Silver Moon: Chapter 21: Mixing It Up
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I make any monetary profit from this.
Claimer: Sheba and Sasha are mine!
…
Darkness was creeping across the frozen horizon as the Lady of the West bustled about the guest wing of the palace. She was making sure to add little touches to the jointed rooms.
"Rin brought these!" the little girl chimed as she danced about with bouquets of flowers with Jaken following her with even more arrangements of blooms.
"Those are perfect Rin! You did such a great job", Sheba smiled brightly at the girl as she helped her set them throughout the chambers.
"We found something that might help with the one with a wounded back", Koto chimed as she and Mai came in with a contraption. It was essentially a cross between a backboard she was accustomed to seeing EMTs carry the injured on and a traditional litter. It was a plank of wood that was about six feet long and three feet wide with handles at the corners. The thoughtful maids had secured a futon to it and had fresh linens folded and ready to be set over it.
"That would be perfect for Sango. I just can't thank all of you enough for helping so much", Sheba was so proud of her little family here being so accepting of the other.
"Don't be silly Sheba-sama you would do the same for us", Mai chided playfully as they set about the linens.
Sasha was lounging about the room when he and all the other youkai's ears perked up.
"I believe they are close", Minda announced.
Sheba nodded, "Sesshomaru said that he had instructed Yoshi to land in the gardens rather than the steps."
Everyone in the room fell in step behind her as she made her way out of the chambers, and toward the private gardens.
… Kagome cracked the door open to peak out when she felt their pace slow. She was already tired of hearing Inuyasha's grumblings over her apparently being recognized as the alpha, and wanted a little fresh air. However, the sight of the western palace caused her to gape. It was beautiful and massive. They moved past the main steps, and began to slowly circle their way down to a garden toward the back of the complex. She felt Shippo hop up to her shoulder to get a peak.
"Wow", the kit whispered in awe.
"Feh", Inuyasha huffed, but continued to look out onto the building.
They landed softly, and Kagome slid the door all the way open to see Sheba standing in a door way to the palace. Kagome held her breath. There was something about how Sheba looked in that moment. Granted Sheba had always had this other-worldliness about her that was more than just her beauty. It was why she had captured the eye of photographer so often, but it they could only see her now. She was dressed in a rich garnet colored winter kimono trimmed in white with silver cranes at the edges, and held to her with an ivory obi. Her hair was pulled to one side to show her mark, and the heavy mahogany locks glowed in the dusk light. Her emerald eyes were bright with happiness, and she stood with pride. She looked like an empress. She smiled as she made her way toward them. The snow only added a sharp contrast to the dark reds, and made her seem even more like an illusion. There was no question. Sheba was meant for this title. She needed no crown. Just as Sesshomaru's power was all that one needed to know his stature, Sheba only needed to be seen for one to understand her importance. For the first time Kagome envied her friend, if only for a moment, because she had never felt she belonged to this time, and here Sheba looked as though she had been destined for it all along.
"Did everything go alright?" Sheba smiled looking between the Miko and the captain of her guard.
"All is well my lady", Yoshi bowed.
"Thank you so much Yoshi", Sheba smiled as the male had already begun to unload the carriage.
"Sheba?" Shippo questioned creeping toward her.
"Yes?" she knelt down to scoop him up. She had to admit that she had been a little shell shock the first time she saw the palace, but for both Inuyasha and Kagome to be silent was still shocking.
"You look like an angel", the kit spoke softly as she nuzzled him to her.
"Sheba always looks that way", Rin appeared next to her with Sasha.
"You both are too sweet", Sheba blushed, and sat Shippo on Sasha.
"Are you ready?" Sheba looked to the adults.
"I think so", Kagome moved toward her.
Inuyasha leaned forward to pet Sasha, "He has gotten huge, what have you been feeding him?" Sasha's shoulders now came to his own waist, and from the looks of it he could easily carry Sheba. The cat was now broadening out and becoming more muscular. He was nearly as large as Kirara's middle form.
"Sasha eats everything, even Rin's stinky cabbage", the girl showed him a toothy grin.
Sasha snorted at this which encouraging a much needed laugh from the group.
"Well, come with me, and we will get you settled in", Sheba smiled as Yoshi picked up Miroku, and Inuyasha gingerly lifted Sango.
Once Sheba led them to the chambers it was Sango who gaped, "This is so nice." She spied the custom bed for her, and the two maids near it who looked rather proud. Sheba made the introductions around the room, and waited for everyone to get settled.
"Where is lord Sesshomaru, might I ask?" Miroku asked as he settled in a plush chair.
"There is a major issue with the Eastern lands where you and many youkai have been attacked. He is currently getting to the bottom of that while I concentrate on you", Sheba smiled.
"I see, so how is our treatment going to go?" Miroku smiled as Mai and Koto brought in a large meal for all of them.
"That is a difficult question. The healers will be coming in later to get a better look at you, but the main course of treatment will consist of mixing my blood with Sesshomaru's venom. In theory because we are bonded they should work together. His venom overpowering the one trying to kill you while my blood keeps you alive in the mean time, then after the venom has subsided my blood will help the wounds themselves." Sheba explained gently.
"That sounds dangerous", Kagome thought aloud.
"It is, but it is the only option that we see." Sheba sighed.
"And Sesshomaru is fine with all of this?" Inuyasha asked sarcastically.
"… That's not the way I would describe it, but I believe he will grow less annoyed over time." Sheba winked.
"He really loves you?" Kagome asked shyly.
"You have no idea my lady", Koto cooed as she set out the food.
Kagome nodded, but it all just didn't seem to be possible. They were really here, and Sheba looked happy. Maybe news this life changing just took time to settle into her mind… she pushed it aside. For now, everyone was together again, and no matter how odd or fragile the situation was she was going to do her best to focus on the good.
They ate with little conversations about what had happened while she had been missing. Rin told little stories about how Sasha and Ah-Un often tortured Jaken. While Koto and Mai tittered away like hens about how much Sheba had brightened their days. Minda had reappeared later into the night with the three elderly healers.
They bowed to Sheba who led them over to the slayer first, "This is Sango."
The three mumbled lowly amongst each other as they inspected the wounds, and gingerly lifting her arms, apparently looking at her body weight. The process would be repeated with Miroku.
"My lady, we believe that the treatment should begin in the morning. After the venom has had time to be processed through your body, possibly lessening its effects. With their current condition Sesshomaru-sama's venom would be to powerful. It would be best to allow it to build up in their systems while slowly increasing the doses." The female spoke this time.
"I see. Is there anything else we should be aware of?" Sheba turned serious.
"We will also send them a mixture that they will drink with each meal that may help to ease the pain and discomfort from both venoms. Also, our lady should keep her own strengths up now that she will be bled again." The third male said as they began to retreat.
Rin yawned widely as she waved the healers off causing Sheba to giggle as Shippo too began to yawn and stretch. "All right I think it's time for bed. It's been a long day after all", Sheba reached forward to hug Kagome tightly. "Please, get some rest you are safe here. Leave the rest to me", Sheba smiled at all of them as she led a half lidded Rin out of the chambers.
Koto and Mai bowed politely, "While you are here we are at your service, please don't hesitate to ask for anything." They both smiled kindly.
"Got any booze?" Inuyasha asked suddenly shocking everyone.
The maids exchanged looks before nodding slowly, and disappearing to retrieve the alcohol.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome swatted him.
"You mean to tell me you couldn't use a drink after today?" he lifted a brow at her.
"…" Kagome blushed, and looked away.
… … …
Sheba slipped out of Rin's chambers after the child had fallen asleep. However, she found her mate waiting for her in the empty and dim hall.
"I assume everything went well?" he wrapped an arm around her waist guiding her back to their chambers.
"Very well, they seem a little shell shocked, but I think they will be alright. The healers seemed optimistic too", she leaned into him as they entered their rooms. Her nap had helped, but she was still tired from the previous day's length.
"They seemed that way when they spoke to this Sesshomaru as well", he nodded as he settled her in his lap before their table where a small meal waited for her.
"So, you already know the instructions?" she yawned.
He smirked at her as he fed her the first bite, "I am well aware."
Sheba blushed at the predatory look in his eye, "How did your meetings go?"
He swallowed the snarl, "It would appear that the lord of the East has been hiding the news and information concerning the attacks that have been occurring on his lands because if all of them are indeed from Naraku he knows he would not be able to handle it."
"So, he has been trying to just hope this would go away on its own?" Sheba said between bites.
He snorted, but nodded.
"So, what do we do?" Sheba frowned.
"For now the attacks have stopped, likely because they were unsuccessful at collecting the shards he was after. It would be in our best interest to get the humans into safe health conditions while the west concentrates on preparing for when winter breaks, and undoubtedly the attacks begin." He was satisfied that she was full, and scooped her up into his arms to head to their bath.
"Good", she smiled tiredly as the steam rolled off the water before her. Once on her feet again she turned to him, and began to unfasten the ties to his clothing in a lazy fashion. Her mind was elsewhere. As the silks fell to the ground she kept her eyes on his. "You know you gave me everything today", her voice was soft as she traced the lines to his neck where she wrapped herself around him.
He was pleased with her relaxed state even if she had still not worked up the nerve to remove the lower half of his clothing. He kicked of his shoes, and leaned down to capture her full mouth. He was pleased when she returned him tenderly, and even as he pulled away she trailed her lips lightly along his collar bone and shoulders. He pulled the obi from her form, and parted the layers of silk to push them all over her shoulders in one movement. This left her to be in nothing but her red-lace under clothing, and a pair of silver stilettos. She blushed, but lowered her arm to allow the heavy silk to fall. She was calm, and he relished in soft curves as he pulled her to him. She sighed and returned his embrace.
She knew he was waiting for her to move away, and when she didn't she felt his lips on her shoulders. A soft nip at her collar triggered her to look up at him. His eyes were molten gold, and she had never seen them so warm. He slowly lowered to his knees all the while his lips continued their path between her bust, down her stomach, and when she knew he could taste her nerves he delivered another nip, this time to her belly button. His eyes never left hers, and it emboldened her to embrace the fires he was lighting through her body. He nuzzled her hip before following her legs to the knee where he bent one to place her heel clad foot in her grasp. He gently removed the shoe, and repeated the process with the other. She shivered when he broke from her, and turned to the shelf full of towels. There was not a single word or signal of warning before his hakama pants dropped, and he slowly wrapped a towel around his hips.
Sheba felt her mouth go dry; even from behind his body was perfect. He turned to her with a larger towel for her, but she could not pry her line of sight from the deep red stripes that topped his hips following the curve and dipping low from front to back. She turned her back to him, and felt his claws spread over her back. Her heart hammered in his chest. What if he didn't like her body, what if…
"Breath my bride", his deep voice lulled into her panic. As one hand wrapped around to spread across her mid-section, and pull her to be flush to him again.
She released a shaky breath, and allowed her head to fall back to his shoulder with her eyes closed. She felt his hands settle on her shoulders with his clawed fingers slipping beneath the straps. She took a deep breath in through her nose, and as she slowly allowed it past her lips she felt the pads of his calloused fingers travel down her arms with the straps. Her mind began to spiral again, and she could not stop the plea that escaped her lips, "Tell me you love me."
She heard him chuckle before his lips pressed to her neck, "Do you not know what it means when this Sesshomaru shows you?"
"I need to hear it", she admitted meekly refusing to open her eyes to face him.
She could feel the upward turn of his lips as the fell on her mark and the simple kiss to that one spot sent warmth and calm through her. He spoke against it, "You are everything to this Sesshomaru. There is no other that can inspire what you can. My bride is beautiful, loud, hardheaded, willful, and disrespectful… yet, there is nothing this Sesshomaru would wish to change. You are my Sheba you have no fault that does not somehow turn into a fascination for your groom. If this Sesshomaru's lust is not enough never forget that you and the young you produce are the only creatures that will ever know his heart and mind."
She felt tears fall from her at his words, and she felt him nuzzle her cheek which she returned whole heartedly. She felt the towel open in front of her, and she opened her eyes again to take it around her. His claws released the clasp at her back and she pulled the towel to her as it fell to the floor. His claws traced her hip before dripping between her skin and the lace. His hands slid down her hips, and they too fell to the ground leaving her that whole side of her body bare to his eyes. A low approving rumble rolled from him and through her as he pulled her to him again.
"Mine", his growls rumbled as she pulled the towel fully around her.
She turned to him sweetly, and whispered "Always", as she cuddled to his chest.
… … …
Hello again. That's right another chapter is up in the same month! Your reviews are my fuel so please let me know what you think! Please remember to R&R cause I have the other half of this steamy scene coming up next ^.^
Suki~B