Labyrinth

 

Chapter 2: In Case You’ve Forgotten

            “Are we there yet?”

            Kagome looked a little up and a little behind her to eye the fox kit sitting on her shoulder. “You’re the one who knows where we’re going – you tell me.”

            “Ah ha,” Shippo gave a nervous laugh, “Right.”

            Kagome’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, “You do know where we’re going, right?”

            A small hand reached up to rub bushy auburn hair, “ummm… about that…”

            Kagome clenched her teeth and reminded herself firmly that he was just a child, “You did say that you knew the way to the center of the Labyrinth.” She reminded him.

            Another nervous laugh and the kit’s eyes were sliding away from hers, “Did I say that?”

            “Shippo-” the last syllable trailed warningly.

            “Actually,” he began defensively, “I never said I knew the way to the center of the Labyrinth.  I said I knew there was a castle in the middle and then you asked if I knew how to get there and I said I could help…”

            “Implying that you knew how to get there!” she snapped in frustration.

            “Implying that I know about the Labyrinth.” He corrected.  “And I do!  I can still help you.” He cast her a pleading look, “Don’t make me go away.”

            Staring at him Kagome found her anger fading away.  Yes, he had misled her, and yes, she had a right to be angry.  But he was just a kid, all alone in this crazy place. And, to be fair, he had already helped her avoid quite a few traps.  She reached up a hand, pausing when he flinched, and placed it gently on top of his head.

            “I won’t send you away, Shippo.” She put on her best “mother” face and tone before continuing, “But from now on I want total honesty.”

            The kit nodded frantically and Kagome had to turn her face away to hide her smile.

            He really was a cute kid.

            Which didn’t bring her any closer to her goal.  Kagome sighed wearily. “Which way, Shippo?”

            His face scrunched up in apparent concentration and he seemed to struggle a bit within himself before answering, “I think we take a right up ahead.”

            She reached up to tweak his pointed ear and smiled, just to let him know it was okay, “And why do you think that?”

            He shrugged, “It feels… bad.”

            Her nose wrinkled.  Great.  It felt “bad”.  Why did that not reassure her?  Oh, wait – maybe because “bad” was a bad thing! 

            At least he hadn’t said “evil”.  Evil was far worse than “bad”.  But bad wasn’t much better. Bad meant trouble, it meant dangerous, it meant traps and monsters and a dozen other things she didn’t want to think about.  Taking a deep breath she reminded herself that this was for Souta. She could do this because she had to save him.

            Shippo was watching her, so she put on a cheerful smile and gave a firm nod.  “Alright then, right it is.  But you’ll have to help me watch for traps.”

            The kit smiled back at her and nodded. “Of course, ‘cause you’re helpless,” he eyed her sideways, “you know that, right?”

            She gave a small laugh, “Yep.  I know that.”

            And she did.  Everything about this place confused her.  There was no discernable pattern, no way of guessing what would happen next, and the further in she went the further it deviated from her beloved movie.  That was a very bad thing.  But, she hadn’t been injured yet, and Shippo usually managed to spring any trap long before they reached it using his fox magic.  All in all it was going far better than she expected.  In fact, she was almost relaxed.  Of course, that brought on problems in and of itself.  The calmer she became the more she started to notice other things – like the fact that she hadn’t eaten dinner that night.  And it had to have been… well, a long time since lunch. 

She didn’t know exactly how long.  It had been dark at home when she had left, but it had been daylight in the Labyrinth.  In fact, it seemed to always be daylight, always the same time of day in the Labyrinth and the surrounding lands.  She supposed that was really the only way that first illusion would work.  Otherwise the shadows would give it away.  She briefly wondered how that was possible.  But then, nothing in this place should have been possible.  Besides, it didn’t matter what time of day the Labyrinth thought it was, her stomach thought it was time to eat.  As if to affirm this observation it let out a loud grumble.

            “Hey Shippo?” the boy looked at her expectantly, “You wouldn’t happen to have any food, would you?” she asked hopefully.

            “Of course!” he chirped. “Only a fool travels the Labyrinth without provisions.” He shot her an uneasy glance, “Uh… not that you’re a fool, Kagome.” He assured her hastily

            Kagome shrugged it off.  “I didn’t exactly know I was coming here.” She told him.  “It just kind of happened.”

            “Oh,” nodding he jumped off her shoulder and looked around.  “This looks like a safe spot.”

            She looked around in confusion, “A safe spot for what?”

            He rolled his eyes, “To stop and eat of course!”

            Kagome blinked at him stupidly, “you mean you have food here?” she gasped, “Now?”

            “Well, duh.” He replied, “otherwise I wouldn’t be looking for a safe place to stop and eat it.”  He crossed his arms and smiled at her.  In a quick movement he thrust his hands into the sleeves of his traditional kimono top and with a puff of smoke there was a picnic laid out before them, complete with a blanket and basket and dishes!

            “Oh, Shippo!” Kagome looked at it all in wonder, “That’s amazing!” eagerly she sat down and started digging through the contents of the picnic basket. “riceballs, and pickles … and are those-” she squealed in delight, hugging the item to her chest, “they are!  Donuts!  I can’t believe you have donuts!”

            “Just don’t ask where I got them,” Shippo muttered, coming to sit beside her.  He perked up as he watched her, “So, you like this stuff?” he asked eagerly.

            Kagome nodded with enthusiasm, already tearing open the package of donuts.

            Shippo sweatdropped, “Um, shouldn’t you be eating the real food first?”

            Kagome shot him a glare over her donuts, “What are you, my mother?  I’ll get to them.”

            “O-kay…” Shippo shook his head as he reached for a rice ball.  Some people were just plain weird.   

 

***

 

            Deep in the heart of the Labyrinth Inuyasha sat on his throne.  It was an uncomfortable throne, made completely of stone.  He hated sitting on it… it made him squirm. Before him was a crystal ball.  He knew it was cliché, but hey, why knock something that worked so well?  In the crystal ball a peaceful scene played out before him.  The girl, Kagome, was sitting on the ground, her legs stretched out before her, leaning back on her arms.  She was smiling and laughing with a young kit. She looked so peaceful and content, her eyes closed, face raised toward the sun.  She was starting to relax. 

His fist clenched, blood running down his knuckles as the claws punctured his skin.  He couldn’t have that.  If she was relaxed she would get sloppy.  If she was sloppy she would get killed. And he couldn’t allow that. The Labyrinth could have its way with the others, but not her!  He would just have to remind her how dangerous this place really was

 

***

           

            Impromptu picnic over Kagome and Shippo started on their way once more.  Cleanup had been a breeze with Shippo around.  A snap of his fingers and the whole thing reverted to a little leaf which he slipped back into his billowing sleeves.  Kagome watched him in wonder.

“That’s amazing.” She remarked.  “Did you train for all of that?”

The kit smiled.  “Pure natural talent.” He quipped, but then his face fell, “my parents didn’t have time to teach me anything before…”

Kagome frowned, disappointed in her own thoughtlessness.  Shippo was an orphan; he had told her so at the very start.  Usually he seemed fine with it, almost casual, but she had seen that pained look in his eyes a few times already.  The best thing she could think to do was take his mind off of it.

“So,” her voice was too bright, but she doubted he even noticed, “pure talent huh?  Wish I had talent like that.  Snap of the fingers and my messy room becomes a maple leaf!”

Shippo shook his head, “Doesn’t work like that,” he said, taking on a childish tone of importance, “You have to make it from a leaf for it to turn back into one.”

Kagome stopped to stare at him, “Make it from a leaf.” She repeated slowly.

The kit, realizing his mistake, took a nervous step backwards, “Ahha… what I mean to say is… well, you see…” shoot, there just wasn’t any way to make it better.  “Umm… all fox magic is based on illusion and…”

“Are you telling me I just ate leaves?” she interrupted, a little angry.

“N-no!” he stammered, backing up until he felt the wall behind him.  He knew better than to inch along it, but it was still tempting. “You see, the blanket and the, uh… the other things were fox magic.  But they’re real enough when you use them.  The food was one hundred percent natural though! “ he added quickly, “I just pulled it from its hiding place.  That’s all.”

“Ah, huh.” Kagome still didn’t look particularly convinced and Shippo gave a nervous smile.

Kagome propped her hands on her hips, “Shippo?” she asked too sweetly, a false smile plastered on her face, “There wouldn’t happen to be anything else about your life and talents that you’ve forgotten to mention to me, would there?”

Shippo shook his head, “Absolute honesty, right?” he asked meekly.

“Right…” she drew the word out speculatively, approaching him slowly. “Ever hear of the sin of omission?” she asked, bending down in front of him, but now there was a teasing glint in her eye.

Shippo shook his head, darting his eyes to the side as though looking for a way out.

“Well, I’ll just have to punish you.” She told him.  It was all the warning he got before she reached out and began to tickle him.

“S-stop it!” he gasped between laughs, rolling on the floor in an effort to get away.

She was grinning, “Not until you apologize.”

“Never!” he gasped.

She shrugged, “Suit yourself.” And the tickling continued with renewed ferocity. Finally Shippo could take it no more.

“I give!  I give! I’m sorry!!!” he shouted, tears of laughter streaming down his face.

“Good.” Kagome immediately pulled her hands away.  Slowly the kit pushed himself up, regaining his breath and straightening his rumpled clothing and hair.  As he fought to brush the dust away he gave her a mock scowl.

“That was real mature.” He told her.

“Who ever said I was mature?” she asked with a smile, but then the smile faded as she recalled a similar incident with Souta. Souta… she wondered if he were alright in this crazy place.

Shippo came up beside her, placing a small hand on her arm, “You’re thinking about your brother huh?”

She nodded, “I have to find him.” She whispered.

“Don’t worry, you will.”  He pulled at her hand, “But not by sitting here.  Let’s go.”

Collecting herself, Kagome stood and followed the young fox deeper into the Labyrinth.  They had made two turns when they skidded to an abrupt halt. Something was blocking their path.  Cautiously Kagome approached it.  It appeared to be a statue of a bird.  A very large bird.

“Kagome…” Shippo whispered, clearly wanting her not to get closer. She waved a hand to silence him and moved still closer.

“You should let me.” The kit insisted.  Kagome cast him a skeptical look.

“Right,” she whispered, and for a moment wondered why she bothered, but she continued in subdued tones, “You’re shaking in your fur.”

“I… I am not!” Shippo’s shaky reply belied the statement.

“Relax.” She told him, “it’ll be fine. See it’s just a – Ahhhhhhh!!!” her statement quickly morphed into a scream as she reached to touch the “statue” and found it to be warm and alive.

Soon Shippo’s voice joined hers in a yell and then she was being pushed back and the kit yelled “Foxfire!” before letting loose a barrage of blue flames that surrounded the large bird.

“Hey now,” it drawled pleasantly, “cut that out.  That isn’t any way to greet someone.”

Shippo stopped and stared at the creature, “Who are you?” he asked suspiciously, backing away from it and toward Kagome.

It turned to face them with a strange smile – or, at least, Kagome presumed that was what passed for a smile among birds.

“I have no name that you could pronounce.” This fact didn’t seem to bother the bird at all, “but that is not important.  Walk with me and I will teach you.” He – at least, it sounded male so that’s how Kagome thought of it – made a motion with a wing, as though beckoning them.  Kagome and Shippo glanced at each other, but in the end they came up beside him.

“Ask me questions and I will give you enlightenment, so long as we walk the same path.” The bird continued, and Kagome nearly rolled her eyes.  Who did this guy think he was? Buddah?

“Answers you will find.”

… Or maybe Yoda…

“Ummm…” Kagome wasn’t quite certain how to deal with this new development, “we don’t need any answers. Not really.”

The bird moved one eye to look at her, “No?  No questions about the Labyrinth?  About its origins, about its traps?”

“You know about that stuff?” Kagome was careful to keep her enthusiasm in check.  After all, even Shippo had misled her, no telling what this stranger would do.

“Indeed.  The Labyrinth was built by the brother of the Goblin King over six hundred years ago.”

 Despite herself Kagome was interested, “Someone built this place?  Well, that’s a relief.  The way things were going I half expected to hear that it grew here all on its own.”

The bird nodded sagely, “it has done that as well.”

Now Kagome was skeptical, “Riiiight…” She threw a look at Shippo, who only shrugged.  He was just a kid, he knew practical things about surviving the Labyrinth, but he’d never really cared how it came to be.

“The Labyrinth was deadly, but simple enough, when the Lord Sesshoumaru created it, but over the centuries it has taken on a life all its own.”

“Sesshoumaru?” Kagome gulped, feeling uneasy, “Doesn’t that mean ‘perfect killer’ or something like that?”

“Killing Perfection.” The bird agreed.

“Great.” Came the unenthusiastic response.  If that was what the guy’s name meant, she could only imagine what other nasty surprises the Labyrinth might have in store for her.  Her attention was drawn back to her companions as an interesting point was brought to light.

“Was it built to keep people out of the castle?” Shippo asked curiously.

“No, it was built to keep Inuyasha in.”

“Didn’t do a very good job.” Kagome muttered darkly, remembering the shock of finding him in her brother’s room.  Definitely not a good job.  In fact, she’d say it was a fairly terrible job.          

Their companion cast a surreptitious glance at her.  “The Lord despised his half brother and he wanted him to suffer alone.  But Inuyasha had inherited the title of the Demon King, from his father, and there was little Sesshoumaru could do about it.”

“Demon King?” Kagome started, “I thought he said he was the goblin king?” she realized that they were staring at her oddly and trailed off, “oh, never mind…”

“You realize of course, that the word was one and the same in the old tongue.” The bird expounded.  “It is all a matter of semantics really, but I would imagine the boy thinks of himself more as one of the hideous monsters the name goblin brings to mind than the graceful and powerful demons who were his ancestors.”

“Boy?” Kagome scoffed, “You just told us that he had been here for over six hundred years.”

“Nothing to a demon, even a hanyou.”

“Oh,” she remarked meekly, still unsure that it made sense to call a six century old demon a boy.

“Even kitsune live over a thousand years,” Shippo told her, as if every school child should know this, “and inuyoukai live much longer.  I heard the King’s brother is over two millennia old…”

“Two millennia,” Kagome was in shock, but she was also a little peeved, “You would think after a millennia and a half he could get one little thing right…” she said sourly.

            Again she had to reign herself in as she noticed the looks on the faces of her companions.  The old man was starting to get a speculative look and she didn’t want people to know that Inuyasha had apparently escaped his bondage to appear in her house.

            “It is said that in all that time the King was never able to get out of his castle… until recently when he just started… disappearing, sometimes for minutes, sometimes for days.”

            “Bet that doesn’t make his brother happy. “Shippo observed.

            The old bird shrugged, “I doubt he cares.  He seems to have forgotten the existence of this place.  Besides, he is the one who built in the way of escape.” Another knowing glance at Kagome.  This was making her decidedly uncomfortable.  She decided to change the subject before she found out something she didn’t want to know.

            “So,” she kicked at the ground with her foot, “If Inuyasha is the younger brother, how come he inherited the title from his father?”

            “Sesshoumaru didn’t care.”

            Her head snapped up, “If he didn’t care then, why does he care now?  Why punish his brother over something he never wanted?”

            The bird chuckled, “Now, did I say Sesshoumaru locked Inuyasha away because he had the title?  No,” he shook his head, “Sesshoumaru locked him away because he detested his humanity.”

            <great> Kagome thought darkly, <a murdering psycho who hates humans… and he designed this place?  I am so dead> she was getting a sinking feeling about all of this.

            “And he detested his brother’s inability to face that humanity.”

            Shippo scrunched his nose, and obvious implication that he was confused, “What does that mean?”

            “Inuyasha insisted on pretending he was full demon.  He refused to acknowledge his human heritage and insisted that he would find a way to eradicate all traces of it. This led to his search for a dangerous and powerful item which caused much havoc in the land.  It was for this Sesshoumaru hated him most.  It is the most unforgivable weakness not to be able to accept oneself and change one’s weakness into strength.  Sesshoumaru hated this weakness in his brother.  And he believed this would be the best way to cure Inuyasha of it.”

            “Huh?” now Kagome was lost as well, and she had a feeling this was circling back around to whatever it was she didn’t want to know.

            “Let’s just say that the only way for Inuyasha to leave this place is for him to embrace his humanity,” the bird smiled strangely at her, “and considering he has managed to leave on several occasions in the last year or so…”

            Kagome hated the implication in his tone and cast about her mind for a way to redirect the conversation, “So… uh… if Sesshoumaru never cared about the title, why did you say he couldn’t do anything about it?  I mean, doesn’t that imply that he wanted to do something about it?”

            The old timer gave her a look that said he knew what she was about, but he followed her lead, “Sesshoumaru did not realize that his brother’s status would allow the entrance of demons into this place, and into the castle at its center.  The power that came with the title made a small hole in his flawless plan.  Inuyasha could not be completely alone. “The bird waved a wing, “necessities of title and properties of magic which would not make sense to you as they do not exist in your world.  Sufficed to say Sesshoumaru had had no need of the title, which was why it held little interest for him.” 

“In actuality ‘Demon King’ was just one of the titles his father held, and was incomplete in itself.  The true power rested with the son who was The Taisho - the demon leader.  It was left to Sesshoumaru to protect the lands, and hold onto them.  The Demon King only holds power over those who submit to his will.  It is a magic power, an authority over the skills of others, a title of respect, but not of action.  It dealt with the court and the castle.  The power to create laws, but not to enforce them.  And, in all honesty, neither brother wanted the position, but their father knew that if he divided the titles between them they would be inextricably bound to one another.”

“Smart guy.” Kagome observed, relieved that the old guy had stopped looking at her.

“Indeed,” he agreed, “Sesshoumaru did not realize this before he sealed Inuyasha in this place. Because the brothers are two halves of one whole, two parts of a complete ruler as it were, there will always be an opening when they are apart.”

Kagome was starting to understand, and she wasn’t sure if that made her feel better or worse.  “So the only way Sesshoumaru could truly seal Inuyasha would be to seal himself with him.”

“And Sesshoumaru would never do that.”

“Which means there is always a bond between Inuyasha and the outside world, a hole.” Realization dawned, “A… I guess you could call it a Sesshoumaru shaped hole.  Which is why other demons can get in – as long as they are even the slightest bit similar to Sesshoumaru… the, the title is waiting for him to come back, to make it whole again.”

The old bird nodded, “You catch on quick.  So Sesshoumaru had defeated himself before he even began. You see, only demons can get in.  And as long as Inuyasha has demon companions… he will never seek out human ones.”

Kagome looked down at her feet again, “What good would it have done for him to be alone anyway?  I mean, you just said that only demons could get in.  And that was just an oversight on Sesshoumaru’s part, right?”

“Did I say that?” the old bird chuckled again, “Inuyasha has a single portal to the outside world - to the human world.  It allows him to see, but not touch.  And Inuyasha may allow humans to enter the Labyrinth, and even the castle. “ He smiled at her, “And I’ve already told you that there are conditions under which he can leave.  Conditions that apply to the human world and certain feelings toward-”

“I get it!” Kagome cut him off abruptly, “I get it.” She repeated more quietly.  And the bird looked vaguely sympathetic, and maybe even a little sorry.  That didn’t make her feel any better though.

“Well, I don’t get it.” Shippo scowled in confusion.

Absently Kagome reached up on her shoulder to pat his head, “You will… someday.”  She couldn’t look into the bird’s eyes.  And after a few moments of uneasy silence it spoke.

“Well… I guess I’ll leave you be now.  I am but a wanderer after all. Glad I could be of some help to you travelers.  Now it is time I went to impart my wisdom to others. You two be careful now.  We’ve had it easy the last while, but this is a dangerous place, in case you’ve forgotten.”  And he went on his way.

Kagome looked up to watch him leave, still caught up in the implications of what he had said. An instant later all such thoughts were forgotten.  The bird was walking, slowly, ponderously ahead.  And without warning a blade sliced out from the Labyrinth wall.  Kagome cringed and turned her face away, but she knew from the sound that the bird’s head had been severed from its body.

“Um, I think we shouldn’t go that way.” Shippo said in a very small voice.  Listlessly Kagome nodded, but wondered what the point was.  This place had been designed as a death trap, and it had only gotten worse since then.  Was there any safe path?

 

***

 

            Inuyasha watched the scene with satisfaction.  Slowly he stood and approached the crystal ball, allowing a clawed hand to caress it softly, as he had touched Kagome’s face that night in her room.  He stared at her image with a strange softness.

It was completely silent in the large hall.  Inuyasha did not enjoy company in his throne room.  This was his fortress of solitude. He enjoyed nothing more than the quietness of the vast and empty hall. A servant came to the doorway; she made no sound, but he knew she was there; carelessly he waved her away keeping his eyes on the crystal ball.  And then the silence was broken with a whisper, “Lest you forget…”