InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A New Twist ❯ Snow Phoenix and the return ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: Because of a misfortunate turn of events, I do not now nor have I ever owned Inu-Yasha, Inu-Yasha characters, or the Inu-Yasha plot. Ether is of my own creation and so is Lilly. And now I own my lovely MIMI!!!!!

 

Chapter 7

 

It had only been a day later when Kagome was finally able to convince Inu-Yasha to allow her to go home with her sister. She watched the white bird Sesshomaru had left with her and she sighed. Was she supposed to just tell the bird and it would fly off? Or did she have to tie a message to its leg.

“Do you have a message for my master?” The bird suddenly asked, its eyes glittering with amusement at the miko's surprise. With a soft glow, the bird transformed into a snow phoenix. “If you have a message please tell me.” She said with a smirk. She loved to surprise those around her. She wasn't a demon, but a phoenix, so those around her were unable to sense what she was until she transformed into her humanoid form.

Kagome gaped at the girl standing in front of her. The bird/girl was wearing a small white, strapless top and her skirt was split on both sides, it too was white. She had feathers covering her arms and instead of wings on her back, they were attached to her arms. Her feet were clawed and her eyes were wide and light blue.

Mimi glanced around, not only was the miko in shock, but so was the monk, the half-demon, the two full demons, and the demon exterminator.

“How…why, why didn't I sense you were a demon?” Kagome asked in shock. She had thought the bird was strange.

Mimi rolled her eyes. “I am a snow phoenix. In no way am I a demon!” She exclaimed, her feathers ruffling slightly. “So…do you have a message for my master?” She asked, getting a little impatient to return to her home.

Kagome snapped out of her confusion and nodded. “I do. Tell him that we're headed for the well so Ether and I can return home for a few days.”

Mimi nodded and jumped into the air, transforming into her normal bird form as she did. She had three forms all together. Her human/demon like form, her regular bird form, and her phoenix form (which caused sever blizzards, thus why she didn't stay in that form).

Miroku shook his head in shock. “I never would have thought I would ever see a phoenix in my life!” he said astounded. “Especially a snow phoenix, they are more rare then a fire phoenix, and not to mention even rarer then a water phoenix.” He shook his head again in awe.

Inu-Yasha shuffled his feet and then sighed softly. “Well, let's get back. Sesshomaru will be there faster then we will most likely.” He said, picking up Kagome's things. He inhaled softly as he did so. He would never admit it to Kagome or anyone else, but the reason he carried her things was not because he thought she was slow, but because he wanted to have her scent near him. Since he was afraid to even touch her, lest he get “sat”, the next best thing was to carry her things.

Kagome smiled at Inu-Yasha, giving him a silent thanks. He smirked back, which made her blush. She quickly turned away to hide her blush as she walked on. She loved it when Inu-Yasha smirked or smiled without adding some stupid comment. She sighed softly to herself, so that they couldn't hear, but Shippo did.
“Why are you sighing momma?” he asked cutely, jumping on top of her head. He looked down into her face, his little pointed ears twitching slightly.

Kagome smiled. “Because I'm concerned with the current events…I really don't think Ether should be anywhere near Sesshomaru, but I have no choice but to do as Sesshomaru has said.” She frowned, thinking to herself.

Shippo sighed and shook his head, just sitting on his mom's head. He couldn't understand what was wrong. Sesshomaru had said he wouldn't hurt Ether, and he had also said he only wanted Ether around to teach Rin. He grinned happily. He liked Rin; it was nice to know that there was some one around his age that he could, maybe, play with in the future.

 

Mimi flew as fast as her long white wings would carry her. It took little time for her to arrive at her Lord and Master's castle. She slowed and started to descend into her master's rooms, transforming as she did. She looked around, but was unable to see him. She frowned and sniffed, her sense of smell wasn't as strong as a demon, but it was stronger then a humans. She also opened her senses to feel her way to her master. She sensed that he was outside in the rose garden with the girl, Ether. She smiled. She couldn't help it; she had watched Ether during the time she had resided in the castle. Ether's smile made everyone else smile. Mimi sighed, that was probably one of the affects of a dragon. When a dragon was happy, everyone knew, when a dragon was upset, everyone knew, when a dragon was pissed off, everyone ran for the hills. Mimi chuckled at this thought as she spread her arms/wings and glided out the window and towards the rose garden. A dragon was such an interesting creature, almost as rare as a phoenix and no one was sure if a dragon was a demon or another species…like how a phoenix was. In all her years of life, she had met with many dragons, little did anyone know. There were more of them then people thought, they had just found a better way of concealing themselves and hiding. As she descended once more she spotted Sesshomaru, Ether, and Rin sitting around a pound. Ether had a sheet of paper and a brush, trying to teach Rin some simple letters, Lord Sesshomaru was simply watching. She transformed back into her bird form, no use scaring Ether out of her wits.

Rin grinned and jumped up when she saw Mimi. She was glad for the distraction from the letters Ether was teaching her. She enjoyed watching Ether's hand move delicately over the paper, creating a symbol for her to try and copy. She had messed up several times, but Ether had just smiled and held her hand to try and steady it. Rin had enjoyed writing very much, but she liked distractions even more. “Mimi! Rin is very happy to see you again!” she bounded towards Sesshomaru, where Mimi had gone. Mimi was sitting on Sesshomaru's outstretched arm.

Sesshomaru listened to her soft chirrups and nodded. Rin stopped and reached up towards Mimi, trying to get her into her arms. Mimi glanced at her master and when he nodded she hopped into Rin's arms, singing happily. Rin giggled happily.

“Rin, why don't you take Mimi to the kitchens to find her something to eat?” Sesshomaru suggested.

Rin nodded and ran off, Mimi chirping in her arms.
Sesshomaru kept his eyes away from Ether as she picked up the drying paper, brushes, and ink. He glanced at her; Ether was wearing a light blue kimono, with her long black, gold streaked hair braided back. He felt his fingers twitch slightly as he looked at the gold swirl on her cheek. How he just wanted to trace those tiny golden scales. He sucked in his breath as she turned and smiled at him.

“I'm guessing that was your bird then?” She asked lightly, trying to balance everything in her arms. She laughed as she started to drop the brushes. Before she could reach down to pick them up, Sesshomaru had grabbed them and the ink.

“You really must be more careful.” Sesshomaru said with a smooth low voice that sent shivers down Ether's back.

Ether gulped slightly, Sesshomaru was looking at her intensely with those amber eyes of his. She shivered and clutched the paper in her arms.

Sesshomaru sighed and looked away from those perfect dark eyes so similar to his own. “Go pack the things you came here with. You sister has requested that you return home with her.” He turned and stalked away from Ether, angry with himself for making such a deal. Then again he knew it was the only way to keep Ether happy.

Ether stood there dumbly for a moment, not sure about what she had just heard. She then grinned and turned, rushing back towards the castle to grab her bag and her things. She passed Lilly. Lilly called after her to try and find out what was going on. “I'm going home with my sister!” Ether called back with a big grin. As much as she enjoyed being in Sesshomaru's castle with all her new friends, she did look forward to seeing her family again. She grinned as she skipped into her room, tripping over the throw rug as she did. She fell heavily, but rolled to avoid injuring herself badly. She laughed as she lay there on her back. She looked up at the ceiling and sighed. She then pushed herself up off the ground and examined herself to make sure nothing was ripped. Satisfied that everything was in order she went into her bedchamber and changed out of the kimono and into the black skirt and silver t-shirt she had brought with her. She frowned slightly; she had too many black skirts. She stuffed everything that she had brought with her back into her bag. When she was done she sighed and headed for the door, suddenly she felt like she didn't want to leave at all. She looked around slowly and smiled sadly. She wondered what Kagome would say when they saw each other again. Would Kagome be mad that she had followed her through the well? What would mom think? It had only been one day that they had known each other and already Ether was running around like a child. She frowned; she would be turning 17 soon, an important age her mother had once told her. It was only a month away and she honestly didn't know why it was so important. She then thought for a moment. `Kagome should be turning 19 here shortly. She was only a couple years older then Ether was after all.

She was still thinking as she made her way to the entrance of the castle, she didn't get lost anymore when traveling the few halls she needed to travel. She would probably get lost if she wanted to explore the whole place, but she would save that for another time. Because of how deep she was in thought, she did not see the silver haired Dog Demon Lord standing in front of her. She collided head first into his chest and fell onto her backside. She groaned and rubbed her head dramatically, her head didn't hurt, but her butt did! She could hear a soft chuckle from above her and she sharply looked up. “That wasn't funny!” she said with a huff.

“On the contrary, it was very much funny.” Sesshomaru grinned very slightly and Ether had to grin back. Sesshomaru's smile widened very slightly and mentally he was glad there were no servants around. He, the great Sesshomaru, never smiled…but when he was alone with Ether, he would smile for her. Sesshomaru reached down to help her to her feet.

She smiled happily and brushed off her black skirt. She shifted her bag so that it was on her shoulder again.

“Before we go, I think I must return this. I had the chain repaired and this Sesshomaru apologizes for breaking it.” He said kindly, holding up the locket that Ether had worn the day they met. He could see her grin of pure delight as he held it up and he was immensely glad he had been wise enough to get such a fine chain repaired.

“Oh thank you Sesshomaru! You have no idea how much this means to me. My mother gave this to me before she died and I've never lost it once.” She reached out to take it and put on, but Sesshomaru stopped her.

“Turn around,” He said with a deep husky rumble. “I wish to place it on you.” He smirked at her flushing cheeks as she turned and moved her braid out of the way. He slipped it around her neck, inhaling her scent as he did, trying to memorize the heavenly aroma of cucumbers and melons to his memory (a/n, that's my favorite scent so sue me!). He could feel her body temperature rise as he continued to stand there; his hand lay gently on the back of her neck. He was glad the chain was so long that he could easily slip it over her head, or else he would have had a difficult time putting it back onto her delicately shaped neck. He pulled away from her as he heard Jaken approaching.

Ether hid her blush with her hands and went to stand outside to blame the flush on the heat of the day, it was rather hot out after all.

“My Lord Sesshomaru, it is good to see you returned to your castle.” The little toad squeaked out. He glanced at the half-demon standing in the courtyard, away from hearing. “It is also good to see that creature leaving. I did not think a great Lord, as yourself would keep that thing around for more then you needed.” Jaken said, and as soon as he said it, he felt a clawed hand around his neck. He heard the growling from his Lord and his eyes went wide as they met with blood streaked demonic ones.

“You ever show her that kind of disrespect to her in front of me, or if I ever hear of you disrespecting her, I will have your head. A dragon is to be respected, no matter if there is a mixture of blood or not.” He snarled out before dropping the toad with disgust. He didn't understand why he didn't simply kill the thing that irritated him so.

He turned and solemnly walked out to where Ether was standing, her face turned to the sky. Her hair was all black, her fangs gone, her golden swirl of scales were also gone. She looked, and felt, very much human now. But the difference was, that he could see through the magic of the locket. He had looked into the power of the locket and had been able to add his power to it so that there was a protection charm that would surround Ether in a time of danger, and his power also allowed for him to see through the physical barrier so that he could always see her true self. “Are you ready?” he asked softly and warmly, one of the only times he ever let warmth into his voice. He had only been warm to a few other people in his life and one was his human Rin.

Ether nodded and as Sesshomaru reached out to wrap his one arm around her stomach, she placed her nose into his chest and inhaled quietly. She felt comforted and warm in his embrace, she remembered when her mother embraced her similarly, but there had been a great deal of love in her mothers embrace. She couldn't say she felt loved when wrapped in Sesshomaru's arm, the only real love she had ever known was that of her mother, before she had died. She whimpered softly at the memory of her mother.

 

* Flash Back *

 

Ether whimpered as her mother slowly picked the gum out of her daughters hair. “Remind me again how this happened sweetheart?” Cassandra asked softly and lovingly.

Ether whimpered and snuggled into her mother's chest, inhaling hard. Her mother smelled like fresh warm bread, comforting and wonderful. Sniff. “The boy,” sniff, “at school laughed at me,” sniffles, “and threw gum into my hair.” She squeaked as her mother pulled suddenly, getting the rest out.

Cassandra smiled sadly and cradled her daughter in her arms. “Do you know why he laughed, my little light?” she asked softly, kissing her daughters forehead as she gently ran her fingers through Ether's hair to straighten it.

Ether sniffled and tried to continue. “He said I was weak.” She knew he was right, she was weak, she never wanted to see anyone hurt, she hated violence, and she at least didn't try to use her strength that was inside her.

Cassandra frowned. “You're not weak my daughter, my world, if you were weak, then you would have lost control and would have hurt that boy for what he did. You are very strong, never forget that my light in the darkness.” Ether melted into her mother's warm embrace and smiled. This was what being loved was, having someone to hold you close and tell you everything would be alright, knowing they would always be there for you to help you up when you fell, to pull gum out of your hair when a boy at school was being mean. That was what being loved felt like, having someone to just hold you.

Ether sighed and soon fell asleep in her mothers arm.

 

* End Flash Back *

 

Ether hadn't realized that Sesshomaru was racing across the ground, she being held tight against his chest. She hadn't even realized when they were nearing the well. No one was there yet, but she could sense her sister making her way closer.

Sesshomaru slowed from his run, and he placed Ether on her feet even slower. He didn't want to let her go ever. She had been so relaxed in his arm, she had even nuzzled into his chest at one point, but he supposed that she had done so to keep warm from the cold wind blowing past them caused by his speed. He kept his arm around her waist lightly, and that was how Kagome and her friends found them as they came out of the trees and towards the well.

Sesshomaru let go of Ether hastily and then backed up a few feet when he sensed his brother approaching rapidly.

Inu-Yasha stopped directly in front of Ether. “Did he hurt you in any way?” he demanded quickly, he had to know so that if she said yes, he could kill his brother before Kagome did something stupid.

Ether looked at him in shock, she didn't understand who Inu-Yasha was talking about until she glanced at Sesshomaru. “What? Why would Sesshomaru hurt me? He is the kindest person I've ever met!” she exclaimed as Kagome came up to her and looked her over quickly before pulling Ether into a hug.

“I was so worried about you! How could you have possibly followed me into the well?” she asked in suspicion and worry.

Sesshomaru coughed slightly. “I have an explanation for that. Dragons have a natural ability to travel through anything magic and have it take them to where ever they want. If it is time related,” Which he highly suspected considering the sisters odd way of dressing and the card games Ether had taught him. “Then a dragon's power is intensified and it makes it easier for a dragon to travel.” He hoped that his idiot brother would understand a little of what he said.

Kagome nodded, excepting that as the only explanation. Nothing else in her mind made sense. She didn't quite understand, though it dawned on her that he had found out about what Ether was. She didn't really doubt Sesshomaru when it came to magic and such; he probably knew a whole lot more then most everyone on the planet. She turned back to Ether, an older sister look of “You're in so much trouble when we get home,” spread across her face. Ether gulped slightly, fearing what her new mother would do to punish her.

Ether shifted nervously at the stares coming from the others that had come with Kagome. She didn't know them, but she would ask Kagome who they were when she got home. “So um…shall we?” She asked sweetly with a nervous smile.

Sesshomaru didn't like to see Ether nervous, and he was beginning to wonder why she was nervous about returning to her home. Before he could ask though, she was over the side and gone with a flash of blue light.

Kagome sighed. “I better hurry after her then.” She said and waved a goodbye to everyone, including Sesshomaru before she followed her sister into the well.

 

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Yeah, more reviews! So threats do work huh? Well, I'll keep the threats to a minimum as long as I get at least one review for every few chapters ok? That is all I ask for. Really. One review for every few chapters. I'll start on the next chapter. If you can't wait to read something else written by me, go ahead and go to my newest story, “Alternate Lives” I don't think I've read a story with a similar plot so, enjoy it. It's just an extra story, but I am not sure how often I will update. “A New Twist” is my main story and I'll update it more then “Alternate Lives” ….review ok?

Oh and it looks like I have a spider bite right on the bottom of my foot so I'll be irritated for awhile and my writing might suffer…just to let you know