One Thousand and One Nights

Story One Hundred and Seven - The Lover and the Butterfly

"Milord?" Kagome moved quietly down the corridor, not taking heed of were she was walking, her eyes drawn to the paper in her hands. When strong hands wrapped themselves around her shoulders she jumped and huffed out an annoyed hiss. Her husband raised a single eyebrow and she shoved the letter into his face without a word. "What is this? A deceleration of war?"

"The mountain men move closer and closer to the Palace. I worry for your safety," He muttered, his eyes scanning over the words of the formal letter from the other dignitaries. She just cocked her hip and crossed her arms. "Do not feel demoralized, I meant it in the most satisfactory terms. I find your presence enjoyable. What a shame it would be if the world lost your sharp wit and sharper mouth."

He pressed a fingertip to her chin to get her to turn her head. She sighed and rolled her eyes. He dabbed absentmindedly at the smudge of paint that had been left at the corner of her cheek. When rubbed, the color reveled the rich tone of her skin. She smacked his hands away when he moved to scrub away the rest.

"Do you know how long it takes to put all of this on in the mornings? I will tell you, longer than you think!" She laughed and he watched the flash of white teeth. She moved to his side and locked her arm around his elbow before leading him out to the stables. "If you find the need to remove my hard work than I shall make you work for it."

The stable hand knew his wife in an instant. They exchanged easy banter and when she threw her head back and let out a loud laugh, he could feel his mouth tilt up the slightest bit. When she caught his eye, she waved him over and he moved in tandem with a mare who was being brought out for her. His horse was waiting a few stalls over, it's pounding hooves getting louder as he gets closer.

Kagome soothed its frantic jumping with hushed words while he grabbed the reigns and hushed the horse with a quick whistle. His bride lifted herself up into the mare's back with little help and a low chuckle from the stable master. She tore off out the open door and he was following her seconds after.

()()()

The wind whipped around her face and the loose curls smacked her back every time her horse moved. Her laugh was swallowed by the open land. The pounding of heavy hove beats was to her right, her husband keeping pace with her on his monster of a steed. The horse was massive, with a mane as silky as its rider's. She was immensely pleased she chose to wear pants today.

Sesshomaru was a vision on horseback. Every move he made was as graceful as possible. She almost felt angry at how easy he made it look. She noted and was rewarded with a grin for him. She let out a yip and the trot turned into a full blown gallop. Another laugh.

She was pulled from her thoughts when Sesshomaru rode up beside her and gestured for her to slow down. She rolled her eyes, wide and exaggerated, so he would know what she thought of stopping. She did as she was told, placing a steadying hand on the mare's chest to make sure she was fine.

"Why did we stop?" She called as her husband's horse cantered up, spraying dirt as it slowed. He smiled before slipping from the saddle. She followed suit and just as she was about to lead her horse to the small stream to her right, she caught the flash of something off to her side and caught it before it touched the ground. The sword was sheathed and shined dully in the sun. She looked over at her smirking husband. "What is this?"

"An old sword, dull and good for little more than training, which is what we are doing," He reached around to his saddlebag and deftly unsheathed another dull blade. "These mountain men will do anything to bring instability to our land, including killing its new queen. This is simply a type of insurance."

"I know how to wield a knife, a bow and poison, let us add swordplay to that list if only for bragging to nobles," She looked at his grip and adjusted hers so. He watched her follow his body movements. She never took her eyes from his face, even when the horses trotted off to the stream. "Teach me, oh great one."

"Do not taunt me," His words has no venom, no heat, and came out more fond than anything. He raised his sword and gave a mock blow to her left. She raised the blade to parry but miscalculated the arch and stumbled forward, letting out a string of curse words. "Feet are never to be wider than your shoulders. Be planted but light. Never become so fully engrossed in your opponent that you miss vital advantages in the land surrounding you."

"I have the land advantage, I know this land, but you have strength and training on your side. You want me to play in dirt," She hummed and took three careful steps to the side, he mimicked her and when he went to swing, she darted back. He recalculated and when to fix when his ankle caught in a hole and his balance shifted. He still nailed a hit to her sword but it was a glancing blow. He watched her chest rise and fall and the slits in her dress flutter in the breeze. "Good."

()()()

They moved on. She was brilliant. Her footwork was perfect and her blows were solid. Her resolve was lacking but that might have been for the best. If she had a want to kill, he might be her best target.

They finished the day with watching the sun set. Her chest was heaving and her makeup had long since been washed away with the exertion of the day. Now he watched the sun turn her dark brown hair a burnt auburn. He reached out a hand and tangled his fingers in the stands. She sighed and leaned into the touch. The soothing slosh of the river to their side was a backdrop. She hissed when his hand caught a sore spot where her blade slipped and connected. He moved on.

Abruptly, she stood, kicking her shoes off and yanking on her bindings. Her fancy outer garments were lost in the heat of the day and the thick pants were now more trouble. With a raised eyebrow, she threw her wadded pants into his face and raced to the river. With a yell and a squeal, she landed. He carefully moved her clothes to a rock and moved to sit by the riverbed. She floated serenely on her back, her arms spread wide.

"Is this your plan for the day, indulging your sloth nature in the water?" He asked, avoiding the translucent bindings and focusing on her face. It was as pure as he had ever seen it. Her eyes were bright on his. She raised a hand and crooked a finger. A clear invitation. "You think I want to get myself wet?"

"I think," She hummed. "You are just as hot under those layers as I was."

She raised an eyebrow and he got a strange feeling he knew from whom she learned it. With a sigh, he stood and with her cheers, he shed layer often oppressive layer. She cackled with joy and the tilting of his lips turned wild.

When he was down to his pants, he moved with an animal grace closer to he water. She sat up and took a few steps back. They were both smiling, Kagome bit her lip and when freed, turned an inviting shade of pink. When he jumped forward, she crashed back. They went down in a tangle of limbs and laughter.

When they finally tired of their childish antics, they retired to the soft grasses blowing on the river's edge. Kagome was plucking idly at a few reeds and Sesshomru watched.

"We should begin home soon," He started, making no effort to move. She let her head fall to the side and she smiled. The small crooked tooth was slightly endearing. He noticed to had a small bundle of herbs tied with the ribbon from her hair. He gestured to it. "What is that?"

"A root used for medicinal purposes," She fades of and sits up slowly. He follows with great reluctance. The affair of getting their horses settled and their belongings strapped in is short and they leave their bubble of warmth behind.

"Do you wish to race like madmen back to the palace?" He asked. He moved their horses so their legs brushed.

"No. I want to enjoy this," She raised her head to the setting sun and they continued onward.

()()()

"What will it be tonight? Love and lost? Adventure and death? Hope and misery?" He rubbed at his sore muscles with a soothing tonic and when she noticed, Kagome took over the task.

"I feel in light of today's activities, a brave heroine and a dastardly villain is in order," She cleared her throat and licked her lips before running a hand down his back.

"Our story begins in Greece where the gods war and bicker. On the eve of this particular night, a goddess and her son sat upon their temples and talked. They were Aphrodite and her son, Eros. You see, Aphrodite is the goddess of lust and beauty and often mistaken with her son, the god of love. A girl a town over was causing her problems."

"The girl, Psyche, was born too beautiful," Before he could question her choice of words, she leaned her head around his arm, her hair spilling over her shoulder. "Do you know Greek my Lord?"

"Not as well as my tutors would have hoped," His poor excuse for a joke were enough to bring a gentle smile to her lips. "Why?"

"Psyche means 'soul'. She is the personification of the purity of the human spirit. In the story, she is also considered to be the most beautiful woman to ever be created by man. Suitors came from all around, giving gifts to her parents in hopes of enticing their youngest daughter's hand. Offerings that would have been granted to the goddess of beauty were given to a mere mortal!" She muttered in mock outrage. With the distraction, he pulled her hips and spun their positions. Her gasp was of surprise then a hum of approval when he rubbed oil into her skin and rubbed the knots from her taxed muscles. He muttered for her to continue.

"Eros was commanded by his mother to make Psyche fall in love with the vilest, most despicable creature he could find. Eros knocked his bow in preparation, you see with only a pierce from his arrow, love with come, but when he went to release, he was so startled by her pure heart, he dropped his arrow and pierced himself. In his shame, he refrained from telling his mother." She sighed when he hit a particularly tough knot in her lower back.

"Psyche was not farming well either. You see, she was desired by many but loved by none. While her two eldest sisters married and grew, she remained unwed and alone. In a fit of panic, her father went to the Oracle to ask Apollo of his youngest daughter. The result was horrific. Psyche was to be dressed in black and left at the base of a mountain, there a winged serpent would come for her and claim her as his bride. This was to be her fate."

She fell silent. He continued to rub slowly, calming circles into her shoulders. He knew the plight of this woman was a mite to similar to her own tale. With a press of his lips to her shoulder. She pushed forward.

"She waited, alone, at the hill for what everyone assumed was her death. Her family morned and she did as well, for her whole life was to be forever changed. As she cried late at night with only the wind to hear, Zephyr, the mildest and freshest of the winds, picked her up and rocked her to sleep, carting her away. When she awoke, it was to a sprawling castle with towering trees and sprawling gardens. Flowering orchards laden with fruit, looming pillars carved with care to support a magnificent castle. Inside, a voice whispered that it was all to be hers, the grounds, the castle, and everything within. She ate till full and bathed till clean before sleeping till sated. The voices stayed with her until in the dark of night, her husband came for her."

His hands tightened on her shoulders. He feared were the story led and she reassured him with a delicate touch to the wrist. He continued with the ministrations even when his movements were harsher than he intended. She lifted his arms and placed them around her waist before leaning into his chest and whispering to his throat.

"He spoke to her and she knew, with the certainty of every woman, he was no monster. He was the husband she had wished for." His hands released their lock around her hips and the simple kiss to the column to his neck made his eyes flutter close. "The only problem she had with her caring husband was that he would never let her see him. So clouded with fear at his appearance, he refused to be looked upon and only came to her at night, when she could not see him. This caused her pure heart to doubt."

"Night after night, she thought back to her parents and sisters, all of who morned her while she was alive and happy. That night, she pleaded with her husband to allow her sisters to the castle and carry news of her happiness to her distressed parents. He granted her request but warned her that she must remain strong against her sisters else their relationship would be influenced. When her sisters came to the castle, they rejoiced their sister and many tears were spilt. But, as with many things, envy can worm its way into many places, including hearts of jealous sisters. They grew cold in the face of their sister's finery. They demanded to know of her husband's occupation and looks. When they learned of his inability to show himself to Psyche, they twisted their words into weapons and used them efficiently. They convinced Psyche that her husband must be the snake monster from the prophecy and that he must be so hideous that he knows the beautiful Psyche would leave if she ever looked upon his face."

"That night she stole a candle and hid it beside her bed. When her husband came to her, she waited until he fell asleep before lighting it and holding it out," She paused for dramatic effect, her fingers running absentmindedly across the callused pad of his palm. "He was beautiful. Her beautiful monster."

Her words were whispered. Revered. He watched as she looked up to him. She smiled slightly, sadness tinting her radiant smile. Her fingers skirted from his hand to cup his chin. She hummed and leaned her head onto his collarbone. Her breath floated warm over his skin. She grasped the back of his neck with one hand and clung like a child to his wrist with her other.

"He had hair as bright as the sun and just as warm. His skin shone as though it was crafted from moonlight and his fingers that grasped at the warmth she left behind in their marriage bed were thin and strong. The fingers of a bowman." A deep breath. "But not all was to be well. In her haste to pray to the gods for her husband, the candle wax spilt and landed on his hand. The burn awoke him and before she could explain herself, he was gone and Psyche was alone, once more."

She made to stand, to continue again another time, but he kept a strong hand in hers. Her fingers were soft from the lotion but hard from weapons practice. The fingers of a warrior.

"Please continue, if just this once," He pleaded. She refused to look at him, choosing instead to watch the stars outside her window. "Assuming that is not the end?"

"No," Whispered and quiet, the words were the softest things he could remember that came out of her mouth. "There is more. Do you wish to hear it? I have a strange urge to finish it as well."

He gestured to his lap and from behind the curtain of hair, he saw her bow lips curl. She sat and continued.

"She ran from the bedroom, into the hallway and into the darkness. She called for him but the only answer she got was from the voices in her head, his voice, that had been with her even when she was alone. "Love can not flourish without trust." He said, before he vanished. Psyche cried for many days, but she was strong, and knew her love to be true for you see? She loved the god of love, Eros."

"With little hope, she went to the temple of Aphrodite to pray for Eros to take her back. The goddess, still vengeful of Psyche's beauty, told her she must complete three tasks to prove her love to her son and win him back. She agreed."

Kagome smiled at this part. He watched as she traced shapes onto the back of his hand, faces and places. He resolved to gather sketching materials for her. Doubtless, she would master this skill has she had all the others.

"First, Aphrodite brought Psyche to a hill on which a giant mound of seeds sat. The goddess told the girl she would have one day to separate the countless seeds of wheat, poppies, millets into their own piles. Knowing this to be impossible, Psyche told her such. The goddess said she must or risk never seeing Eros again. Psyche cried and cried until her tears stopped a passing ant. The ant, seeing he girl's distress, commended the others to separate the piles. When Aphrodite saw this, she grew enraged and demanded Psyche to sleep on the ground with no food nor drink but it was to late, the task had been completed."

"The next test was dangerous. Aphrodite demanded water from a waterfall fed by the River Estige. The water was dark and back, rushing and much to fast. But she prevailed. Upon seeing that she had no hope of reaching the waterfall, she asked a passing eagle for help which he gave in return for a seed of wheat. Angered that she had yet again finished a task, she demanded reward of the highest cost. "Travel to the underworld and gather some beauty from the Queen of the Undead, Persephone. The travel almost killed her, the living are never to enter the world of the dead. She poured all of her money into the skeletal claws of the boatman to take her and when she reached the palace of the Undead, Persephone met her. Upon hearing her plight, the Queen obliged. Having the beauty gave Psyche the energy to claw herself back to Aphrodite, victorious and proud, sure she would once again be united with her love."

"This final victory only soured the goddess's mood and she swore she would never let Eros see her again and that Psyche would forever be a slave to the goddess." The strange glances he was sending her way made her smile so she shushed him and continued. "The gods were outraged and sent Hermes to tell Eros of his wife's trials. Upon hearing this, he unfurled his wings-"

"He has wings? Since when?" Sesshomaru had learned his lesion with interrupting but this was new. Kagome threw a glare over her shoulder and huffed.

"Since I decided he should have wings," She muttered about ungrateful lords and clicked her tongue, thinking back to where she left off. "Oh yes, his unfurling wings. He flew to his mother's garden and found his love at the feet of his fuming mother. He covered her trembling body and yelled at Aphrodite, demanding she release Psyche. Of course Psyche noticed none of this seeing as she finally had her love back."

"And that is the end?" Sesshomaru asked, brushing an arrogate curl away.

"What more do you want? She was given immortality as a wedding gift and lived with her love for all eternity. What more could their be?" She smirked at him before jumping out of his lap and onto the mattress, snuggling into the warmth of the covers. "Do you require another story?"

"Not tonight, Kagome," He waited until her breathing evened out before standing and pressing a kiss to her brow. "Tonight, you sleep."

Ya'll better thank Cutepuppy01 and all the other people that pestered me to get this out. It is all their fault this has so many errors. Oh well.