The Souls of Nintojo

"What is going on here? Why are you taking me away from Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken demanded.

"Sorry, Lord Jaken, I need your help," Meioshi answered briefly.

"Zhe-Zhe!" a familiar voice called.

Meioshi hopped onto her boat just in time to dodge Sesshomaru swipe attack. Right as Jaken was about to unleash fire from Nintojo, Meioshi lit the magical propeller in the back of the boat and caught her oar to dash away from the western lord. Sesshomaru was furious at having to chase the doctor for Jaken's sake, but he saw Homugi yelping before falling backwards due to the sudden speed boost. He didn't recognize the other man with them, but his mischievous smile was a lot like the doctor's so they must've known each other in some way. As much as he hated being bested by Meioshi for what felt like one too many times, her sense of adventure piqued his interest sometimes.

"This is probably the wrong time to interrupt," a familiar voice started, making Sesshomaru turn slightly. It was Sanraku who continued, "but what the hell?"

"Just the foolish witch solving some riddle most likely," Sesshomaru replied.

"Not quite, evil talking dog."

'No...' Sesshomaru thought, taking a deep breath and tilting his head up to the sky with dread.

"Dude, a talking pheasant!" Sanraku exclaimed, blinking with awe.

"Indeed," the Green Pheasant confirmed, bowing politely. He then stood straight and said, "You're a much nicer talking dog than the other one there. Should've met you first."

"Sanraku? What the hell's going on? Where's the oni girl off to?" Reijiro questioned. Kirameku Ha and Ah-Un soon followed after him.

"Pheasant?" Kirameku Ha questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Lord Kirameku Ha?" the Green Pheasant responded, hopping off a small stone and running over to the elder. "How on Earth did you get yourself wrapped up in this mess, my friend?"

"I wasn't aware of any mess," Kirameku Ha replied, chuckling. "But if you're in the living world, an oath is about to take place. Where's your wife?"

"She was sleeping before Meioshi visited the nest. It appears our silly girl is a witness to a blood oath this time," the Green Pheasant replied. He then turned to Sesshomaru and said, "The evil talking dog there is the oath keeper this time."

"This Sesshomaru has made no such thing."

"That's why I'm here. You're carrying out the rest of an incomplete mission from someone linked to you," the Green Pheasant said, tilting his head. "One that was made several hundred years ago. Possibly before you were born or in the earliest time of your life. Someone before you made an oath to humans before they had all perished. The human oath keepers were the guardians of a broken, sacred artefact that was used by a priest who was granted the holy shield to protect his townspeople from war. A powerful demon was able to break the shield, but it wasn't completely destroyed. It had actually broken into five pieces. One of the pieces is not within the living world or any of the worlds beyond. It's my belief that this piece is the connector that will reform the shield and return it to full power. In order for you to complete the final will of the oath keeper, you may have to rejoin the pieces of the holy shield. Meioshi is taking your place within the Blood Oath's Circle where I met you. The same way you had to read through Hon'no's memories to find the exit from the circle, the doctor has to locate the missing piece possibly within the memories of the oath keeper."

"The Jubokko Tree is no more," Sesshomaru said, narrowing his eyes at the bird. "The foolish witch will meet a dead end."

"The Jubokko Tree was the necessary exit for the black wall's case. A new exit needs to be located for this one," the Green Pheasant informed. "Do you remember where Meioshi was when Hon'no formed a blood oath with her?"

How could he ever forget that? In the midst of their first battle, Tsuyoi had stumbled upon them completely possessed by hell's wolf. At the time, no one knew that the wolf was a conglomerate of people and the one monster, but Meioshi had formed that oath with Hon'no. That arrow made of sludge and shadow went straight through Meioshi's neck and throat. He didn't really realize it before, but Sesshomaru was... worried about her. Maybe even shocked. That was probably the better word for it. That arrow would've killed anyone else - should've killed her. Yet... she was okay. Startled and hurt but okay. She fought all the way to the end until she became the Master of the Winter. They've gone through quite a bit since then. Would he want to see her hurt from any of this? What if Azumamaro winds up being the one to kill her? The pallbearers had visited her twice now. He recognized their scent, could see them as clear as day without Tenseiga activating. What did they want with her? Why was she being forced to stand down?

"You're located, or more specifically camping, at the place where the oath was made among the keepers," the Green Pheasant stated, observing Sesshomaru's body language very carefully. "Everyone is at the starting point. Now, we must proceed."

"These oath keepers," Kirameku Ha started, "are they involved with that large demon from before?"

"Large demon?" the pheasant asked.

"This is a stretch, but..." Reijiro started, folding his arms and squinting one of his eyes. "Is it possible that one of the oath keepers was Lord Toga, the Great General? You said Lord Sesshomaru was connected to the fallen oath keeper, right? That means he's just taking up old business for his father. He was close to a human princess, after all."

"If that's how you wanna put it..." Sanraku mumbled, looking to the side.

"Hmph!" the Green Pheasant responded with some interest. He wasn't aware of this fact. "That depends, actually. Was this princess known as a holy warrior?"

"No," Sesshomaru answered, dismissively. Though he no longer had nearly the same amount of bitterness towards Izayoi, he still didn't like talking about her much. He'd rather keep what little respect he has for her as is. He then said, "She was like any other good-hearted human. Simply kind."

"Then, this princess is different. She was the guardian of one of the pieces of the holy shield. She must have simply been a good friend to your father if he is one of the oath keepers," the pheasant said, looking at Sesshomaru. "I would suggest looking for clues at your campsite. There must be something there acting as a parallel item within the Blood Oath's Circle. Meioshi is already on the move to find it. It's up to you if you want to help each other once more."