Mozō-me final part

||... ... ...||

Lord Sesshomaru... Jaken thought, feeling his feet touching the ground. Could it be that... after everything we've been through... there's still strength in the walls built up around you? That vision... you were young and your father was alive. What did you see that caused you so much pain?

'The birth of Nintojo stems from more than just lack in Sesshomaru's heart, my master,' Seisuiki said as the male head floated around the hag. He was speaking telepathically to Jaken as the imp was practically hovering above the ground. 'A son's broken heart and a father's determination to mend it was what inspired our creator to shape us. Because the son had grown cold and had nothing more to cherish, the father had become fearful and sought help from the world around him. What you saw was the reason why tools were needed for our lord to grow into the leader his father had hoped he would become and to restore the faith that our lord once had for all creatures of the Earth.'

Nintojo is this tool that me lord needed? What about Tenseiga? Jaken thought. I thought his father's sword was a tool for him in order to learn compassion.

'This is only true in part, my master. What you saw in Lord Toga's and Lord Sesshomaru's memory was the day of grievance. Lord Sesshomaru had lost all of his friends and felt his family slipping through his fingers one by one until he felt there was nothing left for him to hold onto. There was nothing either young man could do to make things right, but Lord Toga would not give up until he learned the painful truth from his eldest son. And, so, with great haste, he went out on a hunt for tools much like Nintojo to reclaim the innocence and the unbounding love of his child. You, my master, are now capable of seeing these memories through the mask that was hidden within the mirror of their memory. The Mozō-me technique is an ability that allows you to become the reflection of either Lord Sesshomaru or Lord Toga in certain memories,' Seisuiki instructed, changing the yellow eyes of the mask covering Jaken's face from Toga's to Sesshomaru's. The eyes then returned to black before the old man spoke again, 'Wisdom and understanding are what both father and son had lacked in times that have passed. Because our lord still possesses neither quality, even though he has learned to have some compassion, he cannot hold Nintojo in his own hand. Until he gains both, Nintojo is as useless in Lord Sesshomaru's hand as the day he obtained it. You, my master, were chosen by Lord Sesshomaru to wield us as a pathfinder, but it is Lord Toga who had ordered for Nintojo to be placed in the hands of another who is honest and trusted.'

Th-th-the Great General had chosen me so many years ago? Jaken thought, feeling both honored and humbled. His wisdom is so far-reaching?

'Tch! Silly imp!' Umebayashi claimed, scoffing a bit. 'Lord Toga merely specified to the creator that the Nintojo could only be held by someone who wholeheartedly trusts another. Sesshomaru did not. You, however, were so willing to serve him because of an act of charity. To test you, he handed the Nintojo to you. You trusted him so fully that we were able to finally stir. My flames were able to taste flesh again because of your desire to protect him just as he has protected or shielded you.'

L-l-lord Sesshomaru... Jaken thought, tearing up. Does this mean...? when you said to that other demon you only had need of one servant...? did that mean I had rightfully earned your trust?

'Yes, this is so,' Umebayashi sighed, not particularly fond of the feels. 'With my training, you can do more with my flames. Tell him, brother! Eager be I! I wish to taste the pretty pretty!'

The... what? Jaken questioned.

'Hmph! You're just angry because she scared you,' Seisuiki remarked, turning his eye away mischievously yet calmly. 'Not just anyone can do that. She, however, has gained my interest. Sesshomaru's heart, as you saw in our world, was as dark as the day he closed the doors on his father, but... that young lady... this 'sister' that the monk claimed to have, did something quite unique in our world,' Seisuiki explained, impressed by what he saw.

'That witch is nothing but trouble! You should get rid of her!' Umebayashi argued.

I agree! Jaken nodded, rapidly. She should only be called for rubbing feet!

'The hag is only saying that because the young lady chose a very unique position,' Seisuiki said softly.

What did Lady Meioshi do? You said she was on the other side of the island. So, she was with the female head of Nintojo, yes? What was on the other side? Jaken questioned.

'Do you remember what I told you about the ships, my master? You were located near the fishing boats. That is where Lord Sesshomaru learns new things. The treasure ship and warship were on the other side of the island. My upset sister here had confronted that young lady while there. Out of fear, my sister summoned the hidden form and power of Lord Sesshomaru to protect herself. The warship had reached shore to protect my sister, but... the treasure ship had also tried to reach land to call the young lady to it. Do you remember the fish that emerged from the clean waters? Those fish were plentiful. You, my master, are linked to Sesshomaru's ability to learn more of the world, but... this young lady... is linked to both conflict and reward. Even when Lord Sesshomaru's hidden form appeared before her, she spoke to it as though she were speaking to an old friend. She recognized a pattern between them. They are different when they are apart. When they fight, however, there is no wicked thing that comes from their quarrels. In fact, celebration soon follows. She is true to my sister's name for her. The storm bringer. There is the calm before the storm, the wrath of the storm, and the calm afterwards. She has chosen to be this of her own volition. It is different with our lord and his father, even in simple memory! So curious...' Seisuiki said, humming in thought but shaking his head to stop his analyzing. 'Nevertheless, my sister is correct. You are capable of doing more with Nintojo now. Though neither did battle in the vision that you saw, there was a scuffle that did occur shortly after you were taken out of the memory. The abilities used in that small battle are now yours to use, my master.'

I can use me lord's abilities!? Jaken thought.

'Only the ones he used in battle, imp,' Umebayashi corrected, circling around Seisuiki. 'You cannot use what he knows now or what he learned after you obtained us.'

Oh... Jaken thought, a bit disappointed at the restriction.

'The day of grievance is home to much power. You are blessed to be able to use it, but there is a price to pay if you use the abilities too often and too much. The more Lord Sesshomaru returns to his time of hatred, the more you, unfortunately, will face the consequences as the wielder of Nintojo. Because Lord Toga could not heal his son's heart before he had become a man, the heart must be healed a different way. Choose wisely of how you will heal it, my master. You will be returned to your friends now,' Seisuiki said, covering Jaken in a flash of light before Nintojo returned to its original form as a staff.

Author's Footnotes: Last chapter for this year! LET'S GO! XD Man, this has been a journey. Thank you all for your continued support, feedback, messages, participation, everything I haven't named but should have. Thank you. This episode might not be the "banger" I had hoped to close out with, but a well-known and beloved misfit character did get more valuable screen time and he has the role that I wish they gave him. We're going back to our group of main episodes next year now that everyone has been introduced for the Showdown events and... *sniffs back some tears* we're giving an emotional goodbye to my dear Meioshi. *grabs a tissue* I'm not ready... but a character death is necessary here. Will Sesshomaru resurrect our beloved doctor with his mighty Tenseiga? Find out... next year... X3