Takara was having a great time, Miroku's village was beautiful and everyone was so kind. And what's more, Inuyasha was seen as a hero by everybody, so they were all extra nice to her. It was like a dream, a dream she didn't want to wake up from. Those three days she had spent there had been the best of her life.
Sango was so sweet, and she loved being around her. And since Sango was confined to her room, she welcomed the company of the sweet inu-yokai. Sango enjoyed explaining to her how things were in the human world. Takara would always listen with a smile, avid to learn as much as she could.
–Sango, how did you and Miroku-san meet Inuyasha? –she asked.
Sango hesitated for a second; she didn't want to say something that could damage Takara's relationship with Inuyasha.
–I know about Kagome. –Takara said when she noticed Sango's indecision. –Inuyasha told me about her.
–He did? –asked Sango.
–He said he had loved her a lot, but fate had separated them, he also told me about Kikyo. –said Takara.
–That is odd, usually Inuyasha is not very good at expressing his feelings. –said Sango smiling bashfully.
–He said he lost Kikyo because there was not enough confidence between them, and that he had many fights with Kagome for not telling her what he felt. –she said. –he told me he loved them both a lot, but that was in the past, and he wanted to make me happy in every way. –her face had turned a bright crimson color.
–That is very nice of him, to be so sincere with you, he must really love you. –said Sango and hugged Takara. –I wish you two the best.
–Are you going to tell me how you guys met? Inuyasha told me you were all chasing a guy called Naraku, but he didn't go into detail.
–Yes we were. –said Sango, and told her the entire story, from Kikyo and the Shikon Jewel to the last fight they had against Naraku.
Takara listened to her silently, not missing even a word.
When Sango finished her story Takara was so deeply moved that she was crying.
Inuyasha and Miroku were outside. Miroku had always been Inuyasha's confident, and he had a lot to tell him.
Inuyasha placed a strong barrier around the village. Just in case.
–Why do we need this barrier again? –Miroku asked Inuyasha.
–Takara's father threatened to send and army after us, I don't want anything to happen to you guys.
–We can take care of ourselves, you know? –said Miroku.
–I know, but there are just so many people who die in the wars, and those who don't have a place to call home. All those kids with no parents, all those wives with no husband, I want to do anything I can to make this place safe for those who have lost everything. –said Inuyasha.
–You have changed so much in these three years. –said Miroku smiling.
–I don't wanna lose her Miroku, I want her to be happy, to have a safe place to live in. –he said.
–She will be, as long as she's with you she will be both happy and safe. –said placing his hand on his shoulder.
All of a sudden Miroku jumped, Inuyasha smiled and turned around, knowing whom he would find.
–Came back for more did you? –said Inuyasha taking unsheathing his daggers and stepping out of the barrier.
–So you are the one who killed Kuroda. –said a demon from the group.
–Yeah, it was me –said Inuyasha pushing Miroku back inside the barrier. –got a problem?
–Frankly I do, you kidnapped my daughter, and none of my men seem to have the courage to face you. –he answered. –so I will have to do it.
–You are Takara's father? –asked Inuyasha. He had not noticed, since he they were on opposite sides of the barrier.
–Yes I am. –answered the demon. He kind of looked like her. Long silvery blue hair, tan skin, two blue stripes on his cheeks, aquamarine eyes. He looked like a fifty years old human would look. But he still looked strong, he had a broad chest and strong arms. He was wearing a blue silk kimono decorated with small white dogs and blue hakama with black boots ending below the knee. He was wearing no armor.
–I'm not gonna fight an old man! –he stated.
–Then return my daughter to me!
–That's not an option either. You are trying to force her to marry someone who doesn't even care enough to come ofr her himself. I'll take care of her. I don't need you approval. –answered Inuyasha.
–Who do you think you are to tell me how to run my country? –Said Katashi offended. This hanyo was far too cocky.
–I don't give a crap about your country, all I care about is Takara, and she's safe and sound. –Inuyasha shot back.
–You insolent! –threatened Katashi. –She will return to my palace or…
–Or what? –said Inuyasha. –I don't care how many threats you throw at me, she's worth much more than that.
Lord Katashi was impressed, the young hanyo was brave. Yet he could not allow Takara to stay with him. He needed her in order to get a peace treaty with the South. He couldn't compete to the youth and strength of Ishiro. He saw Takara run to them and be stopped by the monk.
–How selfish are yout Takara. Will you really let this young man die just to protect you. –He told her.
–Please don't hurt him father! –she begged. –I love him!
–You have always been a great actress, and what else does he think? That you are a helpless little angel? Please! –he scoffed. –What make you think she really loves you? She gave herself to you? She is a liar and a deceiver, I understand how a young naïve man can fall for her.
Inuyasha had had enough of this man. –LEAVE THIS INSTANT IF IN SOME WAY YOU APRECIATE YOUR LIFE. –he roared. –You insult my woman one more time and I will personally rip off your vocal cords.
Lord Katashi stepped back. He was surprised by such a threat, but even more, the human scent on the man had disappeared, his eyes were a dangerous shade of red, and his pupils were a light blue. His fangs and claws elongated and his demonic aura grew exponentially.
–Oh! No! –gasped Sango. –He transformed!
Takara turned to her friend worried. –Is that bad?
–He's lose sense of who he is and attack friends and foes alike. –stated Miroku. –I'll stop him. –as he tried to approach his friend, the barrier threw him back.
–Stay inside Miroku. –said Inuyasha. He directed his attention once more to the group of soldiers in front of him. –LEAVE NOW! –he said. –If I ever see one of you back here I will kill them, if one of the villagers as much as gets scared by someone belonging to your country I'll make sure that's your last day.
Katashi and his soldiers left, he knew Inuyasha's had not been an empty threat. When he saw him transform like that he immediately knew why he seemed vaguely familiar. He didn't want any trouble with the son of the Inu No Taisho, even if he was a hanyo.
When Inuyasha Could no longer feel the demonic aura of the group he turned around and entered the barrier once more.
Takara ran to him and hugged him. –I'm so glad you are ok! –she sobbed on his chest.
–I did promise you I would never leave you. –he said hugging her back. He felt something hard on his head. –What the hell was that for? –He yelled to Miroku, who had just hit him with his staff.
–Don't you ever do that again! –He yelled. –You scared the crap out of me!
Inuyasha smiled apologetically.
–Come on Miroku, don't be so mean! He was just trying to protect you guys. –pouted Aya.
Miroku frowned. He had been having trouble accepting the fact that Aya was always around, maybe he was jealous of how close she was to Inuyasha.
Everyone went back to their respective houses. Inuyasha had finally populated his.
-two days after-
–Inuyasha, do you really have to go? –said Takara sadly.
–It's really important that I do. –he replied.
–But I don't want to be away from you. –she pleaded.
–Then come along! –said Aya. –It's really no secret stuff, well, it is, but you are entitled to know.
–I'll just be a second. –she beamed and went to get dressed for the trip. Inuyasha had bought her some really nice traveling clothing.
–Women! –he muttered.
–HEY! –complained Aya.
Inuyasha chuckled at her reaction. Takara came back dressed to travel.
When they were almost at Totosai's Inuyasha noticed Aya was a bit nervous.
–What's bugging you bug? –he said.
–Will you be terribly mad at me if I tell you there will be more people there? –she said turning red.
–That depends who we are talking about.
–Your brother. –she said gloomily.
Inuyasha stoppedon his tracks.
–Sesshomaru? –he said confused. –What the hell does he have to do with this?
–A lot. –answered Aya. –But can we please get there? Kiyoshi will explain everything.
–Why don't you explain everything and we save the trip?
–Please Inuyasha. I promise there is a really good explanation for all of this, but let's just get there. Please?
–Fine! –said Inuyasha. –Are you tired honey? –He asked Takara.
–Yeah, I'm fine. –she answered with a smile.
–Do you want to take a break?
–I'm ok. –she said.
–It's a long way up the volcano. –He warned.
–Ok, maybe we do need to take a break. –she said smiling.
Inuyasha smiled and brought her closer to him. He took her in his arms and headed to the nearest hot spring he could smell.
–I thought you'll want to take a bath. –he said and sat down with his back to her. –Just call me if anything
Takara looked at him and smiled. She undressed and started taking her bath. She felt very sad, Inuyasha hadn't touched her. When they were in the right mood, and she thought he would take her, he would stop. "Does he not like me?" –she often thought. She knew why he avoided her, but thought it was silly.
In the demon tradition, taking a girl's maidenhood without her father's consent was equivalent to dishonoring her for the rest of her life. Inuyasha had been thinking real hard how to get her father to give them permission to be together, but nothing ever came to mind.
She finished taking her bath and got out of the water. She looked at Inuyasha and sighed. Why did her father have to be so mean?
Once she was fully dressed she went to Inuyasha and sat on his lap. She could feel he was tense and uncomfortable about this trip. She hugged him tenderly and they remained like that for what could have been seconds or hours, it was impossible to tell.
-End of chapter-
Well, here it is, hope you enjoyed it.
Please review, it makes me happy :-)