Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. The story and characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. All I own are the characters I created including, but not limited to, Asami.
Chapter 3 –
Asami blinked and opened her eyes as the first rays of dawn peaked through the open doorway. The sky was painted a brilliant rose gold that bespoke a peaceful morning. She could hear the trill of birds chattering and searching for their breakfast among the gardens down below. Asami wondered what sort of gardens were grown here at the shiro. She hadn't had a chance, in the bustle of arriving and facing her first formal dinner, to explore much and she longed to walk among the greenery and the flowers. A slight chill remained in the air, but she remained wrapped up warm under the blankets of the futon. She smiled at the luxury of silken sheets compared to the rough, rock strewn ground they so often slept on while traveling. Burying herself deeper into the cocoon of sheets, her eyelids drooped, ready to drift back into a gentle morning snooze.
With a loud thwack, the bedroom door slid open, causing Asami's eyes to snap open as she popped up from the futon. Miku grimaced as she walked into the room carrying a breakfast tray. "I'm sorry, Asami-sama," she said, "I didn't mean to open the door so forcefully." Closing the door softly, she shuffled over and prepared the tray in front of Asami. Asami yawned and stared down at the small bowl of rice and fruit before her. It reminded her of the simple breakfasts she would have on her own in her forest and while they traveled on the road. Miku noticed her staring and feared she was displeased. "Would you like something more substantial, milady," the small, mousy girl squeaked, "Sesshomaru-sama instructed us to bring you this simple breakfast, but I can easily return to the kitchens and be back quickly with something else."
Asami blinked again, clearing the sleep from her eyes, "Not at all, Miku-san, this is wonderful." She picked up her chopsticks, clapping her hands together. "Thank you for this food," she said before digging into the mound of rice. Smiling she looked up at the young servant who still sat in front of her watching in fascination. "Good morning, Miku-san," Asami said.
Miku jumped, realizing she had been caught staring. "Good morning, Asami-sama," she said quietly, her cheeks turning a bright crimson. Despite a wide array of yokai that would come to the Western Citadel's court, she had never seen anyone like her mistress. "When you are done I will help you dress," she mumbled shyly.
Asami stopped mid-chew, her eyes turning to the size of dinner plates, "I'm going to be dressed formally again?"
"No, no," Miku shook her head and raised her palms, "That was just for the formal dinner. On most occasions you will only wear three layers." Asami still paled. "Sesshomaru-sama has instructed, though, that we are to order special kimono for you," she continued, scrunching her brow in thought, "Something about slits and you being able to move freely."
Asami let out a sigh, "He's thought of everything to fix yesterday, hasn't he."
"Indeed, milady," Miku agreed.
Asami continued chewing her breakfast, lost in thought. Turning curious eyes to the young woman already straightening her room, she asked, "Miku, have you worked here long?"
"Since I was a little girl, milady," Miku answered.
"I'm confused," Asami continued, "I was under the impression that Sesshomaru kept Reiko and her family a secret in order to protect them, but everyone at court seems to be fully aware of her and of my position here at court."
Miku paused in folding up the futon, biting her bottom lip in consideration of her lady's question. "I have heard such rumors," she finally answered, "that outside of court the Lady Reiko is barely known and the Lord's heir is unheard of." She continued folding the blankets, "I suppose he tries to protect their identities from outsiders as he tends to hide her away when foreign officials come for a visit, but the traditional court – those that live here on a permanent basis – all know of her, her son, and your position."
Asami glared into her tea, "I suppose that makes sense. He couldn't hide her from the very people she commands and serves. But what of Jaken-sama," Asami looked at Miku questioningly.
"Jaken-sama?" Miku stared at the blankets, boring holes as she thought through names she knew. "Oh yes," her eyes snapped to Asami as realization dawned on her, "the little imp demon. He is never here at court. I believe he travels with Sesshomaru-sama and manages affairs outside the shiro when our lord is home."
"Hn," Asami contemplated what she learned as she took a tentative sip of her tea, scalding the tip of her tongue. She was always too impatient to let her tea cool properly. Wincing at the sting of pain, Asami sighed, "I guess that also means they know I'm little more than a concubine."
"Oh no, Asami-sama," Miku quickly assured, "You may not be Sesshomaru's mate, but you are his soul-bond. Any Inu would be able to tell that from the moment they met you and would respect you for your place by his side." She sat back onto her heels, having tidied up the place and was waiting for her mistress to finish breakfast. "There are none who would question your rank in the pack, though there are many who vied for it," she added.
Placing her empty bowl back onto the tray, Asami turned her eyes to the little servant girl. She scanned her face, judging the validity of the young girl's statement. "Do you really think they could accept me, Miku-san," she asked, "I'm so different from everyone here."
"That only makes you shine all the brighter, milady," Miku beamed, so proud to have been asked to serve the lord's new soul-bond.
It was Asami's turn to glow pink with embarrassment, "Thank you, Miku-san," she mumbled quietly.
Asami fiddled with her kimono sleeves. She had talked Miku down from three layers to two, so long as she topped it off with the lavish, dark blue, brocade haori Miku brought out. It was still too much in Asami's mind, but at least she could move. Mostly. Shuffling her feet forward, she opened the last of the doors out to the closest, private garden. The sight that met her took her breath away. Decorative trees were grown and cultivated along a stone path, shaped to look like perfectly flat saucers. Just on the other side of the trees grew a wild array of flowers. Purples, oranges, pinks, and blues all vied for her attention, filling the air with a sweet fragrance. As she walked along, the path diverged, one way leading to a wooden bench tucked into the nook of a shaded tree, the other leading to a bridge over a small pond that housed several red and orange koi. A gentle, repetitive, slow tapping sound nearby drew her attention to a small bamboo fountain. This was the peace she had desired upon her arrival. A means to escape and reconnect with nature. Walking over to the large, shady tree, Asami placed her hand upon it. She felt the pulse of the tree's life force, the movement of sap up and down the trunk. As she allowed her own heartbeat to match the tree, it sprouted in beautiful white flowers, blossoming before her eyes.
"That's quite a talent you've got there, though I don't think it will do much to help you in court" a voice said behind her, rather sarcastically.
Asami spun around in surprise, this was supposed to be a private garden that only she and Sesshomaru could use. So who was intruding on her time and space?
"I will admit though," the voice continued, "That I haven't seen that type of power in many ages."
She scanned the little garden with her eyes, but found no one. Yet the voice seemed so close. Suddenly a dark shape dropped from the roof, landing just a few feet in front of her. The man, if he could be called that, was tall with dark hair that grazed his shoulders. His dark eyes were sharp, but kind and stared down a nose that was just a little too large for his face. If he were human, she would have guessed him to be in his 30s. He wore a tunic with medium, purple puffs that went up and over his shoulders and his head was topped with a black box just above his forehead. Large, graceful crow wings folded gently behind him and glistened a rich, black hue in the sunshine. Asami had never seen anyone like this before. "Who are you," she asked, hesitantly.
"I am Saburo of Mount Iizuna," he said, bowing slightly, "At your service, my lady." Asami continued to stare, uncertain of who or what this Saburo could be to her. She jumped slightly when he moved and she noticed his taloned feet. Noticing her unease, Saburo added kindly, "I am a Tengu, Asami-sama."
Recognition dawned on Asami. She had heard of such creatures living the mountains, but had never seen one in person. Rumor had it they were very wise but very reclusive, keeping themselves separate from the outside world. "May I ask what has brought you here Saburo-san and what you want with me," Asami cocked her head at the man before her.
"I received an urgent request this morning from a man who does not make requests," he chuckled to himself. Seeing Asami's raised eyebrow he clarified, "I'm here to act as your tutor Asami-sama. I will be teaching you in court etiquette and behavior."
Asami smirked and shook her head. That man had left her bed long before dawn and had already seen to all of her needs, before she could even process what she needed. "Well then, Saburo-san, I'm afraid you have a difficult task ahead of you as I appear to be hopeless in the realm of etiquette," Asami smiled apologetically.
"Your maids have already briefed me on the…shall we say interesting parts of yesterday," he crossed his arms and scanned his eyes over Asami, assessing the way she carried herself. He noted the constant tension in her arms as she seemed ever ready to spring into battle. The mental image of her attempting battle in court attire made him snort as he was sure she would trip over her own feet.
Mistaking his snort for derision, Asami scowled, "I may not be much yet, but I assure you I learn very quickly Saburo-san – no Saburo-sensei."
His piercing eyes met hers, but he made no move to apologize. "You will need to Asami-sama. Court may seem frivolous to outsiders, but Inu thrive on hierarchy and will not hesitate to take out a weaker member of the pack."
Asami's shoulders drooped, remembering the snide remarks made behind kimono sleeves yesterday. "Then we best begin immediately," she said.
"After you," Saburo gestured back to the doors leading to a spare office made available for Asami's use.
Glaring at him in challenge, Asami raised her chin and started to walk past. She promptly caught her foot in the folds of her layers and sprawled forward unceremoniously. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her from smashing her nose into the stone path. Holding her in place, Saburo angled his head and raised his eyebrow, "Perhaps we should start with how to walk." Asami's face burned red as a clear, deep laugh rang through the air.
Sesshomaru glared at the mountain of paperwork growing on his desk. Reiko had handled everything she could while he was gone, but now that he was back, past financial matters and petty disputes seemed to come out of nowhere. He had spent the morning giving instructions for Asami's care and ordering new attire for her. He knew she could have handled such details herself, but he was the one who had dragged her into this foreign world and Sesshomaru wanted to ensure her transition was as smooth as possible. Then he had lost more time chewing out the captain of the guard. Sesshomaru's claws tapped on the desk in annoyance. The captain hadn't been able to shed any light on who could have been behind the guards' failure last night nor who could have helped Hakuto enter the Shiro grounds.
"There seems to have been a mix up in commands, my lord," the captain had shifted nervously through the whole meeting, "The guards assigned to watch the fifth floor were told to be in two different places at once and they all ended up leaving the fifth floor unattended." With a deep bow the captain had added, "I take full responsibility, my lord."
Sesshomaru had snarled at the captain's incompetence and set about some punishments for the guards involved, but otherwise waved the captain away with a poison tinged claw. He sat back now, massaging his throbbing temples as a gentle breeze shifted through the open window. He trusted his captain of the guard, but there was no way to tell at this point just how far up the corruption went. Sesshomaru sensed there was more involved as many pieces just didn't seem to add up yet. No matter, he would sniff out those who had betrayed him, and they would pay dearly.
"Didn't you mother ever tell you your face would freeze if you kept scowling like that," a familiar voice spoke out to him, having appeared silently in the doorway.
Without even looking up, Sesshomaru smirked, "Did my mother ever seem concerned about wearing a scowl?"
"Her face had already frozen in one," the voice jested. The two met eyes, both glittering with silent laughter.
Sesshomaru rose and walked out from behind his desk, suddenly serious, "Thank you for coming on such short notice Saburo."
"I had to come down from my mountain to see what was so special as to warrant an actual request from the great Sesshomaru-sama," Saburo joined Sesshomaru on some cushions by a little tea table.
"And have you met my lovely Kodama yet," Sesshomaru asked, pouring a small cup of sake for Saburo.
"She's currently working on an exercise in walking that I gave her with her maids," he flashed a mischievous grin as he sipped his sake. "You sure picked a feisty one, but she's sharp and won't need much coaching from me to find her footing." Pausing to pour some sake for Sesshomaru, Saburo's brow furrowed, "Any further information on the attack last night?"
"None," Sesshomaru frowned, "Like I told you in my letter, there has to be someone on the inside for Hakuto to have gotten all the way to Asami, but I don't know who or how far up the chain they are." He sipped his sake, "Until I do, I appreciate you coming to act as a bodyguard, though I recognize that is a bit below someone of your standing."
"Not at all," Saburo waved Sesshomaru's thanks away, "rest assured that your lovely soul-bond is in good hands."
Sesshomaru gave him a sidelong glance, "You just be sure to watch exactly where you put those hands."
Saburo smiled brightly, his dark eyes sparkled with amusement, "She is awful clumsy in her court kimono. I've already had to catch her once. I'm sure I'll have to do so many, many more times."
A low growl rumbled through Sesshomaru's chest as he glared at his friend. "Shut up," he said without much malice. Saburo simply burst into laughter. "Has she realized your real reason for being here," he asked.
Wiping the tears streaming from his eyes, Saburo said, "No, as far as Asami-sama is concerned I'm simply here to tutor her. I'll be able to protect her with her being none the wiser."
"Good," Sesshomaru nodded as he sipped more sake, "She has enough to concern herself with. I don't want to worry her about possible plots against her."
Saburo sobered and nodded solemnly, "We will find who is behind this together and I vow to keep your precious one safe in your stead."
A/N: I hope you all are enjoying the story so far! I'm sorry I don't have a set posting schedule this time around. I'm writing as I feel moved, but I don't expect any one chapter to take longer than 2 weeks to come out.
