Title: A Feudal Era Fairytale
Author: C-Chan2 aka Neptunesdemon
Archive: For this, none yet.
Category: Adventure, romance, drama, mention of Mpreg
Pairings: Sesshomaru/Miroku, Kouga/Inuyasha
Spoilers: None at all
Warnings: OOC, yaoi, AU, child-abuse
Author's Note: I am so sorry for the wait. Please enjoy.
xoxoxox
"Daddy!"
The young Half-Demon child rushed forward to his newly returned father, who scooped him up eagerly and welcomed him with an almost crushing hug. Sesshomaru laughed happily having his son in his arms, and nuzzled the boy affectionately before placing him down on his own two feet again.
"Where is your Baba?" He questioned and Inuyasha merely pointed in the direction of where Miroku stood smiling at father and son.
Sesshomaru went to meet him and greeted him warmly with a tender kiss, both parents pulling away with a chuckle at Inuyasha's sounds of disgust. As their son ran off to see what his father had brought back from his trip to the South, Miroku was busy reacquainting himself with the comforting feel of Sesshomaru's arms wrapping around him.
"You were gone for quite a while." He stated, his head pressed against Sesshomaru's chest. "I was worried something had happened."
"What could have possibly been so horrible that it would succeed in keeping me from returning to you?" Sesshomaru questioned and Miroku looked up to him with misty eyes, which caused the Dog Demon to frown.
"My mind comes up with so many terrible things when you're gone." He admitted, Sesshomaru shushing him and cupping his face.
"Do not think of these things, my mate." Sesshomaru insisted. "Even the gates of Yomi would not stop me from returning to you. I will always come back for you; we will never be apart for long."
xoxoxox
Violet eyes opened and tears escaped to run down Miroku's cheeks. He had tried meditating in the late afternoon sun, with Shippo off playing in the meadow they had stopped in, but he could only find himself drowning in memories.
His mate and lover had indeed promised that they would never stay apart for too long, but from learning he had been asleep for centuries and that Sesshomaru was missing, it was hard to believe that his mate would keep his promise. His eyes lifted to watch a fluffy fox tail bounce through the high grass, and Miroku was relieved that it made him smile.
Shippo had quickly opened up and relaxed around him, and he was honored that the small kit felt safe enough to be himself and let his guard down. And Miroku was happy to nurture a child again. He did not worry over Inuyasha as much with Shippo around and he was grateful for the company as he searched for his family.
"Miroku!"
At Shippo's excited call, he stood from where he had been resting and lifted his shakujo from where it was lying beside him. Then he was treading after the young Fox Demon. He found Shippo crouched low, looking down over the top of a small grass covered knoll into a valley below.
The small child waved him down, urging him to stay low and unseen and Miroku had to wonder what required such stealth. He complied and then Shippo was parting the tall grass so that they could look down.
"Wolf Demons." Shippo whispered, his voice holding uncertainty. "My mom use to tell me that they like to eat humans. You're not safe here, Miroku."
Miroku looked down at the huge camp ground, populated by Wolf Demon and familiars both. The tents were being struck and things were being packed away. They were about to move. If Shippo was right and they were particular to human flesh, then it was best they moved on or hide and wait for them to leave.
The second option would leave him and Shippo a campground to scavenge. His hunting skills weren't very good and neither was Shippo's. Although he himself didn't eat meat, he knew as Demon Kind that Shippo needed it. Any scraps that were left behind would be useful.
"Come on, Miroku. We should go before they find us."
"Too late."
They both turned and looked up to find two Wolf Demon's behind them. One held a cocky smile, his arms crossed as he looked down at them and the other held a bow with an arrow drawn back and ready to shoot.
"Now why on earth would a human monk and a Fox Demon kit be spying on our clan?"
"Please, forgive us sirs, but we were not spying."
"Save your breath. You'll need it to explain yourself to the clan leader."
Shippo gave a whine as he was grabbed by the scruff of his shirt and Miroku objected, standing quickly and ready to fight back for him. The arrow aimed for his face had him stepping back, hands raised in surrender.
"We won't hurt him. And you'll only be hurt if you don't cooperate. Now, move it."
Miroku nodded and slowly began to march towards the camp being struck down, the demon holding Shippo by his side and the other holding the arrow behind his back. They weren't killing him right away, which was a very good sign. Had they really eaten human flesh, he was sure that he would have been killed instead of being taken hostage. He'd do his best to comply so that he could see what happened.
xoxoxoxox
Bankotsu ignored the screams and gurgling last breaths of the villagers in the burning village behind him. They had all refused to give any information of Inuyasha's whereabouts, claiming they hadn't seen any such Half Demon ever. And if even if they weren't lying, Bankotsu was not amused by their arrogance.
Humans were supposed to tremble at the sight of him. The defiant gazes he had received were more than enough to release Jakostu onto them. He heard his brothers crazed laughter and looked over his shoulder in time to watch blood spray out of a freshly cut throat, drenching his brother in the warm, deep-red fluid. He gave a quit chuckle before he was fully facing Jakotsu's direction and walking over to him.
"Such a messy thing you are." He teasingly scolded, Jakotsu pouting and giving the taller yet younger of the two puppy dog eyes. "Had fun?"
"Oh, yes!" Jakostu squealed happily, clinging onto his brother with a sated sigh. "Thank you, brother, I am very happy now."
"Good. But, your brother is not happy at all."
Jakostu looked up at Bankotsu with a serous face and the braided brother smiled, hand stroking over blood-drenched locks.
"The little half-bitch is evading us." He simply said, his hand suddenly fisting Jakotsu's hair, the man giving a squeak of pain as his neck was arched back painfully. "Someone is helping him. And when we finally catch them, I'm gonna rip him in two."
Jakotsu gave a half whimper, half moan and Bankotsu merely sneered before carelessly throwing his older brother to the ground. He began to walk away, but stopped at the miniscule movement of a young woman. He looked down at her, the wound in her side heavily bleeding and moved toward her. She panicked and tried to crawl away, but he was stepping on her back, causing her to weakly scream out. He kicked her onto her back and she began sobbing and begging for her life.
"Still alive?" He asked her, his foot nudging her wounded side so that she shrieked in pain. "Well, I'll think about sparing your life if you tell me the truth. Have you seen a Half-Breed pass through here?"
"No, sir." She sobbed out. "There was no Half Demon who came through our village."
He drew his sword and she screamed, halting him as she held up her hands in mercy.
"But there was word of a Half Demon traveling with a young Wolf Demon, they had stopped in a town several miles East of here. That's all I know, I swear. Please, spare me."
Bankotsu stopped and feigned mulling it over before he was drawing his sword anyway, the woman's scream was cut short as he head was cut off and Bankotsu watched it roll away. He watched Jakostu pick up the severed head, before stroking the long black hair.
"Such pretty hair she has. May I keep it?"
Bankotsu merely flicked the blood from his sword before putting it away.
"Only until it starts to rot." And then he was walking off, Jakostu following behind him and combing his fingers through the hair of the women's head.
They would head East, since even if the woman was lying to save her life, it was the only lead they had.
xoxoxoxox
Kouga watched the lithe body moving gracefully from the cover of the bushes. Inuyasha had gone off on his own before the wolf was up, and the prince found him practicing a dance in a cleared patch of forest.
The smooth movements, the graceful steps, everything was captivating. He didn't think that he would get to watch Inuyasha dance again after that evening in Naraku's palace. In fact, he hadn't thought he would see the silver haired Dog Demon ever again. He would count his blessings that the Gods had granted him this much. Even though he knew he would have to go his separate way from the Half Demon soon enough. Inuyasha was company that he could not keep on his Year of Solitude. He would need to find somewhere the boy would be safe and he would need to find it soon.
Voices in the distance had him perking up and he paused momentarily to listen. It was then he noticed the fast footsteps heading in their direction. Inuyasha heard it as well, because the Half Demon was now crouched in a half attempt of a fighting stance. In an instant someone was bursting into the clearing, before stumbling to a stop with a shocked gasp at the sight of Inuyasha.
"A miko?" Kouga was questioning out loud as he recognized the telltale garb of a temple priestess.
She was young, probably no older than fifteen and her wide brown eyes stared back at Inuyasha in complete disbelief. Inuyasha stared back, too, obviously uncertain as what to do. She was merely a human girl and was most likely no danger, or so the boy might be thinking if he didn't know what harm a miko was capable of dishing out to Demonkind.
"Kagome! I told you to not go so far ahead!"
It was another female, closing in on their location and Kouga knew that he should act, but his appearance might cause more harm than the Half Demon's presence. The first miko was soon joined by an older girl, this one missing an eye and far more experienced than the younger girl. At first glance of Inuyasha, she was notching an arrow and drawing it back in her bow, the weapon aimed at Inuyasha who merely froze.
"Get back, Kagome!"
The younger miko numbly nodded and stepped behind the other, and Kouga took the chance. He jumped out of the bushes, sword drawing and just in time. The older miko had shot her arrow in his direction but he was faster, and he deflected the arrow with his blade. He landed in front of Inuyasha, teeth bared and hoping the two young women would just back off. If not he was sure that he could manage them, there were only two of them.
He heard it too late, the sound of an arrow releasing, and couldn't move fast enough. There was a third somewhere, and she had been quieter, faster and more skilled than the first two. He groaned in pain as the arrow lodged in his shoulder as he tried to move, and he fell to one knee as the miko magic weakened him. He heard Inuyasha call out his name, but the sudden buzzing in his ear made it hard for him to make out what was going on.
Inuyasha had knelt beside him on the ground, his arms holding him up and golden eyes looked up as a third woman appeared with a bow in her hand. She lifted her weapon again, notching an arrow but Inuyasha shifted so that he was in front of Kouga as a shield.
"Wait!" He called out, his brows set in a frown. "Don't hurt him anymore. He was just protecting me!"
Cold, deep brown eyes stared back at him and the woman slowly lowered her bow a bit.
"And who are you that he would give his life for you?" She was asking and Inuyasha had no idea how to respond to that.
"I am Inuyasha." Was all he offered and the woman only stared back at him.
"Naraku's slave?" The one-eyes woman asked suddenly. "Why are you here?"
All three women were looking at him expectantly and he knew that there was no use in lying to them.
"I escaped and ran away. This is Kouga." He motioned to the wounded Wolf Demon. "He's my friend. He's helping me."
"And where will you run, Half Breed?" The eldest of the three asked, her face frowning. "What village would welcome you? They would not help you out of fear, knowing you are Lord Naraku's favored slave and those who do not know you will send you away because of your breeding."
"I couldn't stay!" Inuyasha snapped his eyes glaring back at her. "I would have rather died than suffer the fate he had planned for me."
"And ye have no inkling of your fate once he has found and captured you again." The one-eyed miko told him.
"Then please help me."
"And risk Naraku's wrath?" The eldest asked before she was scoffing. "It would be easier to banish you both from the mortal world."
"And then Naraku's wrath will be worst."
It was the first time the youngest girl piped up and the two older women were looking back at her. She meekly stepped forward, motioning in Inuyasha's direction.
"He's Naraku's prized possession. If we destroyed him, it would mean facing off with Naraku and we aren't prepared for that." She informed them. "If we let them go, then we give ourselves time to keep preparing."
The two women looked to each other and the one-eyed miko sighed in defeat.
"Kagome is right, Kikyo. It is best that we let them go."
The one named Kikyo looked back at Kagome before she was reluctantly nodding in agreement.
"Very well, Kaede, we'll let her get her way."
She looked back to Inuyasha, who merely bowed his head in gratitude before she was walking off. She stopped beside Kagome who merely looked up at her with a confused expression.
"Lead them out of our woods." She ordered her, her tone serious and holding no room for mistakes. "If they harm you then not even the threat of Naraku's wrath will still my arrows."
Kagome nodded and Kikyo continued to walk off. The youngest sister looked to Kaede, who was replacing he bow to hanging from her back while she offered Kagome a reassuring smile.
"You will be fine. Think of this as a test." She told her youngest sister, who only pouted up at her. "I'll always be watching you, remember?"
She tapped her finger just beneath her eye patch and winked at Kagome with her good eye, the young girl managing half of a smile. Then Kaede was looking up at the Half Demon and his wounded companion.
"Patch up the Wolf Demon and then be on your way. If you take too long to get them out of the woods and return to the temple, Kikyo won't hesitate to finish what she started."
Kagome nodded and Kaede placed a gentle hand atop her head in comfort.
"Stay safe."
And then she was following after Kikyo. When the two were gone, Kagome turned to look back at the two demons and gasped as she saw the silver-haired one reaching for the arrow.
"No don't!" She yelped out, grabbing his hand and stopping him. He looked at her with golden eyes nestled beneath furrowed brows and Kagome felt her cheeks heat in a blush. Her words stuttered a bit before she could meekly mutter out, "The magic will hurt you."
Clearing her throat, she released Inuyasha's hand and reached for the arrow, dazed, blue eyes watching her as he held it.
"Forgive me for whatever pain you feel." She quickly stated and the dark-haired demon merely nodded before his jaw clenched in preparation.
Kagome pulled the arrow free with a grunt of effort and Kouga growled out a sound of pain. Kagome apologized again and Inuyasha was worrying over the other demon.
"He's bleeding!" His voice was panicked and wide eyes looked to Kagome. "Make it stop!"
"I will. Just stay calm."
Gently moving Inuyasha out of the way, she coaxed Kouga to a sitting position where he was leaning against a tree. Out of her traveling bag, she retrieved the materials she always carried to patch him up. It was barely half an hour when she was finally done, coaxing the Wolf Demon to drink a herbal tincture to fight off infection. Although he was a demon and would usually heal in a night, his wound would heal slowly as he had been wounded with a miko's weapon.
"You can rest for a bit, but we should get moving soon." She told them as she stood, dusting off her clothes. "It's best to get you out of these woods by sunset."
"Thank you." Inuyasha said, looking up at her. "I don't know how to repay you."
"Um, no need!" Kagome nervously blurted out, her cheeks burning red. "Leaving our sacred wood will be thanks enough."
And then she turned to busy herself gathering more herbs. She'd have to send them off with it and enough to last until the dark-haired demon was healed.
As she worked, Inuyasha watched her curiously, before he was drawn to pay attention to Kouga again, the wolf hissing in pain and he shifted to try and stand.
"Would you keep still, you big idiot." He scolded, gently pushing the wolf back to sitting against the tree. "You need to rest."
"I'm fine." Kouga grunted out, the grimace of discomfort contradicting his statement. "You heard the miko. We have to be out of these woods by sundown. Her older sister won't show mercy a second time."
"You didn't have to do that." Inuyasha said suddenly.
"What?"
"Come to the rescue. I could have handled it myself."
"Usually people say thank you when someone takes an arrow for them. Not to mention a scared arrow, that hurts like a bitch."
Inuyasha frowned slightly, eyes looing down a bit in shame.
"You keep getting hurt for me." He muttered softly and Kouga only snorted. "Maybe it's best if we-"
"If we what?" Kouga interrupted and Inuyasha looked up again. "Split up? If I left you out here on your own; a Half Demon who barely started learning how to fend for himself? A runaway who used to be owned by the most dangerous Demon Lord in Japan, and who probably has people looking for him? You think I should abandon you, Inuyasha?"
"I just don't think I'm worth all the trouble I've brought you." Inuyasha meekly said, Kouga smiling at the pouting face and reaching out to cup a blushing cheek.
"Trust me, Inuyasha, your worth it."
Golden eyes lifted to stare into gem-like blue and Inuyasha suddenly felts short of breath. His heart thundered and he knew his face was burning a bright red. The sound of footsteps had their eye contact breaking as both turned to look at the returning human girl.
"I've got enough herbs to last you a few nights." She announced, holding out a small satchel which Inuyasha stood and took from her with a bow of his head. "We should get going. Would you like me to help you with him?"
Ignoring Inuyasha's objections, Kouga forced himself up choking back his groans of pain and cradling his wound as he stood.
"I'll be fine." He told them both, looking at the sun, which was still high but heading for the west end of the sky. "Let's move out."
He walked past them both and Inuyasha merely sighed before looking to Kagome. He smiled at her and she "meeped" and was rushing off, cheeks flaring. Inuyasha only sighed and followed after them.
xoxoxox
The uninhibited laughter of the little girl he had somehow acquired echoed through the glade as she happily ran through it. Golden eyes watched her carefully as she entertained herself, running and frolicking, teasing Jaken who was shouting at her to behave properly.
In his mind the image of silver hair shining and peeking through tall grass flashed for a moment, and he stiffened. Jaken's squawk of dismay had him distracted and he sighed quietly as he watched Rin torture his ward, chasing him with a wreath of flowers and insisting he dress up and look pretty.
He heard a laugh behind him and he froze, his heart clenching at the familiarity of it. He closed his eyes, knowing it was his mind playing tricks and his eyes snapped open at the feel of a hand on his shoulder. He would have looked back to see who was behind him, but his widened eyes were too busy staring back at the small demon child standing in front of him.
"Daddy!"
Daddy. He was the child's father. That boy with the silver hair was his son. But, what was his name? He wanted to call out, but nothing came out and the boy was running off, laughter echoing behind him. Mumei stood to follow, but the voice behind him stopped him.
"Sesshomaru."
He spun as he recognized the name, but saw only a shadow. A man shaped shadow that was starting to fade.
"Sesshomaru. . ."
"Master Mumei?"
His head was snapping to look behind him and he saw Rin staring up at him in concern. He blinked and looked back, but the shadow was gone. The little demon child, his son, was gone.
"Lord Mume-"
"Sesshomaru." He had cut off Jaken, who had joined Rin with looking at him with concern and the two looked to each other for a moment before staring up at him again. "My name is Sesshomaru."
"It is wonderful to see that our master is regaining his memory!" Jaken blurted happily and Rin merely smiled as the tall demon turned to face them. "Perhaps you will soon remember everything that has happened to you."
"Is Master Sesshomaru all right?" Rin asked carefully. "Would you like some water? Rin can fetch it for you."
"No, I'm all right Rin. Let's get going. I have to keep heading West. We have to find him."
Rin and Jaken watched him pass them by before obediently following after him. Jaken hurried so that he was by the Dog Demon's side, looking up and recognizing a new look of determination in golden eyes,
"If I may be so bold to ask, my lord, whom are we going to find?"
"My son." Was all the taller demon offered and Jaken slowed down, him and Rin looking to each other in bewilderment.
xoxoxox
Dark eyes stared down at the mirror's surface as she held it in her hands. White locks were being brushed and Kanna sat still, keeping quiet. Kagura was quiet, too. The only sound was the brush moving over her hair. That is until a throat cleared, and Kanna looked up at the high-back chair was her lord and father sat, his red eyes staring back at her. She carefully looked down again at the mirror, which didn't show her reflection and was also lacking the usually grinning skull that resided in it.
"Leave us."
The brushing stopped and Kanna felt Kagura step away from her and bow to Naraku. Then she was walking away and leaving, closing the doors behind her and leaving the young girl with Naraku. Said Demon Lord sat quietly, staring back at the girl that refused to look up at him and he merely cleared his throat again, loudly, to gain her attention. When dark eyes looked up, his eyes narrowed.
"Kanna. I am getting impatient." He started, his tone revealing his aggravation. "Where is Ungaikyo?"
Kanna merely shook her head and Naraku sighed. She wilted as he stood and drew closer, and then she was whimpering as he took hold of her chin and lifted her face so that she had no choice but to keep looking at him.
"How can a spirit simply disappear?" He asked her and Kanna merely shrugged. "Where is he?!"
She cried out as her tightened his grip and tried to pull her face free, but her held on tighter.
"Kanna, what happened to Ungaikyo!"
The bellowed words had her whimpering louder and Kanna was struggling harder to free herself, a small hand lifting to pull Naraku's hand from her face.
"He's hiding from the lady." She finally blurted out and Naraku merely frowned.
"What. . . lady?" He questioned her and he saw Kanna's eyes look past him.
Slowly, she lifted her hand and pointed behind her, suddenly trembling from fear.
"That lady."
Naraku looked over his shoulder, and red eyes widened at the sight of the regally dressed Goddess standing in the doorway.
"Naraku, my humble servant. You goddess, Izanami has returned."
T.B.C.
My finals are over and the spring term is done. Hopefully I can return to posting a chapter every week or two. Please leave reviews; they encourage me to write faster.