A light breeze blew through the oak tree outside Katana's window. It wasn't a hard climb, but then again, few things are hard if you want them bad enough. All she wanted was to not get caught.
She slid in quietly and walked over to her bedroom door. Closing it softly, Katana cut off the sound of her brother's loud music. The room was dark enough to be a jail cell, so long as she didn't turn on any lights. But she knew her way around, so she never did.
Sunlight and noise streamed into her open window. She closed it, now that she was inside, and pulled the blinds tightly over it to eliminate the feeling of the rush hour below. Finally, total silence. That was all she ever asked for. It held everything, except for the one voice she loved.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she sat on her bed. Carefully, Katana pulled off her leather uniform and layed it next to her on the bed. The warm metal of her knives pressed against her skin, and any one of them could rip the fabric. Still, she couldn't go anywhere if she looked like a sword fighting ninja, even if that's what she is. No, her blades were better off hidden.
Pausing, she listened to her brother's footsteps outside her door. Sean never did leave her alone for long, and he didn't even bother acting like a brother. But he knew he had no right to bother her now, when he wasn't even supposed to be home.
She still didn't know why her mother put up with him, no one else had. Her mom had no clue what he did while she wasn't there, and Katana wasn't planning on telling her. That would be stupid. Besides, Sean knew too much, just enough to cause more problems then she cared to deal with. Oh well, she'd just have to live with him. Wasn't all that bad when his head was clear, and he knew better than to try and get "friendly" with her. That was all that mattered.
There was a soft knock at her door and Katana went grudgingly to answer it. Sean. She cracked it first to make sure that he was alone, then opened it an inch more.
"All clear," he said smiling. His tone was soft, and it was too early for dinner. He wanted something.
"What?" she asked emotionlessly.
"Can't I just come in and say 'hi'?" His voice was always playful, in a scary sort of way. He definitely wanted something.
"Is that what you're here for?"
"Not really,"
That figures.
"Then what do you want Sean?"
He paused, looking her over. Black bra, black panties, and black leather holsters filled with at least a dozen knives. She didn't mind him seeing her like this, he had before, more times than she liked to mention. He knew that was as good as it got. Still, he loved to see her mad and knew how to push her buttons. Literally.
Stepping in closer, Sean reached down and pulled out a four inch switchblade from a sheathe strapped to her thigh. Without looking away from her eyes, he opened it and slid it up against her skin. Slowly, almost sinfully, he let the blade skim across her stomach and up her chest.
"Can this cut clothing?" he asked smiling.
In a flash, Katana pulled a second knife pressing it against his neck.
"As easily as it cuts skin."
She slipped her switchblade from his hand and put it back in its place.
"You still want something?"
Sean looked into her eyes, holding her gaze. The tip of the knife in her hand still pressed into the skin of his neck.
"What?" she asked again.
His hand wrapped softly around her wrist, pressing the blade against himself.
"Do it," he said quietly, "Slice away, have some fun,"
Katana looked at him steadily as he drove it in further, a trickle of blood running down his neck.
"Go on," he said again, "Then you can cancel that party I'm having downstairs. Might want to hurry though, it's in a couple hours…"
Sighing angrily, she ripped her hand from his, and placed the blade back into the sheathe on her hip. Sean touched his neck gingerly, wiped the blood, and licked his fingers clean.
"Not tonight," she said shortly, closing the door. He never changed, having another forbidden party. If anything happened, he knew she would get in trouble because her so-called 'brother' wasn't home. Adoption sucked.
Sean banged on the door for a few more minutes.
"Come on Kat, talk to me." His voice sounded sad even through the door, but she ignored him. They could talk later, when he wasn't just thinking about her body. He was such a lecher.
Crazy as it sounded, Katana was a virgin, and intended to stay that way until she was married. In many eyes, she was a perfect Christian daughter. But everyone has a bad side, and her friends knew her better. Jayme, Kelly, Paiton…the only people there who really understood her. Everyone else didn't bother trying.
Not saying that little Kat wasn't tempted, sometimes just to get Sean to shut up and leave her alone. He never over pressured her, but he made himself available to her. Even her friends thought it was obvious, her adopted brother wanted her. Bad. But there was only one who she would give herself to. Her love…her only…
And he wanted her to wait for him.
Katana's heart ached at the thought of him, which was why she had come home earlier than planned. She couldn't wait much longer. She had to see him. Now.
Stretching out on her bed, she relaxed and let her mind wander. All she had to do was get to sleep, and he would do the rest. Call for him, want him, he could feel her desire as easily as she could.
She drifted into sleep without noticing, but could faintly hear someone calling for her.
"Katana,"
That voice. It was clearer now, but it sounded so far away.
"Wake up," he whispered softly.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. Everything seemed foggy, covered with a haze like cloud. She could see someone in the mist, coming towards her. She reached for them. So close, she was so close…
They touched and at once everything was perfectly clear. He was there, holding her hand gently in his own. Pulling her closer, Katana held onto him, burying her face in his chest. So warm, so soft, she never wanted to leave.
He breathed softly into her ear, whispering something that she couldn't understand. But it was so beautiful… It made her feel calm in a way that released all the tension inside her. She knew that she was safe, nothing could upset her now that he was there. He would never let anything hurt her again.
"Thank you…Sesshomaru…"she whispered. He smiled.
"Come with me."
Katana nodded and followed him willingly. He led her through the light mist to a clearing. They were in the woods now, and night had fallen over the land. The moon shone a deep red and shined full above them.
She sat next to Sesshomaru on a bent tree branch and leaned against him. His arm went around her and she relaxed.
"You're early tonight," he said quietly, "Is something wrong?"
She nodded, but couldn't find a way to put her thoughts into words. Somehow…something or someone…it was near her, coming closer. She thought that maybe it had been Sesshomaru, but the look in his eyes was detached as always. It did hold a touch of concern, but he must not have been as worried by it as she.
"I don't know what it is," she said finally, "something coming. Like a heartbeat…"
"A pulse?"
"Yeah. Do you know what it is?"
He was silent, and she could tell that he was thinking deeply. She waited patiently for him to speak, not wanting to break the silence.
"I have heard of a pulse similar to this one," he said after a moment, "I will find out more. But for now…"
He tilted her face towards his own.
"Be careful."
Katana smiled as his lips brushed against hers. A soft kiss, sweet, innocent really. Perfect.
"I have something for you," he said, "Something that I have been waiting to ask."
She looked up, curious at his manner. Was he…nervous?
"What is it?" she asked kindly.
Sesshomaru paused, and a flicker of anxiousness touched his otherwise closed face. He was nervous! Katana tried her best not to smile, but she couldn't stop it.
"You're smiling?" he asked in a bemused tone.
"I've…never seen you this way." She tried hard not to laugh, but a small giggle escaped before she could calm down enough to look at him again. He sat with his lips parted and gazed at her, a mystified expression in his eyes.
"What is it?" she asked, blushing softly.
"Your smile, it's…"
Katana looked away for a moment, unable to meet his gaze. Why was he looking at her that way? Almost as if he was seeing her for the first time. They both knew the effect he had on her, but this was different. This made her want him, now more than ever. And from the way he looked at her now, she could see that Sesshomaru wanted her, too.
Slowly, almost uncertainly, Sesshomaru pulled out a beautifully engraved box from his sash. He held it out, placing it into her hand.
"Your anniversary gift,"
"That's not till tomorrow…" smiling happily, she started to unlock it.
"Don't open it," he said softly, "Wait until you're home."
"But…why?" Katana stroked it gently, "It's so beautiful."
"You'll see…"
She nodded, knowing that their time was running out. She would have to go soon.
"What did you want to ask me?"
"Kat," he whispered slowly, "if I asked you to stay with me, would you?"
"Yes, you know that," she said softly, "Was that all?"
Nodding, Sesshomaru stroked her face gently.
"Yes," he said, content with her answer, "That is all I needed to know."
Katana could feel reality slipping, and she held on to the box with all her might. No matter what, she wouldn't let go, just hold on a little while longer. Don't let go…
"Kat, Kat wake up!"
Huh? Sean? Is that you?
"Katana, WAKE UP!!"
She sat up hurriedly and saw Sean lying face down on the floor. Katana held a saber in one hand, and the gift from Sesshomaru in the other. Sean moaned softly and struggled to sit up. His shirt was sliced in half, but other than that he was unharmed.
"What was that for?" he asked, rubbing his head.
"What? Did I hit you?" her thoughts were elsewhere, but she tried to zone in. Her bedroom door was ajar, light and sound streaming in, and she noticed a few kids walking past her room. They were headed downstairs. Looking around, her room seemed in one piece. Then she looked back at Sean and felt immediate anger.
"Why are you here?" she asked coldly, "You know you're not allowed in my room!"
SLAM!
Sean hit the wall in the hallway and landed on his side with a thud. Katana closed her door, locked it, and walked back to her bed. She must not have been asleep for too long. Since Sean didn't smell like alcohol, and she didn't hear anything breaking, the party must just be starting. Good.
Dressing quickly, Katana headed back out of her room and down the stairs. The place was packed with people, a few that she recognized, but most of them looked like seniors. No problem, she could still throw them out.
Walking over to the stereo system, she reached over and grabbed a mic.
"HEY! SHUT UP!!" she yelled directly into the speakers. Everyone looked at her in amazement and was silent.
She turned down the music, feeling the eyes on her as she did. Strange, she never got this much attention at school…
"I'm only going to say this once so listen up," she looked around into everyone's eyes, "Get the hell out of my house!"
No one moved, and then there was a small commotion as the freshmen and sophomores that knew of her left hurriedly. A few of the juniors sneaked out as well, but there were still plenty of people.
"Can you hear?" she said harshly, "Get out, before I throw you out!"
"Thought you were only saying it once!"
A few people chanced a laugh and parted as Sean walked through the crowd. One hand held his side, but he had removed his shirt. There was a bruise on his skin from hitting the wall.
"You can't throw people out of my party," he said carelessly, "not when you didn't even bother to help set it-"
Katana stepped up to him and looked him dead in the eye. Placing her hand on his chest, she ran it down to his side. She grabbed the bruise tightly in one hand, grasping his throat in the other.
"Look," she said as he gasped for air, "you're not supposed to be here, but you are my brother. So I'll make you a deal,"
She lifted him, dragging him towards the door.
"I won't tell mom you had a party," she squeezed harder, "and you'll STAY OUT OF MY SPACE!" With that, she tossed him out the door and he skidded to a stop in the grass. There was a mad rush to get out, but a few people preferred to challenge her. Mainly the football team. They circled her quickly and she smirked.
"Outside," she said, moving out the door. They followed, catcalling and meowing the whole way. In the lawn, the captain stepped up to her.
"You're a feisty little lamb, aren't you?" he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"That's okay," he said, his breath dripping with alcohol, "I like that…"
Smiling, Katana punched him in his ribs. He doubled over on the grass.
"Deep breaths baby," she said tauntingly, "you wouldn't want to lose that scholarship, would you?"
They rushed at her, some drawing small weapons. She laughed, looked around, and pulled out her katana from the sheathe on her back. Nearly three feet of metal and leather gleamed in the moonlight.
"Who's first?"
"STOP!"
Sean stood between them and held up both hands.
"Guys, trust me," he said, "You don't want to go there."
"Why not?" one asked angrily.
"Yeah man," said another, "she's just a girl!"
"Believe me, this girl will kill you,"
"Yeah right," the captain had regained his breath, and his mouth, "she couldn't kill a fly with a bulldozer!"
They all laughed, including Katana. But her laughter rang out long after her mouth had closed.
"I don't need a bulldozer to squash this fly," she said to Sean. He shook his head, pointing to the people behind them. A large crowd had gathered and was itching for a fight.
"Come on, Sean!" she begged, "He's such a jerk! Please? Just a little scratch…"
"No way," he held out his hand, "come on Kat. Let's just go…"
Sad at the loss of her prey, Katana placed her sword back in it's sheathe and took Sean's hand. The captain looked ready to say something, but Sean shook his head again.
"Don't," he warned, "She's already mad, I could just let her kill you,"
"Kill me?" he looked around, "I just wanted her to kiss me!"
THWACK! THWACK!
The captain feinted, two small silver knives embedded deeply into the leather of his jacket. Less then an inch from his skin, they were positioned directly over his lungs. Only his padding stopped them from piercing the walls of his chest.
Sean just nodded and led a now pleased Katana into the house.
"I told him not to…" he mumbled to himself. It was a good thing Katana never missed, or that would have been the end of football season.
The other players rushed their captain away, ducking every once in awhile as if stray knives might hit them at any moment. Katana and Sean laughed at them as they ran, then closed the door behind them.
"Well, that was fun…" Sean stretched out on the couch and moaned softly, "Did you have to hit that hard?"
"It's your own fault," was all Katana said.
Contented, Sean relaxed. His side hurt like crazy, but he was used to it by now. Kat always used him as an example. That figures…
Katana walked in and stretched a towel over his side, placing an icepack on it.
"You'll be alright in a few minutes," she said softly, "just keep that on there."
Sean nodded, feeling himself drifting off. All that arguing made him tired…
"Don't forget to cleanup before my mom gets home," she added. He sighed softly and fell into a deep sleep.
