InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Across the Ages ❯ return to the place where we once met ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

FiveSesshoumaru found precious few things in the world exhilarating, but battling his mate was one of them. He would have preferred to forego fighting and taking her straight home, but her instinct to protect her people was too strong. He knew, without a doubt that he would be victorious and when this was done.. Ayeka would at last return to the Feudal era.She fought brilliantly, viciously and he couldn't help but pleased. Her skills had not diminished over the passing centuries. He carefully reigned in the demonic power of his blade lest her frail human body be damaged. He had plans for that body after all.She swung her blade, her body moving fluidly. Her fellows stood by watching in awe, they had never seen anything like this and certainly never from her. She was a fighter, respected and tried, but this was a warfare that they had not ever experienced in an age of machine guns and precision bombs. This was brutal, sweat filled and terrifying. No one in the group for one instant entertained the notion that this adversary she fought was human.Sesshoumaru countered her strokes with powerful blow and it threw her backwards. The woman flipped backwards before landing in a low crouch, the force of his attack causing her to skid back, leaving trails in the snow. He leveled his sword at her, "Yield woman" he ordered.She cocked her head and smiled grimly, "I didn't yield so easily before as I recall Taiyoukai. If I had, you might not have kept me" she retorted and he advanced once more. The blows were sharper now, quicker, landing in rapid succession. He should have beaten her by now and even she wondered at the small miracle that kept her moving. She was tiring, and he knew that. He could smell her sweat, the salty tang that tinged the sweet scent of her soft flesh.He would not harm her, she knew that, so why then did she persist? It began to irritate him. He let a bit more power flow into Tokijin and fought on. Ayeka managed to land a staggering blow on him and he stared at her incredulously. Her small fist carried a solid hit. When he lunged at her, she instinctively brought her blade across in a sweeping arch.Sesshoumaru felt the bite of the blade against his arm and registered that she had struck him. His demon raged at the insult and Sesshoumaru's eyes bled crimson. Ayeka moved backwards, holding her blade in barely steady hands. She had injured him. In all the long battles, she could not recall ever having drawn blood. He was furious.Several screams and shouts drew her attention and she looked over to see that the humans were unharmed. Unfortunately, she should have been concerned for herself. Sesshoumaru's true form shimmered before her. The colossal white dog that snapped and snarled dangerously.She sought to evade him and defend against him, however her enemy was simply too massive. Sesshoumaru pounced with demonic speed, his huge paw covering her small form. Pinning her to the ground, she saw herself reflected in those enormous red eyes. This was it, she had finally found something that she had dreamed of and it was going to kill her. This beast, her beloved husband.Sesshoumaru peered down at the tiny woman pinned between his toes and barked at her, an angry sound of reprimand. A mate should know her place. He fought hard for control of his beast, trying to force it aside. Ayeka managed to free one arm and rather than strike at him, she lifted her palm and stroked the magenta stripe of his cheek.In an instant, she was no longer pinned by the dog. Sesshoumaru towered over her, one hand pinned to her chest, one braced on the ground beside her head. She stared at him in a mix of wonder and fear and he growled loudly, his claws digging into the loose material of her blouse and dragging her up against him.He slammed his lips onto hers, letting his anger, his love rage around them. His youki snapping and flaring as his desire loomed. Ayeka whimpered against the onslaught of his kiss. Before she would fully react, he had released her lips and shoved her back to the ground. "You will cease this now, you are conquered" he stated, his voice slightly rough with want.She stared up at him, and then the dark red splatter of his blood drew her attention. She reached to touch the wound but he bared his fangs at her and she drew back. "I-I'm sorry" she whispered and he grunted. He stood and held his hand out to her, "It is not important. Your blows are not sufficient to harm this Sesshoumaru. You will return with me now and take up your place as Lady of the West and General over my second army."She swallowed hard. Her centuries long war was over, but a new one was just beginning. She cast a wary eye at her compatriots. Sesshoumaru followed her gaze and frowned, "She is no longer your concern" he stated in coldness. He summoned her sword to his side from the earth, he stared at the blade for a moment. "This belongs to you" he told her and held it out for her.Ayeka wore no obi and so she had no way to attach the blade to her person. Sesshoumaru merely tucked it back into his sash. "It's time we left". Ayeka nodded and stepped away from him. He looked at her for a moment. Her eyes stated clearly what she needed and so he backed up a step, "Say your goodbyes". She nodded, sadly.Sesshoumaru didn't listen to her words, those emotions between humans were nothing to him. He did let out a soft growl when she hugged a young human man. The scent of the man's sadness and desire spoke volumes to the silent demon. He strode to her side then, "Ayeka, it is time".With a final wave, Ayeka let him surround her with his arms and felt them lift into the air. The faces below grew smaller and smaller until a bright light overtook them. Sesshoumaru felt her shift in his arms, her face pressed against his chest. He caught the scent of tears a moment before hot wetness made itself known at his chest.He had no wish for her tears, but he supposed that having lived so long among those people, that she would miss them. Even if they cared little for her feelings, there were some that he knew had been dear to her heart and he had once again... taken them away.He tightened his hold on her and let his power surge up overwhelming her. Her body couldn't take the pressure of it and she slipped into a deep sleep. It was easier this way. When she awakened she would once more be in the palace and he would be able to talk with her.Inuyasha had spent the day listening to Jaken babble about his 'duties'. He finally had enough and tossed the imp into the koi pond. "Shut up you little booger" he muttered. He'd be damned glad when his brother came home. It had been nearly two days since he'd left through the mirror and Inuyasha was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with it.Rin was not in good spirits, she moped around the grounds. Kagome, Sango and Shippo did their best to cheer her and Kilala even slept in her room. It did little to help. Instead she clung to Inuyasha like his shadow much to his despair. He couldn't understand why she would do such a thing."It's probably because you remind her of Sesshoumaru. She does miss him." Miroku explained. Inuyasha grunted and hmpfed. He had tried drawing the line when she climbed into his lap in the gardens while he visited with his friends. "Hey kid what are you doin?" he asked in shock. Was she trying to *gulp* CUDDLE him?He looked down at her intent on telling her off but when he met those wide brown eyes, he found the words got stuck. Childish innocence and affection shone brightly in that gaze and in that moment Inuyasha understood exactly why she had been saved and why the most ruthless demon in the known world kept her. She made the sun a little brighter, it was something that he had once noticed about Kagome long ago.It were as though they had enough love to illuminate a world that had only been composed of shadows and doubt. With a gruff grunt he dropped a heavy hand onto her head and patted her awkwardly. Rin scrunched up her shoulders and giggled. "You are just like Sesshoumaru-sama" she told him in a confidential whisper,"'Cept you talk more".Deep in the long halls, hidden behind the many doors, the frame of the mirror blazed to life in the dimness of the room. In it's center a small dark image appeared and grew larger. Sesshoumaru stepped from the confines of the glass and into the familiar warmth of his own chambers.The woman in his arms remained quiet, her dark lashes spread over her pale cheeks. He cast a glance at her before striding to the large bed. Gently, he deposited his burden on the heavy linens. He stood over her for a several minutes before dropping to kneel, his face nearly level with hers.They were virtual strangers now, though bound together for all time. He felt a surge of longing for her. Perhaps stronger than the others, strange that it should occur now.. when she was so close. Yes, close but still beyond his reach. He brushed a stray lock from her cheek with sharp claws. He had won her once before and now he found himself facing a formidable foe. Love remained, oh yes, but so did her fear of his nature. He couldn't blame her. His last gift to her had after all been the charred remains and tattered bodies of those humans she had been born among. He had acted rashly and it had cost him greatly. He had been within his rights however, as lord of the area. These humans, who conspired to keep her from him. Who plotted his downfall. Those people who had hired a demon assassin who cared little for his title and had crept into his home, this very house and sought his life.It had been a foolish and fruitless endeavor and before painful death had come to the snake demon, he had confessed the villagers had given him all the riches they had. They felt that he had bewitched the young woman and stolen her away to his 'den of iniquity'. His young bride had stood in the hall, long coppery curls floating around her. Her lips still swollen from his kisses and her body sore from his loving when he had roared his anger. Not merely for himself and the blow to his pride but for the threat to his mate as well. Once the Taiyoukai was dead, she was to be killed next. An example not to love demons.He had raced from the palace and his clever bride had followed after him. He recalled her expression when she saw without doubt what his hands were capable of. She had backed away from him, her green eyes bright with tears. "What have you done?" she whispered, her gaze casting around the carnage. He stood tall and proud under the moonlight, flicking blood from his claws. "I have administered justice" he told her simply.Sesshoumaru let his hand fall away from her face and forced the memories from his mind. He'd be dealing with this later. For now, he had to make certain that Rin was well and that Inuyasha hadn't toppled his empire in his absence. With a final look at his sleeping mate, he rose and neatly tucked the mirror under his arm. Then he left the room, the resounding click of the lock echoing after him.His nose led him to the gardens, where he was quite shocked to see HIS Rin curled against the disgruntled creature he called family. A quick sniff told him that Inuyasha had failed to do as he asked. Kagome was still pure, but perhaps it was not so desperate a situation now. Ayeka was back, though he seriously doubted he'd be taking her in the near future."Sesshoumaru-sama!" came the shrill happy wail of his ward and she untangled herself from Inuyasha to launch herself at his long legs. He swept her up and peered into her eyes. "You behaved for Kagome-sama?" he asked. The child nodded, a bundle of adoring smiles in the hands of a killer. He nodded and set her down. "So you're back" Inuyasha said. Sesshoumaru merely eyed him for a moment. The half demon crossed his arms over his chest, "So... were you successful?" he asked. The older gave him a cutting glare, "Unlike you, I was". The half demon had the good graces to blush at his words. Kagome had noticed the bloodied and tattered sleeve, "You're hurt!" she cried and raced to him.Inuyasha barely stifled his growl as Sesshoumaru smirked over the top of her head at him. He knew that Inuyasha couldn't stand Kagome to touch him. He barely tolerated Sango being near his brother. It was because Sesshoumaru's powerful youki made him more appealing to women. Coupled with his good looks, Inuyasha was certain that there was nothing and no one he could not seduce given half a chance.Kagome gently lifted the sleeve to eye the nearly healed wound. "Well it looks like you are almost healed, would you like me to finish it for you?" she asked. Sesshoumaru had never been one to allow others to touch his person, besides Ayeka and Rin he qualified. Kagome had been quite touchy in the early days and he had become accustomed to her mothering ways. He leveled a gentled gaze at her and covered her small hand where it rested on his arm, "I require no help Kagome" he assured her.