The Portal

Chapter 35 – Saving Kagome

Sesshomaru transformed back to his humanoid form, and immediately spat a feather out of his mouth. He never had liked the taste of bird. Then he turned to Anubis, “I think Naraku has Kagome at Seth’s temple. You will show me the way.”

Anubis wasn’t feeling particularly argumentative at the moment, so he simply nodded in agreement. To think that his brother Seth was no longer of this world, was exhilarating. No longer did he have to worry with his meddling and dominating behavior. Seth had never really given him a reason to kill him in the past, and therefore the falcon and he had never truly battled. Oh they had sparred and fought amidst sibling rivalry situations, but nothing sincere. There had always been something dark inside of Seth, but conniving as well. He knew better than to pit himself against Anubis in a real battle, and had always managed to keep a sort of edgy peace between them.

Now he was gone.

He looked over to his brother, Hapy, who stood staring down at the falcons’ corpse. Anubis wondered if Hapy were angered by Sesshomaru’s lethal blow? He doubted it, since Hapy felt about the same way he did concerning their falcon half-brother. Still the baboon warrior stood silently beside his fallen kin.

Finally Hapy turned around and smiled at Anubis, “Well, I’m sure of it! The bastard is very dead.” He followed his announcement with a round of guffaws. Anubis shook his head at his brother’s behavior. It was so unbecoming of a king. “Well, Anubis, you gonna call somebody to drag his carcass away or let the vultures feast right here?”

“Hapy, you simply must learn a little reserve,” Anubis chastised before turning to his servants who had begun to file back into the garden area in curiosity. “You men! Erect a funeral pier and prepare the body. I will send his soul to the underworld upon my return.”

Anubis turned to the impatient taiyoukai waiting for his direction to the Temple Shiraha. “Congratulation’s on your victory Lord Sesshomaru. Now let us recover Kagome from Lord Naraku.” Anubis held his hands up and out, then a black mist began to flow about his body lifting his shining black ebony hair in a chaotic display. His crystal blue eyes flashed and turned to an iridescent silver. His body rose from the ground in a tornado of invisible winds mingled with black tendrils of jaki mist, and then all went quiet, as if every minuet sound in the world had imploded and been sucked from existence. The black mist billowed outward blinding all that watched the inu Lord’s transformation. As soon as it began it was over, and the sounds seemed to explode into life once more as the black smoke was vacuumed into nothingness. In its place stood Lord Anubis in all his glory. A magnificent dog, with sleek short black fur, and long muscular legs. His tail was just a nub, and his jaw fell open slightly to reveal long deadly fangs. His ears stood cropped atop his proud head.

Sesshomaru was impressed with the inu king. It appeared that he was also of impressive stature. He was not as large as himself, but Anubis appeared to be a deadly canine nonetheless. His attention was then drawn to Hapy, who suddenly acquired a fierce look in his eyes. The winds stirred sending his hair and clothing dancing about, and then after a bright flash of orange light Hapy appeared fully transformed. He stood near forty feet tall, and covered in thick silver fur. His two front fangs protruded entirely out of his mouth to graze his chin. His eyes were as black as coal, and he now sported a long tail. He released an ear shattering bellow as he beat his fists against his massive chest.

“Such a show off,” Lady Ma’at scoffed. She winked at Sesshomaru and then held her hands up to the sky. Waves of silver glitter swirled fiercely about her form until completely blocking her from view. The last thing Sesshomaru seen was her magenta eyes, which had taken on a shining glow. The mass of glimmering silver grew and then suddenly exploded sending shooting tidbits of glittering jaki over the lands. Lady Ma’at stood some twenty feet tall with silver fur much lighter than her sons. Her glowing pink eyes were glancing about while her long sleek tail waved behind her. She gave a nod to Sesshomaru, who immediately transformed as well.

Lady Nebthet watched the warriors as they raced off in the direction of the Temple Shiraha. Anubis lead the way, and Sesshomaru held the position close by his side. The ground shook with each mighty footfall, as they sped off to save a human girl.

~~~***~~~

Kagome listened for Lady Isis reaction to her tale. She had actually told her everything about herself, which was surprising to even her. For some reason this lady seemed trustworthy and sincere. She felt like she could tell her anything. Kagome had begun her story with her first trip through the Bone Eater’s Well that landed her 500 years in the past. She carried on from there, even telling her about her deadly encounters with Sesshomaru. She told her of Naraku and the Shikon Jewel, finally leading to the fateful day that she and two of her enemies were transported through a portal to this place. Lady Ma’at had listened quietly, never interrupting or asking questions. Kagome wondered if she had bored the poor woman to sleep.

Isis had just listened to the most amazing story she had ever heard, and there were no lies in the young woman’s voice that wove the magical tale. It was amazing to think that one so young had experienced so much so soon. “My dear, you have lived an extraordinary life. You must be destined for great things. Never have I heard such a magnificent tale. I thank you for sharing it with me.”

Kagome laughed a little. “I guess it does sound pretty crazy. Sometimes I wish I was just a normal girl.”

“Some are meant to be normal, and some are not. You my dear are special. Please... tell me more about the Shikon Jewel that Naraku covets. How did such a powerful thing come into existence?” Isis asked.

“From what my friend Sango told me, the Shikon originated from a battle between a miko and numerous demon attackers. The warrior priestess, Midoriko, fought bravely for many days against hordes of demons until there remained only one. With her body drained from battle she did not have the strength to slay the beast, therefore she used the last ounce of her power to bind the soul of the evil youkai with that of her own. From out of her chest flew the jewel, which is said to harbor the two warring souls until this day. It hold great power, and I am the only one who can purify it once it has been tainted,” Kagome relayed to the falcon queen.

“You said, Midoriko?” Isis asked in a shocked voice.

“Yes. Since coming here I have discovered that the warrior miko from my planet, was actually from this planet. She was the daughter of Horus, your late husband.” Kagome said sadly.

“I see. You, Kagome, are Midoriko’s descendant?” Isis asked.

“Hai. I guess I am,” Kagome replied.

Isis was now even more amazed than before. Things have come full circle. Seth’s deceit had cast out the human champion and now her descendant has returned. “The humans here have suffered from Seth’s lies. Have you the heart to free them?”

Kagome smiled slightly in the darkness, “Yes. I would like to help them, but it seems that I may need some help myself.”

Isis laughed melodiously, “Yes, it would seem so, my dear.”

Suddenly Kagome noticed that Tala, who had been lying contentedly in the cell next to her, had become rather frantic. He was using his suction tipped fingers to climb the cell bars. His tail was flashing about strangely as if he were anxious about something.

Then she felt it.

The ground beneath her shook slightly. It did it again, and yet again. Each rumble grew in depth until the walls were shaking releasing bits of debris in the air. Shattering glass could be heard from Isis cell, and Kagome quickly stood to her feet. “Are you ok Lady Isis?!” Kagome shouted.

“Yes dear, but it seems that we have visitors!” Isis called back.

Kagome had a confused look on her face. “Visitors?”

~~~***~~~

The temple rose up from the jungle and Sesshomaru swore he could actually smell a hint of Kagome’s scent. He growled angrily, and sped forward passing Anubis. He could also smell Naraku, that filthy bastard. That hanyou had lived his last day.

The group of taiyoukai stopped in front of the temple. The falcon and human inhabitants had fled in fear of the transformed titans that had stormed into their courtyard. Once they were standing in front of the entrance, they all four reverted back the their humanoid forms. Sesshomaru stepped forward, looking for his enemy. Suddenly Naraku appeared in the doorway sporting a wicked grin.

Sesshomaru turned to Anubis, “I will take care of Naraku. You three find Kagome.” He watched as they headed off in search of the miko, and then turned his attention on Naraku. He wasted no time and swiftly drew Tokijin from its sheath.

Naraku watched in amusement as Sesshomaru prepared for battle. He laughed and said, “Welcome, Lord Sesshomaru, to my new palace. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“Naraku. Kagome does not belong to you. She is mine, and I will have my revenge for your treachery!” Sesshomaru hissed.

“I saw no mark on Kagome, therefore she belongs to no one... yet. Besides, the lovely little miko has gifted me with her portion of the Shikon jewel.” Naraku held up the black orb while he stared at it with fascination. He soon looked back to the taiyoukai, “Her place is with me. My power is now beyond your comprehension Sesshomaru, and soon you will die.”

Sesshomaru watched with narrowed eyes as Naraku’s own eyes flashed red and his form began to pulsate. Soon his body had mutated and transformed. He now was writhing with the legs of lesser demons, which had met their unfortunate fate at his hands. His upper torso topped the mass of tentacles and his humanoid arms stretched to a grotesque length. Sesshomaru was disgusted, “You think Kagome would ever mate with something as foul as you, Naraku? You are delusional!”

Sesshomaru darted forward in attack.

~~~***~~~

Kagome could hear her own heart pounding in her ears. She had no idea what was going on, but she hoped like hell it was Sesshomaru and that he came to save her. A loud noise could be heard at the end of the dungeon, and suddenly the entire wall crumbled down in a heap of stone and dust. The light beamed through, blinding Kagome momentarily. She blinked several times and held her hand above her eyes to shield the offensive light until her eyes adjusted. When she blinked a few more time’s three figures stood in front of her cell door.

“ANUBIS! Lord Hapy and Lady Ma’at! Oh Thank Kami you have come for me! Where is Sesshomaru?!” Kagome cried.

“Sesshomaru now battles Naraku. Now stand back, and I will free you Kagome,” Anubis ordered. He waited until she was clear and then he wrapped his hands around two of the bars. His claws began to glow red, and Kagome watched in fascination as steam began to rise from the bars. The metal swiftly turned a glowing reddish orange color, just before melting into a pool of bubbling liquid at his feet.

He held out a hand, which had turned back to its normal shade of tan. Kagome took it and he helped her through. At the same time that Kagome was being freed, Hapy was setting Tala free. He grabbed hold of two separate bars and flexed his muscular physique. His brows knitted together and he gave two good jerks, effectively ripping the barred wall down. A pile of stone and rubble fell to the floor, and Anubis could not help but comment, “Dear brother, must you do everything in such a barbaric fashion?”

“Whatever works brother,” Hapy replied with an amused grin.

Kagome swept Tala into a huge hug. She had missed having her pet near.

“Come Kagome, let us depart,” Anubis said.

“Kagome shook her head, grabbed his hand and pulled him in the opposite direction. “No! Not until we free Lady Isis!”

“Isis?” Lady Ma’at questioned in astonishment.

The group made their way to the opposite end of the dungeon, where they found Lady Isis standing with a slight smirk on her face. “I dare say, Anubis, it certainly took you long enough. I have been waiting centuries for one of you to retrieve me from this hell.”

Hapy laughed and said, “Better late than never, eh Lady Isis?”

Isis chuckled and responded, “Yes, Hapy, better late than never, though I was beginning to believe that never would be here before you!”

Kagome watched as Anubis performed the same amazing trick on Isis cell. While she waited she took in the opulent furnishings that the lady had been imprisoned with. Apparently Seth went to great lengths to make his mother comfortable. The cell had thick cushions and delicate china sets. Shelves along the walls held hundreds of unusual containers full of various powders and liquids. An apothecary set sat on a wooden table along with a huge book. Numerous scrolls lined one shelf, and plush blankets were neatly folded over a futon in the back. No matter how nice her cell was, it was still a cell, and Kagome knew without a doubt that Isis would be elated to have her freedom.

Once Isis was freed, Kagome turned to Anubis and pleaded, “Anubis, Nraku has the Shikon no Tama! It’s almost complete, and with its power I’m not sure if even Sesshomaru can beat him!”

“Shikon no Tama? What is it Kagome?” Anubis asked in puzzlement.

Kagome quickly told them of the Shikon and its origins. She told them of Midoriko and her sacrifice. When she had finished Anubis and Hapy appeared to be very angry.

Anubis growled and the sound of it rumbled through the dimly lit cavern. “That filth defiles my sister’s soul!”