InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Protectors of the Four Winds ❯ Prologue

Protectors of the Four Winds

By: Water Phoenix

Prologue

"Well, well if it isn't daddy's little girl." Yin said snidely as he walked through the garden toward his little sister. She didn't even look up from the fountain she was watching quietly. "What? No words of wisdom from the shy little princess, today?" He continues trying to get a raise out of his favorite little sister. She remained quiet not looking at him or even acknowledging his presence. Noticing that there was a lack of response he took a seat next to her waiting for her to come out of her trance.

She didn't bother to look at him when she just walked off a saddened expression on her face.

"Hey, hey wait a minute. What's wrong with you?" He asked when she finally stopped.

"Nothing is wrong." She answered in an unemotional voice, as she turned to walk away without a second glance.

"You know you shouldn't keep things bottled up for to long they could hurt you." He yelled after her retreating form. "Man, she's so timid." He whispered to himself as he walked back out into the garden. He took a seat in front of the fountain where his youngest sister Shinju (Pearl) was sitting earlier. He remembered the words he had with her a few days ago when our other siblings were teasing her mercilessly.

::Flashback::

"You a disgrace to our kind." her elder sister Jia (Beautiful in Chinese) yelled at her.

"Yeah, you are the only one her who does not want a temple." Her other sister Lan spoke up in a quiet voice that had no hatred only wonder.

The rest of the siblings came and ganged up on little Shinju but a few of them particularly her brothers did not get involved but were disgusted by all their other sisters behaviors. They believed that Shinju had the right idea 'watch from afar and intervene when necessary.' None of them had temples and were never bothered by the others, but just don't know how to leave well enough alone.

When a resounding slap was heard from the center of the circle Yin looked over to see Midori with hand still posed from the slap she just finished inflicting. Shinju did not flinch in any way but she had that same timid look in her eyes that she always carried.

This was the last straw for four of the brothers. Ken'ichi', Kenshin, Kiyoshi, and Yin before any of the others could blink they were surrounding their threatened sister like she was a fallen Conrad. They snarled at the others whenever the others tried to come too close to her.

After a few minutes Jia spoke up again, "That stuck up little tart does not deserve to be up here with the rest of us."

Ken'ichi gave a look of pure contempt before speaking. "Don't you understand that Shinju is the youngest of you all? She doesn't like to be worshiped because she wants to help from afar not rule over any persons life."

Jia opened her mouth to say something but was stopped when another spoke.

"Very well spoken my son." Their father Wei said as the crowd broke for him to walk through. Ken'ichi didn't say anything only bowed as did the others three brothers and Shinju. Wei nodded slightly and the five of them took their leave just as he turned to the others with a scrutinizing eye, but eyed Jia and Midori more harshly. You all my leave he voiced with a cool calm as they bowed and walked away. Just as Midori and Jia turned to leave they were stopped.

"Hold it you two I need to have a little talk with you." He said as they stopped dead in their tracks. "Now how many times have I told you not to pick on your little sister Jia?" She just lowered her head in shame. And you Midori I don't want to ever see you lift your hand against Shinju or anyone else do you understand?" She only nodded in shame as he then continued. "You two are to apologize to your sister and if I ever catch you to picking on her again I will ground you for the next ten years. Understand?"

"Yes father." They answered in unison as he walked away towards the Dojo where he knew his sons were sparing and Shinju was observing.

When he walked into the rooms noticed that Ken'ichi and Yin were sparing while Kenshin and Kiyoshi were tending to the bruises and swelled lip on her face. Wei watched his children a little curious as to why these five were so close and yet so far apart in age. Then he noticed something about Shinju she didn't show any emotion beside her normal saddened expression. He looked around the room these were the strongest of all his children the ones in this room. That's what the others were afraid of. When Yin and Ken'ichi had stopped sparring he finally spoke up.

"Ken'ichi, Kenshin, Kiyoshi, Yin I want you all to train Shinju in every weapon form that you all know." They all bowed in acknowledgment except Shinju.

"But father you know I dislike fighting." She protested.

"Yes, I understand that but out of all your sisters you are one of the only ones that yearn to protect others and learning these skills will help you to do that." He explained to her.

"Yes Father I understand."

"Good." He said as he kissed her Forehead and walked out.

::End Flashback::

"Worried about the Firebird." Kiyoshi asked as he sat next to his brother.

"I can't help but be a little worried she is the only sister that we are close to. If something happens to her then it will make us a little unbalanced considering that she has been with us she could walk." Yin said sounding a little distanced.

"Well, where is she now?" Kiyoshi asked as he stood.

"She should be training with Ken'ichi and Kenshin." Yin said as he started walking towards the Dojo with Kiyoshi hot on his heels.

As Yin and Kiyoshi walk through the doors to the Dojo they ducked as a Kenshin's body flew through the air from the impact of Shinju's last attack. The two brothers looked over at Shinju's saddened face and then back at Kenshin as he got charged back into the building to finish his duel with Shinju. Yin and Kiyoshi eased over and sat next to Ken'ichi just as their swords met kicking the wind up around them.

"You know it'll be three years tomorrow." Ken'ichi said not taking his eyes off of the fight. After a minute of silence he continued. "Why don't we take her down to Earth. I heard that Japan's Western Lands are very beautiful." He finished as Shinju sent Kenshin into another wall on the other side of the Dojo.

"Maybe a change of scene is what she needs. Shinju hardly ever smiles anymore." Kiyoshi stated as Yin nodded in agreement.

"It's settled then. We will surprise her tomorrow." Ken'ichi finished as he stood up just as Kenshin collapsed from exhaustion. After inspecting them more closely he noticed that Kenshin was sweaty but Shinju didn't even look winded and had hardly moved at all during the whole ordeal. He couldn't help but smile at his baby sister. Her skill had improved greatly over the years.

"Very good Shinju." He said as he walked up to her and embraced her.

"Thank You." She said as she walked over and helped Kenshin sit up. When she was sure he was all right she walked out the door without saying a word.

They all couldn't help but exchange worried glances with each other as they watched her leave. After a short silence they all got up and left as well getting stuff ready for tomorrow's trip. Ken'ichi went to let father know about their little surprise.

"Taking her out sound like a good idea. And the Western Lands are a good choice. I happen to know Inutaisho personally." He said as he started writing a letter. When he finished he walked over to one of the glass cases to his left and pulled out two Marble boxes one the purest white and the other was a combination of different blues. He sat them on his desk and handed the now sealed letter to Ken'ichi.

"When you go down there I want you to go see lord Inutaisho first. Give him that letter and this box." He explained as he handed him the white box. Ken'ichi only nodded. "And give this is for Shinju. I'm sure she will like it." He said with a smile on his face. "Enjoy yourselves tomorrow, I'll see you in a week." At his last words Ken'ichi couldn't help but return his smile as he bowed and left the office. "This should be an interesting experience for the five of them." Wei voiced as he sat behind the desk of his now empty office.

Ken'ichi walked down the hall with a slight smile on his face as he as he headed to the palace seamstress to check on the pants set he was having made for this occasion. When he walked in the room he was happy to see that it was hanging near the door. The seamstress Amaya stepped out from behind one of the curtains towards the back of the room.

"Is it to your liking Ken'ichi-sama?" She asked with a smile playing on her lips.

"Yes, it's beautiful. She'll love it." He said as he turned to Amaya.

"I'm glad it's to your liking. I had a hard time thinking of a design that she might not complain about." She said as her smile broadened. "I'll put in a box and have it brought to your room Oji-sama." She said with a graceful bow.

"Thank you." He said as he walked out to find his brothers.

As he walked down the hall to one of the inner gardens he found Kiyoshi standing in one of the rooms talking to what looked like a bird. Puzzled by his actions he decided not to disturb since he now knew where he was. So he continued to the garden.

Once he got there he saw Yin standing near one of the reflecting pools.

"Yin what are you going to give Shinju?" Ken'ichi said as he came and stood behind him.

"I don't know. You have to wait until tomorrow." He told Ken'ichi with a sly grin.

Ken'ichi only huffed in response before asking another question.

"Do you know where Kenshin is?"

"I think he went to the Weapon Smith."

"Thanks." Ken'ichi said before leaving through a door on the other side of the Garden.

Ken'ichi continued his search for his brothers heading for the smith. When he got there he saw Kenshin examining a Katana and a Wakazaki that he assumed was for Shinju. When he saw him re-sheath the sword he and thank the smith as he walked out.

"Hey, Kenshin is that what you're giving Shinju tomorrow?" Ken'ichi asked as he walked down the hall beside him.

"Yes it is." Was his only response as they continued to walk in comfortable silence Heading for their rooms.

When they got to the end of the Hallway where it split they said their goodnights and headed for there rooms. Ken'ichi waited until he heard Kenshin's door closed before heading to his own room.

When he walked down the hall and entered his room closing the door quietly behind him. When he turned around and saw the lacquer box sitting on his dresser he couldn't help but smile. Ken'ichi walked over to the dresser and set down the other two boxes that he had received from Wei earlier and proceeded to get ready for bed. He pulled out a pair of white silk pants and changed. As he lay down on his bed he thought about what they would do with her tomorrow and what Lord Inutaisho was like. He fell asleep to the light rustling of the wind and the trees.

Later on that same night Shinju heard Ken'ichi's door close and just couldn't help but happened three years ago.

::Flashback::

Shinju had snuck out the Palace early one morning intent on going down to Earth to do a little exploring. When she got the gates she pulled a map out of the bag she had brought with her. She glanced over it looking at the different countries that expected on Earth. She then chose a group islands East of China, Japan (Nippon). With a destination decided she walked to the doorway that separated the realms and opened a boot setting next to the doorway to where she wanted to go, then she pointed to one of Japan's four realms, the Western Lands.

"Hmmm, that's as good a place to start as any." She said to herself as the door way opened. When she walked through she smiled to her self at the thought of going someplace unknown. And then she thought about easy it would be to return home.

When she finally came out of her thoughts she found herself to be in a lush clearing in the middle of a forest. Looking around her she felt strangely comforted as she started treading in a random direction that she strangely drawn to. After walking a few minutes she spotted a little boy sitting near a stream just relaxing, but became tense a moment later as though sensing her presence.

"Who's there?" He called out and then after discreetly sniffing the air he spoke out again. "I know you're not human or youkai. Show yourself." He commanded regally for a boy his age. After a moment of hesitation Shinju stepped out from the cover of the forest to face the young child.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you. I'll be leaving now." Shinju said after a slight bow.

"Wait..." He called stopping her in mid turn. "Could you please stay and keep me company even if it's just for a little while?" He asked cautiously. When he saw Shinju turn to face him fully and grace him with a smile he couldn't help but smile in return.

She walked up and sat beside him on the bank. "So what's your name young man?" She asked.

"My name is Sesshoumaru, what's yours?"

"My name is Shinju." She said as she turned to smile at him again. "Sesshoumaru do you live around here?"

"I live a few miles away from here in the heart of the Western lands in a palace."

Shinju just looked at him. "Why would you live in a palace unless...you're a prince aren't you?"

His eyes widened considerably at her Accusations. "Y..yes I am but please don't tell anyone. No one wants to play with me because I'm either Youkai or royalty." He explained.

"Sshh..it's okay. Your secret is safe with me as long as you keep mine."

"And what would that be?"

She called him closer to herself and then leaned over and whispered in his ear "I'm from the heavens. I'm a type of Goddess." She explained to him quietly. When his eyes widened in shock and he turned to her she placed her index finger over her lips as a sign for him not to say anything. He could only nod dumbfounded by this piece of information.

Shinju then just looked at him and after a few moments she pulled a ring off of one of her fingers and puts it the hand that sat nearest to her. He looked on in awe as she slid it onto his ringer and watched as the ring adjusted its size to fit him.

"Now I'll be able to find you again the next time I come down to Earth." She said with a smile as she got up and started walking back the way she came.

"Hey, where do you think you are going?"

"I'm going home." She said keeping her back turned away from him. "Don't worry I'll be back someday. Just keep that ring. I'll help me find you the next time I come here. I'll see you later Sesshoumaru-san." She said with a slight bow as she vanished into thin air.

Sesshoumaru was very surprised and at the same time happy. He had made a friend who had accepted him and he her. He thought as he walked home.

When Shinju walked out of the gate she was greeted by the sight of two extremely pissed off sisters.

::End Flashback::

"Ugh, I don't want to remember what they did to me that day, but I'm glad I met Sesshoumaru." She said to herself. "Maybe I'll go visit him tomorrow since it's been so long. Maybe he'll like one of my boxed lunches." She finished as she drifted off to sleep just as the rest of her family had for the evening

::Inner Garden::

"Well my daughter it is almost time for you and your brothers to embrace your destiny. I you all will take it in stride just as your previous incarnates had. Rest well my children your trial's start tomorrow." Their father Wei said into the night as breeze blew by carrying his words on the wind.

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Hey guys,

Please review I need some feedback. I've already written the later chapters, I need to know how these are going. I'll have the next on up in a few weeks.