Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, he belongs to Rumiko Takahashi©, Viz©, and The Sun©
Authors note: well, I have my CD in my stereo, its snowing outside, and the biggest turn point in the story is at my finger tips and I feel ultimately awesome right now. :big smile: well, what am I waiting for, lets get a typin'!
余寒の候、
HERE ARE YOUR RESPONSES!
Saffron: wow:big smile: im happy you really like it :blush: and don't worry, this is the chapter that InuTaisho and Izayoi meet :smile: thanks for your review! Enjoy!
chibiNeko192:big smile: im glad you liked the update! The page breaks... I have no clue what they mean, just openings and such lol. Yesh I agree that Megumi was asking for it; for a character of my own creation I really hate her o0; lol. Thanks so much for you review! It definitely made me smile.
OrangeInuYasha: definitely:glomp: lol. :high-fives back: also me and michelle still have plans to 'calmly talk' to the little bugger either way lol. Call me sometime! Lol
Elocindragon: oh wow :really big blush: thanks so much ! but I know what you mean, lately seems to not have that many good fanfics on it :sad sigh: lol. Thanks soo much for sending me your review!
Cassie: his Cassie! Lol, Viven? Sorry, but I used to be called Pheonixflames if that helps lol. And no problem to writing back, I really like talking with everyone, to me, it's the least I could do for you and everyone for reading this lol. :anime sweat drop:. Your special too:big smile:
まずは右まで。
JAPANESE DICTIONARY:
Hime- Princess
Jiji-san- Grandfather
Nyogo- concubine
Top-knot- traditional men's hair-do in feudal Japan
Miko- priestess
Baa-chan- disrespectful term for grandmother; old-woman
まずは用件のみ。
The palanquin jostled and jumped with every step my men took on the rustic path. Miaka obaa-chan grabbed onto my forearms to steady herself, her eyes darting around constantly. As we were leaving the palace of Takemaru I pulled her into the palanquin with me; time was of the essence and, with no insult to my beloved nanny, she wasn't exactly quick.
"Honey child, this old woman thinks you didn't think too wisely. I'm not supposed to ride in your palanquin!" she almost cried as one of the men in the front right corner stumbled on most likely a prodding tree root in the dark night.
"Miaka obaa-chan, please do not question me, I do not care about this matter, all that does matter is returning home to my father" I told her firmly, yet gently as a gripped her withered forearms back.
The traveling was smooth for a bit as Miaka obaa-chan retorted with a frustrated sigh but decided to not argue. I gave her a kind smile before I was suddenly thrown forward into her lap.
"Why in Kami's name is this road so bumpy! Aren't we taking the main roads back?" I asked as I easily pushed myself up and glared at the roof of the palanquin.
"Begging pardon Izayoi-hime, we thought it'd be best if we would take the side roads home to the east, much faster that it is" one of my men happily explained, seemingly coming from the front.
I gave a loud sigh and nodded to myself and Miaka obaa-chan who in return laughed deeply.
"Glad to be of some humor to you Miaka obaa-chan" I replied half-heartedly and giving her a false glare.
"Ah honey-child, I am pleased that you are doing so" she winked back.
まずは右まで。
The fire let loose its woodsy scent as a group of six silver-haired men gathered around, puling out Katana's and weapons alike, running rough cloths along the edges and talking merrily amongst themselves
"Peaceful night eh?" one spoke aloud in a scratchy voice before swiping his blade through the lively flames.
"Peaceful and tiresome" another, identical comrade replied "its been over four days since the Lord InuTaisho and Sesshoumaru sent us out to this path, and mind you all we've seen is maybe a rabbit and a squirrel"
"Don't mind the creatures Moteamasu, Sesshoumaru-sama told us to return home if we didn't see any travelers through here in a week" an elderly, yet fit man replied from behind in the shadows.
The six men all sent smirks to the old man before suddenly sitting up straight, their noses twitching.
"You pup's smell that?" the old comrade asked aloud his, his own nose and Elvin-like ears twitching like mad.
"Yea Jiji-san"replied the one they called Moteamasu.
"Good then, you three go head into the trees, you three come with me and we'll pull them down" the old man commanded pointing a firm clawed finger at a group of three.
ところで
I hummed a gentle tune to myself as I tried to keep myself awake, my chin repeatingly hitting the eve of my chest and my eyelids drooping dangerously. The traveling was now surprisingly smooth and the men's walk was now a rhythmic jog that was lulling me into darkness which already captured Miaka obaa-chan.
"Izayoi-sama, we should reach home by evenin' tomorrow if we're lucky" one of my men called to me in a soft tone.
"Thank-you all so much for not objecting to this" I called to all of them humbly and thankfully. I cracked my neck and let my head rest lightly against the side of the man-carrier; just a few minutes of sleep couldn't hurt right? I need it, so much has happened so soon lately. Especially concerning my personal life, my close marriage to Takemaru-san and that Kami-damned nyogo...father becoming ill...just too much...
I felt that tug against my eyelids again and I finally let my body succumb...sleep...is good... So close now...
Suddenly an ear-piercing whistling came through my drowsiness and I sat up straight with a sudden burst of energy. It stopped suddenly and a sickening sucking sound coming from my rear left and caused my heart to stop.
The palanquin suddenly tipped sideways and Miaka obaa-chan suddenly sprang awake in time to stop her head from hitting the hard wooden side.
My head collided with the wood and my eyes became blurry as the blood rushed to my head.
"Honey-child!" Miaka obaa-chan yelled out to me as the sudden sound of a battle cry came to my ears as well.
"Child don't you dare pass out" Miaka obaa-chan suddenly ordered me and I gave her a weak nod in return. I stared at Miaka obaa-chan almost helplessly, my ears filled with the sudden cries of my men and the foreign cries of our attackers, my head dizzy and the clash of steel-on-steel made me want to blank out completely.
"Come child, help me get this off of us" my elder told me softly reaching for my small hand while placing the bottom of her sandaled feet against the pads we were sitting on and pushed it up with her legs with a hidden power.
"Help me child!" she ordered again and I nodded, my head still spinning. I copied her actions and started to help get it off us.
I paid so much attention to pushing the palanquin off us that my heart stopped as the sound of steel clashing and the last, pain-filled cry of the fight rang out in the silent night. My mind was buzzing with questions on what in seven hells happened.
My brow became furrowed as I finally felt the weight that all my men had to carry pushed against my legs and gave a sigh of relief when I was relieved of it. I brought the back of my hand to my forehead and stared up to look at our savior with a thank-you on my lips before...
"Well, well, look what we have here pup's"
my eyes weren't looking into the brave faces of one of my men, but into the face of a seemingly elderly man, except he wasn't one, his dull gray hair was wrapped up into a top-knot and his slightly wrinkled face had sky-blue stripes running against his cheeks and he wore what seemed to be a loin-cloth made out of dog-fur...he was no man...
"Hey Jiji-san, lookie at these wenches eh?" a younger looking version of the demon who 'saved' them asked with a perverse grin on his face and a devilish look in his eyes.
"You heard the Lord pup, no hurting any women, and by the looks of these, I'd say the young bitch is a Miko, look at them robes" the older demon practically barked at his young comrade.
'M-Miko!'
I took a glace down at what I was wearing and I saw my dear mother's robes.
'How could I have been so foolish! My mother's robes... how could I have been so stupid as to forget my kimonos!'
But then I bit my lip in thought, if these supposed demons thought I was a priestess... then me and Miaka obaa-san could have a chance to escape! I mean, demons were afraid of Miko's right!
"C'mon you pup's bring the Miko bitch and the old woman with us, we're heading back" he barked his orders nonchantly.
O.K. scratch that theory.
まずは用件のみ。
My head was still spinning; I think I hit the side of the palanquin a little too hard. It had been at least a day since me and Miaka obaa-chan were kidnapped from our journey home. They threw us on their backs and made quick work of running back to wherever they came from. The man who carried me was a young one who didn't mind copping a feel whenever he pleased. I wanted to yell at him and smack him, but at the thought of that, I saw the Katana's they wore in the sash of their loin cloths and remembered what they did to my men...
My dear men...
I remembered seeing their bloodied bodies face down and their swords cast away from them as these demons ruthlessly pulled us up by our hair. Those dear men who easily listened to me and understanding enough to help me rush home to my sick father...I now included them in my prayers every night... All they did was help...
Helped me to return home...
My dear father...
The thought brought tears to my eyes and all I wanted to do was go into a fit of rage. My father could already be dead by now with no one but maids and eager members of court who wanted the ample chance to take his position at his side...
My heart grew heavy...
I looked to my side to where another member of this demon group carried Miaka obaa-chan. She herself looked livid and every now-and-then would yell at the demon that carried her. It almost made me laugh sometimes on how she yelled at them, telling them that they were not treating women, especially one who was older than they could ever be, treating us cruelly and humiliatingly, though at the end of her rant she was usually slapped in a not to nice of a spot which would make her fall silent, but glare at the back of his head.
All this reminded me why I felt so dear to this woman; right now she was my only sense of comfort.
"Where are you taking us?" Miaka obaa-san suddenly asked them rudely.
"Shut-up Baa-chan" the demon who carried her barked.
"Actually I am curious as well" I retorted lifting my head up as far as I could from my captors back to look at Miaka obaa-chan's captor in the eye.
"Bitches should learn to keep their mouths closed when they are told so!" he growled at me.
"Shut-it Muketsu" the old demon suddenly yelled back, "and to answer the Miko-bitch's question, we're returning to the Western lands of Lord InuTaisho"
"Inu...Taisho?" I bit my lip in thought. This lord must have been the ruler of the demon part of the western lands, the neighbor to Takemaru's. Maybe there was a chance that I could talk him into letting me and Miaka obaa-chan go...
ところで
Someone slapped me awake from my captor's back. It had been at least three days since the slaughter and the capture. I looked around and spotted Miaka obaa-chan who started another one of her lectures and winced when her captor was about to slap her once more.
"Stop it you pup, and you Baa-chan, you're going to be on my back today" the old demon barked at the little scene.
"And if I were to decline wanting to ride on your back?" my Miaka obaa-chan retorted, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Then I'm going to have to gag you and tie you up; we're finally within a jog's distance from the castle and I can't have my ears ringing with your bitter tone" he told her nonchantly, reaching for a roll of rags and tossed them up and down rather threateningly in his hand.
My eyes widened as I saw Miaka obaa-chan submit the first time this entire trip.
"C'mon you Miko-bitch, I might be able to wash your human stench off my back tonight" my captor told me rather rudely.
"Well, sorry, I guess it's all my fault that I was kidnapped now wasn't it?" I retorted in a rather cattish tone.
He didn't reply at all but rather started running at a God-like speed which made my eyes sting and shut for the rest of the journey. All I could hear was the whisper of the wind against my ears and the steady thump of my captor's feet against the earth.
He then suddenly stopped and gripped my wrist rather tightly and flipped me off his back rather quickly and forced me to kneel on what seemed to be hard-stone. I finally opened my eyes and saw Miaka obaa-chan right next to me, her breath coming heavily to her and her sharp eyes darting around. I myself let my eyes wander as I saw that we were in a very dark room, but it was very spacious. A hardwood table was a little off to our sides and a high-backed chair with a very plush sitting mat next to it right in front of us.
"Now, you bitches lower your heads as the Lord comes in or I'll make sure you won't be able to use them again" came the commanding voice of the old demon.
I heard Miaka obaa-chan give a snort before a door, hidden at one end of the room snapped open. I saw Miaka obaa-chan immediately lower her head and I was about to follow suit...but I couldn't help but let my curiosity get the better of me. I crooked my head but I let my eyes follow to the door.
It was a beautiful and terrible thing.
He was tall and very well built in appearance; I noticed he seemed to have something akin to two fur capes draped down his back hanging from two loops of horned armor. A shining silk kimono under a hard breast plate and his long silver hair pulled up into a high pony-tail, held up but what seemed to be twine. Though, as I looked rather sneakily at him, one thing stood out to me... he had bright amber eyes...amber eyes that could melt gold with a single glare and yet were almost a reflection of his soul...I was immediately hypnotized by them.
"What is the meaning of this?" he suddenly asked in a demanding tone as he walked into the room. I seemed to have escaped his spell and gave my head a shake before lowering it a little lower.
"Aye InuTaisho-sama, we were watching the path as you told and found a party of Ningen's carrying a Miko-bitch and an old woman" the old demon told him in a low respectful tone.
"Just these women then, Jiji-san?"
"Aye sir, just these two, had to kill four of her guards and dragged them here sir" Jiji-san replied.
My eyes suddenly became blotted with tears and I bit my lip. How could they talk like that in front of us! During the trip here I was submissive and ignored all the inappropriate passes at me and my dear Miaka obaa-chan, but the unpleasant reminder, the memories of my innocent men's spilt blood brought a boiling anger to my chest.
"And who might you be?" the amber-eyed, Lord InuTaisho asked me and Miaka obaa-chan as he knelt to one knee in front of me.
I brought my head up quickly, my tears now overflowing and running down my cheeks, red from a sudden bought of anger.
"Well then Miko?" he asked me with a rather impassive tone, this for some odd reason made me angrier.
I narrowed my eyes and looked at those amber eyes. I suddenly lost control and spat in his face.
I felt the man who forced me into my kneeling position suddenly grab my tresses and yank rather painfully up and reach for his katana. I closed my eyes and waited for the cold blade to meet my neck but the pain that came from my scalp was suddenly relieved and I felt a whoosh of air above me.
I looked up and saw the amber-eyed InuTaisho's fist above it looking as if he just punched someone.
"You, all of you will listen to me now and oblige. If I find out that either of you treat a woman that way ever again, I will have your heads. We're demons, not barbarians" He spoke in a rather cold tone that also sent a shiver down my spine.
"Now Miko-sama" he suddenly turned towards me again, "that was rather un-called for if I do say so myself, now tell me, who are you?"
"You have no eyes sonny, that is the Lady I-"
"Isami! My Lord" I interrupted Miaka obaa-chan and sent a warning glare to her.
"Lady Isami...where might you have come from my lady?" he asked, bringing a hand to his chin and rested his lips against his knuckle.
"Lady Isami of the Northeast my lord" I replied, suddenly acting like the noblewoman I really was and dipped my head graciously.
"And I'm guessing this old woman with you is an assistant of some kind Lady Isami?" he asked me in a low, cool tone, one of his dark eyebrows quirked.
"Yes, she is my lord"
I looked him in the eye from my kneeling position on the ground and faced the look he was sending me with his eyes...those amber eyes...
"Very well then dear lady, you are to stay in one of my guest quarters with the old woman and you are to report to my study at dawn, I have other important business to attend to right now, as for tonight your to stay at your quarters with a servant serving your food" he told me.
I watched as he seemed to give me an examining look before standing and sweeping out of the room...I furrowed my brows in thought, I mean I was a prisoner right? I'm not supposed to stay in guest rooms, I'm supposed to stay in a dungeon and to be fed bread and water, not having a servant bring me a full meal... but then again, this lord seemed to have a respect for human women...and he didn't seem to be the type to be to take advantage of the situation...he was indeed a puzzle...a puzzle with those amber eyes...
まずは右まで。
Author's note: welcome InuTaisho! Lol, well this was a long chapter if a do say so myself, longest in fact. I think I gave you two chapters in one and I hope you like it...the story should really start picking up from here... remember Izayoi... or should I say 'Isami' hasn't met Sesshoumaru yet and such, interesting turn points, and I have a couple ideas which I think that some of you (especially Sesshoumaru fans) are going to want to kill me...but hey, just remember it's a Iza/InuT pairing and I'm never unfaithful to my pairings lol.