InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost of Love ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Kagome smiled to herself as she entered the garden. Judging by the looks on both males' faces, she wasn't alone in her shock. Behind her the soft foot falls of Sumire whispered on the wind. Kagome paid close attention to the Taiyoukai's face. Surprise and confusion flickered in his eyes before his perfected mask of nothingness was quickly locked into place. It was Inuyasha though that made the first comment.

“What the hell?” There was no hiding the look of utter disbelief on Inuyasha's face. He shot Kagome a quick look as if to ask if she understood. Kagome just shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. 'What the hell indeed,' she thought as she turned back to Sumire.

The woman youkai who had come to the shrine was, well very much lacking in the womanly part. Revealed at long last from the layers of cloth, a tiny and not very womanly person had emerged. Though close in height to Kagome, Sumire was skinny and lanky. Awkward looking at best, but it was the very childlike face and flat chest that had thrown Kagome off the most.

Back in her room Kagome had suddenly come face to face with a completely different woman than she had imagined. Sumire had stared back with those unusual violet eyes, her childish face surrounded by pale white hair. Kagome had been at a loss for words after fully expecting a refined woman to emerge from the beneath the concealing clothing.

Not only had her looks been a shock but her attire soon became unusual as well. Her so called formal attire somewhat resembling what Kagome would have pictured some remote Mongolian nomad to wear. The girl was taking on on bit of boyish charm with every layer she wiggled into.

Her sleeveless, cream coloured tunic had been semi fitted, coming together with a rather unusual take on an obi. The bright blue band of fabric had been simply wrapped twice around her waist and knotted on the side. The ends hanging right to her knees where the cream tunic ended. Soft leather pants clung to her legs and from the knee down, sturdy dark leather boots were worn. Though her shirt dress was sleeveless, her arms were wrapped in cotton a shade darker than the tunic. A leather armband covered the fabric on her forearm completely and leather string was tightly coiled around her bicep to secure the fabric at the top.

Around her neck were wooden beads and feathers. They matched with the beads that had been knotted in her hair. The top of the glossy pale hair had been pulled back in a half ponytail and the bottom separated into folded lengths. Each section not reaching her shoulder blades but thick enough to have been folded many times. The ribbon wrapping the hair matched the colour of her makeshift obi. Sumire looked more like mountain sheep herder than nobility bride to be.

Getting past the strange tribal clothing, you just couldn't hide the fact that Sumire looked to be the same age as a thirteen year old human girl. Considering that Kagome knew her to be older than Inuyasha, she was certainly perplexed by the 'youthful' appearance. Though Inuyasha had become physically a matured man, this youkai bordered between woman and child.

Her attention was drawn back to the present when Inuyasha stood, his eyes traveling over Sumire in perplexed scrutiny. A few shakes of his head and he was circling the pair obviously trying to wrap his head around the revealed youkai. Kagome was a little surprised that the two had traveled so long together and Sumire had never revealed a bit of herself to her companion.

“Didn't you say you were older than me?” Inuyasha blurted out, his brows still furrowed in confusion.

“I am, why do you ask?” Sumire was beginning to pick up on the air of confusion. You could almost feel her unease increase.

“A mere child...”

Kagome heard Sesshoumaru's quietly spoken words as he took in the situation as well. So it was safe to say they were all at a loss. While she was trying to figure out just how Sumire was so young she felt a tiny prick on her cheek. Instinctively her hand stuck out at the bite and she was surprised when a tiny voice called up from her shoulder.

“Kagome-sama, I am happy to see you have returned!”

“Myoga-jiichan?” Her words were barely out of her mouth when Inuyasha plucked the flea off of her.

“No more snacking you dirty old man. It's about bloody ass time you showed up. I think we could really use some filling in here.” Inuyasha felt no twinge of remorse for flattening the tiny nuisance. He glared at the flea sandwiched between his thumb and finger.

“You're too cruel Inuyasha-sama.” Myoga settled on Inuyasha's shoulders after being released and filling out from his formerly flattened self. The almost ceremonial squishing upon his return to his master hardly fazed the wizened youkai now. His ancient eyes settled on the spectacle before him. “Things are certainly as she said.”

“She said?” Sumire asked quietly, her wide eyes darting across each of the others in the enclosed garden. “Why am I suddenly so unusual? I don't understand.”

“Well Sumire-chan, its just that you appear to be rather, ummm how should I put it, young.” Kagome offered up. Her hand settling on Sumire's arm in a gesture of comfort.

“Really? I just assumed I should look like this.” Sumire stared down at herself, still confused at why her appearance was such a shock. “I mean, its not like I had much to compare with. There was only a handful of people on the island. No other youkai either.”

“I wondered why you were always in that ridiculous get up.” Inuyasha inserted, still openly staring at the woman.

“I've always covered myself when I was outside of my caretaker's home. Every generation of nanny has strictly forbade me from leaving without covering myself. They were all very strict but loving women. I was told that I would be in grave danger if I allowed myself to be seen.”

“Did they explain why?” Kagome inquired.

“Not really. I assumed that it was simply the difference between humans and youkai. I'm no fool. I realize that the majority of humans quite despise youkai. Having no great power with which to defend myself I resigned myself to the fact that it was for my own protection. I never questioned them further.”

“Would a little nicer clothes have killed ya?” Inuyasha chuckled as he settled against a tree.

“Honestly, Inuyasha.” Sumire rolled her eyes and Kagome has happy to see the first signs of the fiery girl she had met days before. “How could I possible climb trees in girls clothing? You know very well how much I hated being confined in that house studying for hours on end. When I was outside I wanted to be free to do as I pleased. In boys clothing I could do just that.”

“So dressing as a boy was a convenience thing, not something your nanny's insisted upon.” Kagome asked trying to stealthily gather up more clues about the youkai who's powers were sealed. She wanted badly to ask Sumire if her caretakers had said much about the reasoning behind the seal. The girl hadn't offered up any explanation as to why her powers were sealed. Certain that the males in the garden had no idea about the girl's amulet she steered clear of questions that were too close to that topic. No use adding more fuel to the fire yet. Best to be cautious at this time as she was sure that there was much more to the young youkai's story. Much more than Sumire knew herself and most definitely more to that amulet.

Sumire's eyes grew soft at the question and her voice grew soft with fondness. “Nay, I know they would have preferred me to be dressed as a Lady at all times. They were all so very much like proper, well bred ladies themselves.”

Kagome studied the woman beside her. Despite her childlike appearance her violet eyes held such wisdom. It was her eyes alone that testified the time she had spent alive. She had witnessed many generations of her family come and go. Passed her time on that island studying intently. She had been isolated from the world but well educated on it. She may have lost her fire and courage in the face of Sesshoumaru, but her eyes never lost that warmth and intelligence that Kagome had come to love.

“My Lady said that you would seek answers about yourself. I'm glad the time has finally come.” Myoga broke the silence from his perch on Inuyasha's shoulder.

A impatient growl vibrated from the taiyoukai in the corner. Kagome sighed when Sumire let out a squeal in fear and hid behind her. What the hell was wrong with Sesshoumaru? His uncharacteristic vocalization over the past hour had Kagome confused. One minute his usual cold and unmoving face was there and the next he was scowling and growling. She was beginning to think he was the real child in the crowd.

“What are you talkin' about ?” Inuyasha questioned again. His patience was starting to wear thin. The old geezer wasn't making any sense. Sumire was now trembling like a new born babe and Sesshoumaru was growling and muttering what he could only assume were some very colourful words. Things were turning worse by the moment. What the hell had his old man been thinking?

“The Lady of course, Sesshoumaru-sama's mother. She had said that the girl would come as a bit of a surprise.” The old flea again contemplated the wayward looking youth hiding behind Kagome. “Interesting indeed.”

“Get to the point.” A petulant Taiyoukai mumbled from his unmoving seat. Sesshoumaru was looking more displeased by the minute.

“My Lord, your honourable mother sends explicit instructions to retrieve Sumire-sama and return to the citadel. Inuyasha, your presence as well as Kagome-sama's is also requested.” Myoga braced for the impending storm.

“Like hell I'm taking Kagome to that bitch!”

“Inuyasha!” Kagome chastised at her hanyou's blatant disrespect for what she deemed his step mother of sorts. No doubt that Inuyasha likened the wife of his deceased father to that of an evil witch but that did not change the fact that she was his father's wife. Not only that she was part of the legacy his father had left behind. Despite the awkwardness of his own situation, Sesshoumaru's mother deserved some respect.

“Let us be off!” It was Sesshoumaru's rough voice that silenced any response from Inuyasha. As commanding as ever, the Taiyoukai left little room for argument. “Gather what you need and we shall depart at once.”

With regal grace he turned and left. A stoic and unbending force to be reckoned with, Kagome watched until he was out of sight. She hadn't failed to notice how Sumire-chan's shaking had increased ten fold as the Taiyoukai had sauntered past with not a single glance in her direction. Things were going to be difficult, to say the least, from here on in. With a sigh of resignation she dragged the shivering girl back to the room. Might as well get packed and get this all over with.

She sent Inuyasha a pleading look, silently asking him to just go with her on this. She was tiring of his brother's brutish treatment of Sumire. Wishing that the woman-child with her had greater courage she still could not ignore the need to protect her. Something seemed strange with this whole plot and earlier discussions with Sumire had piqued her interest.

Her intuition was telling her that something larger was at work and they were all likely to play a role in the young woman's future. Pushing her way into her room she let out another deep sigh. So much for quality time with Inuyasha. Her glance moved across the room to were Sumire was already changing back into her travel clothes and repacking her meager belongings.

The youkai was a mystery. She could sense a strong youki from the woman unlike any she had experienced before. Something was different about her. The unknown gnawed at Kagome's curiosity until she was practically itching to make the discovery. She had found that in the past day she had developed a strange sense of duty and commitment to Sumire.

It seemed there was more to her destiny than simply growing old with Inuyasha. Anticipation began to set in. After over a year she was setting out on another adventure with Inuyasha. Just like in the past they were starting off on a path to the unknown.

Sumire let out a yawn, bringing the miko back to reality. It would be exciting, but perhaps it could wait until morning. Her thoughts trailed to the ever formidable Sesshoumaru who was currently waiting at the shrine entrance. Then again maybe not. Finding herself copying Sumire's yawn she was suddenly cursing the Taiyoukai.

Inuyasha scanned the area around them when his acute senses found nothing out of the ordinary he turned his head back to the women who followed. What a night it had been. Kagome had packed with amazing speed, probably from years of practice. She had handled the hasty explanation to Miroku and Sango before practically locking horns with his brother. His feisty miko was all but thrilled to be departing in the middle of the night. She had voiced this to Sesshoumaru, ignoring the warning glare the cold youkai had given her. Inuyasha had smirked at the look of disbelief the snotty brother of his had given the miko as she turned heel on him just when he had opened his mouth to put her in her place. Served him right he thought happily to himself.

They had been traveling for several hours now and he was starting to see the sky beginning to lighten. With his keen eyesight he could make out the looming walls of the citadel on the distant horizon. They would make its gates by morning. He scowled thinking about what awaited him behind those impenetrable walls. A woman he blamed much of his childhood on. A woman who outweighed his own mother in prestige simply because she had taken his father's name. A woman who no doubt would make him all too aware of his bastard status and illegitimate claim to his father's legacy.

He had steered clear of this area for that simple reason. He didn't need to dig up any more bad memories by treading on her turf. Kagome had insisted on answering the call of that she devil though. So unfortunately he would soon be engrossed in all things long past and best left forgotten.

“Inuyasha?”

He turned to the quiet voice beckoning him. Sumire's wide eyes were focused on the very same walls he was slowly becoming obsessed with. She looked as anxious as he felt.

“Hmmm,”

“That's it isn't it?”

“Yep.”

“It doesn't look very inviting.” Sumire voiced her thoughts out loud. Inuyasha had to agree though. Those cold walls were far from inviting. His eyes sifted to the white clad form in front of them. The citadel, however disenchanting to them, was very suitable for it's young master. Unmoving, rigid and impassive, its very essence mimicked Sesshoumaru.

He had been hoping that with his job accomplished he would be spending his every waking moment reuniting with the woman he loved. Fat chance of that happening with 'Mister Carrot Shoved Up My Ass' hauling them off to his own personal fortress. Truth be told, when it all came down to it he couldn't simply leave Sumire in this asshole's care. The girl had become like a sister to him. He felt responsible for her, a sentiment that was echoed by Kagome.

In the moments they had had by themselves prior to embarking on this asinine tour, Kagome had voiced her concerns regarding Sumire. Both felt that their premature leaving would have great repercussions regarding Sesshoumaru's intended. He was still confused over the revelation that Kagome had about the girl. Kagome had insisted that the woman-child possessed a youki unlike those she had come across. Her suspicions on there being more to Sumire he himself thought were currently unfounded but he had faith in the miko's intuition.

As the walls of the citadel inched closer he tried to piece together the reasoning his father had for arranging the union between his supercilious first born to this lovably odd girl. While he had grown fond of Sumire he often wondered about her strange behaviour. Most of the time she acted more like a boy, not caring at all for ladylike propriety. He remembered the time she had entered a swamp with reckless abandon simply because she had been fixated on catching a jovial frog. He had laughed his ass off when she had returned covered from head to toe with the smelly swamp mud. She had laughed with him, not the least bit concerned at her messy coating.

When he had been sat by an unknowing Kagome, she had laughed with utter abandon at the great Inuyasha who had been unceremoniously slammed into the ground at the mention of 'oswari'. Even going so far to make fun of him for being 'whipped by a mere girl'.

Her actions screamed of her sheltered existence. She had been fascinated in the busy port town they landed in after leaving her remote island. He had begun to realize on their return just how sheltered she must have been growing up. By no means ignorant, the shy girl had taken in the different sights with childlike wonderment. Quietly piecing together the actual events to what her precious books had taught her. Indeed she was a fast learner. Never once avoiding a task because she didn't know how to complete it. Sumire would simply ask him the 'how to's and then dive right into the task at hand.

He hated to admit it but the girl was far smarter than he. It had been her quick thinking that had gotten them out a few sticky situations. In a way she reminded him of Kagome. A woman in stark contrast to what was considered a normal female in this day and age. How would she fair in the strict constraints of the position of a taiyoukai's mate? She would be placed in control of the lands beside her mate. Thus losing the freedom she valued so highly.

Perhaps the answers to his questions would come soon enough. He prayed silently to the Kami that she find a way out of this binding to Sesshoumaru. Begrudgingly he crossed the last leg of their trip and came face to face with the eerie walls of the Western Citadel.

A/N: Thanks Kokoronagomu for your thoughts once again. Thank you to all those who took time to leave me a review. I cannot express who happy I feel when I am reading your words about my work.