A/N I was doing research on the iris flower because I was not sure if I actually would use it in this fic but then I saw its other nicknames, and oddly enough I had planned to use an animal reference, one that I had not known was already tied to the flower. Nor did I know how well it would fit. It wasn't until I remembered the animal was myself that I laughed about it. So you'll have to forgive me for using a bit of myself in this story. Either way, you'll understand what I'm talking about when you read so here's Chapter 2: A Tigress in the Snow
My Iris, My Beloved
Chapter 2: A Tigress in the Snow
There was a burning; it swept through my body like a wildfire. And yet it was unlike the searing heat of before. I felt this burn an instant after I felt the bite of the blade at my neck. It cut cleanly though my skin, and hesitated for just a moment at the bone. But it too gave. I blinked then saw nothing but darkness.
(A/N Wouldn't that have been a wicked cliff hanger )
But as quickly as it had arrived, the darkness was fading. It was then that a voice pierced the veil over my mind.
"Be proud Lord Sesshomaru...you're alive."
The voice was female, rich in tone and rolled like the waves of the sea. It was melodious and beautiful. I knew the voice and to whom it belonged.
Kagome?
I opened my eyes and like shadows fleeing from dawn, my world slowly became clear again. It took a moment for my eyes to focus on what I saw. And then the image of a woman standing some yards from me became clear. A pair of eyes was gazing at me, set in a face so beautiful it was almost painful.
One eye was a deep swirling sapphire, the other a still icy blue. They were nearly the perfect paradox of the other. At the sight of her, still clad in the bloodstained kimono and a saber still in hand, I dropped to my knees. My hand went to my throat; I was alive and whole. But moments before it had not felt so.
My mind reeled, still trying to grasp a coherent thought. It refused to put the pieces together; I could not believe that Kagome was the famed assassin that had become the bogeyman among demons. I refused to believe that this cold unyielding wraith before me was the woman I would have given everything up for.
"Nasty little trick isn't it demon lord." The woman declared while stepping forward.
"Being trapped in a nightmare that seems as real as you or I."
She knelt down beside me. She caught my chin between her long slender fingers and made me look at her. The trap of her eyes caught me again. I couldn't look away, nor did I want to. Her words cut through my thoughts again like a knife, her voice was almost dangerously playful.
"I had wanted to do those things to you and more once."
I stared into her eyes and was unable to say what was on my mind. Her scent was making me lightheaded, she still smelled of vanilla and cherries but even below it. Faintly underneath, she smelled of blood. The combination should have scared a normal man, but I drew in that scent until I was dizzy with it. She was dancing dangerously close to the primal beast that lay within each demon, myself including.
There are many things I still want to do to you miko.
I whispered her name again and with a scowl she pulled away from me. The sudden lack of her presence almost made me stagger. She was doing something to me, as she had so many years again. Never in all my life had I been so vulnerable around a creature let alone a woman. I needed her around me, wanted her around me.
She could strip me down now with those eyes or her touch and I would not care. Quite frankly I would help her. I still wanted to reach out and take her right then and there in the snow, to make her scream my name in ecstasy. The thought was so appealing and yet might never happen. I didn't even hear her when she told me she wasn't Kagome.
I forced myself to stand, my hand still at my throat I asked her.
"How was that possible? What did you do?"
The woman that was and was not Kagome picked up her swords. She swiped outwards at the air, the movement removing most of the blood from the sword. The rest she wiped on a fallen's carcass.
"The moment your eyes made contact with mine you were trapped in a nightmare, a very vivid nightmare, but one nonetheless." She explained.
"How long did that last?" I demanded.
She gazed at me, the left eye glimmering, but with what emotion I was unsure. In the other something lay there, a feeling trying to come out and yet I could not place it. She stopped me from thinking on it further when she declared.
"One minute."
I forced myself to not drop to my knees, to make that foul words stop buzzing in my head. One minute. It was not possible, that pain was too vivid to have lasted for only an instant. She stepped forward again, her movements fluid and graceful, almost feline.
"I am surprised that it did not kill you, you have gotten stronger these long years Murderer."
She began to circle me, close enough for me to touch her, but far enough where I'd have to reach for her to do so. What lay on her face I could not say, I was still fighting to breath.
"As have you flower...dangerously so."
I did not so much see her smile as I sense it, I could even hear it in her words.
"And who am I a danger to Murderer." She came in close, her scent enveloped me as she swirled around my body. "Not the Great Lord Sesshoumaru?" She asked.
I shuddered at the silken purr of her voice, I had to fight very hard not to reach for her. To not crush her body to mine and drown her in sharp passionate kisses. She came and stood before me, all playfulness gone, a deadly calm settled over her features.
"Tell me why I should not kill you Murderer?"
The question was direct, as if she thought of me as some insect that she could merely squash. It was then that I regained myself; I would not let this woman hold dominion over me. I was to be feared, not the other way around.
"Because miko, as cold as you think you might have become. I know in your heart you could not kill an innocent person. For I am no murderer."
Now I was beginning to sound more like myself. The initial shock was fading and no longer did I have reason to fall victim to her spell. She stood before me, unsure for a moment of what to say. In that moment the urge to touch her in anyway began to overpower me.
"I could kill you..."
The words did not pass her lips for I appeared behind her and with one arm stilled her movement and with the other crushed her to my chest. She growled against my hand, and one hand tried to grasp my own.
Something in her scent changed. Whereas before their was a sharp chill about her, the scent changed to radiate with heat. A wicked smile crossed my face. My voice was honey-thick as I whispered in her ear.
"Could you truly kill me my iris?"
She shuddered in my arms, the first real reaction I had seen her give.
"Release me Sesshoumaru."
Her voice was stern and yet was breathy. Her body betrayed what was left of her resolves when she leaned into me. So close...she was so close that I could feel her tantalizing skin under her clothes. Fleetingly I heard movement about us but paid it no mind.
It was then I saw something I had not. I had not noticed before the delicate point of her ears, they were almost the exact copy of my own. Tenderly I drew it between my teeth. Kagome drew a sharp breath and moaned.
"...Sesshoumaru...you know not...what you do."
"You're wrong little iris, I know very well what I do."
I felt the change in her moments before she pulled away from me. Again the sudden lack of her presence was staggering. She glared at me and crimson began to pool into her left eye, another startling however interesting combination of colors.
Her aura flared to life about her, an array of icy blues that mingled with sapphire threads. It danced about her like a flame. Twin ebony claw marks appeared on each cheek, and a crescent moon the exact opposite of my own appeared on her forehead. Had I any doubts that she was a demon locked in a human skin, was lost in that moment. The sounds of movement I had heard before seemed to grow slightly louder but still I ignored it, my senses were for Kagome alone.
"I will not let you destroy me as you did Inuyasha." She hissed.
"I did not kill my half-brother Kagome..."
"I AM NOT KAGOME!" She snarled, crimson overpowered the icy blue of her right eye and again was another reminder of all her wonderfully dark paradoxes.
"Then tell me, what would you have me call you?" I asked.
Slowly she began to calm, like a storm just beginning to subside.
"Tigress." She declared. "My family calls me Tigress."
My brow arched at the statement, one because of her new name. I had been right in sensing something distinctly feline about her and yet had not understood why. It was even in her movements, she moved as if she had bones in places others did not. And also realized the other irony. My name for her was Iris; the iris is also the tiger-flower.
However I was unsure of what she meant by 'family' and that in itself irritated me. The word family brought to mind the image of a man, woman, and their children. If Kagome, I refused to call her anything else unless it was out loud, if...Tigress had either, I would be unable to take it. I heard something stir in the forest behind us, something that was large yet stealthy. But my eyes remained glued to this enigmatic creature that was my beloved and yet was not.
"Your...family?" I repeated.
"Yes, my family." She said firmly.
I crossed my arms over my chest and gave her a calculating look. Cynically I asked.
"And what family would that be pray tell?"
She looked past me pointing over my shoulders and answered.
"Them."
The moment I turned around, over a dozen large cats stepped out of the forest. There was a reason as to why I could not see them before. They were as white as the snow only brighter, as if they glowed against the white earth. Darker than ebony stripes decorated their fur and rippled over taut muscles.
They stalked out of the tree line; pale icy blues were their calm calculating eyes. They moved with a practiced yet casual grace that could put a dancer to shame. Half that appeared formed a protective circle about Kagome and the rest came just within launching distance of me.
"This is my family demon lord."
And by the gods were her family a force to be reckoned with, for they were large, and not just in numbers. Over a dozen stood before me, but I could feel others in the background. But they were massive in size. The two smallest just scraped five feet tall at the shoulders, and were over twice that in length.
Their size, along with their cruel almost half a foot long claws and fangs made me hesitate to move. They seemed ready to strike at even the hint of budging. Their cold eyes were like that of their mistress and something about it clicked in my head. These weren't just cats they were tigers.
And that realization made another piece fall into place. Tigress my Iris was the flower of her family. She was the flower of tigers. Yes, it all made sense.
My eyes turned to my iris; she seemed calmer around them. As if she felt safe around them. And yet something was different, tension was in the air. It circulated about her life a swarm of hornets. Suddenly she seemed so terribly frail that I took a step forward. The only two males that I had seen took defensive steps forward. Their lips curled away from their sharp fangs and they hissed warningly. I ignored them to keep my sanity.
"Your family is impressive Tigress, but is there presence here truly necessary."
She stared at me, her eyes unsure and beginning to haze.
"My family is here because I am here, they go where I go demon lord."
She then stopped, her eyes narrowing in a glare. She stood stark still as if listening to something. The other tigers seemed to hear it as well for they too seemed to have turned to stone. I thought for a moment they were in a trance until Kagome made the first moved. Her full lips curled away to reveal sharp cruel fangs. She was growling.
"No."
It was the only thing she said and I had no inkling as to why she had said it. She was clearly angry and was close to bristling from rage. Before I could further comment she snapped.
"But he's not worthy! You cannot be serious!"
It was as if she were having a conversation with someone one she and the tigers could hear. I hoped that that was the case and that she had not totally lost her mind. She rounded on me as if she heard the thought; the icy blue eye flashing crimson while the other still remained sapphire.
That was another thing that I had noticed. When she was angry, only the tiger's eye ever seemed to feel the rage. Never the eye that I thought to be Kagome's show rage, that eye watched me with a different emotion. It was so familiar and yet I could not place what it was. Before I could think on it further she spoke.
"You. Come with me." Not even waiting for a reply she turned and started walking in the other direction.
"I'm not some mutt to be ordered around wench." I growled before I could think.
The look she gave me as she gazed at me over her shoulder would have made any other man save me shudder or bolt. But I held firm refusing to squirm under that stare.
"You are a dog demon which is close enough." She retorted. "Now follow me, there is someone who wants to meet you."
At that she and her family began to disappear into the forest, Kagome was the only one who could not fully pull it off, her kimono was still boldly splashed with blood. She would have been lost among the black and white world had it not been for it. I began following her for the simple reason of wanting to know whom she meant.
She had obviously been speaking to this person just a moment before, but it was a conversation that I had been excluded from. Reluctantly she obeyed meaning she either had great respect or fear of this person; I believed it to be the former.
She and her family led me deep into the forest; the only sound that dwelt here was the sound of our feet or paws crushing the snow beneath us. Minutes later she stopped in the dead center of a clearing. The tigers began to form a protective circle where the tree line ended. When I stepped past them the two youngest flanked behind me and closed the circle.
Kagome stood in the center, her eyes intent on whatever lay before her. I knew that the others were not watching her but whatever Kagome was looking at. I could not see what it was but I knew it was there, I knew the moment I stepped into their circle. Power emanated in the clearing, something was here but did not necessarily wish to show itself.
"Show yourself mother, the demon lord knows you are here, but he is unable to see you."
I know that my daughter. A deep almost playful voice declared.
The voice not only sounded around us, but it was in my mind...my head. I growled and stepped back trying to see where the voice was coming from.
It's just amusing to watch him squirm.
In that instant there was a flash of light so strong that it forced me to shield my eyes, when it died I found to my shock what had made that voice. A tiger large enough to put the others to shame stood not even centimeters from Kagome, who knelt down beside it.
It was merely thirty feet in length, as it lay almost content to observe me from where it lay. Its whiter than white fur glistened in the sunlight setting the sable stripes to even darker tones. Its large tail thumped the earth contentedly while its eyes like blue tinted ice casually regarded me. There was an ancient wisdom in those eyes, but even more so they looked amused.
My sword was in my hand before I could stop myself and the tigers who had observed all this calmly sitting on their haunches went almost instantly into battle mode, Kagome rose too her sword in hand.
Stand down my children. The tigress declared calmly. The demon lord can do me no harm.
Her 'children' did so reluctantly and this time lay down exactly mimicking their leader. When Kagome cautiously sheathed her sword she glared at me and then informed me.
"This is matriarch to all around you." She gestured to all the tigresses and two males.
(A/N Sorry to interrupt, but thought you might like to know. Akila is Egyptian for Intelligent, but in this story I will twist it to mean Ancient Wisdom, as you were...)
The mother tigress rose to her feet, she moved with the same feline grace but something was different, she moved as if her bones were somewhat stiff and I realized than that she was far older than she looked. She sat on her haunches and just tipped past being twenty feet at the shoulders; she inclined her head to me in acknowledgement.
Greetings Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands. I am the Nimira (Queen) of the Sabertooth clan; you may call me Akila.
For a moment I knew not what to say nor knew exactly what was the protocol for their clans so I stuck to what I knew and inclined my head and replied in kind.
"My greetings Nimira Akila, why have you called me here?" I asked.
She then stood up and stretched leisurely, cruel foot long claws slipped from their sheath and casually stroked the ground. She turned away from the group, the tigers at the back moved away from her and us. Her voice sounded again in my head, I would learn later that it was for me and me alone.
Come walk with me Lord Sesshoumaru and all will be explained.
I looked at Kagome, who alternated between looking at me and then Akila. Then she settled for glaring at me. She gazed at Akila and whatever was said between them I do not know but she then turned with an exasperated growl and knelt down among her kindred. I watched as they flanked around her, nuzzling her fondly and envied them for bringing a smile onto her face.
There is not much time Sesshoumaru.
Akila's voice cut through my thoughts like a blade, shaking myself I followed after her. When we were out of hearing distance I came and walked by her side. She asked me.
You know Tigress, and better yet of whom she was?
"Yes," I declared. "She was once a miko named Kagome who traveled with my half-brother Inuyasha."
Where is Inuyasha?
"He is dead."
My condolences demon lord. She said apologetically.
"It is of no consequence, he has been dead for seven years."
Akila stopped and gave me a long calculating look.
Tigress...Ka-go-me. She was trying to wrap her tongue around the name. Kagome was given to us only six years ago. What happened in the year between?
"That...I do not know."
This time when Akila stopped she sat down on her haunches and thought, then gave me another calculating look. It made me straighten for some reason, as if she could see things in me that others could not.
There is a reason why I asked Kagome to bring you here Lord Sesshoumaru and I will tell you now. She took a deep breath and then began.
Not long ago I was patrolling these lands alone; I felt a phantom presence press against our boarders. The aura felt like many demons and yet was in a small singular place, it confused and puzzled me, but the moment it knew I knew it was there it vanished. Some time later I felt that presence again, this time not far from Kagome.
Her eyes rested on me then, her gaze holding me effortlessly in place.
That thing, whatever it is, is looking for her. I am not as young as I used to be as you are now aware of, and while I am still a force to be reckoned with, I do not trust whatever it is that hunts her.
"And what would you have me do?" I asked.
Take her from here; take her someplace safe. I do not care if it is your home, or a hut in foreign lands, but I want her safe from whatever is stalking her.
I do not know what possessed me, but I felt the need to push her.
"And how do you know I am not the thing stalking her?"
Her growl made me flinch and I felt her power seep into the air like a thick heat, it latched itself around me almost suffocating me. Her eyes flared with cold hatred.
I may be old but I am still more than a match for you, demon lord. She tightened her hold on me for emphasis. Do yourself a favor and not make me kill you when I still need you alive.
Her power subsided and allowed me the ability to breath. By the time I had completely recovered, Akila had began to walk back towards the others. I hurried to catch up to her.
Lord Sesshoumaru...very soon this land will be inherited by my children, I will not be here to guard them. I do this as much for them as I do Kagome, for in my heart of hearts she is one of my own.
The others were not that far from us, I could see Kagome as clear as day. She sat among her kindred, cubs as large as full-grown dogs romped around and on her. She laughed with them, the first time I had done so. And I noticed something when I looked into her laughing eyes; they were both sapphire.
It nearly forced a gasp from me and I looked up at Akila, who was giving a tender catty grin.
You would be her mate if she let you?
The question was both personal and unexpected; all I could do was nod in earnest.
You are true of heart and would be a good match for her, but you have much work to do demon lord. She has dealt with much pain and you would have to deal with two very different people to win the whole.
"I do not understand." I told her and I heard her chuckle huskily in my mind.
I know when you look at her you see her two shaded eyes, the blue like the night sky is hers and the frost was given to her when we gave her the soul of a youkai to save her human one. To win her heart, you must conquer both.
Before I could say anything else she stepped past me and towards her family.
My children I have an announcement.
All ceased whatever they were doing to come and stand before their mother. The other tigresses huddled in close while the lone two males took up the rear. For some reason my heart went out to them, and understood their plight. It would not be long until they were forced from this circle. And I had no idea how soon it would be.
My dear children, as you know I will not be with you for much longer and it is with that in mind that I have come to this decision. Kagome come forward.
Kagome's head snapped up when she heard her name be called by her feline matriarch, and she glared at me under her bangs.
When I am gone Kagome, these lands will not be safe for you for long. Your power has grown much and will bring many demons here, and while the family would protect your, doing so would put them at risk. And I know in your heart that you would not want that to happen. She paused then continued.
And it is because of that that you will leave here with Lord Sesshoumaru.
Chaos broke loose in the clearing; there were angry snarls and roars of defiance, sorrow and denial. The sudden burst of noise made me want to cover my ears but I refused to. Then a snarl so fierce and compelling filled the air that all others yielded before it. When I looked again, all except Kagome had dropped to down low to the ground as a sign of submission.
Akila's hackles were raised as she continued to snarl, her back arched and bristling making her already massive body larger. Her angry words resonated in all out skulls.
I AM THE NIMIRA OF THIS CLAN! How dare you all raise such a tone to me! All except Kagome, the demon lord and the twins are to wait outside the forest till I call you back.
There was a unanimous yet unheard yowl of anger before all but who were told left. I wondered why she had let the young males stay. When all was quiet again, she gave an annoyed huff and settled down on her haunches. Kagome stepped forward.
"Mother you cannot do this, there must be someplace I can go that does not involve him."
She said my name with such venom that it took me aback.
There is no other choice my dear, there are few else who would do so, let alone those I would trust with the task. And him I do. Now sleep.
The sudden change of subject made me stare at Akila but then Kagome's startled gasp made my eyes return to her. They had widened with near fear.
"No mother, don't do it!"
But already her eyes were drooping as if she were being hypnotized.
Sleep my little tigress, and be safe.
Kagome began to sway on her feet and I caught her moments before she would have fallen to the ground. I cradled her to my chest before carrying her bride-style.
And you two, come forward.
The two males came shyly forward, tales drooped.
Lord Sesshoumaru these are Frost and Snow, they will be accompanying you and Kagome.
The three of us cast one look at each other and said 'No.' Akila bristled again, and growled.
This is not subject to debate demon lord; you will need familiar faces to dull the Kagome's fury when she wakes up.
"And I am not capable of handling it on my own?" I asked a little insulted.
If anything, you will be the one she turns on first. So do we have a deal Lord Sesshoumaru?
I sighed and thought about it for a moment, the males might come in handy. They were large and intimidating; perfect for protecting Kagome when I was not around and for some reason I found that they could understand me as much as I could understand them. With another sigh I declared.
"Yes."
Good, farewell my children. I wish thee well.
Without another word Akila disappeared, not melted into the snow like her children, just simply vanished. It still baffled me how one so large could manage to do so. I took one last look at the twins and then at the sleeping woman in my arms. She was already beginning to show signs of waking. And I wondered in that moment, just what exactly I had gotten myself into.
And that everyone is Chapter 2; I hope you all have enjoyed it. I look forward to your reviews, hopefully good ones. I am always open to ideas for this story. I have an almost set idea of how this fic will end and what the climax will be, but between then and now I'm still filling in some blanks so ideas are welcome. Also, what happened to Kagome that first year will also be explained in the next chapters. I wish thee well and will see you again soon.
Sincerely,
Tigress.