Lessons Learned
Shortey 83
Chapter 31 - Games and Dreams
Disclaimer: I do NOT own InuYasha or Skyrim!
Story Start:
The weeks that followed were a bit overwhelming to Takara to say the least. While some things felt familiar, like a dislike to the old housekeeper Ayako, there were still things that she drew a blank on, like Yolheimin. The dragon was patient and understanding of her situation and took no offense to her lapse in memory for him.
The hardest part for her had been confronting the little girl named Rin. Part of Takara wanted to pass off her tears of not being able to remember the bright-eyed girl as a result of her hormones. However, she didn't miss Rin's watery eyes when Sesshomaru reintroduced the two of them, and that was probably the hardest part.
Rin had so much love for her and yet Takara just couldn't remember the sweet child, but she promised Rin she would do everything she could to reclaim everything that was forgotten. She had also promised to take up their old routines with her in order to try and jog her memory.
Aside from her memory, there was the matter of dealing with Sesshomaru. It was such a paradox that Takara knew she was married to him, that she felt so safe with him, and all of her screamed that she belonged to him- all but her head. She couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that she had loved him (or that she did love him) but he was a stranger.
She slept in her room and despite spending most of the night tossing and turning, she couldn't bring herself to stay the night with him. Each night she went to bed, longing to stay with him, and each morning, she woke up regretting that she hadn't.
For his part, Sesshomaru was the living example of patience, but that didn't mean he didn't make things difficult for her. Takara was so restless at night, she often found herself looking to nap during the day, and despite how irrational it was, she always found herself napping in Sesshomaru's room. That was part of the reason she mentally beat herself up. It made absolutely no sense, and yet, there she was, making it part of her daily routine.
As she sat in the garden with Rin, helping the little girl with her reading and writing, Takara's mind kept wandering back and forth between what she should and shouldn't do.
"How's this, Takara?" Rin asked, snapping her back to reality. Takara nodded her approval at the neatness of Rin's writing, but pointed out a few mistakes on her characters. As Rin went back to writing, Takara's mind began to wander again until the little girl set down her brush and stood.
"What's wrong, Rin?" It wasn't like the little girl to give up in the middle of a lesson.
"Let's play a game, Takara." She suggested, putting her ink and brushes to the side. "I'm really bored right now and need a break."
With her routine thrown off, Takara wasn't sure how to respond at first, but finally she decided to give it a try. A change of pace was nice now and again.
"Alright, Rin. What did you have in mind?"
The little girl beamed at Takara's approval of the game and an excitedly, naughty grin crept onto her face. "Let's hide from Master Jaken." She giggled.
Takara considered for a moment, but instead of being rational, she set some rules for Rin. If Takara said the word 'peach', Rin was to come out of hiding and if Rin said the word 'melon' Takara was to come out of hiding, but neither of them were allowed to leave the mansion's property.
Takara eyed Jaken as the little creature rounded the corner to see what they were up to, but finding them where they had been all afternoon, he continued along the porch until he was out of sight.
With a nod, they both took off in opposite directions and looked for a place to hide from the little imp. Takara made her way to the mountain side, hiding in the densest part of the garden where the bushes had grown tall enough to conceal several people and settled herself down to wait. Part of her knew it was childish to make the little imp panic as such, but Takara needed a break in her routine. So, after picking a bouquet of the surrounding flowers, she began to twist them into necklaces and crowns while she waited.
Sesshomaru sat in his room, reviewing several reports of the surrounding dragon activity. He had instructed Jaken to put word throughout the demon world to keep an ear to the ground for the dragons that had orchestrated the attack on Takara, but so far, nothing.
He was about to write a response to one of the scrolls when Jaken's voice caught his attention.
"My Lady! Rin! Where are you? Rin? Lady Takara?!"
Sesshomaru was on his feet in an instant, rousing his demon to search for his mate, but upon reaching out to find her emotions, he felt only a mixture of excitement, anticipation, and happiness. Calming, he stepped out onto the porch to see what was going on and found Jaken running around frantically looking for the two of them.
It seemed that the imp hadn't noticed him yet and was searching high and low for the two human females desperately. "Lord Sesshomaru will kill me if something's happened to them." Jaken panicked.
He was right, of course, but Sesshomaru stepped away to find Rin and his mate himself. He flew upwards and spotted Rin not long after, tucked behind a few trees with a hand over her mouth, laughing.
Sesshomaru understood then. The two of them had wanted to play. A smirk plastered his face at their behavior, but mostly at the fact that this was the first time, since he had brought her home, that Takara had acted like her old self.
He hadn't been able to spot her from the air like he had Rin; Takara was much better at hiding than the little girl, but Sesshomaru knew it wouldn't take long for him to find her. He landed behind Jaken and the creature paled at the sight of him and swore to find the two girls. He didn't wait for an answer as he ran off in the direction Rin was hiding. That left him to find Takara.
He inhaled the scents around him and easily picked up her scent heading in the opposite direction as Rin. He headed back towards the garden, but the scent of the flowers there were making things a tad more difficult for him. He focused on finding her emotions instead. As he approached the back of the garden, he felt her excitement growing as well as her anticipation. She knew he was close.
A gust of wind against the mountain pinned her scent down for him and he found her location behind some bushes.
He didn't let her know that he knew however. She was having too much fun for him to find her so soon, so Sesshomaru walked away and felt her excitement and anticipation easing as her happiness took the forefront of her emotions. He chuckled to himself as he walked away.
His little mate was so proud of herself for her hiding spot, he just couldn't expose her so soon. As soon as he knew he was out of sight of her hiding spot, he used his demonic speed to race to the other side of the bushes so that he could sneak up behind her.
He watched her peeking over the tall bushes on her tip toes to see that he had gone, before she sat back down in her pile of flowers and began twisting them into chains.
Like a shadow, Sesshomaru silently crept behind her, not making a single sound as he got down to her level.
Takara wove another link in her chain before Sesshomaru watched her sit up straight and he felt excitement and anticipation spontaneously combust within her as well as the finest layer fear.
She knew she was caught.
Sesshomaru leaned forward and gently nipped the side of her neck and Takara let out a little yelp of surprise as she whirled away from him. He smirked a little as she fell and landed on her backside, her hand slamming over her heart as if to keep it in place despite a grin creeping onto her face as she caught her breath.
"Why would you do that?!" she demanded with a laugh, leaning back onto her other hand.
"You wanted me to find you, did you not?" His smirk still plastered to his face, enjoying the sound of his mate's delighted laugh.
"Well, yes, I did, but I didn't expect you to scare the life out of me. Besides, I thought it would be Jaken, if anyone. He's not exactly stealthy." She paused as an idea formed. "Then again, if you aren't too busy, would you like to play with Rin and me?"
Part of her wondered if she had overstepped a little as his smirk faltered. "You don't have to if you're busy." Takara quickly added.
Sesshomaru felt her trepidation and then her disappointment at his hesitation. He considered for a moment more before he gave his answer.
"That depends."
"On?"
"To begin with, the game you wish to play."
"Hide and seek."
"And how you will reward my participation."
Takara felt her cheeks flush a little at his suggestive tone and adverted her gaze from his, but it wasn't as if she was opposed to the issue. He simply hadn't pushed it, so now that he brought up intimacy, Takara wasn't sure how to respond.
Maybe start small? She thought, returning her gaze to his. The intensity that shone in his amber eyes made her cheeks redden further, and she nearly lost her nerve. "If you find both of us, I'll... give you a kiss."
She watched as his smirk returned and her heart flip flopped in her chest. "Only one?" He pressed.
"...Each time you find us."
The low growl rumbling from him made her shiver slightly. "Very well," he growled. "I will play with you, My Treasure."
Rin was more than delighted that Sesshomaru had entered the game, telling Takara not to worry, and that she had saved her best hiding spots. Somehow, that didn't reassure her. There was little doubt in her mind that Sesshomaru was going to find her, even if she hid on another planet.
"If you say so, Rin" Takara laughed nervously.
The little girl turned to Sesshomaru next. "Make sure you count to 100, Lord Sesshomaru and no peeking."
Takara had to give the little girl credit. She knew better than to wait around for an action or a response and instead grabbed Takara's hand and pulled her away. A glance over her shoulder to Sesshomaru sent a tingle of excitement down her spine at the intensity in his gaze before he finally turned around.
Rin quickly hid Takara on the other side of the garden, and Takara was actually impressed that the little girl had even found the spot. It was a small part of the mountain that looked like a flat wall, but moving forward, you could pass between a gap in the rock and move to the side without anyone being the wiser.
"Sit under that ledge so he can't see you if he flies." Rin told her before running off to find her own hiding spot.
Ah crap! Takara thought. I totally forgot he can fly! We need a handicap or something.
...97, 98, 99, 100 Sesshomaru finished counting to himself. He had heard the two of them run through the house and out the other side, but with Jaken still unaware that Takara and Rin were safe and playing a game, he had missed their next destination thanks to his vassal's pleas for forgiveness.
Best to find Rin first since she will most likely be close to Takara and easier to find.
In no rush, Sesshomaru made his way through the house along the same trail that the females had taken before picking up their scent on the other side. He could smell where their path's diverged and soon after found Rin hiding behind the hot spring house close to her room.
She returned to 'the counting spot' and told him to hurry and find Takara. For that, he needed no encouragement. No sooner than the girl was out of sight, Sesshomaru was following the sweet smell of Takara, her pregnancy making her scent even more mouthwatering than it normally was.
His demon was also enjoying the hunt. It could feel her nervous excitement at being hunted down, and Sesshomaru couldn't wait to find her.
For a moment, he stopped and starred at the mountain wall, thinking his mate had tricked him, but a gentle gust of wind bounced her scent to him, and her trick was revealed. Very clever, My Treasure.
Silently, he stepped forward and followed his nose. She hid well all but for a fold in her blue kimono peeking out from the rock. Kneeling down, he found her with her knees pulled up to her chest, arms crossed on her knees, and her head resting on her arms. A bright smile lit her face at her discovery even as a flush brightened her cheeks.
He reached for her, pulling her gently from her hiding spot and set her on the ledge above. Before he could claim his prize, Takara spoke up.
"We need a handicap."
Takara had never really considered Sesshomaru to be dog like in his actions, but she couldn't help but giggle as his head slightly tilted to the side at her statement.
"In other words," she chuckled as she continued at his wordless question. "Rin and I are at a serious disadvantage playing against you, so we need to level the playing field."
"It was you who wanted me to join your game, and now you wish to change the rules?"
"Give me a break. It was in the heat of the moment and I...uh... I panicked."
He raised a brow. " 'Panicked'?"
"I caved to the pressure."
"I know."
Takara didn't answer him right away and Sesshomaru watched as the gears turned in her mind. She blinked a few times before it dawned on her. "You did that on purpose!" She laughed as she realized she had played right into his hands. "I was wondering why it was so easy to convince you to play. Now it makes sense."
Sesshomaru placed his hands on either side of Takara, trapping her where she sat and leaned in, crowding her space. "And now, I believe I am owed a reward for such hard work."
"What hard work?!"
Sesshomaru couldn't get enough of her laughter. "Finding you and concocting this scheme."
Swallowing a nervous lump in her throat, Takara finally relented and leaned into Sesshomaru. She considered, for a moment, to simply give him a kiss on the cheek since he hadn't clarified, but he left her no choice as his mouth descended on hers. Her eyes fluttered closed as she lost herself in his kiss, reaching out to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him closer as she opened her mouth in response to his wordless demands.
Something about him felt so right that she wished she could remember him, but no memories came to mind. Only her body seemed to remember how things were as gooseflesh broke out all over, and she shivered in anticipation, but before they could get too carried away, a small voice drifted to them.
"Did you find her, Lord Sesshomaru?"
Takara broke away from him in surprise, a bit breathless as she tried to maintain her eye contact with him, but his gaze was too intense. "Yes, he did, Rin." She called out to the little girl, her head turning towards the sound. The warm rush of Sesshomaru's breath on her neck made her tremble, so she gently pushed her hands against Sesshomaru's chest.
"The game isn't over yet," she told him, sliding off her perch and retreating. "Rin still has a little bit of time left before dinner and she goes to bed."
A soft growl accompanied her as she made her way back to Rin, but Sesshomaru said nothing else in protest. He didn't have to. Takara already felt like a rabbit being chased by the wolf... or dog.
Throughout the next few rounds, Takara was found rather quickly, but Rin continued to think her hiding places were just really good as it took Sesshomaru and Takara a little while to return to the counting spot. Usually, Takara was short of breath and flushed while Sesshomaru appeared to be no worse for wear.
When Ayako finally met them in the garden to inform them that dinner was ready, Takara let out an inaudible sigh of relief. The last time Sesshomaru had found her, Takara's hadn't stopped him when he pulled at the knot of her obi; Rin's voice did, however, and Takara practically ran back to the little girl as if she had just been snatched out of the jaws of her pursuer.
While she and Rin went to eat, out of the corner of her eye, Takara watched Sesshomaru make his way along the porch in the direction of his rooms. As the two of them ate, Rin laughing and recalling how much fun the game had been, Takara fought with herself on what she should do.
I mean, come on! She thought. You're already pregnant, what's the worst that could happen?
She nodded absentmindedly at a statement from Rin, taking a bite of her fish.
What if someone hears us? That would be too embarrassing. Her face turned red at the thought.
"Are you alright, Takara?" Rin asked. "Your face is awfully red."
Of course, Rin's statement only made Takara's flush deepen, but she shook her head as she took a bite of her rice. "No, I think I just got too much sun today."
Thinking no more of it, Rin went back to replaying the game's events to Takara, who did her best to pay attention and engage in the conversation.
Back in his rooms, Sesshomaru sat reading a few reports that had arrived while he was distracted. Only one of them made mention of the dragon Laquhkriin, but the dragon had only been seen briefly passing overhead. A rumbling growl escaped him in frustration, but he allowed the feeling to pass. It was only a matter of time before he had the damned dragon in his grasp.
On the other side of the house, he could hear Takara putting Rin to bed and wondered where she would decide to retire for the evening. Through their bond he could feel she was sleepy and despite the strong desire to bed her, he felt it would be best to allow her to retire to her rooms, should she choose.
Deciding to spend the evening outside in his usual silent observation of the night's activities, Sesshomaru stood and exited his rooms, retreating to the porch in an area that was not overtaken by the sounds of the waterfall. As he did so, the familiar scent of his father drifted to him until he finally descended from his flight to land before him.
"Sesshomaru," his simple greeting. "How is your mate? Has she remembered anything."
Sesshomaru considered whether he should respond or not but considering his father had assisted in the search for Takara, he decided to reply. "She is well, but she has not remembered anything as of yet."
Before the conversation could continue, the human woman, Ayako, appeared from around the corner and bowed deeply to the both of them before excusing herself. Sesshomaru and his father remained in conversation about the location of the dragons who had sought to harm Takara and a short while later, Ayako returned with sake for them. Once she had poured for them, she excused herself once more to allow them to speak in peace.
After Takara had ensured Rin was in bed for the night, she yawned herself and made her way back to the other side of the house. She debated as she walked, trying to decide between her room or Sesshomaru's.
Let me see if he's busy. She thought, moving to his room and placing her hand on the screen. If he is, I'll just go back to my room. Taking a calming breath, she slid the screen open a bit to see what her husband was up to, but found he was not in his room. Where did he get to?
She made her way to the porch and looked in both directions, but saw him a good distance away, speaking to his father. My room it is. She thought with a yawn.
Changing into her sleeping yukata and pulling out her futon, Takara settled down for the night as a distant rumble echoed in the distance as a late summer storm began to roll in. She wasn't sure what it was, but lately the sound of a storm was so soothing to her and in no time, she drifted off to sleep.
His father left a short time later with the promise to keep an eye out for the dragon Sesshomaru hunted, taking off into the night. He had felt Takara drift off to sleep not long after his father had arrived and as the storm began to roll in. Having no desire to be wet by the storm, he made his way back to his rooms to check on Takara and tend his weapons.
Silently he slid the screen door to her room open and found her fast asleep. It seemed that she slept best whenever the weather took a turn for the worse as of late, and with that in mind, he retired for the evening.
As he tended his weapons, his demon longingly sought the comfort of its' mate. Knowing she was so close, but not being able to hold her to take in her scent and the scent of their growing offspring was torture to it. Sesshomaru may have been patient, but his demon was not.
A nagging feeling began to stir at the back of his mind as he realized Takara had begun to dream, but this time, it wasn't a pleasant one. He would stay alert should he need to wake her, but for now, he felt it best for her to sort it out on her own.
Lost in a fog, Takara turned this way and that, attempting to yell for help. She couldn't speak. Something had a grasp on her voice. Every direction she ran put her face to face with a towering mountain of stone in an endless maze. As she ran, out of the corner of her eye, she would see a flash of deep blue as something pursued her. The presence, she felt, was pressuring her to speak, to scream, to shout, but it said nothing until a deep, guttural rumbling of unfamiliar words echoed to her as a pair of silver eyes peered at her from the darkness looming in front of her.
"Zu'u fen kos hi ulse, Vulombrii." The voice growled at her.
Takara startled awake as a crack of thunder rumbled outside. She sat up as the haunting words from her dream echoed to her. As the rain poured down outside as a storm tore its' way angrily across the valley, Takara stood and fled her room to the safest place she could think of.
Sesshomaru sat in his room with the screen to the outside open as he watched the storm. He had removed his armor a while ago. He had considered seeking out Takara's remaining dragon companion to see if there was any information he could offer on his prey's whereabouts and decided to compose the dragon a message.
As he walked back into his room, he glanced at the futon which had been laid out for Takara should she choose to come to his rooms. She had yet to return to his bed, but he knew it would not be long. Even now, he felt her dream had turned to a nightmare and he longed to comfort her, but he couldn't. He wouldn't risk scaring her off.
As Sesshomaru prepared to sit down to compose his letter to Yolheimin, the screen to his room flung open and Takara ran in, her frightened, teary eyes finding him before she rushed him, flinging her arms around his waist and burying her face into his chest. One of his hands wrapped around her while the other stroked the back of her head and he wanted to growl at whatever night terror had his mate trembling so.
"You're safe, Takara." He growled to her, holding her tightly. She nodded against his chest but said nothing. Even as her trembling lessened, Takara continued to hold him tightly.
His letter could wait until another time. Right now, his mate needed his comfort and that pleased his demon.
He didn't release her as he bent down to extinguish his writing light and she didn't make to let go. Sesshomaru moved the arm that had wrapped around her back lower to lift her up. He carried her over to the screen that led to the outside, closed it and made his way back to the futon, lying down with her in his arms.
He said nothing, nor did she. There was nothing to be said. She needed comfort and he gave it.
Well into the night, Sesshomaru held his mate tight to him, stroking her raven hair until he felt the fear began to ease from her and she drifted off to sleep once more. Only pleasant dreams treated her the rest of the night.