Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha.
Chapter 25: Searching
Thryss jerked bolt upright, gasping for breath. Bringing a hand to her face, she stared in bewilderment as it shook uncontrollably. What had brought on the nightmare? She couldn't remember the last time she dreamed about her early years on Talis. The paralyzing horror she had felt as a child had returned with a vengeance. The traumatic images of shredded bodies, gore dripping from her hands, and the knowledge that she was to blame, remained sharp and clear in her mind.
Feeling a coolness on her cheek, she reached up to find moisture. Involved in studying this unusual occurrence, Thryss started a the sound of the demon's voice.
"What did you see?" he inquired calmly.
"Old memories, I had thought forgotten."
Sitting up, he leaned in to inspect her face. Catching a tear on the tip of a black claw, he regarded it curiously. "Do you cry in your sleep often?"
"Cry?"
Sesshomaru held up the black claw that shined with the captured tear. Thryss looked at it blankly. Talisian children did not cry, and Thryss was Talisian.
The demon lord raised a pale eyebrow at her continued silence. Thryss met his gaze with one of confusion, "I do not know this word." she said.
An expression of disbelief crossed the demons elegant features, "Crying is a physical expression of sorrow."
Thryss frowned, "I do not cry."
Looking pointedly at the glistening black claw, "Hn." he said, the non-committal sound conveying his disbelief.
Thryss narrowed her eyes angrily at his insulting tone. Rising to her feet in one swift movement, she spun on her heel, moving toward the door, radiating offense.
Feeling the demon's hand on her shoulder, Thryss whirled around, hitting him with a psionic blast, watching out of cold dark eyes as he flew toward the wall.
Sesshomaru flipped around, easily landing on his feet. Regarding her out of narrowed eyes, he crouched with one hand resting on the floor. Remaining motionless, he considered her, his long hair laying on the ground by his feet.
Dressed only in a loin clothe, his tightly corded muscles distracted Thryss long enough for him to take her by surprise. In a movement to quick to follow, the demon sprang across the room, forcing her to the floor. Kneeling over her, he noted the anger still raging in her eyes.
Thryss hissed furiously, calling up her weapons. Her eyes went wide when the her armor decided not to heed her call. She stared at her hand dumbfounded, her armor had never failed her.
"What's wrong?" the demon's mocking inquiry only fueled her rage.
Snarling, she lashing out at him with a wave of energy, causing the demon's golden eyes to widen in surprise as it crackled harmlessly along his skin.
Sesshomaru watched the flames of anger flicker in her dark eyes. He could feel the suppressed violence begging for release, yet she was holding back. She probably didn't even realize it. "Interesting." he murmured.
She felt so fragile beneath his hands as he pinned her to the ground, but he knew the truth of the frighteningly powerful energy that coursed through her. He could feel it electrifying the air around him, it was intoxicating.
Taking hold of her hands, he stretched her arms above her head. Imprisoning both wrists in one hand, he tilted her chin up, meeting her eyes. She glared back at him fearlessly, her eyes glittering with rage.
A disgruntled expression flashed across the demon's face. Why couldn't she ever act like a normal female? Surely being at the mercy of a powerful demon, such as himself, warranted some degree of fear.
Lowering himself until he pinned her to the ground with his body, he tilted her head back further, giving him access to her lips. At touch of his mouth, she squirmed beneath him in annoyance. Deepening the kiss, he slid his tongue between her lips, sensuously teasing her until she stopped struggling.
Lifting his head, he noted in satisfaction that her eyes had darkened with something other than anger. Rolling to the side, he released her wrists, and reclined beside her.
As he ran his claws between her breasts, and down her stomach, her face took on a distinctly comical expression when her armor obligingly moved out of the way. He watched in amusement, curious to see if she would admit to herself that maybe it was not the armor who was giving the commands. From the irritation that crossed her face, he guessed not.
Grasping her shoulder, he flipped her over onto her stomach. Thryss twisted around, anger once again darkening her eyes, as he placed a hand on her back pushing her to the ground. Moving behind her, he knelt between her legs, feeling her stiffen in outrage at the dominant position.
Removing his hand from her back, he gripped her hips, pulling her up, so that her back rested against his chest. Sliding his hands up her ribs, he cupped her breasts, "Why do you fight me?" he whispered, his breath stirring a few strands of her hair.
Thryss growled in outrage at his presumption. If only her body would cooperate with her mind. She tried to pull away, only to find his grip was too strong for her to break. That was the problem with being a half-breed, she had plenty of psionic power, but physical strength was an entirely different matter. Far too aware of the amount of bare skin that was pressing up against her, she realized if she didn't put some distance between them, she wasn't going to be able to think much longer.
Sesshomaru lowered his head, trailing his tongue along her neck, savoring the soft texture of her skin. He felt her suck in a breath at the caress, leaning her head back against his shoulder as he slid his fangs down her throat.
He shifted slightly, so that she straddled him, while still facing forward. The change of position making her acutely aware of the fact that he no longer wore any clothing. As he slowly moved his hands along her body, she noted in disgust that her armor appeared to be ignoring her altogether as it absorbed into her skin. The fact that maybe her armor knew her desires better than she did, never even crossed her mind.
She stiffened slightly as she felt him harden behind her, letting her know in no uncertain terms what his intentions were. Sliding one hand down her stomach, her slipped his fingers between her legs. Thryss drew in a sharp breath, amazed at the sheer intensity of her reaction to his touch.
Positioning him self beneath her, he lowered his head, sinking his fangs into the base of her neck. Wrapping one hand around her ribs, while gripping her hip with the other, he slowly slid into her. Thryss bit her lip, as her body stretched to accommodate him. Demons were known to be well-endowed, and Sesshomaru more than most. He gradually began to move inside of her, giving her time to adjust to the intrusion.
Thryss hissed, and arched against him, leaving no doubt in his mind that she enjoyed the feel of his body. Releasing her neck, he tilted her head back to enter her mouth with his tongue, mimicking the movements of his body. Thryss was not a novice to pleasure, but this was different. The demon lord was aggressively dominant, so very different from the Talisian way of doing things. To her surprise she liked the way he had aggressively taken her. The minor pain of his fangs on her throat as he entered her. So different, but she could not imagine him any other way.
As she collapsed against him, Sesshomaru leaned forward, his long silver-white hair falling across her in a silken caress.
"How do manage to walk around and not trip over this?" she asked lazily, threading her fingers through the silky strands.
"Of all things to enter your mind, why am not surprised it is the length of my hair." He said dryly, picking her up and moving to the bed. Laying her down, he reclined beside her, propping himself up on one elbow to watch her.
"I thought that I wasn't worthy to touch you." Thryss said, raising a questioning eyebrow.
"That is true, but I have granted you the honor of enjoying my body tonight." he returned pompously.
Thryss opened and closed her mouth. Not finding words to address such arrogance she just shook her head. Demons.
Smirking slightly at his ability to silence her, the demon curled around her contentedly, "Go to sleep, there is much to do tomorrow."
Thryss relaxed against him, his breath gently stirring her hair. A unfamiliar feeling of security settled over her as she laid comfortably in his arms. Sighing slightly, she examined the pale features, lingering on the crescent moon. She didn't belong to this world, she shouldn't feel at ease. It was dangerous. She buried her face in his naked shoulder, knowing she shouldn't enjoy the feel of his rippling muscles as he tightened his arm around her.
If they failed, she would lose him. Thryss closed her eyes. She would die before she allowed that to happen. She couldn't bear it a second time.
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Thryss woke to find herself smashed against the demon's chest. Wriggling a bit, she glanced up at his sleeping face. The long silvery-white hair fell back, exposing one gracefully pointed ear. She smiled a little to herself, even in sleep he managed to look conceited. As her eyes roamed over his features, slit-pupiled golden eyes opened slowly, quietly returning her gaze.
She absently noticed that he smelled like winter; crisp, clean, and cold. Most people would not have found that very comforting, but then Thryss wasn't most people. Locking eyes with him, she watched as the gold of his eyes began to glow. This time when his hand slid along her back she sighed softly, enjoying the sensation. Lowering his head, he caught her lips with his, exploring them languidly. Sliding the hand back down, he hooked his fingers under her knee, draping her leg over his hip. Cupping her buttock with a black clawed hand, he slowly slid inside her. There was no aggression this time, just languid sensuality as he teasingly trailed his claws along her exposed flesh. She moaned softly, begging for release from the erotic torment. To her dismay, release did not come for some time, but when it did, it left her exhausted, and satisfied.
Sesshomaru watched as Thryss finally fell into a contented sleep. The demon lord was puzzled by his desire for her. He had never desired a human before. He frowned, tilting his head thoughtfully, heavy pale hair falling forward to spill over the slight figure that lay so trustingly in his arms. It was odd that he hadn't felt the need to aggressively assert his dominance this last time. Mating was an act of dominance for his kind, but the second time had been different. He had not felt the need to be aggressive, and had enjoyed it immensely. Truth be told, he had never enjoyed anyone to such a degree.
Laying down beside her, he drew her deceptively fragile body close, breathing in the light fragrance that clung to her. Like a flower in moonlight, the scent was faint, and beguiling. Sesshomaru had found something rare, and irreplaceable in this strange alternate version of the only human whose company he had ever desired. He wasn't about to let her go. Kephren would not be happy. The demon fell asleep, a small unaccustomed smile curving his lips.
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"Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken's grating screech, made the demon flinch involuntarily. Opening one eye, he glared balefully at the toad.
Striding into the room, Jaken stopped, his eyes bulging in astonishment. His lord, was holding the human woman. Too stunned to do more than gawk, the toad stood rooted to the ground, struck speechless by a sight he had thought impossible. That is until he saw the look his lord was giving him. As self preservation kicked in, the toad bowed deeply, begging his lord's pardon as he back-pedaled rapidly, exiting the room as fast as stubby legs would carry him.
Jaken fidgeted nervously as he waited for the others to join him. As his lord entered the courtyard, the toad noted that the human female was walking disrespectfully close to his lord, a fact that should have insulted the powerful demon. Jaken watched them with a puzzled expression; what had happened to bring about such a change? The toad's musing was brought to an abrupt and unpleasant halt by his lord's words.
"Jaken, Rin and the creature will travel with you on AhUn." Sesshomaru said shortly. Summoning his energy cloud, he extended a hand to Thryss, as Rin and Kephren came into view.
Jaken glanced uneasily at the creature; things never went well for him when Kephren was around.
"Come, we are to travel together." Kephren said cheerfully, turning his attention to the unhappy toad. He grinned, seeing Jaken's dismay. Lifting his nose, he lightly sniffed the air. "Tell me, have you bathed since the last time we assisted you?" Kephren asked with an innocent expression.
"My Lord, please do not me make travel with it." Jaken whimpered, memories of soap horrifying his mind.
The demon lord not did deign to reply as he lifted off the ground, heading toward the trail of yellow he had seen in the trees.
Walking over to the toad, Kephren smirked wickedly. Before Jaken could retreat, Kephren plucked him off the ground, moving toward the dragon. "What are you doing? Put me down this instant!" The toad squawked indignantly.
Plopping the toad on AhUn's back, Kephren vaulted up behind him, and then reached down to pick up the child, placing her in front of him.
"Master Jaken, he is just being nice." Rin reassured him.
"Hah, nice? Foolish child, that just shows how much you truly understand." The toad cried, inching away from the Talisian.
"I believe we should bathe upon our return. Master Jaken has gathered quite a smell while we were gone." Kephren remarked impishly, grinning as the toad turned to stare at him out of eyes that nearly bulged from their sockets.
Jaken regarded the creature in abject horror. Not again! It was too cruel. He had just started to build up his secretions again. Lost in his own private nightmare, the toad sat in sullen silence as they took to the air.
Sesshomaru circled the mountains where he had seen the thread of yellow woven through the foliage. Frowning, he passed over the same area several times; the pattern that had caught his eye was nowhere to be seen.
Looking over his arm, Thryss searched the passing landscape, "I don't see anything. This is where you saw it?" she asked, glancing up.
The demon nodded shortly. "Jaken, take the northern region, signal if you see anything." Sesshomaru instructed his retainer, oblivious to the boredom that had descended over Kephren.
"Wait demon, I will come with you." Kephren said, leaping off the dragon's back, his armor unfurling into gigantic black wings. Gliding over, he drifted beside the demon, just out of arms reach.
Thryss hid a smile at the look that crossed Sesshomaru's face as her companion joined them.
"I did not request your presence." The demon lord said icily.
Drifting closer, Kephren gave the demon what passed for a despondent look, "But I came to help!"
"There will never come a day when I require assistance from you."
"But I want to come with you." The Talisian persisted, drifting around to hover in front of them.
The demon gave him an incredulous look, "No." Sesshomaru watched in disbelief as the creature actually pouted.
"I want to go with you." Kephren announced.
"No."
Half an hour later, the Talisian still glided along beside them, smiling happily at the demon who was contemplated the most efficient way to end his annoying existence.
"I still don't see anything." Thryss said, scanning the ground.
Sesshomaru sighed and circled back around, "Neither do I; let us rejoin the others, perhaps they have had more success."
The demon hissed in frustration as Jaken informed him he hadn't had success either. Casting his eyes over the mountainous region, Sesshomaru silently conceded defeat. "We will return to the castle." he decided, changing directions and starting back.
Kephren glided back to AhUn. Settling behind Rin, he leaned around her, grinning widely at the toad. Jaken's eyes bulged as chills ran down his back. Slowly glancing over his shoulder; he found the creature was smiling at him. Why was it smiling at him? Jaken couldn't restrain the involuntary shudder that ran down his spine.
An unwarranted feeling of relief irritated the demon as he watched Kephren direct his attention at the toad. Turning resolutely away—he would not let that thing get to him—he transferred his gaze toward the castle, then froze. From this direction he could see it; the pattern so similar to Rin's drawing. Without warning, he began to descend rapidly.
Knocked off balance by the sudden change in direction, Thryss fell back against the demon. "What is it?" she asked.
"There, do see it?" steadying her with his arm, he indicated the trees below.
Following his hand, her eyes widened as she saw the pattern in the trees.
As they approached the thread of yellow winding its way through the forest, Sesshomaru landed just outside the tree line. Focusing on the trees with bright yellow leaves, he walked over slowly as he concentrated on the aura that surrounded the forest.
Thryss waited for Kephren to join her, before following the demon.
"Enjoying the natives?" Kephren inquired.
"As are you." Thryss returned.
Kephren gave her a wide-eyed silver stare. "Then you are losing interest in your toy?' he asked hopefully.
Thryss snorted, shaking her head. "I might ask to the same of you."
"My toy is just that. A toy." he said seriously, "What will you do if we cannot stop the attack?"
When she didn't answer, Kephren placed a hand on her arm, stopping her, "You may not be able to save him, and you cannot take him with us. He is different. He would not fare well on another world."
Thryss looked up, meeting the silver gaze, "I won't lose him again." she said simply.
"Then you will die with him." he said flatly.
"Then I die." She replied evenly.
Kephren lowered his eyes, contemplating the ground, "I knew I would regret this." he sighed dramatically.
Thryss looked at him curiously.
"Against my better judgment, I will assist the arrogant fool." he said with a sigh. Transferring his gaze to the demon, Kephen raised an eyebrow as Sesshomaru stopped, standing motionless among the trees. "Although," he said, watching the demon lord's inexplicable behavior, "you realize, even my skills have limits."
Thryss' lips quirked at that which passed for self-sacrifice in her companion. Despite his obvious reluctance he would not leave them at the mercy of Talis; she suspected he had grown rather fond of them all.
"It we fail, what of my younger self?" she asked, knowing full well what he would say.
The Talisian's eyes fell on the child, "I will not allow her to be harmed."
"Not exactly the attitude I would have expected from a Talisian Destroyer."
Kephren shrugged, "She has power, but no control. It would be a waste to leave her in the demon's inept hands."
"It truly is a wonder how you function with that ego of yours." she said in amusement, starting after the demon.
"What ego?" Kephren called after her retreating back.
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"What are you doing?" came the annoying query.
Sesshomaru ignored the interruption, focusing his senses. Perhaps if he ignored it, it would go away.
"He is falling asleep." Kephren decided when he saw the demon's closed eyes. He sighed in resignation, "If he falls over, I am going to leave him here."
Sesshomaru gritted his teeth, he would not allow this insignificant pest to distract him. Unfortunately the demon found this difficult to maintain when the demon came to hover over him.
"Tell me demon, what exactly are you doing?" he asked, watching in amusement as Sesshomaru took a deep breath, striving vainly to block him out.
The demon lord's eyes snapped open, as a black finger prodded him. "Ah good, your awake." Kephren said, delighted to have induced the murderous look the demon was now leveling at him. "If you are sufficiently rested, we should get going." he said in satisfaction.
Lightening fast, gleaming black claws rushed at his throat. "So predictable." The Talisian said, easily evading the deadly claws. Turning away, indifferent to the rage that emanated from the powerful demon lord, Kephren moved in the direction of an ancient tree that sat apart from the forest.
"Stop tormenting him." Thryss instructed Kephren as he passed her. Meeting her eyes, he gave her an aggrieved look, "I have done as you asked and not killed him. You never said I couldn't play with him."
Thryss sighed in resignation; there was a limit to how much Kephren would do, even for her. It looked like he drew the line at the demon's sanity. "Very well, at least give him a rest. Go terrify the toad." Kephren gave her a grin, but obliged her and headed off to torment the toad.
Thryss noticed that the demon once again stood motionless with his eyes closed. She moved over to stand in front of him, "What are you doing?"
The demon sighed in irritation. Why couldn't they show even the smallest amount of respect? Opening his eyes, he gave her haughty look, which she totally ignored.
"I am examining the aura." he answered, when she continued to watch him expectantly. Seeing her blank expression, he explained, "All things have an aura, I am looking for anything out of place."
"Have you found anything?"
He frowned, as if something had just occurred to him. "It's not what I have found, but what I haven't found."
Thryss' face twisted in confusion.
"There is a lack of aura here." he verbalized his realization.
"A lack of aura?" she echoed.
Sesshomaru nodded absently as he scanned the area. Turning deeper into the woods, he focused on the absence of energy as he moved slowly through the trees.
"Now, what is he doing?" Kephren asked, having gotten bored with the toad.
Thryss shook her head as the demon's odd behavior, "He says there is a lack of aura."
"So, he is following nothing? How very like him." He grinned to himself, silver eyes brightening with interest.
Thryss felt a slight pang of sympathy for Sesshomaru as her companion took off in pursuit of him. \
"Tell me, demon, how does one follow nothing?" Kephren inquired, his smile widening at the sudden stiffness in the demon's posture.
"Go away."
"But I wish to follow nothing with you." he explained, hovering over Sesshomaru.
"Isn't there someone else you can bother?" The demon sighed in exasperation, trying unsuccessfully to concentrate.
"You are the only one I know who follows a lack of aura. I am curious as to what we might discover at the end of this lack of aura." Kephren cajoled, enjoying the irritation that was emanating from the demon.
Sesshomaru obstinately tried to shut out the incessant talking of the creature. Searching for where this unusual lack of energy was coming from, was no easy task considering the way Kephren hovered about, asking a continual string of questions. The demon lord spent a few pleasant moments assuring himself that there must be some way to kill this thing. Nothing as annoying as Kephren should continue to exist.
As Sesshomaru mulled over various ways he could possibly kill the Talisian, he suddenly realized where the emptiness was coming from. Abruptly turning his back on the creature, Sesshomaru walked toward the mouths of a series of caves that ran deep into the mountain. Stopping approximately centered on them, his eyes roamed across the expanse where the caves were. It was coming from somewhere within the caves, but there were so many. He was finding it impossible to identify a specific one it was coming from.
Thryss came up beside him, with the others close behind, "You have found something?" she asked, reaching his side.
The demon said nothing as he studied the seemingly endless caves.
Stopping in front of a spill of rocks, Kephren turned and motioned for them to join him. "Over here." he said drawing their attention as he placed a dark hand against one of the largest boulders.
Curious to see what had caught her companion's attention, Thryss walked over to join him.
"I don't see anything." she said glancing near his hand and then upward along the height of the rock.
"Look closer." he instructed her. "Can't you see it?" he asked curiously. The contrast of colors had immediately caught his attention. He wondered if she saw things differently than he did, after all, she was not a full blood.
Thryss looked closely at the stone, then blinked in surprise. There was something like a vein of lighter colored rock running over the surface of the rock at about eye level. "What is it?"
"A marker." Kephren answered.
Rin skipped over, standing between Thryss and Kephren. "Oh, somebody drew on the stone." She exclaimed, reaching up to run a small finger along the lines of the pattern. She glanced up at Kephren with a smile. Resting a hand on her head, he nodded in approval.
As Sesshomaru and Jaken joined them at the boulder, they stared intently at its surface wondering what had caught the creature's attention.
"There is nothing there, my lord." Jaken informed the demon, as he gave Kephren a superior look. "The creature is seeing things."
Sesshomaru said nothing as he continued to inspect the surface. Leaning closer, he finally saw it; a faint variation in color, the lighter lines contrasted with the rest of the surface. How had Kephren seen it so easily? Demons had exceptional eyesight, but if he hadn't been looking for it, he never would have seen it.
"It's indicating that one." Kephren pointed, moving in the direction of one of the cave. Reaching the mouth, he turned, waiting for them.
Rin trotted over, then stopped a few feet away from Kephren, an uneasy feeling settling over her as she stared into the cave's dark interior.
Authors Note: Whew, this chapter was hard. How did you like it? Readers beware; the inner-nerd is resurfacing in the next chapter.
ArizonBay: lol...I am afraid when Kephren gets bored, it never bodes well for those around him.
ColdHeartedVixen: Kephren would love for you to start his fanclub!
Mistress Ayako: Are you going to join Kephren's fanclub? He is entirely in agreement with Vixen. Don't worry about Thryss or Rin, I have plans.
Rin14: You read for 5 straight hours? Wow. I am so glad you like the story, hope you stay with me.