InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Polar ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Kindly look to chapter one.

 

Author's Note: Thanks again, and I hope I don't disappoint. Oh, and word translations are at the end of the chapter. There're a lot of them in this chapter. In advance, I'm sorry for any confusion…

 

 

 

Polar

Chapter 2 

 

Fall had always been her favorite time of year. When she was younger she would spend hours in the gardens, staring up at the gold colored leaves. Watching as they rained down. Her otou-san could never understand her appreciation of the season.

 

“It foretells nothing but the awful desolation of winter,” she remembered him explaining to her one day, his dark brows bent in agitation. She didn't agree, but wisely kept that belief to herself. Her nakihaha had passed away during the cold months over fifty years ago, and the pain he felt was still raw. She preferred not to make his thoughts linger on it. So she reflected on the days when she was still healthy enough to sit by her side and enjoy the wonders around her in solitude. Ironically, her mother's last good days occurred during the fall, and this only strengthened her esteem for the season. It always brought back warm memories of laughter, frivolous conversations, and quiet songs being hummed as a comb was ran through her dark hair.

 

But today, staring at the falling leaves gave her nothing but a deep uneasiness in the pit of her stomach. Something was happening. The wind whispered of the unknown, or new things beginning. She didn't like it.

 

Sighing, she turned away from her balcony, the tranquil view no longer appealing to her. The pups, Tani and Kare, had finally ceased their play and were taking their afternoon nap on her futon, leaving her to her own devices for that first time all day. She still didn't approve of having to watch the twins, but her keibo insisted that she had nothing better to do. Her mornings were spent entertaining them, the afternoons in quiet meditation as they rested, and the evenings in the company of her parents and other siblings. Things were simple, routine even, and she liked it that way. That's why the feeling she was having, that since of change, was so upsetting.

 

Someone was making their way down the hall, and she turned towards the entrance when she heard them stop.

 

“Souzousha-chan.”

 

She walked over to the door, glancing at the pups before sliding the shoji screen back. Her nii-san was standing on the other side, his black hair pulled up and looking all the more noble in his dark blue robes. He gazed at her for a moment before speaking again.

 

“Can you feel it yet?”

 

She frowned slightly, “Feel what?” He smirked and looked at the sleeping children,

 

“Otou-san wants you to be available to great a guest. I'll watch Tani and Kare.”

 

“Hai,” she nodded and stood back from the door so that he could enter, “Did he say who the guest is?”

 

He smiled faintly and put a hand on her shoulder. “The Lord of the Western Lands. Otou-san says wear your kazami, the one senpi passed down to you.”

 

The apprehension that she'd been experiencing all afternoon went ten fold. It felt like the floor had suddenly dropped out from under her when she realized the severity of what he had just said. He must have noticed her discomfort because his smile soon turned to a look of concern.

 

“You are not pleased. Why is this?”

 

It had been so many years since she'd had to think about it. She'd always been under the impression that she wouldn't have to worry about it, simply because Sesshou-maru-sama would have given up a limb before coming for her. In all honesty, she'd forgotten all about the promise and apparently so had Kiso.

 

“The engumi. He must be here for that.”

 

His concern turned to confusion, “The engumi? He wouldn't…”

 

She shook her head and stepped away from him, heading towards her chest where she kept her clothes. The kimono was buried under a mound of other material. She removed each one with care before finally pulling out the red kazami, running her fingers over the gold embroidered silk. It still held her senpi's scent. She had never worn it, not having seen a reason to before her otousan's request. The simply fact that he wanted her to wear the kazami was enough to realize just how important the meeting was going to be. He wanted her to impress the Great Lord, and that meant he also wanted him to consider the agreement that had been made so many years ago.

 

“Do you suppose he came because of you,” Kiso asked.

 

She nodded, “I believe so. We have not dishonored any territorial vows.”

 

“But we both know he's views on hanyou.” She could hear the loathing in his voice when he said the word.

 

“Perhaps he has found some use of this possession.” She sighed and stood, turning to face him.

 

“Don't speak of yourself like that.”

 

“Is it not true?” When he didn't responded she sighed again. “Will you give me a moment to change?”

 

He nodded, keeping his gold eyes trained on hers. “Will you be alright?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm going to inform otousan that you will be ready soon. Should I have help sent up?”

 

“No, I can manage on my own. Arigatou, Kiso-kun” He nodded his head slightly before walking out, sliding the shoji screen close behind him. She began the tedious process of dressing, starting first with a white hari-bakama, followed by a hitoe, uchiki, then the itsutsu-ginu. The red kazami was placed over the other layers, and it took a few more minutes to tie the simple ate-obi in the back. The long skirts made it cumbersome to walk, but she managed to make her way over to a mirror and apply a little rouge to her cheeks and lips. When she was done she returned to watching the falling leaves from her balcony while waiting for Kiso.

 

The few minutes that she waited seem to drag on for an eternity as the formidable power that was Sesshou-maru's grew. He had finally arrived.

 

There was a slight moan behind her and she turned to see one of the twins stirring. Tani was pushing the katebuton off of her, effectively covering her sister in it at the same time. Souzousha walked over to them, bending over the fix the blanket and pick Tani up.

 

“Why are you so dressed up,” she asked with a yawn. She shifted her to her other hip while looking down at the other pup to make sure she was still sleeping.

 

“We have a visitor. I am to great him.”

 

“Oh,” she sighed against her shoulder, “He woke me.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Hai,” she sat up and looked her in her face, her small fingers playing with one of the many layers of her kimono “You look nice aneue. Is the visitor a coutier?”

 

“Hai,” she replied, glancing towards the door as it slid open, revealing her brother once again, “Something like that. I must go now.” She lowered the younger girl to the ground and reached out to fix her tussled hair,

 

“Behave for Kiso-kun.” Tani scrunched up her nose as if she smelled something bad,

 

“I will make no promises.”

 

Souzousha smiled slightly and stood back up. She wasn't ready to face what awaited her, and for the first time ever she would have preferred to stay and watch over the children. There was something curious about the visit. Why was there no notice sent in advance? If he was there about the betrothal, then he would have given them enough time for preparation. Besides, there might have been few little things known about the Great Lord, but one thing that was well known was his view on hanyou's. She knew nothing about the origin of his deep hatred, but her otousan only agreed to the betrothal because there wasn't even the slightest possibility that Sesshou-maru would have come for her. Even if he did somehow get over his animosity, he probably wouldn't have favored the idea of an arranged marriage because he wasn't the one who initiated it, and consequently wasn't the one in control. In fact, the only reason he probably didn't rebel against the act was because as long as the pledge was in place there would be no more fighting between the White and Black Inugami of the Western Lands and Lord Inu-Taisho, and any appointed heirs would have complete control over all the western terrain. Her otou-san gave up a lot of his power that day, but it finally succeeded in ending the bloodshed that had already taken the lives of three of his sons. 

 

Kiso entered the room, coming to a stop beside the futon, “They are waiting in the tea room. You should hurry.”

 

She nodded her head, walking as fast as she could in the weighty robes. There was no one present in the corridors, nor in the garden as she passed through. The sun had gone past it's highest point and was resting right above the tree line. She took a moment to bask in it's solace before continuing along the path to the tea room.

 

When she entered she saw that they were both sitting on the tatami, each nursing a cup of what smelt like koucha. Her otou-san's favorite. Strong and dark, "Like your old man," followed by a deep, booming laugh. She paused in the entryway, bowing low at the waist. Her otousan returned her jester with a slight nod of his head, but the Great Lord simply eyed her before returning his attention back to his tea. He, obviously, hadn't changed much since their first meeting. Her otou-san beckoned for her to join them, and she shuffled over to the table and sat down on her feet.

 

“Sesshou-maru-sama, I'd like to introduce to you, once again, my second daughter, Souzousha.” His gaze flickered towards her again before seemingly finding her uninteresting and returning back to his drink. Her otousan noticed this with a quiet sigh, but went on as if it hadn't happened.

 

“As you can see she has changed quite a bit since the first time you met.” When he didn't respond he continued, “I must confess I never expected you to collect on the engumi, but it still stood none the less. And because of this I have prepared Souzousha for this occasion as best as I could.”

 

Up until then, she had been keeping her gaze cast down to her lap, effectively avoiding eye contact with either of them. But when she heard those words leave her father's mouth she lifted her head and looked at him questioningly. Aside from the month that the arrangement had been made, there hadn't really been anymore talk about the engagement. And there certainly hadn't been any talk about preparation for it. The things that her father was speaking of were news to her ears, and she wasn't at all happy about it.

 

“Sousousha has been fully trained in the chado, including calligraphy and flower arranging. She is also well learned in all of her studies: literature, science, and the likes. Perhaps even some that I don't know about. Her keibo, Tsukiyama, has also taken the liberty of training her in the art of Bottojutsu and Jojutsu and she is therefore more then effective at defending herself. So you wont have to go through great lengths to ensure her safety.

 

“Aside from that, I have also made sure that she has been taught how to behave like a proper lady of the court and that she act accordingly at all times. As you can see, the discipline has done it's job. Tsukiyama has also stated that she is more then ready for parenthood, for she has taken excellent care of my pups Tani and Kare.” He paused long enough to take a sip of tea,

 

“I am very pride of Souzousha. She has developed into quite the lovely young woman.” He finished by returning his cup to the table, then folding his arms into the sleeves of his kimono. She continued to stare at him, hoping to see any signs of remorse from the things that he'd said. She had worked very hard to achieve all the he had spoken of, even the court etiquette, and it bothered her that he was able to sum up all her accomplishments in a twenty second speech. More importantly, he was treating the entire situation in a manor that she disapproved of. It was like he was selling off a prized mare as opposed to his own daughter. She gave up on trying to catch his eye and went back to starring at her hands, taking deep breath in an attempt to calm her nerves. She and her otousan were going to have a long talk after their meeting was done.

 

Throughout the one sided conversation, Sesshou-maru has shown little interest in what was being said. He simply closed his eyes and held his cup in the palm of his hand, the fingers of the other wrapped around it circumference to steady it. He'd occasionally take a small sip and return it to his former position, back erect and holding a regal air about him. When the room was finally quiet he took one final sip and placed the cup on the table. She couldn't see any of this, because she refused to lift her head, but she heard it clearly. Just like she heard running water as her otousan, ever the gracious host, rushed to refill his cup. There was a slight rustle of cloth as the Great Lord shifted his position followed by his low alto as the Great Lord finally spoke,

 

“Is she subservient?”

 

She looked up then, she couldn't help it. Her brows knitting together in confusion and anger. Her otousan frowned also as he sat the kettle back down,

 

“I'm sorry…”

 

“Will she follow directions?” His heavy gaze was back on her again, and she held it this time, almost as if challenging him. In a way she figured she was.

 

“Hai, my Lord. As long as they are reasonable.”

 

Sesshou-maru seemed to consider the response and for a few fleeting moments she thought that perhaps he would change his mind. But then he stood and turned to her otousan.

 

“I will send a carriage for her tomorrow at noon. Be sure she is prepared.” He then bowed his head slightly and started for the door.

 

“Wait,” her otousan stood as well, “Will you not stay the night, Sesshou-maru-sama? You have such a far way to travel, and we have several guest quarters that would fit your needs”

 

“That won't be necessary. I must return to my shiro. I thank you for your hospitality. Bonsowaaru.” And with that he was gone. She started at the doorway, glaring at his retreating form until his disappeared at a bend in the garden path before turning back to her otousan who was busy clearing the table.

 

“Am I a burden to you,” she asked. He sighed, as if expecting her rebuke, but continued with what he was doing,

 

“You are not a burden to me, Souzousha. I must simply hold my end of the agreement. Peace must be kept at all times.”

 

“Even if it means sending your daughter off to be a slave?”

 

He stopped his actions and looked at her, “Even if it means sending my daughter off to be a slave. Which, I can assure you, is not your fate.”

 

“You heard what he asked.”

 

“Hai. The same I would have asked if I were in his position and had the arrogance. No one wants a defiant spouse.”

 

She stood, “You know as well as I do that he does not intend to honor the engumi.”

 

“I have no idea what his intentions are, Souzousha. But I will do what I have to in order to protect our family and our home. I'm sorry you are the one that has to suffer, but I can not bring shame to my name be retracting Lord Inu-Taisho's agreement. I won't tolerate anymore bloodshed between the clans and you must understand this. You are the peace keeper”

 

She frowned, barring her teeth, “And you are a prideful coward.”

 

She left before he could stop her, grabbing as much of her kimono in her hands that she could to make her exit faster. She saw Tsukiyama sitting on a bench beside the garden path a couple of yards from the tea room; she would have kept walking if the older woman hadn't reached out and stopped her.

 

“Souzousha,” she said softly, standing to look her in the face, “You are upset.” She then reached up and started to wipe at her cheeks with a lavender sleeve. She hadn't realized she'd been crying up until then.

 

“I take it you will be leaving, then,” she went on.

 

Souzousha took a deep breath to steady herself, “Hai.” Tsukiyama stopped wiping at her face and gave her a concerned look.

 

“Come, let's walk to the pond. If you feel like talking, I'll listen.” She nodded, taking another deep breath, something she seemed to be doing a lot lately, and followed her keibo down the path.

 

 

 

 

[otousan - father]

[nakihaha - dead mother]

[futon - Japanese style bed, lies flat on the floor]

[keibo - stepmother]

[shoji - paper screen]

[niisan - older brother]

[kazami - formal kimono worn by daughters of the court]

[senpi - one's late mother]

[engumi - betrothal]

[kimono - Japanese style robes]

[hari-bakama - divided skirt]

[hitoe - unlined garment]

[uchiki - middle garment]

[itsutsu-ginu - five layers]

[katebuton - comforter]

[aneue - older sister]

[Inugami - dog demon]

[koucha - black tea]

[chado - doctrine of the tea ceremony]

[Bottojutsu and Jojutsu - fighting technique of the staff and stick]

[shiro - castle]

[Bonsowaaru - good evening]