They were in danger. Would they be able to spent Christmas in her family ? Would Tōga recover without consequences ? She was but a human, flying away from her home to be dumped into the yōkai tank with, as back up, one of the most powerful and cold yōkai in existence. At least, their ally was strong… but his motives remained to be determined.
To think that, a few days prior, she would have been worrying that she didn't speak Japanese enough to spend vacations in the country.
Gwen sighed, watching the top of the tower as it slowly disappeared under the wing of the plane.
Goodbye, old lady.
"Why did you call him Taishō ?"
Sesshomaru's voice was smooth and deep, a different baritone from his father's, but no less agreeable. Gwen blinked, surprised to find genuine curiosity in his eyes – even though his face betrayed none of it. Only then did she realise that his pupils were akin to a cat's. Little wonder humans called him a demon – the sight of those vertical slits was pretty unsettling. For a moment, she remained enthralled, searching what he meant until the light bulb burst to life in her memory.
"Oh, you mean, at the station ?"
Sesshōmaru nodded, and she felt a little stupid for asking confirmation. After all, he'd only heard the word once, so where else could it be ? A pang of nervousness unsettled her as she recalled Jolyne's previous visit, would she ever see her friend again ?
Jolyne was gaping like a fish out of water, her expression transfixed. Gwen sighed; she didn't have to turn around to know why her friend's gaze was fixedly set over her shoulder. Even though Sesshōmaru walked more silently than a ninja, she could feel the power of his yōki brush with her senses… and he was standing right behind her.
Why he was looming like an angel of death on Tōga threshold commended his determination to keep her safe, but Gwen couldn't quell the irritation; she had just told him, less than a minute earlier, that Jolyne was a trusted friend. It seemed like ignoring instructions was a family trait.
"Jolyne," she called. "Taishō was in an accident. His family is here to retrieve him. We're going to Japan."
Blue eyes snapped to her face, forgetting the very unsettling figure that surveilled both ladies.
"Is he going to be alright ? What happened ?"
Gwen shuddered involuntarily, the image of Tōga's broken body carved in her memories.
"Eventually, yes."
"We must make haste," Sesshōmaru rumbled, making a point of staring Jolyne down.
His imposing presence and blatant rudeness worked in her favour; Jolyne didn't insist on knowing the details of their predicament. Instead, she grabbed Gwen in her arms and squeezed hard. For a moment, the young woman felt the daiyōkai stiffen. She sent him a warning look, watching his greenish yōki swirl around him.
'Don't strike her down,' her eyes pleaded as she shed a tear upon Jolyne's shoulder. This was all so sudden, and she couldn't even talk about it. Eventually, the tall woman released her and cupped her cheeks.
"You take care of him, and keep me posted."
Gwen nodded and rested her weary body on the doorjamb, watching her friend disappear down the stairs. In a few minutes, she would leave this place forever. Their memories, their first time, their quiet conversations on Tōga's sofa, their tryst on the kitchen counter. All those carefree moments, swept away.
"He was the great dog general, was he not ? In this station, he was our commander. Taishō seemed like a fitting title."
Sesshōmaru actually snorted, and she watched that expressionless face with attention, only to be rewarded by the faintest of quirks at the corner of his lips. He was amused.
"What ?" she snarked.
"You will understand, in time."
Right. Defeated, Gwen returned to her quiet contemplation of the Londonian sky. The private jet was an efficient machine, and the sea was already in view. And then… Asia. Should she call her father ? Perhaps she ought to wait to be in a more stable mood to do so. Perhaps, as well, that Sesshōmaru – or whomever handled diplomatic affairs - would want to elaborate a scenario for them to spread on the situation.
"He is awake."
Gwen titled in her seat to watch the newcomer, but Sesshōmaru didn't move an inch; he had probably heard him coming. Smelt him coming…
Whatever.
Haru smiled down at her and gestured for the open door.
"Healing is going well. The ribs are almost mended already, although the leg will need some physical therapy."
"But it will heal ?"
"I'm pretty confident, yes."
A wave of relief surged inside of her, and Gwen unfolded her limbs slowly. If, at least, Tōga could recuperate without consequences, then they were blessed.
"Domo arigatō, Haru-san," she said, bowing awkwardly.
The middle-aged yōkai nodded back gently, and stepped aside to give her access to the bedroom. As soon as she passed the threshold, Tōga's eyes trapped hers. It took all his willpower not to move; in the end, he failed miserably as he tried to lift his upper body to offer his outstretched arm. Gwen nearly teleported onto the bed, pushing his shoulder so that it rested on the mattress.
"You must not move, beloved."
Tōga groaned pitifully, and she instantly dropped a kiss on his cheek.
"I'm going to go crazy."
Gwen settled in the space between his ribcage and outstretched arm, considering the issue at hand. His perpetual energy was one of the reasons she had fallen in love with him in the first place, but he needed to understand that every minute he lay still would grant him more leeway in the long term.
"I know it is difficult for someone like you. How about you consider it payback for the sheer amount of energy you've been displacing for the past fifty years or so ? Or a reserve for the next ones ?"
"You say that if it was easy."
Gwen had to refrain not to grin at the adorable, doglike whine.
"I know it is not. I've seen my mother stuck to her bed for three months at the end of her pregnancy, and the toll it took upon her. Your health is our top priority at the moment, and it requires sacrifice. My mum did it for my brother, and you do it for me, it you can't do it for yourself."
Tōga blinked, taken aback by Gwen's plea. Then his hand reached out timidly - impaired by the bandages on his dislocated shoulder. She grabbed it halfway and settled their intertwined fingers upon his chest. His heart gently beat under their palm, the steady pace its own lullaby.
"Let's hope you'll handle it better, then."
"Uh ?"
A gentle smile spread his lips, but Tōga did not elaborate; Gwen was too fearful to ask, and kept her mouth shut. For a moment, they just breathed together, suspended in the European sky as his heart gently hammered their joined hands.
Alive.
After a while, though, Tōga's restlessness kicked in and he sighed.
"I need a shower."
"I'm sorry, Tōga-sama, but it will have to wait until we land. It is imperative that you do not move for the next twelve hours."
The former Captain didn't even have the energy to glare at his medic, especially since he owed him big time. Yet, his own smell disgusted him as much as his sweat-drenched skin.
"I can probably use warm water and a towel without jostling him around," Gwen mused.
Haru's electric blue eyes unfocused for a moment before he nodded his assent.
"I trust you to be careful," he stated before retreating, and closing the door behind him. Silence settled in the room except for the gentle hum of the motor. Gwen watched Tōga, stuck against cushions and a very plush mattress, completely helpless. To her credit, her grey eyes weren't filled with pity. Lithe fingers touched his cheek with tenderness, and Tōga managed to kiss them before she retreated to the nearby diminutive bathroom and soaked a towel in scalding water.
His shirt and slacks had been laid off in favour of bandages, leaving him in boxers. Gwen only had to pull at the heavenly smooth blanket to access his naked body. She applied the hot towel upon his chest and uninjured shoulder carefully. The heat was such a blessing that he sighed in relief. And so, with gentle care, Gwen swabbed at his whole body, avoiding tender areas. A thousand times she returned to the sink to wash it off, and start anew.
There were no words shared, eye contact the only communication in between the gentle pressure of her hand. There was no pattern to her wanderings, the soft cotton providing relief and contact. Tōga deflated entirely under her ministrations. He had not realised how he missed her touch. Eventually, though, she left the towel in the nearby room and covered his skin with the sheets to keep him warm. Then, she settled against him again and brushed a tender kiss upon his lips.
"Thank you," he whispered against her vibrant skin. "I needed that."
"You staying abed doesn't mean we have to be strangers," she responded, her hand snaking on his skin. Goosebumps rose where she touched naked skin and he almost laughed when his manhood stirred. Almost killed, and his desire was already blazing. After all, he used to have her at least twice a day, so he'd missed his dose of Gwen's pleasure already.
But it would be some time before he could enjoy her anew, and he groaned in frustration to think of the countless hours his healing would steal away from her glorious body. The door clicking open effectively distracted him; his eyes zeroed on the proud daiyōkai that occupied the whole frame.
His mind was still struggling to wrap around the concept… Sesshōmaru was still alive, and in his prime. Seven hundred years, and there probably stood the most powerful being in existence.
"How are you feeling ?" he asked, a tang of concern inflecting his usual toneless voice.
"I'll live."
There was the slightest of flinch in his countenance, one that would have passed unnoticed to anyone that didn't know Sesshōmaru. But despite him being the produce of a past life, Tōga knew where to look. The last time he'd been set upon by dragons, he had died of his wounds. Speaking of which…
"What happened to Ryūkotsusei ?" he asked.
Sesshōmaru stepped into the room and sat regally in the armchair; this way, he didn't tower over them both like a looming angel.
"InuYasha finished him."
Tōga's heart lurched in his chest, the painful reminder of a second son he never got to even hold in his arms. As much as Sesshōmaru's childhood was lacking, his firstborn had, at least, beneficiated from his guidance. InuYasha was left in the world without his protector and father, a half demon probably shunned by both parties. His greatest regret.
Gwen squeezed his hand in a show of silent support, and Tōga swallowed the lump in his throat.
"He did ?"
Sesshōmaru nodded.
"That's a story I want to hear," he said, his voice raspy.
There was no smile to soften the alabaster features of his firstborn, but a strange exasperated spring in his voice when he responded.
"And you shall. He'll be joining us at the shiro the day after tomorrow."
Golden eyes opened wide, his mouth agape.
"He… he's alive ?"
Heart thundering, Tōga heard Sesshōmaru's amused snort.
"He's old. And very alive. And impatient to meet you."
Rarely had Tōga been left speechless, but the pressure that now crushed his chest wasn't due to the cracked ribs. InuYasha, alive. He blinked, hoping the moist of his eyes was due to the air conditioning, and not the deep, rooted feeling of hopelessness that threatened to overtake the joy. He was but a human now, what would his second son think of him ? Would he be a disappointment ? Already, he felt like Sesshōmaru protected him out of obligation, but was less than impressed with his abilities.
To think that, for the past fifty years, people had looked up at him for his courage and his prowess. And now, he was about to join a community of people that would regard him as the weakest link. How could he live up to the legend he'd once been ?
"I hope he's not too disappointed."
"He knows you're not … him," Gwen murmured, exchanging a silent gaze with Sesshōmaru. Strangely, the daiyōkai nodded to her, as if he understood what she was asking.
"InuYasha has been hurt too many times to count. Like you, he had a hard time staying down. I blame his brashness on your blood."
There was both humour and exasperation laced in this statement.
"How about you, Son ?"
A slight smile lifted the corner of his lips, his eyes unfocused in a memory that seemed long gone.
"Would you believe I had to lay prone for days once ?"
Tōga couldn't prevent his eyebrows from rising high; Sesshōmaru admitting to weakness was new to him.
"Whomever incapacitated you must have been terribly powerful."
"Indeed," he smirked.
But he offered no more than this. Hence his surprise when Gwen actually gasped, her eyes set upon him. She had probably seen something, and if the trembling of her hand was an indicator, it shocked her a great deal. Would she keep her gift a secret, or air it out ?
Given her flustered state, he doubted she would be able to hide it.
"Who was she ?" she asked. "The child who helped you ?"
Sesshōmaru's pupils suddenly reduced to dark slits, his eyes narrowing in a glare. Gone was the playful mood, replaced by irrepressible rage.
"Did you read my mind ?"
His words cut like claws, sharp and precise.
"No. But I feel your emotions, and I see things. I see… her."
Sesshōmaru stood so fast that it almost gave him whiplash. His yōki was all over the place, uncontrolled, grieving, angry. For a scant moment, Tōga feared for Gwen's life; should his son chose to strike her, he would be powerless to stop him. Even without injuries, the former Inu no taishō was well aware of his firstborn's power. Nothing, short of a nuclear bomb, would be powerful enough to fell him.
"She is none of your concern," he hissed. "Never ask about her again."
And when he walked away, Gwen huddled by his side with a sigh of defeat. He didn't need her sight to know how deeply hurt Sesshōmaru was; his pain radiated in their bones like a sea of despair.