A/N Okay, so I did some research and decided that the year is around 1615. It's been about a hundred (108?) years since Kagome fell down the well. The timeline doesn't exactly match up, but then again this is fiction. Anyways, During the 100 years since Kagome's arrival, Naraku was defeated in pretty much the same way, so you can consider this after the manga/anime. Only three difference. She was not taken back to her era, the Jewel didn't disappear, nor did Inuyasha kiss her. Everything will be explained shortly(ish). Until then, have fun reading!
Yohime was happy. Truly, deeply ecstatically happy. She was outside. True, she was still wearing her ridiculously heavy clothes, but she was riding on a flying cart! And next to Nurarihyon, who insisted she rest as she looked pale.
"Yohime, are you sure you don't want to eat something?"
She sighed.
"Nurarihyon, I told you. I used a massive amount of energy, I am still feeling slightly light-headed, but even if I ate something or laid down my energy wouldn't replenish."
She paused. Debated with herself, and then she leaned on his shoulder.
"Well, it couldn't hurt."
His arm snaked around her shoulders, pulling her closer as he leaned back against the walls.
"Nurarihyon?"
"Hm?"
"When we get to Edo, remind me to tell you a story."
"A story?"
His tone was amused.
She nodded she head against his chest, breathing in deeply.
He smells nice…
"Yes, a story of long ago."
As she slowly closed her eyes, his hand softly stroking her hair, she rested looking forward to the next day, another thing she had not done in years.
Nurarihyon glanced down at his woman who had finally fallen asleep again. One side of his mouth curled up as he continued to stroke her hair. It was soft and smelled faintly of sakura as it always did.
"Commander?"
Looking up at the whisper soft voice, he saw Karasu-Tengu flying outside the window. He merely raised an eyebrow, not bothering to answer.
"We're approaching a youkai village, do you wish to stop and purchase anything for Yohime-sama?"
He only thought for a moment before he nodded.
"Give me a minute, and I'll be right there."
"Understood."
Shifting carefully, he lowered Yohime to the cushioned floor of the cart, cradling her head. Taking a second he marveled at her beauty, and leaned down to brush his lips over hers. She didn't wake, but her long lashes fluttered against pale cheeks.
As soon as his hands left her, the slight jostling indicated they had landed. Opening the door, stepping out into the bright sun, looking around he noticed they were in the shade of the trees at the edge of a forest.
"You guys, I'll be back soon. If Yohime wakes up, tell her I thought she could use a change of clothes. Gyuki, Yuki-onna, come with me."
Turning he immediately spotted the village, it was only a half mile away. He smiled to himself at the things he would by his soon-to-be bride.
Arriving at the village, he noticed the flag displayed at the watch tower. Midnight blue in color with a pink teardrop in the middle of a silver crescent moon.
"This must be a village under the Lord of the Western Lands. A youkai, if I recall correctly," Gyuki remarked.
"So you're just leader of ayakashi?"
Nurarihyon chuckled.
"There are demons, those from hell, youkai, those who are born as animals and gain a human form, and ayakashi, humans who become something other. Humans cannot turn into youkai, but they can change into ayakashi on their death," he explained to Yuki-onna, "I suppose to youkai and demons, I am an equal of their royalty. Come to think of it, it's said the Lord of Pandemonium was once called the Master of all Spirits, until a youkai named Sesshomaru forcibly changed it some hundred years ago."
"Hmm."
"Gyuki, where do you suppose the cloth-weaver's shop is?"
Gyuki scanned the village.
There were many youkai and ayakashi wandering about, some dressed in fine clothing and others in rags. He assumed this was the market of the village as there seemed to be an abundance of food sellers. The buildings were relatively new, and there was no vile smells that the human villages usually possessed. Spotting a yukata hanging outside, he quickly pointed to it.
"That looks like one, Supreme Commander."
Changing their direction, they soon came to the front of the shop. Ducking inside, they were greeted by a female spider youkai.
"Hello, how may I help you?"
Short, coal black hair to the shoulders, and vivid red eyes.
Nurarihyon smiled easily.
"I have need for clothing for my wife. Something simple and relatively easy to move around in."
She smiled and nodded.
"I once had the pleasure of serving the former Lady of the Western Lands, she often came to my shops for such things. I see your wife is not with you, could you estimate her height?"
Holding a hand up to his collarbone she nodded, then asking for her body type.
"Petite, slender, long legs."
A grin lit up her face.
"Would you happen to be Nurarihyon-sama?"
Gyuki tensed behind him, however he answered easily.
"Yes, I am."
The woman clapped her hands together, then she bowed deeply.
"I am half ayakashi, I welcome you into my humble shop, Nurarihyon-sama."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Thank you."
Straightening up, she hurried into the back saying she had just the perfect thing. Seconds later she emerged carrying a medium sized box. Laying it on her counter, she motioned for him to come closer.
When he neared she lifted the lid and pulled out a kimono.
That is perfect.
It was unlike any kimono he had seen. It was comprised of the traditional top, the long, deep sleeves, but instead of a dress bottom, it was a cleverly sewn hakama, styled to look like a dress. It did not have an obi, but rather a belt tied under the bust. The top was black with flowers delicately captured over the sleeves. The bottoms went from a dark red, to a dark purple.
"Does is come in many colors?"
Carefully refolding it, she nodded.
"White, offset by blue, green by black and one depicting sakura trees."
He didn't hesitate.
"I'll take the sakura and the green."
She nodded once again, quickly returning the box to the back room, and came back holding two. Before they could even ask the price, she spoke.
"These are a gift. I would not ask payment for such."
Setsura huffed.
"Why would you give away such expensive things without pay?"
Gyuki shot her a look, but the spider answered anyways.
"There was once a great lady, who cared not if one was ayakashi, youkai or even demon. She ruled fairly, and these lands prospered."
Her eyes took on a far away look before sharpening and leveling a look at them.
"I doubt you've been here since before the war, correct?"
All three nodded. They had left Edo about a hundred years ago, but they did hear of a war.
"A woman who took in the Lord's ward as her own also claimed the title for a short period when the Lord disappeared. She resided over these lands for about a year, and when she stepped down, many claimed her as the Greatest Lady. I still remember the day she came into one of my shops asking for clothes, a great surprise considering I had only recently opened it, as it turns out my mate was the one to recommend me. These were made by her specifications. Some ayakashi believe only the wife of a Lord is allowed to wear such things, therefore for your wife, Nurarihyon-sama, I give you these clothes."
He inclined his head as he accepted the boxes, turning to depart as he did so. Stopping at the door, he asked a question.
"What was the name of this woman?"
She laughed sadly.
"Her name is not spoken these days as many in the land are still mourning her death. Now, they simply call her one of two names, the Great Lady, or Miko no Mao."
A/N Another chapter! 'Oora!I was unsure of which wording to use... so I chose Mao. So it basically means Priestess of the Demons.
Thanks for reading, reviews are the Souls to my Jewel.