Mistaken Beliefs

A/N: This is an AU, so there will be some OOC.

Prologue:

The day should have been like any other but the hairs on his nape refused to go down. The horse shook it’s head and backed away from the steps that would take him further towards the temple. The steps were made of clay just like most of the foundation. The temple was unique in it’s own way. Made from the hand of humans, strong enough to fit their needs. The need to worship their god in secret, away from condemning eyes. The main frame was made of harshly constructed wood. Appearing to be no more than a run down home by passer-byes. Only those that were privy to it’s secrets knew what dwelled within. The wind shifted, whispering through the cluster of trees trying to hide the place from the world.


Tajina tried to calm the steed but it refused to move from it’s current location. A sorry means of transportation but one humans depended on. The steed had been a gift from his mate’s best friend. In a world where humans and demons existed together in harmony it was no surprise that the couple closest to him and his mate were indeed human. Centuries ago both races had been at war, that had ended a little over two hundred years ago. There were some that still held the hate and prejudices that had almost destroyed their world. Most lived in harmony depending on each other for survival.


This visit would have to be quick so he could return to his mate and son. He held in his pocket the gift meant for little Kagome. They’d only been able to see the child once since she was born. The two would have to come down from their compound soon for a lengthy visit. He tied the horse to the nearest tree and resisted the urge to slap the nag. With powerful steps he bounded up the hill that would take him to those he sought. The temple wasn’t really much to look upon. It was the way it made you feel once entering that made it special. A place of extreme calm and spiritual release. Perhaps he’d take a few hours to pray. Being a fire apparition it wasn’t something he did often.


The first scent to strike him was smoke. That in itself wasn’t entirely out of place. It was only overpowered by the fresh scent of copper. Fear laced his stomach hearing the feminine scream. “Lenne?” The woman’s name slipped from his lips. He instantly recognized the voice of his mate’s childhood friend. Instinct took over, taking him towards the sound. The brush was pushed aside to reveal the horror. Demons were everywhere, none there for salvation. One was feasting on the slim neck of a young priestess. The girl’s brown eyes caught his as she took her last breath. Rage filled him seeing the wasted life. There was no time to stop the demon from finishing it’s meal. Lenne’s scream was coming from inside.


None of the demons paid him any heed as he raced inside. He slumped against the doorway seeing the man that had once went fishing with him laying prone, head twisted in an odd manner. Lenne was sitting in a corner no longer making any noise. Tears stung his eyes seeing the large hole in her chest. Blood pooled down on the crisp priestess clothing. Rage took over and he went for the nearest demon. It didn’t have time to move before it burst into flames. Both were dead. An hour ago he might have been able to prevent it. Only a few monks were left fighting off the attackers.


“Come,” Ameeno was relieved to see the slim man even if all was lost. With him came a chance their deaths would not be in vain. He could only hope the demon had seen the urgency in his eyes. But as fate would have it the man followed him. Ameeno sent a quick prayer into the heavens as he passed the fallen priestess. She’d died protecting what lay below; a treasure that belonged to the temple, the other to a mother. Giving a quick chant near the woman’s corpse the door opened to reveal a dark tunnel. “We must hurry. Come, or they will have died for nothing.”


Tajina followed the old man, feeling like he was fleeing. Crimson eyes adjusted to the darkness as they descended down a flight of stairs. He’d never been down here before. Not surprising since he was a demon. The only reason his presence had been tolerated was due to Lenne being a well respected priestess. The sounds of fighting had already died out from above. Whether it was due to them being so far down or because all were dead he didn’t know. His chest tightened as they entered a small room filled with books and a single cot. “Kagome?” The tiny girl lay upon the bedding covered by a single blanket sleeping peacefully.


“Aye,” Ameeno felt despair unlike any he’d known in his brief fifty years. As the demon went over to examine the child he went for the trunk. He could think of only one reason why demons would attack. His master had informed him this day would come. Even as his brethren and master fought to hold the monsters at bay he’d do his part. His fingers went right to the warded box that held what the demon’s sought. “Take this but do not open it. Give it to the girl when she is older.”


“What? You cannot just expect me to run. Your people are up there being slaughtered. We have to fight, do something. Not run like cowards.” Tajina held his temper as the monk sighed and shook his head. He couldn’t be expected to leave without trying to help. For the sake of his own family he couldn’t abandon those that were in need of help. Even if it meant he’d die with them. His mate and son would understand. “We will go back up there and see this through so I can bury them with no remorse.”


“Do not be a fool. You will die for nothing. Listen to me, that is what they seek. They cannot get their hands on it or the future is lost. Lenne knew this and died to protect it. Do her this last service. Take it and the child to safety. None realized that you came down with me, so they will not look for you. They don’t know the child is here.” The monk was pleased when the man picked the child up and cradled her tight against his chest. “They will go into the afterlife knowing that their daughter is with you. Now, you must go.”


Tajina held the sleeping child and felt like weeping. He’d been too late to save his friends. Was it enough that he spared the girl? A tiny nose wrinkled as she snuggled further into his warmth. So much like the mother it was already breaking his heart. The monk began chanting and another wall began to rise opposite of where they’d entered. Yes, he’d see to it that Kagome was safe then he’d seek out those that had done this injustice. “Very well, let’s go. I have a horse not far from here. We can make it if we move fast.”


“I cannot. They have not only come for what you hold. If so they could have just broken in, their mission is death.” He shook his head knowing this was to be his fate. “To ensure that they do not search they must believe they managed to kill all those that reside here. I must go meet my fate to see that the girl thrives. I will die like all those before me. We will keep them at bay as long as possible. Leave now and go with haste.” Ameeno smiled as the man rushed out leaving him alone. The wall slid down hiding any fact that the man had ever been there. Now it was time to meet his maker. But first he’d see about taking as many of those bastards with him as possible.


Tajina could feel the tension in his mate’s shoulders as they stepped into their son’s room. A night of debate and worry it had come to this. They’d waited for someone to come, to know what they held. Hina was still crying silently but he forced himself to remain calm. It wouldn’t bode well for their son to see both of them distraught. This was for the best, the best for Kagome. He was sure no one had seem him fleeing. The monks would never flee from their temple in battle. Let those guilty believed they’d slaughtered all those innocent. A smile lit his face as he sat the tiny girl down. He crouched and reached a hand out to wake his son. “Hiei.”


Their son yawned and sat up looking over them with concerned eyes. Hina managed a slight smile as his eyes fell to the little girl clinging to Tajina’s shirt. Her son was such a loving boy, he’d accept the newest addition. “Hiei, wake up. We want you to meet your new sister.” Hina hiccuped and kept the tears at bay. She wouldn’t cry in front of her son. In truth she’d always hope she’d be blessed with another child, a daughter. She’d never thought to receive it at the death of her childhood friend. The pain laced through her as the little girl giggled against the thick cotton. “I think she likes you.”


Hiei frowned seeing the little girl turn bright blue eyes at him. She was very small but too big in his opinion. “But she’s too big. When Kurama’s momma had her new baby she was really small. And she had a big belly before hand. You never got fat Momma. How did you have a baby?” He remained focused on the little girl they claimed to be his sister. Chubby wobbly legs moved as she reached towards him. He panicked when she began to stumble in her haste to reach him.


Hina saw her mate struggling for the words to say. How to explain this so the boy would accept the girl into their lives. She couldn’t bring herself to speak of the death of her parents. No, it was best if all believed the girl was theirs, even their own son. “True, but you see Hiei some children have different Mommies and Daddies. That doesn’t make the child any less special. See, I told you she likes you.” She felt a true smile as her son kept his hands out to steady the little girl. “We want you to love her as much as we do. Her name is Kagome.”

Please read and review.....