Otherworld 11: The Awakening
[This story is rated for Readers Over 16 for explicit sexual situations and violence]
Timeline: 13 years after Vashir's birth
Chapter 1 - Peaceful Days
The Unicorn Valley
Aara sat on the highest hill in the Unicorn Valley. In the distance sat her castle with its twin towers -- her home for centuries now. Life was a succession of ups and downs, peace and strife. For the last thirteen years, there had been peace. She wondered how long they had before the next period of turmoil. Before the next evil appeared in the world. She sighed deeply and turned away from the view. Better to watch the beautiful Unicorns. Perhaps they would dispel the worrisome thoughts from her mind.
Ever since the birth of her son Vashir, the Princess waited for the day that he would be taken from her. Every child born into her family had been created for a purpose. Vara for Suzaku, Jin-Kensi for the Black Tower and Jin-Kana for the Human World Barrier.
She felt -- no, she knew -- that one day her son would be called upon to fulfill his destiny and there would be no way to stop it.
Until then, there was nothing to do except cherish each and every day she had with him.
Laughter diverted her thoughts and she looked down the hill at the Unicorns. Two of them were running full out -- one with a golden mane and tail and one was pure white. Enki and Faeki. The boys were 12 and 13 respectively and their Unicorn forms reflected their young age. Born only a few months apart, the two boys were always together. Best friends forever. Faeki was the son of Sekki and Faracy while golden Enki was the son of Kiri and Sai and the future king of the Unicorns.
On another hill top, Kiri looked down on his son and Aara could sense his smile. She smiled in turn. The Unicorn Valley always brought her out of her black moods.
Aara's thoughts began to drift again, lulled by the warm afternoon sun. Her males were content. Ever since the incident with the star, Kurama had been much more demonstrative -- not as passionate as his Youko persona -- but more loving and gentle, not so distant. It was a pleasure being in his arms once again. Although that change was only seen in the bedroom -- at all other times, the Fox was still his rigid, cold self.
Hiei had finally forgiven her for preventing him from seeking revenge from Ga-Wane. A part of that had to do with the Moth Lord himself. For years now, he had done nothing except fix up his palace. Aara felt that it was because of Arina. He truly loved her and would do anything to make her happy. However, there was one thing that bothered Aara -- the fact that the Eastern Lands were closed to all. Bakura could not create a portal to the White Palace and even Lady Jaal's mirrors could not get a fix on the area. If any spy, Dragon or Demon Hawk, flew over, the Castle was instantly hidden by hundreds of Moth wings. What was he hiding? Aara shook her head -- if he was up to something, he was certainly taking his time. And the Moth was not known for his patience.
InuYasha was his usual happy self, exuberant about life in general. He and Aniki had become the best of friends -- especially after Kamui left for the Black Tower. Aniki missed his Bat partner but soon substituted InuYasha instead. The two were always going on patrol together, Aniki flying overhead while the Dog bounded high in the tree tops. The two were always teasing each other and fighting mock battles. Aniki was using the Banyruu once again and the Castle rang with the loud clang of the two giant swords. At least it did until either Aara herself or Kurama ordered them to take it outside.
Bakura, as always, was usually found in his tower -- reading, learning, practicing. Like all mages, he was hungry for more knowledge and with it, more power. Fortunately, his quest was to protect, not to overcome. Aara smiled to herself -- the quiet mage was the opposite in bed. The most passionate of all her males, Bakura's years of repression came out when he made love. It was always wild and full of abandon. Every time they made love, it felt like he had been away from her for years. The aching need inside of him.... Ah! She had nothing to complain about there! She always looked forward to his nights!
Shido had made a niche for himself -- becoming almost a nighttime Kurama. He was now in charge of the night guards and patrols and every morning, he would meet with the Fox and go over the events of the night.
Then there was Vash -- her beloved mate. Every moment was a joy! She never grew tired of being with him and she thanked the gods every day for giving him back to her.
Aara smiled to herself as she thought of her life -- her wonderful life! Tonight was InuYasha's followed by Aniki. That meant that it would be full of frolicking and fun. From both of them! She would get no rest tonight! She looked at the sun -- it was dipping low in the sky. Better get home and take a nap! She stood up and called out to the pure white Unicorn. "Faeki!! Time to go home!!"
The young Unicorn and his golden companion turned in her direction and then galloped full speed toward the Princess. At the very last moment, they both transformed and soon two boys stood in front of her. She laughed lightly -- they were always trying to make her jump but she was on to their tricks and never even blinked when they charged at her. The disappointment at her lack of reaction showed plainly on their faces.
"Aw! You never even flinched!" Enki moaned.
Aara laughed, and tousled his unruly blond hair. "Sorry, I'll try to act surprised next time."
Faeki looked very much like his father, Sekki, and his grandfather, Taiki. The same dark hair and gentle features. Enki looked like golden Sai, his mother, but his feisty temperament was more like his father when Kiri was young.
They said their goodbyes and Enki transformed back into his Unicorn form and galloped off to find his father, while Aara and Faeki walked out of the Valley. Four guards jumped to their feet when the Princess came out of the mist that covered the Valley and took their place -- two in front and two in back. After a pleasant walk of a few miles, they reached the ornate black iron gates of the Otherworld Castle.
Life was perfect!
The news had broken her heart.
When the young man had come through the portal and walked to the Village with the guard wolves, Kagome had been so happy to see her grand-nephew -- until she heard his news. Her beloved brother, Souta, had passed away at the age of 84. The funeral was in two days.
Kagome told her mother about Souta's passing and together the women found solace in their tears.
Kagome and her mother, along with Kouga, Kome and Kamara, had gone to the Human World for the funeral. Afterward, Souta's widow, Hitome, came to Kagome and sat down next to her.
"I have a favor to ask." she began.
"Of course! Anything I can do for you." Kagome said without hesitation.
"Could you stay for another few days more?" Hitome asked.
"I'm sure I could. What do you need me for?"
"My husband asked to be cremated and his ashes scattered on the long hill overlooking your Village." Hitome replied. "He loved Otherworld so much! But he always felt obligated to guard the portal, so he remained here instead of living with you and Mom."
Kagome looked at Hitome in surprise. "I never realized that! I thought he preferred to live in the Human World."
"Souta kept it from you so that you won't feel guilty about leaving. Since he couldn't live there, he asked that his ashes be taken there."
Tears filled her eyes as Kagome took Hitome's hands in hers. "I would be honored! Kouga and I will stay until they are delivered. Kome and Kamara can return home to their families this afternoon and Kome can do the patrolling for his father."
"Thank you, Kagome. It will mean a lot to him."
That night, Kagome lay in bed, curled in the arms of her Wolf. "I can't believe Souta never said anything. Once his children were grown, they could have taken care of the portal and he could have come across."
"But then he would have had to leave his family. I wouldn't have been able to do that and I don't think he could have done it either. He made his choice. Kagome, dearest, Souta had a long and happy life. Don't think for a moment that he didn't. He had a wife who loved him, children and grandchildren who all turned out to be great kids."
"You're right! I need to focus on the positive!" Kagome said. She lifted her head and kissed her mate. "I love you so much! And I am so lucky!"
"Yes, you are the luckiest girl in the world to have a wonderful mate like me!" Kouga laughed as Kagome punched his arm lightly. Then he bent to kiss her again.
They made love only that one time during their stay in the Human World.
Three days later, Kagome and her mother stood on the long hill over the Village carrying a small box with Souta's ashes.
"He had a long and happy life." Kagome said softly, echoing the words of her mate.
"Yes, he did." Mikoumi agreed. "But I will still miss him. I wish he had been able to spend more time with us. He loved Otherworld so much."
"Well, now he'll be a part of Otherworld forever." Kagome opened the box and sprinkled out the ashes. As if on cue, the wind caught the ashes and spread them over the land.
"Be at peace, my son." Mikoumi whispered as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
Three weeks later, Kouga slipped his arms around Kagome's waist and stopped suddenly. He pressed his hands lightly into her stomach.
"What is it?" Kagome asked, suddenly worried.
"We're going to have a baby!!" He exclaimed, and a wide smile began to form on his face.
Kagome turned to her mate. "That's not possible! We weren't in the Human World long enough and we made love only that one time!"
"What can I say? You're pregnant. Positively pregnant!"
Kagome looked at her mate, her expression reflecting her worry. "The Wolves will think less of you. This is our third child." She never forgot his words from that day on the beach in the Human World.
"Not this time! We only made love once and we weren't in the Human World very long -- the clan will consider this pregnancy the will of the gods and the baby a gift from them. Now, I've got to tell everyone!" Before Kagome could stop him, he rushed off to spread the news.
Kagome stood there, her hands on her stomach. "Oh, I forgot to ask him if it was a boy or a girl." In her mind, she thought she heard a small voice saying "boy." In a moment of blinding clarity, she knew that her brother was returning -- that he had been given a second chance to live in Otherworld, just like he had always wanted to. "Souta," she whispered.
Nine months later, Kagome gave birth to a dark-haired baby boy. When Mikoumi took the baby into her arms for the first time, she gasped and then burst into tears. She looked at Kagome.
"Yes, Mom, I know. I've known from the beginning. He's come back to us." Kagome smiled down at her new son. "I'm going to name you Kouta." And the baby laughed and reached for his mother.
Kouta was a happy boy, filled with joy and light. Kouta didn't have any memories of his prior life, but he learned everything about Otherworld amazing fast. Once he heard a fact, it imprinted instantly on his mind.
He looked just like Souta had when he was eight.
He was close to both Kagome and Mikoumi but he was still all boy. Kouga would put him on his shoulders and take him for long runs going full speed, and the boy loved it. He would laugh into the wind, tucked safely on his father's shoulders. Although he looked more Human than Wolf, he did have Wolf powers. All the wolves obeyed him and he was agile and quick. Kouga talked it over with Kagome and decided to give Kouta the two jewels from his arms when he turned thirteen. The boy could put them in his legs and help with the patrols just like his brother Kome did.
Kagome stood on the long hill with Kamara watching her mate running far below with Kouta. "They are quite a pair, aren't they?"
"I can't wait until he comes of age and gets his shards. I can just picture the three of them running together full out!" Kamara agreed.
"I'm so glad he got a second chance and found happiness here in Otherworld." Kagome said, referring to her brother. Kamara nodded and reached to take her mother's hand in her own.
The children trudged up the long hill after class -- just like their parents had, and their grandparents, and their great-grandparents. The hill overlooking the Village had always drawn people to it. On its gentle slopes they could sit and watch the Village spread out below them, but be far enough away that calls to come home could not be heard.
Atheo plopped down on the ground next to Tohru. He ran his fingers through purple hair which he inherited from his father, Athrun. "So, when are we going to mate?"
Tohru, the daughter of Aemi and Toboe, glared at the purple-haired boy and leaned away from him. "Never!"
"But it's was foretold. Even before we were born." Atheo insisted.
"You mean when our mothers got together and decided their children would mate? That's not foretelling -- it's only wishful thinking! And it's not going to happen! Ever!" Tohru exclaimed.
"Well, I think it's destiny. We were meant to be together." He moved a little closer.
"Go away!!" Tohru cried and moved even farther away. "Why couldn't you have taken after your father instead of your mother! Athrun is so nice!"
"And my mother isn't?" Atheo cocked his head and a smile played on his lips. He understood well about Cleao's forwardness and how she ruled the household -- just like his grandmother Mirago had.
"You know what I mean!" Tohru at least had the decency to blush at her faux pas. "Besides I'm a Wolf! Our lifemates are given to us by the gods." She turned to face Atheo directly. "And you aren't mine!"
Atheo laughed and laid back on the grass. He really didn't have any feelings for Tohru -- he just liked to tease her. He heard her huff in exasperation but she didn't move away. In spite of all the teasing, the pair were best friends.
A crash of thunder made everyone jump and then groans from the group filled the air. Atheo sighed. The Thunder Demon twins were always announcing their arrival with thunder -- and occasionally with lightning. It was getting old! "Give it a rest, you two!" He growled at them.
"We were just having fun." Amika said.
"Hey, don't apologize!" Azuma told her. "He's just jealous because we are Thunder Demons and he has no powers at all."
"I have powers!" Atheo jumped to his feet.
"Oh, yeah! I forgot -- you can make fox fire." Azuma laughed. "Want to see how fox fire stands up against lightning?"
Amika jumped in between the two boys. "Stop it -- both of you! We're supposed to be friends! Stop posturing -- the both of you! You're not impressing anyone!"
Atheo backed down first -- probably because he knew that fox fire was useless against Azuma's thunder powers. "Sorry."
Azuma stuck his hands in his pockets and shrugged. He didn't apologize -- but at least he stopped. Without another word, he turned and walked to the far edge of the hill and sat down. Amika sighed and followed after. Spread out below them was the Village. A village which one day they would protect -- with their very lives if need be. Their grandfather and sensei, Hiten, had instilled that in them deeply. The twins had been born with their mother Aline's powers, but not a speck of mage power from their father Al. Because of this, they were trained by Hiten and therefore took their powers and duties very seriously. This, coupled with a two year age difference, had estranged them from the other children. Unfortunately, neither of them had Al's innate sense of fun that might have bridged the gap.
However, there was one small speck of hope...
"Tell me -- do you like him?" Azuma turned to look at her.
"What? Who?"
Azuma nodded toward the purple haired boy whom he had just been teasing. "Him!"
"You mean Atheo? Gods above! No! Why would you think that?"
"I see you watching him in class. And you're always stopping me from teasing him."
"Oh." And a slow blush began to redden Amika's cheeks.
"You do!" Azuma swung around to face his sister. "How can you like him? He's so weak!"
Amika stared at the ground, embarrassed beyond belief. Her face was hot and she knew that she was bright red by now. "He's not weak." She whispered. "He's nice."
"Oh brother!" Azuma growled and turned back to face the village. "Of all the people! Him!"
Amika didn't say anything else, but she glanced towards the boy in question. He was so cute! She loved his smile and gentle ways. Maybe one day she would approach him and let him know how she felt. She felt herself redden even more. Yeah, right! Like he'd be interested in me! But her heart beat just a little faster just thinking about it.
Ayala was sprawled on the bed without a stitch of clothing on. She had come home early from patrol -- she had been feeling strange for a few days now. Like she was hungry for something but didn't have a clue what it was. Kome should be home in a short while -- he took the earlier patrol with his father while Ayala usually patrolled in the late morning. She couldn't wait for him to arrive!
A few minutes later, Kome walked into his house and sniffed the air. Ayala was home! "Ayala! Are you okay?" He called on the way to their room. No answer. He flung the door open and gasped. His mate was beckoning him to her side. And she was completely naked! "Ayala?"
"What? You don't recognize your own mate?"
"Yes, of course!" Kome moved to the bed and sat down. "It's just that ... ah, well ..."
"Shut up and take your clothes off!" She commanded, pulling on his furs. "I've been waiting for you!"
"You have?" Kome struggled with his footwear. "What's gotten into you? Are you sick?"
Ayala sat up. "I have to be sick to want to make love to my mate?" her voice began to sharpen.
"Well, you've never done this before."
"Are you going to make love to me or not?" Ayala demanded, suddenly very angry at her mate.
"No, not like this. What's wrong with you?" Kome raised his hand to feel her forehead but she slapped it away.
"Don't touch me! I hate you!" She growled and then burst into tears.
Kome rushed out of the house and went to fetch Kaede. "Something's wrong! She is having weird mood swings. She never acts like this!" He told the aged healer on the way back to his home.
A short while later, Kaede came out of the house to tell Kome her findings. "She'll be fine, Kome. Don't ye worry none!"
"Is she sick?" Kome asked with a worried frown.
"Not at all!" Kaede smiled at the Wolf. "She's just pregnant. Surprised ye haven't sensed it. Not spending too much time together, are ye?"
"Ah, well, not lately." Kome admitted with a blanch.
"Well, ye spent just enough time with her, didn't ye?" Kaede cackled with glee as she left the home, shaking her head at her own joke. "Just enough!!"
Kome blushed bright red, then suddenly remembered his mate and ran into the house. "Ayala?"
"I'm in here." Ayala was finishing dressing. "Kaede told you?"
"Yes." Kome looked at his mate. "Are you happy about it?"
"Of course I am!" Ayala snapped and then calmed herself down. "Sorry..." she said in a meek voice. "Kaede says that I'm having hormonal imbalance or something. Yes, I am very happy."
Kome smiled and embraced his petite mate. "Then so am I!"
In another part of the Village, in a little house built in the back of Aemi and Toboe's house, a young woman was humming contentedly. She too had a wonderful secret to share with her mate of three years. Her hands went down her flat stomach and pressed down. She could feel a tiny flicker of life. Their son....
She was sitting on the front porch waiting for her mate to come back from patrol. And time was dragging by. Finally she saw him approaching with Tekku. She waved and her mate parted from the Bobcat and jogged toward her.
"Hi, dearest!" Kira called as he got closed.
Sara went out to meet him, wrapped her arm tightly around him and then kissed him.
"Well! This is a nice greeting...." Kira said, then returned the kiss.
"I have a surprise for you." Sara told him.
"A surprise?" Kira frowned. "Did you try to cook something new?"
"No! And I am getting better! Kagome and Sango are teaching me...." Sara exclaimed.
"That's okay. I love whatever you make." Kira lied. At least he managed to keep most of the stuff down.
"Give me your hand." She said and without waiting, she grabbed his hand and placed it on her tummy. "Feel."
"Don't tell me you think you're getting fat!" Kira moaned. "Because you're not!"
"No!!" Sara said, exasperated. "Feel with your senses!"
Kira looked at the girl and then suddenly smiled widely. "Are we....?" He pressed in and then suddenly sensed the growing child. Just a tiny spark of life.... br>
"Oh, Sara!!" He lifted her into her arms. "A baby! We're having a baby!!"
"Yep! A Bobcat/Wolf/Human/Dragon mix." She laughed. "I can't wait to see what comes out!!"
Two days later the entire Village gathered for a huge party celebrating the two additions to their family. Kouga and Kagome were overjoyed about a new grandchild and Tekku and Kamara were happy with their first. Kara and Kiba came from the Western Lands to join in the festivities. The whole Village was overjoyed. Sara just might have a child with Great Dragon powers and then they would have two Dragons protecting their Village. Although, Sara didn't patrol, they knew she would use her powers if they were ever needed.
Much later, Kagome saw Kouga standing a little bit away from the party and went to him. "Something wrong?"
"Not at all! I just wanted to savor the moment." He put an arm around his beloved mate. "Isn't life wonderful?"
Kagome leaned into him a little and agreed. "Life is perfect...."