InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inunori ❯ Return to the Tribe ( Chapter 2 )

Night had fallen and Inunori had changed into her newly repaired armor. The red dragon hide wrapped thickly around her chest and a piece of it's bone covered her right shoulder and was made into plates tied around her right lower arm. Black pants clung to her legs and tucked into matching boots. The cloth was made out of the fur of the fire rat along with a short cloak that was attached to her armor at the shoulder blades. The deep blue crescent moon under her collarbone and the red bolts on her left arm were bright and clear on her pale skin. Inunori took a strip of leather and tied her black hair back showing her sharp cheekbones and slightly pointed ears. She stood up and slid the sword Kujuti into her black cloth belt. She walked quickly to the door and went out into the gardens. Saurina had returned and carried Inunori's bundle.

“Is he coming?” Izayoi said from in the shadows.

Just then, a mighty howl filled the air. Izayoi flinched in fright. “He is now. This is your last chance to escape. Will you take it?”

“No. I will face what will come,” she replied straitening her shoulders and stepping out into the full moon light.

Inunori turned towards the arch that she knew he would appear in and let a slight smile cross her face. She knew that her father-in-law would like this woman, but didn't want to see him unhappy when she inevitably died.

A few minutes passed, Inunori breathed deeply, inhaling the scents on the wind. She could smell Inutaisho, and another, slightly less familiar scent.

“He's coming!” she gasped.

“Are you afraid?” Izayoi asked misunderstanding.

“No. Just wait.”

Out of the forest came two figures. One slightly larger than the other, but both regal in baring. The first was older, you could feel the age and wisdom from him more than you could see it. He wore his long white hair pulled back showing his strong face marked only by twin purple bolts across his cheekbones. His armor was spotless the symbol of his status, a long pelt, hung from his shoulders, and you could see the hilts of three swords over them. The second, while obviously younger, looked no less dangerous. His features were similar to the first`s, though softened by youth, he had two sets of purple bolts on his cheeks and a blue crescent moon on his brow. He wore his long snowy white hair loose and had a large pelt swung over his right shoulder. They both strode forward through the arch and into the garden.

“You are well, little one?” Inutaisho asked looking Inunori over.

“I-” Before she got that one syllable out Sesshoumaru moved quickly forward stopping just inches in front of her. “Sesshoumaru,” she murmured closing her eyes. A warmth wrapped around her. She opened her eyes and saw that he had wrapped his pelt around her shoulders.

“You are still weakened by the wounds you have sustained,” he said reaching out and picking her up.

Inunori couldn't decide to protest or allow this to continue. She looked over to Inutaisho who was looking slightly proud of himself. She cuddled her face into his shoulder and relaxed in his arms.

“Hrm,” Izayoi let herself be known.

“My lords, this is Lady Izayoi. She is the reason I'm still alive.”

“Hmm…” Sesshoumaru looked at her and then turned away and started to leave still holding Inunori in his arms.

“My son does not know how to thank others properly it seems,” Inutaisho said moving closer to Izayoi. He breathed deeply of her scent and smiled charmingly. “Our deepest gratitude to you Lady Izayoi. Inunori would surely be lost to us if not for you.”

A light blush warmed her cheeks. “It was an honor to have met her. You are very lucky to have her as a part of your family.” She bowed slightly.

Inutaisho reached out and cupped her chin. “You are right. My tribe is very lucky to have Inunori as a part of it.” He let go of her face and turned slightly to call out to Inunori. “Why did you have the guards sent away?”

“I didn't want you to hurt the humans for trying to do their jobs,” she said shifting her head slightly from Sesshoumaru's shoulder. “I would have liked for Izayoi to go with them, but…” she added for Sesshoumaru's benefit. She didn't want him to think she approved of the relationship building between the two.

“Hmm…We should go. She needs her rest Father,” Sesshoumaru said attempting to force Inutaisho to leave.

“You are right.” He turned to Izayoi and bowed over her hand. “Until we meet again, Lady Izayoi.”

She nodded, unable to speak.

Moments later the four were gone from her sight. Inutaisho and Sesshoumaru took Inunori back to their home. Seeing that Saurina was barely able to keep up, Inutaisho scooped her up off the ground, carrying her until they arrived. Sesshoumaru didn't stop once they reached the keep but continued on to the rooms they had decided were for Inunori, not far from his own.

“Rest. I will send someone in with food later.”

“Sesshoumaru,” she said. “Your pelt.” She sat up, unwrapped it from her shoulders, and held it out.

He reached out, but passed the pelt and gently stroked her cheek. He turned away quickly and said, “Keep it for now, you are freezing.”

Inunori wrapped the pelt back around her shoulders and lay back on the bed until he fully left the room.

“Damn him!” she muttered to herself. “Damn him to hell and back! We are supposed to be married and he just ignores perfectly good opportunities.” She threw the pelt across the room watching it land near a chest. “Does he not want to marry me?” She moved over to a window and looked out on the garden. “Is it just another duty to him?” A tear dropped from her eye and landed on her hand. She stared at it for a moment. “I'm being ridiculous. Our marriage was arranged since I was born. Whether he wants me or not, we will marry. For the sake of the tribe.” She reached back and untied the piece of leather and let her hair flow free.

“Master Sesshoumaru said you should be resting,” Saurina said carrying a platter into the room. “They are preparing for a wedding feast in the kitchens,” she added setting the platter on the table.

“It is not polite to eavesdrop,” Inunori replied sitting down on a cushion and taking a piece of fruit. “Is it true?”

Saurina smiled showing one of those bright spots in her nature. “Yes, mistress! When I went to get some food for you they were planning on sending out hunters and having lots of fruit gathered.” She was practically bouncing with joy at the prospect of a wedding.

“You do realize that it could also be a feast in memory of the fallen,” Inunori told her gently.

Saurina looked crestfallen for a moment and then perked up. “BUT, it could also be a wedding.”

“We'll just have to wait and see.” She shifted on the cushion and said, “Saurina will you find me some fresh clothes. I feel like taking a bath.”

“Of course mistress.”

A few minutes later Inunori and Saurina walked together to a hot spring close to the castle. Saurina helped her undress and Inunori slipped into the hot water. She completely submerged and scrubbed at her hair. After finishing with her hair she grabbed some silt from the bottom and washed her body. She came up for air and then dived down into the deepest part of the pool. When she came up to get out her hair hung in her eyes. She was reaching for the sheet they had brought to dry with when she noticed a pair of feet. Her eyes trailed up the body until she reached his eyes.

Inunori couldn't break the eye contact. She swallowed lightly, “Sesshoumaru.”