Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 25
Closer
-S-sir?
The chanting was low and the language was imperceptible. It was freaking the poor soldier out.
He cleared his throat and tried to man up.
-Excuse me, my lord?
The chanting got faster and faster and the soldier was starting to worry. It was like Lord Akio's body had turned into an empty chanting shell. He noted the old scroll sitting in front of it and got curious.
Suddenly, Lord Akio's eyes opened the orange godly glow gone to be replaced by a lifeless white.
The guy hated to admit it but he yelped like a little girl.
Well, it was not his fault that he was stuck with a loony lord.
Still… it was his duty to assure his safety and he didn't know if what was happening was normal.
Ok…it wasn't normal by normality standards but maybe not normal by Akio's standards too.
With a deep breath the courageous (but foolish) soldier placed a hand on Akio's shoulder and lightly shook him.
-Sir? Sir, are you alri-AAAAH!
His hand was caught on fire and he tried fervently to rub it off in his panic. It hurt!
With a frustrated sigh, Akio's eyes returned to their orange glow and the soldier's screams turned into pained shrieks that probably woke up the entire camp. He heard grumbling and Takeru was the first to barge in, katana in hand and with a bare chest, still dazed from the rude awakening.
The general's eyes widened as he saw the now shrieking dark bundle recoiling in himself as his flesh was slowly eaten by the flames and his nose twitched in disgust. Soon it silenced and all that remained were smelly ashes.
Takeru turned his gaze to his lord and crossed his arms.
-My lord, may I be so bold to ask if that was necessary?
Akio's eyes closed and he turned his nose to the air like he had been heavily insulted.
-I told you I was not to be disturbed. The damn brat interrupted my bonding thus suffering the consequences.
Takeru took a deep breath to calm himself. Seriously, was this really worth it? Fame, wealth and glory in exchange of putting up with this tragedy of a demon?
Maybe…
He would be lying if he said that in all his years of service he hadn't become not even a tiny little bit…attached to Akio. His strange ways and even stranger talking were disconcerting in the beginning but when he got used to it he even started to understand some of them. His lord treated him a bit better than the others too. Respected him at least. He was fine with that.
His shoulders slumped in defeat and he smiled weakly.
-I apologize for my incompetence, my lord. I was sure I had all the soldiers warned…
Akio held up a hand and opened his eyes.
-It was just one.
He smiled coldly.
-I have thousands just like him if even better. It's nothing to fret about.
He pouted at the scroll.
-I'm not looking forward to do everything all over again though.
The fire demon suddenly frowned and looked at his general with curious eyes.
-What was that soldier doing here anyway?
Takeru fumbled with his obi. He murmured.
-He must have thought it would be better if you knew about the news now than in the morning.
Akio's eyebrow twitched.
-Is it important?
-Well…it has a certain…relevance in the plans.
-Out with it.
-It seems Isamu was caught. Without him we can't penetrate inside the castle.
Akio had a thoughtful look in his face before he smiled cruelly and shrugged.
-Meh! We don't need him anymore.
Takeru smiled sadly for he knew what his lord meant. Akio touched briefly the scroll.
-I have everything I need to tame that stray dog. Right…here…
-What will we do with Isamu's family then?
Akio arched an eyebrow like he was stupid.
-I had them killed long before the fool was captured. So that's not going to bother us anymore. He could do me a favor and kill himself, for all I care.
-Still…we have a problem.
Akio suddenly screamed and banged his fists in the ground, startling Takeru.
-WHAT THE FUCK IS IT NOW?!
Nervous, he hoped this was just one of his random mood swings.
-The-th-the Isamu fellow might g-give our plans away and inform Sesshomaru of our attack.
Akio's face was red with rage and his eyes were glowing so brightly that any would go blind by looking at them if you were a human.
-Do you think me a fool, Takeru? That lowlife isn't going to tell Sesshomaru anything because he still thinks I have his family. He's still loyal to me, in a way. Unless…he goes all depressed and suicidal and confesses everything before doing something kamikaze.
Now he was babbling. Kami, how he hated his lord's strange ways sometimes.
Akio stood up and punched a table with a map breaking it in pieces. He had a toothy grin plastered on his face and Takeru shivered.
-Alright then! It's settled. Isamu is the first to die when we get there.
Akio sat up in front of the scroll again. His fingers were fidgeting in a supernatural speed and he closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to relax.
Takeru always thought he looked like a female giving birth when he did that.
-If I am no longer required…
-Go, you meddling idiot.
Takeru's eyes shined dangerously at the insult but he held himself and quietly got out of his lord's tent to try getting his much deserved sleep. Or what was left of it.
-How many stars do you think there is, Inuyasha?
The hanyou grunted and frowned.
-What kind of question is that?! And how the hell would I know? There are so many of them…
Kagome sighed and got closer to her mate. She loved to spend moments like this with Inuyasha. Right now, they were just lying on the grass, stargazing. Well…she was stargazing. Inuyasha didn't seem very interested in the stars.
She rested her head tentatively in his chest and he raised a hand to caress her hair. She then decided to breach a rather touchy topic.
-Inuyasha?
-Yeah?
She lowered her hand to his belly and parted his haori to caress him there. His arm tightened around her; his way of saying he liked her affections.
-How…how was your talk with Sesshomaru?
He sighed and raised his head to the sky.
-It was fine, Kagome…I'm still in one piece aren't I?
-Do you think…he will ever reciprocate Rin's love?
He kissed the top of her head.
-Only one way to find out. You said Rin had gone to talk to him early, didn't you?
Kagome frowned. Now that she thought about it…
-Yeah…she still hasn't come back yet…nor Sesshomaru…
She suddenly got worried.
-Inuyasha…do you think something happened?
The hanyou's carefree and randomly perverted mind strikes again.
-I don't think they would do it this soon…I may be wrong though. That bastard is as unexpected as- OWW!
Kagome had a blush of both anger and embarrassment on her face. She lowered the fist of which she had hit him with to rest it against his belly again.
-I'm worried about them, Inuyasha! They have been through a lot lately and we are not in living peaceful times either or have you forgotten?
He rubbed his hurting shoulder and pouted.
-Geez, Kagome, calm down! They're fine! They're probably just chillin'. If Rin is with Sesshomaru she's fine.
She abruptly stood up making him almost whine. Almost.
-I…I'm tired…I think I'm going to bed.
The hanyou stood up too and with a sigh embraced her. He kissed her lightly on her lips.
-Alright, Kagome. I'll go with you. I could use some sleep myself.
They walked towards the palace. They were just going to climb the large stairs when they hear the front door open.
Kagome was the first to turn around and gasped as she saw Sesshomaru walk in with a sleeping, smiling Rin on his arms. His expression was as usual; like he was bored as hell but Kagome saw something different in his eyes. Something like…fulfillment.
He passed by them with nothing more but a nod.
Inuyasha's left ear twitched and he slowly grinned but it quickly faded when the miko glared at him. He shrugged.
-What? That may give someone the wrong conclusion considering his character.
Kagome sighed dreamily.
-I think it was cute.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes but he kinda…just a little tiny bit…agreed with Kagome.
She hummed in bliss and opened her eyes. The sun had risen already but she didn't really care. Yesterday had been the best day of her life.
Actually, now that she laid there in her bed, she was a bit scared that it had been all a dream. She bit her lip as she decided. With a determined nod she got out of bed, dressed up in her usual white kimono, brushed her hair and ate breakfast.
She was a bit saddened that he had not been there to eat but she guessed he had 'lordly' things to do again as Lady Mother would say.
Speaking of Lady Mother…she kept giving her weird looks.
Anyway! She just wanted to see him and maybe get a good morning kiss. If it hadn't been a dream and they were finally together she could do that kind of…stuff…with her lord, right?
She blushed as she recalled all the things she wanted to do with him. With a deep breath she headed to his study and stopped herself before knocking for she couldn't help but overhear the conversation on the other side.
-…I want the castle heavily guarded. If what you say is true, they will be here by tomorrow morning.
There was another voice besides her lord's. It was strong and mature.
-You are right, my lord. I will follow your orders immediately.
-That little ember will regret ever claiming war to the West.
-Yes, that he will.
She squeaked as the doors opened and almost lost her nose to one of them. She was relieved when the other man didn't seem to notice her.
-Rin.
She jumped at the sound of his voice. She forced her blush away and her head peeked inside the room.
-Yes, my lord?
He seemed amused. He silently raised a finger and quirked it in a motion for her to come closer. A shiver ran through her spine. A sensual shiver. She shook her head lightly.
Kami, Rin! Keep yourself together.
She carefully stepped into the study and bowed before her lord.
-Have you slept well, Rin?
She fumbled with her fingers. Yes, she did. In fact she couldn't recall ever having such a good night of sleep.
-Yes, Lord Sesshomaru.
He frowned seeming displeased and that confused and panicked her. He stood up from his chair and walked towards her nervous, and probably pathetic, form.
His eyes softened and she melted.
-You seem uncomfortable in my presence, Rin. Is something the matter?
Sesshomaru was suddenly hit with a feeling of dread. Maybe she had changed her mind? Did she realize that she didn't love him like she said she did and was finding a way to say it?
He could feel his heart freezing at the thought.
Rin bit her lip, uncertain. She looked up at his eyes and gasped as she saw an almost…sad glint in them.
Knowing nothing more to do she stood on her tip toes and pecked him shyly on the lips. He seemed surprised and she was afraid that the best moment of her life had been in fact a dream.
But then his strong arms wrapped around her waist and gently drew her in a loving kiss that made her knees tremble. The feeling just kept getting even more intense every time she kissed him. There was no better place to stay than right here…in his arms.
Her cheeks heated up as the kiss did too and she moaned deeply when is tongue caressed hers leaving a delightful tingle all over her mouth.
She whined as they parted. She wanted more!
He smirked.
-This Sesshomaru guesses that that answers my question.
She giggled and hesitantly pressed her body closer to his. It was still a bit strange for her. Her lord had always appeared so untouchable and divine in her eyes. To take such liberties with his body was going to need some getting used to. But it felt amazing.
Sesshomaru was having some struggle himself. He never had been a gentle or loving lover even if he liked to give pleasure to a female too it was just that. Pleasure. But with Rin he couldn't do that to her nor he wanted to. It was much deeper than that.
He never had been shy in his advances but Rin was that special. Her tempting body was calling to him but he knew that Rin wasn't ready for something sexual yet. He didn't care much either. He kind of liked to have to wait for it. It made the experience much better.
She rested her head on his chest and inhaled his intoxicating scent.
A mixture of forest and thunderstorms, like his personality but something that just felt safety to her.
She couldn't help but whisper.
-I love you so much…
He closed his eyes and his arms tightened around her. He couldn't find in himself to say those three words too so he opted to kiss the top of her head.
Rin smiled. She got her answer.
Rin yawned and stretched her arms. She had changed to her sleeping clothes already. The day had been somewhat uneventful. Except that she got to see Naomi after a long time. The demoness had smiled and explained that Lord Sesshomaru made her Rin's personal servant and for that training was needed. Rin was very happy to see Naomi again. They had found a connection and the young woman was proud to have a friend like her but there was something that bothered her a bit.
Naomi seemed a tiny bit nervous and kept hiding her neck and wrists.
Rin just hoped that everything was okay.
She promptly collapsed on her bed and closed her eyes; a smile on her lips as she drifted to sleep.
He couldn't sleep. Tomorrow was the day. He always had looked up to a battle to the point of even being anxious for it. He loved to fight.
But there was much more at stake here. Besides the western lands.
He stole a glance at Tenseiga and frowned. The sword seemed to be vibrating but Inuyasha and his Tessaiga were not near of that he was sure. He touched it briefly and it seemed to calm.
He sighed and jumped out of his window. He would not sleep alone tonight.
She jumped awake and groaned. She raised her head and gasped as she saw red eyes glowing in the darkness of the night. Staring at her. The figure was crouched on her window. She sat up; her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. The wind blew and she smiled tenderly as silver locks waved. She patted the spot near her on the bed knowingly and Sesshomaru cocked his head slightly.
He smirked and made his way to her. He laid on the bed and threw and arm around her back. She sighed and embraced him too.
She squeaked in surprise as he got on top of her and kissed her. Her cheeks were red and her eyes twinkled.
-My lord…is this proper?
She said, breathless. He growled softly and only nodded.
She couldn't help but worry. Her lord seemed a bit…off.
-Is everything alright?
He raised a finger to her lips to silence her. She frowned but relinquished. He laid back and she rested her head on his chest with a little smile. Soon she was asleep and Sesshomaru was caressing her hair absentmindedly.
His instincts kept sending him painful red waves of warning making his head pound. He closed his eyes and inhaled Rin's scent.
Might as well drown in her and never go back…
Author's Note: This story is nearing its end. Phew, I don't know why but I'm struggling with that. Now I know that it's not easy to end a story. I warn you: I'm not a 'and they lived happily ever after' person but this is not going to be a tragedy either. I'm just realistic. I hope you guys liked the chapter! ^^