Fragments of her past
Standard disclaimers apply.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I'm really glad the story is getting off to a good start, and I promise to continue producing good reads for everyone. Now here's chapter 2, and soon, the entire picture would be revealed.
Enjoy, and don't forget to drop a review!
Title: Wisteria
Chapter 2: Fragment of her past
Her head snapped up to look at the owner of that baritone voice straight in the face, before her throat tightened and she could only gape in surprise at the person staring back down at her from his superior position.
Her blood ran cold in that instant; it was as if someone poured ice water directly into her veins. It was a face which she feared, a face that emitted a forbidding aura ever so readily, signaling to Kagome instinctively to escape as well.
Sesshoumaru.
The same perfect face, with those familiar maroon markings and the flashing eyes of molten gold...she wanted to cry out in relief. Her fear of being caught by Kumano had actually made Sesshoumaru seem almost harmless. At the very least, he was someone she knew.
But then again, Sesshoumaru had always wanted to kill them. He despised Inuyasha, and it was only until the final battle with Naraku, that Inuyasha displayed a surprising act of brotherly trust by entrusting the almost perfect Shikon no Tama to Sesshoumaru.
From his expression and the tone of his voice, Kagome could search no hint of recognition. He did not know that under the colorful and heavily adorned maiko garb, it was the young miko with whom his late brother traveled with. Sesshoumaru didn't like Kagome...but surely he would not be so cruel to Fuji, would he?
She would not try to acknowledge him for now, and with Kumano still chasing after her like a crazed beast, Kagome quickly begged the powerful figure standing in front of her.
"Please, help me...save me from him."
Sesshoumaru's face changed ever so slightly in the tiniest of frowns, before he inhaled and smirked. Not another word was said, before he extended his hand towards Kagome, who was still sitting in a heap on the wooden floor.
Resisting her fear of Sesshoumaru, Kagome reached out and shakily placed her much smaller hand in his, depending on his strength to get up into a standing position.
It felt so weird to hold Sesshoumaru's hand, for he was always so forbidden...just like a wild raging fire. Majestic to look at, but highly dangerous to go near to. Underneath that slightly callous skin, rough from countless of years of sword training, was an immeasurable amount of strength enhanced by soothing warmth. He pulled her up almost effortlessly, before she bowed hurriedly in thanks.
"Stand behind me." It was a simple command which she knew better than to refute.
Kagome picked up the ends of the kimono, scooting behind Sesshoumaru's impressive height while Kumano chose to appear at the other end of the corridor at that particular instant.
From where she was, Kagome could clearly see the maniacal smile disappear from Kumano's vile features to be quickly replaced by an expression of grudging respect and perhaps, something which resembled fear. So they knew each other. Kumano's eyes fell quickly on Kagome, before they narrowed in anger, but oddly enough, she did not feel fear at all. Somehow she felt safe, she felt protected by the majestic aura of power which Sesshoumaru exuded.
"Lord Sesshoumaru."
"Kumano." Acknowledgement was exchanged, but surprise came next as Sesshoumaru continued. "How honored I am...I thought you've long forgotten that I was your Lord."
Kumano's face, already ugly as it was, contorted into an even uglier picture as he tried to conceal his scowl. It was quickly hidden though, under false humbleness.
"How...How can I possibly forget that, my Lord...there's no way I could have forgotten..."
Vocabulary and wit was most probably two of the many things the bear demon lacked. Just a bit of intimidation from Sesshoumaru's part was enough to get him groveling like a worthless sidekick.
"So you do remember..." Sesshoumaru continued. "I thought you were always waiting for the chance to bite the hand which fed you. If it wasn't for my father, who appreciated your strength and combat skills, I'm afraid you'd still be stuck in the mountains, sitting by the river waiting for salmon to swim by."
There was a flash of blinding light, and when Kagome regained proper vision, Sesshoumaru was already standing right in front of Kumano. The dog demon, despite being tall and broad shouldered, was actually smaller compared to the bear demon's bulk. But it was not difficult to tell who had the upper hand in this situation.
"If it wasn't for us...you'd never have had the opportunity to be what you are today. A lord of a small province...It's a remarkable achievement for someone like you..." Sesshoumaru paused, as he stared at Kumano straight in eyes. He smiled condescendingly. "A worthless brute."
The constipated look once again appeared on Kumano's face, as Kagome fearfully noted the way his enormous paws clenched into fists which resembled cannon balls. She quickly contemplated warning Sesshoumaru of the possible danger, for the enraged bear demon seemed highly tempted to swing those fists in his direction.
Those enormous fists lifted, and Kagome opened her mouth soundlessly, but they were lowered after an instant.
"Of course, Lord Sesshoumaru."
That only fuelled Sesshoumaru's arrogance and sadistic joy in further demeaning this bear demon standing in front of him.
"So you are able to comprehend things after all. Kumano," He drawled. "I do not wish to hear of those atrocities you've been committing in my absence."
The ugly face contorted again, but through the hideous savage features, Kagome could make out surprise. The thick veins in his neck were bulging by now.
"Do not assume I have no idea of what you did at the village last week. Just because I was away, it did not mean I would not find out. I am not dead like my father, Kumano. I know very well what you are up to. If you believe that committing arson and looting from the innocent villagers, raping the women and forcing the people to pay you protection money would be the right thing to do, by all means, go ahead."
Kagome could not see Sesshoumaru's expression, but she could clearly see the bear demon's face turn two shades paler.
"Just do not blame me when I tear you apart with my own hands."
Sesshoumaru did not say another word, and neither did Kumano. Turning around, Sesshoumaru walked towards a silent and shocked Kagome. Trust him to be capable of issuing death threats as if he was talking about the weather.
"I'm taking this girl. Run along now, Kumano...don't you have compensation to do to the villagers?"
Without a second word, Kumano bowed clumsily, striding quickly back to where his chamber was. As his massive bulk got out of sight, Kagome breathed a sigh of relief, only realizing then how tightly wound her nerves were. Her shoulders slumped, and she closed her eyes while taking in a few much needed breaths to calm her pounding heart.
With her composure regained, she looked up at her savior, before bowing her thanks.
"Thank you for helping me earlier. If it wasn't for you, I'd have...I'd have been..."
He did not say anything, except nod in acknowledgement.
"So thank you very much. I'm in your debt."
That caught Sesshoumaru's interest. "And what, exactly, would you like to repay me with?"
Kagome kept her cool. She knew he was not a sex fiend like Kumano was, and she said the first thing that naturally came to her mind.
"I'll accept you as my client for three days. At no charge."
The demon lord stared hard at the young girl standing in front of him, taking in her pretty features in the maiko make up, her slightly pouty mouth which looked even feistier with only the lower lip painted. She was petite in stature, clad in a bright red kimono while the light, refreshing scent of the wisteria flower tickled his senses tantalizingly.
Sesshoumaru usually preferred the company of geisha ever since he was a young boy. Geishas were vastly different from maikos, despite them only being a deflowering ritual away. Geishas exuded elegance and class with their simple dressing in plain kimonos, their much more refined skills in entertainment, conversation and arts, along with the entire impression of calmness and pride which they gave off. It was totally different from the apprentice maikos.
Perhaps it was because Sesshoumaru detested trouble and imperfection, which was why he preferred the end product of the training that was the geisha. But surprisingly, the maiko standing in front of him was not repugnant. If anything, he found her intriguing. She was not the usual submissive maiko or geisha he was used to seeing, but instead, had the courage to run from Kumano and even make him an offer in exchange for the aid he gave her.
There was no harm in having her company for three days. Even though he is the patron to the most popular geisha at Hanaka, a young lady of twenty-three by the name of Hasu, he figured that an occasional change would be good.
"That's a deal."
Kagome smiled to herself. Sesshoumaru, dangerous as he might seem to outsiders, was a gentleman. Even when he threatened Kumano with death, it was based on Kumano having committed heinous crimes and harming the innocent people. Sesshoumaru was upholding justice.
She knew he was dangerous to them because of his open hatred for Inuyasha, but he was always tolerant of Jaken, that constantly babbling little green demon, and also Rin, who was a human child. It was enough evidence to point out to her the hidden kindness in him. Sesshoumaru did not like Kagome because of Inuyasha, but as Fuji, Kagome would have a good chance at knowing this respectable demon better.
Before his appearance here at Hanaka, Kagome had almost forgotten her other life. The other life which was not Western Gion, Hanaka, fancy kimonos, song, dance and men.
"What brings you here to Hanaka today, Lord Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked politely.
"I was intending to see Hasu."
Kagome smiled a knowing smile. So he was the one. The mystery patron of whom Hasu, the most popular geisha at Hanaka, was fiercely protective and proud. So Sesshoumaru was the reason why Hasu was so arrogant, and it must be because of the fact that such a rich and impressive client like Sesshoumaru was the target of many other geishas, that Hasu never once revealed his identity. Kagome did not like Hasu; unlike her name which symbolized the pristine lotus, she was nowhere as pure and kind hearted.
"I see...since Hasu-san never once told us you were her patron, I presume she had never invited you out into our beautiful garden for a boat ride?"
This was true; Hasu never was seen walking around with Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed slightly in amusement as he took in the petite maiko walking beside him. She was really a unique character, to be talking of Hasu's unwillingness in revealing his identity in a subtle invitation to take a boat ride. This forthrightness in this young girl was even more appealing now, considering that he had never ever met a maiko or a geisha who talked while leaving her listener to read between the lines.
"Fuji-chan, you're indeed an interesting character."
"You do know flowers very well, Lord Sesshoumaru, to be able to guess my name from my scent. It is most interesting in men as well."
"Nature is meant to be appreciated." He replied simply. "The wisteria is a lovely flower to be named after, Fuji-chan."
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Sesshoumaru." Kagome bowed her thanks with a slight inclination of her head. "Let us blame the wisteria, of too pale a hue. Isn't there a negative connotation to it?"
She was reciting a line from a poem by fictitious character Tono Chujo in the Japanese classic, Genji Monogatari, and pleasant surprise soon followed when Sesshoumaru replied her.
"Wisteria is like the sleeve of a maiden, lovelier when someone cares for it."
He was reciting a line from the very same page of the classic said by Kashiwagi, and had changed her humble belittling of herself into subtle praise. She had not expected him to be able to reply her so readily and confidently, and at that point, she realized he was not only skilled at martial arts. Sesshoumaru was also very well-learned in terms of literature. Thank goodness Kagome had paid attention in history classes back in her time, or she would be embarrassed.
"If that is true, I must be looking not too lovely at the moment," Kagome laughed daintily.
"That will not be for too long, I'm sure."
Whoever knew Sesshoumaru could be so charming and almost flirtatious with his eloquence?? Surprise was an understatement...there was really a lot more to this enigmatic creature known as Sesshoumaru.
He was the only living fragment of her past before she came to be a maiko at Hanaka, and if being Kagome was going to earn her nothing but detest from him, she would be content hiding under the façade known as Fuji and appreciating the proximity with someone from her past.
To be continued...
A/N: Did you guys like that? I am getting sooooo excited over this story! And writing about Kumano was almost fun, going on and on about how hideous he is, and letting Sesshy do the bashing for us. Please tell me what you feel about this! Thank you very much!
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
