Cursed Love
Chapter 3 – The journey only begins
Mikoto was grinning widely as she remembered the scene; the memory was still fresh in her mind. „Hanako doesn't even know what the collar will do with her..." she chuckled quietly. „And I'm glad Takeshi-san didn't see through my plan... Hanako will fall in love with someone else, then he will be mine..." her smirk only grew more as she thought of it.
Last time she came across a little pond, she used her ability to see what her cousin was doing. Mikoto quickly realized Hanako's and Kiyone's journey had just begun and this was more than she could've been hoping for.
She was now sitting on the bank of a flowing river, silently enjoying the early morning; in fact, it was even before the break of dawn. She was a little bit disappointed not hearing about Takeshi, but she quickly forgot it, when an exciting thought came into her mind. Hastily bending forward, her fingertips touched lightly the surface of the water, while she quietly hummed an incantation in ancient Japanese. Quickly pulling her hand out, Mikoto leaned closer to the picture which slowly formed in the river.
There was her beloved cousin, Hanako, trying desperately fleeing from an ugly oni. The demoness inched closer; her nose almost touched the surface of the water. All she could see was a white blur, before the lover class demon fall dead to the ground. Then the image cleared, showing a little green imp running into the front. Mikoto wished her cousin would glance at him, but she was rather disappointed when a very handsome youkai stepped forward, allowing Hanako to meet his piercing gaze first. The woman on the riverbank pouted childishly, it would have been so much fun if she had looked upon the imp first; but she was at least a little bit content: Mikoto was sure a demon as handsome as he was, would never want her cousin, so, in the end her wish would be fulfilled.
The snap of a twig jerked her out of her little world and the picture quickly disappeared from the water's surface. Mikoto quickly jumped onto her feet and turned to glare at the intruder who got so close to her without any notice. When she was face to face with the stranger, she had to realize she knew him:
'Takeshi-san?' she asked, surprised. 'What are you doing here...?'
The demon stepped closer to her, towering over her with a few inches.
'You told me that collar will get Hanako to love me... You lied to me!'
Mikoto unconsciously took back a step or two, then narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her.
'I have never told you anything like that. All I said is that Hanako would fall in love with the first male youkai her gaze fell upon' she explained, straightening herself.
'I planned to be the demon who-'
'Unfortunately, it does not matter now' Mikoto cut him off quickly. 'It seems you had to plan better, Takeshi-san...'
Long moments of silence passed by, until the man began mumbling to himself:
'What will I do now...? I don't even know where she is...'
'Well, the way I see it, you have two options: one is waiting here for her to come back to you – just as I promised – or...'
'Or what? What is the second choice?' Takeshi looked up quickly, but missed the ghost of a sly smile which graced Mikoto's lips only for a moment.
'Or you can try following her, though I'm not sure if you could tell the difference between Kiyone and Hanako's scents...'
After a heartbeat, with Takeshi thinking it over, he came to a quick conclusion: 'Then you will come with me, Mikoto-san...'
Again, he turned away too early to notice the content smile which appeared on the woman's features...
"Everything is going according to plan... Well, almost everything..."
Hanako was truly amazed. She would've never thought she would someday label a man to be beautiful, but it seemed that seemingly faraway day had just arrived. The moonlight was dancing on his silver locks, and his pale skin and white garments only helped to create an image of a kami materializing on Earth.
Then the magic spell was broken when he raised again an elegant eyebrow at her stare and she quickly picked herself up from the embarrassing position she was: in front of his legs. Bowing deeply and shyly casting her gaze to the ground before her, she quietly thanked him.
'That oni disturbed my sleep' he told her coldly, letting her know he did not do it for her. The demoness' body tensed, and when she slowly lifted her head, it was clear that she was ready for a good arguing, to tell him what she thought of this entire situation, but before she could even start, her words froze on her lips, when a tall woman appeared at the gate. She was an inuyoukai, just as the handsome and very rude man.
'My, my... is that a way to treat women, my son, Sesshoumaru?' she glanced at him from the corners of her eyes. 'Not that you have been resting, anyway...'
'Mother...' growled a frustrated Lord of the Western Lands in a low voice, but the older inuyoukai's attention was not on his son anymore; more like on the younger female before them.
'Dear, you look horribl-horribly tired' the Lady said, turning her gaze upon the woman who had just been chased by the oni.
„Well, thanks, and I also feel just as horrible as I am looking..." Hanako replied in her mind, of course hearing when Sesshoumaru's mother's tongue slipped. Although, she tried to hide the annoyance shining in her eyes, as well as her embarrassment at the moment.
'I... I had a long journey, Lady' Hanako bowed a little, not entirely sure how to act. First, it was night, so she couldn't see the great castle beyond the gate and she didn't know if these youkai in front of her held any status and if they did, what it would be. Though she could easily guess that a large building was hiding behind the stonewalls, meaning these two dog demons were ones from the higher classes.
'Ano... it's late now; why don't you come in and rest?' suggested Sesshoumaru's mother, both to her son and the stranger's amazement. Then an honest smile appeared on Hanako's face, while she bowed lower this time:
'I would be honoured, Lady' she replied, happy to find a place to stay for the night. Stealing a glance at the rapidly darkening sky, she could see the approaching threatening clouds, filled with rainwater and thunders. Glad that she wouldn't be spending her time outside in the harsh storm which would surely come, she accepted the lady's help and followed her inside.
Sesshoumaru – after getting over his shock, ordered Jaken to make sure the gate was closed and everything was alright – quickly caught up with the females, all the way wondering, what could have possibly possessed her mother to invite a stranger into their home...
After proper introductions (and Hanako's surprise that she stumbled upon one of the famous royal families), everybody went on their own separate ways. The demoness was shown to a room, which was around the same size as her own had been in the home she left behind a few days before. After the servant, who escorted her there, left she smiled lightly, glancing around. It was simple, but also elegant; the place's beauty laid in its not over-furnitured state.
Hanako quickly put down her sack next to the low table on her left and walked around in the room, admiring its simple beauty. She found out that one shouji lead her to the veranda which ran around the large building, a pair of zoris waiting for her near the threshold. She remembered vaguely that the servant told her, she would find a path which led to the o-furo, where she was allowed to clean herself.
„It would be rude, not appreciating this hospitality and not using that o-furo..." she mused, diving for her sack and digging through for her bath supplies, though a towel was all that fall under this category in her bag. She pouted a little... she couldn't possibly run around in a towel in the castle... maybe she could make her way to the bath in her travelling clothes, but coming back would prove to be a difficult task...
Sure, it would be much more easier if she could use her demonic power, but thanks to that ankle chain she couldn't get off...
'Damn that Mikoto...' this was not the first time Hanako thought bitterly about her cousin. She just seemed to always know how to make the demoness' life harder. And so far, Hanako couldn't guess why she did it. Suppressing a heavy sigh, Hanako slid down to the floor, staring helplessly in front of herself.
It was odd, how energetic and happy she seemed during daylight, but when night fell, she usually changed: like she was a totally other person. There was a painful feeling in her chest that signalled something was missing. She thought it was the connection with her powers, but when she gave enough thought, she realized, something entire different was missing, as well, though she couldn't quite place her finger on it, what made her this sad every night when darkness ruled over the lands. That strange melancholy didn't seem to leave her, ever...
She sat there, motionlessly for long minutes, until she awakened again, picking herself off the floor and searching her sack for a sleeping yukata. Then she remembered, she hadn't packed any of them, thinking, she'd be spending her nights outside, under the stars. She hadn't expected to get a proper accommodation during her travels. So, without her mission accomplished, Hanako didn't dare burying herself under the blanket which was spread across the futon which occupied the right side of the room. So she laid on top of it.
Gazing wondering at the ceiling, she soon got bored and turned on her side, closing her eyes. She didn't know how much time would pass, after she could rest in a comfortable futon again.
In the distance, she could already hear the storm coming up, racing on the winds. „It will reach the castle soon..."
Hanako weren't afraid of storms, but as she saw the blinding lightning and immediately heard the heavily rumbling thunder, signalling that the war in heaven was already too close for her comfort, she couldn't sleep.
„Maybe a little walk will help..." she mused, getting up and straightening her wrinkled clothing. Drawing the fusuma and stepping out of her room, she thought she would explore the hallways, until she become tired or at least the storm would quiet down...
So, she started her little midnight-walk, but after a half an hour she saw that this might have been not a really good idea. Now she was lost and couldn't find her way back to her room – or at least a familiar place. Hanako sighed in frustration, when she also heard the next thunder and just before that, she could see the lightning even from behind her closed eyes. She began tiring at last, but with a storm such as this she was sure she won't be sleeping even if she did find her room.
So, deciding on roaming the hallways further, she discovered she wasn't the only one this night who couldn't sleep. On one of the many turns on her way she ran into the lord's mother – almost literally.
'Oh, sumimasen' she bowed deep, apologetically to the woman. 'I didn't think I would meet somebody, so I-'
'Don't worry about it' the older inuyoukai reassured her, cutting in her expectedly endless explanation.
There was silence for a few minutes, until Hanako realized herself and quickly bowed again, planning on disappearing from the eyesight of the other woman, but said yasha had other thoughts.
'It seems I can't sleep and if I am correct it is the same with you' Hanako nodded carefully, waiting patiently for her to continue. 'Well, what do you say, having a bath in the o-furo and have a little chat... I think it's better than roaming these endless hallways alone, feeling the chilling weather from outside...?'
Hanako at first, didn't know what to say. She wasn't the type who favoured little chatting about nothing important, but first, this was the lady of the house who offered her a relaxing time in the o-furo and a company, and second, even though she wasn't in the mood, soaking in warm water in this unfriendly weather didn't sound too bad. So, she replied:
'I would be glad if I could join you' smiling politely.
They were on their way to the o-furo, when Hanako realized she hadn't even had a towel, not alone a yukata to change. The lord's mother noticed her sudden nervousness and quickly found out what had been on Hanako's mind. And she was kind enough to give her the bathing supplies and even a sleeping yukata to wear after bath. After all, this was a castle and she was a guest. So Hanako accepted it humbly, following her to the o-furo.
Dawn found them in the calming warm onsen – the o-furo was built around it. Hanako didn't think she would enjoy light chatting ever, but she was wrong. Or maybe the sake itself helped to lighten up their moods...?
'So tell me – why were you wandering alone in the middle of the night?' Sesshoumaru's mother asked, sipping from her little cup.
'You see, Atsukane-sama' began Hanako, while pouring a little sake for the lady 'it is tradition in my family.'
Atsukane blinked.
'For a young woman to roam the dangerous roads without any escort?'
'Well... if you put it that way...' Hanako chuckled. 'Back to the point, it is required for me to travel around and gain some experience on the world before... oops!' she laughed a little; her cheeks already rosy because of the sake she'd already drunk.
'Before what, Hanako-san?'
'I can't say it, my lady' the young woman shook her head. 'I'm sorry.'
Atsukane kept her calculating gaze on her for a moment longer, then turned away, sipping from her own sake. 'Nevermind, child.'
'Thank you, Lady' bowed Hanako so deeply, her nose touched the water. Then she began laughing at herself – the sake started to make more effect. Atsukane sighed silently, finishing off her remaining drink.
'Come, Hanako-san' she told her. 'I think we've spent enough time in the bath... and drinking sake.'
'You are right, my lady' nodded the younger yasha repeatedly.
While they were drying themselves and putting on their sleeping yukata, Sesshoumaru's mother noticed the ankle chain on Hanako.
'That is very nice' she told her, when they exited the o-furo. Hanako glanced down where the jewellery was.
'Not really, Atsukane-sama' she finally replied, her voice unexpectedly sober. The inuyoukai found this slightly suspicious, but decided it wasn't too important to waste her time finding out about it.
'Thank you for the warm welcome, my lady' Hanako bowed when they stopped at her door.
'Not at all, Hanako-san' Atsukane smiled slightly, then turned to leave for her room.
'Good night, Lady!'
'Good night' Atsukane replied, disappearing around the corner.
Hanako slid the fusuma open, then – after stepping inside – closed it after herself. She sighed, feeling the tension leave her.
'I almost told her about the journey... If I wouldn't find somebody I could imagine my future with, father will surely find someone after I'd return. I can't just say things like these to Atsukane-sama. She'll probably think I'm after her son... Hmm... I wonder if he's still...' she shook her head to clear her thoughts. 'Surely, he must have a mate by now. ... Not that it matters to me' she decided, nodding.
She walked slowly to her futon and laid down under the covers. Sleep finally caught up with her and she felt herself drift farther and farther away from reality. While she laid there peacefully, the little stars on her strange necklace began to glow in a soft light, activating the spell.
No wonder she had dreams about the Lord of the castle...
To be continued...
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kami: often translates as 'god', however, the concept of 'kami' is not this simple; it's quite different from our idea of gods – if you'd like, I'll write info on 'kami' on my profile
ano: umm...
o-furo: bathing house
sumimasen: sorry; more formal than 'gomen(nasai)'
onsen: hot spring
sake: well, who wouldn't know of sake? :D anyway, it's wine from rice
about the name of Sesshoumaru's mother: I have some other fan fictions, and in one of them (Sesshoumaru no Kiba), I already thought of a name for Sesshoumaru's mother – she need a name if she's going to be in the story for more than two lines, right? So I decided I use that name here, too. So 'Atsukane' is (c) by me.
The name of Sesshoumaru's mother was never mentioned in the manga Inuyasha.
A/N: I feel ashamed because of the long period of time I haven't updated this story. Sadly I hadn't have as much time to write as I would have liked and even after I began this chapter, I just got stuck in the middle of itˇˇ''
You could say, I had a writer's block which -of course- also effected my other stories. However I believe I'm getting out of it and I hope you'll forgive me for not continuing this story for... eeeer... a long time...
I'll try to update more regularly - and try to make less mistakes... After all, my English is better (hopefully) than when I first started this story.
I have my own ideas but if you got some inspiration, feel free to tell me :)
Ja mata!
PS.: Thanks for your patience. (bows)
PS2.: I'm not very content with this chapter but fortunately it still has some answers for your questions, I guess :)
