A/N ANYWAYS Kagome is coming back to kick some butt!
To Guest Reviewer, Professor: *blink* Adorable? Okay… sure.
To Guest Reviewer: No, there will not be any lemons in the fic. Limes are still in the ballpark, however.
Yohime quietly followed Kaori to her room. Her hair was still damp, pulled back in a braid smelling fragrantly of sakura. After a suspicious wink, she opened the door and pushed the woman inside. Yohime (in rare moment of clumsiness) tripped over the hem of her white yukata.
Wincing, she put her arm out in an effort to break her fall. A woosh of wind and she was lifted up and deposited on a fluffy futon.
Cracking open an eye, she glimpsed the amused face of Nurarihyon.
Why is it I always get the feeling he's never surprised and always amused at me?
She pouted when she glimpsed the knowing smile plastered over Kaori's face, peeking over his bare shoulder.
The door slide shut.
Lowering her eyes, she blushed as she encountered smooth, firm muscle.
"Ho? See anything you like?"
Darn that man! He knows exactly-
She blushed harder unable to finish that though. Turning to give him a side profile, her mouth curled.
"As a matter of fact, I do."
Eeping at the swiftness at which he slid his arms under her knees and around her back to cradle her body to his, she didn't have any time to complain as firm lips slanted over hers. She melted.
When she was with this man she left truly treasured and special. Just like the Princess she was named after. Placing her hands on his chest, she returned the kiss. He slowly pulled back, taking in her pink dusted cheeks, bright eyes and slightly swollen lips. He noticed the question in her eyes, seconds before she ask it.
"Nura?"
"Hm?"
"I've decided how I would like to get married."
"Is that so?"
She nodded, seriously.
"I know of an elemental youkai who crafts swords, fans and other things. I'm sure he can made a set of rings."
Nodding in approval, he settled her more firmly against him.
"As for a wedding ceremony… perhaps we could exchanged vows in front of our family? Or exchanging of the rings?"
"Or perhaps," he whispered seductively in her ear, "I could vow to cherish and honor you until death do us part this moment and get the rings later."
Tingles shot down her spine.
"I think that would be a very bad idea," she whispered back.
Pulling back, a disappointed expression marring his face, he sighed.
"Ah, well it is improper to sleep together before marriage according to the human custom. I should go bunk with Gyuki or K-"
"No!"
Sliding his eyes over, he raised a brow.
"Ho?"
Her face was solemn.
"Nura, I'm going to be serious for a moment. I love you. I can feel myself becoming free and happy, just as you promised me. You don't care what powers or knowledge I possess, you simply want me."
Placing a hand on his cheek she smiled as tears leaked from her eyes.
"I never have to pretend to be someone else, or put up a front. With you, I can simply be. And I'm so thankful that you came into my life."
"Yohime," he said softly, wrapping his arms around her shaking shoulders. He held her close as she quietly sobbed.
"Silly hime-sama. I already told you that."
Several hours later, Nurarihyon was cradling his sleeping woman. Originally, he had planned to buy a ring in Edo, but her suggestion was more appealing. Brushing his lips across her forehead, he allowed himself to fall asleep.
Yohime jerked awake, shooting straight up.
There. It was faint, but it was there.
"Nura!"
"What is it?"
Not bothering with the fact he was already awake, she shook him slightly.
"Don't you feel that?"
In the darkness she missed the narrowing of his eyes. The covers where thrown back as he rouse himself, Yohime following suit. Quickly they pulled on clothes, Nura grabbing his katana.
However, he stopped at the door.
"Yohime…"
"I'm going," she announced, not giving him a chance to disagree, she added, "I'm the soon-to-be wife of the Lord of Pandemonium. Where I come from, that's makes me the Lady. And this Lady says, she's going."
He chuckled softly.
"Well, don't fall behind then, my Lady."
Sliding back the panel, he was greeted by the sight of his Hyakki Yokou, all ready to go. Yohime slipped out from behind him, whispering as she passed, "I'll be right back."
Swinging his katana over his shoulder, he said, typical Nurarihyon-style, "Let's go, you lot!"
She very vaguely remembered the layout of this mansion, having stayed here once before. In fact, that was her room she just passed.
Wait, there might be bows and arrows in there!
Skidding to a stop she reached for the notch in the wood, only to feel slight resistance. Rolling her eyes, she easily shattered the barrier. Sliding back the door, she found the room much as she left it a hundred years ago.
A raised bed. Three custom-styled kimonos, with several haoris and hakamas. And there, she caught her breath, was a beautifully carved bow complete with a set of arrows. Racing inside, she grabbed them and left the nostalgic room, searching for Nurarihyon's aura. They were already outside, waiting. She also sensed several auras of the demon slayers running through the fortress. To alert the others, no doubt.
Rushing back into the hallway, she arrived at the room she shared with Nura, and traced the auras to find the exit.
Finally reaching the outside, she noticed several of the demon slayers who had escorted them to the village were present.
"Oba-chan!"
Something hurled into her legs.
"Kaori?"
"Yes! Are you going to fight?"
Paying no attention to the youkai and ayakashi listening intently, she laughed.
"Yes, sweetie. You see, they," she pointed at the ayakashi and youkai standing before the gates, "are my family. I'm madly in love with the Supreme Commander, and that means I'm going to stay by his side until I die."
"But, there's some really strong ones out there! They've haven't attacked like this in a long time!"
Placing her hand on the head of dark hair, she patted her.
"Your grandmother once saw the destruction of this entire village. Nonetheless, five years later she and her younger brother rebuilt it."
Reaching to grab an arrow, she said firmly.
"As long as the Lord is still in command, this village will never fall. In the small chance that it does, there'll be hell to pay for those who dared to destroy his daughter's home."
"Kaori! Get away from that devil woman!"
Feeling the small girl wince, she glanced up at the rapidly approaching woman. Her face was contorted in hate and anger. Reaching out she drew back her fist, attempting to hit Yohime. However, she was startled when a hand closed over her fist stopping it in front of Yohime's face. Brown eyes, tinted gold glared back at her.
Changing tactics, the woman wrenched her hand away and attempted to grab at the girl huddled by her side.
"Kaori! I said get away, you stupid child!"
Her hands reached out with the intention of grabbing the girl harshly, however, a backhand to the woman's face knocked her to the ground.
"Do not touch my sister's child."
Cowering on the ground, holding her stinging cheek, she trembled in anger as the devil woman spoke in a menacing voice.
"You! Demon's whore! How dare you show your face in a village such as this!? You brought these scum to our door!"
"Silence, Azami!"
The demon slayer who had first met them was standing over Azami, fury burning in his eyes.
"You have no id-"
"No, it's alright," Yohime cut him off, "after all, I'm just a demon's whore."
Pivoting on her hell, she strolled to her family, detaching Kaori from her hakamas. The ayakashi split, forming a path for her. Coming up to Nura's side she smiled, sugary sweet, at him.
"Nura-chan, do you mind?"
Unsure as to what she planned to do, he still smiled easily, though his blood burned because of the insults that foolish human had said.
"Go right ahead."
Turning her attention to the sky, she spotted the approaching demons rapidly closing in. Fitting her arrow to her bow, she took careful aim and released it. Not bothering to observe it's passage, she presented the demons with her back and walked over to Azami, still crouched on the ground.
"Whore! Disgrace! Bi-"
She abruptly broke off as a golden light shot through the sky obliterating the demons. Her mouth hung open as the screams of thousands of demons turned to gold dust. A horrible realization dawned on her as she realized who this woman was standing before her.
"Sango would be ashamed of you."
Though she only had an inkling of the huge blow dealt to the woman, she was aware that Sango was the role model for the women slayers as Midoriko had been for the mikos.
Taking a delicate step forward, a small part of her smiled when Azami flinched.
"The next time you address me, please do so as ayakashi's wife, or the Lord of Pandemonium's wife. You can even call me Miko-hime-sama."
"I… I…"
She smiled on the outside, looking every bit the gentle hime.
"Kaori, would you come here?"
Sango's granddaughter ran to her side. Bending down she ruffled her hair.
"You do your grandmother and your grandfather proud."
She was presented with a heartbreakingly familiar, mischievous smile.
Straightening, she noticed those that the slayers of the village had gone down on one knee.
"Rise, you are my extended family, are you not?"
They rose as one, the man who first greeted them stepping forward.
"My Lady, I apologize for my behavior earlier this evening. I am Isamu, the Head of this village."
"You are her brother?"
"Yes. I beg your forgiveness for rudeness."
She cocked her head to the side.
"Why should you? You are not the one who attempted to strike me. If anyone should beg forgiveness it should be her."
"I-"
"No matter! I have no ill will to this village, and unless my husband desires to leave we'll be returning to our room."
Taking her place by Nuraruhyon's side once more, she gripped his hand tightly. His eyes swept over her slightly pale face.
"I see no problem staying here until first light," he remarked casually heading towards the mansion, ayakashi and youkai trailing behind.
Once they were gathered in the hall, the doors sliding shut firmly behind them, Yohime slowly sunk to her knees.
"Oi, oi, where'd all that steel go?"
She smiled shakily at him, ignoring the stares of Karasu-Tengu and Gyuki.
"It disappeared the moment the doors closed. Steel melts you know."
Hoisting her up into his arms he heaved a sigh.
"What am I to do with you, my hime?"
"For starters," she mumbled clinging to consciousness, "You can let me finish my story."
As she finally closed her eyes, Nurarihyon carried her to his room and laid her on the futon. He stood, and went to speak with his Clan.
They all sat in the eating hall. Each one of them serious and looking to their commander. Hitotsume broke the silence first.
"Who exactly is she?"
Nurarihyon drew on his pipe, the very same he had swiped from the mansion he found Yohime in.
"She's my wife, or will be. Other than that, is it important?"
"Supreme Commander! It is important, as she reduced several decently strong demons to dust with one arrow, shot from a great distance, as well at the hundreds of lower ones! She also called these people her extended family!"
Karasu-Tengu pointed out.
"You should take into consideration," Gyuki added, "that she might be deceiving you!"
"Silence."
Gyuki clamped his mouth shut at the Fear Nurarihyon let gather ever so slightly.
"You heard her, did you not?"
"What the girl not even old enough to be her daughter calling her 'oba-chan'?" Hitotsume asked sarcastically.
"She said," he continued as though he hadn't been interrupted, "'they are my family'."
Meeting each one's eyes he asked threateningly, "Do you doubt one's family?"
They all shook their heads, some reluctantly, some firmly.
"Good," he said rising to his feet, "We'll leave at morning's first light."
A/N Ooo, Yohime hit someone... then again that lady was rude. I think she totally deserved it.
Thank you for reading, reviews are the lace in my shoe.