InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cerulean Skies ❯ Debt Owed ( Chapter 2 )

 

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Chapter 2

 

Debt Owed

 

(Please thank my wonderful bete, Kogas Hentai Luver. Someone once mentioned my use of the word `viscous'. My former spouse was a chemical engineer, so, my vocabulary includes words from this field. I have been exposed to and have had experience in many different fields. Therefore, my vocabulary isn't always run of the mill. ^_^ I have grown children, so I've been around awhile. )

 

 

 

Many people imagine that blood is dark red and oozes like syrup when in truth it is very bright and runs like water. Only when mixed in some powder, dirt for instance, or when old, does it grow dark and drip, thick and viscous. Right now, it was spilling bright red over Sesshoumaru's arm, dripping from his elbow into the sleeve of his white kimono, tracing little streams in every barely visible crease of his skin. Sesshoumaru flared his nostrils and curled back his lips, showing fangs at the tempting scent of fresh meat, but the moment he locked gazes with those searing blue eyes, reality slipped back into his mind and he remembered.

 

“Cerulean blue,” murmured that great lord as the eyes before him glazed over.

 

In a moment, the picture was clear and Sesshoumaru's youki receded. Kouga fell from his knees to rest on his ankles prompting Sesshoumaru to withdraw his arm. There was no reaction, no grimace from pain. Only those full-bodied, deep blue eyes staring back at him. A grunt escaped Kouga's throat as his chin fell to his chest.

 

Sesshoumaru simply watched as the wolf prince fell onto his side in the dirt. Perhaps it was the sight of those blue eyes rolling back as thick black lashes lowered to cover them that prompted Sesshoumaru to lean forward. Regardless, that was what he did. Something indefinable entered Sesshoumaru's chest and stomach.

 

`What is this?' wondered the youkai lord, bringing his bloodied hand to rest over his heart.

 

His senses were returning full-strength and the scent of his own burning flesh brought his attention to his own injury. He stared in a questioning gaze. There was no longer an arrow. His gaze turned to one of consternation as he stared back at the wolf prince. The wolf prince's right hand gripped the arrow between his hand and the wristband. Long moments passed as Sesshoumaru pondered.

 

`What business does the wolf prince have with me? Does he want the shard? Perhaps he meant to steal it.'

 

It never occurred to the great lord that the shard had never entered Kouga's mind. Everything came with a price. Nothing was ever free, particularly the aid of another. There was always a debt owed. At least, that was the aristocratic lord's understanding of the world. Anger glinted through narrowed eyes.

 

`Could the wolf prince have been so bold as to assume that he would be able to take from me and not pay the price? Or, does he desire some other favor?'

 

Nevertheless, the aid of the wolf prince could not go unheeded. Sesshoumaru turned an ear toward Kouga. A heartbeat, thin and threaded, enough that Kouga would heal.

 

Cradled in his pelt, the great lord leaned back against the tree. Eyes closed, he listened to the beat of Kouga's heart as he concentrated on healing the burnt hand of his good arm. The human arm was damaged beyond repair and needed to be removed before the effects of the purifying power spread further. The questions concerning Kouga's motives needed to be set aside for later.

 

Hours passed as Sesshoumaru matched the beat of his heart with Kouga's, reaching out with his youki, giving the wolf prince a faster healing. That should pay the debt. Perhaps. It was Sesshoumaru who caused the injury after all, his responsibility to help repair it.

 

`It is time,' thought the great lord rising to his feet and gazing down at the wolf prince.

 

He sniffed the air then casually strode eastward toward a nearby stream. Upon reaching it, he tugged at the human arm and dropped it to the ground. Shortly after, his newly washed clothes sat on the bank while he scrubbed the blood from his body and soothed the ache on the stub of his left arm.

 

Sesshoumaru sniffed the air for possible intruders while he dressed, not an easy task with only one hand to work with. His thoughts wandered to Kouga.

 

`Cerulean blue. Why am I so captivated by those eyes? They are fascinating, no doubt. I should see to the wolf's safety as I do have a debt to repay.”

 

He sighed at the intrusion into his life. Rin, his human charge awaited and was most likely driving his servant, Jakken, to insanity. Not that he cared. Not really. He arrived to see Kouga still lying on the ground in his own blood, the stench permeating the air. Unacceptable. The great lord would not be forced into submitting to that annoyance. Bending down on one knee, Sesshoumaru picked Kouga up like a sack of rice and headed back to the stream.

 

After laying the wolf in the shallows for the water to wash the blood away, Sesshoumaru perched himself on a nearby boulder, waiting, guarding. It wouldn't do to go to all that trouble for the wolf prince to end up food for some wandering youkai. Besides, he didn't need rogue wolves without a leader roaming the land, or worse yet, being taken over by a challenger to his throne. Not an acceptable prospect.

 

Watching, waiting, bored out of his skull, Sesshoumaru finally exhibited a wisp of a smirk.

 

`Youkai…bear.'

 

Sesshoumaru stood waiting for the approaching menace. Soon the raucous sound of the large beast could be heard. It lumbered through the dense forest, crushing shrubs, breaking tree branches. It must have had no fear of other predators otherwise stealth would have been the order of the day.

 

Sesshoumaru sniffed. The bear hadn't eaten in some time, its hunger driving it to the smell of fresh blood. The sharp blade of Tokijin glowed in Sesshoumaru's good hand as he waited with anticipation of relieving his boredom.

 

The youkai broke into the small clearing raising its head to sniff. Its shiny red fur shimmered in the sunlight that managed to filter through the trees, setting off highlights of oranges and browns. The large head swung toward the prone wolf prince then back to the awaiting demon lord. It obviously sensed the shards as it swung its head back and forth in a moment of indecision. It was all that Sesshoumaru needed. Well, even with the hesitation on the bear's part, it never really did stand a chance.

 

Sesshoumaru had all the time in the world. The bear would die quick enough. He gave it enough time to make its choice and allowed it to move toward him. Sesshoumaru was the immediate threat, not the wolf. The bear lumbered toward him, determination in its eyes. Its large paw rose for a killing blow and Sesshoumaru dodged. If an eye could have tracked the white blur, one would say Sesshoumaru moved with unrivaled grace and finesse.

 

Deep in the recesses of his mind, Kouga stirred. Something had woken him. A swift breeze and the sounds of breaking branches echoed in his head. Light seared his eyes as he tried to open them. Red and white. He tried to focus on the blurring movement. Scattered confusing images imprinted themselves on his mind.

 

`Sesshoumaru! Shit!'

 

Kouga tried to make his muscles work. He didn't want a repeat of `arm through stomach'. But, the muscles of his limbs refused to cooperate. He had to content himself with watching the show and hope for the best.

 

Sesshoumaru waited for the bear to locate him. He was in no hurry to be bored again. The bear turned, spotted him and charged. Again Sesshoumaru disappeared. The bear growled in exasperation. Its quarry was too fast. It turned to the wolf prince and lunged. A thought never entered its mind as its head fell to the ground, separated from its body, then landed beside Kouga.

 

Kouga didn't flinch. If his body had been cooperating, he most likely would have jumped. As it was, he could only lay there, helpless as the great lord stared down at him, Tokijin still drawn.

 

 

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To my readers and reviewers, I lurve you all

 

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*Disclaimer*

 

Inuyasha and all associated characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I make no profit from this story, nor do I intend to. My only goal is to occupy my demented mind with delusions of actually owning a life-sized, anatomically correct Sesshoumaru.

 

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