InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hope for a Better Future ❯ The Palance on The High Mountain ( Chapter 8 )

Thank you mina, especially to Isis, LDD and Meaghan…

And of course to everyone else who had read my story…

Previous Chapter

The last thing Sakura remembered was the whole group of them started towards her as she sank to the ground and everything went dark.

Disclaimer: I'm sure everyone knows I don't own any characters in Inuyasha…

Chapter 8: The Palace on the High Mountains

Sesshoumaru hoped that he wasn't too late when he reaches Sakura, he had already transformed fully into his demon form as he charged into the clearing where he saw several of those blood sucking youkais approaching the already wounded and unconscious Sakura. He swung his large paw at them knocking them all at once away from Sakura. He growled as his poisonous saliva dripped to the ground causing the ground to hiss and sizzle as the poison sipped in.

The Demon Lord knew that this youkais were weak and it wouldn't take long to defeat them. With another swing of his huge paw he stripped them into pieces. After diminishing them, he turned towards Sakura slowly to see that the girl was regaining consciousness.

Sakura opened her eyes slowly dreading to see what had become of her future only to find in her blurry vision, white was right ahead of her. She blinked and then saw fangs… a dog? It can't be… it's too big to be a dog… slowly her vision cleared in time to see a huge furry white dog for a second before white flash claimed her eyes and she shut her eyes tight from the glaring light. Gradually opening her eyes again, she saw this time Sesshoumaru standing before her. She had never in her life been so glad to see him before.

Sesshoumaru didn't want Sakura to see his demon form in case it scared her had transformed quickly back to his human figure wondering if she had caught sight of his demonic sight. When he saw relieve washed over her face he approached her slowly also slightly comforted.

Sakura watched Sesshoumaru walking over to her as he knelt down taking her into his arm looking down at her with his cold, unemotional face however she managed to see something flickered in his eyes then. To tired and due to the blood lost, Sakura wasn't sure what she saw. Worry? Passion? She blinked once smiling weakly up at him.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," Sakura whispered faintly. "Arigatou…"

And darkness claimed her again.

Sesshoumaru looked down at Sakura cold frail body and thought that he wouldn't let Xiaran get away from this and he is going to confront her once and for all. Sakura's usual peaches and cream complexion were pale and ghastly. He could scent her horrible wound which was still bleeding at the back of her head. Knowing that Sakura wasn't fit to travel for sometime, he decided that it was time to go home after all.

He lifted her up with an arm effortlessly curling her with his furs to give her cold body some warm before lifting off from the ground into the air as he soar on his clouds back towards Rin and Jaken who waited for his returned patiently. Rin was still sobbing when they returned. She was so glad to see Sesshoumaru and Sakura but her happiness wilted when she saw Sakura unconscious and hurt.

"Will she be ok?" She asked worriedly.

"We are heading to the west," Sesshoumaru said calmly.

"We are going back to the palace?" Jaken asked unbelievingly for he had never been to Sesshoumaru's home before though he had heard of it. "But what about Naraku?"

As usual Sesshoumaru remained silent as clouds appeared beneath his feet again lifting him into the air with Sakura still in his arm. Rin quickly got on Ah Aun then and lifted off without waiting for Jaken.

"HEY!" Jaken cried jumping up at the last minute as he managed to grab whole of Ah Aun's tail and they were leaving for the west.

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"Kagome, any luck on looking for Sakura?" Mrs. Higurashi asked worriedly. "I have a bad feeling about this you know. She is away in this strange place full of Youkais for almost three weeks now, I'm afraid she may be hurt somewhere!"

"Mama, I don't know, Inuyasha and my friends are looking for her every single day." Kagome said. "We were so close in finding her the last time but unfortunately when we arrived she had already left."

"Maybe faith is pulling her away to a different path…" Mrs. Higurashi said softly and sadly. "For a person so young to have to loss so many so dear to her in a day is very hard… and now this…"

"She will be alright mama," Kagome said trying to reassure her mother though doubt was biting into her mind. Her cousin was with Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha was very sure he had sensed his half brother's scent along with her cousin's.

Sesshoumaru, the Lord of the Western Lands; who had tried to kill her so many times before. She couldn't bear to think what would become of her cousin sister. Thinking that she should not tell her mother about this, she didn't bring the subject on any further.

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Sesshoumaru flew over the borders as he entered his land at sun set. He looked down at Sakura's unconscious form for a moment before he looked up again to see his home stretched across on top of the mountains as the setting sun giving it a captivated and enchanted look as the light outline its palace.

At last I'm home… he thought silently to himself though disliking the thought. I had been away from it for almost two hundred years.

Jaken and Rin were awestruck by the huge mysterious and entrancing looking palace placed on top of the mountains. It was the first time ever they had seen Sesshoumaru's home and they were spellbound by how huge his home was and how beautiful it is as it stood high and mighty on top of the mountains and with the setting sun shine on it giving the palace a most enlightened glow like a palace from a fairytale. The palace was very Japanese traditional style with a very high pagoda and its Japanese style roof of shinny green jade glow from the light of the setting sun.

It didn't take him long to reach his home, as he landed gracefully at the front entrance of the palace. The big wooden door below an archway was beautiful carved with huge symbolic of two demon dogs. He could hear very clearly everything that was going on inside. His ears could pick up evidently at the sounds of his servants, maids and his guards scattered around the grounds shouting at each other of his returned. Panic, confusion, fear and anxiousness filled the air as he stood at the entrance door.

The door swung opened by itself as if it senses its master's return. Sesshoumaru stepped in to see all his guards had stood in a row at both side of the pathway that led into the double sliding doors of his palace. They knelt down as he walked by them. He could feel the tension among the guards for they hadn't seen him ever since his father's death which was so long ago. Jaken and Rin looked at everything with their mouth slightly ajar.

Sesshoumaru-sama is really one mighty lord… Jaken thought as he watched all the guards sank to their knees when he passed.

When they entered the palace his servants stood in a row before him giving him a bow and daren't look at his eyes. Sweeping pass them he ignored all of them going to his quarters with Jaken and Rin trailing behind him quietly still very taken in by all the surroundings. The palace was huge and Rin had never in her life seen such beauty before. Three maids, who used to be at his service before he left, followed him timidly.

Sesshoumaru could sense confusion from the three of them and turned his eyes to their direction to see that they were looking at Sakura with slight curiousity; why would Sesshoumaru, a Lord of Demon Dog who hated all humans be carrying a wounded human girl. When the three maids realized that Sesshoumaru was glaring at them they quickly avert their eyes away from the girl.

When he reached his room, he turned to the three maids sharply.

"Huma," He addressed a very timid looking youkai with striking red hair her eyes downcast but immediately stepped up towards Sesshoumaru when she was addressed. "Bring Rin to another room near my quarters."

"Hai," Huma bowed and turned to Rin and bowed. "Please come with me Lady Rin."

Rin blushed to be called Lady she blinked but bowed at Huma in returned. That startled Huma slightly as she quickly bowed again before turning away leading Rin off down the corridor.

"Yuriko," Sesshoumaru turned to another youkai then with dark black straight long hair that reaches down her waist. "Bring Jaken to the other servant's quarters."

Yuriko bowed at Sesshoumaru and looked at Jaken giving him a bow too before leading him off.

"Reisha," Sesshoumaru looked at the last youkai who has bright green hair tied into a bun behind her head. "Follow me inside."

Reisha bowed and followed Sesshoumaru into his room. Reisha watched Sesshoumaru with her head slightly inclined while he placed the most beautiful looking human girl she had ever seen gently on his Japanese style bed. She was even more beautiful than the first female human that had stepped into this palace ground. Reisha still remembered that human lady very well. She watched Sesshoumaru stared at Sakura's unconscious body for a moment before turning back to her.

"I need you to tend her wounds." Sesshoumaru ordered. "I remembered your healing skills were very good. I assumed you will still be able to do that."

"But I had never healed a human being before!" Reisha exclaimed. "I don't know what my powers will do to her!"

"You will try not to hurt her!" Sesshoumaru growled.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Reisha quickly bowed shacking slightly. "I didn't mean to contradict; I was just worried if my powers might hurt this human girl."

"You will not harm her!" Sesshoumaru demanded. "I will be back to see you have done the job."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama." Reisha said her head still bowed not daring to see the lord's eyes especially when he was in such bad temper.

Sesshoumaru swept passed her and slammed his door shut. Reisha turned back to the girl then and approached her slowly. Kneeling down on the floor she looked down at the enchanted looking face. She looked like and angel. Reisha thought as she pushed her fridge away from her forehead.

Sesshoumaru was walking over to see how Rin was when a piercing screamed came from his room which made him bolting back to his quarters. He pushed his room door opened to see Reisha sprawled on the ground; trembling and both her hands sizzling as if it had been fried. He turned to see Sakura and found her body glow that mysterious blue glow like the first time he saw her. He frowned slightly approaching her slowly. Her spiritual force had suddenly emerged without warning and was stronger than before.

"What did you do?" Sesshoumaru snarled turning around to the shaking youkai.

"I was doing as, Sesshoumaru-sama had ordered." Reisha said her voice quivered with fear. "I was trying to heal her… but Sesshoumaru-sama why didn't, Sesshoumaru-sama inform me she is a Miko… I can't heal mikos they have this shield to prevent us from touching them."

Miko? Sesshoumaru repeated the word in his mind again. He had no idea this girl whole such power. He had sensed it but he never knew that it was this strong. Stronger than he had sensed before; he then realized some of her powers were still hidden in within herself sealed away by her ignorance. His eyes narrowed as he approached Sakura gradually.

"Sesshoumaru-sama you mustn't!" Reisha pleaded. "She tried to purify me just now. She will do the same, if Sesshoumaru-sama tried to touch her!"

"Are you trying to stop me?" Sesshoumaru asked turning his head to glare at the terrified youkai who still remained on the ground shaking.

"I will stop Sesshoumaru-sama even if, Sesshoumaru-sama wish to kill me." Reisha said tears welling up her eyes. "Sesshoumaru-sama's father Inutaisho-sama had given orders to all of us, to protect Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru turned back to Sakura and didn't advance any closer. If her wounds are left unattended, she may die and he didn't want to see her die. He still couldn't understand these feelings, of why he wanted Sakura to be around. He could see that the blue glow around her was fading and he begin to continue to approach her gradually.

"Sesshoumaru-sama…" Reisha sobbed.

He ignored her pleas as he looked down at Sakura.

"We will have to attend her wounds the normal way then." Sesshoumaru said softly.

"I beg your pardon, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Reisha blinked. "The normal way?"

"Do you know anything on how to cure human beings the normal way?" Sesshoumaru asked sternly without looking at her.

"I had tried before once, with…"

"That is enough." Sesshoumaru snapped. "Get on with it then."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Reisha shrieked getting up to her feet leaving the room to get clean water to wash Sakura's wound.

Sesshoumaru didn't want to hear that woman's name. Inuyasha's mother… he sighed as he sank down next to Sakura watching her. The blue glow had already faded as she lay like a wounded seraph. When Reisha appeared again, Sesshoumaru stood up and walked to the door.

"Make sure, she heals well." Sesshoumaru said before he left.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama…" Reisha answered dully even Sesshoumaru had already gone through the door.

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"Damn!" Xiaran whispered to herself as she made her way out of the forest.

She had gotten scent of Sesshoumaru heading back to the west with Sakura. She wondered whether she should return after failing to kill the girl. If Sesshoumaru knew that it was her idea to put that dreadful human scum down; she knew that Sesshoumaru would kill her himself.

Thinking she should just take the risk and return after Sesshoumaru will be her future husband and mate. She smiled to herself; their relationship was tied by his father's dying breath. It cannot be broken unless Sesshoumaru finds a new mate or wife which she will never let it happen.

Now Sesshoumaru had brought that filthy scum to his palace which only means one thing. Sesshoumaru had feelings for this particular girl even though he didn't suspect it. To think that Sesshoumaru would take Sakura for his future wife and mate Xiaran transformed into a bright red globe and flew into the air towards the west. She had to get there as soon as possible.

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Sakura opened her eyes slowly to find herself lying on a very comfortable Japanese style bed. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and stretched. When her vision cleared, she saw a girl, or maybe a youkai she wasn't sure with bright green hair tied into a bun standing not far from the bed watching over her.

"You have wakened Lady Sakura." Reisha bowed when she saw Sakura stirred and now staring at her.

Lady? Sakura wondered and sat up the bed slowly. She stared around the huge Japanese looking sort of room and blinked. It was huge though there was a comfortable sort of look in it. The walls were white and silver with carvings of the sky and white paper looking sliding doors. Window showed her the bright blue sky outside and realized she was very high above the ground. She looked up the ceiling and gasped slightly to see a huge carving of a furry white demon dog. It seemed familiar…

"Where am I?" Sakura asked after a short pause.

"You are in Sesshoumaru-sama's quarters." Reisha replied.

What she said nearly made Sakura bolt off the bed. She was sleeping on Sesshoumaru's bed?

"How long have I been unconscious?" Sakura asked dreading to hear what had happened when she was in his room.

"You were unconscious for almost two days." Reisha replied.

"And Sesshoumaru-sama, where is he?"

"I hadn't seen him for almost two days while I took care of you."

Sakura sighed with relieved inwardly.

"Though he did come in to see you when I'm not around." Reisha continued. "I could smell his scent when I came back."

Sakura held her breath again then.

"Sesshoumaru-sama gave me orders to bring you to the hot spring just down the garden when you awake." Reisha said when Sakura didn't reply. "Then you can join them for dinner later on."

"Dinner?" Sakura looked over at Reisha wide eyed.

"It's almost in the evening now."

"I see," Sakura whispered.

A hot bath sounds nice, she thought to herself. It seemed like ages since her last bath.

As if reading her mind Reisha spoke.

"Can Lady, stand? If Lady could, I will escort Lady to the bath now."

"Well," Sakura got off the bed and stood up. "I think I'm alright and by the way. You can just call me Sakura."

"That will be disrespectful." Reisha said bowing quickly.

Sakura sighed. "What's your name?"

"Reisha…"

"Well, Reisha-san…"

"You can just address me as Reisha, Lady…" She squeaked surprised Sakura had addressed her so formally. "Sesshoumaru-sama wouldn't like…"

"Well, I don't care… you can just call me plain Sakura or I'll address you as Reisha-san then…" Sakura said and sighed when she saw Reisha shivering slightly. "I'm not going to hurt you. We can be friends…"

Reisha looked up to see Sakura smiling at her gently.

"So, where is this hot spring you told me about?"

"I'll lead Sakura to it," Reisha said returning the smile.

Not far of in the grounds of the palace, Sesshoumaru was taking a walk in the gardens when he sensed Sakura's movements in the palace. He turned towards the direction and realized she and Reisha was heading for the hot spring.

She had finally waken, Rin will be very happy… he thought as he turned away walking off the different direction to look for Rin.

Sakura lowered herself in the warm water very happy how nice it felt, she turned to Reisha who was folding up her school uniform.

"Would you like this wash?" She asked.

"Hai," Sakura smiled. "And one more thing, can you see the tear on my sleeves?"

"Hai, Sakura…"

"If it's possible, can you mend that for me?" Sakura asked.

"I will see what I can do," Reisha said. "I'll be back with clean kimonos for you."

"Thank you."

Sakura didn't know how long she stayed in the hot spring, for she fell asleep and didn't notice when Reisha had returned with clean clothes for her. When she opened her eyes, everywhere was darkness. She blinked and got out the hot spring slowly. Drying herself quickly she looked at the kimono Reisha had left for her and inclined her head. It was soft blue with dark green ribbon for the back.

Her hand touched the smooth silky material slowly admiring the texture of the material and design. She unfolded the kimono flinging it in front of her to see, she had worn kimonos like this before only on special festivals and occasions. However, this kimono looked so refined it almost seemed unreal. She blinked once and slipped her hands into sleeve feeling the softness of the material as it caress her hands. She smiled. It had been a long time since she wore something like that. The kimono had small white flowers decorated on the edges with floating sleeves like Sesshoumaru's and a huge ribbon tied behind.

I wonder how I look…. She thought to herself. If only there is a mirror around here.

After getting dressed she made her way back, only to realize that she had no idea how to get back. She blinked as she studied the corridors. She couldn't remember which she had come from. Giving a long sigh she just chose the corridor which didn't give her the creeps and crossed her finger hoping she will be able to find the dining hall or perhaps back to Sesshoumaru-sama's quarters.

It was perhaps she had walked for almost half an hour and still had no idea where she was. Scratching her head slightly she turned into another corridor and managed to get out to a very large garden. She stood by the door blinking. The garden was beautiful with flowers blooming everywhere. It was an enclosed garden with high stone walls blocking out everything from the outside world. Sakura trees grew at the side of the wall giving the garden a secret look. She walked out into the garden slowly looking around. Very curious to see what was beyond the palace walls, she went to one of the sakura trees. She stopped at the bottom to fold up her skirt and tied it into a knot around her thighs and began climbing up.

When she reached the high branch of the sakura tree she peered over wall only to gasp at the scenery below. The land stretched far and wide and the full moon gave the forest below a dark but silvery look. She blinked gawking at the most enchanting scenery she had ever seen.

"Do you know you are out of bounds?" A deep unemotional voice said below.

Sakura freaked then and slipped falling off the tree. Before she could hit the ground below, an arm caught her swiftly pulling her close to his body. She blinked slightly shocked as she stared up into the depths of the most beautiful golden eyes.

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For laughs

Rin: Yah, Sakura is going to be my okasan! (Jumping up and down)

Sakura: (Sweat drop) Rin what are you talking about?

Rin: Sesshoumaru-sama is going to make you my okasan…

Sakura's thoughts I'm only sixteen years old… I can't be your mother!

Ray: What's up? (Coming up to them)

Sakura: Did you check the legal laws or something. How can I marry when I'm sixteen?

Ray: Legal laws? My dear, you are 500 years back in time. There are no laws saying anything about girls had to marry at a certain age.

Sakura: What do you mean?

Ray: It means, at that time girls at the age of sixteen is the most appropriate age to have a husband or in Sesshoumaru-sama's case mate…

Sakura: WHAT!!!!!

Rin: (Still jumping up and down) Sakura is going to be my okasan!

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OK the laugh part is lame… anyway I hope you all like this chapter. I tried my best to create Sesshoumaru's home to be as unique as possible and of course stay as Japanese style. I realized Rumiko had created her manga, holding on to the Japanese culture. Well, I don't know much about Japanese tradition or culture but a little to be able to hold the story in Japanese fashion.

Any confusion parts in the story, you can always write it down in the review or email me at rayearthann@yahoo.com I will always get back to your questions a.s.a.p.

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Thank you for you reviews!