DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the canon characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Sunrise, Viz and all other respective copyright owners. I do not lay claim to these characters in any way, shape or form.
Chapter 7
She woke to a sky like an open wound. Smoke streaked the horizon. Ashes drifted on the wind like snow. They were followed by the reek of burnt flesh. Her eyes stung with tears. She'd come too late.
The spirit grove was ash and bone. The village was a burnt carcass. Not a soul stirred in its remains. There was nothing left for her here but grief.
She set her teeth. The Water Tribe were nothing if they weren't survivors. They'd seen the ships coming. They'd been warned. There was still time.
She carried on through the wreckage, her footsteps heavy with the weight of her unease. Every sight added to her burden. She almost made it to the grove before she finally stumbled.
She caught her footing with a gasp. She stared down at the hindrance, half buried in the snow. She bent down to brush the snow away.
Her efforts revealed a burnt cloth doll; crude, simple and achingly familiar. Fire took no prisoners. She swallowed her tears and threw caution to the wind.
"Kaede?"
Her voice was a stranger's. A voice worn harsh and raw. She knew it all the same; the voice of desperation.
She shuddered and tried again. "Kaede, are you-"
"Avatar?"
Kagome started. The woman at her bedside did likewise. She let out a startled shriek. The tray in her hands crashed to the floor.
"I-I'm sorry! I only-"
"Kaede?"
No, this wasn't Kaede. This woman was much too old. Or should that be too young? She shook her head. Her thoughts were a fog.
She closed her eyes and steadied her breath. She was Kagome. The fire was gone. The wounds had healed. The war was over. She was Kagome.
She opened her eyes and stared up at the woman cowering away from the bed. She wasn't much older than she was. Her thick brown braids were long and loose like a girl's. They were almost comical beside a face as solid and solemn as hers. This woman was a stranger. Yet something about her face tugged at her memory.
She swallowed her nerves. "Uh... hi?"
"Y-You're awake." She stared at Kagome, half in shock and half in awe. Her hands were still shaking. So was the rest of her.
"Um, yeah." Kagome shot a glance at the dropped tray. Its contents lay shattered on the floor. She cleared her throat. "Sorry."
"You're awake." It was as if she hadn't even heard her. She clutched the wall and dragged herself to her feet. She was still shaking. "I-I must get Master Kaede."
"Master Kaede? Wait..."
Kagome's voice trailed off as she beat a hasty retreat out of the doorway. She flopped back against the pillows with a sigh. Why wouldn't anyone just listen? She rolled over to stare at the opposite wall.
She gave a start. There was someone in the bed opposite her. Someone who was still fast asleep. She sat up for a closer look.
"Mama?"
Mama lay exhausted atop of pile of furs. Her head was pillowed on one of her arms. Her other hand clutched at the furs. Her face was slack with hadn't even taken off her parka.
Guilt tugged at her conscience. She must have been by her side the whole time. Just how long had she been here? She glanced out of the window. The moon was out of sight. She could have been asleep for hours.
She pushed the covers aside and swung her legs over the bed. She winced at their stiffness. A brief walk might do them some good. Some fresh air would be welcome too.
There was a warm robe folded ready for her at the end of the bed. A pair of soft fur slippers waited below it. She slid her feet into them and pulled on the robe. She glanced over at Mama. She hadn't stirred a bit.
"Just stretching my legs. I'll be back soon," she promised. She'd keep this one. She could at least do that much.
She made her way over to the doors at the far end of the room. They were frozen solid. Only a waterbender would be able to move them. Now wasn't a good time to try.
She glanced round and found a small window on the neighbouring wall. Well, at least she had a view. She stretched on to her toes, ignoring the twinges in her calves.
She peered down at the courtyard below her. It was packed with people. Some were standing, some were sitting, some were sleeping. All of them were waiting. For her.
One of them threw her a wave. A few others raised their heads towards the ducked back down.
"Avatar?"
Meriwa stood in the doorway holding a tray with a fresh bowl of broth, a water skin and two cups. Kaede stood behind her. Her expression hovered somewhere between relief and anxiety.
"I trust you're feeling better, Avatar?"
Avatar again. She still hadn't the energy to argue. Honesty was probably the best policy. Kaede didn't strike her as the type to be easily fooled.
She gave her a stiff bow. "A little. Thank you for asking, Master Kaede."
She wasn't fooled, all right. She nodded towards the bed. "Perhaps a little more rest is in order. And some supper." She beckoned Meriwa forwards.
"Supper?" She really had been out of it. "Um, how long was I-"
"Most of the day," Kaede replied. "Still, not to worry. I had Meriwa here save you some broth." She gave the girl a nod.
Meriwa set the tray down on her beside table with a muttered apology. She still couldn't meet Kagome's eyes.
Kagome's stomach rumbled in thanks. At least one part of her was better. She sat down on the bed and took a nervous spoonful.
The broth was light and plain, with shreds of seaweed and chunks of white fish. It wasn't quite five-flavour soup but it was exactly what she needed right now. She managed a smile. "Thanks. It's good."
Meriwa accepted her thanks with a bow. "Thank you, Avatar." She didn't return the smile.
She took another spoonful. Kaede watched her in silence. That didn't do wonders for her appetite. She managed a couple more before she set the spoon down.
"Um, is everything alright?" she asked.
"As much as it can be. The Council have finally exhausted themselves. And most of the rest of us." Kaede glanced over at Mama. She was still deep in slumber.
"Mama went to the Council?"
"On your behalf. She insisted they let you rest." She gave a sigh. "I'm afraid you're going to have some very long days ahead of you."
"They want to see me?"
"Not right away. I at least made sure of that much. But I'd rest while you still can. They're not ones to take no for an answer." She glanced down at the floor. "Oh, Meriwa. Would you mind fetching a broom?"
"It's okay. I can-"
"Oh no, Avatar. I couldn't possibly-" Meriwa flushed. "I-I'll get one right away." She hurried out of the room before Kagome could say another word.
Kagome swallowed a sigh. "You really don't have to-"
"You need to regain your strength. And I need to speak to those dunderheads downstairs." She shook her head. "I'd go back to sleep if I were you."
"Thanks but I'm really not that tired."
"Trust me, you will be. I'll tell them you're still in bed. You'll thank me later."
"Well, if you insist." No doubt she would. "Uh, thanks for the food. And the advice."
"You're welcome." Kaede excused herself with a bow.
Kagome flopped back against the pillows again. She spent a minute or two staring at the ceiling before she reached for her spoon. It wasn't like she had any other options right now. She forced down the rest of the bowl and pushed it away. She had a long evening ahead of her.
Mama didn't wake until it was near midnight. Meriwa didn't give them much time to catch up. She arrived with two sets of spare clothes from Grandpa and a summons from Master Kaede. She hurried them down to the audience chamber as soon as they'd pulled on their boots.
The chamber was surprisingly modest. It was little more than a cavern carved from the ice. The walls were bare. No sculptures graced the room. The only furniture was a plain round table and some cushions. The one striking feature was the large ice window on the far wall. It gave her a silhouetted glimpse of the Goshinboku. Its outline cast a shadow over the room.
Master Kaede and Hitomiko awaited them behind the table. They rose and bowed at their approach.
"Welcome, Avatar. I am glad to see you well." Kaede beckoned for them to sit on the opposite side.
Kagome replied with a stiff bow. Mama squeezed her shoulder. She straightened her back and went to take her place. Mama followed her with her hand still on her arm.
Kagome's brows creased as she approached. Was that a game board in the centre of the table? It was large and round with a diamond in the middle and lots of small round tiles. It was very like one of the merchants' games from the ferry. Perhaps it was Master Kaede's idea of an icebreaker?
She fought the urge to shake her head. More questions. Just what she needed. She sat down on the cushion and scooted across to make room for Mama beside her.
The masters watched in silence. Kagome sat with them for a good minute before she risked a question.
"Um, pardon me, but where's-"
Two pairs of footsteps answered her. Chief Hojo entered the doorway with a bow. His face was worn with worry. Nanashi stood behind him. His smile was impenetrable as ever.
The masters stood up to return their greeting. The Chief went to his place without a word. Nanashi bowed his head to Kagome as he passed. All she gave him was a stare.
The Chief gave her a nod. "My apologies, Kagome. I had urgent business to attend to."
"Oh. There's no need to..." She flushed as her voice trailed away. If anything, she should be the one apologising to him.
He shook his head. "I'm just glad you're okay. Akitoki-" His voice hitched. He cleared his throat. "He won't be coming to the meeting."
Mama voiced her fears. "How is he?"
"Sleeping." His expression filled in the blanks. "Thank you for your concern."
"I see." Mama knew better than to push or pry. "I pray for his good health."
"As do we all." He turned back to the masters. His face was as flat as the table.
Better not to ask. At least she was still Kagome to him. She bit back her nerves and met Kaede's gaze.
"Is this everyone?"
"Everyone we invited, I trust?" Kaede addressed her question to Nanashi.
"We won't be disturbed. I can assure you of that," he replied.
"Very well, are we ready to begin?"
"There is one small matter, Master Kaede," said Hitomiko. "This... thief. The guards say you questioned him." She gave the Chief a pointed look.
His jaw clenched."Couldn't get a damned word out of him." The anger in his eyes withered before the masters' stares. "No one's laid a hand on him since we put him in the cell."
"Not even the healers?" Kaede frowned.
"He wouldn't - couldn't stand the water, from what I hear." He shook his head. "I understand your concerns, Masters but that boy... he's just not natural."
"That remains to be seen," Kaede replied.
"If you say so, Master." His eyes said otherwise.
"Even so, he is our responsibility," said Hitomiko. "See you remember that."
"Thank you, Hitomiko." Kaede turned to Kagome before either of them could get a word in edgeways. "Still, that isn't why I've called you here tonight."
That much was obvious. Anxiety coiled in Kagome's stomach. Mama placed her hand over hers.
"Why did you, Master?"
"You deserve a chance to speak for yourself."
Hitomiko's gaze shot to Kaede's. Her own didn't waver.
The Chief cleared his throat. "Pardon me, Master but she's had a very long day. Couldn't this wait until the morning?"
"I'm not sure how much longer the Council will wait, Ujiyasu."
"I gave them a full report. Surely that's enough?"
"Not enough to answer all their questions," Nanashi put in.
"What makes you so sure she's got the answers?"
Kagome shifted in her seat. Even if he was the Chief, this really wasn't...
Mama gave a small cough. "Well..." She gave Kagome a nudge.
Nanashi backed her up with a nod. "It would be best to hear it from the Avatar herself, would it not?"
"And what gives you the right to speak for the Avatar?"
It was a fair question. One she could have asked of the Chief himself. She gave Nanashi a grateful glance instead.
Nanashi didn't say a word in reply. He reached across the table and took a tile from the board. The Chief's jaw unclenched. His eyes remained questioning. Kagome leaned in for a closer look.
It was nothing remarkable; a small, round black tile with a large white flower in its centre. Yet the sight of it was enough to bring the entire room to silence.
She gave Nanashi a frown. "What's this?"
"Consider it proof."
"Proof?" She shot Kaede a bewildered look. Kaede's eye was still fixed on Nanashi.
He bowed his head in response. "A thousand pardons, Master Kaede, I've quite forgotten my manners. May I have this game?"
Kaede returned the bow. "The guest has the first move."
Miroku placed the tile in the centre of the board. Hitomiko's eyes widened.
"I see you favour the White Lotus gambit," said Kaede. "Not many still cling to the ancient ways." Her expression was as still as the board.
"Those who do can always find a friend," Miroku replied.
"Then let us play," said Kaede. She reached out and placed another tile.
Miroku set down another tile. She replied with yet another. They continued the game at a frantic pace, neither losing a beat. They didn't stop until all the tiles had been moved. They drew back, allowing Kagome to make out a pattern in the centre of the board.
It was a large flower. The very mirror of the one on the first tile. She stared at them both in bewilderment.
Kaede spread her hands wide. "Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets."
Kagome gave a small cough. "Um, pardon me, Master Kaede but what does all this have to do with-"
"My apologies, Avatar." Nanashi bowed his head. "I haven't been as honest as I may have wished."
Kagome blinked. Well, that was more honesty than she'd expected from him. She prompted him with a nod.
"Allow me to introduce myself a second time." He rose from his seat and knelt down before her. Kagome gasped as his forehead touched the floor. "I have the honour to be your humble servant, Miroku of the White Lotus."
She stared at the prostrate monk. "White Lotus?"
"The Order of the White Lotus. The guardians of knowledge, beauty and truth." Hitomiko's voice was soft with thought. "And the protectors of the Avatar."
"Protectors?"
"Our order have served the Avatar for generations." Miroku kept his eyes on the floor. "It would be an honour to serve you again."
"Um..." Somehow every answer she found only raised more questions. It would be easier if he would just look at her. She suppressed a sigh. "Please, you don't need to - you can get up."
The monk raised his head with a frown. "If I have caused any offence-"
"No, no. It's just - this is easier. For both of us, right?" She waved away his frown with a smile.
"As you wish." He got to his feet and resumed his place at the table.
"Thanks. I... I'm not used to all this."
"I see."
Perhaps he did. At least it made conversation a bit more straightforward. Maybe she could pry some more answers out of him, if she got lucky.
"So, you're the Avatar's... servants?"
"In a sense. Guardians may be the better term."
"I see." If only she did. "And you say you'd like to serve me... again? Is that right?"
"That is so."
"But Kikyou was the last Avatar, right? You can't be that much older than you look."
Then again, she could be wrong. It would be far from the weirdest thing the last couple of days had thrown at her.
"I am not the first of my family to serve the Order," Miroku explained. "My father was a member, as was my grandfather before him. His own father was Kikyou's airbending master."
"That's quite some history."
"Indeed. Although that's far from all of it. His father was Kikyou's predecessor."
"Wait. Avatar Lobsang? Avatar Lobsang was your great-great-grandfather?"
"He was. And it seems you are his latest incarnation." He cleared his throat. "If you'll pardon me for saying so, you're not quite what I expected."
She swore a faint blush tinged his cheeks. She stifled a giggle. "Well, neither are you."
"I would have to agree." Kaede's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Most of us are a bit longer in the tooth than Miroku."
"Us?"
"He's not the only member here." She opened her palm to reveal another white lotus tile.
"Oh." Well, that explained more than a few things. It still didn't explain anywhere near enough for her liking. Still, she had her share of explaining to do too.
"Of course."
"Shall we begin?" Hitomiko prompted her.
Kagome swallowed. "I-I'm still not quite sure what happened myself." She let out a nervous laugh.
Mama squeezed her hand. She took another breath. "But I'll try. "
She began her story softly. The others leaned in to listen. She took them back to the temple and worked her halting way through the last two days. Kaede prompted her with questions. Mama encouraged her at every pause. Her voice grew with the tale. By the time she'd finished Kaede's expression was darker than the sky.
"After all these years..." She looked down at the table to gather her thoughts.
"It is... unexpected," Hitomiko admitted. "Had I known sooner..."
"Had I known sooner this evening could have turned out very differently." Kaede raised her head to fix her with a stare. "That woman this morning. Why was I not informed of this?"
"We searched the entire port, Master. There was no need to escalate the matter."
"Resume your search."
"Are you sure, Master?" Hitomiko creased her brows. "There wasn't a trace of her."
"You cannot be certain. Not after this evening."
Hitomiko blinked. "Master, I mean no disrespect but am I to believe that this old woman somehow eluded the entire watch? And rendered Kagome helpless with a mere stare?" She shook her head. "Only a spirit would be capable of such a thing."
"And we have already witnessed a spirit among us," Kaede declared. "Search the entire island, if you must. Leave no stone unturned."
Even Hitomiko had no rebuttal for that. "As you wish, Master." Her face fell still once more.
"So." Kaede turned back to Kagome. "You say the Goshinboku responded to your touch?"
"I-I don't know. Last night... I've never done anything like that before."
Hitomiko frowned at Mama. "You didn't know your daughter was a waterbender?"
"Kagome has never been a bender, Master Hitomiko," Mama replied. Her gaze was as steady as the Master's. "We don't have a single waterbender in the village."
Hitomiko turned to Chief Hojo. "Is this true?"
Chief Hojo's eyes fell. His voice stayed steady. "I'm afraid it is, Master. None of my family inherited my grandfather's gift."
Kaede tapped her chin. "Now that is uncanny. Most of those who have the gift can bend by the time they can walk. I've heard of late bloomers but-"
"But that doesn't-" Kagome clapped a hand over her mouth as Hitomiko fixed her frown on her. Kaede prompted her with a nod.
"Sorry. It's just - the next Avatar should be an earthbender, right? You can't have two waterbenders in a row."
"That would usually be the case," Miroku agreed. "But these are unusual times. Kikyou was... not a usual Avatar."
Kagome frowned. "Don't tell me you believe-"
"I believe this may be more than a coincidence. That is all." He paused to study her frown. "You must admit, the resemblance is uncanny."
"That still doesn't make me Kikyou. Or the Avatar," Kagome insisted.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps not." Kaede gave a sigh. "It seems the matter is not for us to decide."
"Then who will?" asked Mama. "We're going back on the next boat."
"We can make arrangements," replied Kaede. "Rest assured, I have no intention of separating you."
"And the rest of the village?"
"We can accommodate them. Akitoki is certainly in no state to travel."
"I'm afraid I have to agree, Sayuri," said Chief Hojo. "The village will manage without us. For now." The thought clearly brought him no relief.
"We will do all we can," Kaede reassured him.
"That leaves us with one last matter to resolve." Hitomiko turned to Kagome.
Kagome swallowed. "Master Hitomiko?"
"Avatar or no, you are certainly a waterbender," said Hitomiko. "A waterbender capable of levelling an iceberg." That wasn't a compliment coming from her.
"Such power in untrained hands..." Kaede's voice trailed off in thought. Her gaze drifted towards the younger master.
Hitomiko followed her lead. She got to her feet without another word. She made a low bow towards Kagome. Her head almost touched the table.
"M-master?"
"Kagome." Hitomiko gazed at her with eyes as clear as a moonless night. "May I ask if you would do me the honour?"
"Honour?"
The answer was written clear on Hitomiko's face. Kagome's breath hitched as she gave it voice.
"The honour of being my student."
Constructive criticism is very welcome!
I update once a month.
