Title: The Encounter

Author: InuDemi

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha anime, manga, or characters. All rights and property belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz.

Summary: How Izayoi first met InuTaishou.

(Inner thoughts)

She could see sunlight beginning to peek through the bamboo curtain that hung at the door. She was in the aftermath of another night of restless sleep that made her sluggish and put bags under her eyes. He mother would disapprove harshly once she saw her. There was nothing further she could think to do to remedy the problem. Last night Chou prepared green tea infused with chamomile and it managed to help her drift off but she woke up a few hours later.

Chou and her baby were still sleeping softly so she stayed bundled up on the futon so as not to wake them. The headman's wife was delighted to have Izayoi in her home even though it meant her husband would have to leave for the duration of Izayoi's stay. He'd gone to stay with some of their other relatives in the village. And according to Chou it also made her quite famous with the other woman to have a great lady residing with her. She was full of energy and curiosity about Izayoi and life inside a castle. Izayoi found that she liked being with Chou, though her life made Izayoi envious. Izayoi was being forced to marry a man she did not know, that she had only seen maybe twice. Chou was able to give her opinions and see them considered when her parents began choosing her husband. Cho held land separate from her husband that had been bequeathed to her from a dead uncle. Izayoi could only hope that her parents would see fit to give her such an honor, or leave it all to her young brother.

Izayoi was expected to be political, but keep her opinions to herself unless asked. At the very least, she could only gather political power to use against other women of her circles, and only if it furthered her husband's ambitions. Chou gossiped non-stop about the village and its residence. Just last night she'd told Izayoi that a childhood friend of hers was committing adultery! She was baffled by Izayoi's surprised reaction because such things were common in village life. A woman of high social standing could be put to death for adultery. It was a noble woman's duty to keep her husband's bloodline alive by giving him children. Adultery not only shamed the husband but called his children's legitimacy into question and endangered his bloodline.

It's not that she desired such a thing for her marriage but she still envied that lack of responsibility. She had so much resting on her shoulders. What would it be like if her biggest worry was getting the chores done on time? The baby began to squirm and whimper and Chou woke up almost before its first cry. It was a curious thing to be a mother and so close to your child that you developed such instincts. She and her brother had nursemaids from their infancy until it was time for their tutors and other appointed overseers to step in. Izayoi sat up and stretched her arms and watched as Chou changed her son's cloth and tucked him close to give him her breast.

"Did we wake you, Izayoi-sama?"

"No, I've been awake for hours I'm afraid," she whispered back. Chou gave her a sympathetic smile and continued rocking her baby as he nursed.

"Perhaps you will sleep better once you are home? The attack will not leave your mind easy but familiar surroundings may help."

"I hope it will," she agreed. What she truly feared was waiting for her at home. Once she was back in her father's custody the cleansing would begin, and what she dreaded most was the purity check. A virgin bride had been promised to the Takeda clan and they will need assurances that they have not been cheated by a demon. She had already suffered through the event once before when the betrothal was in the final stages of becoming official. There were no words to describe how horrid it was. The Takeda clan sent their own physician so she could not use one prescribed by her father. Just remembering the touch of that haggard old man was enough to destroy her appetite.

She sat silently brooding as Chou put her baby back to bed and began bustling around making food and starting her chores. Izayoi was warned not to venture outside but Gensai was keeping her updated. Her father was sending her maids and transport to her and the search parties that were closest were being redirected to come guard her on the journey back. She had been in the village for two days already and she didn't mind being confined to the small hut at first. It was heaven compared to the travel sickness that was bound to happen once she set out, but she needed something to do.

She ate absentmindedly and Chou chattered on completely oblivious that Izayoi was miles away. What was worse is that once Chou went to work in the fields –baby in a sling on her back—Izayoi was all alone with her thoughts. Chou wouldn't hear of Izayoi doing any housework so there was nothing to distract her or keep her depression at bay. When she thought of home a knot of anxiety formed in the pit of her stomach. When she thought of him…well it was a jumble of emotions. She often caught herself wondering where he was and if she would ever see him again.

And this is how her days in the village were spent.

On the day of her departure the village was surrounded by samurai and lower ranked foot soldiers conscripted from various villages. After speaking with her husband outside, Chou said the field work was put on hold until the soldiers departed. All the village residents were still inside their homes, peeking out of windows and doors in the hopes that they would catch a glimpse of Izayoi. Chou suspected most of the younger women were watching for the samurai. Takanaka and her maids were bowed before her, their heads touching the ground.

"I am overjoyed to see you unharmed Izayoi-sama!" Takanaka spoke without raising his head so he couldn't see how stoical she was. She was happy to see them all, but it meant her peaceful time in the village was over.

"I am happy to see you as well, Takanaka-san. Akiko, Etsu, Hanako, and Mieko I am happy to see you as well."

"Izayoi-sama," they said in acknowledgement.

"We must prepare to leave now Izayoi-sama. Your honorable father and mother eagerly await your return."

"We will not keep them waiting," she said with a sigh.

"Your maids will dress you in more suitable attire," said Takanaka.

She looked down at the kimono Chou had given her. It was simple and functional but she knew it would be considered unacceptable once her stay was over. Takanaka stood up to leave and she could see him glancing at Chou with a disapproving look.

"Chou may stay. The entire village has been very kind to me, her especially," she said firmly. Takanaka bowed again and left the hut. Izayoi rose from her cushions so her maids could begin undoing her kimono. As if sensing her mood, her maids dressed her in silence. After nights of little to no sleep, and knowing what she was about to face, Izayoi could not put on a cheerful face for them.

No matter. They will think I am still distressed about the abduction.

Chou took the old kimono from Mieko and busied herself with folding it. Once that was done she sat silently but her eyes lit up when she saw the kimono Izayoi's maids were dressing her in. They combed Izayoi's hair but she would have to wait for a bath since the samurai were anxious to leave. Akiko and Hanako finished tying her obi and Etsu held her geta as she slipped one foot in and then the other. She walked over to Chou, who stood up to meet her, and grasped her hands and gave her the biggest smile she could muster.

"There are no words to express my gratitude for all that you and your husband have done for me. I will never forget it and I will see that you are repaid for this kindness." The expression on Chou's face made her burst out laughing for the first time days. She had actually rendered the poor girl speechless. Izayoi kissed her on the cheek and walked to the door –her maids following behind her.

The bright red sedan chair was waiting for her right outside of the door with Takanaka holding the curtain open for her. She walked forward and entered the hooded chair, resigned to her fate.

The march was non-stop, except when she needed to excuse herself and go into the trees. It only happened once and she was thankful for it. They made it back to the castle in one day with no attacks or complications what-so-ever. When they entered the castle gates she thought her bearers would die on the spot. She ordered that they be seen too but had no time to say anything else because Takanaka ushered her inside. She was put in a room on the second floor and told her parents were being fetched. She sat on a cushion in the center of the room and she could hear the rising noise outside. The entire castle was hearing of her return.

Her mood had not approved on the trek from the village to the castle. Inside the sedan chair she was left alone with her thoughts once again. She tried to give herself some hope that she was close to it being over but she had not yet made it to the crest of this hill. She was about to lie to her parents and the Takeda vassals but telling the truth wasn't an option.

My esteemed lords, I was abducted from my balcony by a great demon lord who wants me to be his mate. Why was I on the balcony? You see, I assumed he was a shinobi and desired to negotiate a meeting between him and my lord father.

A little giggle escaped her mouth and she clamped it shut immediately. She was about to implicate her family of Onikakushi, no need to add insanity as well. She heard them approaching and she could tell it was a lot of people. She thought only her father, mother, and perhaps her little brother would be present, but did the gods ever make anything so easy? The door on the front left side of the room slid open and her parents entered accompanied by a large group her father's samurai and the Takeda vassals. She bowed to her parents as they took their places on the cushions at the front of the room. Everyone else assembled themselves around the sides of the room, but the vassals took the seats closest to her father.

"You are returned safe, my child," said her father.

"Only do to your wisdom and the bravery of the noble samurai here, Daimyo-sama," she replied.

"Raise your eyes, daughter, let me see you." She sat up and looked her father in the eyes, holding his gaze.

"Were you harmed?" He asked.

"No, only imprisoned."

"We would like to hear your account of events." She could feel everyone staring at her intently. It was as if they were burrowing into with their eyes.

"The night I was taken, I could not sleep. I thought circling my garden might tire me and so I went there. I remember nothing after stepping out into the night air. I awoke in a cage with a gruesome oni in the forest."

"But it did not harm you?"

"No. It was as if it were standing guard over me," she finished.

"Standing guard? You believe this oni was protecting you from something?" She could hear the disbelief in his voice and her heart started to beat faster. She was getting dangerously close to the truth.

"No, I believe it was protecting for something else but I know not what." She could see the samurai glancing at each other.

"Gensai Hattori," her father called, "tell us what you saw and how my daughter was recovered." Gensai bowed and sat back up. He told how he joined forces with Watanabe, how they saw her imprisoned when they followed the monster's noise, and the battle that ensued. When he got to the mysterious howl that brought the battle to an end, she felt the mood darken.

"Watanabe, do you agree with this report?" Asked her father.

"Yes, Daimyo-sama," he replied while bowing.

"This story of the howl troubles me as do these continued attacks on my daughter by youkai. Takanaka?" The door slid open and Takanaka bowed in its entrance.

"See my daughter to her new rooms, she is weary from travel. Her old rooms are to be closed off in case youkai try to gain access again."

"Yes, Daimyo-sama," said Takanaka.

"Rest assured," said her father as he turned back to her, "I will do all to discover the reasons behind these incidents. You will be better protected."

"And the Takeda will do all in its power to help," said one of the vassals.

"We are relieved and happy to see you safe, Izayoi-sama," said Tamura, but she doubted his sincerity. She thanked them and bowed anyway.

Her father dismissed her and she bowed before leaving with Takanaka.

And now I've lost my garden.

She snuggled into the futon –finally content after being able to bathe. Takanaka informed her that her father had discussed the situation with vassals and samurai and she would know his will the next morning. There was no mystery; she knew what he would decide, what the vassals would recommend he do. She knew the legends and only purification can rid you of a demon's curse. They would all have to sit in prayer but since she was the main focus of this situation she would have to endure the brunt of this.

She was hovering somewhere between sleeping and waking when a sharp sting on her cheek pulled her back. She reflexively brought her hand up and slapped her face. She sat up when she heard a familiar string of complaints in her ear. Myouga's flattened body floated down onto her lap and puffed up again.

"Izayoi-sama, how wonderful it is to taste –see you again!" The little flee youkai bowed to her and she grinned down at him.

"What are you doing here, Myouga-san?"

"My master sent me! He is waiting for you in your garden!" Myouga hopped up and down with excitement.

"How?" She asked.

"Do not worry, Izayoi-sama. The castle is asleep. My master made certain of it. You can go to the balcony and come back without fear of discovery."

Without a thought she threw the covers back, tossing Myouga somewhere on the other side of the room, and rushed out. She slowed when she reached the hallway because despite Myouga's assurances, she was still afraid some servant would be wandering the halls. She became bolder as she saw how still the castle was. There was no sound at all and it was almost unsettling. Usually she could hear guards and night attendants as they went about their nightly duties but now the silence was deafening.

There was a warm giddy feeling in her stomach when she finally made it up the stairs and walked into her old sitting room that led to the balcony. The room was dark but she remembered exactly how she left it and walked around easily without bumping into any of the tables. She froze when she looked at the balcony door and saw one of the male attendants slumped on cushion. He was snoring –quite loudly—so she calmed down and tiptoed forward.

She only opened the door as far as she needed to slip outside. He was there standing under her sakura tree in the center of the garden. His hair really did shine in the moonlight and his eyes…

She could feel herself smiling but she couldn't stop it, not that she tried that hard.

"I see they have moved you away from this open space," he said with an amused smile.

"Yes," she laughed, "my father is afraid that youkai will keep trying to abduct me." She gave him a knowing smile and walked forward. "Is he correct?"

"I am quite sure the next abduction will not happen unless you ask for it." She could feel the heat in her face and knew she was blushing, but when she looked down to hide it he only laughed and put his finger under her chin to title her face back up.

"So are you happy, Izayoi?" He said her named so informally and with such familiarity, but she didn't care enough to chide him.

"It was never really about being happy, it was about keeping my word," she said.

"If you ever decide that being happy is worth more, use this." He opened his hand and inside was a little figurine of a dog made from jade. It was attached to a ribbon of pink silk.

"A little dog?" She asked, sarcastically. His answered her with a crooked smile that made her heat skip.

"I thought it would amuse you." He rolled the right sleeve of her kimono up and began to tie the ribbon around her forearm.

"I will not give up on you, not fully. If you tell me to go, I will go, but if you reconsider or ever need me, smash this. Break it and whisper my name to the fang inside, and I will come." He finished tying the ribbon and rolled her sleeve back down to hide it and the little figure.

"But, my lord, I don't even know your name." The look he gave her nearly buckled her knees. His expression was soft and he looked at her with such naked emotion. He leaned in so his mouth was right next her ear and whispered it to her. A swift kiss on her cheek and he was gone. She was alone and felt light headed as if she drank too much sake and practically had to stumble back to her new room.

Once she was back on her futon she couldn't help but play with the little jade figure strapped to her arm. She had been so sure, so very sure, that she'd made the right choice. Her honor, her family's honor, forming an alliance to stop a war mungerer, it seemed like no choice at all. Her fingers traced the shape of the jade dog and she decided she would wear it, because now she had doubts. Now, she wasn't so sure.