Hello, my dear readers !
Here a new little chapter, hope you will like it. I will not let the suspense stand any longer, you surely want to know who was the mysterious silver haired and golden eyes youkai of the previous chapter. So, here it is, ENJOY !
Disclaimer : I don't own InuYasha. I know it's a pity but I can't do a thing about it. (sigh)
It is a slightly REVISED version of the chapter.
I'm still in need of a beta.
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Chapter 4 :
Western Lands
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She looked up at him again, in his, oh so hypnotizing golden eyes. She was looking for any proof, clue that would tell her if he really did intent or not to hurt her.
Could she really believe him? Could she trust him?
After everything that happened to her, Kagome hesitated, not knowing what the best choice of action was. But when she gazed seriously up at him, all she could see was his sincerity. She felt herself start to relax a little, but she won't let her guard down just because he was telling her the truth. She always had been good at judging one character and her instincts were telling her that she could trust him. However, the recent events have shocked her more that she cared to admit so she had to stay ready for anything. Even more at the moment, in the dire situation she was in and her weak state. She couldn't stop her mind however to skip through everything that happened since that fateful night, burying herself in her thoughts.
The youkai took advantage of the fact that her attention was occupied elsewhere, to make some needed observation himself. She seemed to have been in the outdoor for a couple of days at least, if her conditions were of any indications. By the look at her coat and nightgown she was wearing, she must be of some noble family. It was obviously because of the fine quality of the fabrics.
He continued to study her during a moment and Kagome finally remarked it. She could feel his eyes watching or scrutinizing her even, as if she was some kind strange thing. She didn't know what he was looking for, but it was starting to make her a little nervous. Why oh why was he looking at her like that? She thought nervously. However, nothing of the trouble she felt was showing on her lovely face.
Something had caught the DaiYoukai's eyes and curiosity flashed in his inhuman golden pools. He reached a hand towards her to push the coat out of the way to see more clearly. He tried to do it slowly, in movements she could clearly see and anticipate but he apparently fail miserably in his intent to not frighten her. She misread his motive, what he was afraid of and reacted accordingly. Though, she didn't react the way he assumed she would.
« Don't touch me. » She said coldly.
He froze a second. To say he was surprised just wasn't enough to qualifier what he was feeling at the moment. He wasn't used to receive this kind of commanding voice against him. That took him by surprise totally. But who the hell is she ? He wasn't really the one to curse often but in this case he couldn't help it. No one had ever spoken to him like that and lived to tell. None of the noble families or inferior had ever talked to him in that tone of voice. Even his own family knew better than disrespecting him and his superiority. His face became even colder, his eyes narrowed.
On her side, Kagome was, how to say that, totally afraid. Yep. She was freaking out even. What were the intentions of this youkai currently glaring at her? She had no idea.
She raised her hands in front of her to try to protect herself from the possible lash out that could come out of this now angered youkai. She tried to concentrate, even with her fear, and regroup her powers. She had to calm down and stay concentrate or she could die before realizing it by the hand of that DaiYoukai. As she was about to use her powers, she revised herself. What if the people seeking her were hot on her tail and knew about her powers? In that case, if she was to make use of her abilities then they will feel the surge of power and immediately know where she was. It wasn't certain that they knew about her been a miko but it was an enormous risk and she wasn't sure she was ready to take it. No, she couldn't use her powers.
Well, without weapon and in front of a so powerful opponent, she had little to no chance to survive if killing her was in his intentions. Plus, she was so tired that she had difficulties to even keep her two eyes open and keep herself in a standing position. Even now, her legs were shaking from exhaustion. How could she fight back in those conditions? She may have some training but in her weaker state and without the possibility of using her powers, she felt just a little more than naked!
She was still lost in her thoughts when, in a movement too quick for human eyes, he caught her two wrists with one of his clawed ones. She gasped in shock then glared at the male who had the audacity to attack her, while thinking quickly of a way to get out of this mess. With his other hand, unaware of what she was preparing, he pushed delicately, to not cut her inadvertently with his claws, her coat from her chest to take a better look at what had caught his eyes before.
« You are from the South. » He stated, with an unemotional deep voice, while releasing her.
She was almost knocked down when he had released his tight grip on her wrists and looked at him questioningly. His face was void of any emotion. He seemed angry about something, which was ridiculous since he was the one who had manhandled her. She took a moment before answer.
« H-hai, How… » her voice quavered from her uneasiness. He smirked.
« You have the symbol of the South embroidered on the front of your nightgown. »
She gaped at him and then flushed in embarrassment. How could I be so stupid ? Like if I didn't know that ! It is at the same place on most of my clothes…He was just trying to see what insignia was on my gown and I almost attack him!
« I forgot about that. » She whispered sheepishly. He stepped back and nodded.
He studied her face a moment like if he was trying to read her or read her very soul, piercing through her with his golden gaze.
« What did you flee? » He finally asked.
His deep voice cut short to her muses and, of course like any person caught in this kind of situations, she came with a really really…mhm, intelligent answer. Yeah.
« Hn… ? »
He sighed, trying to keep his temper in check. Now wasn't the moment to show his displeasure at her way to talk to him earlier or he wouldn't receive the answers he was seeking. He understood better her reaction after seeing the symbol of the South. Being nobility and of course not knowing who he was, it was normal that she pushed him away when he had made a move as if he was about to touch her in an inappropriate way, even if it wasn't his intentions. They had badly started. So, he tried to coax her in giving him answers by speaking to her gentler. He had to remember himself that, from what he can deduce and saw, she had had some difficult days recently and should be more receptive if talked gently. « You are in a nightgown in the middle of the forest; it's evident that you flow. But the question is what? »
She looked up at him like a deer caught in the lights of a car but didn't reply to him. She refused to answer him. Ok, he didn't hurt her,…yet, and seemed, even with his cold exterior, someone good, a 'good youkai'. Yeah, it is strange to put those two words together, but she knew that it was possible for a youkai to be…hm, good. Like some humans can be really bad. Yep, strange but possible. After all, she knew of some 'good' youkais in the South. But in the current case, she didn't know who he was. Hell, he could be one of the ones who attacked her castle. Thoughts were clashing in her mind, making it difficult for her to think properly. Even if a little voice in her head whispered to her that she can trust this man, she crushed it and stayed mouth closed.
The youkai seemed to have felt her uneasiness and bit down his tongue to not show his frustration. He then spoke to her gently again.
« It's fine, you don't have any obligation to inform me on that matter. » And after a moment, he tried to direct the conversation on something else and added : « So, you are from nobility. »
At the glance she sent him, he knew what she wanted to ask before she even opened her mouth. He raised one hand to stop her.
« I can say it from your clothes. They are of fine quality that only rich people can afford. Plus, you had the symbol on your night gown. You are obliviously from one of the important families of the South. So, what are you doing here, in the middle of the woods, alone, away from your lands, young Lady ? »
She half-listened his talk while trying to find something to tell him so he would let this matter down but in his reply, something caught her attention.
« Away… ? » She said distractedly outloud.
« Hai. You are in the Western Lands. Or more precisely, more or less, at the border between the South and the West. »
She immediately, a smile, despite herself, grow on her lips. That action really perplexed the DaiYoukai. But she didn't seem to be aware that he was just in front of her anymore. She murmured to herself: « I succeed. » Because of his over sensitive ears, he was able to hear her as clearly as crystal. At this moment, he wasn't just puzzled but totally at lost. Not able to contain his curiosity anymore, he voiced his thought.
« Why, an human woman, would be happy to hear that she was now in the Western Lands, where reside almost only youkais and when most of them hate humans ? » He said, raising an eyebrow at her to emphasis his question.
She raised her head, startled to hear his deep voice. She was so glad to have succeeded in crossing the border that she had forgotten he was still standing there and surprised that he could have hear what was just a murmur. Then she realized her own stupidity and almost hit herself: he was youkai, of course he could hear her even if she was only whispering. She cleared her throat.
« I-I need a place to hide and the West is the last place you will seek a human. None would willingly cross the border knowing the risks, and I count on that fact. » She explained, in little words, her presence in these lands. If he could see that she was from an important family of the South, she could clearly see the same. Better not angering him. Maybe meeting him could become of benediction in disguise and he could be of some help.
He chuckled. « Hai, I understand your point. Quite cleaver, I must say. » She blushed lightly. « What's your name ? »
« I…Hm…I'm…You can call me…Saya. » She stammered nervously. Really, lying wasn't one of her strong point and she couldn't say her actual name.
He studied her a moment and saw through her easily. " It's not your real name." He concluded. "But, fear not, I won't push you further for answers. I will wait the moment when you will feel ready to tell me the truth." He smiled down at her gently to reassure her.
« By the was, I'm named InuTaisho. »
She frozed. The blood in her veins turned suddenly cold. Did…did he just say I-Inutaisho?! She thought frantically. Her eyes opened wide in shock. All the blood flow from her face and left her really pale.
« You y-you a-are InuTaisho ? » she said in a squeal
« Hai…Why ? » Curious at her reaction.
She changed radically of comportment. She bowed to the waist at him. « I-I didn't…Please, forgive me, my Lord, for my behavior towards you. If I known... » She seemed totally panicked.
He chuckled. « It's alright, young Lady. You couldn't know. But how do you know that I'm the Lord? »
« I…I know that the Lord of the Western Lands is named InuTaisho. » She twisted her fingers in all the way possible in her nervousness. He observed her during a moment like if trying to determinate something. That didn't aid Kagome to calm down. He finally spoke.
« Very little people knew my name in the others Lands. Hm. But I'm flattered that a young and beautiful young Lady like you knows of my name. »
She blushed crimson and that made the youkai Lord laughed, a deep rich laugh. He calmed down after a little time and cleared his throat gently at the embarrassed face of the poor young human woman. He didn't laugh like that in a long time. She was a feisty one at first but so innocent at the same time. He really liked that young one, really refreshing. So, he took the decision.
« You will come with me, young Lady. » He said with a sense of finality.
« What do you m-mean ? »
« Exactly what I said, lovely one. »
« Y-you want to take me, with you, to your castle ? (he nodded). But-but… I don't want to be impolite, my Lord, but…»
« Calm down. I just wish to help you. It seems that a lot of things happened to you in the last couple of days. I know my Lands and they are, like you must imagine, dangerous for a lone young human woman like yourself. Just let this InuTaisho assist you. »
She looked straight at him in the eyes for a time, trying to judge or find some evidences of some trickery or anything suspect. She didn't really know what she was seeking, but found nothing but truthfulness. She had two options: trust him and go or choose to continue alone. This DaiYoukai was the Lord of these Lands. His influence can make her survival in the Western Lands possible, but at the same time, knowing the law, he can't discover who she really was before she was ready to expose herself and go back in the South. It was a difficult decision to make knowing that she wasn't really gifted in lies.
Finally, she came to a decision and took a deep breath. She then looked at him directly in the eyes before answering the sentence that could really well sealed her fate.
« Ok, I'm going with you. »
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End of the chapter 4.