InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Life ❯ Chapter 31 ( Chapter 31 )

Year: 1536
Month: February

Inukimi paced within her private study. Her Lady had gone from the castle finally, leaving her to her own devices. They had spoken much on how to tear the strange miko apart. Apparently doing it limb from limb was not an option. Huffing, she settled before a pool of water, staring absently into it. If it weren't for the fact that the miko had once been human and the fact that she was what she was, she could have accepted her as a possible mate for her son. He had never been so attached to a female before. The other fact was that she was indeed powerful.

Scoffing, she shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Focusing on the water, she called upon it to show her the woman. The rising sun shimmered down on the female and her son. The two appeared stunning together. One was light and the other dark. Inukimi's breath caught in her throat at the beauty she saw before her. On its own, the pool shimmered once more and suddenly she was staring at a child. They appeared to be about the age of 5 and was a full youkai. On the boy's head was a crescent moon exactly like Sesshomaru. In fact, he looked exactly like her son except for the eyes and hair. The boy's eyes were blue with purple in them and black hair. Inukimi couldn't stop her eyes from widening. The power she could sense off the child was beyond anything that she had ever expected. Especially for one so young.

The image seemed to drop back to encompass more. She watched an older fox kitsune come and lift the pup into his arms while an older Rin came to them from behind with a girl that looked to be about the same age of the male. “Toga, you must protect your sister. What would you have done if she had gotten harmed?” The boy tilted his chin arrogantly, his eyes flashing in anger and disgust. “So, what if Kimi dies? She's weak. Only the strong survive.” Rin and Shippo shook their heads sadly. Suddenly, the female spoke. “I'm not weak Toga. Mama named me after Grandmother because she said I was strong just like her!” Toga sneered.

InuKimi blinked in silence. That was… different. Was that a possible future indeed? If her son and the miko were to mate, their children would indeed be powerful. Her eyes gave a calculating look. She had to be thinking nonsense. Deciding a walk was in order; she lifted herself up and moved outside. Her gaze was drawn to the ground beneath her castle. Flying down, she sent her senses out. It was unexpected when something covered her from behind and covered her in darkness. Her scream of anger wasn't even able to make it past her lips.

Kouga froze as suddenly his Lady's eyes began flashing dangerously. “The filth… How dare he…?”

Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, Kouga shivered. “Who My Lady?”

Her eyes lingered on Kouga momentarily. She seemed to study him for a long moment. “Naraku has taken another of my children. A beloved Priestess to the Kamis. He seeks to corrupt and destroy her.”

Kouga growled angrily. “Allow me to retrieve her My Lady.” A sinister look appeared in her eyes but Kouga's gaze was on the ground.

“Very well Kouga. You may go.” She pulled out a small stone. “This will lead you to them.” Kouga took the stone reverently before rushing off. Dark laughter filled the woods. She would enjoy this bloodshed. His blood would bring Inukimi into a new form. She would finally become the daughter she always wanted. It was a shame the wolf would have to die. It would serve a purpose though. The abomination was attached to him. She would tear apart the girl's emotions and then trample her when the time came.

Kagura studied Inukimi. She was chained to a wall by special chains that drained one's power. Next to her Byakuya was leaning against the dungeon wall. “I don't understand why Naraku wants her so much.” Byakuya shrugged at Kagura's question. Neither expected an answer so they were surprised when they got one.

“It is because this youkai serves the false Gods. She allows them to see clearly into this world. She will join us or die.” Kagura's eyes widened in surprise as she watched Naraku enter. Next to him was Kanna. Kagura smiled at her sister slightly, growing wider when her sister smiled back at her in happiness.

“Father, how can we convince her?”

Naraku turned. “Akago…” As the baby was brought in, Kagura glanced at the Lady of the Western Lands in worry. She almost felt sorry for the woman.

Rin grunted as she shifted in her spot in the tree. She had taken to resting in trees whenever they stopped. At night, she would curl up with Kagome, Shippo and Arie. They usually slept in a pile. Currently, they weren't doing much of anything. They were simply relaxing and waiting for Kagome to wake up. `She has been sleeping for a long time…'

“Have no fear Rin. She will awaken. She is merely resting.” Rin gave a brief nod.

Suddenly, Shippo was next to her. “What is wrong Rin?” Rin gave a small shrug, her face emotionless except for her eyes which glittered with unshed tears of worry.

“I'm worried about Mama, Shippo.”

Sango and Kikyo were settled by Kagome's sleeping form. Across from them Arie and Zia were settled as well. At Kagome's feet, Ayame was holding on to her stomach, her gaze focused on nothing as her thoughts soared through her mind. Somehow, in the short time of their journey, these five women had become inseparable. It was all because of Kagome. They had found each other through Kagome and found their lives intertwined, never to be parted again. Kikyo, closest to Ayame, reached over and took Ayame's hand. She gave her a small smile. Ayame raised her gaze and watched her. Where once there was nothing in Kikyo's eyes except cold hatred and anger, now there was warmth and happiness. Zia reached over from her side and took Ayame's other hand, squeezing it lightly. She glanced at the other females. They seemed to be speaking silently with their eyes. Nearby, the males watched the display that was beginning to become oddly permanent.

Kagome leaned back within her mind against Goshinboku. Above her, Chi was lazily rubbing her claws over his bark. Kagome was humming a random song that she had heard from her last trip into the future. She missed that time. She missed her family. Closing her eyes, her humming became louder. “Two black Cadillac's driving in a slow parade… Headlights shining bright in the middle of the day…” Chi lifted her head to glance down at her as she sang. Her mind tried to conjure the memory.

It came slowly to her. “One is for his wife, the other for the woman who loved him at night.”

Kagome glanced up, a faint smile on her lips. The song told the story of what her mother should have done from the very beginning. “Two black Cadillac's meeting for the first time…” Tilting her head toward Chi, she smirked.

Chi dropped from the tree, her wings flaring out behind her to soften the landing. “And the preacher said he was a good man. And his brother said he was a good friend, but the women in the two black veils didn't bother to cry.”

A giggle escaped Kagome. “They took turns laying a rose down. Threw a handful of dirt into the deep ground. He's not the only one who had a secret to hide…. Bye bye…”

“The women you speak of. What did they do miko?” The soft voice caused both Chi and Kagome to stiffen. Turning, their gazes darkened causing the sky to flash overhead briefly. This was their world. Who was this youkai to dare assume she could enter their place? They watched InuKimi come closer to them, stopping a few feet away.

Seeing as she wasn't attacking, Kagome glanced over at Chi and shrugged. “They killed the man. It explains it in the second verse.”

InuKimi appeared to contemplate that. “Sing.” It was a demand. Kagome's gaze hardened briefly. Chi gently touched her shoulder to calm her.

“Two months ago, his wife called the number on his phone. Turns out he'd been lying to both for oh so long.”

Kagome let out a soft breath and closed her eyes. “They decided then, he'd never get away with doing this to them. Two black Cadillac's waiting for the right time.”

Chi picked it up again, this time further into the song. “It was the first and the last time they saw each other face to face. They shared a crimson smile and just walked away…”

Kagome's voice became soft. “And left the secret at the grave…” InuKimi remained standing, listening. She had a far off look in her eyes.

Kagome studied her and for a moment, Kagome felt as though the song somehow matched to InuKimi and Izayoi. “You feel as though the song is about you…” InuKimi glanced down at her. After a moment, she nodded. Motioning for the Lady of the West to sit, she watched her settle on the ground. “Will you tell me the story? It is obvious that perhaps the way the world viewed the death of InuTaisho is in a different matter entirely.” She saw the surprise appear in her eyes.

InuKimi looked down. She didn't know how she had come to be here in this place but for some reason she felt at peace, like she had been as a child. Delving into memories was dangerous. Her mother had stated as such and yet she couldn't stop the memories from coming back. She didn't understand what some of the words she had spoken of in the song, but it did reflect her history. Her and Izayoi. They had understood that she had needed to hate Izayoi for taking away her mate. To the world, he had left her for a weak woman. Izayoi had been anything but that.

“I never knew who she was, but I had heard tales of the famous princess of the neutral lands. The princess Izayoi. I never knew her, nor met her. I and InuTaisho had become… estranged. To the outside, we appeared as mates who very much loved each other. Behind closed doors, we never spoke and attempted to stay away from each other. As a pup, Sesshomaru had grown close to humans. In that past, youkai and humans lived in as much a peace as could be given. Then I began to hear rumors that my mate had taken on a consort. In truth… I felt relieved. Our mating was arranged for nothing more than power. I did not feel any sort of attachment to him.”

Kagome could feel the hollowness echoing in Inukimi's voice. Chi leaned forward, feeling the same as well. Chi spoke, feeling the need to veer off this topic for the moment. “Will you tell us of your childhood InuKimi-Sama?”

InuKimi gave her a surprised glance. Kagome gave a faint smile. “We do not wish to push. Please do. We know only that of my memories from Midoriko.”

InuKimi gave a small frown but there was a joy in her eyes. “I was a child that enjoyed going outdoors and playing amongst the trees and nature. I had a natural affinity towards magic. The ones that called me their parents saw this potential. They began training me ruthlessly. In my abilities, they saw a chance for a powerful match. My happiness was taken away. When I asked my mother why… She told me it was an honor to be viewed as powerful.”

InuKimi jolted as she felt Kagome take her hand soothingly. “What happened when it came to… the Kami?”

Inukimi could tell the girl's distaste in saying it. She shrugged. “My mother told me to follow them and in doing so I gained more power. By that time, that was my life. I needed and wanted power. Then I was introduced to InuTaisho. From my first introduction, I was told I would be his mate. I would give him a powerful son that would be blessed. Much later I was told it would be my only son.”

Kagome could feel the sadness echoing through InuKimi. Chi spoke softly. “It does not have to be that way My Lady. You gave up when you were told this correct?” InuKimi nodded. Chi leaned forward and placed a hand on her belly. “Life still flutters within you. There is… a… taint within that prevents another child. The… Kami placed it there because to have another of your blood would be their undoing. You are blessed by another but by living under ones that mean harm causes that taint…” Inukimi's gaze had darkened.

Before a fight could start, Kagome spoke again. “Tell us more of you and Izayoi. What happened?”

How dare that abomination blame her Kami! Then again, she doubted everything she once knew. Focusing on Kagome, she took a deep breath, her anger flowing from her and evaporating. This place brought peacefulness to her that she had never found before. “It was by mistake that our correspondence began. I received a letter addressed to me. Izayoi had discovered that InuTaisho was mated and she was asking my forgiveness. At first, I did not want to give it. Then I found myself curious about this Princess. I sent back a letter. Our correspondence took the course of two years. Towards the end, we both wished to end this charade he forced us to play. Neither of us could send him on his way and live our own lives as we wished. Her family saw a powerful match for her. I was mated to him. So, we… found a way to free ourselves. By this time, I knew that she was pregnant.”

Kagome held herself still, not daring to make any moves. “You made a plan to kill him…” InuKimi nodded. It was sudden when a new voice entered the conversation.

“Yes, we killed him. My Lady.” All three looked up in shock to see the ghostly form of Izayoi. She settled by InuKimi regally. Kagome and Chi did not see the woman they thought her to be. They saw a cold, ruthless and strong human woman that radiantly blazed with miko powers. This was a warrior priestess. “We had never had the opportunity to meet face to face until the aftereffects of our plan. This is the second time that we have met, and it will be the final time. We made the decision that he had to pay for everything. When I discovered I was pregnant with Inuyasha, I knew that nothing would be the same once he was born.”

“Yes… I began to train Sesshomaru to hate humans. Claiming that Izayoi was stealing him from us and destroying all the power he had claimed for his own. That he was becoming weak.”

“In turn, I informed my head guard Setsuna-san of InuTaisho's treason. I told him of my part of the plan. Knowing through InuKimi-Sama of the sword of life he carried, I ordered him to murder me when I informed him.”

InuKimi gave a dark smile. “I sent a messenger when my mate went to face Ryukotsei. It was my doing in that. I informed the dragon of a breach of treaty that had been done. A false tale but one that worked.”

“Upon receiving the message, I had already been abed in birthing pains. Setsuna-San made certain that everyone would leave. He began to burn the building down around us. He returned and waited. Once I felt InuTaisho advancing, I bid Setsuna-San to perform the deed. Before the blade could come down, I felt Inuyasha slip from my womb. Setsuna-San set my son in my arms; the blade buried in my chest. My life was slipping away. In that last moment, I used what was left of my power to draw part of my son's youki away into a small gem. He was born a full demon.” Izayoi laughed at Kagome's face.

Kagome was shocked. Inuyasha had suffered being a hanyou because of his mother's revenge? Her anger grew within. The sky flashed above dangerously. “Why?”

Izayoi smirked. “It was my last act against InuTaisho. He expected a pure youkai son. He had read the scrolls. The joining of a miko and youkai gave birth to a pure blood that was immune to reiki. With that act, I removed that hope.”

Kagome growled. “Do you know what you did to your son? You caused him to live a life of violence and ridicule. Kikyo was the first to accept him and then me. He has been looked down on because of this!”

She saw guilt appear in the eyes of the princess. “I do regret that much. I did not look beyond revenge and I see now what it has cost him. It is the reason I am here. Either way what's done is done. When InuTaisho arrived, he was angry. He revived me as we planned. Then Setsuna-San struck. Once I was safe under the fire rat robe, I used that time to inject InuTaisho with a poison that Miko's can produce. It is our reiki that rushes through the blood and debilitates them. I then left.”

InuKimi picked up the story. “We finally met at the burial of InuTaisho. As royalty, she was authorized to be there. We shared only a mere glance of triumph before we went on our way. I did everything I could to make others believe that I hated Izayoi when in truth she had become one of my dearest friends.”

“I went to live with my family. I realized my mistake when I began the process of raising Inuyasha. I tried to help him the best I could for I had no idea how to release his youki. I attempted to do so, and, in the end, I died in the attempt.” Izayoi reached within her kimono and pulled out a vibrant stone. “Take this stone. You are the only one that can do this.”

Kagome lifted the stone in her palm. It was strange. She could feel Inuyasha. A faint smile appeared. He would get everything he wanted in this. This was his destiny. Glancing up, she watched the two women. “Thank you Izayoi-Sama.” Izayoi nodded and faded away into nothingness. Glancing over at InuKimi, Kagome studied her. A small smile appeared. “If you are willing My Lady, I would agree to be your friend.”

She saw the surprise appear. “Why would you miko?” Kagome shrugged. She glanced at Chi briefly. “We don't care about your past. We don't care about the future. What is the point of being enemies?” Inukimi seemed to be deep in thought. Suddenly, her face contorted in pain.

Chi leaned forward, clasping her free hand. “InuKimi?”

Coughing, she shook her head. “Before I came here, I was in a dark place. I was taken from my home and I know not why. I believe I heard the name Kagura before I came here.”

Kagome's eyes darkened. “Naraku. We will come for you My Lady. I promise you this under oath. We will free you. Besides, how else will we be friends?” Kagome gave a small laugh.

InuKimi cracked a smile. This miko… was different. She was light. She could feel herself waking. “I thank you Miko. I would like to be your friend.”

Kagome nodded in satisfaction. “You are welcome here any time My Lady. Just reach for it and you will be drawn here. You can inform me of what is happening there.”

InuKimi nodded. She was already fading, waking up. “I will do so miko. I will come again. I have never felt so much peace than in this place… Kagome…” Then she was gone. Kagome and Chi looked at each other in contemplation before nodding. They would recover InuKimi if it was the last thing they did.