Title: Hatsukoi (First Love)
Summary: When Soukisho of the Southern Plains struck out westward, he had grand ideas of fame and glory. But nowhere in his dreams did he expect what fate held in store for him, nor whom it was that would bring it all about.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its elements. They are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
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Nageke tote
Tsuki ya wa mono wo
Omowasuru
Kakochi-gao naru
Waga namida kana.
-- Saigyo Hoshi
In the time before the burgeoning of the world of men, great beings walked the earth.
War was a constant state in those days. Youkai lords rose in power and contended with each other, striving for supremacy, territory, privileges.
Soukisho of the Southern Plains heard of one such daiyoukai, a star rising in the West. His name was Kanekazu, and already, his legend was spreading far across the land. It was said that his power was so great, that when he unleashed his true form, he dwarfed the mountain.
Entranced with these tales, Soukisho let his imagination run wild, daydreaming of his own moment of fame. Time passed, and the mundane tasks of living chaffed at him more and more.
One summer's day, with the sun was low and red on the horizon, the young inu youkai came to a decision that took him down a very different path of life. Before the last light of day had faded, he bid goodbye to the small group that had raised him after his parents' demise.
Unblooded, little more than a pup, Soukisho set off in the direction of the setting sun, intent upon seeking out and swearing loyalty to the inu no taisho Kanekazu. Yet, for all his improbable flights of fancy, he never expected what fate held in store for him, nor the one who would bring it all about.
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As he neared Kanekazu-taisho's territory, the same rumors that named him the Lord of the West also spoke of his daughter, whose beauty was said to render men witless.
The first time Soukisho saw her, he thought that he had somehow been faced with a tennyo and not an inugami, for surely no earthly creature could possibly be so lovely.
Mizuki, she was named, vindicating every rumor of her beauty; with silken locks of hair like the night sky and a crescent vivid gold against her pale skin, she had all the allure of the mysterious moon.
He was robbed of all thought – save one: "I want her," he breathed.
A grizzled, greying fighter nearby heard him and snorted. "Have patience, young pup. Patience and hope. When the time is right, if you're ready, maybe she will be yours."
Soukisho did not understand what he meant. With all the naiveté of an infatuated youth, from that day on, he worked tirelessly day and night, training to become a fighter, all in a misguided belief that, if he become like her father, he would win her admiration.
Moons waxed and moons waned and Soukisho grew in strength and skill.
And then, one day, his play-fighting with Kuri, the weakest member of the pack, turned earnest. A challenge was wordlessly cast and just as silently taken up.
Few were around to witness that fight, inconsequential to pack hierarchy as it was.
His clothes were bloodstained at the end of that day, but it was a furious Kuri who had to admit defeat. He lifted his chin, baring his unprotected neck, the ritual gesture acknowledging that his life was his opponent's to be spared or taken as the victor wished.
And so began Soukisho's ascension through the ranks of the pack.
He learned fast, and with each victory, rose one step closer to being a warrior strong enough to attract Mizuki's eye. Believing himself on the path to achieving his dream, he had never been happier.
Until the day, three years after Soukisho had joined Kanekazu-taisho's pack.
The day the boar youkai had invaded their territory, and Soukisho had first seen the daughter of the daiyoukai draw her blade.
It was a sight he would not forget for all of his long life.
She moved with the grace of a butterfly, her eyes – eyes dark as the star-filled night, dark as the oblivion of the afterlife – coolly assessing her opponent.
Never had death been so swift... or so glorious.
In that moment, it dawned on him just how far below her he was. Hope fled, and Soukisho felt the threads of a great destiny slide away from his grasp.
O'ercome with pity for this world,
My tears obscure my sight;
I wonder, can it be the moon
Whose melancholy light
Has saddened me to-night?
-- The Priest Saigyo
Authorspeak:
Something new from me! Well, it's not that new; has been gathering dust in my writing folder for more than a month now. Written in secret with encouragement and must-appreciated concrit from my LJ friends! But it's new – as in 'out of the ordinary' for two reasons:-
Firstly, it's neither a drabble or one-shot, nor a sprawling tale of epic proportions; this is the first of seven parts that make up this tale. You can expect an update a week -- at least, until I get to the bits I have not edited yet; then it may stall for (hopefully) not too long.
Secondly, it's a pairing that some may consider terribly sacrilegious for one who is an Inupapa/Izayoi fan. I personally don't see a problem: they're both very much canon pairings and each one is compelling in its own way. I'll stop ranting; I'm just a little tired of the either-Izayoi-or-Sessmom mentality that I have encountered.
On another note, the verse at the end of the chapter is a translation of the poem at the beginning, in case you're wondering.
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy this new tale I've launched.
Glossary
daiyoukai - Greater youkai. Literally 'big youkai'.
inu no taisho - "Dog General"
inu youkai / inugami - Dog spirit of Japanese myth.
taisho - Captain, General
tennyo - Heavenly maiden
youkai - Creatures in Japanese folklore. Some possess part animal and part human features. Generally have a sort of spiritual or supernatural power.