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Suffering and Rebirth	By : scattered-dimensions Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 8853 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of the characters. This is for fun not monetary gain.

Chapter List
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It was spring and the cherry blossoms were floating on the breeze. This was her favorite place in the fortress and it was where she decided to do her meditations today. The gardens were beautiful and well-kept any time of year, but something about the way the flowers left a soft fragrance in the air reminded her of her childhood, a time when she was just Noriko and not a priestess. Everything had been much simpler then.
“Miko.” A deep voice interrupted her concentration.
She abandoned her efforts and stood, bowing low to the Lord of the West.
“My Lord, how may I assist you this day?” She asked respectfully.
“It concerns my son. Have you seen him?” Lord Masahiro asked.
“Not today, my Lord, but I would be happy to look for him.” She offered kindly knowing just where he’d snuck off to.
“That would be sufficient. Tell him his father wishes to speak with him on an important matter.”
She watched as the Taiyoukai left. She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. InuTaishio looked so much like his father. The long silver hair, the golden eyes, and the markings were all the same, but InuTaishio’s features were softer, his nose regal. She suspected that came from his mother, though she had never seen the female except in portraits around the fortress.
The servants said she died when InuTaishio was just a pup, but they wouldn’t elaborate beyond that. Maybe that was one of the reason’s the Western Prince looked so sad most of the time. She knew the heartbreak of losing loved ones and it was a pain you never fully recovered from.
It didn’t take her long to make the journey to their spot near the river. He was throwing rocks into the water, sitting on the fallen log that had borne witness to many deep conversations. He turned to her and smiled making her stomach flutter nervously. She ducked her head and bowed trying to conceal the heat on her cheeks.
“Do not do that here, Noriko. Here, we are equals.” InuTaishio said lifting her gaze to match his with a finger under her chin.
She lost herself for a moment in those fathomless depths, but when his hand fell away, the spell was broken. She had a purpose and composed herself quickly.
“Forgive me, InuTaishio, but your father wishes to speak with you on an important matter.” She said quietly, not really wanting to leave the sanctity of this place or him.
“Does he now? When is it not an important matter?” He replied with a cynical smile.
Noriko didn’t know what to say. The political goings on were rarely her concern except when the human civilization was involved. She hated seeing the forlorn look on her Master’s face and it made her long to erase his shadowed thoughts. If only she knew how.
“I suppose we must return.” He said offering his arm.
She took it gladly and allowed him to lead her back to the fortress. He was walking slower than he normally did. At first, she thought it was out of consideration for her being in geta in the middle of the forest, but when his hand came to cover hers, she began to get a different impression. She reveled in the warmth of that simple gesture and contemplated what he truly meant to her. Was he just a treasure friend or was there something else there?
She remained in the gardens during the meeting. Her mind drifting from the kiss he placed on her hand many weeks ago to the affectionate way he touched her hand today. She tried not to think about it in any way other than a friendly gesture. He was the heir to his father’s lands and she just a common Miko.
She dared not hope for something more than what they had lest it break the spell. They had become close, descriptions of the Western lands turned into discussions of hopes and dreams. She sated his curiosity and he cured her loneliness. They had a lot in common and their little rendezvous left her feeling fulfilled, but now she was confused.
“Noriko.”
Her thoughts were interrupted for the second time that day, but instead of turning to face her Lord, she bowed low to his son. He seemed angry, but this was not the place to question him on such things.
“Master InuTaishio.” She greeted neutrally surprising herself considering the heavy fluctuations of reiki trying to react to the powerful Prince’s youki.
“I have been instructed to investigate a local youkai attack in a nearby human settlement. It would please me if you escorted me on this matter.” He responded his words clipped.
“Of course.” She said slightly hurt by his tone and surprised at herself for taking it so personally.
He held out his arm and she stepped into the embrace trying desperately to keep a tight rein on her powers. Moments later she was soaring through the air on his cloud, clutching his armor for dear life and watching the landscape fly by. Everything looked as tiny as ants. His arm tightened around her waist as he drew her further into his chest and he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear causing that fluttering feeling again.
“Do not be frightened, my little priestess. I will not let harm come to you.” He told her while trailing a finger down her cheek.
She smiled up at him and felt the tension melt away as if this was perfectly natural, like she belonged here amongst the clouds being held so closely by this beautiful male. Could it be that she had already fallen in love with him? InuTaishio returned her smile, his eyes fixed on hers. She felt her cheeks flame, but when she tried to hide her face, he stopped her.
His thumb traced patterns on her cheek, admiring the coloring. His eyes lowered to her lips and his head descended…

Noriko started awake. It took a moment to get her bearings. A very loud and equally obnoxious snore jolted her memory. She had fallen asleep in the Miko’s hut and was now surrounded by her slumbering companions with Kagome nowhere in sight. She’d been here two weeks and had discovered many secrets. Like the fact that InuYasha turned human on the nights without a moon and that the pathetic mutt was hopelessly in love with Kagome, if you could call that a secret. She also discovered that the peculiar Miko did not belong in this time which was interesting to say the least.
She hadn’t come any closer to discovering InuYasha’s parentage, but knew his mother had been human. If Noriko was to be honest with herself, this entire process was getting far too taxing. She usually travelled home in the middle of the night and would return every morning shadowing InuYasha or Kagome’s footsteps, hoping to overhear something valuable, but thus far nothing.
It wasn’t all bad, though. The group had proved to be most entertaining. InuYasha would say or do something inanely stupid and Kagome would say the word that sent him crashing face first into the ground. Noriko had gained a little respect for the young woman at that. Most Miko’s her age would have never thought to use subjugation beads on a demon, but this Miko was anything but ordinary.
Noriko had learned quite a bit about Kagome. She knew her father had been shot and killed when she was young. She also knew they lived on a shrine that sat in the same area as the Bone Eater’s well just 500 years in the future. She knew that Kagome had given up her life with her mother, brother, and grandfather to be with her friends in the past and discovered the girl to be very intelligent.
When the subject of Kagome’s time travel first came up in her presence, she thought them all to be insane, but there were things that could not be explained any other way. Like the Miko’s original clothing and the books she had or the glossy portraits of her family that showed no brush strokes. She had lights that had no flame and Noriko hadn’t sensed any magic in use. Perhaps this was why Kagome was so strong spiritually.
Noriko was having a difficult time not liking Kagome. She was just that kind of person regardless the company she chose to keep. She detested being treated like an animal, but she had chosen this form to acquire the information she needed and thus had to bear it. At least Kagome treated her with respect, almost as if she knew there was an actual person hidden under all that fur.
Shippo wasn’t so bad except when he was trying to carry her around. She wasn’t just any feline, but they didn’t know that. She swatted him once and gotten scolded like a common cur, but the kit learned his lesson. Noriko had walked away from that altercation with a smug grin if only in her mind. She actually laughed about it later when she was alone in the safety of her hut hidden amongst the crops of shedding trees. The kit’s face had been priceless.
InuYasha, however, was a constant nuisance. He would pull her tail or pick her up by her hind legs and dangle her in the air. He would get a good sitting because of his mistreatment and for that, Noriko was grateful. She still stacked the constant torment into a pile of punishable actions should her suspicions prove true. Oh, he would pay dearly.
Noriko stretched and padded out the door looking for Kagome. She couldn’t believe she was even thinking this, but it was very unlike her to be out by herself so late. It was obvious that the dense hanyou hadn’t noticed her missing. It was a wonder she had lived through the task of gathering the Sacred Jewel shards under his inadequate protection. Just another reason why she chose the form of a cat opposed to that of a canine.
Noriko found the young Miko sitting near the river, her knees drawn to her chest and her eyes fixated on the moon. She sat down beside the distracted girl and mewed to announce her presence. Kagome looked down and smiled petting her in greeting, but Noriko could see the turbulence behind her blue eyes.
“Hey, Shika. No field mice willing to play tonight?” Naturally, Noriko didn’t answer.
Kagome sighed and looked back up to the sky.
“I thought I’d find peace being here, but…Don’t get me wrong. I know I made the right choice. I just can’t find the right fit for me. Kaede’s been great with helping me master my spiritual powers and I like helping people. I just don’t think the regular path of a priestess is for me and InuYasha…for so long I thought I was supposed to be with him. Now, when he holds me, it doesn’t feel the same.”
Kagome sighed again. Noriko felt kind of sorry for the girl, but there was nothing she could do. Her own life had been a massacre of mistakes and she was left betrayed by the one she loved. All she had left was the need for vengeance and since InuTaishio was dead, his sons would have to suffice. After her task was complete, she would diminish from this world. That wasn’t exactly the kind of lesson she’d wish to instill in the melancholy girl even if she were able to speak her thoughts.
“Oh well. I’ll figure it out in time.”
Kagome stood and brushed her hakama off.
“You coming back inside?” She asked with a sweet smile.
Noriko looked away, her mind filled with thoughts of the past. It was difficult not to see a younger version of herself in the innocent girl. A younger version that had had her soul snuffed out slowly and before she knew what was happening, she was left bereft, a hollow shell of her former self.
“Suit yourself. Goodnight, Shika.” Kagome called over her shoulder.
Noriko remembered a time, sitting alone like Kagome had, looking at the same moon contemplating her own life. She had the same dreams that all young, naïve women do and had thought of her future with a great and powerful dog demon. Things had been wonderful then or so she thought.
His face moved closer and her heart skipped a beat. Lips were on hers. His lips. Soft, warm, moving.
Noriko stood suddenly and took off as fast as she could towards her hut, trying futilely to outrun her unwanted recollections.
“So beautiful, my Noriko.” His voice deep, vibrating through every fiber of her being.
No! She would not listen. She pushed her legs to run faster.
He took her with a gentleness belaying his awesome power. His skin was hot under her finger tips, his hands scorching her everywhere they touched. She had never felt so loved, so wanted.
Noriko growled in frustration. The trees she passed were nothing but a blur now and yet the memories still flowed.
“InuTaishio, what we have done…”
“Hush, my sweetling. I regret nothing.”
His arms, so strong, cradling her body close to his. His breaths deep and even wafting across her sweat slicked skin sending shivers down her spine and chasing away all her fears.
Lies! It was all a lie! A hopeless dream, nothing more!
Noriko transformed midrun, screaming her agony to the heavens.
“Curse you, InuTaishio! Even in death you haunt me still! Were your poisonous words not enough?! Did you have to plant the seeds of hope within my soul as well?! Vile betrayer! I swear you will feel my wrath in the next world!”
She fell to her hands and knees, tears streaming down her face. Her anger was exhausting and useless, but these visions from the past, they made her feel overwhelmed and out of control. She had been such a fool to trust in that dog.
Noriko gritted her teeth against her emotions and stood on shaking legs. She had overexerted herself physically, but it was nothing a few days of rest couldn’t cure. She trudged up the hill to the gates of her lands. She needed a reprieve from being a common housecat anyway.

Noriko wasn’t aware of the dawn, her slumber being so deep, but Kagome was. She was also acutely aware of her beloved pet’s absence. She spent most of the morning searching for the cat, but turned up nothing.
After a silent lunch, InuYasha took it upon himself to end Kagome’s moping in his signature way.
“Oi, Kagome, stop pouting. It’s just a cat!”
“Shika could be hurt or something.” Kagome responded, irritated by his crass mannerism.
“Hey, Kagome, maybe Kirara could help. She’s a cat. She probably knows all the places to look.” Shippo piped up helpfully.
“Hmm, I guess you could be right. There’s only one way to find out.”
Kagome followed after Shippo to find their fire neko friend.
InuYasha watched them go shaking his head. “All this for a stupid pet.”
“Sit, boy!”
InuYasha plummeted to the ground groaning.
“Kagome, why?”
By the time the spell on the beads wore off and InuYasha pulled himself up from the dirt, Kagome was already racing away on Kirara.

“Lady Kaede!”
The little girl jumped from the double headed dragon’s back and ran to the elderly Miko, throwing her arms around her legs. Kaede bent down to return the hug.
“Rin, how do ye fair, child?” Kaede asked with a chuckle.
“I’m fine. How are you? I’m so glad to be back. How’s Sango and the kids? Is Shippo around?” Rin asked excitedly bouncing on her heels.
Kaede took a calming breath before answering the animated girl.
“One question at a time, child. Everyone is well. Shippo is off with Kagome…”
“Kagome’s back?! Did you hear that, Lord Sesshomaru? Kagome’s back.” She exclaimed over her shoulder to the approaching Taiyoukai.
Sesshomaru walked up behind Rin who was looking over her shoulder with a huge grin on her face and patted her head in acknowledgment. Jaken came rushing up to the girl, sweat rolling off him in waves dragging a bundle behind him.
“Rin, you silly, girl! How many times do I have to tell you that Lord Sesshomaru doesn’t care about InuYasha or his stupid companions?” Jaken squawked between pants.
“Oh, Master Jaken. When did you get here?” Rin asked relieving the exhausted kappa of the package.
“Rin, take your belongings inside.” Sesshomaru commanded.
“Yes, my Lord.” Rin answered enthusiastically.
The aura around the village was different since his last visit. It was if a very old evil had settled nearby, something powerful, but yet still unidentifiable.
“Miko, have you not felt the change?” Sesshomaru asked in his nonchalant fashion.
“Yes, I have, but this forest is very old. It is not unlikely to have something dwell within. If ye are concerned for Rin’s safety, it is unnecessary. InuYasha protects this village and now that Kagome is back, she will be able to purify any demon.” Kaede explained.
Sesshomaru regarded the old woman for a moment. How is it that she could not sense the fluctuations in this energy? Whatever was out there was no demon. Still, he could not deny Rin this opportunity. His ward wanted to see her friends and learn from them. It made her happy and he would deny her nothing.
“Hn.” Was all he said before walking away.
“Milord, where are you going?” Jaken asked, but as usual, Sesshomaru didn’t answer.
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Suffering and Rebirth