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heynikkiyousofine · 3 years

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Chapter 2 is up and going! I cannot wait to hear what y’all think. Thank you again @keichanz and @neutronstarchild for helping me get my stories up and going. without further ado, The Fairy Princess and The Prince Hanyou continues…

What Inuyasha saw made him speechless. There in the meadow, sitting among the first blooming flowers of the season, sat a small fox youkai chattering away, in the lap of a woman with waist length hair. His hands itched to run his fingers throughout it. She wore a soft, pale, yellow dress, hanging off her creamy, pale shoulders. Her dress covered her bent legs, only showing her bare feet, a pair of brown slippers sitting in her basket. He couldn’t see her face, but he could hear her giggling at the young fox’s story, his paws waving about in the air, her laugh like a tinker of bells. A warmth spread throughout his chest as he realized he would probably be caught creepily staring at this woman.

What that her son? Where did she live? The closest village was still a bit away. Could she defend herself if she were to be attacked? He noticed a small knife handle sticking from her left boot that told him she probably had never used it for anything other than the flowers in her basket. Wishing to know what she looked like, smelt like, be near her, he took a deep breath trying to decipher between the different scents coming from the woman.

He could smell the woodsy pine-like scent of the fox, his parents probably residing nearby as he could faintly detect similar scents towards the north. He could also smell the flowers that had began to bloom around them, similar to the ones in his mother’s garden back home. He also smelt the sunshine, or rather the warmth of the sunshine that covered the field, but couldn’t exactly smell her. It was like she blended in to nature around her. Puzzled, Inuyasha gripped his crossbow tightly, deciding he needed to find out about this oh so familiar scent.

As he took a step in the brightness, the fox quickly stopped talking and froze in his storytelling, staring at the Prince with his emerald eyes. The young woman’s back stiffened and the soft waif of fear drifting across his nose. “I’m not going to hurt either of you.” He softly rumbled, realizing he probably startled them both. As the young woman turned around carefully, blue eyes clashing with gold, Miroku and Sango came crashing through the underbrush behind him. Inuyasha turned around to stop them in time from coming closer.

“Where did you go?” “Did you catch one?” they both asked, breathing labored. Sango’s hair slightly a mess, lips glistening and swollen a bit. Miroku’s white tunic buttoned incorrectly. They both sported a slight blush, not knowing Inuyasha knew they had frequently been making out behind the stables at the castle. Rolling his yees, her turned just in time to see the young woman running away.

“Fuck. You two couldn’t have worse timing.” He gritted, his left hand clenching. Where did they go? They couldn’t have gotten far fast. Her eyes were of something else, a color he had never seen before on a person. It was as if his soul was reaching out to calm the frightened woman, his own demon berating him for scaring her, not protecting her. Looking around, he could smell all the same scents before, so he wasn’t sure which way they had went, but he vowed to look the next time he got a chance.

Across the field, holding Shippo is her arms, Kagome watched the group with shortened breaths, she hadn’t run that fast in a long time. The man himself didn’t frightened her exactly, she had just thought they were alone. After seeing his eyes and hearing his soft rumble, she wanted to stay and chat with him, a feeling of safety washing through her, like her soul knew she would be fine. It wasn’t until the couple behind him came crashing through the trees, that she realized she might be in danger/ She had grabbed her basket, Shippo clinging her stomach and she ran with all her might. She didn’t know how to use the knife she had hidden in her boot for self defense and Shippo was just a small child, despite being a fox demon.

Before she could keep berating herself even farther, Shippo whispered to her, “Gome’ let’s go. We can get back to Jineji’s house from here without crossing their paths.” Nodding in agreement, Kagome took a deep breath, reached into her basket and slipped on her shoes and turned towards where Shippo was pointing, the golden eyed man on her mind. They trekked through the foliage to Jineji’s, speaking softly to each other, both wondering who those people were and what did they want. “He reeked of dog.” Shippo exclaimed, his nose scrunching up. “The only inuyokai I know of are royals, but I don’t know if that was one of them. I haven’t met them before, just heard of them. Should we tell someone?”

“I don’t know of anyone who would believe us or would know what to do.” She responded sadly, “Besides, I think they might fear for our safety more than anything and not less us visit each other for quite some time.”

“Most likely. I wonder if they were going to harm us. We don’t have anything they want.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she looked down at Shippo in agreement, “I don’t know Shippo. Either way, we would’ve been in trouble, I don’t know how to use my knife like a weapon and you’re still a small child.”

Puffing out his chest, Shippo responded quickly, “I would’ve protected you! I’ve working on my fox fire!”

Giggling along, the two remained on their walk, watching their surroundings around them. As they came upon the herbal fields, they noticed Jineji in the farthest, digging through the soil. Greeting him with a smile, Kagome put the whole experience in the back fo her mind, until she could get home to Kaede and think about everything that happened. They spent hours enjoying the others company, staying for dinner in the hanyou’s cottage. As the stars began the light up the sky, Jineji walked Kagome and Shippo home, telling them to come visit in soon. Later on that evening, as the women began to get ready for bed, drinking lavender tea, Kagome began to ask Kaede about the royal families.

“Mother, have you ever met the King and his family?”

Nodding her head in response, Kaede set down her clay cup, “Yes dear, from quite some time ago. I’ve heard stories from travelers about how kind and welcoming they are now. People have been traveling far and wide from the eastern kingdom to find a new home.”

“What were they running from?”

“Well, I have told you plenty of times to never cross the eastern border, their leader Naraku is not a kind ruler to his people and many live in fear for their lives on a daily basis. I will spare you the details of the rumors I have heard, but you must promise me you never go looking.”

Nodding, Kagome went to change the subject. “What about our King and Queen? Are they fair people?”

“Aye. I have heard of their love and kindness for my entire life, since I was a young girl with my mother in the village near the castle. The King is a Inuyokai and his queen is a human, they bore a son a few years before you were born.”

“He’s a hanyou? Like Jineji?”

“Aye child. From what I remember he was a rambunctious child, until I came out here when you were born.”

“Can we go see them one day? I would like to see the castle grounds and the village surrounding it. Maybe be could go see your family?”

“Maybe some day child, I’m not as young as I used to be.” Kaede mused, laughter filling the air. “It is time for rest. Did you get plenty of flowers today? I noticed your basket wasn’t as full as usual.”

“Not as many as I wanted to, they aren’t in full bloom yet.” Kagome responded quickly, hoping Kaede wouldn’t pry more on the subject. She didn’t want to try and dodge the events of earlier and didn’t like lying.

“Okay, sweet dreams my child.” Kaede softly kissed her cheek before she strode into the sleeping room to her right. Sighing softly, Kagome began to think about said earlier events. The man didn’t seem harmful, but what if he had come from the eastern kingdom? His clothing wasn’t ratted or torn, almost a full royal outfit. His shoes were a shiny black leather that looked expensive. Picking up her cup, Kagome began to head towards her sleeping room, across the home from her mother’s. As she laid in her small bed to get comfortable for sleep, she shut her eyes and dreamt of glowing amber eyes.

Quietness swept through the night as the moon rose high in the sky, the only sounds a fussy child trying to sleep in the fox hut nearby. Rocking her child softly, Shippo’s mother stepped out the front doorway, so she wouldn’t wake her other children. As her newborn began to quiet down again, she caught the whiff of smoke and turned towards the eastern border. Emerald eyes widening, she gasped softly and let out a yip, not too loudly, but enough for her husband and mate. He woke with a start and hurried toward her in the doorway with a questioning look. Raising her hand to point, he turned and stiffened in fear. Along the tree line, red and orange flames covered the treetops, smoke rising high in the sky. Hearing shouts and screams nearby, he turned toward his wife and nodded. Grabbing her outstretched hand, he whisked her into the hut and started to wake his three sleeping children.

‘Shippo, wake up. We must go.” He began, only to raise his voice and he shook the fox demon awake. Grumbling in response, Shippo slowly opened his eyes to see his father’s frightened face. “What’s going on Papa?”

“Hurry and help pack a bag of thing for you and your sisters, there’s people coming with fire.” Jumping up quickly, Shippo grabbed his green knapsack and went to fill it with a small coat and some fruit, knowing there wasn’t much else that would fit. As he stepped to grab his youngest sisters arms to carry her, he heard men shouting and metal clanking against one another. His sister whimpered, turning her face to his chest, his papa grabbed his bags and ushered them to the door. Feeling a wave of nausea wash over him, Shippo watched as a man with a long braid and even longer sword push through the doorway, his face shadowed by the flames behind him. The man stood tall, with a large purple mark on his forehead, his halberd resting on his left shoulder.

“Who are you!?” His papa asked, gathering everyone, but him and his sister behind him. He was too far away with her squirming in his arms to be protected.

“None of your business. Naraku has sent us here to take you to him, if you refuse, we will kill you.” Shippo’s mother gasped softly, holding her new born baby closer to her breast and Shippo held his sibling tighter in his arms. She kept trying to run from his arms.

“We will never go to him.” His papa spat, taking a step back, guarding his family as best as he could. The smell of fear filled his air, making Shippo’s eye water just a bit and as he was taking a step back into the corner to hide from this frightening man, his sister pushed out of his hands and ran across the hut. Before she could get to her papa’s arms, the man with long braid picked up the screaming child and tossed her into the arms of a large man behind him. “No! Give her back! She’s just a child!” Shippo’s papa cried. Tasing his sword, the braided haired man walked closer to the family, not knowing Shippo had tucked himself behind a wardrobe.

“You will be coming with me, whether it’s in chains or death.” The man grinned wickedly, using his sword to shove them towards the door. Shippo held his breath as he watched the man push his family away, catching his father’s attention. His father’s with hardened eyes, nodded and mouthed “I love you.” Staying hidden behind, he could hear his father and mother shouting, his sisters crying and more steps as they moved father away, toward the eastern kingdom. Sitting there quietly for some time, tears pouring down his flushed cheeks, he smelt the faint whiff of smoke, and something else he couldn’t decipher, and looked out. His house was beginning to burn! Scrambling, he crawled quickly to doorway, only to stop where he was. There was his whole family laying on the ground, blood surrounding their bodies. Sobbing, Shippo ran his papa, pleading him to come back. As the flames grew behind him, he realized he could no longer feel his father’s youki or his fox fire. Wailing, he hugged his papa’s neck as the blazing hut behind him fell to the ground in the night.

He wasn’t sure how long had passed before the fire had begun to spread across the grass towards his family, but Shippo knew he couldn’t carry them all to safety, so he grabbed the ribbon in his mother’s hair and the small knapsack his father had put together, and began to run towards the only place would be safe. Tying his hair back into a ponytail with the green ribbon, Shippo looked one last time at his family’s bodies before ember flames engulfed the field. Grabbing the knapsack and the one across his back, Shippo trekked through the night to Kagome and Kaede’s cottage.

Frowning in her sleep, Kagome tossed and turned fitfully, dreaming vividly of crimson eyes, evil feelings and screams of torture. Gasping awake, Kagome bolted upright to the sounds of sniffling and footsteps coming towards the house. Quickly getting to her feet, Kagome grabbed her slippers and ran to the doorway, just in time for Shippo to burst through and grab her gown tightly.

“What is going on?” Kaede asked, causing Kagome to turn, holding onto Shippo just as tightly. Shippo began to sob, Kagome stroking his back softly, whispering that it was okay and he was safe. Kaede quickly brought the fire to life and filled the kettle with water for tea. After a few minutes, she poured three cups, filling Shippo’s with extra lavender to help calm him down. Sipping his warm drink and hiccuping, Shippo recounted the events. When he was done, Kaede rose to her feet quickly and turned towards the back of the cottage, grabbing a few bottles of herbs along the way. Ignoring her for the moment, Kagome held Shippo is her arms and cried softly for him. He was alone in this world. His whole family gone in one night. He will stay with me and I’ll never let him be alone ever again.

Before Kagome could come up with a plan to ask her mother if he could stay with them, Kaede came back with a bag filled with her cloak, bottles, fruit and a letter, sealed tightly and a determined look on her face. Puzzled, Kagome looked at her with fear brewing in her eyes, not quite understanding what was going on.

“Child. I need you to change into your clothing and traveling boots, not your slippers, and come back in here and sit with me.”

“Kaede-“

“Child, now. There’s no time.” Kaede urgently responded. Kagome rose to her feet, spinning and taking her and Shippo to her room to change.

“What’s going on ‘Gome’?” Shippo asked drowsily, feeling the full effects of his tea.

“I don’t know, but sleep for a little while. You need to rest.” She whispered, laying him down on her bed. Changing quickly into her pale yellow dress, Kagome returned to the living area with her brown boots in her hand. Smiling Softly, Kaede patted the spot next to her, gesturing for Kagome to sit.

“I need to tell you how I came upon you.”

“You’ve told me this story before. My mother left me in your care before she disappeared.” She responded as she finished putting on her boots.

“There is more to it. You see your pendant?” Nodding, Kagome fingered the precious heirloom, wondering what this had anything to do with it. “Remove it, Kagome.”

Taking a deep breath, Kagome removed the light blue necklace, lifting it up above her head. As she did, she felt this wave of power fill her entire body, like she was glowing. Opening her eyes. Kagome held her breath as she realized her hands were actually glowing! They lit up like the soft moonlight, sparkling like glitter when the light hit them just right. Raising her eyes quickly, she saw Kaede smile softly.

“Kagome, go stand and look in the mirror in the wardrobe. After I will tell you everything.”

Gathering herself, she stood, her legs wobbling slightly as she carried herself towards the worn down wardrobe with the large mirror hanging inside. Not sure what to expect when she looked, Kagome’s hand flew to he mouth in awe. There reflected a woman, whose entire body sparkled like her hands before, with hair as dark as her own, adorned with a flower crown. Her crown twisted with all her favorite flowers rested atop her perfectly curled hair and her pale yellow dress compared to the soft silkiness of her almost midnight hair. She always knew she had blue eyes, that she had never known anyone else with the same color, but her eyes now almost seem to bore into her soul, as if there was a deep, power residing behind them. A soul that could see into the depths of another person. As amazing as all those things seemed to her, her eyes were more focused on what was behind her, actually what was attached her.

Thin, almost see through wings sprouted from between her shoulder blades, completely silver, with lines of gold outlining the edges. Reaching softly over her shoulder, she grazed one, only for it to flutter and sparkled dust fell from it, towards the wooden floor. Eyes wide, she turned toward Kaede who just watched her and waited for her to come sit back down. Putting her pendant back over her head, she felt as if she were underwater. It reminded her of her swimming memories with Shippo last summer, floating in the river. She looked quickly in the mirror, only to sadly see the same reflection she’s seen her entire life. Striding quickly, she sat down beside Kaede, eager and confused to hear what she had to say.

“Child. You have heard of the stories about how Naraku came to power. How he slain the King and Queen and their child in the Eastern Kingdom, only to take over and and create pain and suffering throughout the lands. Child, you are their daughter.” Kaede didn’t know this right away twenty years ago, but after word had spread of the event and the visit from the wounded lady, she had taken off the pendant whenever Kagome slept one night, only to see little wings protrude from her back.

Shaking, Kagome felt light headed. “Are you sure? Why now? Why didn’t you tell me before? Does this have anything to do with what happened to Shippo? Does he know? Does anyone else know? Why did you pack that bag? Kaede-“

Shushing her child with a look she knew too well, Kaede softly spoke, to not wake the sleeping child in the next room. She wasn’t sure if Shippo knew anything of the story or if he had any idea about who Kagome was. “I knew your mother. She came to me when you were about four months of age. She was deeply wounded, almost to the brink of death. She looked a lot like you, long dark hair, but eyes that were brown and filled with sadness. She handed you to me, told me your name, that you were special and that I needed to keep you safe. Before I could help her or figure out anything more, she fell to the ground and disappeared into dust. After that, I heard of the fallen kingdom and knew who you were. I would tell you someday, knowing you were going to have to travel to the northern castle and ask for King Toga’s help to succeed in getting your home back. I believe you are the one who will bring peace back to all four kingdoms.”

“How? I’m only a kid still. I’m not yet twenty years of age. I don’t even know how to fight!” Kagome cried anxiously.

Holding her as she began to cry, Kaede cuddled the crying child, whispering words of encouragement. “You will learn as you go. You will meet many people and creatures. Other mythical creatures will know exactly who you are and you must not trust anyone. When you get to the palace, you must show the king who you truly are and he will keep you safe. Naraku, I believe wants your power. It is foretold to be the strongest in time, one that could bring any kingdom to its knees.”

“How though? Mother Kaede, I can barely withstand slicing an animal’s body to provide for us. What power do you speak of?”

“Raise your right hand like this. Close your eyes. Breath in and out. I want you to look into your heart and feel the tug on your soul, one that reaches down within you. That is your power.” Before Kagome could shut her eyes to try, a loud shout came from outside the cottage. Quietly rising to her feet, Shippo stumbled from the bedroom, fear in his eyes and ran to Kagome’s outstretched arms. Footsteps quickly came to the door and a loud knock had all of them standing in silence.

“It is the King’s guard, we wish to speak with you.”

“Come in.” Kaede commanded, no waver in her voice. A large man came through the door and Shippo climbed to Kagome’s back, hiding from sight. He knew this scent and began to tremble.

“Are you Lady Kaede? Priestess here in this land?”

“Aye. However, I have not practiced in a long time, I only deal with herbs and potions.”

The man with the long braid and even longer sword looked around the living space, watching the old woman and the young with hard eyes, growing with suspicion. “Who is this?” he pointed with his sword at Kagome.

“This is my adopted daughter.”

“Adopted? So she does not have spiritual powers as well?”

Shaking her head, Kaede took a step forward, slightly shielding Kagome and Shippo behind her. “What do you need with me?”

“Naraku.”

Swallowing a gasp, Kagome began to tremble as well, looking at the back of Kaede’s head, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Kaede spoke angrily, “What does he want with me? I am but an old woman, with only the aid of my child. I have no use for my powers nor harm anyone with them.”

“He wants you. He instructed us to bring you to him alive.”

Nodding, Kaede inquired, “What about my child?”

Smirking, the man looked at Kagome as lust formed into his eyes, “I’ll take good care of her.”

Turning around to face her, Kaede hugged Kagome tightly, holding Shippo as well, and whispered, “Run. Take the bag and Shippo and run. When I leave, this man intends to break you. You must not let him know who you are. Remember everything I said tonight. I love you my dear daughter and I will see you soon.” When Kagome went to give her love back, a sharp tug pulled Kaede from her arms, the large man with a yellow head wrap dragged Kaede out the door.

The man with a purple mark across his forehead began to untie his belt from his waist and a sinister grin stretched across his face. “My name is Bankotsu, and your mother will be just fine with my men. You are young and beautiful. I’m sure you will be fitting to be my woman. Do not worry, I won’t be too rough for your first time.” As he encroached closer to Kagome, slowly unbuttoning his pants, Shippo jumped on Kagome’s shoulder and shouted “Fox Fire!”

Blue flames spread across Bankotsu’s pants, near his private areas, causing him to scream in pain and hatred burn deep in his eyes. As he dropped to his knees and tried to put out the fire, Kagome sprung in to action. She grabbed the bag Kaede put together and ran out the front door. Turning to look both ways, she saw flames toward the easter border and decided the opposite was the best. Not glancing to see if the man was behind her, she ran as fast she could towards the forest, only stopping to turn around at the edge to look at her mother.

Kaede, hands bound with rope, was being guided into a wagon by the man from who grabbed her earlier. Anther man, one who looked like a monster, taller than cottage, was helping Bankotsu to the wagon, while holding a flaming torch. Tears falling to her dress, Kagome grabbed the bag and tossed it onto her back, and whispered her love for her mother in to the air. Shippo grabbed tightly on her shoulder and Kagome ran towards the next village over.

Somewhere near by, Inuyasha rose from his sleeping position in the tree. He could smell them, the ones who smelt of death and graveyard soil, like they had been buried for a long time. He knew Naraku’s henchmen were nearby, inside the northern borders and knew he should get back to the castle quickly to warn his father. Looking to the eastern sky, Inuyasha grabbed his gear and urged Miroku and Sango to get on their horses He saw the flames stretch across the forest, burning everything in its path to the ground, and the sun rising above the treetops. The smell of sunshine and wildflowers coming and going across his senses, as he took off through the forest.

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