Heheh… suman ne! I am trying!

#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

The three girls stared in awe as their sister finished telling the story of her "great adventure", wishing something like that would happen to them. Ayane said as much.

"No you don't, Ya-chan," Izayoi smiled. "There were a lot of times that I thought I was going to die. And I always had to bathe close to Taisho-dono. It was very unnerving."

"You don't mean he…" Fukuko hesitated with the presence of her younger sisters.

"Oh, no," Izayoi instantly shook her head. "He never did anything. But it was very awkward."

"Did he ever kiss you?" Keiko giggled, hugging her cushion.

She smiled nervously. "Of course not, Kei-chan. He's a youkai." Although the thought had crossed her mind. "I think it's time all of us were in bed. Let's go."

The girls moaned, but obediently stood and went to their rooms. Izayoi closed the door of the reading room behind them, and when she turned she found herself face to face with Setsuna no Takemaru. She jumped.

"Takemaru-sama! Sumimasen; I didn't see you."

"Think nothing of it, Izayoi-hime," he gave a stunning smile that failed to capture her. All she could think of was, Taisho-dono would never try and win over a woman like that. "I was just looking for you. I hear you are no longer linked to that demon."

"That's right."

"Excellent!" he exclaimed, almost before she had finished speaking. "We can begin wedding preparations at once. I want no detail left unnoticed. I look forward to the day, Izayoi-hime." With another charming smile, he walked down the hallway.

With a shudder, Izayoi made her way to her room and prepared herself for bed with Haru's help. She had thought that sinking deep into her futon would be a welcome relief from the past months of traveling and sleeping outdoors, but she found it difficult to adjust back to her comfortable lifestyle. After tossing and turning for what seemed like hours, she finally threw her covers off and got up to look out the window.

There was a full moon that night, and she remembered her mother telling her to make a wish when the moon was full and it would come true before the next plenilune. Closing her eyes, she wished hard.

I wish I could see Taisho-dono again.

The days passed slowly. Izayoi was swamped with fabrics and patterns that would be made into her wedding dress as fashion experts came and decided for her what she would wear. Haru noticed her disinterest and did her best to allow the princess to escape into the grounds for half an hour every day. Even that little was a welcome relief.

"Izayoi-hime," Haru said to her one night, after helping her prepare for bed. "I hope I am not out of place, but I thought you would wish to know before your father says something to you."

"Know what, Haru?"

"When I was walking past your father's study, I heard him and Setsuna-dono talking. It seems that they plan the wedding to be next winter."

Dread rushed all the way through her as she answered, "Thank you for telling me, Haru." As she tried to rest, nightmares plagued her about what her married life would be like. Now that she was dreading winter the moon cycle raced by. Sitting in her room the night before the full moon, she stared at the incomplete orb in resentment.

You were wrong, Haha-ue. The full moon doesn't grant wishes. It only prolongs suffering, making people hope for the impossible.

Tears spilled from her eyes, and she sniffed, wiping them away.

Taisho-dono… I want to see him again.

She had a sudden headache, and light flashed in front of her eyes before she could see a vision of the woods that she recognized to be outside Takase. She seemed to be moving forward, but then her image dropped to the forest floor and she saw a clawed hand fall to rest on the ground. A light blinded her, and she could see her room again.

That hand… it belonged to Taisho-dono, I'm sure of it! He must be near Takase!

#~#~#

Touga struggled to stay on his feet, even if he was crouched to the ground. The pain of his wounds throbbed greatly, and there was a blood trail behind him.

I was so close… he thought as he collapsed onto the forest floor. His breathing heavy, he slowly gave in to the darkness that plagued him. There was a muffled sound, repeated in his semi-conscious state.

Da, da, dadaa. Da, da, dadaa.

He only half heard them as they slowly got louder.

"Taisho-dono. Taisho-dono."

It was the name Izayoi had called him. How appropriate that he should think of it outside Takase, where he had been traveling to before he died.

"Taisho-dono! Taisho-dono!"

Touga fought to open his eyes, and her concerned and tear-filled face was in his vision.

I got to see her one last time, after all...

#~#~#

Touga woke in the early morning, when to forest was glimmering in the sunlight, to find Izayoi sleeping beside him. She had ripped her sleeping kimono to try and stop his wounds bleeding – although it did little good as she had no idea what to do.

She stirred, and sat up while she sleepily rubbed her eyes.

"Taisho-dono?" Suddenly she was wide awake. "Taisho-dono! Your wounds… what happened to you?"

"A battle with Ryuukotsusei," he replied weakly. "He made a lucky hit. This sword protected me," he indicated the healing sword tucked in his obi. "We're half a mile from Takase's wall; how did you know I was here? This isn't somewhere you would be spending a lot of time at night."

She nodded. "Sou da. I was in my room when I had a vision of this forest and saw your hand." A strange look entered her countenance. "It was like I was seeing the world through your eyes."

"Perhaps that's what the writing on the cave walls meant when it said 'no curse can be removed, but silver may lift it'. This must be how we're connected now that the shackles are gone."

"But why now?" Izayoi asked. "It's been a month since the bracelets vanished – why has nothing happened before?"

"I'm not sure. There was a lot of writing on that cave wall. Perhaps we should go back there."

"Well… maybe you should go back on your own. I'm sure I won't be much help to you, Taisho-dono."

"You're connected to me; you should come."

"But – "

"Izayoi," he silenced her quickly. "You hate living in your father's palace. Why are you making excuses for a chance to escape it?"

There was silence. Then Izayoi graced him with the biggest smile he had ever seen on her beautiful face.

"What is it?" he asked awkwardly.

"Nothing," she replied, still smiling. "It's just… you've never said my name before."

There was another awkward silence.

"Don't look too deeply into it," Touga eventually said. "I still think you're a useless little human."

"Then why are you trying to help me escape from my home?"

Pause.

"You tried to help me last night by treating my wounds. You didn't do anything worth repaying, but I thought I would return the favor."

"It's the thought that counts," Izayoi said, understanding his meaning.

"Yes."

"Sou ka."

Pause.

"I- in any case," she began. "I couldn't go with you. I told my father that the curse had been completely removed, and he would never let me travel with you again believing there is no connection."

"Hn." Teasing her, Touga said, "You could always tell him you're carrying my child."

Izayoi looked horrified, then she balled up her slender fist and punched him in the shoulder. "Bakayaro!"

He winced and clutched his wound.

"Ah, gomenasai! I forgot!"

"It's fine," he replied. "I'll be perfectly healed in a couple of days."

"Are you going to leave?" she asked. "In fact, why did you even come here in the first place?"

"Isn't it obvious? I came to see you…" Touga thought quickly. That didn't come out right. "I wanted to know if you got injured by my fight, since we're still connected." Answering her question, he added, "I would rather not go back to the palace like this. Anyway, it's hard to move."

"It is?" Izayoi exclaimed. "You should have said so! Come on, I'll help you inside my father's palace. You can stay there until you're healed."

He caught her hand. "No. Your father believes there is no connection between us. It is better not to test that by telling him that I'm here."

"But – "

"Here is fine. I'll be near you." Their eyes met and, in that instant, the world stopped turning.

"Then, in that case, I'll go get you some things," she rose to leave. "Bandages and things. And do you want anything to eat?"

"No, nothing."

"But – ah, gomen ne. I forgot you were youkai for a moment." Flashing a smile at him, she ran toward Takase again. "I'll be right back!"

Touga watched her leave, surrounded by the memory of her smile.

#~#~#

Izayoi didn't return until late that night.

"I'm sorry," she said, almost mumbling and without meeting his eyes. "I couldn't get away from all the servants."

"There aren't usually many in the corridors," Touga remembered from his previous brief visits. "Is your father planning an occasion?"

She winced at the word and whispered and almost silent, "Hai."

"What's wrong?"

She jumped at the question. "Nandemo nai, Taisho-dono!"

"Don't lie to me," he said, grasping her chin and forcing her to meet his eyes. His voice was both gentle and commanding, and it brought tears to her eyes. "I'll help you."

She sniffed, trying to blink her eyes clear. "You remember me telling you I was engaged?"

"To that youkai hunter," he confirmed. "So the wedding will go through?"

She nodded. "Next winter. My father told me today."

There was a heavy silence.

"Are you afraid?" he asked.

"Mm," she shook her head. "I mean, everyone gets married sooner or later. And I will have lived fifteen summers by then. Most women that age are already married by then. So, if girls younger than me can do it, then why should I be any different?"

Another pause.

"What is it that scares you?"

He saw right through that mask?

She hesitated. "I've heard stories," she whispered. "Men are violent creatures who beat their wives. And…" her voice dropped even lowered, and her cheeks turned scarlet. "I have no idea how to… pleasure… my husband."

Touga was tempted to tease her here, but sensed she wouldn't take it very well.

"Some women I've talked to… said it hurts badly."

"Do you know the man that you're engaged to?"

"A little. He seems very… false. He's not like you, Taisho-dono. You never pretend to like people. But he does. I've overheard him talking about my father when he's not around, but he's always very polite to his face." She bit her lip. "He's very nice to me, too. But I have no idea what he'll be like when we're married."

"I can't imagine anyone being cruel to you," Touga stated. "It just doesn't seem right."

"Why not?" she asked, surprised. "You were cruel to me when we first met."

At that he turned away. "I'm not anymore," he all but muttered.

"Oh, I don't know about that," Izayoi smiled. "You called me a useless human earlier. I don't think that was very kind. You should beg my forgiveness."

He looked at her grin and tease him. He could never remember being attracted to a woman before – not even that bitch his father married him off to. But then Izayoi… Izayoi wasn't like anyone he had ever met. She liked spending time with him, and she trusted him with her fears. He found himself envying the man who got to marry her…

And stop that thought.

Izayoi… he brought his clawed, calloused hand over her tiny one as she stared in confusion. You are beautiful because you are innocent. I want to protect you, but I can't have you. I can't taint that innocence because… once it's gone it can't be brought back.

"Taisho-dono…" she said softly.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if… your wounds are better."

He shouldn't be so disappointed, he reasoned. What had he been expecting, a confession? That is not likely. I'm a daiyoukai, after all.

"No," he replied. "It's still difficult to move, and the ground is so uncomfortable."

"I can bring you a blanket – " Izayoi abruptly stopped talking as his head fell down to her lap.

"I'll be fine without one," Touga replied, closing his eyes under her gaze.

"Well if you're sure…"

"Human…"

"Hai?"

There was a pause as she listened deeply, wondering what he was going to say.

"Your bleeding is going to start tonight."

She felt her whole body freeze in mortification before shoving him roughly off her lap. "Hentai!"

"Have you no respect for the injured?"

"Have you no respect for a woman's privacy?" she shrieked, blushing like crazy.

"Don't you want some warning about it? It will save you from soiling your kimono."

"Don't say that so casually!"

He chuckled at her frustration, his chest rumbling deeply. "You should see your face right now," Touga said as he struggled to sit up. She helped him, and then sat next to him almost lying against him. There was a comfortable silence.

"Taisho-dono, look. It's the full moon," Izayoi said, staring up at the sky. "In the last cycle I made a wish on it, and it came true."

"Oh? What was it you wished for?"

A faint blush tinged her cheeks again. "I wished I could see you again."

He looked down at her embarrassed smile. Keep smiling, Izayoi. You look so much more beautiful when you smile than when you cry.

#~#~#

Izayoi woke slowly the next morning, feeling the familiar stiffness of sleeping outdoors. Opening her eyes and rubbing them tenderly, she saw the forest outside Takase in the morning light.

"What am I doing here?" she murmured to herself.

"You never left," came Touga's voice as he walked up to her. He was bare-chested, carrying his haori in his hand, and his long hair glistening with moisture from his bathe. His injury was reduced to a mere flesh wound, but it looked as if a wild animal had clawed him.

He saw her staring. "It doesn't hurt," he said. "It will be gone by sunset."

"I'm glad you're alright."

"You shouldn't worry about me."

"I have to. If I don't worry about you, who will?" she smiled up at him.

"No one. I can take care of myself."

"Yes, but… you nearly died in that fight," her voice dropped. "You should be more careful about who you fight."

He sat beside her. "I told you I was having an off day. Normally Ryuukotsusei wouldn't last a day against me."

"A day?" she exclaimed. "How long was that battle?"

"Somewhere between a quarter and a half moon cycle," he replied casually.

"So long?"

"I've fought for a full cycle before. Even youkai tire."

Izayoi sat bolt upright. "Ah! Haru will be searching for me!" she said. "My father will be very angry with me if he discovers I spent the night in the forest. I should go back." She hurriedly got up.

"Izayoi – " Touga caught her hand and she stopped to look at him.

A moment passed.

"Is it… would you like it if I came and visited you?"

She beamed at him, unsure of what she had just heard. "Hai!"

"I will come soon," he promised.

"Arigatou, Taisho-dono," she said as she ran home.

"Ohime-sama!" Haru exclaimed when she saw her. "Where have you been? I could not find you last night to help you change and feared the worst! My lord your father was so very angry with me – and will be with you, too, when he sees you."

"Suman ne, Haru," Izayoi said, and the maid hurried her to her room to change into a clean kimono and uchikake. "I should go to my father now, shouldn't I? How angry will he be?"

"I do not know, my lady," Haru replied worriedly. "He has half the guards scouring the grounds and the Forest of Takase for you. They have been searching all night."

"I will go to him now," Izayoi said, feigning her lack of nervousness. She walked quietly up to her father's office.

I can't tell him I was with Taisho-dono. Whatever he may think, I can't tell him that!

"Chichi-ue?" She knocked the door softly before sliding it open and entering.

Tadaharu spun around from his position at the window. He rushed up to her before stopping abruptly, apparently struggling with whether to embrace her because she was safe or slap her because she had ran away for the night.

"Izayoi, what were you doing last night? Your maid told me your futon was untouched. Did one of the male servants force you?"

"Iie, Chichi-ue. I was not with a man last night." Although the intention was true, she couldn't help but blush afterward because, in the literal sense, it was a lie.

"Then what happened to you?"

"Forgive me, Chichi-ue, but I went out to the forest in the evening. I didn't wish to sleep, but I went into the forest for a walk. I must have fallen asleep when I sat down to rest." She knelt on the ground and bowed deeply, leaning on her hands. "Please forgive me."

Tadaharu debated on what he should do. "Izayoi, I cannot deny that I am relieved you are safe. However…" he paused, choosing his words. "You should not go outside the walls at night and alone. Especially to walk in the forest. Have you any idea how dangerous it is? What if something had found and killed you? Anything – even a wild youkai – could have done so. I am sure some of the guards would have willingly escorted you had you asked permission to go outside. All I can say is how glad I am you did not try something so reckless when you were linked to the Inu no Taisho…" he saw her face cringe slightly. "But we need not bring that up. As punishment you will not be permitted to leave the palace walls again."

In horror, she asked, "For how long?"

"Until your marriage to Takemaru-sama. I hadn't planned to tell you for a while, but it will be at the end of next winter."

So long! But Taisho-dono promised he would visit me… how will I be able to escape this palace and see him?

"And you are not permitted to leave the palace itself until after the next full moon. Do you understand?"

Speaking quietly, she said, "Hai, Chichi-ue."

However, she realized as she went back to her room, she shouldn't be sad. She had seen Taisho-dono again with the promise of more visits. And although she was engaged, her wedding was far away. For the moment, she was happy.

#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

Sou da – "that's right"

Sou ka – "I see"

Nandemo nai – "nothing"

Suman ne – "I'm sorry"

So, yeah… there you go. I'll try and hurry up with the next chapter. (just don't be holding your breath)