Silver Moon : Chapter 12 : Court can be a Pain in the Ass
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
Claimer: Sheba and Sasha are mine!
…
The room was still pitch black when Sheba woke. Wrapped in the heavy furs and Sesshomaru's arms, she was laying on her side with her arms tucked beneath her own pillow; cushioning her head. A large part of her wanted to roll over, and face the Taiyoukai, but her attention was caught by the actual arms that held her in place.
The strong arms were etched with scars that were normally hidden by the billowing sleeves of his haori, which had hiked up in their sleep. The scars were missing from his new arm; except for the vicious one that rapped its way around the join.
Sheba frowned as she traced one of the deeper scars that licked at his forearm. They were a harsh reminder of just where she was… the Feudal Era got its name for a reason. She was a history major after all; she knew that there was no lack of violence or danger here. However, here she also felt safe. She felt needed…
She rolled over, and found Sesshomaru was still in deep slumber. Knowing that this meant that he was very lacking in rest which was also probably why she had been able to hold him for as long as she had… what had not allowed him to rest in so long?
She ran her finger tips up his arm that lay over her; unknowingly waking the slumbering youkai.
"Is there a Reason you are awake before Dawn?" he cracked an eye at her.
She immediately retracted the hand, and blushed. "I'm sorry. I was just worried about you…"
He was fully conscious now, "Why have you already begun to worry?"
"Well, I remember you saying that you normally only have to sleep once every week or so, but you seemed so tired earlier, and even now you just woke. When normally you would have woken before me… is something wrong?" she reached up and touched his cheek.
He closed his eyes, and produced something of a frustrated growl, "Politics…"
Sheba lifted a brow, "You have to deal with politics?" she was clearly amused.
"The youkai court system is heavily connected; I have not been present in the current system for a few years now. Lord Keiji of the North is certain that if I do not make an appearance soon that many of the other young lords will start knocking on the western gates in a group attempt to over throw the House of the Moon. Which would lead to the other main lords going into an uproar over my slaying of their fool-hearty sons, thus Keiji has been badgering the West to make a strong appearance in Court to prevent a possible war."
"So, go to court. I don't see why you haven't" she smiled up at him, but then when his expression didn't change, she frowned, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Sesshomaru was a little surprised that she had noticed his lack of rest, but she herself look like a bit of a mess. Next to him she lay with her kimono hiked up to her thighs, her hair had fallen from its bun, and hung wildly around her. She was stunning. She was still healing though, and in need of more sleep. Suddenly, realization hit him. She was the perfect reason to ignore court this winter. After all it is expected that the male pay all the attention he can to his new bride which would be rather difficult if they were in court for an extended period of time.
Sheba was confused when a smile curved his lips.
"What is it?" she frowned, "What is so funny?"
"Nothing is funny, this Sesshomaru has merely found his reason for not attending court." He smirked, relaxing into his bed again.
"What is it?" she leaned closer to him, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"You", he pulled her to his chest as he rolled onto his back.
"Me? What are you embarrassed to show me!" she huffed pushing away from him.
Sheba was surprised when he sat up to meet her, nose to nose, and felt a clawed hand gently cradle her head. She felt his breath on her neck, as he whispered a little huskier than what she was used to, "And what would give you that idea?"
Before she could respond he had captured her lips in what had been intended to be a gentle reassuring kiss. But Sheba couldn't help herself. She knotted a hand in his hair, and returned with more fever that even the Taiyoukai. She pulled away, and Sesshomaru was struggling to keep himself in check. She should learn not to tempt him so early in the morning. He frowned at her now red lips; she would have to learn to leave the tempting to when he had more control, and a drowsy morning was not it. He sunk to his back again, taking her with him.
Sheba tucked her head under his chin, and settled comfortably on his chest.
"Then, just how am I going to get you out of court?" she whispered.
"This Sesshomaru is not very accomplished at sharing. As a new female it would also be your debut in the Youkai Court. Thus, everyone would want time with you; including other males…" Sheba could hear the slightest hint of a snarl in his words.
"I told you, it is you or no one. Why else would I still be here?" she tilted her head up to meet his eyes.
"Very well, then, you may have to accompany this Sesshomaru to Court… even if only for a short time" he sighed.
"So, how do you know Keiji anyway?" she was curious to know how this person had any influence over him.
"He was a close friend of my father's, and has made it his personal responsibility to keep tabs on the West once it fell into my hands. Most of the others in court think that it is because his lands fall under my jurisdiction, but I think he might just enjoy being a pain in my ass; especially, concerning court"
"It can't be that bad. Can it?" she was starting to fade out of the waking world as she mumbled her words.
He stroked her hair, "You have no idea, my bride…"
In the silence of the night he could hear her heart beating strongly now. That reassured him; perhaps she was strong enough to go to Court. He would have to inform Keiji though. The old bastard would need to make arrangements for their suite.
…..
Sesshomaru woke later to find Sheba still fast asleep curled to his chest with a hand firmly placed in the middle of his abdomen. He needed to get up, but with her position it would be difficult. Scowled he eased back, and slowly placed a pillow in his stead. Sheba mumbled in her sleep, but accepted the pillow.
He left the room to change out of his now wrinkled clothes and into new ones before heading to his study; where the old dragon youkai was waiting for him.
"You know I won't leave unless you come with me to court. Otherwise, I will remain here. Besides, it will save this old demon from commuting from my lands to yours to knock at your doors to make you fulfill your duties."
Sesshomaru nodded, "I will be returning with you."
"Ah, so you finally decided to come to court?" Keiji smirked at him.
"Yes, but I have conditions." Sesshomaru took a seat at his desk.
"Go on", the scaled old demon took the seat in front of Sesshomaru. Not making the slightest attempt to hide his curiosity.
"My visit will be brief for one", he leaned back for a moment.
"You do realize that the fences that need mending, and the mongrels that need to be run off will more than likely need more than a short visit", Keiji was not about to have all of his efforts be wasted on an appearance. "You must stay for at least a week for the visit to have an effect."
"I can only promise my patience for a few days at best." He was already busying himself with writing out several arrangements for his stay.
"Why only a few days, forgive me Sesshomaru, but I'm telling you to be a cold, murderous, and posturing force in court, and you refuse? You must explain." He placed an elbow on the table.
"This Sesshomaru has a new bride to be concerned over. One that would be on display before all of court, and taking on of her duties before she has become my mate…"
"YOU HAVE FOUND A MATE?" the blood seemed to have drained from the dragon as he hollered.
"She is happily marked, and will be waking soon. Which is why we have to make these arrangements quickly. I want to be present when she wakes, and that means you will have a lot to do while I continue with my duties." Sesshomaru smirked.
"Who is she?" some of the color was returning to his face.
"She is unknown to the Youkai Court."
"Sesshomaru has taken a commoner for his bride, well it must be true love if you are not getting anything political out of this pairing", the older Taiyoukai urged.
"She is a Silver Sorceress", Sesshomaru tried to hold back his smirk.
"… I was unaware that one had been found in 500 years", Keiji frowned in disbelief.
"Well, you could say she in a well somewhere, but she survived without being discovered."
"And how did you come across her?" he was curious, and also knew better than to carry new like this home to his wife without every detail.
"By coincidence, I caught her scent, and…"
"I mouthed off to him, and he was so upset about letting me live that he thought that asking me to spend a small eternity with him would make us even", Sheba had interrupted as she leaned against the door she had gently slid open.
"Good Lord… you are stunning", Keiji stood to bow properly to the young woman who would soon out rank him. He then took her hands, and smiled brightly at her.
"Thank you so much…" Sheba was stunned at the Ryu Youkai. He was a little taller than Sesshomaru, with deep green, armored skin, but his gold eyes smiled as she settled into the chair.
"Keiji Lord of the North East", he grinned.
"So, I understand from what I overheard that I will have my work cut out for me." She smiled at him.
Sesshomaru regretted teaching her how to make her aura less noticeable.
"Your main concern will be learning the court politics. I will send for my wife, she will torture me for the next century if I didn't let her help you", Keiji excused himself.
Hey, long time no post I know, but my last semester was time consuming. However, I know it is short, but its something. Please, read and Review. It is what keeps me writing!
~Suki