InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 19 ( Chapter 18 )

In flight I shall be surely wise,

Escaping from temptation's snare...

-Lord Byron, “The Farewell to a Lady”

 

CHAPTER 19

 

There was really nothing I could do, I realized with dismay. He was the host and I was a mere mortal guest, and we were both in the middle of a crowded ballroom. It didn't matter if I couldn't stand the idea of his touch. I had to dance with him.

 

“There's no need to drag me,” I hissed. He made a great show of loosening his grip.

 

I grounded my teeth together and swore to myself that this demon would never take anyone as his mate. His manner was too cold, too superior. He was, I thought a touch too unfairly, too handsome as well, with velvety golden eyes that somehow matched his silver hair to perfection. He was tall, certainly over six feet and his lips, while classically beautiful (I had studied enough art to regard myself qualified to make such a judgment) were tight at the corners, as if he did not know how to smile.

 

“Now then,” he said, once our feet began to move in the familiar steps, “supposed you tell me why you hate me.”

 

I treaded on his foot. Kami, he was direct. “I beg your pardon?”

 

“There is no need to maim me, Lady Kagome.”

 

“It was an accident, I assure you.” And it was, even if I really didn't mind this particular example of my lack of grace.

 

“Why,” he mused, “do I find I have difficulty believing you?”

 

Honesty, I quickly decided, would be my best strategy. If he could be direct, well then, so could I. “Probably,” I answered with a wicked smile, “because you know that had it occurred to me to step on your foot on purpose, I would have done so.”

 

He threw back his head and laughed. It was not the reaction I had been either expecting or hoping for. Come to think of it, I had no idea what sort of reaction I'd been hoping for, but this certainly wasn't what I'd been expecting.

 

“Will you stop?” I whispered urgently. “Everyone is starting to stare.”

 

“Everyone started to stare two minutes ago,” he returned. “It's not often a demon prince such as I dance with a miko like you.”

 

As barbs went, this one was well aimed but sadly for him, also incorrect. “Not true,” I replied jauntily. “You are not the first of Michiru's besotted baka (idiot) princes to dance with me this evening in an attempt to gain her favor through me.”

 

He grinned. “Not admirer, but idiots?”

 

I caught his gaze with mine and was surprised to find true amusement in his eyes. “Surely you're not going to hand me such a delicious piece of bait as that?'

 

“And yet you did not take it,” he mused.

 

I looked down to see if there was some way I might discreetly step on his foot again.

 

“I have very thick boots, Lady Kagome,” he said. My head snapped back up in surprise.

 

One corner of his mouth curved up in a mockery of a smile. “And quick eyes as well.”

 

“Apparently so. I shall watch my step around you, to be sure.”

 

“My goodness,” he drawled, “was that a compliment? I might expire from the shock of it.”

 

“If you'd like to consider that a compliment, I give you leave to do so,” I said airily. “You're not likely to receive many more.”

 

“You wound me, Lady Kagome.”

 

“Does that mean that your skin is not as thick as your boots?”

 

“Oh, not nearly”

 

I felt myself laugh before I realized I was amused. “That I find difficult to believe.”

 

“You did not answer my question. Why do you hate me?”

 

“I hate everyone equally. Don't take it personally.” Yet I continued with something else. “I do not even know you.”

 

“Knowing is rarely a prerequisite for hating,” he said softly, his eyes settling on mine with lethal steadiness. “Come now, hime, you don't seem a coward to me. Answer the question.”

 

Something in his eyes told me that he appreciated my stark honesty. “Honestly?”

 

His lips twitched. “Please do.”

 

“You are dancing with me right now because you wish my approval to mate Michiru. This does not bother me,” I hastened to assure him. “I have come to expect such unwarranted attention for the night.”

 

In the few hours I had chatted with Michiru since last night, I came to semi-like her. Truly I did. And I knew better than anyone that Michiru's heart was as beautiful and radiant as her face. I didn't like to think myself jealous, but still... somehow to compare myself with her, stung right to the core.

 

“Please continue,” he murmured.

 

“You are not the sort of demon I would wish her to mate,” I said simply. My manner was direct and my eyes never left his. “You are a rake. You are a rogue. You are, in fact, notorious for being both. I will not allow her within ten feet of you.”

 

“And yet,” he said with a wicked little smile, “I know, even if you continue to deny it, that you saw me kiss her yesterday.”

 

“An act which shall not be repeated, I can assure you.”

 

Sesshoumaru stifled the urge to smile. Kami, he was enjoying baiting me. “I think,” he said, keeping his words slow and deliberate, “that you found it relatively easy to manage most of the males who have come across you. Is that true?”

 

I gave him one curt nod.

 

“But I also think,” he added, “that you made a grave mistake when you thought to manage me. Lady Kagome, you know very little of males. At least, of the rakish, roguish variety.” He leaned in closer, letting his hot breath brush against my cheek.

 

I shivered. He knew I shivered. He smiled wickedly. “There is very little we relish more than a challenge.” He embraced me tighter putting his lips very close to my ear and whispered, “And you, Kagome, have issued to me a most delicious challenge.”

 

I compiled all my courage and closed the little distance that was left between us. I brought my arms around his waste and felt him tense. I put my mouth a breath away from his neck and I whispered in return, “You are a despicable man. It makes me ill to look or even be around you. However...challenge accepted.”

 

I let out a tang of purifying energy, letting it travel through his body. He swayed forward and I caught him just before his face met the floor. Nobody noticed this (we were dancing at the far end of the hall by now) and he quickly straightened. Rage was consuming him as he pressed me hard against his chest. I gasped, but did not squirm. Quite frankly, the reaction had shocked me. The music was coming to a close soon, so I decided to just shut my mouth for now. I mentally patted myself for getting back at the arrogant youkai for seeing me in the nude.

 

~~~~~~~

 

His palm moved upward between her shoulder blades, pressing her closer against him, and in gently swirling her about again, he had cause to catch his breath in sharp reaction as their thighs brushed. The contact left him battling a familiar ache, the intensity of which could have been likened to being hit in the gut, very much like what he'd experienced when she first arrived in the room to see several male youkai walk up to her and later begin laughing with her. In particular, Juro, who he noticed, never left her side or the comfort that she emitted when he was around. The fact that he desired her perhaps more than any female he had ever known had dawned on him with startling clarity during those moments he had stood watching her bathe. No one could've even come close to guessing the difficulty he had had remaining there merely as an observer and not staking his claim on her.

 

But now she had done so much than step on his feet. She had wounded his pride.

 

`She thinks I'm despicable,' he kept thinking. `My presence makes her ill,' a voice mimicked her indignant tone. No one said that to his face and got away with it. And certainly not someone he found interesting. Not that she interested him that much ― it was just that he seldom spent time around anyone who seemed so... pure.

 

Too pure to wish to taint herself with his presence, obviously. Well, he would see about that. He would see her begging for him before he was finished with her. The angel would find herself considerably tattered - and everyone would know it.

 

Out of spite, he said the first thing that came to mind. “Lady Kagome,” the music had begun to quiet down as it entered the last verse, “perhaps you could praise us with one of your own songs. I hear you are quite the singer.” He smiled evilly to her. Everyone turned to her, for the music had stopped when he had made the last comment. All present, encouraged her with applause and nodding.

 

She swayed back a step. A trembling hand reached to her heart and the color of her face left her. Sesshoumaru heard her breaths come in short pants as her eyes widened. She searched frantically around the room for something or someone, stopping at the Inu no Taishou and a woman who had, until now, been talking to him.

 

The said woman raced up to Kagome and clasped both hands on the miko's arm, only to have them shoved away. “My lady!” Again, she whispered to the miko, “We can leave if you wish. However,” she whirled to look fiercely at Sesshoumaru, “you - “. She was cut off by Kagome's voice.

 

Barely smiling, she replied, “Lana, its fine.” Glaring back at him, she continued, “After all, we wouldn't want to disrespect the wishes of our host.”

 

This confirmed his suspicion. If she had been uncomfortable before, her bearing now turned downright hostile. And Sesshoumaru realized with a mental slap that he'd said the exact wrong thing. He had meant to embarrass her, but one look into her violet eyes told him that he'd not only done that, but also hurt her. It was as if he'd stripped her off of her kimono and displayed her for all to see.

 

She moved to the front of the guests. She addressed the musicians, telling them that she did not require their company. Taking a deep breath and bowing her head, she closed her eyes. `You have no idea what you have done, prince.'

 

Flexing her hands, she raised her head, opened her eyes and began.

 

~~~~~~~

 

My eyes searched him for a moment. `Did he know? How could he have done this? What else could I do?' Everyone's stare burned holes in my body as they awaited my song.

 

I would sing - that much was inevitable. But if I was going to bare a part of my soul, at least I would not give him the satisfaction of showing my hurt. I took in a deep breath and opened my mouth.

 

Win dain a lotica- In the darkness

En val tu ri- the dragon

Si lo ta- wakes.

Fin dein a loluca- The dragon awakens

En dragu a sei lain- to a heart

Vi fa-ru les shutai am- that is numbed with cold

En riga-lint- the dragon takes.

 

Win chent a lotica- Without you at

En val turi- my side the

Silota- dragon sleeps.

Fin dein a loluca- On dragon

Si katigura neuver- wing your

Floreria for chesti- wishes will

Si entina- leap.

 

Lalala…

Fontina Blu Cent- your wishes can

De cravi esca letisimo- bring forth a destructive future

Lalala…

De quantian- or you can

La finde reve- bring salvation.

 

Win dain a lotica- In the darkness

En vai tu ri- the dragon

Si lo ta- wakes.

Fin dein a loluca- The dragon awakens

En dragu a sei lain- to a heart

Vi fa-ru les shutai am- that is numbed with cold

En riga-lint- the dragon takes.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

The entire room hushed when she began to sing. No one could believe the beautiful melody that came from her lips. Although none had heard the language of the song, no one could keep from enjoying the astonishing piece.

 

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and let her enchanting voice fill him. It was unlike anything he'd ever heard. Of course he'd heard other human and demon females sing, but even though they were able to carry a tune, there could never be any comparison.

 

Kagome's tone carried throughout the room. It sent waves of peace and purity to the listeners. Whatever uncomfortable atmosphere had occupied the palace was replaced with the calming emotion that clung to the song.

 

The young prince was the first, and probably the only one, to notice that her song was sad. He looked into her eyes only to be met with such agony that he had to take a step back in order to keep from falling. The feeling that was being radiated from her person, it seemed, was directed to him.

 

And for once in his entire life, he felt ashamed.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

I bowed weakly when I finished the last note. Luckily, the gathered multitude of youkai began a wave of applause. It should have helped to ease my nerves, but it only served to feed my hurt. I spared a glance at the coming figure of the Daiyoukai. His widened smile turned into laughter.

 

“My lady, had I not witnessed you singing, I would have thought a tennyo (celestial maiden) was the owner of the most astounding voice I have ever heard!” Several youkai voiced their agreements at the Inu no Taishou's speech.

 

I figured he was only trying to make my unfortunate ordeal a little less painful. He sought the countenance of his son and looked icily at him before he turned once more to his guests. “My esteemed visitors, please, go and take your seats at the dinning table.”

 

He offered his arm and he led the way to the feast. The demon lord beckoned me to sit on his right, which left me facing his son. I would nibble on my food not finding any desire to eat.

 

Lady Michiru sat next to me and would once in a while made comments about how much she had enjoyed my singing. I did not fail to see how she would look angrily at the prince whenever such comments were made. Most of the dinner was spent in low hum of the guests.

 

Only one youkai, whom I had conversed earlier with, turned in my direction and asked, “Kagome-hime, may I inquire as to the odd tongue of your song? I don't believe I have ever heard it spoken. Then again, I have never mingled with humans, so I would not know if this is a common language to your people.”

 

I glanced his way, pondered on an answer and replied, “Iiee. The language is one that was taught to me when I was much younger. My sensei instructed me on different languages. He said it would come quite handy when trading with the mainland.” In reality, this was a lie. The song had just come to me.

 

“Oh.” He simply stated. I thought that was all but then he cocked his head and interrogated me again. “What land does this strange tongue belong to?”

 

Everyone looked my way. An eerie silence ensued as they all dropped their chop sticks awaiting my answer. Finally, I said, “It is from the land of Romania. It lies northwest of the mainland. Father trades with them often, mostly spices and weapons.” What the hell had I just said? It had just popped into my head. But somehow it made sense in there so I just left it as it was hoping that that would satisfy their curiosity.

 

I supposed that did answer their inquisitiveness for they all returned to their dinner.

 

Soon afterwards, the Western Lord saw to each of his guests. Being his personal guest, I stood by him the rest of the night. The last to turn up for the night were the Southern Lord and his family. In fact, the Inu no Taishou moved into his study with the wolf lord and the prince, leaving Michiru and her mother with me and several servants who were cleaning.

 

“Kagome, daijoubou desu ka?” Her worried face tugged at my heart.

 

“Hai. I am just a bit tired.”

 

Because she had probably sensed my discomfort at being touched, she stopped her hand midway and instead, Michiru asked me to follow her outside. The moon was shining brightly and a light air caressed my face. Once she made sure no one was listening or watching she sat down and motioned for me to do the same.

 

“I'm sorry for what Sesshoumaru did. It was more than evident is was not something you wanted to share with the world. Am I correct to assume that no one knew about this?”

 

“Hai. And it is not you who should have to apologize. But I will tell you something. From what I've seen tonight, and probably all I need to see, I have come to the conclusion that the he will not make a suitable mate for you.”

 

I really did not see him settling down even for her. Yet, something in the back of my mind told me that I had said this because I was angry at him. And, in all truth, I was. I would pay him back by ruining his plans to mate with Michiru. Or so I kept telling myself that that was the reason.

 

“Arigatou for your answer. I too have thought about his actions this evening. Honestly, I have never seen him act so childish. Still, had he not behave like that, I still would not have agreed to his offer. Actually, I told my father about this and he has acknowledged my request. I believe he is right at this moment talking to the Inu no Taishou.” She stood up and reached for me.

 

“Somehow I don't think that Sesshoumaru will take the news very well. However, I agree that you should be the one to decide who you want to share the rest of your life with.”

 

“Thank you, Kagome. I'm not sure if I will ever find this male. And even if I did, I don't think he would notice me,” she whispered, looking forward.

 

“Why do you say that? Any male would be honored to have a mate like you. Though, I can honestly say that I did not see any in this particular group of youkai.” I added, “Still, there is...that one named Juro.” I pondered upon this last comment.

 

Michiru immediately stiffened and blushed a bit, waving her hands wildly. “That is impossible. Lord Juro and I are just friends. He's like a brother to me.” She turned to look at me and continued, “Besides, I don't believe he thinks of me that way. He's never once showed any interest in me. He barely acknowledges me with a `hello'!”

 

I turned her answer in my head and something clicked. She liked him! I wondered if Juro like her too. He was after all a male. There had to be at least some attraction....

 

“If there is a female he's ever shown interest in... it's you.” There was a bit of disappointment laced in her words. She tried to hide it with a smile. Her eyes, however, betrayed her.

 

“Baka iwanaide (Nonsense).” I snorted.

 

“Kagome, he does like you. You can't tell me that he doesn't go out of his way to be the one who is always by your side. He has done nothing but hang on to you for this past two days. There are even rumors among the servants that even before tonight, when war was being waged, that he asked about you until he saw you again. And yesterday, at dinner, he never once conversed with anyone but you. It's like the rest of us cease to exist to him once you enter the room. And,” she paused momentarily, “he addresses you with a familiarity and affection that I've never heard him use with anyone. Can you believe that we've known each other since we were both a few months old and he's never ever called me anything but `Lady Michiru'?”

 

I was surprised by all she had said. I hadn't realized how attentive towards the red-haired inu youkai she was.

 

“It's not that,” I tried to reassure her. I let my guard down a hair's width, ever mindful of the inner reflex to purify her youkai blood. I just had to ask. “Do you have feelings for Juro?”

 

She paled a little and stood immediately. “We should get back inside. I think I hear my otou-san calling.” Smiling at me, she headed inside with me trailing behind her.

 

Entering into the huge room, we found the Daiyoukai, Lord Fatsu and his wife, Lady Hana already by the stairs. Michiru hugged me and said, “Please, you must come and visit me sometime after this feast. Our home is opened to you always.” Her father grinned at me and also made an invitation.

 

“I will take that in mind.” I waved at them as they ascended to their heya.

 

Lana had been watching me from a corner the whole night. Once she saw everyone leave, she took my arm, said her goodnights to the Inu no Taishou in a hurry and hauled me to our room. When she slided the door shut, she hugged me and began sobbing.

 

Pushing her away as gently as I could, I moved towards one of the windows. “Child, for a moment,” she hiccupped, “I thought you might purify the entire castle. The audacity of that arrogant demon was beyond words. I beg you, let us leave. He has caused you great pain. I can see it in your eyes.”

 

Her pleads only intensified my anger. “Very well. Begin gathering our belongings. I shall meet you downstairs.” I grabbed my cloak and walked to the door.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“Don't be troubled. I am only going to talk to the Inu no Taishou.” I slid the door open. I took one foot out and bumped into a hard chest.

 

Looking up, I was met with narrowed golden eyes. “May we speak?”

 

“Hai,” I moved to one side in order to let him in. “I wished to express my gratitude for your invitation. However, I do not think I can stay any longer. You see, Lana and I did not come alone. A very good friend of mine is still waiting for us on a village at the border of your lands. We left him there because he was sick. That was two days ago and I am positive that he is well by now. Besides, I do not wish to give my father a reason to come and look for me.” It was true. But, nonetheless, it was a pretext.

 

He eyed me suspiciously for a moment. “Of course. Yet, I hope you will at least allow me to send you off until morning. It is late and this is no hour for a hime to travel on her own.”

 

“I must object to this. The sooner we leave, the sooner I can get to my friend.”

 

He must have seen the determination in my face for he said, “I can tell you will not listen to whatever I might say. In that case, I will send Sesshoumaru with you. It is only fair that he regain a hint of honor by seeing to your safety.” The demon lord did not give me time to voice my objection. Closing the door behind him, I was left looking at an open-mouthed Lana.

 

Bringing my hands to my head I shut my eyes tightly and yelled in my head.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

I stood in the balcony of the guest room I was presently occupying. I saw several youkai wondering about in the gardens. Most of the guests were in their rooms, not sleeping I assumed. Youkai needed few hours of sleep and they need not sleep every night. I lifted my gaze towards the sky, observing the many stars that were shining tonight. The conversation I had had with Michiru lingered in my head and occupied all my senses.

 

A shiver ran up my body as a cool breeze passed by.

 

“You would think that being the observant female that you are, you'd realize that coming out at this hour requires thicker clothing.”

 

Turning slowly, I came upon an inu youkai sitting casually over the balcony railing, one leg propped up and the other dangling over said railing. I really didn't take in his presence until I blinked several times. I made a mental note to stop letting my guard down around this youkai, familiarity or not.

 

“What are you doing here?” Blue eyes met violet eyes. He sighed and looked up into the sky.

 

He did not answer me for several minutes. I asked again. “What - ”

 

“Gomenasai (I'm sorry), Kagome,” he said, clenching his fists. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. “I didn't know. If I'd known, I wouldn't have let him do that.” He looked at me and the guilt shone in his eyes. He stood and stopped in front of me. “You should know that I would never intentionally hurt you, right?”

 

I was surprised by his actions. But most of all, I was taken aback by the immense sincerity in his aura. And at that moment, I hated myself so much. I hated myself because I understood that no matter how hard I tried (because I swear by all that I tried) that I could in no way stop the feelings of caring that this youkai inspired in me. I hated the fact that I actually cared for such a creature. He was the third (the Inu no Taishou and Michiru, being the other two) - I prayed - that made me feel this way.

 

He embraced me out of nowhere. I stiffened, unable to comprehend his action. It wasn't until he released me, that I reacted. I pushed away a little.

 

“Everyone is responsible for their own actions.”

 

He relaxed and offered me a smile in return. “Arigatou gozaimasu. Now I can finally sleep. You should rest yourself. You have a long journey ahead. I hope to see again soon.” He made to leave, but my questioned stopped him.

 

I blurted out, “Naze (Why, formal)?”

 

With his back to me, he said, “You are a wonderful, worthy and loveable person. No one has ever been, or ever will be, quite like you. You are an individual, an original, and all those things that make you uniquely you are deserving of love and praise. That is why I wish this will not be that last time we meet.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Despite the fact that Ujio hated the miko (at least that's what he kept telling himself), he had to admit that even for Sesshoumaru that had been low. To embarrass her in front of everyone like that was something only a coward did.

 

He had stayed outside after dinner. He wanted to avoid being in the same room as both the miko and Sesshoumaru. It wasn't just that he didn't like either of them right now, it was also that seeing them dance earlier hadn't quite sat well with him. He couldn't explain why. Maybe it was that as troublesome as Sesshoumaru tended to be sometimes, he didn't want him with the miko.

 

As he delved into his thoughts, he was interrupted by Juro coming toward him.

 

“Father wishes to talk to you.”

 

“Is it about the usual?” he asked in a bored tone.

 

“What else would it be? Time is almost up and you refuse to take your place in the family,” Juro acknowledged.

 

“You know I want none of it. Why does everyone keep pushing me into it?” His gaze darkened.

 

“Because you are the rightful heir to OUR father's lands. Even Sesshoumaru has accepted that he will one day rule here in the Western Lands.”

 

Ujio growled lowly. “There's still time to change that. Besides, right now, I think we have a bigger problem,” he told his brother. “I think Sesshoumaru might have some kind of infatuation with the psycho-miko.”

 

Juro would have replied at how absurd that sounded, but Ujio continued in his angry voice. “And so do you.”

 

Juro gave him a blank stare for a second. Then, suddenly, snapped at him. “That is completely ludicrous.” However, he added, “And if I did, that would be my own problem. I'm not a pup anymore that needs you to watch over him.”

 

“And yet you've never had the courage to even ask M-“ Ujio stopped when he saw that Juro stiffened. “Forget it,” he said.

 

“Ujio,” he looked at his brother again. “The Inu no Taishou has taught us to be strong but fair. Even the `psycho-miko', as you call her, deserves a chance. I know your hate for her kind. But one must recognize that had she wanted, she could kill us all right now. And the fact that she hasn't says a lot about her. Instead, she is here honoring her pact with our father and trying to be civil, given her upbringing.”

 

The older inu youkai looked away. “You are always trying to see beyond what everyone really is. I just hope one day it doesn't get you in trouble.”

 

Ujio covered Juro's shoulder with his hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Don't let her inside you, brother. There is so much in her that is dark that it could completely obliterate all the goodness you have.”

 

Juro thought that for a minute. He hadn't considered himself good for a long time now. “There are those who would say the same about you.”

 

“They don't know me.”

 

“And we don't know Kagome.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Juro returned to his room. He felt the weight of his guilt leave him. Kagome was not angry with him. The idea of her leaving and never coming back nagged at him. She inspired in him feelings that were impossible to describe. He had never known anyone like her. The need to protect her and love her was ever present in him. It confused him. And now that she was hurt he felt his inner demon rage within him.

 

He had tried to tell himself all night that Sesshoumaru's actions had not been intentional, but he could not lie to himself. He knew his brother well and knew that his little retaliation was meant to hurt Kagome. He only wished he hadn't offered her to him on a silver platter.

 

Sure he had brought them together to have some fun at Sesshoumaru's expense. Kagome was not one to back down and anyone with youkai blood could sense the tension between those two. However, he had to admit that introducing them had also been to aid Kagome in deciding that Sesshoumaru was NOT the one for Lady Michiru. He knew his brother did not love her and that his only aim was to have a mate who was worthy of being Lady of the West. Not that she wasn't!

 

Yet, if he was being honest with himself, he had to admit that the most important reason had nothing to do with Sesshoumaru or Kagome. The inu youkai exhaled forcefully, crawling inside his futon. He hadn't had a night's sleep for a week and a half. And the feelings in his heart only aided in making him feel more troubled than ever. Perhaps today would be as good as any to try and rest.

 

He closed his eyes and the image of a beautiful female with black hair and blue eyes stared back at him.

 

If only....

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you guys enjoyed these gifts! I'm off to Mexico for a relaxing week and half, so there won't be any updates for a while! Take care and I will try to answer any reviews as soon as I can.