Rating for this chapter: K
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Beta: Silimaira
Summary: Misplaced somewhere I did not belong to, in a body that should have never been mine, I could only wait for the world to stop turning. [SI, Self-Insert/OC-Insert as Sesshomaru's daughter]
Enjoy.
Till The World Stops Turning
Chapter 14
Of Festivities and Important Lessons
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"When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching - they are your family. "
― Jim Butcher
"You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts. You need her, as she needs you..."
― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
Year 7 Day 100
Having received a personal invitation from his mother - delivered by her most trusted handmaiden, of course - Sesshomaru had no other choice than to attend the banquet the current Lady of the West had planned. Shizuka was quite happy about this fact. For some reason her father disliked visiting his ancestral home. In the girl's opinion, this was a rather big shame.
The Western Palace was a beautiful place, one the young dog demon could see herself calling her home someday. All the years she had spent away from it had blurred the inconveniences that had occurred there, leaving Shizuka with the more enjoyable memories of that time.
Besides, even though she had spent very little time in her grandmother's company, Shizuka missed the older demoness. Inukimi was a strong woman who had been through much in her life and the young girl could not help but admire her continuous determination.
Despite losing an unknown number of children, being cheated on by her husband and then having to defend her young son's inheritance, Inukimi had not only survived but also thrived.
And that was something that certainly deserved everyone's admiration.
If there was someone Shizuka wanted to be like in the future, it was certainly her proud and regal grandmother. The woman had earned the girl's respect during their first time alone together and then proceeded to acquire her granddaughter's love throughout the years.
Moreover, there was no denying that Inukimi was an overall badass that in some ways deserved to have her own cult of worshipers.
Though Shizuka might have also just been a little star-struck.
Inukimi's organizational capabilities only seemed to add to this admiration. It was commendable, really, what the woman had done with the Western Palace. Her ancestral home always had a rather magical aura about it and its presence only seemed to reach new heights during this year's Summer Solstice.
Colorful paper lanterns hung on thin strings above their heads, small flames lighting them up all over the wide yard. They swayed softly in the summer breeze and illuminated the palace alongside the stars.
Wooden tables had been positioned strategically all over the garden, her own family's seating arrangements raised so that they sat higher than anyone else in attendance. Different foods were spread out across them, ranging from normal human meals to demonic delicacies.
In the background, someone was softly playing the shamisen, its light tunes carried towards Shizuka's ears even over the loud chatter of the crowd.
And as for the crowd, well, Shizuka had never seen so many exotic-looking people in one place. There were demons of all kinds in attendance, their coloring varying from rather normal to the absurd.
The girl had never expected to see someone with baby blue hair and bubble gum pink markings all over their face.
Poking her meal lightly with her chopsticks, Shizuka sighed almost inaudibly. Although she was enjoying herself quite a lot, her young body was already getting tired from the day's excitement.
''The servants will be serving us the next course soon, Shizuka,'' said her father while he nudged her and stared pointedly at her untouched food. What he wanted of her was clear and not easily done. It went completely against Shizuka's common sense to eat the finely prepared fish in front of her.
Admittedly, this was most likely due to her still-human sentiments. The girl still found it very hard to take the bite of her meal. After all, from what she knew, puffer fish was one of the most poisonous foods in the world, its toxin belonging to some of the most dangerous kinds found in nature. The fish could very easily be lethal for a human. That was the thing though, the fish was dangerous for humans, not for demons. Or at least not all demons. Shizuka herself was immune to a great variety of poisons, but that did not actually mean that she wanted to try her luck with this. Not when it had been clearly stated that the fugu had been specifically prepared in a way that kept its poisonous quality.
Eating this dish during the Summer Solstice was a tradition among demons that was meant to show the power of those brave enough to taste it. Most demons also saw it as a great opportunity to showcase the 'might' of their children.
In Shizuka's opinion, it was a rather reckless and barbaric tradition. Risking the health of ones own child just to one up another person wasn't really what the girl considered to be good parenting.
Still, she trusted her father to know her limitations and to not force anything life-threatening upon his only child. Besides, she knew why it was so important for her to follow this tradition. As the only current heir of the West, Shizuka could not appear weak. Especially not during an event as important as the Summer Solstice.
From what she knew, demons all over the world celebrated this day, dining and dancing together for the whole day. It was considered to be one of the most important festivities among her kind as it was also known as a celebration of fertility. Many people attended this banquette because they were in search of a mate.
Considering her birthday, the chances were pretty high that she herself had also been conceived during this day.
And from the looks of it, more than one woman seemed to realize the same thing. All in all, quite a few female demons were sending her father rather smoldering looks, while at the same time regarding Shizuka with something akin to disdain. After all, the girl might have represented a certain possibility, but at the same time she was also quite the deterrent. At least her father's narrowed eyes seemed to indicate that.
Inuyokai were known for their single-minded dedication towards their offspring and their reluctance to find new partners during their pup's younger years. With how low their young's survival rates were, they rarely risked having strangers around them.
Pursing her mouth slightly at the bitter taste in her mouth, the girl swallowed another bite of her meal. She had never liked fish overly much. This did not stop Shizuka from following her father's discreet order and once the girl finally finished eating her puffer fish, her slightly chubby fingers still struggling with the chopsticks, she happily noted that she did not seem to be suffering from any adverse reactions. While she had never doubted Sesshomaru's assessment, the child had still felt an ounce of trepidation.
A group of servants started gathering their empty dishes and immediately replacing them with the next course. The fact that there was nothing poisonous about this second meal of theirs was more than a little welcoming.
''Shizuka is the Heiress of the Western Lands,'' her father stated calmly next to her, his voice so firm and final that it not only managed to immediately catch his daughter's attention but also that of half of the guests. From the corner of her right eye, the white haired child could see a lizard demon snapping his mouth shut, his trembling fingers indicating that he noticed the displeasure he had managed to invoke within her father with whatever question he had previously asked.
He wasn't the only one who noticed the dissatisfied roil of Sesshomaru's yoki.
Inukimi cleared her throat delicately. ''Although I am sure that your grandson would make quite the fine husband for Shizuka here, we are not yet searching for a spouse for her.'' The smile on her grandmother's face curled into something just a tad bit vicious. ''And even when we search for one in the future, it certainly won't be someone who will inherit the West from Shizuka. As my son has already stated, Shizuka is the Heiress of the Western Lands and when the time comes for her to ascend the throne, it will be her who will do the governing.''
The silent 'she does not need a husband to rule' was quite clear.
A mix of emotions swelled up in Shizuka's chest. It was rather heartening to see her grandmother defend her in such a way. To hear her father raise her to such a position of power despite the misgivings it might cause him. They were both protecting her in every way possible, showing everyone that she had both of their support.
Not many girls, even those who were in a similar position, could claim to have such a thing in these times.
Additionally, it was good to hear that neither of the adults in her life actually planned to sell her hand in marriage for now. Things could certainly change in the future and Shizuka knew that there were many sacrifices she would have to make to uphold her current position in the demon hierarchy, but right now she did not have to worry about any of that.
It was a relief, really, to have the protection of both her father and grandmother.
Spluttering, the lizard demon nodded his head vigorously. ''Of course, Inukimi-sama.''
He was wise not to deny her, after all, Inukimi herself had ruled without a man at her side for more than three decades. Any denial he might have uttered could have easily been considered an insult to the older demoness.
A short silence followed that brief exchange after which the festivities continued in their previous cheerful manner. At some point, Shizuka joined a few of the attending children in a game of tag. They all ran through the grass and nimbly avoided the adults, the little girl enjoying herself more than she had in a while.
Her happiness was only heightened when a group of performers joined the festivities, starting their act in the middle of the semicircle the wooden tables formed. For a while, Shizuka managed to watch their graceful movements. That was, until a few adults situated themselves carelessly in front of her.
Just as the little girl was about to give up on seeing any more of the show, she felt a pair of hands underneath her armpits. Her father's aura brushed reassuringly across her skin and she soon found herself seated upon his shoulders, her hands holding on to his head and trying not to pull too harshly on his hair.
A wide smile brightened her face once the dancers came into view again, the reaction prompting an almost palpable contentment within her father.
Year 7 Day 103
''What you first need to understand, Shizuka-hime, is that the demon hierarchy is a very complicated thing,'' Jaken started. ''Our kind consists of many different groups which are further divided by ranks and races. For now, you just need to understand the former.''
Nodding her head slowly, Shizuka asked, ''So we'll be first going over the broadest classification of our kind.''
''Yes, the so-called 'groups' are the easiest to categorize.'' Jaken looked straight into her eyes. It was clear that he enjoyed tutoring her quite a lot. Whether this was due to the fact that he liked being a teacher or because he saw it as some kind of honor to be entrusted with this task, Shizuka had no idea. ''The first category demons are judged by is intelligence and power, though it is important to note that those two seem to often depend on each other.''
''I see,'' the little girl noted thoughtfully, her mind mulling over the topic at hand.
Continuing, the imp moved his small hands dramatically through the air. ''The lowest are the common beasts. They appear in varying sizes and do not possess any significant wisdom or cleverness. Their lifespans are short and their power cannot compare to one such as yourself.''
The last phrase was uttered with clear hero worship in both his eyes and voice. Shizuka never knew what to make of the feelings her father and she evoked in their little companion. Jaken felt a certain reverence towards them that the young demon could not even begin to comprehend. She did not know what to make of the imp and his behavior in such moments. While the reason for his actions did not escape her (Despite what many humans might think about her father, Sesshomaru embodied what a perfect Inuyokai was meant to be like: cold and ruthless, protecting those they considered pack fiercely and without a care for the consequences.) she did not find being treated with such reverence to be a pleasant experience.
Undeterred by her silence, her current tutor proceeded with his lesson. ''Then come lowly demons such as myself. While our bodies may be inferior, our mind is not.'' At that, he puffed out his chest proudly. ''Afterwards come the normal yokai. They are demons with a humanoid appearance and are capable of shape-shifting. Those demons are the most similar to you.''
After a short pause, he assured, ''Though they don't compare to your magnificence, of course.''
Shizuka's lips quirked up in amusement. Oftentimes, it was hard to take anything Jaken said too seriously. ''Of course.''
''And lastly,'' Jaken said, his voice lowering in barely concealed awe. ''Lastly, there are the Daiyokai, the most powerful of our kind. Their true form resembles giant magnificent beasts and their yoki is often enough to annihilate those lower than themselves.''
''All of this is genetically predisposed, huh?'' questioned the white haired child, completely ignoring the look Jaken sent her way. He was probably wondering where she had learned the words 'genetically predisposed' and their meaning, not that Shizuka really cared about that. Rather than worry about what the little imp might think about her, Shizuka considered once again how lucky she had been in this whole reincarnation thing. Not only did the girl end up having a good and caring family, but she had also been reborn as a member of the group that was located highest on the food chain.
Her situation could have been much much worse. All things considered, Shizuka could have landed in the body of a lowborn human residing in a world infested with demons.
Fate had truly been kind to her.
''Are you tired, Shizuka-hime?'' inquired Jaken, worry slowly blending into his voice. ''Perhaps we should continue with our lesson tomorrow.''
Shizuka regarded the imp carefully and nodded her head in agreement. ''As you wish.''
The girl wanted to spend some more time with her grandmother before they would be leaving the Western Palace once again. As such, Jaken's willingness to postpone the rest of their lesson came in quite handy.
Smiling softly, Shizuka uttered her goodbyes to the imp and left him to his own devices.