Title: To Love A Sakura
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the Inuyasha characters. All rights are reserved to VIZ and the Inuyasha Corp.
Rating: Due to language and later chapters containing graphic adult content this fanfic is rated MA.
Chapter Title: Where it all began
"Daddy?" asked a girl nearly five summers old.
She was dressed in an orange and yellow-checkered kimono and had shoulder length black hair. One section on the side of her head was pulled back into a side ponytail giving her a youthful charm. She had curious hazel eyes and a bright smile that warmed the coldest of hearts.
"Yes, Rin?" her father replied.
Being Lord of the western region of Japan during the Feudal Era, he was dressed in a traditional white silk hakama that was embellished with red sakura blossoms on its sleeves. Upon his left shoulder was a white fur pelt and across his broad chest and toned torso were protective bone armor. At his strong hips were two swords and upon his mighty feet were black boots. His hair was a sleek silver color making his pale skin appear snow white.
Being born a full-blooded inu demon, his eyes were an intense amber gold color and magenta stripes adorned his cheeks, eyelids, wrists and ankles. Unlike other inu demons, his level of strength and power was supreme and he wore a crescent moon upon his brow to symbolize his rank. He moved with effortless grace and never waisted energy. He was the killing perfection and all who crossed his path died a swift death.
Those who'd learned of his name feared him and those who did not know soon suffered for their ignorance. He was cold and unyielding. It was only the child at his side and the female that gave her life that managed to break through his cold exterior. With practiced ease, no emotion ever adorned his face. It was the few that were lucky enough to know him that were able to read his subtle expressions.
"Can you tell me the story of how you fell in love with mommy again?" the little girl asked.
"Rin…" her father sighed as they continued to walk down the gravel path.
"Please Daddy?" the child begged. "I know you told it to me the other day, but it's my favorite!"
"Very well…" her father said as he resigned himself to her request. "Where would you like this one to start?"
"At the very beginning of course!" Rin giggled as she skipped merrily behind her father.
"Hn." her father hummed as he focused on the crooked path ahead. "Once when this one was a boy, not much older than yourself he journeyed into the western wood to explore…"
It had been a full moon that night making it the perfect time to venture out into the darkness. Although his eyes were adapt at seeing in the dark, the moon's ethereal silver light allowed him to see far into the darkest corners of the wood. He'd explored the forest and meadow valley many times but had yet to see it at night.
He'd heard of the beauty of moonflowers and was curious to see them for himself. His only rule from his father was that he must remain in the western territory at all times. If he broke those rules he'd never be allowed to venture alone into the woods again. Excited for the chance to make his father proud he raced off into the darkness. It was on this night that he heard a gentle song blowing upon the breeze.
Loving the lyrical tune he followed it into the meadow. What greeted his eyes was unlike anything he'd ever seen before and it would be a sight he would reflect on for the rest of his life. In the center of the meadow was a small pond that was surrounded by white moonflowers. Having rained earlier in the day the field of flowers was coated in raindrops causing them to shimmer and dance like stars.
At the edge of the pond normally sat a beautiful sakura tree. On this night however, he noticed the tree was missing. All that remained was a giant hole of dirt. At first he thought the tree might have been cut down but upon further inspection he found it to not be missing at all. In fact, the tree had taken the form of a beautiful girl and was sitting on a rock not twenty feet from him. He noticed as she played in the water that she looked to be no younger than a year or two than him.
Being lost in song she did not hear his approach or sense his aura in the meadow. It was only when he accidentally stepped on a twig that she gasped and turned around. He remembered how his breath had hitched in his throat at her beauty. Her facial lines were soft making her bright doe eyes large and round. They were the warmest chocolate brown he'd ever seen and were framed by long sooty eyelashes.
She had dark wavy purple hair that reached just bellow her shoulders and baby pink lips. Although she looked to be dressed in rags he swore he'd never seen a more beautiful female in all his life. He'd seen many pretty women from the castle court but none in his opinion compared to her. Her natural grace was simply breathtaking and he knew his life after this night would never be the same.
He remembered how his heart had raced in his chest and how clammy his fingers had gotten from staring at her in awe. Never in his young life had he felt this way towards a female and he was frozen stunned at the sight of her. His heart had been forever captured in that moment. Being too lost in his thoughts he did not recognize her fear until she'd dashed off into the woods.
"Wait!" he shouted as he ran after her. "Don't go!"
Although the girl got a head start, he noticed she didn't run nearly as quickly as he did. Her leg movements were stiff like they weren't used to the motion of running and it appeared that lifting her limbs off the earth caused her to expend an excessive amount of energy. Her footsteps sounded heavy like a horse as she ran and her clawed toes snagged on everything causing her to stumble to the earth more than once. He wondered if her being a tree was the reason for her difficulty. Not wanting her to escape the western lands he picked up the pace and blocked her path in seconds.
"AH!" she cried out when he landed right in front of her. Terrified he was going to hurt her, she turned and began to run in another direction.
"Stop! You don't have to run anymore!" he shouted as he blocked her way.
"What do you want?!" she wept as her fear-filled eyes welled with tears.
"I didn't mean to scare you, I promise!" he said as he cautiously stepped towards her. It broke his heart to see her cry. "I heard you singing and came to listen."
"Really?" the girl sniffled as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Yes! You have a lovely voice." He said making the girl smile shyly.
Seeing the blush color her cheeks caused butterflies to flutter in his stomach. How on earth was it possible that tears clinging to her doe brown eyes accompanied by that subtle smile upon her lips made her look even more beautiful?
"Thanks." She said as she cautiously took a step closer to the young inu demon pup. "What's your name?"
"Sesshomaru." He said making her cock her head to the side.
"Destruction of life… why such a serious name for someone so young?" she asked.
"One day I will be lord of these lands." Sesshomaru said as he motioned to the dark wood around them. "My great and terrible father gave me this name. I hope to live up to it one day."
"That's very honorable of you." She said earning a nod from him.
"When I become of age I will join my father's men on the front lines. There my conquest will be to achieve ultimate power. I don't want to be known for being Inu no Taisho's heir. I want to build a name for myself and become the strongest demon of them all!" Sesshomaru said as he pound his fist in his palm with finality.
"I'm sure if you work hard and keep your spirits high you can do it." She encouraged with a warm smile.
"What's your name?" Sesshomaru asked.
"My name's Kagome." she giggled as she tucked a stray purple curl behind her ear.
"Why haven't I seen you in your humanoid form before?" Sesshomaru asked as they began to walk back towards the meadow. "I pass through this part of the wood all the time."
"I can only come free of my tree form at night." Kagome said causing Sesshomaru's eyebrows to lift in surprise. "I sleep during the day and come out to play at night."
"Interesting." Sesshomaru said as they entered the meadow. "Should you be in danger, are you able to force your tree form back into your humanoid form?"
"No, I can't change back and forth." Kagome sighed. "I can sense what's going on around me while I sleep but cannot change into my human form without the moon."
"That must be frustrating." Sesshomaru said as they began to walk around the pond.
"Yes, and lonely." Kagome admitted causing Sesshomaru's eyebrows to furrow.
"Do you not have family nearby?" Sesshomaru asked.
"No." Kagome said as she sat down on the rock she'd been sitting on earlier. Reaching down towards the water she poked the surface causing a tiny ring to ripple out. "I never knew my father. He was cut down to use as firewood long before I was born and my mother and twin brother died two years ago from a fungal infection."
"What about friends?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Other than the flowers in the meadow and some of the woodland creatures I am alone." Kagome said.
"Why don't you come home with me?" Sesshomaru suggested making Kagome's eyes widen. "My family has a massive garden behind our home. I'm certain our gardener would be more than happy to accommodate you."
"I can't leave." Kagome said regretfully as she nibbled on her lower lip. "A tree is not meant to move from place to place. If I were to re-root in your garden it would likely send my body into shock."
"Then I will simply have to come and visit you." Sesshomaru nodded.
"Really?" Kagome beamed with excitement.
"Sure! I don't have anyone at the castle my age to spend time with besides my baby brother." Sesshomaru shrugged just as the dawn's light began to lighten the sky.
"Alright!" Kagome smiled as she noticed the position of the sun. "Well, that's my cue for bed. Will I see you later tonight?"
"What time should I be here?" Sesshomaru asked as he watched her walk over to an open patch of dirt.
"You are welcome to come back anytime but I won't wake up until after the sun has set." Kagome said as she began to burry her feet under the earth. Just as the sun peaked over the horizon her skin began to stiffen. "Goodnight Sesshomaru."
"You mean good morning." Sesshomaru corrected as he watched her hair turn into sakura branches and her legs fuse together.
"Whatever." Kagome giggled before she closed her eyes and reverted completely into her true self.
Sesshomaru was amazed at her transformation. She went in seconds from a charming demon child to a sturdy demon tree complete with dark rugged bark and a lush canopy. Having a dog form himself, he understood the need to transform. Unlike Kagome however, he could transform at will and remain in each form for as long as he wished.
Seeing how she could transform into a humanoid body he knew she held some level of power but nowhere near as strong as he. He wondered if her lack in controlling her transformation was simply due to inexperience or truly a restriction on her species. As he walked out of the meadow he took one last look at her true form. Even as a tree she was beautiful to him.
Although she was still a sapling, her trunk was strong and her branches looked healthy and vibrant. Being early spring her canopy was adorned with tiny sakura buds and vibrant green colored leaves. It wouldn't be too much longer till she bloomed. He didn't doubt it would be a spectacular sight. Not wanting his father to worry he raced home. He couldn't wait to tell him all about his new friend named Kagome.
[End of Chapter 1]