Opposite Attraction by Lady Fae
North-West Borders
*REVIEWED*
Sesshoumaru, Jaken and Rin on Ah-Uh’s saddle were walking along a path in the deepest and darkest forest of Japan, which was situated along the northern borders of the western territories. There, the strangest and oldest woman that ever lived, sister to Urasue, resided in an old hut by a deep and dark, forest green stream. For an old being, she had found that bathing in the blood of human virgins helped her skin look as young and beautiful as she had been in her teenage years.
Though for centuries, the Inu No Taisho had done business with her, until the day he met the young princess by the name of Izayoi. She had captured his heart much the way the sorceress’ sister, Makue, had wished to do.
As her heart’s desires turned to dust, Makue had cursed the Taisho line. All of the Inu No Taisho’s descendants were to fall in love with all who had eyes for them, and they would choose fairly, the one who felt more love; the truest, purest and most unconditional.
Knowing of it, Sesshoumaru was carrying his pack to her domain in order to lift the curse. He had vowed to never fall in love. It was a human emotion that he did not wish to possess, or ‘feel’. A demon such as him held honor, status, and respect. He remembered Sara well, a young princess who had tried to win his heart, and in the process, had become a dirty half-breed. The emotions that arose on that day were some that he never wished to hold again. Much was the same for Kagura, Naraku’s incarnation. He had actually longed to hold her in his arms as she passed away, becoming the wind. At last, he felt relief when her wish of freedom took her.
Makue was a witch that he had met only once during his life, and that was at the age of 12. In human years, he had been 603 years old at the time. And even then, the old woman held feelings for his father. He remembered smelling arousal coming from both their parts. It sickened him, but all he could do was watch the interaction as she gave him what he had asked for, and in return, giving the payment.
Arriving at the edge of the clearing where a small hut stood at the far end, Sesshoumaru ordered his companions to stay still. Something amiss was in the air. It was as if his father’s scent still hung in the air, though his last visit had been over 250 years ago, long before InuYasha was born. Creasing his eyebrows, he moved forward.
Taking a sniff of the air once again as he stood in front of the entrance, he noted the scent of herbs and spices, and also a recent deceased body. Had the old witch passed away?
His feet moved over the dirt, entering the small hut. His eyes widen as his eyes landed on a female form with white hair much like his. Only the girl showed her back to him, and her hair, which was tied up with a white ribbon much like his father had done, hung down to her backside, never quite touching the wooden floor.
The young female had sensed him long ago, that, he knew by her posture. Slightly turning in his direction, his eyes widened further, if that was at all possible. Sesshoumaru thought he was seeing the female version of his father sitting by the roasting fire. Her scent clearly stated she was his father’s offspring. She had a royal purple stripe on each cheek trailing to her pointed ears, and the stripes over her eyelids were of an orchid purple. Her golden ambers full of emotion, in reaction to his presence. She was only a half-dog demoness, but her heritage was obviously prominent in her features.
Frowning, he finally understood why the Great General never stopped visiting the old witch: he had an infatuation with her, which explained the feelings Makue had for him. And now, he was with another sibling. A growl was forcing itself out from his throat. This type of situation annoyed him to no end. He never liked being surprised, it meant that he could not pay attention to his surroundings, and he did not expect the unexpected. What was he to do now?
The girl stood and smiled at him. “You must be Sesshoumaru,” she only stated as she watched him glare at her. Clearing her throat, she took the broth that was cooking over the fire, and filled two bowls by her seat. Bending, she took one over to the Lord. She presented it to him, but he never raised his arms to grab a hold it.
Lowering her head, she felt rejected. Though the tears never slid down her cheeks, sadness radiated from her aura. Still she presented the broth-filled bowl to him, and said in a very gentle tone, “I’ve been expecting you for a long time, hoping you’d accept me. My mother passed away not long ago, and she was the one to fill me in on who my father really was. I’m sorry if I’m not what you would have expected, but I do hope you’ll forgive my faults. I’m all alone now, and I’ve never faced the outside world because my mother had placed a barrier around this area to keep me in. She did not want me to go wondering, to go find you. Will you at the very least accept my hospitality?”
It took a few moments, but his arms finally raised and took the bowl from her. The smile shown upon her visage once more and was inclined to answer her request vocally, “very well.” Curiosity struck him them. Had the old witch been this girl’s mother? His father never did hold back when a female was attracted to him, especially after his mother had left him. Finding out her mate was not faithful had been a stab through the heart for his mother. It had gotten her very suicidal in the beginnings, but his father had vowed that he had missed her every second he was away. Though, the separation was a good idea. His father had been much like him in his travels: never being in one place very long.
“The old witch,” he inquired, “she has passed?”
It was said as a statement, but the question was very clearly there.
“Yes,” was her only answer, wishing her mother could still be among the living.
Their eyes met once more, and they both held the stare. Sesshoumaru’s instinct was seeing this as an alpha challenge, even though he knew the girl did not know of her blood line. And before his beast would lash out at the girl, he warned her, “You shall learn of your ancestry. First, do not stare down your alpha; this could bring you many injuries.”
She nodded and looked away immediately, taking her own broth and drinking it down sip by sip.
“Secondly, if you wish to be accepted, learn to obey any command this one directs. And last but not least, you will dress accordingly; fitting of your status as a royal princess.”
Her eyes widened. She was a princess? Her mother had never told her of that fact. She remembered how much Makue had despised her father the day he had chosen a human woman over her love. Still today, though her father was known as the Inu No Taisho, she did not know it held such great importance to hold that title. She wanted to know where she came from, and she wanted to get to know her brother, the one who was standing by the exit of her mother’s home. Tears filling her eyes, she let them fall this time, from happiness. “I will do as told, anything to be with family again.”
Her seriousness made a small bit of respect grow inside him. She would learn well, he knew. All that was left to know now was, “Your name?”
Taking a hesitant step toward him, she bowed, and introduced herself politely, “forgive me, my mother named me Kokishi, Lord Sesshoumaru.”
Great knight, he thought, very fitting.
“Your name is appropriate. Pack up any necessary items, we leave now,” came his reply. As he exited, making his way back to his companions and ward, he thought about how much the Great White Dog of the West wanted to really damn his offspring. Not only did he have a half-breed half-brother to deal with, but now, he also had a half-sister who was full-blooded, though half-dog demoness. How could this life bring such chaos into one family line? It was disastrous.
Sesshoumaru did not wait long before his half-sister, Kokishi, ran over to them. Introductions were never his forte, so he let them do it themselves.
Rin looked up at the beautiful demoness, and said in awe, “you look just like Lord Sesshoumaru, but, you don’t have a part moon on your forehead.”
Sesshoumaru eyed the young girl, waiting to know if she would accept speaking with a human, and hoping nothing distressing befall his ward. As Kokishi broadly smiled, he was mildly relieved, but did not show it visibly.
“That would be because I’m his sister,” but as she received a glare for the Lord, she cleared her throat and corrected herself, “umm, half-sister, actually. We don’t have the same mother,” it partly wounded her to receive this kind of treatment from family. She had really hoped he would accept her as she was. When she thought of it, it really would be shocking to suddenly find out you have a sibling who already knew of your existence. She vowed however, that she would work as hard as she could to earn a place by her brother’s side.
Pushing those thoughts away, she looked to the cute little human girl in front of her, and asked curiously, “What would you lovely name be young lady?”
Her tone when interacting with Rin was soft and loving, much as a mother would do her pups. Rin giggled with joy and answered her with as much enthusiasm as she was capable, “Rin’s name is Rin, Lord-Sesshoumaru-Lady.”
Laughing heartily, she replied with her beautiful smile, “Call me Kokishi, dear. I have a feeling we’ll get along well,” winking at her while holding Rin’s hand. For a few moment, her eyes were closed as she concentrated, her smile never leaving her face.
Standing and looking at her brother, Kokishi asked, "So where are we off to?"
Turning his head north-west, in direction to his mother’s palace, he decided it was time he paid her a small visit.