Wings of a Butterfly

[Birdie]

She blushed and bowed her head. "I think that is the curse of my race. A butterfly does not live for very long. But, I do not think it will matter much. That is then and this is now my lord. I have many bridges to cross before I get to that point." She was smiling again. She was excited to learn new things tomorrow. To throw herself into her work properly. And most of all to repay that imbalance she felt.

She reached up her hands and ran her fingers through her hair, twisting thin pieces into tiny braids as she sat quietly. She supposed when she was gone he would be happy. Or, more likely he would approach the situation with apathy. She was gone and it did not matter. Something like that. The thought made her a little sad as it put into perspective just how far she had fallen. She was once absolutely adored and now she was no more than a small annoyance to someone or another.

She sighed and looked back up towards the moon. Sometimes she wished she could touch it, cradle it in her arms. Moonbeams played such gorgeous songs. "What will you do tomorrow?" she inquired, her curiosity getting the best of her. She knew not what it was exactly that a lord did.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

It was a silly and stupid question that he didn't find necessary to answer to. What was she wishing for, a list of his usual routine? His eyes narrowed as he kept them averted from her. He did not want to go into this. Not when he realized just how comfortable things had become.

Sesshoumaru had become careless. He had allowed this half demon into his home, into his personal quarters. In all sense of it she was only a few feet from his room at such a late hour. In human terms this would be deemed as highly scandalous.

He needed to backtrack. And fast. "Nothing that concerns you." The demon lord moved to stand, using his weight forward and in doing so hovering above her. Finally after their first contact his bright eyes looked down at her with intense scrutiny. "Concentrate on your debt instead." If she did, maybe she would be out of here faster.

It would be better. So he wouldn't end up in another routine that he would miss.

[Birdie]

She flushed a bright crimson as he stood above her. Her dark eyes grew wide as she listened to his words and his tone. Slowly she lowered herself into a deep bow. "I apologize my lord. Forgive me. I have over stepped my bounds. I shall work very hard to repay my debt to you." With that she stood, head still lowered and eyes averted. "I wish you a good night, my lord. May your dreams be sweet." She swept down the hall and into her room with only a slight rustling of cloth and a graceful movement. She closed the room to the door behind her and fell into her bed.

It did not smell of her or her old home. It would take some getting used to. It took a while before Brigantia fitfully fell asleep. When she awoke it was before the sun had cleared the horizon. Brigantia tidied up her room before venturing out into the dew covered grass. It soaked her feet but she loved it. She greeted the day with her usual morning ritual dance before she headed out to the garden she was to take care of. There was no change from yesterday. Nothing to do. So in those predawn hours she spent her time wandering the estate.

Eventually some children had woken up with their groggy mothers just as the sun poked its head into the sky. They began to play before their breakfast was started. Brigantia was more than happy to learn their games and they were glad of someone new to teach them to. She found she was very poor at them and the children were enthused to find someone they would always win against. They were called to eat and Brigantia was left to wander again, hoping to find something interesting and new to do today.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

During boring days like these it was the perfect time to get the floors washed. Makoto slipped through the halls on her hands and knees, dragging the rag across the floor to one side and then another. She noticed the hanyou easily enough before stopping short when realizing what was missing.

"Well what do you know! I'm not going blind after all." she had thought the veil was silly but didn't dare risk disproving it. Wouldn't be worth it. Dropping down onto the floor again with a newly wrung towel she raced off again. Things had indeed slowed down in the servants world, much less their lord. Everyone had bustled about for his return, but once he had returned...things were normal. Even boring.

[Birdie]

"Good morning Makoto-san." Brigantia blushed slightly, highly embaressed with her error. "It appears I was lied to on that point. I am very sorry to have mislead you." She watched Makoto expertly wash the floors for only a few moments longer. "You are so quick! When I had tried myself it took me a quite a long while. Would you be so kind as to teach me how?"

She silently received her instructions, doing her best to follow all of the directions. Unfortunately she was not as fast as her instructor, but Brigantia figured it would take time before she became that good.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

After that an easy routine was set up. Under the tutelage of Makoto, Brigantia learned daily chores and tasks. And through the raccoon dog she was introduced and hesitantly accepted by other lower servants.

Sesshoumaru had tried to avoid it at best he could, but routine's were too easy to get into. Days were spent hearing of the hanyou and nights were spent in her company. Particularly in front of the gardens either in silence or in small conversations. Routines could not be avoided.


"Makoto-chan!!" The elegantly adorned panda cried out in a panic, shoving the sliding door open into the kitchen where the demon was teaching the hanyou to cook a heavy stew. Things had become hectic lately with the arrival or the neighboring lands general.

One look at the panda and Makoto put down her knife, knowing her task would have to wait. Fumiko's hair had yet to be put up and spilled over her shoulder in messy curls. "The general will be arriving any minute and I can not find that insufferable thing that does my hair! Makoto, you have to fix this!" Shaking her head with a sigh she wiped her hands on a rag and followed Fumiko to her personal room.

"C'mon Birdie, you should probably learn to do this too if I'm too busy to tend to Fumiko's every need." the sarcasm barely phased the panda. There was no reason to care about what a chubby short demon said about her.

The panda demon slumped down into her seat in front of a large mirror, brushes and combs already ready for Makoto as she settled down behind the girl. Quickly she went to brushing and taming the mangled mess as the geisha multi-tasked and finished her makeup.

[Birdie]

Her days were filled with all sorts of distracting happiness. She learned so much and she tended the gardens wonderfully. Or, at least, no one had complained about it. Her nights had at first been rather uncomfortable speaking with the lord or sitting in absolute quiet. It took her a while to get used to his quirks and soon learned signs when he wanted to hear about her day or converse on some subject, or if he just needed silence. Soon that fateful day was in the back of her mind, only surfacing on lonely occasions.

Brigantia stood in front of the pot, happily overwhelmed by the scent of the food. She could not ingest it, but she certainly enjoyed preparing it. She paused stirring as she sensed the frantic aura of Fumiko. Sure enough the door flung open and there she stood a mess of hair and emotion. A general was coming? She felt like she had been told this before, but somehow she had forgotten it. Was it really such a momentous occasion?

Nodding mutely, Brigantia followed Makoto out of the door and down the hall. Fumiko's room was lovely! Granted, in reality, it was not as nice as Brigantia's room, but the butterfly was not aware of this particular fact. She stood off to the side, watching the way Makoto's fingers worked. She also watched the Geisha's transformation in the mirror. It was absolutely amazing. Brigantia was in awe. She did feel a little awkward through, standing there and watching.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Makoto brushed and twisted and rolled Fumiko's hair and brought Brigantia into it by having her pass over pins and ties that were used to put the hair style in place. "He shouldn't be staying for long." Makoto finally let up, the geisha's nerves forcing her to try and comfort the panda. It was driving the demon insane trying to fix her hair with her being all jittery.

"If I do my job he won't!" Fumiko snapped, using a thin brush to paint on a deep red onto her lips. "If he's not satisfied the small little issue might become a full out war!" The raccoon dog only narrowed her eyes at the girl's dramatics but held her hand out to Brigantia to be passed one of the last pieces in her hair.

"But you better stay out of sight." The geisha added, eyeing the hanyou from her mirror. "She was one thing, but you're even worse! A half-breed of all things! If the general catches sight of you...who knows what'll happen!"

[Birdie]

Brigantia happily adapted to her new role. It was not difficult, and with a small smile on her face she handed over the necessary pieces. She listened to what the two women spoke about. She did not fully understand. Was there going to be a war? Were people going to die? Was the lord going to be in trouble? It made her very nervous to think of Sesshomaru in danger.

She blushed as Fumiko addressed her. Brigantia had learned to feel very much ashamed of what she was. No longer put on a pedestal, she was now forced to come to terms with the full tragedy of what it meant to be hanyou. "Yes ma'am," she said quietly, eyes downcast. Her smile had disappeared, but she continued her duty, antenna lowered and her wings fluttering occasionally in agitation.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Fumiko didn't notice the change in Brigantia nor did she care. With hair and makeup done she stood suddenly and with a deep breath left the room. Makoto stayed, eyeing Brigantia for a moment. She stayed still in silence before she too stood.

"If it helps, in her own twisted way...Fumiko is trying to protect you." It was indeed twisted and very difficult to put it to terms in such a way. They made their way back to the kitchen where two foxes had taken over the stew.

So instead, they prepared the jasmine tea that Fumiko would serve to their lord and his guest. "She is right, though. As long as we don't know what part you serve to our Lord we can't be too careful. Honestly I don't even know why you're here." The gossip was heavy when it came to the lord and the hanyou. And honestly it was because of the gossip the servants did their best to hide the hanyou from visitors.

Sesshoumaru wasn't one to telling them why things were the way they were. For all they know, she was a secret lover. Or a new toy or a garden accessory. For all they know he wished to keep her to himself. In the end, they had their lord's best interests in mind.

[Birdie]

The woman was absolutely gorgeous as she left the room. Brigantia wished that one day she might have the sort of physical beauty that Fumiko possessed. She turned black eyes on Makoto as she spoke.

That made sense! Brigantia brightened visibly. It was very kind of her, even if it was a little gruff. It had to be that thing called tough love. She walked behind Makoto, her mood much improved. She was only a little disheartened to see she would no longer be making stew, but instead would be doing something she had grown rather good at. Making tea had become a sort of specialty for her. It was not a particular difficult task to begin with, but Brigantia had gotten it down to a science.

As she stood beside Makoto, preparing the herbs, Brigantia was a little surprised she had never mentioned it before. "The reason I have been brought here is to repay a debt I owe the lord. He saved my life when bandits attacked my home at the temple." She paused, as it was still a difficult subject to speak on. "They all died, even after I did my best to help but..." Her voice had grown shaky and she stopped her work as she tried not to cry. "He came out of no where and slayed them all... I have to right the imbalance between us by any means necessary." She offered Makoto a small smile before starting her work again.

"What drew you to this castle? Why do you work here? Do you have family?" She was very curious, often asking all sorts of questions. "Are you married? Surely someone as lovely and kind as you has a wonderful husband." She meant no offense by this statement as she thought Makoto was a very beautiful youkai.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

That was the reason? Then there was no reason at all for everyone to be so skittish about it! It wouldn't help the gossip, but it was a good enough reason to not hide her existance so insanely. It was almost a relief! But then the questions were put in her court.

Makoto fumbled for a moment to gather her answers as another demon came up behind them and took the tray of tea prepared and ready. Before she could answer however, Sesshoumaru retainer entered the kitchen. "What are all of you babbling about!? Go on! Out the kitchen!" With everything ready they were all pushed out of the kitchen and out into the halls where they immediately scattered. It seemed very odd but whenever someone wanted to be nosy the kitchen was the place to be. Including the one they were at.

The kitchen they had left behind was the one built into the main building meant mostly for guests. It shared the walls with the dining room and anyone wishing to eavesdrop just had to stay there in order to hear whatever conversation the lord and his guest were having. Jaken had learned of this little trick quickly and made sure no one eavesdropped once their tasks were done.

Still, Makoto thought over the questions as they exited the large building that stood in the middle of the entire lot. Fresh air was good after being cooped up inside and she stretched her arms and walked through the outdoor hallway back to the servants quarters. "I was born here." she answered simply once she was more comfortable with it. "You saw the families, right? This land is too far away from any villages, so any real workers live with husbands and their children." she paused for a second, wondering if she should add in more information.

"Most...almost all the female servants were either born here, or are mates to guards and soldiers of Lord Sesshoumaru's army." They continued to wander about the servants quarters, staying outside and for a rare occasion just being lazy. All the real work had been taken care of.

Everything else went to Fumiko.

"You really must have been cooped up a long time to ever think that being kind was good enough to get a husband!" she laughed, giving her muffin tops a light squeeze. "Only someone like Fumiko gets the males throwing themselves at her feet. But she likes her job too much to give it up with marriage." her smile faded quickly as she sighed, looking down at her plump belly with her tail drooping. "No one considers someone like me."

[Birdie]

This was the first time Brigantia had ever been rushed out of the kitchen in this way. Confusedly she followed closely behind Makoto. She would miss the warmth and hominess the kitchen offered, but surely there was something else to do now. Unfortunately it seemed that it was a time when they would be allowed some freedom. Her hands were clasped together in front of her as she walked in measured steps beside Makoto. She listened to her speak and felt sorry for her wonderful companion and teacher.

She paused and reached out, clasping Makoto's hand in her own uncharacteristically. "Makoto-san," she said earnestly, her eyes searching the tanuki's face. "You are a wonderfully beautiful woman, I wish everyone including you could see you the way I do. Before my debt is repaid I promise to find you a husband who is worthy of your beauty." She released the tanuki's hand and returned to her reserved posture.

"It is wonderful, though, that you were born in such a warm and kind place. I do not remember where I was born. The earliest things I remember are at the temple. Before that is a mystery to me. I am thankful for my time here and for you." She was all smiles again. "Is there anything else you can teach me to do? It will probably keep me out of the sight of the general, as that seems to be best, yes?"

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Beautiful...

No one had ever called her beautiful before. It made Makoto slightly uncomfortable and her cheeks a bright red. The tanuki wasn't sure how to take Brigantia's words to heart. Or if she even could. But she tried to ignore and forget the silly promise and find something else to teach Brigantia or spend their time occupying themselves. At least until the general was gone.

-----


The general had left a lot sooner than was expected, but it still left Sesshoumaru in a horrid mood. Having to explain himself always left him bitter. All he could even think about was getting back to his personal quarters and relaxing in his normal spot against the sliding door railing. With Brigantia next door.

With or without his help the routine had been set in place and he could barely fight it without seeming odd. He could do nothing but accept it or stay cooped up in his room at night. He would never cower in such a way. He breathed in deeply, the moon seeming brighter than the sun with no clouds in sight. It almost made him feel better.

Almost.

[Birdie]

She had just washed herself and found new clothing to wear. It was wonderful to be clean after a long day of working. She had built up so much stamina, though she could not lift anything even remotely heavy. She pulled the dress around her shoulders, careful to leave room for when her wings would appear again. As she headed toward her quarters she noticed Sesshomaru sitting in his same spot. She wondered that he did not sleep now or sit somewhere more secluded. He did not seem to be in the best of moods. Tentatively she approached, taking her usual seat near him.

In silence they sat for a while. She felt he did not want to speak just yet, though it was hard as she was immensely curious about the visit. She controlled her urges well and watched the moon or the way the wind flowed through the trees. The music of night played through her being and she was content.

"It seems you had quite a day today. I am sorry for it." She turned dark eyes upon him and smiled kindly. It had slipped out, but there was no helping the words now. They were out.