The attack, and the subsequent truths she'd shared with Tōga after, brought to their relationship a closeness that had not existed before. They'd loved each other, surely, and enjoyed each other's company—but there had been secrets before where there were none now.
Each vision was shared in exquisite detail, each strategy plotted out point-by-finite-point. There were nights they grew so frustrated with each other—exhausted, their throats parched from speaking out every facet of every vision and strategy—that they could not even look at each other without growling.
And yet, every day he reminded her of their love, even if they were angry with each other, or maybe becausethey were angry with each other—his yōki was a constant presence in her mind, wrapped around her heart, as hers was with his.
It was as disconcerting as it was exhilarating, this newness to their relationship.
But it made the weeks they would spend apart bearable as he patrolled and hunted and she kept the Citadel running. It kept her thoughts off the perplexing changes each of the pups exhibited through the course of the year.
Fuiasu glanced at the young princess at her side. Izayoi's change was the most surprising of all. The future she'd once seen for the girl was changing, bit by bit. Now each time she had a vision of her, it was like watching through a bowl of water—every image shifting and off-kilter. She did not know what to make of it and so she kept her close.
The Western Lady was a bit embarrassed to admit it had taken her a few months after the attack to notice what Izayoi was doing in the court. Where Kagome and Sesshoumaru both retreated into themselves, it appeared Izayoi was taking some comfort in the court, or at the very least laying the groundwork for some plan she had yet to share.
"I'm more interested in what you learned in court today than I am in a memorial for a hanyou who couldn't even do his job properly."
"For Atsuki," Izayoi corrected. "A gallant youkai who gave his life to help save me and Kagome. I'd say he did his job more than properly—we're both alive, aren't we?"
"Hnn." She set the note down again and picked up the tea Izayoi had poured for her. "This one supposes it can be done. The child is intent on having her way, at any rate."
Izayoi smiled. "She usually is."
For a time, there was silence now that the matter of the memorial had been settled. This was one of the changes Fuiasu most enjoyed about the princess. There was a companionable stillness she'd only ever before experienced in Tōga's company. Though she knew it would one day change if the future she'd first seen for Izayoi held true, she was content to enjoy it while it lasted. At least for now.
"The Lady Kevi is intent on offering her eldest daughter as a match for Sesshoumaru-sama," Izayoi said after several minutes had passed in the comfort of their quiet and tea. "She reckons they would be a good pair and aims to work her way into your good graces."
Fuiasu snorted. "She sabotaged her brother from attempting to woo this one and now she wants the heir to the West? How daring."
"There are those in the court who think both me and Kagome are future matches for Sesshoumaru-sama, my lady. In that thinking, some of the lower-born in your court think their daughters might also be suitable matches." The idea of either herself or Kagome as betrotheds to Sesshoumaru was laughable to Izayoi, though she knew better than to say so.
"Sesshoumaru will mate whomsoever we choose for him. It should be obvious the female in question would have more qualifications than any offspring Kevi could produce. Filthy panthers." Fuiasu frowned. "Why do you speak of this? Surely there is more to this information if you deign to share it."
Izayoi hesitated.
"Out with it." Fuiasu set her cup down, a definite click echoing in the otherwise silent room.
"Lady Kevi is close friends with Lord Ryūkotsusei's mate, the Lady Ryūkotsusei-sama.
Lady Ryūkotsusei-sama. Hn. "You discern there may be ulterior motives there, other than those of her intentions towards Sesshoumaru."
"The attacker he spared on the night of the attack, he laid blame on the dragons. Additionally one of the demolished villages reeked of dragons, according to one of the soldier's wives." She paused and set her cup down too. "Fuiasu-sama, please reconsider your position to allow me to join the war camps. There's so much more to be done there than there is, flitting about in court."
The tips of Fuiasu's lips turned down, the only outward sign of her annoyance as she picked her cup up and took a sip of tea. "You are a human girl, not yet a woman and certainly not a warrior of any merit." Yet. The addition was unspoken, a nod towards Izayoi's efforts in the evenings. "What can you possibly hope to do that my mate and army cannot do themselves?"
"You ask me that every time, and every time I give you the same answer. I know I am of little value to the West and I know I have little to offer anything more than what I might give a husband, but I came to your pack because of my abilities—abilities that saved Kagome's life." She ached to stand, to pace holes into the carpet or tap her fingers in a staccato on the beautiful wood table, anything to relieve the restless ire lingering on the tip of her tongue, the backs of her teeth.
Instead, she straightened her shoulders and kept her gaze locked on Fuiasu. "My life changed irrevocably the moment Tōga-sama took me from my family, when I was too young to be given a choice. I have never asked you or your court for anything. Please, grant me this one request to join the war camps." Please, get me out of this palace and away from the gawking stares of the youkai who think I don't belong. Tension was a collar around her shoulders, but she refused to bow to it.
Minutes passed in that quiet room, the only sound the plop-plop-plop of water as it dripped from a fountain just outside, while Fuiasu considered. It was Izayoi's fate, not just her wish, to go to the war camps and she was tired of fighting it. She and Tōga had agreed that she would not interfer any longer. What would happen, would happen—even if it hurt. And so she relented.
"After the hare's memorial, you and Kagome both will join the war camps and continue your training there."
o.O.o
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