Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

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Mama,

I don’t have enough time to explain, please meet me in the village that’s just outside of the Thunder Brother’s Castle. Be there in five days time.

Bring Dad. Don’t be late!

Your son,
Shippou.

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When the letter arrived to the village of Edo, via demon messenger earlier that week, with contents containing the urgent request from her son. Kagome, like any other mother would, was quick to respond to her kit’s call.

With her bag packed, bow and quiver slung over her shoulder, and the wooden trunk that housed the precious pelt of Shippou’s father. She was northward bound that very night. No questions asked.

She was just now nearing the instructed, and very much abandoned, village after a four and a half day trek to get here.

If the red headed fox wasn’t hers by claim, the idea of carting a literal preserved carcass across the province would’ve spooked her out enough to bail completely. But it was for Shippou, and who was she to ever tell him no. Especially with a matter of importance like his family.

And despite her feelings of temporarily disrupting the dead, she found an odd comfort in letting the lingering spirit know what his son had been up to lately; a courtesy she could only hope that another would one day do for her, after her own passing. Especially when it involved her children's lives.

And surprisingly enough, the memorial box she carried turned out to be a wonderful conversationalist along her travels; Which consisted of four and a half days of her chatting away and never getting a single response back.

It had been so long ago since she had first met the young kit during the years of the shikon war, but she could still remember how heavy his grief weighed when it surrounded the topic of his biological father; A familiar territory that she too had to navigate at a young age after the passing of her own dad. So it was unsurprising that she took him in as her own, being kindred spirits and all.

But back then, Shippou was young and not ready to lay the last piece of his family to rest. So instead, Inuyasha had helped to build a box that would protect the pelt, while Kaede laid careful sutras over the box to seal and preserve the pelt for a later time.

And guessing by the recent letter, Shippou must be at least ready enough to ask his mom to deliver the remains.

“ Shippou—? “

Her voice called out amongst the ruins of the village after she rendered the area safe; the land’s energy was stagnant, minus her kit’s recent activity, for what seemed like years.

“ Over here! “

His voice called out before his red coloured head appeared from a few huts away. Waving her over with his toothy smile.

“ I’m so happy that you got my letter, I was starting to get worried. “

The kit confessed when she finally reached him and was able to finally set the trunk down, just in time to catch her son mid launch, and into her waiting embrace. All her motherly worries drained from her body, being able to physically see that her child was safe after being apart for some time now.

“ I’m sorry I made you worry— I stayed up late catching your dad up on all your latest accomplishments. I totally ended up sleeping in later and lost more daylight than expected yesterday. “

She admitted sheepishly while setting him down, ruffling his mop and taking a good look at him— making sure he was sound for the final time. Though taller now, he was still her chubby cheeked guy.

“ Mama! “

He laughed out, with a shake of his head. His unsurprised, but amused expression, over her reasons for a late arrival was written clear as day over his freckled features.

“ Anyways— you got me this far, now tell me what’s going on and why did I have to lug your Dad all the way out here? “

She quipped while setting down the remainder of her belongings inside the hut Shippou had apparently been camping out in.

“ I found her! “

He exclaimed without much context, but with how he was now rummaging through his pack, there had to be more to it.

“ Who’s her? “

“ Mom. Like my birth mom— “

He eventually answered while removing an aged looking sheet of parchment that had been folded up an excessive amount of times.

” Woah, okay— that’s huge. How are we feeling, are we okay or? “

Kagome fumbled out in surprise, with a sudden need to sit down taking over her limbs. Over the years the conversation of Shippou’s mother had been nearly non-existent, as she had passed on before he could really form a memory of her, just a second hand one from all the stories told to the young kit by his sire. So this wasn’t a situation that she had been expecting.

“ I know— But one of the members of her pack came to the academy last week and recognized me. Said that he knew her during their academy days— he ended up giving me a map so that I could possibly find her home village, potentially even her resting place. “

He explained in a rush of words, all while unfolding the coordinates in hand, and spreading them out on the floor of the hut.

“ So I went looking for it, and found it, well I think I found it— only thing is, it’s protected by a barrier so I couldn't get close. “

He looked up at her then with a knowing look in his emerald eyes. Hence the reason he wrote to the one person he knew that would be able to dispel the wards.

“ And now you need me to bust down the barriers? And how do you know if you can even trust this guy anyways? “

She countered while trying to rapidly process everything that was happening only to be left with a spinning head of questions.

“ Exactly— that way I can reunite Dad with her, and finally pay my respects. “

This kid always knew how to play upon her heartstrings. His kindness and compassion for others truly knew no bounds in her opinion; Even when he deliberately ignored her follow up question about the stranger, which only raised her suspicions but she didn’t want to discourage his excitement.

“ Oh Shippou— you’re too good sometimes…

alright, alright… We will at least look into it, but I get free reign to worry! “

Her agreement was met with a whoop of celebration, while she attempt to read the provided map, but it seemed to be protected by unfamiliar and strange magic.

“ About another half day’s travel or so from here, I figured we could leave at dawn and arrive by noon tomorrow. “

His eagerness was infectious, despite the inkling of trouble that seemed to sit at the base of her spine. But as long as they were cautious, there shouldn’t be too much harm in at least scoping the place out.

“ Then we better set up camp and prepare for tomorrow then, huh? “

Chapter Text

That next morning, just as dawn began to seep into the sky above them. The Priestess and her young kit enjoyed a drowsy, but simple breakfast before packing up their minimal supplies and starting the short journey towards their destination.

Although the distance was short, the conversation was consistent between the pair as Shippou filled his adoptive mother in on all the happenings at the Academy this term. So by the time they walked most of the morning, had a quick break to replenish themselves, and carried onwards, it was nearing noon as the fox was finishing up yet another story.

“ And then I ended up using foxfire to fix it, which it did— but I still ended up having to stay late after class! “

Their conjoined laughter was bright and airy against the warming summer air around them. Unfortunately it was only for a moment longer before Kagone began to feel the ominous energy up ahead. So she used her last chance to pry deeper into the kit’s thought process and feelings for this whole mission, just so she could better understand.

“ So Shippou, about this guy who supposedly knew your mom… are you sure we can trust him— I just have this feeling… “

She questioned gently with honest concern. The last thing she ever wanted to happen was for him to get his hopes up, just for things to pan out in a way that breaks his heart further.

“ Honestly Mama, I have the same feeling. But after all these years of looking for a possible lead and coming up empty handed… I was starting to feel hopeless, kinda like I’d never find out where I really came from— “

The kit started and paused, his hands never stopping their anxious fumblings upon the hem of his shirt. His heart was filled with mixed emotions about his curiosity surrounding his heritage, and wanting to know everything there is to know. But he also felt guilt for potentially hurting Kagome’s feelings by seeking these answers, especially after everything she’s done for him.

But regardless, he had made his decision that he’s just gotta find out. No matter what…

“ And then this guy comes out of nowhere and said that he knows about my birth mom, of all things… I'll admit that I was swept up in the moment at first. But now that I had time to think about it, there’s definitely a whole lot of doubt starting to creep up on me—

Because you’re likely right. This whole thing is more likely than not, a complete trap. But what if it’s not, and I miss the only chance to find some kind of connection to my family…“

His voice was threatening to break as all the emotions bubbled in his throat. But all of it stopped when he felt his chosen mother pull him into a sideways hug while they continued to walk the pathway to the potential answers to his questions.

“ Then this is the chance we take together. I can’t promise you that we’ll find anything buddy, but we won’t leave until we have a solid answer, alright? ”

She whispered into the top of his hair as she held him tightly for a moment, then eventually let him go at the risk of dropping dear old boxed dad from trying to balance him with one hand.

“ Thanks Mama, I knew I could count on you. “

“ You know I’m always up for a crazy adventure, as long as everyone stays safe and doesn’t lose an arm again— “

She joked, specifically about a particular Daiyoukai that she had become acquainted with over the years. Nothing fancy, but he at least acknowledged her existence when he came to visit Rin at the village now.

“ Don’t let Lord Sesshomaru hear you say that, remember how he almost removed Inuyasha’s ear with a chopstick the last time he joked about it. “

Groaning at the reminder of how she spent the rest of her New Year’s Eve stitching up the nearly detached ear of her ex. It was a memory she was all too willing to forget.

“ Ugh… Don’t even remind me— “

Just when the kit was about to dive into his mom’s past, much to her dismay, his attention was drawn towards the barrier that loomed ahead, while he pointed forward.

“ Look, there it is. “

As they approached the perimeter, Kagome’s reiki was singing beneath her skin as she placed down the wooden box to better investigate. The power that contributed to the barrier was ancient and unfamiliar to her. Whatever it was protecting beyond its borders was certainly important.

“ It’s barely detectable, I’m surprised you were able to find it on your own… “

Kagome said as she probed the walls of the barrier with caution by using the tip of a sacred arrow. Had her own spiritual level not been ridiculously untapped, she was almost certain that she wouldn’t have been able to find this place herself either.

“ What do you mean— it’s shimmering like gold stars. “

The kit said as he placed his bare hands against the barrier and pushed, only to be met with resistance. While his mother’s heart rate soared just by watching him be so careless around the unknown power.

“ Would you be careful— and what do you mean it’s shimmering gold? It’s basically transparent. “

“ Just like I said, the barrier is covered in gold. I don’t know how else to explain it. “

Shippou countered before he spread his arms out wide and leaned his entire body weight forwards and against the wall.

“ It kinda feels like a hug— “

He muttered while soaking up the warmth that the glittery energy emulated.

Curiously, Kagome reached her hand out without any reiki and touched the barrier, only to be met with a sharp zap and a startled cry as she retreated her hand back into her waiting grasp.

“ Son of a bitc—— Kami, that hurt! “

She cursed while frantically waving her shocked hand, trying to rid the numbness from her fingertips. Shippou tried to show concern for the priestess, but he found it hard not to let the ripple of laughter spill out from behind his hands as he tried to manually contain it.

“ Hush you— “

She shot with a single glare towards her kit, while her reiki summoned in rapid demand; Her frustration towards the barrier rose in tandem with her stubborn nature.

“ Listen here barrier, I’m not the one to mess with— “

Her warning only perked up the fox’s attention as he watched his mother prepare her stance. Spiritual energy swarmed around the priestess in a violet hue before it connected with gold in a flash of power that caused the kit to cover his eyes as he stumbled on his way to retrieve the wooden box.

Whispered words of the enchantment kissed the Miko’s ears in a language she didn’t recognize. But it didn’t stop her power from surging forward, creating an opening within the sealed walls; The once still air now whipped and stirred with the fierce winds of power versus power.

“ Okay stay close, I’ll hold it open long enough for us to slip in— no sense breaking the seal until we know what’s exactly inside! “

She instructed her son, who quickly followed his mother’s lead inside the barrier. And remained at her side until the hum of reiki was once again dormant. Only then did he take the time to look around in pure awe.

“ Are you seeing this mama—? “

Chapter Text

His voice nearly floated in the moss covered world around them. This place had to have been unseen for some time and the earth-eaten structures that littered the surrounding area only proved that observation for the Miko and her kit.

“ I am— it looks like an old shrine— “

She whispered out in return, curious blue eyes never leaving the rubble beyond. A once beloved shine, now a decaying place of prior worship to a kitsune deity, all illuminated by the golden hues of the barrier.

Every bit of this place was so lost to time, so full of stillness, yet brimming with aged magic— that it could’ve been a fantasy painting in her opinion.

“ It’s really beautiful here.. “

Kagome finished before finally turning back to face her son who stood frozen, wide eyes threatening to pour with unshed tears. Her heart sinking with worry at the sight.

“ Shippou? “

Reaching for him immediately, he snapped out of his trance like state upon her contact, as Kagome pulled the now shoulder-height kid into her form protectively.

“ I’ve been here before… “

His voice was soft and filled with longing for memories that remained uncovered, but still surfaced enough that he could recognize the scent; Sandalwood and water lily—

“ I can’t remember exactly when, but I know I recognize this place somehow. “

Glad to have his mother grounding him within that moment as he tried to explain with shaking hands. It was so much to process with such little information, that the kit found himself quickly overwhelmed as his breathing picked up in a sudden drowning panic.

“ Hey… it’s alright— take a minute to breathe through it. I’m right here. “

She murmured while she rubbed the outer sides of his arms with comforting intent.

“ Once you’re good, and if you’re still feeling up to looking around, maybe something will help you remember. “

Her reassurance was always exactly what the fox needed to be able to find the bravery within his heart, and to face any challenges ahead. But this time, he was still left feeling uncertain about the possibilities that hung heavy in this forgotten land before them.

“ Can you stay with me? “

He wondered after a few minutes when he was finally released from her hold, but not for long as he returned the attention by gripping the cuff of her priestess garb— just as he did when he was smaller.

“ Are you kidding me, I promise you, you’re stuck with me kiddo— indefinitely. “

With ease of a mother’s nurturing ways, the priestess pried his hand from her sleeve and interlocked their hands together. Which in turn caused the kit’s worries to settle enough for him to flash his mother a comforted smile.

“ Okay— I’m ready as I’ll ever be, mama. Thank you. “

His readiness couldn’t have come at a better time before the singular ripple of disturbance in the air washed over the atmosphere in an eerily chilling way. But that ripple was quick to become a steady stream of darkness when the sound of an ear piercing scream lured them further in without hesitation.

With blood pumping with a jolt of adrenaline, Kagome was quick to equip himself with her bow and notched a sacred arrow with memorized ease.

“ Stay close! “

She ordered as they headed deeper into the shrine grounds, scanning every corner as they ran to whatever lay ahead.

“ I think it’s coming from that way! “

Shippou announced while pointing towards one of the very few buildings left standing in the distance. But the closer they got to the small structure, the thicker the looming darkness seemed to gather around them. Until the density of the dark consumed all but the air that hung heavily within her lungs. Smothering her senses almost completely.

“ Shippou, don’t let go of me. “

Kagome ordered as she summoned her reiki to her bow, its usual lavender shine now muted and dull against the smog as they continued to approach and then stepped beneath the building’s archway.

Straight away, Kagome knew that they needed to retreat immediately. Especially when she noticed the scorched sutras that littered the rotten floor around them, followed by the tidal wave of power that rushed towards the pair. But before she could turn to Shippou, the terrified Miko felt his hand being forcefully ripped from her grasp.

“ Mama— Help me! “

Her kit screamed out a heartbeat later, his hands extending toward her as a hooded being pulled him away and moved them both further into the darkness. The only detail that Kagome had time to take into account was the golden and black lines that covered a large set of tanned arms. And then the smog swallowed both the one person she promised to always protect, and his captor.

“ Shippou! “

She desperately cried into the void, only to be met with silence and the box that still contained the kit’s father.

Immediately, she was ready to run after her son and the sorry bastard that took him, but only after she was able to recollect the prized box, just to fail in her first few steps towards the direction of her son when she felt something sinister wrap around her ankles and legs. Its quick creeping motions instantly caused her to fall towards, slamming harshly into the wooden floor below with a grunt.

Upon impact, she felt the tight pull of the creature that now had its hold around her entire body within seconds; easily eliminating all possibilities of immediate escape as she could physically feel the strange force begin to siphon her flaring reiki while she struggled against its hold.

And if the situation couldn’t get any worse, unfortunately for the Miko, the old structure around her began to sink and crumble on top of her; as if the earth itself was starting to swallow everything within its path completely whole.

“ No— no- nonono! “

Another attempt to summon her powers to purify whatever had her in its clutches ended up becoming useless as she was harshly flipped onto her back, knocking the wind out from her lungs.

All too soon, the priestess found herself trapped between the wooden box and a nightmare inducing creature.

While the horrifying being made of darkness itself continued to pin her against the dilapidating building floor, Its red eyes burned into her as she felt the hot tears freely fall from her own.

She needed to get out of this, she had no other choice in fear of her untimely demise.

So again she tried to summon her powers with a last resorting scream, doing everything she could to push against the being only to be met with a fanged smile.

“ 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙨— 𝙉𝙤𝙬, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚.“

It breathed out in a monstrous tone as the walls began to falter and crack the further the ground below continued to consume everything in its path, along with the fear within her heart.

“ I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t take anythi— “

“ 𝙎𝙄𝙇𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀! ”

It demanded by picking her body up and once again slamming her against the splintering surface with a winded groan, her head taking most of the force leaving her vision blurry. Soon after, it moved its shadowed body closer, chilling her person to near freezing temperatures before continuing to spit its vile words in her face.

“ 𝙒𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣— 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚.“

And before another chance of escape showed its light, the darken creature was first to strike just as the building finally gave way. Burying them both beneath the surface of the earth, along with all hope that remained within the Miko’s heart.

Chapter Text

“ We need to set our scouts to the southern shores, the unrest between the wolves and the bear yokai are rising— “

Barked the echoing voice of one general above another official of the Inuyokai council.

“ We cannot worry about any of the other provinces when we have our own people within the West to take care of. The famine months are creeping upon us, and especially after the droughts we faced recently— “

Shouted out another in response, only adding to the nonsense that was the never ending bickering circle of egos surrounding the great Diayoukai of the Western lands. The Killing Perfection himself, Sesshomaru.

It was another typical irritating day when it came to meeting with the group of demons that made up the interior of his inner court; All but one were appointed by his late father during his reign, but the rest still had some worth left for the betterment of his lands. Otherwise it would be days like today that he found himself debating on killing them all where they currently stand, annoyingly in his presence.

Instead, he took this time to ponder on thoughts of his young ward and how she had been fairing in his absence, now that she spends her time fully emerged within her studies, all under the Miko‘s careful eye.

Not that he would trust just anyone with the young girl in his charge, but since the human woman had proven her value on more than a few occasions, it made for an easy decision to leave her with his most prized possession. Rin. Where the human girl would receive a proper education for a human child.

But unfortunately for the Miko, this meant that she was constantly occupying precious time that his ward usually spent in his company. Leaving him feeling rather indifferent towards the miko’s presence as of late, and possibly a minuscule amount of jealousy. Not that he would ever admit such a thing out loud.

“ Lord Sesshomaru? “

Besides, Rin was his. The little human child was as close to having a pup as he was going to have in this century, so he was honour bound to protect and provide for the girl for the remainder of her life. Even if it meant having to share her precious time and attention with another.

Though in her absence the idea of procreating a more— equipped heir to the western lands, wasn’t a ridiculous sounding notion as it once was. Plus, Rin would make a suitable elder sibling…

“ Your thoughts, Lord Sesshomaru? “

“ hm. “

Vague and to the point on account of his withdrawal from the conversation in its entirety, his meaning was as clear as it was unspoken; Get out.

“ We shall take our leave then, Sire— “

Said the only reasonably minded general amongst the brood, while bowing respectfully in his direction. But to his credit, Ryo had known the Diayoukai for many moon cycles now, so reading his subtle remarks and body language was nearly second nature at this point of time.

Back when they were mere younglings learning the art of the sword together, the pair were rivals right up until they hit maturity. It wasn’t until the brown haired demon lost his right eye protecting his lord during the fall of his late father, the Inu no Taisho. That their rivalry settled into brotherhood.

“ That would be favourable, Masashi. “

Sesshomaru answered curtly, not bothering to stand while sending the tiresome group away.

But before they could all make their exit from the strategy room within the lunar palace, a dark wave of power surged across what could only be the entire continent from the sheer magnitude of its pulse. Causing them all, the Diayoukai included, to face towards the eastern windows in time to witness the black pillar of light in the far distance.

“ That is impossible— “

Sounded one astonished general in a daze at the raw power that clung in the air around them. It’s dark energy kissing every inch and corner of the land, no matter whom the territory belonged to.

Whoever it was, their presence did not go unnoticed.

“ There were no reported expectancies with any of the other high lords during the last recon… I don’t understand— “

Barked another just as the pillar thinned until its disappearance. Leaving them all clueless in its wake, besides Sesshomaru himself.

“ It is simple. That was not the birth of a new Diayoukai. That was the rebirth of a Kami— “