Welcome to Beauty and The Half Breed
Once a beautiful life, turned upside down. Tarru began to travel to prove herself. One day, she adopted a small companion that would lead her to trouble with the Great Lord of the West. Will two innocent children become match makers?
Foreclosure: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. However, the ones that I have created are my precious jewels and would like to keep them as my own:)
Note: Thank you to everyone for your kind words and encouragement to post this! I hope this ended how you wanted it too! I am currently working hard to get the beauty and the half breed 2.0 and will hopefully be posting weekly. I swear to be better with the reboot than I was!
Takara laid in bed watching the awakening sun crawl across the stone ceiling above her. It was quiet today. Everyone was still sleeping, or out in the lands doing chores. A few servants stirred on the far side of the castle, but even her sensitive ears could barely pick up their movements. It was a peaceful morning. There was no yelling, or noisy feet running through the hall. The air was crisp and fresh. It must have rain while she slept. The door leading to her personal veranda was open. The white curtain danced with the wind. How could anything not be so perfect? She clenched her fist. The sharp claws at the end of her fingers tore through the elegant blanket wrapped around her. Anger was coursing through her veins. Her skin was hot with the blood boiling underneath it. The curtain's dance changed. It's elegant twirl almost flew off the hinges as it whipped outside. The surge from her aura caused her cot to rattle underneath her. When she opened her eyes, she should have seen red. There should have been a raging beast in her chest. Yet, there was nothing.
Five years and a day prior, she had been running through the wild disguised as wolf. For 200 years, she had made nature her home. She had followed the footsteps of her ancestors by never stepping foot into a castle court. The dirt had been her bed. She caught her meals with her teeth. She had even gained a deadly reputation. To anyone who was lucky to know her name had called her Tarru, the shadow wolf. The ones who knew her by her birth name lived in the East, and had assumed her dead for the past 200 years. So how, after everything she had done to never return, was she laying in this bed?
Five years ago, she had laid down in field with tall grass as her bedding. Yet, she awoke with her brother sitting beside her. The blue eyes looked upon her with worry. There was no destain in the eyes she had abandoned so young in their youth. That surprised her, and it still did today. For wasn't it the fear of having to face these blue eyes, that were identical to hers, that fueled her to keep running? Wasn't she to much of a coward to profess of how weak she had been while they were young? Yes, she had grown strong during her travels, had gain skills that any demon would kill for, but she would never have been strong enough to face her brother, or father. She had left Takeshi to continue the torture from their step family. How many scars had he received during her departure? Was he still mending to them, like she was whenever a memory slipped through the tough barrier she had of her past? Yet, he looked upon her as if he had none. There was no hate or grudge that he casted onto her. He spoke to her as if excited that she was here and held her before she even realised where she was. Her father had been there with tears falling into a white beard that had not been there when she last laid eyes upon him. He embraced his children and all was well between the three. Five years had passed and she still felt the warmth of that hug. Their reactions still plagued her. That hold was not from someone who was filled with surprise that she was alive. She had been missing for 200 years. She made sure they thought her dead. Yet, the way her family held her did not express that. It was like they knew she was alive, and had been living in the East and she had just fallen ill. It was as if they were happy that her fever broke. Not returning after 200 years of absence.
What was she to do with herself now? Her adventure had come to an end. The East was her home again. However, things were not as she remembered. In her youth, she had feared every shadow that casted before her. Children from the royal court, and even her step family, filled her ears with hateful words about her mixed blood. Eventually, she let them reach her heart, and she began to believe them. Out of sight was where she wanted to be. Away from eyes or lips that could cause her harm. Now, she skin was tough. Her tongue sharper than any sword. Anyone who was stupid enough to cross her path would be shot down by her chilling blue gaze. Like she had done all those years ago, they would quickly disappear with fear. She found it humorous how the situation had turned. She made sure anyone could feel her aura coming around a corner. It was her way of making sure others kept their distance. At first, the East was thrilled their princess had returned. Yet, when they realised that the once timid child had transformed into a powerful demon, they learned their places. Even her step-mother, Aya, the darkest memory Takara had of her childhood, made sure to hold her tongue. Takara did not even need to threaten Chiyo, her step-sister, to keep distance. When they shared the same room, the dark eyes of her step family would gaze upon her with fear. Just like the rest of the inhabitants of the Eastern lands, and the few royals of court that would visit.
The only one pair of eyes that held no fear, were the blue gaze of her nephew. The fifth year of his birth had passed and Takara found herself watching the corners to avoid his insistent pouncing. Five years prior, she had held the boy at arms length, having no clue what to do with him. Through the years he had grown in size and in her heart. With his father being of mixed blood, and his mother a full wolf demon, he was wilder than ever. His thirst of adventure reminded her of the years she spent with her mother and brother. The three of them would always venture out to the castle grounds, and when they were older, into the woods outside the castle walls. Those were memories that Takara tried to avoid. The happiness she had as a child seemed to die with her mother. Dwelling on those memories made her feel sadness and she would not allow herself to weaken again.
In the eve of Takeshi becoming the new lord of the East, the demon had lost all thrill for adventure. Like his father, he devoted most of his time to his office. Even Hana was bussied with royal court needs. The boy turned to his aunt for attention. At first, it was a bother. Having a constant shadow following her around. One that was so weak that even scraping his knee caused him to cry. There were other children on the castle grounds, but none his age. He found himself with a lot of energy, but no way to exert it. Takara remembered that pain. Having to sit still when all you wished to do was run. At first, her mother had taken on many duties as the Lady of the East. Her time was stretched thin. When she realised her children were stuck inside to watch the world through a window, she passed her duties to someone else. Isamu broke many traditions during her reign in the East. Takara pondered one day, what would her life be now if the demoness had not seen how her work affected her children. Would she still be alive? Would Takara have turned out like every other demoness in court? The quiet, timid and obedient type? She found herself laughing at the image. That was how she found herself the new caretaker of Mizuki. A new purpose for her to wake every morning.
Life was now different. She found herself becoming lazy. While in the wild, sleep was only necessarily once monthly. Meals twice a week. Now, she found herself sleeping every other night and eating every day. She had become a pathetic example of the fearsome demon she had once been. Even in her sleep she had been weakened. Dreams once only haunted her after she had consumed too much demon sake. Now, they seemed to play every night she slept. They appeared so real to her. Like memories that she had forgotten. Yet, when she woke, she could never regain where they came from. Like the pair of yellow eyes that followed her through her sleep. They were filled with an innocence that seemed to awaken a maternal skill she never would guess she had. While on her own, she agreed that the life style would be a lonely one. She could not allow herself to slow down. Especially for eyes that young. They would not last long while on her path. Even Inuyasha, the half demon she watched grow, was not allowed to follow her. He was to young, too inexperienced and did not even know her true form, or name. He had met her while disguised in her wolf form. Even though the half demon was dear to her, she could not let anyone know of her past. She spent her days digging through her memories to solve the case of who the yellow eyes belonged too. The way her heart ached meant she had known them. Cared for whomever owned them.
She realised she would never remember the yellow eyed stranger. Maybe they had answers for the mystery of how she arrived in the East on two feet, no fur and her telekinesis powers gone. Maybe they knew why she had lost the connect with her inner demon. The bond had been severed in the time of her sleeping on earth and waking in her cot. She had lost the very thing that made her a demon. The connection between her and her ancestors was lost. It left her an empty husk of a demon. Her strength had stayed with her body. Yet, she felt useless with only her own thoughts in her skull. The knowledge that was passed down was no longer there. She had learned to let go of the darkness from her past, yet this darkness could not be touched by forgiveness. The bitterness that someone could do such a thing made her sour.
She started to let the dreams come, no longer avoiding them. There was nothing in her past she wished to hide from anymore. No matter how baleful the memory, it had made her the demon she was today. Even though she had lost her connection with her inner demon, she was still the most powerful and fearsome of the East. There was no dream that could haunt her now. Just keep her wondering why they were so vivid and real. There was one with a two headed dragon and a human girl riding upon it's back. The yellow eyes must have been Inuyasha's, even though his were a rich amber. Then, there came one that would toy with her. She would wake up with a blush covering every inch of her skin. It would take a minute for her to regain her breath as the slumber images faded. A man had been in her dream. At first, he had no face. A naked one that held her close. Some nights, he would gaze at her. Over time, as if her memory was working to remember the exact features, he grew silver hair and golden eyes that reminded her so much of Inuyasha's. But, these eyes were fierce. Inuyasha could never manage to turn his so cold. So guarded. It must have been her unnecessary female hormones signaling it was near time for her to gain a mate. The dream was rare, and had no connection to her past. It was just her weak mind running wild.
Her family was worthless when she came to them for answers. Any sort of clue of how she got to the East, or her dreams. Their bland, meaningless answers made her angry. Their reaction when she awoke was the first clue that they knew more than they would reveal. No one would react that calmly after thinking their kin dead. And yet, they seemed unaffected by her confusion and anger.
A knock was suddenly at her door. Instantly, the warm, angry aura that whipped the blankets and curtains like a danger tsunami, died. It must have alerted a servant. Begrudgingly, Takara pulled herself away from the torn blanket. She glanced down at the once elegant white cloth in her grip now a tattered rag. It slipped through her fingers and drifted to the floor.
What a waste, she thought while acknowledging the rabbit demon that slipped through the door.
Like everyone morning, the servant would timidly awaken Takara. Large, brown eyes would watch the Eastern princess continued on with her morning routine as if she was not there. Obediently, she would stay in case the day came that her lady needed her help. This unwavering ritual had lasted for five years. She would stand, change and leave without a word towards her servant. The blue eyes would glare her down when she dared lift a finger. This day was different. The rabbit servant sat on her knees as the princess stood from her bed. The blue eyes were hard. Bothered by something. The remnants of an angry aura lingered in the room caused the little hairs on the servant's arms to stand on end. She watched the princess staggered when she took a step. Never once had she shown any sort of grogginess in the mornings. The usual bright, guarded eyes met the brown glazed over. She could sense the princess's pain before a muffled cry tried to escape her mouth. The princess fell. Her knees hit the stone floor first, followed by her head. The black curtain of hair strew around her face. Her lady did not move.
The world around her had gone black the moment she stood. A pain erupted from her right temple. It was quickly shattering her skull. She wanted nothing more than to squeeze her head to stop the pain from spreading. But, her limbs would not move. Even her eyes would not open. A scream was behind her lips. Her teeth had clenched and no sound could be released. Within the darkness, a light began to glow. A pair of brown eyes bulged through the small break in the obscurity. A face inflated around the eyes. A feminine face with high cheekbones and plump lips. She knew this face, but had not regarded it for 400 years. The lips moved and spoke a voice that had only been heard in her dreams. It was her mother.
"Takara," the head told her, "it is time for you to head to the West."
Her body still did not move. Even though she had so many questions for the departed. How was she able to speak to Takara? What was in the West for her? A new wave of pain washed over her. Her spin twitched and it was near euphoric. Since losing the connection with her inner demon, Takara was transforming into her wolf form. Another ability she had lost when returning to the East.
"Takara! Are you alright?"
Her mother did not speak these words. They echoed in Takara's head like someone had yelled them next to her ear. She watched as her mother's head began to fade into the darkness. She went to reach out but her arms still did not answer her commands. Even the scream was stuck in her mouth. It was too soon. It had been so long since she had seen her mother, or heard her voice. She wanted nothing more than to hold her again. The need was so bad it made her chest hurt. Tears sprung to her eyes. It had been so long since she last cried. There was no shame as the droplets flooded her eyes and dribbled down her cheeks. The last she saw of her mother was that legendary smile. The expression that Takara missed most about her. It was the beacon of light when the world around her seemed empty. Even in death Isamu smiled brightly.
Someone was shaking her. Hands were around her shoulders.
"Takara! Are you alright?"
Lips were near her ear. Their warm breath tickled her cheek. Suddenly, she slammed into her body. She was writhing like a dead leaf in the wind. A sword had been dropped through the top of her skull. Her first inhale was a gasp. It was loud and rattled her lungs. She touched a hand to her forehead and the skin was damp and clammy.
"What the hell was that?"
Her voice was sharp and cut through any more questions her brother. It was much stronger than she felt.
"What is in the West?"
Takeshi stumbled. He had been sitting over her, but her sudden burst of anger caused him to lean back on his arms.
"What do you mean, Takara?"
Her aura flamed with anger. The curtains began to thrash again. The rabbit demon hid behind Takeshi to weak to withstand it. Without thought, she reached her claws out and grasped the collar of his kimono.
"She told me. The answers to my questions are in the West. Tell me truth. I have not the time to be lead astray."
His blue eyes hardened. A hand clasped around the claws digging into clothing. He met her gaze without hesitation. "You saw Mother in your dream."
His knowledge surprised her. Her enraged aura settled as she watched her brother watching her. Dubiously she released her brother. Four tears soiled the silk. For a moment, she felt guilt but then remembered the truth he had been hiding from her for these five years. Her angry grew again.
Takeshi stood before her angry could touch him. He found solace from the open door to her balcony. The soft breeze against his cheek washed away the anger that lingered from his sister. Many ideas and thoughts were running through his skull. The beast in his chest gave a soft murmur.
The time for truth is now.
The beast directed his head towards his sister. Her face was set in anger, but the blue eyes appeared like they had been crying. Broken and lost those dark pools were. She had told him of her stories before, but did not speak of them now. The connection between her and her inner demon had been lost. She had suffered more in the past five years, then the two did together in their youth. Yes, it was a blessing to have her return to the East. While in her absence, it had been his life goal to have her return. And she had, but it was nothing that he imagined. She had gone off and grown far beyond what she would have if she had stayed in the East. Hell, he had witnessed her cause the Great Lord Sesshomaru to back down from a fight. That would never transpired if she had stayed. And she did not remember any of it. How agonizing must that life be?
"The night you returned to us, Mother had come to me in a dream." He spoke, still gazing through the balcony door. "She said that you would return but did not tell me how. She did explain your condition, but I never imagined it to be like this."
His blue eyes turned to her with pity. Instantly, her anger swelled again. How dare he to turn to her with such a look! Had he not just witness how a fraction of her anger caused the ones around her to tremble. She had told him of her adventures, and the dark deeds she had accomplished. He should know not look down upon her with condolence!
"She explained for you to regain the time you lost, you must heal the wounds first." He appeared to ignore the fact that her claws were readied to tear limbs from bodies. "At first, I was unsure what she meant. The last I had seen of you, you were in the company of Sesshomaru. Powerful, collected, and filled with many adventures. How could a demon who appeared so sure still be broken?"
"Feh," Takara brushed off comment. She was not that weak.
"When Sesshomaru returned you to us, he explained very little what had happened. When you awoke, it was like you were lost and confused. You had last been in your wolf form far north from here with no idea how you came to be in the East. I remembered my dream and did not ask any further. I had no answers to give you. Even now, you do not remember Sesshomaru, who was a part of your past. Something vile has happened to you, my sister. Mother knew and reassured me that it was all apart of a plan. You needed to heal the past before facing your future."
Takara's anger grew cold. She drew her knees to her chest to retain the warmth that was leaving her body. So, something had happened to her. Something was missing. Like the memory of this Sesshomaru. Takeshi spoke about him as if he was a big portion of her past. Yet, none of her memories conjured an image to the name. What else was she missing? Were the yellow eyes and little girl riding a two headed dragon connected with Sesshomaru? Was there a way for her to reclaim those memories?
Her cot sagged under Takeshi's weight. His blue eyes were still hard. Watching her absorb this information. He had no clue what she would next. But, she sat still. Turning and twisting it in her mind. The two had faced and conquered so much together as children. When she fled, they both grew up very differently then planned. Her brother had matured into expectation of a great lord. He had faced his demons and now profited from the happiness. It had taken Takara much longer to confront her past. She had spent 200 years burying it.
Takeshi seemed to know what she was thinking. "It took me a long time to get over your disappearance. The time alone with Aya and Chiyo were miserable. Yet, I knew I needed to stay strong to prove them wrong. That, even though I had mixed blood, I would become a great and powerful demon. Like my father and mother before me. You did the same, Takara. But, you went to prove it to yourself. You ran away from your past, but created a new and powerful demon that could not be touched by vicious, empty words. To return and face the ones you were running from must have been a shock. Yet, you proved everyone was wrong about us. You have accomplished what you needed to do in the East, my dear sister. Now it is time for your to conquer what you need to do in the West.
"I do not know the details. But, you and Sesshomaru seemed to have had a relationship of the sorts." He spoke the word as if it bothered him. It caused her to cheeks to burn and she found refuge in her knees from his blue glare. "You also spoke of Inuyasha, Inu no Taishō's youngest son. He has settled in the village by the bone eaters well. I am sure he would be able to answer your questions."
Finally. It was revealed to her. A strange warmth erupted into her chest. It swelled throughout her limbs until she was near to burst. Tears filled her eyes and she tried to blink them away. Such a waste of energy to cry. She was very happy that the truth was no longer being held from her, though. But, it was still no excuse to weep.
Suddenly, Takeshi's arms were around her. His nose dug into her hair and he inhaled deeply. "It has been an honor to have you in the East. Mizuki will surly miss you. It will be another reason for you to return quicker after this quest is finished."
Even though I know that will not be soon. Once you leave, you will be off to start your new life. But, that doesn't mean I will not see you again for another 200 years. The next you return to the East, you will have your own family. That warms my heart more than after all those years. Even if it might be with that Lord Sesshomaru… the sudden thought made him slump.
"Takeshi," Takara mumbled from his shoulder, where her face was lodged. "Why did you tense all of a sudden?"
He chuckled nervously and pulled away. "Oh, nothing dear sister. Just a thought." His hand was ruffling the hair on the back of his head.
She found herself entering a human village. The last she stepped foot here the priestess Kikyo was alive. Inuyasha had not gotten mixed up with the Shikon no Tama yet and Takara was still in her wolf form. Not much had changed to the village. The humans still worked the rice fields. Woman could be seen washing clothes in the river with children strapped to their backs. And none of them realised a demon was among them. She took the path while observing how dimwitted mortals could be, with her hands folded together in her kimono sleeves. She paused when she saw a little body running up the hill to her right. Another was chasing it. They both were laughing, but not paying attention. The first child stumbled over a rock and fell onto the path in front of Takara. The second had no time to halt and ended up falling over the first. They both giggled and tried to push the other off. She watched with a raised eyebrow. Had she really hidden her aura so well that they could not sense that they were mere inches from her?
A pair of brown eyes landed on her from under the snar of arms. The smallest child froze, which caused the second to pause in confusion. A scream broke from both their lips when they finally realized what they had fallen in front if. Takara nearly flinched at the sound. It alerted the women, who called out to the men. Fear grew and caused the mortals to run in all directions. Takara couldn't help the smirk that pulled at her lips. How dreadfully stupid they were. None of them would have stood a chance if she truly meant harm. Yet, the men came running with their farm tools, and the women fled with their children. It would take just a moment to slaughter every soul here.
His aura suddenly appeared. It was heading in her direction. Others followed, which was strange. They must have been the village protectors. The irony almost made her chuckle. Over fifty years ago, Inuyasha had been trying to destroy this village to get to the Shikon no Tama. She shook her head, remembering that it had been longer than that.
A flash of red landed before her. His golden eyes fell upon her and she could see his body freeze. They continued like this, eyeing each other, until a monk and demon slayer fell behind him. They shared Inuyasha's reaction when they realised who the intruder was. The two mortals must have known her in the time she can't remember. There was a small twinge of pain in her temple. She did know these two. Another human had been apart of Inuyasha's group while they searched for the jewel. She placed two fingers against her throbbing forehead to keep the pain from spreading.
"Is...that really you Takara?" Inuyasha's eyes still did not believe what he saw before him.
How did he know it was me? I had never shown him my true form or name… She took a deep sigh. Clearly, there was a lot that she needed answered. And she hated not being in the know.
"Yes, Inuyasha. I am surprised you know that name, or this face."
Confusion passed between the group.
"Do you not remember?" Inuyasha's voice was softening.
The monk spoke, "it has been a while since the last we saw you, Lady Takara. But… you see," he seemed to be having a hard time of putting words together, "the condition we last saw you in… we are all confused."
She raised her eyebrow. None of his babbling made any sense. "I have come to you so you can answer some questions for me, Inuyasha. I will start off with why you are so confused on me being here."
"Takara, the last we saw of you…" The half demon spoke, "you died."
A fire danced before her. The group was waiting in silence as she tried to absorb their words. Unfortunately for her, they were only able to fill in pieces of the story she was missing. They explained she had adopted a wolf pup with yellow eyes. She had joined Sesshomaru's company. Everything before and inbetween was still a mystery. They told their experiences with the jewel and a demon called Naraku. How he had somehow cursed them all and they joined forces against him. They explained the final battle, then the well closed and how their lives had settled down. Miroku and Sango had married and were bearing children. Inuyasha and Kagome were expecting their first child soon. Even though her head was near to shatter, she accepted their words. Somewhere in there she knew that the information was already stored. When they were finished with their tales, Takara could not help but still feel lost. They could not explain how Naraku had kidnapped her and what he had done to her or who Sesshomaru was. This name must have been important to her, since Takeshi and Inuyasha made it seem as if she had mated with him. It was hard to wrap her brain around it. Since she had sworn off mating, how had she ended up with the apparent Lord of the West? And then, the idea of adopting a child. She had totally sworn off any sort of companionship and yet she had become a mother and a mate? What had happened to her?
Suddenly, the door was pulled back. The night breeze almost blew out the fire. An old priestess stepped over the threshold. She wore an eye patch, and her one brown eye was barely visible under her wrinkles. Takara knew her scent. It belonged to Kikyo's younger sister. Had it really been so longer that the child had grown into this hag? The woman stepped aside and revealed a human girl. One between the age of child and adulthood. Her brown eyes widen when they fell upon Takara. These eyes knew her. And, deep down, Takara knew them as well. She had dreamt of them. Riding upon the back of a two headed dragon. The pain grew. Her vision went dark and for a moment she forgot how to breath.
She didn't realise how much pain Takara was in. All Rin knew was how excited she was to see her once caretaker. The last time she had laid eyes upon her Naraku had struck her through with one of his tentacles and both had fallen over the edge of a cliff. Tears burned her eyes with the happiness that over flowed at the sight that the woman that she considered a mother was still alive, even after all this time of believing her dead. She could not contain herself any more. She dropped her bag to the ground, ignoring her recently collected herbs that scattered across the wood floor, to run to Takara.
She spoke the demoness's name with her face buried into her chest. Her arms clasped tight around her neck in a hug they used to share. "How much I have missed you!"
"Rin…" Kagome spoke quietly. The demoness appeared to be in great pain. Her teeth had clenched. A coat of sweat broke out across her flawless forehead. Never had the group witnessed a demon produce perspiration before.
The human girl pulled away when she realised her hug had not been returned. The blue eyes opened and the pain Takara felt washed over the girl. She was trying so hard to remember who the human was. Her memory was blank. Only the dream would come forward. Rin's eyes teared again. This was not the same demon that had guarded her. There was something missing.
Miroku spoke, "she has lost her memory of you, Rin."
"What?" The human demanded, turning to face the monk. "I have not forgotten her!"
"It was Naraku's doing." Inuyasha nearly growled. Anger spiking through him. How terrible of him to believe that she had really died! No, what she has been going through was much worse. He should have gone looking for her. There was no way Sesshomaru would have handled this situation properly. He must have dumped her somewhere and left her to rot with a chunk of her memory gone! What a bastard!
Takara could hear the talk between the group. She felt like running, ashamed that they were witnesses of her weakness. A small hand touched her cheek, almost making her jump.
"Lord Sesshomaru is near. He will know what to do." There was that name again. And the assumption that he could fix everything. But, how could that be? How important was his role in her life? "Let me go find him, before he returns to the West."
"It is time for you to head to the West."
Her mother's words shot through the darkness of her skull. Color returned to her vision. Her head no longer aching. Sesshomaru was the west. He was what she needed to find to regain her memory! She stood, ready to burst through the wall to track down this person.
"It's too late." She had only placed one foot down, "his scent is already gone."
She met the golden amber gaze and saw how sad he looked for her. Anger roared through her again. So many eyes looked upon her with sadness as if she asked for it. Like she needed the pity that she had lost her memory, her powers, and her connection with her inner demon.
Feh, she internally spat at all who dared look at her in such a way. Even if I never regain my memory, I will still rise above it. She turned a glare to Inuyasha, then the rest of the room whose sorrow filled auras nearly drowned her. How dare they.
She stepped through the door, letting the night air hit her. Calm her. She left the hut behind. Even with Inuyasha calling after her, she continued out of the village. The stars guided her to the running water far from the humans. They led her to a stream that had not been regarded for a long time. Very little scents tainted the earth around it. So many thoughts were running through her. If her skull had been a river, it would have been dangerous. White form would be spraying each time it hit the inside of her head. Like the ocean during a storm. It would constantly be raging, fighting against the rock. She needed to calm herself. Her heart was beating fast. The blood in her veins was near fire. If she still had the connection with her inner demon, it would have transformed by now. Or would have been trying to calm her down.
Anger gushed through her. She needed to released it. Her fist swung to the side and shattered the innocent tree into thousands of splinters. It rained upon her like dry rain. That did nothing to calm her. Why had she lost her inner demon? Who could have damaged her so much she could not remember a child that appeared to care greatly for her? Why was she not strong enough to remember?
She stepped into the water. It must have been from a spring for it was very cold. Small daggers tore at her skin as she waded deeper into the dark stream. For a moment, the cold was all she could concentrate on. How it dug so deep into her skin. It was seeking her heart to freeze that as well. The moment of freedom disappeared when the sharp dagger returned to her temple. Her hands flew to her head, but they did nothing to help. A scream was behind her lips. How long she had she dealt with this pain? How much more could she handle? Her strength was diminishing. The will to keep pushing it aside was fading. No one could answer her questions, or even help in the slightest. She had gone to her brother, Inuyasha and his group. They spoke of this Sesshomaru, but how much could a stranger help? It appeared this pain would last with her forever. An eternity of anguish. No demon, not even a god, could withstand a life as that. No, no one should have to handle this.
I am not strong enough.
She let go of her footing. The cold water washed over her. She fell into the current and was swept away. Here, her skull no longer hurt. No ideas of lost memories haunted her. Just the feel of cold cutting into her. Under the water she did not have to worry about her next breath. She just needed to wait until the dark water around her became the true twilight of mortality.
A hand grabbed her. Pulled her free from the current and to calm water. Her eyes shot open and found a pair of golden amber eyes glaring down at her. She wanted to growl, to reprimand Inuyasha from intruding. When she parted her lips, the cold water filled her mouth. The hand on her wrist tugged again and she was extracted from the spring. She spit the water from her mouth and turned to growl. However, these golden eyes were not Inuyasha's. They were harder. Lined with magenta. They seemed to bore into her and took a tight grip around her heart. It took her a moment to regain her breath. Neither of them moving. Just watching the others reaction.
She had seen these eyes before. They watched her from a naked man's face in her dreams. A blush crept to her cheek at the thought if this demon was him. He watched her in awe, as she glanced away. His gaze was hot on her skin. He had not released her wrist yet. His grip was tight, but warmed the cold skin.
"Why did you do that?" She demanded, still unable to meet this man's gaze. It was to intrusive.
"Do you remember?" His voice was deep and honey, like his eyes. For a moment, all she wished for were more words to slip past those lips.
She turned to him, surprised. How did he know of her memory loss? And why did he watch her so intently? She took this time to fully consumed his face. Trying to match the blue crescent moon, or magenta stripes on his cheeks, to any face she knew. But, nothing came forward. She shook her head to the side to answer his question. The look that filled his eyes almost made her feel sorry for him. He looked wounded, and had no idea how to handle it.
"She said you would return when you remembered." His statement was mostly to himself.
"But, I am trying to." She explained. Maybe this was the one she should have been looking for. "I have been trying to figure out what happened five years ago. Are you the Lord of the West everyone keeps talking about?"
She watched his golden eyes twirl with hurt. It was strange, since he appeared to have much composure. His body, or aura, gave no sense that he was hurting or confused. Only the liquid gold jewels gave him away.
"I have had dreams of your eyes." She reached a hand out and touched his cheek. It did not feel familiar, but he fell against her hand as if her touch was healing him. For a moment, he closed his eyes as if enjoying her touch. "We would lay together. Never sharing words. If that was you in my past, speak now."
"Hn," he grunted.
She rolled her eyes, "if you dare think I am joking, leave my sight. I have not the time to deal with foolishness."
"That was my line, once." His voice was almost a chuckle. For a moment, his face softened. "Why do you not remember?"
Anger was back in her blood. Did this fool think she was not trying to regain her memory? Did he think she enjoyed the pain in her skull every time she thought of her missing memories? Of course, she must enjoy the constant glances of pity that casted towards her. The raging blood in her veins made her arms shake. She went to pull her wrist free from this fool's grasp. He sensed her attempt, and nearly crushed it in return.
"I have dreamt of you, too."
Suddenly, his lips were against hers. He was so warm compared to her wet skin. For a moment her heart stopped. A bright light blinded her. She tried fighting against his hold, the pain from her temple was the greatest it had been yet. His grip never relaxed, but pulled her closer. Her chest pressed against his armour, which was as cold as she. She had felt this armour before.
The memories slammed against her skull. Her head shot back as if she had been hit with an arrow. Faster than she could process, every single memory that was lost flashed through her. Even while in their youth, till the moment she said good-bye to Sesshomaru outside of Naraku's final form. Her body was clamoring, barely able to handle every single image that tried to cram into her head. She did not notice that Sesshomaru had picked her up and found a tree for her to rest against. Her knees could not handle her weight. She fell to the earth as each memory found its place in her skull.
Her eyes were blind, but she heard Sesshomaru shift in front of her. His armour fell to the ground with a mighty clank. Her hands clasped around her face. The constant swirling of memories made her nauseous. She saw Rin and Haru playing. Naraku's red eyes. Jakken. The woods outside of Sesshomaru's castle. Some she wished would play over again, remembering that moment and enjoying the happiness that burst in her chest. Others, like the time spent in Naraku's hold, made her wish that she had not gained her memories back. Her stomach twisted. The vile lurched into her throat. It was near to burst from her lips. A hand under her chin froze her mid-heave. She glanced through her fingers to find Sesshomaru had kneeled before her. His stone composure had returned. The golden-amber eyes, however, watched her intently.
"Do you remember?"
A smile broke her lips. The first in many years. Slowly, not wanting to disturb her freshly arranged memories, she nodded her head up and down. The hand under her chin tightened and softly moved it forward. Excitedly, she pursed her lips wanting to feel his again. She did not realise how much she had missed them. Even when they spoke sharp words towards her, she needed them against hers. But, as if sensing her need, he froze. Their lips were so close, when he spoke, his breath mingled with hers.
"Do not do that again, you damned fool."
She leant forward, tired of his coyness.
"Lord Takeshi!" The servant boy burst through the study door without even a knock.
Hana had been sitting in a chair by the window reading over a few letters and Takeshi behind his desk. They both jumped as the wood slapped against the wall.
The young boy realised his intrusion, and bowed deeply.
"Rise, boy. You have already gotten our attention. No need to hide the important matters any longer." Takeshi rolled his eyes, extending his hand for the letter clenched tightly in the messenger's hand.
"Of course, m'lord. I am sorry for not knocking." The young wolf demon bowed and ran from the room before he could be punished. Even though Takeshi had never shown any sort of violence to his servants, the terror of Aya and Chiyo kept them on their toes.
"Who is it from, Takeshi?" Hana questioned stepping to her mate's side.
Takeshi shrugged as he tore the string from the wrapped parchment. "There was no sender."
His blue eyes skimmed through the words. A smile grew with each line he read.
"It's from Takara," Hana gasped, reading over Takeshi's shoulder. "She's in the western lands again?"
Takeshi shook his head, rereading the letter. Her handwriting had improved greatly since their childhood classes.
"Does that mean that she and Lord Sesshomaru have mated?"
He glanced through the letter again, "she did not say."
"It will only be a matter of time, I believe. No one would go through that much if they truly were not meant for one another."
"Unfortunately for those two, neither one of them will admit it first. I am afraid my sister is in for an eternity amount of waiting."
Hana smiled the smile that caused Takeshi to fall for her. "I am glad she finally found where she belongs."
Takeshi smiled, glancing out the window. Miles away, Takara was settling into her new home. He wished he could have been there. He would have made it a celebration that she deserved. "Me too, my love."
Thank you to everyone for your kind words and encouragement to post this! I hope this ended how you wanted it too! I am currently working hard to get the beauty and the half breed 2.0 and will hopefully be posting weekly. I swear to be better with the reboot than I was!
If you would have like it to end differently, or have any ideas, please rate or send me a PM of what you have envisioned! With the new reboot I am aiming to add more chapters, characters, deeper development, and hopefully more love from you guys! I have a surprise in the first rewritten chapter that I hope some get, and love as much as I do :) BBBUUUTTT I can never tell unless you hit the little button below this that says review and tell me!