InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Arrangement with a Youkai ❯ Arrangement with a Youkai ( Chapter 1 )

This is my first attempt at writing Inuyasha fics so I’m pretty excited and nervous. Excuse me if my facts are bent and crooked here and there. Also excuse grammatical and spelling errors. I’m trying my best. I decided write this story for two reasons: I.) I love Sango and Sesshomaru! 2.) To test how far I’ll go in completing a fanfic. (OK I lied there’s three reasons) 3.) There just aren’t enough stories about them!

But if you’re looking for Kagome and Inuyasha in here, you’ve come to the wrong story. Sorry.
–kae


Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters known to belong to Rumiko Takahashi–you know who they are.

Can she hide the fact that she was actually pretty frightened? She wanted to be strong when she left her family...held her head high. But as she is sitting in this carriage with two very beastly creatures, she was consumed with fear. she didn't know what to expect. She'll live up to one month, tops. She didn't really understand the matter, actually. It was all confusing and unclear as to why they wanted Kagome brought into this abandoned land. What was his plan? What does he want with a human girl, anyway? Sango knew that they were not human like herself. The man made certain that that detail (him not being the same as they) was clear as day to her family. He demanded that Kagome be brought to his place at once.

Sango knew that it would turn out this way. She knew her parents, especially mother, didn't want their youngest daughter hauled into the wilderness with who-knows-what kind of monster. Kagome was not emotionally prepared for such experiences in her life, mother argued. Her mother made a silent plea for Sango to go in Kagome's place. Sango recognized when she first saw it–what her mother wanted for her to do. She didn't want to make her own mother beg. No, that was not in her nature. Her father, whom she loved dearly, couldn't as much as object to her mother's unspoken request. She had to do this for her family or they were ruined for generations to come, warned the mysterious man. He would bestow a curse on their family would surpass any they've seen. When he does, it was going to be a dark, intense burden that was insufferable and undeniable in many ways. They saw the vile truth in his golden glare. He was not bluffing. A man like himself did not have to bluff; he carried a dominating persona that demanded submission.

When he claimed that he had saved Kagome from a furious bear in the forest, Sango knew he had greater intentions. The man had hair that glistened silver in the sunlight, his face held all prominence in his jaws and cheekbones. He was terribly handsome; Sango will not deny him that. He didn't look a day over 30, but his eyes tell her otherwise. His eyes were aged with so much wisdom that Sango couldnt' help but question her assumption. There was something absolutely ancient about him, something that was beyond Sango's human perception.

According to the mystery man, who calls himself Taisho, he was riding passed the green pasture as he heard a female screaming nearby. He rushed to the source of this commotion and "found this beautiful young lady being attack unconsciously by an enormous raging bear", those were his words precisely. He approached the bear with his great sword and cowardly it sprinted away into the deeper regions of the forest. Kagome could not confirm his story because she had been unconscious at the time. She only infrequently nodded her head, as if lost. The emotion that Sango witnessed crossing her sister's features was foreign to Sango's baring eyes. What was up with Kagome? She couldn't quite figure out her new odd behavior.

Sango caught him beaming brightly at Kagome. Instinctively, she wanted to run to shield her sister from his strangely perverse glances.
"Good thing I got to her when I did. She would not again see the light of another day," he announced heroically.
"Yes. Thank you for saving our daughter. Yes, Taisho-sama, we are greatly in your debt," her mother replied sincerely.
There was a long pause as mother left her post next to father to hold Kagome's hand.
Suddenly, Sango could have sworn that she heard a deadly snarl. "That you are. Indeed."
Sango turned and glared at him, confident that she had not misheard him. She took offensive in it. Did anyone else in the room hear him?

She was increasingly experiencing profound irritation being in his presence. She wanted him out.
"I'll be collecting soon," his vile voice drummed in her ears. Sango was not sure if he had actually said such disturbing things or if it was just her. No one else seemed bothered by him.

"Very soon."

*-*-*-*-*

Sango knew it! She was aware of it! But she didn't couldn't believe the news that her mother regretfully delivered to her. But not so much the news as it was the request that unknowingly infuriated her.

"It's the least you can do to protect your sister, Sango!" Mother exclaimed hopelessly.

Sango questioned the truth in that. She had always protected her younger sister ever since she can remember. Sango ran after her, covered for her, lied for her, cried for her...she had done everything and anything she could to keep Kagome mildly happy. Sango would even die for her, without regret. But this was not her idea of giving up her own life.

She felt hot unshed tears brimming her eyes, her thoat burning and her lips threatening to quiver. Sango refused to show how mother's request had emotionally affected her.

In her mind, she tried to console herself but without effort. Mother is just trying to protect her daughters. She wants what best for them. But she only return to the same solid realization that inflicted pain on her in the first place–Mother wanted to protect her. Mother wanted what is best for her. For Kagome. It has nothing yet everything to do with Sango. Maybe this is the time in a mother's life when she has to chose between her children, and Sango never doubted who mother would chose in the end.

She had always tried to hide away from it, comforting herself with lies that mother loved them both equally. Now, now she is confronted with the brutal truth. No point in hiding now. Still, she wanted to run, to brush the pain away with apathy. She doesn't care. Does not care. Sango knew she was only being a fool. All this time she knew. But to protect her fragile heart from breaking everything the truth surfaced, she turned a blind eye to it. Out of sight out of mind. If she didn't already know, then maybe it wouldn't hurt this much. The pain was striking every sore spot of her heart. She wanted to be loved too.

She lived lacking mother's sincere love. She knew mother cared, but that it was not the same, where a mother's love was concerned. Has she somehow proved herself independent of mother's love? She was never truly intimate with her mother as Kagome has been, but she hardly considered that enough reason to be absent of love.

Sango couldn't bear the overwhelming flush of misery--the misery that she tried to ignore for years. She turned away.
She moved to stand in front of the window, with her back to mother.
"Taisho-sama says that he will not rest until we've consent to his to bring Kagome to his home, Sango. He threatened to put a curse us!" Mother broke into soft sobs.

"He warn us to consider our decisions....oh, oh Sango, what are we to do? Our descendents will be doomed!"

Sango closed her eyes, willing the high tide of heartache to ebb.
"What--what do I have to do?" Sango choked, trying to keep her emotions at bay.
Staring into the distant meadow, a single tear slid down her smooth face as what her mother said settle in.

Go with that creature... Replace Kagome in this arrangement?

Numbness distilled her entire body.

Her whole life flashed before her. But all she could see was one person, vividly.

Miroku.

Their promise. Their love. The life they would have together.

"Sango, promise me...promise you'll wait for me. She can almost hear him. "My love."

Heated rage simmered inside her, profound disappointment melted into despiration and now burned as fury. She is furious with her mother's lack of consideration on the quality of her life. She had promised herself to another–
Mother knew that. Did her life mean so little compared to Kagome’s? Yes, Kagome was still young. Innocent. Inexperience. But most of all, she is not as strong willed as Sango...those creatures will break her in less days than one can count. It was like throwing a dove into nasty wetlands inhabited by undeserving demonic things. Mother couldn't risk Kagome's life.

Yet, she would not give a second thought to risking Sango's.

Her heart hardened, as it has many times before, to secure it from the pain.

"Please, Sango!" Mother's eyes were sullen with despair, "it's not permanent. You’ll be back within a year."

That is supposed to make things better? Besides, if it was just one year, why even bother asking her as a replacement? Kagome could use the buffing.

"You know Miroku is not coming back."

Sango snapped around, searching her mother for honesty. Her mother sat down at once and fidgeted with her hands on her lap.

"I didn't want to tell you this," her mother swallowed, "didn't want you to get hurt. But you deserve to know...know that before he left for his trip he was caught being disloyal."

Sango didn't believe it. She shook her head disapproving the information. But that wasn't what her mother wanted to tell.

"He's not with us anymore."

Sango gasped. Her legs felt like liquid beneath her, causing her to fall against the wall.

Her eyes widened, tear-filled. "Miroku...he's–he's dead?"

Mother nodded dismally, "it has been confirmed. They found his bruised body along a deserted road. They don't know what killed him."

Why was she not informed about this?

Miroku. Dead. Sango screamed.

*-*-*-*-*

There was awkward silence.

She had just awakened after deep slumber and now, she is completely lost as where she was. She felt the urge to ask her escorts, but suppressed that urge when she heard one growled deeply, annoyed by her constant squirming.

She tried to smile.

Sango then preoccupied herself with the lush green landscape but soon, she got bored. She sighed.

How long have they been riding? It felt, seriously, like days. Her bottom was terribly sore and her neck was aching. She needed a break from this stuffy, however large, carriage.

Sango overcame her fear and finally asked them for a break. Her escorts weren't too satisfied with her humanly ways, they can last days without stopping, but they are under strict orders to comply with her needs. Or else.

How was it that life become out of her control?
Miroku left her but a year and a half ago, promising he would return. They would then wed, have a couple children and then die old together. She had to admit, it is not the most exciting life, but she'll be loved, happy and most of all secure. Now, everything was so twisted. She didn't know how to accept the news about Miroku's death. She tells herself that because of her love from him, she didn't want to admit to his death, when in fact, she has had her doubts a long time ago. No about him dying, particularly but about him finding new love in his adventure. She didn't know what to think anymore.

She has handed her life to a monster the day she accepted to replace Kagome. Kagome, naturally, refused. But mother talked her out of it. She assured Kagome that Sango was more prepared for the unprepared because of her ironed will. Before she left with the demon escorts, Kagome apologized and thanked Sango.

"I'm so sorry, Sango. I wished it didn't have to be this way. Truly."

Sango feign a smile, weakly. "Like mother says, I'm prepared for this. You are not. Don't worry about me. You'll see me in one year's time."
How can she say so with such apathy?

Sango stretched and inhaled. She needed to know more about this new family of hers. The information Taisho offered were hazy. She, Kagome, was to entertain a cold dark lord. Cold. Dark. My, how comforting. Sango just couldn't wait to meet this infamous lord. Entertain? Was she supposed to, what, be his friend, or something of that sort? See, very unclear information. Only thing she knew for sure is, he is not human. This much is revealed to her family, but no more, which only serve to scare Sango more. Dark. Cold. Not human. What is he? Dead?

Taisho assured that Kagome will learn more about the lord upon her arrival. Her family is denied any privileges to demand of her welfare within the 12 months she is in the manor. She is to swear outmost secrecy and loyalty to him as well. The life style of the lord and his people are confidential and humans do not usually have to honor to witness it. Wow, joy! Sango can feel the honor humming at her every nerve!

Bullshit. She's nearly dragged to where ever this Dark Lord is and they speak of ‘honor’! How dare him! Damn Taisho!

"Human, get back in the carriage. We must arrive before night fall. No later."
Sango beamed, she was glad to acknowledge existence besides her own.

"Yes. Yes, let’s get moving then, shall we?"

Once in the carriage, she attempted to ignite conversation. "So, what's your name?"

One of the escorts, the darker one, rolled his eyes at her. "Keep quiet, Human. We are not to converse."

"Human? I have a name. I don't go around calling you–thing. Or creature. Or beast. Call me--"

"Kagome. We know who you are, Human."

Sango was going to correct their mistake, but she thought better of it. She didn't want to arouse an argument, it might frustrate and then, who knows what they'll do to her.

"Umm, Can you at least tell me your Lord's name?"

There was an elongated silence.

"Sesshomaru-sama."

*-*-*-*-*

Surprisingly, they did arrive to the manor by night fall. But what Sango saw as the giant ebony iron gates opened was nothing like a manor. It was a castle! Sango figured that the family was wealthy but not...this. She was astounded.

There was a million questions bashing at her head but she couldn't open her lips to ask any of it. She knew that her escorts did not want anything to do with her. If she interpreted their actions correctly, they loathed her. She was taken around the back where they passed her along to a lady, one she assumed to be a maid or housekeeper.

"Welcome to the Lands of the West." Lands of the West? Sango has never heard of such property before.

"I'm Yumi. If you have any questions, you can come to me." There were no humanly words to describe Yumi’s physique. She was taller than Sango, built and confident. Her porcelain skin contrasted her midnight blue eyes with thick long hair neatly matted on one side of her neck.

She stared down at Sango with superiority, "Do you have any questions?"

Sango swallowed down her nervousness, "Why am I here?"

Yumi's eyes danced with cruel mirth at her stupid question, "Because our Lord wishes of it."

Sango broke eye contact, trying to find comfort in her new home but didn't prevail. "I don't understand."

She ignored Sango's statement. "Now I'll show you to your room. Should you find anything to your displeasure, you have but let it be known."

Sango nodded. She realized that the reason she was brought here is going to stay unknown to her. The staff of this castle refused to release any information. Their answers are all in riddles.

Yumi led her to a room she told Sango was part of the East Wing. The room, now hers, is larger than her whole house. It was decorated with lavish furniture. The king size bed was at the opposite corner from the entrance facing the colossal windows. The windows were dressed in royal purple and gold curtains matching the bed sheets. By the windows, there was a small shelf of books that she could enjoy. But the best part about this room was the access to her own personal bath. The tub was larger than any she has seen.

Why was she granted such a luxurious room?

"I'll leave you to get yourself situated. Again, if you are displeased--"

"No, this room...it's perfect!" Sango interrupted, exhilarated by its beauty.

Yumi responded with a slight nod, "tomorrow by dawn I'll have a bath waiting and your clothing ready."

Sango furrowed her brows, "my clothing?"

"Yes. The wardrobe you brought with you," she scanned Sango from head to toe, "simply won't do here." She stood behind the entrance and pulled both doors closed.

Sango looked around. She walked to the windows, which overlooked a pond. The crescent moon was rising high and it glistened against the ripples of the pond. Sango presumed this to be the backyard. Even in the night sky, she can tell that the gardens were healthy and tenderly tended on regular basis.

Just how far was she away from home? Did they miss her? When she thought of the distance and time that she was going to be here, she just wanted to cry. Her thoughts whirled into blankness. She fell fast asleep.

The next morning, Sango woke up to a very strong nudge on her shoulders that made her wince.

"Sorry, miss." Her eyes fluttered to a new face. This face seemed younger than Yumi's although they were probably about the same age. She had laughter lines on the corner of her eyes and lips. Her features were not as stern as Yumi's either, but she was still just as alluring. Her hair shone a shade of black which appeared red against the sun's rays. Her silver eyes bore brightly into Sango's sleepy face.

Sango jumped, sleep immediately leaving her system. Who was she? What was she doing in her room? Her eyes roamed around. This isn't her room. This soft feather was so foreign beneath her.

The stranger smiled politely, "Don't be alarm, miss. I am one of the house staff. I know it's still early, but Yumi insist that I wake you up. You know the procedure; one must listen to one's superiors." She smiled, making Sango feel the warmth that she missed upon her arrival yesterday.

The memories of yesterday returned to her sleepless mind. She was brought here yesterday, by two escorts who introduced her to a beautiful dark hair woman, Yumi. She is here because their lord wishes her to be here and for a while she will remain. Sango sighed; she had hoped that yesterday was just a horrible nightmare. It isn't.

"If I had my way, the whole damn castle wouldn't need to rise until noon. Oh, and the bath is ready." Sango slid off the high bed and before she knew it this stranger was by her side pulling at her clothes. Sango squirmed uneasily, brushing her working hands away.

"What are you doing?" Sango implored harshly.

"Helping you undress. I can be very gentle–"

"I can undress myself, thank you...ahh..."

"Akiko. You must excuse my informalities. You don't mind if I call you Kagome, do you?" From the looks of Sango's face she said, "Guess not."

Why is it that everyone expected Kagome's presence around here?

Sango was so confused. She wanted to pull away as the girl led her into the steaming bath.

"We've waited for your arrival for weeks now. I wanted to see you yesterday but Yumi demanded my attentions elsewhere. Can you believe her!"

"Who is "we"?"

"Everyone. Every staff in this castle has been expecting you, Kagome-chan," she slapped her mouth, "Sorry, miss."

She was a chatterbox. Instantly, Sango knew that this is the person she should be going to for answers. "So, Akiko, why am I here? Can you tell me?"

She giggled, "Because the master wishes it, is all I know. When we are given orders, we do it. When we are informed, we don't ask why...Another one of those procedures." Sango handed Akiko her clothes.

As Sango eased into the tub she asked, "Would you like me to scrub you back?"

Sango chuckled. She wasn't used to having people wait on her. Usually, when she wanted a bath, she just jumped into the stream by their house. "No thanks. You can stay there and keep me company if you don't have anything else to do."

"Of course," she replied excitedly, "I knew the master could not be mistaken."

"What?"

"Our master, he never makes a mistake," Akiko repeated.

Okay, what does that have to do with Sango? She decided to pushed all thoughts away and focus on how pleasant it feels to be soaked in warm water. After the bath, she would ask some serious questions.

"Akiko," Sango hesitated to ask, "Are you a youkai?"

Akiko broke into loud harsh laughter. Sango was almost offended by it until she realized she wasn't being laughed at. "You humor me, miss." She pretended to wipe the tears away, "and yes, I am a youkai."

Sango used the soap to cleanse her hair, "almost all of the staff and inhabitants of the Western Lands are youkai," she added.

"You'll notice that we are much bigger in form than yourself--even the women. Physically, we have more strength and power than an average human."

Sango looked at Akiko awkwardly and noted, "But you are not much bigger than me."

"I'm a hell lot stronger though. But yes, I'm considered petite as a youkai woman."

Sango's next comment would also bring Akiko laughter, "I thought youkai are fake."

"Oh, I can assure you, we are as real as you are. Blood, organs, emotions--everything you have, miss."

"I meant, I thought youkai only exist in stories to scare little children."

Akiko grinned, "Yes, but where do you think those stories derive from? To keep the Laws of Nature in balance, youkai have to keep their identity discreet. We cannot live in one world with humans, we have too much whereas you don't have enough. Sometimes our existence cross over into your world, thus, you write tall tales about us. Fortunately, no one ever believes in it."

Sango shivered over the information presented to her. "Then why am I allowed here?"

"Like I said, the master wishes it. No one questions what he wants." Sango's eyes narrowed, challenging it.

"Except his son, of course. But that goes without saying."

"I don't understand."

Akiko took a deep breath, "By crossing worlds, we can destroy the Laws of Nature. Simply put...You don't belong here."

Sango splashed the water in annoyance, "then why am I brought here!" she exclaimed.

The demon moved and dipped her finger in the water, "okay, miss. Time to get out, water is getting cold."

*-*-*-*-*

After much fussing, Sango finally gave in and let Akiko brushed her hair.

"You have beautiful healthy hair. It's so silky." She combed and left it flowing behind Sango's back. Sango never have her hair like that, it was too long and bothersome when she did the daily chores. By midday, all her dark strands would have leeched on too her back, neck and face.

She offered Sango a rich, silky emerald green kimono with tangy blossoms flowing down the side to wear. Sango surprised her by not disagreeing to it.

"My, my, I must say, green really does compliment your features," she beamed.

Sango could only smile uncomfortably at her compliment.

"Now, off we go to meet the Damiyo."

Before Sango could ask, the demon clarified, "The Damiyo is the Great Youkai Lord."

Then Sango felt the tingling sensations, starting at her toes and went straight to her stomach. It was the same feeling from when she was in the carriage.

"Don't worry, miss. You'll find that the Damiyo is quite agreeable," she comforted as if she sensed Sango's anxiety.

Sango followed Akiko to what seemed like the longest walk through the halls. The kimono has limited her to smaller strides. This was obviously not her thing.

Akiko couldn't help finding humor in Sango's discomfort, "You are not accustomed to women wear."

Sango perceived that it wasn't a question, "No. Not really," she admitted.

"Well, you better get familiar with it quick. Here, that's all you are expected to wear."

"So my preference is not even considered?" The silence was all she needed. Of course not, idiot. If any one cared about her preferences she wouldn't have been forced here, in the first place.

Suddenly, as if she'd been teleported, she was in front of giant wooden doors. Behind it was the man that all the answers.

The doors opened. What entered her vision was a room more magnificent than her own. By the massive windows, a shadow appeared.

"Leave us, Akiko."

Akiko nodded and without a word, she was gone. Just like that, Sango was alone. The shadow approached her, his face made clearer by the light of the windows. Sango couldn't look away although she knew she should. She was in a trance of anticipation–who was this Youkai Lord?

"Welcome," his face finally absent of the shadows.

Sango gasped deeply. It's him.

His light eyes fumed with bitter fury, it glowed. This is not her.

"And who exactly are you?" He demanded an immediate reply.

She felt the floor shaking; either that or it was her knees weakening under his domination.

"Answer, girl. You want to fool me? I am of not patience, today." Within moments he was before her. He grabbed her by the neck and thrashed her against the doors.

This is who Akiko considered "quite agreeable"? Sango's lips curled at the sheer irony of it.

He smelt it before he saw her grin and that only flared his anger, "you dare mock me?" His firm grip tightened around her neck and lifted her off the ground without effort. She felt the oxygen being blocked from her lungs, His claws cutting into her throat. He could smell her fresh blood but…no fear.

Determination. So this human was determined to live? He'll show her.

*-*-*-*-*

A/N: So, how did I do so far? Please review. --kae