*** Thank you for all the positive reviews! I love them! You guys really are amazing. ***
Chapter 9
10 days missing
Yesterday had truly been one of the most insane days Sesshomaru had ever had in his home. Hana had lost Lady Kimi, Lady Aimi had a psychotic break and attacked Lady Kimi, Kyo had to hammer Lady Aimi out of her ice prison, and to cap off the day Sesshomaru had lost control of his beast.
Now today he got to deal with the reproductions of it all. His first order of business was having Lady Aimi escorted home with a scathing letter to her father. As much as he would have liked to have taken her head, he would not put that on Lady Kimi's conscience.
Then there was the matter of Lady Minako to deal with. Everyone in the castle was tired of her pranks and wanted her gone. Now that Lady Aimi had eliminated herself, he could choose to send Lady Minako home. Which he was more than happy to do.
Once that was all taken care of he had every intention of arranging his mating ceremony to Lady Kimi. He would announce at dinner tonight that she was going to be the new Lady of the West in seven days. Invitations would be sent out and a feast would be arranged in their honor. And at the end of next week he would finally get to sink his fangs into his little wolf.
Smiling to himself, he started setting his plans into motions.
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Akemi started her day trying to dodge all the questions that were being thrown at her. All the castle was abuzz about the events that had taken place yesterday. Not that she could blame them for being curious. After all it wasn't every day that drama like that unfolded.
Sighing she slipped into the great hall just as the doors opened, Prince Kouga of the Eastern Lands was announced and escorted in. She froze and stared at her cousin in shock. He was here! He was finally here to save her! Her heart nearly leapt from her chest in joy.
She caught his eye as he and his companions headed to Sesshomaru's office. He winked at her as he casually walked by, but otherwise acted like he had never met her before in his life. But she understood his unspoken message. He knew something was up and he was going to play along. Thank Kami. He had always been the best at solving puzzles and connecting the dots.
Sagging back against a stone pillar she felt her knees almost give out. Now all she had to do was find a way to get him alone later for a private conference. Maybe her luck was finally taking a turn for the better. Maybe she could actually pull this plan off.
A tiny pang hit her chest at the thought. Did she really want to leave? This past week Sesshomaru had grown on her. She hated to admit to herself that she had started to care for him. And yesterday he had taken care of her and watched over her while she was hurt. He had a strong protective streak. With him she would never have to worry about being hurt again.
Closing her eyes tightly she tried to shove all of her feelings for him away. She had a duty to save her people. She could not do that from here. She was a Northerner and that's where she needed to be.
So why did that feel like such a lie?
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Sesshomaru frowned as he was interrupted from his work by a knock on his office door. He had given specific direction to not be bothered unless it was extremely necessary. Rubbing his forehead, he called out for whomever it was to enter.
Kyo walked in and bowed before him, which was not something he did often. They rarely stood on ceremony with each other. When Kyo straightened he announced, "My Lord, Kouga of the Easter Lands has come to speak with you about urgent matters." Sesshomaru waved for him to come in, but was not sure what business Kouga could conceivably have with him.
Kouga entered and smiled warmly at Sesshomaru. "My friend it has been entirely too long! How have you been?"
Sesshomaru stood and walked around his desk to clasp hands with Kouga. "I have been well. I am surprised to see you far from your mate. I hear you will be a father in just a few months."
Kouga could not stop the grin from spreading over his face. "Yes I will be. I hear at least two heartbeats and they are strong and healthy. Your brother also just announced that Kagome is pregnant with their second child. It seems you will be an uncle again."
Sesshomaru nodded. "Yes they sent me a letter. I usually visit the village with Rin every few months, but as of late things have been a little demanding here."
Kouga laughed. "Ah yes, the mating challenge. We were all surprised to hear about that. Have you chosen one of the winners yet?"
Sesshomaru arched a brow. He had not had this much small talk with Kouga in years and that made him wonder just why Kouga was here. "Actually yes. I have indeed chosen a mate. The invitations will be going out today. The ceremony will be in seven days. Now Kouga enough small talk. What brings you to my corner of the world?"
Leave it to Sesshomaru to come straight out and ask it. Kouga had to give it to the man, he was nothing if not direct. "Ah yes, well it seems that there is some mischief afoot in the North. My cousin is set to take over the family lands up there and has suddenly gone missing. I have recently gathered information that suggests her uncle never had any intention of allowing her to do so. He wanted to keep her locked away and keep the lands for himself. My source tells me that she managed to escape and has not been found."
"I have her uncle's men nipping at my heels waiting for her to show up at my home. They have even gone so far as to intercept some of my messages. That is was what brings me here today. I need you to help me find her and keep her safe. Once she is ready I will send an army with her North to root out her uncle and instate her as the rightful heir."
Sesshomaru pondered Kouga's words for a moment before answering him. "That is troubling news. I will help you Kouga. You may have use of my seal and messangers to send out any letter you need to. I will also send out a few feelers of my own. What is your cousin's name?"
Kouga smiled. "Akemi Chiyo. She is a very wealthy heiress and coveted by many. I would hate to see her fall into the wrong hands."
Sesshomaru nodded in understanding. "Of course. I will have you a room set up. We can discuss this at a greater length before dinner tonight. I have many matters of great importance that must be taken care of immediately. I hope you understand."
Kouga nodded and thanked Sesshomaru, before he slipped out of his office. Sesshomaru had told him all he needed to know. He had no idea who he had in his castle. Now all he needed to do was find his little cousin.
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It was just before lunch when Akemi was yanked into a room down the hall from her own. She had been on the way to the library to grab a book when she a hand had slapped over her mouth, and strong arms pulled her into a room she had thought to be previously empty.
Akemi's first reaction was too kick out, but before she could she was twirled around to face her abductor. Kouga stood there grinning roguishly at her. "Well little cousin you have managed to get yourself into a hell of a pickle0 haven't you? Mind telling me exactly what's going on? I have a pretty good idea, but I must admit I am dying for the details."
She honestly did not know if she wanted to kiss him or cry, so she did both. Kouga, obviously caught off guard, just held her until she quieted. "Its ok I am here. Everything is going to be ok. Just tell me what is going on Akemi."
Wiping the tears from her cheeks she nodded. "Ever since I stopped sending you letters my life has been hell. Shigeo got it in his head to take over the castle and make everything his. But with me coming of age this year that obviously put a kink in his plans. So, he decided to sell me off to some rich old lord as a brood mare. I found out about the plan and with the help of my maid Kayo I escaped. I managed to make it all the way into the West only to get stuck in Sesshomaru's mating challenge. I figured that since I was one of his winners I could hide in plain sight until it was safe to contact you."
"Only now Sesshomaru wants to mate me, but he has no idea who I really am. He thinks I am Lady Kimi Kumiko. Which technically is not a lie because I am Akemi Kumiko Chiyo. And you know my mother always called me Kimi. Still I can't just walk up to him and tell him that I have kind of sort of been lying by omission to him for the past week. I have not made it this far to lose my head!"
Kouga stared at his cousin in awe. Only Akemi could ever have luck this rotten. "Ok, darling here is what we are going to do. I told Sesshomaru that I need his help in finding and protecting my cousin Akemi Chiyo, who is on the run from her evil uncle. Tonight we need to come clean. Sesshomaru is an honorable man and he will protect you. The fact that he has chosen you as his mate will only work in your favor. I think once you explain things to him he will understand and come around. Just remember if he is upset at first he has every right to be, but I promise you he would never lay a hand on you in anger."
Akemi's eyes welled up with tears. "Kouga why can't we just leave! My birthday is in four days! You can give me the men and I can take back my lands then! Sesshomaru is never going to trust me after lying to him. He will hate me!"
Kouga shook his head sadly at her. "Akemi you are a challenge winner and the future mate of Sesshomaru, there is no running. He can protect you and hide you here. Not to mention with the title of his mate and his army behind you no one would dare march against you. Besides Shigeo has my home surrounded with men. They would see you with me and report it back to him. My mate is about to pup, I will not risk her or my pups with the possibility of an attack on my home."
As much as she hated it, Akemi knew Kouga was right. She needed to sit down and explain the craziness that was her life to Sesshomaru. Her shoulder slumped in resignation. "Promise me you will be with me when I do it?"
Smiling Kouga pulled her into another hug. "Of course. We will explain it all tonight before dinner. He has promised to meet me and go over details then."
Akemi breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time in weeks she felt lighter. She knew Kouga would not steer her wrong or let anything happen to her. "Thank you Kouga. Now I better get out of here before someone thinks we are secret lovers."
Kouga chuckled, but nodded. Peeking out in the hallway he made sure the coast was clear. Seeing it was he ushered her out the door and closed it behind her.
Akemi straightened her shoulders and made her way down the hallway oblivious to the eyes watching her.
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Sesshomaru had been on his way to invite Kouga to lunch with him when he saw his door crack open and his head poke out. Curious he stayed around the corner and out of sight. Seconds later his little wolf slid from the room and walked down the hallway to the opposite side.
What the hell was going on? Why had his woman been in Kouga's, a mated demon, room? Furious he spun away from the wall and headed back to his office. The air had not smelled of sex and Sesshomaru was almost certain that Kouga was loyal to his mate. But he still was not sure what could possibly be going on between the two.
He sure as hell did know that Kouga was going to have a lot of explaining to do later.
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Akemi was in an amazing mood. After lunch both Lady Minako and Aimi had been sent packing. Guards had flanked Lady Aimi assuring that she could not run away. Lady Minako had thrown quite the fit. It would probably take the servant's days to clean up all the soot and scorch marks from her fox fire.
Akemi rejoiced in the fact she would no longer have to endure their sharp tongues, or hateful looks. Even better she had her cousin here to help her get her life back to the way it was supposed to be. This day could not get any better. She was sure her luck was back and in full swing.
But fate had a way of mocking her and today was no exception. He uncle's men had just walked into the great hall requesting to speak to Sesshomaru. Akemi was frozen in place. Just when everything was going so well they had found her. Her stomach dropped and she wanted to be sick.
Scared out of her mind she tried to stay hidden among the other occupants of the room, but she was sure that at least one of them had seen her. She had seen his eyes land on her and widen in shock. Her palms broke out in a cold sweat as she waited for accusations to fly.
To her surprise the one that had seen her whispered to the man standing to his right. The man's body stiffened but he did not look her way. When Kyo entered and informed them that Sesshomaru was not available they quietly left.
Confused, Akemi sank down into a chair. Her hands shook fiercely but her face was calm. No one looking at her would have known what had just been running through her head. Shit was about to hit the fan in more ways than one. By the end of the day Sesshomaru would know the truth and her uncle would know where she was hiding.
Lady luck was a fickle bitch.
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Sesshomaru sat in his office waiting on Kouga. Once he had time to clear out his head, similarities between Kouga's cousin and Lady Kimi began to appear. Part of him wanted to believe that it was all a big coincidence, but he knew things like this rarely were. And Sesshomaru considered himself to be a smart man.
His suspicions were confirmed when Kouga walked in with Lady Kimi in tow behind him. Or was she Akemi? His heart hurt at the prospect of the woman he cared for being a liar. But what else could explain her hiding things from him, and the sneaking out of Kouga's room? He knew she was not the type of girl to just jump in a mans bed.
Schooling his features, he nodded at them as they both took seats across from his desk. He wanted to growl when Kimi reached for Kouga's hand and held on to it for dear life. He did not want her to be afraid of him, and he certainly did not like her touching another male. His beast roared inside him in anger.
Lady Kimi raised her gaze from the floor to stare directly into his own. He could see the nerves in them. "Lord Sesshomaru I fear that I have not been completely honest with you. I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive me once you have heard my story." And just like that her whole story came out.
Sesshomaru was surprised by just how much of what she had actually told him about herself was actually truth. She had just omitted a few things during their talks to keep him from connecting her nick name to her actual name. Still, he felt like she had not had faith in him. If she had come to him from the beginning and explained things he would have been more than happy to help her. He was not a monster who ate virgins.
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Akemi refused to let tears enter her eyes. She knew Sesshomaru was upset with her. Even if he did not show it, she had spent enough time around him to know his moods. She felt like her heart was going to break. Had she finally let herself come to care for him only to lose him?
She dropped her eyes back to the floor so he could not see the tears gathering in them. "I really am sorry for not telling you. When I first got here I was scared because I have never been so far from away from my home. I honestly did not ever think that you would choose me as your mate. I thought that I could just hide in plain sight here until you sent me away. No harm no foul"
Sesshomaru glanced at her coolly, before flicking his gaze over to Kouga. "I promised you I would protect your cousin Kouga, and I will. I understand at this time you need to be with your mate, and cannot afford to put her in danger. If you would like you may return home to her tomorrow. I am a man of my word, Lady Akemi will be well safe here. Even if her uncle tries to show up here with an army he would not be able to take her. Now if you do not mind Lady Akemi and I need to speak in private."
Kouga nodded his head, he gave his cousins hand a gentle squeeze before leaving the room. The two of them had a lot to work through and he did not envy his cousin that talk.
Sesshomaru waited until he was sure Kouga was gone before focusing on his little wolf. She sat up straight in her chair like she was ready to take any beating he was going to send her way. "Relax Lady Akemi, I was serious about not hurting you. We have much to discuss."
Akemi just watched him and waited for what he had to say. Sesshomaru smirked, his little wolf had a backbone of steel for sure. Any other woman in this situation would have cracked long ago, or would be in a puddle of tears right now. Not his woman. And she was still his. Nothing else mattered, she had been his the moment he has laid eyes on her.
Walking around his desk, Sesshomaru went to stand in front of her. Reaching out he gently stroked the stripes on the side of her face, surprising her. "I admire your strength little wolf. It takes a lot to leave your home and to venture into unknown lands, and all to save your people. To be thrown into a mating challenge on top of that was more than enough to break some. Yet here you are alive and strong. I will not say that you have not upset me, because you have. I am disappointed that you did not trust me enough to come to me for help. I thought after the time we have spent together this last week we had begun to build something. But I do understand why you did what you did. You acted on your wit and instincts and kept yourself hidden and alive. The only question I have left for you is, were feelings for me real, or has that part all been a lie?"
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Akemi could not believe her ears. Sesshomaru had told her he understood why she had done what she had done. He even thought her to be strong. Best of all he did not hate her. But knowing she had hurt him with her lies, hurt her.
Standing, she threw her arms around him and held him tightly. "Sesshomaru, the way I felt for you was never a lie. Every kiss and moment between us was real. I have never felt safer than when I was in your arms yesterday. I would be honored to be your mate if you will still have me."
Fighting the tears in her eyes she looked up into Sesshomaru handsome face, waiting for him to respond. She felt her heart leap in joy when his arms came around her and gently held her. His eyes softened and he leaned down to capture her lips with his own. "You are mine little wolf. Just promise me from now on no more lies."
Akemi giggled. "I promise. You know everything now. The only reason I even tried to hold back from you before was because I thought you would hate me when you found out the truth."
Sesshomaru laughed. "I am not mad at you. I just want you to trust me and know that I will always stand by you and protect you. In seven days I will make you my mate and we will go reclaim your lands. This is my promise to you."
Biting her lip she looked at Sesshomaru from under her lashes. "I know that you are needed here to take care of your lands, but do you think we could spend some time in mine once I have them back? They will need a lot of work to get them back where they need to be. They have had nearly twenty years of neglect."
Stroking her back soothingly, Sesshomaru agreed. "If you would like we can split the year between the two. I have no problems working from the North, and Kyo is more than capable to keep things in line for six months a year."
At those words, Akemi was filled with happiness. He cared about her enough to spend half of his year away from his own home. Giddy with excitement she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had.
Sesshomaru growled against her lips before pulling away. "I think the next week is going to be torture. I want nothing more than to make you mine now, but I want to do things right. You matter to me little wolf."
Akemi smiled coyly. "But what about what we did in the field the other day? Is that allowed? I think I rather liked that."
Sesshomaru groaned. "Minx, that's what you are. I would love to do that again, but I am afraid I could not stop myself at that this time. It looks like we will both have to be content with kisses for now."
Filled with delight and contentment, Akemi gave him another passionate kiss.
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At dinner Sesshomaru announced his choice to mate Lady Akemi Kumiko Chiyo. Though there was some confusion as to why the name change, they still celebrated in grand style. Kouga stepped in and officially handed her over into Sesshomaru's keeping with his blessings.
It was decided that tomorrow they would worry about a plan of action. But tonight they would celebrate the happiness that had come out of all the tragedy. Sometimes you just needed to have a little faith that things would all work out.
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Lord Shigeo was furious and scared all at once. He was about to have to tell Lord Tomo that his bride was in the Lord Sesshomaru's home. And not only was she in his home but the little bitch had apparently won a mating challenge.
His men had found it all too easy to find out the information they had needed from the eager castle staff. After one of his men had spotted her they had asked a few innocent question that had led to a wealth of information. But that information was not what Shigeo had wanted to hear. His niece was going to be mated to Sesshomaru in a week's time.
When Lord Tomo heard this he was going to explode. Lord Sesshomaru was a formidable opponent to say the least. Everyone knew of his power and the part he had played in helping to destroy Naraku. There was no way he could just waltz into Sesshomaru's castle and take her out.
A servant stepped into the room. "Lord Shigeo, Lord Tomo will see you now."
Shigeo sent up a prayer and walked into the demons lair. "Lord Tomo I have found my niece."
Lord Tomo stared at him unimpressed. "Yes I have heard. I have also heard that she is in Lord Sesshomaru's home. You will travel through the night and bring her back tomorrow. Tell the young pup that she is betrothed to me."
Shigeo wanted to do no such thing. Lord Tomo knew as well as he that Akemi was not betrothed to him. As a guardian Shigeo was charged to protect her and her assets until she came of age. He had no real ability to betroth her to anyone. Only a father could do that.
Rubbing his tired eyes he looked back at Lord Tomo. "And what happens if he doesn't give her back? I would never be able to best him in combat."
Lord Tomo chuckled evilly. "Then we will find a way to kidnap her."
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*** Mwuhahaha I am flying through these chapters! It is so much fun to plan and plot what is going to happen!