The Portal

Chapter 17 – Meeting Lord Anubis

Her adrenaline level went through the roof when they took those first few steps out into the open. Kagome could feel the eyes on her as she followed Sesshomaru into the main courtyard. They passed by many slaves, both men and women, who stared at her in confusion and pity. She felt as if she were betraying those people. She did not deserve their pity. Kagome choked down the need to comfort them, and reminded herself that she was doing this for the greater good.

She passed by a few merchant booths that were selling fine silks and hand made pottery and jewelry. The preparations for the festival were almost complete and Kagome could hear the musicians tuning their strange instruments. Nightfall was fast approaching and a few women were running here and there lighting torches, and beautiful paper shade candles, which were strung about the area.

Sesshomaru paid none of this any heed, as he made his way toward the pyramid entrance. Kagome was a little frightened that they would be discovered, and their ruse would be uncovered by these foreign youkai. It was really too late now to have these second thoughts, so she shook them from her mind.

Sesshomaru could sense her anxiety building. He felt pretty confident that the youkai they came into contact with tonight would assume her nervousness came from being purchased by a taiyoukai for breeding purposes. Her true innocence would help to verify that lie, however he felt a strange need to calm her down.

Sesshomaru pulled her leash, and was slightly amused when he heard her grunt. Once she was closer, he said, “Kagome, I will let no harm come to you. Do not be frightened.”

Kagome was surprised that Sesshomaru was attempting to soothe her nerves. She kept her eyes averted from his face, and whispered, “That’s easy for you to say, but... thanks.”

Sesshomaru gave her leash some slack so that she could fall in behind him. Suddenly a young inuyoukai male came running up to greet him. The boy bowed graciously and said, “My Lord Anubis sends his greetings and wishes for you to appear before him. Please follow me.”

‘Well that was fast,’ Kagome thought. She wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. Apparently their aura was detected rather quickly. Sesshomaru gave a sharp nod to the boy and they proceeded to follow him into the temple.

The front of this pyramid had a massive sloping ramp that rose up out of the sands to meet the equally massive opening into the temple. Once inside, Kagome looked around in wonder and amazement. It was beautiful and mysterious. Gold statues and intricate wall paintings adorned the spacious cavern, which was lit by hundreds of torches and candles. She could actually imagine that this would be what it was like to live in ancient Egypt... without all of the inuyoukai, of course.

The young inu boy lead them through the corridors until they came to stand before two colossal doors which were designed with lovely gold carvings and two huge round rings used for handles. The boy stood to the side and picked up a strange looking hammer, which he used to hit a piece of hanging metal. As soon as the chime rang out the doors were slowly pulled open.

The inner chamber was certainly a sight to behold and Kagome gasped as it was slowly revealed to her. Huge lotus flower columns adorned either side of the tiled walkway, which lead up to a raised platform. On the platform were three thrones. Two of which were occupied. There was a male youkai sitting on the middle throne and a female on his left.

As they approached, Kagome tried her best not to let them see her staring. The female inu was perhaps the loveliest thing she had ever laid eyes upon. She had long raven hair, and eyes that were of such a light blue nature that they almost appeared clear. She had two marks on both her cheeks, which here blue like her eyes. Atop her head was a delicate golden crown that was made to look like a vine with tiny leaves attached. Her robes were light blue and white; made of such fine silk that the outer layer was shear.

Not only was her outer beauty appealing, but her aura was welcoming as well. Kagome could sense that this was not an evil woman.

The male, Lord Anubis, was equally magnificent. He had dark hair, like the female, which pooled beneath his throne. His eyes were the same crystal blue, and his face was chiseled to perfection. He had a dark purple mark, which started just above his left brow, then broke to continue below his eye down to meet his cheekbone, It was a slender mark similar to a diamond, but the bottom point appeared to swell out into a drip. He did not wear a crown on his head, but Kagome figured that there was no need, since any fool could sense the immense power he exuded. She was awestruck in his presence.

Kagome was standing before the great mythical God Anubis of ancient Egyptian legend.

He was of course not really a god, only a very powerful youkai. One just as strong, if not more powerful than Sesshomaru himself. As powerful as he was, however, Kagome could not detect an evil aura coming from him. She wondered how he would greet them.

A robed youkai male stepped forward then, and bowed to Sesshomaru before rising and issuing a greeting, “Welcome to the Temple Shikon. My Lord Anubis and Lady Nebthet wishes to speak with you. State your name and intentions here in our city.”

Sesshomaru stepped forward and bowed deeply in respect to the Lord and Lady of the temple. Kagome and Naraku went to their knees in a bow as well. All rising just before Sesshomaru began speaking. “Greetings. I am Lord Sesshomaru, ruler of the Western Lands of Japan. My entourage and I had been traveling by sea for weeks, when we were blown off course during a raging storm. The boat was destroyed and we three were the only survivors. I have been traveling through this land for a short time, and was informed that your highness would welcome me into his presence.”

Anubis was Sesshomaru’s equal in hiding his emotions, and if he questioned Sesshomaru’s word then only he would know. It seemed like an eternity before he began to speak, “My mother, and I, welcome you Lord Sesshomaru, to Abu Simbel. You may stay here as our guests until such time as you choose to leave.”

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. She had been imagining all kinds of horrific fates passed down as a traitor to these youkai. Although she relaxed a bit, she was still concerned. It just seemed too easy.

Suddenly Anubis turned his attention from Sesshomaru to Kagome, “So, Lord Sesshomaru, I see you have a human in your possession. A human with the power of purification. Might I ask how you came across this particular female?”

Kagome felt the sudden knot in her throat swell, and she tried futilely to swallow it down. She listened as Sesshomaru explained.

“This Sesshomaru purchased this extraordinary female breeder in Japan, just before we set sail.”

Anubis rose from his throne, which apparently wasn’t done very often, considering the questioning look on his mother’s face and the shocked looks from his patrons. He wore a gold tunic and short matching kilt that showed off his muscular thighs. Leather Boots stopped just below his knees. A rather short, white silk obi was tied at his waist where his sword was attached. A flowing black cape followed behind him. He was rather breathtaking to behold as he made his way down the steps to stand very closely to Kagome.

Her heart was beating like mad, and there was not one damn thing she could do to stop it. Just inches from her stood a youkai that was considered the Egyptian God of the Dead. It was exhilarating and frightening beyond measure. He reached out to her and put one clawed finger beneath her chin, lifting her head up to look at him. Kagome gasped softly when she met his piercing gaze. He was magnificent, and her mind raced in wonder at his actions.

Sesshomaru watched this display with narrowed eyes. It would be disrespectful to stop this lord from his inspection of the miko, but his youkai was suddenly going mad with the need to engage in combat with this rival male. It took a great deal of strength to keep himself from lashing out. His struggle was either un-noticed or un-cared for by Lord Anubis, who was now inhaling Kagome’s scent deeply.

He had his face buried in her hair! Kagome was freaking out, and her knees were literally shaking with the force of her nerves. Anubis suddenly took a step back and began to circle her slowly. His eyes were trained on her as he took in every curve of her tiny frame. The blush that coursed over her body turned her a delicate shade of crimson, and that’s when the youkai lord did the strangest thing.

He laughed.

Anubis stepped back around and took her tiny hand in his claws. The laughing smile on his face reflected in his eyes, and Kagome immediately felt her fear and anxiety wash away. He never released her gaze from his own, nor did he drop her hand, as he said, “Well Lord Sesshomaru, your homeland, which I have never heard of before, certainly offers the finest breeding specimens. I must make an effort to visit this place one day. In the meantime, would you be willing to pass her on to me? You will be paid more than fairly.”

Sesshomaru was seeing red. The brazen behavior of this bastard had his youkai screaming for retribution. It took him a moment to even find his voice, and before he could reply Anubis added fuel to the fire.

“Tell me Lord Sesshomaru, why is it that your lovely young breeder has not been bedded by you? Her sweet innocence sings to my senses,” Anubis said in a low sensual voice, as he spoke into Kagome’s eyes.