"Ah, the girls are headed to the Welcome Center. I must leave," Yamashi said, turning around to listen to the giggles. His ears twitched before he said, "Sounds like their playing games until the emperor calls for them. He'll be leaving for school himself since he missed his lessons during the attack."
"Which school?" Sesshomaru asked out of curiosity. Do these people ever sleep? Not that he was in a position to tell anyone that.
"Nihonese males of his status typically go to Zhongguo for school every five to ten years, depending on their progress. They can bag themselves a fine Zhongguon wife if they're lucky, or even own land or a home in exchange for their contributions to the silk empire," Yamashi explained. "It's not often, but it happens."
"That crabby, old hag that works at the witch's funeral home dressed differently than the Nihonese women. She knew how to cook Zhongguon dishes. Is she from there?" Sesshomaru asked.
"You must mean Morihei," Kirameku Ha said with amusement. "She is Nihonese. She simply married a Zhongguon nobleman. Their marriage was quite scandalous, but Morihei proved herself well. She earned her mother-in-law's respect and became a close friend to Lady Umehana and Lady Amarante. These women are my pupil's grandmothers."
Sesshomaru turned to the elder at this information. He was learning a great deal about his rivals tonight with exception to the old man. What was his story? A striking of sticks sounded before a flighty yelp sounded and giggling was heard. A soft applause followed after. Yamashi bowed with respect to Kirameku Ha and Maniwa before taking his leave. He knew that game by sound alone. As he was walking across the bridge, memories of his past floated to his ears and he smiled. Butte odoru was the name of the small game. It reminded Yamashi of the day he battled Meioshi for the first time. She was relentless! On the day of his coming-of-age ceremony, Yamashi was meant to take over a territory of his choosing. That year, he had chosen to hunt for Yuko's homelands and take it. She was meant to be his prize woman.
On that day, Yuko and Meioshi had returned to the farmlands to gather a few more herbs for medicine and tea making day. With a wagon full of foliage, they journeyed to Meioshi's small clinic and started drying and/or cooking herbs. Yuko was drying leaves to make assorted teas on this rack and strainer while Meioshi prepared alcohol mixes and pastes. Yamashi kept his eyes on Yuko a majority of the time, not realizing that Meioshi knew he was nearby. She sensed him beforehand and waited for him to strike. He didn't. He merely watched Yuko until they took a lunch break under the very bridge he was walking on. They rested at the lounge part and just enjoyed the atmosphere. Two beauties speaking as friends and eating well. There weren't nearly as many demons in Heiwa back then as there were now. Ichi was a rarer specimen, and Yamashi remembered when he visited Meioshi with his aging, human mother. They were checking on Yuko and eating together. Yamashi envied Ichi greatly. He was able to make her smile and laugh. The way her cheeks and eyes glimmered when her smiles were at their widest moments. A gorgeous girl! Ichi had finally sensed him, however, and the two had a brief standoff.
Ichi was unusual then. Yamashi couldn't convince him to give away Yuko's name or age or any information related to her, but the doctor was different. He had no problem spitting information out about her. In fact, he challenged him to try to fight her and see for himself. So, he did. In exchange for her defeat, believing Meioshi to be the ruler of Heiwa, Yamashi demanded Yuko as his prize. Yuko was not happy about that at all. What woman would be, honestly? Meioshi laughed at his request, but she obliged.
Her words exactly on that day went something iike... "Interesting. I've never met a wandering prince on these lands before. It's usually merchants, mercenaries, or humble folk who have simply lost their way. The wild boars are a proud lot, especially."
"You know of my kind? Good. Then, you wouldn't want a war to destroy your lands, would you?" Yamashi questioned, confident and activating his yoki fire.
"I've no worries for such a thing. I've been in wars before," Meioshi said, matching his confidence. "Forgive me for asking this, though. Why are you betraying your kingdom for a human farm girl? Her bride price is considered scandalous for your kind and for someone of your status."
"What are you talking about? I'm taking your lands. She is merely a prize added to my collection," Yamashi said quite coldly.
"What was that!?" Yuko argued.
"That's what I'm asking you. Why Yuko? Farmhands are considered penniless. You are neither a farmer nor penniless. She is not a concubine, and her humanness would damage your name. Why risk it?" Meioshi asked a bit more seriously.
"... She's... I don't know. She's cute, I guess. What's it matter to you?" Yamashi questioned, not liking Meioshi's inquisitive eyes.
"You've been following us for a while now, young prince. She is not just cute, and, if you truly wanted these lands, you would have started the war some time ago. Demanding Yuko to be your prize woman is unusual for a demon prince. You don't actually want these lands. You just want to be around my Yuko," Meioshi pointed out. She turned to Yuko and said with a soft smile, "My little friend there is quite beautiful, isn't she?"
He hated to admit it, but the doctor was right. He liked Heiwa. Today, he loves it. It's his home. He'd go to war for it, would die to save it, loves throwing people out to keep it pure. Back then..., there was something more to Yuko than just her looks. He wanted to be the one to make her smile. He liked making her fluster or upset because she paid attention to him for once. He didn't get to get under her skin immediately, though. It took a harsh battle with the doctor before he could make his move on Yuko. The clacking of sticks put things in slideshow format for the young prince. To match his power, Meioshi activated her own and wielded a club to perform melee attacks. She was a martial artist, though. Her agility threw Yamashi for a loop quite a few times. Refusing to lose, he gave every blow enhanced strength to tire Meioshi out. She had a wicked smile back then - a bloodthirsty one. Ichi was telling the truth about her. She was not to be fucked with when it came to protecting Heiwa or the people she was closest to. In a final attempt to ensure his victory, he opted to kidnap Yuko for ransom. Didn't matter what the outcome was for this fight. He could get soldiers to kill the doctor. He'd rather not because her healing skills and combat affinity were highly useful, but... he had to have Yuko. It wasn't a discussion.
About to cheat his way to victory, Yamashi snatched Yuko by the arm to pull her towards him. Her skin was softer than he thought, warmer than he pictured. She was... not having it. She pulled out her magic wok skillet, reeled her arm back, and WHAM! The shock of the blow was what got to him, but he remembered those precious words of declaration on that day.
"Oh, you don't know it yet, but... you're my wife!"
"Nice job, Yuko!" Meioshi complimented, amused by the attack.
As they say...
"Nice job, Yuko!"
The rest is history. From that moment on, Yamashi was adamant about having Yuko at his side, and the prince finally wore her down. Homugi cheered for his wife this time, and he wasn't trying to snatch her up with the intention of bedding her this time. Well..., not yet. As soon as she gets a wok skillet in her hands, things could change. Meioshi was smiling at the girls as she twirled her stick around to capture the leather ball. It was reasonably sized and had tassels on its sides and decorative beading and painting along the circumference to make a lovely stripe. Chiyumi was Meioshi's opponent in this round. Now, this was an interesting match. Chiyumi and Meioshi were unusually tall women and quite graceful. Kiijiro forgot about his game of keidoro in favor of watching his mother play-fight with his other mother. Two mommies fighting was of greater interest, apparently. Sesshomaru and the group of men were walking up to see the supposed spectacle.
Everything was quiet as the women circled the ball like vultures before they twirled their sticks around and circled the ball a bit faster. Fuyu Joo and Kinzo were playing instruments to match the intensity of the women. Meioshi smirked a bit before twirling about elegantly, using knife hands to perform a kata with her stick, and moving the ball forward by pushing the stick at an angle. Chiyumi retaliated by performing a downward strike, shorter kata, and hard thrust. Meioshi retaliated herself until the women looked like they were merely dancing. The men were not fooled, though. They knew how Meioshi typically fought. Sesshomaru was very intimate with the doctor's hand-to-hand combat. She kicked the ball upwards and then performed her hat-throwing strike with the stick. He was impressed with Chiyumi's responses, however. She was able to pull Meioshi forward with the hooked end of the stick, but Meioshi teased her by pulling the stick back and grunting playfully. She made Chiyumi giggle before returning to her position. Before long, the two returned to their game of dancing and stick twirling until...
"Hey!"
"You got a point, Mama Mei-Mei!" Kiijiro cheered.
"You still dance beautifully, sister!" Meioshi complimented, hugging Chiyumi.
"And you're still a troublemaker," Chiyumi said, pinching Meioshi's cheeks and spanking her butt with her stick.
"What is this game?" Jaken asked, confused by what he saw.
"Butte odoru, a women's pastime," Kirameku Ha replied, walking over to Meioshi's lounge area in the garden. "Only the women who fight with tanto or swords can play this game."
That's all Sesshomaru needed to hear. He took Chiyumi's stick and pointed it at Meioshi. "Draw your weapon, witch."
"I don't think he heard the women's pastime part, father," Maniwa said, leaning to whisper.
"Ah," Kirameku Ha replied, silently chuckling. The dog wishes to play.
Meioshi said nothing, though. She merely retrieved the ball, bowed with respect to her opponent, and twirled her stick around in silence. May as well. They hadn't fought in a while, and their final battle might be a long way away with how things were going. Meioshi had plans to use this trip to investigate the origins of Sesshomaru's Meido Stone. There's a chance it might not be of Nihonese origin, or it might even have an equivalent partner to help find it. Lady Rakuyama, unfortunately, could be anywhere, but Meioshi also owed King Biancheng his souls. There was too much crap piling on top of each other. She had to keep things in order. For this one time, she would make her trip short and return to Heiwa immediately. After all, she had another relative to bury and this would be hard on her. She could afford this one round of play, though.
Sesshomaru... was playing for a different reason. There was something he wanted to do. He wasn't sure what to call it. Couldn't explain it if he tried, but either the curse on him was just that strong or... something within wanted this moment. It was more than a game for him. When Meioshi moved slowly to circle the ball, she closed her eyes for a moment. Sesshomaru got to see her makeup up close. The doctor's natural beauty was enhanced. Finally, something clicked for his lordship. That time in the forest... when they went to confront the black wall demon... Sesshomaru thought Meioshi was dangerous. She wasn't dangerous...
|| ... ... ||
By default, the Western lord chose to remain cryptic in replying, "Your curiosity is unnecessary. If you can fight, we will proceed."
Her eyelids lowered, drawing attention to her fluttering lashes and the war paint on her eyes, and she called him in a softer tone, "Sesshomaru. Please."
Why does she need my reason?Sesshomaru thought, eyes slightly widening at her response. She was too dangerous like this. The look in her eyes, the softness of her features. They were too... what could he call it? He thought more, Why are you saying my name like that? None of this... means anything. The lands are being threatened. That's all there is to it.
Meioshi watched the conflict transpiring in the young lord's eyes and stiff shoulders. So, he doesn't know why he's helping her either. He's just compelled to do so. That's good. She was beginning to think there was something more - something she would rather not have the young man know. Since it looked like he wasn't sure, she was able to relax a bit and decided to give him the reassurance he needed instead.
She smiled gently at him and said ever so sweetly, "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru. I'm sorry for pestering you. You're right. Your reasons are your own. It's not my place to push."
Right then, Sesshomaru could see it. The reason why the black wall demon was so fascinated with the doctor. The reason why he spoke to her softly. The reason why he sang lullabies to her. The reason why he healed her earlier. The reason why he would rather bargain with her than harm her. It all made sense when she smiled like that. It made sense when she spoke that way to him. It all made sense... when she fully trusted him.
Grunting to himself, Sesshomaru then said, "Don't forget it again, witch. Let's go."
|| ... ... ||
She was... sexy. When she's not in combat, when she's not worried about the safety of others, when she's not working on something, when she's just a regular woman, she's... very attractive. Too attractive. To a point where... he'd rather protect her than hurt or fight her. The black wall demon must've thought the same thing. He had seen her in a vulnerable state, and he liked that. The removal of this strong, independent figure showed something that was delicate and frail. It's a side of the doctor no one is allowed to see. Even when she's her most emotional, she wears armor and has a weapon in her hand. She can be angry and is quick to threaten violence if necessary. When that's taken away and just the woman is there, her smile is sweeter, her voice is softer, her skin is purer. She's so much gentler than the soldier she has to be.
When they were at the ravine, and he watched her work, he felt that same attraction towards her. The promise of a real battle wasn't the only thing he looked forward to. The day he'd get to see her smile again, the day he'd be able to lift her up from the ground, the day he'd be able to bring her to a medic, the day he'd ask for a rematch, that was what he looked forward to. A life with a new friend if nothing ever came of their alliance, or... a life of understanding. Now, he had the capacity to see what his father saw. Sesshomaru's human princess wasn't some frail thing to protect, but she had the capacity and ability to be. She wasn't just a healer. She could make a campsite into a home, a trusted home. He could speak to her about deeper things, and she would understand the subject. She would fight for those who were mistreated but give them a second chance to start anew. His Rin was also his human princess. He did love her and was happy with her. She may not have understood everything he went through, but she supported him and believed he deserved a second chance. Both his princesses were kind. Would his little one grow to be as sexy as his rival when she came of age?
Clang! Click! Poof! Excellent defensive move, rival.
Perhaps, like his Rin, Sesshomaru should get to know... his Meioshi... Perhaps, through play, he could...