24

Satomi dazed out as she rode on Ah-Un with Rin. The events that happened were enough to make her head feel as if it was going to break open. Communicating with Izayoi and 'Toga', or rather Yaken, had taken its toll. Her body felt as if it was floating and her mind wished to sleep for days. Perhaps that was what it took after talking to the dead goddess and purified great dog demons. Faintly, she could hear Rin talking to her, but the words seemed muffled.

"… Satomi…SATOMI?!" Rin finally yelled to Satomi as Satomi shook her head and tried to clear her mind. "Are you okay? You don't look like yourself."

"I'm… fine. Just tired is all," she responded as Yaken's ears went down and he growled in disapproval. Satomi just narrowed her glance at him as he sighed seeming to let this lie of hers slide. However, Sesshomaru now had his attention on her. Slowing down to glance at her face, he too narrowed his eyes. Father like son in this case, she supposed.

"There is a place we can rest," he said as the entire group almost stopped from a heart attack. Satomi's eyes widened as he even suggested they slowed down. Guilt washed over her until she saw his chin gesturing up. There were demons up there. Many demons, not hostile, but she was suddenly more nervous than guilty. Yaken didn't seem thrilled either as his ears flattened again. "While we are there, I believe you require answers, as does Inu-Yasha as you said before. If we are to fight, I cannot afford to have your doubts cloud you."

And there was Sesshomaru again. However, he was all too correct. Even as Kagome scolded him. "You could be a little kinder about it. Here we thought you actually cared, you crabby old goat!" Satomi couldn't help but smile at her words, even as Sesshomaru was less than amused. However, she didn't need or want kindness, he spoke the truth and she needed to hear that the most.

Shaking her head, she looked to Kagome. Her eyes were weary, but her heart was set. "It's okay. He's right, unfortunately. This fight will require my concentration and strength. And there is something that needs to be said. But this is hardly the place."

Inu-Yasha hadn't said much which was strange, but he knew something was up. No one mentioned his mother, let alone some stranger that never knew of her before. His brother's lover of all things. Did he want to know what she saw? His mother was less than a popular topic, even with Kagome whom he trusted with everything. This one tiny piece of his life she didn't know much of was his to protect, his memories of Izayoi were short lived as she was human and he was destined to live longer. He remembered the years as she grew frail and he hardly aged a day. He came back from the past memories with a somber look on his face as the group followed Sesshomaru beyond the clouds.

Kohaku remembered this place, he had been here with Sesshomaru when they went to the netherworld. Or rather the path to it. Rin died here, and that made him nervous although he knew there was nothing to be nervous about. Sesshomaru's mother was hopefully not up to another test of her son's strength and will, at least regarding Rin. Kohaku thought even Sesshomaru may kill the woman after that. Sesshomaru was not one to be taken lightly when he devoted himself to the protection of others. Perhaps that was a dog spirit regardless if it was demon or not.

As the clouds finally broke, there was a manor in the sky. Rather an entire compound, levels and levels with guards at every one. Green hakamas and haoris with even darker green armor. Spears and swords with every guard and they bowed to Sesshomaru as a woman sat in a grand chair at the top of a seemingly never-ending flight of stairs that faded into the clouds now below them. The woman did not move as they landed just before the flight of stairs in front of her.

"I see you have brought quite the crowd today, even your father's son with the human woman. My, my this is quite a treat," she said with amusement as she leaned her head to the side resting her elbow on the arm of the seat and her chin on the palm of that same hand. "We have not had the pleasure of meeting. I am Toga's first wife, Sesshomaru's mother."

Kagome and Inu-Yasha stared at her, it was obvious he didn't know what to say or how to act with her. She didn't even radiate a hint of annoyance at his presence, it was more like fascination. However, there was no excitement despite her words. Satomi could tell where Sesshomaru got his lack of emotion. Toga seemed so full of emotion, she wondered how this pairing came about. It seemed obvious when looking at the relationship between the former goddess and Toga, and even Izayoi. Demon would forever elude her knowledge at this point. Strange beings they were though, there was no denying that she was the lady in charge here. They were just on her turf, that much was for sure.

"Perhaps while I have you here, you could explain what she is doing here." Getting up, she looked at Satomi harshly. "Divine beings in our compound, you must be joking. While you are my son, I cannot allow such reckless behavior. I have many lives to protect here and her presence harms that promise that I have made to our kind to protect them. Even if you are the heir to this legacy, I will not allow foolishness. Now explain this to me."

"Mother, we do not have time to discuss this here. I will take responsibility. She needs to rest if we are to defeat the demon in the north," he said walking up the stairs to her his voice full of authority despite knowing full well he had very little.

"Ah, yes I have heard of this vermin. Very well. If you take responsibility, I suppose that is up to you. Please make yourselves at home," Sesshomaru's mother said as she gestured to the sliding door that slowly opened for them. That seemed almost too easy, did she really not care or did she just want her son to take responsibility so it was off of her hands. Either way, her gaze met with Satomi's for a moment before moving on.

Elegant and graceful, she led the group through the halls of the compound to a large room meant for gathering it seemed like. Tatami mats lined the floor as a large kotatsu sat in the center. Through the walls, the smell of food waved through the air tantalizingly calling to their stomachs. However, even with the smell of food, everyone remained very quiet. There was an uneasiness with everyone except Sesshomaru.

Satomi looked back to Inu-Yasha who looked as if he was going to pounce on anything that moved as Kagome tried to soothe him with her hand on his arm. Rin didn't seem too bothered, but Satomi could sense something about this place made her uneasy. Kohaku was the same, looking for any threat. Wondering what she was missing, Satomi just looked to Sesshomaru but of course his face gave nothing away.

"There will be food and refreshments sent in shortly, in the meantime please refrain from leaving this room. Your presence may cause an upset until the official word is given that we have guests. The guards will provide you with whatever you wish. You may be the sons of Lord Toga but your presence brings calamity at such a time the world is in an uproar. We will fortify this compound, I simply ask for your patience," the lady said as she walked to the door. As it closed behind her, Sesshomaru let out a sigh as Inu-Yasha ran to the door in anger.

"What the hell, lady?" Inu-Yasha said before an energy surge sent him back across the room.

"It seems she is not in a good mood today," Sesshomaru said as everyone looked to him confused.

"A good mood? She seemed just fine a minute ago," Kagome said tilting her head curiously as she scratched her chin seeing Inu-Yasha was fine getting up to stand by her.

"I'm sensing a mother like son moment here," Satomi said with a sigh as Sesshomaru shot her a glance before returning to his calm façade. Yaken whimpered as he looked around the room, panting and walking to the side where the smell of food was coming from. Sitting in front of the door, he didn't seem worried and Satomi relaxed a little more. "At least we have food coming. The last time we had a full course meal was before we left the Southern lands. I don't sense outright hostility, and if my being here is causing an uproar then I suppose we should just sit and wait."

"I suppose a divine being in a demon compound does imply issues," Kagome said as Satomi sat down at the table. Following her lead, Kagome sat across from her. Rin and Kohaku followed as Inu-Yasha and Sesshomaru remained standing on alert. Even if Sesshomaru said all was well, Satomi knew better than to trust his words alone. His body language implied that here too could be dangerous. Leaning forward until her forearms rested on the table, Satomi's exhaustion rose.

"I'm just a heap of issues, let's not even lie here," Satomi said with a small smile as she shook her head. Before anyone could say different, Yaken came bounding into her lap and the food came into the room with guards in green uniforms. They seemed nice enough although they didn't say much. Rice, fish, dumplings, steamed vegetables, chicken, there was a little of everything offered as the settings were laid at the table. As the guards left, everyone looked to the food in hunger and weary at the same time of it.

"It wouldn't be poisoned," Sesshomaru announced calmly. "She doesn't want us dead, yet."

"Just because she's your mom, doesn't mean I'm all for it," Inu-Yasha said as they glared at each other.

"Watch yourself, half breed." Sesshomaru tensed up as if waiting for Inu-Yasha to strike.

"Seriously, here you two?" Satomi said annoyed as both brothers looked away from each other. Yaken gave a breath of air as he laid down next to Satomi on the tatami mat. "Unbelievable. You'd think you'd be done with all the stupid fighting by now."

"Been like this for years, sadly," Kagome chimed in as both women sighed.

Inu-Yasha's face was red as Sesshomaru's gave nothing away. He turned even further as Inu-Yasha came by the food. "Let me go… first…" he started to say as he watched Satomi grab her chopsticks and go for a huge pile of rice. Putting it in her mouth, she felt as if she could fly it tasted so good. Not too hot, although it was steaming yet, but not cool at all. Perfect temperature. Next came the dumplings and by that time Rin was laughing and helping herself as well.

"Well, you were saying, hero," Kagome said with a giggle as Inu-Yasha shook his head. His face was red once more as they all dug into the food and started chatting again.

Sesshomaru looked to the group as they all chatted and ate. It was obvious his mother disliked Satomi's presence although he felt the true meaning was unclear yet. A divine being under his permission should not have made her act as she did. The power that kept them in the room was not powerful, and in all actuality, it had left after everyone became distracted by the food. His mother had done her informing, she would just wait to tell them for her own entertainment. Ever finding things to entertain her time before Sesshomaru would settle into his role. He had a feeling that conversation would be coming up again during their stay.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" An old familiar voice yelled down the hall as Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow noting the familiarity. The door flew open as Jaken breathed heavily, tears running down his face as Sesshomaru's mother remained behind him. "Your Lord Mother wouldn't tell me where you were!"

"The little beast wouldn't keep it's mouth shut," she said with a sigh as she cleared her throat. Jaken running to bow to Sesshomaru and sob at his feet.

"Jaken!" Rin said happily as she ran over to him giving him a huge hug. "I missed you very much."

"Little girl, I do hope you weren't any trouble for Lord Sesshomaru…"

"Why are you here, Jaken?" Sesshomaru said harshly as he looked down at Jaken with a glare.

"Oh… Well… there is no longer a manor to guard. A strange demon appeared out of nowhere and destroyed it with a single blast and went away. This was some time ago, I thought you would have gotten word. However, you did not return and I was forced to find a way here, hoping you would arrive."

"See, I couldn't have you running around like fools. This poor beast needed to see its master," Lady Mother said as if that was her plot all along.

"I'm so sorry, mi'lord! I tried to defend it, but… Master?" Sesshomaru left the room as Jaken looked to him.

"Were there any survivors besides you?" Satomi asked getting up shakily as Yaken walked beside her watching her every move.

"Not many I'm afraid," Jaken admitted as he looked back to the ground. "Whoever managed to escape came with me here."

A solemn silence filled the room. The home was attacked before but why again and so swiftly? Rin looked sadly to Satomi as she stood up. Their home with Sesshomaru was now gone. Although they could rebuild, the memories could never be picked up where they left off. The night garden, the hot springs… the vast mountains, all of it gone.

"We could build again, right?" Rin asked with a small smile. She had everything taken from her so many times, Rin was always such a ray of light in these dark times. Satomi nodded as she reached for Rin and pulled her close in an embrace.

"Of course, if Sesshomaru wishes it to be done," Satomi said as Sesshomaru's mother eyed them curiously.

"Still so informal… human," Jaken said scoffing at Satomi again. Honestly, she almost missed the little imp.

"Good to see you too, Jaken," she said as he 'hmph'ed and left the room to follow the direction Sesshomaru went to.

"Well, now that you have ate, there are rooms ready for you. The manor is aware of your presence but be aware that this is our compound. With this attack on my son's home we are on full alert. I will have a guard escort you to the rooms provided." She left again as a couple of guards came from behind her bowing as she went the opposite direction than the guards were taking them.

As the group left the large room, Satomi could hear someone whispering to her. It sounded like a young man's voice but it was so quiet it was hard to tell. Yaken was now walking briskly at her side and she wondered if it was maybe his voice. The visions left her not knowing what was reality and what was not. 'You are going into your next phase, my dear. Much like the moon, this too shall pass,' Tsukuyomi said reassuringly, that voice she couldn't escape from. 'Your power is growing faster than your body can accept it, but that comes with a price of being too good at your job.'

She wanted to groan at him but didn't think that would work out well with everyone not knowing this little voice in her head. He had been so quiet for so long that it was only a matter of time before he opened his mouth. However, Izayoi lingered in her mind. She had told Inu-Yasha she needed to talk to him, but she couldn't find the energy. As he didn't press her for information, perhaps he didn't want to know. After all, his mother passed long ago. She was so spirited and powerful, and even she died against their enemy. What gave Satomi the right to hope for anything different.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the world went dark. Cold, everything felt frigid as she felt her body hit the ground. The exhaustion finally caught up with her as she let her mind slip away into the cold darkness. Until suddenly it wasn't so cold. There was warmth around her and a sense of calmness. Finally, she felt she could rest once more in peace as her mind sorted through the many events and memories she was witness to.

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Sesshomaru had appeared just after she hit the ground. Picking her up tenderly, he walked quickly past the guards who were still escorting before they could say anything. She was frozen, like a corpse. How he didn't see her energy down to nothing before had made him angry at himself. As the group tried to rush behind him, Kohaku held out a hand to slow them down.

"Let them be," he said calmly as the group looked worried down the hall as Sesshomaru rounded the corner and went out of sight. Kohaku knew about Sesshomaru's feeling, he bore witness to such an event once before, ironically here as well. Although Sesshomaru would never admit it, there was a look of fear in his eyes, much like when he was told Rin could not be brought back to life years ago. Kohaku remembered well, and the demon needed to deal with this on his own.

While it had been many years since Sesshomaru had resided here, he still had his own quarters that he took Satomi to as her body felt limp in his arms. He was losing her and he refused to let her go. He disappeared and reappeared into his large quarters. A large bed was in the middle of the room looking over the large doors that went to the balcony. Laying her down, he leaned over her and pressed his lips to hers. He remembered giving her energy when she first received her powers. Perhaps that was what she needed now was his energy. However, there was no difference in her temperature.

"You're on the right track," a voice called out to him. Looking to the edge of the bed, he saw Yaken looking at him curiously.

"Get out of my sight," Sesshomaru barked furiously as he tried to press his lips to hers again, but Yaken wouldn't move. "I swear even if you are the spirit of my father, I will murder you in the worst way possible…"

"Stop threatening me and listen, fool. The visions she saw drained her yes, but her energy is advancing too much for her body to handle. If you push more energy into her, don't you think that's the last thing she needs. The energy before was like a channeled push, but what she needs now is a slow wave, if you will. Contact is what she needs, a slow even, tempered contact. A heated kiss will only make things worse for her now, especially with your temper," Yaken said as he walked casually to the base of the bed and sat away from Sesshomaru's direct fury.

"How do you know this?" Sesshomaru asked skeptical.

"I have a direct contact with her mind now, and the Moon God is being quite helpful. He needs his host alive, so he told me to inform you this since I was available. I'll leave you two love birds alone now as you cuddle your lady," Yaken said as he bound out to the balcony with a chuckle and Sesshomaru lashed his poison whip at him in a threat.

A slow wave of contact… he thought as he slowly undid his armor and haori. Leaving his hakamas on, he undid her yukata just enough to expose her shoulders. Cuddling was not something he was accustomed to… and the way his father made it sound was not appealing to his mind at all. His father giving any physical contact advice made him almost sick to his stomach. However, as soon as he laid next to her, he felt her body warm in the slightest.

Moving his body so that his chin was resting in her hair, he held her close. If this was what it took to make her live, then so be it. However, it felt more than that. His chest hurt as the realization he almost lost her came crashing over him. Almost losing Rin here, and now almost losing Satomi… his father's blood ran through his veins and he couldn't even deny it anymore. This mortal won him over, heart and soul. Not the goddess, not the power, but this vulnerability she had even though she was strong. Strong and weak, it was his black and white world. Annoyingly though, she made everything grey and colorful at the same time. Strength was part of it, but her weakness made him wish to be stronger. Before he knew it, his own eyes slowly closed.

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"Sesshomaru?" he heard Satomi call out in the darkness of his dreams. Even though he opened his eyes, he knew he was still sleeping. He looked and saw Satomi's figure sitting over a lake with the moon full and lighting her features beautifully in her goddess garb. Long flowing fabric of green and white with a crescent moon on her forehead. Her profile was enchanting as she turned her head to look at him. "So, you are here after all."

"Yes, I thought I lost you," he said before she smiled with such warmth in her eyes. Her body seemed to float to him as she embraced him. He didn't know what to do with such affection for a moment that he was frozen. However, he noticed his armor and swords were not attached to him. Another sign this was a dream.

"Do I frighten you that much?" she asked teasingly. "I can only do this in my dreams, but usually you aren't here with me, literally." He remained silent as he didn't know what to say. "I'm so tired, but I don't feel so cold. Is that your doing?"

"I think so," he said as his arms slowly wrapped around her.

"It must be, it feels the same now," she said burying her face in his chest.

Looking down, his hands were covered in red. Startled, he moved away suddenly as he saw her clothes and body covered in deep wounds as blood flowed out of her. She reached out to him, but when he tried to move closer again her body disappeared and all that was left was her tattered clothes and blood on the floor and on his clothes.

"Satomi!" he called out to her, but she was nowhere. He could sense her, but everywhere he looked and smelled was the same. The lake was calm but slowly from the point where he stood at its shore, it turned red with the smell of her blood until he felt sick from it.

A spirit appeared in the middle of the lake looking to the moon, he knew it was her. He disappeared to reappear next to it, but it was useless. Floating in the air, he looked around but couldn't see her again. Feeling a hand on his arm he looked and saw her crying as she remained at his side.

"Please don't forget me…," she said as he tried to embrace her when her body slowly disappeared.

His eyes shot open as he was in his chambers once again. Satomi was next to him, still sleeping as sound as could be but he checked her breathing anyway. Peaceful. Was it their shared dream or his nightmare… if it was shared, she didn't seem as shaken up as he was. Placing his cheek on her forehead, she seemed to feel normal in terms of temperature. Letting his muscles relax, he could feel her energy returning at a slow rate yet. Sighing, he wondered when someone would walk in, unless if this spirit of his father was useful and blocked the doors. However, there wasn't much that he could do until she was back to full health. And so he waited.