Guest Reviewer, Fellow: Well, I do try. Thank you!
Yoruko Rhaspsodos: Ah, so am I! Ooo, I can just tell, that's gonna be awesome!
rirdreaheart: Yup, I know. I just kinda got all emotional on you. You always review! You're also one of the first people to follow and favorite!
Halley Vanaria: NO, BUT NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT IMA GO READ IT. *heads off into the world of manga*
Professor of Gallifrey: EXACTLY! Totally RIGHT! I did clean the ENTIRE HOUSE and I STILL GOT GROUNDED for not WASHING dishes and WRITING a PAPER and VACUUMING. WHASSUP WITH THAT?!
It was late morning when Yohime and Nurarihyon had finished their preparations. Yohime had found a stash of shampoo and conditioner, a digital camera with a dead battery and some of her textbooks that were miraculously persevered. Though she only had math and English, she figured it would come in handy, especially since English-speaking people were coming to Japan not to far from now. She would teach anyone who wanted to learn English.
Thankfully, Ah-Un could easily carried the extra weight and after loading it on, she turned to say her farewells.
Maemi had clung to her legs begging her to stay longer, only letting go after she had her uncle promise to visit them when the baby was born, before scurrying off to the arms of Chiyo. Before she exited the gates, she pivoted once more to see those who had assembled to see her off.
Rin, Kohaku and their children and grandchildren, the Band of Seven, Koga, Ayame and their wolves, the whole occupants of the palace.
Yohime had spoken a blessing over each of them in return for Sesshomaru allowing her to take Au-Un back to their home. She had also been handed the original Flag of the West that had been made after Sesshomaru's return. She imbued her reiki into the pink teardrop and returned it. She also blessed the land and only then she realized there was someone missing.
There was no annoying little toad thing squawking and she said as much. Rin explained his toad people had come to demand his return as their Lord. Yohime had taken that in stride, after all Jaken was the embodiment of a Lord.
Nura helped his wife to mount the two-headed dragon who greeted her enthusiastically, and he settled in behind her, hands grasping the reigns setting protectively over her stomach.
And so, Nurarihyon and Yohime rode on Au-Uh back to the town of Edo, turning their backs to the people who had gathered to see her departure.
Leaning back into the strong arms of her husband, a contented sigh escaped her lips.
"I don't suppose I'll see them for a long time. Well, unless they're in the area and stop be for tea. Or," she added with a grin, "Mai and Shippo have children."
"Ho? You don't want to visit once a year?"
She paused thinking thoughtfully.
"No, I'm good. They thought I was dead anyways, and I've started a family of my very own. I mean not that they weren't my family, but people gathered around me and I adopted them. They were something I formed when I came to this place."
"That reminds me, where are you from?"
She stilled.
"Clearly, you are Japanese, but in the paintings of you before you left you were shown with blue eyes."
Although his tone was casual and curiosity filled, his eyes were sharp. They noticed the small slump to her shoulders and the almost weary quality came to her aura.
"Nurarihyon," he tensed, though not enough that she took notice, "If you will forgive me, that's a secret I don't think I will be able to tell you for a long time."
A part of him hurt at her words, the other was concerned. Where could she have possibly originated from that she couldn't even tell him?
"Some day, I will tell you."
She twisted around as best she could and wrapped her arms around him, paying no mind to the height they were flying at. Her arms encircled him and she held him tightly, an arm of his own letting go of the reigns to return the embrace.
"I'm afraid that, one day, I might have to leave you for a while," she whispered in trembling tones.
"I'm afraid that, one day, I'll reach for you and you'll slip through my fingers. Nurarihyon, slippery as an eel, isn't that right?"
He said nothing, sensing she had more fears to voice.
"I'm afraid that some day when I turn around, there you will be, standing surrounded by your Hyakki Yokou in a place I can't ever hope to reach."
Her hold tightened, her fingers digging into the broad expanse of his back.
"And I'm so very afraid the gods will demand another sacrifice from me. I gave so much. I gave the family that raised me, I gave up the world I lived in, I gave up my family in this world, I gave up my life here, and I went alone. All alone," she laughed, a tear slipping down her cheek momentarily before disappearing into the soft fabric of the ayakashi she was burrowed into.
"Kagome, Kagome, kago no naka no tori wa," she half sung.
Nurarihyon pulled her back sharply, ignoring her surprised expression, and settled his lips of hers. Sliding them over to her ear, he spoke in a firm voice.
"As long as you always return, eventually. As long as you always keep me in my heart, so I will do the same. Even if it takes you months, and years and decades, as long as you return."
In his mind, he cursed whoever had instilled these useless fears into his woman. Always thinking herself not good enough, always dreading the moment her happiness would be taken from her. Even if the gods themselves had done this to his woman, he would challenge them.
His precious Yohime.
She was suited either sitting under a sakura tree by his side, bow at the ready, arrow drawn, by his side.
She was his.
For eternity.
And it didn't matter what any god, demon, ayakashi, youkai or human of any kind said otherwise.
He would shatter any cage they tried to force her into. He was, after all, Nurarihyon. And he would become invincible, strong enough to keep Yohime's laughter in the air and her smile on her face.
He would protect her, her and the child she carried, he vowed to himself.
Far above, yet closer than you'd think, the gods smiled to themselves, satisfied their blessed soul had found another who would give her everything.
They nodded to themselves regally, and turned their attention to other matters.
It only took about three hours for them to reach Edo. When they were only a couple miles away, some crows flew out to met them, some darting off no doubt to inform Karasu-Tengu of their return.
Yohime pulled her cloak tighter around herself as she caught sight of her mansion, the grounds already filled with ayakashi. She waved before leaning over to whisper in the dragons' ear.
Ah-Un nodded both his heads and glided down to the smooth stone paving the entrance to the Lord of Pandemonium's mansion.
Cries of joy were heard as members of his Hyakki Yokou rushed him, smiles on their faces.
"Nurarihyon-sama!"
"Supreme Commander!"
Yohime firmly settled into his arms, he greeted them.
"Yo, you lot!"
Some were comically crying at the return of their master, but they all moved out of the way as Gyuki approached.
"Supreme Commander."
"Gyuki, you've taken good care of the Clan, huh?"
His hands were tucked into his sleeves as he bowed.
"Yes, Supreme Commander."
Nurarihyon nodded, waiting until his wife was done speaking with the two-headed dragon, who deposited their things on the ground before taking to the skies, then entering their home.
He noticed those ayakashi with keener noses grinning as he passed and he smirked to himself.
The main doors slid back as he stepped onto the deck, but he stopped before turning slightly to took at those behind him.
"By the way, guys, Yohime is with child so you lot had better brush up on how to handle babies."
"Nura!"
He chuckled at his wife, ignoring the sudden rare silence in his wake and cocked a brow.
"Whoa, what it supposed to be a secret? My bad, my bad."
She rolled her eyes, hitting thumping his chest half-heartedly.
A tiny frown marred his handsome face as he noticed her response. Meanwhile, his Clan was cheering, declaring a celebration was in order. This time, he didn't bother to look at them.
"Oi, guys, if you disturb Yohime, I'll kill you."
This was, of course, said in a remarkably casual tone as if he was speaking of the weather. However, those who knew him had only seen this side of him once or twice and knew he was totally serious. Well, not totally serious, just…
Anyways, Nurarihyon quickly returned to the master bedroom, the busy chatter of the mansion dying down to a quiet hum.
He was pleased to see the futon was already made and there were two cups of tea on the table, the smell having already permeated the air.
"Hmm, that smells nice," Yohime mumbled opening her eyes.
He chuckled softly, and strolled to one of the seats at the table and gently depositing her there.
The look on her face as she wrapped her finger around the earthen mug warmed his heart. It was a look of utter contentment and peace. The cloak she had dug out from the many clothes in her old room at the palace, was a thick youkai made in the color black. A thick white fur lined the inside, and when he had asked where she got it from, she had giggled and said it was payment for looking after something.
He suspected it was the Great Inuyoukai of the West who had given her that, and was thankful their relationship was brother/sister based.
From what he remembered of the night before, Sesshomaru was someone he was immensely glad was not an enemy. Now, he understood why the title of 'Master of all Spirits' had been changed to 'Lord of Pandemonium' all those years ago.
"Aren't you going to join me?"
The quiet voice of Yohime broke him out of his thoughts, but he laughed under his breath at the perturbed look on her face.
He situated himself at her side before taking the offered tea. He took advantage of this moment of relaxation to study her both visually and spiritually.
Her powers were at lower levels than normal, most likely due to the healing she did and some going to the development of the child in her womb. She seemed more fragile, still keeping a cloak around her in the middle of summer and the way she rested almost bonelessly against him.
He noticed the way her eyelids drifted down the more tea she drank, and she kept the cup on the table.
"Yohime."
She started slightly at his serious tone, raising her head to look at him.
"Are you feeling alright?"
A tender smile crossed her face and she held out her arms like a small child. He easily fitted her to his body and she closed her eyes, fully intent on sleeping.
"My body is simply going through changes. Previously, my reiki was hiding the evidence of pregnancy for protection, since I was unaware. Now that I am, it's let go to allow development of the child. My reiki is being channeled into the…"
Her voice trailed off, a line appearing on her face.
"Well, I don't quiet understand it, but I assume it's normal for a miko bearing an ayakashi's child. Anyways, since our auras are entwined the Fear you possess is being directed to the child, so I have to take more to compensate."
He nodded in understanding, the missing youki energy explained. A yawn muffled her next words.
"And for some odd reason, that makes me cold and I use up lots of reiki in the beginning stages."
Her voice dwindled until she didn't even bother continuing and sleep claimed her. Nurarihyon allowed his Fear to rise and watched in fascination as it swirled around Yohime and coated her skin, her reiki absorbing it.
A faint knock at the door drew his attention.
"Enter."
Sliding back the door, Setsura entered glancing from him to Yohime.
"Is she all right?"
"It's just the pregnancy tiring her out."
The woman nodded.
"Is there anything we can get for her?"
Looking past her shoulder, Nurarihyon saw Gyuki, Hitotsume, Hihi, and many of his ayakashi in the hallway, looking for all the world like they were focused on something else. Apparently, his Hyakki Yokou cared more for his wife than he thought.
"Setsura, I'm leaving you in charge of her care."
The Yuki-Onna bowed.
"Gyuki, you were once a human so you studied at a temple?"
"I did, Supreme Commander."
His lips curled.
"You can discuss such things with her, I'm sure she'd enjoy talking to you."
Another bow.
"It shall be done, Supreme Commander."
A contemplative look came over Nurarihyon's face.
"Ma, just keep her away from stairs, weapons, try to keep her indoors as much as possible and keep her away from the kitchen. I know she's gone there a couple times, but things are different now."
He totally missed the looks of disbelief from his Clan, who couldn't believe he said that is a serious tone.
"Hah, and how are we supposed to do that?" Setsura asked carefully.
Nurarihyon looked up in surprise.
"Well, keep her distracted. She likes to sit under the sakura tree and read, I'm sure you guys will have time to listen if she wants to read aloud."
"Yohime-sama has expressed an interest in learning a certain tea ceremony, and in making calligraphy of all the names of the Clan."
"That's just fine."
Hihi moved closer.
"Supreme Commander?"
"Hm?"
"Does Hime-chan wish to go shopping for the child? As I understand, human women tend to obsess over their coming child's clothing and decorating of the nursery."
"Yes, I know of some places that sell youkai-made child clothing," Setsura added, "And if Yohime-sama wishes, I can teach her to play the (stringed musical instrument)."
Said woman moaned softly and shifted in Nurarihyon's arms. There was a moment of stillness in the room as everyone held their breath.
Once she stopped, Nura cut his eyes over to the ayakashi and they immediately bowed and left, closing the door with a quiet click.
Alone, holding his precious woman, he was quite content to hold her one arm propping up her back, the other resting on her stomach.
He probed the faint barrier surrounding Yohime's womb and it easily let him pass, the slight aura of his child barring itself to his senses for the first time.
Nurarihyon was awed at the perfect mix of his Fear, Yohime's reiki and the uniqueness of the quality of his or hers energy. A urge to fiercely protect the tiny life and the woman who carried it washed over his emotions and his grip tightened.
In all his life, he had never had this strong desire to simply hold and have someone such as he did this special woman.
He studied her features once again, observing that she had grown slightly and her hair had acquired a darker hue to it. It was hard to believe she was only fifteen years old, yet had the memory, the experience and the power of someone over a hundred.
Many times he had to remind himself that she was a human, her bones easily broken, her skin easily bruised and her life... so simple it would be to snatch this precious life away.
True, the scent of decay did not cling to her thus he had hope that she would live a great many years, also true she held a power comparable to a daiyoukai's, but not nearly enough stamina to use it for long. In spite of her deadly power, extended life and knowledge, she was still human.
He sighed almost inaudibly.
It would do him no good to think on these things.
He knew when he fell for a human, their time together would be short. Yet he had gotten this human whose time would be extended and he was thankful.
A/N I have no idea what it is with my mother! It appears she's on the warpath to make sure I don't have time to write, or update, or research Edo 400 years ago! Anytime I'm on my computer she's all like, "Are you doing school?" in this really suspicious are-you-doing-something-wrong tone, and when I say, "No, I'm wr-", she starts freaking out that I'm on the computer when I've finished with school.
*tear*
Currently, I'm writing this at 1 a.m. trying to get at least 3,000 words. I dread to think at what time I'll have to get up tomorrow. *sigh* I only hope mother will have the internet on tomorrow. (Inhumanly early, and no she didn't)
Anyways! It's almost time to introduce my readers to wonders of timeskips. So far there's only been one, two months, but there should be more coming up. (P.S. when I say 2-3 chapters, I mean 4-6. Gomen!)
MONKEY SEE A POLL, MONKEY VOTE A POLL, MONKEY LOVE A POLL.
Thank you, readers who truly enjoy my works of writing, reviews are the only thing keeping me up until 1 in the morning to write.