A/N: I do not own Inuyasha.
It took me a long time to write this one. Actually I erased more than 4000 words, finding it cliché.
I wrote around 4000 words again, just to realize I cannot go on, for it is not what I want to publish. It was indeed hard to put this chapter accordingly to my actual wishes. Finding a balance between originality and a palpable story is proving to be a real challenge.
Chapter 16
The warm feeling of time-crossing did not occur and Yuutsuki's back hit the bones settled on the well's bottom, upon the impact her head collided with the uneven ground, creating a cloud of dust. Her hands naturally wandered to the source of the pain where she met the familiar, gooey texture of blood. The second after Tadao drew her out, allowing her to breathe with dust free air. He quickly estimated her state, with a sigh of relief reckoning it as not serious, just a superficial cut in a tender place. Yuutsuki dropped to her knees, his hand sliding along the length of her arm. The demon's sharp ears detected a hesitant step behind him and a foreign scent wafted his nose. He reached down to raise Yuutsuki to her feet and draped his left arm around her waist as he pointed his sword forward defensively with the right one.
"Come out!"
"Let go of Yuutsuki you bastard, what have you done to her! I smell her blood from afar!" Inuyasha's spry voice broke before the demon walked out of the shadows of the trees, holding a transformed Tessaiga. A human female in a peculiar, indecent uniform holding a bow appeared behind him, her eyes lit up upon seeing Tadao's companion.
"Yuu-chan!"
At the sound of the newcomer's voice Yuutsuki lifted up her head, perceiving through her muzzy eyes and spoke slowly, deeming it appropriate to clear the misunderstanding.
"Tadao, he's …" He placed a finger on her lips in a hushing gesture.
"And y're who?" Inuyasha's golden eyes brimmed, trying to hide his anger. The demons' glares met and Inuyasha's body trembled. Despite his usual boldness, his instincts screamed not to start a skirmish with that demon.
"More importantly, let me heal her!" Kagome moved towards the girl, but Tadao's admonitory glare withheld her efforts.
"I am fine Kagome-chan, trust him." The demons finally dropped their swords, still bestowing each other with an equivocal glare. Tadao ripped a part of his sleeve and pressed it against her wound.
"I wanted to return home, but I couldn't."
"What do you mean?!" Yuutsuki's sad words worsened Kagome's tense expression.
"I jumped and hit the bottom. I am quite puzzled myself."
"I must check it!" Kagome rushed towards the well with intentions of jumping in. She disappeared from within, just to come back a minute later.
"It works! Yuutsuki you made me so scared!" With a tone of alleviation, Kagome added cheerfully: "Just try one more time!"
Somewhat assured, Yuutsuki nodded her head, throwing a look at Tadao, who nodded approvingly with a faint smile and a prolonged eye wink.
"I will then."
She jumped in, her heart filled up with doubts and hopes. Closing her eyes, she was falling loosely until she knew the time travel did not occur yet again. She screamed in fear of another crush and would have probably hit the rock bottom again if not for Tadao's keen reflexes. He had teleported and caught the falling girl just in time to avoid the consequent collision.
"Thank you…" She tightly grabbed his clothes, gluing to his shoulder, she hid several tears of feebleness. He remained motionless, allowing her to recompose herself before returning to the surface, giving her extra time to embrace the situation.
In sour mood, the group of four barged in Kaede's hut, bringing a cold wind of winter along. Upon hearing the news, the elder's face saddened, and an awkward stillness settled between them. Yuutsuki urged to break it, however the lack of means successfully kept her hushed.
"I think that well did not want to let you through because you are not supposed to leave Yuutsuki. We need your help, our shards were robbed by Naraku several days ago. We think he has the whole jewel now. We must act and you would be of great help." Kagome grabbed her hands, squeezing them tightly in a comforting gesture.
"It is not true, he doesn't have them all." Three pair of eyes pierced hers, surprised by the unexpected news.
"I have one shard. It is nullified." Yuutsuki took out the small stoned shard and Kagome stretched out her hands to get it. To everyone's surprise, Inuyasha seized it before Kagome laid a touch on it.
"Don't take it K'gome. If you purify it Naraku will sense it."
Kagome smiled and patted his head, bringing a twisted smirk to his face. Tadao chuckled slightly at the sight and slowly spoke:
"Don't make yourself at home too much, pretty."
"What do you mean? Are you going to take Yuutsuki back?" Kagome blushed as Tadao's intense look moved from her face to her short skirt, followed by a frown of disapproval.
"What I mean is that Yuutsuki is not safe." The demon casually moved towards the door and added before leaving. "I will quickly scout the area."
The girl knew what exactly he had meant. Anyone could be after her life at the moment, also her presence was a danger to the guiltless villagers.
"Yuutsuki, I agree that ya should not stay here. Even people from this village gossip about the bait for you." Kaede sighed. "The greediness of people knows no boundaries. I am sorry child, but you are not safe in here."
"He's back." Inuyasha's words were followed by Tadao's sudden appearance inside of the hut.
"Don't just go teleportin' there and back as ya wish. It pisses me off." With squinting eyes, and a glow within them Tadao ogled the half demon as he barked out, only to surprise the latter by ignoring what had been said, and having sat down next to him, supporting his back on the wall whilst observing the bunch in silence.
"Since you have one shard, you do not need to pursue Naraku immediately. Maybe after all we could mix Yuutsuki among villagers until her safety is guaranteed." The old woman broke the silence, speaking hastily, gesticulating unduly dynamically as for her age. "The demon needs to disguise himself as well. I can arrange it. He has no particular demon markings, the only problem, the eyes, we can explain. He will have to dye his hair."
"Doesn't sound bad to me. We could wait until Sango and Miroku come back from their journey." Inuyasha tugged his arms into the sleeves of his kimono, appearing deep in thought while still nodding his head in approval. The girl flung a shocked look at Tadao, not expecting his consent since he had never approved of her blending with the public. She craved for his disagreement, which at this point seemed unlikely, so she unfastened her mouth to demur their indication, however he spoke first.
"It will not be long, pretty. There is nowhere else for you to go."
Throughout the conversation Yuutsuki's emotions had seemed to be stranded, but she had no intentions of concealing her opinion, it was not in her nature to allow others to draw decisions on matters she felt to have the last say.
"No. I will not do this, it's ridiculous. I will not stay hidden like a rabbit in a hole because of infantile Ren Oka."
Yuutsuki directed herself to Tadao.
"I know that by being unable to return home I have ruined your plans, I do not expect you to stay and babysit me. I can manage on my own."
"I have disregarded lady Kimi's orders, moreover went against them. My position in that mansion is lost. Not that I regret it, for a while I wanted to leave and finally pursue what is mine. But I cannot go knowing you are directly exposed to danger, cannot just go and leave you in the lurch." The girl was unfazed by his words, and to stand her ground she claimed.
"I will not…"
"You will not have your judgment clouded by your pride. You let it rule over thoughts like a fool, cease this behaviour and acknowledge that you have nowhere left to go for the time being." The demon harshly interrupted Yuutsuki's stubborn statements.
"Tadao is right Yuu-chan, you can stay hidden in here, living as a villager sounds like heaven compared to meandering around in fear for your life." Kagome was visibly annoyed at her friend's stern attitude. Narrowing her eyes, she gazed at her, awaiting a riposte. Yuutsuki scowled, manifesting further displeasure in her voice.
"Shouldn't you understand me the most? If the village life is such heaven, why are you still dressed in your school uniform? Seeking looks from strangers?"
"That's rude, Yuu-chan!" Kagome crossed her arms, pretending not to notice Tadao's blatant sneer.
"Do not argue, children. Yuutsuki, if you don't stay in here, where do you intend to go?" The old priestess tried to alleviate the conflict. Hearing no answer, she nodded her head in disapproval.
As the vision of lasting argument hung in the air, the hollowing sounds of wind magnified, the thumping roar of thunder and precipitation shook the huts structure, indicating an upcoming blizzard would clash down the village, inhibiting any type of travel.
"Whatever your decision might be, seems like tonight everyone is staying here." The obvious fact was casually underlined by the old priestess as she threw an extra log to the fire. Little did they all know, regardless of Yuutsuki's decision, she was destined to stay.
/
The moon was casting long, twisted shadows of tress on the snowy ground. Only gusts of wind could be heard, but Sesshoumaru knew he was not alone. His advantage depended on how fast the other side would comprehend that fact. Scurrying in a circle through bushes, his indifferent eyes locked on his targets, two demons, Kona and Naka resting by a tree. The sisters were sleeping, it was tremendously fortunate of Sesshoumaru to have found them under such an infrequent stance for demons. Even though, confident in his abilities, he wasn't cognizant of the enemy's capabilities and potentials, he also could not allow the possibility of them fleeing. He unsheathed the Rens' sword, grasping it tightly. A graceful jump forward took him in front of the demons, bringing them back to consciousness, far too late though, Sesshoumaru took a wide swing and with one, surefooted movement he assassinated the masked demon by slashing her head off. The limp body collapsed with a thump as the detached head rolled to his feet. He reckoned it as a lenient manner of adjudging issues. The distresses and shattered reputation of his house normally should be repaid thoroughly by fierce, public tortures, like ripping nails or gouging eyes, eventually dismembering the body piece by piece. Nevertheless the measures did not matter, he had been urging too much to cease the demons' existence, finally exclude the major danger to Yuutsuki's life. Spurting blood had bespattered him, staining his face, hair and white kimono. The other demon fled the area in fright, knowing she would not aid her sister anymore. Sesshoumaru shadowed her, enjoying the intoxicating blood rush from taking a life away. After all it was a demon's true nature to relish of enemies' terror and misery. He could teleport and murder her in an instant, yet that solution wasn't sufficiently appealing after the facile kill from before. He thrived in the hunt, she was being chased like a wild animal, frightened, clinging onto her life that was fiddling between his fingers. Sesshoumaru used his poisonous whip, slashing her back with incredible force. The demon slid on the ground, moaned, however continued on running away. Sesshoumaru smothered a laugh, directing another whip at the demon's legs, felling her instantly. He observed the creature crawl, she would not avoid death anymore. His claws found her throat, squeezing it with merciless strength. The female's horrified eyes locked on his, bringing him more pleasure to the act of crumbling her neck, hearing the spine snap and finally observing the life leaving its vessel. He collected both heads of the deceased demons and set towards the Rens' mansion, leaving a trace of blood drops behind him on the snowy ground. The blood stained garments matched his furiously red eyes and smudged blood of Kona and Naka on his face contrasted with bared, white fangs for he could not hide a wide smile of vengeance.
On the next, chilly, albeit sunny morning as Ren Oka made her way out of the house, a horrifying image welcomed her upon crossing the mansion's main gate. Two severed heads were impaled on pointy edges of the gate, the faces of Kona and Naka hunted Oka's mind. She fell to her knees and squeaked in fear of premonition that her head was the next aim. Believing that offence is the best defence, she decided to hire the strongest demon one could find to protect her from the assassin and as well take over the previous demons' job. Assured of her choices, Oka left the mansion in search of aid, with pockets full of gold, setting towards Kaede's village.
/
The early morning had gone calmly and uninterestingly, therefore it was the perfect environment to discuss on whether he should take Yuutsuki's side and come up with another location for their stay, or simply convince the girl to follow the plan he had agreed upon. Of course "simply" was placed in Tadao's mind to fool him, for he was well aware it would be a nearly impossible task to achieve, so perhaps, devising a plan was in order. He requested time alone with the girl, inviting her to stroll around the well. They had not much time to discuss, his sharp senses had picked up a brawl not far, and normally a demon would take no interest in that, but having given himself the duty of protecting Yuutsuki, the commotion could turn into a problem for the girl, therefore he decided to investigate, signalling her to keep her voice down.
The odour was human, he did not hold doubts about it, but as a measure of caution, he made himself as unnoticeable as possible and approached the area only to witness what he most loathed in humans, cowardice. Three men had attacked and were then rapping a helpless, young female. Tadao's hatred for such behaviour disallowed him to merely spectate for long and immediately the demon flung toward the weak trio, killing them before accurately landing and sheathing his sword.
Yuutsuki joined him and covered her mouth in tremor upon seeing the occurrence.
"Thank you.. I Ren Oka am indebted to you." The victim spoke softly as she tried to lift herself up and recompose her garments, a task made harder for those were badly ripped.
"Ren Oka…A most fitting demise then." With an aloof expression, only comparable to that of Sesshoumaru, Tadao undressed his sword once again, spun it so that his thumb would press on the swords hilt and lunged towards Oka's bare chest, wanting to kill her almost instantly. In the last moment he ceased his movement, for Yuutsuki had managed to place herself in between. Her wide opened arms were shielding the skunk from imminent death.
"Tadao…" Understanding her plea did not change his feeling, Oka's death was necessary, for with it the rumours would also perish, and from it a new safety for Yuutsuki would arise.
"An alliance is nothing more than two sides deciding not to cross a defined line. This one not only crossed it, but as well went way beyond any forgiveness."
Yuutsuki's eyes watered, but he quickly comprehended not for the reasons he had anticipated. Ren Oka snorted, yelling in a bizarre laughter:
"Die you witch, DIE!"
Tadao huffed, catching falling Yuutsuki and with the right hand, tightly grabbing his sword to pierce Ren Oka's chest. The latter's mouth covered with blood and her eyes congealed, with an exhalation finally finding her end. The demon, as delicately as he could, took out a small dagger form Yuutsuki's back, accusing himself of her injury. The wound was bleeding pulsingly, staining the girl's outfit, dripping to the arm holding her, just to finally leak on the purely white layer of snow. His eyes enflamed, that wench had not used the weapon to defend herself against bullies, but had deemed applicable to stab the one protecting her from death. Using his ability of instant teleportation, he appeared in Kaede's hut, hoping the priestesses could heal the injured one. Two days had passed and due to intensive care and constant healing the wound was not of danger anymore. Kagome and Inuyasha decided to spend several days in the future, utilizing the time parting them from the expected fight with Naraku.
Being instructed to relax the injured body, Tadao took the girl to a place Kaede had told him about, which was perfect for their purpose, for he could join Yuutsuki in a relaxing bath but would not put in compromise her privacy. The location was indeed as described, two springs separated by dense brushes and trees, but near enough to have a conversation without shouting. Each of them took a place on their side of the separator.
"You go in first, Tadao."
"Oh, do you wish to peak on me?"
"Of course not, I'm just hoping to have secure privacy if you are already in the water."
The demon agreed, and after a brief moment, a splash of water was heard, and Tadao instructed Yuutsuki that she was free to make herself comfortable. As the girl began to remove her upper garment with obviously difficulty yet carefully not to reopen the wound on her back, she heard a slight brushing of leaves, and through the corner of her eye noticed the familiar shape of Tadao's shadow.
"Tadao, I can see you there." Her voice displayed reasonable annoyance.
"Well, it could not have hurt to try." The demon made his way back to the water, where now a bigger and more palpable splash was heard, and the girl was free to enter the water as well.
Conversation broke out between the two, and amidst trivial matters and curiosities about the demon's life, a particular topic of interest was initiated by him.
"Do you think you will be able to return home?" Either curiosity or concern could have guided his mouth, however in result the demon had broken the cheery mood with that question. Yuutsuki preferred to have avoided such queries, to which, she herself didn't know the answer to.
She made her way out of the water. "I don't know…" Hastily, yet noiselessly she dried herself and got dressed, after brief moments, the demon did the same, and he would have gotten ready had he not been interrupted by a familiar presence.
"I don't know if I should thank my lucky stars or curse at them, you and a beauty in my path." A pair of blue eyes ogled the couple, the owner of those smiled, revealing sharp fangs contrasting with his tanned skin.
"What are you doing here, Kouga?" Tadao growled at the other demon, and the once cheerful, later heavy atmosphere, had been replaced with one of menacing brawl.
"Tadao, who is this?" The question softly broke out of Yuutsuki's lips, and even though she felt safe having Tadao present, she did not fancy witnessing a skirmish.
"You could say he's an old friend, this cousin of mine, but the truth is, our fathers were rivals, and so are we." Even if Tadao meant his words for Yuutsuki, they also served to remind his opponent that he had not forgotten each other's intentions.
"Old friends… Eh…" Kouga's blue eyes rolled, not able to contain the irony. "Rivals, eh? You know my instincts would never allow me to engage in a fight with you."
"Yet you are with a tribe and I am not." The answer beamed with bitterness.
Yuutsuki observed the awkward tension between the two demons, shaking out of cold. Her long, wet hair was covered with a thin layer of white snow. Tadao noticed her stance and placed his shirt over her head. The girl threw a concern glance at his naked chest, but he comforted her with an assuring smile.
"And who might that be, did you finally decide to think about mating? Reveal your name, honey…" Kouga directed himself straight to Yuutsuki.
"What's your business in this part of lands? Bored of ruling the east?" The grey eyed demon took one step ahead, as if shielding the girl from Kouga's words.
"Guarding your woman's privacy? Fine, whatever."
"I intend to regain my position." Tadao's raw words staggered the other demon.
"Are you serious?" Kouga's eyes lit up with interest. "You will finally take down the fake leader of the north?"
"That's exactly what I am going to do." Tadao grabbed Yuutsuki's arm. "Cheers, Kouga, glad to see you alive." Kouga seemed stunned, but as well slightly amused, as if Tadao's words were a kind of good information.
"Wait, girl, are you from the village?"
Looking back, Yuutsuki slowly nodded.
"Do you know priestess Kagome? Is she there? I do not know if it is worth stopping there."
"She's away." At that moment Tadao teleported them back to Kaede's hut. Despite her trials and efforts, he did not reveal anything else about the conversation he had had with Kouga.
/
For full two days he had been commanding new laws and political tactics for his lands. On the third day he was able to fully relax, enjoying the luxuries of his hot springs. After a refreshing bath, Sesshoumaru sat cross-legged on the veranda of his house of the west, enjoying the view of the winter sun. Like always, the natural phenomenon reminded him of Yuutsuki, even though he deemed her more of a moon person for her presence wasn't as blinding as sun rays, however always existent, even if concealed, like the moon. The moonlight would make you meander, lose your way, be irresolute of the rightfulness of the intentional path. Comically, it was entertaining to persist in uncertainty, for each and every step forward would bring a new prospect to the most habitual things.
His ponderings were disrupted by a familiar energy rapidly approaching the house, he wondered what was the purpose of the visit. Not moving an inch, he awaited for Shizuka to join him. Stepping daintily, her feet shuffling softly against the floor, she bent lowly, bestowing him with her best smile, receiving only a slight nod of his freshly washed head in return.
"Dear Sesshoumaru, I hope that one human will not affect our long lasting bounds, I will not question your judgements anymore."
The female's warm hand wandered underneath his kimono, playfully roaming around his shoulders, chest and stomach, causing no change in his indifferent expression. Her lips touched his ear, granting it several soft kisses.
"I don't want the Ren girl to become like that deceased child, an obstacle to our relationship." The demon allowed herself to completely bare Sesshoumaru's chest.
"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Shizuka."
"It's not jealousy, it's simply that you neglect to keep my urges in check when the human is involved." She murmured provocatively while nibbling his ear. Shizuka's dark orbs were a reminiscence of Yuutsuki and the time he had tasted the girl's lips, bringing a tight feeling to his stomach. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, picturing the human's face.
"Fine then!" He growled out, unexpectedly deciding to take advantage of Shizuka's fondness. She attempted to kiss his lips, vainly though, for he had grabbed her wrists and slammed her to the ground, hastily taking their clothes off.
Sesshoumaru observed Shizuka's slender back as she was slowly recomposing her garments, allowing him to leer as much as he wished for.
"Why won't you ever let me kiss your lips? Is it a reserved privilege for that human?" Her voice sounded harsher than she wanted it to be. He was cognizant that she had shared the fruit of her womanhood with many influential people, he was not jealous nonetheless. To him she was one of his mere tools to bring him pleasure, no feelings attached, even despite being aware of her fondness. The woman sought a royal husband, apparently dreamt of him the most, bestowing him with the finest she could give, but just in case kept several options opened. Such behaviour was quite typical and pragmatic among demon societies, however he could not esteem that kind of women nor would ever want one for a mate. Her falsely based anticipations bothered him, suffocated with her hopes for his affection. The demon lord put on his kimono and daringly looking in to Shizuka's eyes, his low, soft voice replied in a flat tone:
"It is indeed reserved, not for a wench like yourself." Shizuka laughed it off, even though a sour expression was too evidently showing on her face. The female stretched her body, slightly shaking in the cold of the winter wind. Possessiveness was like a snake, agile and murky, wrapping itself in copious coatings around her numbing heart, finding a perfect response for his rude words.
"I guess not for the Rens' girl either, even if you really wanted, my dear." Her amused tone alerted Sesshoumaru's attention, casting an unpleasant atmosphere between them.
"What do you mean?"
"There are rumours… That she had been marked by Tadao, they ran away together." There was no change in Sesshoumaru's distant glare, but the female knew it would not be long so calm.
"That rumour would make sense connected to what I heard from one of my underlings I have met on my way here. He informed me of fresh news. Around three days ago, the young Ren was found in a puddle of blood, barely alive her clothes ripped off, she was surely raped. Supposedly a wolf demon, the description suits to Tadao, finished her off after killing her oppressors. Maybe he could not bear looking at his disgraced mate, so he made her a favour and… sent her to the grave." Shizuka spoke lightly, as if the story was exceptionally humorous. The corners of her ample lips dropped immediately upon seeing the dreadful reaction of the western lord.
"Where?" Sesshoumaru's claws unexpectedly thrust her shoulders, opening abundantly bleeding wounds.
"Why are you hurting me?" Shizuka cried out, however was not oblivious of his reasons. "It will not bring her life back!"
"Answer or I swear you will lose yours..." His completely red eyes beamed with fury as she whispered in sheer distress and fear for her life:
"Near the Inuyasha's forest."