InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gates of Heaven and Hell ❯ Misty Dreams of the Future Part II ( Chapter 4 )

The Gates of Heaven and Hell

 

Chapter Four

Misty Dreams of the Future Part II

 

Yuki-hime

 

AN: This is an alternate reality fanfiction to where I, Yuki-hime, am in complete control of this story. ^^ power trip alert! Warning: this fanfic is a KagomexSesshoumaru pairing. I'm going to do a short introduction that will lead into the first chapter. I don't want you completely confused. As I stated before, the only similarity to the series is that I am using the characters and likeness as well as certain plots, twists or etc from the series to push this little story along. To be sure that there is no confusion, I am listing the following characters the will appear. I hope this helps.

 

 

* I will not be listing my own original characters with the guide below.

 

 

romance: the romantic development between characters.

angst/drama: emotional developments.

action/adventure: adventurous content {battles, quests, journeys}

 

 

RATING: R

 

 

Character Guide:

Kagome

Sesshoumaru

Jaken

Rin

Inuyasha

Myouga

Kikyou

Kaede

Miroku

Sango

Kohaku

Kirara

Shippou

Kouga

Toutousai

Naraku

Kanna

Kagura

Hakudoushi

 

 

Guide:

“ ” the spoken words.

Any thoughts are in italics.

* for definitions or notes at the end of the story.

 

 

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The monk sat watching the river as water drifted downstream. Miroku had a lot of things on his mind lately. There were so many distractions. Inuyasha was venting his anger through his absence and then when he was there he never spoke. The hanyou's grunts and shrugs were getting on his nerves as well. `I still do not understand Inuyasha's anger, yet I can not go against his advice.' He sighed. `It is not my place to speak to him about his estranged relations with his brother.'

 

`Poor Kikyou.' The arrival of Sesshoumaru and his pack has caused her a lot of problems and heartache among the villagers. If the group had not been here to ensure everyone's protection, `Or if Sesshoumaru had never shown his face,' the village and people would have been out of harm's way. Though the monk was relieved when the demon had only appeared once over the past week; “But how long will that last?” Inuyasha did not show his support of her decision but it seemed to have little effect on Kikyou outwardly. A few nights ago, Miroku had worked up the courage to finally ask Kaede about Kikyou and her true feelings.

 

* FLASHBACK *

 

“Does she ever talk to you about what is going on Kaede?” Miroku asked. This implied many things. The village, Inuyasha and, especially, Sesshoumaru and the young woman, as of lately.

 

She shook her head. “No, Miroku-sama. Kikyou never tells me what is really going on. She believes it to be better for my life.” He sighed. It was worth a try. “I think that Kikyou is planning a water purifying ritual for Kagome. But first she must convince Lord Sesshoumaru-sama.”

 

He smiled as she mimicked her sister's words. “Indeed. I would have guessed as much. Thank you Kaede.”

 

* END FLASHBACK *

 

He had been right in his assumptions about Kikyou's intentions. `But is she helping Sesshoumaru, that girl, us or Naraku?' The question couldn't be answered until the hanyou's defeat. Naraku's demise felt like an unattainable dream.

 

His gaze remained at his right hand and the destruction it held for him and everyone around him. “I wish I were a normal man.” These words had escaped his lips many a time when he was alone. His thoughts were focused on one woman and how much he wanted to live like normal people, to live like a normal man and woman, husband and wife.

 

Could he work the courage up? He sighed. Sometimes Miroku thought it easier for him to play than be serious. A loud boom caught his attention. He burst out running in the direction of the sound, straight to the village.

 

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The wind felt good against her skin, a nice cool breeze. The branches and leaves sang. The air was so fresh, she could taste the difference. The warm summer days were lulling her to sleep. The gusts of air rustled against her body, stirring her hair and clothing around. She sighed heavily as the hands of deep slumber reached out to catch her.

 

There was a sudden presence beside her. She felt the warmth sit to her left. Annoyingly, she opened her eyes which met Sesshoumaru's golden stare. `Sesshoumaru?' Her psyche looked for answers that could not be found. When she blinked, a silver haired man with ears was revealed as well as another man she knew she should know. His brown-eyed stare sent chills down her as his chestnut hair waved in the wind. `But who is he?' her mind frantically searched through the memory banks, only to come up empty when they were found empty. `Why can't I remember anything or anyone besides you?' Her mind jumped to the silent demon, his stoic mask in perfect place. `Sesshoumaru.'

 

When she opened her eyes for the third time, the female saw another; a woman floating off of the ground. Kagome found herself dressed in priestess garb mimicking her in a mirror-like manner. The woman was dressed as she was, her long black hair flowing. `She is so beautiful.'

 

Her voice called out. `Kagome…'

 

`Kagome, you must wake up! Wake up Kagome!' Her words were urgent and she struggled to understand why she was in distress. Her face was hard to see. Distinguishing features seemed to fade away.

 

`Please, tell me what is going on,' she spoke. The urge to help her and provide comfort washed over the confused woman.

 

`You must fully immerse yourself and cross the darkness in your heart. Please help me defeat the evil before us.' The words confused her even more. `There are people that need you now. You must fight.'

 

`That's right. I am forgetting something, aren't I?' She paused, her words triggered other memories; another promise. The woman held her hand out to her. Kagome looked at her palm. There were tattoos on her wrists that she saw before instinctively reaching out. Something compelled her; she couldn't help herself.

 

“In my half-heartedness, my half-giving, my half-loving, my half-living, help me to be fully immersed in your spirit and cross the darkness, defeating the evil before me.”

 

A pink bright light faded and she blinked; tenderness still in her gaze.

 

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Sesshoumaru arrived at the bridge, meeting a patient Kikyou. She smiled and nodded for him to follow. The demon prince briefly wondered where his half-brother was, but dashed that away. Instead, he decided he would focus on the woman in his arms. There was something to her. `She has to be the key we have been searching for.' Her power was hidden deep within her.

 

“Here we are,” Kikyou's words broke him out of thought. “We must descend thirty feet to the spring. Come.” She motioned for him to follow. Their forms disappeared into the darkness of the earth.

 

Sesshoumaru felt trapped for a fleeting second; then the woman moved. He took a glimpse at her. `She still seems restless,' he thought as he held her close to his heart. `Her soul seems to be struggling.'

 

“Kagome has been stirring these last few days.” The miko's eyes never went unaware of her surroundings.

 

Sesshoumaru had finally decided to agree to the `arrangement', yet it seemed she already knew. `Is she reading my mind?' His silence was enough of a response for her. Neither spoke for several minutes before it was the proud prince. He had mulled things over. “Yes, she is restless,” his words soft on the ears.

 

“Forgive me Lord Sesshoumaru-sama but I must speak the truth I see.” There was a slight pause as if she was trying to spill it out. `He can't turn back, not with Kagome in such a condition. He will listen to you.'

 

* FLASHBACK *

 

The priestess sat praying in the center of several burning torches. The fire-light flickered around the room, casting demonic shadows across the small room. “Kikyou, if you know that something is wrong then you must speak up. Do not sit idly by and watch this woman suffer and die. You must take action tomorrow. Take her to the spring, purify her body and soul, only then will the hold on her be released.” The voice echoed off of the walls.

 

* END FLASHBACK *

 

“You seem to have let down your guard.”

 

Her lack of exaggeration annoyed him. “What do you mean?”

 

“You seem to have fallen for that woman in your arms.”

 

Her blunt statement had been too honest and forward for the demon. “What do you mean? Don't be foolish. I have not fallen…”

 

She cut him off. “You can not lie to me. Your body and actions do not lie to my eyes Sesshoumaru.” She laughed lightly. “Whatever it is can not be. The Shikon no Tama will not grant your wishes. I am sorry but I hold some resentment towards you.” Her hushed words were barely audible, even to his sensitive ears. Kikyou knew. “Come, only another five meters.”

 

The walk was quiet as he pondered about what the miko thought she had seen. The spring was close, like she has spoken. The demon dashed his feelings away again, concentrating on the situation at hand. The prince followed Kikyou to the edge. “Give her to me,” she spoke as she held out her arms.

 

He nodded in compliance; understanding that he could not come in contact with the holy water. He fought back his demonic nature to attack the one taking his `subject' away from his hold as he watched the two women sink waist high into the water. Kikyou walked to the center of the small spring with the unconscious woman and a pint-sized pail. His eyes scanned the confined area quickly. A *tsukubai stood near the mouth.

 

The demon knew that the purpose of the water ritual was to take away the evil auras that have possessed her and replace them with health and wisdom. Kikyou's power multiplied. For a brief second, Kagome would become one with Nature; one with the trees, the earth and the sky. His eyes soaked in her wet form. The pale blue kimono clung to her curves. He briefly wondered if she would be as hostile to him as when they first met. His eyes ignored the woman holding her until she spoke.

 

The priestess began reciting a prayer. Her words bounced off of the rocky cavern. *** “In my heat of anguish and fear,” she paused, pouring water from the pond on Kagome's forehead, soaking the still dry parts of her kimono. The prince's eyes intently watched the ceremony. This was a sacred ritual that he was very privileged to witness. The purifying powers of a miko in her own domain. It was sure to be a good show, which is why Sesshoumaru was so nervous. There was an unexpected and unpredictable change of events unfolding before him.

 

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The village was quiet. The usual sounds of children playing and their parents working the fields could be heard. Sango sat in the small square with Shippou and the children; content to watch them play with a tiny ball she had made. They did not have a lot of time to spend in the village and Sango felt that twinge of regret. She indeed did miss her village. Images of the bodies of her friends and family crossed her mind.

 

After she had discovered her home had been completely destroyed, the taijiya had found the small fox demon crying and, obviously, in distress. It had only been natural that she take him in. In a small way, Shippou had filled the materialistic role that Kohaku left. She had vowed to defeat Naraku and free her brother, even if it was into the arms of Death

 

“Sango-sama! Sango-sama!” the young girl's voice broke her out of her private hell. She smiled in response. “What's wrong Sango-sama?”

 

“Nothing, honey,” she lied. There was no reason she should tell the child the truth.

 

The girl tugged at her hand, “Come play with us.” The two stood and started toward the circle of kids. Screeching from behind drew everyone's attention. Sango's eyes widened in horror, her voice froze in her throat. How could she not have sensed this?

 

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Inuyasha kept his frozen pose, waiting to see if there were more words. He could sense his body heating. He felt his skin prickle and scratched himself for a moment. The sensations were becoming stronger. `What is this?' The hanyou's mind raced for answers as his instinct directed him to the village. A large explosion and cloud of smoke filled the air. Inuyasha growled. His delicate nose caught the nasty smell of the half-demon.

 

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A glow began emitting from around Kikyou's form. “In my time of need, I am refreshed by the sprinkling of your cool, refreshing water.” Another shower rained upon the unconscious female, raven hair matted to her forehead. Her glow began radiating to Kagome. He could see it consume her. The pink light seemed to heat her body, rejuvenating her spirit, putting color in her skin.

 

`How could I have missed that?!' Sesshoumaru growled under his breath. His anger boiled his blood. `How could that hanyou get past me? Damn that Naraku!' The poison had seeped into the female's soul, slowly killing her and tainting the jewel. Kikyou's aura had broken the barrier that Naraku had up, revealing the venom.

 

The demon pushed his anger and murderous nature aside at Kikyou's next words. “In my filth and dirtiness I am washed by your pure and cleansing soul.” Another river of cleansing water washed over Kagome's skin. Sesshoumaru watched in amazement as he sees what the miko's power unleashes. The controlling miasmic gas pours out of the woman's chest, bursting at the seams to escape the purifying ritual. The Shikon no Tama appears from under her skin, the light slowly increasing.

 

“In my half-heartedness, my half-giving, my half-loving, my half-living, help me to be fully immersed in your spirit and cross the darkness, defeating the evil before me.” The bright rosy light out-shines Kikyou's as the jewel floats lazily above Kagome's heart. The miasmic gas vanished with the miko's last words and water. The body in her arms shook violently. Sesshoumaru stood his ground, grinding his teeth as he watched the unfolding events.

 

Suddenly, Kagome screamed and Kikyou was the only witness to her pain and the salvation that awaits them. The woman's eyes were sensitive to the small light that was emitting from the torches around them. Kagome quickly shut her eyes again. `The light hurts too much.' She stumbled to find her footing in the shallow water as Kikyou let her go. She spoke the first name that came to her lips. “Sesshoumaru!” She panted.

 

The youkai did not wait for her to call out to him the second time. As soon as he heard his name, the demon lord went to her side. He ignored the pain that the holy water inflicted upon his legs and arms. She stumbled again and began her fall face-ward into lord's waiting arms. “Sesshoumaru?!” He picked her small form up out of the water. “I can not see! I… I ca…” she sobbed as the flood of tears began.

 

“Shhh… You will be safe with me, Kagome,” his tender voice somewhat comforted her. He quickly turned to Kikyou. His face hid the pain she knew he was feeling. “I am grateful for your help Priestess.” He turned and quickly disappeared through the exit.

 

Kikyou stood still in the water. `Was that the true power of the jewel?' Confusion crossed her features. 'What is going on?' Had they all been wrong about the Shikon? Questions swam in her head. The miko had so many questions. So many questions but no answers; for a brief moment the two women were connected.

 

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For all of you wondering … five meters is 16.40 feet … Ten meters is 32.81 feet … ^^

 

Tsukubai a stone basin of water used by worshipers to cleanse their mouths and hands before entering the inner precincts of the shrine.

 

*** This poem is revised for this story from the original. It is titled “Water” and can be found at http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/worship/0211wate/prayer.htm.

 

“In my heat of anguish and fear, I am refreshed by the sprinkling of your cool, refreshing water. In my filth and dirtiness I am washed by your pure and cleansing water. In my weariness and directionless life I am swept along by the strong current of your water. In my filth and dirtiness I am washed by your pure and cleansing soul. In my half-heartedness, my half-giving half-loving half-living help me to be immersed fully in your water and cross Jordan to the promised Land.”

 

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