Chapter 17
As Kagome took her first step, she was immediately engulfed in a powerful gust of divine energy. It whispered against her skin and twined with her hair like it wanted her to play with it. The energy felt somewhat akin to her reiryoku but inherently more ancient, as though reiryoku had evolved from this pure, white energy. It sparked and resonated with her own energy in an oddly familiar way, expelling all negative thoughts and rejuvenating her weary muscles.
Even though she grew up walking the steps of her family shrine on a daily basis, Kagome was breathless by the time she neared the top.
Her eyes were drawn upward to the grand, though faded torii gate. Weather-beaten and paint-chipped, it bore testament to the countless years it had stood firm. Beyond the gate lay a courtyard of moss-encrusted statues and stone walkways; the air carried with it the sound of the wind caressing the towering cypress trees, a symphony of nature enhanced by the rustling leaves and the musical drone of the cicadas.
The ancient dignity and sanctity of the shrine permeated through every element: the worn stones, the minor cracks, the prayers scribbled on paper tied to the wooden railings. Kagome stood awestruck at the verge of ages of veneration, reeling from the profoundness and intensity of it all. Yet amid the surge of emotions, she was irresistibly drawn to this place, deeply entranced by the cultural depth so interwoven with spiritual reverence and a palpable respect for nature.
Sweeping the stone walkways was an older woman, her shoulders hunched over as she went about cleaning. Her walking stick rested casually against a nearby statue.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Kagome stepped closer with a cheerful smile, ready to introduce herself, but she fell short. Her smile fell, and her bag slipped from her hands. She was suddenly breathless, her chest constricting painfully to the point she thought she was going to faint.
"Kagome?" The older woman mussed softly, her thinning lips stretching into a gentle smile as she swapped her broom for the cane and hobbled towards Kagome.
Tears prickled her eyes, her knees threatening to give out.
It was like coming face-to-face with Kaede's ghost. She walked slowly, hunched forward with a noticeable limp that had her relying heavily on the twisting wooden cane. With hair that was more gray than brown pulled back in a loose bun, her one brown eye shined brightly while the other was milky. The only difference was that this woman was a little taller and wore a haori over her traditional white and red miko uniform decorated with green lily pads and waterlilies.
Kagome tried to reply, but words evaded her. She simply nodded and bowed in response. She did her best to hide the sudden wave of grief with a smile, her eyes prickling with the sting of tears.
She reached out, grabbed Kagome by the chin, and turned her face side-to-side. "I see now why Lord Sesshomaru and Lord Inuyasha recommended that you train here. Your reiryoku is indeed exceptional," she said after scrutinizing Kagome for a moment. "However, there is a certain gloom clinging to you. You've been shrouded in mourning for quite some time, it seems." The woman kept looking at her, or more accurately, through her. Kaede had done the same thing upon their meeting. "My soul knows yours," The older woman pondered aloud, more to herself, but it made Kagome's heartache. Her one good eye looked her over with a curious gleam and familial fondness.
The woman finally smiled, gently patting Kagome's cheek. "My name is Mei; I'll be assisting you in your reiryoku training while you stay here."
Kagome bows her head. "I am in your care, Priestess Mei."
Turning away, Mei guided Kagome further into the majestic shrine. "Come along; though many of the students are away, there were two who stayed behind to help you adjust."
As they went deeper into the shrine, Kagome could feel a sense of calm and serenity washing over her. The subtle scent of burning incense wafted in the air, intertwining with the rich, earthy smell of the shrine. Her footsteps echoed against the worn wooden floors, creating a soothing rhythm that echoed throughout the place. She marveled at the paper lanterns that hung along the ceilings, the warm glow illuminating the dark corridors. The amount of work put into maintaining such a place was beyond impressive.
Everywhere Kagome looked, there was an underlying sense of history and mystery. Every element of the shrine created an ambiance of respect, spirituality, and antiquity. It was overwhelming.
They continued to a small house nestled on the outskirts of the shrine; it looked just as old, likely having been used as a dormitory of sorts throughout the centuries.
In front were two girls dressed in traditional red and white miko attire. The first was a girl about 8 or 9 years old with brown-black hair. The other was taller, looking to be in her late teens, with long black hair tied into twin tails.
"Rei, Nobuko!" Mei called out, making the girls turn around.
Again, Kagome felt her knees go weak and her heart shutter. The little girl looked just like Rin. She hadn't been as close with the young girl but held a deep fondness for the child after the ordeal with the legendary sword, So'unga.
The other girl had Kagome doing a double take as she was none other than Tall Idol Takada-Chan. She was beautiful and just as kind-looking, with wispy bangs falling into her bright gold eyes. Nobuko was even wearing her signature choker.
Swallowing the swell of emotions that threatened to overtake her, Kagome forced a smile and bowed. "I'm in your care."
~o.O~O.o~
"Live long," Nobara echoed scornfully. "How can he say that when he's dead?" Her words, full of barely concealed sorrow, seeped out between clenched teeth, directed to the vacant air rather than towards Fushiguro. The deafening silence in response heightened her hurt. The edges of the unsaid grief clawed at her insides.
"He...Hey... Is this the first time a friend of yours has died?" She broke the silence again, her words tiptoeing around her awkward attempt at empathy.
"A classmate…" Fushiguro finally reciprocated her attempts at conversation, matching her soft-spokenness. "Yeah."
"I see, but you seem fine," she prodded gently, scrutinizing his impassive facade.
"Look who's talking?"
She bit back defensively. "Of course," She uttered the word like an ice-cold dagger before her voice shrunk into a whisper. "I only knew the guy a few weeks… I'm not the kind of girl who cries over a guy like that." Her voice trembled with barely repressed grief, her eyes prickling uncomfortably. She refused to believe how profoundly the loss of Yuji - such a new friend, yet someone whose personality was like the most infectious laugh, impossible to ignore - affected her.
"Damn it," she murmured in a shaky whisper, furiously swiping away a tear that had defied her, hoping that it could erase the hurt within.
It was quiet again; the silence was the worst. All Nobara could think about was Yuji. Why couldn't Kagome be here? At least then, it wouldn't feel so awkward.
"Man, it's hot," Fushiguro mused.
"Yeah…" Nobara answered just as flatly. "I wonder if it's time to get our summer uniforms."
Fushiguro tried to break the silence but found no words to comfort Nobara. She, in turn, was reluctant to reveal her vulnerability. So they sat in silence, only made louder by the summer heat and chirping cicadas.
"Sheesh… You're in more of a mood than usual, Megumi!" A woman called out. They both looked up. A young woman with a tall, athletic build wearing a similar dark navy uniform to their own consisting of a long-sleeve jacket cropped at the waist with a simple skirt. She has hazel-black eyes and long black hair tied into a short ponytail. She had fringes of hair over her forehead, with smaller strands framing her cheeks and glasses. "What is this, a funeral?"
"Zenin," Fushiguro greeted curtly.
"Maki!"
"Don't call me by my last name-" She was abruptly cut off.
"MAKI!"
"What!?" She turned sharply; behind her was what looked like a Panda and a shorter boy with platinum blonde hair and violet, his uniform jacket coming up to cover his mouth.
"They're in mourning! A first-year boy died yesterday!" The Panda shouted with panic.
"Bonito flakes!" The boy nodded.
"You. Are. A. Little. Late!" Maki bit out before screaming. "Now I look like a cold-hearted demon!"
"Well, you kinda are!" Panda yelled back.
"Tuna Mayo," The boy added.
Nobara turned to Fushiguro, bewildered by the whole situation. "Who are these people?"
"They're our upper-classmen." He then proceeded to point out everyone. "That's Maki Zenin; out of all the students, she's the best with cursed tools." He then switched to the boy. "That's Toge Inumaki; he's a cursed-speech user. The only speaks in rice-ball fillings." Finally, he got to the weirdest of the trio. "And that's Panda."
"That's it? No explanation?"
"The other second-year, Yuta Okkotsu, isn't here. He's abroad right now, but he's the only one I sincerely respect."
"When's Kagome coming back?" Nobara bemoaned. "Everyone here is crazy."
"Hey, sorry to bother you during your mourning," Panda approached; he was much taller than she thought. He had been hunched over, so now, in front of her, Nobara would guess that he was just over 6 feet, and his hands were enormous. They were larger than any humans with long claw-like nails. "But we want you guys to participate in the Kyoto Sister-school event. We asked Kagome before she left, so she'll be back to participate."
Nobara groaned.
wolfYLady: Hope you all have enjoyed this chapter!
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