InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate - ON HOLD ❯ PART TWENTY EIGHT ( Chapter 28 )

DISCLAIMER - The ownership and general brilliance that is the original Feudal Fairy Tale remains the property of its honored and rightfully revered creator Rumiko Takahashi without whose brilliance, we would not have fodder.

 

Quotations by one J.K. Rowling, an authoress of deft skill, giving R.R. Tolkien a marvelous run for his money with a series of novels about a young man by the name Potter…Harry Potter.

 

Reviews are fuel.

 

Edited By: Meara, check out her fabulous piece and I warn you not to drink anything while reading “The Courtship of Lady Kagome”, you will not regret it. It is charming, witty, and decadently funny with a refreshing, original, perspective. Personally, the first chapter's Haiku still makes me chuckle.

 

 

EP

 

Part Twenty-Eight - This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate

 

“It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.”

 

It was unlike Kagura to feel for anything or anyone outside herself, but as she stood in dank, airless dungeon, looking at the pale figure chained, a soft sigh escaped her red hued lips unbidden. `It could well be me next,' she thought.

 

Raising one arm gracefully, she unfurled her fan, allowing her silken sleeve to drop. Usually the sign of an impending battle except in this instance, when she turned to face Kohaku and inclined her head towards Kikyou.

 

Kohaku stood frozen, afraid to move as he handed Akago to the Sorceress. The priestess looked helpless with her wrists manacled painfully tight. Kikyou's head lolled. Her ashen visage was partially hidden by loose, onyx locks that flowed to mid calf, a startling contrast to the deep red of her hakama.

 

A near death rattle came from her throat as she fought valiantly to raise her head. Dark, almond shaped eyes looked in his direction, a faint welcoming smile on her lips. There was serenity in her gaze.

 

“Come closer, Kohaku. There will be no Urasue to resurrect me this time. I must pass, but first I must speak with you. Do not be afraid. You have a task.”

 

The young slayer stumbled forward, turning a questioning gaze to the Wind Sorceress as she cradled the child-like creature in her arms, and nodded her head in encouragement.

 

“We haven't much time. He is bound to make his presence felt any moment,” Kagura intoned, looking towards the door nervously.

 

“Hai, Kagura-sama,” Kohaku bowed and did as he was told.

 

“Do not be afraid,” coaxed Kikyou, again in a raspy whisper, licking her dry lips.

 

The simple movement of her tongue pulled him from his stupor. He instinctively reached for the ladle close to one of the Miko's soiled, tabi clad feet. Filling it with a nervous hand, he brought it gently to her parched lips.

 

“Thank you, Kohaku,” she said with an attempt at a re-assuring smile.

 

Unable to meet her gaze, he bowed and bent to one knee in front of her. It angered him seeing the usually immaculate priestess in her current condition.

 

His head rose as he heard a soft chuckle come from the cracked lips.

 

“Don't fear death Kohaku. It is just a change in state, in the end and I will be free once more to finish the real mission.”

 

Bile rose in his throat as he curled his fists in frustration. He stood facing the serene visage looking down at him with infinite patience, which he felt she had no right to under the circumstances.

 

“Meaning no disrespect, Priestess, but he is killing you slowly. Why are you not afraid? Why are you not angry? The jewel is almost complete and once he has it fully restored, he will have the power to destroy all that we have known.” One, crystalline tear flowed down his cheek.

 

“Kohaku!” hissed the Sorceress in warning. “This is no time to be difficult. Simply listen to the Miko.”

 

A soft, cool object touched his cheek. Opening his eyes hurriedly, he realized the hand belonged to the Miko.

 

“No, he will not succeed in our world's destruction as we know it. All is as it should be, Kohaku. You forget, I am merely a shadow in clay form. I have already died as ningen. What you see is merely my essence, captured for a time.”

 

Before he could stop himself, he retorted. “No, we haven't. We have all been puppets used for his own malevolent gains. We have failed!”

 

Even though spoken quietly, Kikyou's next words struck the young slayer with its surety.

 

“No, we have not.”

 

The Sorceress made to approach the young slayer, but was stopped by Kikyou. She had released herself from the manacles with ease and slowly made her way to the filthy futon to sit, as the slayer watched in confusion. `She could have gotten away all along. Then why hadn't she?'

 

“Have you not noticed, Kohaku, that at the center of the jewel he now holds dear, there is a light he cannot suppress, regardless of his efforts?” asked the Miko gently, as she lay prone on the futon.

 

“Yes,” he answered cautiously, with just a glimmer of hope in his voice. He sat beside the reclining figure.

 

The Priestess gave a weak smiled, having heard the renewed interest in his voice.

 

Appearances are deceptive, Kohaku. Take Saint Hakushin, the creator of the greatest barrier that has ever existed, until now. He thought he had failed not only himself but his people and Naraku used this human failing against him to his own ends. That very barrier lulled the evil hanyou into a false sense of security born of his own hubris. Within Kagura's arms now lay the seeds of his destruction. So you see, Kohaku, Saint Hakushin did not fail. Had he done anything differently, Akago and his brother would not now exist nor would our reprieve. Timing is everything, Kohaku and though you may not at this moment understand why, it will all work as it should for the final battle.”

 

“How?!” asked the young slayer with a shocked expression. He took the hand that had touched his cheek in his. The skin appeared almost translucent in the dim light.

 

“I chose, Kohaku, to be captured. As long as Naraku is focused on his goal, he remains somewhat unaware of the happenings at the Western Shiro without Kan'na. His arrogance has cost him. This is as we need it to be. You have a singular task that only you can fulfill,” she said breathlessly, looking to Kagura.

 

Confusion furrowed his brows as he looked down into peaceful, dark eyes. “I don't understand, `we?'” he asked.

 

Kagura approached with the child, “We have no more time. I must return with Akago or all of this planning was for nothing,” she said. She looked down into the angelic face of the child that held her finger with more force than anticipated. Kagura gasped.

 

“He wishes to touch you, Kohaku,” the Wind Sorceress said in an otherworldly whisper.

 

Taking the child in his arms, chubby fingers touched his chest, and just as quickly conscious thought of the dank chamber he sat in faded, replaced with a vision of green landscape.

 

A verdant field came into view. A young girl in a white and orange checked kimono sat under a tree playing an ancient flute, while a dragon grazed peacefully nearby. It was the same girl from his nightmares. His sight expanded to a panoramic view of white tenshu hovering above the early morning's mist. It was the Western Shiro. His inner eye watched as pale, male child with mauve colored eyes lay hidden in the canopy of the woods, quietly studying the small female with a calculating expression. A horse stood behind Hakudoshi, the dull thud of impatient hooves anxious for a run. The only other sound within the pastoral scene other than the notes of the flute carried on the wind.

 

The small hand left Kohaku's chest as abruptly as it had come…and a new thought replaced it.

 

Kikyou's ashen face turned to the doorway, a half smile playing about her pallid, blue-tinged lips. “You must not allow him to capture her this time, or everything will fail. However you do it, make sure it is done. I would do it myself, but I have another, rather old appointment with kin to keep and do not have the energy to do both.”

 

“Kohaku…go,” she whispered with urgency. Her eyes closed once more from the sheer effort to speak. “Everything depends on you. This is your time to atone. So must I.”

 

 

sks

 

“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."

 

And still the mist hovered in the honmaru of the Western Shiro, sending tendrils of amber light throughout the gardens. It caressed all surfaces within like a silken gauze, now barely visible to the naked eye.

 

Sea green eyes observed quietly as Kouga paced back and forth in front of four rather large and irritated youkai guards, one of which was female and quite attractive. Sporadically the Ookami would stop and question one or other's manhood, parentage, and or mental acuity; whichever he deemed appropriate. Kouga's disreputable behavior was in aid of only one thing, to find an opportune moment to dash past the living blockade into the darkened chasm, joining the others. He took it as a slight that he had not been invited to join the party.

 

Ayame had never seen the Eastern Prince in this light before. Yes, she knew he was brash, full of bravado, uncouth to the enth degree when riled, egotistical to a fault and very aware of his own imagined magnetism when it came to females, but this was different. For the first time, those qualities she had once found endearing began to get on her very last nerve. `He is a pompous ass. Why had I ever thought to burden myself with him as a Mate? The years together would have been interminably tiresome, quite possibly boring and fraught with the uphill challenge of dealing with the one true love of his life, himself.'

 

The Princess chuckled softly at her own stupidity and yes, innocence, just as the little kappa clattered towards the Prince thoroughly discombobulated with a worried look in his bulbous eyes.

 

“Where is that wretched child?” screeched Jaken, all in a dither. He waddled forward, narrowing his eyes suspiciously, first looking at the head of arms then back at Kouga with just a hint of malevolence. He could find Rin nowhere within the shiro. Lord Sesshoumaru would not take it well should anything befall the tiresome, little female. Jaken's rather ophthalmic eyes narrowed further in sudden thought as he noted Shippou had also gone missing. This did give him pause. Perhaps they were together. `It could be one of their games, designed to torture Master Jaken.' He would soon put a stop to it, he thought, tapping his beaky mouth with one tiny claw, before glaring at the Ookami, who had not deigned to answer him.

 

“You there, Wolf, out with it. Where are the children?” demanded Jaken in a high pitched squeak. He pointed his staff accusingly at the Ookami and tapped one, tiny foot impatiently. This day had been nothing but unwanted chaos to his well run castle. First, the decimation of the main garden and now the disappearance of the young and to put a final cap on it, his Master had not bothered to include his most humble, devoted servant in his little foray below. Jaken's eyes filled with tears at the very thought of this ignoble slight, however unintentional.

 

Kouga growled at the small, tubby being with marked displeasure showing a good deal of pearly white fangs. Finally, someone he could eviscerate verbally without any repercussions.

 

“Get out of my sight, you horrible, little, lick spittle, before I kick your ass back to the swamp you came from,” snarled Kouga at the kappa, who sputtered and stepped back, pointing his staff with shaky claws at the Prince, equally threateningly.

 

Kouga had far greater pre-occupations at the moment; like suppressing the urge to put his foot through the face of his fellow Ookami, who happened to be one of Sesshoumaru's front line guards and was, by all appearances, a Northern White Wolf. The guard in questions eyes followed Kouga with malicious amusement, as the Prince stalked back and forth in front of him snarling impotently.

 

At first, Jaken spluttered with righteous indignation, mumbling to himself as he took a few cautious steps back from the irritated lupine and towards the guard, completely ignoring Ayame. Jaken's eyes opened wide, a sudden, malicious, happy thought coming to him. He glowered as best he could up at the wolf before turning towards the guard.

 

Squaring his little shoulders, he narrowed his eyes once more and assumed an imperious stance. Imperious, from his height challenged perspective that is.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru said to kill him! What are you waiting for?” commanded the little kappa, slamming his staff into the lacquered flooring for emphasis (barely missing his own tiny tabi clad foot) before turning on his heels and clattering off in search of his missing charges. With luck, the happy news of Kouga's demise at the hands of the long suffering guards would turn this day around in his favor.

 

The guard in question made a small deferential bow to the Western Lord's retainer's retreating back and addressed the Eastern Prince of Wolves in an even deep baritone.

 

“Prince Kouga, Master Jaken is right. We do have orders to kill you in the strictest sense, should you prove unmanageable. Please, keep this in mind. Let it not come to that, Kouga-sama. It would be a great loss for your tribe,” he said, holding the hilt of his katana meaningfully.

 

Kouga had made quite a few enemies amongst the other soldiers in the last little while with his constant barrage of annoying commentary and sullen disposition.

 

Forest green eyes traveled to Ayame and again the youkai bowed, but this time, deeply as befitted her station within his pack. His loyalties were clear. Ayame acknowledged the soldier's deference with an aristocratic, feminine tilt of her own head. Nothing else need be said between the two as they took each other's measure.

 

Let it not be said that Prince Kouga did not understand nuance. Livid, cobalt blue eyes turned on the Princess with reproach evident in his expression. Ayame stood her ground under his frigid gaze as she approached him and extended a hand in friendship. `We definitely need to talk. This is all getting out of hand.'

 

“Kouga? Will you accompany me for a walk in the Lily Garden?” Ayame said conversationally, trying to prevent a confrontation between the Northern Wolf Youkai and the sometimes thick-headed Ookami Prince.

 

“Why? Are you afraid I am going to kick his ass for flying past his cave with his betters?” Kouga squared his shoulders, ready for a knock down drag out fight with his fellow lupine, who stood a full head taller than himself and was nothing but grace and rippling muscle.

 

“Kouga!” Ayame screamed in frustration, stamping her little foot, arms akimbo. “Come now or I will beat you to a pulp!”

 

The Prince blinked in shock. He looked down at her fur wrapped feet and smiled despite his current stance, “Shades of Kagome…” Females they're all alike. They will do anything for a little of my attention.

 

“Never mind the Western Lady for once, Kouga, I want to speak with you, privately. Kagome is in no danger. She is with her Mate, and Inuyasha, neither of whom would see her harmed nor would the others with them for that matter. In the meantime, we need to clear up a few things between us. We aren't accomplishing anything standing around here other than you pissing off the guards who are merely doing their duty as ordered by the Western Lord. Try to remember you are here on sufferance, Kouga as am I, for that matter.”

 

Kouga snorted derisively, “Really, what about Inuyasha, your great love?”

 

“I won't even dignify that with an answer. If you want to talk to me follow. I am not taking your disrespect anymore. For your information, it has nothing to do with Lord Inuyasha and more to do with me finally seeing you as you are and it isn't even vaguely attractive,” she said and stalked off towards the Lily Garden.

 

“ `Lord', my ass. Mangy Cur!” bellowed Kouga, taking a very good look at the female who was stalking off, refusing to acknowledge the last part of her sentence. The sudden shift in youki and the clatter of katana being loosened from myriad sheaths, hastened his progress. It never occurred to him that these same males had practiced with Inuyasha in Sesshoumaru's absence and had developed a grudging respect for the hanyou.

 

`Really nice ass. Hadn't noticed that before,' he thought. He followed her sway with interest as he hurried away from clear and very present danger. `The legs aren't bad either.'

 

sks

 

“The best of us must sometimes eat our words.”

 

 

Kaede observed the amber mist that still hovered over the grounds as she sat in the tea house with Tatsuo awaiting the groups return. Shippou, who had to take a personal break to attend to his little needs, had been gone for rather a long while. It would be time to sound the alarm if he did not return shortly. Something about the amber mist caused her to shiver involuntarily. She could sense the presence of the young Miko's aura and that of the Western Lord, but what remained confused her. There were other essences there, too, both human and demonic. One aura in particular was familiar and her chest tightened in recognition.

 

Tatsuo reentered the low doorway with a tray. He carefully removing his geta, assumed the lotus position and began the preparation of the special brew, known only to his clan. Timing was everything.

 

“Tatsuo-sama, what do ye make of the mist?” she asked cautiously. Her body became racked with chills as though someone was walking over her own grave, or that of Kikyou's.

 

The tall, aquiline being gazed at her meditatively and began to serve the dark tea in ancient bowls he had brought out for the occasion as though she had not spoken. Two cups remained, one baring the ancient kanji of the Inu-no-Taishou's Clan, its companion missing for centuries.

 

“We should follow where it leads, Lady Kaede, while time has stopped within the Shiro,” he answered quietly. “Shippou is fine. He has gone in search of Rin in the fields beyond the Shiro's moat. They will return unharmed and we shall share this tea with them. The mist will take care of the rest.”

 

Kaede's one good eye twinkled in sudden understanding… The last of the prophecy was taking place around her, or so she thought. Still she could not account for the chill coursing through her body.

 

sks

 

“There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other.”

 

 

Ayame sat on the high, mossy mound that overlooked the pond of gold and white koi in fascination. Amidst the tumult they still carried on with their own lives, oblivious to the chaos above them. Life went on, regardless. She smiled, playing with the Iris, Inuyasha had given her not so long ago. The glow from the amber mist cast her in a delicate light, giving her skin a warming blush as she sat peacefully waiting for the male whose aura she could sense in the not too far distance. He was being coy and trying to make her wait; typical.

 

“Kouga, why did you insist Kagome loved you, when she didn't?” she asked with a non judgmental tone, watching the bridge where she knew he hid. `Add childish to the list of things not in his favor.'

 

He had anticipated she would know he was hiding beyond the bridge's far wall, but the question caught him by surprise.

 

Kouga, who was usually quick with repartee and sarcastic commentary, had anticipated a shrieking bitch in his midst and the usual whiny tantrums and yet, there was none. He could sense no jealousy in her aura. She had simply asked a straight forward question, in hopes of an answer, an answer he did not have. You see, the Ookami had never truly given it much thought (par for the course). He wanted Kagome. She looked interesting and it pissed off Inuyasha (that was always a fringe benefit) and well… she was a powerful miko. Kagome was exotic and therefore a suitable mate for a Prince, such as himself. And yes, she did smell Kami sent, unlike any other female he had ever encountered in his tribe.

 

“I want honesty, Kouga. Did you say it to get away from our promise that fateful night?”

 

Again, another question without rancor. This was going to be untenable if she kept this up. This was not Ayame.

 

“Kouga, are you just going to stand there like a bashful maiden or are you going to answer me? I grow tired of the silence,” Ayame said. Bored, she shifted her sitting position, folding her legs under her and looking up at the amber tinged clouds above with a quirked brow.

 

“What is that mist?”

 

Finally, something he wished to address. Stalking towards her, he looked up, adopting a wide, dominant stance above her. “Don't know, don't care. It was around when Inuyasha and I were fighting earlier,” he said indifferently. He flopped down next to the Princess facing away. He did not need those sea green eyes looking into his as he spoke.

 

“I don't know. Kagome is different, soft yet strong, kind yet vicious but never vindictive, warm yet cold and with all this, she is beautiful, but not in a contrived way. I like her. What male would not want to possess her as mate?” he answered truthfully.

 

In all truth, his statement cut her to the quick, but not as it would have in the past. Yes, she could see the attraction. She saw it with her own eyes. All that he said was true and more.

 

“You are right, Kouga, thank you, Ayame responded with a melancholy smile. She lifted a finger to his chin and turned him to face her fully, so he could see there was no hatred in her expression, no judgment, as she spoke to him.

 

“A female pup was once rescued by a very handsome prince. She developed a crush on him and took his kindness for more than it was and carried it within her heart, rightly or wrongly with fanciful imaginings under the moonlight's rainbow. She never meant you any harm and she is forever thankful that you showed her kindness and will never forget it,” she said as she leaned in and kissed his cheek softly, before releasing his chin.

 

The Prince of Eastern Wolves blinked in confusion. “That's it?! You're not going to plead your case or that of your grandfather's on why we should be together?” he retorted, somewhat irritably. “I'll kill him if it is the last thing I do. He's changed you, somehow! I don't like it! Change back immediately!” he said standing and towering above her. His expression was so ridiculously incredulous, Ayame snickered.

 

“I've tried to tell you already. This has nothing to do with Inuyasha, who is very sweet and I do like him. He has a lot of the same qualities that you rightfully attribute to the Western Lady, except he could do with some table manners, as I might add could you. You both seem to believe it is a sign of maleness to be vulgar and obstreperous, but unlike you, he can change. He has reasons for his behavior. You, Kouga, have never been abandoned, nor did you raise yourself. So what is your excuse?”

 

Kouga snorted. “I have no time for this inquisition. You can stay out here with the stupid fish. I'm going back where I can wait on that cur and beat him senseless when he returns. Enjoy the fish,” he said as a parting shot, speeding back to his lonely vigil… words had, for the first time in his life, registered.

 

sks

 

“Always the innocent are the first victims,”

“So it has been for ages past, so it is now.”

 

 

“Riiiiiiiiiiinnnnnn! Riiiiiiinnnnnn! Where are you! Answer me! Enough of this tomfoolery, both of you!” Jaken bellowed with his usual, high pitch squeak as he waddled around the Shiro's ninomaru frantically. It made no sense to his mind to get the guards involved at this juncture. Just as the kappa was giving up hope, he spied a little auburn ponytail bobbing beyond the far bushes just near the gates of the sonomaru. Finally! Increasing the speed of his toddle he glowered at the back of the head of the little kitsune.

 

“Shippou! Come here you horrid boy!” said the little, green retainer irritably, secretly relieved he had found one of them; now to find the other. “One of my position and advanced years cannot spend his days chasing the likes of you! Where is Rin?” he added pompously, grabbing the small soft hand within his claws.

 

Glowering at the little male, Jaken awaited an answer, but none seemed forthcoming. In fact, the kit looked rather frightened as his green eyes still bore evidence of recently shed tears. This softened, Jaken's stance as he turned the small hand in his and held it, perhaps, just a little less firmly in hopes of stopping its trembling.

 

“I-I don't know. She is not in any of the usual hiding places, Master Jak-Jaken,” the little kit stuttered nervously, beside himself with worry.

 

`Something is definitely wrong for the kit to react this way. Perhaps it is time to get some help in finding Rin. These two are usually inseparable for any length of time.'

 

Clearing his throat once more, Jaken tapped his beak thoughtfully. Perhaps she was with Ah-Un in the fields beyond the Shiro. There was a blind spot that the obnoxious sibling had mentioned to the Western Lord. They could try there first before raising the alarm.

 

Shippou sniffed unhappily. “I wish Sesshoumaru-sama, or Kagome was here. They would know what to do, Master Jaken. I'm scared.”

 

Raising himself to his full height (with no perceptible effect) Jaken sniffed imperiously and gripped the equally small hand more firmly. It was his place as the elder and tutor to rectify this situation and give the kit assurance of his authority and tactical brilliance.

 

“Look here, young kitsune. I have had charge of the wretched child for these several years and I know all her games. We will find her, so stop weeping. Undoubtedly she is in the fields with Ah-Un. He was not in his stable earlier. I feel it my duty to point out that as a young warrior under Lord Sesshoumaru's tutelage and mine, it does not befit you to fall apart at the seams so easily,” Jaken said firmly.

 

They began to walk hurriedly towards the draw bridge leading to the pasture beyond. Sneaking a sidelong glance at the little kitsune next to him, Jaken noted his words had the desired effect as the young kit squared his small shoulders and assumed a stoic countenance. Jaken's facial expression softened.

 

Kirara sat curled in a little ball on a low parapet, licking her paws delicately as they both passed her. The neko lazily stretched (in lieu of greeting), adjusting herself for another proper morning snooze, her fur aglow within the mist.

 

“Females are inherently troublesome and always in need of rescue from one crisis or another. It is a flaw in their intrinsic makeup, not having the natural logic of the male. A lesson you would do well to learn early. It will serve you when you have matured sufficiently to take a mate,” Jaken added in a youkai-about- town manner.

 

Shippou blushed at the implication and then regarded Master Jaken for a long moment in deep thought before asking in childlike innocence.

 

“How would you know?”

 

This unsolicited observation on the little fox demon's part elicited several reactions from the kappa. The most tedious of which was a prolonged harangue as to why the young were to be seen and not heard…ever, amongst other things.

 

…And still the mist continued to meander just beyond the walls of the Western Shiro, surprisingly into the very fields both Jaken and Shippou took, like a sentinel.

 

sks

 

 

“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

 

 

Without turning, Hakudoshi's eyes narrowed menacingly, as he continued to regard the small female napping peacefully. `Rather simple being. Not worth the effort.' Why would his Master take such an interest, surely the Miko was a better choice? There would be nothing gained in her eventual capture, other than pressing Naraku's agenda forward. `How would that be to my benefit and that of Akago, exactly?'

 

Hakudoshi's thin lips took on a malevolent smile. The faint sound of grass being bent underfoot the only sign that he was not alone. `His aura has changed.'

 

“What are you doing here, Kohaku?”

 

The young slayer did not answer. Instead he chose to continue his near silent approach, eventually standing beside the young demon. He, too, observed the young girl before he saw the faint glowing orb in his peripheral vision and was struck by its familiarity. Hakudoshi followed his gaze upward with a bored expression, his eyes opening wide, if only for a moment, at this unexpected apparition.

 

Entei whinnied impatiently at his heels. The smell of burning sod below his hooves indicating the horse's desire to take flight and challenge the vaporous intruder.

 

“Yes, Entei, I see it. The barrier is ingenious too. Very nicely done,” hissed the young demon under his breath, giving Kohaku a sidelong glance. Entei reared in anger, then turned and galloped back the way he came. Their plot had been foiled by this unexpected occurrence.

 

Deciding to press the advantage, Kohaku spoke as he saw the demon horse take to the skies in the opposite direction of the approaching being of light. The aura was definitely familiar.

 

“I was sent to assist,” the young exterminator said with a flat tone, unsure what he was to do in this instance. Neither Kagura, nor Kikyou had prepared him for this possible eventuality.

 

Hakudoshi chuckled derisively, one brow raised knowingly as he watched the feigned expressionless visage in front of him.

 

“How diplomatic of you, Kohaku. You have mastered this emotionless guise. I congratulate you. Your secret is safe…for now. It may prove useful,” the demon said, pausing for emphasis. “Soooo my loyalties are in question, but not Kagura's of course? Or were you actually sent by her and her cohort, the clay bitch, on some other mission? Hmmm?”

 

Kohaku wisely remained silent. Keeping his stony expression in place he dropped to one knee and adjusted his kusarigama, just in case. The skies above had taken on a pale sepia hue that always came before the violet gloaming of evening.

 

“How apt, duplicity in his midst,” Hakudoshi laughed, before turning to follow the same path as Entei, away from the shiro. He stopped to take one last look at the little kappa, and kitsune who hovered over the small female. It was then that it struck the demon. All three beings appeared to glow pearlescent amber more intense than the surrounding field in which they now stood. Equally of interest, the neko youkai, Kirara, stood at the gates fully transformed, and though Hakudoshi could never prove it, she appeared to be aware of their presence. `Someone or something has anticipatedNaraku's next move;interesting.'

 

“The mist is reminiscent of the barrier on Mount Hakurei and yet different in quality and purpose. Shall we return and inform our Master of these new development, Kohaku?”

 

Silently, the slayer rose and followed in confusion, not yet aware that an unholy alliance had begun.

 

sks

 

“…to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

 

Kaede continued to shiver despite the fact that Tatsuo had lit the fire in her private chamber. Laying the elderly healer to rest more comfortably on her palette, Tatsuo sat by her side holding one weather worn hand between his. She remained cool to the touch, her pulse thready.

 

“I will be forever thankful to that child for her kindness,” Kaede said as she took the medicine Kagome had brought back from her time while sipping her tea. “My pain has considerably lessened.”

 

“The Western Lady is very special and many have grown fond of her, justifiably. I have even seen a marked change in Jaken not to mention the Western Lord himself, for the better.”

 

Examining her tea cup with her one good eye, Kaede smiled warmly up at Tatsuo. “Ye said time has stopped within the Shiro. What did ye mean by this? I did not wish to pursue this conversation with the children and Jaken present in the tea house. The day has been unsettling enough as it is. There is no need to frighten them all further.”

 

“I said…” Tatsuo began as a chill wind entered the chamber through the open courtyard window, a fine white mist coalescing into the veiled outline of a being hovered mid air.

 

“Kikyou,” Kaede said in a barely audible whisper, clutching Tatsuo's hand in a cold sweat.

 

“Hello, little one,” the Priestess said with an angelic smile.

 

sks

 

“The truth… it is a beautiful and terrible thing, and therefore should be treated with caution…”

 

“JiJi?” Kagome repeated, staring at her Grandfather in wonder.

 

“How did you get here? Did you know? All this time…I-I don't understand,” she said as Sesshoumaru gently helped her to her feet, holding her firmly to him while unsheathing Tenseiga.

 

The sudden movement was not lost on any of the little party. Inuyasha got to his feet and began to growl at the stooped being, holding the hilt of his own katana.

 

“Start talkin' now, old man, before I lose my temper! What the hell is this place and why are we here!? If you weren't her Grandfather….I'd…I'd.”

 

“Quiet, Inuyasha! Let him speak!” snarled the Western Lord in frustration, carefully observing the silent houshi whose gaze remained fixed on the limestone slab above. He had yet to acknowledge the Guji.

 

“What the fuck, Sesshoumaru. You aren't gonna take this shit are ya!?” bellowed the half-demon, looking at his sibling in consternation. He turned to the slayer for back up. Sango appeared more concerned with the silent houshi than the new arrival in their midst. His gaze traveled to Masaru who was intently gazing at the slab with something akin to blinding hatred as he touched his scared cheek. “You've all gone fucking nuts!”

 

The houshi exhaled deeply and rose, bowing to the silent, elderly male in front of him and moved forward stepping upon the platform allowing the Western Lord and Lady to proceed him to their assigned places.

 

“Inuyasha, Sango come forward and take your places. Masaru, remain on guard, do not move,” intoned the Taiyoukai.

 

He looked down at his bemused mate who had yet to utter another word and shook his head willing her to follow his lead. Kagome did the unprecedented and took a deep breath and inclined her own head, allowing the Western Lord to lead her forward to the inlaid jade stone circle to join Miroku.

 

Kagome gasped. Myriad lights passed before her eyes as her feet touched the warm jade surface. The indentation below her feet were a perfect fit. From this vantage, she could finally see the surface of the floor in its entirety. There were six other indentations for feet and her JiJi was in fact standing within the center of the circle atop a familiar seal. The very same one that marked the Higurashi Shrine and her father's letter; the bow and arrow intertwining to form a crescent moon, radiating tendrils leading from the hallowed circle to each of the imprints. If her intuition was correct, the core family, herself, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha formed a perfect triangle, she at the apex pointing to the slab of limestone.

 

“What the fuck is this, old man?” Inuyasha inquired ever so decorously as he leaned down and sniffed, then tentatively touched the red jade surface with suspicion.

 

The Guji chuckled, simply waiting to see what the young hanyou would do.

 

“I think, Inuyasha, you are to stand on it,” Kagome intoned with a half-smile. This was all new to her, but something within told her it was the right thing to do as was evidenced by Satori's happy flutters within.

 

“Well duh, Kagome! Not likely though, til I get an explanation from the old codger,” he said with a little less belligerence in his tone, eyeing both Sesshoumaru and Miroku with confusion. They both were standing as silently requested. It was odd seeing Lord Asshole so… so acquiescent and it gave him pause. Sango approached and she, too, looked nervously about, her eyes engaging Miroku who inclined his head for her to take her place.

 

“Inuyasha, this isn't the time and place…” Miroku began. A sharp pain shot up his afflicted arm as it began to glow and pulse dull purple. The houshi crumpled to his knees.

 

“Do not move. Any of you,” came the quiet, firm command from the Guji.

 

“Fuck that!” Inuyasha snarled, as both he and Sango rushed to Miroku's side unthinking. It was for naught as they would find. Both being repulsed by a violet beam of light that threw them across the podium, just behind their respective markers, Sango was the first to feel the pull, an ancient pull, as the indentation before her prone form pulsed a vibrant, coral pink. Her own body, she realized, pulsed with the same energy.

 

“What-what's going on here, Miroku?” she said in a frightened tone, rising slowly. She looked across at Miroku questioningly then at Kagome's grandfather.

 

“I'm fine. Take your place. I alone must handle this. It is my destiny to do so,” the houshi said watching as Sango stood up, confusion, worry and, yes, anger in the set of her body. She approached once more with determination, Inuyasha at her heels, fangs bared with determination.

 

“STOP!”

 

All turned in shock. There standing on the crest of the crushed coral bridge with a resolute expression was Shippou. `Why must Inuyasha always fight? Even in this holy place,'the kit thought. His eyes turned to the granite slab.

 

“Ahh Shippou, I was afraid you would be late,” smiled the Guji. “Welcome. Would you please take your place? She will arrive soon.” Shippou bowed, his gaze returning to the Seven Treasures, then to the Western Lord and then to his mother who smiled down on him in greeting. `She knows.'

 

“Kaede had a visitor and she guided me here,” he said quietly, looking once more to the granite slab as he approached the others and took his place. All eyes followed his gaze. There between Miyatsu and Midoriko hovering like a three dimensional version of her replica, Kikyou.

 

“Take your destined place, Inuyasha. All has lead to this,” the seeming illusion said in a quiet voice. He did, and so it began.

 

On a distant mountains peak shrouded in mist, a feral cry was heard, so piercing it shook the walls of Naraku's keep as the jewel fell from trembling, clawed hands that were scorched with the brand of the crescent moon.

 

Kohaku finally understood as his shard pulsed.

 

“It is a curious thing, … but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.  Those who, … have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”

 

 

sks

 

Author's Note

 

Happy New Year everyone, we are two weeks into it. I sincerely hope you have enjoyed. Thank you for you patience. Review responses to twenty-seven will be soon. Thank you all dear treasures for this journey we continue to take together.

 

EP