Cursed Love
Chapter 1 – Trick of avenge

'But... Hanako-san!' he said, but the fusuma had already been shut. Takeshi sighed, slightly shaking his head. Then, with a final glance at the door, he headed down the little hallway and out into the open. „I don't understand her... why does she keep refusing me...?" he sighed again and tried to concentrate on his environment not on things that bother him. But his thoughts always traveled back to the woman. And slowly anger seemed to overtake him as he remembered those several times she had refused his approaches.

A few hours passed and his home came finally into sight. But before he could even step inside, he felt a presence right behind him. The fox demon sniffed the air, but couldn't fully recognize the person. Turning around, he was met with a beautiful demoness.

'Who are you?' he asked in a dangerous tone. They were far to close to his own home and this could easily be a threat. However, the woman did seem to ignore the warning his voice held.

'Konbanwa, Takeshi-san' she stood up from the rock she was sitting on.

'How do you know my name?' he narrowed his eyes.

'I am Mikoto, the cousin of Hanako' the woman replied with a small bow.

'And may I ask, what are you doing here, Mikoto-san?'

'Actually, I came here because of my cousin.'

'Hanako-san?'

'Hai. I noticed you were really perseverant about her' Mikoto continued, while the other demon tried not to show any emotion on his features. 'However, it seems to me in the end it's all the same. Hanako get what she wants, but eventually leave you with nothing.'

'Did you come here only to tell me this?'

'Of course not' she shook her head; her dark purple locks dancing in the faint moonlight. 'I came here because I don't think you deserved this' curiousity sparkled in the eyes of Takeshi. Content with this reaction, the demoness continued: 'I know a way to avenge her behaviour...'

'I do not wish to hurt her-'

'But you do wish you could teach her a lesson, don't you, Takeshi-san?' Mikoto cut him off; her gaze hardening.

The silence which came from the kitsune youkai was enough for the demoness as a clear answer. A michievous smile appeared in the corner of her lips as she took a few steps closer to him.

'With this' she held up a necklace which resembled a collar ',she'll know what it feels to be tossed aside.'

'But I don't want her to-'

'Then she'll come back to you willingly and you could do with her anything you want...' her words quickly cut off any farther protests coming from Takeshi. He understood the importation of this great opportunity. But then another thought came into his mind:

'Why are you doing this?'

Mikoto shrugged and took a few steps back.

'It isn't important. Now, do you want the necklace or not...?' her deep purple eyes flashed as he moved closer to her to take it. But before she disappeared a few words had to be changed between the two.

'Just put it on her neck. And never take it off' she instructed. 'She won't be able to take it off herself, only with a help of somebody else.'

'And what will this do with her exactly?' Takeshi asked as he examined the black leather, embroidered with little shiny stars.

'This will teach her not to mess with other people's heart' Mikoto's eyes flashed again angrily, but then returned into its normal gaze. But seeing the questioning look on the demon's face she added: 'She'll fall in love with the first male youkai when she sees his face.'

And with that final word, she disappeared in a dark purple could. When it cleared, Takeshi was alone again. He held the necklace towards the moonlight as he made up his mind. A smirk appeared on his lips as he made his way to his home.

„Tomorrow, my darling... tomorrow..."

The sleepy sunrays slowly crawled inside the room, climbing up at the foot of the futon, touching the kakebuton which was made of a light material and finally storking gently the face of the woman who laid there, lightening her features. She had long, dark green hair and a perfect face. Her locks scattered around her like a fan and fell on the tatami, down from her makura.

As the sunrays creeped further inside, she sighed and rolled over; finally opening her light purple eyes after a few moments. It had the same shade as the pair of wavy stripes on her cheekbones. She stifled a yawn and got up, still sleepily. „Here comes another boring day... oh, joy..." Hanako didn't how just how wrong she was...

An hour later she was kneeling on a pillow in front of the low table, waiting for her sister to join her for breakfast. During the time, yesterday came into her mind. „Takeshi-san is really kind to me and he seems to be honest, too, but..." she sighed deeply. „But he just isn't the one who I'm looking for... and no matter how many times I tried to tell him carefully, he just didn't listen to me. And-" the tapping of feet brought her back into reality from her thoughts.

'Ohayou gozaimasu!' she heard her twin sister, Kiyone said, while taking a seat in front of her.

'Ohayou gozaimasu!' replied Hanako smiling. 'Did you sleep well?'

'Of course, ane' she smiled back.

Asagohan went by quickly with the occasional little chatting. Until somebody decided to show up at the end of the meal.

'Takeshi-san! Ohayou gozaimasu!' greeted the two of them, while he stepped inside.

'Ohayou gozaimasu' he nodded, then looked at Hanako. 'I hope I didn't interrupt anything...'

'Oh no, we're just finished breakfast' replied Kiyone, then she stood up. 'So I'm already on my way, have a nice day!' she said before her sister could've said a word; though Hanako's eyes told her silently not to leave her. The demoness sighed inside at her little sister's behaviour. Kiyone was the younger one of them and although they were twins, the two only had little in common. Even their appereance were different. The same light purple orbs gazed back to Hanako, every time she looked into Kiyone's eyes, and she did see the very same markings, but her hair was dark purple, just like their cousin's, Mikoto's.

'Shall we go outside in the garden? It is a lovely day' Takeshi offered a hand to her.

'It's a great idea' she accepted his help and stood up, following after him.

'Takeshi-san...' started Hanako.

'Hai?'

'Why are you here...' the demoness struggled to speak the rest of the sentence, but decided she'd already began, so she had to finish it now. 'Why are you here after yesterday...?' she finally spoke.

'I respect your choice, but...' he stopped and held out something. Hanako looked at it confused when she saw it was a necklace – or rather a collar. 'I would like you to keep this... as a reminder of me...'

'Takeshi-san, I-'

'Please... I do not wish anything else from you, only to keep it... and maybe wear it...' „I do not wish anything else... at least for now..." he added in his mind, but didn't let his thoughts seemed on his features.

'Arigatou, Takeshi-san' Hanako bowed eventually, taking the necklace from his hands. Then she noticed the demon was waiting for something. 'I think I'll put it on tomorrow with a different kimono...' she glanced at him a little bit sharply.

'As you wish...' smirked the kitsune.

They spent the whole morning together, until noon when Takeshi went back to his home. He was hoping silently that Hanako would put the collar on when he was still around, but seeing that this hadn't happened, he decided he would come back tomorrow and maybe he would be lucky.

'So, how was Takeshi-san?' asked Kiyone as her sister stepped inside the dining room. Hanako's eyes flashed for a second.

'You know it very well' she hissed, still hurt from before when Kiyone left her alone with the demon.

'Now is this the way to treat your little sister, Hana?' asked a deep male voice. The two young women turned around and looked at their father.

'You join us?' looked at him his older daughter.

'Obviously' stated Kiyone, earning another sharp glance from Hanako.

'We have things to discuss, my daughters' their father said as he kneeled down on his pillow, in front of them at the table.

'Nani o, chichi?' they asked at the very same time.

'Well, as you know, you two have reached a certain age. Which means you have to travel for a while to though up before returning and finally settle down somewhere with your future mates.'

Hanako choked on her tea and put it down carefully. Kiyone chuckled under breath; she'd seen this coming. Their father looked at his two daughters.

'You know this is a tradition in our family' he explained.

'Yeah, we know...' whispered Hanako, finally calming down. 'We'll do it' Her sister nodded in agreement.

'I don't know if this a good idea' stated Kiyone, standing in front of their home.

'What do you mean?' her sister asked sternly, then mumbled under her breath: 'It's not like we have a choice...'

'But with that thing on your-'

'Kiyone!' Hanako cut her off. 'We agreed, we won't speak about it...'

'Yes, right' the younger one rolled her eyes. 'But. I still think we should travel together, because of that.'

'But the tradition also says, we have to be apart...' sighed Hanako, closing her eyes to calm her nerves.

'I know...' mumbled Kiyone.

It was already the day after that certain lunch. The sun had just risen and they were already packed and said their goodbyes to their father and the few servants that was in the house.

'Now come, we could go together until the road forks' with that said, Hanako hurried off, Kiyone slightly smiling behind her.

Unfortunately it didn't last too long until they came to a stop where there were two ways to continue. One road turned to the east and the other to the west. Kiyone looked at her sister seriously:

'Are you sure you want to do this alone?' Hanako nodded, slightly smiling at her worry.

'I'll be alright. I can do this' she stated confidently.

'Right' smiled back Kiyone, then her eyes wandered at the collar on her sister's neck. 'What is that?'

'Oh, this?' Hanako tried to look down. 'Just some sort of necklace Takeshi-san gave me.'

'And you wear it?' the younger sister asked. 'I thought you didn't want to do anything with him!'

'That's why you left me yesterday alone with him, right?' mocked Hana, but quickly shook her head. 'It's just... I promised him, I'd wear it today and... you know me...' now she couldn't help, but roll her eyes.

'Yes, always keeping promises...' sighed Kiyone a little, then she became a little bit sad. 'So, I guess, we have to go the opposite way from now on.'

'Yeah...' Hanako turned to her little sister. 'Goodbye, imouto... take care!'

'Sayounara, ane' Kiyone hugged her back. They embraced only for a moment longer, then took their fork in the road. The younger one of the twins walked down on the one which went to the East, while Hanako headed to West.

However, Kiyone couldn't help but remain worried, no matter what her sister said. „The ankle chain on her doesn't allow her to use most of her demon powers..." her face darkened as she remembered the day Hanako got it. „It was all Mikoto's fault!" Kiyone fumed inside, deciding that she would search for her cousing during her journey and find a solution to take off that chain which was around her sister's right ankle. „She would be most likely defenceless..."

ˇˇˇ

fusuma: the door in the shouji (japanese paper wall)
konbanwa: good evening
hai: yes
kitsune: fox
youkai: mostly translated as demon
kakebuton: the duvet on the futon
tatami: in Japan they are used to covering the floor inside with this; it's made from reed
makura: that little, rectangular pillow
ohayou (gozaimasu): good morning; with 'gozaimasu' it is more respectful
ane: older sister (you say it to your own sister, but can't say to somebody else's)
asagohan: breakfast
nani o: what (with accusative)
chichi: father (to your own father, not anybody else's)
imouto: little sister
sayounara: goodbye

Well, I hope you liked the first chapter, although there wasn't any Sesshoumaru yet... BUT! In the next one, he'll definetaly show up! ;) Although, I had to do this chapter without him to give you some background information on the main original characters. Reviews would be greatly appreciated! I'd love to hear what you think of this:)

And sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes, though I hope there weren't (too) many. You know, English is not my native language, but I try my best (at least I hope it seems xD) And I hope you enjoyed the few japanese words I put above.