InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 2 )

CHAPTER 3

 

1191 AD ~ NOVEMBER

 

Six months had now passed since the sacrificial death of my mother. I was on my way to a Buddhist monastery on the Western mountains. The small carriage made me feel claustrophobic. If not for Lana, I would have probably gone insane by now. I tried hard to comprehend the events that had taken place in the past few months. My mother had died, sacrificing her soul (now in the form of the infamous Shikon no Tama) to save all the land and just two days after her death my brother had been beheaded...by order of MY FATHER! It was too much for me to handle. I had been in awe at the audacity of my father. And that would be the start of many disappointments from the men that entered my life.

 

The twenty-nine, brown-haired, woman sitting in front of me must have seen my frustration and the confusion in my face because she patted my hand and whispered, “Child, stop frowning! It will only ruin your face and wrinkle it.”

 

I knew it was meant to make me smile, but I was too troubled. No one should have to go through this at my age. I had lost two of my favorite people in the same week and now I was shunned and sent away by the only person I sought refuge in. On top of that, I was denied the pleasure of my beautiful Kirara, who stayed in the palace.

 

Did he really fear the attackers so much that he'd kill one of his children and send away another just so he wouldn't loose a piece of land? My otou-san (father) had explained to me that he had rather killed Kyo himself than have some stranger do it. That was why he had paid the man money and given him some lands to leave. He also said that I had been spared because I had not been seen.

 

Something at the back of my mind told me that this was not entirely true. But this was my father... and I believed him.

 

There were nights when I would stay up and ponder on these things until sleep came. Too many coincidences, too many things that just did not add up. At one point, I came to the conclusion that the reason my father had send me away was that, according to everyone, I looked too much like my mother.

 

Kyo held the same hazel-colored eyes as my mother and inherited her grace; mine were lavender with a hint of grey and much wider. My nose was thinner and my lips were a dark shade of pink. I could not see why anyone would tell me all the time that I resembled her features almost to perfection.

 

“Lana? Do you think father hates us?” I couldn't help but ask. I needed reassurance that this was not the reason I was being send away, even if it was a lie. I had matured years in only a few months, but I still held some childish insecurities.

 

“Oh milady. You know well as I do that you are being taken to the monastery to train you in the ways of the miko and of the bushi, just like the late empress. Your father only wishes for you to continue in the heritage. You will one day rule all of Nippon and Lord Seiwa only wishes for you to be able to defend yourself and your people against oncoming dangers.” She sighed and went to sit next to me.

 

“Then why did he order brother's death?!”

 

“Kagome, must we go through this again?” She leaned closer to my ear to whisper so none of the guards could hear us. She was the only one who could refer to me without the honorific.

 

“Your brother is now in a place where nothing could ever harm him again. Aren't you happy at least with that?”

 

I glared at her. Nothing or no one could convince me to believe the reason why my father had done what he did. One day, though, I WOULD get my answer. For now, I just sighed and nodded. She was right; my brother was in a better place.

 

My arrival, of course, was expected. The head monk, Tanaka, was at the front of the walled gate waiting for Lana and me to descend from the carriage. He was an aged man who held no emotion in his face and whom I could tell held much hidden. He had been informed of the recent events that had occurred at the imperial city and was also instructed as to what I would be doing there.

 

Lana exited first and held her hands out to me to help me down. Tanaka-sensei, as he would have me call him, bowed as soon as my feet touch the ground. “Welcome, Princess Kagome. Your presence will most definitely be a change to our monastery,” he said without the slightest of emotions.

 

“Arigatou, houshi-sama (Buddhist priest). I appreciate your hospitality for I know that I am one of the only two onna (woman) who have had the honor of being trained here.” I tried to imitate his tone, but failed miserably.

 

“Ah, yes. Your mother was unique. She brings great honor to this monastery even in her death.” His tone was much the same yet I did find a hint of sadness before returning his gaze to me.

 

“You'll be shone to your room where you will be taking your dinner. You are not to leave at any time unless given direct permission from me. You will not talk to anyone for you are a female. I will come to get you at first light tomorrow morning. Konba wa (good evening), hime.” With that said he turned and headed up to the monastery.

 

1197 A.D. ~MAY~

 

My stay at the monastery was busy, that being an understatement. I was drilled physically, spiritually as well as intellectually every waking moment. My strength was tested to its limit. There were moments at which I felt like giving up, but Tanaka-sensei would not have that. He would punish me if I failed or gave up, which resulted in severe castigations. My punishments included running with boiling pails of water along rock-strewn mountains (only to have it thrown in my face when I came down because it got cold and was spilled throughout my path), to sleeping outside during the winter and rainy nights with nothing but the rags on my body. “Let me in, sensei, I swear I'll behave. I swear it. Please don't leave me out here alone. I don't want to be cold anymore. Please!” No one would come.

 

In a few weeks, I learned the hard way all that my sensei (teacher) anticipated of me. Tanaka-sensei expected me to learn all the scrolls found within the walls of the monastery. I was instructed for hours on history, literature, math, science, kendo, bushi, kyudo. I was not allowed days off and was only given a one hour break for my meal. I was fed scraps that not even a slave or dog would eat.

 

“You're not worth rotten cabbage. Dung is all you deserve for your food.” The words from a monk-in-training echoed in my head every time I sat down to eat. That monk had thrown me toward...

 

Throughout my stay here the only thing that would keep me going was the things that Tanaka-sensei would tell me every time I did something wrong:

 

“You are worthless, animal. Good for nothing at all. You're not even worth the scraps it takes to keep you alive. If I'm lucky mayhap you'll die and save me the winter rations for an animal that has some value.”

 

“You're weak. Cowardly. The world belongs only to those who are strong enough to take it.”

 

“It's a good thing that your mother and brother are dead, for they would die of shame knowing they are related to one such as weak as you!” Those would fuel my anger and therefore made my get up and try again.

 

Everything I did was wrong and weak. To all who lived in the monastery, I was tainted. I might have royal blood, but I also bore the blood...of something. Tanaka-sensei never could finish that line. So he would turn me to the monks, who took their hatred for their daily chores on me. Any time, during those first three years, that one of the monks was angry at Tanaka-sensei, I suffered for it. I grew up as everyone's scapegoat. I never cried out. I knew better and later would grow accustomed to the abuse that I didn't even bother. It was miracle that none of the physical wounds had remained, even if the emotional ones did.

 

My last day, two days before my birth day, I was meditating in my usual spot on a waterfall half a days walk from the monastery when I heard someone coming. My miko powers had increased to unimaginable lengths, helping me locate anything coming a half a mile away. I did not move, knowing already who was coming my way. I heard the oncoming arrow yet I refused to move. It passed mere centimeters from my left ear. A smirked crossed my face. Finally reaching the rock where I meditated, he sat next to me but did not look my way.

 

“You know, this was your mother's favorite meditating spot also. She would sit here for days and come back feeling much better.” He kept looking at the scenery and exhaled sharply before he said in a whisper, “I miss her.”

 

I quickly opened my eyes and turned to him, “I miss her too. But I miss my aniki (older brother) more. Unlike mother, he had barely begun life.”

 

I missed the glint in his eyes as he said, “Yeah, too bad he'll have to do without the comforts of the palace.”

 

I closed my eyes once more before answering, “Hai, he-“. I was cut short. My head whipped around.

 

“Relax fenikkusu (phoenix). I have known of your secret since you came here. Your hand-maiden told me what you did and I am amazed as to the lengths you are willing to go to try and save your loved ones. You inherited the kind heart of your okaa-san. I am proud to be your sensei... today and always.”

 

My jaw must have been hanging because he laughed until his sides were hurting. I had never heard his laughter. The melodic sound made every thing here worth while. I had to recognize that I would miss the insufferable man. Irregardless of the hell I had lived here, he had been the closest thing to a father figure for the past six years.

 

He looked at me with an intensity that puzzled me. With an exasperated sigh, he looked ahead of him. “It is essential that you know before you leave today that all that you lived here was for one reason: survival. Your anguish and grief cut through me like a sword through flesh. But I didn't reach out because deep within me I knew that you can endure so much more. You are courageous and strong. Bold and stubborn. Unlike any other in the entire universe.” I couldn't breathe as he spoke. Nothing he'd done had ever given an indication that he saw me as this creature he described. In fact, it was the complete opposite.

 

“You are so strong in life. An iron forge that could withstand any blow. You will need nothing or no one. But the world will depend on you and I can say with every fiber of my being that you will not disappoint.”

 

My insecurities resurfaced for the first time since I came as a frown crossed my face. “Do you think she'd be proud?”

 

“What makes you think she wouldn't? Even before, I know she was proud of you.” He hugged me and kissed my forehead. “I will miss you fenikkusu. You are your mother's daughter. I know that you will always do what is right. I hope one day I will have the honor of training your children?” A smile crossed his mouth as his aged eyes began to sprout with tears.

 

“Domo arigatou (thank you very much). I will miss you too. I will honor you wherever I go.” Quickly rising, he beckoned me to hurry. My father's carriage had arrived.

 

~~~~~~~

 

The carriage descended down the last valley bordering the Imperial City. It had extended outwards a bit more since my last time here. There were more huts and several other two story houses as well as shops. Acre after acre was filled with rice paddies and several farming areas. It seemed that the city had prospered much.

 

Kamakura...Home Crappy Home. It was as beautiful as when I had left, perhaps even more so. It is surrounded by mountains on all three sides and by an ocean on the fourth. Though nothing superficial appealed to me after my training.

 

We continued through the outskirts. I wished to avoid any contact until I first saw my father. The yagura (guard tower) and the four tenshukaku (castle towers) were the first things to come into view. As we neared, the large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls overshadowed the lower parts of the palace.

 

From the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, I exited the carriage and stood in the middle of the two bridges that formed the entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front was called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back entrance was a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

 

As I entered the palace, my first impression was that it had been abandoned. Void of all existence, my trained mind thought of perhaps an ambush. I gave Lana instructions to stay out here with my belongings and wait for me. If my father still stuck to his old routine and judging by the location of the sun, he would have been practicing kendo by the gardens. Quickly and stealthily, I crept to the gardens. The white sakura blossoms blanketed the garden, blending in with the snow. It was a sight for sour eyes. I spotted my father sitting on a bench near the pond. Relief washed over me as I realized that he was unharmed.

 

He smiled to me as I came to view and walked towards me, placing a hand on my shoulder and looking at me from head to toe. I flinched at the contact.

 

“Daughter, irasshaimase (welcome). You have grown to a beautiful young lady. I am glad to have you once again here.” His eyes showed nothing but happiness which tugged at something inside and before I knew it I smiled at him forgetting his betrayal.

 

“I have missed you, too, my lord. It is great to once again be home. I hope that my arrival will bring great things to our land.” I did still care for him. I could not help that. Still, my heart rebelled, but I kept my feeling a bay. Now was not the time.

 

Removing his hand, he held out to me something wrapped up in black silk and tied up with a silver ribbon. It was long and thin.

 

“It was your mother's. She would have wanted you to have it.”

 

“Arigatou.” I reached out my hands to receive the present. I held back the strange emotion enveloping me, for I could almost guess what it contained. I knew my father hated tears and I would not shame him. I untied it to reveal a beautiful separated two-piece naginata.

 

“Murakumo no Tsurugi (Sword of Billowing Clouds),” the words had escaped my lips in an awed whisper.

 

I remembered the story behind the famous katana that belonged to the greatest miko of Nihon. It was said to be a present to a noble family that had found favor in the eyes of Susano-O, the Thunder God. My mother, of course, was a descendant of such lineage and it had been she that told me once that the sword's power could only be awakened by a Chosen Butterfly of the clan.

 

As I held it in my hands, I saw it pulse and send a wave of acknowledgment through my body. It must have recognized me as its new wielder for I instantly felt a connection. Looking down at it, I took the time to fully appreciate it. It was mounted on a long tang - to better absorb the shock of a blow. The abnormally black blades had a strong distal taper for balance and quickness, something that I had learned during my training. The delicately engraved tsuba had a silver butterfly motif, similar to the birthmark my mother bared. Each of the two-piece staff was very strong, with a traditional tear-drop cross-section and a black non-slip finish. The swords were supplied with a wooden black saya (sheathe) and protective cloth bag. As soon as my fingers came in contact with the hilt of both swords, the blades glowed red as they connected to become one.

 

“Amazing,” was all I could muster. I looked at him and bowed my thanks.

 

I was left alone for he told me he would see that dinner was being prepared and that he would make sure to send messengers to all villages informing them of my return. Of course I knew that his message would include my `newly acquired skills and of my eagerness to fill my mother's shoes as the new priestess'. I grabbed the naginata with both hands, as I had seen my mother done many times, and watched as both blades segregated and the blood color that blazed it blade, die out. Twisting the blades, one in each hand, I sheathed them and began to walk to the palace entrance when a sensation stopped me.