Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Transit Umbra, Lux Permanet	By : ChaoticReverie Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 3749 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. All OCs belong to me. I am not making any profit from writing this, it is for enjoyment only.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Inuyasha didn't think he'd ever grow accustomed to Bokuseno's aura, strange and immense as it was. Sesshomaru's youki was oppressive and distinctly threatening, blanketing all within his lands, a clear indicator of his status. The presence of the ancient tree spirit, however, was completely different. As they passed into the portion of western territory where he took root, Bokuseno's aura washed across the skin like gentle, lapping waves. The feel of him was everywhere. In the earth, the trees, the very air they breathed. He was not merely a resident of these lands; he was a part of them.
"We'll be there soon," he told Kagome.
She nodded, watching as Sesshomaru descended through the canopy, followed shortly after by Kirara and the others. He landed only a short distance ahead of them and continued on foot, pausing only to cast a fleeting glance at them from over his shoulder. His expression was nearly unreadable, but his eyes felt heavy as they passed over her, questioning. She was surprised to find herself the focus of his interest, even if it was for only a second.
The hanyou slowed, and the rest of their companions dismounted and began walking as well. When she made to drop down from Inuyasha's arms, his hold on her only tightened. She gazed up at him in askance.
"I'm carrying you."
"But it's not much-"
"I'm carrying you," he repeated sternly, earning himself a little pout. "Keh. Stubborn wench."
"Bossy dog," she shot back with a growl, averting her eyes to the path ahead of them.
He smiled when she looked away, secretly cherishing their playful banter. Worry tightened his chest, but he quashed the feeling before it became too prominent, quickening his pace.
All around them the wind slipped between the trees, humming lowly as it rustled leaves and made hanging branches sway. Kagome thought it sounded like voices. Suddenly the whispers fell away, and they were left in utter silence as they stepped into a sunny clearing.
"Welcome, sons of the Inu no Taisho. I have been expecting you."
The priestess felt calmed by the sound of his voice, deep with age and free of menace. They had never encountered a demon this powerful that did not radiate danger. It was a pleasant change.
Sesshomaru was the first to approach him.
"You have undoubtedly come seeking answers, Sesshomaru; answers about the dark presence that has begun to filter through these lands."
The daiyoukai regarded his father's oldest ally. "You know of its origins."
"Indeed I do," replied the tree, weathered features twisting into a troubled and grim expression. "This is a tale from beyond my years, but the forest remembers. She tells me a story."
The others, eager to hear, gathered closer.
"Many thousands of years ago, it was a dark age, and this land was torn by war. The earth was muddied with blood, rivers ran red with it. Humans and demons slaughtered one another ceaselessly and without mercy. They despised one another so strongly that darkness consumed them, drove them to do unspeakable things. All of their negative energy and emotion coalesced, and from it a manifestation of pure evil was born. He would come to be known as Zetsubou."
"I have heard this name," Sesshomaru admitted, recalling it from scripts left to him by his father.
Bokuseno closed his eyes briefly – his version of a nod. "Many of the predominant youkai families keep records of its telling, though this occurred well before the central clans were developed; before order was established, back when chaos ruled."
His branches groaned as he focused, pulling memories from deep within the soil that cradled him. "Zetsubou swept across this land like a plague, drinking deeply of the darkness created by humans and demons and growing strong from it. He destroyed everything he touched."
"But what happened to him?" Shippous whispered, gripped by the tale.
The old magnolia cast a glance his way, and gave a small smile. "All certainly seemed lost, but it is in these darkest of times that the brightest light always finds a way to shine through. In this time of great suffering, all of the land's inhabitants despaired together… but they also hoped together. Their hope was all they had left, and they clung to it. They prayed and they waited, and just as Zetsubou was born from their mutual animosity, another being was born from their mutual faith."
"Kibou," the daiyoukai uttered.
"You recall the story well," the tree demon praised with a knowing look before continuing.
"The battle went on for many years, neither side truly gaining ground. It became apparent to Kibou that – like himself – his enemy was not truly mortal, and could not be slain. It was then he understood that his light could onlycontain the darkness. By sacrificing himself he was able to shatter Zetsubou's power into fragments, and then seal the pieces away deep within the earth.
"Near death, Kibou was stumbled upon by a young majo. He could see that her heart was good, and pleaded for her to help him, as his life was waning. She agreed, knowing what he had done for them, knowing that she owed her life to this being. In exchange for her assistance, he granted her the last of his power, which she would pass on to her children, and their children, so that they might continue to watch over this place and guard its secrets. They have remained successful in their endeavor until now."
"How is it the seal was broken?" Miroku queried, gripping his staff tightly.
"The dark creature you know as Naraku was able to breech the barrier by threatening and then possessing the current guardian of Zetsubou's remains."
Inuyasha growled. "Could'a guessed that slimy bastard was involved."
"But why would he do such a thing?" Miroku pondered aloud. "If he knew of the whereabouts, he must also have known the nature of this being he planned to free. Why would he risk himself?"
Kagome's brow tightened. "Hubris, I would imagine."
Feeling awkward about her current position, cradled against the hanyou's chest like a child, she managed to wiggle her way free of his grip, pleased when he allowed it. Righting herself with a steadying breath, she went on, "We all know how ardently Naraku pursues power, and how prideful he can be. I imagine he planned to absorb what remained of Zetsubou."
Sango tensed. "Do you think he succeeded?!"
"No," the tree replied evenly. "Naraku was unable to gain control over the power he unleashed; it nearly killed him. He fled."
Bokuseno's answer both relieved and troubled them. While the notion of such power in the hands of their greatest foe was far from pleasant, now they faced an entirely new threat, one they had next to no knowledge of. And worse yet, Naraku was still out there, and would no doubt continue his search for the Tama, perhaps more fervently than ever.
"So now, because of his lapse, this Zetsubou creature is free?" Miroku questioned.
"Not entirely," the elder youkai corrected. "Once Zetsubou was defeated the inhabitants of the land ceased warring. They chose instead to separate, and while minor disputes arose from time to time, and the tension between demon and human has never truly dissipated, there has not been another great conflict since then. Humans and youkai began to structure themselves, the strongest families forming clans, retaining a measure of balance and peace among their kind. The land is no longer awash in darkness, and because of this, Zetsubou is unable to regain his true form as of yet. He remains fragmented.
"I feel the core of him still, present but weakened. What is left of his strength he has used to give these fragments life, and they have begun to spread their darkness, hoping to throw these lands into turmoil once more. If they are successful, Zetsubou will grow stronger, and will eventually become whole. Should that occur… the outcome will be most dire."
Inuyasha glanced at his brother, noting that even the immovable daiyoukai seemed troubled by the news. This was bad. Like really bad. Anything that could shake the Western Lord meant big trouble. His attention drifted to Kagome, whose little fist was drawn up against her chest, her expression one of hopelessness and distress. Why was all of this happening? Why now, when they already had so much to worry over?
"There is more, young Lord?"
Bokuseno's statement drew the hanyou's focus, and his ears tucked back as he took a step forward. "We came to ask you about Kagome."
"I have seen what has transpired," the tree confirmed.
"Can you tell us what's goin' on?"
"I see only what you have seen. To know more, I must be allowed to look inside," he told them, gaze wandering to the priestess for permission.
She shifted uncomfortably as she felt the weight of everyone's eyes land on her.
"How… How do I-"
"Come closer, child. I will not harm you."
Slowly she moved forward, stopping within arm's reach of the towering magnolia.
"Place your hand over my eyes," Bokuseno instructed.
Doing as she was told, Kagome lifted her arm, palm resting gently across the weathered face of the ancient tree. She could feel his presence as he looked into her, though it was not an invasion sensation. It was odd, certainly, but not painful or uncomfortable in any way. When he hummed in what sounded like understanding, she took a step back, letting her hand fall to her side. She fidgeted nervously as he opened his eyes again, anxious to hear what he had found.
"The presence within you – the power you have felt and seen – it is the jewel."
Miroku frowned. "We had all suspected it was involved, certainly, but are you able to tell us who is responsible for this? Is it merely the youkai within the jewel causing her harm, or is there another attempting to do so?"
"Neither."
Concern was replaced by confusion. "How can that be? When we examined the Lady Kagome, we all felt it; myself, Kaede, Inuyasha, and even Lord Sesshomaru. There was a unique power inside of her that seemed familiar, but was unlike anything we had encountered before."
The tree laughed. "You have missed the answer that is most obvious, then. It is something that has been in front of you all this time."
Bokuseno let his eyes fall upon Kagome once more. "It is you, child."
Hmmmm... what could that mean? Further enlightenment in the chapter to come.
Majo = witch
- 5
- 6
- 7
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