Her Destiny

Tsukiko...Tsukiko you are safe now. Open your eyes, Tsukiko…

Her mother’s voice floated around in her subconscious as her conscious began to wake again. Eyes fluttering open, they closed tightly again, not used to the sunlight that was shinning into the room. She tried again, slower this time, and took in her surrounding.

The room she was in was beyond a doubt the most beautiful she had ever seen. Lush carpets adorned the floor and silk, gossamer-like drapes hung from the windows. Beautiful garden scenes were painted on the walls, almost like the one she was in before. She noticed she was not on a regular futon on the floor, but up and on a four poster bed, made out of wood. She knew this because the posts themselves rose into the ceiling and became almost one. The bed was apart of the room!

A slight shift in the bed told her she was not alone in it, and looking down she saw the little girl from the garden. Her face was scrubbed clean and no longer had any dirt traces. Her hand was in a fist under her chin and the other was draped around Tsukiko's waist. The child looked angelic in the sun and in slumber and she couldn’t help the soft smile that came to her lips.

As if sensing she was being watched, the child opened her eyes and she yawned cutely. Then she grinned and sat up, hugging her.

“Rin is glad you are awake! Rin was worried that you were sick or hurt when you closed your eyes.” Tsukiko thought it was cute that she was talking third person and found herself hugging her back. Rin let her go and stood up in the bed then jumped off and came around to take hold of her hand. “Come with Rin to the bath house before breakfast!”

“But…where am I?” Before the child could answer, the door slid open and in walked the one who had caused her to faint. Her blue eyes widened at the sight of him, not believing what she was seeing. The child squeaked happily and ran over to hug him around the waist. He put a clawed hand on her head and patted softly.

His almost silver hair shone translucent in the sunlight and his skin was almost the same, being so as pale as he was. The two marks on either side of his face had an eerie light to them as well, and a crescent moon was smack in the middle of his forehead. He wore a white kimono with red cherry blossom designs snaking up his left leg and arm. Armor adorned his chest and an odd boa-like thing hung over his right shoulder.

She also noticed he only had one arm.

Her blue-gray eyes looked back into his cold golden ones, and she shuddered at how unemotional they were. A perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched, having noticed said shudder.

“Are you cold, human?” His voice sent more shivers down her back. It was even more emotionless then his eyes! How could one be so…almost dead inside? He’s eyes grew more cold, if that were possible, as he continued to stare at her. “Can you not speak, girl?”

“Oh…I’m sorry…I was just…” Feeling dizzy again, she put a hand to her forehead and took a deep breath.

“Do not faint again. Although, this Sesshoumaru is glad he does not have to carry you to a bed.” The little girl, Rin, giggled into her hands as she looked at the young woman. A slight smile came to her face as she looked upon the child.

“I’m not going to. Don’t worry.” Realization of her situation hit home. “Um…where am I?” He was about to answer when his golden eyes turned into slits. Rin noticed the difference in him and looked up into his face.

“Sesshoumaru-sama?” she asked weakly.

“Stay here. Do not leave this room, Rin…girl…” he said looking at her as well. Anger welled up inside of Tsukiko at being called girl for the second time in five minutes, but before she could give the arrogant…man…a piece of her mind, he was gone. Blinking, she rubbed her eyes, thinking she was finally going crazy. Rin bounced over to her again and took her hand, tugging it with fervor.

“Come play with Rin-” her eyes lit with recognition that she did not know the young woman’s name. “What is your name? Rin forgot to ask when Rin and you first met.”

“My name is Tsukiko Hoshii.” The little girl’s brown eyes lit up with enjoyment and admiration.

“Rin likes that name. Tsukiko…it’s very beautiful. Will Lady Tsukiko play with Rin?”

“You don’t have to call me Lady Tsukiko. Just my name will be fine, Rin. And didn’t…he…say not to move or go anywhere?” Rin giggled and pulled on her hand a little harder, making the young woman smile more and stand up out of the bed.

“We can go to Rin’s garden and pick flowers to make Sesshoumaru-sama a crown!” Tsukiko smiled and nodded her head, her light brown hair swaying with the movement. She took hold of the girl’s hand and followed her out of the room. The hallway they entered was of all stone, large stones held together by some sort of mortar that she had never before seen. There footsteps were eaten up by the plush white carpet. Tsukiko found herself wanting to take off her shoes to see if it felt as soft as it looked.

Rin led the way, taking so many turns that Tsukiko knew she would have never found her way back to the room she was just in. All of the windows were open, letting in the warm summer breeze. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, absently paying attention to the little girl’s chatter.

I have to find out what’s going on here. I know I’m not still in the temple…and I have no idea what happened. It was too dark, and then that earth quack hit...The earth quake! I must have hit my head! I had to of…I never knew my dreams could be this life like. I guess I’ll just have to go with it until I wake up again. Tsukiko smiled down at the girl, now giving her the full attention she craved. She was talking about that man with no manners.

“Sesshoumaru-sama is very kind to Rin. He lets Rin play in the gardens and with his pups. But Rin does not think Sesshoumaru-sama’s mate likes Rin. Every time Rin goes near her, she growls and yells at Rin, calling Rin a filthy human.” A small pout came to her little mouth but it was gone within a second. “But she is not here most of the time, having to back to her own territory with her family. So Rin is safe and does not have to worry about her.”

Tsukiko nodded, pretending to understand everything she was saying. Pups? Mate? This is some strange dream…They finally reached the gardens and she stepped into the bright sun light with the child. The wind kicked up some but it felt good against her warm skin. A nice breeze was always good on a hot day. Rin skipped over to one of the numerous flower patches and began to sing to herself while she picked as many flowers as her little hands could hold.


The quiet was upset by shouting not too far away. Tsukiko looked around, trying to decipher where it was coming from when someone dropped in front of her and grabbed her by the shoulders. Her eyes widened as she looked in to gold. But unlike the others, these held a torrent of emotion; the easiest to pick out was surprise.

“Kagome, I found her!” The young man shouted at the top of his lungs. Well, Tsukiko thought, I don’t have to look for the noise anymore. It seems to have some to me. Realizing that he was still holding her, she pushed at his chest with all of her strength.

“Excuse me! Do you mind? Let me go or I’ll scream!” His golden eyes laughed at her but he let her go.

“Feh, you’re lucky Kagome wants to see you or you would be so dead right now.” Her blue eyes widened at his declaration, hearing no joking tone in it at all. He would really kill her! While this was happening, Rin had run over to her and had begun to kick the young man’s shin, yelling at him.

“Leave her alone, you filthy hanyou! Do not touch Rin’s friend!” Tsukiko recognized the word and tried to remember it. Hanyou…half demon! Being only half Japanese, Tsukiko had to learn both English and Japanese, and sometimes found herself confused at such simple words. While lost in her thoughts, another had come up to them, this one a young woman about her age. She had long black hair and light brown eyes…and she was wearing normal clothing! Tsukiko could only stare as she came closer.

“Inuyasha, don’t be so mean to her! She’s probably scared out of her mind right now. You’re not making things any better by throwing death threats around.” Her eyes softened when she looked up at Tsukiko. Being of mixed blood, she was taller then most Japanese but still considered short to Americans. “Are you alright? This baka didn’t hurt you, did he? He can be rough, but he’s a really nice person when he actually uses his brain.”

“Hey!” Kagome giggled behind her hand and then became serious.

“Do you know how you got here? Was it the Bone Eaters Well?” Tsukiko frowned and looked down.

“I just want to wake up. I am dreaming, aren’t I? This is just a bad dream, right?” A note of hysteria came into her voice and she tried to hide it, but couldn’t help herself. Tears began to fall and she found herself kneeling in the grass. Kagome knelt by her and put her arms round her shaking shoulders.

“It’s not a dream. You’re…in Feudal Japan, 500 years in the past. I don’t know how you got here, nor do I know if you can go back. Why don’t you tell me everything that happened and I might be able to help you.” Watery blue eyes looked into brown as she began to tell her tale of the temple and the earthquake and the strange feeling of having something following her. Kagome sat listening, holding Tsukiko's hand for support and comfort. She couldn’t help the feeling that this woman wasn’t completely human. There was another element to her soul that Kagome couldn’t put her thumb on.

Tsukiko hiccoughed and pulled her handkerchief out of her pants pocket and began to wipe the tears from her eyes and cheeks, her tears flowing silently now. She looked over at Rin and saw that she was almost as upset as she was, and gave the girl a reassuring smile. Rin smiled back warmly and ran over to her, hugging her around her shoulders. Kagome smiled as well and then looked back at Tsukiko.

“Well, what gets me confused it that you were brought…here…” she looked over her shoulders over at the daunting taiyoukai, who was not ten feet away from them. His golden eyes never moved from Inuyasha, who gave back a rather comical expression of utter hate and anger. Sesshoumaru gave him no sign that he cared and looked over at her and Tsukiko who was still being held by Rin. “Why were you brought to Sesshoumaru-sama’s palace…and how was it that you were able to come here?”

“I don’t know…but I’m so confused. What is he? And what is he?” She looked from one inu to the other and then back at Kagome.

“Well Inuyasha is a half demon, a hanyou, and Sesshoumaru-sama is a full demon, a youkai. He’s also the Lord of the Western Lands. And…” she leaned in closer to Tsukiko to say what she wanted to next, “he’s a got a really bad temper. Inuyasha has one too, but not nearly as bad. They’re brothers but they couldn’t be anymore different. Sesshoumaru-sama doesn’t show any emotions…at all! It’s so unnerving to see him looking at you but not looking at you.”

“I hear every word you say, miko, remember that. And remember that I can kill you and my hanyou brother at any time so do not try my patience. I want you to leave, now.” Inuyasha almost had smoke visibly coming out of his furry ears at his brother’s words. Sesshoumaru did not acknowledge him in the least. “I have been more then reasonable in letting you and your human into my palace. It will be awhile before her stench leaves the air.”

“You make no sense sometimes, you know that, you bastard?! You have two humans right here and yet you complain about Kagome’s stench?!”

“Hey! I do not stink, Inuyasha! Tell him to stop insulting me!” Inuyasha rolled his eyes at her then turned to his brother. All the while, Tsukiko was looking at them all in bewilderment. Do they always do this? Fight like they’re going to kill each other?

“Feh, it’s time we left anyways. I hate being here. It’s like a prison. C’mon Kagome. Sango and Miroku are waiting for us outside.” He looked down at Arisa again and she froze. “Is she coming with us?” Rin, who had not let go of her, now hugged her tighter and had a look of sheer horror.

“You cannot have her, you filthy hanyou! Tsukiko is Rin’s, right Sesshoumaru-sama? Can Rin keep Tsukiko?” Sesshoumaru came up to them and stopped beside Rin, putting a hand on her head.

“Woman.” His voice made her jump and she looked up with a questioning look, a little fear in her eyes. “Do you know anything about teaching?”

“I…”

“Speak up, human; this Sesshoumaru does not have all day to listen to this idle chatter. Do you or do you not know how to teach?” Glaring at him, Tsukiko disentangled herself from the little girl’s arms and stood, looking into his golden eyes with defiance.

“Of course I know how to teach! I’m in my last year of college and am almost a doctor! I graduated top of my class and have a 4.0 GPA, for God sakes! And stop calling me human and woman! I have a name so use it! I find it degrading to be called anything else but.” A gasp came from Kagome as she looked on in horror as Sesshoumaru’s hand twitched. No one raised their voice to the taiyoukai…and lived.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, she didn’t mean it! Women in our time are more outspoken then those in this time! Please forgive her!”

“Silence, miko. If she is just as outspoken as you are, she no doubt does not need you to come to her defense. Now…I do not understand half of the things that you have said, but obviously you have had some teaching. You will be Rin’s mentor and teach her how to be a woman. She has yet to learn anything because the youkai will not go near her. There will be no discussion. Now, I must return to my duties. Rin will show you where everything is. You know the way out so go.” The last was directed to Inuyasha and Kagome.

Tsukiko was dumbstruck and could think of nothing to say as the demon lord left the gardens to go back inside. She looked back at Kagome and Inuyasha, both having worried looks on their faces. Kagome sighed and put her hand on her shoulder.

“The best thing to do for now is to do as he says. There’s no point in talking about with him now. He’s made up his mind. Please, do not be upset, Tsukiko-chan! I will come to visit you everyday to make sure you’re alright. I’ll bring Sango, too! She’s a really sweet woman-“

“So I’m to be a prisoner? Why is he like this? Don’t I even have a say in anything?” Rin began to tug on her shirt and she looked down at the little girl.

“Tsukiko does not want to be Rin’s teacher?” Sighing, Tsukiko patted the girls head and smiled a bit.

“No…I do. I just wish Sesshoumaru-sama had said it a little nicer, is all. I’ll be ok, Kagome, really. Don’t look so worried. I appreciate it. And I will wait for you to come tomorrow and we can further discuss my situation and your theories as to how it was that I came here. But until then…I will try not to upset his highness any further.” Kagome giggled and nodded, the worry gone from her face. She could tell Tsukiko was strong and since she hadn’t completely gone into hysterics she knew she would be fine in the palace.

“There’s no safer place for you to be, really. In a way, it’s a good thing you landed where you did. You do not want to be out in the open in this time. Demons are all over.”

“Come on, Kagome, we have to leave before that bastard comes back and harasses us more. Don’t worry, Tsukiko. I’ll be back tomorrow, as well. As much as I hate him…he’s strong and will protect you if anything happens.” Inuyasha took Kagome’s hand and began to tug her away. With one last look back at Tsukiko, she turned around and they were gone, leaving her and the child alone in the garden.

Well…guess I better make the best with what I’m given for now. Hopefully I won’t be here much longer. I don’t think I’ll be able to take his attitude for very long.

“Come, Tsukiko-sensei! Rin will take you to the study! It has lots and lots of books for you to teach Rin with!” Tsukiko smiled and took the child’s hand, letting her led her around once again. As they were leaving the gardens, they were both unaware of the pair of golden eyes that were watching them. Sesshoumaru looked on, watching until they were swallowed up by the door way and back inside.

There was something strange about the human woman, he mused. Her aura was not the same as the others and yet it wasn’t like the miko’s. There was something else mixed in with it and he was sure that the miko had sensed it as. He had caught her frowning a couple of times while looking at the other woman. Inuyasha, the idiot, was too busy scowling at him to have really noticed the human. Turning away from the window of the second story room he was in, he sat back down at his desk and made a silent decision: he would not let her go until he figured out what she was.


Please review! This one took longer becuase I wanted it to be longer. The other chapters will be long as well. Thank you! I changed the main girl's name from Arisa to Tsukiko which means moon child..it fits fot what I have in mind.