Jaken timidly walked down the quiet corridor of the Lord's wing, a soft echo came from the staff of two heads as it made contact with the floor while he walked. The servants really outdid themselves this time, he thought to himself as he surveyed the pristine corridor, you can't even tell a scuffle happened earlier today. Once he reached the first room on the left, he saw the soft glow from the candles coming through the cracks of the door. Taking that as confirmation she was still awake, he began tapping lightly on the door while secretly hoping she was fast asleep.
"What do you want at this ungodly hour? I don't recall summoning you," Inukimi barked harshly.
"The name's Jaken," he sighed wearily. Honestly, how many times must we go over this. "Lord Sesshomaru has arranged for you to receive a massage. May I send them in?"
Ignoring Jaken's question, she continued to lay comfortably on her bed and torture those who walked the path to the underworld from her meido stone.
"My Lady?" Jaken asked while tapping lightly on her door again.
While still holding the meido stone, Inukimi threw it down into her lap in a silent fit of frustration and rolled her eyes when she realized he wasn't going away. "I thought there was to be no guests in the Lord's wing, little demon," she answered sarcastically.
Jaken imagined himself banging his head on her door. Why must you be so difficult. "They are not guests my Lady, and they have the proper security clearances for this wing. May I send them in?"
"Fine." Inukimi surrendered as she continued to lay on her bed while inspecting her nails, checking to see if there was any damage from the incident earlier with Sesshomaru.
While the demon masseuse began to set up, Jaken nervously shuffled the human kugo player into the room. Inukimi had begun undressing with her back to the masseuse when the scent of human became stronger. She quickly turned her head and glared from the corner of her eye at the kugo player and gave her once-over, but when the human showed no signs of fear and held her ground Inukimi went back to undressing. I suppose I'll allow it she begrudgingly thought to herself as she handed her white, purple, and yellow kimono to a servant.
"I will be outside your door if you require any assistance, my Lady," Jaken reminded her as he quietly closed the door behind him.
The subtle scent of incense filled the air of her dimly lit room as the kugo player began playing a beautiful melody on her string instrument. Inukimi laid face down on the massage table and tried to unwind while the masseuse worked on all the stress and tension she had hidden deep in her muscles. When the kugo player began playing a new melody, Inukimi's breath briefly caught in her throat and a sad smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Toga," she sighed. What went wrong? We could have had everything. As she entered a state of deep relaxation, the song made her mind wander back to when her and Toga first met.
"Lord Toga," Inukimi's father boomed, "I would be honored to introduce you to my daughter, Lady Inukimi." At the sound of her name, Inukimi turned towards her fathers voice and her heart skipped a beat with excitement when she saw the young powerful daiyokai staring back at her with his honey colored eyes focused only on her.
"Ah, thank you Lord Aoku," Toga replied as he bowed in Inukimi's direction, " I assure you the honor is all mine."
"Don't mess this up," her father whispered in her ear as he pushed her towards him, encouraging them to mingle. "Well," her father beamed as he patted both of them on their backs, "I'll leave you two to it!" Her father quickly scurried off in the crowd towards Toga's parents to make pleasantries.
A soft melody played in the background of the grand ballroom where the other royal demons and Lords chatted while dressed in their best formal attire. Servants weaved in and out of the crowd offering the only the finest food a demon could dream of. Flags representing the colors of Toga's Inu clan adorned the walls in a tasteful manner while their collection of rare statues were strategically placed throughout the room to subtly show their wealth. Inukimi felt as though she was in a dream, her castle was grand in its own right it was absolutely nothing compared to this.
Others began to take notice of Toga talking with a young female from another Inu clan and suddenly the two were thrust into the center of everyone's attention, causing the room become a little quieter while everyone whispered amongst themselves. It was to be expected considering Toga was the heir to the Western lands, but she had only just finished her first lesson in advanced demon politics and didn't feel quite ready for this. Inukimi had begged and pleaded with her father not to bring her along, but nonetheless here she was standing in front of the infamous Inu no Taisho. The hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up as Toga leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Let's take this outside, shall we?"
"Here, take this," Toga insisted sincerely as the two stood alone on the stone balcony overlooking his clan's land, "the wind can make it colder at this time of night."
Inukimi clutched the warm offering from Toga and wrapped it around her to stop her from shivering, "Thank you, Lord Toga." Panicking, she went into a deep bow after remembering her recent studies, "I deeply apologize for my rudeness. I also wish to thank you and your family for hosting the multi-continent conference this year."
Toga chuckled as he leaned onto the railing and threw his long white tied back hair over his shoulder. "Just Toga is fine, and no need for political correctness Lady Inukimi," he said with a smirk.
"Yes, of course," she nodded while standing as still as a statue with her arms down at her sides. "Your lands are quite beautiful, Toga," she observed while looking at the vast amount of trees that surrounded the castle. "It's a shame there is no moonlight tonight," she thought out loud while focused on the large lake in the near distance.
"You think so?" Toga looked up to the empty night sky in awe, "I've always been peculiarly drawn to the night of the new moon." Turning to face Inukimi with his charming smile, he had a clear view into the ballroom due to the floor to ceiling windows and doors that lined the balcony when his smile suddenly vanished. Essentially pressed to the glass watching their encounter was his mother and father, along with Lord Aoku. "I see we have company," Toga said sarcastically while nodding his head in their parents direction.
Glancing over her shoulder she jokingly rolled her eyes, "And we thought we were trying to find some privacy from the other demons."
"Mhm," Toga nodded in agreement while staring at the trio practically salivating watching their offspring talk. "Lady Inukimi, I don't believe I had the honor of being introduced to your mother tonight. Shall we go find her?" he asked while extending his arm to lead her.
"My mother… is no longer of this world," Inukimi answered with a sad smile while a single tear clung to her eye. "She had the misfortune of dying while birthing the male heir to the sky lands a few years prior."
Toga's face softened as he put a hand on her shoulder, "I am so sorry to learn of this."
The three Inu demons clinked their drinks together from inside the ballroom upon seeing Toga make physical contact with Inukimi. Disgusted, he sharply turned his back to them and looked up at the night sky with a furrowed brow. I see what this is all about Toga thought angrily to himself.
A slow romantic melody drifted across the dance floor inside causing all of the married demons and potential mates to come together. Inukimi sensed a shift in Toga's demeanor, but being young and somewhat naive she didn't understand why. Although it wasn't considered proper she worked up the courage to ask, "Toga, if I may be so bold…may I have this dance?"
Dread instantly filled Toga's body knowing he had to oblige the request, "Yes of course, Lady Inukimi." She has no idea he thought empathetically while extending his arm out once more to lead her inside.
As she was lead onto the dance floor by Toga, time seemed to stand still. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck while the faint scent of sake lingered on his breath. Other potential female suitors that were also dragged to the conference by their fathers sent daggers in her direction, wondering how she was able to secure a dance with the great Inu no Taisho. Usually timid and quiet, she uncharacteristically relished in their jealously as she was swept across the dance floor with all eyes on her. Once the song came to an end she looked up to Toga with their faces a mere inches apart, hoping he would end the dance with a kiss. Instead, he respectfully stepped away and slightly bowed, "Thank you for the dance, Lady Inukimi."
Stunned but not wanting to show her disappointment to the crowd, she returned his bow and shot a conceited glance towards the other girls who were intently watching her before returning to her fathers side. She looked to him with a large grin on her face expecting an immense amount of praise, but instead she was greeted with an angry and disapproving look. "Why did you let him leave your side?" her father asked her sternly. Inukimi's smile faded as her eyes quickly scanned the room when she caught a glimpse of Toga entering a hallway off of the ballroom. "I will go back to him, father," she said robotically as she made her way back to Toga.
As she walked down the empty hallway alone, she thought over excuses to explain why she was following him. Hello again Lord Toga, I know you very clearly ended our time together but SURPRISE here I am again, she thought to herself sarcastically. Muffled voices traveled from down the winding hall, and although she couldn't pick up exactly what was being said she could tell it was a tense conversation. Ensuring she was being as quiet as possible, she leaned against the cool stone wall for balance as she slipped her heels off and carried them by the straps while she made her way closer to the voices.
"Toga, you have to understand the situation here," the unfamiliar male voice pleaded.
Inukimi stopped in her tracks and pressed herself up against the wall as she inched her way closer to the open door, hoping she wouldn't create a shadow against the candlelight that dimly lit the hallway.
"I do understand the situation, Father," Toga said with a clenched jaw, "but I am failing to see how this is my responsibility."
"My son, while our duty is to the West we also have a duty to our clan. If you two marry, it ensures the Skylands continue to stay in Inu control. If she marries outside of the Inu clan, who knows who will gain control."
"So let fate sort that out!" Toga roared. "The Western lands are secure regardless of whom she marries."
"Damn it Toga," a loud thud echoed in the hall as a cup clinked against the wooden floor, "it is your duty to marry her, produce an heir, and protect any and all Inu clans lands."
"Do you mean to tell me you are rescinding your promise then, father?" Toga asked him tensely.
The room went silent for a few minutes, before she could hear Toga's father let out a disappointed sigh. "My hands are tied here, Toga," his father answered softly.
While the father and son of the Western lands continued to fight and argue, tears that had silently welled in Inukimi's eyes fell freely as her heart shattered listening to Toga strongly oppose a marriage with her. Is that why father insisted on bringing me tonight? To arrange a marriage? As she was about to turn around and head back to the ballroom, she suddenly became face to face with Toga as he peered around the corner into the hall.
"Damn it," he whispered.
Her eyes were wide with fear as she stood in the hallway unsure of what to do. "I-I.." she stuttered while slowly backing up from Toga as she furiously wiped at her tear stained face. Suddenly, she turned and began bolting down the hallway barefoot while still clutching her heels to get as far away from him as possible.
"Inukimi, wait!" Toga called out as he chased after her. Toga's father slowly made his way to the hallway after hearing all the commotion and slowly shook his head with disappointment as he watched the scene unfold.
With little effort involved, Toga quickly caught up to Inukimi and grabbed her wrist as she continued trying to flee from him. "Please Inukimi," Toga pleaded, "come with me and hear me out." She could feel the anger bubbling up inside of her as she yanked her wrist as hard as possible from his grasp. "And why should I?" she huffed while trying to catch her breath.
His features softened as he reached out and grabbed her hand and pleaded once more, "Please, Inukimi." Knowing she didn't truly have a choice, she pulled her hand back and walked with him down the damp hallway back towards where the Lord of the Western lands stood. "Will I be reprimanded for eavesdropping?" she whispered to Toga as they kept getting closer. He looked at her sympathetically, knowing her nervousness must come from her father and the pressure he's put on her since her mother died.
Toga's father looked at the two young Inu demons standing before him and although she tried to hide it, he could see Inukimi was trembling. Placing a hand on each of their shoulders, he let out a heavy sigh and looked them each in their eyes. "I must be getting back to my hosting duties." Before removing his hand from Inukimi's shoulder he made sure to show her a slight smile in the hopes of making her more comfortable, especially after what she had just heard. As he walked down the empty hallway back toward the ballroom, he couldn't help but feel for the timid demon who just learned she unknowingly had her future planned out for her. For the sake of the clan he murmured to himself.
Embers drifted through the air of the sitting room as Toga poked at the crackling wood in the fireplace. The windowless room was surprisingly modest with a coach, two oversized chairs, and servants area for tea and sake preparation. Unofficial portraits of past leaders decorated the walls and a common traveling merchants rug covered the floor to give it a more cozy feel. A dull ache lingered in Inukimi's chest as she clutched the tea that Toga had prepared for her, while silently wondering if her eyes burned from the roaring fire in front of her or from the tears she shed.
Once he was satisfied with the fire, Toga began rummaging through the large wooden chest that was nearby. Inukimi watched quietly as he continued pulling blankets out and throwing them over his shoulder, until a satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Here," he said softly as he placed the blanket on her lap, noticing the goosebumps that covered her body. "This area of the castle is great in the summer months, but the coolness isn't as welcomed in the winter. This was one of my favorite childhood blankets to get warm with." She rubbed her hand over the soft white wool blanket that was saturated with his scent. "Thank you, Toga," was all she could muster out.
Gently plopping down on the opposite side of the couch, Toga could sense the amount of pain he inadvertently inflicted on Inukimi. They sat in silence for a few minutes and listened to the wood popping in the fireplace while Toga collected his thoughts. If only I realized she was right outside the door sooner he scolded himself. Although her scent was strong, he assumed it was due to the dance they had just shared. It wasn't until her scent was mixed with the subtle smell of salt did he realize she was closer than he thought. Even though they had only just met, he thought it seemed uncharacteristic of her to eavesdrop on a conversation between the Lord of the West and his heir. "May I ask you something, Inukimi?" he asked while staring into the flames that danced before him. Inukimi nodded. "What is it that brought you into a private area of the castle tonight?"
"I…" she trailed off before letting out a faint sigh. Caught between a rock and a hard place, she didn't want to lie to her apparent future husband but also didn't want to betray her father. She looked to Toga who was patiently waiting for a response from her, when she noticed her usual stress wasn't present around him. His aura was soothing and calming, and when she thought back to the tension that plagued her home castle in the sky she shuttered. It was never like that when mother was alive she thought sadly to herself. After working up the courage to give him an honest answer, she rested her tea on her lap before taking a deep breath. "My father was not pleased that I let you leave my side after our dance. I saw you head this way and so I followed, but had I known you were having… discussions… with the Lord of the West I would have stayed out of sight from my father instead."
Toga's hands remained neatly folded on his lap. "Ah. I see," he answered empathetically. Trying to calm himself, he took a deep breath in just as he closed his eyes and held it for a few seconds before exhaling. "I want to start this by saying I truly apologize for you having to hear the conversation I was having with my father." Inukimi winced at Toga's apology, and it didn't go unnoticed by him. "Answer me this," Toga began, "have you taken notice that our Inu clans have some of the strongest daiyokai's known to both man and demon?"
She nodded curiously in agreement waiting for him to make his point.
"That would be the result of hundreds of years of selective…" Toga trailed off as he awkwardly tried to find the right word. "…breeding." Inukimi gasped and caught her tea just as it was about to spill on her best kimono. "I have never, ever heard that in any of my studies," she said in disbelief. Toga chuckled at her naivete, "Well, of course. Our clans want others to just assume our gene pool is naturally superior than most."
Inukimi could feel her youth and innocence leave her body as she learned the truth about the Inu clans, and not the fabricated rewritten history she had been learning about for the past 100 years or so. "Are you alright, Inukimi?" Toga asked with a concerned look on his face while feeling her forehead with the back of his hand. "You look pale." Offering him a meek smile she nodded, desperate for more truth about their clans. "Yes, please continue."
"Years ago," Toga began, "my father promised that I would be free to marry whoever I wished." A soft and genuine smile spread across his lips as he thought back to that day when the clan elders raised their concerns to the Lord and Lady of the West about their son. Their concerns of the heir being too gentle natured to rule the Western lands fell on deaf ears by the Lord and Lady as they chuckled and shooed them away, and once the elders were out of earshot the tone in the room turned serious. 'Toga,' his father boomed, 'you are the result of political marriages that spans centuries within the Inu clans.' Toga's mouth dropped at the admission, but his father continued. 'However, you are proof that there is more to a great leader than just his genetics, and we want that for the next generation as well. The long line of political marriages ends with us.' A low growl emitted from Toga as he clenched his fist while thinking back to the promise his father had broke without having the decency of consulting with him first. "That, Inukimi, is why I was so upset when I figured out our fathers plans. It had nothing to do with you."
The door to the sitting room groaned as it was slowly opened by a demon servant who was softly knocking on the door. "My Lord? I am sorry to disturb you, but you are due for your speech within the hour." Toga immediately stood up and smoothed out his formal wear that was slightly creased from their conversation. "Ah, thank you Akasuki! It is so easy to lose track of time in a windowless room," he teased before turning to Inukimi, "I would like to introduce you to Akasuki, my Lady. She has been serving my family wonderfully for generations." Inukimi brushed some hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear before offering her a small smile, but Akasuki narrowed her eyes.There is something about this demon I do not care for Akasuki thought to herself as Toga rushed off to prepare for his speech.
Without saying a word to Akasuki, Inukimi walked past her as if she wasn't present in the room and mindlessly traced her finger along the cracks in the dungeon like hallways as she made her way back to the ballroom. The sudden bright lights from the candle lit chandeliers caused her to squint while she scanned the room looking for her father amongst the crowd, but when she found him she didn't rush to his side. Normally she would have been relieved to find him in a situation like this, but this time she felt pure disgust towards her father. How dare you she thought as she watched him conversing happily with some elders from the North about her dance with Toga, my life as I knew it will never be the same and yours is only getting better. After she contained her initial disgust at the sight of her father, she made her way through the crowd to rejoin her father and stood silently next to him.
"Well?" her father whispered impatiently as they watched the festivities, "Where is Lord Toga?"
"After discussing our future marriage he had to prepare for his speech, father." Inukimi replied with an emotionless look upon her face.
"Ah ha!" Lord Aoku exclaimed while shaking his daughters shoulders with excitement. "You did well, Inukimi!"
"Would you like me to continue, my Lady?" The masseuse asked while gently shaking Inukimi's shoulders signaling she was finished with the massage. Inukimi sat up slowly and arched her back while she stretched her arms over her head. "You're good," Inukimi said with a smirk while looking around the room, "I didn't even realize I fell asleep." On her way to her window seat, she grabbed a light summer robe that was hanging on her wall to cover up. While the masseuse and kugo player collected their items with the servants, Inukimi curled up on the cushion with the moonlight pouring over her and highlighting her beauty. The purple crescent moon on her forehead changed to an illuminated lavender color in the moonlight and she reached up to touch the familiar warmth it was producing. Mother never did get around to explaining its significance she thought to herself while rubbing her forehead gently.
Jaken nervously looked behind him as the door to the Lord's wing was closed and locked before whispering, "Did it go as planned?" Both the human kugo player and demon masseuse nodded. "Yes, the spell has been cast," they answered in unison with a sinister smile.
Authors Note:
Hi Friends, long time no see! I promise I didn't forget about you or this story. This chapter was a doozy for me, I had so many ideas that would often contradict each other so I rewrote this chapter a lot. At one point I had a few different stories going until I figured out which story line I liked the best. Anyway, I'm still aiming to publish longer chapters once a month and I think I'll post new chapters on either a Friday or Saturday for some consistency. I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend, and remember to find time to do something for you.