A/N: Hello everyone! Let's get started, shall we? Disclaimer shall be read by…ME!
Me: Ok, I'll admit it…I own Inuyasha. Not. I wish. I only own the plot and the characters. Also, the tea test in the chapter is not mine, but it does not belong to Takahashi-sama either. I am borrowing it from a pair of incredibly talented authors, Nanda and Kira, so the tea test is rightfully theirs, not mine. I'm just borrowing the idea because I like it so much. Now, reviews…
Dragon Man, as you know, I have already answered your review via email. But NTKH is FRIGGEN AWESOME! (Impatiently waits for next week's post)
Ohiowriter, lol, that's ok. I needed that…enjoy Ch. 9!
Kagome's Pup, alright then, lol. (Makes jumbo-sized pot of ramen for reviewers and one just as big for Inuyasha) Well thank you! I hope I'm going somewhere with it…lol…Enjoy Ch. 9!
Angie, Oh come on, it wasn't that long! You've read previous chapters WAY longer than that! Ch. 8 was the same length as Ch. 7!
Riku, stupid life! Cut poor Riku some slack! Ah, like all of us authors, we are chained to our desks. You know, my mom told me today that I'm living like a hermit because I don't like going outside of my house…I spend at least 80 of my current life on this computer. Lol… (Winces) Yikes…so I take it he got beat pretty bad, didn't he? Well, he'd better let you watch the anime or else I'll send Sesshy on him, and Sesshy is MUCH worse and Inu-kun and Mei-chan! Let him blow a fuse! Who cares what he thinks? This is something you enjoy, so just tell him "Screw you!" He'll get over it…lol…Really? You enjoyed it that much? (Looks over list) Nope, I don't think you left anything out. That pretty much sums it up. Ah but of course, Sesshy did not wish to fight the Torayoukai, simply because he sees Mei-chan not much of his responsibility. (Sesshy was half-lying about the war) He figured Inu-kun could handle the Torayoukai himself…their personalities almost mirror one another…but when Harukichi stepped in, he Sesshy knew that his brother couldn't handle that, and he also decided to do something, because it was also convenient for him, just as Inu-kun said. That probably explained nothing…but I can give a better explanation when my head isn't throbbing in every free corner of my brain…I swear, I feel like I've been whacked in the head with a sledgehammer! Hai, Harukichi's indeed out of the picture, but of course, as you suspect, not for long. He'll be back…lol…that he is… (Growls angrily) LEAVE RIKU ALONE, RIKU! Don't you DARE take Riku's arm off Riku or else I will personally kill you! Riku should be allowed to do whatever she likes! So quit your grudge against hanyous! Mei-chan isn't too fond of people who don't like hanyou. So she'll get to you first if I don't make it. And of course, an update, just for Riku, my faithfully reviewing Riku…enjoy Ch. 9! (I hope it's not too terrible)
Kitten, you're welcome x's 50:D lol…well, here's another update, done as quickly as I could!
Ghostchick, I will honestly try to update more. But I have those icky standardized tests coming up next week, so yeah…but enjoy Ch. 9!
Let's go! Chapter 9! One more thing, THANK YOU KIRA-CHAN FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL BETAING FOR ME! IT HELPED SO FRIGGEN MUCH! EVERYONE SHOULD THANK HER TOO, OR ELSE THIS CHAPTER WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN AS GOOD AS IT IS NOW! (Huggles Kira-chan)
Chapter Nine: A Proposal
Mei Lhi's eyes widened with shock. Quickly, she regained her composure.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ryouji-sama…" she responded, keeping her voice calm.
Ryouji walked forward, before giving her a polite bow.
"But the pleasure is all mine, Mei Lhi-sama. Had it not been for you, with your knowledge, I do not think Hanajima-sama would have lived. Hinoki and I wish to thank you for this. Megumi-chan is also thankful for what you have done and she wishes to know how you're faring…"
"You're welcome, I guess? Ummm…you can tell Megumi-sama that I'm doing well and that she doesn't have to worry about me."
"That I shall do…" Ryouji turned to the Kaze Ryuu boy. "She's very nice, Kyo." He turned back to the hanyou girl. "Kyo has told me about you. He had said that you are more beautiful than even a tennyo and that the stars would envy you. At first, I regrettably must admit, I did not completely believe him. But now, seeing you in person, I know his words are true. And after seeing your display with Hanajima-sama, it influenced me more on what I have decided."
Mei Lhi looked very nervous. Even Kyo seemed a bit tense.
Ryouji's face broke out into a small reassuring smile. The hanyou girl and Ryuuyoukai boy relaxed considerably.
"I approve."
Mei Lhi seemed somewhat confused; Kyo however seemed very relieved and had a smile on his face.
"Ummm…what do you mean, Ryouji-sama?" She asked timidly.
"I have given you both my official approval for your union. Harukichi may not have, but I am of higher rank, and I have made my decision. So, I approve." Ryouji explained, before turning and heading towards the door.
"Please, excuse me. I must discuss something with Sesshoumaru…" he said, stepping out of the room.
Happy, the two glanced at one another, exchanging grins.
-
"Sesshoumaru-sama, a word?" Ryouji asked.
The taiyoukai nodded and approached the Ryuuyoukai, waiting.
"I'm not sure if what I wish to discuss concerns Hanajima-sama or Inuyasha…"
"And what is it that you wish to discuss?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Marriage…for the girl. Before you assume anything, let me formally introduce myself so you understand whose side I'm on. I am Ryouji, a Ryuuyoukai of the Sand, and Kyo's father."
Sesshoumaru, who had been glaring at the Ryuuyoukai with slightly narrowed eyes, dropped his cold gaze and replaced it with a less harsh one.
"Fetch your mate and come back here. We will discuss this in a few minutes…" The taiyoukai said, turning on his heel and continuing on his way down the hall.
Ryouji also turned, looking for Megumi.
-
Sesshoumaru returned with Hana and Inuyasha in tow. Ryouji stood there, waiting with Megumi. The taiyoukai stepped into a room nearby, the others following him in. Ryouji and Megumi, taking the hint, also went in.
"I assume you know why you're here?" Ryouji said to them.
"Why the hell are we here, anyway?" Inuyasha questioned the Ryuuyoukai.
"First, let me introduce myself. I am Oda Ryouji, Ryuuyoukai Spirit of Suna."
"Wait…Oda…Isn't that Kyo's last name?"
Ryouji nodded.
"Hai, he is my son."
"NANI?"
"Damare, Inuyasha…" Sesshoumaru said in a low voice.
The hanyou shot his brother a glare, but remained silent.
"I have come to discuss marriage for the Daughter of the West, Mei Lhi-sama…"
"Let me guess, you're another Harukichi, aren't you?" Inuyasha growled.
"Iie…I am not. But I know and understand that you have reasons for thinking that. I assure you, I am the exact opposite of Harukichi. In fact, he is my rival…Or was…until I succeeded in outranking him. But that is another story, and it can be told at another time. However, unlike Harukichi, I approve of the union between the two clans. I have informed my son and Mei Lhi-sama of my approval shortly before I called for this meeting. I think that it would be in your best interest, Sesshoumaru, if the girl is married as quickly as possible. It would leave little time for any other clans to oppose, little preparation for other clans to send suitors, and if they wish to start a war, I will gladly send some of our armies. There are benefits to this marriage as well. Not only would you have powerful allies, but we Ryuuyoukai have connections with every youkai clan and we know much about them. Does this interest you, Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru sat in silence. Hana and Inuyasha looked at him, clearly waiting for his answer.
"I do not think that it is my decision alone as to whether or not to let Mei Lhi-Imouto-san get married…that is why you are here, Inuyasha. This Sesshoumaru believes that it is your decision to make…" The demon lord answered finally.
"Keh. Why would you ask for my opinion now?"
"Because this is an important issue, Inuyasha. It isn't to be taken lightly," Hana replied. "That is why Sesshoumaru is asking."
Inuyasha sat in silence, Hana's words still ringing in his ears.
The others waited patiently, knowing the turmoil taking place in the hanyou's thoughts.
"What kind of marriage are we talking about here?" the hanyou asked finally.
"I was thinking that a youkai marriage ceremony is in order…" Ryouji answered.
"NANI? There's no fucking way that's happening!"
"Inuyasha! Use a civil tongue!" Sesshoumaru growled.
"Imouto-chan is too young for that!"
"Feh. Apparently, as we all saw this morning, the other youkai males do not think so. And because, with that incident in mind, I must agree with Ryouji-sama's suggestion. If Mei Lhi-Imouto-san is already mated, she will be marked, and none of the other clans will be able to bother her. Not only that, she would be under the protection of her mate and all the rest of us, and Ryouji-sama. Do you not see the benefits of this, or are you so blinded by your own morals? Mei Lhi-Imouto-san is no longer a pup. And this Sesshoumaru believes that the one who needs to understand this is you, Inuyasha. I have already accepted it, Hana-chan has accepted it, and Ryouji-sama and his mate have also accepted it. You are the only one that still does not seem to understand."
Inuyasha glared at his half-brother, before quickly turning away from the others, and growling low, he stared at the walls in thought.
'Damn that bastard; he's right. And I bet he's smirking behind my back, because he knows I know he's right. Fucking bastard Sesshoumaru…'
"When?" Inuyasha ground out.
"If you don't want this, you don't have to force yourself into a decision," Ryouji said, taking note of the hanyou's tone.
Inuyasha shook his head.
"Iie…for once, my bastard of a brother is right about something. Imouto-chan isn't a pup anymore. And I need to understand that…"
Ryouji smiled.
"Hanajima-sama, Megumi-chan, I assume you know the proper tests and other things?"
The two women nodded.
"And I assume you'll be instructing your son?" Hana asked.
Ryouji nodded and the five youkai left the room.
"Inuyasha, inform Mei Lhi-sama and Kyo of the news, will you?" Ryouji said, once outside.
The hanyou nodded, turning quickly to find his sister.
-
"They've been gone a while, haven't they?" Mei Lhi asked.
"Yeah, I guess…but they've only been talking…" Kyo replied.
"What about?"
"I don't know…I couldn't hear what it was…but I think we'll find out soon…"
"Why do you say that?"
"Inuyasha's coming."
The door slid open and the hanyou stepped into the room.
"Oi…you're betrothed," he said to his sister.
"Nani! To who!" she exclaimed.
"To Kyo, who else? Baka!"
"Ummm…when?"
"Keh. Nobody told me anything. Kyo's father said something about you doing some tests or other shit like that."
Mei Lhi nodded in understanding.
Hana and Megumi came in through the open door.
"I'm sure Inuyasha has told you the good news, ne?" Megumi said.
The hanyou girl nodded.
"Good. We'll begin your instruction at once. Inuyasha, you can go now. Kyo, you need to go see your father."
The Ryuuyoukai boy nodded and left, Inuyasha following.
Hana slid the door shut, taking a seat next to the hanyou girl. Megumi also sat down, a soft, reassuring smile on her face.
"Where would you like to start with this, Hana-sama?" Megumi asked.
"We should at least, let her know what's going on…" The miko-youkai said.
"Hai…that would be a good idea…" The Ryuuyoukai woman said with a small laugh.
Mei Lhi sat, staring at the two, looking utterly confused.
"Mei-chan, all of us have agreed that you are to be married off to Kyo through a traditional youkai wedding ceremony," Hana explained.
"N-nani! Demo…wouldn't Nii-chan have objected?"
"He did. But he agreed eventually, with a little persuasion from Sesshoumaru."
"I see, well, ummm…"
"I guess we'll get started, ne?"
Mei Lhi nodded.
-
It had been nearly three weeks of instruction, all of it going off without a hitch. During that time, Sango, Miroku, Minoru, and Kirara had left the Western Lands, deciding that they should return home. Kagome and Shippou had refused to leave without Inuyasha. It was yet another day of lessons, hopefully the last…
-
"What am I learning today?" The hanyou girl asked, as she watched her teachers enter the room.
Hana and Megumi smiled at her, taking seats in the room.
"Well, we were thinking that today we should do a little review of what we've covered so far," Hana said with a grin. "We're starting to run out of things to teach you, you know?"
Mei Lhi laughed nervously as she shrugged her shoulders slightly.
"We're basically just going to quiz you on everything you've learned, or should have learned, anyway," Megumi said, also grinning. "Let's just see how much you know…"
"Ready?"
"Hai, I'm ready." Mei Lhi replied.
"Hmmm…let's see, would it be proper for you to speak if your husband is conversing with someone else of importance, like Sesshoumaru, perhaps?"
"No, it would not. I would have to wait to voice my opinion and even then, the matter must be important enough to be worth interrupting them."
"Good. Now, here's a scenario: your husband has been wounded in battle and may die. You have no heirs to the throne at the present time. What do you do?"
"Ummm…first, I'd obviously get someone to take care of Kyoshi-kun, and then I'd take over management of the lands temporarily until he's well again."
"And if he were to die?"
"Then I would have to hand over the right to rule to the next person in line, whether or not they're blood related."
"Alright, now when pouring tea, who do you serve first?"
"It would be the one of most importance in the room, or my husband."
The two women smiled once again, pleased with the progress the girl had made in the past few weeks.
"Now, the questions will be on a much more personal level…"
"How personal do you mean?"
"We'll be asking you about mating. Let's just leave it at that…"
The hanyou girl nodded, keeping her head lowered to hide the flush that had suddenly crept into her cheeks.
"Let's begin."
True to their word, the women did indeed ask very personal questions, each one more intense than the last. Mei Lhi was curious as to how the two of them could ask her such questions, still being able to keep a perfectly straight face. Her thoughts were interrupted with a jolt, having had another question thrown at her, which she answered, her blush darkening.
This questioning lasted several minutes; Mei Lhi desperately wished that it would all end soon.
"We've come to a conclusion," Hana said finally as she looked to Megumi who nodded, urging the miko-youkai to continue. "We believe that you're ready. Your testing begins tomorrow. Keep in mind that we will not tell you what your test is, so it could be anything. Even if you do figure out what your test is, you still won't know what its purpose is."
"I understand." the hanyou girl replied.
"Good. You may retire to your room now. Dinner should be soon, so be sure to dress for the occasion."
Mei Lhi nodded, as she watched as the two women vacated the room. Once they were out of earshot, the hanyou girl breathed a sigh of relief before she too, left the room, heading for her private quarters.
-
Dinner had been the same as always, quiet and uneventful. Mei Lhi sighed for the umpteenth time that day as she slipped her sleeping kimono on.
"What's up?" Kyo asked as he entered the room.
"It's nothing. I'm just tired, that's all." The girl replied as she crawled under the covers of her futon.
Kyo nodded in understanding before he also slipped into bed next to the hanyou girl holding her tight. Mei Lhi snuggled up into his embrace and fell asleep quickly. Shortly after, sleep also took the Ryuuyoukai boy, the two of them resting peacefully in one another's arms.
-
"Starting today, the servants will no longer be pouring us tea," Sesshoumaru said.
"What? Why?" Kagome asked.
"Mei Lhi-Imouto-san will be doing it instead."
"But why?"
"Feh. Did you not tell her about what is going on, Inuyasha?"
The hanyou shook his head.
"What's going on, Inuyasha?" The miko girl asked, suddenly curious.
"I'm going to be married, Kagome-chan…" Mei Lhi replied quietly.
"Ehhhhhh?"
Kagome was stunned, unable to believe that something so big was kept from her for so long. Mei Lhi rose from her place, taking the tea pot from a nearby servant, and watched as Kyo, Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, and Ryouji raised their cups.
"Do what feels natural," Hana said calmly.
The hanyou girl nodded, breathing a deep calming breath.
'Just pour the tea. Just pour it. That's all I have to do. I shouldn't feel nervous at all. I'm just being stupid…I don't even know what the point of this damn test is anyway!' She thought.
She walked towards the low table, remembering what Megumi had told her about pouring tea.
'Usually you pour for the one of most importance, or the one you're closest to…' She recited mentally. 'So…hmmm…Sesshoumaru-Onii-san is the ruling lord here, demo, Kyoshi-kun is at his third rank, a supreme ruler, and he's my future husband! But then, Kyoshi-kun's father is even higher in rank than Hinoki-sama, and she's at her sixth rank! Nii-chan is my brother, and he's looked after me while he's been around…and he's saved my life. Damn it! But then again, Nii-chan might have a fit if I pour for Sesshoumaru-Onii-chan first, so it's either Nii-chan or Kyoshi-kun…anno…well, Hana-chan said to do what feels right to me…'
She noticed she had reached the table and took another calming breath, and holding back her kimono sleeve as she had been taught, poured for Kyo. She noticed that Hana and Megumi looked very surprised. The men were just as surprised at her behavior as the women, although they did better at hiding it. The hanyou girl proceeded to pour for Ryouji, then Sesshoumaru, then Inuyasha, and then Megumi, Hana, Kagome, Shippou before she finally poured for herself, setting the pot on the table and taking a seat.
'Why does everyone seem so surprised?' she wondered as she quietly sipped at her tea, lost in thought.
She sighed quietly, figuring that the answer would be eventually revealed to her in due time.
-
"Could she possibly be ready for marriage so soon?" Hana asked.
"Well, she is of age…for our time, anyway…" Megumi said.
"Hai, but I would have never expected her to pour for Kyo on the first day!"
Megumi nodded in agreement, "But, their feelings for one another are strong, and emotionally, they're ready for the commitment. But physically, that is what I am unsure of…"
Hana agreed silently, "We'll just have to wait and see if she keeps pouring for him…we'll give it all of this week. And if he's first, then we'll have to start planning. But if tomorrow or some time she decides to change who she pours for first, we'll have to wait a little longer…"
The two women quickly separated, both leaving to speak with their husbands.
-
"Can you tell me what's going on?" Kagome asked.
Inuyasha nodded, and then sighed. "Shippou, go play with Rin…" the hanyou said passively.
The kitsune looked put out, but left all the same.
When the fox child was out of hearing range, Inuyasha decided to speak. "Look, it was Kyo's dad's idea in the first place…you know, when he got here three weeks ago?"
Kagome nodded.
"Everyone but me got the idea that marrying Imouto-chan off was a good idea. Well…at first, it was like that…but then my bastard of a brother finally stopped spewing shit from his mouth, and he made sense for once, so it's a good idea…even though I still don't like it…"
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Kyo's father decided that a youkai marriage would be proper, and that's the part I don't like…"
"What's a youkai marriage? What's so bad about it?"
The hanyou sighed.
"Youkai marriages, at least what it is between noble clans, like ours and Kyo's, is in three stages. First, the announcement of the union to all clans, then the ceremony where they're officially joined…anno…like weddings in your time. But here's the part that I don't like…it's the final stage, and it's what makes the marriage official…"
"What?"
"A mating."
"N-Nani? B-But Mei-chan is so young!"
"Hai…but here, in our time, it's a normal age…"
"I know…but still…I don't think that she'd be ready for something so big…"
"Hana-gishi and Megumi have been giving her lessons for the past three weeks…but Hana-gishi tells me that Imouto-chan's lessons are over, and that today was the first testing day…" (Gishi Sister-in-law)
"Eh? Testing?"
"It's why Imouto-chan is pouring the tea; it's a test. But Imouto-chan didn't know that. All the rest of us did, it's a pretty simple test. It just determines when a woman is ready to be married off…"
"So…what does that mean?"
"Kagome no baka! Shit; nobody knows when the hell they want to have Imouto-san and Kyo married, so they're having her decide when she's ready."
"How'd she do?" the miko girl asked curiously, ignoring the hanyou's first statement.
"I have no fucking idea. I just know that she poured for Kyo first, and since she did that, she's saying she's ready to marry him. But we don't know for sure. She has to keep pouring for him first…"
"Oh…I see…"
The miko stayed silent, letting the words mull over in her mind. 'You're so young, Mei-chan…I can't believe it…'
-
"Hahaue…?" Rin asked.
"Hai, Rin-chan?" Hana answered.
"Will I get married too, like Mei-oba-san?"
"Hai, someday when you're older. Why are you worried about such a thing at your young age?"
"I don't know, Hahaue…"
"Well, you have many years to go until that time…so until then, enjoy being a child and live your childhood to its fullest…because once it's gone, it won't come back."
Rin sat in silence, nodding in agreement.
Shippou approached. "Rin-chan! Let's play!"
The Inuyoukai girl jumped up happily and nodded vehemently. "Hai! What shall we play?" she asked brightly.
"Let's go find Jaken! He's always fun to play with."
Hana raised an eyebrow. "'Play with?' Are you sure that isn't another word for 'torture'?" The miko-youkai joked.
The two children laughed nervously and scampered off and Hana watched them, smiling. 'My dear Rin-chan, don't be in such a rush to grow up. You have so many long years ahead of you before you fall in love, before you get married, before you have your first child, before any of that…just keep it on hold for as long as possible. You are so young. You have much to do before you'll have to become a woman. Live your life, my darling daughter. Live it like everyday is your last…' The miko-youkai sighed, watching as the two children played, carefree and joyful, with nothing to weigh them down.
A/N: Ok, this update didn't take too long to get up, now did it? Alright, I have an announcement. I was recently informed of the actual translation of Tsukimaru's name. Now, as we know, Tsuki is a girl, and my informant told me that it translated to 'moon man', so therefore I must give Tsuki a name change. So we'll just pretend Hana suddenly decided, "I like this name better." So Tsukimaru will now be known as 'Tsukimisou' which means 'evening primrose', a much more suitable name for her. So um…yeah…anyway, I apologize if this chapter sucked. My school's been piling work on me again. Hell, I'm in Geometry class, but they're teaching us friggen Trigonometry! And seriously, wtf is that! Anyways…ignore my rant…please review…constructive criticism would be nice…and maybe a few "STOP BEING A FRIGGEN PROCRASTINATOR!" reviews and "TAKE THE TIME TO FRIGGEN WRITE YOUR FIC AND STOP PLAYING THE SIMS 2 ALL THE TIME!" comments would be nice…lol… (Sweat drops) Maybe it'll motivate me to actually do something…lol…anyways, going away and shutting up…Ja! Until next time!
