***Hey guys so sorry it took longer for the update! My grandmother's health is not doing so hot so I have been really distracted this past week. But lucky for you I am back in the saddle and ready to get some writing done!***
Chapter 11
12 days gone
Akemi bounced around the castle with a spring in her step. She really did feel like she was on top of the world. She had a wonderful soon to be mate that she could not get enough of, and she was making friend among the servants. She was actually starting to feel like this could be home.
The only thing that could make it better would be if she could make Sesshomaru teach her more of his bedroom skills. He was remaining strong on not letting things progress farther between them than they had yesterday in the conference room. As much as she wanted to push the issue she knew he was just trying to be honorable. But she didn't mind because she got to sleep in his arms at night and that would have to be enough for now. She loved the way it felt to be wrapped in his strong arms and know she was safe.
Grinning, she made her way to the great hall to meet the seamstress who had arrived to make her wedding kimono. Yukio, her guard for the day, trailed behind her keeping an eye on her. She honestly felt like she was being baby sat. But she had agreed to it as the only alternative was to lock her up in a room for the next couple days, and that was not going to happen. Well maybe if Sesshomaru was locked in there with her. The idea made her giggle.
Yukio looked at her curiously, but wisely kept his mouth shut. He honestly did not want to know what went on in women's heads. And that thought made her giggle even more.
Reaching the great hall she saw that it was packed with people rearranging and hauling things about. It took her a minute to spot Hana and the odd looking demoness next to her. The woman had ink black hair and pointy teeth. She was quite tall and willow thin and not in a good way.
Hana smiled at them as they approached. "Lady Akemi allow me to introduce Lady Hisoka. She will be making your wedding kimono. She is very coveted among the nobility. We are lucky to have her here on such short notice."
Lady Hisoka sized her up before smiling at her. Her smile was not exactly something that would comfort people. "Really the pleasure is all mine. When I heard that the date had been set I just knew I had to be the one to clothe you my lady. To be able to design and make a kimono for you will make me the seamstress of the year. I assure you I will make you look like a queen."
Akemi thanked Lady Hisoka. If nothing else the woman was exceedingly well mannered. Plus spider demons were known for their ability to make fine clothing. They had a skill with needle and thread that others envied.
Hana quickly saw that Hisoka's chests of cloth and tools were gathered and guided them toward Akemi's old room. It was hard to think that a room that had only been hers for about a week was already considered old. Her place was now and forever would be next to Sesshomaru. Just the thought of it sent a tingle down her spine.
"Here we are", Hana sang as they reached the room. "This should work fine as a work room. Lady Akemi can have all her measurements taken in here and do all of her fittings. Is there anything else you will need for your work Hisoka?"
The spider demon scanned the room critically before answering. "Yes. I will need a decent sized table to work on. Other than that it will do. Now Lady Akemi send out your guard and strip. I need to take accurate measurements so that everything fits properly. Then I will start cutting cloth and this afternoon after lunch I will need you for a fitting."
Akemi blinked but nodded. This woman sure did work fast. Then again I guess she did not get her reputation by being slow and last either. Turning to her guard she asked him to step out and guard the door.
Hana helped her strip down behind the privacy screen. Hisoka came around and took her measurements quick and efficiently. Hana helped her get back dressed and Hisoka began asking her what she wanted color and style wise.
Akemi could answer that easily. "I want it to be dark blue and white. The outer layer will be white with the crest of Sesshomaru's house on the back. On the edge of the sleeves I wish snowflakes embroidered. The obi will be silver and the under layer will be dark blue."
Hisoka nodded and jotted down notes on the scrap of parchment that she used to write her measurements on. "Simple yet elegant. I can make this quickly and in the finest of silks, my lady. I swear that your mate will not be able to take his eyes off of you."
"Thank you, Hisoka. I know that you will do a wonderful job", Akemi said. Glowing, Akemi collected her guard and left Hisoka to begin her work.
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Hisoka let out a breath she had not even realized she had been holding. She really did not want to be a part of Lord Tomo's plans. That poor little wolf was obviously happy and in love with her soon to be mate. No doubt she would have made an excellent Lady of the Western Lands. Life could be a cruel bitch.
It was unfortunately something she knew all too well. She had been a slave once upon a time. Then one night she too had found the strength to slip away and start a new life in a new country. She had made her way by using her sewing talents and creating the best garments Japan had ever seen. She had changed her name and looks, so that no one could ever link her back to her past. But Tomo had. Despite how deeply she buried her past and the reputation she had made for herself, she still was not free. And she hated the bastard for that.
Speaking with Tomo had brought all her past horrors back to the fore front of her mind. She could feel the bite of her master's claws in her flesh when he was displeased with her. To this day she held scars from him. But the worst of her scars were on the inside. He had made her feel worthless. Nothing she crafted was good enough for anyone to see.
Only they had been. He had made a lot of money by selling the things she had made, and when she had found out she had been furious. Had she been stronger she would have killed the bastard. Instead she had run. And it had taken her too damn long to learn to stop looking back. She could not do it again.
Closing her eyes for a moment she composed herself. She would do her job, both of them. And as much as she hated to ruin someone else's happiness, she was going to. Tomo knew who her old owner was and he could easily have her sent back to him. There was no way in hell she was going to let that happen. If it was between her happiness and Akemi's, well Hisoka came first.
Walking over to the wall where her chests had been placed she threw open the lids. The first held material in different textures and shades. She took out was needed and laid the fabrics across the bed. The second trunk held her needles, threads, and other equipment. And the final trunk held her personal things. Of course since she was going to have to make a break for it, this chest did not hold very much. It was also the chest she was going to use to smuggle Lady Akemi out of the castle in.
Reaching in, Hisoka grabbed a small pouch and slid it in her pocket. It was the sleeping powder that Tomo had given her. The pouch weighed heavily in her pocket and on her conscious. Clenching her jaw she shoved the thought out of her mind, and began constructing the most gorgeous kimono of her career. If something went wrong and she died at least she would leave behind her best work yet.
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Sesshomaru could not focus. His every thought was on his little wolf and how amazing she felt in his arms. The way she smelled and tasted drove him insane. The worst part was he had not even seen her naked yet. But oh how he wanted to.
Last night even as he held her he had thought of ripping her clothes off and kissing every glorious inch of her. He had no idea how he was going to keep it together until the mating ceremony. The whole thing was ridiculous he was a Taiyoukai and one of the greatest fighters ever born, yet here he was panting behind a female like some young lovesick pup.
Disgusted with himself he pushed back from his desk and walked over to the window that overlooked the gardens. Lady Akemi and Rin were sitting on a stone bench talking animatedly to each. The sun was glinting off her hair making her look like an angel. Sesshomaru wanted to beat his head again the wall. She was so beautiful it hurt. And instead of working he was staring out a window at her. He was officially pathetic.
Forcing himself away from the window he went back to his chair. Maybe Kyo was right and he should sleep on the floor. If he had to wake up with another hard on and her soft warm rear end tucked against him he definitely would not make it to the end of the week without having her.
Closing his eyes he leaned back in his chair and tried to clear his mind. Unbidden an image of Akemi laying in front of his fireplace reading flashed through his mind. She was the only person he knew that read more than him. He could remember the way the firelight had played over her skin making it look enticingly soft.
Groaning he reached down and adjusted himself. He might as well give up on work at this rate he was getting nothing accomplished. What he needed was a good old fashioned fight. A wicked grin slid across his face as he at the thought. He needed to find Kyo and drag him to the dojo to pound on.
Feeling infinitely better, he shoved away from his desk. Maybe he could make it through the week after all.
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Akemi was practically skipping to her old room that afternoon. She was about to have her first fitting for her kimono for her mating ceremony. She was beyond excited. Only days ago this would have scared her to death and now she wanted it almost more than anything else.
Hisoka greeted her with a smile as she entered and her guard took his place outside the door. "My lady I hope my work hold up to your expectations. I have the three layers ready to be sewn together. They just need to be fitted to make sure everything lays where it should. Once I have that done I will sew it all together and add the final details."
Akemi was more than happy to strip and be fitted with her new kimono. Turning to the mirror she watch as layers were added and adjusted. Even without the final details she could already tell it would be perfect. The silk caressed her skin and made it look luminescent. Closing her eyes should could picture the way Sesshomaru's eyes would burn with want when he saw her in this.
"Lady Akemi?" Hisoka's words brought her from her thoughts. "I will need you to come back after dinner to do one last fitting. I will have some detail added by then also so we can make sure I am doing everything the way you wanted."
"So soon? I suppose what the about you is true. You really are the best! I can't wait to see what you get accomplished by tonight." And that was the gods honest truth. She would could not wait to see what the woman could accomplish in six hours if she had already gotten this far in three.
Ten minutes later she was dressed and heading out to talk to Hana about flowers and decorations. The castle seemed to be working overtime to get things ready for this weekend. The gardens shone like gems and the damage from her fight with Lady Aimi had been repaired thanks to some flower demons and Rin.
The main hall had even been scrubbed clean from top to bottom and new tables and table clothes had been brought in to accommodate the extra guests. Big pots were starting to be positioned around the castle and in a few days they would all be filled with gorgeous flower arrangements.
The actual ceremony was going to take place in the main garden in front of a beautiful old cherry blossom tree. The thought of it made her sigh and her heart flutter. She had always pictured what it would be like to get mated one day but this was going to be even better than her imaginings. She was going to mate a demon who looked at her the way her father had looked at her mother.
Even though they had not yet spoken of love Akemi knew it was growing between them. She could feel it in his every look and touch. He would always protect her and any pups they had together. He was the type of man that would always be loyal and honorable because he knew no other way.
All she had to do was make it a few more days and she could have more than she ever dreamed of.
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Hisoka had the three layers stitched together perfectly in just over an hour. Though she normally would have taken longer she knew she had a deadline to meet. Every detail had to be done by tonight.
Luckily as a spider demon she had a few extra hands when she needed them. She worked silently going over every detain making sure it was just as Akemi wanted it. All her seems were perfect and every stitch was placed with a precision any seamstress would envy.
As the sky darkened so did her mood. Soon Akemi would make her way to the room and see her dream kimono and Hisoka would be killing her dream. There was just no way around it. She had to hand Akemi over to Tomo's men tonight.
The fools were waiting in the woods a few miles from the castle. She was to bring the wolf to them and they would whisk her away to Tomo. Though perhaps if she did not cover all of her scent she could leave a slight trail of scent to Tomo's men. But from there Sesshomaru would be on his own.
Hisoka had no plans to be anywhere near Sesshomaru after taking Akemi. For some reason she just could not see him understanding why she had to steal his soon to be mate. But she had no love for Tomo and she had disappeared once she could do it again. Though perhaps this plot would be enough to send Sesshomaru into a murderous rage that ended in the old man's death.
Now that was a lovely thought. How long could it possibly take for the castle and Akemi's guard to realize that she was missing? Sesshomaru should be able to save her way before they got anywhere close to Tomo's lands. The ensuing chaos would give her the perfect cover to slip away before anyone thought to look for her. Hell she could even lower the amount of powder she blew into Akemi's face to give her a chance to wake up and free herself.
Hisoka's dark mood began to lighten as her plan began to shift and change. Maybe Akemi and she could both keep their dreams. Though the plan had a lot of what ifs and no certainties it was better than just handing the poor girl over to that bastard with no chance of escape+. No one deserved to be treated the way Lord Tomo planned to treat that little innocent wolf.
If the gods were at all just they would allow Sesshomaru to disembowel the old lord and rid the world of him for good. He was a cruel manipulative man. No doubt his people would rejoice at his death.
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Akemi practically bounced in her seat at dinner. Sesshomaru had teased her about hoping she was this excited the day they were to be mated. She had given him a saucy wink and told him she would be even more excited for what came after the ceremony.
The poor man had almost choked on his wine and the table had roared with laughter. Kyo had then felt the need to rib Sesshomaru about how he hopped Sesshomaru could live up to the ladies expectations in the bedroom. But Akemi had no doubt in her mind that Sesshomaru would rock her world.
After dinner she had placed a chaste kiss on Sesshomaru's mouth. "I have to go for another fitting but I will meet you in our room in less than an hour."
Sesshomaru arched a brow at her. "Hisoka is working very fast."
Akemi grinned at him. "Well you wanted the best and you got it. Its going to be absolutely perfect."
Reaching out Sesshomaru caressed her cheek. "I only want the best for my mate. What ever makes you happy makes me happy. Now hurry and go to your fitting. I want you curled up in my arms and the sooner you are done with Hisoka the faster I get you there."
Akemi gave him an adoring look and practically ran from the hall. She could here Sesshomaru's laughter burst out behind her. She hoped her guard could keep up.
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Hisoka was ready before Akemi reappeared. The kimono was finished and perfect. It shone radiantly in the candle light she had all around the room. Sesshomaru's crest stood out regally on the back and small immaculate snowflakes wrapped around the cuff of the sleeves.
The innermost layer she had adorned with small snowflakes the color of Akemi's eyes and would make the woman look alluring when her mate finally stripped her down to it. The material had been hard to stich because it was so delicate it was nearly see through. That was her gift to Sesshomaru.
Hisoka took a steadying breath as she readied everything for her lady. Akemi's knock made her heart jump but she calmed it and placed a smile on her face. "Come in my lady and see your Kimono."
Akemi's reaction was everything she could wish for. Her eyes lite with happiness. Small tears formed and her look went dreamy as she touched the fabric. "I can hardly believe this is for me. This beautiful creation was made just for me. How did I get so lucky?"
Hisoka's heart softened at those words. Stealing it before she did something stupid, she helped Akemi try it on and ooh and ahh over it. It really was the best work she had ever done and she could not have picked a more perfect person to wear it.
Once she was satisfied that no more adjustments needed to be made she helped Akemi out of it and back into her normal clothes. And when Akemi turned to thank her she blew the sleeping powder in her face. She was out before she even realized what had happened.
Carrying the demoness to the chest next to the wall she laid her gently in it and closed the lid. Moving quickly Hisoka put the kimono on the bed and shifted into her demon form. She pushed open the window and looked out to see if any guards were about. Seeing the coast clear she wove her webbing around the chest and lowered it out the window and down to the ground below.
Tying her web off to the bed she made her way down to the chest. Using one of her front set of legs she held it and stuck to the shadows of the castle. Since she could not very well walk out of the castle gates she went to a back portion of the castle walls. There it was darker and had less guards. Using the light of the moon she shot her web out and began hoisting herself up the wall.
She did not have time to sop or make mistakes. If she was caught stealing away Lady Akemi she was as good as dead. When she reached the top she did the same thing as before and lowered down the chest first. She was about to begin her descent when a guard saw her.
Acting quickly she drew out the powder and knocked the guard out before he could give her position away. Sighing she dragged the guards body over to a dark corner and leaned him against the wall. Then she was over the wall and out of site.
It didn't take her long before she reached Lord Tomo's men in the woods. There were nearly a dozen burley wolves. She made her way to the leader who had a head full of grey hair and dropped the chest at his feet. He flicked it open and smiled at the sleeping wolf inside. "Good work Hisoka. We were worried for a few minutes that you had failed but I should have known better. You used your cloaking powers to get her out right?"
Hisoka gave him a drawl stare. "Of course I did. I have no death wish. Now if you don't mind I would like to get going. I don't want to be anywhere near the Western Lands when Sesshomaru finds his little wolf gone."
The demon laughed and agreed with her. "The men and I will make it to the northern border late tonight and then finish the journey in the morning. By lunch tie tomorrow Lady Akemi will be mated to our lord."
Hisoka nearly snorted. If he was smart he would not stop to rest. Sesshomaru would hunt them down long before dawn. Not her problem though. Wrapping her aura around her she disappeared into the forest once more.
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I know I left you guys with a cliff hanger! But think of it this way we have hope that Sesshy will get his girl before she reaches Tomo's! What will happen when he finds her gone? Did Hisoka give her a lesser dose of the sleeping powder? If she did what does that mean for Akemi? Stay tuned!