Mizuko woke the next morning feeling rather tired and sore. Her head felt
heavy and when she sat up the room tipped and spun. Groaning she leaned
forward holding her head in her hands.
"You know, you shouldn't be moving." Inutaisho stated, looking over at her. She was really beautiful. She had long burgundy hair that was still tied back into a thick braid, her bangs wild around her face. At the moment her skin was still pale do to the poison. Her lips were full and her thick eyelashes hid her bright ember eyes. From what he could see she had two ebony stripes on her cheeks, wrist, and he suspected, with a light blush, that hey might cover some other part of body.
"Who are you?" She demanded, groaning again as her head spun. He got up and went to her side and helped her to lay back down again. Her eyes closed, and her breathing grew heavy. Inutaisho's sharp ears picked up the sounds of her army just outside the door wondering if she were alright.
"I am Inutaisho." He ignored her gasp. "I don't understand this. Those herbs I gave you should have helped with this." He reached out touching her forehead, cheeks, and neck. Her skin was cool to the touch. "Is it hard to breath?"
"Kind of." Her eyes opened to look at him. He seemed familiar to her somehow. His calm face with his purple markings on his cheeks, and he had snow white hair falling over her shoulders. He looked just like a inu- youkai except his eyes were a warm chocolate colour.
"I think just to be safe I should take you back to my mother. She might know what to do and if she doesn't then my aunt will." He was interrupted by Jujuka who just burst into the hut.
"My lady, how are you feeling?" He asked and several heads peeked into the hut from the open curtain.
"Jujuka, please not so loud." Her face scrunched up. Her breathes began to come in shorter gasps.
Inutaisho turned to a violet haired youkai. "Go get Juniko." The youkai looked at Jujuka, who nodded, and the youkai disappeared.
"What are you planning, Inutaisho-sama?" Jujuka asked, his voice barely grunting the sama part, almost as if he didn't like to say it. Mizuko turned her head to look at him.
"What do you mean, Inutaisho-sama?" She asked, cutting Inutaisho off from answering.
"Inutaisho-sama, is the son of Sesshoumaru-sama, lord of the western realm." Juniko said as she stepped into the hut. She watched Mizuko's eyes widen before they returned to their normal cool mode. "He has come to set up an alliance with the rebel army so that they may have help in defeating the southern lord."
"I..uh.." She passed out before being able to finish her sentence.
"Juniko, I need to take her to mother and get aunt Kagome to look at her."
After feeling her forehead Juniko nodded. "Yes, I agree. However, I know that they won't let her go alone. I'm sure your father won't mind another visitor." They looked over at the men to find them nodding in agreement. "It wouldn't be a good idea for Jujuka to go, they need him right now."
"I'll go." The same violet haired youkai from before said. He stepped fully into the room and Inutaisho was able to take him in. His violet locks fell just over his shoulders. He wore a dropped sleeved shirt covered by a leather armor vest. Soft leather pants and boots covered his lower half. He had one eye that was silver and the other was ice green. He looked to be a few years older then his sister, or even about his age. A long bow was slung over his shoulder along with a quiver of arrows and he had a wakazashi at his side, Inutaisho guessed for close combat. He gave off an aura of a ice demon; which he knew were rare. Jujuka looked over at the young man.
"I'm trusting her ladyship to you, Zane." Jujuka said glaring at him.
"You can count on me." He looked over at Inutaisho. He bowed deeply. "We should leave soon, Inutaisho-sama, if we wish to get back to Sesshoumaru- sama's castle by nightfall." With that he picked up her bag and put a few things into it then stood waiting for Inutaisho to lift Mizuko onto his back.
They arrived at the castle just as the sun sunk below the horizon. As they entered the main gates, a great shout went up signaling to all those inside that the young lord had return and that he wasn't alone. Inutaisho looked over his shoulder to see how Zane was doing and for the first time noticed the hasten bandages that wrapped around his sleeve of his upper arm and the claw marks running down his neck that peeked out from under more bandages. Zane, where are others would be looking around was simply looked forward, however, Inutaisho could tell he was scanning the surrounding area with his senses and aura.
Rin first heard the call from the library, where she and Sakura sat reading seeing as the day was gloomy outside and ready to pour at any moment. Which it did several minutes later as she and her daughter ran for the front hall. As she started down the final set of stairs she watched out of the corner of her eye as Sakura jumped onto the stone railing and slide down it to the floor where she gracefully landed. But Sakura was stunned still at the sight that met her. There in the entrance hall was her brother carrying a woman and a violet hair man that looked to be wounded as well.
Inutaisho smiled over at his sister, then at his mother as she came into view. His father came hurriedly into the hall from the opposite side of his mother and sister. Rin took one look at the girl on her son's back and demanded to know what happened.
"Mother she was poisoned. We need to get aunt Kagome." He said calmly while making plans to take her upstairs to the second floor and set her in a guest room.
"I'll send a messenger right away." Sesshoumaru said turning to signal a servant.
"Father don't be silly. I'm faster then any servant you can send." She said then turned to another servant to fetch her katanas. She was thankful that she wore Lord Kindo's gift. It was very similar to a kimono but it was spilt up the sides and she wore hakama under it.
"You know every well that's a long way to go and now that its dark youkai will be out hunting." Rin said trying to change her daughter's mind. The servant came back with the katanas and a black cloth to tie back her sleeves. Sakura tired back her sleeves before answering her mother.
"Don't worry mother, I fight better then half the mansion's guards and can run faster then any messenger. I promise to be careful, but that woman needs the help only aunty can give." She tied a black sash around her waist then buried the swords into it. "Besides," she added, "you know every well that on the way back Kioshi will be with us and she can fight just as hard as I can." With that she walked pass the two dripping men in the hall whispering as she went by, "She's the rebel leader, isn't she?" Inutaisho gave a sharp nod. "It's her." Sakura replied simply before throwing open one of the doors and disappeared into the pouring rain, leaving Inutaisho confused.
"Come then, let's get her in a room. You're sister will be soon with your aunt. Until then I'll see what I can do." She then looked at the other male in her entrance hall as her son went up the stairs followed by her mate. She leaned slightly against his mind she found him to be very loyal to his leader. She was startled to find him looking right at her when the fuzz of mind printing wore off.
"Please don't dig to deep." He said then followed the others up the stairs, leaving Rin to follow on her own. She quickly shook off her surprise and raced up the stairs after him. Rin stepped into the room just as Inutaisho stepped away from the woman on the futon.
"Out! All of you. I need to get her out of her wet clothes." She shooed the three men into the hall and closed the door with a definite slam. Sesshoumaru looked over his son to find him in good condition then over at the other demon to find the wound on his neck reopened.
"As soon as my mate is done redressing the woman she will look at those wounds and Inutaisho will find some clothes for you to change into." He then turned to his son. "Change. Come get me when she wakes or when your aunt gets here." With that he was gone, a jabbering Jaken after him.
"My mother should be done soon." He smiled slightly as he made his way to the stairs to go up to his room. "I'll be back with clothes and towels that you can dry off." When he disappeared up the stairs Zane leaned against the wall closing his eyes in exhaustion. He was worried about his captain, and he could feel the blood dripping down his neck from the reopened wound. Should he trust his captain to this woman, and what was the one that was being fetched by that girl? A moment later he was jerked upright as the door to the room where his captain lay opened. That's when he first noticed that she was a human. His eyes widened in surprise. He had only heard rumors that the great lord of the west, who had once hated humans so much, had taken on a human mate. She looked to be about twenty or so but from how old her son was, she had to be older then that, however, she didn't look like it.
"You're human." He stated and she just smiled up at him calmly leading him into the room as well and closing the door.
"Why, yes I am." She waved for him to take off his weapons and tops. He did as instructed sitting upon the second futon that was set into the room. "However, I am older then I look. It was my husband and his brother that did this to me and Kagome." She set about placing herbs and new bandages over his wounds. She noticed that he had blood red and black markings on the left side of his neck, the opposite side then his wounds and down his chest to his waist. He also had a few on the left cheek.
"How is it possible that you look so young?" He asked watching her work on his arm.
"I'll answer your question if you answer mine." He nodded. "My mate's half brother came one night when Inutaisho was about six or so and asked my mate if he ever wanted me to die. After all I am just a mortal. To make a long story short together they used the Shikon no Tama to wish that their mates' lives be tied to theirs." She tied the end of the bandages off. She didn't notice Inutaisho now standing in the doorway. "Now I shall look like this for as long as my mate lives. However, if Sesshoumaru-sama dies, so do I. Now the jewel is back were it belongs and it will appear no more." She smiled turning to the door, give him a warm smile.
"You can come in now."
Inutaisho entered the room handing Zane the clothes and the towel. Rin busied herself with checking Mizuko as he changed. When she turned back he was checking out the clothing.
"Are they alright?" Inutaisho asked before his mother could. Zane grinned up at him.
"Hai, Inutaisho-sama."
"Please just call me Inutaisho."
"I'm just not use to this style of clothing."
"Where are you from?" Inutaisho asked sitting down to wait for the return of his sister.
"Some unnamed islands far to the south of this nation." He then turned to Rin. "What was your question lady?"
"Please, call me Rin." She glanced over at her son, then continued. "What do the markings mean?" She pointed to the markings on his body. He reached up and touched them. Inutaisho watched him out of the corner of his eye.
"The black ones are markings from my home." His eyes grew sad. "I have not been back for a long time now." He touched the red ones. "These are marking that all members loyal to Mizuko-sama." He nodded his head toward the woman on the bed. When he looked back at Rin her eyes were wide in surprise. "What is it Rin-sama?"
"Mizuko?" He nodded. "The southern lord's daughter." She said more to herself then to the two boys sitting across from her. Rin bowed her head in thought then glanced over at Mizuko. "So things are worse then we thought."
Sakura burst through the front doors soaked with rain and blood, one of her katanas still in her hand. Kagome riding on Kioshi's back came in seconds later. She ran up the stairs leading them to the guest room where Sakura could smell her mother and brother. She burst into the room, panting.
"Mother, aunt Kagome's here." She said. Kagome took one look at the girl on the futon and pushed them all out of the room to work. Inutaisho ran to retrieve his father. Sakura cleaned her katana with a cloth handed to her by a servant. Zane couldn't help but notice the way her wet clothes stuck to her, or the way her breast heaved when she breathed. He was pulled out of his observations by Rin's questions.
"What happened? Why are you covered in blood?" She cupped her daughter's face in her hands. "And you're cold. Let's get you up stairs and changed."
"We were attacked on the way back. It seems as if some of the youkai are rebelling." The rest of what she was saying was cut off as they disappeared up the stairs passing Sesshoumaru and Inutaisho as they came down. Sesshoumaru spared but a glance as he passed just to reassure himself that both were alright. His gaze then switched to Zane. He was dry, bandaged, and waiting by the door for news of his leader.
"Zane?" Sesshoumaru stated coldly. He looked up at him from under thick violet bangs. Sesshoumaru then turned to the door. "Your leader will be fine now. Kagome-san is the best healer around."
"As long as Mizuko-sama lives. We still need her." His eyes grew dark almost like a fire going out. "She is the only person capable of killing her father."
"Yes." Sesshoumaru moved from the door. "You and she are welcomed in my home and I will have a guest room prepared near her for you to stay in. As soon as she is well enough we will enter negotiations." He turned walking away then stopped and looked back at Zane. "Why does she not cry her aliment away?"
Zane dropped his eyes to the ground. "She has not cried since her mother died and I found her wondering the woods. I took her back to Jujuka. I have never seen her shed a tear since then, not even for comrades."
"A servant will tell you when your room is ready. I suggest that you get some rest." He was gone soon after that.
"He's right, you need rest." Inutaisho said sitting on the other side of the door.
"I will when I have seen Mizuko-sama is well."
It wasn't till some time later, more like near morning, when Kagome came out of the room leaving the door open for them to enter, saying as they passed, "She will pull through. Rin says that she is very strong willed." With that she disappeared into another room. Kioshi came out grinned at his cousin then went into another room. Inutaisho led the way into the room. Mizuko had regained her colour and seemed to be breathing normally. Inutaisho felt as if he was being drawn to her. He just couldn't explain it. Zane smiled seeing her back to normal.
"I think I'm going to take your father's advice." He left Inutaisho there.
"I think I know you, but I don't know from where." He whispered before leaving her to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Well, there you go another chapter. I hope you like it. Please R+R! Ja ne.
"You know, you shouldn't be moving." Inutaisho stated, looking over at her. She was really beautiful. She had long burgundy hair that was still tied back into a thick braid, her bangs wild around her face. At the moment her skin was still pale do to the poison. Her lips were full and her thick eyelashes hid her bright ember eyes. From what he could see she had two ebony stripes on her cheeks, wrist, and he suspected, with a light blush, that hey might cover some other part of body.
"Who are you?" She demanded, groaning again as her head spun. He got up and went to her side and helped her to lay back down again. Her eyes closed, and her breathing grew heavy. Inutaisho's sharp ears picked up the sounds of her army just outside the door wondering if she were alright.
"I am Inutaisho." He ignored her gasp. "I don't understand this. Those herbs I gave you should have helped with this." He reached out touching her forehead, cheeks, and neck. Her skin was cool to the touch. "Is it hard to breath?"
"Kind of." Her eyes opened to look at him. He seemed familiar to her somehow. His calm face with his purple markings on his cheeks, and he had snow white hair falling over her shoulders. He looked just like a inu- youkai except his eyes were a warm chocolate colour.
"I think just to be safe I should take you back to my mother. She might know what to do and if she doesn't then my aunt will." He was interrupted by Jujuka who just burst into the hut.
"My lady, how are you feeling?" He asked and several heads peeked into the hut from the open curtain.
"Jujuka, please not so loud." Her face scrunched up. Her breathes began to come in shorter gasps.
Inutaisho turned to a violet haired youkai. "Go get Juniko." The youkai looked at Jujuka, who nodded, and the youkai disappeared.
"What are you planning, Inutaisho-sama?" Jujuka asked, his voice barely grunting the sama part, almost as if he didn't like to say it. Mizuko turned her head to look at him.
"What do you mean, Inutaisho-sama?" She asked, cutting Inutaisho off from answering.
"Inutaisho-sama, is the son of Sesshoumaru-sama, lord of the western realm." Juniko said as she stepped into the hut. She watched Mizuko's eyes widen before they returned to their normal cool mode. "He has come to set up an alliance with the rebel army so that they may have help in defeating the southern lord."
"I..uh.." She passed out before being able to finish her sentence.
"Juniko, I need to take her to mother and get aunt Kagome to look at her."
After feeling her forehead Juniko nodded. "Yes, I agree. However, I know that they won't let her go alone. I'm sure your father won't mind another visitor." They looked over at the men to find them nodding in agreement. "It wouldn't be a good idea for Jujuka to go, they need him right now."
"I'll go." The same violet haired youkai from before said. He stepped fully into the room and Inutaisho was able to take him in. His violet locks fell just over his shoulders. He wore a dropped sleeved shirt covered by a leather armor vest. Soft leather pants and boots covered his lower half. He had one eye that was silver and the other was ice green. He looked to be a few years older then his sister, or even about his age. A long bow was slung over his shoulder along with a quiver of arrows and he had a wakazashi at his side, Inutaisho guessed for close combat. He gave off an aura of a ice demon; which he knew were rare. Jujuka looked over at the young man.
"I'm trusting her ladyship to you, Zane." Jujuka said glaring at him.
"You can count on me." He looked over at Inutaisho. He bowed deeply. "We should leave soon, Inutaisho-sama, if we wish to get back to Sesshoumaru- sama's castle by nightfall." With that he picked up her bag and put a few things into it then stood waiting for Inutaisho to lift Mizuko onto his back.
They arrived at the castle just as the sun sunk below the horizon. As they entered the main gates, a great shout went up signaling to all those inside that the young lord had return and that he wasn't alone. Inutaisho looked over his shoulder to see how Zane was doing and for the first time noticed the hasten bandages that wrapped around his sleeve of his upper arm and the claw marks running down his neck that peeked out from under more bandages. Zane, where are others would be looking around was simply looked forward, however, Inutaisho could tell he was scanning the surrounding area with his senses and aura.
Rin first heard the call from the library, where she and Sakura sat reading seeing as the day was gloomy outside and ready to pour at any moment. Which it did several minutes later as she and her daughter ran for the front hall. As she started down the final set of stairs she watched out of the corner of her eye as Sakura jumped onto the stone railing and slide down it to the floor where she gracefully landed. But Sakura was stunned still at the sight that met her. There in the entrance hall was her brother carrying a woman and a violet hair man that looked to be wounded as well.
Inutaisho smiled over at his sister, then at his mother as she came into view. His father came hurriedly into the hall from the opposite side of his mother and sister. Rin took one look at the girl on her son's back and demanded to know what happened.
"Mother she was poisoned. We need to get aunt Kagome." He said calmly while making plans to take her upstairs to the second floor and set her in a guest room.
"I'll send a messenger right away." Sesshoumaru said turning to signal a servant.
"Father don't be silly. I'm faster then any servant you can send." She said then turned to another servant to fetch her katanas. She was thankful that she wore Lord Kindo's gift. It was very similar to a kimono but it was spilt up the sides and she wore hakama under it.
"You know every well that's a long way to go and now that its dark youkai will be out hunting." Rin said trying to change her daughter's mind. The servant came back with the katanas and a black cloth to tie back her sleeves. Sakura tired back her sleeves before answering her mother.
"Don't worry mother, I fight better then half the mansion's guards and can run faster then any messenger. I promise to be careful, but that woman needs the help only aunty can give." She tied a black sash around her waist then buried the swords into it. "Besides," she added, "you know every well that on the way back Kioshi will be with us and she can fight just as hard as I can." With that she walked pass the two dripping men in the hall whispering as she went by, "She's the rebel leader, isn't she?" Inutaisho gave a sharp nod. "It's her." Sakura replied simply before throwing open one of the doors and disappeared into the pouring rain, leaving Inutaisho confused.
"Come then, let's get her in a room. You're sister will be soon with your aunt. Until then I'll see what I can do." She then looked at the other male in her entrance hall as her son went up the stairs followed by her mate. She leaned slightly against his mind she found him to be very loyal to his leader. She was startled to find him looking right at her when the fuzz of mind printing wore off.
"Please don't dig to deep." He said then followed the others up the stairs, leaving Rin to follow on her own. She quickly shook off her surprise and raced up the stairs after him. Rin stepped into the room just as Inutaisho stepped away from the woman on the futon.
"Out! All of you. I need to get her out of her wet clothes." She shooed the three men into the hall and closed the door with a definite slam. Sesshoumaru looked over his son to find him in good condition then over at the other demon to find the wound on his neck reopened.
"As soon as my mate is done redressing the woman she will look at those wounds and Inutaisho will find some clothes for you to change into." He then turned to his son. "Change. Come get me when she wakes or when your aunt gets here." With that he was gone, a jabbering Jaken after him.
"My mother should be done soon." He smiled slightly as he made his way to the stairs to go up to his room. "I'll be back with clothes and towels that you can dry off." When he disappeared up the stairs Zane leaned against the wall closing his eyes in exhaustion. He was worried about his captain, and he could feel the blood dripping down his neck from the reopened wound. Should he trust his captain to this woman, and what was the one that was being fetched by that girl? A moment later he was jerked upright as the door to the room where his captain lay opened. That's when he first noticed that she was a human. His eyes widened in surprise. He had only heard rumors that the great lord of the west, who had once hated humans so much, had taken on a human mate. She looked to be about twenty or so but from how old her son was, she had to be older then that, however, she didn't look like it.
"You're human." He stated and she just smiled up at him calmly leading him into the room as well and closing the door.
"Why, yes I am." She waved for him to take off his weapons and tops. He did as instructed sitting upon the second futon that was set into the room. "However, I am older then I look. It was my husband and his brother that did this to me and Kagome." She set about placing herbs and new bandages over his wounds. She noticed that he had blood red and black markings on the left side of his neck, the opposite side then his wounds and down his chest to his waist. He also had a few on the left cheek.
"How is it possible that you look so young?" He asked watching her work on his arm.
"I'll answer your question if you answer mine." He nodded. "My mate's half brother came one night when Inutaisho was about six or so and asked my mate if he ever wanted me to die. After all I am just a mortal. To make a long story short together they used the Shikon no Tama to wish that their mates' lives be tied to theirs." She tied the end of the bandages off. She didn't notice Inutaisho now standing in the doorway. "Now I shall look like this for as long as my mate lives. However, if Sesshoumaru-sama dies, so do I. Now the jewel is back were it belongs and it will appear no more." She smiled turning to the door, give him a warm smile.
"You can come in now."
Inutaisho entered the room handing Zane the clothes and the towel. Rin busied herself with checking Mizuko as he changed. When she turned back he was checking out the clothing.
"Are they alright?" Inutaisho asked before his mother could. Zane grinned up at him.
"Hai, Inutaisho-sama."
"Please just call me Inutaisho."
"I'm just not use to this style of clothing."
"Where are you from?" Inutaisho asked sitting down to wait for the return of his sister.
"Some unnamed islands far to the south of this nation." He then turned to Rin. "What was your question lady?"
"Please, call me Rin." She glanced over at her son, then continued. "What do the markings mean?" She pointed to the markings on his body. He reached up and touched them. Inutaisho watched him out of the corner of his eye.
"The black ones are markings from my home." His eyes grew sad. "I have not been back for a long time now." He touched the red ones. "These are marking that all members loyal to Mizuko-sama." He nodded his head toward the woman on the bed. When he looked back at Rin her eyes were wide in surprise. "What is it Rin-sama?"
"Mizuko?" He nodded. "The southern lord's daughter." She said more to herself then to the two boys sitting across from her. Rin bowed her head in thought then glanced over at Mizuko. "So things are worse then we thought."
Sakura burst through the front doors soaked with rain and blood, one of her katanas still in her hand. Kagome riding on Kioshi's back came in seconds later. She ran up the stairs leading them to the guest room where Sakura could smell her mother and brother. She burst into the room, panting.
"Mother, aunt Kagome's here." She said. Kagome took one look at the girl on the futon and pushed them all out of the room to work. Inutaisho ran to retrieve his father. Sakura cleaned her katana with a cloth handed to her by a servant. Zane couldn't help but notice the way her wet clothes stuck to her, or the way her breast heaved when she breathed. He was pulled out of his observations by Rin's questions.
"What happened? Why are you covered in blood?" She cupped her daughter's face in her hands. "And you're cold. Let's get you up stairs and changed."
"We were attacked on the way back. It seems as if some of the youkai are rebelling." The rest of what she was saying was cut off as they disappeared up the stairs passing Sesshoumaru and Inutaisho as they came down. Sesshoumaru spared but a glance as he passed just to reassure himself that both were alright. His gaze then switched to Zane. He was dry, bandaged, and waiting by the door for news of his leader.
"Zane?" Sesshoumaru stated coldly. He looked up at him from under thick violet bangs. Sesshoumaru then turned to the door. "Your leader will be fine now. Kagome-san is the best healer around."
"As long as Mizuko-sama lives. We still need her." His eyes grew dark almost like a fire going out. "She is the only person capable of killing her father."
"Yes." Sesshoumaru moved from the door. "You and she are welcomed in my home and I will have a guest room prepared near her for you to stay in. As soon as she is well enough we will enter negotiations." He turned walking away then stopped and looked back at Zane. "Why does she not cry her aliment away?"
Zane dropped his eyes to the ground. "She has not cried since her mother died and I found her wondering the woods. I took her back to Jujuka. I have never seen her shed a tear since then, not even for comrades."
"A servant will tell you when your room is ready. I suggest that you get some rest." He was gone soon after that.
"He's right, you need rest." Inutaisho said sitting on the other side of the door.
"I will when I have seen Mizuko-sama is well."
It wasn't till some time later, more like near morning, when Kagome came out of the room leaving the door open for them to enter, saying as they passed, "She will pull through. Rin says that she is very strong willed." With that she disappeared into another room. Kioshi came out grinned at his cousin then went into another room. Inutaisho led the way into the room. Mizuko had regained her colour and seemed to be breathing normally. Inutaisho felt as if he was being drawn to her. He just couldn't explain it. Zane smiled seeing her back to normal.
"I think I'm going to take your father's advice." He left Inutaisho there.
"I think I know you, but I don't know from where." He whispered before leaving her to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Well, there you go another chapter. I hope you like it. Please R+R! Ja ne.