Sesshomaru and the Forgiving Soul

Chapter 23:

“Mom?” Kagome dropped her bow on the ground stunned. Kagome starred at her mother for a moment before saying anything. “Mom, what are you doing here? How are you even here?”

“Kagome, you did not think that you were the only one in the family with spiritual powers, did you?” Maya watched her daughter with a smile.

(Sesshomaru, please come in her). Sesshomaru walked into the room and Maya bowed deeply.

“Lord Sesshomaru. It is always a pleasure to see you.”

“Maya.” Sesshomaru bowed his head to her. He wrapped his arm around Kagome as she started to sway. Kagome smiled up at him and nodded. Sesshomaru stepped across the room and sat on the riser. Kagome stepped to his side and sat.

“I was on my way to visit an old friend so I thought that I’d stop and see you as well. How is everything working out here?” Kagome dropped her head so her bangs were covering her face. She felt her face grow redder and hoped that her mother could not see it.

“Who did you come to see?” Sesshomaru’s voice made Kagome blush even worse.

“I was going to see a friend of my late husband. He was supposed to be keeping an eye on Kagome for me while she’s here. I was told that he recently moved here to the castle.” Sesshomaru nodded. Kagome raised her head and looked at her mother.

“What-” A knock came at the door. “Enter.” General Takio entered the room.

“Maya? I thought you weren’t coming for another week.” Maya stood.

“I had nothing to do so I thought that I’d come early.” Maya and Takio embraced briefly before stepping away from each other. Kagome was shocked.

“Mother, what’s going on? This is father’s friend? But he was so rude to me when we first met.” Maya’s eye ticked and Kagome and Takio drew back from her. Takio put his hands up in defense.

“I didn’t know that she was Kagome until latter that day. But everything worked out. I’m her bodyguard as long as she stays here.” Maya turned on him and smiled sweetly.

“I should give Kagome another subjugation necklace for you. Then you would learn very quickly not to cross her.” Takio lowered his arms and bowed to her.

“There is no need. I assure you.” Sesshomaru cleared his throat. Takio bowed to him. “My Lord, I received a message from the Lord of the North. He will arrive shortly after mid-day to discuss something with you before the evening meal.” Sesshomaru nodded and dismissed Takio. He bowed and left the room.

Kagome had been sitting quietly observing the whole encounter. She was stunned that the general who seemed to hate her was her father’s friend. When did her mother first come to the feudal era? Where did her parents meet? Was her father even human? Thoughts were whirling around her mind so fast that she did not hear her mother’s call. She felt Sesshomaru pushing at their connection but she tightened her shields. Kagome swayed in her seat and felt arms wrap around her body. Her powers reacted to the touch and began to send calming waves through her body. Soon Kagome was under control again. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. When she opened her eyes she was looking right at her mother. Kagome reached out and held tightly to Sesshomaru.

“I know that this must be very confusing and a lot to take in and I’m sorry. There really is no easy way to tell you. I thought you might react better here than back in the future. Your birthday is coming up at the end of the month and there is some things that you need to know before then.” Kagome nodded and stood with Sesshomaru.

“I need to get some air. Please follow me to the courtyard. There are some people waiting there that would like to see you.” Kagome followed Sesshomaru from the room and outside. She watched detached as Inuyasha and the children saw Maya. They ran to her and gave hugs. Sango and Miroku were introduced and included in the merry making. Kagome watched as tears filled her eyes. When they began to fall she turned and walked away from the group. After a few minutes of walking she found herself in the garden. Kagome looked at that pond and then up at the sky.

“I need to do something. I feel myself slipping into the doubt and pain. Yet another person that I love lying to me.” Kagome fell to her knees and began to cry in earnest. She felt a very sad aura approaching the gardens and Kagome jumped up into a tree. Maya entered the garden and sat at the waters edge.

“I know that you are hurt. I’m sorry for that Kagome. I know that I need to explain what is going on but I lack the words. I can show you. I can let you see what happened and why I chose not to tell you.” Maya swept her hand over the water surface and it began to shimmer. The clear water became as solid as glass and images began to appear on it.

“ 25 years ago I first came to feudal era. I was born with my powers and sensed the well was special. One day I jumped into it to see what happened.” The images became solid and Maya stood next to the well in priestess clothes. It looked exactly like it did today. Maya began to walk and soon found herself deep in the forest. She came upon a clearing where two men were fighting. Maya hid herself in the trees but continued to watch. The men went on for some time before one man was struck down. Maya began to cry and it attracted the attention of the victor. The man walked over to Maya and stopped.

“What are you doing here girl?” Maya backed away from the man and continued to cry. The man raised his sword toward her and then stopped suddenly. “Who are you?” The man whispered. Maya stood and ran from the man. When Maya made it back to the well she cried against it. She heard wings behind her and turned. The man from the clearing was standing on the ground with his wings still extended.

“I’m sorry that I scared you. My name is Hiro. I did not mean to frighten you.” Maya sat by the well staring at his wings.

“My name is Maya.” The man smiled and began to walk toward her. The wings shimmered and vanished. “How did you do that?” The man sat next to her and smiled.

“It’s my spiritual power. I can create wings to fly or arrows. I can manifest it in almost anyway I choose. You have spiritual powers as well, do you not?” Maya nodded.

“I was born with them but have very little training with them.” The man smiled at Maya.

The water shimmered again and when it cleared Kagome could see them again next to a lake late at night talking. The lake was surrounded by flowers in full bloom of all different colors. They were laughing and talking.

“Hiro and I met often and talked. One day he asked to see where I came from when I went through the well. I took him home with me and he liked that time so much that we visited there more than I went to the feudal era. When he told me that he loved me and he wanted me to be his bride I was so happy. I said yes right away. We were married in the feudal era that week. We talked and decided that the future was a much safer place to raise a family then here. So he agreed to move to the future with me.”

The image in the water changed again and Kagome saw them at the shrine. They were so happy. Kagome could see herself as a small child and her brother still a baby wrapped in Maya’s arms. Then Hiro’s face became clouded and stained. Maya looked up to see him running from the house and into the well. Day changed to night and then back to day before he returned. When he returned his face was sad and his shoulders sagging with additional weight. The water cleared and then returned to normal.

“He told me then about his illness. He went back to talk to a priestess about it. He said that there was no known way to cure it even in my time and that he didn’t have very long to live. I was sad and grieved for him. When he was no longer able to move from the bed I knew that his time was coming to end. He gave me a letter and said to read it after he was gone. I put it away and forgot about it until several years latter when you started going to school. He had written a vision that he saw on the day of Souta’s birth. He said that on the day of your 21st birthday you would be lost to us. He said that you would be lost for several years with no way of getting to me. He also said not to worry because it would not be the last time that I saw you. I wanted to tell you when you started going through the well but something stopped me. The end of the month is your birthday and it will be the last time I will get to see you for several years.”

Kagome sat in the tree and thought about all her mother had told her. She was right to wait to say anything and Kagome knew that and was glad for it. Kagome jumped down from the tree and walked to her mother. Kagome threw her arms around her mother and cried with her.

“Thank you for telling me.” Maya tightened her arms around Kagome and nodded.