InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Visitors ( Chapter 13 )

A/N: Well, it happened again. Two chapters instead of one. But I doubt anyone will complain. Mr. J, that's actually kind of tempting. I'll keep it in the back of my mind. Hee hee. I will make a promise now, so everyone can stop yelling. Yes, Koga is coming. That's all I'm going to say, though. I'm so happy that I still have readers! My goodness this is a big beast. It's okay, though. I have my fun. As inuchick has reminded me on several occasions, I own a couple of them, but the best of them don't belong to me.

 

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“Okay, let's make sure we've got everything under control. Jaken is going to hold down the palace until we get back. Kumo's coming with us to keep the exterminator's village in one piece. Mizuki says that she has security for the palace set, and she's already sent a unit to the village to coordinate with Nami. We'll get there before anyone else so we can set everything up. I told the ladies to tell no one where we are meeting, not even their mates until they arrive. Mizuki insisted. We leave tomorrow. Did I forget anything?”

 

Sesshomaru stared at his mate. “There was no reason in that outburst.”

 

“This is important! What else do we need to take care of? The palace is secure and Jaken is watching things for us. The kids are coming with us, and Seiji is going to meet with his mother. Mizuki dealt with security, and we will get there ahead of everyone else to make sure that things are set up. This should run smoothly as long as everyone shows up as expected.”

 

“Gomen, Kagome-sama.”

 

“AH!” Kagome spun with her hands out, impacting with the youkai that had appeared behind her and sending him flying. “What the hell!”

 

`That was even more entertaining then I had expected.' Sesshomaru fought down his amusement as Kagome ran right past the second visitor to the downed youkai.

 

Dropping to her knees, Kagome peered down at the gold eyes. “Merkamou! What the hell did you think you were doing?”

 

“Greetings, Kagome-sama. And how have you been? Do you remember my sister, Akane?” Merkamou was still flat on his back, waiting for his muscles to start obeying him again. There was a singed mark on his kimono from Kagome's hand, and the smell of burnt silk was in the air.

 

“You know better then to sneak up on me like that!” With a mighty heave the little miko pulled Merkamou to his feet. “Are you okay?”

 

“You have done worse. As always, your home is the most entertaining location in all of Japan.” Merkamou grimaced at the ruined kimono before looking over to Sesshomaru. “Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

“Merkamou-sama. What are you doing here?”

 

“Yuriko wished to leave early, so we thought to travel with you. Where are we going, anyways? My rather defiant daughter would not tell me.”

 

“Good girl. I told her to not tell anyone. The exterminator's village. Akane-san, it's so nice to see you again! Merkamou didn't tell me that you were the one he was bringing.” Kagome let go of Merkamou when she saw Sesshomaru's glare. `Will he ever stop?'

 

“It is a pleasure to see you as well, Kagome-sama.” Akane gave a small bow, smiling at her rather battered brother. “I did say that you should announce yourself when you came in.”

 

“And you were correct as usual, sister. Now I know why Yuriko-chan was so excited to go on this trip. She is quite fond of Nami-san.”

 

Kagome glanced around. “Where is Yuriko-chan, anyways?”

 

“She is out retrieving the boys.”

 

“Oh, no.”

 

----

 

Shippou and Katsuro strolled towards the field where Mizuki was waiting.

 

“I'm so glad it's your turn. She's getting a bit too good at this for my taste.”

 

Katsuro grimaced. “It's pretty much all she's done for almost two moons now. She better be getting good. I don't know if she even likes it, but she's so determined that it doesn't even matter.”

 

“Is she going to challenge Seiji?”

 

“I think so. They've been pretty polite lately, but you just mention fighting him and her eyes light up. It's kind of scary.”

 

“Better him then me. She's been nicer to me lately. I think she considers me a friend now.”

 

The hanyou narrowed his eyes in a look stolen from father. “Friends, Shippou?”

 

“What? I can't be friends with her?”

 

“When have you ever been just friends with a pretty lady?”

 

“It happens sometimes.”

 

“Sometimes I think you spent too much time with that hentai monk Mama traveled with.”

 

“Just enough to learn to keep my hands to myself, especially around exterminators.”

 

“Did you hear something?”

 

Both of the males were flattened, forming two small craters with a weight keeping them down.

 

“Good day, my lords.”

 

Shippou spit out dirt. “Oh, no.”

 

Katsuro turned his head to glare over his shoulder. “Yuriko.”

 

Ah-Un landed near by, both faces showing teeth in a dragon grin. Letting the two males up, Yuriko dusted herself off and returned to the dragon. “Have you missed me?”

 

“Sure, except for the whole dropping on us thing.” Katsuro shoved himself out of the crater. “You're too fond of injuring me.”

 

“And Rin-chan had you beating on me as soon as you could walk. A habit you never dropped.” Shippou was pulled up by Katsuro.

 

“I am flattered.” Yuriko's gold eyes flashed as she smiled at them, her long, black hair and feathers blowing back in the wind. Dressed in the same style her mother had adopted but in the colors of flame, she had her mother's grace and her father's charisma. “So, where were you headed? Anything fun?”

 

“Ki-chan is waiting for us.” An evil grin lit up Katsuro's features. “Maybe you should come along.”

 

“Why? What could Mizuki be doing that would be of interest to me?”

 

“She's training.”

 

“Really? Now I am interested.”

 

“And maybe you can save me a couple of bruises.”

 

----

 

`They are late. As is their habit. I should have words with shetai about this.' Mizuki moved through her drill, keeping her breathing even.

 

A hint of a familiar scent set her on alert. `If I am not mistaken, that smelled like Ah-Un. Yuriko.' Continuing as though she had noticed nothing, Mizuki let her ears swivel to listen for any sign of her niece.

 

There was a flash of movement, Ah-Un swooping out of the trees with Yuriko already half way out of the saddle. Mizuki snapped up her naginata and caught her niece across the middle as she dropped, tossing her aside.

 

Yuriko rolled and came up to her feet, smiling. “Hello, Auntie.”

 

“Yuriko.”

 

The hawk hanyou drew her sword, a massive beast that Totosai had been `convinced' to create for her. “Katsuro says that you've been practicing. Care to try against a real opponent?”

 

“Hey!” Katsuro's indignant yell gave his position in the trees away. “Oops.”

 

Shippou smacked him on the back of the head. “Now you've done it!”

 

“I will deal with you later, shetai. I will deal with you now, Yuriko.”

 

Yuriko gave her blade a little spin. “At your leisure, Mizuki.”

 

Taking a deep breath, Mizuki let her eyes unfocus. She would wait for her impulsive niece to move first. With her mother's natural skill and her father's strength, Yuriko was a dangerous opponent and had been known to toss Katsuro around. Mizuki had no intention of letting the little hawk best her if she could avoid it.

 

The unmoving opponent threw Yuriko off. She had expected Mizuki to attack, or even go to a guard position, but she stood there doing nothing. The inu-hanyou did not even seem to be interested in defending herself. It was creepy, having those sapphire eyes unfocused in an unmoving face. Like facing a statue.

 

`I will make her move.' Yuriko dove in, her blade in motion. The sword whipped in close enough to cut Mizuki's hair, but the hanyou was perfectly still. Not until Yuriko moved in to finish her attack did she move, dropping down to let the blade whip through empty air as she dropped her naginata and pulled her short sword.

 

In such close quarters Yuriko's massive weapon had her at a disadvantage compared to Mizuki's much smaller sword. She back pedaled, trying to get away but her opponent seemed to be making up for her former passive behavior. Blow after blow was rained down on Yuriko, sending the hawk skittering backwards from the taller female. Executing a perfect back flip, Yurkio landed on a tree branch, finally out of Mizuki's range.

 

“You have been practicing, my dear Aunt.”

 

Mizuki glared up at her opponent. “Are you frightened?”

 

“Of you? In a fair fight?” Yuriko burst out laughing.

 

“Then stop trying to hide in the trees, simpleton.” Mizuki leapt to a branch within reach of Yuriko, taking the battle to her.

 

“Simpleton? I will knock you from this tree, dog.” Yuriko slashed through the branch Mizuki was standing on, forcing her to jump to a different perch.

 

“Very well. The first one to fall from the tree is defeated.”

 

“Agreed.” Leaping after Mizuki, Yuriko aimed to take down another branch.

 

`That is correct, little hawk. Continue to attack the branches.' Mizuki leapt from branch to branch, staying just ahead of Yuriko's attacks. She doubled back and landed on a branch directly over her opponent's head, leaning down to slash at her. `Come along, attack again.'

 

Yuriko slammed her sword through the branch above her, dodging it as it fell. Mizuki had not jumped clear in time, and was now falling from the tree. “Dogs do not belong in trees!”

 

Slamming her smaller sword into Yuriko's branch as she fell, Mizuki was brought to a stop and landed on a lower branch. Grabbing her opponent's ankle, she yanked hard. The hawk's foot was pulled out from underneath her and Yuriko was sent crashing onto her back. The impact broke the already damaged branch free from the tree and sent it to the ground, taking the stunned female with it.

 

Crouching in the tree, Mizuki could not suppress the feral smile. “Who does not belong in trees, little hawk?”

 

“I cannot believe you pulled that off, Mizuki.” Yuriko picked herself up slowly, rubbing her back.

 

Dropping from the tree, the sapphire eyes tracked over to where the two males were still watching. “You may come out now.”

 

“You first.” Shippou gave Katsuro a hard shove, knocking him from the tree.

 

“Traitor!” Fortunate that he had landed on his feet, Katsuro tried to look nonchalant as he joined his sister. “Nice work, Ki-chan.”

 

“Hai.” Mizuki hit her brother in the back of the head with her now sheathed sword.

 

“Okay, I guess I deserved that.” Rubbing his head, Katsuro gave his sister a smile. “But you have to admit that it felt good to beat her.”

 

“Hai.”

 

“Katsuro.” Yuriko had her hands on her hips. “You sent me in to fight her, and now you are happy that I have lost?”

 

“Uh oh.” Backing away, Katsuro bumped into Shippou who had finally gotten up the courage to join them. “Well, she is my sister, I should cheer her on.”

 

“Perhaps I should practice knocking dogs out of trees with you.”

 

“Say, where's your father? Shouldn't we be greeting him? Mama will want us to come up and be friendly. We should go to the palace.” Grabbing Shippou by the arm, Katsuro beat a hasty retreat.

 

“I have seen him in battle, and I know that he is a brave warrior. However, I must say that he is not showing this right now. Coward!” Yuriko yelled after the running males.

 

“He is correct. We should greet your father.” Mizuki retrieved her naginata.

 

“Oh, fine. I am sure that Kagome-chan will wish to see me as well.”

 

“That is certain.”

 

----

 

`I must discuss the seating arrangements with mother.' Mizuki kept her breathing even and tried not to bristle at the dragon directly across from her or the hawk next to her. With the unexpected guests they had changed to the larger dining hall, and not the one that the family usually sat at. Cho was at her left, which did help things, and Katsuro was delighted to be on Cho's other side. Shippou was pouting on the end. `Too many underlying problems for this to work out smoothly.'

 

Merkamou monopolized the meal with his stories, but no one was in a hurry to retire. After the meal had been cleared away the family and guests mingled and gossiped.

 

“Mizuki, is that Seiji?” Yuriko whispered to her aunt, trying to keep things quiet enough that none of the taiyoukai would hear them.

 

“Hai.” Keeping her gaze off of the dragon, Mizuki tried to think about anything other then her current situation. Such as smashing either of her tormentors into the ground repeatedly. Cho smiled faintly at the slight tightness around her friend's eyes. Bringing up Seiji always seemed to cause that reaction.

 

“That is your intended?”

 

“He is not my intended.”

 

“Really?” Yuriko gave Seiji an appraising look, making the dragon raise his eyebrows at her bold behavior. “Are you certain?”

 

“Quite. Why is it of your concern?”

 

“I would hate to see such a prime specimen go to waste.”

 

Mizuki snapped her eyes around to Yuriko's face. “Nani?”

 

“Well, if you are not courting him, then there is no problem with a little harmless flirtation. You said that he was not your intended.”

 

“He is not.” Forcing her attention back to a distant wall, Mizuki let the claws of her left hand bury themselves into her palm. `Mama will have a fit later.'

 

Cho's eyes traveled down to Mizuki's hand, sighing softly when she saw the tight fist. “Mizuki.” The sapphire eyes flicked over and the fist relaxed somewhat.

 

“This could be fun. It will help to pass the time while we are at this little meeting. While I am here I may be able to escape Papa's ever watchful eyes. You have to admit, Mizuki. He is quite attractive.”

 

“It is a moot point, Yuriko-san. Alliances are not built on who is the most attractive.” Slight concern was staring to push to the front of Cho's thoughts. `Yuriko is hitting some very sore spots that I do not think even Mizuki is aware of.'

 

“Then I guess it will not matter to you that both Katsuro and Shippou are watching you like starving animals.” Yuriko glanced over Cho's shoulder to where Katsuro and Shippou were both watching.

 

Mizuki resisted the urge to slam her fist through a wall. “They are probably staring for the same reason that you are staring at Seiji-san with such interest.”

 

“Some how I think Seiji-san is more interesting to watch. No offense, Cho-san, but you strike me as being very quiet and polite. Like Mizuki.”

 

`If she had the sense of a new born pup she would stop now.' “I am not interested in my brother's or his companion's relationship with Cho-san.” Bringing her temper back under control, Mizuki gave Cho a glance and received a slight nod in return. They would be making their exit in the very near future.

 

“Very interesting.” Yuriko gave Seiji another look, making eye contact for a moment before breaking away. “I was concerned that I would be bored, but that does not look like a problem any more.”

 

----

 

Merkamou was watching his daughter, and leaned over to whisper to Kagome. “She is looking at that dragon.”

 

Kagome gave him an exasperated look. “It happens.”

 

“She should not be looking at him that way.”

 

“What way?”

 

“Like she has just spotted a nice rabbit to bring down.”

 

“She's young, he's handsome, of course she's looking. As long as it's just looking it's fine, even though he is supposed to be here for Mizuki.”

 

The hawk did not look convinced. “Should I kill him?”

 

“I wish you all luck with this argument, Kagome-sama. I have made no progress with him.” Akane gave her brother a dark look. “No male at our court will even look Yuriko-chan's way for fear of her father's wrath.”

 

“No, you shouldn't kill him for just standing there. Rin-chan wasn't kidding, I'm really going to have to watch you.”

 

Arms crossed, Merkamou dragged his eyes away from the male that had caught his daughter's attention. “I was his age once.”

 

Kagome gave the red hair a tug. “And I was hers. Just leave it be. Really. She's a big girl and she can take care of herself.”

 

“Very well. If you insist. But if he does anything objectionable . . . “

 

“Then you can do whatever you want and we'll use Tensaiga to bring him back and present him to Akira. Deal?”

 

“Deal.”

 

“I am impressed, Kagome-sama.” Akane smiled. “Perhaps Yuriko will actually be allowed to speak to the opposite sex one day.”

 

“I've been dealing with Sesshomaru for centuries. Merkamou is a breeze compared to that.”

 

“Excuse me, miko?” Sesshomaru's gold eyes were waiting when she turned to face him.

 

“Uh, nothing, dear.”

 

----

 

“Shippou, do you see what I see?”

 

“I see Cho, Mizuki, and Yuriko whispering together.” Shippou glanced over the leopard. “And Cho looks amazing in that kimono.”

 

Rolling his eyes, Katsuro tried to break into Shippou's attention. “Focus, Shippou! They're plotting!”

 

The green eyes widened. “Oh, no. I don't think I like that group talking to each other.”

 

----

 

Seiji ignored the hijinks of the adults and kept his eyes on the three females that were whispering together. The black haired female kept giving him looks that any male would recognize, while Mizuki kept her eyes locked on the far wall. His aunt was watching Mizuki with some concern in her eyes. `A fascinating trio. One that is as loud and impulsive as her father, one very elegant and conservative taiyoukai lady, and one that might as well be an ice sculpture. Of the three I think that Aunt Cho is the most predictable, followed closely by this new female. Mizuki is the only one that is completely unpredictable to me.'

 

Mizuki finally looked over, but only to give him a cold stare before leaving the room with Cho. `And she is still avoiding me.'

 

----

 

“Don't you know how to knock?”

 

Yuriko shrugged and flopped onto Katsuro's futon. “And were you doing anything important?”

 

“Not really, but it's still rude.” Shoving his niece out of the way, Katsuro pulled his reading out from under her. “What are you up to?”

 

“What do you think of Cho?”

 

Katsuro's jaw dropped. “Nani?”

 

“I saw you watching her after dinner. What is the attraction there?”

 

“You're so much like your father! Couldn't you have inherited any of Rin-neechan's tact?”

 

“You are avoiding the question.”

 

“She's attractive, all right? That's it. I like watching her because she's beautiful. If you want to talk to someone about being attracted, get Shippou.”

 

“Get Shippou for what?” The kitsune walked through the open door with some books. “Here's the stuff from Mizuki.”

 

“Arigato, Shippou.” Katsuro took his new pile of work and dropped it on the floor. “Yuriko here wants to know why you are attracted to Cho.”

 

“Nani?” Shippou blushed scarlet. “You just got here!”

 

“You are quite obvious.” Yuriko sat up to watch her friend. “Why do you watch her so closely?”

 

“She's beautiful.”

 

“That is the same answer I got for him. It must be more then that.”

 

Shippou sat next to the futon. “She's very elegant and polite and nice. I like spending time with her, and she can be really funny.”

 

“She struck me as being quite dull.”

 

“Sure, until you get her mad. Then she tackles you to get her comb back.” Katsuro smiled a bit at the memory. “She has a temper.”

 

“Don't be ridiculous, Katsuro. She's not like that. She's a real lady.” Shippou crossed his arms. “Just because she did stuff like that when you were both little . . . “

 

“Little? That was just a couple of weeks ago!”

 

“Nani? When did this happen?”

 

“While you were out flirting with Ki-chan. Oh, I mean training.”

 

“Mizuki? Shippou, please tell me that he is joking.” Yuriko stared at Shippou.

 

“I was not flirting with Mizuki!” Shippou aimed a sharp glare at his friend.

 

“Oh, yes. You're just friends.” Katsuro rolled his eyes.

 

Yuriko continued to stare at Shippou. “Cho and Mizuki? Why?”

 

“I don't know. They're both really beautiful, and I like spending time with Cho. Mizuki's not bad when she's not beating up on me or threatening to kill me.” Shippou caught himself. “But it's not like that with Mizuki!”

 

“That is quite a foundation for a relationship.”

 

“Oh, knock it off, Yuriko.” Katsuro punched her in the arm. “Don't go all girly on us. Even though, I did see you watching Seiji. Ki-chan won't like it.”

 

“Why not? She said that he is not her intended.” Yuriko punched Katsuro back, making him wince. “And I am not going `all girly' on you. I am simply fascinated at the choices you two have made. How dull!”

 

“Compared to you any female would be dull.” Shippou grinned. “Who could keep up with you, Yuriko?”

 

“Very true, Shippou.” Smiling, Yuriko jumped up to her feet. “Now I will let you return to whatever important work Mizuki has assigned you. Until tomorrow, my lords.”

 

“'Night, Yuriko!” “Good night, Yuriko!” Both of the males waved her out before returning to the papers from Mizuki.

 

Moving through the dark palace, Yuriko bit her lip in concentration. `Elegant, calm, beautiful. Is that what males truly want?' Once in her own room, the young lady dropped down on a cushion in front of her mirror. Pulling a set of jade sticks from her bag, she started to twist her hair up the way Cho had worn her own hair that night. Yuriko preferred to wear her hair loose, but she did keep the jade sticks her mother had worn. She could remember her mother showing her how to pin her hair up, giggling as her rebellious hair had escaped time and again.

 

“I think you have inherited my hair, Yuriko-chan. It does not want to be tamed. No matter. You also have those beautiful feathers from your Papa, and they look loveliest with your hair loose.” Smiling, Rin shook her daughter's hair out so that it hung loose. “See? Stunning.”

 

“Hai, Mama. I will leave it loose unless I have to, I think. I like it better this way.” Yuriko tipped her head to the side, looking at the two reflections in the mirror. “But with my hair up I look so much like you, and I like that part.”

 

“Then you should keep these, for the times when you have to put your hair up. They also make a handy weapon.” Rin slipped the jade sticks into a bag and handed them to her daughter.

 

“I will remember that, Mama. Do you think I look more like Papa or more like you?”

 

“I think you look like Yuriko-chan.”

 

“Very funny, Mama.”

 

“I am not kidding. You look like you, and you are going to be amazing, my daughter.”

 

“Arigato, Mama.”

 

A stray feather fell across her eyes, refusing to be contained. Yuriko dropped her chin in her hands, staring at her reflection. `I am not Cho, either, or even remotely like her. Males see me as a friend only. They chase after the elegant ladies while seeing me as just another companion. Mama, I really could use you right now. I miss you.'

 

Releasing her hair again, Yuriko blew out her light and went to bed. `This is not a problem. I will simply need to convince him that he does not want a polite, elegant, boring female. What he wants is me.'

 

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