The Gods Among Us by Aurele
Caged birds Flight
Chapter 1
Caged Birds Flight
Author Notes: This is just a drabble from a dream I had. It’s my first time writing a story, especially a fan-fiction. I hope you enjoy. This is rated MA for later chapters. It will be a Sess/Kag fanfiction but it does include a small bit of Inu/Kag.
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. All credit belongs to Takahashi, Rumiko-sensei.
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“My lady, we must go. This is our chance.”
Rough hands calloused from many battles gripped the slender shoulders of Princess Naoko, much gentler than she expected. She looked into his gray eyes, there was a slight glint of restrained anger within his gaze. He was bleeding from a wound on his brow, it dripped slowly down the side of his face. His other hand gripped his katana, knuckles turning white from the pressure. He was not wearing his chest armor this night, caught unprepared for battle. His side marred by a jagged blade.
“I understand general, just give me a moment. “
She readjusted the bundle in her arms as she gazed upon the flaming debris of the Higurashi Castle. The sky was tinged in a scarlet haze, embers rising and fluttering in the wind as her home was razed into ashes. The cries of her clansmen pierced the night between the thunderous clang of metal. Her father had fallen upon the blade of one of the invaders as he lead the counterattack at the main gate. Her young brother, not yet a man, bravely held off the attackers outside her room just long enough for their escape. His scream still ringing in her ears. She wanted to fall, to cry out, but she knew she needed to be strong.
‘“Princess.. there is no more time to linger. Come”
The general pulled her along into the forest, guiding his charge through the thick underbrush clearing as much of a path as he could with a small sword he had grabbed from the armory. If the gods were still on their side, they would be fortunate enough not to encounter any youkai this night having already met with a mortal devil. They had snuck through the hidden tunnels beneath the castle as soon as the enemy reached her private wing. There had been speculation that an attack was imminent, but his Lord had hoped the reparations paid would have quelled the little Lordlings anger. Instead, Lord Noritaka brought fifteen thousand men to lay waste to the Higurashi clan. He sighed, there was a long travel ahead of them, they had to make it across the western border which was still several miles away. He knew Lord Noritaka would soon follow after them once he discovered the princess was missing. They still had some time before the entire castle could be searched and he hoped that would be enough.
General Hirohito turned taking in the princesses condition as he walked. Her pale skin seemed to shine against the blackness of the night, there was a slight flush across her delicate features accompanied by a slight film of sweat upon her brow. Her cobalt eyes seemed unfocused as she tried to keep up with the pace he set. Yet, she held onto the bundle in her arms with a strength that astonished him.
“If I need to carry the babe, let me know. I do not want you to collapse before we reach the border.We may not have time to rest.”
“She is safe within my arms just get general.” Her gaze seemed to refocus as she glared into his back. Her kimono had begun to catch on the low branches and bush as she struggled forward. Each time, it felt as if a small blade had been dragged across her skin.
“Have you decided on a name, Princess?”
Her hands began to tremble as she slowly pulled back the cloth that protected her child. She gazed at her daughter with pride, she was just as stunning as she had dreamed. The same delicate features as her own, but a touch of something otherworldly as her father had been. Silky smooth skin and hair as black as the night. She was so small and quiet, only responding with small smiles when touched. She remembered her love, Nagi. He was a beautiful man, so much more than any man or youkai. She had met him during an outing in the forest, coming across him bathing within a clear stream. She had fallen in love as soon as he spoke. His deep tember wrapped his words around her heart, digging deep. He had courted her for nearly three years before she learned she was pregnant. Their love affair had been a secret, until another lord had come for her hand.
Naoko allowed the tears she had held to fall. She had hoped to hold them at bay until there was a private moment, but now the fear of losing her daughter seized control. If Noritaka caught them, he would surely kill the babe. He had obsessed over having her since their first meeting, when he had learned that she had fallen in love and denied his suite, he went mad.
Naoko gently traced a finger over her infants small cheeks, pushing the horrible memory from her mind she answered the general.
“Her name is Kagome, Kagome Higurashi.”
With a small grunt her guard recited the ceremonial naming rites.
“Upon this spring night, beneath the eyes of the Heads of the Higurashi Clan, we name thee Kagome. Heiress to Higurashi Castle, last remaining of her Clan. May her life be long and fruitful. May her spirit be strong, her sword swift and her reign prosperous.”
“Thank you, Hiro.” humbled Naoko used his nickname from her younger years.
Silence settled between the two as the path grew harder and harder to travel. The darkness of the night would soon give way to the rising sun, stripping them of their only cover.
Several hours passed and Naoko was beginning to slow, the adrenaline of their escape wearing off and the difficulties of her labor were taxing her already worn body. Hiro’s wounds had begun to take their toll as well, he was not longer as steady on his feet as he had been, his small sword had begun to slow. An ominous weight had begun to bear down upon both, the noises of the forest had ceased and in it’s place the cry of hounds. Noritaka was close. Naoko slowed to a stop, she pulled back the covering once more and leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead. She called out to her guard.
“I need you to promise me something Hiro.”
“Anything. Anything my lady.”
“Promise me you will find a safe place for Kagome, protect her from the vengeful Hands of Noritaka. Shield her from the Higurashi name if you must.”
Confused, Hiro just nodded as Naoko walked to him, she took the small blade from his hands and in it’s place she rested Kagome in his arms. She stared into his eyes once more, gaze unwavering as she commanded him.
“Leave me Hiro, I will face Noritaka and give you more time. He is only after me.”
He clenched his fist in anger. Snarling as he ground out.
“No! It should me be me Princess! I am merely a general to the Higurashi Clan, you are my Princess! I have sworn my life to you and yours.”
“Then I demand you follow my orders now! I will tell him I left alone, my guard perished in the hidden tunnels if he asks. All who knew of my pregnancy are long dead except you Hiro.If it was you that faced him, he would know that I was still out there running. He would never give up even if we crossed the border. Please, please give my daughter a chance to live!”
They stared into each other's eyes gray clashing with cobalt, their strong wills battled for dominance. A ray of sunlight bathed Princess Naoko in a celestial glow, silken ebony strands danced in the wind as she stood tall against her general, her grip upon his blade firm.
“Go Hiro.”
Tears clouded the general eyes as he turned from his princess, careful not to harm the babe, he continued into the forest. He could not bare to look upon her again. He ran this time, ignoring the pain from his wounds. He knew he was close to the western territory, there would be a town just passed its border. Time seemed to slow as the hounds cries grew louder and more frantic behind him, the vision of Naoko bathed in light stayed within his mind. Finally after some time they quieted down. There was silence, then the unmistakable cry of his princess. She must have ended her life upon his blade or Noritaka’s.
He knew he had crossed the western border long ago, the sounds of town started to reach his ears. The forest began to thin, the underbrush clearing to leveled ground. He was finally on a dirt road. Slowing, he walked toward the entrance of the small village.
All around there was a hustle of men and women as they traded goods in the streets. He surmised that this was a small merchant village, as many different clans gather together. Thier armored guards stationed around treasured caravans, their embroidered flags carried high for all to see. An older woman took notice of him, a look of horror upon her features. She began to rush over as his gaze seemed to dim. His arms began to weaken, his legs trembling to support his weight and before he knew it, he began to fall. Fearing that he would fall on Kagome, he tried to turn as his body failed him.
Thankfully the woman as able to prevent his fall with the help of another man. His vision had failed him, he could barely focus as he uttered out.
“The child, the child…”
Darkness.
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He awoke latter in a small hut, anxiety took over as he did not see Kagome. He tried to get up but cried out in excruciating pain from the quick moment. The old woman entered the hut, he took a moment to study her as best she could. She was of small stature, gray hair framed a seasoned face, her hands gave away a life of hardship, but her smile showed such gentleness. She wore the robes of a miko, which could have accounted for the black eye patch over her right eye.
“Where is the girl?” he mumbled through pained breaths.
“She is safe in the bassinet in the corner, would you like to see her.” the woman said as she laid a cool cloth over his forehead.
“Please.”
The woman turned and moved out of his gaze only to bring a wide awake Kagome within his line of sight. As he stared into her open eyes, tears began to fall as he let out a sob. He turned his head toward the wall of the hut as he let out a shuddered breath between his cries. She had the same cobalt eyes as Naoko. Turning to look at Kagome again, he reached out his hand to lightly caress her cheek. Her skin was softer than anything he had ever felt and the glowing smile she gave him seemed to warm his entire body. He steeled himself for what he had to do.
“Her name is Kagome, she is..she is my daughter. My village was attacked, and her mother perished. Are you this villages miko?”
“Aye, my name is Kaede. I have been the Miko here for near 30 years. What is your name sir?”
“ Hiro, just Hiro. I can feel it in my bones, I don’t have much time left. Could you find it with your heart to take my daughter under your care?” His breaths became labored, a harsh gurgling rattle began to accompany each exhale.
Kaede knew from the moment she gazed upon this man's wounds, that he would not be long in the world. She had studied him while he was unconscious, he was of muscular build, his clothing spoke of wealth and finery, yet he was most certainly a man of war. The hard yet fine features of his face spoke of good breeding, perhaps a noble family. She wondered where this stranger had come from, bloodied and carrying a babe that looked no more than a day old. She had already acquired the permission of the village elder should the need to adopt the child come up. She could feel the change in his soul, it was clinging to his damaged body as he fought to make sure his daughter was in good hands.
“Aye, I will take her as my own. She will be raised her until she is of age.” She saw him nod this head in thanks.
He smiled as his vision slowly clouded over, his arm falling to hang off the side of the bed. He saw her within his final moments, Naoko shrouded in that celestial light, this time instead of the haunting stare she had left him with, this time she gazed at him with a teary smile.
“Thank you Hiro.”
Kaede watched as his eyes lost their light, his chest no longer moved, his soul extinguished. She sighed as she looked at the beautiful child within her arms.
“What have I gotten myself into.”
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Aurele:
Thank you for reading! I should be updating pretty frequently. Depending on the details this could be anywhere from 15-20 chapters. Leave a comment or critique.