#if Sakura is her sister I’m going to lose my absolute mind | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

shinidamachu · 4 years

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Ours

Summary: The stakes are high. The water's rough. But this love is ours. Word Count: 10.816 Genre: Fluff? Angst? Who’s to say? Certainly not me, the author. Fandom: InuYasha Pairing: Inukag Format: oneshot AO3 Link: 🌹 Fanfic.Net Link: 🌹

“Sota, put this thing away. I won’t ask you again.”

“Fine!” The teenager let out in exasperation, putting the phone back into the confinement of his pocket.

His grandpa was making him lose his mind. In the interlude of fifteen minutes, the old man had managed to rant about how kids these days always had their faces stuffed into some kind of screen twice.

The bit about damaging the sight and going blind by the age of thirty-five because of it? A lecture all of its own.

“In my time,” he began, making Sota fight the urgency to groan, “we treated the elderly with respect and behaved at the table. It’s a sacred moment!”

“We’re not even eating, anyway! Kagome and her stupid boyfriend are late.”

“Sota! Manners!” Intervened his mom. “We don’t want InuYasha to think Kagome’s family is made up of inconsiderate barbarians, do we?”

Sota rolled his eyes, but remained silent. It was gonna be a long night.

There they were, in Earth’s lamest restaurant, waiting for his sister to arrive with her new boyfriend, who, going with the odds, was probably a goody-two-shoes nerd, just like that Hojo guy.

There was no one his age within the radius of a mile.

He was starving.

And to top it all off, bored to death.

It wasn’t like Sota didn’t love his family. He really did. Besides, seeing Kagome again was something he was looking forward to. Since she had moved out for medical school, they hadn’t spent much time together and although the boy would never admit it, he had quite missed their daily bickering.

He just wished they could met at home, in company of his TV and video games, where he could actually avoid his grandpa’s constant scolding in the holy peace of his bedroom.

“Look! Look, look, look, look, look.” As if on cue, the man in question elbowed Sota’s arm, coaxing him to eye the restaurant entrance. He silently snorted, wondering why his grandpa felt the annoying need to repeat the same word grumpier and more demanding each time. Didn’t he know Sota could hear him just fine from the first one? Nevertheless, wanting to get it over with, the boy did as he was told. A silver haired gentleman stayed awkwardly in the middle of the entryway, his attention torned between the salon and the outside. Even from afar, his demonic heritage stood out, but the dog ears crowning his head wasn’t the only remarkable feature he carried. “See his arms? What a disgrace, to dishonor his own body like that. I pray you, my boy, that you never inflict such disappointment on your old grandfather. I couldn’t bear the pain of seeing my only grandson grow into mafia scum.”

Sota didn’t respond the overdramatic affirmation. He was wonderstruck.

In spite of the anxiety the guy irradiated, he still looked pretty cool, dressed on dark jeans and an elegant white shirt. He had his sleeves rolled up to the biceps, displaying an impressive amount of tattoos. They covered all of the skin, from his wrists to his forearms, possibly ending at the shoulders. It was hard to make out the different shapes, given the distance, but every single one was drawn in black ink.

“Stop staring, you two.” Sang his mom. And Sota was about to obey.

But then, in entered his sister.

Kagome clung to the tattooed, supposedly criminal man, causing him to relax on the spot as her gaze scanned the room.

When the girl finally found them, her face lighted up in an excited smile. She said what, reading her lips, Sota interpreted as ‘there they are’ before taking him by the hand and heading right to their suddenly silent table.

It seemed that the night wouldn’t pass by without its share of emotions, after all.

“InuYasha,are you ready? I don’t want to be late!”

The hanyou sighed in front of the mirror. Did she mean finished with dressing up ready or psychologically ready? It didn’t matter. The answer was no for both.

InuYasha had tried on almost every clothe he had. It served him right for letting piles and more piles of worn-out band t-shirts compose his wardrobe.

His mother had a point. He could definitely use a little makeover.

Every piece felt either too ordinary or too odd, so InuYasha gave up and went back to the button-down shirt he had put first — one of the few decent things he had to wear.

Now closed in their bathroom, determined to pay his mother’s atelier a visit as soon as possible and obsessively aligning the outfit, he couldn’t help but think the reflection staring back didn’t look like him at all.

“Actually, can we reschedule?”

“No way!” Squeaked his girlfriend, her steps louder and louder in her approach. “We’ve been postponing this for too long. Okay, I’m coming in!” She announced, opening the door at once.

“Whatever happened to privacy?”

“It moved out when I moved in.” His girlfriend threw him her best heart stopping smirk and walked in his direction. “Don’t you look gorgeous?”

“Keh. You always say that.” And he had yet to hear it without blushing.

“It’s always true.” Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck. With the extra inches the heels provided, she was nearly his height and her rose lips hovered temptingly within the reach of his. “Won’t you get hot on this shirt, though? We’re in the middle of summer.”

“I’ll be fine!” InuYasha burst out before he could bite back his tongue. Kagome considered him attentively, her narrowed eyes growing wide in realization.

“You’re hiding the tattoos, aren’t you?”

InuYasha looked away.

“I want them to like me.”

It was a difficult enough task to achieve. Being a half breed, he was despised by demons and feared by humans — apparently his ears, fangs and claws, not to mention the unusual color of his eyes and hair, were a lot for them to take in. The absolute last thing InuYasha needed was for her family to think he was some sort of delinquent too. Which, of course, they would.

He figured, since people would be afraid of him either way, he might as well took it to his advantage and do whatever he wanted, consequences be damned. As a result, whoever wasn’t scared of his demon blood sure pissed their pants at the sight of his tattoos, taking him for a criminal. InuYasha couldn’t care less. There was a good amount of fights against human opponents he won that way.

But that was before her.

Not caring is easier when you have nothing to lose.

InuYasha didn’t doubt his actions would blow up on his face, eventually. It was all they ever did. But never, not even in a million years, he could have predicted Kagome. Now consequences were here to bite him in the ass.

Her folks had plenty to unpack the way it was. At least with the tattoos he could do something about.

“InuYasha…” Her slender fingers caressed his chin, demanding his focus entirely for herself. He complied. “You don’t have to do this. I want you to be yourself.” She grabbed his right arm and rolled the sleeve all the way up, revealing the intricate mosaic of figures, doodles and forms he collected along the last decade. “They are going to love you.”

“Easy for you to say, now that my family worships the ground you walk on.”

It had only taken a mild sunday lunch. By the end of it, Kagome had Mr. and Mrs. Taisho eating from the palm of her hand, just like she had their son. That was the day his mother had furtively handed him the engagement ring she inherited from her mother, claiming Kagome was the one he should give it to when the right moment comes. There was no falter from his part.

A month had passed, Kagome and his mom texted one another on a daily basis, and the damn thing still weighed deep inside his pocket. InuYasha carried it with him everywhere, waiting for the perfect occasion and concerned that she might find it if he left it lying around.

“Well, worship is such a strong word...” Said Kagome, doing with his left sleeve the same thing she did with the other, but this time allowing herself to trace the black marks of his arm, lingering on the newest, the little sakura flower InuYasha had gotten solely for her. He raised his eyebrows. “Okay, maybe your parents do it a little bit, but your brother hates my guts. You gotta give me that.”

“Nah, Sesshoumaru hates everyone. You ain’t special.”

“Huh… Thanks?”

InuYasha smiled at her adorable grimace, but it was short lived.

“What if they don’t? Like me, I mean.”

Both of them knew it was a real possibility.

If they were being honest, they hated each other at the beginning themselves. Most of it, undoubtful, due to repressed sexual attraction. Still, they were constantly jumping at each other’s throats before starting to jump at each other’s bones.

Attracting and repelling like magnets, they have been through a crazy amount of screaming, crying and slamming doors. Once it was clear that what they had was much more than sex, the need had risen to protect that love at all costs.

They had to.

Every odd was against them.

He was a half demon. Most people hated him at worse and tolerated at best — and that had a lot to do with his family’s money, Kagome being one of the uncommon exceptions. In fact, she was the exception to essentially every rule he had.

She was also a human. No, not only a human. That would be too easy. The girl was a priestess. Her family was responsible for a fucking shrine.

Their relationship was the epitome of taboo.

So they had kept it on the low for as long as they could, adopting a discreet profile even after she moved in with him. They didn’t want to risk it, didn’t want to jinx it. It wasn’t worth it.

Their love was theirs and theirs alone, too precious to fall into the cruel claws of the world.

It was a shame it couldn’t stay that way forever.

Sooner or later they would have to leave the safe heaven inside those walls and he was terrified of finding out whether or not they could take it.

Kagome’s kindness, her unprejudiced beliefs... They had to come from somewhere, and she affirmed it was from her family. How would her folks react, however, once those beliefs were put to the test? InuYasha learned from experience that, sometimes, people struggled to stick to their morals the second they stopped being convenient.

“Then it will be just another bump on the road. What’s one more?”

Her hands flew to undo his top button — and nothing more. Tensing involuntarily when her digits contacted the exposed skin, InuYasha let out a shaky breath as she retreated to explore his chest over the shirt, shamelessly going lower.

“Weren’t you the one in a hurry just now?”

“I am.” She defied.

“I’m not.”

InuYasha placed his hands on her waist and pressed her against the nearest wall. He couldn’t help it, not after the things she said. Especially when she said them with that dress on — light blue, contrasting with the darkness of her hair, the skirt hugging her waistline, widening at the bottom. No sleeves. Only provocative, unbelievably thin straps. So different from her everyday white clothes.

It was his favorite and he had no doubt it was intentional.

“InuYasha…”

Her mouth was off limits. InuYasha knew better than to mess up her makeup mere minutes away of such important event. Her neck, on the other hand…

“Don’t you look gorgeous?” He asked, nose burying on her skin.

“Uh, uh. D-don’t you sweet talk me.” Kagome tilted her head, giving him unrestrained access and grabbing a handful of his hair as he hooked her leg around him, fingers lifting her skirt up, venturing further and further.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” She was limp in his embrace. InuYasha recognized by instinct when his body was the only thing preventing hers from melting to the ground.

“We… We’re doing this.”

“I know.” He eagerly kissed her collarbone, downing to the start of the cleavage.

“It’s just a harmless dinner...” She was panting now, nails traveling through his back, applying sufficient pressure to make quite the damage had he been naked. InuYasha went up her throat, his tongue wandering free.

“Hmmm.”

“...And then… T-then we’ll go... to my childhood house.” Kagome paused and he knew it was to hold back a moan as he relentlessly kissed his way up to her chin and jawline, finding destination at her earlobe. “You’ll get…” He bit it. “... T-to see my old bedroom,” bargained her. InuYasha smirked.

“I’m listening,” he whispered, returning to her neck. InuYasha had every intention to suck on the inviting flesh until it left a mark, but restrained himself. Something told him her family wouldn’t be fond of it.

His resolve not to claim her lips, though, were increasingly fading. Whatever. Better beg for her taste now and for her forgiveness later.

Reading his thoughts — as she often did —, Kagome gently pushed him away. Good. Their proximity, allied with the escalating scent of her arousal, wasn’t making them any favors in the ‘getting out of the house’ department.

“Come on,” she tapped his hand, subtly pleading for him to release her leg, a lead that InuYasha followed with extreme reluctance. He observed as his girlfriend regained composure. The fingers that not long ago were mapping, grasping and scratching every inch of him now fixed the dress strap he had no memory of pulling down. To a newcomer, it would look as if nothing had ever happened. “We’ll have a wonderful time.”

“To be fair, I was having a wonderful time just now.”

“Oh, I can tell you were. That’s exactly why we better get going.”

“Fine.” InuYasha sighed, letting himself be dragged out of their bathroom as she giggled at his less than thrilled disposition.

And there was something about her laughter — so vibrant and carefree — that, combined with the welcome comfort of her hand on his, made InuYasha feel invincible. Having Kagome by his side was like entering the boxe ring already ten points ahead.

“Do you want to go through the basics again?”

Crossing the living room, InuYasha recited his mental notes without missing a beat, the perfect picture of an A+ student, even if for the most part of his life, he had been a solid C+.

“Don’t swear. Don’t bring up your father. Don’t mention we live together.”

“Good! Unless...” Kagome stopped and turned to him. Half hesitant, half hopeful. “Do you think I should tell mom I moved here?”

InuYasha was conflicted. It was only fair that she did. His parents had heard the news the day she brought all of her stuff in. And in spite of knowing he’d give her the world if she so wished, Kagome never asked for much.

Yet, he was scared. Scared that Mrs. Higurashi disapproved the arrangement. Scared she would tell her daughter to leave.

What, then?

He had forgotten how his apartment — their apartment — used to be before the bright colors and pout-porris. Before the plants, the second toothbrush on the sink, the pictures frames and the intoxicating scent her body left all over the sheets.

And he didn’t want to remember.

According to Kagome, however, her mother was an understanding, open-minded woman, who put her children’s happiness above everything else. Which certainly worked in his favor, since InuYasha had turned making Kagome happy into his daily mission and, modesty aside, he believed to be doing a pretty damn good job so far.

InuYasha starred at their fingers, still interlocked, and reminded to be brave.

“If you feel like you should...”

“I do! I honestly do. We used to tell every little thing to each other. I miss that.”

“Then go ahead.”

“Really?” She thanked him with a tight hug, her palpable excitement coming off her in a giant wave that almost washed all of his doubts away. Almost.

“What about the others?”

“Sota is a child, it’s not of his business.”

“And your grandfather?”

Kagome moved within his embrace, revealing pursed lips when she did.

“Yeah... He’ll definitely need more time. Let’s give it three to five years!”

A surprised laugh left his lips when he saw the truth behind the joke.

“You’re freaking out about telling him, aren’t you?”

“Am not!”

“You totally are!” He said, deflecting from the fact that he, too, was panicking and that waiting five years or more to have that talk was actually a very appealing idea.

“It’s just… He can be a tad traditional sometimes.”

“Awesome!” InuYasha said, with every drop of sarcasm he could gather. “We both know I’m all about traditions.”

Smiling, she reached for his hand again.

“Shall we?”

They call it ripple effect. It’s the situation in which one event produces a certain impact, inevitably spreading and producing further consequences. The concept usually comes with the classic example of throwing a rock in a steady pond, which InuYasha thought fitting. Whenever the half demon first stepped into a crowd of strangers, he pretty much felt like that rock.

Heads would turn straight to him in cascade. Surprise. Terror. Disgust. Condescension. Pity. As years went by, he had gotten it all.

Be as it may, soon enough the staring would abruptly get directed anywhere else and be replaced with whispers they didn’t know he could hear. Eventually, the waters would settle, but after the initial contact, the pond could never go back to the way it was. Neither could the rock.

His father had taught him to keep his chin up no matter what. The hatred of lesser men was an irrelevant price to pay for being unique. He should be proud of who he is. His mother had told him not to seek validation from others when he already had people who loved and cared for him unconditionally. Those were the guidances InuYasha religiously lived by. Still, sometimes, the hanyou wished he was allowed to just be.

That night was surely the case.

The restaurant was crowded. It should be, in such a busy hour. The habitual glaring didn’t go unnoticed by InuYasha when he walked in — it bore holes on his flesh and broke into his bones. As usual, he brushed it off.

His focus oscillated like the flames inside the ornamental lanterns that provided warmth to the place in shades of red, orange and yellow.

Before him, undistinguished buzz raised above the background music and the pervasive smell of food served as a cruel reminder that he hadn’t put anything in his stomach since lunch. The lights, the sounds, the people, the scents. It was an overwhelming sensation to contemplate it all. In another day, in a calmer state of mind, he would have spotted her family in a heartbeat. Kagome, the loving daughter she was, had shown him enough pictures of them for the task to be a child’s play. Still, he didn’t dare to look. Not yet. Not when he was so unsure of what he might find written all over their faces. The same phrases on different pages.

Behind him, a delighted Kagome chatted in the staircase with the woman she had introduced as her middle school history professor. InuYasha had promptly forgotten her name. In no mood for engaging the conversation and wanting to save all of his small talk for dinner, he had politely excused himself, opting for walking ahead while the two of them reminisced.

Obviously, he had underestimated her communication skills, because a considerable amount of time had passed until Kagome caught up to him. Her arm tangled up with his quite easily. All at once, everything was gone, reduced to the speck of dust they were. There was only Kagome, searching the room in concentration. And there was only him, dazed by the smile that accommodated so well on her face, by the colors dancing on her cheeks and lights glittering on her eyes.

“There they are!” Kagome announced, breaking the spell.

His throat went completely dry. On his brain, sirens ran off, telling him to run for his life. How disappointed would she get if he grabbed her and fled? InuYasha also wondered, in vain, what the opponents he had faced would think, if they discovered what a coward the man who had ruthlessly knocked them out truly was. Kagome guided him towards the table where her family awaited, dispelling the intrusive thoughts away.

“Sorry we’re late!” She sat down and so did InuYasha, taking the free spot by her side. “We got caught up in traffic.”

“That’s alright, honey.” Mrs. Higurashi reassured with a tone as sweet as her smile. “I’m just glad you’re here now. We’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. So much!” She replied, drinking each component of her family in, as if to carve their features into her memory so she might have something to hold onto until they met again. After a brief pause, Kagome kicked off the introductions. “Everyone, this is InuYasha. InuYasha, this is my family.”

Her grandfather was a perfect materialization of the pictures InuYasha had seen, with his wrinkled skin, grey hair and stoic expression. Her mother, too, matched up his expectations. The woman portrayed an effortless type of beauty, all dimples and heart-shaped face framed by wavy, short brown hair.

It was Sota who surprised him the most.

From Kagome’s descriptions, InuYasha was under the impression the boy would be way smaller than he actually was — although he was small, considering he was still a child. The half demon couldn’t decide if Kagome was oblivious to Sota’s growth due to her crazy student schedule or if it was her big sister bias that affected her judgement, but it was clear that Sota was gonna be taller than her in the near future. The boy also looked very clever for his age — even to someone in InuYasha’s case, who knew little to nothing about kids — and stared at him with something suspiciously close to expectancy.

InuYasha cleared his throat.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“The reciprocal is hardly true.” Whipped a dissonant baritone, so rigid it cut the air. “I haven’t heard much of you, that’s for sure and certain.”

There was no naivety left on InuYasha to believe the lack of reciprocity the man mentioned had anything to do with whether Kagome had told them detailed stories about her new boyfriend or not.

Apparently, Mrs. Higurashi had picked up on how shallow his last sentence sounded as well, because she was quick to swoop in and smooth things over.

“You were, indeed, a mystery, InuYasha.”

“I told you why.” Intervened Kagome, in an apologizing tone. “We were still figuring things out.”

“Well, if you two are done with figuring things out, can we please eat?” Sota retorted. InuYasha had no complaints there. Unfortunately, the elderly man interrupted them with the unapologetic conviction of someone who wasn’t aware a conversation was being had, or that simply didn’t care.

“Are you a Yakuza member?”

It didn’t go unnoticed by the hanyou that the man had addressed him twice without calling his name once. Nonetheless, the question was absolutely directed to InuYasha. Even if the word ‘Yakuza’ wasn’t instantly associated with the tattoos he carried, there were other indications. The abrupt silence that followed, one step away from a cliff of awkwardness, for instance. Or the hawk eyes of Kagome’s grandfather, studying his every move.

Luckly, he had warned his girlfriend in advance something like that could happen. More often than not, it did. To the point where he was used to it. And as much as she didn’t like it, he resolved to brush it off, at least for the night.

“Because of the tattoos?” He asked, playing dumb. “I get that a lot, but no. I just think they’re cool.” InuYasha shrugged, then felt the uncontrollable need to over explain himself: “The tattoos, I mean. Not the mafia.”

That earned him a laugh from Sota and a chuckle from Mrs. Higurashi. Kagome and her grandfather didn’t find it so funny.

“Grandpa, tattoos are very common thing all around the world! Don’t you think if everyone who had one was a Yakuza member, we’d be in serious trouble by now?” InuYasha observed her spit the acid comeback, thrown off to see their parts inverted. Usually, he was the one starting fires left and right and she was the placid source of water that always put them down. Again, the man ignored it.

“Then what do you do for a living?”

InuYasha almost smirked. That was precisely the sort of cliche interrogatory he was expecting — no, that he was wishing. After walking on so many eggshells, they were finally entering known territory and, as he felt the firm path of a parents pleaser answer forming under his feet, his confidence boosted.

“I’m majoring in business administration. My father wants my brother and I to learn as much as we can, if we’re gonna run the family company someday.”

It was extremely satisfying to watch the guy trying and failing to come up with any judgemental thing to say. His mouth sealed into a thin line.

“But what InuYasha really wants is to be a boxer.”

His head snapped to Kagome, astonished that she would turn him in there and then. The girl was not kidding when she demanded him to be himself.

“No way!” Sota exclaimed the words in the precise way his sister did when she was excited.

“Isn’t this dangerous, dear?” Mrs. Higurashi was genuine concerned. Her cinnamon irises studied him carefully, as if already searching for wounds. It reminded him of his own mother.

“Actually, InuYasha is undefeated.” Kagome replied for him, not bothering to hide the pride tone in her voice.

So it’s chill when you brag about it, but when I do, I’m a cocky jerk. He amused, simultaneously deciding it sounded better when she did, anyway.

“Awesome! How come I have never seen you fight on TV?”

At Sota’s crescent interest, InuYasha answered in a bursting of atypical modesty.

“I didn’t get there just yet.”

“I’m sure it’s a matter of time.” Encouraged Mrs. Higurashi. Kagome’s grandfather scoffed. “I must ask you, though: how did you two met?”

“My sister isn’t the most athletic of girls.” Agreed Sota.

“I can’t believe I missed you.” The girl fired back.

“That’s true. But I can tell you first hand that she’s got a mean right hook.”

Her brother was thrilled. Her mom, not so much.

“She punched you?”

“Oh, my.”

“No! I gave her a couple of self defense classes, that’s all.” InuYasha hurried to explain.

“Oh!” Mrs. Higurashi seemed visibly relieved her daughter didn’t walk around purposefully breaking the criminal code. “Well, in that case I really appreciate it. Thank you, dear.”

“So that’s how you met? Self defense classes?”

“Not quite.”

The self defense classes came way later, in what InuYasha labeled as the ‘denial’ phase.

It started on a random night. They were arguing over something stupid, for a change. Things escalated rather fast and, against his better judgement, they had angry sex on her couch. He hadn’t thought much of it back them, telling himself they were just blowing off steam, that it wouldn’t happen again.

Only it did.

Over and over.

It was useless to fight it. No way to escape it. After a while, InuYasha had stopped trying and accepted the fact that every road lead him back to her bed. What he couldn’t, wouldn’t, refused to acknowledge, however, was that somewhere along the way, an invisible line was crossed and, as animosity gave space to awkward cordiality and awkward cordiality gave space to unlikely fondness, Kagome became much more than a mind-blowing fuck, even if at first he was too stubborn to say so.

And so, InuYasha came up with socially acceptable excuses to spend more time with her without it coming off as a big deal, hence the self defense classes. They were perfect for them, once it was something he mastered and it involved lots of physical contact. Besides, the half demon slept better at night, knowing Kagome could throw a proper punch at anyone who got too handsy. It wasn’t part of the ordinary self defense program, but then again, she was no ordinary girl. Although her spiritual powers assured no youkai would lay a finger on her, the priestess was on her own in terms of human threats. What InuYasha did was making sure that was enough.

They’ve been inseparable ever since.

“We’ve met through Miroku long before that.” Kagome clarified, conveniently leaving the petty behavior and childish arguments they had that first day out of it. “InuYasha is his roommate. Also, Sango has been friends with him since he was ten.”

“Oh!” The table nodded in understanding, working the math for themselves. It wasn’t a difficult calculation to make.

Miroku was a close friend of her family. Quite literally, given they were neighbors for as long as the bastard could remember. His family was spiritually gifted like no other and took to themselves the responsibility to help little Kagome Higurashi to improve her abilities to the fullest. As a result, they grew up together. People often confused them for siblings and at heart, they were.

InuYasha met the nuisance of a friend several years later, when both of them entered college. Graduation certainly wasn’t his biggest goal in life. Far from it. It was more like a boring thing he had to do in order to conquer his deserved space in the real world. Regardless, the half demon was eager to enjoy his first shot at independency.

He found a great place right outside campus, but the extent of time he could afford it without resorting to his folk’s pockets was limited. Doing all of the domestic chores by himself wasn’t appealing, either. He needed a roommate.

A river of candidates flooded his inbox — it was truly a fantastic deal — Miroku stood out for being the only human to reply to his advertisement. Curious, InuYasha booked an interview. The man was clearly a womanizer, appreciated a good booze and was the farthest thing from what he claimed his family to be. Or from what InuYasha looked for in a friend.

And yet, to his total bewilderment, they hit it off right away.

How was he supposed to know Miroku would fall for Sango?

His best friend Sango.

The same Sango who helped him to train under the correct and outraging pretext that she had always been faster, that his defense was pathetic and that she would hate to see him get his ass kicked.

Gorgeous, confident, heart of gold Sango…

Yes, standing back from it now, InuYasha was a fool for not seeing it coming, since that was the obvious part.

The not so obvious one was that the two lovebirds would engage into a very loving, very serious relationship and that when Sango’s turn came to move out for college, Miroku would suggest an old friend to fill the vacant roommate position in her new apartment. A freshman as well, named Kagome.

And so InuYasha’s undoing began.

An unplanned dinner with mutual friends was hardly the most remarkable way to meet someone, but whenever InuYasha thought about the exquisite series of coincidences, about all of the incidents bound to happen in order to put them face to face in that distant autumn night… Well, he couldn’t shake the feeling it was meant to be, even if he had never had much faith in destiny, soulmates or any of that corny crap, there was no denying that suddenly every love song started making sense.

Flash forward and Miroku switched places with Kagome to better attend the living situation for the four of them. And that was that.

“What a… Delightful turn of events.” The venomous remark of the Higurashi patriarch brought the hanyou back to the present. This polite facade was what bothered him the most and InuYasha wanted the man, just for once, to say what he actually meant to say.

“Isn’t it?” Said Kagome, her enthusiasm palpable. If the girl had noticed the sarcasm hidden in that comment — and InuYasha was willing to bet so —, she made a point to disdain it, landing one hand on his knee, a discreet act of support.

Her grandfather clenched his jaw.

“InuYasha, you mentioned your family owns a company.” Mrs. Higurashi changed the subject unapologetically. “Any chances we have heard of it?”

He clung to the distraction like it was a life jacket.

“Probably, yeah! Taisho Inc.?”

“As in Toga Taisho?” Sota asked, his chin dropping. “Toga Taisho is your dad?”

“And Izayoi is his mom.” Kagome added, fixing a knowing gaze on her own mother, whose bewilderment now mirrored her son’s.

“The Izayoi?”

“The one and only.” The hanyou nodded, accustomed to the heated reactions his distinguished bloodline got him. For better or for worse.

“Oh, her brand is fantastic! I read somewhere every clothing collection is environment friendly. And they’re so affordable, too!”

“Mom, you’re jabbering.” Interjected Sota.

“Sorry.” She said. More to be polite than anything else. “I’m a huge fan of her work!”

“So I’ve been told.” InuYasha glanced at Kagome, who stared at him right back. It was all it took, and he would be able to draw a meticulous picture of what she was thinking: both their mothers, chatting and enjoying a cold cup of tea under the setting sun like long date friends. Knowing his mom — and now Mrs. Higurashi — that was quite a possible scene.

“I’m sure the two of you will meet at some point.” Proclaimed Kagome. “Anyway… You won’t believe who InuYasha and I bumped into when we arrived—”

“Miss Kaede.” Sota and Mrs. Higurashi simultaneously answered, and at Kagome’s questioning expression, the boy shrugged. “She saw when we got here and came to say hi.”

They ordered minutes after.

The meal was hot and tasty, one of the best InuYasha had ever had. It helped that having dinner with her family, as it turned out, had been an overall pleasant experience. Light. Breezy. Sota and Mrs Higurashi did a wonderful job at keeping him comfortable. InuYasha would go as far as saying they had liked him, and for that he was insanely grateful.

Kagome’s grandfather, however, was a whole other story. The guy despised him and didn’t lift a finger to cover it, but he had spent the rest of the night relatively quiet about it, so InuYasha labeled it as progress.

He had offered them a ride home and they had accepted, just like Kagome said they would. It was funny, the speed in which he grew accustomed to their dynamics. Kagome and her brother mindless bickering, their mother pretending exasperation while secretly pleased, the drive filled with childhood tales and life updates, a innocent joke every now and then. It was decidedly something InuYasha could be a part of.

Their property was a rustic piece of land inserted between one urban construction and the next, refusing to be touched by modern convenience. Kagome’s enchantment for the place was justified. Growing up in there couldn’t have been anything less than magical.

“It’s not much,” Mrs. Higurashi apologized, “but it’s home.” She opened the door and turned on the light.

The house seemed bigger on the inside. Not fancy big. Cozy big. On every wall, past and future merged themselves in harmony. The decoration, simple and of good taste, spoke anecdotes of the merry family living there.

As they entered the living room, a movement alarmed his senses, and in a quick motion InuYasha dove in just in time to grab the falling ornamental vase before it hit the ground. The responsible for the almost disaster meowed and jumped off the glass shelf, making a point of stepping on InuYasha with indifference to then greet the others.

“You must be Buyo.”

“Nice catch!” Congratulated Sota.

“Oh, my! Thank you, InuYasha. This vase is very dear to me.” He handed her the adornment, which was immediately restored the its rightful spot. “Kagome, why don’t you show your boyfriend around?”

Obediently, her daughter let go of the purring cat and played the role of guide, giving him a comprehensive tour through her former home. Truth to her word, she saved the best for last.

“Before we get in, I want you to remember I was young and didn’t know any better.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” He established, gesturing for her to rush and turn the knob.

Her bedroom was a gleeful explosion of pink and purple. From the roof to the floor, most of the surfaces were bathed in different shades of the combination. Sheets. Teddy bears. Carpet. Alarm clock. Curtains. Posters that could now pass for vintage. InuYasha was impressed. Despite all reason, the aesthetic actually worked.

He barked a laugh.

“What did you have against the other colors?”

“Shut up, I was five!”

InuYasha ignored her in favor of snooping around. Objects that dared not to stick with the pink or purple agenda were inevitably highlighted by it. He went after those first.

“So many CDs!” InuYasha contemplated, inspecting her collection attentively. Music was a passion they shared. Even though she was a pop kind of girl and he fell more into the rock line, they had been able to find common ground, eventually. Like Rihanna. Or The Beatles. “Are you kidding me?”

Kagome acknowledged his raised brows and the copy of a NSYNC album he was holding with a giggle.

“I stand by it.”

Books also filled the room. For starts, there was the Biology ones, piled up on her writing desk in a greater amount than what could be considered healthy — and more worn out than the math editions. On the main bookcase, he ran his claws through the good stuff. Jane Austen. J.K. Rowling. Stephen King. He wasn’t much of a reader, himself. His relationship with literature came down to the bedtime stories her mom lulled him to sleep with and A Song of Ice and Fire, which Kagome was currently reading because of him, albeit they had binged Game Of Thrones together.

Among her personal, reduced library, there was one book that gave the impression not to belong. It was larger, made of aged, tawny leather and no inscription was printed on the spine. Curious, InuYasha pulled it out, discovering the item to be a photo album. He pointed to its cover.

“Can I?”

“Knock yourself out.”

She paid no attention to him as he sat on her bed and cautiously flipped through the pages, too lost in her own nostalgia.

The compilation began at a hospital room. A younger Mrs. Higurashi exhibited a teary smile to the chubby newborn nestled against her chest, the arms of an equally jubilant man involved them in a hug. Mr. Higurashi had elongated traits that narrowed his chin and pronounced nose in a gentle manner, like time had purposefully left his boyish attributes untouched. He resembled Sota. In everything except his wavy, dark hair. InuYasha grinned. Kagome had her father’s hair.

The photograph below showed three pair of legs, lazily lying on white sheets. A woman, a man and between them a baby, the size difference contributing to make the latter even cuter. Next to that, a picture of baby Kagome old enough to sit up, dressing onesie pajamas and chewing on a pacifier. Her grandfather appeared every now and then, feeding her porridge, kissing her tiny palm, exasperated at the paint mess she had done on the hall.

InuYasha watched her grow up the deeper he advanced. From crawling to standing behind Mrs. Higurashi, wrapping her little arms around the long skirt of her mother as she did the dishes. From that, to climbing onto a chair to help her father with the baking, covered in flour in front of the kitchen table while he proudly cleaned her up. Picnics. Beach trips. Birthdays. Every milestone was documented. After her first day at school — a big red ribbon on her hair —, new characters came to scene. Miroku, by her side on the backyard, one of his teeth missing and autumn leaves sticking to the two of them everywhere, twin wide smiles on their lips. Buyo, only a kitten napping on her lap as they sat on a tyre swing. She was wearing a beautiful dress and sneakers, her feet inches away from the ground.

There was a significant passage of time when InuYasha turned to another page. He knew it because, abruptly, Sota was there too, even though Mrs. Higurashi had been pregnant just a few images ago. The subtitle read Kagome, giving her baby brother a bath. In reality, she had used shampoo to pin all of his hair up. Her growth was perceptible as well.

There were no pictures of Mr. Higurashi anymore.

Instead, Sota, Miroku and some other friends conquered a little more of space, as Kagome got closer and closer to become the woman InuYasha came to know. The final picture was of her high school gang. Ayumi, Eri, Yuka.

And Hojo.

She had dated him back then and they were friends to this day. Naturally. Because Kagome was fundamentally a good person. And the fucker was unabashedly still into her.

The worst thing was, he couldn’t even bring himself to resent the guy. As a matter of fact, the hanyou pitied him. If InuYasha was in his shoes, he doubt he could ever move on from Kagome. Be that as it may, he much would have preferred they had held a grudge, blocked each other on social media and called it quits. Like normal people did.

Kagome was staring out the window by the time InuYasha shut the album and returned it to its shelf. He let his face fall into the curve of her shoulder — a flawless fit — in the process of embracing her waist. She leaned her head to him, her fingertips caressing his forearms.

Out of respect, they had left the door open, but it was just for show. His keen senses ensured they could get away with innocent displays of affection without having to worry about unexpected interruptions.

“What are we lookin’ at?”

“The Goshinboku.” The view of her bedroom was composed by a stunning garden, a mighty tree standing tall in the center of it. “When I was a little girl, there was a tyre swing attached to it. My dad built it for me. And grandpa almost had a heart attack because the tree is supposed to be sacred.”

The fresh memory came rushing back, of a lovely girl, her sleeping cat and a tyre swing.

“He sounds like a good man.” InuYasha let it out, mentally kicking himself at the same time. Don’t bring up her father, remembered his inner voice, a second too late. Damn it, he thought, I was doing so well. But they were alone. And Kagome was the one to raise the subject.

“The best.” She agreed, the longing painfully distinguishable in her timbre. “The colors are his fault, actually. He let me pick them and insisted I’d help him painting, saying it was my room and therefore I should be an active part of its making in order to truly look my own. I felt like such a grown up, with that brush in my hand! It wasn’t until years later I realized he had done most of the heavy work, of course. My enthusiasm about the colors decreased with time, I gotta admit. But I never wanted to change it, because whenever I see them, I’m taken back to that day.”

InuYasha was at a loss for words.

In one night, Kagome had shared more about her father than she had in their entire relationship, the topic always a delicate one.

To measure her pain, he tried to imagine what would be like. His life without Toga Taisho in every step of the way, with his goofy jokes and thunderous laughter, teaching him how to shave, talking about girls, buying him his first pair of boxing gloves. Cheering him on. Most fathers wouldn’t be as supportive of his career choice. Especially when it meant stepping down from the family empire.

Unthinkable.

InuYasha couldn’t even began to understand.

Unexpectedly, he was assaulted by the crushing need to hug his old man.

“He’d be proud of ya. You know that, right?”

“I do.” Kagome sighed. She was at the verge of crying, he could tell. “I wish he had met you.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

“So...” Kagome bravely pushed her sorrow underneath, recovering the cheerful temper that was so typical of her. “Did you find anything good in that photo album?”

“Oh, yeah!” InuYasha nodded, taking her unsaid ask for distraction for what it was. “Miroku won’t hear the end of it.” She laughed and he relaxed at the sound. “Come on, let’s go downstairs. Your grandfather is getting distraught.”

“How did you do that?” Sota watched the TV screen in awe as their characters fought. InuYasha had just released a powerful blow, inflecting several damage on his opponent.

“Left-Right-B-B.”

Sota pressed the combination and as soon as he did, his character recreated the attack, hitting InuYasha back full force. The kid learned fast.

“Sweet! You gotta teach me more of this stuff! Can I come over to your place sometime?”

“Sure!” He answered, in autopilot. Kagome quietly pinched him in the tigh and the half demon realized his mistake. Don’t mention we live together. What an idiot he was. InuYasha wouldn’t have to mention anything if her brother saw it with his own eyes. “I-I mean, if that’s cool with your mom. It ain’t a quick drive.”

“For real?!”

“Yeah, just… Text me first.”

“You got it!”

InuYasha shrugged apologetically to his frustrated girlfriend. It was the best he could do.

“Kagome?” Mrs. Higurashi swiftly called from the kitchen. “Can you help me with the desserts, please?”

“Coming!”

Involuntarily, his ears twitched to follow her trail of noises. Steps. Crockery getting handled. Whispers.

“Alright: your honest opinion. Go!”

“Oh, I think your opinion is the one that counts.”

“It’s the one that counts the most. It’s not the only one that counts.”

“In that case, I must say you make a lovely couple. InuYasha caused an excellent impression on me. The way he looks at you… Your father used to look at me just like that.”

“Mama!”

There was a pause.

Out of habit, InuYasha kept hitting the right buttons, but his interest was far away from the game.

“Now, what else are you wanting to tell me?”

“How did you know?”

“A mother always does. What is it?”

“InuYasha and I… We’re living together.”

“I had my suspicions.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“Are you happy?”

“The happiest.”

“Well, then. That’s all that matters to me.”

“Thank you! I love you so much!”

“I love you too, honey. But it might be wise not to let your grandfather know for now.”

“I figured as much.”

“One more thing.”

“Shoot!”

“Are the two of you using protection?”

“Mom!”

“What? It’s a fair concern.”

InuYasha had darkened multiple shades of embarrassment, all of them red. Sota took advantage of his temporary stupefied state to deliver the final blast, settling their score.

“Yes!”

“I totally let you win.”

“You wish!”

The two women walked into the room, dessert glasses on their hands. Sota accepted the one his mother offered him while Kagome sat on her previous spot by InuYasha.

“This candy is a family recipe.” Mrs. Higurashi explained. “It’s also the reason why we didn’t order a dessert at the restaurant.”

InuYasha hadn’t complained. In terms of food, sugary snacks were hardly his favorites. He opened his mouth, planning to decline the treat in way that wasn’t too rude, but his girlfriend beat him to the punch and sticked a spoon full of the stuff inside his mouth. The flavor outburst on his tongue was unprecedented, caramel being the base of it. The kickoff was undeniably sweet, pursued by a salty ending that assured a refined balance.

“Holy f… ork.” Don’t swear. At least this time he managed to caught himself before the failure.

“I’m glad you liked it.” Said Mrs. Higurashi, as InuYasha grabbed his portion from Kagome’s grasp and ate the whole thing in eager spoonfuls.

“How come you never made me one of those?” He threw Kagome an accusatory glance.

“I’m sorry, I just don’t think our relationship is that solid yet.”

InuYasha was formulating a sly remark when he heard her grandfather struggling to carry a heavy wood box.

“Sir, wanna some help?” He volunteered, already jumping to the rescue.

“I’m old, not invalid.”

“It wasn’t my intention to suges—”

“Grandpa, please don’t be dramatic.” Intervened Kagome. “We don’t want a broken hip, do we?”

Grudgingly, the elder turned his burden over to InuYasha, who followed him out into the storehouse. He was serenaded by the crickets and the constant instructions of the wrinkle bag, urging him to be careful.

“Where do you want this, sir?”

“There.” He pointed to the left corner of the room and InuYasha accomplished the task without breaking a sweat. Or a priceless relic. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” The temptation to spin on his heels and exit the building was tremendous. For Kagome, though, he had to make an effort. “I guess is safe to say you don’t like me or my tattoos very much. That’s alright, I get it. You just met me. But I promise you, sir, I would never, ever, do anything to hurt your granddaughter. I’m a hundred percent committed to Kagome. In fact…” InuYasha fished the ring off his back pocket and presented it to him. “I intend to propose to her in a near future. You don’t have to answer right now, just know it would mean a lot to her… To us, if you could give us your blessing.”

The man glared at the ring as if it was a viper ready to strike.

“I wasn’t aware this relationship of yours was that serious.”

“Well… It kinda is. I… I love her.”

InuYasha felt naked, so very naked, under the somber gaze of that man. However true his words were, he wasn’t the type to pour his heart out, let alone to someone he had met for less than the duration of a night. Vulnerability was something to be avoided. Let your guard open, you get knocked down. A lifetime of boxing will teach you that. Still, Kagome was worth way more than his stupid pride.

“I see. In that case, you must end it at once.”

“What?”

“I held my peace because I was convinced, the moment my granddaughter introduced you as her boyfriend, that this was bound to break. Do not take it personally. I can’t possibly be the first one to point it out and chances are I won’t be the last. You are far from the man I imagined her future husband to be. Yet here you are, speaking of marriage. It is up to me, then, to open your eyes and remind you the implications of it.”

“The implications of it.” The hanyou half repeated, half questioned. The superior tone in which the man expressed himself was enerving and the fact InuYasha had no idea of where he was trying to get only worsened the tension.

“Your mother is human, is she not?” All of the pieces fell into place right then. He would rather they hadn’t.

“Yes, she is.”

“Then you better than anyone must know of the hardships she had to endure as a result of her lifestyle.”

InuYasha was numb. Completely anesthetized. It was to be expected his stupor would soft the pain of the bad memories. It didn’t.

Romeo and Juliet got nothing on his parents. His mom had told him the story time and time again. They had met each other on a tropical storm. Her car died and of course he was there to help. She kept his coat. He kept her phone number on a piece of paper that accidentally was ruined by the rain. When their paths crossed again, he was a divorced father and she was engaged. They managed to get it right anyway. Timing was a comical thing. It never worked with rationality.

Both families were against it. Strongly against it. His mother was no longer welcomed in the house. They had burned to the ground any evidence she once belonged to that place. The only thing she took with her was the ring of her deceased mother that InuYasha now held inside his clenched fist. She wasn’t allowed in the Taisho mansion either, but it just meant his father wouldn’t set foot feet there as well.

There were grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins InuYasha didn’t have the chance to met. Because they didn’t want to. Other than from Sesshoumaru and his mom, that was it for him in the family section.

He used to resent it. When he caught a homesick Izayoi crying. When his father yelled at the management of some restaurant about their anti-human politics. When she was denied entrance because InuYasha was in her arms. When the family tree of the other kids in school was so much more complex than his. Fortunately, he came to terms with it. Family had little to do with blood.

“It wasn’t her fault and it wasn’t your father’s, either.” InuYasha heard him go on. “Regardless, this is the way things are. The way things have always been. And pretending otherwise is to believe in fairytales. You can not blame me for wishing a better fate upon Kagome.”

“Kagome is happy. I know she is!”

“For now. What would be of this so called happiness in the long run? Keep in mind Kagome is a priestess. What if this union causes her to lose her spiritual powers? Even if she doesn’t, a child born out of it would carry demon genes. It can not be avoided. It can affect their reiki greatly.”

“W-we haven’t talk—”

Kids. The subject was never discussed between them. It was not a secret Kagome wanted to have children. She should have children. Motherhood suited her. InuYasha, on the other hand, didn’t give the topic a lot of thought. He just accepted that, taking in consideration the lengths he was willing to go to make her happy, babies weren’t even that bad.

Now, his treacherous brain was plaguing him with the forbidden images. Another aged, tawny leather photo album, theirs to fulfill with pictures of a raven haired, golden eyed toddler. Kagome, pregnant with his child. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t bad at all.

“Listen close, boy. I take no pride in that, but when cancer took my son away… It tore this home apart. Kagome? She was the one to put it back together. It was an unfair burden, for someone so young to take. And it meant countless sacrifices from her part. My granddaughter had to grow up too fast too soon. She deserves the luck of an ease love. You seem like a decent man, tattoos aside. That is why, if you love Kagome the way you claim to do, you will let her go.”

“InuYasha!”

“Huh?”

“I’m talking to you!”

“I’m driving!” Even to himself, the excuse sounded weak. For fear Kagome would pick up on his bullshit, he opted for diplomacy. “Can you repeat what it was?”

“My family! Did you like them?”

“Yeah, they’re great.”

She could sniff it out his lies from miles away, one of her many infuriating talents. It was a good thing InuYasha wasn’t lying, then. Her mom and brother had won him over without even trying. Her grandfather was difficult, to say the least. But ultimately, he only had Kagome’s best interests at heart. How could InuYasha not hold someone like that in deep appreciation? They shared the same priorities, after all.

“I’m glad.” Kagome sticked a palm out of the window, to cut the chill night air. Not even that diverted his concentration from the road ahead, hands sweating at the tigh grip on the steering wheel. They let the silence set, until her profound exhale disturbed it. “Do you miss your motorbike?”

Before Kagome, a classic black Harley used to be the love of his life. He had saved every penny he ever gotten in order to get it. It was the first significant thing he had ever bought with his own money. Sadly, the maintenance was pretty expensive and by the time they started going on double dates with Miroku and Sango or Koga and Ayame, an average car proved to be the obvious, more practical choice. It had its advantages. Convenience. Economy. Illegal activities on the backseat. His mother was radiant, too. She had somehow convinced herself owning a motorcycle was a creative way of signing his own death certificate.

He didn’t regret it.

But he couldn’t chase the wind in a car. Kagome wouldn’t hold him for dear life in a car.

“Sometimes.”

“Me too. Maybe we can afford to buy it back, someday.” His stomach sank. There would be no ‘someday’. Not for them. “InuYasha?”

“Maybe.”

He turned the radio on and neither of them talked the whole way home.

Water was pouring down, warm and nice against his skin. InuYasha stood under the shower far more than the necessary. His hope was that if he stalled long enough, Kagome would be sleeping by the time he left the bathroom. It was an act of pure cowardice, but it was for the best. If she was awake, he would be tempted to take her one last time, and what kind of monster he’d be by the morning, when they would have to say goodbye?

Kagome was sitting on their bed, waiting for him with his AC/DC shirt on. InuYasha should have anticipated she wouldn’t be entirely oblivious to his internal turmoil. He hadn’t done the neatest job hiding it and she knew him like no one else.

“Alright, what is wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Just who do you think you’re kidding?”

“Can we please do this tomorrow?”

“No! You’ve been acting strange since we left. I tried to give you space, but I won’t be able to sleep unless you put my mind at ease.”

From all the scenarios he had ran on his head of how this conversation would go, this was without a doubt the worst one. He didn’t want to end their relationship in the middle of the night, dressed only on his sweatpants, risking her to storm off that late. He owed Kagome more than that. Massaging his temple, InuYasha realized his hands were tied. She wouldn’t let it die. He sat by her side and ripped off the band-aid.

“We should break up.”

Her reaction to the news was a mystery InuYasha wasn’t dying to find out. She could cry, she used to do it for less and his ego would appreciate it. She could scream at him, it was totally understandable. She could slap his face, he probably deserved it. She could leave. He wouldn’t blame her.

“No.” Plain and simple.

Whatever he expected her to do, that wasn’t it.

“No?”

“That’s right.”

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

“Exactly what I said.”

“We’re breaking up!”

“No, we’re not. Are you in love with someone else?”

“Well... No.”

“Have you stopped loving me?”

“That’s… That’s not the issue.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m bad for you, Kagome! Can’t you see that?” His ferocity made her quiver and cursing himself, InuYasha counted two heavy breaths to try and tone it down. “Can’t you see everything you’ll miss out just to be by my side? I can’t do that to you. I won’t. What we have… It can be easy here, but in the real world...”

“Did my grandfather put you up to this?”

His startle gave him away. It was pointless to deny.

“He only said what we already knew and were too stubborn to accept.”

“How dare he?!”

“He’s right, y’know? This is the best thing for you.”

“How dare you?” She poked his naked chest, her fury unleashed like InuYasha hadn’t seen in a while. “Who are you to make this decision for me?”

“I’m someone who saw his mother be casted out and humiliated on a daily basis over it!”

“Have you ever asked her if she would do it again? Because I’m pretty sure I know the answer. And mine is the same.”

“What about children? You wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they would inherit your spiritual powers if you had ‘em with a human.”

“I don’t care about the stupid bloodline tradition! It’s not like demons and humans are at war anymore. Any child we might have will be loved, powers or not powers. I refuse to let outdated morals dictate how I live my life, I refuse to let them get in the way of my happiness. And I can’t believe after everything we’ve been through you would give up of me that easy.”

“Easy?” InuYasha hissed. Kagome didn’t back down one bit at his rompant. “You think this is easy for me? This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do and if it’s possible you’re making it even harder. For once in my life I’m being selfless. For once in my life I’m putting someone else first. Because I fucking love you!”

Finally, finally, her lips crushed into his. It was a long time coming, as if every single event since he had seen her in that blue dress earlier were building up to that moment. He welcomed her touch like was second nature, greedly pulling her close to devour her lips. The taste of mint toothpaste flooded his senses and suddenly the whole universe shrunk to the shape her mouth. Her slow hands went from his cheeks to his wet hair, tangling on the messy strands and inducing the nape ones to rise up.

Only then InuYasha understood.

He was fooling himself.

Selfish. His love for her always was and always would be selfish. He could try to stay away, he could try to shut her out. In the end of the day, all she had to do was snap her fingers and he would be running to her. There was no escaping it. She wanted him, he was hers.

Little by little, InuYasha broke the kiss, their foreheads still connected as their hearts restored their normal pace.

“I don’t want to make things difficult between you and your family.”

“I’m sorry about tonight, InuYasha. I was so excited with the idea of you and my family getting along, I forgot to be more careful and pushed it too far with grandpa. Let’s give it time, okay? He’ll come around. If he doesn’t, you are not the one making things difficult. He is. People tend to be afraid of what they don’t know. It doesn’t matter. It’s not theirs to know, it’s ours. And we shouldn’t allow their opinions to interfere. No prejudiced beliefs can take me from your side. As long as you want me, there are no deal breakers. So what do you truly want?”

“What I truly want…” He got up and went to their wardrobe, reaching the depths of the drawer where he kept his jeans for the hidden ring. He found it and fell into one knee in front of her. “It’s to spend the rest of my life with you.” She gasped, hands flying to cover her mouth as her eyes overflowed. “This might be crazy soon, but it has also been a crazy night. Kagome, will you—”

“Yes!”

She knocked him down in a hug that turned into another kiss, tender than the prior. They had time to pleasantries now. They had all the time in the world. InuYasha wanted to laugh at the expense of his unplanned rebellion. There he was, making the exact opposite thing her grandfather had ordered him to do. And he was still a bit unaware as to how.

“Will ya let me put this thing on your finger or what?” He questioned when she pulled away.

“In one condition.”

“Which one?”

“Don’t you ever break up with me again.”

“It won’t be a problem.”

A/N: this is for the brilliant @dyaz-stories who requested “The stakes are high. Tthe water's rough. But this love is ours” + “And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored. Cause my heart is yours” for the lyric game.

I hope you don’t mind the “my father” to “my grandfather”change, but I thought it was more fitting, given the circumstances. Sorry I made you the bad guy, grandpa, but someone had to be! Also, I know the lyrics say that the snide remarks about the tattoos would be ignored, but no matter how hard I tried to stand by it, Kagome refused to be silenced.

About the tattoos: I’ve read somewhere cherry blossoms mean female beauty, love, happiness, renovation and hope. They symbolize the end of winter and beginning of spring… which is pretty much everything Kagome represents to InuYasha.

That being said, happy Inukag Week! Yes, I do celebrate it as if it was a hollyday. No, I do not think I’m obsessed. I like this couple a normal amount. And this fanfic just happens to fit the prompt “acceptance” from day one, so here you go @inukag-week

#Inukag Week #Ours #Inukag Fanfiction #InuYasha #My Writing #Inukag Fluff #InuKag Angst #Sid Writes #Inukag Oneshot #Kagome Higurashi #Modern AU

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silverfootstepswrites · 4 years

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Amaryllis | Chapter 20

< Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 >

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“I don’t see the point of all these schemes, Lady Sakura,” Kankuro sighed, chin in his hand. He watched Azra run a comb through Sakura’s hair. The servant secured it into a ponytail with a length of gold cord. Not a strand out of place. Sakura looked it over in the mirror before she nodded. Azra bowed.

“Kankuro,” Sakura said, examining her reflection.

Kankuro leaned forward in his seat a little. “Yes, My Lady.”

Her eyes met his in the mirror. She smirked. “This is because you are not a woman. A man can simply seize what he wants,” she stated.

Kankuro’s forehead wrinkled. “Is that true?” he asked, turning around to look at his sister. He winced when Temari’s knuckles connected with the top of his head.

“Yes,” Temari replied as she walked past him.

“I’d like to be the one escorting you,” Temari then said to Sakura.

“Because?” asked Sakura, looking at the mirror again. She adjusted the collar of her dress. As she turned her head from side to side, Esma approached and draped a shawl across her shoulders. Sakura nodded at her reflection.

“Because I don’t trust Prince Baki,” answered Temari.

Sakura turned on her stool to face Temari. She smiled up at her.

“Good answer,” Sakura replied. She patted Temari on the forearm once before she got to her feet.

++++

Prince Baki had accepted her invitation to breakfast on rather short notice.

They sat together in the private courtyard of Sakura’s wing of the palace. This early in the morning, the stone pillars cast long shadows across the floor.

Sakura lifted her cup to her lips. Sniffed. Wrinkled her nose.

Hands folded across her stomach, Azra stepped forward.

“Is everything alright, Your Grace?” the girl whispered in her ear.

“The fragrance is a little strong. This must be a different crop of tea than the last one I tried,” answered Sakura. She set the tea down without taking a sip.

Azra’s eyes widened. “With your permission, Your Grace, may I return to the kitchen to brew you a fresh pot?”

Sakura nodded. The girl placed the still-steaming cup on her tray. She bowed before she stepped away. Her footsteps tapped quickly against the packed earth. Sakura watched her go. And then she glanced at Esma.

“My dear, it’s almost time for my cousins to eat as well. See to their breakfast preparations,” she then directed.

Esma bowed. But then hesitated as she glanced over at Baki.

Baki waved a hand at her. “Do as your mistress bids. I’m capable of eating on my own,” he said.

Esma bowed once again before she made her way out of the courtyard too.

They listened for the distant creak and then clang of the doors opening and shutting. Baki let out a sigh as he leaned back in his seat.

“Are you dissatisfied with them?” Baki questioned.

Sakura smiled. He was direct about these matters.

“Not at all,” she replied.

Baki scrutinized her expression. And then he reached inside his vest to pull out the note Mangetsu had passed along the night before.

“Then this is?”

Sakura shrugged before she said: “I found the cutest little stray kitten. I’d like to adopt it.”

But then Sakura’s express cooled. “Although I hear that it’s your consort and not you that is in charge of such things,” she added.

Baki cleared his throat. He looked up at the sky, tilting his head like he was stretching his neck.

“That won’t be necessary. I can speak to her about such a small matter.”

Sakura narrowed her eyes. The corner of her mouth pulled up as she added, “Speaking of which, I’ve yet to meet your consort. I’ve heard such wonderful things about her. She’s from the Hoki family, isn’t she?”

A muscle in Baki’s cheek jumped. He smiled. But it didn’t reach his eyes.

“She’s quite the busy woman, you see,” he answered.

And something Kurenai had told her many times before echoed in the back of Sakura’s mind.

Hands that smell like sweet perfume. Dark curls spilling down her shoulder. Kurenai patting her back as she swayed back and forth.

“Remember, my darling, the heart of a man sways like a lone blade of grass. It topples with just a word of praise.”

Sakura widened her eyes. She moved her ponytail off her neck. Pretending not to notice the way his stare followed her actions. And then she smiled.

“Oh. What a shame. I would have so loved to meet the woman who captured the heart of such an honorable man.”

Baki leaned forward in his seat a little.

“Honorable?” he repeated.

Sakura let her smile widened. She dipped her head. “Of course.”

It didn’t take long for Baki to return to his usual good humor. Smirking and patting his chest as he laughed about this and that.

“I see, I see. Well, if you insist, I’ll have her make time. Perhaps you could even get along with her, General,” chuckled Baki.

Sakura opened her mouth. Closed it and smiled instead.

“Of course, Prince,” she replied.

That night, there was a grand feast. Some relative of Prince Baki’s was there to visit. He had just had his first son, which was, of course, cause to celebrate.

“You disapprove?” asked Suigetsu as he watched her pick her jewelry for the night. “Thought you liked any excuse to drink.”

“He wasn’t the one to give birth. Why is he being honored?” Sakura questioned.

Mangetsu wrinkled his nose as he pushed off the wall. “I’m no doctor, M’Lady. But I’m sure he contributed… for at least a few moments,” he pointed out. He moved past the twins who were busy brushing and plaiting Sakura’s hair. Arms crossed across his chest, he scrutinized the sights outside the window. Servants hurried back and forth carrying decorations and crates of fruit.

Sakura laughed. She hovered her hand over the tray that held a set of jewels that she had brought from home. Saltwater pearls that had each been harvested by hand. She ran them through her fingers. Each one was perfectly round- not a flaw in sight. She slipped the necklace over her head. The jewels clattered against each other as they settled into place. She looked at herself in the mirror.

Gaara and Kankuro were already dressed. But Sakura was taking her time. There was no sense in rushing and appearing overly eager.

“You gonna sit next to the kid?” Suigetsu questioned.

In the mirror, Sakura could see Suigetsu lay down. Head propped up in his hand. Other arm dangling over the end of the lounge.

“Why would I not?” Sakura retorted.

“Yes, why would she not?” Temari echoed her question, eyes narrowing from the other side of the room.

“Prince hates him,” Suigetsu warned.

Temari rolled her eyes.

“He does. Or, at least, he’s jealous,” Mangetsu agreed. He turned to face them.

“Jealous?” Temari repeated. She stared at Sakura. Who returned the incredulous look.

“He gets all prickly any time a man gets too close to M’Lady,” added Suigetsu, waggling his fingers in a suggestive manner. Temari made a noise of disgust. But before she could grab her spear to threaten him, Mangetsu grabbed a nearby towel from the wash basin. It landed with a wet slap on Suigetsu’s arm.

Temari stared at Mangetsu. She pretended not to smile as she turned her head away.

Mangetsu twisted out of the way as Suigetsu flung the towel back. Suigetsu sat up, elbows resting on his knees. He shot his brother a glare before he looked back at Sakura.

“Do you know what’s attractive about you, M’Lady?” Suigetsu asked.

Temari glared at him. She clenched her hand into a fist. As she took a menacing step forward, the mercenary held up both hands.

“No. This is a serious question,” he insisted.

Heaving a sigh, Sakura finally twisted around in her seat to face him.

“My money?” she guessed.

Suigetsu wrinkled his nose.

“My lineage?”

Suigetsu made another face.

Kankuro finally spoke up from his seat in the corner. “Strength.”

Suigetsu shrugged one shoulder.

“That’s only part of it. Honestly, it’s the ‘keep everyone at arm’s length’ thing you do. Drives men crazy,” Suigetsu finally explained.

An incredulous laugh left Sakura.

“I’m serious, M’Lady. The whole ‘untouchable’ thing is absolute torture. I’m sure that’s the reason why you can’t shake Baki,” insisted Suigetsu.

“So you’re suggesting that if I roll over and make nice, he would lose interest after one night,” Sakura said.

Gaara flushed. Sleeve covering his mouth, he pretended to suddenly be very interested in the view outside the window. But Suigetsu nodded. He crossed his legs, hands grasping his ankles. He leaned forward a little.

“We’ve seen lots of people before. Men love what they can’t have,” Suigetsu declared.

Sakura searched his face. And then she got to her feet. She shook the wrinkles out of her skirt.

“Perhaps there’s merit in what you say. I don’t see any harm in testing it out tonight,” she decided. She held her hand out to Gaara. He took it, let her pull him to his feet. “We should go. It would be rude to be too late,” she then declared. Temari followed them out. But Kankuro didn’t move. He waited until the door closed before he spoke.

Kankuro scrutinized Suigetsu. “Does that apply to you as well?” he questioned.

Shrugging, Suigetsu leaned back a little. “Maybe. But I’m most attracted to M’Lady’s habit of paying us well,” he replied with a smirk. Suigetsu glanced back at his older brother, who was already in the process of slipping out the window. He turned back to Kankuro with a grin.

“Don’t worry. I actually like M’Lady. She takes us to all sorts of fun places. I won’t get in her way,” Suigetsu declared.

“Good,” was all Kankuro grunted before he got to his feet.

The banquet was held in the largest hall of the palace. Most of the guests were already seated by the time they announced Sakura. A male servant guided her to a seat towards the head of the table. There sat Baki. And, to his left, a woman in glittering purple fabric. She wore a translucent veil over her face, leaving just her eyes uncovered. They were grey. Twinkling sharply as they met Sakura’s gaze.

Of course, the place of honor to Baki’s right was already filled by his visiting relative. Sakura dipped her head in greeting as she sat at Consort Hoki’s left instead, but nothing more. Strictly speaking, she wasn’t really required to do much socialization since this was not her celebration.

According to hierarchy, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro sat a little further down the table. She could see Gaara’s expression of unease as he looked her way.

“Cousin, you have, of course, heard of our dear General,” Baki announced, gesturing in Sakura’s direction. His hand moved past Consort Hoki, as if she were invisible. And in turn, she sat in silence, her dinner plate untouched.

Baki’s relative was a massive man with black hair in braids. His eyes lingered on Sakura for no longer than was polite before they returned to Baki.

“Of course. It is an honor to dine together with such a fine woman,” he responded.

Sakura watched the way Baki chortled. He drank his wine and ate with such ease.

“Well, two fine women. I’ve heard good things about Consort Hoki,” Sakura corrected. She took a sip of her wine as the men exchanged looks.

“Uh…. well… yes. Indeed,” Baki agreed after a moment.

Sakura pretended to examine the food on her plate.

“After all, your recent trade agreements were thanks to Consort Hoki’s family connections, weren’t they?” she went on. When silence answered her, she looked up. Eyes wide as she feigned confusion. And she could feel Consort Hoki’s stare burning into her.

Sakura didn’t flinch away from the intensity of that look. She met Consort Hoki’s eyes with a smile.

“I seem to recall hearing a rumor that you’re quite the poet, Consort Hoki,” Sakura then said.

For a long moment, all the other woman did was stare. And just as Sakura began thinking of something to say to fill the silence, Consort Hoki’s eyes crinkled at the corners.

“You flatter me, General,” she answered. Her voice was surprisingly low. Her diction was precise.

“Oh, I don’t flatter, Consort Hoki. I simply observe,” Sakura laughed.

She then smoothed over the awkward moment with a few well-placed comments. Soon, the two men were back to laughing and joking as they tore into their meals.

A little while later, she felt a touch to her elbow. She recognized Mangetsu’s black glove as she turned her ear toward him.

“News?” she whispered.

“Not really,” Mangetsu replied, matching her soft volume.

Her eyebrows rose. “Then why are you here?” Sakura wondered. She turned more until she was looking him in the face.

Mangetsu’s gaze darted over to Consort Hoki. There was a blur in the corner of Sakura’s vision as the consort turned back to her meal. Mangetsu grasped Sakura by the forearm and drew her closer.

“Miss Temari thinks we should see what Baki does if you receive some attention,” he said.

Sakura tilted her head a little. A smile spread across her face.

“Miss Temari?” she repeated.

But to her surprise, Mangetsu didn’t blush. He didn’t fumble.

He frowned.

“Because she’s M’Lady’s cousin. It makes you look bad if your guards go around referring to your cousins by name,” Mangetsu explained.

“For me?” Sakura wondered.

Mangetsu pretended not to hear her.

There was a pause. Sakura glanced over Mangetsu’s shoulder. She caught the way Baki was staring at them. Gaze darting back to his guest as he pretended to listen to the man speak. When Sakura craned her neck to speak into Mangetsu’s ear, she saw Baki’s jaw clench.

“Next time, have your brother come speak to me. Let’s see what the gracious prince does,” she murmured.

As Mangetsu pulled away, he smirked. “Never a dull moment with you, M’Lady,” he declared. And then he stepped back into the shadows of the banquet hall. Hardly anyone seemed to notice the mercenary’s departure. Save for Baki, who followed Mangetsu’s path until he was completely out of sight.

The banquet went on. Sakura made small talk here and there. Some diplomats came to greet her. She spoke for as long was polite, dismissing them when they overstayed their welcome. During some lulls, she managed to exchange a few words with Consort Hoki. And though the woman was cautious, Sakura grasped at least part of her situation. Especially when Suigetsu showed up halfway through the night.

“I’m hungry,” he complained.

Sakura rolled her eyes. She tossed him a dried apricot without looking back at him.

“So?” she asked.

When Consort Hoki looked at him, Suigetsu stared right back. He winked. She unfolded her fan, waving it in front of her face as she averted her gaze.

“Nothing much,” answered Suigetsu. He took a big bite of the apricot. Made a noise of approval before he tossed the rest into his mouth. He reached over Sakura’s shoulder for another.

He gestured with his chin toward the opposite end of the table. His voice dipped low so only she could hear.

“Couple of local merchants are thinking of overcharging you for some ‘exotic goods’. It’s all shit, honestly,” Suigetsu informed her. And then he nodded toward a servant girl who had just knelt to pour some wine. “That one says Concubine Deba threw a tantrum when she found out Consort Hoki was coming to the banquet tonight and not her.”

“A tantrum? What do you mean?” asked Sakura. She took a sip of her wine. When Suigetsu slung an arm over her shoulder, she glared at him. Suigetsu withdrew his arm with a chuckle.

“Throwing some things. Broke a vase or something. I think she beat a servant too,” he replied.

And then he nudged Sakura with his elbow. “He’s looking. You should probably grab me.”

“What?”

“Grab me like I just pissed you off,” Suigetsu insisted.

“You often irritate me. So it won’t be too difficult,” Sakura answered.

But even Suigetsu flinched a when Sakura’s hand shot out. She grabbed his face, fingers pushing his cheeks together.

“Like this?” she asked.

Suigetsu laughed a little. “Someone’s looking cranky.”

Sakura curled her upper lip. And for just a moment, Suigetsu’s smile faded. Hands tensing as he prepared for a real fight.

But then Sakura gave him a light shove as she released him.

“How does he look now?” she wondered.

“Like he might explode. See for yourself,” Suigetsu answered. He grabbed another handful of apricots and gave her a wink before he slunk back into the shadows.

Sakura glanced up just in time to catch Baki’s fierce stare. But when he saw her looking, he was quick to put on a smile. Beside him, Consort Hoki was watching her husband from behind her fan. When she caught Sakura’s gaze, she looked elsewhere again.

“Is everything alright?” Baki called down the table.

“Yes. Everything is just fine,” she assured him.

Which was the truth.

Because Sakura had confirmed that Prince Baki did seem to have an odd possessive streak. Made even more odd by the fact that he had absolutely no right to feel possessive over her of all people.

But the second thing Sakura noted was that while the relationship between Prince Baki and Consort Hoki was strained, it didn’t seem like the indifference was mutual.

She became even more certain of this when Baki’s guest, whose name she had already forgotten, asked about the other places in the Arids she had visit so far.

“Princess Mei invited me to visit Hilal just before this,” Sakura answered.

“Ah, Princess Mei,” the man repeated. He snorted a little.

Baki’s eyes narrowed. “She’s a good ruler,” he said to his guest. The other man’s smile faltered.

Consort Hoki’s hand tightened around her glass.

Sakura spoke up. “Princess Mei spoke well of you.”

At this, the prince’s face softened. Baki chuckled. “Of course. She never has anything bad to say about anyone,” he remarked. “She’s a good woman.”

Consort Hoki’s eyes suddenly looked like daggers. It almost knocked the breath out of Sakura. And when those daggers turned to her, Sakura felt a piece fall into place that she hadn’t even been looking for.

“I see,” Sakura said, looking right at Consort Hoki.

Smiling, Sakura leaned back on one hand.

“I see,” she said again, trying not to laugh.

As the night went on, wine continued to flow. A steady stream of dancers and singers kept the banquet lively. Every once in a while, Sakura looked down the table to check on her cousins. She even caught Gaara laughing a few times, which was nice. The color was starting to return to his face. He looked less and less like a wilting flower with each day he was apart from his father. The guilt twisted in her gut again as she recalled how long it had taken her to send that man away. The feeling twisted harder when Gaara looked up and beamed at her.

“General.”

Sakura turned toward the voice. It was Baki. Smiling with his mouth.

“You seem troubled,” he noted.

When Sakura glanced toward her cousins again, they were all watching her now. Even Kankuro, who had been absorbed in a conversation, was staring her way as he spoke.

“Yes. Just making sure my family is comfortable,” answered Sakura.

“You’ve no need to worry, General. Do I seem like the kind of man to neglect his guests?”

They laughed. But there was an edge to Sakura’s smile as she replied. “Is my concern for my family a slight on your honor, Prince?”

Prince Baki’s eyes widened. He seemed at a loss for words until another laugh boomed out of him.

“You’re too serious, General! Lighten up a little,” Baki chuckled.

Kankuro’s eyes narrowed. Gaara gripped his upper arm. He leaned in to whisper something in his older brother’s ear.

When Baki found Sakura still watching her cousins, his smile waned.

“Besides, General, you coddle them. The boy, especially. It’s no wonder he’s like that,” Baki added. This time, he met Gaara’s eyes. Lips parting in a sneer.

Temari stretched her neck to one side. Then the other. As her tongue rolled across the inside of her cheek, Sakura caught her gaze. Sakura shook her head. Temari’s jaw clenched, but she stayed in her seat.

“Like what, Prince Baki?” Sakura asked.

Baki’s eyes were still fixed on Gaara as he replied.

“Like a boy. Not a man.”

Up until then, the banquet hall had been filled with chatter and laughter. The sounds of bracelets jangling and silverware scraping across plates had covered up most private conversations.

But all fell silent when Sakura slammed her hand down on the table. Rattling the plates and sending a few cups toppling. Wine soaked into the fine tablecloth.

“Are you insulting my family, Prince Baki?” demanded Sakura.

Only then did Baki look at her again. His smirk died as he saw how her eyes burned.

“Oh, General, we’re all family here. I only speak out of concern for the boy,” he said, waving a careless hand, as if to brush her anger aside. “Come now. You’re spoiling the mood.”

Sakura’s hand tightened into a fist. She took a deep breath through her nostrils.

“It is you who has spoiled the mood tonight, Prince Baki,” Sakura responded. Her stare flickered over to her cousins. Especially to the way both Gaara and Kankuro had grabbed onto Temari’s arm and shoulder. They had probably stopped her from lunging across the table.

It took Sakura by surprise when she felt a hand rest on top of hers. When she looked down, it was Consort Hoki’s hand that had crept out past her embroidered sleeve.

“I beg your forgiveness, General. My lord husband has had much to drink tonight,” Consort Hoki murmured. But her eyes weren’t apologetic as they stared at Sakura from above her veil. Instead, they were heavy with meaning as she continued speaking.

“It must be the wine that has twisted his tongue. I’m certain that those are not his true feelings.”

At this, Prince Baki’s expression twisted.

“Who are you to speak for me?” he rebuked. But Consort Hoki did not flinch or shrink away. She regarded Baki with the same calm before she returned her gaze to Sakura.

Sakura pulled her hand away from Consort Hoki’s.

“I certainly hope you are correct. I believe I’ve had enough for tonight,” Sakura announced. She turned to Baki’s guest, whose eyes darted back and forth.

“Congratulations. I will be taking my leave now,” Sakura declared. And as she spoke, her cousins rose to their feet with her.

All eyes were on Sakura as she stepped away from the table. Mangetsu fell into step behind her, as if he had always been there. When Sakura reached her cousins, she saw Gaara hold his hand out to her. Sakura grasped it. Laced her fingers with his as they continued along. She didn’t look back to check Baki’s expression. She didn’t need to. Not when Suigetsu met them at the door. There was a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“Oh, you’ve done it now, M’Lady,” Suigetsu whispered with glee.

“Later,” was all Sakura said as they stepped out of the silent banquet hall.

++++

“You’ve spelled this wrong again,” Ino said. She tapped her nail against the parchment. Haku stood at the foot of her bed, folding linens into neat rectangles. He stacked them on top of each other. He plucked his sleeves straight as he made his way over to Ino.

“Which word, Your Ladyship?” Haku queried.

“Consequence. It’s q-u-e, not q-e-u,” explained Ino. She ran her nail along the letters to show him. “You made the same mistake last time.” She began fanning herself. A lock of her hair fluttered against her ear. She brushed it away.

Haku smiled. He bowed.

“I beg your pardon, Lady Ino. Thank you for your instruction,” he replied.

Ino’s lower lip jutted out. She snapped her fan shut. “You don’t have to be like that, you know,” she pointed out.

Haku’s eyes widened.

“Like what, Your Ladyship?”

Ino huffed. “I’m not mad at you. It’s so you’ll fix your mistake.”

And then she snapped her fan open. Waving it in front of herself a little faster. “Sakura would throw a fit if she saw you acting like that. You’re one of her people now. You should really only apologize to her,” she added.

Haku looked down. Hands folded in front of him. He tried to speak. Hesitated.

Ino eyed him for a moment. She lowered her fan. Let it rest in her lap. Leaning her cheek on her hand, she sighed. “You can just say it, you know. I’m not the kind of person to go tattling your every word to the Admiral or something,” Ino assured him.

Haku peeked up at her with big eyes. His mouth puckered to one side. Hands twisting together, he finally spoke.

“People keep saying that. That since I’m Lady Sakura’s. But… I’m not really sure what that means. I’m trying my best to be useful. Yet I’m unsure whether that’s enough,” he confessed.

Ino squinted at him. She gestured for him to come closer, and when he did, she pointed at the empty chair across from her. Haku, still wringing his hands, slowly sunk into the seat.

“I recall you being so cheerful and sweet when Sakura was around. When did you become so gloomy?” Ino lamented.

Haku’s shoulders drooped. “I apolo-”

“Stop that. There you go again,” Ino interrupted.

She leaned on her elbow. And then she pointed at him.

“Here’s what it means to be in the service of someone powerful,” she suddenly announced. Haku stared at her.

“You might be a servant, but you directly serve the most powerful family in the nation. The only person above a duke is the king or queen, and your mistress is the daughter of the last queen,” explained Ino.

“But… the Hyuuga family also…” Haku interjected.

Ino’s eyebrows rose. She lowered her hand.

“I’ve been studying under Miss Shizune. Because there’s so much I don’t know,” he fumbled to explain.

Ino smiled a little.

“Okay, yes, the Hyuuga’s are also from a line of dukes. But that doesn’t matter. Sakura should be queen. You serve the person who should be queen. Do you get that?” Ino lectured.

Haku nodded.

“That also means that you are above all the servants of all those other families. You will be Sakura’s steward. Her right hand in running the household. You’re not just some nobody,” Ino laid it out for him.

“But I’m just-”

“It doesn’t matter. To be Sakura’s means that you’re up there now. So stop worrying about other people. Stop worrying about being good enough. She wouldn’t have put you here if she thought you wouldn’t live up to her standards,” she scolded him, rapping her fan against the table.

Ino then gestured all around.

“I don’t know what you did before you came here, but things are different now. When Sakura is Queen, you’ll be the right hand of a queen. You shouldn’t be skulking around bowing to every idiot that sets foot in the palace,” she then added.

Her eyes followed Haku as he got to his feet. He took the stack of folded linens and finished putting them away in the armoire.

They were inside one of the guest rooms in Kurenai’s villa. Ino had heard a merchant’s passing comment about the private residence on the northern coast of the island. Kurenai had been more than happy to give her a tour of the modest building. There were several servants maintaining the place. Even so, Haku had insisted upon accompanying Ino on the horseback ride up.

“You should have one of the guards escort you back. And go before it gets dark,” Ino reminded him as he finished preparing her room. One of the other servants could easily accomplished the task. But Haku insisted on doing it himself. Fluffing the pillows to Ino’s liking. Leaving her cloak draped over the back of a chair just the way she liked it.

“I’ll be fine, Your Ladyship. I can ride a horse. Or I can ask one of the merchants to let me ride on his cart,” Haku assured her as he finished hanging her clothes so they wouldn’t wrinkle. The wooden hangers clicked against each other.

But Ino’s mouth puckered. She put her fists on her hips.

“I know Sakura asked you to watch over me. But did you know that she asked me to take care of you too?” Ino declared.

Haku’s hands stilled. He peered at her past the open door of the armoire.

“…Very well, Lady Ino. I will ask a guard to escort me,” he relented.

Ino grinned, leaning on her elbow as she answered: “Excellent. But not before we have some tea. I’m famished.”

Across the island, an elbow connected with Kisame’s shoulder.

“Who was that? I’ll slice you open,” Kisame growled, already on his feet. But he lowered his sword when he realized it was just Zabuza.

“It’s rare for you to fall asleep out in the open like this,” Zabuza commented as he sat down across from Kisame. He grunted, swinging his arm back to rest on the back of the chair.

Kisame yawned, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Chojuro?” Zabuza asked.

Kisame yawned again. “Out,” he answered.

And when Zabuza looked around the dingy tavern, Kisame spoke again.

“Kushimaru’s watching the prince.”

Zabuza leaned back in his seat. He ruffled a hand through his hair.

“So? What did you want to ask me?” demanded Zabuza.

Both men cast a look around the room. Kisame scrutinized the bartender, who nodded in return. The bartender then untied his apron as he began muttering about getting more ale from the cellar. He disappeared into the back room, footsteps clomping across squeaky floorboards.

“That weird boat the fishermen were talking about yesterday. I saw it,” Kisame said, his voice just loud enough for the other man to hear.

Zabuza squinted. “So?”

Kisame said nothing. He tapped his knuckles against the worn table. Leaning back in his seat, he sighed.

“S’no merchant vessel. That’s for sure. Way too small,” he stated.

“It’s a big island. People can visit for other reasons,” Zabuza pointed out.

“It hasn’t docked. It just keeps circling around,” Kisame added. And Zabuza’s mouth pulled down.

“Alright. Strange,” Zabuza finally agreed.

“I saw it head up north this morning. I need you to go check on it,” Kisame then said.

Zabuza bristled.

“You do it,” he snapped.

Another yawn pulled Kisame’s mouth open. He rubbed away the moisture that squeezed out past his eyelids.

“Been up all night tracking that damn ship. I need to sleep. Besides, I hear the General’s little bird headed up that way not too long ago.” A grin pulled at Kisame’s mouth. His smirk only widened as he watched Zabuza get to his feet.

“Fine,” Zabuza grumbled. He grabbed his cloak, along with his sword.

“Ah, to be in love,” Kisame teased, cupping one hand around his mouth.

Zabuza paused at the door. He looked back at Kisame, unsmiling as ever. He opened his mouth, like he was going to say something. Shaking his head, he pushed the door open.

As Zabuza made his way north, Ino threw her head back and laughed.

“You’re joking!”

Haku shook his head.

“She picked him up by the back of his shirt and threw him out,” Haku insisted.

Ino clapped her hands, almost cackling.

“Oh, I wish I could have seen that myself,” she sighed.

They exchanged a smile. And then their heads turned as the door opened.

Kurenai stepped in, draped in silk and jewels. A long pipe balanced in her fingers.

“Haku, dear, why don’t you bring us some refreshments? And bring enough for yourself as well,” Kurenai ordered.

Haku got to his feet. He pulled the chair out a little further for her. And then he made his way out of the room.

Kurenai smiled after him.

“Such a sweet little dove,” she murmured. She sank into the chair, earrings tinkling with the movement. Then she tilted her head as she looked to Ino.

“What do you think?” Kurenai then asked, gesturing all around.

Ino clasped her hands together. “It’s all so romantic. I would love to live in a place like these,” she gushed.

Kurenai’s expression warmed. She took a puff of her pipe. Blue wisps trailed from her mouth. She turned her head to exhale to the side.

“My son is still unwed. I would give this residence to you if you marry him,” Kurenai offered.

Ino’s hands fell into her lap. She grimaced.

“My answer is still ‘no’, Your Highness,” Ino responded. She wrinkled her nose. “The Admiral is a good man, but just not the husband I’d envisioned.”

Kurenai just gave her a mild smile.

“I thought you’d say as much. Pity. I’d love a smart girl like you as a daughter-in-law. I can’t force you, however,” Kurenai relented. She crossed her wrists in her lap. Gold bracelets tinkling together with each movement.

Kurenai examined Ino. Ino pretended not to notice, as was polite. She fiddled with her hair instead.

“I have something for you, my dear girl,” Kurenai announced after some time.

Ino glanced up at her from beneath her long eyelashes. But the coyness disappeared from her gaze as she watched Kurenai pull something glinting from her cloak.

“Oh… I… is that… a knife?” Ino fumbled.

Kurenai’s mouth pulled up at the corners. “A dagger,” she corrected.

“Ah,” was all Ino said in response. She just stared at it as Kurenai set it on the table.

“It’s one of my lighter ones. I received this one from my mother when I was a little girl,” explained Kurenai.

Ino’s eyes widened. “Then, this is from…”

“Yes, queen before my sister. Queen Chiyo,” Kurenai concluded for her.

“It’s very light. Easy to handle. A good dagger for beginners,” Kurenai then listed.

Ino blinked several times. “I couldn’t possibly accept this, Your Highness. It’s too valuable. And…” As Ino trailed off, Kurenai’s eyes sharpened.

“Are you frightened of holding a blade?” guessed Kurenai.

Ino nodded.

“Oh, nonsense. This is just in case you’re in danger. Start waving one of these around and it can buy you enough time for someone to come running. From my experience, very few people are determined to stand in the way of a pretty woman with a knife,” Kurenai assured her, a smile returning to her face.

“Still… this is so precious… How could I dare to take this?” Ino hedged. She inched her hand toward the handle. Then pulled her hand back.

“I think it would put my heart at ease, as well as that of my niece, to know that you do not walk unarmed, Lady Ino,” Kurenai stated.

Ino’s lip twitched. She watched as Kurenai picked up the weapon instead. She mimed a few slices, the sharpened edge splitting the air. She then slid the blade back into the scabbard. She handed it to Ino. With the scabbard on, it didn’t look like such a frightening thing.

Ino’s fingers curled around the handle.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Ino uttered. She clutched the weapon against her breast.

Kurenai beamed.

“Of course, my dear. How could I do any less for my niece’s cherished friend?” Kurenai replied.

It wasn’t long before Haku returned with their tea and snacks. The plates barely made a sound as he set the golden tray down on the table. As he began setting the food and drinks in front of them, he paused. Gaze drifting towards the window.

“What is it?” questioned Kurenai. She followed his stare.

Haku straightened, hand resting on his hip.

“How odd. I thought merchant ships didn’t come around this area,” he remarked. He tilted his head a little. “It… looks like they’re moving to dock here,” he then observed.

Kurenai’s expression didn’t change. She reached toward Haku, pulling the boy closer.

“Go get someone. Just in case,” she murmured in his ear. She waited for Haku to look her in the eyes. Only when he nodded did she release him.

Haku finished setting the table, hands steady and smooth. Ino’s eyes flickered toward the window too. She craned her neck, trying to follow the path of the small ship.

Haku bowed before he slowly made his way out of the room.

Kurenai took her tea. She wafted the steam towards herself. Ino stare at her cup. She bit her lower lip.

“Should we…. go? Couldn’t they be dangerous?” Ino wondered. She slowly moved to her feet.

But Kurenai didn’t move from her seat. She took another drag from her pipe.

“Oh no, my sweet girl. We must stay here to greet our guests,” answered Kurenai. “They could simply be envoys.” She scrutinized Ino through the blue smoke that trailed out of her mouth. Kurenai tilted her head to the other side.

“It’s alright. People like us have no need to fear,” Kurenai then added. She pushed the plate of cookies closer to Ino. And Kurenai rewarded her with a smile when Ino finally took one. Ino returned the expression before she took a nibble.

It didn’t take long for the small ship to dock. The guards on post approached, their spears held up in warning. A few more guards joined them. They spoke for a long time. Casting glances back towards the large building they guarded.

After a long while, two men in brown cloaks began trudging up the dock. Guards followed them, their shoulders tense. Kurenai followed their path, taking leisurely puffs of her pipe. She leaned to one side. And then she smiled at Ino.

“Put on a happy face, sweet girl. They’re here,” she announced.

Ino gulped down her tea and did so. A perfect noble lady. Composed even in the face of the unknown.

An attendant knocked on the door a few minutes later.

“You may enter,” Kurenai called.

The servant who entered had been with their family for many years. She knew the meaning of Kurenai’s smile and the sharp clink as she set her spoon down on the saucer.

“I beg pardon, Mistress. Diplomats from the mainland have arrived. They claim to have an appointment with you,” she reported.

Kurenai’s expression brightened. “They do not. But send them in anyway. I’m curious to see what this is all about,” she replied.

Ino cast her a nervous look but kept quiet.

The men who shuffled into the salon were dressed in finery. But they lacked the posture or confidence.

“Gentlemen,” Kurenai greeted them.

There were no chairs prepared for them, The men stood. One of them twisted his hands together. The other stood with his hands clasped behind him.

“Greetings, Your Grace,” one of them replied.

Ino’s eyebrows rose. She took a sip of her tea to hide her mouth as it pulled into a line.

Even stranger for diplomats not to know the face of the duchess.

“What brings you here, good sirs?” Kurenai questioned with a polite smile.

“We’ve been sent on behalf of our employer to escort Lady Ino back to her family, Your Grace.”

Ino’s eyes widened. She gulped down her tea, suppressing a cough.

Kurenai scrutinized the men. “And under whose authority? Who is this employer of yours?” she demanded.

The two men exchanged a nervous look. One of them then spoke.

“We were given instructions. But we were told that our employer is to remain a mystery,” he answered.

“It should be a simple matter. It must be Lady Ino’s mother or father? Who else would be so desperate to send a ship uninvited to another’s territory?” Kurenai guessed, keeping her tone light. She dropped a cube of sugar in her tea. It hit the bottom of the cup with a sharp plink.

“I don’t know you. Neither of you work for my father. And where’s your heraldry if you do?” Ino spoke for the first time.

Kurenai’s eyes narrowed.

“Why don’t you lower your hoods and present yourselves properly?”

“We were told to move with haste or we would not be paid. I’m afraid Lady Ino will need to come with us,” the man insisted. He took a step toward Ino, who flinched.

“Oh, come now, gentlemen. There’s no need to rush,” Kurenai insisted.

But as the man took another step, Ino jumped out of her seat.

“Stay away from me!” she exclaimed. And then her head whipped around. “Guards!” she called.

“Alright, that’s enough out of you,” the other man grunted. He lunged forward, grabbing Ino’s forearm. She shrieked, clawing at his face with her free hand. Kurenai jumped up too. When he ignored her demands to release the girl, Kurenai doused him in her lukewarm tea. It did little to deter him.

“Your Highness! Help me!” Ino screamed as she tried to twist in the strange man’s grasp.

Kurenai lunged. She grabbed the man’s cloak, and then his hair, pulling as hard as she could.

The other man threw himself into the fray. He grabbed Kurenai around the waist and yanked her away. She kicked and she swore at the both of them. Ino sobbed, still slapping at her captor.

“Let’s get this one on the boat. Before the guards get here,” the man holding Ino grunted. And as he yanked Ino closer, there was a wet squelch.

His eyes widened.

“I’m sorry,” Ino whispered.

The handle of a beautiful dagger protruded from his gut. The golden handle, inlaid with sparkling jewels, looked so odd against the rough fabric of his shirt. A dark red stain bloomed from where the blade disappeared into his body.

“I’m sorry,” Ino said again. She took a step back. The man’s hands released her, falling to his stomach instead.

The second man took in a sharp breath.

“What did y-”

And before he could finish his sentence, Kurenai jammed her elbow into his throat. He fell to the ground, wheezing. Kurenai grabbed the vase of flowers off the table and brought it down on his head. The porcelain shattered.

The room fell silent except for Ino’s panicked gasps.

Kurenai stared down at the man for a long time. She nudged the man with her foot. She watched his chest rise and fall in a ragged breath.

“This one’s alive,” was all she announced.

And then she turned to Ino.

There was blood on the front of her silk dress. She stood shivering, arms limp at her sides.

The man lay at her feet, unmoving. The puddle of his blood slowly soaking into the carpet.

“My girl, are you alright?” Kurenai asked.

And as if the sound pulled her from her stupor, Ino burst into tears.

“Oh, Your Highness, what have I done?” Ino gasped. She touched her face. Recoiled when she realized that there was blood on her fingers.

“Quickly! This way! Someone screamed!” a voice shouted from outside. Footsteps began stamping their way down the corridor.

Kurenai’s head whipped around to the closed door. Then back to Ino.

Crossing the room, Kurenai grabbed Ino by the head. She yanked at her braids and tangled the hair between her fingers. She slapped at Ino’s left cheek until it turned red, ignoring the girl’s sobbing. Her eyes darted over the girl’s body. And then she grabbed Ino’s sleeve and pulled until it tore. She grabbed at her skirts too, tugging until the seams ripped and the pearls went scattering across the carpet.

Kurenai grabbed Ino’s hands and pulled her close.

“Ino. Ino. Listen to me,” Kurenai hissed. She shook the girl until she finally opened her eyes.

“Just do as I say. Let me handle everything. You don’t have to say anything to anyone, alright?” Kurenai whispered.

Ino stared at her.

“Alright?” Kurenai repeated, shaking her again.

Ino slowly nodded.

“Good girl,” Kurenai sighed.

Kurenai released Ino. Looked over herself for a moment. She ran rough hands through her hair and tugged at her dress until it sat askew on her body.

The double doors burst open. Guards stormed in, their spears pointed in every direction.

Kurenai threw her arms around Ino, hiding the girl’s face in her dress.

“What is the purpose of having so many of you!” Kurenai bellowed. She pointed an accusatory finger at the guards. Then at the two bodies on the ground.

“I should have all of your heads!” she then snapped.

The guards immediately bowed.

“We beg your forgiveness, Your Highness. This oversight on our part is unforgivable,” one of them responded.

And Ino, her face pressed to Kurenai’s dress, was thankful that she didn’t have to see that body again. Thankful that she could sit quietly as Kurenai explained how the two men had assaulted them without warning.

“Why were two of you not posted directly outside my door?” Kurenai snapped.

Ino couldn’t hear their answer as she looked down at her hand. Saw the smear of blood on the side of her finger. She felt sick to her stomach. She turned her hand over. Saw more blood, too dark, too wet against her skin. She burst into tears again.

“Oh, you poor thing. You must have been so terrified,” Kurenai crooned. She patted Ino’s tangled hair, swaying them back and forth.

“What… is this mess?” a man’s voice came from the doorway. There was a crunch as he stepped on a shard of the broken vase.

“This one is still alive. I want him locked up and questioned. Clean the rest of this up. I don’t want to see it,” Kurenai ordered.

“Right away,” a few different voices replied.

Two of the guards murmured something. They counted together before they grunted in unison.

Ino felt like her head might split in two. She could barely see past her tears as someone helped her to her feet.

“Come, My Lady. Let’s get you out of here,” an unfamiliar voice murmured.

And it didn’t matter who it was. Or where they were going. Kurenai’s hands released hers. Cool and smelling of flowers. Not at all like the blood that was pooling all along the floor.

++++

A dry wind whistled above the courtyard. The stone walls of the Viper’s Fang shielded them from the bits of sand that would have blown through.

Sakura set her cup down on the table. The taste of mint filled her mouth as she looked toward the doors.

“She’s late,” grumbled Temari.

“Nobles usually are,” Kankuro sighed in response.

“Perhaps she isn’t coming,” suggested Gaara. He watched as Kankuro picked up a bit of flatbread, topped it with a piece of cheese and a dab of jam. Kankuro put the same ingredients together, and then he held it up to Temari. She opened her mouth to let him feed her.

“Well, she should hurry. I want to go to the bath house before it gets too crowded,” Temari griped after she swallowed her food. She fanned herself with her hand.

“The food here is divine, but what I wouldn’t give to swim in the ocean right now,” sighed Kankuro.

Gaara and Temari sighed along with him.

“It’s no wonder some of us fled across the sea. It must have been this heat,” Sakura agreed. And then she lifted her head as she heard a distant noise. Several seconds later, Azra stepped outside. She hurried across the courtyard to whisper that Consort Hoki had arrived.

Sakura nodded at her.

Azra hurried back inside to escort the guest.

Consort Hoki was dressed in a simple gown. A cool blue with few jewels. And only one attendant trailed her as she took slow, easy steps across the stone.

Sakura took all these details in without comment.

She rose to her feet when the consort approached. Her cousins followed her example.

“Good morning, Consort Hoki. Your arrival is lovely,” Sakura greeted her.

Consort Hoki dipped her head. “Thank you for your hospitality. I am honored,” she recited in return.

It took a moment for everyone to settle in their spots around the table. Consort Hoki’s attendant stepped back and disappeared into the shadows. As if she had never arrived in the first place.

Azra and Esma poured the consort a fresh cup of tea. A place had already been set at the table for her. Esma even turned the handle of the cup so that it rested just by the consort’s waiting hand.

“I hope these two have been serving you well, General,” Consort Hoki commented as she watched the twins work.

“They’ve been splendid. I cannot complain,” replied Sakura.

Consort Hoki lifted her tea to her nose. Inhaled the fragrance. “And yet you ask for another,” she commented before she took a sip.

Temari’s smile dropped.

“That is testament to your poor management of the harem, rather than to my personal greed, Consort Hoki,” answered Sakura.

Gaara tensed. His gaze darted between the two women.

That was, until Consort Hoki laughed.

“You are as they say, General. Direct in your speech,” the consort noted.

Sakura pulled her sleeve back. Her bangles had tangled together. They made music as she freed them from the twist, clattering together.

“Well, then let me be even more candid with you. I have absolutely no interest in your husband. But I do want that servant girl,” Sakura declared.

Consort Hoki’s smile waned. “No interest?” she repeated. “He seems quite set on you, General. There are even talks of having you elevated to the status of second concubine.”

It was Sakura’s turn to laugh. But it was a sharper sound. And her head didn’t move. Just her mouth turning up at the corners.

“Oh. To have the unwarranted confidence of a man,” Sakura remarked.

Consort Hoki’s expression shifted. She leaned in a little closer.

“Then why accept his invitations? Why accept his attention?” The bitterness bled into her words. Even if she hadn’t meant for it to. “If you’re so intelligent, General, you should know what that does to a man like my husband.”

Sakura’s smile widened. Ice in her voice as she replied.

“What it does? To accept diplomacy? You accuse me of seducing your husband. Yet you fail to find fault in a man who lusts after anything with breasts,” scoffed Sakura.

Consort Hoki stiffened.

“How many women does he have in his harem? Yet he is unsatisfied,” Sakura went on. And then she looked Consort Hoki right in the eyes. “And you are unsatisfied.”

Consort Hoki’s hands clenched.

“You speak of troubles you know not of, General. An unmarried woman cannot possibly know what it’s like…” she ground out in return. Her voice trembling and eyes filled with heat.

Sakura touched her finger to her jaw. Tilting her head to one side.

“True enough. But I’ve seen men. I’ve killed men. And I’ve dealt with enough men to know that they’re quite predictable,” Sakura retorted. Her gaze trailed back to the consort.

“That you sit here yipping in anger at me, while that man lounges in a harem that you have failed to take control of…. speaks volumes, Consort Hoki,” Sakura then added. Twisting the knife a little harder.

Consort Hoki flinched. Her head fell toward her chest. And as Sakura observed her face from this closely, she began to search past the kohl and the foundation. All of the layers of color were hiding something she had never noticed before.

“You’re… younger than me, aren’t you?” Sakura suddenly realized.

Swiping tears out of her eyes, the consort lifted her chin.

“I’m an adult! I’ll be 20 next summer,” she spat back.

Kankuro dropped his cheese.

“You’re… barely older than me,” Gaara whispered.

“Prince Baki must be twice your age,” Temari also remarked.

“You’re a child,” Sakura declared. She lowered her arms, sitting up straight now.

She caught the way Azra and Esma stared at her. When they met her gaze, they looked down at the ground.

“Oh,” Sakura sighed as her plans collapsed into dust. She rubbed the heels of her hands into her closed eyes. “No wonder. No wonder you have no strength in this place.”

Lowering her hands, Sakura looked at the consort again. “How old were you when you married? 15? 16?” she interrogated.

“…16,” came the terse response.

“Is that normal?” demanded Sakura, looking over at her cousins.

“No,” Kankuro spat.

“Reprehensible,” Temari grumbled, not-quite under her breath.

Consort Hoki rubbed one of her arms, eyes fixed on the table. “My parents were going to send my sister instead. She was 14. I insisted on going in her place,” she recounted.

Sakura rubbed both hands over her face before dropping them into her lap.

“Why would you do that?” Sakura inquired. “Both proposals are terrible.”

Consort Hoki lifted her chin. “The eastern kingdoms have been at war for many years. Trade has been difficult enough as is. Opening up a route to the west was the only way our nation could survive. My parents didn’t like it either. But they begged one of us to accept the proposal.” Tears dripped into her lap as she spoke.

Sakura didn’t know what to do. She thought about what she had seen other people do in situations like this. She glanced over at Temari. Temari mimed wiping tears on her face.

The consort blinked when she felt Sakura push a handkerchief into her fist. She stared at the white silk. And then she used it to dab at her eyes. It came away stained tan and black.

“This union was just for the trade rights. His Highness has never laid a hand on me. I should be so grateful for my situation,” Consort Hoki confessed. She wiped her eyes again. The kohl smeared around her eyelashes.

“I’m a consort in name only. No one respects me. The harem ridicules me and steals my funds. I’m no one in this place. Even to my own husband,” Consort Hoki then said before she pressed her mouth into a thin line.

Consort Hoki wept as quietly as she existed. Shoulders trembling. Head bent low to hide her face.

Sakura felt her jaw clench. And when she looked up, she saw that tears were streaming down Esma’s cheeks too.

She leaned her cheek on her fist as she wracked her brain. Shook her head a little at how complicated this had all become.

“I do hate to be obtuse like this. But, I must ask…” Sakura hedged. She waited for the consort to lift her head a little. “Do you… love Prince Baki?”

Kankuro tilted his head back and uttered an obscene word when Consort Hoki nodded.

Sakura rubbed her temple. Closed her eyes to take a deep breath. And when she opened them, she motioned to Azra and Esma.

“Dry your tears and go fetch your mistress something sweet from the kitchen,” Sakura commanded.

The twins froze. But Sakura flapped her hand more insistently.

“I already know you were spying for her. Just go now. I’ll be angry with you two later,” Sakura insisted.

The twins cast a nervous look around the room. When Temari nodded, they bowed before they ran across the courtyard, back inside.

“Consort Hoki-” Sakura began.

“Shijima,” the girl croaked. She blew her nose into the handkerchief. When she lifted her chin, her eyes were swollen and smeared black with kohl. But she offered a tremulous smile. “You might as well call me by my name. I’m not much of a consort.”

Sakura felt something twinge inside her chest.

“Shijima,” Sakura repeated.

She remembered being 19. How the title “General” still felt alien. How everyone expected her to be an adult when she still felt so small. Even with her aunt and her cousins by her side, it had been a lonely fight.

“Shijima,” Sakura said again. She folded her arms across her chest. “I need you to look at me.”

Shijima sniffled. Slowly, she raised her head again. Still hiccuping. Still with tears dripping down her cheeks.

“My dear, to be frank with you, the sole purpose of my visit here was to receive the troops that Prince Baki has promised me. I have no interest in that man otherwise,” Sakura promised her. “But now I cannot leave this place before I know what I can do for you.”

Shijima shook her head. “Oh no, General. I’m… I couldn’t.”

Sakura reached across the table. She grabbed Shijima’s free hand. The girl’s eyes widened.

“You listen to me, little bird. That fool husband of yours calls me ‘cousin’. Then you, as his wife, are also my cousin,” Sakura stated.

“Now. Ask your cousin for help,” Sakura ordered.

Shijima squeezed her eyes shut. Black tears falling into her lap now.

“How can I ask? How can anyone fix this for me?” she whimpered.

To Sakura’s surprise, Gaara got out of his seat. He moved around the table. Kneeling at Shijima’s side, he put his hand on top of her other hand.

“Ask her. She will do it for you,” he murmured.

It took a long time. Especially since Shijima cried even harder at those words. But after several minutes, she managed a shaky:

“Please help me, cousin.”

Sakura gave her a faint smile. She squeezed her hand in hers.

“There we go, my girl. Leave it to me,” she promised.

When Sakura looked around the room, she rethought her words.

“Leave it to us,” Sakura corrected herself.

++++

< Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 >

#amaryllis #fanfiction #itasaku #haruno sakura #courtly intrigue! au

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dandyvespa · 4 years

Text

Hello everyone

Since the Produce series is now in shambles, I still continue to be survival show trash and would like some other mutuals to join my crackhead addiction. If you haven’t heard of Youth with You, it is the Chinese version of Produce that uses similar formatting. The judges of the latest season—which this time has girls competing to form a 9-member girl group—include Ella Chen, Jony J, Cai Xukun, and Lisa of Blackpink. Not only are the mentors astounding, but the participants are incredibly talented starting out that nearly all of them deserve to debut. In fact i would say it rivals with or dare I say is better than the original Produce series. In addition to this the show invites girls of different styles, weights, backgrounds, and androgynous looks making the show a lot more diverse and fleshed out from the typical female idol look. If you guys haven’t started it and are interested in something a bit more fresh to quell the pain of losing the Korean Produce series, I would highly recommend watching it. For those who are all caught up, please let us fangirl together over these competitors. Down below are my current top 9 and brief reasoning for each.

NOTE: It was very hard to pick a top 9 and honestly i would still rearrange this later on because it’s still too early in the game. I have way too many favorites for this season T.T. That being said I have no particular order for these gals.

——————————————————————

1. Xiaotang Zhao

The girl is hilarious so don’t let her resting bitch face fool you. She is so friendly and easygoing and I love her don’t-give-fuck attitude and because of that she’s so real and open to her thoughts regardless of backlash. She’s odd, but there is no doubt that she is talented. She’s been dancing since childhood and her skill shows on stage. Not to mention she is pretty good at rapping.

2. Yan Yu

Another “cold” looking person. But listen I would risk it all for her. She is beautiful, her body is goals, she is actually a goofabll off stage, is really caring of her teammates, loves her family despite teasing them occasionally, and her vocals are P O W E R F U L. She has the most stunning expressions and the way she stares into your soul when she gets into stage character? *dies* Plus she has proven to adapt to any concept, be it serving that cold girl crush look or a more delicate cute style. I hope people begin to realize that later on in the season.

3. Babymonster An Qi

This right here. This little pepper? She is fiery. She has incredible dance skills and charisma on stage. She is goofy and loves to eat a lot and nothing warms me more than seeing trainees/idols just eat well disregarding strict diets placed on them. She is also great at getting her teammates to familiarize and better their dance moves and has great leadership quality in that field. She is well prepared and knows what she wants and goes for it, and with that I know she will debut.

4. Frhanm Shangguan

Ohohoho Frhanm Shangguan is indeed the W H O L E fucking package. Miss most competent girl of Youth with You Season 3. I still watch her audition clip religiously to this day. The girl can not only sing, rap, dance, and possess a stage like no other, but she redefines the idea of how female idols should look. She loves herself, from her weight to her hair to her overall confidence. She screams positivity, acceptance, and big sister energy. She believes all girls can do anything they put their mind too and she is such a hard worker and motivator for all girls in the season. I’m straight up calling it out right now that if she doesn’t get to the final lineup—preferably as the team leader— I’m going to yeet myself out the window. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of what this girl is capable of and I cannot wait to see her adapt to whatever is thrown at her.

5. Shaking (Xie Keying)

Here is one of your rappers y’all. This girl is such a ball of fun energy and charisma. It amazes me she is considered one of the rookie rappers of the season. Her ability to ride the beat and change her vocal tone is great. Plus her expressions on stage are killer. She really shined in the rap group battle and rightfully so. She is so funny and knows how to get along and make other participants laugh. She also has some really good vocal skills and I can’t wait for her to showcase them more. And I also must agree with Cai and Ella. They were right in giving her an A , especially over Lil Jeta 🙄.

6. Xin Liu

Another girl who redefines how a female idol should look! I love her androgynous look and I think it’s hilarious how vain she is when it comes to makeup. That aside I need to point out how her and others with this similar boyish look had the option of wearing shorts or a skirt and I’m glad she addressed it as it is part of her identity and makes her comfortable. This girl happens to be the theme song stage center and rightfully so! She can sing, rap, and is a killer dancer with popping her main forte. She exudes coolness and I know she will go far with her stage presence and hardworking attitude.

7. Kiki Xu

Gah what a cutie. Another skilled dancer who definitely proved that when she battled with An and Frhanm in the auditions. I thought it was funny when she struggled with trying to look cool for the dance group battles but then absolutely killed it with this girl crush look that made me think “oh my god STEP ON ME”. Whew but like really she is a great performer, but I really wanna see more of her vocal skills. Good luck to Kiki and I hope she can show more sides of herself through the season!

8. Snow Kong

See this queen? She is trying to learn to be more confident in herself and has shown how much she really adores the stage through her hardwork and tears. It’s been a while since she performed but she wishes to start new and give it her all. This girl is fun, loving, and has powerful vocals and rap skills. Plus her dancing is amazing. Just everything about her screams well-rounded idol material. She is a lovely visual and also gives me Sakura vibes. And don’t mess with her hair it will attack you the way she whips it like a maniac on stage. I also love her dynamic with others, especially Xiaotang and Esther Yu lol. Here’s hoping she will develop and astound us more through the later episodes.

9. NINEONE

Nineone is, to me, a dark horse like Yu Yan. She is a professional rapper so naturally her rap skills are the best this season. She knows how to take charge and level with teammates. She is another type of person who has clear cut goals and gets them done. Funnily enough she also has this childish and shy side to her that may come off uncharactertic to her considering her swag and charisma on stage, but I think it is so real and fresh. The final lineup would need another strong rapper that know what she is doing, and after seeing her audition I think she also has some fantastic vocal skills that I’d love to see branch out later on if possible.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS: Zoe Wang, Sharon Wang, JU Chen, Yvonne Wang, Yu Zhang, Diamond, Lingzi, Jue Chen, K Lu, Duan Xiaowei, Flora Dai, Meddhi Fu, and omg literally too many all of these girls are too talented it would be easier to narrow it down to people I don’t want/don’t see debuting....

But I won’t pour that hot piping tea out just yet ☕️

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If y’all feel the same or just want to talk about the show hit me up because I need more people to rant/freak out with over these queens.

#youth with you #Qing chun yǒu nǐ #survival show #idol producer #produce #yu yan #nineone #babymonster an qi #snow kong #zhao xiaotang #kiki xu #frhanm shangguan #xie keyin #xin liu #zoe wang #meddhi fu #jue chen #diamond

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oneyanderegirl · 4 years

Text

Secret Glances

Genre: One-shot, Hurt/Comfort Rating: T Sasuhina Month 2020 Theme: Day 5 (Secret Glances)

A/N: This turned out much longer and different than I thought. It feels nice to be writing again though, even if I am rusty. Part of my one-shot series for Sasuhina Month 2020. You can read the other parts by going on my profile and clicking the fanfiction tab. Hope you enjoy! Warnings: Mentions of death.

The heat felt endless.

How long had she been up already? The sun was at its peak during this time of day, burning everything in its path, including herself. The sun felt as if it was burning her all too pale skin despite all the sunscreen she had put on just earlier before she went out. The sounds of cicadas could be heard merrily singing amongst the grass and trees. The birds that stayed hidden from view seemed to harmonize with them, creating a symphony of wild music that never seemed to end.

It was summer.

“ Hinata-chan, hurry up! You’re falling behind again!” Cried a voice.

She could see long, platinum blonde hair swaying from a distance as the woman who had called out to her ran closer and closer. Before she knew it, the woman had already managed to grab a hold of her.

“ Ino-chan!” She yelled in surprise.

“ You haven’t gone out in forever with us! Don’t even think about trying to sneak out. Especially, not after what you promised us the other day. Let’s hurry up and catch up with the other girls before we get left too far behind.”

Hinata could feel the seriousness hidden behind those bright blue eyes of hers. She could only nod in response, which satisfied her friend. She could feel herself being dragged along as the two of them ran to catch up with the other girls that she had promised to spend the day with.

Summer.

It was her first summer without Neji.

Her cousin had died during the Fourth Great War less than a year ago. His funeral had been held during the end of Autumn. She could never forget that day. The day when the Hyuga had forced Hinata to give a speech in remembrance, despite still grieving for him. She couldn’t even cry during his funeral. A part of her couldn’t accept it. She couldn’t accept that one of her most important people had passed. Even as she witnessed his own corpse being lowered to the ground so that he could be buried and pass on in peace, Hinata still couldn’t accept it. He was a strong shinobi, one of the strongest in all the village.

Yet he had died.

He had died protecting her.

He had died because she was too weak. Had she been stronger, Neji never would have been killed. She had blamed herself ever since he had died. It didn’t matter what other people said, it was Hinata herself who had ultimately ended up killing him.

But during these times, she would remember the words from a man that she had barely spoken to over the years. She remembered it was only a few days after the war when Hinata had decided to visit him on a whim. She remembered the desperate helplessness she had felt when it seemed no one could truly understand the pain she felt in realizing the death of her cousin was real. It was only after speaking to him that she could finally find some relief and hope in the void that Neji had left behind in her soul.

That man was Sasuke Uchiha himself.

“ How do you deal with the pain of losing a loved one?” She quietly asked.

Sasuke kept staring out the window for what felt like an eternity before turning to face her. Although she kept her eyes on her hands, she could feel his aura as she felt his gaze. It made her feel small and insignificant. She wondered if he was angry at her for asking. Afterall, how could the death of one person compare to the death of an entire clan?

“ We move forward. We have to live. We have to strive to protect them. If we can’t protect their physical bodies, then the least we can do is protect their ideals. It doesn’t matter how much you cry or suffer, you have to live anyways. If you don’t, then it just means their deaths were in vain. Don’t waste the life they gave you.”

Hinata looked at Sasuke in surprise. She wasn’t expecting him to say so much to her. But she felt a sense of relief, as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. They weren’t words of sympathy or pity. There were no apologies nor were there empty condolences within the words he had spoken.

They were words from a person who understood her pain.

It had been their first conversation together since their childhood days, and it was the last conversation they had together before he had left the village for reasons that he wouldn’t disclose to anyone, other than his best friend, Naruto. Yet despite that, it was his words that had stuck with her the most. It was what had helped her get through Neji’s funeral, even though she had been forced to give a speech she did not want to give.

And it was his words that had woken her up.

Ever since that night, Hinata had devoted herself to training. Whether it was shinobi training, clan training, or her own personal studies, Hinata had decided to do it all if it meant that she would be able to fulfill Neji’s one wish. It would be her way of paying him back and making up for the sacrifice he had made with his life in order to protect hers.

The eradication of the Cursed Seal.

The Cursed Seal, which marked all Branch members within the Hyuga Clan, was a symbol used to indicate a lower status and acted as a chain that linked them to the Main House. It allowed the Main House to have absolute control over them, something that had caused Neji to develop hatred for her during their childhood days. It took many years for the two of them to mend their strained relationship. One of their goals that the two of them had decided upon when they had become closer to one another was to change the old customs within the clan.

The two of them were supposed to change the clan together. That had ended when he died, leaving Hinata by herself. But she had to keep moving forward. She had to keep their promise alive. So that was why she had decided to commit so hard in training. She wanted to have something to show for. She wouldn’t be able to face Neji otherwise. It was the only way.

However, in dedicating herself to fulfilling their wish, Hinata had neglected her friends.

“ Hey, you’re spacing out again.”

She felt a gentle shake as another one of her friends, Tenten this time, looked at her with concern. Tenten was the only other person who had felt the same pain, if not more so. Tenten had loved Neji. They were supposed to move out together once the war was over. But it was only an unfulfilled dream now.

“ Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind lately. I’m fine.” Tenten shook her head in understanding. The other two, Sakura and Temari, who had been waiting for the three girls to come, beamed with joy once they saw everyone had finally arrived. They had planned to have a girls’ day together, something that was rare nowadays since everyone was busy with various jobs in their lives.

For Hinata, it was the first time she had gone out ever since Neji had died. She had spent countless months in seclusion, a result that came from constantly preoccupying herself with training. She was reluctant, but her sister, Hanabi, had forced her out of the house stating that she had to take a break every once and awhile. Normally, Hinata would have agreed.

However, she only saw it as a waste of time now.

Still, she decided that it was better to go along with everyone’s desire rather than try to force her way out. After all, she wasn’t intentionally trying to push away her friends. She was just trying to do all that she could do to make sure she could fulfill her dear cousin’s wish as soon as possible. But if her friends and sister wanted to see her once and awhile, then she would indulge it.

Before leaving with her friends, Hinata noticed a hawk soaring across the sky. It had headed towards the direction of the Hokage’s Office before disappearing into the distance. Before she could express outloud her curiosity, She could hear Tenten call out to her again. Tucking the thought away, she quickly joined the group before Ino could drag her again.

-----

By the time the girls had finished spending time together and left for the day, the sun had already begun to set. Despite this, the heat remained as scorching as it had midday. It did not help that it made her long, dark hair stick to her skin like hot sweltering glue. It made her feel uncomfortable. She wondered why her friends had picked such a hot day to see each other.

They had shopped and then ate an early dinner together. Although she had enjoyed their presence, Hinata felt that it was ultimately a waste of time. In her mind, it did not feel right to be wasting time leisurely like this. Not when there was still a goal to fulfill.

She sighed.

Perhaps she really did need a break.

She looked up to the sky once more and noticed a hawk flying by again. It was the same one from earlier. Except this time it was flying towards the direction of Naruto’s house.

Hinata quickly followed after it.

By the time she had reached Naruto’s home, the hawk had already disappeared. However, she could make out two figures. One was standing outside his windowsill with spiky blonde hair and cerulean eyes sporting orange pajamas, while the other stayed mostly hidden from view amongst the trees. She couldn’t quite make out the figure, but she knew they must have been important if they had made such an effort to stay hidden from view while the two of them were discussing something in private.

She was curious who Naruto was talking to, so Hinata stayed hidden as she watched from afar. Night had already come, so it made it even harder for her to see without the help of her dojutsu. She did not want to use the Byakugan though, in case they could sense her.

Suddenly, she felt the hidden figure turn towards her direction. Hinata tried to hide away, but it was too late.

A pair of obsidian eyes met her silvery ones.

For what felt like an eternity, they stared at each other. She wasn’t sure why he was here, but she could instantly recognize who he was. There was only one person in the world whose eyes were as dark as the moonless night.

Sasuke Uchiha.

His raven black hair had grown longer since the last time they met. It was difficult to make out, but she could tell that he wore a long black cape to hide his presence.

She was so surprised by his presence that she couldn’t help but murmur his name.

Just as she did, Sasuke quickly reverted his eyes back to Naruto. It seemed their friend hadn’t noticed their interaction with each other. They continued talking normally, although occasionally Sasuke would give her a quick glance before redirecting his attention back to Naruto.

Hinata knew she should have left as soon as she had been spotted by Sasuke. She knew whatever was transpiring between the two had nothing to do with her. She had a lot of things to do; there was training to be done at home.

Yet Hinata found herself unable to take a step.

She continued to stare at him. She continued to watch the man who had given her the words that she needed to hear when she felt as if the world did not understand the torment that she was going through. She continued to watch the man who was once considered an enemy, a monster that was born from the cycle of hatred acts for being born with the blood of the Uchiha clan.

Sasuke Uchiha was the man who had lost his entire family, a pain much greater than any eighteen year old boy should endure. He was the one who could understand her own grief and her own guilt. The only one who could give her the words she needed to hear once more, to confirm that the efforts she had painstakingly made throughout these months were good.

He was the one who she needed right now.

Hinata could see the two exchange their good-byes before Naruto closed his window for the night. As soon as he did, she tried to call out to Sasuke. She wanted to talk with him just once more before he left again. But just as soon as Naruto had left, Sasuke had already vanished from his spot as well.

Suddenly, she felt a sharp breeze pass through her. She could make out a black figure race past her. His eyes met hers again as they stared into each other before he finally disappeared into the forest.

A mere exchange of glances that lasted for only a second.

She didn’t feel satisfied with just that. Rather, she couldn’t feel satisfied. So using as much strength as she could, Hinata ran to follow him.

She ran and ran for what felt like ages. He was much too fast. She questioned whether he was really human. He was faster than any shinobi in the village, much faster than anyone she knew. When they had reached into an open field within the forest, Hinata was too tired to follow anymore. Instead, she yelled for him.

“ S-Sasuke-kun, please wait!” She screamed at the top of her lungs before finally collapsing onto her knees, hoping he would hear.

Before she could stand up again, she could feel a presence only a few inches away from where she kneeled on the grass.

“ What do you want?” His voice sounded much deeper than she had remembered. It felt blunt, yet held no malice nor annoyance. Rather he sounded distant like a stranger. Strangers that barely knew each other.

In truth, Hinata wasn’t sure what she wanted from Sasuke. What was it that he provided that her friends couldn’t? She wasn’t the only one who had lost Neji. Tenten, Ino, Sakura, and Temari also lost him as well. He was their friend and comrade too. So why was it that Hinata continued to seek him out?

As soon as she had seen him, everything that she had done today had faded into oblivion. All the people she saw, all the conversations she had, had already faded into her memory. It was as if those things were insignificant compared to him. She wasn’t sure of the reasoning. She felt something unexplainable emerge within her. She didn’t know what to call these new emotions that had surfaced into her heart.

Perhaps it was because despite the others’ understanding and sympathy with losing Neji, none of them truly understood nor held the same level of relationship that Hinata had with her dear cousin. Neji may have been a friend, comrade, and lover for some of these people, but none of them had ever held the same familiarity that the two had with each other. He was more than just a cousin, he was her brother. He was her brother who had shared the same blood, the same training, and the same struggles experienced within the clan.

Neji was the person who understood her the most.

And now here stood another man who also understood her. He understood her in a way that no one else could because he too had lost his brother as well. Perhaps it was because of this that Hinata wanted to see him. Perhaps it was why she so desperately seeked him out.

Because despite being merely acquaintances that were more like strangers, the two of them shared a unique connection that came from experiencing the death of a loved one. It was a connection that only the two of them could understand. Which was why Hinata had to try. She had to try to see him.

Even if it was just once more.

“ I...know this is a selfish request of mine, but...i-if it’s okay with you...I would like to see you again,” She asked between each breath.

Hinata slowly looked at the man towering before her. His cool expression gave away no emotion. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. She wondered if it was a mistake to ask him. “ What good will that do? We aren’t friends, Hyuga. I have no interest in doing so either. I have my own things that I have to do. If you want to grieve then do so at your own expense. Don’t come to me to do it,”

She watched him turn his back towards her as he started getting ready to leave. A part of her knew he was right. She was being irrational again. They were not friends. They were essentially strangers. But then she remembered that day. She remembered his words. She remembered the relief, the release from her own guilt, even if it was only temporarily. She remembered the feeling that she had experienced when she found someone who had finally understood her. Yes, she was being irrational and selfish, but she felt so helpless and desperate that she had to try.

“ Please...Please, Sasuke-kun,” She whispered.

She begged him.

She begged as tears started falling from her tired eyes.

But Sasuke was already gone. -----

Hinata wasn’t sure how she had managed to make it home. It was already four in the morning by the time she had arrived. To her surprise, neither her father nor the other clan members were there to berate her for coming home late. She was exhausted though, so she was glad for that. As soon as she had laid in bed, Hinata had fallen fast asleep.

She was still asleep when morning came. Even when the sun started to beam into her bedroom, Hinata still remained in bed. She felt mentally and physically exhausted from her exchange with Sasuke. It had been a mistake to ask him.

Until she heard a light tapping noise coming from her window.

Still feeling tired, Hinata groggily opened her window to see what had been making the noise. Staring back at her was a brown hawk with golden eyes. When she opened her window, the hawk flew to her desk. It dropped a small letter before resting in a space near the corner of the desk. After a few minutes of staring at the letter, Hinata finally grabbed it to read what was written inside.

If you want to talk, use the hawk as a messenger. I’ll be waiting. - Sasuke

That day, Hinata spent the whole day wondering in confusion what had transpired between them. She couldn’t understand the reasoning behind Sasuke’s actions. It was irrational though she wasn’t one to talk. However, it was only until nightfall, did she finally respond back to his letter.

Little did they both know, this would mark the beginning of what would become an abnormal relationship.

#sasuhina #sasuhinamonth2020 #shmonth2020 #personal #AL #fanfiction #fanfics #writing #sasuhina month

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cywscross · 5 years

Note

Favorite time travel fics? Of any fandom.

I’m pretty sure I’ve rec’d time travel fics before, esp favourite ones, so I’ll just list some of the more recent ones I’ve read and liked.

Naruto:

sweet baby, i need fresh blood by blackkat

Shukaku fixes the timeline. Grumpily. And with a lot of bloodshed.

Well that didn't go as planned by Orlha

Sakura is sent back in time, except things didn't turn out the way they planned it to be. Never mind that she's almost a decade early, WHY IS SHE A CAT?

Under the surface is a storm by Mysana

Orochimaru lets the seal take him. Allows the death he feared so long finally reach him.

A Quick Trip by Dovey

in which sakura spends maybe five minutes in the future and decides to get a jumpstart on that whole "independant woman who can shatter the earth with her fists" thing, and team seven is left trying to keep up.

-0-

Harry Potter:

Snake Shop by wynnebat (WIP)

In which Tom Riddle finds himself lost, alone, and hurt in the middle of Knockturn Alley, and stumbles upon a peculiar place called Harry's Snake Shop.

you belong to me (i belong to you) by Child_OTKW (WIP)

“What I find absolutely fascinating,” Riddle said as he stalked closer. “is you.” He backed Harry up until the cool wall of the common room was brushing against him. “Do you know why?”

“No. And I’ll be honest here, Riddle, I don’t particularly care.”

The taller boy grinned at him, small yet infinitely amused. “That. Right there.” One hand rose and brushed some of Harry’s fringe from his face. “Nathan Ciro is a spineless little boy too afraid of his own shadow to dare even glance in my direction. But you…”

He leaned closer. “You look at me like you want to stab me.”

After an accident, Auror Harry Potter wakes up in the body of fourteen year old Nathan Ciro, a tormented Slytherin who recently tried to end his own life. His return to Hogwarts causes quite the stir through the staff and students, especially when they realise he is not the same boy as before.

He tries to keep his head down, but with the keen eyes of Tom Riddle hounding him through the halls, Harry finds himself unwillingly drawn into a dangerous game with an equally dangerous boy.

-0-

Bleach:

With Honor by wynnebat

Upon Yamamoto's last words, Kisuke opened his eyes and faced a room full of ghosts, and he smiled at them.

"I'm honored to be here," Kisuke said to each of the captains who congratulated him on his promotion.

-0-

Teen Wolf:

You Just Got Ghosted! by Ragga

“What’s your name, angel?” little Stiles murmured even as his eyes fell closed, quickly losing his battle against sleep.

Stiles smiled. It was a little sad but also heavy with the knowledge that what he was doing was the right thing—heavy with the knowledge he didn’t deserve the moniker bestowed upon him.

“You can call me Mietek.”

Or the one where there's time travel, feels abound, two Stiles in one timeline, and one of them stuck somewhere between the planes of existence. Yet a ghost can still manage to save the day and get the girl. Or the wolf. Manly wolf. Because Peter.

Art Imitating Life by GracieBirdie

“If I’m invited to any more funerals, I’m going to be featured at the next one.” Stiles said in a monotone.

Lydia’s dead eyes were really the entire reason Stiles did what he did next.

-0-

X-Men:

Undone by Yahtzee

This began as a short ficlet written for this kink meme prompt: "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.' - Heraclitus

Post-X3 Charles, instead of transfering his consciousness to the coma guy, finds his mind back in the body of his younger self, right after Shaw's attack on the CIA compound, on their way to the mansion.

The thing: Charles' wants to fix what happened with Erik, but he can't bring himself to do it. He knows that this younger Erik can't be held responsible for his future self's actions, but, nonetheless, here is the man who will paralyze him, who will leave him on the beach, who will turn his sister into a merciless killer. Here is the man who will betray him in the worst way possible, by using him as a tool, a weapon, in his quest to kill all the humans.

So Charles blows cool and hot towards Erik, and Erik is left wondering where all the UST went and why Charles is suddenly so...emotionally distant, even when they're spending more time together than they used to.

I posted the first part as a chapter in my ficlet collection, but then the second part went beyond the ficlet stage, and so here we are.

-0-

Marvel:

Turning Tables by Wix

What should have been Steve's last stand offers a better ending for everyone involved when it returns him to the end of the Battle of New York. There are things that he can change, small things that will have big consequences and hopefully save them all.

-0-

K-Project:

Die Dinge, die wir wollten, waren so einfach. (The things we wanted were so simple.) by DarkrystalSky

The Kagutsu crater doesn't exists. The two Kings died on open sea, creating a tsunami that caused only a few casualties. During the summer of 2003 the Silver King visits the Colorless Clan with a child in his arms, Mishakuji Yukari wonders why.

-0-

BtVS:

Someday by sunalso

AU. The world is broken, but Buffy is given seven days to make it better. Does saving humanity mean letting go of the one thing she wants, or grabbing on to it with both hands?

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gaasaku-fanfests · 5 years

Text

Getting Almost There

Title: Getting Almost There Author: drharunosakura Rating: PG-13 Word Count: 4390 Summary: An almost but never was rears its ugly head again as the smallest of exhanges are moved to new heights. Author's Note(s): Let me know what you think about this. If enjoyed I wanna spin this into a proper chaptered fic.

Trope: Unresolved sexual tension

Sakura Haruno could not believe that her next-door neighbor for years, her knuckleheaded idiot brother, her best friend in the entire world would do this. Yet, here she was almost too terrified to step out of her condo to start on this day trip to see the said idiot. “Well, I might as well get this over with. It’s not like Naruto actually knows about my past with his best man.”

If Sakura knew that if this was the friend that Naruto wanted to pick her up she would have never agreed on the four-hour journey to the Land of Tea with him. She did want to support him and his wife. They were doing a grand reopening of the Resort they were given on their wedding day. Sometimes Sakura just couldn’t understand the kinda money the Hyuuga’s had She supposed her ride would understand better as he similarly grew up in the world of class and sophistication and excess. Moving to grab her suitcase and walk out she got a good look at Naruto’s best man and Sakura’s biggest mistake at his wedding, Sabaku No Gaara.

He looked good, too good. The kind of man that whether he was in workout gear, a three-piece suit or the jeans and a t-shirt he currently wore he looked like the clothes were absolutely made for him and him alone. Nationally ranked MMA fighter in high school and college, tech multi-millionaire of his own fortune and grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth he had made Forbes’ 30 under 30 the past three years in a row. There weren’t many people in this world that could make Sakura Haruno, research scientist, incredible trauma surgeon, and published marvel, insecure. But the redhead smoking a cigarette in front of an Aston Martin that probably cost more than her condo, did with ease. Seeing her approach and stamping out the cigarette the man that she would be spending the next several days with approached her slowly.

“Naruto didn’t tell me it was you I was picking up. Here I thought I’d have to play Prince Charming to some... random bimbo.” He paused as he looked her up and down, before moving to grab her luggage and place it in the deep red convertible he was driving.

Not realizing Sakura had been holding in her breath for some time until she released it the moment he turned his back, she took a few more breaths in preparation for spending quite a bit of time with a man she has been avoiding for the past year.

“I’m surprised you didn’t fly there.” She murmured and he turned his head before snorting and opening up the door for her.

“I don’t like flying commercial and Temari needs the jet for her fashion show this weekend. I like not being a complete prick to my big sister.” He smirked before shutting the door and giving Sakura a moment to marvel at the luxury of the car he owned.

“What no helicopter?” She joked under her breath before holding it as Gaara moved over her and reached to grab something. He still smelled like fresh electronics and cinnamon and cigarettes and she hated how hypnotic of a scent it was to her. Pulling back the man grinned and produced a pair of sunglasses before whispering in her ear.

“Naruto hasn’t yet re-zoned the helicopter pad yet, I asked.” Before slipping on the sunglasses and starting them on their journey.

Sakura was silent for the first hour or so of their ride, glancing every so often at the redhead next to her. She remembered exactly what she felt the first time they locked eyes. It was at the initial rehearsal dinner and he was the last to arrive. No one knew what this mysterious best man looked like but Naruto was adamant that his best friend in the entire world from business school could be the only person he wanted to be the role and we would all love him.

Sakura was sitting beside Hinata and Ino, gushing over the fact that one of them was finally getting married when he walked into the private room of Choji’s restaurant. Ino was the first to recognize him and man was she starstruck.

“That is Sabaku no Gaara. How on earth did Naruto become best friends with Suna’s most eligible bachelor of the year?” Sakura couldn’t help but giggle. As she was the maid of honor (Hanabi was slightly too young as Hinata’s little sister) Sakura went to introduce herself to her partner for most of the wedding festivities.

“Sakura-Chan! You have to meet Gaara. This is my best man and he saved my ass a few times in business school.” Naruto grinned and Sakura turned to look at the redhead in question. She had vaguely heard of the Sabuko family, mostly from Shikamaru and his wild affair with the fashion designer Temari, but the younger was the marvel.

He was just under Naruto’s height but had the presence of being head over shoulders taller. He had eyes the color of jade and a smile that seemed new on him like he was trying it out for show and wasn’t sure if he would take it home or not. His hand reached out to shake hers and the low timbre of his voice absolutely rattled Sakura.

“You’re the maid of honor right? Naruto has not shut up about you. I guess you’re my partner for this thing.”

“Y-yeah.” She chuckled, hating herself for the stutter and quickly moved to shake his hand. She hadn’t been this flustered since high school and here she was near blushing at a man for smiling at her and shaking her hand.

“Well, you two are gonna be great pals. I’m gonna go check on Hinata and get this thing going kay?” Naruto grinned and moved along, leaving Sakura to show Gaara his seat across from her at the table.

“So,” She asked at the venue, they were waiting for their part in the ceremony to begin and Sakura thought she might as well get to know the man she was walking down the aisle with… figuratively speaking that was. “How did you and Naruto meet?”

Turning towards her Gaara smirked and this half-smile felt quite warn in, it suited him better. “I kicked his ass in a speech and debate class and he literally kicked my ass in the gym. We’ve had one another’s backs after that and he became like a brother to me in business school.”

Nodding Sakura looked up at the two to be married and added. “Well he was so excited everyone gets to meet you. It’s not like you get to visit too often living all the way in Suna right?”

Turning towards Sakura before taking another glance at the groom he replied. “I suppose I could visit more if given a good reason.”

Stopping at a traffic light Sakura supposed the silence had gone long enough and she couldn’t take it anymore. As she was far too terrified to touch the radio of his car she blurted out a question.

“So, what errand did you need to run for Naruto that was close to my place?” She quipped knowing that Naruto was a good enough bridge for them to talk about to start with; lest she loses her mind in the silence.

“Naruto needed a couple of high tech systems to help his POS system run on the multitude of international clients the resort sees. Making it easy for the employees to use multiple types of credit cards and translate itemized receipts was a pretty simple program to run. I just made it an offline system and there are a couple of monitors in the back so I could just give it to him to install before opening day next week. I have a pretty good supplier in the area and picked them up before I got you.”

Sometimes she forgot how smart Gaara was. How he could light up a room the moment he gathered their attention or how he could seemingly make things just appear from him. He could solve any problem at the drop of a hat and never seemed to make a big deal of it.

Sakura was freaking out. She was single-handedly going to ruin the wedding of her best friend in the entire world. Ino dealt with the flowers. Choji had catering down to a science. Hinata’s family dealt with the venue. All Sakura had to do was handle the music and her duo for the ceremony completely bailed. She had 72 hours to find another musician or Hinata was walking down the aisle in silence.

Sighing Sakura placed her head in her hands in her hair and let out a long slow groan.

“Last I checked wasn’t it the bride was supposed to be the one to freak out about a wedding?”

Looking up she saw Gaara. He was in a tank top and running shorts and yet she couldn’t be bothered to think him out of place in the hotel’s business center.

“Well, when one of your biggest roles in the wedding, really your only role in the wedding falls through you’re bound to get a bit stressed.” She sighed.

Sitting down beside her silently while he answered a few emails on his phone he asked, “So, what fell through?”

Looking at him she bit her lip before responding. “I was supposed to get music for the wedding and reception and I found this great band for the reception. That’s settled and I thought I found this beautiful Guitar and Violin duo for the ceremony but they canceled last minute and I don’t know where I’m going to find someone and this has to be perfect because it’s Hinata and Naruto and Hinata has been pining after Naruto since we were in grade school and if anyone deserves a fairytale wedding it’s her and I don’t know what I can do to fix…” She went to continue but Gaara stopped her with a silent hand before asking.

“So you need an appropriate soloist or duo that can play at the wedding ceremony right?”

Sakura nodded and went to explain her worries before looking at Gaara dial a number and pick up the phone.

“Cousin, Sasori you still dating that stupid artist guy? He still good friends with that harp player what’s his face Haku. Yeah, the one who just finished up that European tour. Get me his contact info for a job on Saturday. Wedding. I need it guaranteed but put that lovely family money stamp on it kay? See you for dad’s obligatory family get together next month.”

Sakura paused and attempted to close her mouth from the awe that she just experienced. “Y-you didn’t have to do that. You barely know me why would you help me like that?”

“I haven’t helped you yet. But if you haven’t gotten a text from me with his contact info in two hours then my cousin won’t be getting his spot in the gallery I own this year either.” He chuckled and moved to answer another set of emails.

“I don’t know how I can repay you Gaara, this is so sweet.”

Turning towards her Gaara simply smirked and lifted her chin. She could feel the heat of his breath against her cheek and she hoped she wasn’t blushing as noticeably as she felt she was. “Continue keeping this wedding exciting for me and Naruto happy. He deserves this day to be perfect too and it’s the least I can do to make sure it stays that way.”

Sakura paused as they pulled into a little cafe just passed the highway. Stepping outside it Sakura followed him as he ordered his order and then silently turned to her for her to add-in. Paying for the both of them before Sakura even had a chance the two of them moved to a spot outside of the cafe and Gaara pulled out another cigarette.

“I have to say this once just as a doctor, you know how bad those things are for you.” She murmured knowing he probably didn’t want the scolding but unable to hold back any longer.

“Running as many companies as I do at my age will kill me a lot faster. I think a couple of cigarettes a day are hardly comparable to the stress that puts on my body.” Rolling her eyes at that she conceded to her one statement and went to sip her coffee. She, while not one for too many sweets was a true lover of whipped cream and relishing in the delicious taste that accompanied her latte.

“How is the whole doctor thing going?” He mentioned after a while, startling her and shocking her that he remembered.

“Um, it’s great. I just finished up my residency so everything feels finally permanent; like I’m finally out of school. How is everything your way?”

Putting out his cigarette he paused before answering, taking a long look at her first and Sakura inwardly cursed herself for the delicious shudder that went down her spine.

“Of the Sand Corp is doing decently. Enough that my father is pressing me to sell it under the Kazekage Industries umbrella; not like I would. It seems he is punishing me for doing so by giving me more responsibilities to run under the family business not that Kankuro isn’t an epic VP of my company anyway.”

“Well at least visiting Naruto will give you a bit of a vacation. When do you have to go back to Suna?”

Taking a moment take a long gulp of his coffee, and give Sakura time to ogle the bicep that was holding it he responded, “I actually moved to Konoha a couple of weeks ago. Kazekage Industries is expanding and dad wanted me to take over the branch here. Hence making it really difficult to fully run my tech business based in Suna.”

“Oh, that is tricky, but at least when Naruto comes back or visits he’ll be able to see you as well. Have you been adjusting ok considering?” She asked taking another long sip of her coffee, not noticing the spec of cream that remained on her upper lip. Sakura wondered how he managed to do it all and how much stress she would be under if put in half of that situation

“The takeover was a bitch and I can’t find a good assistant to save my life plus I don’t know anyone in this town besides well, you and I just found that out.” Taking a moment to lean in close to her Sakura froze.

Was he going to kiss me? This is just like the wedding I’m freezing. He looks so good but we haven’t spoken in nearly a year! Oh kami please. Sakura thought before noticing him remove the offending cream and take it between his own lips.

“Think you would oppose to showing me a few places where I can lesson my will to murder? A good gym and a good bar would be only for the greater good at this point.” He teased and she frowned as he seemingly looked like he was enjoying this torture he was putting on her body.

“Yeah, I do. Perks of growing up around here and going to undergrad here.” Taking their collective silence Gaara moved to give her one of his smirks and asked.

“I might actually have to take you on a date then cherry blossom. Think you could handle me this time?” Sakura blushed and turned to look out at the scenery before them. The land of fire was changing into the more tropical more scenic land of Tea, though as Naruto’s resort was on the coast it would still take another hour or so to get there.

Taking the pause neither as a good or bad thing, Gaara finished up his coffee and stood up to stretch before glancing down at her. “Come on, if we’re late Naruto will assume I’m dead and blow up my phone to the point of me throwing it out the car, and between you and me I really can’t lose another phone this quarter.”

Giggling Sakura stood up and followed him to the car for the last leg of their journey. “Alright but just keep to driving safely. Late or not if I’m dead I can’t patch you up after a car crash.”

“I’ll definitely keep you alive but no promises on 100% safety Sakura.” He chuckled twirling his keys in his hands. “I gotta live a little reckless or I’ll go insane.” He paused before fully getting in the driver's side, “Well more than I already am.”

Sakura was attached to her phone at their bachelorette party spa night. The timid Hinata not one of clubbing or strippers so Sakura and Hanabi planned an elegant pamper night for all of the bridesmaids.

“Forehead, this is a girls night. Stop texting your prince charming of a boyfriend and come join us.” Ino chastised before moving to see what she was actually looking at.

“Oh my God girls she actually is texting Gaara.” Stealing Sakura’s phone to bring it to the girls Ino giggled much to Sakura’s chagrin.

“Let me see here, ooh, pamper night going well. Promise me you’ll send pics of Naruto if he does anything stupid?”

Sakura tried and failed to grab it, only to have it thrown to Ten-Ten, who continued reading.

“What’s in it for me? And he added a winky face!”

“Guys, come on.” Sakura groaned moving to grab it only to have the phone thrown to Hanabi.

“That’s not very Best Man behavior of you.” Hanabi paused before cracking up. “Oh my god Sakura is full-on flirting and I think Gaara is flirting back. He just responded.

“What did he say?” Ino grinned moving to hold Sakura down with Ten-Ten at the assist.

“He said, I may be the best man but that doesn’t make me good. I think we should respond.” Hanabi chuckled and mortified Sakura tried to escape.

“Hanabi, don’t.” Sakura begged.

“Kid you got this, we’ll give you the honors.” Ten-Ten chuckled and Sakura wiggled stronger before moving out of their grasp.

“And, send.” Hanabi chuckled giving Sakura her phone back and watching her pale in complexion, then only more so when the girls heard the ping of a response.

“So,” The bride-to-be finally spoke up. “What did he say?”

Nearly too shocked to respond, Ino looked over her shoulder and squealed before announcing.

“So our lovely Hanabi moved us with her elegant words of asking the very tasteful So what are you good at? And it looks like our little cherry blossom might have caught herself a billionaire.”

“Why?” Ten-Ten asked before Sakura took back her phone and shut it off.

“Because,” Ino continued. “He told forehead that he could schedule some time to show her later if she liked.”

Sakura shook her head from her blush and tried to calm herself from her memories of Gaara at the wedding. They were nearly inseparable then. He was always so smart, and so good with his words.

“Are you too warm Cherry Blossom?” Gaara added moving to turn up the air and finally turn on the radio, shifting the dial till some form of music could be heard.

“Maybe a bit, though I’m not exactly uncomfortable.” She whispered out looking at the road flying past them as Gaara sped them along the highway.

“So I still make you squirm is all. I know how to fix that.” He chuckled and Sakura involuntarily shuddered before responding.

“The wedding was a mistake. I don’t normally do things like that and I shouldn’t have gone as far with you that night.”

“Oh calm down cupcake I kept my pants on. You leading me on and then ghosting after just a kiss when you were acting like you wanted a lot more than that should make me a little antsy to be near you again not the other way around.” He scoffed moving to turn on their exit and get to the last leg of their journey.

It was the reception. The ceremony was lovely Gaara’s call had come through and it turns out Haku was someone Naruto had met a long time ago and had changed his life. The blonde idiot fully burst into tears at the sight of the delicate man softly singing as his bride came down the aisle. The pictures had all been taken the speeches given and now it was simply time for the party that they all knew Naruto could throw. Sakura was taking a well-deserved spot of air when she saw her best man on the balcony having a cigarette.

“You gave a wonderful speech. I think a couple of people cried, Iruka-sensei I know did.” She chuckled and he turned and smirked when he noticed it was her. Offering her a cigarette that she politely declined, he took a step to close the distance between them.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it Sakura, I’ve always had a knack for a good speech. Yours was pretty cute as well. I can tell Hinata really enjoyed it.”

Blushing slightly Sakura swirled the bit of champagne she had in her glass before asking, “How long are you in town for?”

“Couple days, then I have to head back.” Pausing when he saw her mood utterly deflate he moved to hold her chin. “But I can always make the most of my trip now.” He grinned and pulled her in for a breath-stealing kiss.

It made her weak at the knees. She felt dizzy. She felt like everything she had ever desired was in that kiss and so much more could be had, and it terrified Sakura. Pulling back she looked at him and quickly uttered out a soft. “I have to go.” Before disappearing from the venue.

It took a long time for Sakura to realize why she bolted when all her body was screaming at her to do was screw Gaara in his hotel room till the sun came up. He terrified her. Gaara had this type of undeniable power to him. He wasn’t overly tall. He was fit but no monster. He was beautiful but not in a way that was common and yet anytime Gaara spoke the entire room always gave him 100% of their attention. He was in control at all times and that was not something Sakura had any idea how to deal with. She was Sakura Haruno. She was a woman who always called the shots and she certainly was not one who knew how to deal with an alpha like Gaara; especially for a one night stand.

Not to mention that she had just had a rather ugly breakup with Sasuke Uchiha and was learning to be on her own; something that would have been ruined if it just looked like she fell into the closest thing available. So nothing about their current predicament made it seem like they should start a relationship and rather than deal with Gaara’s temptation of simply being there nor the teasing of her friends Sakura bolted and went back to the safety of her condo and her job.

She honestly thought she had gotten over her handsome wedding parter but the time apart clearly didn’t change the way her eyes still longed to undress him or the way she would follow the curve of his lips when he talked. How she could picture those hands of his wrapped around her body and how even going back to her deepest of crushes should she ever remember being remotely attracted to anyone else.

“We’re gonna be there soon.” Gaara murmured pulling her out of her thoughts and she took one last look at the curve of his jawline and how it tensed slightly as he turned before she moved to look at them entering the gates of the property.

Gaara parked briefly and before Sakura could react he had gotten out and moved to open the door for her. “One best friend of Naruto’s arrived safe and sound. Now I just need to collect my fee.” He smirked and Sakura scoffed and looked up at him.

“And what fee would that be?”

“I’ll take it in installments over the course of the weekend but I will go ahead and get my first payment before we spy the knucklehead.” He teased and pulled her up close to him. She could feel his chest pressed against hers. Smell that amazing cinnamon scent that only he had. Their lips were barely separated, their breath intertwined in a way that begged them to kiss.

She was shocked, she was aroused and she had just closed her eyes to let them have their second kiss when seemingly as soon as it started it was over and he pulled her away.

“What was that?” She asked slightly out of breath and angry at the overflow of emotions that were racing through her body.

“Evidence that you still want me so bad you can barely stand it.” Pulling her close to whisper in her ear and she actually did let out a soft moan as he whispered out.

“Our mutual friend has so kindly scheduled us some time together. I think this is the perfect opportunity for me to show you something I’m rather good at.” He grinned and pulled away grabbing both of their bags as they walked towards the entrance to the resort.

I really should have stayed at home. Sakura thought to herself as she walked behind Gaara and saw the genuine smile on his face as he greeted Naruto and she finally saw her best friend of over 20 years.

But it had been a while since I’ve had a vacation. Her mind rebutted. Maybe he is just an added part of the relaxation?

“Come on Sakura, Naruto says our rooms are right next to each other isn’t that convenient?” He added and resumed carrying both of their luggage.

Or maybe this weekend will be the most tiring vacation I have ever had.

#GaaSaku #gaasaku-fanfests #GaaSaku Fic & Art Challenge #fanfic #drharunosakura

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yukiwrites · 5 years

Text

Love Behind the Mask

Thank you so much for your support, @fseffect! This was somehow challenging and accomplishing to write, so I hope you like it! ;D

Summary: Marth wasn’t supposed to land in Askr. She had a mission; she had to prevent her terrible future from happening -- so why... why was she now wishing to extend her time in this strange world? She found someone she would love to spend time were it all peaceful. Was she allowed to feel like this, despite the weight of her mission?

Commission info HERE and HERE!

Sometimes, the quiescent calm in that world woke her up from her light sleep. She would come out of her room in her usual disguise, ready for a battle to break in only to find that the night was stagnantly going forward.

That calm terrified her.

"I mustn't dawdle in this world, and yet..." she said in a low breath as though the well-taken care of walls could hear her, looking back at the living quarters.

She clutched her chest, suddenly wanting to be free of her mask if only for a moment to gaze upon the starry sky appearing before her as she strolled to the garden. One hand reached out to the mask, but she stopped it.

No.

'Marth' must still be hidden. In this strange world, anyone from the past she was supposed to go to could appear -- and if they recognized her, she could ruin their future as well.

'Marth' must still go on. 'Marth' has unfinished business.

Of course, so does she, the one behind the mask. She took it upon herself to jump into a portal leading back in time so as to save her family, friends and the whole world, really.

"Falling here was a complete misguidance, though I'm yet to learn if Naga planned for this or if another being go in the way during the ceremony..." Once again Marth realized she was talking to herself, an habit she inherited from her Mother, most likely. "I am pressed to leave, and yet... oh, and yet..." she once again felt the tingling in her chest, her eyes itching under her mask.

Inadvertently, her feet made her turn from the garden back to the castle, quickly walking towards the dormitory.

"Yet I have found her here," Marth's voice was soft with fondness, her face and chest warm with love. She needn't worry about the dimly lit corridors for she knew the way by heart.

A most adored door reached her limited field of vision, her feet almost running towards it. Without a second's hesitation, she knocked on it. "... Sakura? Are you there, my lady? The moonlight was so beautiful tonight I had to come to get you..."

A little bit of fumbling and a lot of hurried steps before a very eager pink-haired princess opened the door, wrapping herself with her thick sleeping hakama. "Luci- um, Marth! I-I didn't, um, I didn't think you'd stop by tonight, so I was about t-to go to you in-instead... the starlight looks g-great from my window..." The princess shyly looked down, her cheeks turning rosy from excitement as well as embarrassment.

'Marth' never lost her smile, somehow surprised with herself for actually knocking on someone else's (Sakura's, no less!) door in the middle of the night for something as, should she even say that, mundane as watching the stars.

But the doomed future she came from bore no stars -- the skies were always covered with ash, shadows and clouds. Being able to see so clearly here, in this foreign land, alongside someone who turned out to be so special to her... it was a blessing, truly.

She was going to live it to its fullest until the end.

"My lady, the view is even greater from the hill beside the dormitory," Marth extended her hand to her small and beloved princess, enjoying how she eagerly yet awkwardly took it. "Allow me to escort you there."

Sakura squeezed Marth's hand, almost forgetting to close the door behind herself before they left. She stuck closely under the guise of being cold, when in reality she truly just wanted to be even closer to the woman she loved.

How sneaky, Sakura, She thought as she rested her head on Marth's shoulder, I didn't know i could be like this. But maybe... This isn't so bad. She closed her eyes, snuggling closer to her beloved, allowing herself to be led.

Marth's heart raced in a way it never had before -- the sight and proximity of Sakura so close to her own body made her want to simply hug her and take her away from there, to someplace far, far-away from their worries.

She would never, of course, as the future of thousands relied upon the success of her mission; but in the world inside her head, whence everything was peaceful as there were no more fighting, she and Sakura danced in the open, their hairs down and their faces bare.

Oh, how she longed for such a day! To be able to openly be herself and hold Sakura close in front of whoever might be watching.

"... Lucina?" Sakura's quiet voice took Marth out of her deviations, the place she had told her beloved about standing right before them. "Is this it?"

"S-Sakura...!" Alarmed, Lucina looked around. "You mustn't say my real name-"

"I-I know, I'm sorry. But you were so distracted; that was the only way..."

Lucina took her cape from its clasps and placed it on the grass right under a tree. "Forgive me, my lady. I was lost in thoughts of you when I should have been enjoying your presence..." she looked down in distress, forgetting to invite Sakura to sit.

The princess did it anyway, holding both of Lucina's hands close. "You were t-thinking of me...?" She took those hands to her cheeks, wanting the both of them to be even closer.

Lucina pressed her forehead with Sakura's, finally allowing herself to take off the 'Marth' mask to face her beloved as herself. "As I always do. The thought of you brings me a solace I never thought possible." Their breaths intertwined.

Ahh, even her lips tasted like cherry blossoms.

During the day, calling Lucina as such was utterly forbidden -- only Sakura knew of her secret, after all. Even the matter of Marth being a woman in disguise was only known to her, Marth's beloved.

Still, they were drawn to each other often. Because Sakura was usually by herself due to her shy and inward nature, the sight of the mysterious masked Hero hanging around by her side caught the eye of many an attentive people.

Sakura's sister, Hinoka, for one. Princess Camilla of Nohr for another.

Even though both older sisters had differing bases for their interest in Sakura's and Marth's relationship, they were both adamant to know more.

Hinoka, fiery as only she was, meant to confront Sakura head on. She would ask who that Marth fellow was and what was he doing hanging around her little sister like that as well as what his intentions were.

But Camilla, cautious and capricious, stopped her fast-friend. "Why, and spoil the lovely atmosphere they have going on, dear? Let them enjoy themselves!"

"Absolutely not!" Hinoka shook the hand Camilla had placed on her shoulder. "Sakura's quiet and doesn't speak her mind very often. Although she can be stubborn whenever she wants it, she's too gentle and easy to take advantage of -- I don't want any random crook hanging around her without making sure he's not bad news!"

Camilla blinked, placed one hand over her cheek and let out a lady-like giggle. "A 'he' you say, darling?"

Hinoka frowned, following Camilla's line of sight to something behind her own back. "What do you mean by- oh, there they go! I'm gonna go ask her now-"

"Shh, darling; let us see what they do for now, yes? Look at how careful they are in looking at their surroundings! If only they could see us this far down the hill..."

"They're doing something in secret!" Hinoka hissed, her chest burning, though she didn't know if of rage or embarrassment.

The two women carefully followed, though Camilla never lost her amused smile. "I wonder if little Sakura knows the lady under this 'Marth' mask! Ah, to be young and bright!"

The hoshidan princess stopped on her tracks. "Lady? Isn't Marth a man-"

"Why, did that poor deep voice and flat chest deceive you, darling? That's a woman through and through. She must have had a reason to hide her gender, so let us not spread this around, hmm?"

"Well, if she's a woman, I'll feel more relieved, actually-" Hinoka breathed out at the same time she gave the last step towards the hill, immediately spotting Marth and Sakura holding hands, their faces inches from each other. "HEY, YOU'RE KISSIN-"

"My!" Camilla almost clapped, then laughed when both women jumped almost ten feet into the air and away from each other.

"B-b-b-b-big sister!! A-and Lady Camilla t-too!" Bright red, Sakura covered her face with both hands, crouching down so as to become one with the ground. "I'm- Um, we- I!"

Marth didn't have her mask, her hair, usually short, was flowing through the wind like the ocean, its deep and long blue contrasting with the deep red of her face. "Y-you're my lady's- Sakura's- sister- I, um, forgive this secretive behavior, we're, um--" she panicked, no knowing where to look.

Equally bright red, Hinoka huffed with protectiveness. "What have you been doing to my sister? Why are you lying to everyone about your gender?! This- you're- kissing- even I haven't done that yet- But my little sister-"

Marth widened her eyes, her face turning into a deeper shade of red. "F-forgive me once again, my lady, I simply love-"

"Oh, my dear, no need to be so ashamed!" Camilla wrapped one arm around Hinoka's shoulder, making the shorter woman almost fall on her face, "little Hinoka here is feeling somewhat dishoriented, but I am sure we can all get along, hmm?"

"Hey- get off me-"

"Why don't we go have a nice and long chat under that shade? I'm sure you both have a lot to tell us, yes?"

"Don't ignore m-"

Sakura ran to Marth's side, hugging her beloved's arm with everything she had. "Um- big sister! P-please listen to us! I- I want to tell you a-about our r-r-r-relationship..."

"Relationship..." Hinoka hissed, losing the strength in her legs. Camilla kept her up by holding onto her shoulders, though.

"This is going to be utterly adorable! Come now, little Hinoka. I'm sure your sister has a lot to say."

Still fuming with something akin to rage or jealousy, Hinoka failed to notice how Marth trembled slightly, though still securely held Sakura's hand in her own. Camilla smiled softly at their young love, guiding them all to a nearby shade.

The nohrian princess knew her friend well; she would come along in a while. Hinoka loved her little sister more than anything, after all. There would be no way she wouldn't accept her love, as fleeting and young as it were.

#sakura #lucina #feh #hinoka #camilla #fanfic commissions #my writings #yuki's commissions

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fireemblemfamiliesff · 6 years

Text

Sororicide

It was a difficult feeling, coming to terms with their sister’s blood slowly covering their hands. Looking down at the young woman with long bright locks of lavender hair, that still smells of the snowy plains of Nohr. Blood was slowly tainting that smell now. Memories growing dark and sinister within Corrin’s own mind.

They couldn’t have. They wouldn’t have. Yet they did, and now Camilla was dying in their arms. Looking around Corrin spies Jakob watching them with a face of mild concern. A knife in one hand and his staff on his back.

“Jakob! She needs healing!” Corrin shouts across the field as Kaze, and Saizo brings Flora over with her hands tied behind her back. The two brothers watch quietly as Corrin clings to Camilla's body.

“I’m happy,” Camilla whispers with a short smile on her face. “That it was you and not one of your men.” She turns her head away from Corrin’s face. Corrin follows to see Jakob and Elise were both making their way over. “Protect her.” Camilla orders as blood continues to fall from her head. There was a cut going from the top of her forward to some point under her hair. Her left shoulder had a large gash in it, but Corrin knew that the wound that was killing her was the claw marks going across her chest.

They hadn’t meant to lose control. They had been doing so well in their dragon form that they thought they could control themselves, but when Camilla’s ax cut their wing, Corrin could not help but defend. Never thinking they would actually land an attack against their stronger older sister.

Elise cries wake Corrin up to the realization that the older princess of Nohr was dead. Still holding her body, Corrin sets it up to lean against themselves. Her purple locks felt warm, and soft against Corrin’s face as they bury it into the corpse’s neck.

“I’m sorry Camilla. I’m so sorry.” Corrin cries rocking a little back and forth. At some point, Elsie had collapse next to them. Arms wrapped Camilla and Corrin, as she tries to quiet her sobs.

It was Flora who eventually interrupted the scene. “How does it feel Corrin, to kill a member of the family that raised you.” Her words were cruel but Corrin never gave an answer. Flora continues, “Are you prepared to take my life too, or are you going to make me stand here and continue watching such a horrible scene. You killed her, why should you be allowed to mourn her loss. You killed my tribe too, by refusing to lose today.”

Corrin shakes their head and barely above whisper orders, “let her go.” Kaze complies without question as Saizo refuses to lessen his grip.

“Now. We kill no more today.” Corrin orders once more, and finally Saizo complies.

“You’re cruel Corrin,”

“Leave now. I have no more business with you and the rest of your men today.” Reluctantly, almost agonizingly so, Flora takes her leave.

Perhaps it was selfish of them, but Corrin and Elise with the help of few others carry the body back to their own ship. They lay it in the hull below for the rest of their journey on the vessel. Elise never left it, using all her spare magic to heal her wounds and to keep the body from smelling of death yet. It was all she could try to do until they were allowed a moment to bury her.

Corrin’s thoughts were elsewhere. Nohr would want the body. Xander and Leo would never listen to her now. Mayhaps even her Hoshidan family would turn their backs completely on her now. Or they could take the murder as a sign that Corrin was truly on their side. They had no clue how the family they never knew would take the news. Yet Xander would be out for blood now. Their older brother had been holding back before, but now maybe they deserved his wrath. No, they absolutely deserved it. If Elise decided she wanted to leave, Corrin would not stop her. Barely even able to look at their hands, how could they ever expect Elise to look at them again. Never with that sweet innocent smile of hers that always assured a brighter day was ahead. Sakura would be terrified of them. There was no doubt of that. Corrin had killed their sister. Death was among them now.

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ariannadi · 7 years

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As Luck Would Have It (1/5)

My take on a post-Revelation story, with lots of feels, fluff, and angst >:D

Leokamu, Leorrin, or whatever, if that wasn’t obvious enough lol xP (Can also be read on Ao3, but thanks to tumblr’s stupid tagging system it will be in the source link on this post. I’ve also put the link at the end of this post.)

“So… what are you planning to do now, Leo?” The question had been simple enough, but it left the prince at a blank. Peace had been acquired between Hoshido and Nohr, the true threat between the two countries finally at an end, and with that peace came drastic changes on both sides.

Ryoma, now king of his country, had taken Camilla as his queen during the war, their son Shiro barely a year old at this point. In the land of dusk, Xander and Hinoka had happily settled as king and queen, their own son Siegbert only a few months younger than his cousin but almost nearly as rambunctious.

Prince Takumi and his wife Oboro had restored her family’s kimono shop to its former glory, all the while seeing to the restoration efforts present throughout Hoshido and sitting in for Ryoma and Camilla when they were away from the country. Princess Sakura and her husband Kaden, wanting to assist their homeland in their own way, had traveled to almost all of the clinics and hospitals within Hoshido, tending to the wounded and sick.

Then there came the three remaining royals - four, if you counted Azura.

After the war, Kamui had become the queen of the now-restored Valla. Although she had insisted that Azura was the rightful heir to the throne and deserved to be its ruler, the songstress had politely rejected the notion, instead becoming Kamui’s personal advisor on everything regarding their homeland, now that they could speak freely on the topic. She, along with her husband, Kaze, chose to stay out of the limelight; but both were willing to help out with anything, should they be called to it.

Elise, not wanting to depart from Kamui’s side “ever again”, had also remained in Valla with her former sister, becoming sort of a beacon of hope and joy to the growing population there, something the kingdom truly needed. She and Odin, the latter having remained with his liege, had begun something of a courtship after the war, though both were far too immature to even consider the next step.

Leo, meanwhile, had come to a standstill in his life.

He hadn't needed to return to Nohr necessarily; war wasn’t on the horizon and Xander had a pretty firm grasp on everything at hand. He could travel to Hoshido if he wanted, being close friends with Takumi and all, but he reasoned he would simply feel out of place.

So, he had stayed in Valla. It was the most logical conclusion, after all, and had absolutely nothing to do with the young woman who sat on the throne.

“So… what are you planning to do now, Leo?” Camilla had asked him on one of her and their family’s (many) visits to the new kingdom, and he found that he really didn’t have an answer.

Well, he did, but he wasn’t about to go and voice it. Especially to someone like Camilla.

In the time during the war, he and Kamui had become inseparable, spending long nights reading together or discussing events that had occurred during the day. Before Leo could even fathom what was happening, her kind heart and quirky behavior had won him over completely. She was beautiful beyond belief and even the sound of her laugh lessened his burdens by a mile.

He had grown to care for her; not as a sister, but as a woman. And despite every objection that rose at the very notion of remaining with her, he couldn’t stay away.

“Well, to be honest, I was considering teaching lessons on war strategy here in Valla, seeing as Kamui learned so much back when I tutored her.” Leo finally replied, glancing up at his sister. “I haven’t run the idea by her yet, however.”

Camilla seemed quite pleased by the thought. “Oh, that sounds perfect for you! I’m sure the people here will benefit greatly from that talented brain of yours.”

It was something, at the very least. A footstep in the right direction.

“You? A Teacher?” Elise nearly guffawed, and Leo managed the deepest scowl possible.

He should’ve known his younger sister wouldn’t take the thought seriously, but Kamui, blessed Kamui, had the complete opposite reaction.

“Now, Elise,” she tutted at the girl, “Leo did wonders in improving my tactical skills during the war. I think he would do great in tutoring others, should they wish to learn.”

Elise shrugged, her mouth going slightly sideways. “If you say so, Big Sister. So long as he doesn’t lose that temper of his.”

“You honestly think I’d be so incompetent?” Leo asked, and Elise shrugged again.

“Perhaps you could even attend such lessons, Elise,” Kamui suggested. “You did mention wanting to understand battle formations better a while back.”

“Yeah, I could sit in on a few, I guess,” the girl said in what sounded like surrender, which, where Kamui was involved, wasn’t out of the question. She looked over her shoulder toward the exit to the library, then announced, “I’m gonna go find Odin; he said something about wanting to tell me a story about time travel or the like. See you both later.” And with that, the youngest Nohrian princess bounced away, leaving Leo and Kamui alone.

“Thanks for defending me,” Leo said sheepishly once the space was silent. Kamui turned to him, offering him a little smile.

“You did so all the time back in Nohr for my sake, I felt I could step in for once,” she explained, crossing her arms and wandering to the ornate window at the far end of the room. Leo took a moment to observe her, the way the sunlight practically reflected off her silvery hair, but a moment was all he allowed.

“Something the matter?” he asked as he moved to her side, and Kamui shrugged.

“Ryoma and Xander mentioned wanting to speak with me after dinner this evening. I can only assume it’s in relation to foreign matters, but…”

“But?” Leo pressed. Kamui sighed and turned to face him. Her face was distraught, an expression the prince was not expecting to see.

“I… Camilla and Ryoma were speaking in their chambers the other night, and I happened to overhear them as I passed by. Camilla was entirely upset, and Ryoma was comforting her as best he could, but reasserting his stance all the same.”

“What did he say to her?” Leo questioned, a sinking feeling starting to form in the pit of his stomach. Kamui looked him directly in the eyes, the vibrant red of her irises glistening with moisture.

“Valla will eventually require a king.”

Try as he might, Leo couldn’t help but glare at the two kings sitting on opposite sides of the dining table, conversing like they’d been friends for years. He wanted to demand why they thought it so necessary to leave Kamui so distressed, but like always he simply held his tongue.

A king. He knew the matter would come up eventually; Kamui was queen to Valla and as such would require ties to the surrounding lands - not to mention an heir to secure her lineage. Leo just hadn’t assumed it would be so soon.

No wonder Camilla had been so upset. The mere thought of seeing her on the arm of some… deplorable left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Leo, you’ve been scraping at nothing for the last two minutes and my ears are starting to bleed,” Elise hissed at him from her seat across the way, and only then did the prince notice the lines his knife had left in the delicate china in front of him.

He set his silverware down, crossing his arms instead. “Apologies,” he muttered, not sounding sincere in the slightest. Elise just rolled her eyes, going back to eating the tart currently sitting on her own plate. Leo hadn’t even touched the dessert platter once it was passed around, and even now the minimal dinner he had ingested sat like a brick in his gut.

“Kamui,” Xander suddenly addressed the girl sitting at the head of the table, and rose from his spot, “Your brother and I wish to speak with you, in private.” Leo felt a chill creep down his spine, and quickly found himself rising, as well. All eyes flew to him, but he simply cleared his throat.

“If I may attend this meeting as well, brother,” he requested, and Xander quirked a brow.

“Surely Leo can be present,” Kamui seconded. “He’s been my right hand up until this point, after all.” Both Ryoma and Xander eyed one another, but acquiesced the request, following Kamui and Leo out of the dining hall and into the queen’s study.

“Sister,” Ryoma began once the doors were closed, already looking uncomfortable. “It should be no surprise that this matter come to attention, but we both felt it plausible to discuss everything now rather than later.”

“And, that we want you to understand that this is only with your best interest in mind,” Xander followed, staring at the floor.

“Brothers, please,” Kamui stepped in, holding up her hands. I already know what it is you wish to address.”

“You do?” the kings sputtered at the same time, and Leo would’ve smirked at their shared dumbfoundedness had he not wanted to beat some sense into them both.

“Yes,” Kamui answered, chewing at her lip. “It’s about my… position as a single ruler, yes?”

Both Ryoma and Xander seemed to deflate, if only slightly. Both returned to their full height but a moment after, appearing steadfast once again.

“Kamui, we understand this is the last thing you wish to think about, but the problem still stands. Valla is a decrepit kingdom in need of alliances, and Nohr and Hoshido’s affiliations can only go so far. Without a solid tie to another foreign body, your kingdom will not thrive.” Xander explained, his brow pinched in worry. Only then did Leo understand that his elder brother was just as uneasy with the idea of marrying Kamui off to some stranger in another land.

“I know,” the queen quietly replied, fiddling with a loose string on her sleeve. “More than anything I wish to see the people of this kingdom whole again, and if my marrying someone can secure that desire, then so be it.”

“Kamui,” Leo’s voice cracked, her words piercing his heart like a knife. He understood the girl had a widespread reputation for her selflessness, but for this?

“I’m glad you understand, dearest sister,” Ryoma said with a smile. “Already you have proven to be a ruler of worth. It makes me proud to witness such firsthand.”

“I, as well,” Xander affirmed, nodding slightly. “As I’m sure you’re already aware, the best means of going about this would be to host a gala of some kind, allowing any interested suitors a chance to travel here and interact with you personally. I’ll see to it that Camilla and Elise start arranging such; they’ve always been expert in such matters.”

“Of course. Thank you, Xander. Ryoma.” Kamui replied. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to take part in some quiet reading before bed.”

“Of course, sister,” Ryoma agreed, moving to take his leave. Xander followed suit, and then it was just Leo and Kamui present once again.

“Kamui,” Leo repeated, his voice shaky. “Please tell me you aren’t actually considering this.”

The girl let out a halfhearted laugh, her eyes falling shut as she shook her head. “What choice do I have, Leo? They’re completely correct in their argument, and I can’t be selfish in a time like this.”

“I can’t recall a single time you ever were,” Leo stressed, stepping closer to her. “You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your happiness for anything.”

The young queen looked visibly touched, and Leo’s breath hitched when she reached for his hands, lacing their fingers together. Her skin was like a furnace in comparison to the chilly air of the study, and just the mere brush of her fingers against his offered him a sense of comfort.

“You’re so sweet, Leo,” Kamui murmured, her rosy lips turned upward in a sincere smile. “But this is my legacy, and that won’t change. I understand the consequences, but… for the sake of these people, my people, I must do what is necessary.”

“Kamui…” Leo swallowed thickly, his jaw tight. It was then that the doors to the study flew open and Elise bounded in, Camilla following close behind with Shiro on her hip. Kamui released Leo’s hands, turning to acknowledge the unexpected guests.

Already, the prince missed her tender warmth.

“Ah, here you are, darling,” their elder sister said with what looked to be a forced smile. “Xander said we would find you here, I hope you don’t mind the interruption.”

“Not at all, Camilla,” Kamui replied, managing a smile herself. Elise skipped to the queen’s side and clasped her hands in her own, swinging them back and forth with a bubbly giggle.

“Xander says you’re looking to get married, Big Sister, and he wants Camilla and I to help you out!” the girl chirped in excitement. “Oh, this is gonna be so fun! You’ve never been to a betrothal ball before, have you? We’re gonna arrange the best one ever for you, I promise!”

Kamui laughed at the girl’s enthusiasm, but even in the dim light of the study, Leo could make out the sadness and worry behind her eyes.

Thanks so much for reading! Or, if you are looking for the Ao3 link, it’s right here :D

Likes, reblogs, anything, are always loved and appreciated!!

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