Note: This is the final chapter. It is a combination of an epilog and some silly humor. I hope you enjoy.
By the way, to anyone who likes classic fairytales, be prepared for them to be mutilated.
Chapter 36- Midori's Stories
"When do we get to see Big Sister?" ten year old Midori asked Rin.
"She's with the physician right now," Rin replied.
"It sure took them a long time," Inuyasha said, "What's it been, five years since they got married?"
"It took your parents ten years," Rin reminded him.
"When do we get to see the baby?" Midori asked.
"Well, she hasn't delivered it yet," Kagome said, "That's why Rin and I are going to help Master Xue out. Since we both have experience with human and half-demon births."
"Sesshomaru's been here for a month, right?" Inuyasha asked.
"Well, he and Ryuu have been doing the administrative work," Rin said, "Which means I have to pick up the bulk of work back home."
"Yeah, but where is he?" Inuyasha looked around.
"Rin!" Himeryuu greeted Rin, "Midori, Kagome, Inuyasha, welcome. Please come this way."
Himeryuu lead them to Tsukichikara's room. As they stepped in, Inuyasha sniffed several times. He looked baffled by what he was smelling.
"Your nose isn't fooling you," Ryuu said, sitting at Tsukichikara's bedside.
Tsukichikara sat on the bed, her hand on her stomach. Sesshomaru stood at the foot of the bed, speaking to Xue.
"What do you smell?" Rin asked Inuyasha.
"Hey Mi, what do you smell?" Inuyasha asked.
"It smells like a dog demon," Midori sniffed, "And… a human?"
"Huh?" Rin asked in shock.
"You heard right, Lady Rin," Xue said, "Lady Tsukichikara has conceived twins. One full-demon and one human."
"Twins!" Kagome said cheerfully.
"Wait, a human?" Inuyasha asked, "But's she a half demon? Shouldn't the kid be a forth human?"
"Well, this is the first recorded union between a daiyokai and a half-demon borne of a daiyokai," Xue said, "Normally, a quarter human would have traits dominated by the strongest bloodline. But Lady Tsukichikara carries the blood of a powerful demon in her. And her sons now have the blood of a human and two very powerful demons. My theory is that the demon blood was simply too powerful for a vessel with even a trace of human blood. So the egg separated into a pure demon and a pure human to separate the human blood and to save the human part."
"You're acting as if the egg was intelligent already," Kagome said.
"Well, it is just a theory," Xue said, "But there are records of demons being self-aware from the moment of conception. You have both felt demonic auras awaken in your bodies as you carried demon hybrid children. Demon bodies have a way of preserving themselves intuitively."
"Is there any danger?" Rin asked.
"Lady Tsukichikara will be fine no matter the circumstances," Xue said, "Her body will heal no matter what the injury. The demon child has a strong aura, and will not be hurt easily. The human boy should be fine as long as his brother does not harm him in the womb or on delivery. If we must, we can cut into Lady Tsukichikara's womb to separate the human baby from the demon if the aura becomes too much for the human boy."
"A caesarian?" Kagome asked, "Isn't that dangerous?"
"I had no idea humans called it that," Xue said, "To a human it would be dangerous. But Lady Tsukichikara could survive and heal within hours of the surgery. I assure you, we are keeping a close eye on her. If we smell the human's body bleed due to the demon's claws or fangs, we will perform the surgery immediately."
"Master Xue has things well in hand," Tsukichikara said.
"Our largest concern is that an unscrupulous demon will try to steal my human son," Ryuu said, "He will still be an heir to the empire, even if his brother is a full-blooded demon. Having a half-demon ruler is difficult for my people to accept. But a human ruler will cause revolt."
"So what will you do?" Kagome asked.
"Even if he is human, I will not deny my son his birthright," Ryuu said.
"Teh," Inuyasha said, "You're gonna be assassinated for sure."
"That is a sad statement coming from you," Ryuu laughed, "But we remain hopeful."
"So I guess all we can do is wait," Kagome said.
The families were given rooms near Tsukichikara's. Rin went to visit with Tsukichikara, leaving Midori in Kagome's care. Midori read a book for Faust. She was going to become his apprentice in less than two months.
"This is so boring," Midori closed her book.
"You should do your homework, Mi," Kagome said.
"I read it already," Midori put it aside, "Mother made me bring it to study again. Faust wants me to create some of my drawing illusions, but I have no idea what to show him."
"Huh," Kagome nodded.
"Wanna go into town and look around?" Inuyasha asked.
"It hasn't changed much since I was here last," Midori replied.
"How about a story instead?" Kagome asked, "To pass the time?"
"A story?" Midori asked, "What kind?"
"A fairytale!" Kagome said, "You love those, don't you? Remember those stories we told you as a child?"
"Oh… Hey!" Midori got a scroll and brush, "I could make those come to life. But what are they supposed to look like?"
"Ahh… why not use the people you know as references?" Kagome asked.
"Okay," Midori nodded.
"Which one to start with…" Kagome pondered.
"I'm outta here!" Inuyasha said.
"Be safe," Kagome replied, "Let's start with Snow White."
"Oh! Big Sister gets to be her!" Midori said, "She's got snow white hair."
"Snow White was named for her skin."
"So change the story."
"That's not how it's told."
"Don't care," Midori painted a portrait of her sister, "Big Sister is Snow White. Ryuu gets to be the prince. And Kimiko is the evil stepmother. And for the dwarfs… Jaken, cause he's short!"
"Tsukichikara and the seven Jakens," Kagome laughed.
"Say what now?" Rin popped her head in.
"We're writing a story, I guess," Kagome said.
"The tale of Snow White," Midori said, "Big Sister is Snow White."
"Ummm… kay," Rin nodded along, "You have fun doing that, I'm going to… do something else."
Shaking her head, Midori bent down to continue her work.
…
Tsukichikara and the Seven Jakens
It was winter. The snow fell on the ground, covering the land with a blanket of white. Sitting alone, the noble Lady embroidered a dragon onto her husband's kimono. Sighing, she looked out at the snow.
"How I wish I had a child with hair as white as snow," she said.
The fates must have heard her wish, for the next year, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. With hair as white as snow. Her name was Tsukichikara, but because her hair was so fair, the people called her "Snow White" as a nickname.
Now, the poor lady died after giving birth. So, the Lord's second wife was charged with raising Tsukichikara. Kimiko left the child to her own devices, not caring about the child at all. So despite the fact that Kimiko was a nasty, vile woman, little Tsukichikara grew up sweet and kind.
Kimiko was vain, and liked to look at her reflection a lot. She would spend all day and night staring at herself, because she had nothing better to do. Every day she would ask her mirror who was the most beautiful woman in all the land.
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who is fairest of us all?" she would ask.
And the mirror would answer, for it always told the truth.
"Lady Kimiko, thou'rt fairest of them all."
Kimiko would give the mirror a snaky smile and be happy. Because she knew the mirror told the truth.
Years went by, and Tsukichikara became a beautiful young woman. The people began to say that she was more beautiful than Lady Kimiko. And one day, the mirror figured it out too.
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who is fairest of us all?" Kimiko asked one day.
"Lady Kimiko, thou art fairest here, I hold, But Snow White is fairer a thousandfold," the mirror replied.
"Who in the world is Snow White?" she asked in shock.
"That would be what the people have come to call Princess Tsukichikara," Hikari, the lady's handmaiden said, "Because she is a truly beautiful and kind girl."
Kimiko was enraged! She threw a bunch of stuff around and broke all the china in sight. And when she was done with her hissy fit, she ordered that Tsukichikara be shut up in a dungeon.
"My lady, you mustn't be rash!" Hikari said, "Lady Tsukichikara is heir to the throne. If you harm her, Lord Sesshomaru will have your head!"
"That is true," Kimiko replied, "I have yet to give the lord an heir. Despite my incredible beauty, he always preferred that tart, Rin. And now I must take second place to her daughter. I must rid myself of her in a more… subtle manner."
Hikari stood by sadly as her former lady was insulted. But she was cursed by mean Kimiko to obey no one but Kimiko. So she could not warn Tsukichikara of the oncoming danger.
"Take that brat to the mountains and slay her on the road," Kimiko ordered, "We will say that the wolves slayed her while she explored their territory. Carve out her heart and deliver it to me in this box."
Kimiko gave Hikari a silver box. Sadly, Hikari took the box and a knife to kill the princess.
Tsukichikara loved exploring the woods and the mountains. All the animals loved her and so did the people. She was so nice and pretty that she was loved by everyone.
Anyway, Kimiko held the knife up to Tsukichikara's back. Seeing what her servant was about to do, Tsukichikara fell back in shock. But before Hikari brought the knife down, she overcame the curse of Kimiko, if only for a moment.
"Run!" Hikari said, "Lady Kimiko will have you killed! Run and do not return!"
Tsukichikara did just that, disappearing into the woods.
Hikari found a boar nearby. And slayed it instead of the princess. Then she carved out its heart and presented it to Lady Kimiko.
Kimiko was very happy. And since she never looked a heart before, was too stupid to know the difference between the heart of a girl and the heart of a pig. So she put the box on a shelf and went back to staring at her reflection in the mirror.
Meanwhile, the smart princess ran into the woods. She came across a neat little cabin tucked in the trees. Tsukichikara was tired from her running, so she looked for the residents. But no one was home.
There was food on seven plates, but it was nasty stuff. So Tsukichikara went to the river and got some fish. She also gathered herbs from the woods and made a meal from the fish and herbs. After eating her fill, she laid on one of the futons and fell asleep.
As evening fell, seven imps returned from whatever imps do during the day. They came to their cabin and were surprised to see a girl on one of their beds.
"This is most improper!" the Haughty imp said.
"What is that thing?!" the Cowardly one asked.
"Let's tie her up and sell her to the wolves," Greedy suggested.
"Oh, but wait, look at this food," Haughty said, "It tastes good."
"If we let her be here, we can make her clean and cook for us!" Lazy said.
"I say we sell her!" Greedy said.
"Now see here!" Haughty said, "We cannot have a human girl in our house! That is not proper conduct for imps such as us!"
"What if she tries to eat us?" Cowardly asked.
"But she's so pretty," Creepy said, "Doesn't she look like the lord of this land, the wonderful Lord Sesshomaru?"
"I suppose she does," Haughty said.
"That makes her more valuable!" Greedy said.
"But having her here is almost like having Lord Sesshomaru here," Creepy said, "I say we let her stay."
"Where's the sake?" Drunky asked, "Where did you put the sake?"
"You can drink later, you bum!" Creepy hit Drunky on the head with his staff.
"We must decide what to do with this girl!" Haughty said.
"Let her stay here and work for her food," Smarty said.
Everyone looked at Smarty, then nodded. He was the smartest imp, but rarely said anything. So when he talked, the others listened to him.
Tsukichikara woke up, slightly put off by all the imps staring at her. But she stayed there for a week, cleaning their house (which was not that big) and cooking their meals (which did not take long). So she got bored very quickly.
Meanwhile, Kimiko was looking at herself in the mirror. And she asked it the question.
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who is fairest of us all?" Kimiko asked.
"Lady Kimiko, thou art fairest here, I hold, But Snow White over the fells, Who with the seven Imps dwells, Is fairer still a thousandfold."
Kimiko screamed. She knew the mirror told the truth. She got really mad and decided to kill Tsukichikara herself. So she had an apple made with poison in it. It was made so delectable, that anyone who saw it would want to eat it. And it would kill anyone who ate it.
Kimiko used her power to disguise herself as a witch. And went to Tsukichikara's hut. Tsukichikara was so happy to see someone taller than her, she was nice to Kimiko and gave her a warm cup of tea.
"You are most kind, dear, please take this as a token of my gratitude," Kimiko held up the apple.
Tsukichikara was really smart. Normally, she would never eat anything strange. But the apple was enchanted to be irresistible. So she ate it.
And then, Tsukichikara fell dead.
Kimiko laughed and ran off into the night, returning to her castle and to looking at herself.
"Oh no!" Creepy cried when he saw that Tsukichikara was dead.
The imps felt bad for some reason, and they decided to build her a coffin made up of glass. They displayed her body in the woods and planted flowers at her grave.
Along came a prince on a white horse. He was handsome and named Ryuu. He was riding by and saw Tsukichikara in the coffin. And he fell in love with her on the spot. He asked if he could have the body to take to his kingdom.
"For fifty pounds of rice," Greedy said.
Ryuu thought the price was high, but agreed. As the imps lifted the coffin, they dropped it, like idiots. But the movement lodged the piece of apple out of Tsukichikara's throat. She coughed it out and started breathing. (Yes that is stupid, but that is how the fairy tale goes. It is better than the prince kissing her awake. I mean, what prince wants to kiss a corpse anyway?)
"She's awake!" Creepy said.
"No refunds," Greedy told Ryuu.
Ryuu was awestruck, and declared his love for her right there. Tsukichikara was crept out that a stranger was doing that, but decided marrying a prince was a good idea. (He was rich.) So she agreed to marry him.
They rode off to his kingdom and got married. And it turned out that Ryuu was not that bad a guy. He was noble and kind and did everything he could to make Tsukichikara happy. They had twins later on.
Now, Sesshomaru found out about Kimiko's attempts to kill his daughter, who he loved very much. So he had Kimiko executed for attempted assassination.
The End
…
"Why am I so pathetic in this story?" Jaken cried.
"Because you are like that," Midori replied nastily.
"Lady Midori… you're so cruel!" Jaken sobbed.
"This isn't really how the story goes," Kagome said.
"I like this one better," Midori replied.
"Lady Tsukichikara is giving birth!" a servant shouted.
"I have to go," Kagome said, "Midori stay with Jaken."
"Okay!" she nodded.
…
Sesshomaru gently held the sleeping from of his grandson in his arms. As a pure dog demon, the child was literally in the form of a dog. The pup rested comfortably in his grandfather's arms, his eyes and ears still closed from delivery. He was about the size of a human infant, and would grow to the size of a horse within the next few months. By that time, he would have some command of his humanoid form.
Rin held their human grandson, staring at him with love and some disbelief. The boy had her brown eyes, and was already taking in the world around him. His eyes had an intelligent spark to them. Patches of black hair grow from his head. And his blood was pure human, with no trace of demon blood. As unbelievable as it was, it was true.
"I can't believe it," Rin shook her head.
"It is remarkable," Sesshomaru replied.
His demon grandson, the pure concentration of Sesshomaru's blood. The boy had the marks of Sesshomaru's bloodline. The double strips on his cheeks and the crescent moon of Sesshomaru's clan. His fur was pure white, with a puff around his neck, like Sesshomaru. The boy could easily pass as Sesshomaru's double.
"So, will they get along?" Rin placed the baby in a crib.
Sesshomaru stepped a few paces away from the human twin. In his arms, the pup began to squirm and whine in fear. As Sesshomaru stepped closer to the human brother, the pup calmed down.
"I guess that answers my question," Rin laughed.
She walked over and gently stroked the pup's ears. The pup yawned and fell asleep. Sesshomaru placed him in the crib with his brother. They slept side by side, an odd pair indeed.
"This is a most happy day for the Dragon Lands and the Western Lands," Jaken said, "Your bloodline is sure to last a hundred thousand years, Lord Sesshomaru!"
Rin looked out the window, her face solemn.
"Rin?" Sesshomaru asked.
"It just seems… pointless," Rin said, "It's silly, I know. But… it's sad that his human blood was separated. It means… my bloodline is…"
She shook her head in dismay.
"Rin, you are the grandmother to both of them," Sesshomaru said, "The pup and the boy. Tsukichikara is their mother. They will not forget that they are descended from you. If they are to remember that they are mine, they must recall that they are yours."
"But what if they want to forget?" Rin asked, "The human descendants and the demons? What if the demons want to say they're pureblooded and the humans refuse to say that they have a demon ancestor? When they were part human and part demon, they could never deny it. But now… they can forget."
She was looking far into the future, to a time even Sesshomaru could not envision. Resting a hand on her shoulder, he pulled her close to him.
"Those foolish enough to forget do not deserve to carry your blood, Beloved," he said, "But they will not forget. We will make such a mark on history that they will not be allowed to forget. This legacy of yours will bring a new people to this world. A people made of humans and demons. I will make sure you are not forgotten, Rin."
Looking at him, Rin pressed her face to his chest.
"You always know what to say, Sesshomaru," she said.
"Tsukichikara's fast asleep," Kagome came into the room, "Apparently, she's been awake for two weeks. Ryuu's with her. How are the twins?"
"Sleeping," Rin replied.
"It's too bad they don't have the ears," Kagome sighed, "Oh well. Congratulations, you two. I'm sure you'll be great grandparents."
Rin and Kagome stayed with the twins. The demon servants had much to learn about caring for human infants. Skipping out on their talk, Sesshomaru went to check on Midori. His youngest had fallen asleep at the table as she worked. Slightly amused, Sesshomaru picked her up and put her on the bed. After pulling the blanket over her, he looked at her work.
Midori had drawn up images of Tsukichikara, Ryuu, and a disturbing number of Jakens on a scroll. The illustrations moved as he looked at them, enacting text written next to them in Midori's… unique narrative style. He recognized the tale as one he had heard Kagome tell Rin long ago. Midori had others written out, with room for illustrations. Apparently, this was the sample of her magic to be presented to Faust.
"No… no more Jakens," Midori mumbled in her sleep.
Leaving her to sleep, Sesshomaru left the scrolls with her stories.
…
Cinderellrin
One upon a time, there was a kind woman, who gave birth to a lovely, kind girl. This girl's name was Rin.
One day, the woman's husband died. Who knows what of, all we know is that he died. So the woman married a second time. This time, she married a nasty man with two evil sons. Rin was stuck with Rigast as a step-father. And his sons, Dracon and Naroku.
Rigast was mad because Rin was better behaved than his sons. But he liked to be lazy, so he made Rin do all the housework. Rin's mother was killed by wolves on the road one day, so Rin was left with no parents. But she was too young to live on her own, so she was stuck with Rigast and his cruel sons.
Every day, Rin tidied up the house and cooked the meals. She mended the clothes, fed the animals, and kept the fire going. Rigast went out and got drunk every night, so Rin needed to take care of him when he got home. Dracon was always lazy and did nothing. And Naroku was always in his room, doing something evil. These were bad people she was stuck with.
One day, the Lord of the land decided to have a festival. Inu no Taisho hoped his son would find a nice girl to marry, and then have kids with. Because the land needed heirs. But Prince Sesshomaru was only interested in conquest, not love. So Inu no Taisho had his work cut out for him.
Rin's house received an invitation. Rigast saw it and thought it was a great chance to talk himself up to the prince. So he and his sons gave Rin a bunch of work to get them ready for the festival.
"Rin, wash my kimono!" Naroku would say.
"Rin, polish my armor!" Dracon would say.
"Why do you have armor if you never get out of the house?" Rin muttered to herself.
All day, Rin polished armor and washed kimonos. As soon as they were ready, she had no time to get ready to go the festival herself.
"You're not allowed to go," Rigast said, "You must stay here and do something stupid because I hate you for some reason."
"Yeah!" Naroku agreed, "No one would look twice at a dirty urchin like you anyway."
"Such a lowborn girl doesn't belong near the prince," Dracon agreed.
Rin was so heartbroken, she cried.
The three mean men left.
Then, in a flash, a beautiful woman appeared.
"Rin, you are a kind, loving young woman," the woman said.
"Who are you?" Rin asked.
"I am Lady Inukimi, Sesshomaru's mother," Inukimi said, "That boy of mine is a fine demon, but completely clueless where it comes to women. So I have to make sure he does not marry someone unsuitable like that Kimiko woman. I think you will do."
With a wave of her hand, Inukimi changed Rin's ragged Kimono to a lovely one with four layers of silk.
"Go to the festival and twist that son of mine around your finger," Inukimi said.
With that, the strange woman vanished.
Rin was confused, but very happy she could go to the ball. So, with a happy smile on her face, she ran for the festival.
Now, Sesshomaru was bored, and would have rather been wandering the wilderness or battling someone rather than be at the festival. And he absolutely hated talking to Ryuu, Dracon, and Naroku.
But then, he saw Rin. And instantly fell in love with her. (That is stupid, but the story says he does, so he does.) Rin, of course, fell in love with the handsome, powerful prince. And they spent the evening together.
"Ha ha ha!" Naroku said, "I am not here to dance and eat! I have come… to devour all your souls!"
With that, Naroku transformed into a big spider demon. But Sesshomaru's cool little brother stepped forward with his sword Tessaiga.
"Wind Scar!" Inuyasha shouted.
"No!" Naroku said.
"There you go," Inuyasha said, "Now your festival isn't ruined!"
"You've destroyed half the town, half-witted, half-brother," Sesshomaru replied.
"Oh no!" Inuyasha said in dismay.
"Sit boy!" Kagome shouted.
As she said the words, Inuyasha was pulled to the ground by the Beads of Subjection for destroying half the town and writing himself into the story. Then he had to clean up the mess all by himself.
Sesshomaru and Rin got married that day and later had a pretty little girl with snow white hair, but that's another story.
…
"Come on!" Inuyasha said, "I thought the story could use a little excitement."
"Next time, I'll kill your character off," Midori replied.
"This isn't even how the story goes," Kagome sighed, "Where are the glass slippers?"
"This is better," Inuyasha said, "I always thought that old story needed more demons and swords."
"It would be a pain to rewrite it," Midori said, "Well, whatever."
Midori painted the scene of Inuyasha destroying Naroku with the Wind Scar. Then the one of her parents getting married.
…
Sango Trapped in a Tower (Rapunzel)
Once upon a time, there was a witch. She grew a garden full of tasty greens. (I guess they were, I hate vegetables.) So man snuck in and stole some. And the witch got mad. So the witch stole their daughter and locked her in a tall tower. Her name was Sango.
Sango's hair grew and grew and grew. And it grew until it could reach the bottom of the tower. Now, a man was wandering by. The monk looked up and saw the pretty girl.
"Excuse me, fair lady, might you lower your hair so I can climb up?" he asked.
"Do you think I'm going to let you pull at my hair, you weirdo?" she asked, "There's a curse on the door that I can't break. Get a monk who can break that!"
"I happen to be a monk, fair lady," he said, "I shall break the curse."
So the monk broke the curse. Miroku, for that was the handsome monk's name, was so impressive that the pretty Sango fell in love with him right away.
"Miss, would you bear my children?" he asked Sango.
"Oh, Master Monk," she blushed, as pink as a cherry blossom in spring, "I promise I shall, and I shall follow you all the days of my life. We will have four wonderful children together."
Then she fell into his arms and they traveled for her home village to get her parents' blessing.
Just kidding. The woman was crept out by the proposal from a total stranger and hit him on the head.
"Get away from me, you pervert!" Sango said, "I'm off to train as a demon slayer."
With that, she walked away back to her father's village.
…
"Will you stop writing all over my scrolls?!" Midori shouted.
Sango and Miroku both looked at her awkwardly and dropped the brushes in their hands.
"We just thought your story could use a little drama," Miroku said.
"You just thought you could make yourself look cool," Sango said, "And since when do I talk the way you wrote me?"
"Well, that's how I choose to remember our courtship."
"You flirted with every woman you saw, even after promising to marry me," Sango huffed.
"Leave my scrolls alone," Midori snatched up the scrolls.
"Master Miroku, aren't you here to see the twins?" Akito asked.
"Ah, yes," Miroku said, "Let's go, Sango."
The couple left the room. Midori laid out the scroll and groaned.
"This is good enough," she decided.
…
Sleeping Annoyance
Once upon a time, blah blah blah. Anyway, a princess was under a curse to sleep because her parents made a fairy angry. She pricked her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel because no one had ever told her not to touch one. Vines of roses grow all around the castle with sharp thorns. And the princess slept in the castle for over a hundred years.
A wandering monk named Akito came walking by, seeing the overgrowth of rose vines. He used his scared arrow to shoot the vines down. He explored the castle, coming across the princess.
When Master Akito saw the lovely young maiden, his heart was stolen for he fell in love with her loveliness. Her name was Rei-
Actually, her name was Aimi. Master Akito approached her and bent down to kiss her awake and break the spell.
Ignore that paragraph up there. As I was saying, the princess's name was Rei. The woman named Aimi was a witch disguised as the princess in hope of luring Master Akito away and eating his soul.
No! That was a lie, Aimi was the real princess.
No, it was Rei!
It was Aimi!
Akito placed a sacred seal on the castle, protecting all wandering travelers from the evil witch. And the princess was cursed to sleep for eternity. Whoever she was.
…
Growling at Aimi and Rei, Midori took her scroll away. Akito watched them in bemusement.
"Why does everyone keep trying to change my stories?!" Midori grumbled.
Aimi and Rei put the brushes down on the table. Sighing in exhaustion, Aimi looked over at Akito.
"Master Akito, may I speak to you?" Aimi asked.
"Sure," he nodded.
"What? You're going off alone with her?!" Rei asked in horror.
"It's a private matter," Aimi replied.
"I'm not letting you be alone with him," Rei slithered after the pair.
Annoyed, Midori picked up the snake.
"Ooofff!" Rei exclaimed as Midori took a hold of her.
"Let me go!" Rei demanded.
Akito left Rei and Midori behind and took Aimi to the balcony.
"My brother is rebuilding the demon slayer village with our uncle," Aimi said, "I was there last month, and I met a friend of my brother's."
"That sounds nice," Akito said.
"He's asked me to marry him," Aimi said listlessly.
"Oh…" Akito said, "Have you considered it?"
Aimi blinked at him, her eyes filling with tears.
"Aimi…" Akito said quickly, "I… I'm sorry," he bowed his head.
"I know," she replied, "I've been deluding myself for too long. That's why I've decided to give up. When I leave here, I'm going back to the demon village to marry him."
Aimi looked up at him, and standing up on her toes, gave Akito a kiss on the cheek.
"I hope you find happiness, Master Akito," Aimi smiled, "But let's not tell Rei until after I leave, okay?"
"Why?" he asked dumbly.
"Just consider it your wedding present to me," she winked, "Do you like her at all?"
"Well…" he scratched his head, "She's sweet at times, but… I've never really fallen for anyone. If I ever did meet that girl, I'd never let her go."
"I see," Aimi said sadly, "So I had no chance."
"Well… I do wish you the greatest happiness from the bottom of my heart," Akito said, "You should settle for no less than a man who can love you absolutely. Because you are a wonderful woman, Aimi. Even if I'm not the one for you."
"Oh, Master Akito," Aimi sobbed happily, "Thank you!"
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Akito's face turned red as she embraced him.
…
"What are they saying?!" Rei asked.
Midori did not elaborate.
"ARRGGG!" Rei's face turned hot pink with anger.
"Just let it alone," Midori said, "Why do you even care so much?"
"Because Master Akito could be taken away," Rei replied.
"Is it really fair to keep forcing your feelings on him when he doesn't return them?"
Rei's eyes widened. Then she curled around in a circle and laid on the cushions, looking depressed.
"Master Akito saved me," Rei said, "I've always been grateful. I never ever thought I would meet a man I wanted to marry. But then he appeared, like a knight in shining armor. He's so kind and handsome. I can't help but like him."
"How would that even work?" Midori asked, "I mean… you're a snake."
"I have a human form!" Rei shouted.
With a flash, she appeared in a white kimono with pink flowers and a pink obi. She was pretty, with bright blue eyes and long black hair held back by two lotus hairpins.
"Why don't you use that form more often?" Midori asked.
"I like being a snake," she replied, "People carry me around."
"You're a spoiled little brat," Midori declared, "And when I'm saying that, it's sad."
"Why you…" Rei cursed.
"We're back," Aimi said, "Who's that?"
"Rei, you're in your human form," Akito said.
"You're that little snake?" Aimi asked in surprise, "You look so normal. No scales or tale or slit nostrils-"
"I'm a divine messenger, not a demon," Rei replied haughtily.
"So do you have any powers besides transformation?" she asked.
"I have… a few powers," Rei turned pink, "I can cast dispels and purification."
She showed Aimi a charm she carried. Aimi took it in her palm.
"This isn't very powerful," Aimi looked at the charm.
Aimi channeled pure power into the charm, making it glow. Rei gasped in surprise.
"You… you!" she pointed at Aimi.
"My father's a monk," Aimi put the charm down, "Of course I can use pure power. But I chose to be a demon slayer."
"Aimi's very talented," Akito said, "Rei, I've been meaning to ask you."
"Huh?" Rei looked up at him.
"What were you doing that day I found you? With all those demons?" he asked.
"I was… trying to release the human souls that suffered because of that demon's aura," Rei said, "But I got caught in the miasma instead. If you hadn't come along, I would have been lost."
"Hmm…" Akito pondered, "I see… Perhaps you should not take on such powerful opponents while you are still training."
"Yes…" she flushed redder in embarrassment, "I sometimes lose my head and bite off more than I can chew. And I have a fragile constitution to boot."
"How have you survived this long?" Aimi asked.
"Being a snake has some convenience," Rei said brightly, "I can just slip away from danger."
"In other words, you run away."
"I'm no coward!"
"I wouldn't say that," Akito laughed, "I think you're very brave."
Rei's face got pinker.
"I never want to fall in love if it makes me look that goofy," Midori said.
Just then, a young fox demon walked in. With blond hair and blue eyes and a handsome face, he looked around the room.
"I'm looking for Lord Sesshomaru," he said, "I have a message from Ambassador Lin."
"Down the hall," Akito pointed.
The young fox demon bowed. Midori looked up at him. The fox demon gave her a smile. As he did, Midori felt her face heat up and her stomach do cartwheels. When he left, her face was all red.
"Look at that," Aimi teased, "She likes him."
"She's all red," Rei added slyly.
"Shut up! He just took me by surprise! I don't care one bit about Kin!" Midori prattled.
"You even now his name," Rei pointed out.
"He's Ambassador Lin's assistant! He delivers messages to Father and Tsuki. That's all! I never even notice him!"
"He's handsome, isn't he?" Rei asked, "Maybe I should give up on Master Akito and consider him."
A hot swell of anger built in Midori's chest.
"You stay away from him!" Midori said.
"Ha!" Aimi said.
"You like him!" Rei said.
Turning beet red, Midori put her face in her hands and turned away. Hot faced from embarrassment, she hid from the others and their teasing.
"Hey, it's time for the naming ceremony," Kagome said, "Come on."
All of them gathered in the dining hall. Tsukichikara and Ryuu each carried one of the twins. Ryuu held up the demon pup.
"I now present to you, Prince Jianyu," Ryuu announced.
All the demons cheered.
"And, my other son," Ryuu gestured to Tsukichikara.
"Prince Hitoro," Tsukichikara held up the human child.
More cheers came from the hall. After the princes were named, the crowd broke up to eat and to offer congratulations to Ryuu and Tsukichikara.
"I hear you've made an interesting story scroll," Ryuu said to Midori.
He offered her a cake. Taking it, Midori gobbled it up.
"I did, you're in it," she said, "So is Big Sister and everyone else."
"Are you in it?" he asked.
"No, I'm the writer… for the most part," she muttered.
"I hope you'll let me read it."
"You won't change anything?"
"Why would I do that?" Ryuu asked in confusion.
Midori smiled.
"You can read it, Big Brother," she said.
Ryuu's eyes popped as he smiled.
"Mi, did you just call me-"
"It's no big deal," she said, "I just like you slightly more than everyone else this week. Except Big Sister, Mother, Father, Big Brother Akito, Aunt Kagome-"
"I get the idea," he put his hand up to stop her, "But I'm happy you see me as your older brother."
"Well, you make Big Sister happy," Midori admitted, "So you can't be all bad."
"Mi, come over here and say hi to your nephews," Rin said.
Running to her mother, Midori smiled, surrounded by the people she loved.
That was the best story.
Fin.
…
Author's Note: Okay, this is the final chapter. I have had a blast writing this, but I want to move on to other projects. Winter quarter is going to start in January and I am expecting one of my classes to be nightmare inducing. So I am going to stop here.
I hope you have all enjoyed this story. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to those reading in December 2016. Thank you.