Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Her Spirit ❯ Beginnings... ( Chapter 11 )

Yukio smirked as he darted to the back of his shop, making sure the workers knew to keep the customers up front as he entered a rather ill used storage room in the back. He had confessed to the Higurashi family, and had been very surprised.

Souta had been only slightly gob smacked before a grin had split his face and he had winked at his sister- obviously understanding that she had something to do with his sudden confession. The elder Higurashi had been understandably shocked and horrified, but Kagome had given her grandfather a rather gentle and telling look before he had acquiesced without much of a fuss- just some rather vague mumblings about demons gradually taking over the world and corrupting his family (only palatable because Kagome had smiled with a laugh and the man had come from a deeply devout Shinto family…).

His courted had been stunned before she had gained a rather bemused smile and creased forehead. “I guess I should be used to things like this…” And she had given her two sheepish children a look before she had turned curious eyes to him.

He smiled now as he recalled the conversation he had had with his soon-to-be mate; it seemed that opening up to her allowed her and him to further their relationship. He laughed as he recalled the way grandfather had skirted around all of them for a while that day….

But he shook his head and moved some boxes from the wall in the storage room, unveiling a door that almost looked to be part of the wall. He licked his thumb and then bit it, smearing the blood across the threshold and framework. It lit up from the other side, the blood pooling and glowing as it filled the lines and archaic kanji that covered the door in its power.

When the glow settled, he pushed gently upon the central symbol, far larger than all the rest, and the door swung open. This wasn't a portal, or another room. O far from it. The scrying pool of the shop he owned was renowned amongst the makai rebels for its power and shields. As Yukio watched the strangely solid liquid shift and heard it conform to the door's intrusion with faint water like hisses he couldn't help the sense of pride that rushed along his hanyou veins. He had created this- around the reikai monitors and scales and rules - he had found a way between the worlds. Though, it was only for communicating…

He bowed slightly to it before he pressed his bleeding digit to the water that was yet not water, swiftly drawing the kanji for lord Sesshoumaru in the blood red that testified to his heritage.

While the lord wasn't the main head of the operation…he knew far more than most about the miko and the situation, and would be one of the most important players for their revolution to take place. As far as Yukio knew there really was no `big guy' in this revolution they wanted to start (and finish- the little hopeful voice at the back of his head whispered) as it would be too obvious and far easier for Reikai to track the perpetrators then…and personal goals might get in the way of the whole.

He was after all, one who knew the miko far more personally than Yukio could even accomplish now that he was soon to be her stepfather. They had become two with a warrior bond, and Yukio couldn't help but slightly envy the lord for the friendship they would soon obviously share.

Yukio felt that he could never accomplish that…

He was pulled from these thoughts as the voice echoed from the scrying pool and the shifting colors moved and gathered to collect into the image of Sesshoumaru in all his regal attire.

“You have confessed.”

Yukio shivered at the cool tones of the western lord, always finding it unnerving for him to know so much while not being informed and the way he said it as if he just wanted confirmation… “Yes, only had a little trouble convincing her grandfather.”

Sesshoumaru nodded his head, his eyes getting a far away look that made Yukio shiver again- it just made them appear all the more colder. His eyes snapped back. “That would be the case; he was raised in the older shrines, even though he shows no sign of immense power.” He looked off to the side, obviously listening to someone near by. That was the down side to his scrying pool; it only focused on the two people conversing and nothing else around them. “He will prove to be a useful healer should he aid our cause.”

Yukio nodded, not being able to help himself as the dreamy smile overcame him and his thoughts turned to Ms Higurashi. Sesshoumaru's chuckle brought him to the present and he had the decency to blush at being caught so unguarded by his superior before he sobered. “How are things on that front? I keep on hearing things about the cults and religious sects…surely the heads of reikai are suspicious.”

Sesshoumaru let out a full blown laugh now. “Reikai are paranoid and suspicious yes, but they are also inept without any true loyalty among their ranks. When Enma is away on business and his son is in his place there are no real standards and far less cohesion amongst the work force.”

Yukio thought about this for only a moment before he nodded his head. It was true; there was no use in denying it. “Do you think all will be alright? I am having difficulties picturing the Higurashi family and the other humans adapting- for different reasons of course.”

Sesshoumaru scoffed. “This is what was meant to be, besides,” his eyes got a satisfied gleam in them and Yukio shivered in anticipation. “I have an ace up my sleeve.”

Yukio stood up straighter, craning his head to possibly see around Sesshoumaru and perhaps spot this new weapon. Sesshoumaru chuckled again, holding his hand out and getting a message scroll off of some servant that stood out of view. “I found Jinenji.” He said distractedly as he perused the scroll in his hands.

Yukio actually stumbled back, him being a hanyou of the forest and plants he had always heard tales of the fabled demon who aided the miko with wounds and herbs. He supposed his mouth was gaping and his eyes were wide… “THE Jinenji? He's come forth from his solitude?”

Sesshoumaru smirked, one fang being showcased between his lips in a menacing manner before he replied. “I have lived longer than he, and we met once long ago due the miko.”

Yukio sat back, his fingers falling to his scroll that he had hidden in his pocket. His eyebrows furrowed and he felt the pinprick behind his brow that told him a headache was forthcoming- but he ignored it. This scroll was very important, and Yukio knew that he needed to deliver it to Kagome to inform her of the happenings.

It detailed some things that she would be very anxious to know.

He had collected the scroll from another of the Eschew, a demon by the name of Shiori, and had been told that only Kagome-sama would be the one to read it. And now he was immensely curious. Jinenji himself had put his signature upon the tie holding the paper together, but he had assumed that the old forest hanyou had only sent a message of advice and suggestions- he was after all, a very nonviolent demon.

But now that Jinenji had emerged from his solitude, it seemed that he would be joining what little battle there would be. The Eschew had taken care to gather together unnoticed on the most part, and start marking the territory they had claimed years previous. It would make for a rather bloodless battle, the only resistance really coming from the demons that refused to be controlled by one of their own race instead of a useless spirit brat.

He supposed they knew that the demons would be able to protect a barrier far easier, which meant less of a chance of escape into the ningenkai to wreck havoc and sooth their bloodlust on the weaker race.

Yukio sighed. “I have not heard much about the territory gathering, how goes it?” he looked up imploringly at the lord, watching him tap his scroll against his leg as if deciding what to do with it.

“Inuyasha has secured the alliance of the shadow demons in the south, something about rescuing their kin from a flood due to some fights up the stream that feeds their village…” Yukio's eyebrows raised, shadow demons were a few of the noble demons left, sticking to themselves and furiously hostile to foreigners. “They helped him secure the south, and the central lands are far too bare for any substantial resistance to our movement.” Sesshoumaru paused and gave a considering look to his scroll, his eyes slowly lifting to meet his own. “The wolf demons of the north east have always maintained control of their lands.”

Yukio startled. “The wolf demons are part of the Eschew?!”

The lord smirked. “Kouga was one of the original, before even this Sesshoumaru. He doesn't refrain from violence, but he does agree that we can all live together peacefully and violence is only for defense and survival.”

Yukio braced his arm against a storage shelf, briefly upsetting the packets of powder that was demon food before he gathered his senses and shook of the dizzy sensation of shock and surprise and focused on Sesshoumaru. The wolf demons were a violent lot, but he did now realize that they only fought when threatened or for food, certainly not as violent as indulging in the dark tournament or the like…

“He will have the support of the north, as he feeds and cares for his lands well, and I have the west secured, only having to take out some foolish demons who questioned my authority.” Sesshoumaru snorted, and Yukio smiled as he could picture him thinking something along the lines of `out of sight for a time and they forget their betters…idiots.' “The east is always full of turmoil, but once the miko settles her station that will be amended.”

Yukio shook his head, smiling slightly as he couldn't help not being able to picture his Kagome being the miko so talked about among the Eschew, but he smiled brightly as he remembered her aura, and nodded his head in deference to the lord before he started about breaking the connection.

Sesshoumaru's hand emerged from the liquefied silver mass, the scroll gracefully held in his clawed hand. “Give this to the miko.”

And the connection was gone.

Yukio gaped at the empty scrying pool, wondering how the lord had known he was going the visit the Higurashi house before he shook his head and chuckled. He had a Higurashi woman to visit, and he could give the miko her scrolls then.

.x.

Souta growled at the group coming up the shrine steps, stepping forward to view the whole of them quickly before they could catch sight of him atop the stairs. And then he ran into the house. He knew his sister was up to something, just as he knew his sister really needed to read that scroll she had gotten. Yukio had handed it to her with another scroll, and Kagome had only the time to read one before she had to hide it from their grandfather.

He thought amusedly of the rather quick action he had almost missed, the scroll disappearing up her sleeve (or so he thought anyway, it's not like he could see it anymore) and his grandfather's confusion and claim that his eyes were failing him…

Souta smirked as he ran up the stairs, abruptly coming to stop before his sister's domain and knocking four times. It was a code from their childhood. Anything less than three knocks only meant normalcy, dragging knuckles across the door was a need for company and advice, and four knocks was the claim of knowledge and offer of aid.

She opened the door and pulled him into the room by the scruff of his shirt.

She was grinning widely, displaying her strong pearly teeth, and Souta found the urge to grin in answer too strong and succumbed to it. He was sure they looked rather maniacal…he shook his head and gestured to the already opened scroll, “The other one and we have company coming.”

Her eyes got dazed - as he was getting used to it now that she was home and she had that feel about her - as she went into thought and then quickly snapped back with a nod.

He continued. “The old shrine misses us, and will grant us the privacy you need to read that other scroll you've been dying to open.”

She gave him another smile, far gentler this time. “Thanks are to you. Let's take our leave.” She had been trying to get away from everyone for the whole day, at least since she had received the scrolls, but Mama or gramps had always gone up to her asking something or requesting her to do some chore. Souta grinned once more and jetted out to the back door, double checking his path before he led his sister through the house and to the kitchen. It would be so un-cool to have their superiors catch them now.

They made it out of the house just fine, only having to dodge their grandpapa as he walked out of his room with his face hiding behind a stretched out scroll, his muttering covering the sounds of their giggles and footsteps.

They had to pause once again before they crossed the well swept yard, stilling only to check the stairs and ensure that they had reached their cover in time before they had safely ensconced themselves in the forests that extended the rest of their property.

Not many knew the lands of Higurashi like the children did, not after their father had passed on and the survival and history lessons he had given had ceased. But there was a whole plot of land…forests and even the old village with the old shrine. Most of it was decaying and falling apart- like the well had been. But there was this underlying sense of rightness and spirituality about the place that had always attracted them… well attracted his sister. He had never really understood her desire to stay around the forest, and then she had shown him the shrine and huts and relics and …wow.

There was something about the old shrine...the old village that just engulfed you with its emotions and history…and then his sister had started her tales. The village had come alive to him, the everyday life of Sengoku Jidai permeated even the air and ground he walked on- him being half afraid he would bump into some person he knew was not there.

But now that she had come back out of her coma, he had detected something different in her stories. She used to be energetic and playful in her tales, but now it was as if she was trying to impart some wisdom into him, like she was trying to tell him something. And now he knew she could tell him and she knew he would listen. This was after all, their lands.

Even their mother never knew where to find them when they went out…

So he settled on the ground, what used to be a dirt road now overrun by tufts of weed and sparse shoots of grass and tumbled leaves…. The old huts around him were that faded wood grey- fibers of wood were peeling off and the structures tilting precariously to one side or the other as they told of their age and experience. Kagome settled smiling happily at him as she opened the scroll she hadn't touched earlier. Her smile grew wider as she perused the contents, and she laughed slightly before she closed the scroll with an experienced flick of her wrist and tiny grin.

Souta was confused, there was far more to read on that scroll for her to finish it, yet she hadn't bothered to read the rest. “Sis, don't you need…?”

She smiled at he brother and moved closer to him, hugging Souta to her side and resting her weight comfortably and protectively against his body. “How would you like to hear a story ne?” She grinned impishly, wrinkling her nose at him before looking up at the sky. “This one is true I assure you, and I want you to understand okay? No interruptions and just listen for a while.”

Souta hid his indignant expression; he always listened, but he sensed there was something behind her words. And he found it hard to associate this playful and mysterious woman with his old sister, and even with the woman who needed to go out shopping…

He knocked on his sister's door, slightly worried that the noises he heard were harmful to her person and meant she was in another fit…she mysteriously hadn't had another ever since she had awoken, and still Souta sat on edge. He half expected her to all out collapse into the netherworld, leave him alone with his mother and grandfather and the new father figure…

But he entered her room to find her rooting through her closet, searching through her shelves, and moving about her knick knacks. She was muttering under her breath; `This doesn't fit…I don't remember this…I don't like that…These don't fit…O my god, O my god, O my god. Do I fit?'... The woman that spoke this was uncertain and confused.

She was nothing like the calm and happy child he remembered, but then he guessed he wasn't the same as he used to be either. He had grown, gaining an interest in soccer - hidden from the judging eyes of his peers - and developing the mental and physical capacity to use tactics and his body to the best of his ability. He had become a teenager comfortable with the way he was, although every once in a while he longed to be the small child that got to be comforted by his family…and then Kagome wanted to be the same she was before she went into her coma.

Souta's eyes softened as he went to his sister and hugged her, sniffling back his tears because she needed her strong little brother now and it wouldn't do to get her upset. “Kagome, my sister can change with time- I don't expect her to stay the same after four years…you still fit, we just need to get used to everything again. You fit because you are Kagome.”

She hugged him back and her gaze turned to the window, offering a view of the old grounds and a slight sliver of the sacred tree. “So much has changed…has the village? And have the grounds as well? I can see some of the forest has grown…”

Souta grinned. “Oh I'll take you to see that, but first we need to take you shopping.”

So he guessed he couldn't really say that, he just needed to get used to it. And he relaxed under her arm and just listened, something he was very glad he had learned to do a long time ago. And now he was very glad that Kagome was his sister, as her tales seemed to have gotten even more enrapturing…

“This scroll details what's happening in the makai, what those knowledgeable enough about spirits and demons call the demon realm. The makai is mirrored for spirits in the reikai, and ningenkai where we live.”

In his mind he could see it, a giant barrier of pure energy and effort that settled between the dimensions, holding apart the races as best it could…

“This scroll is telling me that the makai lands are being secured as we speak, the revolution is underway.”

Souta startled, easily able to picture groups of strangers - demons now that he listened to his sister's stories and remembered - as they shouted orders and laughed and gathered and fought over land and territory. Rarely was it that it was a clean political victory.

A tall demon with black hair and flashing blue eyes fought in the rain, directing some wolves and canine looking humans to defend a border of some territory Souta couldn't see.

“Now, back in the sengoku jidai era, when this village was new and blossoming with rice and prosperity, humans, miko, houshi, and demon all roamed the lands. It was a constant struggle, survival of the fittest, but there were the few that weren't so few. The silent majority if you will.”

The village was alive, children laughing and running about playing in the fresh streets, huts were just being built, new wood and the smell of sap greeting him as he watched the villagers go about their daily life in wonder. Small little animals darted between passerby's feet, and happily greeted some wicked looking warriors with large weapons strapped to their persons.

“They were all held in check by the noblest demons, and the humblest of miko;” a smile flashed across her face, one of amusement and laughter, “though I shouldn't say that of all, some of them had rather colorful personalities.”

Souta laughed.

“The miko were held to their duty, protect the people of their village and ensure the health of crops and denizens.”

He could see the white and red robed woman walking down the town's streets, smiling at the children who hailed her happily and respectfully and nodding at the adults who greeted her.

“And then a strange miko appeared one day, changing what all they thought. She was part of that silent majority- but who was she to stay silent? She spoke of honor and loyalty, mercy and compassion, strength and passion. She was what they called the Heiwa no miko…”

Souta was confused at the blurred images, only getting the gist of a battle and a jewel, some traveling companions that were not of the same race, before the colors blurred and the images sped up to a confusing mass of time and memory.

“…She welcomed all into her fold, and she taught that all could work together for the greater good; a prosperity from mutual coexistence. She learned as she went, discovering a plot to forever separate the land and further widen the rift between the races. It saddened her and the great plan was born. It would come into play centuries later, where the land had despaired with the turmoil of the dimensions…”

Souta lost himself in the tale, realizing on some level that it was the truth, but not bothering to acknowledge it at the moment. How could he when the words she wove woke these pictures in his mind? How could he focus entirely when the tale she told was consuming his imagination and leading him to far away and long ago?

Ad he had the feeling, as she ended her tale and looked at him with that smile and a gleam in her eye, that she was asking him something. So he smiled back and hugged her briefly. “I'm always on your side.” And as the story caught up with him… he grinned. “I can't wait to see the faces of the regular ningens…”

And they laughed, letting it ring out along the huts and trees of their lands.

Because some things were just better to laugh about together, and now his sister was at ease. He supposed he could live with the changes that were sure to be wrought, as long as she was happy.

And he smiled and settled, listening to her finish reading the scroll out loud, marveling at the strength of these demons and wondering when the time would come. It would seem that life was going to be more interesting for while, at least until it settled.

That was okay.

Bring it on.

.x.X.x.