InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Love a Hime ❯ To Love a Hime ( Chapter 1 )

 

<b>To Love a Hime</b>

By Rinseternalsoul posted Feb. 14, 2006

 

**Disclaimer: I can only dream of having the money that Rumiko Takahashi makes off of her anime, Inuyasha. Me? I'm just a non-profit fanfiction author who adores the show and loves to write smut.

 

<i>Summary: The Inu no Taisho, Toga meets the beautiful hime, Izayoi, and decides to make her his own. **Warning Lemon included.</i>

 

 

 

A/N: My gift to you on Valentine's Day! This is unlike my usual smutty one-shots. This one is full of sweet tender fluffiness. It's also a really long one-shot, because I tried to capture the magic growing between the two. I hope you all enjoy it!

 

I originally planned to post this in The House of Lemons on AFF.net, but considering that it is down until March, I am going to post it outside of it for now, because I really wanted to give you all a sweet love story for Valentine's Day. I will post it the THOL after AFF is back on track.

 

 

 

Thanks to my Hentai Sis KogasAngel for helping me brainstorm through the first portion of this. Without her, I'm not sure if it would have ever gotten started! Love ya girl!

 

 

~~~~****~~~~

 

 

The thick blood of life coated his silk clothing, dripping down his legs to pool on the ground at his feet. <i>Damn Hyoga and his wretched horde</i>. It had taken all of his great strength to finally seal that moth devil to the Tree of Ages. Toga leaned against the rough trunk at his back and sank down to rest and recover from his wounds.

 

With a heavy sigh he reflected on the battle, trying to determine if there was a way that he could have avoided becoming so seriously injured. When Hyoga and his army of soul stealing demons followed the Mongol hordes from the continent, it became clear that not only were his own Western Lands threatened, but the entire of Japan. It was not only his duty, but his honor to carry the battle to the invading beasts. Unfortunately for that foul demon, Hyoga was unprepared to meet the Great Dog General, Lord over the Western Territories, and that mistake cost him his life.

 

The battle had been hard and bloody. The clash of two powerful titans rocked the oceans and ripped through the sky. So fierce was the initial struggle, that most, if not all, of the human enemy soldiers were lost to the raging seas along with their inferior vessels. Once the battle between he and Hyoga moved to land, it became apparent that the fool thought to rule the world by sucking the souls from every living creature. It was disgusting, and insane. He knew that he had to stop him at any cost.

 

`Sesshomaru.' He muttered the name of his eldest son. His proud arrogant whelp of a son. He hoped that he fared well against his own opponents. The last he had sight of him was over the ocean, and at the time seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. Toga sighed deeply, but winced from the flash of pain that burned through his midsection. This was going to take some time to heal. Using his fang to seal Hyoga to the Tree of Life had been a hunch that thankfully had worked. With the wounds he held now, it was doubtful if he could have survived much longer.

 

The inu taiyoukai lay his head back and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply of the sakura blossoms lying all around him. The winds and rain from the battle had all but stripped the sweet smelling flowers from the cherry trees. Still the petals floated to the ground around him as the remnants of the storm flitted by. No, he determined after playing out the events in his mind, there was no way to avoid the damages. He had faced a formidable foe. Escaping a battle, against one such as Lord Hyoga, without injury was impossible. Resigning himself to the fact that he could have done nothing more, Toga relaxed and drifted into a healing sleep.

 

Izayoi kneeled at the feet of her father while the handsome Takemaru of Setsuna sat by his side. Takemaru was a dear friend of the family, and destined to be her husband soon. She smiled shyly at the young Lord, who was always polite and clearly entranced with her beauty. She turned away with a blush and focused her attention on the delicate teacup in her hands.

 

She liked Takemaru, and she could not deny that he was very handsome, but she could not help wishing for something more. Would she ever grow to love him? Would her heart ever soar at the sight of him, and would her mind ever haze over in bliss when he was near? Love. Was love ever to be in her future?

 

Shaking her head ever so slightly Izayoi tried to push away those offensive thoughts. She was a princess, and her duty was to her Lord father who had given his blessing to this union for the expansion of his territories. Love was something found in fairytales, not real life. She should be thankful that her husband-to-be was a kind and handsome man that would take good care of her. She should not be wasting her time hoping for some flight of fancy called `true love'. How silly.

 

After tea, Takemaru-sama assisted her to her feet and bowed his thankfulness for the visit. “I must apologize, my lady, but I have much to attend to in Setsuna. I should be on my way.” Izayoi nodded in understanding, and thanked him for the kind visit. She then bowed to her father and took her leave. She barely noticed her ladies in waiting that followed her out of the room as well, for she had once more fallen deep into thought.

 

Why did she not feel excited around the young lord? Why did she feel such dread of their future union? Time and again she had chastised herself for such traitorous thoughts, but time and again they returned to haunt her. Takemaru would make a wonderful husband. If only she could make herself love him as he deserved. He was everything that she could want in a husband. He was handsome, kind, responsible, and wealthy. What more could she ask for? One word slipped in unbidden by the lovely young hime.

 

<i>Love</i>

 

`Ridiculous,' she mumbled to herself as she once more called upon her honor and sense of duty. It would not do to dwell on such fanciful ideals such as true love. It was a childish dream.

 

After returning to her rooms, Izayoi situated herself with dainty grace on the lush cushions preparing to resume her needlework. She and her ladies chatted idly of the powerful storm that passed last night. It was rumored that a huge army from the mainland had attempted to attack Japan, but the Great Spirit of the Sky had protected them from such a fate by destroying the Mongols. Izayoi listened but made no comment on such a matter. It was simply too frightening to think that they may have been so close to death.

 

Thoughts of love and war swam in her mind until she could take it no more. She suddenly felt trapped and anxious; in need of escape from the chatter of her maids, as well as the walls of her home. She needed some time alone to think. “I would ask you all to leave now. I feel a headache coming on and will rest for a bit.”

 

“Yes, my lady,” came their immediate reply. Izayoi breathed a sigh of relief when the four of them slid the shoji screen door closed behind them. Still, she felt the need for fresh air and open spaces. Izayoi stood and tiptoed lightly to the door. She listened carefully for any sounds of movement, then slipped out.

 

Her heart beat faster as she made her way to the gardens, hoping with all her heart to avoid being detected. It was not proper for a lady to wonder about without an escort, but occasionally she simply had to be alone. It helped to ease her mind and clear her heart. She loved to walk amongst the Sakura trees behind her home. The orchard was beautiful and smelled sweet and wonderful this time of year.

 

Once out of the gardens, Izayoi gasped. The storm had caused chaos in the orchard, causing the lovely pink blossoms to fall onto the moist ground. All around her pink petals floated down almost weightlessly. It was lovely in the afternoon light, but sad as well. The trees would suffer a decline in fruit this season.

 

Slowly she strolled along, delighting in the chirp of small birds high above, and the sounds of the breeze as it pushed through the trees all around her. The scent of the blossoms were heady and sweet, as her dainty feet pushed forward, deeper into the orchard and further away from the rigors of her home. Izayoi inhaled and released slowly. She was beginning to relax and feel like herself again. It was delightful what a bit of peace and solitude could do to soothe the soul.

 

From the corner of her eye she caught the sight of something odd. Izayoi swiftly turned her head and strained her eyes to see better. Startled, it looked like a man up ahead, and she stilled in alarm. But when the man made no move, or sign that he was aware of her, she grew curious and a little concerned.

 

She could see the glint of the metal from his bulk of armor, so she knew that it was a warrior of some sort. Why was he way out here, alone? Could he be injured? She stepped closer slowly, making as little noise as possible with the cumbersome bulk of an elaborate kimono dragging the ground behind her. Now she could see the clothing was soaked in blood. She gasped, realizing that he was indeed injured and quickly ran to his side.

 

When she crouched down to see if he were still alive, it occurred to her that she had never seen suck lovely hair. It was pulled tight, high atop his head, and so thick that the trail of it hung down covering his face. She slipped a tiny hand up to move the shiny white mane aside, but jumped when her wrist was clasped tightly in a strong grip.

 

“I... I do apologize! I was feared you may be de...,” Izayoi breathed in fright. Her heart was now pounding so loudly in her chest that it echoed in her ears, but when the man turned his face to her she thought she might pass out completely.

 

He was beautiful, like a celestial being. His face was smooth, masculine, and very pale, with dark blue markings....

 

Suddenly her pulse found a whole new rhythm; one that would take her breath away in terror. “Demon!”

 

Piercing eyes of crystal gold leveled on her as she breathed the word. For all his otherworldly beauty, he was a thing to be feared. She had never seen a demon, as she had never left the safety of the palace, but tales of them were rampant amongst the gossip. Demons killed humans for pleasure and sport, drinking their blood and eating their souls. Would this handsome demon before her devour her alive?

 

Even through his pain, and through his embarrassment at being caught by a human in such a vulnerable position, Toga could still not deny the uncommon beauty of the young human female kneeling beside him. It was quite obvious, from the buttery scent of fear, that she had mistaken him for a human. He was further assured of this when she hissed the word `demon' as if he were a vile plague.

 

And <i>that</i> made him think of his dead mate, Suchako. If only she could have come to care for him before her demise.

 

Shaking his head of those despairing thoughts, he returned his gaze upon the girl. There was no hatred in her lovely face, just innocence and fear. Her big chestnut-brown eyes were full of it, though she shed no tears, and she pleaded not for her life. He looked downward, now seeing her fully. Her kimono was impressive, and her hair long and flowing, pooling on the ground around her feet. The wrist he held so easily in his grasp was very small and slender. Her skin smooth and delicate with thin, softly shaped claws, which spoke of an easy life. This woman was no commoner. She was royalty.

 

“Tell me woman, do you often fondle men in their sleep?”

 

She snorted with indignation and flushed a brilliant shade of red. He fought the urge to chuckle at her embarrassment, and acknowledged the fact that she was no mans well-kept mistress, Her obvious innocence was refreshing, and for some unearthly reason he found himself wishing to detain her just a bit more.

 

“How dare you!” Izayoi spat at the rude demon. “I will have you know that you are speaking to the Princess Izayoi of Hitoyoshi!”

 

Toga made no acknowledgement that her name meant anything of importance, instead he regarded her curiously. She still had not demanded that he release her, which he found highly intriguing. “Why then, Lady, do you approach me in such a manner?” he asked, now genuinely curious as to what she would say.

 

Izayoi swallowed the knot that seemed to be firmly lodged in her throat, and then attempted to answer without her voice shaking. “You are injured. I simply...,” her voice trailed off as she looked down at the pooling blood at her knees. “Oh my. You are gravely injured.” Without a second thought she pulled free of his hand, twisted and began filing through several layers of silken garb before choosing a layer for sacrifice. The delicate material tore easily once she bit into it and gave a good hard jerk. She ripped it off in a long strip and turned back to the demon.

 

To say that he was shocked was a vast understatement. This woman... this <i>human</i> woman, was willing to push aside her fear to help him, an injured demon. His original instinct was to scoff at her efforts, but something once more kept him silent. Instead he grunted with the effort to remove the heavy armor from his body, in order for her to reach his wound. She seemed to cringe at his pain, and that made him all the more curious about her. Never had he met a human with such a kind heart.

 

“What is your name,” Izayoi asked softly as she peeled the sticky layers of clothing out of the gaping wound. She tried not to think about the vile task, choosing to converse with the demon instead of thinking on all that blood.

 

“I am the Inu no Taisho, Toga, Lord of the Western Lands,” he replied through clenched teeth as she picked the cloth from his injury.

 

Her hands stilled briefly. A taiyoukai. She was sitting here alone in the orchard with a taiyoukai. `Dear Kami, please see fit to let me live,' she prayed silently, before once more continuing her gruesome task. An uncomfortable silence followed, and she once more instigated conversation. “How is it that a demon lord has found himself so horribly wounded?” When his body stiffened and his breathing halted briefly, she looked up and found him staring directly at her with those mesmerizing eyes.

 

He searched for any sign that the woman was being snide with her question, but he saw only curiosity. Truthfully it wounded his pride almost as much as his body to be in this position, but of course, he could not take this out on the onna, who only seemed to wish to help him. With a heavy sigh, he replied to her question, finding that it eased his mind a bit to speak of the recent battle. For some reason, he found it easy to talk to this pretty human beside him. He could still feel her fret over her current situation, but it had eased somewhat the longer that he talked.

 

His voice was a deep baritone that was soothing to her nerves, but left her feeling an odd warmth as well. She could not say that his voice was unpleasant at all, and she listened with fascination as he described the fearsome battle for all of their lives. Her fear and mistrust of this taiyoukai began to fade and turn into a feeling of respect for all that he was willing to sacrifice for the good of Japan.

 

Perhaps some of the terrible things that she heard about demons were untrue? She glanced up and found him watching her. She quickly looked away and peeled the last piece of red sticky cloth from his wound. Now she realized that she had a more disturbing problem. In order to properly wrap the wound he would have to pull his haori completely off. She hesitated before looking up again with uncertainty in her eyes. Much to her embarrassment, yet intrigue, he held her eyes as he slipped the ruined garment from his lean muscular shoulders. She felt strange, and her heart picked up its pace, but when she saw him flinch from obvious pain, all thoughts of impropriety vanished.

 

She reached up to help him with the last of it, and was finally able to see the extent of damage. It looked like a terribly devastating wound. A wound that would result in death. The thought of death must have shown in her eyes when she looked from the wound to his face, because he immediately sought to ease her worry. “Do not waste your fears for me. I am youkai. These wounds will heal within two days time.” Her eyes grew wide with shock before becoming once more hidden by thick beautiful dark hair.

 

Izayoi held the strip of cloth awkwardly, trying to figure out how to wrap the very male chest without actually touching him, and Toga found himself amused at her plight. As she leaned in, finally building her nerve, he held his arms up, to give her access to his torso. Her scent invaded his nose and he inhaled deeply of it. She smelled nice. Like a delicate flower. It was a soft soothing aroma and he was sure that he could happily drown in it.

 

His chest, though torn and raw where the worst of his injury lay, was broad and chiseled to perfection. Not a spec of hair could be found and Izayoi wondered if the smooth pale skin was a soft as it looked. She was forced to lean forward in order to wrap the cloth tightly around his mid-section. Her fingers brushed over his skin causing a strange warmth to swim in her belly. Izayoi was embarrassed to admit to herself that she liked the feel of him. He was like stone covered in silken softness. It made her blush.

 

A smile touched the corners of his mouth, when the hime reached around him. He could smell her excitement and nervousness as well as her innocence. It was rather an intoxicating scent, and he silently cursed the fact that she was human. A demoness would have masked her scents, but the human onna had not the ability to do so. It made it very hard to keep his composure in tact.

 

Her long ebony hair tickled his chest when he leaned forward, giving her better access for bandaging his wound. The movement placed his nose very close to her slender neck. He marveled not only at her unhealthy trust of him, but at her soft delicate scent playing havoc with his mind. Toga fought the urge to bury his face in her hair and lick that smooth skin behind her ear. The dog demon breathed a sigh of relief when she finally moved away.

 

A pretty blush covered the Lady when she once more set back away from him, and Toga found himself enjoying it very much. As disheartening as it were, he decided that he could come to grow fond of such a woman. Izayoi tried to find her voice. It seemed to evade her when she noticed him looking at her with such intent in his sun kissed eyes. What was he thinking? After several awkward moments, she was finally able to say, “I must return to the castle now. If I am gone too long they will come looking for me. I would not wish them to find you here.”

 

Toga nodded to the pretty onna. “This Toga is grateful for your kindness, my lady.” She smiled at him, and he liked the bright sparkle in her soft doe-like eyes. She stood then to leave, but turned back and said, “Those bandages will not be sufficient for your healing. I shall return first before dusk with the appropriate supplies, as well as food and water.”

 

Toga regarded her curiously. She meant to return? She would further aid his recovery, risking her reputation and possible punishment? He could not accept that. “No, onna, you shall not. It would be unseemly for one such as yourself to be found aiding a demon. I will not stand for your suffering were you to be discovered.”

 

Izayoi's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and then she smiled warmly at her new unorthodox friend. “Do not fear for my safety. I have become quite the expert at slipping away unnoticed.” Before he could say another word she turned, pulling the heavy length of her kimono up just a fraction before gliding away as if she were never there. She was there, though, and traces of her scent lingered to tease the taiyoukai. He leaned back, inhaling deeply before closing his eyes in welcome of the healing rest.

 

Izayoi felt positively giddy with her secret. She knew that it was wrong. She knew that her father would be furious if he discovered that she had assisted a wounded demon lord. The warning signals banged and shouted in her head, but she chose to ignore them all. There was just something about the demon that drew her to him. Although her feelings scared her to death, she found that she could hardly wait to return to him.

 

The day passed by slowly, causing Izayoi to feel a bit anxious through most of it. She found herself thinking of the demon often, wondering if he was doing well, and if he were safe. Thoughts of the innocent touch caused her to giggle softly while threading her needle. The ladies in waiting asked what amused her so, but she only shook her head with a smile. She could not tell them of her secret, for they could not be trusted not to shout it to the Heavens.

 

When the evening meal was ended, she had managed to retain several pieces of bread as well as some fried dumplings. She wasn't sure what demons ate, but hoped that it would suit him. She carefully stashed a waterskin along with the food before packing bandaging cloths and healing salve.

 

`I have obviously lost my senses,' Izayoi thought as she dashed through the gardens, careful to avoid detection by the palace guard. She felt a little guilty, lying to her handmaidens about her health. They were clearly worried that her feigned headache continued to plague her. Unfortunately it was the only way to escape their presence.

 

The orange glow of the sun cast a soft luminous light over the landscape. She thought, briefly, how lovely it was, before once again maneuvering through the huge cheery trees. After a matter of moments she spotted him ahead. Her heart was racing in her chest and she wondered if it were from fear of something else? She paused and took in a deep breath of courage before continuing on her way. He never moved, as if he were sleeping heavily... or dead.

 

Quickly she kneeled beside of him and then reached up, to touch his arm, hoping to awaken him if he were still alive. He looked so still, and she could not even detect the rise and fall of his chest. “Toga-sama?” He made no move, and she began to fear the worst, but when she moved her hand from his arm to his face, she was immediately aware of his consciousness. She gasped softly in surprise when his clawed hand clamped down over her own, pressing her hand closer to his smooth cheek. The action was meant to still her touch upon his person, but Toga found that he liked the feel of her soft tiny fingertips. He could hear the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat pounding in his ears, as she waited for him to release her.

 

When it became clear that he was not going to simply let her hand go, the lovely young hime blushed furiously and looked down and away. Izayoi did not know what to think of the tender touch from such a magnificently handsome creature. He fit in no description of any demon encounter repeated by those in her father's court. It left her intrigued and more than a little frightened. Not only was he deadly, and able to end her life with the flick of a wrist, but he was dangerously pleasant to look upon. `Why is he holding my hand like this? Why is he staring at me so intently?'

 

Regretfully, Toga released the hand of the princess Izayoi. He feared that her heart may actually burst in her chest if he did not. Her sweet scent teased his senses hinting at the pure aroma of true innocence. It was a most inviting experience, the taiyoukai determined, and one that he would certainly miss when he finally took his leave of this place.

 

“How do you feel?” Izayoi whispered with a voice that sounded foreign to her ears. It sounded huskier than usual, showing how much his touch had actually effected her. Why did this youkai make her feel so strange? She studied his face, so close to her own, as she waited for his reply. His golden eyes shimmered with the fading light and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't tear her gaze from his. Only when the deep timbre of his voice was heard could she pull her traitorous eyes away and focus on the task at hand.

 

“Better. How is it that you come here unattended, princess?” Toga asked. He had his suspicions, but was anxious to hear her voice affirm them. She looked for a moment in the direction of her palace home, where he was sure there were a bevy of fussing women ready to wait upon her hand and foot. With a heavy sigh she said, “They do not know that I am gone.”

 

He found this quite humorous, and chuckled a bit, before sucking in a breath and regretting that action. The pain from the inner injuries sliced through him like a searing hot iron. It was obvious that he still had some recovering to do. When Izayoi heard the rumbling sound of a... chuckle? She looked up in surprise and a smile curved her full pink lips. He was extraordinarily handsome with a splash of humor on his face, but almost as soon as it came, it twisted into a grimace of pain. “Oh my! Are you well? Is there anything that I can do to help you?”

 

Her melodious voice lulled him to relax and the dagger-like pain eased somewhat. He once more opened his sun kissed eyes and looked upon the enigmatic woman tending so carefully to his wounds. Human. She was nothing like what he expected a pampered human hime to be. Humans could be selfish and barbaric creatures using deceit and lies to get what they want. What could she possibly want from him?

 

“Why do you help this Toga?” His voice came out softer than he meant it to, but he accepted the betrayal of his vocal chords in stride. She paused in wrapping his body and said, “I can not stand to see anything suffer in such a manner when I can do something to help.” Toga regarded her, considering her sincerity, and finding her true. No lie sullied her tone. No deceit tripped her heart. Could it be that not all humans hated his kind? Could this pretty young hime be different than thousands of others like her?

 

All too soon she had completed her task of properly dressing his wounds. Izayoi then pulled out the food and water, leaving them beside him. “There is water and food here, my Lord. I would hope that you will be inclined to eat and drink. It will help you to regain your strength.” As she said this, she thought how silly that statement really was. This was no mere human man. This demon lord had the strength of two dozen human men, probably still in the weakened state he was currently in.

 

“Doomo Arigato, my Lady. Your kindness is greatly appreciated,” Toga replied with sincerity. He did not tell her that he did not eat human food, because for some strange reason he did not wish to disappoint her.

 

The sun was sinking lower. Its fiery light now dimming, as it sank lower behind the distant mountain tops. Izayoi gracefully arose to her small dainty feet and bid her demon farewell.

 

`Her' demon? She scoffed at her own foolishness. `As if he were some pet!' No, this demon was far from a pet. He was fully male, powerful and very dangerous, in more ways than one.

 

He watched her go, while his mind tried to make sense of this woman called Izayoi.

 

~~~***~~~

 

On the third day Izayoi slipped out of her room and headed for the garden. In a carefully wrapped cloth she carried a steamed fish and a sweet rice ball. By her side she carried a new waterskin, filled with fresh clean water. As she crept past a Japanese Magnolia and around the small coy pond, she thought of Toga, the demon lord in her care. Since she happened upon his injured form days ago, she found that he had taken up a permanent place in her mind. During her morning meal she wondered how he fared through the night, and as she sipped her afternoon tea she thought of his beautiful mane of soft white hair.

 

The short times spent with him proved to be her motivation for the day. They conversed rather easily, asking questions of one another and answering. She had learned quite a bit about Toga in the past two days, even that he had a grown son by the name of Sesshomaru. He asked her of her home and pleasures, of which she spoke freely. It was as if she had known him all of her life.

 

“Lady Izayoi.”

 

She whirled around in a flurry of silk furisodes, her extremely long dark hair moved with her body, falling in a flurry over her shoulder. “Takemaru...”

 

“May I ask where it is that you are headed my Lady?” Takemaru asked, dropping his eyes to the tell-tell waterskin and food packed cloth. He looked immediately back to her angelic face and found fear flushed over her features. Something was most definitely amiss. If he didn't know better, he would think that she was aiding someone with nourishment... Secretly. A wave of anger flushed his body as suspicion flooded his mind. She looked like a rabbit caught by the fox.

 

“Guards!!! Guards!!!” Takemaru shouted, and in seconds over one dozen soldiers stood ready to do his bidding. “Search the orchard! It is believed that an enemy takes refuge there!”

 

He stalked over to his future wife. Izayoi. Beautiful Izayoi. “My Lady, perhaps you would be so kind as to explain the reasons that you carry food and water on your royal person? Where are your handmaidens?”

 

Thankfully he had given her a few extra seconds to consider a reasoning for her presence while shouting orders to the guards. Unfortunately it did little to quell the frantic rhythm of her heart, as she not only feared her own fate, but the fate of Toga. It took all of her training to hold a regal pose beneath his accusations, but she felt that she managed quite well. “If you must know, I wished for some time to be alone to reflect upon my feelings over our upcoming nuptials. I decided to have an evening picnic in the orchard.”

 

Takemaru narrowed his gaze on her, and she could not help thinking that even with this angered mask, he was a very handsome man. He stepped up and lowered his voice. “Quite inappropriate for a princess, don't you think?” He then stepped back as if it were no concern to him at all, then said in a dismissing tone, “Never-the-less, the guard shall confirm the grounds are free of intruders.”

 

Would they find him? She feared for his life. When she saw him last evening he was still too injured to move. She missed seeing him this morning for her father insisted that she spend the morning discussing her wedding arrangements with a village woman hired to head the proceedings. She had no idea if Toga had regained his strength enough to escape the soldiers. All she could do now was pray to the Kami above to spare them both.

 

Takemaru studied his love with narrowed eyes, watching for any signs of deceit. It was not necessarily out of character for Izayoi to sneak away from her maidservants for time alone, in fact, that was one of the things that endeared her to him. Her independent mind. She was not afraid to step outside of the mold that culture dictated for her. She would make a fine and able wife ruling by his side. Still though, it was uncanny to find her with food and water. He looked away and surveyed the tree line where the palace soldiers had disappeared moments before. It would be disappointing to be forced to discipline his pretty little fiancé for coercing with a rouge samurai.

 

Izayoi counted down the seconds to her fate; waiting for the moment one of the guardsmen would sound an alarm. Would they kill Toga on sight, or attempt to capture him for interrogation?

 

Suddenly the captain of the guard came running from the orchard and fell to one knee in front of Takemaru. “Sire! The orchard is empty of intruders. Shall we continue the search outward?

 

Takemaru frowned and glanced once more to Izayoi. “Iie. Call the troops back and return to your posts.”

 

Izayoi hid her surprise well, but behind the cool composure she was filled with thoughts of the taiyoukai. `He has gone then?' One part of her was very grateful that it was so, but a tiny portion of the young hime wished that she could have said farewell.

 

 

~~~***~~~

 

Thoughts of her plagued him. In his dreams he saw her lovely smiling face, so innocent and caring. Trust shone brightly in her soft eyes. Her voice haunted him, and he cursed the damnable Fates for placing him in her path. Time and again he fought with himself over the onna. It was highly unlike him to be so distracted, by a mere female. Distracted? No. It was more like an obsession.

 

Three times since the day he left her orchard had he returned to see her. Never once did he alert her to his presence, instead watching from afar as she sat amongst the palace gardens, enjoying the shady cover of a large old magnolia tree. Her maidens sat around her, busy with stitching some nonsense or other while chatting happily about nothing at all. Her smile was fleeting but welcome like the morning sun. She was a delight in every way.

 

Why oh why could he not rid himself of these ridiculous notions? Why could he not escape the image of her face? Surely the Gods found his plight highly amusing. A demon of his stature, fantasizing over a mortal woman. Damnation! It was such cruel, cruel, torment!

 

The final horror of it all happened just this morn, when an impromptu visit to the home of his pretty little hime revealed a most distressing occasion. This very evening would host a celebration for the marriage of the Lady Izayoi to that fool Takemaru! They were to be wed the following day when the sun was high in the sky. Married! It should make no matter to one such as him, but it <i>did</i> make a difference. It pained him in a way that he was unfamiliar. A feeling of anxious dread filled his gut, and he decided that he did not like this feeling at all.

 

With hours of silent contemplation and deep self inspection, the taiyoukai finally came to a decision. He wanted her. He, the Great Inu no Taisho, ruler of the West, wanted her for himself.

 

This conclusion released him from the pained sensation, for it only meant one thing. He would have her. He, the Inu no Taisho always got what he wanted. No one had the power to deny him thus.

 

~~~***~~~

 

Izayoi grimaced when the final hairpin was put into place. She had endured being poked and prodded, pulled and wrapped, for hours and finally her ensemble was complete. “Takemaru-sama will be very pleased, my lady. You are beautiful.” Izayoi smiled dutifully. Yes, Takemaru. He was a kind soul and very much in love with her. She should be thankful for it all, but alas, she was not. Inside her heart yearned for golden eyes and a deep caressing voice. Why, oh why, does he haunt her so?!

 

Shameful thoughts flittered through her mind when all was quiet in the dark of night. Thoughts of touching his firm chest. Feeling his strong arms around her and his warm breath on her neck. It was nothing short of scandalous to think of any man in such a manner, especially a demon. For some reason though, the fact that he was not human did not shame her as much as it should have. In her mind he was not demon or human or anything else, he was a man. A powerful handsome man with a tantalizing voice and magical golden eyes.

 

`Does he think of me? Was I just a passing moment now forgotten? Dear Kami-sama, why can I not rid myself of him? Why, when my impending nuptials are so very close, do I find myself thinking of him instead of my future husband?' She questioned herself time and again, but it only served to further remind her of her current situation. She did not belong to Toga, and besides, he would not want her, a human onna, at any rate. No, he would want an equally powerful demoness by his side, not a weak mortal woman.

 

With a heavy sigh she turned with a strained smile to her handservants and thanked them all for assisting her to ready herself for the evening event; the festive occasion to celebrate her marriage to Takemaru of Setsuna on the morrow. Oh how she wished that she felt as festive as she should.

 

In the courtyard she bowed to her father and her fiancé, who was happy to compliment her on her beauty. She accepted with a polite gesture of appreciation and fell silent as the men began to discuss various war topics of no concern to her. She stood silently and faithfully by his side while occasionally greeting guests who came to give their well wishes for their future.

 

In time Izayoi excused herself and mingled through the crowd before pushing her way to a more remote section of the gardens where several young maidens like herself had gathered to speak of the latest gossip in the courts. She feigned interest, giggling when necessary and nodding as well, all the while thinking of this man who wishes to make her his wife, and comparing him to a demon who stirred her blood.

 

A commotion caught the attention of all those nearby and Izayoi looked around to see what caused such a fuss. It was then that she realized the peril that had fallen upon them all in the mere blink of an eye. She tried to ignore the cries of fear from the women at her side, as panic set in, but it was rather hard to do when they were so very persistent with their wailing.

 

All along the perimeter were the palace guards standing with wide surprised eyes and deadly claws waiting to pierce their throat. A demon stood behind each one, and it was obvious that they had been overtaken in a stealthy attack. There were dozens of armored youkai surrounding them! She searched the crowd and spotted her father and Takemaru-sama in much the same situation. Why were these demons attacking them?!

 

Suddenly the crowd parted and the reasons became clear. Through the startled, angry, and frightened mass of human guests, walked a tall and magnificent creature. It was him. Toga the Inu no Taisho. His piercing golden eyes were focused on her and her alone causing her breath to still in her chest. Why was he here? What could he want?

 

He looked so fierce in his heavy armor with his long white hair pulled high atop his head. His entire countenance shouted strength and power, confidence and control. He moved with purpose in his steps, and Izayoi wondered what that purpose could be. Had she made a mistake in trusting him? Would he turn her kindness against her now and bring harm to her family and friends?

 

Her beauty was extraordinary and her bravery in light of the current status of the palace guard was to be commended. All the other human females, and some men, were sobbing and begging to be spared. Izayoi, however met his gaze holding it with a pretty blush on her face. He could see it in her eyes that she was glad to see him, and that tiny bit of knowledge sent his heart racing in his chest. He could also see the uncertainty and question there. He worried not, for her questions would soon be answered. Yes. He would not regret this decision. She was meant for him.

 

He stepped up to her, ignoring the cries and gasps of the other women who were even now pressing as far away from him as possible. He ignored the shouts of the baka Takemaru, spouting empty threats. No one mattered here except her, the Lady Izayoi. He reached out and took her tiny hand in his own. “My fair lady, I have come for you.”

 

She was sure that her heart was going to leap right from her chest when he spoke those words. He had come for her? He had come for her! Suddenly all became clear, and the worries melted away. This was what she wanted. This was what she longed for. It was him all along. Her demon. She was in love with him.

 

“See here <i>Demon</i>, the Lady is spoken for! I am her father, and you have no right...”

 

Toga turned to face the insolent little man who dared question his authority to have exactly what he came here for. He narrowed his eyes on the man and stepped forward. “Cease this prattle, human. I, the Inu no Taisho, Lord of the Western Lands, have come for the Lady Izayoi. She will be mine, but do not fear, for in her honor you shall be well compensated for your loss.” Toga snatched the pouch of gold from his sash and tossed it to the floor. Coins spilled out, revealing the extent of the demon's generosity.

 

The human Lords eyes grew wide as he stared at his new found wealth, but it did nothing to soothe the angry Takemaru by his side. “Demon! The lady is spoken for! On the morrow she is to be <i>my</i> bride!” Toga barely spared the whelp a glance when he said, “I think not.” He took her hand once more and pulled it to his lips. He softly brushed his lips over her skin enjoying the wild beat of her heart pounding a rhythm in his ears.

 

With a surprised gasp she found herself lifted from her feet and into arms of steel. She felt a severe flush of red staining her face and strove to hide her embarrassment by pressing closer to him. A low bestial growl rumbled from his chest, and it clearly spoke of her effect on him. She looked up and he met her with those enchanting sun kissed eyes, now darkened with need.

 

He stepped out, and away from the crowd of whining, crying humans, and into the night. He barked the order to retreat, and then took to the air with his soldiers close behind. In a matter of hours they would arrive at the Western Palace and he would make her his and no one would ever take her away from him. His pretty young princess.

 

Izayoi stepped out of the steaming tub of lightly scented waters and was quickly wrapped in a drying cloth. The handservant was a female demon that kept looking at her with curiosity, but never spoke. Another began to brush her long hair while the first pulled out a white yukata to wear. In moments she was dressed and being led down a passage to a wide corridor. The servant girl knocked lightly on the shoji door before pushing it open, then she stepped aside for Izayoi to enter.

 

She looked around curiously, wondering where she was at, when her eyes fell on a stunning sight. Toga stood by a massive futon, dressed in nothing but his white silk hakama. No longer was his hair pulled back. It fell in an iridescent wave over his shoulders and back. His bare chest glistened in the candle light, perfect and completely absent of his previous injury. He was beautiful, with dark blue markings up his forearms and on his hips where his loosely tied hakama hid the rest from her view. After the initial shock Izayoi quickly turned her head away with a crimson blush.

 

He smirked at her shy demeanor in his presence and nodded curtly to the servant to leave them. Then he turned his full attention back on his prize. His delicate little orchid. His Izayoi. “Come, my Lady. Do not be shy, for you have seen me in this state of undress several times before.” Instead of calming her, his words seemed to take the opposite effect. Her pulse was racing and he could hear the blood coursing fast through her veins.

 

“Hai, sir, but at the time you were gravely injured,” she whispered breathlessly. Closer he came, taking confident strides, and she thought that she felt absolutely dizzy from it all. She feared what he wanted from her, but it excited her as well. She felt wanton with need for him to hold her, but also felt ashamed for having such thoughts. In moments though, his powerfully muscled arms wrapped around her, holding her close as he buried his face in the fall of her hair. He inhaled deeply, savoring her sweet scent. Yes, she was worth it all.

 

His touch clouded her mind and removed her doubts. She collapsed against him, and looked up with trust in her huge brown eyes. He watched her for a moment, memorizing every detail of her lovely face before settling on her full pink lips. Lips that called for him to take them beneath his own, and he did. Oh she was heaven on Earth. She slowly began to respond to his touch and he reveled in her delicate flesh. So soft and smooth and moist.

 

She moaned into him and he replied with a low growl before pulling her plump lower lip into his mouth. Her nibbled and licked it before pressing closer to slip his long tongue into her waiting cavern. She tasted of milk and honey, just as he imagined that she would. He pulled away when she needed air, and enjoyed the gasp for breath that she took. Toga then traced her soft cheek with tiny butterfly kisses down to her jaw, and lower, to the smooth column of her neck. He licked and lightly sucked over the beating pulse before moving to trace the delicate shell of her rounded human ear.

 

Her soft sounds of enjoyment began to mingle with the scent of her arousal and it served to make him hard with want of her. Instinctively he pressed his heavy need against her slender thigh and delighted in the pressure. Tonight he would make her his. The Inu no Taisho would take a mortal as his mate.

 

Slowly he moved his lethally clawed hands over her shoulders and back, tracing soothing circled upon her body as he lavished her neck, face and lips with kisses of adoration. She was pliant in his hands and he relished every caress. Her own gentle touch was driving him mad with desire, as her fingers trailed a fiery path of his broad chest.

 

She was so open to him, holding nothing of herself back. So ready to give herself over to his care. It made him feel like the most powerful creature to have ever walked the Earth, and he vowed to always keep her close to his heart.

 

Slowly he pushed the white silk from her smooth shoulders, revealing her flawless pale flesh for his eyes, and he drank in her beauty as if it were an intoxicating potion. Her knees buckled at the first press of his lips to the curve of her shoulder, and he wasted no time in pulling her into his arms. Swiftly Toga deposited his hime on the silk covered futon before continuing his exploration of her mortal flesh.

 

She had no idea when she had become nude before him and truthfully cared not. His touch set her on fire in ways that she never dreamed possible. She found herself arching into him and writhing about like a harlot, but it mattered not, for she could do nothing to stop it. Her body reacted of its own accord to her demon's touch, and propriety was useless against his attack on her flesh. His mouth moved over her skin in a moist inferno, trailing kisses that sent heat spiraling to her core.

 

She gasped, sucking in a hard drawn breath when his hot mouth closed over her breast. It was exquisite pleasure to feel him suckling the hard nipple and flicking over it with his agile tongue. “My dearest...” she whispered, and he answered with a rumbling thrum from his chest, before moving to endear himself to the other swollen, aching, mound of woman flesh.

 

His hands slid over her body, and hers traced over his own, both testing and sharing with one another. Her touch was timid and soft and his gentle and needy, as the two lovers took pleasure from one another. With his mouth sucking and nipping at her pert teat, she hardly noticed the position of his hand as it traced over the curve of her thigh. When his fingers lightly grazed the tiny patch of curls between her legs she thought that she would dissolve with expectation.

 

She was wet for him and this pleased him greatly. Her soft down was moist with her juices and he knew that it would not be long now. His member throbbed with need and he fought the beast that wished to plunge into her untouched body with reckless abandon. He would take her, but he must do it gently with great care. This was no demoness beneath him. This was a delicate mortal, easily injured and he wished not to bring her pain. He smirked against her skin when he slipped his finger between her swollen netherlips. They were slick and he easily found her jewel hidden within. She cried out, and he pressed against the nub, then she screamed her pleasure, as he massaged the nubbin beneath his fingertips. Her rapture only grew as he invaded her inner sanctum, pressing a long finger carefully inside of her. He groaned at the tightness and knew that she would feel exquisite wrapped around him.

 

Nothing had ever felt this wondrous and wild. She tossed beneath him as he did things to her body that she never knew were possible. A burning heat was coiling dangerously in her lower regions and she was not sure from whenst it come. It was almost frightening in intensity and she was unsure of what to do. “Oh... my.... Toga? Oh...” Her broken plea proceeded her first peak of orgasmic bliss, and he watched with eager fascination as she cried out bucking wildly about. He glorified in watching her face during release, and felt himself harden even more. Her climax soon passed and he removed the long digit to suck the glistening juices with delight.

 

Her eyes watched him shyly, as he drew his slick finger into his mouth. “You taste divine my sweet princess.” His voice was deep and husky with lust, and Toga knew that he could hold out no longer. He had to be inside of her now. He lowered his head to her flat belly and traced a new path of heat over her skin. Up he moved, as he pushed her legs open with his muscular thigh. He groaned as he pushed his pulsing erection through her slick womanly folds and she moaned softly at the renewed touch.

 

He buried his face against her neck and kissed her softly there. His tongue darted out to lick the curve of her ear as he slowly hunched against her wetness. In a soft whispered voice that sent shivers over her body, he said, “There will be pain, my sweet, for this you have my regrets.”

 

She had no time to respond before she felt him pressing into her opening. She felt stretched and full, to the point of panic, but still he gently pushed deeper. It was painful and frightening, but she tried to hold back the tears and be brave. When he withdrew a bit, she almost sighed in relief, but then he thrust forward once more, tearing through her maidenhead; breaking her barrier. She whimpered and cried from the burning pain, thus missing the deep groan escaping her lover. It hurt so bad that she just wished it to end!

 

Through clenched teeth Toga held still, waiting for her body to adjust to his impressive size. Her virginal walls clenched him so tightly that he thought he would soon lose his mind. It was so very hot, wet, and inviting that it took an effort not to release his seed at that moment, but he refused to waste this time with her. He wanted to bring her pleasure, and fulfill his as well. He leaned down, smelling her tears, and slowly, softly, kissed them away, and when she finally moved a bit, in an effort to become more comfortable, he moaned with pleasure. He was now buried to the hilt within his lovely hime and she was everything that he thought that she would be.

 

He withdrew, causing the most delicious sensation to course through his organ, before plunging back in. He took it slow at first, delighting in her mews and feminine grunts. He rocked his hips and thrust his staff deep into her core. Her slick inner muscles quivered around him driving him mad with it all.

 

Just beneath the surface his beast raged for release, but he kept it firmly in line. He would not harm or frighten her needlessly. She would grow accustom to him soon enough, and then his beast could be free to take her, but now she required a gentle hand, and that is exactly what he would give her.

 

Izayoi opened her eyes just a fraction to look into the face of her demon lover. Her heart quickened when she was met with glassy crimson eyes. His hair was dancing wildly about him and he looked so... dangerous. Oddly enough this did not put her off, but excited her all the more. She reached up and tangled her hands in his silky mane. He seemed to enjoy the action very much and growled his pleasure. The pain in her womanhood was beginning to ease and the heat was once more building. She would not be afraid, she told herself. She would let it come.

 

Soon his pretty little hime was tossing about wildly beneath him as he slammed his length into her tight channel. She cried out in the throes of ecstasy, while her tight muscles clamped down, literally pulling the seed from his body. Toga threw his head back, roaring his conquest, as his release rocked his very soul. With one last pump the waves of pleasure washing over him began to fade. He fell forward and sank his fangs into her shoulder, injecting his serum into her bloodstream. She was his now. His mate and he would cherish his princess forever.

 

Her lover rolled from her body and pulled her flush against his warmth. She sighed with happiness as he licked the strange bite. Later she would ask him why he had bitten her there and what it meant, but now she was so sleepy. Izayoi could feel her exhaustion pressing upon her and knew that her eyes were drifting closed. This was what she had dreamed of. This was the love that made up her fairytales. A love that transcended beyond demon and human. As she drifted off she whispered “... my dearest.”

 

He felt at peace. Whole and satisfied. Completely at one with the world. He smiled against the mating mark on her smooth skin. He, Toga, the Inu no Taisho, had fallen in love with this human hime.

 

 

 

Fin~

 

 

~~~~****~~~~

 

 

 

 

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this 9,600 word bit of fluff! Until next time~ Rinseternalsoul

 

 

 

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