AN: Just to remind everyone- manipulation will be part of this fic, so I suppose it falls into the category of a dark romance. The Fae aren't sweet little innocent creatures so hopefully this comes as no surprise and ya'll are ok with some horror-ish vibes.
Chapter Three
She made no mention of the stripes or one-night stand. No point in telling Eri or Yuka- they were infamous gossips, hungry for stories to pass around. Ayumi was a good candidate but could be easily manipulated into spilling secrets by their more pushy friends.
This meant concealing her body as much as possible, which was a tad awkward considering Yuka's husband had wanted a more Western wardrobe for their wedding; which meant bridesmaid dresses. And subsequently copious amounts of make-up to hide the love bites.
Cool air kissed her neck as she watched the ceremony, standing outside with a dainty bunch of Lycoris flowers in hand. Flyaway strands of dark hair curled around her ears, and Kagome fussed with them absentmindedly, unused to an updo.
She silently congratulated herself for getting through the wedding without working herself up. Truth be told, the markings had freaked her the fuck out- and a certain thing towards the West wasn't helping matters, acting as a grim reminder of that mysterious night.
From her position under the marquee- situated near the abbey ruins as Yuka had wanted- she could see thin, sharp trees amassed into an eerily still forest. As promised; a blackthorn tree stood separately, littered with morning frost.
Applause rang out, startling Kagome out of her reverie. She hurriedly tucked the flowers into the crook of her arm and clapped; Yuka and her new husband exchanging a kiss.
Mild guilt curled in Kagome's stomach for missing their vows. To make up for being distracted, she threw herself into assisting with photos.
Chilly guests huddled close, smiling for the camera or posing. Yuka's mother and father remained grim faced, unhappy so little of their Japanese traditions had been included. Kagome helped arrange shots, occasionally taking a few candid ones herself to send to Yuka's relatives in Japan who couldn't make it.
But while everyone busied themselves with arranging transport to the wedding reception, Kagome took the chance to slip away.
She shouldn't have done it.
She should've stayed with everyone and maybe explored later if she'd had time. But time was not on her side. They'd be returning to Japan in less than 24 hours and she couldn't imagine getting another opportunity like this. She just wanted a look. One little look. Besides, the tree wasn't even that far away.
What's the worst that could happen?
Wrapping her lacy shawl around creamy shoulders, Kagome hurried down a small hill and slinked into the woods.
No one had called out or seemed to notice her absence. Kagome felt thankful for this, along with the lack of rain and relatively dry grass. She kept her steps as light as possible, heels occasionally becoming stuck in thick mud.
"Damn it," she grunted, yanking her leg to dislodge her bridesmaid heels once more. She'd already hitched up her seashell pink skirts, which billowed airily around her. The material clung tight and lacy around her waist and chest, shoulders bare and only protected by the thin shawl.
Grumbling about poor wardrobe decisions for the chilled, Irish countryside, Kagome navigated through spindly trees.
After about 10 minutes, she finally caught sight of the enormous tree. It had taken much longer than initially expected but she supposed her footwear had slowed her down.
Small white blossoms were flowering upon sharp twigs, which seemed to be developing into thorns. Dark, smooth bark gleamed under murky sunlight when it managed to escape from behind a cloud.
Kagome approached warily, feeling a little strange. The sound of an aeroplane passing high overhead grounded her slightly, the distant roar a comfort. Her hand absentmindedly rested on her lower abdomen, the other reaching up to locate a familiar mark.
It was embedded into the bark just as advertised in her magazine. A weaving symbol, the same one that had been on Kairi's necklace. She'd wondered if it were a forgotten Celtic knot of some kind, having found nothing matching its design.
But ultimately nothing happened.
No magical event occurred; no blue glowing lights or radiant shine. Just the wind whistling through sharp, spindly branches.
Kagome shivered, standing alone and no more enlightened than before. Wrapping her arms around herself, a blush rose to her cheeks.
"Stupid," she mumbled. "I knew I shouldn't have come here. This was a dumb idea," turning, she abruptly stopped, a memory occurring to her.
It wouldn't hurt to look.
Biting her lip, Kagome rested a palm upon its cool bark, slowly walking around the blackthorn tree. She wasn't sure what she'd been searching for; maybe someone would appear from around the corner. A pretty stranger like the white-haired boy, who would answer all her questions. The air seemed to change, a pressure expanding out from the tree and then vibrating back inwards.
But disappointment rose again. Kagome remained alone.
Shaking herself, she firmly shut the lid on such childish, fairytale ideas. The magenta markings were just a drunken mistake. A weird tattoo. And as for Kairi, he'd been nothing but a fifteen year old's fantasy as she'd worried about her future.
Nodding to herself, Kagome turned in the direction of the marquee in order to head back-
- only to find the grounds empty.
Her stomach lurched.
What?
No way could they have packed that monstrously large thing away so quickly. And besides, where were the guests? The waiting cars? She hadn't taken that long, had she? What's more, that roaring from earlier had cut off.
Kagome raised her head, searching for the aeroplane that had just been gliding through the sky- but no tracks marked through the clouds. It was like it had simply ceased to be.
Hitching her skirts up, Kagome trotted madly back the way she'd come through the trees. Her foot slipped on a wet patch- ankle twisting to one side as her heel snagged.
Yelping, she growled and managed to catch herself, tearing the thing off her foot.
"That's it."
Removing both heels, she ran.
Uncaring of the mud now flicking up, peppering her legs with dirt, Kagome panted. She didn't have a phone- she'd left it inside her clutch bag, which Ayumi had helpfully held onto.
At worst, this meant walking back to her hotel or hitchhiking. However, she couldn't dispel the feeling of wrongness churning up a fierce whirlpool inside her gut. What was going on?
And was it her imagination or had the Abbey roof looked...repaired, when she'd glimpsed it? The building hadn't seemed quite so aged as before.
Shaking this away, Kagome hurried on.
It was no use. Somehow what had turned into a previously 10 minute journey now stretched on for hours. Kagome's legs ached, and she finally stopped, sitting down upon a tree-stump.
Her skin felt flushed, coated with a thin layer of sweat.
The atmosphere had changed within the woods. Anorexic trees now seemed packed tighter together, harsh sunlight managing to creep in unexpectedly, blinding her with sunspots. Even the air choked her with its humidity.
Kagome breathed out slowly, tongue parched.
She'd tried calling for help but the woods seemed to swallow all sound inside its mass. Even the insects and birds seemed to chirp louder inside the maze, as though placed inside a container.
It was like the trees had accepted her in but now declined to let her leave.
Swallowing thickly, Kagome rose shakily once more.
"I just have to try again," she muttered, steps quickening with a burst of renewed panic- muddied ankle snagging on a tree root.
Yelping, Kagome dropped her pink heels- chin colliding with the forest floor. Leaves kicked up around her, settling as she sputtered. With a frustrated groan, she lifted her head.
Bare, pale feet registered first.
The toenails were slightly sharp, ankles curiously striped- something that tugged at her memory. White, billowing silks were next, Kagome's gaze slowly dragging up, rendered speechless.
She supposed him to be a man, though a hint of androgynous beauty made her unsure. One thing Kagome knew beyond doubt, with absolute certainty- was that the person now standing before her was the single most beautiful being she'd ever laid eyes on. Long snowy white hair fell down his back, near touching the ground. A sharp looking, modest crown of blackthorn spikes and white blossoms sat neatly upon his head, pointed ears catching her dazed attention. Pale skin clashed with cuts of magenta slashing over high cheekbones in exotic markings, a crescent moon marking his brow. Burning golden eyes stared down at her. When he shifted slightly, the sunlight caught them, a white glow reflecting off slit pupils.
"Ah," he said at last, as though placing her face. Vague relief coloured his expression, "we finally cross paths."
The man smiled then, in a way that seemed ill-fitting for such a blank, porcelain face; all white teeth and glinting eyes. It was not a smile that assured Kagome, fairly certain they'd never met before- but the magenta stripes were striking, familiar.
"Uhh…"
"Well met, dear one," he uttered, voice gliding rich and velvety into her ear canal.
Something niggled in the back of Kagome's mind, blue eyes widening. "Well met," she returned the greeting.
He leaned down, snowy strands of hair falling forward as a claw-tipped hand was offered out, nails resembling the colour of white opals.
Kagome felt a strange pressure in the air. Every bird and insect had grown quiet, the forest holding its breath. It reminded her of that strange night in July. Reaching up, she accepted it- allowing firm fingers to wrap around hers, guiding the young woman to her feet. His skin felt cool. Her fingers tingled when she let go, as though they'd hovered over snow.
"I did not expect to find you here. You have strayed quite far from home, have you not?"
She arched a brow, flesh calling out for more of his touch. Absentmindedly fussing with her messy updo, Kagome tried to brush mud off her dress. "Guess so, though something tells me this country isn't where you're originally from either."
His smile turned playful, "What gave me away? The lack of accent?"
"Maybe, among other things," she smiled back, charmed. Kagome then stopped, realising it was a little odd to be talking to a stranger with such familiarity. "It's nice to meet you, Mr…?"
His mouth twitched up at the corners. "Will you not give me your name first?"
That strange warning niggle itched at her mind again. Kagome felt sweat bead on her brow. Had the sunlight always been that strong? The air hadn't felt quite so still before. Something was wrong. She couldn't explain what, but it was there. Somehow his voice and mere presence had distracted her from the very real and sobering fact that she was conversing with someone obviously not human.
Why am I so calm?
She offered another smile, gesturing behind her. Alarms bells started ringing in the back of her mind, muted, but she held onto them by her fingertips. "I should really go, actually. Gotta find my way back to my hotel- and I won't make much progress by talking with handsome strangers."
"Hn, it would surprise you how wrong you are."
It took a great deal of strength for her to drag herself back a few paces.
Where was she going again?
Focus Kagome. Cut through whatever crap is clouding your head. Need to… need to leave.
The Abbey! She remembered. Get to the Abbey.
His confidence seemed to waver, and the man tilted his head slightly, gaze narrowing.
"Stay. This one has long awaited you," he commanded softly, tone lulling.
Sweat beaded on her neck but Kagome shook herself firmly. The sunlight was so strong, highlighting the pretty crown of flowers upon his head- which blurred the second she relaxed her eyes, morphing into antlers.
"W-what…?" Kagome breathed, the crown back in place a second later, like the image had been a trick of the light. "What is this? What's going on?"
In light of her mounting terror and unease, the stranger merely gave another curl of his lips, teeth seeming much sharper than before.
"Your eyes are unexpectedly perceptive, are they not, dear one? How interesting. I find them quite pleasing," he purred, eliciting goosebumps to raise upon her skin, body melting- sighing with pleasure at the compliment.
'How lucky!' the wildflowers seemed to say as they danced in a phantom breeze, their sweet scent making her dizzy. 'Accept him! Accept the King of the Forest!'
Kagome swiftly caught herself, inching back again.
"Do not flee," silken tones darkened, causing her to halt- muscles strung tight. "We have much to discuss."
"How do you...know me?" she asked stiffly. He'd said they'd 'finally crossed paths' and yet things felt so confusing. "Have we met before? I… recognise those stripes you have."
This seemed to catch him by genuine surprise. Curiosity ignited his gaze. "Explain."
She squinted, putting a hand to her pounding head. Why did her mind stray to that man at the bar? "I saw a wrist like yours 10 years ago, marked with stripes. That person was hidden behind a tree, so I couldn't see their face. I think… it was your voice I heard too. They disappeared soon after, taking a white-haired boy with them. Kairi was his name. There's also…"
"Yes?"
Honeyed eyes had sharpened into something watchful. A hunter's gaze. Eyes that could devour her.
It unnerved her enough to stop, neglecting to mention the magenta marks branding her lower abdomen. "Never mind," Kagome glanced away, trying to keep control of the fog curling inside her head.
The man arched a brow, amusement passing over his features as he turned soundlessly, gesturing with an elegant motion towards a dirt path that hadn't been there previously.
"You seem weary. Parched, no doubt. Join me. I can provide you with food and drink while we… talk."
Kagome glanced at him, searching devastatingly flawless features. He looked too perfect. Unnaturally so, and hurt to stare at for too long.
"Whatever's fogging my head, I want you to cut it out," she said bluntly. "I like my thoughts clear. Do that, and I'll agree to come along."
Vicious delight flashed, teeth most definitely fangs now. "You seek to bargain with me?"
She inwardly shivered but held her ground. Whoever this being was, she felt certain he'd also manipulated the woods, causing her to lose her way. It didn't escape her notice that he kept dodging answering questions. She'd have to start doing the same.
If he refused to lift the fog clouding her mind, Kagome would stubbornly return to wandering inside his damn maze rather than give in.
He seemed to understand this, giving a careless flick of his deadly fingers. "Very well."
Immediately everything seemed to relax. Kagome took in a long breath gratefully, lungs expanding. The air didn't taste so cloyingly sweet, and her mind surfaced from underwater. However, the woods did not return to normal. No Abbey could be seen between thin trunks.
"I can't see the Abbey."
"You cannot see it because the forest took you deep into its embrace," he said uncaringly. "That place is several miles away from here, dear one."
Upon looking at him, blue eyes strayed around his head. "… I still feel like I'm not looking at you clearly."
Golden eyes smiled, darkening with clandestine promises. "You may take a closer look tonight if you wish."
A blush coloured her cheeks, unbidden. "What… are you, exactly?" she asked carefully, finding no other way to phrase it.
He considered her with a flat, haughty gaze, chin tilting up. "Do you ask the woods what they are and expect an answer, human?"
"Fair enough, but I still need to call you something. You're wearing a crown. Perhaps I should be referring to you as 'your highness.'"
She'd said it in a light tone, secretly fishing for information- and was rewarded with a rich, velvety chuckle caressing her hearing. The positively delicious sound turned her lower abdomen into mush, that traitorous blush darkening in the wake of his smirk. "It is a little late for formalities. If you merely give me your name first, then I will gladly reciprocate-"
"I'm good," she chirped with a saccharine grin. "But thanks- your interest in me handing over my name makes me pretty confident in assuming you're Fae, right?"
"Oh?" inhuman eyes danced while his face remained impassive, not threatened by her discovery. "I did not think a woman from a country so far away would know that term."
"Blame my Grandpa," Kagome shrugged, heart thundering. Fae. Shit.
She could barely remember anything about them, other than to never hand over her name. They had a weakness too. Was it silver or iron?
Damn it. Come on, brain. Dredge up some of Grandpa's old boring lectures.
"Hn," thin lips twitched, seeming to look right through her bravado. He then thought for a moment, attention resting on distant green treetops. "If you must address this one, call me Sesshoumaru."
She got the feeling he'd just made that name up on the spot. 'The Killing Perfection' didn't exactly ease the tight, worried knot in her stomach.
Blue eyes slid from the sharp barbed crown adorning his silvery head, down to deadly claws resting at his side.
Somehow she felt that name fit snugly.
"Come."
Kagome watched him walk leisurely down the path, not bothering to wait for her reply. Steeling herself, she took a breath. Following this 'Sesshoumaru' creature could mean sinking further into whatever haze he'd just clouded her thoughts with, but at least it meant possibly weaselling out some damn answers.
And if he could muddy her thoughts, he had the power to it again if she refused his offer.
She reluctantly followed in the hopes of formulating a plan, leaving her dirty pink heels behind.