InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sesshomaru Story ❯ Chapter 14 ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter 14

 

After a few hours of listening to Naraku talk about his exploits over past fifty years Alexandra was wondering if a quick death would have been preferable. She had toured his stronghold from one end to the other as he recounted his endless schemes and plots. At first he had been guarded but with Naraku a bit of flattery seemed to go a long way. After writing all morning she'd managed to fill up all of the scrolls she'd brought in her bag with her. She got the feeling that Naraku enjoyed the fact that she'd written on the backs her sketches of Sesshomaru.

 

Then he found her more paper. She made her notes in English which fascinated him for a while. It was not only faster for her but she could add comments she didn't want him to read.

 

Alexandra followed him up from the dungeons and back into the courtyard. The air now seemed wonderfully fresh to her and the atmosphere positively cheerful in comparison to where they had been.

 

“I thought we might have a break and enjoy some refreshments while we continue our interview,” Naraku said graciously gesturing to small tables that were laid out with neat little arrangement of food and tea.

 

Alexandra stomach rolled and she clenched her teeth for a moment. Food and drink were the last things on her mind after some of the disgusting things she'd seen and smelled. Also she hadn't forgotten her suggestion to him to feed her her own children. She knew now that he was perfectly capable of it. It would be just the sort of irony that would delight him. No food or drink would pass her lips here if she could help it.

 

She smiled sweetly at him putting her pen in her tote. “A break would be nice but I wonder Lord Naraku if you might be kind enough to grant me an enormous favour.”

 

“And what would that be?” Naraku asked indulgently as he sat down and made himself comfortable. He'd had a wonderful day. What a piece of luck that Kabin had brought this woman to him. Now the world would finally appreciate his true genius.

 

“Well the work is going to be illustrated. I was wondering if I might try my small skill and make some preliminary sketches,” inquired Alexandra sweetly as she discreetly flexed her hand to relieve the writer's cramp that had been building.

 

“Of course!” he exclaimed delightedly and began looking around the garden. “Where shall I sit?”

 

“Please just as you are will be fine. I can always change the background later,” she said arranging her paper and materials. “Make your self comfortable. This will take a while.”

 

Naraku preened himself a bit and then presented her a profile. “How's this?” he asked.

 

Alexandra eyed him critically. “Bring your left arm forward a bit,” she said. He did. “That better. Hmmm…just a moment.” She walked over to him and ran her fingers through his hair draping it over his shoulder dramatically. She stood back and admired him. “That is perfect.”

 

Alexandra went back and seated herself then began to sketch. After a few moments she congratulated herself for thinking of this. Most of all she appreciated the fact that Naraku had to stay silent while she worked. After a while she became totally immersed in her efforts unaware of anything else.

 

She had no idea of how much time had passed as she worked but suddenly she became aware of a presence behind her. Naraku too, looked past her with a cruel smile playing on his lips and his red eyes narrowing.

 

Alexandra turned to see Sesshomaru striding purposefully through the courtyard, his long white hair sweeping behind him. He looked every bit as perfect as she'd remembered him. The sight of him took her breath away. Naraku rose and came forward effectively coming between Alexandra and the demon lord. She stood up in surprise. How had he found her? Thank God he had found her!

 

Naraku crossed his arms smirking. This day was just getting better and better he thought to himself. “Well, Sesshomaru I must say I did expect you, but I had no idea it would be this soon,” he greeted him in a mocking tone.

 

Sesshomaru glanced at Alexandra and frowned slightly. The sight of her in the courtyard having tea with Naraku alive had sent immense relief wash through him when he'd arrived. Though she was injured it did not seem serious. But why had Naraku kept her alive? Did Naraku know of his feelings for her? Or was it merely a bluff?

 

He noticed a glint. Her knife had appeared in her hand. He smiled inwardly. She was foolish to think she could fight Naraku but it was fearless nonetheless.

 

Naraku had noticed Sesshomaru's attention on Alexandra. He looked even more delighted. “If you've come for the girl, I'm afraid you'll find that she has no use for you now,” taunted Naraku.

 

The spider demon had truly lost what was left of his mind. Sesshomaru drew Tokijin. Killing the abomination would be an act of mercy as well as a pleasure. “This day Naraku you die,” he warned.

 

Naraku held up his hand. “Wait a moment. Let's not be hasty,” he said. He turned to Alexandra. Her knife disappeared. He formed a pink sphere of energy around her. “Stay in this barrier and you won't get hurt,” he instructed. Then Naraku started to twist in form. Additional appendages grew from his body lengthening and bending until he resembled a gargantuan spider.

 

Alexandra came forward to the edge of the barrier and it fizzled holding her back. She looked at Sesshomaru nervously. He stood regarding Naraku's new form impassively as the spider demon skittered off to the side. “How's this angle?” Naraku inquired, positioning himself in what he thought might be a flattering pose.

 

She stood blinking at him. He expected her to start sketching now?

 

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. If the monster didn't want to take him serious it would be his last mistake. If Alexandra was in a protective barrier it meant he had no reason to hold back. He held his sword sideways and said “Syou Ryuu Ha!”

 

Naraku's eyes snapped to Sesshomaru. He realized at once he had far greater problems than artistic poses. White hot energy crackled around Sesshomaru then shot across the ground towards him. He managed to move just a fraction of a second ahead of the blast. But Naraku didn't escape unscathed. A substantial part of his body was blown off sending charred pieces flying and left the remaining part of it an oozing mess. He knew he wouldn't survive another hit.

 

“Naraku!” a voice shouted. “You're dead!”

 

It was just then that Inu Yasha and his entourage began to rain down into the courtyard. Inu Yasha let Kagome slide off his back at a safe distance and then ran forward with a transformed Tessaiga. Miroku, Sango and Shippo leapt down off of Kirara even before the giant demon cat landed taking various strategic positions around Naraku.

 

“Lady Alexandra!” Miroku called. “I'm sorry it took us so long to arrive.”

 

Sesshomaru glanced back over his shoulder at him.

 

“Though I see you're in very capable hands” the monk added hastily.

 

In the moment Sesshomaru was distracted, Naraku made his move. He gathered every bit of energy he could muster. Reluctantly he let Alexandra's barrier disappear. It couldn't be helped he had to abandon all to escape with only his life. Naraku smiled to himself. For now. He released the thickest blanket of poisonous miasma he was capable of and made his escape.

 

Immediately all of the humans fell to the ground choking. Sesshomaru was beside Alexandra an instant. He lifted her and about to leap away with her when amazingly enough Inu Yasha cleared the air with his Wind Scar. Sesshomaru watched at his brother darkly as he ran to tend to Kagome and his other friends. He was annoyed. Though whether it was for Inu Yasha's continuing interference or allowing himself to be distracted, he wasn't sure. He conceded that the idiot might not be totally useless before turning his attention back to the woman in his arms.

 

Alexandra braced herself against him coughing. He could feel the pleasant warmth of her through his armour Sesshomaru supported her noting with pride that even with her injuries out of all the humans she was recovering the quickest.

 

She looked up at him smiling. Her watering eyes left her thick black lashes in wet clumps. “You really did come to protect me,” she said appreciatively.

 

“My intent was to avenge you,” Sesshomaru stated honestly. The miasma had dissipated so her nearness filled his senses. She'd come so close to disappearing from his life. Now fate had returned her to him. Nothing had given him such a sense of satisfaction as holding her next to him in as long as he could remember.

 

“Well all I can say is it's lucky he was a megalomaniac,” she gave a half laugh. “I told him I was going to write a book about him. I spent all morning listening to his life story and touring around the place.”

 

Sesshomaru looked at her in wonder. He truly had underestimated her. She was a fabulous creature, an endless source of surprises.

 

“What a freak!” she scoffed, shuddering. She regained her balance and started to break free of his grasp.

 

Sesshomaru's arm instinctively tightened around her. He had thought he'd lost her already twice today. Once to the well. Heart-rending. Once to Naraku. Unbearable.

 

She looked up at him questioningly.

 

Not again.

 

Not if he could help it.

 

“Stay,” Sesshomaru said simply.

 

The heart felt request seemed to touch Alexandra. Her expression grew serious and his soul seemed to be caught in her shimmering emerald eyes. “Actually I'd already decided not to go back,” she told him.

 

“Stay,” he repeated softly, inclining his head until their foreheads touched. He closed his eyes willing her to understand how much he wanted her. How much he needed her. How much he loved her.

 

She reached up and brushed some of his bangs away from his eyes. He opened them again and subjected her to his intense golden gaze. “If you'll have me,” she answered quietly.

 

Sesshomaru pulled her tighter against his body. She was breathing hard. He could feel the pounding of her heart. She reached up encircling his neck with her hands. He lowered his head to gently kiss her and she kissed him back with more force. Her eyes closed and her face flushed with pleasure - she was amazing. He couldn't help but pull her closer as she buried her hands in his silky hair.

 

He closed his eyes and lost himself to her.