Author's Note: Archiving (some of) my 2017 Inuvember oneshots in this collection. Free day (for ships) prompt.

Originally posted here & Tumblr: Nov. 30, 2017

Posted here: Nov. 7, 2021

Setting: Pre-canon

Characters: InuTaisho/Izayoi

Words: 364

Rated: K

Genre: Romance

Under the Blooming Sakura

It was an ordinary day when her life changed forever.

Izayoi was taking a stroll under the blooming sakura trees, reveling in the beauty of the season, when her eyes fell upon a startlingly more beautiful sight: a tall, stately man, wearing exotic clothing that resembled that of a war general, especially with two swords tied at his hip. His long, silver hair flowed dramatically in the wind, his face turned up and eyes closed, clearly enjoying the sensation of the wind against his face.

Izayoi stared blatantly, completely captivated by this strange man's beauty, until she noticed that his ears were pointed. A demon! She stepped backwards without thinking, snapping a twig. Panicking, she hid behind the nearest tree, blushing over her foolishness, because she couldn't help but peek around the trunk to see what his next move would be.

"There is no need to be afraid," he said, without looking in her direction. "I won't harm you."

There was no honeyed malice or threat in his voice. It was calm, soothing, and as beautiful as the man himself. Izayoi stood, brushing the dirt and sakura petals from her kimono, and stepped timidly forward.

"I-I thought all demons hate humans," she blurted out, half wanting to hit herself for being so impudent. But something about this demon who resembled a man made her want to trust him. After all, the fact that he didn't attempt to hurt her despite having every advantage made her curious.

The demon finally turned around and looked down, making eye contact. He visibly caught his breath, though it was so subtle no one would have noticed unless they were as close to him as she was. He reached out his hand – Izayoi noticed with a tremble that he had claws rather than nails – and gently brushed a petal off her hair. Her heart nearly stopped. She stared into those golden eyes, completely lost in the moment.

"Not all demons are alike," he whispered, straying a single claw to stroke her loose hair.

And in that moment, Izayoi's quiet, simple life upheaved entirely as she fell deeply in love with the Great Dog Demon of the West.