Chapter 1 A Miko and a Taiyoukai
Her smile was gentle, a flash of white between two pink lips pulled across a tan that came from natural sun exposure. She seemed delicate, a petite frame, perhaps a little plump. Locks of sunlight and honey fell in soft waves over her shoulders and down her back. A face with a strange structure, much like the typical Japanese face, it was heart shaped with almond eyes. However, the softly protruding forehead, nose, and chin removed what would have been the classic Japanese beauty. Eyes of stormy seas and thunder clouds searched from under golden lashes, these eyes framed by golden brows. A gentle scent surrounded her, something like fresh linens and power. She sat in the middle of the garden, fidgeting with her kimono and picking at invisible dust. This was the sight that met the Lord of the Western Lands as he entered the garden to the south side of the estate. She turned to him, stood gracefully, and bowed with the respect demanded of his station.
"Priestess, the Western Lands is honored by your presence. I am Sesshoumaru of the House of the Moon." He nodded in response to her bow. She sported that same soft smile as she spoke and observed the taiyoukai. He towered over her, though she was tall for a human. His skin was fairer than hers, his face sported the markings of his heritage. Pointed ears poked from behind silver bangs and framed his symmetrical visage perfectly. His kimono bore his crest of moonflowers, and his mokomoko-sama flowed gracefully over his armor. Two swords were strapped, ready for use, to his slender but sturdy hips. Suni quickly came to the conclusion that the inu before her was both beautiful and most likely dangerous.
"I am pleased as well Sesshoumaru-sama. I am called Suni. What is it that I can do for you? You have asked me far from my home… I have come, only due to your promise of my safekeeping… But I do wonder, what on earth could you need me for?" He arched a solitary eyebrow.
"You trust easily miko. Thankfully your trust was not misplaced in this instance. Please, follow me inside. We can conduct our business there." She followed the silvery sway of hair and attempted to ignore the sick pressure of youki upon her person. None of the youkai in the estate appeared to be suppressing them, in fact it seemed as though they were being purposefully obnoxious. She was not amused. Sesshoumaru led the way into the main house, down corridors that were dressed tastefully in the Japanese way. Shoji doors were moved by invisible hands as the duo entered the study. Sesshoumaru seated himself, gracefully, and was followed by his guest. Tea was brought into the room by two geishas and served to both parties. The youkai geisha pretended to keep their interest to themselves, but their looks as the miko were quite noticeable. Suni caught one of the two staring directly at her, she proceeded to stare right back. The geisha gave a small quirky smile, Suni returned it and the staring match was ended. The two geisha shuffled gracefully backwards out of the room. Sesshoumaru's youki expanded for a moment and a ward of silence was placed on the room, no one would hear their conversation. After taking his first sip of tea, Sesshoumaru spoke,
"Suni-san, are you aware that humans are increasingly outnumbering youkai ten to one in these present years?" Suni nodded her head in the affirmative as well as in interest. Sesshoumaru continued,
"I wish for the House of the Moon to ally itself with a human source. One that would be irrefutable, I do not with to deal with insurrections by thousands of humans. I have decided to appoint a miko to our imperial council." Suni listened aptly, but when Sesshoumaru finished speaking she was surprised. This particular demon lord was known for his dislike of humans, he did not even deign it appropriate to appoint them as servants. It was rumored that he claimed the stench would offend his sensitive nose. Despite her surprise, Sesshoumaru was not finished,
"However," The word was sharp and cold.
"This miko would need to be willing to adapt. Being surrounded by inuyoukai is no small feat. This miko would need to be versatile, and have the ability to conform to our ways. Anyone on the imperial council must be clan. They must be inuyoukai, if not in blood then in mannerism at the slightest. I will accept nothing less than the best. Besides this adaptation, our clan must be the most powerful and therefore we need the most powerful miko. Do you think, Suni, that you could fulfill such a duty?" Her mouth opened slightly, her shock was quite apparent. Her eyes were the color of silver as she took a deep breath and took a sip of her tea. She looked Sesshoumaru straight in the eye as she answered coolly.
"And what benefit would such an alliance provide me with Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"The benefit of all who are considered pack, the rights to food, shelter, protection. You would also be available to compete for mates and the position of alpha, if you so choose. I have gone far out of my way to secure such rights for a human, there is only one other of such a station." Sunni looked at him pensively.
"Your ward… She is mated to an upper-class beta is she not?" He nodded in assent, waiting for a response to the original topic."
"As a miko of your pack, what duties would I be responsible for?" A reasonable question, he thought before answering.
"The same as the others of the imperial council, responsible for any major events, wars, parties, mating ceremonies and such. Also you would be allowed a position of your choosing within the court. Something that would be benefited by your skills, such as a healer would suffice. I have heard that some miko have particular gifts within their power. Whatever would suit you." Suni thought again.
"I have a request Sesshoumaru-sama." Sesshoumaru nodded gently.
"I would like some time to think on this offer… If it would please you, my lord, I would also like to see some of your pack and their life here before I make a decision deciding the rest of mine."
"Your request is reasonable. It shall be done. Do you require anything more at this moment?" She shook her head. Sesshoumaru lowered the ward in the room with no problems. The two geisha re-entered the room and bowed to their lord, then their guest.
"Minako, Reiku, this is Sunni-san. You shall accompany her on a tour of the estate, take her to see various pack activities, and answer any questions she may have. I expect you to take care of my guest, no harm is to come to her in this land. Am I understood?" His voice gave Suni tremors. As the geisha responded with soft and sultry 'yes, my lord' s, she understood she was not the only one who suffered the effects of the chilly baritone. Suni rose as Sesshoumaru did, he nodded and she bowed, as he prepared to depart.
"Suni-san, take my words into consideration. For they are of dire importance, I will meet with you again this evening. I will expect your answer then." He turned away and walked to the shoji doors which obediently opened before him. Suni turned to the two geisha and waited. They were both dressed lavishly as their station required. The taller of the two sported deep purple hair, styled ornately atop her head. Her eyes were sea green, her face was made up in the traditional way: white face, pink cheeks, red lips, and a bit of charcoal to enhance the eyes. The other looked much less traditional, her jet black hair was mostly unrestrained minus the bone and bejeweled ornaments adorning it. Her eyes were as black as her hair. Her face was not whitewashed as the other geisha, but she did have the classic eyes and lips. Both had carefully restrained their youki for her benefit. The black headed one spoke first,
"Suni-san, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am called Minako. My accomplice is Reiku." The both bowed and she responded with the same.
"A pleasure, both of you. You are quite lovely, I have never seen geisha so elegant or ornate." Reiku's flush was visible, and Minako smiled.
"You are quite a vision as well, Suni-san. Never have we heard tales of a miko as beautiful. Such strange coloring… However, I lose myself. We are to be giving you a tour, are we not." Reiku spoke the words apprehensively, slightly nervous about such an informal breach in protocol.
"Oh, certainly! But, ladies, there is no reason for the two of you to not enjoy the day as I will. Do not think of all this mess purely as business. Perhaps, by sunset we might even be considered friends. We'll start off by saying you both shall call me Suni. I am no greater or less than anyone present." The two geisha smiled cheerfully. Such a miko, who wished to befriend her mortal enemy. Perhaps whatever Sesshoumaru was planning would be to their advantage.
End Chapter 1