Once Upon a Time...

By: DemonSaya

Chapter 5: A Forbidden Love

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It took them all about a year to rebuild the palace to it's former glory. They had not been attacked since the last time, and for that Izayoi was relieved. Periodically, she would leave, walking down to the hot spring where she and her love had last seen each other. Each time, she would find a small trinket waiting for her. Ivory combs, new kimonos, jewelery.

She flushed as gifts were showered upon her, and she was so tied up in her own private world, she never noticed the growing resentment on her childhood friends face.

Takemaru's resentment for her grew with each day, watching her looking to the sky, watching the horizon, looking into the trees, as though she were hoping to merely catch a glimpse of him. She could not love him, a human, her general who had always tried to protect her. Yet, she could love that creature, that mononoke.

She was always waiting for him.

Izayoi walked through her new home, inspecting it. It was lovely, but there was a coldness to it that felt foreign to her. She often escaped the palace, walking through the forest alone. She frequently bathed in the hotsprings, avoiding the use of her private bath.

In fact, on this particular evening, she was walking towards the clearing where she'd first met the demon to bathe. Takemaru had followed her, and she knew he was there to prevent the demon from coming along and taking advantage. She dipped her toe in the water, discarding her kimono. The early spring air bit her skin and she quickly dived into the water, enjoying the heat. She began her bath, and sighed. She gave a half-turn and saw Takemaru watching her. She flushed in anger. "TAKEMARU!" She shouted, furious. Her body was not for his eyes!

He jumped. Quickly, he forced his eyes away.

It was too late. She ordered him to leave her. She would probably have him executed if he didn't comply with her wishes. So he turned and left her there.

She sunk into the water, closing her eyes, going back to her last encounter with the demon here. His heated kisses had weakened her knees, taught her how little control she had over herself when it came to him. Unknowingly, as she reminissed, her fingers began moving against her own skin. She idly traced patterns on her stomach, then moved her hand upwards, clasping the whistle that rested between her breasts. She stared at it and wondered idly if she was ready. She missed him. That brief period when they saw each other more often, where he was within the reach of her voice. Slowly, she lifted the whistle to her lips and blew into it gently.

She kept it there, her free hand quickly stroking a fire in herself. She closed her eyes, wishing, praying that he could hear it. She blew the whistle again, her urgency growing. She needed him there. She needed him with her.

She didn't have to wait long.

He arrived, finding her immersed in the water, one hand at the cleft of her legs, the other holding the whistle to her lips. The erotic sight caused a shudder. He dropped to his knees, casting aside his armor and winding his arms around her shoulders. He saw her stop, the whistle falling from her lips.

She turned towards him, standing waist deep in the water. "My lord..." She whispered. "I need you..." She whispered.

His heart pounded in his chest and he slowly shed his clothing, walking into the water with her. He remained silent, gathering her into his arms. "I knew you would call me..." He said softly. "That you would want me like this, as nature made us..." He captured her lips, running his hands down her sides, caressing the soft flesh. "You are perfect, Iyazoi..." He whispered. "I have never seen anything as perfect as you..."

She stared up at him, curiously lifting her hands to his chest. The muscles were pronounced, yet not bulky. She blushed faintly, lifting her eyes to his. His eyes were gentle and all her hesitancy was suddenly gone. She began to curiously explore him with her fingertips.

He closed his eyes, stopping her as his need began to overwhelm him. He scooped her into his arms, laying her against the rocks gently, his eyes searching, holding hers. He touched her beneath the water and watched as her breath shuddered from her. He kept her hands encased in one of his as he gave her everything he could, before he finally gave her himself.

Their union was sweet bliss and continued on until it culminated in complete rapture, leaving the pair breathless, laying in each others arms.

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Takemaru glared at the woman he loved. His breath rasped from him and he clenched his hand into a tight fist. She had sex with that...that THING! He felt his breath rasping in and out of him and watched in fury as the pair cuddled afterwards.

"I love you, my lord..." She said softly. She looked up into his gold eyes and saw a contented smile on his face. His eyes met hers and she felt his hand gently caress her shoulder. She saw his feelings in his eyes and gave a faint smile, thinking that maybe it was okay if he didn't respond to her.

Suddenly, the demon lord caught a different scent. The general. The other man who loved her. He sat up, angry that someone had been watching their display of intimacy. He grabbed her yukata, wrapping it around her gently. "We are being watched..." He said softly. "Your general."

She felt anger grab her. "Takemaru..." She whispered, irritation filling her. She had told him to return to the house. He had ignored her wish. She tied it around her waist and climbed from the water, calling him to her. "Takemaru, I know you're there!"

He walked through the brush, glaring at the demon. "How dare you touch the princess! You have spoiled her, now she may never be married!"

Inutaishou left the water, pulling his pants on, glaring at the human. "You know nothing, human." He said evenly. "The princess is married, now." He saw the fear on the humans face and glared at him. "To me."

Izayoi looked down, not meeting either of their gazes. "Please, Takemaru, return to the palace, I will be along later..." She slowly lifted her gaze, looking at her old friend. "If you're my friend at all, Takemaru, do this for me. You said you wanted me happy..."

He froze, his hands shaking. "My lady-"

"Go, please!" She said, turning away from him. She watched him stagger backwards then run from her. When he was gone, she looked at the ground, tears filling her eyes. "He used to be my friend, my lord..." She tried to explain.

He cupped the back of her head, pulling her close. "Do not feel the need to explain your actions to me, Izayoi. I know you are in love with me, not him." He leaned down, kissing her lips lightly before releasing her. "You should return to the palace. I shall call upon you later." He paused, resting his hand against her stomach. He lifted his eyes to hers. "None of my seed have taken root, Izayoi, I suppose we shall have to try again later."

She blushed, lowering her eyes. "My lord, you speak bluntly..."

"I do not sugar coat what I say, princess. I speak honestly. And in doing so, I tell you, you are my mate. Until you or I die, you are mine, and..." He scooped up her hand, pulling it to his bare chest. "I am yours." He said softly. He watched her lips turn up into a small smile and leaned down, gently kissing her. "Now, go my lady." He said, helping her finish dressing. When they were done, putting all their clothes back on, he pulled her into a brief embrace. "I look forward to our next encounter, my wife."

She blushed, looking up at him. "A-anata..." She said softly, smiling at him. She kissed him quickly then began to head for the palace.

He watched her go, knowing from now on, it was not going to be as easy. Someone knew she was his mate. Someone had seen them share bodies, expressing their love in physical form. He sighed, cursing human curiosity. Cursing himself for not taking her some place more secluded, some place they would not have been seen.

He bent down, putting his armor back on. As he did so, an arrow struck a nearby tree. He glared in the direction the offending thing came from and watched Takemaru emerge from the trees. He arched an eyebrow. "Human, I could kill you before you take another breath.

Takemaru glared at him. "You took advantage of the princess's kind nature!" He snarled. "You should die!"

Inutaishou looked at the human, taking a deep breath. "I suggest you run, not walk back to the palace, because if the princess beats you back, I have a distinct feeling that her...kind nature will be snapped and she will probably attack you like a small wildcat." The image tickled his funny bone and he grinned. "In fact, perhaps I should detain you, just so I can watch the event take place." His grin vanished as the human notched another arrow in his bowstring. "I see my wonderful sense of humor has not changed your mind." He sighed heavily. "Just so you know, the knowledge that you are her friend is the only think keeping me from killing you."

"Thank god for her friendship, then, because that mean's I'll be able to send you back to hell where you belong!"

"I think not." He said, transforming into his giant dog form. He picked up the small human in his teeth, gripping his armor delicately, feeling him fighting, sword drawn, slashing his jaw, stabbing him repeatedly, trying to get free. He carried the human back to the palace, dropping him at Izayoi's feet. He couldn't speak, due to the pain in his face.

Izayoi watched as her husband turned quickly into his humanoid form and ran towards him, seeing the blood pouring from his face. "My lord!" She gasped, staring at the painful looking wounds. She looked down at Takemaru, who was scrambling to his feet, sword still drawn. "Why, Takemaru!" She cried.

He saw the sadness on her face and glared at the demon. "Because IT has what you will never give to me!" He cried. Many people in the courtyard were looking from the princess to Takemaru, to the demon who had saved them many times. "You LOVE THIS THING!"

She took a step backwards. "Don't call him that." She said softly. She gently took the demons arm and led him into the palace, towards her room. She left the door open, filling a basin with water, and then grabbing some cloths. She saw he was seated on the floor and knelt before him, gently cleaning the blood from his face. "I am sorry about Takemaru, he's really not a bad person."

He met her eyes, merely looking at her face. "I did not think our next encounter would be so soon after our last, my lady..." He said softly.

Servants passed the room, peering in as the princess gently tended to the 'monster'. They could see her obvious feelings shining in her eyes. Although some were uncomfortable having something like him in the house, some were almost relieved that the princess had chosen to wed someone as strong as he was. They would be well protected for many years.

Day had long since broken and as it passed, the princess did not leave the room, chosing instead to tend to the demon. As darkness fell, a servant brought the pair a modest dinner. They ate in silence, until the palace had gone dark and silent.

Inutaishou moved closer to his wife, gently caressing her face. "My lady..." He said softly. "May I borrow your lap?"

She looked at him in surprise, then, a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth and she moved to the edge of her bed, allowing him to rest his head against her thighs. She saw the peaceful expression on his face and gently caressed his hair. It was beautiful, silver, swept high upon his head, tied with a black leather thong. "My lord, why did you pick me back then?" It had been three and a half years since they first met by that spring, and now they were married, by his terms alone.

"I do not know." He said, smiling faintly. "I think it had something to do with the kindness you showed me. No human has ever tried to save me before. I think even in spite of me protecting you, saving you that once, in the end, you're still saving me." He said. "Before you, I would constantly wander. I had no home. You are my home now." He shifted, putting his arms around her legs.

She felt tears fill her eyes at his sweet words. "Anata..." She whispered softly. She bent over his head, embracing him gently. "Anata..."

She saw Takemaru standing in the doorway, fury in his eyes. Hurt filled her and she realized that her childhood friend was gone. All that was left was this shell of him, filled with jealousy and anger.

"My lady..." He said, his voice thick with sarcasm. "It has a guest."

Inutaishou lifted his head, sniffing the air. He stood slowly, leaving the room. "I must see to this..." He said softly. It was his son. Sesshoumaru. His heir to an empty title, an empty life, filled with no joy. He slid the door closed behind him, pinning Takemaru down with his eyes. "You may remove yourself from her doorway." He said icily, walking from the palace, finding his son standing outside, his golden eyes annoyed. "Sesshoumaru." He said evenly.

"Father."

"Why are you here."

Inutaishou felt something attach to it's neck and slapped his hand down over it. He pulled it away, finding the flea demon there. His eyes narrowed a bit. "Myoga?"

"My lord, Ryokotsusei is gaining too much power. The lesser demons are unable to keep him in check. Sesshoumaru failed against him. It rests upon you, now, my lord!"

He looked towards his son, noting that there were several rather severe injuries. Blood soaked his clothing. His armor was broken in several places. He felt a twinge of concern, walking towards his son.

His son backed away. "Don't come near me father. While you were playing around with your human, I have been practically running the western lands myself!"

Inutaishou slapped the demon, sending him spilling to the ground. "Do not overestimate your position. You are not a great demon yet. You are still my son, and you are still beneath me in power." He took a shuddering breath. "Yes, you are my son." He said evenly. He picked the much younger demon up, throwing him over his shoulder and carrying him into the shed where once he himself had been kept. He saw the demon ward on it and summoned a servant. "Open this, summon Izayoi."

"I will not be sewed up by your human!" He shouted, but obviously was in no situation to get away from his father.

"Shut up. I will tend to you myself." He snarled. Roughly, he dropped his son on the straw pallet. His wife arrived shortly, and after slapping Myoga off herself, she noted the young demon's condition.

"My lord?"

"My son." He said evenly. He looked towards her. "He's injured." He explained, beginning to tend to the arrogant young demon.

She nodded shortly, then left, returning with several servants carrying basins of water, others with cleaning cloths.

The demon cleaned and healed his sons wounds himself. Izayoi soon crew so tired, she fell asleep in the corner, exhausted from the entire day. "The dragon did this to you?"

"Are you sure you can defeat him yourself?" Sesshoumaru sneared. "With this new weakness of yours!"

"I care not for humans. I care for Izayoi." He explained, looking towards his mate. "One day, my son you will understand. You will see the things that human women have over demon ones. She will sire my offspring." He returned his eyes to his son. "One day, you too will encounter a human who you develop a weakness for."

"I am not like you, father."

He almost smiled. "Oh, son, you're more like me than you may think." He said softly, finishing his minstrations and then changed the topic. "Tell me the dragons powers."

Sesshoumaru frowned. "He has scales that could not be cut. Not by sword, not by claw, and he fires lightening from his mouth." The boy took a deep breath. "I...barely scratched it." He admitted.

Inutaishou frowned deeply. "Then only one thing will work on this thing." He lowered his eyes, wondering if he would survive the encounter. He glanced towards his wife, going towards her, lifting her into his arms. "Remain here tonight. Your wounds should finish healing by tomorrow."

"In the shed!"

Inutaishou glared at his son. "Yes, here. I have stayed here before myself, incase you don't remember it."

The demon watched as his father closed the door on him and ran up to it, slamming his fists against it. "Father! Let me out of here!"

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Inutaishou sat up for a long time that evening, listening to his wife's soft breaths. She began to stir as the sun rose over the horizon. He moved towards her, kissing her, calling her to him. She responded easily, her arms going around his neck. When she was completely awake, he took her once again, his kisses smothering her cries.

When it was over, she looked at him, her face soft. "My lord...am I?" She asked, feeling his hand gently caressing her abdomen. She saw the pleased expression on his face and her heart lodged in her throat.

"Yes, Iyazoi. You are." He moved down, kissing her flat somach. "I wish that I could be here during the whole of your pregnancy..." He felt her stiffen and lifted his eyes to her face. There was a fear there and he smiled sadly. "I am sorry, I must leave soon." He said. "I cannot allow this dragon to go unchecked. I must stop him."

"When must you go?" She caressed his hair, her face sad.

"I will train for a month before I go. Something like this must be done with care. It will take me three months after that to reach it..." He saw the look of sadness on her face and kissed her gently. "It will go by quickly, my lady. I swear it, and I shall leave Myoga here to keep you company."

"I am afraid that Takemaru might try to stop you from returning."

He gave her a serious face. "Iyazoi, look at me." When her brown eyes met his gold ones, he caressed her face. "My lady, hell itself could not stop me from coming back to you."

She blinked a tear away, sniffling slightly. "But what if you should die?"

He moved up her body, kissing her lips, looking deep into her eyes. "I will not, not before I see you again." He promised. "The dragon may harm me, but I shall do farm more harm to it."

She threw her arms around him, tears falling down her face. "I will miss you, my lord..."

He smiled a bit. "My lady, I am not gone yet." He said softly.

She sniffled, nodding.

"Let's enjoy this time, before I go off and battle, alright?"

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AN: End of the chapter. One to go, now. Last one'll probably be pretty long. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Fluffy will be around a bit more frequently, since I think he goes with his father to battle Ryokotsusei. Anyways, next chapter should be up shortly. Love you all to pieces! Oh, and a NOTE: Takemaru, from what my husband says was either a Shogun (Warlord), or a Daimyo (Kinda a upper level politician). I call him general, which can be an alternate translation for Shogun.