Disclaimer: Inuyasha © Takahashi Rumiko. Plot and the original characters are mine.
Chapter 12:
Forbidden Lover
"Fire!"
Both their swords abruptly clashed against another. It had been three days but seemed it will take a long way to an end. But nonchalantly Kei kept leading the Western Lands army –though he looked rather exhausted and pale– defended his land, and was about to finish his private business with a man he should call father.
"It's been a long time, son," Tetsuya's deep voice called for him. Kei grunted, silently held his breath. It was the first time since the war begun he fought so close to his father. Kei seemed lost the concentration as he looked deeply into his father's amber eyes. His eyes remained the younger black dog demon to their past, his father's betrayal and his mother's sacrifice. Noticing that, Tetsuya easily –carelessly– threw the young demon out as Kei strongly landed on the ground; he was breathless –empty. Tetsuya approached him, firmly stood beside his lying son. "It seems you don't grow any stronger." Tetsuya tsked. "What a shame."
"Damn!" Kei dangerously hissed. He tried to get up but he just too tired and lost. He once thought it would be easy to go in a war against his father, to make Tetsuya pay everything that made her suffer. But it did not. Tetsuya lifted up his sword high, ready to finish him, at least break him. "You disappointed me, son," Tetsuya noted. "I didn't do any–"
"You killed my mother!" Kei angrily interrupted. "I am not," Tetsuya calmly denied. "She was sick then."
"She was sick because you betrayed her, our family!" Kei used his sword to help him stand on his feet. "You–," Kei came closer to his father. "You made her suffer. You killed her so you can be with that bitch." Tetsuya growled, immediately swung his sword toward Kei but the young demon quickly blocked the path and fight back. "You should learn how to respect my mate," Tetsuya warned. "I am not," Kei nonchalantly grinned. "Behave just like your brother!" Tetsuya growled, forcing his sword against Kei. Both black dog demons attacked each other; hardly paying attention to the world surrounded them.
Kei.
Kei… Mother.
"Ugh!" Kei gasped as the blood rapidly flown from his mouth. It was unnoticing for him when Tetsuya silently grinned his sword only then he just stabbed him from front side, sliding the cold steel through his chest, impaling his body. "It is no use," he heard Tetsuya whispered.
Tetsuya withdrew his sword from Kei, letting him fell on the ground as the crimson blood started flowing from his mouth, his forehead and every scar; pooling around his son's body. "I guess we never mean to be a family." It was then Tetsuya gasped, feeling a thick sword slashed his back. "Sessh-shomaru," Tetsuya hissed, using his sword to support him. "Let's finish the business," Sesshomaru utterly said.
He watched them. He saw his father struggling under bakusaiga and Sesshomaru, as usual, hunted his prey coldly and emotionlessly. The blood won't stop, his breath harbored. The army screamed, fighting. The swords clashed and his eyes became blurry. Though he still can see how Sesshomaru mercilessly attacked Tetsuya –his very own father and he didn't feel sorry for that. He simply thought, it had been years since he called Tetsuya 'father'. It had been a long time since he played with his brother, Jun –how he always talked he wanted to become a strong demon just like Kei. He somehow missed Jun – and Inukimi. He missed when Inukimi ruffled his hair and told him he was far handsome than Sesshomaru. And he proud of Sesshomaru. They had a similar story of the past but it seemed Sesshomaru took his father's betrayal easier than him. Sesshomaru did not lose his respect to his father after all –not like him.
Kei… and he missed her.
His breath slightly stopped as he saw her. She was standing in front of him, blocking his view from the fight between Sesshomaru and his father. She was so beautiful, still in her usual miko attire. Her skin was still fair and that long raven hair. She gradually stepped closer to him – she was only a shade but it felt so real. "Midoriko…" She then knelt before him, looked at him with those innocent mahogany eyes, warm and happy.
'Hold on, they will get you back to the palace.'
"I won't," he silently said.
'You must,' she insisted. "You couldn't die like this. You–" Midoriko gasped. "Happy…"
"I'm happy with you," Kei sighed; it became hard to keep his eyes open. "Cold…"
He heard him scream – Tetsuya. He blurry saw when Sesshomaru once again slashed his sword against Tetsuya's chest before the old demon strongly fell on the ground, leaving his blood stained the young Lord's haori. Sesshomaru gazed down at his body; he was still breathing but he already broken. He then shifted his eyes to the lying demon, immediately walked to him. Without saying a word, Sesshomaru grabbed Kei's arm and put it around his shoulder. "We will not–," he hardly breathed. "We will," Sesshomaru stubbornly denied. "You–" Kei weakly pressed his finger against Sesshomaru's chest. "I'm proud of –you, brother."
"Don't talk too much." Sesshomaru was about to carry him before Kei's voice stopped him. "I once loved a human." Sesshomatu hitched. "And my advice for you–" Kei chuckled, seeing the demon lord's expression. "Take care of her," he smiled a bit. "She's worth to fight for." Sesshomaru grunted –yes, she is. "I need some sleep."
Sesshomaru felt his arm loosened on his shoulder as his lids gradually closed. His breath became hardly to be heard. His ears only concentrated to find the heartbeat, being indifferent when the Western Lands army cheerfully, joyfully shouted that the war has ended and the victory was nothing but theirs. But it was useless. His body felt so cold and rigid, seemed losing his soul and he did. Kei was no longer physically there with him.
I wonder, what's the meaning of won a war if we lost you?
…oOo…
It was the same sunset just like that day, the last time he met her. His feet firmly but yet rather quickly stepped onto the grassy land as he headed to the borderlines. As he walked closer, the bridge came into his view. He smiled; she still waited at that place. Kei speed up his pace to the bridge, approaching his lover.
She turned around, facing him as he reached her. "You're back," Midoriko greeted with a smile.
He did not respond, he just immediately slid his strong arms around her and hug her in a possessiveness-tight yet welcoming embrace. "I've waited so long," Midoriko smiled on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Kei murmured into her midnight-tresses. "I took a very long time to come back to you."
"I thought you find someone else," she playfully chuckled.
Kei laughed slightly, tighten his embrace around her. "No one else could ever take your place," he said. "No one." It took hundred years of separation, many nights he spent without her. Many female demons came along, tried to attract him but she was the only one for him. He couldn't find any love just like her. No one.
…oOo…
"Please, be slower, Rin," Kikyo warned, giggling. She almost ran rather than take a walk along the hallway as the little child grabbed her hand and dragged her hurriedly to the front gate. Just moments ago the servant told them that the war was over and the Lord along with the Western Lands army already arrived at the Palace. "Rin misses Sesshomaru-sama," the young child grinned widely; she missed him too, so much. Once they reached the front gate, Inukimi already stood there firmly along with Edo, Jaken and some low commanders, welcoming those who just came back from the battlefield but somehow the scent was so tense and awkwardly silent.
"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin cheerfully greeted as the silver-haired demon lord came to her view. Kikyo, as well, smiled when she saw Sesshomaru already home like he promised, safe and sound. He watched her smile but responded nothing, only the usual cold and emotionless gesture. Only then her smile immediately faded away when she saw some armies carried a litter covered by his blooded-haori. Kikyo gasped; she noticed since back then she didn't see that another dog demon, the playful Kei. Her brows knitted, her eyes questioningly gazed to the golden orbs and he slightly nodded.
"Is that… Kei-sama?" Rin was a very smart girl, she learned things quickly. Soon the young girl sadly growled and quickly hugged the woman's leg, buried her head into her kimono as she started to sob. Kikyo gently caressed the young girl's hair, comforting her while she found herself hardly to breathe.
"Edo," Inukimi called out, her voice sounded tremble. "Prepare the funeral."
…oOo…
Kikyo languidly lay down on the bed; her eyes hardly opened, tried to keep gazing through the window glass to the hazy valley beneath. She was quite sleepy but restrained from her slumber, waiting for Sesshomaru came from his funeral. Once Kikyo implied she wanted to attend his funeral but Yamada quickly dropped her idea. A demon's funeral was secret and reclusive to non-relatives –especially when she was a human– but Kei was her friends and her predecessor's lover. She somehow felt connected to both Kei and Midoriko. But alas, Kikyo eventually could only wait in the Palace and it was almost midnight. She hoped everything was fine, especially for Inukimi. That time, the Queen Mother looked so pale and shocked, but her emotionless face masked what she felt inside. It was then Kikyo could not bear any longer. Slowly the young woman drifted to a tight and peaceful sleep, too tired to think about anything, even to waiting for him.
Her breath was low, escaped her parted-lips as the eyes tightly shut. Only then Kikyo slightly stretched and feeling comfortable warmth around her body, buried her head deep into something hard but yet so relaxing, its scent was simply amazing – strong and manly. She didn't remember her pillow must be that warm and comfort. Kikyo then startled, eventually feeling there was somebody with her on her bed. Her brown eyes immediately opened and found Sesshomaru was lying next to her. His eyes were peacefully shut, the breath was relaxed and he seemed in a deep slumber. His strong arms were protectively around her; one was slid under her head –as a pillow– surrounding her shoulder and the other one was enveloped her curvy waist.
"Sleep well?"
His sudden question stunned her; he didn't sleep, did he? Sesshomaru kept closing his eyes, relaxingly breathing in her scent. "Yes," Kikyo breathed. "I've… waited for you," she told him. "Hmmm," the Demon Lord only hummed, not even apologized. "I'm glad you're back. I was so scared that you– Kei…," she lost the words, bowing her head. "It was too sudden, unexpected. I feel sorry for him." Sesshomaru did not respond but instead tightened his embrace around her.
"He told me he once loved a human," Sesshomaru said. Kikyo lifted her head up, looking at his shining face. "It was Midoriko, my predecessor, the creator of Shikon no tama," she told him. She felt him hitched, but no words came out. "They were in love some time ago but unfortunately Midoriko died in the battle against the demon."
"Magatsuhi." Sesshomaru whispered, rather a statement than a question.
"Hmm," Kikyo hummed. "He was a half-demon who fell in love with her."
It was somehow tickled his senses. How could he do not remember every part of her story, her relationship with both of hanyou, his half-brother and that low-life creature who obsessed toward the former miko. Silently it was amused him, those female human just alike. "Kei didn't tell me before," Sesshomaru lowly noted.
"Maybe he was afraid of your hatred toward –human," Kikyo guessing, choosing her words but she failed. Sesshomaru smirked, slowly opened his golden orbs and firmly looked at her. "I find it now why he never mated any demoness though he was famously known to them." Kikyo laughed a bit before buried her head on the crook of his shoulder. "I miss you," she sheepishly whispered, so low it hardly could be heard, fortunately to his demonic-hearing.
Sesshomaru brought his hand from her hips to caress the softness of her raven hair. "Kikyo," he called. "Hmm?" the petite woman hummed; she was relaxing in his scent, listening to his heartbeat. "Take time off the day after tomorrow," Sesshomaru told her; he watched her cuddling in his arms. "Why?" Kikyo questioned.
"On that day, I want to marry you."
Kikyo immediately opened her eyes and lifted up her head, meeting his golden orbs. It was something unusual Sesshomaru spoke so humanly. But his eyes told otherwise, it told her that he was demanded, determined, and serious. "I've thought about this. I want us to do it in both your tradition and mine." Kikyo found herself speechless. Her jaw slightly opened but no words spoke out. "There won't be many people congratulating us. And it won't be the fancy weeding that most women dream of. But I still want to do it," Sesshomaru breathed, searching her mahogany eyes.
Kikyo bit her lips, she hardly believed what he had just said; it was just a dream and all she needed was just close her eyes then woke up, then she would find herself lying in the bed with Rin slept soundly in her arms, but she didn't. She took a long time to observe his eyes, searching for some clues. "But – is it too sudden?" she asked. "We haven't had your mother's permission and Kei was just… dead," she heavily sighed. "I'll tell her tomorrow," Sesshomaru answered. He was going to tell his mother, not asking. "I won't take it any longer."
"Do you mean it?" she once again questioned, trembling. "Still doubt, huh?" Sesshomaru questioned in turn. No –she gulped– she never doubted on Sesshomaru even just a second and she knew he did too. It was just more than she could ever think. "I mean it more than ever before." For the first time since they met, she watched him being so open and full of emotions. Sesshomaru was meant it; he really looked for to live with her. "I'm… so happy," Kikyo slightly sniffed that made the Demon Lord let out a deep chuckle she never heard before. She was perfectly drowned in a very blissful happiness. She had been waiting for so long to feel this happy –no, she deserved to be happy after all. And her happiness was with Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru slowly brought his head up and gently crashed his lips upon hers, binding the promise. He kissed her so deep, agonizingly slow and breath-taking. He was memorizing, tasting every part of her lips. Kikyo placed her hand on the back of his neck to deepen the kiss; her soothing lips were torturing him. That was when Sesshomaru gently nipped her bottom lips, demanding an entrance to savoring her mouth as Kikyo escaped a low satisfied sigh. And both lovers surely wouldn't get their rest for the night.
…oOo…
The next morning Kikyo woke up in a very joyful mood, though when she opened her eyes Sesshomaru was no longer lay beside her. The last night's moment still lingered in her mind, how soothing and passionate their kiss was also they spent a whole night together for the first time. At this time, Kikyo should pick Rin up and took the little girl to the study chamber, teaching her the know-how but somehow Aya already took her duty. It was later revealed that Sesshomaru told Yamada and the servants not to bother her with such duties, let her rest a while. She wondered, is it because of what would happen tomorrow? Her eyes widened, tomorrow? Tomorrow would be that day. And she was deeply blushing.
"Milady expected your presence to the office room."
The sound of old servant Yamada surprised her as Kikyo strongly jolted. "I'm sorry for shocking you, Kikyo-sama." Kikyo took a deep breath then smiled, "Don't be. I was just thinking so that I don't know you come," she reassured. "Arigatou," Kikyo nodded then stood up from the comfortable couch in her room and headed to the office room. It wasn't the first time Inukimi called her to meet in a private conversation but it still scared her. She guessed what things Inukimi wanted to talk with her this time.
Kikyo softly knocked the door before entered the dimly office room. Inukimi already waited for her, sitting on the traditional-wooden-chair, Kikyo then took a place on the seat in front of her, separated with a large-rounded-table.
Inukimi silently took a cup of tea and sipped it; her face was looked exhausted and brooding. "I heard from Sesshomaru," she said as she placed the cup down on the table. "It was quite sudden."
Her fingers tangled, nervous creeping around her body. "I'm sorry if I'm causing a trouble," she somehow apologized for nothing. Marry with him wasn't a trouble but yet she called on an apology.
"Indeed you are," Inukimi nooded. "I just lost Kei yesterday and this morning Sesshomaru told me he want to perform that –thing – with you tomorrow," she then looked away to the view outside. Though her words were still sharp but her tone was somehow warmer. "Everything is one moment. They passed by in a blink of an eye," Inukimi sighed. "There was a time when they were still a child, young and innocent. I took care of them as much as I can, made them became a man… raised two broken-homed kids wasn't easy at all."
Inukimi shifted her eyes to the young woman in front of her. Her sight was killingly fierce. "Until one moment I realized I lost the time of them growing up. They weren't any longer a kid. They have their own life but I didn't care about that. All I want is to protect them. I'm so scared of losing them." She took another deep sigh before continued as Kikyo just silently listened to her. "I had lost Kei," she noted, her voice sounded trembling. "But what I found this morning was shocked me. I never saw Sesshomaru directly looked at me in the eye so determined before he met you. He was so full of emotion when he spoke about you." Once again the older woman deeply sighed, "Just like his father," she lowly whispered.
It was then Kikyo took a sigh. She felt uneasy; she was scared that things will never work out between them, especially now Inukimi was in a state of brooding toward Kei and Sesshomaru suddenly took a chance to tell his mother he wanted to marry her. They should take it slowly, shouldn't they?
"It's a bit unknowingly unexpected, but somehow I did feel relieve." Her eyes widened hearing the words. "Please take care of and support Sesshomaru sincerely. He's a very lonely child." Kikyo watched her eyes clouded with tears though she restrained not to cry. Sesshomaru might be a powerful demon, Lord of the Western Lands. But for Inukimi, Sesshomaru was her son –their beloved son. A puppy she shared the blood with Inutaisho. No matter how mad and disappointed Inukimi toward her mate, Sesshomaru was still –always be– the tight bind between her and Inutaisho. Furthermore, Sesshomaru was her pride, her happiness. "Since the death of his father, I only knew how to raise him to be a Lord, as great as his father was. I was barely showing him the love a mother should have to her child." Inukimi took a deep breath, revealing the past. "If you could give what I couldn't, I would be very grateful."
"I'm very lacking, Inukimi-sama," Kikyo biting her lips. "I barely know my parents, spent my whole life to raise my sister… as an orphan, I have nothing to give." The emotion was flooded. "Is that alright even I have so many flaws and weakness?"
She smiled a bit, looking at the young woman's eyes firmly, "If you are sincerely on Sesshomaru's side, that's enough for me."
"Yes," Kikyo whispered, slightly nodded. "Though it would take a time for me to accept you as our family," Inukimi sharply sighed. Kikyo silently smiled, Inukimi still had a tough side toward her but still she felt so relieved Inukimi eventually more open to welcome her. "Arigatou, Inukimi-sama," Kikyo bowed. Inukimi the immediately stood up and took a last glance over Kikyo, "I see you later, Kikyo-san." Inukimi weakly smiled to her before stepped aside to the door and gradually walked out of the room, vanished at the hall way.
…oOo…
Kikyo went back to her room and entered through a large wooden door as she found a golden satin kimono with cherry blossom pattern lay on her bed – a very fine kimono that only made for the highness. Beside the kimono were a black obi and a golden hair clip in snow-sparkle shape. Her jaw slightly dropped; she never saw anything's so much fine –and fancy like those things. Kikyo hesitatingly walked closer to her bed, she just couldn't take her eyes off of the kimono. It was then Kikyo shifted her concern when she heard some voices came from her bathroom and saw the young demon, Aya.
"Milady," Aya bowed. "Milord asked me to prepare everything for tomorrow," Aya informed. "Though he didn't know how to do it in – human's way," she whispered on the last words, clutching her fingers. Hearing her words, Kikyo slightly chucked – Sesshomaru did try so hard. "It's alright. In fact, it's more than I could expect," Kikyo reassured, as she glance back to the kimono. Kikyo carefully –so softly– took the kimono using both of her hands, amusing how beautiful the dress was, and they will do it tomorrow.
–Inutaisho, your blood surely runs inside of his every veins–
A/N: Ah- so sweet. I love the mother-son bonding.
However, I personally quite unsatisfied with this piece since I have no idea about the battle scene and many things to work I almost abandoned this fanfic for a while. Also, this chapter is quite rush, gomen ne.
And thank you for KIKXSESSHY for your biggest support. I am nothing without you, readers!
