Silver Moon: Chapter 20: Chance
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I make any monetary profit from this.
Claimer: Sheba and Sasha are mine!
…
Dawn was arriving softly when Inuyasha returned with Sheba behind him. Kagome and the monk noted their relaxed nature two had settled back into.
"How long do we have with you Lady Sheba?" Miroku had propped himself up against the wall with great effort.
"Sesshomaru said he would be back after dawn, so anytime now", Sheba yawned, but noted everyone's still concerned expressions.
"What will you do?" Kagome asked with concern permeating her voice.
"I will ask him to help", Sheba sighed.
"And if he refuses?" Miroku asked softly.
"He won't", Sheba smiled softly. "He is not entirely the person you believe he is, trust me."
A wave of yuki pulsed around them. Kagome shivered lightly at the weight of the powerful youkai energy, and the way it almost prowled against her pure energy. He had already zeroed in on his prize, and a soft growl was heard from outside the hut.
Sheba lazily stood, and smoothed out her clothing before headed out the door, "Wait here."
Sheba found her groom to be standing only a few paced past the door, and he was far from pleased. Both her mark and the charm around his neck sent her his waves of discontent. He was holding gritted teeth "Are you finished?"
Sheba stepped forward and placed a concerned hand to his chest as she shook her head. Both hand reached up to lock behind his neck, and a pulse connected them with her gentle hug.
"What happened?" Sheba lulled in his mind as her concerned emerald eyes search his for a sign.
She felt his ire rise before a sigh escaped him, and powerful hands gripped her waist. "It would appear that there is a great deal more to the Eastern problems than any of the other lords were aware of. The mongrel had sense enough to leave, but his bride sent a letter with details of attacks that have been plaguing their tribes in the East and how many are dying from similar injuries." Even in her mind she could hear the snarl to his words.
"So, you think the lord of the East held court to discuss this or hide it?" she whispered it gently in his mind.
"It is unknown. It is not safe for you to remain away from the fortress in a time like this", she could feel him pulling his cloud under them.
"They need your help, I couldn't do anything", she said suddenly out loud.
"Hn", was his response before the cloud pulled them into the sky, and the world began to fly by.
She could feel that he was still angry, but decided to wait until they stopped to question him further. She only hoped that he would grant her this one last wish…
…
The inhabitants of the hut could feel the sudden disappearance of the heavy yuki.
"Looks like Sheba was wrong", Inuyasha huffed. For a moment he had believed her, that perhaps Sesshomaru was not who he thought he was.
"Give it time. Perhaps Sesshomaru needs time to think?" Miroku offered, but Sango and Kagome only shook their heads.
…
The couple landed in silence, but Sheba did note that Ah-Un was already there with the carriage they had traveled in.
Sesshomaru released her, and silently lead her back into their home. He could feel his bride's discomfort, but he could not let her pry into his mind now. Not with what he knew. All the other victims had been strong and healthy wolves, but all of them had died within a month. The humans should have been dead, and he still could not fathom how even the medical care the Miko could bring from the future could have kept them alive for this long.
They had made it to a far wing of the palace when she could not bear it any longer. "What is going on Sesshomaru? You never answered me." Sheba looked as though she would crumble any moment.
He turned to her gently, and took a deep breath. "You will show the healers their condition, and I will decide after they have spoken."
"Ok", she sniffed taking a shaky breath. He was still there, still her Sesshomaru, but he every connection she had to him spoke of dark and angry energy. Until she felt his arms around her, then the warmth faintly returned.
She felt so venerable. His decision could change everything… if he refused… she wasn't sure if she could bare it. She clung to his chest for a moment, and whispered, "What if they say there is nothing, what if they can't…"
"Never forget your groom's power", he nuzzled her.
She pulled away understanding, her eyes falling on the sword of life on his hip. "I'm ready", she nodded firmly.
The doors opened to reveal two males and a female youkai. All three were elderly, and with stern expressions. One male stepped forward, and smiled at her wryly.
"If I show you can you help?" Sheba asked softly leaving her grooms side.
"I will do my best, my lady", his voice was graveled and weak with age.
"Alright, take a deep breath", Sheba instructed before placing her hand on either side of the males face, and playing the memories of the wounds over to his mind's eye.
After several moments she released him. The male's expression was grim.
"They should not be alive, even now." He spoke to no one in particular as he turned to the wall to wall shelves of scrolls, and selected two.
"Is there nothing we can do?" Sheba followed him as he spread the two scrolls out over a table in the back of the room.
Sesshomaru recognized one. It was the scroll that had spoken of the healing abilities of the Silver Sorceress. The other was about anti-venom.
"There is no known treatment, but we could try something…. However, it would be very risky", the male looked on and began to read for a specific anti-venom.
"How so?" Sesshomaru moved forward.
"Well, it is clear they have a strong will to live, but the anti-venom would be painful. If mixed with our lady's blood then it could greatly speed up the healing, but the only way to combat the venom is with a more powerful one. Which could end up killing them faster… unless the venom works with her blood." The elderly male looked between them.
"I see", Sesshomaru nodded. "Make the preparations."
Sesshomaru promptly lead her back to their shared master chambers. Sheba seemed in a daze even as the door closed. Her exhausted mind was aware that her groom was undressing her. He was peeling the heavy coat from her shoulders, and pushing her to sit on their bed so that he could remove her heels. He leaned her forward to un-zip the dress. She held it to her though as her mind began to comprehend.
"We are doing this?" she asked meeting his gaze.
He frowned, "You are going to sleep while I make the arrangements."
Sheba smiled softly, "You are bringing them here?"
"It is the best solution", he nodded.
Sheba lunged forward to hug him tightly. Also, she completely forgot her dress which now lay in the floor between them. She huffed at the armor he had on, and undid the clasps and sash before kicking it to the side. Then, she completely melted to him. "Thank you."
Sesshomaru smirked at his bride's actions. She seemed completely unaware of her state of dress, and he relished in the feel of her skin under his claws. After a few moments he could hear her breathing evening out. He lifted her lightly and ignored her soft mumbles as he laid her in the furs. Her hand reached up to his cheek tracing his stripe. Her half lidded eyes showed trust and warmth. "I love you", she murmured softly.
He kissed her softly, and left her to rest. He went in search of Yoshi, the captain of his guard, and Minda.
…
The day fell to afternoon with nothing eventful in the village. Kagome busied herself with cleaning and tending her friends' wounds, but she could see that they were no longer improving. Inuyasha was keeping his distance, and Shippo had explained that the injuries were beginning to smell of decay. Kagome was not sure if she was numb or if she was still in shock because she had not shed tears despite the news.
Inuyasha could only find peace under the God Tree, but something in the air changed while he argued with Shippo. The kit had wanted him to return, and he was mid- howler when it happened. The sharp energy of Ah-Un, but no Sesshomaru. Instead another inuyoukai, almost as powerful as the Lord of the West. Both young males took off for the village, following the path of the scent. There they saw a middle aged male inuyoukai in Ah-Un's saddle. He had short cropped brown hair, and kind grey eyes. He wore armor similar to Sesshomaru's, and he smiled at them as he landed the beast carefully, due to the large carriage that was behind hauled behind them.
"My, my you look just like your father!" the male boasted as he came off the beast.
"Who the hell are you!" Inuyasha bellowed reaching for his sword.
The male smiled and playfully put his hands up as the Miko came out to investigate the noise. "I am Yoshi, captain of the Western Guard, and I have been sent to collect my lady's pack, so that the injured may gain treatment at the Western palace."
"Sesshomaru is going to help", Kagome gaped.
"Our lady's happiness is a very precious thing. It would not do to leave her pack in the cold during a time of need." The male bowed politely to the Miko. "I am Yoshi."
Kagome gasped, "They can really help?"
The male smiled softly at her, "We intend to do our best. Now, it is best we get all of you out of the cold, and get to the palace before night fall. My lady will be very pleased to see her pack under her care."
"You know Sheba well?" Shippo carefully approached the male that had a towering build similar to the Lord of the West.
He nodded, and turned to Kagome, "I understand you are the alpha of this pack. How would you like to pack everything up?"
Kagome gaped, and Inuyasha began to curse. After several moments of argument Yoshi began to help Kagome load all of their belongings and weapons into the carriage. Then, he lifted Miroku as though he were a feather then Sango, and settled them in before returning to the saddle with a nod to Kagome.
Inuyasha followed Kagome into the carriage and slid the door shut he sighed. This was not at all what he had expected.
"Perhaps we were wrong", Sango said softly as they lifted off.
"It's worth a chance", Kagome smiled.
… … … …
Hello! Here's the newest chapter. As always let me know what you think, so please R & R!
Suki-B