InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price ❯ Viperous ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha; Rumiko Takahashi and a large publishing conglomerate hold his leash.

 

A/N: I am very pleased to report that `The Price' placed in four categories in the recent IYFG voting. Thank you very much for your support!

 

Apologies for the delay in posting; when your betas give you sheepish looks and say, `It's not bad, but… ' then it's time to start the rewrite.

 

Bouquets to my ever-patient (and demanding) CMAs: Forthright, Ranuel and SilverOnTheRose.

 

Warnings: Enough WAFF to give an action!bunny conniptions, and a bit of coarse language.

 

The Price

Chapter Ten: Viperous

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

The next morning…

 

“What're you lookin' at, brat?” Sha demanded, tugging on the collar of his formal black silk haori for the umpteenth time since donning the garment.

 

“I was just thinking how well you clean up, Uncle,” Tsugane replied mildly, twirling the fluffy white tassel on the end of his haori-himo between his fingertips as he lounged on the opposite bench seat in the limousine.

 

Sha muttered something under his breath and made an effort to not fidget, but found himself fiddling with the pleats of his striped hakama anyways. “I hope that Kagome's ready for this,” he muttered, wishing he at least had Tetsusaiga at his hip. Bad luck, my ass… it'll be really bad luck if Naraku catches us without weapons because of some dumb tradition! Pulling the ivory-framed fan out of his obi, he began toying with it for want of something to do to keep his hands busy.

 

“Mrs. Nishino has things well in hand,” Sesshiro soothed, watching the delicate antique snap open and closed.

 

“She really seems to be enjoying herself,” Tenmaru noted from his seat beside Tsugane.

 

“Because Grandmother isn't here to steal her thunder,” Tsugane drawled.

 

“Does Grandmother even know yet?”

 

“She will be informed in due course,” Sesshiro rumbled. A slow smile spread across Tsugane's face, and he reached across the compartment to poke his father in the knee as he made a low clucking sound. The taiyoukai merely arched an eyebrow at his eldest son's temerity and observed, “Your lady grandmother is a very formidable woman.”

 

“Ain't that the truth,” Sha agreed, looking out the window. “How much longer?”

 

“Is that a whiff of apprehension I detect?” Tsugane asked archly.

 

Sha shot him a blistering look. “You just wait, whelp. We'll see how cool and collected you are when you finally convince a female to take you on.”

 

“Speaking of which, when did Mishi become `Kagome' instead of `Miss Higurashi'?” his nephew asked, not at all put out by Sha's crackling youki.

 

“Last night.”

 

Tsugane nodded thoughtfully. “Being attacked by her friend must have been awful.” Giving Sha a level look, he added, “Mishi will need some time to adjust to everything that's happened to her over the past twenty-four hours, okay?”

 

“Whaddya mean?”

 

The dog-hanyou huffed a little before elaborating, “Yesterday she was forced into killing her friend, and this morning is marrying a guy she's known for less than a week. That's after finding out she's the new Shikon miko and is therefore on the hit lists of every criminally-minded youkai and human in Japan.” When Sha looked a little dumbfounded, Tsugane said in a very serious tone, “You must become her anchor, Uncle, because the rest of her reality has tilted sideways.”

 

“Her anchor… er, yeah,” Sha replied, still somewhat mystified.

 

“Uncle, sometimes I think you're truly hopeless. Use your friggin' brains for once! You haven't survived this long without… argh. I should've just married Mishi myself.” Giving Sha an exasperated glare, he immediately changed the topic. “Remembering to call her `Aunt' will be tough.”

 

“Just don't screw up and call her `Aunt Mishi', or you might be outed as `Ichiko',” Sha growled, unwilling to admit how unsettled he was by Tsugane's advice while deciding to ignore his nephew's comment about Kagome in the interests of peace. “I spoke to the cat before I left this morning, so she knows she's to call you by your real names.”

 

“Don't worry, Uncle. We'll do you proud,” Tenmaru quietly assured.

 

“Keh.”

 

“We have arrived,” Sesshiro announced.

 

As Sha's stomach twisted itself into knots, the limo entered the gates and rolled up the access road. Crossing the courtyard, the driver avoided the photographer setting up at the bottom of the main shrine's staircase and came to a stop not far from the catering truck parked in close proximity to the foyer door.

 

“All right! Mrs. Nishino hired the good caterers!” Tsugane crowed.

 

His brother instantly sat forward to peer out the window. “I wonder how many strings she had to pull on such short notice?”

 

“Don't care, really… piping hot takoyaki for the win, baby!”

 

“Our good lady has been busy,” Sesshiro murmured. “I believe even my lady mother would approve.”

 

As the door of the limo swung open, Sha muttered, “Let's do this,” and practically sprang out as he shoved the fan back into his obi.

 

“Why so tense, Uncle?” Tenmaru curiously asked as he followed his elders from the vehicle.

 

“We aren't carrying weapons, and Naraku would have to be blind and deaf to not have noticed the activity at the Shrine!” the eldest hanyou snapped.

 

Tsugane looked rather smug. “Who said `no weapons'?”

 

Eying him warily, Sha offered, “Bad luck about `things that cut' and all that shit.”

 

Exchanging smirks with his brother, Tsugane said, “Don't worry, Uncle… Tetsusaiga is closer than you think.” When Sha scowled in his direction, he jerked his head towards the limo. “You didn't even notice your own sword's youki?”

 

As he exhaled, Sha growled, “My mind's on other things, brat.”

 

His nephew shot him a meaningful look. “I certainly hope so. However, I can assure you that the only place in Tokyo with a higher security level today is the Imperial Palace.”

 

While Sha tried settling his ruffled nerves, the foyer door cracked open and Buyo strolled out, her tail flagged. Making straight for the new arrivals, she slowly circled each, looking them up and down with a critical eye. Apparently deciding that the dog-hanyou passed muster, she rubbed up against Sha's pristine hakama and left a deposit of hair-like youki behind. Pausing for a moment, she then prowled towards Sesshiro with obvious intent, but his youki suddenly coiled around him in an intimidating threat display. Buyo merely flicked her ears as if at an annoying midge as she sashayed right past, regally ignoring the taiyoukai. Tsugane and Tenmaru barely muffled their giggles and then dodged behind Sha in mock-terror as their father gave them a quelling glare.

 

At that moment, Mrs. Nishino appeared around the other side of the house and beckoned. “Good morning, my lords… this way, please.” Sesshiro immediately strode forward; Sha fell into step beside him with Tsugane and Tenmaru bringing up the rear as they moved towards the formal entryway where Yayoi Higurashi waited, wearing an elegant formal kimono and a gracious smile.

 

“Welcome to the Sunset Shrine, House of the West,” she said with a low bow.

 

“Our thanks, madam,” Sesshiro smoothly replied with his own bow.

 

Genma Higurashi shuffled into view, shocking Sha with how frail he appeared. His robes look like they're a couple of sizes too large… crap. He's going downhill fast! However, the old man's head was held high and his eyes were very sharp as he scanned the four apparently-human men waiting in the morning sunshine before bowing and stepping down to ground level.

 

“Allow me to present my sons,” Sesshiro intoned, gesturing.

 

Sha completely missed the rest of the introductions because his attention was entirely focussed on the young woman now framed in the doorway. Kagome was swathed in layers of silver and scarlet, her dark hair twisted up and secured with carved combs. While Mrs. Nishino gathered the train of the sweeping uchikake, Kagome looked up as she slipped into a pair of lacquered zori… and her bright smile instantly relieved some of his tension even as the reality of what they were about to do rocked his composure. I must protect her. Failure is not an option… not now, not ever.

 

“It appears that my brother is completely overcome by the sight of his lovely bride,” Sesshiro said with some amusement, and Sha blinked.

 

Collecting himself, he answered, “She's even more beautiful than I imagined,” causing Kagome to blush prettily and Genma's brows to lower noticeably.

 

The taiyoukai nodded agreeably and bowed to Genma. “Shall we proceed?” The old man stuck out his chin, squared his shoulders and tottered in the direction of the shrine. While Yayoi clasped her daughter's hand to assist her across the pavement, Sha took his place at Kagome's side. Sota popped open a parasol and shaded them from the sun, while Sesshiro, Tsugane and Tenmaru brought up the rear of the bridal procession.

 

For her part, Kagome was more than a little overwhelmed by the events of the morning and only now felt that she could breathe… despite the pressure that the obi was putting on her midsection. Sha's comforting presence was gone when she woke up; instead, Buyo had prepared her as best she could for Mrs. Nishino's arrival and the resulting whirlwind of activity. I've been in a daze since yesterday; this feels more than a little unreal, but it also somehow feels right.

 

We're really going through with it. Sha caught Kagome's eye as they followed Genma, his towering black headgear bobbing like an animated fencepost. She smiled again, and he found confidence in her apparent happiness. We'll make this work somehow; just gotta kill off Naraku first.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

A couple of hours later, Sha set down his tea cup and surveyed the festivities once politely contained within the Higurashi tatami room that were now spilling out into the hallway and the kitchen. His nephews and new brother-in-law were in a rather suspicious huddle in the former, and his new mother-in-law was swapping recipes with Mrs. Nishino in the latter. His brother was making polite small talk with the Yoshidas, who had made it onto the approved guest list at the last minute when Mrs. Nishino somehow found out that Mrs. Yoshida was actually a dog-hanyou. “The Inuzuka clan, mind you, but still good people,” she'd said to forestall Sesshiro's objections. “She sensed the jyaki from Lord Ryukotsusei's attack, not to mention the Tetsusaiga's youki, and that's why she insisted on keeping the Higurashis overnight until the danger passed.” The only hold-out to the general sense of goodwill was Genma Higurashi, who sat in stiff-necked silence on the other side of the table, petting Buyo with trembling hands.

 

So far, nobody's slipped up and called anyone by the wrong name and the cat isn't risking death by cuddling up to Sess. Sighing a little, he turned to see how his bride was holding up. Little wisps of dark hair had begun escaping from the restraining combs, and there was one delicate curl on the nape of her slender neck that he found highly attractive. Kagome was staring into the tea cup she held cradled in her hands, her cheeks flushed and her expression both soft and unreadable. Leaning closer, he murmured, “You okay?”

 

Carefully placing the half-empty cup on the table, well away from the precious silks, she replied, “It's a little warm in here; too many layers, I guess.”

 

“You look great, though.”

 

“Thanks.” She peered at him through her lashes and beckoned him closer. Whispering in his `ear', she said, “I'd like to see you with your silver hair in that outfit; you'd look so striking with all that black.”

 

“Maybe later,” he offered, impulsively catching hold of her hand. Kagome shyly ducked her head at first, but then wove her fingers with his in a simple gesture of solidarity.

 

“A-hem!” Everyone turned when Genma clapped his hands. “Sota! Bring the gift,” he ordered, and the teen scrambled to straighten his kimono as he disappeared down the hall. The guests rearranged themselves for best viewing opportunities as he returned carrying a long, silk-wrapped parcel. Kneeling beside Genma, Sota placed the item on the table before Kagome and Sha. Looking more than a little sheepish, he removed the wrapper to reveal a familiar sutra-plastered case.

 

“The most precious treasure of the Sunset Shrine is my granddaughter,” Genma wheezed. “The second most valuable lies before you. Please accept the Inuyasha-no-Tetsusaiga as Kagome's dowry.”

 

I don't believe this… the cat was fucking right! Just not quite how she thought the sword would enter the negotiations! Sha couldn't meet anyone's eyes because he knew that if he did, he'd lose his composure. Kagome squeezed Sha's suddenly nerveless fingers before letting go; the gentle pressure allowed him to collect himself and bow deeply. “It is truly an honour, Mr. Higurashi, to be in the presence of this historic weapon.”

 

“The sword is a reminder that victory over evil is possible. As her husband, I charge you with keeping both my granddaughter and the Tetsusaiga safe.”

 

If you only knew how much I've done already, old man. “I humbly accept the responsibility,” Sha answered firmly. I ain't touching it, though, just in case some of those sutras might still be `live'!

 

Genma unwittingly saved him. “Don't open it now; there is no place here for bad luck. Sota, perhaps you can carry it out to their car?”

 

The reception began breaking up shortly afterwards; Sota took the `Tetsusaiga' out to the limo as requested. Sha hoped that the teen would sneak Yura's sword out of the case before stowing it in the limo. Probably won't be able to speak with him in private before we leave, dammit. I'll have to send it back with one of the sentries. Assisting Kagome to her feet, he held onto her hand as she bowed deeply to Sesshiro and thanked the Yoshidas for attending. Tsugane and Tenmaru stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with their new aunt; it appeared that Tsugane might forget that they were only supposed to have met a couple of hours previously and go for the hug instead of a bow, but he caught himself at the last moment.

 

While Kagome made a point of thanking Mrs. Nishino and the catering staff, causing the disguised dog-youkai to positively beam with pleasure at the compliments, Sha bowed to Genma, and was again alarmed at the elderly man's changed scent as he said, “I promise that I will be worthy of her.”

 

Rheumy old eyes blinked slowly as Genma tilted his head just enough to squint up at the tall man towering over him. “I hope so, young man. You will make sure that she finishes her education?”

 

If I can keep her alive long enough. “Yes, of course.”

 

Genma continued stroking Buyo's fur. “When her father died, I swore that Kagome would be given every opportunity to reach her full potential. As her husband, it is now your duty to fulfil that obligation.”

 

The hanyou gulped at the sense of taking on another oath before replying, “I will.”

 

The old man nodded while Buyo and Sha exchanged worried glances. “Very well,” he sighed.

 

As Kagome knelt to wrap her arms around Genma's shoulders and whisper quiet reassurances, Sha stepped back and approached Yayoi. When he straightened from his bow, she lightly brushed his cheek with the back of her fingers. “Thank you for everything, my son.”

 

His heart hitched at the familial term and the gentle way she spoke. “I didn't do much, ma'am.”

 

Yayoi wagged her finger at him. “Enough of this formality! You may call me `Mother' if you wish.”

 

She didn't understand his crooked smile, but the emotion in his voice was plainly apparent. “It would be an honour, Mother.”

 

Yayoi impulsively hugged him, while everyone in the room who was aware of the connection between them sighed, purred or smiled. Sha returned the embrace, trying not to crush the woman who embodied the security and love of his childhood. I don't know what the gods are planning by giving me these second chances, but I damn well hope it isn't some kind of cosmic game they're playing with my heart.

 

Kagome then hugged her mother, who had a suspiciously-bright gaze when she released the young woman. “Be happy together,” she declared. “You are the future of our families.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Outside, Sota hovered next to the limousine. “I put Sis' bow and arrows into the trunk along with her overnight bag,” he hurriedly told Sha in a low voice as Mrs. Nishino assisted Kagome and her finery into the car while Tsugane and Tenmaru looked on. Sesshiro and the Yoshidas had remained inside the house to visit a little longer with Yayoi and Genma, which not only kept the emotional toll of farewells under control, but also allowed the gathered youkai to discuss their next move.

 

“Good thinking,” the hanyou replied. “Take Yura's sword, if you haven't already. It's a good thing to have on hand, and you've proven that you know how to use it.”

 

“I nearly died when Gramps told me he was giving you the `Tetsusaiga',” Sota grinned. “He either likes you, or he felt that he'd been outdone in the negotiations yesterday.”

 

“More than likely the latter, since Father totally put the screws to him,” Tsugane smirked. As the teen moved to retrieve the sword from the limo's trunk, a cell phone jangled. Tsugane pulled the device out of his sleeve and frowned lightly at the displayed number; he'd barely answered it when the caller started jabbering wildly. The dog-hanyou's eyebrows went through some impressive gyrations before he barked, “When did they show up? Yeah? That's a little too coincidental for my liking… how many? Crap. Who'd they talk to? Excellent. He's good at playing dumb.” Chewing his lip, he added, “Hang tough; we'll be back in half an hour or so.”

 

“What's up?” Sha asked as Tsugane shoved his phone back into his clothing.

 

“Apparently there's a crowd of reporters milling around outside Western House's main gate.”

 

“Somebody leaked the news of the wedding?” Tenmaru hazarded. “Society reports about the House of the West sell papers.”

 

“More serious than that, I'm afraid. I'm gonna go grab Father; he needs to hear this,” Tsugane said grimly.

 

“I'll do it,” Sota volunteered and darted into the house through the foyer, his kimono sleeves flying.

 

“Hide the sword first!” Sha called after him.

 

“Has there been an attack?” Kagome anxiously asked from inside the limo as Mrs. Nishino exited and stood aside.

 

“Not exactly.”

 

“What news?” Sesshiro demanded without preamble as he strode towards them from the direction of the front door, Sota jogging in his wake.

 

“There's a mob of press besieging Western House, wanting to know the Nishiki clan's connection to one Miss Abihime Tekkaido, now deceased,” Tsugane answered.

 

“What the hell? Who would've leaked that?” Sha growled. “The girl's mother?”

 

Tenmaru's phone went off at that moment, and as he read the text message, he went rather pale. “Not according to this; Mrs. Tekkaido's body was found in her home a few minutes ago. She'd recently been ill, and a follow-up team were checking on her because she took a turn for the worse at the news of her daughter's death.”

 

“Cause of death?”

 

“Traces of shouki in the remains… huh?” Tenmaru looked up, clearly puzzled. “What kind of youkai uses shouki?”

 

“Those that originate in swamps,” Sesshiro rumbled. “Some species of salamanders and toads, for example; she may have eaten something that disagreed with her.”

 

Tenmaru scrolled rapidly. “Not unless her stomach is located inside her skull.”

 

Sha's youki flared. “It's gotta be Naraku,” he declared. “He's the only outsider who knew what happened yesterday… and he stinks like he has dozens of different youkai inside him.”

 

Kagome tentatively offered, “He threatened to absorb Miss Buyo during Ryu-whatsis' attack on Thursday.”

 

“So he could've easily taken in a youkai with shouki abilities,” Tsugane opined. “Crap, this just keeps getting better!”

 

“Brother, take your lady wife to your apartment until we have dealt with the annoyance. Tsugane, double the guard here as well as at Miss Mifune's home.”

 

“I thought you said `safety in numbers'?” Sha objected.

 

“An unidentified woman's arrival in full wedding finery will cause a media frenzy; we will gamble that Naraku is unaware of your bolt-hole, at least for a few hours.” Sesshiro turned to Sota, who straightened up smartly under that eagle-sharp gaze. “It is your duty and the Shrine Guardian's to keep your lady mother and grandfather indoors as much as possible for the rest of the day, or until the situation stabilizes.”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

“Tenmaru, you will oversee operations here,” Sesshiro murmured as a second, identical limousine purred into the courtyard. “When it is safe to return, Brother, I will contact you.” The taiyoukai slanted a look at his sons. “You have retrieved your weapons?”

 

“Yes, Father!” they chorused.

 

As Sha entered the limo and seated himself across from Kagome, Tenmaru added, “Tetsusaiga is under your bench seat, Uncle,” and then smiled at the young woman. “We'll see you in a little while, Aunt.”

 

“Just watch your step; Uncle has particularly ferocious dust bunnies,” Tsugane chimed in as he closed the car door on Sha's retort.

 

After the car had turned around and reversed her orientation, Kagome sat forward to watch the house recede through the rear window. “You all right?” Sha asked.

 

Without looking at him, she softly replied, “I will be… it's just an awful lot, all at once, you know?”

 

Sha tried his best to school his expression. Looks like Tsugane was right again, dammit. I wish that I had his advantage of knowing her for a couple of years.

 

A pair of outriders joined them as the car rolled through the gates; she watched them for a moment before asking, “What if the press shows up at the Shrine?”

 

“The guardsmen will keep them off the grounds,” he answered. “If Naraku is behind this, Western House makes a more high-profile target. Plus, there's a small chance that he thinks we're inside the main house… if he somehow missed the activity here today.”

 

“What if splitting us up is actually his plan?”

 

“My apartment is in a block owned by my brother; we're surrounded by loyal dog-youkai if he does try anything.”

 

“But… more people could die,” she protested anxiously, her fingers crumpling the rich material of the uchikake.

 

“That's a risk,” he agreed uncomfortably, and they fell into a tense silence.

 

After a few blocks spent torturing her kimono sleeve, Kagome asked, “Mrs. Nishino was adamant that I not wear the hood; do you know why?”

 

“The hood? Oh, you mean the thingie that hides your `horns of jealousy' during the ceremony?” When she nodded, Sha grinned. “Plenty of youkai have real horns, so it'd be an insult to the bride to cover them up.”

 

“I didn't mind, but Grandpa wasn't very happy about it,” she confessed. “He wasn't in good shape, was he?”

 

“His scent was messed up, but Buyo will let Tenmaru know if there's a problem,” he replied.

 

“That's a relief,” she sighed, then absently tugged on her obi. “I can't wait to get out of these robes!”

 

“Oi… why did you ask the photographer for a picture of us under the Goshinboku?”

 

The young woman smiled quietly. “If you look through our family albums, every significant occasion features a photograph under the sacred tree. When we came home from the hospital as babies, the first day of school, middle school graduation, high school festival costumes… birthdays… my Seijinshiki… the day wasn't complete without a picture in front of that white picket fence.”

 

“A real tradition, huh?”

 

Her smile became wistful. “And now you're part of it; you seemed pleased that Mom asked you to call her `Mother'.”

 

It was his turn to smile wryly. “More than you can ever know.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

After their escorts handed over her suitcase and weapons, Kagome stepped out of her zori in the tiny foyer as Sha propped her bow and quiver behind the door with Tetsusaiga. She looked around the small apartment, the walls of the combination living room/bedroom lined with cupboards and the available floor space nearly filled with a large futon unfolded on its frame and a low table. “Come in,” Sha invited. “Tsugane was exaggerating, but it is kinda dusty. I, er, haven't let the cleaning staff in here for a while.”

 

“Um… why not?” she asked, eyeing the piles of clothing casually dropped here and there, not to mention the tumbled mess of bedding on full display.

 

“I moved over here for some privacy,” he replied shortly. “Would you like something to drink? I have tea.”

 

“Tea would be great; I'd really like to get changed, too.”

 

He cast around for a moment, seemingly at a loss. “There's the laundry room or the toilet, if you want some privacy,” he said, pointing at a pair of pocket doors beside the kitchen doorway. “I don't have any hanging screens.”

 

“I'll take the laundry room; I don't think the toilet is the appropriate place for antique silk!”

 

“Sounds good; I'll help you fold the kimono… uh, lemme sweep the floor first.”

 

Keeping a firm grip on the uchikake's train with one hand, Kagome picked up her suitcase with the other and entered the laundry room while Sha set the kettle to boil in the miniscule kitchen. Hastily gathering all the laundry into one pile, he was about to tackle the bedding when Kagome poked her head out of the door. “I'm in a bit of pickle,” she began. “I seem to have forgotten my shirt; can I borrow a t-shirt or something?”

 

The hanyou chuckled. “As a matter of fact, I still have your sweatshirt, but I haven't had a chance to wash it.”

 

Kagome glanced at the hillock of laundry. “Really?” she commented dryly. “Can't imagine what's kept you from your housekeeping duties!”

 

“Just a couple of minor things… dragon-youkai and weddings come to mind,” he retorted good-naturedly. “I'll grab it for you.” Crossing to the shelving unit, he retrieved the brilliant yellow garment.

 

As he handed it to her, she hesitated a moment before shyly asking, “Would you, um, take off your concealment spell for me?”

 

Sha smiled indulgently. “Sure.” Within a few moments, he pulled the loosened necklace over his head and then released his hair from the neat ponytail that Sesshiro had insisted upon.

 

Kagome hugged the sweatshirt to her chest as she admired the contrast between the gleaming black of his formal clothing and the shining silver of his hair. “So handsome,” she sighed appreciatively.

 

“You think so?” he asked cheekily, preening a bit.

 

Giving him a straight look, she answered, “Yes, I do.”

 

Bowing with mock-formality, he loftily replied, “Thank you.”

 

“It would've been nice to have a picture of us without your concealment spell, but that's impossible,” she said wistfully.

 

“There'll be other opportunities… like maybe when Sess marries Miss Mifune.”

 

“Has he introduced himself to her?” Kagome asked in surprise. “Just a couple of days ago Tsugane said they were waiting for an opportunity to do so.”

 

“Not yet, but I'm sure it'll be soon.”

 

Casting about for a new topic, she offered, “We could be here for a few hours, so we might as well do something constructive.”

 

“What did you have in mind?”

 

“I was thinking along the lines of some clean-up.”

 

“You want to do housework on your wedding day? O-o-okay,” he drawled sardonically.

 

“It beats doing homework, which is also in my bag.”

 

“Don't know if I can take all that excitement.”

 

Serious grey eyes caused the rest of his smart comment to die in his throat. “I've had enough excitement for this past week to last me a lifetime… and there's no end in sight.”

 

As she disappeared into the laundry room, Sha mentally kicked himself. Congrats, hanyou, on your outstanding ability to say the wrong thing at exactly the right time. Shucking his haori and dropping it onto the bed, he peeled out of his kimono and left the layers hanging around his waist as he went into the kitchen to deal with the kettle.

 

When Kagome came out carrying an armload of silk, she stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of a half-naked Sha stretching up to retrieve teapot and cups from an overhead cabinet. Oh… my… goodness…! Colour instantly flooded her cheeks, and she swallowed very hard at the lean, muscled body now on display. That's just… wow.

 

She saw his nose twitch just before his head snapped around, and the intense look in his golden eyes made it perfectly obvious that he knew exactly how her body was reacting to the view… and made him appear more than a little predatory. I forgot about his sense of smell! “Um… where should I put these?” she squeaked, waving the kimono.

 

He recalled himself and did his very best to appear unthreatening. “Probably safest to lay them on the bed.”

 

“I'll just, um, take care of this stuff first, okay?” Avoiding his gaze, she checked the low table for drip marks before laying out the borrowed finery, then hastily gathered up the sheets. Fleeing into the laundry room, she loaded the machine. I can't go back out there until I'm sure I won't embarrass myself any more than I already have! In an effort to stall, she peeked inside an inner door and discovered a small but functional bathroom with a sink, an open shower and a tall, square tub with a bench seat across one end. Taking the opportunity to splash some cold water on her face, Kagome focussed on her breathing until her heart rate slowed down. Hopefully he'll have put on some clothes in the meantime!

 

When she exited, even more of Sha was briefly on display. In the process of donning a t-shirt, he'd pulled both of the kimono completely out of his hakama, and the loosened garment was now riding dangerously low on his hips. Some highly attractive masculine contours were revealed, the toned skin below his navel adorned with a downy silver trail that disappeared beneath the waistband. Smoothing the snug fabric down over his abdomen, Sha announced in a neutral tone, “Tea's almost ready.”

 

“Uh… great,” she weakly replied.

 

Sha brushed past her on his way into the laundry room and came out a few minutes later wearing a pair of jeans that fit him extremely well. “Tea first, then kimono-folding?” he blandly suggested, when she seemed incapable of doing anything more than blushing when she looked at him. “Mrs. Nishino will have my ears if my good clothes aren't looked after properly.” When she nodded, he waved her to a seat at the low table as he went to collect the tea. Seating himself across from her, he served each of them a steaming cup. Watching her over the rim of his, he couldn't help but smirk a little at her obvious fluster before sobering. Damn. She's really stressed, and I'm not helping. Have to get her to relax, somehow… crap, don't want the Jewel deciding that I'm a threat because she's so agitated!

 

Her next question didn't seem designed to help the cause, however. “Um, when you said that I could stay with you the other day, where did you intend that I would sleep?”

 

“You'd have the bed; I'd take the wall.”

 

“The wall?”

 

“If we were staying here overnight, I'd be sitting up with Tetsusaiga. Can't be too careful, at least until Naraku's dead,” he answered, then added in an attempt to be reassuring, “Sess has assigned us Wisteria House at the main compound; it has two bedrooms.”

 

“Oh… I see,” she murmured, then smiled gamely. “Thank you for the consideration.”

 

“I'm hardly going to insist on any marital rights, especially since this is sort of a marriage of convenience.”

 

“Of convenience? Wh-what do you mean?”

 

“We had to get you away from the Shrine as fast as possible, right?” Even as he said it, Sha knew that wasn't the right answer. Shit. How'm I gonna fix this?

 

Kagome's eyes clouded. “Am I just… a means to an end?” she whispered tightly, staring at the table between them.

 

“Come again?” he asked, bewildered.

 

“Once Naraku is dead, then does this relationship end?”

 

Holy gods… blunt, much? “Only if that's what you want,” the hanyou carefully replied. “I told you before… I'll do whatever it takes to protect you, and staying at your side is the easiest way to do that.” Sha leaned forward, fixing the young woman with a direct look. “The Jewel and `destiny' be damned, I want to be with you, Kagome.” Satisfied that he had her full attention, he continued, “You've accepted me for what I am, and that means everything to me.”

 

She stared at him, open-mouthed, as she absorbed his words. “I've had a lot of trouble with this `destiny' thing,” she finally admitted, “worrying if I was just a replacement….”

 

“The gods might have a hand in bringing two souls together, but they can't control how it works out because there are real people involved. I've seen that reality in action with Sess and Tenmaru's mother; things can get rocky when you have two strong personalities involved, but if the relationship is based on mutual respect, everything works out.”

 

“My mom and dad had a good marriage… as short as it was,” Kagome said, with a wistful smile. “He'd courted her for a couple of years before proposing; she always said that he was her best friend, which was pretty unusual. Daddy wasn't your typical salaryman because he always came home to us instead of doing the after-work partying.”

 

On a sudden impulse, Sha asked, “What was your father like?”

 

“Tall, very handsome… had a big, booming laugh. I know he drove Grandpa crazy sometimes, too.”

 

“How so?”

 

“He was supposed to be the Shrine's next head priest, of course, but he didn't take religious studies and was more interested in swords. When I was little, I used to sneak out of bed to watch him from my bedroom window as he practiced kenjutsu under the Goshinboku in the evenings.” Kagome sighed softly. “He also told me that I should ignore anyone who told me that I couldn't do something because I was a girl, and to always finish what I started.”

 

There's no rule that says a soul has to stay youkai, so maybe the old man was reincarnated as a human. “When did he pass away?”

 

“He died in an accident when Sota was a baby.”

 

Might be a coincidence, might not. Makes me happy to think that maybe he found Mother again. “That's something we have in common… we were raised by our mothers,” Sha commented, then said, “Let's get at those kimono and avoid the wrath of Mrs. Nishino.”

 

“Is she that scary?”

 

“She makes Sess run for cover… although he'd never admit it.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

As she knelt on the floor beside Sha, neatly folding the many layers of their wedding garb, Kagome found the silence extremely unsettling. Not because of whom she was with, but because the repetitive, mindless nature of what they were doing gave her too much time to think.

 

Sha kept his mouth shut until he couldn't stand the palpable sadness clouding the young woman's scent. Maybe if I can get her to open up… fuck, I'm no good at this shit, but I have to try. “What's wrong, Kagome?” he hesitantly ventured.

 

She smoothed a silken sleeve. Without looking up, she said, “Can't fool your nose, huh?”

 

“Or my eyes, either. That's the fifth time you've straightened that seam.” Continuing his own folding, he urged, “Talk to me.”

 

“I don't want to bother you.”

 

“Bother me all you want,” Sha assured. “I need to know what's going on inside your head.”

 

Sighing deeply, she finally said, “Until six days ago, I didn't know that youkai were real. Then, I found out that not only do they exist, but I have something inside me that they all want and that they're willing to kill for.”

 

“Not all of them,” he quietly observed.

 

Kagome managed a faint smile. “No, not all of them.” Helping him align the front panels of a tonally-embroidered under-kimono, she admitted, “I feel trapped, like the Jewel is taking away everything I've ever known and ever hoped for.”

 

A sudden thought occurred to Sha as he folded in one side of the rich garment. “Something else we have in common… the Jewel was responsible for trapping me, too.” When she looked up, her eyes wide, he caught hold of her hand. “The Jewel has taken away from both of us, but it's also given back.” Lightly rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, he softly added, “I have someone to protect, along with her family; I think I came out ahead.”

 

The young woman blinked rapidly, then pulled her hand free in order to throw her arms around him in a heartfelt hug. Sha quickly returned the embrace, encouraging her to remain. “Th-thank you,” she finally whispered into his shoulder. “I needed that reminder.”

 

“Any time, Kagome,” he answered, resting his cheek against her hair. “Don't forget… we're in this together.”

 

She first groaned, then giggled. “Our new family motto, apparently,” she chuckled.

 

When she grinned at him, Sha smiled back, relieved to see the hint of a sparkle in her eyes. In that moment of stillness, comfortably ensconced in each others arms, something between them shifted. Kagome's gaze dropped to his lips, and he barely had time to hope before she kissed him. The caress was butterfly-light and equally fleeting, but he was already returning it before she had time to regret her impetuousness. Following up the kiss with a tender nuzzle to her cheek, he held her close. There's no nervousness in her scent… finally.

 

Tucked under Sha's chin, Kagome hugged him back just as tightly, surprising herself with how easily she became accustomed to his embrace. I feel so safe when I'm with him… and he's right. My life won't ever go back to the way it was; I have to make an effort to find the positive instead of dwelling on the negative. Sighing, she snuggled against his chest and listened to his heartbeat.

 

For his part, Sha could've sat there for the rest of the afternoon, holding Kagome and breathing her scent, but a memory that had been tugging on the corner of his mind finally made it past the sense of contentment long enough to make him sit up straight. I'll bet that's why! “Dammit, why didn't I think of that before?” Kagome blinked at his random outburst; he squished her a little and released her. “Don't move… I just remembered something.”

 

Bouncing upright, he fairly leapt over the furniture and grabbed Tetsusaiga from the corner behind the door. Wearing a broad grin, he returned, seated himself and quickly scooped her into his lap. Bracketing her with his arms, he effectively barred her easy escape by using the sword as a crossbar… not that she was trying to wriggle loose. In fact, Kagome settled herself comfortably against his chest. “What did you remember?” she asked, running her fingertip along the black scabbard.

 

“The Tetsusaiga was forged with one purpose… to protect my human mother,” Sha answered, not quite able to contain his excitement. “By extension, its mandate includes all humans.”

 

“Um, yeah?” She was plainly puzzled.

 

“I've been trying for centuries to regain Tetsusaiga simply because it was mine, not because I had a need for it. I'll bet that it was given back to me now because I have a human wife to protect.”

 

“Really?”

 

The hanyou looked rather sheepish. “Maybe the gods have decided that I'm finally mature enough to respect the Tetsusaiga's power. Before I was pinned to the Goshinboku, I was a real punk kid; didn't think twice about practicing the Kaze-no-Kizu whenever I felt like it, no matter who might get hurt.”

 

She bit her lip, thinking carefully. “So, you're saying that you had to be ready for the responsibility before I could be born, because I'm the only one that could release Tetsusaiga… because the Jewel needed the Tetsusaiga to protect the human Shikon miko?”

 

He whistled admiringly. “That makes sense… in a really scary sort of way.”

 

Kagome stroked the tattered hilt. “When I opened the Tetsusaiga's case that day, its youki first snarled at me, but then it kinda… hugged me, like it was telling me not to be afraid.”

 

Sha rested the sword across her lap and ran his hands through her hair in exactly the same way that Tetsusaiga's youki had soothed her fears. “It has good taste in women,” he murmured and then tilted her face towards his for a tender, lingering kiss. When they broke apart, Kagome's eyes were misty and her cheeks tinted pink, her lips parted as she caught her breath… and he had to restrain himself from pouncing on her right there and then. Instead, he reluctantly said, “We'd better finish the folding so when the call comes, we're ready to go.”

 

“I suppose so,” she sighed, and they slowly untangled themselves. A couple of kimono later, Kagome impulsively reached over and squeezed Sha's hand. “I'm glad that we had this time to ourselves,” she murmured.

 

“Me, too.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“I'm wiped,” Kagome announced a couple of hours later, pushing away from the homework spread over the table.

 

“I'm impressed that you've held out this long,” Sha commented from the futon, which had been folded up into a couch to facilitate his horizontal television-viewing. “You had an early start today.”

 

The young woman yawned and stretched her arms up over her head. “It seems to be taking them a while… do you think everything's all right?” she asked as she eyed the images flickering across the television screen; the volume had been turned down so low that only Sha could hear it. A definite advantage of having a dog-eared hanyou as a husband; we can be in the same room while I'm studying!

 

“Sess'll call as soon as the coast is clear,” Sha said, keeping his own niggling concerns to himself. “Why don't you have a nap?”

 

“Mmm… good idea,” she mumbled, loosening her hair from the messy up-do she'd created using his leather hair tie and a couple of the fancy combs.

 

He admired the way the glossy strands tumbled down around her face and over her shoulders, then noted the way she was speculatively eyeing the couch. “C'mere,” he invited, shifting onto his side and patting the narrow open space beside him. “Room for two… if you don't mind very close quarters.”

 

“I've slept sitting up in a train at rush hour, and when somebody's butt is in your face, that's `close quarters'!”

 

Chuckling, he turned off the television before reaching down and shaking out the folded blanket currently covering his feet. As he held open the thick fabric for her, Kagome didn't hesitate, sliding in with her back to him and cuddling against the length of his body. Taking over one half of his pillow while he was busy arranging the blanket over them, she gave every appearance of being perfectly happy with the arrangement. Sha wasn't about to argue; instead, he slid one arm under her neck and draped the other one over her waist. Dammit, she smells so good… she's so warm… and in my bed…

 

After they were settled, and just as he realized that staying even semi-conscious for security purposes was going to be difficult, Kagome whispered, “I missed you this morning when I woke up,” sounding mildly reproachful.

 

“Didn't think it'd be a good idea for your mother to find me in bed with you, considering that I didn't exactly come in through the front door,” he mumbled into her hair.

 

“That could've been a tricky conversation,” she sleepily agreed, and tucked her slender hand inside his much larger one. Sha squeezed gently in response; the only sound after that was their breathing, and he sensed the moment Kagome fell asleep in the way her body fully relaxed against his. Pressing a kiss to the nape of her neck, he dozed off with a smile curving his lips.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

The hanyou woke after an hour or so with absolutely no desire to move any time soon. I really should phone Sess… really, I should… but, another twenty minutes won't matter. Sighing deeply, he nuzzled the delicate skin behind Kagome's ear as he cuddled her a little closer and fell back asleep.

 

Kagome awakened shortly thereafter with Sha's breath on her neck and his body spooned intimately against hers… and a strong feeling of contentment and intense attraction thrumming through her veins. As she ran her fingertip over the sharply-pointed claw on the end of his index finger, he stirred.

 

“Time to get moving?” came a low, sexy rumble as Sha rose up on one elbow.

 

Kagome looked over her shoulder at the golden-eyed man before squirming onto her back. They gazed at each other for a long moment before she boldly cupped his face between her palms. “You have the most beautiful eyes,” she murmured, brushing her thumbs over his cheeks as she admired his amber irises framed by thick black lashes. Her glance slid upwards. “And the cutest ears.”

 

Sha's knowing grin exposed his fang tips just before he ducked his head. “Go ahead… I know you wanna.” She giggled a little as she threaded her fingers into his hair and carefully rubbed around the thick, fleshy base of his ear, amazed at the muscle structure supporting it… and the deep, almost-purring sound emanating from his chest. “Little more to the left… yeah, that's it… gods, that feels good,” he groaned.

 

She took advantage of his obvious enjoyment to pet both ears at the same time, then was somewhat taken aback when he literally draped himself over her, his face ending up buried in her bosom. When he sighed happily, she continued caressing the drooping, velvety triangles while he made appropriate noises of encouragement until he admitted, “I don't let just anybody touch my ears, ya know.”

 

“Good, because I don't let just anybody cuddle up to my breasts, either.”

 

There was a pause, and then Sha let out a bark of laughter. “What's that word? Touché?” he chortled, but he didn't move from his comfortable spot. When he finally did, Kagome caught her breath. His eyes had darkened to a shade of golden-bronze, with a softened quality that made her heart skip a beat. When he closed the gap between them, she eagerly met him half way, fully conscious of his weight pressing her into the futon and the way his arms tightened around her as their kiss became more heated. When his tongue teased the seam between her lips, she willingly opened to him and wasn't quite able to suppress her soft moan of pleasure. She had just returned the favour and begun exploring his fangs when her stomach growled. Loudly.

 

Sha broke the kiss, laughing softly; as her eyes flew open, he kissed her forehead. “Somebody's hungry… even after all that great food?”

 

Kagome blinked rapidly as the hanyou threw off the blanket, rolled over her, and stood up before offering her his hand. “You've never tried eating while wearing a tightly-cinched obi, have you?” she retorted, wondering why he backed off so easily, but also feeling the tiniest bit relieved. She had part of her answer when she noticed the significant bulge in the front of his jeans, which just happened to be at her eye-level, before he raised her to her feet. The confirmation came when he enfolded her in a tender hug.

 

“I don't know if I could stop if we kept on going,” he whispered in her ear, “and your scent tells me that you're not ready for that.”

 

“I-I'm sorry….”

 

“Don't be; there's no need to rush things between us.” Releasing her with real reluctance, Sha noted in passing that it was growing dark outside. Kagome's stomach growled again and he headed for the kitchen. “I have fresh ramen, but I'm running low on vegetables,” he grumbled once he'd reminded himself of the sparse contents of the small refrigerator.

 

“Is there a market nearby?”

 

“A couple of blocks up the street.”

 

“We could walk up… what?” she asked at his frown.

 

Sha scratched his ear. “Dunno if that's a good idea, considering what happened the last time we ventured out in public, and you can't exactly take your weapons.”

 

“Oh… right,” she mumbled, involuntarily shivering.

 

“I'll send one of the guardsmen,” he decided. “Better make a list.” As he located a pencil and paper, he watched Kagome walk slowly across the room. She pressed her nose against the window, staring outside with a stoic expression that caused the hanyou to make a split-second decision that he hoped wouldn't backfire. Keeping her cooped up in order to protect her just might break her spirit after all. “On the other hand, we could both use some fresh air and the guardsmen have been cooling their heels in the elevator lobby all afternoon; they're probably bored out of their minds and wouldn't mind stretching their legs,” Sha declared

 

Kagome's face brightened and she practically bounced across the room to collect her leather jacket from her suitcase. However, when she tried to put it on, she discovered a problem. “It won't fit over my sweatshirt!”

 

Sha glanced up from where he was sliding Tetsusaiga into its carrying case. “You can borrow one of my t-shirts,” he offered.

 

Kagome quickly located a white v-neck example and darted into the laundry room to change… then eyed herself askance. This neckline is a little lower than I normally would like, but I'll just keep my jacket zipped up. She was back out in the main room and in the process of pulling her hair free of the jacket's collar when Sha noticed the view provided by her new top.

 

“You can borrow my t-shirts any time,” he smirked, eyeing her modest cleavage. “Specially that one.”

 

She put her nose in the air as she fastened her jacket, but after he slung the Tetsusaiga across his back, she stepped right up and took the concealment anchor out of his hand. When he bowed his head for her to slip the necklace over his ears, she kissed his forehead. Settling the magatama into the dip of his collarbone, she was about to step away but he cupped the back of her head with his hand and pulled her in to brush his lips across her cheek.

 

After he'd called the guardsmen to warn them of the upcoming expedition, not to mention give them time to rub the sleep out of their eyes, Sha locked the apartment door behind them. As they walked down the corridor to the elevators, he offered her his arm. Taking it with a smile, Kagome chuckled, “How domestic of us… going grocery shopping!”

 

Sha shot her a dry look. “It's about as close to `domesticated' as I'll ever get.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“Brrr! This wind… it's really gusting!” Kagome complained a half-hour later, pulling the collar of her jacket up around her ears and hunching her shoulders as she shoved her hands in her pockets. The bag of groceries then bounced off her thigh with every step, so she gave up and tried instead to pull her hand as far up inside her sleeve as possible. “It seems to be looking for bare skin to freeze!”

 

“Could be,” Sha agreed absently, his invisible ears twirling as he monitored the sounds and smells of the street for possible threats and keeping one eye on the placement of their escort. Planning on which side to dodge around the family puttering along in front of them and blocking most of the sidewalk, he was momentarily distracted when a grumbling Kagome huddled into his side.

 

“Isn't she cute?” the young woman commented in an undertone a moment later, smiling at the little pig-tailed girl traipsing along ahead of them, hanging onto her long-suffering big brother's hand and jabbering a mile a second. Just then, the stuffed black piglet dangling by its hind leg from the toddler's chubby hand went bouncing across the sidewalk, and Kagome instantly dove for it as the panicked wails started. The act of extending her arm caused her sleeve to ride up… and the wind struck.

 

An airy coil wrapped around her forearm and something bit down hard on her wrist. “Ouch!” she yelped, snatching back her hand, but recovered quickly enough to retrieve the toy and present it to the child.

 

“Thank you!” the mother exclaimed, bowing. “She'd have been inconsolable without her Ryoga!” With some maternal urging and a nudge from her big brother, the little girl bobbed a bow, clutching the piglet to her chest in a death grip.

 

Kagome rubbed her throbbing wrist as she returned the bow; Sha instantly hovered. “What's wrong?” he asked in a low voice, the guardsmen drawing closer into a defensive circle.

 

“I know it sounds silly, but it really feels like something bit me,” she confessed.

 

Bending closer to peer at her skin, he frowned lightly. “I don't see any marks.” Sniffing, he added, “There's a bit of a funny smell, but it could be from that kid's toy.” Tucking his hand under her elbow, he drew her into his side, hoping that the sick feeling in his stomach wasn't a harbinger of disaster. Bracketed by the guardsmen, they hustled towards the apartment building.

 

They had only gone half a block when Kagome suddenly observed, “That crazy wind has completely died down.”

 

Sha tightened his grip. “Do you think there's a connection?”

 

Her wrist gave a sharp twinge as she replied, “I hope not.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

The tiny kitchen barely accommodated two adults, but neither really minded because the close quarters gave them plenty of opportunity to brush up against each other as vegetables and noodles were cooked and tea brewed. While Kagome portioned out the food and located chopsticks, Sha took the cups to the table.

 

“Are you going to call your brother after dinner?” she asked, breaking the companionable silence as they slurped.

 

“Yeah. I'm sorta hoping that `no news is good news',” he answered, chasing a piece of tofu around his bowl before cornering it. “How's the arm?”

 

“Still sore.”

 

After downing the broth in his bowl, he suggested, “I'll bet some of that green tea ice cream you talked me into buying will fix you right up.”

 

“Worth a try,” she gamely smiled as he disappeared into the kitchen.

 

As Sha plucked two bowls out of the cupboard and then reached into the freezer, the hair on the back of his neck stood straight up at Kagome's panicked cry. Lunging around the corner, he was brought up short by the sight of blackened vine-like markings coiling malevolently around her wrist and snaking up her bare arm before disappearing under her sleeve. A moment later, darkness bloomed in the centre of her chest. “Kagome! What…?”

 

Rising to her knees, the young woman swayed drunkenly as she stared down at the evil-looking markings. What's happening? Ice flooded through her veins and she lost control of her muscles. Strong arms caught her before she hit the floor, but she realized with a sense of horror that she was paralyzed. I can't speak or see! My body… it's so heavy… can't move….

 

Hello, little miko. Shall we dance?

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“Honestly! How long does it take those idiots to get into position?”

 

“Patience, my friend.”

 

“We've been sitting here for hours!”

 

A cell phone display glowed in the darkened back seat beside the speaker, revealing long, metal claws. “Fifteen minutes, actually.”

 

“Well, it seems like hours. I'm sooo bored!”

 

“You'll be seeing plenty of action soon enough. Be thankful you were assigned to this operation instead of the other.”

 

A histrionic sigh was heaved. “I suppose you're right.”

 

A perky J-pop tune broke the silence in the front seat; there was a brief, terse exchange before the cell phone was snapped shut. “They're ready.”

 

“Oooh, wait a minute! I have to touch up my lipstick!”

 

The man in the passenger seat's white teeth glinted in the light cast by the tiny mirror as he watched his compatriot apply a layer of gloss. When the cosmetics were stowed, he casually waved his hand. “Fire when ready.” The misshapen driver grunted as he pressed a button mounted on the side of the steering wheel, and as two missiles roared out of the ports and blasted the Sunset Shrine's wooden entrance gates into splinters, the flash from the explosions lit up the four-pointed star on the speaker's forehead. “Remember… we get a hefty bonus for taking the son alive.”

 

“Everyone else is fair game, right?” the lipstick-wearing member asked eagerly.

 

“Especially the family cat; there's a bounty on her head, too.”

 

“On a cat?”

 

“Who cares? Narakage Hitomi's money is good.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

A/N: Haori-himo: When Japanese men put on their most formal traditional clothing, their black haori are held closed by a white cord ornamented with a fluffy tassel. This cord is the vestige of a practical accessory worn by samurai to tie back their sleeves if they were ambushed. The haori-himo's original form is prominently featured in Rurouni Kenshin as a distinguishing feature of the Shinsengumi uniform.

 

Takoyaki: Grilled octopus balls. Part of the attraction of this snack food is the contrast between the crisp exterior, the silky interior and the chewy morsel of octopus; divine when served piping hot and drizzled with spicy takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayo.

 

Shouki: Naraku's signature weapon; most commonly translated as `miasma' in the VIZ manga, it literally means `swamp gas'.

 

Seijinshiki: the national day of celebration, where all young women and men who turn twenty in that year and are therefore of legal age put on their finest furisode kimono or haori and hakama (or suit and tie) to be fêted by family with formal portraits, banquets and their first legal tastes of saké. This national recognition includes all citizens and supersedes the traditional mogi and genpuku ceremonies, held respectively for 14-year-old girls and 15-year-old boys from the samurai class. Seijinshiki takes place on the second Monday in January.