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Izayoi made her way through the rapidly darkening wilderness that surrounded her for the past few hours. Occasionally she tripped and fell, her travelling yukata getting caught up in a random twig and tearing. It has been the tenth day of her journey and her provisions were running dangerously low. Izayoi has already filled her bamboo flask with fresh stream water countless times but, being unable to hunt and provide for herself in the wilderness, lived on nuts and roots for the past three days.

Three months have passed since the human princess last seen the daiyoukai and much has changed in her young life since. For one thing, three weeks after he left her naked on her bedchamber floor she discovered that she was with child. After being violently ill and fatigued for seven days, Izayoi began to worry. The fact that her blood cycle failed to visit her as it did on a regular monthly basis, did not help her state of agitation. When her dainty little breasts seemed to increase their size in her eyes, Izayoi was certain; the daiyoukai managed to impregnate her.

She managed to hide her slowly, but steadily, growing belly from her servants and parents for two and a half months. While all knew that she was ill and tired, no one seemed to suspect the mysterious illness for more than just a stubborn cold. In the end, Izayoi’s personal servant noticed that it has been three months since she found a bloody stain on the princess’ clothes or futon and connected all the dots. The young servant girl was secretly in love with the captain of guard and not- so- secretly sleeping with him, so one night, wrapped in the strong arms of the young warrior, she gossiped about the princess’ “condition”. The young captain, being loyal to his lord, was astonished at the disgraceful news and hurried from his bed of sin straight into the main hall where the lord of the castle was taking his dinner. The next day, after much shouting, many accusations and one drainage of colour from her father’s face when he finally learned the name of the miscreant, Izayoi found herself cast out with naught but her travelling yukata, a bamboo flask full of water and a sack of provisions which was thrust into her trembling hands by a sobbing old servant that raised her.

There was nothing for Izayoi to do but to attempt to find the Inu no Taisho and confront him. She made her way through forests, glades and wide plains until she reached, completely drained and famished, the dark wilderness on the tenth day of her journey. After walking for nearly ten hours without a break, Izayoi’s head began to spin and her legs collapsed under her.
‘At last;’ conjured her fevered brain before she lost consciousness,’ death’.

***

She awoke to the sound of crackling fire, her head spinning painfully.

“Careful now, or you will lose the nonexistent contains of your stomach.”

Izayoi turned sharply in the direction of the vaguely familiar voice and blinked to get her surroundings in focus. In front of her was a fiercely burning fire and twig- impaled fish were roasting in it. Across from her, beyond the flames, sat a magnificent figure clad in white. It took Izayoi a couple of minutes to understand that the seated figure was the Inu no Taisho without his armor on.

Izayoi gasped and scrambled to her feet. Slowly and uncertainly she made her way to him until she could clearly see his handsome face. His brows were creased in a slight frown and his eyes clouded with unreadable emotion.

“Hello, Izayoi.” he said, not taking his gaze from her face.

Izayoi shuddered at the sound of his voice and clamped a trembling hand over her quivering mouth. Unable to stop the relieved tears from flowing, she fell down on her knees before the suddenly startled daiyoukai, flung her hands around his neck and clung to his form desperately. Izayoi felt the Inu no Taisho stiffen at the sudden touch. After a few moments he slowly, with great care, circled her tiny form with his strong arms and lowered his face to the crook of her neck.

After what appeared to Izayoi as eternity, she disentangled herself from the daiyoukai and leaned back.

“I have been looking for you,” she said in a voice barely louder than a whisper, “for so long…oh Gods; I have searched for you far and wide!"

The Inu no Taisho grabbed her shoulders and frowned angrily at her.

“You have been so careless! How could you just leave your father’s castle and travel in the wilderness for days without provisions?!” he growled, “To attempt such a journey in your condition is foolish, Izayoi; extremely foolish!”

Izayoi turned her face from him and sighed.

“I’m with child.” she said in a strangely calm voice.

“I know,” said the Inu no Taisho after a second, “I can smell it”.

“It’s yours”.

“I know; I can smell that too”.

After a moment he reached out and brushed Izayoi’s cheek with his hand.

“Why did you not wait for me?” he asked more tenderly, “I was actually on my way to you when your scent assaulted my senses. “

Izayoi glanced at him from under her lashes.

“You would not have been welcome at the castle. The only reason my father has not yet declared war on you is that he is deathly afraid that you will devour him alive if he did.”

The Inu no Taisho frowned and released her shoulders.

“What do you mean?” he asked after a moment’s thought.

Izayoi sighed again and turned away from him, reaching for one of the fish sticks. She tore a morsel with her fingers and nibbled on it daintily, despite her hunger. Remembering that the youkai behind her still waited for an answer, she turned back to him and shrugged.

“When my father discovered that I’ve been defiled and impregnated, he demanded to know who the father of my unborn child was. When I finally told him what he wanted to know, after much lashing and beating, he nearly fainted and cast me out of the castle. He told me never to return and that I was dead to him.” Izayoi grew silent and turned to look at the fire. “I guess I really am a youkai’s whore now”. She added quietly.

“Izayoi-“

“I’m sorry,” she interrupted the daiyoukai, “you must be angry and embarrassed that a lowly human carries your child”.

The Inu no Taisho made an angry sound at the back of his throat and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Izayoi, please do not insult your intelligence by sprouting nonsense,” he growled.

Izayoi turned back to him, clearly surprised. The Inu no Taisho huffed impatiently and leveled his gaze with hers.

“I am, for lack of other words, a man of honor,” he said in dead calm, “and therefore I take responsibility for my actions. You will return with me to my castle and become my wife”.

Izayoi blinked at him.

“I’m sorry-what?” she stammered, “Your wife?”

The Inu no Taisho shrugged and gestured at her with his hand.

“Yes, you are to become my wife.”

Before Izayoi could react, he continued with his speech.

“I am not angry with you, my little princess; quite the opposite,” he smiled warmly, “I am delighted! At first, I only wished to bed you and have a taste of your sweet skin. I will tell you the truth, Izayoi; originally I was not supposed to return after the second time I had you. However, since I left your side three months ago, I could not stop conjuring your lovely image in my fevered mind. I could not rest; you and your lovely scent were everywhere! I even went and made these swords from my fang to protect you!” He gestured to two new swords that lay near his armor, noticing not that Izayoi grew paler with every uttered word. When the daiyoukai finally turned to look at the human princess, his smile froze.

“Izayoi?” he asked in concern, “Are you well?”

Izayoi’s hands trembled and her gaze was glued to the ground.

“You…you beast.” she whispered.

“Izayoi…?”

In seconds she was upon him, banging her little fists on his strong chest.

“You! You ruined me!” she cried, “You lied to me, you bastard! I do not care how powerful you are, I will find a way to hurt you!”

The Inu no Taisho, amazed at the sudden outburst, caught Izayoi’s flailing fists in his hands.

“You’re right,” he said, “but all will be well now. I will take care of you and of our child, I care not that you are human and that it will be hanyou; I love you, Izayoi, truly.”

The human princess managed to free herself from his grasp and sprang to her feet.

“Liar!” she shrieked, pointing at him, “I no longer believe you; your words are ashes to me!” Wildly, she clutched her hair and turned towards the fire. “I am ruined! My family name is soiled and for what?! All for the carnal pleasure of a damned beast! And I am such a fool for believing every word!” she wheeled in his direction and stamped her foot, “I actually believed you when you said you loved me! You…you…mononoke!”

The Inu no Taisho climbed to his feet and tried to engulf the raving princess in his arms, to no avail.

“Stay away from me!” Izayoi pushed at him, “Do not touch me!”

She turned to the fire and circled it a couple of times; when she faced the daiyoukai again, Izayoi was calmer than the surface of a lake.

“I will wash this child out of my body.” She said quietly with a faraway look on her face.
The Inu no Taisho’s eyes widened.

“What?!” he cried, “No! You cannot!”

Izayoi turned her eyes to look at his face and arched an eyebrow.

“Is that so?” she asked and crossed her arms over her chest, “This is my body, therefore it is my choice to make. I will wash this child out of my womb and return to my father’s halls. Perhaps he will even consider marrying me off to some wealthy lord.”

When the daiyoukai remained silent, Izayoi nodded to herself and turned from him, making her way towards the bushes.

“Where are you going?”

Izayoi noticed that his voice sounded too close. When she turned around, she nearly collided with the Inu no Taisho’s chest.

“I noticed a little village not an hour walk from here. I shall go to the miko of the village and tell her that I was raped by a youkai and impregnated. She is bound to help me”.

It was the daiyoukai’s turn to burn with rage.

“Raped?!” he demanded, “As I recall, you were quite cooperative, my lady”.

Izayoi did not appear fazed by that accusation and did not lose her calm.

"Only because I fell for your vile lies, beast!" she spat at him, her dark strands flying around her like a cloud of erratic ravens. The Inu no Taisho seemed outraged, but made no argument in his favour; convinced that his opposition to her decision came to an end, Izayoi turned from him once more. She did not make two steps before his growl interrupted her.

"Where do you think you are going?"

He appeared before her, faster than lightening. That close up to him, Izayoi could practically feel the rage pouring out of him in great waves. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly through her nose.

"To wash this abomination out of my womb, now if you please…" She attempted to nudge him out of her way, but It seemed that the Inu no Taisho would not be moved.

"Now listen here, human." He growled and grabbed her shoulders. Izayoi tried to shrug him off; after a few seconds of outraged resistance, he let her.

"Oh! So now I'm "human", aren't I?" She spat.

"As I recall, you always were, and if I can be 'beast, youkai and mononoke' you can as well be 'human'!"

Izayoi closed her eyes and shook her head. She felt tired and foolish; she wanted to keep her eyes closed and sleep for days, weeks even; perhaps to never wake up again. She wished to be gone from this place, to be back in her father's halls, by the warm fire; she wished to eat the rice cakes that Cook used to make and drink some warm sake to warm her belly. Angry, disappointed tears burned her eyes, but she did not let them fall.

"Let me go." She said calmly, not yet opening her eyes, "Let me go, damn you."

"I will not." Came the morose reply.

Izayoi picked up a rock from the ground and brought it close to her temple.

"If you do not let me go, youkai," she threatened, "I will kill myself. By the Gods, I shall shatter this rock into my skull!"

The Inu no Taisho stared at her incredulously for a moment; then his expression changed into that of great sadness. He seemed so sincere that Izayoi nearly caved on the spot.
"So you would rather die than bear my child and live with me?"

He sounded quite devastated. The golden colour in his eyes appeared diminished and his shoulders slouched in surrender. Izayoi was, by this point, ready to fall into his arms and be carried by said limbs to his castle. She was almost ready to bear twenty more children for her beloved lord and live happily ever after with him and their hanyou spawn; but then memories of his deceit and evil grins entered her hormone flooded brain and the fire and fury of a woman scorned burned her insides.

"Yes, "she managed quite calmly, "yes, I would."

This seemed to enrage the daiyoukai beyond the measure of words. His eyes narrowed, his nostrils flared and the demonic aura about him seemed to shimmer and grow. Izayoi, slowly but steadily, started to fear for her life; she took a few steps back, in order to try and get away from under his wreath.

"Fine!" He threw back his head and roared," Fine! Go then! Go on, die! Wash this child out of your womb, if you wish it so, you vile human wench!"

Izayoi gaped in horror, but the daiyoukai was far from done.

"How could I even think that you and I could try and be together? Clearly you are beneath me in every aspect! You, a lowly woman, dare to refuse me, the Lord of the Western Lands?! Absurd! I should have you skinned for this! I have been far too lenient, far too kind to you! I should have eaten you when I had the chance!"

Izayoi lowered her eyes to the ground and clenched her teeth. The harsh, unkind words lashed at her insides and tore at her already bleeding heart. She was, however, resolved not to cry in front of him, as tears were a sign of weakness.

"You have said quite enough, sir," she managed, and to her great pride, her voice shook only slightly with emotion, "with your permission I will go."

She went to the fire and picked what was left of her backpack. The Inu no Taisho was silent and sulked furiously, leaning against one of the trees.

With no further words, Izayoi walked away from the fire, passed by the daiyoukai's side and continued into the darkness. She did not let her tears fall until she was well out of the reach of his supposed hearing.

*

Izayoi arrived at the poor, little village in quite a state. She made a beeline to what she presumed was the Headman's house and banged on the wooden frame of the doors. An old woman opened the door and gasped in shock at the sight of the dirty, frail woman before her.

"Oh, dear me!" cried the woman, "what happened to you, child?"

"I was attacked by youkai!" lied Izayoi, "My husband and escort where slaughtered and eaten! I only managed to escape by the grace of the Gods and the Spirits! Please, I beg you; I need a place to stay! Perhaps you have an abandoned hut that is of no use to anyone in the village?"

The old lady frowned and seemed to hesitate.

"Please!" cried Izayoi, "I can read and write! I could teach the children, or write and read your letters!"

This seemed to satisfy the woman, strangely enough, and she smiled a semi-toothless smile.
"Alright, dearie," said she and beckoned for Izayoi to come inside, "we have just the spot for you! There is a hut on the outskirts of the village; it has not been used for months, you see, as the previous owner died. It will suit you just fine; and as to your knowledge, why, we are in great need of a scholar here!"

Izayoi could not see why but bowed low before the old lady nonetheless.

"Now, now, sweetness," the old hag croaked and patted Izayoi's shoulder, "let us get you washed and fed. What did you say your name was?"

"The name is Izayoi, kind woman."

"Izayoi," mused the old lady, "lovely name, it is. You may call me Miyobata-Sama."

Izayoi bowed again. She was soon washed, fed and clad in a fresh, albeit coarse, linen yukata. Her hostess spread a futon on the floor and gestured for her to lie down.

"Sleep for now, dearie; we shall show you to your hut come the morning."

"Thank you, Miyobata-Sama, but pray tell me; is there a miko in the village? I wish to be cleansed."

The old woman nodded knowingly.

"Of course you would, dearie, but I'm afraid that we do not have one. However, there are always travelling miko passing our way; one is bound to turn up in a few weeks, as they always do. Now sleep, child, tomorrow is a brand new day."

It did not take long for Izayoi to fall asleep, and once she did, she did not dream and no recollections of evil beasts and disappointments plagued her.

*

A few days found Izayoi working in the garden outside her wretched hut. The past few days were spent in writing and reading for the people of the village, and especially for the Headman and his mother, Miyobata-Sama. The Villagers seemed to take to her and the children appeared to be excessively fond of her, but Izayoi felt not entirely at ease amongst them. Thinking it a matter of difference between the Classes, she dismissed it and tried to be as cordial and civilized as she could to the people.

She was on her knees, with one fist deep in the fertile earth when she felt a chill run down her spine. She exhaled quietly and rose to her feet. Once her hands were wiped clean on her apron, she turned around. Surely enough, in front of her stood the Inu no Taisho, looking almost sheepish.

"Izayoi," he greeted her and placed down the parcel she only then realized he was holding. She could make out a basket of apples, a barrel of rice; some loafs of bread and three bottle of what she imagined to be the finest sake in all of Japan. Afraid that someone might notice him, Izayoi grasped one of his arms and dragged him behind the hut.

"What are you doing here?" she asked when the shock of seeing him in the village in broad daylight has worn off, "What is all this?"

"Provisions," he said and took a step closer to her, "for you."

Izayoi crossed her hands on her chest and lifted her chin haughtily.

"I do not need your guilt presents, 'My Lord'".

"Izayoi," the Inu no Taisho frowned and took another step towards her, "without food you will starve. Our child that is still within you, I can tell, will starve."

"About a week ago you did not care whether I lived or died, as I seem to recall."

The daiyoukai shook his head and his silver hair swished from side to side, like a horse's tail.

"I meant none of those words," he tried to reassure her and placed a hand atop of his chest, "they were spoken in anger and I apologize. I have not slept for days, Izayoi; I could not. All I thought about was how I left you in the woods to fend for yourself. Forgive me and believe me when I say this; I want you, I want this child and I have never loved a woman as I love you."

Izayoi was speechless for some time. After a few silent moments have passed, she lowered her gaze to the ground and shook her head.

"How do I know that now you speak the truth?" she asked her sandals, "How do I know that you do not deceive me again?" She lifted her head and leveled her gaze with his. "No, I am sorry; I cannot trust you at this point."

The Inu no Taisho nodded solemnly and turned his head to look at the horizon.

"Fine," he said, not looking at her, "I understand; but at least eat what I've brought you. Please, you must be extremely hungry."

He returned his eyes to her, looked at her face with great yearning for a moment and bowed.

"Farewell, Hime."

And then he was gone.

*

He returned the following day; this time he carried a parcel of fresh clothes and linen, three bars of soap, a bag of tea leaves and cherry blossom rice cakes.

"Greetings, Hime," he said and carried the supplies into the hut, passing the bewildered Izayoi on his way.

By the time the human princess recovered the ability to speak, a pot of water was boiling in the hearth and her futon was made up with fresh linen.

The Inu no Taisho was brewing tea by the hearth; Izayoi walked into the hut and stared at him, her arms akimbo.

"What in the name of the Gods are you doing?" she demanded to know. The Inu no Taisho lifted up his head from his task to look at her with his eyebrows raised.

"Clearly, I am trying to take care of you, since you will not do it yourself," he explained and patted the spot next to him, "now sit down and have some tea."

"Do you honestly think I am not taking care of myself?" she cried, "I will have you know, that I did perfectly well until you decided to show up in a cloud of guilt and chivalry!"

The daiyoukai nodded and placed a single rice cake next to the steaming cup of tea he just poured.

"Alright, I agree with you, now sit down and put something in your mouth."

Izayoi huffed and sat down, but not before she pushed at him with all her might.

"You high-handed 'dog', "she hissed and picked up the cup. While planning to continue with giving the youkai lord a piece of her mind, she brought the tea to her lips. The strong smell of boiled leaves upturned her stomach and she barely made it out of the hut in time. When Izayoi returned inside, she looked as green as her tea. The Inu no Taisho looked at her and frowned.

"Are you well?" he asked quietly.

"I'm fine," she muttered, "this happens all the time."

"Sit down, you must eat."

This time, Izayoi sat down without a word and bit down on the rice cake he offered her. Strangely enough, once her stomach began to fill, the nausea stopped.

The silence filled the room as she chewed on her food and he stirred the logs in the fire. Izayoi found the lack of words quite comfortable and soothing and was ready to relax her taut muscles when he spoke.

"You are beginning to show."

His voice was soft, quiet, and had a note of yearning and regret to it. She could tell, without looking at him, that his eyes caressed her form.

"I know." She said, staring straight ahead into space, without turning her head in his direction.

"Izayoi…" he whispered, "May I? Please…"

She understood his question and noted the pleading manner of his request. After a few moments of inner debate, she placed her cup down and moved her hands to her sides. His hand rested on the floor, next to her thigh, but she did not take it; instead she opted for sitting completely still and waiting for the inevitable.

Izayoi felt his hand before she could see it. She felt warmth spreading through her lower abdomen to her spine, to her legs, her joints; and when she heard the smile in his voice, she had to turn her head and finally look at him. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her.

The Inu no Taisho sat closer to her than she remembered, her shoulder nearly touching his chest as he leaned into her. His right hand rested on her stomach and his silver bangs tickled her forehead.

"It is strong," he said and his breath was hot in her ear, "the child is strong."

Izayoi lifted her gaze to his and her eyes widened. The youkai was smiling that open, genuine smile of his that was her downfall from the beginning. His eyes looked soft as his hand flexed over her lower abdomen, the fingers slightly rubbing it through the fabric of her kimono.

"Gods, Izayoi," he breathed and she realized with both panic and arousal that he did so against her lips, "I have never…please, Izayoi, 'please'."

'Oh no', thought Izayoi desperately as he closed the distance between them, 'not again'!

His mouth felt soft and warm against her lips as he pulled her into a tight embrace. Izayoi realized, for the first time that day, that he did not have his armor on. She felt herself being held against a firm, warm chest; her forehead dropped on his shoulder without her intention, after the unexpected kiss ended.

"Come with me," he whispered in her ear, "please, beloved; leave this wretched village and come with me."

Izayoi detached herself from him and slid to the floor, turning her back to him.

"I think you should depart now," she said shakily, "I am fatigued and must lie down."

She heard him sigh dejectedly and rise to his feet. He picked up the swords he had apparently left at the entrance of the rotting hut and stopped at the door, not turning to face her.

"I know that you find it hard to believe, Izayoi, but I do not lie when I say that I have never loved another as I love you. You may not find them so, but all my words of devotion are sincere. Goodbye, beloved."

Izayoi let out a troubled breath and placed her trembling hands in her lap after he left her hut. His kiss, his words and the naked emotion written all over his face left her quite shaken. Could it be true? Could he really be sincere in his intentions and feelings? Could she trust him now, after all that occurred between them?

Izayoi rose to her feet unsteadily and exited the rotten wooden box that she tentatively called "home". During the time she sat inside the hut and took tea and kisses, the wind seemed to pick up a bit and was now engaged in a slow, tantalizing dance with the rice fields; the afternoon sun served as their chaperon and the trees, flowers and far-off mountains as their eager spectators. The dejected Hime crossed her hands over her steadily growing belly and sighed. Silent, angry tears of frustration rose up in her eyes and clouded her vision. Unable to stop them, Izayoi let them fall and chase one another down the slopes of her pale cheeks. The trees and flowers, now engaged in the dance as well, turned to look at her and bowed their heads in understanding. Izayoi nodded in their direction and retreated inside her now slowly darkening hut. She changed her clothes, rekindled the fire and lay down on her futon. Sleep claimed her by the time the dance of nature became frenzied and the rain decided to join in. She slept fitfully, while demanding drops of heavy water banged impatiently on her roof.

*

The Inu no Taisho did not grace Izayoi with his presence for three days.

On the eve of the third day, when Izayoi sat peeling roots inside her hut, he arrived with naught but a small parcel in his clawed hand. She did not greet him as he entered her home, but her hands stilled in their task and she put aside her work.

"Izayoi," He said in a matter of greeting and lay down his weapons on the floor. In three strides the Inu no Taisho was by her side and Izayoi's heart was in her throat. He knelt down gracefully in front of her and presented her, almost reverently, with the small parcel he carried.

"What is it, my Lord?" she asked when she had the use of her voice again.
The Inu no Taisho's eyes widened for a fraction of a second at the return of his honorary title and it seemed to plant a seed of hope inside his heart. He took Izayoi's hand in his and placed the mystery parcel there gently.

"It is but a small gift for you, my lady; please accept it."

Izayoi unpacked the little package with certain hands. The discarded wrapping unveiled a beautiful ivory comb and a small bronze mirror; Izayoi, for the fear of dropping the lovely gift in agitation, placed the little parcel on the wooden floor.

"Thank you." She said quietly.

The Inu no Taisho smiled and nodded. He picked up the comb from the floor and raised his eyebrows in a silent question. After some hesitation, Izayoi nodded tentatively and watched from the corner of her eyes as he moved to settle behind her. She had to stifle the gasp that rose in her throat at his gentle touch and the pleasant pull of the comb through her hair.

"Your hair," The Inu no Taisho said and swapped the raven tresses over her left shoulder, "is as soft as silk." Softly he pushed the collar of her yukata aside and kissed her neck and shoulder. Izayoi took in a deep breath and lowered her head.

"Please," she breathed when she felt his teeth scraping gently at her sensitive skin, "don't do this."

The youkai lord withdrew his teeth, fangs and hands immediately, leaving her slightly wet skin exposed to the afternoon air.

"I beg your pardon, Hime," he said quietly from behind her, "It seems that I find it extremely hard to control myself when it comes to you."

Izayoi felt him rise to his feet and noted in surprise the disappointment she felt at him doing so. She turned around to look at him and found that his face was turned from her and that his hands were balled into fists.

"Truth is, Izayoi," the Inu no Taisho said quietly, "I find myself intoxicated by everything regarding you; your presence, your scent, your beauty of both mind and body. Most of all, the fact that our child now lies within your womb, makes you even more irresistible to me. It is physically painful for me to be in your presence and be unable to touch you and love you, as I wish to do. "

He picked up his swords and tucked them into his sash, not once leveling his gaze with hers.

"You see," he continued, fumbling with the knot of said sash, "you will not be able to stay in this village much longer without either aborting our child, or giving birth to it. Believe me when I say that the second option is unheard of in this place."

Izayoi stared at him with her lips parted and her eyes wide. Finally he lifted his gaze to her and her heart stopped. This time, she had no doubt that the raw emotion etched all over his face was genuine.

"I know that you are still reluctant to trust me, so I will give you some more time." He took a step closer to her, but stopped just outside of a touching range.
"In a week, I will come for you. Whatever you may choose by the end of these seven days, I will take you away from here; you needn't stay with me if you do not wish to and if you decide to be rid of our child and be back in your father's hall, I shall take you there and ask for his forgiveness and give him whatever he desires, provided that he takes you in and treats you with the respect you deserve."

Izayoi rose to her feet, but was unable to do more than that. She seemed frozen in her place and utterly floored by the daiyoukai's monologue. The Inu no Taisho took a deep breath before saying what he kept inside his chest for the whole visit.

"Izayoi," he spoke calmly, but she could tell that a great storm of surpassed emotions was brewing inside of him, "I have brought you one other thing."

He took out a small embroidered bag from inside his haori and placed it into her hand.

"What-what is it?" asked Izayoi, her voice breathy.

The Inu no Taisho took another deep breath before answering her.

"These are herbs used by females, both human and youkai, to expel unwanted pregnancies. But, I must warn you, these herbs are extremely strong and dangerous and you must take them only under someone's care. I beseech you, Izayoi; if you are really set on ending this, if the thought of our child within you fills you with naught but distress and regret, use these only when you are with a knowledgeable healer who can give you something if the bleeding is too severe. Will you promise me this?"

Izayoi frowned at the little bag in her palm and then looked up at the daiyoukai.

"But I thought-"

"You thought that I will try and manipulate you into bearing a child you do not want," he interrupted her before she could finish her sentence. "I assure you, Izayoi; this was not my intention. Obviously, I want you and our child healthy, alive and happy; but if you are set in your ways, I would rather know that you live and thrive, even if it is away from me, than have you bleed to death because I could not help."

He leaned towards her, placed a kiss on her cheek and was out of the hut before she could blink. After a few stunned minutes, Izayoi dropped the tiny bag on the floor where it continued to lie undisturbed for the next two days.

*

Two days after the shocking visit from the Inu no Taisho, the long awaited Miko-sama graced the mangy village with her presence and dutiful Miyobata-Sama came a knocking on Izayoi's door.

"Morning, dearie, " she said with her nearly toothless smile, "I thought you'd be delighted to know that a miko came to our village yester-night; she is in our house, I could take you to her, if you wish."

Izayoi's insides turned into hot lead and only with great difficulty did she managed to produce a smile for Miyobata-sama.

"Thank you, Kind Mother," she said in a tone mastered by years and countless tutors, "I will be there shortly."

Miyobata-sama smiled, nodded and turned to her house, absolutely certain that the graceful, mysterious young woman will follow.

Izayoi changed her clothes, left her dirty apron on the floor and washed her face in the water from the barrel that stood outside her hut. Then she brushed her hair a hundred times like her nanny had taught her, tied it with a simple white ribbon and made her way to the Headman's hut on shaky legs. Upon her arrival, she was ushered into the main room where the priestess sat on a tatami mat and took her breakfast. One look at the young priestess had Izayoi wishing for a swifter return of the daiyoukai.

The features of the other young woman were pretty but cold. She had what someone might call a "cruel beauty", and her appearance chilled Izayoi to the bone. The priestess' dark eyes settled on the princess' face.

"You are the woman who was defiled by youkai." She stated and Izayoi found herself nodding though, for the life of her, she could not recall ever mentioning "defilement" in her speech to Miyobata-sama.

The priestess turned to the Headman and his mother.

"Could you please leave us for a few minutes? I wish to speak to this woman in solitude."

Miyobata-sama and her son bowed themselves out of the room and the priestess once again settled her attention upon Izayoi.

"You are with child," she said calmly, "I can feel the demonic aura around you. The other villagers have no knowledge of it, am I correct?"

Izayoi nodded, still unable to speak. She was relieved to tell that Miyobata-sama failed to mention just how long she's been staying in the village and that the priestess seemed to think that the child was conceived during the so called 'attack' on her and her 'husband'.

"Very well," said her quite intimidating companion, "I should think you wish to be rid of this abomination you carry."

Rage she did not know slumbered within her, flared and filled Izayoi to the brim.

"What?" she asked in a voice that matched the cool demeanor of the woman in front of her.

"This is what you wished to see me about, isn't it? You wish to rid yourself of this hybrid and return to your old life. Well, I can help you with that. But you must hurry, from the state of you I'd say you have until the end of this week before it'd become too dangerous and you'd have to give birth to this creature."

At the mixture of horror, rage and disgust on Izayoi's face, the priestess seemed to try and school her features into something softer.

"I understand, " she said in more dulcet tones, "you've developed a twisted attachment to this thing like any expectant mother would, but you must see that this will be a child of evil and that it is your sacred duty to banish it from this world."

Izayoi's face stiffened and she breathed slowly through her nose. In a matter of seconds she finally made up her mind.

"I shall think on it. Thank you for the audience." She said and left the priestess without a backward glance.

When she reached her hut, Izayoi picked up the discarded embroidered bag of dried herbs and cast it into the burning hearth.

*

The next day the young priestess came upon Izayoi in the afternoon while she was working in the garden.

"How may I be of assistance, Miko-sama?" asked Izayoi in measured tones, without turning her back to look at the other woman. Unaffected by the gesture, the oriestess circled around Izayoi and came to stand in front of her.

"It is I who can be of assistance to you, Izayoi-sama." She said and crossed her arms across her chest, "I can help you with your not-so-little problem."

Izayoi stood up, dusted her hands on her apron and wiped the sweat of her forehead with wrist.

"You are too kind, Miko-sama," she said and smiled sweetly, "but as I told you yesterday, I need to think about it."

"You do not have much time," the priestess was beginning to lose her calm, "make your decision fast, or you will regret it to the end of your days."

Izayoi nodded solemnly at the frowning woman before her.

"Yes," she said resolutely, "that is exactly what I'm afraid of."

*

Izayoi received many more visits from the insisting priestess which always ended the same way; the priestess would come, full of purpose and righteousness, and try to convince Izayoi of the wretchedness of her situation. To these accusations and intimidations, the princess would answer that she still hasn't decided and still needed to think on the matter, upon which the priestess would depart angrily from Izayoi's hut.

By the end of the week, Izayoi was utterly exhausted from the priestess' presence and she started conjuring elaborate plans of how to evade the woman. She succeeded for a while, but on the eve of the seventh day since her last meeting with the Inu no Taisho, the priestess had the better of her and came to her hut with a steaming cup in her hands just as Izayoi was taking her dinner.

"Izayoi-sama, " said the priestess sweetly and extended the cup to the frowning princess, "I'm sorry I was so insistent and relentless where I should have been guiding and healing. I understand you need more time and I am happy to give it to you, though it is against my better judgment. Here, I made you some soothing tea to help you sleep; please accept it!"

Izayoi rose to her feet and approached the priestess. She reached out to receive the steaming cup, never once doubting its true contents, and smiled cordially.

"Thank you so very much, Miko-sama!" she exclaimed as she pretended to inhale the steam rising from the cup, "why, how did you know that I suffer from troubled sleep? This is just the thing I need!"

The priestess smiled in relief at the outburst and clasped her hands.

"Fantastic! I was afraid you wouldn't want the tea…"

"Nonsense!" cried Izayoi and shook her head, "But, would it be alright if I returned it to you in the morning? Only, I am yet to finish my dinner and I had some things I wished to do before I retired for the night…"

"Of course, of course!" exclaimed the relieved priestess and turned to take her leave, "I see no problem there. I shall wish you a good night then; have pleasant dreams, Izayoi-sama."

"You too, Miko-sama; and thank you so much for the tea!" cried Izayoi after the retreating figure. Once the priestess was a little dot against the darkening sky, Izayoi closed the door, spilled the contents of the steaming cup into the fire burning in the hearth and organized all her belongings in a sack which she hauled across her shoulder. She waited for darkness to reign outside and when she was convinced that it was indeed dark enough, she slipped away into the night.

She found a small cave, just outside the village, where she spent the night praying that no youkai or man would find her. She tried to settle down for some sleep but all she achieved were fits of restless slumber filled with nightmares. The Inu no Taisho, catching her scent, found her in the morning, curled into a shaking ball on the rocky ground.

"Izayoi," he rushed to her side and started unclasping his armor so he could engulf her in his gigantic fur pelt, "what on earth are you doing here? Why are you not in the village?"

Izayoi, delirious from both lack of sleep and relief from seeing the daiyoukai, pressed her palm to her lips and giggled. The Inu no Taisho frowned in alarm.

"Oh, no reason!" she cried and giggled again, "it's just that the miko tried to poison me last night, so I thought I'd leave a day early."

"The miko tried to poison you??"

Izayoi sobered at the outrage in the daiyoukai's voice and placed a trembling hand on his armor-free arm to calm him. The gesture was not lost upon the Inu no Taisho whose chest contracted at the touch.

"She didn't really try to poison me; she just wished to make me drink some herbs that would make me miscarry. I dumped the tea into the fire and left; spent the night here. I am fine now, really."

She stood up and took the still kneeling Inu no Taisho's face in her palms. His golden eyes widened in slight shock and he appeared even more youthful than usual.

"Take 'us' away, will you? "she whispered and his eyes shut tightly. He lowered his head to her abdomen and placed the softest of kisses to it before looking up at her again.

"What made you change your mind, Izayoi?" he asked quietly.

Izayoi shrugged.

"Does it matter?" she asked and smiled softly, "you have assured me of your love for me and I have assured myself of my love for our child. Now we may be truly happy, together."

The daiyoukai smiled and Izayoi was reminded of how she fell in love with him in the first place. Before she brought her lips to his, she whispered softly and lovingly in his ear:

"Now take me home, Anata."

Description
Izayoi made her way through the rapidly darkening wilderness that surrounded her for the past few hours. Occasionally she tripped and fell, her travelling yukata getting caught up in a random twig and tearing. It has been the tenth day of her journey and her provisions were running dangerously low. Izayoi has already filled her bamboo flask with fresh stream water countless times but, being unable to hunt and provide for herself in the wilderness, lived on nuts and roots for the past three days.

Three months have passed since the human princess last seen the daiyoukai and much has changed in her young life since. For one thing, three weeks after he left her naked on her bedchamber floor she discovered that she was with child. After being violently ill and fatigued for seven days, Izayoi began to worry. The fact that her blood cycle failed to visit her as it did on a regular monthly basis, did not help her state of agitation. When her dainty little breasts seemed to increase their size in her eyes, Izayoi was certain; the daiyoukai managed to impregnate her.

She managed to hide her slowly, but steadily, growing belly from her servants and parents for two and a half months. While all knew that she was ill and tired, no one seemed to suspect the mysterious illness for more than just a stubborn cold. In the end, Izayoi’s personal servant noticed that it has been three months since she found a bloody stain on the princess’ clothes or futon and connected all the dots. The young servant girl was secretly in love with the captain of guard and not- so- secretly sleeping with him, so one night, wrapped in the strong arms of the young warrior, she gossiped about the princess’ “condition”. The young captain, being loyal to his lord, was astonished at the disgraceful news and hurried from his bed of sin straight into the main hall where the lord of the castle was taking his dinner. The next day, after much shouting, many accusations and one drainage of colour from her father’s face when he finally learned the name of the miscreant, Izayoi found herself cast out with naught but her travelling yukata, a bamboo flask full of water and a sack of provisions which was thrust into her trembling hands by a sobbing old servant that raised her.

There was nothing for Izayoi to do but to attempt to find the Inu no Taisho and confront him. She made her way through forests, glades and wide plains until she reached, completely drained and famished, the dark wilderness on the tenth day of her journey. After walking for nearly ten hours without a break, Izayoi’s head began to spin and her legs collapsed under her.
‘At last;’ conjured her fevered brain before she lost consciousness,’ death’.

***

She awoke to the sound of crackling fire, her head spinning painfully.

“Careful now, or you will lose the nonexistent contains of your stomach.”

Izayoi turned sharply in the direction of the vaguely familiar voice and blinked to get her surroundings in focus. In front of her was a fiercely burning fire and twig- impaled fish were roasting in it. Across from her, beyond the flames, sat a magnificent figure clad in white. It took Izayoi a couple of minutes to understand that the seated figure was the Inu no Taisho without his armor on.

Izayoi gasped and scrambled to her feet. Slowly and uncertainly she made her way to him until she could clearly see his handsome face. His brows were creased in a slight frown and his eyes clouded with unreadable emotion.

“Hello, Izayoi.” he said, not taking his gaze from her face.

Izayoi shuddered at the sound of his voice and clamped a trembling hand over her quivering mouth. Unable to stop the relieved tears from flowing, she fell down on her knees before the suddenly startled daiyoukai, flung her hands around his neck and clung to his form desperately. Izayoi felt the Inu no Taisho stiffen at the sudden touch. After a few moments he slowly, with great care, circled her tiny form with his strong arms and lowered his face to the crook of her neck.

After what appeared to Izayoi as eternity, she disentangled herself from the daiyoukai and leaned back.

“I have been looking for you,” she said in a voice barely louder than a whisper, “for so long…oh Gods; I have searched for you far and wide!"

The Inu no Taisho grabbed her shoulders and frowned angrily at her.

“You have been so careless! How could you just leave your father’s castle and travel in the wilderness for days without provisions?!” he growled, “To attempt such a journey in your condition is foolish, Izayoi; extremely foolish!”

Izayoi turned her face from him and sighed.

“I’m with child.” she said in a strangely calm voice.

“I know,” said the Inu no Taisho after a second, “I can smell it”.

“It’s yours”.

“I know; I can smell that too”.

After a moment he reached out and brushed Izayoi’s cheek with his hand.

“Why did you not wait for me?” he asked more tenderly, “I was actually on my way to you when your scent assaulted my senses. “

Izayoi glanced at him from under her lashes.

“You would not have been welcome at the castle. The only reason my father has not yet declared war on you is that he is deathly afraid that you will devour him alive if he did.”

The Inu no Taisho frowned and released her shoulders.

“What do you mean?” he asked after a moment’s thought.

Izayoi sighed again and turned away from him, reaching for one of the fish sticks. She tore a morsel with her fingers and nibbled on it daintily, despite her hunger. Remembering that the youkai behind her still waited for an answer, she turned back to him and shrugged.

“When my father discovered that I’ve been defiled and impregnated, he demanded to know who the father of my unborn child was. When I finally told him what he wanted to know, after much lashing and beating, he nearly fainted and cast me out of the castle. He told me never to return and that I was dead to him.” Izayoi grew silent and turned to look at the fire. “I guess I really am a youkai’s whore now”. She added quietly.

“Izayoi-“

“I’m sorry,” she interrupted the daiyoukai, “you must be angry and embarrassed that a lowly human carries your child”.

The Inu no Taisho made an angry sound at the back of his throat and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Izayoi, please do not insult your intelligence by sprouting nonsense,” he growled.

Izayoi turned back to him, clearly surprised. The Inu no Taisho huffed impatiently and leveled his gaze with hers.

“I am, for lack of other words, a man of honor,” he said in dead calm, “and therefore I take responsibility for my actions. You will return with me to my castle and become my wife”.

Izayoi blinked at him.

“I’m sorry-what?” she stammered, “Your wife?”

The Inu no Taisho shrugged and gestured at her with his hand.

“Yes, you are to become my wife.”

Before Izayoi could react, he continued with his speech.

“I am not angry with you, my little princess; quite the opposite,” he smiled warmly, “I am delighted! At first, I only wished to bed you and have a taste of your sweet skin. I will tell you the truth, Izayoi; originally I was not supposed to return after the second time I had you. However, since I left your side three months ago, I could not stop conjuring your lovely image in my fevered mind. I could not rest; you and your lovely scent were everywhere! I even went and made these swords from my fang to protect you!” He gestured to two new swords that lay near his armor, noticing not that Izayoi grew paler with every uttered word. When the daiyoukai finally turned to look at the human princess, his smile froze.

“Izayoi?” he asked in concern, “Are you well?”

Izayoi’s hands trembled and her gaze was glued to the ground.

“You…you beast.” she whispered.

“Izayoi…?”

In seconds she was upon him, banging her little fists on his strong chest.

“You! You ruined me!” she cried, “You lied to me, you bastard! I do not care how powerful you are, I will find a way to hurt you!”

The Inu no Taisho, amazed at the sudden outburst, caught Izayoi’s flailing fists in his hands.

“You’re right,” he said, “but all will be well now. I will take care of you and of our child, I care not that you are human and that it will be hanyou; I love you, Izayoi, truly.”

The human princess managed to free herself from his grasp and sprang to her feet.

“Liar!” she shrieked, pointing at him, “I no longer believe you; your words are ashes to me!” Wildly, she clutched her hair and turned towards the fire. “I am ruined! My family name is soiled and for what?! All for the carnal pleasure of a damned beast! And I am such a fool for believing every word!” she wheeled in his direction and stamped her foot, “I actually believed you when you said you loved me! You…you…mononoke!”

The Inu no Taisho climbed to his feet and tried to engulf the raving princess in his arms, to no avail.

“Stay away from me!” Izayoi pushed at him, “Do not touch me!”

She turned to the fire and circled it a couple of times; when she faced the daiyoukai again, Izayoi was calmer than the surface of a lake.

“I will wash this child out of my body.” She said quietly with a faraway look on her face.
The Inu no Taisho’s eyes widened.

“What?!” he cried, “No! You cannot!”

Izayoi turned her eyes to look at his face and arched an eyebrow.

“Is that so?” she asked and crossed her arms over her chest, “This is my body, therefore it is my choice to make. I will wash this child out of my womb and return to my father’s halls. Perhaps he will even consider marrying me off to some wealthy lord.”

When the daiyoukai remained silent, Izayoi nodded to herself and turned from him, making her way towards the bushes.

“Where are you going?”

Izayoi noticed that his voice sounded too close. When she turned around, she nearly collided with the Inu no Taisho’s chest.

“I noticed a little village not an hour walk from here. I shall go to the miko of the village and tell her that I was raped by a youkai and impregnated. She is bound to help me”.

It was the daiyoukai’s turn to burn with rage.

“Raped?!” he demanded, “As I recall, you were quite cooperative, my lady”.

Izayoi did not appear fazed by that accusation and did not lose her calm.

"Only because I fell for your vile lies, beast!" she spat at him, her dark strands flying around her like a cloud of erratic ravens. The Inu no Taisho seemed outraged, but made no argument in his favour; convinced that his opposition to her decision came to an end, Izayoi turned from him once more. She did not make two steps before his growl interrupted her.

"Where do you think you are going?"

He appeared before her, faster than lightening. That close up to him, Izayoi could practically feel the rage pouring out of him in great waves. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly through her nose.

"To wash this abomination out of my womb, now if you please…" She attempted to nudge him out of her way, but It seemed that the Inu no Taisho would not be moved.

"Now listen here, human." He growled and grabbed her shoulders. Izayoi tried to shrug him off; after a few seconds of outraged resistance, he let her.

"Oh! So now I'm "human", aren't I?" She spat.

"As I recall, you always were, and if I can be 'beast, youkai and mononoke' you can as well be 'human'!"

Izayoi closed her eyes and shook her head. She felt tired and foolish; she wanted to keep her eyes closed and sleep for days, weeks even; perhaps to never wake up again. She wished to be gone from this place, to be back in her father's halls, by the warm fire; she wished to eat the rice cakes that Cook used to make and drink some warm sake to warm her belly. Angry, disappointed tears burned her eyes, but she did not let them fall.

"Let me go." She said calmly, not yet opening her eyes, "Let me go, damn you."

"I will not." Came the morose reply.

Izayoi picked up a rock from the ground and brought it close to her temple.

"If you do not let me go, youkai," she threatened, "I will kill myself. By the Gods, I shall shatter this rock into my skull!"

The Inu no Taisho stared at her incredulously for a moment; then his expression changed into that of great sadness. He seemed so sincere that Izayoi nearly caved on the spot.
"So you would rather die than bear my child and live with me?"

He sounded quite devastated. The golden colour in his eyes appeared diminished and his shoulders slouched in surrender. Izayoi was, by this point, ready to fall into his arms and be carried by said limbs to his castle. She was almost ready to bear twenty more children for her beloved lord and live happily ever after with him and their hanyou spawn; but then memories of his deceit and evil grins entered her hormone flooded brain and the fire and fury of a woman scorned burned her insides.

"Yes, "she managed quite calmly, "yes, I would."

This seemed to enrage the daiyoukai beyond the measure of words. His eyes narrowed, his nostrils flared and the demonic aura about him seemed to shimmer and grow. Izayoi, slowly but steadily, started to fear for her life; she took a few steps back, in order to try and get away from under his wreath.

"Fine!" He threw back his head and roared," Fine! Go then! Go on, die! Wash this child out of your womb, if you wish it so, you vile human wench!"

Izayoi gaped in horror, but the daiyoukai was far from done.

"How could I even think that you and I could try and be together? Clearly you are beneath me in every aspect! You, a lowly woman, dare to refuse me, the Lord of the Western Lands?! Absurd! I should have you skinned for this! I have been far too lenient, far too kind to you! I should have eaten you when I had the chance!"

Izayoi lowered her eyes to the ground and clenched her teeth. The harsh, unkind words lashed at her insides and tore at her already bleeding heart. She was, however, resolved not to cry in front of him, as tears were a sign of weakness.

"You have said quite enough, sir," she managed, and to her great pride, her voice shook only slightly with emotion, "with your permission I will go."

She went to the fire and picked what was left of her backpack. The Inu no Taisho was silent and sulked furiously, leaning against one of the trees.

With no further words, Izayoi walked away from the fire, passed by the daiyoukai's side and continued into the darkness. She did not let her tears fall until she was well out of the reach of his supposed hearing.

*

Izayoi arrived at the poor, little village in quite a state. She made a beeline to what she presumed was the Headman's house and banged on the wooden frame of the doors. An old woman opened the door and gasped in shock at the sight of the dirty, frail woman before her.

"Oh, dear me!" cried the woman, "what happened to you, child?"

"I was attacked by youkai!" lied Izayoi, "My husband and escort where slaughtered and eaten! I only managed to escape by the grace of the Gods and the Spirits! Please, I beg you; I need a place to stay! Perhaps you have an abandoned hut that is of no use to anyone in the village?"

The old lady frowned and seemed to hesitate.

"Please!" cried Izayoi, "I can read and write! I could teach the children, or write and read your letters!"

This seemed to satisfy the woman, strangely enough, and she smiled a semi-toothless smile.
"Alright, dearie," said she and beckoned for Izayoi to come inside, "we have just the spot for you! There is a hut on the outskirts of the village; it has not been used for months, you see, as the previous owner died. It will suit you just fine; and as to your knowledge, why, we are in great need of a scholar here!"

Izayoi could not see why but bowed low before the old lady nonetheless.

"Now, now, sweetness," the old hag croaked and patted Izayoi's shoulder, "let us get you washed and fed. What did you say your name was?"

"The name is Izayoi, kind woman."

"Izayoi," mused the old lady, "lovely name, it is. You may call me Miyobata-Sama."

Izayoi bowed again. She was soon washed, fed and clad in a fresh, albeit coarse, linen yukata. Her hostess spread a futon on the floor and gestured for her to lie down.

"Sleep for now, dearie; we shall show you to your hut come the morning."

"Thank you, Miyobata-Sama, but pray tell me; is there a miko in the village? I wish to be cleansed."

The old woman nodded knowingly.

"Of course you would, dearie, but I'm afraid that we do not have one. However, there are always travelling miko passing our way; one is bound to turn up in a few weeks, as they always do. Now sleep, child, tomorrow is a brand new day."

It did not take long for Izayoi to fall asleep, and once she did, she did not dream and no recollections of evil beasts and disappointments plagued her.

*

A few days found Izayoi working in the garden outside her wretched hut. The past few days were spent in writing and reading for the people of the village, and especially for the Headman and his mother, Miyobata-Sama. The Villagers seemed to take to her and the children appeared to be excessively fond of her, but Izayoi felt not entirely at ease amongst them. Thinking it a matter of difference between the Classes, she dismissed it and tried to be as cordial and civilized as she could to the people.

She was on her knees, with one fist deep in the fertile earth when she felt a chill run down her spine. She exhaled quietly and rose to her feet. Once her hands were wiped clean on her apron, she turned around. Surely enough, in front of her stood the Inu no Taisho, looking almost sheepish.

"Izayoi," he greeted her and placed down the parcel she only then realized he was holding. She could make out a basket of apples, a barrel of rice; some loafs of bread and three bottle of what she imagined to be the finest sake in all of Japan. Afraid that someone might notice him, Izayoi grasped one of his arms and dragged him behind the hut.

"What are you doing here?" she asked when the shock of seeing him in the village in broad daylight has worn off, "What is all this?"

"Provisions," he said and took a step closer to her, "for you."

Izayoi crossed her hands on her chest and lifted her chin haughtily.

"I do not need your guilt presents, 'My Lord'".

"Izayoi," the Inu no Taisho frowned and took another step towards her, "without food you will starve. Our child that is still within you, I can tell, will starve."

"About a week ago you did not care whether I lived or died, as I seem to recall."

The daiyoukai shook his head and his silver hair swished from side to side, like a horse's tail.

"I meant none of those words," he tried to reassure her and placed a hand atop of his chest, "they were spoken in anger and I apologize. I have not slept for days, Izayoi; I could not. All I thought about was how I left you in the woods to fend for yourself. Forgive me and believe me when I say this; I want you, I want this child and I have never loved a woman as I love you."

Izayoi was speechless for some time. After a few silent moments have passed, she lowered her gaze to the ground and shook her head.

"How do I know that now you speak the truth?" she asked her sandals, "How do I know that you do not deceive me again?" She lifted her head and leveled her gaze with his. "No, I am sorry; I cannot trust you at this point."

The Inu no Taisho nodded solemnly and turned his head to look at the horizon.

"Fine," he said, not looking at her, "I understand; but at least eat what I've brought you. Please, you must be extremely hungry."

He returned his eyes to her, looked at her face with great yearning for a moment and bowed.

"Farewell, Hime."

And then he was gone.

*

He returned the following day; this time he carried a parcel of fresh clothes and linen, three bars of soap, a bag of tea leaves and cherry blossom rice cakes.

"Greetings, Hime," he said and carried the supplies into the hut, passing the bewildered Izayoi on his way.

By the time the human princess recovered the ability to speak, a pot of water was boiling in the hearth and her futon was made up with fresh linen.

The Inu no Taisho was brewing tea by the hearth; Izayoi walked into the hut and stared at him, her arms akimbo.

"What in the name of the Gods are you doing?" she demanded to know. The Inu no Taisho lifted up his head from his task to look at her with his eyebrows raised.

"Clearly, I am trying to take care of you, since you will not do it yourself," he explained and patted the spot next to him, "now sit down and have some tea."

"Do you honestly think I am not taking care of myself?" she cried, "I will have you know, that I did perfectly well until you decided to show up in a cloud of guilt and chivalry!"

The daiyoukai nodded and placed a single rice cake next to the steaming cup of tea he just poured.

"Alright, I agree with you, now sit down and put something in your mouth."

Izayoi huffed and sat down, but not before she pushed at him with all her might.

"You high-handed 'dog', "she hissed and picked up the cup. While planning to continue with giving the youkai lord a piece of her mind, she brought the tea to her lips. The strong smell of boiled leaves upturned her stomach and she barely made it out of the hut in time. When Izayoi returned inside, she looked as green as her tea. The Inu no Taisho looked at her and frowned.

"Are you well?" he asked quietly.

"I'm fine," she muttered, "this happens all the time."

"Sit down, you must eat."

This time, Izayoi sat down without a word and bit down on the rice cake he offered her. Strangely enough, once her stomach began to fill, the nausea stopped.

The silence filled the room as she chewed on her food and he stirred the logs in the fire. Izayoi found the lack of words quite comfortable and soothing and was ready to relax her taut muscles when he spoke.

"You are beginning to show."

His voice was soft, quiet, and had a note of yearning and regret to it. She could tell, without looking at him, that his eyes caressed her form.

"I know." She said, staring straight ahead into space, without turning her head in his direction.

"Izayoi…" he whispered, "May I? Please…"

She understood his question and noted the pleading manner of his request. After a few moments of inner debate, she placed her cup down and moved her hands to her sides. His hand rested on the floor, next to her thigh, but she did not take it; instead she opted for sitting completely still and waiting for the inevitable.

Izayoi felt his hand before she could see it. She felt warmth spreading through her lower abdomen to her spine, to her legs, her joints; and when she heard the smile in his voice, she had to turn her head and finally look at him. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her.

The Inu no Taisho sat closer to her than she remembered, her shoulder nearly touching his chest as he leaned into her. His right hand rested on her stomach and his silver bangs tickled her forehead.

"It is strong," he said and his breath was hot in her ear, "the child is strong."

Izayoi lifted her gaze to his and her eyes widened. The youkai was smiling that open, genuine smile of his that was her downfall from the beginning. His eyes looked soft as his hand flexed over her lower abdomen, the fingers slightly rubbing it through the fabric of her kimono.

"Gods, Izayoi," he breathed and she realized with both panic and arousal that he did so against her lips, "I have never…please, Izayoi, 'please'."

'Oh no', thought Izayoi desperately as he closed the distance between them, 'not again'!

His mouth felt soft and warm against her lips as he pulled her into a tight embrace. Izayoi realized, for the first time that day, that he did not have his armor on. She felt herself being held against a firm, warm chest; her forehead dropped on his shoulder without her intention, after the unexpected kiss ended.

"Come with me," he whispered in her ear, "please, beloved; leave this wretched village and come with me."

Izayoi detached herself from him and slid to the floor, turning her back to him.

"I think you should depart now," she said shakily, "I am fatigued and must lie down."

She heard him sigh dejectedly and rise to his feet. He picked up the swords he had apparently left at the entrance of the rotting hut and stopped at the door, not turning to face her.

"I know that you find it hard to believe, Izayoi, but I do not lie when I say that I have never loved another as I love you. You may not find them so, but all my words of devotion are sincere. Goodbye, beloved."

Izayoi let out a troubled breath and placed her trembling hands in her lap after he left her hut. His kiss, his words and the naked emotion written all over his face left her quite shaken. Could it be true? Could he really be sincere in his intentions and feelings? Could she trust him now, after all that occurred between them?

Izayoi rose to her feet unsteadily and exited the rotten wooden box that she tentatively called "home". During the time she sat inside the hut and took tea and kisses, the wind seemed to pick up a bit and was now engaged in a slow, tantalizing dance with the rice fields; the afternoon sun served as their chaperon and the trees, flowers and far-off mountains as their eager spectators. The dejected Hime crossed her hands over her steadily growing belly and sighed. Silent, angry tears of frustration rose up in her eyes and clouded her vision. Unable to stop them, Izayoi let them fall and chase one another down the slopes of her pale cheeks. The trees and flowers, now engaged in the dance as well, turned to look at her and bowed their heads in understanding. Izayoi nodded in their direction and retreated inside her now slowly darkening hut. She changed her clothes, rekindled the fire and lay down on her futon. Sleep claimed her by the time the dance of nature became frenzied and the rain decided to join in. She slept fitfully, while demanding drops of heavy water banged impatiently on her roof.

*

The Inu no Taisho did not grace Izayoi with his presence for three days.

On the eve of the third day, when Izayoi sat peeling roots inside her hut, he arrived with naught but a small parcel in his clawed hand. She did not greet him as he entered her home, but her hands stilled in their task and she put aside her work.

"Izayoi," He said in a matter of greeting and lay down his weapons on the floor. In three strides the Inu no Taisho was by her side and Izayoi's heart was in her throat. He knelt down gracefully in front of her and presented her, almost reverently, with the small parcel he carried.

"What is it, my Lord?" she asked when she had the use of her voice again.
The Inu no Taisho's eyes widened for a fraction of a second at the return of his honorary title and it seemed to plant a seed of hope inside his heart. He took Izayoi's hand in his and placed the mystery parcel there gently.

"It is but a small gift for you, my lady; please accept it."

Izayoi unpacked the little package with certain hands. The discarded wrapping unveiled a beautiful ivory comb and a small bronze mirror; Izayoi, for the fear of dropping the lovely gift in agitation, placed the little parcel on the wooden floor.

"Thank you." She said quietly.

The Inu no Taisho smiled and nodded. He picked up the comb from the floor and raised his eyebrows in a silent question. After some hesitation, Izayoi nodded tentatively and watched from the corner of her eyes as he moved to settle behind her. She had to stifle the gasp that rose in her throat at his gentle touch and the pleasant pull of the comb through her hair.

"Your hair," The Inu no Taisho said and swapped the raven tresses over her left shoulder, "is as soft as silk." Softly he pushed the collar of her yukata aside and kissed her neck and shoulder. Izayoi took in a deep breath and lowered her head.

"Please," she breathed when she felt his teeth scraping gently at her sensitive skin, "don't do this."

The youkai lord withdrew his teeth, fangs and hands immediately, leaving her slightly wet skin exposed to the afternoon air.

"I beg your pardon, Hime," he said quietly from behind her, "It seems that I find it extremely hard to control myself when it comes to you."

Izayoi felt him rise to his feet and noted in surprise the disappointment she felt at him doing so. She turned around to look at him and found that his face was turned from her and that his hands were balled into fists.

"Truth is, Izayoi," the Inu no Taisho said quietly, "I find myself intoxicated by everything regarding you; your presence, your scent, your beauty of both mind and body. Most of all, the fact that our child now lies within your womb, makes you even more irresistible to me. It is physically painful for me to be in your presence and be unable to touch you and love you, as I wish to do. "

He picked up his swords and tucked them into his sash, not once leveling his gaze with hers.

"You see," he continued, fumbling with the knot of said sash, "you will not be able to stay in this village much longer without either aborting our child, or giving birth to it. Believe me when I say that the second option is unheard of in this place."

Izayoi stared at him with her lips parted and her eyes wide. Finally he lifted his gaze to her and her heart stopped. This time, she had no doubt that the raw emotion etched all over his face was genuine.

"I know that you are still reluctant to trust me, so I will give you some more time." He took a step closer to her, but stopped just outside of a touching range.
"In a week, I will come for you. Whatever you may choose by the end of these seven days, I will take you away from here; you needn't stay with me if you do not wish to and if you decide to be rid of our child and be back in your father's hall, I shall take you there and ask for his forgiveness and give him whatever he desires, provided that he takes you in and treats you with the respect you deserve."

Izayoi rose to her feet, but was unable to do more than that. She seemed frozen in her place and utterly floored by the daiyoukai's monologue. The Inu no Taisho took a deep breath before saying what he kept inside his chest for the whole visit.

"Izayoi," he spoke calmly, but she could tell that a great storm of surpassed emotions was brewing inside of him, "I have brought you one other thing."

He took out a small embroidered bag from inside his haori and placed it into her hand.

"What-what is it?" asked Izayoi, her voice breathy.

The Inu no Taisho took another deep breath before answering her.

"These are herbs used by females, both human and youkai, to expel unwanted pregnancies. But, I must warn you, these herbs are extremely strong and dangerous and you must take them only under someone's care. I beseech you, Izayoi; if you are really set on ending this, if the thought of our child within you fills you with naught but distress and regret, use these only when you are with a knowledgeable healer who can give you something if the bleeding is too severe. Will you promise me this?"

Izayoi frowned at the little bag in her palm and then looked up at the daiyoukai.

"But I thought-"

"You thought that I will try and manipulate you into bearing a child you do not want," he interrupted her before she could finish her sentence. "I assure you, Izayoi; this was not my intention. Obviously, I want you and our child healthy, alive and happy; but if you are set in your ways, I would rather know that you live and thrive, even if it is away from me, than have you bleed to death because I could not help."

He leaned towards her, placed a kiss on her cheek and was out of the hut before she could blink. After a few stunned minutes, Izayoi dropped the tiny bag on the floor where it continued to lie undisturbed for the next two days.

*

Two days after the shocking visit from the Inu no Taisho, the long awaited Miko-sama graced the mangy village with her presence and dutiful Miyobata-Sama came a knocking on Izayoi's door.

"Morning, dearie, " she said with her nearly toothless smile, "I thought you'd be delighted to know that a miko came to our village yester-night; she is in our house, I could take you to her, if you wish."

Izayoi's insides turned into hot lead and only with great difficulty did she managed to produce a smile for Miyobata-sama.

"Thank you, Kind Mother," she said in a tone mastered by years and countless tutors, "I will be there shortly."

Miyobata-sama smiled, nodded and turned to her house, absolutely certain that the graceful, mysterious young woman will follow.

Izayoi changed her clothes, left her dirty apron on the floor and washed her face in the water from the barrel that stood outside her hut. Then she brushed her hair a hundred times like her nanny had taught her, tied it with a simple white ribbon and made her way to the Headman's hut on shaky legs. Upon her arrival, she was ushered into the main room where the priestess sat on a tatami mat and took her breakfast. One look at the young priestess had Izayoi wishing for a swifter return of the daiyoukai.

The features of the other young woman were pretty but cold. She had what someone might call a "cruel beauty", and her appearance chilled Izayoi to the bone. The priestess' dark eyes settled on the princess' face.

"You are the woman who was defiled by youkai." She stated and Izayoi found herself nodding though, for the life of her, she could not recall ever mentioning "defilement" in her speech to Miyobata-sama.

The priestess turned to the Headman and his mother.

"Could you please leave us for a few minutes? I wish to speak to this woman in solitude."

Miyobata-sama and her son bowed themselves out of the room and the priestess once again settled her attention upon Izayoi.

"You are with child," she said calmly, "I can feel the demonic aura around you. The other villagers have no knowledge of it, am I correct?"

Izayoi nodded, still unable to speak. She was relieved to tell that Miyobata-sama failed to mention just how long she's been staying in the village and that the priestess seemed to think that the child was conceived during the so called 'attack' on her and her 'husband'.

"Very well," said her quite intimidating companion, "I should think you wish to be rid of this abomination you carry."

Rage she did not know slumbered within her, flared and filled Izayoi to the brim.

"What?" she asked in a voice that matched the cool demeanor of the woman in front of her.

"This is what you wished to see me about, isn't it? You wish to rid yourself of this hybrid and return to your old life. Well, I can help you with that. But you must hurry, from the state of you I'd say you have until the end of this week before it'd become too dangerous and you'd have to give birth to this creature."

At the mixture of horror, rage and disgust on Izayoi's face, the priestess seemed to try and school her features into something softer.

"I understand, " she said in more dulcet tones, "you've developed a twisted attachment to this thing like any expectant mother would, but you must see that this will be a child of evil and that it is your sacred duty to banish it from this world."

Izayoi's face stiffened and she breathed slowly through her nose. In a matter of seconds she finally made up her mind.

"I shall think on it. Thank you for the audience." She said and left the priestess without a backward glance.

When she reached her hut, Izayoi picked up the discarded embroidered bag of dried herbs and cast it into the burning hearth.

*

The next day the young priestess came upon Izayoi in the afternoon while she was working in the garden.

"How may I be of assistance, Miko-sama?" asked Izayoi in measured tones, without turning her back to look at the other woman. Unaffected by the gesture, the oriestess circled around Izayoi and came to stand in front of her.

"It is I who can be of assistance to you, Izayoi-sama." She said and crossed her arms across her chest, "I can help you with your not-so-little problem."

Izayoi stood up, dusted her hands on her apron and wiped the sweat of her forehead with wrist.

"You are too kind, Miko-sama," she said and smiled sweetly, "but as I told you yesterday, I need to think about it."

"You do not have much time," the priestess was beginning to lose her calm, "make your decision fast, or you will regret it to the end of your days."

Izayoi nodded solemnly at the frowning woman before her.

"Yes," she said resolutely, "that is exactly what I'm afraid of."

*

Izayoi received many more visits from the insisting priestess which always ended the same way; the priestess would come, full of purpose and righteousness, and try to convince Izayoi of the wretchedness of her situation. To these accusations and intimidations, the princess would answer that she still hasn't decided and still needed to think on the matter, upon which the priestess would depart angrily from Izayoi's hut.

By the end of the week, Izayoi was utterly exhausted from the priestess' presence and she started conjuring elaborate plans of how to evade the woman. She succeeded for a while, but on the eve of the seventh day since her last meeting with the Inu no Taisho, the priestess had the better of her and came to her hut with a steaming cup in her hands just as Izayoi was taking her dinner.

"Izayoi-sama, " said the priestess sweetly and extended the cup to the frowning princess, "I'm sorry I was so insistent and relentless where I should have been guiding and healing. I understand you need more time and I am happy to give it to you, though it is against my better judgment. Here, I made you some soothing tea to help you sleep; please accept it!"

Izayoi rose to her feet and approached the priestess. She reached out to receive the steaming cup, never once doubting its true contents, and smiled cordially.

"Thank you so very much, Miko-sama!" she exclaimed as she pretended to inhale the steam rising from the cup, "why, how did you know that I suffer from troubled sleep? This is just the thing I need!"

The priestess smiled in relief at the outburst and clasped her hands.

"Fantastic! I was afraid you wouldn't want the tea…"

"Nonsense!" cried Izayoi and shook her head, "But, would it be alright if I returned it to you in the morning? Only, I am yet to finish my dinner and I had some things I wished to do before I retired for the night…"

"Of course, of course!" exclaimed the relieved priestess and turned to take her leave, "I see no problem there. I shall wish you a good night then; have pleasant dreams, Izayoi-sama."

"You too, Miko-sama; and thank you so much for the tea!" cried Izayoi after the retreating figure. Once the priestess was a little dot against the darkening sky, Izayoi closed the door, spilled the contents of the steaming cup into the fire burning in the hearth and organized all her belongings in a sack which she hauled across her shoulder. She waited for darkness to reign outside and when she was convinced that it was indeed dark enough, she slipped away into the night.

She found a small cave, just outside the village, where she spent the night praying that no youkai or man would find her. She tried to settle down for some sleep but all she achieved were fits of restless slumber filled with nightmares. The Inu no Taisho, catching her scent, found her in the morning, curled into a shaking ball on the rocky ground.

"Izayoi," he rushed to her side and started unclasping his armor so he could engulf her in his gigantic fur pelt, "what on earth are you doing here? Why are you not in the village?"

Izayoi, delirious from both lack of sleep and relief from seeing the daiyoukai, pressed her palm to her lips and giggled. The Inu no Taisho frowned in alarm.

"Oh, no reason!" she cried and giggled again, "it's just that the miko tried to poison me last night, so I thought I'd leave a day early."

"The miko tried to poison you??"

Izayoi sobered at the outrage in the daiyoukai's voice and placed a trembling hand on his armor-free arm to calm him. The gesture was not lost upon the Inu no Taisho whose chest contracted at the touch.

"She didn't really try to poison me; she just wished to make me drink some herbs that would make me miscarry. I dumped the tea into the fire and left; spent the night here. I am fine now, really."

She stood up and took the still kneeling Inu no Taisho's face in her palms. His golden eyes widened in slight shock and he appeared even more youthful than usual.

"Take 'us' away, will you? "she whispered and his eyes shut tightly. He lowered his head to her abdomen and placed the softest of kisses to it before looking up at her again.

"What made you change your mind, Izayoi?" he asked quietly.

Izayoi shrugged.

"Does it matter?" she asked and smiled softly, "you have assured me of your love for me and I have assured myself of my love for our child. Now we may be truly happy, together."

The daiyoukai smiled and Izayoi was reminded of how she fell in love with him in the first place. Before she brought her lips to his, she whispered softly and lovingly in his ear:

"Now take me home, Anata."