Glossary
Kagome walked towards the main entrance of the Higurashi shrine. Seeing Inuyasha had remembered her how much life could pain. She had nearly forgotten it and now she was paying the consequences. You shouldn’t run away from your problems and hide; that was one of the major rules of life, yet she had deliberately ignored it. When she woke at Lady Ayame’s palace a year before, what she was being offered seemed like the best way to escape all her problems and fears. She was going to be trained and then she would look for the shards alone without any help, because people can trust only themselves, anybody who tells you they care, lies. Not one single person can care for anybody but himself or herself. The strange thing was that she still cared for others. Shippou and her family, were the ones she thought and cared for the most.
Speaking about which, she wasn’t sure how her family would react
to what she had to say. She liked the idea, battle was a part her life now, but
her mum and Oyaji wouldn’t be too happy about her going to war would they?
After all they were paranoid and overprotective when she searched for the
shards; she could just guess what was going to happen this time. She wasn’t
actually looking forward to it. And Souta? He would probably go hyper, he liked
anything that had to do with youkai and combat, he freaked Kagome out a bit.
Deciding to see their reactions instead of only imagining them, she opened the
door.
“Mama, Jii-chan,
Souta! I’m home!” She
yelled at the top of her lungs while she shut the door a bit too fiercely; the
house, which was quite old, shook. Being home was one of the best things she
could think of. Starting to walk up the stairs she heard a loud crash from her
brother’s room.
“Ahh! My console! Who’s that freak
that made it fall?” She heard her brother shouting. She started laughing.
Suddenly the child popped his head out of the room and started yelling again,
“You! My console just-” then he saw who it was and hugged his sister tight.
“Sis! I missed you so much! Where were you for two months? You said you’d visit
once every thirty days!”
Kagome ruffled his hair in a loving
manner and told him that when she visited the month before it was very late at
night and that he was sleeping. She didn’t tell him it was her who’d insisted
he could sleep though. That day she’d told her mum and grandfather all the
truth about a year before. They hadn’t known; he hadn’t explained, but as a
month before she’d achieved more security in herself than she’s done in eleven
months, and overcome the fact about her presumed death, she wasted no time in
telling her-adult-family. Trying to sneak away from the subject she did the
thing she knew her brother hated worse-even though she was joking-she blamed
him. “You sleepyhead! How can you prefer sleep to your big sister, ” She said
crossing her arms and faking an annoyed look.
“It your fault. You didn’t wake me
up…you can blame only yourself...no no, I’m kidding don’t worry.” He said
smiling widely at her. “Anyway sis,” he started again “You look so cool!
Usually when you come home you’re dressed in miko garbs, why the drastic
change? Will you teach me Kenjutsu one of these days? I absolutely love swords
and fighting. Oh, did I tell you mum agreed in letting me go to Kendo at
school? I’m so happy. There is this guy in the club who is really tough. He’s
in his last year at my school. He reminds me a bit of Inuyasha nii-chan. He
takes both judo and kendo lessons. I wonder how he stands all the homework and
the after-school clubs…” Souta had had so much to tell his sister when she was
away; he missed the talks they had when they were younger. Those times Kagome
hadn’t traveled through time risking her life every minute. Sure, now she was
stronger than many people in their time and could teach him lots of stuff, but
was it worth it if she was away most of the time? He preferred having her home
and weak, rather than strong, in Sengoku Jidai and in harms way. Suppressing
the bad thoughts that were starting to form in his mind, Souta concentrated on
enjoying as much as he could while his sister was home.
“Wow. I’m happy for you Souta. I would’ve
never guessed mum would say yes. You know how she’s overprotective, always
saying stuff like ‘be careful not to hurt yourself,’ or ‘I’m not letting you go
to that amusement park, it looks dangerous’. Poor mama, she’s really tense all
the time. I wonder how I’m gonna tell her what I’ve gotta say.” Kagome told
Souta rolling her eyes. She was happy she could have a normal conversation with
her brother alone. It had been so long since they’d talked together alone like
the old times.
When she was home playing with her
brother she could forget everything. That was why her heart was at peace now;
both it and her mind were happy at the moment. She didn’t want to think about
anything about her problems in Sengoku Jidai; only the few happy things she
could tell her family. Funny memories like when Shisho’s mate, Yuri, threw him
into the lake in Ayame’s castle because he was being a jerk to Ayame-san. At
the time Kagome was in her room, which was on the opposite side of the lake,
near in the training grounds; but the shouts of anger of Shisho and the laugher
of the two ladies was heard in all the palace.
“U-huuu, anybody there? Kagomeee?”
She was brought back to reality by her bother who was waving a hand in front of
her face; she hadn’t even noticed she was daydreaming. She laughed gently and
smiled at her brother.
“Nothing, nothing, I was just
thinking that’s all.”
“Oh, you had such a stupid little
smile on your face, I thought it might get stuck if I didn’t do something.”
Souta said cheerfully. How long had it been since he’d had the opportunity to
taunt his sister? He couldn’t even remember it. So, deciding he was feeling
playful, he ran to the main door, opened it, and started running as fast as he
could around the shrine, screaming like a five-year old ‘catch me if you can’.
“Oh gods, some people really don’t
grow up do they?” Yet this time her voice was light and joyful as she looked at
the ceiling with a smile on her lips. Hurriedly he started catching after her
brother shouting friendly, “How could you-! Come back here, now!”
And both brother and sister started
laughing while running around the shrine, in and out of the various doors of
the house.
***
“As I was saying Lord Sesshoumaru,
Lady Ayame of the Eastern Lands requests your presence at a ball she is giving
this night.” Said a young Inu-youkai with short brown hair. He had black eyes
and was wearing dark blue colored clothes, for blue was the color of the lands
of the East from generations.
“And what would be the purpose of
this ball?” Asked in a cool voice Lord Sesshoumaru, looking at the mountains
beyond his garden. Not giving a single glance at the messenger that had arrived
ten minutes ago. The boy had stopped more than once to see if he the person he
was speaking to was actually listening. Sesshoumaru grinned to himself, it was
so easy to make people uneasy. Just merely looking somewhere else and asking a
few specific questions and…poof. There you had a completely nervous person near
you.
“Lady Ayame has found a new general
Sesshoumaru-sama. My Lady is going to announce to the other Lords and Ladies
her new friend.” The boy told him quickly. Eager to leave the Western palace
and head East as fast as possible.
“Well then, you are dismissed. Tell
Lady Ayame I’ll be there around nightfall. Jaken, escort Genji-san to the main
entrance.” Said Sesshoumaru to the messenger that was clearly happy of leaving
his castle.
“Thank-you very much then, Lord
Sesshoumaru.” Replied Genji while making a deep bow. He was led to the main
entrance from Jaken and sped off towards his Lady’s Lands; not even looking at
Sesshoumaru’s servant, who grumbled and uttered a few curses about unworthy,
disrespectful messengers. While he walked back inside the castle his mind
turned back to the old days when such arrogance was punished with death.
Meanwhile Sesshoumaru sat on a
boulder to think. It was more than a century that none of the Lords or Ladies
didn’t elect new captains or generals; due to the fact that all the ones
already in service were excellent and had still much time to live. Not that
this was bad news, the years they were living were very turbulent and tense.
Not only humans were fighting their civil wars, many youkai tribes fought one
against the other for childish reasons; these stupid little arguments were only
provoking the death of many people and the destruction of any cities; which was
very bad indeed.
He wasn’t looking forwards to the night’s events because, unlike
the meeting between the four Lords, well three plus Lady Ayame, they wouldn’t be
talking about the Land’s problems. Thought, he had to say, he was quite
interested to see who the new general was. Probably some young, energetic,
arrogant pup who thought he was above everyone else…or maybe not. Lady Ayame
had always been strange, as far as he knew it could just as well be an old,
grumpy, lecturing cat youkai. Well, if that was the case he wasn’t going to
have a very nice relationship with him. Cats, he hated cats, they always had
something stupid to say every moment. Anyway, that wasn’t what he was supposed
to be thinking about. He would probably have to prepare mentally for all the
gossip most of the people at the gathering would say, he couldn’t believe all
those people could remember so much stupid things.
They would without doubt try to
scare or annoy in some way the new general. It was a mystery what jealousy
could do to one. Anger, hatred, none of these emotions could rival against
jealousy. Many people hate, hold disgust ad want to kill somebody else; but
death isn’t the worse thing that can happen. Torture is far worse, pain during
life is worse. Therefore a person, whom for jealousy does all in its
possibilities to hurt another, can cause much more pain that death. That was
how the world worked more or less, because power ruled the world. He’d learnt
the hard way what it meant to hold power.
“Sesshoumaru-sama, Jaken-san told us
to prepare a change of clothes for you’ll be attending a party tonight. It has
been placed in the bench near the wardrobe in the hot springs.” Told him one of
the servants bowing deeply, never looking up.
“Very well, I’ll be there in a
minute, you can leave.” He told her, dismissing her waving slightly his hand
towards the house.
Deciding to take a relaxing bath before the certainly stressing
night he turned towards the house and went to the hot springs, thinking only
about the important things.
***
In Kaede’s village the sun shone
high. It was around noon. The passed rain was just a memory for it had lasted
only half an hour, maybe a little more. The grass was twinkling magically while
the water drops slowly evaporated from its surface. The children were running
back from the fields as their mothers called them in for lunch. The strong
smell of food lingered in the village, soup, cooked vegetables and other type
of simple plates. From every house you could see a small cloud of smoke
floating in the air above each hut to then disappear. Near one of the two
figures were in deep contrast with the peace of the place. A demon exterminator
who was seated with her back against the hut’s wall, and a monk who sat a in
front of her eating some soup and had a few red handprints on his face, were
talking. They didn’t look as happy as the rest of the village people…and didn’t
seem t notice a small kid sitting on top of the hut listening to their
conversation.
“Hey Sango, what do you think
about-?” Said Miroku.
“I don’t know houshi-sama. She looks
ok, but when you speak about Kikyou or Inuyasha…something changes. Her silence
was almost scary.” Told him Sango while she was polishing Hiraikotsu. It was
almost like she was someone else.
A frown appeared on the cute face of
the kid.
“You’re right, I don’t know what
happened during this year, but I think we should keep an eye open. In case
something happens.” He didn’t know what Kagome was thinking, but whatever it
was he had a bad feeling about it. She wasn’t fit for battlegrounds and wars;
she had a forgiving heart by nature and he couldn’t imagine her involved in
these youkai problems. He just
couldn’t imagine her turning into a murderer. Because that was war, or you turn
into a killer or you’ll be a victim.
“You know she wont let us.” Said the
exterminator looking seriously at him.
“I didn’t mean to follow, Shippou
could send us a letter every now and then. What do you think?” Miroku
suggested.
“Looks like a good idea. But what
about Shippou, I don’t know if he’ll do it.” She really wasn’t sure Shippou was
going to do something he wasn’t allowed to tell Kagome, he always told her
whatever he did.
“Hey, I’m here you know.” Yelled the
kitsune from his hiding spot. “You know, it’s not very polite to speak about
people behind their back, especially when one o the two is listening.” He told
them grinning the same way he used to when Kagome sat Inuyasha.
“There you are Shippou. You saved us
a lot of explaining by spying. And we weren’t talking behind yours and Kagome’s
back; we’re just worried. We’re friends aren’t we? That’s why we care Shippou.”
Miroku said for both himself and Sango.
“Yeah yeah, who was complaining? I’m
just really happy Kagome’s back. I’ve missed my mama so much this feels like a
dream. Anyway, I guess I could do it, if it’s for Kagome’s welfare I have
nothing against it.” Told them the kitsune cub looking at the fire where the
soup left over was still hot. Then he pointed at the food. “Sango, could I have
some of it please? I’m starving.”
At this the monk and the
exterminator laughed. Shippou could be so serious on moment and so carefree the
other. It was amazing how wise he could be at his young age; it was probably
because he’d been forced to grow up by events he couldn’t control. The death of
his parents, shard hunting, Naraku and then the disappearing of his almost
adoptive mother; they were all very hard situations for a child to withstand.
“Yes Shippou, here you are.” Said Sango placing a bowl of soup in his tiny
hands.
“Oh, I forgot to tell. Around
fifteen twenty minutes ago, coming back from the fields, I met this weird guy
dressed in blue, he was a kitsune to be exact. He was happy to see me, don’t
know why though. Well, he gave me this letter for Inuyasha, looks quite
important.” He said while slurping his soup and munching a few of the
vegetables inside.
“Hey, what about me brat?” Said a
voice from behind them.
“Oh hello Inu-baka. Here, a guy gave
me this for you.” Said Shippou smugly throwing the signed parchment to the
hanyou.
“Feh. Keep your mouth shut brat.”
Inuyasha replied ripping the letter open. He quickly read the content and a
look of astonishment spread on his face. “Hey Miroku, read this.”
“To the younger son of Inutaisho,
former Lord of the Western Lands, Inuyasha-san,
You are
invited to the ball I am hosting tonight at the Eastern Palace; I believe you
still remember where it is. The ball will start at nightfall. I expect your
presence. There will be no violence at the ball and no blood will be shed
within the palace walls. Once the ball is finished you are free to do as you
please. You may also sleep over and head back home the next morning if you
desire. Until then, have a good afternoon.”
‘Sincerely, Lady Ayame of the Eastern Lands’
“You going Inuyasha?” Asked the monk
looking back at his friend.
“Guess I don’t have much choice.”
Inuyasha said looking slightly interested.
Miroku, Sango and Shippou exchanged
defeated looks.
***
“Mummy, mummy! Help me!” shouted
Souta as he dashed behind his mother trying to escape from his sister who was now
wearing white pants and a black t-shirt with some waves drawn on the front.
Mrs. Higurashi had just arrived from the supermarket and was carrying a few
bags containing lots of food. She looked a bit worn by all the stairs she had
to climb to arrive to the house entrance. It was now noon and the sun was high
in the sky, the spring breeze cooled the weather a bit, but other than that it
was eerily hot for April. Sakura trees were starting o blossom and even the
Goshinboku was expected to bloom that year; it had been so long since it had
happened last time.
“Hello Kagome dear; what’s happening
here?” said the Lady, urging both her son and daughter towards the house.
They’d grown up so much, yet they still played like five years ago. Life was
really strange sometime; and no doubt people are a mystery. They could change
so much on the outside because of terrible accidents and events, but remain the
same inside and express that part of themselves with the people they trusted
more and cared for. “I bet Kagome’s got loads to tell us; don’t you dear?”
At this Kagome swallowed, she smiled
broadly and nodded. “But before I tell you I have to go buy a few things and
ask Yui-chan for homework. I’ll be back at four o’clock more or less. I guess.
I’d really love to stay here with you all day, but I have to go find some
clothes for this party Ayame-san is holding tonight. I certainly am not going
to wear one of those fancy colorful kimonos she always wears at gatherings.”
She said.
“Oh but Kagome, you would look so
nice in a kimono; it’s very feminine. Don’t tell me you’re going to wear
trousers, ho many times do I have to tell you you’re not a boy Kagome?” Said
exasperatedly Mrs. Higurashi to her daughter.
“Actually, that was quite what I was
wanted to wear; and I will mum, I don’t care if I’m pretty wearing a kimono.
People are supposed to know me for who I am, and I don’t wear fancy clothes or
skirts anymore. I’ve changed mama, you should know that better than anyone
else.” She said seriously.
“I’ve got no chance right?” Mrs.
Higurashi asked.
At this Kagome laughed, she liked
winning arguments over clothes, especially when they were between her and her
mum. When she was younger her mother always insisted she wore skirts because
they were feminine; that’s pretty much why she always wore them, it was
something to remember her where she was from and that she had a family-and a
mother who loved skirts, something to remember there were people who cared
deeply for her- who missed her. “See ya later mum, and Souta, be a good be
while I’m out ok?” And with that she ran down the steps and waved her hand to
them.
---
Five PM, Tokyo, Higurashi Shrine
“Hey sorry guys, it took me more
than I thought.” Kagome said while she entered the house. She wanted to see how
her mum reacted to what she’d done that afternoon. She’d probably go crazy, but
it was really worth it. She’d worn a sleeveless shirt exactly for that purpose.
Her mother was going to have a heart attack.
“Don’t worry Kagome-chan it’s ok, we
still have a few hours together ne?” Mrs. Higurashi said while she was tidying
the living room, not really looking at her daughter. When she looked at Kagome
her eyes went wide from the shock and she collapsed on a sofa, “What did you-”
Just at I expected. Kagome thought, “Oh, c’mon mama,
it’s not that tragic. My earlier scar was far worse! At least this covers it. I
think it’s really cute. It looks good don’t you think?” The girl told her
mother, as if having a dragon tattooed on her left cheek and arm was an
everyday thing. Of course it didn’t look bad, actually, it gave the girl a
unique look, as if it had always meant to be there. She liked it very much, the
dragon’s head was on her cheek and it’s body traveled all the way down her
right arm, it’s tail on the back of her hand.
“Kagome, I thought you were going to
buy clothes and ask Yushi for some homework. You didn’t say anything about
tattoos. I’m really disappointed this time.” Mrs. Higurashi told her daughter.
“But mama, I did buy clothes and
stop at Yui’s house for schoolwork. Really I did, it’s just that I passed by
this tattoo shop and couldn’t resist. It’s been a while since I’ve wanted to do
it and now I had a reason, it covers my scar doesn’t it? Please mama, don’t be
angry.” Kagome begged. She absolutely didn’t think her mother would believe
she’d lied. She could never do that to her family, she always told them the
truth…the less disastrous one, but truth nonetheless.
“I’m not angry Kagome…I just don’t
see why you had to do it. You nice even without a dragon on your face and arm.”
Mrs. Higurashi said sighing.
“Ok, umm… mama,
I...” Am I really
sure I can tell them? What will they say? Are they prepared for such news? No,
probably not. She
thought. She just couldn’t tell them she was going to war. For how much it excited
and made her happy; they couldn’t understand. Life in Tokyo was much too
different from life in Sengoku Jidai, they’d go crazy, try to seal the well or
something of the sort. She smiled, she would tell them eventually, but not now.
“Yes Kagome?” Replied the lady.
“Nothing, why don’t we all play some
game?” She proposed.
“Did I hear the word game?! I wanna
play too!” Souta yelled running down the stairs.
“Maybe something on history…” Said
an old man entering through the door. “Sorry for not being her before, I was
meditating. Kagome, what did you do to your face? And your arm? Shouldn’t you
wash yourself from mud?” he said nonchalantly.
Everybody started laughing while
Souta whispered to his sister ‘Jii-chan needs to put on glasses’. And so Kagome
laughed even harder while her mother was taking out monopoli. “I hope you
people are good at business and economy; otherwise you’ll lose all your money!”
Mrs. Higurashi declared as she opened the box and started getting out the
pieces…
After three hours they were still
playing; Souta and Kagome were now in society together, due to Souta’s near
failing. And Mrs. Higurashi and her father were crushing both brothers down.
All that was left to the poor brothers were only two thousand yen. After they
lost another thousand yen in one of their mother’s hotels they gave up and were
defeated.
“That’s not fair. We don’t know as
much as you two do on money and that kind of stuff…” grumbled Souta.
“It’s been wonderful, I can’t
remember the last time I passed such a good evening with you,” Kagome said to
her family, “but, unfortunately I have to go. You know, I have only an hour and
a half more or less before the ‘party’ starts.” She sighed, “See you. Oh, and I
figured a way to send you letters! Every once in a while I’ll plop a letter
down the well, be sure to check will ya?”
“Ok Kagome dear, we will don’t
worry, you should go know, before you’re late. And please, be careful.” Mrs.
Higurashi hugged her daughter tightly.
“Yeah nee-chan! Beat the crap out of
those mean youkai! And yes, you should improve at monopoli for next time sis.”
Souta giggled, hugging her and running back to his room; leaving Kagome fuming
behind. He had the courage to mock her! Suddenly she was aware that her
grandfather was nowhere to be seen. She looked around the room to find him, but
when she asked her mother where he was he appeared at the door with two swords
in hand. “Jii-chan what-?”
“Here Kagome, keep these. I’ve meant
to give them to you a or a long time now. They’re family treasure. More than
five hundred years old. I suggest you keep them well.” He held out to her the
katana and the wakizashi he had in his hands and Kagome reached out to them.
The moment she touched them she felt
something, like a stinging sensation on her palm. The swords were light, their
edges incredibly sharp for swords so old. She guessed her grandfather took good
care of them; she would do just the same. The sheaths were black, both had a
dragon drawn on them and where the sword and the sheath met, there was a blue
silken ribbing holding it in place. Both swords were the same outside, even if
the length changed a bit from one to the other. “Oh, thank you very much Oyaji!
I don’t know how to thank!”
“Then don’t, it’s a present. I hope
they’ll protect you. Go change and head back, I’m sure they’re waiting for
you.” He told her while she hugged him.
The girl nodded and after waving to
her mum and grandpa she ran up to her room to change. She started crying
silently as soon as she reached her bedroom, both from happiness and sadness.
She couldn’t believe she hadn’t told them. How could she? But after all, who
could blame her? She didn’t want them worrying everyday about her safety and
wondering if she was dead. No, that wouldn’t do. She preferred feeling guilty
than giving them such a burden. After
all she could always tell them another time couldn’t she? Lifting her armor
over her head she plopped it on her shoulders and tied the sash around it. Wiping
the tears from her eyes and face she placed her new katana and wakizashi at her
side. She tied her old swords at her backpack and stepped on the edge of her
window. “Good-bye everyone! See you next time!” She shouted. She left like that
every time. She was sure that if she looked at them while she was going back
she’d surely remain there she hated the sad looks they had an their face and
she felt incredibly guilty and responsible. Another thing she hated were the
pitiful looks her mother and grandfather gave her; she didn’t need pity, she
could make it on her own, they should think about their own problems, they
already had enough. It wasn’t exactly a good thing right now to dwell on these
things. She was already late.
She jumped from the window and walked
towards the well, when she reached it she jumped down and started her way down
the path that led to Kaede’s village. She had promised to bring Shippou with
her after all.
---End Chapter VIII---