Fragile Dreams, Chapter 22



written by Christine

Chapter 22

Sesshomaru and Kai were on the back leg of their trek around the Western Lands near the Southern Lands and the Human World border. Kai couldn’t take his eyes off the Human World barrier. It was barely visible, just a shimmer in the air. Through it, in the distance he could see a range of mountains, but no matter how long anyone walked towards them, they would never get any closer. This was the mystical barrier that had been erected centuries ago by the Ancients when the worlds were split. Now Arina and her males protected it. The two Dog Demons had been walking beside it for days. When he asked his father why they bothered since it was already protected, his response was, ‘to make sure there are no changes’. In other words it was another tradition were the real reason had been forgotten over time. Suddenly his father put up his arm to halt his son. There was a slight blue shimmer in front of them and from the shimmer stepped Tennu. “Greetings Lord Sesshomaru,” he said. “The presence of you and your family has been requested at the Castle.” Sesshomaru motioned that Tennu should lead the way. Kai followed him and then finally, Sesshomaru stepped through. They arrived at White Tower instantaneously. Sesshomaru and Kai greeted Jaal and started toward the Castle portal when Tennu stopped them.

	“I believe your sister was included in the invitation,” he said. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. “This should be interesting,” Kai said under his breath. He had met his aunt for the first time in person only a few days earlier.

Sesshomaru shot him a look. “Kai, you go on ahead and let them know we will be there shortly.” They watch his son go, grumbling that he always misses out on all the fun. Sesshomaru described to Jaal where to direct the mirror. The scene that appeared in the mirror was beautiful. It was located in the center of the Western Lands. Lush vegetation surrounded a mirror-like lake in a clearing with a waterfall feeding it. The woods bordered the clearing without an obvious break. It looked pure and uninhabited. Sesshomaru stepped through with Tennu on his heels.

	The clearing they stepped into was even more beautiful than it looked in the mirror. Sesshomaru walked along the shore of the lake toward the side of the huge cliff, where the waterfall tumbled down. “AKINA!” Sesshomaru shouted.

Tennu looked around. He saw no signs of any habitation. He trotted after Sesshomaru as the Dog Demon got closer to the waterfall. As they drew near the cliff he saw a vision that made the land he was walking in pale in comparison. There, with water spray rising around her like a fog, was a woman of breathtaking beauty. She was scantily clothed and the cloak she wore swung around in front of her.

	“AKINA!” Sesshomaru shouted again. She turned. Her front side was hardly clad better than her backside. A big smile broke her face as she ran across the water to throw her arms around her brother. He briefly returned the hug. Tennu noted that she hadn’t sunk into the water when she ran across it even though the water had to be deep so close to such a large waterfall.

“Sesshie! What a wonderful surprise!” she said. Then she noticed how stiff he was being and released him. “What’s wrong?” Only then did she notice the other man. “Who’s this?” “Akina, this is Tennu, son of Tekken, Lord of the Bobcats, and Nahdala, a Wind Demon.” “Wow, that’s a powerful combination! Welcome Tennu to my humble abode.” She extended her hand to him. Tennu cleared his throat and kissed her hand. “Come, you must have some refreshment after fighting your way through my forest. I don’t get much company,” she said as she walked toward the side of the falls. Tennu could see now that there was a narrow path that led behind the falls. Her home was apparently hidden by them. “Akina,” Sesshomaru stopped her, “we don’t have time for that. We have been summoned to the Castle in Otherworld.”

	“Oh,” she said, “well, let’s go then.” Her brother didn’t move. “What?” she said. “Your clothes.” Sesshomaru said. “Oh,” she looked down at herself as if she didn’t remember what she was wearing. She smiled sheepishly, “That’s Sesshie, always so formal. I’ll be right back.”

Tennu smiled. He prudently didn’t remark on the nickname. If it had been his half-brother Teriyu, he would have teased him without mercy. Tennu was just waiting for his younger brother to find a mate who would start calling him Terry. Of course, being a full bobcat, his brother might not ever mate which would spoil all his pending fun.

	Akina reappeared in a more appropriate, if form fitting, blue dress with a sword strapped to her side. She wore a headband that held her hair back from her forehead and there in the center was a faint blue star. Unlike her brother, she had no other demon markings. Tennu was amazed at how beautiful she was. He saw, now that he could look at her without blushing, that she had eyes as blue as the dress she wore instead of golden like her brother and nephew, and InuYasha for that matter, remembering that he was also a brother to Akina.

Akina held up her arms, palms up, and twirled. “Better?” she asked her brother with raised eyebrows. Sesshomaru gave a sigh and turned, striding to the mirror door. No one could see the smile that turned the corners of his usually stern face. Akina smiled and winked at Tennu as she skipped after him. Tennu shook his head. It was almost like seeing two sides of the same coin, one stern, proper and aloof, the other carefree, friendly and happy. He looked after the pair. Could she really be the mage that helped in the Mage War? She appeared too innocent and carefree to match what his Wind Demon brothers described. Still, he didn’t miss that haunting look in her eyes. There, like a mirror to her soul, was the pain. Like her brother, she was hiding behind a mask. She must choose to live alone to protect herself from pain. Her brother built mental walls while she built physical ones. How different would their lives have been if they had been spared the tragedy of losing their whole clan? Tennu thought. Now they’re being called to the Castle because of a woman who will bring back the memories of all that pain. And she's probably been through even worse. Will it be a time for healing or will it only make the damage even worse? Tennu could only hope for the best.

InuYasha appeared in the dining room at the appointed time but his hair was still wet and he was pulling at the collar of his spare clothes. Aara had gotten the clothes for him so she could see him in something besides his rat fur kimono but he was never comfortable in anything else. All the other bonded demons, his brothers, were there along with Aara and Vash. To his surprise, Taiki was there too. Apparently Rin had said something to him. “Taiki asked if he could sit in on this meeting. Is there any reason he should be excluded?” Aara asked. “No,” InuYasha said, taking a seat, “it’s good he’s here.” “Good. Now tell us about the raid and the woman you brought home,” his Princess ordered. “The raid went as planned. All the bandits were captured. There were only a few whom resisted, including the leader Yutaka. They're dead. The accused are being gathered for judgment. I left Teriyu in charge.” “Okay,” Vash said, “now what about the lady you brought home in such bad shape?” “Her name is Isabo. She’s Sesshomaru’s mother,” InuYasha said. “What?” Aara exclaimed. “How do you know this?” “She helped my mother care for me when I was little. I was there when Sesshomaru came to try to take my sword. She left us right afterwards, I think to look for Akina now that I can put the pieces together. She said she would return in a week but I don’t know if she ever did.” “You mean you knew all along that Sesshomaru was part Unicorn?” Aara said accusingly. “I guess so,” he said, giving her a puzzled sad look, “I never really thought about it. I was only six when Isabo left and my mother died two days later. It’s not a time I really like to think about.” Suddenly the door burst open, stopping Aara in the middle of an apology. Rin was standing in the doorway panting, “She’s gone!!

Earlier Isabo had struggled back to the surface of consciousness. When she woke up in the strange place she was at first confused and then frighten. Then she remembered how badly she had been beaten and looked at herself. She had been healed. She placed her hands on her stomach and sensed the life still inside. She stroked it and sighed. Her baby had survived too. She was laying on a bed, a real bed. She felt her neck to confirm something else. The collar was gone. She was finally free. A soft breeze entered the room through the balcony window. Isabo closed her eyes and breathed in its sweet scent. She finally noticed the figure sleeping in a chair nearby. She appeared to be a normal Human woman, unarmed. So she wasn’t a prisoner. She searched out with her mind, something she hadn't been able to do in a very long time. She sought for Luka, and then she remembered, her soul's heart twisting in pain; Luka died. Tears of grief formed in her eyes. "I knew Yutaka would punish him, but how could he kill his only son?" she softly said to herself, stoking their unborn daughter. "We’ll have to live on for him,” She wanted to really grieve for him but it still didn’t feel real. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye to yet another mate.

	Isabo wiped away her tears and rose from her bed. She put on a blue nightgown she found laying over the post at the foot of the bed. Then she walked quietly and carefully onto the balcony. It overlooked a lovely external courtyard garden. The full moon looked huge as it was making an early appearance. She closed her eyes and breathed in the wonderful scents of flowers and freshly turned earth. Someone was putting extra effort into this garden to keep it so beautiful she thought.

Suddenly Isabo jumped over the rail, changing into a Unicorn as she fell. She landing neatly on the grass. She had been inside a dark smelly hole and stuck in humanoid form for nearly 80 years. She wanted nothing more right now than to be in her true form and lay on the grass in the evening sun. She still felt weak, probably from the healing, so leaving was not yet an option. Surprisingly, even though she didn't truly trust the feeling, for some reason she felt safe here. She investigated a nearby corner of the garden and found a little alcove with only one entrance. She camouflaged it with an illusion, making the surrounding hedge look continuous. It wouldn't keep out everyone but it will deter most. Isabo walked to the center, folded her legs and dropped down onto the grass. In seconds she was asleep.