My Death, My Love, My Incarnation

Written By SexySesshieSama

Author's Note: I have only gotten two reviews for each of the two chapters already posted, but since half of them were from my biggest fan and most loyal reviewer, I shall update in any case. KURAMAGIRL44 aka Carly aka Cawwy-chan aka Rose ROCKS MY SOCKS! I need to edited this and the two chapters from before, but I'll do that later because I'm lazy. I'm actually updating! I feel special. You should be proud. Check out my bio, I have a lot of ways to contact me, please take advantage of them; I love reviewers and I love anime-freaks and I love talking to people. These are my names and my OCs and my ideas, questions, comments, or whatever contact me by review or email or whatever. I do not own Inu-Yasha, if I did I would have more money and more gray hairs, as well as more of a life! So you can't even say I own it! HAHA TRY AND SUE ME NOW! Do not flame, for if you flame I shall set your hair on fire and watch you burn. Enjoy.

Chapter Three: Meetings and Markings

Taimara is a most beautiful woman; far more beautiful even than most taiyoukai, although all taiyoukai are absolutely heavenly. She wasn't more beautiful than Sesshomaru, yet she was; it depends on who you ask. As do most things. But she had surpassed her mother, each generation ending up even more lovely than the one before. Time passes, and things change for the better. Sesshomaru was lucky to have her, but she was also lucky to have him.

She hadn't directly inherited any of her parents physical attributes; or so it seems. Her skin was a cross between her mother's pale cream complexion and her father's bronze tanned look. She didn't have her father's straight silver hair, nor did she inherit her mother's extremely wavy red hair, which seemed to rise and fall like a massive tsunami, despite the length and the weight. Her father's eyes are green, her mother's purple, and she doesn't have either of them. In fact, everything except for the skin tone seems totally out of the blue.

But it's not. She can change her appearance as she pleases. Her eyes shift depending on her mood, usually remaining at a calm, silver-gray neutral. As for her hair, it is golden colored, as long as her mother's (reaching her waist) and as straight as her father's (perfect lines). However, all of this can change as she so pleases; her natural coloring is not for us to know...yet, possibly.

Her first impression was good; she had some subtle red highlights then, most obvious in the sun and fire light, while her eyes seemed to be tinged in green. The next day she did not wear her blue kimono again; this time she instead chose her medium green yukata with the light green and greenish-yellow butterflies on the hips and thighs, which stops at her knees and is tied off with a forest green sash. On her feet she wore nothing, as many demons choose to do. She was the most natural and glorious thing that most anyone could ever seen, possibly discounting the sun. Possibly.

After her father was gone, out of sight, Taimara turned to discover Sesshomaru gone, as if he had disappeared, blown away like ashes in the wind. She knew that she needed to get used to things like that. With a slight sigh, she went off in search of the stables. Star, Moonlight and Sunshine needed her. Maybe she would accidentally stumble across Rin; she would need company in this cold and impersonal place that was to forevermore be her home.

XXX

The stables were far more than adequate; they were marvelous! I had only ever seen any better at Kitara-sama's. And her specialty is horses. Of course, mother's and father's are only slightly less impressive, but as a youkai I am skilled at noticing subtle differences.

The place was obviously made for umayoukai, not your average horses. In fact, I'm almost sure that I could smell one of the umataiyoukai; the scents vary, getting stronger as you travel higher up the food chain, as it is with any demon: umayoukai smell stronger and more powerful than regular uma, while umataiyoukai smell even more magnificent, and then there is the umakami. I have seen one umataiyoukai before, at Kitara-sama's. But to think that there would be one here...It makes sense. The stables are luxurious, and I know that Sesshomaru wouldn't have a direct hand in such a trivial thing, so having one of them here...Not as a possession obviously, which is how we treat the umayoukai; like humans do, only with far more respect and adoration.

As I tentatively entered, marveling at the accommodations the horses were allowed—it was like a palace in there!—I heard nothing and made no sound. Silence was draped over the world, which should have woken up fully by then. All the horses were either out or silently asleep. Sunshine, Moonlight and Star were nowhere to be seen, and so I wondered. That ohitsujiyoukai's scent was faintly settled all around, but there was one scent—a stronger and more prominent scent—that caught my attention far more. Once again, I contemplated it being umataiyoukai; I began to entertain fantasies of meeting another one, when suddenly...

"Greetings and salutations. Are you lost?"

The voice was unfamiliar to me, but so kind and warm that I felt no fear. I was, however, a bit more than a little shocked and surprised, so I cried out and spun around. My expression grew indignant as I spotted the source of my distress. A man stood before me, tall (I'm not all that tall to begin with; at 5'6", I am only slightly above average for a woman) and stately. His hair was long and light brown, pulled back into a flawless ponytail. The man was muscular and jovial looking, handsome and young, but not ignorantly so. His brown eyes were void of innocence, but not interest or intelligence, much less mischievousness. He seemed sweet enough, his smile dazzling and a bit dark, but not frightening. The sleeves of his long black cloak were rolled up to reveal muscular tan arms.

My mouth turned into a somewhat indignant frown; I hardly even noticed how much stronger the scent had become. "No, I am not." I was pouting, I knew, slightly childish; I would never act this was around my new husband. But this man made me feel comfortable, and so I loosened up, finding myself acting as I might back home. Mature and lady-like I am, yes, but I also have a childish and playful side. I've never shown that to someone outside my family before today.

He laughed, the sound deep and seductive, vibrant and calming, as if everything was good in the world, as if you and him were the only people in it. "I'm sorry, that was a bit rude, no? I didn't mean to sneak up on you. Let's start over. Hello there, beauteous maiden; my name is Hikinoru. May I inquire as to what yours may be?"

I was tempted to turn my nose up at him, but his tone was so sincere, his face so genuine, that I felt my makeshift anger melting away. I smiled at him, as kindly as I could; this made for a very informal but, from what I had been told, extremely captivating smile. Apparently, the more natural I am, the more beautiful I become. I could see that in his eyes; he appeared a bit shocked, casual manner melting away, smile giving was for a dumbstruck look. I smirked, pleased with myself. "It's nice to meet you too. My name is Taimara."

That appeared to shake him out of his reverie. "Taimara?" he repeated, surprised. I nodded. He looked me up and down and broke out into another foolishly handsome smile. "Makes sense, actually. I would never have guessed. Sesshomaru didn't tell me you were coming so soon. Then again, that son-uva-bitch never tells me anything..."

By the way he spoke, he not only knew Sesshomaru, and knew him well, but he was also on at least an equal level with him, possibly an even higher one. Apart from that, they must also be on slightly closer terms than him and my father, for Lord Daizano would never speak of Sesshomaru like that. Inutaisho, yes; Sesshomaru, no. They must be friends—or, at least, as friendly as one can get with that chunk of cold, hard ice.

He took my hand in his and kissed it lightly. It was a pleasant gesture. "Sorry for my tongue," he apologized. "I am a bit vulgar; it's the wild stallion in me." I laughed, a noise that can be interpreted as wind chimes floating on the night breeze. Chibara always referred to it as the hacking of a sick cat. But she's my sister, so her opinions don't count. "It's a good thing I asked for your name first; Sesshomaru would not be pleased if I had begun to court his mate."

I smiled, a laugh beginning to rise, but it got caught in my throat as he looked up at me. His eyes were so bright, so animalistic, not only was it obvious that he was a demon, but a "wild stallion" as he had said as well. Any woman would melt and cave under such a look, but I am more reserved, and otherwise taken and loyal. He straightened himself back up. "Sorry about being so forward about not being able to be so forward."

I haven't said much in a while, have I? "It's perfectly alright. At least you aren't going to actually be that forward." I felt so relaxed with Hikinoru. If only Sesshomaru could be more like this man...taiyoukai? I am not complaining about my fortunate situation, but if I had to choose, I would most certainly pick... "Are you a friend of my lord's?"

Hikinoru snorted, much like the way a horse might. I began to wonder... "As much as one can be a friend of his, yes, I am. We have known one another since we were very young; Sesshomaru, Kitara, Wakikuno, Beniru and myself were all born at about the same time. Our parents were good friends, and so we were always hanging around one another. Wakikuno and Beniru, the designated girls, would spend the most time with one another; Kitara was always a loner, trapped between genders, clarity not attained at birth like with most; and that left Sesshomaru and myself, the only boys. He has always been this cold and bastardly, even to his mother. Don't be offended by it; he can't help that anymore than I can help courting beautiful women and remaining wildly independent."

With that he kissed my hand again, his soft lips brushing past my tender skin, and I giggled, the most childish and girly thing I have done in a long while. He smiled, knowing that I wasn't like that, pleased with my reaction in any case. The names Hikinoru, Wakikuno and Beniru were not familiar to me; of course I knew of Sesshomaru and Kitara. Then again, they are the children of prominent demon lords. Perhaps the other three were other, "lesser" demon lords?...

Apparently he noticed my confusion and thoughtful expression, because Hikinoru spoke up, "You're wondering why you haven't heard of us before? Well, whatever your thinking is probably either right or close to the truth. Wakikuno is the daughter of Gaarane, Beniru is the daughter of Kimikura, and I am the son of Saranashi. Those names should ring a bell."

Sure as hell they did! I didn't recognize the children's names because all taiyoukai birth many children. Why I hadn't recognized the oldest children I don't know; there were so many, I suppose, that my mind can only focus on the main four. Gaarane is the reigning oukamiyoukai, Kimikura is the reigning torayoukai, and Saranashi is the reigning umayoukai. In other words, they are all the taiyoukai of those species...Oh good lord...They were all still alive; that's probably why. (Inutaisho and Mei are not, their children have taken over, and of course I knew my parents and their offspring!)

"You...you are a...a...one of the umataiyoukai," I breathed, shocked and awed. He seemed to swell with the recognition. Such a vain animal. He made an odd noise, like one horses make. I can't place which one, but there it was.

"Yes I am. Wanna ride me?"

That snapped me out of my odd state of suspended awe; my cheeks burned, not at the suggestion or how close he stood to me (I may be innocent, but I am not ignorant! And innocence is only skin deep, in any case...) but rather at the fact that some part of me, deep down inside, wanted to. As a crossbreed I do not go into heat as many other bitch-youkai do; mine is more of a deliberate sort of deal. And apparently my subconscious mind decided to make me react like that.

I saw him breath my scent in deeply, intoxicated, before I heard a deep, angry growl rumble from nearby. I looked up, not nearly as alarmed as Hikinoru was. All color drained from his face and his smile grew nervous, his laugh short and shrill. Sesshomaru stood there, passive and cold as usual...to me, anyway. I think he radiated something like anger in Hikinoru's direction. As he should.

"My mate can fend for herself when it comes to you, until you become as forward as that," Sesshomaru simply said, his voice and aura no different than usual. "I trust her, not you. So don't try anything, otherwise I will neuter you."

Hikinoru smiled nervously, swallowing hard. "Morning, Sesshomaru. Haven't seen you in a while."

I curtsied before my mate. "Please forgive me, Sesshomaru-sama. I am sorry."

I could practically smell Hikinoru's dander rise; his scent grew heavier, stronger, filling the entire room (even though two ends of it were open), more demanding, hotter, chocking me; I could hardly breath...His aura was overwhelming, powerful, frightening. "Don't apologize to him!" he bellowed, not to much at me as at the idea of me being so submissive, as if he had gotten to know me in the moments we had been acquainted. His voice was booming, no longer soft and masculinely seductive like it had been before. "You did nothing wrong! I'm the one to blame, not you! How dare you make her..."

Sesshomaru stopped him right there, his voice its usual rhythmic monotone, somehow all the more powerful and overbearing and forceful for it. It was as if he pushed outwards just with the force of his voice, overpowering Hikinoru easily without the active use of strength or any sort of violence. "I did not make her apologize, nor did I threaten her. She apologized of her own free will. Do not yell at me."

"Stop it!" I hissed, without thinking about my actions, immediately regretting it...somewhat. However, Hikinoru did seem to calm down, and Sesshomaru could care less. Good.

"Sesshomaru's right, Hikinoru. I apologized of my own free will. And not out of fear of punishment or anger. It was out of respect and courtesy. He is my mate, and these things are given to him—not only by necessity—but also by choice. My choice. So don't yell at him."

They two of them calmed down, and I felt quite accomplished. "I wish to speak with you later," Sesshomaru said, and walked off, his reason for showing up complete. Hikinoru still fumed.

I touched his cheek gently in a kind, polite manner. A familial manner. Just like I used to with my father and my brother. Oddly enough, thoughts of them did not make me sad; no tears came. I only felt a warm, protective, loving barrier around and within me. They will always be there, and that's all I shall ever need. "See? He left me all alone with you. He trusts me...You, not so much."

The joke raised his spirits some, and—calmed down—everything was once again how they should be. Good. I like it that way.

XXX

Hikinoru was the second friend I made in this place; and by the looks of things, he would be the last. Aside from Lord Sesshomaru and that annoying, nasty little retainer of his (Jaken) I have not seen anybody else upon arriving here. And already it's several hours past midday and I still have not seen that little girl—Rin—again. I was beginning to feel lonely; I had felt lonely ever since Hikinoru had to leave an hour or two before midday on some important matters. "I may not be an official Demon Lord," he had said, "but I do have my duties. Hope to see you later." A chaste peck on the cheek and he was gone.

Sigh.

And so I wandered the grounds on my own some more. I still wanted to know where Sunshine and Moonlight were! The stables were a bit boring; Hikinoru had shown me every inch of them before he had to leave, and so without umayoukai to grace the stalls with their strength and beauty, being there was pointless. I was full, for Hikinoru had treated me to some food at about noon; and full of energy, ready to expel it.

The grass was soft beneath my bare feet; it tickled somewhat. The ground was giving beneath my feet, evidence of rain from a few days passed, mud gone and nutrients imbibed by the plants themselves. The heavenly smells of tree sap and flower pollen seemed to drift right up to me, directed by the gentle breeze to my face so that I may partake of them deep into my lungs. The sun shone down so brightly upon me, warming me down to the marrow of my bones, that I felt perfectly content, as happy as I've ever been. It was as if this was heaven and I was to be a resident forevermore...

The complaining whinny that I have long since come to associate with Star pierced through my joyous fantasy, and I immediately perked up, searching for him. After several moments of seeing nothing my eye caught a flash of red hair; his red hair. Smiling broadly, I ran in the direction I had seen him, hoping to catch him in time. I had lost his sight, but his sound echoed through the air, and a faint trace of his scent marked Star's already trodden path.

Finally I stopped, Star standing several feet in front of me. Laying on the ground was my Moonlight, next to whom stood Sunshine, the spitting image of the perfect husband. Star was full of energy, zestfully running around, annoying his parents. To my surprise, the ohitsujiyoukai from earlier and the girl Rin stood off to the side. The ram in professional patience, Rin in young awe. I smiled, for some reason feeling proud of these beasts, as if I had raised and bred them. In a way I had, but that was besides the point.

Rin gasped when she saw me, her brown eyes widening and growing, now lighter; honey-brown. "Taimara-sama!" she exclaimed. I felt like royalty...which I am.

The ohitsujiyoukai bowed low. "It is an honor," he said, voice deep and large for one so short. Then again, which such a broad torso, his lung power must be amazing.

I nodded and bowed down to him. "I am Taimara," I began; he cut me off with a chuckle.

"I know who you are, love. Everyone here does. You were a legend before, but you are a goddess now." I blushed; I hadn't realized. "This lowly creature is Hiroenu. I am to be the care giver to these fine horses of yours, if you so please."

I smiled and curtsied elaborately. "I would be honored, Hiroenu-san. I am sure that you will take care of my babies just fine."

"Taimara-sama! Taimara-sama!" Rin exclaimed, no longer able to hold her joy and excitement in. She rushed over to me, locking my legs together in a hug. She reminds me of Aniara in so many ways; I see what Father meant. "Can you teach me to ride today?"

I nodded. "I would love to. I can at least show you the basics; come with me..." I approached Star, holding Rin's hand in mine. "Let's begin with..."

XXX

Taimara. My mate. A beautiful, elegant, graceful woman who knows her place but still is intelligent and independent. Ideal for me. She will manage my estates, my household workers, my most important vassals. She will charm them, inspire loyalty of a different kind, and my lands will be strengthened as I am strengthened. Relationships with strengthen. Alliances, bloodlines. This is just about the smartest move that I could have made. Perhaps I will be known for it, even as all my other achievements become side-notes, if that. She could take over my lands if she so wished, her parents as powerful as they are, their blood flowing through her veins. But already she is loyal to me, dedicated. Perhaps even in love.

Yes. Things will work out perfectly. They always do.

XXX

This time dinner was even lonelier than the last. At least then Taimara had her father there, a warm presence in an otherwise chilly room. Sesshomaru never spoke to her, even though he said that he needed to talk to her later in the day. She ate her food in silence, never daring to break the silence. Rin does not eat in here, and Hikinoru is still out on some business. For some odd, unlogical reason, she feels more alone with Sesshomaru there than she does when she really is all alone. He seems to be a force of negative comfort and friendliness, counteracting what little exists in perfect silence. Warmth and relaxation are attracted to him, immediately squashed and rid off, like cold water overpowering a warm but small flame.

After Taimara finished eating Sesshomaru rose. Taimara did not follow his example until after he turned to walk away, at which point she followed after him silently, obediently. He knew she was there, of course, his hearing being that sharp and such protocol so obvious even Jaken can follow it.

He led her straight to his private chambers. In essence it was a library with a fireplace—the same place he had taken her and her father the day before—but more than that is served as a place for him to get away from it all. The only way to get to his bed chambers was through a door in his library. There was a table opposite the fire and armchair, upon which old documents and new paper and ink and quills lay; he had been doing some work earlier. The fire had been started by one of the servants fairly recently, under his whole "not seen and not heard" policy. Immediately after Taimara entered the place Sesshomaru stopped walking and said, "Close the door."

His order was not soft and sweet, or cold and cruel, harsh nor kind, but rather concise and to the point. Taimara obeyed. Turning back around, she saw that he was standing by the window. She took a single step towards him, and another command rose up out of the still silence, "Sit down."

Sitting down in the same chair she had occupied the day before, Taimara felt memories rushing back to her. She did as she was bid and waited, knowing full well that speaking first would not at all be a good thing to do. The silence stretched out, and the warmth of the fire became almost seductive, wrapping its arms around her like a tender lover may. Sesshomaru finally turned around, and immediately her attention was on him, sharp and alert, as she always must be when it comes to him.

He said nothing; he's not a big talker. He crossed the room quickly, stood by her side. Her heart jumped, skipped a beat, sped up. He lowered himself down to her level, squatting elegantly. Leaning forward, he kissed her neck, and immediately Taimara was sent sailing over a cliff into oblivion. He began to kiss, nibble and suckle as he picked her up and took her into his bedroom. She hardly even noticed the movement.

XXX

I woke up the next morning with a start. I was shocked to see an uncovered window letting light into (my?) chambers. The sun was high in the sky, the day clear and cloudless, birds chirping their delight. After a moment I realized that I wasn't in my room, my bed, my quarters. I was in a larger, softer bed, warmer than I usually am. Some slight movement revealed warm flesh laying next to me. Looking over, I saw a bare-chested Sesshomaru with his eyes closed. He really does sleep.

That got my attention. I'm in Sesshomaru's bed! How...I came with him after dinner, did as he said; closed the door, sat down...was kissed, carried in here. I can hardly remember...

Warmth. That was the main thing. Warmth. Warmth flooded my senses, my body tingled with it. I was used to the skin deep imitation of the thing. This memory, however, was for real. I felt as if fire coursed through my veins, his warmth transferred into me, a slight fraction of the great amount of sun-like heat that resides within his body left in my body. He filled me, intoxicated me, enabled me to do little but feel and scream and do as he bid...

The feel of his skin on mine. His hair in my hand. His muscles pressed up against me. His cool tongue on my sweaty, salty skin. His claws gently raking on my sensitive flesh. His deep, pleased growl as I somehow did everything right. His small grunt and my piercing scream as it all came to a blissful end. His nose nuzzling against my neck as my mind slipped away, sleep overcoming my drained senses. The nibble that made me scream out in agony as I was marked as his own. The nibble...He never, not once did he kiss me on the lips. He licked me, kissed me everywhere else, bit me, but never did he kiss me. Not on the lips. Never. Not...ever...