Silver Moon: Chapter 18: Hide and Seek

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha

Claimer: Sheba & Sasha are mine.

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Sheba frowned as she laid out her dress for the second night of court. Across the bed was a black dress that would drape across one shoulder with a stiff band. It had a fitted bodice, and the skirts were short and layered stopping halfway down her thigh, thus showing off her long legs. The fact that the dress was so well tailored thanks to Koto, but made it look simple from a far. Thus, the accessories were necessary. There were the black stiletto pumps she was going to wear with them, and the jewels that were a combination of her own that had managed to get in her suitcase, and some pulled from the Western collection. The black pearls that would outline her neck and the silver silk sash that synched her waist were from the West, but the black tear drop pearl earrings were her own. The look was a bit dark, but with a red lip and a little darkening to her eyes it was also intimidating. When she finished her jewels and make-up she stepped out of the bedroom to get the attention of her mate-to-be.

"Are you ready to get dressed?" she smiled after finding him in the main room reading over a few scrolls.

Sesshomaru was not eager to do so in one way because it meant that they would be leaving the confines of their chambers soon, and he had so enjoyed lying around with his little bride all afternoon. He had only allowed her some privacy when she started her make-up, and that was mostly due to her claims that he was too distracting with his constant surveillance. However, he rose and followed her to their sleeping chamber because he could not turn down a chance to enjoy her form again.

Spread across their bed was her dress and sash, and next to it he saw his own formal black hakamas and haori. The back would bare his crescent mark in silver, and he would wear a silver hakamas shirt beneath it. Tonight was the main even at court, and all the men would be dressed in their formal black cloths. Minda had pulled the silver sash to signify Sheba's loyalty to the West, and it would tie in a broad fashioned bow behind her.

Sheba's hair was down, and swept to the side opposing her mark and rolled down her back with a strong side part. A sliver crescent shaped comb that set the hair behind her ear to display her mark, and she would wear it in a similar fashion until they were mated. The heavy mahogany curls fell to her hips now that they were dry, and shinned in the lantern light of the room.

She pulled him toward the bed, and began to remove his haori and hakamas shirt. This time her actions were more practiced, and she seemed at ease with the task. He leaned forward to capture her lips as she slipped the hakamas from his shoulders.

"I think I'm getting used to this", she said softly while folding the silks and placing them in the chest. She turned to him with the pants, and rolled on her heel so that her back was to him again.

He knew this was because he did not wear under garments, but her modesty was waning bit by bit, and he looked forward to when she would not shy from this part of the task. Once he was in the black silk hakamas pants she faced him again with the silver silk hakama shirt. She threaded his powerful arms through the sleeves, and took great care in setting just so on his shoulders. Then, with a few ties she returned with the heavy black haori, and repeated the process. After a great deal of tugs and tucks she stepped back to admire him.

"Handsome as always", she giggled.

He smirked, but moved to his favorite task. Pulling the sash to her yukata, and watching it fall slack around her form. He let the sash fall, and took in her blushing form as he guided the silk off her shoulders, and away from her. He lifted the dress, and after memorizing how she looked in the black lacy under garments he pulled it over her head to settle it in place. He zipped the back of the dress, and marveled at her. It was short, and showed off her legs, but the top also exposed most of her shoulders. He turned with the sash, and tied it around her. She stepped before the mirror as she slipped on her heels. Sesshomaru appeared behind her reflection, and pulled her to his chest.

"We look like villains", she giggled clinging to one of his arms. Both of their figures with such dark fabric made her feel like she needed a ray gun, or perhaps stolen diamonds.

"There are many that believe this Sesshomaru to be a villain", he said lowly.

"Well, not much can be done for the ignorant", she smiled up at him through the mirror. She wanted to kiss him, but feared her rouge might leave a mark.

"It is time", his features returned to the stoic mask.

She nodded and took his offered arm willing her confidence to rise. Though it was easier on the arm of her groom, and even when the court paused at their arrival to the main hall she did not feel the butterflies she had before. She felt strong, and her posture reflected a regal outline. 'Let the games begin', she thought as they made their way through the sea of black silk.

It was a bit frustrating that when she wanted his physical contact most she only had an arm to cling to, but in fact she could not cling. She had to keep airs about her of power and grace. To make things worse not only was she a bride on display, but she was also a Western bride which garnered extra attention because of how much power and influence the territory had. She spotted Kaori, and within the confides of her mind she breathed a sigh of relief.

"You look incredible!" Kaori smiled as her mate joined them in the center of the room.

"It's so nice to see a familiar face", she smiled warmly at the dragons.

The sound of her voice alone caused the volume of the room to lower, apparently to eavesdrop. Sesshomaru seemed to notice, and sent an icy glare to the eastern lord. For his part the hosting lord got the point, and encouraged boisterous conversation to bring attention away from the bride.

Kaori provided sufficient distraction as she gave her a play by play of the internal relationships at play around them. That was until a recognizable note was revealed.

"They say that there is some trouble in paradise for the Wolf Tribe, and it has delayed them. However, they are due to arrive tonight no matter what", Kaori was rather pleased with her gossip, and entirely missed the girl's expression.

"The wolf tribe", she whispered to herself. She had met Kouga once when he had paid his customary visit to 'Check on his woman' as he put it. Perhaps he had word of her friends?

Sesshomaru could sense her discomfort and placed a hand over hers on his arm. He found she was scanning the crowd. He leaned down to speak low enough so that only she could hear, "Who?"

He felt their link for a fleeting second, and he heard a name whispered to his mind, "Kouga."

He let his senses expand, and found the wolf had not yet arrived, but was quickly approaching. He would likely be here before the food would be served. He leaned to her ear again, "He will arrive shortly." He wondered how she knew the mongrel, but kept his guard up.

…

On the outer traces of the room two wolves were grumbling. They couldn't even get service from one of the maids, and they were starving.

"What is keeping Kouga?" Ginta whined.

"Maybe Ayame is still mad, and is putting up a fight?" Hakkaku shrugged attempting to wave down a maid with a platter of meats. In his jumping he caught a glimpse of the lovely bride. Everyone had been talking about her beauty, and other believed she was simply vexing the stoic Lord of the West. However, the bride seemed incredibly familiar. He lifted his nose to sniff the air, and his face lit up.

"I think that sister Kagome's friend … the one with the weird name", Hakkaku nudged his clan mate.

"She's the bride?" Ginta stretched to get a better look.

"…" Hakkaku started, but was interrupted by his blue eyed leader.

"Where have you two been?" Kouga barked approaching them.

"Waiting on you!" Ginta turned, "Hey Ayame!"

The red headed wolf waved, and quickly turned her attention to peaking at the new bride with Hakkaku.

"That reminds me… Kouga does the new Lady of the West look familiar?" Hakkaku clasped an arm around his leader's shoulders.

Kouga lifted a brow, and looked over Ayame's shoulder. There next to the unmistakable Lord of the West was a willowy figure, and as she turned to listen to her lethal mate-to-be say something to her ear he caught her eye. For a moment everything stopped as jade eyes, and the scent of rain triggered his memory.

…

She turned to Sesshomaru when she felt his temper rising through her mark. She smiled lightly at him as he leaned down to whisper, "The wolf is here."

His word fell on deaf ears as she found herself staring at the very youkai, or rather making eye contact with him. She felt her newly minted mask slip, and she placed a hand on Sesshomaru's chest to steady herself. She had met Kouga once, but he was a memorable figure. He had come running into the village one afternoon a few weeks before Sesshomaru had come back with his plan. He had swept up Kagome, and taken off with her. Inuyasha was fuming, and was hastily on their tail. A few hours passed before Kouga had reappeared with the Miko, and was mid-battle with Inuyasha. Kagome seemed happy, and broke up the fight by "sitting" Inuyasha. Kouga had looked her up and down before asking Kagome what she was. A smile lit her features even now as she remembered how her friend had responded without missing a beat, "She is a Sheba! Sheba this is Kouga the wolf prince. Kouga this is my dear friend Sheba". The wolf had not been satisfied with her answer, but she had changed the topic to dinner. Apparently, they were all celebrating Kouga's engagement to a wolf princess. Well, everyone except Kouga. The two other wolves had arrived to see Kouga went back to their home, but she had to assume the red headed beauty next to him was the bride. Against all hope she prayed he might have news of her friends…

Sesshomaru's mask was in place, but she could feel that he was getting fed up with not knowing what she wanted with the wolf. However, if she didn't time her "linking" with him just right then others would notice his lack of movement. She caught sight of a tray of rice cakes, and she could have clapped when her groom followed her eye-line to the food. He took one with his long fingers, and held it out to her to eat. Sheba took her chance. She took the offering, but made a point to wrap her hands around his wrist. They both felt the pulse.

"Kouga might have news of my friends. I have to talk to him!" was all she managed before a few noticed the lovers pause.

She took the bite bashfully, and it appeared that those who saw the display as Sesshomaru toying with her. Her groom leaned down, and whispered, "He is too low of rank. It will have to wait till some of the other lords have retired." He fed her another bite, and sat them at the table.

…

"She is supposed to be missing… why would Sesshomaru have her?" Kouga mumbled, in hopes that the murmur of the crowd would prevent the powerful inu-youkai from hearing him.

"Maybe they are in love?" Ayame smiled, hugging closer to her own groom.

"It's Sesshomaru! Don't be ridiculous Ayame. He must have kidnapped her", Ginta sighed.

"Keep everyone distracted", Kouga whispered to Ayame.

"How?" Ayame said, but he was already gone.

…

Sesshomaru sensed the retreat, but it was difficult to follow his movements in the currently over populated palace. The wolf was sly, and hold his aura as close to himself as possible. Sesshomaru did not miss his bride's look of confusion when she noticed the wolf's absence.

…

Kouga tracked the scent of rain back to the expensive guest wing. He smirked, the guards were drunk, and with his speed he slipped by them. The eastern lord was not the great lord her thought himself to be. He found the chambers covered in the couple's scent, and traces of less than innocent intentions. There was no sign of a struggle… no scent of talismans or magic… how was he holding her? Did she not know the injuries that her friends had suffered? Or perhaps she had willingly turned her back on them? Gone to Sesshomaru's side and perhaps their love affair was real…?

Kouga frowned, the story the scents told would lead him to believe the strange woman had betrayed her friends for a grab at fortune and power with the West, and its terrifying ruler. He opened the chest to find jewels from the western crown… why would she betray Kagome? They had appeared close enough…

…

Sheba smiled when Ginta and Hakkaku timidly waved at her from their position on a far table as the dinner began to wind down. Sesshomaru growled, and she placed a hand over his. "Where did he go?" she asked from the confines of her mind.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes in one last attempt to find the mongrel, and what he found caused him to stand sharply. He offered her a hand, and the abruptly left the dinner. To the witnesses it would have appeared the Lord of the West had been insulted by the wolves flirting, and many turned "tsks" and solemn looks to the pair. Undoubtedly, they would not survive the night if this was true. Ginta and Hakkaku gulped, and found they no longer had appetites.

…

Sesshomaru had a firm grip on her forearm as he led her back to their temporary chambers. Sheba was about to complain when he flung the doors open with a snarled, "WOLF!"

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Hello! I hope everyone is ready for shit to hit the fan next time! Plz Read and Review!

Thanks,

Suki B