Disclaimer:
I do not own or claim the rights to the characters or the original story line of Inuyasha.
*****
Previously on chapter 20:
In a blur of movement he was gone from where he had been standing, I didn't use my eyes to find him. Instead I followed his scent and found him directly behind moving in on me. I waited until he was close enough to pin me before I dropped down to my knees, swinging my leg out and knocking him down before he had time to recover I straddled him. Leaning in close I nipped at his ear lobe giving it a soothing lick before whispering.
"Gottcha."
His eyes widened in shock before they narrowed. I could feel his gathering energy and before he could wrap his arms around me I shoved off of him and moved to stand by the rack with the staffs. I pulled one and tossed it to him before replacing SaiSei and reaching for a staff for myself. A smirk crossed his lips as he watched me twirl the staff between my fingers with confident abandon.
"You've been holding out."
I smiled wide and bright at him.
"Yes."
His eyebrow rose and again I stifled the dumb urge to giggle.
"You will no longer hold back."
It came out a statement but sounded like a command.
"No."
His smile turned dangerous.
"Good, then neither will I."
And then he charged at me.
*****
Chapter 21:
I held my ground. He would soon learn that I am more than capable in a battle. His staff landed with a hard thud against mine. My arms outstretched slightly above me in order to block the blow. I grinned at him just to tick him off.
He growled and pulled away and started circling me. I set the staff twirling again as if I didn't have any concern that he could get the better of me. Over confidence could be a bad thing, but I knew what I was capable of and soon so would he.
He came at me again staff aimed at my legs intending on knocking me off my feet. I brought up a barrier blocking his attempt and sending sparks everywhere when his blow landed. I laughed trying to enrage him further. Hardened warriors who lost their cool in battle can be unpredictable, but it would be fun to see how far I could push him.
He stepped back leaning against the staff. Amusement lit his eyes for a brief moment as if he knew what I was trying to do and then it vanished.
"Very clever little girl but how long can you hold the barrier?"
It was my turn to be amused. He had no idea of the power I had. I could hold this barrier for as long as it was needed. Still I didn't acknowledge his question and allowed my barrier to slip just a little. Again, I allowed him to see only what I wanted him to see.
As he watched me I never let my blank expression fade, but I was choking on the laughter that I held. I had invaded his thoughts so effortlessly that he never even knew that I was traipsing through his mind listening to his thoughts. Right about now he was thinking some very naughty things that included pulling me down and paddling me with his staff.
Literally
The demon was a savage. His thoughts were causing my body to thrum with anticipation, to weep with want for him, but I was ancient and control was a trait learned through experience. I had plenty of experience. I pushed my lust filled thoughts to the back of my mind, keeping my stance in tuned with his, waiting for the right moment to drop my barrier and knock him on his ass.
His thoughts showed me his intent and seconds before he moved I moved a few steps ahead of him. I could feel his irritation that I mirrored him so smoothly; his surprise that my barrier still pulsed strong after these past few minutes, even if the power level to the barrier dropped some. I could feel his primal side stalk me, anticipating the moment that he had me on my back and naked.
The animal side of him seemed to me more…virile when he was around me.
I ignored that thought as a flash caught my eye. There was green oozing from the tips of his fingers forming a whip of his acid.
Oh this is going to be good.
"If you singe even one hair demon I will make sure that you regret it."
I could feel his amusement as he disregarded my threat.
"Then do not give me the opportunity to singe any of your hair."
Smart ass
That was the only thought I had time to spare. His whip came at me striking over and over again against my barrier. I could hear the sizzle as the acid touched my power. I knew what he was doing. I could see it in his thoughts but he was ruthless in his attempt to break the protective dome. I tried to back away, to give myself some room to drop the barrier and attack but he followed me backwards until I was trapped against the wall, and still he kept striking refusing to allow me escape.
"What's the matter little girl? Are you getting tired?"
I wasn't actually tired yet, but I refused to stay trapped like a cornered animal. I held my right arm behind my back keeping it from his view. Bringing a barrier up to form only around my forearm, I timed the strikes. He reared back and brought the whip forward again, my barrier dropped I dashed forward and let the whip curl around my forearm. It popped and sizzled but I ignored it, instead I wrapped my hand around the whip and held firm.
"Drop the whip Fluffy or else."
My tone was way too casual for the situation. I could feel both his surprise that I would willingly allow myself to be harmed by his whip and his suspicions of what I was up too. In there somewhere was concern, for him or me I don't know, but he was ignoring it. I tugged the whip harder.
"What will it be? Your way or mine?"
His eyes hardened and more energy started pouring into his whip. I shook my head at his idiocy.
It is known world wide to all women that men of all species were just dumb sometimes. Don't know why I'm surprised that he wouldn't take my advice.
Blowing out a breath of annoyance I shrugged my shoulder slightly at him and before he could do anything else I sent my purifying power flowing up his whip. The green acid hissed violently before the color morphed into the light blue of my power, before dissolving and falling away from his fingers. He stared at the tips of his still smoking fingers in shock.
"I did warn you."
I stated with a voice full of innocence, watching as his face seemed to chill over.
Interesting. I don't think that's ever been done to him before.
I could hear the growl that worked its way up from his chest. His red eyes devouring me like I was a treat.
"What's the matter? Can't keep up dog?"
My mental link flared and I laughed a joyous sound that echoed around the room. He was pissed. I could see why, he was a warrior like no other. The Perfect Assassin, a demon that was revered just as much as he was feared. I knew him just as well as I knew myself, being in his mind gives me that insight. It's like an open book to me, but I refused to read all the pages that were within reach.
Some secrets were meant to be kept.
He managed to latch on to the link and I let him. I told myself it was because it would be easier to communicate and that it had nothing to do with the sound of his voice ringing inside my head.
"You are a sneaky little brat. I should spank you for your deceit."
His voice held a hint of playful danger that sent chills over my body.
"Oh please Fluffy. Do you honestly think that I have lived this long just on simple combat skill? I've had a very long time to hone my skills and my power. It would have been unwise to show my hand so soon."
He chuckled deeply.
"I suppose this would be my lesson not to attack without fully knowing what I was getting into? Which by the way is a mistake that I have never done before; I've been trained better than that. So that leads me to believe that you are a huge distraction."
My response was a sweet smile.
"So you think that I'm a distraction huh? Well, let's see how much of a distraction I can be."
I stepped away from him and grabbed the staff by its middle, striking the bottom on the floor. In seconds the entire staff burst into blue flames. I started twirling it over and over in delight as I saw my power reflected in his eyes.
"So the rules…hmmm…what shall they be?"
I enjoyed watching him watch me; my blood was boiling. His eyes were now a mix of gold and red that smoldered as he followed my every move.
"Rules?"
His very deep and sexy voice repeated.
"Yes rules. We are going to need some rules. Hmm…how 'bout three out of five pins declare the winner?"
His head tilted slightly, his shining hair fell to the side and around his face emphasizing his devastatingly sexy lips.
"Sounds good, but with each pin an article of clothing gets removed."
I chuckled at him before pointing my chin in his direction.
"All I'd have to do is knock you on your ass once and you're naked as the day you were born."
He glanced down and a predatory grin split his lips.
"I am absolutely ok with that outcome, however, to make it fair I will concede to your wishes for the other two pins. That is IF you are declared the winner."
Shrugging letting him know that that worked for me I flipped my staff in the air only to catch it with the other hand, entertaining us with my pyrotechnics.
"Sure, but no backing out and my wishes will only be revealed when I want them too so it could be today or tomorrow or thirty years from now."
His OCD kicked in and that damned eyebrow rose up.
"Fine."
I shook my head at him.
"No, that's not good enough. I need your word."
Acknowledging my demand with a nod of his head he smiled as he picked his staff back up.
"You have my word. Shall we continue?"
"Oh yeah."
This time I attacked him knowing that he was not expecting my blue flamed staff to be thrown at him. He was forced to sidestep to avoid it and when he did I barreled into him. Laughing as I landed on the ground on top of him, giving him a saucy grin as I sat on his stomach.
"Too slow Fluffy. You need to learn to expect the unexpected. Now drop your pants and get up. It's time for the next round."
He growled at me as I hopped up and moved back, picking up my staff that was still glowing with my power. He stood gracefully to his feet shaking his hair back behind him as he reached for the button on his pants and let them drop. It took a Herculean effort to keep my gaze at eye level trying not to allow myself to get distracted. He moved with demon speed, not giving me a chance to attack him again. Counter attacks were put on hold as I blocked his blows.
"You are fast, I noticed it before. How long did it take you to harness your power to amplify your speed?"
My staff sent off blue flame as I blocked his staff from knocking me on the right.
"It was one of the first things that I learned and it came to me naturally. It was the rest that took longer."
I changed the position of my staff angling it towards his left rib cage but he was gone before the blow landed. I brought the staff back and laid it across my shoulders, hands dangling on the ends as I watched him move against the other end of the room.
"The rest?"
He was trying to distract me, but it didn't matter. This entire exercise was a form of distraction for me.
"There are many things that I can do that are unheard of; things that shouldn't be able to be done. I can harness power through energy. I can tap into the Earth and will its power to do my bidding. I can summon the elements, and I can call upon the power of my soul, my spirit. Each gift took at least a century to learn and longer to control. I am more then what I seem Sesshomaru and it would not be smart to underestimate me."
We stopped pacing and stared at each other. I could tell that he was trying to determine how much of what I claimed was true.
"Don't believe me?"
He didn't have to say anything. I wasn't expecting him to answer, so I just showed him. I summoned water to me as I allowed my staff to fall to the ground its blue flame gone. I held my hands in front me palms facing each other as a ball of water started to form in between. The water gave off a vibrant blue color as it swirled in a wild dance of power. When the ball was roughly the size of a dodge ball I pushed my hands forward sending it flying into Fluffy's chest. Knocking him down again; within seconds I commanded the water to freeze. It surrounded him, creating a barrier that kept him pinned to the ground. A ferocious growl ripped through him as he struggled to get free.
I kneeled next to him, angling my head to the side with lips quirked.
"So that would make two pins down and one favor that you now owe me."
I laughed as he struggled harder to free himself, which I knew would not take long so I moved back a few steps and picked up my abandoned staff that was now dormant and returned it to the rack. I didn't have to wait long as I heard his acid melting the ice surrounding him. I stayed still as he came at me, letting his hand wrap around my throat and push me against the wall. I landed with a hard thud. There was a slight sting on my cheek and I realized that I had gotten sliced with the daggers that were hung along the wall.
I stiffened as his lips closed in on me. When his tongue darted out to trace the line of blood off my cheek I shivered in delight. My hormones were already on fire and now they were a raging inferno. Without realizing it I found that my hands were clenched on his shoulders as he continued to trail hot kisses against my jaw. I wanted to moan when I felt his hot breath against my ear.
His hand loosened around my throat and his thumb moved in gentle circles on the hollow at the base. When his head dipped down and replaced his thumb a whimper escaped from my lips. Goose bumps ran across my flesh as his claws traced random patterns on my arm. I got lost in the sensations for a moment, letting myself enjoy this moment before we got back to sparring.
My eyes closed and when his head dipped further to gently bite down on my hardened nipple a spasm of pleasure rocked through me, making it feel like the world was spinning for just a brief moment, and when I opened my eyes I realized one thing. I was staring up at the ceiling of the dojo. I was laid flat out on my back with Sesshomaru staring at me with a cocky smile.
"That would be one for me Miko."
I glared at him while screaming through our link.
"That's cheating dog!"
I grinned when I saw him wince in pain as if I were yelling right next to his delicate ears. He narrowed his eyes, his golden color no longer mixed with the crimson of his beast.
"It was never against the rules. You'll have to be more specific in your rule giving next time."
I didn't reply instead I just looked at him keeping my expression blank as my devious little mind turned. I wanted to laugh but I refused to give him any inkling of what I was up to. I could feel his power climbing, his aura trying to engulf me. It burned but I ignored it. My powers rose up to dance with his; our colors swirling in a vortex of multicolored hues. Our hair lifted and fluttered together with the electricity of our powers weaving around us. I wrapped my legs around his waist holding him tight. Even as our powers played around us I called more to me letting it settle over my skin like a blanket. I raised a finger and slowly ran it along his cheek watching as it left blue arcs of light following its trail.
He shivered as his eyes closed and a pleasured growl vibrated against my chest. I touched a finger tip against the base of his neck and another blue arc traveled across the path my finger had set. The growl deepened and became a sensual purr. I tightened my hold on his waist with my legs and bucked my right hip causing him to flip onto his back with me sitting on top again. He didn't even open his eyes. His hands were fisted in my hair and the purring still vibrated through him with every touch of my fingers.
I leaned in close and in a breathy whisper I brought his attention to our positions.
"That would make three Fluffy; I win. See two can play at your games."
His eyes popped open and after a confused glance he frowned.
"Hmm, I see. You have proven that you are very good at distracting me, but you still need to take off something. It is after all only fair."
I smiled down at him.
"And you now owe me two favors."
"Hn"
Hn? What in the hell is that suppose to mean?
I voiced the thought which caused him to shrug.
"Really Sesshomaru.'Hn' is not an answer. We are going to have to work on your vocabulary."
He chuckled as he swatted my butt.
"Yes I owe you two favors, but I have decided that I'm going to pick what comes off of you and I am going to enjoy removing it."
His power flared against mine and the warmth covered me from head to toe in delighted pleasure. His claws traced circles against the flesh of my arm and I shivered.
"Oh and how would you enjoy removing my clothing Sesshomaru?"
My voice sounded husky even to my own ears. I trailed another finger down his bare chest eliciting a rough moan from him as the blue light flickered across his skin; my power causing shocks through his body. He arched slightly as I trailed my finger lower and swirled it around his belly button.
"I am going to enjoy pulling your clothes off with my teeth Little Miko."
He hissed through gritted teeth. I laughed even as my body trembled at his words.
"So what is it that I should remove Fluffy?"
His smile turned devilishly wicked as he ran a claw against the black material of my modified slayer uniform.
"I would love to remove this particular item and leave the rest on."
I could not stop my eye brow from rising. That would leave me with the braces and the braided belt skirt and my dagger. He was in the mood for a little kinkiness and I found that to be absolutely delicious.
"Uh huh, so what are you waiting for then?"
He slid his hands from my hair to my neck, grabbing me and yanking me forward until our lips met in a searing kiss. He rolled us until I was under him without our lips loosing contact. He took his time, savoring the moment. He moved one of his hands until he had my left breast cupped in his palm and I pulled away from his mouth as my body arched in sensations. The buzzing in my head was a muted sound against the furious beating of my heart. He created a path of scorching kisses down my neck, nibbling at my throat and then descended to valley between my aching breasts.
The buzzing in my head became a loud explosion. My eyes shot open and with a gasp I shoved Sesshomaru off of me. I was on my feet, grabbing my kimono and tossing it on while running out the door before a word could be said. I could hear his growls in the background.
"Relax Sesshomaru we'll finish playing later. We have guests. Get dressed and meet me at the front steps."
There was a silent pause before he responded.
"Who?"
His irritation was like an itch at the back of my head but the coldness from his determination was like ice against my skin. I shivered from the effects of our link.
"Calm down it's the guys. I figured that we should meet them there rather then having them come look for us and interrupt something that we would be annoyed over."
The coldness vanished to be replaced with heated lust.
"I'll be there in a moment but don't think that you will escape me tonight. I will still remove you clothing with my teeth."
A flush covered my body as I made my way around the house and to the courtyard. Stopping at the top of the stairs I waited for Sesshomaru, when he appeared next to me as cool and arrogant as ever I looked up at him with a sad smile.
"You do realize that things are about to turn into hell on earth don't you?"
He face remained impassive as he stared down the steps and for a moment I didn't think that he would answer.
"Hn."
My lips turned and my smile brightened.
"Hn indeed."
I replied before looking back at the steps, waiting for the next phase in the up coming war.
*******
HA! I finished the chapter! It was difficult because I am in the process of moving but hey it's done now. I was going to do a big awesome fight scene but I think that I'm going to save that for later. I hope you enjoy it and please review people. I love me some reviews!
~~~Nessa~~~