InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Sage ❯ The Ancient Alliance ( Chapter 31 )

~*~*~*~*~*~*~Edited version~*~*~*~*~*

 

A/N: Okay I know that I haven't updated in a long time and I have my reasons. They are all personal and I don't need to bore you all with them. However I really hope that all my fans and new readers please read this AN as it is very important.

 

I know that I haven't updated `A Light Amongst the Darkness' in Kami-sama's knows how long and I hate to say this but it will most likely not be updated for quiet some time. I am however still working on it and I will be updating revised chapters of it over the next couple of months. But for right now it is on permanent life support.

This story `The Sage' will be update on Wednesday or Thursday mornings. I finally have a permanent schedule at work and Wednesday's and Thursday's are my days off.

Another story has popped into my head and I will be working on it. I will be updating this story every Friday morning. If anything happens to my schedule I will be letting all you know so that you will know when the updates are coming. It is called `Mirage of Tranquility'.

As always the more reviews I get the faster the updates will come. If I get say ten or more I will update two days ahead of schedule. Plus please read the AN as I like to have contests where some of my reviewers can get special appearances in the story and I will draw them a picture of themselves from the story.

 

Teela I haven't forgotten you and your character will be appearing in the next chapter and your link to your picture will be posted by the next update. Thank-you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing this story. I appreciate it very much. With that said here is the next chapter!!!

 

Chapter Thirty-One

The Ancient Alliance

 

That voice! I know that voice! But it has been so long since I heard it. Inuyasha felt his feet leave the ground as a blinding light engulfed him. Never before had he felt anything like this. It was as if he was floating in a warm calming light. The last thing he remembered was Sorano saying something in a strange language and hearing a voice in his head. Inuyasha felt a slight tug on the mark from Kagome. She wasn't afraid; it felt more like she was making sure that he was with her though he couldn't see her in the light. The colours of the light started to rapidly change and he had to close his eyes as nausea swept over him.

 

Inuyasha suddenly felt like he was slowly falling towards the ground. He chanced a glance and the colours were slowly starting to get dimmer and dimmer. Inuyasha noticed that dark figures were standing around him and he could just make out the outline of Kagome as the light vanished and he felt his feet hit the ground. Hard. He just managed to catch himself but the others weren't as lucky. Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Rin all fall forward where as the youkai and himself managed to barely stay standing.

 

Inuyasha ran over to Kagome and helped her to her feet. “That was by far the weirdest thing I have ever felt in my life.”

 

Inuyasha silently agreed with Kagome as his attention was suddenly drawn to Sorano. She was glowing slightly and, he didn't notice before, she was floating a few inches off the ground. She was still holding Yami no Otaru but her eyes were blank and glowing slightly. The others all got to their feet and Sesshomaru was slowly approaching Sorano. Inuyasha was about to warn him but Sorano's youki did it for him. The youki that was swirling about her zapped at Sesshomaru's out stretched hand and he growled.

 

Sango, with Miroku in tow, walked over to Inuyasha and Kagome, “I have never seen Sorano look like that before. It's kind of freaky. I can see her youki.”

 

Kagome nodded at Sango but didn't look at her, “I wonder what is going…?”

 

Suddenly Sorano's youki wrapped around Yami no Otaru and together the two vanished. The moment the youki and her staff vanished Sorano crumpled and would have landed rather harshly if Sesshomaru hadn't leap forward and grabbed her. Rin yelled out and ran to Sorano and Sesshomaru.

 

“I didn't think it would have done that to Sorano-sama.”

 

Sesshomaru growled at the sound of the newcomer. Inuyasha inwardly berated himself for not smelling the young man. He blamed it on the fact that the young man was standing down wind of him and Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru gripped Sorano tightly and looked like he was getting ready to take off if the man proved to be a threat.

 

The young man seemed to sense this as well and held up his hands, “I mean you no harm. I would never harm Sorano-sama. I know that you are all confused and I can't blame you, however you are all quiet a bit outside the kekkai and it is not safe for anyone to be out this far. If you will all follow me I will take you to the village and there everything will be explained in great detail.”

 

Inuyasha didn't know if he wanted to trust this guy but there was something about his scent. It reminded him of someone but he couldn't really but his finger on it. There was also something about his eyes that felt familiar. The young man turned and started to walk away. Now that he thought about it he didn't even know where they were. Inuyasha sniffed the air and sighed softly. He had never breathed in air that was this fresh before. He couldn't smell gasoline, fog, smog, or any pollutants that filled the air in Tokyo. Wait a minute… then where are we?

 

Inuyasha looked around and gasped. They were standing in some sort of clearing. All around them was a thick and lush forest. The sounds of the forest were awakening something in him that he couldn't explain and he didn't want to. He had the biggest urge to leap into the trees and run for miles with nothing but the clothes on his back and the wind in his face and hair. Inuyasha was brought out of his thoughts as someone pulled on his hand. Ha hadn't even realized that Kagome had grasped his hand and was pulling him along.

 

“Come on Inuyasha I can sense a danger in the forest. This young priest asked us to follow him and I can't sense any malice from him. We should follow him.”

 

“Keh.” Was all Inuyasha could trust himself to say at the moment. True he didn't sense anything from the man but he was still having the hugest urge to run through the forest.

 

***

 

Kagome pulled Inuyasha after the priest. There was something familiar about the young man and she couldn't seem to put her finger on it. It was like she had met him before but she couldn't remember where. The others followed after her and Inuyasha as the followed the man through the forest. Kagome could tell, through their bond, that Inuyasha wanted nothing more then to go running through the forest. She hid a small smiled that spread across her face. Leave it my mate to be thinking about playing when we have no idea where we are or what is going on.

 

Strange noises rang through the forest and still the young man lead them on. Kagome was starting to get a little worried but the aura of the man in front of her calmed her somehow. He wasn't afraid. His steps never faltered. Kagome heard someone coming up behind her and turned to see that Miroku was running to catch up to her.

 

“Kagome do you sense his spiritual energy?” Miroku fell into step beside Kagome.

 

Kagome nodded as the continued after the man, “Yes. It feels so familiar to me. But the weirdest thing is that I think I've met this man before. He differently knows Sorano. I think we can trust him. Sorano wouldn't just make friends with anyone.”

 

Miroku nodded at Kagome as she suddenly felt a strong spiritual energy coming from up ahead. Kagome turned her attention back to the priest walking in front of them and gasped. Shimmering in the early evening sky was a huge kekkai. The strange thing was that birds seemed to be able to fly through the kekkai unharmed. As they got closer she also noticed the kekkai went straight through trees and brushes but the plant life was perfectly okay.

 

The young man stopped and turned to wait for them to catch up. He smiled as they all gathered around him. “I know that some of you are wondering why we have stopped.” What is he talking about? There is a kekkai right behind him. “Miko and Houshi you two are the only ones that can see what is behind me so for the others there is a kekkai right behind me. Beyond the kekkai is the village.”

 

Inuyasha seemed to come out of his daze as he `kehed' quiet loudly, “A village is behind you? I don't smell anything that would tell me that. Plus birds have been flying all over the skies behind you and they don't seem to be hitting a kekkai.”

 

The young priest smiled again, “The birds, wildlife, and the forest can all pass through the kekkai unharmed because they are apart of the force that is creating the kekkai. The miko and houshi that live within the village are just the vassals for which the kekkai is created. However what none of you see is that the village is actually but a few feet behind the kekkai. Only when you have entered into the village and left it can you see it through the kekkai.”

 

Kagome gasped. She had never heard of a kekkai like that before. This one was created by the forces of nature and by spiritual energy. I will have to see this with my own eyes. I wonder why modern day Tokyo doesn't have kekkai like this? As Kagome was pondering about it the young man turned around and raised his hand and reached out to touch the kekkai.

 

The kekkai shimmered out from the point of contact until an archway entrance appeared. The young man turned and smiled at them as he walked through the opening. Miroku looked at Kagome and smiled as he followed after the young man. Kagome shrugged as she gripped Inuyasha's hand tighter and followed after Miroku.

 

***

 

Inuyasha sat on the steps to the shrine. Kagome and Miroku were looking around inside and every once and a while Kagome's voice would get louder with excitement before her voice would dim right out. The shrine looked a lot like the one that Kagome used to live in. There were differences of course but at least he had figured out that they were in the past. Everyone was dressed in kimonos and the women were all carrying large wicker baskets on their backs and were talking in hushed voices as they walked past.

 

Inuyasha sighed as he crossed his arms and leaned against the pillar he was sitting in front of. Rin was pacing back and forth in front of him and Sango was sitting in silence a few feet away. She had a sort of calm over her features as she stared at the star filled sky. Sesshomaru had followed the young man into the shrine with Sorano. The priest had said that his father wished to see Sorano and Sesshomaru wasn't letting her go.

 

The door behind him slid open and out walked Kagome, Miroku and a furious looking Sesshomaru. Kagome waited till they all walked out and then slid the door closed. Sesshomaru stormed down the stairs and started to walk off to the left. Miroku sat down beside Sango and sighed. Inuyasha was getting impatient. Miroku and Kagome were so energetic a moment ago and now they were both down hearted and quiet.

 

“Okay that's it! What is going on!”

 

Kagome sat beside Inuyasha as Rin sat down on her other side. “Shoichi-san, the priest that lead us here, said that we all had to wait outside. His father needed to see Sorano alone.”

 

Inuyasha turned to Kagome, “Sorano's awake?”

 

Kagome shrugged her shoulders, “I'm not sure. Miroku and I were looking around the shrine when we felt a powerful surge of energy. Then there was some loud talking and Sesshomaru stormed out of the hallway. Shoichi-san was soon to follow and he asked us to wait outside.”

 

Rin looked around Kagome to look at them both, “So then where did Sesshomaru go?”

 

Kagome shrugged, “That I don't know.”

 

***

 

Sorano watched as Sesshomaru stormed out of the room. I know you're worried about me but I need to talk to Sho-sama alone. Please understand Sesshomaru. Though the youki she used to transport them was still greatly depleted she was feeling a lot better. She was thankful that Sho had remembered how to revive her when the sun went down. Sorano listened and heard Shoichi asking them to wait outside. She could still feel Sesshomaru's youki as it flared with frustration. Gomen Sesshomaru I promise to make it up to you.

 

“Sorano-sama it has only been a few days for me but you have not seen us for many hundreds of years.”

 

Sorano turned to look at Sho, “A few days? When did I die?”

 

Sho walked to the back of the room and ran his hand over a shoji screen, “You died four days ago in the field. You probably remember how you died?” Sho glanced over his shoulder and she nodded. Inutaisho-sama had been the one who killed her. She didn't blame him. It was her father's wishes. “Well your body didn't disintegrate like a normal youkai's body would. Makoto and Haya carried your body back to the village. I knew that you would be returning to us but I didn't know what I was to do with the body.”

 

Sorano walked over to Sho, “What did you do?”

 

Sho turned his attention back to the silk curtain, “I prepared your body but didn't know what would happen to you if I cremated your body. But it seems that you weren't able to return until your physical body left this world.”

 

Sorano crossed her arms, “So when was I cremated?”

 

Sho turned to face Sorano, “Early this after noon. All the leaders of the tribes within the Alliance were here. I believe that they are all still in the area.”

 

Sorano's arms fell limply to her sides, “All the leaders were here? They all know I'm dead…”

 

Sho placed a hand on her shoulder, “They would have felt your return. Your youki is very hard to forget and when you arrived it shook the shrine. They will believe it is you when they see you. Your markings are different but your power is stronger and complete.”

 

Sorano turned and walked away, “I have changed. I'm not the same person you remember. I didn't remember you all until a little while ago. I have been training and fighting for the United Alliance for a very long time. How can I show my face to the others?”

 

Sho laughed and he laughed hard. Sorano glanced over her shoulder and glared at Sho. Sho held up his hands as he tried to stop laughing. “Your father told me that you would act this way but I didn't believe him. You have been training and fighting for this moment. Your power is now complete which, could not have happened if you were still in this time. Kagome wouldn't have survived and the secret would have fallen into the darkness' hands. Don't you see Sorano-sama this was all met to happen so that you could return and lead the Alliance.”

 

Sorano looked away from Sho as she stared at the familiar wall mural. Was I really met to return to this time to lead them? Could I only have been balanced if I was in the future? It all makes sense but for some reason I feel like I took the cowards way out to become who I am now. Can I really go to the leaders of the tribes and ask them to follow me? Sorano felt a warm hand on her shoulder and she turned to look at Shoichi.

 

“I know you have doubts but remember that none of us do. You have protected our family with the greatest of honour. All the leaders of the tribes look to you for guidance. They are waiting for you.”

 

Sorano smiled softly, “I don't look like I once did.” A sound drew Sorano attention as she looked towards Sho. What she saw made her gasp. He had moved the shoji curtain and behind it was her armor. Sorano walked towards it slowly as if it would vanish if she walked to quickly.

 

Sho stepped aside as she reached out and touched the cool metal of the armor. The opal jewel adoring the chest plate shimmered in the soft light of the room. I haven't touched his armor in centuries and yet it feels like yesterday. The silver kimono with golden sakura petals glistened at her. “Kami-sama…” Sorano felt like all the air within her left as she ran her hand over the obi that was white and black.

 

Sho's voice seemed to be coming from a distance, “Your companions are to be fitted with armor and clothes of this era. They've already been drawing a lot of attention. I have asked Makoto and Riku to ask the Leaders of the tribes to meet us at the watchtower.”

 

Sorano turned towards Sho, “Please ask Sesshomaru to met me here before he heads over to the watchtower. I wish to speak with him.”

 

“Hai Sorano-sama.”

 

***

 

Inuyasha looked down at himself and grinned. He was dressed in a completely red kimono. The miko said that it was made from a very special youkai called the Fire Rat and that it was nearly indestructible. She also told him that it would react to his youki so that if it got ripped his youki would mend it.

 

“I now truly feel like I'm from this era.” Inuyasha turned at the sound of Miroku's voice.

 

“Holy shit Miroku you actually look like a houshi now.” Miroku mocked laughed as he turned around. He was dressed in a black houshi robe with a deep purple robe tied over it. His right hand and arm were still wrapped in the purple and black glove that he always wore.

 

Inuyasha heard someone walking towards them and he turned to see Sango walking down the path. She was dressed in a tight black body suit with pink armor, a red sash, and her hair was pulled into a high ponytail. At her waist was a katana in a pink sheath.

 

“Sango…”

 

Sango grinned as she turned around. Inuyasha heard Miroku draw in a quick breath and saw his right hand twitch. He's going to be clobbered before the night is over if he can't keep that damn hand of his to himself. “Haya told me that I have a true Taijiya's spirit and that donning the armor of the Taijiya Village is only suiting. The two of you look like you belong to his era. Especially you Inuyasha.”

 

Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest and tucked his arms into the elaborate sleeves of his haori. Hey I like this. I could easier get used to these clothes. Plus I love the idea of no shoes! Sango stretched in her armor and Inuyasha almost laughed outright as he saw Miroku biting his lip as he watched Sango. Yup monk is going to die tonight.

 

“Oh my goodness look at all you! You look so wonderful!” Inuyasha looked away from Miroku and Sango and gasped. Kagome was walking down the path followed by Makoto and Haya. She was dressed in miko robes but these robes had armor. She had shoulder plates, a chest plate, and at her hip was a katana in a red sheath. She walked up to Inuyasha and lightly kissed his cheek. “You look wonderful Inuyasha. I love red on you.”

 

Inuyasha grinned and leaned down and kissed her softly. The contact instantly sent his youkai blood into over drive. He needed to feel more of her and he would have if someone coughing didn't wreck the mood. Inuyasha released Kagome and licked his lips. Makoto was the one that coughing.

 

“I'm really sorry to interrupt but the Leaders of the tribes are waiting for us. We ask that you do not say anything during this meeting. Sorano-sama is the only one, other then the Leaders, who is allowed to speak. Sorano-sama has asked us to lead you to the watchtower.”

 

Kagome turned to look at Makoto, “Sorano isn't going with us?”

 

Makoto shook her head, “No. She is speaking with Chichiue and Sesshomaru. She will be down shortly. Now if you will all follow me.” Makoto didn't wait to see if they were following as she and Haya started to walk down the road towards the watchtower.

 

***

 

Sesshomaru looked over himself as he waited for Sorano to get changed. Never before had he worn such clothing and armor. He remembered his father talking about the armor he used to wear when he ruled over the Western Lands in the feudal era. Now his father wore a suit to command the Western Lands.

 

Sesshomaru reached up and ran his fingers through the soft Mokomoko-sama that rested over his right shoulder and flowed down to the ground and trailed out. Sho had said that the armor and kimono were a gift from the Inu Clad. Sesshomaru glanced down at his left hip and suddenly felt like something was missing from his armor. He needed a sword. The minute he thought this it was as if something was calling out to him. Like there was a sword that was meant for him and that he just needed to find it.

 

Sesshomaru glanced around the room and noticed that Shoichi and Sho were both watching him. Shoichi had a strange smile on his face but Sho was watching the shoji door. What strange ningen these two are. The sound of footsteps and then the sliding of a door drew his attention and he turned around.

 

Sesshomaru's mouth gaped open slightly as she looked upon Sorano. She looked like a Tennyo. Her armor and kimono complimented her colour, markings, and presence perfectly. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail and flowed down from the ornamental hair ties that held her hair up. There was a presence about her now. One that he knew was always there but now it was at the surface. She walked into the room and Sho and Shoichi knelt down and bowed to her.

 

“Sorano-sama.” Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder as they said her name.

 

“Arise Higurashi.” Sho and Shoichi both stood up and smiled at her. “Announce my arrival.”

 

“Hai!” The two Higurashi priests left the room and Sorano walked towards Sesshomaru.

 

“You look amazing. You truly are a Daiyoukai. I wanted to apologize for early. I know that this place doesn't make sense but it does to me. I have to go and meet with the tribe Leaders. You don't have to come with me…”

 

“Baka.” Sesshomaru brushed a stray hair out of her face, “My Chichiue told me about his times of ruling in his era. I know what you are going to ask of me and I can do it. However…”

 

Sorano smiled softly, “However?”

 

Sesshomaru leaned down and kissed her lips softly. Sorano moaned softly against his lips as she placed her hands on his chest. He pulled away and grinned as she whined softly, “You will have to tell me everything when we're alone.”

 

Sorano smiled softly, “Hai Sesshomaru-sama.” Sesshomaru smirked as she led the way from the room.

 

***

 

Kagome stood beside Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango as they stood at the watchtower. Kagome had never seen so many powerful youkai in one place before. It was a rule at the Alliance that this many youkai together would have give off to much youki and the ones that they were chasing would sense them and attack or hide. Makoto and Haya were speaking to the Leaders. Some of the Leaders seemed to have brought some of their tribes with them.

 

Sango leaned over and whispered in Kagome's ear, “There are so many different species of youkai here. Some of these species no longer live in Japan.”

 

Kagome nodded. There was a tall mysterious looking youkai who was talking to Haya. It was almost as if he was giving off a bluish-green glow. “Yeah I know. That youkai talking to Haya is a Water Sprite youkai. They don't live in Japan in our time.”

 

Sango was about to reply when Kagome sensed Shoichi coming down the path with a very powerful priest. She turned and smiled softly at Shoichi. He, in turn, bowed his head to her as he followed behind the tall priest that was walking right into the center of the gathering. Makoto and Haya bowed low as they backed towards the edge of the circle.

 

“Good Friends and members of the Alliance! I know that our gathering here tonight was never discussed however it is vital that you are all here. The Darkness that is spreading into the lands is threatening to destroy us all. Never before now has youkai, hanyou, and ningen come together to fight such a force. It is through our desire to survive that we have lasted this long. Now we must renew our Alliance and once again stand as one.”

 

Kagome felt the fine hairs on the back of neck stand on end as Sho spoke to the gathered people. He had a power behind his voice that had most of the youkai, hanyou and ningen nodding in agreement with him. However not all the youkai were convinced. A hawk youkai that was dressed in yellows, oranges, and red armor stepped forward.

 

“How are we to fight this force when they are after you and your family Higurashi. The Guardian Daiyoukai is no longer of this world. We came here today to pay our respects to her and her honourable fight. Without her the darkness will attack at first light! How do you plan on stopping it?”

 

Kagome inched closer to Inuyasha. They don't have time to argue. I have been sensing a great evil since we arrived. Don't they since it too?! They need to stop bantering and figure out how they are going to fight.

 

“I understand your frustration but all is not lost. The Guardian Daiyoukai has returned to us.”

 

Instantly all the leaders and some members of their tribes starting whispering to each other. The sound was like hundreds of bees flying throughout the area. A Neko youkai stepped forward, “How is that possible? She was cremated this afternoon when the sun was at its peek. She is no longer of this world.”

 

Sho smiled at the neko, “Did you all not sense the great power that ascended earlier this evening. The very power of the ascension shook the very foundation of the Higurashi Shrine. Even now her scent is flowing on the breeze.”

 

An Inu Youkai stepped forward, “Sorano-sama used to live in this village. Of course her scent is on the breeze. It will take days before her scent vanishes. As for this power, I didn't sense or feel anything of which you speak.”

 

Sho bowed to the Inu Youkai, “Then see for yourself.”

 

Kagome smiled as she sensed Sorano. Thank goodness she is all right. Sesshomaru looked like he was ready to kill when he left the shrine. Kagome turned towards the path that led to the watchtower. Kagome gasped as Sorano appeared walking towards them. Never before had she seen Sorano look so regal, so powerful, and so calm before. A step behind her and slightly to her right walked Sesshomaru.

 

Everyone fell silent as Sorano walked towards them. She held her head high and walked to the place that Sho was standing at moments ago. Sesshomaru stood just in front of Sho and the miko and houshi. The Inu Youkai that had been speaking before sniffed the air and Sorano nodded slightly to him.

 

“Sorano-sama?”

 

“Leaders of the Tribes of the Alliance. I know that four days ago a left this realm and returned to the light. These were the orders of my father. I have once again returned. The Darkness that is threatening this era is now threatening the era that I ascended to. Once again I ask you all to put aside your differences and fight with me. I am not the youkai that you all remember. I have changed.”

 

An old youkai stepped forward from behind the Inu Youkai that was staring at Sorano, “Guardian Daiyoukai you have indeed returned.” His eyes widened as he sniffed the air, “You are balanced! You are a complete Light Youkai.”

 

The crowd broke out once again in hushed whispers. Slowly one by one the youkai walked forward and bowed to Sorano. Each saying her name as they bowed. Sorano inclined her head and said each and every single one of their names in return. When the last youkai had bowed and stated her name Sorano turned to look at Kagome and the others. She smiled slowly as she turned back to the other youkai and starting speaking. This is so weird. It's like a Feudal Fairy Tale.

 

***