The Seventh Year by Doll-Fin-Chick

All That Jazz

Chapter Eleven: All That Jazz

“Kagome-san!”

Kagome quickly turned around at the sound of her name and smiled warmly, “Eun-soo-san,” she greeted in return, beside her Rashida bowed politely.

The demonesses eyes were sparkling as she moved forward to clasp Kagome’s hands and pull her to her feet, “And what are you doing hiding in an alcove on this lovely day? Everyone is arriving and they are setting up! Come! We shall walk.” Then she dropped Kagome’s hands and turned, clearly expecting the miko to follow.

Kagome brushed a few wrinkles from her kimono and followed, Eun-soo was a lovely person, if a bit bossy sometimes. She seemed well matched with Kaoru.

They walked through the halls, Rashida trailing behind them as Eun-soo elaborated on what was happening.

“Ah it’s been a long time since a Seventh Year Festival was last held! It’s always so much fun. Today is the first official day, and in seven weeks it will end.” They turned down another hall, and Kagome nodded politely at the guards standing watch, and they ignored her, as usual.

Eun-soo grinned at the miko’s behavior. Really, Kagome was so kind she couldn’t bear to just brush people off, though she was also quite proud. She frowned and made a mental note to keep an eye on her. So many strange youkai would be about, and it wouldn’t do for Kagome to offend someone, or for that matter, for them to offend her!

She glanced at the bracelet around Kagome’s wrist; her mate’s personal mark and aura were embedded in it. Nobody should mistake that, but then, accidents and tempers were bound to run amok in the following weeks.

“Today is the first day of unofficial sports, daily brawls, and the chance for friendly sparring.” She continued, finally leading them out in to the light of the main castle yard. Indeed, many youkai were dashing to and fro, setting up stalls around the sides of the square, painting signs, and raising colorful banners.

Kagome took it all in, glad that many were far too busy to notice her presence. She fiddled with the bracelet Kaoru had gotten her. It held a far more important position than just marking her as his ward, as Eun-soo thought. Her glamour was also woven specially in to the band of gold and indigo. So her own aura was freed and better under her control.

They continued their walk out of the main gates and in to the village that surrounded the castle. Here again, the walkways were crowded and noisy, though it was an expectant, happy atmosphere, and Kagome couldn’t help but feel her spirits lift a bit.

Eventually they came to an area where sticks in the dirt had marked out a ring, and which two youkai were grappling, egged on by watchers making bets and shouting encouragement.  Eun-soo slowed and nudged Kagome’s arm, “Care to watch?” she asked, and Kagome nodded, intrigued. They moved forward to the wooden rail, other youkai making space for them as they watched the next match begin.

The two combatants were both male, and stripped to the waist, their backs rippling with taught muscles as they circled on another. One had extremely pale skin, and a shock of short white hair that rakishly fell across his eyes in shaggy disarray. Kagome started when she realized his eyes were pink, realizing she was looking at her first ever albino youkai. The other youkai had black hair, and electric blue eyes, as well as a tail that whipped back and forth behind him, long and feline.

The albino paced around the ring, following his opponent’s motion, his own movements fluid and incredibly graceful, the other moved with shifting swaying movements that melded seamlessly with their pacing. Deadly. Kagome shuddered.

Then without warning, the two launched at one another, grappling, then released and returned to pacing almost faster that what Kagome could keep up with. Then they clashed again amid snarling and cry from the crowd. They were locked, arms around each other, pushing, shoving, and trying to get the other to fall. Strain showed on both faces, until the albino shifted, his feet moving quickly, and half pulled the other youkai forward, using his momentum to make him land face down in the dust.

Laughing at the cheers, he raised his fist high, and then turned to give his opponent a hand up. To Kagome’s surprise, both were grinning, “Ah brother, you best me again.” The dark one smirked, clapping the youkai on the shoulder, “I concede the point, you win.” Then he turned and vaulted over the flimsy wooden rail, nearly, grabbing his clothing from a grinning demoness who gladly took his arm as they left.  Kagome and Eun-soo started to retreat, but got stuck behind too youkai arguing over the outcome of their bet.

The albino meanwhile, merely snorted at his brother’s attitude, and also vaulted out of the ring, but as he did, one of the arguing youkai got in his way and as he dodged them, he and nearly knocked over Kagome.

Reacting quickly, he shot out a hand and grabbed her about her arm to prevent her from falling, “I apologize!” he immediately gasped out, steadying her, “I didn’t m-“ but whatever it was that he was going to say vanished from his lips as he locked eyes with Kagome, who regained her balance, and then seemed frozen at his gaze as well.  Eun-soo frowned and narrowed her eyes in a glare, giving a warning growl in her throat.

“Ah, sorry my lady.” He abruptly released Kagome’s arm and bowed, “Forgive this humble Arashi.” Then he straightened and smiled disarmingly. Kagome blinked, “Er, that’s alright, I’m sorry I couldn’t get out of the way sooner.” A piece of cloth suddenly flew through the air and smacked Arashi in the face, causing Kagome to giggle. The youkai however blushed, the pink tone very visible against his nearly white skin, “Ah, excuse me.” He said, hurriedly shrugging in to the clothing, and belting it, before bowing again. As he rose he caught her eyes again and found himself lost in their depths, and speechless once again.

Eun-soo frowned and gently took Kagome’s arm, not liking the situation. The damned Panther was getting ahead of himself. “Well,” she sniffed, “Thank you. Congratulations on the match, good day.” Then she towed Kagome away without another word.

As they left Arashi watched them go wistfully. The female, she was undeniably beautiful, though no female would care for one such as him. He bitterly hung his head and shuffled away from the oppressive crowd, already cheering and betting on the next match. Most demonesses could not bear to touch him, even when he proved his strength. His brother had lost, but still won the favor of the females, simply because he was born different.

He watched as the miko and the demoness vanished in to the surrounding crowd, knowing he wouldn’t have a chance, but curious despite himself. The ningen was under the protection of the Southern Lord, that was plain for any fool to see…and that meant she had status, and as a miko she had power.

But why was a miko here? Inutaisho must be aware of her presence; she would not have been suffered to be here otherwise. But who was she? He felt a longing within him for her name, and a determination to find out.

He was one of the sons of the Panther Lord! A prince in his own right, if not a favored one, and he satisfied himself that he would see her again, quite probably this night or the next. As soon as the other noble youkai families had arrived.