InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Prophecy ❯ On Their Way ( Chapter 41 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: mshutts 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Psychological / Hentai | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 04.10.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.6K | Visits: 2.5K | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Psychological / Hentai | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 04.10.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.6K | Visits: 2.5K | Status: Work In Progress
The Prophecy
By: mshutts
WARNING: incest
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any other characters here-in except Sturaki, the healer (Yoshehana (once again, I apologize in advance if I completely screwed up this name, I just like how it sounds better this way)), and Kisho
* * * * *
Chapter 40: On Their Way
The healer had been in her study once again pouring through her books when the news came to her. Not only had the wolf demon healer responded to her plea, he had come out here himself to assist. Just that morning, she had been in the room with her lord and his mate and there had been no improvement.
She had been feeling rather helpless, but with this fantastic news, she found herself almost skipping like she was a very young demoness again. However, despite her excitement and joy, she still remembered her manners. This was one of the oldest healers that was still alive.
In all honesty, she was a little shocked that he had come at all. The dog demons and wolf demons had never been on especially good terms. In fact, had Lord Sesshoumaru been in any condition to do so, she had no doubt he would have forbidden her to ask him for assistance. But, she would deal with the fallout after her lord’s mate was better. She would rather him have a healthy mate and slightly bruised ego than a dead mate, after all.
As she reached the panel leading to the main hall, she slowed herself down to a more respectable pace. For, while she had been able to restrain herself from skipping, she had not been able to keep herself from hurrying. Walking into the room, she took in the elderly demon in front of her. He had flashing blue eyes and silver hair. But, despite what must be his immense age, he still carried himself with an ease of movement.
Stopping in front of the older youkai, she bowed and said, “Welcome to the Western Castle, healer. I am Lord Sesshoumaru’s healer, Yoshehana. Thank you for answering my request so promptly.”
The wolf demon healer returned the bow saying, “Greetings, Healer Yoshehana. I am called Kisho. When I heard of the nature of your trouble, I could not help but respond. Tell me, is it true that a male inuhanyou has gained the ability to bear pups?”
Yoshehana could see the intense interest sparking in the depths of his eyes and could barely contain a smile. ‘So, THAT is why he came so quickly.’ “Yes, it is. And am I right in believing that you have assisted male wolf demons in giving birth?”
“Over these long years, I have done many things. One of these has been to assist in births for male wolf demons.”
With a nod, Yoshehana directed the Healer Kisho to follow her as she led him up to her lord’s sleeping room. With a warning that her lord had a bit of a temper and to be wary of it, which was promptly brushed aside by the elderly demon, she slid open the panel and allowed him inside.
She watched him confidently walk over to the mates who were in the same position that they had been in when she had checked on them this morning. “Lord Sesshoumaru, my name is Healer Kisho and I am here to assist your mate,” he said, looking to the youkai lord expectantly.
“Healer Kisho?” she began.
“Not now, Healer Yoshehana, I am talking to your lord,” he interrupted, still waiting for a response from the dog demon. After a minute more, during which she just stood there, waiting for him to realize that he was not going to get any response from her lord, he finally turned to her and asked, “Why is he not answering me?”
She tried to keep the superior look off her face but was unsure if she completely succeeded as she answered his query, “He is in a trance to better facilitate feeding his youki into his mate.”
At this, he adopted a very confused look. “Excuse me, what did you just say?”
“He will not answer you because he is in a trance.”
“No, not that. The part about him feeding his youki into his mate. What was that about?”
“Lord Sesshoumaru has been strengthening the weakened youki of his mate with his own youki for over a week now. It had not initially been enough for it to harm Lord Sesshoumaru in any way, but it is now beginning to drain on his youki as well.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Why was there a need to support the mate’s youki in the first place? It never should have reached such critical levels through merely gaining the ability to bear pups.”
“You mean that gaining this ability did not expend youki in the wolf demons?”
“Of course it expended youki! But it was never enough that there was a need for external support. If there had been, they all would have died. Not every youkai who is going through this transformation has the luxury of being fully claimed by their mate.”
“But Lord Inuyasha has not been fully claimed, Healer Kisho.”
“Of course he has. Are you blind? Even these old eyes of mine can see how they are bound together.”
“But Lord Sesshoumaru said he had only just laid the first claim a week ago and the second claim the day after.”
“Then that dog lied to you. There is no way this claim is only a week old.”
“Watch your tongue! Lord Sesshoumaru does not lie. He especially would not have lied about something as important as that. Besides, do you think I am a fool? I can tell when a demon is claimed and I would swear on my life that before a week ago, there was no claim on my lord.”
“But how can that be? The bond is much too strong for it to be such a young union.”
“I do not know myself. It is one reason I was so concerned that Lord Inuyasha was able to draw power off of Lord Sesshoumaru’s youki. I had not thought it to be possible, but my lord insists his mate has been doing this since before the first claim was laid.”
“Since BEFORE the first claim?”
“Yes. Do you have any idea what this might mean, Healer Kisho?”
“Honestly, I have no idea, Healer Yoshehana. Allow me to look at the hanyou and I might have a better idea if I can help.”
“Oh, yes, of course. Please do,” she said, stepping back to allow him his space. She watched him perform a visual inspection and then revert to a mental inspection much as she herself had done twice daily since this had begun.
However, whereas she had stopped at that point, unable to find anything else for her to do to help the situation, he reached out to touch her lord’s mate after completing the mental survey. She had not been sure what to expect with this action, but she had not been expecting her lord to begin to growl as soon as he touched Lord Inuyasha.
It was obviously a growl of warning and it held a great deal of threat behind it. Had it been her, she would have immediately pulled back and apologized to her lord for having been so bold. But, apparently, this wolf healer was not of the same mind as her for instead of heeding the warning, he rumbled a growl back at the youkai lord. She was not sure what was said in that growl, but it seemed to soothe the youkai. It was times like this she wished she were a demon from the canine family as well.
As she watched the wolf demon physically manipulate the hanyou to look for something she was not aware of, she noticed that the rumbling growl never ceased. It only changed pitch and tone occasionally, telling the youkai lord what he was doing to his mate, she assumed.
Watching this interaction, she came to the conclusion that it was a good thing that she had brought this healer to help. For, even if he knew nothing more of the circumstances and how to assist in curing her lord’s ailing mate, he seemed to be able to reach her lord even in his deepest trances. That would make the job of keeping her lord fed much easier on her.
When he pulled away from the mates, he walked back over to her. “Lord Sesshoumaru was unaware of how much time had passed. He did realize he was getting weaker but he refuses to cease his efforts. I convinced him to eat something, however.”
“And Lord Inuyasha?”
“I am unsure what is wrong with him. He has already completed the transformation needed to bear pups. He should no longer be losing youki for that purpose. There must be something else that is drawing the youki off. Although, what that might be, I have no idea. It does explain why he was in need of the assistance though.”
“How is that?”
“It’s obvious. At the same time the change was drawing on his youki, so was something else. It is possible he could have handled one or the other, but not both at the same time.”
“Ah, I see. So there is nothing more you can suggest?”
“Not at present. I have brought all the records I have in my possession dealing with the wolf demons who gained the ability to bear pups. With any luck, there will be something in there that will help.”
“Might I ask to see these records as well, Healer Kisho?”
“Of course, Healer Yoshehana. I merely need to retrieve them from my transport.”
“I am sure the servants have already done that, Healer. In fact, I do believe I know where you shall be staying while you are here. If you would like, I can show you to there now.”
“Thank you, Healer.”
With that, she led him back to what would be his room while he was here, hoping that she might be able to find some way to assist her lord in the records this demon had brought with him.
Sturaki’s Dwelling
Sturaki had been having disturbing dreams for the last few days. Her senses had been going haywire since the day after the Lords of the West had left. She was having difficulty interpreting the information it was trying to send to her. Not only that, but she could not seem to reach Inuyasha in his dreams.
It was as if she was being blocked out. She knew that he had the power to do so, but had not really expected it of him so soon, especially not when his youki should have been firmly in control of his unconscious actions. As such, she felt she was left with no choice but to use her powers to see the inuhanyou’s physical self.
Using those particular powers of hers was something she did not do often. It was very difficult for her to regulate just how much of her power she used and there was the risk that if she used too much, she would die. But, with not being able to contact him in any other way, she set about putting the spell into motion.
After gathering the needed ingredients and combining them, she looked through the reddish mist that formed over the bowl. In the mist, she could see the figures of both Lords of the West. It appeared that Inuyasha was unconscious on a futon while Lord Sesshoumaru was trying to strengthen his youki through sheer force of will.
Raising a brow at the apparent change in the youkai lord’s attitude toward the hanyou, she felt another presence enter the room she was observing. Mentally pulling back the picture that she was seeing, she looked around the room and found a tall, willowy woman with a face covered in subtle black markings who appeared to be in her thirties. At least, she would have if she had been human. But it only took one glance to tell that this was a youkai she was looking at, a swan demoness, to be precise.
She took in the flowing white locks that went to the youkai’s waist and the obsidian eyes on the delicate face which showed a great wisdom and she knew that this being was much older than she appeared. Looking over the rather utilitarian garb, Sturaki knew that this was a healer, most likely the one that had been sent to try and help Inuyasha.
She sighed at Lord Sesshoumaru’s naiveté. To think that a normal healer could assist Inuyasha in this was ludicrous. A normal healer would not even know where to start with the inuhanyou, especially not with the rapid decrease in youki. With a sigh, she realized she would have to leave her dwelling and go to them for she knew that Lord Sesshoumaru would never even consider coming to her.
Allowing the smoke to dissipate into the room, Sturaki gathered what she would need for this trip and set about putting her belongings in order for while she was gone. It was not until she had walked to her doorway, ready to leave, that she noticed there were people on the ledge that housed her home.
Staying behind her barrier, she watched the people on the other side go through what was obviously a rather well-ingrained morning routine and wondered why they were gracing her doorstep. It was not until one of the females turned in her direction that she realized who this group must be.
The female standing before her in the long-sleeved white shirt and short green skirt had the face of one who had haunted many of the hanyou’s dreams. These must be his pack. Scanning the members of the party, she took in another two humans and two demons.
Knowing that Inuyasha would not have told them where he was going before he left, she had to admit to some measure of amazement that they had managed to follow him all the way here. The scent in this area was days old and, unlike in the forests, the rock of this mountain did not hold onto a scent well.
Sturaki briefly considered not having anything to do with the group, but decided against it. For one thing, they were Inuyasha’s pack and, as such, were possibly more involved in this than even she was. Besides, she knew from looking into Inuyasha’s mind that they were good warriors, for humans. She would be the first to admit that, even though she had great skill in seeing things, she had little skill in physical combat and, being that it was currently mating season, she did not want to risk it.
Her decision being reached, Sturaki stepped out from her barrier and onto the ledge. She watched in mild amusement as every person in the party immediately took on a defensive posture. Inuyasha had chosen his pack well. She took a step towards them and with a hand raised in a calming gesture, she said, “Peace, children. I am not going to harm you.”
When this did nothing to relax their postures, not that she had really thought it would, she continued, “I know of whom you seek.”
“Who are you?” asked the girl in the green skirt, suspicion evident in her voice.
Sturaki turned and focused her attention on her. ‘Kagome’ suddenly popped into her head. Through many years of practice, she showed no visible sign that she had suddenly come into possession of a name she had never heard before a moment previously. “My name is Sturaki. I am the witch who has taken up residence in the cave you decided to camp in front of, Kagome.”
“How-how do you know my name?” Kagome asked, taking a step back and sounding scandalized.
“I know much more than just your name, child. I know you are not from here. I know you are a priestess, but have not been properly trained. I also know that you seek the inuhanyou, Inuyasha,” Sturaki said, telling the girl standing in front of her the facts about herself that came to her as she continued to focus on her.
She watched the eyes of the entire party widen and get more defensive, but she kept her eyes on the girl in the unusual clothes. More things were coming to her the longer she watched her and not all of them were good. The most disturbing thing that she was made aware of was that this child truly believed that she loved Inuyasha as a mate would.
Sturaki mentally shook her head at the foolishness of youth. This girl-child before her had no idea what was involved in the kind of love that existed between mates. To think that what she felt for the hanyou was even approaching it was laughable. But, she was still very young, there was hope that she would eventually learn the errors in her ways and find her real love elsewhere.
However, for the moment, the very presence of this emotion was making Sturaki rethink if she actually wanted to travel with the group. She knew that when they arrived at the castle, it would not be to a good scene. She also knew that the mating bond itself was most likely what was causing the problems in Inuyasha, but having this girl there with her misguided feelings, that might be too much for even the inuhanyou to take.
She knew that he was strong. He had to be to survive what he had, but she also knew that he had been deprived of affection for a very long time. If his mate was not willing to give it to him, he might seek it from another source which would only worsen the mating bond and cause more problems.
With a sigh, she brought her attention back to the group in front of her. The monk stepped forward, “Are you a seer, Lady Sturaki?”
She turned to him and was instantly given a name, ‘Miroku’, followed a second later by an impression of lechery. “That I am, Miroku. And, might I suggest, you keep your hands to yourself.”
She laughed when he had the good grace to blush and then stutter, “I-I have no idea what you’re talking about! I am a humble servant of the cloth!”
“So you say, monk, so you say. Well, shall we go then?”
“Wait a second, witch,” said the demon slayer.
Turning to her, she was given the name ‘Sango’, “Yes, Sango? What is it?”
“How do we know you can be trusted? How do we know you’re not working for Naraku?”
“Naraku?” at the name, her lip curled. “Why should I work for that vile being? He has done so much damage in the short time he has been here. I would never assist the likes of him.”
In her disgust at the very insinuation, she turned from the group and stormed off in the direction of the western palace. Perhaps it would be best for her to just go on her own. It was obvious that she had given those humans too much credit. However, she had not gotten far when she heard their footfalls racing to catch up with her.
The monk spoke first, “We are sorry, Lady Sturaki. But, you must understand, we have run into many that Naraku has turned to evil. Now, do I understand correctly that you know where Inuyasha is?”
“You said it yourself. I am a seer. If I did not know where that child was, I would not be much of a seer, now would I?” she asked, never breaking her stride.
“But do you know why he is with Sesshoumaru?” Kagome asked.
“Yes, but that is not my information to give. You must ask him yourselves when we get there. Now hurry, we don’t have much time.”
“What do you mean, we don’t have much time?” the priestess asked in an almost hysterical voice.
Sparing her a brief glance, she merely replied, “You shall see,” and continued on her way, knowing they would continue to follow her.
* * * * *
Well, that was kind of some Inuyasha/Sesshoumaru. Now you know the name of the healer and the Inuyasha gang is on the way to the castle with Sturaki.
Thanks again for reading and/or reviewing.
By: mshutts
WARNING: incest
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any other characters here-in except Sturaki, the healer (Yoshehana (once again, I apologize in advance if I completely screwed up this name, I just like how it sounds better this way)), and Kisho
* * * * *
Chapter 40: On Their Way
The healer had been in her study once again pouring through her books when the news came to her. Not only had the wolf demon healer responded to her plea, he had come out here himself to assist. Just that morning, she had been in the room with her lord and his mate and there had been no improvement.
She had been feeling rather helpless, but with this fantastic news, she found herself almost skipping like she was a very young demoness again. However, despite her excitement and joy, she still remembered her manners. This was one of the oldest healers that was still alive.
In all honesty, she was a little shocked that he had come at all. The dog demons and wolf demons had never been on especially good terms. In fact, had Lord Sesshoumaru been in any condition to do so, she had no doubt he would have forbidden her to ask him for assistance. But, she would deal with the fallout after her lord’s mate was better. She would rather him have a healthy mate and slightly bruised ego than a dead mate, after all.
As she reached the panel leading to the main hall, she slowed herself down to a more respectable pace. For, while she had been able to restrain herself from skipping, she had not been able to keep herself from hurrying. Walking into the room, she took in the elderly demon in front of her. He had flashing blue eyes and silver hair. But, despite what must be his immense age, he still carried himself with an ease of movement.
Stopping in front of the older youkai, she bowed and said, “Welcome to the Western Castle, healer. I am Lord Sesshoumaru’s healer, Yoshehana. Thank you for answering my request so promptly.”
The wolf demon healer returned the bow saying, “Greetings, Healer Yoshehana. I am called Kisho. When I heard of the nature of your trouble, I could not help but respond. Tell me, is it true that a male inuhanyou has gained the ability to bear pups?”
Yoshehana could see the intense interest sparking in the depths of his eyes and could barely contain a smile. ‘So, THAT is why he came so quickly.’ “Yes, it is. And am I right in believing that you have assisted male wolf demons in giving birth?”
“Over these long years, I have done many things. One of these has been to assist in births for male wolf demons.”
With a nod, Yoshehana directed the Healer Kisho to follow her as she led him up to her lord’s sleeping room. With a warning that her lord had a bit of a temper and to be wary of it, which was promptly brushed aside by the elderly demon, she slid open the panel and allowed him inside.
She watched him confidently walk over to the mates who were in the same position that they had been in when she had checked on them this morning. “Lord Sesshoumaru, my name is Healer Kisho and I am here to assist your mate,” he said, looking to the youkai lord expectantly.
“Healer Kisho?” she began.
“Not now, Healer Yoshehana, I am talking to your lord,” he interrupted, still waiting for a response from the dog demon. After a minute more, during which she just stood there, waiting for him to realize that he was not going to get any response from her lord, he finally turned to her and asked, “Why is he not answering me?”
She tried to keep the superior look off her face but was unsure if she completely succeeded as she answered his query, “He is in a trance to better facilitate feeding his youki into his mate.”
At this, he adopted a very confused look. “Excuse me, what did you just say?”
“He will not answer you because he is in a trance.”
“No, not that. The part about him feeding his youki into his mate. What was that about?”
“Lord Sesshoumaru has been strengthening the weakened youki of his mate with his own youki for over a week now. It had not initially been enough for it to harm Lord Sesshoumaru in any way, but it is now beginning to drain on his youki as well.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Why was there a need to support the mate’s youki in the first place? It never should have reached such critical levels through merely gaining the ability to bear pups.”
“You mean that gaining this ability did not expend youki in the wolf demons?”
“Of course it expended youki! But it was never enough that there was a need for external support. If there had been, they all would have died. Not every youkai who is going through this transformation has the luxury of being fully claimed by their mate.”
“But Lord Inuyasha has not been fully claimed, Healer Kisho.”
“Of course he has. Are you blind? Even these old eyes of mine can see how they are bound together.”
“But Lord Sesshoumaru said he had only just laid the first claim a week ago and the second claim the day after.”
“Then that dog lied to you. There is no way this claim is only a week old.”
“Watch your tongue! Lord Sesshoumaru does not lie. He especially would not have lied about something as important as that. Besides, do you think I am a fool? I can tell when a demon is claimed and I would swear on my life that before a week ago, there was no claim on my lord.”
“But how can that be? The bond is much too strong for it to be such a young union.”
“I do not know myself. It is one reason I was so concerned that Lord Inuyasha was able to draw power off of Lord Sesshoumaru’s youki. I had not thought it to be possible, but my lord insists his mate has been doing this since before the first claim was laid.”
“Since BEFORE the first claim?”
“Yes. Do you have any idea what this might mean, Healer Kisho?”
“Honestly, I have no idea, Healer Yoshehana. Allow me to look at the hanyou and I might have a better idea if I can help.”
“Oh, yes, of course. Please do,” she said, stepping back to allow him his space. She watched him perform a visual inspection and then revert to a mental inspection much as she herself had done twice daily since this had begun.
However, whereas she had stopped at that point, unable to find anything else for her to do to help the situation, he reached out to touch her lord’s mate after completing the mental survey. She had not been sure what to expect with this action, but she had not been expecting her lord to begin to growl as soon as he touched Lord Inuyasha.
It was obviously a growl of warning and it held a great deal of threat behind it. Had it been her, she would have immediately pulled back and apologized to her lord for having been so bold. But, apparently, this wolf healer was not of the same mind as her for instead of heeding the warning, he rumbled a growl back at the youkai lord. She was not sure what was said in that growl, but it seemed to soothe the youkai. It was times like this she wished she were a demon from the canine family as well.
As she watched the wolf demon physically manipulate the hanyou to look for something she was not aware of, she noticed that the rumbling growl never ceased. It only changed pitch and tone occasionally, telling the youkai lord what he was doing to his mate, she assumed.
Watching this interaction, she came to the conclusion that it was a good thing that she had brought this healer to help. For, even if he knew nothing more of the circumstances and how to assist in curing her lord’s ailing mate, he seemed to be able to reach her lord even in his deepest trances. That would make the job of keeping her lord fed much easier on her.
When he pulled away from the mates, he walked back over to her. “Lord Sesshoumaru was unaware of how much time had passed. He did realize he was getting weaker but he refuses to cease his efforts. I convinced him to eat something, however.”
“And Lord Inuyasha?”
“I am unsure what is wrong with him. He has already completed the transformation needed to bear pups. He should no longer be losing youki for that purpose. There must be something else that is drawing the youki off. Although, what that might be, I have no idea. It does explain why he was in need of the assistance though.”
“How is that?”
“It’s obvious. At the same time the change was drawing on his youki, so was something else. It is possible he could have handled one or the other, but not both at the same time.”
“Ah, I see. So there is nothing more you can suggest?”
“Not at present. I have brought all the records I have in my possession dealing with the wolf demons who gained the ability to bear pups. With any luck, there will be something in there that will help.”
“Might I ask to see these records as well, Healer Kisho?”
“Of course, Healer Yoshehana. I merely need to retrieve them from my transport.”
“I am sure the servants have already done that, Healer. In fact, I do believe I know where you shall be staying while you are here. If you would like, I can show you to there now.”
“Thank you, Healer.”
With that, she led him back to what would be his room while he was here, hoping that she might be able to find some way to assist her lord in the records this demon had brought with him.
Sturaki’s Dwelling
Sturaki had been having disturbing dreams for the last few days. Her senses had been going haywire since the day after the Lords of the West had left. She was having difficulty interpreting the information it was trying to send to her. Not only that, but she could not seem to reach Inuyasha in his dreams.
It was as if she was being blocked out. She knew that he had the power to do so, but had not really expected it of him so soon, especially not when his youki should have been firmly in control of his unconscious actions. As such, she felt she was left with no choice but to use her powers to see the inuhanyou’s physical self.
Using those particular powers of hers was something she did not do often. It was very difficult for her to regulate just how much of her power she used and there was the risk that if she used too much, she would die. But, with not being able to contact him in any other way, she set about putting the spell into motion.
After gathering the needed ingredients and combining them, she looked through the reddish mist that formed over the bowl. In the mist, she could see the figures of both Lords of the West. It appeared that Inuyasha was unconscious on a futon while Lord Sesshoumaru was trying to strengthen his youki through sheer force of will.
Raising a brow at the apparent change in the youkai lord’s attitude toward the hanyou, she felt another presence enter the room she was observing. Mentally pulling back the picture that she was seeing, she looked around the room and found a tall, willowy woman with a face covered in subtle black markings who appeared to be in her thirties. At least, she would have if she had been human. But it only took one glance to tell that this was a youkai she was looking at, a swan demoness, to be precise.
She took in the flowing white locks that went to the youkai’s waist and the obsidian eyes on the delicate face which showed a great wisdom and she knew that this being was much older than she appeared. Looking over the rather utilitarian garb, Sturaki knew that this was a healer, most likely the one that had been sent to try and help Inuyasha.
She sighed at Lord Sesshoumaru’s naiveté. To think that a normal healer could assist Inuyasha in this was ludicrous. A normal healer would not even know where to start with the inuhanyou, especially not with the rapid decrease in youki. With a sigh, she realized she would have to leave her dwelling and go to them for she knew that Lord Sesshoumaru would never even consider coming to her.
Allowing the smoke to dissipate into the room, Sturaki gathered what she would need for this trip and set about putting her belongings in order for while she was gone. It was not until she had walked to her doorway, ready to leave, that she noticed there were people on the ledge that housed her home.
Staying behind her barrier, she watched the people on the other side go through what was obviously a rather well-ingrained morning routine and wondered why they were gracing her doorstep. It was not until one of the females turned in her direction that she realized who this group must be.
The female standing before her in the long-sleeved white shirt and short green skirt had the face of one who had haunted many of the hanyou’s dreams. These must be his pack. Scanning the members of the party, she took in another two humans and two demons.
Knowing that Inuyasha would not have told them where he was going before he left, she had to admit to some measure of amazement that they had managed to follow him all the way here. The scent in this area was days old and, unlike in the forests, the rock of this mountain did not hold onto a scent well.
Sturaki briefly considered not having anything to do with the group, but decided against it. For one thing, they were Inuyasha’s pack and, as such, were possibly more involved in this than even she was. Besides, she knew from looking into Inuyasha’s mind that they were good warriors, for humans. She would be the first to admit that, even though she had great skill in seeing things, she had little skill in physical combat and, being that it was currently mating season, she did not want to risk it.
Her decision being reached, Sturaki stepped out from her barrier and onto the ledge. She watched in mild amusement as every person in the party immediately took on a defensive posture. Inuyasha had chosen his pack well. She took a step towards them and with a hand raised in a calming gesture, she said, “Peace, children. I am not going to harm you.”
When this did nothing to relax their postures, not that she had really thought it would, she continued, “I know of whom you seek.”
“Who are you?” asked the girl in the green skirt, suspicion evident in her voice.
Sturaki turned and focused her attention on her. ‘Kagome’ suddenly popped into her head. Through many years of practice, she showed no visible sign that she had suddenly come into possession of a name she had never heard before a moment previously. “My name is Sturaki. I am the witch who has taken up residence in the cave you decided to camp in front of, Kagome.”
“How-how do you know my name?” Kagome asked, taking a step back and sounding scandalized.
“I know much more than just your name, child. I know you are not from here. I know you are a priestess, but have not been properly trained. I also know that you seek the inuhanyou, Inuyasha,” Sturaki said, telling the girl standing in front of her the facts about herself that came to her as she continued to focus on her.
She watched the eyes of the entire party widen and get more defensive, but she kept her eyes on the girl in the unusual clothes. More things were coming to her the longer she watched her and not all of them were good. The most disturbing thing that she was made aware of was that this child truly believed that she loved Inuyasha as a mate would.
Sturaki mentally shook her head at the foolishness of youth. This girl-child before her had no idea what was involved in the kind of love that existed between mates. To think that what she felt for the hanyou was even approaching it was laughable. But, she was still very young, there was hope that she would eventually learn the errors in her ways and find her real love elsewhere.
However, for the moment, the very presence of this emotion was making Sturaki rethink if she actually wanted to travel with the group. She knew that when they arrived at the castle, it would not be to a good scene. She also knew that the mating bond itself was most likely what was causing the problems in Inuyasha, but having this girl there with her misguided feelings, that might be too much for even the inuhanyou to take.
She knew that he was strong. He had to be to survive what he had, but she also knew that he had been deprived of affection for a very long time. If his mate was not willing to give it to him, he might seek it from another source which would only worsen the mating bond and cause more problems.
With a sigh, she brought her attention back to the group in front of her. The monk stepped forward, “Are you a seer, Lady Sturaki?”
She turned to him and was instantly given a name, ‘Miroku’, followed a second later by an impression of lechery. “That I am, Miroku. And, might I suggest, you keep your hands to yourself.”
She laughed when he had the good grace to blush and then stutter, “I-I have no idea what you’re talking about! I am a humble servant of the cloth!”
“So you say, monk, so you say. Well, shall we go then?”
“Wait a second, witch,” said the demon slayer.
Turning to her, she was given the name ‘Sango’, “Yes, Sango? What is it?”
“How do we know you can be trusted? How do we know you’re not working for Naraku?”
“Naraku?” at the name, her lip curled. “Why should I work for that vile being? He has done so much damage in the short time he has been here. I would never assist the likes of him.”
In her disgust at the very insinuation, she turned from the group and stormed off in the direction of the western palace. Perhaps it would be best for her to just go on her own. It was obvious that she had given those humans too much credit. However, she had not gotten far when she heard their footfalls racing to catch up with her.
The monk spoke first, “We are sorry, Lady Sturaki. But, you must understand, we have run into many that Naraku has turned to evil. Now, do I understand correctly that you know where Inuyasha is?”
“You said it yourself. I am a seer. If I did not know where that child was, I would not be much of a seer, now would I?” she asked, never breaking her stride.
“But do you know why he is with Sesshoumaru?” Kagome asked.
“Yes, but that is not my information to give. You must ask him yourselves when we get there. Now hurry, we don’t have much time.”
“What do you mean, we don’t have much time?” the priestess asked in an almost hysterical voice.
Sparing her a brief glance, she merely replied, “You shall see,” and continued on her way, knowing they would continue to follow her.
* * * * *
Well, that was kind of some Inuyasha/Sesshoumaru. Now you know the name of the healer and the Inuyasha gang is on the way to the castle with Sturaki.
Thanks again for reading and/or reviewing.