Happy Valentine's Day! I'm going to try to get two chapters up for you guys. I had to rewrite them because I wasn't satisfied but I am now! =]
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Chapter 16: Sakura Blossoms
She had eaten, showered, and taken a light nap. Never had she ever had the luxury she had today to be free from doing anything since she joined the Western Army.
"Being a lady really did have its perks." She thought as she got dressed for her 'tea time' with the youngest daughter of the Lady of the North. She had already sent a servant to their room inviting them all to tea since she didn't want to seem rude and not invite the mom and other daughter. She changed into a different kimono and redid her hair and face as she got ready for another act.
She now sat in a tea room that seemed to have never been used. She had quickly cleaned it and requested tea, light refreshments, and pastries for her guests. Even the servants looked shocked that not only was she using this room but she was requesting these things as well. But they quickly just did what she said and went on about their way. Some would come to share a laugh and help her make the place looked "used" while others watched before going about their chores. One of the servants told her this was by far the most entertainment that the room had seen since since Lady Akimi, Sesshoumaru's mother. She knew rumors were now circling the castle of the new events that had taken place but no one was quite sure what her role was anymore and many started speculating. Simone didn't care however, she just wanted her end of the bargain.
The room looked much better with cushions and a nice size table in the center with an assortment of goodies and a steaming pot of tea with porcelain plates and cups waiting to be used. She sat and waited for her guest's arrival as she thought about the young pink haired demoness that watched her leaving with Dante earlier.
With that thought in mind said individual came into the room and bowed to her respectfully. "Good Afternoon My Lady." said the young demoness as she made her way to the cushion in front of her.
"Good Afternoon to you as well Lady…" She drew out realizing that she never asked for her name.
"Sakura. Lady Sakura after of course the color of my hair." She said as she held up a few pink strands.
"Well it is nice to meet you Lady Sakura." She said warmly as she motioned for her to take a seat. "Where are the other ladies? Will they be joining us this afternoon?" She asked as she began to pour out tea.
Sakura laughed a little and responded. "No My Lady. It seems my family wish to retire early. My mother seemed to have suddenly become ill and my sister along with her. After this tea I'm afraid they may seek to head back home."
With that statement Simone paused trying to contain her giddiness at her good fortune. "Such a shame." She lied with a smile on her face. "Well it seems it will be just you and I."
Sakura looked shyly at the woman that sat in front of her. She thought her to be exquisite and like the many demonesses she had seen from the Western continent. She was sure that's where the woman had come from. Sakura felt a sudden rush of nervousness and inadequacy due to her own lack of self-confidence and her mother's words. Lady Simone looked absolutely polished and flawless in front of her in her dark green kimono. The more Sakura thought about it the more nervous she became as she played with the hem of her kimono.
Simone watched the poor girl fidget in her seat. Her once happy glow seemed to diminish and a pale color came about her round face. Simone sighed as she got up and went towards the doors and closed them before returning to the seat next to her. Sakura looked at the young woman as she sat down and looked at Sakura.
"Now we can speak more freely, ok?" Simone said attempting to ease the girl's tense figure. "I saw you today missy, you little stalker."
Sakura blanched at her words and Simone saw this before immediately patting her hand to soothe her. "Please don't pass out on me. I'm just joking when I called you a stalker. It's ok."
"I-I-I'm, I'm so-so-so sorry My Lady! I didn't mean to -" Said as she scrambled to get in position to bow. Her mother would be furious if she found out that she had managed to upset the Lady of this household and she will hold this along with her other non-attractive attributes over her head for the rest of her life.
Simone didn't know what to make of the girl. She seemed to be a nervous wreck. Simone just grabbed her and shook to get her attention. "Listen, I'm not upset. You're fine. I was playing with you….You know…Ha Ha." She explained as she released the poor girl.
Simone sighed and sat back. "I saw you earlier near the entry way to the courtyard. What were you doing out there?"
Suddenly the poor girl turned an odd shade of red and Simone watched her light up like a tomato. "I ah- You see…" She mumbled as she looked to the floor.
"Yeeeeessssss….." Simone drawled out trying to pull the information from the girl. She swore it was like pulling teeth. The more she sat with the girl she found her to be odd and her emotions to be oddly more scattered than she ever could be.
Sighing realizing she should tell the truth instead of making the lady think she was stalking her and risk getting kicked out of the Western home. "I wa-was watching Captain Dante." She said meekly as the blush crept down to her neck and into her kimono.
Simone sat back on her hind legs and stared at the girl as a slow smile appeared on her face. She was starting to think that her mother sent her to spy on her to see how legit she was. But just by looking at the girl, she could tell Sakura wasn't lying and that made her smile grow bigger. Yes the girl was a bit high strung but she was gorgeous and her pink tresses would look amazing next to Dante's fire struck hair. She squealed just thinking about the possible pair. Dante would certainly give this lady a back bone that's for sure.
"So you like Captain Dante?" She asked giddily.
"Like…I-I-I don't know. I mean I never spoke to him. He comes to visit my home but it's always to see my father. He looks so amazing and he probably thinks I'm ugly." She went on.
"Whoa, whoa! Stop a minute." Simone said as she laughed causing Sakura to feel self-conscious about herself again. "You look amazing! Besides I know Dante like the back of my hand and let me tell you, you've got your work cut for you."
"I don't understand." Sakura muttered as she looked at Simone with all the hope in the world.
"Ok let's go back to the beginning. How did you meet my- I mean Captain Dante." She asked quickly covering her mishap. It wouldn't sit well to know that Dante was her comrade in the army.
"Well…he always comes to my home in the North to relay a message or to help my father in some sort of problem that Lord Inutashio sends. I first saw him a few months ago and he looked so stunning and sure of himself as he was walking with my father discussing something I'm sure important. One day I bumped right into him and I felt so humiliated that wasn't once again paying attention. But he didn't care, he helped me back onto my feet and asked me to walk with him back to my father's study. Since then, I can't stop thinking about him."
Simone bounced in joy at the young woman's tale. It had been such a long time since she just hung out with a girl and did girly things like discuss boys. Since she came to this era she had been surrounded by males and the only time she was ever in the presence of a woman was if she went out into a town to make purchases or to go get fitted by the seamstress.
"So would you like to spend time with him?" She asked.
Sakura quickly gripped her cheeks to hide the pink blush coming onto her face. "Oh- no! I can't. He must be too busy and I would get in the way. Besides I'm not that great for company. Mother always says I'm such a bore. My sister say's im not bright and my hair needs to be died but it can never be tamed" She ranted on and on that Simone was sure she would pop if she didn't breathe.
"Calm down. I will definitely send him in your direction hot stuff." She said as she grabbed a pastry and bit into it with her mental wheels turning at setting this cute demoness up with her good friend. "Besides, you are attractive. Don't let other people beat you down."
Sakura blushed as she looked down feeling somewhat happy that a compliment was paid to her instead of the usual negative comments. Then her face lit up at her first choice of words. "Really? I saw you two together earlier. Is he a relative of yours or something?"
"Sort of." Simone' responded.
Sakura grabbed a rice ball and bit into it. "You're so lucky. You're surrounded by good looking men. And most importantly being courted by the Lord Sesshoumaru himself!" Sakura exclaimed as she chewed.
"What is he popular or something?" She asked out of curiosity.
"That's an understatement. He is the most eligible bachelor of the last decade. Women would kill for him and you should watch yourself. Some would actually consider it. The man is gorgeous. But every female that has come after him have been unsuccessful. He always finds a way out of their games or most importantly he has told every female that has approached him that he was not, nor now, nor ever interested. Last year he devastated poor Yulia at her own coming out party. She tried to use her party and the crowd to get him into at least courting her which he shot down in front of everyone within hearing range with a one cold icy word 'No.'" She finished as her mind thought back to the scene when her family ventured to China to attend the Ming Dynasty Ball for their daughter Yulia. The poor girl was enraged that she was denied at her own ball and stormed off.
"That's harsh." Simone muttered really feeling sorry for the girl.
"Well it doesn't matter now. You managed to get him and plus it would make you officially Lady of the West! You will be the Alpha female of your pack! Women will be flocking here like birds to be in your presence and you'll be of course invited to every soiree in history. You're so lucky!"
"Whoa whoa! Calm down we're just courting not mating." She said trying to control the flow of conversation from reaching a topic she did not want to cross.
"For now. But I saw him today with my own eyes. His eyes never left you and his aura was so soft for once instead of being stuffy and harsh like it was this morning when we arrived." She shivered just thinking about the memory of his cold eyes cutting at them.
"Oh don't let that over grown dog push you around! I look at him as who he is and he doesn't scare me." She replied as she picked up her tea cup.
"Wow you're bold. That's probably why he likes you so much." Sakura said as she sighed at Simone's good fortune. "I'm pleased my mother and sister failed in their scheme. It was all mother was talking about for months as she counted down the days of when he would outgrow the protection of the law. She had been plotting for my sister to marry him for years, you know."
"Oh yes do tell me the truth of this visit. I heard she was coming to 'husband hunt'." Simone said as she used air quotations with her fingers.
Laughing Sakura responded. "Oh yes indeed. Father warned Mother to leave the poor man alone and that she should butt out of other people's business but she refused to listen. I feel sorry for her actually." She finished as she sipped from her cup.
"Huh" Simone asked as she put down her tea cup giving the pink haired demon her full attention.
Sighing Sakura stared at her reflection in her mint tea not sure she should be telling her family's history with this woman but she was sure she knew about it some. Every other noble woman knew about it. "My mother is by demon law, Alpha of the Northern wolf tribe but not a true lady of the North. She is like Lady Akimi was to Lord Inutaishio. My mother stepped up to produce an heir for the Northern throne. However Lady Akimi did it for honor and duty. My mother simply did it for status and power. But she was unsuccessful at producing a male. "
"So your father did not take her as a mate?" She asked perplexed.
"No, he does not love her and he has watched her over the long course of time change to an even more bitter woman and she over indulges in everything she thinks will make her seem more regal. She was hoping one of us would marry well so that she would then benefit by association."
"Woooowwww" Simone muttered not sure what to say. Her mind was blown at this new information. "Why are you telling me this?"
Sakura looked up at the woman with sincerity. "Well quite frankly I prefer you would have heard it from me instead of someone else twisting the story. She may not have been the greatest mother nor honorable but she is still my mother and I don't want you to think of her poorly. She can be really nice at times even if she is… wayward."
Simone sat back and grabbed her new friends hands. "I thank you for sharing this with me and I promise your mother is not taking up any space in this noggin of mine."
Sakura laughed at her words before a servant came in bowing into the room. "My ladies, pardon my intrusion. Lady Atsuna is requesting your presence Lady Sakura. She wishes to depart."
"Oh…Thank you" She responded as the servant quickly left the two alone again. Simone watched Sakura's face fall at the news. Simone was having a lot of fun and didn't wish to see the girl leave just yet.
"Hey, would you be interested in staying? Your room is already prepared and I will make sure you are well protected along your departure to your home tomorrow."
Sakura's face lit up into joy. "Really! Can I? Oh I promise I won't get in the way or blemish your presence."
Simone laughed slightly wondering where she was getting all of her negative beliefs. She stood up and offered her hand to help Sakura up as well. "I would love to have you stay with me. I miss having a female friend. It's hard being around men all day." She said sarcastically. "Ok go tell your mother and I will clear it with My Lords."
"More like beg" she thought.
Squealing Sakura grabbed her in a fierce hug as she all but galloped out of the room in search of her mother.
Shaking her head she walked out of the room in search of the man of the hour.
He wasn't happy but he wasn't upset either. Simone didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing as she asked her Lord for his permission using her already planned night stay as a part of her bargaining tools. She was happy that he gave her his consent while telling her that the girl would be her responsibility and that she should continue to act the Lady until Sakura left the castle and returned home.
Sakura's mother didn't give two shits she was so ready to leave. She told her daughter she could stay indefinitely if she wanted to but she would be leaving. She had enough of her misfortune and embarrassment at finding out at such a late time that the younger Lord of the West was indeed courting a female for once in history. Sakura watched a little upsettingly as her mother seemed to console her perfect sister at not being able to get what she wanted. Soon they had left Sakura at the Western castle and now Simone was taking the young woman on a tour. Little did she know that Simone secretly was leading her to Dante.
"This is so beautiful! I love the Western Castle!" Sakura exclaimed as they rounded a corner headed outside.
"Yeah, it blew me away too when I first arrived here." She said thoughtfully as she looked around when she felt Dante's aura up ahead.
Simone smiled as they rounded the corner and to her delight Dante was up ahead talking to a few soldiers. "Captain Dante!" She yelled out loud. She watched him look and she caught the look he gave Sakura.
Dante turned to see Simone walking toward him along with Lady Sakura. He bowed to the two demons as they left him and his attention focused on the pink haired demons alongside his clan member. Lady Sakura had Simone by a good 3 inches in height and her fluffy pink hair was up in its usual high bun as she seemed to float towards him covered in a light blue silk kimono with cherry blossoms flowing in the pattern on it. He couldn't believe his luck that she was here. "Hello My Ladies." He said as he bowed to them. "What can I do for you this evening?"
"I need to go take care of something with Lord Sesshoumaru. Can you please give Sakura a tour of the garden? I know you are terribly busy but can you please do this for me?" She asked a little too overly sweet. Dante looked at Simone and nodded with a huge smile on his face. He hadn't seen the fare beauty that was Sakura's since last year and she looked more radiant than ever as she smiled up at him.
"Sure" He said as if in a trance at the Wolf Demoness in front of him. Simone looked at his reaction and she could tell the poor boy was stricken with at least attraction. Laughing at her good fortune she handed over her nervous friend as he offered Sakura his arm for her to take. Her hands shook slightly as she clutched on firmly and they both began to walk away.
"Well this may take a while, the gardens are really large." He said to her leading her toward the entrance to it.
"I love flowers, so I don't mind." She said as she looked up at him with eyes sparkling as he led her to the left.
Simone bounced in her position and spun awhile in glee. "Their babies are going to be so cute!" She exclaimed just thinking about pink and red haired babies!
She started walking back toward her room when suddenly she felt a rise in agitation. She cupped her neck and closed her eyes as she walked into one of the many empty rooms in the castle. She could feel Sesshoumaru's frustration as she leaned up against the wall. She couldn't get any more information about the source of his feelings. She opened her eyes and went out on a mission to actually do what she had said to Sakura. To find her Lord.
Love you guys!