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He'd never been gone this long before. The humans were starting to worry, rumours of incoming plagues and other such petty disasters stirring their fear, but it was said rumours that had caused his descent from the sky in the first place.
Usually, he paid them no mind. They'd built him a splendid temple, and offerings littered the steps daily, but the gifts had begun to wane, and the murmurs of a goddess taking human form had begun to get louder.
He snorted. No one was more beautiful than him, no female for that matter, and none would dare invade his territory. There had been peace amongst the deities for centuries; it was the humans who enjoyed bloodshed and drama. Some of the demi-gods, his brother included, enjoyed spurring them on, but Sesshoumaru had better things to do than engage in their squabbles for entertainment.
He was only down here in the first place because he was bored.
He didn't have anything against them—they worshiped him well enough—but there was something earthy about them that had him thankful he had so little contact with them in the first place. It was his job to guide them throughout the night, to give them hope during long voyages, and perhaps entrance a pair of lovers now and then.
Sighing, he ran a hand through his dark hair. This was another reason he didn't enjoy his time in the mortal realm. Scents were stronger, the ground harder, and he was forced to wear a guise in order to fit in. Others of his breed traipsed around in their true form while among the humans, but his markings tended to frighten rather than fascinate, so it was less of a headache to pretend to be one of them.
Keeping to himself, he strode purposely toward the heart of the village. It wasn't spectacular by any means, but there was a constant buzz of activity, patrons chatting amongst each other as they bought food for dinner or trinkets for loved ones.
Sesshoumaru bypassed all of it, shadows scampering away as he flared his power. The crowds eventually tapered off, leaving him on a single road headed north. Small stone statues carrying candles lit his way as the sun began to set, twilight darkening the sky.
He passed an old woman headed in the opposite direction, and she smirked, tapping his leg with her cane. "Ye are too late to witness her glory, young pup. Perhaps she will grace you with her presence tomorrow." He gave her a questioning look, and she had the audacity to laugh at him. "There is no other reason to be headed down this road."
"Perhaps I am simply taking in the sights," he said, hands hidden within his sleeves.
"Ah, but what a particular sight to behold." She turned toward him, squinting at him with her one good eye. "They say she is descended from Kisshouten-sama or is even the goddess herself in human form. But she is elusive, hiding away in her garden while she gathers power to fight the spirits that haunt us."
He kicked a stone at the thought, the so-called spirits hissing before disappearing from the path he'd been taking. There were certainly more than the usual amount within the village, but nothing he needed to be worried about.
They culminated in darkness, festering on nights of the new moon, and he supposed he could understand the woman's worry, considering how long he'd been absent from the sky. He needed to put this rumour to rest so he could return to his duties. "Has she been here long?"
The woman hummed, giving him a knowing smile. "As long as necessary. The spirits come with their teeth bared, but she will have none of it." She thumped the ground with her cane. "They wouldn't dare attack us with her present."
He raised an eyebrow at that. The spirits gave him a wide berth, but few others commanded their attention enough to keep them away from humans. He took another step in the so-called goddess' direction, but the woman caught his foot with her cane. "If ye seek the take advantage, you will find yourself banished."
He was tempted to show his true colours, but he could sense no taint within her soul, so he inclined his head. "I merely wish to pay tribute to the one protecting the village."
She eyed him up and down, then shrugged. "Try as you might, she will not venture out of her garden at night."
"I will keep that in mind," he replied.
"See that you do." She finally released his foot and then carried on her way. Sesshoumaru found it curious that she had given such a stern warning yet never once looked back, but she was not his concern that night.
He had confirmed, at least to a point, the existence of someone impersonating a god, and regardless of the creature's intentions, it was a crime punishable by death.
There was soft scuffling when he arrived at the temple, though he could hardly call it that, considering its small stature. The only shelter was a cottage in the centre of a large garden, the only access to it over a stone bridge. He circled the perimeter, wondering if there was more than one way inside.
Aside from being completely surrounded by water, it looked no different than any of the other houses he'd passed in the village. If someone was trying to pass themself off as a goddess, they were doing a poor job of it.
Though they'd never asked to be worshipped, humans tended to do so, offering up gifts of various value depending on which season or weather the deity was in charge of. All of his were delivered at night, usually when he was at his brightest, but from what he'd seen so far, there were no gifts to speak of here.
He eventually returned to the entrance, clicking his tongue in annoyance. It would take nothing to get inside—a simple trek across the bridge—but without further clues as to who or what was lurking within, he was less inclined to do so without a glimpse of them first.
A creak of the cottage door had him bounding back into the trees, unwilling to give up his cover even with his glamour firmly intact. He watched with wide eyes as a woman clad in pale robes and a determined glare stepped outside of the safety of her enclosure.
"Who's there?" she demanded. Sesshoumaru kept still, not wanting to relinquish his position even as her eyes flickered in his direction.
Breath stilled in his lungs as he was engulfed in an oceanic tempest, waves crashing upon his psyche as she held him captivated. The flush of her cheeks was nothing compared to the ferocity in her eyes, and it was a wonder he hadn't been burned on the spot.
She was stunning.
Raven curls fell around her shoulders, slightly tangled, as if she'd been pulled from a deep sleep. Chin raised defiantly, she scanned the area, hands gripping the door. She looked nothing like any goddess he had seen before, but he wished her to be one all the same. If he were a lesser being, he'd have grovelled at her feet—if only to get a better view.
"I do not fear you," she called out. "And you will find no solace here. Be gone before you meet the same end as your brothers." She was steadfast, like a warrior ready for battle, and Sesshoumaru remained still until well after she'd disappeared back inside.
Perhaps he'd been too hasty. Any female would've felt threatened if they'd heard noises outside their home so late at night. To his credit, he hadn't expected anything, let alone her, but he'd covered his tracks, his aura and presence hidden, so the fact she'd sensed anything piqued his curiosity.
Leaning back against the tree, intent on keeping an eye on her until she was willing to answer his questions, he rested one arm upon a bent knee, casting his gaze upward to the darkened sky. There must have been candles lit from within, as she'd glowed when she'd opened the door. But even as that thought crossed his mind, his brow pinched into a frown.
She'd felt human.
"Megami-sama, thank you for blessing our crops!"
"My son came home safe from battle, thanks to you!"
"Have you sensed any spirits in the vicinity? Is it safe to visit my sister?"
The woman who emerged from the cottage in the daylight was not the same deity he'd seen the night before. Her colouring matched, but her eyes and expression were soft, dark hair pulled back into an intricate updo adorned with jewels attached to her ears, framing a face that never seemed to get angry or frustrated.
Never seemed to feel.
Sesshoumaru hadn't left his perch, content to observe, at least for now. She glided around the garden, ribbons of power floating around her, bobbing side to side like they had a mind of their own. They were the same colour as the iridescent glow from last night but held much less spark.
The only thing of consequence were the shadows that followed her around. Unnoticed by the villagers, they tried to sink their fangs into her more than once, reaching for the ribbons without success. She paused anytime they got close, a slight flick of her wrist signalling one of the tendrils to lash out, and the unlucky spirit disintegrated into a flurry of sparks.
The woman was particularly protective of children, as the spirits would congregate within a child's shadow, causing their feet to falter. Her power reached further, wrapping around each spirit's neck before tearing them apart and allowing the child to continue with whichever game they happened to be playing.
Yet her power wasn't divine.
Curiouser and curiouser.
As the day went on, Sesshoumaru began to think he'd imagined the dishevelled siren who dwelled within the cottage. She was nothing like the serene creature drifting around the garden, protecting the village. There was no flare, no flavour to her existence, and everyone referred to her by station instead of by name.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, she bid farewell to those around her, wishing them well in their endeavours before heading toward the bridge. She crested the peak and stopped, melancholy saturating her aura as she searched the sky.
"You need to come back," she whispered. "The spirits are increasing, and I fear for the neighbouring villages."
Sesshoumaru's brow rose, but his thought of questioning her was interrupted by the same older woman he'd encountered the day prior.
She shuffled through the garden, cane stopping before it touched the bridge. "Any luck, Megami-sama?"
She sighed, shaking her head before turning to her guest. "It's the same as always, Kaede-san. And I can only do so much."
"You are doing enough," Kaede scoffed. "Hope remains because you are here. The village would be lost without you."
The first real spark of emotion flickered across her face, and she pulled a pin from her hair, waves of ebony cascading down her back, intertwining with the ribbons of power that appeared to hold her aloft. "I agreed to spread rumours, not become one. Keeping this up is tiring." Something akin to a serpent encircled the older woman's ankles, and the goddess flicked her wrist, power shooting from her fingers. The creature didn't even have time to cry out before it disappeared.
Sesshoumaru sat up straighter, leaning forward on his branch to hear their conversation. The old woman was aware of the goddess' deception? Then why had she encouraged him to investigate?
Another serpent appeared but was snuffed out by the butt of Kaede's cane. "I would take up the mantle, but they would never believe me to be as powerful as you."
"I know," the woman sighed. She looked upward again, fingers gripping the ledge of the bridge. "Do you think he's alright?"
There was a slight tilt of her head, and Kaede's one good eye made contact with his. "I'm sure he is fine." Sesshoumaru bit back a growl. There was no way someone as weathered as her could sense him at this distance. She must be going senile. "Did you get any new visitors today?"
The goddess shook her head. "No one out of the ordinary. Maybe that's part of the problem." She let out a forced laugh. "Maybe I'm bored."
"What about last night?"
She finally turned to her guest, one hand on her hip. "Something was scuttling about at one point, but nothing of consequence. Why? Have the villagers chosen another husband for me?"
Kaede chuckled. "Nothing so nefarious, child. The stories of your beauty and power have spread further than we thought. People are hoping to catch a glimpse of you."
The woman waved her off. "As long as they keep their hands to themselves, I don't care who comes by." The last of the sun's rays disappeared, the only light emanating from the woman herself, and she let out another sigh. "I better get going. I'll have another batch of charms ready for tomorrow. Can you hand them out? Doors and windows work best."
"As you wish, Megami-sama."
She scowled at the name, turning with a flourish. "I've told you not to call me that," she grumbled, but Kaede had already moved away, ignoring how the woman's door slammed shut. Silence descended, aside from Kaede's shuffled steps, and though her head never turned, she chuckled again as she passed the tree he was sitting in.
"Hiding with do both of ye no good," she said, her steps never pausing as she walked back toward the village. "Such lonely creatures."
Loathed as he was to admit it, the old woman had a point. He'd observed much this day, but it hadn't been enough to answer his questions—or determine her identity. Tomorrow, he would have to speak to her.
People had come in waves the first day, and it seemed routine, so Sesshoumaru waited until the first influx of villagers weened before approaching her. Though lacking basic intelligence, the spirits knew enough that he was not to be trifled with, scattering in all directions as he walked up the path to her garden.
It caught her attention, though she tried to stifle it, the twitch of her brow being the only indication something was amiss. She scanned the ground, frowning when none of the usual imps showed their faces.
"Have you lost something?" he asked, bowing when she finally turned his way. "Perhaps I can be of service."
"Thank you," she replied softly, the serene lilt to her voice irking him. "But that won't be necessary—" His head rose, and their eyes met, the rest of her dismissal falling away as she stared at him. He caught a glimpse of the tempest within, but it was quickly closed off. "You are not from here."
"Would it put you at ease if I were?" he asked.
She eyed him carefully, then shook her head. "I sense no animosity in your aura, so as long as you remain that way, you are welcome to stay." She looked at the ground again, still frowning at the lack of spirits, then bent down, sending her power into the ground to help the flora grow.
"You are most gracious to spend your time protecting the village," he mused, falling in step behind her once she moved on to the next patch of flowers. Each plant reached toward her when she came near, and the air was easier to breathe the closer he got. "What are you?"
The placid smile she used to greet the villagers morphed into something more genuine, the light returning to her eyes. "What do you perceive me to be?"
It was a loaded question, and one he wished to answer honestly, but he hadn't gathered enough information yet. "You are rumoured to be a goddess."
"You don't sound convinced," she said, the twitch at the corner of her mouth egging him on.
"I am never convinced of something until I have witnessed it with my own eyes."
She nodded slowly, branches swaying in thanks as she rested a hand on the nearest tree. "And what have you witnessed so far?" They continued around her garden, the spirits leaving them be, and the silence between questions wasn't stifled, allowing them to enjoy the sunshine—and each other's company.
"You wish to be helpful, even when others are unaware of it," he said eventually. She raised an eyebrow, and he motioned to the shadows peeking out from behind the foliage. He expected some sort of reaction, hoping she would gift him with another emphatic emotion that would light up her features like the first time he'd seen her, but it appeared the ability to see the spirits was not unusual.
"I can't say they mean well, but they've yet to cause me much strife," she replied. "And they seem to be behaving themselves today for some reason."
"It is out of fear and cowardice that they remain so far away."
His words had the opposite effect, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I had hoped they'd learn their lesson and leave the village alone." The ribbons nudged her hands, and the impassive smile returned. "At least they leave the villagers alone."
"You are a more enticing prey," he said, unable to hold back the truth. Whatever reason the spirits had for congregating in this area, she was their intended target, leading him to wonder if there was something besides her power that was luring them in. Perhaps she was born under an unlucky star, doomed to attract them her whole life. It was a wonder she hadn't been completely overrun by their negative energy.
"You think so after spending so little time in my presence?" she asked. "On what grounds?"
"You are beautiful." He'd meant to say it in a way that alluded to her power, but a delightful blush spilled onto her cheeks, so he didn't correct himself.
She eventually cleared her throat, avoiding his gaze. "Thank you. But I doubt that's the only reason they're hanging around."
"Perhaps not, but more appetizing, nonetheless." Her blush deepened, but the village children had arrived, begging her for stories, so she wasn't able to dwell on it. He bowed deeply, something he wasn't used to but used as a means of currying her favour. "May I return tomorrow?"
She eyed him warily but nodded. "If you must." He waited until her attention was fully on the children before disappearing, enjoying the view from his tree—and the way she seemed to look around for him even after he'd left.
The days carried on like that, to the point where she began to smile for real when he approached, the sight doing strange things to his chest. He no longer found it hard to breathe, but there was a pressure around his heart each time he was forced to depart, one that lingered until he saw her again.
He wished to see more of her after twilight when her expression was unguarded and her hair was loose, but she was too cautious to allow anyone save the old woman near after sunset.
"You seem happier these days," Kaede mused from her place at the base of the bridge.
Sesshoumaru smirked as her cheeks warmed, and she toyed with a lock of her hair. "The weight hasn't felt so heavy lately."
The old woman chuckled, tapping the edge of the bridge. He still hadn't figured out why no one else crossed it but her, but it wasn't something he could easily ask about during his visits. She went nowhere near it when the sun was shining, and everyone else was too polite or distracted by her power and protection to venture near it.
Most stayed outside the garden. Kaede came by every other evening, usually leaving after a few snide words about duty—all of which brought ire to the goddess' face and aura—but they appeared to be very close.
Perhaps the tightness in his chest was due to jealousy. It was a human emotion, one that caused many a war and death, but he wished to see such open emotion when they were together. She was more relaxed around him now compared to their initial meeting, but there was still a wall there—or a bridge. Something kept her separated from anyone who came near, and though he wasn't one for confrontation, instincts raged within to tear it down.
"You won't have to live this life forever, child. He will return eventually." He still hadn't figured out who they were talking about, but Kaede's soft reassurances seemed to ease the woman's disquiet.
"And then what? I can't go back to what I was before," she hissed. "I'd have to leave. There can't be two of us here." Half her hair was still pulled back, a jewelled crescent moon dangling from the end of her kanzashi.
She was stunning, as always, but she looked like some made-up doll forced to play a part against her will. The thought of freeing her was overwhelming, regardless of how many depended on her protection. He'd initially found it amusing, but his power now enveloped the village, keeping the spirits—and anything else that might threaten her—out.
He knew he had to go back. He'd never been away this long, and even the other gods were starting to wonder. It was against the rules to shirk one's duties for so long, and there would likely be long-lasting consequences, but he wished to see the warrior from the first night one more time.
He didn't even know her name.
Kaede side-eyed his tree again, slightly raising her voice. "Maybe you've done your job too well, and he's using you to take a break."
The woman snorted and shook her head. "He's never done so before."
"He has never met you before," Kaede replied tersely, stomping her cane for good measure.
She smiled warmly. "I'm not that special. I was gifted with enough power to bring the rumours of a moon goddess to life. Nothing more."
A moon goddess?
He stared in shock as the woman gazed at the sky—the way she always did around this time.
She was looking for him.
She was waiting for him.
His absence from the sky had led to village-wide panic, and she'd taken it upon herself to fill in until he returned.
Cursing himself for not figuring it out sooner, he dropped from the tree, landing without a sound, though Kaede was already turning around. She smacked him in the shin as she passed. "Took you long enough."
He wanted to reprimand her, especially since she seemed aware of his true nature, but his eyes were on the woman, his feet taking him to the edge of the bridge. She turned her head, shoulders straightening when she recognized him, ribbons of power shining around her like starlight.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. Her heartbeat had sped up, blue eyes flickering to her friend in panic, wondering how much he'd overheard.
"I apologize."
"For spying on a lady so late at night?" she asked, trying to lighten the conversation. "And here I thought you were a gentleman." The edge of his mouth quirked, and he placed a foot onto the bridge, her demeanour instantly changing. "You will not be able to cross," she warned.
"I do not wish to cross." He took another step and felt her power flare under his foot. She frowned when he didn't back down but took on a more defensive stance.
There she was.
"I mean you no harm," he said, keeping his steps slow and purposeful, but it did nothing to calm her nerves. He could sense the root of her power now. Charms had hidden her aura enough to fool the villagers, along with whatever spell Kaede had cast.
She was a miko.
The ribbons shifted into a bow, an arrow aimed straight at his head. "Then reveal yourself. Only those with power can even see the bridge."
No wonder the villagers had never asked her about it. "I do not wish to frighten you," he murmured.
The confession was enough to give her pause, though her weapon never wavered. "You've done that enough by showing up in the middle of the night." Sighing, he closed his eyes, allowing his glamour to melt away. When he opened them again, amber and slitted pupils had replaced his human guise, marks and silver hair on full display.
He caught her before she could bow at his feet, refusing to let her stoop so low. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know! We couldn't think of any other way—" Her shoulders began to shake. "Please don't harm the village."
"You have done nothing wrong."
"I've impersonated a god," she said, the beads in her hair clinking together as she shook her head. "One of your calibre, no less!" She suddenly stilled, her face ashen as she looked up at him. "Were you collecting evidence? Is that why you've been hanging around for so long?"
His fingers tightened around hers, and he pulled her up. There was more to her reaction than simple fear. Those worried about retribution would not be trembling like she was, tears threatening to overflow. "I mean you no harm," he repeated.
"But aren't you here to—"
"If you wish to offer payment, I will settle for your name." He wasn't even in his usual attire, not bothering with his crest or even his armour before seeking her out. Only the mark upon his brow gave away his true nature, which she'd cultivated into her own so as not to usurp his role completely.
"I can give you much more than that," she replied weakly. "The entire garden is filled with lush herbs and fruit."
"Your name will be enough."
The underlying reason for her reaction was still there, but her lingering fear had started to shift into something much more manageable, and she sucked in a calming breath. "I am Kagome. I promise all I wanted to do was save the village."
One hand cupped her cheek. "And you have done well, Kagome." She automatically leaned into the touch, giving him hope that the need to see her every day was not one-sided. "There will be no punishment against the village. They have thrived in my absence."
Her hands twitched at her sides, and she nodded. "And what of me?"
Sesshoumaru stepped closer, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. "What of you?"
She bit her lip, then straightened her shoulders, raising her chin of her own volition. "Is my name really all you want?" Her body was stiff, braced for whatever came next, and he leaned forward, pressing a kiss against the mark painted on her brow.
"Can I keep you?"
She shivered at the contact, eyes wide when he pulled back. "I thought mortals weren't allowed to love gods."
His lips tilted up into a feral smirk. "Do you?"
She cursed, realizing her mistake, and the sound was so genuine he would've laughed if she hadn't been so close. As it was, she'd regained enough of her colour not to be afraid anymore, the sweet scent of honey returning, and he gave into temptation, claiming her lips this time.
She whimpered, gripping his collar as she tilted her head. She leaned forward, balanced on the tips of her toes, and only the fact that they were out in the open kept his hand from burying his claws into her hair.
His mouth moulded to hers as if it were always meant to, and though he wished to know if the rest of her body would fit so easily against his, he pulled back. Face flushed, Kagome—he almost groaned at being able to use her name—reached up to trace the lines on his cheeks.
"I was worried something had happened to you. The new moon lasted much longer than usual, and then you showed no signs of coming back."
His eyes fluttered closed as her fingers slid along the arch of his crescent. "The new moon allows me to wander. And when it was time to return, the rumours of a goddess living amongst humans had caught my interest."
"Humans are superstitious at the best of times," she said, her scent lacking any guilt. "We'd spread the rumours as a baseline, but when the darkness continued, I had to play dress-up." A flare of her power had him opening his eyes, the ribbons bobbing to and fro.
"You fashioned your reiki into corporal form," he mused.
The smile he'd been waiting for lit up her face more than moonlight, even as his other form rose in the sky. "It was enough to keep the villagers safe—from the spirits and their fear."
Her hands slid into his as his expression softened. "You did well," he reiterated. "Your job is complete." She looked down at their entwined hands, nothing left of her initial panic. "Will you come with me?" The words were barely above a whisper, but he could see the heat creep into her cheeks, and she nodded.
"I'm fine as long as I'm with you." The light of the moon increased until it was blinding, coating the entire garden in his power as he pulled her close. When it finally faded, the bridge had disappeared, and the moon, now back in its rightful place in the sky, had taken on the pink hue of her power.
Art by Stardust414