7
Disclaimer: Still don't own 'em
It had been a week and three days since everyone's arrival to her 'sanctuary.' Though, looking at it now, one would have thought that they had been there much longer. Saris was astonished with how fast her pack was able to build.
The pack had half a castle complete, and beginning on the other half. By the end of the next week, it would be finished! 'Although, they are youkai, not ningen, so I shouldn't be surprised. Not to mention there's well over one hundred and fifty youkai here,
with more coming in each day, thanks to Ayame. Perhaps, we should relocate and build a fortress with neighboring fertile land for crops?' She was startled out of her thoughts by a tugging on her leg. Looking down, she smiled as she asked, "Hey Tatsu,
what can I do for you, sweety?" Tatsu looked apprehensive at first , then with a determined look in his eye, he asked, "Saris, do you think maybe you could talk to Naga? He's been kind of down for the last few days and I don't know how to make him feel better." 'Awe!' Saris thought internally. 'Kawaii! Tatsu is so adorable when he pouts. Wait, what are we talking about again?'
Startled from her musing, she smiled bright at Tatsu. Nodding her head, she replied, "Sure, ma cho, I can do that. I'll go see him once I'm done looking things over here. Is that alright?" Tatsu started to blush a deep shade of red from her endearments. It made him feel warm and important. Returning her smile he nodded his head, gave her his thanks, then ran off to play with Shippo. Saris smiled at his enthusiasm, then turned to locate Nagas aura. 'Found you!' she thought to herself. Approaching Naga, she realized something was definitely off, for his aura was sporadic, revealing his depression. She slowly sat beside him, remaining silent since he was too lost in his own thoughts to even notice her presence. After a little while of contemplating, Saris cleared her throat, drawing Nagas attention immediately. Looking shocked and embarrassed, he gave a soft apology after saying hello. "Naga, what has you so distracted as of late?" Naga looked downward, uncertainty clearly written all over his face. Saris nudged him with her elbow, reassuring him that he could tell her anything. With a bit of hesitation, he gave in and spoke.
"I feel as if I have failed my family and heritage. Our father, murdered, mother, murdered, and I can do nothing. I'm not even strong enough to let my beast out. I'm not even sure how to go about it if I even tried." Feeling waves of sorrow and self doubt roll off of Naga,Saris thought for a moment, unsure if whether what she was planning to do would be dangerous. 'Nah,' she thought, 'we won't be gone that long and we wont go far. I think this is necessary.' With her mind made up,
she rose from her spot, grabbed Naga's hand, and led him through the tunnel and hut, to the treeline. Stopping to make sure no other beings were around, she sighed satisfied, and stepped out of the barrier, pulling a confused and hesitant Naga with walked him to a clearing and sat down beneath a tree with her legs crossed.
After motioning for Naga to join her, she smiled when he sat next to her, his tense body movements diminishing almost immediately. "Now, we're out of the barrier and away from all distractions. Close your eyes, Naga. Once they're closed, breathe in and hold for a moment then release that breath." Staring at her, not sure how this would help, he closed his eyes and did as she minutes had passed, and still, she had not given any further instruction. Slightly frustrated and confused, he snipped in a sharp tone, "I do not see how this is going to assist me." Saris smiled softly, and replied. "Naga, there is a turmoil of emotions, brewing just beneath the surface of you. You need to calm and attempt to analyze these things that you feel. What we're doing is called meditating. It's when one tries to center their self to find peace and many other things. Choro explained this to me.I myself can't seem to stay focused and still. But...I figured, if I tried meditating with some one other, perhaps their aura would soothe mine and help me focus. Which is why I brought you out here. Now...focus. Try to center yourself and find out what these feelings are and how to control them. We'll try for another half an hour. If that doesn't seem to be working for you, then I'll ask Toga if you can accompany me for training. I'm sure that if anyone can help you find your center, it would be Lord Inu no Taisho."
Intrigued and slightly anxious, Naga nodded with a smile and closed his eyes again. Saris watched him for a few moments, wanting to see if he was having difficulty. To her slight shock, he seemed to be doing fine after a few minutes, if his zoned out facial expression had anything to go on. She giggled internally, mentally capturing a picture of his facial expression, then closed her eyes once more. She realized, after a few minutes went by, that Naga was pressing his aura against hers. With a sharp intake of air, she surrounded him with hers and let his surround her as well. In doing this, they were able to understand each other on a different level than before. She could feel his emotions, and with a little bit of hard effort, she was able to help him feel peaceful and content. Now perhaps Naga could find his center a little bit better. With a satisfied smile, Saris raised a barrier around them, and closed her eyes for meditation once more.
-wWw-
The days continued on with the pack completing the castle, and thanks to Toga and Sesshoumaru, training in many aspects, city life became a routine to the youkai of the sanctuary. None had been attacked since that day they met the dragons. Which made Saris and the Daiyoukais slightly anxious and apprehensive. Despite that fact, both Saris and Naga trained with the daiyoukais, though mostly with Seeshoumaru. Saris' level of power was well above any had seen, but she could not access this power unless she was under extreme pressure or an overwhelming of emotions. On a regular basis, she only accessed enough that was close to Sesshoumarus power. Both Toga and Sesshoumaru agreed that Saris should learn how to access that deep well of power, so that she may have it at all times. Days became weeks. Weeks slowly turned into months; and with the flow of time came the change of seasons. With the cool air came a slight chill, letting every being know that winter would soon be upon them. Saris' training had came to slight stop,
for it was realized that they would need a different source of help with their goal. Naga had not only excelled but also mastered what ever style of training Sesshoumaru had for him. No, he was not as strong or powerful as the great Inudaiyoukais themselves; but he was a force to be reckoned with as an opponent. Natsu had also picked up training exercises as well as completing educational tasks as well. Shippo and Natsu became fast and very close friends, since they had lessons together. As the time passed, Naga began to open up to Saris and Kouga about his family and life at Ryugu-jo. It was said that his father, Ryujin was the ruler of the seas and oceans, ningen called him 'dragon god.' He was named after his father of course, for he was destined for great things. However, his father had another son, slightly younger that Ryujin, and from a different continent as well. He only met him once, and that experience was memorable.
Naga explained how his uncle, or half uncle if you will, Hanja, was bitter and filled with jealousy and hatred. Since his mother was a fire breather from the other continent, he too had inherited the ability to breathe fire, rendering him unable to reside with his father at legendary Ryugu-jo. So, he remained in Zhonnguo, mated and had a son, Seiryu; named after his mothers' father. Though, the name definitely did not fit who he is. Seiryu was just as powerful as his father, Hanja, but with twice as much hatred,
and lust for power and gold. Honor was nothing but a mere word to Seiryu, but because of whom his father and both his grandfathers were, he felt privileged to any and everything he wanted. Now, he wanted Nihon, and all its residents to bow down to him or perish. With not much of a hard push on his fathers' mind, he anxiously began the downfall of his so called 'cousins' and 'uncle', and started the beginning of a new world made in his image.