A/N: I'm terribly sorry it was such a long time since I posted last time! And just a small warning, I'm not sure when I will update again, but I will try to do it asap.
Beta; Cstorm86
The Fae Tree and Forest Spirit got nominated for the Feudal Connection 2020 4th Quarterly Inuyasha Fandom Awards for Best Romance and Best Character Portrayal (Kagome) respectively.
Thank you so much, guys! It means a lot to know that what I'm writing is to your liking! Your support for me and my stories is literally what keeps me going.
If you want to vote for either of my stories - voting starts on October 29, 2020!
17
She hid among the butterfly-winged aerial spirits of the wild meadows. She hid among the seals that danced upon the sandy beaches. She even spent a while with the gray-haired wailing woman that sung her laments whenever a member of a certain family was going to die.
Wherever she went, she couldn't stay for long. The signs of his pursuit pushed her onward, crawling, flying and running, always running, like a scared little girl. She was of a proud kind, born of lightning and water, fire and stone, but she had no courage to stand her ground, to face and fight him.
Not after all that time she had spent in his web, constantly tormented.
Against any other she would have fought, but he filled her with such a great terror that she couldn't help, but flee.
Her heart and soul longed to be free of this, to be an ordinary person again, to enjoy simple things in life, to be returned to her old self. For that she'd eagerly discard her wings, her power and her kotodama.
It wasn't like she had ever wanted these.
The choice in that had never been hers. She had been only a simple girl, with some affinity for appeasing the little fae that braided horses' manes and tails at night. She had been happy with her family in her little village.
But then he had come, riding a shimmering spider web that looked like a rich silvery carpet floating on the breeze. Small spiders had lingered on it like glistening jewels. He had looked at her and had given her a silver goblet full of water. When she'd drank from it - for it was never wise to oppose a fae giving something to one - he had thrown a mantle of shimmering scales over her shoulder.
When she had woken up, she had been no longer human and no longer in her little peaceful village.
Now, years later, she was finally back under the starry sky, trying to get away from the red-eyed man that followed her. Her wings were her mantle as she passed through the land, finding only temporary rest in dwellings of other spirits that saw it acceptable to allow a dragon their hospitality. As she used her magic to aid her hosts, she asked in return for knowledge how to get her freedom. She knew she had to move, to find the spell, the price to pay to be released. So, when she saw spiders weaving their webs in the doorway of her current dwelling, she simply left, moving forward and never looking back.
She knew one thing - she couldn't go back. She couldn't go back, because she was certain that this time her kotodama and the jewel she carried would be surrendered to his will.
And that would be worse than dying.
She had to find a way to escape him, to escape her fate, to throw this accursed mantle off her shoulders, to spit that water drank so long ago, to be back what she had once been.
To her there was no price she wouldn't pay for this.
.
The manor of Lord Kagewaki was a big building made of white rock. Sleek columns lined up the front and supported the second floor. A big garden with well-kept bushes and trees surrounded the manor, a gravel alley shadowed by old oak trees led to the front door.
There was an arbour in the garden, covered in vines. It was quite a lovely place, perfect for an afternoon tea. Kagome sat in a chair nearest to the entrance to the arbour, so she could look out at a big pond that was located nearby, with water flowers adorning it. Souta, sitting next to her, shifted in his seat.
Grandpa was talking to the old lord about managing the land, while Mrs. Higurashi was engaged in a discussion with the old lord's sister, who was living with her brother and apparently was responsible for all the pretty flower beds that shone with various colors across the green of the garden.
Lord Kagewaki was sitting across the Higurashi siblings, barely noticing his tea and the apple cake standing in front of him. He was excited about showing Kagome and Souta his collection, but politeness demanded that they spend a sizable while enjoying their tea and sweets. Souta sure was enjoying them, but Kagome was only half-heartedly nibbling at her dessert.
Not that she didn't like it, it was amazing. Just... She couldn't stop thinking about what Mr. Kaze had told her about the young man in front of her. He seemed not that wicked. He was talking about books he had brought from his travels, along with some objects he wanted to show them.
The time for the tour of Lord Kagewaki's collection came just as Kagome finished her cake. She sighed when the young lord asked for permission to take the Higurashi siblings to his study. Normally, a maiden wouldn't be allowed to go anywhere with a man who wasn't her close relative, but Souta was going to be their chaperon. All the adults smiled at them kindly, probably thinking that the trio was bored with their garden and land talks.
Lord Kagewaki led them towards the manor and through the wide corridors with nice carpet covering the floors. His family estate was a luxurious place, even to the siblings who used to live in a bigger town. There was no doubt in Kagome's mind, this family was rich.
The study reinforced that belief - as soon as they entered, they saw a big room with dark wooden furniture and thick carpet covering the paneled floor. Plush curtains framed the windows while delicate white ones kept the glare of the sun from being too intense. Bookshelves and cabinets lined the walls, a big oaken desk and a comfy chair stood in the center of the carpet. A few more chairs were scattered around the area, with small tables holding cases and boxes with kami knew what.
"Here, here, have a seat," Lord Kagewaki motioned to two of the chairs that stood next to what clearly was supposed to be a coffee table, but was utilized to hold a small box. Kagome sat down on the chair, smoothing a hand down the plush pillow. Souta was looking around with wide, amazed eyes and the young lord seemed genuinely excited as he went to a bookshelf to bring back a small box. He put it on the coffee table in front of Kagome. When he lifted the lid, Kagome saw a small, rectangular piece of plain rock laying on a velvet cushion.
"This stone is said to be chipped off of an altar used by fae," the man explained and picked it up to show the siblings. "Here, Miss Kagome, hold it for a moment."
Tentatively, Kagome plucked the rock he offered to her. It was quite heavy, despite not being bigger than a chicken egg. "Oh!" she gasped, when she felt the stone warm up rapidly in her hand, never burning her. As it heated up, a faint glow akin to the first light of dawn surrounded it. "My goodness, it's so pretty!" she breathed out in wonder. Souta nodded mutely, amazed at the sight. Lord Kagewaki smiled proudly.
"The stone reacts to the touch of a spirited person," he said and Kagome felt a shiver run down her back. Carefully, she returned the rock to its box and folded her hands in her lap, the rock no longer glowing. "Isn't this exciting?"
Kagome had already known she was this spirited person, but experiencing the fae magic which wasn't Inuyasha's was strange. She didn't like that Lord Kagewaki was now certain of her ability.
"That was awesome," Souta put a finger to the rock and sighed when it didn't react. A pout formed on his lips. "
"Yes, it is amazing that Miss Kagome has such a rare gift," Lord Kagewaki agreed. "I can't wait to see her interact with a real fae."
"Does it mean you... have one?" Kagome swallowed, suddenly feeling cold and trapped. She remembered Miroku's solenn face and warning.
"I have," he confirmed and a small frown marred his face. "One. I had two, but the other one got away somehow."
Both Souta and Kagome stared at him. The tone of his voice was nonchalant, if anything he was mildly annoyed that one of his possessions got away. Souta glanced to Kagome, who shook her head a little.
"Lord Kagewaki, I think I'd like to go..." she started. The man smiled at her.
"Ah, yes, let's go. I will show you the one I have," he agreed.
"I mean... I'd rather not..." Kagome couldn't help, but feel sorry for the poor yasha, probably caged and viewed like an exotic animal. She couldn't stop the tremble in her voice as she spoke.
"Do not fear, Miss Kagome," Lord Kagewaki offered her his hand to help her up, but Kagome pretended not to notice, turning to Souta, who was already rising. The boy grasped her hand firmly. "The fae I have is quite tame now, since I have its bridle."
"I... I feel a bit faint. Too much... entertainment."
"We can go back to the garden,: Souta supplied.
"That will work just fine," Lord Kagewaki nodded pleasantly and led them back outside. Kagome breathed the fresh air and thanked the kami that Lord Kagewaki didn't show them anything more. She was pretty sure she'd scream if he shared more of his collection with them. She was proud of Souta and herself, since it looked like they managed not to anger the influential lord by refusing to look at his artifacts. That would've been a disaster, the shrine needed donations from people like Lord Kagewaki and his family.
They were walking towards the pond when Kagome's heart leaped in surprise. A black horse stood on the edge of the water, with no harness or saddle, simply watching them approach. It was the beautiful and big steed of the young lord. What was the horse doing in the middle of a well-kept garden? Was it gone loose from the stables?
"Do not be startled," the man told the siblings as he moved towards the horse Souta and Kagome followed him cautiously. not wanting to spook the animal into running away or - worse - charging at them. "Kelpie won't harm you."
"Kelpie?" Kagome gasped, looking at the being that observed her with intelligent, reddish eyes. It didn't move at all when Lord Kagewaki stepped towards it and patted its shoulder.
"Aren't kelpie supposed to be white or gray?" Souta asked, looking between the two. Kagome couldn't believe her eyes - a real yasha, a water horse fae, was standing in front of her.
"I ordered him to be black," Lord Kagewaki smiled. "Look, kelpie, this is Miss Kagome and her brother Souta," he said. Kagome flinched at her name being spoken in front of a yasha, but she then relaxed. Only she could give her name, if someone else introduced her no fae could use it for spells.
"I wish I could drown you both," the big horse suddenly spoke. His voice was like a whisper of wind in reeds. "I'd devour the girl whole."
Kagome and Souta both gasped and took a step back.
"You will do no such thing. Don't scare my guests," Lord Kagewaki reprimanded and then bowed to the siblings. "Apologies. He is tamed and will obey my orders, but his vile nature cannot be changed."
Kagome swallowed and looked fearfully at the horse. He was beautiful, but his eyes were full of malice. They were nothing like Inuyasha's golden gaze or the first wary, then playful eyes of the wolves.
And she prayed she'd never see the keplie's eyes ever again, unlike the eyes of her canine yasha friends'.
When hours later, after coming back home and talking to Souta, Kagome finally slid into her bed, she curled into a ball and stroked the pebble pendant she wore around her neck.
Yasha were unlike humans, often had different emotions and their nature could be malicious as well as benevolent. They were capable of wielding magic that could bring harm or heal, destroy or create. No one could treat them like Lord Kagewaki did that powerful being that was so clearly not tamed, but merely temporarily bound by its nature.
As soon as the kelpie found his bridle...
The young woman shivered and forced herself to think about the nicer things, like the strange, beautiful glow of the altar stone or the soothing warmth of her pebble pendant.
.
Far away from her home, Ssesshomaru finally got bored of chewing on Inuyasha's ears, tugging at his tail and generally laying his big fluffy behind on top of his younger brother, who at this point didn't even struggle anymore, resigning himself to his fate. They had a lot of catching up, as Sesshomaru had put it, and Inuyasha already was busy planning his revenge.
"Father and mothers were concerned about you," he informed as he let the smaller dog up. Inuyasha shook himself. "You missed this one's wedding. This one expects a gift for that and one to appease his wrath with your ill behavior."
"Who was so desperate to marry you?" Inuyasha asked, his already healing ears perking up. So close to the den, their clan's magic was aiding his natural healing abilities. "Don't tell me that loud bird wench!"
"She is a crane, not a bird wench," Sesshomaru said with dignity. "And the fact that you have no appreciation for her melodious laments shows how unrefined you are."
"Yeah, humans say banshee cries make people die," Inuyasha snorted. A thick fluffy tail hit his nose as Sesshomaru stepped to lead the way and at the same time punish the younger one. "Oi!"
"She is elegant and strong. You will show her the proper respect," he growled.
"Sure, sure, I will, just take away that stinking dust broom away from my nose already!" the smaller dog snapped his head away, trying to avoid another hit of the tail against his nose.
"Hm."
Inuyasha looked back before he ran after his brother. 'I will be back soon, Kagome,' he promised. 'After I'm done meeting my family. I will be back to hang around and maybe...'
"Stop being an oni in the sunlight," Sesshomaru's voice brought him back to the present.
"Keh!"
