Chapter 14 And Hell, I Have Not Spoken of Thee

Ichirou glanced at his little wife as she watched the goings on at the dinner table and caught the slightly jealous look on her face as she looked at his sister. Sighing inwardly, he decided Izayoi had been right and that to prevent future problems with a wife who felt she'd been spurned or ignored he'd best put some effort into courting her.

One day, she would be Setsuna's lady, and he really wished to be able to say that he loved his wife as his father before him had loved his own. Airi was pretty, intelligent, though not up to Izayoi's level, still, she was nothing to sneeze at even if she was still fairly innocent. And he wasn't blind – he'd caught her looks at him, and wondered – did she want love, too?

Of course she does, you fool. What woman does not? And if she does not find it with me, I am begging for trouble for she will try to find it elsewhere. For the sake of peace in my home I will get to know her, and hope that love grows.

After dinner, when he would normally head off with his father, he instead held out his arm to his little wife and when she looked at him, sweetly confused, he smiled down at her. "I thought you would possibly enjoy a turn in the formal gardens, my dear. There is a section that is particularly beautiful at night."

Airi blushed, her gaze uncertain as she looked up at the handsome man that was her husband. He had not before paid her this much attention, though she supposed she could give him the benefit of the doubt since a great many things had been happening in the short time she'd been here and they'd been wed. He seemed quite sincere, and his smile widening made her knees slightly weak, so with a small smile she shyly nodded her acquiescence and the two headed out the doors, lost in their thoughts of each other.

Her husband's attentions had completely knocked her first intentions out of her head – to follow Izayoi and watch her.

It was a good thing Ichirou had chosen this night to redirect her attention from his sister to himself...

Glancing down at the little woman he was married to, Ichirou had to smile as he led her into the section of the gardens that not too many people bothered with during the day, the gently swinging lanterns providing enough light for him to watch her expressions as she looked around. After a few minutes, she looked up at him and smiled bemusedly. "It's like an enchanted garden, Ichirou-sama!" she exclaimed, her pretty face lit up with pleasure.

He studied her with serious eyes, though a smile was hiding in his gaze. "Hai, it is, at that. It is my favorite section of the gardens at night. I thought that you would enjoy it, as well."

She beamed up at him, her innocence shining through in that moment. Sometimes he forgot just how young she really was, and though he was not that much older in truth, he was not a sheltered hime and his innocence had been lost long ago. He was pensive as he strolled the paths with her, watching her reactions to everything.

"You are my wife, Airi, and there is no need for you to address me so formally. Please, just call me by name – I get enough of the formalities from everyone else," he said, his dark eyes pinned to her little face.

She flushed a little, peeking up at him through lashes thick and dark, before nodding. "Oh, o-okay," she said. "I will try, though it will take some getting used to."

He nodded down at her as he reached over and held up a low-hanging branch for her. "It is understood. But we are married, and that is for life. I would not wish to live in a home where we hate each other – or even simply just ignore each other." He looked up at the sky, sighing sadly as he thought of his beautiful mother. "My father and mother had an arranged marriage just like everyone else, but they came to love each other more than anything, and father still grieves her death and refuses to take another. I would wish for such a marriage for myself, as well – without the grief, of course." He looked down at her, then, seeing the interested look she was giving him, though she was still flushed. "I have decided, therefore, that I will give you what was missed out on due to the haste with which we were wed – I will court you, Airi. Does that idea please you?" he asked, meeting her gaze.

Airi was stunned, her eyes dropping. Court me? Is he saying that he wants to... to... love me? Like his parents loved each other? She thought about that, glancing at her husband sideways. It would be nice to be... loved. I do not know what it's like... no one really showed me such caring at home. After a few moments, she looked back up at him and did not miss the honesty in his eyes. From what she had seen of him and the little she had dealt with him he was a caring person, honorable, and he was most handsome, of course. He was certainly someone she could come to love...

Shyly, she smiled at him and blushed deeper, her eyes falling away from the intensity in his in embarrassment. But she nodded... "I would like that, my l-" she cut herself off and her expression turned sheepish. "Sorry... Ichirou. It would be nice to get to know you as a person."

He smiled at her. "I am glad to hear that. So... tell me about yourself. Something... I don't know, a good, happy memory from at home."

At that, she looked a little doubtful and said, "I do not really have what you could call happy memories of my time with my family. I was told early on that I would be married off to someone when I was of age. It was like they didn't get very close to me since I would be leaving them in such a few years. I mean, I had a few ladies-in-waiting and the like, but no one that was really close, you understand."

Ichirou scowled. "Truly? I cannot imagine behaving thus. Despite the fact that Izayoi will soon be married as well, I could not even think of just ignoring her as though she were a simple piece of property – an asset to be traded away. Didn't your mother pay any attention to you?"

Sadly, Airi shook her head. "Not too much. She wasn't unkind, but she knew the fate that awaited me, as it had been her own. She said it was better for hime like us not to have attachments to people from our home clans, because we would only be asking for hurt when the time came to say goodbye. The last thing she said to me before coming here was to behave honorably so that she would not hear of me again."

He blinked. "Hear of you again?" he asked incredulously. "What does that mean?"

"In my clan, the only way a mother hears of her married daughter again is if she has behaved badly and brought dishonor on her clan – then her mother is usually beaten for giving birth to someone who brought such dishonor on all," she replied, not looking at him. "That is why a mother does not wish to hear of her married daughters again. It only brings pain if she does."

Ichirou was furious. "That is barbaric! And this is the clan who would ask my father for Izayoi's hand? Never would he be allowed to touch her. And if he had been allowed to wed her and father were to hear of her mistreatment in such a manner, alliance or not, he would kill the one who would treat her so. It is disgusting." He looked down at her. "Any daughter of ours will not be treated in such a manner, either. Any children we have will be loved. I would rather see a girl-child become an old maid than give her to some man who would use her like that."

She stared at him for a few moments, an uncertain expression on her face. "Truly?" she asked, astonished at how different things were here in Setsuna. Izayoi had no idea how lucky she was to have been born into this clan than some other where she would have been treated much as Airi had been. If she did not have to fear being seen as little more than an object to be used for getting an heir on, maybe she could finally be... happy.

"Absolutely," Ichirou said fiercely. "Do not fear to give any children we have your affections – boy or girl. I cannot even imagine not loving my sister and father, and it is abominable that you were treated thus. Do not expect the same from me."

A bright smile met his words and Airi impulsively hugged his arm to her, a thankful expression on her little face. "I must confess... being here, with you, it is more than I had hoped for in my marriage. I had become resigned to living as my mother did. It was not a pleasant thought."

Coming to a stop, Ichirou looked down at his – lonely, had he but known it – little wife and slowly lowered his head to kiss her, not pushing it, leaving the contact chaste and gentle. He smiled down at her surprised face as he pulled away and she smiled slightly in return. After a moment, he continued along the path, gently guiding her alongside him.

"Then tell me of yourself, Airi. Tell me of your dreams, your likes and dislikes. Then I will tell you somewhat of myself, too. We will muddle through this courtship thing together somehow, yes?"

Blushing but with a pleased, happy expression he'd not seen on her face before, Airi nodded and began slowly talking of herself, and he listened closely.

He would keep to his word – they would get to know each other and hopefully, love would come. At the very least, there would be affection in their marriage, that he vowed.

She would not be treated as she'd expected to be treated...

She would be treated well, and hopefully, she would be happy.

~oOo~

Izayoi heard her door slide shut behind her as Touga left, but could not seem to move. After everything that had happened in such a short amount of time, her mind was frozen and her spirit subdued and feeling cautious of a sudden.

Had all that truly happened? She was not unaware – the mind could sometimes be fooled into believing what it wanted, whether there was any real truth to the circumstances or not. Had her dreams truly been handed to her on what was in reality a silver platter?

Moving slowly towards a large tansu set against one wall, she moved aside the delicate lid as she began stripping her robes from her body, in no mood to call her maid to her side. Folding them carefully, she stored them in the chest before replacing the lid, then stepped over to the smaller tansu to the side of the larger one, retrieving a simple silk yukata from inside it and slipping it over slender, naked limbs.

After a moment, she sighed and glided over to the stand that held her water ewer and basin, and pouring a small amount of the cool fluid into the delicate porcelain basin, she splashed her face and then blotted herself dry with the drying cloth placed next to the ewer. It woke her mind up just enough from its tired and dreamy state that she couldn't help the blush that swept up her cheeks as she remembered his touch and what it had done to her body.

So that is a part of the mystery between men and women, she thought. It was... beautiful. Nonetheless, there was a very deeply buried part of her that was screaming in fear right at this very moment – screaming that to give herself, heart and soul to a male, was just asking to be broken.

She frowned. Where is that coming from?

Weariness sneaking up on her with a suddenness that had her swaying on her feet, the little hime turned to look at her bed with wanting eyes and shuffled towards it, too tired to even lift her feet. Once there, she crawled into it and pulled the light sheets up over herself, that being all the covering she could stand in this warmer summer weather.

Within moments, the young, overwhelmed girl fell asleep, hoping for peace in her dreams so she could rest well.

Her hopes were not to be realized.

Silence lay over her room for some time, nothing but the stirring of the branches of the tree that stood just past the porch of her room sounding occasionally within, but slowly, whimpers and moans began to overtake the seeming quiet, and before long, words mixed in with the sad and restless sounds.

"Inuyasha...don't leave me. Please, come back!" she cried out softly. Visions of a sacred tree and a handsome being pinned to it flashed through her dreams, memories of reaching out and touching his inhuman ears. So... soft. Watching his back as he walked away from her, saved her life, sat with her, fought with her. And the sight of him always yearning, always seemingly looking over her shoulder at another. Pain flashed through her, the pain of a broken heart... her sad realization... I'm in love with him, but he loves another. The confusing feeling that the one he loved was not her – and yet was, as well. The same, yet not. One from a future incomprehensible to the little hime as it flashed before her eyes, and one from a past that was also unfamiliar. Confusion and sadness mixed into one, swirling inside her until she jerked awake, tears streaming down her face as she watched him holding the other in his arms as she died – and his grief and his wish that he could just die with her.

Still lost in the maze in her mind that was labeled Kagome, she could do nothing but cry, her heartbroken sobs not loud enough to wake anyone, yet so filled with sorrow and a soft anguish that if they had been, anyone who heard them would themselves be filled with sorrow and tears for the bearer of so much pain.

After a time, she came back to herself and the tears dried, though her heart still lay heavy in her chest and she could not help but stare at her hands, clenched in the sheets and pale with tension.

She knew herself a little more, now. She had been Kagome. Once upon a time. And before that, she had been the other... the shadow woman, Kikyou. But she was no longer either of them, and never would be again – she was Izayoi, because she had not wished correctly on the jewel and so had failed herself and the kami. This was her only chance to make restitution for that failure.

Inuyasha, she whispered. Loved by her in two different lifetimes, that love would never come again, and indeed, in this new reality had never actually happened at all. That future lived on only in her memories, now. But the pain that they engendered still lingered, and she began to think it always would.

And as she sat there and tried to make sense of her memories of two different lifetimes, she did not notice as they began to blend in with her memories of this lifetime. But as she began to think of her coming betrothal to Touga, she couldn't help but wonder...

Can I really let myself love him? I have loved before and found that it brings nothing but pain... yet were I to send Touga away, my soul would bleed out and wither within me, I am sure of it. Is this what love is? A trap that tears you apart slowly but surely... a way to murder a person from the inside out? Can I really give of myself in such a way again?

But the truth was she no longer had a choice. Because this particular present was picking up speed and moving right along, allowing her no chance to step off and choose a different path.

No... what was to come was not anything she could escape. Come tomorrow, she would be officially betrothed to Touga, Inu no Taisho and Lord of the Western Lands. And her now divided heart simultaneously rejoiced at and feared that fact.

~oOo~

In a different part of the palace compound, another thrashed and writhed in his futon, finally sitting up with a choked yell. After a moment to calm his breathing, Takemaru reached for the drying cloth he always kept within reach of his bed and wiped the rancid sweat from his forehead in disgust.

After a moment, he fell back onto his futon, too tired after so many days of little sleep to stay awake despite his desire to never sleep again, and soon was sleeping once more.

This time his dreams took him to other places, places that weren't bad, at least not in the beginning, but were part of the past he'd tried so hard to erase.

After what remained of his parents had been sent to the flames, along with his infant sister's remains, he had been taken in by the headman of the village he'd run to. He'd been a strong boy, even then at such a young age and the headman's only son had been killed years before. He'd never had another, and so Takemaru would do as an adopted son.

He supposed that he'd been very lucky, finding a decent family to take him in. Masaharu had been a good man, strict but fair, and had raised Takemaru well. Finding early on that the boy had a more than uncommon talent for the blade, he'd found him a master to train under and he had flourished, training with near single-minded determination. One day, he'd sworn to himself, he'd get revenge for his family's destruction – on all youkai, if he could.

It had been a good time, the years he spent there in that large village, almost large enough to be a town. But like everything else in his life that good time was destined to end in horror, once more to an attack by youkai. Oh, most of the village had survived, but his adopted family had not, and he began to think he was cursed... and so did those in the village that remembered his real family's fate so many years before. He'd been driven from there before their ashes had even settled, and with bitterness unequaled by most, he'd sworn never to go back.

No... no one would know of the youkai taint that seemed to follow him wherever he went. And when he'd arrived here, he'd thought he'd finally found a safe place – what could be more safe than being protected by an entire army? Or so he'd thought. And then the Lord of the place had gone and invited those devils right into the palace and Takemaru knew beyond a shadow of a doubt – if he didn't manage to destroy those demons, they would be his destruction, instead.

Especially him. The dog hiding his evil under a human skin.

Even in his dreams his fists clenched and he swore to the blackness that hovered everywhere around him that he would not be the one to fall. The youkai, and those that called them ally would be the ones to go into the greater darkness of the other world.

He was patient, however.

All in good time.

~oOo~

Morning came much too early for several of the occupants of the palace, but not for Touga. He was up early and outside with Ichirou for a spar, and quite looking forward to when Hiraku showed up as he knew the man would. He might be aging a bit and so like sleeping in a little later, but he was definitely a warrior and would not be able to stay away from the sparring he knew was going on.

He was enjoying his spar very much; Ichirou was indeed his father's son and a well-trained bladesman already. Not yet his father's equal, still, he was not an opponent to be taken lightly and that impressed Touga very much. He'd chosen very well – the House of Setsuna were all warriors at heart, proud, honorable and strong.

And now he was about to claim their crown jewel, their princess, for himself and his House. It was a good, strong pairing in his eyes and he could hardly wait until it was time to wed his hime. He glanced at the doors into the palace proper, sighing inwardly. If Hiraku would ever come out here so I can tell him the news. He frowned for a moment. Perhaps something is wrong?

Waiting for a natural pause in the series of blows he and Ichirou were exchanging, he stepped back, letting the other male know he wished to speak. Ichirou tilted his head in curiosity.

"Is it not rather late for your father not to have put in an appearance out here?" he asked, a fine line of concern between his brows.

Ichirou blinked, then looked up at the position of the sun and frowned. "Come to think of it, it is. I wonder what has held him up?"

"Perhaps we should go look for him. If something has happened, he may need some assistance," Touga said, pulling his clothing back on over his bare chest.

It didn't take the two long to track down Hiraku – all they had to do was follow the noise. By the time they arrived on the front steps of the palace it had calmed some, but was still loud. In the middle of it all stood Hiraku with another man, looking like he wanted to do nothing so much as order everyone to whispers.

It became clear quite quickly why.

It seemed that Hiraku's younger brother Kohaku had come home for a visit, accompanied by one unit of the forces that he commanded under the Shogun. It had been some years since the younger Setsuna brother had been home and while Hiraku was happy to see his younger sibling, the noise so early in the day was something he could have done without.

Of course, part of the confusion was the fact that while Kohaku and his men were arriving, Takeda and his men were just getting ready to leave. Once he and his men were gone, some of the noise level would naturally dissipate.

Touga chuckled inwardly at the already hassled expression on his friend's face – an expression that tightened even more when Kohaku caught sight of Touga and instantly began to shoot questions at his elder brother.

"Peace, Kohaku!" Hiraku finally said testily, giving his brother a warning look. "We can discuss anything you like – after breaking our fast and then retiring to my study."

The younger male took in his brother's expression and then nodded. "As you wish, brother."

Touga studied the man as he watched Ichirou speak to his uncle while they all made their way back into the main palace and headed for the dining room. He looked to be about ten years younger or so than Hiraku, and with the same fair features that the Setsuna family, males and females alike, seemed to be blessed with. His expression was guarded, but not hostile in any way.

Hn. I wonder if his presence here will set things back? The thought displeased Touga – now that he had Izayoi's agreement to the betrothal, he wanted to get on with it.

He was very aware of the uproar this would cause, as well as what could happen if others found out too soon. Despite what he'd said to Izayoi last night about giving her time to accustom herself to him before being married, there was only so much time that they could hide what was going on. If any outside Setsuna found out too soon, not just on Hiraku's end, but on Touga's side, too, there could be major trouble.

Once it was a done deal, there wouldn't be much anyone could do except try to kill Izayoi – which he would never allow. She could defend herself from the youkai side, and he would protect her from any human danger. But right now, they were still vulnerable.

His attention was drawn to the object of his thoughts as Izayoi stepped into the dining room and he frowned, concerned. Her eyes were bruised and shadowed and her manner preoccupied, and for some reason she carried a deep sadness that hadn't been there before, and most certainly not last night.

It caused his former exuberance for the day to take a nosedive – was she regretting her words last night? He could feel his instincts and blood rise as his control over his humanoid form faltered for just a moment and his eyes flashed crimson. His blood was heating and his feral instincts were rising up in anger at the thought. He would not give her up. She had given herself into his keeping with her acceptance last night, and that was all there was to it.

Even catching sight of the new man at the table, her own uncle, did not enliven her countenance, though she smiled politely when her father reminded her of who he was. It had, after all, been many years since she'd seen him, having been a young girl when he'd left Setsuna for the Shogun's court.

Hiraku was quick to note his daughter's upset. "Tell me, my little hime – what has distressed you so?" he asked as the meal began and the noise level fell. Touga's eyes fell on her quickly at her father's question, as he was most interested in her answer, as well.

Not sure what she should say with someone in the room who had no notion of what was going on currently, Izayoi shook her head slowly, then met her father's eyes reluctantly. "More nightmares, father. More dreams."

He understood her right away and nodded. "Have you learned anything new in them?" he asked, quite aware of his brother's keen glance, but not concerned. His brother would not go against him in any decision he made, and Hiraku knew this beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Izayoi hesitated, shooting a quick, troubled glance at Touga, and then sighed, looking back down at her plate. "Yes. If you wish, I will tell you about it after breakfast, father."

It was clear that she did not wish her words to be for idle speculation from the court, and so he tilted his head in acceptance. "Very well, my dear, I will wait until breakfast is finished and then we will all retire to my study to speak of affairs. But for now, eat, my child. I am not unaware that you didn't do so last night."

She couldn't help the small, though tired smile at that. He rarely missed anything, and she should know that. "Yes, father."

The talk went back to idle things after that, and Izayoi quietly finished her food. She had to admit, it did make her feel a little better physically, though she was still exhausted and wished she could do nothing more than take a sleeping draught and go back to bed. For some reason, anytime she took Mei's particular remedy for sleeplessness, she had no dreams to keep her restless and afraid.

She knew the dreams were important and she couldn't hide from them forever, but sometimes she just couldn't take anymore and needed a good, healing sleep. Much like right now.

Still, she was aware that if she took one now, she'd sleep all day – but then be awake all night and her sleep patterns would be all messed up, causing her to want to sleep during the day. Resigned to feeling half dead all day, she finished her meal quietly and then placed her chopsticks neatly atop her bowl and waited, hands folded in her lap, for everyone else to finish.

Well aware that Touga was watching her and that everyone else was watching him, she nonetheless kept her head down and avoided everyone's eyes. However, she would have had to be blind to miss the looks that Airi was occasionally shooting her husband. Every so often she would look up at him and smile shyly, then drop her gaze and continue eating. For his part, Ichirou would meet those glances with a smile of his own.

I hope he took my advice. It sure looks like he did, though. I've never seen Airi look so content – well, at least not since she's been here.

Feeling her arm jostled, she looked up and met Kenji's concerned eyes. He leaned towards her just a bit. "Do you need anything from me, my Lady? Is there any comfort that I can give you? I hate to see you in such a distressed manner, and I know my Lord Touga does, as well."

Despite herself, his concern for her made her smile warmly at him, and it was a true smile despite the weariness behind it. "Just continue to do what you always do, Kenji," she replied quietly. "Just be there. Your support means the world to me."

His eyes softened on her for a moment, and then he looked up at Touga and shook his head minutely, letting his liege know that she was not giving anything away and that he would have to ask her himself. Touga inclined his head just slightly in return and quietly finished his meal.

Once breakfast was over, Hiraku stood and invited the group to follow him to his study. He reflected wryly that it was a good thing he'd expanded the room – otherwise, they would not all have fit. He was quick to note Touga catching Izayoi and taking her arm to keep her with him at the back of the group. He smiled to himself.

"Izayoi," Touga said as she began to stand and leave the table, and knowing she could not put it off any longer she nodded and waited for him, knowing he wished to speak to her. He caught her arm and held her to his side as they followed Hiraku and the others from the room. "I hope your withdrawn manner this morning does not mean you are reconsidering your answer to me last night."

She could hear the upset in his voice that the idea caused him, and she couldn't stop the warmth that shot through her heart. And just as she'd suspected last night, even with what she know remembered, and the hurt and heartbreak she was now feeling from her time as Kagome, she could not turn him away.

After a moment, she exhaled deeply and shook her head, raven locks dancing around her and laying beautifully against the stark white of her chihaya. "No. It's just these dreams... they give me no peace. I think that I will request a sleeping draught this evening. I cannot go with so little sleep any longer – I am already lightheaded as it is."

He frowned. "How long has it been since you've had an uninterrupted nights sleep?" he asked gently, glad that she wasn't reconsidering her answer to him.

"Since the night before you arrived. Father ordered a sleeping draught for me that night. It seems that is the only time I sleep well any longer. Even when I don't seem to waken with nightmares, the dreams are such that when I wake I don't feel as though I've slept at all," she sighed again, fighting just to keep her eyes open and on her feet.

Concerned, he decided to speak to her sire about this issue – she could not be allowed to make herself ill for lack of sleep. Though he knew the dreams were important and they needed for her to gain all the knowledge of what they were facing that she could from them, there had to be a way to stabilize things. Perhaps a schedule of nights she would take a draught, and nights that she would not. It had to be better than this.

By that time they'd all arrived in the study, and once the servant had left after pouring out sake for everyone – except Izayoi, who asked for water – Hiraku turned to important matters, bringing his brother up to speed on what had been going on around the palace and within the political scene. He listened quietly as the story was told, his eyes lingering on his niece as he listened.

And then he introduced Touga.

Kohaku studied him with clear eyes, and Touga returned the scrutiny. After a moment, a small smile brightened the younger Setsuna's face, and he said, "I am pleased to meet you, Touga-sama. I have heard much of you, most of it good – except what your enemies have had to say about you, of course." The men all chuckled at that, as it was true – ones enemies rarely had anything good to say about one.

"I am also pleased to meet the brother of my friend and ally Hiraku," Touga said in return, bowing his head politely.

"And soon to be more, eh, Touga?" Hiraku grinned, not sure if he'd finally spoken to Izayoi or not.

"Ah. As to that," Touga began, a genuine smile on his face, "I spoke my intent to Izayoi last night, and she did not deny me. So you can announce the betrothal as official, Hiraku."

Hiraku looked immediately to his daughter at that. "So you are not displeased with the one your father has chosen for you, daughter?" Touga took no offense at the question – were it his daughter, he would do the same.

Izayoi squared her shoulders and bowed to her father. "No, father. I cannot think of a better place than with Touga. I had... greatly feared being given to a human man that would treat me as most women are treated at this time. I was greatly relieved to find that it was not so."

He tilted his head quizzically at her wording. "Do you mean to say that things are different for women at a later time?"

She hesitated for a moment, casting an uncertain glance at Touga, and then nodded, her sadness of earlier once more tainting her aura. "Hai, father. I dreamed... much more last night. I have remembered much of my life as Kagome. Her tale... my tale, is extraordinary. She was born, or would have been born, far, far in the future – about seven hundred years." She paused at the gasps of startlement from the room, and then continued. "She lived on a shrine and one day fell into a well on that shrine, thus being cast five hundred years back into her past – two hundred years from our time now. It was then that she found out about the Shikon no Tama that was inside her. I still don't know how that happened, but... there she found a young hanyou male, pinned to a tree by an arrow. He had been sealed, and she released the seal. His name was Inuyasha."

Kenji nodded, not surprised, and Touga said, "So that is the Inuyasha you spoke of. A hanyou."

Izayoi nodded. "He wanted the Shikon no Tama to become youkai, but once the jewel – again, this part I am not clear on, how it became shattered – was broken into so many pieces, he and Kagome began to travel, collecting the shards. Others joined them at different times, though I don't remember who right now. Still... in the time that Kagome was born in, women are just as powerful as men and are not property. They run their own lives and arranged marriages are no longer done. Also," she glanced at the men in the room, all of who looked fascinated at this peek into a time far beyond their own, "in that time all children, rich or poor, are required to be tutored extensively – for twelve years, at least, though after the person may also choose to gain more advanced tutoring as well. That includes women. Kagome was very learned, though she was only my age when she, well... died, I suppose, for lack of a better word. Or... became me, instead. I don't know," she sighed. "It is still so confusing."

It was silent for a time as those in the room took in what she'd said, and then Hiraku said, "It is no small wonder that you are so spirited, then, my dear. You know of a time when you were free to do as you pleased with your life. It is a good thing I chose Touga for you, then – in his home you will be as close to that freedom as you could get in this time, eh?"

She nodded, subdued. "Yes."

"And what of youkai in that distant time, my dear?" Touga asked, curious. She had made no mention of them, and that left him wondering.

Izayoi met his gaze reluctantly at that. "In that time, youkai and hanyou were mere myths and legends, Touga," she whispered. "Kagome did not know they had ever been real until she fell into the well and five hundred years into the past."

Rather than be perturbed by that news, Touga looked speculative. "Hn. One wonders if that will now change, since that future no longer exists, ne?"

It grew quiet again as everyone pondered on what had been shared, and then Kohaku spoke up. "Well, as interesting as all this is, I also have some news for you, brother." He eyed Hiraku thoughtfully as he changed the subject. "The Shogun has received your offer and was most impressed by it. He accepts on behalf of the chosen samurai and swears on his honor that you will not have to give over any other land at any time due to the generosity of said offer."

"Ah," Hiraku said, smiling as he looked at Ichirou. "It seems that was a very good idea, indeed, my son. We must now get the scribes to redraw Setsuna's borders and announce the change."

Ichirou nodded. "So those villages we just dealt with will now be on Setsuna's border, rather than the lands that the bandits were operating on. In some ways, that makes it easier – those lands were good for harboring those with less than honorable inclinations, and now it will be for this new Lord to deal with. But we may have to station a garrison of the army near the border, now, as it will put those villages at risk of attacks from across that new border. Anytime lands change hands, the resulting confusion seems to draw the dregs of humanity."

"Hm." Standing and turning to look at a map of their holdings that was attached to the wall behind his desk, Hiraku hummed as he thought about things. "Yes... but a small garrison only. It won't take a full squadron – perhaps seventy men should be enough. Most groups of bandits don't go over forty or so."

"If I may," Touga said, and the Setsuna men turned to look at him. "It is not just honorless humans that are drawn to confusion and turmoil. There will also be low-level youkai as well. It might be best to station two garrisons along that border-" he stood and pointed at two points along the new borders, "-one here, and one here. That way, if there is any trouble with youkai, there are more than enough men to deal with them, and also, if I'm not mistaken, you have a few warrior monks that have shown allegiance to your sigil?" Hiraku cocked a brow but nodded. "Then it would be wise to have one or two also stationed with each group. This new samurai coming in as a Lord will have no notion of what he is doing. There will likely be confusion and even some chaos there for some time to come. You must protect yourself from that as much as possible."

When Touga had first heard that Setsuna actually had some warrior monks in its ranks, he'd been surprised. That was a rarity – and he'd wanted to know how that had come about. It turned out that Hiraku had built a monastery on his lands that was under his protection, and in thanks, the monks took turns giving service to the Lord who was their patron. Touga had been most impressed – Hiraku had his fingers in just about everything.

Kohaku nodded thoughtfully. "Aye, Hiraku, that is a good idea. I know this man that is the new Lord. While an excellent warrior, he is originally from peasant stock, and has no idea of what he is in for. Yes, he will have advisers, but they are not always very good, themselves, and even sometimes dishonest."

Everyone turned in surprise when Izayoi spoke up, since she'd been silent after telling her story earlier. "Maybe it would be a good idea to offer this new Lord a trustworthy adviser? Someone who will not rob him blind – but who will also teach this man everything he needs to know in a timely manner?"

A bit surprised to hear such a good idea coming from a female, Kohaku had to laugh to himself. She was, of course, no ordinary female. "That is an excellent idea, Izayoi," he said. "To loan one of your advisers to this new Lord to aid in setting up his estate... I will mention such an idea to the Shogun. I believe he will take you up on that offer as well, brother."

Brow furrowed in thought, Hiraku nodded. "Hai... perhaps one of said monks? He could have use of his services for a period of one year to help get his estate up and running, and to train any advisers that this new Lord acquires. Hai... I will speak to Yoshiro tomorrow of this, and if he agrees, then you, Kohaku, can mention this idea to the Shogun."

With nothing further left to discuss, Hiraku turned to Izayoi and smiled benevolently at her. "My dear, as tired as you look, perhaps we should wait until tomorrow to announce the betrothal?"

Wishing she could say that she was fine and could handle the uproar that was certain to follow said announcement, Izayoi finally nodded, unable to even think of dealing with any such upset today. She was simply too exhausted.

"Thank you for your consideration, father. I would prefer to announce it tomorrow. If it is possible, I think I would like to take a sleeping draught. By dinner it will have worn off, and then I could take one more to ensure a decent night's sleep," she said, tired eyes dazed with weariness. She looked over at Touga, then. "That is, if it does not distress you too much to wait to announce the news until tomorrow."

Touga, well aware that there was something about her dreams last night that she had avoided speaking of, but also aware that she was beyond tired and not up to any further questioning, inclined his head in acceptance. "It is fine, Izayoi. You need to sleep so that you are well-rested and fresh for the morrow." And I will get what you didn't say out of you tomorrow, too.

With both parties in agreement, Izayoi stood and bowed to those there and then left the room, catching a passing servant and asking them to send Mei to her quarters.

Once she'd left, the men all stood and left to their own rooms to freshen up before lunch. As they stepped out, Kenji gave the signal that he needed to speak to Touga, and the daiyoukai motioned for him to follow.

When the door slid shut behind them and Touga made sure no one could hear what was about to be said, he nodded at the kitsune.

"My Lord, I have received word of some things from the Citadel that I think you should know."

Nonchalantly, the Western Lord relaxed atop his futon as he listened to what was going on at home.

"Sesshoumaru-sama has sent two army units to support the garrisons on the plains of Musashi. You know the ones I speak of. And if at first it seems a clever ploy to pull Ryukotsussei's eyes from the slayer's village, there is a danger inherent within that could end up causing the dragon to attack early." Kenji sighed. "If he thinks he knows for certain where the Tama is, he could attack far before we are ready."

Touga considered that and had to agree. "Izayoi will be sleeping most of this day and will have no need of you. Go. Tell Sesshoumaru to move army units to several other locations as well, it does not matter where – and to add three units to be spread out along the border with the North, also. Let's confuse the bastard, shall we?"

Kenji nodded and without further ado left to do as ordered.

After he was gone, Touga pulsed his aura again, gently calling his little flea servant to him – it seemed he was not needed in the south but in the north, instead.

Nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems.

His mind flashed back to Izayoi's story of Inuyasha and Kagome, again wondering what she was hiding, and he sighed.

Not ever.

~oOo~

Touga let his thoughts wander as he headed for the border with the North.

Lunch had seen the easy camaraderie that he had with Hiraku and Ichirou continue even with Kohaku's presence. It seemed he was a true Setsuna – charming, intelligent, and dangerous when provoked.

That last had come into play just after lunch when Takemaru had met Kohaku for the first time. Ordered to the Lord's study to answer questions about the young samurai's death, he had not once shown any true respect to his Lord and had also been quite cutting to those in the room with Hiraku.

Setsuna's Lord had not said a word about his manner, but had watched his brother from the corner of his eye with subdued amusement that was just waiting for a chance to get out as Kohaku's temper reached closer and closer to boiling point.

That chance came when a particularly insolent answer was given to a question, and Kohaku leapt to his feet and backhanded Takemaru to the floor before the good Captain could even react.

"You will never speak to the Lord of Setsuna so again, you insignificant little bastard," he said dangerously, his voice like ice as he stared at the stunned man on the ground. "If you do, I will teach you respect by the sword and you will not like that lesson at all."

He stared icily at the Captain for several lingering moments, then once more took his seat, paying no attention to Touga's fascinated gaze or his brother's amused one as he continued to glare at Takemaru, who was regaining his feet with rage making his face burn.

"No man shall ever lay a hand on me in such a manner and not pay the price," Takemaru snarled, and Kohaku took it as it was meant.

Standing once more, he eyed the fuming young man before him, and said, "Then I am sure you know where the practice yards are. I will teach you by blade why you will never disrespect my brother or anyone else of Setsuna blood again."

Touga was quite eager to see this match-up – if he was right, Takemaru was about to be totally humiliated by Setsuna's second son. It was no accident that the man had been sent to lead a section of the Shogun's army, after all.

Hiraku was actually enjoying what was happening and Ichirou was eager to see his uncle in action, so all in all, save for Takemaru himself, who was already bearing a red handprint across his face, everyone was looking forward to this fight.

A deadly silence fell over the yard as both men took their places in the combat circle, swords held low as they waited for the signal for the battle to begin. When it came, Kohaku let the Captain come to him.

Takemaru swung into action first, dashing towards his newest enemy with rage rimming his eyes and taking a swing with his sword. It was obvious he was not playing as he went straight for Kohaku's heart.

But Kohaku hadn't spent almost all of his life wielding a blade for nothing, and he caught Takemaru's sword on his own easily, barely pushing the man back before attacking, his blade moving so fast that Takemaru could barely keep up. One, two, three blows, and then move backward and pause; it was an intricate dance and Touga was very impressed once again with someone of Setsuna blood.

That flurry of blows had settled Takemaru's temper, however, and now he was once more a calculating warrior, watching his opponent with wary eyes. Kohaku, by contrast, seemed at ease - not like someone in a battle at all.

Hiraku could not help but smirk as he watched his brother lull the foolish Captain to sleep with his relaxed manner, many years of spars with him flashing through his memory. While his brother might be seemingly half asleep, in truth he was anything but.

Takemaru, not having the benefit of knowing this man as his Lord did was completely fooled, and thinking to take advantage of his adversary's lack of focus, attacked. For those not in the know it almost looked as though he were winning, but in truth, Kohaku was simply allowing him to think he was winning.

He was toying with him.

A short series of blows came, then another pause as Kohaku grinned lazily at his opponent, then several more times the swords met, metal screaming as Setsuna's second son almost danced around Takemaru, grinning insolently at the man before him. "Not very fast, are you?" he asked, flicking a lock of his shoulder length hair behind him.

"Fast enough!" Takemaru gritted, bringing his sword around in a powerful blow meant to push through an opponent's defenses. He was taken aback when Kohaku met the blow and turned his wrist just so, throwing him off and sending him to the ground with little effort.

Not willing to lose this fight, Takemaru leapt to his feet immediately though he was completely stunned at that move, and he backed away, trying to give himself a chance to catch his breath and plan another attack. Kohaku allowed it, watching his opponent with complacency, in no way worried. While Takemaru was more than competent, he and his brother were gifted warriors that the Captain could not hope to defeat in a fair fight.

Black eyes pinned to his opponent, Kohaku waited for his next move, chuckling as the man came in low and attempted to cut through his lower legs. He simply leapt over the blow and brought his sword's hilt down on the back of Takemaru's head, knocking the man to the ground face first.

After a moment, spitting dust and wiping his sleeve across his face, Takemaru stood once more, trying to ignore the sudden pounding in his head from the blow and the rage he could not release. "So you like to play games and do not take battle seriously," he spat, knowing he was going to have a bad headache for the rest of the day after that.

"Give me a decent opponent and I will," returned Kohaku promptly, swiping his sword through the air in a forward arc. "The games I keep for those with the skill of children."

Takemaru's expression did not change, a flat look showing none of his feelings, and said, "Humor during battle. How... droll."

Kohaku launched an attack of his own, grinning ferally at the Captain. "What better time for it, eh? Seldom do I see more foolishness and idiocy than at that time." He began a pattern of blows that Hiraku recognized immediately as one they'd created together, years before, and chuckled, knowing that Takemaru was about to meet the ground again – only this time, he'd be without his weapon. This fight was just about over.

Takemaru had never seen this particular pattern of blows before and so was not prepared for the ending series – parry, block, attack, parry, attack, attack, block - and finish.

When it was over, he was once more laying in the dust of the yard, weaponless and stunned, his sword buried in a post and humming with the force it had hit the wood with, just as Hiraku had known would be. Takemaru stared up the blade that was point first against his throat with hatred in his gaze, and Kohaku studied him for a long moment before sheathing his sword faster than the Captain could blink.

"You lose, Takemaru. Remember this lesson. If you attempt to take on one of Setsuna blood, you will always lose." He eyed him for one moment more and then turned away, headed back inside as though nothing of any significance had happened, followed by three males that had quite enjoyed the fight.

Touga couldn't help the amused growl that came from his chest as he thought of the trouble he could cause the North just by dropping Takemaru off somewhere in those lands. As far as he was concerned, the two, Ryukotsussei and Takemaru, deserved each other.

Then he sobered as he once more considered whether he should unobtrusively add to the security of the slayer's village. It was such a tricky problem, but he finally decided to leave it alone, keeping things as they were for now. After all, there would shortly be many places for the dragon to suspect he had hidden the Tama, and since time was all he was trying to gain from the deceit, he was certain that enough could be gained by the current misdirections.

Once Izayoi was his wife, he would lead his army to the Northern border and the battle would be fought there – he was not willing to let that cold bastard anywhere near his lands. Let him fight inside his own borders.

With a trumpeting howl, Touga tossed his head into the breeze, enjoying the feel of the cool air through his fur – though the stench of dragon turned the moment from one of pleasure to one of annoyance. He was near the border, and soon that stench would befoul the air so much it would hurt to breath.

Still, his presence here was a reminder to any of those foul beasts that they were treading on thin ice should they step one clawed foot onto his side of the border, and he moved along the border regions laying his scent thickly over every inch of it – he wanted them to know that he was still watching this area, whether he was in his Citadel or not.

Finally satisfied that he had his scent freshly marked over the border region, he picked a spot atop a large promontory overlooking the North and sat down, studying as much of the northern lands as he could from that spot.

All was peaceful for a time and he simply allowed the breeze to flutter his pelt in enjoyment, knowing that it would probably be some time before he could really take his true form again – at least peacefully. It was a beautiful day, for once not too hot, and he grinned, lips drawing back from fangs that were easily the height of a man.

But as all such transitory things, the beauty of the day was soon marred and then lost forever – it seemed he was not the only Cardinal Lord out to mark his boundaries. Fur standing up, Touga snarled as he caught sight of his deadliest enemy flying towards him. Leaping from his perch, he made for the border, determined to make sure Ryukotsussei didn't put one claw over the line.

If he did...

Red eyes pinned to his enemy, Touga snarled in warning as the dragon also landed, his body coming to rest just his side of the border as he glared with inimical hatred at his most powerful foe.

For long moments, the dog and the dragon simply glared at each other, hatred so heavy it was thickening the air around them, and then in concert both disappeared into swirling youki as they took on their humanoid forms.

"Ryukotsussei," Touga growled.

"Touga," Ryokotsussei hissed back.

Both eyed each other, wanting nothing so much as to plunge deadly claws into throat and heart, yet knowing that now was not quite the time. Touga had an agenda, and Ryukotsussei had a jewel to find before they could meet in battle.

Ryukotsussei hissed again, orange-red eyes swirling with a hatred so intense that the weight of it actually rippled the air around them. "So the weak dog thinks to spread his stink along the border, hoping the stench will keep me away from the West, eh?" he said in a tone of deadly insult.

His eyes reddened with rage as Touga simply laughed, dismissing his words as petty and not worth his time to argue over. "If I were so weak, snake," he answered back just as insultingly, "you would already have attacked me. No... you know better, you foul cold-blooded mistake. You do not dare take me on in honest combat – which is why you look for baubles of power to augment your own." He deliberately lifted his head and sniffed, then wrinkled his nose. "And when the Northern lands finally belong to me, the first thing I will do will be to get rid of every bit of dragon-taint that exists within them. Within six months, there will be no evidence that you and your pathetic kind ever existed in this country at all, be sure of that."

Snarling, Ryukotsussei made as though to step over the border, and Touga thumbed Tessaiga's hilt, the sound of the blade releasing from the sheath calling the dragon back to himself. Pulling back with difficulty, the dragon glared at Touga, his youki attempting to press down on him in order to proclaim dominance. However, Touga immediately answered, his own youki rising to push back against Ryukotsussei's with a fierce power that the dragon hated knowing his enemy had. After a few moments he leapt backwards, away from Touga and the border. "Soon, dog. Soon, I will find what I search for, and then you and all your kind will be extinct. I will bring hell to you and yours, Touga. Mark my words."

And as Ryukotsussei took to the air once more, Touga laughed. "You will never find what you look for, and even if you did it would avail you nothing for I will not see the lands fall to one such as you. I am already ahead of you in this game, and you will never catch up," he called in a great voice that he knew the dragon could hear.

He chuckled to himself as he watched Ryukotsussei's writhing form disappear into the horizon, and then he moved to lay his scent over the area again to get rid of Ryukotsussei's stink – the more the area smelled like him, the worse the dragon would hate it.

By mid-afternoon he was satisfied that his borders were appropriately marked, and with one last glance into the Northern Lands, he turned and made his way back to Setsuna so that he could refresh himself and get ready for dinner. After all of that, he was finding himself quite hungry, indeed.

~oOo~

Edited 09/21/13