InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 14 ( Chapter 13 )

Hello my friendly and wonderful reviewers! Thank you for your encouragement and eagerness to continue this story! For those that have taken the time to review, thank again and for those that haven't, I wish you would.

I'd like to clarify something that one of my great reviewers asked about the last chapter. She wanted to know if Kagome had telekinesis. My answer to that is NO. Kagome has trained her powers immensely and therefore has learned to master her powers to unimaginable lengths. She uses her aura to “push” and “move” things around her. She CAN'T make things come to her or “throw” things at others. Her spiritual aura is like an invisible force that pushes and NOT pulls. Just wanted to make that clear if any of you guys thought the same.

And well, here is the next chapter. And here is what all of you have been waiting for... Sesshoumaru finally makes his entrance - albeit a bit short in this chapter. But then again that's why I'm being nice and uploading three at a time! Enjoy!

 

 

 

For the sword outwears the sheath, and the soul wears out the breast, and the heart must pause to breathe...

-Lord Byron, “So We'll Go No More a Roving”

 

 

CHAPTER 14

 

The Inu no Taishou landed quite a distance away, reassuring himself that this was a good spot to watch her fully release her power. She commanded the neko youkai to fly away. The instant she was convinced with her companion's safety, she sat down.

 

Kagome closed her eyes and freed her powers. The field began to radiate and purify. The remains of the youkai were being dissipated and replaced with beautiful greenery that was rapidly been covered with snow. A frown crossed her face as her power began to intensify. He could tell that it was too much for her and Kagome was fighting to manage. She was starting to loose control over her powers.

 

And then it happened again!

 

Her eyes opened and those silver-blue eyes looked AT him! Her parted lips showed the grown fangs. She stood up and commenced to move in his direction. But, she wasn't moving her feet. She was floating. Kagome paused, still a distance from him and smirked.

 

Raising her arms (that now had claws) and face towards the sky, she chuckled. It was not her voice, though. It sounded like the waterfalls, dangerous but calming. When the sound seized, her arms returned to her side and she glanced at him once more.

 

“Daiyoukai of the West. We are glad to see you once again.”

 

“Who are you?” The Inu no Taishou narrowed his eyes and strained his ears, only to catch the small chuckle that escaped her lips.

 

“We are who we are. Today, however, we come to you to ask that you care for our Protector. She is lost and needs the guidance of a father. We have seen how you treat her and know that you can be that guide. This miko is special. Her power grows and her body cannot handle it. We have seen her future and know that her life is intertwined with Him who is of your lineage. Do not let Darkness take her. She is close to loosing the battle with it.” The voice that escaped her lips had spoken of the miko with such motherly love.

 

Regaining, he answered, “How do you know I do not wish her harm? How shall I protect her until this kin of mine comes? And how will I know who He is?”

 

“You see her as your own and we know that you would give your life for her. As for your kin, He will know. For now, all you can do is keep her from harming herself. Heed our words, Daiyoukai. If Darkness over powers her, everything will be lost. She is a strong and unique being, but she is also fragile and needs guidance.” With those words, the color of her eyes returned to their lavender color and the blue light that had encompassed the area returned to her body.

 

The miko collapsed with exhaustion. He reached her before she touched the ground. He looked at her face and saw the drops of sweat drip to her sides. He touched her forehead to wipe away the body water and felt her. She was burning up!

 

“Stubborn miko! You were fighting while ill. That was very stupid.” He shook his head in disapproval as the words from the unknown spirit echoed in his head. “I will protect you. I promised your mother.”

 

He raced across the land, heading towards his castle and the neko trailing behind. She needed treatment. At least he would be able to send her home healthy. But who was he kidding! He knew that he wanted any excuse to keep her more time in his home! She brought a warmth that no one had been able to fill since his mate had died.

 

Arriving at the castle, he quickly ordered Juro to go with him and help him care for the girl. His son followed him concerned for the miko's health. The demon lord paced frantically outside the shoji door when he was kicked out by the healer. He felt like a father waiting for news of a sick daughter.

 

The Inu no Taishou realized that had she not been human, she could have easily been an Inu. She was as hard-headed, proud and powerful as any member of his family. He was brought out of his daze when the door to her room was slid open.

 

The rabbit youkai healer bowed and spoke, “Your miko will be fine. She simply needs to rest. Her body is exhausted. Her battle wounds are rapidly fading thanks to her spiritual powers. She will awaken in no more than two days. After that you will need to make sure she is fed well before she is allowed to leave.”

 

“Arigatou, Lita.”

 

“My lord, may I ask a question... about the miko?” Lita awaited the answer of the demon before she continued.

 

“Hai.”

 

“Well, I have seen many a miko who have been injured while fighting and, although they do heal quite fast, I have never in all my centuries, seen one that heals as fast as this girl. I also took notice of her aura. It is very strong, my lord. And her blood does not smell like that of human. Could she be part youkai? A hanyou perhaps? I have to say that she resembles Ry―”

 

“No, of that I am sure. Have you spoken to anyone about these things?”

 

“Iiee.”

 

“Good. The last of your concerns is impossible. You and I both know she is the daughter of Lady Midoriko and Lord Seiya - both humans.” He tried to reassure her.

 

“The Cursed One, of course. Lady Midoriko also gave off a very powerful aura herself.”

 

“Lita-sama, I will ask that you not tell anyone about what we have just spoken. There are many out there who would no doubt want to take advantage of her... err, abilities, whether it be true or not.”

 

“You do not need to worry about that my lord. I have kept many secrets for your family and I will continue to do so.” Lita smiled to him and bowed, leaving him free to enter the miko's room.

 

Once inside, the Inu no Taishou went to sit by Kagome's side. She was deep in slumber. For the first time he took notice of her physical features. He knew she was still young - sixteen mortal years to be exact. She looked so much like Midoriko. There were, however, two differences between them. Kagome's hair was the color of the golden autumn leaves and her eyes were a striking lavender with a hint of grey. Her mother's hair had been a plain black and her eyes had been hazel. No doubt Kagome took after her father in those two things.

 

He smiled at her unintentionally. Standing up he left her to rest and ordered Juro to stay by her side in case she should wake and need something.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

When I awoke, the sun was beginning to set. My head was pounding and my throat was dry and raspy. I looked around and noted that I was still in the western lands - in the western castle. Two arms held me from sitting up. I raised my eyes and saw Juro with eyes closed, smiling.

 

“You seem better, my lady. I was beginning to think that you did not wish to wake.”

 

“Don't touch me.”

 

He stiffened at the anger in my voice. “What happened? Why am I still here?” I did not recognize my own voice. It sounded too rough.

 

“You had a fever. My lord brought you back and had the healer take care of you. That was two days ago.” He sounded tired.

 

“TWO DAYS?! “ I shrieked at him.

 

“Hai! But no need to worry. My lord has made sure that you were taken care of. He even ordered that your neko companion be fed. He was most worried and will be happy to know you are awake!”

 

“I did not ask for his help.” A sudden wave of uneasiness overtook me. My mind flashed to a burning village. To the horrid sight of people lying dead...

 

Flinching at the memory, wondering why it would haunt me now. It was a reminder of what I was capable of, I decided, and a reminder of why I had to get away from here. I didn't want to hurt someone who had been nice to me.

 

Not again.

 

Forcing myself to forget the pain of my body, I sat up slowly. “Onegai, my lady. You are still weak. Besides you cannot leave without eating first. It has been two days since you ate.”

 

“It is up to me to decide when I eat.” I found my kosode and tabi on top of a small stand by the window. In spite of the painful protests of my muscles, I started pulling them on. My miko powers had allowed me to heal for the most part while I slept, but I wasn't in as good a shape as I could be should I allow someone to tend to the deeper wounds.

 

But I never did. I scared most healers as much as I scared everyone else. So, I'd learned to take my hits and deal with the pain. Which was fine by me. I didn't like people, youkai or otherwise, anywhere nearby. Life was better alone.

 

“Are you leaving?” His eyes were still closed.

 

“Nooo. I'm urinating!” I replied sarcastically.

 

“My eyes are closed. For all I know you really are peeing on the bed, which is a very nice bed incidentally, so I hope you are making a joke.”

 

I felt a strange twinge of amusement at his comeback. He was fast and smart. I liked that. But I had no time to waste. “Look, youkai, I don't how or who got me here, but I appreciate it. However, I have to get going. Believe me, you'll be very sorry if I don't.”

 

“Let me at least call my father so that he may know you are awake.” He pushed himself off the floor at my hostile words and it was only then I realized I'd growled them at him.

 

I cursed under my breath. “Ugh.... Fine! Tell the Daiyoukai that I will be going to speak to him....NOW!” I fisted my hands and glared at his now open eyes.

 

He moved to the door beckoning me to follow him. We walked only a few doors down. It was evident that he had been worried enough that he placed me close to his own room.

 

Juro lifted his hand to knock, but the Daiyoukai beat him to it and called for us to enter. He asked Juro to leave us and pointed me to a chair. I sat down, not because he commanded, but because my head was still swirling.

 

Silence.

 

He spoke first. “I am glad you are feeling better. I know you wish to leave and I will not hold you here any longer than necessary. I just ask that you eat first and wait until morning when your strength returns to you. Is that alright with you hime?”

 

I furrowed my eyebrows and pondered on his request. He had a point. Although I did wish to leave, I still wasn't strong enough and I was so hungry I could probably eat an entire horse! I looked at him and stood up.

 

“While I'm not an ingrate, I do not wish to stay here any longer. I kept my end. There is nothing more for me to do. Now I can return home and die.”

 

Taken aback by my response, he asked, “Does your life truly have no value or meaning to you?

 

“No, it doesn't.”

 

“Then why haven't you killed yourself?”

 

I snorted at that. “Why should I? The only enjoyment I have in life is knowing I anger everyone around me. If I were dead, it would make them all happy. Kami, forbid I should ever do that.”

 

To my surprise, he laughed. “I wish I could see inside you to know if you were joking or not.”

 

“Trust me, I'm not.”

 

“Then I'm sorry for you. I wish you had something that made you happy.”

 

I looked away from him. Happy. I didn't even understand that word. It was as alien to me as kindness. Compassion.

 

Love.

 

Now there was a word that never entered my vocabulary. I couldn't imagine what others feel.

 

All I knew was hatred, anger. It was the only thing that kept me warm. The only thing that kept me living. So longs as I hated, I had reason to live.

 

“You do not - “ I lifted my hand to interject.

 

“Please,” he could probably see that this was something very hard for me to do for I was not used to apologizing for my actions. I bowed my head and continued almost in a whisper, “I know I can be very stubborn, but I assure you I meant no disrespect. You have been hospitable and honorable, traits that I never thought to witness in a youkai. I see that your reason for going to war was to protect those who live in your lands and you could have easily disregarded the human villages, but you didn't. I wish to keep a simple truce.”

 

He said nothing.

 

And when I could not stand the quiet any longer, I lifted my head, only to see him, for I had not heard him, come directly towards me. He embraced me and held me tight.

 

I did not do anything because I was too shocked at what he had done. And when I took in what had just happened, I awkwardly patted his back. It frightened me that I felt something I hadn't felt in years.

 

He pulled away from me slowly and kissed my forehead. “You are most welcome, Kagome-sama. This is your home and you may return whenever you please!”

 

“I can assure you, Inu no Taishou, that I will never be returning here.” I answered coldly and kept my blank face as I left the room. Oh, how wrong I was on that statement!

 

His baritone voice stopped me between the door and the hall. “Keiji (cautious ruler),” he corrected. “My friends call me Keiji.”

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

When the young prince reached the Crescent Moon, the moon was shining brightly above it. The battle had been over for five days already and he had been eager to congratulate his father. The castle had been untouched by the war. Everything still looked as amazing as it had been two months ago. Upon entering the castle, the servants quickly stopped what they were doing and bowed to him. He recognized his friend whom he had not seen since the war had ended.

 

“Juro, where's father?”

 

“He's bathing in his spring. Do you wish for me to inform him of your arrival?” he asked.

 

“Iiee. I am sure he knows. I will wait for him in his study.” He headed for his chambers to change before meeting with his father.

 

Entering his room, he changed into a fresh and clean garment, and went in search of his sire. Opening the door to the study, he found his father had gotten there before him. Bowing, he smiled at him and went to stand out on the balcony to gaze at the moon.

 

“So, what brings you back so soon? I thought that perhaps you wished to stay a bit longer at the Kuroi Hoshi.”

 

“I simply came to congratulate you on your victory!” he was now facing the Daiyoukai, but still leaning on the balcony rail.

 

“I may be old, Sesshoumaru, but I am no idiot. By the look of disappointment on your face, I can tell that while that may be a reason for your presence, it is not the only one you came all this way!” He smirked at this - a hint of mischief on his face.

 

Surely he knew such a feeble excuse would not pass by his father. “Hai. I was also hoping to thank the miko for her aid. Is she still in the castle? I do not sense her?” The prince was honest in that he wished to thank her, but more than anything, he wanted to see her. Ujio had hinted at he physical attributes and he wanted to confirm his statement. Kami knew he hadn't always been the most tasteful youkai!

 

“No. She left two days ago.” Much to his displeasure, the prince smiled.

 

He changed the subject, telling his father of what had occurred on his side of the battle. They spent most of the night and dinner talking. After dinner, the young demon excused himself and made his way to his room.

 

As soon as he slid his door open, an intoxicating scent that had escaped him earlier invaded his nose. The wonderful smell almost dropped him to his knees. It was a scent unlike he had ever smelled before. It was a mixture of lilies and something very... what was the word for it?

 

Arousing. Yes, that was the word.

 

He walked in closing the door behind him, afraid to let the scent out. He sat on his futon and was amazed to find that his sheets smelled the same. He dug his nose in the silk material and found an unearthly calmness sink into him that was gradually drifting him into sleep.

 

~~~~~~~~~