Dreams and Reality

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Disclaimer: I do NOT OWN Inuyasha, nor do I claim any of the ideas, images, characters or other material of Inuyasha and/or all versions/variations/spinoffs of the series, anime or manga or other publication of any kind.

A/N:
-Please review, and let me know what needs to be fixed and improved upon.

-If a sentence begins and ends with **...** then it is a thought and is not said out loud
e.x. **I can't believe that**
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Dreams and Reality
Chapter 3

“What do you mean she doesn’t know her name?” Izayoi couldn’t believe how neglected this poor girl must feel. Truth was that this ‘girl’ was a cat demon, she may look young but she had been around longer than Izayoi could hope to live.

“That will not due, I will talk to her at once and we will choice a suitable name for her. Oh I’ve always loved the name Sakura maybe she will fancy it too.”

Before Hideyuki could protest Izayoi was out the door practically racing to the stray cat’s room. For a human this woman was quick.

“But my Lady, the master has asked that you not visit her until we know more about her, and that she will not harm you.”

“But she wasn’t harmed anyone…” Izayoi didn’t care what Inu no Taisho ‘demanded’ she was not a servant, she was his wife, and in her mind an equal.

“She tried to kill me just this morning my Lady. She is a strange demon with an uncertain temper. She is a hunter to be sure.” He knew it would be useless to argue with the Lady of the house but if nothing more he had to try so that he could say he gave it his best.

Izayoi stopped in her tracks.

“She tried to kill you?”

“Yes just this morning.”

“Well what did you do to her?” Hideyuki’s eyes opened wide.

“I didn’t do anything to her, she is dangerous. And sly, she pretended to like the color of my eyes just to get closer to me then attempted to cut my throat.” He was all but outraged, why should he be blamed for the temper of a crazed cat. Men were not always to blame.

“How do you know she was pretending?” And with that cryptic word Izayoi took off; sprinting down the corridors. Hideyuki followed, calling after her.

“My Lady, his Lordship will not like you visiting her.”

“You are just upset that she doesn’t like your eyes. I know how vain you are, it must have been a blow deeper than that cut on your neck.”

It was true. Being from the Katsura clan there were few other tree yôkai that could boost the ability to have a human form, and even fewer that could claim equal to the Katsura clans’ beauty. However there weren’t many Katsura left.

Izayoi turned the corner and ran into the room, not even bothering to knock. She quickly turned and locked the door. Hideyuki would only be commanding and completely ruin any fun that she would have with the newest addition to the household. Smiling Izayoi pressed her back against the door catching her breath. She knew that if Hideyuki had really tried he would have caught up with her easily.

“You must be the Lady of this fortress. You are human just like they say.” The cat demon didn’t move from her spot. She was perched on the ledge of the window as if ready to jump. It wasn’t a warm welcome but it wasn’t an attack on her life either.

“I am. My name is Izayoi. And I thought that you would be more comfortable speaking to me than Hideyuki.” They could hear Hideyuki pounding on the door, though half heartedly.

“I will not be a slave to you.” She jumped off the ledge landing easily on the wood floor some feet away. Izayoi thought it was a very graceful and powerful display.

“Please forgive my husband. He as never been what you would call a ‘gentle’ host. He is looking out for my protection. I am not well liked.”

“He is right to worry if you make it a habit to visit strangers who have tried to kill your servants.” Izayoi’s laughter caught the demon off guard.

“His Lord has every right to worry about me. I do not listen to him and am very reckless. But then that is how I met him in the first place.”

This woman, this Lady was not what she had expected to meet. Izayoi was kind and beautiful; obviously from nobility, and had a regal air even in her laughter. Every move she made was with self assurance and yet complete abandon; as if she knew something no one else did.

“Come and sit with me awhile. Let’s talk about you, I am curious to know everything about everything about you. I’ve never met a cat demon such as yourself before.” Izayoi patted the assortment of cushions next to her. The room was large and yet some how dark despite the numerous windows. The walls had been covered with silk, a deep purple and the bamboo floors stained till they were almost black. The bed was covered with pillows that were multiple shade of purple, gold and blue. The sitting cushions on the floor were rich blues with golden flowers delicately sewn throughout.

She cautiously sat next to Izayoi, far enough to not be a threat but close enough to pounce. She sat awkwardly, not crossing her legs but more of a squatting, leaning forward placing some weight on her hands and hunches.

Izayoi smiled knowing that this stance meant that the girl didn’t trust her just yet.

“So I’ve been told you do not remember much. And that you do not have a name. That should be fixed at once.”

“And you plan to name me as you would a pet?”

“No I thought it would be fun to choose together. Two heads are better than one.”

“Then I am open to suggestions.” Izayoi was pleased to hear her say so. She had thought of so many names running here.

“How about Sakura? It is a lovely name…” Izayoi was cut off before she could finish

“Absolutely not. I refuse to have a frilly name about something a silly as a flower. I am not so fragile.” A small chuckle came from the door. Apparently Hideyuki, though he had stopped trying to get the door open, had never left his post and was now listening to this exchange.

“Ok what kind of name would you like?” Izayoi asked ignoring the giant man behind the door.

“One the represents me in some way,” she added a little louder, “one that suits me unlike Hideyuki who never smiles.” Izayoi had to giggle at that. Whether they realized it or not they were going to be good friends. Hideyuki took his position very seriously and the fact that he didn’t kill this demon earlier meant that he thought there was something there to spare. He was an excellent judge of character.

“Ok how about Kiwa?” Izayoi suggested.

“I was not born here, I washed up here.”

“Hmm, then how about Nagisa?” Izayoi asked hopefully.

“That isn’t bad, but it sounds…off somehow.”

“Oh how about Youka! It is very unique.” Izayoi had a huge smile on her face. The name wasn’t too pretty but it was meaningless either.

“I do not smell like sea water!”

“It was meant as a compliment.” Izayoi was beside herself. This was more difficult than she thought. The laughter coming from the behind the door wasn’t helping.
“How can you laugh, do you have any better ideas?”

After a few moments of silence Hideyuki replied.

“What about Umiko?” The cat demon had a childlike quality to her. Some how, despite whatever she may have gone through before reaching Inu no Taisho’s home, she still had spunk, energy and determination and yet an innocence.

The room was quiet and Hideyuki pressed his ear against the door to hear.

“I love it. Very fitting don’t you think?” Izayoi couldn’t think of a more perfect name.

The cat demon hated to admit it but the name was nice; young enough that it would age well, meaningful enough to give her a feeling of purpose, and pretty enough to still sound feminine without over doing it.

“I like it fine. It will do.” Her name was now Umiko.

“Yay! Hideyuki come and meet our new friend.” Izayoi opened the door and pull Hideyuki inside. It was a strange site to see this tiny human woman leading such a large tree demon by the wrist. Both of Izayoi’s tiny hands barely wrapped all the way around Hideyuki’s wrist.

Hideyuki fell to one knee in front of Umiko, his right leg still up, his right arm lazily resting on top of it. Umiko smiled, she rather liked having this woodland giant come down to her level.

“Well introduce yourself.” Izayoi was more excited than anyone else.

Hideyuki took Umiko’s hand firmly. The touch was unwarranted in Umiko’s mind.

“I am Umiko.” She didn’t even smile.

“I am Hideyuki. I am your servant and protector. Whatever you desire I will provide.” He words were warm on her skin. He turned her hand over and kissed her wrist, right over her pulse. The feeling sent a shiver up her back.

Before Umiko could pull away and before she knew what he was doing, Hideyuki bit her wrist; sinking his teeth into her flesh, bringing blood to the surface and licking up the scarlet fluid. She tasted delicious.

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“What the hell are you doing!” Umiko tried to pull away but Hideyuki held on tight.

“Don’t hurt her Hideyuki. Be gentle.” Izayoi scolded.

Hideyuki lifted his head and even though he was talking to Izayoi he looked straight into Umiko’s eyes.

“I am sorry but I do not have fangs. It is not as simple for me as your Master.” He turned to look at Izayoi. She knew he was referring to the new teeth marks on her shoulders and necks. Inu no Taisho liked to ‘nibble’ as the servants lovingly called it, on his wife.

Izayoi blushed instantly.

Hideyuki bite his bottom lip so that it bled. Licking up the last of Umiko’s blood he rubbed his own over the marks.

“What the fuck!” Umiko was outraged; she realized too late what was going on. He was marking her, claiming her as his own.
“Get the hell off of me.” She was yelling and thrashing. Taking her other hand she dug her nails into Hideyuki’s should, this time drawing blood.

“Umiko please. It may hurt but it will be over soon.” Izayoi hadn’t expected her to be so rough; shocked maybe but not outraged.

“I will not be marked.” Umiko pulled out her claws and went for a second strike, but Hideyuki caught her hand; pinning both arms behind her.

“Please Umiko it is for your own safety. If something should happen to you everyone will know who you are. What house you belong to.” Izayoi tried to reason.

“I belong to no one.” She hissed.

“I meant what clan you are apart of, where you come from. You will never be lost again.” The words hit Umiko oddly. She had never thought of marking that way, she had always seen it as an ownership, a slave’s brand.

“See even I have one.” Izayoi held out her wrist. There were two small dots, the scars of fangs. Umiko stared.

** The Lady of the house is marked?**

Often when demon’s mated for life they would just take on each others’ scent or clan markings, but since Izayoi was not a demon she was marked with a scar and by the looks of it, often ‘covered’ by her lover’s scent. Even being around the Lord would leave some trace of his presents; bedding with him would all but over power Izayoi’s natural aroma.

Umiko stopped her struggle though making it known she didn’t like being held in such a manner.

“What else do I need to do in order to finish the marking?” She had never gone through the ceremony before and had never witnessed it herself not that she would remember if she had.

“You just have to exchange blood with Hideyuki. He has already had yours, now you must have his.” Izayoi explanation was brief and vague. Umiko was surprise that the human wasn’t disgusted by this barbaric demon display.

“And how do I…” Hideyuki caught Umiko’s chin before she could finish, turned her head to his and leaned down, pressing her lips to his. He was forceful and manly; pushing his tongue into you mouth, parting her lips and past her teeth. He sucked on her top lip and she mimicked his motion; sucking on his bottom lip, tasting his blood.

**It tastes like burnt sugar**

And it warmed her from the inside. She had stiffened at first but now relaxed in his hold, still pinned where she stood. Hideyuki pulled away, is ego bursting. She was attracted to him; otherwise she would have fought back.

Umiko opened her eyes, and looking back at her was a cocky grin and arrogant green eyes. **You asshole**

But Umiko didn’t say anything…oh no she just attacked.

Using what little leverage she had Umiko head butted Hideyuki as hard as she could. As soon as she made contact, Hideyuki’s eye went wide, shock and pain filled his skull. He instantly let go stumbling back a few steps. The hit made a horrendous crack sound and Izayoi covered her mouth from shrieking.

Hideyuki touched his forehead, wincing at the pain. Already there was a huge bump and he was bleeding slightly. Umiko couldn’t help but smile. Her hand on her hips, she held a relaxed but ready stance should he decide to counter.

Hideyuki looked at his fingertips as if to see if the blood was really his.

“You made me bleed.” He still couldn’t believe it.

“You made me sick.” She accused. Who did he think he was.

“Oh my” Izayoi had never seen Hideyuki bleed. And here he was all torn up.
“You better go get cleaned up.”

Izayoi could see in Hideyuki’s eyes the rage about to overflow, but what was scarier was that Umiko would meet his fire with fire.

“Ok off you go!” Izayoi shooed him out. Hideyuki couldn’t disobey his Lady and so left seething in what he could do to get Umiko back.

Author’s notes:
Inu no Taisho- Inuyasha’s father (title not name, because his name is unknown)
Izayoi- Inuyasha’s mother
Hideyuki- Excellent happiness
Umiko- Child of the Sea
Kiwa- born on a border
Nagisa- seashore
Youka- ocean smell
Katsura- is a tree found in Japan. It can reach 40-45 m tall and have trunks to 2 m diameter, and is among the largest hardwood trees in Asia. This tree has a unique feature in autumn – its foliage smells strongly of burnt sugar for about a week, after the leaves loose their chlorophyll and turn yellow. The trunk wood that is above ground is light, almost a cream color with yellow sapwood streaks interspersed. On the other hand, the trunk wood that is below ground takes on a rich, dark, brown-green color with streaks of yellow sapwood. The darker below ground colors are caused by the absorption of minerals directly through the trunk wood rather than the root system.