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Chapter 8
Murmuring in the halls echoed against the rich wood of the castle. Their precarious and curious looks searched the hallway and bounced between the two royals standing before them. The spirit that the royal demoness spoke of was nothing to them but air and light shining through the windows. Aside from the mumbling of the servants and guards, the tall demoness sharing similar facial features with the General, stood in silence for a moment as the woman spirit's words settled onto her senses. Her golden eyes flickered between that of her son who gazed at the woman with tendrils of annoyance so miniscule that had she not birth him, she wouldn't know how he felt until his sharp claws were launched into the spirit's chest. Mirth and knowing danced in her gaze upon the woman who seemed about as real as any other being in the hallway.
Oshun's breath came out heavy in the air between her and the Lord. His cold gaze and claws looked eager to end her but from what she could tell, he could not. The contrast between his sick bedridden body in the future stood in stark comparison from this version of him. Questions regarding the events between his future and past self-began to grow. He was tall and lean standing in a layered kimono that draped across his smooth skin. The redness from his illness was not present in this version of himself. His hair was neatly laid behind him and trailed down his back. The power that he held hummed against her vibrationally laced with firm threats and intentions of killing. This Sesshomaru was powerful and dare she say frightening. She took a few steps back, trying to take her eyes from the Lord for too long. He had proven three times to be keen on taking her life and she wouldn't put it past him to achieve it if he gained the knowledge to.
Sesshomaru looked between his mother and the damnation of a woman in front of him parading as a spirit. He recoiled at his mother's antics finding them to be crude and unnecessary. A ploy she no doubt was using to protect Rin and provide a reason as to the strangeness of the events this afternoon. He wasn't sure how true any of it was, but he knew this…. entity had something to do with it. And he would rather get rid of her than to be pestered by something else in his home besides those foolish enough to go against him and his wishes. But what was she? Something he needed to know to rid himself of her and her foolish claims. He could smell her and almost feel her presence. The light sweet scent of honey and hibiscus coated his palate with the freshness of a gentle stream in the Springtime. It calmed him and drove him mad.
Was she a sorceress?
Sesshomaru gazed at the woman in her white dress with golden trinkets decorating her loc'd hair and body. The smooth shining color of her body from the skin exposed spoke of her being very different. A being from the underworld maybe? But her spirit was light and something cosmic dance within the magic of her aura. It was like gold dust if he concentrated hard enough on her. But that would be falling to her whims he was sure. Symbols decorated her skin like the markings of warriors and noble clansman. Was she a warrior? Was she sent to attack him and his family? She was infuriating to have nearby with him unable to ascertain her purpose. His anger with the uncertainty directed itself at the situation that left Rin exposed was surfacing. The ability to protect pack was a serious reflection of one's ability to lead and provide. The woman happened to be there and happened to protect Rin when he could not. A flaw that wouldn't repeat itself in his lifetime again. The anger simmered underneath him skin as he stared coldly down at the woman. Her eyes flickered occasionally away from him, but an understanding of violence was established between the two.
Another demon with short silver hair dressed in layered military clothing ran down the hallway. He skidded to a stop before the group looking about as the murmurings settled on his sensitive ears. His black boots echoed in the hallway along with a few other men that raced behind him finally onto the scene. His skin was sun kissed by the great sun and left him brown. The red and black clothing layered against the metal of his armor. His eyes were golden and expressive yet set into a hardened gaze as he looked about for danger. A few tendrils fell in his face as he surveyed the situation. His head then came down in a bow to both Lady Inukimi and Lord Sesshomaru. "My apologies for the delay. I was patrolling when I got word that something had happened."
"All is well, General Ichiro." Lady Inukimi provided as she nodded to him with a small smile. "We will speak of this later before our meeting with the Okazaki Clan Leader."
"Lady Inukimi." Asked one of her eldest handmaidens with a bowed head. Her long grey locks were tied into a respectful bun on top of her head. "Are we truly safe…with this spirit that you see."
The regal demoness said nothing as she continued to look at Oshun with contemplation. The concern for her son didn't move an inch of her porcelain face. Lady Inukimi stood tall and proper like a living doll with her silver hair neatly laid behind her. The violet layers of her elegant juni-hitoe neither wrinkled now bunched as she made small steps forward. Her piercing golden gaze looked upon Oshun as she folded her arms into the sleeves of her dress. Fingers gently stroking the cosmic ornament she carried with her within the confines of her dressing. A warmth tingling ghosted her fingers as she touched the orb. An understanding flooded her of things not seen. "I see." With that, the demoness spun around and made her way back down the hall. "Come."
Oshun looked to Sesshomaru and then back to the demoness. A few of her handmaidens were dismissed with a flick of her wrists as they spread their secrets and rumors of Rin being followed by a spirit and the master that may be taken by it. Already, their prayers and warnings layered amongst the ears of those that missed the confrontation. Lady Inukimi's older handmaidens remained and shared glances unsure of what to make of the demoness's lack of an answer. Guards bowed and waited to be dismissed by the seemingly stoic Lord who spared no one a glance. They and anyone else in the hallway quickly left with their tongues wagging and their spines shrinking in the presence of the towering young Lord. Sesshomaru turned around and began walking away in the opposite direction. General Ichiro looked between the two in confusion before following the young Lord. Oshun took steps forward and then backwards, unsure of the direction she should go and who to follow. It was with only a backwards glance from Lady Inukimi, that Oshun understood and quickly ran up the hallway after the regal woman.
Lady Inukimi moved like a feather on the wind. Her lacquered geta was silent against the hard wood of the palace floor. Oshun's footsteps echoed in her ears as she walked through the hallways. The entourage that followed a few feet back was barely noticed as they glided along from corridor to corridor and then outside. Lady Inukimi led their crusade through floral gardens that reminded Oshun of pictures she had seen on the internet of such places. Gentle blue ponds were sporadic everywhere with fish splashing and swimming about in their cool crystal waters. Various plants and exotic florae hung from painted archways, twisting trees, and created shaded areas in some places of the sidewalks. Lacquered red bridges over larger cool streams and stark white pathways lined the walkways between pagoda and buildings. The extravagance of the lush layout and floral arrangements were not loss to Oshun as she trailed silently behind Lady Inukimi who seemingly forgot that she was even there.
After some time, they turned and walked up a few steps into a beautiful open building that was painted in purple and blue pastels. Dancing white dog figurines with florals draped across their necks and backs were everywhere. It reminded Oshun of being almost shrine like in the way they were seated. Oshun's bare feet it the waxed hard wood floors and suddenly she felt slightly disgraceful for trekking in dirt and walking with her bare feet into the beautiful building. The wide doors closed leaving a few maidens outside and the others to follow. Lady Inukimi looked like moving art amongst the floral designs and topiaries lining the walls of the building. Large paintings of dogs, women, and men lined the walls as some were lined with colored glass that refracted the light and lined in decorative patterns. Oshun had the urge to spin and touch the lights that bounced off her anklets and earrings. They passed closed doors and some open ones revealing rooms with different artifacts and trinkets until they walked forth into one with double doors opened wide on both sides. The other side providing a private view of a beautiful garden and a giant pond resting in the center.
Finally, Lady Inukimi came to a large room with decorative pillows, chairs, furs, and rich cloths that layered around a single tea table. She sat as if lowered by a cloud onto the setup and her hand swept in front of her for Oshun, beckoning her to sit as well. Oshun took small steps forward until she sat down in front of the demoness. Her handmaidens went about freshening the room and preparing fragrant tea immediately. Lady Inukimi requested two cups much to the curiosity and superstition of the handmaidens who were adamantly either praying against the spirit, looking for the spirit, or developing the stray thought of the mental astuteness of their mistress. The elder handmaiden set the table delicately with years of practice. She said nothing as she provided the two cups and the teapot. Hot tea was poured into small decoratively delicate cups and placed on lacquered saucers. Shortly after, the small group of women were dismissed leaving Lady Inukimi alone with the spirit and with a view open to her gardens.
"Now…Oshun…was it?" Lady Inukimi picked up her teacup and blew the billowing steam away from the liquid. Her eyes trained on the beauty of the gardens outside of her doors.
"Yes." Oshun nodded her head and looked at the cup in front of her desiring so badly to take a sip. She wasn't thirsty but the motion of comfort was deeply wanted. "And I'm not a ghost! And I'm not here to hurt anyone."
"I know." Lady Inukimi placed her cup down and tucked her hands onto her lap and into the folds of her sleeves. "I too come from an historical line of spiritual affinity and insight much like you."
"You know?" Oshun asked looking to Lady Inukimi with wide eyes. "What?... How?" Her body leaned forward slightly over the tea table as she stared at the regal woman in awe. Her legs turned awkwardly to look fully at the regal woman.
Lady Inukimi softly smiled and titled her head slightly. Her eyes finally rested upon Oshun's seemingly real self. "So, you are a fledgling in the spiritual arts. Did no one in your line teach you about your skills, child? Or did you see my son's life threatened in a powerful vision and simply desired to help him. These are the only two circumstances I can think of that would cause you to appear like so."
Oshun's cheeks reddened with slight embarrassment of the truth. She didn't know exactly how this was possible. She was simply performing the duties of her father when someone she was sent to this place in some random time to see something or fix something in reference to the Lord. "I-"
"You are not trained then. You performed a ritual that has you distorted and lacking in regard." Lady Inukimi lifted her cup again to her painted lips and drank the smoothness of the hot tea. She placed the cup down and sighed to herself. "Where is the people of your line to teach? Are you an orphan?"
"No!" Oshun snapped her response. The embarrassment started to mingle with anger at the tone that Lady Inukimi was using with her. As if she was some child messing with something without permission.
"Then explain how you got here and more about reasoning behind your statement regarding my son." Lady Inukimi glared at the woman with a striking look. The warmth that she carried had slowly drained as the conversation developed more questions than answers for the demoness. "I know what you are and can get rid of you permanently, human." She threatened with a chill in the breath of her words.
Oshun's fist gathered at her side as she glared back challengingly. Uncertainty to fight or flee waged within her but she was unsure of the woman's abilities seated in front of her. She knew the demoness was strong and wise. But was she really prepared to call her on a bluff that may not even be that.
Lady Inukimi sat still and gazed at the woman in silence. The human's emotions danced across her face. The demoness could read her like an open book. The woman wasn't trying to hide anything, this she was certain but there was a lack of forthcoming with the logistics behind the woman's arrival and ties with her son and even their little ward, Rin. The demoness relaxed slightly and turned her gaze to the gardens again. Gathering the serenity of the small alcove into her spirit. "I know that you are a prophetess and a mystic." She spoke calmly, watching the flutter of a few butterflies dance over a bushel of lillies. "I projected that you were a spirit to provide another layer of protection for little Rin as she navigates living in the house amongst demons that would rather see her dead than serve her. At the very least, they will avoid her out of belief of their own fears and superstitions with ghosts."
Oshun unclenched her fists in her lap. She understood the loving protection of a family member over a loved one. She thought about the little girl and what almost happened today. How that also played into this conversation as well as the hostility from the Lord and the cold threat of the demoness seated in front of her. Swallowing her pride, Oshun tried anew. "My father is a seer and a healer that has been around for eons. Normally, he is the one that sees and performs healing rituals but he…. Has become sick and -" Oshun sighed pushed her locks behind her ears. "Admittedly, I have not been trained because I chose another path than that of spiritual work. But I couldn't have my dad siphoning the little strength he needs to heal on anyone else. We lost mom that way and I couldn't lose him too. So…I took up the charge. And I performed the ancient rituals of healing starting with the washing of the head. But I haven't even been able to start before I was transported here -" She lifted her hands and looked about the large ornate room filled with prized artifacts and comforts.
"Hnnn." Lady Inukimi hummed in understanding. "And so, you were taken here to the very scene of an attack on little Rin's life. An event that would certainly leave its mark on myself and my son's honor had you not intervened. For this I am grateful." She spoke and bowed her head lightly in acknowledgement. "And so my son's life is being threatened and a foreign healer has been commissioned to aid him. Tell me, has my son been poisoned? And does the perpetrator reside close to him through the years or developed by chance?" She asked.
Oshun shook her head no. "This is truly an illness." Oshun thought about what she could say and how she should handle this situation. Time was fickle and she knew nothing of how to navigate knowledge and sharing of it. But she was also without guidance in this. And she couldn't possibly ask her dad especially when she was supposed to be helping him find rest and not worry about healing people that seek him out. Deciding that Lady Inukimi had more of the answers she needed, she just spoke freely. "Something is causing him to be ill and it stims from this moment or this day. When I saw him last time, he was in a fiery battle with an enemy. And when he tried to kill me, I went back to his healing chamber."
"So this had happened before?" The demoness narrowed her eyes onto the woman.
"Yes and no. I came to heal him. When I arrived to his bedside, he was dangerously feverish and delirious. His heartbeat slowed and I…panicked. I proceeded with the healing ritual. I was halfway through when I arrived in the middle of an event. Maybe that event was monumental in his healing, but it was very short. I saw him fighting on a battlefield that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. Bodies were everywhere and…it was…horrible to say the least. Then a woman was about to be struck down before your son saved her. And then he looked at me and approached. Then I was thrust back at his side where he had fallen asleep. The fever was broken.…."
"And how was he while in this state?" Lady Inukimi probed.
Oshun shook her head searching for words. "Unhinged. His eyes were red. He sweated through the sheets and his skin was…like he was dying. All the color was gone. He growled and hissed at me. He wasn't talking. When he first tried to attack me he was wild and his nature was at the surface but as time has gone, it's like he's fading. Had I not seen your son today I wouldn't have thought him to have ever been who he is in this moment. He's sick and he's lost."
"Disturbing news." Lady Inukimi's lips were pursed as she mulled over the woman's words. A few birds chirped outside, and a gentle breeze swept through and ruffled the wings of the butterflies. "But this sounds vaguely familiar. Similar stories are told when demons lose their mates or become detached to their bestial nature in some fashion. Detrimental events that affect the spirit of a powerful demon. And when you performed the ritual, it did nothing for him?"
"Yes. I've seen that ritual performed many times by my mother and father. It works! But it didn't when I did it and I followed the rules down to the exact details. But he didn't heal but his fever broke. And the ritual brings me here before I can move onwards in the healing ritual. Whatever, I'm supposed to find here is in theory meant to help him heal later. But I cannot figure out what. And even if I do, how do I get back to apply what I've learned?" She asked desperately.
Lady Inukimi thought on this for a moment with insight from her own spiritual teachings and upbringing. "Let me alleviate you of some concerns little mystic." She began watching the rolling clouds come in at a distance. Rain would come soon. "I believe you should investigate his nature as to understand the root cause, the next time you should see him in his sick bed. Even solicit your father to help-"
"I can't do that. My father is -" Oshun cut in letting the demoness know that this was not an option.
"YOU will do so or so help me if I'm alive, I will find you and kill you immediately for not using every resource available to heal my son especially if it costs him his mind or his life!" Lady Inukimi cut in lethally. Her citrine eyes bore into Oshun who sat up in defiance. "And if you truly wish to heal my son without the need of your father, then I challenge you to seek quick thorough education and enlightenment in the field of mysticism and healing." With that Lady Kimi stood up and walked over to a table pushed against the wall holding gifts and artifacts.
Oshun's mind was racing. She had vowed long ago that she had given up following the pathway of her father and mother and even a few of her siblings. She was a woman of the world. A futurist. Following in her family's traditions and cultural heritage down to its spiritual components had only brought strife and despair to her life. She had left and went to the western world where one could carve out their destiny and with knowledge rise through the ranks. While she wasn't untouched by the hands of the history behind the diaspora, she had a century of navigating its clutches to thwart its hostile reach onto her life with its foggy microaggressions and systematic oppression. And even all of that was still worth battling if it meant not being dragged down by the crabs of her existence. Oshun felt a panic in her chest at the possibility of being stuck again in a place she wanted so desperately to leave but even more so that if she couldn't perform the task, she would need to call on her father. Her heart and her pride couldn't take it.
Lady Inukimi pointed to a small box and opened it. "In the meantime, I will investigate on my end what I believe is to be the issue as I have a hunch as to what is happening to you both. We will leave written letters for each other here in this room. We will do our best to date it because there is no telling when or if I will see you again." She showed Oshun's stricken face the ornamental box made from seashells. Lady Inukimi opened her mouth to speak before she felt a pulse in her handmaiden's aura. She flickered her own in response.
A knock came to the closed doors behind them. Lady Inukimi set the box down and tucked it in the back out of sight. She stepped away from the box and moved towards the center. Her gaze drifted between a visibly distraught Oshun and the double shogi doors where her handmaiden waited patiently to be received. Her aura pulsed again, and one of her senior handmaidens came in with a bowed head. The older demoness moved silently against the cold hardwood floor and bowed her head deeply. The sun lightened her wrinkled skin and highlighted the gentle shine in the older demoness's peppered tresses. "Your majesty, Lady Hiromi is here with the letters you require for your meeting with the Okazaki Clan."
"Thank you. I will make my way to my office shortly." Lady Inukimi spoke as the woman turned and left the room.
Lady Inukimi walked towards the exit and stilled. She turned to see the young woman still seated with a look of fear across her face. "Lady Oshun."
Oshun snapped her face up and looked to Lady Inukimi. "Yes?"
"If you are to be successful and aiding anybody in the spiritual and healing arts, you must first heal yourself." She offered with a hard gaze. "No one sees a sick doctor."
"But I'm not!" Oshun said defiantly as she stood up. Her heart beat madly in her chest at the accusation. Her ears grew hot. The blood pounded like a drum in her mind. And yet a knowing was there. A knowing that the demoness's words were true. "Why does everyone keep saying that! I'm not sick! I'm fine." The setting sun shined off her tresses behind her from the garden.
"Oh really? And so you heard it before and paid no heed but continued to go forward into healing without self-examination." Lady Inukimi hesitated as she raked her with a hard glance. Time seemed to stand still as the two locked eyes. Lady Inukimi turned and walked towards Oshun until she was just a breath away. She pulled from her robes the Meido Stone. She lifted it in the air and watched as its center glowed white and dusted the tips of her fingers in a silvery glow. Satisfied, she released her aura from its form and offered it to Oshun. The pearl beads surrounding it dangled from her hands. "This is a magic artifact given to me to perform levels and variations of divinity. You are tasked to make my Meido Stone glow as I once did by concentrating your spiritual will into its core. If you can do so, then we can confirm that your spiritual talents are not the culprit of this…vexing situation. It should be quick for you."
Oshun hesitated to reach for it. Lady Inukimi pushed it towards her fingers and Oshun grasped it in both of her hands. Oshun felt the cold weight of the object in her hand and looked it cautiously. It's sat dormant in her hands. Her reflection in the middle stared up at her revealing the uncertainty in her gaze. The Meido Stone had an ancient powerful aura that felt strange and otherworldly. Its outer gold shell and pearl beads reeked of magic much like her father's staff that was his walking stick sometimes as well as a healing wooden scepter. She looked to Lady Inukimi who stared down at her expectantly. Oshun sighed and concentrated on the Meido Stone. The warmth within her grew and a smile touched her lips. Only…to slowly vanish as the Meido Stone sat dormant and quiet in her hands.
"I-d…don't understand." Her eyes grew itchy and the beginnings of frustration pulled at her sensibilities.
Lady Inukimi gently took back her possession and tucked it into her sleeves. "Maybe no one has said it to you plainly. And you have shared that you lost the matriarch of your family and so maybe therefore you are lost as to the rituals and understanding of your spirit. I will give you grace under those circumstances." Lady Inukimi tucked the orb back into the folds of her kimono. "But my son's life hangs in the balance of your uncertainty of yourself. You child… are lost. Lost as a mystic. Lost in your spirit. You want to heal and help others using your gifts at will, but you don't believe in yourself, your ability, or your practices. This much is plain as a seer myself. Therefore, you are too sick…like my son maybe. You are spiritually blocked." Lady Inukimi turned and walked towards the doors sensing more of her maidens arrive to follow her to her next appointment.
"If this is true…how do I fix it? I want to help. I can't lose my father too." Oshun took a step forward with round watery eyes.
"And if you continue to want to help anyone, you must first heal yourself. Go…learn properly and accept your teachings and who you are. To confront your illness get to the root of the cause. Like any doctor, you must dive deep and explore all possibilities of the cause and chart its symptoms. Only then will you be able to provide for your father and my son. You cannot pour into another's cup from your empty one." With that she opened the doors and stepped out into the hallway. The handmaidens were heard outside of her domain moving about into line. "And see me if you need…guidance."
Oshun sat down hard onto the pillows tiredly. Fear and sadness tore into her. She knew where she should start but she wasn't sure she was brave to face her grief and despair. It had taken a lot to solider on and push through. How and could she dismantle the walls that she built to protect her? How could she move the pillars of strength when she needed them to stay upright? And what was a healer without medicine? And more importantly, how was she going to save herself and Sesshomaru in the process?
