Chapter Eighteen
The Announcement
Disclaimer: Okay … you know what? Knock it off! Everyone gets the point that I don't own InuYasha and I didn't turn my computer back on a 1:30 in the morning just to be reminded of that!
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Ai was in the room she was staying in, Rin looking at whom she considered to be her soon to be sister already with a smile.
"Ai, you look great. You will really knock them off their feet in that beautiful kimono." Ai looked at herself in the mirror, nodding a little. It had been two full weeks since Lady Kagome had come back with the love of her life. A small smile came to her when she thought of his beautiful chocolate brown eyes and those adorable ears of his …
Two full weeks and now she was getting ready for the single biggest party this era has seen since Sesshomaru first became mated to Kagome. She silently wondered if that would ever happen to her … with a certain silver haired dog-eared boy …
Rin laughed a little. "Are you just going to stand there all day looking at yourself or are you going to let me do your hair?" Ai blushed a little, sitting down at the vanity station.
"Sorry, Rin." Rin just smiled and began doing her hair.
"Thinking about my brother again?" Ai blushed.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Only to everyone except him of course." The two girls laughed and finally, Ai's beautiful brown hair was cascading down her back in waves and curls, making the girls smile.
"Rin, you are a miracle worker." Rin laughed a little.
"Well, c'mon, let's go. We'll miss our entrances." Ai nodded and met the boys at their meeting place at the top of the stairs. First to go was Kagome and Sesshomaru, of course, since they were the Lord and Lady of the castle. Second was Rin and Shippo then came Kasei and Ai, Takara and some escort that Sesshomaru had chosen for her and finally, Katsu and this little girl that he met, Mai.
Ai's heart was pounding and she could clearly hear the announcer announce Kagome and Sesshomaru and took a deep breath. She never was too great with crowds …
"Presenting, Princess Ai and Prince Kasei." That was their cue. Ai stepped forward, in time with Kasei and plastered a smile on her face and she heard hear murmurs and comments, some commenting on how Sesshomaru had a half demon son. She spared a look at Kasei to see that he was completely ignoring the comments, with great ease and perfection, she added.
Once everyone else was announced, the party got started. There was dancing and socializing and children playing. Katsu was one of those children, since most still considered him a child. Ai looked across the room to see Takara giving her escort a very cold shoulder and she chuckled a little. Poor guy probably didn't know what he was getting himself into when he agreed to escort her and secretly keep an eye on her, making sure she didn't go off and find some wounded demon or something and take it under her care. It always struck Ai as a little odd how on the outside, she looked and acted just like her father, minus the ears and hair color of course, but on the inside, she really was just as sweet as Kagome.
She felt a little nudge and looked over to see Kasei's chocolate brown eyes and smiled a little. "C'mon, there's something I want to show you." Takara nodded a little, following him and feeling him take her hand to help her through the thick crowd.
A watchful pair of eyes watched them leave but put it in the back of his mind for the moment, turning back to his duties at hand.
Ai looked around the gardens and gasped a little. There were loads of fireflies and they were floating around her, making her giggle when they floated into her chestnut tresses.
Kasei stopped underneath a weeping willow that was by a pond that had fresh running water flowing into it and sat down underneath the tree's braches after parting them for Ai.
Ai gasped as she looked around. The moonlight was shining through the branches and leaves and onto the water, which made the whole place have a closed off feel to it, which it essentially was. Ai briefly watched as the moonlight danced on Kasei's skin and made the rock in his ear stand out slightly more. After all this time, he'd still refused to take it out. Ai smiled at the thought. He certainly wasn't like anyone she had ever met …
Kasei looked up at her while she was looking around the natural wonder. She looked absolutely beautiful when he had first seen her that night and now … now she looked like one of those celestial beings he was told about. Her hair freely flowed down her back, like a river sculpting it's own path. Her blue eyes reflected the moonlight and reminded him of a rainbow. The kimono she wore sculpted her figure, hugging the important areas and fanning out slightly and her smile … god, her smile was something else. Her smile was usually the first thing that would send his gut into knots but this time, her smile made him want her. Not physically, not yet at least. But … he wanted to just bask in the loveliness of her.
Ai sat down next to him and smiled a little at him. "This place is beautiful, Kasei." Kasei smiled back at her.
"Yeah, I found it a couple days ago and we were just too busy for me to really show you. I thought you could use a break from all those high society types, anyways." Ai giggled a little.
"Well, I'm used to it so I can handle that crowd. It's pretty easy once you get it. Smile, nod, bow, walk around, greet guests, and make small talk." Kasei laughed.
"Okay, so I was lying. You caught me." Ai laughed a little. He was always so funny and charming …
"Well, I'm glad you saved me, kind prince." Kasei scoffed a little but a faint blush came to his cheeks as he looked away. They stayed silent for a while but it wasn't the uneasy kind of silence, it was a comfortable silence. They were just sitting there, enjoying each other's company.
"Hey, Ai." Ai turned her blue, blue eyes upon him and a tiny smile appeared.
"Hmm?"
Kasei looked away from her for a minute and Ai knew something was troubling him.
"What's wrong?" She laid a gentle hand on his and he unconsciously turned it so their fingers laced. They'd done it so many times it had become second nature but every now again, it would make them blush.
Kasei sighed a little, looking to her.
"Ai, do you think I'll ever become anything like my father? I've heard talk about half demons and how they're so much weaker and full demons and how they're a disgrace to any blood …" His ears dropped and Ai's heart ached for him. She had always been accepted in society since both her parents were full wolf youkai so she really didn't know much of what he went through.
Ai nudged him with her shoulder lightly, smiling at him. Kasei loved her smile. It always made him feel better even on his worst of days.
"If I know you and I believe I do, you'll do great. Just because you're a half demon doesn't mean anything. You'll be a great ruler one day, Kasei. You'll see." Kasei smiled at her.
"Thanks, Ai."
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A pair of eyes watched them from a tree a little ways away. With his eyes and hearing, he could see and hear everything and easily move around the forest without making a sound or even anyone detecting his scent one of the joys of fox powers.
It was so obvious that the two liked each other. So painfully obvious that sometimes, he just wanted to conk their heads together. He smirked at this, shaking his head a little.
In the long years he'd spent traveling with InuYasha and the group, he'd certainly picked up some of his habits but, of course, he'd never admit it to anyone but himself.
As he watched the pair, his thoughts began to wander and he found himself thinking of his younger sister, Takara and he shook his head. That onna was certainly something else! Cool and hard exterior, warm and soft interior, a nearly perfect mix between Sesshomaru and Kagome. Speaking of which … Kasei kind of reminded him of InuYasha, kind of.
His hearing shifted to back inside the castle, where the dinner part of the party was beginning to get underway and as much as he hated interrupting them, if they didn't show up, it'd be his fault. Jumping to a tree just before the entrance, Shippo then jumped down and straightened his kimono and walked towards them.
Besides … if they missed their father's announcement, he'd surely get in trouble for it. Separating the leaves and vines, Shippo noticed that they hadn't even seen him. Rolling his eyes, he cleared his throat.
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Kasei and Ai jumped apart and Shippo only laughed. "There's no need for that, you guys. It's only me. Besides, it might even be a good thing that there's chemistry there." The two looked at each other and then at Shippo.
He didn't reveal a thing. "Let's go. Dinner's almost ready and have you forgotten that father is making an importance announcement during dinner?" Kasei nodded a little.
"Right. I nearly forgot. I wonder what he's going to announce … I mean, I know there's SOMEONE here that knows but won't utter a word about it." Kasei said, glaring at Shippo who only smiled and shook his head.
"You'll find out soon enough. Let's go, already. If you're late then I'll get it later." Kasei smirked devilishly and Ai rolled her eyes, smacking him lightly.
"Kasei, be nice to him. I'm getting hungry anyways." Kasei nodded and they followed Shippo back to the sounds and the smells and the people …
Once arriving, Takara gave him a questioning look, signaling that she had found out that there was going to be an announcement. She didn't give any hint to knowing what it was about so Kasei only nodded a little and they all shuffled to the table, Kasei and Ai taking their arranged seats beside each other.
They didn't have to wait long. Soon, there was generous feast laid out for them. Kasei scanned it and recognized several things there. Pork, chicken, beef, lamb … you name it, it was there! He'd never seen so much food in his life at one time before and it was all laid out on platters and pretty little toppings.
A light tinkling of a glass made one of his ears swivel to the sound and he slowly pried his eyes from it and saw his father rise, standing tall and proud. He looked to his mother who was looking a little uncertain for some reason though she did look happy. Probably because she was back where she had yearned and longed and wished to be for the past eleven years. He still couldn't get over how long he'd been gone and how unfamiliar everything was.
"Good evening, everyone," Sesshomaru's voice brought Kasei's attention back to the matter at hand: the announcement.
"Before we thanks the gods for this wonderful feast and began our meal, I would like to have your attention as I have an important announcement to make." Kasei could feel the tension in the room and most of it was coming from his parents. He frowned a little, trying to figure out why but before he could get anywhere, Ai nudged him, glaring at him a little, her eyes telling him to pay attention.
"As you know, my first born son, Prince Kasei," Kasei bristled slightly at the title, "is now of mating age. You all also know what the tradition is in these times, regarding first born sons of mating age." There were nods and murmurs all around. Kasei began getting a sinking feeling. What did this mating have to do with him?
"So, I am pleased and proud to announce the official engagement of my son, Prince Kasei and the princess of the Northern Lands, Princess Ai." There was loud clapping and yells all around but Ai didn't hear any of it.
A blush heated her cheeks. Her and … and Kasei? They … they were … they were … engaged? She looked over to see a similar reaction on Kasei's face. Shock and confusion and … a blush …
Ai then went on autopilot for the rest of the evening before the guests left and then she picked up the all too familiar scent. Slowly turning, she saw her father standing outside with a smile.
"I thought I saw something fly between you two." Ai, honestly, wasn't sure whether to thank him or hate him. Part of her was outraged that he would do something like this to her but another part of her was happy because this all meant that she was going to be marrying the man she'd fallen hopelessly in love with in just two short weeks.
"Father … I honestly … don't know exactly how to react to this …" Kouga smiled a little, stepping up to his daughter and placing a kiss on her forehead.
"You'll be fine and you'll do fine as future Lady of the Western Lands." Ai nodded and then he left and then it hit her. Not only did she have a title now but also … she was going to have a title once Sesshomaru and Kagome stepped down …
Future Lady of the Western Lands …
The words rung in her head and she shook it, desperately trying to put everything together. Maybe if she slept on it then she could make better sense of it in the morning, she was pretty tired and she did just have a pretty long and emotionally wracking day.
She nodded then. Okay, tonight, she would just sleep on it and think more of it tomorrow.
Good luck with that …
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Kasei paced his room. He was a teenager with a problem. Hell, now he was a man with a problem! Sighing, he stopped by his bed and just fell onto his bed, burying his face into a pillow.
What was honestly bothering him? He had fallen hopelessly in love with Ai in just two short weeks and at least he didn't have to worry about asking her out or anything like that but … marriage was a big step and he didn't know how Ai felt about him … yet …
With a sigh, he rolled from his stomach to his back, looking up at the ceiling. They had about a month and a half to get used to being engaged until the wedding, which he had been told was going to be held in the late summer. Sighing again, he grabbed a pillow and threw it over his face, closing his eyes and trying to focus on what was really bothering him.
Well, there was the fact that he kind of wanted to do this whole thing on his own and that no one had even asked him but … he frowned, no … that wasn't the problem. Could it be that he didn't know if Ai wanted to be married to him? Heck, he didn't even know if she liked him in that way really. He sighed yet again, growing a little frustrated. No, that wasn't it either. Sure, he hadn't come out and asked her if she liked him but … she was giving off the hints that she did … Frowning, he sat up and decided to test this theory.
Walking to Ai's room, he knocked on the door softly. Ai opened it, obviously expecting it to be someone else because she was wearing the t-shirt he gave her that he had got at a concert once, also managing to get the entire band to sign it. Kasei's eyes went a little wide and he looked over her. The t-shirt was small on her, stopping long before her knees and hugging her curves perfectly.
Ai blushed deeply, looking down at the ground and … wait … what was that smell? Was that … arousal? She secretly looked down to his boxer shorts and confirmed her nose. Yes, it was defiantly arousal though she wasn't about to tell him and embarrass him. A slightly perverted thought entered her mind as she felt a tingling sensation in her abdomen and … it felt good.
Kasei's nose instantly picked up the change in her scent and his eyes widened a little. She was … having … thoughts … about him? He gulped a little, blushing.
"Um … Ai … could … I … come in?"
Ai blinked a little and her first reaction was to politely turn him away but she stopped herself and smiled a little at him and nodding, stepping back to let him in and closing the door behind her. Smart one, Ai, get yourself stuck between the love of your life and a closed door … she mentally smacked herself as she realized that she had done just that.
Kasei blushed a little and fidgeted. "I know that it probably doesn't matter and everything but … " He gathered his courage and looked into her blue eyes that always made him feel a little lost but in a good way.
"Do you like me?" Ai blinked a little at him and her heart began pounding a little, feeling a blush come to her cheeks.
"No Kasei, I don't like you … " Kasei's eyes widened a little and his heart stopped and it broke into millions of pieces. She … didn't like him? Something inside him told him to stop over reacting and he quickly listened to the voice and most of the pain was gone.
Ai smiled at him a little, stepping up towards him, confidence filling her. Unlike his father, Kasei couldn't put a mask on his emotions and they played themselves out on his beautiful face. When she saw the heartbreak, she knew that he felt the same.
"I don't like you, Kasei, I love you." Kasei looked to her, shocked. A blush came to his face and his heart started working again. She loved him? Her? Ai? Ai loved him? Yes, Ai loved him …
He looked into her blue eyes again, this time with a smile. "I love you, too …" Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her and didn't even notice that Takara had opened the door and was standing against the doorway with a smirk on her face, her arms crossed.
Ai and Kasei jumped apart and Ai noticed that Katsu, Rin and Shippo were there as well. She blushed deeply, looking at the ground.
"Um … well … we should probably get some sleep. You know … big day tomorrow." Kasei nodded, blushing as well.
"Yeah … um … well … night." He leaned over and pecked her on her cheek before running off to his own room with a slam of the door. He could hear the laughter that erupted from the hallway.
Sesshomaru stepped out of the room he shared with Kagome and was only wearing a sheer robe but it covered the necessary parts. He narrowed his eyes to his four children.
"What the devil are you doing up at this hour? Get to bed, all of you!" The laughter instantly stopped and everyone ran off to his or her own rooms, closing the doors behind them.
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A/N: I know, another short chapter but … well … I just want to hurry up and get to chapter 20! Why you ask? Well, you know how we all crossed a huge milestone with Kasei and Ai (who make a lovely wonderful couple, don't you think, Mel?) Well, chapter 20 is going to be different. I'll give you all a hint: LOTS OF FLUFF!
Oh yeah … as I'm writing this and then the next two chapters (hopefully anyways) fan fiction is down. I can't even log in for whatever mad reason! I've been trying to review on this story for the past two days now and I haven't been able to and it's starting to make me a tad mad!
Obviously, it will all be fixed and resolved once you read this and I expect lots of reviews for these chapters! (Hehe, I'm only kidding. You really don't have to review if you don't want to but I would like it if you did … they make me happy and inspire me lots)
I Love Every Last Single One Of My Reviews (the nice ones anyways) You Are All Cherished Greatly With Every Ounce Of My Life Especially My Regular Reviewers –Smiles and hands out cookies and candy and cans of soda-