Sesshomaru led Kagome to a nearby river, where they had cleaned up. Bathing had been a challenge, their thoughts constantly drifting back to the pleasure they had found in each other's arms. After they dressed, Kagome's hunger prompted Sesshomaru to hunt for food.
Returning with a couple of rabbits, Sesshomaru stood proudly as he presented his kill to Kagome. While he prepared and cooked the meal, Kagome brewed tea for them both. Leaning against a tree, Sesshomaru sipped his tea, his gaze fixed on the night sky as Kagome approached with something behind her back.
"Sesshomaru?"
He glanced at her, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Yes, koi?"
Sitting on her knees, Kagome bowed her head. "I have a gift for you."
As she handed him the wrapped books, she noticed his keen interest, akin to a true dog's curiosity. Carefully, he opened the package with his claws, revealing the contents within.
"They are a compiled history of your Father," she explained. "In my time, demons and priestesses are considered tales of old, nothing more than myth and hearsay. Yet, there are still many who believe that demons are real and still walk amongst us."
Kagome continued, noting the longing in his gaze as he looked at the cover of the book, which featured a rough painting of his Father.
"Even in my time, your Father is one of the more well-known demons to have walked the Earth. We learned about him in my history class. At the time, before I fell down the well, I hadn't cared to listen as I too believed they were nothing more than stories. Until I discovered that I, myself, was a priestess and was born with the Sacred Jewel inside me." Kagome fidgeted with her hands. "I recall you mentioning that you didn't know much about your Father's adventures before you were born. So, I spoke to Myoga and had him listen as I read them to confirm if they were truth or mere fiction while you were still gone."
"The books are remarkably accurate," Kagome continued. "Myoga was surprised but ultimately admitted that he, along with a few of your Father's other friends, had compiled his life into journals. It seems that someone in the future found these journals and turned them into the very books you hold in your hand."
Kagome discovered there were ten volumes in the series detailing the life of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's father, Toga, when she looked it up. However, she had only purchased the first two volumes, unsure if Sesshomaru would appreciate the gift.
He remained silent for a while, his gaze fixed on the book in his hands. "Koi," he finally spoke.
"Yes, Sesshomaru?"
He opened his legs slightly, a silent invitation for her to join him. Crawling between his legs, she nestled against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head. "Thank you for the gift."
"You truly like it, then?"
He chuckled softly. "My father may have made decisions I found questionable and rather mad. But I do miss him and often think of how we left things."
"You miss him?" Kagome asked softly.
He nodded, his arms tightening around her in a comforting embrace. "I have great respect, admiration, and affection for him, even though he left me to raise the whelp."
"You took care of Inuyasha?"
"Only so I could have a proper fight with him when he grew strong and formidable." Sesshomaru paused, his claws brushing through her hair. "I followed him, masked my demonic aura," Sesshomaru elaborated, his voice tinged with reminiscence. "He was just a pup then when he lost his Mother. As much as I hated him. He was still my little brother, a part of my pack."
"So, you watched over him," Kagome murmured, her eyes reflecting understanding.
"Yes," Sesshomaru affirmed with a nod. "I made sure he survived, teaching him the ways of the wild, guiding him from afar as he navigated through the woods. He learned to hunt for food, to defend himself against predators, to endure the harsh elements."
"It must have been lonely for both of you," Kagome remarked softly, sensing the weight of those solitary years.
"I was raised to be alone," Sesshomaru admitted, his gaze drifting to the horizon. "Which is why I raised him to rely on myself, to trust my instincts, and to be capable of fighting Inuyasha one day."
Kagome nodded, her heart swelling with empathy for the young Sesshomaru and the orphaned Inuyasha. She understood the complex emotions Sesshomaru harbored toward his brother, just as she grasped the depths of Inuyasha's own hardships. Their Father's decisions had caused a rift between them long before they ever met. Kagome had learned about Toga's infidelity to Sesshomaru's mother, abandoning her for a human princess and fathering a son with her, whom he favored over Sesshomaru. The betrayal and rejection Sesshomaru must have felt were unimaginable.
Despite everything, Sesshomaru had shouldered the burden of his father's choices and forged his own path. It was a testament to his strength and resilience.
"Read to me," he commanded, his tone gentle.
Kagome smiled, "alright."
Adjusting her position, she lay with her back against his chest. His claws brushed through her hair, and as she leaned over to retrieve the book from him, she felt a sense of contentment settle over them. Cracking open the book to the first page, she began to read aloud, the words weaving tales of his adventures and the legacies that he would leave behind.
As Kagome woke in the early morning light, she found Sesshomaru already watching her, his golden eyes studying her with an intensity that she was slowly beginning to grow accustomed to. They shared a quiet moment together, her fingers tracing his markings while he shivered under her touch, his lips finding her pulse point, sucking and nipping gently.
But their peaceful morning was abruptly interrupted by a bright blue light that shot through the clearing. Sesshomaru carried Kagome to another side of the clearing. Trees shattered and splintered around them as they were thrown by the force of the explosion. Kagome gasped in shock, holding onto Sesshomaru tightly as they were propelled through the air.
Loud footsteps and the clanging of metal heralded the arrival of Inuyasha and the rest of their group. "What the hell happened here?" Inuyasha demanded, his voice filled with concern and confusion.
As they emerged into the clearing, Kagome felt Sesshomaru clutch onto her even tighter, his claws digging into her flesh. She frowned, holding onto him in return.
"Release the priestess, you foul demon!" a small child shouted, accompanied by two others.
Sesshomaru's gaze narrowed at the children, a silent warning emanating from him as they readied their urns, preparing to attack. Before they could unleash their powers, however, Inuyasha intervened, using the Wind Scar to counter their attack and swiftly subduing them.
Inuyasha rushed forward, his fists landing solidly on each of their heads, causing them to drop their urns, rip their masks off and hold their heads in pain. "What the hell are you brats doing with such dangerous weapons!?" he demanded, his voice laced with anger and concern.
Kagome watched the scene unfold, surprised by Inuyasha's swift actions. She glanced at Sesshomaru, expecting him to intervene, but he remained silent, his focus solely on her well-being.
"You'll regret that!" one of the children shouted defiantly before they all turned and fled into the woods, their urns clutched tightly in their hands.
As Inuyasha moved to chase after them, Miroku stepped in to halt his pursuit. "Let them go, Inuyasha. We can follow them at their own pace."
Turning back to Kagome, Inuyasha rushed over to her side. "Kagome, are you okay?" he asked, his concern evident in his voice.
Kagome nodded, offering him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Inuyasha. Just a little shaken up, but nothing serious." She glanced back at Sesshomaru, silently grateful for his protective presence.
As they approached the sacred mountain of the East, where the Ascetics were rumored to reside, they were greeted by a lone temple. Just as they drew closer, the gates swung open, and a blinding white light shot out towards them, reminiscent of the earlier attack on Sesshomaru and Kagome. Despite her initial plan to depart soon after their arrival, Kagome felt an inexplicable pull urging her to proceed.
However, an eerie sensation settled over Kagome as they ventured further up the sacred mountain. The feeling only intensified the closer they came to the temple, refusing to dissipate and instead growing stronger with each step.
Inuyasha swiftly countered the attack with his Wind Scar, allowing them to breach the gates and enter the temple's courtyard. There, they found a group of eight boys huddled together, their frightened expressions tugging at Kagome's heartstrings.
Amidst the children stood a man with pale skin, short black hair, and garments of white and lavender. A scar marred his face, extending down his neck and onto his collarbone. Kagome's gaze was drawn to the large demon arm that replaced his right limb.
"You demons are pretty arrogant to show your faces to me," he declared, his voice cold and eyes piercing.
Before they could respond, a horde of demons descended upon the temple, launching an attack. With swift and decisive action, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Miroku engaged the assailants, dispatching them with lethal efficiency. The sky soon rained down with blood, demon flesh, and scattered remains.
"You despicable demons!" Master Goryomaru exclaimed, his eyes narrowed in disdain. "You slaughter your own kind while bearing the mark of demons yourselves."
"Are you not a demon yourself?" Inuyasha interjected, instinctively covering his hand with the prayer beads.
Master Goryomaru sighed, his expression softening slightly. "I was once attacked by a demon. After it possessed me, I fought back and killed it while it was in the process of devouring me. These beads have proven effective against vile demons," he explained, gesturing to the beads draped over his hand.
Shippo, perched on Kagome's shoulder, couldn't help but whimper, "Talk about being a harsh demon hater."
"You provided these strange urns to children and instructed them to kill demons," Inuyasha accused, his voice tinged with anger. "How do you justify that? And I bet you're the one who ordered them to kill Gakusanjin!" he yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at Master Goryomaru.
"Gakusanjin?" Master Goryomaru's brow furrowed in confusion.
"He was a mountain demon," Miroku explained, joining Inuyasha's side. "He preferred to remain dormant as a mountain rather than engage in unnecessary battles. Gakusanjin was targeted by another demon, or rather a half-demon, who disturbed his slumber. That half-demon is known as Naraku."
"Naraku?" Master Goryomaru echoed, clearly troubled by the revelation.
Kagome, her voice filled with concern, spoke up, "Why would you order the killing of an innocent demon? One who hadn't harmed anyone?"
Master Goryomaru turned his attention to the children, who began to laugh nervously under his scrutiny. "Is this true?" he asked, his tone heavy with disappointment.
"We can't discern between good and bad demons," one child admitted.
"So we simply eliminate anyone who stands in our way," another child confessed.
Sesshomaru reached for her hand, his firm grip enveloping hers. "You should head North, koi," he advised, his voice steady and reassuring.
Kagome nodded, understanding the urgency of her journey. She had shared Kikyo's warning with the others, explaining the need for her to travel to the Shrine of Midoriko in the Northern lands. It was a place where even Naraku's reach couldn't penetrate, ensuring her safety along with the shard as she trained to harness the spiritual power that belonged to Midoriko.
"Can I take Au-Un?" she inquired, hoping for his approval.
"You are my intended," he affirmed, his tone unwavering. "You needn't ask. He is yours as well."
Standing on her toes, she kissed the mark on his forehead. "Keep everyone safe while I'm away?"
He brushed his nose against hers, his touch reassuring. "You needn't worry, koi." He kissed her gently. "I will come for you at the border in two weeks."
"I'll be there," she murmured, her heart already yearning for their reunion.
After bidding everyone a quick farewell, she stroked the two-headed dragon affectionately before mounting Au-Un. With a final wave, she urged the dragon into the late evening sky, her destination fixed in her mind.
As she flew through the night, Kagome sensed the familiar tingling sensation in her veins, signaling her proximity to the Shrine of Midoriko. The landscape transformed from woods to mountains, and she knew she was nearing her destination.
"Bring me down, Au-Un," she whispered as she felt the energy thrumming through her. The dragon obeyed, landing softly on the ground. Kagome dismounted and bid the dragon rest until morning before returning to Sesshomaru.
Just as she prepared to leave the clearing, she sensed a threatening presence surrounding her. Notching an arrow, she flared her reiki, hoping to deter any potential attackers. However, the growling only intensified.
Suddenly, a young woman emerged from the trees, her auburn hair in pigtails and bright green eyes shining with recognition. "Kagome?"
"Ayame!" Kagome lowered her weapon, relieved to see a familiar face.
"It's just Kagome!" Ayame called out, causing the growling to cease. Several wolves emerged from the forest, surrounding them protectively.
"It's great to see you," Ayame exclaimed. "What brings you out here?"
"I'm heading toward Midoriko's shrine," Kagome explained.
Ayame nodded. "I can guide you there, but I won't be able to enter. No demon can."
As they walked together into the mountains, Kagome recounted the recent events with Naraku to Ayame.
"That explains why Naraku has been sniffing around the Northern Mountains," Ayame sighed.
"When was this?"
"Just a couple of weeks ago," Ayame replied. "He sent a child as a scout."
It had grown rather late, and the temperature dropped with every minute that passed by. As they ventured deeper into the mountains. Ayame walked beside her, her strides confident and her demeanor reassuring. The wolves, loyal guardians of their territory, formed a protective barrier around them, their watchful eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of threat.
Kagome couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the rugged terrain, the majestic peaks soaring high into the sky and the lush greenery carpeting the slopes. The air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth.
As they trekked onward, Ayame shared tales of the Northern Mountains – stories of ancient spirits and legendary guardians who had watched over the land for centuries. Kagome listened intently, captivated by the rich history and folklore of the region. The more time she spent in the Feudal era, the more she appreciated the history.
"Have you seen Kouga recently?" Ayame finally asked, a hint of nervousness in her tone.
"Several weeks ago when we passed through his lands," Kagome replied with a smile. "When was the last time you saw him?"
"A couple of weeks ago," Ayame replied, a soft smile gracing her lips as her fingers reached up to touch the flower in her hair.
"As usual, he got into a fight with Inuyasha, but this time it was broken up by my intended," Kagome explained, noticing the surprise in Ayame's eyes as she turned to face her.
"Your intended...?" Ayame's voice trailed off, her gaze shifting towards Kagome's collar as if searching for a mating mark. "It's rare for half-demons to have a mate."
"It's not Inuyasha," Kagome clarified with a smile. "It's Inuyasha's older brother, Lord Sesshomaru."
Ayame blinked in shock and surprise. "I never knew."
"He only told me recently," Kagome admitted. "I've been adjusting to it."
A smile blossomed on Ayame's face. "I'm happy for you, Kagome."
In the two years since then, Ayame and I have grown close in friendship. Her initial anger and jealousy faded when she confronted Kagome about her relationship with Kouga. After she explained their history, she admitted feeling relieved by it.
Kagome trusted Ayame to keep her secret about Sesshomaru, knowing that she understood the delicate nature of their situation. Their bond had only grown stronger over time, cementing their friendship.
As they approached the Shrine of Midoriko, Kagome's heart quickened with anticipation. The air grew colder as they ascended, sending shivers down her spine, yet the warmth of spiritual energy enveloped her, crackling in the air like a gentle flame. Her blood pulsed with reiki, resonating with the sacred power that surrounded them.
"I cannot take you any farther," Ayame said, halting their journey as the wolves began to howl.
"Thank you, Ayame," Kagome said, offering a grateful smile.
"When will you return?" Ayame inquired.
"In two weeks' time," Kagome replied with a reassuring smile.
Ayame and Kagome embraced each other tightly, bidding farewell along with the wolves. Kagome then stepped forward, straightening her posture, ready to continue her journey alone.
Kagome approached the Shrine of Priestess Midoriko with a sense of reverence, the small temple nestled among the northern mountains. The sight of the sacred place filled her with awe, its beauty and serenity palpable even from a distance. As she drew nearer, she could feel the spiritual energy pulsating around her, as if welcoming her presence.
The shrine itself was a marvel of architecture, its intricate carvings and delicate details speaking of centuries of devotion and reverence. Surrounding it, the rugged landscape of the mountains only added to its mystique, casting an aura of ancient wisdom and tranquility.
With each step she took closer to the shrine, Kagome felt a deep sense of purpose welling up within her. She knew that within these sacred walls lay the key to unlocking her own spiritual power, a power that would be crucial in the battles ahead against Naraku.
Taking a moment to pause and gather her thoughts, Kagome breathed in deeply, letting the crisp mountain air fill her lungs. With determination in her heart, she stepped forward, ready to begin her training at the Shrine of Priestess Midoriko.