InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Silver Fur and Azure Feathers ❯ Another Envoy ( Chapter 4 )

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

By: Senkura

Another Envoy

Ayame-Naru did eventually leave her room after two days and nights, and most people didn't even realise she hadn't been around, as she spent most of her time in solitude anyway. Sesshomaru caught one glimpse of her passing down an adjoining corridor, but she didn't see him and didn't stop. For some unfathomable reason, he found himself glancing around often to see if she was in the vicinity. Perhaps it was just curiosity on his part.

He turned left along the corridor and to his surprise, spotted his “fiancée” walking down the hall ahead of him, apparently oblivious to his presence. He decided to let her remain that way, and followed her, maintaining a respectable distance, careful that his scent wouldn't reach her. As she walked, her kimono trailed on the ground after her, and the long curtain of black hair danced hypnotically.

So intent was he on following the tenshi that he barely noticed that he had ventured past his intended destination. He was unperturbed and decided to follow the young tenshi wherever she might be heading then. He was pleased by the opportunity to look at her unobserved, especially as she had gone to such lengths to stay out of his way and “not be a bother”.

Despite her youth, she really was quite beautiful, he mused. Perhaps it wouldn't be too much of a bother being “engaged” to her. She seemed pleasant enough, and apologetic for the trouble she was indirectly causing him. She avoided him so that he would have to participate in the simulation as little as possible, and from what he heard, spent most of her time reading.

Quite different from most taiyoukai females. In addition, now that he was supposedly betrothed to her, other females would leave him alone and stop playing stupid games in an attempt to get his attention-

His train of thought was interrupted when a young servant accosted the tenshi. He paused at a distance, still close enough to hear.

“Lady Ayame-Naru, an envoy is here! They want to speak to you and will talk to no-one else!” the servant appeared excited.

“Did they tell you who sent them?” The tenshi's voice had a touch of wariness.

“No, milady. They just said to fetch you straight away! Is something wrong?” The servant frowned.

“I doubt it. Lead me to this envoy. I shall deal with them myself.” Her voice had become firm.

Sesshomaru was intrigued. It was highly likely that the envoy had come from Ryukotsusei, and that she was placing herself in danger. Surely she did not want to risk being stolen away by said envoy, and taken to be the dragon's concubine? No, he doubted that was her intention.

He followed her down the maze of hallways that she seemed to navigate without thought. Her pace picked up until she was striding down each corridor, her light kimono whispering after her. He mused that she probably wore trousers under her kimono all the time to provide her with the freedom of movement she seemed to enjoy.

The tenshi turned a sharp left and spotted him out of the corner of her eye. She stopped.

“Lord Sesshomaru.” The servant had paused just ahead of her.

“Lady Ayame-Naru.” He said, inclining his head respectfully, and flicking his gaze over her shoulder.

She glanced over her shoulder and spotted the servant. Immediately she realised what he was getting at. They must maintain the charade in front of the servants.

She bowed, and a smile came to her face but didn't quite reach her eyes. “Please excuse me. I have to deal with an envoy.” She was too distracted to be friendly and turned on her heel after the servant. Sesshomaru moved after her and gently caught hold of her wrist. She stopped again, and looked at him in alarm.

“Is something wrong, Lord Sesshomaru?” she arched a dark eyebrow.

“Allow me to accompany you.” He let the warning creep into his voice.

“As you please.” She said aloud. She murmured aside to him. “You can watch while I throttle him.” She shot him a dark smile that made her extraordinary eyes light up and dance fiercely.

He felt an unexpected thrill go through him from the smile. This was the not the mild creature he had taken her for. He kept pace with her but she did not look at him again. They passed through two heavy doors and there, in a courtyard stood a lizard youkai, wearing a fearful expression. As soon as the youkai caught sight of the tenshi woman, however, his fear was replaced by a vile leer.

“Child. My lord Ryukotsusei would not be pleased to see his future concubine in the company of another man.” He admonished, looking her up and down suggestively. “My lord Ryukotsusei commands that you come to him at once.”

Sesshomaru couldn't believe his ears at the words this lowly youkai was speaking to the tenshi. He allowed a warning growl to ripple out of his throat, “Lizard!” he snarled, “Who are you to speak to the daughter of Lord Takemaru in that way?”

Ayame-Naru looked at him for a long moment; her face unreadable. She held out a hand to stop him from charging at the lizard youkai. She turned to the beast herself, her anger rising to the fore again.

She began to glide forward and she moved as if to go past the youkai but her hand reached out, and closed around its neck. She lifted it by the throat into the air and looked up at the gasping youkai. When she spoke her voice was cold and hard, barely covering a raging anger and indignation.

“You will return to your master. You will tell him that I am a tenshi of the noble family of Lord Takemaru. I am not a concubine. I am not a prize that he has any claim to. I am not cattle to be sent to him. I am not a child. He has no claim to me and he will never lay a claw on this body of mine.”

She threw the youkai across the courtyard, where he hit the wall and slid to the ground, clutching his throat and staring at the tenshi with new fear in his slitted eyes. She continued to speak.

“I am a fully grown angel. The fact that I am female does not take from my worth but adds to it, you fly-sucking toad. Don't you dare look at me again! If you or any of your kind show your face in my father's territory again, you shall answer to me. I will not hide behind my father's wings or my mother's kimono. You shall taste the flame and thunder of my power, lizard.”

She glared at the cowering youkai. “Tell Lord Ryukotsusei that if he could not protect his mate in battle, then that is his own failing. I shall not pay the price for his weakness. As it is, I am not available to become anyone's concubine.” By the time she had finished, her voice was as cold as deep-winter ice.

The lizard youkai scrambled to his feet and half crawled out of the courtyard. “My lord shall hear of this!” was his snivelling parting shot.

Sesshomaru looked at the tenshi in amusement. “You are…impressive.”

She turned to him, seeking condescension in his remark. Finding none, she gifted him with a warm smile, “I know.”

She was looking him straight in the eyes for the first time, and he found that he approved the fire in her eyes that had previously been hidden behind politeness. There was warmth there too, a sense of humour and sharp intelligence. Indeed, she was quite worthy to be his fake fiancée. Perhaps this whole situation would bring some entertainment. He found he liked Lord Takemaru's youngest child at any rate. She was strong and proud and clever.

“Would you like to see the library?” she asked him, catching him off guard.

“The library?”

“Yes, I don't think you've seen it before. You can say `no'.” she offered.

He could not think of a response.

Her lovely face became clouded. “Listen, Sesshomaru-sama, this situation can be any way you wish it to. You can completely ignore me, except for the odd exchange in public, if you want to. I won't be offended. Or, we could be friends. At least it would make this entire thing more bearable. It could even be amusing. It is entirely your choice.”

She took a step back from him and awaited his response. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

“Amusing, how?”

She grinned.