Author's Note: It might be best if you read "Warlords Don't Cry" before you read this fan fiction as this will branch off from it. If you're offended by language, I suggest you don't read this fan fiction. And fair warning, Inutaishou and Achika are really mean to the other. Just don't hate the Inu-Papa. If you must hate someone, hate Sasame. I had a hard time making Inutaishou a stupid, self-centered male. This story will flip back between Achika's point of view where she flashbacks certain times in her life and the present time which will be in omniscient third person. And I'm sorry if you all don't like hearing about the Inu-Mama and the Inu-Papa. I just love that couple and so, this is what spawned this fan fiction. If you don't like it, then don't read. I'm not a fan of the goody-two shoe characters in InuYasha...so there. XD Also, despite the title, this will be happier. It will have a bittersweet ending.
I remember the first time I met Inutaishou. I wish I could say that meeting him was love at first sight; that it was a romantic's dream, to be hopelessly lost in affection. But to be perfectly honest, it was nothing like the frivolous fantasies that silly girls fill their heads with.
What can be said about Inutaishou when he was a youth? Simply put, he was a slob, an arrogant ass of youkai, and had enough hormones infesting his pea-mite brain that he had trouble putting two sentences together without being interrupted by perverse thoughts. But then again, one had to look at who his best friend was at the time: Sasame. Dear gods above the two together were terrible. But it wasn't like I had to worry about them flirting with me. At the age of sixteen I was still growing into my looks; long legs that were disproportioned to the rest of my body and lacking the feminine figure men fall for. I remember feeling so awkward, so out of place. In fact, at the time I was taller than Sasame. I don't think the kitsune was fond of the idea. I was only two inches taller than him though I later came to know in my adult years that his desire to be taller was clearly compensating for something else. Anyway, it wasn't until I was at my eighteenth summer that Sasame grew taller than myself. And finally, my body was somewhat acceptable. Though my height was still abnormal for a demoness, I looked more willowy than lanky and my torso filled out. Yet, despite this change in figure, I didn't take the time to make myself look girly. I found it impractical. My silver hair that my mother loved found itselftightly woundinto a bun. I refused to put on makeup. And all the kimonos my father got me for my birthday would wind up stuffed in my closet. I preferred haoris and hakamas to frilly kimonos. I'll admit I was a bit of a tomboy. Of course, this simply wouldn't do if I were to be a bride to some warlord. But you see, this was my plan. If I didn't dress girly, the idiotic males wouldn't come after me.I refused to dress up and swoon over some man so that I could share a bed with him. Men were a weakness in my eyes. When I was only eight, I declared I would die before I married. So yes, I was a little extreme but if you knew what kind of men I encountered, you would have the same feelings exactly.
Mother always said I was beautiful. I remember her telling me that one day there would be a man that would love me for who I was, that I only had to be patient. I laughed at this as I had already decided marriage was stupid.
"Achika," she said one day, "if only you would give a man a chance to approach you, I'm sure you would find that you liked courting. After all, look at your father. He's a wonderful demon and without him, I couldn't have had you." She smiled at me, that warm smile that could light up a room. It always gave me hope, that there was some good in the world as long as she smiled. "And just think, you could fall in love with a handsome man, have a lovely wedding, and then bear him children. You being a woman must learn that this is expected of you," she reminded, running a soft brush through my hair. I only let her brush it. She was the only person that ever saw me with my hair down.
"I know this, Mother. But what about what I expect from myself? A man would only weigh me down. I cannot achieve what I desire if I have to do the bidding of a demon lord," I frowned, looking at the reflection of her in the vanity mirror. My mother sighed softly, halting in her brushing.
"My daughter, I admire your determination, but you must realize that these dreams you have cannot come true. Intelligent though you may be, you live in a world that is run by demons, not demonesses. And you being your father and my only offspring, you must do what is expected of you." I groaned. I wished that I was not an only child. Frankly, it was rather strange. Often a demoness would bear her husband an heir as well as several other pups. But I suppose my parents thought I was a handful and more children would be only a hassle.
"Yes, yes," I moaned, reciting what had been told to me so many times. "I, being the only heir of you two must wed some demon to carry on the family blood. If I do not, my family will die out and so on and so forth..."
"Right, my daughter. If only you could keep an open mind on this. Now, listen to me, Achika. You are a remarkable young woman. You're pretty, you're clever, and you have a strong will. There will be a man thatshall find these attributes attractive. You see, my child, males are stupid creatures, demon and man alike. They cannot help this, it is their nature," she laughed softly, pulling my hair up into its bun, "yet, there are those select few that will be able to see you for the great person you are. So do not be so hasty to scare men away, you might find one and fall in love one day." Kissing my cheek, she gave her warm smile once more. "Now will you please stop being so obstinate? Will you at least try to give a demon or two a chance today? Do it for me, if not for yourself," my mother said, helping me stand. I nodded as I followed her into the main rooms of the castle. We were currently visiting the Western castle, as well as all the other demons and demonesses of Japan, for there still was an annual meeting for the Lords and Ladies back then.
I knew that even if there was the small chance a demon would take interest in me, that the chances of me wedding him were slim. I didn't have much of a dowry, for my father was the general of only a small part of the Western Lands. Despite this, he and Inutaishou's father were good friends and sadly for me, I often accompanied my father when he went to visit the Western castle. I didn't mind the castle; it was the heir that occupied the castle that irked me beyond all reason.
As I entered the large room that was filled with all sorts of youkai, I saw Father discussing something with the Western Lord. Their eyes drifted to me and then to Inutaishou, who at the time was flirting with some mindless girls while Sasame was a little more daring with several other demonesses. I sighed, rolling my eyes. How was I supposed to find interest in these two? Noticing my mood, Mother put her hand on my shoulder.
"Just give them a chance. I'll be with your father, as well as Inutaishou's parents, all right?" There was a knowing smile on her face, quite different from the one I saw earlier. I shrugged this off, not giving it a second thought. As I nodded, she went to Father, leaving me alone. And although I was surrounded by demons, I still felt this loneliness tugging at my heart. It is a terrible feeling to feel alone.
Forcing my way through the crowd, I tried to find someone to talk to, all the while ignoring cruel looks from the demons I passed by. There were mutterings on my appearance, yet I overlooked this. Let them stare, I remember thinking. It's not like I cared what they thought of me. But I knew this was a lie to myself, to cover up how awful I felt for not fitting in. Pushing aside some people, I came upon Hirata, who would later become the Eastern Lord. He was sitting by his lonesome, his radiant eyes lost in another world. The youkai was strange, I'll admit, but then again, he couldn't be any worse when being compared to that of Inutaishou and Sasame. Walking toward him, I sat beside the snake youkai, giving a friendly wave.
"Um, hello, Hirata. I hope this seat isn't taken?" I started, attempting a conversation. I felt for this youkai. His parents were dead and some twisted guardian that I knew little of raised him. No one really paid him any attention except to taunt or tease him. So, he lived life as an outcast, always watching from afar.
"And who would it be taken by?" he said, never turning to glance at me.
"Oh...I see. Well, I'm here now, aren't you glad to have some company?"
"Not really. Socializing is a nuisance," Hirata replied, his monotone voice offering no means of conversation. How wonderful. Out of the men that I might have had a chance with, two were perverted and the other had less socializing experience than a wall. I looked down at my feet, trying to think of something, anything to talk about. But my thoughts were interrupted by a certain kitsune and inu.
"Inutaishou, look at what we have here. The two little nobodies gathering together. How quaint," Sasame cackled, spitting on Hirata's feet and then grabbing my chin, forcing me to look up at him. "Do you feel like you have a place now? At least you two can be left out together," the kitsune continued, his radiant hair moving slightly across his forehead with each chortle he emitted.
"It's not amusing annoying them, Sasame. Hirata only stares off and it's no fun looking at Achika. Why, she looks more like a man than Hirata does," Inutaishou taunted, making a face at me. Yes, I told you correctly. This was the boy who would grow up to be the feared Lord of the Western Lands. But you would have thought he might have had some manners at eighteen, being of royal blood, but this was not the case.
"Good one, Inu," Sasame removed his hand from my chin, punching Inutaishou in the arm. Stupid male mannerisms. "But what are we going to do to pass the time? I think I've already slept with every girl here that's our age and you've already had a go at quite a lot of them too," Sasame and Inutaishou laughed together. "Oh, well, I don't suppose we've given Achika a go."
"Hell, she doesn't count. I mean, if she had any flatter of a chest, she'd pass as a guy." At this point, Inutaishou slapped me across the chest, only fueling the two's laughter more. My face flushed harder, and I looked at Hirata, hoping that he might offer something to help me. But he just sat there, staring off into gods' know what. Fine, I told myself, I'd have to fight back, but not with fists mind you. I was awful at combat, but I could defend my ground with words. Standing up, I glared at the two, my face still heated with a blush.
"You know, just because I don't wear skimpy clothing or let my chest hang out like the whores you two occupy your time with, doesn't mean that I'm not a woman. You two are just so dense you can't look past something as petty as clothing. It shouldn't matter if I wear kimonos or haoris, I'm still the same person," I snapped, feeling my fists clench. Sasame roared with laughter.
"Listen to her preach! Is that some nonsense your little mummy told you? Or maybe your daddy?" Sasame twisted his mouth into a smirk, pouting out his lower lip and clamping his hands together to only infuriate me more so.
"Aw, how sweet. But then again, her father is probably the only manwho would love her!" Inutaishou slapped his leg, as the two continued their laughs, choking from lack of air. I felt my eyes tear up. I couldn't help it. They'd nailed my fear of never having a man to love me.
"I realize that everyone is insecure about something," my voice cracked, trying to regain myself, "but you both must be drowning in lack of self-esteem if you must insult others to boost your own self image," I spat, a few tears leaking from my eyes. Sasame and Inutaishou actually stopped for just a moment, blinking in surprise. I'd caught them off guard, and they knew it. A smug look appeared on my face, though tears continued to trail down. Coughing, Inutaishou looked to Sasame.
"Come on, Sasame, leave it to Achika to ruin our fun. I'm sure there are a few girls around we can mess with. Much better than Mr. Wall and his sidekick, She-man," Inutaishou snorted, amused by his own insults. Returning to his normal self, Sasame nodded.
"Yeah, you're right. It's no fun with these two. Enjoy doing whatever you sort of people like doing," Waving his hand, Sasame then followed Inutaishou to flirt with some more girls. I watched them leave, looking around for my parents. Why hadn't they come to pull me out of such a situation? I then noticed that my parents nor Inutaishou's were there any longer. Wonderful. When I needed them the most, they left. And besides, it wasn't as if anyone in this crowd was going to help me. Demons staid out of affairs like these. They didn't want to meddle in young love; it was too messy. Plus, they always had gossip of their own to tend to, at least the "civilized" ones did. My face went to my hands, sobbing softly. I felt a sickly hand touch my shoulder and looked up to find Hirata staring at me.
"Do not shed tears because of what they said. It is not worth the salt or the time," he said softly. I wasn't sure if this was his way of trying to comfort me but knowing Hirata for not being very social, I knew that this must be his way of showing he cared.
"Thanks," I murmured, choking on tears all the same.
"But it is your fault for letting them get to you like this. It is your fault for letting them get the best of you. They can only make you feel bad if you let them," he stood, removing his hand. "You do what you like. If you like haoris over kimonos, then wear them. Although, it seems you wear haoris not because they are more comfortable, rather you're afraid. You're afraid that you might fall in love, so you pretend to be a person who doesn't care. I'd be careful if I were you. You might wind up like me...Mr. Wall...was that what they called me?" A slight grin appeared on his face, surprising me.
"Yes, and I was...She-man," I laughed now, thinking how stupid this all was.
"Oh, yes, that's right. I've heard better insults from my toenail," his smile was still presentas he helpedme to stand up. "I best leave, Achika. My guardian isn't here tonight, and he gets very angry when I don't come back on time." He then pressed a kiss to my hand, making me blush. I watched him leave, still confused. Confused that he had expressed so much emotion in such a small amount of time. And baffled that he had actually laughed and kissed my hand. But, once again, I found myself being cut short from my thoughts when I heard my mother calling me.
Sesshoumaru, current Lord of the Western Lands, was relaxing beneath the gnarled branches of a cherry blossom tree. It wasn't everyday the demon lord had time to sit about and do nothing. But at the time, the youkai was feeling rather lethargic and it being such a sleepy autumn day, he had to take the time to rest. His magenta eyelids drooped, resisting a yawn as he did so. Rin lay asleep on his stomach, rising with each deep breath the warlord took, cuddled close to him. Sesshoumaru had to admit the child was brave. He didn't allow just anyone to come this close to him. Yet, he loved this Rin girl like she was his own daughter. True, he wasn't going to come out and parade this, and he wasn't the best father in the world, what with the extent of her excitement following him everyday. Rin didn't seem to mind though. There was an unconditional love between the two; Rin would follow him to the four corners of the earth and back, so great was her affection for her "father."
Jaken, of course, disapproved of this entirely. A demon lord caring for a human child?! Preposterous. And besides, Sesshoumaru-sama had met him first. How dare that Rin take away his Sesshoumaru-sama, the lord he dedicated his life to serving. It infuriated the toad and the anger was barely bottled up in Jaken's toady body. Rambling about nonsense, the toad went on and on about how this wasn't proper, that Rin should have her head decapitated for such a disgrace she caused to her lord. Ignoring him, Sesshoumaru pretended to be asleep, his hand resting on the slumbering Rin's back. When everything seemed to be well and normal, the smell of his hanyou brother entered Sesshoumaru's nostrils. Flickering open his eyelids, he stood up, letting the sleeping Rin still rest.
"Jaken, watch Rin, or suffer the consequences," he commanded, not giving Jaken time to respond as he cracked his knuckles, letting venom dribble from his talons.
"InuYasha, are you sure we should be going this way? I don't sense any shards," Kagome called out to the hanyou, trying to keep up with him. Miroku was up to his usual tricks and Sango was practicing her aim on the monk's face as the two followed their self-proclaimed leader. As for Shippou and Kirara, they trailed behind, bored with the whole situation.
"I ain't trying to find shards right now, Kagome. I smelt Sesshoumaru and I figured while we were in the area we could slay—"
"Slay this Sesshoumaru?" The youkai lord offered, eyes narrowing as the group came into view. "How coincidental, I was thinking of slaying you, half-breed."
"Thanks for saving us the trouble of coming to us, Sesshoumaru," InuYasha sneered, his blade already withdrawn from its sheath. "Today is the day that I'm going to send you to your grave!" There was a unified sigh shared between Miroku, Sango, and Shippou. It seemed that "today" was always the day InuYasha would slay Sesshoumaru. But it never happened. InuYasha made threats he couldn't keep, as well as promises.
"We shall see, dear brother," Sesshoumaru replied coolly, his Tokijinn finding its way to his hand, waiting for his brother to come attack at him, InuYasha swinging his sword with his simian techniques. As the Tetsusaiga came to meet the Tokijinn, the two brothers glared at the other, ignoring everything around them. Preparing to deliver a blow to InuYasha's head, Sesshoumaru inhaled another familiar scent. Though this one he hadn't smelt in quite a long time. It smelt strongly of vanilla, making the youkai lord's nose twitch. He knew this scent all too well. And he didn't have time to turn around when a certain demoness tackled him.
"Oh, Sesshoumaru-chan! I missed you so much!"