Hika-chan: OMFG I'M ALIVE!!!
well kinda, I died and then one of my friends reanimated me. (I knew I shouldnt've eaten all the food reviewers were pelting me with) I tell you I've never spent so much on air fresheners! But I got this chapter done. Now between this and.. maybe other writings I gotta see about getting a true resurrection going on...
… oh yeah.. don't own 'em
Once In A Blue Moon
An Inu Yasha Fanfic by Hika-chan
Chapter 15: Out in the Open
They had gotten into the castle with little incident, despite the late hour Sesshoumaru was able to find a servant and ordered that Inuyasha and Yuki's rooms were prepared for them. There was never any worry about either of them getting one; all three siblings of the moon had rooms of their own in the castle no matter how long they remained vacant. Suffice to say none of the rooms had seen much use at all in the past few decades. Not far from his elder brother's room Inuyasha and Kagome sat in his room in the palace, as they had yet to decide what to do with Kagome. Giving her a room alone might be too risky, and Sesshoumaru was not entirely trusting of his younger half sibling just yet. But the two waited alone for now while Yuki and Sesshoumaru discussed "matters of state."
"'Matters of state' my ass," the hanyou grumbled, "Yuki knows something."
"Then why isn't she telling us what's going on too?" Kagome asked.
Inuyasha shrugged, "It's just the way her mind works I guess. If she knows something someone might want to know she will only tell that one person she feels it involves the most, and she lets them decide who else gets to know. It's like... she knows all the secrets but she doesn't tell anyone."
The miko nodded, then a thought came upon her, "Inuyasha?"
"eh?"
"Are there female youkai Lords... Ladies.. err, ruling female youkai?"
"Keh! of course, why?"
"Well isn't Yuki-sama older than Sesshoumaru? Why isn't she the heir?"
He blinked, "She didn't want it, I know she turned it down though I can't remember why, I wasn't exactly around at the time."
"huh," Kagome muttered thoughtfully.
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In his own room Sesshoumaru was not wasting anytime, "What do you know Yuki?"
"My you've become awfully impatient recently haven't you Sess-chan?"
"Yuki," he began his tone slightly warning.
"Oh don't give me that tone Sesshoumaru, you know I'm going to tell you." She sighed, "Look you can have you're little traitors-
"'Traitors?'" Sesshoumaru interrupted, "There is more than one?
"Of course," The pale youkai answered before picking up right where she left off, "You can seek retribution, reap your vengeance with whatever poetic irony you see fit... But first I want you to promise me one thing."
"And what is that aneeue?"
"I want the one behind all this."
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"I want the youkai who's trying to steal your position from you brother."
"It is not your right to defend the throne of the Western Lands Yuki," the prince responded irritation beginning to rise within him.
"If it were not for me my dear younger brother, than the throne would not be yours in the first place. As the oldest child of the former Lord I still have precedence over you in this matter as you are not yet Lord, and I will be the one to take him down Sesshoumaru."
He was slightly taken aback by the dark tone in her voice, but continued on without missing a beat. "What have you ever cared for protocol before Yuki?"
"When I use it to ensure that I get what I want."
"And what is that Yuki? What is it you want?
Her lilac eyes glowed for an instant, "Him."
Sesshoumaru was once again surprised, but it wore away as quickly as it had come when he realized the only person it could be to get this reaction out of his quirky older sister. "Alright Yuki, you can have him."
"Thank you Sesshou," with that bit of business out of the way she seemed her "normal" genki self again, "now as for your traitors, one is a little feathered friend-"
"You'll have to be more specific than that."
"Oh that's right, we have had a sudden influx of winged ones haven't we?"
Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
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Kagome yawned It was really late, she suddenly remembered as though the moon lurking outside had no meaning to her. She shook her head and look at the chinese checkers set they had found in Yuki's room. She hadn't even made her first move yet when her head snapped up. "Oi, Kagome what's wrong?"
"I just felt a sudden surge of youki, I think it was Sesshoumaru," she stood and began to head towards the door.
Inuyasha blocked her path, "Don't worry about it Kagome."
"Don't worry!? Inuyasha they could-"
"They're fine," the hanyou assured, "Aneeue probably just told Sesshoumaru something he didn't want to hear. Besides no one would be dumb enough to attack the both of them here."
"Are you sure?"
"No one can piss off Sesshoumaru like Yuki can," he grinned, "Come'on you said you were gonna teach me how to play this dumb game."
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"Oh calm down Sesshoumaru, I mean when you think about it it's not really all that much of a surprise."
Sesshoumaru growled and suppressed his youki, "That is not the point Yuki and you know it," he said, his tone carefully controlled. Suffice to say Sesshoumaru was most displeased about his traitors. He had expected them to be one of the lower ranking youkai in his service. A sniveling little coward afraid to voice his opinion, reduced to resorting to subterfuge for lack of courage or any other skills. Instead he was betrayed by those he respected and trusted. Those he had often trusted with his home and land.
"Now now now, calm down brother dear. We don't want to wake up the whole castle now do we?" Her tone softened a bit as she stopped herself from putting a hand on his shoulder, "I know, betrayal hurts. But knowing us..."
"Our vengeance will be much more so."
"Yes. But do not forget Sesshou, others may still be involved that I am unaware of."
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?"
A voice came through the door, "Makumba."
"Enter."
The cheetah opened the door and stepped in, then closed it behind her. She was somewhat surprised to see Yuki there as well, "Forgive my interruption but is everything alright Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Yes Makumba, Yuki just arrived to inform me of some rather distressing news."
She looked up verbally acknowledging Yuki's prescience, "Good evening Yuki-sama." She looked at the two inu youkai. "Should I take my leave, or is there anything you need?"
"Nothing you nee-."
"Is the room across from this one vacant?" Yuki jumped in, completely running over whatever Sesshoumaru was about to say.
Makumba nodded, somewhat confused, "Yes it is."
Yuki looked at Sesshoumaru with a smile. Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes before speaking, "Have it prepared. Kagome will be staying there."
Makumba's eyes lit up, "Is she arriving tomorrow?"
"No. She is here now, in Inuyasha's room," he answered restraining a growl at the last part.
"I'll prepare it myself Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Good, you are dismissed." The cheetah bowed and went out the door, closing it behind her.
"Are you sure letting her prepare the room is a good idea?"
"You know he loves to be in total control Yuki. He would never let any one of his subordinates act without permission. Besides the chances of him knowing she is here already are-"
"Good enough," she interrupted with a warning tone.
Sesshoumaru nodded, "Let us go tell Kagome her room is ready."
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"My lord."
"What is it?" he asked, mildly irritated about his interrupted sleep.
"She is here."
The black dog was somewhat confused at this vague remark, he didn't smell the hawk nearby. He raised a brow at his servant, "and 'she' would be."
"th...the miko sir."
"What!?"
"Yuki-sama and Inuyasha are here as well."
"Dammit.." Kuroinu muttered. How did they find her so quickly? I should have had her for at least another two days! How the hell did this happen!? "Have you seen them?"
"Yes my lord, I saw them coming into the palace with Sesshoumaru-sama."
What? How in the seven hells did he find out? "Were they injured at all?"
"Yuki-sama had some blood on her but I don't think most of it was hers. Sesshoumaru was clean and Inuyasha seemed to have a few minor injuries."
Kuroinu bit back a growl, Of all the incompetence! I suppose that's what I get when I dredge the lower ranks for guards for a human. He growled again. How could they not even guard a human! He tried to calm himself, the human hadn't been the problem, it was Inutaisho's brats that had been. "Send for Youtei."
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There was a hesitant knock at his door. "Come in," he answered without so much as a glance up from his scroll. But as the door opened he looked up and smiled slightly. Kagome stood, somewhat timidly, in the half-open doorway in a fresh nemaki. "Not sleepy?"
Kagome shook her head, "I am a little, but I can't sleep."
He gestured to the tatami mat across from him, "I said you could come in." Kagome blushed slightly and came into the room closing the door behind her. As she walked to the table she wondered to herself which part of the rollercoaster this encounter with Sesshoumaru would be. "May I ask what's keeping you awake?"
She nodded, "It's a few things actually."
He was glad she came to him instead of going to Inuyasha, but given her recent wariness he didn't want to come on too strong at the moment. The last thing he wanted was to push her further away. "Care to talk about any of them?" Especially since he needed her close by so that way he could protect her. And so I find myself protecting another human woman...
"Well one of them isn't really worth talking about, it's just... well there's a lot of hostile youki in the air," she made a show of shuddering; "it's making my skin crawl."
Sesshoumaru nodded, "I suppose that means our enemy has found out his blackmail attempt won't work out?"
Kagome raised a confused brow at him.
"He has found out we rescued you."
The miko's eyes widened slightly, "You mean... he's here!? In the palace?"
Sesshoumaru nodded, "Do not worry, Yuki's room is next to yours and Inuyasha and myself are across the hall."
Kagome waited a moment for him to continue, but as it was the short list did not get any longer. "Umm... what about Makumba and Juutsuma the others?"
"Well Jaken is hardly an effective guardian and the others' loyalties... well let us just say they are currently in question."
She looked at the youkai sitting across from her who was now calmly rolling up the scroll he had been reading. "What!?"
"Let us just say that someone is attempting a coup much earlier than I expected." As the miko just stared at him he smiled lightly and lay his hand atop hers, "Do not worry yourself Blue, we will take care of it as soon as Yuki sniffs out the other rats." He saw her shoulders relax then changed the subject. "Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
Kagome bit her lip and looked away from him, "Well I don't really want to talk about... earlier tonight." He felt her hand twitch below his and he respectfully removed his own. When he did she drew her arms back and hugged herself. She looked up at him again, "I mean it's not any one thing, it's just... a lot happened, and there are... some things I saw that I won't be able to forget anytime soon.
The youkai prince noticed the smell of salt before he saw the tears begin to form. "Kagome I told you, what happened to that man was not your fault. You had no way of knowing that was what he would do." She looked up at him and smiled, somehow he had known what had been bothering her the most. "And if it's any consolation I do not like Yuki's taste in performance art either."
A light laugh escaped her lips and she smiled at him. After a moment her smile faded "Sesshoumaru..."
He looked at her, sensing her nervousness. He nodded, encouraging her to continue.
The miko opened her mouth, then at the last moment seemed to change her mind. "You know you don't have to worry about Inuyasha right? I don't love him like that anymore... and to be honest I don't think he feels that way about me either." She looked up at him and noticed his eyes were narrowed slightly, not in malice or suspicion but... curiosity she supposed. As is he was trying to figure out what she meant to say. Somehow she also sensed that he was afraid of what she might say. "Sesshou..." Dammit girl just say it, he'll need to hear it I'm sure. "Inuyasha told me about Sakura."
The youkai lord's posture stiffened, worry and anger boiled up inside him and he was not willing to give in to the former, "He did, did he?" he asked, voice threateningly calm.
"Sesshou don't be mad and don't worry," she quickly responded. "He just wanted me to know why he was so upset... and I guess he wanted to warn me."
"Warn you? About what?" he paused and stared at her across the table. "About me?"
She smiled despite the death glare she was sure he meant for a certain hanyou. "About being in love with a youkai."
The tension in the room seemed to disappear that instant. He just looked at her, surprise clearly, but subtly, written across his face as she stood and walked over to kneel beside him. "Blue..."
She put a finger on his lips to silence him, it had taken a lot for her to muster up the courage to say and do as much as she had already. If he interrupted her now she'd probably just freeze up or something. "I'm not afraid of you Sesshou, I realized that. I'm afraid of what you could do, what you're willing to do. But I'm not afraid of you." She moved her hand and gently traced the lines on his cheek. Closing his eyes he turned his face into her hand and inhaled her scent. "And I promise you, no matter what happens, no matter how scared I am..." She paused, waiting for his golden orbs to meet her own, "I will never run from you." He looked at her, almost disbelievingly, like he had never expected anyone to say those words to him. She laughed slightly, "Don't you believe me? Even when we were enemies how many times did I run from you?"
"Kagome..."
"You won't ever hurt me Sesshou, If you don't fear that, neither will I."
He stared into her bright blue eyes, her soul, so open and honest.. and loving, of him. Those same sapphire orbs looked back and the most expressive eyes she had seen in him since... ever, and she was all the more happy that this was in real life. She leaned in and kissed him softly a part of her wondering to herself, How did I grow up so fast? "Daisuki desu, Sesshou" she whispered, "Totemo daisuki."
He grinned at the child-like admition of her affection, "Mo, totemo daisuki desu."
She giggled and put her forehead against his, their moons touching. "Thank you for hearing me out Sesshou, I think I an sleep now."
"Are you sure that is all you want to do?"
She blushed, "Yes I'm sure."
"You can sleep here." He noticed her hesitation, "Do not worry, I have all these things to take care of," he grinned, "you'll be quite safe from me." Kagome looked at the pile of scrolls before him on the table then nodded. Almost got her, he thought to himself playfully as he picked up the scroll he had been looking over when she came in. Then he mentally sighed to himself, back to work. A moment later he was briefly surprised when the thick blanket from his bed landed next to him, it was folded over and a pillow soon followed it landing right next to his legs. Bemused he watched as the young miko lay down on the blanket next to him and lay her head against his leg.
"Good night Sesshou."
He smiled and uncoiled the mass of fur around his arm and covered her with it. "Sleep well Blue."
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The hawk youkai took off into the pre-dawn sky, a letter tucked into her sleeve. "The situation has changed," Kuroinu had said, "It looks like we are going to have to go with the more aggressive route. Find Kagemen and give him this. This will all be brought to a close very soon." She had to get this done soon, if her absence was noticed it might bring her under suspicion. She guessed that she had about two hours to find Kagemen (or him to find her as the case usually was) then one more to get back.
"Should be plenty of time..." she said to herself, "Then Kuroinu-sama will have his wish!"
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"Fly as fast as you want little bird," Yuki muttered as she turned from her window, "Nothing will save you and your wretched comrades from us." Walking over to her work area she grabbed a feather on the way. "I'm so glad it's summer, molting makes it so much easier to get a little bit of you..." A wave of her hand and her windows and curtain closed, another and candles lit up around her alter and the room. "Now.. let's see what you're up to, and then what else I can find out."
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(Anata ga) daisuki desu- I like you alot/ I love you
tottemo- Very much/ allot
Mo -also/ Grammar butchering! ("Mo totemo daisuki desu"- "I love you alot too"... more or less.. I think)
Kage=Shadow men=maskHika-chan: SAPPY! I know! I'm going to try really hard to punch out the next Chap of Blue Moon out by the end of August (hopefully in the 2 weeks between summer and fall semesters) even if I have to force it. I anticipate about 3-4 more chapters left before this story is over but I have no real guarantees since I don't know how long the battle(s) will take as I'm still mapping out the fight scenes.
I've been on a bit of a roll, it looks like in the next month you can also expect the next chappys of Twist of Fate and Little Rin Riding Hood, but I am moving this week (7/25-30)soo... we'll see how that works out. So don't check back all that often If you're in the KagSess or air(Alternate Inuyasha Romance) Yahoo groups you'll get a notice of when I update. I would e-mail notify people individually but it's been so long since my last update I don't know who still wants to know/remembers what's going on in any of my stories. The good and bad news is I've got a job now, and when fall comes around I will be a full time student and working, so let's all pray that I'll have time to write once the last week of August rolls around.