InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Across the Ages ❯ life in the palace ( Chapter 8 )

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

EightShe was easy to find, he had not forgotten her scent. He tracked her through the forest, to an open field. The scent of sweat and men hovered there, near her and he was not pleased. It stung his delicate nostrils with the stench that clung to the majority of humanity.Ayeka, yes that was her name. Ayeka stood at the edge of the field and called out commands like a hardened commander. His golden eyes widened fractionally before narrowing. She was drilling. The men of the village were training and she moved among them easily. Calling corrections and positions to them. It was an odd sight. Even more odd was the fact that she wore hakamas and a loose haori. Women just did NOT dress like that.He watched her for a quarter of an hour and then she dismissed the men. She had put them through rigorous maneuvers. Much like the drills he and his father subjected their soldiers too. That was fine but she was a woman and she should not know these things, nor should men follow her so easily.He stepped from the trees and let his youki swell around him. She turned to see him and rather than bow her head and lower her eyes as she ought to have she glared at him. "Oh it's the peeper." she said. He narrowed his eyes at her and straightened to his full height.If he had hoped that she would shrink from him or be intimidated he was sadly mistaken. If anything her own spine stiffened and she puffed herself up at him. He growled, she growled back. "Was there something that you required... my lord?" she asked then. He sniffed, about time she acknowledge his station. "I merely came to see" he told her.She arched a brow at him in question, "See?" He looked down his nose at her, she was obviously stupid. "To see if the rumors were true." he stated as though that explained everything. She grunted at him and turned away giving him her back. It was a blatant insult and she clearly dismissed him."Since I do not care for half given explanations, I will say good day." her tone was impressively cool as though she were discussing something particularly nasty on the bottom of her shoe. Sesshoumaru was amazed at the audacity of the little creature before him. "Little toad." he said and her shoulders tensed, "I did not grant you permission to walk away from this Sesshoumaru."She spun, fire in her eyes and the demon was attracted to the challenge she presented at that moment. She moved to stand inches away from him, staring up at him, trying not to notice how handsome he was. "I" she said haughtily, "Didn't ask it." Then she turned and was walking away from him once again.Unbelievable. "Wench, if you are so talented with your sword, then raise it against me." he ordered. She stopped but didn't turn. "I am no fool demon," she told him, "The penalty of raising a weapon to the lord is death... even if he is demon." He snorted, "I shall not hold you to it, I merely wish to see for myself. Spar with me woman."She turned to him and stared at him in an odd way, then she opened her mouth and she spoke. "All must be made equal in the law." He stared at her, no expression but inside he was reeling. It was a lesson his father had taught him. A law his father had put in place when he rose to power. No one, not lord nor serf was above the law and all were judged equally.Obviously, she was not stupid. He fought the urge to grit his teeth. "What would you know of it?" he asked, though his tone no longer held venom. She shrugged and smiled up at the sky, "My father taught me.". Sesshoumaru looked at her then, really looked at her. A face that was not beautiful in the classic sense, but impacting. The sunlight set her hair ablaze and her eyes sparkled with mirth.So it had begun, the strange relationship between the demon prince and the girl general. He watched her drill and afterwards, she would talk to him about the life she had left behind. Every now and then they sparred and though he held his considerable strength back, he was certain that she was not without skill.Inutaisho heard the whispers in the palace of the new companion of his son. Curious as old dogs are wont to be, he went to see for himself. She had been in her garden and felt the demon approach. "Sessh, you have to stop sneaking up on me." she chided and then turned around and abruptly dropped her basket.Before her stood a tall demon, his silver hair pulled into a high ponytail, his tanned cheeks emblazoned with purple stripes. He was powerfully built and his entire being stated simply... warrior, fear me. But his eyes, his gleaming golden eyes were filled with amusement and a hint of warmth. THE Inutaisho. It could be none other. She counted swiftly, yes, three swords at his hip.Inutaisho, ever the gentleman, helped her collect the contents and set it back in her arms. "My apologies I didn't mean to startle you." he told her, his voice rich and deep. She stared up at him for a moment, "You look like..." He smiled and she stopped speaking, "Yes, my son, I know. Silver hair and golden eyes. It is the mark of my blood." He chuckled at her reaction to his response. Her eyes flew wide, son! She hastily began to bow but the dog demon caught her elbows and kept her upright. "I hear that you have not bowed your head to Sesshoumaru, I am far less fussy than he is. I merely came to see the source of his interest. You are quite pretty... for a human." he gave her a long measuring look, "And I have been told that you are not lacking with the sword. Now how is that?"She spent the remainder of the day with the leader of the dogs. Inutaisho was quite charming and his manner was warm and engaging rather than cool and aloof. Like the son that he was determined to speak of. She was laughing brightly when Sesshoumaru appeared at the edge of her garden. His eyes fell on his father but he kept his face blank. So... he'd come at last.He'd expected his father to grow tired of waiting and seek her out. However, he was not a fool and his father's presence meant many things. He felt his sire's eyes flicker over him momentarily and kept his face passive. They were on the verge of conflict and yet here was the famed Inutaisho spouting pleasantries in a human garden. How irresponsible....oh wait. Damn it.Inutaisho stood and bid her farewell, "I have duties to see to and now that he is here, well, I know they won't get done. I shall see you soon Ayeka." She had nodded and waved as he approached his stoic son, he paused for only a moment to speak to him. "You will bring her to the palace, I wish to test her skill."Sesshoumaru let his eyes slide sideways to his father's strong profile, "Test her?" he asked. Inutaisho nodded, his silver ponytail swaying, "I may employ her based on her performance." Sesshoumaru cut his eyes back to the woman who stood out of ear shot. "She is not a concubine" he told his father. Inutaisho smiled then, "No she is not. That one is all fighter."She'd taken up residence in the western palace a week later and drilled her men soundly. She was far more demanding than any other commander. Her youth belied her skill and her instinct. Inutaisho watched with no small sense of pride as she rose quickly through his ranks and within a few years she sat at his table as his general. Her fresh face improved the meetings between he and his older demon comrades, she was well respected for both her fairness and her temper.He, himself had tested her skill and strategy in his very courtyard and while she had no hopes of ever defeating him, she had fought fiercely and well. He'd been impressed, but then he'd liked her father a great deal as well. Seeing her, alone and without equal in the village had bothered him. So, he'd brought her here and watched her flourish.That she'd managed to enthrall his icy child was yet another reason to keep her close. It promised entertainment, that battle of wills. He did not reveal to her that he'd known her father, that he had fought him in a snow covered field and that he'd not had the heart to kill so cranky a person.He'd learned a great lesson from her father. A lesson about generals that he kept close to his heart. To win you studied the generals of your army and that of your enemy. You had to walk a fine line and punish where punishment was due, reward when needed. Carefully and never overmuch. In this way any army would bow to you.Sesshoumaru could smell her in the palace, that scent of dew on grass, morning sunlight through a window. She was unlike he or his father. She was human and while they had human soldiers, she was different. She was like a deviant moonbeam trapped in a box, refusing to dim or diminish in austere settings.To his credit Inutaisho was a fine employer, more than that he was a good person. Ayeka knew that demon realms were known to be brutal. Intrigue and betrayal rampant but he kept firm control of his house while not breaking the spirits of those around him. He was flawed, he was funny, he was invincible and she obeyed him without question.It was more than allegiance, it was affection. He never mocked that she could fight as her own people had, he never tried to make her feel inadequate for being as she was. She was herself, bad habits and all and she was his soldier. She rose with the sun each day and trained hard, in the evenings she ate her meals with the other generals, Sesshoumaru if he was there, and listened to the rumors of the other domains.Sesshoumaru went about his daily business, though her proximity was a distraction at times. She was his to command now and he was careful of the contact he had with her. When she was named general, he seemed to relax a bit. Stations in the palace now closer than before. Inutaisho watched him watch her and she watched her men. He knew that Sesshoumaru was loathe to show any weakness to anyone and she could surely be labeled a weakness if his hunch was correct.She was still new to her rank of general when the news came. The east was mustering forces to march against the west. Damn panthers. They were never happy with peace and Inutaisho growled, not bothering to look up from the missive in his hands he spoke to his retainer. "Assemble the generals in the war room, we must make preparations." Sesshoumaru, who was standing at the window, did not turn. "Drag in a tall stool for General Ayeka as well." he ordered. Half an hour later, the table was lined with demons. Inutaisho glanced around, where was Ayeka? The door slammed open and she strode in. She was dressed in white, like he and his son, her armor strapped firmly in place. She wore a slight look of irritation. She brightened when she met his gaze, bowing slightly she spoke, "Forgive my tardiness my lord, I was in the tilt yard with your recent...acquisitions."He shook his head, new soldiers were always a pain. "No matter, we have yet to begin." he told her. She nodded her greetings to her peers. Her eyes scanned quickly and saw only one empty seat, next to Sesshoumaru. Placement at the great table mattered little as it was round and all who gathered there were equal, save of course the lord himself.She moved to the high stool. Much taller than the others. All for her benefit she knew, because the demon were all so much bigger than her. She hooked her foot on the rung and bunched her muscles to pull herself up, but a pale clawed hand fell in her line of vision. Sesshoumaru said nothing and no one but his father was looking.Ayeka merely slid her hand into his and allowed him to help her onto the stool. She adjusted her sword on her hip and rested her arm on the table. From the corner of his eye Sesshoumaru saw her flash him a grateful look. He locked his eyes on his father and they waited.Ayeka should have expected the announcement for war, but winter was coming and that was bad. "My lord," she ventured, gaining attention from the table, "Is there no way that we can postpone conflict until the spring thaw?". Inutaisho sighed, he'd hoped for that himself, "No, it seems unavoidable." She nodded. Winter campaigns were so much more difficult.General Tatsuko, a grizzled ox demon snorted. "Perhaps if we send an emissary, we can buy a little more time.". General Kamini, a slight statured kitsune growled, "We can't buy time. They have already mobilized. We command the finest armies in all of Japan. We must march."Sesshoumaru studied his claws a moment, "If there were no leader, then there would be no battle." he mused quietly. The elders watched him closely, he was unpredictable and far more dangerous than the enemy. "If," he went on, "The army moves from the west but a hunting party moved from the eastern flank we might avoid the main body of the panther army."Aristocratic assassin. He earned the name that day. Inutaisho had thought along similar lines but he could not go himself and would not volunteer another for such a task. "So we send an assassin to him, but who?" he asked.

No one looked ready to pounce on the duty. Sesshoumaru weighed his chances, "I will go." he said simply. Ayeka sat straighter, "You must not, "she told him, her voice calm and almost bored. The dog demons knew better, "You are the heir to the west, neither you nor your father must be involved. I will go."Inutaisho looked at her, a hard glare, sizing her up. She could do it...possibly. If she failed, it would mean not only the loss of her and his men but a huge upheaval in plans. He sat silently, considering. The price of being a leader he had found was often higher than he liked. He was less willing to risk his men that he was himself. It was why they loved him so.At last he spoke, "Very well. I shall march the main body from the west. You and a party of your choosing will travel ahead and circle back from the east. If you fail, you know what it will mean." She bowed her head a moment, then stared him right in the eye, "I will NOT fail.... my lord."The next few hours sped by as plans were drawn and decisions were made. She had two days to choose her men and she mentally began ticking off her list of candidates. Had to be strong, had to be smart, had to be loyal, had to keep the secret, had to be willing to die if needed. Tick, tick, tick.She was still ticking away and listening to plans when the meeting had ended. She'd headed right for her rooms and composed her list. By midnight, it had dwindled considerably. She sighed, pressed her hand to her eyes. Gods, this was tiring. She didn't want to send any man who had a wife or children. She couldn't bear to leave a heartbroken family behind. She'd not ever forgotten how it had felt that day so long ago...There was a soft knock at her door. Probably some maid checking to see if she needed anything. "Enter." she called, barely glancing up. The door opened and she felt a gust of coldness sweep through. Demon, strong demon. Not a maid.She jumped to her feet and spun, finding herself face to chest with Sesshoumaru. She stumbled back but he caught her elbows and kept her from disgracing herself. She let her eyes flicker to his chest, his eyes, the floor. A blush suffused her cheeks, "My lord I was not aware that it was you at this hour." she said quietly.This hour? She looked up at him stepping back, "What ARE you doing here at this hour?" she asked. He merely towered over her for a moment. She crossed her arms over her chest, and he stared at the place where her robe gaped.... 'looking at cleavage' did not seem like a proper answer."Well?" she demanded, getting impatient. Her tiny foot tapped against the woven rug. He looked down at it, little pink toes peeked from the hem of her robe. She looked far more like a child than a general with a vital mission. "You will not go." he said simply, lifting his gaze back to her face."Beg pardon?" she asked, clearly not hearing him correctly. He stiffened, "I said, that you are not going." He hated having to repeat himself, she was all too aware of that fact. Her backbone stiffened to the point of breaking, "I do believe... my lord..... that it is not your call to make." she reminded him.He advanced on her and she fought the urge to back away from him. "I have things to do, it's best if you go." she said, her voice not sounding normal at all. He stopped when they were touching, his boots brushed against the tips of her toes. He was clearly trying to intimidate her into obeying him."This is madness, you are human. Your opponent is a demon, a powerful demon. You will not go." he told her. His voice was firm, hard and his look brooked no argument. Of course that meant she did argue. "Why is that?" she asked. He blinked, "Because I have said it."Ayeka stared at him, "Are you worried about me?" she asked, teasing him. He shocked her then, "I do not want you to end you life this way if that is what you wish to know." She opened her mouth, but couldn't think of anything to say. With one sentence he'd killed any argument she could make.She remembered to close her mouth and looked away, swallowing around the lump that made itself known in her throat. His nearness always made her feel strangely out of breath...or thoroughly pissed off and right now she wasn't sure which was worse.Meeting his unwavering glare, she licked her lips, "I AM going." she told him. He growled at her, a deep menacing sound. It was a growl that he'd never used with her before. She backed up a step, but he followed her. His growling continued and she wondered if perhaps this time she was in real trouble."Sess?" she squeaked when he backed her against the edge of her desk, "What is it?". He glared down at the woman before him, her green eyes were filling with a fear of him that he detested. "I only wish to see you safe." he admitted softly. She opened her mouth to ask what he was talking about, but he grabbed her, pulling her flush against his body.He merely held her, feeling her body slowly relax into his embrace. Her hands slowly came up and he felt them slide beneath his hair. She returned his embrace, burying her face against his chest. His strength was comforting to her at this moment. She heard him inhale against her hair and let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding. "Sessh, I have to go." she whispered, "The order has been given.""It can be rescinded." he said against her hair, fighting the hunger that had reared it's head in him. Impossible! He WANTED her. She shook her head and lifted her face to look at him, "I HAVE to go... for your father. I cannot bear to let him down.". THAT was something he understood, something that he would NOT argue with. No matter that he wanted to ...very much.He saw her eyes, so bright. Her lips were dewy and slightly parted. Sesshoumaru did what came naturally, he lowered his head. Ayeka tensed as his lips covered hers, it was her first kiss, but clearly not his. He let his lips slide against hers, a gentle caress, a silken slide. She gasped and he cupped her chin and tilted her head so that he could deepen his kiss.Ayeka felt the fire rocket through her blood when his tongue teased against her own. Her hands convulsively tightened at his shoulders and he increased his hold on her. Her heart thundered in his ears and her blood sang sweetly in her veins. He let his large hand splay from her chin, fingertips brushing against her throat.
He felt her soften against him, molding to him. That was good. He heard her whimper against lips, and felt heat pool in his groin... that was bad. A kiss was one thing but he knew that if he didn't cease mauling her, he might yank her robe up and take things to an impossible level.Reluctantly, he broke the kiss, with a final heart stopping tug against her bottom lip. She panted against him and he dropped his forehead to rest against hers. Control, control, breathe, relax. General Tatsuko naked on a cold day. Eww. "I am going with you then." he told her, his voice a hoarse whisper. She started to shake her head but he stepped away from her. "If you insist on going then I too will go. He is after all MY father."