Chapter 148

The truth uncovered

In the evening Mai and her friends went to her house to spend a night there. Sesshomaru was off somewhere, surely also anticipating the midnight. The girl quickly excused herself and pretended to go to sleep, but in reality she was just laying with her eyes closed, waiting for her date. She hoped, that it would be better than the previous one.

When the time came, Mai’s eyes snapped open. Cautiously not to make a noise, she looked at the two girls and Shippo – they looked like they were soundly asleep. She stood up slowly and crouched to the door. Soundlessly, she slid it open and sneaked past sleeping Miroku and Inuyasha, casting a wary look at the hanyou. She feared, that he may wake up instantly, hearing a slightest noise, but he didn’t move, as she slipped out of the house and, barefoot. She made her way towards the forest, where Sesshomaru should be waiting for her.

Just as the door closed, Kagome opened her eyes. She knew it! Curious, where Mai had gone, she stood up and silently followed her friend. As she was passing through the main room, she noticed, that only Miroku slept in the corner – Inuyasha was missing. The girl sneaked out of the building and was looking for Mai, but couldn’t see her. Damn, she lost her! Then, she saw a figure crouching before her, hopelessly visible even in the dead of night because of the bright red clothing. She furrowed her brows.

“Psst! Inuyasha.” She whispered. The hanyou looked back at her, surprised by her presence.

“Kagome? What are you…” he began, but Kagome hushed him and crawled closer to him.

“I was curious, where Mai went. It’s the middle of the night.” She whispered.

“Me too.” Inuyasha whispered back. Kagome nodded, happy to join forces with the hanyou. She fished out two pouches on strings. She put one through her head and the other one through Inuyasha’s.

“Those are the scent masking herbs.” She said quietly. “Just in case.”

“Let’s go.” The hanyou said nodding and gave Kagome a piggy back ride, as usual, following Mai’s footsteps deep into the forest. Soon they caught up to the brown-haired girl, who was walking along the path to the small clearing and stopped there. Inuyasha and Kagome crouched, hiding in the bushes and trying not to make a sound, as they were watching Mai.

The girl was standing in the middle of the clearing, playing with the stray strand of her hair and was looking around nervously, as though waiting for someone. Inuyasha frowned, for his nose picked up a familiar scent.

Mai couldn’t wait. The date in the middle of the night in the forest seemed to be so romantic, just like in some romance story! She quickly fixed her hair, combing it with her fingers to look a little bit prettier for Sesshomaru. She was determined on making him love her back eventually.

Suddenly, a movement from above caught her attention – it was the dog demon, gracefully landing right in front of her. At his sight her heart began pounding like crazy. She noticed, that he left his armor somewhere, perhaps so that it wouldn’t be in the way while cuddling.

“Um… hello.” She uttered, feeling out of sudden shy. 

The inu-youkai made an amused face, seeing her awkward reaction. With one step, he closed the distance between them and lifted her chin, making her look him in the eyes. Blushing, she obeyed, her slightly parted lips trembling, most probably of cold as she was dressed only in her thin sleeping kimono and her feet were bare. Not wanting his frail human spouse to get sick, he took off his outer haori and covered her shoulders with it, wrapping the fabric tightly around her small frame and pulling her to his chest.

“Thanks.” Mai whispered, putting her hands around Sesshomaru’s waist and resting her head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. “You’re very considerate.”

The demon moved his clawed hand over her hair.

“Your health is of utmost importance.” He retorted. “You must give birth to a strong son in the future, after all.”

Kagome’s eyes widened at the sight of Sesshomaru embracing Mai. She had some suspicions, but to see such thing with her own eyes… She covered her mouth not to gasp in surprise. She expected her friend to sneak out on some secret date, but with Sesshomaru?! She looked at Inuyasha, whose face expressed pure shock. The pair exchanged startled looks and continued observing the unusual scene.

Mai stiffened at her words. Just when she was happy, how romantic he was, the asshole demon was back with the heir-crap. She gritted her teeth and pulled back from him, sending him an angry glare.

“I’m not some breeding mare, you jerk!” she snapped at him. 

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, slightly surprised by the sudden change of her mood.

“No matter how persistently you deny it, you will be mother of my offspring.” He stated calmly in a tone, that indicated, that he considers this conversation over. 

Mai gripped the front of his haori.

“You won’t order me around!” she argued. “I’m not your slave!”

“You are my wife!” Sesshomaru bellowed at her, pulling her closer and immobilizing her arms, just in case the foolish woman would try to struggle.

Kagome and Inuyasha simultaneously covered their mouths, muffling shocked gasps and exchanged startled looks. Kagome didn’t expect THAT coming. Mai was Sesshomaru’s wife?! The girl didn’t have the faintest idea how in the world something like that could happen. Come on, it was Sesshomaru! He hated humans! More importantly, why Mai didn’t share the news?

“So what?!” she exclaimed, looking at Sesshomaru angrily. 

The demon was slightly disappointed by her resistance to acknowledge, that he wanted her to be mother of his children.

“

Is having a hanyou child repulsive for you?” he asked.

Mai stared at him, all her anger suddenly fleeing. She shook her head.

“

Of course not!” she assured her husband. “It’s just… I’m too young for that yet…”

“I see.” The dog demon replied, pleased that she was willing to have offspring with him, even if not now. He pulled her closer into the embrace. He planned to kiss her, when the woman spoke.

“Sesshomaru, do you think that if we have kids, they will be like Inuyasha?” she asked, oblivious to the fact, that in the nearby bushes Kagome was covering certain hanyou’s mouth, as he was coughing.

The dog demon frowned.

“I hope not.” He said. “Although I must admit, that he was quite adorable as a child.”

Mai looked at her husband and giggled at his unexpected confession. The demon saw her amusement and corrected himself.

“But he has grown into pathetic bastard.” He added. 

Mai’s smile went wider. Actually, she was having fun. It was nice to see such side of Sesshomaru. She suspected for a long time, that he had weakness for little and cute things, like children. She climbed on her toes and scratched her husband behind her ear. He closed his eyes, but after a while pushed her hand away. Mai was about to question him, but the demon pulled her into a passionate kiss.

Kagome and Inuyasha were gawking at the pair with their mouths opened agape. Mai and Sesshomaru married? Talking about kids? Kissing?! Kagome’s brain couldn’t just comprehend, what was happening. Inuyasha was even more shocked than she was. They were watching, as the dog demon’s hands were roaming all over their friend’s body and they blushed fiercely, exchanging shy looks. Kagome gasped quietly, when she felt Inuyasha slowly covering her hand with his. Smiling, she entwined her fingers with his and they moved closer to each other, their heats pounding in a crazy rhythm. They closed their eyes, about to kiss, when Kagome lost balance and fell sprawled atop Inuyasha, snapping some twigs in the process.

Sesshomaru suddenly broke the kiss, hearing a noise in the nearby bushes. His nose did not pick any scent, but sometimes it could not be trusted entirely. He flexed his clawed fingers and leapt towards the source of sound.

Mai opened her eyes, startled by how abruptly the dog demon pulled back, when something caught his attention. She wrapped herself tighter in his haori and followed him, not wanting to be left alone here.

“What is it, Sesshomaru?” she called after him, seeing that the inu-youkai was standing still over the nearby bushes, his hand lifted as though ready to strike, but motionless. Mai peeked from behind his back and gasped, startled. Behind the bushes laid none other than Inuyasha with Kagome sprawled on him, both gawking at Sesshomaru and her.

“Kagome? Inuyasha?” Mai mumbled, realizing, that she and her husband were just caught red-handed kissing.  

Crap! – she thought. That was it when it came to keeping their marriage a secret.

“I knew it!” the hanyou exclaimed, pointing at Sesshomaru. “I knew, that you had a thing for her!”

The dog demon narrowed his eyes.

“I see that you and your miko are getting along as well.” He said, arching his eyebrow. 

Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other, realizing that the girl was laying on the hanyou and yelped, jumping on their feet. Mai giggled at the hilarious sight, almost forgetting, that she was the one, who should be worried.

“Come, woman.” Sesshomaru said to her, grabbing her hand and leading her towards their house, leaving the shocked pair behind.

“Hey, wait up!” Inuyasha yelled, stalking to his brother and his wife, dragging Kagome after himself. 

“You two are married?!”

Mai’s cheeks flushed and the dog demon cast an annoyed look at his hanyou brother, deciding to clear all misunderstandings.

“We are.” He admitted. 

Kagome coughed and sent her friend an accusing look.

“Mai, you didn’t tell me!” he accused Mai. The girl smiled.

“That was my little secret.” She said, putting her arm around Sesshomaru and observing with satisfaction the priceless looks on her friends’ faces.

Somewhere close…

In the dead of the night two figures emerged from the shadows, cast by the old trees.

“Did you bring the item, that belongs to that person?” the old youkai woman asked. The other person nodded, retrieving an object from the sleeve and passing it to the old crone.

“Will that suffice?” the mysterious figure asked.

The old woman smiled wickedly, examining the silver hairpin.

“Oh, yes. I recognize this item. Now I can begin the ritual.” She said. The other person nodded and stepped back, watching as the youkai witch chanted her spells, demonic energy and flames dancing around her, till the sun was about to rise. The old woman finished the ritual and carefully wrapped the hairpin in a cloth, passing it to the stranger. Clawed fingers swiftly snatched it.

“You must carry it with you till the next dawn. But, remember – you cannot touch it. After a full day passes, you may seek out your enemy and the spell will work, once that person touches the item. Then you must say this person’s name and this person have to say yours.” The witch explained. The stranger nodded and vanished into the woods.

Back in the village

The news of Mai’s and Sesshomaru’s marriage spread like a disease, shocking everyone except Kaede, and causing quite a commotion. The last preparations were under way – Mai and other women were helping Sango dress, while the men were actually doing nothing. Miroku was talking with his master, the monk Mushin, who came to conduct the ceremony and Inuyasha was pestering his older brother.

“So my brother married a human.” The hanyou stated, grinning widely. Sesshomaru didn’t answer him, instead he sent him a cold look. Inuyasha saw that as a sign, that he must try to piss him more. 

“It’s funny, since you always so insulted me for being half-human and your kids will be hanyous too.”

The dog demon growled at him, irritated by the remarks.

“Do not compare my future son to your pathetic, idiotic self, Inuyasha.” He retorted. Inuyasha scowled at the remark.

“You still think, that you’re better, bastard?!” the hanyou shouted at his brother.

“Hn.” Sesshomaru maintained his poker face, but on his lips played a malicious smirk. “It is obvious, that I am.”

“Asshole.” Inuyasha hissed, ripping out Tessaiga. “I’ll show you who’s the boss here!”

The inu-youkai smirked.

“In your dreams, hanyou.” He said, unsheathing Bakusaiga.

 

Meanwhile in Kaede’s new hut…

“I’m so nervous!” Sango whined, as Kagome was finishing doing her bridal make-up and Mai was brushing the long hair.

“Everything will be okay.” Kagome assured her. “Mai, how was your wedding ceremony?”

“Long.” Mai sighed at the memory. “So damn long, that I was scared, that my butt will fall off. But there’s nothing to worry about. Basically you just have to sit and endure it.”

“Oh.” Sango didn’t seem to be relieved. Since she learned about Mai’s new life situation, she treated the girl like some marriage-expert. The demon-slayer bushed, before whispering. “And  how was your wedding night?”

Mai gulped, as both Kagome and Sango stared at her, eagerly expecting the answer.

“Uneventful.” She said shortly, not bothering to mention that the highlight of the night was slashing 

Sesshomaru’s face with a makeshift knife.

Sango frowned.

 “Mai, don’t keep it for yourself.” The demon-slayer scolded her. “I’m dying of fear here!”

“Yes, you must tell us all. For instance…” Kagome’s face turned red. “I was wondering… you know… Inuyasha is half demon, so…how… Sesshomaru’s”

“Sesshomaru’s?” Mai and Sango asked her simultaneously, baffled, as they were watching Kagome make weird signs with her hands.

“Down here.” Kagome whispered, all red.

“Oh.” Mai also blushed. “Enormous.”

The girls went silent for a while. Finally Sango spoke, turning to Mai.

“Does it hurt, when… you know?” the demon-slayer asked nervously. Mai’s ears felt like exploding.

“No idea. Probably.” She muttered. Kagome frowned her brows.

“What do you mean: no idea?” she demanded, studying Mai’s flushed face. “Don’t tell me, that you’re married for a month and still virgin?”

“I am!” Mai whined, covering her face with her hands, extremely embarrassed.

“Maybe she wouldn’t be  if we weren’t staying at her and Sesshomaru’s house.” Sango stated. “But now as we moved out, nothing is standing in the way.”

“I’m not ready!” Mai whined.

Suddenly, the girls heard clash of steel and a sound of explosion.

“KAZE NO KIZU!”

“BAKUSAIGA!”

Mai and Kagome exchanged panicked glances and ran outside.

“Sesshomaru, stop!” Mai shouted.

“Osuwari!” Kagome yelled. Sango peeked out, after Kaede covered her head with the white cloth.

“I think it’s the time for the wedding.” She said. Mai and Kagome nodded in agreement.

During the ceremony Mai stood by Sesshomaru’s side, gripping the sleeve of his haori to prevent him from kicking Inuyasha’s butt. She watched, as Sango and Miroku took their places in front of monk Mushin, who was blabbering about the importance of marriage. The both bride and groom looked nervous, but happy, unlike her and Sesshomaru during their own wedding.

“Sango looks so beautiful.” Mai sighed, feeling a little jealous. The dog demon glanced down at her.

“Hn.” He said quietly. “She is nothing compared to my wife.”

Mai’s eyes brightened at the unexpected compliment and her cheeks flushed, as she smiled at her 

 husband. Sesshomaru just complimented her! 

“I’m going to puke.” Inuyasha muttered from the side.

“Behave!” Kagome hissed.

Mai rolled her eyes.

Soon Miroku and Sango exchanged the wedding vows and the reception began. The girl was happy, that this one she wasn’t the one, who was imprisoned while listening to well-wishers. Mai looked at Sesshomaru, who seemed to be a little bit impatient and was growing more irritated with every passing minute. She sighed – it was a miracle already, that he attended a human wedding. She should take him away as soon as possible.

“Sesshomaru, if you want, we can go.” She said quietly. The demon nodded and they rushed home.

However, they managed to take only a few steps, before someone patted Sesshomaru on his back.

“You have to join us, boy!” Totosai, who had been also invited, exclaimed, holding a bottle of sake. Mai made a face palm. She forgot, that it was a tradition, that men toasted. First a bunch of people moving into their new house, then Totosai trying to get her husband drunk… Pure nightmare!

Sesshomaru also wasn’t eager to spend the night drinking with human and demon guests.

“No.” he answered dryly, turning around and walking away.

“Keh!” Inuyasha’s voice could be heard, as the hanyou made his way towards them, loaded with the bottles of sake. He smirked smugly at his brother. “Sesshomaru is afraid, that he’s no match for me!”

The dog demon tensed, glaring at his brother, as Inuyasha challenged him. Mai rolled her eyes. Maybe her husband was a powerful demon, but he was horribly dumb sometimes.

“This Sesshomaru will not lose to such a pathetic hanyou as yourself!” the dog demon hissed.

“Prove it!” Inuyasha grinned. Mai sighed, knowing, where it was going. She patted the inu-youkai’s arm.

“Have fun.” She encouraged him to go, knowing that was unavoidable.

As Sesshomaru left with Totosai and Inuyasha, Mai made her way to the edge of clearing, tired by the commotion. For the last few days she was always surrounded by a bunch of people, not having a moment to herself. And she would use some time alone. She leaned on the tree and closed her eyes, listening to the music played by the villagers.

Shinji whipped his horse, urging the animal to go faster, as he rode through the woods. The sun just set, engulfing the forest in the darkness. Along the way the young general met his cousin Keiji, who told him, that Amayami was indeed pursuing her demon husband. At first he was willing to acknowledge the union between the princess and the mononoke and not interfere, even though it was scandalous, but after the monster cast the poor Amayami away, Shinji opened his eyes. There was no love between them – the youkai was simply using the girl for his malicious deeds, before throwing her away like a toy, that entertains no more. The pitiful princess must had been influenced somehow into believing, that she loved him. Shinji gritted his teeth, determined to save her from the demon’s clutches and make her happy by his side.

“I’m coming, Amayami!” he called into the night, kicking the horse’s sides.

He rode for couple of hours more, before he heard the sounds of music and laughter of people, as he was near another village, that he had to check out. When he was close enough to see bonfires through the trees, he dismounted and tied the reins to a branch.  He approached the clearing, which turned out to be full of people – the whole village must have gathered here, celebrating some occasion. He approached the clearing. 

As he was walking, he passed by a woman, leaning against the tree. He looked at her and gasped.

“Amayami-hime?” he couldn’t believe his luck.

“Shinji?” Mai asked, surprised to see him here. “What...” she began, but Shinji interrupted her, grabbing her hands.

“Quickly, come with me. I will take you back to your father!” he insisted, looking seriously into her eyes.

“No way!” Mai protested, trying to free her hands. “I’m staying here with my husband! I’m not going back to the castle!”

“Amayami, don’t say such things!” the young samurai scolded her. “You are confused, the mononoke manipulated you. Don’t you see, that he’s just using you for his own gain?”

Mai fell silent, struck by the accuracy of samurai’s words. She loved Sesshomaru, but was sure, that he saw her not as a woman, he loved, but as a future mother of his children. That was his purpose for her. She had asked him about his feelings towards her, but he never gave her a straight answer. She smiled faintly at Shinji.

“Even if he is using me, it’s not changing, that I love him. I want to stay by his side.” She said quietly 

The young general looked at her with pity and released his wrists.

“Amayami…” he said with longing in his eyes. “You do not have to endure such a cruel fate. There is someone, who loves you with all his heart.”

Mai looked at him, furrowing her brows and wondering if she got it right. Shinji took a step towards her, closing the distance between them. The girl wanted to take a step back, feeling uncomfortable with the closeness, but her back met the tree.

“I love you, Amayami.” Shinji whispered, before unexpectedly crushing her lips against hers.

Mai’s eyes widened, as she was totally startled by his action. She was struggling, trying to free herself from his embrace and break the unwanted kiss, but Shinji was surprisingly strong and was holding her firmly. Mai clenched her teeth, refusing to let him to deepen the kiss, although he tried. It was completely different than with Sesshomaru – this kiss sickened her, she wanted to break free, but she couldn’t move. She wanted to scream for help, but the samurai’s mouth on hers muffled all cries.

Suddenly, Shinji stilled, breaking the kiss. 

“From what I saw, you are enjoying yourselves.” Mai’s heard Sesshomaru’s voice, cold as ice.

Author Note:

Thanks for the lovely reviews. I knew you could do it ;-)

Now, please comment! What will happen next?