Beautiful Danger
The Ceremony
The golden rays of a setting sun cast their glory upon a fertile valley, one thick with the towering trees of forests. The sinking orb made the mighty ranges of mountains only into black shapes of one large silhouette, as if to steal attention away from all else. Yet one beauty it could not match, for upon a peak opposite of the dimming sun, majestically stood a young woman. She was stunning in every way as the Western winds escaped into the gulf of the valley, the air current blazing past the gorgeous being that stood alone against the darkening sky. Her clothing of white furs whipped in the wind as well as her auburn hair, hanging free from her usual pigtails. In her right hand she clutched an iris flower filled with many spiritual powers- an heirloom her parents left for her when they passed. A searching gaze completed her sweet complexion, one to catch anyone's attention. She had large, emerald hues that engulfed all the beauty of the world and lips resembling a pink rose, as soft as the petals and even the color. Her figure was strikingly perfect, straight shoulders to follow down slender arms, her pronounced collarbone accentuated perfectly rounded, full breasts, which flowed to a dainty rib cage that fed into her curvy hips in which completed her hourglass figure. Long, perfectly shaped legs curved in proportion with her round glut followed up by a soft crevice in the center of her arched back.
A masterpiece created by the hands of God. Yet this beauty, this perfection was hidden from all. She was no trophy, but an heir to her tribe. Most commonly known as Ayame- Hime, she was royal property of the Northern White Wolf Clan. Her Grandfather, Ji-San, or elder of the tribe, took her parents place until Ayame-Hime was old enough to run the tribe herself. In order to take early custody of the clan, she tried convincing a local leader of their allies to engage her and marry so she may run the clan, yet he declined every time. He had once given her a promise many years ago that he would marry her in order to settle a quarrel, but his promise was shot to hell since he had forgotten it and fell for a mortal girl, the reincarnation of a traveling priestess named Kikyo. This girl, Kagome, once traveled with a hanyou and two other mortals, but the group had fallen apart. Kagome had engaged the wolf prince, Koga, and her hanyou friend, Inuyasha became a wanderer once again. Rumors often went on about him. Many demons said he was rather strong and especially with the aid of his fanged sword. Ayame had not exactly encountered him, so she thought not much of it.
An echoing howl caught the attention of the wolf demoness, commanding her to return to the tribe grounds. Baying in reply, she leapt from the peak and soared across the many forests back home.
She landed gracefully upon the earthen ground, entering through the surrounding trees. A large, old wolf turned around as he caught her scent.
"Ayame!" He called as he briskly trotted to her, "How many times must I tell you not to leave these grounds?!"
Rolling her eyes like any teenager would, she answered him. "Grandpa, you can't keep me cooped up here!"
"I most certainly can! With your ripening power, you are sure to be attacked by some demon out there! Many want our power, Ayame, many do. We cannot risk making a simple mistake just as we did with your parents, and lose all the clan. Now go bathe and change, the testing will begin soon." With that, Ji-san walked off, leaving Ayame to groan about the upcoming event this evening.
Her grandfather was being rather protective and ordered competitions to see whom would be the strongest guard for Ayame. He wished her no longer to be alone out where she was not protected.
Ayame drudged to a small entrance in the side of a rocky cliff, entering it, she saw two maids standing at the mouth. Both were very lively and would do anything for the princess. As soon as she entered, the two women leapt up in a stiff standing position.
"Welcome Miss Ayame," They both greeted in unison after a respectful bow.
"Hello ladies," Ayame replied blandly, "Will you two prepare me for the feast?" She asked, turning over her shoulder.
"Of course miss!" One answered.
"I will prepare the water out in the bath house for you!" The other volunteered.
"Make sure it's the farthest one from this place…" Ayame groaned.
While the bath water was warming by fire, Ayame slipped from her dirty clothes and wrapped herself in a thick, fur robe.
"Your bath is ready, miss." The maid said as she reentered the cave, wiping the glistening sweat from her forehead.
"Arigatou, Akina." Ayame said thankfully with a nod.
Akina and Nami, the two servants, carried a rice paper shade in order to cover Ayame as she exited the privacy of her cave. Many men may have wished for a peek at this fine beauty, but if they were to see, or worse, take such purity, they would surely be punished, the consequences even fatal.
They quickly found the small clearing in which the bathhouse stood. It was rather secretive, and that is why Ayame liked bathing in it the most.
"Enjoy your bath, milady." Nami said before the two returned to the cave to choose a kimono for the princess.
As soon as the maids were gone, she dropped the robe at her feet and waded into the steaming waters.
A lonesome being wandered in the woods not too far from the tribe's grounds. He wore a red kimono made of the fire rat cloth, his own heirloom of his parents' passing. He was a hanyou by the name of Inuyasha, and being such, he had learned a hard lifestyle with criticism and prejudice. It was even worse since his friendship bonds were broken with his pack. His former group consisted of a monk, a demon slayer, a young fox demon, and the reincarnation of his first love, a priestess. He had loved Kagome-sama very much, but battled against the love triangle formed. Before he met Kagome, he grew to love a priestess by the name of Kikyo. But a treacherous demon named Naraku coveted the sacred jewel, a powerful item that could grant any wish which was placed in Kikyo's care. This demon Naraku caused the two to turn on one another, killing each other. Inuyasha was sealed to The Tree of Ages for fifty years while Kikyo was sent to the next life, bringing the jewel with her. Five hundred years later, Kagome brought back the jewel that was implanted in her body. She also awoke Inuyasha, bringing him to life once again. She then paired up with Inuyasha, searching for the sacred jewel, but ended up shattering it into thousands of shards. Then the real searching began, but along the way, they met new people with their own grudges against Naraku. All soon decided to hunt Naraku down and destroy him for revenge.
Those days had been good to Inuyasha, having companions and not being alone, but he was back where he started all because of that horrible incident-
They had finally found Naraku and tried desperately to kill him, but he ended up escaping as always. Everyone had split up to search his dwelling grounds. As Inuyasha dashed quickly around the outskirts of the castle, he saw a dark figure sprawled across the grass. Quickly, he ran to see who it was. Identifying it as Sango-chan's younger brother, Kohaku, who was captured by Naraku, he grabbed the boy by the shoulder and shook him to wake up. After a few frantic tries, he lifted one of Kohaku's eyelids only to see a dull iris, no life within him. He then turned the boy over to find a mass of blood covering a deep slash on his back. Within the pool of blood that stained the grass beneath him, the jewel shard, the only thing that had kept him alive lay. Kohaku had taken his own life.
"Inuyasha! Have you found any clues?" Kagome called as she ran up to the crouching hanyou. Inuyasha slowly turned around, displaying the jewel shard between his thumb and forefinger, blood covering his hands. Kagome stopped abruptly, her eyes widening once she saw Kohaku's body lying in front of Inuyasha. The others did the same as soon as they caught up.
"Inuyasha, did you?..." Kagome asked, her voice trailing off.
The hanyou looked down at the scene he had made, realizing what she was thinking. "N-no, it wasn't me!"
"You greedy half breed!" Sango screamed at him as soon as she could force words from her lips. Tears streamed from her eyes as she yelled at the hanyou. "You took the shikon shard right out of his back and killed him! Just for that damn jewel! No longer will you live! No longer will Kohaku suffer!"
"Sango! No! I didn't kill him!" Inuyasha pleaded, but the huntress had no intention of giving him mercy. Grabbing her Hiraikotsu, she swung the giant boomerang straight towards him. Unable to react, Inuyasha was hit in the side, causing him to turn and fall flat on the ground. Lifting his head to see the other's reactions, he saw Miroku comforting Kagome, an angered look upon his face. Kagome looked up for a moment and screamed at him.
"You're despicable!" She cried.
"But I-" Inuyasha tried to choke out as he forced himself on all fours, but was immediately knocked down as Sango slammed her weapon straight on his back.
It was all a faint memory now. Somehow, he had managed to escape his attacking friends. Now he merely went where he wished, as carefree as could be. His hopes had been crushed over finding the sacred jewel, for he had no trail to follow, nor any allies to help him. He thought about Kikyo whom was brought back to life some time ago, but she was killed by Naraku once again. Yet another dream shot to hell. Besides, why should he settle down anyway? Life had been rough. Why not enjoy his youth for a bit?
As the hanyou carelessly preceded his wanders, he came across the scent of warm water. Curious to if it was a hot spring he might be able to bathe in, he followed the scent to see a wooden bathhouse standing out in its lonesome.
He waited a moment to see if there was any movement within. He could smell no being because of the damp scent, and the only movement he saw was the steam rising from the vents out skirting the roof. Could someone have merely forgotten about the bath? Perhaps he could steal one wash while no one was looking. Cautiously, he approached the structure and hoisted himself up to look through the slot like vents. Through the white, steady steam he could make out a figure of a person. As the blanket of fog came to rest, those wandering optics of his defined the person to be a woman. Her back turned to him, he curiously searched her cream colored skin and fine structure. Without warning, her head turned, showing her profile which struck vivid memories of the wolf demoness he had met only a few times in his life.
Ayame-chan? He questioned in his mind. In such shock, he lost his footing and fell flat on his back and on the earthen ground.
Ayame quickly turned around, wondering what the interruption of such silence could have been. But growing disinterested, she returned to her bathing.
As he recovered from his fall, he wondered why, out of all people he had run into Ayame? Feeling somewhat interested, he decided to spy on the demoness and see what was happening. Although he had no sense of smell because of the moist, bath water steam, he assumed he was on the White Wolf Clan grounds, and among the treetops, he could hear a faint ruckus of voices buzzing about the surrounding area. Once he was certain he had intruded upon the wolf territories, he slipped from the hidden bathhouse's wall and into the out skirting forest of the lands.
After what seemed an eternity, Ayame emerged from the steamy room, clothed in her previous fur robe. She hurried back to her cave, where her personal maids awaited to dress her.
"Ladies! Hurry and get my-" Ayame was cut off as she saw Akina and Nami suddenly appear straight in front of her, producing a wonderful, silk Kimono.
"Will this one fit the occasion?" Asked Akina, a broad and cheery smile upon her face as she saw the princess stare at it in wonder.
"Make haste, miss! The ceremony will be beginning soon!" Nami quickly tore the thick robe from the princess and helped her dress in undergarments. Once the thin, white robes were assembled, the two quickly slipped the Kimono around the demoness' slender body, tucking in each flap and fixing each flaw in how the fabric sat. Finishing off the clothing process, the maids tied a wrap around Ayame's midsection, creating a large bow to sit on the swell of her back.
Inuyasha found a sturdy tree branch to sit in as he watched the clan's warriors file in, taking positions and readying themselves for fighting matches. The hanyou's eyes almost sparkled as he watched them unsheathe and whip their swords around, acting flashy and cocky, as if they were strong. Inuyasha only marveled because he hadn't had a good fight in a long time, and with the power of Tessaiga, he would be able to wipe out each and every one of them with a single stroke.
After Ayame was assembled with makeup and her Kimono, she dazzled at her image in the mirror, rather pleased with her appearance.
"You look wonderful, milady!" Praised the two maids.
"All thanks to you two, Arigatou." Ayame said in a soft voice.
Once all was in place, Ji-san ordered one of the tribe males to call Ayame for her grand entrance, after all, it was testing for her bodyguard. Although this event was one of importance, it still would have its entertainment rewards as a sporting event.
Suddenly, Ayame saw a dark shadow cast upon the cave wall entrance. Without seeing a face, she heard a deep voice convey her grandfather's message.
"Madam, you're presence is requested for the entrance."
"Quickly milady!" Her maids ushered her from the cave to a canopy covered by thick curtains, soon to be drawn. Akina shoved a thin object into the princess' hand. Ayame looked down to see that it was a fan.
"Keep the fan over your face, but do not cover your eyes. True beauty hides away its features, teasing thirsty eyes. Keep it in place at all times, except when you sit at the table with the elders."
"Hai," Ayame replied as she awaited the curtains' retracting.
Inuyasha took note of such a marvelous setup. The soldiers created an isle starting from a canopy, each of them standing perfectly straight, all aligned. He then turned to the tables set up with bounties of food and Sake straight across from the battle arena where the warriors would dual. And surrounding the entire area were torches, for the sun had gone down. Then, his attention was drawn as a deep sound of a horn echoed through the night air. Filing out of a nearby cave came the elders, Ayame's grandfather in the front. They soon took their seats at the dining table, Ji-san sitting as the head, yet awaiting his granddaughter to accompany him.
Once again, the horns sounded up. Torches were raised as the canopy's curtains opened.
"Your entrance, Miss!" Nami alerted as she and Akina exited the canopy. Ayame gave the fan a flick of her wrist, opening it in a second, and holding it in front of her face as instructed. The curtains were drawn to show an isle of the many men that would fight to be her personal guard. She gave them no glances as she made her way down the path, yet they secretly stole peaks as she passed. Even Inuyasha had to question himself to if it really was Ayame or not.
The Ayame he was more familiar with was small and scrawny, but she had now grown into a beautiful, young woman. Although distance came between him and the entire ceremony, he could still define each feature even from such a remote area.
Ayame gingerly walked down the isle path as if not to step on the excess cloth from her pink, silk Kimono which traveled along behind her. The beautiful robe seemed to aid in hiding her beauty as the long, accentuated sleeves covered her arms entirely. Its cut ended near her neckline yet only to be layered over another shirt. The only feature it did not hide was her slender waistline. The bow was tied rather strained, showing the slight curve in her hips. Pronouncing the vivid colors of the Kimono was the light makeup painted upon her complexion. A touch of red rouge graced her lips as well as a fine powder spread across her face, giving her skin a bit more glow. The maids had touched Ayame's hair with nothing but a comb for it was beautiful the way it was. It had dried to thick, gentle waves which toppled down her back and shoulders, giving her a more natural appearance. Ayame was gorgeous in every way, and dressed up like that, she was even more stunning. She actually had an effect on the hanyou as he marveled luminously at the princess- An action in which he didn't even realize he was conveying.
Ayame was sure to keep the golden fan in place as she made her way to the head of the table, her emerald eyes scanning the ceremony grounds for any escape. Ayame-Hime did not wish for a body guard. It only meant more restriction.
Finally, she came to the front table in which her grandfather already occupied. She gave a deep bow before gracefully kneeling beside him and tucking her fan into the folds of her sleeves.
Silence.
The head elder seated next to Ayame slowly came to stand, his head raised as his deep, raspy voice echoed throughout the grounds.
"Dear tribal friends, family, visitors of other clans. I believe you all know what this occasion holds and its purpose. My Ayame, heiress to the most powerful of the Wolf Demon Clans, is and shall always be the pride of our Nations. May she grow wiser in her days before her dubbing, and may she grow with strength as well…" Her grandfather droned on in what seemed like one long sentence. Ayame watched him with dull eyes, not even listening to his words. She didn't care about being a princess and turning into a Chieftess, or being a prized possession. She rather would have been the plain and simple Ayame she thought she was, yet she was more divine than anyone were to know, overflowing like a waterfall with passion. No eyes could see what she saw- For many, a painting is a masterpiece. For Ayame, a true masterpiece painting is in the sky, once the sun set behind the western crests of the ranges. Simplicities were ardors to her. Just lulling in an empty canoe on a summer's day might strike a thought of genuine, or perhaps a tune to a soft, evoking song. She had her own mind, filled with genius, yet no one would have ever known it until…
"Let the challenge begin!" Her grandfather's piercing tone struck her from her day dreams. She pretended to not be startled as she turned to the battlefield with false anticipation in her eyes.
Inuyasha, whom still occupied his tree branch, quickly turned his attention back to the grounds. His eyes seemed to light up quicker than fire on tinder as he gazed longingly upon the battle arena.
The two first opponents met within the earthen circle, giving one another a slight bow, and then parting to opposite sides where they unsheathed their swords in unison. Both readied themselves in a fighting stance, prepared to plunge at one another as soon as the signal was given. A long silence came. Suddenly, a trumpet split the air, sending the two warriors swinging silver blades, dodging, and attacking in every direction.
The hanyou focused intently on the two, thinking about his own battle tactics if he were in such a situation. It had been a while since he had fought and he was hungry for a challenge.
The competition grew hotter as other rounds came about. The warriors seemed to become more skilled and rather cocky. Any time a player would make a bad move, Inuyasha would curse him under his breath. He soon found himself standing upon the branch, one hand rested upon the trunk for balance, the other in a high hearted clutch, at times changing its position to rest on Tessaiga's handle.
Every moment seemed more daring. More stunts and flashiness seemed to rise as did the audience's excitement. The warriors pulsed with pride as they stood in the center of the circle after beating their opponent.
Inuyasha's blood boiled. He was being tortured having to watch all this action. He grew more intrigued with every slash and hit.
The warriors began pepping one another. Howling and growling as if they were alphas. It was all for show, but pulling Inuyasha straight into the pit…and literally.
Battle call after battle call- Inuyasha couldn't take it anymore. Unconsciously, he gripped Tessaiga's handle, unsheathing it as he leapt head on into the battle arena. The rusty sword transformed within seconds as he whipped it above his head and striking it downward with his own battle cry of "Kaze No Kizu!"
Soldiers and others were sent flying into the dirt abyss. Rumbling, gasps, and shouts filled the atmosphere as many scrambled for cover. The elders quickly ducked, as well as Ayame, flipping her fan outward and opening it to cover her face from flying debris. Once the dust settled, the only thing that could be seen was a prideful, haughty, cocky hanyou standing with his enlarged sword resting upon his shoulders, a hand on his hip, and a smirk of superior upon his face.
Once the dust had cleared, the previous onlookers came from their shelter to get a glimpse of what had made the entire ruckus. Inuyasha eyed them as they examined him. Some had looks of disgust on their faces, others had admiration, and most were just too shocked. Ayame turned to see the intruder and found herself lightly gasp once she recognized who it was.
After a long silence and the previous event processed in everyone's brains, an uproar of applauds echoed throughout the lands.
Inuyasha's expression turned surprised. After what he had just done, they were supporting him?
"Everyone settle down!" Shouted Ji-san as he made his way over to the hanyou. "What business do you have being here?!" He hissed at the intruder, almost spitting in anger.
"I uh-" Inuyasha began, but was suddenly cut off by a chiming female voice.
"Mind you, grandfather…" She halted their sentences as she made her way up an isle of the audience, her fan in place, and still looking miraculous.
Inuyasha's eyes widened as he got even a closer look at the princess. He involuntarily gawked, not realizing that all others (but the elders) had bowed in her presence. "A-Ayame-chan?" He questioned aloud, but suddenly felt a forceful tug upon his Kimono, sending him to the ground in a bowing position as well.
"Lower yourself!" A large, bald headed warrior next to him snarled in a whisper. "And title her as Ayame- Hime, she is a princess!"
"Who? You mean Aya-" His head was slammed to the ground by the angered soldier.
"I said keep your head down! You are in the presence of royalty! Treat her with respect!" He snarled again while Inuyasha fought the urge to slam him one in the teeth.
"Granddaughter, I bid you, I will have this situation under control." Ji-san said as she passed him.
"No need," Ayame replied. "I believe I am familiar with this young man. Boy, raise your head." Ayame instructed, acting as proper as possible. Inuyasha did as he was told. He raised his head to look up into her emerald optics, almost seeing his reflection within them, and catching himself from getting lost within their beauty. It was as if it they were voids, connecting the outside world to within her very soul.
Ayame took note of his amber eyes, how familiar they were. Closing her fan, she touched the tip of it to the underside of his chin, faking an inspection. Once finished, she instructed him to stand, and he did so.
"Your name is Inuyasha? Is it not?" She asked, slightly pacing in front of him as her fan tapped lightly upon her shoulder.
"Um, yes, your highness?" He answered, though unsure of the title he gave her, but it seemed to pass.
"Ayame, how do you know this boy?" Her grandfather inquired.
"Well, I met him during my journey for Koga-san. He was traveling with a priestess named Kagome, Koga's present mate. He and Koga-san did not get along too well, but I'm sure our bonds remain quite friendly?" Ayame turned to him as if to confirm that her opinion matched his.
"Uh…yes." He answered again.
"What do you propose I do?" Ji-san asked.
"Well, he did demonstrate his power, and I know him personally, what more could you have asked for?" She answered in a cheery tone, clueing him in.
"He's a mere hanyou and not part of the clan." Her grandfather retorted.
Inuyasha gave a slight snarl, but held his tongue.
"And? What importance does that have? Just as long as the task is done. Please, grandfather! It only would seem fair that I choose!" The reason she wanted Inuyasha as her body guard was that she did not think he would restrain her from her actions, though as might a relative warrior might.
With a heavy sigh, her grandfather agreed. He then turned to Inuyasha, rambling quickly something the hanyou didn't understand.
"Do you take this responsibility wholly and truthfully and bound it about your shoulders as your soul duty?" He asked.
Inuyasha looked around as if the answer would pop out from the sky. "Uh…"
Just say yes! Ayame mouthed behind her fan.
"Yes!" Inuyasha finished sharply.
"Very well," Her grandfather concluded. "Welcome to the clan."
Crowds rejoiced and celebrated as two soldiers came to stand beside the victorious hanyou, raising his arms in triumph. With a small smile, Inuyasha looked above the crowd, feeling more powerful than he ever had. He had won…he wasn't sure what, but he won something…
As all came to sit and feast, loud conversations were spread across the table. Joyous laughter bellowed from the soldiers as they joked about the previous event. Inuyasha often caught them pointing at him with smiles across their faces, giving him thumbs up in which Inuyasha returned with a bit of confusion within his smile. He then turned to Ayame whom sat next to him, sipping her Sake daintily.
"Ayame-cha…I mean Hime, why do they keep pointing at me?" Inuyasha asked as he signaled towards the warriors.
"Don't know, why don't you ask them?" Ayame replied, half way interested.
Inuyasha reverted his attention back to the burly group, giving his ears a flick, he eavesdropped upon the conversation.
"I can't believe that half dog won!" Chuckled a scrawny soldier, though his voice sounded very faint.
"He's pretty damn lucky to be rooming with Ayame-Hime. There's no telling what I would do if I were alone with her in a cave…" Added another as he chugged down some Sake.
Inuyasha flattened his ears at the last comment, but then turned to Ayame once again. "What exactly did I win?" He asked clueless.
Ayame's brows rose at his question. "You don't know?" She began, but then decided not to tell him yet. "I'll explain later…" She replied as her expression changed and went back to warily sipping the alcohol.
As food began to decrease, and more Sake was served upon each tribe member, a few instruments began to play, pleasing the company's ears. The chatter began to lessen and couples got up to dance upon the abandoned battlefield. All were having a swell time, until…
"Inuyasha-kun," Ji-san turned to the newly accepted hanyou. "Why don't you take my granddaughter for a dance?"
"Nani?!" Inuyasha squeaked.
"Nani?!" Ayame repeated in a higher key than Inuyasha.
"Come, you two, it would only be proper." Ayame's grandfather ushered them from the table to the earthy dance floor. All others cleared the way, leaving an empty space for them to publicly pretend to dance. As soon as they had reached the crater of hell, Ji-san backed out, urging them to begin.
"Dance you two!"
All Ayame did was stare clueless at Inuyasha who returned the same expression. He didn't know how to dance! How was he supposed to pull this off? The only way he knew was ballroom dancing—a form Kagome had forced him to learn during their friendship. Other than that, he had no option but to stand there and drool like an idiot.
Inuyasha didn't want to be humiliated, so he did the only thing he could do. With a heavy sigh, and a drop of his shoulders, he straightened up and lightly pressed a hand to her hip, holding her hand with his opposing one. He brought her free palm to rest upon his shoulder. She just stared at him, wondering what he was doing. "Just follow me," He whispered to her as he began to take slow steps in a pattern. Like he instructed, she followed, cautious not to make any mistakes. Once Ayame had gotten the hang of it, the two were floating across the earth. The audience at first cocked their heads and furrowed their brows in confusion, but soon finding this new way entertaining, they followed along. The entire floor seemed to move gracefully as they too, picked up the new steps quickly.
Ayame was glad when the song ended, for she let out a sigh of relief when their dancing stance was parted. She gave a light chuckle as she watched the hanyou smile shyly and look away to the ground. But suddenly he was pulled over to the group of grungy soldiers as they firmly patted his back and laughed loudly.
"Winning and a dance?" One soldier said in disbelief as he handed Inuyasha a cup of Sake.
"Damn, what spell was cast on you, I want one!" Joked another while sitting next to him.
"Yeah, um…about that…" Inuyasha began as he scratched the back of his head nervously, "I never really 'entered' the contest I won, so…what exactly did I win?" He asked, trying not to sound as stupid as he felt.
"Oi, kid! Dontcha know? You won being Ayame's personal body guard!" The same soldier replied as he slapped his knee.
"A What?!" Inuyasha yipped as he gawked at Ayame in disbelief. The ceremony had previously ended and he was now in his rooming cave which he shared with Ayame. He was actually surprised on how nice the cave was. Instead of hard, rocky walls, they were rather smooth and straight, decorated with tapestries. Large, thick furs covered the grounds, leading to her bed. Rather than a traditional matt and square pillow, her bed was more like a leveled crater carved from out of the wall and filled with soft furs and fluffed pillows. Across the floor was a rice shade in which Ayame would change behind. In the very center, a large fire burned, heating the entire cave.
Ayame seemed to glide as she made her way to the rice shade. "Yeah, and what about it?" She asked as if it were no big deal.
His gaze seemed to follow her until she was behind the standing fold. "What about it? I might have to spend the rest of my life watching over your ass!" He growled.
Ayame peered from the shade. "Watch over my ass? Most men would love to do that…" She chuckled playfully as she gave herself a smack on the rump.
Ass… Inuyasha thought for a moment, but it slipped from his mind. He had a knack for rather naughty thoughts as most males his age did. But they slipped as quickly as they came. He only had perverted thoughts, never erotic, nothing of deep emotions until…
He snapped himself out of his daze and questioned her. "Well, how do you suppose we fix this?" He grunted at her casualty of the situation.
"Its late Inu-kun, we can talk about it tomorrow morning." Ayame replied as she undid her kimono. Inuyasha tried to keep himself from staring at the silhouette of the disrobing figure. Damn…why did she have to be so luring and without even trying?
"No, I gotta get out of here as soon as possible!" He snarled, tearing himself from his boyish fantasies.
"Just stay here for one night, and then we'll go over possibilities in the morning, okay? Besides, even if we did get you out of here tonight, where would you go?" Ayame asked, and Inuyasha knew she was right.
"Fine, I'll stay here for one night and one night only. And tomorrow, we talk about how I'm getting outta here, got it?" He said in a demanding tone.
"Alright, alright…" She grumbled in reply as she emerged from her shade.
Inuyasha glanced at her for a moment, but suddenly did a second take for all that the demoness wore was a silk gown barely reaching half way of her thighs.
Boobs, ass, boobs, ass, legs, boobs, ass…
Inuyasha was almost hissing at her for coming out in something so showy, but he was glad when she made her way into the furs of her bed. She had plopped amongst the mound of pillows and sighed heavily before burying herself deeper into the fluff and comfort.
Inuyasha scoffed and folded his arms tightly across his chest, Tessaiga standing erect in the crook of his arm. "How in the hell did I get such bad luck?" His annoyed look seemed to drift to the other side of the room.
Ayame looked up from beneath a pillow, her brow furrowed at his rudeness. "Oh shut up and enjoy the night that you aren't sleeping up in a tree, would you?"
"Keh," he murmured and bowed his head in a resting manor. Ayame resumed her former position and soon was asleep.
The atmosphere grew still with silence and all that kept the moment alive was the last flickers of the fire that burned deep into the soot of its pit now. Inuyasha was not asleep, but gazing about the cave. His eyes crept to the crater bed in which Ayame lay sprawled in. The orange light cast a glow upon one thigh that lay uncovered by the furs in which she was buried in. The demoness slept deeply, a slight snore in her breathing pattern making her seem even more peaceful. The hanyou couldn't help but to still marvel at how she had grown. Her figure was perfect, her facial features flawless, everything about her was blessed with a certain grace even as she slept with half removed makeup upon her complexion. Inuyasha grimaced a bit at himself for giving her such credit and he turned away to the dying fire.
An hour later the flame was out. The heat seeped into the cave walls and all was freezing. His fingers dug into the sides of his arms as he pulled the loose fitting kimono tighter around his body. But soon he found comfort in the midst of the freezing night as he always did and drifted off into a somewhat pleasant sleep.