Pairing: Elsa x Sesshomaru

Chapter 14: Contemplation

FLASHBACK:

Her eyes were wide open in horror, the markings on her face glimmering in the moonlight. The silver streaks in her hair reflective of his own. He gazed into her eyes unflinchingly, until she crippled to the floor, a lone sob escaping her lips. She was forbidden to see the mysterious figure, at least not until a few days from now. Once her eyes had fluttered shut, he began his thorough perusal. In the dimly lit bedroom, his head tilted as amber slitted eyes marveled her prone form.

Lord Sesshomaru could not deny that he was pleased with her appearance. Even if her hair was scraggly at the moment. It did not matter to him.

Stepping from the the shadows his heavy boots sank into the carpet. His steps were light, and easily he was upon her. Already the markings on her face slowly began to melt into her skin. His very presence the reason for her hidden markings. Elsa's gloved hands curled into her front, as if to protect herself.

Crouching down, Sesshomaru inspected, curiosity dappled in his eyes.. 'Such an odd woman, wearing gloves to sleep in.' He thought.

But none the less, feelings started to swell within the Lord. His impatience rose after so many years of separation, he felt the rising need to hold her at once. He repressed his inquiring thoughts for now. In foreign eagerness, clawed fingertips reached for her, as if reaching for a lost dream. Consideration lingering in his movements, he plucked her from the carpeted ground with no hesitance. And like 18 years ago, cradled her to his chest. Even now, Lord Sesshomaru could feel his aura replenish just by holding her teasing form in his arms.

This renewed connection spurred Sesshomaru's inner demon to yip in satisfaction. And in return, a slight sigh left his lips. But he knew at this moment, that he couldn't get carried away. Lest she wake up and start screaming….With that in mind, he made his way to Elsa's very large, (and lonely in Sesshomaru's opinion) bed.

Setting her down gently and pulling the covers over her form, Sesshomaru gazed at the sleeping beauty. Glancing at her gloved fingertips, he was befuddled. He wondered why it was there in the first place. But even so Sesshomaru removed them, and set them by the dresser in her room.

He began to think of the next step in this complicated plan, but before he could, the door creaked open. And as the door opened further, Sesshomaru disappeared without a sound.

A guard outside Elsa's door peeked his head through with a stern expression. The other guard, his companion on night watch, snickered.

"I told you, nothing is amiss. You must have imagined it…" Huffing, the thoroughly confused and embarrassed guard closed the door behind him. The room was again enveloped with emptiness and silence. All except for the soft breathing coming from the sleeping Queen. Sesshomaru was perched just outside the windowsill, watching the crescent moon with a vacant expression. His keen ears picking up the sounds of the night. He needed to return to his ship, lest his little imp companion begin to worry.

Though he loathed to do it, the Lord of the Western Lands flew off into the sky towards the sea…

END OF FLASHBACK

Sesshomaru arose from his light slumber, the little yokai Erin still immersed in his fur. Since arriving at this castle, Erin refused to sleep anywhere else but in his arms. Sesshomaru couldn't blame her for this fact, and with the years withering away, he was quite grateful for her companionship. But every now and then, he would feel a painful pang in his chest. Erin could be reminiscent of Rin at times.

Even though Sesshomaru knew Erin was not Rin, he would feel as though she were. Then he would be cruelly reminded of how different their mannerisms are in comparison...Which in turn remind him of Kagome, the half breed's wife. Kagome once described how she was the reincarnation of that walking corpse, Kikyo. Which explained quite a bit of her odd personality, and "Modern Thinking" as she put it. Sesshomaru shifted in the spacious bed his thoughts consuming him.

His yokai energy drifted to sleep, but yet it was still early enough in the morning that only the servants were about. The feeling of his yokai "falling asleep" was quite odd, it was like a part of himself was being suppressed. Just enough for him to pass as a human, but once the sun set his yokai features would be known to any who came across him. After all, the spell was not strong enough to suppress his demonic power, only his appearance. With that thought in mind he noticed that he idled for too long. Carefully prying the little girl from his embrace, he set her down on his bedding.

Immediately Erin curled into herself, shivering despite all of the fur that surrounded herself. Without a moment's hesitation...Sesshomaru gave up the rest of his pelt for her. He wrapped it around her form making sure the fur thoroughly ensconced her. Erin, in turn buried her nose into his pelt, a soft keening whine leaving her lips. Sesshomaru proceeded to leave the bedroom, quite sure that Erin would be safe.

But before he left completely, he always walked past a mirror that was near the door. Brown eyes met a scowling face, Sesshomaru truly detested this human disguise. He was always tempted to shatter that mirror every morning, but the allure of a glance was sometimes too powerful to repress.

Leaving the elegant bedroom to his sleeping ward, Sesshomaru began his regular morning stroll. While doing so he left his mind blank as he descended yet another staircase. Most of the servants regarded him in wariness, quietly wondering why a royal was up at such early hours. The Demon Lord's strides seemed purposeful, and after a few moments he walked out the palace doors. The guards were certainly giving him odd looks, for they were also unsettled with his strangeness.


As Sesshomaru walked, his thoughts once again overran his mind. All of his thoughts being captured by his bride to be. For it had been a week since the day he'd given Elsa his engagement ring. But to his amusement, and frustration...Elsa avoided him...Not in a sense that she would disappear the minute her eyes laid upon him. But she would make an effort to keep contact with himself brief and minimal. It did not tamper with the wedding preparation, and a date was agreed upon. (The first day of Spring, which was cutting it close) But his attempts to get closer to her, proved fruitless.

But as for the man known as Kristoff, he did not tamper with his plans anymore to his immense satisfaction. With a glance the man shrunk away from him, his face turning pale. It was quite refreshing to Sesshomaru to see fear every once and awhile.

After walking for nearly ten minutes through the quaint kingdom, Sesshomaru could identify sails in the distance.

Approaching the docks in an orderly fashion, his senses scanned the area with the precision of a marksmen. His eyebrows twitched upwards as he pinpointed his irksome companion. The dock was of course just beginning its daily obligations, but his obnoxious servant was sound asleep. In fact he could hear him, and no doubt some humans could too. Could his servant not find a better hiding place? Turning into a more secluded area of the harbor, he stopped, finally reaching his destination.

In the midst of several barrels, some reeking of fish and other entrails...He found himself staring at the snoring barrel with dull eyes. Admittedly the snoring was quite soft, but still noticeably ridiculous. Even so, he was a demon on a mission. A mission that he refused to let its cover be blown after dodging a bullet a week prior. Sesshomaru, however, still had to fight the rising temptation of kicking the barrel into the surrounding bay.

Instead, he opted to open the lid to the snoring barrel. Inside lay his loyal servant that stubbornly clung to his life in such quarreling times.

"Jaken. Wake up." The severe tone of his voice could rouse a drunk sailor.

As if the little toad demon was struck, his bulbous eyes shot open, along with that little beak like mouth of his.

"Ah, ah! Lord Sesshomaru!" He squealed. The narrowing of the Lord's eyes had the imp demon quickly trying to get his composure together. Despite his Lord's human appearance, Jaken still felt he was just as intimidating...if not more so, most likely because of the dark aura always cast around him. (Which only spiritual humans and demons could see)

His Lord was certainly not happy with his disguise.

"Jaken, status report." He said.

His servant cleared his throat, but ended up choking on saliva instead. If it weren't for the patience Sesshomaru forced himself to learn, he would throttle the creature and end its misery.

One could say Sesshomaru was feeling quite violent this morning.

Finally the imp clenched his chest and forced his coughing to stop and proceeded to talk, albeit in rougher tones.

"My Lord I recieved a message late last night that is of great importance."

Sesshomaru stood on the dock ominously, his black hair blowing in the sea breeze whilst his expression of impatience compelled Jaken to cut to the chase.

"I received the message from the fox and he told me that…." Jaken's voice got lower, and he switched to speaking Japanese.

"The last woman has been found. She was found by the fox in the land of South America. The fox is quite anxious to get back to her. He also relayed a message pertaining to your half breed brother."

As Jaken spoke, his earlier feelings of violence and frustration slowly began to disappear. And with it came satisfaction and calculation. Sesshomaru was one step further in his scheme. All that was left now, were his plans pertaining to Elsa. But then he remembered the rest of Jaken's message. He was half tempted to curl his lip in distaste.

"What does my idiot brother have to say?" Sesshomaru asked in turn, his mood dropping back into restrained annoyance and violence.

"He's coming here." Jaken said, apprehension laden in his words. He feared his Lord when he noticed his form blur.

"Why?"


Kristoff stared at the ceiling of his bedroom. Flashes of fangs, barbaric markings, and slitted amber eyes danced across the tall surface. He had been questioning himself since that day...Fighting his conscience to blurt out the truth to Elsa, but then remembering that gut instinct of terror that followed through. He was so conflicted. Anna knew of course that he was off, he could tell by the look in her eyes. But she would not ask, too caught up in the excitement of wedding plans.

Only the Council Men knew of his afflictions. For they shared the same fear, but perhaps….not the common sense….


Jaken was more or less drowning in the bay.

...

A/N: Hey guys I'm back, probably not with the longest update...But I felt like it was good to end it there. You guys are probably confused about the beginning, if so, reread chapter one! ;) For those curious about my long absence...it's quite simple, an inspiration change. I've been focusing on my drawing. I hope you'll stick with me until the end of this story. No matter how long it takes.

OH, and I go by Fluffy Slipperz now. So yeah...new me I guess?

Until the next update~~~

Fluffy Slipperz