InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 14 )

Thy form appears through night, through day, awake with it my fancy teems, in sleep, it smiles in fleeting dreams; The vision charms the hours away, and bids me curse Aurora's ray; For breaking slumbers of delight, which make me wish of endless night.

-Lord Byron, “To a Beautiful Quaker”

 

 

CHAPTER 15

 

I stopped at every village in the western territories on my way back - six in total. I stayed no more than two days in each furusato helping the ill and rebuilding the homes that had been affected by the war. Kirara was a huge help in the latter. While also staying there, I took time to inquire about the views of the villagers on the demon lord. Most of them were neither positive nor negative. Everyone told me that he did not bother them and preferred to avoid human contact.

 

On the eighteenth day since my departure from the western castle, I reached my destination. I thought that seeing my own castle would make me feel better, but the truth was that it didn't. I was grateful to be among Father, Lana and Hiro, but something was missing.

 

Tossing the thought aside, I nodded to Lana in acknowledgement. She notified me that my father had left to another village to attend a celebration in his honor. Hiro, however, had remained on his orders, to await my return. I found him yelling at some guard. I walked up to him and he smiled when he saw me. Before I could say anything, he tried to hug me.

 

Unfortunately for him, my reaction was not one he would have expected. I took one of his outstretched arms and twisted it behind his back. He yelped in surprise.

 

“Oh, gomen, Kagome-chan! I was just too excited! I have missed you very much!” He managed to squeak through the pain. Lana was giggling in the background.

 

I let go and for a minute there I thought I saw disappointment in his eyes. “Feelings are a weakness. It's best that you work on ridding yourself of them. A samurai can never afford such trivialities. And let me remind you that I abhor the idea of being touched by anyone.” Hiro seemed hurt but my words but simply nodded.

 

“Hai. So what was the illness?” He looked at me while walking back into the castle.

 

“Hmm?...Oh! It was... ah... something I still can't name. I did find the cure though.” He caught me off guard for a second. Kami, he did not deserve my lies! But if he knew the truth, he would never approve and would certainly go tell my father.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

1204 A.D. ~EARLY MARCH~

 

I quickly settled into my old routine. Villages kept sending there messengers and I kept lending my aid. Every night I would look up into the dark sky and my thoughts traveled back to the western castle. I had felt so much peace there. Ironic how I would find such calm amidst youkai.

 

Smirking to myself, I lied down and slipped into sleep. I very seldom slept. It was more of a napping. Mainly because my dreams never allowed me to sleep long enough. The past haunted me too much to give me peace, and while unconscious, I couldn't keep those memories away.

 

Hiro, who now more than ever, refused to leave my presence, was already fast asleep in the next room. His snoring could probably be heard on the entire house we were being given refuge in! Tomorrow we would be returning to Kamakura and I would be making arrangements to deliver the money the Daiyoukai had lent me.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

We awoke the next morning to the incessant chatter of young women outside our rooms. Apparently this particular village was in the midst of celebration. The daimyo's son had chosen a wife and they would be marrying this day. They had invited us to stay. Hiro was more than happy to oblige. His nagging was something that I did not want to put up with for the rest of the trip so I agreed.

 

During the day, the entire village was preoccupied with the arrangements for the wedding. Although I did wish them the best, festivities were not my area of expertise. I took the opportunity to escape into the nearby forest and find a nice spring to relax. Again, Hiro wanted to accompany me but I refused. I reassured him that I would only be a while. Reluctantly he agreed.

 

When I found the perfect spot, I quickly rid myself of my clothing and lowered myself in the warm water. It felt wonderful to my stiff bones! I submerged my entire body and swam underwater. Kirara found her own spot on a tree branch watching over me.

 

I immersed, but only to my neck. I laid back on a smooth rock and covered my face with a wash cloth. I thought of all the things that had happened in the past months. Turning so I was laying a top a rock with my upper back exposed, I took in a deep breath and sighed. My mind kept going back to the tapestry that depicted the Daiyoukai's family. The woman, I knew was dead and had been for a while. But, the young youkai was probably alive. He probably was much older by now, with a family of his own. Who knows?

 

There was one thing that had kept me thinking about that precise demon. His golden eyes. Those eyes that seemed to burn into my very soul. It frightened me and at the same time it made me feel excited. Strange how the Daiyoukai's eyes were the same color, yet they did not provoke the same feeling in me.

 

What troubled me more were the dreams I had had since I left the Crescent Moon. Dreams that now and then replaced my nightmares. I had not told anyone about these dreams. They had felt so real. At first, they were random flashes - nothing I could really make out. Gradually, they became real images of places, but more importantly, they became figures. There was one figure in specific that kept me dreaming even after I awoke.

 

As I relaxed in the spring, I reminisced on that first encounter...

 

THE DREAM

 

There was darkness at first. I knew that I was no longer in my room. Slowly, but surely, I started to distinguish objects. I was sitting with my back to a wall. By the way the light shone brightly, I realized it was shortly past noon. I was sitting in the middle of a dense forest. The place before me seemed familiar. I've been here before. Yet for the life of me, I couldn't remember where “here” was. I glanced down at my body when I felt the wind. I was wearing a chihaya, but it was different. The shirt was white with green patterns at the wrists. The pants were also of the same green. How strange!

 

My head suddenly snapped in the direction of footsteps coming towards me. I quickly stood and used my powers to detect who it was that approached. To my surprise, my powers felt so limited and all I could catch from the oncoming figure was a certain “familiarity”. In some manner, the feeling brought more suspicion to my mind than ease. I realized that there was no point in getting worked up until I could actually see them.

 

I stood with my guard up.

 

As the figure came closer, the entire area seemed to darken, enclosing it in a veiled light. There was still no threat in its presence, only hesitation. I heard `its' breathing. It was rapid and the moment felt awkward. I was surprised in myself when I acknowledged that I did not wish any harm to come to this being.

 

And out of nowhere, it spoke. “It's really you,” he whispered disbelievingly. His aura reached out to me and my knees trembled.

 

His words resounded in my lost soul. His voice was like a song to my heart. It was as if I'd been waiting for him. My body felt warm and alive for once in many years. I knew this person. One way or another, I knew exactly who this person was. I racked my brain for a face - a name - but I came up short.

 

“Kagome?” he whispered again. I'd never heard my name sound so good and perfect. “Why are you here?”

 

That's what I wanted to know. And where IS here?

 

My mouth was dry. I couldn't find any words. It was as if I'd suddenly lost my voice. Swallowing hard, I looked at him. I squinted my eyes. ”Who are you?”

 

He cocked his head. Then, half-growling, half whimpering, he stepped closer. There was just enough light to catch the silver hue of his wavy hair, his black brows, and his amber eyes. His gaze was skeptical. “What the hell do you mean `who am I'?!” There was hurt laced in every word.

 

Involuntarily, guilt washed over me. Was I supposed to know him? Was the fact that I couldn't remember him, the reason why felt so compelled to run up to him and touch him? To reassure him that I didn't mean to hurt him by my words? I stopped myself at the thought. I'd never had any compulsion to touch anyone, much less have anyone touch me. But to feel the touch of his skin one more time...

 

Again I was confused. Once more? Did I really know this man or whatever he was? There was something inhuman about this male before me. “Do you know me?”

 

He walked towards me until he was just a few steps away. He stretched out his hand. I looked at it. He had claws. He was a youkai.

 

Before I could stop myself, I put my hand in his. It was something I would have never done in real life. Only in a dream would I have dared to let someone touch me. His skin was so warm that it burned me. He pulled me into his arms and held me close. I took in the novelty of a hug, the sensation of his rippled chest against my breasts. His breath on my neck. So this was what a hug felt like. Hot. Soothing. Miraculous.

 

Human contact had been so limited in my life that all I could do was close my eyes and just feel the warmth of his body surround me. The firmness of him. He inhaled sharply and I felt relief and so many other sweet emotions that tore through him.

 

Was this acceptance?

Was this nirvana?

 

I didn't know for sure. But for once, I didn't want to wake up from this dream.

 

He cupped my face in his hand and pressed his cheek to mine. Oh the feeling of his flesh touching mine...

 

He was soft. I'd never imagined anyone being soft like this. So tender and inviting. The warmth of his cheek on mine thawed me out. Even my heart that had been encased by ice for what seemed centuries. He trembled at the sensation of my finger on his cheek. His unexpected tenderness tore through me. I'd seen enough of his life to know gentleness was not something he had experience with and yet he held me so carefully.

 

There it was again! The sensation of familiarity!

 

“You're so warm,” he breathed in my ear. His hot breath tickled my neck, and sent chills all over me.

 

He pulled back and stared at me as if I was unspeakably precious to him. He brushed the back of his knuckles against my jaw. His eyes were so dark and tormented while he stared at me, as if unable to believe I was with him.

 

His gaze uncertain, he touched my lips with the tip of his forefinger. “I've never been kissed before.” His eyes snapped back up to mine.

 

My confession stunned me more than it stunned him. Why would I even confide in him something so deep within me? He looked down at me, in confusion at first.

 

Fire sparked in his eyes. “I want to taste you, Kagome. I want to feel you again. To look into your eyes while you're complaining about every damn thing.”

 

I shivered at his crudeness. It was what I expected from him.

 

Expected?

 

I was completely unprepared for the passion of his kiss. The ferocity of it. It was both rough and tender. Demanding. Hot. Sweet. Then he pulled apart leaving me dizzy.

 

Damn!

 

With redden eyes, he stared at me. His breathing was ragged. “Come back to me Kagome...”

 

I was still spinning from his kiss that I didn't notice when everything dimmed and my dream came to an end.

 

END OF DREAM

 

Needless to say, I awoke startled and confused. I stayed awake after I bolted up in my bed. My fingers covered my lips. What the hell kind of dream was that? More importantly...

 

Who the hell was that?

 

Maybe my mind was suffering from stress...

 

Several dreams followed that one. Every single dream, for the past two months involved him and me in different places but always the same ending. The “nightly visitor” would plead my return and leave me feeling awkwardly empty after each dream. Still, I could not understand why these dreams had begun. All I knew was that those amazing amber eyes made me weak in the knees.

 

Kirara's growls interrupted my train of thoughts. I jumped out of the water and managed to get my black cloak, pulling the hood over my head, covering my nose and eyes. It was a good thing I had left my susuyoke and juban on while bathing. I searched with my power for the intruder or intruders. Had I not been daydreaming, I might have noticed this earlier.

 

I found him. A strong youki, but not enough to worry.

 

“Show yourself demon.” I ordered. “Kirara, stay back there.” I yelled to her when I realized she was hissing in the direction of the youkai.

 

A smooth, profound timbre from behind the trees replied, “Don't be foolish miko. I was only passing through. You would do well to show the proper respect for a prince. Stand down.”

 

“Hah!” I rebutted. I was in no mood to deal with pesky demons. Mentally, I knew this demon would put up a good fight, but I sincerely didn't feel like purify any thing today. I picked up Kirara and turned in the direction of the village.

 

“You dare to turn your back on me!” His voice came out in shock and disbelief.

 

I paused in my walk but did not face him. Apparently this demon was a prince and a haughty one at that. Even more of a reason to ignore him. I did not wish to entangle myself in a stupid argument with whomever youkai clan he belonged to. I pressed on my path. He moved fast and the next thing I knew, he had me pinned to a tree with his claws around my neck. Kirara was thrown on a nearby bush.

 

Turning, I looked at her and ordered silently for her to stay.

 

“Miko, you will show me the respect due to the Prince of the Western Lands!” he hissed at me. His face was inches from mine.

 

I glared at him. How dare he?! This stupid youkai would die for this! I could already feel the tiny beads of blood escaping through the slits his claws made at my neck.

 

“If you wish respect, then give it. You are in my lands! What right do you have to pass through here? Or is it that you are so `lacking' in demoness companions that you would lower yourself to spying on ningen females while they bathe?!” I punched his chin on his right side and succeeded in pushing his face away from me.

 

“Your lands?!” He looked at me disbelievingly but quickly recovered. “And as for your last comment, I am more than capable of finding pleasure and actual beauty in real females. Not in heap of bones and flesh from a disgusting ningen.” disbelief was marked in his words.

 

I released the smallest amount of power in me. He jumped back and growled at me. His hand was burned! He narrowed his eyes. It was at that moment when I almost wavered.

 

`Kami, it couldn't possibly be, could it? Could this demon be him? No! It was too much of a coincidence. Did he say he was a prince? Of the Western Lands?' My mind was racing with a million thoughts.

 

My breaths came out in short gasps as I felt the earth move from under my feet. Regaining my composure, I raised my chin and moved to him.

 

“I warn you miko. You are an unguarded female. Stay back if you value your life.” His retreating steps went against the words that had just left his lips.

 

“A female like me needs no protection. I could easily kill you. But I thank you for your concern and the decency to remind me of my lack of escort while alone!” I wanted my sarcasm to burn in his brainless skull.

 

I sneered at him and picked up my pace. He could not move due to the force I used to pin him to a nearby tree. “I will let you live... for now. Tell the Inu no Taishou he will do well to teach his baka sons some manners and appreciation for sparing two out of three of his sons' lives. I do not take offense to my person lightly, prince. LEAVE. AND. NEVER. COME. BACK!” My control was beginning to break loose. The trees, including the one which I was pinning him to, were starting to crack. “And just for your information, you sorry excuse for a prince... you should remember that women could also be as dangerous as men!”

 

Whirling him to my right, I called back my power. I yelled for Kirara and she answered by transforming for me. I got on her back and glanced once more at the demon. He was barely getting up. I realized I had used too much power, for he was shaking his head.

 

Looking up at me, I noticed his anger returned. “This Sesshoumaru will not forget your insult!”

 

Mocking his tone I retorted, “This miko could care less.” Kirara took this as a motion to leave and flew away.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

`Could you please stop pacing? You're making me dizzy?'

 

`Then go somewhere else!' I yelled.

 

`I'm not a pet, Kagome, and I don't care for that commanding tone. I stay with you by my choice, not yours.'

 

Stopping my movements, I glanced at her. I sighed and sat on the grass for the first time since we came back. `I know, Kirara.' That was as close to any apology and we both knew it.

 

`Why are you so restless?' She came to sit on my lap.

 

`I'm not sure yet. I have this feeling. I just...' I looked down at her. `I just have this...something is going to happen. I don't know if it's good or bad. All I know is that it's going to change things somehow.'

 

She laid her head in my lap. `It's called life. Besides, you've never cowered from anything. If didn't know better, I'd say you most probably will come out of it fine.'

 

`Yeah.' Neither of us believed that.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

At the very moment, the subject had been closed for discussion. He paced in his room and was beside himself with rage. Sesshoumaru leaned back against the wall, regarding his sake with a thoughtful expression as he swirled it about. He remembered the recent argument with his father.

 

FLASHBACK (A/N: this is a LOOONG flashback so sit back)

 

The Inu no Taishou looked at his son with astonishment. He knew that this topic would have to arise soon. Yet he never thought that Sesshoumaru would agree to his decision. Quite frankly, he had considered the possibility of denial.

 

“Are you sure that you do not wish to contest my request?”

 

The demon prince let the indignity pass without comment. He was all aware that his sudden acceptance had come as a bit of surprise. Well, perhaps more than a bit. “Complete,”, “total” and “utter” were words that came to mind.

 

Sesshoumaru knew that he did not fit the image of a male who had settling down on his mind. He'd spent the last four decades as the worst sort of rake, taking pleasure where he may. For all he knew, life for a demon was certainly meant to be enjoyed. Oh, he'd had a certain code of honor. He never dallied with well-bred young female demons. Anyone who might have any right to demand mating was strictly off-limits.

 

As for the sort of female youkai - the widows and entertainers who knew what they wanted and what they were getting into - he enjoyed their company and enjoyed it well. Since the day he was `mature enough', he'd not been without a mistress.

 

Sometimes he thought wryly, he'd not been without two!

 

He used these last decades in a mindful pursuit of pleasure, tempered only by his overwhelming sense of responsibility to his family.

 

As he grew closer to his two hundred and fourth year, Sesshoumaru realized that he was spending more and more time tending to his heritage and family and less and less in his old pursuit of decadence and pleasure. And he'd realized that he like it that way. He still kept a mistress, but never more than one at a time, and he discovered that he no longer felt the need to enter every youkai squabble or stay late at a festivity.

 

His reputation, of course, stayed with him. He didn't mind that, actually. There were certain benefits to being thought Nihon's most reprehensible demon rake. He was nearly universally feared, for example. That was always a good thing.

 

But now it was time for a mate. Sesshoumaru ought to settle down, have a pup. He had a title that would one day pass to him and him to his pup. He was the first born Inu of a firstborn Inu of a firstborn Inu eight times over. He had a dynastic responsibility to be fruitful and multiply.

 

Being a discerning and somewhat organized demon, he'd made a mental list of requirements for the position. First, she ought to be reasonably attractive. She needn't be a raving beauty (although that would be nice), but if he was going to have to bed her, he figured a bit of attraction ought to make the job more pleasant.

 

Second, she couldn't be stupid. This, Sesshoumaru mused, might be the most difficult of his requirements to fill. He was not universally impressed by the mental prowess of Nihon's available female youkai. The last time he made the mistake of engaging a young demoness fresh out of her home in conversation, she'd been unable to discuss anything other than food (she had a plate of cherries in her claw at the time) and the weather (and she hadn't even gotten THAT right; when Sesshoumaru had asked if she thought the weather was going to turn inclement, she'd replied, “I'm sure I don't know. I've never traveled as far as Clement.”)

 

He might be able to avoid conversation with a mate who was less than brilliant, but he did NOT want stupid pups.

 

Third - and this was the most important - she couldn't be anyone with whom he might actually love.

 

He wasn't a complete cynic; he knew that true love existed. Anyone who'd ever been in the same room with his parents knew that true love existed. He just did not wish for his life to be visited by that particular miracle.

 

Taking a glimpse towards his father, he responded, “Iiee. I have thought this through myself. I have even found the perfect mate.”

 

“Oh really? And who is the lucky demoness?” Inu no Taishou was even more intrigued as to how far Sesshoumaru had considered this.

 

“Lady Michiru.”

 

“Lady Michiru? Daughter of the Southern Lord? Of the wolf clan?” Was his son serious?

 

“Hai, chichiue. She is attractive, intelligent and knows how to behave. In addition, a union between our two clans would assure expansion of our territories, among other things.”

 

“I am in the midst of preparing a feast to celebrate our recent victory and we will take advantage and invite the Southern Lord and his family. Then we shall make your intentions known.”

 

“Do you think Lord Fatsu will oppose my proposal?”

 

“If he is smart, he will not. Do not worry. All will fall in place.” The Inu no Taishou walked over to the balcony where his son stood.

 

“This will also be an excellent opportunity to invite Lady Kagome back!” He added.

 

The prince choked on his last words and turned horror filled eyes to his sire. “WHAT?! You cannot be serious chichi-ue! She has nothing more to do here. Besides, she will be human amongst youkai. They will probably kill her!”

 

“You're overreacting Sesshoumaru. All the attending youkai know her from the battle. She will be my guest and no one will dare lay a claw on her.”

 

“Demo, chichi-ue―” He wanted any excuse to get that insufferable girl not to come.

 

“She. Will. Come. That is my final answer. Now leave. I wish to make the list of guests and send the invitations as soon as possible. The feast will be held in three weeks time.” And that was that.

 

He couldn't believe it. He would have to stand the presence of the psycho-miko in his own home and there was nothing he could do.

 

END OF FLASHBACK

 

Sesshoumaru cursed. He would think of a way to make Kagome's stay at the Crescent Moon a time she would never forget! He was pondering on ways he could humiliate her. He didn't need to know her. From what Ujio had mentioned, he already hated her.

 

After his brief encounter with the mysterious miko, whom he could not see due to the cloak that shadowed her face, he was left alone in the forest taking his frustration on the trees. He had succeeded in shredding the entire forest.

 

`I'll find out who you are and together with that other stupid miko, I will make sure you both regret knowing me.'

 

But, then again, Kami, the girl in the springs was exquisite! `Wait, what the hell was he thinking? She had disrespected him!'

 

Still, Sesshoumaru was not one to deny the obvious. In the moments, before the neko had made him out, he was practically drooling over her. She was ethereal! He'd seen in his life time many beautiful females, but she was beyond comparison. Though she had her face covered with a cloth, his inu eyes could make out her form through the crystal clear water. Her body was curved in all the right places. Her light brown hair was highlighted with the sun's rays that seeped through the tree branches.

 

Her lips were the lightest shade of pink... and very kissable!

 

Had the neko not growled, he would have jumped in with her and ravished her there! And now fully aware of her female guiles, he also became aware of something that had escaped him earlier. Her scent!

 

The lilies and kuchinashi scent (for he now could name the foreign flower) that had filled his room was hers. This meant that she had been in his room and probably slept in his futon while staying here!

 

Hopefully, without any kind of clothing!

 

Oh, Kami! When had he lusted after a female, a human nonetheless? It had always been the other way around. And how the hell had she gotten into his room. Unless her scent had somehow managed to impregnate itself in his clothing. Yes! That was the reason he smelled her.

 

And yet... he would continue with his previous plan. He would not harm her, for it was below him to bring harm against a female. However, he would teach both of them a lesson!

 

Content with his tactics, he slipped into his sheets and let the fascinating scent drift him into sleep. Little did he know that that would only fuel his erotic dreams.

 

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