A/N: And we're back again with hopefully another mind-blowing chapter. XD Disclaimer shall be read by my beloved Neji-kun…
Neji: (Waves at me)
Me: (Waves back, staring starry-eyed in awe)
Neji: Oh right…Aki doesn't own Inuyasha or Naruto. If she owned Inuyasha, Kagome would've flat out confessed her love at the end of the first episode, and if she owned Naruto she'd be married to… (Blinks and stares at paper before shrugging and continuing) she'd be married to me and I'd be a real person. So with that out of the way, here are the review responses…
Dragon Man, (Hides behind a rock to avoid flames) Hai, Kouga-kun is stupid. Lol, we'll have a huge barbeque at the end of Harukichi's evil reign. How's that sound? We'll get loads of scales and you'll be rich enough to personally buy over "Naruto" copyright protections so everything in "NTKH" is real, and I'm sure that all your friends would absolutely love your new rug once it arrives…now only to capture the Tora no Taisho…Hmmm… (Makes trap with large piece of steak in it with cat nip seasoning placed on the trigger to drop an impenetrable fence around the target) Now we just have to wait and see! XD
Angie, Hana-chan forbade her from wearing them because Mei-chan is supposed to be a lady, so she can't wear 'male/male-like clothing'. Lol…you just love Kouga-kun, ne?
Riku, yay for your eyes behaving! Lol! (Gives you a certificate) Here, it's a coupon for 99 off on lasik eye surgery…YAY! Hai, I did! I'm so proud of myself about it too! I'm sorry Riku-chan. I didn't mean to do that…Oh wasn't it just great? Yep, he's back again. I told you he'd be back. Lol so have I! I've just woken up as well (I didn't work on story yesterday because my mom was having me help her with "Kingdom Hearts"…I've created a monster. She's addicted…even though I'm the one that's doing all the work…she's just sitting there watching me play…) and I'm making up for lost time by starting ASAP. I haven't even eaten yet. But that's no big surprise. I hardly eat in the day anyway…I usually won't eat until 4-6 hours after I wake up. Bad Aki-chan.x.x and no, I wouldn't kill Hana-chan. I love her too much. She's one of the more freakishly awesome characters that I have in my mind. Eh? What do you mean she said she was doing strange stuff? Lol yup! You caught that didn't you? Good work! You're the first to say anything! Yes, I'm being super-sneaky. In fact, I didn't even describe the whole veil either. Just a general idea. Well, don't think on all those thoughts too hard. Lol Naraku? Well, two people are making a cameo appearance, but I'm not saying ANYTHING. You're gonna have to guess. Hey, maybe I'll make a contest! XD Muse-wars are never fun. Well, I'll await my package eagerly, and tell Riku I say hello and to stay sexy. And Riku, you can be a bad boy whenever you want, as long as you're around here with me! (Evil grin) Hai, just for you, I'm working on this to post so you're not in suspense too long. I don't want readers to die.
Kagome's Pup, thank you. (Breathes sigh of relief) Well, um…I'll try to keep updates as steady as possible, how's that? I can't promise I'll update regularly, there could be a mid-life crisis or something, so uh…yeah…
Kitten, well let's not keep you in suspense! Continue!
Ohiowriter, that I will do, and thank you for the continued support and I'm glad you're enjoying the fic. Then let's not keep you waiting, go! Read! XD
Inuyashagal, hai, we all want Harukichi to die…lol. But thank you, I'm glad you like it, here's more for you to read and enjoy. XD
Eric3D2B, lol well, you'll get to find out, now won't you? Well...this is the second in the trilogy, but that's probably what you meant to say...I'm glad you like the fic. Well you're in luck! Here's an update, lol! Enjoy!
Now Ch. 13!
Chapter Thirteen: Union and Reunion
"This doesn't look good; I don't know how to heal this…" Kagome muttered.
"I can do it, Kagome-chan. And it's not as bad as it looks. He didn't hit any vital organs; although it seems he has claws for a reason…he must know you're weak against higher levels of poison. But what seems to be saving you the most is the fact that you're mated to an Inuyoukai that uses poisons for attacking. Hana-chan, you will pull through this…" Megumi said, speaking more to the unconscious miko-youkai than the other miko occupant of the room.
Megumi sat silently in thought, racking her brain for a possible way to cure her friend. 'Damn it…what would work? Kagome hasn't learned how to pull poisons out of the body, Hana-chan knows that, but she's not able to do it herself in the first place. It's almost as if the poison caused a sleeping affect. That must be it! The poison is for paralysis! Of course! I remember now! I'm glad I accompanied Harukichi to the battlefield. The poison on his claws was used to paralyze his enemies, and then he'd attack them to wake them up. (A/N: Yeah, it's like the "sleep" status ailment in Final Fantasy…) But what can I use to wake Hana-chan up, so the paralysis is negated, and her body can heal itself? Hmmm…Sesshoumaru's poison! Hana-chan should be immune to it, but if we're lucky, it'll attack the venom in her only, and it'll just be enough to give her a little shake to wake up. It's worth a try.' she concluded. "Sesshoumaru, what I'm about to ask of you is going to be difficult to understand, but I need you to attack Hana-chan with your poison claws in the same spot her wound is."
The taiyoukai raised an eyebrow before nodding, the claws on his right hand glowing green. Megumi nodded at the demon lord, standing back so as to not get hit as well. Sesshoumaru's claws easily sank into the already-open flesh. The two youkai watched as the poisons battled one another for control, the black and green mass being dissolved by a bright purplish-pink light, the light becoming a pale blue which glowed at each puncture wound, sealing each one.
"Ugh. I thought I was dead…" Hana said, attempting to sit up.
Sesshoumaru helped his mate, pulling Hana into a close embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I was worried…" he whispered in her ear. The miko-youkai sighed lightly. "I'm ok now…you don't have to worry anymore…" she said softly.
-
"You have nowhere to run, hanyou." Harukichi said with a smirk.
"Stand down, Harukichi. I won't ask you again. If you surrender now, your punishment for your actions will be less severe. However, if you continue to fight me, I will make sure you are put through the most excruciating pain imaginable when we return to the North." Ryouji ground out.
"You don't frighten me, Ryouji. You never have. So don't even think for a minute I obeyed your orders because I felt fear!"
Metal met metal in a loud clanging sound as the two rivals blocked one another's attempted attacks.
"At this rate, we'll get nowhere. We were both trained in the same house, under the same tutor. We'll be at it all day." Harukichi commented dryly.
"Then perhaps it's time to try something a little different?"
"I think I'll do the same…"
"Ryuusha! (Quicksand)"
Thousands of grains of sand formed at Harukichi's feet, pulling him under. The Ryuuyoukai of the Sun smirked, leaping upwards, landing away from the sinking hole. "You should know that attack won't work…Try again!" he growled.
"Very well. Satetsu: Sunaarashi! (Iron Sand: Sandstorm)"
The sand turned a metallic grey, swirling upwards and transforming into a large silver cloud of dust, before it all rushed forward in a split second, howling, gnawing, and biting the whole way.
'If I can get more wind to increase the speed, I can get the sand to ignite. Good thing I taught Kyo how to make fire with sand and wind. I need him now. But I have no idea how to get him here…I'll have to ask Mei Lhi-sama to help me summon him. Kami-sama, this would've been so much easier if Hakaru were here…' Ryouji thought.
"You're planning something! I can see it in your eyes! In that case, let me help you get Kyoshima here in a hurry!" Harukichi yelled above the wailing sand. The San (Sun) ryuu raised one of his double-sided axes, hurling it at Mei Lhi, just barely grazing the girl's cheek, leaving a thin bleeding cut on her face, cutting off a small lock of raven colored hair in the process. "How saddening. You don't even give me the pleasure of hearing you scream."
Mei Lhi's eyes narrowed. "I won't give in to my fear so easily. Not as easily as last time. Last time, I was alone. This time is different. I'll never be alone anymore." she replied calmly, looking straight into Harukichi's blazing orange eyes fearlessly and unflinchingly.
-
"She'll be fine now, Sesshoumaru." Megumi said reassuringly.
The taiyoukai nodded, still holding his mate in his arms. The Earth Ryuu smiled, before flinching suddenly, her smile fading in an instant.
'What is this horrible feeling? And this scent of…sand, fear, anger, and…blood? This can't be good.' she thought.
"What's wrong?" Hana asked.
"Something terrible is happening. I'm sorry, I must go…"
Megumi rose, quickly fleeing from the room, looking for her son. Just as she began her search, a pure white dragon rushed past her. Inuyasha appeared a few seconds later, quirking an eyebrow.
"What's got him so worked up?" he asked.
"Your sister is in danger. And Sesshoumaru's children…" Megumi replied.
"She's right Inuyasha! I can smell Mei-chan's blood from here. But it's really faint though, so there mustn't be too much of it…" Shippou confirmed.
"Then let's go!" Inuyasha yelled.
"No! You both must stay here! It's far too dangerous for you both to go chasing after Ryuuyoukai in a battle!"
"Nani? They're fighting?"
"Exactly. Now stay here so you don't get in the way and get hurt. I'm going after them. My husband might need my help…"
And soon after, a glimmering green dragon tore after the white one, leaving a gaping Inuyasha and an annoyed Shippou behind.
-
"Looks like he got the message, Ryouji…here he comes…" Harukichi said with a smirk.
Kyo arrived, Amatsu Kazagurma in hand.
"Kyo, Mei Lhi-sama is fine, so don't worry. I need your help. You know what to do. Just remember what I taught you before…" Ryouji called out to him.
The kaze ryuu nodded, appearing at his father's side. Both nodded at one another, Kyo pushing more wind into his father's sand attack, small flames beginning to form as the intensity of the speed of the wind increased, eventually the ongoing sandstorm was engulfed in a bright flame.
"Shounetsujigoku! (Burning hell/Inferno)" they yelled together.
Harukichi growled angrily and transformed into his true form, flying straight into his rival and his rival's son, knocking both of them over, heading out the hole in the wall, passing a stunned Hinoki, before vanishing without a trace. (A/N: And here I thought last chapter's multi-verb sentence was bad…this one's worse…)
"Is it safe now, Mei-oba-san?" Tsurugi asked.
"Hai, you can open your eyes now. Everything's alright now." The girl replied.
Kyo and Ryouji got back on their feet, their weapons disappearing with simple waves of their hands. However Ryouji didn't stay standing for long. Megumi ran right into him and knocked him back down, clinging onto him for dear life, it seemed.
"Oh Kami-sama! I was so afraid! I didn't know if you'd be alright or if you were hurt or if you were perfectly fine on your own, I was just so scared, I didn't know what to do or think, and I just came as fast as I could, I didn't know what I was going to see when I got here, but I prayed that all would be well, and Kami-sama has definitely answered my prayers!" The woman exclaimed.
"Megumi-chan, I'm fine. You worry too much. Now, how about we go and take the children to their parents. I'm sure they both miss one another." Ryouji replied shooting a slight glance at Kyo and Mei Lhi. The earth ryuu nodded, leading the children away, her mate a few steps ahead of her.
"About time they left…" Both Kyo and Mei muttered. The two of them glanced at one another, laughing.
Together they walked back to their room hand in hand, stealing kisses from one another along the way.
-
Ryouji walked through the halls of the Western Lands, unable to sleep. He paused at a door, stealthily opening it, seeing his son and his son's future wife and mate sound asleep. He could tell by the way he held her, Kyo loved that girl very much, and she in turn, loved him back just as much as he.
'You two belong together. Nothing should be allowed to stop you from sharing and expressing your love. I will see to it myself, that you are married. I will protect you both from anything that wishes to stand in your way.' The Suna ryuu thought.
An arm linked with his and took his hand. Ryouji turned, seeing Megumi at his side.
"Can't sleep?" she asked quietly.
Ryouji shook his head, turning his gaze back to his son.
"They really are perfect for one another, aren't they?"
"Hai…they are."
"What if it's what fate intended?"
"I have no doubt of it. Fate seems to be lurking around every corner for these two. Every time there's a time of trouble, somehow, they both pull through just fine."
"I've noticed that as well. It seems, in the most unlikely situations of success, the two of them excel against all odds."
"For now, let us go, so they may get some rest, and have as much time to spend together as they can…"
Megumi nodded, and quietly they closed the door, their footsteps barely heard as they returned to their room.
-
Decorations began going up the moment the sun rose. Servants ran around noisily as they prepared, guests had begun arriving the previous night and were now roused from their peaceful slumbers by the rude reminder that the day had finally come.
Mei Lhi had been rushed out of bed very early, and hadn't seen Kyo since the night before. She had never felt so many emotions at once. She was excited, yet terrified, sad, yet happy, relieved, yet on edge, confused, yet able to understand perfectly. Hana and Megumi were also awake; Kagome, Tenshi, and Sango (who had arrived the night before with Kirara, Miroku, Minoru, and Kohaku) were being ushered into the room at that moment, handmaidens ushering them to the hot springs to bathe and have a last-minute moment of peace before the uproar began. Hana was busy combing through the hanyou girl's long, damp silver hair, while Megumi was organizing dresses and kimonos, and accessories and obis (which there happened to be hundreds of each). Tsukimisou and Rin arrived a little while later, going into the hot springs, as Kagome, Tenshi, and Sango came out. Mei Lhi's handmaidens and Hana's handmaidens nearly attacked the miko, youkai, and taijiya as they immediately got to work.
"Here, take this, put it on Kagome, no that's Sango's! That's Rin's, and there's Tenshi's. That's mine; Mei-chan's things are all right here…" Hana instructed.
"Hai, Hana-sama!" The handmaidens chorused.
"Kami-sama this is a nightmare…" Mei Lhi muttered.
"Now whoever said that getting married was easy? Besides, you shouldn't think of all this beforehand aggravation. What you should be thinking about, is how happy you will be later on when the end result of all this hustle and bustle is truly appreciated." Hana replied, smiling at the girl.
"Hai, you're right…"
"Now come on, I need to dry your hair so you don't ruin your dress. It really is quite lovely…"
-
It had been nearly three hours, but at last, everyone was ready.
"Alright Mei-chan's ready!" Hana announced to everyone.
All looked eagerly to a small curtained off area, where at last the dark folds of fabric were pulled aside to reveal a very different Mei Lhi.
She wore white; her dress bore no straps or sleeves, a small center ornament of a bow with a rounded upside-down triangle knot with a miniature angel wing on each side. The dress fit snugly, accentuating every feminine curve in the most perfect places. The skirt was sleek, yet it flared outwards just enough to balance the slimming effect of the rest of the dress. In her hands, she carried a large bouquet of lilies of the purest white, in a way showing her innocence much more vividly. Her silver hair was down, now sporting elegant waves, two golden clips with a pearl (A/N: Think of the little clips Chi from "Chobits" has in her hair. Mei's wearing her hair just like Chi's) in the center of each one, while on top of her head rested a small golden tiara adorned with many pearls. Attached to the tiara was the veil, which flowed out behind the hanyou girl in a rather dreamlike way. (A/N: I'll be drawing this for you later, so don't worry…)
Everyone stared in awe before many burst out into applause, Tenshi being the loudest of all. The hanyou girl's face flushed slightly, not used to so much praise or attention.
"Now, we must wait until we are sent for…" Hana explained.
"I can't sit down to wait, can I?" Mei Lhi asked jokingly.
"I wouldn't recommend it." Megumi replied.
"It was expensive enough as it is!" Tenshi exclaimed.
"It wasn't as expensive as the total amount it cost for dresses for you, Kagome, and Sango." The hanyou girl stated.
"But that was three dresses, Mei-chan."
Mei Lhi sighed and shook her head, still wondering why of all dresses, her friend chose a bright orange dress with an open side that looked like a set of claws had run through it. Tenshi had said back in the store that it made her feel like a tiger. The thought of her best friend being a tiger was quite comical, as long as you took out the fact that the Torayoukai weren't exactly her favorite kind of youkai for certain reasons.
There was a knock at the door. Hana answered.
"We're ready for you now. The guests are all seated, and everyone that should be here is here." Koji's voice said.
The miko-youkai nodded, motioning to the girls and her children. "Let's go," she said. "We don't want to keep anyone waiting too long…"
The girls nodded, and they began to file out of the room. Mei Lhi took a deep breath and stepped forward through the door where she hoped her life would take a turn for the better.
-
Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha greeted everyone outside the massive throne room doors through which several different voices could be heard. The two Inuyoukai brothers cocked an eyebrow upon seeing their sister.
"Hi…" Mei Lhi said quietly.
The two brothers nodded their heads in acknowledgement.
"You-You look nice…" Inuyasha said, making it a point not to make eye contact.
"Thank you, Nii-chan."
"Keh. Whatever…" The hanyou girl smiled in response, knowing the true meaning of his statement of indifference, pulling her brother into a hug, trying to fight back the tears forming in her eyes. "Oi, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Stop it!"
"Nothing's wrong, Nii-chan. I'm just so happy that you and Sesshoumaru-Onii-san are here."
"Come on, all of you, we need to go inside now…" Hana said, talking to the others.
They all nodded, walking in, leaving Mei Lhi with Sesshoumaru. The hanyou girl's nerves were tense and she was still the mass of tangled emotions she had been for the past two days.
And then, the doors opened, Sesshoumaru took her arm and the two of them walked into the room, many gasps rang out and a few whispers ran about here and there. It wasn't until when Mei Lhi and Sesshoumaru were halfway across the room when the guests grew very loud with surprise, their eyes focused on someone or something behind the bride and her escort. In curiosity, Mei Lhi and Sesshoumaru both turned, the taiyoukai looked mildly surprised, while the hanyou girl remained confused.
"Chichiue…" Sesshoumaru said just loud enough for everyone in the room, who had suddenly gone silent, to hear.
"Sesshoumaru, I believe that is my job." Inutaisho replied.
"Hai…"
The taiyoukai let go of his sister's arm, walking to the end of the room where the others were. Inutaisho took his son's place, smiling at his daughter. "You look beautiful." he said. "Just like Izayoi."
Mei Lhi however, had never been more shocked in her life. She didn't know how to reply, her throat had suddenly shut itself off, and she barely had the ability to nod. Her father's body seemed solid and warm, but something was off. She knew her parents were dead, and upon looking at the dog general, she saw exactly what was wrong. Inutaisho had an ethereal glow encompassing his form. Her father was simply his spirit, the one that always stayed behind to look after the things and people they had left behind. They continued walking forward to the end of the room where all three of Inutaisho's children were brought together once as a family more. Soft footsteps caught the attention of two pairs of white inu ears and many sets of youkai ears.
Izayoi herself began walking across the room, her steps quickening before she nearly ran at her children. Her eyes shone with tears as she cried with joy. She took each child into each of her arms, holding each one close to her. "Inuyasha, Mei Lhi…" she sighed.
"Ummm…Izayoi-sama, we're uh…in the middle of something…" Ryouji interceded politely.
"Oh, hai…gomen nasai."
The human woman released her children, bowing to Sesshoumaru, who nodded back, before politely standing back with her mate.
"It is this day that the Daughter of the West shall be married to the Son of the North. Today is a day of celebration, and we will at last unite these two, in hopes of quelling the feuds between these two houses with the love these two share. Now, will the sake please be brought forward?(1)" asked an elderly Inuyoukai who was performing the ceremony.
A servant brought a tray with a bottle of sake and three sake cups, each one larger than the next, with the smallest on top. The Inuyoukai poured some into the small cup, motioning Mei Lhi and Kyo forward. Both took a sip from the cup, emptying it. The second cup was poured; the two shared it once again. The final and largest cup of all was filled, and the hanyou girl and Ryuuyoukai boy drank. The tray and cups were whisked away, and the Inuyoukai looked to the two with a smile.
"Mei Lhi, Daughter of the West, you are now reborn as the Daughter of the North. Son of the North, may you live a long and glorious life with your bride."
In that moment, the couple kissed as husband and wife. (A/N: Awww! Kawaii! I bet you all were expecting a big interruption with Harukichi or something, right?)
The crowd of guests broke out into a roaring cheer, many of the women were crying, including Izayoi. The bride then found herself surrounded by all her friends, all of them happy and most were teary-eyed.
Shortly afterward, everyone was ushered into the dining hall to enjoy a meal in celebration of the new marriage. All ate, drank, and many faces were laughing and smiling. Some sang songs of their adventures, others told stories of their weddings, while others sat quietly in corners of the room listening intently.
Soon the celebration began to wind down, and guests began to leave. Tenshi winked at her friend on her way out with the rest of the Yamainu clan, waving goodbye to the others. Miroku bowed politely, Sango pulled everyone into hugs, Kohaku and Minoru simply waved, while Kirara mewed a polite farewell before transforming into her larger form, letting her family climb aboard. A few other youkai left, before finally the only two guests left were Izayoi and Inutaisho.
"I see my will has turned up…" Inutaisho commented.
"Hai, a servant found it the other day." Sesshoumaru confirmed.
"Sesshoumaru…"
"Hai, Chichiue?"
"Your pups are beautiful, as is the woman who gave them to you. I am glad you have found something to protect."
"You were the one that had me choose her, Chichiue…"
"Hai, I felt it was right. Was my assumption not correct?"
"Iie, it's not that, you were right in your decision, Chichiue. Thank you…"
The dog general nodded in reply, turning to his other son. "Inuyasha, I am happy that you have found someone to care for and love you for who you are, just as my Izayoi has. Kagome, I want to thank you for staying with him all this time and always giving him your love."
The miko flushed slightly, nodding silently as Inutaisho turned to his daughter and new son-in-law. "Mei Lhi, I want you to enjoy your life and let nothing stand in your way,"
"Hai, I will Chichiue."
"Take care of her, Kyo. I trust you enough that you will defend her with your life. She'll do the same for you. I also want to thank you for loving her for who she is, and looking past her blood and only seeing who she is as an individual. If there was anyone I had wanted her to marry in the first place, you would've been my first choice. You two have known each other for so long, there is no one else I could have seen her with in the first place."
Kyo nodded also, taking note that many were at a loss for words, including himself.
"Izayoi-chan, we must be going, we can't stay much longer I'm afraid…" The dog general said with a sigh.
"You're not staying, oyaji?" Inuyasha asked.
"We can't, Inuyasha. We have to return to where it is we rest. But know that Izayoi-chan and I are always watching over all of you."
Izayoi nodded in agreement with a sad smile before turning to face everyone. "It was a pleasure meeting you all, and it was wonderful to see my children and Sesshoumaru-sama again." The human woman hugged her daughter farewell before proceeding to her son, giving him a hug and a warm kiss on the cheek. Hesitantly she approached Sesshoumaru, bowing politely before him before straightening up and kissing him on the cheek as well. Sesshoumaru went stiff with shock for the first time in his life.
Inutaisho somehow managed to embrace all of his children, in-laws included, before taking Izayoi's arm as the two waved goodbye before they slowly faded away.
"I think Okaa-san broke Sesshoumaru…" Mei Lhi said finally, after an agonizingly long period of silence, motioning at the taiyoukai whose face bore the same baffled expression after the initial contact of the farewell gesture.
Inuyasha snickered. "Well how do you think we should fix him? Wave our hands in front of his face 'till he blinks? Insult him? Or do we just shove Toukijin up his-" he suggested before being interrupted.
"-None of those ideas are of any use, and I don't like the last one very much at all." Hana cut in.
"Well, how do we fix him?" Mei Lhi wondered. Kyo whispered something in the girl's ear, which made the pair of them grin wickedly. "I dare you." The Ryuuyoukai boy said. The hanyou girl grinned at him before running at her half-brother with a cry of "Sesshy-Maru-chan!" hugging the taiyoukai once she was close enough. The demon lord blinked before finally giving his head a brief shake just as his half-sister released him. "Nani?" he asked. Immediately nearly everyone was laughing. Kagome was in a stunned silence, wondering what just happened while Hana looked thoroughly annoyed.
"Well, at least we know he's alright, ne?" Kagome said finally, once the event fully processed into her brain.
"Hai, that's a relief." Hana agreed albeit reluctantly. "You all look tired, and a certain pair of you has to complete the stages of a marriage process…" The miko-youkai said, looking at Kyo and Mei Lhi who both blushed slightly at the reminder. "So it is in good logic that I suggest we all get some rest. It's been a very tiring day for us all."
-
The room was silent, now that its only occupants had vacated the premises. The alluring and stunning decorations remained, swaying slightly in the cool night breeze.
The moon remained simply a sliver in the sky, but its waxing form shed enough light to reveal a hanyou girl and a Ryuuyoukai boy, both blissfully lost in one another's warm and loving embrace, their minds filled of dreams reliving one of the greatest possible acts of love that they could share together.
-
Dawn broke cheery and bright, the thick blanket of sleep slowly rolling off the entire household of the Western Lands. Soft early morning sounds were heard throughout the castle, simple things like the servants silently slipping into rooms to tidy up, the cooks making the meals of the day, the boilers far below being tended, and other such daily chores.
The children woke early, happily running about the castle halls noisily, laughing and squealing loudly as they played. Inuyasha was up next, grabbing Shippou, Rin, Tsukimisou, and Tsurugi as they all ran past, yelling at them to be quiet. Kagome was awakened by Inuyasha's shouts and cries of the young children, fiercely scolding her mate before sweetly telling the children to run along and enjoy their games. Sesshoumaru and Hana woke shortly afterward, the taiyoukai stopping at Inuyasha's room to impress upon the hanyou to not manhandle or discipline his children ever again. Hana had gone off to locate the four young youkai pups to make sure they weren't in any serious trouble, while Ryouji and Megumi also awoke, their day's work of being a Ryuuyoukai of the Spirits laid out for them, as they began control on their elements in silent concentration.
It was around this time, when the volume of noise, which was near deathly quiet just a few minutes prior had grown to a loud irritating buzz, that Kyo opened his eyes.
'Did that all really happen? What if all this is just some wonderful dream? What if I'm still sleeping and I'm really still fourteen, and Hakaru is still alive, and my father isn't back? What if it's just something in my mind?' As if in confirmation of this reality, he lightly pinched himself. 'Yep, I'm definitely awake. But is all of yesterday a dream? What if this morning is the day I'm supposed to marry?' It was then he became aware of a warm weight on his chest, and tickling sensation under his chin. There he saw Mei Lhi, sound asleep, her velvet-soft ears flicking every couple of seconds when distant sounds rang out. The Ryuuyoukai boy grinned inwardly as he noticed the state of things in the room, the particular item of interest being the haphazardly strewn clothes lying around. Sure enough, he found that he was in fact, in a particular state of undress, along with the innocently sleeping hanyou girl. At that moment, his thoughts recalled the events of the night before. Kyo felt a sudden euphoric feeling spreading throughout his entire entity, sighing lightly, the thoughts still lingering in his mind.
Mei Lhi's eyes fluttered open, looking at him questioningly.
"Sorry…did I wake you?" The Ryuuyoukai boy asked. The hanyou girl shook her head, a sweet smile upon her face.
Kyo sat up, taking his mate into his arms, holding her contentedly. The moment dragged on for a lifetime, but neither of them tired of it. However, their moment was one lifetime too short, as their door slid open. Kyo reacted quickly, shifting Mei Lhi to one arm, holding her against himself protectively, with his free hand, summoning his weapon, a quick flick of his wrist releasing a crescent-shaped wind blade, towards their red-clad 'attacker'.
"Holy shit, Kyo! What the hell was that for?" Inuyasha yelled, in a crouching stance, a visible hole in the wall above the hanyou's head.
Mei Lhi suddenly became very cross. "You idiot! He was protecting me! What the hell are you doing here anyway?" she shouted back at him.
"Getting payback from what you did to me and Kagome!"
"Hey, you were the ones that slept through almost half the day! I was only waking you up!"
"Inuyasha, you didn't-? You did, didn't you? I told you not to!" Kagome's angry voice rang out from a little further down the hall. Kagome appeared in the open doorway a few seconds later. "Gomen nasai, Mei-chan…" she said before taking one hand, clipping onto the hanyou's ear, while the other closed the door.
In the hall, Inuyasha's cries of pain and protest were heard.
"Ow, ow, owwww, woman! Let go!"
-
Breakfast that morning was a rather quiet one. Everyone but Mei Lhi and Inuyasha carried on as normal, seeing as the two repeatedly shot glares of hot anger back and forth at one another. Kagome sighed and shook her head at their behavior, Sesshoumaru even appearing mildly irritated at his siblings' childish acts.
"Oh for the love of Kami-sama, will you two just stop?" Hana said finally, sounding very annoyed.
Mei Lhi sighed, casting her fiery gaze downward at her plate, reluctantly obeying the miko-youkai's request. Inuyasha scowled before he too, focused on his meal.
The meal seemed to last an eternity, and it seemed even more so with all the silence.
"You know, Kagome-chan, when Kyoshi-kun told my brother that he needed an heir, I didn't expect you'd try to get one so quickly," Mei Lhi commented without thinking.
"Eh? What do you mean, Mei-chan?" The miko asked.
"What I mean to say is, that I didn't think you'd get one so soon."
"One what, Mei-chan? I'm confused."
"An heir, Kagome-chan. Didn't you know yet?"
"Nani?"
"Oh, of course you wouldn't. You won't know for at least a couple of weeks."
The miko girl nearly fainted on the spot. "Oh no…" she moaned. "What am I going to tell Mama?"
"The truth of course. Besides, Higurashi-san has no reason to get angry. Inuyasha needs an heir in order to rule his half of the West. We should go back anyway. I'm sure Higurashi-san would like to hear about the wedding. Besides, you need to finish the rest of your school year and catch up so you can graduate."
"Hai…" The girl said with a sigh.
-
"How are you feeling, Mei Lhi?" Hana asked.
"I feel fine." The hanyou girl replied automatically.
"Everything went well last night?" Megumi inquired.
Mei Lhi flushed slightly, managing a nod of her head. "Yes. It was all fine. Everything was just fine. Nothing bad happened."
"That's good to hear."
"So…can I, um…leave?"
"Oh yes, go right ahead. Kyo must be wondering what's taking so long…"
The hanyou girl turned to leave the room, already halfway out the door when she was stopped.
"Mei Lhi!" Megumi called.
The girl turned. "Yes, Megumi-san?" she asked.
"I want to apologize for what I said earlier…in my office. I'm sorry for ever doubting you. I should've known better."
"It's alright, Megumi-san. That's all in the past now…and now, it just seems that it doesn't really matter anymore."
Mei Lhi smiled at her mother-in-law before leaving the room at last, and softly sliding the door shut, taking a few steps and walking over to where Kyo was waiting for her in the hallway.
"Got everything sorted out?" he asked.
"Yeah…something like that…" she replied.
The pair grinned at one another, walking on.
-
"She has the completed jewel, you say?"
"Hai. However, getting it from her will be difficult. She is the mate of that hanyou that defeated Naraku."
"You mean the hanyou son of Inutaisho?"
"Hai. Inuyasha."
"Where are they now?"
"They are currently staying in his brother's castle, in the Western Lands. However, I must warn you of a few things before you start the attack."
"What sort of things are these?"
"First, the hanyou is strong, and his elder brother Sesshoumaru is just as strong or stronger. Sesshoumaru's wife, Hanajima is a miko-youkai. She has miko and youkai powers. The hanyou's wife is a ningen, this Kagome, as she is called, is the reincarnation of the famous priestess who originally guarded the Shikon no Tama in the first place. And because she is the reincarnation, this also makes her a miko as well and probably just as powerful as the old priestess herself. Secondly, there are three Ryuuyoukai staying in the West. One of them is married to the hanyou daughter of Inutaisho, and the other two are the boy's parents. All three of them are Ryuuyoukai of the Spirits, their elements being Sand, Earth, and Wind. In order for you to ambush the castle without their knowledge, is to accept aid from Ryuuyoukai."
"How would that be possible?"
"For one, I am trying to help you. I will bring to you, an unimaginable destructive force. You will have the power you desire. We shall tear up the Western Lands and we shall find the miko and you will at last have the jewel."
"Perfect…"
A/N: I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry this took so long. It's just I've been busy, and summer school ended last week and I've been blocked all this time, but a bit of my emergency idea reserves kicked in and I was able to bring all this out. Anyways I hope you enjoyed Ch. 13, and I'll try to get Ch. 14 done before school starts for me. (September 1st) Anyways, please review, and I'd like to thank all my reviewers who kept leaving me comments with words that nicely rephrase "Hurry up and get the next chapter up, dammit!" I got another review alert today, so it just inspired me to get off my ass and try to write. And thanks to this person, I was able to finish this chapter. And for those of you that noticed my little (1) footnote, here's an explanation…
(1)-Footnote: In Japanese weddings three cups of sake are shared by the bride and groom, I believe to unify the two and represent the death and rebirth of the bride. Because you see, in Japanese weddings, the woman "dies" in the house of her family and is "reborn" in the house of her husband's. (I looked this up online! I did loads of research for this fic!)
Anyways, stay tuned for Ch. 14! Review! Ja ne until next time!
