When Meioshi didn't receive an answer for a while, she just huffed and led the way to her home again. Whatever Sesshomaru was changing his terms to had to be pointless. Sounded like he was denying her request to add meaning to their rivalry. Oh well. The two remaining representatives of the holy warrior clans left Sesshomaru there with his sword outstretched. It wasn't until Hikozaemon II had approached the group that Meioshi and Kinzo stopped in their tracks again. Jaken ran to Lord Sesshomaru's side as usual, but he was nervous about this. Meioshi had never met Sesshomaru's grandfather, and he worried that she would disrespect him like Rin probably would've. However, Meioshi did no such thing.
"Oh, I've sensed your presence before. Good evening, elder," Meioshi greeted sweetly, bowing with respect. "You must be the one who frequents my funeral home. I was told a grand youkai often visited. You do not seem to be a merchant, but you have Lord Sesshomaru's furs. Are you perhaps something like an advisor in his court? I am not familiar with your ways."
"... You are the holy warrior my young one thought dead some time ago?" Hikozaemon II asked, locking eyes with Meioshi. She was as cute as his grandson and quite tall.
"Pardon? Oh! Haha, I suppose so," Meioshi replied, laughing at the misunderstanding. "I was simply weakened tremendously at the time. It only felt like I was on the brink of death. I was not dead."
"The Green Pheasant informed me of this. I came here to support my grandson there," Hikozaemon II informed, turning to Sesshomaru who lowered his sword at the reveal. Welp, so much for the mystery.
"HE'S YOUR WHAT!?" Meioshi replied, mouth dropping exaggeratedly. "B-b-but you - !" She snapped her head to Sesshomaru, taking note of the markings, eyes, lips, cheeks, and blank expression, and then looked at Hikozaemon II. His skin was darker and his hair a darker gray and only midway at the shoulder blades, but... they did resemble each other. Similar nose and ears and temperament. "Do favor each other."
Hikozaemon II smirked with pride at the response, making Meioshi really observe their similarities, and stood still for a second. Was that why Sesshomaru was protective of her all of a sudden? He wanted her to meet his family? That was... awfully sweet of him. The elder exuded grace from the way he stood, only looking down to speak to Meioshi at eye level. He seemed genuinely amused about something.
"My young one did not tell me your name. Who are you, holy warrior?" Hikozaemon II asked politely. Sesshomaru didn't inherit courtesy from the elder, it seemed. Brat!
"Jigoku Meioshi, guardian of Heiwa. This is Shigochiyo Kinzo, new leader of the onmyoji and my apprentice in the holy arts. A pleasure to meet you, elder," Meioshi greeted, bowing again and nodding in approval when Kinzo did the same. "Might I learn your name?"
"... Vanakkam, daughter of Usha," Hikozaemon II greeted, forming prayer hands and bowing lightly. This made Meioshi perk up immediately. He knew Hindu culture? How? The elder then said, "I am Hikozaemon II. You are the creature of hope that has disturbed my family. Amusing!"
"Aap mera abhivaadan kaise jaanate hain?" Meioshi asked, making Sesshomaru's ears perk and his head tilt much like a confused pup. She spoke in another language so quickly and naturally. What did she say?
"I married someone much like you, daughter of Usha. I am familiar with your culture," Hikozaemon II answered, making Meioshi's eyes sparkle and her cheeks turn color. She seemed so happy! The elder then surprised her further and said, "Isamen aapakee bhaasha bhee shaamil hai."
Sesshomaru's head tilted again at the strange, almost musical language, but the look of pure joy from Meioshi made him straighten up to just... drink that reaction in. The exchange between his rival and his grandfather was... pleasant. They both seemed to be genuinely happy around each other. The doctor then said in Nihonese, "Such a rich background your grandson has! I am humbled, elder."
"Before I reach the wrong conclusions, why is my cute grandson pointing his toys at you?" Hikozaemon II asked, returning to his blank expression of contentment.
"Oh, something about our initial rivalry. Things have changed. I don't think I'll be able to do battle with him like I thought," Meioshi answered honestly. "Would you like to rest elsewhere? I don't mean to make you stand out here. Pardon my manners."
"I have been most entertained by your home. You are a fine host. I had the pleasure of engaging with my people from Zhongguo, and I spoke with the woman chef from my last visit here. I believe she is named Morihei. I met her just after the Green Pheasant. We spoke again as well. Lord Nihipali informed me of the rare, purple tree you had here. I was on my way to see it before I smelled your attacker," Hikozaemon II informed. This was the most Sesshomaru had seen of his grandfather engaged in idle chitchat. He was typically the silent one.
"Ah, you mean the ash tree! Yes, it's actually to your right. It's last few buds and flowers are still able to be viewed before the cold sets in. You are more than welcome to see it. Need you an escort, elder?" Meioshi asked politely.
"My grandson can serve as my escort. Freshen up and rest, daughter of Usha. I can smell hell's sulfur on your person," Hikozaemon II suggested gently, much like a parent would a child. "We will speak in the morn should time allow. Your apprentice there is famished."
GRRR...
"Ah, pardon that!" Kinzo apologized in a panic, holding his stomach to try to silence it.
"I look forward to seeing you again then, elder. It seems there was a reason for me meeting your grandson, after all," Meioshi said sweetly.
"Have a peaceful night, daughter of Usha," Hikozaemon II said with a bow and small smile.
"Peaceful? I think not," a familiar voice said.
Sesshomaru panicked for some eons before he accepted the fact that his mother did not go to sleep like she was supposed to. Milady approached them all with intention, however. She had found Hasumi playing in someone's garden with another family and chaperoned them for a while. Hasumi, being the bright little lady that she was, had run over to her to hug her and call her auntie despite knowing they weren't related by blood. A past friendship counted, though. She learned from Hasumi that Little A-roo (a.k.a. "Sesshomaru") was growing an attachment to the owner of the garden. The owner was a woman. Hasumi also described every detail of her vacation and participation in the heritage festival of Heiwa. Apparently, the owner of the garden was a big deal here in this bustling little village. Milady was tempted to visit the kappa pond and estate on the cliff behind the small house next to the garden, but she caught the scent of battle and waited to see if her son was in trouble. Mother's instinct and all. Imagine her "surprise" when she saw her son and father-in-law speaking to two demon fighters just outside of the village. One of them was a tall woman in samurai armor. The garden belonged to a woman and was in the style of a samurai home.
"Who is this, Sesshomaru?" Milady demanded, narrowing her eyes and keeping a tense smirk.
"Jaken's servant. Her name is Meioshi," Sesshomaru replied calmly, though he was freaking out mentally.
"Pardon?" Meioshi replied with some displeasure. "I am a bit more than the servant of a snippy-ass imp demon. I am a goddamn doctor, prince of the inu!"
Jaken quickly stomped his foot and ordered, "Mind your tongue! You're in front of milady! That's me lord's mother!"
Meioshi was, in fact, silenced by this and snapped her attention to the new woman. It seemed Sesshomaru inherited a solid 85% of his looks from her including the self-confident personality. Her nightgown was actually quite cute with her furs. She would make an excellent model for the doctor's books! Alas, her look wasn't quite in season. But..., the winter wasn't far away and if spring was slow to warm up this year... No, no! Not the time!
"You're his... mother!" Meioshi said softly with an equal amount of surprise. She lifted a finger to her lips and observed each person for a moment. They indeed looked alike in some way or another. "Oh, you're gorgeous! He looks just like you. I thought he favored his grandfather there, but he favors both of you."
"Who is this new human to you, my son? Have you been together long?" Milady asked, clenching her jaw. Damn her weakness for compliments about her beauty! She wouldn't let the little skank seduce her, though! She had business to tend to with her.
"No," Sesshomaru answered tersely.
"Where's the little human girl I spared those few throwaway years ago? This one looks nothing like her! She's too tall and her hips are too wide. Look at the legs and shoulders on her!" Milady said. "Your little human was a skinny brat! Who fed this big one?"
Meioshi smirked at Milady's words and replied quite coolly, "Thank you for calling me sexy, mother inu. We call these curves of mine 'hana hips'. My grandmother started the trend. She was an itty-bitty thing with more curves than a snaking river! Haha! I intend to deliver strong children with mine someday. Continuing our tradition!"
Milady was silenced by this. This bigger girl was more playful and wittier. It wasn't her looks alone that attracted Sesshomaru. It had to be this personality or strength of hers. She could smell the doctor's powers locking away behind seals. Same with the handsome boy next to her. The rage of the storm was being closed off within him until all of it disappeared and only their human scents were present.
"And will you fatten them up to your size?" Milady challenged.
"Of course! I eat, so they must eat as well!" Meioshi cheered, patting her stomach. "Speaking of which, I'm hungry and this is our last day to pack for the voyage overseas. I must beg your leave, mother inu. Feel free to explore the village before we embark on our journey. The ambassadors will be here for a while. I must do something before I leave with them."
"... Where will you go?" Sesshomaru asked softly. No one mentioned that Meioshi was leaving on a separate trip.
"... To a grand funeral service. I... have to bury my liege," Meioshi said with great remorse.
"Do you mean your general?" Sesshomaru asked with a faint hint of jealousy in his tone.
"... Hmph!" Meioshi huffed with a soft smile, walking away in silence.
__________________________________________________________
Before I had become a mentor to such inspiring youth, before I had become Mama Mei-Mei to many wonderful children, and before I had become a rival to a youkai prince, I was a heartbroken soldier who lost more than her general. I lost my entire unit. At sixteen years of age, Lady Kaede and I were called to aid a group of soldiers who had returned from a bloody battle. It was a civil war that was predicted to last for at least another eleven years. I had volunteered to become an emergency medic closer to the battlefield after cremating nine men and delivering the ashes to their family homes.
I was rejected.
Women were not allowed on the battlefields and could not receive rank as a samurai. This was a way of life that only men could have.
I fought hard to change their minds about it, but they threw me out several times. Save for one man. On Children's Day, I left my domestics schooling to pursue a full-time career as a doctor. I had even changed my name to what is now Jigoku Meioshi. My name has many meanings, but it was chosen to force those who rejected me to call me doctor. Should they be so stubborn and ignore my name, they will have no choice but to address me by my surname. I am a holy warrior chosen by the Shinto gods and who has evolved to acknowledge the Buddhist faith. No matter the religion they choose, they must acknowledge me. As of this day, I have learned a bit about Christianity from a Portuguese warrior. He does not wish to spread his teachings just yet, but he wants to study the holy warriors of Nihon. In order to do this, he must know... me.
In order to know me... he must know how I became a ronin.
I was seventeen when my general came to me. He needed a medic to embark on one of the bloodiest battles Heiwa had ever seen. It was called Operation: White Fox. An army from the north was occupying an island filled with weapons of truly mass destruction. My general was in charge of finding a way to seize or destroy it. Swords, cannons, poisoned arrows, spearheads with teeth, rope darts with an acid coating, women and laborers. All was there being imprisoned or constructed. The armor these men possessed were so tough they could barely move! But... neither could you. Swords broke from a mere touch of the plates! Failure to apprehend a soldier resulted in immediate death... Though I feared my fate in the event of an ambush, it paled in comparison to the training I had to endure for this mission.
Men will never have to experience what I had to. Women are commodities. We feel no pain. We are unworthy of pain. That is the mindset these men had. If you wanted to serve in the army against animals like that, you had to endure one of the worst pains a woman can feel. An animal forcing himself onto you. For this, a warmed jelly or wax coated a phallic device that was roughly the average size of the men on the base. This device penetrated you violently, but it wasn't out of malice. It was a rape simulation. The things that were said to you during this process were harsh. The only mercy you were granted was a room where you could cry with your sisters in training. For us, this was merely training. You could quit and change your mind. The women out there on that horrid island could not. Even if they tried to escape..., they would be put to death. I was to be their medic along with the men. I had to know their pain in order to counsel them, give them a place to cry and be held. I had to be their comfort woman.
When I succeeded in my training, I was given armor and a sword. My beloved parents forbade me from going, but I went anyway. I had even outcast myself to the bottom of the cliff connecting our clan's estate with the Forest of Lurking Beasts. The greatest punishment and dishonor for me were not being able to spend time with them. So, I moved my things to a humble shack and barn. My little science museum was right next door. I trained relentlessly with Kirameku Ha-sensei, Shishou, Lady Kaede, and the northern war queen. I even went through other simulations to prepare for everything I could think of.
During my training, I met a young man...
Nishizaka Sojuro...