Whoosh.
"You won a point, Lord Sesshomaru!" Kiijiro cheered, twirling on his foot.
Meioshi said nothing of her loss. She merely smiled and then nodded with approval. She bowed in respect to her opponent and was signaled to leave. The foreigner had arrived.
"Right then. It appears I have a very masculine lady to practice with," she teased, winking at his lordship. She placed her stick aside and turned to the ladies left in her garden. She then said, "Kinzo, you're with me. We have another holy warrior to meet. You are your clan's leader, after all. How do the new clothes feel?"
"I'm - "
"Lady Tennin!" Kishi called, interrupting her brother and running up to Meioshi for a hug.
"Oh!" Meioshi responded with a giggle, returning the little one's embrace. Though, Meioshi should really be calling her a teen. She was roughly Ohta's age, and puberty would make its debut quite soon. "My heavens! You're beautiful, Kishi!"
"Lady Meioshi," Mother Shigochiyo called humbly.
She was quite the stunner, and she looked much better without the grime stuck to her brown kimono. Tonight, she wore a purple, teal green, blossom pink, and peach kimono with her hair in a low bun and decorated with many hair ornaments. Mother Shigochiyo had no birth name, so Meioshi took it upon herself to give her one. Of course, the older woman showed her pickiness in name choice and freely joked when Meioshi showed her the funeral home where she worked. She, apparently, was a little firecracker when given the opportunity. Meioshi found that she liked that about Mother Shigochiyo, or Michizoe. Michizoe wanted a nice hairstyle that didn't make her look too mature but something fresh and memorable. It had to please Father Shigochiyo, or Takenao.
Now, Takenao was a father and a good man. He expected his children to carry themselves with grace and humility, but he also was a devout Shintoist and believed Meioshi's involvement in their clan's life was not for naught. The good doctor's spirit resonated with them for a good reason. She may have been a feisty, little woman, but she was also very respectful and could easily be confused for a princess with her manners. For that, he was grateful, and Meioshi held him in high regard, which was not something she did often. She spoke to him as she would a soldier or general, but she also gave him his due honorific. He commanded respect when free to be himself. It was admirable. Takenao was admiring Meioshi's garden and walking about to inspect every plant and decorative piece there was. He was dressed in a festive gray, white, and peach kimono top with white and black print hakama pants. His hair - much like everyone else's in his family - was cut shorter. Michizoe liked playing with it, and Takenao seemed to become more comfortable with being able to properly touch and learn about his mate as a woman and a person. They were the first and the only couple of the onmyoji clan within a century to have feelings for each other before their mating, so Takenao spoke gently to Michizoe and was curious about her. As in truly curious. He didn't believe he made a mistake in mating with her or even wanting to despite being forcefully bred. He simply wished to properly marry her and wanted to make sure she would be okay with doing that. A marriage was forbidden in the clan.
Meioshi was quite right in keeping tabs on each member of the Shigochiyo clan. They were mentally distraught from the onmyoji's torturous century, so she was careful to ask them certain questions to evaluate their health and mental condition. She learned a great deal from them. Takenao was very informed about the role of the onmyoji. He knew their history extensively, even beyond Kinzo's knowledge from their patron goddess, and admitted that he was very surprised that the patron goddess returned when she did and had chosen Kinzo as the new clan head. His son had great potential, and he respected her choice. Takenao also admitted that he wished he could have been more active in his family's lives. He wished he was brave enough to leave the village, but the giants were far too powerful, and he didn't have enough power to rebel against them. Meioshi asked about Takenao's powers and learned that Father Shigochiyo was not a weakling by any means. He was a true onmyoji. Though it was only one, he called upon the might of a familiar - a youkai that agreed to form a covenant with him. Meioshi guessed the reason the giants chose to mate him as often as possible and force him into arduous labor was because his power was mighty. Michizoe was a wayfinder. She could locate and communicate with spirits. That's how the two formally met and spoke to each other on a calm, windy night.
She was a true oracle, Mother Shigochiyo. Clan leaders of the onmyoji needed their respective oracles to open a communication link between them and spirits. This helps the leader form covenants with youkai and gain their abilities. It just so happened that Takenao found Michizoe to be beautiful and quite lively and hopeful. She made him smile and was the only person he had ever laughed around. It felt natural being around her and with her, so the two snuck away to simply speak to each other and dream of a life of freedom together. They shared their first kiss under a nearby magnolia tree. It was the only memory of genuine love they shared before they were forced to breed. Kinzo was conceived. Then Kishi. In an unusual act of mercy, the Shigochiyo family was allowed to spend time together as a family, but no one knew why. Meioshi had to guess at the reason. The best she could come up with was that the patron goddess sensed the restoration of the clan's power despite her absence. If Maboroshi no kohime believed that the onmyoji leader she mated with had returned, then it was really Takenao who was in danger of her clutches. Kinzo would've been too young. His powers wouldn't have woken yet. Takenao's was active at the time. So was Michizoe's.
Meioshi looked down at Kishi as she hopped about in her peach and sky blue furisode. She was too adorable! And, quite happy to be part of the games and activities. As it turned out, Kishi had experienced her first crush. Ohta had quite an effect on her, but he didn't seem to mind it at all. He took his time to teach her how to read and play games. He was quite serious about wanting to become a teacher someday, so he took opportunities to do so. Kishi, he said, would become a wonderful tea maker and tea ceremony performer. Kinzo, though hesitant on much still, was actually a big eater. Imagine seeing a young man hunched over in a shadowy corner in the wee hours of the night eating a porcelain jar full of meat buns! However, Kinzo was also quite sweet. Meioshi had woken up to the young man sleeping at her feet or somewhere warm nearby for protection. He didn't seem to be scared of his surroundings like she thought. He just liked being around his new mentor and often asked her different personal questions.
Kinzo was dressed in a black and purple kimono with peach accents and white youkai prints etched into the design. It was meant to symbolize his role as clan head. His hair was cut shorter and pulled back with a jagged headband made of bone, so he looked like he had spiked hair or wings. His eyes and eyebrows were painted red to form wings and a setting sun, respectively. His attractiveness was surprising, but what would one expect from a young man who managed to gain the attention of a goddess? He chuckled at his sister as she grabbed a ball to play with. Kinzo often visited the funeral home when he had a moment to spare. Though Heiwa was quite busy, he found that he liked it and the serenity of the funeral home. It was the complete opposite of his dreary world. When Meioshi stole some time away to change him out of his old clothes, he was fitted into much better and more regal attire. This was courtesy of not only her... but Kirameku Ha as well. His old clothes were just Kinzo's size, so he donated them to him. (Takenao, like many other men, respected Kirameku Ha as a fine lord and the embodiment of a refined gentleman. Much like his son.) Fuyu Joo added accessories to Kinzo's attire, Chiyumi became a music instructor for him, and Meioshi cut his hair and marked him with the appropriate colors and style to match his role as clan leader. The onmyoji were the only other clan that Meioshi knew of that could wear a tattoo like she could. Despite having to prepare for an overseas adventure, the good doctor was at Kinzo's side often to teach him how to navigate in the world as a holy warrior. He had much to learn about his new life.
"Yes, Mother Michizoe," Meioshi replied.
"This 'vacation' you spoke of going to. Are you going to leave your home without a caretaker? It seems risky," Michizoe expressed with some concern.
"Oh, of course! I always do. I just make sure the house is clean before I leave. That way I can dirty it up when I get back!" Meioshi cheered.
"You're the most irresponsibly responsible human I know. A true credit to your species," Jaken grumbled, earning a bubblegum smile from the doctor.
"It's not unguarded, mother. I put a type of security system on the property to make sure no one sneaks in to steal things they shouldn't," Meioshi reassured. She smirked mischievously, however, and crept into Michizoe's ear to whisper, "You can stay with your husband here if you wish. Just tidy up."
Michizoe blushed at this before quickly looking down at her feet and stuttering. Takenao turned to her out of concern, not hearing anything that transpired between the two women, but giving them a suspicious look. When Michizoe caught him looking at them, she hurriedly reassured him that things were fine with a frantic smile and waving of her hands. She wasn't... opposed to spending that kind of time with Takenao. She had always been attracted him. He had a strong brow and jaw but soft cheeks and warm eyes. He was very wise for his age and foundational. That's what she liked about him. Though they were forced to mate, she... liked it. He was gentle and somehow knew it was her. The time they spent together as a family that one time was very special to her. She wanted to run away with her family to that place again, but - like her husband - she knew the giants were just too powerful. She had hoped to use this "vacation" to get to know Takenao more, but... if Meioshi was allowing them to stay behind, then...
Sesshomaru was about to say something, but Jaken (of all creatures and completely out of his normal character) stopped him by saying, "I wouldn't waste my time, me lord. The witch is clearly a per - "
"Hey, what about me? I'm a holy warrior, too!" Hasumi argued, puffing her cheeks and stomping.
"You're coming, too, my little sunflower!" Meioshi replied brightly. "We're going to be following this other holy warrior's ship to the trade hub. He just wanted to see our world first. He was interested in my work. Liu's coming, too. He is a monk and holy warrior himself, after all. He's visiting his patron god."
"Really? I'm going with you and Papa Liu?" Hasumi questioned, eyes sparkling. "Can I get ribbon from other worlds? I can totally stunt on my classmates with my fluffy hairbows when I go to school next year! I wanna go, I wanna go, I wanna go! Can we go right now? Oh, wait, I have to pack! What shoes will I wear? Do I need 'em? My sunflower staff is still broken! I can't catch rare demons without it!"
Meioshi just laughed at the girl, but it was a warm and hearty laugh. She then said, "We're packing everything today, my little miko. But, we have to hurry, or we'll be late. We have to see the emperor."
"S~ah. We get to meet the emperor, too? Let's GGOOOOO!" Hasumi cheered, running around in a circle before speeding off elsewhere.
"Wait, Hasumi, you're going the wrong way!" Meioshi called after her. "Come, girls, it's time for us to leave!"
With that, everyone seemed to be packing things up and leaving in a bit of a hurry. Sesshomaru just watched his dandelion seed chasing after the sunflower girl, and her family and friends trailing after her with knowing smiles or peaceful smirks. All with exception to one gent and his son who wished to stay behind for a moment.
"You are not going with them, elder?" Jaken asked, turning to Kirameku Ha and Maniwa.
"I will in a bit," Kirameku Ha replied, looking at Meioshi's game stick. "I was asked to purify something of importance to my pupil."
"Something important?" Jaken asked. "Y'know. Everyone's been saying that witch is some great holy warrior, but we've never actually seen her do that kind of work save for the black wall demon that forced us to meet. I don't know what me lord has seen her do. And you - well, I've only ever seen you fight maybe twice. You say you're her sensei, but I've never seen your student do anything similar to your power. What's so important for you to purify but not her?"
"... Hmph! I don't know how well you'll understand this, but I have to purify her," Kirameku Ha responded. "She is returning to her military duties as an emergency medical doctor. After battling her enemy, who was the man you faced some time ago dressed in a blue mane and coat, she had thought about seriously returning to her rank and post. I believe when she found young Hasumi and spoke of her past as an officer, you gave her the push she needed to forgive her failures during a very dark time in her life. You may have surmised that she was a type of ronin when you first met for battle, correct? I met you both after what happened with the black wall demon."
"Lord Sesshomaru..." Jaken said, noticing Sesshomaru's eyes shifting.
Sesshomaru knew all too well what Kirameku Ha was talking about. The hat... Meioshi had gone from wearing a simple kimono and carrying a small lantern to using the lantern fire to enhance her natural power. It was the fight that started it all. The night he had chosen her to be his rival. She had run up to the Hell Travelers' Threshold on the cliff after receiving icy powers from Hon'no, or little wolf, and transported him into the Green Pheasant's world to solve the centuries' old riddle. She had attacked him in Yuko's defense. They... really have come a long way, haven't they? Tch! Look at them. To have gone from fighting each other to joining forces the one time to... well, he never formally called her a party member, had he? Their time together was short, but...
_____________________________________________________________________
After the Events of Phantom Without Honor...
"Give me a reason not to kill you," Sesshomaru threatened.
It was the first night Meioshi had tried to run away from him and his camp. They were walking back to Heiwa from the undisclosed location of the beach. Meioshi had managed to carry her shell crib all the way to an open field. Sesshomaru wanted to stop along the edge of a forest for the night. Meioshi did not. She never does. He learned that night the subtle reason why... After she finished gathering her last wildflower for a small bouquet to place in her crib. He had startled her into dropping her findings and made her produce an interesting face. It was exaggerated and dramatic, but it was fitting for the childish refusal he had to put up with.
"Whoo! Heaven's sakes!" Meioshi replied, putting a hand to her chest. "Silly old dog, don't do that! Are you sure you even wish to know?"
"Hn," Sesshomaru grunted inelegantly. "You did all of that work building a campsite just to wander off in the prairie. You are either more foolish than I thought... or you are stronger than you let on. No human can enter the Netherworld without consequence. What demon are you really?"
"I'm not a demon, silly old dog!" Meioshi argued, picking up her flowers. "I'm just a human. A regular, old, boring human! I... I just prefer not to camp in forests. Open fields are nicer."
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at this and asked, "Why do you prefer so much space?"
Meioshi stopped toying with her flowers and stopped looking so annoyed at his lordship. There was a reason for it - a deeper reason for it. She then said softly, "The voices. Unfortunately, you're not going to understand what I mean because you're not a holy warrior or a Shinto guardian, but... my travels to the Netherworld do bear consequences. I say that I'm human, but, in reality, I... only feel half-human sometimes. My senses are different. I know they are. I hate that they are... because I can't escape those goddamn voices. The constant chatter, the ringing in my ears, the pressure on my head. It becomes unbearable. It happens the most - the hauntings and beckoning happen the most - when I'm on terrains similar to those in the Netherworld. The forest is a popular spot. So, I never camp there to free myself from the nightmares and pains. I'm not camping further away out of meanness. I've no ill will towards you, Lord Sesshomaru. I just don't want to be near the voices when I'm this vulnerable."
"I'm not a human like you. My hearing is acute. What voices could you possibly be hearing that I can't?" Sesshomaru questioned with a demanding tone in his voice.
"The burning and/or lost souls," Meioshi said gravely. "They want to end their suffering, but their fates have already been sealed. They've no scapegoat, and I can't show them any mercy. That's probably the hardest part about a doctor also being a holy warrior. The compassion and skillset a doctor possess wants to save as many lives as possible, but the holy warrior I must be can't save every life. I have to be far more careful with who I spare or give a second chance to, and a lot of times I have to let souls go despite the fact that their ailments are curable. That's always my greatest challenge. There are times when the people I desperately want to save want to move to the afterlife. I have the skill, medicine, or tools to help them, but that's not what they want. So, I have to watch them go and I do what I can to make them comfortable. They don't hate me for it, though. I hear their voices, too. I'm happy to hear them. It's the others that seem to want to crush me..., so I give them my blood. It's the only mercy I can give."
"What does your blood do for them? It feeds nothing," Sesshomaru said, not liking the idea of her cutting herself again.
"If they know how to use it, they can take a drop and purify themselves. We, holy warriors, are heightened in purity. A soul can save itself should we give them that small mercy. It's the only mercy I'm allowed to give," Meioshi admitted.
"... You are too kind to your enemies. That's why you can't heal as many people."
Meioshi huffed before smirking bitterly. She didn't look at him, but she did look out into the field of wildflowers. Wisps were coming out to play. She then said, "You'd be surprised at how many patients come to me when death approaches. If I find more men like you with a pretty face, I'll have a real business going!"
"I'm not a display," Sesshomaru argued. "Flattery will earn you no mercy, and your honesty is annoying."
"Unfortunately," Meioshi said with a light laugh. "I've no intention of softening you. You wouldn't be near me if I were a liar, though, would you?"
"I've no reason to be near you other than battle."
"Then, a humble good night, my lord," Meioshi said, bowing to him and continuing her flower collecting with some nearby wisps.
He didn't force her to camp with them. He merely watched her play and stargaze. It wasn't until she had finally gotten tired that she retrieved her shell crib and walked over to the spot that made her sleepy. He wanted to sleep near her, but... such a thing was strange to want. She was not Rin or Homugi. Given her power, Meioshi didn't need protection either. He was merely stuck there, watching her walk with a shell crib and arm full of flowers. The wisps were happy, though. He wound up sleeping in a spot that was in the middle of the path between her and Jaken that night for about an hour. When he had enough of his sleep being broken, he checked on her and then on Jaken. Calling her a child under his breath, he decided to rest by the fire and slept for a longer time there. When morning came, Meioshi was collecting pebbles and walking back to camp to cook breakfast. It was a peaceful morning... until Jaken started screaming.
"Witch, produce a chariot! My feet have grown numb from all that standing around watching you goof around to build camp."
"Of course, Lord Jaken. Shall I produce a waste bucket for you as well? To relieve thyself?" Meioshi asked with a low growl in her voice.
"You shall indeed!" Jaken said, marching over to his plate of food.