A week has passed since the red moon.
Still hanging on from Kaede's herbs, Kagome rested at the corner of the hut, wrapped in a cotton blanket on a bamboo undercover. Her back -broken from rough housing- was still healing. Until that happened, the miko couldn't move, risking merciless pain and more damage to her spine. Thankfully, Miroku and Shippo made a wooden splinter to keep the bones in their place until they healed...
"This isn't good," Sango stated, "the bleeding keeps coming back."
Kaede sighed, mixing clotting herbs for Kagome.
"Ai, the bleeding has been constant. I fear that Kagome will go into shock if the bleeding doesn't stop. Kagome's dire condition also makes me wonder where Inuyasha has gone. He hasn't come back for a week now; he should be here."
Miroku, in the corner opposite to Kagome, opened one of his eyes from meditation. "He must be off on the trail of Kagome's attacker. He had a blind rage within his mind that day."
Sango nodded, looking at the fire in the middle of the hut with sadness. "Why? Why Kagome? What could that ryu had be thinking?"
"That's it; he wasn't thinking, Sango," Kaede reminded.
The taijiya's fists bawled in her lap as she growled. "Those dragons! I shall never forgive them for what they did."
"Now child, you shouldn't think such. The male of humanoid dragons are problems the most, but not all are as forceful." The elder priestess replied, walking over to Kagome and pulling the blanket down, causing the young miko to shiver.
"Oh? When are they givers of mercy?" Sango spat, her mouth full of venom.
"I've encountered many peaceful dragons in my time. One had helped me find my sister once, for I had wandered into the Southern Lands by mistake. Since it was a male ryu, his sense of smell was better than a female, thus he helped me, and even gave me the herbs I was looking for in the first place."
Miroku was interested in the story and opened both eyes.
"Do you remember the ryu that helped you?"
Kaede smiled. "His silly smile has not faded with my mind. His eyes were a coal black, matchinghis wings. Also, he was a bit of a lech."
Sango eyed Miroku, who was trying to avoid eye contact. "How?" She asked.
"He was suggestive toward Kikyo once we found her, but she shooed him away. However, he still wore that same silly, 'half-glass-full' smile as he left."
Miroku and Sango were uplifted with the story, seeing that ryus were somehow like humans; some were evil and tainted by nature, some were good headed and kind, while others were slightly off...
Like a monk we all know. The taijiya huffed, smiling to herself.
Finishing with Kagome's wounds for now, Kaede sat back down, continuing with the story.
"I wouldn't be surprised if that dragon was still alive. It was young when it helped me. At least 300 years old."
The honshi gasped. "W-What is that in human years?"
"Give or take, 300 in ryus is 15 in human. He might be around his early twenties by now."
"Impressive. Did he give you a name?"
Kaede put a hand under her chin, pondering. "It's on the tip of my tongue... because it made Kikyo laugh because it sounded like 'hentai', which he was. Oh, yes! It was Sentai."
Just making their way to the Western Lands, Sentai and Inuyasha cut through the thicker forest, trying to stay as far away from each other as possible, a burning hatred powerful between them. Through the bioling static, the Northern dragon felt something amiss.
I remember traveling to the Western Lands, and it did NOT take this longer to get here. This hanyou is leading me somewhere else.
As if on cue, Inuyasha looked behind him at Sentai, eyeing him lethally.
"Before I go to Sesshomaru, I have to check on Kagome... the woman you forced upon!" He growled.
"Yes, I must admit, I was a little rough with her, but what can ya do? Red moon's are a twister; you don't know what's going to be the outcome."
Inuyasha huffed, telling Sentai to stay downwind until he came back, leaping off. The ryu sighed, becoming impatient and wondering why he was even asking for help.
Don't be stupid. Tenshika's yours and only yours. You're not going to let some Western Lord sweep her off her feet. A voice whispered to him and his eyes filled with lust.
In truth, Sentai didn't need a red moon to fuel his urges. Whenever he even thought about any woman underneath him, it took his instincts to a whole new level. It made his mind spark with a wild purpose-- a goal. A Goal to assert his dominance and mount the weak, letting them enjoy the morbid and sinful annonymous sex he would provide. At the moment; Sentai's mind-set was no different.
Growling, he sat against a tree, flashes of Tenshika rushing in his instincts, making him breath hard. That dragoness was the only woman who had illuded him for so long and with so much vigor. Her very purpose to not lay with Sentai only made her more desirable as a mate to bear his children and to bear the full brunt of his sexual power and have confidence she would not break... much like the young miko did under his full sexual frustration.
Hearing a noise in the near-by bush, Sentai's body went into overdrive, wanting to see if the thing or person was suitable to mount or not. Sentai may want Tenshika as his dragon life-mate, but under no sucomstances did that mean monobigitry for him.
Standing up and opening his wings, he was showing his rank. Showing he was worthy. Hearing the steps coming closer, Sentai purred firmly, ready to pouch if necessary. However, what came from the bush made his lust and instincts dance away with the sudden gust of wind...
Needing many more herbs for Kagome, Kaede set out of the hut to search for more. Shippo, who was already on the hut for herbs found Kaede in the forest. Telling the kitsune to meet her back at the village, the kit complied, running off. Now, she was by herself, trying to find a pain-killing plant.
The elder priestess heard panting coming near-by. Her curiosit peeked, Kaede walked closer, making sure a person wasn't hurt. Then, her advances earned growls. Fearing even more that someone from the village might be under attack, she travelled closure still, not even armed with her bow and arrow. Kaede somehow knew that she was safe.
And how right/wrong she was.
"Sentai!" She gasped softly, seeing his soft coal eyes.
The ryu was equally surprised, not expecting to see the little girl he had helped so many years ago... at a time when his heart was less black and his soul was a little cleaner. Sentai reached out to her, trying to touch her, but Kaede saw the traces of lust in his eyes and backed away.
"Sentai... you have returned?"
" 'Returned' isn't the right word..." Sentai stated, some of his dark nature returning. He looked at Kaede with a smug expression. "My, how humans age. I still remember you as a innocent child... and your teenage sister. What was her name?"
"Kikyo."
Sentai gasped. So, the hanyou has claims on my past crush. All the more reason to kill him after I'm done with him. Turning on his heels, he gave Kaede one of his silly, 'glass-half-full' smiles, chuckling warmly. "I hope to see you again, dear Kaede. Hopefully, not in your grave."
However, before Sentai could disappear into the forest, an elderly hand rested on mid back, clutching his clothe shirt. His head dropped as he heard Kaede's hurt and understanding sobs. It was the first time the elder had cried since Kikyo's death.
"Sentai... I can sense it. You did it, didn't you?"
No response. Only hair-covered eyes looking towards the ground. Kaede's left eye glared at Sentai's back as her other hand rested on his shoulder, sobbing against his armored back.
"Please, answer me... and tell me the truth."
"Please, Kaede. Do not cry. You have no control over my actions so don't waste your tears over me. And I have no regrets for forcing myself upon every woman I've done so... including your Kagome."
Kaede sighed, her sobs decreasing, but her grip on Sentai's shoulder tightened.
"Why? Why... when I was just starting to believe that some dragons were tolerable."
Sentai sighed, his chest making Kaede's rise and fall "Dear Kaede, don't loose that fate, because unlike me, most dragons have pure hearts, even males. I'm an exception... and that's just something I embrace. As for why... let's just say that the red moon made me do it... this time."
And with that, Sentai walked off, causing Kaede to drop to her knees, sobbing again. This time, Sentai did not stop because of guilt. Walking away from, maybe, his one and only childhood friend -his one link to being slightly pure at heart- proved to Kaede and himself that he was no longer Sentai, the teenage dragon of flirtacious nature. He was Sentai, the northern lord of 2,300 years... and he was on a mission. A mission to claim the one person who might be able to handle such a ruthless ryu such as him, or even pure his tainted and lust filled heart...
Tenshika.
And he wouldn't let anyone, not Kaede -and defiantly not Sesshomaru- stand in his way.
Gomen ne, Kaede. Please forgive me.
The elder priestess, however was long gone. Being the wise woman she was, she found that crying over such things were not worth it. If Sentai had chosen such a path, it wasn't her place to steer him differently, even if it was the path of evil. Finding the herb she needed, Kaede walked back to the village in silence, a lone tear escaping from her good eye.
Best of luck to you, old friend. She sighed, a small smile creeping on her lips.
A week has passed by the Western Lord's mansion... whew... what a week it was.
Tenshika was not the most tolerate dragon there was. Ever since Sesshomaru had seduced her into changing her bandages, she hadn't let him come near her. Tenshika stayed in her 'room', reading the books day by day, never came to eat along with Sesshomaru, and sometimes... SOMETIMES... letting Sesshomaru dress her wounds. The shoujo ryu made sure, however, to keep his hands on task and not let them stray... even if she'd enjoyed his administrations from last time.
Today was different though. Today, Sesshomaru had made no effort to come to her 'room' and change her. In fact, she hardly heard anything in the whole mansion. Even though Tenshika wanted to roam the large estate, she was still confined to her room from her injuries. Her shoulder and wings were still healing and the extra weight kept her on the ground.
Today, also, Tenshika felt an emotion that she wasn't quite familiar with; guilt.
She felt guilty for pushing Sesshomaru away. For a Western Lord, he must have to keep a fascade all the time and never show a leak of emotions. She had to do the same. Tenshika almost never showed emotion unless she was with Sentai or by herself. And here Sesshomaru was trying to express feelings towards her.
Probably because I'm bearing his child. Nothing more. She growled, flipping the pages to her book quicker, almost tearing it.
Suddenly, a noise in the hallway; bare foot steps. Tenshika smirked, looking into her book with more concentration.
I knew he would come.
Rude awakening on Tenshika's part when the door slid open. It turned out to be a short little toad. His eyes looked rather curious about the shoujo ryu that sat in front of him. Walking up to Tenshika, he chuckled.
"Whoa, a dragon in the Western Lands! Sesshomaru-sama got lucky."
Growling, Tenshika added more warts to the toad's skin, pelting him with punches. "I am not your lord's whore. What is it that you want besides marveling at my beauty?" She joked, running a hand through her blue hair.
He regained his composer, bowing. "My apologizes... wench," he whispered, but then cowered when Tenshika raised her fist again. He went back to the subject. "Sesshomaru-sama request your presence at the bathing springs."
The shoujo ryu's face twisted. What does he expect me to do; crawl out of the mansion? "Are these springs outside, toad?"
"It's Jaken... and no. They are inside on your right and keep straight. Good luck!" he chuckled, knowing full well that Tenshika had a shoulder and wing injury. However, that did not prevent Tenshika from standing up to kick the toad against the wall, knocking Jaken unconscious.
With a soft huff, she sliped on a blue kimono that had holes in the back for her wings. Leaving the toad in the room, she slowly made her way down the hallway, that ever annoying weight of her limp wings making it difficult to walk without the wall for a brace. Following the scent of soap, oils, and water, Tenshika did well to finnd the indoor hot springs, wary of what the Western Lord could possibly want of her.
Walking through the mansion in his black kimono with that yellow shoulder strip, Sesshomaru's graceful, short strides lead him to the scent of raspberries... Tenshika. After such a trying week of dealing with the beautiful, yet highly strung, dragon left Sesshomaru mentally exhausted. He had thought of simply leaving her alone today, but today was going to -had to be- different. If their baby stood a chance of surviving, they had to get along, mate correctly, mark and become life partners. It was something Sesshomaru had been thinking of all day.
I know now that Tenshika wasn't just a one-night stand. She's the one of which the red string's tied our fingers together, even if she isn't of my species. But if her behavior doesn't start improving, the baby will have -practically- no parents. No worries, however... I'll soon fix that.
Now that Tenshika was able to walk -as far as the Western Lord was concerned- Sesshomaru had to put her through physical therapy to get her wings moving again. Right now, they were numb and stiff, but with some warm water and rubbing, Tenshika would be flying in no time.
All Sesshomaru had to do was tell her... wait...
Not a smart idea...
If he was to tell Tenshika to meet him at a hot spring, she would surely say 'no', sensing a sensual situation. Ever since he placed his charm upon her, Tenshika looked for all signs of seduction from the Western Lord. He'd send someone else for her while he got everything ready.
Walking to Jaken's chamber, Sesshomaru knocked on the door, barked his orders, and continued on his way. Behind him, he heard little feet scuttering towards Tenshika. A little jealousy whipped over him, for Sesshomaru wanted to be with Tenshika, not someone else, but quickly killed such feelings. Jaken was not someone to be jealous over.
Stepping foot into the hot spring reminded Sesshomaru as to why he almost never came to them. There wasn't much to the private hot spring: atypical rock bordering, trees in two corners, soaps hanging on the sides, and two candles lighting from the opposing corners of the trees.
Slipping off his black kimono, her slender muscles flexing in motion, Sesshomaru stepped into the stomach high waters. Wadding, he made his way to the hanging oils and soaps, searching and picking for the correct combinations that would suit a massage. Taking some jasmine soap, Sesshomaru poured it into the water, room exploding under the warm scent. Mixing different herbs into one bottle, Sesshomaru waited until Tenshika came, fixing the rubbing oils.
It didn't take that long; Tenshika signaled her presense with a soft gasp. Sesshomaru turned around to take in her slightly shocked demeanor, hair moving on top of the waters with his movements. However, he wasn't able to enjoy her expression for long, for the shoujo's ryu's temper flared, her sapphire glowing to match the viciousness in her voice.
"What's the meaning of this, Sesshomaru?"
The lord just smiled; a small, true, and secretly mischevious smile.
"Tenshika... step in. Your physical therapy starts today," he stated, curling his fingers in a 'come' gesture.
However, the dragon crossed her arms in strict rebellion. "Who says I need physical therapy? I'll heal without it."
Sesshomaru continued to smile, but it was more of an all-knowing smirk at this point. "You won't be able to fly again without it. And you also need a bath."
The flare of red from anger now mixed with that of embaressment; even she knew that her body -at this point- carried a displeaurable oder. Frowning in gentle defeat, Tenshika slowly removed her garments. The tint of red had become a cute hue of pink as she warily disrobed herself, the kimono pooling at her feet. She was shy in showing her body to him in contrast to the rest of the world. It made her feel weak; emotionally and physically.
Get a hold of yourself! I can't let him seduce me... simply play your hardest game of 'chicken'... Tenshika decided, removing her arms from censoring her bosom. Sesshomaru chuckled, holding a hand out to help the wounded shoujo ryu in to the waters. He found her shyness to be cute because it was out of her brash and edgy character. Putting some of the rubbing oil his between his fingers, the Western Lord whispered sweetly, out of HIS character.
"Don't be shy. Please turn around so I can get to your wings."
Relectantly, Tenshika complied, resting her hands on a stone boarder but not before shooting Sesshomaru a warnful glare. Starting at the base of said wings, Sesshomaru made circles with his fore fingers, pressing down to awaken the muscles on her sore back. To Tenshika, it was a heaven she had yet to experience. The Western Lord's even took care to use the ball of his fingers, his claws never pricking her skin.
What's going on? He's being so careful and sweet in contrast to that bastardly attitude he can cop... I could get used to this. She groaned, biting her lips as Sesshomaru's palms and fingers worked up to her fore wings. Despite the dull sting, Tenshika wrapped her mind around the renewed pulse underneath the taiyokai's fingertips. She shivered as blood flowed to lazy velvet flesh and dead skin was removed from her wings. Oh yess... a little harder... she thought, while in reality she was biting her lip to keep her squeaks and moans from the world.
The warmth of the water, his touches, and his body pressing so close to hers gave Tenshika stimulation that she was trying so hard to null. Was this Sesshomaru's plan from the start? Did he plan to make her feel so good that she'd -once again- fall into his lap? Her body decided to betray her, shifting her body so that she might press her body closer to the inu behind her. She was stopped by a sharp pinch to her sensative wings, cause her to cry out in pain and high irritation.Snapping her head around, Tenshika opened her mouth to spit out a ring of curses, only to be silenced immediate...
The dragon had been snard in those golden traps that were Sesshomaru's eyes. In the dim light, they glowed with amber, giving him that much more of a regal and powerful appearance. His silver hair caught patches of orange, wet from the steam as it stuck to his chest and framed his slender cheeks. Even his lips were highlighted and looked more full and appeasing to... dare say, kiss.
Sesshomaru was in the same trap. Tenshika's teal blue eyes, filled with surprise and confusion, was quickly replaced with passion and curiousity. Her long sapphire blue hair craddled her skin, outlining the curve of her breasts and censored her nipples. Sesshomaru didn't need to look at cleavage, however, when the bulk of her beauty lay in her gorgeous face.
Turning completely around, she rested her hands on Sesshomaru's forearms, her fingertips marvelling the muscle that lay beneath. Holding Tenshika closer to his being, he tilted her face to keep their eyes connected. His other palm -sneaky and curious- rubbed and groped about her back, secretly learning every curve. Sesshomaru could tell he had her unclouded attention at this point and wanted this moment to stay as close to their heart as possible.
"I did it, because I... care for you." He finally answered.
"How is that caring for me?"
"Moving your wings will cause damage. Don't move them yet."
Tenshika sighed blissfully. "What do you care, Sesshomaru?" She whispered, her rich voice flooding the Western lord's mind.
"Because... I've actually fallen love with you, Tenshika."
"You... You're lying... stop taking me for a fo--" One more look in Sesshomaru's golden eyes and she ceased. The Western Lord took the silence as the opportunity to continue before Tenshika decided to cut him off again.
"I've fallen deeply in love with you. I did not believe it at first until I realized signs: I couldn't stop walking to your room. Each night, I'd pass by it, just wanting to inhale your raspberry scent. I'd dream about you... and our child...having a future together. And I wake in cold sweets... dreaming of when I'll finally make you mine. But, something has come to my attention."
"W-what is that...?" she whispered, her empression in a daze of awe that this stoic Land Lord was cutting himself open for her.
"That our child will never have a future... if we don't start getting along."
She blushed heavily, looking away from his potent and knowing gaze. "W-what do you think we're doing now?" She replied stubbornly and squeaked as Sesshomaru pulled their bodies flushed together, his lips so close to her lips.
"I believe you're playing hard-to-get... my Tenshi. So stop playing around with my feelings... and let me seriously love you..."
Tenshika thoroughly shuttered with his stern and potent command, feeling her body grow suddenly weak in the knees and glad for Sesshomaru's firm wrap about her body. She wasn't even mad when Sesshomaru dared to call her 'Tenshi'. That only made her more submissive to his overpowering sensuality. She could no longer struggle nor play word-tag. Those lips -so suple and moist- traced over her lips until she could no longer ignore the bait.
A soft and tender kiss. The type of kiss that came with the tingle and passion one's first kiss would bring. They didn't need to share tongues or exchange moans. No; this kiss was a simple touch -a simple, loving, lifelong remembrance- of many years to come.
Breaking apart silently, their love-filled gaze continued, neither wanting to blink for fearing the passion would ebb away. But in the end, Tenshika laid her head on Sesshomaur's chest, letting him stroke her hair and wings while her slender fingers memorized the cuts of his firm chest.For now, these simple touches were all they needed.
However, when Sesshomaru started to lick the dragon's for his mark -his sign to the world that she was his-Tenshika stopped him, shaking her head.
"Why?" he whispered, just starting to become bolder.
Another kiss calmed his frustrations "I want you to mark me when we court. Only then will I accept being yours forever."
"I understand."
Stepping out of the spring and drying each other off -Sesshomaru taking extra precaution of the fragile wings and the softness of her breasts- they walked together to Tenshika's room, the southern ryu lord resting her head on the Seesshomaru'ss arm, stroking his fluff in a child-like manner. Tenshika giggled when the tail strokes made the taiyoukai purr and wondered if the fluff had been his tail at some point.
TAs they passed her room, Tenshika growled, giving Sesshomaru the eye.
"Sesshomaru...?"
"Shhh... you shall be sleeping with me tonight. I feel... more complete knowing you're near me."
Tenshika blushed, looking away in embarrassment and to hid her flattery. Sesshomaru slipped an arm around her, licking about one of her earlobes.
"That is, if you want to sleep alone."
Tenshika agreed, but as after changed into kobis and settled into Sesshomaru's bedding, Tenshika shifted to her side of the futuon, curling up to make it near impossible for Sesshomaru to embrace her. The lord's eyes demanded an explanation, slightly hurt from the rejection. She merely smirked, turning to face him.
"You said sleeping, so I'm sleeping. I'll sleep in your arms when I feel I'm ready."
Sesshomaru smiled, tracing Tenshika's cheek as he placed his fluff over the bedding. The shoujo ryu secretly -but not so secret to Sesshomaru- slipped the end into her arms, stroking it until she slowly fell asleep. Sesshomaru watched her contently until her breathing slowed. Taking the opportunity, he hovered over her, inhaling Tenshika's unique scent of flower ashes and raspberries . Satisfied, Sesshomaru settled back down his pillow.
Still playing hard-to-get when you've already lost the game He sighed, feeling his eyes droop and close.