Memory of A Soul
Ailian Rhys
Chapter Eight: Future
Ryoichi sighed, allowing his back to rest against the wooden support beam of the wall. He listened to the vague whispers of sound on the other side, the creak of wood, the shift of fabric. Sesshoumaru-sama was still moving about, after having dismissed Ryoichi out into the hall in order for him to leave the taiyoukai alone.
Of course he hadn't put it into those terms. A simple "get out" was all that the young man had gotten from the ancient lord. Ryoichi could only assume that he'd wanted to be alone; there really wasn't any other reason to shut out your retainer, after all.
Ryoichi titled his head to touch the smooth wall, staring up at the wooden ceiling above. He listened to the faint movements behind him, moving to the left, then to the right, then back again.
Is he pacing? The young man wondered idly. Certainly not. Why would the great Sesshoumaru pace?
Yet, how could the great Sesshoumaru also be interested in a human teenager?
The answer, and evidence, for that question had been right before his eyes last night. Ryoichi frowned, recalling how he had been forced to leave the fearful girl alone with the taiyoukai. He hadn't wanted to go. He probably would have fought obeying that command if he had known he'd have some minute chance of winning the fight. But there had been none. And so he had left, merely going down the hall and around the corner, where he had sat down as he was doing now and waited. He'd stretched his senses to their limit, barely picking up on the faint murmur of voices, like the buzzing of weak electronic equipment.
It had been an immeasurable agony, waiting like that. She'd stayed in there for nearly a full hour. He didn't know how she could stand being with the taiyoukai for so long—his silence was very intimidating and oppressive when he wasn't even paying attention to you. Never mind when he was actually noting your presence. And for a young woman who was far beyond terrified to stay in his company for so long waswas crazy, inexplicable.
Except for the notion that Sesshoumaru may have actually taken to Rinako. He had called her Rinako-san, after all, which had been a forceful shock that'd almost knocked Ryoichi flat. The fact that he had shown respect to a pure human instead of those around him with youkai blood was baffling. But then again, the old lord wasn't exactly noted for being predictable.
The young man sighed. It all seemed as farfetched as old fairytales.
Which had come trueand was pacing behind him in the other room.
Ryoichi brought up a hand to rub at his throbbing temple, a grimace etched across his face. Gods, why did he have to torture himself by thinking so much? Rinako had come out unharmed, although seeming a bit melancholy, and that was all he could ask for right now.
Because, although Yayoi had yet to notice it, they were all starting their slide underneath the taiyoukai's influence, slipping like brainless slugs to fill out the ranks beneath him. It would not be long until he would be the real master of this house. That was just the type of persona he had, commanding, intimidating, and above all else, lordly. The kind of person who could make you obey with nothing but a glance.
And Ryoichi wasn't going to do anything to stop it. He couldn't. It was one of the many consequences of their actions. What could they do, send him back when he became too much to handle? Not likely. It would take a grand feat of strength to kill someone like Sesshoumaru. One which they, the foolish humans that they really were, could never accomplish.
Which was why, in hindsight, this whole idea was very, very stupid.
The best thing he could do now was to make sure that Rinako and her friend stayed safe. But he couldn't even do that, especially if the taiyoukai kept asking for her to come alone to his chambers.
It was in the midst of these melancholy thoughts that Ryoichi noticed that the movements in the next room had stopped abruptly and the whole atmosphere seemed to tense slightly. Lowering his head, the young man scanned the length of the hall. Only to fall upon a very familiar form rounding the corner.
"Oi! Ryo'chi!" Natsuko called as soon as she noticed that she had his attention. She even had the audacity to wave.
Startled, Ryoichi only stared at her, before signaling frantically with his hands for her to shut up. He jerked his head back towards the wall behind him in warning.
But she kept coming, plodding along like some drunken horse wearing stone shoes. There was a shift in Sesshoumaru's aura again, drawing Ryoichi's attention instantly.
It was amazing how fast he was becoming in tune with that youki. Perhaps it was because it was the only one for miles around—or perhaps that fact that he had tori blood and they were very sensitive to changes around them. Whatever the reason, he was finding it very helpful in keeping his skin on his body, where it should be.
Too bad Natsuko couldn't seem to note the change.
"You should not be here," Ryoichi hissed at her, eyes narrowed.
She simply ignored him, nearly running up to stop a few feet away. "Hey," she began, one hand planted firm on her hip. She wore the black hakama pants, but instead of the customary shirt, she was wearing a tank T-shirt with the word "devil" blazing across it in fiery letters. It was short enough for her belly button to show when she moved, revealing a tiny diamond navel ring. She had on a strange assortment of multiple hoops and dangling earrings and her usual red lip ring was in place.
Ryoichi couldn't help but stare at her, both in surprise and horror. "What are you wearing?" he whispered, moving to rise to his feet.
Natsuko blinked at him, tilting her head so that her dark ponytail slid over her shoulder. "I just got back not too long ago from outside'." She made a vague quote motion in the air with her fingers, long nails catching the light. "I didn't really have time to change. And I think these pants are kinda comfy." To prove her point, Natsuko took a pinch of the fabric between two fingers and shook it, causing it to ripple.
"But, what if he sees you? I really don't know how'd he react to seeing clotheslike that" Ryoichi didn't really know why he was getting so worked upshe was the idiot after all
And, anyway, it really wasn't as if they could keep the future from him forever
Natsuko made a face at his worry. "I happen to think it's fuckin' sexy, myself." She shook her hips playfully, giving him a grin. Ryoichi felt his ears burn. "Give me a fuckin' skirt and I'd be able to turn anyone's head. Even hundred year old—"
"I do think you are flattering yourself."
Both heads turned towards the bored voice behind them. Sesshoumaru stood in the doorway, his shimmering yellow eyes directed at Natsuko. He towered over both of them with sheer height alone, but, adding the attitude into the mix, it made Ryoichi feel like a microscopic piece of filth. He could have sworn that Natsuko flinched as well, drawing back a step.
The taiyoukai gave her a haughty once-over. "Shameful." And then his eyes narrowed, taking in the many piercings. Taking a step forward, which Natsuko matched backwards, he raised a hand. In the blink of an eye his long fingers were holding Natsuko's chin firmly, one claw coming out to tap the ring in her lip. Natsuko looked as if she was going to faint.
"Barbaric. This must be your human nature," he remarked airily, before using the hand on her chin to push her back against the wall. Natsuko paled and winced, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides.
Ryoichi didn't know what to do. His brain felt like mud in his head, his tongue thick and dry. One part of him wanted to step up there and help her. Yet, the other part of him wanted to run. So he compromised by standing there like a frozen idiot, his eyes wide enough to pop out of his skull.
Sesshoumaru's expression didn't change even when the woman under his grip started to squirm. When she went to toss her head to the side he held her firm, nails digging lightly into her skin. After she was still again, he brought up one of his claws, sliding the very tip of it between the piercing and her lip. Natsuko whimpered.
"Is this what this future' you've spoken of has come to, tori?" he whispered, not even bothering to face the man he was addressing. Ryoichi felt his heart skip a full beat, but did not answer. "Self-mutilating moronic human sides overcoming the youkai instincts? It is humiliation beyond all imagination, that you have fallen so low.
"And it could also be that neko youkai were never known for intellect." His voice changed drastically with that line, gliding from patronizing to a dark amusement that made Ryoichi shiver. While trying to overcome his fear, he took a minute step towards them.
"Sesshoumaru-sama—," he began, not even attempting to keep the plea from his tone.
And, as he expected, the taiyoukai ignored him. He continued to stare evenly at Natsuko, who looked about ready to die; her eyes large and frightened, her whole body trembling even as she fisted her hands at her side.
Sesshoumaru leaned forward suddenly, long hair sliding over to put a translucent shade before the two that shielded them from Ryoichi's view. He could see a few patches of Natsuko's skin and the sight of that claw against her lip, and that was about it. But he did hear the taiyoukai sniff lightly, before growling something that he couldn't quite catch. But whatever it was made Natsuko tense up like a steel rod and her breath to catch in her throat.
And then the taiyoukai withdrew, using his arm to toss her as if she was a tiny rag doll instead of a full-grown woman. Natsuko landed on her side and slide for a few inches on her bare arms as her legs sprawled across the gleaming floorboards. She grimaced, trying to pick herself up while keeping one eye on the youkai whom had thrown her.
He seemed to have lost all interest in her. Instead he slide his gaze over to Ryoichi, who had been about to move over to help Natsuko. "You will show me where I am to find Rinako."
That stopped the young man short. "R-Rinako?"
"Yes. I tire of all this. I will see her." If he could have Ryoichi was certain that Sesshoumaru would have crossed his arms over his chest arrogantly. Yet, with his lack of another arm, all he could do was lift his chin. But that had the desired effect.
"Ahyes. Well, then, I'llI'll show you were she is then" Ryoichi cast a glance towards Natsuko, who was on her feet again. And she was scowling.
"Yayoi sent me to bring you to her, taiyoukai-sama," she whispered, hoarsely, holding her right arm close against her side. Her hair had fallen loose from its tie, laying in thick untidy clumps over her face. She shook them back with a shake of her head, before staring unnerved at the youkai before her.
Ryoichi went still, looking askance towards the taiyoukai to see what his reaction was. And to his all out shock, Sesshoumaru was growling. His fangs flashed dangerously in the light as he sneered at her.
"I warned you once, wench," he spat. Yet his youki didn't rise at all, which startled Ryoichi. Was this anger at all, or simply intimidation? Whichever it was, it made Natsuko pale, yet she stood her ground.
"I will deliver my message, taiyoukai-sama. Then my foulness will leave your distinct presence." Everything about her was uncharacteristically subdued with that last comment as she tried to pacify the angry youkai.
Sesshoumaru only glared at her.
Ryoichi decide it was time he actually do something useful. He cleared his throat lightly. "Sesshoumaru-sama. If you choose to answer Yayoi-san's request, I will see to it that Rinako is outside to meet with you when you are finished."
"It will rain."
Ryoichi blinked, taken aback by the irrelevant, cryptic response. "Ahyes. Then I will set her up on the veranda. I am certain she will enjoy being outside even if it does rain."
Sesshoumaru turned then and Ryoichi did all he could not to jump as that eternally scrutinizing gaze fell on him. There was a pause, as it he was thinking. "You will go stay with her until the storm passes," he said at last. "Then you shall take her outside. I will speak with your Yayoi in the meantime."
For the first time in that whole morning Ryoichi felt a tiny ray of light in his heart. "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama." He bowed respectfully. He gestured down the hall. "Allow me to bring you to her. She is in—"
"The main room," Natsuko filled in with a raspy whisper.
"Exactly." He flashed his eyes over the taiyoukai, checking to see fi he had everything. His eyes fell on the hilts of his two swords and his eyes widened. He'd forgotten about those.
Thank all the gods that he hadn't decided to use those on Natsuko.
Ryoichi couldn't help but look at Natsuko, who was dragging herself to the side of the hall, as he thought that.
Maybe, he thought, as he allowed Sesshoumaru to lead them both down the corridor, this will teach her to actually fear him now.
Although he really didn't know how much good that would do for her now
*
"Would you like some tea?" Yayoi asked politely from her position behind the low-legged table.
There was no reply, as she'd expected.
As the silence wore on she lifted her gaze to rest on the figure across from her. Sesshoumaru sat stiffly on the woven mat, his head turned towards the distant window. It was raining now; an earnest downpour that hit the roof mercilessly with a sound like hammers pounding on the wood.
The young woman took this moment of distraction to look over her guest. Yayoi had to admit—she had never imagined him to be like this. Her mental image of the demon Sachiko had told her of had not been nearly thisbeautiful. Perhaps it had been due to the fact that she had never seen a picture of a youkai that she had given him a moresamurai appearance in her mind. But now she saw him for what he was, a resplendent, deadly entity. Almost like the storm that raged outside.
Although the storm sitting in the room with her was much more composed than nature could ever be.
Yayoi couldn't keep the smirk from forming on her lips and she lowered her head. To think that that spoiled Sachiko brat was really a taiyoukai. The idea was extremely bewildering.
And yet it had been she, Tanaka Yayoi, who had discovered such a treasure. And now it was for her to keep it, to use its worth.
She had plenty of ideas; all of them whirling in her mind like a windstorm. Yet, there was only one that she had openly proclaimed, only one that she had taken visible measures to make happen.
And that was to use Sesshoumaru to reawaken the hidden blood in her veins. And, consequently, that of many others.
Her family had, as legend told it, been on of the chief historians for the inuyoukai clans. And as such, her ancestors who had been aware of their heritage had kept a great many secrets of the past hidden away in a centuries old crypt. No one of Yayoi generation had known of the family treasure, the shelves and shelves full of ancient scrolls.
Yayoi wouldn't even have known if it hadn't been for her great-grandmother. She had been far past what was considered human old age at the time of her death, crawling slowly into her one hundred and twentieth year. Yet, for as long as Yayoi had known her, even in that advanced age, she had insisted on going out to the family country home alone once a month. The year before she'd died, Yayoi, full of curiosity and even some concern at her frequent disappearances despite her fading health, had decided to follow her.
And had discovered the family secret. For she had been the keeper of the vault, the supposed last of the line, since she had neglected to pass on the knowledge of the Tanaka family's heritage. She had told her, rather wistfully, that he had planned to seal the ancient library. She had been planning on doing so for a long time before that day, yet had never been able to bring herself to do it.
There is a gold-mine of history here,' she had told her, sadly. History that was real, yet everyone now thinks to be naught but old fairytales. Without this room, and these scrolls, all of this truth will no longer exist. It is almost as if I'd be leaving so many lives to die, to dwell forever in the darkness of the past.'
Yayoi felt a small ache in her heart at the thought of her Hiibaba. She had been the only member of her family she'd felt affection for, the only one that had seen her as more than just the youngest daughter of an affluent family. And she hadn't been able to bear seeing her so torn.
So she'd volunteered to do it. She would be the next keeper of the scrolls and would allow the old stories to live for a little longer. Stories of which she really knew nothing about.
And that was how she learned so much of the youkai. Now with a novice under her wing, Hiibaba had taken it upon herself to tell her everything she knew. Which had been staggering. She had informed her of her one-eighth amount of demon blood and of her family's ancestral bloodline, tracing it back for over five hundred years to the reign of the last Inutaiyoukai, Sesshoumaru.
Hiibaba had been so very passionate about these youkai tales, seeming to take them all to heart. It was, as she often said, her way of allowing the past to live'.
And Yayoi had enjoyed them as well, first as merely stories any historian could concoct to make their facts more appealing to less zealous learners. Yet, after a time, she had come to wallow in them with a passion of her own.
The youkai in the scrolls were so powerful, so awe-inspiring. They met their fates boldly, their fought their battles fiercely. And the greatest of them all, the ones that Hiibaba loved to speak of, kept their honor and pride far beyond a human's comprehension.
These creatures that were part of her, these youkai, had depth while humans were shallow. They had strength when humans had weaknesses. They had immortality, adventure, absolute fear, and power. They hadn't known pain.
It was more than a forgotten, last daughter could ever dream of.
Certainly there had been darkness in these scrolls: betrayal, deception, death. And these youkai she'd idolized had been bloodthirsty, heavy-handed, and terribly relentless.
But that hadn't mattered to her.
She wanted their strength. She wanted to be more than human. She wanted to leave all of that behind her.
Yayoi wanted to be a youkai.
And there her opportunity sat, a silent ghost watching the rain fall in a cascade over the outside veranda.
Yayoi looked down at the tea set situated on the low table before her, taking in the sight of the delicate blue and green china. It had been a gift from Hiibaba years ago. She had never used it before, yet she had brought it with her. Only Sesshoumaru-sama should use such a gift.
Hiibaba would have loved to meet him.
"I was under the impression that you asked me here for a reason other than tea," the taiyoukai stated into the silence with a dry tone, taking Yayoi off-guard.
Yayoi looked up just as he finally faced her and she met him eye for eye for a brief second before looking away. It was one thing to read about the Taiyoukai Sesshoumaru. It was another to actually be speaking with him.
But she refused to be daunted. Not now. Not ever.
She was going to come out on top of this.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama, I did," Yayoi replied smoothly, folding her hands demurely in her lap. "I assumed that there may be some question that you may wish to ask me. If there are, I will be more than pleased to answer—"
"How many years has it been?" He cut her off succinctly, not seeming to be interested at all in what she was saying.
"How many years since when, Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked, quietly. "Your reign began? Naraku's defeat?"
Yayoi was surprised to see his golden eyes narrow at the last sentence, the muscles in his shoulders visibly tensing. The agitation all disappeared shortly after, however, seemingly shoved aside like nothing more than an unwanted blanket.
"So, that bastard has been remembered in thisfuture," he stated dully. Hard eyes stayed fixed on her.
"Only to a historian such as myself, Sesshoumaru-sama," she told him, truthfully. She brushed off the eerie feeling of that gaze on her just as he had pushed away his emotions. "And I assure you, Inu no Taisho, that I find him as despicable as you do."
Yayoi realized her mistake quickly enough, but not soon enough to fix it. Sesshoumaru glared at her with a gaze harder than ice as the atmosphere around them seemed to drop ten degrees. Something dark sizzled behind his eyes like lightening and it made her blood run cold.
"Inu no Taisho." He repeated in a flat voice. And then, in a flash, he was over the table, long claws wrapped around her neck. Yayoi refused to squirm, even as her heartbeat escalated to an aching pounding in her throat and chest.
"Have I upset you, Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked, politely.
The taiyoukai openly snarled at her, taking her aback. "You are nothing but an infantile mixed-blood. Tarnished, disgusting. I will not have you feeling as I supposedly do." He lifted her away from the wall before slamming her back again. "I claim no such empathy with degrading mutts such as you are."
"H-hai, Sesshoumaru-sama," Yayoi forced past the grip around her throat even as her lungs began to plead for air. Despite this, she only lowered her eyes politely. "I shall myself from now on."
There was a moment of silence and then Yayoi was released. The woman fought to keep her legs underneath her, refusing to finger the tender skin at her throat. Drawing in a slow, steady breath, she lifted her gaze to see Sesshoumaru staring at the place she had been pinned before spinning about on his heel to circle the table—on which the priceless tea set still stood perfectly unharmed—and move towards the other end of the room.
She hadn't missed the look up disgust on his sculpted face. It had come and gone almost like an imagined flaw in an envied masterpiece, that no one else would believe. Yet, the rigid set of his shoulders still remained, his whole body seeming on edge.
Yayoi was very glad to have him on the other opposite end of the room then, even if she was determined not to be afraid. Something in all this seemed unbalanced. She really couldn't explain it, but decided it would be wise to remain silent for now.
The whole air about her seemed to fluctuate at the Taiyoukai stood more like an ornamental statue than a living creature across the chamber. And then suddenly it reeled in, yanked forward at such a rate that Yayoi felt herself unconsciously leaning into the sensation forward.
That was when she realized what it was. A fluctuation of power, sliding, twirling, scrapping against her senses.
Yayoi shivered.
It seemed so wild, so feral. Nothing like the composed creature that soon turned from staring at the distant wall, to focus outside of the window. He did not seem to notice her then, his attention caught by whatever he saw outside.
Yayoi took that moment to cough, lightly, before answering the previous question as if nothing had happened. "It has been five-hundred years, Sesshoumaru-sama, since the Sengoku Jidai."
There was silence. It stretched like an eternity between them, but Yayoi refused to lose patience.
"That may explain it then," he said at last, so slowly that he seemed to be awakening as he spoke. But at last he turned to face her, his expression as deadpan as stone.
"Explain what, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Yayoi asked, trying hard to hide her confusion by coating it with a layer of politeness.
Sesshoumaru's eyes sharpened with her tone; an invisible cloud seemed to lift, as they became fixated on her. But he said nothing of it, instead taking the moment to answer her question. "That brazen, wanton display of a nekoyoukai you allow in my presence."
Nekoyoukai? Does he mean "Natsuko?" Now she couldn't cover up her confusion. What had Natsuko done?
Then it hit her. The woman had returned in modern garb. Yayoi had told her in no uncertain terms that she must change before delivering the message she'd been charged with.
Apparently, she had not.
"And why is it that, although one of you have changed with the times, others have not?" Those cutting eyes bore deep into her, making her want to squirm. "The earth has changed, the scents have changed. And, as I saw it, the people have changed. Yet you do not seem to have done so."
Yayoi was taken aback by his perceptiveness. The one-eighth inuyoukai allowed her eyes to drift down to the china that still sat on the table, the tea she'd poured now a dark brown as it cooled.
This was not how she wanted it to go. He had not even been here for three whole days and he had already discovered the outside world. And that they had been hiding it from him.
How long would it be until he discovered the rest of how they kept him here?
"Nothing not say to me, mutt?" Sesshoumaru spoke up suddenly, with a voice cold enough to freeze ice over.
Yayoi's head snapped up and her eyes flashed. Her lips parted, but they did not form words. She forced them shut again, trapping her indignant anger back inside.
Although proud, she wasn't an idiot. She could see that something had the taiyoukai riled up today. He was on the edge of some hidden part of himself that Yayoi didn't want to contemplate. All she knew was that she wanted to calm him, soothe over the rough patches that had inexplicably formed on his crystal façade.
And if it meant giving away one large secret, she would have to do so. Hopefully he wouldn't delve deep enough in her explanation to discover the truth behind the one thing that kept him trapped here. The magic barrier she'd told Ryoichi of. Having the taiyoukai learn of such a thing would be very detrimental to her health.
"We have not changed here in order for you to be more comfortable, Sesshoumaru-sama," Yayoi started, cautiously, lifting her eyes high enough to see where the taiyoukai stood, fixing on his beaded shoes. "I did not believe you would be very accepting of our culture, especially thrown into it so quickly."
Her only reply was a frigid quiet. So she continued, allowing her eyes to drift up higher. "Many aspects of the world have been altered since your time period, Sesshoumaru-sama. You mentioned the different scents. I have not noticed most of them myself, being the weaker creature that I am," she tried not to choke on those words. "However, if you wished it of me, I would explain what they may be to you.
"And yes, the people have changed—social customs have been altered, new fashions have developed and society as a whole has improved in many areas, becoming more civilized."
"Civilized?" Sesshoumaru interrupted with a disdainful snort. "A better term would be barbaric."
Yayoi inclined her head, uttering a small word of agreement, before continuing where she had been interrupted. At least he seemed to be listening"There are many large cities now, and much more technology now—a way to do many task through more mechanical means, instead of using physical labor. Technology was developed to make life much more easier forus."
She paused, trying to find a way to phrase the next part as delicately as she could. She had an inkling that he would not be very happy. "There are not many youkai left" Yayoi stated, slowly. "Or perhaps none at all. For most of the world is made up of humans, ormutts like myself."
Sesshoumaru's next words made Yayoi's eyes fly up to gaze at him openly in surprise. "I have already come to that conclusion." He actually appeared rather irritated to have to tell her that, his thin eyebrows drawn slightly.
Yayoi blinked. "Have you now?"
"The air reeks of humans," he informed her, disdainfully. Yayoi had the impression that he would have wrinkled his nose if the act had not been so undignified. "And I cannot sense any other youkai in this area, not even the weak, lowborn who spend their existences in the most undignified of guises."
Yayoi knew what he meant by that, knowing that he referred to what many humans would only see as simple animals, despite their youkai blood. They were not powerful enough to have more than long lifetimes, or perhaps be used to serve their stronger brethren. They were also, unsurprisingly, the least likely to be hunted by a youkai exterminator and therefore lived out their long lives in some semblance of peace.
"And to have such blood as there is tainted by such a large degree of human blood" he finished, bitingly. "It is all too apparent that we havefallen."
"Fallen" Yayoi muttered, staring at nothing but the middle distance between them. To be so disgusted, she could vaguely understand. But did he really believe that, although mixed with the weaker species, there was still not a chance to rise up again? That it really wasn't over, as long as some of the essence remained?
Or perhaps he wasn't thinking of the future at all. Yayoi's eyes focussed on the white-clad figure before her, her gaze trailing up and then down his lean frame. He had, after all, just been taken from his own present—at least before he had died—and thrown into what he considered the future, but was really her present. Of course he wouldn't be setting his sight far ahead, too busy becoming adjusted to now.
It would be Yayoi's job to plan out their upcoming steps, where they would go together to bring about her plans.
And that, she realized, was exactly the position she wanted to be in.
Then Sesshoumaru spoke.
"I wish to see this outside world'."
Yayoi froze instantly, everything from her heart to her brain seeming to stop for that instant before resuming again. "Tosee it?" she asked, cautiously, feeling as dull-witted as a slow child. "Precisely what do you mean bythat?"
"I would think it to be rather obvious," the taiyoukai responded, bluntly, a tone that threw her stupidity right back into her face. "I wish to know this future' you have been prattling so incessantly about."
It was in that moment that Yayoi realized something about the taiyoukai; interacting with him was precisely like trying to speak with her elder siblings. Arrogant and proud to the point of smothering everyone else with their mere attitude. Wanting this, wishing that, basically stating what they should receive. Something that had disgusted her beyond all measures growing up.
Yet, for the first time, she found herself not being put-off by that attitude. For some reason she could not fathom, Yayoi was willing to put up with it from him. Somewhere inside her, she believed he deserved the right.
And, although her heart was all for it, something inside her mind was afraid. Yayoi did not cave in to others, no matter what demands they threw at her. She'd learned to fight against that long ago. But to do so now, when her life depended on keeping this youkai restrainedshe couldn't. She wanted to give him what he demanded. Never mind the fact that he'd just physical threatened her, spoke down to her, and overall treated her very much akin to an imbecile. In that moment, she would have instinctively followed through with his request.
And that terrified her.
And it was that fear that kept her quiet; long enough to fight down the insane urge to cave in. Yayoi fought her sudden weakness away, beating it back into the dark crevices of her heart where it had burst into its sudden ardent flame. She would not let anything from that region of her heart overcome her.
He would not have that affect on her. No matter how intoxicating he was
"I am sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama" Yayoi managed to force out after a pause. "That cannot happen"
"And why not?" he queried, darkly. "Have I not the right to learn the intricacies of where Inow reside? I am certain that cannot be found here."
Yayoi forced a lock over that queer impulse from before, and then she felt free to finish the conversation. Drawing herself up, but keeping her eyes around the region of his chest, she answered. "Certainly, Sesshoumaru-sama. But it is not wise for you to do so now."
"And exactly how have you come to that conclusion?" There was a faint growl beneath his words, showing that he was getting agitated again. "You, a mutt, believe you know what would be wise' for a personage such as myself?" Yayoi was startled when he finally moved away from the window, starting towards the door to the hall. "I tire of being patronized."
Yayoi leapt to her feet, which earned her a quick glance from the taiyoukai. She ignored the warning in his gaze, too busy trying to stop what she knew was going to happen.
He couldn't leave. Or, as the case would be, attempt to leave. She knew where he was heading; he was going to leave the palace grounds.
Which would not be very good for him to attempt, health wise.
"You cannot leave the grounds!" Yayoi exclaimed, before she could shift her jumbled thoughts into some sort of order. He didn't even acknowledge that plea, pushing back the door.
"There's a barrier around the perimeter. One attuned to your blood."
That stopped the taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru was back in the room in a flash, mere inches away from Yayoi as his gleaming claws snagged her chin. "What." It wasn't a question, instead being more like a demand.
There it was in the open now. Yayoi could have beat herself. But, foolish as it had been, she hadn't wanted him to find the barrier on his own.
"Actually...it is not your blood, per se," Yayoi managed to get out in a hoarse whisper around the hold he had on her jaw. The grip relaxed as he realized she was attempting to explain.
Yayoi hesitated before speaking the next part, terribly away of the claws pressed against her flesh near her throat. "It is Sachiko's."
"Sachiko," he repeated, evenly.
Yayoi nodded, slightly, before closing her eyes and waiting for the inevitable. But nothing came.
Sesshoumaru's fingers left her chin and she felt him draw back. Yayoi cracked her eyes open, hesitantly, before allowing them to be uncovered fully. The taiyoukai stood across from her, his face set around a pair of burning amber eyes. Those eyes narrowed at her like a predator watching his prey. Yayoi suppressed a shiver.
"Explain. Every detail."
Yayoi bit her lip unintentionally. "It's a shield I discovered in one of my scrolls of magic. It can be set to keep one certain group or person inside a certain area. At least that's what it said."
One thin eyebrow raised on the taiyoukai's otherwise smooth face. "Youare not certain?" There was a touch of disbelief as well as disgust in his voice as he uttered those words, and it made Yayoi's insides twist.
"I read everything. And I did the spell correctly." She defended herself, catching herself at the last minute to keep from shouting the words at him vehemently. After an awkward pause, she continued. "It requires the blood of the individuals, or in this case, individual, who are to be kept enclosed. It is normally used as protection."
"And why would this Sesshoumaru require protection," he questioned, darkly.
Yayoi wanted to step back. Her whole body wanted to run. But she remained standing nearly inches away from the angered taiyoukai even as her knees quaked underneath the layers of her kimono. She wasn't sure if she could move.
And now she had to lie. Or, at least bend the truth a little bit.
Thankfully, she had told a similar version of this story to the others, with a few different details, so that it would be a simple matter to say it again.
Hopefully.
"You would not, Sesshoumaru-sama," she began, slowly. "It was to keep Sachiko herebefore the ceremony." Or, Yayoi said, silently, after. " It has not dissipated yet, is all. It shall not be long until it does so." Or until you no longer need restrained.
It was hell. The seconds lasted an eternity, the whole room collapsed in on them, and he would not stop staring at her! Those damned eyes gazed at her—through her—as if trying to read into her very soul for the truth. Yayoi fervently wished that her secrets remained hidden, no matter what pried down into her heart.
Just when she thought she was going to lose her mind and start babbling like some demented woman, the taiyoukai looked away.
"Hm" he grunted, softly, narrowed eyes drifting over to the distant window.
Yayoi gave an inner sigh of relief. He seemed to have bought it.
It was a very short victory. Without even a hint as to his intentions, Sesshoumaru abruptly spun on his heel and marched towards the shoji door. Yayoi started, forgetting all appearance of nonchalance as he thrust the door open once more. She raced after him.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" The sound died on her lips as the mutt inuyoukai halted in the door. The taiyoukai was already down the hall and was tossing open one of the exterior doors. He cast a glance at her over his shoulder.
Yayoi watched in a mix of shock, horror, and awe as the taiyoukai drew the broadest sword that hung at his hip with a smooth, nearly magical motion. He gave her a blank look, as if silently daring her to stop him.
And then he was outside, straight into the pouring rain.
A/N: I am alive!!!
::ahem::
This part is short. And there is a reason for that. This chapter had a whole bunch of other things that were to come with it. They were all planned for one chapter, but, as I am well known for, I wrote too much. And I was terribly slow at writing that too much. And so, since I was only halfway done with this part, I decided to break this chapter up. And actually have a cliffhanger for once! (whoo!)
And so, the things started here will be expanded on in the next part. Such as the apparent personality shift in Sesshoumaru. I assure you, there is a reason for his sudden aggressiveness. It may seem sudden, and out of keeping with his previous scenes, but, I repeat, there is a reason.
And just so you all know, this whole chapter was a major bitch to write. (no pun intended on Yayoi's part^__^) Not only in the scenes, but also in the effort it takes to write this thing .It takes a lot out of me sometimes, being all dark and gloomy and majestic. But I love doing it!
And so, in this oddly worded jumble of a chapter are some subtle hints as to some of Yayoi's other plans. Very subtle. Or at least I think so, and I wrote it. ::laughs:: But, hey, some people are more perceptive than I am. Very much so, actually.
And, I know Yayoi's past is somewhat similar to Ryoichi's (in the great grandparents area, at least) but I made it like that on purpose. There is only a limited way to get information on youkai in this age, after all. And, although I never mentioned it (and unlikely ever will in the story itself) it is through their grandparents that the two met anyhow.
Hiibaba is a way to say great grandmother, by the way. Or at least what my dictionary said _
I'll make a statement here, which will apply to the entire story from here til the end. There will be no Rin/Sess romance. Nope. Not a bit. Why? I'm not gonna say, since it'll ruin some things.
But there will be some innuendo on others' parts. So don't worry about it being constantly dry.
And, soon I will be making time actually move! No longer will it be only—what?—two days. Eight chapters for two days_
I write waaaaay too much.
Side note: I am thinking of changing my author name. "Ailian Rhys" is the name of an original character of mine that I want to take out of the limelight (such as it is anyhow). So, if suddenly an "Airian Reesu" comes up, don't be shocked. [I wonder where that name came from.] I may also be starting a blog/live journal someday in the near future. That way you people can tell if I'm still alive during my long writing times (stupid real life. Stop getting in the waaaay!)
Oh, and THANK YOU!!! reviewer peoples! I ADORE all these long, thought provoking, and, andreviews I keep getting! I think I'm gonna melt inside ^__^ Just kidding on that part....
forgive the long rants/author note. -_- I also hope there aren't any really bad errorsI only read it over myself a few billion times as I wrote it, but still