Disclaimer: All characters (Kikyo, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha) from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything in regard to their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.…
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Chapter 2-Frosty Battlefield
"I seek nothing more than to battle the most powerful beings alive: which excludes the lowly likes of you." -Sesshomaru on battling
"Though it may appear otherwise, the soil is stained crimson by blood. All conflict brings is endless bloodshed" -Kikyo on battling
The battle began with an ambush from the east. The west was caught off guard and had difficulties retaliating until Inuyasha arrived with several elite warriors. They managed to deal with the enemy's surprise attack using brute force. With the hanyou's destructive techniques, the west successfully took down the east's first line of defense.
Eiichi became the last to fall in his group. He and Inuyasha fought tooth and nail, with the latter becoming amazed by the former's tenacity as the seemingly frail human struck blow after blow. Although wounded and exhausted, the teen managed to fend off a few youkai before Tessaiga cut him down. Admiring Eiichi's daringness, Inuyasha offered him a quick and merciful death.
'I gave it my all, father… Is it good enough? Am I a hero now?' The last thing Eiichi saw was a blurred image of his father's beaming face.
Soon, the east's army emerged from the forest. Chaos engulfed the area. Humans and demons —the two opposing forces — clashed in a battle of steel. Warriors fell. Blood sprayed out like the water in a fountain, dotting the ground with crimson. The sound of metal and screams resonated through the battlefield.
Hovering far above the ground, Sesshomaru hunted for the one he sought with his acute eyes. The sunlit clouds drifted across the clear blue sky, almost enveloping the daiyoukai's form in a golden-wispy mist. His silver mane and furred pelt were caught in a rhythmic dance with the air currents, introducing a semblance of a peaceful spectacle if not for the daunting manner that he was scanning the battlefield. The Lord of the West could easily see the overwhelming number of youkai that were cleaving their way through, determined to reach the bordering forest and into the castle grounds. In contrast, the east was outnumbered by one to four and was barely coping.
Looking around, he spotted an expectation near the forest. There was the familiar figure of Kotori, standing defiantly in the middle of a dozen human warriors. Partly amused, Sesshomaru planned to observe but was interrupted by the sudden pulsing of So'unga. The powerful blade known as the sword of hell could detect a potent aura nearby, one that could threaten its master. Understanding what it was trying to tell him, Sesshomaru directed a look at the sword tugged in its scabbard.
"She's near," he muttered to no one in particular, before disappearing.
Kotori's katana pieced three soldiers in mere seconds. She was faring well, having already slayed a dozen or so humans. Her weapon and garment were drenched in blood, but none were her own. While the humans held strength in numbers against her, none could touch her due to her highly developed reflexes and swordplay.
The fact that she was still surrounded didn't faze her in the slightest. Instead, it brought a radiant look to her face. Not one to be intimidated easily, she prepared herself for another reckless warrior to make a move. Impatience, as she learned after studying Inuyasha's techniques, was a prime factor that often led to poorly coordinated attacks. Kotori knew better than to make a hasty move that her opponent could potentially exploit. Instead, she chose to remain composed and waited.
Theoretically, she wouldn't have needed to resort to her current approach. Like the other youkai around her, she should've been the one who held the upper hand in terms of numbers. But she had decided to send her soldiers away. Keen to impress her lord by completing her mission, she ordered her troops to march forward and locate the miko, leaving her to cover the rear. She had faith in her comrades, who she trained personally. They would defeat the miko and carry her unconscious form to their king.
Her cerulean orbs traveled from one enemy to another until she caught a glimpse of Inuyasha several miles away, doing tremendous damage with Tessaiga. The humans who were foolish enough to get close to his striking range were immediately cleaved in half by the enormous sword.
Kotori was unaware that her gaze was instinctively drawn to Inuyasha's fearless amber orbs. She had to admit that they looked beautiful. Unquestionably, Sesshomaru's were also remarkable, but the demoness could never bear to look at them for too long. They were always cold and hostile, unlike Inuyasha's. Like a miniature duplicate of the sun currently high in the sky, the hanyou's eyes blazed with zeal. There was no denying the vast fighting spirit residing within him.
The corner of Kotori's mouth twisted into a small smile as she sensed an attack. Probably believing that she was distracted, a foe jabbed his spear at her. Any lesser youkai would've been caught oblivious, but Kotori was far too experienced to fall prey to a cheap attack. Her sharp eyesight captured the man's every movement. With a side step, she dodged the shaft with little effort. Being a demoness born from the Tori Clan, it was her instinct that commanded her to retaliate swiftly. Spinning on her heels, she brandished her katana in a deadly dance. Her weapon made contact with exposed skin and heads flew. Blood went spattering everywhere and some droplets rained on her face. Licking away the vinegary taste with the tip of her tongue, she watched unblinkingly as the headless bodies fell.
A single mistake was all it took.
The razor-sharp claws ran across his chest. Takaharu cried out in pain and staggered backward, gasping in disbelief as he felt for the lesion. His armor was split open in the middle of his torso like a cracked eggshell, spilling out a pool of crimson.
The culprit responsible was a hairy mutt-like youkai. It snickered and licked the blood off his tanned hand. It sneered, watching in pure joy as Takaharu backed against a tree and slumped down.
"You have delicious blood. It's not bad for a human," it snickered, advancing to finish off the Lord of the East.
A shimmering arrow infused with a brilliant violet glow had managed to completely avoid the forest trees and found its mark in the youkai's head. The beast's strangled screams were silenced by the impact of an explosion caused by the energy embedded within the shaft. With a thud, the bloody headless body fell onto the ground before dispersing into ashes.
'You're a little late, Kikyo-san.' Despite the pain, Takaharu allowed a smile to grace his features at Kikyo's rescue. The miko approached him emotionlessly, bearing some minor scratches that made Takaharu frown. He knew that many of the youkai from the west were powerful —as was their Lord — but he didn't think that mere warriors alone would pose a problem for the miko. Did she waste too much energy foreseeing his future beforehand? If so, then that was another weight on his conscience.
Unaware of the contemplations inside the Lord of the East's head, Kikyo took precedence in inspecting the gruesome wound. Erecting a spherical kekkai around them to fend off the youkai, she bent to his eye level and placed her longbow on the ground. Very carefully, she inspected the exposed muscles and damaged tissues. Her eyes then found his face and their gaze met. There was no need for words: the sorrow visible in her eyes told Takaharu everything he needed to know.
"Kikyo-san… this is the end for me, isn't it? I should've known better… than to tempt fate. It's infuriating, but it's pointless to resist. I know… so I want you to listen and help me. Two things… just two requests. Please!" His voice was feebly weak and croaky as he pleaded. Kikyo gave no reply but the silence was rewarding enough for him to take another agonizing breath before continuing.
"First, protect Tadahiro. The boy looks up to you… so he'll listen to you. His hatred for demons is taking over his reasoning. Since the in-incident with his mother, he has changed... for the worse. I don't want the lust for power to drive him. I believe you understand what I mean… what power can do to an inexperienced mind. So, help him find the kindness that slumbers within him."
Not one to take promises lightly, Kikyo took a moment to consider her options and any consequences involved. There was no guarantee that she could fulfill Takaharu's request. The best she could do for Tadahiro was to soothe his pain-ridden heart and set him down on the right path. She considered caring for him until he was of the age to rule. But that would be wishful thinking if she or the young prince perished on the battlefield. In any case, his survival was of the utmost importance.
When she found the appropriate words, Kikyo nodded and said, "Rest assured that I shall do everything within my power for Tadahiro-san. Now tell me, my lord, what else do you require of me?"
The Lord of the East seemed a little hesitant with his final request. Kikyo suddenly had an irking thought that he had something unattainable in mind. That troubled her somewhat and her brows surreptitiously narrowed. However, she soon chose to push aside her uneasiness in favor of hearing Takaharu out.
"I-I'll be honest with you, Kikyo-san. It's frustrating. I feel this incredible sense of injustice coursing through my dying body. I don't want to die like this… with my lifeblood pouring out and my intestines hanging out. T-there's so much I want to do, for my people and my son. That fiend… Sesshomaru! He took away any hope for me to amend myself in front of my son. I hate him, more than… anything else in this godforsaken world. So please… do me a favor and kill him. Avenge me! I-I don't want to die in vain. Kill him, kill Sesshomaru!" Takaharu's words dripped with venom as he spat out the Lord of the West's name with as much spite as he could muster in his weakened state.
When all that was said, Takaharu momentarily shut his eyes in pain. Now that his emotions had run freely, he felt what little of his strength left his body. Even a simple task like speaking no longer seemed natural to him, having become far too strenuous. There was no point in denying that he was nearing his limit. He could taste blood in his mouth as he struggled for another lungful of air. Still, he refused to rest until he heard the miko's response.
Kikyo looked at the dying lord with a thoughtful gaze, knowing that her answer would mean everything to him. Nonetheless, uncertainty plagued her mind like a disease; she couldn't recall the last time when she doubted her own ability. She had far passed the stage when her powers were unfamiliar to her. But one question drilled into her head and refused to leave her alone. Setting aside everything but raw strength, could she kill Sesshomaru? The Lord of the West was a powerful demon with unspoken power. Would her spiritual powers be enough to take him down? For the first time in ages, Kikyo found herself with mixed feelings.
"Kikyo-san? Kikyo… Kikyo-san?" Takaharu tugged on Kikyo's white haori and the miko could feel the unyielding grip. The Lord of the East was waiting for an answer and was determined to fend off death's grasp until he had one.
"…I will," Kikyo promised, gently cupping her hands around Takaharu's and applying a reassuring squeeze.
There was a glimmer of hope in Takaharu's eyes before it dimmed once more. The answer sounded heartening, but in truth, he knew it was just false hope unless she could promise him. He needed to make sure that Kikyo would avenge him. Even with all his kindness, he refused to let Sesshomaru go unpunished. If he was to depart from the world without any noteworthy accomplishment to tell Tadahiro, then he would ensure that Sesshomaru accompanied him to the afterlife. It was the only compensation that could ease his regret.
"Promise me…" Takaharu muttered, "S-swear it on your name, miko. Swear it!"
Kikyo could feel his intense stare burning right into her eyes. They were imploring her, begging her. The consequences of making such a promise made her hesitate. But turning down the dying man required more apathy than she could muster. Try as she might, she couldn't disregard his fervent brown orbs.
"…Alright. As a miko, I swear under the name Kikyo… that I shall honor your final requests. Let the sky above us bear witness to my oath. I shall give it my all to protect the only heir of the east and… slay the Lord of the West, Sesshomaru. Should I fail, then heaven shall judge and exact upon my body and soul any justice it sees fit." Only solemn reflected in her mahogany orbs as she gazed at Takaharu unblinkingly. He wanted her to pledge and so she did, for the sake of loyalty. Since he was still grasping onto her left sleeve, the miko moved her right hand towards her left breast, her index finger drawing an invisible cross on her heart. Faint violet light traced the cross, her miko powers flickering to register the oath. From that moment forth, Kikyo knew her fate was sealed, by her own hands. She was committed to protecting Tadahiro and killing Sesshomaru — Her heart must not waver from this path, or else she would face dire consequences.
Takaharu watched with tension on his face as a purple glimmer temporarily enveloped the miko's fingers. Seeing that, he released his death-like grip on Kikyo's haori. Many things about Kikyo mystified him but the one thing he could be certain of was that she — as a miko — could never back down from a spoken oath. Words were something that all miko had to be careful with, as what left their lips could potentially come true depending on their power to call forth certainty. In particular, oaths and curses were not to be trifled with. Just as blessing someone could evoke the gods' attention, cursing someone could bring forth a cataclysm. Likewise, proclaiming an oath came with severe consequences. Those would compel Kikyo to follow through with her words, even if her desires didn't align.
"…Good, good… Thank you," muttered Takaharu. With his last breath gone, his eyes rolled back and the upper half of his body slouched forward in his seated position.
'Rest now, my lord. As promised, I won't allow your death to go to waste. Those insolent youkai shall learn your wrath!' Giving a silent prayer to Takaharu, Kikyo grabbed her bow and climbed back onto her feet. Now that the Lord of the East was dead, she saw little purpose in keeping her barrier intact. With that thought, she dispersed the field of energy around her and notched an arrow. Sheer determination was etched on her hardened features as she released the first projectile towards the charging hoard of youkai coming her way.
A flick of her katana sent two more soldiers into oblivion. Kotori scanned the battlefield behind her attentively. Her youkai lineage conferred her with exceptionally sharp eyesight, and as a result, she could observe even the smallest details amidst the chaos and blood around her. The west clearly had the upper hand; most of the enemy soldiers were covered in deep wounds and were struggling to fend off the intruders.
The west was relentless in its attack. Yet, another fact that assured their ascendancy was that the Lord of the West, Sesshomaru, remained an observer thus far. Kotori was sure that her lord had yet lifted a single finger to help his troops, for he found no reason to do so. The west didn't need his overwhelming power to win against the puny human forces. Even so, Kotori didn't need to see him to know that he was still monitoring the battle, in the unlikely event that the west suffered serious casualties.
The demoness' blade plunged deep into a human's heart. Just like that, another warrior was dead. She had lost count of how many lives she took in the past few hours.
Kotori would admit that the battlefield was certainly hectic, but even the chaos couldn't mask the forbidding presence of Sesshomaru. As if soaked into the atmosphere as water would to a sponge, the daiyoukai's youki sent shivers down her spine. She knew she wasn't the only one affected by it. Every youkai in the west knew from his youki alone that he was watching, so they fought harder to avoid facing his wrath.
Her well-crafted katana shattered a sword to pieces before it sliced flesh. Kotori killed another soldier before bringing her thoughts back to Sesshomaru's youki. It surprised her that her lord's energy wasn't the only thing instilling awe. She could feel another dominant aura that sometimes overlapped with Sesshomaru's — energy so pure that it threatened to purify her soul. Worse, she noticed it was growing all the more intense by the minute.
'Is that the miko's aura? It's so strong… and it feels alive? Is it behaving similarly to a youkai's? Unbelievable…' Her ears jerked up, a gesture that illustrated her hidden concern. She felt her youki react uncontrollably; its initial instinct was to retreat further into her body, away from the source. Going against the instinctive behavior, Kotori forced her youki to spread around her, searching for the spot where the aura was the strongest.
'In the forest.' Convinced that what she was looking for was hidden in the dense leafage, Kotori sprinted through the dirt grounds at blinding speed and used her blade to cut down any approaching foe. Upon touching brittle grass and hearing the crunching sound underneath her boots, she tactfully slowed down to a jog. She was unfamiliar with the area so she surveyed her surroundings before proceeding deeper east. The possibility of an ambush under the dense cover was high and the last thing she wanted was to fall prey because of her negligence.
A dread filled Kotori when a sudden blast of violet light appeared to her left. As though struck by a hurricane, she was pushed back by the force of the explosion. She could hear the shrill cries of some youkai just before they were turned into a pile of ashes. The desire to help them was great, but there was nothing she could do. Her kimono and hair were disheveled, and she was nearly sent flying by the energy discharge. Her eyes squinted against the brightness as she flung herself at the nearest tree, helplessly waiting for the attack to die out.
After what seemed like an eternity of cowering to Kotori, the explosive light diminished and silence reigned.
Suspicious and wary, Kotori cautiously peered over from her hiding spot, observing the woman that stood next to the ashes of the various youkai corpses — which were more ashes than corpses at this point. It took no more than a glimpse for the demoness to recognize the woman as the miko. Apart from her spiritual powers that constantly triggered an alarm inside the demoness, the woman's red and white clothing was also a dead giveaway. It was the traditional miko garment that every youkai was taught to look out for.
There was a longbow in the miko's hand and a quiver of arrows strapped to her back. Her primary weapon, Kotori realized, and she was mildly disturbed by how lethal yet out of this world the miko seemed with it. It was shameful, but the demoness was somewhat relieved that the said weapon was currently lowered, with the owner's breathing being erratic and hasty. 'Her previous large-scale attack must have taken its toll on her.'
'I think I have overdone it. It wasn't necessary by any means,' Kikyo admitted grimly. She surveyed the carnage from her spiritual blast while allowing herself to recoup her energy. Takaharu's death angered her, and she had channeled too much of her energy to inflict that destructive blow. Stamina was never her forte; she feared that the very weakness could be exploited should she continue to be reckless with her powers. Making a mental note to herself, her brows then creased and her aura flared in response to the forthcoming youkai. 'Here comes more. They never learn.'
"There's the miko," announced one.
"We'll get her," chirped another.
"Take her out and we'll be rewarded!" There were concurrent shouts of consensus following the youkai's declaration.
More youkai swarmed around Kikyo, ready to strike from all sides. With her face void of emotions, the miko did not bother to reach for an arrow, deciding to conserve her limited supply. She would need them later against Sesshomaru. Her lack of action caused many demons to snicker, mistaking her composure for exhaustion. They attacked simultaneously, aiming to incapacitate her.
From her hiding spot, Kotori watched in disbelief as the miko's index and middle fingers moved rapidly to form hand signs. In that instant, a blue kekkai formed around her, and the youkai that came into contact were instantly purified, their bodies smoking.
'How much power does this human have? She's pushing for defense and offense simultaneously! None of our warriors can get close enough to attack. She is wearing down our numbers little by little.' Shock clenched onto Kotori's pupils. Finally comprehending Sesshomaru's precaution, she reprimanded herself for underestimating her opponent. It was no wonder that none of her troops had reported back to her; they were most likely all dead from their encounter with the miko. To prevent more slaughters, a different tactic was necessary. Kotori revealed her presence by stepping out of the shadows and readying her weapon. Her youki spiked in a silent declaration of confrontation, causing all eyes to turn toward her.
"So you've finally shown yourself, youkai," the miko said in a dangerous tone. A glint of menace shimmered in her eyes.
'She knew I was hiding there all along.' Aware now that the miko was attentive, despite not having enhanced senses, Kotori was glad that her principals prevented her from resorting to a surprise attack. Since the miko had known she was there lying in wait, perchance she was expecting her to strike. There had never been any chance for her to ambush the miko.
"You're a vigilant one, miko," she admitted.
"Cowardly demons will strike when one least expects it, so it is prudent to remain cautious at all times."
"Keh," Kotori snorted in a disgruntled manner that greatly resembled Inuyasha, something she unknowingly picked up after spending centuries with the hanyou. The miko spoke in a monotone that depicted no emotion, but her words dripped with acid that corroded Kotori's praise. The demoness' snort had come out to mask her surprise, as the miko's composed appearance alone did not indicate her waspish tongue. 'She's sharp and knows to ram the needle where it hurts the most. But I'll heed her advice and make the most cautious move.'
"Everyone, listen to me. Keep your distance. I'll attack first and exploit her weakness. Observe and find it," the demoness ordered the remaining youkai who had yet to touch the miko's kekkai. They weren't a part of the division that she directly commanded, but her reputation as both a skilled swordswoman and one of Sesshomaru's elite guards was enough to get even the more prideful youkai to obey her without any questions. They took several steps back while she advanced until she was five steps away from the miko.
"Miko, surrender. We can peacefully conclude this matter unless you wish to witness my skill with a blade. You won't like the suffering it brings," Kotori proclaimed, her katana pointed at the barrier. Her words showed that she meant to act accordingly, but she wasn't certain whether she could actually break the miko's defense. 'From what I saw, getting too close is very risky… But to execute my moves, I need to get in close. If only I could goad her to remove that annoying barrier first.'
"Your threats are meaningless. Your confidence will be your undoing." The miko's eyes drilled into Kotori. She revealed her lack of fear by dissolving her kekkai and leaving herself exposed. As the Kotori raised her eyebrows in surprise, her opponent quickly loaded her bow with an arrow and pointed it at the demoness.
"We'll see about… that?" With an involuntary gulp, a surge of apprehension overtook Kotori and replaced her initial surprise. Her body stiffened, gaining the weight of a heavy stone. It wasn't the long wooden bow or the arrow that frightened her; it was the miko's eyes. They were deadly and cold, so similar to Sesshomaru's. They felt as though they could see through her soul, and read her every thought. A chill ran through her body as her tension heightened.
The demoness was startled out of her trance when she sensed movement in the air. The projectile, bathed in purple light, was heading straight for her. Her reflexes instinctively drew her down to avoid the attack, and she barely avoided being pierced by the arrow. The shot skimmed past her head, and she felt the intense energy it possessed. Had it made contact, her head would have been blown off.
Unfortunately, several youkai behind her didn't react as promptly as she did and were caught in the arrow's flight. They screamed in pain as their bodies completely disintegrated under the purifying glow. The arrow continued its path until it rammed into the tree that Kotori had hidden moments ago. It burrowed itself deep into the bark, sizzling with energy before becoming still.
Kotori cringed, her gaze traveling from the ashy remains of the youkai soldiers to the tree. Disinclined to let the miko take another shot, she rapidly stood up and charged forward, intending to reduce the distance between herself and her opponent. She utilized her agility and got close, swinging her katana toward the miko's ribcage. There wasn't the need to dismember her, but Kotori needed to be vicious if she wanted to wound the miko enough to hinder her movements.
Pang! Her blade collided with a wooden bow instead. The miko had stopped her in her tracks by reinforcing the hardness of her makeshift bow with her spiritual powers. Teeth gritting, Kotori pushed forward, determined to break the miko's defense. The miko was an archer; she should be weaker at close range. There was no way the human could win with her strength. However, caution took hold as Kotori released her youki, aiming to force out the miko's spiritual powers. The last thing she wanted was for the miko to direct her powers into another powerful blast. At this range, Kotori was as good as dead.
Kotori nearly allowed a smile to show when the miko's bow gave a loud creaking sound and cracked in the middle. It would not be long until the weapon buckled under the pressure. The miko, noticing what Kotori did, channeled more power into the wood to harden it.
"Stand aside, Kotori. This one is mine." The standoff was cut short when a commanding voice sounded.
The demoness instantly obeyed as she pushed aside her opponent before backing off, having recognized the voice. Every youkai in the west was familiar with the owner of that voice. She and the other demons humbly stood as a figure clothed in white descended from the canopy. The two swords in his obi pulsed, and one of them was emitting a fearful red aura.
Sesshomaru landed, his feet touching the brittle grass. All the youkai that had encircled the miko moved back, providing their ruler with the necessary room. Upon laying his eyes upon the miko, his demonic energy immediately reacted to her power of purity. Pulsating waves of energy emerged from her body and radiated outward like an endless, swift-flowing stream. The might and abundance of that power were evident, even for Sesshomaru, the demon lord renowned for his strength.
The Lord of the West could feel So'unga reacting in its scabbard. Like its owner, the fang of hell knew that the miko possessed immense strength. It wanted to be used in a fight against her, deeming her a worthy opponent. Sesshomaru ignored the sword's pulsing since heeding the sword's desire would render his prey lifeless. That wasn't his intention. A dead miko would serve no purpose to him; she was the key to his conquest and must be kept alive to fulfill her role.
He redirected his attention to the miko, observing her with a piercing stare. He had expected her to be terrified of him, but she didn't appear intimated in the least by his presence. Her tall and proud stature seemed almost regal. Her mahogany orbs held his gaze steadily, exuding a pressure that could cause many demons to quaver in fright. He was starting to understand why Kotori seemed unnerved.
Although it didn't show on his passive countenance, he was inwardly surprised. Hardly anyone else could maintain eye contact with him for more than a few seconds, let alone replicate the intensity displayed in his cold stare. For the miko to be so unfazed by him was intriguing to Sesshomaru. Perhaps she could provide him some entertainment.
Time seemed to be at a standstill as the Lord of the West and the miko locked gaze. The two powerful but opposing energies clashed together, seeking to overwhelm each other. It was Kikyo who at last faltered. Her aura remained firm against Sesshomaru's pressure but she averted her eyes. Sesshomaru caught flashes of emotions; there was mostly rage, followed by a glimmer of disappointment, a trace of uncertainty, and a flicker of surprise. The tides of emotions only lasted for a second, before the miko became impassive once more.
The miko now appeared reluctant to shoot, her grip on her bow easing.
'Even with this much power, she is still a pawn for her own emotions. How repulsive,' he thought. In contrast, Sesshomaru did not waver as he swiftly pulled his left arm back and closed in on her at full throttle.
Swoosh! The sound of a flying spear prepared him for the unexpected assault. Sesshomaru twisted his body and completely evaded the spear as the shaft rammed into the ground. Halting his steps, he searched for his attacker. Out of the corner of his left eye, he spotted a young man on horseback galloping towards them. One look at his disheveled appearance, the bronze armor, and tattered cloak and Sesshomaru deduced that he was no threat to anyone here, let alone him. Still, the daiyoukai was slightly intrigued by the human's interference. His presence had sparked a shift in the miko's demeanor; the woman had become tenser and more prepared to fight. 'She is obviously concerned about the boy's well-being.'
'Why is he here? Was I unclear that he was to flee? Why is he riding a stallion into the heart of a battlefield?' Kikyo, unaware that Sesshomaru was assessing her carefully, watched as the horse pulled to a sudden halt adjacent to her. Her expressionless features did nothing to betray her thought, though she did tighten her grip on her bow. The prince's recklessness had put him in a precarious situation. She would have to convince him to leave and simultaneously draw the demons' attention away from him. But with her stuck in this predicament and the prince's stubbornness, accomplishing this task would be more difficult than anticipated.
Tadahiro alighted on the ground eagerly, with bright flames of vengeance scorching his dark eyes. Since he was instructed to take to flight on the stallion, he was deprived of an active role during the heated battle. Nonetheless, he tried making himself useful by secretly participating in the fights around the outskirt of the castle, all the while rallying the morale of his troops. During these tense moments, the young prince stumbled across the lifeless remains of his father. Try as he might, he couldn't erase the gruesome sight from his mind. His father was dead, murdered by a cruel youkai who had ripped apart his torso. Despite his loathing for Takaharu's way of ruling, the man was still his paternal parent.
'Bastard killed my father! Those bastards did it! It's not fair! They murdered him in cold blood! It's not enough that they took away my mother, but now they've gone and taken my father too!' The unfairness caused by the cruel hand of fate had affected Tadahiro greatly. Enraged by the injustice, he hurled his spear at the demon lord with all his might. It was no understatement to say that he was most disappointed when he missed his target at the last second.
Aggravated, the prince delved into his sleeve pocket and whipped out a tantou, exposing the steel from its leather sheath. He then positioned himself defensively in front of Kikyo, the small sword at level with his belly, with its edge pointing out.
"Demons… I'll kill you all! Every last one of you!" he hissed and would've lunged at Sesshomaru had Kikyo not pulled him back by grabbing his cloak. With an inhuman growl, he whirled around to face the miko and instantly felt his anger melt away under her intense look.
"Saint… I mean, Kikyo-sama, I-I…" Lost for words, Tadahiro could only illustrate his feelings by returning her gaze. As the miko placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his arms limply fell to his side. Reminded to think rationally, he took several deep breaths and counted to ten. He was much calmer when he finished and it was then he finally noticed that Kikyo had erected a barrier around them, encasing them in a small blue dome. They were away from the demon's prying eyes, locked away in their own little world. Had the circumstances been different, then the young prince would've probably enjoyed the experience.
Kikyo's next action surprised him completely. With his feet rooted to the ground, his eyes widened in surprise when the miko leaned forward and embraced him. Her head rested on his shoulder as she whispered in his left ear. "Listen well, Tadahiro-san. My strength is waning, and I will soon reach the limits of my physical capabilities. Though I had desired to wipe out all youkai that haunt the forest, that outcome is now impossible in my current condition. Sesshomaru stands against us, and his might poses a grave threat to you and me. Your father entrusted me with your protection, and I intend to fulfill my vow. For that reason, I seek a crucial artifact in your possession — the kokuho. I need it to lure them away. In the meanwhile, you are to gather the survivors and lead them eastwards, to safety beyond the river."
Tadahiro's mouth twisted into a frown at the instructions as he began to comprehend the implications of the plan. The thought of him fleeing and leaving the miko to fend for herself was upsetting. His pride would never allow him to cower in the face of danger, as that was what caused his father to fail his mother in the first place. He had promised to stand strong and protect others, and that was exactly what he was going to do. He refused to be cowardly and allow someone else to bear the burden of protecting him.
In a fit of anger, Tadahiro lifted his free hand and shoved the miko away, forcing her to take a few steps back. Moving away from her, the prince looked pained as he replied, "No, no… Absolutely not! I refuse to be a coward and run away. I'm not losing you too. I'll fight as well! I can he—"
"Enough!" Kikyo unintentionally snapped, her voice like a whip cracking in the air.
"Tadahiro-san, you are now the new Lord of the East. You must ensure your people's safety and preservation. The East may have suffered a defeat, but there remains the chance to turn the tides if you remain alive. You are the integral element of the kingdom, and your presence among your people is essential. There is no disgrace in retreating from a losing battle. Pull back, and only return when you're prepared, mentally and physically," the miko paused to allow the prince to consider the weight of her words. She then proceeded with a tone that was firm but not harsh. "Hatred will undoubtedly make you stronger, but it is also a double-edged sword. You must harness its power and put it to good use, without jeopardizing your very life. Charging into a fight recklessly is not an act of chivalrous honor, but a senseless waste of a life."
There was a part of Tadahiro that tenaciously disagreed with the miko, but a more rational part knew that she was correct. If he died, there would be nothing left for the east. He was their only chance. He couldn't risk everything in a losing battle. At last, he nodded and reached into his pocket to take out the east's symbolic treasure. He placed it onto the miko's outstretched palm in an agonizing slow motion. "Yes, I get it. Trying to argue with you is like trying to touch the sun. It's futile… as is staying here and fighting. I'll relent. Here, I'll hand this over to you."
Even as the gravity of the situation threatened to crush her spirits, Kikyo still managed to let a smile bloom across her lips. In a swift motion, she gripped the young man's retreating hand and squeezed it gently. White light enveloped their clasped hands.
Without delay, Tadahiro could feel a surge of power coursing through him. Like a mild stream, it ran across his whole body and left a trail. His mouth dropped open, and he unknowingly let out a soundless sigh of comfort. Kikyo's aura was warm and soothing, nothing like the storm of power he felt when she was still engaging the demon mob. It was affectionate, a feeling similar to having both his parents holding him in their arms. There was a momentary desire to stay like this forever, though the chance was gone when the energy faded away.
"Turn your hand over and observe the back," Kikyo requested with a soft, calming voice.
He did as he was told. Holding out his left knuckle, he stared in disbelief at the mark imprinted on his skin. Five spade-shaped petals interlocked by a circle in the center, outlining what Tadahiro could only assume was a flower.
"This is the seal of the Platycodon Grandiflorus, otherwise known as a bellflower seal."
"Your namesake, eh?" asked Tadahiro, his gaze traveling from the miko back to the symbol on his hand.
"I have infused some of my spiritual abilities within you, and it has taken the form of the symbol on your hand. It should remain dormant under normal circumstances, but it will activate upon encountering a youkai's presence. You can also activate it through willpower alone, though I would recommend using it as a last resort. Do take care to not deplete its power, as its abilities are finite and the petals will eventually wither with overuse." With that explained, Kikyo walked over to Tadahiro's horse. She stroked the stallion's head and turned to the new Lord of the East. "A fine creature she is. Please let me borrow her indefinitely."
Tadahiro nodded stiffly, his expression solemn as he spoke. "Go ahead. No other mount stands a better chance of keeping you safe and alive, or of returning you to me on her back, safe. I have faith in her abilities."
"The odds are indeed low, but neither of us is prepared to disappoint you, young lord. We will do whatever it takes to stay alive." The horse seemed to concur with the miko's statement, letting out a soft, comforting neigh in affirmation.
"So come back to me then. I trust you too, you know. Just as you did for my father, I need you by my side." It was the closest thing to a proposal he had ever said, but whether or not Kikyo interpreted it that way was something he would never know. Because at that moment, her eyes darkened when she noticed that her kekkai was flickering in and out.
"The demons are undoubtedly relentless. Their persistence will shortly prove to be too much for my kekkai to withstand. It won't be long now… Please remain safely away from the fighting. If you are patient and composed, an opportunity will reveal itself to you," Kikyo said, swinging her right leg up to mount the horse.
"…Wait, Kikyo-sama! Take this with you," Tadahiro called out as he replaced his sword into its sheath. He pulled his arm back and threw the tantou, casing and all, towards the miko.
Catching it with two hands and taking a moment to study the item, Kikyo then stored it in her breast pocket along with the kokuho. A thin smile settled on the corner of her lips as she took in Tadahiro's determined face. Out of respect for the young man that stood strong against the hardship, she inclined her head slightly and bowed. "Thank you, my lord… I wish you well."
Her kekkai shattered.
Author's Notes: So that concludes the second chapter. The Prince of the East has taken his new position as the Lord of the East and it seems that Kikyo and Sesshomaru are about to clash in battle. The next chapter will conclude the battle between the east and the west.