Once Upon a Time...
By: DemonSaya
Chapter 3: For Love or Necessity
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Izayoi sat in the main room of her home, looking around at the suitors who had come to call. There were many. All were quite handsome, well spoken. Fake.
She sipped her tea, sighing heavily. She lifted her hand to her mouth, hiding a yawn from the gentlemen that spoke of all the things that could be done with the lands she owned. None of them spoke of caring about her. Just her land.
Takemaru watched the princess, who seemed especially disinterested in these suitors. Perhaps it would be best if he had them leave and sent his lady to rest. Her eyes had seemed lifeless for weeks, and he feared that perhaps the demon's payment had been something that she had not wished to give.
Izayoi felt the generals eyes on her and looked towards him. There was a great deal of emotion in his eyes and she gave a small smile. Poor Takemaru. She returned her eyes to the floor. He looked upon her like one should look upon divinity. She was no goddess. She was human. Her heart clenched and she slowly stood. She spoke softly to a servant, who nodded. "When these men are done rambling about their plans, which have nothing to do with me, send them to their rooms." She began to walk out of the room.
"My lady, your guests-" Takemaru began.
She looked at him, silencing him. "They care only for my lands. They will stay in guest rooms for the evening. I wish to be alone right now. I am going for a walk." She said.
He looked at the ground. "My lady, the demon, how are we supposed to pay it back?"
Izayoi flinched at the mention of the taiyoukai and memories of their last encounter filled her mind.
'Every man sometimes wants the companionship of a lovely woman.'
She shook her head. "He has not returned, so I do not know. Upon his return I shall." She said quietly, then wrapped several layers around herself to ward off the rapidly approaching cold. The first snow would soon fall.
Takemaru bowed as she left, then straightened, watching her back. He watched her step out onto the grass and wanted to insist that she have a guard with her, but he knew she would simply order them to leave. He sighed heavily.
Izayoi walked around the grounds of her manor, then lifted her eyes to the full moon. She felt a tear wind down her face and quickly wiped it away. There was no reason to cry. She should be relieved the demon had never returned to the spring. She had gone there, night after night, wishing to speak to him, but he'd never arrived. She looked at the ground and sighed heavily. She turned to head back into the house when she heard something that caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end.
It was a howl. A pained sound, as though the creature had a wound to the heart. She clutched her breast and ran towards the doors. She ran out into the snow and towards the hot spring. Upon reaching the clearing, she saw a large dog sitting there. She approached slowly, and touched it's soft fur.
It looked at her and she recognized him instantly. "My lord..." She whispered.
As she watched, the dog disappeared, leaving the man, gold eyes staring at her, wearing an amazed expression. "Izayoi..." He whispered, wrapping her in a tight embrace. He pressed his face into her shoulder, lifting her off the ground.
She gasped in suprise as her feet left the ground. She searched his face and saw the pain in his eyes rapidly disappearing, replaced with something else. She felt him spin her in the air and then the ground met her feet once again. She stared up at him and felt the emptiness in her chest being filled. It couldn't be, could it? Had she fallen in love with this strange creature?
His eyes smiled down at her, his hands moving to her shoulders. "I was worried you wouldn't come." He said quietly.
She blushed, lowering her eyes. "I...I wasn't sure it was you." She admitted. "Yet...I knew it couldn't be anyone else." She couldn't look at those achingly beautiful gold eyes or she'd loose herself to them. Gentle fingers caressed her neck and she shifted slightly. If her suitors knew she'd run off and met with a demon, they'd probably kill her. Yet, knowing this, she didn't wish to leave.
He inhaled her scent, pulling her against his chest. "I...have missed you." He admitted, stroking her soft black hair. Her eyes slowly returned to his and he leaned down, putting the question in his eyes. When had be hesitated before meeting her? He was spoiled, he always got exactly what he wanted, and right now, all he wanted was her.
She saw the request in his eyes and closed hers, lifting her face.
At her silent approval, he sealed her lips with his, feeling the texture of her lips once again. He felt strange as he kissed her, like a whole inside him was being filled. He tightened his grip on her, pulling her flush against him. He released her lips. "Izayoi..." He said softly. He wanted her to be his. Completely.
She backed a step away from him. She was trembling from head to toe. She took a deep shuddering breath and lowered her eyes. "My lord-" She began softly. His finger stopped the words from tumbling from her lips.
"I want you." He said simply.
She stared at him in suprise. His bluntness would have offended her but there was something in his eyes that was calming, almost maddeningly so. "My lord, I am supposed to be at my home right now, picking..." She didn't know how to tell him. "I'm supposed to be picking the man who is to become my husband." She said softly.
He froze, staring at her. The young woman had suitors at her home. "Then why did you come to me?" He asked softly.
"The debt-"
He held up a hand. "There is no debt." He said evenly. "For if it were to be paid as I would wish, you would not be able to get a husband." He straightened, attempting to regain some of his dignity, then he looked at her. "When you realize..." He said softly. "That you want me more than any of those humans, come here." He reached into his yukata. "Use this, I will come to you." He promised, putting the small whistle around her neck. He caressed her face gently. "Go home, Izayoi." He said softly. "Then look at what those suitors are offering you. I may not be able to bring you wealth, but I can give you something none of them can." He turned from her, and began walking into the forest.
"My lord..." She paused. "I..." She searched for the words, then looked down uncertainty filling her. She loved him, but she knew her home would never welcome a demon into their midsts, especially one so powerful as him.
He paused, glancing back at her. "Take your time." He said softly. "I'm not going anywhere." He lowered his gaze and walked away, disappearing into the woods.
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It was sunrise when the princess returned to the palace. Takemaru waited outside the front gate, preparing a search party. When she appeared from the treeline, the general relaxed, moving towards her swiftly. She looked exhausted, her hair was mildly disheveled. Yet, there was a look of determination on her face. "Takemaru, send a maid to my room and see to it that my suitors are assembled in the main room in an hour." She said, then disappeared inside.
Takemaru followed her, his face serious. "Have you selected one?"
"In a manner of speaking." She said, then closed the door to her room. She prepared her own bath, and washed her skin carefully. She heard the maid enter and exited the tub, wrapping a cloth around herself. She walked into her room and saw Takemaru standing there. She turned red. "You should not enter a lady's room without nocking, Takemaru!"
He knelt. "The maids are all busy. May I offer my assistance?"
She stiffened. "No, Takemaru. I shall make myself presentable." She said evenly. "You may leave."
He slowly rose. He began to leave, only pausing at the door. "My lady...I hope you make an educated decision. Wealth can only give you so much. Your people love you and wish to see you happy."
She froze, looking at the general's back. Her expression softened a bit. "I know, Takemaru, and do not worry. I fully plan on making an educated decision."
He nodded, then disappeared. The door slid closed softly.
She took a deep breath, quickly dressing, then brushing out her long hair. She walked towards the door and sensed a presence in her room. She turned and saw a hint of silver in the corner. "My lord?" She asked softly.
He remained silenta moment, then walked towards the window. "Your general is right. Make an educated decision." He said softly. "But do not make it lightly either."
She looked at him, her face serious. "How long have you been here?"
"Awhile."
"My lord..." She said sternly.
He glanced towards her. "I wish you to be happy, Izayoi. Even if the happiness does not include me. I would not hurt you. I may want you, but I can control myself. I said I would wait till you came to me, and I will keep my word." He said softly. "Weigh all your options, my lady." His eyes softened.
"My lord..." She began. "Matters of the heart are matters I have always taken very seriously." She said evenly. She turned, and left, walking out the door.
He gave a small smile, then left through her open window.
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The gentlemen all stood when Izayoi entered the room. She took a deep breath, sinking to her knees, arranging her kimono around herself. When they were all seated, she began. "Good sirs, you all do me honor by coming here, seaking my hand in marraige. However, over the past several evenings, I noticed something. You did not speak of anything besides plans for my lands." She said softly. "Why did you all come here?"
They all looked between each other. "Why to wed you, my lady."
She tilted her head gracefully. "Why me? There are other equally beautiful princesses in this province." She saw some of them squirming and gave a small half-smile. "Ah, but most of their fathers are still living, and would expect you to take their daughters from them..." She laughed softly. "Did you all think that I was so desperate to wed that I would just ignore the facts? Almost all of you are first sons, or remaining sons. In a word, heirs. Meaning that you would expect me to take your names, and then you think you would own my land as well."
They glanced towards each other.
Takemaru looked at her in stunned silence. He had not realized that she had done so much research prior to searching for a husband. As he watched, the girl before him, she turned into a woman, without his knowledge. A woman that was obviously far beyond his reach now.
"All of you came here to indeed wed me, however, you did now want me. You wanted my land. You have nothing to give me." She saw the shock on everyone's faces and arched her fine eyebrow. "It would appear that you all have forgotten. I have run my home for nearing three years, since I was 15. I am no fool." She rose to stand, and heard all the men scramble to their feet. "Leave this place." She said evenly. "I shall wed none of you."
Takemaru stared at her in shock. She looked every inch the regal princess, no longer the awkward tomboy with an affinity for wounded animals as she had been before her father died. He watched as she left the room, and looked around the room, seeing the stunned looks on the men's faces. Why had she turned them all away. Surely one of them was-
He froze. Last night, she'd been gone till sunrise. Had she seen the demon? Was this the demon's price for their lives! He went after the princess and saw her paused at the doorway to her room. "Izayoi-sama..." He said quietly.
She turned towards him. "Yes, Takemaru."
"Did you see it last night?" He asked. "Did the demon come to you with it's price?"
She was silent for a long moment. "No." She finally said. "Yes, I saw him, I went to him to learn his price. He said...there was no debt." She looked towards Takemaru. She touched the door taking a deep breath. "I do not doubt they haven't given up their fight yet. Put the guards on full alert. I suspect they might attempt an attack." She said quietly.
"We cannot possibly fight off so many armies all at once by ourselves!"
She paused. "We are not alone, Takemaru." She said evenly.
He looked at her. "You don't mean...That mononoke is here!"
She shook her head. "No, I don't believe he is. However, if we are attacked, I believe he will come." She saw the irritation on his face and smiled a small bit. "Takemaru, it does not suit you to be so jealous." She slid the door open, glancing at her friend a final time. "Remember what I said. Do not attack him if he saves us. Even if he does not plan on collecting, we are still in his debt and should act accordingly."
Takemaru nodded shortly.
She smiled, walking back into her room. She slid the door closed, holding her hand to her chest. He had said to use the whistle if she was ready. What if...what if she just wanted to see him? Speak to him?
She walked towards the window and looked up into the sky. There were clouds covering the moon tonight. She closed her eyes, lifting her face to the icy breeze. It would snow tonight, she thought, eyes searching through the darkness for a hint of gold, or a strand of silver. Yet, there was none.
She dropped to her knees, wishing that he would come to her, hold her, at least for a little while.
A hand softly touched her shoulder and she looked back, hope filling her, but it was just Takemaru.
He froze. There were tears on the princesses face. He knelt beside her, carefully wiping them away. "My lady, I just wanted to tell you that I have carried out your orders..."
She smiled. "Thank you, Takemaru. You are a dear friend."
He looked at the ground. "If I may, Iyazoi-sama..." He began, hoping, praying that she would not say what he know she would. "I know you do not wish to marry out of necessity, then, would it be possible...for you to be my lady?" He asked softly, lifting his eyes to hers.
She looked at him, her eyes sad. "Oh, Takemaru..." She said softly. "It is very sweet of you, and I'm sure you would make a fine husband...yet..." She looked at the floor, a tear rolling down her face. "I cannot. I care for you, Takemaru, but I do not love you." She smiled sadly.
He stared at her in shock. He had suspected she would reject you, but he always imagined it would be for his station. Now he understood. All he would ever be in her eyes was a childhood friend. "I-I understand..." He said quietly. He stood, preparing to leave. "My lady, if the mononoke does arrive, what SHOULD we do with it, if you do not wish it killed?"
She looked at the ground. Her finger traced an idle pattern upon the wood. "Do what he requests." She said simply. She lifted her face. "He is a lord as well, Takemaru, and he should be treated well. He has taken it upon himself to assist in protecting my home, my people, the least we could do is treat him with respect."
He bowed formally to her, leaving her alone in her room.
Izayoi slowly rose to her feet, then reached inside of her kimono, pulling the small whistle out. She held it in the palm of her hand, staring at it.
'When you realize...That you want me more than any of those humans, come here. Use this, I will come to you.'
She wrapped it tightly in her hand, her knees trembling slightly. She sat upon her bed, feeling a small ache in her heart. She had always sworn she would not marry someone she cared for, that she would not marry without love, but...She shuddered, embracing herself tightly. How could he have known?
Those few light touches he'd given her had weakened her resolve greatly. Those breif caresses proved he had experience with touching a woman. He knew how to make her want him, and that almost frightened her. She was a woman, not weak, but still subject to the needs that every woman felt.
'I want you.'
She shook her head, trying to push his voice from it. She didn't want him to want her! She wanted him to-
She froze, staring at the whistle. She wanted him to love her. Because she loved him. She put her hands to her face, beginning to cry into them softly. She flung herself onto her bed, curling into a fetal ball. There could never be a happy ending for them. He was a demon, feared greatly by all humans, and she was a human, considered merely cattle by most demons. Any offspring would undoubtedly be rejected by both.
Surely he-
A rumble shook the palace and she felt her tears stop almost instantly. She jumped off the bed and ran from the room. It appeared she was right.
Her home was under attack.
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AN: HAHAHA! Bet you didn't think I'd stop it here! Anyways, a few notes. As to the Izayoi you see here, she's a kinda strong woman, or at least I like to think she is. She's not weak, or screaming in fear. They mention that she was a sweet woman, but I think that she could have a quiet authority. She would rarely need to raise her voice above it's normal tone. I think perhaps I will have her give into Inutaishou in the next chapter, or perhaps I'll frustrate them both a bit more. I don't know. Hope you're enjoying!