Chapter 67

The true beauty appears



The next few days Mai spent in a rather pleasant atmosphere. Sesshomaru didn't seem to be as unbearable as he recently had been. Most of the time they were travelling, searching for the damn bastard Naraku. The silver-haired demon looked as though he knew where they were going, but the girl could swear, that they were just running in circles. A few times she tried to get some information from some random villagers, but they ran away before she even had the chance to say 'hello'. Of course the three demons were to blame, but Mai was quite reluctant to tell Sesshomaru to let her wander alone – her wound from Kohaku's sickle was barely healed.

The girl was sitting on Ah-Un, observing Rin, who was babbling something to Sesshomaru.

"Mai!" Jaken called her. Mai looked at the imp, who obviously wanted to continue their previous conversation about the Asakura castle. He seemed to be very curious today.

"What is it Jaken?" she asked, yawning. The wary look in the imp's eyes worried her a little. What was he up to?

"I said, that I've noticed a few strange things about you." The imp stated dramatically. Mai arched her eyebrow.

"I've heard, that all women seem strange to men." She said, returning to gazing at Rin and Sesshomaru. The powerful demon and the little girl actually looked cute together.

"Mai, listen to me!" Jaken tapped her knee with Nintoujou to get her attention. "Rin told me, that the humans from your castle called you 'Amayami', not 'Mai', so which is it? Moreover you told us, that both your parents are dead, but lord of the castle, who is supposedly your father is actually alive. Oh, and odd acquaintance with the miko, that travels with Inuyasha. Who are you exactly?"

Suddenly, Mai snapped back to reality and gawked at Jaken. Shit, he finally figured it out, although it took him several weeks. Somehow she had an impression, that recently the green imp became suspiciously interested in her private life. She could tell them the truth, but… How the hell was she supposed to do that?! If she said that she was sent from the future by some freaky mirror… No, it was too complicated. Anyway, she was living here and now. There was no going back to the modern Japan, so it's not even worth sparing a thought. Plus, her true body was dead, so in a manner of speaking she was princess Amayami. Damn, it sounded so horrible – the only thing that was hers was her soul, she was technically inhabiting someone else's body, even though it looked nearly the same as her own. Just like she was a spirit, that was possessing another person or a parasite. It was just too creepy.

"Mai, what do you have to say?" Jaken asked her, making her abandon the grim thoughts. Mai thought of some logical explanation. All right, she got one!

"I don't know, what you're blabbing about, Jaken. I just like the name 'Mai' better – that was like my parents were calling me. Moreover, you have an unbeatable proof, that I'm an Asakura. Remember that cursed spear, that could be touched only by a descendant of that Asakura guy?" she grinned smugly at Jaken. Everything she just said was, in fact, the truth. It's just that she kept quiet about some facts. Jaken furrowed his brows, still not entirely convinced.

"What about the parents?" he asked. Mai flashed a smile at him.

"Sometimes the parents, who raised you, are more important than the ones who conceived you." She told him, proud that she actually managed to explain everything logically.
Jaken shut up, but looked displeased, because he was wrong again. And he was so sure about this one!



Mai returned to observing, how Rin bothered Sesshomaru. The child was telling the demon about something and he kept nodding from time to time. Maybe it didn't look like it, but he was actually showing a lot of interest in what Rin was babbling about, as for him of course. It seemed to Mai, that the child triggered some kind of hidden gentleness in him. Around the child he was less intimidating. The girl sighed, wishing that her demonic boss could be like that more often – maybe she could have liked him more… She decided not to be excessively demanding, considering that the inu-youkai treated her much better now than at the beginning. If their peaceful relations continue, she might be able to endure his constant presence till Naraku is defeated.

And then what? What would she do when that evil plotting bastard is finally defeated? Returning to the Asakura castle was a no, because her fake father convinced himself, that he managed to marry her off to a demon. Going to Kaede's village was also impossible, at least without Sesshomaru's consent. Without it, Inuyasha would probably just deliver her back to Sesshomaru, with a ribbon wrapped around her head. Mai sighed. She would have to somehow convince her demonic boss to relieve her of the duty later. Travelling with him was okay now, but she didn't like the idea of growing old as his servant. If the inu-youkai insists on dragging her along for her entire life, she won't have any chance for a normal family in the future. How possibly could she find a husband and have kids, if she was running around the feudal Japan all the time?



Mai saw, that Sesshomaru stopped abruptly. Did he smell something dangerous? Lately it was very peaceful. Suddenly, the demon pushed Rin aside, sending the startled kid on the ground. She noticed a blurred shape approaching Sesshomaru with an unnatural speed and a gleam of steel, as the two blades clashed. Everything, happened so fast, that she didn't even have the time to see when the dog demon drew Tokijin.

"Rin!" Mai jumped of Ah-Un and ran to the child. She clutched the kid and dragged back to the dragon, getting both of them into safety. She pushed Rin onto the saddle and climbed herself, just in case they would have to escape on Ah-Un. After ensuring, that the child was all right, she glanced at Sesshomaru.

The demon and his opponent were jumping around each other, their weapons clashing, sending sparks into the air. Mai gasped, surprised, when she saw who was Sesshomaru battling with - it was a woman. The demoness wore fancy kimono, which was swirling gracefully, as she easily avoided the dog demon's blows. She was swinging with a naginata. The weapon seemed to be too big and heavy for a woman, but she wielded it with such a natural ease, as though it was a part of her. The long black hair were also swirling in the air, entwining with Sesshomaru's silver strands, like a symbol of yin and yang. The both demons were moving like dancers, perfectly knowing the next step.
The demoness swung her naginata at the dog demon, but he parried it with Tokijin effortlessly. The woman used the force of the impact and backed a few steps. The both youkai stood before each other, their weapons ready to attack, but they were not moving.

Now that they were still, Mai had a chance to take a better look at Sesshomaru's opponent. She felt the stab of jealousy, as she noticed, that the demoness was the most beautiful woman she ever saw, maybe even the prettiest that ever walked on the face of earth. She was a graceful and ethereal beauty in every inch. Her silky black hair were as long as Sesshomaru's. Mai frowned. I bet that she doesn't have a problem with split ends. Her skin was pale and looked very soft, flawless. The eyes were of the color of the sea and she had demon markings on her cheeks – just a single blue wavy line on each. Everything about her was perfect, so perfect, that it felt almost unreal. Comparing herself to the demoness, Mai felt suddenly like hiding in some deep pit.

Sesshomaru observed the woman warily, cautious of every single movement.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.

The demoness laughed, demurely covering her mouth with the sleeve of her fancy kimono. Damn, she even laughed perfectly. She smiled at Sesshomaru in a way Mai would call seductive.
"Is it not obvious, Sesshomaru? I came to remind you of the promise you gave me." She said in a husky voice. The inu-youkai glared at her.

"This Sesshomaru did not promise you anything." He hissed. The atmosphere was so thick, that you could slice it with a knife. Mai was wondering, what was that about. Who was she, anyway. Apparently, she wasn't the only one asking herself this question.

"Who are you?" Jaken shouted at the woman, waving with Nintoujou. The demoness laughed gracefully once again.

"Who I am, the little youkai? I am called Kasumi and I am the future mother of the world's strongest demon."

"Hn." Sesshomaru snorted. "Stop this foolishness already, Kasumi."

Mai narrowed her eyes. The inu-youkai seemed to be well-acquainted with this woman, a little bit too well for Mai's taste.

"Will you make me wait another hundred years, Sesshomaru? It is rude." The woman scolded Sesshomaru, while smiling charmingly. Mai gasped – she didn't met anyone who was talking like that to the dog demon and lived. Maybe except Inuyasha, but Sesshomaru's younger brother was just damn good at self-defense. To Mai's surprise, the dog demon didn't kill the youkai woman.

"Do not bother me." The demon said, his eyes showing his growing annoyance. Kasumi arched an eyebrow.

"That will not happen. We are betrothed and I will see that you fulfill the promise between our mothers. With you as a father, my child will rule all the provinces."

Mai and Jaken opened their mouths agape, not being able to utter a word. Sesshomaru had a fiancée and didn't even bother to mention it. The girl felt uneasy for some reason.

"I have no desire of participating in your plot." The demon stated. The demoness gritted her teeth and hissed, anger showing on her flawless face.

"So you are still denying to take responsibility! I cannot believe, that you, an impeccable demon, would chose such a pathetic fellowship over me!" she looked at the group gathered around Ah-Un. Jaken clenched his fists at the insult. And Mai hugged Rin protectively, seeing that the demoness was glaring at her and the child with hatred. Then, she turned her attention back to Sesshomaru. "It is surprising, that you are travelling in a company of humans."

"Leave them out of this!" Sesshomaru hissed. Kasumi frowned, seeing his reaction.

"Why so angry? Do not tell me, that you care for the humans." She mocked him. Mai could tell that Sesshomaru nearly lost his patience. The demon managed to control the anger, showing on his face, and smirked.

"Do not be foolish. This Sesshomaru would never care for the pathetic humans, they are merely the tools I can use. You should not made such presumptions, Kasumi, given that we know each other since centuries." He said in an icy-cold tone.

Mai felt like being just slapped in the face. Tools? That was all she and Rin were to him? How dare he tell something like that near the child! That bastard! She gritted her teeth, feeling the wave of fury wash over her.

"Take your leave." Sesshomaru demanded. Kasumi sighed, disappointed.

"I will not let you escape me forever, Sesshomaru. Soon I will make sure that the promise is fulfilled." She told him in a serious tone.

"Hn." Sesshomaru cast her a cold look. The demoness leapt into the air and glided away. The dog demon watched, as she vanished in the clouds.

SLAP!

Mai stalked to Sesshomaru and with all her might slapped him in the face. The demon was caught completely off guard and didn't react as her small palm collided with the side of his face, leaving a reddened spot on his cheek. Startled by her sudden action, he was staring at the girl.

"You bastard!" she screamed at him. She lifted her hand again to slap him once more, but Sesshomaru caught it, when it was an inch from his cheek. He squeezed Mai's wrist, but she clenched her teeth, refusing to whimper from the pain. She glared at him in ultimate fury and tears began welling in the corners of her eyes.

"You asshole!" she hissed. The demon sent her a warning look.

"I warn you woman…" the demon began, but Mai interrupted him.

"Warn me?" she spat. "What you're going to do? Show off how strong you are again?"

Sesshomaru stood in place and released Mai's wrist. The girl pulled her hand quickly back, as if the demon's touch burned her. She kept glaring at him furiously and continued her tirade.

"You were right about one thing – I am foolish. I was stupid enough to actually believe, that you are a good man, but you are nothing than a monster! It is good finally to know, what you think of me and Rin, though. The child must be thrilled to learn what she is to her idolized Sesshomaru-sama. You're the worst!"

After Mai finished, she stalked to Ah-Un and sat on his back, refusing to look at the dog demon. Sesshomaru didn't say a word during her tirade. He stood still, as though shocked. The mark on his cheek, where the girl hit him, faded away already. The physical pain from the weak blow disappeared, but the other kind began to burn inside.