InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma of Power ❯ An Odd Family ( Chapter 16 )

They stood in silence before the stone spires. The desert beyond was long and rolling. Kagome hugged Shippou closer to her. This was not a place for children, but they were here and there was no turning back. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Sesshomaru placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him. She was scared, but she could do anything with him at her side.

"They will already have sensed us. They will send a guide."

Above them strange skies new stars shone down on them. "How long will it take?"

"An hour…a month, it is hard to say. They do things their own ways. No one really knows or understands."

Even as he said it he sensed them in the distance. Kagome turned with him and shifted the sleeping children in her arms. Rin tightened her grip on Kagome's neck and rested her head against the woman's shoulder. A figure materialized from the desert. He wore long flowing robes the same color as the moon bled sands. He nodded to Sesshomaru and Kagome.

"You have come seeking guidance. I am a guide. Come."

Silently they followed him through the natural stone gate and into the desert. They walked over two rows of dunes before they came to a third. He climbed it and led them down the sheer far side. Instead of continuing, he turned to face the dune. He drew a line down the dune and the sands parted as though he had drawn a zipper open. They stepped into the darkness beyond. They were in a dark tunnel. Sesshomaru took a light grip on her arm. He could see far better than she in the near total darkness.

After walking for almost an hour they emerged in large open space, lit by fires. Tents were set up around the fires and other robed figures moved about in the dim light. They were led to a large fire and their guide gestured for them to sit. Sesshomaru and Kagome obeyed silently. He took Rin from her and settled the child on his lap. Shippou was transferred to Kagome's lap. After a few minutes another figure, this one with a braided white cord on his hood sat next to them.

"I am Khalil, the leader here. The woman is seeking our teachings, but what is the demon seeking. He came to us once seeking wisdom, but we could not teach him anything he did not already know."

"He guided me."

"You do not need guidance, Wise One, you need only to be shown the true path. The demon can leave."

"I will not leave her."

Khalil regarded Sesshomaru silently. "I see you have finally learned that which we could not teach you."

"And that is?"

"You have learned to love yourself and another and gained her love in return. How strange that it should take a Wise One to teach you this?"

"You called me that before, what does it mean?"

"Wise One's are reservoirs. They are the keepers of knowledge for all civilizations, all the races of the world. They are born with the knowledge and the magic. Sometimes Wise Ones already know their path, some must be shown. You are not the first and I doubt you will be the last to come to us. It will take us a week to show what you need to learn. The demon will stay?"

He growled softly. "I will and you will call me by my name."

Khalil inclined his head slightly. "Forgiveness demon, but you never told us your name."

"You know it."

"Yes, but as you so loudly announced last time, it is impolite to read a person's mind without his permission."

Kagome fought a smile as Sesshomaru's growl became more pronounced. "I am Sesshomaru, Taiyoukai of the Western Lands."

"It is an honor to have you grace our camps, Lord Sesshomaru, what is your lovely companion's name?"

"This is Lady Kagome, the kitsune is named Shippou, and the human is named Rin."

"An odd family you have built for yourself, Sesshomaru of the Western Lands. I will prepare a tent for you. No doubt you are both tired."