A Grimm Twist: Briar Rose by Dana

Prologue: A Twisted Curse

AN:/ Important notes at bottom.

She sat by the pond, indulging herself in pitying thoughts of this barren state of affairs. Being married to the leader of the InuYoukai tribe for nearly a year, Sahome felt the weight of her wifely duties beginning to crush her spirit. They had been trying constantly since the marriage but no matter how many times they tried, she simply could not conceive. Sitting on the stone edge of the pond at the center of the expansive gardens, Sahome cradled her face in her hands, her salty tears wetting her fingertips.

Her white hair, a hereditary trait to this particular tribe, fell in front of her face, concealing the world from her icy blue gaze. It was only when a vibrant, orange day lily was placed in her lap that Sahome realized she wasn't alone. Looking up, she saw a young child staring at her with wide violet eyes. Startled at first by the little girl, Sahome said nothing, watching the child wrap her hands around Sahome's waist in a gentle hug. Her black hair hung forward, covering the violet eyes set within her blue-skinned face.

"What manner of demon are you?" Sahome asked gently; she looked like an InuYoukai from the north with her black hair and small ears. However, her pale blue skin and oily teal scales that covered her legs suggested the Ningyo Youkai tribe of the southern lakes.

"I am not a demon, nor am I human," she said quietly, her voice high and soft, reminding Sahome of the supple notes that echoed from the flautist that played in the halls of her home. However, Sahome flinched away in disgust at what the child's words could mean.

"Then you are a hanyou brat?" Sahome sneered, unable to help the disdain that accompanied thoughts of any of those muddy blooded monsters. Her hand grasped in the girl's surprisingly firm grip, Sahome's attention was refocused on her, the child's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I am not that either. I am a rare creature that is not widely known to the beings of this time except in folk lore and fairy tales. I'm an empathic jinniyah. You may call me Yume." The young girl replied, her annoyed tone fading.  

"Why are you here?" Sahome asked curiously. Subtly, the expression on Yume's face changed as the girl looked at her with fearful eyes.

"I was being hunted. An evil plagues the land to the East and, as I passed through them it began to hunt me. Unfortunately my powers of empathy caused the evil to begin tainting my mind, slowly attempting to transform me into one of the jinniyah wraiths. It was rather fortuitous that I stumbled upon your lands; the serenity of these gardens act as a barrier against true evil." The girl explained. She smiled sweetly at Sahome; something about that delighted smile lightened the ache that had bloomed in Sahome's chest.

"When I got here though, all I could feel was your sadness Okasan. Why are you sad?" Yume asked, her head tilted slightly in curiosity.

"Because it appears I cannot bear a child. I love my husband dearly and wish nothing more to bear him an heir, but it appears that I am barren," Sahome whispered sadly. A pit of despair formed in the pit of her stomach as she thought of this. Every spring, she had seen the young InuYoukai woman walking around with their round stomachs and glow of happiness that seemed to accompany motherhood. Sahome wished more than anything that she could experience that feeling; knowing that a child was growing within her stomach, waiting to be born so that she could love and cherish it.

"Is that truly what you wish for, Okasan?" Yume asked quietly.

"Yes. I wish that I could have my own child born of myself and Inu Taisho." Sahome said humbly. It was unusual for her to fall for any of this hocus-pocus trash, but in her desperation, she was willing to try anything.

"Then it will happen. Tonight after you and your husband have eaten, hang a small bouquet of baby's breath over your bed and then make love to Inu Taisho. I promise you that your desired child shall be conceived." Sahome's face broke out into a warm smile at the girl's words. However a grim air overcame the jinniyah as she put a hand up to stop Sahome's thanks.  

"All is not well however. When the child is born, host a great feast here in celebration. When you do this, be sure to invite the thirteen youkai that are possessed by those in the stars; they will grant your child gifts that will protect him from the evils that plague these lands. Do not forget." Yume said, backing away from Sahome. "I thank you for your kindness Okasan; I will go now"

And with no more than a blink of an eye, Yume vanished from Sahome's astonished sight.

That night, after Sahome and Inu Taisho enjoyed dinner with his vassals and her extended family that lived with them, she ran quickly up to her bedroom, tying a small bouquet of baby's breath to one of the posts that held the canopy over her bed. And just as Yume as told her, Sahome took Inu Taisho to bed that night.

Sure enough, nine months later, Sahome gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and, remembering the jinniyah's words, she prepared a great feast to hold in her gardens. However, after inviting all the members of the tribe and extended family, Sahome discovered that there was only enough food prepared for twelve more. Glancing at the list of the animal youkai, she decided that the neko youkai could be left out, the other twelve more predominant in their status.

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Sahome and Inu Taisho greeted the twelve great youkai possessed by those from the stars, seating them near the head of the table with the head of the tribe and his wife. It was a great honour that they had accepted, Sahome thought, smiling warmly at all of their dinner guests. Standing from his seat at the head of the table, Inu Taisho automatically captivated the attention of his guests.

"My highly esteemed guests," he began, his voice booming so that all occupants of the garden could hear. "It is tonight that we eat and drink in celebration of new life."

Smiling down at his wife, he held his hand out to her. She cradled her son carefully in her arms before taking her husband's hand and standing up. Inu Taisho held out his hands to hold his son, a look of tender love for the baby boy etched into his face. Smiling back at his guest, he continued.

"I would like to present you all with my son, the heir of the InuYoukai tribe of the West, Sesshomaru." The baby giggled in his arms, trying to reach for the mokomoko that Inu Taisho had across his shoulders. He looked at his son and found big amber eyes looking back up at him with curiosity, before a grin puffed up is chubby cheeks. Inu Taisho chuckled as he handed his son back to Sahome.

"You did well, my love." He said quietly. As he and Sahome sat down, the RyuYoukai stood to address Sahome and Inu Taisho. His black hair was swiped carelessly to the side exposing the dragon scales tattooed beneath his right eye. Those obsidian eyes fixated on the young InuYoukai before turning to the proud parents.

"As thanks for your invitation and splendid hospitality, the twelve youkai possessed by those of the stars, wish to bestow our gifts on your son. Do you accept?" Sahome smiled kindly at the youkai across from her and nodded. On cue, the twelve youkai stood and lined up in front of Sahome who still held her smiling son in her hands.

"To your son, I bestow the gift of beauty," said the first, a beautiful member of the ToraYoukai species. Her orange and back striped hair fascinated Sahome almost as much as her gold speckled green eyes. Smiling, she bowed to the child and his mother before returning to her seat. Replacing her was the bulky form of the Ushi youkai.

"To your son, I grant the gift of strength," he said, his voice deep and gravelly. As the Tora youkai, he bowed first to Sesshomaru then to Sahome. More of the youkai followed after; the Ryu, Saru, Inoshishi, Usagi, Hebi, Inu, Uma, Niwatori, and Hitsuji. All gifting him with that which was good in the world.

As the childlike Nezumi youkai was about to gift the young Sesshomaru, an uproar was heard from with the house before a hissing Neko youkai pushed her way through the door. Stomping towards the high table, she gave the Nezumi a hard shove, knocking the smaller youkai to the ground.

"So, you're the bitch who decided I wasn't good enough to come to your little soiree?" The Neko youkai sneered. Before Sahome could pause, the demoness caught sight of little Sesshomaru. "Aw, how cute; the bitch's party was for her pup. Well I have my own gift to bestow upon this brat!"

Sahome cradled Sesshomaru closer to her chest as his giggles turned to fearful cries.

"Please don't. It was my fault; if you want to hurt anyone please, attack me. Just leave my son alone." Sahome pleaded.

"Not so lucky my lovely. Now, let's see, what would be fitting this whelp. Ah, I know the perfect thing!" The nasty Neko smiled evilly at the baby. "When your son enters his seven hundred, fiftieth year, he will be pierced in the chest by a miko's arrow and he will die."

She cackled evilly before running swiftly from the grounds. Sahome stared afterwards, absolute horror etched into her face. Turning to her husband, whose anger was more than palatable, tears welled up in her eyes.

"We have waited so long for this child, Inu Taisho. How could this happen?" Sahome asked brokenly.

"I can't break the spell, but I can help." The Nezumi stood up, his silver eyes full of compassion for the weeping mother. "When your son is pierced with the arrow of a powerful miko, he will not die, but will fall into a deep sleep until one with enough strength comes to grant him the kiss of life. That is all I can do."

And so it was; as the centuries passed Sesshomaru became a strong, independent DaiYoukai, destined to follow in his father's steps. His beauty was renowned throughout the land, and he was given the nickname "Angel of Death" as his opponents soon discovered his skill in the battlefield. Women loved him, men idolized him, and his enemies feared him - all was well.

Then one day, while on a hunt he discovered a woman in his travels. Dressed in the traditional robes of the priestess, Sesshomaru had relaxed his guard and moved forward to greet her in a friendly matter. The sharp crack of a twig had the young miko spinning around, notching an arrow and releasing it. Her eyes widened at the same time as the arrow struck him in the chest. Sesshomaru grasped the arrow that pierced his heart, his golden eyes narrowing on the miko.

"Why?" was the only word that left his lips before he collapsed lifeless on the ground. His vassals rushed forward, cutting the miko in half - a demon puppet.

Rushing him back to the castle - no easy task mind you, considering his size - the four men placed his body at the feet of his mother, who stared in shock.

"Who did this?"

"It was a demon puppet m'lady." One of the men said, bowing in deference to his mistress. Balling her hands into fists, Sahome gritted her teeth.

"Take him to his chambers," she commanded, the vassals swiftly obeying. Collapsing in a chair near the fire, Sahome let out a wail of grief as tears burst from her eyes. As she placed her head in her hands, a familiar voice rang through the halls.

"When your son is pierced with the arrow of a powerful miko, he will not die, but will fall into a deep sleep until one with enough strength comes to grant him the kiss of life." The voice of the Nezumi rang through the halls. It was then replaced by the gentle voice of Yume.

"Sleep gentle Okasan and wait for the one who will breathe life back into the lands of the InuYoukai tribe." And with that, every person on the grounds and in the small village near their house fell into a deep sleep, awaiting the person who would grant them life once again - their knight, in shining armour.

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AN:/ so some important notes before I leave you to your reviewing :D.

First, this chapter will probably be the longest because I wanted to get the important information out of the way for the rest of this ficlet. Speaking of which, it will probably be only 3 or 4 chapters long ^^. And also below is a meaning for the Japanese words I used (please don't kill me)

Ningyo - Mermaid, Jinniyah - Genie, Okasan - Mother

Ushi - Ox, Nezumi - Rat, Ryu - Dragon

Saru - Monkey, Inoshishi - Boar, Tora - Tiger

Usagi - Rabbit, Hebi - Snake, Inu - Dog

Uma - Horse, Niwatori - Horse, Hitsuji - Sheep

Neko - Cat