AN: Sorry for the delay, guys, I was angling for a promotion at work but… well I didn't get it even after all the extra hours I did so I was pretty much depressed lately. So sorry If I wasn't really in the mood to write anything. Thanks for the reviews, guys; they totally helped me out of the depression a lot.
E.A.N.: By the way, thank one of my best reviewers Izadleen for the childbirth scene. She really pushed for it and I couldn't say no to her. Also special thanks to Bishounen'sFoxyMiko! Her song suggestions garnered a lot of inspiration for this fanfic; thanks so much! AND TO ALL YOU FOLKS AND YOUR BRILLIANT IDEAS ON HOW TO GET RID OF WRITER'S BLOCKS! This chapter is for you!
AN: Please enjoy! ^_^v
Chapter 28
When the Original king Shinou founded Shin Makoku all those thousands of years ago he did not just make a promise to the land. He made a blood pact the likes of which would perhaps never be seen again in the history of the world he was living in. It was a bond that tied his very soul to the earth and the moment his physical body died his spirit bound itself to the land and became its physical representation instead. It was the reason that although the present Maou Yuuri freed him from the suffering he had to endure with Sousho he still managed to come back; his soul pure and unaffected by the ravages of time and the existence of heaven and hell.
When the flowers and the trees bloomed, he felt their scent more than smelt them.
When the rains fell hard and wreaked havoc, he felt every drop from the very center of his being.
Even while he was inside the boxes keeping Sousho from the rest of the world he felt each and every existence come to life and meet its end in this land he had sworn his eternity to.
So it was only natural that he felt the presence of that strange power the moment it stepped on the land. He didn't notice it for its magnanimous existence; in fact; it was such a faint presence it may as well have been the presence of a bird merely taking its rest on one of the branches of a tree; coming a long way from the merciless weather of the North where Great Shimaron lay in all its half baked glory. Shinou looked around but found none of the other priestesses who attended him noticing this strange power but he saw the faint crease on Ulrike's smooth brow. As his chosen Head Priestess it would only be natural that she be given part of the bond he shared with the land hence her ability to remain looking younger than most Mazoku for a very long time.
"Ulrike," he stood up from one of the three boxes that lingered on his dais. The silver haired priestess looked up at him in surprise. "I'm going out."
Ulrike could only blink before bowing her head to the blond former king in obedience.
Once Shinou stepped out of the Original King's palace, the presence struck him in a familiar manner. It reminded him of the first time Lady Kagome appeared in this world. But where Kagome's powers felt like the bloody petals of spring that promised a kind death this power felt like a cruel winter that promised suffering that even death would seem like a mercy. It was anything but kind.
Shinou, in his miniaturized form started gliding through the air and followed the presence to Blood Pledge castle. Curiously, as he stood on the castle walls he noted the uneasiness of the kotsuhizoku. But like Ulrike, although they could feel something was amiss they did not seem to know what to do about it. They cannot identify whether it was a friend or enemy. They could not overreact, though, since Shinou knew they needed to be careful. The Lady Kagome's presence and her strange power made them think so because of the regard their accepted Maou.
Sending them a signal to keep them silent and not alarm the other residents just yet Shinou jumped off the walls and continued following that strange presence. He was surprised to find it leading him towards the dungeons and not the royal quarters. At least now he knew it wasn't here to assassinate the Maou or any of the other officials.
He noted the presence of guards happily chattering about while keeping a vigilant eye on the surrounding area. It seemed they noticed nothing amiss but Shinou knew someone was down there. He stepped into the dungeons, walked around and listened.
The Mazoku Founder stopped in his tracks when he heard the distinct clamoring of iron; faint but unmistakable. Taking off at a run, he stopped at a corridor that led to Koritsu's cell and got ready to defend when he saw the sight of thick black ominous smoke forming in front of the bars. If one looked closely one could probably make a figure out of the dense fog but it was too dense to make out its gender. Shinou could see Koritsu's hand reaching out for the black cloud and when the Founder looked closer, he could swear he saw a pair of luminous ruby red eyes glaring through the smoke.
"Master!" the blond heard the prisoner cry; the tone of adoration and worship clinging to the word like a thorn. "Master! You've come to save me! I knew you would not leave me here!"
A piece of the smoke brushed across the outstretched hand lightly and if it were an actual hand then Shinou might have believed it was a caress of some sort. And then a voice made its way to the blonde's ears. It was a rasping voice, difficult to determine whether it was man or woman but it had a breathless quality as though the speaker was having difficulty breathing. Almost like a death rattle. "Where… is… the priestess…?"
"The witch," he heard Koritsu falter. "I… don't know. They kept me here for so long I haven't heard of any news from the outside world! She must be with the Maou. She's always with the Maou! Or Princess Greta!"
"The Maou… is no longer… here…" continued the labored words as the smoke continued to float in front of the cell. "The Maou… is… nowhere… in… the castle…"
"P-perhaps he went on a trip?" Koritsu swallowed. "He is known for his unexpected visits to the oddest of places, after all!"
"…I… see…" the smoke then withdrew from Koritsu who continued reaching out for it. "You did… well… Koritsu… despite your… failure…"
"That is because I love you…!" Shinou frowned at the complete and utter devotion he could hear from the human's words. "I would do anything for you!"
"I… know…" the raspy voice seemed amused now. "You… said once… that you would even die for me… did you not…?"
"Of course! My love for you is immeasurable! I hold you dear even over my own life!"
"Then fulfill… that promise…" the piece of the smoke that was caressing the dark skinned man earlier suddenly morphed into a deadly steel lance right before Shinou's narrowing eyes. "You will be… more useful to me… dead… than alive…"
With one quick move the lance went in between the bars but before it hit Koritsu's dark throat Shinou willed his maryouko to shield him, saving the man from certain death.
The figure in smoke turned towards him and ruby eyes glared in his direction. "And who… are you…?"
Shinou merely smirked confidently at the intruder. "I am lord of this land."
"The… Maou…?"
"The Maou right now is my predecessor," Shinou corrected the entity. "But I am lord here no less."
"I see…" the smoke hissed with bitter malice. "The Original King…"
"I'm flattered that you know of me not that I can blame you," Shinou tried to identify something— someone out of that dense smoke as he spoke. "What brings you to Shin Makoku?"
The figure in the smoke hissed, already knowing what he was trying to do. "You are… supposed to be… dead!"
"Technically I am," Shinou raised a hand, palm outward towards the creature. "It doesn't make me less powerful, though. You are in my domain after all. Other than the Maou my power here is absolute."
"The power of the dead… is never absolute." The entity mocked him. "That is why… I am searching for… eternal life…!"
Shinou narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brows at it. What can such a thing know about death? And then the apparition started to dissipate. "Wait!"
"I have waited… long enough… demon…" the figure hidden in the smoke wheezed as it glared at him. "I have waited… for far… too long…! I… refuse to be… kept from… what is rightfully… mine! Now that she has come here… now that IT is finally in my reach again… I refuse to falter…!"
"MASTER! NO, DON'T LEAVE ME!" Koritsu yelled from his cell and Shinou could see the young human trying to press himself against the bars in a futile attempt to chase after the disappearing entity but he was ignored.
Shinou felt the presence disappear bit by bit from the land and felt the huge wave of relief come from the entire kingdom at the disappearance of their unwanted guest. He was struck by the realization that such a slight presence actually created such stress in the land. This entity was but a mere puff of smoke and yet it had caused such an underlying tension in the very nature that made up Shin Makoku. This may be much more dangerous than he thought. He would have to discuss this with Daikenja when he returned.
"WHO'S THERE? HOW DARE YOU HURT THE MASTER?" Koritsu began to yell but Shinou ignored this. Unless he was standing right in front of the cell, the human would not be able to see him. "I SAID WHO IS OUT THERE? ANSWER ME! I'LL KILL YOU!"
The blond former Maou made it to the surface and outside the dungeon just in time for the guards to react to Koritsu's shouting and rush downstairs to find out what was wrong. Shinou threw a protective ring around the dungeon to protect the prisoner just in case the entity returned. Until Yuuri decided what to do with the prisoner then he must not die.
Standing on the hill overlooking the town and town walls Shinou silently bade Yuuri, Daikenja, the brothers and yes, even Lady Kagome to come back.
This country will need them very soon.
/*****/
"My love, are you there? I'm back with Kagome-sa—"
Kintaro took one look at his wife upon entering the small hut; saw all the blood gushing out from between her legs…
And promptly fainted.
Kagome sweat dropped alongside a slowly blinking and pale Gwendal who were both standing just outside the small hut's threshold. They were following the enthusiastic father to be when he toppled over like a six foot slender house of cards. Gwendal started nudging him out of Kagome's way with the toe of his boot into a corner of the threshold like a particularly distasteful piece of rubbish.
The old midwife attending to the birth who had been standing at the mother to be's feet curled her upper lip at the young man in disgust. "This is why men should not be allowed into the birthing chamber."
"Can you really blame him?" Kagome asked wryly, wincing as Gwendal resorted to kicking the unconscious man right into a corner when Kintaro's unconscious body refused to move. "He must have been in shock."
"Then they shouldn't make babies if they can't handle the sight of a woman in labor." The old crone retorted. "And you just keep on letting them off lightly, Kagome-sama!"
He watched Kagome brush the scathing criticism aside and started tying her hair back while practically flying at the mother to be's side. He couldn't help but watch the complete concentration on her face as her whole focus settled on her patient, oblivious to the world around her. The healer part of her already at work and like that time when he saw her take control of the village that was almost attacked by the passing army because of Inuyasha and Kikyou's insolence her entire demeanor changed and glowed with sincerity and determination. And he was dazzled by it.
True he had seen plenty Mazoku women with such an expression on their faces; it was understood that man or woman it didn't matter as long as one has chosen their path in life and had chosen to live it with joy. His mother was chosen as Maou at the age of sixteen and Annisina resolved to be an inventor against all opposition from her family at the same age. When Gisela and Julia turned that age they were both already renowned in their fields of expertise… To see the same expression on the face of the woman he loved made him extremely proud. And that she would do it with such compassion made her even more worthy in his eyes.
"K-Kagome-sama…" the sweaty Mariko called out to her as she came to kneel beside the young woman. The mother to be held onto the hand Kagome held out like a person about to drown. Kagome could see the fear in her dark eyes as she looked into them and squeezed the hand that held her back. "Thank Kami you're here… Please… help me…!"
"It's alright, I'm here, let's take a look, okay?" she said in a voice so gentle it made Gwendal stare.
She lay her hand on the woman's distended belly and felt around gently. What she found seemed to have disturbed her greatly. She then stood up to face the old woman. "Chiziru-baa, I'm going to need a piece of smooth wood that I can use to roll on her back around this thick." She made a circle with the tips of her thumb and forefinger to indicate the size. "And I'm going to need more hot water."
"Yes, Kagome-sama." the old woman said and rushed out of the room to acquire what she needed even though she had a perplexed look on her face.
Kagome nodded.
Gwendal stiffened, realizing where he was and asking himself what he was doing there until her exotic ebony eyes looked up and met his blue ones pleadingly. "Gwendal, I'm sorry about this but can you help us out a bit?"
The dark haired Mazoku forced himself to frown at this and saw Kagome wince. "I'm sorry, I know, but since Kintaro can't do it then you're the next best thing I have."
The Mazoku lord blinked. Although the next-best-thing comment held a little innuendo for him he still could not ignore that, instead of demanding his assistance like his mother and the other women of his acquaintance who took it for granted that he would help them no matter what whenever or wherever they needed help, Kagome just asked him rather sheepishly. He didn't know whether this meant she still thought of him as a stranger despite all the… erm… informalities they have gone through or if she just wanted to afford him with a measure of respect. Either way, he liked it. It didn't demean him as a man like Annissina would often do whenever she needed his 'help'.
So how can he really say no?
"Of course." He took his sword and sheathe off and leaned it against the wall, walking over to the bed beside her. "What should I do?"
"Please have her carefully turned over. I want her on all fours."
"Wha—?"
"It's fine," Kagome cut him off and began tying the sleeves of her haori back, face set. "I know what I'm doing."
Gwendal blinked for a moment, wanting to question such a technique because it sounded potentially harmful to the mother to be but then he was reminded of how little he knew about childbirth when Mariko started trying to get up.
"P-please…" she panted, reaching out to him. "Help me…"
Gwendal grimaced but reached out his strong hands and gently turned her over as effortlessly as he would a child. She was now on all fours and was yelling in pain.
"You can rest your shoulders on the bed," Kagome told her, kneeling behind the woman now and massaging her back with agile fingers. "Just breathe and don't think of anything else."
"I-I'll go outside now." Gwendal stood up and was going for the door awkwardly.
Kagome spared him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Gwendal."
Gwendal had to stop and bask in it. Somehow that smile satisfied him and made him want to do more for her.
"Kagome-sama, I've brought what you asked for." The old woman came in, pushing past the Mazoku lord in a hurry.
"Thank you, Chizuru-baa." Kagome took the piece of wood and started rolling it on Mariko's back.
The old woman nodded approvingly. "I see; you want her to relax."
Kagome nodded; sweat beading on her brows as she worked. "I need her to relax so her opening can widen."
Gwendal's face turned red as the meaning of all this sank in and he struggled not to cough in embarrassment.
Kagome didn't even notice. "Alright, Mariko-chan, please breathe like this."
Gwendal watched her demonstrate the breathing technique Yuuri had insisted on during boat rides and he would hold an oar. Mariko obeyed without question. The Mazoku general continued to watch Kagome work until he realized just where he was and what he was doing and rushed outside carrying Kintaro's still happily unconscious form and dumped him in front of the door and waited while leaning against the wall of the hut, his arms over his chest, quietly listening to the sounds of activity within.
How long has it been since he was in this position?
Ah yes; four years ago when Elu was born at Blood Pledge Castle right after he pardoned the child's father for his past transgressions.
Back then he was incredulous that even in the matter of childbirth, everyone looked to him for the next step. For what to do next. Thank Shinou Gisela and Annisina were there as he didn't have a single idea how to handle a woman in labor. And now this. Sometimes it was as if the heavens were trying to tell him something.
He could still remember the anxiety and the worry he felt despite trying to calm Hube down with his entire liquor stock and checking whether or not his brothers or the Maou were under any undue stress. Of course the only one who was under the most panic was Yuuri even though he tried to cheer everyone up with lame jokes and assurances. He smirked at the memory.
At that time, watching his estranged cousin's pale and worried face, he wondered privately if he would ever be that anxious during the birth of his own child. He had brushed the thought off soon after Elu was born thinking it would be worth it to bring such an adorable soul to greet the world. But now he thought of Kagome going through such pain… Gwendal swallowed the bile that suddenly found itself up his throat even as his stomach turned to ice.
He would be damned first before he subjected his beloved to such pain and despair. Having her there with him, living and sharing an entire lifetime with him was more than enough. He did not need an heir as long as Elu was there anyway. As he is of the von Voltaire line and the cutest by far he had no problems leaving the von Voltaire lordship and everything it held in the boy's hands when he came of age and his court had no objections to it. The boy will be beloved. Of course he had yet to bring this up with his cousin but he found no reason for Hube to object to his proposal. There might be some resistance from his mother's side of the family being the traditionalists that they were but he was sure he can make the necessary arrangements to secure Elu's claim to the position and he and Kagome could—
"Gwendal?"
He blinked, surprised and wondering how he had not managed to hear her come close. How long has it been already? But he maintained his composure, confident that she was not in any sort of danger. "Yes?"
She looked worried and it was enough to perk his concern. "Can you come in for a sec?"
"Is it the baby?"
She looked helpless, her brow was drenched in sweat and it was obvious that her arms had grown tired. "I need your help again."
He didn't need any more words. Nodding to her to lead the way they both entered the hut again.
Inside it seemed as though no progress has been made. The baby had still not been delivered and the poor woman was still in pain and on her hands and knees. Kagome knelt beside the mother to be with a solemn look on her face and she held Mariko's hand gently.
"W-what is it…?" the pale faced Mariko asked, grabbing hold of her sleeve in reflex, her eyes wide and terrified. "Is something wrong…?"
"I want you to listen very carefully, alright, Mariko-chan." the ebony eyed priestess began earnestly.
The mother to be nodded slowly after taking a deep breath to relax herself again despite her building anxiety.
"The baby's turned in the wrong direction," Kagome began to explain and halted at the way the young woman on the bed widened her eyes at the news. "I'm sorry it took me too long to notice. It's fine, I've dealt with this before though so you don't need to worry. What we need to do is to get the baby out quickly and I'm going to need your help by cooperating and trusting me. Do you trust me, Mariko-chan?"
"Y-yes…!" the pale faced Mariko asked, grabbing hold of her sleeve in reflex, her wide eyes were terrified but promising the priestess the whole world if she had to. "I will do…" she winced as a contraction hit. "Everything Kagome-sama wants…!"
Kagome nodded and smiled before turning her eyes to pierce the Mazoku general's. "Gwendal, turn her over, put your arms around her torso and make sure you hold onto her tightly. Mariko-chan, this is going to take a while but we need to get the baby out very soon alright?"
"Al… right!"
If Gwendal had any say in it, he would have run out the door and never looked back. Being given the position of lord at an early age he was expected to be dependable in every manner of life. But being male meant there were still some things he dared not breach despite the fact that he had borne witness to the birth of two brothers who were far younger than he was. Nevertheless he lifted Mariko and held her chest against his making sure she was as comfortable as possible. He could deny Kagome nothing.
"What are you going to do?" the old woman Kagome called Chizuru asked as she fretted over a pot of steaming hot water. "This birth is too dangerous! I say save the mother and let the child go! She will have others—"
"No!" Kagome replied firmly with gritted teeth as she knelt at the foot of the bed and lifted the covers of the young woman Gwendal was now holding close. He could see the complete rejection of this idea in her onyx eyes that burned with the heat of the fires from the stove nearby that kept the room warm. "I can do this. I just need her to relax so her opening can widen."
Gwendal's face turned red as the meaning of all this sank in and he struggled not to cough in embarrassment.
Kagome didn't even notice. "Alright, Mariko-chan, please breathe."
Mariko breathed again and Gwendal tried not to wince at the way the woman was digging her nails into his arm. If he were human he was sure he would have been bleeding by now. Moments passed by as he struggled to keep himself and Mariko calm. He was about to ask Kagome if she was done when she stepped back and took a look under the covers, the old woman Chizuru holding a small lamp high to make them see better.
"It's open," the pleased look on Kagome's face made Gwendal relieved even as her hard breathing worried him. She then turned to Mariko. "Everything is going to be alright, Mariko-chan."
All the mother to be could do was nod. Gwendal felt her grip on him grow tighter.
"I see the feet now; they're so pale! And small…!" she told the young woman; Gwendal wanted to question the significance of such a statement when he saw the excitement light up in the patient's eyes. "When I say 'now', I want you to push as hard as you can, alright?"
Mariko nodded again.
"Gwendal, I need you to hold on to her tightly. I'm pulling the baby out."
"A-alright." He answered, swallowing hard; the scent of blood and putrid human scents assaulting him and making him go dizzy but he kept his focus on Kagome. He will not fail her.
"It's here," Kagome announced again and she nodded to the old woman to hold the lamp up higher. "Here it comes, Mariko-chan… NOW!"
Mariko cried in his eyes so loudly and so high pitched that Gwendal could swear his eardrums had shattered and he winced, closing his eyes while holding the woman close to his chest. Gwendal looked up after a moment only to see Kagome holding the grotesque sight of an unmoving child in her hands and Chiziru shaking her head sadly.
"I told you it's impossible," the old woman said. "I have never seen such a birth with a live child resulting from it."
"W-what is happening?" Mariko sobbed against his chest as she tried to twist her neck to look around but Gwendal's hand on her head prevented her. "Why is there no crying? Why isn't my baby crying?"
The Mazoku lord could think of no other way to spare the young woman the sight of her child's dead body and looked up hopelessly, needing Kagome to tell him what to do next in this unfamiliar territory he found himself suddenly in but what the ebony haired priestess did instead shocked him into stillness.
Kagome's lips were on the child's and it looked as though… she were pushing air into its mouth.
"Kagome-sama, what are you doing?!" Chizuru cried out in disbelief.
"What's happening?!" Mariko cried out, weakly trying to push away from Gwendal's chest. "My baby! I want to see my baby!"
But then the protests were replaced by the sound of a squalling child. The dark Mazoku lord's eyes widened and watched the scene of Kagome smiling proudly down at the bloody, crying baby in her hands even as the old woman cut the cord with a sharp knife that had been sunk in the pot full of steaming water, shaken in her own disbelief.
"It's a girl…" Kagome breathed to Mariko who was slowly easing up on her panting, worn out from her labor. "It's a beautiful, live baby girl…!"
Mariko started laughing in joy and relief and Gwendal gently set her down on the bed so she could rest before standing up and watched as Kagome gently cleaned the baby. He was arrested by the infinite tenderness and joy that seemed to light up every pore of her skin. Her sweat glittering like so much fairy dust dancing around a campfire. And a smile that Gwendal thought was enough of an encouragement for the child in her arms to live.
Gwendal watched as the dark haired miko wrapped the cleaned child in a light blue kimono and placed in her mother's arms who immediately started cooing at the little being.
The sound of the laughter and crying must have finally woken up Kintaro because that was about the time when he came stumbling in. They left the little family in their bliss.
"That was close; I really thought the child was going to die!" Chizuru-baa sighed, wiping at her forehead with the sleeve of her kimono. "What holy magic did you use, Kagome-sama? Is this part of the Shikon no Tama's power?"
"No," Kagome breathed out, rubbing at her arms with a smile at the old woman. "It's called mouth to mouth resuscitation. I took a course on first aid three years back in summer."
"Re- resus-ci…?" Gwendal almost laughed at the sight of the old woman twisting her tongue around the word.
"It's forcing breath back into a body that is not breathing," Kagome tried to simplify the explanation sheepishly, realizing she was using future lingo again. "Blow the breath into them in the same pattern your heart beats so they'll beat the same way. You can also use it for people who had stopped breathing after drowning."
The old woman's eyes widened before bowing her head to the younger woman in deep respect. "Thank you so much, Kagome-sama. I have learned something new from you today."
"It was my pleasure," Kagome returned the older woman's bow. "They should be alright but I want to be sure nothing goes wrong. You can go on ahead and rest, Chizuru-baa."
"But should you not rest as well, Kagome-sama?" the old woman fussed. "You must be tired after all your travels."
"I'll be fine," Kagome assured the old woman. "I just need to be sure nothing else will go wrong for them."
"Very well, please call for me again if you need any more help."
"Of course; thank you very much for your hard work." Kagome bowed respectfully back to the old woman.
They both watched the old woman trot away and when she was finally out of sight, Kagome slumped down on the ground and leaned against the hut's wall with a sigh.
"You're tired." Gwendal stated, looking down at her, wondering what to do.
"Well put, Sherlock."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing," she smiled up at him as she continued to knead her arms. "Are you alright? Are you tired?"
"Didn't I just ask you that question?" he asked her with a frown.
"Don't mind me, I'm pretty used to this kind of life," she laughed softly at him. "Once you get used to it; this is actually the easy part."
The knot between Gwendal's brows went deeper. "You have been through a lot."
"I've been through what an ordinary person would go through had they been living in this time period," she answered firmly, making it clear to him that she didn't need any pity. "Just the way you must have gone through the life you were expected to have back in Shin Makoku."
The Mazoku general blinked several times before sighing and giving into the desire to sit next to her in the manner he had never been able to do since he was very young. It was a relaxed sort of pose where his usually straight shoulders were hunched over, knees apart and elbows resting on his knees. At first he was afraid she would gape at him and how strange he was acting but she merely spared him a glance and then continued to massage her arms.
He relaxed. "How is this easy?
She smiled but was too concerned of her aches to glance at him. "Trust me; running around with people eating demons and nobles constantly at war with each other at your back 24/7? Since day one I would always have to expect that I would kill someone. Being able to help bring life to this world however… Well, after all that death and destruction, it's something that makes me proud. Somehow it makes me feel that my life is more than just death and destruction of enemies. That's why I never skip a chance to help treat the injured and try to heal the sick. Compared to having to negotiate trade and evade marriage proposals not to mention the constant threats to your life this is actually the peaceful part of life here. You can say it makes me feel good to have the knowledge that I can aid in living instead of dying."
"You don't have to do this, surely?"
"That's true," this time, she did look his way. "But I want to help them. They are my people."
The Mazoku lord raised his brows at the pride inherent in her voice. "You do not feel bitter at all? Despite the fact that they consume all your time and energy that you have no time for yourself? Wasn't all that a part of Kikyou's bitterness?"
Kagome shook her head with a small smile. "I kinda felt that way at first. And then I got to know all these people and realized how they needed someone like me. Right now, I just feel blessed."
"Blessed?"
"Yes, blessed," she shot him a sheepish half smile. "People always look for a purpose in life. Be it being a loving mother; a faithful lover or a warrior who protects his home and lord. These duties give me a purpose in life and because of that I don't feel lonely. You have duties a lord too; do you feel unfortunate because you have them?"
Gwendal blinked; no one has ever asked him that question before and now that he thought about it, he realized he only had one answer. "No, I don't. I love my country and my family. I will do everything for them."
"Same here," she grinned at him. "Do you realize that there are hundreds of people looking for a purpose in their lives and they sometimes use up a lifetime to try and find it… and yet here we are now living their most desired wishes? Some people even depend on the existence of others to find it. Take your brother Conrad, for example."
Gwendal blinked; he certainly wasn't expecting his younger brother to be used as an example.
"I've heard stories from Yuuri and while I was in Shin Makoku, Lady Cherie kinda talked about him a lot. From what I've heard, even before Yuuri came along and he became the Lion of Luttenberg, he had no sense of purpose; he didn't know where to belong. As the second son of the Maou he had no choice but to join the military and because he was half human he was probably just as shunned as Inuyasha was here. He had nowhere to fit in until Gunter apparently taught him how to set himself apart by taking him as his student. And then Yuuri came along… Sorry I can't count Julia; although she gave him purpose and joy she was in love with another man."
Gwendal blinked again wondering how she had managed to peg his younger brother so well with just a few tales. His mother must have been extremely talkative.
"I have what people like him have always been dying to have. A purpose in life," her smile was serene and content. "That's enough to make me feel lucky in my book."
Again Gwendal could clearly see the similarities between his Maou and this miko but her views and the way she handled things made him realize just how much they had spoiled Yuuri. "How did you manage?"
Kagome blinked and turned towards him in confusion. "Eh? Manage what?"
He met her eyes with his. "How did you manage to be what you are right now despite knowing what you know?"
"Seriously?"
His expression was enough of an answer so he chose not to grace her with a reply. Usually this irritated a lot of people who didn't know him but she brushed it off as though she had known him all her life.
"Well," Kagome shrugged. "This is just the way I want to live. Every other way just seems so… complicated. Besides, with friends like mine why shouldn't I feel secure?"
He tried but he couldn't stop himself. He chuckled softly.
Like her twin, Kagome had the mysterious ability to gather capable people around her. Or at least as capable as this place had to offer.
Kagome pouted at him. "Hey, what's so funny?"
Prussian blue eyes made Kagome feel a flutter of warmth in her belly and if she wasn't already sitting she probably would have fallen down at the warmth they poured on her like a warm blanket in cold night.
"Nothing. I just think you're amazing." He said, chuckling.
Kagome's breath stopped and her heart sped up in her chest. She could find the words to retaliate and all she could do was look away to try and hide the blush on her cheeks. Maybe it was wrong of her to wish Gwendal would smile more often. That low laugh was enough to drive a woman to her knees if he wanted to. It should be criminal.
"Come; let me see your back." Kagome shot him a curious glance but he just continued smiling that sweet little half smile of his that made it difficult for her to breathe.
"W-what for?" she hesitated; not really trusting her voice or her confused emotions anymore.
"I am a soldier; I have experience for what ails you." He told her as large, warm hands turned her so that her back was facing him and started gently kneading her shoulders. "As I thought; your shoulders, arms and back are all tense."
His voice was low and warm. Like spiced sake on a winter day that coursed down her throat in languid burn before settling in her stomach with a slow but sure warmth. It made her feel so good that it almost felt like sin even as she softly moaned while he planted just the right pressure to massage her aches away.
Gwendal stilled for a moment, swallowing hard, desire instantly hitting him like a punch in the gut. Surely that soft little sound from her lips was illegal. But he wanted to hear it again. He wanted to hear it again oh so much.
He continued massaging her shoulders and neck until he noticed her head drooping. She was asleep. He figured she must hav been dead tired after everything that had happened since they stepped into this time. The desperate Mazoku lord looked around; making sure no one would bear witness to his actions before he gave in to his longing and pulled the sleeping priestess' back against his chest and buried his face in her hair to breathe her beautiful scent relishing in the healing peace it brought his whole being, relieving it of its aching while silently praying in his mind.
Tonight… If only for tonight… please allow me to be selfish… Just until I can make her mine…
He guarded and held her like that all through that night keeping her warm and protected. Savoring every second and anxiously promising himself there would come a time when he would not have to hide this desire from her or anyone else.
She will be his.
/*****/
Miroku woke up with the sun as was his custom.
Although childbirth and motherhood had prevented her from doing so lately he usually shared the same habit with his dear wife. Years of pursuing Naraku and always getting up with a demanding hanyou on their backs to get moving have pounded the habit into them and he carried that with him even now.
As per his habit, he got the basket of wood and his trusty carving knife with him and left the shrine to make his way over to his favorite spot. A wide stump of a tree they had cut down a long time ago when they had started making plans rebuilding the village underneath a flourishing sycamore. It was Miroku's favorite place.
Back during their wandering days he and his companions have usually been conditioned to the habit by Inuyasha's sniping and snarling and he remembered Kagome being the only one who had had trouble adjusting in the end. Because of this Miroku assumed that all people who came from her era was the same. So he was quite surprised to see the young man she had called Murata Ken standing under the sycamore tree looking out up onto the mountains surrounding the village like a natural great wall.
Miroku didn't mind company so as he came near, he raised his free arm to call out a greeting but… hesitated all of a sudden.
He really wasn't sure what it was but there was just something about the way this young man just stood there that made him look older and somehow.. less human to Miroku.
Frowning, the monk blinked and looked again.
It was still the same.
It almost felt like seeing a kami… or a rather powerful, beautiful demon with jet black hair and a flowing black robe…
Miroku started when he realized he was being stared at by a pair of endless ebony eyes and he tried to get his composure back on, embarrassed at being caught staring.
"G-good morning, Murata-dono!" Miroku barely resisted the urge to bow low in front of this person and wondered what was wrong with him.
This person was no lord or higher noble. He wasn't even born in this era and yet after seeing such an after image Miroku felt an overwhelming push to show this person respect. It was an odd feeling.
"Good morning." Ken smiled back with his usual grin as he fully turned to the monk with a small wave. "And please call me Ken; Murata-dono makes me feel weird."
Miroku chuckled and shook his head at his earlier thoughts. Why was he so afraid? Ken was human albeit quite a perplexing one.
However.
Despite the affable smiles and the easy, soft spoken words and good humor Miroku was having a hard time placing this person's species. For all walks and purposes the younger man was human; adept with all the concepts of human culture and nature. He did not have the obvious beauty or disfigurement of a hanyou and neither did he display or emit any sort or form of reiki so he was no monk. However Miroku could feel power from him. The same kind of power in this young man displayed by Kagome's twin and the three brothers who acted more like royalty than guards for these three; a power that seemed like a purer and much more undiluted form of the youki displayed by the demons here in this place. From what he had gathered from Kagome he was Yuuri's Great Sage. If he were correct in interpreting such a grand title then he may be a lord's most trusted advisor. Kagome was a gifted storyteller so the way talked about Shin Makoku was vivid in their minds no matter how incredulous some of the things may be so both he and Sango had some idea how important this person was to a kingdom of such a grand scale.
Something about him did not sit right with Miroku. He just wished he knew what it was.
"Very well. How are you enjoying your stay so far? I hope you had a fitful rest." Miroku tried again for another normal conversation, trying to shake off the odd feeling the younger man gave him.
"Oh I did, thank you for your hospitality," The bespectacled young man waved off the bow as he came closer. "Your wife is an excellent cook."
"Thank you," Miroku's grin widened proudly. "It took her a while to learn but we all survived. She is truly a prize and I thank Kami-sama I convinced her to marry me every day of my life. Just don't tell her that."
"You're secret is safe with me." Ken answered with a chuckle as he stood before the violet eyed father of three.
Content at this, Miroku settled onto his tree trunk, brought out his carving knife and took out a piece of wood from the basket he had with him and began carving. For a moment, Ken watched him until the flat edges of a talisman slowly made its way under his knife.
"What is that you're doing?" Ken suddenly broke the silence between them. "It looks like one of the talismans at Old Kaede's village."
Miroku smiled up at the younger man brightly. "Why yes, you have a sharp eye, Ken-dono. Kagome-sama and I make these talismans from various aged trees to sell. It helps the economy of our villages and protects us from harm. Even high born nobles place orders for our talismans especially when they hear the name of the Shikon no Miko attached to it."
"Wow, that's a pretty amazing advertising strategy." Ken commented, eyeing the talismans with new respect.
"Yes that was what Kagome-sama called it!"
Ken laughed. "I see. Well since her grandfather runs a souvenir shop at their shrine I guess she might have picked up a few things."
"Yes, she mentioned that too." Miroku nodded. "Besides that, Kagome-sama's reiki is legendary. Already there have been rumors around the talismans she made."
"Rumors?"
"Oh, you know?" Miroku shrugged, trying to hide a sly smirk. "That they can grant wishes just like the real Shikon no Tama; or that they can give you eternal life. Or that they can make you lucky in all endeavors. Or that they can keep you safe."
Ken returned the sly smirk with one of his own. "And can they really do everything you say they could?"
"Who knows?" Miroku waved his hand loftily. "All talismans depend on the wearer's luck. If that person's luck is too low for even the talisman to save it then that was not our fault."
"My, my," Ken pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Does Kagome even know the rumors you've been spreading about the talismans?"
"Who says she has to know?" the monk grinned sadistically.
Both men chuckled with pure evil intent, scaring even the birds away from the tree by the amount of malicious glee inherent in their chuckles.
"I've also noticed how well she handled things with Kouga-san's kidnapper," Ken noted. "I never really expected Kagome could act like a noble herself."
"Oh that?" Miroku smiled proudly. "It wasn't easy for her at first since she really didn't understand politics and court life but when one of those lords tried to bully her into becoming his wife by taking one of the villages we were staying in hostage… well I think you could have guessed that didn't sit well with her and she gave that lord a piece of her mind. After that she never took things from nobles lying down anymore. It's amazing how her sense of justice can also be her drive."
"That's what is so special about her and Yuuri." Ken nodded.
"Times here in this era are hard compared to how Kagome-sama was raised back in the future, or so she tells us," Miroku continued after they finished their fun. "I heard she did not have to travel in fear of a demon devouring her at night or to hide in caves in case a raiding party chose to ravage a village. Sometimes I wonder how she manages to survive here or why she keeps on coming back."
Ken nodded. "When Yuuri dragged her to Shin Makoku she was desperate to get back. She truly treasures all of you."
Miroku nodded. "She is family to us."
"I'm glad." Ken smiled beatifically.
But something about the bespectacled young man's presence there bothered Miroku. He wished he could ignore it but he new he would get no peace otherwise if he didn't ask. So setting aside his carving knife and the half finished talisman, he faced Kagome's friend with a serious, solemn face. "Ken-dono."
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course?"
"About Inuyasha…" Miroku could clearly remember the fearsome power and daunting rage of Yuuri. If Inuyasha got in the way of that again he doubted his hanyou friend would be able to survive. And yet after what he had heard and observed of this group he doubted they would just let Inuyasha's transgressions pass. "What exactly is Yuuri-dono planning to do to him when you find him on Mt. Fuji?"
"Ah that?" Ken looked up at the brightening sky for a moment as though thinking before smiling and answering the former monk. "Probably nothing."
Miroku could have cried in relief. "That's good."
"Really?"
"Yes," Miroku nodded happily. "Inuyasha may act like a child and an idiot at times but he's a good person."
"Ara, is that so?" Ken kept beaming. "But then again that's Yuuri's cute point. He is quick to anger and quick to forgive. However…" and here Miroku felt the temperature around them drop when Ken met his eyes; that smile melting into a dark one. "…I don't think I'm ready to forgive Inuyasha."
Miroku froze. If he weren't a perceptive man then he would have missed the connotations hidden in those words.
"What do you mean?" Miroku stopped and looked up to stare at the full blown grin on Ken's face, finally gaining the common sense to respond. "W-what are you planning to do with him?"
"Why…" If possible, Ken's smile became even more angelic and serene. So serene that it brought chills to Miroku's spine. "Eliminate him, of course."
The violet eyed monk had lived long and lived as comfortably as a travelling monk should all those years as he pursued Naraku and get rid of his curse and he had perfected the art of survival by being able to read people as effortlessly and flawlessly as he read his own. Looking at the genial natured young man in front of him told him in no uncertain terms that this person was serious.
"You can't do that." Was all he could say.
"Eh? And why not?" his smile took a sinister turn as he looked Miroku in the eye again. The monk felt his blood freeze at the seriousness and darkness behind that smile.
"B-because Yuuri-dono is the Maou!" Miroku felt like a deer in the sights of a hunter's arrow; it had been a long time since he had felt such incredible malice aimed solely straight at him. "You can't defy his wishes!"
Ken chuckled at that. "Has Kagome never explained to you who I am?"
Miroku's grip on his carving knife tightened bit by bit. "What do you mean? Who are you, really?"
"I am Soukoku no Daikenja, Miroku-san," Ken informed his smoothly. "Although I leave the ruling and the politics to Shibuya I still have power that is equal to his. He is the Sun of Shin Makoku and I am its Moon. Who do you think makes the decisions he cannot make? Also, if it is for the good of the people I care about then I can defy even the wishes of the Maou.
"What has happened to Kagome here has been inexcusable to me," Ken continued, his smile a tad bit more bitter than before and Miroku could clearly see he was displeased. "Even though she says this was what she wanted do you really think I would excuse such things from happening and just let this all lie? I will protect her. Even if it is from herself."
That last line caught Miroku's attention and his brows furrowed more deeply. "…What do you mean?"
Ken seemed to have caught himself before the light in his ebony eyes turned a bit bleaker and he stared up into the brightening indigo sky. It was a while before he spoke again. "What do you know about the Shikon no Tama?"
Miroku was startled into muteness and for a few moments all he could so was stare at the now serious face of the bespectacled young man before him in shock even Ken stood before him casually, his hands buried in the pockets of his jeans. Before him was no longer the affable young man he had been conversing cheerfully with a moment ago but a calculated general in his own right trying to gather information. He gripped the unfinished talisman in his hand tightly.
Ken ignored the sudden tension in the monk's form. "I know enough to know that it can grant any wish with dire consequences and how it was made; Kagome informed me everything there was to know about its history and how it was generally used but what else can it do? Is there anything else I should know about the jewel aside from the fact that it can grant wishes?"
Miroku put his hands down and rested them on his lap as he answered after a few moments. Maybe this young man was merely worried about Kagome. "I know just as much as you do. I also know how the jewel can seduce people and youkai to consume their desires and fuel the evil inside it. Only Kagome's soul can keep it pure."
"I know that too."
"Then you know just about as much as I do," Miroku said, trying to shrug his tense shoulders. "The best person to talk about the Shikon no Tama is Kagome herself. She's not just the jewel's keeper; she's its host. And the Shikon no Tama's host needs to be strong enough not to need the jewel."
"…Did you know about the wish she made to the jewel?"
"Wish?" Miroku blinked in surprise. This was news to him. "I don't remember Kagome-sama making any wishes. She knows better than to do that."
The former monk prided himself in his ability to read people and what they might or might not be thinking and the blank expression on the bespectacled soukoku's face was enough for him to read between the lines. His eyes widened and he dropped the unfinished talisman to the ground as he stood up to meet Ken's eyes. "No… What could she possibly try to wish fo—"
Again Ken remained quiet and his eyes were glazed over by the strings of early morning sunlight already appearing over the mountains protecting the village. His silence only increased the dread that now felt like an icy stone in the pit of the violet eyed man's stomach.
"Kami…" Miroku whispered in a mix of a plea and disbelief. If he knew Kagome the way he did then this had something to do with Inuyasha. "What do you know? Tell me!"
His demand was met by Ken's rather stoic face. "I know that if her wish is granted, it will cost her her life."
"Is it about her soul? Is she going to give it to Kikyou after all?!" Miroku paled at the thought. "For Kagome to do such a thing… after all the hard work she had done to survive until now! I would never have thought— No, scratch that; it's to be expected of her. Kami, I need to talk to her—"
"That's useless; she's determined to go through with it."
Miroku shot his panicked and dismayed eyes at the younger man. "No, we're different; she will listen to us. She has to."
"Not this time."
"What do you know?" Miroku hissed at him, enraged now. He could count the number of people he had truly felt real rage and anger for. The top of the list had always been Naraku but this person was quickly moving up the ranks to grab for the dead half breed's place. "You don't know her like we do! We have travelled with her! Cried with her! Bled with her! I'm sure we can talk her out of whatever mess she wants to get into!"
"You can't."
"Why not?"
"Because it's already too late."
"…..
…
…
…..Huh?"
"I'm not blaming you for whatever has happened," Ken went on, his kinder smile back in place. "In fact, I am saying this to you as proof of my thanks about how well you have been taking care of our Kagome for all this time. The respect she holds for you, Miroku-san, is not unfounded."
"But—"
"I would advise you not to tell her about this for her own good."
"What? And if I did?" he asked, trying to rail against what his mind was already telling him was inevitable.
"You really just have two choices, Miroku-san," Ken smirked at him making the violet eyed man gulp. "It's either let me deal with Inuyasha; or let Kagome die."
Miroku couldn't even begin to think how he was going to answer that question. All he could do as he stood there beside the basket of innocent talismans was to shake and grind his teeth at his helplessness.
"How…" he managed to croak after a few moments as he fell back on the stump he had been sitting on earlier before the bespectacled soukoku approached him. "How did everything come to be this way…? How am I going to explain this to my wife…?"
He watched the bespectacled soukoku nod to him one last time and merely walk away leaving him to ponder over that question himself. Miroku closed his eyes trying to calm himself. The bastard did a good job telling him about his intentions. Bitterly he knew that after being given that choice he would be paralyzed until he could get some sort of solution to his problem. Also, it was not hard for someone like him to figure out from all those hints that whatever Kagome got herself into involved the Shikon no Tama and he knew, most of all that once something was started with the damned jewel that there was no way it could be stopped; not even by its keeper. Ken had effectively trapped him into inaction because he certainly could not tell Sango about this; his wife just gave birth and setting out tosave their hanyou friend would be suicidal at this point not to mention harmful for their children. He could tell Kagome but… he said Kagome would be paying the price if his plan was not allowed to come to fruition.
At least he knew just why he was so unsettled by the younger man now, Miroku thought to himself, remembering the image he had seen over the young man's figure earlier when he had first seen him.
Murata Ken was a schemer and he was unsure whether or not Kagome knew just how much of a manipulator that person was. Miroku had been a con man himself back in the day so he could smell the same trait on other people just as well. Usually this would not worry him since Miroku could usually outwit the best of them all with his talent and experience at the art. But somehow he knew, deep in his mind that this man who was so obviously younger than he was. Murata Ken had experience by the dozen. It was frightening that a man as young as this had so much power and knowledge.
When next Miroku opened his eyes it was to an already bright day. The sun had fully risen even though the cold of an early morning had yet to lift from the land. From the house he could hear the faint sounds of his wife calling out to someone; the light baritone voice of the answer seemed to come from that hanyou Conrad; it sounded like he was looking for his older brother, the one who had almost cut him in half yesterday.
At the moment, he didn't really care at this point. What he wanted was for his brain to start working. What he wanted to do was to save both his friends' lives. The thing is…
He just didn't know how he was going to do that…
/*****/
"Good morning."
"Oh, good morning, Yuuri-dono, Conrad-dono, Wolfram-dono," Sango smiled at him as she busily prepared breakfast. The Maou's ever observant eyes noted how slowly she was moving this morning. "If you will just wait a moment I will have breakfast ready in a bit."
"Uh, okay, thanks." Wolfram started looking left and right.
Yuuri asked the question he had been itching to ask since he woke up. "Um… where's Kagome, Sango-san?"
"Oh, a villager came by and asked for her assistance in his wife's birthing last night so she might come along a little bit later." Sango answered as she filled a pot with water.
"Don't you have midwives and doctors for that?" Wolfram scowled.
"Doc-tors? Oh, you mean those healing shamans Kagome was always talking about?"
"Err…"
"Wolfram, they don't have doctors here yet." Yuuri whispered to the blond while Conrad chuckled.
Sango merely smiled. "Sorry about this, they always go crazy when she comes by; it's like she's the only one who can make everything better, in their opinion."
"Oh," Yuuri laughed faintly. Seeing how Sango was about to lift the pot to put it on her stove, he immediately moved forward to assist her. "Gosh, we must have been really tired; I didn't even hear anyone move when she left."
"That's because you're a wimp," Wolfram ignored Yuuri's glare as he leaned against the post that made up the kitchen's threshold and Conrad moved to assist the soukoku ruler. "She's been out since last night during their bath."
"What? Then she hasn't even gotten a lot of sleep yet?" Yuuri exclaimed in disbelief. "And out of all of us, she's been through a lot the most what with this whole emotional extravaganza with Inuyasha!"
"If you're this worried then we should find her and get her back here, force some sleep on her." Wolfram straightened, prepared to approach out the door.
"Don't bother," Everyone stopped and stared at Sango who was now chopping up some potatoes with a sad smile on her face and shot Yuuri and Wolfram a glance. "If you've known her for as long as you said you did then you of all people should know better that she won't leave that woman's side until she's sure both mother and child are safe."
The two felt themselves deflate at her words. She was right, after all.
"Oh, by the way!" Yuuri stood straight and Sango turned towards him, wondering what he wanted to say. They were all surprised when he suddenly bowed low to her. "I just wanted to say thank you very much... For taking care of my sister all this time. She told me a lot of great things about you."
Conrad smiled as he watched and copied Yuuri, bowing low as well. "Yes, thank you very much for taking care of my lady."
"What are you two doing, Yuuri? Weller, stop copying him!" Wolfram squawked.
Sango didn't seem to know what to say for a moment but eventually she smiled warmly at them both and nodded. "I didn't do much. If anything I should be the one thanking Kagome. If it weren't for her I would have eventually snapped after Naraku killed my family and my village."
Both half mazoku straightened and watched her curiously as she went back to administering to breakfast while Wolfram seethed despite his own curiosity.
"Kagome said Naraku tricked you into attacking Inuyasha and gave you a jewel shard to numb whatever pain you were feeling." Conrad said and Yuuri shuddered at how terrible that must have been.
Sango echoed the sentiment with a shudder of her own. "Yes, that was a terrible time; but during those moments the pain in my body was as nothing to the pain in my heart. I can still remember how it felt like to have that jewel in my body." she gave off another violent shudder and looked like she was going to be sick. "To be honest I really cannot understand how Kagome manages to control that jewel. Having it inside your body makes it feel as though something slimy and rotting was in your gut and threatening to consume you into in a endless void of darkness."
Ken entered the kitchen from the back door all of a sudden with his usual smile, surprising everyone. "Maybe because Kagome's soul keeps the jewel pure?"
"Oi, Murata, where were you?" Yuuri cocked a brow at him. "We woke up and you were gone!"
"Sorry; early riser."
"That can be it," Sango nodded after a bit of an afterthought, gathering their attention once more. "But I swear to you, Ken-dono, I do not understand how that jewel is so wanted when it can make you feel so sick."
"Sick?" Yuuri asked, his brows furrowing, obviously thinking of his sister.
Sango nodded. "Yes; wearing that jewel feels like you are carrying all the dark desires of the world with just that one shard. Its evil is so overwhelming it makes you wish to die if you do not have a wish you wanted to make. Kagome says she really doesn't feel that when I asked her about it once, though."
"It's probably the reason why she understands Kikyou so well." Yuuri muttered, gathering a surprised look from the female demon slayer.
She blinked at him. "You are not disturbed by this?"
"No," Yuuri scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I already tried getting angry and I've only started to understand Kagome better recently when it came to her determination to save Inuyasha and Kikyou."
"I envy you," Sango commented with a frown. "I have never really developed a tolerance for Inuyasha's fickle behaviour. I tried not to get in the middle too often but sometimes... it becomes too much, you know? It's hard to see Kagome try so hard to make sure they're happy when she becomes neglected and forced to face problems she didn't have to."
Yuuri bowed his head in silence, not happy to hear more evidence of Inuyasha's carelessness with his sister.
"Well that's the reason why I have had no doubt she was this wimp's sister at all," Wolfram shoved Yuuri's side with an elbow, surprising the dark haired soukoku ruler out of his contemplation. "They're both idiots when it comes to themselves."
Sango's laughter made them stare at her and smile. She had a lovely, tinkly laugh, like wind chimes. At this angle it was apparent as to how Miroku fell in love with her.
"That's pretty accurate, alright." Sango continued to chuckle, peeking at Yuuri who blinked at the attention. "You're really going with her up top Mt. Fuji?"
Yuuri smiled back at her a little bit sheepishly. "I am not leaving her alone anymore."
Sango nodded, satisfied. "She's still in love with him; she'll always love him. Miroku tells me to stay out of it but I know he feels the same way about it too. Kagome deserves to be loved by a person who will honor her more than his own desires and more than his own self. Please take care of her."
"You don't even have to ask, Sango-san." Yuuri replied with a smile.
"Whatever," Wolfram scowled, turning his nose up at Sango. "Let's just go find that sister of your and bring her back here. She needs to get some rest."
"Well if you want to pick her up she should be at the house near the back of the village," Sango gave them directions. "Just ask around for Kntaro and his wife. If I know Chizuru-baa she would have already told the entire village that they have a child now."
"Alright," Ken then looked around himself as everyone else started for the door. "Say, I've been meaning to ask, Sango-san, but do where was the Wolf prince from last night?"
"Oh, Kouga?" Sango blinked. "He was well enough to walk so I gave him one of the rooms inside the house; he must still be asleep."
"That must have been one easy life he's got," Wolfram commented sardonically. "All he's got to do is lie around like he doesn't care about anything at all."
"Wolfram," Yuuri sighed as he grabbed the blond by the sleeve and started dragging him outside the house. "Give the guy a break; he was wounded!"
"Tch, I knew you'd forgive him already. Wimp."
Their argument carried into the early morning air even as the four men from Shin Makoku and the future walked out in search of the raven haired priestess and their brother.
/*****/
As a boy, the monk named Ungai was abandoned by his parents on the steps of a small roadside Buddha statue in the mountains up north during the beginnings of winter. He thought he was no older than five back then and even at a young age he understood that such a practice was not uncommon during those days of the Feudal Era where wars constantly burned crops and left families hungry and dying in the aftermath.
It was nearing winter and all he had as a friend was what was left of his mother's thickest kimono she had wrapped him in before she was ushered away by his father, both sobbing their despair. He remembered he could still smell her scent on it so he cuddled into and waited to die.
"What's this we have here?" he remembered a slick voice sounding out from within the forest that was already dimming in response to that ending winter day.
At first, Ungai thought he was dreaming that he was having an illusion caused by his hunger and sadness. But a few moments after out from the darkness came an abnormally large bat demon. Ungai remembered it grinning at him as it slunk towards him step by ominous step.
Ungai had never seen a demon before but he had heard enough to know what they were after. Human flesh was a preference and children were most adored in their menu and for the first time since being abandoned in the nothingness, he felt fear grip his insides.
"What do we have here?" he remembered the demon's voice say. "Perhaps this day is lucky for me. Food comes easy even in the winter for the great God of the Mountain."
Said 'god' opened up his mouth revealing a mouth full of razor sharp teeth and was just leaning down towards the terrified boy to take part on his meal when suddenly, Ungai felt warmth explode from his left. He watched as the bat demon turned towards the warmth with wide, shocked eyes before being engulfed in a bright light and disappearing into ash. So much ash that Ungai was practically buried in it.
Footsteps crunched in the frozen snow and the boy wearily remembered thinking what kind of demon was going to eat him now but then he felt the touch of a human hand on his head. And when he looked up he saw the sight of a pair of warm human eyes staring back at him.
"Are you alright, boy?" the man asked him, concern laced in his warm eyes. "What happened? Why are you here?"
Ungai told him everything and after hearing his story that man dressed in monk robes and a wide straw hat took him in, fed him and taught him the ways of Buddha along with others in a large shrine. He had become Ungai's new father. He excelled in everything he was taught.
Especially demon extermination.
He was brought up by the shrine and shown how demons can destroy countless of lives in the name of their cruelty. Like animals they lavish suffering and tragedy and their shrine's mission was to put an end to it all. Ungai never really understood all of this until the monk who brought him to the shrine was killed when he was fifteen. And that by a half demon called Naraku.
Ungai, in his grief, couldn't help but think that if a half demon could do so much damage to a powerful monk such as that monk then what more could full demons do? It was at that point that his unwavering resolve that demons are the root of all evil took root and he became the most powerful demon exterminator and exorcist in the shrine. Now that he was on his pilgrimage to master enlightenment he swore he would destroy as many demons as he could and save the ones corrupted by them. He will never allow them to have their own way with humans as long as he lived.
Along the way he had gathered other monks and miko of the same way of thinking and he confessed it had been a surprise to him how many followers he had acquired over time. He had even sought out the Shikon no Miko four years before when he heard she was on the journey to defeat Naraku to aid her and avenge his master's death but she had proved to be always out of reach. When he heard she was accompanied by a hanyou she had caught along with demons who obeyed her commands his desire to meet her increased and so during his pilgrimage he continued to seek her. As he did her legend grew. He knew that if he spoke to her she would aid them together with the power of the Shikon no Tama to rid this world of demons. And now it seemed his wish will be fulfilled…
Together with the Shikon no Miko he would make this world clean of all the sufferings the demons have spread. Together they could make paradise.
Together they could save the world…
Ungai looked around the small village the morning he arrived, carefully hiding his eyes beneath his wide brimmed hat. He and his group were receiving rather curious looks but, as of yet, he could sense no hint of fear or anxiety in these people. Were there really demons in this area? From his experience; demon infested land usually took on the form of a nightmare. A landscape of dreary darkness and gloom. A sense of doom hanging in the air drawn into a picture by the presence of bones and death and the putrid smell of the unclean.
However this village was far different from that. In fact, it was far more peaceful and cheerful looking than any of the previous villages he had visited; even the ones near the capital itself. This village had a warmth in it that spoke of sweet smelling peace. It was not hallow by any stretch of the imagination but… it made him want to put his guard down.
He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He suspected everything as was trained in him and from the experiences he had garnered during his long travels.
This aura of peace only meant one of two things. Either Kikyou was lying or... these people were willingly harboring demons.
The latter possibility was very disconcerting.
"Ungai-sama?"
Ungai looked over his shoulder slightly to listen to one of his fellow monks who had come forward to speak with him. "What is it?"
"I know this village," the other monk said. "It is as that woman said; this was the destroyed demon slayer's village that was decimated during the time of Naraku when he was still searching for the Shikon no Tama."
Ungai blinked at this information. "I see."
If that were true then he should not worry. Surely this village would not condone harboring demons after its history with the unholy creatures. He may just be worrying over nothing.
He narrowed his eyes over the horizon and was relieved to see a shrine rising over the village on a seemingly man made hill. At least these people had some form of religion. If the Shikon no Miko was anywhere in this village then she should be in that shrine. It was the only place fitting for one of her station.
"Come," he told his fellow holy men who huddled behind him at his gesture. "Let us go visit the shrine and pay our respects to the monk here."
"Yes, sir."
"YUURI! YOU CHEATER!"
Surprised, the group of reiki users stopped and turned towards the angry accusation and saw an unusual group.
"I was just asking them where Kagome is!"
"Wolfram—"
"Shut up, Weller!"
"Now, now, Lord von Bielfelt; none of that."
Ungai stopped, frowning at the foreign sounding names, his eyes immediately whirling to search for its intended owners and the villagers who seem to be eyeing these creatures with a kind of find acceptance. His hawk like eyes zeroed in on the unusual color of gold on top of a beautiful head. So beautiful it could only belong to a demon. Looking at the others he could sense a pair of half breeds as well and the villagers were all regarding them quite amiably. He did not like how comfortable these demons were in the midst of all these humans.
"Ungai-sama…" one of his monks began to whisper in his ear. "There is no doubt about it; those people are—"
"Hanyou and a demon," Ungai answered back. "Yes, I can see."
"This must have been the hanyou that woman Kikyou warned us about." One of the miko commented behind them, her face wreathed in a blush. "And what a beautiful daiyoukai!"
"Do not be deceived," Ungai waved his shakujou wide as though to dispel their earthly desires. "That creature is not human and is not meant for this world!"
This seemed to rally his followers since, at his words; they all took their serious stances once more.
"Come," Ungai said as he took out the white beads Kikyou had given him last night. "We will show these demon loving villagers the true colors of such filthy creatures and have them cast these vile creatures out!"
The travelling monk wrapped the white beads Kikyou gave him around his wrists and formed the mudra 'Rin' symbol with his hands and started chanting. "Naumaku sanmanda bazara dan kan… Naumaku sanmanda bazara dan kan… Naumaku sanmanda bazara dan kan… Naumaku sanmanda bazara dan kan!"
At the final part of the chant, the string of white beads around his wrists dispersed and turned into balls of light which floated around Ungai lazily. However, when he pointed his right hand towards Conrad they flew towards the half Mazoku like arrows of light.
Conrad heard the tail end part of the chanting and turned his head in time to see more than a dozen balls of white light coming towards him with lightning speed. Honed by his years as a swordsman, he acted swiftly, shoving Yuuri and the others away to prevent them from becoming a casualty before jumping out of the way to save himself. As he was suspended in mid air the half Mazoku knight assessed the situation with battle honed eyes and noticed the cluster of people dressed in garb similar to that of Miroku and Kagome.
But none of their eyes staring up at him had their compassion.
None of them had their warmth.
"It's quick!" one of the monks who was behind the one who was chanting commented in angry disbelief. "Could it be half weasel demon?"
"We'll see about that." one of the miko called before joining Ungai with the chanting.
With her voice adding strength to whatever it was that was chasing him, the small balls of light turned and changed course to head towards his direction in mid air.
"CONRAD!" he heard Yuuri cry out from somewhere below.
"Hah!" one of the younger monks cried out triumphantly. "Let's see you dodge that while you are up there, hanyou!"
The balls of light were increasing speed and were following the commands of the monk's hand so he could direct the projectiles wherever he wished with just the flick of a wrist.
Conrad knew he couldn't possibly dodge so he did the next best thing. Pulling out his sword he batted at the while balls of light as though they were baseballs. With this he had evaded them successfully while he landed safely on the ground. He was ready enough to strike at the other balls that were trying to get to him again.
The monks and miko couldn't do anything but gape while Ungai kept his stance.
"Kami…"
"Did you see?"
"His stance has no openings!"
"How can a mere hanyou be so skilled?!"
Conrad didn't even spare them a glance. All he knew was that he must not get hit by any of these balls of light and he must protect the Maou. If they posses the same abilities as Kagome then he should be very wary of this attack.
Another barrage came and he faintly heard Wolfram call his name but he couldn't afford to lose his concentration. He was in the middle of a battle.
More of the balls of light came at him and again he jumped out of the way, effectively preventing them. Every time they hit the ground or a tree or the side of a house they would get buried in the surface and leave a scorch mark but with the monk's control they would get pulled up again soon and come after him again.
The half Mazoku knight saw another couple of light beams coming at him from the front as well as another half dozen in the back. He almost smirked at the amateurish move and he immediately swatted them away. However, when he saw a glimpse of the chanting monk's now smirking face he was put immediately on alert but…
It was too late for him to dodge.
The rest of the light balls came from the left and ambushed him as he was taking care of the attack coming to his back. Conrad prepared himself for pain but instead of hitting him like he thought they were supposed to do, the balls of light merely suspended themselves one by one a few inches away from around his neck until it formed a full circle like a glowing, floating necklace.
His arm still spread too far away from his body to be of any use, Conrad had no choice but stand there and allow it to happen. When the beads stopped and completed the necklace, he waited for some sort of pain.
It never came.
"What—?" he tried to pull the string of beads off his neck but he was stunned to find out how hard it was and how much pain it caused him. It was like being electrocuted from within.
It gave off a shock of lightning that stopped him from moving.
"Did you really think it was going to be that easy, hanyou?" the monk who was chanting earlier asked, that smug on his face apparent for all to see.
Conrad struggled to move but failed. He struggled against the sizzling bolts of lightning that seemed to make his mind insist on stopping his body from moving. "W-what have you… done… to me…?"
Shinou, he could barely even speak.
He could vaguely make out the voices of Yuuri, the Great Sage and Wolfram calling for help but for some reason, he was beginning to lose sight of everything except the view in front of him which was the image of the stern looking monk who was now looking back at him with such ironically benevolent yet cold eyes. It reminded him of the kind of look Gwendal had when he was still leading the army back during those days of war when blind resolution and determination dominated his brother's world. That time when one cannot afford second thoughts or hesitation. The kind that allowed him to order Hube's exile and bear Shin Makoku's sins.
"Wh-who… are you…?" he asked again. He was starting to feel hot. As though the blood inside him was set on a stove and had left him to slowly simmer.
Conrad was starting to feel sick.
He was promptly ignored as the monk with the wide brimmed hat turned towards his companions and addressed the miko he had been chanting with earlier. "What do you think?"
The miko walked towards a paralyzed Conrad as he continued to struggle even as cold eyes assessed him from head to foot before nodding over to the monk. "Yes, he is hanyou, Ungai-sama; but he is an unusual one."
Ungai? Where had he heard that name before?
"Unusual? How?"
The miko seemed uneasy for a moment before speaking again. "He has no malice in him. I can sense a frightening power, though; something I have never seen in a hanyou."
"Is that so?" Ungai commented and continued to observe Conrad with his calculating eyes.
"What are you doing?!" Wolfram's voice demanded angrily.
"Let him go!" Yuuri pleaded.
Ungai looked around him and for the first time noticed the healthy number of villagers who have gathered angrily around them shouting for this hanyou's release behind the remaining hanyou and blond demon.
"Ungai-sama," one of the monks he was with whispered in his ear even as he and their other companions started behind him warily. They had never had to face such a crowd since human communities tend to look up to them out of respect and fear. "If this continues we might end up with a riot on our hands; what should we do?"
Ungai scowled and calmly stood still, facing the yelling crowd. "It is time to break them of this hanyou's spell."
"It must be strong for these villages to react so hostilely against us," one of the miko with them added in. "It may have something to do with the beautiful human face he is using to hide his true nature from these people."
"I agree," an older monk nodded, watching the crowd in disapproval. "These cursed creatures can lure mortals to their death so easily using their own lusts against them."
"We must save them from themselves, Ungai-sama."
"I agree."
"VILLAGERS, HEAR ME!" Ungai's strong, powerful voice rang out into the area and pierced through the voices of the crowd. "MY NAME IS UNGAI AND MY COMPANIONS AND I HAVE HEARD OF YOUR PLIGHT! THAT YOU HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UNDER THE EVIL SPELL OF THIS HANYOU AND OTHER DEMONS!"
The villagers frowned and started looking at one another in confusion.
One of the women in the village stepped forward and yelled back defensively. "Conrad-sama is Kagome-sama's friend and he has done nothing to harm us since they had come here! Let him go!"
The other villages seconded her voice loudly.
"YOU HAVE BEEN DECEIVED!" Ungai roared, taking the villagers aback. "An impure soul is an impure soul and there is nothing you can do to change that! It is in his nature to be evil! A good demon is a dead demon and it is our mission as part of the holy orders of Buddha to save those who had been befuddled by these filthy beings!"
Conrad continued to struggle. If he was hearing all this correctly then he should go to Yuuri's side as fast as possible before they had the chance to harm him.
He needed to protect Yuuri!
An older man came forward, his cane a sturdy support beneath him. "Please, monk-sama; this village is built on peace. We do not desire any trouble here and have lived with the demons and hanyou that have been companions of the Shikon no Miko and our own Miroku-sama as they hunted for the shards of the Shikon no Tama. We are at peace here; here, we coexist."
"YOU CAN NEVER TRUST THE DEMONS AND THOSE WHO HOLD THEIR BLOOD!" Ungai yelled, his eyes flaming in his impassioned rage and sense of righteousness; offended by the very suggestion of coexisting with demons. To him, it defied the very nature of his beliefs and existence. "YOU CAN NEVER TELL WHEN THEY WILL ATTACK YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND EVEN YOU!
"HERE!" Ungai held his left hand up in the mudra 'Rin' symbol again, his eyes blazing. "I will show you all EXACTLY what kind of nature this beast hides behind his human form!"
Ungai started chanting and as soon as he began Conrad froze.
No matter how much he tried he ended up paralyzed, he couldn't even move his fingers. It was as though his blood had turned into burning metal inside him pinning him motionless. His sword slipped out of nerveless hands and his breath started shortening. He could feel the blood in his veins start to grow so hot he thought steam must have been rising through his eyes.
In seconds, his whole body felt like it was on fire.
And then, as he watched the world through the burning prison of his mind, Conrad saw his fingernails extend. They were hideously clawed and he heard himself snarling. Like a monster.
And that monster was headed for Yuuri and his brother.
"Yuuri…" Conrad heard himself say, his voice going raw with every word that came out of his mouth. "Run…"
And then the world turned black as he lost control of everything that made him himself…
Ungai himself was surprised by the amount of power that had taken to command the beads Kikyou gave him. It also surprised him that such a pure looking article could feel so... dirty in a sense that it felt like using the beads like tainted his reiki. Despite that he held his position and continued to hold the half demon they have called Conrad in his grasp.
Using his reiki he watched with well hidden awe as the composed half demon of a moment ago who had evaded the attacks of his followers started to demonstrate the speed and poise of a weasel demon. In place of the attractive humanoid features he had sported earlier the half demon now had sharp fangs protruding out of his mouth. The well manicured nails had now sprouted talons that can tear human flesh in a moment. His eyes had turned blood red and caramel brown hair had now been tinged by the rusty color of dried blood reflecting the youki that was spreading around the tall figure like a thick cloud.
Ungai had to wonder just how powerful this being was since he still had the strength to maintain a humanoid form despite already being out of control. Could it be that this person was much more dangerous than he had originally thought?
The half demon jumped up into the air and threw air sickles at his former companions while suspended above them all. The blond demon rushed in front of the younger, ebony haired half demon with a strange sword drawn in an attempt to protect him but was hit in the shoulders causing him to kneel on the ground in pain and release the weapon in his hand.
"Wolfram!"
"Don't just stand there, stupid Yuuri! RUN!" the blond yelled back at the worried half demon.
"Shibuya, look out he's coming!"
They all watched Yuuri looked up just as the one they called Conrad descended on them with outstretched claws and a blood thirsty grin on his face intent in tearing the younger hanyou's face off. Before Conrad succeeded, however, Yuuri was suddenly gone and the spot he was standing on before merely had a large hole on it with Conrad snarling in his direction.
Yuuri also realized someone was holding onto him. He looked up and saw Kouga's face, trying to hide his pain away with a confident smirk.
"Careful there," the Wolf prince told him even as he kept wary blue eyes at the half Mazoku knight. "If anything happens to you, Kagome'll never talk to me again."
"Kouga-san?!" Yuuri blinked up at him in surprise.
"I gotta admit your friend's fast, even faster than I am on a good day," Kouga said again, assessing the situation. "And he smells exactly like that Mutt-face the night I fought him."
Yuuri understood when he remembered how Kagome used to tell him about her friends in the Feudal Era and that this demon prided himself on his speed. The injured wolf demon used the remains of his speed to save him despite his injuries and Yuuri couldn't help but feel a little guilty at the mean way he treated him last night.
"Kouga—"
"Shibuya! INCOMING!" Ken yelled at him from somewhere.
Before Yuuri knew it, he was lifted and hopped away to another side of the road they were fighting on, barely escaping another swipe from Conrad's air sickles. Kouga started running around while carrying him dodging more of the wind based attack. Yuuri had to admit that the wolf demon's speed impressed him. If Kouga was this fast normal then how much would he have been with the Shikon shard in his leg?
His ruminations were interrupted when Kouga suddenly stopped and fell. The blue eyed demon was hit in the leg.
"Damn it!" Kouga groaned through gritted teeth. "Bastard's got me!"
Yuuri looked down at the dark skinned demon's legs and saw the bleeding cut that almost severed Kouga's leg from the knee down. Terror bled into heart when he realized what kind of trouble they were in. The Maou stood up and threw his arms out in front of Kouga trying to protect him from the now approaching Conrad who had stopped sending air sickles their way, confident now that his prey had fallen.
"NO! Conrad, STOP!" Yuuri began to plead at his godfather. "PLEASE! I'm BEGGING YOU!"
"WELLER!"
"SIR WELLER!"
But the Conrad did not show any signs of heeding their voices. He was bent on killing them all to satisfy the fire in his blood.
Ungai, of course, did not feel any sort or sense of satisfaction like most would have assumed someone like him would feel as he watched the scene. Just a cold sense of righteousness in knowing that he had done the right thing. That he had rid the world of one less impurity that had dared to threaten humans. In fact, he had started to turn around to address the horrified villagers who have scattered around so as to not be involved in the fight but reluctant to leave the demons to their fate.
"Ungai-sama!"
The monk's eyes widened and turned back towards the fight when he felt an extremely powerful youki burst from behind him.
The young man called Yuuri had stood up and stepped in front of his comrades only to release a frightfully powerful youki in the form of water dragons that surrounded the berserker half demon and bound him around the arms and wrists and dragging him from the ground. When Yuuri turned towards Ungai and his group, the monk along with his followers couldn't help but take a step back when they saw the cold, cat-slit eyes that peeked out from a face that promised them no mercy. And when the hanyou spoke it was as though the world around them bowed to his very presence.
"Let him go." Yuuri ordered. His voice deep and commanding.
Where before his tone was a bit high, young and awkward this voice he was using now was low, whole, certain and… deadly. It asked for no kindness and promised none of it in return.
He stood there like an emperor. He sounded like a king.
Ungai had been a monk for most of his life but never— never— had he ever felt inferior to anyone; not even a demon of the purest lineage or a nobleman of the highest rank. And yet, standing before this being it was as though his very presence made him want to bow his head.
A half demon of all things.
Panicked, a number of the younger monks who followed Ungai acted without thinking and released a series of powerfully chanted ofuda at this creature in black.
"NO! STOP, YOU FOOLS!"
Yuuri dodged these by side stepping, taking in some scratches from the reiki soaked pieces of paper but his stance remained unaffected.
"I said," the black hanyou was now looking directly into his eyes so fiercely it almost stopped the old monk's heartbeat. "Let. Him. Go."
"Kami…" one of the monks breathed even as he rushed to catch one of the miko who had fainted at the excess of youki Yuuri was emitting. "What is he…?"
"To be able to such a powerful hanyou in the throes of his bloodlust…" one of the other monks whispered in awe. "It is just not possible…"
Ungai sensed the morale of his followers dropping and despite hiw own fear he forced himself to step forward and assert dominance. "DEMON! I won't let you defeat me—"
Water dragons burst from the potent youki gathered around Yuuri who didn't even bat an eyelash as the representations of his power began to choke Ungai and his followers to death. Ungai tried to call on his prayers and chants as did his other followers but they were too busy trying to gasp for air to concentrate.
As Ungai was trapped in the belly of the enormous water dragon, he forced one of his eyes open to glare at the still calm demon in pure black and knew fear. Fear such as nothing he had felt ever since he had been a helpless child and about to be devoured by that lone bat demon. Back when he was saved by the monk who had been his savior and his sensei. But now there was no one to save him anymore. He was about to die a hopeless, cruel death…
"YUURI, NO!"
All of a sudden, Ungai and the other monks and miko found themselves free of the water dragons' chokeholds and back on the ground again trying to get as much precious air into their deprived lungs as they could. When they managed to look up to find out what was going on they saw that the water dragons and the youki coming from the black demon who had just tried to kill them being held back by a powerful pink barrier and a woman with tousled ebony hair standing in between the onyx demon and them.
"Stand down, Yuuri." They heard her ordering the demon.
"But they started it!" Wolfram shouted back at her, defending their king. He was being helped up by another man with a monk's robes and had a pair of violet eyes. "Look at what they did to Weller!"
"I said stand down." She repeated, her voice implacable and would brook no refusal. "My people, my turf, my way; remember?"
"They hurt Conrad…" was all an angry Yuuri could say as he stiffened under her touch.
She glanced at the still snarling Conrad, her eyes widening at the white beaded necklace around his neck and her eyes hardened. "It's okay; I'll take care of it, I promise."
"I want justice." The still stoic Yuuri growled, his eyes staring right past her to Ungai and his followers beyond.
"They're mine; you stay out of this." She shot back at him firmly. "I mean it, Yuu-chan, you promised; stand down. Now."
It did not take an especially clever man to figure out who she was.
For a moment Ungai thought the dark demon was not going to comply to her command but to their surprise he did. Slowly but surely they could all feel the enormous, hair raising youki being drawn back like a retreating tide until barely a flicker of it was left. And in the place of the cold, merciless hanyou that had released that youki was the wide eyed young man who had misled them into thinking he had been the weakest and harmless being in the group. He seemed to look no less angry but his anger seemed much more contained now if no less expressive. The expression made him look a lot more human and that was the reason why Ungai supposed he and his companions were so deceived. The miko then nodded to a large man who proceeded to hold the ebony demon back with a large hand. Judging by the strange color of his hair and eyes Ungai could see that this was also another demon. Another powerful one at that. He seemed to have no problems obeying the ebony haired miko, though.
Well now at least it was clear where the Shikon no Miko now stood.
He stood up a bit more confidently now along with his followers, taking a step forward to meet with the now approaching young miko, Ungai's expression becoming more benevolent now that he was able to collect himself again.
"Shikon no Miko," he gave her a slight nod of the head since monks were considered higher in rank than miko and since he was older than her he would give her no more than that. "I am glad someone here has finally showed some sense. I am quite relieved that you can easily handle your demon ser—"
He was cut off when; as the miko approached she threw a set of paper cranes the size of large tadpoles at them which, upon impact with the air charged at each of Ungai's followers and the next thing they knew, sharp, pointed lances of light were pointed directly at their jugular, ensuring instant death to any one of them that made even the slightest move.
"Let Conrad go." She ordered in a growling, angry voice.
"Shikon no mi—"
"Are you deaf?" she cut him off, her rage so plain it was all they could do not to flinch. "I said let him go! Or I will slaughter each an every one of you right here, right now."
"But- but that hanyou is dangerous!" protested one of the miko behind Ungai, careful not to move a muscle for fear of being impaled by thelance of light made from Kagome's shikigami. "Surely it is much more safe if we—"
"This area is under my protection!" Kagome spat back, her eyes not looking away from Ungai's and the old monk saw her fury; felt her anger. It almost felt like a goddess was holding him by the throat. "How dare you presume anything here without so much as a by your leave! Let Conrad go now or I will have you skewered one by one!"
To say that Ungai and his company was shocked was a big understatement. Trying to keep up a show of courage, Ungai allowed the 'Rin' symbol on his hand to disperse. As soon as he did the white beads around Conrad's neck fell like scattered pearls around him and Conrad fell unconscious on the hard ground. Kagome took careful note of this.
"Conrad!"
"Weller!"
Wolfram and Yuuri were immediately at the russet haired hanyou's side.
Kouga took a sniff around the half Mazoku knight's body and breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't worry, he's just fallen asleep. Must've been exhausting."
"He's right," Murata said after touching a couple of fingers to the knight's jugular to check for a pulse. "We better get him under a roof."
"I'll take him," Gwendal's voice spoke up as he knelt down on one knee, his hand protectively over his half brother's head. "Let us wait for Kagome first."
"I'll be fine!" Kagome yelled back at them. "Take care of Conrad!"
But Gwendal and the others did not move, merely showering the outsiders frozen cold glares. Kagome, however, released her hold on her shikigami which all went back into their forms of tiny paper cranes but her anger was far from satisfied.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?!" the Shikon no Miko yelled at them angrily, her eyes burning like onyx fire as she shouted in Ungai's face. "Who are you people?!"
She was cut off by the violet eyed monk who ran toward her after making sure Conrad was alright and separated her from the older monk with an outstretched arm. "Now, now, Kagome-sama, let them talk."
"Peace, sister, we apologize for assuming much in your territory," one of the miko following Ungai stepped forward with a smile for her obviously already seeing her as an ally. "We are a fellowship of monks and miko just like you who specialize in exterminating demons. Since these demons were wandering freely we thought only to help you."
"We are your allies," one of the younger monks nodded to the younger woman, seemingly fascinated at Kagome's countenance. "This is Ungai-sama, our leader. We have come seeking the Shikon no Miko."
"Well if it is the Shikon no Miko you are looking for then you are correct in your assumption; you have already found her," the violet eyed monk said; his face calm and a study of cordiality. "This is Higurashi no Kagome, the keeper of the Shikon no Tama; and I am Miroku, a simple retired monk who lives in this village."
Most of the miko and even some of the monks behind Ungai knelt down in front of her with their heads bowed; Ungai himself nodded to her respectfully, considering her equal to his standing already. "We are honored to finally meet the miko who had defeated the evil hanyou Naraku."
"Well met," Miroku bowed to them in return. Kagome refused to comply. "Is there a reason why you and your company are here in this village, Ungai-sama?"
"In fact, there is." Ungai replied, his voice gaining more confidence now that he was speaking to a human being.
"Oh? How can we help you then?" Miroku replied.
"We are here to offer the Shikon no Miko the opportunity to join us in our quest to purify the world." Ungai replied boldly before meeting eyes with the ebony eyed priestess.
"Really?" Ungai did not like the edge of insolence in her tone. "And just what are we supposed to be purifying the world of exactly?"
He decided to ignore this. "What else? The ones you have pledged to protect humans from, of course."
"We see that you have been doing great by your duty," the first miko who first spoke to her added, her smile getting wider. "Enslaving powerful ones like these is truly a testament of your skill as a miko; you do us proud."
"Enslave…?" the look on Kagome's was blank and confused.
Miroku sought to intervene again. "If you mean Yuuri-dono and these fine fellows behind us then you are mistaken, Ungai-sama. They are not our slaves."
Ungai and the miko behind him narrowed their eyes. "What do you mean?"
"They're not slaves," Kagome growled out in a low voice. "They're my friends. My very important friends."
The miko laughed delicately behind her hand. "Surely you jest, Kagome-sama. Such a blasphemous ideal, truly!"
"Perhaps you are merely being too modest," the young monk from earlier grinned at her sweetly. "There's no need for such a thing; each of us here has heard about your greatness. Please join us; with you by our side even the lords and the emperor himself will surely support us in our quest to save the country from these barbaric and unholy beings."
"I refuse." She started to turn around. "Miroku, I won't even waste my time; get them out of my sight before Yuuri flips out and turns them into fertilizer."
Ungai and all his followers stood there paralyzed by her blunt refusal. His group have gained fame are highly respected in all the villages and cities that had heard of their exploits. Any monk or miko would be honored by the prospect of serving with him for such a noble cause.
Faintly, the miko who had been speaking to her started to speak again. "W-wait a moment, Kagome-sama! Surely you are merely joking!"
"No I'm not."
"But why?!" the younger monk as well as the others in their group were getting angry. "Why would you refuse the opportunity to save your fellow humans?!"
"From what I've seen while I was hopping around the entire country I think you've got it the other way around," Kagome replied with an irritated frown. "Demons may be of tainted blood but some of them can surely act with more decency and honor than most of the people I've seen in my travels."
"Are you saying you are going to choose demons over humans?" Ungai asked, disgusted with her. "That you are going to fight us— your own kind— for these filthy demons?!"
"No; I want to fight for something more than that," she turned to meet his eyes once again and her eyes clearly told her she was decided in her conviction. "I want to fight for the humans and demons who want a safe life coexisting with one another."
One of the monks laughed scornfully at that. "Impossible! Foolishness! That will never happen!"
"Well then look around you, kid," she waved at the angry looking villagers already starting to tend to Wolfram's wounds and the ones who had lifted pitchforks and scythes to try to defend them. "Look again and tell me what's so impossible about that ideal."
"Traitor…" the priestesses started glaring at her, raising their bows in her direction. "Demon's Whore!"
"SHUT UP!" Kagome turned back fully towards them with her hands on her hips, an expression of pure anger on her face, the sheer power she was radiating stunning them all to silence once again. "I don't care what you guys want to believe or not; I am not going to force you to respect what I think or the things I want to believe in but I draw the line at you pushing your beliefs up my nose! I am not prejudiced!"
"How could you?" the younger monks reprimanded her accusingly. "These demons have spread sickness and death in humans! How could you speak like that? You who have seen for yourself just how vile they are and how dangerous they can be?!"
"How can I hate them as much as you do? I have been torn by them, endangered by them several times! So many times I can't keep count anymore," she shot back, completely unrepentant. "But is it so wrong to not want to see half demon children get treated like garbage and outcasts just because they're different? Is it so wrong to not give respect to the lives of youkai who only aim to protect their young and survive? From what I have observed in my travels there are youkai who only seek carnage and ones who only wish to be left alone just as humans are! So how can I not treat them equally?!
"Demons live through the same shades of black as humans live through the same shades of white in this society; they are all varying and gray! I can't look at a thief and decide he is completely evil just as I cannot look at a demon and see a complete monster!"
"Horrible," one of the miko that cane with Ungai looked like she wanted to cry. "She has been brainwashed! It must be true then that she had a demon lover and has sold her soul to the devil!"
"She has been tainted with demon filth!" one of the monks declared in disgust. "She no longer has the right to bear the power of the Shikon no Tama!"
"We should take it and use it for our cause instead!" another miko cried out.
"Oh so that's what this is all about?" Kagome replied in sarcastic exasperation. "So you guys think that bearing the Shikon no Tama makes you flawless? Who sent you here? Kikyou? It was Kikyou, wasn't it?"
"The undead priestess has pointed us in this direction, that is true," the miko replied defensively. "But only because even in death she was a much more capable servant of Kami than you!"
"Really?" Kagome deadpanned. "So much for 'Ridding The World Of All Evil'."
The miko who talked back to her flushed angrily.
"That does not matter," Ungai shot her a deadly glare. "Hand over the Shikon no Tama! You are a traitor to your kind and should not be bearing such a holy artifact. I am sure Midoriko's soul must be cringing being housed in your malignant soul!"
"SAY THAT AGAIN OLD MAN!" Kouga exploded angrily; not being able to take it anymore. "I'm not going to stand here listening to you talk like that to my woman!"
"Moron," Wolfram rolled his eyes at the Wolf prince. "You really want to die that much?"
"Shut up!" Kouga blushed even as he gave Yuuri a wary glance.
Even Yuuri was beginning to let loose again, though. "You guys have got some nerve!"
"Oya oya…" Ken pushed up his flashing spectacles in a deceptively calm manner. "That's no way to talk to a lady now."
"You guys are wrong, you know?" Kagome called out to Ungai and his followers grimly. "The Shikon no Tama does not make you flawless; quite the opposite, it corrupts you and your weakness for being human. That jewel mocks humanity it does not help anyone! It is being guarded for a reason!"
"YOU AND I ARE THE SAME!" Ungai shouted at the top of his lungs at her. "YOU HAVE JUST BEEN FOOLED BY THESE DEMONS! LET US SAVE YOU, SHIKON NO MIKO!"
At his signal all the monks and miko chanted and raised their powers the same way they did with Kikyou and attacked her, their reiki forming a powerful golden light that intertwined until it seemed as though Kagome was about to be hit by a gigantic, golden sword.
But Kagome merely flipped her wrist up again and in a moment she had barrier up, expelling this ttack and protect the demons directly behind her; her fallen shikigami rose again and again took the form of white hot lances of light aimed directly for their jugulars. One of the monks foolishly tried to block it with his shakujou but his weapon was easily cut apart and his neck bled a little from the slight contact it made with the shikigami.
"Listen to me, you idiots," Kagome told them, still seething and Ungai and his followers had no choice but to listen to her. "When Naraku was defeated let me tell you who it was that defeated him with me.
"Aiding me was a half demon Inu hanyou, a powerful demon lord, a monk, a demon exterminator, a fire cat, a tribe of wolf demons and a little fox kit. All of them risked their lives so you can foolishly act as you are doing right now," she told them through gritted teeth and Ungai felt the prick of her shikigami against his skin almost drawing blood and reflecting her barely controlled rage. "If I ever see any of you harming me or mine ever again I will make sure you'll wish you've never been born. Remember that this land stands as part of the Lord of the Western Lands territory and if he wanted to he'll crush like bugs. I'm sure you remember him, don't you, Ungai-san? Him and that little girl named, Rin?"
Ungai's eyes widened in recollection, taken aback by the memories of his failure. "Y-you don't mean that demon and the child from four years back?!"
"Yes," Kagome nodded at him. "I've seen how he beat your group into nothing and I'm sure you've seen the way Rin followed him despite your warnings and your useless attempts to separate her from him. Even now that child remains a ward of the Lord of the Western Lands."
"LIES!" Ungai yelled out angrily; the memory of his defeat a sore spot in his mind. "DEMONS ARE NOTHING BUT BLOODTHIRSTY CREATURES WHO AIM TO CREATE ILL INTENT FOR MANKIND!"
"That may be so but unless they're after to hurt me and mine the way you just did," Kagome waved her fingers away towards the outskirts of the village causing the shikigami to force their unwanted guests to take steps back. "Then I will offer them the same welcome I would offer a stranger."
The villagers; mostly whom who had daughters and sisters who had been hanyou or who had given birth to hanyou or had demons for lovers, let out a loud cry of agreement before taking their weapons and followed Kagome's shikigami and the retreating monks to make sure they did not attempt to enter the village again.
In his mind Ungai raged, refusing to accept the Shikon no Miko's twisted morals. He swore that he would come back and make her change his mind.
/*****/
"You've just made some very stubborn enemies, Kagome." Miroku muttered beside her as he watched the villagers and the outsider all go. "Ungai is quite the religious zealot. He won't forget this humiliation."
"What's the matter? Worried?" the ebony haired priestess gave the monk a little teasing smile, trying to douse the embers of her anger.
"Are you kidding me?" the violet eyed monk replied with a smirk of his own before praying for the outsiders being driven out. "Buddha bless them if they try to cross the line again. Although I have to say it might take them a while before they tried that once more."
"Send a letter to Sesshoumaru-sama about them; he'll know what to do." She told him before turning towards the others where Gwendal was now supporting a still unconscious Conrad by putting his left arms over his broad shoulders. He was more than capable of carrying his younger brother if he had to.
At the thought of Gwendal's size it invoked the memory of exactly where she woke up that morning. Even now Kagome could still smell the musky, piney scent of earth and spice. She tried very hard not to blush. He was so warm… Inuyasha had never felt so warm… Never made her feel so whole with his arms around her the way Gwendal did when she woke up with him practically wrapped around her… The sensation had been uncontrollable and hot. Just like the emotions she went through in the hot spring. She must have been still been dreaming back then but she could have sworn he was so close he was going to kiss her. The only reason she was saved from an awkward moment with him was the screaming of the villagers that brought them here.
That and of course the feeling of Yuuri's youki threatening to lash out of control because of his fury.
"How is he?" she asked, staring up at Conrad's face which was now back to normal even though his clothing was all torn and tattered.
"He'll be fine," Yuuri was trying to help Gwendal by putting Conrad's other arm around his shoulders as well, she could almost taste his relief. It was a good thing her brother had grown up quite a bit and had reached Conrad's eye level or else this would have been an awkward walk back to Miroku's shrine. "I think he's just tired."
"That's right," Ken nodded. "The forceful expulsion of maryokou from inside him pushed his body to the limit."
"So that's how the beads work?" Kagome asked, picking up some of the white beads still scattered around their feet and held them in her hands. "
Ken nodded to her. "It seems the beads will only remain on as long as the caster holds it together with their reiki."
"I see," Kagome nodded grimly at the beads in her hands. "Then there's no choice. I have to make Kikyou release Inuyasha from them."
Kouga sniffed at the beads in her hands and drew back, seemingly repulsed at the scent. "There's no doubt about it, these smell of that foolish human along with the traces of graveyard dirt and bones. That undead priestess was behind all of this."
"She must have thought to reduce the numbers of companions you can take with you when you face her." Miroku commented, studiously avoiding Ken's eyes.
Kagome had to agree as her eyes roamed from Conrad's unconscious form to Wolfram's wounded one. "Well she certainly got what she wanted. Come on; let's take them back to the shri—"
"KOUGA!"
Everyone was startled when the blue eyed Wolf Prince was bowled over by a blur of red and white and a after another moment, they found Kouga and Ayame on the ground with the red head seemingly determined to hug the poor dark skinned demon to death.
"A-Ayame! What are you doing?! Let GO, you're killing m—"
He was halted by the sound of her sobs as she buried her face against his chest. "Moron! You're such a moron, Kouga! Did you have any idea how worried sick I was?!"
Despite himself Kouga couldn't help but rub her back comfortingly as she cried on him, a sheepish semi blush on his face. "I'm sorry I made you worry; please don't cry anymore, Ayame."
Kagome smiled a little, committing the scene to memory even as another pair of blue eyes from a taller Mazoku lord watched her every move. This may be the last time she would be seeing these two.
Kouga helped Ayame up, careful not to show just how badly hurt he was in front of Ayame, still sheepish at the display of affection from the red headed demoness who turned to Kagome and engulfed her in a hug.
"Thank you, Kagome," she whispered in the miko's ear. "Thank you for giving him back to me…"
For a moment, a sad smile flittered across Kagome's face as she hugged Ayame back. She wondered if Kikyou will say the same words after their encounter tomorrow? Would the undead priestess thank her? Or curse her?
"Just take him home, Ayame," she told the wolf demoness, rubbing their cheeks together as per the rituals of pack. "And send my regards to Kiba-sama."
Ayame pulled away and nodded to her fiercely. "I can come with you; I know Sango won't be able to come because of childbirth but I can take her place and protect you from that undead witch!"
"No, your place is with your pack," Kagome told her firmly. "We've managed to patch Kouga up as best as we could but he's still injured and he needs complete recovery. He needs someone strong beside him when you take him home so his leadership will remain uncontested. That's what a good mate should do."
"Hey wait a minute!" Kouga protested, blushing. "Who said anything about a mate?!"
"Kouga-kun," she smiled at the dark skinned wolf prince in a way that stunned the normally rambunctious demon into fascinated silence. "If you've got half the sense Kami has given you then you'll take Ayame for your mate. Hasn't she proven herself enough already to you?"
"Kagome—"
"Go home," she told him as she turned away and beckoned the others to follow her to get Conrad treated. "And be happy for me."
As she left them there in the middle of a still deserted village the two wolf demons glanced at each other uneasily. They both couldn't get rid of the feeling that Kagome might be saying goodbye…
/*****/
AN: Next up is Kagome and Kikyou's final battle! (at last)
Erm… Review?