Within Darkness
Chapter 5
The trip took nearly two weeks. When Amaya gained her first look upon her mother's tribe, she saw that they dressed in a similar fashion as Aiko. The three women stepped out from the carriage and Aiko gave a relieved sigh.
"Welcome to your mother's tribe," Aiko said. She turned to those who were removing Amaya's belongings from the carriage. "Take Lady Amaya's belongings to her mother's long house." The Ryuu nodded and AIko turned back to Amaya. "Come, I'll show you around."
Amaya saw that Moriko gave her a questioning look. "Go ahead," Amaya said.
Moriko nodded and joined the others on their way to Amaya's new place.
"Why did you bring her," Aiko asked.
"She is my most trusted servant. Do not ask me to send her back."
0o
Amaya studied the long house she had been given. She had been told it was her mother's before she married Kiyoshi; Amaya's father. It surprised Amaya to have learned that her mother, Hoshiko, was the princess of the tribe.
So it's no surprise I get her former chamber, Amaya thought.
Her belongings were there, yet unpacked. Amaya was tired from traveling and the events at the camp. But Amaya began to unpack, looking for what bed things she had brought with her. There was something about sleeping with bed items that were familiar than merely diving into bed with things thatwer so alien to her. Amaya laid on the futon, unable to sleep. The rest of the tribe, with the eception of those on patrol, were sound asleep. There was no possible way Amaya could fall asleep. After hours of restless tossing and turning, Amaya gave up and left the longhouse, goinv barefoot.
The weather still had a cold touch, yet it was warm enough to go without heavy protection against the cold. Amaya walked through the camp and wondered what her training would entail. The wind shifted and Amaya caught a familiar scent. She heard the scouts rush to confront the tresspasser and took her time getting there.
"Stop," Amaya instructed.
The scouts, who were just about to attack, stopped and turned to her, weapons still trained.
"This tresspasser must be dealt with," one said.
"That is Lord Sesshomaru, son of Lord Togaou and heir to the Western Lands," Amaya said.
The scouts looked at Sesshomaru before they lowered their weapons and returned to their patrols. Amaya waited until the scouts left before she approached Sesshomaru.
"Why have you come," Amaya asked.
"I came to watch over you," Sesshomaru answered.
"Amaya," Aiko said, joining them. "Who is this?"
"Sesshomaru, my brother and protecter."
Aiko looked at Sesshomaru. "Welcome, Lord Sesshomaru. Should I show you to where you can stay?"
Sesshomaru only shifted his eyes to look at Amaya. She raised a single eyebrow at the look.
"It would be best if I remain with Amaya," Sesshomaru answered.
"Is that wise," Aiko asked.
"You doubt what I say is true? Sesshomaru will protect me no matter what."
Aiko looked at Sesshomaru again then back to Amaya. Aiko went to say something, but merely left. Amaya looked to Sesshomaru.
"What did you tell Togaou?"
"Nothing. He does not know I'm here. You should get some rest if you are to begin your training."
Amaya nodded and mayd her way to her longhouse. She did not remember ever laying down and sleeping, but she did remember someone waking her. Blinking awaked, Amaya saw a young female in the same garb she saw Aiko in.
"Good morning, Lady," the female Ryuu greeted. "Aiko requests your presense."
"Where's Moriko?"
"Showing Lord Sesshomaru the camp." The Ryuu showed Amaya the chosen outfit. "Here. Aiko wishes you to wear this."
Amaya looked at the outfit then immediately went to a truck that held some of her kimonos. She dressed quickly and left the longhouse.
"I thought I told you to have her dress in our garb," Amaya heard Aiko yell at the one that woke her.
"She refused, Aiko. I cannot force her."
Aiko turned to Amaya. "You cannot begin your training if you do not wear our garb."
"I fail to see how the two garbs would effect my training."
Aiko dismissed the unknown female. "The garb of the West and the garb of the East differ vastly. The Eastern garb of the Konjou Ryuu has properties of our powers that the Western does not."
"I've used my powers before in the West, Aiko, in full Western garb," Amaya countered the argument. "So don't tell me about the properties of my powers. Do not forget that I was born into the ruling Konjou Ryuu family of the Eastern Lands."
Amaya walked away from the shocked Aiko. Amaya was not ready to step away from what she saw as her comfort area.
"Amaya," she heard.
She turned and saw Sesshomaru and Moriko approaching her. Amaya saw that Moriko had decided to dress in the tribe's garb. Sesshomaru remained in his white hoari and pants, which gave Amaya some sense of comfort.
"Amaya, you should really try wearing your people's clothing," Moriko said. "It has some sort of calming effect."
Amaya looked at Sesshomaru, who gave a slight nod. Amaya motioned to Moriko to follow. Minutes later, the two emerged from Amaya's longhouse; Amaya dressed in her tribe's clothing. Sesshomaru nodded his approval when Amaya modeled the outfit to him.
"It suits you," he said.
0o
Days passed into weeks, and weeks into months and Amaya grew in her powers as her training progressed. Six months had past and AMaya's matrernal tribe began to ready the camp to leave for their southern camp closer to the Southern Lands.
"I told you," Amaya spoke to Sesshomaru while she packed in her long house. "I don't need any sort of protection."
"Lord Otosaki's not one to trifle with any sort of Ryuu."
Sesshomaru had sat himself on Amaya's futon as if he had tossed himself onto it. A leg lay straight out and the other bent sideways at the knee and hip. Amaya's pilows supported his back where he sat.
"If he learns you're with your mother's people, he will seek you out. ANd who knows what he might do."
"Ah, that's the thing. He doesn't know I'm with the tribe."
Sesshomaru shifted from the futon and stood before he walked over to Amaya. "Otosaki will no do something that would threaten his alliance with my father."
"I see that I can't stop you from coming."