Chapter twelve: Awakening From Attack
Inuyasha paced Yasha's room, hands behind his back and brows knotted in frustration and concentration. He stopped and gazed over at the sleeping girl, lying in her big four posted bed, covered in white sheets and a dark royal blue feather quilt, her head supported by many feather cushions.
She looked so small lying in the big oversized bed, compared to her small size. Her blank, white face surrounded by dull locks of white hair. Her lips a slightly pinker colour then her skin tone, light blue rings under her closed eyes and her skinny delicate wrists and hair rested by her side absolutely lifeless.
Three days.
That was how long she had been out of it, no one knew what happened or how but both her and Miroku had taken a turn for the worst, but their strength was coming back, little by little.
Inuyasha walked silently over to the girl and sat next to her bed, his back to the balcony door, it was still quite early in the morning and the rest of the kingdom was probably having breakfast, but he felt sick.
Yasha had only been drinking water and they had only managed to get her to eat a couple of teaspoons of porridge when she came round, but she either fell back into unconsciousness or threw it back up.The royal physicians didn't like her condition at all, but were pleased to announce that the boy downstairs was getting better.Inuyasha didn't give a stuff about the boy downstairs he wanted to see Yasha laughing and smiling again, punching him playfully, them hunting together, any sign was a good sign and he prayed every night to as to see her back to normal.
He gave off the image to his parents and staff that he was strong and fine but losing Yasha would be like loosing part of himself, like loosing a little sister.
He took her hand and squeezed it, resting his forehead on her stomach.
Only distantly hearing the door open and close, he raised his head slowly and looked into his brother's eyes."How is she doing?" Sesshomaru asked, his usual cold eyes showing a little spark of concern.
Inuyasha shrugged, "She ate and drank a little last night but hasn't since" he said quietly, looking at the small girl.
Sesshomaru stared at his chess partner and then at his younger brother, "How are you doing?"
Inuyasha gazed up at him and didn't say anything. Sesshomaru rose an eyebrow, "I'll be going then, I'll stop by later" and with that turned on his heel and left the room.
Inuyasha was surprised he dropped by in the first place, his brother was weird. He dipped a cloth into a small bowl of cool water and dabbed it across Yasha's forehead, gently moving her hair out of the way.
He stopped for a moment resting his hand against her forehead and looked outside and saw the jasmine growing there on the balcony fence on it's evergreen vine.
He stood up slowly and picked some off the vine and brought them back inside, noticing how the clouds still lingered over the kingdom, that was weird because there was a strong breeze that should have blown them away by now.
He shook his head and turned his mind back to the matters on hand, he placed the flowers into the water, save for one.
And gently with a clawed finger moved the flowers around the water to scent it. With the other he absently held it bellow her nose, moving it from side to side remembering the night that he had placed such a flower in her hair.
This flower, Jasmine, was their flower. He smiled and didn't comprehend that Yasha's eyes were moving. He watched her and then he realised she was moving, slightly. Inuyasha frowned as she went still again and he moved the jasmine flower under her nose once again watching as she frowned slightly and sneezed.
He sat there stock still staring at her whilst she stared up at him.
"Inuyasha" she whispered as she stretched ever so slightly.
Inuyasha grinned, "You're awake"Yasha smiled, but stopped when images flashed through her mind.
Flashback: She was looking up at the sky when she couldn't stand anymore and felt her knees buckle and her body hit the hard wet stone.
"What happened?" she whispered, frowning slightly to the dull throb that was in her head.
Inuyasha was clasping her hand again, "I don't know. You were alone when I found you." he said quietly frowning slightly at her weak form.
Yasha swallowed hard, "Is there any water?" she asked, as she gingerly touched her throat.
Inuyasha smiled slightly and walked over to the other side of the room and filled a silver goblet with water from a pitcher. He strode back over to the bed and sat on the bed and pulled Yasha up so she was leaning against his chest.
Yasha blushed at his movements but didn't protest, she was too tired to anyway.
He carefully raised the goblet to her lips and held it there as she took little sips of the cool liquid.
After she had, had enough he placed the goblet down on the table next to him and rested his head against the stonewall, closing his eyes.
Yasha, not sure why he had stopped moving, leant back into his chest and closed her eyes, feeling warm and intent listening to his steady breathing.
"I was scared" Inuyasha whispered, his breath ruffling a couple of strands of hair.
Yasha kept her eye shut but raised an eyebrow, savoring the moment, "Scared? Why would you be scared?" she asked, her voice still extremely quiet. Inuyasha didn't say anything for a moment, he wasn't good at these sort of scenarios, "The physicians didn't know what was wrong, and didn't think you would make it" he said barely in a whisper.
"Really?" she felt Inuyasha nod, "I smelt something as I was regaining myself" she began slowly, "What was it?"
Inuyasha smiled and held up the small white flower in front of her face that he was still holding.
Yasha opened her eyes slowly and smiled, "Jasmine" she whispered. Inuyasha smiled, obviously the flower held the same importance for her as it did to him.Yasha closed her eyes and nestled down again as a wave of tiredness swept through her.
Inuyasha heard her breath slow down and knew she had fallen asleep; he sat there for what must have been hours just thinking and enjoying the peace and quiet. He glanced down at Yasha's sleeping form, she had turned over in her sleep and now had her face resting on his chest and her hands splayed across his chest, he sighed with the intimacy shown and felt happy and stress free again, but it was short lived as he realised he had paperwork to do and to tell the good news to his parents.
He gently lifted her up and slid of the bed, and rested her back on the pillows, pulling her nightgown up around the chest to hide her revealed cleavage, and gently pulled the sheets and blankets around her small form noticing the small pink tinge on her cheeks.
He turned to leave before remembering something; he placed the delicate jasmine flower on her pillow in front of her and left the room, with a small glance behind him.
It was good to see her awake again.
Yasha opened her eyes slightly and gazed upon a small slightly wilting jasmine upon her pillow, she smiled as she picked it up and smelt it, Inuyasha had been here before, she looked outside and saw the sun burning down on the grass of the kingdom.
Strength had returned to her and she felt revitalized, she sat up slowly and looked around, everything was as it should be, looking around she saw her cupboard open and she had the sudden urge to go outside.
A knock on the door broke her out of her thoughts, "Come in" she called out, her voice faltering slightly after not been used after so long.
Sango came in with a smile illuminating her face, "Good morning Yasha" she greeted warmly. Yasha grinned at her friend, "Good morning Sango, How are you?"Sango came around and felt for Yasha's temperature, "I'm excellent, seeing that you're all well again lifts my spirits even higher"Yasha smiled, "That's good to hear" she looked at her cupboard, "Sango?"
Sango looked at her friend, "Yes?""Can you help me get dressed?" Yasha asked sheepishly.
Sango nearly toppled over with laughter, "Of course, but is it okay for you to be out of bed?"Yasha frowned slightly, "I dunno."
Sango smiled, "Which dress would you like to wear today?"Yasha thought for a moment, "That's not funny Sango. But I think I'll wear the blue shirt today."Yasha knew that Inuyasha liked that one second best. Sango nodded and helped her out of bed, "I'll be back soon to help you into your gown"
Yasha smiled and bopped her head up and down, that was polite code for: I'll let you take a bath in private whilst I wait outside. She took off her nightgown carefully and let it drop to the floor as she stepped into the warm water.
Sitting there she began to sing as she washed herself, smiling with contentment as she finally began to feel squeaky-clean. A sudden bellowing erupted from downstairs making her jump and splash water everywhere, she sat there stock still calming her nerves and listening for anymore sudden explosions as the previous.
Deciding that there were none to come she began to sing again but was abruptly interrupted when someone barged into her room. She muffled a squeal, knowing it wasn't Sango, but her mystery was ended when she heard that familiar tone.
"Yasha?" Inuyasha yelled into her empty room.Yasha bent over herself, "I'm in here. . ." but before she could finish what she was going to say Inuyasha swung his head around looking into her dressing area.
He gaped and turned a shade of pink unknown to man before slapping his hand over his eyes, "Oh God! My day just gets worse by the minute, sorry Yasha!" he half yelled as he spun around and sat on her bed, waiting for her to get dressed. Yasha blew out a sigh, luckily all he saw was her back, she stood up and patted herself dry with her bathing cloth and put her undergarments on and wrapped a silk chamber gown around her small form.stepped out into her bedroom and leant against the wall, "Problems Inuyasha?" she asked with a smirk. Inuyasha still had his hand over his eyes, "You don't know the half of it woman" he muttered. Yasha walked over to him and pried his hand off his eyes, "It's safe to look now, you won't get poisoned" she said before she started laughing.
"Glad to see you've got your spirit back" Inuyasha mumbled.
Yasha stopped laughing and saw his blush fading away, "What's wrong" she asked as she saw his closed body posture.
"What are you doing today?" Inuyasha asked unexpectedly. Yasha faltered for a moment, "I was going to get up and go horse riding" she said slowly, knowing as she said those words that she probably wouldn't be able to.
Inuyasha nodded, "Can we go together?" he asked sullenly as he stared at the floor. Yasha nodded quickly, noting his miserable expression, "O . . . Of course"Inuyasha got up, "I'll let you get dressed, and I'll be down in the stables waiting"Yasha nodded and walked him to her door, "See you then"
Inuyasha nodded and strode off. Yasha stood out in the hallway watching him walk off, hugging her chamber gown closely around her.
Sango came up behind her, "I wonder what's got his knickers in a knot" she mumbled. Yasha shrugged, "I was about to ask you"
Sango smiled and then frowned, "You shouldn't be out here wearing that! It's isn't proper for a lady"Yasha smiled apologetically, "Sorry"
Sango waved her hand, "Oh well, stuff the rules, come on you need to get changed"Yasha walked back into her room with Sango following her, "So Inuyasha came in here" Sango said, trying to hold a grin of her face.
Yasha nodded, whilst putting her arms into the sleeves.
Sango rose an eyebrow, seems a little dazed, "Might I add whilst you were having a bath"
Yasha nodded again, fixing her sleeve. Sango couldn't help but grin, "Isn't that a little suspicious?"
Yasha looked up, "Why?"Sango stared into the mirror, she had to be kidding, was it possible for her to be so naive and vague?
Sango shook her head and got back to the task on hand, the sooner she finished this the sooner she could go train with Miroku.
She smiled; things were looking better in the palace.
Inuyasha was waiting for Yasha in the stables her horse all tacked up and ready to go, he looked up at the palace stairs and saw Yasha descending them wearing one of his favorite shirts.
It was navy-blue, with sleeves like a kimono's, and was cut across the top so that you could see her neck and shoulders.
And what made him smile when she strode up to him was the little jasmine flower sitting in her hair.
It was funny how small simple things to do with Yasha could either kill him or make him the happiest man alive.
Yasha looked around and scowled, "Where's your horse?" she questioned, not seeing his gelding anywhere. Inuyasha placed his large warm hands around her waist and picked her up gently and placed her on Ryuku, "You're riding with me today"Yasha narrowed her eyes at him, "Why's that?"Inuyasha shrugged, "Cause I said so and I'm the prince . . ." then he smirked, "And you're the slave"
Yasha glowered at him and 'accidentally' kicked him in the back of the head.
She glanced down at form and put a hand to her mouth in mock surprise, "Oops so sorry master" she said sweetly.
After three months she had finally accepted what Inuyasha told her and lived as a lady without the guilt trip.
Inuyasha scrambled back to his feet.
Inuyasha led Ryuku out of the stables and was positioned to mount.
"Inuyasha stop!" she was too late. Ryuku swung his rear around and clotheslined Inuyasha. He lay stunned on the ground, "Inuyasha! You're a fool! Have you lost your mind! I can't even believe he let you put a saddle on him, let alone a bridle!" she snapped angrily. "You're a real idiot Inuyasha!" she ranted as she slid off her horse and purposely landed on Inuyasha. "You have got to be the dumbest man in the world to try and pull a stunt like that!" she led Ryuku back into the stables and undid the saddle strap and tore it off and threw it to the side. Then hastily but carefully removed the bridle and threw that to the side as well. Then she went over to see if Sir Ignorance was alright. "Inuyasha. Don't even go near my horse when I'm not around."
"Why not? Think I can't handle myself around that pony of yours?" he snapped, he had every right to be angry, even though she didn't mean to be mean when she reprimanded him. "He's not a pony, he's a horse that will never age. And he's only smaller than he should be is because the stress from the loss of his mother somehow afflicted his growth. But let me warn you, he's killed men much bigger than you, might I add with great ease. As soon as I can get him to let you on, I'll tell you the rest." She helped him up and they walked over to Ryuku, whom at the moment was enjoying a good game of keep away with Muso, the stable boy, and his sister, Kanna. He had Muso's cap and was passing it back and forth between Kanna and himself. Then to me. Then Muso tackled Yasha playfully trying to grab his cap, then looked up at an angry Inuyasha. "Get off of her." he growled.
"Inuyasha, you're a jerk!" she tried to stand but couldn't, so the boy helped her up, "Thank you Muso." The boy smiled. "Here." Yasha held out his cap and he took it gratefully,"Thank you Princess." he bowed deeply. He was no more than seventeen. And his sister no more than ten. Yasha walked over to her horse, "Be careful Inuyasha, approach him slowly. He's still angry at you remember." Inuyasha went to Ryuku's side and lay one hand on his flank. He snorted testingly. "Shh-shh. It's alright boy, will you please let him on?" Ryuku tossed his head defiantly. "Please? Just Inuyasha and me. Never another. I'll never let anyone but us ride you, only Inuyasha and I." she pleaded. And her horse stamped his foot and bent down to let Inuyasha climb on. "Get on! He's not going to sit like that all day!" Inuyasha carefully sat on the bay stallion. Ryuku rose to his feet and turned around to look at Inuyasha and snorted his warning. As if he were saying, "If you hurt her, you'll be sorry!" Then Inuyasha moved back a
little so she could climb on. "Come on boy, lets go." Yasha patted his shoulder and squeezed her legs a little.
Sesshomaru and Kagura were standing at the palace stairs, so Yasha stopped Ryuku. Inuyasha raised his eyebrows, "Something wrong brother?"
Yasha hit him on the arm, "Be nice"Inuyasha stared at her.
So she turned her attention to the couple, "Good morning Sesshomaru and Kagura"
Sesshomaru had his arm around Kagura's waist and was almost smiling, "It's good to see you up again Yasha"
Yasha smiled, "Thank you Sesshomaru"
Kagura looked up at Sesshomaru with a smirk then looked at Inuyasha, "Your father needs to speak to you"
Inuyasha glared at the castle, "Tell him he can wait, I'm taking Yasha out today"
Yasha just sat there between Inuyasha's arms blushing
Sesshomaru smirked, "I'll give father a reason" and with that Yasha urged Ryuku forward and galloped off into the fields."Those two are ridiculous" Sesshomaru muttered.
Kagura wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru's chest, "So are we" she murmured. Sesshomaru smiled, "I suppose"
Kagura looked around to make sure no one was looking as to not embarrass her lover then stood up on her toes and placed her lips gently on his, smiling as she did so. Sesshomaru kissed her back but then pulled away, "Leave this for inside" he murmured, tracing patterns on her neck.
Kagura smiled as she felt goose bumps appear and nodded, and led him into the palace.
After about half an hour of riding Inuyasha found a nice looking spot under a large tree with heaps of little posies growing around the grassy field and a small trickling rivulet. He hopped off and once again wrapped his arms around her waist and helped her down, holding her for longer then necessary.
They walked over to the tree and sat down. Yasha began picking at the white flowers and
making a dainty fairy crown out of them.
They sat there in silence for a while before she couldn't take it anymore, "Inuyasha,
what's wrong?" she asked quietly.
Inuyasha moved his head so he was looking at her, he didn't want to tell her yet, "Nothing"
Yasha assessed him for a moment, "Uh huh, and I'm the cat's mother, tell me when you're ready" she mumbled.
Inuyasha turned to face the stream again."How is my friend?" she asked after a while starting to create another crown, this one made of pink flowers. Inuyasha thought for a moment and then realised who she was talking about, "Ah! You mean the new guy" he said excitedly.
Yasha smiled, "You sound as if to like him"Inuyasha nodded, "Yeah, we found out some pretty interesting information from him"
She turned her head to look at his profile, "What do you mean" she asked quietly.
"What I mean is, apparently there will be an invasion, and it's already begun" he said, turning to face her, not knowing how close they were.
Yasha stared at him, "And Miroku wasn't meant to live right? So they think it's still a secret?" she asked.
Inuyasha thought for a moment, "Yeah that about sums it up"Yasha let out a breath, "A war is brewing" she whispered.
Inuyasha nodded slowly, "It's not that bad" he said quietly.
"It is because you will have to go," she whispered, holding back the tears. Inuyasha stared at her, and his eyes softened, "Yeah, and I'll come back victorious"
Yasha looked away, and didn't say anything. Silence once again took over and Yasha went back to her pink crown. But once again neither of them could stand it."Inu. . ." Yasha began, spinning her head around."Yash. . ." Inuyasha began at the exact same time, spinning his head around.
A blush leaked onto Yasha's face, and she averted her gaze down "You first"
Inuyasha nodded slowly, "I wanted to say, not to worry about it just yet, it may not even happen"Yasha nodded and looked up and accidentally brushed her nose against his.
They stared at each other for a while, waiting for the other to approach the obstacle first, neither would, so Yasha decided to tempt fate and gently placed her lips on Inuyasha's, creating a passionate yet chaste kiss.
She pulled back slowly and opened her eyes, "Sorry" she mumbled, beginning to turn her head away, but Inuyasha was having none of it and pulled her chin around to face him and kissed her back, she smiled into the kiss and let Inuyasha lead, seeing that he always had to win.
They eventually pulled back from one another grinning like children, and blushing like married fools.
"Sorry" Inuyasha breathed, in a jokingly way, his tone light hearted and not serious.Yasha shook her head, "Three for the tally"Inuyasha faced her and thought a moment about what she meant, then It clicked, "Are you keeping count?"Yasha shook her head and beamed up at his face, "No, just a small amount that's all"
Inuyasha nodded slowly, "Well three's an unlucky number and it's a too smaller number"
Yasha grinned and leant towards him, "And you thought I was bad"Inuyasha blushed boyishly; he wasn't good at this sort of thing, so he kissed her once more pulling apart extremely slowly, the kiss still lingering in the air.
He could smell the little jasmine blossom in her hair and he gently pushed her down so that her head was resting on his lap, "Rest, I don't want you to get sick again" he said gruffly, a cover-up reason why he wanted her to lie there, he just liked the intimacy.Yasha just layed there watching the sun filter threw the leaves, she picked up the pink flower crown and reached up and placed it on Inuyasha's head.She laughed as he pulled his head back up and scowled, "What is that?" he asked in amusement.
"You're crown my lord" she said in a rich seductive pompous tone. She nearly snorted with laughter when it fell down lopsided.Inuyasha didn't really notice, but he bent forward and took the white one out of her hands and placed it gently on Yasha's head, "And your's my Lady" he said quietly.Yasha smiled, he could be so sweet when he wanted to be.
Again silence overlapped them and Yasha let out a sigh, "Do you want to tell me what's wrong now?" she asked quietly.
Inuyasha gazed down at her and sighed, "My father, has asked to a Lord in another
district to send his daughter over here for a meeting"
Yasha nodded slowly, of course."Believe me I don't want to meet her, let alone have her here, but father insists that I start to think about my future soon"
Yasha swallowed, "Ok then, that's not so bad is it?" she asked, even though she knew the answer. Of course it was bad, the kingdom will do anything they can to make the arrangement work.
Inuyasha frowned slightly, "I don't know, last time with Princess Usagi my parents didn't like her much anyway, and didn't really care, but apparently this one, Princess Kiki or something I can't remember has a high valid reputation amongst the people of the villages, extremely literate, archery champion, the lists goes on. . ." he trailed off.
Yasha had a sudden urging for the bow and arrow, "Anything else"Inuyasha didn't say anything for a while then looked off into the distance, "And apparently very beautiful" he murmured.
Yasha stood up and thought bitterly, human kinds downfall, the importance of beauty, the very idea of this woman and Inuyasha together made her feel dark and angry but there was nothing to be done.
"Inuyasha?" she was almost silent.
"Hmm?"
"Do you love someone, but are afraid to tell them so because you think they might not feel the same way? You don't have to tell me who, you don't even have to say anything."
"Yeah. I do. I think she loves me, but she won't say so. She doesn't drop hints either." he sighed.
"Oh. I don't know if he loves me or not, it's hard to tell. But something is stopping him from telling me that he loves me. And I think about him all the time, but I'm afraid to get in the way of his business."
"I see."
"If this Kiki woman is truly beautiful, and you fall in love with her, fall in love because her heart is true."
"Yeah, okay."