Chapter 4
"Asa, I don't want to hurt you." Inuyasha looked at his friend with concern.
"Excuse me?! Who taught you your basics?! You'd be dead and gone if it weren't for me!" Asa placed her fits on her hips. She couldn't believe the nerve of him. It was bad enough that she had to practically beg him to show his new skills. She had been preoccupied the last few days since their path's has crossed. And by preoccupied she meant revamping her wardrobe. In the end, she couldn't bring herself to wear the traditional clothing when she had grown accustomed to wearing modern clothes. Giving up, she wore her linen shorts in dark blue and a black top.
Now that she wasted time, she was anxious to see what Inuyasha could do with his father's sword.
"That was when I was a kid!" The young demon challenged. "I'm older and stronger now!"
"Well, obviously you're not that strong. You got stuck to that tree over there for 50 years."
His jaw dropped. 'Why would you bring that up?!"
"Because it's true!" Asa began to tie her mass of pink hair back. "and…" she continued. "I've got a century and half on you and I'm stronger than you. Before and after." She stuck her tongue out playfully.
The hanyou growled. "Fine! But if you get hurt."
"Please, you won't land a scratch on me."
They were alone, away from the village so there was no fear of harming any of the villagers. He looked on at his target in the distance. It felt like old times; the moments when he was younger flashed in front of his eyes when he was just learning how to use his strength to fight. His mother didn't approve of it, but she knew it would be the only way for her son to survive in this world when she was gone.
He and Asa trained away from the village they temporarily called home so no one would feel threatened or intimidate. It was funny when he figured out that his mentor didn't like to fight. In fact, Asa steered clear it at all cost. You'd think that being around his father, who was a legend in all of feudal Japan, she would been as blood-thirsty and hungry for blood as any other demon out there.
She was the complete opposite and broke the prejudicial stereotypes.
Asa was kindhearted and gentle. She cared for all living creatures, humans and demons alike. But taking her kindness for weakness was a mistake. If her hands were tied and she had no choice but to fight, she did without mercy and took no prisoners.
When the two of them trained, she didn't go easy on him; she always told him that those that wanted to hurt him would try and take his life if they could. Asa had to be rough with him so he would learn and grow.
Inuyasha supposed that this would be no different.
Unsheathing his weapon of choice, the tarnished sword grew three times in width and height. The power was different from his father's, but it was still impressive nonetheless. Unfortunately for Asa, she wasn't much of a weapons collector; she never had to rely on anything but her natural talents.
Sighing, she pulled out a beaded necklace. Turquoise in color, each small orb were engraved in some writing that Inuyasha couldn't make out.
"First one to hit their ass on the ground loses." Asa called out.
Her opponent was puzzled to say the least. "Well, that'll be you." He stated a matter of fact. "All you have to defend against me is a piece of jewelry. "
"So?" She wrapped the fine jewelry once around her right hand. She watched as the other hesitated, unsure as to how to approach the situation.
Finally he geared up, raising the sword of destruction above his head. Asa noted that he used two hands to lift it.
Was it too heavy for him? Had he not mastered the weight fully? From what he had told her since she had been absent, he had the sword for nearly a decade and used it regularly since he had obtained it.
When he swung down, the golden lights slashed through the ground roaring though the air as they barreled towards her. She could easily jump over it if she chose to and she did just that, with little effort. She remembered very clearly when he Lord Inutashio wielded its power there was no escaping its horror.
Before Inuyasha could counteract, she was already at arm's length. Using the necklace she snaked it around his wrist, hindering his next attack monetarily but it was enough to throw him off guard. Her left hook was nothing to mess with as she sent him flying through the air.
"Don't go easy on me 'Little Inuyasha.'" Asa called out his pet name. The hanyou growled, wiping the blood that trickled down his mouth. Excitement grew inside of him; he hadn't had a good fight in a long time. A fight where he didn't have to worry about blood shed or someone's life would be lost as a result.
Before the claws of his feet could hit the dirt, he righted himself and called forth his backlash wave. The thunderous tornadoes destroyed the ground and everything that was in its path. This time was going to be a little more tricky.
I definitely can't go over them. Asa thought as the attack came straight for her. Gathering a small amount of power within her, she surrounded her forearms in a subtle pink glow. She charged.
"ASA!" what the hell was she thinking?! She was heading right for them! His heart sank when he could no longer see her, fearing the worst had come. It shocked the hell out of him as she emerged, some knicks on her skin, hair tussled about, and her clothes were torn. But she was alive as if his attack was nothing more than a mosquito bite to her.
Asa didn't stop. Her flesh was on fire, but she'd be damned if she was going to be beaten by her pupil.
The fight lasted longer than either of them had intended; one never having the upper hand over the other for long. Asa got Inuyasha to stumble a few times but he always managed to catch himself. She couldn't help but give herself a pat on the back for it was her teachings that stuck with him all these years. Asa always said if you fall on your ass, you were done for, so stay on your feet at all times. And she being part cat, it was rare if she would fall.
The battle was moot by this point but neither cared. They were having so much fun; however the oldest was getting tired so play time was over. She saw her opening as she ran to the side, dodging the spikes of the diamond barrage. As Inuyasha anticipated her move, he was still too slow to stop her. He felt the bluish-green beads tighten around his neck, he couldn't get a grip. Asa used her momentum, tossing her over her shoulder. He felt the wind knocked out of his lungs as his back hit the ground. He was defeated, but funny how that didn't lessen his jolly mood.
"You are relying on Tessaiga too much." He heard his mentor say from above him. Inuyasha pushed up on his elbows.
"What?"
"You've relyed on using Tessaigia that you haven't developed your demon power." Crouching in front of him, she let the tip of her finger nail tap the tip of the hilt, even when the jolt of the barrier flared out. "Though it is because of your human blood that you are able to wield the sword, it is your demon aura that powers it. The powerful you are, the more powerful your Tessaiga is."
Inuyasha was taken aback by he comments. He thought he was pretty damn powerful already. Hell, he defeated Naraku with this sword. He had grown over the years both physically and mentally.
"Don't make that face." Asa held out her hand. "I'm not saying you aren't strong, you definitely are. You just aren't at your full potential."
Inuyasha grabbed her offering hand, hoisting himself up. "Well, it's not my fault that somebody left me."
"First of all.' The woman pushed him. "You let me go." The memory and emotions came all at once as she remembered that day years ago. It was probably of the hardest things she had faced. Every day she worried about the young hanyou and what would become of him; she realized that she had worried for nothing.
"And second, I'm back now, and here to stay." She wrapped her arm around his as they walked back to the village. "And we have all the time in the world now.
Sesshomaru halfheartedly listened to Rin talk about her day and how she liked the kimono she received last month. He couldn't begin to care today. He was truly in a foul mood and not his normal self.
He couldn't shake it; despite his stoic expression he seemed to have, he does possess different emotions. Mainly anger...he couldn't help that and right now he was pissed.
Fighting with himself, he had made the decision to go and visit Asa first, before seeing Rin. What a surprise to find that she wasn't at home. It was irritating at first, but he had gotten over it until he sensed her presence not too far from the village. He had found them to, laughing, talking, and training together.
Asa and Inuyasha fell back into the same routine as if nothing had changed between them.
It was then that the demon lord's irritation turned into jealously. When he identified that rare emotion, it pissed him off even more. No matter how much time had passed, Inuyasha would always come before him.
Why?! Why did he mean so much more to her?
Sesshomaru had only watched them for a short time before leaving. But it wasn't like it mattered if he stayed the whole duration of their training session; they were intently focused on their training that he might as well have been one of the trees in the forest.
It never failed, but he supposed that was their routine. She would be around him but never really acknowledge his presence. He would always be the Lord and she the vassal. Asa would be a part of his life, but never where he wanted her.
Maybe this time it was going to be different. He had lost his chance once over 250 years ago, he wasn't going to lose the opportunity again.
The powerful demon was all about to leave when he heard her voice. Looking over the horizon, his jealously grew. Arm in arm, Asa and his brother walked down the pathway. They both had tattered clothing and wounds that were in the process of healing.
He couldn't stand the sight of them. He hated himself for caring, but he did.
"Are you two alright?" Kagome waddled over to them with concern. The sight of them in disarray; tattered clothes, dirt everywhere, and open wounds, she initially thought they were attacked.
"Yeah, we're fine." With ease, Inuyasha transitioned from Asa's arms and into his wife's, cradling her back for support.
Asa said nothing as she admired the couple. She watched as Inuyasha doted on the mother of his unborn child. She didn't think that he would be successful in finding his happy ending. Not that she didn't want him to, but that it was going to be harder for him to be accepted.
She was happy for them both.
"Lord Sesshomaru, your hand." Rin's alarmed voice turned her attention away from the happy couple and onto the man of her affections. Blood ran from his palm, dripping from the point of his claws. She watched as he remained expressionless as the young girl rinsed the blood away with a damp cloth.
Why did the scene before his eyes make his blood boil? Why was she so comfortable around his brother, yet so distant towards him? He was tired of watching in the distance; tired of always being an afterthought like he didn't matter to her.
"Well, I need to get back. I'm sure Joplin is extremely bored by himself." She straighten after planting multitude of kissed on little Diasuke's cheeks, and greeting his older sisters.
"Lord Sesshomaru." The honorific was still foreign to him when she spoke it. "Want to walk me home?"
Asa's scent was driving him crazy. Under the subtle smell of sweat lingered the sweet aroma of vanilla and rain. Her smell alone had compelled him to accompany her back to her home.
They were silent mid-way through; well, he was silent. Asa on the other hand was full of commentary. Telling her one sided storied of the places she visited, and the people she had met. He wasn't familiar of the countries she spoke of nor was he the least interested in the people she had acquainted herself with.
"But enough about me…" he heard her say, transiting into another topic, "...how is it being the Western Demon Lord?" she turned gracefully walked backwards.
Sesshomaru had intentions on answering her, if he weren't distracted. He could help but notice, but he indulged himself by watching the subtle bounce of her breast with every step she took; a tear in the dark top exposed just the slightest curve of each one. It would have been nothing for him to reach out and slid his hand under.
"I wouldn't know." He finally said.
"Ah! He speaks and the first thing that comes out is a lie." She rolled her eyes in sarcasm.
"You dare call me a liar?" she didn't speak, but waited patiently for him to continue. "Since Father's death, I haven't been back to the lands that are rightfully mine." He spoke the truth. He hadn't step foot on those lands, though he didn't need to. Everything practically ran itself. Jaken would go back every now and again, reporting back of any activity, but he didn't. There was nothing for him there. Those weren't his people, they were his father's and he was long gone.
"Inuyasha said that you have done a lot of traveling in search for power."
There was that name again. How did she always manage to integrate him into everything? It annoyed the hell out of him. Furthermore, how the hell would Inuyasha know anything about what he has done over the years?
"Inuyasha also said…"
if she utters his name one more time, I'm going to suffocate her.
"Rin has changed you. She's melted the ice you've had around your heart." She looked up, locking their gazes. "I can see it." She said after several moments had passed. "There's warmth in your eyes that wasn't there before."
He studied her expression, but couldn't decipher what she was feeling.
Asa turned away, facing forward as they fell back into silence.
"I'm jealous." She gave off a laugh as if it were ridiculous to consider. "I'm jealous of a child because she was able to bring compassion into your life. I'm happy, but jealous at the same time."
How did she think he felt when all she would talk about was his younger half-brother? How did she think he felt when she could laugh around him, could be so relaxed with him? But have the opposite reaction when he was around her? She didn't have a right to complain. She left him. She made that choice to walk away. She's the one that wasted the time they could have shared together.
In that moment, Sesshomaru made the decision to jump start where that had left off.
"Thanks for walking home with me. I know you are dying to get away from me." It puzzled her that he was still behind her.
She turned, ready to shoo him off and go to…wherever he stayed. It puzzled her even more that she could read his expression, which was unusual. She didn't know how to react when he started to approach her. Slowly, never taking his eyes from hers.
Asa fidgeted, but her feet weren't moving for some reason, she felt uneasy. Did she say something that made him mad?
They were standing toe to toe, forcing the woman to look up at the tall demon.
Even when she called out to him, he didn't respond; at least not the normal response which would be complete ignorance. Instead, his aggressive nature took a back seat as his hand grazed against her skin finding its way into the mass of her rosy colored hair. His free hand fell to her back, pushing her body closer to his until she was pressed against him.
Asa couldn't move, she was completely stunned. She knew what he doing. How could she not?! But the fact that he was actually doing this with no prompts…
What the hell?!
In a failed attempt to stop his advances, her hand hit the hilt of his sword. The surge caused her to yelp in pain. Sesshomaru glared at her in annoyance momentarily before placing the injured hand over his shoulder.
His kiss was long and lazy at first as if he wasn't confident that Asa really wanted to be kissed. He was soft and gently, which didn't describe the man in front of her at all.
It felt nice.
The moment took her back to the first time they had shared a kissed. Not the night she had left, but way back, when then they were young and neither one knew what to do. It was clumsy, sweet, and innocent back then.
The first time Sesshomaru had displayed affection towards her.
That event was one of the reasons why she didn't call him "Lord" because she always felt him to be something more to her. However, it took him nearly 150 years before they would share a moment like again.
So was this the same? Was this only going to be a burst of sudden emotion before he tucked it away again?
A better question was why did she care?!
She had the man of her dreams in her arms, kissing her! She was going to relish the moment even if it was only going to last a few moments in time.
Sesshomaru could feel the hesitation growing between them. What was she thinking about besides this moment?
Did she not want this? Did her feelings for him change?
It wasn't until she mirrored his actions, leaning deeper into it. Her injured hand gripped the back of his neck, pulling him close to her. All insecurities went away and his aggressive nature returned, dominating the kiss. His and gripped her backside; she moaned deeply.
Their taste meddling into one was intoxicating. He could feel his arousal growing within. His heart was pounding in his chest as he burned with desire. This feeling, this familiar feeling, he wanted to explore it; he wanted to see if there was more. He wanted to see it if it would bloom into something more spectacular than it already was.
…Just not today….
Just as he initiated the kiss, he ended it. Letting her fall gently to her feet; her face was shades darker than her own hair. Her soft lips were bruised and swollen. She didn't open her eyes so she never saw the satisfaction on his face.
He could have taken her, right then and there. He could smell her arousal and would have gladly obliged him. But why should she be rewarded? In his opinion, they would have been past this point and on to better things.
No, he validated where he stood. Now it was time to make her suffer a little.