A/N: Just a quick reminder that if you type 'The Fae Tree Playlist' on youtub, you will find the fic's inspiration playlist,
Beta; Cstorm86


15.


The forest was old, full of thick trees with rough barks. Ropey roots coiled in the carpet of dry leaves, grass and tiny wild flowers adorning it like a chaotic pattern of green, white, blue and yellow. Wherever there was a parting in the canopy of trees, the golden sunlight poured in like honey, making the young saplings that crowded the glades glow with ethereal radiance.

Insects and birds, squirrels and other small animals went about their lives, filling the forest with the faint noises. A small herd of roe deer grazed on a grass field in one of the meadows. The animals paused and looked up when they heard a noise.

A joyous bark echoed in the woods, seemingly getting quieter with every repetition. It was no hunting call, no battle cry, so the fauna of the land remained calm. The sudden appearance of huge, white shadow in the trees was not a surprise to them, nor was it a threat. The inu was not hunting them for a meal, it was just passing by.

When animals lived close to Yasha no Mori and the dens of the inu that guarded the sacred forest, they were more intelligent than anywhere else. They knew that the yasha were dangerous, but they wouldn't kill them without a reason. A deer fell by a yasha was no trophy, but a neccessary meal. It was the law of nature - the predators ate the prey and they protected the land from the humans, that killed not only for hunger, but also to sate their pride and greed. Yasha were capable of both, but they would go about sating these by other means.

Inuyasha ran, not paying much attention to the animals around him. His tongue dangled from his parted mouth, his senses telling him that he was getting close. His paws carried him with sure, long paces, never tired.

His den was close. The big hill covered in silver roses and dog tooth lilies. Or maybe it was glacier lilies? His father's first wife was very keen on lilies and planted a wide variety of them. He wasn't that keen on flowers, but they had a pleasant smell and since she loved them he liked them enough.

His mind drifted to Kagome and her habit to 'punish' him by braiding flowers in his hair. Would she be mad at him when she realized he had stolen a bunch? He'd planted a bush of roses for her in return, so maybe she wouldn't mind...

He leaped over a stream meandering in between the ancient oaks, moss covering small rocks that lined parts of the banks. Dragonflies and other insects hung over the glistening water reflecting sunrays that somehow found their way down to the forest floor.

He still could feel her weight on his back, the sensation of her hands grasping at his ruff, her face pressed in his fur for protection from the wind. He remembered vividly that night, their dances, her willowy body pressed against his, bending and twirling to the music. He remembered the lovely sound of her laughter, the shining eyes in flushed face, tangled hair falling over her shoulders. Her scent was more fragrant than any flower.

She had kinda rejected his proposal, but not entirely, so he was not crushed. He knew she hadn't done that because of his mother being a kuro inu, she had no idea what that entailed. Besides, she had given him her reasons and there was hope still for her to say 'yes' one day.

It was all good, he thought as he ran. He wasn't too keen on binding himself to a person he barely knew himself. He could get to know her and then see where the road would take them both. It wouldn't be one of the epic romances from fables, but that was good with him. The truth was that the fables never spoke about the romance after the marriage. And, from what he had heard and seen, usually the initial infatuation fizzled away, destroyed by the differences in character the lovers would have been able to spot easily, given enough time to get to know each other.

And getting to know Kagome - that was going to be a true adventure! He knew it was going to be a challenge, a riddle, a dance with a flaming staff. It was going to be so much fun! He was going to go to her in a few days. He was going to see her again, and her little priest brother too.

He wanted to take them to the small waterfall in the woods near the shrine, a serene place perfect for naps. Maybe he could...

There was no warning - in part because he was too deep in his thoughts.

One second he was running through the forest deep within the yasha lands, the other he was rolling in the young trees and nettles that were scattered across the meadow he had been crossing.

A huge weight pressed him to the ground and crushed plants. He growled up at the gigantic white dog. It had glowing red eyes and a black sickle of the moon on its forehead. It was sleeker in build than him, but had the same white fur that he had. It was smooth, not shaggy like Inuyasha's, so it was easy to see the magenta twin stripes on the dog's muzzle.

"Sesshomaru!" he growled.

"Little brother," the dog growled back in a smooth, deadly rumble. "So you are alive."

Then, when Inuyasha tried to wiggle from under the paws pinning him down, he felt the hot breath of his older brother ghosting against his ear when the bigger canine bent his head towards him.

Inuyasha yelped when the sharp teeth dug into his ear.

.

Kagome sighed as she sat by the table that stood in the garden. It was a very hot day, so she was thankful for the soothing shade of the trees. The colorful flowers were Mrs. Hojo's pride and Kagome could see why. All around her flowers were blooming, no twigs or unwanted plants disruptiong the festive beauty of the flowerbeds. Kagome, just like her mother, wasn't good with keeping a garden, so all she had been doing here was to water it and help Mrs. Hojo with the weeding from time to time. Three more people were sitting around the table with her, enjoying the weather and the afternoon tea. Her mother and grandfather were engaged in a polite talk with their guest.

She glanced towards the fruit trees of the garden. She could see the spot where the fae tree had been - now it was just grass and some daisies that were scattered across the underfoot of the trees. There was also a small rose bush, with silvery-white flowers that seemed to glow in the shadow of the trees around it. No one remembered the magnificent tree. The wine made from its cherries was still in the cellar, but now no one really remembered anything about it. Mr. Higurashu, when asked about it, had told Kagome that the wine had been a gift, but he hadn't been able to recall from whom.

Her dreams no longer were tales of wild forests and mad runs. No, now they were back to being the usual jumbled mess off images and sensations she had been experiencing before moving to this house.

It made her feel sad and trapped, the knowledge that life went in this terribly ordinary, bland way. Even meetings with Botan and Momiji were boring, despite the girls being really nice and funny. This spark of magic, of challenge in golden eyes of the fae, it was missing from her life and she was sorely aware that was the case.

Sometimes she regretted her choice. She wanted to do something new, something exciting. She wanted to feel his energy, see the wilderness through his eyes, meet new and amazing fae, learn and understand their culture. She wanted to see him again, hear his voice, keep the banter that made her blood run faster.

She wanted him to hold her again.

Yes, change was scary. Leaving her family behind to enter a world she obviously knew nothing about was a huge deal. She doubted she was ready to marry anyone, even if she was drawn to this one man with fluffy ears. She was of the right age to marry, yes, and she'd have to leave her family if she ever chose to do so, but it all was so strange to her. And, as a wife, she wouldn't be able to become a priestess. Priestesses had to be maidens, dedicated only to their duties and not to a family.

"Miss Kagome?" asked a pleasant male voice and Kagome looked up to see the small frown marring the handsome face of Lord Kagewaki.

"I'm sorry, I got lost in thought," she muttered, squeezing the handkerchief she was holding in her fingers. "Could you repeat that?"

"Oh, there's no need to apologize," he smiled at her. "Spirited people and artists are allowed to drift into the realm of their imagination. I was asking if you could visit my manor tomorrow. I have certain intriguing artifacts that I'd like to share with one such as yourself."

"Um... I..." she stumbled over her words. What artifact did he have? Some fae items? How a person that was not a priest was in possession of such things?

"We will be delighted to visit and see your collection, Lord Kagewaki," her mother supplied for her and Kagome sighed in relief at the information that her mother would accompany her to that place. Lord Kagewaki was nice and polite, but spoke in a manner that always made her tense. It always seemed he was on to something. As a mage, it made sense that he had knowledge of all kinds of weird things.

"It is only right to repay the visit," her grandfather nodded sagely from above his tea cup.

Lord Kagewaki had come to see her grandfather, since he wanted to donate a big sum to the shrine, but their talk had prolonged and now Lord Kagewaki was joining them for the afternoon tea in the garden.

"Yes. It's very nice of you to invite us," Kagome said meekly. It was a friendly visit, nothing more. Besides she had no plans for the next day. Maybe she could learn something?

"Wonderful!" Lord Kagewaki beamed. "You made me very glad."

"We will come around the middle of the afternoon," Mrs. Higurashi said, while Kagome nodded her head. It was a good choice, this way their visit had to be short.

"Thank you for inviting us," she said.

"Grandpa, mom!" Souta ran into the garden. He had been busy with homework, but it looked like he was done now. "Mr. Kaze is here!"

"Mr. Kaze?" Kagome blinked at the name. She'd heard it somewhere before and it took her a minute to remember who it was.

The image of a young man in plain robes of a priest coming from behind the corner of the house, following Souta, helped her memory greatly. The man had hair as black as hers, tied in a small tail on the nape of his neck. His face was open and kind, a wide smile on his face. She couldn't help, but smile at him as well, missing the narrowing of Lord Kagewaki's eyes when the noble looked at the newcomer.

Oh, she never had seen this man before, but Souta had described him well enough for her to realize it was him. Priest Mushin's successor, Miroku Kaze, the orphan boy that had been taken in and raised by the old priest. According to Souta he was quite a smooth talker and had a lot of interesting knowledge.

"Good day to everyone!" the newcomer bowed before the table, joining Souta who stood a few paces from Kagome. His dark eyes glanced her way and he flashed her a grin that was only for her. Kagome blushed against herself, she wasn't used to handsome men grinning at her like that. He wasn't as attractive as Inuyasha, but he was a close second. "May kami bless everyone at the table! But I see that you are already blessed, having a lady as lovely as you, miss, sharing the radiance of your smile with everyone!

"Mr Kaze, you're a terrible flatterer!" Kagome covered her mouth with a hand, giggling. Her brother had been right, priest Mushin's successor was a sweet talker for sure!

"Greetings, young Miroku!" Kagome's grandpa waved a hand at the table. Will you join us for the tea?"

"Oh, please, join us!" Souta bounced a little on his heels, looking at Miroku with a wide grin. Kagome giggled at his eagerness.

"I am sorry, but I am here on an errand for Mushin," the young priest replied with a small bow to them all. "He sent me to the town to get some things and asked me to borrow a few books from your collection."

"That's a pity. You will have come to visit us at some later date," Kagome's mom said.

"I will help with the books," Souta offered and Kagome straightened in her chair.

"Can I go to the kitchen and at least prepare some quick refreshment for Mr. Kaze?" she suggested with hope in her voice. That was a perfectly valid excuse to leave the presence of Lord Kagewaki, who this whole time was almost glaring at Miroku. She didn't like the sense of his aura against her.

"Of course, Kagome," Mama smiled at her and Kagome rose up with new energy.

"You are too kind, miss Kagome," Miroku bowed his head and they both followed Souta towards the house. "I don't require much, but a glass of cold water or milk will mean the world to me. I wouldn't miss a kiss too."

Kagome blushed and shook her head.

"A glass of water will have to do, Mr. Kaze," she said, trying not to blush.

"Don't go messing with my sister, Mr Miroku!" Souta exclaimed as they walked up the stairs to the house. "She's boring and not that pretty! And I bet the lady you told me about wouldn't like that anyway1"

Miroku sighed and smiled apologetically.

"I guess she would be most unpleased," he said and looked to the still blushing Kagome. "And for the record, I am not of the same opinion as your brother. You are a lovely, kind lady and no one should say otherwise."

"Um... thank you..." Kagome muttered and fled to the kitchen as soon as they entered the hall. She could hear Souta and Miroku going to the study to collect the books. Souta was excitedly talking to the older man, who chuckled at his words.

The kitchen was empty, everything put away in order. Mrs. Higurashi and Mrs. Hojo were very strict about keeping the cooking area clean and tidy, seeing great value in all the tools being neatly stored away and clean. Dishes and silverware were all cleaned, the washing basin empty from the lunch dishes already. The washing water bucket was still not refilled, standing next to the door, but the pitcher with drinking water was where it always stood, on the counter under the cupboard. Buyo lay curled in a neat ball on top of a chair that stood under the window, but when Kagome entered the kitchen, the big cat leaped to the floor and went to rub his head against her calf, obviously wanting treats or at least some affection.

"I can't give you snacks, grandpa said you're too fat," she giggled at the feline who looked at her as if she was spouting nonsense. The young woman smiled at him and went to prepare the drink and food for the priest. "Okay, I will give you something, just don't tell grandpa, okay?" Buyo meowed and went to sit near her as she went about the kitchen, pouring water and preparing a pack for Miroku to take along with the books.

Mr. Kaze was one of the terrible flirts of the world. She'd heard stories from her friends about young men like him, but this was the first time she was met with this type of a man. It was a lot like taking a too big gulp of water to swallow, she decided as she went about to pour the young priest fresh cold water and prepare some sandwiches. She guessed a man that had to go from Mushin's shrine and back would be starving. She wasn't making anything fancy, just using the ingredients that she found in the pantry. She was going to put them in a paper pack for Mr. Kaze to take and eat on his way or maybe have a nice stop on his way home. She guessed he'd enjoy some rest in a shade, with his horse grazing nearby.

She wasn't particularly fond of men who used flattery to get whatever they wanted from easily impressed girls, but for some reason she decided that despite that she liked Mr. Kaze so far. His aura was warm, open and soothing in a way. He somehow reminded her of Inuyasha - not that the fae was keen on throwing flattering words at her, but more because she felt not threatened by his presence just like she felt around the silver-haired man. It was so different from the chilly, trapping feeling she had when she was around Lord Kagewaki.

Was it a sign she could be friends with Mr. Kaze, just like Souta seemed to be? It would be nice to have a male friend...

"What was the name of the yasha that gave you that amulet?"

Kagome gasped and dropped the bread knife she was holding, the thud sounded like a thunder in the silent room. She whirled on her heel, her heart pounding. Her wide eyes rested on the figure of the young priest standing in the doorway, a book bag hanging from his shoulder. His dark eyes followed her movement as she pressed a hand to where her pendant was hidden just under the collar of her dress.