A Father's Embrace
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hospitality
Maiki broke out into a wide yawn, shielding her mouth with her right hand as she did so. But Kagome, sitting not far from the teenage girl's left side, could still see the glistening of light reflected off of the girl's white fangs. As her yawn diminished, Maiki looked down to the boy dozing lightly in her lap, his back gently resting against her stomach and chest. Hiroshi was quite the energetic child. Despite the nap Maiki had unintentionally taken earlier in the day, she was finding herself to be quite exhausted.
Shortly after coming to the daimyo's estate, Hiroshi was rushed off to clean up and to put on some more proper clothing. Maiki and Kagome were shown their rooms while Miroku, Sango and Kazuki were escorted to a suite of their own. With the salvaged remains of the first aid kit, Kagome had cleaned up the wound in Maiki's shoulder and bandaged it up. It probably should've been stitched, but with the advanced healing abilities of yokai blood running through Maiki's veins, doing such a thing would have been frivolous. A gauze pad taped to the wound was all the shibunyo needed.
After Hiroshi had bathed and dressed, he had rushed over to Maiki's room excitedly. Without giving her a chance to turn him down, he had grabbed her by the wrist and insisted upon giving her the grand tour. Naturally, Kagome and the others were interested in seeing the sights around the daimyo's estate. But it was Maiki who had been most awed by the grandeur of the castle. It was so much larger than any of the huts she had come to see thus far in this era. Unlike Maiki, the rest of the group was accustomed to seeing such large homes in this era.
As they had walked through the estate, a sense of deja vu seemed to creep over Maiki. If she tried to imagine hard enough, this building almost looked like an old historical museum she had visited on a school field trip about three years ago. She had shrugged the idea aside. If were possible that Takeshi's castle was the museum she had visited, then that would mean that the estate would have had to have survived over five-hundred years, and most of which were during times of war. It just wasn't likely.
After the tour was finished, Hiroshi had pleaded with Maiki to play with him in the gardens. She couldn't muster the strength to turn him down. She had turned to ask Kazuki if he wanted to join them, but before she could even voice the question, the boy had retreated with his parents and Kagome towards the main social room. Before he had disappeared around the corner at the end of the corridor, the boy exterminator had shot a look of disapproval at Hiroshi. Apparently, Kazuki was unhappy at the fact that Hiroshi had taken such a quick liking to Maiki.
For about an hour, Hiroshi had kept the shibunyo busy with games of tag and hide-and-go-seek. Of course, Maiki allowed the boy to win on numerous occasions, despite the fact that she could easily outrun him. For about an hour, Hiroshi kept Maiki busy running around the gardens. Their play was interrupted when one of the maids came to inform them that supper was ready. So as the two headed inside to clean up for dinner, Maiki realized that she had been enjoying herself. The playtime had allowed her to forget about all her worries for a while.
Watching Hiroshi run ahead in front of her, she wondered if perhaps this is what it would've been like if she had had a younger brother or sister. As soon as the thought formed, she pushed it away. There was no way possible she could have a brother or sister. The fates had deemed that she would be an only child forever. Not even the best fertility doctors could help Kagome have another child. So there was no point in fantasizing about the possibility of siblings.
After cleaning up, Hiroshi and Maiki had joined everyone else in the dining room. As soon as the scent of food hit her nose, Maiki realized how hungry she truly was! She hadn't had anything to eat in several hours. But neither had the rest of her companions. With enthusiasm, she dug into her meal. But unlike the habits of her ill-mannered father, she ate her meal with proper courtesy.
Dinner had been exceptionally good. The chefs had prepared the most delicious rabbit and vegetable stew. And there was so much of it too! Everyone had gotten second helpings of the yummy meal. When everyone had finished eating, the leftover food and dirtied dishes were taken away. Everyone sat back from the low table, relaxing with their full stomachs. Hiroshi had sleepily crawled into Maiki's lap, and quickly fell into the world of sleep.
"How's your shoulder feeling, Maiki?" It was Kagome who asked the question, still concerned for her daughter.
"It's fine. It doesn't hurt so much anymore thanks to the aspirin I took earlier."
"Aspirin?" Takeshi repeated the foreign word.
"Yeah, aspirin," Kagome nervously tried to cover her daughter's slip. "It's a... uh... rare herb! From my homeland."
"Ah, I see. I should've realized that a miko like yourself would be equipped with the best of healing supplies. I noticed that you carry quite the abundance of unusual items. Am I correct by assuming that many of your belongings are from your homeland?"
"Um, yes. That's right."
"How very interesting! Perhaps I should send some of my merchants to your country so that I may be able to establish a trade route with your people. Tell me, where are you from?"
"Oh, um... Maiki and I have traveled from a very great distance from here. I don't think it would be very feasible to set up a trade with my people."
"Oh nonsense! I have established trade agreements with the mainland! Although it usually takes a few months for my merchants to make the trip, the time and distance is well worth the wait! So tell me. Where are you from?"
Kagome seemed to visibly panic. She was running out of subtle excuses and Takeshi was being incredibly persistent! She couldn't be rude to him. After all, he had given them a delicious meal and free lodging for the night. Miroku and Sango seemed to sense their friend's dismay, yet they found themselves unable to try to dig her out of the hole she was in. Kazuki sat back and watched the events unfold with a gleam in his eye. Apparently, he seemed to enjoy watching the miko and her daughter squirm.
Maiki sighed heavily. Unlike her mother, she didn't appear to be unnerved. Rather, she seemed to have an almost depressed demeanor. Everyone's attention turned to her as she sadly stared at the boy dozing in her lap.
"See, that's the problem, Takeshi-daimyo-sama," the shibunyo replied glumly, her ears drooping downward. "Mama and I... we don't know where our homeland is. We are traveling healers from our village, and it was during a long journey to a distant city that we were ambushed by bandits. They blindfolded us and bound us with shackles. We could not see where they were taking us, but while we were in their custody, they traveled for at least two days. And they didn't give us any food or water the entire time! They often talked about how they were going to sell us as slaves or even worse... as harlots! Fortunately, the monk Miroku-sama, his wife Sango-san , and their son Kazuki-kun saved us from that terrible fate! And now, we are trying to find our way home, but we have yet to come across any territory that is familiar to us..."
The shibunyo finished the story with tears falling from each eye, wiping them away with the back of her hand. She remained silent, keeping her gaze cast downward. 'He better fucking believe this story! I don't just break out with the water works for my own amusement!'
"My goodness. I had no idea," Takeshi replied flabbergasted. "You poor things. To have been through so much turmoil already, and then to have to suffer through Nibori's crazed antics... Why did you not say anything to me before? I would not have pressed the issue so much if I had known."
"I'm sorry for saying nothing, Takeshi-daimyo-sama," Maiki choked with a sob. "But we did not wish to burden you with our troubles. You have been so kind to us already..."
"No, no. Please. Remember, it is I who is in your debt. There is no need to show me your gratitude. This is the least I could do in thanks for saving my Hiroshi."
Maiki nodded, but remained quiet, allowing her act to continue forth. Kagome kept her eyes cast downward too, if only to make her daughter's tale more believable. Sango and Miroku were awed by the shibunyo's quick thinking and ability to act. However, they kept their amazement as well hidden as possible. After all, they were supposed to have been their saviors, and would already know of their 'dilemmas'. Miroku was actually quite impressed. Having been a bit of a scam artist back in his day, he had to admire Maiki's abilities as a con.
Kazuki seemed a bit contempt with Maiki's lies. He would have opened his mouth and denied her claims. However, his and his parents' honor was at stake. If he were to expose Maiki for a fraud, then he would also be exposing his parents as frauds as well, since they seemed so willing to support the shibunyo's story.
After a few minutes, Maiki broke the uncomfortable silence that seemed to have taken over the dining room. "I think Hiroshi-kun should retire to his room," she mumbled solemnly, continuing the act. "I'll take him there and then I'll retire for the night as well. We have a long day of traveling ahead of us tomorrow."
Takeshi suddenly looked disappointed. "You are leaving so soon?"
Maiki nodded slowly. "We don't want to trouble you more than we already have."
"I see, though you've been no trouble at all. I feared that I was the one who would be troubling you, but I shall not stall you if you wish to leave in the morning."
"Pardon me for asking, but what seems to be on your mind, Takeshi-daimyo-sama?" Sango inquired.
The lord turned his attention to elder slayer. With a sigh, he replied, "I was hoping that you could assist my people with our yokai problem, but you obviously have more important tasks at hand."
Sango looked questioningly to her husband and then to Kagome, silently inquiring them for their opinion on the matter. Miroku gave his wife an almost invisible nod, assuring her that whatever she chose to do, he would agree with her. Kagome looked a bit more indecisive. Back when she was a teenager, she would have been more than eager to help. But now, she was afraid to stay in Sengoku Jidai for too long. Their journey had already been delayed by a day, and if they stayed to slay the mischievous yokai, they'd be delayed at least another entire day. However, she found herself lacking the courage to turn down the lord's request. She gave Sango a short, uncertain nod.
The exterminator looked back to Takeshi. "We'll stay and help you."
The daimyo bowed low to his guest. "I thank you ever so much. Words cannot express how grateful I truly am." Shortly after that, everyone turned in for the night.
She found herself running. It seemed as though she was always running as of late. Through the forests as she panted heavily, she could feel his yoki closing in behind her. Narrowing the gap ever so slowly, he was toying with her. If he wanted, he could cut her down with no effort. But no. He wished to torment her. To relish in her fear. He was just behind her now. With one swipe of his claws, she would be no more...
She tripped and fell on a root, narrowly avoiding his razor sharp claws. His bare feet dug into the ground as he halted in his tracks, turning to face her once more. She tried to push herself off the ground, looking up into his blood red eyes. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she watched her horrid fate unfold...
Suddenly, a strange presence wrapped itself around her. It pulled her to her feet, giving her strength. Somehow, a bow and a single arrow appeared in her hands. The silver-haired beast before her stopped, hesitated at the new development. She stared at the weapon in her hand with confusion, wondering where the instrument had come from. But in the end, it mattered not. She nocked the arrow, aiming at the hanyo, but she didn't fire it. A lingering doubt in her gut prevented her from completing the task.
"Miko, you must kill him," purred a dark voice next to her ear. "Kill him before he kills you. Kill him so that we can be free."
She stared at the silver-haired hanyo before her as he watched her intently. He made no move to attack her. Something about him made her hesitate. She lowered the bow. "I... I can't..."
"You can! You must! Do it now!"
She felt the presence of the owner's voice envelop her once again, feeding her its power. The energy was enticing, addicting. She allowed it to flow through her, unable to deny the strength she felt from it. Power and control which she had not felt in so many years! It felt almost sinister, but she found herself stamping that feeling into nothingness. Her arms seemed to act on their own accord as she leveled the arrow at her adversary once more. She pulled the arrow back, the string of the bow taught.
She released the arrow, almost helpless to disobey. The silver-haired hanyo watched with wide eyes as the arrow whizzed towards him. The hateful crimson of his eyes melted into the softest gold, the anger and hatred washing away into confusion and betrayal. And suddenly, she felt sick...
Kagome's eyes blinked open. Darkness filled her vision. She was momentarily confused about her whereabouts, but after recognizing the padding of the futon beneath her, she remembered that she had been sleeping in the castle of the daimyo Takeshi. She sat up, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim light offered by the single candle at the far end of the room. Movement on the futon next to hears caught her attention.
"Did you have another dream, mama?" Maiki's voice sounded from Kagome's right.
"Yeah, I think so. I was... I had... my bow and... I think I was aiming at something, but... I can't remember what it was. I'm sure it was nothing. Just a stress induced dream, that's all..."
Maiki was a little wary of the way her mother played off the incident. She watched with concern as Kagome laid back down on her futon. 'Mama's pretending that something isn't bothering her. I doubt she's gonna tell me what it is though. Perhaps she really has undergone too much stress lately. With the upcoming divorce and moving back to the shrine and me falling into the well and me almost getting killed today... If only I knew how to help her...'
As Maiki finished these thoughts, she found that her mother had already fallen back asleep.
From the treetops beyond the walls of Takeshi's estate, a lone figure sat perched in the boughs, hidden by the thick foliage. Long tresses of silver hair danced in the cool breeze. The billowy red fabric of his clothing rustled as he shifted to a higher branch. From his standpoint, he had a good view of the castle and the gardens surrounding it. Scents wafted from the vast many rooms and halls of the great castle, but one scent stood out from the rest. The creature allowed a faint, impatient growl escape his throat.
'Patience, Inuyasha. The miko is well protected by her companions. You must wait until she is alone... vulnerable.'
"Don't want to wait. I want her now."
'She is not yet ready, Inuyasha. I will let you know when the time has come.'
"No. The time is now!"
The hanyo attempted to leap from his tree, but as he did so, a sharp pain pierced his chest. He fell flat onto the branch, body taught, a clawed hand clutching at his heart. An ugly violet-black glow resonated from within him, beneath the flesh where he grasped at his haori. After a moment, the pain subsided, as did the glowing aura from his chest, leaving an angry, panting, but submissive hanyo laying crumpled on the branch.
'That's a good boy, Inuyasha. Behave yourself, and you shall have your miko and the rest of the Tama in all due time. But remember, patience is a virtue.'
Inuyasha's only response was an irritated growl as he slowly rose to his haunches. Annoyed and frustrated, he needed to unleash his claws on something... anything. His ears twitched, catching the soft sound of subtle movement on the ground below. His crimson eyes snapped downward to the source, and fell upon the animal below. With lightning fast speed, he pounced upon the helpless rabbit that had been innocently nibbling on a patch of clovers.
Before the rabbit had a chance to kick out with its clawed feet, the hanyo snapped its neck with a sickening crunch. And just as quickly as he had jumped down upon the animal, Inuyasha leapt back up into the tree to rest upon his branch once more. Savagely, he began to tear at the raw flesh with his claws and teeth. It had been four days now since he had been reawakened, and his patience was growing exceptionally thin.
A/N: Okay all you lucky people... Inuyasha's appearance here in this chapter was originally supposed to take place a few chapters from now. But I decided to be nice and give it to you sooner. Also, after writing this scene, I came up with another way to stick Inuyasha in the story, and I felt that it would fit in better at the end of the chapter that this originally took place in.