Silver Moon: Chapter 23: One Poison for Another
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I make any monetary profit from this.
Claimer: Sheba and Sasha are mine!
…
Sheba woke with early dawn filtering into the room with the familiar warm fur around her body. The first time she had woken to find what was essentially Sesshomaru's tail wrapped around her she had been a little frightened. This was mostly because the long white wrapping of fluff would actually hold to her, and sometimes had to be pried from her. It was a pelt, and from what Sesshomaru had explained all inuyoukai were born with them around their body, and carry them with them for life. It did have a basic connection, so when she referred to it as a tail he had only glowered for a moment. Now, she snuggled deeper into the bedding refusing to wake as the fur was attempting to encourage. She should have been angry since the presence of the fur usually meant that he had abandoned their bed for work. However, she had slept too blissfully to care at the moment. The end of the fur swished lightly at the soles of her feet, and she jumped with a fit of laughter. Sighing, she stood and stretched her way to where she could see her mate was standing on their balcony.
"I see you have finally woken", she was keenly aware of how his voice was a little more graveled this early in the morning, or rather how much she liked that it was.
Her mate smirked at her, "My bride do not tempt you groom when you know there are less pleasant things to be done".
Sheba blushed, and hit his arm half heartedly. "What are the instructions my Great Master", she spoke with great embellishment.
He lifted a brow at her usual morning antics, but motioned her to sit on their bed as he pulled a glass vial from with a top from within his haori. He knelt before her and pulled back her sleeve. The two dot-like scars on her wrist sent a pain through his heart. He had been cruel to her when he had drunk from her… she sensed his unease, and ran her exposed hand across his cheek.
"It's different now", she spoke to him with a tone and a smile that was solely reserved for him. He nuzzled her palm, indeed everything was different now.
His fangs re-opened the scars with surgical precision, and as he pulled away the vile was set just under her wound. Drop by drop it filled. The whole time she could feel her groom's discomfort. It did not dissipate until the vial was pulled away and his mouth returned to seal the wound. He pulled away and sealed the vial.
"Hey", she called him out of his inner musings. She pulled him to her, and kissed the crest of one cheek, "Thank you for helping me even though that means helping them."
He snorted, and she placed her lips gently to his own, "Never forget how much I love you."
With that she stood and pulled options of what he would dress her in. They fed each other breakfast quietly. Everything was done briskly; a sign of both of their restlessness.
…
It was silly really. Sheba rationalized her thoughts. She had butterflies in her stomach. It was almost as though she felt she was introducing Sesshomaru to her friends for the first time. However, it was not. It was actually much worse than that. She was going to try to save her friend's lives with their own enemy. The butterflies were better than the sinking lead of what could go wrong.
They approached the chamber with even steps, and just before reaching it his hand fell from its place in the small of her back. Both pulled in deep breaths.
…
Inuyasha slid the door open before the two had been in reach. He looked from his brother to Sheba, and managed a "Keh" as he stepped aside.
Sesshomaru for his part was his normal untouchable cool and calm. Sheba was smiling in her soft peridot green yukata. The healers had arrived before they had finished their morning meal, and were preparing the teas that would be mixed with the blood. All three bowed murmuring greetings to their lord and lady.
Miroku's eyes fell on Sesshomaru, or rather the only sword on his hip; the sword of life, but it was the reasoning behind it that caused his normally smiling violet eyes to darken. First, the sword Tokijin was missing. This was a pleasant sign. It meant that in a very silent way he was showing that he meant no harm. However, the presence of Tenseiga led him to believe that Sesshomaru was not certain they would survive.
Sesshomaru waited for Sheba to sit, and then he pulled a vial of dark blood from his haori. One of the healers accepted this, and poured only a few drops into each cup before filling both to the brim.
"You will drink this. I will warn you it will be bitter, and the immediate effects unpleasant, so it would be best to do so hastily." The elderly female said as they each took their glasses.
Sesshomaru remained standing as Miroku and Sango put a brave face, but their scents told different stories. Both were frightened, and both already bore the scent of death.
The room fell into solemn silence as the two gulped the draughts. The effects were immediate. Both gasped in pain, the scent of blood rose to the air, and the scent of burning flesh was all too soon to join it.
Sheba rushed to Sango as Kagome fell to Miroku's side. The two writhed in pain as the healers urged them into positions so that their wounds were exposed. Before their eyes the dead flesh began to bleed and burn. Reopening and cauterizing the wounds until new pink flesh though delicate and thin covered the wounds. This was when Miroku's back arched from the floor as though his wounded chest was trying to separate from the rest of his body.
"It appears it is working better than we thought", the oldest of the healers smiled as the youkai in the room heard the soft crunches of the monk's ribs shuffling back into place.
"What the hell are you talking about!" Inuyasha barked looking between the two injured and back to Sesshomaru.
"Look again mutt", Sesshomaru spoke lowly.
Inuyasha could only see his friends writhing in pain, but when he gasped he caught his brother's meaning. The scent of death was gone replaced with blood, but his friend's were no longer dying. Slowly, the room calmed. Miroku was unconscious, but his wounds were pink and nearly closed, and his crushed bones had mended. Sango was holding back her whimpers.
"The worse is over", the third healer spoke softly as he inspected the wounds.
"I can feel my back again", it was lower than a whisper, but Sango's words reached the ears of the youkai.
"Does it hurt my dear?" the female healer asked kneeling to her.
"Yes, but I can feel it", she sounded shocked.
"Good, drink this now it will help with the pain", he handed her another cup of tea.
"What is their current outlook?" Sesshomaru voice cut through the room.
"The venom that was killing them is no longer present, and their wounds have regained circulation. They are no longer critical my lord", the female smiled at the slayer.
"How long do you expect it to be before the next dose?" Sheba asked softly.
"We had not expected the effects to be this good my lady. There will only be a need for perhaps one more dose, but only from you, Lady Sheba", the male healers began lifting Miroku.
"What are you going to do with him?" Kagome asked standing to follow.
"We are going to give him a bath. The venom has a most unpleasant scent, and the heat will do his body well." One replied as the other lifted him despite his age.
"Oh…" Kagome sighed in relief.
"You would benefit from a proper bath as well young slayer", the female smiled.
Sango nodded weakly.
"It can wait dear, rest for now. I will inform the maids of the herbs to put in her bath", the elderly female made her way out.
Kagome watched Sesshomaru turn to leave, and it struck a chord in her. "Lord Sesshomaru!"
He turned to look at the miko with his unnerving gaze. Sheba watched from behind the miko, "Priestess".
Sheba offered her groom a soft smile, as Kagome did exactly as she expected. The small woman took a shaky step towards him, "Thank you". She bowed low as she continued, "Without your venom our friends would be waiting for death…"
He could smell her tears. Apparently, the dam on her resolve had over flowed.
"I am in your debt for their lives", the miko rose to look at him with kind but tear filled eyes.
Sesshomaru offered her a firm nod before leaving, "As alpha you shall be responsible for your pack."
He was not gone long before the two cheerful maids appeared with Minda. The room filled with a lulling conversation, and Sango was drifting in and out of a nap. For a while at least…
"So, does anyone want to explain to me why Kagome is the alpha of this pack?" Inuyasha scanned the room of women.
Minda spoke up, "Tell me Inuyasha does Kagome nurse all of the pack mates that are injured?"
"Well, ya she's a miko", he said flippantly.
"I see, and does she also see that every pack member is fed and tended to?" Minda asked sweetly.
Inuyasha nodded as he became aware that he may no longer wish to know the answer.
"Ah, does she also make solid decisions on how and where the pack should travel?"
"Explain solid decision", Inuyasha grumbled.
"SIT", Kagome huffed as Inuyasha went face first into the floor, and despite how he cursed he would not be able to pull himself up for some time.
"That is why I am alpha!" Kagome stomped her foot.
"Perhaps now would be a good time for that bath?" Koto prompted.
All the females nodded in agreement. Minda lead, as the younger four lifted the litter made for Sango.
Sheba smiled, this wing's bath was almost as nice as hers and Sesshomaru's, but it was much larger. Minda and the maids each stepped behind the screen on the far end. Taking turns to remove their clothing and wrap a towel around them. They also brought one out for Sango.
"Aren't you going to change Sheba?" Kagome looked at her expectantly.
Sheba shook her head, and Minda supplied the words for her.
"Our Lady Sheba is still being courted by Lord Sesshomaru. Part of that courting involves their bonding which considering your relationship with Lord Inuyasha I am sure you are aware of." Minda smiled.
Kagome only stared at her with a confused expression.
"You are the young lord's intended are you not?" Koto frowned as she wrapped a towel about Sango.
Kagome blushed darkly, and stuttered out, "Well, I mean we like each other and all, but it not like we have set about making permanent plans…"
"That's odd. Everything about his behavior led us to believe he was planning on marking you at any time", Minda frowned.
Kagome's blush became impossibly darker.
"Inuyasha has made a verbal claim", Sheba defended.
"Perhaps, he is unsure how to explain the rules of courting?" Mai supplied as she gently washed Sango with the herbs.
"No. I doubt Inuyasha was ever even told how even the basic information concerning courting. He was still a pup when his mother died", Minda reminded softly.
"So, he hasn't marked me because he doesn't know how to court me?" Kagome asked softly as she stepped behind the screen.
"Not exactly, he is inuyoukai after all and a great deal of courting will come instinctually", Minda could scent the girl's nerves.
"Kagome do you feel that you should have been marked already?" Sheba asked softly as the miko slipped into the water before her.
The girl thought for a moment, "In our time, I feel like we would be too young, but in this time we wouldn't be."
"Perhaps he is just concerned over that. He has spent some time in our home. He has seen that there is a difference in the culture." Sheba soothed as she scooted to the edge near Sango who sat on the steps, so that only her hips were submerged. Koto was behind her doing her hair.
"It might be useful to know at any rate. Since he will need guidance, and we know Sesshomaru's not going to step in and give it to him", Sango noted in her drowsy state.
"This is true dear. He may endure the half sibling for Sheba's sake, but the young lord is a symbol of everything negative in Lord Sesshomaru's life." Minda said solemnly.
"I thought they just hated each other?" Kagome looked up questioningly.
"You have no idea. I will tell you the story one day." Sheba smiled.
"So, how does courting work with a inuyoukai?" Kagome asked happily.
…
Miroku was returned to the room now conscious to find a very ill tempered hanyou.
The healers did not stay to concern themselves only left supplies with promises that they would return in a few hours.
…
The Lord of the West was suddenly aware that his mate to be was hungry. So, imagine his surprise when he followed her scent to the BATH chamber…
…
Hello, again! That's right two updates in one day. I thought I should make up for lost time. I hope everyone loves it. A special thank you to those who read and reviewed while I was between updates. I had a very bad couple of months, but I am out for my first summer in a few years, so should be able to update a good deal more. Please, read and review because it means everything to know what you think about it. It is my encouragement, and my motivation to hopefully make each chapter special.
Love,
Suki-B