The Spell That Binds Us

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Enjoy


Chapter 6
The Return of Prince InuYasha

The sun began to rise over the land, InuYasha cursed. There was no way of sneaking in this time. He knew that his father would be awake and probably having breakfast. InuYasha’s ears flattened at the lash scolding he would soon receive.

InuYasha, also had to consider how he was going to explain, Kagome. He was sure his father wouldn’t be pleased that a commoner would be staying in the royal palace. He knew his mother would probably be thrilled that her son met a woman. However, his father and brother would be another issue—since it was forbidden to even consider marring anybody that wasn’t noble blood.


InuYasha knew if he wanted Kagome, he would have to give up his title as king, unless she had noble blood. InuYasha smiled, he could have his cake and eat it too, since, Sesshomaru would rule until the day he died, or decided to give up his thrown.


InuYasha stared at the castle he so dreaded entering. Normally he would not even bother walking through the front gates--instead using his secret passageways. However, since he was facing his father he wanted to do it face to face, than rather sneak inside and hide in his room—praying that no one noticed him—and afraid of his father’s fearful temper.

He just stood there looking at the stone keep he called home. Straitening his tunic, he felt confident enough to face his political family.


Sango and Miroku came across another village. The report would be devastating, since this was the third village/town they came across throughout the kingdom.

The smell of charred flesh, assaulted their noses. Sango couldn’t keep her contents down as she ran into the woods, only to empty her unfilled stomach. She tried to hide the images that kept replaying in her head. Families, torn apart, women lay naked raped, then butchered, like cattle. Children were torn apart limb from limb as if a pack of wolves hunted them down. Husbands were beheaded, so they couldn’t be identified. She knew better than to think it was a bunch of wild animals, the hoof prints in the mud proved otherwise.


They left the carnage behind and headed back to the palace. Glancing at Miroku, she still felt pale. Her eyes heavy with unshed tears, never in her time as being in the royal army, made her feel as she felt today. Sick with guilt that she didn’t protect the kingdom better. She would beg the King for retribution. She could only hope that he would be compassionate enough to consider it.

“Miroku?” she asked sadly. “Do you think Naraku did this?”

Miroku raised his eyebrow, “My love, I wouldn’t put it passed him.”

Sango narrowed her eyes, “Come let’s hurry! The King needs to know this information immediately.” She kicked the side of her horse, as they retreated down the dirt highway.

In the dinning hall, the royal family was enjoying their breakfast. They sat at a very long rectangular table. Only high officials were allowed to join the family as they indulged in a variety of foods that the servants brought out to the guests. Today was different however, only the family minus one who sat and indulged on the fresh fruit, bread, eggs, meat ,fine ripe wine and tea.

The King sat in the center of the table, the queen sat next to him on his right. Sesshomaru sat left of him, and InuYasha would sit next to the Queen. Still, InuTashio wasn’t in the mood for breakfast he wanted to know where his youngest was.

Sesshomaru tried to distract his father, and started talking about politics and taxes. InuTashio just ignored him. “Where is my son?” he demanded, slamming his fist onto the oak table!

“Toga, I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” Izayoi said soothingly. Her deep brown eyes sparkled at her husband with a deep love and understanding.


InuTashio looked at her curiously, when she used her pet name for him. Of course, when they were in public she would refrain from using that dreaded name, which his father bestowed many years ago. Somehow, she seemed be the only person that could call him that and live.

Even his first wife refrained from using his dreaded name. The King looked over at his eldest son, and frowned the resemblance was striking. The way his white hair fell behind his back, his golden eyes, and his nose--small and dainty. He thought, just like his mothers. Although they shared the same silver hair, however Sesshomaru's was finer. He did miss his first wife immensely, but she passed away centuries ago.

InuTashio looked over at his wife and grabbed her hand bringing it to his lips. He loved his human wife very deeply, maybe even more so than his first. They were after all strikingly different. Izayoi showed compassion, while his first wife was crude and sometimes even heartless. The King always tried to please her, unfortunately she was ungrateful. However, unlucky events took place and she lost her life. The King was pleased that Sesshomaru, warmed up to him after the loss of his mother, and during centuries accepted Izayoi as the new Queen.


Kagome shivered, as she sat on the embankment waiting for Kikyo. “What in the hell is taking her so long?” She narrowed her eyes, thinking about the cocky prince who just left her. “He said she was on her way…what the hell!” Standing up she decided to go and look for her. Sadly, in the daytime, the path looked different. “I’m so going to kick that servant’s ass!”

Kagome decided not to wander, being naked and draped in only a cloak, she felt vulnerable. She froze when she heard a twig snap. “Kikyo that better be you bringing me my clothing!” she yelled out in the woods. Nevertheless, there was nothing but the sweet sounding song of birds, and the rustling of the trees swaying in the morning breeze.

Kagome became nervous, “Kikyo quit fucking with me!” she yelled even louder, clenching her fists tightly to her side. Frustrated, scared, cold and utterly alone. She didn’t know what to do, instincts told her to run, and that’s what she did.


Kikyo, laughed when she hid behind the bushes, maybe she couldn’t go through with her previous plan. Yet, she could not help but scare the living crap out of her. Still, she didn’t expect Kagome to run. She laughed even harder, that is until the thought of her strapped into a guillotine waiting for her decapitation crossed her mind. “Miss wait!” she tried to call out, however Kagome was to far away to hear her, Kikyo had not choice but to follow.

Kagome ran, with all her might. Yet, she didn’t know which way to go, unfortunately for her she ran the opposite way, than the path they crossed last night. She tried desperately to keep the cloak closed tightly around her, but it was a vain attempt. Tears streamed down her face, oh yes she was defiantly going to kill that servant.

Kagome heard the thundering of hooves, in the distance. Maybe they’ll help me, she considered. She squinted, her eyes. She could see two riders approaching her at an alarming speed. She waved her hands frantically in the air, in an attempt to catch their attention. Little did Kagome know that she was showing off more than she attended?


InuYasha sniffed out his father, he was in the dinning hall. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his confidence. The two guards opened the large doors for him. Storming in, he immediately got down on one knee and bowed to his father. “Father, I have urgent news to tell you.”

InuTashio stood up, “Where the hell have you been, you’ve been told many times not to run off without someone knowing your whereabouts!”

“Yes, father.” InuYasha said bowing again. “But father, something severe happened last night, and I had to take care of it.”

InuTashio was about to protest, when he felt the soft hand of his mate, “Please love, lets hear him out…this does sound rather urgent.”

InuTashio sat down, calming his temper. What he really wanted to do was lash him so hard, until the young prince remembered his place in the palace. “Very well Izayoi…you may rise my son.”


“I’m sorry to displease you father, mother, and my dear brother. But, there was bloodshed on your lands last night, and I lost a dear friend and needed to see to a proper burial for her.”

InuTashio rose again. “What! What is the meaning of you helping a commoner…my son we have people here that take care of these matters. I don’t care who it was…no son of mine should sully their hands for a mere peasant.”

InuYasha growled, “She was more than a peasant father…it was Kaede…she was murdered last night. Yet, she wasn’t alone there was a young girl that lived with her.” He stopped as he saw emotion in his father normally stoic façade. “I took her in, and she’s on her way back to the palace.”

Sesshomaru leaned back into his chair, he knew of Kaede too, and deeply felt sorrow for the elderly woman. His attention perked up when his younger brother, spoke of another. He turned his attention to his father, and held the chuckle that so badly wanted to escape. Never in his life has he seen his father so upset. Sesshomaru was sure that he’d be sent to the dungeons.

InuTashio once again arose from his seating, his voice stern but softer, “my son, you know you can’t keep a common woman in the palace.”

“And, why not Toga?” Izayoi arose also matching her husband’s authority. She loved her sons and would fight very hard for them, even if it was standing up to her husband—the King himself.

Feeling suddenly defeated, InuTashio sat back down grumbling about punishing his wife later for her disobedience.

“That’s enough Toga! You act as bad as your sons, love. Let me handle this girl our son seems so interested in.” Looking at InuYasha she smiled, “son, I would love to meet this friend of yours,” she paused looking at her husband. “She is welcome in my home.” Izayoi looked around. “Where is she…why didn’t she come down and have breakfast?”

Sesshomaru began laughing, then stood and bowed, “Mother, you cannot be serious.”

“Indeed I am son. If it were you, I would do the same. I only want happiness for my boys.” Turning her attention back to the young prince, she asked again. “So where is she?”

“Mother she’s bathing in the stream, with Kikyo.” InuYasha smiled, “I do expect her back shortly. And I plan on taking her later today, to see Kaede’s burial sight.”

Izayoi frowned, “I’m so sorry about Kaede, she was a great woman, if you don’t mind I would like to pay my respects also.”

InuTashio yelled, “The hell you will!”


Izayoi ignored her husbands outburst, “When you’re ready to leave, I will be in my quarters.” With that said, she narrowed her eyes at her husband, and rubbed Sesshomaru’s head. Approaching InuYasha, she kissed him on the cheek then retreated out the large double doors, her son just entered.

InuTashio rose, and then chased after his wife; he needed to have a talk with her and her insubordinate behavior.

Sesshomaru looked at his brother with a smirk grin, “Well that was quit interesting. Little brother you sure have a way of stirring up problems. Now come eat, I hate to eat by myself.”

InuYasha smiled at his brother, walking up to him, he decided to sit in his father’s chair, and ate his breakfast. With an watchful eye on the doors, waiting for Kagome to enter.