Falling Away

Chapter 15

(Kouga’s POV)

The Miko and the Houshi just stood there staring at each other, struggling to regain their breath; I don’t think either of them could believe what had just happened. I think the fact that Sango, Inuyasha, Kaede, the Kit and I were all just staring at the two of them got to Kagome, because she glared around at all of us, quickly proclaimed that she was going home, before dashing off into the forest. To my surprise, no one followed her, not even Inuyasha. I know she had hurt him with her recent actions and harsh words, but even more so, I knew he still cared deeply for the girl.
The monk continued to stare off into the direction Kagome had fled; it was quite a while before he moved over to join us, all the while nervously rubbing the back of his neck. We all remained there, silently awaiting him to find his voice once more.

“That was new,” muttered Miroku with a nervous smile on his face.

“Keh, everybody meet the new Lord of understatements.”

“Houshi-sama how did you do all of that? How did Kagome?” Sango questioned.

“I am sure Kagome’s newfound abilities are due to the jewel that is now within her.” Kaede mused, “But as for Miroku, I have nothing more than a theory to offer.”

“Your wisdom is always appreciated Kaede-sama.” Miroku said as he flopped down to rest on a fallen tree.

“I am guessing that the curse Naraku placed on your family changed more than the power of the wind tunnel, the taint of Naraku’s evil aura must have put a damper on your spiritual powers as well, and this may also explain why your grandfather was not simply just killed by the vile hanyou. Maybe Naraku could not kill him and resorted to cursing him as an ongoing act of vengeance.”

Everyone just nodded in agreement, still too shocked, tired, and far too overwhelmed from everything that has taken place this past week to really want to explore it any further at the moment.

They were at the village’s edge when Inuyasha stopped, drawing everyone’s attention towards him.

“I will be leaving today,” he muttered, his voice distant and timid, so very unlike his own.

“Very well Inu-san, give us a few moments to gather our things and we can all be on our way.”

“Huh!?!”

“Come now my dog-eared friend did you really think we would let you make this journey alone?” asked Miroku as he draped his arm around the hanyou’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I didn’t save your sorry hide from Naraku, just to have some demon eat you on your way to your Brother’s,” Kouga added, walking up to the others.

“If I remember correctly Wolf boy, I was the one keeping you out of the spiders’ web.”

And they bickered like that all the way to Kaede’s hut. Somehow packed and ready in less than an hour, they gathered outside the old Miko’s hut, prepared to depart.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, Runt?”

“I’m way sure Inuyasha, I know he’s no longer trying to kill you or anything but he still makes my fur frizz!” exclaimed the wide eyed Kitsune. “I think I’ll stay here with Lady Kaede for a while.”

“If you’re sure Runt.”

“I’m sure, and if you come back in one piece then maybe I’ll come with you. Deal?”

“Deal!”

With that said, the odd little group headed beyond the village’s boundaries to begin their day-and-a-half long journey. Miroku and Sango aboard the transformed fire cat and Inuyasha leaping along and through the forest with (a much slower, now that he’s ‘shardless’) Kouga.

Deciding they were making decent time, the companions chose to stop and eat, and much to everyone’s surprise without objections or complaints from Inuyasha. Offering to hunt for dinner, the wolf and dog-demon left Miroku, Sango and Kilala in the forest clearing.

“I am shocked Inuyasha didn’t complain about our stopping.”

“I’m not,” Miroku said causing the slayer to give the Houshi a quizzical look.

“Despite his outward confidence, I believe underneath it all he is petrified!”

“I see.” Sango said as her brow furrowed and she shot a worried look at the monk.

“I’m fine Lady Sango.”

“I’m sure with everything that has happened this week you…”

“Well I’m sure I don’t want to talk about this now!”

“If not now, when?”

“Maybe not ever, damn-it Sango wasn’t my spiritual battle with Kagome enough drama for today?” spat Miroku with a little more venom is his voice than he intended.

“Fine!” snorted Sango, as she turned to walk away from him. Before she could take two steps he seized her wrist. “Sango don’t go I … I’m sorry, shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”

She whirled around with the intention of giving him a piece of her mind, but her face and composure immediately softened when her gaze fell upon a pair of amethyst eyes glimmering with unshed tears.

“Oh Miroku,” she sighed, pulling the Houshi into a tight embrace, stroking his back softly. They had been like that for a short while, when the comforting moment was shattered by a loud ‘Ah-hem’. The two jerked apart at the sound, turning to face the source of the sound, only to see a snickering Kouga and Inuyasha, each with a variety of fish slung over their shoulder.

“It’s not what it looks like,” stammered a blushing Sango.

“It never is,” said Kouga.

“Looks like Miroku finally rubbed off on you,” said Inuyasha “No pun intended.”

With that he and Kouga broke into fits of laughter as the tayiija and the Houshi blushed various shades of red. When the initial wave of embarrassment passed, Miroku stood, beginning to straighten out his robes. Walking over to his friend, Inuyasha leaned in, whispering in his ear.

“Just say the word Miroku, and Kouga and I will make ourselves scarce.”

“Huh?!!” mumbled Miroku as the blush returned to his cheeks.

“You know,” Inuyasha said with a wicked gleam in his eyes as he motioned toward Sango. The Houshi visibly stiffened, backing away him, offering the excuse that he was going to go meditate, before striding off into the woods.

“What’s with him?” asked a confused dog-demon.

“It’s just been a long day for Houshi –sama.”

“True, it’s not everyday you find out you have the spiritual gusto to go up against the Shikon No Tama,” added Kouga.

“I’ll say,” the hanyou muttered with a smirk, “I underestimated the monk, I knew he was a great fighter and holy man but I never would have guessed he was capable of anything like what we all saw today.”

Silence fell over the trio as they prepared the fire and scaled the fish. The food was quickly prepared and everyone was eating by the time Miroku emerged from the woods. Kouga and Inuyasha muttered their apologies for their earlier comments, the monk accepting hastily. When they’d all eaten, the group soon packed up and were on their way once more.


(Sesshomaru’s POV)

“So you are actually on your way here Otouto, I was sure I would have to remind you of our meeting. You never cease to surprise me.”

A knock fell upon the Demon Lord’s chamber doors.

“You may enter Jaken.”

“Your scouts have come to report your brother and his companions are-”

“-Less than a days travel due east of here outside Vapid Swamps.”

“My Lord did they report to you directly?” A sigh fluttered past my lips as I turned my gaze back to the soon-to-be-setting sun.

“You are dismissed.”

“Yes my Lord.”

Once the toad demon had removed himself from my presence, I couldn’t help but ponder and recall how different Inu-demons are from all others. Our senses, abilities, and I dare say our very souls are so much more advanced than the rest of the demons that roam this world.

My scouts, loyal though they may be, had to be practically standing on top of my brother before they could smell him and his companions, while I could sense him from two territories away. I have come to realize, this is one of the many reasons why, even though my brother is a hanyou, he is far superior to most of those who chose to oppose him, thinking him an easy victory because of his mixed heritage only to race headlong to their death.

We are the last of out kind, after father died the already scarce Inu-race thinned even further and out of what I could only call some sort of stupidity, some of the more powerful Inu’s choosing to challenge me for the throne, so that was the end of nearly a dozen upper-class powerful Inu’s in less than two seasons after father’s demise. Enough of the past, the present and the future hold enough obstacles and unknowns to occupy my time. Inuyasha should be here before noon tomorrow and we have much to discuss. I am sure I will not have to worry about an appropriate time presenting itself, as brash as Inuyasha is mixed with his youthful curiosity, I am sure all issues will be addressed in due time.

(On the other side of the well: Kagome’s POV)

It has been over twenty-four hours and he still has not come to apologize to me, it looks like I’m going to have to go back and drag it out of him, Kagome huffed as she stomped toward the well house.

“Where are you going dear?” called her Mom.

“Through the well.”

“Maybe you should rest for a few days and give him time to come to you.”

“He’s wasted enough of my time, Mom.”

“Love is never a waste of time dear.”

“Who said anything about love?”

A gasp rose from Mrs. Hirigashi’s throat as she stood with her hand over her mouth staring at the young woman before her, wondering where her sweet little Kagome had gone, and who this was person standing in her place.

With a roll of her eyes and a wave of her hand, Kagome dismissed her shocked mother, darting into the well house and disappeared.

(Back in Feudal Japan)

Kagome climbed out of the well swiftly, beginning to head through the woods towards the village. She was so caught up in her own thoughts she did not see the lady before her until she almost walked straight into her.

“Excuse me, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Indeed.”

There is a strange and powerful aura around this woman – I’d better be on my way, thought Kagome.

“Well, I apologize for almost running over you, I’ll be on-”

“-You are a priestess are you not?”

“Uh…”

“The one who helped in the defeat of Naraku, correct?”

“But how did you know…?”

“I am gifted with quiet a bit of power myself, Young one.”

“Are you a priestess too?”

“In a manner of speaking. You are somewhat powerful, you should hone those abilities.”

“I’m tired of people telling me I need to learn more control, I am in control!” Kagome snapped as she took a defiant stance before the mysterious lady.

“I said hone not put under wraps, you have the potential to be a great warrior and you should be trained as such.”

“Really?!”

“Yes, would you like me to show you what you could do with this near limitless source of power you now have?”

“Yes, I would love to learn. Please priestess, show me all you know.”

The woman nodded, extending her hand to Kagome. However, when the girl reached out to that hand, she noticed and octagon shaped making on the woman’s forearm, she was about to comment on it but as soon as their hands touched, in a blink they were gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They had broken camp at sunrise and after a quick breakfast continued on their way, it wasn’t long before they stood just outside the gates of their destination. With a nervous look back at his companions Inuyasha took a few slow paces forward.

(Inuyasha’s POV)

I wonder if it will still open for me after all this time, he pondered as he looked up at the huge dual-doors then down at the enormous crescent moon symbol engraved upon the earth before him. Only one way to find out I suppose, and with an intake of air I moved forward to stand on the symbol. At first it appeared as though nothing was going to happen, and Kouga had shouted the idiotic suggestion of knocking which I pointedly ignored. After a moment or two of standing there with nothing happening, I was about to do just that, when suddenly the faintest traces of red mist surrounded me and the gates began to swing open. The sight that greeted us took everyone’s breath away.

I had to admit Sesshomaru had done wonders with the grounds, the gardens were all much more expansive than I remember, the trees and bushes were trimmed to perfection and most importantly the lake surrounding the palace was still in place. I figured if the gates still opened for me then this would work as well.

“How on earth are we going to get across that huge lake?” Kouga asked.

“Kilala can take us two at a time if necessary Inuyasha.”

“It won’t be necessary Sango, just get in a line behind me and make sure whoever’s first in line holds on to me and doesn’t let go until we hit the other side.”

I watched as they all exchanged a variety of confused and worried looks.

“Hey, don’t you guys trust me?”

“Yes, but…” Sango began.

“Well then do as I said and let’s get going.”

With a shrug of his shoulders, Miroku approached me and grabbed onto my fire-rat robe, Sango following his lead with Kilala perched on her shoulder, and soon a reluctant ookami fell in line as well.”

“All right remember what I said, don’t let go okay?”

“Ok.”

“Whatever you say Inuyasha.”

“I’d better not get wet doing this.”

I prayed to my father’s spirit that I wasn’t about to make an ass out of myself and headed straight for the lake. When we got to the waters edge, I could feel the others hesitate and I muttered a final plea to whatever spirits were listening, stepping out onto the water. Thank Kami it still worked, instead of falling into the lake; we were walking across it just like I remembered. I heard Sango gasp and had to chuckle, the slayer was hard to shock and if I had done so then I could consider myself one of the privileged few.

“How on earth is this possible?” Kouga asked.

“It’s due to a spell my father had put on the gate and lake so only family members could get past without an escort, pretty neat huh?”

“Definitely,” chimed Miroku.

Managing to make across the lake without a hitch, no sooner than we got ten feet onto dry land than we were greeted by that little green toad that’s always with my brother, accompanied by several others that I guessed to be servants.

“Good day, Lord Inuyasha, you and your companions are to follow me, your brother wanted to see you as soon as you arrived,” croaked the little toad as he bowed, turning to lead the way.

“Uh, did that little green guy just call you ‘Lord’?” whispered Miroku.

“Yeah I think so.”

“Well, that is what you are, so that is how I will address you, young Lord.” replied Jaken as he scurried ahead of them.

“Uh- Inuyasha I thought your brother was Lord of the Western Land?” asked Miroku.

“Hell, so did I.”

“It’s because you’re brothers, so when your father died without either of you officially ascending the throne under his rule you both became Lords with the eldest rightfully holding the first in command slot with you beside him,” the Ookami explained.

“That’s news to me; the only one to ever call me Lord was that bothersome flea Myoga.”

The group fell silent as we wandered down the exquisitely decorated halls and walkways behind the toad demon, every servant we passed respectfully bowing to me, some causing the heat to rise in my face as a few of the ladies ooh-ed and aah-ed as I passed. When I reached the great hall, I was ready to jump out of my own skin.

Sesshomaru was gliding toward us looking as regally poised as ever, only something was slightly different. It took a moment before it dawned on me this was the fist time in ages I had seen him without his armor, he wore white silk (as per usual) and his feet were clad only in a set of thongs much like Miroku’s.

“Welcome, Otouto, I am pleased to see you have arrived safely as well as on time. I was expecting the slayer and the monk, but not Prince Kouga; I shall have accommodations prepared for him as swiftly as possible.” Kouga and I just exchanged startled looks.

Sesshomaru clapped his hands softly and two tiger-demon chambermaids came swiftly out of the shadows. “Yes My Lord,” they chimed.

“Please, show the Lady and the Houshi to their chambers and on your way please tell Inano to prepare one of the royal chambers for Prince Kouga.”

“Yes My Lord.”

“Also, inform the cooks of the need to add something to the feast to suit the tastes of our ookami guest.”

“It will be done my Lord.” He nodded to them and they left with a shocked Sango and Miroku trailing behind them. This was like some weird dream and from the looks of things it was only going to get stranger.