A Sister's Gift

Chapter 11 – A Gift of Weaponry

Two weeks later...

“Miko!...Miko!” A young pageboy called out.

Kagome was just entering the Shrine for morning prayer when her attention was brought about. She stopped to turn and met Sesshomaru who had already taken up his position at her side. She smiled briefly at her Protector. Since their first visit to the village together, Sesshomaru had been quite insistent upon staying by her side. She turned her attention back to the wily young man running in her direction.

“Yes, may I help you?” Kagome asked.

The boy breathlessly fell to one knee at her feet. “Are you the miko, Higurashi Kagome?”

“I am,” Kagome replied.

The page held out a scroll for her saying, “I am sent from the Emperor’s Palace, on royal business, to deliver this into your hands, and gain your reply.”

Kagome took the scroll. She was nervous, but already had an idea of what was written. Nonetheless, she unrolled it, and began to read. After reading through carefully, she looked to the young page.

“Please send word that I accept the invitation and shall be present.” Kagome instructed just before the boy rose to his feet and ran to his waiting horse.

Sesshomaru’s deep voice startled her out of her thoughts at the moment, “Mistress Kagome, may I inquire as to the nature of the scroll?”

Kagome turned to him smiling, but her eyes held a bit of sadness. “You may, Sesshomaru. That was the calling that I have been training for. You see, the Emperor’s Personal Miko has requested a gathering of young priestesses at the palace. We were sent word that we would be summoned many months ago. I’m not sure what the purpose is, but it is a great honor to be called.”

Sesshomaru wondered at the tone in her voice, and the hint of sadness in her eyes. “You do not wish to attend?”

Kagome sighed, “You see through me all to well, Sesshomaru. I am greatly honored to be called, but... I do not wish to leave Sango and Kaede for so long. I suppose I am also a little afraid. I mean, what if I am not allowed to return to my village?”

Sesshomaru understood her concern. In the many weeks of training side by side with his Mistress, he could see clearly the close relationship held by the miko and exterminator, as well as the old woman. Kagome relayed the story of how she came to be in their care. He knew she feared being alone in the world. At that moment, he wanted very badly to hold her close. To reassure her, and comfort her. His station prevented such an act. The villagers would be mortified, seeing a demon slave holding a miko mistress.

Sesshomaru did the only thing he could do at the moment to ease Kagome’s worry. He said, “Do not fear, Mistress. I will never leave your side.”

Kagome looked up to her Taiyoukai with gratitude in her huge eyes. She wanted more than anything to throw herself into his arms. To bury her face in his chest, but that could not be. “Arigato Sesshomaru. You do not know how much that means to me.” Kagome smiled faintly and turned to go into the Shrine.

That afternoon, Kagome met with Sango. She watched as the slayer unrolled the scroll from the Emperor’s Miko. “Kagome, you must be so proud! We are proud for you, as well! Imagine... our little Kagome has been summoned to the royal palace of the Emperor!”

Sango then noticed that Kagome wasn’t as thrilled with the message as she thought she would be. “Kagome, are you not happy about this?”

Kagome sighed heavily. She looked up to Sango, “I am... but... I suppose I am just afraid. I don’t know what I will do if I can not return here. I don’t want to lose you, sister.”

Sango smiled and wrapped her arms protectively around Kagome. “Dear little sister. Do not fear such things. You will not lose me, as I would never allow us to be parted forever. Besides, you worry over things that may never come to pass. Take some advice from an older sibling. Sometimes it is best to take each day as it comes.”

Kagome hugged Sango in return. Her words always had a way of quelling her fears, and Kagome allowed them to sooth her frustration. Maybe Sango was correct. Maybe she should just take things one day at a time, until the future becomes more clear. “Arigato Sango, you always know how to make me feel a little better.”

Sango laughed a little and squeezed her tightly, “That’s what sister’s are for, Kagome.”

The following day Sango called Kagome to her estate. Kagome entered the huge gates, to be greeted by Sesshomaru. She stood for just a moment, marveling at his beauty. His snowy hair glistened with an iridescent shine in the mid-day sun. Such a handsome being. He waited patiently for her to enter, and busied himself re-attaching the heavy lock.

She smiled warmly at him as he turned to meet her gaze. His golden eyes held a hint of happiness at seeing her once more. Kagome felt close to Sesshomaru, after spending every day with the taiyoukai. Their friendship had become very important to her, and she felt that he held the same affection for her. In fact, there were times when Kagome felt her affection might actually surpass that of mere friendship, which was a frightening thought for many reasons.

Sesshomaru met her gaze with the warmth he held for this little human woman. Never in all his years of dealing with human’s had he met one like her. Her heart and soul were both huge in comparison to those around her. She held compassion for all things. Kagome was filled with love and fire. Her spirit burned within her, and her power was truly one to be reckoned with. It was not surprising that the Emperor requested her presence, for she had to be one of the most powerful miko’s alive. Her aura danced with the pink glow of her purifying power. It tingled against his skin when she was close. It took some time to become accustomed to the feeling of it, but soon it became much like an addiction to the inuyoukai.

“Konnichiwa Mistress,” Sesshomaru said softly.

“Konnichiwa Sesshomaru,” Kagome replied with a slight blush, hoping he didn’t notice.

Sesshomaru fell in behind his mistress, wondering at her thoughts. Occasionally when he was near, her pretty face would flush red, leaving him to ponder what could bring about that reaction from the little miko.

Paylae met them at the door to Sango’s home. “Mistress Sango is in the dojo, waiting for you.”

Kagome thanked Paylae, and proceeded to the dojo. Upon entering she was met with a shock. A knife was hurled at her head!

Sesshomaru heard the wind as the knife left it’s masters hand. In a mere fraction of a second he pushed Kagome aside and caught the blade. He looked to the wielder of the knife and let out a deep growl.

Sango let out a hearty laugh! “Ah, Sesshomaru, you have become quite the adversary. You have trained well. I do not believe even FiChun could gain the advantage over you.”

FiChun, who stood leaning casually against the far wall behind Sango, grunted his disagreement with a “Humph”.

Sango laughed once more. Calm yourself FiChun, I was only teasing.

Sesshomaru was not amused. “What meaning is this slayer. Would you take the life of one you claim to love?”

Sango lost her cheerful expression. “Kagome was never in any danger. I have complete trust in your abilities taiyoukai.”

Sesshomaru grunted his disapproval of the wench’s little test, and hurled the knife into the wooden wall, burying it deeply within.

Kagome was still in shock, but shook it off, upon seeing Sango’s laughter. She was a little surprised at Sesshomaru’s reaction, though. He was visibly upset about Sango’s assault, even though it was clear that Sango held every bit of faith in his abilities to keep Kagome from harm.

“You did well Sesshomaru, Sango said, and I have the utmost confidence in your ability to keep my sister safe during her travels.” Sango turned to Kagome. Sister, I have something for you both.

Kagome shook her head, “Sango, you have already done too much.”

Sesshomaru growled out sarcastically, “That, I fully agree with.”

Sango only laughed in response, and walked over to the table next to FiChun. She pulled the lid from a box, and turned, “Kagome, this is for you.” In her hand was a finely crafted bow. Kagome took it from her with a look of awe. It was a beautiful wooden bow and the handle was carved from some sort of bone, which also was crafted on each of the tips of the bow. Sango watched as Kagome slid her fingers over the handle in wonder. “It’s Ivory, Kagome. It was carved from the tusk of a great beast called an elephant.” She reached back and handed Kagome the quiver full of arrows. The quiver was equally magnificent. “The quiver is made from the skins of the beast, and decorated with the ivory as well.”

Kagome was stunned into silence. Never had she seen such finely crafted weaponry. She traced the quivers design and ran her fingers over the tightly stretched gray skin. She looked up to Sango with tears in her eyes. “Sango... why this is... I... I can’t accept this. It must have cost a small fortune!”

Sango looked down to the floor and shook her head. “Kagome, why must we always go through this? You know I will not accept your refusal. I wish for you to have this. Use it well, my sister.”

Kagome smiled and threw herself into Sango’s arms. “Arigato Sango! This is beautiful! Arigato.”

Sango hugged her fiercely, and then peeled herself away from Kagome. She turned once more and brought out a katanna. Another finely crafted weapon, with an ivory tip on the hilt. She handed it to Kagome. “This is yours as well.” She braced herself as Kagome once again flung herself at her. Sango kissed her cheek. “Kagome this is in case your enemy is too close for the arrows.” She looked to Sesshomaru at that moment, “But, you should never have call to use it, right Sesshomaru?”

Sesshomaru knew what she was getting at. “That is correct, Mistress Sango.”

Sango stepped back and slid a long box from underneath the table. She lifted it and sat it up in front of them, but she dared not remove the lid. She looked to Sesshomaru, a little uncertain about what she was about to do. If she was wrong about this... well, she couldn’t be wrong.

Sango stepped away from the table. She looked to Sesshomaru. “Kagome told me of your past life, Lord Sesshomaru. While I was quite shocked at the time, I have since come to find that information comforting. Who better to see to my sister’s safety than a powerful taiyoukai such as yourself. Before you is a gift. The box is sealed with magic, keeping the contents safe from prying eyes. Inside you will find a weapon of formidable power. Attained many years ago by my father in a great battle. He had a man of great spiritual power place the seal on the box, with strict instructions to never break it. I think that today, is the day that it should be broken.” Sango took a deep, nervous, breath, as she hoped with all her might that she was doing the right thing.

Sesshomaru was a little disturbed by the slayers nervousness. In all his time around the woman, she never exuded the faintest amount of jitters. She carried herself with assurance at all times, yet now here she was gifting him with something that clearly had her shaken. Sesshomaru looked to Kagome before stepping forward, “Kagome, step away.” He waited until she was well away from him and the long wooden box.

The taiyoukai of the west, slid a sharp claw underneath the seal, which sparked and ignited with a small flame at his touch. He looked curiously to the youkai exterminator, who nodded, as if to say ‘go on’. Slowly he removed the lid. Lying in the box was something that he never thought to see again. He almost gasped at the sight of it. It shone with it’s original brilliance. Not a bit of dust or wear to belie it’s age.

He turned to the exterminator who appeared to be holding her breath. “Tokijin.” Visible relief seemed to flow over her form. He turned back to his demon sword, grabbing the hilt, feeling the evil forces battling with his own power, briefly. He held the sword up, and the blackened aura was swiftly overtaken by his own as he once again claimed the sword.

Sesshomaru was speechless. His own sword, lost so many years ago as the battle for his homeland was raged. The battle that almost claimed his life. He never knew what became of the demon sword, Tokijin, and time pushed it from his mind. He allowed a smile to spread over his majestic features, as he turned to Sango, the Taijiya.

Sesshomaru bowed deeply to the woman, “Arigato, Mistress Sango. This is a gift, that is most appreciated.”

Sango breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried stiff, that the demon was not the true owner of the demon sword. It’s evil was beyond compare and her father was probably turning in his grave with the knowledge that she had broken the seal. Despite that fact, when Kagome told her of the taiyoukai’s lost title, the first thing she thought of was that damnable sword.

Many years ago her father told her of the sword and it’s awesome evil power. He relayed the tale of a great battle over the lands of the great western taiyoukai, Sesshomaru. When the battle was over the taiyoukai had been mortally wounded, and the sword lay discarded at his side. A high priest was called to the scene to contain the swords evil power, since it could not be destroyed. It was placed in her father’s care, as he was a legend among demon exterminators. What safer place for an object that could be sought after by demon’s wishing to gain its power? The sword was placed in her care at her father’s death. Not something she wanted, but a burden that she had no choice but to accept.

When Kagome told her Sesshomaru was the fallen demon lord, well, she had her doubts. She went to the old man Myoga, and he was adamant that Kagome’s Protector was indeed the Great Taiyoukai of the Western Territories. Imagine her shock. She had captured such as he. Sometimes her own stupidity was overwhelming. She made a mental note to track her future prey with a little more inquiry into their abilities and nature.

Since the day of her discovery the sword played on her mind. It was his weapon, after all. She spent several sleepless nights trying to decide if she should gift it to him. A gift that would relay her thanks for protecting someone dear to her heart. It took quite a great deal of thought to make her decision, and until he held it in his hands, Sango was still nervous as hell. Now she felt sure that she made the right decision.