Chapter 33: Informational Infidelity

Hakudoshi felt the urge to sigh as he sat next to his sleeping mate. There was just so much on his mind and it was keeping him from a fruitful sleep. The whole day was very eventful, from the terse meeting with Naraku that morning to the nearly unsuccessful mission they managed to walk away from.

Flashback

Kohaku watched as Naraku regifted Kagura's heart back to her and knew then and there that he was very serious about ending things quickly. He knew why her heart was kept from her, and the fact that he actually gave it back showed how desperate he was. If it were him he'd never allow someone such as her complete freedom, for it would invite betrayal. It was what held Kagura to him, and now that it was gone it was a gamble at best to hope she'd stay and obey.

Sensing unease through his making bond Hakudoshi shielded his mate from the sight of their elder sister writhing in pain on the floor. It was odd that she had any kind of reaction to this but then again Naraku did seem to be on the warpath.

Hell he was even recently disciplined for almost no reason. If he was feeling extra malicious he would not stop until he was sated. Many times when he was younger he was exposed to that violent side of their master, but it was never wasted on Kanna. She was always the obedient one and the favored of all of his minions. Then again, one could never be too careful when it came to the vile hanyo.

The next thing he knew Naraku turned and stoke the shard from Kohaku's neck. He was surely serious in his wanting the Shikon to be completed post haste.

Hakudoshi couldn't stop the chill that went down his spine as his master walked up to him.

"Your orders are to get Sesshomaru involved in the last battle. He is a threat that must be dealt with once and for all. He must be triggered in order to show up with his brother however and the only real way is to endanger his pup. So you and Kanna will travel to his camp and attack the girl and rile up the demon lord enough to draw him into that last battle." Naraku said as he leaned down and put Kagura in his lap.

End flashback

Well, their mission was technically successful, but the circumstances made him feel everything but accomplished.

'What is going to happen now, my Kanna? I wish you could just tell me…' he thought as he stroked his beloveds hair.

Looking up at the moon he allowed his mind to wander the possible routes their fate would take them when a soft groan made its way to his ears. Peering back down the white youkai saw her frowning in her sleep and realized that she must be in pain.

A furrow formed between his brows as he sat up to grab some more herbs he'd gathered earlier and promptly began to chew the bitter tasting stems. Once it was nice and mashed he moved her torn kimono skirt and applied the salve to her calf where she'd been struck by Lord Sesshomaru. It looked a lot better than it did before thanks to their advanced healing abilities and he was so very grateful that she'd not been poisoned.

Kanna awoke when she felt her mate reapplied the salve to her wound.

It hurt.

Although she'd seen her fair share of battles rarely had she ever been truly wounded. Pain was something that she was very unaccustomed to feeling and her mate was kind enough to find some medicinal herbs to help her. He said that these weeds worked as a kind of numbing agent as well as fostered along the already naturally rapid healing rate of wounds for youkai.

She knew of them, for he'd gathered them before for Naraku in the past. They were very potent she recalled and were poisonous to all creatures except youkai.

"Why do you not sleep Haku?" She asked in her soft monotone.

"There is simply too much to think upon now. How do you feel koi?" He replied as he covered her leg back up and moved to sit beside her.

"I am well. What thoughts ail you?"

"Many, but we can talk in the morning. You should rest."

"No. I am awake now. What is it mate?" The void demoness asked.

After a few moments of hesitation he replied unable to keep the terse pitch of his voice in check.

"Why, Kanna, did you not tell me you had conceived?"

For the first time he was legitimately angry at his mate. What male would blame him? Of all the ways he had to find out it was the worse case scenario. Their enemy sniffed it out, literally!

*Flashback*

They were making excellent time on their current objective of seeking out Sesshomaru's ward. It was what they had been tasked with by Naraku that morning. They were to find the demon Lord's pup and attack her to inflame his ire and coerce him into joining his half brother for their final stand. Of course their job was made simple due to his mates mirror. She found the females location soon enough and luckily she was alone, or at least she seemed to be at the time. The confrontation was alarmingly brief, for as soon as they reached her she'd already sensed them and attacked Entei.

The plan was that he'd attack the girl while Kanna watched out for other possible threats. Jumping off of the fire horse to engage the young woman he flung his fiery spear at her. He didn't expect for an acidic whip to appear out of thin air to strike out at him, or for her to dodge his perfectly aimed attack. He also dodged at the last moment and managed to evade getting hit, but the same could not be said for his little mate. Entei was a quick steed, however he wasn't quick enough to get out of the way of the whip and it was Kanna that suffered the consequences by receiving a large gash from knee to mid calf. The whip was apparently not only acidic, but also very sharp, and a pained gasp was pulled into the void demoness' lungs.

Within a moment the great Lord Sesshomaru stood amidst them and the sheer amount of utter disgust that marred his face was so unexpected that he was taken aback. The reason behind it was announced and it made his blood turn cold.

"You dare to come at me with a pupped female in range of death?! Surely you are the spawn of that pitiful hanyo!" He growled lowly while unleashing his whip against him for the second time. Hakudoshi assumed that he was speaking of his pup, so he continued attacking using his flaming staff.

"Lord Sesshomaru, your time ruling the West is nearing its end, for we shall possess the whole jewel in a matter of days. Your brothers pack won't stand a chance against us and we will take all of their hopes along with their lives. Naraku will be undefeatable and you and your heir will be snuffed out shortly thereafter." Hakudoshi said while artfully dodging the glowing whip.

During their heated exchange Kanna started to feel very lightheaded and remembered that she'd been hit by the demon lord's whip. She looked down at her leg and realized that she was bleeding profusely and within moments her world went dark. Entei being the intelligent creature that it was realized that she was about to fall off of him and neighed in distress as his masters mate had fallen unconscious. Both males gave a brief pause in battle to look over to the steed and it was then that Naraku's incarnation realized Kanna's predicament.

His eyes opened wide with panic and he tore himself from the fight with Lord Sesshomaru to catch his mate before she fell. He barely made it in time and immediately erected a barrier to keep them safe from the Daiyoukai only to realize that there were no incoming attacks. Turning back to look at his opponent and realized that said demon was merely standing there with the intense look of contempt on his face.

"This Sesshomaru's honor will not allow him to continue this fight as your pupped female is in distress, but when we next meet be prepared to die." The Western Lord said just before he pulled himself, his heir and their dragon steed into his infamous energy orb and took to the skies. So fast they were gone that the demon didn't see the look of confusion written across Hakudoshi's face. He was a very smart demon however, and it only took him a few moments to piece together the information and feel an invisible punch to the gut that stole the air from his lungs.

Doing a quick observation of Kanna's now unconscious form he noticed that there was an almost imperceptible barrier around her womb, and within it the tiniest of auras was safely ensconced.

Shock was the predominant feeling, followed by disbelief at her silence upon the matter and finally anger. He'd put his seeded female in incredible danger. That damned demon lord was actually reprimanding him earlier!

Her sickly pallor reminded him that she'd been hit by the acid whip. Now it seemed that she was loosing a lot of blood and it could endanger not only herself but their seed. He never would have let her near the battle if he knew. Carefully seating them both back onto Entei he left the area seeking the herbs he knew he would need for her wounds, and a secluded place to rest.

*End of Flashback*

Realizing that this was a conversation that had to happen eventually, the void demoness carefully sat up and readied herself for their discussion and the possible backlash that may come with it. It wouldn't be the first time that he got upset at her for withholding information, and she could already tell how angry he was by the set of his shoulders and the frown on his face. Damn that dog demon.

Taking his hand in hers she spoke without making eye contact with him.

"I am sorry for keeping it a secret, however I did not think it was wise to inform you until we were far enough away from the others. I am…fearful…of what Master Naraku would do if he found out. I know you, Haku, and you would not be able to keep such a secret to yourself."

Snatching his hand away from her Hakudoshi turned sharply to face her.

"Who, pray tell, would I enlighten with this knowledge?! Kagura? Kohaku? They are hardly trustworthy at best, or maybe I would go directly to our dear Maker and shout it at him with reckless abandon knowing damn well he'd likely wish to either cut if from you or use it as a means to his own ends?!" He shouted heatedly.

"That isn't what I meant at all. You are a passionate creature. It would be your unconscious actions and affectionate gestures that would give us away, along with your overprotective nature. I was waiting until…" she trailed off quietly.

"Until what Kanna? You have to tell me what your thought process was, even if you can't tell me everything! I need to know something!" He said running his hands through his hair in exasperation.

It was hard for him to be angry at her especially when there were things that he knew that she couldn't tell him, but still he felt like he deserved something.

Kanna was mentally weighing the pros and cons of telling her mate of the knowledge she held. It was a risk for him to know so much but she reasoned within herself that if she told him nothing he may get desperate to finish things in his own way with Naraku. Especially now that he knew she was carrying his progeny.

'It would be worse if I say nothing. At the very least now he will be prepared for what's to come.' She thought as she picked up her mirror and glanced within it. Verifying there were no other souls around she placed the mirror to her abdomen and let it sink into her skin.

This caused Hakudoshi to raise a suspicious brow. He'd actually never seen her do this before, and was about to ask he about it but his voice got caught in his throat at the look on her face. She was staring him in he eyes, and the most serious visage he'd ever seen marred the usually gentile beauty she held.

"What I am about to tell you must stay with us only. Not ever under threat of death, of yours, mine or our seedling, can you breath this aloud. Neither will you make any reference to it again in anyones presence including your own. It is not meant to be uttered again, ever, do you understand." The usually soft spoken words were hard and absolute.

The shock of her being so out of character caused his voice to die and he could only nod his head in acceptance of her terms. The risk she was taking telling him something so secret was just another way he knew that she loved him truly to trust him with something to sacred.

"I have seen the war this will all end if things continue as they are." She started. "Contrary to what Naraku believes, he will fall. I foresee our battle, and it was great. We each have powerful opponents and it will require all of our strength to keep them occupied."

A quizzical furrow formed on his brow and he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Occupied? Not Defeat?"

"No mate, for I saw how he ended. The priestess will overcome Naraku. He is not as powerful as he thinks. My visions are not detailed, however I know that so long as nothing changes we shall all be freed of our master. If he ever learned of this possibility surely he would reabsorb us all so that his power will be superior. I can not allow him to do this. I must protect our seedling. Also, he knows not that I am able to see what the future holds when I absorb the mirror into myself. Only you, my love, were made aware of this power I hold. I fear what would become of us if he ever finds out I never disclosed this ability to him. You know his wrath."

Rage welled up within Hakudoshi at the thought of Naraku harming his mate and he let out a low growl and scooped Kanna into his lap.

"He will not touch you. No one will. Any who dare to harm what is mine will die and then I would break open the gates of hell and destroy their very soul."

Leaning her head onto his chest she breathed in his scent and let him hold her close.

"This I know my love. I would do the very same, but we won't need to. We must conceal this matter from all, especially him." Kanna whispered.

The barrier demon closed his eyes and accepted his mates wisdom. He'd wondered what she'd been planning for a while and his answers now lied before him. Touching his forehead to hers he focused on her presence to cool his blood.

'Hm, her pregnancy explains why she actually felt discomforted by Kagura's plight this morning. Her maternal protective instincts had her backing away from a potential threat to her and our seedling. Even I was slightly uncomfortable due to his actions. So then this is the end of Naraku's reign of terror over Japan. Strange that I who once reveled in our evil deeds now seek to escape the bed I helped create.' Hakudoshi thought to himself. Softly he kissed the top of Kanna's head and spoke into her hair.

"I promise you that I will not do anything to give us away. Besides, we will be busy enough in the coming days collecting shards as a unit to allow me to indulge in my doting upon you and our babe. Have you seen anything else?"

"I have not. I also am unaware of this person Naraku was talking about this morning. I know you were going to ask, so I just wanted to tell you that I do not know of whom he was speaking about."

"Hm. He has never mentioned such a being to myself either. I presume we will find out soon enough either way."

Kanna decided that she was done speaking about their master and the schemes he was involved in, so she decided to change the subject to one more…pleasurable. Leaning up she nuzzled his neck, breathed him in deeply enjoying the scent of winter snow covered pines, and slowly licked him from the base of his neck to his ear, nipping his earlobe softly.

Eyes going half massed at the sensual and very clear meaning of her actions he groaned low in his throat.

"Do not start what you cannot finish mate, you are still injured."

"It is but a flesh wound and nothing more. I need to feel you, Haku. Please fill me with you, so much of you that I can think of nothing else."

Capturing her lips in a heated kiss he felt his reservations die a quick death. Moving her to sit upon his lap facing him he took her mouth hostage once more. Pulling her hair slightly to gain access to her beautifully pale neck he trailed light kisses down to her collar bone and did the ties to her kimono. Sitting back up he used both of his hands to smooth it off of her shoulders just enough to expose her pert lush breasts to his lustful gaze.

After taking a moment to appreciate the view he leaned down and took the right nipple into his mouth, nipping and sucking the small bud. She loved it when he did that, he knew, she always said how good it felt to feel his tongue on all of her most sensitive places. Her sighs of pleasure always brought out he demon in him and made him more aggressive in his ministrations. Soon he felt her small hands gripping his hair as she ground herself against his straining erection.

He just knew she was already soaking wet for him. Leaning back he pulled open the rest of her kimono and loosened the ties of his hakama as she tore open his haori.

Kanna didn't feel like waiting for him to fully disrobe so she took it upon herself to lift herself above his cock and slam down hard, making them both moan out loud. The way he filled her always made her feel euphoric and wanton. She began to slowly grind hard upon his girth, letting it take her to paradise.

Hakudoshi let her have her way with him as he enjoyed the faces she made while riding him to completion. Usually he would just let her take control of their bouts, but not this time. No, he wanted to control every aspect of their lovemaking. The pace, depth, intensity would be dominated by him.

Grabbing the firm globes of her ass he lifted her up and slammed her down making her moan even louder than before. He did it again and again making them both shudder in bliss. Kanna arced her back changing the angle of penetration and her eyes screwed shut in pleasure. He was hitting that perfect part of her and she was losing her mind to the pleasure.

He, unlike her, was incapable of closing his eyes to the vision before him. He loved to watch her come apart, to watch her mask of indifference break into a million pieces and knowing he was the only one who could do it. The only one who could drive her to the brink of madness. Holding onto her hips harder than before he slammed his cock into her wildly until they both hit their peaks letting their moans of satisfaction fill the area around them.

They stayed like that for a while, just soaking in the closeness of one another, the feel of their bond strengthening while their hearts slowed down into a steady beat. Begrudgingly Hakudoshi realized that it was getting colder, and if they stayed that way she may get sick.

Kissing the top of her head he slowly lifted her off of his lap and back onto the forest floor. Gently he closed up her kimono and then his, and laid her down on her uninjured side with him right behind her. Erecting a barrier around them he decided he was ready for rest now. The burden on his shoulders now at an acceptable weight had made it easier than before.

Kanna sensing him finally going to sleep also allowed her mind to drift off Ito sleep, grateful to know her idea worked and to have given him answers that he desperately wanted. She couldn't always do that for him, so she was happy that at the very least she could give him this much. So the two lovers both gave themselves to the welcomed bliss of dreams, ready to handle their present and hopeful for the future.