Hoshiko was sitting.
She was sat upon a rock right outside of camp. She was just sitting there quietly. Just sitting. The sun was rising higher into the sky fusing the morning sky in rays of gold, pink, and orange and the soft breeze blew her glimmering hair back from her face. She was paying no mind to her companions who were repacking up the campsite and still she just sat there. Her elbow was sitting on her knee, her hand holding her chin as if in thought. Her other hand was draped over her lap, clenching the cloth of her kimono at times or smoothing it down after rumbling it. She was chewing her lip with an emotion no one could distinguish. She just stared at the dawn. Her sky blue eyes, flickering with the light of the morning sky, revealed nothing other than a distant look. She never smiled or frowned. Nothing disturbed her, not even when they attempted to speak to her or the loud voices in the background. She was completely lost within her own mind.
Sesshomaru stood nearby, watching her.
He couldn't distinguish what she was doing at all. She had been there before dawn and had been there since, just sitting on her rock gazing at the sky. It unsettled him to see her like that. To see the usual warmth surrounding her was gone and it displeased him; it pleased him to feel the beautiful softness and warmth of her aura. She was the fire while he was the ice. Together, he didn't know what to name it but other than the fact it was like they completed each other. His golden eyes wandered over to his servants, who had not seen him return from his quick scout of the area before they departed. He had remained hidden in the trees. He listened in for a moment.
"Do you have all the things packed, Jaken," Sakura inquired, strapping a blanket on An-Un's saddle.
"Of course I do," Jaken scoffed.
"I'm just making sure, sheesh. You need to calm down little whelp."
"Little whelp? How dare you address me as such when I'm Lord Sesshomaru's loyal servant who has been following him for the past many years?"
"Calm down, Jaken," Minoru snapped. "Just do your duty before I give you a kick to the head!"
Jaken glowered at the eagle demon for a moment before walking away, mumbling curses under his breath. Sakura turned to look at her friend gratefully. Minoru inclined his head with a small smile appearing on his features making his companion smile wider at him.
"Arigato, Minoru," she said to him.
"Feh, Jaken just needs to learn his place. Being in Sesshomaru's presence makes him think he is higher than us all," Minoru scoffed.
"I would kick his little butt into the ocean."
Minoru just laughed.
"I wonder how he even came to be Lord Sesshomaru's retainer, no less how he is still alive," Sakura mumbled.
"Don't we all? He must have his purpose."
"Purpose? I doubt it; Maybe Lord Sesshomaru plans to eat him."
"How dare you," came Jaken's angry screech. "Lord Sesshomaru would never eat his most loyal servant!"
Sesshomaru was half tempted to go knock some sense into his servants as they all engaged into an argument about 'Jaken's worth.' They were acting like children. All the same, he watched as Minoru finally got up to hit Jaken on the head ending the toad demon's loud shrieks. He just shook his head a few times. His golden gaze retreated to gaze at the demoness. Hoshi hadn't acknowledged the angry voices. She remained sitting on that rock staring at the sky. He decided enough was enough. He glided over to her with his usual grace but she didn't even appear to notice his approach.
"Hoshiko," he rumbled, stopping at her shoulder.
She jumped in surprise before turning around to look at him.
"Oh, Sesshomaru," she breathed, placing a hand over her heart. "You startled me."
He just raised an eyebrow at her.
"Your senses are not that low," he stated.
"Well, no," she sheepishly returned, running a hand through her silky hair. "I just wasn't paying attention."
"Hn. A warrior always is alert."
"I am. My aura does that duty for me, not my thoughts."
"Hn."
She didn't respond but instead stroked the necklace he had given her clasped around her neck. He was strangely satisfied by the sight. Sesshomaru gazed at the back of her head silently before speaking up again.
"You are uneasy."
"Am I," she asked quietly.
"What ails you?"
He immediately knew she was troubled by the frown that settled on her delicate features and looking down. The nagging feeling of she wouldn't tell him began to dawn on Sesshomaru; he didn't want her to close up again. A heavy sigh ran through her frame. The aura around her flickered with an unknown emotion but it was enough to tell him the emotion was a strong one. He sensed a change in her attitude.
"Don't worry about this Hoshiko, Sesshomaru. Nothing troubles me."
"You lie. Do not turn away from this Sesshomaru."
"I'm not."
"You shield yourself. You do not wish to seek out comfort when you are uneasy."
She turned to stare at him in shock. Was that true? Thinking on it though, she knew he was right.
"You do not need to hide from me," he continued, emotionlessly. "You need not fear me. I wish for you to be comforted."
"I'm sorry," she whispered, blushing slightly at the last comment. "I've just grown so used to protecting myself. . ."
He said nothing, just gazed at her. She relented with a suppressed groan; he would not leave until she told him and this was Sesshomaru after all, her lover and companion.
"I fear for the worst, Sesshomaru. What if the Northern Lord is insulted by my mere presence? He might order an attack or banish me when I've done no wrong. What if one of my old foes is here? They might attempt at my life or send word of my survival to my worst foes and it will end up reaching the ears of the dragons or sea serpent clans. What if someone is insulted by me and tries to kill me in the night? I could end up dead. The worst one is that what if by my presence the Northern Lord thinks lowly of you and your reputation is flattened? What if they do something horrible to the Western Lands? I can't hurt you or the Western lands," she mumbled. "I don't want that to happen."
Sesshomaru was outraged. She thought so lowly of herself. Why couldn't she realize she was priceless and her heritage had nothing to do with it? Why couldn't she realize he would protect her when he vowed to protect her at all costs; she was under his protection.
"You speak out of turn," he hissed.
She looked at him her eyes widening at his expression. She saw pure fury. She wasn't sure how to react at all except for the sickening in her belly and the invisible rock appearing at the back of her throat.
"You think so lowly of yourself. You think of yourself as scum just by your heritage; the blood in your veins. Do not consider yourself in such a way, for you are priceless."
She only stared, making him clench his jaw.
"You do not trust me," he growled. "You think I will not protect you when I have given my word to you. You have low faith in this Sesshomaru"
"No," she cried out now, horrified. "Sesshomaru, I trust you with my life!"
His expression darkened, but he said nothing. A low angry growl echoed within his chest.
"Sesshomaru, please understand. I trust you! I believe in you!"
"Then why do you not trust in my words?"
"I do trust you and I will listen," she whispered. "I'm scared."
Sesshomaru felt a pang run through him when her eyes began to water with tears. Not out of fear of him, but of her fear of resentment and attack. How broken was she still? Her arms wrapped around herself as her head turned away from him. Her voice began to have a dangerous waver to it.
"I've always done my best to be strong," she whispered. "I've fought just to live all my life. I always fear the worst will happen to me. I haven't had a good life, but it doesn't mean I don't want to continue living and be at peace. I want to live my life to the fullest before I die but sometimes I wonder if I'll get even that! I've been alone for a long time. I haven't had anyone to truly turn to and open up again since the death of your Father."
Now he was the one silenced.
"I know you don't care about my heritage, but I always take it account because it's a part of me and always will factor my safety. You always tell me I'm priceless, like the only one of the rarest gem. I'm so sorry for being weak."
For another moment there was silence before with a rustle of silk, a hand gently clasped around her shoulder. It squeezed lightly in comfort. She forced herself to meet his gaze again. He had come closer to her.
"Hoshiko," he declared. "No harm shall come to you. Those who try will die."
"Arigato, Maru," she whispered back, placing her hand upon his. She believed him.
They remained in that position for a moment before he drew his hand back. Hoshi gazed up at him and a faint smile appeared on her angel like face. She turned around and walked away from him, hair swaying in the breeze. He watched her go.
~oOo~
"Milady, look at that! Isn't it beautiful," Sakura squealed with delight.
Hoshiko glanced back at her servant for a moment before following the sparkling pink gaze. She wasn't interested by what she saw. Palaces never impressed her but apparently Sakura was just judging by her excitement. The Northern palace was embedded into the side of the high cliffs, much like the Western palace. The only differences were it was smaller but considerably finer with all the fancy designs of the structure. The roof was dyed a dark gold that shone like a dazzling sunshine under the light of the dawn. The dark wood gleamed though it was polished. She had to admit though, it was pretty. She liked the Western palace a whole lot better though, for she preferred the shades of blue, purple, and silver.
"It is I suppose."
"I suppose? Milady, it is one of the finest palaces built!"
"Fine or not fine makes no difference to me. It's a palace."
"You aren't excited?"
Hoshiko's expression said enough; she clearly wasn't, at all. Sakura eyed her lady worriedly. It was only now she could sense the nervousness and fear surrounding the demonesses usually bright aura. Was she truly that afraid of this? Sakura could understand based on her ladies past. Her lady continued to gaze at the palace and Sakura felt determination flicker around her. She smiled faintly. No matter how frightened she was, that was one thing Sakura admired about her; she was brave. Still, she was worried if something did go wrong. She didn't want Hoshi to suffer anymore. She deserved peace. That was when she felt another flicker of a different aura, one she knew very well; she glanced back at Minoru.
"Minoru," she inquired. "Are you well?"
"Of course," he breathed, gazing at the Northern palace. "It just has been a long time since I've been here."
"You've been here before?"
"Hai," he said with a smile. "My father brought me here several times."
"Oh hai," Sakura said with awe. "I remember when you would leave with your Father."
"Indeed. I miss visiting this place with him."
It dawned a bit on Sakura; Minoru was an eagle demon, this was his homeland. She hadn't really thought about that before. Perhaps with Minoru with them, Hoshiko wouldn't be harmed if she had his support and no less that of the Western Lord; she had his support and his love. She observed her beautiful lady, who wore a gorgeous turquoise kimono decorated with elaborate dark brown branches and pink flowers. A white obi was tied around her waist. Sakura had helped her pull her hair up into a bun and tied it up with two bone white chopsticks. She had no need for make up for the fine shade of her skin, plump dark pink lips, and silvery shaded eyes provided makeup unnecessary. She glanced down at her plainer orange kimono. Next to the lady, she looked quite plain with her appearance. Sometimes, she honestly felt jealous of Lady Hoshiko's beauty she had so naturally. Minoru seemed to notice her expression for he raised an eyebrow at her. Sakura grabbed Minoru's hand, ignoring his blush, and dragged him up to walk beside their lady.
"Milady?"
"Hai, Sakura?"
"Are you well?"
Hoshi looked at them now.
"Hai, I'm alright," she answered softly. "Just a bit nervous."
"You have nothing to fear," Minoru said gently. "Lord Takahiro won't do anything. He is a kind lord, though he is very serious."
"Lord Takahiro still leads the Northern Lands does he," Hoshi questioned lightly.
They stared.
"What?"
"What do you mean, Lord Takahiro still leads?"
"During my time with Father, or Inu No Taisho," Hoshi answered, her face darkening. "He taught me the names of the Lords. Lord Takahiro of the North, Lord Izanagi of the East, and Lord Osamu of the South. I thought the Northern Lord was now Lord Nurato, because he came to ask Sesshomaru for more lands to expand the Northern Lands."
"Oh no," Sakura answered. "Lord Nurato is the son of Lord Takahiro."
"I didn't know the Northern Lord had taken a mate. Last I heard of him, he didn't have a mate."
"He got mated about less than 2 centuries ago," Minoru exclaimed in surprise.
"He must have after Father died," Hoshi answered darkly again. "Otherwise, I probably would have known about his mating. I was aware of the activities of the other Lords because I was with the Western Lord."
"And you follow after the next Western Lord now," Sakura teased lightly, hoping to lighten her lady's mood. "You seem to be infatuated with the Western Lords'."
It worked; Hoshi had to smile brightly. Sakura grinned in return, widening her lady's smile farther before a few giggles escaped.
"Perhaps I do," Hoshi mused with a smirk.
Sakura looked up toward the Northern palace. They would arrive within a few minutes. Suddenly, she felt her lady tense ever so slightly beside her and wondered about it; she didn't have to wait long. At that moment, several demons appeared on all sides of the group armed with spears and swords, dressed in armor. Sakura thought Hoshi would grab Taiyo and got into a defensive stance but she did nothing except tighten her lips. She seemed to force herself to lock down her body to the ground. It made Sakura think she must have known they were nearby. Why didn't she notice? The phoenix demoness cursed her weak aura. Still, Sakura had to give her credit. She was acting calm when she truly wasn't and standing her ground; it impressed her. The guards glared at their company. One of the demons stepped forward giving Sesshomaru and the others a mere glance before giving a wary eye toward the lord. The Western Lord merely glared at the guard.
"Your business here," the guard asked stiffly.
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed farther.
"The Western Lord, Sesshomaru, has come under request of Lord Takahiro," Minoru spoke up, all serious.
The guards seemed shocked before fear set in; Sesshomaru had a fierce some reputation. The leader sputtered for a moment before he quickly dropped into a bow, the others hastily following his example. Sesshomaru continued to glare.
"Forgive me, milord," the leader of the guard said. "We apologize for our hastiness and lack of knowledge."
"Hn," Sesshomaru growled. "Do not let this mistake happen again or you will die."
The guards shuddered.
"Rise."
The guards immediately rose as commanded, some disappearing into the trees while others remained. Hoshi sent an uneasy glance but did nothing.
"We will accompany you to the palace," the leader of the guard said slowly as he led the way.
Sesshomaru said nothing but he followed. It appeared things had grown desperate enough for higher defenses to be taken up. He didn't like the escort at all; he sensed Hoshi's uneasiness behind him. He never liked to feel her unsettled. Still, he did nothing and continued on with the eagle demons following at their sides. Only a few more minutes passed in silence before the gates appeared before them, gleaming a bright copper in the sun. The eagle demon banged on the door catching the attention of the guards above.
"Open the gates for Lord Sesshomaru and his company," the leader of the guard commanded.
Hoshi swore she had never seen demons move so fast. The guards ran frantically about the top of the arch almost making her smile; Sesshomaru was that scary? She had heard rumor about his power before she'd known him and how he was the most powerful demon living but seeing these reactions seemed to favor that rumor. She gazed at the Western Lord's back for a moment. What she had seen was far from what she'd heard. A low groan caught her attention just as with loud grinding, the large doors swung inward to reveal a large courtyard. She swallowed her sudden urge of fear and stepped forward with the others. She would not run. She did not have to fear. With that in mind, it was almost easy to take those steps forward into the courtyard and to hear the gates bang shut. She peered around her; the courtyard was very fine with all the delicate wood work and designs. She had to swallow another surge of fear upon seeing the amount of guards standing by; was their situation that desperate? She couldn't help but notice several gazes were locked on her face. Sakura noted it as well, for she leaned into her lady.
"It appears you have caught the attention of several guards," Sakura shyly whispered.
"Probably because of my green hair," Hoshi huffed back. "It's not every day you meet a demoness with my color of hair."
"That is true," Sakura admitted. "But I think it is because of how beautiful you are, milady."
Hoshi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Still, the pit of uneasiness settled into her belly and wouldn't leave no matter how she pestered herself to believe otherwise. It had become a second nature of her to be careful; she was a warrior, one who was always ready for battle, experienced and powerful. Her power did nothing to ease her nerves, she disliked battle but still it was beautiful at times to feel hot blood on her fingertips. She shook her head. No matter what, her past would always trouble her; she had been attacked so many times she had scars to prove it. She had murdered. She had lost so much. She barely noticed when she was led into the Northern Palace and walking down the hallways to the main chamber.
'We are powerful and we still fear,' Hoshi thought grimly.
'Our fear makes us weary and wise. We are careful with what we choice to do and what path we walk. Fear has taught us the ways of the darker side of life.'
'Fear shouldn't be a teacher but a motivator.'
'Yet, we still walk into the Northern Palace when we know there is a chance we bargain for our life. We still are brave, wise, and weary. No matter our fear.'
'I hope the fear will vanish one day.'
'Hai,' her inner demon spoke mockingly and bitterly. 'After our whole life has been ruled by fear.'
'Father taught us different. Not to be ruled by fear but by courage, compassion, and good.'
'His lesson we will carry to the grave.'
'Why do you think we do what he has asked? He is right; we aren't ruled by fear at all, we are ruled by wariness.'
Her inner demon approved her realization with satisfaction and pride, but with awe and surprise. They were growing to be themselves again. Hoshi was about to speak up again but another voice cut through her mind, like a knife through flesh.
"Milady," Sakura asked, distantly.
Hoshiko shook herself out of it; her inner demon remained close and listened.
"Hai?"
"Are you alright? You seemed very distant there."
"Sorry," she replied. "My inner demon was speaking to me."
"Your inner demon speaks to you?"
"Often."
"That is odd," Sakura admitted. "It's not like inner demons to speak to their masters like that. They only emerge when you are threatened or overwhelmed."
"We are aware of that. Over time my relationship with my inner demon became something different. As I was alone for a great time of my life my inner demon came to be more alert because of my past experiences and was often just there in my head to ensure our protection. We just often talked with each other. Now, we still remain such. In a way, you can consider us more than just the leader and follower as I refer to it. In a way, we're friends."
"Oh. That's incredible," Sakura breathed. "I've never seen someone with such a relationship with their inner demon such as you. You truly are different, milady, but in the best way."
Hoshi smiled weakly. They were led into a large room with open windows on either side of them. A large door was before them. Two guards stood before the door gazed at them with curiosity but did nothing. The guard leading them turned to Sesshomaru.
"I will go inform the lord you are here."
The door was slid open as the guard slid through without acknowledgement from Sesshomaru, who never even gave one. There was a small silence. Hoshiko gazed at the doors for a moment before realizing something; what if one of her enemies were here? She bit her lip. How could she prevent such information from getting out? A thought came to her; Inu No Taisho had done something to her protection. She bit her lip harder at that thought; what would Sesshomaru think? She looked at the Lord and with a sigh, made her way over to him. The servants were gazing out the windows at the great landscape before their eyes anyway. Hesitating slightly, she summed up courage and coughed slightly to the Western Lord gaining his attention. His golden eyes looked at her.
"Lord Sesshomaru," she whispered lowly. "I just had a thought."
"Hn," he replied lowly with a tilt of his head, encouraging her farther.
"I don't want word of my existence reaching the ears of any foes I have," she continued on lowly. "I have a request to make. Instead of introducing me as Lady Hoshiko, would you please introduce me as Shi, a mere servant?"
Immediately his expression darkened; he didn't like it, obviously. He was grateful they kept their voices low so no one could hear.
"You are not low enough to be settled as a servant," he growled.
"Maru, it would be for my protection. Please. Your Father did it to ensure my safety."
Sesshomaru just glared at her for a long moment but she could tell he was mulling it over. He didn't like it at all, really; to reduce her to a servant was low in his eyes, considering her power and status. He desired to protect her, though. He looked away.
"As you wish," he said neutrally.
"Arigato, Maru."
She wanted to hug him, kiss him, but she knew that would be dishonorable and embarrassing in company. Plus, it would disgrace Sesshomaru; he had a reputation to keep, after all. So she simply smiled at him and to her surprise, his eyes crinkled up so lightly at the corners she would have completely missed it if she hadn't been standing right beside him. Her smile widened.
"Lord Sesshomaru, your audience was accepted. Lord Takahiro requests you come in immediately."
Sesshomaru made no acknowledgement toward the guard. He simply raised his head breaking his eye contact with his demoness and strode toward the open doors with his usual grace. Hoshiko rolled her eyes at the other two, who grinned. Typical Sesshomaru. His behavior would never change; the icy demeanor he had created was perfect. Just as she stepped into the next room she was impaled with nervousness. What would happen now? What would the Northern Lord do, no less how he'd react to her presence? She forced herself to bow her head and cross her arms before her, her hands ghosting over her lower regions; Inu No Taisho had taught her how to pose as a mere servant, to her luck. After feeling a pulse of an aura before her she was grateful she had hidden her aura's true power earlier; she didn't wish for her power to be radiating about her and be known. She continued to walk until she heard Sesshomaru stop. She did not look up. Hoshi bowed at the waist, silent. She could not speak nor rise until commanded. There was a small silence.
"Welcome, Lord Sesshomaru and company," a husky voice said. "Welcome to the Northern Lands."
At last, they have entered the Northern Lands. I pity Hoshiko at the moment with her fear and uneasiness, but I hope you all favor her bravery. At least she has Sesshomaru's support and protection, no less his love ;) I hope I kept Sesshomaru in character; I try so hard to do so! Whew, this chapter took some time considering how many times I rewrote it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this and PLEASE review!
Next chapter, Lord Takahiro and his reaction!