The First Meeting
He hadn't always been this way. He used to have more life in his blood. He used have a dream that wasn't sad. When he used to dream of her it was always happy but now, he hated to sleep. He hated the dreams of her, because it meant that when he woke up she wouldn't be there. It would mean that she wasn't there to keep him sane. She was gone and so he would continue to be insane. He would continue to lay there and stare at the walls waiting for her return. But deep down he knew that she was gone forever. He never thought that he would ever allow himself to become so pathetic. Not when he had once had everything. He hated to sleep, but he hated even more so to be awake where he could not see her at all.
20 years ago.
A beautiful child, he had always been one. His hair was as silver as the moons light and his eyes as gold and bright as the sun. The ivory skin that stretched over his sharp features was like snow. He even had those angel lips, so stained with raspberry juice. He was the picture of a living breathing cherub. He had always been happy. His mother gave him her ethereal beauty while his father had given him the locks of the moon and grace of a king. The child sat atop his father's shoulders. While his mother who was swollen with child sat watching him from under the shade of a willow tree. The little boy was smiling, his smile was intoxicating. The happiness that shone beneath the gold of his irises was hypnotizing.
"My Sesshoumaru, how handsome you are." his mother whispered knowing that he would hear. When he turned his gaze to her a smile kissed her lips because he was everything a mother could ever ask for. His father's face was like that of a boy, youthful, strong, and somewhat rebellious. He was just the right age for his son. A father who had joy and bravery in his heart. The way the family acted around each other must have been the of kind behavior that was sickeningly sweet to watch. To much to take in at once. Like angels they carried themselves. To have a child that had the same beauty and perfection was unearthly.
"Sayuri, did you hear about the family that has just finished building their palace in the Lord's meadow?" he listened as his father spoke.
"I have heard. There are many rumors about the family." Sayuri answered.
"I heard that the woman who lives there now is a priestess, and she has given him a bastard daughter." he said. Sesshoumaru knew what that meant, a lot of the servants had bastard children with one person or the other. Sesshoumaru was lucky to be prince of the west, or at least he accounted himself lucky.
"When you are in love does it matter what people think?" Sayuri asked her mate.
"We are taiyoukai and therefore have no need to have thoughts on what others think of us. We are the highest class of demon and I am lord of them all and you my beautiful mate, are the queen of them all." he said pulling Sesshoumaru from his shoulders.
"I worry for him. I want him to find true love and hold it forever." Sayuri looked at Sesshoumaru and pulled him towards her. The six year old held on to his mother's hip and smiled at her.
"My desire is the same as yours, my love." Inutaisho said caressing Sayuri's cheek with his clawed finger.
"Maybe we should go and welcome them. I know that they won't have many friends around here what with the rumors and all." Sayuri suggested sweetly. Inutaisho could not deny her what she wanted. It was something that she was very much aware of. It was as sure as the beating of her heart.
"Mother, when will we see them?" Sesshoumaru inquired his large golden eyes staring right into hers.
"Whenever your father permits, and we must let them rest from their journey to the country." Sayuri smiled. Inutaisho looked over this garden which was only one of the many this countryside manor housed. The breath that left each one of his family members lips went counted by the elegant taiyoukai. He could hear the heartbeats of his child inside his mate's womb. He always brought Sayuri, himself, and Sesshoumaru to this place when his graceful mate was with child. It was her favorite place in the world. She loved the flowers and peaceful mornings. The songs of chirping birds all around her. She may not have seemed the peaceful type but she was very much in tune with nature. Inutaisho could remember that she had begged him to let her birth Sesshoumaru in the white rose garden. Watching her persevere through the mighty contractions that waved over her while she asked, it had been effortless to give into her desire.
"I wanted to tell you that I am grateful, for your loving me." Sayuri said to Inutaisho who looked into her eyes and smiled kissing her gently. Sesshoumaru was of course repulsed because he was just a child. He rested his head in his mother's lap and could feel the weight of fatigue pulling his eyelids downward. He tried to pull himself out of the sleep he was falling into but his attempts were futile.
Sayuri swept her hand softly across his silken hair and brushed his long bangs from his eyes. Inutaisho wondered how his son would fair in love. He had been besotted with Sayuri from the moment he smelled her scent drifting passed him. His eyes hadn't even been laid on her when he decided that she must be his and then when he caught sight of her that he refused to live without her. She was necessary in his life and he had succeeded in making her his. The next morning the family dressed in some of their best clothes and made the short journey to the palace where the southern princess had just been brought. Inutaisho waved and one of his servants knocked on the large door. The western royalty was announced and immediately the lady of the house came.
"I am sorry, I wasn't expecting any one to come visit us. I am honored by your presence." the woman smiled at them with a deep bow.
"Please, my mate really wanted to become friends with you. She has heard of the nasty rumors which have been spread and wishes to know you personally." Inutaisho explained.
"I'm Priestess Midoriko. My daughter is being dressed as we speak. I am very pleased that there are some who would choose to know me rather than believe what is said of me." she smiled, she was very beautiful with long shining raven hair and sharp brown eyes. She was a very strong priestess and a warrior.
"I'm Sayuri and this is our son, Sesshoumaru." Sayuri said moving to the side revealing her son. Climbing very slowly down the stairs was Rin who was only three years old. All the demons in the room could smell that she was half demon which only confirmed that the rumors were true.
"I'm sure you've noticed that, Rin, is a half demon. I have no intention of hiding her. She is the daughter of Lord Satori. We are very much in love but he doesn't want the life of court for Rin and nor do I. So I will return to the South for duty after Rin has turned five. She will be the lady of the manor then." Midoriko smiled, looking at her daughter.
"She has no appearance of a demon." Inutaisho mentioned.
"Yes, I have sealed it. She has the lifespan of a demon, abilities, and the heightened senses all she lacks is the appearance. I had to seal the blood because I don't know whether or not priestess abilities will awaken in her. If they do and her blood is not sealed she will die a very painful death. It's important that she never beaks that jewel around her neck" Midoriko explained. Sesshoumaru felt his nose tingling from her scent, it was something that just made his stomach fill with some kind of fluttery feeling. Something that could only be described as butterflies. His heartbeat was picking up and Inutaisho realized that his son might have just begun to feel his first crush. Inutaisho smiled and placed a hand on his mate's shoulder.
"I would find your company to my mate, very comforting. She needs another woman to talk to and it seems to me like you two could get on quite well." he encouraged.
"My feelings are the same." Midoriko smiled. She led them to an entertainment room where all kinds of teas and deserts had been laid out. As Inutaisho and Sayuri spent time with Midoriko the children were left in a garden filled with sweet smelling flowers. Sesshoumaru looked at the toddler, her raven hair spilled down her back like a waterfall of ink. It was gleaming in the light against her milk colored skin. Staring up at him in fascination were the big hazel eyes that hid beneath long black lashes that stretched toward the sun. She pulled his finger into her mouth and started chewing on it.
"Why are you chewing on me?" he asked her curiously.
"You smell yummy." she mumbled with the imperfections of a toddler flowing off her musical voice.
"Hn." he let the noise leave him as he sat on the ground beside her. She returned his finger to him small bite marks imprinted on his skin. She smiled at him and began to run along around in the flowers. Around her neck was a long silver chain with a large blue jewel hanging from it. It was beautiful and seemed to shine with a wildfire. Thoughts on what it could be crossed Sesshoumaru's mind. He didn't want to ask but he wanted to know. As she was running she fell and a small wound opened up on her knee. The crimson liquid streamed out for only a moment before the cut healed. She looked at her knee and shrugged. Sesshoumaru smelled her blood the metallic scent intrigued him and so he walked over to where she was and took some of it on to his finger. He brought it to his nose smelling it up close and then his mouth was drawn to his finger and he tasted it. It was salty his noticed and he could taste the coppery flavor along with a sweetness.
"Sesshoumaru we are leaving now. But you can come back tomorrow." Inutaisho said holding his hand out. Sayuri had her hand placed on her belly feeling for the child within her. Sesshoumaru walked over to his parents following them back to their dwelling his mind still on the child, Rin.