InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Dance To Remember ❯ Meeting Andou ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: Whoa…chapter 10 and I STILL don't own a thing…there's something perversely wrong with this.

 

Authors Notes - I GOT MY LAP TOP BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALSO_this was what chapter 9 was SUPPOSSED to be so give me some slack...I hate backtracking but all of you were shoving your frustrations down my throat so i just put up another in its place. Oh well...it all works out so whatever.

 

 

Chapter 10: Meeting Andou

 

Translations: Kyô wa koko de - Today is here

 

Andou - Dark guild

 

I know a soul that is steeped in sin,

 

That no man's art can cure;

 

But I know a Name, a Name, a Name,

 

That can make that soul all pure.

 

I know a life that is lost to God,

 

Bound down by things on earth;

 

But I know a Name, a Name, a Name,

 

That can bring that soul new birth.

 

I know of lands that are sunk in shame,

 

Of hearts that faint and tire;

 

But I know a Name, a Name, a Name,

 

That can set those lands on fire.

 

Its sound is a brand, its letters flame,

 

I know a Name, a Name, a Name,

 

That will set those lands on fire.

 

~Author Unknown (Poem “I Know a Name”)

 

*4 Days Earlier*

 

She was laying in her futon when she heard it - a high pitched squealing sound, like that of a wounded animal.

 

Her eyes snapped open upon hearing it, her body instantly tensing as she cautiously swung her gaze around. Beside her, Rin snuggled into her stomach, her thumb held loosely beneath her chin as she slept the sleep of a child. For a minute she remained completely still, her gaze still looking around, seeing nothing of danger and relaxing slightly. The sun had not even begun to rise yet and all around her was black except for the single candle outside of the screen doors where the guards resided vigilantly.

 

`It was a dream.' She thought with a sigh of relief, relaxing fully once more against the futon.

 

She laid there a minute, smiling down at Rin and squeezing her slightly. Rin shifted against her in response and smiling more she closed her eyes, her mind slowly falling back into quiet bliss.

 

Then she heard it again.

 

She sat up slightly, hearing Rin give a whine as the sudden movement caused her to jostle the little body. Going still, she waited for her to fall back to sleep before listening harder. It happened again, and this time she was ready for it, her eyes widening in surprise when she realized the sound was a lot like that of a horse.

 

Careful not to wake Rin, she slowly sat up, edging out of bed and pulling the covers over the girl to keep her warm. It was too early to wake Souden and make her dress her in her kimono, so she walked over to her vanity, pulling open the bottom drawer and pulling out her priestess robes. They were more practical anyway considering what she had in mind for them.

 

Slipping on her tabi and sandals, she quietly slid open the screen door, nodding to the guards stationed at attention outside. She shouldered her bow and arrows as she stepped over the threshold into the hallway and turned back to them.

 

“If she wakes up have Souden take care of her until I get back.” She said quietly watching them nod. She heard the faint cry off in the distance again and saw the guards look at one another before she padded quietly down the hallway, descending the stairs until she came to the door leading into the kitchen.

 

Sliding it open she took the back exit out into the gardens and from there hurried towards the stables. The sound was coming from that direction and with it came a shiver of something vile, which meant a demon - a nasty one.

 

She began to run, her footsteps silent in the dark morning, the sky just beginning to lighten enough so that she had no trouble seeing, her pack of arrows bouncing comfortably upon her back. The cool morning air whipped at her hair and face, and still running, she reached into her sleeve to grab a white ribbon to tie it back.

 

The feeling of demonic aura was getting stronger and she bit her lip, avoiding a gopher hole and jumping over another rock in order to keep a straight path. Whatever it was it was powerful…and big, which meant it was bad…really bad. It made her wonder why the castle was still asleep. Sesshomaru's injuries were still too grievous to allow him to get up yet and it suddenly occurred to her just how dangerous that was. Their entire plot of territory was unprotected and defenseless.

 

She bit her lip. While the cardinal lords respected the treaties between them all she didn't doubt that a corrupt thought might leak into one's mind should the knowledge of her husbands incapacitation get out.

 

Her eyes narrowed.

 

What was she thinking…no such thing would happen. She was just worried about the demon that she was gaining ground on. The realization made her push the thoughts from her mind. She couldn't let anything distract her once she finally found it.

 

She ran faster, sliding sideways down an embankment to land firmly at the bottom and instantly begin to run uphill once more. Appearing at the top, she looked out over the miles and miles of acreage used to pasture the horses, many already out grazing, some of them raising their heads as they caught sight of her.

 

She frowned. Nothing seemed out of place - no bodies or blood - just that same demonic aura she'd felt before.

 

Suddenly, a piercing squeal of equine fury cut through the silence and she jumped, the grazing horses before her scattering in fright.

 

Looking to the side she saw the main barn a little ways off and ran to it, appearing at the barn doors an instant later and staring at what she saw through the maze of stable hands and demon soldiers.

 

At the end of the barn was the breeding shed, a larger stall used for horses in labor during the birthing season. It had been deliberately built much larger then the other stalls, made especially spacious so that it could easily tower over a full grown battle horse even when it was rearing. It was rarely used at this time of the year, but now the stall doors were wide open, and a horse the size of a small house was rearing and snorting inside of it, its back legs tied together with rope as its front hoofs kicked out wildly, its red eyes filled with anger and fear.

 

Everywhere around her were stable hands with more rope and other supplies, their arms wildly waving in the air. The guards were no better, trying to grab at the horses legs and being kicked away or trampled as a result. She watched as the gigantic horse reared again and suddenly watched as a magnificent pair of feathery wings the color of volcanic rock spread out on either side of its body, the tips of which scaled the sides of the walls. Everyone was screaming and yelling, the horses panicking in their stalls, the sound of wood meeting flesh and hoof horrible to her ears.

 

It was complete and utter chaos and she would have sighed if she'd had the chance. She would have much rather have had something a little bit more…life-threatening.

 

There was a yell of pain as the stallion roared, cleanly kicking a guard into the wall where the demon fell, his unconscious body forgotten among the yells of panic and uncertainty.

 

`I spoke too soon apparently.' She thought with a grimace, rushed forward and pushing humans and demons alike out of her way as she maneuvered her way down the alleyway.

 

As she passed one stall, the horse inside kicked out with its back legs into the stall door, panicking its neighbor who reared, toppling over its water bucket which splashed to the ground.

 

If this kept up the way it was going one of the horses would sooner or later cause injury to themselves or each other. Biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, she blocked out all the noise and focused her mind, sending out a wave of purifying energy which served to calm them slightly. She would have to quiet the demon stallion soon for her spell to keep working and gritting her teeth, she pushed another stable hand out of her way, her hands clenching as someone within the pandemonium around her ground the heel of their boot into her toes.

 

She caught sight of Toyo a few feet in front of her and shouted his name. Somehow, above the din and screaming horses, he heard her and turned her way, relief showing in his eyes as she managed to make her way to him.

 

“WHAT'S HAPPENING?” She yelled, the stallion screaming once more and slamming itself into the ceiling as it tried unsuccessfully to launch itself into the air and finding hard wood in its place.

 

“THE DEMON HORSE MY LORD BROUGHT WITH HIM - IT BELONGED TO THE ONE WHO BURNED THE VILLAGES!”

 

“SO WHY IS IT SUDDENLY ACTING LIKE THIS?”

 

“A STABLE HAND WENT INTO THE STALL!” He shouted back, giving a shout as another guard was kicked backwards into the man in front of him causing him to sidestep in order to not disentangle himself in the fray.

 

She glanced back at the stallion, seeing a large cut across its right shoulder blade and feeling anger rise up within her. They should have known better then to try and use force like they were. Couldn't they see what they were doing wasn't helping?

 

The horses she had calmed earlier at the other end of the barn began acting up again and she cursed, the sound lost amid the commotion. In front of her, one of the soldiers was able to successfully rope the forelegs of the monstrous creature and squealing in anger, the horse again tried to take flight, the sound of unyielding wood hitting flesh once again making her cringe.

 

“I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!” She yelled to Toyo, edging forward, a plan forming in her mind.

 

Toyo grabbed her arm trying to force her back and she shook him off.

 

“I HAVE TO CALM EVERYONE DOWN!”

 

Pushing through the rest of the crowd, she finally found herself behind the soldier who had roped the stallion's front legs and screamed a command to stop. The man either ignored her or didn't hear as he knocked her backwards with his elbow as it connected with her gut. She screamed again for him to stop, clearing her mind of the pain and standing her ground once more. He still didn't react to her and instead only took out his sword, tired of fighting a losing battle and becoming ready to physically attack the creature before him.

 

She shouted again, feeling fury wash through her as her eyes made contact with the stallions in front of her. She saw nothing within them but fear and pain and sent out a pulse of power in its direction, sending a silent promise of comfort. Looking back to the man before her, she began concentrating her energies until they were building inside of her, her mind clearing itself of everything else except her task at hand.

 

Soon she began to feel the rush of her powers as they began flowing freely though her, and she closed her eyes as electricity crackled around her, sending her hair on end as it gently wafted up around her shoulders. Some of the closer stable hands backed away upon seeing it, watching as her arms came out on either side of her, her palms raised up.

 

“I SAID STOP.”

 

Pure, unadulterated power seemed to explode from her body, the very air around her filling with its light and energy. There was a whirling sound like wind rushing through tree branches and then a flash so bright it seemed to destroy everything in its path, the others covering their eyes as everything disappeared in an explosion of colorless light. Taking a step back at the power drain, she looked around, anger still flooding through her, her chest heaving slightly. All around her, demons and humans alike were on their knees, looks of surprised fear on their faces. The demon horse before her was leaning against the wall; its eyes still wild as it tried to remain standing.

 

 

One of its magnificent wings hung limply at its side, looking like it had been broken from the force of trying to break through the roof.

 

Without looking behind her, she kept the eye contact, refusing to break away as she spoke to her servants.

 

“Get out.”

 

They all looked at one another, not sure what to say or make of what had just happened. In the corner, the soldier who had been knocked unconscious moaned, the only noise within the deathly quiet barn. The other horses were stonily silent within their stalls as if asleep, and the horses in the field were the same.

 

“Toyo.”

 

“My lady…?” Came the stable hands tentative voice.

 

“Get them all out of here. I will deal with this now.”

 

“Yes, but-”

 

“Now.” The word was so severe that Toyo swallowed, nodding and bowing even though she would not see it, and gestured to the rest to slowly stand and leave. Keeping the stallions glance, she heard them leaving, sighing inwardly at the peace she had finally instilled - and then someone tripped over a pitchfork, sending it careening to the ground with an ominous clatter. The sound caused the horse to bolt forwards but with its legs tied, it ended up falling on its side, screaming in surprise and pain. The noise as a result caused the other horses to panic and she inwardly cursed the fool who hadn't been paying attention.

 

Taking a quick step forward, she tried to catch the now-flailing horse's eye, narrowly dodging a well placed kick and spun to the side of its neck.

 

“Be still.” She said quietly, hoping the soothing note in her voice might calm him down a bit.

 

It didn't.

 

Squealing in anger, it sought to bite her, catching her sleeve and viciously tearing it. In that same instant, the wild horse lost its balance, falling in a flurry of feathered wings and flashing teeth. Feeling a pang of fear pulse through her, she pushed it away and concentrated again, feeling for the power she needed to make the stallion become still. It fought her even as she placed the binding spell upon it, eyes rolling, nostrils quivering in anxious fear and vehemence, but she kept it at bay, circling slowly around to its front and kneeling down beside it in the hay. Unnerved and wary, it tried to reach up and bite her again but with a gently put command the action was stilled midway.

 

Slowly, she reached down and bit by bit began to stroke his neck, her hand only as big as its ear. Still distrusting, its eyes followed her every move and she sighed, smiling bitterly.

 

“I don't know if you can understand me…but if you can I'm sorry for what's happened to you.”

 

She was interrupted as the stallion cried out, trying to move itself onto its legs and collapsing back on the ground with a squeal of pain.

 

Biting her lip, she hushed it, keeping a steady pressure on its neck to keep it calm.

 

“I was told Sesshomaru killed your rider-”

 

Breathing hard, the horse violently blew hair from its nostrils and she bit her lip.

 

“He's very domineering as I'm sure you saw…arrogant and quick to assume that whatever he finds is then his.” She stroked his neck again and for the next few minutes she was silent, quietly running her hand down its glossy black neck, unsure of what else to say. Instead she looked out over its gloriously muscled body, becoming lost as she took in the shining black coat now mottled with clumps of dirt and blood.

 

She smiled sadly, her hand gently sliding down its neck to its legs, untying the crud knot that held it in place. She felt the demon horse fighting against her enchantment but she only hushed it, throwing the rope away and stroking its neck once more.

 

“When I was a little girl, maybe five or so…I remember there was this beautiful grey mare I wanted with all my heart to tame. It's interesting because you remind me a lot of her.” She was speaking, talking about nothing, not sure of where this was going but hoping it did some good in the end.

 

“Her last owners would beat her…tie her to one of the fence posts and leave her there for days because she would never let their son ride her. She was a special mare because she could run faster than any other horse ever reared in these lands.” She smiled despite herself as the memory and as she spoke slowly began sliding her hands all over the stallions body, down his legs, across his belly, then finally down his back legs, gently releasing the remainder of the blood stained rope and placing it off to the side, staring down at the still bleeding wounds and frowning.

 

“She could run like the wind was her father and the air was her mother…but it was for this reason that she would never let a rider up onto her back. The parents tried everything to get that beautiful thing to submit…but nothing worked. Then, one day I saw her there, tied to one of the fence posts where she'd probably been for at least a couple days. I had decided to go riding that day with my nanny and had ventured out further then I usually did. I came upon her, legs flailing and kicking against the post, trying to dislodge the chain and get free. When I saw it I stopped my own horse and got down, letting my mare go off and graze not too far away.”

 

As she'd talked, the stallion had slowly begun to go quiet, his eyes losing their wild look little by little, even though his ears stayed plastered back in warning.

 

“I tried to give her an apple…but she just screamed at me and kicked, trying to frighten me away from her. I'm sure she thought me another person to punish her…and I could have left…but I couldn't help how miserable a sight she looked…her ribs showing clearly through her skin and her feet worn down and covered in muck. Her eyes were fighting even through all of that however and that was when I decided to buy her.”

 

She trailed off, a moment of silence following afterwards and looking over, she saw that the stallion's sides were no longer heaving up and own.

 

“The owners were glad to do so since they were about two days away from having her destroyed and I took her home as soon as I was able to.”

 

She smiled.

 

“I remember letting her out to pasture for the first time and how she stayed there for weeks…not letting any of the other horses come near her…let alone me or any of my parent's staff. But every day I waited by the fence with an apple, sometimes watching her from sunrise to sunset, never giving up on taming her wild spirit. After that I called her Shôkôgun…because she was always moving, always wild and unstoppable, no matter what.”

 

Toyo suddenly appeared at the doorway before her, shaking his head at what he saw before him, his disbelief clearly evident. She shook her head to keep him from speaking and gestured with her head towards the tray of brushes outside the stall.

 

“Can I have the one with the soft bristles? And I'll need a bucket of cold water and a towel.”

 

Toyo nodded and did as she said, uncertainly flicking glances from the stallions powerful legs to her as he got within kicking distance, giving her the brush first and hurrying away to get water. Watching him go, she stroked her thumb gently inside of the stallions ear, then down to his cheek and finally to his neck.

 

“So, like I was saying, I would watch Shôkôgun any day that I could for hours on end. Whenever I wasn't training or studying, I would come down to her paddock and watch her graze, knowing she was wary of my being there. From the very beginning I had taken it as my job to feed her grain and keep her paddock free of poisonous plants and such…and at first she would go crazy, screaming and running here and there as if a demon were on her heels-”

 

Toyo appeared with the water and cloth and she took it, beginning to wash down the wounds on his legs. Sitting on a stool outside the stall, Toyo watched with interest as the once furious animal became progressively calmer and calmer, its ears slowly beginning to work their way forward until they rested tranquilly in their normal state, flicking sideways every now and again upon hearing some unheard noise to the rest of them.

 

“But after a while Shôkôgun became a little more allowing of me in there with her…and every day I'd leave her a bucket of grain in the same place, underneath one of the apple trees that stood outside the fence. Most of its branches rested over into her paddock so she was always there eating bits of them and such. I never spoke to her loudly or angrily…no matter how much her running away made me angry or frustrated…I did what I'm doing now for you and finally, one day she followed me when I put her bucket under the apple tree.” She paused for emphasis before continuing.

 

“Shôkôgun wouldn't come near me as far as touching her went…but after a couple of weeks I finally got my first chance to pat her. She spooked instantly of course and ran away…and I had to keep my patience together not to get irritated at her…but in the end it paid off because a few days later I was able to pat her again and that time she didn't.”

 

Slowly as she had talked she'd finished his front and back legs, clearing away the blood and dust to now work up to his wing, checking it gently to see the damage. It wasn't broken but badly bruised and beneath her fingers she felt the animal tense up again. She hastily went back to his neck, stroking the soft flesh evenly, her hands gentle as her fingertips skimmed across the veins.

 

“Months went by and we became closer and closer until the day happened when I did finally get to ride her.”

 

She smiled remembering the event.

 

“She bucked me off the first time so actually it was the second try that I actually rode her…but it was the most amazing feeling being way up there on her back - racing across the earth like a leaf buffeted by the wind.”

 

Her smile fell away.

 

“My happiness was short lived.” She paused, her calming spell slowly lifting inch by inch, and she knew the stallion could feel it.

 

The real test would be if he tried to bolt again and she hoped that would not the case.

 

“What happened?” Toyo asked curiously, unsure of why she had stopped.

 

She looked over at him with surprise, having temporarily forgotten he was there.

 

“That same day… Shôkôgun's previous owners came by and saw what I'd accomplished. According to my parents they both became enraged and stormed out, my parents not hearing from them for days…” She cut herself off and slowly stood up.

 

“Two days later I found Shôkôgun poisoned in her stall…and she died in my arms as I tried to heal her. It was demon poison…very strong, and my priestess energies weren't strong enough…so she died as a result. Since then I promised myself that I would be the strongest priestess and I guess I did. But its funny, isn't it? Since it's because I was the most powerful one that I was chosen to house the sacred jewel in my body…and that as a result of that, ended up as Sesshomaru's bride.” She turned towards Toyo with a look of anger in her eyes.

 

“It's interesting how things turn out since that horse originally belonged to Sesshomaru - and it was his poison that killed her. Even though I had never met him, in my five-year-old mind I knew it was him. His parents had probably told him that some human girl had managed to tame her and him being him…well…we both know he doesn't take kindly to being bested…by anyone for that matter.”

 

Mouth open in surprise, Toyo stared at her, watching as she turned and looked back down at the winged horse whose head had lifted slightly to look up at her, his body straightening out so that he rested with his legs beneath him instead of at his side.

 

His ears perked straight ahead, a somewhat less-wary look in his eyes, and she pushed away the anger that had clouded her mind and voice for the last few moments to replace it with peace.

 

“So you see…we're both in the same boat. We're both property of sorts.”

 

She smiled, her fingers tracing down his great nose, the rest of her spell breaking away.

 

“You can get up now if you'd like…” She said quietly, watching him ruffle his wings slightly, his great legs swinging beneath his enormous bulk as the stallion stood, shaking itself free of hay and excess water from the wet rag she'd used to wash out his injuries. She laughed, reaching out slowly to stroke his neck once again.

 

“You were abused too, weren't you?” She asked softly, forehead resting against the bridge of his nose briefly before pulling away to look back into his eyes.

 

“Well…you won't be in pain anymore. I'd like to give you a name as well if that's alright with you…”

 

To her amazement, the animal hesitantly rifled its uninjured wing and stomped the ground, head shaking up and down in an exaggerated bobbing motion. She smiled and took a step back, politely bowing towards the animal and greeted it in the customary fashion of meeting one for the first time.

 

“Hajimemashite. My name is Kagome, wife to Sesshomaru and second in command to rule the western territories.” Her words were soft and clear, and in answer, he blew through his nostrils, pawing the ground.

 

Straightening up, she found her head only came up to the stallion's chest and she grinned, closing her eyes and resting her face against him. The scent of horse sweat and hay made her sigh, and pulling away after a few moments, she turned to the doorway. As if reading her mind, Toyo's mouth fell open once again, incredulous.

 

“Your not going to let that - that THING outside are you?”

 

Sensing Toyo's hostility, the stallion pawed the ground with a sound of anger making the lad turn white, hiding behind the stall door in fear. Laughing at it, Kagome turned, patting him down gently.

 

“He needs to be outside…his wing is sprained and besides that he's been in this barn for too long.” She moved forward, the stallion hesitantly following after her and she looked over her shoulder at it and smiled, her aura pulsing softly to assure him that he was not being tricked.

 

“Leave ahead of us and make sure the others aren't close by. We'll need some space.”

 

“WE?” Toyo asked in disbelief, a snort from the monstrous animal behind her making him jump and hurriedly take a few steps back before turning and quickly making his exit.

 

Watching him go, she laughed again as he looked over his shoulder and fell over a rake, slamming face first into the half open barn door. Shaking her head, she led them both out into the sunrise, grabbing a small rucksack of oats from the grain room as she went.

 

When she stepped out into the dawn she turned, seeing the animal hesitating within the lamplight of the barn. At first, the animal simply looked around, ears flying this way and that to make sure of there being no danger, nostrils expanding as he took in the scented air. Coaxing him out further, she took out a handful of oats and fed them to him and with each step she stopped and repeated the action, until they were on top of the rise she had had to run up earlier to get there. Looking out she watched as the sun rose even higher into the pastel sky, not bright enough yet to force her to shield her eyes.

 

She felt something knock into the sack in her hand and looked over, laughing as she opened it further and emptied it onto a grassy space on the ground. Instantly, the stallion was on it, eating as if he had been starved. Offhandedly, she wondered how long he hadn't eaten for. looking back at the voracious stallion she felt sadness wash over her at the obvious truth. He probably hadn't eaten anything other then the emergency hay supply. Considering his size…ten bales wasn't nearly enough.

 

“Kyô wa koko de.” She said, something brightening within her as she watched him feed, looking back out to the wonder of nature before her and breathing in deeply.

 

`Today is here.'

 

She sighed. Looking back on it now, that had happened nearly four days ago, and she had decided to call him Andou after a long deliberation with herself. From than moment they only got closer.

 

By the next week, the animal was following her around everywhere she went, and she rewarded him in return with hidden treats and freely given affection. She bandaged his wing properly, inwardly pushing away the wailing cry of her soul to ride him since she knew it was not the right time.

 

As the days had gone by, her husband rose and was instantly in the training dojo to regain his lost strength, and the same day she had met Andou, she found out firsthand that Rin and the animal seemed almost like close friends. Rin had made almost more headway with him then she had, most likely because they both had known a cruel life and could unconsciously sense it in one another. The child was protective of both of them, and kept Kagome in her sight at all times. When this was not the case, it was Andou who became even more fiercely protective and it warmed her heart in a way she had not felt since she had been married.

 

*****

 

She was leading Andou back to the main barn when she noticed him, a man with long dark hair standing beside the fence watching the grazing horses off in the distance. By now the sun had risen and it was no longer early morning and curious, she led them both towards him. She could hear the stable hands inside the barn milling about, still cleaning stalls and finishing their chores, and her eyes never left the darkly-dressed figure, watching as suddenly, the man turned. She relaxed instantly and smiled, recognizing him as Naraku Kagewaki, one of the guests who'd come to her wedding.

 

She was about to pose a greeting when Andou suddenly spooked, squealing angrily and rearing as he tore himself away from her grip. Surprised, she reached up, instinctively placing a sort of calming spell on the demon horse and watching him slowly relax, albeit unwillingly, his ears remaining flat against his head as he kept his steady gaze on Naraku. Pushing him gently, she let him into the connecting pasture, ordering five bales of hay to be put out for him before came back to properly greet her guest, shrugging off Andou's actions.

 

“I'm terribly sorry-” She apologized, bowing in embarrassment towards the man before her.

 

“Oh it's no problem - I simply don't have a way with animals like you do Kagome-san.” He said back easily, returning her bow.

 

“Do you remember me?” He asked, a smile lighting up his face, bringing out his high cheekbones and strong chin.

 

She nodded, inwardly feeling something about this man that she couldn't put her finger on. He was suave…very handsome as well which she hadn't noticed at the wedding. He was also a demon; she could feel his demonic aura swirling around him, showing he had a considerable amount of power. She sensed that he was not letting on as to how much strength he really had but it was of no consequence; her husband did the same with his aura, which to her was astounding because all someone had to do stand ten feet away from him and feel themselves being buffeted back by it. The thought made her sigh, earning a curious look from her guest. She instantly brightened, looking back at him and smiling.

 

“My husband is training at the moment if you'd like to wait.”

 

He shook his head, looking out over the land again before coming back to her.

 

“I would rather talk with you. I did not come on any sort of official business…simply an off-the-cuff appearance I hope you don't mind…my timing is not always the best, and I see that you are busy with matters here…”

 

“Oh, of course no! I'm not busy enough to greet a guest, especially one who attended my wedding! I have not seen you in many months Kagewaki-san.”

 

He nodded, seeming to glide across the distance between them as he came to her side and gestured outwards to the fence stretching down the valley.

 

“Take a walk with me dear one.”

 

It was more a demand then a request but for some reason it didn't bother her. His praise from earlier still rang clearly in her ears and she found no reason at all for why she shouldn't. She was on her lands and there were plenty of people around assuming she needed help at some point. Looking over at the castle, she saw Rin and Souden in the front courtyard picking flowers, Rin holding up something she couldn't see for Souden's inspection. Turning back to follow Naraku's hand she caught sight of Andou a short distance away, his red eyes watching them both unwaveringly. She frowned at it. What could be wrong with him all of a sudden? He'd never acted like this before.

 

Shrugging inwardly, she agreed, beginning to walk along beside him as they started off, instantly starting in on a mild conversation about a new kind of bee that had been invading much of the surrounding territory recently.

 

“What are they called?”

 

“Hell Wasps, or something of that nature. Nasty things…their sting can kill a grown man in just under a minute. She gave him a troubled look.

 

“Have they found a way to destroy them?”

 

He shook his head, looking out to the pastures.

 

“Not even an antidote for the venom. Then again, demons are not affected as seriously as humans so perhaps that is why more of an effort has not been made.”

 

She nibbled her bottom lip as she thought about his words, looking over her shoulder and seeing Andou slowly following them, still a fair distance away.

 

“Enough of this depressing talk. The day is too beautiful, as is the company keeping me, to dally in such things.

 

She blushed again, waving him away.

 

“You're too kind Kagewaki-san.”

 

He smiled, suddenly looking up at the grove of trees at their left and pointing something out to her.

 

“The birds are getting ready to go to warmer shores for the oncoming winter.”

 

She looked up to see a few skylarks twittering at one another.

 

“What makes you think that?” She asked curiously. “It doesn't look like their acting any differently to me.”

 

“It is because you are still a fledgling demon, no insult meant of course.”

 

She nodded, shaking her head.

 

“That's okay…I should have already known that'd be the case. To tell you the truth I miss it at times…being human I mean. It just made everything so much more simple then it is now…”

 

“Are you unhappy with it?”

 

“Huh? Oh…well…sometimes I am yeah, when my family saw me like this for the first time I got the feeling like they hadn't expected it to occur either. Something about how normally when…yeah, you know…”

 

He nodded, smiling down at her pleasantly.

 

“Most types of demons don't have this effect or something like that?” She finished, blushing at her disastrous attempt at speech.

 

“It is a chemical occurrence.” He said, a wind gently sliding over them, rifling his long black hair and sending it cascading over his shoulders.

 

“Many demons do not produce it…birds, reptiles, amphibians, those sorts. Even many demons of mammal origins do not…and it is to the point now where only the most pureblooded of the demon race are able to turn others. Be happy you have your husband. Inu youkai mate for life as I'm sure you know. It would not be so happy an occurrence if he were to be a rabbit demon or some other such thing.”

 

She offhandedly fingered the stripes on her wrists.

 

“Chemical, huh? Well then I guess I get the whole package deal.” She grumbled under her breath. She got to live forever, guard the jewel, continue her priestess expeditions AND be a demon all at the time with a husband she couldn't STAND. Wonderful. Life was fucking terrific.

 

She sighed, hearing the man next to her laugh at it.

 

“You should not be so openly glum about such things. Your frowning might bring the snow to us sooner.”

 

“I hope not…”

 

He laughed again.

 

“We shall have to see then wont we my lady?”

 

She suddenly realized that they had walked out almost a mile and stopped, turning back towards the castle, and inwardly berating herself since she knew it was improper to be out alone so far away with such a man as he.

 

“Kagewaki-san-”

 

“Please, call me Naraku.” His words were like honeyed velvet and she found herself blushing again to her utter mortification.

 

Almost nineteen years old and still acting fifteen! Had she learned nothing?

 

She shook herself.

 

“I would prefer to call you by your last name Kagewaki-san.” She said bowing respectfully. He gave her an easy shrug and smiled.

 

“Let us go back then. I know you have things that you must do.”

 

She nodded; regret clouding her senses until she forced herself to see reason. She did have things to do - things like feeding Rin and taking care of the castle. She had to see the main chef about tonight's dinner as well as the kimono maker about her new robe…

 

She sighed, resting her fingers in front of her as she looked out. The day was well into the afternoon now, and yet she felt no need to hurry, so she didn't. She deserved a moment of relaxation anyways.

 

“That animal…the black stallion you were with when I first came, where did you attain him from?” He asked, catching her from her thoughts like a net catching up a fat trout.

 

“Oh…uh…” She stopped, unsure of how to continue.

 

He apologized.

 

“I did not mean to be rude…I was simply curious.”

 

“Of course…”

 

There she went off again blushing like that! What was WRONG with her?

 

“I didn't…Sesshomaru got him from one of the bandit leaders raiding our lands. I don't know the specifics.”

 

He nodded, and they walked along in silence until they returned to the barn entrance. He smiled at her and she smiled back, suddenly becoming still as he reached out and tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear in a gesture that was too personal for even her.

 

She was about to tell him so and bid him farewell when there was a scream of fury behind them from Andou. Turning in surprise, she did so just in time to see him rear, his powerful back legs pushing him from the ground as he launched himself in their direction. Caught off guard, she managed to doge the animal as it flew straight through the fence, wood and dirt flying in all directions as the demon horse landed directly in front of her, screaming and squealing as if it were being stuck over and over again by a hot poker.

 

Unsure of what was going on, confusion and anger furiously whirled through her mind as she ran to his side, trying to catch a hold of his mane. It was no use; the stallion reared again, great black wings spreading out with all the glory of a beautiful winged bird as he slammed his hooves down into the hard soil, the earth itself shaking from the force of it.

 

All of a few feet away, Naraku stood calmly, a dark look in his eyes as he and the monstrous beast stared one another down. Not seeing it, she clapped her hand against the side of his neck, hoping to get the horse's attention but failed, the animal knocking her aside as easily as a small child kicking a stone.

 

“Andou!” She cried out his name, the stallions roar of anger as it reached out to bite at Kagewaki making her scream, even as the man smoothly moved to the side, easily avoiding the danger.

 

“Andou!” She cried again, scrambling to her feet, her priestess powers beginning to flow out of her.

 

“Calm down!” And her hands finally caught at his long black mane, energy pulsing through her into his warm flesh making the animal weaken slightly, his snorts and cries of anger almost instantly turning quiet as she heaved a heavy dose of calming energy into his system.

 

Not knowing how long she could keep him contained she looked over at the man whom she'd been talking with for the last few hours and smiled weakly.

 

“I think it is time for your visit to be at its end…I'm afraid I really am busy now.”

 

She missed the hard look that flashed through the man's eyes as he glanced at the horse since it was gone when he turned back to her and bowed respectfully.

 

“Until next time then, Kagome-san.” And with that he was gone.

 

Sucking in air, she released her spiritual hold on Andou and the animal reared again, bellowing when he found his chosen target gone.

 

“Hey - what's wrong? What happened to you?” She asked, reaching up and grabbing his long face, the animals temper cooling slightly at her touch. Pawing the ground, he snorted again, his long tail flicking back and forth in irritation. She shook her head.

 

“Come on…let's go back…” She sighed, making a move to go into the barn before she was stopped by a neigh beside her.

 

“Stopping, she looked up at the stallion, patting his neck gently.

 

“Are you ok now?” She asked him quietly, watching his head bow slightly to bump at her shoulder and blowing air through his nostrils again. She smiled, resting her cheek against his nose, the fuzzy flesh warm and soft against her skin.

 

At the barn entrance, she saw a cluster of stable workers watching her in blatant amazement and she kissed Andou's nose in the place where her cheek had been before leading him back through the now shattered gate. The workers would fix it while she remained with him.

 

Sighing to herself, she looked over her shoulder at the following animal and sighed. So much for her errands.