InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Across the Ages ❯ screaming underwater ( Chapter 11 )

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

ElevenThe end of the evening saw more answers questions than answers but those within the palace contented themselves with what they had... for now. Sango had been amazed at seeing Ayeka. Perhaps it was because now she was unable to deny what Sesshoumaru was... on all levels. She'd not really wanted to see him as more than the Taiyoukai, but now she saw that he was just like the rest of them. He had vulnerabilities. Rather than diminish him in her eyes, it made him seem so much stronger."What's on your mind Sango?" Miroku asked from beside her. She turned her brown eyes to him and stared into his bluer than blue eyes. "It's nothing really. Just stupid thoughts I guess." she admitted. The monk smiled softly, "I doubt that very much. Come on, share your thoughts with me." She sighed and looked away. "Sango," he asked then, "We may not survive this war, and I have told you how I feel about you. It would sadden me greatly if you refused to share even your troubles with me."Sango looked up at him. The man who had taken so firm a hold on her heart. Why did this have to be do hard? If there wasn't a quest, a jewel, she could give herself over and be the kind of woman that she really wanted to be. But who she was and who she wished were worlds apart and things remained as they were.They had reached the door to their room and he pushed it open for her, watching her walk ahead of him. She seemed deep in thought. He gently pushed the door closed and leaned against it. Surely, there would be a high place in heaven for him after this visit to Sesshoumaru's house. He'd not acted in a lecherous manner since they'd been boarded together. Well.. not much. Her nearness was a distraction, but her turmoil made him ache."Miroku," she said at length, "I was thinking of Sesshoumaru." Well, that certainly put a damper on his fires. "I see." Sango shook her head and gestured around the room, "This is WHAT he is." she explained, "But after tonight, I wonder really...WHO he is." Miroku smiled a bit sheepishly. "I understand. You are having to come to terms that people are not what they seem."She nodded, moving over to sit on the edge of the bed. "Yes, I suppose that is true. I guess I was thinking that things would be easier in black and white." Miroku came and sat beside her, his large warm hand covering hers. "Of course it would. But life isn't like that. I know it's hard for you Sango but you've seen now that demons aren't unfeeling. They have emotions, the spectrum is different."He sounded so wise and understanding and she felt downright dumb. "I know but it's harder now. Harder to think that when it comes down to it we were born enemies." she sighed. He lifted his hand to press against her opposite arm. She never seemed to mind when he put his arm around her and tonight she leaned against his shoulder. "No one is born an enemy Sango, they make that choice. Inuyasha is a demon but he isn't your enemy. Shippo, Kirara, even Sesshoumaru, despite his previous actions - is not your enemy. The lines are blurred for you and that put your at a disadvantage. You have always fought demons and now you care for them." Against his shoulder she nodded, feeling the prick of tears.She looked up at him to find him a breath away. "Thanks Miroku." she whispered. He smiled gently, "Thank me with a kiss Sango." he said in a low voice. He expected to get hit, he hoped not but he prepared himself. Sango felt heat rush into her cheeks. She swallowed hard and tried to breathe.Slowly, she placed her hand against his chest. Fingers splaying over muscles that hid beneath his robes. She let her eyes fall closed as his hand moved to her waist and he pulled them together slowly. His lips touched hers in a hint of a caress and she forced herself to relax in his arms.Miroku brushed his lips back and forth across hers until he felt the resistance fade. Slowly he let his hand slide up to cup her chin and he let his tongue run lightly across her lips. She gasped at the wet caress and he gently, slowly lapped at her bottom lip, working his way deeper.Sango felt the world explode behind her eyes as his tongue rubbed against hers. She moaned against him and he tightened his grip. She was so sweet, but then he'd suspected that. He let his tongue explore the inside of her mouth, teasing her tongue into playing against his own.Her hand was braced over his heart and his robes were clenched in her fist. She felt the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. Became aware of his panting breaths, shallow like her own. She almost moaned in protest when he slowly broke the kiss. She opened her eyes to stare up at him. His eyes were dark. "Your welcome." he told her and stood. Sango fought to catch her breath as he closed the door of the bathing room. She lifted her hand and pressed her fingertips against the tingling flesh of her lips. His taste lingered on her lips and she licked them. She'd kissed Miroku! And he had let it be!Across the palace, in the master's chambers, Ayeka was finishing her bath. She loved the feeling of being clean and the hot water soothed tense muscles. She closed her eyes and sighed. A brother, a half demon brother. That meant that Inutaisho had taken a human woman. It was not unheard of, he was a man...err...demon of incredible appetites.There were few women she'd ever encountered that could resist the playful smiles he gave them. The sheer power of him was a heady elixir. He was rumored to have a gentle touch, most enjoyable. He'd had many in her time within these walls, but he'd never sired a child on them. That meant that Inuyasha's mother, whoever she was had been more than passing fancy.Sesshoumaru had never cared for half breeds. He'd said once that they might as well not be born. Then he'd taken her and she'd wondered how he would feel about half breeds of his own. She'd not gotten the chance to find out. She'd wed him, given him her body and then she'd fled. In the space of thirteen hours her world had shattered.She sank below the water and screamed. No one would hear her beneath the water. She was wrong. Apparently Inu ears were far more keen than she recalled. The door opened and Sesshoumaru stood framed in the large space. His eyes alert and searching for danger.His eyes fell on the chest deep bath and saw the tendrils of crimson hair rising up from beneath. A moment of worry hit him hard and he crossed the space, wading into the water, clothing and all to save his wife. She lunged from the water when clawed hands closed upon her and shrieked, sputtering as water filled her mouth.Sesshoumaru wanted to growl, wanted to do something, maybe kick her for making him worry. Instead he schooled his features and turned her in his arms. "Why did you scream? There is no danger." he sighed. She crossed her arms over her chest to cover herself. Not that it mattered for right now his hands were wrapped around her very bare waist."I..I was frustrated. I thought if I did it underwater no one could hear." she admitted, not wanting to look at him and certainly not wanting to feel the scorching inferno of his body. He watched the emotions rover over her face. "I see." he said coolly. She blushed feeling about as stupid as she ever had.Of course HE would hear her. Not because he had those wonderfully pointed ears, but because that was just her luck. She lifted one hand slowly, trying to angle her arm to cover herself. "Of course you would hear." she said softly. Her eyes were fixed on his ear and he found himself lowering his head slightly so that she could reach his elven ears.Her touch was light, almost non-existent as she traced her fingertip along the shell. She paused at the tip, feeling his arms tighten reflexively around her. She let her eyes wander to his face and found he was staring at her intently. She blushed harder and let her hand drop. "I'm sorry." she told him."As I recall you once took it upon yourself to flick my ear because I had irritated you." he said dryly. Her eyes went wide, "I never did such a thing." she insisted. He smirked, the point of one pearly fang gleaming in the light, "Oh but you did and it was the one time I ever threatened to beat you."She did remember. Sitting in the gardens he'd been acting like the pompous ass as usual. His careless comment and had roused her temper and she had lashed out. Flicking that delicate point and then she'd regretted it. He'd loomed over her, eyes flashing, growling loudly. She'd wondered if he might rip her to shreds then. "Do that again woman and I will toss you over my knee and make your bottom glow in front of your men." Needless to say, she'd never touched his ears again. Until now."Did it hurt?" she asked, fingers straying upwards again. He hmpfed, "Not overly much, but it is not a pleasant sensation. Being flicked.". She smirked at the memory. "I wouldn't know." she admitted. Fast as lightening he struck, flicking her ear lightly. It stung! Her hand flew to her ear and she looked up at him shocked, "What the hell is the matter with you?" she demanded, rubbing the burning area. He leaned down and pressed a light kiss to her forehead, "We are even and now you know." Then he turned and waded from the water with far more grace than she felt he deserved and shed his clothing in a wet heap. She stared after him until he shut the door to the bed room. She hit the water with her fist, "You ass spelunker!" she hollered. From the room he heard her, he wasn't sure what that was but he was certain it wasn't a complimentary thing.