Every Heart
By: Xhibit B
Chapter One – Mai
.i do not own inuyasha.
He watched as the sun began to rise over the horizon, the gentle sound of crashing waves beneath him reaching his sensitive ears. Brilliant colours of reds, blues, purples, oranges and pinks painted the sky and his stoic features; his expression an unreadable one. The left arm he acquired seven years before rest across his raised knee; his swords, the Bakusaiga and Tensaiga, tucked snug between himself and the rock that he leaned against, making it impossible for someone to steal them if they were stupid enough to try. The salty smell of the sea below reached his nose, causing it to curl in slight disgust. He never understood why she loved sitting and watching the sun rise over the horizon, or why it always had to be the beach she traveled to in the early morn of every day.
Mai, her name crossed his mind, a fleeting pain clutching at the heart everyone thought he didn't have before it was gone all over again. He hadn't thought of her in years. She'd died over two-hundred years ago during the initial battle between the territories of the West and the Panther Demon tribe, back when his father had still been alive and ruled over the Western Lands. The fatal wound to her chest was enough to cause her to take her last breath, "Foolish. I needn't dwell on thoughts of one that no longer resides in this realm. She died, long ago." But why does her memory still haunt me even after all these years?
Shaking the thought off, the Western Lord stood; gathering his swords which were once more tucked between his armor and sash at his hip, allowing himself one last look at the horizon before he pivoted on his heel, making his way back into the grove of trees in which he'd left his companion and the two-headed dragon demon, Ah-Un, he'd kept as a pet. He found the kappa not long after, the little green demon tucked into the hollow of a tree. With his foot, the silver haired demon nudged him non-too-gently before he was moving to walk away again, a silent demand for him to follow. They had much ground to cover, it was time he checked in on his little human ward that resided in the village with his half demon brother and the Miko. "Come along, Jaken. We have much ground to cover, don't fall behind."
He ignored the squawking from the little demon as he scrambled to gather Ah-Un's reigns and follow behind. The thought of the woman he'd remembered earlier still weighed heavily on his mind. So heavily, in fact, that he hadn't heard Jaken when he finally caught up until something he said caught his attention.
"That demoness that is said to have traveled with the Good Lady, Mai, has been seen wandering around the Western Territories quite often lately," Jaken ranted, not realizing he'd caught his master's attention. "She seems to be searching for something, or someone, but who or what it is she is looking for, I cannot say. Rumors of the Good Lady, Mai, still being alive swirl. Why someone would make up such things is beyond me, you said you saw the Good Lady take her last breath yourself with your own eyes."
"Kiara has been spotted in the Western territories?" the silver haired demon inquired, glancing over his shoulder at the kappa. Why the blabber mouth had tensed up the moment he spoke he would never know, but he was expecting an answer and he wanted it now. "Has she, Jaken?"
"Y-yes, Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken stammered with a nod of his head. "She is hard to mistake for anyone else. I know of no other two tailed cat demons that have a humanoid form."
So, Kiara is alive, the demon, Sesshomaru, thought to himself as he turned to glance forward again as he continued to walk. And she has been spotted in the Western territories. Could she possibly be in search of me, for some unknown reason? And if she is, what could she possibly want? "Come, Jaken. We're going to the West."
"What of Rin, milord," Jaken inquired. "Is this not the time of month that you go to visit the girl? She will be sad to know that you will not be coming to check on her this month."
"Rin will have to wait, she will understand," Sesshomaru answered. "There is something that I must do."
.everyheart.
"Who knew that a single demon would be so damned hard to find," the black-haired woman sighed as she plopped down on a rock. Her elbows came to rest against her thighs; the heels of her palms pressed to her cheeks. She was pouting slightly, red painted lips poked out just a bit. Her mistress would wake any day now and she was avidly searching for the Dog General's son; but that elusive dog was nowhere to be found. "And no one seems to know where it is that he goes. Damn dog, he would become a nomad. And he was so fond of Milady, you would think he'd be somewhere where others would find him easily. I'm sure he would like to know of Milady's awakening."
She sighed, her red eyes glancing around the open plain she'd taken refuge in for the time being once more. She'd searched high and low for the Dog General's son for days now but had heard nothing of his whereabouts. He was as elusive as ever and it saddened her to know that she may not find him in time for her Lady's awakening. Her mistress had been sleeping for over two-hundred years and was due to wake any day now. And Kiara wanted Sesshomaru to be one of the first faces that her master saw when she finally opened her eyes. Because just as the Dog General's son was fond of the female dog demon, she too was quite fond of him in return.
"So much for that plan, though," Kiara murmured, one hand dropping so that her arm was draped across her legs. "I'm sorry, Milady, I tried to find him. But that elusive bastard was nowhere to be found. And no one seems to know where he could have possibly gone."
With another heavy sigh, she rose from her perch on the large boulder before she transformed and took off back in the direction of her lady's palace. She'd been away for long enough searching for the Dog General's successor, it was time she returned home to tend to her lady. She flew, her paws running over the air every so often as she crossed the vast territories of the West. Perhaps Sesshomaru would catch word of her visiting his territory and seek her out instead. Then she could give the good news to him. For now, though, she had to get back to her master and continue the preparations for her awakening.
It was dusk when she finally arrived at the palace, her form transforming back to her humanoid one. She passed through the gates quickly, walking the long corridor that led towards her Lady's bed chambers. She nodded to the servants and guards of the castle, ignoring the slightly curled noses of the dog demons that had a hard time disguising their disgust for her scent. She was joined half way through her trek by a young half demon, her golden eyes alight with glee at the cat demon's return.
Kiara smiled in kind at the young half demon, her hand reaching to gently touch the other girl's shoulder. "Hello Shiori, have there been any changes in Milady's status since I've been away?"
"Milady still sleeps, unfortunately," the half demon, Shiori, answered as she brushed snow-white hair from her face. Kiara didn't miss the saddened look that crossed her features or how her adorable little dog ears pressed against her skull. Unlike the full-blooded demons, Shiori and most of the other half demons that resided in the palace had never once met the good Lady, having been born after she'd fallen into her deep slumber or had when they were very young and thus could not remember her. "But there is promise that she will wake soon. Were you successful in finding the Great Dog General's son, Lady Kiara?"
"I was not, unfortunately," Kiara answered sadly. "Milady was always fond of Lord Sesshomaru and he fond of her in return. It would have been wonderful if he were here to witness her awakening. She's been sleeping for over two-hundred years. And I'm certain that he misses her greatly. How can he not? She always had a knack for capturing the hearts of any she crossed paths with. Whether it be due to her beauty or they are simply fond of her personality. She has a gift."
"Milady is quite beautiful, the most beautiful of dog demons that I have ever seen. And I have heard she is very kind. I cannot wait to meet her properly," Shiori praised with a large smile. "It is no wonder that she easily ensnared the hearts of many. Even one so cold as the Lord of the West's is said to be."
"Yes well, he's not as heartless as everyone makes him seem," Kiara laughed, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder as they entered the Lady's bed chamber. "You will come to understand someday."
.everyheart.
Sesshomaru tsked, turning on his heel. The scent he'd picked up on that belonged to Kiara vanished almost as quickly as he'd found it. She had been in the Western Territories, that was for certain. Why she had been there, however, remained a mystery to him. Mai was dead, leaving no reason for the cat demon to trapeze into his lands. After the Panther Tribe, he wasn't too fond of cats. They were, after all, the reason she was no longer part of this world.
"Milord, I'm sorry to disturb you," Jaken said as he came to stand beside his master. "But I come bringing news of why Kiara was spotted here. It was as we figured, she was in search of you, milord. The weasel demons that inhabit this area heard her speak of finding you to bring you to the Good Lady, Mai's castle for her awakening. Apparently, she did not die during the war with the Panther Tribe as originally believed and has been sleeping for over two-hundred years."
Sesshomaru's golden eyes widened several fractions, his head whipping around to look down at the kappa demon. "Mai is alive?"
"Yes, milord, the weasels overheard Kiara speak of her awakening soon," Jaken reiterated, nodding to the tall demon. "Though some of her choice words for you are ones I'm sure another would be killed for but – uh hello? Lord Sesshomaru?"
Large yellow eyes blinked as he watched the silver haired demon walk away. He hadn't even acknowledged anything that was said.
"Wait for me, Lord Sesshomaru!"
Gathering the reigns of the two-headed dragon demon, he ran after his master. Sesshomaru, however, was once again too distracted to notice. The revelation that Mai was actually still alive was enough to keep him preoccupied. So many questions swam about in his head. The main one being why wasn't he told she was alive before now? He would think her people would have thought to let him know that the woman he loved still breathed after all this time. He'd lived for over two-hundred years without her. And while it may not have changed much if he had stayed at her side during her long slumber, it would have saved him the heartache that came with thinking the one you loved to be dead.
Sesshomaru growled softly, unaware that he had startled Jaken who fell several more feet behind him in fear of inciting his Lord's wrath unintentionally. It upset him that he had been led to believe that she was dead for the last two-hundred and some odd years. Someone, anyone, could have found him in that time and told him the truth about the demoness that stole his heart.
"Milord?"
Jaken's voice broke through his reverie, making the demon Lord glance back at him over his shoulder. "What is it, Jaken?" He wasn't in a very talkative mood, he could tell.
"Where are we going now, milord? Off to visit Rin?" He knew it was a slim chance that they would be venturing to see the girl that day, but it didn't hurt to ask, did it?
"No," was his curt answer. Rin would have to wait until some other time. For now, he had to travel to where he remembered Mai's castle to be. "I am going to find Kiara."
"Sire?"
He'd never seen the demon Lord look so desperate to find another demon before aside from when they were hunting down Naraku seven years ago. But, Jaken assumed that his master was in search of the Good Lady and her companion for an entirely different reason. He was certain, after all, that wouldn't want to kill the woman that he loved.
Sesshomaru did not reward him with another answer, instead choosing to take to the sky, heading to the Eastern Territories where he remembered her castle to be. If she was truly alive, he wanted to see that for himself. And if they were playing a cruel joke on him, someone would pay dearly. Jaken was quick to follow him on Ah-Un's back.
.everyheart.
Kagome glanced up, her brow furrowed. She had expected to see Sesshomaru fly through by now, on his way to visit with Rin. He always came to the village at this time of the month. It wasn't like the demon lord to not show to check on his human ward.
"I wonder if something came up," the Miko wondered to herself, shifting the basket of herbs that she held on her hip as best her pregnant belly would allow her to. "Rin may be disappointed if he doesn't show up today. She always looks forward to seeing him each month."
"Hey Kagome," she heard the voice of the ex-demon slayer call out to her. "Is everything okay?"
"Hmmm," the Miko hummed as she turned to glance at the mother of three. There was a smile that pulled at the edges of her lips at the twins that held on to their mother's skirt. Her youngest was not with them, a basket held in the elder woman's arms where the four-year-old would usually be. She couldn't wait for her own child to come in a few more months. "No, nothing's wrong Sango. I was just looking to see if Sesshomaru had flown in to visit Rin yet. He's usually here by now to see her every month. And I haven't sensed his demonic aura at all."
"Now that you mention it, I haven't either," Sango mused, her hand lifting to cup her chin in thought. "Normally I can sense him coming before he gets here. But there hasn't been anything recently. I thought that my skills had just become dull since I no longer practice as a demon slayer on a constant basis."
"No, he just hasn't arrived. I wonder if something came up," Kagome mused once again, turning away from the mid-evening sun to make her way to back to her home. Inuyasha would be returning soon from wherever the job he'd been called for ended and she wanted to have dinner ready before he made it back. "Maybe he'll stop by later in the week. Hopefully Rin isn't too put out by his absence today."
"Maybe he had a diplomatic issue to deal with in his territory? He is considered the Lord of the West, is he not?" Sango offered, ushering her children forward as she walked beside Kagome. "I'm sure he'll come as soon as he is able. Rin traveled with him for quite some time; she's grown to be like a daughter to him over the years. I doubt that he would ever just abandon her without explanation."
"You're right, I just hope that Rin doesn't think he's forgotten about her because he didn't come today," Kagome murmured, both women making the trek home together. "I can't stand to see her cry. Especially in my current condition."
Sango laughed as they continued along. She knew all too well what that had been like. The slightest thing would make her cry during both her pregnancies. "Yes, I know, I remember those times all too well."
.everyheart.
"Lady Kiara," Shiori called to the cat demon. The raven-haired woman turned to look at the young half demon, her brow irked. It was rare that she was sought out when she was training unless there had been any change in her mistress's condition. "I apologize for bothering you during your training, but word has reached that Lord Sesshomaru is in search of you. We were informed that he is headed for the castle as we speak and will arrive in a matter of time. Not to mention, the Good Lady is showing signs of waking soon. Perhaps he will make it here in time."
"I figured he would learn of my presence in his territory sooner or later and come searching for me," Kiara laughed to herself. "Please prepare for the Western Lord's arrival. Bring him to milady's bedchamber the moment he arrives."
"Of course, Lady Kiara," Shiori nodded before she scurried away to do as was asked of her.
Kiara smiled as the young girl left her, her sword returned to it's scabbard. It took less time than she originally expected for Sesshomaru to learn of her search for him and make his way to her instead. Which meant that he'd also learned of Mai still being alive. She'd been afraid that her mistress would wake, and he would not be there when she did.
"I guess milady will get to see you after all, Lord Sesshomaru."
Waist length black hair was tossed over her shoulder as she turned to leave the training area and head for the Lady of the castle's bedchamber once more. They were getting closer and closer to the time that she would wake.
.everyheart.
He'd traveled for hours before he reached the castle, by passing the guards that let him by. He figured they all knew that he was coming. Why else would no one stupidly stop him and inquire about what his business there was?
"I've never seen so many dog demons before in one place other than when we visited your mother's palace in the sky," Jaken squawked, his yellow eyes wide at the multitudes of silver haired demons that stood guard.
Sesshomaru, once again, did not bother to give any hint of acknowledgment that he'd heard anything Jaken said. He was more focused on finding Kiara and confirming for himself whether Mai was alive or not. For their sakes, they'd better hope that she was still breathing when he saw her.
"Welcome, Lord Sesshomaru," a young half demon with whitish-silver hair and triangle shaped dog ears, much like Inuyasha's, atop her head, greeted with her hands crossed in front of her as he approached the entrance of the castle. She smiled, albeit a bit tense, bending at the waist to bow. He was intimidating, he knew, especially for a half demon as young as she was. "I have been asked by Lady Kiara to bring you to milady's bedchamber when you arrived. Please follow me."
"Hnn."
He nodded, moving to follow the girl through the castle. The workers of the castle bowed as he passed, whispers of awe reaching his ears. It seemed his reputation proceeded him, if it reached the ears of those that resided behind the walls of the hidden castle of the Eastern Princess. He continued to follow the girl down a maze of corridors before they reached a room tucked away in a secluded area. They were met by Kiara standing outside of the door, a smile on her lips.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I'm glad you could make it in time. Milady has yet to awaken, I'm sure that she will be pleased to find you here when she does."
"What is the meaning of this," Sesshomaru demanded, stepping around the half demon who backed away respectfully, allowing the two demons to speak with one another. "I was led to believe that Mai was dead all this time, and yet I learn that she is not? Why was I not informed of this before now?"
"My apologies my Lord, you really were to know of milady still being alive." Kiara offered, her hands tucking themselves in the bell sleeves of her kimono. "After the initial battle with the Panther Tribe all those years ago, when she was fatally wounded, she was rushed back here. We thought her to be dead as well, until we realized she was still breathing. It was only days later that we realized that she had fallen into a deep slumber as a means to recover and regain her strength. However, we did not expect for her to sleep for this long."
"I want to see for myself that she lives," Sesshomaru demanded.
"But of course," Kiara nodded, reaching to slide the door opened for him to step in.
Without another word, Sesshomaru crossed the threshold. His golden eyes landed on the sleeping demoness, the gentle rise and fall a tell-tale sign of her actually being alive. So, it was true. She had been alive this whole time. His anger about not knowing was only slightly quelled, but he did still bare some irritation with her people for not telling him sooner.
"As you can see, she still sleeps," Kiara said suddenly appearing at his side; red eyes focused on her mistress. "But she shows signs of waking any time now." Her head turned to glance up at the demon Lord, the edges of her mouth curved into a smile. "As I've stated before, she will be happy to know that you are here, Lord Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru opened his mouth to speak when the swish of fabric caught their attention, both turning to glance back at the demoness again. Her eyelids slowly fluttered opened, revealing molten gold irises. She had woken.
