there are some mistakes, i am aware of that. but i have limited time.
Chapter fourteen: Bandits (again)
The morning sunshine beamed through Yasha's open balcony door, warming her instantly making her kick her covers of to stretch her legs out.
She opened her eyes one at a time, squinting in the sudden bright light and seeing little fuzzy colored dots dance around in front of her gaze. She rolled over to see Sango up and preparing a small basin with warm water to wash with, Yasha grinned, "Morning Sango" she said quietly, still half asleep.
Sango turned to face her, "Good morning Yasha, how are you today?" she asked, wiping her hands on her gown.
Yasha sat up slowly and stretched out, "Peachy" she said quietly, smiling in the morning radiance.
Sango walked around and started to make her bed, pulling the sheets tight and quilt soon after without so much of a wrinkle after years of practice. Yasha bathed herself, not ashamed anymore and didn't mind having Sango there to talk to while she was naked and vulnerable, "So Sango" Yasha began as she played with the sponge in her hands, "What are you doing today?" she asked, turning around to face the older girl. Sango grinned, "Nothing as of yet" she said, passing Yasha the toweling cloth.
Yasha nodded, taking the cloth from her and wrapping it around herself, "Did you want to come to the markets with me?" she asked, stepping out of the small tub.
"Wonderful idea, I need to get some things for the ball" she answered enthusiastically.
"Are you going?" Yasha asked, a grin decorating her facial features.
Sango scoffed, "Why of course I'm going! Who else is going to look after you with all the want to be suitors?"
Yasha frowned slightly, "oh" was the only thing she said, clearly bristling at the very idea, she walked over to the dressing area, and felt an arm lace around he shoulders."Listen, don't worry about it, I mean if YOU don't think they're suitable you don't have to spend time with any of them" Sango said cheerfully, pulling out an undergarment that Yasha saw and took different tone, " Don't even think about it Sango. " she growled, eying the corset warily.
" Why not! ", Sango whined.
" You know very well why not! " Yasha snapped.
" Fine. Then what shirt will you be wearing Lady– "
" Princess. " she mumbled.
" Okay then Princess Temper, what shirt will you be wearing today? " Sango gritted her teeth.
" The blue one under and the white one over. " Yasha did the same back to Sango.
Sango tried changing the subject before they choked each other.
"What were you thinking of wearing to the ball?" she asked out of curiosity, "Remember you have to make a statement and catch everyone's eye, you have that princess coming from the other district arriving here on that day also"
" If you're trying to put me in a dress, you should quit now. "
Sango smirked, "Of course, you shouldn't really mind if Inuyasha finds the girl absolutely perfect and gets engaged" she said quietly in a smug voice. Yasha looked at Sango in the mirror, trying to hide what she felt on the inside, "Of course"
Sango didn't miss the look of resentment and fear flash through the girls eyes. "What dress would you like to wear today?"Yasha screwed up her nose and mimicked Sango.
Yasha saw that Sango was wearing a particularly nice dress toady. Her skirt was full and a silk maroon with black beading around the bottom of praying tigers. Her chemise was a simple black silk organza off the shoulder top with slightly puffy sleeves. A thick black leather belt accentuated her narrow waist and she
had a small solid silver purse firmly attached to her hip. Around her neck was a simple gold locket with a single ruby, which she always wore when she was going somewhere. Her hair was up on top of her head with loose tendrils draping down around her face and a one down her back. Yasha looked at herself, wearing a silk white shirt, and a midnight blue strapless silk shirt underneath, a dark silver sash around her waist, and the tight black silk pants to match.
"Sorry, but we have visitors at the palace, you have to look utterly perfect and desirable" Sango informed her.
" If you mean Koga, he's no visitor to me. He's like a second father. " Yasha glared at Sango.
She knew that Yasha hated being pretty or dressy, but she was under strict rules of Sesshomaru to make her desirable. But after Sango heard what Yasha said, it suddenly didn't matter anymore.
After late nights talk with Koga, Sesshomaru had found that he was single and looking for a possible queen. Sesshomaru being the smart man that he was gave Yasha as a possibility, Koga eagerly discarded the offer, but didn't say so.
Sesshomaru had made it clear as a possibility, of course it would create a extremely powerful bond between the two lands, but he had to see what kind of princess this woman was going to be, he would not have a weak
kingdom and network of regencies . . .Unlike his father he wanted to succeed.
Well that was what Sango knew, thanks to Miroku; the man had an odd talent to be able to draw anything out of anyone, even the icy older brother Sesshomaru.
Yasha sighed, " Sango, I think I need to be alone today. I'm sorry, maybe we can go tomorrow. "
" It's alright. I understand. " Sango replied.
Yasha walked silently down to the stables, and absolutely missing the perplexed looks of Inuyasha and Miroku who were just walking out of the main room to go for a ride.
"Want to go see what she's up to?" Miroku asked, flashing a dashing white-toothed smile. Inuyasha smirked, "Absolutely, she shouldn't be going without an escort anyway"And with that the two strode off after the girl, making sure to stay back a little bit as to not being seen. Worrying, they watched as a gloomy Yasha headed off towards the nearest village without the slightest motive that she was being watched.
Yasha walked around the stalls, her horse prancing around in the meadow just outside the village. And Kyushu and Shikoku walked beside Yasha.
She stopped occasionally to look at bits and pieces and touch pieces of fabric.
"Good morning, my lady" the old woman said, smiling warmly, showing the gap in her teeth.
Yasha smiled back, but sounded utterly destroyed when she spoke, "Good morning ma'am."
" Is something troubling you Lady Yasha?"
" No. But it's very kind of you to ask. " she replied, and plodded off.
Miroku and Inuyasha peeked out from behind a fruit cart, watching as Yasha continued to walk slowly down the road, occasionally stopping to look at jewelry or to buy an apple. Yasha stopped to look at something. She held the most beautiful dress up against herself. Then put it back without a second thought. "Why that. . ." Miroku began, but quickly shut his mouth by snatching an apple and shoving it in his mouth. Inuyasha shot him a withering look, "Why that what, Miroku?"Chewing his apple thoughtfully, "Oh, look they have bouquets of flowers for sale! " he said happily standing up and dusting his black shirt off."Miroku" Inuyasha growled, "What were you saying?"Miroku looked him in the eyes, "I was only going to say that the woman selling the little flowers had dropped her price to be lower then that of the other woman down the other end" he said casually, replacing the half eaten apple on the stand when no one was looking, nice side up. Inuyasha watched him, not sure whether to believe him or not."I want to go get some flowers" Miroku said whilst rubbing his chin. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, "Flowers?" he questioned. Nodding eagerly, Miroku started to walk off, with Inuyasha quickening his pace to catch up to him he grinned, "You know the things with the delicate colored petals, sold in bouquets that you give to someone special?"Inuyasha hit him across the
head, "Of course I know that you moron"Miroku
shrugged and muttered, "You wouldn't think so" but this earned him another punch."I heard that" Inuyasha grunted. Miroku straightened himself out and cleared his throat when they approached the young woman selling the flowers."May I help you?" she asked sweetly, hiking the large basket onto her hip. Miroku beamed at her, "As a matter of fact, I think you could" Inuyasha frowned at him, predicting what was about to come. Taking the young woman's hand, he kissed it and stared at her blushing face, "Will you bear my child?" he whispered, whilst grinning. The woman stared at him, "I . . .I'm sorry, but I'm already married! " she stuttered, her cheeks glowing ever brighter. Inuyasha grinned, "Excuse my friend miss, but we came to buy some flowers" Miroku grinned, "Yeah, sorry about that miss" he apologized, rubbing the back of his head. The young woman smiled, "That's okay, what would you like? There's violets, roses, daisies, peonies, star jasmine and ferns or tulips"Miroku thought for a moment, "I'll have that pink rose, thank you" smiling as she handed him the delicate flower he gave her two ti. Inuyasha already knew, "I'll take that jasmine thing" he said unintelligently, passing her three ti."Have a nice day, my lord" she said brightly then caught Miroku's sleeve, "If you would like someone to bear your child, Miss Tiskata down the road there would happily do it for a fee" Miroku looked at the woman and nearly gagged, she had to be at least something over thirty! "No thanks, I think I'll manage" he laughed. Inuyasha had burst out in laughter but stopped abruptly when something caught his eye and walked over to a stall. Bowing, Miroku ran to catch up to his friend. "Thanks for the support Inuyasha" he muttered as he leant casually against the carriage store. Inuyasha didn't even notice he was there, "Excuse me? But how much is this necklace?" he asked gruffly. The fat man stood up from his stool and plodded over and took the necklace off the tabletop, "For you I'm willing to do a special deal" Inuyasha waited patiently whilst the man thought out a price in his head, "12 shira" he said finally, smiling up at the silver haired man. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes "I can get something better down the road for at least 7 shira" he said casually, not really knowing if that was true. The man looked around him worriedly,
"Fine 10 shira!"
"Eight!"
"Nine!"
"Eight and six ti!"
"Deal!"
"Hand it over" Inuyasha muttered, whilst digging in his pockets. The man passed the necklace over and took his money, counting it greedily before shoving it down his shirt. Walking away and following the track of the girl's scent Miroku 'tsked' under his breath."What?"
Miroku looked at his dog-eared friend, "You drive a hard bargain, you're the richest man in this district! And you don't even pay the correct amount!" Inuyasha shrugged, "Why pay more when I can haggle it down to a cheaper price and spend the money on more important things?"
Miroku nodded, "You have a point"
"Exactly" But what they
didn't see until it was too late was Yasha, with her hands hanging limply at her sides.
They saw her walk right past them and not even notice they were there. So they followed her, back to the flower stand they were just at. " I'll have one of them jasmine thingys. " she sniveled. Then went off back to retrieve her horse and head home.
Yasha heard a noise ahead of her and looked up a little too late to run into the chest of a man."Oh I'm sorry!" she gasped."No I'm sorry, I should have looked where I was going" a mellow voice spoke. Recognizing the voice Yasha looked up to look at a man with blue eyes and long black hair pulled back into a ponytail. " Oh Koga. I've
been having such a horrid day. " she fell into his comforting arms and looked up
" What are you doing out here?" she asked quietly. Koga shrugged, "The villagers complained to Lord Sesshomaru about a group of bandits, he had a little too much work to do so I offered to take the chore for him"Yasha smiled, "That's very considerate of you" Koga smiled, " Just trying to pay for my stay. " Koga softened at the girls dull, mis-matched eyes. " Oh, you're staying? "
"Yes, I'm going to be staying at the palace for a couple of weeks, or until the battle is over"
"But what about your men?" she asked, looking around her only to see two others, dressed in the same uniform as Koga. Koga laughed, liking her even more then before, "They preferred to camp out, so they have tents and supplies set up in behind the castle walls"Yasha nodded her head slowly, that would explain the noises she heard last night that kept her awake for a while, "And where are you
sleeping?"Koga grinned, "I believe I'm in the room directly linked to the gardens under you room"
"That would mean you're on the ground floor a couple of floors below me" Yasha said. Koga was about to answer before something lurched from behind the bushes and ambushed Yasha, sending her sprawling into the dirt. Yasha grunted as she tried to pull herself out from under the man. Koga began to run over to aid as well just as another bunch of large men circled around the trio. The man that had attacked Yasha had gotten up from her and she laid there, breathing carefully and slowly from the weight that had crushed her slightly. Koga ran over to her, seeing
that there weren't any bruises or broken bones. Supporting her, he managed to prop
Yasha up and saw Kyushu was in front of them and growling at the men. Bearing his teeth slightly he ran forward to attack a man, so swiftly that hardly anyone saw it. And that was when all hell broke loose. Yasha tried to dodge some of the men who were basically running around blindly trying to catch her. A couple of times her fist connected with their face or somewhere more sensitive but they hardly budged, making them more crankier. Koga tried to protect her and the other two men were doing their best but there were too many bandits to the four of them. Yasha was hauled from Koga 's hold and shoved over the shoulder of some man. She kicked him once real hard and he loosened his grip enough for her to break free. She was going after another man, but stopped abruptly when she heard running footsteps and then the flicker of crimson liquid spray through the thin crisp air, for a second being lit by the suns rays before splattered across her face and hair.
And the last thing she saw was the ground quickly coming to meet her face, before she blacked out.
Her eyes fluttering, Yasha opened her eyes to metal on metal colliding with force. Opening her eyes she felt an unfamiliar and frightening weight upon her lower body. Glancing down was the large and burly man that had picked her up and thrown her like a doll over his shoulder. He now lay there dead as a doorknob, blood spilling from a large wound in his back that possibly went through to his front. Looking away in disgust Yasha looked around and saw Koga, Miroku and Inuyasha fighting the bandits that Koga had been assigned to assassinate. Trying to pull herself up from under the dead man's weight she huffed and puffed and squiggled and squirmed . . .all for no avail he wasn't going to move, and neither was she.
She was put at a disadvantage, being almost 16 and only 5' 2".
Feeling helpless, and ashamedly bored she glanced around her and saw her faithful
companions and gave a sharp whistle that must've been heard about a half a mile around.
All battle stopped and they all looked at the untidy girl under the large mans body,
Yasha doing a quick mental check realized that this situation had occurred before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .the same situations with bandits.
Her pets positioned for a kill, sprung at the first man to move.
Inuyasha smirked and was about to walk over to her and help her up before a sword came flying down to land on his head. Yasha about to scream a warning swallowed her breath when Inuyasha's own sword came up to block the juvenile attack, still smirking at Yasha.
But as he was about to step forward again he was stopped by the same man again
and that was when the battle started again. Yasha tried to wiggle free and was suddenly gripped around her shirt collar and pulled up with a strong force.
Grimacing in pain she opened one eye and looked into the mad eyes of her attacker, "Hello missy" he said in a teasing voice, showing off his yellowing teeth in
a twisted grin.
Yasha contorted her face in disgust, "Hi" she muttered, and brought her fist up to
try and connect with the side of his face. But instead of falling or even stumbling back he just smirked, and said, "You have to try harder then that princess."
Her eyes widening she realized the predicament she was in. The man's eyes blank and dead looked her over in lust, "You're a pre'y one ain't ya?" he said.
Yasha swallowed, not good, she tried to twist again but it was too painful. Hearing
running footsteps from some direction she braced herself ready for an impact that she imagined in her mind, messy, nasty and overall painful.
But all she felt was the sudden light heartedness that you get when you free fall through the air and then the feeling of a strong, firm grip on around her waist and back. She looked up in surprise to see the grinning and smug face of Koga, "Long time, no see" he muttered, flashing his pearly whites at her. Yasha smiled back and nodded, "I know" she mumbled back as he jumped high and landed outside the mass of battling bodies. She stood up and looked frantically around trying to search
out Her dogs that she sent to attack earlier, and eventually caught them fighting another large man.
Koga was off again helping Miroku with another three."What is this?" Yasha muttered as she stepped over to a man's body and pulled out the dagger in his belt buckle, "The fat and ugly goons parade?" twirling it around in her fingers she advanced onto a random man, and struck the knife into his back sending him yelling and spinning around to face his newest attacker. But before he could even start to advance on her, Kyushu sent him down to the ground in a heartbeat. Miroku, Inuyasha and Koga were starting on the last round of men and she sent her dogs on another ambush to help out.
It wasn't long before the bandits were killed and dragged onto the side of the road into the ditch.
Inuyasha walked over to Yasha in a couple of strides, "You look like crap" he exclaimed, taken in her blood covered face, clothes and hands.
Yasha gave him a withering glare, "Gee, where's the 'are you ok?' bit?" she mumbled.
Inuyasha grinned, "Are you okay?"
Yasha let the smile loose "Of course I am"
Inuyasha nodded, "You don't look it"
Yasha stared at him before shaking her head
Yasha looked at the line of men's bodies in the ditch."Are you okay?" a voice asked her from behind. Turning around she came face to face with none other than Miroku. "Yeah, of course I am" she said, bewildered he
would even ask a thing like that.
Miroku shrugged, aware of her shock, "Just asking" he muttered as he glanced at the bodies, "Seems a waste doesn't it?" he asked quietly. Yasha nodded slightly, "They had to go though" she said quietly. Miroku stared at them, "Another one of Sesshomaru's small plans to make a more powerful kingdom?" he muttered.
Yasha glanced at him, "He has no choice, Lord Takeo's health is getting worse, he needs to start making arrangements"
Looking down at her he nodded, "Yes he was telling me about some of his plans"
Yasha looked at him in surprise, "He talks to you?" she asked, astonished. "Hell, he doesn't even speak to me about such matters and I see him basically every night for a game of chess."Miroku nodded, "Hmm, I don't really know why, seeing as I've only been in the castle for a couple of days"
Her thoughts exactly, "That's good then"
"Does he talk much to his fiancee?"
"Kagura?" Yasha asked, wondering why the subject was turning onto the princess. Miroku shrugged, "Just something he said" he mumbled.
Yasha frowned at this, "What did he say?" she asked quietly aware of the close proximity between Miroku and herself and the others."I'll tell you later" he said quickly as he turned around to see Koga and Inuyasha squabbling about something and Yasha followed them slightly blushing.
Miroku stared at her with their eyebrows raised.
Yasha only blushed a darker pink, "Don't ask"
Miroku cracked a grin, "Well shall we get going?" he asked.
Everyone nodded, apart from Koga and Inuyasha who were currently taking part in a stand off between staring and growling. Yasha rolled her eyes and hit Inuyasha playfully across the head and grabbed Koga's arm and pulled him towards the stable."What was that for wench?" Inuyasha growled.
Yasha glared at him, "For being rude to my savior," she said sweetly, giving Koga a quick look of cheerfulness. Inuyasha just noticing Koga's arm around her waist
narrowed his eyes and stepped into place next to her, "So Yasha. . ." he began, smirking to her watching in the corner of his eye as Koga glanced at him with narrowed eyes.
Yasha raised her eye brows, "Yes Inuyasha?" she asked, feeling quite
comfortable with the arm around her waist.
"Do you have any plans tomorrow night?" Inuyasha asked, turning his attention back to the road ahead. Yasha stopped smiling, but smiled inwardly when she saw her horse ahead of them, "No, I was planning to have a night in" she paused and turned to Inuyasha, "You see I'm not really interested in meeting this new princess yet" she said bluntly.
Inuyasha stared at her, was she serious? Was she really that upset about the princess that was to be visiting? He narrowed his eyes, deciding she was just playing a game, "Keh! You're loss, I heard it was going to be really good with a feast and everything"
Yasha shrugged, "Maybe . . .Besides I don't have a reason to go, it's not like I'm courting or anything"
Inuyasha chuckled, "Maybe that, but I do believe you need a suitor, and where else
to look than at a royal ball?"
"The last place I would rather be is at a stuck up get together, and meet some old,
ugly geezer who cares more about what a person looks like and their backgrounds than what's on the inside" she grounded out dangerously, before trampling over to her stallion.
Miroku and Koga followed suit and got onto their horses; Koga's men long gone. Yasha smiled and walked her horse up to Inuyasha and picked up the reins, "Inuyasha, I hope you have fun tomorrow night" she said quietly, her mis-matched eyes storming over in an unexplained anger. And with that kicked her horse sharply, speeding it up to a strong and fast gallop heading back to the forest with Koga not far behind. Only Miroku remained, he glanced at Inuyasha, "That was smooth" he said, biting his bottom lip to hold in his grin.
Inuyasha frowned at him, "What's up her dress?"
"As much as I would love to go there, I really think that you said the wrong things back there" Miroku said civilly. " And don't forget, sh doesn't wear dresses. "
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and punched Miroku, making him fly off his horse.
"What was that for!" Miroku yelled, pushing himself up.
"For being gross, saying I was in the wrong, and for putting that half chewed apple
back on the stand" Inuyasha answered.
Miroku grinned and rubbed the back of his head, "Ah . . .yes" he mumbled from between quiet chuckles. "Well from what you told me about your relationship between Yasha, I'd say she's just a tad jealous" Miroku said, suddenly serious. Inuyasha began to walk back to the castle as Miroku got back onto his horse. "Jealous huh?" he said, suddenly deep in thought.
Miroku looked down at his friend, "I don't think I like what you're thinking" he said, shaking his head.
Inuyasha only smirked. They had being acting weird ever since that time under the tree after Yasha had woken up from her mysterious illness. Maybe she was just jealous that this woman could be a threat to the place that she held in his heart?
"What ever you do Inuyasha, don't mess around with her heart too much" Miroku said seriously.
Inuyasha glanced up at him, "What do you mean?" he growled.
Miroku sighing in relief that he had his suspicions correct glared at the young boy, "I mean that don't try and mess with her too much, otherwise you'll hurt her too much, beyond repair, and she'll only hurt you in return" he said quietly. Inuyasha didn't say anything. Since when did he need to listen to anyone else?Miroku sighed, knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere just yet, "I'll let you think"
he said before kicking his horse and galloping back to the palace.
Inuyasha was left behind to his own devices. He thought about a plan, he would go talk to Yasha before she met the new princess, he'll talk to her later on tomorrow night, after the ball had finished, since Yasha wasn't going and that left the whole night for him to get acquainted with the princess. He would bend both his way and prove he was the top. Yes, that was the plan.
Just then, his white gelding came trotting at him with a note tied to the reins.
Inuyasha,
I sent your horse after you to drag your sorry butt home
– Yasha