The velvet blue of the sky was beginning to darken as evening invited itself into Japan, creating long shadows in the trees. The forest a few miles adjacent to Sesshomaru's castle was no different, and would soon become drenched in the darkness of night.
Instead of making her way to Inuyasha and Kaede, Rin had forced Ah-Un to stop and descend onto the fringes of the forest, an action that the two headed dragon whined at in protest.
Rin was worried about Lord Sesshomaru, he seemed to be in some kind of peril. Rin hated the thought of not being with Sesshomaru at such a time, but he was like a father to her, and would do anything to stop her getting hurt. Even if it meant sending her back. But Rin was older now, and determined to be helpful.
When they first touched the ground the forest had been noisy and brimming with life, the last of the weakening sunlight giving a brief glimpse of squirrels and birds as they scurried or flew past. The noises of animals faded and stopped briefly, disturbed by Ah-Un's lumbering presence as they descended past the trunks of trees.
The sunlight had finally abandoned them, leaving a chill air in its wake. But Rin was too frightened to light a fire, and, foreseeing this, had instead pulled out additional clothing from her travel bag for extra warmth and thrown her extra garb around her shoulders. She huddled into Ah-Un's warm, scaly hide, shivering slightly.
Lord Sesshomaru had told her that Kikyo had left the castle, but he had not explained why. Rin was sorry for this sudden change, she had enjoyed Kikyo's company and was disappointed that their time together had been so brief.
Ah-Un gave a low cry of disapproval.
"i know what Lord Sesshomaru said and I don't care! somethings wrong Ah-Un! He could be in real danger. If there's a war going on Lord Sesshomaru might need help, but I know he'd never ask. If we can stay here tonight and tomorrow, we can maybe see what's going on, then, if we need to go and get help we can run to Inuyasha!" Rin explained patiently to Ah-Un, who gave a grumble in reply, his massive scale-covered tail wagging like a puppy's. Rin sighed in response.
"Yes, your right Ah-Un. Lord Sesshomaru will be angry with me if he ever finds out. I'm hoping everything will be fine and-Ah-Un!" Rin cried suddenly, for Ah-Un had unexpectedly snatched her in his claws, and with a fierce beat of his wings had plunged them into the shadow of the surrounding trees above. The sharp snatch of Ah-Un's claws had left some shallow scratches around Rin's middle and frayed her favourite kimono. Rin turned around with her hand raised, ready to smack Ah-Un's scaly rump, when she heard a noise and froze.
Ah-Un had not unceremoniously chucked her into the trees for no reason. Voices filtered through the leaves and branches snapped underfoot. Someone was coming.
A rather shrill female voice lifted itself to Rin's ears.
"You're not even sure if this is going to work Hokai," the female voice said, hard to hear over the sound of tree branches being broken with unnecessary violence. The voice seemed to be barging into a clearing below. "Nothing like this has been tried before, if it fails and Sesshomaru finds us he'll skin us alive."
Rin peered down and saw a monstrous spider creep after the woman and into the clearing after her. The spider was hideous, with a black hairy body and ugly burnt orange splotches mottling its underbelly and carapace. Rin clapped her hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming. Ah-Un growled quietly in warning.
The spider seemed irritated, clicking his pincers in agitation before responding. "If you have so little faith in me Mikata, construct your own scheme next time. In any case, you're with me so I can protect you if our plan goes awry and you need to filter your power over to Tsumetai. But my plan will not fail, it will go perfectly."
"Oh, like you protected me yesterday? Like releasing Tsumetai was a perfect success? I do not relish having protection from you, but know this, if you flee again my only consolation is that Tsumetai will tear you limb from limb if I should perish in this plan of yours... I don't see why we can't all just sneak up on Sesshomaru whilst he is sleeping and kill him," Mikata said.
"Because," Hokai said slowly, as if the demoness was a dolt, "he is too strong, and my spies have reported that the priestess is back with Sesshomaru. they saw her walking back into the castle earlier this evening. I don't want to risk being purified."
'Lady Kikyo has returned? Oh I knew she would!' Rin thought, relieved despite her own precarious predicament.
"Once my strategy has been executed they will be vulnerable and weak! Then, and only then, will it be time to attack and kill Sesshomaru. Now, prepare yourself Mikata, we must be finished by dawn."
The demoness moaned and whined as they moved off through the canopy of leaves, their voices muffling the further they went.
Rin was so stiff with fright that she had to massage the feeling back into her legs after she was sure they had moved on, her mind whirring with worry. Next to her, Ah-Un gave a small huff of fright.
'That demoness and spider are laying a trap for Lord Sesshomaru.. I need to go and get help!'
The moment Sesshomaru left the bathroom, he became preoccupied with reliving his words to Kikyo. He had never been so forward with a woman, never so keenly spoke his mind to comfort another. Demonesses he had been…physically intimate with in the past had been confident and beguiling, showing none of the vulnerability Kikyo had revealed tonight.
He had steeled himself to let her go, to view her as a disposable weakness that he could easily cut away. And now she had appeared before him once again, testing his attraction.
Even dried blood and dirt could not hide the paragon of beauty that she was. Her curt manner could not cover her gentle, and sometimes doubtful nature, and yet she was clearly wise beyond her years. Her effulgent being shined like a beacon, all the more brilliantly because she was so unaware of her charm.
The dog demon went to his room, brooding over his obsession. His demon senses were a torturous attribute, he could smell Kikyo's calming, lavender scent well enough to pinpoint her location within the castle, she was currently still in the bathhouse…
The sliding paper and lacquered wood door of his bedroom was tentatively eased open, and Jaken poked his head around the door. "Sire?"
Sesshomaru sat on the edge of his bed moodily, staring at his bedroom wall, preoccupied. "What is it Jaken?" he asked grumpily, not bothering to look over at his vassal.
"Mi'lord the castle walls have been fully repaired and are being manned, is there anything else that needs to be done?"
"Have they spelled the walls to resist a magical attack?"
"I believe so Mi'lord," Jaken confirmed, twiddling his green claws as if trying to remember.
"Good. That is all for today Jaken," Sesshomaru said. His nose told him that Kikyo had left the bathhouse and was now making her way to one of the rooms nearby.
"Er….sire?" Jaken said uneasily, loitering in the doorway. Sesshomaru shot a look of dislike in the toad's direction.
"I said that is all Jaken. Leave me," Sesshomaru snapped impatiently.
"Can I ask a question Mi'lord? The undead priestess…"
"You will refer to her as priestess or Lady Kikyo," Sesshomaru warned, bristling with narrowed eyes. Jaken looked confused by this sudden show of respect, but did not dare contradict his lord.
"Er- yes of course Lord Sesshomaru. ..But why is the priestess staying here with us? Did she not cause the calamity that we are in now?" Jaken asked shrilly.
Sesshomaru felt an uncomfortable lurch in the pit of his stomach, he had spoken harshly against Kikyo, now his minions were following suit.
"She was compromised by her morals," Sesshomaru explained simply, turning to continue staring at his bedroom wall.
"Well…yes I understand that…I think. But why is she here with us now? We should remove her from the castle for her treachery!" Jaken cried passionately.
Sesshomaru's golden eyes visibly darkened with fury. Jaken blanched, gulping in sudden fear.
"Lady Kikyo will remain here as my guest for now. You will provide her with your service Jaken, and make sure she has whatever she needs," he commanded waspishly.
Jaken backed away, continuously bowing and looking baffled, his habit when he knew he had crossed the line with his master.
Sesshomaru drew his thoughts back to the priestess once Jaken had disappeared from view. She was in the next room, her scent filtering through the wall on his right. Would she leave tomorrow? And if she tried, should he stop her? Tsumetai and the spider could easily target her and try to end her life if she left.
No. He would not risk her leaving. He made the decision to tell her in the morning that she should stay, that he alone could keep her safe.
Sesshomaru lay on his bed, staring intently up at the ceiling, his silver hair fanned around his head like a halo. Kikyo was a stubborn woman, his compliment towards her may not have erased their argument from before. He would feel uncomfortable retracting his order for her to leave. But then, he really had overreacted anyway...Maybe.
Kikyo nestled into her futon, burrowing for extra warmth. A few strands of her raven hair fell over her face, tickling her nose until she was forced to brush them away. The movement pushed her reluctantly into wakefulness, until she lay in bed blinking blearily.
Now fully awake, Kikyo realised she had awoken from her sleep feeling lighter from within, like her heart was being lifted by gentle wings.
She was happy, but why?
An image of Sesshomaru's handsome face rose from her memories, his eyes dark with desire. A monster is an unsightly, evil creature, not a beautiful woman like you.
Kikyo allowed the memory to pull a small smile to her lips. Life since her resurrection had been hard and full of toil, and she had almost forgotten how to be happy, forgotten what happiness felt like. It was a feeling she wanted to hold on to.
But with her happiness, doubts had clawed their way to the forefront of her mind and taken hold.
Sesshomaru had called her beautiful and had looked at her with desire , but what did that mean really? Lust and admiration were not feelings of love…And when she had fallen in love with Inuyasha, it had given her heartbreak, and cost her life.
'No,' Kikyo told herself, 'It's different now. There is no Shikon jewel for me to guard, and no Naraku to rip me away from the people I care about. Naraku's brother is an enemy, but an enemy that mercifully does not long for me the way Naraku did…'
One of Kikyo's senses was nagging at her, demanding attention.
She was cold. Unnaturally cold. Her feet and hands were like ice, the tip of her nose was freezing. The chill permeating the bedroom was laced with something else: sorcery.
Kikyo shot out of bed, furious with herself for taking so long to realise something was wrong. She reached for her newly scrubbed red and white priestess garb, but when she touched the fabric, it was wet and cold against her fingers. Instead she grabbed the simple blue kimono Sesshomaru had given her the night before and hastily dressed. Kikyo grabbed her bow and some arrows as she rushed out.
If possible it was even colder in the halls. In the distance she saw demon servants snatching at extra blankets in cupboards, squalling amongst themselves. Those that could wield magic made small balls of fire with their claws, trying to get warm. They all had the same look of barely controlled panic in their eyes.
Kikyo marched past them, rubbing her hands together to try and generate some non-existent warmth as she made her way to the great hall. She had to find Sesshomaru and find out what was amiss.
The main hall was packed with frantic demons, so she had to push and slide her way through, being unwittingly herded around the perimeter. Sesshomaru stood in the middle of the hall, the packed room blocking his path to his usual chair. He was accosted by worried demons from every angle.
Kikyo elbowed a few demons out of her way and approached Sesshomaru from behind, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Something is wrong, a demonic spell surrounds the castle."
Sesshomaru turned his head in her direction, looking harassed. He was the only demon whose countenance was unaffected by fear. "I am aware of that priestess, I was wondering how long it would take you to wake up and realise that we are under attack," Sesshomaru said, batting away the panicked worries of the demon cavorting around in front of him, like he was being pestered by irksome flies.
"Why is it so cold?" Kikyo asked, wrapping her arms around herself. She did not need to breathe, but she could see Sesshomaru's breath pluming before his face like icy smoke.
"Tsumetai's doing no doubt," Sesshomaru replied gruffly. "Last night he must have cast an ice barrier over the castle, over our protective spells, trapping us inside...Are you cold?"
With a flick of Sesshomaru's wrist, his Moko Moko fur train landed on her shoulders, encircling her like a warm snake. Sesshomaru's Moko moko fur was no ordinary piece of clothing, it was a part of his demonic being. To be wrapped in Sesshomaru's moko moko was like him putting his arms around her. Despite the extremity of the situation, a few nearby demons gasped.
Kikyo ignored them and clutched the fur in her hands gratefully, feeling herself being enveloped in Sesshomaru's demonic energy. She felt a sudden rush of affection for the western lord.
Sesshomaru raised his hand regally, addressing the frightened crowd, who looked to him hopefully.
"Silence!" he shouted harshly. "Whatever curse Tsumetai has placed on us will be undone. To fall into fear is to fall into stupidity, and I expect more than that from each and every demon in this room. The priestess and I will inspect the barrier and bring it down. The rest of you will remain inside and go about your business as usual."
Looking at the anxious faces around her (scaly and fanged alike), Kikyo was not convinced the resident demons would be able to 'go about their business' without fretting, but decided to say nothing. Sesshomaru's nerves already looked stretched and it was still only mid-morning.
Without further comment, Kikyo and Sesshomaru strode out into the garden together, demons scurrying out of their path. Stepping outside was like stepping into the aftermath of a blizzard, and almost all of the resident demons had taken refuge inside.
Once outside, Kikyo took a moment to appreciate how beautiful the castle gardens looked now. The demons had worked hard to return the castle outskirts to its former glory. The walls were pristine, clear water ran through the miniature garden, and the tendrils of the willow trees were being dragged peacefully in the light current.
Kikyo looked up at the sky. The bright sunlight should have stung her eyes but an azure sheen partially blocked the sun, muting its rays. The barrier stank of demonic sorcery, and Kikyo wrinkled her nose in distaste.
The priestess walked over to where the barrier met the floor. In the dirt a plethora of white webs seeped onto the ground like wet glue. Hokai clearly had a hand, or more appropriately a leg, in this trap.
"How should we proceed?" Kikyo asked calmly, still looking down at the oozing webs. Sesshomaru was at her shoulder, looking at the barrier suspiciously.
"They have cast Kori No Ami. Ice webs. Hokai, Tsumetai and Mikata have created this spell together. A wall of ice, bolstered by spiders webs and magic. I say we tear it down."
Kikyo nodded in agreement. Sesshomaru summoned his poison whip and slashed at the barrier, a few gouges appeared, but seemed to quickly melt into nothing after a few moments.
Angry by the lack of success, Sesshomaru unsheathed Bakusaiga and hurled a green yokai ball at the barrier. The force of the yokai whooshed past Kikyo's ear and into the barrier, and the blue sheen of the barrier wavered as the yokai connected before being shot backwards, right towards them.
Sesshomaru seized Kikyo and threw her to the floor as his ball of demonic energy sailed directly through where her head had been moments before. The blast of yokai ricocheted off of the floor and into the newly built garden wall. The impact destroyed the brickwork, leaving a smoking hole in its wake.
The force of Sesshomaru's throw had sent Kikyo rolling in the dry dirt like tumble weed. She landed painfully a few metres away in a heap. Kikyo got to her feet shakily, spitting grass out of her mouth and brushing dust from her kimono.
"Thank you for your assistance Sesshomaru, but maybe next time I could erect my own barrier to protect myself, rather than your alternative of shoving me to the floor," she said, coughing up some gravel and wiping it away with disgust.
Sesshomaru was inspecting the crater in the wall discontentedly, oblivious to her discomfort. "You would have been too slow, I had not anticipated the blast rebounding. Had I not acted, this hole in the wall would be your head," Sesshomaru said with his usual absent-minded rudeness.
"Yes well, perhaps my arrow will fare better," Kikyo said, picking up her bow and scattered arrows with as much dignity as she could muster. Flustered and irritated, Kikyo aimed high at the barrier and her sacred arrow spun through the air, hitting the barrier like pink lightning.
At first her heart leapt as she saw her arrow pierce the blue dome and break through into the lighter sky beyond…But only for a second did the barrier open under her power, before it closed shut once again. She shot a second arrow, then loosed a third, all ending with the same result: a small hole opening briefly before it quickly sealed itself.
Kikyo and Sesshomaru watched, dumbfounded, as the third arrow disappeared from sight, as they were once again engulfed relentlessly in cold muted blue.
Kikyo fought against the twinge of worry that she could feel begin to niggle at her. She glanced at Sesshomaru and saw his face was black the rage.
"They must be out there, somewhere, using their demonic energy to prevent us from breaking through. Tsumetai, lord of the north…Mikata, the mistress of the eastern lands. Their power encompassed by Hokai. They are all of them, formidable foes, brought together in the shape of this impenetrable barrier," Kikyo said aghast.
"My blast of yokai was merely a small fraction of my power," Sesshomaru said, brandishing Bakusaiga again. Kikyo placed a white hand on his arm, frowning up at the barrier.
"Your last demonic attack rebounded back on us, with more power, the effect could be devastating. Allow me to walk round the entire barrier, perhaps we can find a weak spot."
Sesshomaru's eyes had dropped to the hand on his arm, but he made no move to shake her off. "As you wish."
Kikyo drifted away, following the perimeter of their prison carefully. Sesshomaru trailed after her, thinking hard.
"When did you last consume souls?" Sesshomaru asked her retreating back abruptly. Kikyo turned to face him, her slim eyebrows raised in surprise.
"...Last night, when I went to my room," she told him.
"How often do you require new souls?" Sesshomaru asked in a voice that sounded too casual.
"It varys. Usually every few days…but if I have been using my spiritual powers, sooner," Kikyo explained uncomfortably, wondering why he was asking these questions.
Then it dawned on her. If they could not get out, nothing could get in. Until they found a way to disperse this barrier, her soul collectors were as trapped as she was, unable to bring her the souls she desperately needed.
A cold dread splashed over her, making her feel numb and causing her ears to seemingly buzz with panic. Without her souls she would eventually be reduced to her smaller prison of clay, unable to move. Her memories of being trapped on the hillside still haunted her.
"Once my servants realise they won't be able to access food from the outside, they will begin to panic," Sesshomaru said.
"What about you?" Kikyo asked.
"I don't need to eat."
Kikyo nodded, her jaw set with determination.
"We can solve this, today. There must be a way out of this."
Writers note: Apologies for not writing sooner! Life's been a bit manic recently so I haven't had much writing time. Please do review or add to your favourites if you're enjoying the story. Constructive criticism is also welcome!