Chapter 3
Ah! Young Love!
"I spoke with the midwife today…" Lady Himeko laid a delicate hand
upon her belly as her lord laced his fingers with hers.
Lord Fushinu smiled and turned to his mate. He touched her cheek
letting it rest in the palm of his hand. His golden gaze bathed her in
awe-struck affection. "I was right. You are with child then?"
"Yes, my lord."
Suddenly, a swift blur swept passed the two lovers followed closely by
the blur of Lord Fushinu's heir. Lady and Lord heard the faint echo of
laughter as the headstrong son shrieked, "get back here you bitch!"
Shocked, the two nobles stared at the dust fluttering where the lad
had just exited. Then, their confused gaze fell upon each other. If it
had been within their station, they would surely have shrugged in a
cynical comedic type manner. Instead, they stared at each other with
laughing eyes.
"Look honey…they're playing," Lord Fushinu snickered his voice thick
with sarcasm.
"They're getting along quite well," Lady Himeko replied with a light
chuckle.
* * *
"Hold still!" Sesshoumaru cried as he lashed his claws across the lean
belly of the air surrounding him. Again and again, he clawed at the
wolf demon before him. He had to admit she was quick. He struck out at
her again…
"Okamiuta-sama!" a shrill, yet melodious, voice rang out amidst the
panting of the feuding couple.
Said demon whirled around in shock to see her servant tapping her foot
with stern determination. Suddenly, Okamiuta felt herself lose her
balance. She tumbled to the hard floor hitting her head against the
stone. Wincing, she was barely able to avoid getting run through. She
chuckled. He wasn't letting up.
Quickly, she scooted back as far as she could and sprang back into the
air. "Can't talk now Bara!" Dodge, dodge, flip, duck, leap. The young
master was losing his patience…if he had any to begin with.
"You're good at running away, but can you even fight!?" Sesshoumaru
lunged toward her only to see nothing in front of him but stone walls.
In an instant, a body fell before him. His eyes wide, he watched as
she touched her finger to his nose, winked, and ran for her life
laughing as she went.
* * *
The gardens were alight with the colors of early afternoon as the
still fighting couple tore through its stillness. Lord Sesshoumaru
certainly wasn't letting up. Suddenly, Okamiuta stopped. The cramping
feeling of nausea overtook her. She stumbled and winced.
"Caught you!" Sesshoumaru ripped through a flowering bush only to stop
at the sight of Okamiuta doubled over in pain. Curiously appalled, he
watched as fangs and claws dripped with blood as they came into view.
Demon ears and a wolfish tail grew while the demoness's mouth opened
in a silent scream. Bolts of energy snaked their way around her body
causing Sesshoumaru to back away. Her now golden eyes stared through
him with a look of blind pain. She was transforming…growing. Okamiuta's
body grew to the size of a giant demon taking the form of a wolf. Her
fur was white with a darker golden strip flowing down her back to her
tail. A crescent brandished itself onto her forehead. The electricity
began to recede. As quickly as it began, the transformation ended.
There was a flicker of white current and the wolf demon shrunk once
again. Her form melted gracefully into her human-looking form. It was
finished as Okamiuta sunk to the ground exhausted by the exertion.
Sesshoumaru stared at her with his mouth hanging open. Never before
had he seen such a display. Slowly, he approached her. He knelt by
her side and cautiously let his finger move the hair out of her eyes.
Her ears were still that of a pure demon's…He looked…She still had a
tail and a crescent marking on her forehead. The crescent faced the
East. She was truly the heir to the lands. His head turned, eyes
watching the gardens. Swiftly, he lifted her into his arms and trotted
toward his father's lair.
* * *
Sesshoumaru entered his room still carrying his charge. Jaken jumped
at the sight of his lord. "Is there something you need, my lord!?"
"Prepare a bath. She must be cleaned." As the toad demon ran to
fulfill his master's wishes, Sesshoumaru impatiently waited. Blood
continued to drip down Okamiuta's tail staining the lord's kimono. She
shifted in his arms and winced causing the dog demon to adjust his
hold on her body.
Finally, the bath was prepared and Sesshoumaru was called into the
bathing chamber. Surprisingly, he gently set her down and cast a
commanding glance at his servant. "Wash her." With that, he left
putting his trust in the toad.
* * *
Diligently, Jaken stripped the demoness. He observed the blood briefly
before reopening the door. "My lord, I need you to lift her into the
tub."
Sesshoumaru nodded and entered the chamber once more. Before him sat
the naked bleeding body of his future mate. He swallowed and stepped
forward. The lord took note on how pale her skin was. He guessed it
was from blood loss. What sort of affliction was on the woman? Perhaps
she would be able to answer that when she woke up.
Gracefully, he submerged her to her neck in the water filled tub.
Nodding, he excused himself from the chamber to let Jaken work. The
toad demon smiled and turned once more to his charge. Quickly, he
cleaned the maiden as best he could. She groaned in unconscious
discomfort at his ministrations. Jaken stopped and watched for more
movement. Was she waking up? Her body relaxed again causing the
servant to sigh with relief. More quickly, he finished washing her.
The faster he could finish this job the better. He didn't want to meet
her wrath should she wake up in the middle of being cleaned by, of all
the servants, him.
Silently, he crept to the door. "My lord, it is done." With a nod,
Sesshoumaru retrieved his future mate from the warm waters and placed
her sleeping form into a blanket. He dried her personally and dressed
her in one of his older kimonos. Sweeping her back into his arms, he
carried her to his bed and laid her upon the covers. Diligently, he
lounged beside her and waited.
"Forgive me my lord, but why do you fuss over her so much today?"
Jaken crept beside his master to watch the fitful sleep of Okamiuta.
"Did you see what happened earlier?" Sesshoumaru's voice was calm with
mocking undertones.
"No, my lord…"
"Than who are you to judge my actions?"
"I'm sorry my lord. Forgive my imp-" "Jaken," Sesshoumaru watched as
Okamiuta's eyelids began to tremble. "Be silent…" Her mouth opened
with a soft groan of displeasure. "She's waking. Go…Fetch some wine
and meat." The sound of Jaken padding out the door threatened to drown
out the sound of the waking demoness. Sesshoumaru let a claw move the
hair from her face. "Why am I fussing over you today?"
Okamiuta calmly opened heavy eyelids. Her vision slowly cleared to
find a pair of amber eyes watching hers. The taunting rhythm of a
caressing claw upon her cheek welcomed her.
"You're awake."
"Sesshoumaru-sama…? Why are…What are you doing?" Okamiuta tried to
rise, but fell back to the softness of the covers.
"You are still weak my lady. Rest. Jaken is bringing food and drink
for us."
Okamiuta let her eyes wander around the demon lord's room. Her brows
furrowed in confusion before widening in horror. "You saw…?"
"What happened in the garden?" He lifted her tail. She responded with
a growl letting it twitch and run through his fingers.
"I transformed…into a full demon. It happens every month. Don't tell
me you can't smell it…"
Sesshoumaru paused. He leaned closer to her and sniffed the air. Then,
he politely coughed and backed away. His eyes began to water as he
licked his lips. She was quite potent.
Now the scent was unmistakable. Sesshoumaru could feel his blood begin
to boil as he licked his lips once more. Slowly, he leaned toward
Okamiuta and bent to touch her lips with his.
"What are you…Oh no…Not you…" Still weak, she forced herself to roll
away. Hunger shining in his eyes, Sesshoumaru's head turned to face
where the wolf demon crouched. "You don't want to do this Sesshoumaru!
You'll regret it in the morning! Trust me!" Said demon almost
playfully crouched opposite his prey. His mouth formed into a smirk
as he breathed the intoxicating air deeply. He leapt.
"My lord, I have what you asked for!" Jaken burst through the door. To
his astonishment, his lord was leaping after a weakened Okamiuta. With
the sudden distraction, Sesshoumaru's eyes went straight to his
servant. Losing his balance, he hit the hard floor with a thump. He
could only watch as his lady struggled to her feet and sped past the
toad. "I have to go…"
"Damn you Jaken! How many times do I have to tell you to knock first
before entering my chamber!?" Sesshoumaru nearly whined. His head
rested against the floor. Letting out a sigh, he chewed his lip and
fumed over his misfortune and the death of a certain toad demon.
Ah! Young Love!
"I spoke with the midwife today…" Lady Himeko laid a delicate hand
upon her belly as her lord laced his fingers with hers.
Lord Fushinu smiled and turned to his mate. He touched her cheek
letting it rest in the palm of his hand. His golden gaze bathed her in
awe-struck affection. "I was right. You are with child then?"
"Yes, my lord."
Suddenly, a swift blur swept passed the two lovers followed closely by
the blur of Lord Fushinu's heir. Lady and Lord heard the faint echo of
laughter as the headstrong son shrieked, "get back here you bitch!"
Shocked, the two nobles stared at the dust fluttering where the lad
had just exited. Then, their confused gaze fell upon each other. If it
had been within their station, they would surely have shrugged in a
cynical comedic type manner. Instead, they stared at each other with
laughing eyes.
"Look honey…they're playing," Lord Fushinu snickered his voice thick
with sarcasm.
"They're getting along quite well," Lady Himeko replied with a light
chuckle.
* * *
"Hold still!" Sesshoumaru cried as he lashed his claws across the lean
belly of the air surrounding him. Again and again, he clawed at the
wolf demon before him. He had to admit she was quick. He struck out at
her again…
"Okamiuta-sama!" a shrill, yet melodious, voice rang out amidst the
panting of the feuding couple.
Said demon whirled around in shock to see her servant tapping her foot
with stern determination. Suddenly, Okamiuta felt herself lose her
balance. She tumbled to the hard floor hitting her head against the
stone. Wincing, she was barely able to avoid getting run through. She
chuckled. He wasn't letting up.
Quickly, she scooted back as far as she could and sprang back into the
air. "Can't talk now Bara!" Dodge, dodge, flip, duck, leap. The young
master was losing his patience…if he had any to begin with.
"You're good at running away, but can you even fight!?" Sesshoumaru
lunged toward her only to see nothing in front of him but stone walls.
In an instant, a body fell before him. His eyes wide, he watched as
she touched her finger to his nose, winked, and ran for her life
laughing as she went.
* * *
The gardens were alight with the colors of early afternoon as the
still fighting couple tore through its stillness. Lord Sesshoumaru
certainly wasn't letting up. Suddenly, Okamiuta stopped. The cramping
feeling of nausea overtook her. She stumbled and winced.
"Caught you!" Sesshoumaru ripped through a flowering bush only to stop
at the sight of Okamiuta doubled over in pain. Curiously appalled, he
watched as fangs and claws dripped with blood as they came into view.
Demon ears and a wolfish tail grew while the demoness's mouth opened
in a silent scream. Bolts of energy snaked their way around her body
causing Sesshoumaru to back away. Her now golden eyes stared through
him with a look of blind pain. She was transforming…growing. Okamiuta's
body grew to the size of a giant demon taking the form of a wolf. Her
fur was white with a darker golden strip flowing down her back to her
tail. A crescent brandished itself onto her forehead. The electricity
began to recede. As quickly as it began, the transformation ended.
There was a flicker of white current and the wolf demon shrunk once
again. Her form melted gracefully into her human-looking form. It was
finished as Okamiuta sunk to the ground exhausted by the exertion.
Sesshoumaru stared at her with his mouth hanging open. Never before
had he seen such a display. Slowly, he approached her. He knelt by
her side and cautiously let his finger move the hair out of her eyes.
Her ears were still that of a pure demon's…He looked…She still had a
tail and a crescent marking on her forehead. The crescent faced the
East. She was truly the heir to the lands. His head turned, eyes
watching the gardens. Swiftly, he lifted her into his arms and trotted
toward his father's lair.
* * *
Sesshoumaru entered his room still carrying his charge. Jaken jumped
at the sight of his lord. "Is there something you need, my lord!?"
"Prepare a bath. She must be cleaned." As the toad demon ran to
fulfill his master's wishes, Sesshoumaru impatiently waited. Blood
continued to drip down Okamiuta's tail staining the lord's kimono. She
shifted in his arms and winced causing the dog demon to adjust his
hold on her body.
Finally, the bath was prepared and Sesshoumaru was called into the
bathing chamber. Surprisingly, he gently set her down and cast a
commanding glance at his servant. "Wash her." With that, he left
putting his trust in the toad.
* * *
Diligently, Jaken stripped the demoness. He observed the blood briefly
before reopening the door. "My lord, I need you to lift her into the
tub."
Sesshoumaru nodded and entered the chamber once more. Before him sat
the naked bleeding body of his future mate. He swallowed and stepped
forward. The lord took note on how pale her skin was. He guessed it
was from blood loss. What sort of affliction was on the woman? Perhaps
she would be able to answer that when she woke up.
Gracefully, he submerged her to her neck in the water filled tub.
Nodding, he excused himself from the chamber to let Jaken work. The
toad demon smiled and turned once more to his charge. Quickly, he
cleaned the maiden as best he could. She groaned in unconscious
discomfort at his ministrations. Jaken stopped and watched for more
movement. Was she waking up? Her body relaxed again causing the
servant to sigh with relief. More quickly, he finished washing her.
The faster he could finish this job the better. He didn't want to meet
her wrath should she wake up in the middle of being cleaned by, of all
the servants, him.
Silently, he crept to the door. "My lord, it is done." With a nod,
Sesshoumaru retrieved his future mate from the warm waters and placed
her sleeping form into a blanket. He dried her personally and dressed
her in one of his older kimonos. Sweeping her back into his arms, he
carried her to his bed and laid her upon the covers. Diligently, he
lounged beside her and waited.
"Forgive me my lord, but why do you fuss over her so much today?"
Jaken crept beside his master to watch the fitful sleep of Okamiuta.
"Did you see what happened earlier?" Sesshoumaru's voice was calm with
mocking undertones.
"No, my lord…"
"Than who are you to judge my actions?"
"I'm sorry my lord. Forgive my imp-" "Jaken," Sesshoumaru watched as
Okamiuta's eyelids began to tremble. "Be silent…" Her mouth opened
with a soft groan of displeasure. "She's waking. Go…Fetch some wine
and meat." The sound of Jaken padding out the door threatened to drown
out the sound of the waking demoness. Sesshoumaru let a claw move the
hair from her face. "Why am I fussing over you today?"
Okamiuta calmly opened heavy eyelids. Her vision slowly cleared to
find a pair of amber eyes watching hers. The taunting rhythm of a
caressing claw upon her cheek welcomed her.
"You're awake."
"Sesshoumaru-sama…? Why are…What are you doing?" Okamiuta tried to
rise, but fell back to the softness of the covers.
"You are still weak my lady. Rest. Jaken is bringing food and drink
for us."
Okamiuta let her eyes wander around the demon lord's room. Her brows
furrowed in confusion before widening in horror. "You saw…?"
"What happened in the garden?" He lifted her tail. She responded with
a growl letting it twitch and run through his fingers.
"I transformed…into a full demon. It happens every month. Don't tell
me you can't smell it…"
Sesshoumaru paused. He leaned closer to her and sniffed the air. Then,
he politely coughed and backed away. His eyes began to water as he
licked his lips. She was quite potent.
Now the scent was unmistakable. Sesshoumaru could feel his blood begin
to boil as he licked his lips once more. Slowly, he leaned toward
Okamiuta and bent to touch her lips with his.
"What are you…Oh no…Not you…" Still weak, she forced herself to roll
away. Hunger shining in his eyes, Sesshoumaru's head turned to face
where the wolf demon crouched. "You don't want to do this Sesshoumaru!
You'll regret it in the morning! Trust me!" Said demon almost
playfully crouched opposite his prey. His mouth formed into a smirk
as he breathed the intoxicating air deeply. He leapt.
"My lord, I have what you asked for!" Jaken burst through the door. To
his astonishment, his lord was leaping after a weakened Okamiuta. With
the sudden distraction, Sesshoumaru's eyes went straight to his
servant. Losing his balance, he hit the hard floor with a thump. He
could only watch as his lady struggled to her feet and sped past the
toad. "I have to go…"
"Damn you Jaken! How many times do I have to tell you to knock first
before entering my chamber!?" Sesshoumaru nearly whined. His head
rested against the floor. Letting out a sigh, he chewed his lip and
fumed over his misfortune and the death of a certain toad demon.
