For a while, they just sat and… talked. Talked about the past, and a little bit about the future. It was the first time Inuyasha could remember really doing that with him… ever. And in a weird sort of way it soothed her worries about them being together somewhat.
After all, if they could sit next to each other and talk like this rather than fighting, well. Maybe their really was hope for them after all.
They were both chuckling a bit at one of Inuyasha's stories when the hanyou interrupted, " Remember- remember that time you punched me in the face?"
Sesshomaru paused thoughtfully. "Which time?"
This brought on another fit of giggles from her. "Okay, so, see, that's your problem. You really shouldn't have to say that in order to figure out what time I'm talking about."
Sesshomaru huffed a bit and his tail poofed. " You were a lot more annoying back then. You deserved most of them."
"I most certainly did not! Besides, I was talking about the time when we were stuck in the Underworld after getting sucked in by that one dude's attack. I think I had passed out or something and you needed to wake me up. So you just-straight up decked me."
The Daiyokai's eyes brightened. "Ah! Yes, I remember."
Inuyasha made a little motion with her hand, as if to hurry him along. " And?"
He gave her a blank stare. " And what? It woke you up, did it not?" And she sighed with amusement, reaching over and ruffling up his hair in a patronizing manner.
"Heh. Nothing." He growled and swatted away her hand. And the more they talked the more comfortable he seemed to be as well. Initially, he'd been nervous how she would react. And though he could tell she'd indulged far earlier in mating him than she would have preferred, she didn't seem too fazed.
Overall it felt like a strange alternate reality. One where they were mates and very cautiously, friends as well. But at the same time it felt natural. As if this was how it was always going to end.
As if the fates had brought them together for this moment in a sunlit room, their voices lacing; rising and falling together like music.
Later in the afternoon, Sesshomaru offered Inuyasha the moon tea.
She was a little surprised, to say the least. Her little silver ears going about as high as they could as she held the little blue and white cup. Of course she knew how to use it-had used it with Kagome for several years in fact.
It still stank terribly.
At the look on her face, Sesshomaru added quietly, " You don't have to take it if you don't want to. I thought you would appreciate the option."
He was fully dressed now, in a glorious silver and purple-sleeved kimono with a dark black and purple sash. Inuyasha was back in her fire rat robes, though they were still a bit messy from having dressed so quickly.
She was comfortable and snug in Sesshomaru's bed, the light blue covers pulled up to her waist.
"I do appreciate it. I was just a little surprised." She assured him, wondering why the hell she was even hesitating. It was just a precaution. Now wasn't exactly the best time for her to get pregnant-not right before a damn war.
"Ah- I almost forgot." He leaned closer again and she growled just a little, showing him her fang. His face merely showed amusement at her little threat.
Thank you for trusting me. It must have been frightening for you.
He very gently nuzzled up against her jawline, his eyes closing for a moment. And she heard a very peculiar sound coming from him: soft and low. Something between a purr and a growl.
"Yeah, well, it's not every day you take someone who tried to kill you to bed, you know." She joked, but found herself nuzzling back with her eyes half-lidded. His smell was comforting to her now. God, how things had changed between them.
And they would never be the same again, would they?
And maybe… maybe that was all right.
If I had been in your position, I do not know if I would have had your resolve.
You have such courage.
She found a similar sound coming from her own throat. And for a moment of peaceful silence, he scent marked her: rubbing his cheek and jaw gently along her skin and hair and even placing the occasional kiss. It wasn't really necessary after last night's activities, but it was something all Foo-Dog's enjoyed.
Inuyasha nuzzled back when she could and very much enjoyed the attention. Her ears in a backwards resting position and twitching faintly. It was much different than the human affection Kikyo and Kagome had given her.
It appealed to something different in her, some strange instinct she hadn't even been fully aware of until this moment. Her mind softly replayed his words and a pink blush rose on her cheeks. When he finally pulled away her hair was thoroughly mussed and her eyes were wide and golden.
"The heck was that?" She muttered, half embarrassed and half curious. It had been so nice. She hadn't wanted it to end.
"It's a Foo-Dog instinct." He replied simply. Sesshomaru pressed a kiss to her ear, folding it flat to her skull in the process. She growled a bit and swatted at him halfheartedly, "Easy on the ears, damn it. We talked about this." and he chuckled once.
"I have to go. Stay here and rest. I've made sure the pups are taken care of for today; they shouldn't be too rambunctious." He murmured, strapping on his armor with the little leather clips and then tucking his tail over one shoulder.
"How's the scars?" She asked softly, shifting around a bit so she was cross-legged. He gave her a mild shrug.
"Mostly healed- not entirely pleasant against silk, but I have endured worse before." He shot her a slight smirk, a single fang glistening in the evening light.
"So maternal and worried for my health. This form suits you, Inuyasha."
She gasped and choked with outrage.
" I am not! – I-Just get outta here already asshole!" She threw a pillow at him; it caught on the horns of his armor, and a few feathers poofed out. He peeled it off and set it on the desk, giving the hanyou a little wave before shutting the door with a leathery shoe.
Once outside the door, he sighed. He'd have to bathe before going to the meeting.
He didn't want to.
But if he didn't, he might as well wear a sign around his neck that read 'I had sex with Inuyasha', and that would definitely raise some questions he didn't want to answer just now. Sesshomaru flicked his hair behind his shoulders and headed off in the direction of the baths.
Inuyasha meanwhile, looked back down at the drink still in her claws. A part of her didn't want to take it, for some reason. Her ears twitched as she remembered- I have to take it while its still warm. Otherwise it's useless.
And she didn't want to have to run to Tian for more. The snake doctor was kind enough, but she didn't much like doctors in general.
Yet. Her yokai was squirming under her skin, and the smell of the drink was making her slightly nauseous. She pushed the stupid yokai down. Stop it. Now's about the worst time for this, and you know it.
She plugged her nose and lifted the cup to her lips. All right, on three. One, two , three-
And just as she was about to swallow, her yokai took the reins. She spat the liquid back into the container and wiped her mouth with a red sleeve. The blood-colored hue a perfect compliment to the red in her eyes.
Stupid hanyou- can't even sense the life in our belly.
The yokai thought with a roll of her eyes. She slid out of bed carefully, her legs a bit shakey as she pulled open the porch door. It was a lovely evening- the breeze was soft and warm. She poured the rest of the contents of the drink out onto the bushes beyond the railings, her nose wrinkling in distaste.
Had their pairing resulted in nothing( which sometimes happened), she wouldn't have minded drinking the potion. But she could sense something there, deep inside. And though she knew it wasn't the most convenient time, she would have failed her promise to her mate if she had allowed the hanyou to get rid of it.
She leaned on the railing heavily and wiped the lip of the little mug with her sleeve. Then, startled and growled when the porch door a few rooms down from them opened.
Inukezi jumped as well. Inuyasha hardly ever snarled at him- only when he was being truly bad or putting himself in danger.
"Inuyasha?"
Her ears twitched. This was the male-pup that the human and hanyou had birthed. Poor thing- only a quarter demon. What kind of life would he lead, attracting low level demons wherever he went, without the yokai strength to defend himself?
"She's not home right now. I can take a message, if you need." The yokai said moodily, tense in the shoulders.
His heart was beating fast. She was utterly terrifying, and looked at him with a combination of irritation and pity that he'd never received before. And he had the innate feeling at if it were not for Inuyasha's attachment to him, the yokai would have killed him right then and there- just for existing.
"Are you hurt?" Inukezi asked. From the way she was leaning on the railing it looked like she was.
'I am fine. Leave me be." She snarled, her hair beginning to bristle along with the fur on her ears.
Ah. Now that was a little more like Inuyasha. Pretending to be fine when she really wasn't. "Look. How about this. I walk you back to bed, and then I'll leave. Okay? Then, we both get what we want. I'll know you're okay, and you know I'll leave you alone."
She considered this for a moment. Ears twitching before she finally consented with a nod. He walked her back in silence, a little scared to meet those blood and ice eyes. She on the other hand, was curious of the parts of him that were demon and noted them quietly. Fangs. Claws. A glimmer of golden in green eyes.
Such a shame. But no matter- Inuyasha had also produced Katsu and Ame; two beautiful Daiyokai in the preferred color for their house. Sesshomaru's line, and Inu No Taisho's, was assured.
That being said, she had an innate sense that after the six moon cycles were over, Inuyasha would remain male forever. This could be the last time she'd have a chance to give her mate such a gift.
And she was going to take it.
"Do you have a name?" Inukezi asked as she slipped back into bed, her ears still mostly back. The scent of a human… he stank of human. She didn't like his smell on her arm: it covered up Sesshomaru's smell.
"Inuyasha and I are one and the same. There is no need for names for yokai." She murmured, almost thoughtfully. Dipping her head and grooming the part of the fire robe that he'd touched meticulously. He watched with a kind of morbid fascination. Why didn't she like his smell? He was tempted to ask, but he'd promised to leave her alone.
"Well… nice to meet you I guess. I'll head off now. See you." He murmured, and took his leave of her, shutting the porch door gently. She barely acknowledged him leaving, instead messing with the position of the cup so it was exactly where it had been before.
When Inuyasha blinked herself awake, she was surprised to see the cup completely empty. It's horrid taste was in her mouth though.
So I… guess I drank it? But then, why did my yokai get to the surface?
Something about the scene didn't ring right. Why would her yokai wake up just to drink the potion and then go right back under? It didn't make any sense. She set the cup on the nightstand carefully and then gritted her teeth.
Damn it.
Come on Inuyasha… be a man!
She walked carefully to the door and peeked out, relieved when she saw one of the house servants- a cat-demon. His fur was a strange dark grey, and his eyes were bright blue. He was busy pinning the laundry out on the line, one bit at a time. Inuyasha felt guilty as always- but all the times she'd tried to help the servants had politely, but firmly, sent her off. It felt weird to have someone else doing all your work, but that was life in the Palace for you.
"Psst. Hey!" Inuyasha called, leaning out into the hallway a bit. The cat-yokai startled just a bit, his tail turning into a pom-pom before he met eyes with Inuyasha and settled a bit.
"Oh. Lady Inuyasha. Is there something I can do for you?" He asked, setting aside the small stack and walking down the little shining hallway so that Inuyasha didn't have to shout.
"Yeah. Hey, you're Wumei's replacement right?" Inuyasha asked, her ears twitching a bit. The cat gave a slight chuckle. He wore white hakama pants and a red haori shirt- traditional garb for a servant of the house.
" Yes. I am Touma. She is my wife, and I wanted her to head out with the others. We've got a litter at home, and though they're old enough to look after themselves, we both felt it was best that I replace her for the time being."
"A litter? How many?"
"Eight. They're a bit of a handful, but we love them all." He said, and Inuyasha saw a slight tinge of pink on the yokai's face.
Oh thank God. At least someone in this damn Palace has more kids than Sesshomaru and I.
She thought sarcastically before saying softly, " Cute. Um… could you get Tian down here when you have the chance? Or Yuu? I have some questions for him and-" She paused. Hm. How to explain that she couldn't exactly drag herself down there at the moment.
Luckily, he didn't have to explain, as the cat gave a polite bow.
"Of course my Lady. I'd be happy to."
She watched him go, then gave another glace down the hallway before retreating back to safety. It was suspiciously quiet- the pups must have stayed late for a lesson, or perhaps Sesshomaru had let them stay in the training arena.
Yuki knocked before entering, and Inuyasha sat on the bed as she always did. Legs criss-cross, and arms folded. At least the soreness was finally going away.
The snake demon noted the smell. He was surprised when Sesshomaru had asked for the moon-tea earlier that morning and now he knew why.
"Good afternoon, my lady. How may I help you?" He asked.
It was a bit hard to believe that he'd taken the hanyou as a mate. She was… so hotheaded and brash. And so very different from Lord Sesshomaru. Maybe it was the 'opposites attract' sort of thing. But his nose certainly wasn't lying to him- and though Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had done a decent job cleaning the room, the evidence lingered in the air, and on her skin.
"You talked with Sesshomaru this morning right? To make some moon tea. Um… I think my yokai interfered when I dried to drink it." Inuyasha said after a moment, her clawed hands kneading the bedspread with pent-up-nervousness. "Could you make me another one? And… could you stay here and make sure I actually drink it? Getting pregnant right before the Palace is about to be attacked doesn't seem like the best idea."
Well. At least she's a little less prolific than that fox.
The snake thought with some amusement, setting his bag on the desk and pulling out different dried herbs in small jars. "Of course. But before I do, could you describe why you think your yokai interfered?"
Inuyasha looked the snake over curiously. He was a cornsnake- the same one who had delivered Diaozuan's kits not so long ago. His hair was a sort of orangish-blonde; streaked with many different shades of those two colors. Near his temples, scales that matched those streaks glittered. And on the back of his hands starting at his knuckles, the same scales though a tad darker.
"Well anytime she takes over, I have these big gaps in memory. And I have a gap between lifting it up to my mouth, and the cup being totally empty. It was just … weird."
Hearing the hesitation in her own voice she quickly spat, " So hurry up and make it already!"
Yuki chuckled and nodded, "Yes, of course, my Lady." He walked over to the fireplace inside Sesshomaru's bedroom, and set the kettle on, stoking the flames a bit higher. He then returned to the chair at the desk, mixing and grinding some dry ingredients in some combination only he was fully aware of.
"But… just so we're clear- if it is your yokai interfering, I'm not sure I will be able to convince her, either. They can be stubborn about these sorts of things, you know." He said, quietly. His eyes were a bright piercing green and his pupils were slightly slitted.
It reminded him in an unpleasant way of Ryuu, the dragon.
And yet, Yuki was nothing like him. He was always smiling, and his voice had a gentle quality, not that horrid slipperiness of the dragon.
"Well fuckin' force her to. I ain't carrying a pup into a war. Even I'm not that stupid." Inuyasha huffed, crossing her arms tight.
Yuki laughed softly at the hanyou's brashness. " Inuyasha, my yokai is hardly a match for yours, especially now that she's bound to my Lord Sesshomaru. This may be a decision she has to go to Sesshomaru's yokai for. But, we'll see soon enough."
As the water boiled over he grabbed the hot kettle, without using a rag.
Inuyasha startled and warned, " Hey! Watch it, that thing's-" only to pause as Yuki gave him an amused expression. After pouring the tea and sprinkling in the strange dry ingredients, he set the kettle aside and showed Inuyasha his palms. They had skin-colored scales and there wasn't a red welt anywhere that he could see. " Not a problem for most reptile yokai, my Lady. No worries. It kinda feels nice actually, especially in the winter."
Inuyasha stared for a moment before turning her head and huffing. Not liking the fact that she was impressed. " Huh. So, are all snakes like that?"
"Oh, most. Dragons too. Our Daiyokai had the thickest scales though." Yuki said softly as he went back to his chair, checking to see if the tea was brewed yet. He leaned back when he realized it still needed a few minutes.
"Um. So. How hard are they? I mean, if you were to get chopped with a sword or something." Inuyasha said, unable to help her curiosity. Yuki perked up a little, surprised but pleasantly so that Inuyasha would be interested in anything remotely related to snake yokai.
"Oh- well, for me, I can stop most regular blades. Not ones like Bakusaiga or Tetsaiga though. Those are too sharp. But back in the good old days, there were snake and dragon yokai that were sometimes born blessed with the hardness of certain rocks or minerals of the earth. They-" He paused, and scratched the back of his neck, " I'm sorry, I'm probably boring you."
"No!" Inuyasha assured, leaning on one palm gently. " No. I wanna know more."
Yuki moved some of his bangs before saying softly, " Some were blessed with stones- like rubies or sapphires. They'd grow under their skin, and they could use them like armor, and control where they formed. They shedded them when they weren't needed." He explained.
"I remember once, when I was very little I met a snake who was blessed with gold. Her scales weren't very hard obviously, but they were very pretty. I remember she used to play with us, and make them form a mask around her eyes." He said, and laughed. " But of course, there's the big one that existed a long time ago."
He made a fist, and looked at Inuyasha with some playfulness.
"There was a legend that one of them had armor of pure diamonds." He said, smirking. Inuyasha perked up and gasped, "What? No way!" Leaning so far off the bed that Yuki was a bit concerned she'd fall off.
"Mm hmm. He was so cool- snake and dragon tribes have legends about him. Not a dragon or snake has been born with that since, though. It's such a shame! Oh- its ready." Yuki said, standing and handing the cup to Inuyasha before taking his seat once more.
Inuyasha made a face, "God it stinks." And then sighed, pretending to toast with the snake yokai. "Bottom's up I guess. Uh. If it is my yokai. Good luck."
The minute it even got close to Inuyasha's lips, Yuki flinched when he saw her eyes go that alarming red-and-blue once more.
A terrible snarl ripped from her lips and she tossed the cup to the wall. As it shattered and tiny white pieces fell to the floor in glittering arks, she tackled the snake demon to the ground.
One hand was around his throat. The other was raised high, short, brutal claws glinting before the cup had even finished shattering. She was a beautiful and terrible creature; the jagged marks on her cheeks a perfect accent to the fetid yellow of her gaze. Her skin was caramel and flawless- yet, her nose was wrinkled in a horrid snarl up to the bridge, and her fangs overlapped her bottom gums as she showed them in a fierce display.
Yuki's own eyes had changed as well. The sclera was a deep purple, and the iris a soft sunlit golden. And he murmured, " Sesshomaru would not be happy his mate killed the only other snake healer in the Palace." and his voice was laced with a lisp as his own fangs impaired his speech.
She paused mid-strike. Thinking.
Then resentfully, lowered her hand before spitting another low growl in his direction. Something he felt deep in the soles of his feet and his ribcage. His eyes slowly changed back to the bright green of before. He let himself stay in her grip, for now.
"Why don't you take the potion?" Yuki asked, his voice so soft that her ears twitched faintly to catch it.
"Hardly any business of yours, snake." She spat in his face, still angry the stupid hanyou had tried it a second time. Her other half was smarter than she gave her credit for.
"It is, actually. I serve Lord Sesshomaru. His mate's health is my business by association." The snake pointed out, very softly. Not wanting to anger her. But he needed information. He needed to know why the yokai was being so stubborn.
Her ears changed positions- going from hostility, to consideration, and finally relaxing backwards slightly. Her hand was removed from the snake's throat and he sat up, rubbing the red mark there to try and get it to fade.
She sat back on top of her legs and crossed an arm over her abdomen. The fire rat robes were a little too big for her: obscuring her hand except for a few fingers. The yokai glanced at the door to make sure it was closed before saying in hardly a whisper, " Our union had produced a life in me- the hanyou can't detect it so quickly, but I can. I won't reject such a gift, though I know it's hardly good timing."
Yuki's face showed surprise. Inuyasha's other half was surprisingly eloquent when she wasn't trying to kill you.
Then her face hardened again and her eyes became steel. "If you try to have the hanyou drink this again I will kill you. You can be certain of that."
"I won't." Yuki assured her. "But I needed to understand why. How would you like to handle this, then? I'm … not so sure the hanyou will be thrilled with your decision."
The yokai laughed softly, "Well, she'll have to get over it. I made my mate a promise, and I intend to keep it. Besides..." She looked off and admitted, " I sense my body will go back to being male after the pup is born. This is my only opportunity to fulfill that promise. I shan't waste it."
"Shall I tell her, then?"
"No, not yet. She's rather stressed about enough as it is. I'll let her figure it out on her own… if Sesshomaru doesn't first." The yokai murmured, thinking back to when her mate was commenting about her scent changing. He'd recognize it soon enough. Perhaps she'd make the hanyou bathe more often to cover the scent- she too, wanted to fight by his side rather than be stuck behind the barrier when the dragon yokai arrived.
Abruptly, Inuyasha's eyes faded back to that soft white and yellow. She stood mildly, then looked over at the wall where a streak of the tea dripped. Then, down to the shattered bits on the floor.
"Damn it." She went back to the bed and perched herself on the footboard.
"So, what's her excuse? Did she talk to you at all?"
Yuki felt torn. On one hand, he wanted to tell her the truth as his Lord's mate. On the other, her yokai had specifically asked him not to because it'd stress her out.
The snake ran a hand over his short ponytail nervously. " She did speak with me. It has to do with a promise she made to Sesshomaru's yokai when she marked him. I think… it's something that you and Sesshomaru should discuss. I'll talk with him. I am sorry I can't be of more help." He went over to the wall to start picking up the cup, and Inuyasha joined him.
" Also she did threaten to kill me if I made you another cup, so, unfortunately, I don't think she's taking any for now." Inuyasha swore under her breath. Stubborn bitch. What was she planning?
Something deep in his gut hinted at why, and she shoved the feeling away. Ears trembling just a little. It had only been once after all. Would have to be quite the unlucky coincidence to have that happen on the first try.
Then again… the hanyou's luck had never exactly been in her favor.
She carefully dropped the rest of the pieces into the trash, apologizing softly for breaking it. Yuki was soon on his way to find Sesshomaru and Inuyasha was back in bed.
Tired? Not especially. Just… utterly frustrated with her yokai. How the hell did Sesshomaru deal with this all the time? How did any yokai? It felt like her every move was being constantly undermined. Even worse, since she was so strong there wasn't much Inuyasha could do to ruin her plans.
Unfortunately, Yuki became distracted by other Palace citizens with injuries, and was unable to speak with Sesshomaru that day about it.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
"Where is Lady Inuyasha? I swear, sometimes I wonder about the existence of the hanyou, Lord Sesshomaru. She hardly ever attends these meetings."
Sesshomaru was shoving down rising irritation and anger. For some reason, the Tiger of the North seemed to keep steering the conversation back to the hanyou. His companion, a female tiger, had tried to reign in this more than once but had been disregarded.
"As I stated before, she is not fond of royal duties and is hardly obligated to them, given her position." Sesshomaru said icily. The tail over his shoulder was beginning to bristle just slightly and he ran a hand over it, forcing the fur down. Keeping an eye on the tiger who sat on the other side of the table.
"Yes yes. But why not? Do you think she is incapable?"
" Hardly. She is just more adept in other duties within the Palace."
" Hm." The tiger seemed dissatisfied with this answer and murmured, " A hanyou, with weak human blood. I mean, I know she produced two Daiyokai, but you were the one who birthed one of them right? And the other was a throwback, so she can hardly take credit for the purity of their blood. She doesn't really deserve to be here, does she? So unless you're lying-"
The atmosphere in the room suddenly seemed to darken. Many of the guests also at the table began to shift uncomfortably as the air around them thickened with Sesshomaru's demonic aura.
"Goodness. After Koga, I thought it was understood that no one, ever, was to question Inuyasha's capabilities or presence in my Palace." Sesshomaru whispered, his voice dripping with venom. He couldn't help but react as any yokai would if their mate had been insulted to their face.
"My Lord- I didn't mean-" The Tiger tried to backpedal, looking to his assistant for help. But she merely gave him a cold stare.
A few of the other guests gave each other looks like oh shit, its going down. A few even looked greatly satisfied, as they too were tired of the Tiger Lord's ignorance and egoism. They watched with surprise and some confusion as Sesshomaru gently moved plates, cutlery and glasses left and right of the Tiger Lord's table setting.
"Apparently, I must be a bit more forceful. I will burn this one rule into the memory of everyone in this room."
Sesshomaru's hair was lifting and waving faintly as if underwater. His eyes blood and fire and wicked ice, and his dog teeth were beginning to show through perfect pink lips. Sesshomaru's voice was as heavy and cold as the deepest, darkest pit in the ocean. Some guests brought their hands to their throats, the air coming to their lungs heavy as mercury.
He could feel the power of his dragon blood, glittering painfully through his veins. Luckily his eyes were so narrowed no one noticed the slight slitting of his pupils.
From the frigid depths his voice carried out to the simple order,
"Lord Gaku. You will slam your face into the table just hard enough to rupture your nose."
SLAM.
Unlike Koga, the Tiger Lord's yokai was weaker and unable to fight the order for even an instant. When he sat back up his sclera were black and his iris's a bright orange- his yokai had come to the surface. Blood was dripping freely down his lips and chin, staining his outfit. A large red splash of blood was right where his plate would have been if Sesshomaru had not courteously moved it.
"You know." Sesshomaru murmured, picking at his claws for a moment while the other guests cowered in wonder and fear.
"I've not yet had the opportunity to relieve someone of their flesh prison with this voice. Would it be a painless death, a rupture of the veins in your head? Or would it be more gruesome – perhaps, a liquification of all the internal organs? Feeling your life slide out of every orifice in chunks of viscera?" He sat up then, reached across the table.
Grabbed the tiger by his collar and yanked him almost out of his seat. Their faces so close he could feel the tiger's terrified, raspy breath on his face.
" Give me a reason, Gaku. I beg you."
The tiger said nothing. Tears of fear and pain slipping out from his eyes and downwards to join the bloody waterfall that his crooked nose had produced. His breathing impaired by the blood drying in his nose and throat.
"So. On to the accusation of me being untruthful. Those who accuse me of that must surely, have a history as pure as newly fallen snow." Sesshomaru shoved the tiger yokai back into his seat and grabbed up his parchment and brush, dipping it into the ink and flipping to a fresh page.
"I've always been curious. How did your father manage to destroy the snake Daiyokai and their wonderous Palace all in one night? Tell me the truth, Gaku. All of it."
And so, the tiger Lord did.
The others in the room were shocked at the tale. The tigers had often described their victory as honorable, that they managed to beat the snake Daiyokai fair and square. However, the truth was much different.
They had attacked the snake Palace on one of their festival nights, midwinter. Snakes often became lethargic and cold in wintertime, and the festival was sure to bring many snakes from all around the globe to one place.
The tigers were utterly merciless- woman and children were not spared. The Daiyokai were poisoned and thrown underground to die slow and painful deaths. Once the Tigers had secured the Palace, they brought in their reinforcements and levelled the entire Palace to the ground with a mix of trebuchets, fires, and corrosive poisons.
When finished, they spent weeks covering evidence to make the battle look fair. Then, they made the victory official and began to build the Tiger Palace, one valley over from the ruins of the snake Palace.
Most yokai had thought the story didn't sound quite right. But since no snake witnesses survived to tell the other side of the story, how could they have gotten the truth?
Well. They were getting it now.
Sesshomaru was writing quickly and efficiently, the little strokes of his brush neat and perfect. Others in the room were writing down the story feverishly as well. It was the first time that the truth of the victory had been told and everyone in the room was flabbergasted.
A story of victory was revealed to be nothing more than a horrific slaughter of a zodiac branch for money, land, and prestige.
The tiger was trembling when he was finished. Once or twice, he'd managed to stay quiet for a moment or two. But a single word or growl from Sesshomaru soon launched him into the rest of the story. Never had the tiger endured something so embarrassing and terrifying. He was supposed to keep the story of that victory to his grave and now…
"Thank you so much for your cooperation." Sesshomaru said, and his voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Gaku. Understand that if you ever insult my marked one again, I will not hesitate to kill you. Now."
Sesshomaru ran a hand through his hair, giving a long tired sigh. Gaku was lucky he was one of the four main rulers or he would have killed him without hesitation. He was so very tired and irritated of his mate being insulted.
I knew mating her would make me more protective. But I had no idea it would induce this kind of rage, as well. I can hardly think straight.
" I want you to smash your head to the table with enough force to pass out, but not to incur lasting damage. Do it, Gaku."
And for a few seconds, the tiger yokai fought Sesshomaru's order. But it was not enough.
BANG.
"Meeting adjourned." Sesshomaru murmured, and the other yokai quickly dispersed from the room. All except the female tiger yokai who was looking with worry to her master. Sesshomaru glanced at his guards and ordered, "Take Gaku to his room. He's going to need rest."
The Foo-Dogs complied, picking up the tiger and carrying him carefully off. Sesshomaru stood and pushed his seat in , surprised to see the female tiger still standing. She was wearing a pretty black kimono with silver cranes along the sleeves and hem. From her hair hung white pearls, and the tiger stripes on her cheeks streaked up into her hair in stripes of orange and black.
Overall Sesshomaru thought her attractive in her own strange way.
"I should have sent you from the room, Lady Emiko. My apologies." Sesshomaru murmured, offering her a hand. She took it after a moment and stood from her chair, and he could feel the low tremors of fear lacing through her hand.
" It's nothing, Lord Sesshomaru. I fear my master has had that coming for some time. To insult a Daiyokai's marked one…" She shook her head, her eyes full of tears. " Since he has not one of his own, he does not understand the depth of the insult. Hanyou or not."
"I see." Sesshomaru understood but was not repentant. Perhaps the tiger Lord of the North was a yokai who only understood through consequence, not words. He paused once they were out of the green room. Many of the yokai were discussing what had happened. Some even seemed pleased.
"I assume you do not want me to escort you to your rooms." Sesshomaru said dryly. The tiger female paused, and said softly, " Actually, I am short of friends in the Palace, aside from my lord. It would be nice if it didn't inconvenience you."
He blinked in surprise and nodded, offering her an arm. She took it lightly, and they walked down the many glittering hallways together. No doubt his guards had already taken Gaku all the way to his rooms by now.
"What a terrible power you have, Lord Sesshomaru." She whispered as they walked through rays of sunlight. Her gaze wandering out the windows thoughtfully.
"Its not a talent I enjoy using." Sesshomaru said quietly. Sad to see the yokai quite shaken from the experience- her grip was weak and her face was quite pale. And yet…there was an almost feverish interest in her eyes. And her cheeks were flushed.
"I know how strange this may sound my Lord, but… I am grateful it was you who was so blessed, and not Inukimi." She said , and her voice was low and quiet. When he tried to meet her gaze, he was surprised that she glanced away.
He looked away then as well, slight amusement on his face. "As am I. It would have made taking my birthright a bit more difficult."
Ah. My little display of power has made her all ruffled.
It was something about females that he'd noticed. Showing off like that always got them hot and bothered. Inuyasha was not really that way though. She'd never been particularly awed by his power- or if she had, she'd been damn good about hiding it. Maybe that was what he liked about her.
"It's funny, you know. For some reason I imagined your arm would be cold. But you're just as warm as any other yokai." She said, then flushed when she seemed to realize what she'd said.
To her relief Sesshomaru gave a snort of amusement. "Inuyasha assumed that for some time as well. Its quite amusing, the impressions other yokai have of me. I assure you I am as much flesh and blood as you." He dropped her off at her rooms and she gave him one last wave before disappearing to go look after her master.
Sesshomaru went to visit Inuyasha. His yokai was nagging him to do so and sometimes it was easier to comply than to push the instincts down.
Imagine Inuyasha's surprise when Sesshomaru slipped into her rooms, gathering her up silently in his arms and just holding her for a moment. Tucking his head down to the curve where her neck met her shoulders. In his lap she felt smaller than ever- hardly a child.
"You're awfully cuddly today." She said mildly. He didn't answer and her ears flicked in slight concern.
She's not incorrect. The Daiyokai thought. It was a tad unusual behavior, but his yokai was the one who was urging him to stay near. It was strange.
"Sesshomaru?" She asked very softly. One of her claws touching his cheek. But he said nothing, merely holding her a bit tighter and taking in a breath of her scent. Then finally, he spoke inside her skull:
You are worthy of me. Why can others not see what I can? As a hanyou you've accomplished more in your short years than they have in the entirety of their miserable lives. Yet they presume to insult you. Degrade you. And write off your accomplishments as coincidences.
It is infuriating.
" You'll get used to it. All part of the joy of being a hanyou. You didn't kill anyone, did you?" She asked, softly. And Sesshomaru gave a slight shake of the head. "Well, that's good at least." She got a bit more comfortable in his arms, snuggling down and pulling up her arms and legs until she was nearly invisible in the piles of his sleeves and tail.
"Should I show up for like, 5 minutes of a meeting once or twice? Would that help?"
The Daiyokai murmured, " I fear that'd be more than enough time for you to get angry enough to use Tetsaiga."
Inuyasha huffed. " I might not. And if it'd help somehow I'd be willing to keep my mouth shut." She closed her eyes and let out a big sigh. It felt so nice to be so protected. Damn. He was making her embarrassingly needy.
I will consider it. He assured. And yet. He was sure if she was present that would make his temper even more volatile, especially if someone presumed to even hint at an insult to her.
"You're comfy."
He growled and rolled his eyes, nuzzling into her neck once more.
This scent. He knew it. It was so faint, hardly detectable to any yokai but a Foo-Dog's nose. Faintly breadlike. Quite pleasant.
What is it?
I know this smell.
He thought. His silver lashes closed and his slim eyebrows knotting faintly in concentration. An arm unconsciously wrapping low on her waist. Inuyasha squeaked in surprise and he waited to be pushed away.
Instead, she seemed to soften a bit. Got quiet.
Her face was as red as her robes, though she didn't know why. Her ears low on her head and twitching faintly. Something about the warmth of his arm at that spot on her body made her more compliant than usual. She could feel the five points of his claws on her abdomen and her heartbeat quickened.
I feel so strange. Is this normal? Maybe for girls it is, but…
I can't shake the feeling something's wrong.
Sesshomaru sensed her reaction with interest. That was odd. Usually she'd just get mad and push him away.
"I want this damn fight over with already, Sesshomaru. The wait is killing me." She murmured, looking out the window with weary eyes.
"For some, the waiting is the hardest. Use this time to hone your strength. I am here. " He assured her, and felt her arm wrap over his gently. She hesitated, at first. Then, their fingers laced together over the secret inside her belly. Inuyasha closed her eyes and her ears folded back, the fur shimmering slightly.
And just as Sesshomaru was dangerously close to pinning down her scent, there was a knock at the door.
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No Fan of Kikyo- Well she isn't going to find out for a while. But blowing her stack would be an accurate depiction of her reaction lol ~
EatEmUp- Yep- Sesshomaru only puts his hair up for 2 things; fightin' and (you know xp) And, Inu's yokai is gonna try and keep it a secret for a while, so Sesshy won't find out until a bit later. But it'll all be worth it I promise. And as far as having too many kids go… eheh, no spoilers, but let's just say that you don't have to worry about overpopulation for too much longer (don't hate me plz). Its all part of my master plan.