Chapter 14 is dedicated to D a guest. I'm so glad you loved my fight scene. I went over it like ten times before I felt like it was fluid and clear.
Of Nightmares and Courtly Demons
Nightmares suck. The really nasty ones, I mean, the kind that you know aren't real. You know with every fiber of your being that it's an illusion, a hallucination, anything but the real thing. I have lots of nightmares. Most of them are impossible. Not the I'm-flying-out-my-bedroom-window-and-now-I'm-falling-to-my-death impossible. Nah, they're more like the you're-suppose-to-be-dead!-I-killed-you-with-my-own-hands-and-burned-your-corpse kind of stuff.
In the deepest recesses of my mind I have the kind of nightmares that stick with me even during the day. It's the shudder when you're warm, the chill in the sunlight, the shadow in the corner of your eye you've just missed, and the itch along your skin when you're not in any danger, the kind of horrors that are too scary for movie theaters.
"Run for your life little girl!" It's a cold sound, dripping in slime and poison and fear, and underneath all that it's saturated in pleasure at the chase. I can't seem to move fast enough. Flee, my child, flee!
Something black and quick scuttles across the empty street and I stumble, scraping my knees and hands. Turning back I realize why I'm so slow. I'm small, too damn small – a child, with a child's legs, thin and frail.
And I'm bleeding, a lot, from a deep cut in my stomach. It's like black ink in the night as it splatters around me like a kindergartener's piece of art. How I could possibly be moving with an injury is beyond me. But that's not what I'm really thinking about; the worst of it is I'm not alone…
"Where will you go precious, little thing?"
Jumping at the sound – too close now, impossibly close – I collect my small and broken body and run again. Flee, my child, flee! All I hear is my harsh breathing, my feet hitting pavement loudly, and that disgusting voice as it slithers out of the shadows made by the crooked crescent moon.
"You cannot escape me."
A fire ignites in my stomach pushing the pain somewhere far away and I practically throw myself into a dead-man's sprint. Flee, my child, flee! The world bleeds by in grays and blacks and harsh whites. Death reeks of rotted fruit, the promise of pain and torment and unimaginable terror's my childish mind cannot even fathom. But I'm me trapped in this young body, and I know what is going to happen next.
That is the horror of nightmares.
A long hand detaches itself from a long shadow in front of me. It pulls a body up with it as if the shadow were a pit and this creature had dwelt inside of it all along. Momentum and fear make me fall at the monster's feet. And I don't want to look up. I don't want to see what I've been running from. I don't want to know what happens next!
But you don't get to decide how a dream goes. It takes you foreword like river rapids and there's no stopping what come next, because this is a memory as much as a nightmare. I look up into the monster's dark eyes, hollow recesses that appear more like empty holes in its head, like bottomless pools of blackness, and as I freeze in horror its hand reaches down to seize me…
Flee, my child, flee!
Something bright and sharp stabbed at my eyes. The sun is a monster in itself. At least that is my first thought when I come to consciousness again, the nightmare fading back into the darkest recesses of my mind, where it should stay for now. The pain was slowly receding and that was a small blessing to how bad it had been when I first woke up. It would have been an embarrassment of epic proportions to have cried out in the den of demon lords, not to mention the utter horrification of screaming with Sesshomaru right next to me. There was no way I could show him how much it hurt, how human I was in that moment.
Of course, there was no hiding my pain to someone like Sesshomaru. He probably knew how bad it was, he was probably the one who dressed the wounds. I blushed at that thought and threw an arm over my eyes. Oh! Just kill me now! Unconsciously my other arm slithered around my stomach.
Did he see it? Past all the bleeding and oozing, did he see what I was trying to hide from him? I sighed, if he had seen it then eventually he would want to talk about it. Like back in Kagome's bedroom when I had been changing. But it had been easier to ignore it then. We hardly knew each other. Now… Now we were trapped at demon-paluza and I was a bloody wreck for defending our lie.
And as I freeze in horror its hand reaches down to seize me…
"How do you feel?" I stiffened and it brought to life all the bruising I had overlooked. Oh man! The next couple of days were going to suck! And in a sick way I'm grateful as the pain shoves the nightmare aside as if it were some tittering, child's toy tower. I peek out from my arm when I thought I could handle looking at him. Just as devastating as usual, just as heart wrenching, and just so freakin' safe….
Dammit, there's that word again. Shouldn't the aches and pains be proof that he is most definitely not safe?
Maybe it's just the situation that isn't safe? Maybe it has nothing to do with Sesshomaru?
And maybe you didn't just try to rationalize your feelings for a demon.
"Better." I hope my voice isn't as harsh as I think it is.
"Good." His gold eyes were mysteriously darker than usual.
"What time is it? When's the meeting?"
His smile silenced me, I was halfway up and I froze at the sight of it. Just barely not a smirk, there was a hidden mirth to him, an amusement he was enjoying and it didn't feel like it was at my expense. More like it was a secret joke he was inviting me to join him in. Then he surged forward, the mattress sinking with us. I bit my lip and did my very best not to fall back completely. But it was no use, he just kept coming and I was forced onto my back without him even touching me.
"It is hours before the meeting. We are in the darkest hours of the night." It had been mid-afternoon when we got here, maybe a couple of hours of meet-and-greet, maybe an hour tops of my duel, so we were looking at a roughly, eight hour nap. No wonder I was jittery. And the monster I had labeled the sun was actually a handful of lanterns burning brightly in our room. The guardsmen to keep the nightmares out.
Well somebody wasn't doing their job!
"We have plenty of time to amuse ourselves until we are needed."
I stared at him, blinking in the soft light of the lanterns as his words first moved over me, did a U-turn, pulled up beside me, and blared a siren in my ear before they registered. Amuse ourselves? Amuse ourselves, how? What exactly was he playing at?
"You have no idea the power you wield, do you?" I stilled as he leaned down. I'm not sure why or how but I stretched my neck as he pressed his lips to the chilled skin there. He trailed softly up to my ear and I felt like jelly as he did it. So soft, so gentle, after all the pain it was a wonderful relief.
"What kind of power do I have?" I don't know why I jumped at the chance to play with him. It wasn't like I ever won or anything. But being alone with Sesshomaru, it was like coming home to a warm bowl of soup after a hard day. There was something comforting in being with Sesshomaru, in watching him and touching him while no one saw.
Comforting is the same as safe…
His arm pressed into the linen beside me fisted the fabric as he arched to throw the full extent of his glowing eyes at me. They literally glowed, the lanterns' light pathetic comparison to his eyes. I felt a strange shiver run rampant up and down my spine, and the need to arch beneath him, to touch every inch of him. To keep some kind of control I bit my lip, and satisfied myself by stroking his long hair.
I had an instant moment of dread as I thought of grabbing Tayorinai's hair and slicing my palm up. But the soft strands of Sesshomaru's silver hair brought peace to my racing heart. For a moment I lost myself in the sensation of the silky strands flowing over my fingers and brushing my arm. It just poured over his shoulders, without a life of its own, without any kind of horrible power. A girly thought brought on a sudden grin as I wondered if he'd let me braid it.
"Katsumi…" I turned to look at him and wondered how long he called to me. Although Sesshomaru looked like a statue most of the time, I think for a second he appeared at peace as I stroked him. I considered pulling away but the thought of not touching him seemed like a worse option. So I pushed myself up with my free hand to kiss his cheek, over the red marks with the sliver of a cut intersecting them. Our little game in my aunt's backyard wrapped around my mind as I pushed his hair away from his neck.
"Katsumi," Sesshomaru pulled back to catch my eyes, "do you know what you did, at the end of the duel?"
It almost hurt my head to think about, but I answered, "You mean when I toss the head at your feet."
"Do you understand what-"
"I may not be an Ace at demon etiquette, but I know what I was doing." I gave him my prize because he was my mate. To even the most thick-headed of demons that act alone should have proved our bond was real. I mean, I'm pretty sure that's what it meant. I know it was an act of submission more than anything else. Like when my cat brought me her fresh kills. There were never many sparrows around my house since I got him.
Sesshomaru nodded once as he continued to watch me, his fist still tangled in the sheets, my hand still resting on his neck. I wasn't sure what was supposed to happen next, but Sesshomaru came to my aid. He rolled off me and to the side, gathered me up against his chest and breathed softly, "You need to rest, Katsumi."
His strong body was so gentle with me, barely touching me, but not giving me up at the same time. No one ever treated me so carefully before. Tough Love was a big rule in my house, and in my training I thrived on my instructors to give me little room for error. In a life of killed or be killed there was no room for gentle caresses, for soft embraces. In Sesshomaru's arm I realized coldly that perhaps my parents were wrong in this area.
People needed something soft.
As Sesshomaru subtly trailed his fingers up and down my back I wondered if maybe demons needed something soft more.
OfNightmaresandCourtlyDemons
When I woke up again the little lake she-demon was staring at me with her wide, inked out, greenish eyes. I gulped loudly as I controlled my body, and cursed inwardly as I realized there wasn't a knife under my pillow as I had expected there to be. Of course, I chastised myself, it may not be a good idea to murder the little she-demon of the demon lord who gave me Tayorinai's weakness. She blinked once – both lids – then smiled brightly. Huh, no fangs on this little one.
"Lady Katsumi! You're awake! Finally!" She jumped up from her position of sitting next to my bed and began to spin merrily around the room.
Sitting up didn't hurt, but there was some soreness along my side and shoulder… and my hip and ankle… and some aching in my back… Oh, how I do not want to think about it! It was bad enough I resembled a mummy wrapped up in the thick cloth bandages as I was. I pulled myself to the side of the… Hey now…
"Um, what is this?" I gesture to the bed… I mean, I'm in a real bed. This isn't some mat or futon. It looked like a regular king-sized bed. No post or a head board, but it didn't matter, and the mattress was downy and filled with something super soft.
Youkou tilt her head, her long hair spilling over her shoulder and gracing the floor. "I do not know, Lady Katsumi. I found you in it when the Western Lord asked me to attend to you."
I frowned… he said… What had he said two nights ago?
"I have made preparations for us to travel to the Demon City tomorrow."
Was he doing something like this? I slid the rest of the way off, bare feet hitting ice cold stone, and stumbled away from this… gesture. I stared at the lake demon; she appeared to be indecisive about what to do with me, fidgeting and wringing her small hands. Come to may aid? Leave me be to do it myself? Was she scared of me?
"Uh…"
"Oh!" She exclaimed as she turned to a trunk behind her. "I'm supposed to get you ready Lady Katsumi!"
I chuckled nervously, "Just Katsumi-"
"OH NO!" She shook her head vigorously as she turned back to me, her hair flaring around her. I watched it sharply until it settled again at her ankles. "I cannot show such little respect to the Western Lord's mate!" Her pale face grew paler. Her solid green-blue eyes widened.
"Ok, Ok!" I held my hands up placidly, "then just Miss is fine."
"Miss? Um…" she looked a bit worried at the word…
DUH! You're "mated" now! You can't go walking around having demons labeling you a "Ms." if you're supposed to be a "Mrs."
I sighed, "Mistress?" She beamed at that. I guess it wouldn't be too uncommon in this time to have some little demon call me mistress. Though it felt super creepy, it wouldn't be half as bad as "Lady Katsumi."
"Mistress, I'm here to attend to you."
"Attended, how?"
She giggled, and it sounded so much like Rin's, "I'm going help you dress!"
I flinched at the thought, "I'm sure I can manage, Youkou."
Only the she-demon would have none of it, "The Western Lord told me to attend to you!"
"You don't have to listen to the Western Lord; you live in the north realm."
"Lord Toudai approved of the Western Lord's request to have me personally attend to you." She looked frazzled, worried, probably thought if she argued with me I'd cut her down.
Now why would he pick this child to help me out?
Uh, because you don't know anyone else?
Oh yeah… I guess I didn't get a chance to meet anyone, between Tayorinai attacking me and my power nap there was little time for much else.
"What are you supposed to do?" She quirked an eyebrow at me, "I-I never had a demon attend on me for a demon's gathering." Nice save… I'm a Lord's mate, not some common woman can do that. Tayorinai was right about not just anyone could mate Sesshomaru. Just because I executed a Lord in a fair duel doesn't mean everyone will buy our story. It might make them less likely to challenge me again, but I'd still have to deal with their gossip. He probably already lost some points for picking a human, if he picked a plain human I'd probably have to duel an entire armada
Gah! I should be getting paid for this!
Youkou smiled softly, in I'm sure was a sympathetic manner, "I will help you change your bandages, help you dress, do your hair, and in all ways make you presentable before the demons of the court."
Oh…Joy…
As the bruises flared, I supposed it couldn't hurt to have a little help… Maybe… Was that why he brought her here? It wasn't like I could reach all my wounds.
But Youkou was already rummaging through the trunk again pulling out silks and colors left and right before she settled on one that made her eyes widen in awe. She turned and the kimono drifted about her as she giggled, "This one will do just fine!"
I wanted to groan and stumble back into my soft comfortable bed.
OfNightmaresandCourtlyDemons
Walking in a who-knows-how-many-layers kimono is a torture in itself. There would be no dueling in an outfit like this! I mean, walking was troublesome at best, and you don't even want to know how I managed to strap as much silver on me as possible – much to Youkou's shocked surprise as well. Nothing was going to sneak up on me today. And if anything chose to, well, it was going to be a messy mistake for them. And it would probably not end well for this kimono either.
As I grumbled under my breath, Youkou hovering behind me the whole way and in as invisible a manner as possible guiding me to Sesshomaru in that same indecisiveness of whether to help or to watch, I scrutinized a demon approaching us in the hallway. There were many – I suppose they were the displays of power Sesshomaru mentioned before – lesser demons about, all giving Youkou and me a wide berth as we passed. Still, I probably wouldn't feel safe until Sesshomaru was at least within my sights. The itching at my wrist kept egging me on while my wounds begged for me to rest.
I sized the demon up as he made a bee-line to me. Long, caramel-light brown hair, done half-up in a bun with a wicked gold decoration, the rest cascaded over his shoulders to his hips. He had bright red, dangled earrings that contrasted sharply with his glowing blue eyes. I mean, they were like the Caribbean kind of blue, and they shined like Sesshomaru's with power in their depths. Maybe it was the poor light, but his skin look almost pale blue, but not in a sickly kind of way. More like it was a type of stone, chiseled to perfection – maybe an ice sculpture was more accurate. His robes were an array of pale and bright blues and white. He looked leisurely expensive, as if he could simple buy another robe instead of ironing this one.
The grin he gave me probably meant to be disarming but I felt vaguely like the cat found the… Um, no more rat references… But you know what I mean. Those bright eyes lit up the hallway and as he grew closer Youkou let out an excited "Oh!" before she tried to hide behind me.
"That's Okunote… He is the general of the East…" she rushed her words as if she couldn't get them out fast enough. When I turned to ask her about that, I noticed the blush on her pale cheeks. I turned back to this Okunote and thought: yeah he's pretty cute… and pretty young to be a general…
Maybe I was desensitized by all the beautiful demons in the place – or maybe just my demon – but this Okunote was soooo not my type. He had a boyish charm to him as he stood in front of me. Full of a cockiness that was all too familiar – I bet he and Sesshomaru played together as children. And Sesshomaru turned into some scary Lord while this guy stuck with his looks to get him through life.
"Greetings, Mate of Lord Sesshomaru." He bowed low, not stiff like Youkou had but low enough to gently take my wrist and press his lips to my knuckles. Now I'm not sure if he was testing me or something but I reminded myself I was not here to cause problems, and murdering a Lord of the Land and her general sounded like a poor choice in tactics on my part just because I'm a bit jumpy in the morning. "I am Okunote."
As he lean back he smiled and winked at me like an ego-centric teenager. It kinda made me smirk before I could stop myself. Not so much in flattery, but in how… easy this guy acted. It was a relief I think, to have someone treat me not so – um, what's the word – ugly. Okunote huffed a small laugh as he stood to his full height, somewhere close to Sesshomaru's height and too-far-the-heck high for me to reach.
"Well met, Okunote. Youkou tells me you are the eastern lands' general." I gestured to the quivering creature at my back. The lake demon froze then looked up suddenly at the male before us.
"H-h-hello, General…" Blushing madly she held her hand up by her mouth in a nervous gesture. I watched Okunote as he stood straighter before he gave a small greeting to Youkou, not quite looking at her but not exactly looking away either. Huh…
"I hope you aren't planning some terrible kind of revenge on me." I said to break the awkward silence that settled over us with Okunote's greeting. He stared at me with wide eyes, stunned speechless probably for the first time in his life. I grinned impishly.
Suddenly he burst with laughter, a good to honest laughed, and it was the first time I heard a demon laugh that wasn't full of malice and evil promises – nothing like Sesshomaru's dark chuckling that sent shivers to wreak havoc on my spine – the guy snorted in actual amusement. Whether at my expense or not remains to be seen. But it was so charming I felt immensely better around the guy.
Don't get me wrong, if he tries taking my wrist to kiss it again I might just have to slice his fingers off.
"Oh, wow!" he said shaking his head, his hands on his hips; "You're pretty direct aren't you?"
I shrugged, "It has served me well in the past."
He nodded before he shook his head at the floor again. "That is sound logic, my lady." He sighed as he grinned down at me, all his teeth pearly white and each one barely pointed. "To answer your question, no, I do not plan any form of retaliation of what came to be a surprisingly entertaining duel. That sloth, Tayorinai," and he snarled at the name, "should have died a slow, agonizing death a long time ago."
Blinking at the animosity there, I gracefully stepped away from the demon, "That is great news. If you would excuse me, Okunote, I must find Sesshomaru."
"He's in the dining hall," the demon general said, "May I escort you there, my lady?"
I hesitated for a second, wondering what Sesshomaru would think if I waltzed into the dining hall hanging on Okunote's arm. I turned to Youkou, she bowed her head respectfully (and timidly if you asked me) "It would be a mild disgrace to Okunote's honor if you refused him, Mistress. And…" she looked up at me with a small smile, "it isn't quite proper for a lady to enter a crowd without an escort." I frowned sharply at her as Okunote exclaimed the matter settled.
Swallowing some pride and the itching worry of how Sesshomaru might act to this, I placed my hand on the crook of the demon's elbow. Bad or very bad, this would only end in two ways. Maybe my mate would go easy on me considering I'm still decked out in bruises. Or maybe Youkou was right that this kimono would placate any ill feelings Sesshomaru might have at the moment.
I didn't get a chance to see myself in it since there weren't any mirrors around, but for the effort it took for Youkou to dress me up, he better say something…
OfNightmaresandCourtlyDemons
I suppose being the only human within a hundred mile radius makes entering a crowded room stealthily pretty impossible. But it wasn't like they all had to stop everything they were doing to turn and stare in my direction. At the very least most of them could have hid their roaring hatred of me. I mean, is that too much to ask for?
Of course I also blamed the stupid lesser who was standing at the entrance to the dining hall announcing everyone who entered. And yelling clearly "Lady Katsumi, Lord of the Westland's Mate," was probably better than a flashing neon sign that read "I'm weak and just waiting to be eaten! Start the line here!"
Then there were the mutterings that were hardly low enough to be labeled "muttering" in the first place! I mean, just because I came in with Okunote and Youkou and they were both announced after me doesn't mean they have any excuse to call me a "human whore." Just because I'm human doesn't mean I automatically slept around for money. I'm pretty sure it doesn't. I'd know it if Webster got it wrong.
All I wanted was the get to Sesshomaru's side and sit there for the rest of the day.
Hell's Bells! What I really wanted to was to get back in my soft bed!
And if we're being honest, I'd rather I was back at my aunt's backyard with Sesshomaru…
But that's neither here nor there. As the demons glare and "mutter" I held my head up, the little ornament Youkou put in my hair had some dangling beads on it and they clicked as I passed every monster in the room. Okunote stayed with me every step of the way, but at this point I was leading him. And he totally let me do it. Youkou sticking with us like glue.
I realized by the time I actually found Sesshomaru he had been heading for me too. Good. Less work for me.
All thoughts of my amazing looks wowing him were shot clear out the water as my demon focus all his attention on Okunote. Jealous much, Mr. Demon Lord? I scoffed inwardly at him. MEN! He stood in front of us, a few feet away. What was he waiting for?
Oh… Maybe me?
I pulled away from Okunote to try to calm Mr. Demon Lord down. But the oddest thing happened, when I went to pull away, Okunote's hand held mine tightly, keeping me too close. Sesshomaru's eyes flared sharply with power.
"Okunote," he said, and that voice was ice cold. I glared hotly at the general. Who does he think he is? Superman? Mr. Demon Lord would eat you for breakfast, son. It hurt, like the raging burning hurt you get right after you hear something pop sickly in your shoulder. But regardless of the pain, no demon was going to hold me against my will! I ripped my hand away from Okunote. He stared at me, wide-eyed and stunned silent for the second time in his life. Without looking at him, I took the three steps to Sesshomaru.
I slipped next to him, easily fitting between his arm and his body. Then I took his hand in mine, the one wrapped up like a Christmas present, and place it in front of my body. I could feel everybody's eyes on me. But I felt like right now I could have kicked Okunote in the face and no one would have stopped me.
It might be a bit of a stretch, but I think every demon in this room was wary of me. Not the same as afraid, but hey, I'm on their radar nonetheless. Okunote burst again in mirthful laughter. I stared him down in my indifferent manner, but he just laughed, eyes closed, hand at his stomach. I could feel my irritation with him melting and that just pissed me off more.
Like a bloody puppy or something, I just couldn't stay mad at this guy.
I sighed, "Sesshomaru, Okunote was so kind as to escort me to you." I looked up at Mr. Demon Lord, still as a statue, as unreadable as ever, he looked between the two of us.
"You have quite the mate there, my lord." Okunote shook his head as he stood straight.
"I am aware." Sesshomaru eyed Okunote like he would an insect. Irritating, but not quite worth the effort it would take to squish him.
"Thank you, Okunote." I said nodding gently his way without looking at him. I had no idea what to do with Sesshomaru right now. I mean, this is my first time dealing with some kind of male prowess problem. I turned around, giving Sesshomaru a hint but he didn't budge.
Without changing his features my demon spoke with a calm authority, "Thank you, Okunote," before he turned away, guiding me to one of four long tables at the front of the hall.
He turned me carefully, his claws gracing my clothed shoulder before he sat next to me. I looked across the hall and swallowed sharply. We were displayed before all the demons, like some sort of easy pickings' buffet. My limbs stiffened, my blood rushed, my fingers gracing the leather strappings at my wrist, encasing my hidden blades.
Sesshomaru's voice ghosted through my red haze, "I will allow no harm to come to you."
"You better not." I whispered as I steeled my features into my indifferent mask.
I can't believe how much positive feedback I received for the fight scene! I mean, I'm so glad y'all enjoyed it so much! Reading all that good stuff really pushed me to write some more!
You see how this works? You give me feedback, and I feel like writing more! I'm so glad we understand one another ^_^
So here we have some of Katsumi's past reveled. A wicked nightmare, huh? I LOVED writing her nightmare. I don't know why, but I did. If you're disappointed about Katsumi's appearance, it will be reveled in the next chapter. And I know Sesshomaru's thoughts were missing, I'm told by some that you like hearing more of Sesshomaru. I confess, I try not to write in Sesshomaru's POV, I don't want to ruin him, you know? I'd hate to make him too OOC.
That would just piss you off, right? I'd piss me off, even if I wrote it. ^_^
Any questions so far? I think I've been doing a fine job giving you what you need, and leaving you wanting more. But let me hear your thoughts. I love to hear your thoughts!