There might have been some grumbling, even some heated arguments leading to huffs in the corner, but Reijiro and Sesshomaru managed to successfully guard the holy people and lead them down the underground passageway. The western lord was suspicious, however. The akashita demon had all but disappeared from the Akabeko Temple, but it disappeared within the graying overcast above the lands. These new enemies were not weak to the Bakusaiga like the enemies in the past. It seemed a little too odd to the western lord. All of a sudden his new strength and level of power was not enough to destroy enemies his father could've easily destroyed? Was this a new test? Even... no, he had to focus. Jaken was safe right now. The temple beasts needed his attention.
Red cows and kudan youkai were practically being herded to the safety of a form of alcove. It wasn't a large space and would've been too crowded if all of the people had curled together, but they were an organized group that littered the passageway until they reached the line of sunlight leading out to the hills. They went no further than that line. It was for the best until the akashita demon was fully extinguished. The alcove was a prayer site large enough to fit at least ten prophecy beasts comfortably. The flooring of the alcove was made of sandstone and two openings above head allowed water to cascade down into two cleansing pools, but no one dared to enter the water considering the salt acids from the akashita demon likely poisoned their waters. They wouldn't be able to stay here long. Not without provision. The western lord and dark soldier needed a plan.
Looking to a collection of holy beads, Sesshomaru remembered this particular spot quite well and frowned at the mistuba he had the displeasure of seeing again surrounding these colorful beads. Some miles passed the alcove was the exit from the underground road to the base of the hillside. He remembered playing on the hills in his youth and learning the Shimabukuro Law from Grand Monk Shishido until the day... No, the past is the past. He may have all but forgiven his father in his journey against Naraku, but he made peace with everything. There was no need to do anything else. The witch can take over his father's past workings. If not her, then surely Inuyasha could use a new task and learn of his father more. His little brother could consider that a gift from him.
Reijiro was busying himself with the safety of the people. Some knew him by name and replied kindly. Others kept their answers brief, though this was not out of malice from the looks of things. They seemed to be truculent as a result of the lingering and unknown danger plaguing their lands. Reijiro took no offense to either response and soon turned to his lord. A familiar red cow demon had approached both young inu, making Sesshomaru narrow his eyes before taking a deep breath and only slightly turning to one of his father's closest friends. Reijiro was at first excited to see the old bull until Sesshomaru's evident annoyance reached the surface. Was this dude always so friggin difficult? Man!
"It seems you have returned to your old study room, young Sesshomaru," the soft voice said, walking around Sesshomaru to get a good look at him. When the bull caught the acidic glare sent his way, he simply chuckled in response and said, "I suppose I should expect nothing less from you."
"What do you want, old man?" Sesshomaru questioned, displeased with seeing the Grand Monk Shishido acting calmly.
"Hmph?" a kudan questioned, stomping towards Sesshomaru and lowering his head to charge. "How dare you speak this way to the grand monk! I should gouge you in the ass!"
"There's no need, Key Instructor Naonobu," Shishido responded gently, turning to his friend and smiling. He then turned back to Sesshomaru and said, "We have him and the young Reijiro to thank for helping us. Besides, gouging the rulers of the West is not a good look if you intend on being ordained as temple guardian."
Naonobu huffed before snapping his head to the side and silencing himself.
"Grand Monk Shishido, what happened to the temple? Why is that demon after all of you?" Reijiro asked with genuine concern.
"This, I do not know, young Reijiro," Shishido answered, eyes showing worry. "Whatever it claims to be, it is not the first or the only demon to have attacked us. This land is home to the beasts of prophecy. Demons and men alike often seek our foresight for quests they've yet to begin and conquests they've yet to complete. These futures are almost always fruitless, and these attacks are almost always equal in their intimidation and destruction. I expect this sort of thing to happen at least once a year. However, this demon is only different from the rest because it's not quite interested in us but a human we once knew."
"A human?" Reijiro questioned.
"If you continue that sentence by claiming this human to be a female, I will close this tunnel from both ends, pull that soldier out of here by his ankles, and let you all suffocate," Sesshomaru threatened, internally seething at the possibility that Meioshi had more to do with this.
Shishido's eyes widened at this threat, however, and a silence passed before a slow guffaw escaped his body. He then said through breaths, "Well, there is a female involved, but I don't think it's the one you're talking about. The akashita demon isn't looking for a woman. It's been looking for a man. Is there a reason why this woman you know upsets you so?"
"Don't start..." Sesshomaru replied, eyes glowing and teeth lengthening slightly.
"O-ho! What is this?" Shishido responded, measuring the western lord with a twinkle in his eye. "I've never seen you so worked up. It seems my wallflower has decided to take root and vine."
"Vines choke, old man," Sesshomaru said with a growl.
"My neck is too fat for your hands!" Shishido claimed, laughing again at Sesshomaru's anger growing. "I needed that laugh. Your sense of humor is just as entertaining now as it was when you were little. That is good."
"You... know Lord Sesshomaru that well?" Reijiro asked out of pure curiosity. So, he wasn't always difficult?
"Of course! He was my most promising student in his youth," Shishido answered, looking at Reijiro fondly as though he were remembering everything like it happened a few hours ago. Sesshomaru was not interested in another trip down memory lane, but the red bull politely ignored him and continued. "He knew the Shimabukuro law by heart before he was ten years old and practically flawlessly. He used to be so cute and clever! He often gathered toys or items that represented the principles of the law. Toga believed this was a habit inherited from Sesshomaru's mother, which was very possible, but I believed that his association with toy and principle stemmed from memories and relationships that were dearest to him. Your lord is very particular and methodical when it comes to gifts. He never believed in just getting something for another. His gifts were purposeful, thoughtful, and a result of refined observance. You were quite blessed if he gifted you."
"That thing? Cute? Giving gifts? You've gone mad, Grand Monk," Naonobu interjected.
"You did not know this boy, Key Instructor," Shishido said, turning to Naonobu.
"I know enough about this lad. He's as brazen before as he is now," Naonobu shot, stomping a hoof down.
"You can't base everything on his fight with Lord Toga, key instructor. You know this," Shishido offered.
"I can do more than base things off tumultuous times," Naonobu claimed, proudly raising his chest and nose. "We are beasts of prophecy. It's high time you stop looking at him as the boy he was and face the man he has chosen to be. That is exactly what Lord Toga did - heaven watch over his soul - and that is exactly how our temple was damaged! His return here is not a sign that all is well."
Shishido sighed in frustration before saying, "Must you be so gloom-ridden?"
"The correct term is pragmatic!" Naonobu stomped. "Setting that akashita demon and his destruction aside, must I remind you that the boy's path is set?"
"Is that so?" Shishido questioned, interest gained.
"Yes!" Naonobu declared, stomping again. "Ask young Reijiro yourself. Things have occurred exactly how I've predicted! No compassion led to a lonely life, and regaining a fraction of it will lead to a fraction of a peaceful life. In his father's footsteps shall he tread."
"And what changed when Lord Toga went on his path of redemption?" Shishido asked, making Naonobu grit his teeth and narrow his eyes.
Path of redemption? Sesshomaru and Reijiro thought.
"A minor change at best!" Naonobu grumbled, turning to the side to regain his composure. "It was Lord Toga who experienced great change!"
"But it was change, nonetheless. It may have been costly for our old friend, but it was necessary," Shishido responded. "He had to learn how to be a different man for his sons' sakes, and he was short on time to do so. As I predicted."
"And you intend to stand on your ground with all of your predictions?" Naonobu argued.
Shishido hummed with thought before turning to Sesshomaru and searching his eyes for a moment with a quick shift of his own. The grand monk then said, "It appears you may be onto something, key instructor. Something has changed in both of these young men. This akashita demon is of greater worth than we thought."
"What are you talking about?" Naonobu questioned.
"Gather your beads, key instructor. Consult with young Reijiro. There is a reason for his appearance at the temple, after all. I must speak with young Sesshomaru alone for a moment. There is something he needs to know," Shishido said, locking eyes with Sesshomaru.
"Whatever it is, it can wait. You are not safe," Sesshomaru stated.
"I'm afraid our lives are not the ones in immediate danger, young Sesshomaru. The mitsuba brushes and cypress bark will be enough to clean our waters. Your task of defeating the akashita demon will be successful, and I believe young Reijiro will be a very valuable ally to you in your fight, but it will come at a price," Shishido informed. "Once this demon is defeated, we will be able to return home and cleanse our pastures. We are safe until your task is complete."
Sesshomaru sighed, closed his eyes, and ordered, "Speak with the key instructor, Reijiro. We're leaving after this."
Reijiro nodded and walked in front of Naonobu to be led away, but he didn't seem to notice that Shishido and Naonobu were looking at him with slightly widened eyes. The dark inu seemed to be used to being called by name now. He didn't know that Sesshomaru never called anyone that he didn't like or trust by name. As Reijiro and the key instructor walked over the prayer site in the alcove, Shishido led Sesshomaru away to a small patch of rotting milk thistle just a few feet away from the entrance into the tunnel. Shishido looked at a torch on his side and lit it telekinetically. Stomping and scratching at the milk thistle, he waited for the rotting plant to do something. Eyeing, very carefully, for any changes to the condition of the plant before turning to Sesshomaru to speak again. When all was quiet, the grand monk spotted fresh green sprouts at the base of the plant, but they were covered by the rotting top and flowers.
"I don't have time for your weeds, old man," Sesshomaru interrupted. "If you are safe here, I will move on and report to Fort Sutabei."
"But then you won't know that the woman you spoke of before is going to die," Shishido replied, sensing that Sesshomaru's mood had changed without looking at him. "You did not have so many allies before. Interesting..."
"Explain," Sesshomaru said, making the grand monk turn to him.
"Which of my predictions?" When Sesshomaru said nothing beyond a furrowed brow, Shishido continued, "It amazes me how the smallest change in your life can throw off a prediction centuries in the making! You are not intrigued by this presently. That frown is telling me you are more concerned about the woman. Why?"
"Jaken is with her. If she dies, so will he," Sesshomaru stated.
"Actually, he will not. You mean the imp, correct?" Shishido asked for clarification. He didn't receive a verbal answer, but he could see the confusion behind Sesshomaru's blank expression. "He will be fine. In fact, I believe he discovered something of great importance to you. I wonder how far into your past he managed to get."
"The past is where it should be. Behind us," Sesshomaru stated, no longer interested in the topic.
"The past is never where you think you left it, young Sesshomaru," Shishido remarked, tilting his head almost cutely. "This part of your past set a great deal in motion, and it will continue to do so until this new friend you have made meets her end."
"She is... simply competition, but I chose her to be this because she wasn't as weak as the other humans. She has much to lose if she dies now. I do not," Sesshomaru said, making Shishido straighten his head.
"Why do you believe that, young Sesshomaru? Such pessimism is unbecoming of you."
"I had removed kindness from me for a reason. It had no value in my goals and had given me no reward. Since meeting Rin and starting my journey to surpass father, I slowly but surely began to forget why I denounced the Shimabukuro law in the first place. My acts of charity were tied to my honor. I took great care into perfecting more than my image. I sought to perfect my killing prowess. But... ever since I met that foolish witch... honor... meant something else. I have every reason to hate her. She may not look like father, but she has certain quirks that remind me of him. I can't stand that quality of hers the most. I have every reason to leave you and the House of Inu. Neither of you taught me to see the good in my situation, and you all still don't respect me as the new leader. I've been put through more trials than the first king! I have every reason I need not to care about any of you, but... she has so much. Friends, family, a real home... I shouldn't have followed that wolf..." Sesshomaru said quietly.
It may as well have been as silent as a thought. He was stuck in them. His thoughts. Everything that happened in his life came to him like a slideshow up until a particular moment. When Meioshi held out her hand for her copy to take it and she offered to help it, Sesshomaru finally understood what he was feeling in that instance. It was envy. He envied that she had such emotional resilience. That she was willing to go above and beyond to protect innocent lives no matter if she knew them or not. That she was able to accept her losses, learn from them, and overcome them. That she could go from starting her journey completely alone and being unaware of how dangerous the situation was going to be to having more friends and a bigger family by the end of it. That's what made him question his own worthiness. Was he ever worth fighting for? Is companionship truly something only a human can fully grasp? Or is that simply a trait of the hell traveler? Meioshi couldn't have gained a better mentor than Kirameku Ha even if she tried hard enough. Her grandfather was his closest friend, it seemed. He could handle Meioshi better than someone her own age but also be as supportive and firm as a father. That's what she saw in him. To know that... he was right and that... she was going to die, after all. Was life really just that cruel to the kind-hearted?
"I hate this place so much," Sesshomaru finally said, digesting the grand monk's prediction. Shishido was a lot of things. Wrong was a rare thing. "It is a reminder as constant as time of my own past... my past is everything I failed to be. When I recited the Shimabukuro law during the ceremony, my name was the first step in creating my own future without your ridiculous bird signs and star readings. Pragmatism is more fitting for me, if I had to describe a particular philosophy I don't mind following. I will stick by that... after you tell me who is being sent to kill her."
"What do you mean?" Shishido asked, knowing the answer to his question but just wanting to hear it for himself.
"I'm only going to do this for her once," Sesshomaru said, raising up a claw. "I don't like your future readings anyway. They're pessimistic. I'll be an optimist this one time."
"You realize that your mistrust of the future will make it hard to give up the past the way you want," Shishido said, eyes twinkling. When Sesshomaru didn't answer and became impatient, the grand monk continued quietly, "Very well. The akashita demon that is attacking us is on its way to attack and to kill her. If she is as strong as you say, she might not be affected by the acid it can produce, but she will not die by this method. She will be overwhelmed before being struck down. The best way to save her that I can see is finding the Naginata of Light within our mound by the temple."
"That mound is sacred. The longer you're in it, the worse the purification power," Sesshomaru stated.
"Take young Reijiro with you to find it. He will be of greater use to you."