~Year Two~
~I’m Learning… I Think~
~Rin~ I missed being at the western castle.
Or I missed it when I had at least been treated as an inhabitant. Now it is becoming a place I can no longer call home.
I know Lady Kagome and Lady Kaede want me to be able to have good interactions with humans but my fear of them is still there, though I will admit it is weaning. Everyone thinks me strange because I would rather be with demons than humans. They also say it is unsafe for me to be around demons, especially being as young as I am. I can’t help it. The first person to be nice to me was Lord Sesshomaru, and he brought me back to life a debt I don’t think I will ever be able to repay.
Lady Kagome is teaching me archery and I am thankful for that. Hopefully I can learn enough protect myself and be able to show that I can live among demons and handle myself. Sango is teaching me very basic sword techniques, but I can tell I much prefer the bow and arrow. I don’t like the thought of having an enemy so close on me.
When I first got to the human village, Kagome and the others let me visit the western castle often to ease my fears. But as the months went by, our trips there became less frequent. I know that now that Lord Sesshomaru has a mate, he’s got other things to be concerned with.
Though no one has said it, I’m afraid that they are preparing me to stay here permanently. When I arrived back at the castle to stay for the winter, I had come to find that my room had been changed. It was no longer my room, and I had been assigned a guest room to stay in for the three months I would be there.
Before I had left, a lot of castle inhabitants had been gossiping about when to expect heirs, and how much they missed having little ones around the castle. It would be a lie to say that I am not a little jealous. I may be eleven now, but when I had first arrived I was eight. No one had been as excited to see me.
I tried to find Lord Sesshomaru and talk to him about it, but finding him is nearly impossible. The first year Lady Kazuko had left, he stayed in the castle constantly. Now he leaves for long periods of times, sometimes months at a time, with Jaken and the Ryu-Inu guardian, Swift. He returns briefly to know if any new information has come from the north or east. No one brings up Kazuko around him, since there is never any news on her. I would assume that if something did happen, the north would send immediate news.
Shippo’s letters from the east take longer to get here now, but I am still very happy to get them. I tell him about the suitors I am receiving and how they have declined since news of my living in a human village. He always responds in a positive manner and says that he hopes I will find someone I can be happy with, but I know that there is something else there. There is something he wants to say but won’t. He’s very honest in his letters and does not seem to be enjoying himself as much as the others think he is. He says how excited he is to be getting stronger and better at his fox magic, but I don’t think he’s fitting in, kind of like how I am here.
~Shippo~ Rin’s letters are losing their usual cheerfulness.
I think it has something to do with her going to stay with Kagome and the others. She didn’t seem to happy when she first found out about the deal between Izu and Kagome, and now that she’s been in the village, I don’t think she feels any better about it.
Though I would never tell her, I’m happy that she’s staying with humans now. I think it’s safer for her to be among humans and with Inuyasha and the others around. From the news we’ve received from the west, Sesshomaru hasn’t really been at the castle all that often and that leaves Rin without a major chunk of protection.
If I were to be honest with myself I know the major reason why I’m happy for her stay in the human village. The requests for her courtship have dropped drastically now that most of the suitors have her of her leaving the castle. They probably think that means she is no longer a charge of the lord, and thus no longer an heir. Plus the humans of the village are all too afraid of Sesshomaru to try anything with her.
My training is going well, and I’m starting to get the respect of the other foxes. I think they’ve given up on trying to accept me as one of their own, but at least they’re willing to treat me as an equal. I’m being pushed a bit harder than the other foxes my own age and have been put in a class with those decades older than me, though I’m sure my training is nothing compared to what Ryo, Katina and Kazuko must be going through.
Lord Di was the one responsible for me being moved up. He seems to understand that despite what Lady Lily insist on, at the end of the decade I will be going back with my true pack. So he’s said that he wants me to learn as much as I can while I’m here. He’s also told me that so long as their family is in power, I am always welcomed to the northern castle. He reminded me that if something were to happen to their family I am the only living blood relative, so that by demon law makes me a prince, like Inuyasha.
The fox lord has also been giving me private training. Though he may be old and a chubby now, I can tell that he was once, and still is, a fierce opponent. I can only imagine how he was in his prime. He’s teaching me family secrets that the other foxes don’t know. He tells me that each bloodline has secret techniques that are passed down from father to son, and since my father wasn’t able to live long enough to teach them to me, he is more than happy to do so. He is teaching me the techniques from my father’s bloodline and also the ones from his own bloodline.
Dagger came by at the beginning of the year and told us that Kazuko’s doing well in her training, and that was all he was allowed to say. He has gotten to the point where he doesn’t seem as tired as he did last year. Whatever is going on with the Shogakko training, it must be improving, since Dagger’s worry isn’t as visible as before.
~Katina~ My healing and weakening spells are getting stronger.
Ryo praises each small step that I take in getting better, and I do the same for him. He’s gotten to the point where his father’s swords will spark with energy, but he tells me that there is more to it than that. I will just have to have faith in him and I look forward to seeing him fully master the twin blades.
Ryo and the Ryu-Okami sages have convinced me to do some combat training. I was against the idea, but they ensured me that it was for my benefit and wouldn’t be anything too extreme. They are right; if I were ever to be on my own I would want to be able to handle myself long enough to run or until help arrived. They’ve also convinced me to keep a set of daggers strapped to my upper thighs so that they are hidden by my cloak.
As I go through the training I have a new found respect for Ryo, Shippo and Kazuko. I’m just learning the basics defense and I feel as if I’m never going to get the things down, but Ryo is patient and helps me when I struggle. He ensures me that he’ll never be too far away from me and that if I can learn this, it will keep enemies at bay until he can get there.
News has reached us that Sesshomaru is now wandering his lands as he used to do. No one seems suspicious of this information, though a lot of rumors have arisen as to the reason behind it. Some are saying that he is in search of more power. Others have rumored that he is preparing for war. The most disturbing and absolutely untrue of them all reached us a few months ago. Somehow rumor has spread that Kazuko is infertile and that Sesshomaru is out searching for another mate. I can only guess where that rumor started.
Thankfully Dagger has told us that Kazuko’s training is so preoccupying that only the most vital and important of information is passed on. I would hate to think what she would do if that particular rumor reached her. We’ve tried prying Dagger about the training, but all he can tell us is that she is doing well.
The news coming out of the east is getting worse by the moment it seems. Naraku’s influence is reaching much further and deeper than we thought it would, and in such short time. Masaru is concerned that we may not have the entire time to wait before we attack. Though Toro and Naraku seem to have backed off for now, the guardian leader thinks it is better that we are able to make the first move. The Ryu-Tori have been quite recently, they believe Lord Toro may be onto their plans. Their updates used to come twice a month and now they have fallen to once a month at the fastest.
From the sounds of it, Naraku’s growing number has us outnumbered at least ten to one, and that includes the entire western army and its allies. Masaru says the longer we wait, the more Toro and Naraku’s numbers are able to grow. He thinks if their rate of growth continues like this, we may be beaten by their numbers alone.
~Oak~ Lord Sesshomaru has begun his wanderings again.
Masaru isn’t too excited to hear this, especially since he has taken Swift with him. I can’t image the dog lord just deciding to take Swift with him of his own choice. Kazuko must have ordered Swift to stay with Sesshomaru for this decade. I try to convince the guardian leader that he should have more faith in Kazuko’s plan, whatever it is.
Things have been quiet in the east, but we’re not fooled. Naraku and Toro are up to something sinister, and we’ll be ready no matter what. It seems as if every land is a part of this war, except for the south. They have made sure to keep themselves especially distant from the matter. The north has not given any formal alliance or wish to enter into a war, but we know that if called for, we could get their help.
Shadow is definitely not allowed to go near the sword smith again. Again the sword smith had not finished, or started, the weapons. From the report that Moon gave, Shadow had to be pulled away from Totosai. Masaru’s temper towards the situation wasn’t much better as he contemplated going up to see the sword smith himself. Thankfully I was able to reason with him that we all know force is not a motivating factor for Totosai.
We’ve received updates on Katina, Ryo and Shippo. It would seem that they are all coming far in their training and are learning much. As with last year, we have not received any news on Kazuko. I can only hope that she is doing well in her training. This war will not be easily won, and having a fully trained Shogakko on our side will make a big impact in our favor.
~Toro~ The spider is proving to be a valuable ally. As much as I hate to be associated with something as lowly as a half-demon, this one provides resources I could not previously obtain.
He has tripled my numbers and they still continue to grow. I had been hesitant about taking on the half-demon in an alliance, but it has turned out to be one of the smartest decisions I’ve made. I would say this choice ranks right under killing my father.
Naraku demands a fairly high price, but compared to what I am gaining from this, it is nothing more than a grain of sand on the beach. He wishes for the other female Ryu-Inu to bear his heir and rights to half of the western lands. My main concerns are having Kazuko and destroying Sesshomaru, anything else gained is merely a bonus.
Besides, I already have my assassins ordered to take out the half-demon once this war is won.
I know my general finds the spider to be an annoyance, yet he has yet to say anything about it since when I had first brought up the idea of joining forces. Tai is keeping a close eye on the half demon that much I am sure of and it works to my advantage. Hopefully he will be able to provide me with any extra information I may miss.
Even though they have not formally declared it, I know the north will either not be involved in the war or they will side with the west. The alliance between the two lands dates back to when the Dog General was in rule. The south has been a reclusive and independent land, as is the way of felines. I may make a visit with Lord Ryku to see if I may persuade him to aid in the chance of a war. I could always plead that I believe that the west seeks to start a war with our lands as an act of revenge. If the southern lord thinks that the west is the one instigating the war, they might be swayed to join my side. Canines and Felines don’t naturally get along anyway, so why not exploit the instinctual reactions.
To silence Naraku’s incessant request for the head of the half dog demon, I have agreed to place a spy on surveillance of Inuyasha. I have also explained to him that if we were to rush and kill the western prince, it would be traced back to the east immediately and all of our plans would be for not. Despite claims that Sesshomaru has no attachment to his brother, honor would demand that he retaliate, if for nothing else but to defend his pack’s name. While I know that this war will be easily won, I would rather be as prepared as possible.
My desire is not to simply win the war, I wish to destroy and humiliate the west in the process.
My spies are reporting that the newest traces of the Ryu-Inus in their village are over a year old. I need my spies to get deeper into the territory, but the damn dog lord has the entire lands around the castle completely locked down.
Word is that Sesshomaru has begun wandering his lands again, and I can only guess what that means, but hopefully it will allow my spies a chance to infiltrate the castle while he is gone.
~Miroku~ Things have gotten quiet but we all know that something big is brewing.
Unfortunately there is no way we can do anything about it. Naraku’s guard only increases as time passes. Inuyasha constantly grumbles about how he thought it was a bad idea that Kazuko and her pack were off training in the face of the approaching danger. I feel as uneasy as he about having such powerful allies out of reach, but I can understand why they have done it.
Should something as large as an all out war between the east and west occur, everyone is going to have to be in absolute top shape. I can see why the Ryu-Inu pack has gone to train and I can imagine that they were as uneasy as we are about leaving their homes undefended while they are gone.
The one bright thing is that no one other than the western castle knows of their absences. Rumors have begun to spread since Sesshomaru has started up his wandering again, but we know better than to believe any of them, though we do wonder why he would leave his castle in such troubling times.
The village has begun discussing formally declaring themselves as subjects of the western land. They feel that it will provide additional protection in case of war. Common war practices include taking over villages, especially ones that aren’t under any land’s direct rule, on the border to use as a base and for resources. Inuyasha is against the idea because it would then put him under the rule of his brother.
Rin isn’t allowing herself to become part of the village. I can understand her hesitance with her past experiences with humans, but she has to learn to get over them. The fox demon Izu says that the castle is growing unsafe due to the war and Sesshomaru’s constant absences. No one has told her directly, but the plan is for her to remain here permanently or at least until she is married, which won’t be for a while.
Even after the war, the castle would not be a good place for her to stay. Izu mentions that at some point an heir will be expected and that would mean Kazuko getting pregnant. Male demons, specifically dog demons, are overly protective of their mates during pregnancy and their young when they are born. Anything that could even be thought of as a threat would be disposed of, and given Sesshomaru’s strength and Rin’s over comfort with demons, something bad could happen easily.
Kikyo has finally, and permanently, been put to rest. Inuyasha has been in a bad mood since and Kagome seems to be losing hope that she’ll get through to him. Sango is trying her best to convince the young priestess that Inuyasha just needs a little time to cope with Kikyo being gone for good, and that he does care about Kagome.
Sango and I have begun a sort of relationship. It’s not anything on a severe level yet, but it’s growing. I think we’ve both realized we have feeling for each other, though neither one of us will say anything on it. I’m trying to put away my more perverted ways to show Sango that I’m able to be a one woman man, and I have to admit that it is harder than I thought it would be.
I have also come to realize that we’re not getting any younger. We don’t have the luxury that demons have, of waiting centuries to decide on when to start a family. I am hesitant to bring a child into the world knowing the curse that would befall them because of Naraku, but at the same time I do not desire for my bloodline to end with me. I haven’t brought these things up with Sango yet, but I plan on doing so. One day I plan to ask her hand in marriage, and that day is drawing near. Even with Naraku’s threat lingering, we cannot let him destroy any hope for a future that we want.
~Kazuko~ “There is no way that it’s been twelve hours already.” I groaned as Koru woke me and I looked around. The snow had eased up, but it still fell and has covered my body. I shook off the frozen water and stood. “It has and it is time for you to begin mastery of another element.” Koru said with his usual grin. “After a year at sea and all this snow, I’d be happy if I never saw any form of water again. I’m going as far from it as possible.” I grunted as I began walking. “So fire it is?” Koru asked and I nodded. “Fire is the element of passion and control.” “I’ll keep it in mind.” I muttered and sat in the middle of the burnt grass and closed my eyes. I had awoken to a field of burnt grass, as far as I could see it seemed as if everything had been taken by this phantom fire. The moment I stood flames shot up and I found myself in the middle of a giant fire.
“Ok, I’m surrounded completely by the element again.” I stated and looked around.
I could feel the heat and it quickly sent me into a heavy sweat, but the fire never burned. I could feel the flames dance on my skin and looked down to see it sliding over my arms and legs like a red serpent, but not once did I feel a burn.
“So you managed to master the water element.” I looked up to see another copy of me, only this one was made out of fire.
“Yea and let me guess, you’re here to make sure I don’t master fire.” I responded and watched the copy nod. “Well bring it on then. I’d like to finish this one faster than the last.”
“You have a lot of confidence for someone who’s training for death.” The copy taunted and I felt my jaw tighten slightly.
“Says you.” I retorted.
“You know it’s true. You’re training up here, leaving your home and packmates defenseless, just for you to lead them all to their deaths.” The copy continued as it began grating on my nerves. “But I suggest it’s for the best. At least then Sesshomaru will be able to find a suitable mate who truly deserves to be a lord’s mate and have to title of Lady of the West.”
That last bit struck the wrong nerve and struck it hard. I felt anger much hotter than the flames around me and leapt for the damn copy. She evaded but struck me in the shoulder, and I could feel a real burn as she made contact.
“You didn’t really think a mutt like you was truly worth of having such a male for a mate.” The copy continued to tease as I turned and struck for it again.
I couldn’t stop the anger that was coursing through my veins. I knew I had training for this and I wasn’t following any of the techniques that I had been taught, but I couldn’t bring myself to focus enough to fight properly. The only thoughts coursing through my mind was how much I wanted to rip this copy into as many little pieces as possible. My body launched at the clone again, my claws ready to strike. I felt a twinge of satisfaction as I watched my claws rake her side, but it was short lived as I felt a searing burn engulf my hand and I watched the clone go unharmed.
“You were lucky enough to catch his attention, like a baby with a shiny object. Eventually he will grow bored and you’ll be cast out just like you were from your clan.” The clone chuckled watching me hold my hand against my chest.
“My clan didn’t cast me out, they saved me! They saved us!” I growled. I couldn’t tell if my eyes were bleeding red or if the fire was beginning to affect my vision, but I could only see red and orange now.
“So you say, but no one can confirm that. You’re only going off what you saw in some near death illusion.” The copy said and again I found myself charging even though somewhere my mind knew that it would just lead to me getting burned again.
“I saw my parents, they told me so themselves. Ryo and Katina saw it too.” I countered as I slammed full force into the clone with my left side. I went straight through and I could feel the burn encase my whole body, yet the skin never showed any marks. It felt more as if my soul and blood were on fire with doubt, fear and anger.
“You were hallucinating from being so close to death. Ryo and Katina were under a spell by a
human priestess. For all you know, she planted those so called ‘visions’ in their heads. Then all the demons would go to war and kill each other off, leaving the humans to rise to power.” The damn clone just wouldn’t shut up and I was running out of counters.
“Kaede wouldn’t do that. Miroku and Kagome wouldn’t let her!” I shouted as if my words could cause the harm I couldn’t to the fiery me.
“They’re all
humans, monks and priestess at that. Kagome has a spell on Inuyasha to control him. All humans are the same; they only want two types of demons: those who are under their control and those who are dead!” My clone growled, this time coming up to me and glaring me in my eyes, only inches from my face.
“That’s not true! They’re not like that!” I shouted back, ignoring the burning on my face as I went nose to nose with the clone.
“Two years ago you found out that the first nineteen years of your life was a lie! You’ve been lied to since you were an infant! How do you know they’re not lying to you now?! Everyone wants you dead! That’s why you’re clan was destroyed and that’s why you’re going to lead what’s left of your clan to their graves!” The clone had the same pissed off look that I had as I glared into the orange and red eyes.
“You fucking liar! You don’t know anything about my life!” I snarled feeling my body preparing for another attack.
“I’m you; I know everything about your life.” The copy dared smirk and I felt myself pushing at it again.
I felt the burns growing in pain, but I couldn’t stop myself. Even though every single one of my attacks simply went through the copy, I just couldn’t stop. The damn thing was right. It was voicing every fear I had ever had and still had. With each slash I inwardly cringed as another doubt passed through my head.
“All you’ve done since you were able to think properly is lie to yourself.” The clone chuckled as I slashed at it. “You told yourself that your parents hadn’t given you up, that they had lost you and would return for you one day. Now you know the truth, they did give you up.” Another slash and I could feel the burn digging deeper. “You told yourself you could trust a group that consisted of a priestess, a monk and a demon slayer; that they wouldn’t mind you being a demon. They sure didn’t put up much of a fight when you fell into the lake or when Sesshomaru took you.” Again I slashed, just wanting the clone to shut up. “You told yourself that you could make yourself worthy of being Sesshomaru’s mate. Yet here you are, not with him but here.” The damn clone just wouldn’t shut up. “You’ve told yourself that you truly stand a chance against an entire nation. They’re numbers are growing while you hide here.”
“Shut up! Just shut up!” I snarled my squeezing close as I tried to get the words out of my mind, but they replayed over and over like a broken record.
I don’t know how long it took, but the copy continued to run through every doubt and fear I’d ever had in my life, including things from when I had been in the future. Doubts that I had originally thought to be small and insignificant were amplified as my rage built and my mind just stayed ablaze with anger. My skin felt as if it had been charred to ashes, though not once did I show any visible sign of burns. I would have been sweating by now from all the energy I was pouring out, but the fire just vaporized the liquid before it completely left my pores, creating a steamy aura around me.
“Just shut up.” I said, my voice coming out in rasp. I stalled my attacks to catch my breath. With my body feeling as battered and weak as it did now, I couldn’t bring myself to attack again. Instead I thought over the doubts that had been hurled at me since I was young.
Yes, I wasn’t entirely sure of my past, present or future, but I had to keep going. I didn’t know if the path I had chosen led to victory or destruction, but there was only one way to find out.
I looked up at the clone as it just stared silently at me, the words having stopped spewing from her mouth. “Finally lose your voice?”
“You’ve finally gotten it.” I heard a different voice say, but I couldn’t locate it.
My eyes stayed on the clone that had begun coming towards me. I braced myself as it charged and leapt at me, and I felt the clone merge with my being. The burning sensation dulled until they faded away and I looked to see a red dragon winding around my right palm. It was just like the one on my left arm, the head in my palm and the body coiling around my arm up to my elbow.
“You have done well, Shogakko Kazuko.” I watched as the fire died out and again I was faced with a burnt field. A red dragon with orange wings rose before me, its black eyes focused on me. “Fire is the element of passion and emotions, but it is also the element of control. It is a delicate balance. Do not fear your emotions or your passions, but you must always keep them under control. If you allow yourself to become too overwhelmed with your emotions, it will only lead to self-destruction. Your doubts and fears are a part of you, and don’t be afraid to have them. So long as you do not let them override your control, you will be fine.”
“You guys ever consider just telling the lessons before we have to go through all this?” I asked with a small and tired smirk.
“True understanding doesn’t come from others. It is something you must learn for yourself.” The dragon said. “Now go and master your two remaining elements. Time runs short.” He said and placed the tip of his snout on my forehead.
I opened my eyes to see that I was back in Shogakko training clearing. Looking around I didn’t see Dagger, but I did see Koru in a meditative stance. He opened one eye and smiled as he saw me staring at him.
“How long was that?” I asked, noticing that it was no longer snowing.
“One moon cycle short of a year.” He said, coming over to me.
‘So eleven months.’ I thought and stood, stretching my now stiff limbs. “So does that mean I get a moon to sleep, since I finished that one early?”
“No.” Koru said, the grin never leaving his face. “Dagger has gone to get you some food; we didn’t think you’d wake up so early. In the meantime we will spar. Though I’m sure you’ve done plenty in the mental trainings, physically you haven’t really moved much in about two years. We don’t want you to lose your physical abilities. Plus, think of it as time for you to try out your newly mastered elements.”
“So we’re going to spar for a moon, then I get to eat, and then I get
one night of sleep, and then I have to master another element?” I asked and he nodded. He got into an offensive stance and I countered with a defensive one waiting on his attack. “Great.”
