Whisper
By: akemiryuu
Summary: Having been promised to one of the princes of the west, Kagome has finally been given the chance to meet her soon-to-be mate. The eastern lord gave her a choice of taking one other person with her. The person she had chosen was sure to make hell freeze over.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha characters!!! I own plot and made up characters!!
Chapter 3 Ceremonial Surprise
Hanayoshin sighed. She had not expected to be rushed into a guest room in the western wing and forced onto a bed where she currently was with the healer leaning over her inspecting her arm.
Kagome, Izayoi and Yura stood side by side clutching each other hoping that she was alright. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were feeling a little bit nervous.
Hanayoshin sighed again. The healer looked at her concerned as to why she was sighing so much. She was just about to voice her question when she suddenly threw her legs over the side of the bed and started making her way to the door.
"Hashin!!" Kagome called after her. Inuyasha was surprised. Instead of addressing her as lady, Kagome called her a pet name. "You are much too weak you mustn't get out of bed."
Hanayoshin turned to face her. "Worry not, Kagome I am well as you can see," she said. She turned towards the door again. She stopped right next to Sesshomaru who was standing right next to the door when Kagome grabbed her kimono.
"But Hashin…"
"I need my rest, but it is not here that wish to restore my energy. You of all people should understand that Kagome. The lose of my arm does not mean that the world is coming to an end. It only means that what I do is limited," she said.
Kagome nodded sadly. She let go of Hanayoshin's kimono and let her hands drop to her side. Hanayoshin turned. She lifted her head with two fingers and kissed her forehead. "All is well, Kagome so worry not," she said.
Kagome smiled and nodded. Hanayoshin turned on her heels and left the room. The healer was about to protest when Kagome shook her head. "Leave her be. She will heal on her own," she said with a warm smile.
xXxXx
A pair of golden eyes watched the sleeping figure within the branches of a cherry blossom tree out in the courtyard. He felt her aura swirl around her and mix with the breeze of the summer night.
"She's amazing isn't she?" asked a feminine voice from behind.
He turned to meet sapphire orbs. He smiled. "Yes, she is, in a mysterious kind of way," he said.
She giggled. "Hashin has been like this for quite some time. I've gotten used to her being alone whenever she is in a weakened state. Only when she is alone is she able to fully concentrate on healing herself," she explained.
"Why is that?" he asked.
"As you have witnessed, when she is in battle, she is completely immune to pain. Only after the battle is over will the effects surge through her body. She has learned throughout the years of war to harness that pain and hide it. She feels secure and undisturbed when she is one her own," she said.
He nodded. "She's a strange one. Why would you befriend her?" he asked looking at her intensely.
She giggled once more. "Hashin has never really had a true friend until I came along. I want to be rid of her loneliness. That is why I remain by her side," she said.
'Loneliness,' he thought. He looked at Hanayoshin. 'She's alone, just like someone I know all too well.'
She sighed. He looked at her. He watched as she turned towards him. She stood in front of him and laid her head on his shoulder. "If only I was strong enough to help her fight," she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her as she laid her hands in his chest. "Don't say that Kagome. You two are strong in your own ways. Nothing can change that," he said.
She smiled. "Thank you…Inuyasha," she said in between a yawn.
He chuckled. "Come one, let's get you into bed," he said. She nodded. She let him carry her in his arm bridal style as he walked to her room.
xXxXx
Hanayoshin sighed inwardly. She could feel the strong aura coming from the castle from her perch within the branches. She was sighing a lot as it would seem. That was usually a bad sign.
For the hundredth time that day, she sighed. Her body's healing process was going to take some time. She needed to get away where there is no one to disturb her while she restored her energy.
To no avail, the aura had moved and was now radiating from below her. She was in a deep trance until the aura suddenly collided with hers. With little effort, she pushed it away using a small portion of her demonic aura seeing as how she needed most of it to try and restore her missing arm.
"Your abilities are amazing," he spoke from below her.
She didn't need to look or hear him to know who he was. She kept her eyes closed as she said, "The last time we met, I was still in training."
He gasped. "Well now, isn't that a surprise. And here I thought you were going to rule in that state. I was well mistaken," he said.
She felt his aura settle and relax. She pulled hers back to swirl around her once again. "What is it that you want?" she asked without emotion.
"What, can't I say hi to my little sister's best friend?" he asked. At this, she let herself drop to the floor and stand before him. She met his violet orbs which held relief and concern. "I heard what happened. Are you alright?"
She glanced at her arm as he reached for it. He lifted her sleeve and visibly flinched when he saw her arm had been cut clean a little above her elbow. The markings on her arms were glowing and he looked at her slightly confused as to why.
She took a step back. He released her sleeve letting it fall and cover her arm once again blocking his view of her injury.
She turned away from him and started walking away towards the wall. "I need time. Tell that to Kagome, she will understand. I shall return once I am complete," she said answering his unasked question.
He nodded. "Will do," he said. He watched her jump over the wall before walking back into the house. 'Kagome will not be happy,' he thought.
xXxXx
Kagome had been unusually quiet ever since she discovered Hanayoshin was no longer here. She understood why, but she was sad nonetheless. Hanayoshin usually told her before going off for a few days. It was unlike her to not tell her but her elder brother who had arrived late that night.
Inuyasha was growing concerned. He had wanted her to smile. It hurt him to see her like this, for some strange reason. He felt the need to see her smile and hear her laugh. He was getting tired of how much Hanayoshin affected Kagome's life.
He was just about to call her a foolish little girl for worrying about someone so powerful and careless when Hanayoshin's blood red eyes flashed into his mind. Yes, those icy blood red eyes, they held nothing but warmth towards Kagome. He knew, if he mouthed those words, Kagome would forever hate him. And for some reason, he didn't want her to hate him.
"Why her?" he whispered.
"Why her who?" Sesshomaru asked from beside him.
Everyone turned to Inuyasha who had turned a slight shade of pink from hearing Sesshomaru's question. He didn't know he mouthed the words into Sesshomaru's voice broke into his thoughts. "Uh," he paused
"Because she forever protects Kagome, that's why," said a feminine voice.
They all turned to see a demoness that look somewhat like Hanayoshin only much younger and less curvy. She wore a kimono similar to Kagome's yellow spring kimono only it was white.
This demoness had a darker shade of red in her hair and her eyes were blue instead of red. Unlike Hanayoshin, she was rather short reaching only around Sesshomaru's chest while Hanayoshin reached Sesshomaru's cheek bone.
"And who are you?" asked Hiten. He hadn't seen her before. She seemed familiar though.
"May I present, Tonari, princess of the northern lands, younger sister of Lady Hanayoshin," said Jaken coming forward with a scowl.
They looked at her. She held her hand up, tilted her head and smiled. "Pleased to make your acquaintance your majesties," she said instead of bowing.
Jaken growled. He jumped in front of her pointing a finger. "How dare you address his lordship and her ladyship in such a manner!!! You should be on you hands and knees begging them to spare you for such insolence!!!" he hollered.
A tick formed on her head. Lifting a hand, she let it fall with great force on top of Jaken's head. The toad squealed. She was about to kick him when she felt something wrap around her neck. She felt herself being thrown into the room hitting the floor below their feet with a sickening thud.
"Remain seated," Hanayoshin ordered as she watched Kagome take her seat after attempting to help the girl.
They all watched Hanayoshin approach Tonari. "Hana-chan…" she whispered fear evident in her voice. "Hana-chan…I-I was…"
"Have I not told you before that abusing the servants of another lord will only lead to gossip?" she asked, her voice stern and her eyes cold.
"Y-Yes, you have. But…"
"What he had said is of no concern to me. You should have known better then to act so casually within the presence of Lord Inutaisho and Lady Izayoi without a proper introduction," she said.
"P-Pleas forgive me! T-This will never happen again!" she said on her hands and knees.
Sesshomaru stood from his chair. "She didn't mean to hit him. He was asking for it," he said. Jaken gave him a look of pure shock and pain. "She won't do it ag…"
"This matter does not concern you," she said.
"On the contrary, this is my father's home…"
"Indeed it is," she said. She walked right up to him until their noses were merely a few inches apart; she stared into his eyes challenging him. "Unless you have something against my dealings of insolence, then I suggest you speak with your court of the arising war that would surly come."
His eyes widened. "She is a mere child," he said.
"A mere child that I have raised since the day she took her first breath. I did not teach her to be such a disappointment. If she chooses then punishment is required to set her straight," she said once again challenging his pride.
He glared at her. "What do you know of raising children?!" he hissed.
"Mama!!!" yelled a little boy around the age of eight with reddish orange hair tied in a ponytail. He ran into the room and stopped when he saw her icily staring into the eyes of a man he didn't know. She slowly turned towards him giving him a small signal to remain silent.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened. 'Did he just call her mother? But she's not even mated,' he thought. His eyes trailed to her neck where a mark wasn't seen.
"I know far more about raising children then you would ever know," she said calmly. With that said she turned to Tonari. "You will meet Kagome and me in the courtyard before the ceremony. As punishment, you will act as Kagome's target practice," she hissed making the poor girl shiver.
"Y-Yes, I understand Hana-chan," she said bowing her head.
"Auntie Kagome!!!!" the little boy squealed before jumping into her lap.
"Shippo-chan, it's great to see you," she said hugging him. He nuzzled her cheek making her giggle.
"It's great to see you too. I missed you," he said.
"And I you," she said kissing his forehead. The boy beamed. He turned to Hanayoshin who had sauntered over. He jumped into her chest as she let him sit on her arm. Kagome stood to stand next to Hanayoshin.
"Change. We will be in the courtyard," she said without looking at Tonari. Tonari nodded. Hanayoshin then left the room with Kagome in tow.
Tonari waited until she could no longer feel her sister's aura before standing up and dusting off the dirt from her kimono. Inuyasha grasped her arm and yanked her to look at him. "Why didn't you stand up for yourself?! That bitch can't tell you what to do!!!" he asked rather loudly.
Tonari suddenly became furious. She pushed Inuyasha back and slapped him hard across the face. Inuyasha snapped his head over to her ready to strike when he saw tears rush down her angry face. "Don't you dare talk about Hana-chan that way!!" she hissed, "You don't know her. You have no right to say such a thing!"
She was right and Inuyasha knew it. Because of his pride, he didn't bother apologizing. "Hana-chan is the nicest person I know of," he heard her say.
He looked at her as if she was crazy. "Nice? You call that nice? She almost killed you!!" he was starting to get pissed.
"I shamed her by doing what I did. She taught me better then that," she said. Inuyasha felt his muscles slightly relax. "Hana-chan has no choice but to be tough and brutal. If she isn't, she would end up just like our parents…dead," she whispered the last part. The pain was evident in her eyes and Inuyasha immediately regretted what he had said.
The sound of clashing swords was suddenly heard. They turned towards the windows that hovered over the courtyard. Tonari gasped. "Oh no, I'm late," she said. She cursed at herself before running out of the room to change.
A little while later, she ran passed the room and headed for the courtyard. Inuyasha and the others followed seeming somewhat interested in the training.
"You're late," Hanayoshin said as she blocked Kagome's upward slash.
Tonari bowed to her completely out of breath. "Forgive, I had not intended to take so long," she said.
Hanayoshin knocked Kagome back. She stabbed the ground with her sword making it stand up and grabbed Tonari by the collar. She threw Tonari over to Inuyasha. She flipped and landed smoothly by his side.
"Watch and learn. Memorize every move. I will test you next," she said knocking Kagome back again after getting her sword.
Tonari nodded. She drew out her sword and stood beside Kagome making sure to leave plenty of room for them to spar. Shippou ran over to where Inuyasha was and climbed onto his shoulder for a better view of his mother.
Without saying a word, Both Kagome and Tonari charged at her using the same exact technique. Hanayoshin stabbed the ground with her sword again. She let her claws extend. As Kagome and Tonari came into striking range, she sent them out making them jump back.
"You will have to try harder then that," she said. Tonari and Kagome nodded at each other. They lifted their swords and attacked together.
Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Inutaisho and Izayoi watched in awe as Kagome and Tonari struck at Hanayoshin with the same move at the same time. Hanayoshin was merely blocking their attacks as if nothing. They had never seen such an intense training before.
They were shocked when Hanayoshin struck them both with her whips knocking the blades from their hands. They were about to run over to Hanayoshin when blood suddenly spewed from her injured arm when she wrapped Kagome and Tonari in her whips and slamming them against the sakura tree making them halt their movements. They quickly jumped to their feet only to have their legs kicked from underneath them and pinned to the ground.
They were breathing hard. As usual, Hanayoshin didn't go easy nor did she go all out. She always went until they were pinned and unable to move before ending the training session. From the looks of their positions, training was over.
"That completes this afternoon's work out. Bathe and prepare yourselves for the ceremony tonight," she said starting to turn.
Shippou, Tonari and Kagome ran over to her and hugged her. "Are you alright?" they asked simultaneously.
She nodded. Using her aura, she swirled it around them reassuring them. "I have something I need to do. Go and prepare. The guest will arrive soon," she said.
They nodded. She kissed each of them on the forehead before walking off. Inuyasha stood frozen to his spot at her affectionate actions. 'They really do love her,' he thought. He was wrong about her. She did care. She cared enough to isolate herself and endure the pain alone. He couldn't help but admire her.
xXxXx
Everyone had arrived and they were immediately greeted and directed to the ball room. By the laws of tradition, Kagome and Inuyasha were not supposed to be in the same room until all of the guests have arrived.
Sesshomaru, being the eldest, had no choice but to aid Inuyasha helping their father, Hiten and Hiten's eldest son Miroku greet the guests. Izayoi, Yura, Miroku's mate Sango and Kagome were all in the kitchen helping the maids carry out the drinks and small appetizers into the dinning room.
Inuyasha bowed to the lord of the south as he walked through the door. His mate bowed to them as well and shook Inuyasha's hand. "It is nice to finally meet you Prince Inuyasha. Suikotsu talks a lot about you," she said.
"Does he? Mmmm, I wonder what he says," he said pretending to think.
Suikotsu playfully punched him. "You know damn well what I say Inuyasha," he said.
Inuyasha chuckled. "Of course I do. How could I forget?" he asked no one in particular. He lifted his arm down the hall. "The ball is right down this hallway. My mother will meet you there."
Kaguya, Suikotsu's mate bowed again them followed her mate down the hall. Just as they got there, Tonari walked through the door dress in a beautiful jet black kimono with small white sakura blossoms all over. She bowed to him. She moved to the side as Hanayoshin walked passed her.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened. He hadn't expected her to look so good in a traditional ceremonial kimono such as the one she now wore. He bowed to her cursing himself for the way his body is heating up at the mere sight of her.
He looked up at her and noticed that her armor was still on. Her two swords were also strapped to her obi. He saw her snap her head down the hall. A huge explosion was heard. Hanayoshin rushed down and stared into the dark brown orbs of a spider demon. Tonari drew out her sword as Kagome ran over to stand beside Hanayoshin. Hanayoshin kept her cool as it approached.
"It's good too see you, Lady Hanayoshin," he said with a smirk. Tonari cringed. She charged at him only to get pulled back by Hanayoshin. Inuyasha drew out Tetsusaiga as Sesshomaru held Tokijin.
"I can not say the same to you…Naraku," she said coldly.
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To all of those who reviewed, thank you so much. Just in case you are confused, yes this story is a bit of a cliff hanger...don't worry, it's supposed to be. As for the questions about Hanayoshin and Sesshomaru...you'll have to read it to find out what happens. It will take me sometime to complete it because of final exams that are coming up. Feel free to ask any questions or give any suggetions on what I can change.
Note: There might be a sequel!!! Keep reading to find out!!! Ja!!!