InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ phases ❯ What a woman ( Chapter 4 )

Ch.4

What A Woman

Kagome hummed softly as she carefully lined the edge of her eyes with the red powder. It had been two and a half weeks since the last council. Two and a half weeks of hard work and anticipation. The whole of the small palace preparing for the approaching band of demons and buzzing with speculation of who they might be. Many had been fearful in the beginning, but quickly acclimated to the idea of playing host to a handful of demons.

'I'm not so sure it's an acceptance of the youkai as much as it is an unwillingness to scare away their last bit of hope.' Satisfied with her make up. Kagome stood gracefully pulling the last of her Kimono together. Wrapping her obi around her waist and securing it with the obijime. She bent to pull on her zori, looking once more in the mirror reaching to place her kanzashi in her hair. She smiled at her reflection, pleased with her work. She had chosen her favorite kimono. Cream with accents of red, decorated with a delicate floral pattern and graceful cranes. The top half of her raven hair pulled into a loose low-lying bun as the other half fell to spill across her shoulders and back.

Tonight there would be a feast welcoming their youkai saviors and later on the Daimyo had arranged for a private meeting with himself and the small groups commander. He had requested Kagome's presence claiming her knowledge of youkai would help for a smooth meeting. Over all Kagome was quite excited. The prospect of training with and fighting alongside a band of highly skilled youkai was almost too much to bare. She could only hope they wouldn't be too proud to fight a weak, human woman.

Sparring with Shippou was completely different from a trained youkai soldier and Kagome prayed she would get the chance to go against at least one of them. Making her final adjustments and placing her sword at her side Kagome left her room making her way towards Shippou's room. 'Hm A room full of youkai and an almost endless suply of food, not to mention sake. This is going to be an interesting night.'

"Is this it?" Inuyasha looked down into the valley eyeing the human Daimyo's small palace as he joined Katsuo at the edge. "Looks like it. If Sesshomaru was right it should be right behind that small rock face."

"What? That's too damn small for a palace to fit behind. No Daimyo would live in such a puny lil' palace." He heard Yuudai remark as both he and Shouta pushed their way by to see for themselves. "It belongs to a human Lord. What did you expect, Yuudai?"

"Shut up Shouta! No body asked you." grumbled Yuudai as he pushed the gentle giant to the side. "Sesshomaru said we shouldn't be expecting much." Inuyasha grumbled, cursing his luck as he turned to watch the setting sun. Sure he didn't mind helping out a few humans, that's not why he was in such a foul mood. It was the fact that his bastard of a brother had volunteered him without any warning before hand. 'Fucking asshole!'

"Where the fuck are Hideki and Hideyoshi!" Inuyasha barked. Yuudai answering quickly as he stretched his arms into the air leisurely. "Last I saw, they were fighting over some 'mutual conquest'."

"Typical." Shouta replied dryly. "Those two think of nothing but women." Inuyasha sighed as his expression dropped with annoyance. The two brother's were incredibly skilled warriors but their skills were often wasted on fighting each other. "Oi, Fuckers! I know you can hear me! If you Don't get your asses over here you'll have to sniff your way there and fight over scraps for dinner!" Inuyasha yelled as the others took note and prepared to move out.

The two were heard long before they barreled into the small clearing. "Hey wait for us! That feast is just as much for us as you, being those human's saviors and all." Inuyasha snorted and leaped forward towards the valley. "Well if you two want any of that food you better stopping fucking around!" speeding down the rock face to the valley below, Inuyasha allowed his mind to wander. As much as he hated him, Sesshomaru's words were true. He may have centuries to pity himself, but Kagome didn't have the time to wait for him. Smirking at his new resolve, he picked up his pace. 'I don't think Sesshomaru would mind if I took a little detour'

They arrived an hour after the sun disappeared behind the horizon, greeted by the Daimyo's general. Ushered through the silent courtyard Inuyasha briefly wondered if the emptiness was due to fear. Despite the appearance Inuyasha was surprised at the size and opulence of the rooms dedicated to the members of the small team. He sat on the edge of the large raised futon. Supplied with an abundance of plush quilts and fur covers, in effort to stave off the bitter chill of the approaching winter.

Inuyasha sat transfixed by the flames of the small fire warming the room. 'Where are you?' His face remained trained on the flames as he prayed that wherever she was she was safe and warm. He had always done this, sending silent prayers to whoever was listening. Hoping she was safe and warm, that she never went hungry and most importantly that she was happy wherever she was. He had always kept his mind fixated on how she was. It was only recently though that he began to let himself wonder where she was.

It had taken Sesshomaru's words to remind him of what precious time he was wasting and he was determined to find her...his Kagome. He closed his eyes wearily, allowing her beautiful face to take shape. Reveling in her soft giggle as she rambled on about some ridiculous topic. Drowning himself in the memories that held all that she was and all that he had ever wanted. 'I swear I'll find you, Kagome. I need you...'

"Keh" Pushing himself off the bed he snorted at how ridiculous he sounded. 'I could never tell her how I felt then, what makes me think I'll do it when I find her...if...if I find her.' He stood making his way over to his discarded armor as he stole himself for the coming feast. He wasn't ready to be around so many people, in fact he really never was. He preferred to sit alone with his thoughts and dream of his precious miko.

A loud crashing pulled him from his musings as Hideki and Yuudai ran excitedly past his room. "Food!" The two yelled as they desperately fought to keep the lead as Hideyoshi quickly joined them. "We better hurry if we want to make a good impression. You don't want those fools to be the first the Daimyo meets." Inuyasha smirked at Katsuo's remark, quickly exciting his room. "Well, Katsuo, I think the Daimyo's going to be disappointed regardless of who he meets first. None of us really know how to make a good first impression."

Inuyasha stopped for a moment as a wisp of a memory floated through the open, covered walk way. 'Dammit all! It's not enough for my mind to drive me crazy but now my nose wants to join in on the fun. Feh!' He looked out over the garden watching as the bitter wind carried away the leaves of the nearby trees. Closing his eyes as the familiar scent brought a flood of memories racing to the forefront. '...Kagome.'

"Hey! you coming or what?" He turned to see Katsuo waiting impatiently by the shoji. "Yeah, just thought I smelled something."

"Man you just keep getting weirder and weirder. Lets go before the others destroy everything." Inuyasha looked back over the garden once more before turning to follow Katsuo into the hall. Willing the the memories away for the time being, he walked in silence beside Katsuo. The aspect of good food giving the final push he needed, locking the memories away for a later time.

Inuyasha and his men walked into the main hall as the Daimyo announced their arrival. Inuyasha remained quiet as the room erupted in praise and thanks as they bowed to the group of youkai. Looking over to see Hideki and Hideyoshi smiling wildly as they enjoyed the company of two very thankful giggling girls. 'Feh it's like miroku, only twice as bad.' Inuyasha turned away rolling his eyes at the wo brothers as he moved to greet the Lord.

"Lord Inuyasha, I am glad to see you fared well on your journey. Are your accommodations to your liking?"

"Of course, thank you Yuuta-sama." Following as the Lord showed him to his seat next to him at the front of the table. Lord Yuuta stood as the room silently fell into their places at the table. "Today we celebrate our coming victory and the arrival of Lord Inuyasha and his men. Everyone eat and drink to your heart's content!" Lord Yuuta smiled happily as he took his seat. "Lord Inuyasha please feel free to ask for anything while you are with us. I will do my best to fulfill your requests." Inuyasha nodded, mildly disturbed at how 'accommodating' The Lord was. 'This is...fucking weird!'

Inuyasha forgot his entire train of thought as he watched the table fill with a myriad of foods and desserts, mentally rubbing his hands hungrily in anticipation. "Sake!" Inuyasha ignored the gleeful musings of Yuudai and the brothers as they quickly had their cups filled. He was much too interested in the paradise before him. Scanning the table, taking in the amount of people present he stopped when he found Shouta on the opposite side of the table deep in conversation with one of Lord's samurai. Musing over the signifigance of the night sky and debating on just what the stars and moon were. 'Too bad I'm not inclined to share.'

Smirking at his thought he turned to look down the table just in time to see Hideki and Hideyoshi fighting over some piece of food only to be blindsided by Yuudai as he slammed the brother's heads together quickly determining he would be the one to enjoy it. "Your men certainly look to be enjoying themselves, Lord Inuyasha." Turning to see Lord Yuuta enjoying the show as well. Inuyasha nodded, smiling ruefully. "Those three never quit. They're great warriors, take my word, but if only they were as disciplined in life as they are in battle."

"Do not worry Inuyasha-sama, I know what you speak of. I have many men of my own just like those three." Lord Yuuta said with mirth in his voice, quickly noticing as the Lord's countenance shifted slightly. "I seem to have a problem with my men, either lazing about or taking themselves too seriously." Inuyasha rushed to find something to add to the conversation only settling on a poorly executed "oh". Quickly turning away as his inner self congratulated him on his possession of 'eloquent' speech.

"Although there is one, the embodiment of what a samurai should be. I'm sure a lot of my men would disagree though. They aren't comfortable with the notion of fighting alongside a woman." Inuyasha almost choked on his rice as he stared in surprise. It wasn't the idea of a 'lady warrior' that surprised him, a certain Taijya coming to mind. It was, although the fact that a human Lord would praise an Onna as being his most skilled fighter. Inuyasha was well aware of how the opposite sex was viewed by the humans.

"An Onna Bugeisha? It isn't very often you come across a truly skilled one." Inuyasha cringed at the sound of his words. It was true that meeting an Onna Buegeisha was rare and meeting a truly gifted one was even rarer, but it sounded so...pig headed when he fromed that thought into words. 'Thank god Sango wasn't here for that one.'

"It is indeed very hard to find a skilled Onna Bugeisha even when trained from birth. This fact alone left me hesitant as our young Onna first came to me asking to train as one, but my affections towards her pushed me to comply with her wishes. That was six years ago, despite such a short time she has truly proved herself. She has been in every battle since, joining the men on the forefront."

"She must be quite a woman if what you say is true." Inuyasha tried to sound as intrigued as he had before the giant plates of deserts had been placed on the table. Taking hold of him as they called out beckoning him to try every one. Lord Yuuta laughed, amused at the look on the Youkai's face. Filling his own plate with sweets . "A man after my own heart Inuyasha-sama. The women of my life constantly reprimanding me for my overindulgence of food and most importantly..." Reaching across the table for an exceptionally delicious looking pink mochi. "Sweets!"

"I had hoped to introduce you two..." The lord spoke mischievously, leaning over to whisper into his ear. "Our young onna is quite beautiful Inuyasha-sama and looks to be just around your age as well...Unless of course you would prefer to court my young daughter." Lord Yuuta howled as Inuyasha's face burned a fierce red. Slapping Inuyasha's back as he recovered from the nearly fatal dango cutting off his air supply. 'what a way to go, death by dango.'

"Relax, Lord Inuyasha! I am only teasing you...perhaps." Inuyasha hung his head as Lord Yuuta held his stomach laughing hysterically. 'He's obviously had his fill of sake.' Straining his ears as a young woman leaned into Lord Yuuta. Laughter ceasing just to hear what news she had for him. "Well Lord Inuyasha, it looks like I won't be able to Introduce the two of you after all. Our little Onna has been called away to a nearby village to aid in a difficult birth."

'An Onna Bugeisha that assists a birth? Like I said...fucking weird as hell.' pulled from his musings as he heard Lord Yuuta's gleeful exclamation. "More sake, ladies! Don't keep these men waiting!"

"My lord?" Katsuo stood quietly as Inuyasha packed the last of his things. "I have business in Musashi, Katsuo. There is no need to inform Sesshomaru he already knows. I will be back within the month, while I'm gone you are to be in charge."

"What about Lord Yuuta?"

"I have already informed him. Take care of the men." Inuyasha pulled the rest of his belongings on his back moving away to begin his journey. "Why?"

"Because it's time."

A.N.

I Know I wasn't a good girl and put the disclaimer in the first chapter but honestly, who would think I owned Inuyasha and Kagome? I do, although reserve the rights to the characters I created, so please don't steal them from me :(