InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 5 )

There be none of beauty's daughters

With a magic like thee;

And like music on the waters

Is thy sweet voice to me.

-Lord Byron, Stanzas for Music

 

CHAPTER 6

 

I headed for my haven on the farthest end of the castle grounds. After I returned from the western monastery, I was too used to being on my own that I loathed the idea of being around so many people. Compromising with the okami, I built a small hut inside the palace lands that went underground, hidden by shrubs and trees. The ceiling was low, so low that if I stood up straight the top of my head would brush it. But the low ceiling was necessary. Heat in the heart of winter was a valuable commodity and the last thing anyone wanted was the bulk of it gathered under a ten-foot ceiling. A lower ceiling meant a warmer place.

 

There was only one candle holder carved into the wall. I knew every inch of the place intimately. Every carved scroll hole that lined the wall. I'd never had much in the way of furniture. Two small square holes that served as shelves; one for my handful of chihaya and one for my food. As a former apprentice, I wasn't used to much.

 

I had been lying on my bed ever since I returned from my earlier hunt. It was nearing midnight and I was growing impatient when the servants did not retire to their own quarters. I did not want to be seen leaving my room and have my father question me.

 

It was then that I remembered the secret exit in the garden that my father once told me about. He had shown it to me in case we were ever attacked and he could not get to me or my brother. I quickly grabbed my bow, put on my black cloak and headed for the hidden exit, not even bothering to get out of my sleeping yukata. Kirara followed me.

 

I did not cross any servants outside, much to my relief. As I stood before it ready to go through it, I felt a presence hidden behind me. I knew who it was. How she knew what I would do was beyond me. Then again, she was somehow able to see behind my daily façade.

 

“You should be sleeping by now, don't you think?” I did not even bother to turn around when I told her this.

 

“Hime, what do you think you're doing sneaking off in the middle of the night like some thief? You're not thinking of going and helping them are you?” It was the fear in her voice that made me turn and face her.

 

“Lana, this is of no concern to you. Besides, what makes you think that I would aid those animals I seek to rid of this world? No offense Kirara.”

 

The small neko rubbed at my leg. `None taken.'

 

“My child, this could be a trap! I do not wish to lose you at such a young age! At least let me get Hiroyaki so he may accompany you.”

 

“NO!”

 

My reaction caught her off guard and she jumped back. I let out a sigh and walked to her. I had to admit she was the only one who made me feel like I was still a child - and it irked me. I patted her shoulder and then looked into her eyes. “I promise I'll be careful. It is not war they want. If they kill me, Nippon goes to war. I really don't think they are that stupid....although I do wish they were. Now go to my room and stay there. We'll talk when I get back.”

 

In the dark of the night, it was easy for me to cross without being discovered. Not that it was a difficult task when I could hear the snores of the samurai, who were supposed to be keeping guard. One of these days I would give them a scare that would keep them awake for days!

 

`Stay behind me and do not interfere.' I told Kirara.

 

`Since when do I take orders from anyone?' she replied in an offended tone.

 

I rolled my eyes. `I simply do not wish to sully my hands. I am in no mood for a fight Kirara. Besides, you and I both know that he is no threat. Either of us could easily take him down. Now, will you PLEASE remain in the shadows?'

 

She perked up a little more. I could almost see her cocky grin. `Well, since you DID ask nicely this time.'

 

As I came to the small river that ran through the forest, I let out a small amount of reiki (aura) to warn the messenger. I didn't have to wait long. Within seconds, he jumped down from a tree a few feet away. Lana had been right in describing him and had certainly left out the finer details such as the small golden sun that adorned his right shoulder. The one before me was nothing short of incredibly handsome. I glanced from his braided jet black hair to the expensive blue and white cloth that made his clothing and to his boot enclosed feet. Definitely a royal. But looks went a long way from the truth. The inu-youkai kneeled on one knee and held his palms to the ground.

 

“My Lady Ka - “ I threw the scroll at him and turned back the way I came.

 

“Hachisaru (leave),” I interjected coldly.

 

I heard him pick it up and start walking towards me. “Demo, hime, what shall I say to my lord?”

 

I kept walking trying to ignore his presence and suppressing the urge to kill him. When I felt his hand touch my cloak, it was as if something snapped in my head. Before he could register anything, I had him pinned to a tree with three ya. Two were positioned next to his neck, one at each side. The third was embedded between his legs close to his... well, you know where.

 

“Tell him that if he or any under his command ever set foot in my lands, I will not hesitate in purifying them into oblivion. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?” He nodded his head and gulped. “Now leave before I decide to make true on my threat.” I narrowed my eyes and the arrows dissolved.

 

The inu-youkai raced into the forest without a sound. I frowned at nothing in particular. I closed my eyes and concentrated on finding any more intruders. I found none.

 

On my way back, I began to think on the scroll. I had never before heard of a youkai asking for help from a ningen (human), especially help from a miko (priestess). I bit my lower lip. What could possible drive a youkai to such extreme measures?

 

Ugh! Why should I care?! I shook my head and picked up my pace. Knowing Lana, she would probably start panicking by now if I took any longer.

 

“Come Kirara. It is getting late.” She trailed behind me.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

“What did she say?”

 

“Who my lord?” the inu tried to sound as innocent as possible.

 

“Ujio, you know, I have no patience. Did you or did you not take my message to the miko?” The Daiyoukai was glaring at him. His voice however, was calm and composed as always.

 

“Ah, yes, the miko. Well, you see my lord... she... um... well... she... I mean, I tried...” Ujio kept his gaze towards the floor, until the growl from his surrogate father made him lift his eyes.

 

“This is the last time Ujio. WHAT. DID. SHE. SAY?

 

“My lord, I believe her exact words were, `Tell him that if he or any under his command ever set foot in my lands, I will not hesitate in purifying them into oblivion'” Ujio released a breath and continued to tell him all that happened.

 

The Inu no Taishou (Great Dog General) ran a claw through his presently loose hair. The girl was proud and he all but knew that she would refuse. However, as he heard Ujio, he realized that he had underestimated her. Evidently, other measures would have to be taken with her. He needed a new strategy that would at least get her to read the scroll.

 

Ujio bowed to his lord and exited the study, ever thankful that the baka (stupid) shoujo (young girl) had decided to let him go. He was no fool. There was something very ominous about that girl. Deadly. And it wasn't just the strength in her aura as his collided with hers. She oozed an unnatural darkness that seemed to warn everyone, even the humans, to stay away from her. It was extremely disconcerting. Even frightening. Being Midoriko's daughter, no less could be expected. Still, he had hoped that she would be a reasonable ningen (human) and at least listened to what he had to say. But, he also had to admit that his being a youkai would not exactly make him a trusting individual in her eyes.

 

The girl was powerful and he knew that the Inu no Taishou would not give up that easily. He made his way to the kitchen to pick up something to eat. Sitting down while the cook fixed him something, he remembered the encounter with her. What bothered him, though, was that she had let him go. From what little he had gathered on his wanderings, was that she was a merciless miko when it came to youkai - thus her living up to her title of `the perfect killer'. Not to mention the little incident years ago when everyone realized she probably was insane. Why then, did she spare him?

 

Perhaps, if he were to find out more about her...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The Inu no Taishou laughed at what Ujio told him as soon as the youkai left his study. But he now needed a new plan. The girl was coming even if he had to drag her himself. In fact, he knew he might just have to.

 

For now, he needed to give her time to cool off. He picked up another piece of parchment and wrote a message to his two allies, the Daiyoukai of the Southern Lands and the Northern Lands.

 

~~~~~~~

Days later...

 

He took the unopened scroll in his hands as he made his way to the gardens. The Daiyoukai knew that Ujio would not be too happy about making another `visit' to the fiery miko, but since she was already familiar with him, she might not kill him at first sight. Well, at least he hoped she wouldn't.

 

Once he told Ujio what he had to do and seeing the look of disgust in his son, the Inu no Taishou sent his messenger off.

 

`For your own good, I hope you accept this time,' he thought as he saw Ujio sped off.

~~~~~~~~

 

Three weeks had passed since the incident by the river. Yet, it still plagued my mind. I hated to admit that I was curious. Then again, who isn't curious when it comes to secrets? I kept alert, surveying my surroundings wherever I went. Something told me I had not heard the end of it.

 

I snapped out of my little world when the children from the village I was currently making my way through, beckoned me to stop and sing to them. That was something that I did when only children were around me or in the company of Kirara. Well, there was also Lana, but she didn't count because she knew about this little secret of mine without me having to tell her. Aside from them, there was another individual who knew, but he would never say a word about it.

 

Singing helped me relax. It was a way of dealing with my daily misery. Of the images and haunting cries of those humans. The ones who had trusted me. Trust was something I had not given to anyone. The first vow I had made to myself after I was ordained as a betsushikime (samurai priestess) was that I would never again worry about trying to earn other people's respect or kindness. Fear was a more powerful tool.

 

“Onegai, Kagome-sama? Will you not sing to us like you always do when you visit us?” The small five-year old pouted and hugged my leg as if it were her life line.

 

I managed a forced smile. I looked down at the child. How ironic that anyone could trust me with their children ― their innocence. It was the one thing missing in my life that had made me so cold.

 

I sat down and pulled her to my lap. Kirara instantly nestled on my right side. The little girl giggled and held her hands to her mouth while doing so. Seeing this, the other children instantly sat down in front of me.

 

“What would you like me to sing?” I watched their little faces as they frowned and look up as if trying to think of something.

 

“Sing to us Kirara's song!” Michi, the youngest of the boys, yelled from the back. No sooner had he said that, when all the other kids began to nod their heads and voicing their approvals.

“Alright” I smiled again to them (something I only did in their presence).

 

~~~~~~~~

 

Ujio had arrived at the village of the miko with much caution. His demon nose alerted him of her faint scent. That told him that she was not in the village. If he went back without fulfilling his duty, the Inu no Taishou would not think twice before slicing his head. As quickly as he had arrived there, he began following the trail of her scent. Much to his dismay, he had to admit that she had a very pleasant scent - for a human. She was not very far away.

 

He arrived in a nearby village and stopped some distance where he spotted the miko. She was surrounded by children. How different she looked around them. Several moons ago, he could have sworn he was dealing with Death. Today, though, she seemed almost angelic. Her brown hair was held back in a high elegant bun by a blue ribbon and her lavender eyes emitted a weariness that had escaped him the last time he'd been around her. She looked daunted and at the same time determined. There was an agelessness to her features. A wisdom that somehow seemed at odds with her sinister appearance. How could one person be so....

 

He was cut off from his thoughts when she began to sing. Ujio was hypnotized. He had never heard anyone have a voice like her. It was beyond indescribable. It was then that he noticed that that was not the only gift she seemed to possess. He knew she was powerful, though not this much. Her ability allowed her to summon the sound of musical instruments without having to have one. It was as if the heavens themselves played for her. The music was beautiful! Not loud, not slow... just perfect.

 

The demon messenger continued watching AND listening. He needed to give her the scroll, but he'd have to wait until the children left. If he were to approach her now, she would probably take this as an attack. The human children would most likely run off scared and that would only heighten her anger.

 

~~~~~~~

 

As I finished the last note to the song, I got up with the girl and settled her in the ground. The rest of the children also stood and jumped up and down while clapping. They all came up to me and hugged me.

 

“Another, another!” They all chanted in unison.

 

“Gomen nasai, but it's getting late and I must be on my way. But I promise to come back soon and sing for all of you as many songs as you wish.”

 

“Really?” Michi came up to me with a grin from ear to ear.

 

“Hai! Now go back to the village and call the samurai you saw me with earlier. His name is Hiroyaki. Tell him that I am ready to leave.” I patted their little heads and bowed to them. “And remember that this is still our little secret,” referring to the singing. They bowed to me too and ran back to their homes, laughing all the way back.

 

`Kirara. Go with them. Return with Hiro.' I reached her with my mind.

 

Kirara was reluctant to leave for she knew about the unwanted visitor but left nonetheless. `Fine. If he tries anything, I'll leave my paw prints on his ugly face.' I sighed at my incorrigible companion.

 

When I was completely sure they were safe in their homes. I conjured my spiritual bow (another teaching from Tanaka-sensei) and fired a spiritual arrow without warning to a bush a few feet away. The demon, which had been there since I had begun singing, leapt out.

 

“Omae (you (disrespectful))? Do you really wish to die?” Not only did he disobey my warning but he had crept up to me in my most vulnerable state. That second reason was more than enough for me to summon another arrow to purify his butt off.

 

He must have sensed what I intended to do for he quickly kneeled and put his hand up in defense, or stupidity. “Chotto (Wait)! My Lady, I beg of you! Just read the scroll and if you still wish to send me to the Netherworld, then by all means, do.” His eyes said otherwise.

 

“Did I not make myself clear the last time you showed up?! What is it about inu-youkai that they do not understand that no means NO?” I was loosing my patience very quickly and so was my hold on the arrow.

 

“Onegai! At least read it. Either way, I die - if not by your hands, then by my father's.”

 

I watched his face. I knew he did no lie. The curiosity was killing at me, I admit. Slowly and without taking the arrow from my bow, I motioned for him to give me the scroll. He crawled on all fours to me and stopped about a foot ― an unmistakable sign of submission.

 

“O namae? (What is your name?)”

 

“Ujio.”

 

“Open the scroll and read it, Ujio.” I ordered him.

 

“But - “

 

I drew back the string of my bow a bit more as I spoke through gritted teeth, “I SAID OPEN IT!” He fumbled a bit before he broke the seal and unrolled the piece of parchment.

 

“Now, read it.” He nodded as he initiated.

 

“To the Lady Kagome, Princess and Miko of Kamakura,

 

I, the Inu no Taishou, do hereby request your aid in defending my territories against the Hyena youkai of the Eastern Lands. I know that you, being a miko, would immediately object to this bid, but I assure that much more than my possessions are at stake here. I propose a truce for the time being. In return, I am willing to oblige to any of your requests and I also offer my protection for you and whomever you wish.

 

I hope that you would at least consider this. War is inevitable and many of whom you cherish could suffer the consequences should you deny my request. Onegai, do not take this as a threat, but as a warning.

 

I shall await your answer.

 

 

The Inu no Taishou,

Lord Demon of the West

 

The messenger looked up to me awaiting my answer, the stench of his uneasiness reached my nose. How that happened, I wasn't sure, since I was a human after all. I turned my back on him and my arrow dissipated.

 

“My Lady, what should I tell my Lord?” Most of his apprehension, which had been there partly because of the arrow pointed at his head, was gone. Concern replaced it.

 

“He already has my answer,” I stated simply.

 

“But you said - “

 

“I listened, didn't I? I never said I would help.”

 

“So you will not offer any kind of help?” Ujio was already up when I turned. Instinctively, he took a step back.

 

“Help you say?” I put a finger to my chin as if in thought. “Alright then.”

 

Instantaneously, his face lit up and he bowed. I continued before he lifted himself from his bow. “I shall offer a prayer for your lord.” With that said, I took the path that would lead me away from him, but that would still lead me to my village, leaving behind a very dumbfounded messenger.

 

I didn't want Hiroyaki finding me talking to a demon. He was very loyal to my father and would undoubtedly go and tell him.