A/N: Ok, let's not waste any time! Who do we have for 'N'? Naraku, Nazuna, and Nobunaga...Ok...well, you three, get on with the disclaimer!
Naraku, Nazuna, & Nobunaga: Aki doesn't own Inuyasha. She only owns the plot to this story and Mei Lhi, Hana, Kyo, Hakaru, Kiori, and all the other weirdoes that exist in Aki's world...now let's move on and not keep you all in suspense!
Me: To my wonderful readers, every single one of you...you will all find this chapter amusing...it's got all these special features all crammed with fairy-killing fluff and Jaken-bashing! I can think of one person who would enjoy that... (Shoots a quick glance at Dragon Man and then whistles innocently) And I know all of you probably died from reading so much...this chapter isn't any better, I'm afraid. Angie, I don't think Kagome would be able to get a hold of a gun...Dragon Man 180, oh don't you worry...Jaken's gonna get more than just hitting a few rocks or trees...(scene of a roasted Jaken being poked by Rin and Shippou with a stick comes to mind...) Plus the wonderful plan goes into effect! Can I use your ofuda idea? Like you did in your fic? Sanosa, thank you! This one will be just as enjoyable. Riku-Of-Darkness, (gasps) An hour and a half?!!! I'm sorry!!! But this one will take just as long or more...thank you! I enjoyed writing the battle scenes...I too could picture them in my mind... (whispers) That's my secret to writing! You're welcome for my review! Yay! More Kairi-ness! I don't think there's any possible way for me to not like you as much anymore for what you write in your Riku chapter. It's your story so you can do whatever the hell you want with it! Anyway, without further adieu, I give you, CHAPTER THIRTY NINE!!!!!!
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Memories, Decisions, and the Request
Koji lead the group to their rooms as instructed. Turning to Hana he slid open a nearby door.
"This is your room, Miko-sama." He said.
Hana nodded, and Koji walked on, stopping at another door.
"Taijiya-san, this will be your room...and Houshi-san, your room will be directly across the hall from her room..."
They stopped at another door.
"This room is the kitsune's..."
Another door, this one different from the others. It was larger in size and had separate rooms, one large futon spread out on the floor.
"This will be Kaze no ryuu-sama's and the young lady hanyou's room."
Inuyasha bared his fangs angrily.
"The hell she's sharing a room with him!" He yelled.
"Inuyasha..." Mei Lhi said in a warning voice, a fierce glint in her eyes.
They proceeded to the final room, which was identical to the previous one.
"You were saying...?" Mei Lhi said in a mocking voice.
"Shut up..." Inuyasha muttered.
"Inuyasha-sama, this will be yours and the young lady miko's room." Koji interrupted.
"Keh...sure you know my name...but you don't bother with anyone else's..." The hanyou grumbled.
"I have never met any of the other's before, Inuyasha-sama."
"Whatever..."
"I suggest that you settle yourselves in your rooms...I'm sure that Sesshoumaru-sama will request that you join him for the evening meal..."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and shoved his fists into his sleeves from annoyance.
"Dress nicely...there are dressing cabinets, as you all probably noticed, in each room. There are kimonos that you may wear...I will summon each of you when the meal is ready...now, please excuse me, I must go to the kitchen and inform the cooks of something important..."
Koji walked past them, going downstairs. Hana left to her room, Sango, Miroku, and Shippou following suit.
"Kagome, you go on, I need to talk with my sister...alone..." Inuyasha said, glaring at Kyo as he said the last word of his sentence.
Kagome left to the room, Kyo already walking away.
"Now, I don't approve of any of this, but I'm not gonna have any crap ideas going through your heads just 'cause you two are sharing a room! You understand?!"
"Shut up, Nii-chan...you yell too much..."
"Did you hear a damn thing I just said?!"
"Yes, yes, now fuck off and leave me alone already...shit...you're so god damn annoying, Nii-chan..."
Inuyasha let a threatening growl escape into his throat, attempting to prove his point further. Mei Lhi stuck out her tongue at him, and then began walking off in a temper.
Mei Lhi arrived back at the room, wincing as the pain in her ankle returned.
"Damn..." She muttered.
Kyo looked up.
"Oh hey..." He said casually.
"Hey yourself...ow...that hurts..."
"Ankle still bothering you?"
"Yeah..."
Kyo walked over to her and helped her walk across the room, letting her rest on the futon. He sat on the tatami mat in front of her, watching as she painfully eased herself into a comfortable position.
"Let me see it..." He said after a long silence.
"Feh. Whatever...knock yourself out..."
He gently reached out and placed her right ankle on his lap, examining it, feeling where the bones were.
"Wow...this is worse than I thought...that fall must've been really bad..." He said.
"What...?"
"Your bone's been popped out of place...and broken...no wonder you can't walk..."
"Well that's nice to know..."
"I'm going to try and push it back into place, ok? That way your youkai blood can heal it naturally while you sleep tonight..."
"Whatever..."
He applied pressure to a place on the inner side of her foot a few centimeters from the heel.
"It might hurt...so I don't want you to start crying on me, ok?"
"Feh! As if I would!"
-
'They better not be doing anything...' He thought angrily.
-(this one's annoying me...)
"Ok, I'm gonna push it into place..." Kyo said.
"You don't have to give me a play-by-play, just do it!" Mei Lhi replied, sounding somewhat irritated.
- (This one too...urgh...)
The more Inuyasha listened to their conversation the angrier he became.
'I tell her not to do anything with him, and what does she do?! The EXACT opposite!'
His temper was reaching the boiling point, and finally reached the point where he couldn't stand it.
He nearly threw open the door from anger and quickly ran inside.
"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM?!!!!!" He roared.
"Uhh...what...?" Kyo and Mei Lhi asked uncertainly, visibly sweat dropping.
Inuyasha blinked several times, feeling confused, embarrassed, frustrated, and even more angry at the same exact time.
"Nii-chan...what the hell are you talking about?" Mei Lhi said awkwardly.
Inuyasha's face darkened.
"Nothing..." Came his forced reply.
"Mei, try stretching out your foot now..." Kyo instructed.
The hanyou girl did as she was told and a small pop sounded.
"Looks like you fixed it..." Mei Lhi said, now moving her foot around in various directions.
Shortly afterward, everyone gathered at the door.
"What was all that yelling about, Inuyasha?" Miroku inquired.
"Yes, Inuyasha, please explain..." Shippou urged.
"Please tell me that I didn't hear what I thought I heard..." Kagome and Sango said in unison.
Hana said nothing, merely sharply glancing about the room.
"Well...there seems to be nothing of concern going on..." She said finally, after her observation.
All of them left, Inuyasha leaving last, slamming the door shut.
- (I bet this isn't gonna work...)"Um...that was..." Mei Lhi began.
"Weird?" Kyo supplied.
"Yeah...what the hell is going on with him? He keeps yelling at me too...stupid asshole...one day I'll shove my fist so far down his throat..." She said, speaking more to herself.
"Anyway...how's your ankle now? Is it any better?"
"Let's see, then..."
She stood and started walking.
"Yeah...it's way better now...thanks Kyoshi-kun..."
He nodded and watched as she walked back towards him.
"And now, I am going to have a nice, long, bath!" She said, taking the nice guy pose.
Kyo blinked and stared and sweat dropped.
"Uhhh..." He said, attempting to fill the awkward silence.
Mei Lhi returned to her normal self, and walked to the dressing cabinet reaching for a pale pink kimono with a lavender obi. She then proceeded to the small room off to the side of the main room they stayed in. She slid the door open and shut, getting the water ready to her liking.
Kyo noticed a small bookshelf in the corner, found an interesting thing on the middle shelf, and began to read.
- (pov thingie...)Mei Lhi wasn't the only one who decided on taking a bath. In fact, all the women were bathing in the large tubs, soaking in the warm water and the thick blanket of white foam that floated on top. Kagome scrubbed her dark locks clean, rinsed the blood and dirt from her white flesh, once she deemed herself clean, she stepped out, wrapping a fluffy towel around her body.
After quickly drying off, she slipped her yukata on, her navy kimono on top, securing it with the obi. Sliding the door open and reentering the main room in a cloud of steam, she saw Inuyasha sitting with his back against the wall, mindlessly staring out the window. One of his gold eyes averted to where she stood and quickly returned to staring outside.
"Inuyasha...you should take a bath too...we are at Sesshoumaru's castle, after all..." She said finally breaking the small silence that had formed between them.
Inuyasha didn't respond.
"Are you still brooding on what happened earlier? Because honestly, we all make mistakes...you just happened to make one..."
"Keh. Is that supposed to make me feel better, Kagome?" He replied, his voice laced with anger.
Kagome sighed.
"You're really a handful, Inuyasha...go take a bath..."
"Make me."
The miko raised an eyebrow at the hanyou.
"Oh really...?" She said in a dangerous voice, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Inuyasha met her gaze and sat frozen.
"I didn't mean 'sit' me!" He yelled in defense.
"What're you talking about?" She asked innocently. "Since when did you get that idea?"
Inuyasha flattened his ears to his head, ran across the room, and threw the door to the bathroom open, nearly slamming it shut.
Kagome laughed lightly.
"I didn't mean to scare him..." She said quietly.
- (pov thingie...)Miroku had settled into a nice hot bath, enjoying the sweet scent of soap that surrounded the room in a thick cloud.
"This place is quite luxurious...I wonder how Sesshoumaru-sama is able to leave at all..." He thought aloud.
Sighing he glanced at his cursed hand, the cloth wet as well as the beads. Sighing once more, he crossed his arms behind his neck, laying back into the water, enjoying the tranquil moment he had to himself, finding his thoughts drifting from Naraku's plans to Sango.
"Now how did that happen...?" He wondered. "I must be really too relaxed here...I think I shall get out now...before Sango hears me...that would be most unfortunate..."
With a final sigh, he stepped out of the tub and cleared his head, which was full of Sango with a little shake.
'What is going on with me...?'
- (yet another...)Hana had finished with her bath a while ago. She now sat combing her long dark hair. She became aware that her door slid open and the sound of small feet on the tatami mat followed.
"Hana-sama?" A small voice called.
"Hai, Rin-chan?" Hana replied, turning to face her.
Rin wore a clean kimono and sported damp hair. She appeared to have just come from a bath herself.
"Sesshoumaru-sama said that he was too busy to help with my hair. Jaken-sama wouldn't agree to it. The servants are busy heating all the water and making dinner...So I thought that maybe you could do it..." She said, her gaze at the floor, wringing her tiny hands nervously.
"Of course, Rin-chan. I would love to help you..." The miko said, her dark jade eyes sparkling with warmth.
Rin walked over to the miko and sat before her, pulling out a small comb, sitting in front of Hana.
The miko set her own comb aside, reaching for the girl's and gently ran it through the child's hair.
"How are you feeling, Rin-chan?" She asked.
"Much better now, Hana-sama! Thank you so much!"
Hana smiled, continuing to comb Rin's hair. Rin smiled in return, staying silent.
"Would you like me to braid it for you? There's a nice Sakura tree outside, and I'm sure I can borrow a blossom or two..." Hana asked.
Rin turned to the miko, eyes shining happily. She nodded vigorously. Hana laughed lightly and rose from the floor, walking to her window and opening it, grabbing a nearby blossom in her hand. She returned to her place behind Rin and braided the girl's hair, tucking the flower behind her left ear. Rin giggled and thanked the miko, leaving quickly to show off her new hairstyle to Jaken. Hana smiled again, smoothing out the creases of her white kimono that had green trim at the hem and the ends of the sleeves that matched her eyes. The obi was the same color also. She proceeded to comb through her hair once more, combing until it felt like silk between her fingers.
- (lalala...I dunno if this next part is considered 'lemon-ish' or not, but so the ppl don't scold me, I'll just have this be a forewarning...)"Kyoshi-kun!" Mei Lhi's voice said, sounding far off.
Kyo looked up from the book he read.
"Hm?" He wondered.
"Kyoshi-kun!"
Her voice was more insistent.
"Hai?" He called back.
"Help me with something...?" She asked innocently.
He put the book down, the ryuuyoukai very confused as he made his way to the door, sliding it open, carefully making sure to keep his gaze averted to the wall.
"What do you need help with?" He asked, making himself find great interest in the intricate detailing on the wall.
"There's a spot behind my ears I can't get..."
"W-what?" He almost choked.
She placed a sponge at the rim of the tub. He felt himself blushing as he walked closer. He knelt down and took the sponge carefully scrubbing behind the wet inu ears. What he failed to see was the trap that the hanyou girl was putting into place. Carefully she slid a bar of slippery soap by his hand and moved a little bit away from him. He instinctively moved forward and his hand gripped the soap, and he slipped forward, right into the tub with a large splash, causing the water in the tub to spill over the rim a little, wetting the floor.
Mei Lhi couldn't help but smirk at her successful plan. Kyo resurfaced, his clothes and hair completely soaked. The hanyou girl burst into a fit of giggles, seeing a small mountain of foam on top of the Ryuuyoukai's head.
"What was that for?" He asked, trying to sound annoyed.
"I was bored." She replied.
"What did I ever do to you?" His voice taking on an attempted hurt-sounding tone.
"Aww...did I make Kyoshi-kun sad...?" The hanyou girl asked innocently, looking at him with her golden pools sparkling, her index finger to her lips, completing the act with a puppy dog face. (A/N: Basically, if you've seen "Naruto" you know how he uses Sexy no Jutsu on Jiraiya to get him to train him and he was asking about the condition? That's what Mei's pretty much doing...)
Kyo sweat dropped. He also found himself speechless. His voice refused to work. His throat had become tight, almost tight enough to cut off his air supply.
Mei Lhi pulled him into an embrace, resting her head against his chest.
"I'm sorry Kyoshi-kun...I didn't mean to make you sad..." She said softly, holding him tighter.
She closed her eyes as she rested against him. Kyo wrapped his arms around her, breathing in the air around him. He noticed something different.
'Mei's scent...it's changed...' He thought, his brain not really understanding his words until last minute. 'Wait, what?! Changed?!'
He took another breath of the air, confirming his thoughts.
'It's such a nice scent...augh...damn it...I can't let her heat scent get to me...'
In a flash her lips softly pressed against his own, she leaned towards him, deepening the kiss, her arms now reaching around his neck. With his thought running repeatedly through his mind, he found out that almost instinctively he kissed her back.
The door slid open, and a figure stood in the doorway.
'Please don't be Inuyasha...Please don't be Inuyasha...Please don't be Inuyasha...' Kyo prayed.
The steam in the room cleared, revealing the servant, Koji in the doorway.
Kyo mentally let out a sigh of relief.
'Thank you, Kami-sama...remind me to pray to express my gratitude...'
Koji sweat dropped at the sight.
"Umm...I'll come back at another time, ne?" He said awkwardly.
Mei Lhi pulled away finally, returning to normal.
"What?" She asked Koji, annoyed.
"The dinner will be ready soon..." Koji said quickly, closing the door and taking off out of the room like a bat out of hell.
The hanyou girl blinked and shrugged her shoulders.
"That was stupid..." She muttered.
"Eh...well...think about it...what if it was you...walking in on Inuyasha and Kagome..." Kyo replied.
Two identical sneezes were heard from the room next door.
Mei Lhi jumped upon seeing him.
"Eep! When'd you get here?!"
"Umm...you asked me to come..."
"I did...? Really? I don't remember..."
"I didn't think you would either..."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say...it was a really, really, really awkward moment..."
"Well...if it was as awkward as you say, maybe we should get out, so that way, if the door slides open again, there won't be the chance of it being anyone we know..."
Kyo was out first and disappeared into a rush of wind, reappearing in the main room completely dry. He pulled his hair back into a low plume at his neck, straightened his yukata, and finally returned to the place he had occupied earlier, reading the book.
Mei Lhi appeared about a minute later, attempting to wring her hair dry.
"You know, I can see you're not really reading that book...so stop faking..." She said.
"Aww...just when I thought my impression was flawless..." He replied, making a disappointed face.
"Well, I know for certain that there are loads of words on each page...and you're just flipping pages and glancing at the top and bottom of each one..."
"What? I can read it..."
"Whatever..."
"No seriously...you want me to recite the past four pages to you?"
"No, that's alright...but you could help me dry my hair..."
Kyo passively waved his hand, not taking his gaze off the book in his lap, the hanyou girl's silver tresses dry instantly.
From out in the hall, someone rapped their knuckles lightly against the doorframe of their room.
"It's Sango..." Kyo said.
"Come in!" Mei Lhi called.
The door opened and the taijiya stepped in, wearing a lavender kimono.
"Oh...Koji-san sent me in to tell you that we're to go to the dining hall...Sesshoumaru's going to enter last, all of us are first and we're supposed to be announced as we enter...and we go in pairs..." Sango explained.
"Well, then go with Miroku." Mei Lhi and Kyo chorused.
"I know! I'm already going with Houshi-sama! He only asked me twenty seconds ago if I'd go with him..."
"My dear Sango! Are you ready for your escort?" Miroku asked, appearing behind the woman.
"Yes, Houshi-sama...but I advise you remove your hand from my backside unless you want to lose it..."
The monk complied and held up both hands in defense, Sango hitting him over the head with a closed fist. The taijiya reluctantly took the monk's arm, and together they made their way down the hall.
"Guess that's our cue..." Mei Lhi muttered.
"Yeah, guess so..." Kyo agreed, extending his arm.
The hanyou girl took his arm, both leaving the room, following Sango and Miroku, Inuyasha and Kagome joining them from behind. Mei Lhi turned around to glance at her brother.
"Hey Nii-chan!" She said, waving innocently.
"Yeah...hi..." Inuyasha ground out.
"Why the face?"
"Keh. That's a stupid question..."
"There's no such thing as a stupid question..."
"Feh! Don't make me laugh!"
"Wall..." Kyo interrupted.
"Huh?"
Kyo sighed and pulled Mei Lhi from walking face-first into a wall.
"Ohhh! Whoops...thanks Kyoshi-kun..."
Sango and Miroku stopped walking, the others realizing they stood before a set of tall doors that had an elegant design carved into them. Mei Lhi looked around, spotting Shippou and Kirara at the front, Rin and Hana behind them, Koji off to the side, and another servant holding a small scroll. Two more servants appeared, along with Jaken a second later.
"Open the doors!" Jaken ordered.
The two servants that arrived with the toad youkai pulled the doors open.
"Now, when you first go in, you'll go to the bottom of the stairs and separate. Make a pathway so Sesshoumaru-sama may enter through the middle. Now...let's begin..." Jaken instructed.
The servant with the scroll stepped forward into the room, opening the scroll, and cleared his throat.
"In order for the great Sesshoumaru-sama to express his gratitude-" The servant began.
"Feh. As if he had any..." Inuyasha muttered audibly.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome scolded, elbowing him sharply in the ribs.
"Ow! That fucking hurt, wench!"
"Shut up!" Mei Lhi hissed, turning around.
Inuyasha burned holes into the back of his sister's head, but stayed silent.
"As I was saying...in order for the great Sesshoumaru-sama to express his gratitude, he has had this feast prepared as payment for helping rid his lands of the enemy...and now, I announce...Young Master Shippou the Kitsune and Kirara the fire neko youkai..."
Shippou and Kirara walked forward, reaching the bottom of the small stairway, separating to either side.
"Young Rin and miko, Hanajima Shimabara..."
Hana and Rin walked forward.
"Lord Monk, Miroku and taijiya, Sango..."
Both walked forward, and separated.
"Lord Inuyasha, second son of Inutaisho and young miko, Kagome..."
Inuyasha and Kagome stepped forward, separating.
"Lady Mei Lhi, first daughter of Inutaisho and Lord Kyoshima of the North and Prince of the Ryuuyoukai..."
Mei Lhi and Kyo stepped forward.
"And now, Sesshoumaru, first son of Inutaisho, Lord of the Western Lands..."
The servant rolled up his scroll, bowed politely and left the room.
"Guests, those of you lower than Sesshoumaru-sama shall bow before him...you know who you are..." Jaken yelled out quickly.
Sesshoumaru appeared in the doorway and walked forward.
"Jaken...that is not necessary..." Sesshoumaru said, turning to his underling. "But if they wish to, they may do so...it is their choice..."
Kyo nodded his head in acknowledgement at the taiyoukai, Sesshoumaru nodding in return. Mei Lhi did the same, Kagome as well, Inuyasha only making brief eye contact with his half-brother.
The taiyoukai walked on, Miroku and Sango respectfully bowed their heads. Hana went into a full bow, Rin running up to the taiyoukai.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" She exclaimed eagerly, pointing to her hair. "Hana-sama did my hair for me! Do you like it, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
Sesshoumaru glanced at Hana, nodding a 'thank you' and turned back to Rin, patting the top of the girl's head lightly. He walked on, noticing Shippou making faces at Inuyasha while Kyo and Miroku strained to hold the hanyou back. Kirara mewed in apology at her companion's behavior.
This was going to be interesting...
- (you know already...)The dinner itself never had a dull moment. The moment Sesshoumaru was seated, before anyone could stop him, Inuyasha took off, chasing Shippou. That was quickly ended when Mei Lhi waited patiently off to the side as Shippou ran by, and then stuck out a closed fist just as Inuyasha was rushing past. When the dinner was served, Inuyasha sent his two siblings death glares. Hana finally got so sick of it that she threw a spell scroll across the table at him. It scared the half-demon so much that it kept him in line for the next ten minutes before Shippou, Mei Lhi, and Miroku cracked and burst out laughing.
"It's a fake! It's really just the napkin..." The three of them had said.
That only resulted in Inuyasha sending death glares at Hana, Miroku, and Shippou as well as Mei Lhi (who got the worst glares of the bunch), and Sesshoumaru.
The taiyoukai watched this all conspire from his place at the table, finding himself somewhat amused.
'It seems Inuyasha is intent on trying to aggravate me...' He thought.
He glanced at everyone at the table, all of them annoyed except for Rin, Kyo, Shippou, and Kirara.
"I'm sorry Sesshoumaru-sama...but please excuse me for a moment..." Hana said off to his left.
The taiyoukai nodded, watching as the miko rose from her seat and walked over to Inuyasha.
CLUNK!
When she walked away, the half-demon sported a steaming bump on the top of his head. The miko returned to her place at the table and finally was able to eat in peace.
After that, Inuyasha's attitude was more subdued and he finally decided to behave after Kagome's threat of sitting him.
- (pov...lalalala...)The plates were cleared away, everyone leaving to retire for bed, or in Sesshoumaru's case, go back to work, sifting through mountains of paperwork.
The demon lord was at his desk in the study, skimming through the papers that littered the desktop. He pressed his hand to his face, closing his eyes for a moment for a break.
His eyes snapped open upon hearing a small scuffing sound on the tatami mats out in the hallway, the creak of the door opening, and the small snap it made when it closed. The scent that wafted to him was none other than Hana's. He rose from his seat at his desk, leaving the study, following the miko.
- (more pov...)Hana sat outside on the porch, enjoying the calming breezes that swelled around her form, watching as the grass moved rhythmically with it, flower petals floating around in the air.
The door behind her slid open, the miko sensing the strong youki of the taiyoukai.
"Hanajima-san...why are you still awake at this hour...?" Sesshoumaru asked in a level voice.
"Most likely the same reason you are..." She replied.
"I highly doubt that you are still awake because of work..."
"Then I guess it's not the same reason after all...please, sit with me..."
Sesshoumaru closed the door and walked over to the miko, sitting at her side. Hana was slightly surprised to see that the Lord of the Western Lands had just done as she had requested.
"Hanajima-san..."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"...Thank you..."
Hana's eyes widened.
"N-nani?"
"You saved this Sesshoumaru's life, did you not?"
"Oh...hai...I guess I did..."
"...why would a ningen even care if this Sesshoumaru died?"
Hana averted her eyes to the grass at her feet.
"I don't know why I did it...I just felt...compelled to do something...anything...I guess that was the first thing that came to mind..."
Sesshoumaru was silent for a while, the two of them enjoying the other's company.
"You said that you cared for Mei Lhi, did you not, Hanajima-san?" The taiyoukai asked.
"Hai...after Kiori died, I took her in..."
Another few seconds of silence.
"Hanajima-san...would it be inappropriate...if I were to ask you about yourself?"
"Oh...no...I wouldn't mind at all...what would you like to know, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"...only what has been significant in your life..."
"Well...when I was young, my elder brother was a taijiya...my father was also one, and he was head of our village. My mother was a noblewoman from another village. But you see, I wanted to be a taijiya as well. However, youkai attacked the village...and my father died trying to protect my brother, my mother, and me. So my brother became the head of the village...and about a week later, my mother died...a few years later, when my brother had fully grown, there was a battle...a great swarm of youkai came to finish what they started...they came to kill my brother and me...my brother died in battle. The youkai came after me...and that's when I discovered my miko powers. A barrier went up, and once the youkai came into contact with it, they were purified instantly...so, one of the village elders sent me off to go train my powers in Musashi's domain, where I met Kikyo and Tsubaki. I spent most of my time with Kikyo...Tsubaki was hardly around...always in her hut, supposedly reciting dark rituals. Kikyo and I became good friends, and she helped me gain control over my powers. Then a messenger from my village and the village elder came to Musashi's domain, and had me show them all that I had learned. They decided I was ready and I returned home, taking the place my father and brother had been before...it was a few years later when Mei Lhi arrived with Kiori, Kyo, and Hakaru. Mei Lhi was only a year old, so young...I let them live in the village, and so you see, the villagers had been accustomed to hate youkai because of the previous attacks...so word leaked out that Mei Lhi was hanyou...they panicked. But I assured them they would be safe...however, some weren't too sure...two years later, the leader of the village samurai attacked, and that was how the great fire started...but, I think I've talked enough about myself...would it be rude, Sesshoumaru-sama, if I were to ask you the same question...?"
Sesshoumaru was silent for a while, seeming to let Hana's story sink in mulling it over in his mind.
'Such tragedies Hanajima-san has had in her life...' He thought.
"Sesshoumaru-sama...?"
The taiyoukai snapped out of his thoughts turning to the miko at his side. After thinking for a moment, he came to a decision.
"It would be unfair if I were not to share some of my own history when you have so openly shared some of your own..."
A small smile formed at the corners of Hana's mouth.
"Then tell me what has been significant for you in your life..."
"...the first one would be when my Haha-ue died. The second, when my Chichiue decided to marry that ningen woman. The third, the day Inuyasha was born. But the fourth seems to be more significant..."
"What would that be, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"...the day that Mei Lhi had been born...this Sesshoumaru had seen her...she was a beautiful pup...I had not resented her as I had done to Inuyasha. Mei Lhi was different...very quiet...so much like this Sesshoumaru in many ways, yet so much like Inuyasha...and Chichiue. It was a single human year that I had seen her...and during that time, Chichiue loved her, Inuyasha, and myself all the same. But somehow he seemed more attached to Mei Lhi...as did I...it was strange...But when our Chichiue died, this Sesshoumaru had no choice but to take over the Western Lands. Mei Lhi and Inuyasha were cast out for their own protection..."
Hana had listened to the taiyoukai's words in silence. He continued a little more, going on about when he had heard Mei Lhi had supposedly died in the fire, and when Inuyasha had been killed by Kikyo's arrow, all the way to when he revived Rin.
When he had finished, Hana smiled at him.
"Sesshoumaru-sama...you are truly a kind-hearted person..." She said.
After those words had been said, she yawned and her eyes closed, falling asleep. In her sleep, she leant onto the taiyoukai for support.
Sesshoumaru attempted to pull himself away from the sleeping miko without disturbing her, but found that he was stuck. So he reluctantly made himself comfortable on the porch, his arm around the miko's shoulder's to keep her from falling over. Hana snuggled into Sesshoumaru's tail for warmth, the taiyoukai shifting it so it was loosely draped around her.
In a few minutes, much to the demon lord's surprise, he found that the day's events had caught up with him. All the fighting and skimming through paperwork had tired him. Hesitantly, he lightly rested his head on top of Hana's his own eyes closing before he could stop himself.
- (Hehe...wasn't that kawaii? I'll shut up with my comments now...)
Mei Lhi and Kyo lay in the futon together, back to back upon Inuyasha's request. The hanyou girl slept soundly, but the Ryuuyoukai opened an eye, a mischievous grin on his face. He was going to get Mei Lhi back for the prank in the bathtub.
Carefully, he created the lightest of breezes, making it feel like a tickling sensation on the hanyou girl's shoulder.
She passively raised an arm in her sleep to make the feeling go away, brushing off the spot with her hand.
"Go away Myouga-jijii..." She murmured sleepily.
Kyo's grin grew as he made the feeling of the wind go to her leg, now creating the effect of a snake slithering its way up.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!" She shrieked, waking instantly, leaping out of the bed, leaning against the wall.
Kyo sat up, making sure to look like she had woken him.
"What's the matter...?" He asked in a well-acted sleepy voice.
"There's something in there!" She replied, pointing to the mattress.
The door slid open, revealing a very tired Inuyasha, wearing his yukata and hakama, Kagome behind him, with the half-demon's fire rat haori draped over her shoulders.
"What now?" He asked, yawning widely, his fangs clearly showing.
"There's a snake or something in the bed." Mei Lhi answered.
"Keh. Nan da?"
"Mei-chan, you're alright, aren't you?" Kagome asked, concerned.
"Un. I'm fine..."
"Well what do you want me to do? Check for bugs?" Inuyasha said irritably.
"That'd be nice..."
"Oi, Kyo get up..."
The Ryuuyoukai rose from the futon, Inuyasha pulled the covers back, sniffing the mattress.
"There's nothing here." He said finally, once he concluded his search. "Come on Kagome..."
The miko and hanyou left the room, Kyo returning to bed, his emotions getting the better of him. A small smirk crept its way onto his face. What he failed to realize, was that Mei Lhi had noticed it as she climbed back into bed.
- (POV change...)
With her back facing Kyo, she smirked as well, already plotting revenge.
'There's a Sakura tree outside...and hair ribbons in the dressing cabinet...this is going to be fun...' She thought, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
- (Passage of Time...)
When dawn was just breaking, Mei Lhi silently rose from the futon, taking a large handful of ribbons from the dressing cabinet and an equally large handful of Sakura blossoms. She glanced back at Kyo, seeing his hair was spread out to one side rather conveniently. With a silent snicker, she took the ribbons, flowers, and Kyo's hair, and started to braid...
- (More time passage...)When Kyo woke, it had been a long time since Mei Lhi had finished her 'work.'
"Good morning!" She said brightly to him. "I really like your hair..."
"Hm?" He asked, confused.
He sighed and got out of bed, going into one of the side rooms to check his reflection.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!!!!!!" He yelled.
Mei Lhi laughed, and scrambled to her feet as she sensed Kyo's footsteps quickly approaching after her.
The hanyou girl had braided ribbons and flowers into Kyo's hair. The Ryuuyoukai obviously wasn't very happy about it either...of course it wouldn't take a genius to figure that out, seeing as he was chasing after her down the hallway, waking everyone up along the way.
The two of them were running up and down the hallway, trampling Jaken several times in the process, who had wandered upstairs to see what all the racket was about. Their game of chase ended when Inuyasha stepped in.
"PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP! PEOPLE LIKE ME! SO CUT IT OUT!" He snarled at them.
Both stopped running and caught their breath, Kyo quickly trying to unbraid his hair. However, all the others had woken and had seen him, each returning to their rooms, laughter floating through the doors. He sighed and shook his head, the braid loosening, the ribbons and flowers falling out. While he cleaned up, Mei Lhi snuck downstairs, forgetting about the Jaken-pancake in the middle of the hallway, and stepping on him on her way down. (A/N: See Dragon Man? Isn't this better than getting hit by rocks or trees while being suspended high in the air? Well, that's probably better than this, but, it'll get better...trust me, it will...)
As she made her way to the kitchen, she sensed Hana and Sesshoumaru outside. Carefully opening the door, and slipping outside as silently as possible, she saw the taiyoukai asleep, with Hana curled up next to him.
The hanyou girl's eyes went wide, and she carefully backed away and returned inside. But her silent spying was broken when Jaken showed up. In a flash, Mei Lhi left to the kitchen before Jaken could show up and chastise her.
'Oh. My. God. I did NOT just see that!'
- (POV Change..)Jaken had stood up and after becoming un-flattened, he rushed downstairs to the study to look for his lord.
"Sesshoumaru-sama isn't in here..."
The toad youkai saw the front door open, and curious as a cat, he went outside.
"Sesshoumaru-sam-WAAAAAAAH!!!!! What are you doing with that ningen witch?!!" Jaken yelled in surprise.
- (POV Change...)
Sesshoumaru's eyes opened instantly, and he turned to the toad youkai.
"Jaken...shut up...you'll wake her..." He said in a steady voice.
"But Sesshoumaru-sama, you're a lord! You can't be associating with people, especially ningens, of her low class!"
"...Jaken, it is not in your right to tell me what to do...leave...now..."
"B-But Sesshoumaru-sama!"
"Jaken!"
"H-hai, S-Sesshoumaru-sama..."
Jaken left quickly, the taiyoukai turned to the woman who slept next to him. The scent of the toad youkai remained, but also something else. Sesshoumaru's expression remained neutral as he realized to whom the other scent belonged.
'So...she has seen it as well...' He thought.
"Hanajima-san..." He said somewhere nearby the miko's ear.
"Hm?" She murmured sleepily as she stirred.
Her eyes opened and upon realizing where she was, she leapt off the taiyoukai.
"Gomen nasai, Sesshoumaru-sama. I did not mean to do that...I guess I didn't realize how tired I was..." She apologized, now on her feet and bowing politely.
"Hanajima-san...this Sesshoumaru did not mind your company...it was welcoming...also, this Sesshoumaru must thank you again...I have not slept through the entire night for several years..." The demon lord replied.
Hana blushed visibly.
"Then I accept your thanks..." She said, her hands wringing from nervousness.
With that said, she ran back inside, headed to her room, her heart pounding.
'What...what just happened?!'
'How about we review that?' The little voice everyone has inside their head replied.
'...how about, no?'
'Let's see...ah yes, you and Lord Sesshoumaru were talking late into the night, and I guess after listening to all that, you got too comfortable, and just fell asleep on him.'
'Please, don't remind me...'
'Why so uneasy? You shouldn't be nervous about something like that...unless...you feel something...'
'What?! No...that's impossible!'
'No...you're wrong...it's not impossible, just highly improbable to other people's standards.'
'Why am I even listening to you?!'
'I don't know, you tell me...you were the one who decided to wonder what went on downstairs...and I simply answered...and told the truth that you, yourself refuses to admit.'
'I do NOT have feelings for Sesshoumaru-sama...'
'Denial...now there's a sure sign of it! No feelings? Yeah right...then tell me, why is it that you are so polite and respectful towards him? And why did you confide in him? More importantly, why did you say what you did before you fell asleep on him?'
Hana sighed in defeat. The voice was right.
'Kyo is respectful and polite towards Sesshoumaru-sama also!'
'Is that what you call an excuse? That's really pathetic, Hana...I thought you could do better than that! Honestly, Kyo is supposed to be polite and respectful. He's that way to everyone...well...except for Hakaru...and Naraku...Kikyo too, maybe...'
'Will you just please just go away so I can-'
'So you can what? Think? You know, you didn't answer my other two questions...'
'Yes, so I can think! If I answer your questions, will you go away?'
'Maybe...'
'Fine...that's the best chance I have right now...I confided in Sesshoumaru-sama simply because I have found him to be trustworthy. And I admit, I have grown fond of him...'
'That's a good start...well, answer the next one...'
'I said what was in my heart at that time...I only said what was true...'
'Good! Now...let me make a few points and then I swear I'll leave you alone so you can "think", alright?'
'Fine. Fire away...'
'Why did Sesshoumaru seem almost compelled to confide in you as well? Judging from what you know about him, he's emotionless and he trusts no one...obviously, you did something, so...he could possibly have some sort of feeling of attachment towards you. On top of that, he fell asleep with you! A taiyoukai doesn't do that! Especially one with his kind of personality...he'd probably rather be dead before he would be caught sleeping out in the open with a human woman like yourself! Am I correct?'
'That is true...'
'Well...?'
'Well what?'
'Do you admit you have feelings for Sesshoumaru?'
Hana sighed again, and closing her eyes, her brow knitted with annoyance, she nodded reluctantly.
'Hai. I admit that I have feelings more than just fondness for Sesshoumaru-sama...'
'More than fondness or above it altogether?'
'Stop twisting my arm...'
'Say it...or else I won't go away...'
'Alright! I like him, are you happy now?!'
'How much do you like him?'
'A little...'
'Are you certain?'
'N-Yes...'
'Are you absolutely, positively sure of your answer?'
'Kami! Ok, a lot! Will you go away yet?'
'Soon, maybe...'
'How much longer of this?'
'Not much more...'
'Thank Kami!'
'Now...you like him a lot, right?'
'Yes...'
'Enough for you to even...love him?'
Hana nearly choked.
'N-NANI?! Are you insane?!'
'Hey, I'm a part of you...so you ask yourself! Answer the question, Hana...do you love him?'
Hana sat silently for a moment, thinking hard on the question. After several long moments, she opened her eyes determinedly.
'...you wish to know the answer?'
'Yes, do tell!'
'I do...I do love Sesshoumaru-sama...'
'Now...you do realize that you are human, right?'
'Hai.'
'And you do realize that Sesshoumaru would never love a human, right?'
'Hai.'
'Do you feel so strongly for him that you would wish him to acknowledge your feelings towards him?'
'Hai.'
'Would you do anything at all that could make it possible for him to love you in return?'
'Hai.'
'Even change yourself for him?'
'Hai.'
'Alright...because of your honesty, this will be the last question...'
'Ok...what is it?'
'Do you feel compelled to do something now? Anything at all? In the sake for the possibility of a relationship between you and Sesshoumaru?'
'Yes...'
'What would that be? If you don't mind me being curious...'
'I am going to ask Kyo to take me to the North...there are Ryuuyoukai that grant wishes...'
'Taking anyone with you in particular?'
'Rin...'
'Very well...my work is done...now all that is left to do is what you desire...'
'Hai...'
'You know what you need to do. So just do it.'
Hana suddenly walked to her dressing cabinet, frantically searching for something.
'Nothing here...I will have to ask...'
She went to a corner in her room where a bell rested on an end table. She picked it up and rang it twice, Koji entering her room.
"Koji-san, I have a favor to ask." She said.
"Hai, Miko-sama?" He replied.
"I need a kimono...of only white. Or white robes...send my breakfast up here. And summon Kyo. Do you understand?"
"Hai. Will there be anything else?"
"No...that will be all...thank you..."
- (Time passage...)A few minutes passed and the small lift in the room arrived, her breakfast on a tray, a white kimono and white slippers next to it.
She took them off the lift, her food on a small table, her clothes laid draped over a chair.
Bathing quickly, and slipping into the white clothes and putting on the slippers, she ate a small portion of her meal, drinking most of her tea.
A knock sounded outside her door.
"Enter." She said.
"Miko-sama, I have brought Lord Kyoshima as you requested." Koji said, opening the door and stepping inside.
"Thank you, you may go..."
Koji bowed and politely excused himself. Kyo walked in.
"So...you uh...wanted to see me?" He asked uncertainly.
"I want you to take me to the North. I would like to speak with the Elders. I have a request."
Kyo's expression changed instantly. He looked very serious.
"Are you sure? You do know...that they don't exactly approve of humans going up there, right?"
"Yes, I'm aware of that. But I have something urgent that must be attended to at once...I'll need your help to 'borrow' Rin-chan for a while..."
"You don't mean to kidnap her, do you?!"
"No...of course not. I will have you ask Sesshoumaru-sama if I may take her with me..."
"Alright...what do I tell the others?"
"We tell them only enough for them to know..."
"As you wish..."
Kyo left the room, Hana sitting at the table, sipping at her tea in silence, waiting patiently.
- (POV change...)"Sesshoumaru-sama, you have a visitor." Koji said from the doorway of the study, his eyes locked onto the taiyoukai, waiting for an indication that he had been heard. "Shall I let him in?"
The inuyoukai looked up, stayed silent for a moment, and then nodded. Koji excused himself and opened the door, Kyo walking into the room.
Sesshoumaru's eyebrow rose a little, wondering why the Ryuuyoukai had come.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, I have come on Hana-chan's behalf...she plans to go on a short journey, and I will be accompanying her. But Hana-chan wanted me to come here and ask for permission to take Rin along with us." Kyo explained.
Sesshoumaru's eyes stared blankly into Kyo's, until he finally nodded.
"...Kaze no ryuu...if you do not mind my asking...where is it that Hanajima-san wishes to go...?" The demon lord wondered.
"Hana-chan wishes not to disclose the location of her intended destination to anyone..." Kyo replied.
"Very well..."
The taiyoukai gave a short nod of understanding, and summoned Koji from outside the room and told the servant to get Rin. Koji nodded and obediently left, returning with the small girl.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" The girl exclaimed happily. "Rin is wondering why she is here right now..."
"I'm going on a little trip, Rin-chan...and I would like you to come with me..." Hana said from the doorway.
Rin turned around and her eyes lit up.
"Hana-sama! Rin would love to go on a trip with you! If Sesshoumaru-sama says it's ok..." She said brightly, looking to her lord.
He nodded in reply.
"Rin can go with Hana-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
He nodded again.
The girl ran up to him and gave him a hug, Sesshoumaru embracing her lightly with his arm, keeping his face free of emotion. When Rin finally let go of him, he turned to look into her eyes to indicate seriousness.
"...You will behave. You will do everything Hanajima-san asks. You will not complain. And you will be respectful. Is that understood, Rin?" He said.
Rin nodded.
"Rin will be good for Hana-sama! Don't worry Sesshoumaru-sama!"
She ran back to where Hana stood.
"Kyo, are we ready to leave?" The miko asked.
"Hai...everything is set...it won't take us too long to get there, with my speed...we won't be needing to take anything with us...but I insist that I speak to them...they may not listen to you..." He replied.
Sesshoumaru's gaze averted so he could look Hana in the eyes.
"...you are going to the North...am I correct?" He asked.
Hana's eyes widened slightly, and she took Rin's arm, in an almost protective manner.
"...Sesshoumaru-sama...please, do not be angry...Yes, I do wish to go to the North...but I only wish to go there so I may speak with their Elders and voice a request I must make. I am taking Rin simply because she may have a similar request in her heart. Kyo shall take us, and he will keep us safe...and, if anything goes wrong, I will protect Rin's life with my own...I do hope you understand..."
The taiyoukai continued to stare piercingly into the miko's eyes; a small almost unnoticeable smirk graced his lips.
"...then if you are to die, know that this Sesshoumaru will unfortunately not be able to bring you back..." He said.
Hana smiled and nodded.
"Come Rin, we don't want to waste any time..." She said, smiling at the small girl. "We will be back soon, Sesshoumaru-sama...no more than three days...four at most...if we do not return by the fifth day, then I suggest you should start looking for us..."
"...I shall hold you to that..." The demon lord replied, watching as the trio left the room.
- (POV Change...)Mei Lhi, Kagome, and Sango sat together under a large tree, eating breakfast.
"You won't believe what I saw this morning, Kagome-chan...this one's gonna shock you too, Sango-chan..." Mei Lhi began.
"What?" Kagome asked curiously.
"Yes, what did you see?" Sango urged.
"Sesshoumaru was asleep, on the porch this morning..."
"Are you serious?" Sango asked.
"But that's not all...Hana-chan was asleep with him..."
Kagome and Sango nearly choked on their food.
"WHAAAAAT?!!!" The girls exclaimed.
"Yeah, Jaken saw them too...so I'm thinking...Hana-chan probably likes Sesshoumaru a lot...and Sesshoumaru must like her too or else he would've never fallen asleep like that..."
"Full details, now!" Sango demanded.
Kagome nodded vigorously, egging her on.
The hanyou girl sighed, and began to tell the young miko and taijiya what she had seen.
"I think a plan to get them together is in order…" Sango said grinning mischievously.
"Agreed." Kagome replied.
"Can't hurt to try, now can it?" Mei Lhi said with a sigh.
- (POV Change)
Kyo had transformed into his true form, Hana held Rin, and got onto the Ryuuyoukai's back.
"Rin-chan, stay on my lap. I don't want Kyo's scales to hurt you..." The miko said.
Rin nodded, holding onto Hana tightly. Hana lightly held onto a part of Kyo's mane. The Ryuuyoukai looked over his shoulder as if to check that everyone was holding on. Hana nodded, mouthing the word, "Go."
A small cloud of dust formed as Kyo was in the sky in less than a second.
Hana's hands gripped the Ryuuyoukai's mane a little tighter once they were airborne. His scales were cutting into her arms, but the miko paid no attention to it. Rin cringed at the sound of rushing wind in her ears, hiding her face in Hana's kimono.
Hana watched as the Western Lands became further and further away, until it was no more than a tiny speck in the distance. The mountains grew larger, a giant youki emanating from them. As they came closer, the giant youki became the youki of every Ryuuyoukai that was there in the mountains. Some youkis were even more powerful than Kyo's. Hana shuddered slightly.
Kyo landed on a large, flat, circular platform, Hana jumped off his back, Kyo returning to his human form, his hair braided neatly, sickle-blade weapon in hand.
"I must first warn you that there will be some that will oppose your presence completely. Also, I must warn you not to use your powers. Lots of them don't like mikos..." He said, turning to her.
Hana nodded, and took Rin's hand. They walked forward on the platform, stopping before a pair of giant stone doors. Kyo took a deep breath, and placed his hand on one of them, the doors opening, a giant hall revealed behind them.
About forty different Ryuuyoukai were sipping tea, reading, or playing cards, but all forty looked up when the doors open, each stopping what they were doing, getting to their feet and bowing respectfully.
"Hail Kyoshima-sama, for he has made a safe return." They all chorused.
"Rise! I have important business. My stay will not be long. Only a few days. I have brought some guests; please have a room prepared for them." Kyo said to them.
All forty stood, nodding.
Kyo motioned for Hana and Rin to walk forward.
"Ningen! Kyoshima-sama! Your guests are not welcome here!" A youkai said angrily.
"I am well aware of how you feel about humans being here, Taka. But I assure you they won't be burden to anyone." Kyo replied.
"But Kyoshima-sama, you know the law!"
"Yes, I do...now, please, I have business to attend to..."
All of the Ryuuyoukai stood aside, making a path for him to walk through. Hana and Rin followed, receiving some glares from of the youkai who agreed with Taka.
Kyo walked through the room, down a long corridor, when he stopped before an archway.
"Hana-chan, this leads to the throne room. You will make your request there. Speak only when asked, and always, always avoid eye contact and stay in a bow. I have business there as well, so I'll get my affairs out of the way first, so that way if anything happens, I can be ready to take off out of there...or knock some people out...that sort of thing..." He said.
"I'm ready..." Hana replied.
They walked onward, a set of golden doors before them, two youkai guards saluting and pulling the doors open. The three walked forward, Rin hiding behind the miko as they stepped into the room, bathed in golden light; silver pillars with dragons engraved into them each one with eyes of diamonds. Two golden chairs stood at the end of the room, the finest silks draped on the chairs, beautiful mauve wallpaper on the walls, royal purple chiffon banners hung from the ceiling, draping and arching in delicate waves throughout the chamber. The domed ceiling had a beautiful illustration of a silver dragon and gold dragon entwined within an expanse of white fluffy clouds.
Hana looked on with awe, Rin's own eyes darting from every part of the room, looking at the intricate details.
A Ryuuyoukai sat in one of the golden chairs, long golden hair pulled back in a high on his head, staring at the three with his orange eyes. His skin was tanned, he wore fine silk, beads adorned his neck, bracelets at his wrists, and rings on his fingers. His golden claws clicked together with impatience.
The three quickened their pace, coming closer Hana took note of the five jade green circles on his forehead (A/N: think of five on dice or dominoes...). Kyo dropped to his knees in a bow, Hana and Rin following suit.
"Harukichi-sama..." Kyo said quietly.
"Kyoshima..." Harukichi replied.
"I wish to speak freely..."
"You may...raise your head, boy..."
Kyo sat up, and pulled the jar that held Hakaru's ashes out from his haori.
"In a recent battle, at the first-born of Inutaisho's domain, Hakaru fell...I have brought his remains..."
"Bring them forward...Kyoshima..."
Kyo stood and walked over; placing them in Harukichi's outstretched hand.
Harukichi looked at the ashes, before placing them to the side.
"This is a glorious day...you have now gained a rank..."
Harukichi touched the jade circle in between the other four with his index finger, and motioned Kyo towards him. The boy walked forward, Harukichi placing his fingertip on Kyo's forehead, a third violet circle forming above the two he already had.
"Hail, Supreme Ruler Kyoshima...you have gained your rank...is there anything else...?"
"Harukichi-sama, I have brought guests...Hanajima Shimabara has come to make a request..."
Harukichi's eyes moved to the woman on the floor.
"A ningen woman?! Kyoshima! What is the meaning of this?!" The Ryuuyoukai exclaimed angrily.
Hana bit her lip, taking a deep breath.
"Harukichi-sama...please...it is not his fault...it is mine...I asked him to bring me here..." She said quietly.
Harukichi glared angrily at Hana.
"You were not given permission to speak, ningen..."
"...M-My apologies, my Lord..."
Harukichi growled menacingly.
"Harukichi-sama! Hana means no harm!" Kyo said suddenly. "Please, just give her a chance. She isn't quite adjusted to our ways here..."
"Kyoshima, you will stay out of this..."
Kyo's eyes looked downcast, as he sighed and nodded, stepping to the side.
"Rin, come..." He said quietly.
The girl ran to him, holding onto his hakama.
"Kyo-sama, will Hana-sama be alright?" She asked nervously.
"I don't know Rin..." He replied.
Harukichi rose from his seat, circling around Hana much like a vulture does to their prey when it is about to die.
"Ningen, get on your feet." He ordered.
Hana stood, her hands shaking with nervousness.
Harukichi stopped so that he was right in front of Hana. He looked her up and down for a moment seething as he did so. His hand drew back, his claws clicking together. With demonic speed, it swung forward, hitting the miko across the face with a deafening smack, knocking Hana to the floor.
"Hana-sama!" Rin cried.
"Hana!" Kyo gasped.
Harukichi's eyes narrowed, watching as Hana struggled to get on her feet again. He took a few steps closer to her struggling form, looking thoughtful. In a fluid motion, his leg swung back, making contact with the miko woman's stomach.
"Harukichi-sama! Stop, please!" Kyo yelled with desperation. "This isn't necessary!"
"Kyoshima, you will hold your tongue or I will have it removed!" Harukichi replied venomously.
Kyo fell silent, subconsciously patting Rin's head gently as she sobbed into his sleeve.
Harukichi turned back to Hana, who again tried to get up. He kicked her again, harder this time; she fell flat on the floor. Again, she fought to stand. And again, he brought her down.
The process continued a few more times until Rin let out a wail of misery. The small girl ran and put herself between Harukichi and Hana.
"Please..." She whimpered, tears streaming from her eyes. "Stop...stop hurting Hana-sama..."
"You are in the way...if you do not move, I will hit you as well..." Harukichi replied coldly.
"I...won't move..."
"I usually spare runts like you...but, you are bothersome..."
Harukichi made a move to strike, gaining momentum.
"Harukichi! Stop this instant!" A female voice yelled in fury.
The Ryuuyoukai froze.
"What is the meaning of this, Harukichi?! Picking on defenseless humans?! And a little girl too?! I cannot believe you! You are to return to your seat in this room right now! You have not put me in a good mood, Harukichi. I was trying to rest, but you were making such a racket...and this is what you were doing?! I am greatly ashamed. You have dishonored me, Harukichi! For your actions you will be judged!" The voice continued in an angry tirade.
Footsteps sounded, a Ryuuyoukai with ankle-length black hair and pale eyes and skin, clad in silver silk approached.
"Hinoki-sama..." Kyo and Harukichi chorused.
Hinoki strode past Harukichi, pushing him aside rather ungracefully. She knelt so that she was eye to eye with Rin.
"Little one, are you alright?" She asked kindly.
Rin nodded.
Hinoki looked to Hana who lay on the floor. She moved past Rin, extending her hand to help Hana up. The miko's hand shook as she reached out and took it.
"Are you alright?" Hinoki asked.
Hana held her stomach with one arm, wincing from the pain. She nodded after a few seconds.
"I...will be fine..." Hana answered.
The miko could feel that something had broken. With a calming breath, she gathered miko energy, her hand glowing a faint blue, feeling her pain lessen immensely.
"You are...a miko?" Hinoki asked.
Hana nodded.
Hinoki studied Hana for a moment.
"You look familiar...almost like..." Hinoki said quietly.
"Midoriko?" Hana supplied.
"Yes, exactly."
"That is because...I am her granddaughter..."
"I have heard of you...Hanajima Shimabara, am I correct?"
Hana nodded.
"Well, getting to the point, Hana, what is your purpose for coming?"
"I have come to make a request to the Elders."
"I am the highest rank of the Ryuuyoukai. You may voice your request to me."
Hinoki shifted her long hair so Hana could see six small burgundy circles on her forehead. (A/N: The way it looks is one in the center, with five around the one in the middle in a circle. So five dots circling a sixth one in the middle...I hope I'm not confusing you...)
Hinoki's silver eyes looked at Hana imploringly.
"I wish to become a full inuyoukai."
A/N: Was that an evil cliffy or what?! LoL...wow...this chapter is too short...it's shorter than Ch. 38 I believe...well, I'll shut up and quit bothering you...here's more! (laughs evilly)
Hinoki looked into Hana's eyes with a piercing stare.
"Why do you wish to change yourself so much?"
"It is...because I am in love..."
Hinoki looked thoughtful.
"This love must be deep...who is it, may I ask, that has captured your heart so strongly?"
Hana blushed slightly.
"...Sesshoumaru..." She said quietly.
Hinoki raised an eyebrow, Kyo doing the same. Rin gasped in surprise.
"You love this man so deeply, that you would go through with such a transformation for him to love you in return?"
"Yes..."
"Once you become inuyoukai, there is no turning back...I cannot return you to a human if you aren't happy...I can only grant wishes that can make one move forward in life...not to back track and try to pick up the pieces of the life they once had. Do you understand this?"
Hana nodded.
"I understand, Hinoki-sama."
Hinoki opened her hand, silver dust gathered in her palm. She raised her hand to her lips, blowing the dust at Hana.
"Spirits of the Elders before us, I implore you, grant this woman's wish! Make her an Inuyoukai, so she may try to find love! Let her have a chance to rest in the embrace of Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands!" She chanted.
A bright white light shone from the silver dust, a ferocious wind whirling around Hinoki and Hana.
The miko felt her body pulsing as demon blood bonded with her own blood. Her eyes burned as they changed color from dark jade to golden amber. Her mouth hurt as fangs replaced two of her teeth. Her fingers ached, feeling claws shoot out from her fingernails. Finally, the transformation was complete when she felt what seemed like ink brush strokes on her face and arms, placing the youkai markings on her skin. Two strokes under each of her eyes, two strokes on each forearm, and one half circular stroke on her forehead. The light faded, and the wind settled.
Hana's senses heightened. She could sense everyone's youki much more clearly now, and she could feel their life energies. She could distinguish a scent for everyone, and hear every little noise that human hearing couldn't pick up.
She looked at her newly clawed hands, adjusting to her new form.
"Arigatou, Hinoki-sama..." She said with a small smile.
Hinoki beamed.
"Little one, did you want to make a wish too?" The Ryuuyoukai asked.
Rin nodded.
"Can I...May I...wish to be Sesshoumaru-sama's daughter?" The girl asked.
Hinoki smiled.
"Yes..."
With another dash of silver dust, Rin went through a similar transformation.
Hinoki turned to Kyo.
"Anything for you, Kyoshima?" She asked.
"Umm...no...not for me...but Sesshoumaru's missing an arm, if I remember correctly...so I think he'd like two arms, so he can hold his daughter and possible mate at the same time..." He replied.
Hana looked up at him, looking shocked, happy, and grateful at the same time.
Hinoki laughed and pulled out a mirror, Sesshoumaru reflected in it.
The taiyoukai sat at his desk, looking over a mountain of paperwork.
"Sesshoumaru..." Hinoki spoke into it.
Sesshoumaru looked up, his eyes skimming the room for the source of the voice.
"I am Hinoki of the Ryuu clan. I have come with a gift for you..."
"...and what sort of gift shall this Sesshoumaru be receiving...?" Sesshoumaru asked speaking aloud to no one in particular.
"You'll get three...the other two will have to wait...but the first will be a new arm. Thank Kyoshima later...he has a reason for it, you will understand once you get your other two gifts..."
Hinoki touched the mirror's surface, which rippled like still water being disturbed by a drop of dew.
The shoulder where Sesshoumaru lacked an arm glowed, and a new arm appeared. The taiyoukai raised an eyebrow slightly, flexing the fingers on his new arm as if adjusting to the feel of a second arm. He nodded a 'thank you' and then returned to work.
Hinoki touched the mirror again, the image of Sesshoumaru fading. She put the mirror away, her silver eyes looking towards the sky.
"Harukichi...it is still light outside...I suggest you return to work..." She said in a cold voice.
Obviously, she was still very upset.
Harukichi transformed into a gold dragon and disappeared in gold light.
"What kind of Ryuuyoukai are you both?" Hana asked curiously.
"Harukichi is the day, I am the night. He controls the sun, I control the moon." Hinoki replied.
"Hana-sama...Rin is tired..." Rin said while yawning.
Hinoki nodded in understanding.
"After such transformations, I'm quite sure you would be...Kyoshima, you know where the guest rooms are, correct?" She said.
Kyo nodded.
"Will you please show the little one and Hana where they are?"
"Of course."
"I assume you'll be staying in your own quarters, right?"
"Hai, I shall."
"Good...now don't worry about the others like Harukichi...just give them a swift smack and tell them it's from me, and if they don't believe you they can come to me and get one from my own hand."
Kyo grinned and nodded, leading Hana and Rin out of the throne room, to the guest rooms.
The rooms were very large, and quite elegant, although the style of the rooms seemed a bit overdone.
Rin looked on in awe, and then came to a conclusion, fisting her hands in determination.
"Kyo-sama, Hana-sama! Rin would like to stay here in this room with Hana-sama." She said.
The two smiled.
"Well Hana-chan, it's up to you..." Kyo said.
"Rin-chan, of course you may stay." Hana responded warmly.
Rin was overjoyed and hugged the two of them.
"Anyway, why don't you two sleep for a while, and I'll send some dinner up for you..." Kyo suggested.
Hana nodded in agreement. Kyo left the room, closing the door silently and walking away.
The miko-youkai took Rin into her arms, holding the child much like a mother would hold their daughter, and settled onto the futon in the room, singing the girl to sleep, soon after falling asleep herself.
"My little Rin..."
A/N: Ok, now it's over. See? Look how much longer it is! Now, Ch. 40 will appear soon, and Hana, Rin, and Kyo will be going back to Sesshy's castle. So expect Hana/Sesshy fluff!!! And some Inu/Kag too! Mir/San should be starting soon enough...anyway...I hope you all haven't died yet from so much to read...because I know that once you finish, I leave you hanging in suspense and you probably wish that you had more...oh well...umm...anyway, let's get on with my stupid translations...
The Baka Translation Dictionary
Nan da – (negative) Is that all?
Taiyoukai – Upper class demon? (I know that 'taisho' means 'leader, chief' but I'm guessing on taiyoukai...) Demon lord? I dunno...you people are all smart, read between the lines and figure it out!
Miko – Shrine maiden, priestess.
Kaze no ryuu – Wind dragon, Dragon of wind...whatever the hell you wanna call it...
Inu – Dog (Gasps Dramatically) (Who knew that one was coming?! lol...)
Inuyoukai – Dog Demon (gasps even more dramatically)
Ryuuyoukai – Dragon Demon
Ryuu – Dragon
Un - Yes
Hai - Yes
Stay tuned for Ch. 40! Ja!
(And Dragon Man, I know, I lied...there wasn't enough Jaken-bashing...I'll try and make it up next time...)