Unspoiled by forthright
Hickory Dickory Dock
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this long-anticipated encounter... especially for the desperate one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Hickory Dickory Dock
“Oi! Where now?” Inuyasha demanded as he sprinted after his brother.
“To speak to someone who may remember.”
The hanyou fell into a brisk trot at his brother’s side. “You mean like Totosai or Myouga?”
“No. Higurashi was before their time.”
“You know someone older than Totosai?”
Sesshoumaru wasn’t sure on that score; the swordsmith was undoubtedly ancient. “Hisoka-sensei left before Father made his acquaintance,” he amended.
“Oh.” For a time, they traveled in silence through the thick forest, but finally, Inuyasha asked, “You gonna tell me who we’re tracking down?”
“Bokuseno-sama is an ancient and powerful youkai. Father sought his counsel on many occasions.”
Inuyasha’s ears pricked forward. “He knew our old man?”
“Hnn.”
“How do you know this guy’ll be wherever it is we’re going?” the hanyou asked skeptically. “It took you long enough to find your mother.”
“His roots run deep,” Sesshoumaru replied dryly.
“Let me get this straight... we’re going to talk to a tree?”
Quirking a brow at his younger brother, he inquired, “Were you ignorant of the existence of tree youkai?”
The hanyou’s expression grew pinched. “Noticed a few, I guess; they never had much to say.”
No, I suppose they would not bother with a hanyou. Huffing softly, Sesshoumaru took it upon himself to educate his sibling. “Bokuseno-sama is the magnolia who contributed the wood for Tenseiga’s and Tetsusaiga’s sheaths. I returned to him for Bakusaiga’s sheath as well.” Giving Inuyasha a sharp look, he demanded, “You will show proper respect.”
“Yeah, fine,” Inuyasha grumbled. “But what makes you think some tree who’s been stuck in the same place since forever ago is gonna know where to find your lost cat?”
Because I’m desperate? There was no way he was admitting that. This was a reasonable next step to his search. “Bokuseno-sama and Hisoka-sensei often had long discussions.”
“So they were friends?”
“I suppose,” Sesshoumaru conceded. “He also spoke with Higurashi on several occasions.”
“Keh... that’s no surprise. Kagome makes friends with everyone,” Inuyasha muttered. On further reflection, he added, “Except maybe your mom.”
“Indeed.”
■▪■▪■▪■▪■
Sesshoumaru allowed the rest of the entourage to catch up before slowly entering Bokuseno’s glade. Inuyasha’s ears broadcast his uncertainty, but when the taiyoukai strode forward, his brother stayed right on his heels. The monk and taijiya glanced about curiously, followed by Kirara’s mincing steps. Jaken led Ah and Un by their reins, and together in the saddle, Rin whispered to Shippo about talking trees. There was no question as to which tree they sought; the sprawling magnolia was of unparalleled height and girth. Once all were assembled before it, a face emerged from its trunk. Bokuseno scanned the road-weary travelers with beady eyes, then sighed, and before his leaves had finished swaying, he inquired, “Has the time finally come? Tell me, Sesshoumaru... why have you brought this hanyou into my wood?”
Finally? Warning bells sounded in the taiyoukai’s head. I have been here many times since Higurashi’s disappearance... and he has never hinted at having knowledge of those events. Glancing furtively at his half-brother, he understood what had changed, and dread locked his jaw.
The tree-youkai waited patiently, but when the prolonged silence grew ridiculous, Miroku stepped forward. “Greetings, Ancient One,” he said gravely. “This hanyou is Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru-sama’s younger half-brother. We have come to you for advice since we are searching for a mutual acquaintance.”
“Inuyasha,” the magnolia drawled. “It is no wonder she was so cautious.”
The hanyou edged closer as curiosity bolstered his courage. “She?” he demanded gruffly. “Do you mean Kagome?”
Bokuseno chuckled. “I bear a message for a hanyou clad in crimson fire-rat robes and wearing a string of beads around his neck.”
Inuyasha reached up to touch the strand that bound him to the girl from the future. “It is Kagome,” he whispered. Then more urgently, he demanded, “A message? What did she say?”
Sesshoumaru stood like a statue, paralyzed by disbelief. Higurashi left a message for Inuyasha?
Emboldened by the promise of news, Inuyasha closed the distance to the tree and stared directly into the youkai’s wizened face. “Well? Out with it, already!” he begged.
“Please,” interjected Miroku, trying to make up for his friend’s lapse in manners.
“As you wish, second-born son of my old friend,” Bokuseno patiently agreed. “Higurashi says, ‘Don’t worry; I’m safe because Sesshoumaru-sama is protecting me. I don’t know what happened. I’m sorry.’”
“Th-that’s all?” Inuyasha asked.
“Yes.”
The hanyou sagged, then chose a seat amidst the old tree’s roots. “It ain’t much to go on.”
Miroku cleared his throat. “That may be all of Kagome-sama’s message, but I doubt it is the end of Bokuseno-sama’s knowledge.”
“Oi, Sesshoumaru! What about the rest? Ain’t you gonna ask him about the cat?”
The taiyoukai blinked slowly, as if coming out of a trance, but when he failed to speak, Miroku intervened once more. “Bokuseno-sama, we understand you were acquainted with Sesshoumaru-sama’s first teacher, Hisoka-sensei.”
“Any idea where we can find him?” prodded Inuyasha.
The tree-youkai’s bark brows lifted. “Hisoka visited at midsummer not many years back,” Bokuseno revealed in a reminiscent voice. “He brought me flowers, and mentioned taking a swim in a lake. For three days, we visited; it was good of him to remember an old friend.”
“Ah... so you do know where he can be found?” Miroku asked hopefully.
“Oh, yes,” the ancient tree chuckled. “Normally, I would warn you that gaining an audience with Hisoka would be extremely difficult, but you seem to have come equipped for the task!” Puzzled glances were exchanged, and Bokuseno hummed and murmured to himself, “Perhaps he knew...? It would not surprise me.”
Inuyasha was on his feet, ready to leave as soon as he had a bearing, but Miroku remained calm. “Equipped? How do you mean?” he politely inquired.
Bokuseno fixed Sesshoumaru with a fathomless gaze and addressed him directly. “If you want to rejoin your sensei, Pup, you will first need the cooperation of... a kitsune.”
A moment later, every eye swung towards Shippo, who gulped.
End Note: Posted on May 14, 2010... just because. 1,001 words. And while I have you here, I’ll point you to my profile page. Links to new Unspoiled arts have been added to the list.