Yakumo felt the urge to hide her face as soon as his foot touched the earth before the crowd.
Not that the stoic demon lord was even looking in her direction. The woman peeked timidly from beneath her bangs and followed his movement with her eyes. He was simply walking forward slowly, staring ahead at nothing in particular. Jaken went to his side, jabbering on incessantly.
For such a quiet, deadly demon, Sesshomaru had nothing but love and admiration from the people in his lands and those who served him in his castle. People respected him for his shrewd negotiating and eagerly accepted his protection from the dangers of other demons and looming wars.
Though he had been away for quite some time Yakumo had followed his endeavors constantly. She was always in awe of his unwillingness to give up on the fight against Naraku. When it was rumored he had possession of a sword that returned life to someone taken by the afterlife, she became even more intrigued. She still carried anger in her heart but she couldn't help herself from admiring the man Sesshomaru had grown into, even if a part of him was cold and uncaring.
The crowd now began moving back into the castle ready to begin their large feast and continue celebrating. Yakumo allowed herself to be taken into their shuffle and she and Uri clasped hands in order not to be separated.
The crowd petered out as they entered the grand dining hall. Rows and rows of long tables began at the back of the room, servants setting out large bowls and platters of food on each of them, along with plates and utensils. After ten tables the rows ended, leaving a large blank space in the floor, suitable for dancing. The space lay before one last long table, and at the middle sat Sesshomaru. His eyes pierced the room and yet his face remained a bored mask. To the left and right of the demon lord sat all his generals and advisers, while Jaken stood awkwardly behind his chair, eagerly trying to involve himself with the lord' conversations.
Yakumo gave the table at the head of the hall a glance and saw that Madoka was to Sesshomaru's immediate right. She watched Madoka's lively conversation with Sesshomaru, though only Madoka was lively, Sesshomaru simply continued staring out into the crowd, barely acknowledging he even heard the general's words.
Uri pulled her gently over to one of the tables and they seated themselves. Though Yakumo was considered the lady of the household she did not see herself above anyone else and she sat happily with Uri and her friends, many of whom served other various ladies in the castle.
No one knew of her previous engagement to Sesshomaru. While perhaps some of the elders of their clan may know, it was not something Yakumo had shared with many people, not even Uri. It had hurt so much when Sesshomaru left and Yakumo preferred not to have anyone pity her. She reflected sadly on their last meeting and gulped in a deep breath of air.
"I don't understand why you think this means you have to leave," she told the demon before her. The desperation becoming clear in her raised voice.
"I do not have to explain myself to you, girl" Sesshomaru spat back, his patience obviously wearing thin.
Yakumo blinked at him in surprised, his tone taking her off guard. His father had just died, killed in a terrible batter, so she understood his angst and heightened emotions. But her father had perished in the same battle, and she felt the sting of his words bear heavily on her already aching heart.
She knew he was bitter over his father's affair, love child, and eventual death all tied to the beautiful human woman Izayoi. She felt a pinch of hatred towards the woman as well. She was not worth the death of her father in her eyes, but she knew her father would have done anything for Inu no Taisho. Not to mention a baby's life was at stake. Yakumo now held that same infant in her arms, his white hair matching both she and Sesshomaru's but his little puppy ears sticking out sorely among the full blooded demons.
When she had last seen the Inu no Taisho he had requested she keep his lover and his second born child safe if they ever needed her help. She had gulped in fear at his request, taking it as a bad sign of things to come. She had simply nodded in agreement before he rushed away, sword in hand.
When Izayoi had arrived, scared and grieving with an infant in her arms, Yakumo had reacted quickly upon remembering her promise. But she also knew they could not stay here long. Her mother and Sesshomaru's mother would soon notice and most likely be very upset with her. She planned for them to leave in a day or two, going north to safety, along with clothes, supplies, and money left by Inu no Taisho.
"Please don't go, my lord," Yakumo pleased once more, using an honorific in hopes of flattering the agitated demon. She gripped his baby brother to her chest tightly as the young man took a step towards her, his eyes blank and empty.
"I should kill that pathetic creature in your arms now, and save myself the trouble later," he replied, his unemotional voice sending a chill down Yakumo's spine.
Her eyes widened, fear coursing through her veins. Would he really kill a child?
"You wouldn't dare!" she shouted back, tears streaming down her porcelain face. "He is your own flesh and blood, it was your father's last wish to me that he be protected," she reminded Sesshomaru. "The life of this innocent baby is all the good that came from both our fathers' death, do not undo their dying efforts!" Overcome by grief she nuzzled her face in the small baby's tuft of hair.
"You fool, from whom did you think my father meant to protect the child from?" the lord questioned, his eyes meeting hers with a ferocity.
Her blue eyes widened even more and she felt a surge of loathing shoot through her. She stepped back, wanting to run, but knowing he would follow no matter where she went.
"I will never let you touch him," she informed him, as she watched Sesshomaru take a step closer.
His pace quickened, but Yakumo stood her ground, her arms shielding the half demon infant best she could. As quickly as he had started towards her, Sesshomaru was already in her face, ready to snatch the bundle from her arms. Without a second thought, Yakumo raised her hand back and swung her hand forward.
Her hand connected squarely with Sesshomaru's face, the slap echoing throughout the courtyard in which they stood. "You are a spineless bastard to come after a child," she screamed. She let her yokai swell, until it could be felt thickly around her. she reached out and tore at his clothes with one hand, letting poisonous scratches go down his chest.
Sesshomaru seemed unmoved by this particular attack but still backed away from her. It was as if her strike to his face had brought him out of his murderous trance.
"Leave," she bit out, now feeling sick from dread and exhaustion. "I hate you," she told him.
Sesshomaru shot her one of his masked looks, his eyes resting on hers, before leaping into the sky.
Yakumo fell to the ground, still clutching the now crying Inuyasha.
The memory still caused Yakumo's chest to burn. She had loved the demon with all her heart but that moment had changed the course of their planned destiny.
"My lady, look," Uri whispered into her ear, bringing her mistress from her lost thoughts.
When Yakumo looked up Madoka was leaning over towards Sesshomaru, a smile playing on his lips. Whatever he was saying was causing Sesshomaru's piercing golden orbs to stare directly at Yakumo. Her face reddened and she felt the urge to hide beneath the wood table they sat at.
Sesshomaru didn't seem to acknowledge whatever Madoka was saying, instead he continued staring at the girl as his general's lips stopped moving and he waited for a response from his lord. When Sesshomaru continued to ignore Madoka, the general awkwardly leaned back into his seat, his eyes also settling on Yakumo.
"I suddenly feel very sick Uri," she lied, becoming desperate to leave the dining hall as quickly as she could.
Uri shot her a look of concern, helping her up from her seat, and ushering her out of the room with a gentle push.
Once the women had returned to Yakumo's chamber's, Uri helped her undress from her beautiful kimono, and let her hair down from the grasp of the golden pin once gifted to her by the great lord. Yakumo let Uri brush her silver mane out until she felt her eyes become droopy. She laid down in her large plush bed and heard Uri open the window to let air in and keep her cool during the night.
Yakumo tossed and turned for what felt like hours. Suddenly she felt as though she were being watched. She sat up slowly, feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand up on end. She glanced around her darkened room until her eyes came upon the open window. For a split second, she could have sworn she saw a pair of golden eyes peering in on her. But when she blinked, they were already gone.