On a Wing & a Prayer

Part XIX: Realizations

Gina stopped when she heard the clatters of a war band. She looked around, and soon, she saw the light of torches. A small smile crossed her face. Good, she thought, They'll take me home, and then I'll get to marry Lord Kurai and give him children and forget about that jerk Sesshomaru completely!! She took a few steps forward into the main path of the forest.

A moment later, she could see the horses and the men on them, and she the first man she saw was a handsome young prince wearing golden armor, his family crest on gauntlets and his horse's barding. She recognized this man immediately. Gina bit her lip, almost passing out in joy, but then remembered that she had to get his attention immediately.

"Lord Kurai!!! It is I, Lady Gina!!" she cried, running toward him. The man turned his head, gasping silently as he saw her. As more soldiers approached, he leapt off his horse and ran to her. Gina, smiling ear to ear, ran and met him half way. The young prince took her into his arms, looking amazed. "Oh, Gina milady! You've been missing so long, we all believed that you had met a most terrible fate!" he exclaimed.

Gina simply laughed it off, then snuggled against him. A soldier ran over to the two, looking amazed as well the Gina still lived. "Milady! You're safe! Would you like me to summon the doctors?" he asked. Gina looked down. Her feet and legs were quite cut up from running through the thick underbrush, and she certainly didn't want to travel after what had occurred earlier. "Yes, please, good sir. I'm also quite tired…if we could only rest, Lord Kurai?" she asked.

The young lord nodded. "Of course, milady. I would not want you to strain, especially with what you have been through," he said. The other soldier nodded. "Yes, milord Kurai. I'll tell the others to set camp and to summon the doctor to Lady Gina's care at once," he said. With that, he walked off, and his commands could be heard through the woods.

Sesshomaru watched as Kurai led Gina over to his horse, covered by the foliage. He could feel tears welling and his claws digging into his palms as he watched the woman he loved being helped onto the young lord's horse, almost like a knight in shining armor rescuing her. He caught one last whiff of her marvelous scent, picking up that of the young lord. The lord's scent seemed vaguely familiar, but he didn't care. He just wished that he could be with Gina. But of course, that was now out of the question.

As Gina sat sidesaddle on the horse's smooth, leather saddle, she sighed. She had always been told to sit this way, told some strange tale that sitting like a man would make childbirth difficult. She had almost forgotten all of the proper innuendos, but she realized that she must follow the trivial little rules now that she was a princess again. Kurai quickly got on as well, seated in front of her. She gently wrapped her arms around his waist, sighing yet again.

"We're only going back half a mile, milady. To the center of the camp, where it's safer," he said. Gina gave a slight nod. "Alright," she said gently, nuzzling against him. But again, her thoughts began to stray toward Sesshomaru. Is he hurting as much as I am? Did I break his heart when I left? No!!! I can't love him! He's a demon, I'm a mortal! It's as simple as that! Besides…I'm engaged to Lord Kurai. She simply nuzzled deeper into Kurai's back, nodding off into a light sleep, which was filled with dreams of her and her future husband. I think I'll give him nine children. No, ten. He'll love me more if I give him many heirs…

A little while later, Gina lay on a smooth silk futon as one of the war band's doctors treated her wounds with different salves and wrapped her feet and calves in bandages. She sighed, looking up into Kurai's hazel eyes, who had been by her side the entire time. The doctor gave her a slight nod, directions that she didn't listen to, and then left.

"Can I get you anything, milady?" Kurai asked. Gina simply shook her head, propping herself up on a pillow. But of course, Kurai insisted, and began mixing a small cup of tea for her. "No, Lord Kurai, spare yourself the trouble. I can prepare my own tea," she said gently. Kurai simply shook his head. "No, no. I don't want you to have to lift a finger," he replied.

Gina smiled gently, then closed her eyes. "You're too good to me, milord," she said gently. Taking this opportunity, Kurai pulled a small vile half filled with an orange liquid, putting a few drops into the green tea. He quickly slid the bottle away, stirred the tea a little more, and then tapped Gina on the shoulder. "Milady, your tea," he said gently. She opened her eyes, taking the tea, a large smile dancing on her lips. She took a large sip, and then gave a sigh.

"It's been so long since I've had a good cup of tea," she said gently. Kurai smiled at her. "No problem. I'm just glad you're all right. I know your family will be ecstatic to hear this great news. But…might I ask…how you were able to survive for so long in a land filled with demons?" he asked. Gina nearly choked when he asked this. Sesshomaru had been the one who kept her safe, but…how in all the hells would she explain it?

"Oh, I guess it was just good luck," she replied quietly. She then took another sip of her tea, and set the cup down. "Goodness," she said, interrupted by a yawn, "I guess I was more tired than I had realized. Would you mind excusing me?" Kurai nodded a little, moving the half-finished cup of tea. Then he leaned over, laying a light kiss on her lips. As soon as he pulled away, Gina began to blush, and he stood.

"I am truly sorry, milady. I should not have done that…it was completely inappropriate," he said with the utmost formality. Gina smiled a little. "Do not fear. It's alright," she replied. Kurai smiled, and then walked out of the tent. When he was out of her view, a sinister look crossed his face. "Don't worry, my little tennyo. You will be mine…and then I will have no need to hold myself back," he muttered sinisterly. With that, he walked away, heading to his own tent.

Gina shivered a little, still feeling the warmth for her future husband's lips on her own. She just felt so empty. He was nothing like Sesshomaru. Kurai seemed so cold. And all that kiss did was make her heart ache for Sesshomaru. Gina shook her head lightly. No, she thought, Sesshomaru broke my heart! I can't go back to him! Gina then groaned a little, rubbing her head. "Gods," she mumbled, laying her pillows back down, "I'm so tired…I really should get some sleep." With that, the young woman lay down, and almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.

A few miles away, heading back toward his castle in heartbroken defeat, Sesshomaru walked, a bland scowl on his face. He gave a light sigh, his silver hair being blown in the wind. He was simply thinking about Gina. Her wonderful scent, her beautiful eyes. He had just inhaled that wonderful scent one last time, and yet it still seemed hard to remember. The human she was with…didn't smell exactly…human. The demon lord stopped dead in his tracks as it hit him. The human lord that had rescued Gina was no human at all…but the demon that he had saved her from when they had first met.

No…Gina…I've led her to her death!