"Can the wolf truly extend itself or power in such a way?" Jaken asked, squinting his eye at Ichi. "How are you able to speak to the sky?"
"The sky is like another set of eyes," Ichi said in a still voice. It wasn't a raspy tone or a seductive one, but they could hear a tinge of manipulation underneath the soothing calm of Ichi's voice. He was trying to convince them of something. He then continued, walking slowly up to them and narrowing his gaze to Sesshomaru specifically, "Eyes that the wolf needs to understand the living world. The Netherworld, as you and many others call it, is home to the wolf. It thrives in the cold and the sky protects it. It gives the wolf comfort. It helps in the wolf's hunt. The wolf is a very special entity... much like you. It uses its power to lay waste to the damned as a titan delivering judgement. It is confident in that strength, and it has confidence in the sky above. The sky can see you walk; it can hear you talk, and it can hear your softest thoughts just as the wolf can. What information the sky is able to gather from above, it simply relays to the wolf like a howling wind on a breezy winter's day. It extends its help like a hand that only wants to lift you up when you've fallen. The wolf punishes, the sky provides."
"What can this sky provide that I cannot gain myself?" Sesshomaru questioned, scowl turning to more of an apathetic line.
"You have a few things on your mind that it can accommodate. Similar to the barrier over your head, the sky can cover you and return the summer's warmth on your skin without magic or purification. It can even remove the barrier if it truly is a bother," Ichi offered.
"You lie!" Jaken claimed, clutching his staff. "This barrier is of pureness! You shouldn't be able to touch it!"
Ichi rolled his head downward, parted his lips to show the softness of them, and replied simply, "But you can touch it. Your name is within the texts of the Villagers' Scroll just like mine is. The doctor's barrier is strongest against outsiders. That's why you were cast out when you tried to enter the gates."
Jaken was embarrassed to say the least at the mention of his fumble, but he immediately got defensive and retorted, "There's no way the sky could've seen that! Neither could you!"
"I live in the farmlands," Ichi replied, raising his head slowly with a lifted eyebrow then lowering it back down to focus his attention on Jaken for a moment. He then explained, "I've known about the barrier since I was a child. It casts out the uninvited and sends off a signal to Lady Meioshi. That's why demons are able to live in the farmlands and Heiwa without feeling any of the purification energies the doctor emits. It is controlled in its intensity by her power, and it protects guests and residents alike. You are brethren in her eyes just as you are in mine. But... if you prefer to go without it, the sky can move it quite easily. It needs to merely reposition it. Then, I can take it. Only a resident of Heiwa can pluck the bead from your body. That's the rule. Guests are protected by the scroll. A resident of Heiwa would have to erase your name in order to remove the barrier from you. What will it be, brothers? Do you wish to be freed?"
Sesshomaru huffed at the questions like a bug landed on his wrist and had only begun to crawl. The nerve to call him a brother! There was no way Ichi'd call a stranger, who he obviously incorrectly assumed served the wolf, a brother after the events that transpired between him and Yuko. However, this did beg the question of how the wolf managed to capture Ichi in the first place. If the wolf isn't a guest to Heiwa or its farmlands, what happened to the barrier? Why didn't it cast the wolf out before? That would explain why Ichi was in such a panic before. Was Meioshi's barrier too weak at the time? If its power is dictated by her current strength, what happened to her before they met? Did her encounter with the wolf take a higher toll on her? Annoyed by the amount of questioning rising from his thoughts, Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at Ichi but he exchanged a suspicious glance at the sky again before returning his focus to the half-demon before him. He had forgotten. The sky can hear his softest thoughts. Ones that weren't quite at the forefront of his mind but lingering in a corner like frightened prey. He was no one's prey. But, he had to be careful of his thoughts. It seemed the sky could use any smaller thought against them.
He then said, "Let it be. I'll have the doctor remove it. When she does, her life is forfeit for presuming the ridiculous notion that I need her protection from the lowly likes of you."
"What will you do with her body?" Ichi asked.
That... was an odd question. Maybe Heiwa was just full of odd people, after all. First, the doctor with her request for luck; now, this half-demon with his inquiry of something that had nothing to do with him or the talking sky. The look in Ichi's eyes was enough to make someone uncomfortable. The lids were lowered and his eyes started glowing like the moon was trapped in the black depths. Sesshomaru already had a dislike of Ichi from their first meeting, but Ichi's antics were starting to crawl on his skin. His entire body language from the head roll to the locking of eyes to the clenching of his jaw irked him. This creature, whichever one was asking the question, had a different plan for the doctor. Uncertain if it was just the implication lurking behind the question or the tone the creature was using, Sesshomaru only knew that he didn't like the disrespect befalling his potential rival.
Ichi chuckled with a girthy fullness in the sound. It was a strong laugh wanting to break free from his chest, but the amusement in his smirk showed that he may have heard his thoughts. Or rather, the sky heard them and was telling Ichi through some tether of communication he couldn't smell or see. Ichi then asked, "If you do not plan to eat her remains, will you honor her as a warrior and lay her to rest?"
Ah, so the sky heard that. It was a legitimate question because Sesshomaru didn't have a direct answer for it, but it shouldn't have been asked aloud at all. Not wanting to give the sky anything else to read, Sesshomaru replied, "The scavengers can do what they will. Taking her life is enough."
"You are interesting, swordsman," Ichi complimented, reducing his smile to a smirk. This only made Sesshomaru squint his eyes for a moment before returning to an apathetic aristocrat. He was using that eerie tone again. The one meant to be manipulative. He continued, "Your relationship with love and death fascinates the sky. You are not worried of either in your day to day, yet the doctor somehow has made you question how she honors the dead. 'Does she treat fallen warriors differently?' you ask. 'Would she build a tomb for a demon?' Is it solely because of her devotion to the lost souls that you ask this?"
The western lord refused to answer the question. He virtually became no more than a still ear, only open to listening and no longer wallowing in his own thoughts.
"To answer your question, yes, she would honor your death," Ichi continued.
Sesshomaru visibly perked up at this. Jaken also lightly gasped at this, wondering why his lord had such a thought. Perhaps, it had something to do with his father. Something that his lord never let go. He thought Sesshomaru was at peace after defeating Naraku and allowing Rin to live in a human village. Jaken prided himself in being able to read Sesshomaru's behavior and correctly assume his motives behind particular actions, but Jaken would have never guessed that the doctor brought such a curiosity about death to Sesshomaru. Ichi, however, was the only one who could speak about his experience with Meioshi and her funeral rites. Neither the sky nor the wolf knew about it; in fact, the sky was surprised by Ichi's knowledge. It gurgled a bit in response and hissed to release a cold front from its supposed mouth. From the body of darkness came an assortment of snowflakes falling from its fog. Sesshomaru and Jaken looked up to see beautifully designed patterns on the thin crystal art pieces. Each flake was different in its design, and Ichi's memory of demons and warriors were etched in every line and curve painted by the sky's invisible strokes.
Sesshomaru could see her. Lady Meioshi, from Ichi's memory, was dressed in a fitted white top that showed a promising bust similar to the black skintight shirt she wore in battle and a long black skirt. Her leather overskirt was not present, but she wore a light green coat and light-colored eye coloring across the lid. She held no aggression in those otherworldly hazel eyes. She merely placed white gloves on her small hands and began to work. Sesshomaru was so enthralled by Ichi's memories that he began to envision how his rivalry could end. What if he and the doctor formed a blood pact through sword strokes? A brotherhood covered in power and respect of the blade? What if he did meet his end and Lady Meioshi found him? What would she do?
"She has buried demons before," Ichi said, almost replying to his questions in a roundabout way. "She has buried warriors as well. They don't simply return to hell as ghosts of themselves or otherwise. She will make you new again. She will bathe you, wash and oil your hair, comb it one last time, stitch your wounds, remove the organs and any broken bones (if necessary), and dress you in a formal kimono of good cloth. Warriors receive a special weaving from her, a coat made from either their army's flag or their family's crest. Their weapons are fixed, cleansed, and sharpened. Family and friends are notified (if she can find them) to collect your body's remains and allow them time to grieve before making a final decision and date for your cremation. The weapons are given to them in a glass case of her making much like the coat. They can be viewed as memorabilia or given as heirlooms to a chosen beneficiary. Of course, if no one claims the body or the swords, she spends a day picking flowers and drying half of the petals of certain ones in a basket underneath the sun. By the next day, three old hags come to view your body: the urn-maker, rosary crafter, and a woodcarver. They help her perform the rites. You are given a new name from Meioshi and the woodcarver to ensure fair judgement. Your body is brought to a stone hearth. They pray for you. Your remains are the first to burn. The urn-maker takes the ashes and places them in a small boat that the woodcarver crafts for you. Your boat is decorated with the flowers Lady Meioshi picked, the refurbished clothes you wore at death, and an offering to the judge above or below. The rosary crafter decorates your hands with her jewels. Your swords are covered in good cloth and jewels if you were of good merit. They are placed on the boat next. Another prayer is said for you. Lady Meioshi decorates your body with the flower petals to give you peace and remove lingering thoughts from your mind. Your body is next to burn. Your remains are placed in a different urn and it all goes on the boat. The remaining flames light lanterns to help the soul carriers find you. Lady Meioshi thrives most here. She guides your boat down a river using the Tailwind Dance. It releases your soul to the great beyond and you are no more."
'Beautiful...' Sesshomaru thought.
Such a kind act from her. Ichi must have felt the same way about the ritual of death since his memories were locked away in the veins of the snowflakes. Maybe all of the demons of Heiwa felt that way. That, despite a lack of family or friends, Meioshi had it in her heart to give something so precious as a moment of peace to creatures that are feared and often cursed by humans and demons alike was impeccable. What he didn't understand was why? What made her want to do that?
Ichi raised an eyebrow, looked up at the sky, and then returned his attention to Sesshomaru. He smirked then said, "Perhaps you would like to know a secret about her then. One that answers a question locked away even further in your mind."
"Should I unleash my fire, Lord Sesshomaru? This sounds like a trap," Jaken offered, readying Nintojo.
"I've no reason to trap you," Ichi said, speaking for both the wolf and the sky. "Your might is impressive, but the doctor is who we want. She has another day before she is ours. We are patient. But... you didn't answer the question, it seems. Do you wish to know the doctor's secret?"
Curious himself, Jaken grumbled something under his breath before asking, "What of it? Speak, half-breed."
"You both must agree to the hidden knowledge," Ichi responded, turning his attention to Jaken with a slow head roll.
"What does this secret entail?" Sesshomaru asked, not particularly interested in hearing Ichi talk anymore.
"There are two that the sky knows: the enemy she has to face and the soul she is desperate to save," Ichi said, letting out a breath when he noticed Sesshomaru's attention had been fully gained. Ah, so he was curious, after all! The sky is wise! He then offered again, "Do you wish to know the doctor's secret now?"
___________________________________________
Bonded. The bird, the wolf, and Meioshi were now settled in their dual blood pact. Steering her boat, Gensho ShuShu-Sen, Meioshi could feel the bird tightening her arms around her upper waist. The bird made her offer. In exchange for Meioshi's body, the bird would grant her access to another arctic weapon that was locked away before the sky stole her eyes. Now having vines across her neck to form a proper choker and a medallion hanging from it containing a blue and red stone, Meioshi gained another new power and even greater determination to help the lost souls. It seemed Kako Seigi knew limited information about Baohu qi Voluptatis. She would have to bring it up when she returned to Shishou's temple. Then again, perhaps this was part of her journey since she was sent to find the Dai Fubuki blade. Shishou knew nothing about the weapon, but he guessed that it must have been some form of nullifier for ice powers. It was hard to say; however, after seeing the sleeping bird, he reasoned that Meioshi's enemy was going to be strongest in its mental attacks. It may even take the form of another person. The wolf had been possessing others to threaten Meioshi. How much more could this new enemy do?
Ahead, Meioshi could see snow accumulating in a particular spot. Hearing the winds and chimes of the frost made her openly suspicious. There seemed to be a mountain some distance off. Shifting the position of the oar, Meioshi rode the blistering headwinds straight to this pocket of an everlasting winter. She hadn't realized how much traveling she was doing until the setting sun reminded her of hours gone by. Of course, time would never take her side in a blood pact with a deadline. Lord Sesshomaru was not a demon that granted luck! She reasoned to herself that next time she would ask for luck from the dragon. That's if Sesshomaru ever visited Heiwa again. They'd probably never see each other again after this. He served as a nicer distraction from these new tasks. Her gossip with Yuko sort of sparked a rekindling of times now gone. She thought of returning to her old life for some time, but she just couldn't find the motivation to remind herself of who she lost. This elaborate and arduous mission entailed so many smaller objectives that required her sleuthing skills, but it also brought back many memories that once filled her with joy and laughter.
Getting closer to the forest ahead, she lowered the oar to lower the direction of the boat. There were plenty of pine trees and juniper bushes in the area. The scent was calming. Meioshi steered the boat above the treetops like they were stones under the sea. A small pillar of light and snowflakes spiraling upwards caught her immediate attention. The bird wondered if Meioshi was related to a sailor the way she guided it to the pillar like it was a lighthouse. It was with interest that peeked over the doctor's shoulder and noticed the pillar getting stronger in its whirlwind of ice and snow.
"What is that, doctor?" the bird asked.
"I'm not quite sure, little one," Meioshi replied honestly, steering the boat to the right to get a different angle. "It's not sucking the snow out of the air, but it's not making it either. It feels like it's pushing everything back or away from it. You see how the treetops are swaying and bending towards us?"
"The winds are making the boat slower, too," the bird added.
Meioshi nodded then hummed with some thought. As they approached the pillar, they could see that the base of it was wider in diameter and its winds were far stronger than they realized. It was beautiful in its crafted formation. Crystal spikes were spread outward like a blooming lotus flower and a net of spiraling ice ascended upwards with a pure wind following the helical motion of its container. There was something in the center that Meioshi could see clearly. It looked like it was something green.
Turning to the bird, she said gently, "Stay here while I investigate, little one."
The bird tightened her grip on Meioshi for a moment as a show of displeasure and worry. Meioshi smiled at her to reassure her. For whatever reason, the doctor's smile always made her emotional. It felt like Meioshi was giving her hope, but she simultaneously could feel the cloak of betrayal teasing her and caressing her shoulders instead of the doctor's warm blanket. Releasing Meioshi for a moment, the doctor nodded at her, placed the oar in rest, and broad jumped off the boat to land in the snow below. As she walked towards the pillar, she could feel the pressure of the winds from it holding something back like conflicting powers struggling to overtake the other. Closer and closer she walked until the winds started to calm down. Calling Kaishi Novum to her hand, she crept up to the pillar until she could see something small and shiny resting on a pedestal and surrounded by grass.
Meioshi squinted her eyes and said, "That looks like a tanto. Is that the Dai Fubuki blade?"