InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Daughter of the West ❯ The Love of Lady Kimi ( Chapter 3 )

[AN: you guys actually like my story, huh. That's cool. I hope you like this chapter as much as you did the other two.]

Daughter of the West

Chapter 3: The Love of Lady Kimi

The group had walked the entire night, following Aikina out of the forest. There had been no incidents of violence after the encounter with the boar demons. But the pace had been hard to keep up with, and after walking for so long, they were pretty much ready to fall over. "Aikina," Kagome asked, "How far is it until we get to your manor?" Aikina looked back at her. "It's only a little while, now. A mile, tops," she replied. Kagome nodded with a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness," she sighed. When they reached the top of the hill on which they were walking, they saw a large castle-like mansion. Aikina sighed. "It's good to be home again."

As they walked down the other side of the large hill, everyone but Aikina marveled at the manor. "That's quite a place to call home," Sango mentioned to Kagome. The exhausted time-traveler nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they must belong to a pretty prominent family," she replied. "Or they may have plundered it," Miroku chimed in, still feeling untrustworthy of their demon guide. Both girls sighed and smacked him on the head, sending him to the ground.

It wasn't long until they reached the extensive lands that lie around the large manor. There were exquisite gardens, and the few tenders they saw all bowed to her and addressed her as 'Lady Aikina', or 'Milady'. "Wow, this place is great!" Kagome exclaimed. Aikina turned to her. "Yes, it's a very…rich place," she replied. Kagome looked back at Inu-Yasha. There was quite a scowl on his face. Kagome shook her head and turned her head back before her. "I don't know why he hates the smell of flowers," Kagome groaned. Sango, who was still next to her, sighed.

They walked a little while longer until they reached the bronze doors of the manor. When they stopped before them, a young servant girl ran up to Aikina. "My apologies, Milady, but your…companions will have to leave their heavy weaponry here," she said. Kagome and Sango were immediately alerted.

What if Miroku was right? What id they couldn't trust Aikina?

This was now a possibility, but someone who risks his or her own life to save yours probably wouldn't do that. And so, with this thought, she handed over her bow and arrows. Sango waited a second, and then hesitantly handed over her boomerang, however everyone present but Aikina and the servant knew that she still had a dagger strapped to her leg, not to mention Kirara. Inu-Yasha, of course, being as stubborn as he is, tried to hide the Tetesusaiga in the folds of his pants. "All of it," she said, glaring at Inu-Yasha. Kagome glared at him as well, with a look that said 'Give it to her now, jackass'. Inu-Yasha gave in and handed over the sword. They all proceeded to enter until the servant stopped Miroku, who was last. "The staff," she said. Aikina waved her hand in dismissal. "Let him keep it," she said. The servant sighed, but obeyed. "Whatever you say, Milady."

After the group passed the servant, Inu-Yasha asked where their weapons were being taken. "Oh, Yü will take them to the library. You can fetch them on your way out," Aikina replied. There were many servants wandering the floor of the manor that they were currently on. When the neared the large, elaborate stone staircase, yet another servant stopped Aikina. "Milady!" she exclaimed, "Oh, you mother Lady Kimi will be so happy about your return!" Then she turned to the small group behind her. "Milady…who are these…savages?" she asked. This made Inu-Yasha angry. "Well we're not the one's who ripped apart a--" he was interrupted when Kagome slapped her hand over his mouth. The servant gave them a look, but allowed them to pass.

The group followed Aikina up the stairs, and when they reached the top, they saw that there weren't even half as many servants on that floor. "Mama?" Aikina called out, "Maaaaaaamaaaa?"

A few moments later, a middle-aged woman walked into the main area of the floor. She had pale skin, the same bright blue eyes as Aikina, and silky black hair that was wrapped around a wire frame that shaped it like the wings of a butterfly. Even with the meager smile on her face, she looked somewhat hollow, like she was only the shell of the woman she had once been.

"Ah, Aikina, my daughter, you've returned," she cooed, her eyes shifting toward at Inu-Yasha and looking at him strangely, "Who are your…friends?" Aikina smiled and then introduced the group to her mother. Lady Kimi smiled and turned to her daughter. "Aikina, will you go downstairs and tell the servants to prepare rooms for our guests here," she commanded. Aikina obediently went until she was stopped by the sound of Kagome's voice.

"Oh, no! You don't need to prepare rooms for us. We don't want to be a burden," she said. Lady Kimi shook her head. "It would be our pleasure. It is the least we could do for guests," she replied formally. Kimi waved her hand, and Aikina walked back down the staircase.

"We have a few questions we need to ask you," Inu-Yasha said bluntly as soon as Aikina had disappeared down the stairs. "As do I," Kimi said, frowning at Inu-Yasha'a lack of formality, "What is your question?"

Inu-Yasha glared at her momentarily. "It's about your daughter, Aikina. She looks like someone we…know. Yeah, someone we know," he replied. Kimi smiled a bit. "And this person's name would be?" she asked. "His name's Sesshomaru. Happen to know if there's any connection?" Inu-Yasha asked.

Kimi gasped and took a step back, and quickly covered her mouth. "I have not heard…that name spoken in years," she said softly, her eyes welling with tears. Kagome took a few steps closer to her. "Are you okay?" she asked. Kimi nodded slightly, and looked back at Inu-Yasha. "He is Aikina's father," she said grimly, answering the last part of Inu-Yasha's question. "God," Kagome started, "I never woulda thought he had a daughter out there somewhere."

Kimi looked at her oddly. "Tell me," she started, "How is it that you knew my husband?" Kagome and Inu-Yasha's mouths dropped. "He has a wife, too?" Kagome gaped. "He has a heart?!" Inu-Yasha exclaimed. Kimi scowled at them. "I wish you wouldn't speak of my late husband as if her were still among the living," she said, her eyes now dry and her expression stern. "Late?" Kagome asked, "If you thin he was killed in battle with Inu-Yasha or something…please! It was only dumb luck that he got the Tetsusaiga to work!" Kimi looked at her strangely. "We must have men confused," she said, "My Sesshomaru died many, many years ago."

"Wait. What did he look like?" Sango asked, finally speaking up. Kimi sighed. "Much like your dog-eared friend here," she said indicating Inu-Yasha. "That's the same Sesshomaru," Kagome said. As soon as the words drifted out of her mouth, an amazed and disbelieving look overcame Lady Kimi. "There's just now way…………"