Silver Moon: Chapter 22: Patience is a Virtue
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I make any monetary profit from this.
Claimer: Sheba and Sasha are mine!
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He cursed her exhaustion. She had managed to groom him with shear will, but the warm water and his hands caused her vision to lull in and out. He was not used to sharing her with anyone, and now his most precious time she was too exhausted to keep her eyes open. After drying them he simply put her to bed. He was well aware that the moment his venom hit her veins she would lose the battle to remain awake. He had so hoped for more entertaining plans.
He felt her sigh as he slipped the sleeping yukata around her, and a smirk graced his features as he laid her down on the bed. Even as he followed behind her form she mumbled angrily until she felt his arm cage her to him. Then, the little scowl melted from her features. She was such a vibrant creature in everything she did, and he was grateful to the gods for this blessing. Her heart was evening out into a deep slumber when he lowered his fangs on their mark. She gave him a tantalizing breathy sigh when the venom entered her blood stream. He resisted the urge to curse the same gods for making her just as difficult as she was beautiful. A silent promise was made to her sleeping form that soon she would pay for her little tortures, and what delightful currency it would be… for now the great Daiyoukai watched his bride sleep deeply.
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Luminous green eyes took in everything the darkness had to offer. The large black feline enjoyed the new freedom this home provided for he was no mindless beast that some would think him. He had just not overcome the barrier between himself and his sister just yet. He had waited patiently for years as she grew up in that strange world. He had followed every step, fall, and achievement. All the while trapped in the form the tiniest cub he had ever seen. Yet, for all of her great academic feats she had never noticed him until a few months before the Miko had made her way into their lives. She had never really tried to strengthen her powers, and never tried to return home. It was true they were not from the place on the other side of the bone-eater's well.
They were from a time when the great dog general himself had reigned. Sheba had been only two summers when the attackers had come, and her birth mother had not been able to fend them off. The human woman had stood bravely and claimed that she herself was the silver sorceress while Sheba was smuggled out by the village Miko. That Miko had looked upon the small girl and the cub that followed her relentlessly looking for a place to hide her. In a moment of desperation as the attackers turned after her she began chanting in prayer. Their leader was attempting to use a spell to stop her powers, but as their swords fell on her skin the Sasha only heard her whisper, "May your mother keep you safe".
When a blinding light came across his vision they were alone in a groomed field with his dear sister squalling where she sat. However, he was much smaller than he was before, and the air was much heavier. Men in uniforms arrived, but to his horror they kicked him aside to take the child. All of his abilities were lost to him. The best he could do was following her scent and connection. That was when his waiting had begun. As his sister was put in an orphanage, and a woman with a thick accent essentially bought her. He kept close, and thanks to the abundance of roaming felines he was able to keep well fed, and that was how his days went.
If only Sheba's powers would flourish the way that they should. Yet, with the new events they should be exploding from her. Worst of all she could not hear mother. A soft whine escaped his large form as he looked up at the glowing half moon. Mother missed her so, and if she didn't break through soon it would be too late for all of them. Naraku was moving, and he would separate each of the major powers that could align against him, and the beast would win. Something that even mother could not prevent. However, stationed in the walls behind him were the main weapon that could tip the fates. He rose to his paws and prowled the palace. For now, Naraku was licking his wounds, but he was still gaining power. Mother kept a close eye on him from her vantage point, and she was breathing caution into his lungs. He needed to force these individuals to work together. The Miko, The great Daiyoukai and the bastard prince were the powerhouses. If they could just work together their power alone could tip the scales with the Shikon Miko. However, all three of them were practically hopeless. The Miko was untrained and gullible. The hanyou was thick headed and needed to be re-trained to actually harness his power. The Daiyoukai was beginning to understand what would be necessary, but he was to prideful to allow any other to assist. His sister was the key to them working together. She connected these great powers. If they were left without her the Miko would likely be slaughtered by the next creature to seek her out. The hanyou had no clue how to behave as an Alpha and keep their pack together; let alone lead it. The Daiyoukai was still too wrapped up in surpassing their father to know that if he had just been patient he already would have.
He slipped into the chambers where the new arrivals rested. The two only trained members were sleeping deeply despite their wounds thanks to a draught that the healers had sent. Their journey would perhaps be the most painful. The bastard prince sprawled on the floor of the next room smelling lightly of alcohol. He was snoring evenly. The Miko was laying awake on her futon when she spotted him. She was the only one that was not resting. It was a shame because judging by the darkness around her eyes she needed it.
"Sasha", she whispered in a weak call.
He came obediently. It was in his nature to comfort. He curled his large form around her sitting posture.
"What do you think of all this?" she whispered to him as he put his head in her lap.
Sasha rolled his eyes at her earning a giggle. "Is Sheba really happy with Lord Sesshomaru?"
This he contemplated. They were an ironic pair to be honest even more so since his sister's full identity had yet to be disclosed. What would the house of the moon do when they realized how literal their title really had become? The question of his sibling's happiness was one that was still developing. The two could war against each other, but they had appeared to find their rhythm. It was a turn that even mother had not anticipated, but she had appeared optimistic at the hand of fate. Sasha nodded to Kagome, and she gave him a stern look.
"You are certain?" Kagome chewed her lip.
Sasha gave her a flat look.
"You have been around Sesshomaru too much", she chided as she yawned.
He stood, and watched her curl into the bedding. Sleep found the Miko quickly, and he went about his rounds. Yes, he had spent a great deal of time with the Lord of the West, and he found him to be worth the effort. As he entered the child's room he took care to the thought that if these individuals did play their hand correctly that the Lord would also be a model father. He was already proving it through the little human girl that lay sleeping within the room. He lay down next to her. She reminded him so much of his sister. She was so kind, so fearless, but she was also so unable to see danger. In her sleep she cuddled into his fur.
They could bide their time this winter, but if they were not ready when the earth thawed it would all be over…
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Yay! I know this is short, but I hope it also has a big spoonful of information to the mystery. More coming soon!
Love,
Suki