Within Darkness
Chapter 4
The carriage pulled into the entrance courtyard and a handful of servants rushed to remove all of Amaya's belongings. Sesshomaru stepped down from the driver's seat and walked over to one of the doors. He opened it and offered a hand out for the two passengers.
"Take Lady Amaya's belongings to her chamber," Sesshomaru instructed to the servants.
"That was reckless, Sesshomaru," Togaou said when he approached his son. "Did you even think of what would happene if Junichi out right challenged you?"
Amaya camed around from the carriage, which surprised Togaou. He had not expected Amaya to have returned with Sesshomaru. Moriko came around with Kenkon in her hand. She handed the sword to Amaya, who took it.
"Amaya, what a pleasent surprise. How long are you staying," Togaou asked.
"I've come home. If I go back to Junichi, I'll kill him."
"Understandable. Welcome home."
Amaya walked away with Moriko not far behind. Togaou watched the two walk away. Sesshomaru followed a minute later with a look to Togaou. Togaou saw that he had his work cut out for him to regain the trust and respect of his children.
0o
Amaya placed the welcome home gift of a large bundle of six inch lucky bamboo stalks on a shelf, planning on arranging them later. She had her chamber rearranged, which helped calm her spirit. According to some of the servants who assist, that was Fung Suay. Amaya did not care what it was called as long as it calmed her spirit.
"Brought you some dinner," Amaya heard from the door.
She turned and saw Sesshomaru at the threshold holding two dinner servings. Amaya waved Sesshomaru in as s he moved to sit at the table that she had brought in. She needed the break anyway.
"I see that you've decided to move things around," Sesshomaru observed as he sat down.
"It is my chamber, Sesshomaru."
"It is." Pause. "Father has me going out on patrol soon. I cannot guarantee on when I will return."
"Can you refuse? After what he did, you are still going to patrol his lands?"
"They will be one day my lands, Amaya. I have a duty to protect what will become mine."
"And what of the duty of protecting your younger siblings?"
Amaya looked at Sesshomaru, who had a mild look of surprise on his face.
"I had no idea you felt that way, Amaya. I will tell Father that I inted on remaining here until you feel comfortable enough."
0o
Night fell over the Castle of the Moon. The first stars blinked into view for Amaya. She sat on the roof and looked up at the stars. In the eleven and half months, this was the first time Amaya truly thought back to her previous life. She knew that she would never inherit when s he had three older brothers that stood in line. Would she truly inherit anything from her father had the Darkness not attacked and killed her family? Amaya had been told, once, that her mother's tribe was matriarchal. Would Amaya stand to inherit from her mother? Amaya did not know, but she could attempt to find her mother's tribe. There was only one way to find out. Then a yawn broke from Amaya.
After some sleep, Amaya thought.
She stood from where she sat and made her way down to her chamber. There, Moriko was in a deep sleep near Amaya's own futon. Amaya stoked the fire before she climbed under the covers of her futon. The next thing she knew, Amaya was awaken by someone shaking her.
"Lady Amaya, Lord Togaou wishes to see you," Moriko said.
Amaya moaned and moved, curling up under the covers. She did not want to move, it was that warm under the covers.
"Please, Lady Amaya, get up."
Amaya moved, slowly, and finally sat up. Moriko threw the covers away from Amaya, which forced her to get up. Amaya stood, watching Moriko actually rushing about. It was something Amaya had not seen before from the tree spirit.
"Come, get out that," Moriko instructed.
Amaya struggled out of the clothing she had worn the previous night and allowed Moriko to put the day's kimono on. Finally dressed, Amaya left her chamber and made her way to Togaou's office. She did not bother knocking to announce her presense when she reached the office. Already present was Togaou and a female youkai. Amaya took in the female youkai. A few inches shorter than Amaya, who stood at five feet six inches, the unknown female youkai wore clothing that Amaya had not seen before; not even with Togaou's allied tribes.
The unknown female's clothing was so tribal-like, Amaya did not know what to make of it. Unknown designs had been embroided into the clothing fabric. Which Amaya did not know what animal it came from since the fabric had the "made from animal" look to it.
"Ah, Amaya," Togaou said when he saw her. "Come and meet Aiko."
Amaya walked over and stood next to Togaou.
"Aiko, this is Lady Amaya, daughter of the Eastern Lands and chosen daughter of the Western Lands," Togaou said.
"Greetings, Lady Amaya," Aiko said with a bow. "I come to you from your mother's tribe. I understand that you had just begun your training when the Darkness attacked. I come with an offer to complete your training with your maternal line."
"That's a very fine offer, Aiko," Togaou said. "But..."
"I'll take it," Amaya said, interrupting Togaou.
"Amaya, I'm not sure if you should do this," Togaou voiced.
"Togaou, do not attempt to make decisions for me," Amaya said, turning to face him. "After what you did with Junichi, I'm not letting you decide what happens to me. I'm going to finish my training."
"Sounds like she made up her mind, Lord Togaou," Aiko said.
"Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to make sure preparations are made for my departure."
With that, Amaya left the office. SHe had gained some distance from the office before Moriko joined her.
"Someone from my mother's tribe is here for me," Amaya said. "I'm going to finish my training. I'm not going to demand that you come..."
"I would be insulted if you even think of leaving me, Lady Amaya."
Amaya smiled. "Will you..."
"Amaya," they heard. Amaya and Moriko turned to see Aiko approaching them. "I would like to speak to you about what you should bring."
"What I should bring? I don't understand."
"Arrangements had been made some years ago that if something happened to your parents, you and your brothers would complete your taining with us," Aiko said.
"I'm still bringing some of my belongings," Amaya said. "Not all of them."
0o
Amaya over saw the packing of her choice belongings. In the year, has it been near a year already, Amaya had resided with Togaou, with the exception of being taken by Junichi, she had worn the clothing of the West. She had not seen the clothing she wore the day the Darkness attacked.
"Are you sure you wish to bring all of this," Aiko asked.
"You're asking me to leave me home. I did not ever have a choice when the Darkness attacked. I could not bring any of my belongings. Do nt make me do the same now."
The last of Amaya's chosen belongings were being packed, which allowed Aiko to loop a hand around Amaya's arm and drag her away. Amaya free her arm and left Aiko to find Sesshomaru.
"Where are you going," Aiko called after Amaya.
"I'm not leaving without telling Sesshomaru."
0o
Amaya found Sesshomaru in the dojo, overseeing the training of some new soldiers in Togaou's employ. She came up to Sesshomaru's side, watching the soldiers.
"Aiko plans on leaving soon," Amaya said. "I would like you to know before I actually left that it was my choice, not Togaou's. I need to complete me training and grow strong in my powers."
Amaya half expected Sesshomaru to say something, but he did not. She sighed and walked away. There was nothing to prevent her from leaving now.
"I'm going to miss you," Amaya said.