Chapter 13: Courtship

To the disappointment of Izayoi – and her father – it was clear on arrival that there would be little rest for the weary. The sannomaru* was almost overwhelmed with people, many wearing colors Izayoi was not familiar with, though her sire was. The dust and noise all the soldiers milling around was causing was highly unpleasant, however, and Izayoi hurried after her father as he moved through the ninomaru* to the honmaru* and finally to the palace itself.

Moving briskly up the steps into the palace proper, Hiraku came to a halt, motioning for a servant as he nodded Izayoi on, and said, "Tell Takeda that he may join us for dinner in one hour and I will see him then." As the servant bowed and left on his errand, he sighed and shook his head, annoyed. All he'd wanted was a quiet homecoming, some dinner, and then his bed. But no...

Waving off his son, he nodded at Touga and then the men separated and went their own ways, Touga managing to catch Kenji's eye despite all the confusion in the courtyard, and with a barely there snap of his head, ordered the kitsune to follow him to his rooms.

It was silent between the two until the sliding of Touga's door as it closed broke that silence open.

As Touga began stripping his armor, he said, "Takeda. Why is he here?"

"I am not certain, my Lord. He has said nothing definite to anyone as far as I am aware. And oddly enough, as Airi-sama has been entertaining him with her ladies in the afternoons she has not mentioned my presence or Hikaru's, and not even yours. I am not certain why she is being so... circumspect."

Taking his swords and setting them gently into their stands, Touga thought about things, absently setting Sou'unga on a chest so the barrier Izayoi had helped him create could be activated once more, keeping the sword safe from anyone who would wish to touch it.

It was a well known fact that Takeda was looking for a bride, as was the Hojo Lord, and Touga's eyes went red as the beast that all predator youkai were at heart stirred in anger at the thought of competition. Kenji tensed warily as he watched his Lord – it wouldn't do to draw his attention at this point.

Touga growled low, power stirring sluggishly in the suddenly heavy air as he rumbled, "He had better not try to woo Izayoi, or he will leave here in pieces – Lord or not."

It was a warning and Kenji was well aware of it; if the Lord of the Takeda had come with thoughts of leaving with Izayoi, then things would get ugly very fast, and all Kenji could do was hope the man was here for something else.

He said nothing until Touga pulled his power in and shuttered red eyes, finally opening ones showing golden once more, though a tinge of red still lingered. He decided to tell his Lord of his other findings later – after dinner – he didn't want to anger the great beast that was Touga hiding in a human skin any further, or things might go very badly downhill.

Rapidly.

Wiping his hands over his eyes, Kenji sighed as Touga bid him go and prepare for dinner. With guests, it would be formal, and as members of the court he and Hikaru would be expected to be in attendance.

With a final prayer to Inari that things wouldn't deteriorate any further this evening, Kenji disappeared, heading for his own rooms.

Inari preserve us...

~oOo~

Much more relaxed after her long soak in the baths, Izayoi stood wrapped in a thin yukata as she allowed Mei to choose her kimono to wear for dinner. After several days in her miko robes, they would need a thorough washing before she could wear them again, and she idly exhorted Mei to remember to have them laundered this night.

Stepping over to the doors leading into the gardens, she slid them open, closing her eyes and lifting her face into the breeze with a sigh, enjoying the feel of her unbound locks swirling around her in the aromatic breeze. She was so caught up in enjoying the fresh air that she didn't notice the admiring masculine gaze pinned to her.

Nori, Lord of the Takeda, had been enjoying a small walk through the gardens before dinner when he heard the sliding of a door as it opened; looking around, he was instantly enchanted at what his eyes beheld.

He knew immediately that she was the hime he was here to ask for permission to court, and he watched, simply stunned as her little face lifted into the breeze and her ebony hair trailed behind her as the wind played with it. She was beautiful.

Most of Setsuna's allies knew of his daughter and most had also heard of her beauty. But the rumors had not prepared him at all – she was gorgeous. Despite the fact that it was unseemly for him to be viewing her in her intimate dishabille, he could not turn his head from her and he watched as her thin yukata blew against her, outlining her slender, lithe form as though she were wearing nothing.

I would give all my wealth to have her... he thought, mesmerized as he watched her open her eyes and turn her head to speak to someone behind her, and then step back and slide her door closed once more. He finally slipped away to his own rooms, desire for the little hime stirring his blood.

By the kami, she was truly a prize among women!

Izayoi, unaware of her silent watcher, turned her head as Mei called to her, and then with a sigh she slid her door closed and moved back into her room so that her handmaid could begin to dress her. Surprisingly amenable to the kimono, Mei chose to keep the layers down so as not to make her little mistress change her mind.

It wasn't often that she got to dress the girl to her station.

Izayoi, meanwhile, was pondering on the men she had seen in the sannomaru. She didn't recognize the colors... but Mei would know. "So tell me – who is it that is visiting, Mei? I saw his men down near the gates, but didn't recognize their affiliation."

It was silent for a moment as Mei tucked and pinned, but as soon as the last pin was pulled from her lips, she answered. "It is Nori-sama, Lord of the Takeda clan," she said, patting the last tuck into place before standing with a sigh.

Frowning, Izayoi thought back to her lessons at the shrine. Takeda was quite far away from Setsuna, so he had traveled a great distance. But why would he...

Her question trailed off as a horrible thought assailed her. Was he the one her father had chosen for her? It seemed odd that he had appeared now, just after her brother had given away that her husband had, indeed, been picked out for her.

The tales of his wealth, handsome features and kind nature did not calm her at all; her heart dropped into her feet as she became convinced that she would be wed to the man and have to leave behind her family, her freedom... and Touga. Suddenly, she had no mind for dinner and wanted nothing so much as to curl up in her bed and hide like a frightened child.

But she couldn't, and feeling as though she were being led to the gallows, she allowed Mei to chivy her into a little color on her face as she'd gone quite pale and then send her off to dinner. Walking slowly, she kept her head down as she entered the dining room, ignoring the lull in conversation as she appeared.

She approached her place at table and took the proffered hand from Kenji with a murmured thanks, using it for balance as she sank down into her seat and waited quietly for the servants to serve the food and then for her father to begin his meal.

Izayoi was the last one to enter save for Ichirou and his wife; once they took their seats the servants began bringing in the meal. As soon as Hiraku had taken his first bite, everyone else began to eat, and conversations started picking up around the table. Izayoi, however, simply picked at her rice and roast boar and said nothing.

Touga kept his eyes on her, wondering at her mood; she was sad and frightened and he could not understand why. But though he was watching her, he was also listening in to the conversation between Hiraku and Takeda.

"So, Nori, why is it that you have come so far to visit me? Is there some problem I should be aware of, or were you merely passing through and stopped to be polite?" Hiraku asked, his gaze shrewd on the much younger man.

He didn't miss the glance down the table at his daughter and he sighed inwardly, annoyed. He was here to ask for Izayoi, it was clear. He hoped the man had the propriety to wait 'til after the meal to approach him on the subject.

"Ah... that is something for discussion in private," Nori said, still very surprised to see the three youkai dining at the table with them. He'd known that Setsuna had a youkai ally, but he didn't know exactly who that ally was. But to have youkai here in his court – and even at his table? He couldn't help his overwhelming curiosity. "So... your youkai ally is visiting you, eh? May I be introduced?" he asked, his glance traveling over the three that were sitting around the table with them.

Hiraku grinned sharply as his eyes met Touga's for a moment, and he said, "But of course." He motioned to Touga. "Touga, this is Nori of the clan Takeda," he waited as the stunned youth bowed as Touga inclined his head regally, "Nori, this is Touga-sama, Inu no Taisho and Lord of the West."

Even Izayoi, as upset as she was, could not help the small smile that bent her lips as the young man almost upset his dinner when he realized just who he was looking at, though she kept her head bent and stayed silent.

Touga, blood still running very close to the surface at his thoughts from earlier, smiled darkly at the young man. "Takeda," he acknowledged, his smile pointedly showing razor sharp fangs.

The younger man swallowed hard and bowed, then turned back to Hiraku and introduced an innocent topic of conversation, refusing to look at the inuyoukai again. It was obvious that Touga rather overwhelmed the boy.

Touga, on the other hand, could care less – he was concerned, however, with Izayoi's withdrawn and upset mien. She was hiding her emotions pretty well, but he could smell them, so she couldn't fool him. She also wasn't really eating, merely pushing her food around to make it look as though she had.

Paying no attention to Takeda, Touga watched her for several minutes, and then asked quietly, "Are you alright, Izayoi? You seem... upset," he said leadingly.

Startled that he had addressed her for some reason, her eyes flicked up to meet his and he inhaled at the sheer misery in them before they dropped again and she said in a monotone voice, "It is nothing. I am just tired."

It was clear that something had greatly upset her, and narrowed eyes settling on her, he decided to invite her for a walk after the meal. He knew the last several days had upset her, but he was equally as certain that it wasn't anything to do with those few days that was upsetting her now.

His attention was caught again as he heard Takeda ask where they had all been when he'd arrived, the boy obviously curious as to why not only the men had been away, but why Izayoi had been gone, too.

Hiraku once again met his gaze with amusement. "Ah... there were a couple of reasons. The elimination of a large group of bandits operating in my lands, for one." He paused his meal with an odd smile, and then asked, "Did you know that my daughter is a priestess, Nori?" When the male glanced at the young woman in surprise, Hiraku chuckled. "Indeed. There was a certain problem in the same general area as the bandits that needed her particular... talents to be taken care of, so she marched with us. My daughter is no weak female unable to live without all the comforts of a palace around her," he added proudly, glancing at her and noticing that she looked upset, though she was trying to hide it. He frowned for a moment, concerned, then looked back at his guest as he spoke again.

Takeda, very startled, asked tentatively, "You mean, she was not conveyed to the appropriate area in a carriage?"

"No. She marched with me at the head of our troops just as did her brother. You must understand," he said, gesturing with his chopsticks as he spoke, "my daughter was trained as a priestess on a shrine for several years so she could learn to control her reiki, as she is very powerful. I could not allow her to wander around with power such as hers untrained – she could have been harmful to my ally and his underlings, and that is not acceptable. The miko of the shrine did not play favorites when training – she trained Izayoi as she did all her others, hime or not, and because of that, she is as capable of marching for days as any male."

It was clear that the young man did not know how to take that; once more looking down the table at the young woman who had remained silent, he shook his head in confusion. "But to take the hime into a combat situation...?"

Ichirou chuckled at that, and Nori glanced at him, not understanding why. When he met Ichirou's gaze, the heir-apparent said, "Think you that my sister is helpless unless it is against youkai? You would be wrong. She is a warrior no less than any of us. Part of her training was with weapons, and any attacks on the shrine she was expected to help with defense just as all the others were." He grinned. "My sister is unequaled with a bow – no one, not even a youkai, as Touga has said, could beat her with her weapon. And she has learned to fight with a staff, as well."

It was obvious that the young Takeda Lord did not know what to make of all that, his confusion showing in his eyes, though there was also desire when he looked on her, and Touga was beginning to tense because of it.

Hiraku was not oblivious to the undercurrents, and thought to make it clear to Takeda without actually telling him no that Izayoi's fate was an extraordinary one and that she was far above his touch.

"My daughter is an extraordinary woman, Nori, with a fate just as powerful. Even the miko do not know what to make of her and her power." He met Touga's glance and smiled a bit. "She is destined to bring on great changes in our world and there is no man that is her equal." He lightly emphasized the word man, hoping that the boy would get the point, but it was obvious that his words were too circumspect for him to understand, and with another inward sigh, he resigned himself to a much more blunt talk after the meal was over.

Discussion after that became sporadic, and as soon as the meal was over Izayoi asked to be excused, pleading a headache. Hiraku shot his daughter a sharp look and then flicked a glance at Touga, but nodded, excusing her. As soon as he had given his permission, she stood and began to make her way out of the room, not noticing that Touga also stood and followed her.

Fortunately, Takeda did not either, as he was busy asking to speak to Hiraku on a matter of some importance, and without further ado, the Setsuna Lord escorted the Takeda Lord to his study, looking to get the coming discussion over with as quickly as possible.

As soon as the servant had poured them both some sake, Hiraku waved him away, and as the door slid closed, they both sipped the potent liquor. After a moment Takeda set his bowl down and sighed. It was clear he was trying to figure out how to lead into the topic he wished to broach, and with an inward sigh, which was beginning to become common with the young man around, Hiraku decided to speak bluntly.

"You have come to ask for Izayoi."

The younger man blinked, startled, but then nodded after a moment spent regaining his composure. "Yes. I am no different than any other Lord," he smiled, "in that I need an heir. I am sure you already know what you need to of me – my wealth and ability to care for her as she is accustomed to cannot be argued. I am also certain you know plenty of me personally, and that I would never dishonor myself by harming her, physically or otherwise."

Hiraku nodded, taking another sip of his sake, he said, "You are correct that I know much of your circumstances and personality. I am careful to learn all I can of those I ally myself to. But you have already come much too late to ask for my daughter – her hand has already been given. I would not go back on my word and give her to another – that would dishonor me and my house," he said as the young man suddenly looked extremely unhappy.

"So there is no chance that you will change your mind...?" he asked, though it was clear he knew it was pointless.

Hiraku shook his head. "No. The one she is promised to is a very close ally and a good friend," he said, thinking of the inuyoukai and the friendship they were embarking on. "I would never turn my back on our agreement, unless it came to me that he was the type to harm my daughter, which he is not. She could have no better husband and protector than the one I have chosen."

Defeated, Takeda nodded. "May I ask who the lucky man is?"

Hiraku chuckled and shook his head. "Come, young man, it is not the end of the world. There are plenty of worthy young women for you to choose from. And no... at this point, I am not speaking of who her husband is to be. Before anyone else knows Izayoi will be told, and she has not been informed yet."

The young man simply nodded again, taking a large drink of his sake and letting it burn down his throat and numb his mind. After it was gone, he set his bowl down again and bowed his head. "I thank you, then, for your time, and your sake, as well. I should probably seek my bed, as my men and I will be leaving early." The men both stood, and with another bow, Takeda showed himself out, following the waiting servant to his rooms, where he let his upset out, scowling angrily at his loss as soon as the door slid closed.

With what he had seen of her earlier, he wanted the little hime most desperately, and to know that he had in essence asked too late made him want to throw things. He sat in the darkness of his rooms, plotting to find out who she was promised to and then declare war on them. If he could kill the man, then Izayoi would once more be free for the asking.

He knew he was being ridiculous, but he couldn't help it, and thus he spent the night letting his petty thoughts entertain him as reality could not.

~oOo~

"Izayoi!" Touga called out as he followed after her rapidly retreating form. She'd practically fled from the dining room as soon as she possibly could after having not eaten a bite of dinner.

He wanted to know why.

As he'd watched her and scented her over the length of the meal it was clear that she was extremely upset – she was completely miserable and frightened with it, and he wanted to know why. Had something happened that none of them were aware of? His eyes flashed red – had someone said or done something that was causing her upset?

He caught up with her as she came to a halt and slowly turned to meet him, though she kept her eyes downcast, and with a sigh, he took her arm and pulled her gently along with him. He had in mind a small little alcove in the family gardens – it was quiet and private and he wanted to speak with her with no interference.

She did not resist, and it only took a few short minutes for him to reach his goal. When they stepped into the little sheltered alcove, he motioned for her to take a seat and she did, sinking gracefully to the ground as her kimono flared around her, making her resemble nothing so much as a gilded lily.

He sank down next to her and stayed silent for a few minutes, just watching the stars, as was she. The quiet was comfortable, and after a few he leaned back a little and looked over at her. The starlight limned her delicate profile, making her seem a creature of legend rather than something human, and he watched, enchanted, as her eyes, shadowed by the night, reflected the bright starlight.

Beautiful... fair of face enough to destroy many an empire. And yet, she is so unselfconscious with it. It only adds to her appeal..

Finally, when it looked like the earlier upset had calmed at least a little, he asked softly, "You are upset, Izayoi. Please, tell me what is wrong, little one. I promise I will listen and not interrupt..." he trailed off, and Izayoi could hear the hope and encouragement in his voice.

Her face fell, and she stared at her fingers, which had suddenly begun twining in her clothing as her earlier worries and fears came back to haunt her. Why does he have to be so very beautiful... and so caring with it? she thought morosely, suddenly wanting to cry.

But she was a hime, and this was her fate – to be married off to someone, whoever her father chose, and crying wouldn't change it.

She glanced at him, her expression hopeless, had she but known it, then looked away. "It is the curse of the hime, I suppose you could call it," she finally said, her voice so soft it was almost not there.

Touga's brow furrowed. Curse of the hime...? Of what does she speak? "I do not understand, Izayoi. Curse?"

"Hai. Are we not fated to be given to whoever our fathers or brothers choose? When Mei told me of Takeda's presence... Just yesterday, Ichirou told me that my husband has been chosen."

And then Touga understood. She was afraid that Takeda was her chosen husband and that he was here for her. It was obvious that she had no attraction to the young man and that the very idea had greatly upset her.

Perhaps it was time to enlighten her as to her real fate. After all, he had already decided to begin his courtship, and if letting her know that Takeda was definitely not her fate would ease her mind then he would let her know of the true reason he was here right now, and hope that her reaction was more favorable than it had been to the idea of being Takeda's bride.

He chuckled a little, and then when her wide eyes met his, he spoke. "Ah. I comprehend your meaning now. But you should not be concerned – Takeda is not who has been chosen for you. He may have come here to ask, but your father will turn him away."

A flood of relief cascaded through her and she slumped lightly with the release of so much tension. After all, Touga would not say it if it were not true. But... why would her father have talked of such a thing with him?

"I cannot deny I am most grateful to hear it, but why would father have spoken of such a thing with you? It cannot be of any importance to one of your stature to listen to something so mundane," she finished, her head tilted in confusion as she stared up at him.

It was adorable, and he felt his heart melt; he smiled gently at her and said, "You dismiss yourself as so unimportant, Izayoi, when nothing could be further from the truth." A curious look passed over his face, and he asked, "I have heard many rumors of what people think my presence here is for. Tell me... what do you think I am here for?"

Caught off-guard she blinked at him, then shook her head. "I have absolutely no idea. I have wondered a few times. Is it not very strange for a Lord to leave behind his lands and go sojourn in an ally's palace for an entire summer? I can think of no reason for such a thing, but then, I am not involved with father's political dealings and really could have no idea what you might be working on with him."

"Did you not think to ask?"

Again, she shook her head, a bemused expression on her expressive face. "It is not my place to thus thrust my way into my father's business. I would not seem as though I was questioning him, you know. T'would not be seemly."

He let his eyes wander over her, taking in her sweet lips and the expressive sweep of her brow, then lingered over her eyes – so many depths in the deep blue gaze that his heart ached within him. He smiled pensively after a moment, then captured her gaze and held it, his own golden eyes sparking intensely.

"Then I will tell you why I am here, little hime. I am here to court you. I am the one that your father chose for you – I asked for your hand almost three years ago once you came of age, of course, and he agreed."

Izayoi's eyes had grown wider and wider as he'd spoken, and she let out a gasp; it was clear she was stunned. And disbelieving.

"S-surely not!" she stuttered, horrified, her hand over her heart as it beat wildly in her chest like a trapped bird. "I am in no way a fitting bride for one such as you!"

Touga frowned at her at that. "And why would you think so? Should that not be for me to decide? I find you more than fitting. Did I not say to you already that I see you as an equal, and that you are the only female I have ever said that to? Did you not believe me?" he asked, his voice serious. "I can promise you, I do not say things that I do not mean one hundred percent."

Mind whirling dizzyingly, Izayoi couldn't even think clearly as elation fought with terror that she would be unable to hold his attention, fear that she was not worthy, worry that he would change his mind, and another fear – could she, a simple human hime, ever truly handle one such as Touga? She couldn't even think of what to say as she stared into his glowing golden eyes – eyes that were holding her hostage, not allowing her to look away.

She watched breathlessly as Touga sat up and leaned closer to her, never breaking eye contact, and she completely stopped breathing as he leaned over her, his forceful masculine presence suddenly feeling very different to her – dominant. She, in response could feel nothing but feminine in that moment, in a way she had never felt before as her body and cheeks flushed and her lids lowered, as well.

Enchanted, Touga carefully leaned closer to her and scented the air silently, his eyes flaring brightly as he caught the scent of newly born arousal; yet looking at the lovely young woman facing him he could tell that she didn't understand what was happening to her. But he did, oh, he did, and as her lovely scent became even more heady, he pressed his luck and lowered his head to hers, stopping just before his lips touched hers to look once more into her eyes.

Barely breathing, eyes at half mast, Izayoi was still as a person faced with a snake, afraid to move, yet afraid not to move, as well, as she suddenly realized that he was going to kiss her. It would be her first, and she would be lying if she said she did not want this male before her to be the one to give it to her, so with a tiny sigh she let her eyes fall closed and went limp against him.

She clearly welcomed his touch, and Touga smiled a little against her sweet, soft lips, barely touching his mouth to hers as he slowly rubbed his own against hers, before opening his mouth just a little and nipping at her sweetly bowed bottom lip with his fangs. Izayoi sighed again, leaning into him even more, a shiver tracing down her spine as she felt that nip; a tiny little moan escaping her set Touga on fire.

As that barely there sound drifted to his ears, he growled a little in response and deepened the kiss, his hands gripping her upper arms and pulling her completely against him. As their bodies met, she gasped, surprised, and he took that as an invitation, dipping in to finally, finally taste her sweetness for himself.

Her taste exploding over his tongue instantly muddled his mind, and he tilted his head to get deeper, a relishing sound rumbling from his chest. Still, he kept the kiss soft, gentle, knowing it was her first and not wanting to frighten her.

Izayoi was not frightened, however – no, she was stunned, but in a good way. What he was doing to her felt right at a fundamental level. It was as though him touching her in such a manner was foreordained and exactly what he was supposed to be doing. There was not even a thought in her mind to pull away or deny him.

It was nothing like she'd ever imagined such a thing would be. She knew little about what relations between men and women were like, save that she'd heard it spoken of in whispers that it hurt and was unpleasant for the woman.

This... did not hurt. It was hot and lush, and his touch was making things inside her clench and move in ways she had never experienced. As odd as this kissing was, it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever felt, and so, when he tilted his head and tried to get deeper, she followed his movements and allowed it, longing to feel more... for it to never end.

Touga was just as stunned, but in a different way. It was not as though he'd never kissed a female before. But he had never kissed a woman like Izayoi before, and that seemed to make all the difference in the world. They both moaned as he curled his tongue against her palette, and that sound from her sent a shiver down his back as he was finally forced to pull away just a bit for air. He watched her eyes open slowly, languidly, and the soft, aroused, innocent haziness of them caused his entire body to clench with vicious need.

Gently nuzzling his nose along hers, he asked, "Do you wish to deny my courtship, Izayoi?" in a low, husky voice that made her tremble before leaning in and capturing her plumped lips again as if unable to help himself.

This kiss was quite different from the first – no longer gentle, it instead was passionate, speaking of desire and want, and Izayoi responded just as she had to the first – with a soft, uncertain ardor that made Touga's blood boil.

He stroked his tongue along hers, twining it around hers with an almost desperate need and nipped her lips with his fangs as he pulled back just a little, trying to encourage her to come into his mouth and taste him. She was uncertain at first, not sure what he was wanting; when he tangled his tongue with hers and then pulled it into his own mouth, Izayoi tentatively copied his movements and began to explore him.

It set his mind on fire – but when she touched her little tongue to his fangs and then did it again and a whimper came from deep in her throat as he growled, he lost himself to the passion and his eyes flashed red. He could feel her need for air again, and with one final nip to her swollen lips, he trailed his mouth along her skin, taking little swipes with his tongue to taste more of her as he went. He reached her rounded little ear and first sucked the lobe into his mouth for a moment, at which she inhaled in shock, and then nipped at it, as well, stunned pleasure chasing the air back out of her lungs as she gasped.

Completely unable to stop himself, Touga continued down her beautiful fair skin towards her neck, and when her head fell back in submission to his desire, he growled long and low, unable to keep the feral proclamation in – mine! Any youkai within hearing distance would have understood immediately what was being said with that vocal announcement, but Izayoi didn't even seem to notice as she actually shook with desire as the growl rumbled through her body.

She had never known how sensitive her skin could be – or how glorious it would feel to have a male... this male... only this one, gods, please, she thought hazily, paying such attention to her neck. Her entire body was flooded with such desire that, innocent or not, she was fully aware that she wanted him. Whatever the mystery between males and females, she wanted to find out – with Touga. In one split second as he trailed those fangs of his down her neck, she developed what would end up being a lifelong fascination for those same fangs and how they felt on her body; she knew that after this he had totally spoiled her for any other male at all.

She whimpered again as he kissed her throat and then sucked at the skin, and then moved back up to take her mouth over once more, doing something with her upper lip and his fangs that had her actually crying out, totally unaware of where they were or what would happen should anyone find them. Her hands, mostly idle 'til then, slid up to his shoulders and then clenched, desperately holding him to her as he gentled the kiss once more, calming her blood and his own down before things went too far. As much as he wanted her – more than he had ever wanted anyone – he knew that it was not time for him to have her in all ways, and that if they were caught at this juncture, it could explode an unpleasant episode upon them all.

As soon as Izayoi verbally gave her acceptance to the betrothal, for he would never take her if she did not desire it, then he would tell her father and their betrothal would be announced, so that then if they were caught in a kiss, an uproar would not be the result.

Holding that thought fiercely in his mind to force his unwilling body into compliance, he finally suckled her swollen bottom lip sweetly for one more moment, and then reluctantly – more reluctant to stop than he had ever been with any other female – pulled away slowly, running his nose along hers once more and nudging her gently to get her to open her eyes.

When she did, he prompted her. "Do you?" he asked softly.

Swallowing, her throat suddenly a little dry as she frowned, trying to remember what he had asked her, she husked, "What?" her voice so sweetly confused that it wrenched a heated groan from him.

Clearing his own throat, he asked, "Do you agree with your father's choice for you, my princess? Shall he announce the betrothal, or not?"

She blinked up at him, still so hazy and caught up in her first taste of desire that it took her a few minutes to answer him. And then, as much as she wanted him, a thousand times more than she had just mere minutes ago, she still couldn't see why he would want her, a plain little human girl.

So she asked.

Forcing her mind to function, she pulled away just a little and met his gaze bravely, though with a beautiful blush that almost had Touga kissing her again, had she but known it.

"Why did you ask my father for me, Touga? I'm not that naive. There has to be something you wanted me for. Some advantage I could give you, though I personally cannot see what you could possibly need from me, there has to be something that would make you choose a plain little human over one of your own race." She looked at him with steady eyes, something in them pleading with him to answer her honestly. As if he would do anything but.

He smiled at her, then, a breathtaking smile that had her mind muddled again in short order – but not quite muddled enough to forget her question.

"You prove with every question, every answer, and every touch-" he gave her a molten look at that last that had her squirming, "-how right I was in doing so, Izayoi. You are correct. Before I had ever seen a portrait of you, or read a letter telling me about your personality and intelligence, I had decided to ask your father for your hand. I need your power, little one. As Lord, my duty to my lands and people are absolute, just as your father's, correct?" He continued once she nodded, obviously curious as to why he would need her power.

"The youkai rule is apportioned into four realms – West, East, North and South. I am the Western Lord. I have loose alliances with the East and the South – but the North is another matter. It is ruled by Ryukotsussei – a dragon who is greedy and cruel. He wants the Shikon no Tama and he wants my lands. I cannot allow this." He pinned her with his golden gaze. "Should he gain his objectives, this entire land would fall into a darkness so intense that nothing would survive, human or youkai alike. It will soon come to war. You, Izayoi, would give the West an advantage that Ryukotsussei could never match or defeat, and I will take any means that I can to protect my lands and the Shikon no Tama from such a fate."

She was silent for a while as she turned his words over in her mind. They saddened her in a way – for what woman would not want to be wanted for herself? But she was also a realist and knew that all marital alliances, even in the human realm, were for the advantage the wife could bring as surety of an unbreakable alliance between those who wished to be allied in such a manner.

This was really no different, save that she was needed personally rather than as little more than a guarantor of fidelity in said alliance. In this case, no other woman would do. In this way, she could understand Touga's choice of her over another, because no one else could do what she could for him.

It brought the reasons for his pursuit of her to a level she could understand – because there was no other reason that she could see that he would need her for. If it hadn't been for her power, he would never have even noticed her.

It hurt, but that was just the way of life.

Touga watched her as he waited for her answer, but was surprised; she kept her thoughts hidden and her eyes opaque so that he could not read her. While it irked a bit that she could do such, he was also proud and pleased – she really would throw his court into a tizzy and be more than a match for them all. "By all the gods, Izayoi," he breathed, "you are perfect. In personality, in courage and intelligence and face and form, there could never be another that would ever suit me more – power or no."

She blinked, stunned. "What...? Touga, what are you saying?" she gasped, blushing and eyes widening.

He smiled at her again, the affection, no, the love he was coming to feel for her clear in his eyes had she been able to understand what she was seeing, and said, "As I told your brother yesterday, had you no reiki at all still would I want you for myself. I would kill anyone who tried to take you from me, my princess – I want you, and would take you whether you could help me against Ryukotsussei or not."

Completely floored, Izayoi stared at him, her eyes bewildered. "But... but then what would you do against the dragon, Touga?"

He cupped her little face and once more bent to kiss her sweet lips, though he kept it chaste lest he lose all control and take her in a dizzying whirl of passion that would set the entire palace complex afire. As he pulled back, he smiled into her eyes and said, "For the chance to have you, I would face the dragon alone and with no guarantee of winning, Izayoi. For now that I have spent this time with you, you are all I could ever desire in a wife – I could never accept another now that I have known you. Therefore, I can only thank kami that you are both everything I desire and everything I need. It is the best of both worlds." He grinned charmingly at her then. "So once more I ask, my lady love... will you accept the one your father chose for you?"

Flushing deeply, she lowered her eyes shyly and nodded, then looked back up, her bottom lip caught between her teeth in a sweetly endearing manner as she forced herself to meet his eyes, wanting to see his reaction to her agreement.

Her heart beat swiftly in her chest at the fierce elation that filled his face as he growled hungrily at her. "I want you so badly, my joudama,* so badly. It is a good thing that your father and I had planned that if you accepted me, we would be wed this summer before I leave to return to my seat of power, for I do not think I will be able to wait any longer to have you as mine forever."

She gasped at that. "T-this summer?" she stammered, surprised.

"Hai. We will spend some more time basically courting, getting to know each other in a deeper manner, for I would not have you uncomfortable and feeling rushed though I desire you with everything within me." He brushed the back of his hand across her softly blushing cheek, holding her blue eyes captive with his golden ones. "I wish you to be comfortable with me more, and so I will wait though it causes me pain until you are."

"Oh," she breathed, watching him with still stunned, confused eyes. It was easy to see that she would need some time for all of this to sink in, so with regret, Touga stood and offered her his arm, lifting her easily to her feet as though she weighed nothing and then setting her down carefully, waiting for her to gather herself before letting go.

"Come, Izayoi, I will escort you back to your room. You need some time to think everything through, and also some rest."

The little hime did not resist, simply allowing him to lead her wherever he willed, and when they reached her door he turned to her, and using his hold on her arm, pulled her gently to him.

"Sleep well, my joudama, and know that you have made this one most happy with your acceptance of his suit. I will see you in the morning, yes?" he murmured, and as she nodded, he lowered his head and softly kissed her, not deeply, just barely tugging on her lower lip and then soothing the area with a careful sweep of his tongue. He lifted his head and smiled at her disoriented look; chuckling, he turned her towards her door and slid it open for her, shooing her inside before sliding it closed. "Goodnight, little love," he said, before striding away, his soul practically howling in delight and satisfaction. Finally, he had spoken to the little hime of his desires, and she had accepted him.

It was all over for her, had she but known it. From here until forever she would belong to him.

She is mine!

~oOo~

Triumphant feeling making his mood much calmer than it had been before dinner, Touga did not react badly to find Kenji waiting for him outside his door and simply beckoned him in with a raised brow and questioning look.

Kenji, carefully taking note of his Lord's calm demeanor, relaxed subtly when he realized that for whatever reason, Touga was no longer concerned about the Takeda Lord's presence. Thank you, Inari-sama, he breathed inwardly.

With that realization, he answered his Lord's questioning expression. "I found out something quite... odd, I suppose you could say, while you were away. About Takemaru. You remember the two samurai who had applied to enter Setsuna's service?" At Touga's nod, he continued. "The younger one, when he caught sight of Takemaru, seemed surprised to see him, and reportedly told his companion and several other of the army men that he knew him and that he was from the northern portion of Setsuna lands. When the others told him that Takemaru claimed to be from the south, the young man scoffed and called him a liar outright."

Touga frowned, but before he could say anything, Kenji told him the rest. "When the talk got back to Takemaru, he denied it vociferously, and funny enough, that young samurai was killed very early the next morning in a 'training accident'... that only Takemaru witnessed."

Frown deepening to a scowl, Touga asked, "What was Takemaru doing anywhere near the young man, anyway? Is he not the Captain of the palace guards? He should have had nothing to do with training any army man at all. Has no one said anything about the circumstances?"

"The Captain left in charge when you and Hiraku-sama left taking his General with you questioned the matter, and Takemaru said that he was simply there, doing some early morning exercise himself when the young man was killed and he simply witnessed it, but had nothing directly to do with it. Despite the other's suspicions, there is no one to say what really happened, and so they have had to let it go. Though the army Captain is clearly suspicious and does not like his explanations."

"Hn." Touga thought over that for a few moments. "Does anyone know how the soldier died? I mean, what were his injuries?"

"The man was sporting a knife in his chest when he died; according to Takemaru, the man had been practicing throwing it, when he all of a sudden convulsed and fell face first to the ground. Apparently, he'd just caught the knife, and it was facing into his chest when he hit the ground. It is just barely possible such a thing could have happened, but according to the other samurai who came here with him, they'd been together for a long time traveling and looking for a decent Lord to swear to, and he'd never before had any kind of fit or convulsion, so it seems awfully odd – and lucky for Takemaru, if you ask me – that such a thing happened now."

Removing his sash, he soon had himself stripped down to sleeping hakama, all the while thinking about what Kenji had said. The kitsune himself merely waited silently for his Lord's instructions; having served Touga for several hundred years he knew his mind fairly well.

After a little time spent thinking, Touga sighed and said, "So Takemaru is really from the north of Setsuna Lands. One wonders why he would be so desperate to hide such information. The man is a mystery. What is to the North of here?"

Kenji opened a scroll he'd been holding and spread it out on the floor, then crouched over it, beckoning Touga over to see it, as well. "According to this map of Setsuna lands, quite a lot. His palaces are both in this southern section of his holdings, and the northern sections of his lands have several larger towns and even several mines. They are part of what makes him so wealthy. If you look here-" he pointed to another area on the eastern side of the northern reaches of Hiraku's holdings, "this entire area is nothing but farms directly owned by him and farmed by his men. Most ningen Lords do not have such, depending almost entirely on taxes to support themselves. Hiraku does not tax his people overly much, and most are very loyal because of that. The poor here in Setsuna are actually much wealthier than the poor anywhere else. So... there is quite a lot of ground to cover when it comes to searching out Takemaru's actual provenance," he sighed, looking ruefully at the map.

Touga studied the map as well, taking note of the fact that all his wealth pretty much came from the northern part of his holdings. Ichirou's plan to donate some of their holdings to whatever samurai the Shogun was rewarding was actually very clever – it kept anyone from getting their hands on his important lands, and having already given up some lands voluntarily to the Shogun, kept anyone from taking any of it away later, as with the ties he already had to Ashikauga, and the fact that he'd already given lands without a fight, the Shogun would not look to Setsuna again for lands.

Still... that left Takemaru.

"It sets us back, true, on finding out his origins and why he keeps them so secret as to lie and even kill to keep anyone from finding out. But it is a step in the right direction, at least," Touga finally said after pondering on the situation for a little longer. "It is good that you brought this to my attention." He looked at his right hand man, settling on his futon as Kenji rolled up the map he carried. "If you can get me a copy of that map, do so."

Kenji nodded and then stood, preparing to leave, when his Lord's words stopped him. "And you, Kenji? How are you doing here? Truthfully. Have you found this post to be agreeable, my old friend?" He really wanted to know. Besides Arata and Kenichi, Kenji was one of the only others to have his full confidence – he knew the fox, and knew that Kenji would sooner die than turn traitor.

The kitsune turned green eyes on his Lord and friend, and smiled. "For the most part, yes. Izayoi is a joy to work with, and besides being a lady, is a friend. And Lords Hiraku and Ichirou are a pleasure to deal with, as well. There are still a few people here that are uneasy in my presence, but not many, and most of the feelings of hatred and malice come from Takemaru. If one were to discount him, this post would be perfect, and even with him, is one that would be fought over, I believe, amongst those of us who serve as envoys from your court."

Chuckling, Touga had to accept Kenji's words. "And not to mention the intrigue that goes on here, eh, my friend? It is enough to keep a youkai happy, is it not? I find myself constantly occupied and haven't once been bored since coming here," he laughed.

Joining in the laughter, Kenji nodded. "Oh, hai, there is that, as well, my Lord. I am glad to see you calm again," he said, eyeing the relaxed inu. "Your instincts were greatly agitated earlier."

"Yes," Touga allowed, a smile breaking out on his face as he thought back to the reason he was in such a fine mood. "You noticed Izayoi's mood earlier? Well, it seems she thought Takeda was the one her sire had chosen for her and was completely terrified of that idea. I could not in good conscious leave her with such fear, and so I finally told her of my true reason for being here. She did not deny me, Kenji, and so I will be speaking to Hiraku in the morning – she has agreed to the betrothal. It will thus be announced tomorrow – her father will call a special session of Formal court to do so."

It was easy for the kitsune to see his Lord's happiness at that fact, and Kenji bowed and congratulated him with a smile. He had never, in all his days serving the inu Lord, seen him so taken with a female and had pretty much bet that he would be as soon as he'd gotten to know the little hime himself. He had harbored his own soft feelings for the young woman but he had always known that he would never have her for himself, and strangled those feelings off so as not to cause any trouble for himself later. Still, he would always have a soft spot for Izayoi, and was glad that she had accepted his Lord – that way, he would never have to say goodbye to her. He was well aware that she saw him as a friend, and more than likely he would be kept on as her adviser permanently, as she was used to his guidance and accepting of him.

He could live with that.

And then a wicked chuckle shook him as he imagined what she would do to Touga's court. They wouldn't know what to make of her at all. She would set them all on their ears. He mentioned that to Touga, who was looking at him in confusion at his laugh – until he heard why he was laughing – and then he joined him.

"She will, at that, won't she? Can you imagine the expressions on the faces of those toadies in my court if they'd heard her words about that situation with the child being claimed by two mothers? Some of those damn ass-kissers would still be choking."

The two shared a moment of laughter between them, and then Touga dismissed Kenji. "Get some sleep, my friend – tomorrow looks to be quite busy. You know that there's going to be a huge explosion on the part of most of Setsuna's court when it's announced that I will be taking their crown jewel for my own."

Kenji shivered at that even as he nodded and said his goodnights – it was quite possible the palace would explode when this was announced. Some of Setsuna's people would not like what was going to happen, and that wasn't even including Takemaru.

The danger level was about to go up, and it would be his job to keep the betrothed of his Lord as safe as he could from said dangers. Touga could take care of himself.

It was Izayoi that would be in the most danger, sadly enough. Some would rather see her dead than in a youkai's hands.

~oOo~

Just as Hiraku was ready to lay his weary head down to sleep, a soft rap came against his door, and knowing that there would be only a few that would disturb him at this late hour, he stood with a sigh and opened the door, beckoning in his spymaster as soon as he saw him.

Hayate bowed to his Lord immediately, then awaited his pleasure.

"You have something important for me, I assume?" Hiraku asked.

"Hai. My Lord, I know that Takemaru claimed to hail from these portions of your lands when he applied for guard work. That was a lie. I have found that he is from the North, instead," he said, explaining the situation with the young samurai, and then finished with, "as Takemaru returned to his rooms this very evening, I overheard him muttering to himself about his bad luck in running into someone who could point out his lie. And he has said a few things over my time with him that when put together – my Lord, I believe him to be from one of these eleven towns or the surrounding areas."

The little spy pulled out a map, one not unlike a certain kitsune was showing an interested Inu Lord, and pointed to the northeastern sections of Setsuna land. "He has said some things over his time here that give away his knowledge of farming... he has a more than passing acquaintance with that particular skill."

Hiraku's eyes narrowed as he considered what he'd been told, and then he nodded. Tired, he put it all away to think of in the morning.

"You have done well, Hayate. If you find out anything further, bring it to me as soon as you can slip away. Now go, before Takemaru becomes suspicious with your long absence."

Bowing once more, the nondescript man slipped away and was gone so fast Hikaru blinked. Shaking his head after a minute, he put it aside, as well, and settled his weary form into his bed with a deep sigh.

I am getting too old for this. Soon, Ichirou will be ready to take over, and then I can go to my rest and find you again, my beloved nakidori.*

With another sigh, this one tinged with weariness, he said slowly, "As soon as I have seen my little hime wed and safe, I will be that much closer to returning to my own love in her long sleep. I miss you still, my sweet Etsuko."

With that, he finally closed his eyes and slipped into sleep, only to dream of his love and the happier days of their youth.

~oOo~

First annotation: sannomaru=third and outermost bailey of a typical Japanese castle.

Second annotation: ninomaru=second bailey

Third annotation: honmaru=innermost bailey

Fourth annotation: joudama=beautiful lady

Fifth annotation: nakidori=songbird, bird with a beautiful song.

Edited 09/05/13