Title: Close Encounters

Author: landofthekwt

Rating: PG-13

Prompt Untold Secrets (Inuyasha FanFic Week 198)

Word Count: 955

CU

Pairing: Inu no Taisho/SessMom, Inu no Taisho/ Izayoi, hint of Sesshoumaru/Izayoi

Warning None

Summary: Sesshoumaru meets Izayoi

The ball of light slowly descended into the garden until it stopped by the young dark haired who sat on a bench inhaling the fragrance of the flowers she was holding. She looked up startled as the light slowly took the form of a young man with long silver hair and golden eyes.

"You must be Sesshoumaru. Your father talks so much about you. I am glad to finally meet you."

" It is honor to meet you. Shimazu-sama."

Izayoi smiled, she was sure that the boy was uneasy about being here with her. She was not sure how to put him at ease.

" Would you like to sit beside me?"

That remark did not help the awkwardness of his demeanor or his stance.

"My father entrusted me with your safety. I must remain alert."

Izayoi wondered at that remark. She decided to probe a little further

" Why would your father think I am danger? I am here in my garden surrounded by my father's keep which houses hundreds of samurai. I should be safe."

The boy hesitated. Should he relay what he knew, what he suspected or just keep silent. Father had not been forthcoming, but he was not a fool. He had raised to rule. Living among humans required a knowledge of diplomacy and protocol which had been drilled into him at an early age.

He knew all the clans both human and demon and knew all of their familial connections. What he lacked was practical application. She was the first human had ever met. He had been raised in a demon court. His relatives were all demons. Among demons he was a prodigy. Touched the kami and destined for greatness. There was no doubt that he would be the next leader of the dogs. His name bespoke perfection. His manner reeked of taste and refinement. Everything about him was impeccable. But around her he was a gawky awkward teenager ogling the beauty whom his Father had chosen as his mistress.

He gulped. " Father fears that you may have enemies among humans and demons."

She laughed and to Sesshoumaru it was the like the tinkling of bells. " Who am I that anyone should hate me?"

Sesshoumaru stared at her incredulously How could she not be aware of the firestorm that she had stirred in the human and demon community as a result of her relationship with his father. Whenever his father and mother began to fight, the crockery took a beating. All about her. His mother regularly came to him as her confidant and advocate. She had been increasingly ostracized by those who saw the relationship as a chance to break the mating and push their own candidate for succession. Even the women avoided her as the hens clucked that she must not be woman enough for the Inu no Taisho. On more than one occasion she had asked him if someone could not rid her of this woman who had ruined her life. She retreated to her Castle in the Air as her refuge.

His Father was silent seeking to concentrate on military affairs. Sometimes Sesshoumaru accompanied him. More often Sesshoumaru was left in charge of the Western Shiro. Managing its day to day affairs and handling minor disputes. Major problems were simply put on the back burner until the Great Man could handle them.

" Father warned me not to unduly upset you."

"Keh. He worries too much Walk with me." She took his arm and began to lead him down the garden path. Finally, he spoke.

" You are different that I was expected."

Izayoi cocked her head to look at him. " In what respect?"

He considered his words carefully. " There are those who consider humans to be monsters. Ants to be squashed if they annoy us otherwise to be ignored."

" And what do you think?"

" My mother frankly hates you and is using every resource to bring opinion over to her side. She and my father rarely speak and only fight since he started seeing you. "

She seemed distraught. " I certainly did not want to distress your family?"

Finally, he found the courage to ask the question he had wanted to ask. " Why my father, he is mated. I am told that you have been promised by your father to Takmaru of Satsuma."

She paused. " I love your Father. more than anything in the world. Takemaru is my friend and I love him as a friend, but I will never marry him. I would defy heaven and earth to be with your Father. Not your mother or my father can keep me from him. He is everything I have ever wanted in a man. Kind and thoughtful. Brave and erudite. Dashing and poetic. Kill a dragon one day, write a tanka the next. What girl could resist that? I know that I can never be his wife or his mate, but I will be with him for as long as he will have me."

She looked up to Sesshoumaru with shining. eyes. He was transfixed Mesmerized by her beauty. He was sure for that moment that he had found. love. For that brief instant he wondered if the Buddhists were not right about Nirvana. And then it passed.

Another ball of light materialized in the garden. Izayoi dropped her flowers and ran to the spot where his father had materialized. Sesshoumaru gazed after her in despair as she leaped into his father's arms. He reached down and picked up one of the fallen stems. Deeply inhaling the scent that he would always associate with her he dared to dream of a day when she would run to him instead.