5 years later.
A brisk fresh-faced youth stood in the garden of her grand manor. Her servants bustled around as they cleaned up the property for that night's gathering. Izayoi Niimura dreamily wandered around in her spring kimono gazing at the verdant greens and the sedated water of the small pond. She sighed as she soon heard a voice, which she had hoped she wouldn't.
"Izayoi, there you are!" Takemaru exclaimed, the 20-year-old family friend came to join her in the garden. Izayoi put on a face, "Hello Takemaru."
"I've been looking all over for you, your father did mention you spend a lot more time outdoors." He said warmly.
Izayoi rolled her eyes, "Did he now?"
"Wow, you've grown beautifully, when did you start growing out your hair?" He said cheerfully attempting to grab one of the ends of her now mid-back raven locks, Izayoi moved away from him.
"Thank you." She whispered acidly.
Takemaru nodded, "Well, it's been good talking to you, but father wants me to join him in the conference room, I'll see you tonight at dinner."
Izayoi didn't answer, knowing far too well that he was trying to warm her up to marrying him. They started out as childhood friends, and when their father's had noticed they got along well they wanted to arrange a marriage. However, after Izayoi's mother passed away from an illness, Izayoi was never the same. The now 18-year-old girl often thought about the man who saved her in the fields so many years ago. She thought about love, what true love felt like? Forced and arranged marriages never appealed to her, she thought it was barbaric and something that wasn't fair to woman in the "high" social status. Izayoi reached into her kimono and pulled out the yellow hair tie she had received from the man. She clutched close to her heart, why didn't you keep your promise? She thought to herself, all of these years, she's been dying to see him again.
What has befallen me?
"Lady Izayoi?" Her servant Ruka called from the patio, "It's time for your afternoon tea."
Izayoi nodded, "Thank you Ruka, I'll be right in."
Inu Taisho stood at the hills of his Western Territory, he had returned from the East not too long ago.
It's been 5 years since I've been back.
"My Lord! Totosai wanted me to ask you where you wanted Saiya to meet you." A tiny voice came from his shoulder.
"Hello Myoga, and Ah-Un should know where I am, yes?" He said to the tiny flea.
"He's been with Sesshomaru in your absence my Lord, I am not sure where they are at the moment.
Inu Taisho chuckled, "Alright, I guess I'll find them."
"I've done what you asked me too My Lord." Myoga said.
Inu Taisho nodded, "Thank you, how is she?"
"Grown into a woman, although a man continues to pester her. She talks about you in her sleep, even if she doesn't know your name." Myoga reported.
Inu Taisho pursed his lips, then sighed. "It will never work."
"Why do you say so my Lord?"
"She's a human, I am a demon, and we are too different." Inu Taisho said, "Thank you for watching over her, you do not have to monitor her any longer."
Myoga nodded, "Sire, if I must say, as your advisor I think you should go after whatever makes you happy." The flea said as he jumped away, going god knows where.
Inu Taisho smiled, who knew he was that knowledgeable.
That night, Inu Taisho observed silently from one of the tall trees in the Niimura manor, he had noticed that there were many people living in the huge house. He waited silently as he noticed the tree happened to be in Izayoi's private garden of her room. His eyes narrowed as he heard her voice and a young man's voice. His sharp ears listened in on the conversation.
"Takemaru, please I am tired, allow me to rest for the night and I will show you around tomorrow?" She said in a pleading tone.
There was a sigh, "Alright my Lady, I understand. I'll see you tomorrow morning." He said sounding defeated. There were footsteps and then a loud slam.
Inu Taisho heard her sigh. He noticed her voice was no longer the angelic one of a little girl, but the song of a grown woman. He narrowed his eyes as her face came into view. Her flowing hair had grown long, and her pale face had grown into a beautiful ripe fruit. He was mesmerized by her beauty, even if she was only a human.
Izayoi's shoulders fell as she sat on her patio, unaware of the guest sitting in the tree above.
"If only father knew how I felt, and Takemaru could catch a hint." She muttered under her breath. She took out the hair tie, and pressed it to her lips.
"I'm sure the man in the fields would understand," She muttered into the fabric, "It'd be nice to be understood by someone."
"Lady Izayoi, your bath has been prepared." Ruka chided from the other side of the door. Izayoi sighed, "Thank you Ruka, I'll prepare in a bit." Izayoi stood up and tucked away her precious hair band.
Inu Taisho narrowed his eyes as he recognized the hair tie. He was almost gaping at what he had just heard with his ears. He sighed almost silently, as his ears picked up on something else.
"Yes Myoga?" He whispered.
"My Lord," Myoga greeted, "This is where you have been hiding."
Inu Taisho narrowed his eyes, "What of it?"
"Nothing My Lord!" Myoga said defensively, "There is nothing wrong with you visiting."
"Mmmm…"
"So you've chosen to visit her, will you speak to her now?"
"No."
"But, My Lord!" Myoga protested.
"Myoga," Inu Taisho said firmly, "No."
Myoga fell silent, not wanting to push the demon lord any further.
Maybe, if my heart stays the hell out of my brain. Inu Taisho thought as he saw Izayoi retire out of her room for the night. He then took his leave and disappeared into the clouds.