Theft Through Seduction - The Secret's Out


She stopped running only when she collided with Sesshoumaru. The impact caused her to fall to the ground as she was much weaker than he. She stood and shook her hair loose from its ponytail and dusted the dirt from her clothing. It appeared as though they had been waiting for her return. Jaken was sulking in the distance as usual and Sesshoumaru...well he was standing, ever watchful of anything that would disturb him. It took merely a look to send most creatures running from him. His face portrayed nothing but power and strength. Maybe that was why she chose him to protect her, maybe that was the reason she shouldn't have chose him. He would be hard to shake and in the end, she may actually have to give him a few shards. She hoped that wasn't the case for the shards she had now might not be enough as they had not been in her dreams. No, she could not risk that. The moon would be full again within the next few days. She would rejuvenate her powers, place him under a spell and flea. He could have her life only after she was certain that the life of her villagers were safe.

"Asami, did you not here what I said?" Sesshoumaru stared down at her emotionless face. Her mind had taken her to a place apparently beyond his reach. But she snapped back and smiled that sly smile he had grown accustomed to seeing and bowed before him.

"Sorry Sesshoumaru-sama, what was it you said?"

"You retrieved the jewel shard and ran into a bit of trouble."

Her smile turned brighter as she ran her hands through her hair to tame, not noticing the way Sesshoumaru watched her. "I wouldn't call your hanyou brother trouble. I was able to escape them easily but I fear he may not head my warning and come after me. That would be troublesome."

"Then I suggest you hasten your search."

Asami met his eyes then, her smile gone, and mimicked his expression. "You wish to be rid of me that quickly? Of course you do, but for none of the right reasons." She smiled at him then but it only stayed on her lips for a second. "You wish me gone because my presence does not bother you, because you do not mind that I am here. I catch you watching me sometimes, as if you were in thought. If things were different, I would have liked the idea of seducing you, especially since you would resist. That would make the challenge that much better. But there is no future for us and soon you will have your wish and I will be gone. Be patient until then, I am doing my best." She quickly tied her hair in a single braid and smiled weakly. "Let us continue since I have to much energy to rest." She turned and walked off, leaving Sesshoumaru to catch up to her.

It took him only a moment to reach her and his expression was as she said it was. Deep in thought over the woman he did not trust. She was definitely up to something. Just a few days ago she wanted nothing from him but his protection. Now she flashed those dazzling violet eyes at him, with a smile on her face whenever she could. And she said things that he was sure most of the demons that were caught in the web of her trap would appreciate hearing. It was almost as if she had some how developed feelings for him but accepted how out of reach he was. He would of course never take a human as a mate but this woman, this Goddess, made him wonder if that was still such a horrible idea.



Sesshoumaru and Asami stood high in a tree and stared below them. Inuyasha and his friends walked below them, talking amongst themselves without a care in the world. The wind picked up, sending Sesshoumaru's tail and boa to fly over her. She couldn't help how she noticed how smooth it's texture was for someone who traveled all the time. But she took her mind off of that and used the wind to scatter her scent in the direction it was going.

"Do you think they are searching for me?"

"It is possible." The thought of his brother following him annoyed him to no end, even if he wasn't really following him.

She frowned and jumped off into the next tree in the opposite direction. "I don't have time to play with him. Let's see if Jaken has any leads on a new shard."

Sesshoumaru followed, and then quickly took lead. Although her speed was no where close to equaling his, he was impressed by her agility. He was glad that he did not have to stop and wait for her, it made traveling quicker. He spotted Jaken and leapt down from the trees before him, causing his servant to scramble around like a chicken with his head cut off. Asami jumped down from the trees just as Jaken managed to trip over his staff and fall in the spot she had intended to land on. She lost her balance the moment she landed on top of the toad and fell backwards. Her eyes closed involuntarily and then she opened them to find Sesshoumaru slightly bent over with his left arm around her waist to prevent her fall. She stared up into his emotionless face, into those cold golden eyes and spoke before she could stop herself.

"How convenient." (A/N: It is, isn't it?) She wet her lips and kept her eyes on Sesshoumaru's as he put her back on her feet. She resisted the urge to step on Jaken's head since she didn't completely despise the moment he caused her and Sesshoumaru to share. Instead she waited for him to finish dusting himself off and start talking.

Sesshoumaru, however, was not so patient. "Jaken."

At the sound of his name he quickly jumped to attention. "Yes Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"What of the jewel shards."

"Oh yes, forgive me Sesshoumaru-sama. There are none to the north. There is however a village in the east that is being held hostage. Apparently an oni has taken over the body of a master from the largest household and is demanding jewel shards in exchange for the lives of the villagers. No one knew who was sent to retrieve these jewels but it seems who ever it is may be the last hope for the village. No army has been able to penetrate through the barrier the oni has erected."

"Is that all Jaken?" Sesshoumaru turned towards Asami who stood with her back to them now. Her whole body had tensed up the moment Jaken had began talking about the village. He could hear her heart beat faster as she struggled to calm her breathing. So this was why she was searching shards...all for a little village of human people.

"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Asami, why don't you tell us why this village has fallen under the hands of the oni and why you seek to save it." She went stiff at the mention of her name as if she could hide what was happening to her. "I want answers now."

"You wouldn't understand." Her voice came out in a soft whisper that only his ears could hear.

"I don't believe that is what I asked to hear. Jaken, start a fire, we shall rest here tonight. Asami."

His tone was threatening and final so she sat and stared at the spot Jaken intended to build a fire. "The village has been in the hearts of my ancestors for a very long time. They have diligently given sacrifices and praise to the flower Gods and Goddesses. In return, my ancestors have tried to make their lives as pleasant as possible. And so the cycle has continued today, they give offerings to us, we make them happy; we make them happy, they give offerings to us. However, the moment the Shikon no Tama was brought back into this world, trouble arose. I have lost many friends and family to demons in search of power from that jewel. One day while I was gathering herbs to make medicine, an oni by the name of Akazukin appeared. He had come across a single fragment of the shikon no tama and decided to test his new powers on my village. And so I am left to assume that he liked his power and designed a plan to acquire more. Of course he was not willing to endanger himself and risk losing the one shard he has in his possession so that is where you and I come in."

"Why is it that the powers you have now are not sufficient enough to stop him?"

"They are, but my first attempt failed. He has been cautious about them since and I found myself obeying his command in order to protect the lives of those villagers."

"All this trouble for humans."

She rose and looked down at him with a look of betrayal and hurt on her face. "You would say that but because you do not have a compassionate heart you would not know what it is like to see those you care about in pain. I will do anything to save them..."

"Fool, you should have asked me to destroy him instead of protecting you. It would have saved both you and I a lot of time."

"And risk the lives of those innocent villagers because of my retaliation? Never. My orders were clear. Return with jewel shards and he would not kill the villagers. Any other act would result in immediate destruction of the entire village. Why am I trying to explain this someone as heartless as you? You will forever be alone because of your lack of emotion towards demons and humans alike. If this were a village of demons you would still feel the same. It is futile to try to get you to understand."

"I understand that you are letting your foolish feelings guide your life."

"You are the fool for rooting feelings from your life completely. We shall depart for the village tomorrow, since we are so close. Once I reach there safely you shall have your shards. The sooner I we part ways, the better. I do not wish to spend my days with someone so heartless."


A/N: The story is winding down now and in case you haven't notice, most of the main characters in this fic are characters I created. Hope you guys don't mind to much. It is just my way of setting up for the sequel. It'll all make sense in the end, trust me. Thanks for the reviewis!