Sora Higurashi POV
I just turned 19, and my parents want me go to a meeting for an arranged marriage. I however am determined not to go the only question left is how to get out of it. After looking around the shrine my eyes fall on the well house, and decide that would be the perfect place to hide until the meeting is over. Once inside the building I go down to the Well, and lean over to look in. Just as I can almost see over the edge I trip on a bone, and fall into the Well. I wonder what fate has in store for me now.
Normal POV
Sesshomaru is on a nice relaxing run through the forest when he hears noises coming from a little ways up the path. He decides to investigate. When he gets to the source of the sound he looks around, and sees a well. Looking over the edge he sees a woman floating face down in the water. He jumps in, and retrieves her before she drowns. The woman sits up coughing, and then when she is done she says.
"Who are you, and where am I?" ?
"I am Sesshomaru, and you are on my father's lands. I just pulled you out of the well before you drowned." Sesshomaru
"My name is Sora thank you for saving me." Sora
"Your welcome. Where do you live?" Sesshomaru
"I can never go back so what does it matter." Sora
"What do you mean you can't go back?" Sesshomaru
"The gate is closed. I have no idea what I'm going to do now." Sora
"You could come with me." Sesshomaru
Sora nods, and follows Sesshomaru. They arrive at a secluded hut, and Sesshomaru says.
"This hut is now yours; Do with it what you will." Sesshomaru
"Thank you Sesshomaru." Sora
Within the next few months Sora has the hut furnished just the way she wants it. The only thing that is puzzling her is that she hasn't run out of food when she has bought nothing. Sora has long since realized that the well threw her back in time, and she couldn't be happier. Sora takes inventory, and notices that her stores are running down. So she decides to find out who is taking care of her; She pretends to go to bed then sits up waiting to see who comes to refill her stores. What she sees surprises her. It's Sesshomaru who has been taking such good care of her. Sora is deeply touched by this so she decides to thank him the only way she can: a note.
Sesshomaru,
Thank you for providing for me. Now all I have to worry about is having nothing to fill the lonely hours with. I apologize that I am not thanking you for your generosity in person, but it can't be helped since you aren't around for me to thank.
I wish you happiness,
Sora
Sora puts the note where he is sure to see it next time he comes, and goes to bed hoping that he gets the meaning behind the note. She so desperately wants to see him again; Even if it is just one more time. The days go by as she waits for Sesshomaru to come back to her. A powerful Miko walks by her hut, and senses her dormant power. The Miko decides to investigate; So she knocks on the wall of the hut, and waits. Sora pops her head out to see who is at the door, and says.
"Hello. Is there something I can help you with?" Sora
"Yes. May I come in?" ?
"Sure." Sora
Sora leaves the doorway, and goes to make tea for herself, and her guest. The Miko makes herself comfortable at the table, and waits for her hostess to return. When Sora returns with tea in hand, and serves both of them the Miko looks at her, and says.
"My name is Sakura, and you have the potential to be a miko of the highest purity." Sakura
"I do?" Sora
"Yes you do. I am willing to train you if that is agreeable to you." Sakura
"Would I be required to posses the hatred and prejudice displayed by other miko's?" Sora
"No. Your views are your own. I simply ask that you apply yourself during training. I will not try to influence your view of the world in any way." Sakura
"Well then when do we start?" Sora
"Now if that's alright." Sakura
"No problem. My name is Sora by the way." Sora
Sakura and Sora train for the rest of the day; Sora's mentor leaves an hour before sunset, and Sora notices that her stores are running low again. Sora goes to bed anticipating Sesshomaru's visit the next day.
Sesshomaru arrives at Sora's hut to restock her stores when he notices a note on the rice barrel. Sesshomaru opens it, and reads.
"Sesshomaru,
Thank you for providing for me. Now all I have to worry about is having nothing to fill the lonely hours with. I apologize that I am not thanking you for your generosity in person, but it can't be helped since you aren't around for me to thank.
I wish you happiness,
Sora" Sesshomaru
Sesshomaru is shocked by the content of the letter, and by the fact that Sora can read and write. He considers what to do while finishing restocking her stores. When he is finished Sesshomaru has come to the conclusion that he will visit Sora every day starting tomorrow. Sora is woken a little before sunrise by Sakura who says.
"You ready to start today's training?" Sakura
"Yes. How long will it be today?" Sora
Sakura nods in acknowledgment, and says.
"Not long; Until it reaches midday." Sakura
"Why so short?" Sora
"Your training is progressing so quickly that you do not require a longer session than that." Sakura
"Thanks so much Sakura." Sora
"Your welcome Sora." Sakura
The training session progresses as usual, and Sakura leaves at midday leaving Sora all alone.
Sesshomaru arrives at Sora's hut, and is greeted by the smell of food. He walks into the hut, and as soon as Sora sees him her whole face lights up with absolute unadulterated joy. Sesshomaru could not figure out why she reacts this way to his presence when every other human would be cowering in fear. He still couldn't figure out why she had requested his presence in her life to begin with; None the less he is grateful that a beautiful woman actually wants to be around him for him instead of for his wealth and status. He takes a seat at the table, and waits for Sora to come with lunch. Sora sets everything up, and sits down across from him. They eat their meal that was rife with pleasant and meaningful conversation. Sesshomaru couldn't bring himself to regret his decision. The time he has spent with her has been the most enjoyable half a day he's had in centuries. He is already looking forward to tomorrows visit. This female intrigues him greatly. He could already see himself building a future with Sora. Sesshomaru knows that it will be a process; An enjoyable one, but a process none the less. The next morning Sora woke to the smiling face of her friend and trainer Sakura. Sakura noticed that her friend is more cheerful than usual; So she says.
"You seem awfully chipper this morning. Any particular reason why that is?" Sakura
"I spent the rest of the day after training with a man. I really hope that we end up courting." Sora
"Your really that interested in this man?" Sakura
"Yes; There is just something about him. I could easily see myself building a life with this man." Sora
"Well then I will pray for your success in this relationship." Sakura
"Thanks so much Sakura!" Sora
"Your most welcome. Now lets get to training; You wouldn't want your session to go past midday now would you?" Sakura
Sora blushes profusely and shakes her head negatively. Sakura laughs, and they go about their training session as normal. When they are finished Sakura walks away laughing about what is sure to happen when she is gone.
Sesshomaru arrives at the hut, and is once again greeted by the aroma of Sora's delicious cooking. Sora's cooking puts that of the palaces best cooks to shame. The only thing better than her cooking is her gentle, but firm personality, her kind, caring, and compassionate nature, her warm calming aura, and her absolutely gorgeous looks. Sesshomaru walks in, and takes his usual seat to wait for Sora's return from the kitchen. When Sora comes into the main part of the hut with the food she sees Sesshomaru. The moment she sees him she smiles the most radiant smile he has ever seen. Her smile is filled with so many emotions. Much more than he had time to count, one in particular stands out to Sesshomaru, and that is love. Sesshomaru was shocked to see her love for him shining in that smile they had only just met. While Sora is busy setting out the food and dishes Sesshomaru remembers something his father had told him when he had just reached maturity:
Sesshomaru a yokai will know instantly when he finds his soul mate, because there will be a mutual bond between them. They will want to spend a lot of time in each others company, and they will genuinely fall in love with each other after just one or two meetings. This is how you will know when you find your soul mate Sesshomaru.
So as it turns out Sora is my soul mate. How do I tell her that we were specifically made for one another, and we can never be happy with anyone else.
Sora is discreetly looking at the man she loves with longing and hope in her heart. She is hoping and praying that he loves her as much as she loves him, and will tell her so today. Her eyes accidentally lingered on Sesshomaru to long, and he caught her ogling him. His heart soared at the shear amount of love and desire burning in her eyes. He decided right then and there that he will tell her how he feels about her. He gently grips Sora's chin, and says.
"Sora I love you. I have loved you from the moment I pulled you out of that well. I was certain that there was no way you could ever return my feelings so I provided for you from a distance. When I found your note I was overjoyed. I came the following afternoon, and that is when I realized my feelings for you. It puzzled me how I could fall for someone so quickly, but then I remembered something my father once told me; About how soul mates bond after the first or second meeting. So I accepted my feelings for you, but was still unsure about how you felt about me. So I waited and watched for indications that would soothe my worried heart. Then today I looked in your eyes, saw the love and desire you have for me, and could remain silent no longer." Sesshomaru
"I feel the same way Sesshomaru, and accept you with all of my being." Sora
"Sora will you formally except my courtship?" Sesshomaru
"I will." Sora
Sora kisses Sesshomaru with so much passion it leaves him dizzy. She then pulls back, and asks.
"So what does Yokai courtship entail?" Sora
Sesshomaru's eyes widen, but then his entire face softens. He looks at her saying.
"There are many. It depends on the species which one is used." Sesshomaru
"Which species are you?" Sora
"Inu." Sesshomaru
"What do Inu-Yokai courtship traditions consist of?" Sora
"At the beginning the couple exchange gifts. After that the male will provide for, and protect his intended while showering her with gifts. The female will accept it all with warmth, and an open heart. She will shower her intended with love and affection. She will take orders from absolutely no one but her intended. This will go on for two months then the couple will mate sealing there lives to one another forever." Sesshomaru
"When do we start?" Sora
"Tomorrow afternoon; So be prepared." Sesshomaru
"Of course Sesshomaru." Sora
The two politely cut the visit short in favor of preparing for tomorrow.
The next morning Sakura arrived to see her meditating training hard to perfect a spell that she had just learned and would likely never use if she turns out to be a proper miko. I have a feeling that Sora's training will not turn out as I would have liked, but not in an unexpected fashion either. Sora arranges the beads in the appropriate pattern for the spell 1 to 1 alternation of white and black. The beads are the highest quality ivory and onyx that I have ever seen. The kind of thing a lord would wear; Just who is she making that for, and why? How in the world did she afford such expensive finery? Then I remember all of the money I was giving her for food, and realize that she has been saving it just for this. I come out of my thoughts when Sora begins the spell. Her spell is flawless, and so much more powerful than anything any miko has ever been capable of. Once the spell was complete Sora tucks the necklace in her Kimono, and sits back to wait for my arrival. I announce myself saying.
"Let's get started don't want to run over now do we." Sakura
It gives me great amusement to tease Sora about her mystery love. Sora blushes, and says.
"Right." Sora
Sesshomaru arrives at Sora's hut in time for breakfast; After which he will present his courting gift, and receive one from her. When Sora sees him she greets him with her usual beaming smile. She sat him down in his usual spot, and he was stunned by the feast before him. They finish their meal, and take the leftovers to the orphanage. When they return to the hut Sesshomaru faces her, and says.
"I present this to you as a token of my love." Sesshomaru
Sesshomaru hands her his gift which is an Amethyst Crescent Moon Pendent. Sora thinks that this is the most beautiful piece of jewelry that she has ever seen. Sora takes the beads from her robes, and says.
"I present this to you as a token of my love." Sora
"What are they?" Sesshomaru
"They are prayer beads. I empowered them to protect you from any and all purification. Do you like it?" Sora
"I love it; Thank you Sora." Sesshomaru
Sesshomaru picks her up, and spins her around bringing her into a firm but loving embrace. Sesshomaru is already looking forward to the day when Sora will be his mate, and he can introduce her to his family. His father has been asking him constantly where he disappears to, and now it seem he will have an answer for him. His only hope is that his father will honor his wishes to introduce Sora to them after the mating. Sora could not help but pepper Sesshomaru's face with feather kisses in her pure joy of the future before her. Sora showers so much love and affection on Sesshomaru in one day that it makes him wonder at the happiness that will be his for the rest of their courtship.
When Kimi heard the news of Sesshomaru's courtship she was so shocked that if she had been anyone else she would have fainted. When she asked Sesshomaru if she could meet his intended he said that she will be formally introduced after the mating. Kimi saw the look in her sons eyes, and immediately understood why he was waiting. He was planning a life for them were the couple would be spared the cruelty and pressure of the court. It did not go unnoticed by her sight when he occupied the abandoned mansion of a minor human lord that died in one of the many wars that humans have raged against each other. Kimi quickly noticed that this particular mansion is in the middle of nowhere; Faraway from Yokai and humans alike. It is plainly obvious that Sesshomaru has no intention of ever succeeding his father. Her only hope is that this woman will love him, and make him happy for the rest of his days. Kimi is also keenly looking forward to all the adorable, but powerful grand-pups that will surly come from this union. Just the thought makes her smile a genuinely happy smile.
