Nocturne - Chapter Twenty-Four: Good Faith
Rated - M (for suggestive adult themes, references to some violence, and coarse language)
o - o - o - o - o : Indicates scene or POV change
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
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She felt groggy, and every one of her limbs was heavy. Her eyes burned and felt dry all at once. She blinked to ease the pain, though that seemed the only movement she could make at the time. As her faculties returned, Kagome nearly had a panic attack, dragging in shallow breaths while she recalled the Onibaba.
It took a moment for her to school herself into a trim level of calmness, recalling her escape from the hag. Her hands and feet tingled like she had fallen asleep on those limbs, blocking the blood supply to her extremities. The sensation was almost painful but welcomed while she began clenching her fists to get the blood flowing.
Kagome took a few moments to turn her head to assess her surroundings. She was inside a building, likely a royal apartment based on the furnishing. Underneath her was a pallet made from excellent quality materials. It was bright, nearly mid-day, but she had no way to tell how long she had been out.
She tried to remember what had happened, and the memories began to flood back. Her ability to move had returned for the most part, and she sat up and clenched her chest. 'Setsuna!' Her baby. Kagome looked around the room frantically to see if her child had also been brought here.
There was no sign of anyone else, and she let out a tiny sob of relief. The baby's absence was not a guarantee that she hadn't been taken, but Kagome wanted to remain optimistic. Plus, Inuyasha would have never let anything befall the baby, and he had been hot on the kidnapper's trail before she'd lost control of her body.
A tiny prick in her neck was all she recalled before she'd crumbled to the ground, her legs useless accessories beneath her. She had been fully conscious but paralyzed as the giant bird demon landed before her. She could feel its demonic energy wafting around her and heard its unearthly voice while it taunted Inuyasha. Kagome could only see straight ahead, her vision filled with the monstrous bird that pulled her up and into the sky. It was somewhere high in the clouds that she lost consciousness.
Her legs seemed trustworthy enough to risk standing. She took it, one leg at a time, and wobbled towards a set of doors that were at the edge of the room. No one seemed to be guarding her inside the room, so they had no idea of her status as a miko. Good. She may need to use that ignorance against her captors later.
Kagome reached the door, but it slid open before she was able to touch it.
"Ah, you have awoken."
Did her eyes deceive her? The man that stood before her looked remarkably like Sesshomaru, if only insomuch that he was an inuyoukai. He had long silver hair tied up into a knot on top of his head, fastened with an ornate clip. His eyes, golden like Sesshomaru's, were set into an amused tilt. He also had face markings, though they were crimson red and resembled jagged strips that ran under his eyes, giving him a somewhat sinister look. Kagome changed her mind; the coloring was all that the men held in similarities.
The inuyokai took a step into the room, causing Kagome to take an involuntary one back. He smiled with satisfaction at her hesitation.
"I am Fan Tsenpo, lady…." he tilted his head and waited for her to supply her name.
"Kagome," she responded, slightly surprised by the steadiness of her voice.
"Hnn. How quaint." He moved further into the room, pushing her back as well. "You seem rather unremarkable, even for a mortal woman. Though, I can see why your beauty would be enough to give the Lord Sesshomaru pause."
Kagome felt her eyes go wide. This was...the brother. Her heart sank, and the blood drained from her face. She knew nothing about him but could feel his aura enveloping her. His yoki was intense and overpowering. It felt even more significant than Sesshomaru's, and that was a frightening thing to fathom.
Standing her ground proved to be difficult, considering how he invaded her personal space. He wore an amused smirk on his face, exposing a dimpled cheek and a sharp canine that resembled a fang more than an actual tooth. Every part of him was imposing, from his powerful stance, feet apart, back straight, and hands clasped behind him to his garb, which was finely made and embellished with even more exquisite pieces of armor that shone as light reflected off it.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation," he said with his smirk still in place.
Kagome fought the urge to spit in his face. Invitation?! "Apologies, 'Lord,'" she said with venom, accentuating the word in contempt. "Our interpretation of an invitation would seem to differ greatly."
Fan chuckled, amused at her banter, "Is that so? It would seem that many of our customs have their differences." He spun and strode across the room to look out a window overlooking the vast gardens outside. He turned his head and gave her a congenial shrug. "For instance, one of our customs is to exterminate those who offend us and all they may hold dear." He stopped to allow his words time to sink in. "But, that is one of our more barbaric traditions and one I am attempting to steer away from as we move to the future. However, I am at the mercy of my people, and my people do not handle slights as well as I."
"How have I slighted you?" Kagome demanded. She already knew the answer to this question, but it seemed prudent to get him to talk and expose as many details as she could squeeze from him.
"There are times that we associate ourselves with the wrong people, and those people's decisions impact our lives. This…" he said, giving her a level stare, "is one of those times."
"I see," she responded. This was all a game to him, and she was a pawn on his board. A piece to be used. A means to an end.
"It's a shame, though," he said, walking towards the door. "I had rather hoped to examine the specimen you created," he stared down at Kagome, watching her grow still, "but we were unable to arrange its arrival in addition to yours. I am highly interested in those creatures. I have a penchant for their creation myself as I've found their uses immeasurable."
Kagome felt an abject horror course through her. He was talking about Setsuna, her daughter. "If you touch her, I will kill you!" she said through clenched teeth.
Fan turned, clearly delighted at her outburst. "Kill me?" he laughed, a deep, pleasant sound. "Oh, you are...unexpected." He strode towards her until he was only inches away.
Kagome glared at him, intent on not letting him see her phased. He smiled a half-smile and reached out a hand to her face. Her eyes darted to the gesture and smacked him away. Fan's eyes flared, but his smile deepened. "Fascinating," he said. "It is rare to see a mortal with such tenacity."
"I would ask you to refrain from touching me, 'Lord,'" she spat.
Fan made a 'hmph' noise, cocking his head to the side. "It has been a pleasure, Lady Kagome. I trust your stay here will be pleasant. If not for you, then most assuredly for me." He made sure to flash another toothy smile at her.
He exited the room before she could throw curses or any objects at him, as she felt inclined to do. It would probably be for the best that she refrained from direct violence just yet.
Kagome found a chair of western-style positioned next to a table at the corner of the room and threw herself into it. Come to think of it; the place had many western influences. There was a luxurious rug in the center of the room and crushed velvet drapes accenting the large windows. It would seem that Fan Tsenpo was well-traveled and open to the influences of other nations. Perhaps that information may come in handy later.
The room was warm and comfortable. Whatever was to happen, Kagome was being treated with some form of reverence for the time being. That meant that she was safe for now. At least, she hoped it was what it meant.
o - o - o - o - o
The mortal woman had been brought and deposited into one of the many unused guest rooms of the palace. Her brother, Fan, had little use for guests but could not resist the temptation of lording over such a stately dwelling. Many of the underlings in Fan's court resided outside of the palace, which he reserved for his private dealings and personal retainers.
Tsering only remained at court because she had been demanded to do so. However, she could not lie to herself all so much. To see the look on Sesshomaru's face was enough to keep her here despite her discomfort.
Fan largely ignored her presence anyway, unless he decided to make use of her. He was presently otherwise occupied with the arrival of the woman. Tsering's stories of the powerful hanyo brother had struck Fan's most profound interests. She could not be sure why that would elicit such interest. What would her brother care if a hanyo was powerful enough to kill 1000 demons with a single swing of his blade? Fan was also capable of such feats.
Her brother had many conquests under his belt and was always on the lookout for a new challenge. In their early years, As soon as he had come of age, Fan had picked up a nomadic lifestyle, traveling to far-off locations to find worthy opponents. There was a time that Tsering had traveled with her brother, living off the thrill of his ventures, but that century had turned dark towards the later years.
Their parents had requested they both return home, and Fan and Tsering obliged as honorable children should. Their mother and father were both highly renowned inudaiyokai, who had founded and defined the DaiOzoku, their clan and pack comprised of powerful inuyoukai compatriots.
Upon returning, their parents had announced the birth of a sibling. Tsering had been enchanted with the tiny child, but Fan had seemed indifferent. The evening upon their return and learning of a new child, Fan had shown his true tendencies.
Tsering had awoken the following day and found her brother covered in blood. She asked him to explain where the visceral material had come from, but he only shrugged her off. It may have been short-sighted to state that her parents and young sibling's disappearance were coincidental. One did not question Fan and live to talk about it. Tsering had not been tempted to test how far his love ran for her, his twin sister.
It was during that time that Tsering had begun to distance herself from Fan's machinations. However, she could not deny him when he came calling, such as the time before when he betrothed her to an inuyoukai renowned in Nippon. That had not turned out well. Now, here they were centuries later, living out the repercussions of that decision. It had not turned out well for any involved.
Tsering sighed, moving away from a window. Besides putting Sesshomaru in his place, Tsering could not wait to be away from this palace and all the things associated with it. Fan's court life was particularly draining even for her.
The door to her room slid open. Tsering did not turn to see who entered. There was no need. No one would enter her room unannounced outside of one person.
Fan walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good morning, sister."
"Brother," she responded, not looking up at him. It was best not to look him directly in the eye, so he could say his piece and leave as it suited him.
"I have it on good authority that he is on his way." Fan did not need to say who 'he' was. "Perfect timing," he said with smug satisfaction. "Ready yourself, sister. I will expect you to be present when I call him to an audience."
"Hnn, I would not miss it."
Fan grabbed Tsering's shoulders, moving behind her and leaning his head down against her. "No, you would not."
She suppressed a shudder. To do so may offend him. Now was time to change the subject away from herself. "He left the mortal woman unattended. Do you think that he cares that you have taken her? Perhaps he comes to taunt you."
He laughed into her back, draping his arms around her. "Oh, my sweet sister. He left the woman untended as a ruse, thinking to throw me off and protect her and the by blow. Besides, whether he cares or not makes no difference to me. I shall find a use for the woman either way."
Tsering brought up a lip in disgust. Thankfully, he could not see her face. "Of course, brother."
Fan still nuzzled into her back, "Your remaining attendant has not returned." It was not a question, rather an observation.
She tensed despite herself. "No." The hanyo was utilized due to her unique ability, lacking any detectable yoki. Fan may blame her for the hanyo's failings.
"I do not expect her to return. If she does, take care of her," he said finally. He moved away, done with his conversation, and strode to the door.
Tsering watched his back, glad he was leaving. His moods swung back and forth like a pendulum, always at opposite ends. But unlike the reliable swing of a clock's apparatus, Fan's moods were random and unpredictable. Being his twin had protected her. He was under the belief that they were like yin and yang, where one could not exist without the other. To harm her would be likened to hurting himself. She was grateful for that, if only that it kept her protected. However, she had no desire to test the extent of his beliefs.
"If you would like, another hanyo has come available," Fan offered before exiting.
"Is it fresh?" she asked.
Fan shrugged. "Relatively so, but you are welcome to it all the same." He walked out without waiting for a response.
Tsering allowed herself to breathe. Training up a fresh hanyo would take time, but she would have time in abundance soon.
A/N: Damn that Fan Tsenpo. Wiping the smug smile from his face someday will be worthwhile. What's he playing at? Maybe we will find out next chapter. Likely not. He's shifty, that one.
Kagome is trying her best to stay composed. She usually does an excellent job with that. Let's see how she holds up with what Fan plans for her.
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