InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Across the Ages ❯ confrontations (correct chapter, sorry) ( Chapter 7 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: inuyoukai8 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.17.2006 | Updated On: 02.19.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.1K | Visits: 198 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.17.2006 | Updated On: 02.19.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.1K | Visits: 198 | Status: Completed
Chapter Seven
Sesshoumaru wasn't entirely certain what he should expect that night. It was not the faint scent of passion coming from the visitor's wing however. He almost growled at Inuyasha's impecaable timing. With an inward groan he made his way to the tall set of double doors that hid his wife from the world.
Ayeka was still sitting the chair. A few hours ago, a tall youkai maid had entered long enough to deposit a platter of food and a flagon on wine on the table. She didn't even look around and Ayeka watched as she retreated. That damn lock clicking after her. Ayeka swallowed her unfavorable opinion and gingerly approached the food.
Apparently, he had no intention of starving her. Well that was good. She ate a small portion and resumed her place in the corner. She would just have to wait for him... she hated waiting. She hated not knowing but in this case there was nothing she could do about either.
She heard the lock slide back and then the door swung open. The room was dark, she'd left it that way. The light from the hall framed the object of her thoughts perfectly. Sesshoumaru said nothing, merely stepped inside and headed for the lamps. He didn't need them and he was well aware of his mate's whereabouts.
"You were never one to lurk." he commented quietly. He could almost hear her spine stiffen. Slowly, with deliberate actions he lit the lamp. Then he turned and there she was. Curled on the chair, looking like a skittish cat with huge green eyes that seemed luminous in the low light.
She remained silent, watching him. His expression and his actions betrayed nothing of his thoughts. "What do you want?" she asked finally and he levelled his gaze on her. Her fear reached him and her pain as well. "I should have thought that I was clear enough when we fought." he answered.
Her gaze fell from him, the tight line of her shoulders remained. "I don't know what to do," she admitted softly before her resolve returned, "But I will not allow you to kill." The fire returned to her eyes and he was almost relieved. Anger was far easier to deal with than tears.
"You are in no position to allow or disallow much my lady." he told her, his emphasis on lady not lost on her. She glared at him, "Perhaps not, but I can try." she retorted coolly. He inclined his head to indicate he had heard her. "Are you going to kill me?" she asked then, quite suddenly, "Because I hate waiting."
Sesshoumaru arched his silver brow at her, "You always did, but no I am not going to kill you. That question is obscene." he growled. She waved at the door, "You locked me in!" her tone irritated. "You ran once" he reminded her. "I gave my word!" she snapped at him. He frowned, "You also gave yourself to me, that didn't stop you from leaving." he sounded downright mean.
She let her brows shoot to her hairline, "You slaughtered a village what should I have done? What should I have felt if not afraid and betrayed?" she demanded. Sesshoumaru knew that this was inevitable and if the air wasn't cleared there would be no forward progress.
He faced her fully, "You might have trusted me to do the right thing, those people were far from innocent. They plotted against this house, my father, myself and even you and you stand there and defend them.You might have at least stayed to see the evidence against them. You ran. Abandoned your position as my general and lady of the west."
She felt a pang of guilt and squashed it down viciously. "Oh do forgive me" she said softly, her voice all but dripping with malice, "I was not aware that I had bound myself to a cold blooded killer with no heart." Sesshoumaru felt the barb hit deeply but he did not let it show. "So this is what you want?" he asked her, "Angry words and hateful years?"
She slumped in near defeat, "No, it was not what I wanted." she admitted, "I wanted you, but you were too interested in being so powerful so cruel, so strong." Sesshoumaru growled loudly, "To protect you! To protect my lands!" She knew that was partly true, his father had fallen in love with a mortal and it had brought the near destruction of his house. His young son had been forced to outwit and overpower hundreds to preserve his line.
"What did YOU want?" she asked heatedly. Sesshoumaru advanced on her, pinning her to the wall with is body, his arms forming a cage on either side of her head. She tilted her head all the way back against the wooden panels to meet his glare. "I wanted you." the Taiyoukai muttered, "More is the pity."
She jerked as though he'd slapped her. His words hurt. Did he regret it all then? God knew she did so many times. "Pity is it? Why did you come back then?" she hurled at him. He glowered at her, baring his fangs, "Was I suppose to abandon you? Let you crumble to dust? I at least hold firm to what I have promised. It is so easy for you Ayeka," he spat at her, "You moved through lifetimes unaware! I had to deal with the passage of the time acutely aware of your absence."
She shrunk against the wall, "That isn't fair, I miss you." she told him. He grunted in disbelief. She hurried to explain, "I didn't remember you, but I was always aware that something was missing from my life. When you would come it would all return, years of longing and ache swallowed me at once but did you care? No! You fought me!"
Sesshoumaru thought about that for a moment but decided he didn't care. Now was not the time to hold back, this was the time to settle things between them. "Tell me Ayeka, have you ever wondered how many pups we would have had by now had you remained?" he asked, because I do. I look at my ward, my HUMAN ward and I wonder." he bit out.
Her eyes went wide, human ward? "You have a human ward?" she asked, his words throwing her off balance. He nodded stiffly. She stared up at him, "And you love her!" the words exploded from her lips in a rush of air. Again he nodded, "She has become the child you did not give me."
Ouch. Now that hurt. She felt tears prick at her eyes and she bit them back with sharp laugh. "Does she know what you are? That you are a monster that kills without regret?" she demanded. Sesshoumaru stepped away from her, "She is well aware of my nature, she however was capable of seeing beyond that."
Ayeka watched him move to the bathing room. She sank to her chair again. Her mind whirling. Sesshoumaru had a human child... here! The sting of his final words still bright in her heart, she shook her head. It was too much. She buried her face in her hands and wept. Had she been so wrong? Had he changed? What the hell was happening? She wept for lost years and lost children. "Damn you Sesshoumaru," she muttered darkly, then sadly, "and damn me too."
From the bath, he heard her whisper, smelt her tears. He wanted to go and comfort her, but it was imperative that she understood his place in this world and hers as well. He would not let her escape the hurt she had caused so easily. She would know, she would understand and she would WANT him.
When he was finished, he stepped back into the room to find her curled in the chair, her long hair pooling on the gleaming floor beneath her. She was so small, sleeping like that. With a purposeful stride he moved to her side and lifted her in his arms.
She came awake at once, "What are you doing?" she demanded and stiffened in his arms. He all but tossed her onto the bed, "Go to sleep." She stared up at him in shock as he slipped of his robe and climbed into the bed beside her. She moved to get up but his warning growl stopped her. She turned slowly back to him.
"You are my wife and you WILL sleep in this bed. With me." he told her in sharp tones. She shook her head and he lashed out. She yelped when he caught her around the middle and dragged her back against him. "Shut up!" he barked in tired irriation, "Go to sleep. Believe me I'd rather go and put my fist through someone's chest than touch you right now."
She flinched at his words, but his arms remained banded around her. "Oh yeah," she mocked, "Because you are so good at that. You gonna wait until I am asleep and rip my heart out too?" He huffed against the top of her head and gave her a squeeze that robbed her of her air, "It would serve no purpose to punch a hole in your chest my dear wife, I doubt you have a heart there."
She was silent, tears pricking at her eyes and he felt like a heel. As though to make up for his harsh words he tightened his hold on her. She let herself cry silently. Great, he hated her, she hated herself, but she didn't hate him and that was what hurt the most. He was her most dangerous enemy and her greatest ally.
Sesshoumaru hated those tears. Her body trembled with the silent sobs but he said nothing. He nearly sighed in relief when she finally fell asleep. He propped himself up on one elbow and stared at her. Her cheeks were wet and he brushed the salty tears away. It was then he noticed it, her little hand was curled in a stray lock of his hair. She held to him tightly. With a sigh, he pressed a kiss to her head and settled down for the night.Tomorrow was soon enough to call a truce with her. It was not how he had pictured her return but they were both breathing and had all their limbs so he supposed it was a fair start.With small smile of resignation he recalled they had fallen in love despite such verbal barbs.
Sunlight fell on the small spring, sparkling like a thousand tiny fires on the surface. It was a scent that had drawn him here. And he, curious as to what could capture his attention so swiftly had tracked it to this location. At first he wondered if she were some water nymph frolicking in his lush forest. But no, the closer he came the more he could smell her humanity. It was not unpleasant like most.
She bathe leisurely in HIS spring, basked under HIS leaves and in that moment she took HIS breath away. She was smaller, much more than he. Her pale flesh gleaming like a pearl in the sun. Her hair the color of burnished copper, a strange color for a human. He'd only ever seen red hair like that on kitsune and cat demons. But no,here, she was.
She hummed softly to herself the picture of soft female curves and sweetness. He didn't bother to peep at her, he merely stood at the edge of the treeline and waited for her to notice him. Notice him she did and the loud indignant shriek that followed made his ears ring. The pale demon was shocked by her words to him.
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded, manners forgotten as she attempted to cover herself below the shallow water. He arched a brow at her, unused to be spoken to in such a way and by a human no less. He growled at her, his eyes narrowed, "You don't know me?" he asked.
She glared right back, "Of course not! I am not in the habit of keeping company with men, certainly not those who spy on a lady in her bath!" she shouted angrily. He cocked his head at her, perhaps she had failed to notice that he was not human and she was in danger.
"Do you reside in the village west of here?" he asked coolly. She was irritated beyond belief, how could he just stand there. "Are you going to leave?" she demanded, ignoring his question and his threatening growl. He too a step forward and casually, stubbornly placed his foot on a rock. Clearly he challened her authority. "I have no intention of leaving until my curiousity is satisfied."
Her gasp nearly shoved her under the water, "You! You pervert! I am bathing!" she insisted. He found her antics mildly amusing. "In my spring, in my forest." he pointed out. If she grew any redder he thought she might burst. "YOUR forest?" she demanded. "MY forest." he assured her.
"Look you!" she growled at him, quite impressive for a mere mortal he thought, "You get out of here this minute. I have to get out of the bath and I am not doing it with you here! Have you no manners? Don't you know that it's damn rude to watch a lady bathe?"
He frowned at her, "Judging by your language I was not aware that I had encountered a lady." he stated bluntly. She screamed at him, splashed water and hurled stones. All of which he easily dodged. Her outburst could put a female youkai to shame. His own mother had sported a temper like that. He'd learned early not to rile it. This, was however vastly different.
"Woman cease!" he had barked and she paused a moment in her tirade. She eyed him closely. He wasn't bad looking, she knew WHAT he was but not WHO he was. "I am the lord and master of the west and you would be wise to hold your tongue before I remove it from your pretty head." His threat seemed lost on her, he thought she was pretty?
"Don't you threaten me." she countered, "You came upon me and I am merely defending myself as much as I can given my circumstances. Please... leave." He let the breeze swirl around him, lifting his hair in shining wisps. The cool air caused goosebumps to lift on her skin. He noticed of course and cursed himself for it. This was beneath him. She was human after all.
"Answer me and I will go. Do you reside in the village?" he pressed. She sighed, a long suffering sound and all for his benefit he knew. "I just moved here from Okinawa. My sister has been widowed and she needed someone to help her." she told him. He filed the information away, "I didn't ask for your life story," he said then, "I only asked where you lived. I don't care I am just curious."
He turned and was gone, leaving a sputtering woman in his wake to clamber onto the bank and hurriedly dress. That scent, that sweet luring scent had been from that hellcat in the spring. Amazing. The nerve of that woman.
"The nerve of that man." she muttered as she dressed and stomped back to the village. The lord of the west huh? Insufferable barbarian was more like it. She gritted her teeth all the way home and hoped he tripped and fell, dirtied his pristine appearance. "Not a lady... grrr, doesn't like my language.. ha!"
He'd heard every word of course and fought the urge to carry out his threat. Damnable woman. Loud and undisciplined. He was the greatest demon to ever live besides his father. Everyone respected him, most feared him. Rightfully so! Who the hell was SHE?
"Ayeka my lord." came the reply a week later as he sat in his study. He made it his business to know the intricate goings on of his realm. That included deaths, births and now new comers as well. Knowing how many mouths had to be fed before he could demand service was a must.
The little toad knelt before him. "She has come from Okinawa. Her father was a great battle general there. He trained his daughter. It's rumored she is a great fighter in her own right." Sesshoumaru glanced up at this. A fighter? Impossible, she was... tiny. Who and what could she possibly vanquish? His own father was rallying troops to the east, he suspected war. He always did.
The great dog general was often away and left the running of his estates to his son. Sesshoumaru was more than groomed for leadership and wore the mantle well. He looked to be no more than twenty in human years but he was far older and much wiser. Besides it took a great deal of effort to maintain so large a domain.
His father had burst into laughter and warned his son about the human woman when he'd confided the strange meeting. "A woman like that can break you my son, but those are the best kind for they make you desire to be better, stronger." Of course the great Inutaisho was not one to turn away pretty women, human or youkai. He had been lonely since the death of Sesshoumaru's mother in battle.
He'd eased the burden of time with several women and his son had not begrudged him that. He cared little for his father's activities as long as they didn't affect the west. So he watched his father attempt to heal a heart that had broken inside of a body unwilling to die when it's mate ceased to walk the earth. Father was far to vibrant for that.
"There were two births in the village, both boys and and the old healer died. She has been replaced by her granddaughter." the toad said, completing his report. His cold lord merely nodded. He dismissed his vassal and sat quiet for some time. Abruptly he stood, white hakamas smoothing into clean lines. Once again, he was curious. Damn her anyway.
Sesshoumaru wasn't entirely certain what he should expect that night. It was not the faint scent of passion coming from the visitor's wing however. He almost growled at Inuyasha's impecaable timing. With an inward groan he made his way to the tall set of double doors that hid his wife from the world.
Ayeka was still sitting the chair. A few hours ago, a tall youkai maid had entered long enough to deposit a platter of food and a flagon on wine on the table. She didn't even look around and Ayeka watched as she retreated. That damn lock clicking after her. Ayeka swallowed her unfavorable opinion and gingerly approached the food.
Apparently, he had no intention of starving her. Well that was good. She ate a small portion and resumed her place in the corner. She would just have to wait for him... she hated waiting. She hated not knowing but in this case there was nothing she could do about either.
She heard the lock slide back and then the door swung open. The room was dark, she'd left it that way. The light from the hall framed the object of her thoughts perfectly. Sesshoumaru said nothing, merely stepped inside and headed for the lamps. He didn't need them and he was well aware of his mate's whereabouts.
"You were never one to lurk." he commented quietly. He could almost hear her spine stiffen. Slowly, with deliberate actions he lit the lamp. Then he turned and there she was. Curled on the chair, looking like a skittish cat with huge green eyes that seemed luminous in the low light.
She remained silent, watching him. His expression and his actions betrayed nothing of his thoughts. "What do you want?" she asked finally and he levelled his gaze on her. Her fear reached him and her pain as well. "I should have thought that I was clear enough when we fought." he answered.
Her gaze fell from him, the tight line of her shoulders remained. "I don't know what to do," she admitted softly before her resolve returned, "But I will not allow you to kill." The fire returned to her eyes and he was almost relieved. Anger was far easier to deal with than tears.
"You are in no position to allow or disallow much my lady." he told her, his emphasis on lady not lost on her. She glared at him, "Perhaps not, but I can try." she retorted coolly. He inclined his head to indicate he had heard her. "Are you going to kill me?" she asked then, quite suddenly, "Because I hate waiting."
Sesshoumaru arched his silver brow at her, "You always did, but no I am not going to kill you. That question is obscene." he growled. She waved at the door, "You locked me in!" her tone irritated. "You ran once" he reminded her. "I gave my word!" she snapped at him. He frowned, "You also gave yourself to me, that didn't stop you from leaving." he sounded downright mean.
She let her brows shoot to her hairline, "You slaughtered a village what should I have done? What should I have felt if not afraid and betrayed?" she demanded. Sesshoumaru knew that this was inevitable and if the air wasn't cleared there would be no forward progress.
He faced her fully, "You might have trusted me to do the right thing, those people were far from innocent. They plotted against this house, my father, myself and even you and you stand there and defend them.You might have at least stayed to see the evidence against them. You ran. Abandoned your position as my general and lady of the west."
She felt a pang of guilt and squashed it down viciously. "Oh do forgive me" she said softly, her voice all but dripping with malice, "I was not aware that I had bound myself to a cold blooded killer with no heart." Sesshoumaru felt the barb hit deeply but he did not let it show. "So this is what you want?" he asked her, "Angry words and hateful years?"
She slumped in near defeat, "No, it was not what I wanted." she admitted, "I wanted you, but you were too interested in being so powerful so cruel, so strong." Sesshoumaru growled loudly, "To protect you! To protect my lands!" She knew that was partly true, his father had fallen in love with a mortal and it had brought the near destruction of his house. His young son had been forced to outwit and overpower hundreds to preserve his line.
"What did YOU want?" she asked heatedly. Sesshoumaru advanced on her, pinning her to the wall with is body, his arms forming a cage on either side of her head. She tilted her head all the way back against the wooden panels to meet his glare. "I wanted you." the Taiyoukai muttered, "More is the pity."
She jerked as though he'd slapped her. His words hurt. Did he regret it all then? God knew she did so many times. "Pity is it? Why did you come back then?" she hurled at him. He glowered at her, baring his fangs, "Was I suppose to abandon you? Let you crumble to dust? I at least hold firm to what I have promised. It is so easy for you Ayeka," he spat at her, "You moved through lifetimes unaware! I had to deal with the passage of the time acutely aware of your absence."
She shrunk against the wall, "That isn't fair, I miss you." she told him. He grunted in disbelief. She hurried to explain, "I didn't remember you, but I was always aware that something was missing from my life. When you would come it would all return, years of longing and ache swallowed me at once but did you care? No! You fought me!"
Sesshoumaru thought about that for a moment but decided he didn't care. Now was not the time to hold back, this was the time to settle things between them. "Tell me Ayeka, have you ever wondered how many pups we would have had by now had you remained?" he asked, because I do. I look at my ward, my HUMAN ward and I wonder." he bit out.
Her eyes went wide, human ward? "You have a human ward?" she asked, his words throwing her off balance. He nodded stiffly. She stared up at him, "And you love her!" the words exploded from her lips in a rush of air. Again he nodded, "She has become the child you did not give me."
Ouch. Now that hurt. She felt tears prick at her eyes and she bit them back with sharp laugh. "Does she know what you are? That you are a monster that kills without regret?" she demanded. Sesshoumaru stepped away from her, "She is well aware of my nature, she however was capable of seeing beyond that."
Ayeka watched him move to the bathing room. She sank to her chair again. Her mind whirling. Sesshoumaru had a human child... here! The sting of his final words still bright in her heart, she shook her head. It was too much. She buried her face in her hands and wept. Had she been so wrong? Had he changed? What the hell was happening? She wept for lost years and lost children. "Damn you Sesshoumaru," she muttered darkly, then sadly, "and damn me too."
From the bath, he heard her whisper, smelt her tears. He wanted to go and comfort her, but it was imperative that she understood his place in this world and hers as well. He would not let her escape the hurt she had caused so easily. She would know, she would understand and she would WANT him.
When he was finished, he stepped back into the room to find her curled in the chair, her long hair pooling on the gleaming floor beneath her. She was so small, sleeping like that. With a purposeful stride he moved to her side and lifted her in his arms.
She came awake at once, "What are you doing?" she demanded and stiffened in his arms. He all but tossed her onto the bed, "Go to sleep." She stared up at him in shock as he slipped of his robe and climbed into the bed beside her. She moved to get up but his warning growl stopped her. She turned slowly back to him.
"You are my wife and you WILL sleep in this bed. With me." he told her in sharp tones. She shook her head and he lashed out. She yelped when he caught her around the middle and dragged her back against him. "Shut up!" he barked in tired irriation, "Go to sleep. Believe me I'd rather go and put my fist through someone's chest than touch you right now."
She flinched at his words, but his arms remained banded around her. "Oh yeah," she mocked, "Because you are so good at that. You gonna wait until I am asleep and rip my heart out too?" He huffed against the top of her head and gave her a squeeze that robbed her of her air, "It would serve no purpose to punch a hole in your chest my dear wife, I doubt you have a heart there."
She was silent, tears pricking at her eyes and he felt like a heel. As though to make up for his harsh words he tightened his hold on her. She let herself cry silently. Great, he hated her, she hated herself, but she didn't hate him and that was what hurt the most. He was her most dangerous enemy and her greatest ally.
Sesshoumaru hated those tears. Her body trembled with the silent sobs but he said nothing. He nearly sighed in relief when she finally fell asleep. He propped himself up on one elbow and stared at her. Her cheeks were wet and he brushed the salty tears away. It was then he noticed it, her little hand was curled in a stray lock of his hair. She held to him tightly. With a sigh, he pressed a kiss to her head and settled down for the night.Tomorrow was soon enough to call a truce with her. It was not how he had pictured her return but they were both breathing and had all their limbs so he supposed it was a fair start.With small smile of resignation he recalled they had fallen in love despite such verbal barbs.
Sunlight fell on the small spring, sparkling like a thousand tiny fires on the surface. It was a scent that had drawn him here. And he, curious as to what could capture his attention so swiftly had tracked it to this location. At first he wondered if she were some water nymph frolicking in his lush forest. But no, the closer he came the more he could smell her humanity. It was not unpleasant like most.
She bathe leisurely in HIS spring, basked under HIS leaves and in that moment she took HIS breath away. She was smaller, much more than he. Her pale flesh gleaming like a pearl in the sun. Her hair the color of burnished copper, a strange color for a human. He'd only ever seen red hair like that on kitsune and cat demons. But no,here, she was.
She hummed softly to herself the picture of soft female curves and sweetness. He didn't bother to peep at her, he merely stood at the edge of the treeline and waited for her to notice him. Notice him she did and the loud indignant shriek that followed made his ears ring. The pale demon was shocked by her words to him.
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded, manners forgotten as she attempted to cover herself below the shallow water. He arched a brow at her, unused to be spoken to in such a way and by a human no less. He growled at her, his eyes narrowed, "You don't know me?" he asked.
She glared right back, "Of course not! I am not in the habit of keeping company with men, certainly not those who spy on a lady in her bath!" she shouted angrily. He cocked his head at her, perhaps she had failed to notice that he was not human and she was in danger.
"Do you reside in the village west of here?" he asked coolly. She was irritated beyond belief, how could he just stand there. "Are you going to leave?" she demanded, ignoring his question and his threatening growl. He too a step forward and casually, stubbornly placed his foot on a rock. Clearly he challened her authority. "I have no intention of leaving until my curiousity is satisfied."
Her gasp nearly shoved her under the water, "You! You pervert! I am bathing!" she insisted. He found her antics mildly amusing. "In my spring, in my forest." he pointed out. If she grew any redder he thought she might burst. "YOUR forest?" she demanded. "MY forest." he assured her.
"Look you!" she growled at him, quite impressive for a mere mortal he thought, "You get out of here this minute. I have to get out of the bath and I am not doing it with you here! Have you no manners? Don't you know that it's damn rude to watch a lady bathe?"
He frowned at her, "Judging by your language I was not aware that I had encountered a lady." he stated bluntly. She screamed at him, splashed water and hurled stones. All of which he easily dodged. Her outburst could put a female youkai to shame. His own mother had sported a temper like that. He'd learned early not to rile it. This, was however vastly different.
"Woman cease!" he had barked and she paused a moment in her tirade. She eyed him closely. He wasn't bad looking, she knew WHAT he was but not WHO he was. "I am the lord and master of the west and you would be wise to hold your tongue before I remove it from your pretty head." His threat seemed lost on her, he thought she was pretty?
"Don't you threaten me." she countered, "You came upon me and I am merely defending myself as much as I can given my circumstances. Please... leave." He let the breeze swirl around him, lifting his hair in shining wisps. The cool air caused goosebumps to lift on her skin. He noticed of course and cursed himself for it. This was beneath him. She was human after all.
"Answer me and I will go. Do you reside in the village?" he pressed. She sighed, a long suffering sound and all for his benefit he knew. "I just moved here from Okinawa. My sister has been widowed and she needed someone to help her." she told him. He filed the information away, "I didn't ask for your life story," he said then, "I only asked where you lived. I don't care I am just curious."
He turned and was gone, leaving a sputtering woman in his wake to clamber onto the bank and hurriedly dress. That scent, that sweet luring scent had been from that hellcat in the spring. Amazing. The nerve of that woman.
"The nerve of that man." she muttered as she dressed and stomped back to the village. The lord of the west huh? Insufferable barbarian was more like it. She gritted her teeth all the way home and hoped he tripped and fell, dirtied his pristine appearance. "Not a lady... grrr, doesn't like my language.. ha!"
He'd heard every word of course and fought the urge to carry out his threat. Damnable woman. Loud and undisciplined. He was the greatest demon to ever live besides his father. Everyone respected him, most feared him. Rightfully so! Who the hell was SHE?
"Ayeka my lord." came the reply a week later as he sat in his study. He made it his business to know the intricate goings on of his realm. That included deaths, births and now new comers as well. Knowing how many mouths had to be fed before he could demand service was a must.
The little toad knelt before him. "She has come from Okinawa. Her father was a great battle general there. He trained his daughter. It's rumored she is a great fighter in her own right." Sesshoumaru glanced up at this. A fighter? Impossible, she was... tiny. Who and what could she possibly vanquish? His own father was rallying troops to the east, he suspected war. He always did.
The great dog general was often away and left the running of his estates to his son. Sesshoumaru was more than groomed for leadership and wore the mantle well. He looked to be no more than twenty in human years but he was far older and much wiser. Besides it took a great deal of effort to maintain so large a domain.
His father had burst into laughter and warned his son about the human woman when he'd confided the strange meeting. "A woman like that can break you my son, but those are the best kind for they make you desire to be better, stronger." Of course the great Inutaisho was not one to turn away pretty women, human or youkai. He had been lonely since the death of Sesshoumaru's mother in battle.
He'd eased the burden of time with several women and his son had not begrudged him that. He cared little for his father's activities as long as they didn't affect the west. So he watched his father attempt to heal a heart that had broken inside of a body unwilling to die when it's mate ceased to walk the earth. Father was far to vibrant for that.
"There were two births in the village, both boys and and the old healer died. She has been replaced by her granddaughter." the toad said, completing his report. His cold lord merely nodded. He dismissed his vassal and sat quiet for some time. Abruptly he stood, white hakamas smoothing into clean lines. Once again, he was curious. Damn her anyway.