Okay, a small note before this chapter begins. It is going to be filled with flash backs, and I mean lots of them, with both Sesshoumaru and Inu-Yasha. I of course will be telling who is having the flash back so you don't get confused. Now the last two flash backs are going to a be a little cruel, and a little bloody, so I'm going to explain them now, they are Sesshoumaru and Inu-Yasha's worst fear basically. Now, I'm going to try and make this as clear as possible, so try to not get lost. And, a little note about the flash backs . . . it's almost like watching a home movie of your childhood, and there is going to be a lot of jumping around. Inu-Yasha and Sesshoumaru are seeing the past, but they can't move, they are only watching. Oh and to answer a comment on my last chapter, yes I know Inu-Yasha's mother name is not Natasha, but when I wrote this story I wasn't sure what her name was so I made one up, and since I don't feel like going back to change it, I'm leaving it the way it is. Are you with me so far? Good, so let's move on shall we?
Winter Wonderland
Chapter Forty-Two
The raindrops softly hit the hospital window, which was entertaining the little fox. Sango and Miroku were seated on a small couch in the waiting room.
"The rain has sure calmed down from this morning," sighed Sango, petting the small cat in her lap.
Miroku glanced up at the darken sky, "It sure has, I wonder if it's raining this hard back home?"
Shippo gave a heavy sigh and jumped onto Miroku's shoulder, "How much longer do we have to be here?"
"Not very long, Kagome and her mother will be out soon," said Miroku.
The fox nodded and continued to stare out the window.
"Paging Doctor Geller . . . Doctor Geller . . ." came a loud voice on the intercom. It caused Shippo to jump up screaming and hiding behind the monk. Sango and Miroku had been surprised at first, but they were starting to get used to the technology in this era. Soon Kagome and her mother came from around a corner and greeted them.
"Did you guys behave?" asked Kagome, her eyes mainly on Shippo.
"Indeed we did, although Shippo was scared by the loud voice we just heard," commented Miroku.
Kagome giggled and grabbed the umbrella on the extra seat and headed towards the door with Sango by her side, and the others following.
"So?" asked Sango.
"Everything's fine," smiled Kagome, "And I found out that I'm having a girl,"
"What? How can you tell already?"
"They have machines here that can tell . . . hey maybe we can find out what your . . ."
"Actually . . . I think I'll find out the old way . . . or the way back in my time . . . or . . ."
Kagome giggled and wrapped on arm around Sango's shoulder, "It's okay, I understand,"
Sango nodded and grabbed her own umbrella as they all stepped out into the rain. Mrs. Higurashi unlocked the car doors and everyone climbed in, that is except Kagome who stared at the darkened rainy sky. Inu-Yasha . . . I hope your okay . . .
"Kagome are you getting in?" asked her mother.
Kagome merely smiled and nodded before glancing at the sky once last time, and then climbing into the car, wishing she knew if Inu-Yasha and Sesshoumaru were alright.
(Sesshoumaru Flash Back One)
Thunder rumbled through out the sky, followed by the illuminating flash of lightning. Rain poured heavily from the sky, soaking everything in it's path, including the young prince perched high in his tree. His royal clothes had been soaked, as well as his silver hair, but he took no notice. Golden eyes stared over the darkened plains, his facial features emotionless, although inside he was trying to control his emotions . . . the grief and sorrow that he felt.
"I'm forty years old . . . and here I am trying not cry . . . how pathetic is that . . ." the prince asked himself. It had been almost a year since his mother died, and yet the pain would still not go away. His father had been filled with grief at first, but now he acted as if nothing had happened, and it angered the prince very much.
"Sesshoumaru! Sesshoumaru! Where are you?" called a voice.
The prince turned his head slightly and could make out his fathers figure as it slowly headed in his direction. Sesshoumaru did not answer and tried his best to hide himself in the trees.
"Sesshoumaru!" called Inu-Taishi, his demon eyes looking for his son.
Sesshoumaru clenched his fist and finally, gracefully landed on the ground. As soon as Inu-Taishi saw his son he ran forward and hugged him.
"Where have you been?"
The prince said nothing, his eyes staring at the ground. Inu-Taishi looked at his son, and decided he would ask later when they were back at the castle.
"Shall we head home?"
Sesshoumaru simply nodded and started to head back to the castle. His father turned to follow, but stopped as a scream echoed through out the sky. Sesshoumaru stopped as well, listening as another screamed followed, and then another. Inu-Taishi started to run with his sun at his heels. Even in the rain it was not difficult for the two demons to see. A group of people were running away from bandits, trying to get away before they were slain. Sesshoumaru could distantly make out the scent of blood, and could see three dead corpses lying in the grass. The prince summoned his whip forward and took out seven off the bandits, and Inu-Taishi grabbed his sword, taking out the rest in one swing. The group of people had stopped near the edge of the forest, huddling together for warmth.
"It's alright," said Inu-Taishi, "The bandits are gone . . ." but he stopped as blood filled his senses. All of them . . . they were all serious injured, one way or another. One man had both his arms gone, another had a huge gash in his chest, and some of the woman had deep cuts near their shoulders or necks.
"What are they doing?" asked Sesshoumaru. They were all close to death, so why were they huddling together like that? A soft whimper caught Inu-Taishi's attention as he put his sword away and approached the huddled people. Pulling two of the men away who had died only seconds ago, he caught the sight of a small child, crying softly.
"They are protecting her . . ."
Sesshoumaru walked forward and stared at the girl who was covered in blood, but it wasn't her own.
"Pro . . protect . . ."
Inu-Taishi looked down at a woman was trying to speak from her cutthroat.
"Protect . . . Nata . . .Natasha . . ." with those final words she fell to the wet grass, dead.
Inu-Taishi leaned down and scooped the child in his arms, while Sesshoumaru examined the dying people, and noticing the symbol they each had on their shirts.
"They are a servants from that castle . . . ruled by Gamiko, this must be his daughter," sighed Sesshoumaru.
"It seems these bandits were after her then . . . she is fine, but she is freezing," said Inu-Taishi.
"Let's get her back home,"
Inu-Taishi nodded and started heading into the direction Sesshoumaru had pointed.
The castle was fairly large and well guarded. When the two demons approached it, guards surrounded them, but once they showed they had the princess, they were immediately leaded inside. The king was very greatful that they had returned his daughter to them, and offered them a place to stay for the night, but Inu-Taishi politely refused saying that they needed to go home. As they left both Inu-Taishi and Sesshoumaru turned, looking at the young girl in her fathers arms.
"We should visit her tomorrow and see if she is alright," whispered Inu-Taishi.
Sesshoumaru nodded and the two headed back out into the storm, heading back to their home.
(End of Flash Back)
(Inu-Yasha Flash Back One)
Natasha stared out the open window in her room, looking up at the stars and how the glittered in the night sky. A soft shiver caused her to look down in her arms, where a small boy was snuggled tightly. Silent tears ran down his small plump cheeks, and most of his black hair was covering his face. Small little hands clutched her robes, and Natasha tried to look into the violet eyes of her son.
"Does it hurt still?" asked Natasha softly, running her hands through the small boys hair.
The child shook his head and buried his face into his mothers robe. Natasha softly smiled and stood up, heading out onto the dock where they could watch the river slowly drift by.
"Your father and brother are coming to visit tomorrow,"
"Really?"
Natasha nodded her head and held her son tighter.
"Mama?"
"Yes Inu-Yasha?"
"Why aren't we living at the castle with papa?"
Natasha took a seat on the wooden down and held Inu-Yasha close to her heart, like she always held him, "Your father thought it was best for us not to be in the castle . . . he doesn't trust many of his servants when him and Sesshoumaru aren't around,"
The small boy nodded his head, and turned slightly to stare at the water, "Mama? What's a half breed?"
Natasha froze momentarily, and looked down at her son. He had asked this question earlier today, but she hadn't told him then what it meant.
"Mama?"
"It . . . well . . . you see . . . I . . . why do you ask?"
"I saw some of the servants playing ball . . . I wanted to join in, but when I came into the circle, they tossed the ball away and started to call me a half breed,"
"Oh . . . I see,"
"So . . . what does it mean?"
Natasha tried to keep the tears back, but she couldn't as they silently ran down her cheeks, "It . . . honey it's a bad word . . . an awful word to call someone,"
"Why? I haven't done anything have I?"
"No . . . no sweety you didn't do anything wrong,"
"Then . . . they like me?"
"No . . . Inu-Yasha, the servants . . . they . . ."
"They what? They don't like me?"
"Well . . ."
"Why? You said I didn't do anything wrong,"
"You didn't Inu-Yasha . . . it's just . . . they don't like what you are . . ."
"What I am? A half demon?"
"Yes," whispered Natasha, holding her son closer.
"Mama, I don't understand,"
Natasha tried hold back her tears, but they just kept flowing. She knew his life would be a living hell for him . . . everyone would hate him for what he would become . . . and would not judge him for who he was, "I'll . . . I'll tell you when your older Inu-Yasha,"
"But Mama . . ."
"Just sleep for now sweety . . . sleep,"
The small boy snuggled into his mothers robes and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
The small boy waited patiently on the edge of the fountain. His silver dog ears twitching every which direction, his eyes watching the blue sky intently.
"When will they be here?" asked Inu-Yasha, looking at his mother who was sitting on the porch.
Natasha laughed and stopped her sewing for a moment, "They will be here soon, just be patient,"
Inu-Yasha smiled, revealing his white fangs, and turned his head back up to the sky.
"Are you going to show your father that you've learned how to write?"
"Yes! And Sesshy too!"
Natasha laughed and looked back down at her sewing.
A low rumble caught Inu-Yasha's attention, causing him to stand and try to see where the sound was coming from. A small black dot in the sky caught his attention.
"They're here! They're here!" cried the half demon, running to his mother.
Natasha set her sewing down and stood up, lifting her son into her arms. They both watched as the two-headed dragon slowly descended from the sky, revealing two riders on it's back.
"Papa! Sesshoumaru!" cried Inu-Yasha, waving to the two full fledged demons.
Inu-Taishi waved to his son and Sesshoumaru did the same as they slowly approached the house. Natasha put Inu-Yasha back down, and the small boy ran into his fathers open arms. Inu-Taishi smiled and lifted his younger son high into the air, a great big smile on his face. Sesshoumaru crossed over to Natasha and gave her a friendly hug.
"How are things here?" asked Sesshoumaru.
"Not too bad, same as usual,"
"And none of the servants have tried to hurt you?"
Natasha shook her head and walked over to her mate, kissing him softly on the cheek, "How was your trip here?"
"Just fine," smiled Inu-Taishi, wrapping an arm around Natasha and setting Inu-Yasha back down. The half demon then ran to his older brother and jumped on his left leg, clinging to him tightly.
"Sesshy!"
Sesshoumaru just smiled and leaned down slightly to pick up his brother, "So . . . how is the little monster?"
Inu-Yasha gave a small pouty face, but that soon disappeared, "So . . . do you have any battle stories to tell me?"
Sesshoumaru just laughed and started to walk over to the dock.
(End of Flash Back)
(Sesshoumaru Flash Back Two)
He sat quietly on his balcony edge, watching his father walking through the garden with the young princess. Ever since that night they had saved her, Inu-Taishi had visited every day to make sure she was all right. When they had saved her, she had been only ten, and that had been almost nine years ago, now she was a young and beautiful women, fully developed. Sesshoumaru watched curiously as Natasha reached forward and took his fathers hand in hers. He saw his father turn his head slightly to look at her, a smile on his face as he wrapped his own hand in hers. Sesshoumaru had noticed that his father had been spending a lot more time with Natasha then usual. Ever since his mother had passed away, Inu-Taishi didn't smile as much, but since he met Natasha, he couldn't wipe the smiles off his face. Many of the royal servants were having a rather big problem with Natasha, since she was after all mortal. However, Sesshoumaru had no problems with Natasha, in fact she was almost like a best friend to him. The two of them would take walks, chat with each other, and stuff he never imagined he could do with a human. She was different than the others . . . she didn't care if he or his father were demons, but she looked in the inside. Looking back down into the garden, Sesshoumaru noticed that his father and Natasha had disappeared from his view. Sighing, Sesshoumaru stood, took a step off the balcony and landed gracefully on the ground. He walked silent along the bushes but stopped when he heard voices.
"How are you feeling today Natasha?" asked his father.
"Quite well today,"
Sesshoumaru poked his head around a bush to see his father standing, and Natasha sitting on a stone bench.
"I hear your father is starting to look for a husband for you,"
"Yes he is . . . he wants me to be married before I'm twenty, but so far the ones I have met . . . well . . ."
Inu-Taishi nodded and took a seat beside Natasha. Her long black hair almost touched the ground, and her silver robes sparkled in the sunlight. Sesshoumaru noted to himself that Natasha was blushing slightly, glancing at his father the odd time.
"Um . . . Inu-Taishi?" whispered Natasha.
"Yes?" asked Inu-Taishi.
Natasha turned so she was facing the lord, and looked directly into his eyes. The next movement was so quick that even Sesshoumaru almost missed it as Natasha leaned forward and lightly kissed his father on the lips. Sesshoumaru stared with wide eyes as Natasha kept her eyes closed, while Inu-Taishi's eyes could have been wider than Sesshoumaru's. A moment passed and then Natasha pulled away, "I'm sorry . . ." she whispered, "I shouldn't have done that . . ."
Inu-Taishi said nothing at first, but then his right hand reached forward and cupped her cheek, turning her head to face him. Smiling the lord of the Western lands, leaned his head down and kissed Natasha back.
Sesshoumaru was still hiding in the bushes watching the scene before him, but had to rub his eyes since he hadn't blinked in minutes. He watched as Natasha wrapped her arms around his father's neck, and slowly pulled herself onto his lap. Finally Inu-Taishi pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.
"Natasha . . ."
"Inu-Taishi . . . I . . . I love you . . . I have for a few years now . . . I know I'm just a mortal girl . . . but I cannot deny these feelings for you . . ."
Inu-Taishi stared at the girl on his lap, and turned to whisper in her ear so no one could hear . . . that is except for Sesshoumaru, "Ever since I rescued you that day, I saw you as a daughter I never had . . . but as the years went by, my feelings changed, and I saw you as a young woman, who makes my life filled with joy . . . I love you too," Turning his head he kissed her cheek.
Sesshoumaru smiled, he had like Natasha ever since he had met her, but only as a friend. He had hoped that she would be able to remain in his life for as long as she lived, and now it seemed his wish could come true.
"Natasha . . . will you be my mate?" whispered Inu-Taishi.
The young woman looked deeply into the lord's eyes and nodded kissing his lips lightly.
Sesshoumaru smirked and silently disappeared back up to his room.
Sesshoumaru walked silently beside Inu-Taishi and Natasha, listening to them as they chatted with each other, wondering how they would break the news to Natasha's father. Natasha thought that her father would be proud that she had finally found a husband. As they approached the castle gates, her father was already they're waiting for them.
"Ah, Inu-Taishi, thank you for bringing my daughter home. And I thank you as well Sesshoumaru. Now Natasha dear, there are some suitors here that would like to meet you,"
Natasha smiled and took Inu-Taishi's hand into hers, "Well father . . . the thing is I already found someone,"
Natasha's father looked confused, "And who would that be?"
"Inu-Taishi . . . Lord of the Western Lands," smiled Natasha, kissing the lords hand.
Gamiko just stared at the two, his face fully shocked. Sesshoumaru smiled and patted his father on the back, waiting for the lord to congratulate the two, but his face suddenly turned to fury and anger.
"What the hell were you thinking? He's a demon!" screamed Gamiko.
"But father . . ."
"I will not have my only daughter be with some demon! Humans and demons are not supposed to be together! How could you do this to me? To your mother? Inu-Taishi are you out of your mind taking a human for a mate? This is just so absurd!"
"Father I love him! And he loves me! I thought you would be happy,"
"Happy? Happy? I am anything but happy at this moment. You have dishonored the family name! Natasha you have two choices! One you can forget about this lord and come inside to mee the suitors, or two you can go with your demon, and never be welcomed by this family again! For if you do, the guards and anyone in this village will you kill you with out a second thought,"
Sesshoumaru and Inu-Taishi stood frozen on the spot. This was not the kind of reaction they had been hoping for, after all Gamiko had said himself that he like the two of them. Shaking the though from his head, he could see Natasha shaking slightly, and could smell the river of tears falling from her eyes. Inu-Taishi wrapped his arms around her, whispering in her ear words Sesshoumaru couldn't make out. Then silently, the two turned and headed towards the palace gate. Gamiko did nothing; he just turned around and headed back into the castle. After a moment Sesshoumaru followed after his father.
They walked silently together, Natasha still crying as Inu-Taishi had his arms securely around her. Suddenly she collapsed to her knees, crying harder as she spoke words that could not be understood. Sesshoumaru hated to see her cry like this, and kneeled beside his father and hugged her as well, knowing that this wasn't going to be as easy as they first thought.
(End of Flash Back)
(Inu-Yasha Flash Back Two)
The full moon shined brightly in the night sky, and the sounds of crickets chirping sounded in the air. Natasha smiled as she watched her son playing in the small pond.
"Mama! Mama watch this!" cried Inu-Yasha, jumping over the pond in one leap.
Natasha giggled and clapped as her son scurried back over to her. She had decided to take her son on a walk through the woods since tomorrow she would be going on a trip with her mate over to the southern lands.
"Mama, how long will you be gone?"
"I few weeks . . . you'll be staying with your brother at the castle while I'm gone,"
"Yeah!" cried the little demon.
Natasha smiled, her son has always admired Sesshoumaru, and loved when he visited or got to stay at the castle with him, "Well, shall we head home? We have to leave early in the morning,"
Inu-Yasha nodded and jumped into his mother's arms, resting his head on her shoulder, "Do you think Sesshoumaru will take me anywhere?"
"I don't know sweetie," smiled Natasha, kissing her son on one of his ears.
The half demon smiled and closed his eyes to go to sleep, but a rustle in the bushes caught his attention. He sat up, his ears twitching.
"What is it?" asked Natasha.
"I hear something . . ." whispered Inu-Yasha, pointing to some bushes near by.
Natasha started to walk a little faster, but another rustling caused her to gasp.
"Mama, someones near . . ." The half demon get a chance to finish as he saw someone come running out of the bushes.
Natasha screamed and started to head towards the castle, but a rough hand grabbed her robes and pulled her back. She fell hard on the ground her son still tightly wrapped in her arms. Inu-Yasha's golden eyes were etched with fear as he stared at the tall man standing over them. The half demon could make out his dirty clothes, and the sake in his breath. Smiling the man reached forward, pulling the young boy form his mothers arms. Natasha screamed her sons name as Inu-Yasha landed in the near by bushes. She stood to go to him, but the man grabbed her wrists, pinning her to the ground, his hot breath against her ear.
"Looks like I got a real nice one tonight . . ."
Natasha opened her mouth to scream but was stopped as the man kissed her. She struggled against him, but he was too strong. He held her wrists with one hand while the other ran over her body, feeling her as his hands slowly undid her robes. She tried screaming again, but no one heard her, only the sound of the owls and crickets answered her cries. A second later Inu-Yasha jumped out of the bushes, landing on the mans back.
"Leave my mama alone!" screamed the boy, his clawed hands digging into the mans shoulder. The man screamed, but kept his hold on Natasha's wrists as his other hand reached up, grabbing the boy by the neck and throwing him on the ground. Not wasting any time before the child returned the man lifted up the bottom of her kimono, and then his hands quickly reaching to undo his pants. Natasha continued to scream, and Inu-Yasha kept trying to get the man off of his mother.
The man smiled and was about to finish what he came to do, when a piercing pain shot through him. His eyes looked down to see a hand right through his gut. Natasha looked up into Sesshoumaru's golden eyes, and could see the slight fear in them as he pulled the man off of her, throwing him into the pond near by.
A crying Inu-Yasha ran to his mother, hugging her tightly, "Are you alright?"
Natasha nodded, as she hugged her son back, not being able to move. Sesshoumaru knelt down, "Are you sure your alright?"
"I'm okay . . . how did you . . ."
"I was coming to see if you wanted to come to the castle tonight to get some more sleep, I went to your house but you weren't there, that's when I heard you screaming,"
Natasha started to cry again, burying her face in Sesshoumaru's silver hair. The demon slowly wrapped his arms around her, picking her up.
"It's okay . . . It's okay Natasha . . . everything will be okay . . . I promise . . . my father and I will always be there to protect you . . ."
(End of flash back)
TBC . . . .
Well I thought you guys might want to see what's happening so far, but keep in mind of the note up top. Now, the next chapter will have some of the flash backs. I'm thinking of setting this up in three parts. Well got to work on the next chapter!
Lynns