Chapter 17
It had been a few days since Seishi's face-to-face run in with Naraku, and her body was fully recovered. She had returned to her spending time with Rin and helping her with her studies and playing game, but she found herself in Sesshoumaru's company a lot more then she used to. Sometimes he'd pause to watch Rin play or Seishi and Rin engrossed in some activity together, but he never joined them. Once or twice Seishi found him sitting down nearby. Though he was short on words and emotion as ever, Rin was always glad to get attention and Sesshoumaru took time out of his busy schedule to spend a moment with her and Seishi, she was all the more thrilled.
Though physically well, Seishi still found herself falling to sudden naps when sitting idle to long. Bodily she felt fine, but on another level she still felt like she just came form a long and tedious battle where she depleted all her youki and she had still not fully recovered it yet. But day-by-day she found herself all that much more energetic then the last.
Besides her time spent with Rin, Seishi also spent some time with the palace seamstresses… seeing how her clothing had been ruined in the Naraku encounter, she had been working with the palace women in designing herself a new outfit… though none at the palace could replicate her old western armor as glorious as it had been. So she had to make do with much planer and simple attire, and her clothes, though she had given then a western twist, were obviously of eastern design.
Seishi yawned as she idly applied some ointment to Sesshoumaru's hand that evening… He had gotten testy with the hoverings of the healers again, so Seishi offered to do it instead. Seeing as he only had one hand, he couldn't much rub it in himself, so for the last few days she did it for him… Seishi had asked how he had burned his hand so badly, but he just told her it was in battle with Naraku… but never told her how the battle had caused the burn. Now his hand was almost fully healed, in a few more days he wouldn't even have as much as a scar.
"I think I might take Rin out side the palace tomorrow… and before you give me that look, I didn't plan on going far. Just around the area and out to that meadow she's fond of for the wild flowers. We'll be within sniffing range, if not in sight as well." Seishi released his hand as she finished, wiping her hands on a rag to get the excess ointment off.
Sesshoumaru inspected his palm after Seishi finished with it. In a day or so even the scarring would disappear. His fingertips had gotten the worst of it as only they'd had contact with Tessaiga the whole time. Then he looked up at Seishi, "I see... I will have Jaken accompany you..."
Seishi made a face, "Don't make Rin and I suffer that toad's incisive whining… You know all he's going to do is complain about having to go with us."
Sesshoumaru looked back at Seishi with his usual emotionless mask, "Jaken will do what is asked of him. If he is a nuisance then tell him to be silent"
"Fine, but if he falls behind I am not waiting for him to catch up... and I can't promise you you'll get him back in once piece if he rubs me the wrong way..." Seishi replied sulkily.
Sesshoumaru stood up; he didn't see much more import in carrying on this conversation. "Be sure to leave enough time for Rin's lessons." Then he walked out the door to get about his tasks for the day.
Seishi put the ointment up on a shelf, "Yeah, yeah…" She watched him go, and then headed back to her room.
That morning Seishi stepped outside the palace walls with Rin and the toad in tow, they wouldn't go far, like Seishi had promised, just to a flowery meadow not far from Sesshoumaru's estate. What she hadn't mentioned was they weren't going to walk… "Stand back Rin… you too toad…"
It had been a long time since Seishi had let her fur out, so to say… but now that she was outside the palace walls, as she summoned up her demon powers and blood from within, her blue eyes going violet as her body took on a faint glow and ripple. The knees of her legs had to change direction, she grew a tail and she took and many other changes as she also grew in size. The transformation took less then a minute and soon a three story tall bitch replaced the woman.
The animal was sleek in shape, slender long legs and a delicate feminine snout. Her white pelt was shinny and healthy, thicker and longer around her neck and shoulders and shorter as it slicked back to her hunches until it got long again in a bushy tail. If compared to a real dog species, she would look closest to a Husky, only with a more slender build. The only trait she inherited from her mother was the rosy strips on her cheeks that followed her even into dog form. Her eyes were large and purple, red filling where the white of her eye should have been.
Seishi crotched down, stretching her paws out in front of her, then she straightened up and moved over to where Rin waited. Once looming over the little human pup, she laid down on her belly, laying her head down on her front paws. Rin was about as tall as Seishi's eye was wide, but Rin didn't seem the least bit afraid.
"Climb on Rin-chan…" Seishi said softly… in this form if she talked normally her voice might knock some people over. With that thought, she snorted at Jakan, using her powerful lungs to send the toad tumbling over himself until he hit the door fame of the gates.
Rin started climbing up once Seishi was low enough that she could do. She knew she had nothing to fear from Seishi but she couldn't help but notice that Seishi's dog form was slightly similar to the wolves that had killed her a while back when she had first met Sesshoumaru. She climbed up onto the back of Seishi's neck and nestled down into her warm fur.
Jaken sat up after being blown over his eyes full of indignation, "Hey what the meaning of this you ungrateful wench! I am under the orders of Sesshoumaru-sama! Don't think to can treat me like some flea you happened to pick off of your hide!" Seishi ignored him as she climbed back to her feet and turned, starting to pad off with Rin snuggled in her fur, totally ignoring the toad and leaving him behind.
"Hold on tight Rin-chan…" once she felt the girl had a secure hold in on her fur, she took off at a faster pace… enjoying the freedom of getting to run on all fours.
Jaken blinked as he was left in the dust, "Sesshoumaru-sama is going to kill me..."
Sadly it wasn't along trip, and soon they reached the flowery meadow. Seishi descended to her belly again to allow Rin to climb off. "Why don't you make Sesshoumaru-sama one of your flower wreath? I'll watch from over here."
As soon as Rin moved off to start picking flowers, Seishi rolled onto her back and rolled around with no shame in the long grass… though to her size it wasn't all that tall. Four paws in the air she rolled and twisted, just having a jolly old time. Then she stopped tearing up the terrain and relaxed, closing her eyes and just letting the warm sun beat down on her tummy and paws, her tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth.
She probably would have laid there with her paws in the air a bit longer, but then her nose twitched to a familiar scent she was having trouble placing… Sniffing again, she found it stronger and even more familiar… it was similar to her own… She turned her head, purple eyes glancing to the side. There she spotted a tall muscular demon man watching her. He had ear length white hair and wore an English riding cloak over a blue tunic outfit with pieces of western styled armor here and there…
Seishi rolled to her side and was back on her paws in an instant. Her ears went back as she let out a growl. As if taking it as a challenge, with a spike of youki energy, the man began to change form… Seishi had to back up a few steps as the man was replaced by a large dog that was a bit bigger then she was, maybe even a hair bigger then Sesshoumaru in his dog form. He was large, muscular, with the same husky look as Seishi, only much more thick and sturdy.
The male dog issued a growl, which Seishi echoed. They started to circle, eyeing each other, Seishi wearily, the male calculatingly. Seishi kept in mind where Rin was… but at the time the girl had taken cover near some trees, out of harms way. Then in a flash, a fight started. Seishi was more agile and quick, darting in and nipping and getting back out before the male could get her, but the male was pure muscle and mass. He was like a tank… he dodged what he could of Seishi's light attacks, just bided his time… then with a powerful kick of his legs, threw all his weight into Seishi to knock her to the ground.
Seishi twisted to try and avoid, but the male bit into the nap of her neck while putting all his weight on her, pinning her to the ground. Seishi let out some yelped and whined as she struggled to get free. Slowly she stopped and then she just lied there panting… submitting.
Once the male was sure she was done fighting… he let go of the nape of her neck and slowly climbed off of her. He moved back a little ways and sat back on his hunches while he watched Seishi get up and do the same… they eyed each other again… Then after their short fight, both began to change back to human form.
"Alexander…" Seishi said flatly once she had reclaimed her human appearance. She watched as her older brother did the same.
The male dog regained his human form and then smiled at his long missing little sister, "Hello Seishi, did you miss me?" he said in his soft, deep voice, in a light British accent.
"Depends… Why are you here?" Seishi asked flatly… she didn't even notice she had slipped back into speaking English rather then Japanese. Nothing showed on her face as she regarded her older brother, but deep down she felt some dread… She really doubted Alexander came all this way to visit…
The smile left Alexander's face as he started walking towards Seishi, "Why am I here? Good question, I was actually hoping you could fill me in that. I'm wondering myself why I had to travel across the world to find my little sister that suddenly disappeared on us. You know father is worried sick about you? Not you mention your mother."
Seishi narrowed her eyes, "My mother knew perfectly well where I was headed, and she must have informed you else you wouldn't be here now. If I had said anything to father I would never have been able to get away."
Alexander shook his head, "You told your mother where you were going but ever since you left she has done nothing but worry about you. Not to mention that that Francis's father was so upset he accused father of trying to rob his son of his mate to be and now there his a huge feud going between the families."
Seishi hesitated, then looked at the ground, "I'm sorry… but… I could not have lived like that…"she looked up at her brother, "Could you really see me being that spoiled prince's arm candy? Alex you are my older brother, you know I could never live like that. I would have wasted away in a sheltered life where I wouldn't be able to fight or travel or have any freedom at all. I know what I did was cowardly, but if I had stayed, then I would have been forced to do what every part of my being was screaming at me to escape."
Alexander sighed, "You should have come to me. We would have talked to father or maybe even Francis. I know father is old fashioned sometimes but I'm sure we could have changed his mind. Running off like you did, created a mountain of problems for us. Besides, Delilah and I miss having our sassy sister around. The castle is so boring without you there…"
"I'm sorry I caused you all so much trouble… but I can't say I regret my decision… I would have missed out in seeing and doing so much if I had stayed. I've met some pretty amazing people on journey here, and I think I'm better for the lessons I've learned on the road. If you came to take me back, I… I can't go with you… Not only because father will probably try and mate me off again… but I just can't leave Japan…" Seishi shook her head… she hoped Alexander would understand, but he probably wouldn't. When his mind was set on something, it was near impossible to change it.
Alexander crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at his sister. He had hoped he would have been able to talk he into coming back willing but he would use force if need be. He had whipped her tail in all their fights in the past and he was sure that this time would be no different, "and why is it you can't leave? What is so important here in Japan?"
"I…" She didn't know what to say… she looked at the ground, feeling foolish… she just couldn't leave…
Alexander shook his head and moved closer to Seishi, "Your just making excuses. C'mon lets go back to England. We'll talk to father." He put his hand on her shoulder.
Seishi looked at her brothers hand on her shoulder, then looked up at him to try and explain, but she paused as she caught sight of a figure in white watching them from the tree line behind Alexander. Sesshoumaru had totally masked his presence, Seishi hadn't even caught a whiff of him, "Sesshoumaru…"
Sesshoumaru stood behind Alexander a couple feet away. He face was his same mask and it was unreadable. He started to advance upon the siblings. "Get away from her..."
Alexander looked over his shoulder following Seishi's eyes to who she was addressing, "Sesshoumaru... who's that?" Before Seishi could answer her brother, Alexander narrowed his eyes at Sesshoumaru, saying in rough Japanese, "Don't bark orders at me. This is my sister so don't try to play the knight in shining armor."
Sesshoumaru flashed forward and knocked Alexander away from Seishi, "I don't care how you say you are. You will not touch her."
Seishi was startled at Sesshoumaru's behavior… he was rarely irrational, and she couldn't quite see why Sesshoumaru was taking Alexander as a threat… other then he was another strong dog demon on his lands without his permission… Seishi found herself moving between them, though it was Sesshoumaru she turned to, putting her back to her brother, "Sesshoumaru, please stop! Don't start a fight when there needn't be one!"
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at Seishi, "So then he speaks the truth?"
Seishi nodded; "Hai, he's my brother…" she glared back at her bother.
"Alexander… this is Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands of Japan… I've known him for almost a year now and have been staying in his palace at least half that… He's saved my life on occasion and he has been very kind to me. You are a visitor on his lands, show some respect!" She told her brother quickly in English, purposely leaving out the part that when they met, Sesshoumaru had tried to kill her a few times… she then looked back up at Sesshoumaru, reverting back to Japanese since they all understood that, "Sesshoumaru, this is my elder half-brother, Alexander Ironfang… I've told you about him before… He's come all the way here from my homeland to find me... in hopes of taking me back with him…"
Alexander found it extremely hard to shallow that he had to be respectful to the guy that nearly just took his head off for no reason. He got to his feet and looked at Sesshoumaru, "Well I taking you don't have many friends if your first impulse to tackle someone when you meet them…"
Seishi was about to snap at Alex for his rude comment when she noticed Rin peeking out at them… Oh how could she have forgotten about Rin! Feeling rather ashamed, she called out to the girl, "Rin-chan, you can come out, it's safe." At this time Seishi realized she was still standing close to Sesshoumaru with one of her hands on his chest she had placed there while trying to get him to stop. She removed it and moved away, feeling a tinge of embarrassment that annoyed her to no end.
Rin slowly minced out of hiding to walked over to where Seishi and Sesshoumaru were and stood behind them peeking out at Alexander.
"Anyway… why don't we go back to Sesshoumaru's palace… I'm sure you are tired and hungry, we can talk more after you've rested…" actually Seishi just wanted to buy some time so she could talk to Sesshoumaru. Then on a second thought, she looked over at Sesshoumaru, "That would be alright wouldn't it?"
Sesshoumaru briefly considered taking Seishi's head off for inviting a stranger into his home. How dare she act like she was the mistress of the house? These lands and that palace had only one ruler, himself. He forced himself to maintain control as he looked to Seishi's older brother.
Alexander looked at Sesshoumaru and even though he face never changed he could sense the dislike Sesshoumaru had for him. "Well is that going to be alright? Hey wait minute Seishi, what are you doing living with this guy?"
"I… it is none of your business who I choose to live with, I am a full grown bitch in my own right," Seishi snapped at her brother. She turned and started walking back toward Sesshoumaru's palace, "You are welcome to stay out here and sleep on the ground. Come along Rin-chan..."
Alexander couldn't help but smile, "Heh that's the Seishi I know so well..." He said as he started to follow after Seishi. Sesshoumaru was far too furious with this whole situation to join the trio on their way to his palace so he decided to take his own route back home.
Rin took Seishi's hand and trotted alongside her. It wasn't long before she lost some of her shyness and started peppering Alexander with questions about who he was, what he was doing there, where he was from, what kind of foods he like...
"Look… I never told you the reason I left my home…" she sighed as she paced around Sesshoumaru's study. She had sent her brother to the baths, so she and Sesshoumaru had a moment to talk. He was obviously still in a foul mood, but Seishi knew they had to talk.
"I never told because I figured you would think I was a silly girl or maybe even you would think less of me… My mother told me how much Japanese put into respecting one's father," Seishi sat down next to the table in the room. "I always did as told growing up… just like any good little noble born girl, obeying her lord father... Sure there were some things I protested, and others I found ways around… but there was one thing I was asked to do I could not accept…"
She paused, glancing up at Sesshoumaru, then looking away, "When I was of age, my father announced I was to be betrothed to a prince form a neighboring country to the one we lived. The fact he wanted me to marry someone just for political reasons was bad enough, but I had met that prince before at noble functions… He was a total bore and a chauvinistic pig to boot... He was lazy and vain and my little sister Delilah could beat him in a fight and she's a pacifist! How could they expect me to roll over and marry this pampered prince? Just so I could live to be his arm candy at noble get-togethers and produce his blue-blooded heirs? I'm sorry, but I wanted more to my life then that."
She looked up at him again, "If I mate, I want to mate someone I can respect and care for; I want some choice in the matter. I know in any demon society the female rarely has a lot of choice… but I left so I may at least have a chance at doing so." She looked back at the ground, "If I go back with Alex… being married off to the first noble who can give my father a little more power will be my fate." She looked at him again, this time a pleading look in her blue eyes, "I don't want to go back… I don't want to leave here… leave Rin… and all of you here…"
"But I can't just say no to going back… Alex wont accept that… and I don't want to get into a serious fight with him…" she gave him a look… Sesshoumaru's obvious dislike for her brother had remained, "And I don't want YOU getting into a serious fight with him either."
Sesshoumaru listened to Seishi tell her story, "So what do you propose? If he intends to try to force you to leave I will force him to leave."
"If it comes to that, either you or him may end up seriously hurt, and I don't want that. He is my brother, and I love him, even if he can be a major pain in the tail… and… I would rather not have to play nursemaid to you again so soon after last time." Seishi replied.
"So… anyway… The only other thing I can think of… Is well… I don't know if it is the same here, but as it stands, by our laws, my father still has claim over me because I'm unmated. His claim is relinquished only if he disowns me or when I am taken as another male's mate, then that male has claim over me and my father has no say what so ever…" she had a sinking feeling as she neared asking what she had in mind.
"Look, I'm not saying I need to get mated, but if my brother at least believed I was betrothed to be mated, then he would have to accept that and leave me here. I don't like the idea of lying and I know you aren't one for that kind of thing… but if… if…" this was rather hard and embarrassing to ask, "If you could just pretend and play along with me as my betrothed until my brother left, then this can be solved without any bloodshed on either side…" she looked at him now pleadingly, "please say you'll play along… just until Alexander leaves… If they think I am already promised to someone here, they can't force me to return."
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at this request. He hadn't figured Seishi to be sly about it and playing games like this was not his style at all. He would much rather kick Alexander out on his tail right that minute. But then again... if he agreed... then Seishi would have to 'play the part' an idea which pleased him, "I don't like the tactics... but the end result would be favorable…"
Seishi hopped up to her feet, moving over to him, "So you'll do it?"
Sesshoumaru nodded, "I agree, but we do this right. It must look real or he will not be convinced…"
"Thank you!" she placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned up, kissing his twice-stripped cheek to show her gratitude. She then stood back, and turned, going off again on her planning.
"Ok the way I see it…" she looked back at Sesshoumaru, "My brother knows next to nil about Japanese tradition other then the language, which he only knows because he learned while my mother was teaching me… So some things we can push off as that… If he asks about a mark, we'll just say that it's tradition to wait until a wedding ceremony is held before the actually mating and marking takes place… that could also explain why we don't sleep in the same room… unless… you think we should share a room?" looked back at him, wanting his input and ideas. "I could always put a bedroll on the floor or something…"
Sesshoumaru grinned inwardly at the prospect, "It would be better if we shared a room. So he will not have reason to doubt the relationship."
Seishi paused, then nodded... he had a point... if she went to a different room at night, it would seem like they weren't in love and wanting to be with each other at all times, "I can keep my things in the other room, just move some clothes to yours until this blows over... It shouldn't be too hard to get a bedroll in there to put on the far side of your futon so it's out of sight..." They would plot as much as they could, then at dinner, Seishi would let her brother know why she couldn't leave Japan.
To Be Continued…