Sesshomaru & Inuyasha: Brothers in Arms
Sesshomaru & Inuyasha: Kyōdai de Busō
Shō 29-Nantoka Fuki
Chapter 29-Something Stirs
Having slept for nearly three hours, the hidenka awoke pleased that sleep was no longer consuming her as it had previously, yet fully aware that she was still sleeping frequently during the day, but hoped that if she went out, perhaps she could eliminate that need as well.
Feeling she finally had the ability to stand on her own two feet, Akatsuki rose from her bed, dressed in one of her traditional kimono's that were brought to her by her handmaidens, and decided to go for a walk. She also placed her bathing skirt on underneath it, hoping for the strength to go for a swim at some point. She could only thank Bathera for remembering to throw one in the bag before they left the compound. Her handmaidens knew her so well; but what did she expect? They had attended her from the day she was born.
Knowing there was little chance of her inadvertently sensing the youkai lord's heart after six days of becoming familiar with him, Akatsuki removed the incantation spell that had sealed her powers. Without that unnecessary barrier, she should be able to heal faster; or, at least she hoped she would. With everyone likely asleep now, and she, herself, unable to do the same and feeling only slightly stronger than she had when she had first awakened, the youkai hidenka decided to make her way outside the castle and headed toward a nearby lake she had seen from her window.
She knew in order to minimize the inconvenience she was placing on her lord and host that she needed to quickly build up her strength if she were to have any chance of leaving by the end of the week, which was only four days away. Akatsuki knew she was beginning to have puzzling thoughts about the youkai lord that were inappropriate as far as she was concerned; thoughts that had started, even before she had awakened. She was in such conflict over what she had sensed while she slept. There was so much hatred that had surrounded her; and then there had also been so much concern. But that concern itself, was filled with such conflict.
Yes, she was having thoughts about Sesshomaru, but knowing who and what he was, she was certain he did not have the same kind of thoughts about her. She did not want to think about what she may or may not have sensed while she slept. Slept? She was not simply asleep; she was near death. Her soul hovered just outside the realm of the netherworld. Ashira had already told her that in her weakened state, they had neither severed her connection from what they had believed was the hanyou's soul, but in fact had actually been her lord's; nor had they shut down her sensors until the fifth day. It could not be done until Sesshomaru had destroyed the ningyou youkai and her body had grown stronger. Because of that, she had sensed untold emotions from him; most of which surprisingly seemed so contradictory to his current behavior towards her.
But why would she have thought she sensed any kind of concern from Sesshomaru of all youkai, at all? She knew how much he hated magic, hated sorceresses. She had sensed his hatred from the beginning. She had sensed it fully while she slept. That was one of the primary reasons she had sent her handmaidens away. As long as she remained in that bed, she could not protect them. Though she doubted she would be able to protect them from their lord even if she were not. But she knew she could not allow them to endure his hatred for her sake. And he must hate her even more now, believing it was his obligation to ensure her recovery. But now that her thoughts were clearer and she had surmised and divulged the likely truth, she knew he need no longer concern himself with her.
No, Akatsuki smiled softly, she could not truly have sensed any concern from him. It had to have been the dark magic that surrounded this castle that made her think such a thing. Or, at the very least, it was because her very soul hovered on the brink of departure from this world. She was fully aware that the soul knew of its own demise, weeks, likely even months before its departure. In her life, she had sensed enough souls to know of their impending deaths. But her sensors had never been the most reliable under uncertain conditions. As for herself, she must have wanted so desperately to believe someone near her cared if she lived or died; even if it wasSesshomaru.
Straightening her shoulders as she trudged heavily toward the lake, Akatsuki knew her lord was a youkai who could care for no one; and she was a Suzaku life sorceress. That itself, told her how ridiculous such thoughts were. Sesshomaru was too much like her first generation father must have been. He did not love. He did not know how to. It was because of her first generation parents that the Suzaku clan was now cursed. But she should not say that. She did not look at her touch as a curse. It was a gift. An unusual one for youkai, but a gift all the same. It enabled her to help other youkai and that is what she would do; even if it broke her heart in the process.
Nearing the lake, the hidenka decided that she would no longer think such thoughts about her lord. Her destiny was to love and be loved. Sesshomaru's was not. He was a warrior, and that was his right. But he was spending too much time with her. Yes, she knew he was doing that because of her health, but having probably never cared for anyone in such a manner, she was certain he had no idea that his extremely attentive care was wreaking havoc with her head, and possibly even her heart. She would not concern herself with whether she believed he had ever wantedto care for anyone, because she knew enough about his heart as well as his innate desires to know better. He was the lord of the western and now southern lands; he would have had no reason to care. Everyone in his lands would simply bow to his will.
Removing her kimono, Akatsuki decided it was best to go for a swim to try to help strengthen her muscles, her body and hopefully her mind. She was still several days away from acceptable recovery, but she had no desire to impose on her host any longer than necessary and was determined to speed things up. She was certain Sesshomaru would only see her as someone with whom he needed to fulfill an obligation-an obligation she could never accept.
Unknown to the youkai hidenka, however, her planned swimming escapade was observed with a great deal of interest from one of the castle windows. Despite the fact that the lake was quite some distance away, her observer, had excellent sight. Having heard her faint movements, the youkai lord had approached his window as he dressed after leaving the onsen, in search of potential intruders. Now, though, he found himself perplexed by the amount of attention he paid to her as he continued to linger.
Had her health improved so? But no, that could not be, her health was still much deteriorated even a few hours earlier. But why had she left the castle without first informing him? Surely she was aware that her safety was his to ensure.
As the kimono the hidenka wore, slipped from her arms, Sesshomaru's breadth caught as he observed her dive into the water. She was adorned in an outfit not too dissimilar from what she had worn beneath the hebikinu he had removed when he had undressed her. This outfit, although similar in function, seemed considerably less than that one; probably because she was outside in it for all to see. But he had seen her bathing under a waterfall with no attire at all. Why did she seem that much more enticing now?
He had never seen such an outfit. Was this something worn by all females, or was this a custom of the Suzaku clan only? What she wore now, just barely covered the vital parts of her body. The bottom part was a lace covering that circled her waist and ended just below her well defined hips, accentuating the long sleek lines of her legs, while the top curved softly around and held her breasts firmly in place; short sleeves draped across her shoulder to secure the garment as it held her.
I'm not going to say she's not beautiful, because she is.
The hanyou had said she was beautiful, but he had said the same thing about Princess Edera. Sesshomaru did not understand that; such a statement spoke not of her abilities or her fire power. It told nothing of her strength or her ability to kill. It spoke not of her nature, as was evident as regarded Edera. It told only of her physical appearance, but most high-level youkai females were not displeasing to look at.
But surprisingly, the youkai lord agreed, even more surprising was how quickly and easily he did. But she was, in fact beautiful even to his normally disinterested eyes. He had seen youkai of all colorings during his years. But he could not recall ever seeing such beauty; a combination of firmness and roundness in the most interesting places. But he had never allowed himself to be struck by such a thing. He had never allowed himself to be struck by anything. He wondered if his willingness to acknowledge it now, was due to his deep rooted knowledge that whether he did or not, did not truly matter. He could do nothing but accept the fact that whether he would wish something different, his acts had placed this youkai under his care. He could not determine if he hated that thought more because she was so beautiful, or because it was his acts that caused her to be in the weakened state that still currently possessed.
Sesshomaru's gaze now fixed on all of the hidenka's features as he watched her moving rhythmically along the water. All parts of her body seemed to be in perfect sink as her long, sleek, golden brown arms dipped and rose in line with her firm legs and her face appeared and disappeared repeatedly against the cool, blue water. He continued to watch as she dove beneath then flipped and repeated her movements in the opposite direction. His heart, though, nearly stopped briefly when he observed her fumble beneath the surface. Her weakened strength had clearly caused her to lose stamina, but before the youkai lord could react, he noticed that she had apparently uttered some form of enchantment, as he saw the water rise up, lifting her sleek form and propelling her toward the lower edges of the water. Despite her desperate attempts to catch her breath, the youkai lord had to admit as he watched her, that she did indeed appear enticing in such clothing.
This cannot be, I will not allow it, Sesshomaru scowled silently to himself; spinning away, shock covering his usually placid face. He had changed - this much he knew - but could he have possibly changed that much he wondered. No. He should be above such ridiculous thoughts he fumed internally, but obviously he was not. But even so, he would not allow himself to be distracted by such insignificant details. He was literally appalled to find he had lowered himself so, as he moved away hoping he had gone unnoticed. No, he was no more endeared to magic than he had previously been, but he was grateful that her fortitude had allowed her to save herself. He knew not what turmoil he would have to undergo if she had once more suffered while under his watch.
But even so, there was no need to be overly concerned with her, he needed only to fulfill his duty, and he would do that. It was his obligation. But tell himself that as much as he wanted, there was an ache in his chest he could neither remove, nor explain. He felt like he was turning into his hanyou half-brother with such insipid confusion pounding through his head and the odd sensation that tugged at his chest. Once again, those repetitive questions haunted the uneasy corners of his mind.
Sesshomaru, why do you seek power?
Do you have something to protect?
He wondered.
Almost like an invitation for further torment, Sesshomaru shortly heard Akatsuki's voice, and he found himself once again peering through the opened window in nothing less than stunned surprise. She was now floating on her back in the middle of the lake, moving her arms to pull herself along, and she was singing-no, not singing, humming. A soft melodic hum emanated from her throat. Who was this youkai? He wondered. He did not understand her. She was unlike any youkai he had ever known. She wore clothing he had never seen. She contained so much fire power within her body, yet she was not a warrior. Her life was not about killing and conquering. Her life was about..., he did not truly know. But she ignited a memory he was certain he did not wish to explore.
His mother had sung to him when he was no more than a child, a rare display of her compassion; but this youkai was not his mother; she was... his obligation. But still, a youkai that hummed? The thought was as puzzling as the sound was captivating. And he listened, unable to turn away as easily and quickly as he had done before.
Unexpectedly, the youkai lord found himself listening to Akatsuki's melody. He felt his mind slipping through memories he thought were long forgotten; and he closed his eyes. He had never enjoyed returning to the past. He was not a youkai who reminisced. He had never thought there was any point. To return to days long gone had always brought back memories he had no desire to explore. But this time he saw himself when he was a very young youkai, no older than ... what? One?
He had recently learned how to fly, and had been misbehaving by flying inside the castle, but had been unable to stop himself and hit a wall, skinning his forehead. Sesshomaru now recalled as firm hands lifted him to her chest. "I warned you about flying inside the castle, Sesshomaru," the soft, non-chastising voice had said. Wrapping his arms around her neck, he had half pouted, as he fingered his forehead. "It hurts haha-ue," he had said almost piteously.
His haha-ue had smiled tolerantly as she began to sing a tune that seemed to match Akatsuki's melody, then she had planted a gentle kiss and slid her tongue slowly across his wound; softly blowing her breath to seal it and ease the pain. Sesshomaru smiled softly to himself. Whenever he had thought of days past, it had centered on his chichi-ue and the lessons he had taught him. Never had he allowed himself to consider memories surrounding his haha-ue. She was an inu youkai, but she had never behaved as a true warrior. She had never trained with them, never traveled with them, never killed with them. He had always considered her soft; a characteristic he had never favored, but now...soft..., he wondered.
Akatsuki.
When he had first seen her, she looked like a warrior; but now, she too seemed soft. But it was a softness that touched him in some way. He had never considered that he, the lord of the western lands, would be indebted to another youkai in such a manner. If he had ever thought about it, he would have assumed he would simply have chosen a female warrior to be his mate. But this youkai was... different. She was not a warrior, but he had scented the fire power in her blood. He had even seen it with his own eyes. But her inability to transform, clearly said she possessed no warrior skills, despite her power. Why would a breed of youkai who contained such power not be warriors?
Opening his eyes, the youkai lord's vision remained fixated as he observed the hidenka unabashedly. She possessed a freedom of spirit he had never really known, he thought, as he watched her once more dive, then spring up from the depths of the lake as the water sluiced rapidly down her frame. Finally, she stood and he continued to observe as she snapped her head back to whip the water from her white locks. He continued watching as she lifted her arms to squeeze more water from her hair then released it allowing it to curl to wet ringlets around her face and dangle softly about her shoulders. With his heart pace increasing, the youkai lord scowled angrily once more. What was happening to him? Never had he felt so much churning inside his own body. Never had his heart thumped so loudly.
There was something intriguing about her, and he knew not why. In many ways, she seemed soft, but she was not. But he had no need for soft. She had the power of a warrior, but again, she was not. She was like the combination of two worlds trapped in her very being, and he believed it was this conflict that he wished to explore. He wondered, was this resistance to do that because of her soft nature, or because of his unwanted obligation.
Why was he watching her so intently, Sesshomaru wondered as he found himself considering that her garment concealed little from the imagination as it sculpted itself slickly along her slender thighs. Despite his knowledge that he should simply turn away, he continued to watch, as she spread a towel along the ground and took a seat upon it.
Continuing his observations, the youkai lord amazed as a furry squirrel seemed to appear from nowhere and rushed toward her, settling itself gently in her outstretched palm. It was almost as if it had been called to her, like it knew the free spirit of the youkai whose palm it sat upon. For just a brief instant, Sesshomaru almostwished that he too could experience such closeness.
Turning away finally, the youkai lord instinctively reached for and slipped his haramaki across his shoulders, wondering whether there was any true wisdom in carrying out his planned thoughts. Was there truly any wisdom in him joining the hidenka, or was he simply no more than a baka for even thinking such a thing? Clearly he did not wish her to be alone and unguarded, it washis responsibility to be her protector; but is that truly why he was considering joining her now, or was it something else?
He had seen her do things he had never seen a warrior do. He had seen her strength in her fire power, but he had also seen her softness in her tears; he had seen her swim - literally enjoying it, despite her continued weakness. But she had also sung as if she derived genuine pleasure from such menial acts. Who was this youkai who stirred such unacceptable uncertainty in him, he wondered?
Fighting a thought he would never have considered seriously possible; Sesshomaru could not help but think that he just might be turning into his chichi-ue; a youkai that might have foolishly cared for one of his mates. Incapable of denying it, he found himself struggling against the mood that suddenly befell him; a mood that was extremely unbecoming of one on the level of a youkai lord - puzzled and befuddled levels of confusion.
Nearing the castle's formal exit, Sesshomaru practically ran smack into the hanyou, as he raced toward the door in preparation for his training session with Rin.
"Where is Rin?" The youkai lord asked, surprised to see the hanyou racing off alone as he came to a stop, stoning his facial expression, unwilling to allow the hanyou to detect his levels of uncertainty; which he suspected was in full bloom.
"In the Daidokoro with Amaya," Inuyasha responded stopping in front of the exit way. "Think she and Jaken are helping with the dishes, or some such silliness. She'll probably meet me outside in a couple of minutes," he smiled slightly as he recalled the scene he'd just left, then turned to face the youkai lord. "You know that little kid sure can twist that crazy imp around her fingers," he declared. "She actually had him feeling guilty about leaving the housekeeper to clean up by herself, would you believe that?" he asked with a broad grin. "I don't even know why she bothers to call him master at all. She says jump and I'm surprised he doesn't just say 'how high'!"
Sesshomaru did not immediately respond; he simply turned his head in the direction of the Daidokoro; though his thoughts remained focused on the exterior of the castle. "Jaken knows if he does not assist her, he will have me to answer to."
Inuyasha studied him. His brother was wearing his haramaki. He didn't usually wear it inside. In fact, the last time he had worn it at all, was during that battle with Princess Edera. Was he going out? "Are you off to battle or something?"
"No, I…" Sesshomaru faltered with more uncertainty about a logical response.
"How is the hidenka?"
"Better," the youkai lord said as he refocused his attention upon the hanyou.
"I see she's finally up and out," Inuyasha stated, having seen her when she departed two hours earlier. "You spend a lot of time with her," he stated rather off handedly.
"She is still unwell. It is not my wish to leave her untended," Sesshomaru offered defensively. "She is away from her family," he responded further, fully aware of the hanyou's persistence in providing questions, and feeling he had not adequately responded, he added. "Considering my obligation, it is best that we become familiar, is it not?"
Inuyasha though, thought his brother was providing too many unnecessary excuses. "Whoa, I was just asking," he lifted his palms defensively. "But since you're in the mood to talk, can I ask you something," he asked rather quietly. He knew he would be invading the youkai lord's privacy, and maybe he had hopes that it would ease his own guilt, but for some other reason, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe he'd give him something to think about that he probably hadn't. "Are you beginning to... you know.., care for her?"
"Ridiculous," Sesshomaru responded almost a little too quickly. "I am simply trying to build an understanding between us."
"Oh," Inuyasha shrugged as he turned to exit, but not before noticing what appeared to be a slightly odd glint in his brother's eyes. For some reason, he had a feeling he had hit a nerve, but decided he would simply let it go. "If you see Rin, tell her I'll be outside in our usual spot."
Sesshomaru did not respond. There was so much that remained unsettled in his own mind. He had never truly cared for anyone in the way his brother was asking, and surely the hanyou knew as much. He had formed a bond of sorts with Kagura, and in the end, he had cared for her in his own way; but he did not recall such confusion in his mind. Was it because he knew he was obligatedto become this youkai's protector and did not wish to be in such a position and thus could not yet accept it.
He had no idea, but the youkai lord watched as the hanyou exited the castle and decided to rethink his intentions. There was no reason to seek out the hidenka. She would return eventually. For him, it was likely best that he simply returned to his room.
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Moving toward a group of trees, Akatsuki changed clothes with the intent of returning to the castle, finally. Her swimming efforts had seemed beneficial. Though she was clearly weakened and had grown rather tired at the end, she could not help but believe that her body was on the mend. A few more days, and she hoped she would be fine.
Just as the hidenka finished tying her obi around her waist, she sensed an overwhelmingly powerful demonic aura. Other than the power of her lord, she had never before, sensed a power of this magnitude. But this power felt so incredibly and utterly evil, so all consuming. Clutching at her chest, Akatsuki could barely stand the agony it caused as she turned sharply, searching for, but saw no one and nothing. But that evil aura seemed to be everywhere; surrounding her, crushing the life from her very being. Just as she whipped her head around, she saw it, from the corner of her eye - a ningyou youkai rising from the very grounds itself; wrapping the earth around itself as it transformed to a living breathing youkai and the hidenka's flesh suddenly turned cold.
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A/N: Finally, the hidenka is up and out and everyone is settling down to castle living? It is clear the youkai lord wants nothing much to do with the hidenka, but how does Sesshomaru really feel with so many people underfoot? But surprisingly, it's not love at first sight for the hidenka either. They both have their preset notions. And sweet Rin does what Rin always wants to do—help—even if she's helping the housekeeper.
But wait, what is this confusion that's circling the air? Don't people know what they want anymore?
Cursed? What curse?
Akatsuki - (Aurora/Dawn)
baka - (idiot)
chichi-ue - (father)
Daidokoro - (kitchen)
haha-ue - (mother)
haramaki - (armor)
hebikinu – (youkai snake skin)
hidenka - (princess)
ningyou youkai - (puppet demons)
onsen - (public hot spring water bathing room)
tsunagari hitokugiri - (connection break)
