Chapter 22. The Time That Passed By
Following morning.
This was a blissful way to wake up. Aya stirred awake, her head resting on the warm naked chest of her lover. Her hand was sprawled across his chest, holding onto him closely as if she worried that he would disappear. She smiled softly as she realized that his arm was all wrapped around her, holding her against him. Aya pressed a soft kiss to his chest before lifting her head gently to gaze up on the sleeping lord. His youkai markings were gone once more as he assumed his human-like appearance once they returned to the sanctuary in the middle of the night and right into her bed. As she observed her lover, blissfully sleeping as he held her against his chest, her mind wandered to the events of last night. Her eyes centered on his features, slowly drinking in the moment as she thought back to their activities. They made love by the onsen. Then he claimed her completely as his mate — his youkai wife, even though that term still sent a wave of fear down her spine. He confessed his feelings to her — she never thought that she would hear such words escape his lips. And then, they returned right here, into these while silk sheets and they made love again, and again, and again. Her eyes remained on her lover, enjoying the sight of him sleeping smiled as her cheeks flushed as her eyes traveled down from his face to the bite mark on his right shoulder — courtesy of her third climax. Oh, she was an animal.
"Morning."
His husky voice sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. She smiled as his eyes remained closed, so she moved a bit higher, bringing her face a bit closer to his. She pressed a soft kiss onto his lips and then smiled as he opened his eyes.
"Good morning. Slept well?" Aya asked.
"Very well," he replied, and he gently brought her down for another kiss.
Aya returned his affection, overwhelmed with her feelings for him. She gently broke the soft kiss to speak.
"You looked so peaceful. I didn't want to wake you."
"It feels quite surreal having you in my bed," he admitted as he had his arm around her.
"Your bed?"
"Yes, you have been staying in my room," Sesshomaru confirmed as a small smirk appeared on his lips.
Aya let out a soft giggle and then said, "Wow, I never knew my grandmother was a matchmaker, putting me in a man's bed just like that."
"She knew about us since the time I had to use the Tenseiga on you at the palace," Sesshomaru said.
Aya bit her lip at the now distant memory and she then softly murmured," I see."
Her hand gently traced his jawline, caressing his features lovingly.
"I'm sorry that you had to wait five hundred years to see me again," Aya added gently.
"I'm sure you will make it up to me," he teased, and he playfully flipped her onto her back, leaving him to hover right above her.
"Oh? Is that your plan? You know, if we do this, I am not going to be able to leave this bed for the rest of the day," Aya said playfully.
"That's fine with me," he teased yet again as he leaned down, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.
Aya returned the intensity, as he deepened the kiss. She let out a soft moan as he broke the kiss and then kiss her jaw. Then his kisses traveled down to her neck, then her collarbone until he settled on her breasts.
"You're insatiable," Aya hummed as she watched him descend from her breasts and making his way lower with a trail of kisses.
Later.
It was late in the day when Aya left Sesshomaru's company in order to tend to her needs such as having a meal with Kagome and Inuyasha. Sesshomaru was busy dealing with Isamu over one of their joint businesses while also dealing with the fact that their Tateyama contact has not checked in. Meanwhile Aya made her way to the hall of records, joining Inuyasha and Kagome to steam over history books and sanctuary records in hope to find something that could lead them in the right direction.
"What are you hoping to find?" Inuyasha asked as he pushed opened one of the large chests and began to dig through its contents.
"Old Ishimizu scrolls. They must have recorded something throughout history don't you think?" Aya said as she browsed through the bound scrolls.
"You're right. There might be some useful information," Kagome agreed, and she searched the lower shelves while Inuyasha checked the over the large chest in the corner.
Aya sighed as her fingers traced the ancient scrolls on healing and then she moved onto the next section. Her thoughts wandered towards Sesshomaru as she thought back to their pillow talk conversation only hours prior.
Flashback
"You know, I haven't been to Japan in decades," Sesshomaru commented as they both laid in bed together.
"Really? Where have you been?" Aya asked.
"Everywhere, but the past decade or so I have been in Aix-en-Provence. I own a villa not too far from Port Grimaud that I prefer to stay at, but I do own an apartment in Paris as well."
"France? I never would have guessed that," Aya replied.
"Blame Isamu. He relocated to Paris shortly before marrying a Frenchwoman. They have two kids. I'm sure you will meet them all eventually when everything will go back to normal," he said.
"Isamu is married?! No way. I mean it has been five hundred years, so I shouldn't be surprised, but I thought that he was an eternal bachelor. She must be quite a woman to handle his ass," Aya laughed.
"She is. I'm sure you two will get along."
"So, your plan is to whisk me away to France?"
"I'm sure you will want to stay in Japan and that is fine with me. However, I don't think you'd be opposed to a three-month getaway in the south of France here and there," he suggested.
"Oh yes, I am so mad at you for whisking me away," Aya teased playfully.
"So, I'm guessing that means you speak fluent French," she added quickly.
"Among other languages, yes," he confirmed.
"Other languages? How many other languages do you speak?"
"Thirteen. When the Westerners came to Japan, we had to acclimate to many changes and that included learning new languages," he explained.
"Makes sense," Aya nodded and she then snuggled closer into the crook of his neck.
"I'm thankful," Sesshomaru said suddenly.
"For?" Aya asked as she remained in her spot.
"Que t'es ici et que t'es mienne," he said softly.
"that you are here and that you are mine," he repeated before he pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
End of Flashback
"FOUND IT!" Inuyasha yelled out as he carried forth a large scroll book and he set it down onto the table.
The trio looked over the book together and began to browse through its dusty leaves.
"This is the book where they jot down important events within Ishimizu? I guess we start looking around the year 1500?" Kagome asked as they scrolled down the thick ancient scrolls that were bound together into a makeshift book.
"Alright here, let's read. This seems like the only mention of us at the palace," Aya said as she located the entries and began to read out loud for Kagome and Inuyasha to hear.
The year is 1505.
The battle of Ishimizu fields has been won and Aihara has been erased from existence with the help of a godly presence. The daughter of Hayao disappears.
The year is 1512.
Kisho of house Ueno, lord of the North, slaughtered the wolf tribes within his lands.
The year is 1587.
The gunpowder weapons created by humans became a nuisance. Many youkai have foolishly perished at the man-made creation. Our numbers are slowly diminishing. Kisho of house Ueno, has allied himself with the human daimyo of the North, taking complete control over the northern region.
The year is 1593.
Kisho of house Ueno declares war on the remaining lords of Japan by launching a full-frontal assault onto the Eastern lands. Lord Isamu loses his lands to Kisho of Ueno and relocates to the Western lands. Kisho gains allies from foreigners. The dragon clan occupies the entire northern and eastern region.
The year is 1620.
Sesshoumaru of the Western lands engages Kisho, of house Ueno in battle in Southern lands. Kisho retreats with heavy injuries from battle.
…
The year is 1818.
The Ishimizu palace has been destroyed by the dragon hordes. The survivors regroup and plan a counterattack.
The year is 1819.
Hayao of house Ishimizu, defeats Kisho in battle while infiltrating the Northern palace. His wife is slain by the joint forces. His son and heir, Ueno Daisuke is missing. The victory of the battle comes at great cost. There are only a few youkai left alive. The remaining allied youkai forces determine to have a treaty in place with the leaders of the human population of Japan.
The year is 1821.
The youkai presence begins to disappear within the lands of Japan. The majority of the human population assumes they became extinct.
The year is 1826.
There have been sightings of Ueno Daisuke, the son of Kisho in the southern isles. He is yet to be captured. The remaining youkai families have assimilated as per the treaty agreement with emperor Ninkou.
The year is 1867.
The Mount Tsukuba Sanctuary is being constructed at the behest of Nomura Sesshoumaru, former lord of the Western Lands. The construction is overseen by Yoshihara Isamu as its architect and contractor. The Sasaki family joins the sanctuary along with several refugees from Okinawa and Southern Honshu.
The year is 1915.
The borders of Mount Tsukuba Sanctuary have been expanded due to the increased number of arrivals. The sanctuary is curated by Uzushi and Mariko, hanyou residents, originally from Hiroshima region.
The year is 1945.
Due to the aftermath of the World War II the number of residents within the sanctuary has decreased.
The year is 1961.
Nomura Sesshoumaru departs from Japan along with Yoshihara Isamu. The Sanctuary is curated by Higurashi Yuugao, a human priest from Tokyo. The number of current residents within the safety of Mount Tsukuba is decreasing each year. The sanctuary is currently housing eighteen youkai and hanyou and their families.
The year is 1965.
The last construction within the walls of the sanctuary has been completed. Yoshihara Isamu returns temporarily to house several refugees within the Tsukuba borders.
The year is 1989.
Higurashi Yuugao, the curator of the sanctuary dies of old age. Kaoru Ishihara, the former lord of house Ishimizu and his wife Chiyo Ishihara relocate to Mount Tsukuba and take over as the primary curators of the complex. Hayao Ishihara marries Deguchi Nanami, a painter from Okayama and the pair permanently relocate to Tokyo.
The year is 1990.
Hayao Ishihara, of house Ishimizu introduces the birth of his daughter Aya.
The year is 1995.
Hayao Ishihara, of house Ishimizu perished along with Yoshiro Higurashi. The two men were driving down the expressway when as per witness statements, a car driving next to them exploded. Both vehicles were decimated. The only remains on the scene belong to Yoshiro Higurashi. The investigation at the scene suggests that Ueno might be involved. Nomura Sesshoumaru returns to Japan after more than two decades overseas. At the behest of the curators, Ishihara Aya is renamed Deguchi Aya. The mother and daughter disappear from Tokyo without a trace.
"This is it. That's the last entry in this book," Aya said her voice laced with frustration as she closed the old dusty book with a loud slam.
"There's nothing in there that would lead us to this Ueno," Kagome groaned.
"I don't understand why they are after my family," Aya exhaled as she tried her hardest to remain as calm as possible.
She felt like a sitting duck. There she was nice and cozy, hidden in a safe place while her mother, the woman who gave birth to her and raised her was somewhere at the mercy of the enemy. Aya's heart ached as her thoughts ventured into a darker place. The thought that she kept locked away as she was not even ready to possibly ponder over its possibility. Was her mother alive?
"Dragon youkai are vengeful. My guess is that this is about revenge. I think that Ueno dipshit is trying to lure you out. It would make sense considering how we were followed all the way to this place," Inuyasha said.
"What do you want to do?" Kagome asked, looking at Aya.
"I-I don't know. There's not much I can do in the first place. I … I need to figure this out," Aya replied as she stood up, making her way towards the door.
"We're here when you need us," Kagome offered.
"Arigatou, both of you," Aya replied with a small smiled before leaving the records room.
Later that night.
Aya laid in bed unable to fall asleep as she contemplated over what she could do. They had no updates. There was no evidence that her mother was even alive and the thought that she so desperately tried to push away kept resurfacing over and over. The possibility of losing her mother terrified her.
She laid on her side, facing the door while her back pressed into Sesshomaru's chest. His arm was wrapped securely around her body as he slept soundly. He stirred suddenly when the sound of his vibrating cell phone reverberated through the wooden nightstand. He pulled away from Aya — who remained still, she closed her eyes as if to pretend that she was asleep. She focused her sensitive youkai hearing, to listen in on his call as she was desperate to hear any news.
"Nomura," Sesshomaru said into the phone as soon as he picked up the call.
"I am willing to trade the mother for the daughter. This is a one-time offer and it will expire once this call is over," the voice on the other side of the line claimed.
"I am not interested in making such a trade," Sesshomaru replied coldly.
"Poor, poor Nanami. It is absolutely fascinating how much pain a mere human can withstand. Well, as you wish," and the caller hung up.
Sesshomaru set down his phone and he looked towards Aya. He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her exposed shoulder and then he slipped off the bed before he left their room. When she knew he was far enough from their room, she reached for his phone and slid her finger across the screen, exhaling in relief as she realized he had no passcode. She observed the last call and pressed it once more, redialing it. When the person on the other end picked up, she spoke first.
"This is Aya," her voice low and calm.
"Ah, how good to finally hear your voice hime," the masculine voice on the other side greeted.
"Where's my mother?" Aya asked.
"With me, alive … for now. But I'm willing to spare her life in exchange for yours."
"I'm listening," Aya replied.
"You must come alone. Don't involve that petulant dog. Get yourself to Tateyama and board the ship on slip eleven in the harbor. The captain will bring you to the destination. You have until tomorrow night. Last chance to save dear old mommy."
"Then until tomorrow," Aya replied.