Set 1 - Theme 1 - Beginnings - Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic
This is the start of my own A/U story "Child of Ashes". I will be using the one hundred themes of set one to weave the tale. Enjoy.
Set One - Theme One - Kagome/Sesshoumaru Romantic
Story Title: Child of Ashes
Section Title: One - The Nothing Child
Warnings: This will become a set of interconnected stories/drabbles.
Universe: AU
Rating: PG-13 (R/NC-17 sections will be edited and placed on separate sites)
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Summary: It was all wrong. She was the Nothing Child. Why did the Continent expect so much when her Stone had never settled? They claimed prophecy, but still... she was the Nothing Child.
- - - - -
In the Year 3016
Mushin District - Tamoto Province of the Continent
"She should be destroyed," the sorceress sneered. "Do you see her stone? It does not choose a Color. She will die. Do not prolong her suffering. Surely she is in great pain."
"My baby," the newly made mother cried out. "My precious little Kagome. Don't do this to her. She's special. Can't you feel it?"
"White Priestess," a midwife leaned over her body, attempting to take the silent child out of her arms. "She has no sound. She has not cried. There must be something wrong. And, her Stone... it hasn't settled. This always happens when the child is not meant to live. I am sorry, but we cannot allow such pain."
"No!" she cried out, solid pink heat shooting out of her extended palm. Eyes flashing white, she shielded her newborn and vanished from the birthing room.
- - - - -
10 Years Later
Iysashi Boundary Island - Outskirts of the Continent
"Kaede," Kagome called, rolling the milky white Stone on the table. "Why doesn't my Stone look like yours?"
The old woman smiled. "You're special, Kagome. You always have been. Don't you remember what I told you about your real Mama? She was a very important priestess for the Continent."
"Tell me the story," the young girl begged. "Tell me about the White Priestess."
"Ten years ago," Kaede relented, repeating the story that had passed through her mouth hundreds of times. "There was a special priestess in the service of the Continent who fell in love with a common mortal man. The House of Judgment was very upset. She married below her station, and they threatened to kick her out of the Temple and kill the man if she did not leave him. So, for the sake of her husband, she returned and delivered a beautiful daughter while in the Continent's care."
Kagome beamed as she recognized her role in the story. "That's me!"
"Yes," Kaede chuckled. "It is. Now, when the White Priestess gave birth to her daughter, the young child was unlike anything they had ever seen before. A Stone is usually one of the Seven Colors. Yours, however, is not. The Continent did not realize that your Stone has the ability to change its Color."
"And that's what makes me special?" The small girl wondered.
"Yes, that is what makes you very special, Kagome." With wise eyes, Kaede shifted her gaze to the brewing seas, her mind racing with the future that awaited her charge. "One day, they will return for the Nothing Child."
- - - - -
Same Year
Taer Province - Youkai Territories
“We are close,” the old youkai witch whispered, her ancient voice unable to speak any louder. “I can feel the power now. Soon. Soon the Shikon will awaken.”
“Why did you call me, Yusari?” The young demon lord asked. “I have heard your prophecies many times.”
The female known as Yusari smiled. “You are the Chosen, Sesshoumaru.”
“Impossible,” he argued, his mind reeling even though he maintained a calm façade.
Her withered hands rose to press against his stomach. “There are words here, yes?”
Unable to speak, Sesshoumaru nodded.
“Protector,” she pressed into his abdomen. “The one persona She cannot carry. She will never protect her own body. This is your destiny, Sesshoumaru. Be the Guardian that is engraved into your soul.”
‘Guardian.’ So often, Sesshoumaru had seen the word inscribed into his flesh, always wondering what meaning there could be. From his birth nearly two thousand years before, he had carried the secret in his skin. Lately, it burned and itched. The time was soon at hand. “I will find Her.” He promised.
Yusari laughed. “Look all you like, young lord. She will find you when the time is right.”
- - - - -
10 Years Later - 3036
Iysashi Boundary Island - Outskirts of the Continent
"You must go. We have no choice." Kaede soothed, speaking to the now grown woman. "My eyes are failing, Kagome. I would only slow your escape."
Tears filled her gray gaze. "You can't do this! Why are you sending me away?"
"It is no longer safe for you here, child. You must go."
Clutching the small, opalescent Stone to her chest, she nodded, hesitantly. "Will you be safe here?"
The old woman's wrinkled face twisted with a smile. "All will be as it should."
It was her way of saying that she did not know the answer. Kagome attempted a happy gesture of her own, and she was thankful when Kaede did not comment on her failure. This was the way it had to be. This was the moment she had grown up knowing would come. It would be difficult to strike out on her own and find the man sworn to be her protector from birth, but it had to be done.
It was her destiny. The Nothing Child would save the world. The prophecies were never wrong.
"Call the Rogue." Kaede instructed. "She will help you to the borders. You should not be seen. The Continent is close, Kagome. Hold your noise."
This was to be the last time she ever saw her young charge. The moment could not be filled with thoughts of love; it was time for instruction and final tactic plans to be laid. Together, they had many years of joyful memories that could be reflected upon.
Now was not the time.
Kagome nodded in agreement and closed her eyes to summon the Second Soul of her Stone. Rogue. Next to the White, it was her least known Familiar. Warrior and Healer were common companions that she often called upon, but Rogue was a ruthless mercenary who did not think before she pulled her dagger. She would do anything to maintain her stealth.
And today, it was what Kagome needed.
Like a forgotten ghost, the whisps of power slipped around her form as she allowed the harsh ki to encase her, making her into something else entirely.
- - - - -
Same Year
Taer Province - Youkai Territories
“You will take this.” Yusari smiled, holding out a thin reed scroll. “I believe it would be a fine day to visit the sea.”
The demon lord paused only moments away from exiting the premises. The old witch had a way about her that could cause even the strongest of creatures to shudder. When she offered a plan of action, it was best to follow. “Do you have suggestion as to where I would like to look out over the water?"
Withered hands pushed the heavy door aside as if it were made of air. Her weary form was a guise for the still raging power beneath. “Surely the noise would distract you,” she commented and pointed toward the forest lined edge of the ocean. “A nice, quiet place would be best.”
“A good suggestion,” Sesshoumaru attempted to leave once more.
“One more thing, my lord.” Yusari called. Her nearly black eyes sparkled as she pulled a thin gold chain and pendant from her neck. “It would be best to wear this. The Rogue does not often take the time to question her prey. This will give her cause.”
He bent low enough for the sorceress to slip the precious metal over his head and examined the small stone at the end. It’s milky, white depths gave it unexceptional appearance, but something hidden inside called out to his very soul. Sesshoumaru had seen Yusari staring into the babble many times, and the fact that he now held it in his own hands could only mean one thing.
It was time.
“Your stomach itches as of late, does it not?” She asked.
The youkai lord frowned. “It has done so since the day of her birth. This you know.”
“Ah,” Yusari grinned. “But not quite like this, has it? Perhaps a rash has formed? Tell me, has your skin begun to bleed, my lord?”
Sesshoumaru turned away from the door to face her - only to find the spot she occupied moments before empty. There was only one thing left to do.
The air outside was fresh. The day was clear, and Sesshoumaru wanted to stand by the sea.
- - - - -
All other sections will contain direct Sesshoumaru/Kagome interaction.
Set One - Theme One - Kagome/Sesshoumaru Romantic
Story Title: Child of Ashes
Section Title: One - The Nothing Child
Warnings: This will become a set of interconnected stories/drabbles.
Universe: AU
Rating: PG-13 (R/NC-17 sections will be edited and placed on separate sites)
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Summary: It was all wrong. She was the Nothing Child. Why did the Continent expect so much when her Stone had never settled? They claimed prophecy, but still... she was the Nothing Child.
- - - - -
In the Year 3016
Mushin District - Tamoto Province of the Continent
"She should be destroyed," the sorceress sneered. "Do you see her stone? It does not choose a Color. She will die. Do not prolong her suffering. Surely she is in great pain."
"My baby," the newly made mother cried out. "My precious little Kagome. Don't do this to her. She's special. Can't you feel it?"
"White Priestess," a midwife leaned over her body, attempting to take the silent child out of her arms. "She has no sound. She has not cried. There must be something wrong. And, her Stone... it hasn't settled. This always happens when the child is not meant to live. I am sorry, but we cannot allow such pain."
"No!" she cried out, solid pink heat shooting out of her extended palm. Eyes flashing white, she shielded her newborn and vanished from the birthing room.
- - - - -
10 Years Later
Iysashi Boundary Island - Outskirts of the Continent
"Kaede," Kagome called, rolling the milky white Stone on the table. "Why doesn't my Stone look like yours?"
The old woman smiled. "You're special, Kagome. You always have been. Don't you remember what I told you about your real Mama? She was a very important priestess for the Continent."
"Tell me the story," the young girl begged. "Tell me about the White Priestess."
"Ten years ago," Kaede relented, repeating the story that had passed through her mouth hundreds of times. "There was a special priestess in the service of the Continent who fell in love with a common mortal man. The House of Judgment was very upset. She married below her station, and they threatened to kick her out of the Temple and kill the man if she did not leave him. So, for the sake of her husband, she returned and delivered a beautiful daughter while in the Continent's care."
Kagome beamed as she recognized her role in the story. "That's me!"
"Yes," Kaede chuckled. "It is. Now, when the White Priestess gave birth to her daughter, the young child was unlike anything they had ever seen before. A Stone is usually one of the Seven Colors. Yours, however, is not. The Continent did not realize that your Stone has the ability to change its Color."
"And that's what makes me special?" The small girl wondered.
"Yes, that is what makes you very special, Kagome." With wise eyes, Kaede shifted her gaze to the brewing seas, her mind racing with the future that awaited her charge. "One day, they will return for the Nothing Child."
- - - - -
Same Year
Taer Province - Youkai Territories
“We are close,” the old youkai witch whispered, her ancient voice unable to speak any louder. “I can feel the power now. Soon. Soon the Shikon will awaken.”
“Why did you call me, Yusari?” The young demon lord asked. “I have heard your prophecies many times.”
The female known as Yusari smiled. “You are the Chosen, Sesshoumaru.”
“Impossible,” he argued, his mind reeling even though he maintained a calm façade.
Her withered hands rose to press against his stomach. “There are words here, yes?”
Unable to speak, Sesshoumaru nodded.
“Protector,” she pressed into his abdomen. “The one persona She cannot carry. She will never protect her own body. This is your destiny, Sesshoumaru. Be the Guardian that is engraved into your soul.”
‘Guardian.’ So often, Sesshoumaru had seen the word inscribed into his flesh, always wondering what meaning there could be. From his birth nearly two thousand years before, he had carried the secret in his skin. Lately, it burned and itched. The time was soon at hand. “I will find Her.” He promised.
Yusari laughed. “Look all you like, young lord. She will find you when the time is right.”
- - - - -
10 Years Later - 3036
Iysashi Boundary Island - Outskirts of the Continent
"You must go. We have no choice." Kaede soothed, speaking to the now grown woman. "My eyes are failing, Kagome. I would only slow your escape."
Tears filled her gray gaze. "You can't do this! Why are you sending me away?"
"It is no longer safe for you here, child. You must go."
Clutching the small, opalescent Stone to her chest, she nodded, hesitantly. "Will you be safe here?"
The old woman's wrinkled face twisted with a smile. "All will be as it should."
It was her way of saying that she did not know the answer. Kagome attempted a happy gesture of her own, and she was thankful when Kaede did not comment on her failure. This was the way it had to be. This was the moment she had grown up knowing would come. It would be difficult to strike out on her own and find the man sworn to be her protector from birth, but it had to be done.
It was her destiny. The Nothing Child would save the world. The prophecies were never wrong.
"Call the Rogue." Kaede instructed. "She will help you to the borders. You should not be seen. The Continent is close, Kagome. Hold your noise."
This was to be the last time she ever saw her young charge. The moment could not be filled with thoughts of love; it was time for instruction and final tactic plans to be laid. Together, they had many years of joyful memories that could be reflected upon.
Now was not the time.
Kagome nodded in agreement and closed her eyes to summon the Second Soul of her Stone. Rogue. Next to the White, it was her least known Familiar. Warrior and Healer were common companions that she often called upon, but Rogue was a ruthless mercenary who did not think before she pulled her dagger. She would do anything to maintain her stealth.
And today, it was what Kagome needed.
Like a forgotten ghost, the whisps of power slipped around her form as she allowed the harsh ki to encase her, making her into something else entirely.
- - - - -
Same Year
Taer Province - Youkai Territories
“You will take this.” Yusari smiled, holding out a thin reed scroll. “I believe it would be a fine day to visit the sea.”
The demon lord paused only moments away from exiting the premises. The old witch had a way about her that could cause even the strongest of creatures to shudder. When she offered a plan of action, it was best to follow. “Do you have suggestion as to where I would like to look out over the water?"
Withered hands pushed the heavy door aside as if it were made of air. Her weary form was a guise for the still raging power beneath. “Surely the noise would distract you,” she commented and pointed toward the forest lined edge of the ocean. “A nice, quiet place would be best.”
“A good suggestion,” Sesshoumaru attempted to leave once more.
“One more thing, my lord.” Yusari called. Her nearly black eyes sparkled as she pulled a thin gold chain and pendant from her neck. “It would be best to wear this. The Rogue does not often take the time to question her prey. This will give her cause.”
He bent low enough for the sorceress to slip the precious metal over his head and examined the small stone at the end. It’s milky, white depths gave it unexceptional appearance, but something hidden inside called out to his very soul. Sesshoumaru had seen Yusari staring into the babble many times, and the fact that he now held it in his own hands could only mean one thing.
It was time.
“Your stomach itches as of late, does it not?” She asked.
The youkai lord frowned. “It has done so since the day of her birth. This you know.”
“Ah,” Yusari grinned. “But not quite like this, has it? Perhaps a rash has formed? Tell me, has your skin begun to bleed, my lord?”
Sesshoumaru turned away from the door to face her - only to find the spot she occupied moments before empty. There was only one thing left to do.
The air outside was fresh. The day was clear, and Sesshoumaru wanted to stand by the sea.
- - - - -
All other sections will contain direct Sesshoumaru/Kagome interaction.