The island was deserted, eerily quiet save for his targets, and had a heaviness to the air like something was still living and breathing on this particular island. Sesshomaru didn't have to fly very far to reach it, but it was a healthy distance away from Heiwa and Kaede's village. From above, it felt like he was being watched, but he couldn't find the eyes watching him. He could only feel them. Seascapes of protruding rocks dauntingly reaching out to touch him almost felt foreboding. His lordship had seen much in his youth and lived for many human years, but something about this island - nay, something about the feel of this island - made his heart move uncomfortably. When he spotted the ship he was looking for and the sailors docked and making camp, he made his descent. The feeling of being watched grew stronger, but a small pocket of warmth and peace caught his attention. Of course, that small pocket of serenity in this... angry place belonged to the sailors in question.
The sand... wasn't as soft under his feet as he thought it would be. Even the pebbles leading to the open sea weren't as smooth as they should've been. The pebbles were larger and rugged at the top like old shells. Some were protruding out like large casks, others had spikes on them, and more had algae and barnacles decorating them. An odd accessory indeed. Piles of trash caught his attention next. Unused torches were being taken down and moved from the looks of it. Those that no longer were of service were bundled up and roped together in a separate pile from the torch heads. Torch heads had different shapes and materials. Some were metal and caged, others were on metal plates that now he supposed could be reused as mirrors or something else, but the rest looked like they were simply wooden or cupped for straw to be lit. Their use was temporary, and their structures dismantled and piled away. Only the metal torches were brought over to three distinct places: the largest tent, which had to be for a warlord, possibly soldiers' barracks in tarnished condition, and a medical tent that was being occupied.
The creaking wheels of a wagon was heard from behind the large tent. Meioshi, the good doctor, seemed to be at her "home away from home" now. Her skin seemed paler than usual. She wasn't her bright, hopeful, or playful self. Though her beauty remained untouched, she just wasn't... herself. She wasn't in mourning, but she was wearing her funeral attire. No black, save for her cloak that was worn just before she went to greet the ambassadors from other worlds, but the colorful kimono made for her to dance. Sesshomaru found that one detail about her to be unusual but refreshing. She didn't wear the color of death, yellow, on her person too often. She stuck to other colors. The peach kimono was easily her most beautifully colored item, and it made her features pop. He missed that Nihonese, sort of middle-class lady look. Her makeup was darker now. Thickened kohl and black powder on her eyes, black veil pinned by hair pins, black tassels for her earrings, and a browner or more burgundy lipstick. No red, no pink, no gold. Her scar was inked on her chest, reminding him of his purpose here. She did not belong in such a place - such a prison. He had hoped to hear from the woman herself that she... well, did not give her body away to soldiers. The idea behind an ianfu was... within some reason. He understood that intimacy in a time of war removed the heightened tensions, but... not Meioshi. Not his Meioshi. She was his rival, not a well-paid prostitute or soldier's mistress. She was pure of heart, a holy warrior, a protector.
When she finally noticed him there, she seemed startled at first before she became angry.
She was wearing her hell travelers' medallion around her neck along with a lovely lapis lazuli choker and an odd but matching carnelian ring. The family snowbell tree guarded the ring's stone, but a different plant was the center of attention for the choker. Though the colors were different, the things that were important to the Jigoku name were the main focus of each piece of jewelry on her person. It was possible that the kinmokusei that Meioshi adored was on her person. She seemed to be wearing her trademark ankle jewelry and talismans. Perhaps, in a less vain way, the good doctor liked jewelry. She just didn't need it to show status. She probably just liked the colors and playfulness of them mingling. His lordship wondered what the good doctor looked like in traditional priestess robes since she was a holy warrior, after all. Maybe she would look... cute in Shinto garb. It wasn't something he had ever seen her in, but if it's like her doctor's garb then it wouldn't be a bad look. Her hair was down and in its most natural state of waviness, but it looked fluffy and full. The style made her eyes come to vibrant life and her lips look full. Looking like that, any soldier could have passed her around, but... That just made Sesshomaru -
"I told you not to follow me! Why are you here!?"
Well, she's definitely not happy. The feeling was mutual, though. Take a deep breath. Just stay calm. Maybe she'll stop yelling -
"Go back to the village or I'll send you to the Blood Oath's Circle to deal with the pheasant!" Meioshi threatened, eyes glowing with rage.
"... I do not approve, but I am not leaving," Sesshomaru replied slowly. Can't attack her for that... yet.
"Goddammit, man! Why aren't you with the others at the youkai district? You're not supposed to be here!" Meioshi argued in frustration.
Sesshomaru merely stood there, taking in Meioshi's look and what she was toting around on her wagon, and felt a strange ounce of fear. He didn't want her to say it. He didn't want his rival to be some soldier's prize in the past. Out of some sick twist of fate, he let the dragon hatamoto's spell take over and said honestly, "You have forgotten who you are... Meioshi. You told me once that failure is just a result of a circumstance, not the definition of one's existence. Hiding this place from the people who love you or from the people who fought beside you, or even finding shame in your time here, is contradictory to your own words. Turning away from what made you the warrior that I've known all this time is the real failure. You saw this battle through until victory was claimed. See your victory within you now. It takes a brave man to enter a battleground. It takes an even braver man to be able to return to it."
Meioshi's eyes widened after she gasped. Was he... trying to comfort her? Sesshomaru doesn't...! Well, Ohta speaks highly of him. Maybe he does comfort children. She was no child, but... she didn't have it in her to argue with him. Sesshomaru almost jumped for joy mentally. He actually shut her up for once! This small victory felt good. However, he had to know about her time as an ianfu. Was it what he's thinking about or was it something more?
"Joke's on you, I'm afraid, silly old dog," Meioshi finally said after a moment of silence. Perhaps the only childish gesture she allowed herself to do in his presence was take a lock of her hair and stroke it with her hands. Her sleeves were so much larger than his lordship thought. They covered the backs of her hands completely to where only the fingers could be seen. "I was not brave... or lucky. I was heartbroken. I knew that one day I would lose my life if I continued to work on the battlefronts. I didn't stop to think that... I would plead for death, or plead to be taken by force, in place of my unit. I thought I could stand it if they didn't have to. I didn't think that someone would stoop so low and force me to watch them be raped and killed. All because I refused to heal one enemy soldier who I knew to be a spy."
No... Sesshomaru thought, eyes widening before returning to normal.
Sesshomaru's fears were partially confirmed, but she didn't outright say she was passed around. She merely sacrificed herself to no avail. He had to hear her say the rest. Strategically, he used the doctor's words against her again, "Do you always sell yourself short? You are the bravest soldier I've ever stood in front of, doctor. What woman would willingly offer such a thing in order to spare the lives and virtues of others? I know no manner of man who would give away a fate worse than death. You are within your right to be heartbroken. I will not allow you to feel defeated in my presence... or ever. You worked too hard and for too long to let an earned victory act as scissors to cut away part of who you are."
At that, Meioshi gasped loudly, and her tears simply fell. She started shaking and, for a split second, she moved to run to Sesshomaru. But, she stopped and just dropped her head to cry. She barely had the energy to stroke her hair, but that was the only thing she felt comfortable grabbing. It was like she was reminded that Sesshomaru was a prince, and you couldn't touch the nobility unless you were one of them. Homugi was merely an exception to the rule. The aura around her was darkened again. My, how the world revolves us! What kind of situation must you be in for a comfort woman to seek comfort from a youkai soldier? As much as Sesshomaru detested others touching him, he took roughly three steps forward to close the distance between him and the doctor. Though it was dark and heavy around them, there was warmth near the doctor. Safety. He wanted Meioshi to notice that he had gotten closer so that she would run to him. Didn't she hear him before? The battles she couldn't handle, he would take on. This was no exception.
"You are handling bodies there?" Sesshomaru asked to get her attention.
He turned his head to the medical tent. It looked like bones were the last thing left to burn. Someone didn't cremate the last few soldiers left. It didn't seem to be very many people. Only three collections of bones were laid out. Scrolls were being written and urns decorated for whoever remained. Tombstones were also being made from the looks of it. The three old women were working up a storm while Kirameku Ha was evaluating the conditions of the soldiers' barracks. He must be looking to see if anything was worth keeping.
"No," Meioshi answered weakly. "The dead have been burned years ago. Those are simply animal carcasses. What remains of our territory is simply being taken down."
"That large tent there. What is it?" Sesshomaru asked, not turning to her or the tent.
"The general's quarters. It's been cleaned out. You may use one of the rooms there," Meioshi offered, bowing politely before motioning to leave it for viewing.
"Where will you stay?" Sesshomaru asked, now looking at her.
"Soldiers' barracks," Meioshi replied, turning only slightly. "We cleaned up the best tent some time ago. It's next to the eating area that was once here."
"You may prepare an extra space in the barracks if you wish. You have purified the general's quarters," Sesshomaru allowed, closing his eyes to wait for her response. He smelled her spices and incense immediately after saying it.
Meioshi finally did look at him, but she had a peculiar look in her eyes that was on the border of suspicion and some other unidentifiable emotion. Whatever it was, it made Sesshomaru's body heat up a bit like he knew it was directed at him... but it was meant for the man underneath the armor and elegant poise. She was looking right through him. The blank mask wouldn't work anymore.
That was the dangerous woman he knew...
That was the woman he was...
Becoming attracted to...
It could have been the hatamoto's spell working its magic. It could have been his prior fears. It could be this vulnerable moment bringing them closer. Whatever it was, Meioshi no longer was this mysterious fighter that irked his nerves from time to time. She wasn't that silly party member who befriended small creatures and helped them along their way. She was independent of what society defined as decent and beautiful. He may never admit doing this to her, but he did go back to check on her when she undressed at the beach. He had a feeling that she was just distracting him to do something else of importance. Luckily, she seemed too emotional and distracted to notice, but she was only halfway lying to him about the supposed nude beach. She sunbathed in the nude, yes, but the beach wasn't meant for that. That's just what she does. For that moment in time, he did look at her. He saw far more than what he needed to see, but he didn't turn away from her like he normally would. He didn't know why at the time. He just didn't. He sent Jaken away for a moment before he himself left. It could've been because her eyes had suddenly grown back. He noticed. It could've been because he knew she wasn't herself that day when she went diving. He smelled the grief she was feeling. But..., it could've also been that... he was fascinated by how free she was. She wasn't worried about a man trying to forcibly take her, she wasn't scared of being so exposed to others, she wasn't even upset that she had lost her eyes only to get them back so quickly. She was just... a breath of fresh air. Much like when she was in the shell crib... He wanted to be near her.
She was free...
That was her second most beautiful quality...
To have that adventurous, free woman suddenly give him this piercing look forced him to feel this pull of longing between them. It felt like he needed that comfort only she could give. Something he never felt before. Not from a human. He may not have known what his father felt about that princess that birthed his half-brother, but, if it felt like this, well... He may have hated it, but he might have understood the sentiment. But..., the princess would have had to be like the holy warrior before him. She wasn't. Yamashi was right. He wasn't his father...
And, neither was Sesshomaru...
"The men don't sleep with the general. We only inform him of any recent happenings that require his attention or counsel," Meioshi said, turning away from Sesshomaru. "Supper will not be ready for another hour. You may inspect my leader's camp."
"Show me," Sesshomaru ordered. His voice came out huskier than he thought it would.
Meioshi didn't seem fazed by his change in tone. She instead simply looked at her general's quarters, returned to stroking her hair, and removed the wagon from her sides. There was some type of strong reiki energy holding up the tongue of the wagon where a horse or mule would pull. She had it fastened to her waist somehow and simply pulled the wagon like it was weightless. Dismounting from it made her abilities more mysterious than before. Where did she learn to centralize her energies at certain points like that? Just as he was motioning to follow the good doctor, Sesshomaru was almost startled by the sound of a demonic whinny coming from the floating tongue of the wagon. He sniffed the air for a second to identify the energy source, but he couldn't readily identify the invisible beast of burden. It had to be there somewhere. With great suspicion, he glided away from it and followed the doctor inside the well-constructed quarters of her former general.
Inside, Sesshomaru could easily spot the different areas where the general would have dined with war advisors, met with agents, ordered imprisonment, and slept. Meioshi had done excellently in preserving the memories of her past. Everything felt almost new. Like the general was on his way back to this place. The sands were raked into Zen patterns, weapons gathered in one section, shields in another, and just to the back where the general slept was the bedframe and armor rack that the man himself must have used. To the side was the wash basin and tub for cleansing. The tub was emptied and labeled, but the wash basin was filled with fresh water. It could have been for Kirameku Ha.
"War counsel," Meioshi said over her shoulder, stroking her hair again. She was looking at the table where the men used to sit and talk over battle plans. Ones that she personally owned decorated the table. She then continued, "Four strategists spoke here to map out an attack that would eliminate the siege towers that were being built along the coast. Fortresses and high-walled barricades could be raided with ease if those continued to be constructed. Two hundred soldiers could man each one! Destroying one of them took 22 days. Naval architecture was not required on this island. Storage was of primary interest. Cargo ranged from weapons to provisions to even women. Dismantling any of the enemy camp's cargo vessels was a bloody mission. It took every mind available to craft the perfect assault and ready a compatible defense. I had to be ready for the injured to flood my unit... or the dead."
Sesshomaru walked over to the maps, sat down, and reviewed each map. The details were impeccable! This military unit Meioshi was part of was very thorough. Save for one risky error that was costly in his eyes, Sesshomaru saw the plan as practically flawless... for humans, of course. He then asked after huffing, "What was your strategy?"
"Oil bullets," Meioshi replied, looking out of the side window that offered a magnificent view of the forest and beach where the troops spread out. "No arrowheads. Only our most volatile materials that would combust instantly. The men would be out of enemy range and construction would be slowed just enough to expand our border further. Refugees could be given a path directly to my unit. Spies were killed on site. The general named it The Burrow."
Sesshomaru stood up to follow Meioshi's line of sight and asked carefully, "This path was a safe route to you?"
Meioshi nodded and said quietly, seeing the ghosts of the garrison walking around in her memories, "Hidden away by that cave. One path led to a prison that was made by the enemy troops. The other to the ships. We saved some of the bravest women I had ever seen. No one had greater courage than them. I only wish that I could have saved them all."
"You did more than anyone was willing to do - more than you were asked to do."
"Thank you," Meioshi said, not looking at Sesshomaru and keeping her eyes on her tent. She could still hear their voices, taste the air, feel the sand between her toes as she ran into this very tent to update General Izuhara. She walked away from the window slowly to walk into the general's quarters and open a large case that held the rest of her leader's personal armor and belongings. Why was it still here? She then said, "The general's manto, armor, and helmet. These were his sleeping chambers. I've much to clean and preserve for the memorial, but you are allowed to sleep in the counsel's quarters. This room is fully complete."
"The soldiers' barracks are fine."
"The men don't sleep with the general, silly old dog. You led an army into battle before, yes?" Meioshi asked, turning to Sesshomaru with remorse in her eyes. She seemed no longer interested in him like before. When he did not answer in enough time, she quickly said, "This is where you stay. Good night... inu no taisho."
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He could feel the eyes again. They were watching him sleep, watching him eat, watching him pace. The air was so much colder than before. It felt slimy. Slimy enough for him to feel it dripping down his back in place of sweat and for his hands and feet to feel slippery and clammy. It was a disgusting feeling. Walking to the front of the general's quarters, he saw the light of a candle coming from the medical tent. To escape the swampish feeling surrounding him, he trekked to the tent in careful steps. All were sleeping... save for the woman. He couldn't intrude on her, but he wanted to feel that safety blanket wrapping around him just this once. He wanted to be selfish and steal her freedom away just this once.
Entering the tent unannounced, he was met with a vision of complete abandon and beauty. The good doctor was startled out of a nap in the bathing area. Her body was only covered by an emerald, green kimono that was practically coming apart. Her hair was down, but her jewelry and a green veil decorated her body. It looked like she had fallen asleep just after washing off the ink from her chest. For a moment, he just stood there with some measure of awe, but he soon was greeted by a familiar face: Lady Kanade. She took Sesshomaru's hand, led him towards Meioshi, and placed his hand onto the doctor's chest. He reeled his hand back at first, but then... something started growling. He thought someone was simply hungry and exchanged glances between both women, only to be pushed forward by Kanade. He was too close, but he felt so warm. No slime, no eyes, just warmth. He wanted to jump back and give the good doctor some space, but Kanade wasn't letting up.
"Fear not, prince. Remember my voice and my counsel when you came to my island," Kanade said, removing Sesshomaru's obi. When he tried to back away, she put a hand on his cheek and spoke more. "Do you not remember the harmony between man and demon and the battle of the gods you were part of as a youth? Is this woman not a symbol of what I said to you when you were with me? That power is not a singularity shared only by one side or another? That revolution is your strongest and your most important kind of freedom? If revolution is your driving force, what is hers? How much more beautiful will the union between a human and a demon be when revolution joins with adventure, justice, the might granted by the gods to serve and protect all life? She is like me, young Sesshomaru. A holy warrior able to challenge you by martial arts and swordsmanship alone, but she is more than this. Unite, prince. Unite and taste the fullness of power you have yet to control without your father's supervision. You are stronger without the fangs. There is more to you. More to her."
She repeated her words, crept to Sesshomaru's ear, and placed her lips dangerously close to the lobes until they were grazing the skin. She removed his armor and pushed him back softly until his back met the doctor's bosom. Trapped between two holy warriors should frighten any youkai. So, he feared it. A demon prince likened often to that of a god feared this feeling for a human woman. The regret was so strong for his lordship. Regret that he was becoming his father in accepting these touches. Regret that he met these particular women. He heralded the witch, the good doctor, his mischievous rival so high that other women were falling in her shadow, and he didn't know what to do with such a strong light. So, his hunger for it was undeniably beginning to grow and a new problem was arising from this new desire. He turned to Kanade to look into her eyes, but her hair cloaked them and her robes turned into a red kimono. He then turned to Meioshi and was greeted with that same gaze from before.
Only this time...
He answered to it. He kissed her lips then carried his kisses to her scar. He did not know what her moans sounded like. Couldn't imagine it, so he could only hear the gasping when she cried before him. That was enough. He laid her down until the kimono formed green butterfly wings and her hair spread out like a large fan, save for the lock of hair she kept stroking. Her eyes were not dressed in black but green pheasant feathers and dragon blue paint. Her neck and ankles wore jewelry. Her legs were long and strong. He pushed his body into hers as though he were unclothed. She responded as though there wasn't a barrier between them. For her, there wasn't. Just as she lay barren on the beach, she was hardly clothed in his arms. Kanade crept up behind him and laid kisses on his shoulders...
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BOOM! Clang!
{Kaede's POV}
Years ago...,
I was the mentor of a young, spritely girl. We were venturing out to make medicine for young mothers when a small group of warriors crossed our path. It was only five men and a young teen less than twenty. The girl now known as Jigoku Meioshi had found them under a canopy of trees. She and I had tended to their foods and fed them, but we had to call Kirameku Ha to evaluate the situation. War among the nobles had struck. Curious about the soldiers, Meioshi had many questions for them. This gained their trust. With time, this troop had taken my young apprentice and trained her into a soldier like them.
General Izuhara, the leader of the wounded troop, had become infatuated with the child.
He and Sojuro...
But...
Only Sojuro had won her affections in return...