InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Of Gods and Monsters ❯ Chapter 13: A Thin Thread ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter 13: A Thin Thread

Hera hated heat, hated the brimstone stench that seemed to come along with it; she hated everything that had anything to do with fire. She despised the way it felt against her skin.

"Hephaestus!" she called out above the din of roaring flames.

The god of fire closed his eyes in dread. It had been nearly two months since his mother had come to him requesting he create for her an avatar. He'd been only too glad to oblige her -- any whore of Zeus' deserved whatever punishment Hera could conceive; however, it was a process that took time, and Hera was not a particularly patient goddess. He pushed himself away from his materials and followed his mother's voice, doing his best to hide his limp. He preferred not showing weakness in front of her. "Yes, Mother?"

Hera's delicate features were set in a displeased frown. "Have you completed the avatar yet, Hephaestus?"

The god lowered his eyes. "It is nearly ready, Mother."

"Nearly ready?" the goddess repeated, her nostrils flaring in annoyance. "What do you mean, it's nearly ready?"

A shudder ran through Hephaestus at her tone and he barely hid his flinch. "I... I am sorry, Mother Goddess. But the ritual is a highly complicated one, and I did not have all of the necessary materials here. I needed to first build the kiln, and then it had to be blessed by Atropos -- the Fates were not happy at being sent here, Mother."

Hera narrowed blue eyes. "And you got your kiln, Hephaestus. Why was I made to understand that the process would gain speed once it was blessed?"

Hephaestus ran a hand through his disordered black hair. "The avatar itself took... time," he said, unable to meet her eyes. "There were special requirements for it."

"Salt water and ambrosia," she growled. "All you required was salt water and ambrosia! Those are two things that are NOT difficult to come by!"

Wincing at her tone, Hephaestus closed his eyes and jerked his head away. "Mother... look around you. They are two things that are not easily acquired here."

Blinking, Hera gazed around her. The air rippled with heat and fires flamed up from holes in the dead, black ground. "I see," she replied coldly. "And were there any other problems with it?"

"The avatar needed to be blessed by Poseidon himself."

The queen of the gods felt something sickeningly cold slide down her spine. "And did he?"

"Eventually, yes. He did."

She relaxed slightly. "I am glad to hear it," she said, somewhat mollified. At this, Hephaestus also relaxed to some extent. "You say it is nearly finished. Tell me, Hephaestus -- how much longer before it is complete?" She reached up and ran her small, pale hand along Hephaestus' cheek, smeared with soot and sweat.

Soothed by the gesture, the god closed his eyes. "You will have it by the time the goddess Teles rises, Mother."

"The morning, then." A slow smile formed. "I have the utmost confidence that your efforts will have been well worth my time, my son."

A small smile curled at the god's lips. "Thank you, Mother."

***

Jaken waddled alongside his master to the best of his tiny legs' ability. It was much more difficult now than it had been before, primarily because now he was more eager to return to the den and that... that... female. He had, of course, hidden his disapproval from Lord Sesshoumaru -- the creature was a goddess, after all. But that he hadn't bothered to mate with one of his own kind tugged at the toad, bothering him.

Glancing up at the great lord out of the corner of his eye, Jaken suppressed the urge to shake his head. Ever since the mate had started to grow heavy with child, Jaken's Sesshoumaru-sama had grown increasingly distracted by his impending fatherhood. Every time they left, the demon lord was interested only in his return. Jaken himself had started to wonder whether Sesshoumaru-sama was still effective in patrolling his lands.

The toad cut off the traitorous thoughts with a vigorous mental shake. Of course he is. Being mated to some pernicious female isn't going to change that.

He accepted his lord's situation, but that didn't mean he had to like it. The woman was troublesome and a bother -- she'd made him ruin three robes at last count. Her silly water magic -- while it might have amused the lord's charge -- was growing exceptionally annoying to Jaken, who was having an increasingly difficult time imagining such a female presiding over anything, much less these 'Sirens," whatever they were. She was utterly, utterly irresponsible, and it was Jaken's humble opinion that it would not be much longer before the lord himself lost his patience with her.

Scowling in irritation, Jaken shook his head. Who am I trying to kid?

Just then, a low hissing sound met his ears. Before he could take another step, the inu youkai had reached out and grabbed the collar of Jaken's cloak, stopping him.

"Wh-what is it, my lord?"

Sesshoumaru's eyebrows lowered slightly as he gazed into the dense woodland. The air was thick with the sickly-sweet scent of venom and the grass was crushed in long, winding paths -- snake youkai.

"Jaken," Sesshoumaru said, his voice barely audible.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Move." Sesshoumaru whirled, facing the beast that had been attempting to slither up behind them.

The serpent opened its massive jaws wide and let loose a deafening shriek. Poison dripped menacingly from its fangs, the acid falling to the grass below, rendering it charred -- dead. The dog demon moved backwards with blinding speed, his deadly whip extending from his right hand. The glowing stream caught the snake youkai in the middle of its body, nearly slicing it in two. Dark blood flowed from the wound, but still the snake lunged forward in an attempt to catch Sesshoumaru in its jaws.

The demon lord moved effortlessly to the right. Again the demon missed him, but Sesshoumaru could feel the breeze that came from its snapping jaws. The bright whip extended once more, this time catching the snake youkai in its gaping mouth. Its scream was shrill and two-toned; Sesshoumaru winced at the noise. The bottom half of the beast's jaw had come off and it lay on the grass while the rest of its body had come to lie at Sesshoumaru's feet, twitching and bleeding.

Jaken stood in silence for a moment, watching as the youkai's body was overcome by death tremors. He began jumping back and forth, waving his staff wildly. "Brilliant job, my lord! Well done! I knew you could--"

"It was not yet full grown," Sesshoumaru said, interrupting him.

The little youkai stilled, suddenly deflated. "Huh-- what?"

"Come. We can finish patrolling the perimeter within the hour and return to the den." The demon lord began walking, taking long strides. Jaken hurried to catch up with him.

"B-but... what if there are more of them, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"I do not believe they will prove a nuisance if left alone," Sesshoumaru replied.

Jaken blinked. "Why not, my lord?"

Sesshoumaru sent the youkai a sidelong glance. "That snake youkai was not interesting in anything but feeding. That is natural behavior. I am not going to kill every single youkai on my lands simply because it may be hungry. Rogue youkai are dangerous, but that was not a rogue youkai."

That thing wasn't dangerous? Shaking his head as he forced his short legs to keep up with Sesshoumaru's longer ones, Jaken looked up at the demon lord. "Then wh-why did you dispatch the beast if it was only trying to feed, like you said?"

The dog demon's eyes flicked down to the toad. "Because, Jaken, it was going to feed on you." He paused, his gaze directly ahead of him again. "If you'd rather donate yourself to the feeding and maintenance of the realm's snake youkai, please let me know. In the future I will refrain from acting so rashly," he said, never breaking stride.

***

Teles frowned, gnawing on her bottom lip. "I am not entirely sure this is going to work, Rin."

Rin's dark eyes followed Teles' gaze silently before looking back up at her face. After a moment, she looked down again. "Why?"

"Because, little one, beings who do not typically eat, do not typically hunt," she sighed. The goddess was still surprised at the strange gnawing sensation that would, on occasion, spread through her stomach. When it had first happened, she'd been worried that something was wrong with the pup. Teles had explained her symptoms to Sesshoumaru who, somewhat amused at her anxiety, had explained that a youkai pup -- demi-god or not -- had certain requirements in the womb. Nourishment was one of those requirements.

This knowledge had surprised Teles, who had never found it necessary to eat. Ambrosia and wine were always readily available in Olympus, and she had partaken in those delicacies, but to need to eat was a foreign concept to her; it had always been something one did strictly for pleasure. When Sesshoumaru had realized what effect the pup was having on Teles, he had ordered Jaken to include enough for Teles when preparing meat for Rin's meals. Jaken, quite clearly put out by the idea, had assented -- if somewhat grudgingly.

The goddess learned quickly that she positively hated the meat's smell, taste and texture. But it seemed to calm the pup while at the same time easing the gnawing sensation, which made the unpleasant experience worthwhile.

Teles and Rin were presently sitting on the banks of the river, watching the clear water rush by, its soothing music washing over them both. Occasionally a shimmering fish would swim past and Teles would eye it for a moment before letting it go on its way. She knew it wouldn't have taken any effort at all to pluck the fish from the clear water, but something inside of her balked at the idea. The creatures trusted her; they were almost a part of her. To reach in and grab it and pull it from its home, to feel it wriggling in her hands as it gasped helplessly, wide black eyes staring at her in shock...

That was almost as distasteful as the idea of eating at all.

Shaking her head, Teles stood.

"Aren't you hungry anymore, Teles-sama?" Rin asked, standing as well.

"I am, Rin, but I think we may just have to wait until your Sesshoumaru-sama returns with Jaken." She paused. "There are some fruit trees not far from here..."

Rin's eyes lit up. She loved traveling to the wild orchard. The pears left trails of thick, sweet juice trickling down her chin. The cherries stained her hands, and were sometimes too tart, but they were equally irresistible. "Can I come?" she asked, eagerly pushing herself to her feet.

Teles chuckled. "I would have it no other way, little one. Who else would be able to get the highest fruits?"

Rin smiled, then looked dubious. "But Teles-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama said that I should not let you lift me anymore," she said, eyeing the goddess' rounded stomach.

"Ah," Teles replied, waving her hand, "do not worry about it. You weigh nearly nothing, little Rin. Lifting you is a pleasure I am not yet prepared to deny myself."

"But he might get mad..."

Smiling, the goddess lowered herself on her haunches and beckoned to the girl, who approached. "He will only get mad if he finds out, my tiny friend," she whispered. "We will not let that happen. Now come," she said, flashing a grin. "I'm starving." Teles stood again and took Rin's hand, leading her back to the wild orchard.

An hour later found Teles and Rin sitting by the stream near the den. They had carried as much fruit as their arms could manage, enjoying their spoils by the waterside. Rin wiped the juice from her mouth and looked down at her sticky hands with a frown. She got up and leaned over to rinse her hands in the stream. Teles watched the girl's movements, frowning thoughtfully. Since she had given Rin her combs and clasp, the girl had worn them both almost every day. Today her hair hung loose and free, the small ponytail on the top of her head sticking out to the side, giving the child's shadow an unusual shape. At her cavern, Teles had a great deal more combs and bands that she could give the child. Teles had no doubt the child would enjoy them. Sucking idly on a cherry pit, Teles slowed the water's current.

"She will never learn to respect the danger water can pose if you continue doing that."

Sesshoumaru's voice startled Teles, if only slightly. Over the months, the strange shiver that had always alerted Teles to Sesshoumaru's presence had abated somewhat, lessening into a vague tingling sensation at the top of her spine. She looked over her shoulder at him and felt a lazy smile light her lips. "These are hardly rushing rapids, Sesshoumaru."

"And I always remember to ask if it's okay to go wading or play in the water, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin chirped, trotting back from the waterside to greet the youkai, embracing his leg in a hug.

Sesshoumaru rested his hand on top of Rin's head until she pulled away and sat cross-legged on the grass. He lowered himself as well, sitting down between the child and the goddess. He noted the remnants of their earlier feast and regarded Teles wryly. "I see that the little warrior has been somewhat demanding today," he said, placing a protective hand over his mate's abdomen. "While it pleases me to see you eat, I would much rather you nourish the pup with meat."

Teles expelled a breath. "I couldn't."

His eyebrows contracted. "Couldn't? Why not?"

She leaned against him and looked up into his face. "I'm not a hunter, Sesshoumaru. I thought that perhaps I could go into the forest and catch... something, but I realized I didn't know the first thing to do with it once I caught it. Getting rid of the fur and bones -- I have no idea how Jaken does it. So I went to the river -- I was sure I could get fish... But I could not bring myself to do such a thing. The water is too sacred to me, my love." She paused before shrugging and stating simply, "I couldn't."

"So you went to the orchard," he murmured, burying his nose in her hair. The sweet scent of fruit trees clung to her slightly creating a pleasant result. He was aware of Rin pushing herself to her feet. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and saw that she had spied a butterfly and was slowly approaching it.

Teles' gaze also followed the child. "It takes far less skill to catch a pear as it drops."

"Hn. You already have the skill. I will simply have to teach you how to use it."

She arched an eyebrow at that. "You are going to teach me how to hunt? You forget -- I caught you with ease."

"You know how to hunt for sport, but not necessity." Sesshoumaru shook his head. "That must change. We will start tomorrow."

"So, little Aeneas will get his first hunting lesson. This should be interesting," she said, a sly grin forming at her lips.

Blinking, Sesshoumaru pulled away so he could see her face. "I beg your pardon? What did you just call him?"

"Aeneas," she answered simply. "It is a Greek name."

"It is an odd name," he corrected her.

Teles fixed the demon lord with a level look. "And 'Sesshoumaru' is, what, exactly?"

"A very good name," he replied stiffly. "It is descriptive. It has meaning." The demon lord snorted derisively. "That Greek name has no meaning behind it, no history."

Teles shifted so that she might properly glare at Sesshoumaru. "No meaning? No history? On the contrary, Aeneas was one of the leaders of Troy -- a great city. After Troy fell, Aeneas traveled to the land of the Etruscans, where he founded their greatest city. How can you say that is a name with no history?"

"The city could not have been a very great one if it had fallen. And clearly he could not have been a very good leader if his city fell," Sesshoumaru sniffed.

"It was through no fault of his own," she explained.

Sesshoumaru dismissed her words with a wave. "Do not tell me that you haven't thought of a name better than that -- something with a bit more meaning behind it."

"I had also contemplated the name Alexander. Many centuries ago, he was the leader of two-thirds of the known world -- a fierce and cunning warrior."

"Now that," he said, dipping his head to nuzzle her neck, "sounds promising. Though it is still an odd sounding name. Alexander," he said, testing the name out on his tongue. After a moment he shook his head. "I do not know that I like it," he murmured, his lips brushing against her neck.

The light touch caused Teles to chuckle deep in her throat; she tilted her head back to allow him better access. His mouth was warm against her skin, his breath tickling her while his teeth scraped across the sensitive area. The goddess reached up and delicately traced one of his ears with her fingertips, smiling when he shuddered and bit her softly in response.

Just then, Rin's voice sliced through the moment, catching them both off guard. "I got it! I got it!"

Teles and Sesshoumaru started, suddenly jerked back to reality. Sesshoumaru twisted around to see what it was that Rin was squealing delightedly about. She stood in waist-high grass, her hands cupped, an ecstatic smile lighting her entire face. Bringing her cupped hands to her eyes, she peered in for a moment before opening her hands and watching the bright yellow butterfly lift into the air and flutter away, caught in a breeze.

As she started to run after it, Sesshoumaru stood up and called to her. "Perhaps, Rin, your hunting would be more effective tomorrow as well. It is growing dark."

Rin's steps slowed and she turned around, heading back to her Sesshoumaru and Teles. "Ohh-kay, Sesshoumaru-sama."

As Rin drew closer, Sesshoumaru reached down and took Teles' hand, pulling her to her feet. Again he placed his hand on her stomach and kept it there. It was as if he could not quite grasp the fact that a small life existed beneath that hand. For a moment, Sesshoumaru was almost unable to believe that he'd been a part in the creation of a life. Certainly he'd taken lives before, and with the help of the Tensaiga had the ability to restore them, but he'd never created a life before. It was inarguable that he had; Sesshoumaru could hear the strong heartbeat even more clearly now and could feel the pup shift within the womb. He had, at first, thought that the child's movement would have caused his mate discomfort, but that was not the case. She seemed both amused and intrigued at the developments.

The air gradually became tinged with the scent of cooking meat. Sesshoumaru snuck a glance at Teles, whose expression was one of reluctance. With an almost unnoticeable twitch of his eyebrows, he turned and headed back for the den, leaving Teles and Rin to follow.

***

Long shadows filled the pristine chamber. In the corner, a slender figure reclined on the divan by the window. Hera's form was still; her only movement was the twirling of an index finger through the blonde locks of hair trailing over her shoulder. It was late; the night sky almost completely dark. No sounds could be heard in all of Olympus; the gods were resting.

Suddenly, the still form shifted; Hera cocked her head towards the door. In a graceful sweeping motion, she was on her feet, striding silently toward the heavy door. She pulled it open, fixing blue eyes on the god standing on the other side.

"Hermes," she murmured, her voice low. "I've been expecting you."

The messenger god regarded Hera, his silver eyes flashing impatiently. "Hephaestus sent this," he replied, handing her the small parcel wrapped in leather. It wasn't difficult to fathom what the queen of the gods was planning -- rumors were already whipping wildly around Olympus. A muscle twitched in his jaw as Hera took the package from him, but he was silent. Hera's affairs with lower goddesses were not any of his concern.

Hera wrapped her hands around the package, cradling it as if it were the most precious thing in creation. "Thank you, Hermes. You may go."

The god shot Hera a guarded look before leaving. When he did, she closed the door silently, clutching the package to her chest before hurrying through her chambers to the secluded antechamber, her heart pounding excitedly in her chest. She pushed the door to the antechamber until it closed, letting the room's silence envelop her.

Licking her lips, Hera pulled at the leather strap tying the bundle together. The tanned leather fell away to reveal a delicate glass avatar, carefully blown to resemble a female shape. Inside of the avatar was a swirling liquid mixture, ambrosia and salt water, which had been blessed by Poseidon. The liquid glowed with a very faint light, bathing the goddess' face, revealing her anticipation.

Hera carried the avatar to the font holding the Water of the Fates, cradling the figure carefully -- tenderly -- in her hands.

Her voice low and melodic, the goddess started to chant. "Chaos, from whom all have come, hear my prayer. You, who were nothingness before all, hear my prayer."

***

Sighing softly, Teles rolled over. The chamber was completely dark; no light illuminated the room. Sesshoumaru had doused the lantern hours earlier before coming to bed.

The goddess rested on her side, pushing her mind past the unpleasant, heavy feeling the roasted meat had left in her stomach. Instead she inhaled deeply, letting Sesshoumaru's scent fill her nostrils. His body was still and his breathing deep; Teles realized with a small grin that he was still asleep. It was a rare enough thing that she woke up before he did. It was strange to her how little rest a youkai needed. She stretched and slowly sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the futon, her bare feet touching the floor.

Suddenly a clawed hand reached out and snatched her wrist. "Where do you think you're going?" the low, cultured voice asked. "You'll miss your hunting lesson."

Teles arched an eyebrow at him. She was sure that even in the dimness of the chamber he could see it. "You couldn't possibly think that I would willingly miss such a thing, could you?"

There was a beat of silence before the reply came. "I have learned that it is nearly impossible to make you do anything you do not intend to do while at the same time it is almost as impossible to prevent you from doing what you have set your mind upon. I am aware that you are not particularly enthusiastic about hunting. It would only make sense for you to attempt to avoid any such lesson."

Teles shook her head and grinned. "I cannot sleep. I thought I might go to my cavern so that I could retrieve a few small playthings for Rin. When I return, you will find me to be a most enthusiastic and eager pupil, my mate. Be assured of it." When she felt Sesshoumaru's hand relax and release her wrist, she slipped her hand into his and brought it up to meet her lips. She couldn't see his face, but she could almost feel his expression.

"Jaken is right. You are troublesome."

Teles stood and began dressing. "Jaken is a toad; I care very little for his good opinion."

***

Hera stood before the font, her chanting growing louder, the goddess' rich, resonant voice filling every corner of the room. "Gaia, Mother Earth born of Chaos, Mother to all, hear my prayer. You who gave birth to Sea, Sky, and Underworld, hear my prayer." Her head dropped back as if in ecstasy, the long thick waves reaching well past her waist. "From your womb, monsters were spawned. In your womb they remain."

As the goddess spoke the sacred words, the water in the font rippled to life and a sudden wind whipped through the windowless room. Heat born of power rushed through the goddess' veins, sending a flush to tint her otherwise golden complexion. A heady sensation pooled in her stomach before radiating throughout her limbs, sending a tremor through her voice. "Atropos, silent sister of the Fates, hear me. You who cut the thread of mortal life, you who grant the gift of death, initiator to the Underworld, hear my prayer."

As the wind caught the goddess' hair, sending it spiraling up and outwards, the font began to bubble and froth, the enchanted water alive with power. In Hera's hands, the glass avatar began to glow more brightly, illuminating the entire room.

"She who has ignored our laws must learn humility."

The avatar began to warm in Hera's hands, its light grown to blinding proportions.

"She who has lain with a demon must be punished."

Slowly, the brilliant glass figurine lifted out of the goddess' hands, perfectly still regardless of the fierce winds in the room.

"She who has soiled our blood must pay."

In a moment, all was silent. The wind had died and the figurine that had been gleaming so brightly, dropped suddenly, landing in Hera's hands once again. It no longer shone with the blessed mixture. Inside of the avatar, where the opalescent liquid had swirled earlier, there was now nothing but thick, red, viscous liquid. A dark smile curling her lips, the goddess carelessly tossed the fragile avatar.

***

Teles was only half-way to her cavern when a sudden wave of dizziness and nausea washed over her. She blinked, trying to clear her vision, and couldn't help but notice how far down the earth seemed. Swallowing hard, she willed the disorientation from her mind and shook her head. Perhaps the pup is not fond of heights, she thought.

No sooner had the goddess processed the thought than an agonizing slice of pain shot through her body. Completely blinded by the excruciating sensation, Teles' mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out. She felt as if her body were being torn in two from the inside out, white-hot bolts searing her while at the same time seeming to freeze her. So intense was the pain that Teles clenched her eyes shut against it, but still it did not subside. Cool, comforting blackness tugged at the reaches of her mind, tempting her, inviting her to relinquish her hold on consciousness.

She found herself unable to resist.

As she let herself slip into the soothing, dark abyss, the only thing she was aware of was the completely foreign sensation of her body falling downwards.