end only to begin again

‘…’Thoughts
“…” Speaking
*actions*
Italics and bold - Writings
Italics - flashbacks

Youkai - Demon
yokai's - Demon energy
Houshi - Monk
Taijiya - Demon Slayer

:: Tessaiga Sword talk::


Chapter 8

Welcome to the East

Walking through the forest with Lasair she followed her nose to the nearest youkai settlement. There she would be able to pick up supplies to finish her journey to the Eastern Palace.

She had never visited a youkai settlement before so she was not sure what to expect, when she got there. This was most certainly not it. Kagome could not have imagined that youkai villages could be better then the best human village.

In the center of the village was a large fountain where the villagers gather their drinking water. There where many shops with customers coming and going. The huts scattered about the village where well built.

She knew it was now or never, she went behind a tree and began to change into her Kimono. Head held high she marched into the village.

The youkai of the village stared at the beautiful silver haired Inu youkai and her neko pet. They had never seen a female with so much power, her aura screamed of strength, and death to those who cross her. Walking through the center, head high and confidence rolling off her in waves.

A piece of her memory told her if she acted important they will believe she is.

The unmated males stared with openness at her. She was everything a male could ask for; she was strong and would bear strong offspring. The swords at her side said she was a warrior. The confidence in her walk told them she was a leader of some kind. The neko walking at her side obviously had complete trust in her mistress' strength.

Kagome noticed while walking through the village that she was getting lust filled glances from the village men; but she paid them no mind. She walked past like they were not there, all the while thinking, 'I can do this.' confidently. Evidently having the powers of Inu No Tashio makes a person confident in themselves.

Walking through the town she spotted a little boy carrying a bucket of water. She walked up to the boy. "Where is the Jeweler?" she asked while running a hand through her hair looking down at the cowering boy, while all she wanted to do was coddle him and tell him not to be frightened of her. 'Acting like you're the shit is hard.' she pouted inwardly.

The boy looked up to her nervously. "Th- The Jew- Jewelers i- is two huts d- down." the boy stuttered nervously Then he scampered away.

She watched the boy pretty much run away after he answered her. She looked in the direction he pointed and picked the hut he was speaking of. Walking towards the hut she moved the shoji screen out of the way and entered the jewelers shop.

The hut was pretty big there was a Tiger youkai on the other side of the counter she figured was the jeweler. She walked clear across the hut to the tiger youkai. When she reached the counter the youkai turned to her.

The tiger youkai had blonde hair, ice blue eyes with two paw print shaped markings under his right eye. He was tall with a muscular frame. He looked at Kagome "May I help you with something?" he asked her.

Kagome lifted her hands and took off a gold chain and a silver chain that she was given as gifts from her friends. 'I hate to give them up but I need the money.' she thought while putting the necklaces on the counter. "I wish to sell these. This one is a gold chain." she said pointing to the gold chain. "And this one is silver. How much can I get for them?" she said while pointing to the silver one. "These are foreign, you will never see anther one like them. They are one of a kind.

The Tiger youkai looked at the necklaces to make sure they were in fact gold and silver. He seemed satisfied with what he found because he began to speak "I will give you 2 god pieces and 5 silver ones. I feel that is a fair deal for your necklaces."

Kagome was surprised, she was expecting less. 'I guess people in this time would say they were expertly crafted because they're not covered in dents from shaping.' she nodded her head in acceptance of the price; "Make sure you get a good price for those. I meant it when I said these are the only ones of their kind." she explained while taking the money from him. Before Kagome walked out she turned, "Do you know of where I can find a tailor or Kimono shop. Also my neko needs to get her fur trimmed."

The youkai thought for a moment before answering. "The best tailor in this village can be found at the geisha house. He name is Kina, she can also send you to get your neko trimmed." he replied.

Walking to the crummiest part of the village she knew the geisha spot would be. 'Geisha house huh?' she thought while walking in the gate.

She barely made it past the door when she was approached by a panther youkai wearing geisha makeup. "Can I help you? I own this geisha house." the geisha asked looking at the beautiful Inu youkai.

Kagome regarded her with a slight nod. "I am here looking for Kina, I am in need of the tailor. I was told she could be found here." she said while looking at the panther youkai. She may be a youkai now, but that didn't matter, she still didn't trust them.

The geisha looked disappointed when she nodded and turned to walk to a long table with four males and five geisha sat. She walked to the geisha sitting next to the youkai in the center of the table. "Kina you have a customer here. She said she is in need of a tailor and was sent to you." the panther youkai said with low bow.

*~~*

Everyone at the table seemed to stop talking to look at the new person at the door. The male in the center of the table looked up to see the most beautiful onna-youkai he had ever laid eyes on. He looked at the geisha bowing on the floor. "Who is that female? I would like to have that geisha sent here." he said with a wave of his hand.

The proprietor looked nervously at the male. "She is not geisha Milord. She is here for a Kimono." she explained not daring to look him in the eye.

The 'lord' looked at the Inu youkai by the shoji screen. 'Not geisha. To bad she is beautiful.' he thought while finally noticing she had swords on her. "Ah I see the weapons, she is a warrior, but never have I seen a warrior so beautiful." he thought aloud. After a few moments contemplation he turned to Kina. "Go, you may take care of your customer." he waved a hand of dismissal. Kina stood up and walked to the newcomer.

*~~*

"Hello can I be of service?" Kina asked bowing to the Inu Youkai.

Kagome looked at the fox youkai Kina. "Yes I am in need of a nice kimono; I was told you were the person I wanted to speak with about this." Kagome said standing relaxed but alert.

"Yes right this way please." Kina stated and started to walk down the hallway to her right, then up a flight of stairs. She walked through the door at the top of the stairs. "I just need to take your measurements." she stated waving her hands in front of her telling Kagome to undress.

Complying she took her kimono off and folded it placing it on a table at her right.

Kina looked at Kagome with a weird look. Kagome glanced down to see what the look was about then it hit her. 'Kina has never seen a bra before or panties. She must wonder what they are.' she thought to herself.

"What is that called you are wearing?" Kina asked while taking her measurements.

Kagome sighed 'I knew she would ask.' she thought "This…" pointing to her bra "is a bra. It is to hold and supports your breasts so they stay….perky. And this…" she said pointing to her panties, "This is underwear... panties. It serves the same function as a loincloth but made for the female body… They are foreign." she added the last part quickly.

Kina nodded in understanding. 'That is a good idea for undergarments. Especially for oiran, the males will find it arousing to have so few clothes but still be covered.' she thought to herself before asking, "Do you think I can see them? I will give you your kimono free if you all me to copy the pattern." she stated in a businesslike tone.

Kagome was going though the options in her head. 'Well a free kimono just to let someone trace my underwear. Good deal!' "Okay, I can also give you another pattern; I will have to draw it. When you cut the back-side pattern piece make two so I can give you the pattern for another type that I am sure your customers would appreciate, for another Kimono. This one thing must be promised; you must never give away the patterns." she demanded looking sternly at Kina.

"Of Course Lady?" Kina asked, actually curious of her name while walking to a closet that held Kagome's size.

"Kagome… just Kagome." she said to Kina while watching her retrieve a few different kimono and putting them on the table for her to go through. She walked to the table with the kimono and picked out two she liked. One was a formal kimono; it was pink with a black dragon curling around the bottom. The second was a fighting Kimono it was black with pink Sakura blossoms on the collar and sleeves. "I will take these two. I will put on the fighting kimono then give you the undergarments to make your patterns." she stated while walking behind a screen to change.

After Kagome changed she walked out from behind the screen and handed her undergarments to Kina which she accepted. After about 15 minutes the undergarments where returned and she went to put them back on. "Now let me see the second copy you made of the back side of the underwear." she said holding a hand to accept the piece Kina would give her.

Putting the piece back down Kagome reached for a brush and ink. She traced the outlines to make a thong and handed it back to Kina to cut.

Kina looked at the pattern with a raised brow. 'What is this suppose to be?'

Kagome giggled slightly she could almost see what she was thinking. "That is called a thong. It exposed your butt cheeks." she said with her face tinted pink in embarrassment from having to explain it. "Where the thong was made, its purpose is to excite the male. It works pretty well with a matching lace bra. Black would be the best color." she explained in a matter of fact tone.

Kina nodded in understanding. She could understand why that would excite males easily. It was a brilliant idea. "Thank you Kagome-sama! Will that be all?" she asked ready to end the business deal.

"No I just need to ask where to find a groomer for my pet neko. She was wild when I found her and refuses to leave my side because I saved her from three oni. I figure, if I will keep her might as well make sure she is well taken care off. Her wild fur needs a trim to tame it." Kagome said with a shrug when she noticed the women's look.

"No, there are none around this area… the best I can say is wash and brush her. I am assuming you are speaking of the twin tail I saw waiting outside the door?" she saw Kagome nod. "Twin tail fur does not overgrow. You just need to wash and brush her dry to be groomed well enough." she stated walking to a drawer and opening it. She pulled out a brush and held it out for Kagome to accept.

Kagome looked at the offering. "Thank you Kina. I must be going now I have things I need to start heading toward. Good day." she said while slipping her swords back to their rightful places then followed Kina back down the stairs.

"Good day Kagome-sama." Kina said while walking by the door.

"Thank you Kina." Kagome replied walking out the shoji screen to meet up with her neko.

*~~~~*

Kina walked back over to the table she was seated at before when the male in the center called her to sit next to him again, she complied happily. He looked at her for a moment then leaned in to ask "Kina who was that female?" he asked waving in the direction Kagome had gone.

"Her name is Kagome Milord. I think she may be foreign, she had clothes I have never seen." Kina answered truthfully.

The youkai lord looked towards the door for a moment in silent contemplation. "Do you know where she is heading?" he asked in hush tones. When she shook her head no, he decided he would ask 'Kagome' himself. Finishing his sake he got up from the table and exited the geisha house with three youkai in tow. Two were guards and one was a servant.

Once outside he took a sniff of the air to figure in which direction she traveled. Once he found her scent he followed it out of the village.

*~~*

Kagome left the village in search of a spring or lake to bathe Lasair. Once she found a creek she turned to the transformed Neko. "Go ahead, transform to your smaller state so I can wash you and brush you." Kagome told the neko in a tone that said there was no room for arguments. The neko complied.

Fifteen minutes later Lasair was washed and brushed. Now she looked as cute as Kerira, and she patted herself on the back for a job well done. "Come we have a few more hours of daylight." Kagome said to Lasair before turning and walking back into the forest.

She walked for few minutes when she realized three strong and one weaker youki auras were heading her way and fast. She readied herself for battle if it was necessary and waited for them to arrive.

It was then she saw a youkai with long black hair and a black tail. She could tell by his scent he was a fox youkai. He walked leisurely towards Kagome, arrogance showing in his stride. He stopped a few steps away from her as his two guards flanked him and his servant stood behind him. "Hello my dear, what is your name?" he cooed to her.

His slurred sake affected voice made its way to her ear. 'Great! He's drunk.' was all she thought before she answered. "I am Kagome." she replied with a slight bow. "And you are?" she asked with innocent curiosity.

She watched as the youkai smiled. "I my dear am called Lord Taski Lord of the Eastern Lands." he replied with a slight nod from his head.

Kagome looked at he eastern lord. "You are the Lord of the Eastern Lands?" she asked just to be sure.

"Yes." was his one word response.

"That is good news; I was on my way to your domain. I wished to discuss a matter with you." she said straightening her back to look as serous as she could at the moment.

"Well you have found me, what was you wish to…discuss with me?" he asked using his best bedroom voice which did not go unnoticed by her.

Kagome looked at the youkai and knew it was going to be a long night. With a sigh she started. "I am looking for a youkai. I know not his name; just that he travels Japan killing youkai, hanyou, and humans alike. I wanted to ask if this evil one has been near your lands. I was sent here to kill it." she finished looking deadly serous as her aura flashed with rage as she spoke about the youkai who would kill those she held dear to her heart.

Lord Taski listened to the women speak and when her aura flared with her building rage he caught a glimpse of the power she held. 'She will bare strong heirs!' the lord thought. The Eastern Lord was unmated and had no heir. He did not mate because he found no one who tempted him enough. They were all too weak; he wanted his heir to be powerful. 'With this onna-youkai I will produce powerful offspring!' he thought while imagining himself thrusting into her with reckless abandon. "Of this youkai you speak, I have heard nothing. So it could mean he had not come this way yet." he told her truthfully.

Kagome looked crestfallen. 'Apparently I went in the wrong direction.' was her sullen thought as she "thanked" the lord and tried to excuse herself. He was having none of that.

When he heard her try to excuse herself he ordered his guards to capture her. He knew she would not come willingly, but he did not care.

Kagome began to walk when she felt arms grab her to hold her still. She turned to look at Lord Taski. "What is the meaning of this?" she hissed through clenched teeth thoroughly pissed off.

The lord just walked up to her and calmly said, "You will be my mate. I need an heir, and you will provide me with strong ones." in a tone that said he would not take 'no' for an answer.

Kagome had heard enough. 'What is it with males and making that decision for me?' she thought, her face turning red from anger. "Let me go and I won't kill you." she ground out in a dangerously low tone.

The Lord just laughed. "Kill me? You think you can kill the Lord of the Eastern Lands?" he asked amused.

"I don't think… I know." she said with a smirk while her memory told her how to handle this situation best.

"How can you kill me when my guards have you immobile?" he asked smugly, so sure of himself. And that was his first mistake. Never underestimate your opponent.

Before he could blink she was out of the guards grasp with them on the ground. Unsheathing her sword she took no time or pity on the youkai, she saw no one was behind him anymore. The servant was now hiding. Kagome swung the sword in an ark. "Kaze no Kizu!" she yelled, the attack strengthened from the power of her anger. When the light died there was nothing left. He was ripped apart by the wind scar then purified by her powers.

Re-sheathing her sword she turned to walk away leaving all those alive behind, her neko followed closely after her. It was at that moment the servant came running out from behind the tree stopping in front of her bowing on hands and knees, "Tell me Mistress what you wish of this Asiko?"

Kagome looked at the girl in puzzlement. "Why call me Mistress? I am not your Mistress." she stated annoyed tone.

The servant looked at Kagome with wide eyes. "You are the new Lady of the Eastern Lands. You killed the Lord; he had no heir or second in line for the position. It is yours now milady." the servant said.

Kagome looked at the servant shock clear on her features. "What do you mean I am the new Lady. I can't! I have responsibilities I need to handle." she told the servant.

The servants face fell sullen. "If you do not claim your rightful place then the Eastern lands will fall into war. Many innocents will die." Asiko stated.

It was then another memory told her that what the girl said was truth. 'SHIT!' she thought while also remembering that if she became the new ruler then she could contact the other youkai lords to find out about the new evil one. 'At least one good thing comes from this.' she thought ruefully.

"Ok Asiko, you are to just lead the way to the palace." she said noticing the guards starting to wake up.

Kagome turned to the guards. "I am the new Lady of the Eastern Lands. Will you serve me?" she asked in an authoritative tone.

The guards looked at her then to the area their lord was last and noticed a large burn/smudge mark on the grass and cringed. There was nothing left of their lord to bury. 'She is so powerful she destroyed his whole body before he could even harm her! Who is this woman?' was both their thoughts as they got down on their knees. "Yes Lady we will." they said in unison.

"Good, we go now to the palace. I have business to attend to." was the last thing she said to them before walking in the direction the servant told her.


oiran ~ courtesan; prostitute

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