The Path We Walk
Chapter 7: Taiyoukai of the Four Corners
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all of it's characters are property of the brilliant Takahashi-sama and I claim no ownership of them. Only the story belongs to me.
AN: Once upon a time there was 7 clichés: Okies I was wrong I found more while trying to find a fan fic to read lol.
1. Inuyasha Beauty and the Beast style...seen at least 20 of theses.
2. AU where the main character, who it is depends on the story, has an abusive parent.
3. Kagome being either punk or goth in AUs. o.O
4. Vampires, memory loss and referring to Shippo as a squirrel or other small rodent. Seems to be a lot of vampire stories out there even some...half vampires...come on tell me have you ever heard a vamp story where they could have kids? (other than the weird Angel ep with Darla lol). Way too many memory loss stories out there. And come on people he's a FOX!
And sorry this chapter is coming out a bit late I was working on it last night when fanfiction went down for repairs or what not and it was down for hours and I keep my story on here so couldn't work on it. And heads up for the next few weeks, esp after the 18th, I might be a bit behind on the updates. I will be going to Texas for two weeks to visit my family and so probably won't have much time to update. But after the first of Sept I should be back to normal.
Previously on The Path We Walk: Sesshoumaru almost dropped her wrist when he felt the stinging from her power on his wrist but stopped himself at the last second and instead growled at her again. He was expecting her to up the power flow, try to get away, or even yell at him. He, however, did not expect her to growl back. He, Lord Sesshoumaru, taiyoukai of the western lands was being growled at -again- by none other than a little ningen miko. Instead of trying to run or scream or even being afraid of him, she was simply growling back. Slightly intrigued, Sesshoumaru merely raised a delicate eye brow at her.
"Momma is everything okay?" called out a sleepy Shippo as he sat up in the sleeping bad, careful not to wake Rin, and looked over at the two locked in a growling competition.
"Yeah sweetie go back to sleep. I'm just have a staring contest with a taiyoukai, nothing to worry about." Kagome assured him as she looked over with a smile.
"Okay momma good night." Shippo replied and the moment his head hit the ground he was fast asleep again.
"Well unless you want to deal with a very cranky miko tomorrow I suggest I get some sleep too Lord Sesshoumaru." Kagome reminded him as she released his arm and turned back to walk over to her blanket.
Sesshoumaru looked down at the hand shaped burn on his wrist, watching while it healed itself, and walked back over to his spot against a tree. Looking over at the miko he realized she was already asleep and decided she was fun to have around. With everyone else it was always 'yes milord' but she some how managed to stay respectful and yet defy him in the same breath. Yes he was looking forward to seeing what she did once they arrived down south.
Stretching his newly restored arm out, Sesshoumaru filed away a reminder to punish the miko for way she had healed his arm before resting his head back and closes his eyes to await dawn.
The small group had finished packing up their camp and were about to head out when Jaken's squawk interrupted them. "Lord Sesshoumaru how did you get your arm back?" Jaken wondered turning everyone's attention to the taiyoukai who now had both arms.
"Painfully." Kagome replied for him with a laugh as she put her backpack on her shoulders earning herself a growl from Sesshoumaru who didn't find it quite as funny as she had. Ignoring the growl and the confused look from Jaken, Kagome walked to the edge of camp to wait for the taiyoukai to be ready to leave.
Walking past her with a flurry of silk, Sesshoumaru made his way to the front of the group and they started out. A few minutes later he heard Kagome tripping over her own feet and having problems walking and turns around, picking her up, and places her on Ah-Un. Before she has a chance to question him he says, "Sleep," before heading back to the front of the group.
Kagome watched him for a moment before shrugging and laying against Ah-Un to catch up on some missed sleep.
"Ready men? Leave no youkai standing!" Tadashii called out as he stood on the hill over looking a small village below.
"Hai!" the men called out and a moment later they were given the word to charge down.
Tadashii watched the group, made up of mostly houshi and warriors from kingdoms who's lords agreed with his view of 'the only good demon is a dead one' and sent their men to aid him. He was, however, still slightly sore that miko had refused to join him and had even threatened him. He of course was not scared of her, in fact he was rather pissed that the miko had spoken to him like that. Once all the other demons were taken care of he would go back for the kit and teach her her place.
Shaking his head to clear the thoughts of the miko, Tadashii looked back over the town and watched as the males tried to put themselves in between the females and gaki and his men. This of course did no good and soon his men had wiped out all of the villagers.
However he and his men failed to notice the young taka youkai who had transformed into her true form and flew away toward the south. Must find Lord Sesshoumaru. the young taka thought to herself as she headed for the southern taiyoukai knowing Sesshoumaru was currently heading that way.
Stopping the group in front of a hot springs, Sesshoumaru walked back and pulled Kagome off of Ah-Un none to gently and slightly nodded to the springs. "Bathe." Sesshoumaru commanded as he turned away and motioned for Jaken to follow him. "Perhaps we should have brought those ofuda then this Sesshoumaru wouldn't have to smell you miko." Sesshoumaru called back over his shoulder.
Kagome scowled at him a moment before busting up laughing. "Wow I didn't know the great Lord Sesshoumaru even had a sense of humor!" Kagome called back after him as she set her bag down next to the springs.
"Alright little ones time for our bath." Kagome said with a smile as she turned to the kids and helped them to get undressed before undressing herself and stepping in the hot water.
After leaving them at the springs, Sesshoumaru and Jaken walked until they were no longer in sight and the taiyoukai sat against a tree while Jaken went about collecting wood for the fire.
Jaken had just finished building the fire when her scream rang out. "Stay." Sesshoumaru commanded as he rushed away from the camp and back to the springs where Rin's scream had come from. He was expecting a lot of things when he arrived at the springs, a demon standing over them about to attack, even finding the demon had already finished them off. He, however, was not expecting to see what he did when the springs came into view.
Kagome standing, completely nude, with an arrow notched and ready to shoot at the Tora youkai that was currently charging at them, for the second pass if the cut down her leg was any indication. The wind picked up blowing her hair behind her and giving the demon lord an unobstructed view of the miko in all her glory as her powers flared around her, casting her in a soft pink light. Not bad for a ningen. Sesshoumaru decided to himself as she let go of the arrow and it flew straight to the youkai, killing it instantly.
Sesshoumaru walked toward the springs and the slight noise he made caused Kagome to turn to him with her bow raised. Seeing who it was she lowered the bow and at that moment seemed to realize her state of undress and with an 'eep' dropped her bow and sank back into the water covering herself with her arms. "A bit too late for modesty miko." Sesshoumaru said with an inward smirk as he noticed she turned a very bright red.
"Would you mind turning around so I can get dressed Lord Sesshoumaru?" Kagome grumbled looking over at him as the kids stepped out and got dressed.
"Hai this Sesshoumaru would." replied the ever stoic taiyoukai while inwardly the smirk grew as did the miko's blush.
Grumbling under her breath about 'perverted youkai' Kagome stepped out of the springs with her back to him and quickly dried off before getting into a clean set of miko garments. "Happy?" Kagome asked sarcastically as she turned back to the demon lord picking up her bag.
"Hai." Sesshoumaru replied coolly as he turned and started back to the camp ignoring the huff from the miko.
As they began walking across the court yard Kagome noticed the guards watching them but before she could mention it to the others, she saw a Doragon and a Hagetaka youkai heading their way. "Lord Sesshoumaru good to see you again." the Doragon greeted with a smile as they stopped in front of the group.
"Lord Chikara." Sesshoumaru greeted in return with a slight nod of his head before turning toward the other. "Lord Kaigaishii."
"Lord Sesshoumaru." Kaigaishii returned the greeting while looking over the others in the group.
"We are just waiting for the East to arrive and we will be able to start the meeting of the four corners." Chikara explained but before Sesshoumaru was able to comment, a gust of wind came from behind them and when it had died down, it revealed a Ookami youkai in its place.
"Sorry I'm late. The East taiyoukai couldn't make it and so sent me in his place."(1) Kouga explained bowing to the three lords before noticing Kagome standing slightly behind Sesshoumaru. "Lady Kagome." Kouga said with a bow of his head as he smiled at her.
"Hello Kouga-kun." Kagome replied with a kind smile. "Shippo go play with Rin and Jaken." Kagome said turning her attention to the kitsune on her shoulder.
"Hai momma." Shippo replied as he bounced over to Rin's shoulder as the group started walking away.
Soon they had entered the study and as Chikara was taking his place on the pillow at the head of the table he noticed Kagome was still with them. "This is hardly the place for a wench, and a ningen one at that."
"Very well Lord Chikara." Kagome said with a slight bow as she turned to leave the room but Sesshoumaru's hand on her arm stopped her.
"The miko stays." Sesshoumaru informed them as he let go and walked over to take his seat.
"I agree. Lady Kagome should be here." Kouga agreed as he took his seat as well.
Chikara looked over at Kaigaishii for his input. "Perhaps we can figure out the wench's worth if she remains." Kaigaishii said after a moment looking Kagome over.
Kagome ignored the lecherous look the Hagetaka was giving her and turned her attention back to Chikara. "Very well seems I have been out voted. Sit wench." Chikara replied and waited until she had taken her place next to Sesshoumaru, at the end of the table, before continuing. "Perhaps it would be better to go over what we know about this ningen to start with." Chikara said as he looked around the table to see who wanted to go first.
"If I may Lord Chikara." Kagome spoke up after a few moments and after a sigh and nod from him she continued. "Tadashii is a houshi who seems to think merely having demon blood running through your veins is a good enough reason for you to die. As we have learned he has no problems with killing ningens who have any none combative contact with demons. From what I can tell from the few of his men I have met, he has not only other houshi with him but warriors as well. More than likely guards from kingdom's who share his view. He is a coward which makes him more dangerous, he will not follow the rules of battle instead he will rely on sneak attacks and other tasteless tactics." Kagome explained as she looked around the table at everyone.
"How do you know so much about this ningen wench?" Kaigaishii asked after a moment of silence.
"My name is Kagome, if you do not wish to use it then call me miko, I will not answer to wench Lord Kaigaishii." Kagome replied as politely as she could as she glanced over at the taiyoukai before continuing. "And to answer your question he came to me trying to get me to join his ranks."
"How do we know you are not working for him now miko?" Chikara asked not bothering to hide his distrust of her.
"The houshi-baka's men tried to kill my son. Not to mention most of my friends and allies are demons, why would I join forces with that pathetic scum?" Kagome asked looking over at him. "Besides wanting to wipe out all demons, including innocent children, simply because of their blood is not something I would ever agree with."
"So you say." Kaigaishii replied coldly. Kouga went to speak up but Kagome raised her hand to silence him.
"I can handle this Kouga-kun." Kagome assured him with a smile before turning back to the others. "I understand your mistrust of me, not only am I a ningen but I am also a miko and it is not hard to believe I might want you dead. However I was not raised as a miko and have only been training for the last four years so what ever hatred for demons I should have learned I missed out on. Think of it this way, if I was working for him, wouldn't I have already taken you two out?" Kagome wondered with a smirk as she looked from Chikara to Kaigaishii.
"Ha no pathetic miko could harm me." Chikara laughed at her while she merely smiled at him.
"You are right Lord Chikara no pathetic miko could. I, however, am far from pathetic. Not as powerful as Lord Sesshoumaru or Kouga-kun but I need not be a demon to sense the difference in our powers. However we are not here to argue. I suggest we get back to the task at hand." Kagome said with a slight bow of her head to the lords.
"I agree. I can assure you Lady Kagome is trustworthy, I have known her for years now." Kouga said as he looked at her with a smile before turning his attention back to the lords. "Last I heard Tadashii was steadily making his way through the western lands. Our main concern should be with stopping him."
"What are your views on all of this Lord Sesshoumaru?" Chikara asked turning toward the quiet taiyoukai.
"Tadashii needs to die soon." Sesshoumaru said coolly looking at Chikara before turning back to look at the wall where his gaze had been a moment before.
"And what about the miko?" Kaigaishii wondered grabbing the stoic taiyoukai's attention.
"What about her?" Sesshoumaru asked raising his eye brow at his fellow lord.
"Do you trust her as well?" Chikara inquired looking from Sesshoumaru to the miko in question.
Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead replied, "This Sesshoumaru trusts no one, however, the miko is loyal to a fault, even if it is misplaced."
It was Kagome's turn to resist the urge to roll her eyes knowing full well that he was referring to his late half brother.
"Tag you're it Master Jaken!" Rin called out giggling after tagging the toad demon and running away from him.
"I'll get you Rin!" Jaken yelled as he chased after her smiling. A loud noise from outside the castle walls caught his attention and he turned around to see Kurohyou youkai throwing the guards out of the way and rushing into the court yard. "Rin! Shippo! Get behind me!" Jaken called out as he brought the staff of two heads out in front of himself.
The two kids did as they were told and quickly got behind him as Shippo gathered some fox fire into his hand in case it was needed. Before either of them had a chance to react, one of the Kurohyou charged over to them and knocked Jaken away with a swipe of his claws. "Lord Sesshoumaru!" Rin screamed out as the Kurohyou turned to them and started making its way over to them.
Shippo jumped in front of Rin as he started shooting fire at the youkai hoping he would be able to avoid its claws and hold it off long enough for help to arrive.
Lord Chikara, who had just called Kagome a wench again, was a little worried when said miko jumped up onto the table pulling her bow off her shoulder and grabbing an arrow from the quiver on her back, however his fears, he noticed, were unneeded since she ran across the table and jumped over him ignoring him completely.
The lords stared at her in disbelief as she rushed over and jumped out of the window. They briefly wondered if she realized they were on the fourth floor and that the height of each floor was at least ten feet before the heard Rin's scream and jumped into action as well.
As Kagome was falling from the window, she readied her arrow and fired it at the youkai about to hit Shippo, purifying it instantly. "Get Rin out of here Shippo!" Kagome called out to him as she readied another arrow, shooting it at the next youkai to head toward them. Nodding his head to her, he transformed into a hawk and grabbed onto Rin's shoulders before taking off into the sky.
This was about the time Kagome noticed the flaw in her plan since the ground was rapidly approaching her. As she was trying to figure out what to do to make her landing a little less painful, she felt strong arms wrap around her legs and back. Turning she noticed Kouga shaking his head at her. "What were you planning on doing? Hitting the ground?" Kouga asked with a laugh as he landed gracefully on the ground and set her on her feet.
"Didn't think that far ahead." Kagome said with a laugh as she grabbed another arrow and turned back toward the invading youkai. "Thanks Kouga-kun!" Kagome called over her shoulder as she raced toward the youkai letting another arrow fly.
"Ahh!" Shippo cried out as he saw a Kurohyou leaping up to attack them, and with Rin currently in his claws, he had no way to defend them from the incoming attack. As he waited for it to come, turning his body to take the blunt of the attack, he saw the youkai be torn to shreds just as his claw swiped at him, knocking him off balance and making him lose his concentration so he transformed back into a kitsune.
Looking up he noticed it was Sesshoumaru who had destroyed the youkai a moment before he grabbed onto both of them and landed gracefully on the ground. "Get inside." Sesshoumaru commanded as he turned away and headed back to the battle.
With a quick, "Hai Lord Sesshoumaru!" the kids rushed into the safety of the castle. Growling, Sesshoumaru rushed to the nearest youkai and sliced through it with his claws deciding it wasn't worth dirtying his blade.
Chikara and Kaigaishii watched from the side lines after deciding the group didn't need their help against the Kurohyou youkai that were attacking. Turning their gaze to Kagome, they found the miko notching three arrows and letting them fly off killing just as many youkai and readying three more without taking a moment's pause.
Looking at each other, they decided the same thing at the very same moment. They were glad the miko was on their side.
1. I know most tend to say Kouga is the taiyoukai of the east but since he seems to only rule over the small tribe with him and in the episode where Ayame was trying to get him to return with her, it seemed like her grandfather had more power than Kouga so my guess is that he is the taiyoukai. At the very least he is in this story hehe.
Translations
Hai-yes
Miko-priestess
Ningen-human
Houshi-Buddhist priest
Tadashii-righteous
Gaki-kids
Taka- hawk
Youkai-demon
Taiyoukai-demon lord
Tora-tiger
Ofuda- a talisman issued by Shinto shrines
Doragon-dragon
Hagetake-vulture
Chikara-strength
Kaigaishii-brave
Kitsune-fox
Ookami-wolf
-Kun- honorific for males
Kurohyou-panther
AN: Well there's the next chapter. Please R&R, good and bad reviews are both welcome however I will just ignore flames. Let me know if it sounds to cliché so I can edit it correctly
