Disclaimer: I do not own Inyusha, the characters and the manga belonged to Rumiko Takahashi.
Rai: I was frustrated with the way my life took its course yesterday that I have not updated. But I realized that the people who patiently waited for an update was not supposed to suffer in my behalf. So for the nth time, I am asking for your forgiveness regarding the lateness of this post. I hope that you understand. :D
His Mistress
Chapter Ten: Maze of Emotions
Shimizu was left alone in the center of the Taisho's manicured lawn, confused and a little weary. She was silently contemplating on what happened as she let herself slowly sit down on the chair that Kagome has seated before. She felt her body shiver at the remembrance of Inuyasha's stare, or rather, glare. What was that for? Why did it felt like he was blaming her all of a sudden?
Her thoughts went back to when she accidentally heard Sesshoumaru talking to Kagome's best friend…
She was seeking for her groom. It was her wedding day and the ceremony was about to start but Sesshoumaru still was not there yet. He was the only missing from the event that was about to transpire and she didn't want to be embarrassed in front of her parents if he ever didn't show himself up. On the other hand, Sesshoumaru was not the person who would just leave without a word. He was so respectable that he would not even dare to let this kind of event lay its dirty hands on his name.
She was half running the endless hallway of the function room, her heels clicking with every step she made, when she heard his voice as she passed by a slightly opened door.
"You should not have come." Sesshoumaru said.
Shimizu stopped from her tracks when she saw her groom facing her direction. 'Did he know that I was looking for him?' she thought.
She was about to push the door and enter the room to let her presence be known when she heard a woman's voice. The woman's voice was soft but firm as she called him by his name. She went still and hid herself behind the wall. He was with somebody else, at their wedding day, of all the days! Eyeing the room from the narrow slit the door provided her, she saw the woman went up to his direction. She could not decipher who she was because her back was facing her.
The woman's long black hair that was up in a high ponytail seemed endless as it cascaded down her slender back and ended just above her small waist. The black, body hugging, mini dress that she was sporting was paired by an equally black pair of stilettos, contrasted the milky white skin of her bare back and long legs.
"Why shouldn't I?" she heard her speak with a slight tinge of sarcasm lacing her tone. Shimizu saw as her head tilted a bit, her raven hair danced at the sudden movement. She seemed to raise her head to meet his eyes. She was mocking him with the sarcasm that was dripping on her words every time she speaks. "Shouldn't you be a little nicer to me?" the question was asked in a mocking tone. "After all, you are getting married." She said the last sentence with such mockery.
Who was this woman? Why did she spoke with Sesshoumaru in such a way? Questions started to erupt from her mind every second that she was watching them and hearing their exchange of words. Her eyes went to Sesshoumaru to see his reaction, but she saw none. His face was devoid of any emotion and she was not even a little bit surprised about it. He seemed like he was not affected at all. He was still and just focusing his attention on the woman in front of him.
What she said next caught Shimizu's attention.
"It is good that none of them have come." She said, referring to her best friend and her brother. "Or else, you and your half brother would have shed blood in the happiest day of your entire existence." Sango said with a snicker. She was just speaking metaphorically and ironically as she walked a step forward and dared to place a hand on Sesshoumaru's arm while looking beyond the opened glass window pane. She shrugged before she added, "Oh well, knowing how protective Inuyasha was at Kagome, it sure will definitely turn out on a bloodshed."
Shimizu's eyes widened a fraction at what she heard. Her hands found its way to her mouth and covered it as a surprised gasp escaped her glossed lips. She could not afford to be caught eavesdropping. She could not let them see her in such a state. She pressed herself behind the wall, more than she already was. Who was this woman, really? Why was she speaking with sarcasm and mockery towards Sesshoumaru? And did she, by any means, know his siblings? Another batch of mind confusing questions arose inside her mind. She talked about Kagome and Inuyasha. And by what she heard, the hanyou was so protective of their youngest sister. She closed her eyes and filled her lungs with air before she slowly released it through her mouth, her hands still cupped on half of her face. She sent them an invitation to this wedding ceremony, but none of them has made an appearance before her, and she didn't even know the reason why.
"Hn, you speak too much, woman." he said as he darted his glare on her hand that was resting on his arm. Sango took her time in letting him go before she continued her steps, directing on the large window.
Shimizu could not take any more of their words. She decided that all she heard was enough and that she must take her leave at once, before any of them notice her presence. Detaching herself from pressing on the wall, Shimizu slowly walked away from the room as silently as she could.
"Your bride is waiting for you." Sango said above whisper, but the tone of her voice didn't escape his sensitive ears. A pent up anger was slowly rising from the tone of her voice as she grasped the curtain that was neatly tied on the window's side. She was angry ― for her best friend that was about to lose the one she loved to a woman she had not known of.
Sesshoumaru nose twitched, he smelled something from behind the wall that separated them from the hall. A growled escaped from his lips at the scent that was lingering outside the room, "Bitch." He said, referring at nothing in particular.
One corner of Sango's lips rose at the word that escaped the Ice Prince's mouth. He was right, life really is a bitch.
Time has passed after their 'small talk' and the ceremony was over and done with in less than half an hour. It was so short that it seemed like it never even occurred. But it did happen. Only few were given the chance to witness the matrimony and Sango was there, while everyone was oblivious of her presence, standing near the entrance of the function room. The newly-weds stood in front of the make-shift altar as they faced each other. Sango released a sigh of frustration that she never knew she was holding. Staring intently at the couple that was now bound to each other, she released a huff. She was sure that Sesshoumaru knew she was there, but his new wife was oblivious of her presence, just like the others were. She didn't want to go unnoticed by them so she decided to walk the path that Shimizu walked before. Her stilettos that made a clicking sound on the tiled floor made all the people inside the function room turn their heads into her direction. The black, body hugging, mini dress that she wore looked like she was going on a wake, complete with a veil that covered her eyes, pinned into a black hat and matching gloves on both her hands.
Surprise was evident on everybody's face at the sight of her and much was seen in his bride's, her lips parted the moment she saw her ― the woman who was with Sesshoumaru a while ago.
Sango scanned the whole room with her eyes and found confusion and disbelief etched on Touga and Izayoi's face as her eyes dawned on them. They could not believe that she would do such a display, but she knew that they would understand. Sesshoumaru who was just calm about the whole thing didn't budge from the show off as he eyed every move that Sango made.
She stopped halfway on the isle, raising her gloved hand to her lips and without everybody prepared for it, she blew a kiss that was directed at Sesshoumaru.
A gasped of surprise escaped the lips of the women that were present in the said event and even in Shimizu's. Sesshoumaru just smirked at the mocking display of Kagome's best friend. He knew what she meant. And he was feeling the message she just sent.
'Welcome to a life of hell.'
- II -
Sesshoumaru who was still working on the papers that was neatly filed on his office desk raised a brow at his father's low growl. A crease formed in his forehead as he think of something that might stir anger on the Inu no Taisho. He looked over his shoulder, only to see the affirmation of his thoughts. His father was angry, indeed, but he was suppressing it.
"What seem to have gotten your attention, father?" he asked looking over his shoulder. He knew that his father know the question's hidden meaning.
Touga was standing behind him when he saw what happened to his only daughter. She looked horrified and trembling from whatever Shimizu had said. They were just talking earlier, something that he didn't know about. Kagome seemed to be okay until something from Shimizu's mouth made her shocked. He could not put the blame on Inuyasha, for his second son was silent for some time and seemed like just listening before he intercepted a moment ago.
What was with Shimizu's words that Kagome went like that?
A huff escaped his lips before he turned around and face his eldest son. "I have to take my leave now, Sesshoumaru." He said without even answering his question. He was sure that his son would know about it sooner or later. He released a frustrated sigh. He would seek answers from his mate and son, Inuyasha.
Sesshoumaru was puzzled by his father's momentary behavior, but it didn't show on his face. Instead, he nodded his head in affirmation before Touga took his steps to the door and went out of his study. Curiosity filled him as he stood on his seat and decided to take the position that his father once had, behind the glass window. He was faced by Shimizu, standing alone on the spot that was once Kagome and Inuyasha's position.
He stared at her back that faces him as he think of something that might happen between her and his siblings. Questions instantly filled his mind the moment she turned as if sensing someone was staring at her and wanting to find who it was. Why was she there and left alone? Surely, Kagome was not rude to leave a new company all by herself. Inuyasha was not that ill-bred either, though he has an attitude most of the times, but to have left a woman alone in the lawn though said woman invaded their spot, was not something that he would do. So, why was she all alone?
He thought he found the way through the maze of events that he was now trailing when he saw Shimizu's confused expression as she turned and found out that he was the one she was looking for. Her confusion was mixed with wariness and…was that apprehension?
Meanwhile Shimizu snapped from her thoughts as she felt someone staring at her. Raven orbs scanned the vicinity but she found no one, then her eyes lifted to the window of her husband's study and found a pair of amber-gold eyes that was staring back at her. It belonged to Sesshoumaru.
She became uneasy by the look that her husband was giving her. His face was emotionless but the weight of the stare that he was giving her was sending chills down her spine. She was a little apprehensive by the look in his eyes. She didn't know what was going through his mind and that made her anxious.
'What was happening?' she thought with a frown.
Her eyes widened a fraction at the recollection of the past events that had just transpired. Did her husband saw what happened? Was he standing there long enough to witness Kagome's previous reaction? Questions flooded her mind as she fought the stare that he was giving her. Another crease formed on her forehead as the frown on her face deepened. The answer to all her question was, maybe. And then it dawned on her. Was he blaming her too? Like Inuyasha did? Fear crossed her eyes at the realization. Of all the things she wanted Sesshoumaru to have her feel, this was not an addition. She was alright with his stoicness and unemotional demeanor but letting her feel fear and anxiety was beyond her expectations.
She was the first to break their eye contact and forced her eyes on the ground beneath her feet. She didn't want to be blamed for what she had not done. Why did it seem that everybody was blaming her for what happened to Kagome?
She let a moment pass before she breathed a deep sigh and composed herself. She didn't do anything and that made her conscience clean. Tilting her head up, she gave Sesshoumaru a final glance before she turned and sported her way back to the manor.
- II -
Shimizu was standing at the middle of their room with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She let a snicker escaped her lips, 'their room, how pathetic' she thought. This guest room had been hers and Sesshoumaru's room whenever they were staying at the Taisho manor. They had never used his room as theirs, and she couldn't even guess the reason why. She went inside to avoid his presence and to further think of what had happened a while back. She knew that she was clean, her conscience was clean, but why does it feel like she had done something wrong? She mentally shook her head at the thought. She was not guilty, period. She would not let that event ruin her day.
A faint knock on the door made her snapped out of her thoughts. She seemed like doing it more often the moment she met with her husband's siblings. She sighed and went to open the door. A servant in her uniform greeted her a good evening before saying anything.
"Dinner is served, Miss." The servant said with a curt bow of her head.
Shimizu nodded her head before she answered. "I will be right there in a while."
The servant was nowhere in sight when she closed the door and leaned on it. She allowed her lungs to be filled with much needed air before she composed herself, dusting the invisible dirt on the skirt of her kimono. She was all set, she believed. She tore her back from leaning behind the closed door and went in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection, Shimizu smiled at herself. She had to be calm and composed. The whole family would be there and she didn't want out make a fool out of herself by acting weird. When she was satisfied with what she saw on her reflection, she turned to the direction of the door and headed down for the dining room.
The silence that welcomed her as she entered the dinner hall took her by surprise, but she didn't let it surface on her face, or she would have made a fool out of herself. They might even think that she was guilty of nothing. They seemed to be all okay. The earlier tension that circled her, Kagome and Inuyasha seemed to subside a bit. She scanned each of them as she walked to her chair. Izayoi who was the first to notice her presence greeted and welcomed her with a warm smile.
"Take your seat, Shimizu dear." She said gesturing her chair beside her husband.
"Thank you, Milady." She said with a curt nod after she said her evening greetings to all. She took her seat, before she noticed that the members of the family were not complete. The empty chair beside Izayoi suggested that Kagome was missing. "Aren't we going to wait for Kagome?" she innocently asked.
Inuyasha who was about to answer her was cut by Izayoi's voice. "She was tired and was taking her rest, Shimizu." She informed her as she put food on her mate's plate. "Don't worry about Kagome and just eat your dinner." She gently said that earned a huff from the hanyou that was sitting across the table. She eyed her son who just shrugged and continued on eating his meal.
The hanyou's huffing didn't escape Shimizu's ears. 'So, he was still upset at me.' She mentally shrugged the thought off and pretended that she didn't notice it. Her eyes went on Sesshoumaru and then towards Touga who just continued eating the food that Izayoi had put on his plate. They seemed not to care at the silent tension between her and Inuyasha.
Dinner was through and the Taisho's were now starting to leave the dinner hall one by one, when Shimizu spoke out of a sudden.
"Milady, can I have your permission to bring Kagome her dinner?" she gently asked before the retreating back of Izayoi. She was still seated on her chair and was about to stand when Izayoi turned to face her. Her brows rose in a questioning manner from her request and she could guess why. It was not her duty to bring Kagome dinner and based from what happened earlier, Izayoi doubted if they got close enough for her to do as such.
Inuyasha who was just on the act of standing from his seat was taken aback by the request that Shimizu just made. Touga, on the other hand went still from exiting the dinner hall, but didn't care to face her direction. Sesshoumaru, who was silently standing beside his father, looked over his shoulder.
Blinking from the momentary surprise Izayoi gently said, "Sure, dear. You may bring her dinner." She nodded her approval with a smile, before turning around and continued her exit. The grunt of disapproval from Inuyasha could be heard as he pushed his chair away from the dinner table and walked to exit the dinner hall, passing both his parents and brother in the process.
Shimizu followed the hanyou's retreating back with her raven orbs. He was disapproving the simple request that she just asked from his mother? She darted her eyes on Izayoi, though her back was now facing her. Offering a smile at the permission she got from the Lady of the manor, Shimizu curtly bowed her head. She was about to turn and head to the kitchen to ask a servant to prepare something for Kagome when she heard her mother-in-law's voice once again.
"Her room is just across Sesshoumaru's, just in case you didn't know." Izayoi said as she looked at her over her shoulder.
A/N: I would like to thank those wonderful people who review the last chapter. Your reviews always make me happy. THANK YOU! :D I like Sango and I think that she ROCKS! hahaha Continue reviewing, ne? :P
