Lessons Learned

Author Shortey 83

Chapter 20 – The Lord's Lady

Disclaimer: I do NOT own InuYasha or Skyrim!

Author's Note: I'm still alive and writing, but just very busy with life in general. Hope you enjoy this chapter ^.^

Story Start:

As spring began to bloom into Summer, Takara was finally beginning to adjust to her place in the world. It was odd having an entire village full of people ready to tend to her every want and need, and it was the one part of her living situation that truly made her uncomfortable. She couldn't so much as hold a ladder while someone was repairing a roof without either a disapproving glare from Ayako (who felt the need to shadow her every move) or innumerable apologies from the villagers she was attempting to assist.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to get used to being waited on hand and foot." Takara sighed, turning over to rest her head on Sesshomaru's chest.

It was dark outside, it had been a long day and yet she still couldn't sleep. While her day may have been long, it was far from taxing. Sesshomaru had met with Jaken for most of the day, so she had let the two of them be and simply spent the day wandering about somewhat restless and bored all at once. She felt like she was just a knickknack that sat on a mantle gathering dust, serving no function or purpose.

Sesshomaru didn't speak, but she felt his arm wrap around her, rubbing her back as he listened to her complaints. She adjusted her leg, resting it on his and began lightly tracing the muscles of his chest with a finger. "I think it's more that I don't like feeling…useless…" a light growl escaped him at that last word. "Maybe 'useless' isn't the right word." His growl faded then.

At least she knew he was listening to her even if he wasn't responding to her.

She finally tilted her head up to look at him to find him looking up at the ceiling. She reached up a bit to grab a handful of his silky silver hair to mess with as she pondered.

Another thing that had her mind running was how quiet Sesshomaru had been this evening… well quiet for him at least. He hadn't even made love to her as he did every night since their wedding. The insecure part of her felt that he was becoming bored with her, but the rational side of her reasoned that he simply had a lot of things on his mind too. "How about you? What's on your mind?"

He finally looked down at her and she couldn't help but melt inside as his amber eyes met hers. It was a sight she was sure she would never tire seeing.

"I must leave tomorrow and do a survey of my lands," he told her. "And I am reluctant to leave you and the village unprotected."

"Well, if it would make you feel any better, I could ask Sahloknir or Yolheimin to visit. If nothing else, their presence would be enough to keep bandits away."

He narrowed his eyes in disapproval.

"What? What's wrong with that?"

"Inviting them while I'm away, especially when the one is attracted to you" he growled.

She blinked in surprise at that statement. "Are you…jealous?"

No response came from him as he looked back up at the ceiling.

She chuckled a little bit before pulling herself up enough to rub her head against his chin and kissed his throat. "You don't have to be jealous. You should know by now that no one else comes close to you in my eyes."

The corner of his mouth twitched as if he was suppressing a pleased smirk, but she didn't comment on it. Instead she redirected their conversation back to its original course. "Now then, how long will you be gone for and is there anything you need me to take care of while you're away?"

"Perhaps seven days, but that could change depending on what I may or may not find. If everything is well, it could be sooner than that."

"And is everything isn't alright?" she asked.

"Then it could be longer."

She sighed at the thought of him being away for too long. She didn't like the idea of him being gone for a day let alone a week, but such was the way of things for the lord of a village during these times she guessed.

"Part of me wants to be selfish and ask you not to leave, but the less selfish part understands why you have to go." She nuzzled her head against his chin again as she spoke.

"'Less selfish'?" he questioned, grabbing a handful of her hair, pulling her head back to meet his gaze.

"Yes, because I'm still selfish enough to remind you that I'm going to be very lonely while you're gone; especially at night. Perhaps you should use tonight to hold me over until you come home?" she grinned, the tempo of her heart increasing as he leaned closer to her.

"Very well, My Treasure" he told her, claiming her mouth in a breathtaking kiss, fully intent on pleasing his mate well into the night.

It was midday by the time Takara woke and, much to her disappointment, Sesshomaru was already gone. She realized that she had been spoiled, waking up every morning in his arms. Demon or not, he was still a Lord with responsibilities and he still found subtle ways to show his adoration for her.

She was afraid to say "Love". Yes she had married him, but he had yet to say "the words"… the ones that normal girls hoped to hear. Takara had already come to terms that she wasn't a normal girl and he wasn't a normal man, so she didn't expect him to act as such. That didn't mean that a part of her didn't long to hear those words from him.

A clearing throat, brought her out of her musings, and instant irritation surfaced at the sound. Ayako had managed to keep her mouth in check since the day after the wedding, but that didn't mean Takara couldn't hold a grudge. The fact that Ayako seemed to have a disapproving look on her face every time she glanced in her direction didn't help matters much either.

"It is well into the day, My Lady" she spoke from the other side of the screen door. "Perhaps it is time you left the bed chambers."

Takara narrowed her eyes at the screen door, wishing she could glare daggers at the woman. The other woman's tone didn't sit well with her either.

"It isn't proper for the Lady of the house to lie in bed all day." Ayako noted.

She always says one line too many Takara thought, as she stood and stretched.

"You can blame my husband for being so… virile." Takara said, her tone smug and satisfied at the gasp she received.

Instead of confronting the woman she despised, Takara walked out the rooms along the porch, stopping at her rooms to grab a change of clothes before heading to the hot springs for her morning bath.

As she soaked in the warm waters, Takara thought about what she could do to help the village defend itself while Sesshomaru was away. Perhaps the next time, he wouldn't worry as much. Perhaps she could do something with the villagers here and in the surrounding area to create some sort of warning system. If there was attack on one, the others could lend some men for support, but in order for that to happen, she would have to leave the village and speak to the different headmen.

That was another issue entirely.

She was a woman in a man's world at present, so she doubted there was anything that she could say to convince the lords of the surrounding villages to agree to any pact. She wasn't even sure if Sesshomaru could to be honest. He was a demon and would probably make the other lords piss themselves in fear before anything could be negotiated- which would defeat the purpose of the meeting.

Dressed in a simple kimono, Takara left the main house and began to observe the goings on in the village with Kaos at her side. The women seemed to spend most of their time tending to the houses and children in between managing the fields, whereas the men seemed to spend their time working on various construction projects and working the fields.

Everyone had a job to do but her.

She had sat by the stream for a while, just pondering on how she could make her ideas a reality when a few women came to wash their belongings with their children in tow. They didn't even notice her where she and Kaos sat quietly and she didn't make herself known to them. She didn't want them standing on ceremony with her. It had been too long since anyone besides Kagome and her people had treated her as a normal person.

"I hear Lord Sesshomaru left this morning." One of them spoke.

"Yes, I heard that as well. How long do you think he'll be gone? What if we're attacked while he's away?" another questioned.

"I don't know, but we're pretty well into the mountains for most to trouble with." The first woman began. "I can't say for sure in regard to demons, but bandits probably won't bother to come all this way."

"Well what do we do if demon's attack?"

It was silent for a moment before the other woman gave a response. "I don't know. Just pray it doesn't happen."

For starters Takara thought How does everyone know he's left? I didn't even know until last night. Perhaps I need to dig a little deeper for that bit of information. But first, I'll need to blend in. If I just go and start asking questions, they'll get suspicious.

Her opportunity came about a little while later when one of the infants they were carrying became fussy. The poor woman had her hands full trying to console the baby and wash her laundry at the same time.

Ask and it shall be given she thought.

"Would you like some help?" she asked, standing up and stretching. Both women gasped in surprise before giving her a low bow.

"Oh no, My Lady. We couldn't ask that of you." The woman with the fussing infant said as she tried to rock the baby.

Takara held out her arms for the child and gave the woman an easy smile. "You didn't ask, I offered." She told her. She knew it put the woman in an awkward situation, either refuse the Lady of the Village, or 'burden' her. The woman must have thought the later was the worse of the two options because she carefully handed the crying baby over. It only took her a few minutes of rocking to get the baby back to sleep after she managed to get him to burp.

The women noted how good she was with the child and Takara did her best to make the following conversation as casual as she could. They asked her all sorts of questions once they had figured out that she wasn't one of the haughty ladies they had expected she was. They asked her about her family and where she was from. Takara gave them the best answers she could without revealing too much.

They shared a few laughs and by the time they had finished their laundry, Takara was confident she could approach them for conversation and they wouldn't bat an eye. However, she needed to return to the house before Ayako had an aneurism trying to find her.

When Takara returned to the main house, Ayako had a scolding ready, but one look from Takara took the wind right out of her sails. She was in too good of a mood for that woman to ruin it. That's when it occurred to her…

Takara stopped and glance back over her shoulder at Ayako's retreating form. A bad feeling settled in the pit of her stomach and Takara always trusted her instincts. Something wasn't right about that woman lately.

As she sat and ate her dinner in the solitude of Sesshomaru's rooms, Takara couldn't shake the feeling that Ayako was the one behind the source of the rumors. The woman probably got her rocks off listening to her and Sesshomaru. For the present, she wouldn't be sleeping easy and Kaos would be staying in the room with her.

She had decided after the first week of her and Sesshomaru being married that keeping him in the room with them wasn't a good idea for her. It kind of killed the mood to look over in his direction to see him watching the two of them and either wagging his tail or cocking his head back and forth. Needless to say, Takara wasn't too fond of having an audience when she and Sesshomaru decided to have sex.

After a long night, Takara had thought it better to send word for assistance. Sesshomaru had left Ah Un with her and taken Jaken, so she would have to do the best she could. She walked out to where the dragon was grazing out back stroked each head's mane. Ah Un was an intelligent creature like Kirara, so she figured it could do what she needed him to.

"Ah Un, do you think that you could do me a huge favor?" she asked the creature. It tilted its head in reply so she leaned in closer to the creature to ensure she wasn't over heard. "Did Sesshomaru ask you to keep an eye on me?" When the creature nodded in the affirmative, she sighed. "I hate to ask this of you, especially since Sesshomaru had specifically asked him to look after me, but I really need to get a message to Kagome and InuYasha." She took unhooked the pouch from her belt and held it up for them to see. "I have a bad feeling something is going to happen, and I think it would be best for everyone if we had an extra hand. Could you please take this to them and come right back?"

After a brief moment, the creature nodded and allowed her to secure the pouch to their reins. "Thank you, Ah-Un, but please hurry back." With a nod, the creature took off and Takara went back to her rooms to wait for its return. If push came to shove, and she really needed help she would call for Sahloknir or Yolheimin, but after hearing Sesshomaru's feelings on that matter, they would be her last resort.

A knock at the screen door, made her jump a short while later but it was simply Ai bringing her some tea. It was warm outside and she wanted to wait a bit for her tea to cool before drinking it, so it struck her as odd when Ai kept insisting she have some to drink. Usually the girl just served her tea and then left but this time she seemed anxious for her to drink.

Surely these people can't think I'm that stupid or are they just too stupid to realize how obvious they are being.

The issue was that Ai normally didn't give Takara any trouble. She was a quiet girl who kept to herself, but in the same breath, Takara had the feeling that she was easily manipulated.

And I think I know who is pulling the strings, but why? I get she doesn't like me, to each their own, but this woman just has it out for me…

Either way, she requested Ai to leave her and waited for Ah-Un to return. Hopefully InuYasha and Kagome wouldn't be too far behind. The issue she was having while waiting was complete boredom. She needed something to do to keep herself busy and she wasn't about to start arranging flowers. She might take up sewing at some point, but she had other ideas that she was going to have to discuss with Sesshomaru when he got back.

Takara was beyond relieved when the dragon like demon returned. She rushed out to greet him with a few apples in hand in thanks for the favor. A huge weight lifted off her shoulders at Kagome's return note; She and InuYasha were on the way.

When the two of them arrived, Takara settled them into the rooms near her and filled them in on her suspicions and InuYasha confirmed what she had suspected. It wasn't poisoned but it was filled with a sleeping potion. InuYasha let her know that he would keep and ear out for Ayako while Sesshomaru was gone.

"Thanks for this, guys. I really owe you one for this." Takara told them as they ate dinner, untainted by any sleeping or poisonous herbs.

"Don't mention it, Takara. Although, it is odd that this woman is acting like she is. What does she have against you?" Kagome asked.

"Who knows? Maybe she's jealous?" Takara shrugged.

"Of what?" InuYasha asked. "Sesshomaru?" He laughed to himself.

"I don't blame her for that" Takara told him slyly "He is quite the catch. Want me to tell you how?"

InuYasha's face dropped at her insinuation. "No, I do not."

"But he's just so…"

"No Takara! I don't want to hear it!" He yelled, hands covering his ears.

"Sweet."

He uncovered his ears at the word. "You can't be serious?! Sesshomaru is a heart-" He began, but Takara cut him off.

"Finish that and I'll Shout at you."

He closed his mouth, believing she was serious.

"He's perfect… for me." She laughed as he rolled his eyes, but their argument ended there. "For now, why don't we figure out a plan for this woman? Sesshomaru knows I don't like her, so I'm pretty sure he would be reluctant to act without proof."

The two of them nodded. She had thought about just allowing InuYasha to listen in on her should she try anything, but that would also depend on Sesshomaru believing InuYasha; an unlikely scenario if there ever was one. She wasn't sure how long he would be gone, so she wanted to keep close to InuYasha so when he did, the two of them wouldn't start fighting.

In the end, they weren't able to come up with a solid plan because, despite how reluctant she was to admit it, Takara had no proof it was in fact Ayako who was spreading the rumors. However, it was decided that they would stay until Sesshomaru returned.

Sesshomaru wanted to finish the survey of his lands as quickly as possible and return to Takara, part of him concerned that someone would try to bring her harm while he was away. Through their new, delicate bond, he could feel she was uneasy… worried about something perhaps, but the feeling only remained strong throughout the first day he was away.

Perhaps he hadn't been correct in his assumption of what she had been feeling. With them being so newly mated, his bond with her was fragile and still solidifying. It was something only something could be cemented with time and he would do whatever he could to make it happen. Well, time and children would solidify the bond faster, but now he was unsure about children…

That wasn't correct. He still wanted children with her, but after her initial reaction, he thought it best to give her time. After all, she had said she never got to experience a quiet house while with her parent's and her siblings.

Was it selfish of him to expect children so soon?

He did not want to put her in a situation she regretted and therefore threaten their bond. Perhaps then it was best that he left during the time she was fertile to avoid her conceiving a child.

As far as demons went, their seed did not last long inside the females, which was why matings were intentional, for the most part. In order for a female to conceive a child by a demon male, the mating must take place while she is fertile; such was the price for passing on power to the father to the offspring.

It didn't surprise him that Takara hadn't conceived after their first mating since he had heard that impregnating a human female who had not birthed a child was more difficult than one who had, but when she was ready, he would ensure his part was thoroughly taken care of.

After four days, he approached the outskirts of the village, attempting to test her scent only to discover InuYasha's and Kagome's at the house as well. A small irritated growl escaped him as he wondered why they were at his home while he was away, but he was reluctant to give away his presence to Takara should she realize he was in the area. She would become suspicious as to why he wasn't returning home, however, at the same time, he needed to know why InuYasha was at his home.

He gave a slight flex of his aura, only enough to catch InuYasha's interest to investigate, but not enough to give away that it was him.

True to form, he could hear the half demon approaching to investigate. He paused a moment, looking for a scent until he figured out who the aura belonged to.

"Sesshomaru?" he questioned, looking around for him. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question, InuYasha." He replied, stepping into the half demon's line of sight. "It is you who is in my home, after all."

"For your information, Takara asked us to come, but what I meant is why are you here instead of in the village?"

"Why are you here, InuYasha?" Sesshomaru growled, becoming irritated. "Why did she ask the two of you here?"

It appeared InuYasha was smarter than Sesshomaru gave him credit for. "She sent for us because she had an uneasy feeling and didn't think she should bother you."

"What kind of uneasy feeling?" So he hadn't been imagining her feelings through their bond.

"I'm not sure she's even sure of that, but she found it odd that the entire village knew you had left before noon. Did you tell anyone you were leaving?"

Sesshomaru now understood her unease. "The only one I told was her the night before."

InuYasha crossed his arms, cocking his head slightly to the side in thought for a moment before responding. "Takara doesn't trust that woman, Ayako, and feels that someone was listening outside your rooms that night, eavesdropping or passing by she wasn't sure." He paused again in thought before continuing. "However, she isn't sure she should bring it to your attention because she isn't sure it's her instincts telling her it's Ayako behind all the trouble or if it's just because she doesn't like the old hag."

"Then why are you?"

"Because when we arrived, I smelled sleeping herbs in her tea. "

Sesshomaru growled at that, every protective instinct flaring to life at the thought of it.

"Hang on, Sesshomaru. This is the other reason she didn't want to tell you." InuYasha said, his hand going to his sword in case he had to defend himself, but Sesshomaru paused at his words. "She doesn't want you to just go off and start killing innocent people. She wants to find proof of who is behind it all."

Sesshomaru fought to regain his composure, but his inner demon was now aware that his mate was being threatened by an unknown foe. He would find the one responsible and kill them.

"Look, I can't stop you if you decide to go kill someone but think of Takara. She is doing her best to figure out a solution while you're gone. If you haven't noticed, she's beginning to feel inadequate in her position."

"What would you know of it?"

"She told us! How else?! And she wants to tell you, but she's afraid of making you unhappy and that you'll start thinking of her as a burden or something." InuYasha was getting upset now, Sesshomaru could tell by his tone. "Look, in case you haven't noticed, you've got a good woman but she's still human. They don't think like you and I, and I highly doubt she has come to understand what it means to be mated to a demon; the connections that are shared as a result of being mated to you."

Sesshomaru paused at his words. Did Takara really feel that she was a burden to him?

"Look, she was just an ordinary girl in her world, and now she is the Lady of your house. Things are different here, and she doesn't exactly fit into that mold, so she's trying to figure out her place." InuYasha lowered his tone then. "I know you and I don't see eye to eye but try to trust me on this. I consider Takara a friend and I won't allow her to be hurt. Take care of what you have to, or not, I don't care, but give Takara a chance to work this out, would ya?"

Sesshomaru hated to admit that InuYasha was right, but he was.

"Very well, InuYasha." Sesshomaru agreed as he reined in his inner demon and his rage. "However, I will not be far away. Do not tell Takara I am near." He didn't give InuYasha a chance to respond as he headed back into the shelter of the forest to observe from a distance. Takara was his mate and his Lady. He would give her the chance to prove it to herself.