A Blind Heart

Chapter 10 ~ Uneasy truce & Revelations!
Maru POV

Using my demon speed meant that we arrived at the village shortly. I looked down at the precious bundle in my arms. She had a bemused look about her. While a part of me desperately wanted to know what was in her head, another part of me knew I most likely wouldn’t understand. For what male in the history of being has ever really understood a female? I won’t state any of the usual prattle brained thoughts, I will simply state that male and female by nature and nurture are different therefore the inner most thoughts would also be different. Who in Kami’s name could comprehend a females thought?

Her demeanor and aura spoke of exhaustion. My Koishi had not slept at all this night in addition to using an enormous amount of energy to battle Keiko. I knew that she would also require a bath; it was not in the Miko’s nature to go to sleep without bathing. She and the rest of InuYasha’s pack were fastidious about cleansing themselves unlike the rest of the ningens. My olfactory senses really appreciated that. Unlike other Youkai’s Inu’s are very particular about hygiene. We imprinted and bonded by sent. Even if blind we can find pack members by smell.

An Inu-Youkai has a very highly developed sense of smell. We can smell changes in body chemistry that occur when different emotions are felt. Nervous when you lie, I can smell it. Amused by a passing thought? I can smell it. We can also see at night, possess enormous strength and speed and are loyal to a fault. If you can be friends, allies or a mate to an Inu-Youkai then you hold that position for life. We are deadly enemies, and don’t know the meaning of the word quit. While my little kitten was musing over her thoughts, I started to drift back in time. You see I did not fall in the love with the Miko overnight. In fact less than ½ of a twelve lunar cycle if you had suggested to me that I was in love with her I would have killed you happily.

My fascination with the tiny bundle in my arm began in my father’s tomb. When I first met her I could not believe that the idiot hanyou was following in fathers footsteps by associating with ningens. I will also admit that my interaction with her did not paint me in the best light. While I appreciated the sight of her long legs, her dress proclaimed her to be a prostitute. Imagine my confusion when I scented the air and found her untouched. When she opened her mouth her Japanese was flawless but in a dialect this Sesshoumaru had never heard before. She was defiant in her defense of InuYasha. Truly astonishing that she showed no fear of me. Her easy acceptance of InuYasha as a hanyou was also puzzling. This was a puzzle that would plague me for years. Due to my inattentiveness and disdain in the Great Taisho’s tomb I lost my arm.

While I disliked InuYasha just for his existence, which was proof that my father moved on after my mother’s death I now hated him beyond reason for removing my arm. A deathbed promise is sacred and before our father went off to save Izayoi he made me promise to protect his unborn child. I did as asked; I made sure that InuYasha reached adulthood. Not such an easy task set before me. I often had to protect him from ningens and Youkai alike. Most fortunately my reputation preceded me and smart ones would turn and run. There were always idiots; combat training no matter how short was always welcome.

It was while I was off in a bloody war with the Lord of the North that he was pinned to the Sacred Tree. Trust me if I had been there nobody pins one of the Great Taisho son to a tree! That Miko would have rued the moment she made the decision. And yes I would have gladly tortured her for breaking InuYasha heart and spirit. Although the idiot acts like nothing great happened that day it irrevocably changed something in him. His trust before was hard to earn, after his fifty years pinned to the God Tree was near impossible to earn. Kagome had the patience of a Tenshi to slowly earn his trust and devotion.

After that each one of my run in with InuYasha had a two-fold purpose, one was to teach him how to use fathers’ fang correctly. He would not achieve great feats with it unless challenged. That fang was one of the more powerful in Japan. Such a sword is destined for greatness and to be remembered for all the ages. It also gave me a chance to insult him to no end. His expressions when angered were such a source of amusement. Hey I made a promise to protect and train him. I also believe that the right of being elder male made it my job to torture him a bit.

The second and more secretive purpose was to observe the Miko. The puzzle of her would not leave me in peace. This Sesshoumaru did not like to admit that there was anything that I did not fully understand. After all I had been educated by the leading scholars of the West. She was educated, read scrolls on pieces of parchment that I had never seen before. From her dress to the items she used everything proclaimed this Miko not of this time. Besides trying to solve the riddle of Kagome I also had to ensure Yasha kept the fang which sealed his demon blood. Thank the Kami’s that Jaken or anyone else had never been successful in their attempts to steal the Tetsaiga. What elaborate ruse would I have had to concoct to return the damn thing!

My musing was halted when I heard my Miko try to place me and InuYasha in the same hut I had to chuckle mentally. This Miko would not give in easily. I may have asked for her permission to court but until she made up her mind I was going to have to work for it. “Miko that will not do, you the Kitsune and I will share a hut while the taichi and the hoishi take the other. This Sesshoumaru owes you a life debt and will not leave your side until it is settled”. I resisted the urge to close all their mouths with my hand starting with Kagome. I waited mentally counting the seconds until InuYasha lost his composure. Ah three seconds and right on time!

“Sesshoumaru, I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from Kagome! You bastard what are you up to”? Kami give me strength! Before the Miko could intervene I answered him: “InuYasha, as an Inu-Youkai you are aware of how serious a life debt is. My honor demands that I fulfill this. Second you are mated so you have no say in her life. What is between me and this bitch will be none of your business”.

Okay this Sesshoumaru will admit to confusion right now. Kagome’s scent went from happy to angry in one second flat. I would have to ask her what about my little speech angered her. I had offered high praise when I called her a bitch. Only the strongest females were accorded that title. It was something all Inu’s strived for. No alpha would take a weak female as his mate. A weak mate meant weak pups and a weak blood line. Our instinct demanded that we looked for the strongest amongst us. The weak were either servants or concubines. While my Miko was graceful, beautiful and educated enough to be concubine, I could not picture her submitting to anyone that easily.

Kagome spoke to InuYasha asking him to retire his objection. I could sense the frustration in her and smell the beginning of her tears. I knew that the scent of her tears would make Yasha back off. Shippo jumped into her arms. She headed to the hut and abruptly changed her mind. I knew that she was weighing her need to take a bath against the need to rest. Thank the heavens cleanliness won out! Kagome, Sango and Shippo went to the stream to wash. Kikyo went to speak to her sister inside the hut.

“So you and Taichi have mated, will you have your human ceremony binding you both together?” It seemed to me that the ceremony ningens used somewhat poetic. The representation of life long vows to be together until death came for one or the other. Youkai ceremonies were different; you could mate with someone or exchange oaths. Mates while special were not revered. It was the equivalent of an arranged human marriage. It was done for political or social reasons and did not take into account either party wants. The mating ceremony was done in front of witnesses and finalized later in the bedroom. The parties would be tied together until any children they had were no longer pups. Then either party could leave and find a new mate.

In the oath ceremony we made our vows in private and then presented our life bonded mates to society. Before the next lunar cycle anyone who wanted to challenge the mating could. If the challenger won the fight then the mating was voided. If one of the mated pair won then the mating stood. After the lunar cycle passed the oath ceremony was completed and nothing not even death could separate the couple. They were soul mates, bonded for life. Every power, ability and emotion was shared. To hurt your bond mate was to truly hurt your self. Legend has it that even in the next life you will find your bond mate.

“Yes Sesshoumaru-Sama. I have decided to marry Sango. Suddenly all the excuses that we had for not getting married seem to disappear. It made no sense to wait, why live for tomorrow when you can live for today? We exchanged our vows to love each other and will repeat them in front of Kaede the village priestess”. Miroku stated. Who would have guessed the monk whom both ladies called hentai could blush?

“Feh, that’s not only thing you two exchanged last night”! Yasha still had the etiquette of a beast of burden. Miroku smirked. I knew whatever came out of his mouth would be designed to aggravate the hanyou. I saw the hanyou eyes shift to the side as he observed his mate making her way to the steam. Smart male, he decided not to interrupt the females. A smart male never want to incur or face the wrath of a truly angry female. Their cunning and ruthlessness was legendary. My own mother would bring my father meat sprinkled with Wasabi which for an Inu with highly sensitive taste buds was a torturous and cruel punishment. Court etiquette demanded that he eat whatever his mate served him. To refuse was a slight to her honor. But I digress the Hoishi continued his teasing of InuYasha.

“Sango-chan and I were simply following your example InuYasha. After all did you not take the Miko Kikyo to be your mate? Poor monk now he was unconscious. My half brother seemed very sensitive about the subject of his bond mate. With good cause, an insult to ones mate was an insult to yours. No Youkai stood by idle while you disparaged their mate or bond mate.

“Yasha we must talk about your bonding ceremony. This Sesshoumaru does not know if you are aware that until the next lunar cycle arrives that you may be challenged for the right to life bond with the Miko. If you lose you will no longer be bound to the Miko. Also once the oath has been completed you will be connected with her emotionally, spiritually and physically. Her abilities will match your exactly. Which means you will gain Miko abilities. This Sesshoumaru will admit to curiosity to see what this means for your ability with fathers fang. We will have to test it on Youkai’s and barriers to see the effect”.

“Do you mean to say Sesshoumaru-Sama that someone could challenge InuYasha for Kikyo and then carry her off like some prize if they win? Forgive me for this indelicate question but how soon would Kikyo-Sama be with child? Naraku would love nothing better that to attack while the women of our group were heavy with child and unable to battle” Miroku queried. Leave it to the monk to think of offspring.

“You are correct Monk in that observation. There is an elixir that can be brewed so that the females in our pack will not risk conceiving a child or pup. Although Youkai gestations are short they are not without jeopardy. A human cycle last nine months does it not?” Miroku nodded. “I will summon Jaken to bring several bottles of the elixir until we can return to the Western Fortress. This will afford us the time we need to train for our battle with Naraku. We will not discuss this in great detail until we are in the Western Lands. It is one of the few places that Naraku minion Kanna cannot see in her mirror.”

My ears picked up the sound of my Koishi running towards the village. She ran as if the very citizens of hell pursued her, not even halting for Sango. I could pick up no discernable threat to her yet the aroma of her tears perfumed the air. She arrived with a brave smile that did not reach her eyes.

“Will you rest Maru”? I nodded to her question. “Where will you sleep”? I could only hope that my looked conveyed the lack of intelligence that question posed. It was hopeful that she surmised that I would sleep in the hut with the two of them as close as possible. My little kitten lay down on the mat, and gathered Shippo in her arms. I leaned against the wall nearest me and told her to go to sleep that I would watch over her. “Thank you Maru I’m glad you’re here” she murmured sleepily while trying to keep her eyes open. I sat next to her and stroked her hair as she slept.

I actually fell asleep. Youkai could go for weeks without sleeping. So it was indeed rare that I slept outside my fortress walls. Normally I would not let down my guard enough to relax to the point of sleep. I awoke before Kagome or the kitsune. I lay there with her in my arms thinking how right it felt to be awakened with the scent of Kagome filling my senses. This Sesshoumaru had never experienced this level of peaceful or completion. Yet, this Sesshoumaru would gladly disembowel any individual who dared suggest it out loud. When my Miko started wiggling I knew she was seeking her release. Her loud stomach decided to let itself be known. She wiggled her way half down the mat when I decided to be slightly evil and tighten my grasp

“Maru” she whispered “I need to take care of some personal business if you get my drift”. Yes I knew that after a full days sleep she would need to visit outside. Hmm let’s see how much I can make her squirm. Yes even I have a playful side. “Hmm, should I let you out or make you suffer?” Kagome did a slow long blink. I could smell her arousal in the air. Now what did this Sesshoumaru do to cause that reaction. This would be filed away to be reviewed at a later time.

So imagine my amusement when she asked “What were we talking about”? Wow that reaction and I hadn’t even tried. Her high squeal of “Maru” let me know that she was serious. I released her and watched her run to the woods to take care of business. I saw InuYasha leave the hut and wait to speak to Kagome. I knew that she needed to speak to him and clear the air. My deepest hope was that she would get over him and move on.

I began to muse on my strange fascination with Kagome. She had the ability to forgive a lot. Indeed all of her friendships in this era had begun with them either attacking her or kidnapping her for the Shikon Jewel. She was the glue that held the pack together. Without realizing the stigmatism she adopted a kitsune as a son. Not as a pet but as a son whom she loved without limitation. She respected everyone from ningens, hanyou and Youkai. Kagome joined a battle that did not affect her personally. While most creatures were diligently pursuing fame, money or power she was searching for a better future. Remaining pure in a time when life and experiences would erode innocence and naivety.

My decision to bond mate with Kagome was not easily or lightly made. Undeniably this decision took four years to make. The more information I received about Kagome the more it made me appreciate her uniqueness. While she was kind and gentle she also was capable of displaying a level of fierceness and bravery on the battle field. She would make a great mother to our pups, nurturing without spoiling them. I also knew she would be able to accept and raise Rin as her own. Kami knows she might even get along with Jaken. Highly improbable!

Kagome and Yasha were headed back to the village. We waited outside for Kagome not knowing what to expect. Sango, Miroku and Shippo had looks of concern on their faces. I merely stared at Kagome intently hoping to decipher her expression. She giggled. I was relieved. Depressed people did not giggle. When she saw the pack stunned by her giggle she fell down. Tears of mirth were covering her face. I opened my eyes slightly. It was a definite show of emotion, but not a huge one. When she finally pulled herself together she suggested breakfast.

When we finished breaking our fast she sat back attempting to tell the story. She sat near me for her narration. “Well you know that we were under the Spell of Longing that Keiko and Naraku. This spell caused us to want our inner most desires and needs. And because it was so insidious and caused us to think that we were in control of ourselves we responded. InuYasha mated with Kikyo which had some unexpected results, such as bringing her to life and making her a Hanyou. Sango and Miroku confessed their love for each other. The only ones that escaped were Shippo and Kilala. Sesshoumaru-Sama and I chased the spell back to its creator”. She took a slight pause before continuing.

“When we got there it was a battle of epic proportion. I struggled, as you all know while my Miko powers are strong I am not trained enough to simply call them when needed. As I tried to win my power clash I heard a voice offer me power. Power has a price though and my sacrifice was losing the ability to go back and forth to the future” I held my hands up to forestall any comments. “I know you want to know why I made such a deal. I saw the future and if I did not make that choice all would have been lost. The future was a desolate barren wasteland. It was the future if Naraku wins. I have to believe that I was brought to this time for more than just the Shikon. This is my fate as the Kami’s have decreed. I will go to the future one last time to tell my family goodbye and then return to this time for good. InuYasha, I would like you and Sesshoumaru-Sama to accompany me”.

“When we get back we all need to go train with Sesshoumaru-sama and that included Koga. I know that we all have problems getting along. Naraku has been able to win so far because we have not united together. The enemy of my enemy is a friend is an old saying. If we can not connect for friendship then we must do so for a common enemy”. By the time she finished she my hand. My pride in her increased tenfold. This was a woman who sacrificed much, and she still continued to face life bravely. What a magnificent bond mate she would make. Silence reigned for a moment. Her head snapped up and she looked alarm.

“He’s coming” was the last thing she said……..

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