InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Double Vision ❯ Chapter 25 ( Chapter 24 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Miroku decided to skip the partying that night, so he could be at his best when he met with the “Beautiful Princess” about the job she had for him on the morrow. He was intrigued by Grandpa’s description of her as both beautiful and very rich. She sounded like just his kind of woman. Perhaps she would be willing to bear his child. It never hurt to ask. Since he was only drinking a little, he had a chance to subject Jak and Bank to a more critical evaluation. They both could certainly hold their liquor, he had to give them credit for that. Bank’s humungous sword, and Jak’s trick sword, were nowhere in evidence. Neither man wore face paint, unless you counted the lip paint, rouge, and kohl that Jak sported. Bank claimed that he had no idea where the other five brothers were, or even if they were still dead or had been resurrected. Miroku spotted Jak counting on his fingers, and looking surprised that two plus five did, indeed, add up to seven. Miroku was curious about what it was like to be dead, though he had an aversion to finding out firsthand. Neither Bank nor Jak could remember much about the experience. Bank, the more intelligent of the two, was hardly a philosopher, and was possibly the least articulate man Miroku had ever met. He would only say that when he died the first time, he didn’t really realize he was dead. Jak nodded his head emphatically in agreement. He remembered being in Hell, but only vaguely, with throngs of other people. Jak shuddered, dramatically. The second time, he realized that he was dead, but only because of his past experience. He seemed to have blanked out the circumstances of both deaths, completely. Jak apparently agreed, one-hundred and ten percent.

Miroku retired early, slept well, and made sure he looked his best for the interview. Grandpa showed him to a private room used by the local merchants for conducting meetings. Inside, there sat the most beautiful woman Miroku had ever seen. His mouth literally fell open in shock and admiration. Words could not describe how very beautiful she was. Kikyo, had she been glowing with radiant life, would have barely been worthy of serving as her handmaiden. The dark miko Tsubaki, known to rival Kikyo in beauty, and the so-called celestial maiden Kaguya could not even hope to compare to this goddess. She was swathed in a robe of transparent, pale pink silk, golden earrings, and a gold ring on every finger. Her hair was elaborately dressed in the most elegant fashion imaginable. Miroku fell to his knees before this vision of loveliness. He did not even consider asking her to bear his child.

The Princess laughed sweetly. Her voice reminded him of delicate wind chimes on a soft spring morning.

“How may I serve you, my Lady?” Miroku asked respectfully.

“No need to be so stuffy, my dear monk. I am, after all, an old friend of your family. I have actually been watching over you for years. I am so glad it is finally time for us to meet.”

“May I enquire of your name, dear Lady? Perhaps my father may have mentioned you to me, if you are an old friend of the family.”

“Oh, no, my dear boy. Your darling father would not know me, though I knew him well. It was your seven-times great grandfather who knew me, very well indeed, I must say. As a matter of fact, it is I who placed the curse of lechery upon the your family’s male line. You may call me Amaya, as your grandfather did. You bear the look of him.”

This beautiful goddess was an actual goddess, and had apparently had traffic with some fortunate ancestor of his. This called for some fancy footwork. “Amaya, such a beautiful name. I apologize in my ancestor’s stead for the injury you suffered at his hands. Any pain your curse may have placed upon my family or me personally was surely worth it for just a glimpse of your loveliness.” Miroku was rather proud of himself for this artful speech, but Amaya apparently did not feel the same way. Her expression grew thunderous, and suddenly she looked much more frightening than inviting.

“I wonder if your wife would say the same. I cannot blame you for your lecherous ways, since it is I who levied the curse on your family. But rather than taking it as the punishment it was intended to be, you have enjoyed it thoroughly, have you not, you wretched little man!”

“I humbly apologize, my Lady. Is there any way I may lessen my offense in your eyes?”

“My patience with you is at an end, yet I am a merciful being. Listen well. You are to return to your family, and be the husband and father you were meant to be. If you choose to continue in your prior path, you will surely lose your entire family, to the youngest child. I have lifted your curse, go now and make amends to those you love.”

He bowed and backed toward the door. “Monk!”

“Yes, my Lady?”

“Don’t screw up. This is your last chance.”