The Strongest Opponent

He could smell it. The scent of the Netherworld was stronger than before. The fogginess that had risen around Heiwa was rising in other villages, and the snow was soon to follow. Sesshomaru had managed to trace the faint smell of the arctic wolf in the distance, but the exact location of the beast was still too vague to pinpoint or even describe. He could tell it was in another realm of existence somewhere, but its powers were leaking into the mortal realm through some opening. It was becoming harder to trace. He had already wasted much of the day trying to find the wolf. It was probably best to return to Heiwa to see what Jaken was able to find. Once the party regrouped, Jaken's Nintojo could be used to discover the location of the wolf.

As Sesshomaru flew back to Heiwa, he could see the snow covering many forest areas. It was going to be confusing for the wildlife there. He didn't go terribly far from Heiwa since he was closing in on it fairly quickly. An owl screeched ahead of him and caught his attention before he saw a woman walking towards the village gates. She was strengthening the barrier. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed and he proceeded to land near her. She had to be Lady Meioshi. He had a few choice words to exchange with her. As he got closer to her, he was able to fully see how she was interacting with the barrier. It was through incantation. Her eyes were closed, stance straight, head down, and feet apart for balance. Her hair was blanketing her face and floating like waves going in an upward motion, making it harder for Sesshomaru to really see her, but she kept her arm outstretched as her hand touched the outer bubble of the barrier. A purple glyph of some sort was calling other kanji to her hand. Though her voice was fairly low like a whisper, it was strong and... pleasant.

"Extend," the woman commanded, halting the swimming kanji and letting the glyph glow with power before dissipating.

Sesshomaru could feel her divine power traveling across his skin like fingers, and that simple feeling alone bothered him just enough to show annoyance and walk towards the woman slowly. Her hair was no longer floating from her use of power, so he was able to see the waviness of it cascade down her back. Just as he was about to speak to her, the woman shifted to back away from the barrier and pivoted to walk in the opposite direction of him. Did she just ignore him? The owl screeched again and descended lower to gain her attention. She looked up at it and nodded. Disapproving of being ignored, Sesshomaru pulled out one of his swords and was about to let out a strike before he felt something stabbing him. He looked down to his chest, feeling an uncomfortable pressure pinching at him, and saw an owl's feather digging into his skin. Then, realized that he couldn't move as freely to pull the feather off him.

Meioshi had a sun trinket atop her cradled thumb and flipped into the sky. Her eyes were no longer the beautifully seductive hazel that many adored and her kind smile no longer decorated her supple lips. She wasn't angry, however, so she had enough mercy to simply bind her attacker for now. The sun trinket twirled in the air, capturing the setting sun's rays, and flashed gold in Sesshomaru's eyes to serve as a possible distraction. When Sesshomaru was just slow enough to move, he watched the glimmering object twirl until he felt the woman's gripping gaze.

Meioshi activated a glyph underneath Sesshomaru's feet and calmly said, "Mushin stage. Demon of the west. Capture, Chen-bi!"

With that, a death-like grip forced Sesshomaru onto his knees and bound him down. Wide-eyed, the young lord looked up and saw spears piercing the edges of the glyph and creating a sort of cage around him. The Four Heavenly Kings dressed in their regalia of crowns, jewels, and armor surrounded him with frowns on their faces and ensured his capture. Meioshi said nothing else until the owl landed on her shoulder.

"It is quite rude not to announce your presence, young man," the doctor said, walking up to Sesshomaru only about fifteen steps. The glyph was still in her eyes, giving them a lavender to bright purple glow. She then continued, "Think of this the next time you decide to try to attack me."

"Meioshi, what are you doing?"

The doctor turned her head, lowering her guard, and hummed in response at the familiar voice. Distant tree leaves fluttered about to dance in her hair as she turned around to the voice of her most trusted friend, Kako Seigi. She heard the sound of a small bell ring through the soft wind and took a deep breath to inhale the fragrance of forest herbs and chopped tree bark. The scent of her friend and master was such a calming thing. Out of respect, Meioshi bowed low to the deity walking up to her and smiled lightly to show happiness that he had come to visit her so soon. He was quite tall with a finely featured face and stature. Kako never seemed to look down when he walked and kept his posture straightened at all times, even in battle which he rarely became a participant. Not wanting to change this habit now, Kako closed his eyes and cleared his throat with a hint of annoyance. Meioshi laughed at this and rose to stand straight instead, earning a softened gaze from the man.

Sesshomaru could feel himself being able to move again and was about to attack, but the other person who was now walking towards his new enemy had taken her attention. The other figure was dressed in snow white and brown robes with crystalline sort of armor that glimmered gold. There were no spikes on the plated parts, so he didn't seem to be an aggressive entity, but he still wore samurai armor that mainly resembled gold ore. He was a bearded, handsome man with forest green hair and earthen brown eyes. He walked close to Meioshi and nodded in acknowledgement of her presence and mischievous greeting before taking a short glance at the dog demon glaring at them both.

"Your powers will draw attention to other demons if you use them often in the mortal world. You know this," Kako lectured, pushing a lock of Meioshi's long hair behind her ear. He gently stroked her jaw and lifted her chin to face him. When she looked at him with surprise at his gesture, he then said, "Release this man."

"Of course, my lord," Meioshi replied, looking down to her feet.

Kako Seigi walked past the doctor to check on Sesshomaru and waited for her to dismiss her bind. She proved to be more capable as a priestess than he anticipated. Knowing the correct level of power needed to bind a stronger opponent took great skill, even choosing the correct binding trinket was a challenge for many purifying practitioners. This further proved to the forest deity that Meioshi was ready for her next task in claiming the Baohu qi Voluptatis sword as her divine weapon. However, he would have to deal with the dog demon before him. He could hear Meioshi whispering another incantation, and the Four Heavenly Kings and their spears were disappearing accordingly.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the man before him and was about to unsheathe one of his swords to fight him, but Kako lifted a hand and shook his head to show he meant no harm. This only slightly surprised Sesshomaru since he was more impressed by the woman's ability to put him under a binding spell. Taking a sharp sniff of the man, he could smell forest scents of the fall season on him and a sweet aroma that reminded him of a berry bush. Obviously, his place was among nature. What alarmed Sesshomaru the most about this man's scent was that it didn't smell like a demon at all. The owl was clearly a demon, but it was purer of heart and seemed to be redemptive in spirit. The man was pure, so he had to be a divine guardian of some sort. That was beyond unusual. Deities never walked the earth, least of all for mortals. That would make the woman he had taken an interest in fighting a very interesting opponent just as he predicted. Therefore, Lady Meioshi was indeed powerful enough to deal with the Netherland wolf.

Kako Seigi lowered his hand and spoke to Sesshomaru without losing eye contact, "You will have to leave this place, young man. Your interference will cause my warrior more harm than needed. Your challenge will have to wait some other time."

"How dare you speak to me this way," Sesshomaru snapped calmly, not caring if the man was of divine power. His weapons could easily weaken this fool! That would undoubtedly bring the guardian's eye level down to where it belonged when addressing him. Sesshomaru then continued, "This is between that woman and me. You can wait."

"Well, that's certainly rude," Meioshi commented with a slightly angered tone, whispering to her owl companion, Potaruopuna. "I should have kept that one bound."

"The master will deal with him," Potaruopuna said with a growl and hiss. "We will await our orders."

"Very well," Meioshi said with a sigh.

Kako Seigi harbored no ill will towards Sesshomaru, however, and instead turned to Meioshi for a second to say in a gentle tone, "Return to the Tengoku Hashira, doctor."

"I have lost my patience here," Sesshomaru growled, stepping forward to challenge Kako Seigi.

The gentle deity merely lifted a hand to stop the demon and kept his attention on the woman. He asked, "Do you recall fighting a large demon? One of significant mass and power?"

"Ah, yes, I have," Meioshi said with a nod. She lifted her head as if about to speak about her encounters in hell but then noticed that her master didn't expel Sesshomaru from the village grounds. That caught her attention and made her question, "Do you intend to fight the man there, my lord?"

"No," Kako Seigi responded, returning his attention to the dog demon.

He flicked his wrist then wiggled his fingers only a bit to form a glyph underneath Sesshomaru. It was similar to Meioshi's when she summoned power for her binding spells. Sesshomaru then deduced that the two were both of divine strength. Unmoved by the man's power and readying his sword to battle him, a bright light nearly blinded him before he disappeared from Meioshi's sight. Feeling her master's power sort of placed goosebumps on her skin and made Potaruopuna fluff up and shake his feathers. Kako Seigi was a powerful adversary. No doubt, Sesshomaru would have had quite the fight if that's all he wanted from their master. Silently, Kako Seigi turned his head slightly to Meioshi, implying that he was waiting for her to do as commanded. Standing firm, Meioshi called all of her binding powers to her with a clench of her hand. Potaruopuna could feel her strength gathering and ruffled his feathers from the soft caress of her spiritual power. With a deep breath, her supernatural strength gathered into her hand and formed into a blue flame. Kako Seigi's crest formed in her eyes again and she was no more a threat to any demon or deity. Feeling herself lose power, Meioshi let out a relieved sigh and was able to see the world once more.

"The demon that you faced in the Ice World was the guardian of Baohu qi Voluptatis," Kako Seigi informed, turning to walk passed Meioshi's home and into the forest. He turned only slightly when he said, "Come."

Without another word, Meioshi followed Kako Seigi and regained her focus on her original tasks.

_____________________________________

Following her master to a mystical room, Meioshi was curious of her return to this divine place. She had completed her healing only a few days ago, and she was busy patroling the borders of Heiwa. It seemed too early to return. Once inside of the room, Meioshi was greeted by the smiling faces of Caritas and Bonitas. The latter had returned to this place after she began her patrol. He said Kako Seigi had called out to him. Neither sprite was in his smaller form. They took on the appearance of a human male dressed in armor and robes much like Kako Seigi. After all, they were his sons. Potaruopuna, the large screeching owl, remained outside to watch over the forest entrance in case the demon from earlier sniffed Meioshi out. With the Netherland wolf trying to escape, they couldn't take any chances and be too careless.

"Back for healing already, doctor?" Caritas asked, easing the tension in the room.

"I suppose so," Meioshi responded jokingly. "This is what happens when I don't take my liquids, apparently."

"You didn't take your daily medicine?" Bonitas questioned with worry in his voice. "Unacceptable!"

"Oh, don't worry so much!" Meioshi said, waving off the concern. Of course, she always took her medicine, but Bonitas was an excitable boy and often lectured anyone who didn't follow the rules even if the same person breaking the rule made up the rule. Meioshi then walked over to her unoccupied seat and said, "You'll make yourself sick from all that stress, little nurse."

Kako Seigi went straight to his typical seat and waited for Meioshi to look into the pool of water before them. When Bonitas nodded and looked at his father, Kako Seigi called out to the waters and let them churn and rise to form a globe. He waved a hand across his lap and a drop of pure water from heaven plopped into the pool before Meioshi was shown the beast coming for her. She recognized it immediately. It was the same large demon that tried to crush her in the lake of ice. She thought she had lost Kaishi Novum forever until Caritas informed her of how to call it back. She retrieved Baohu qi Voluptatis from its confines in the cave below the lake of ice. She thought the creature reached the bottom of the lake and died but evidently it crawled its way back out to seek vengeance. Yuko and Ichi physically encountered this menacing creature as did a man named Sesshomaru and his servant, Jaken.

"You recognize this wolf," Kako started, knowing Meioshi did.

"Yes, I thought it was still at the bottom of the lake we fell through," Meioshi said calmly, folding her arms. "My apprentice spoke with the guardian personally. She said it was looking for someone else besides me. I concluded that whoever the guardian used to be before it took this form was familiar with older women. If the guardian was young, what was it doing in a dark place like hell? I've been thinking of things like this since it resurfaced. Do you wish for me to fight this beast?"

"No," Kako Seigi replied, closing his eyes. "I want this creature brought to me to be purified just as you had done for Potaruopuna those years ago. You need its mianyi to gain full access to the Ogre's Almanac and be able to properly map the first level of hell."

Meioshi gasped lightly at this, eyes widened with some surprise, and said, "Are you sure, my lord? My powers couldn't have increased that much."

Kako Seigi chuckled heartily and said, "My dear, you underestimate yourself. I would not be sending you to purify this creature if I felt you incapable of doing so. Besides, Caritas and Bonitas will be with you to assist. You need merely to prepare for battle. It will be taxing but doable. Caritas is keeping the creature bound in the Hokkyoku no Ori forest using your shimenawa to create a ravine, and Bonitas was able to use pieces of the Sessho-seki stone and your family's herbs to disarm it enough to be bound in this one space. All of this was done using your power, and it has proven to be quite effective."

Meioshi was rendered speechless from this information. She looked into the palms of her hands, wondering how she had gotten that kind of strength, and was almost hopeful that everything would be worth it. Her true goal would be realized if she remained on this path.

"Don't doubt yourself, Lady Meioshi," Caritas voiced, smiling gently. "Your journey has only just begun. See it through!"

Kako Seigi watched her clench her hands into fists then nod in response. Seeming to be reassured, he continued, "Perform the Chikara no kinko ritual and begin your pilgrimage to Ketsueki Shirudo. I will have Caritas go with you to retrieve the Dai Fubuki blade if needed. He will provide help in creating the map for you."

Meioshi perked up at this and asked, "What is the Dai Fubuki blade meant for?"

"It was used to protect a warrior against spirits of the snow," Caritas replied, holding up his hand to project an image of the weapon. It was a tanto sheathed in an ornate scabbard. He then said, "Though a smaller weapon, great strength and even greater weight is within it. It should protect you from the stronger ice attacks the demon possesses."

Kako Seigi then said, "When you retrieve it, you will be able to fight the beast and properly wield Baohu qi Voluptatis. Hell's ice freezes any human who dares try to wield it and turns benevolent spirits into creatures of pure hatred. Demons can become crazed or possessed should they try to wield it."

"Oh, before I forget. I've a concern with my last visit to the gateway of hell," Meioshi said, gaining Kako Seigi's attention. "Tetsuzan has been killed. Potaruopuna and I found his body just before I met with Caritas at the rendezvous point in the Land of Ice. Would you happen to know who would be capable of such a feat?"

Kako Seigi closed his eyes to think and then said softly, "Creatures of the mortal realm have developed unique weapons of their own volition to perform many wonders. I've no doubt a human, demon, or even half-demon would have access to such power. However, only a guardian spirit would be capable of purifying the gateway en masse the way you are describing. I recall several demons and deities of judgement who often created portals into the Netherworld for their own reasons whether it be a show of power or a challenge in combat. Typically, Tetsuzan is the one who meets them to do battle, but he was no weakling. The kings of hell didn't trust him to guard the entryway of their territory for naught. Weapons like the Baohu qi Voluptatis would have been able to defeat him, but he wouldn't have died from injuries. He would just need rest for some time. There are very few guardian spirits that could commit such a misdeed. It might benefit you to ask any surviving bearers in his threshold who may have attacked them. You don't need that person's weapon, but that person will have to abide by the consequences of eliminating Tetsuzan. The price of killing such a powerful guardian could be great, but it is one he or she must pay until a replacement for Tetsuzan is found. I will look into this further in case one of my own has something to do with it."

"I sure hope not," Caritas remarked.

"Tetsuzan may not have been the most likeable fellow in the world, but he didn't deserve such barbarism," Bonitas commented.

_____________________________________________

The moon was radiant this evening. Meioshi was excited that her powers had grown. She felt more confident in her abilities and wondered if she would be able to rest easy. Would hell finally release its grasp on her mind? Could she return to the Bushido Code without shame? She had so many questions running through her head about her newfound life going forward. It seemed to only be natural that she would think of her conversations with Yuko, Jaken, and Mizu Hoseki. Maybe Yuko is on to something. The closer she got to her goals, the more fulfilled she would be just in getting a second chance at life. While Meioshi wasn't as comfortable with finding a new suitor as her friends were, she wouldn't mind being able to celebrate life again. She could go to festivals, dress up a bit more, and enjoy some leisure time. Though she slowly warmed up to her old hobbies, she could return to them with a fresh perspective.

Sensing something a bit off, Meioshi looked up from the beaten path to Heiwa to feel an ominous presence ahead. Forgetting that she had a lantern in her hand, she lifted her light source up to inspect her surroundings but saw nothing. Alerted, Meioshi proceeded through the woods with caution. She could feel it, though. A demon was near. It had yoki powers of a frightening level. Silently, Meioshi summoned her Kaishi Novum to her hand and narrowed her eyes to the entity ahead of her. Now suspicious, the doctor slowed her pace but continued to walk forward until she could see the sky again. Her breathing and heartbeat were calm, but her adrenaline was spiking up in bursts of energy. She was entering her defensive mode. When she finally entered the clearing, she saw the creature at last.

Sesshomaru stood there, waiting for his prey to come out of the woods. He found himself transported a good distance away from Heiwa and its farmlands after confronting Meioshi. Gaining a newfound fury, Sesshomaru didn't bother to fly back to Heiwa. He spent his time and energy attacking demons in between his travels just to burn off some of his anger at having been bested. His eyes had an eerie glow to them as they shined piercingly through the woods. The lantern that the woman possessed brought their faces to light. Both man and woman were inwardly taken aback by each other's finely featured face: the yellowish eyes, the shiny hair, the fair skin - Meioshi's being a bit darker - and the supple lips. Meioshi remained still and waited for the man to speak, but he said nothing for some time and that brought about a small fragment of nervous tension to the forefront. Mainly because she wasn't sure of the demon's intentions. She only knew that he looked angry.

"What is your business with me?" Meioshi asked with a still voice.

Her voice truly was pleasant, but he wasn't interested in hearing her talk. Sesshomaru was only interested in one thing with this woman. He replied, "I intend to fight only the strongest opponents. You have the most potential..."