InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ In the Realm of the Kami ( Chapter 35 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 35: In The Realm of the Kami

Kagome glanced around, then blinked in confusion.

At first glance, the realm they'd stepped into looked like nothing so much as the pathways between the realms - until the mists parted a bit, and the scene rippled.

She shifted uneasily, a bit nauseous at the visual of reality warping around her.

Looking sideways at her companion, she didn't miss his slightly irritated expression, gold eyes flashing above jagged blue marks that writhed with impatience.

Guess it isn't just bothering me.

Her eyes widened, however, as the rippling grew, and then faded away... leaving several different rather cliche views of what the heavens might look like overlapping each other.

She turned to Sugimi, a confused look on her face. "Uhmm... what is this... place?"

He sighed. "The realm of the kami. It really isn't a place defined by boundaries - it's fluid, and controlled by the mind. If we were to stay here too long, we would go insane. Mortal minds were not meant to exist in this place."

She shuddered as the ether around her rippled again. "I can see that. What a horrid place... and after all the pictures of what the heaven's might look like - all beautiful and scenic... and the reality is this weird place. Wow. Who'd have thought."

"Indeed." He glanced around, frown still firmly in place, then shook his head. "Well, let us go on, then... we may as well move around until the kami see fit to allow us audience... we won't find them unless they want to be found."

He gestured politely for her to walk ahead, and she smiled at him uncertainly, but did so, feeling better when he took her arm and walked beside her.

They were silent for a while, both trying not to look around too much, keeping their eyes on their feet more often than not, though the path shifted as well, it wasn't as unsettling as the rest of it.

After a few minutes, the silence began to get heavy, and Kagome sighed. Maybe it'll help if we talk - keep our minds distracted a bit?

"So... uh... you know," she frowned as something occured to her, "I've met Izayoi-sama... but what about Sesshoumaru's mother? Is she here somewhere, too?"

Sugimi flashed her a startled glance. "Has he never told you of his mother, then?"

"Nope. He's never said a word, and it just now occured to me. So...?"

He glanced at her, then looked back at the path. "Satori is still alive," he chuckled at her start of surprise, "and I imagine you'll be meeting her before long. Knowing her contentious nature, as soon as the battle starts, she'll show up. She's always looking for a good fight."

Kagome stared up at him, startled. "But if she's still alive, then how did you and Izayoi...?"

He laughed outright. "Oh, Satori was never my mate. She was far too obnoxious of a female for me to ever consider that - but her bloodlines were most impeccable, and powerful. I considered her more than acceptable to birth the Western heir."

At Kagome's shocked look, he laughed again. "Just ask Sesshoumaru. That's probably why he's never mentioned her - even he has a hard time being around her."

Kagome's eyes dropped back to the path and she swallowed, suddenly unsure. Oh, boy... mother-in-law issues are almost certainly in my future...

With an amused arch of one dark brow, Sugimi eyed her suddenly uncertain expression, correctly guessing the path of her thoughts.

"I would not worry yourself unduly about her - Sesshoumaru will not allow her to upset you. He is more than capable of putting her in her place."

"Yeah..." she looked away, as another visual rippled into place around them, and shrugged, disgruntled. "Just my luck... the mother-in-law from hell."

At that, he tossed his head back, silver locks whipping out behind him, and almost choked with laughter, the visual of Satori, limned by flames and with an evil smirk on her face just too much.

"I don't think the master of hell would like it too much if she were to visit that place, miko... even he is not so contentious and antagonistic." He rolled his eyes, then. "Or annoying, either," he said under his breath.

Kagome couldn't help it, she laughed. He just looked so... glad that she wasn't there bothering him. "Well... I'll have to do my best to stay away from her, then. Maybe when she shows up, I'll go take a little tour of hell just so I can miss her visit."

"Actually, your best chance is to stay with Sesshoumaru - behind him." With a snort, he said, "If you weren't sure before, you can now be so - Satori is where my son gets his less... desirable qualities from."

She tilted her head and stared at him suspiciously. "I don't know about that," she said. "I've never seen arrogance as a good quality - and it's one you both share."

Sugimi gazed at her with a mock hurt look on his face. "Come, now, miko - surely you jest. I... arrogant?"

She nodded earnestly. "Yup."

He sighed. "Ah, well... you cannot blame me for trying."

She cast a wry glance his way and shook her head, then looked up as she felt a sudden tug on her soul, and her miko ki reacted to whatever it was that was approaching. She struggled to keep it in, not wanting to harm her companion, but he just shook his head.

"Don't worry - you cannot harm me here in this place, remember?"

"Oh... yeah," she gasped out, as her purity poured out of her in a wave, almost seeming to welcome the being that even now was forming before their very eyes.

With wide eyes, Kagome stared at the woman that stood in front of her, and then dropped to her knees, bowing low before her - as did Sugimi. Knowledge of this woman's name was not needed... her very soul rang out with the divinity of this being...

Amaterasu... goddess of the sun.

She appeared before them clothed in flame - incandescent, glowing, and both Kagome and Sugimi chose to stay low, bowed before her - they could not look upon her without being blinded...

Her form was beautiful - but deadly.

Neither one moved as she studied them, and both could feel their minds being touched, and their souls probed and judged by she who was light and warmth.

Memories swirled disturbingly through Kagomes mind, without order, pulled from her psyche by the power of the goddess, and with a shaking breath and a quick sideways glance, she was made abruptly aware that she wasn't the only one being studied in such a manner.

Finally, after several moments - or an eternity - depending on how you looked at it, the pressure on their minds eased, and the glow from Amaterasu faded.

With a soft voice, softer than one would expect from such a wondrous and terrifying being, she spoke. "Rise, then, children... and speak your minds to me. Explain why you have sought out the realm of the gods - why you would risk madness willingly."

Kagome's brow furrowed, confused, but she stood up all the same, and looked at the goddess.

Before she could speak, however, a light laugh came. "You wonder, little one, why I would ask something that I already know?"

It took all her courage, but Kagome lifted her eyes, and met the gaze of the sun itself. As frightened as she was of upseting such a being, this was for Sesshoumaru - and she would do whatever it took to assure his happiness - and safety.

"Hai... my lady. I do," she said, tone respectful, yet curious, and she glanced again at Sugimi, wondering at his silence. He appeared to be unaware, and Amaterasu noted the direction of her gaze with amusement.

"His mind sleeps - in a way. Do not be concerned for him, child, he is fine." As her features became more visible, Kagome's eyes widened again, shock stealing the animation from her face.

"And now you wonder why I look like your mother, do you not?"

By this time, the shocks were beginning to numb her, and she just nodded dumbly again - at which point the goddess chuckled.

"Each person who sees me will see a different face, Kagome - I am the mother, after all... without me, there would be no life." She caught Kagome's gaze and held it, then nodded in satisfaction when understanding showed in her eyes.

"As for your other question... I ask a question for an answer that I already know because you do not. You need to see exactly what you are asking for - and more importantly, why."

Kagome frowned, looking inside herself. "But I... I know why... I want to protect Sesshoumaru...." she trailed off uncertainly as the goddess sighed.

"Truly? Is it only for that reason?" she asked pointedly, and Kagome faltered, confused.

Is it... is there something more? Am I only trying to protect Sesshoumaru... or is it something bigger than just that?

Stumbling, haltingly, she said, "I... have come to, well..." she clenched her hands together harshly, not caring when she cut her own palms with her nails, frustration roaring to life within her, "damn..." and then, everything stopped - and she could feel the stillness in her soul... and the voice that came clearly through, strinking straight to the heart of the matter.

Why do miko and monks exist? Why did we create them, child? Think...

"Well..." Kagome trailed off, flabbergasted at that simple question. Why had the kami created miko and monks? Wait...

"Balance," she breathed, stunned. She'd never before bothered to question her existence, but now...

Amaterasu smiled. "Very good, child. Balance. Youkai have far too many natural abilities that humans simply cannot counter - thus, if we had left things the way they were, youkai would eventually have destroyed humanity. But miko, and monks - they provide balance. As long as they exist, humans cannot be destroyed. So we, the kami, chose to gift some of our power to certain humans... but it is a blind gift, Kagome. It is up to each individual how they will use what we have given."

She felt her heart clench in dismay. "So... you cannot help, then?"

"I did not say that, Kagome... but you still have another question to answer. Why do you want our help so badly? It is merely another battle between humans and demons, is it not?" she asked, voice amused, and Kagome flushed.

"No! It's not just another battle, and you know that! I don't have to explain to you where I am from, you already know - and so you know that the balance is about to be destroyed, anyway... only this time, from the other side. Now, the demons will be destroyed... and only humanity will be left." She drooped sadly, then.

"That's why the world is dying in my time, isn't it? Because the balance is gone..." her shoulders dropped in sudden understanding, and Amaterasu nodded.

"Yes... that is why the world is dying. So... you wish to change that which you knew as simple reality in your time, then?"

Kagome looked down at that, her mind going far away. Do I really want to change things that much? But if I don't, then...

She looked back up. "Yes. I want to restore the balance. It's the only way. But... can it even be done? she asked, unsure of herself as she never had been before. After all... I am just one insignificant human girl, not of any importance in the scheme of things, and here I am asking the kami to change things just because I want them to...

And the goddess laughed.

"That is why it is you that are here asking this thing of us, young miko. Because you know that you are not the center of the world - and in that knowledge and simple acceptence of that fact, you become the center of the world... and even, possibly, its only hope for redemption."

She studied the girl before her for a moment, and then said, "Come - sit with me." And as she spoke, the ether around them stabilized, becoming a virgin stretch of pristine sand along a calm beach.

She stepped forward, but Kagome hesitated, glancing at Sugimi.

Amaterasu didn't even look back. "Do not be concerned - his mind sleeps, but his body does not - he will follow where we lead.

Kagome nodded and moved to join the goddess lounging indolently on the sand.

Whatever I was expecting when I came looking for this place, it certainly wasn't this.

Kinda funny how this is nothing like anyone I've ever heard of thought heaven would be.

---wWw---

Nyoko slammed her fist down on the table in frustration as she watched Kagura through Kanna's mirror. It was immediately clear when the void child had turned her mirror to her, that the wind witch had given up on her quest for the ingredients for her so-called possession potion, and was now off on an adventure of a different kind.

And after all that damn work to get this potion ready... stupid wench. Now what?

She sat and thought for a while, and then sighed.

Well... the potion itself is ready - all that was really needed was the witchs presence... and Sesshoumaru's. So... I suppose I can just head back to join him now, and bring the potion with me. That way... when the stupid bitch shows up, I have it handy and can cast the spell at that time.

Looking up, she asked, "Hey, Kanna... just where is Sesshoumaru, anyway?"

Raising black, fathomless eyes to her, she said, "He has gone back to the village that the miko he courts calls home."

Tapping one slender finger against her bottom lip, she looked up thoughtfully, staring at the roof. "Hmm. Well, I suppose it doesn't really matter. Guess I should just grab the most promising of my scrolls and spells, the potion, and you, my dear Kanna, and hop on my feather and join him and the madhouse surrounding him."

She grinned, then, as another thought suddenly occured to her. "And of course... there's the cute little puppy that desperately needs housebroken... I suppose I could turn my hand to that to pass the time. I bet he'll be a lot more entertaining to annoy than Sesshoumaru, anyway."

Mind decided, she made quick preparations to leave, and then gathered everything together and cast her illusion on her home to hide it, before tossing everything, and Kanna, on her feather, and streaking out of the hidden hollow, heading for Edo...

And loads of fun dressed in a red fire-rat.

Oh... this is gonna be a blast!

---wWw---

Sesshoumaru had had all he could take of the chaos in the village, and had retreated to the forest behind it, looking for some solitude. Of course, the other demons had also done the same, not comfortable in such close quarters with so many humans all at once, and so he ended up in the well clearing, finally finding peace and quiet there.

With a deep sigh, he settled himself with his back against the old wood, looking idly around the small clearing.

So this is the portal she used for so long to come and go. I can still feel a little of the magic - it is latent now, though.

That thought brought his mind back to the fact that he was separated from her - and his very deep dislike for that fact.

Despite the fact that they had only been a couple for a very short time, he found himself reacting in the same way a male that had been mated for centuries would have.

It is not so surprising, though - I have wanted her for many months, and now that I have her, it is only natural that I want her near me at all times.

He frowned then, glaring up into the sky as he tilted his head back and laid it against the old well.

Damn that monk... if it were not for this mess that he has caused, we would already be in our winter den - and mated. She would be mine now, and sitting beside me, not walking paths better traveled together, alone.

He flexed his claws absently. Just another thing to add to the final tally, monk. Your stupidity is getting expensive, and I think that you will find that you cannot afford the cost.

Straightening, he sat up, slowly rotating his shoulders, and then he folded his legs, settling into a meditative position, he closed his eyes.

I should take advantage of the silence while I have it, because as sure as I live, it will not last, and I will need all of my patience and much-vaunted control in the coming days, that is certain.

With one last thought for his miko, he sank himself into a trance, and the world was wiped away.

---wWw---

Kikyou stared at the goshinboku, and sighed. Moving closer, she climbed up into the twisted roots that bulged at its base, and ran her hands almost lovingly over it's scarred surface.

Who would have ever guessed that that day would not be the end for me? That now, fifty plus years later, I would be standing here, touching the same tree - and yet looking no older than I did that day?

She shook her head, and turned and sat down on the root she had been standing on. Life truly was strange. For so long she had hated it, after she had been pulled back from her grave.

But then again... that wasn't life - it was a half-life, and perhaps, that's what I really hated.

Now look at me... alive, and warm... and with a future again.

A future, it seems, that will not include Inuyasha - at least... not in the way I had always hoped. But the funny thing is... it doesn't hurt. I thought it would... and dreaded the loss of his heart, and now, I just feel calm about it - like it was always meant to be that way.

A demonic aura washed over her, then, and she flushed shyly.

Maybe... maybe it was meant to be that way - to open the door for something new.

She looked up as Kisho stepped into the small clearing, and smiled.

I certainly hope so, at least.

---wWw---

A/N: So... I wonder what Amaterasu is going to do about Kagome's desire to re-set the balance between demon's and humans? And how do you go about bridging such a severe gap, anyway?

Amber