InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Yellow Brick Road ❯ Only the Faithful ( Chapter 20 )

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA AND COMPANY, NOR DO I OWN WIZARD OF OZ.

AN: Thank you to Wiccan, Fallen_Tenshi8, and ktshabatie for beta-ing. Please enjoy.




Chapter 20: Only the Faithful

Her son had proven to be foolish after all. How stupid could one be to travel with a pupped human female? She allowed the laugh to fall from her lips. He left a hanyou as Regent, a holy man, a pet ward, and a newborn human infant all within the Citadel, while he goes tramping across Japan.

That was not the best part, though. He had stopped at a human army encampment and then left with thirty-plus human soldiers. Oh, she did not know whom she needed to thank for her son’s stupidity, but it could not have come at a more opportune time.

Madoka had secured the loyalty of Kuro. He would be the next Lord of the Western Lands after mating with her granddaughter. Since the inu was young, he would not feel the need to procreate. No, Kuro’s instincts would drive him to prove himself as Lord before siring. That would mean that he would prove his worth as Lord.

After Kuro’s dominance was established, Madoka’s granddaughter would painfully and regrettably suffer some untimely demise. None would challenge Kuro’s right to lead, and he would be free to mate any he chose. His choice would, of course, be her.

The plan was not overly complicated, just time consuming. Yet, what is a century or two when you will ultimately obtain your life’s goals. Indeed, time was nothing when you are leading the life of an immortal.

The major catch in her schemes was Sesshoumaru, but the damn pup was playing right into her hands. Yes, she had discovered that he had all but abandoned his concubines. In fact, he did one worse. He was allowing his high-ranking officials use of said concubines and this included the hanyou. While the hanyou had yet to indulge, the insult still stood.

In his arrogance, Sesshoumaru overlooked a very powerful and real threat, a scorned female. True, none of his concubines were particularly powerful, but they had dwelled within the Citadel for centuries. There would be usefulness among these pitiful females; it was a matter of gleaning the correct information and harnessing it.

Yes, the day had been good. In fact it was almost comparable to the look her sniveling daughter’s face when the twit realized she was dying. Only one thing could make this day better.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

The morning was grey and washed out; it seemed that even the colors from the trees had been drained. However, Kagome would not take this as an ominous sign. Too much hung in the balance to be bothered by portents. She would not fail. She could not fail. Her head was held high as she walked slightly behind her tai-youkai.

The missionaries had been going about their morning rituals when they first noticed the odd traveling party approaching them. They had been under the impression that the countrymen around here had dark hair, yet here approached a group with a curious assortment of hair color.

The tall silver-haired male had a presence that could suffocate a man. He stood in regal glory that told of unfathomable power; his glare was enough to make courageous men soil themselves. It was very possible that he was the type from which locals based their fables of ‘demons.’ Yet it was not he that stepped forward to speak. No, it was a soldier from Oda Nobunaga’s forces that broached the silence.

With a trembling voice that could not hide Daiki’s fear, he addressed the missionaries, “We have come to speak with Father Frois.”

“Ah, more have come to hear the word?” It was one of the elderly priests that spoke.

The reply came from the silver-haired male, as his growl could not be repressed, “No.”

Kagome moved closer to her alpha while caressing him with her aura. For all that he was, none of it would prove helpful in this endeavor.

Daiki was positive that this was going to be his last day on the earth. Perhaps one of the priests would survive in order to perform last rites for all; he did want to enter heaven.

Frois exited from the small building that served as the chapel for the local parishioners. The sight before him was not one that he had ever thought possible. This group was not looking for salvation, obviously. The determination with which they stood spoke foreboding volumes for their visit.

“I am Father Frois. To what do I owe the honor?”

The soldier rushed forward to kneel before the priest. Gingerly, he took the holy man’s hand to press to his brow in a sign of reverence. His words were hushed, “They bring warning of grave danger to your parish Father.”

Frois took his other hand placed it on top of the man’s head in a sign of acceptance. “Then we shall hear their warning.” Refocusing on the others, he spoke, “Please, follow me to where we can comfortably discuss your tidings.”

Sesshoumaru was slightly taken aback by the genteel mannerism of this man. He did not stand in pious glory before the youkai; instead, he was willing to talk. Sesshoumaru inclined his head.

The group made their way to the small room where the priests ate their meals. The large table in the center of the room was more than adequate to accommodate them all. Quickly, another one of the missionaries served tea to all, and just as quickly left.

The tensions ran high as all gathered around the table. Frois had ensured that all had been served and now it was time to understand the meaning in this visit. “I believe that introductions are in order.”

Daiki quickly cleared his throat, “This is Sesshoumaru-sama, tai-youkai of the West, his breeder, Kagome-sama, and three of his loyal subjects.”

Frois was taken off-guard by the label associated with the woman dressed in the attire of a miko, “I was under the impression that miko were chaste shrine maidens.”

The growls could be heard from all youkai present in the room. Kagome sighed, just once she would have liked to meet someone who did not place his or her preconceived notions on her. Without raising her eyes to meet the priest she quietly said, “Father, have you ever tried to travel on foot in a kimono? While Michi-san has managed to accomplish the feat, I have neither her grace nor poise.”

Frois chuckled as he watched the reaction of the others in her traveling party, to her statement. “It is good to see that humility is a universal trait.”

“Enough, we have come for Amatsu-Mikaboshi.” Sesshoumaru was not interested in pleasantries. His last encounter with humans had impressed upon him the need to deal with things quickly.

Frois was at a loss. “Why would you come here?”

“He is here.” The tai-youkai was at the end of his patience.

No. No, that was not possible. It would mean that everything he believed was wrong … blasphemy. “That which does not exist cannot be here.” There was no pleasantness to his voice. It was his duty to set these heathens straight.

Kagome shifted in her seat. It was a not-so-subtle attempt to get the attention of her growling alpha. Once she had enough of his focus, she implored to him with her eyes to be allowed to speak. There was no sign of acceptance of her request. She whimpered and bared her neck. This needed to be done as peacefully as possible. Any chaos and they risked losing the bind on Mikaboshi. Finally, with a half snort Sesshoumaru allowed his bitch the chance to speak.

Kagome would be sure to show her gratitude later, “How many sitting at this table are human?” She waited for the priest to calm down before she continued. “Was it not believed, not that long ago, that this world was not round, but flat? When this long-held truth was proven false, did your Holy Scripture and beliefs become any less divine? The only thing that was proven was that there were things in this world not described in the holy writings.”

Frois calmed under the woman’s words. She did not ask him to deny his faith; no, she asked to admit to his lack of ultimate knowledge. He could listen to the rest of what was to be said. Today was going to be one that he would never forget.

“We have come to warn you of a presence of evil that resides among you and your fellow clergymen. We only know this evil by the name we have been taught, but maybe you have another name for him.” She bowed her head to signify that she was done speaking.

One thing bothered the Father, “Is it your claim that we are so weak in our faith that we would allow this evil to reside among us?”

Kagome would not defer to her alpha before she responded. “It is hard to guard against that which is not known to be a threat.”

“Ah, but ignorance is no excuse, though it may be bliss.” There was something about this particular woman that made the priest want to test her in a verbal spar.

“No, but to err is to be human.” It had been a long time since any had thought to give her a mental challenge, and the academic within her still had a need to prove her mental aptitude.

“Though I have not heard it put quite that way before, the validity of the statement cannot be denied. For, if it was not true, then there would not be such a great need for penance.”

“I have long since known penitence, but I have found that nothing soothes the soul quite as well as seizing the opportunity of second chances when presented.” It was subtle, but Kagome was very sure this man would understand her meaning. If he refused them, then he was denying her the chance to make up for past transgressions.

“So it is by your actions that this evil has come to reside here?” He wondered at the fortitude of this woman’s character.

“Hai.” It was scarcely above a whisper, however, that did not lessen the condemnation of the admission.

Sesshoumaru, along with all the other youkai, could smell the shame and guilt radiating off the Breeder. Kagome truly believed that it was her failure that found them in the current situation. No, the proud, arrogant tai-youkai would not allow that misconception to fester within his bitch. He opened his mouth and made the first audible declaration of his fallibility.

“It was this Sesshoumaru that allowed Mikaboshi his chance at freedom. The price for that filth’s confinement was to be paid by one. Her worth was far more than an eternity on her hands knees in the dirt, condemned to a private hell of not just her own sins, but others as well.”

Frois studied the amber-eyed male. It was very obvious that this being before him was not human. Even if one ignored the shape of his ears and strange facial markings, the eyes were a dead give away to his inhumanity. The amber depths told of ageless knowledge, but nothing of compassion and understanding, nothing of the fear of death that was so innate to all humans.

The reaction of the petite female to the large male’s statement did not escape Frois’ observance as well. There was a slight shudder. His curiosity was piqued, yet he knew that to voice the questions on his tongue would break the peace that had been forged.

All those at the table very honestly believed the danger amongst the priests, but Father Frois wanted some tangible proof. This venture could very well be risking his immortal soul. “I must insist on some sort of proof before we proceed.”

Kagome nodded, and then called for the one that would bring light, ironically, to the binding. “Toto.”

Frois’s eyes widened in horror as the ebony tresses of the woman’s hair began to move without wind. Slowly the tiny, shadowy figure climbed from the blue-black locks and then began to slink across the table towards him. He stood so quickly that the chair flew backwards. His retreat from the minion followed the same path as the overturned chair, causing him to stumble on to his back.

Kagome’s calm voice rang out through the tense silence, “Toto will not bite you, Father. She will bring Mikaboshi to our sight.”

Her words of reassurance fell on deaf ears. Frois began to chant a prayer meant to protect him from the approaching evil. Daiki, too, began to move away from the table and the shadow.

Toto stopped in her approach of the holy man about a foot away from him and leapt to what resembled a rope made solely of energy. Toto easily scaled across the vine of malevolence until she reached what appeared to be a form in the darkest corner of the room.

Toto attacked her one true prey. The shadow fed but this one was filled with so much malice that the shadow child could not hold on for long. As Toto’s grasp weakened, the shadow was flung across the room.

Kagome dashed to recover the injured shadow. Cradling Toto in her arms, she returned to her alpha’s side.

As Mikaboshi became more visible to those within the room, Kagome gasped in horror. “No.” It was a whispered plea, while she sealed her eyes shut. She shook her head to dispel the image burned into her mind.

Mikaboshi’s cackle filled the room, reverberating off the walls. His voice was not the tenor that was expected. “Is that all you have to say, dear daughter?”

Kagome was shaking like a leaf, but she refused to give in to this trick. “You are not him.”

Again, the voice was broken with a cackle of mirth, “You would deny your own father?”

“You are not him. He died long ago.” She could not control the tears that threatened to fall.

“And whose fault is that?” The speaker was obviously enjoying her torment.

“It was an accident; it was no one’s fault.”

“Is that the lie you have told yourself all these years? Who was it who begged and pleaded until both your uncle and I went to retrieve your prize?”

“I did not know. How could I know?” Kagome finally looked upon the image of her deceased father. No.

“Your own selfish desires blinded you to the danger. That, my dear daughter, will never excuse you of the guilt.” Kagome watched as a cruel smile played on her father’s lips at his last statement. No, he was not her father.

“I was a child. How many children are truly aware of the world around them?” She challenged back.

“So what is your excuse for your mother and grandfather?”

No. No, they never … they never told her of the problems. “They never said anything.” Her resolve was failing. “They never said anything.”

Mikaboshi moved closer to the woman he was about to break. “And you could not open your eyes and see? The signs of their distress were everywhere, but you turned a blind eye to their troubles.”

“They never said anything.” It was her last lifeline. Oh, Kami-sama, she was drowning.

Sesshoumaru recovered from the shock of the events unfolding to witness his Kagome breaking. No, she was his. Within a moment, she was wrapped in his pelt and cradled to his chest. “She is not responsible for others’ misguided attempts at protection.”

The laugh was robust and cruel. This was too good; the dog spoke of misguided attempts at protection. “And you, dog, are an expert on the subject.”

Snarling viciously, the tai-youkai responded, “This Sesshoumaru is never wrong to protect his pack.”

Mikaboshi sneered, “She was never yours to claim. She was always mine.”

The red took over the amber in a flash, while reason tried a different tactic, “And yet, you were too weak to hold onto her.”

Raging against the accusation, Mikaboshi moved to strike at the dog’s ego. “You could only claim her when she was kneeling defensively in the dirt. You shredded her of her virtue when she had no chance to fight back. And it gets better. She became pupped when you, dog, lost control of the beast within you. It pupped her before you knew to stop it.”

Sesshoumaru was quickly losing the battle to maintain rationality. Michi heard all that was said, and she could not stand idly by while all were destroyed by this being. Some secrets were meant to be kept. The lilac-eyed female moved to stop this.

She moved to throw the nearest thing, which happened to be the teapot. Her anger was so great; her aim was off so that all that managed to hit Mikaboshi was the hot liquid. The image of Kagome’s father began to melt and distort.

It was the sound of the breaking teapot that brought Kagome back to the situation. She could now look upon Mikaboshi without the pained memories of her family. She found her voice, “That is all the great Amatsu-Mikaboshi has right now, isn’t it? Words. You have none of your power to rely on. The only way you can escape is if we play into your hands. However, if we ignore you, you are powerless, defenseless, weak.”

Kagome could not move from the hold of her inu-youkai. It did not matter though; her ki would not harm him or the other youkai present. Slowly and subtly, she brought forth her power and allowed it to dance soothingly across those who were considered ally in the room.

Frois began to regain control of his fear and then became aware of the soft pink glow that encased him. The only feeling he could gain from this phenomenon was sense of security, which was odd considering that he was staring into the face of evil. Then he realized that the glow originated from the woman engulfed in the silver-haired male’s embrace.

Kagome began to encircle Mikaboshi with her purity. She tightened his confines, but refused to make Midoriko’s mistake. It was not just her soul that would be sucked into the new jewel, but that of Father Frois and, quite possibly, her children. As she ensured that the confinement was secure, she realized that she could not sever the connection to Frois.

Frois would have to be convinced to join them of the journey to the shadows. At least she could clean the connection of taint. She did all she could do. The ki began to slowly pull back into her body.

When the last of her power had returned to her body, she looked to Michi and said, “Tea, huh?”

Michi just shrugged in response. Not exactly a gesture befitting her birthright, but anything else would have taken too much effort to convey.

Kagome laughed tiredly, “Maybe I should have used tea on your grandmother, rather than water.”

Tadashi, Yuichi, and Michi all laughed, despite the tai-youkai’s warning growl. Frois and Daiki looked on at the happy youkai in curiosity to the joke that they were missing.

Kagome nuzzled further into Sesshoumaru’s warmth, feeling the fatigue taking over her body. Half yawning she said, “It would have been better if she had melted. I would find it much easier to forgive your mother if she were dead.” With that, Kagome’s sapphire oceans closed as sleep took over her body.

Sesshoumaru could not find fault with the first half of her statement, but he did not think his mother would ever warrant forgiveness. He adjusted his bundle so that he could carry her.

Sesshoumaru addressed the two humans, “As soon as you are ready, we depart. She will not be weakened any more than necessary to contain that thing in such a manner.”

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Frois and Daiki were left alone in the room staring at each other. It was Frois who ventured the silence first.

“So, they are real.”

“Hai.”

“Not just local fables.”

“No, not just local fables.”

Frois returned to the silence to reflect on this development. It was straining him to try to force everything to fit within his faith. Shaking his head, he decided he would not fail in this.

“The Lord has decided to test my faith; I will not fail him in this.”

Daiki looked at the Father with an unspoken question in his eyes.

Frois saw this and decided to allow Daiki to understand. “My faith will be strong enough to withstand this test of youkai. Once I have proven myself it will help me in the endeavor of converting more of your fellow countrymen.”

Daiki nodded his head in understanding

Frois continued with his thoughts aloud, “Yes, we will follow these demons to dispose of that evil one and then we will be able to take care of the demons themselves. It is a shame that the woman will fall with them, but not all can be saved.

“Besides, she has already proven how much a servant of Lucifer she is with that shadow thing she keeps as a pet.”

As Daiki listened to the man who had shown him the path to eternal salvation; he felt the queasiness take root within his stomach. Such was his unease at that he began to question his devotion to Father Frois. This could not possibly be the same Father that washed away the sins of Daiki’s youth. No, that man had known infinite patience, shown kindness at every turn.

Mikaboshi must still be connected to the Father, feeding him full of these notions. It would make sense that Mikaboshi would choose the moment when the Father’s faith came into to question to try to manipulate him.

Daiki spoke calmly, “Yes, so the sooner we begin the journey, the sooner glory can be found in the name of Jesus Christ and our Lord.”

“Yes, yes, let us depart soon. It will be very interesting to see what happens when it becomes known that it was a Christian who destroyed this Amatsu-Mikaboshi. No longer will the others be able to deny the power of our faith and Lord.” Nodding his own head vigorously in agreement with himself, Father Frois left to gather what was needed for the journey ahead.

A disillusioned Daiki stood in his wake. What should he do? What could he do? If he warned the youkai of what the Father had said, it would surely mean the life of the priest. Yet, if he kept silent, and it turned out to be more than just Mikaboshi’s influence behind the priest’s words, then it would mean the life of the Breeder. Such a quandary and burden was surely not meant for a simple soldier, yet here he was with the dilemma. The only thing that Daiki could do, without immediately causing threat to someone’s life, was pray.

Yes, he would pray for guidance and the courage to face the future. He left the small conference room to seek out the Chapel. He was on a mission to find the correct patron saint to carry his prayer to the Lord’s ears, so that he might find direction in all of this.

One other thing nagged at the back of his mind. When had he become so protective of the Western Breeder?

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Sesshoumaru stared down at the female within his arms. How much had she endured in her short life? The only one that ever came close to breaking her spirit was him. True, others had broken her mind. The evidence was in her constant talk of rainbows, brick roads, witches, flying monkeys, and some wizard that was not really a wizard. Nevertheless, a mind is more easily repaired than a spirit.

In his reflection on the state of his Kagome … when had she become his Kagome? Loath as he was to admit it, Inuyasha was correct; she was no bitch. While the name was not necessarily an insult, more respect was held within one’s own name. To call her only breeder or bitch would be to deny her worth beyond the value of the roles those titles implied. She was Kagome and she was his.

However, he would have to have a serious discussion, long over-due, with his Kagome once they reached the safety of the Citadel. As her alpha, he could not help her heal from old wounds if he did not know they existed. He had pledged himself to her. He would not be tied to an insane female. She would heal; she would be whole. She would truly be Kagome again, and he, Sesshoumaru, would ensure that it happened before the birth of their pups.

This he silently vowed to her slumbering face.

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AN: Thank you for reading, if you get a chance, please review. I hear talk of the end. It will come, but not without a lemon and definitely not without tying up all the loose ends.