by: Del_kaidin and Tiranth.
Chapter 13 - Girl Talk Session # 2
He stalked through the underbrush, making not a sound as he followed the scent of his prey. His female companions would enjoy fresh meat tonight. Sesshomaru had scented deer when they broke camp. They had gone to the nearby hot spring but Sesshomaru needed time to think. He was of mixed feelings about their newest companion. He had been drawn to her as immediately as he had been drawn to Akari but there was part of him that wanted to push her away, deny the feelings he knew were growing in his heart. That part of him whispered that she was ningen, that she too would die, that she would leave him, and did he really want that pain again? He froze as he caught sight of his prey, then struck with the swiftness of lightening. As he stood over the body of the deer, he decided that he didn't care. Let events progress as they might. The silver youkai lifted the deer and made his way back to camp to clean it.
She eased into the hot springs, sighing in relief as the hot water soothed her aching muscles. Youkai or not that kata was taking its toll on her. She closed her eyes a moment as she relaxed. She and Leena had insisted upon moving when dawn came. She had known of the hot springs nearby and it was smarter not to stay in one place now that Naraku knew of their presence. Sesshomaru had carried Akisame the entire way. Opening her eyes she looked over at the woman, curiosity in her golden orbs. "As Leena says, Let's have some girl talk."
"Girl talk?" She questioned. Never had she heard that expression. Silently she wished Sesshomaru was her with her instead of the two women before her. Damn Naraku and his curse. She knew that she was destined to be his, but she wouldn't push. Too much sorrow had filled his life, she would not cause him more.
Sitting beside the hot spring she half listened to the girls before her. Taking a deep breath she expanded her senses. She felt Taka's curiosity, Akisame's nervousness and Sesshomaru's calm. Further her mind roamed feeling the village they had visited awaken. No danger surrounded them. She pulled back into her own mind and rose. Finally she stepped into the spring, and explained "Girl talk. No men allowed just women sharing their secrets, hopes, dreams, fears or anything else. So what's on your mind Taka?"
Taka shook her head as she leaned back against the rock. "Nothing really," she paused. She had a feeling that Akisame wouldn't want to talk about Sesshomaru at first, not until she began to trust her and Leena a little more so she asked about something else, "I was just wondering, what it was you refused to do that made him curse you."
She frowned at the red head. 'Something else to teach the girl... dance around the subject - not change it.' But she waited patiently for Akisame's answer.
She swallowed hard and sank further into the spring, letting the water cover her to her chin. "I have always been a telepath. Naraku's curse only made it stronger, and more painful." she tried to explain would they hate her for what she was about to say. May be sharing it would ease her own pain. "The first time I saw Naraku I was a servant in the Shogun's home. The Shogun was aware of my, at the time, gift. He had me check all guest intentions. No direct invasion of a persons thoughts merely the impression of friend or foe. I was sent to escort Naraku into the Shogun's presence, he seemed kind and concerned by a servants lot. He would always set aside a portion of his day for me. Just to talk." She paused gathering her courage. "One day in My Lord's gardens he... he..." she shuddered "demanded that I become his m...m...mate. I almost agreed then I felt it, the deep evil with in him. I refused. He cursed me." Her eyes dropped to the water before her. They would tell Sesshomaru and he would turn from her. Tears falling into the warm water she spoke again. "You will want me to leave now. May I stay at least till my ankle is healed?"
She was surprised and disturbed by the girls tears. Taka almost reached out to touch her shoulder, to comfort her in some way but remembered and stopped herself. "Why would we want you to leave? You refused him did you not?"
Using the Maiden's strength she built as strong a wall around her thoughts as she could. Her eyes flashed silver. "Akisame. We will not reject you, for you saw through his plot. Something some were never able to do." Taking a deep breath, and praying no thoughts would leak through she pulled the girl into a hug.
As Leena's arms encircled her she tensed and then relaxed. "You are a telepath?" she asked.
"Yes, I am a telepath and a bit more. My shield it is holding my memories back?" She felt the girl nod and collapse into her shoulder soft sobs reached her ears. Stroking the auburn haired girl who cried she allowed only one thought to slip past her barrier. 'You are safe.'
He returned to camp and set the deer down. His ears twitched as a soft sound reached them. A growl escaped his lips as he took off towards the hot spring, drawing Tokijin as he ran. When he reached the springs, he skidded to a halt, seeing Leena embracing Akisame. "Where is the danger?" he snarled, red eyes searching as were his other senses.
Taka relaxed, glad that Akisame could have some female comfort, wishing she were that strong. Then she sensed Sesshomaru's approach. "Company," she murmured. He barreled to the edge of the hot springs, very much like a hero coming to save the damsel in distress. Taka almost laughed. She stood, hands on her hips, "Grandsir! Get out, get out get out!" Climbing out of the spring she began to push him away.
Raising her head from Leena's comforting shoulder she looked at Sesshomaru. 'He does care.' A soft smile graced her lips. Then realization broke through her long held depression. These three were her friends. Friends who would defend her from the nightmare her life had become since Naraku's curse. Seeing Taka pushing Sesshomaru away she began to laugh.
For the first time in his life the Taiyoukai lost his outward calm. He was confused. Was there no danger? Why was Akisame crying? He allowed Taka to push him away a good distance, then he turned watching her retreating form. "But I thought..."
"We'll call you when we're ready and dont come back an instant before!" she threw over her shoulder. When Taka returned to the springs she saw that Akisame was laughing. She settled back into the water, a grin on her face. "So where were we?"
Sesshomaru shook his head, regaining his composure. Deciding that the best thing for him to do was to go back and finish preparing their dinner, he turned sheathing Toukijin. He smiled slightly. He certainly didn't want to face two angry inu females. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but it felt good to smile again, he had thought he never would.
Now that the somber mood had past it was time to get into some serious girl talk. Since Taka had so badly botched the last attempt Leena started this round. "So Akisame, What happened last night between you and Sesshomaru?" She raised an eyebrow as the girl blushed deep enough to almost match the color of her hair.
"N..n...n...nothing." She stammered out. Then seeing the expressions they wore she continued.... "I was cold and he held me. I had a nightmare and he woke me. I" her voice dropped to the barest whisper of a breath, "kissed him." Clearing her throat she continued "Then we fell asleep."
Now that the question was out in the open she felt a little more inclined to speak, glad that Leena had taken the initiative. "That's it?"
She looked at both her companions. She felt her anger rise, true there had been more, but it was not something she wanted to discuss. "That is all." She was silent a moment, "May I confide in both of you?"
'Girl's gotta temper. Good he needs a spitfire.' She smiled at the question. "Sure. Girl Talk Sessions are never repeated to males." She didn't know if this was true but... it did sound good. She saw Taka nod. "Go ahead confide away."
"You two understand my curse. I see the past, and the future and as long as I am in physical contact with an individual I can read their thoughts. When Sesshomaru touched me I felt his past, his thoughts of concern and tenderness, and a small amount of his future. It seems even with Naraku's curse I am not allowed to see the outcome of our quest." Once again she blushed to the roots of her hair, "I did see in his future that... well that..."
Taka was a little taken aback by Akisame's anger but the anger quickly dissipated into embarrassment as she tried to get out her next thought. "It's all right, you can tell us."
Akisame looked at Leena and saw her nod. Taking a deep breath and spoke softly hoping he wouldn't hear her words. "Before the journeys end, no matter the outcome.... This Sesshomaru will be awaiting the birth of his first child." It was the closest she could come to saying what she had seen in his mind.
It took her a moment for the full realization of what Akisame had just said to come to her. When it did, her eyes widened. She kind of stuttered, not knowing really what to say. She was surprised and happy, glad that some happiness would come to this Sesshomaru. Then something hit her. "But...we'll all have to go back." Immediately for some reason she regretted what she had just said as the smell of roasting meat drifted into the air around them.
She had watched the exchange with interest. Taka's unspoken words hung loudly in the air. It will devastate him. Midoriko had granted Inu Yasha and Kagome a wish, perhaps it would grant Akisame and her Sesshomaru a happy life as well. Keeping such thoughts to herself she spoke softly. "While that is true Taka, we can only wish them both all the happiness in the world. I do, Akisame and I promise before I leave this world for my own I will find a way to help you and him."
"Thank you, Leena. The path of the future is not clear if we will defeat Naraku or not remains unclear. Maybe it is so for a reason." Silent tears fell from her eyes. "I can only hope that there will be a way for us to stay together after our journey is finished."
She nodded emphatically. "And I shall do what I can as well," she vowed, "Now, however is not the time for tears. As you said the future is yet to be written. As much as we all can on such a quest, let us enjoy the moment," she paused sniffing the air greedily, "And at this moment I smell deer meat."
Sniffing she too caught the scent. "Think somebody went hunting. Why don't we join him." Making sure her barriers were in place she helped Akisame out of the spring. "Now remember ladies, no sharing with the men what was discussed." She teased. "Oh yea, here." She handed the kimono she had bought for her to Akisame.
"Thank you as well Taka. It's beautiful. Did you realize that it matched his?" She asked while dressing.
Looking she realized the girl was right. It was a perfect match for his kimono. Same red octagons with white flowers, only this versions obi was of red. "No, I hadn't but considering what you just told us it doesn't surprise me. Come on, I'll carry you back." Easily she lifted her companion and walked towards the camp. "Think you can hobble in with just me supporting you? I want to see if he notices." Akisame smiled and nodded.
Sesshomaru looked up from turning the deer meat. He couldnt help but stare as Akisame entered the ring of the fire's light, supported by Leena. He wondered vaguely how the hanyou could be touching her and vaguely annoyed that they hadnt called him to help Akisame back to camp. Those thoughts, however were driven from his mind as his eyes drank in the sight that was Akisame. The kimono they had bought her was a perfect match of his own and he wondered if they had done it on purpose. He cocked an eyebrow at Leena, then rose coming to stand before Akisame. As he looked into her emerald eyes, the others ceased to exist. There was only him and her. "You're beautiful."
Taka continued past Akisame and Sesshomaru to lean against one of the trees, watching the two enraptured beings with twinkling eyes. In her world her grandsire had never taken another mate. He had never found anyone to compare to Rin in his heart. She was happy that this Sesshomaru had not had to live in that emptiness forever. She cleared her throat. "Um...can we eat now?"
She saw his eyes flash breifly with annoyance, then an eyebrow cocked at Leena. She felt the girl leave her side as he stopped before her. His comment warmed her heart. She felt herself blush at the compliment, not silent but voiced. "Thank you." she spoke softly. She stared into his golden eyes enjoying the honest admiration and something else that lay deep in them. She heard Taka's comment and giggled nervously.
She saw his unspoken question and shook her head negative. 'Might as well have said it in that English of Kagome's.' She walked to the fire and sniffed the meat. Hearing Taka's comment and Akisame's giggle she sliced the meat along one flank. "Smells done to me."
Unfazed by the female's comments, he put his arm around Akisame's waist and helped her to sit beside the fire. After they had eaten, he settled his back against a tree, once again pulling the woman to him. He breathed a small sigh, he had never had this kind of moment with Akari, though he had hoped for it with all his heart. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, then closed his eyes, not really sleeping but resting, enjoying Akisame's closeness and scent.
Taka found a comfortable branch to spend the night on and spent a few moments gazing at the stars above. The pup wondered what was happening in her time. Sesshomaru had said that they were approaching the place where Naraku had his castle in his time. She yawned widely. "Good night," she whispered, knowing her companions would hear her.