InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed ❯ A Perfect Response ( Chapter 32 )

Chapter Thirty Two - A Perfect Response

 

“What exactly is it that you do all day?” Takana asked as they leisurely strolled through Sesshoumaru's private gardens.

 

Sesshoumaru allowed himself a small smirk. He'd been wondering when she would ask this type of question about him. And though he was surprised that it had taken her this long to inquire about the aspects of his life that she didn't have a chance to see, he suspected her reasons for waiting as long as she had. To bring up such topics was to know the answers. And each answer she had about his life here was just one response further away from the life they had shared together in her little hut, her little world. He'd been looking forward to the day when she finally asked them because wanted her to...no, he needed her to cross that bridge to a new life with him here, in his far larger world.

 

“Many things,” he answered casually, “all aimed at increasing the security and prosperity of these lands.”

 

“Ahh.” She quipped sarcastically at his annoyingly vague answer as they continued along. She reached out and touched the bare branch of a cherry tree whose leathery skin was just beginning to bulge with the new spring growth beneath it. She eagerly anticipated the blossoms that were less than a month or so in coming. “What kind of things?” She finally asked when she decided that the last answer to her question was simply inadequate for her tastes.

 

“Many kinds of important things.”

 

She glanced over at him as they walked and let a smile cross her lips when she saw the slight smirk on his.

 

“So that's what a mighty taiyoukai does day to day, many kinds of important things?”

 

“Indeed.” Was his one word reply.

 

She gave off a mildly incredulous laugh before asking, “Are you being coy on purpose?”

 

“I am afraid you are mistaken woman,” he sounded slightly perturbed by her question, “taiyoukai are never coy.” His smirk disappeared but that did not matter to Takana.

 

She laughed when she quickly quipped, “Then you must not be taiyoukai because you are most definitely being coy.”

 

“Hn.” Sometimes Sesshoumaru believed this woman was simply too smart for her own good.

 

The walked in companionable silence for a few moments before Takana persisted in her search for knowledge and a reason to keep talking just as Sesshoumaru knew she would.

 

“So what was the most important thing you did today?” She asked, hoping that he would be a bit more forthcoming if she were more specific.

 

He was, just not in the way that she expected.

 

He thought on that for a moment and then answered in all confidence. “I am doing it now.”

 

Takana just stopped at his answer, too stunned to continue for the moment. Sesshoumaru continued on for a few more steps pleased with his romantic brilliance before coming to a stop and turning to look at her. When he did, he saw her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. He immediately moved forward to confront whatever it was that he'd done to upset her. Perhaps he simply wasn't smart enough for his own good.

 

“Are you alright?” He asked but she didn't answer. She instead looked down at her feet that were becoming a scarce commodity behind her growing tummy. After standing there for a few silent moments, he decided to take the initiative. Hooking a finger under her chin, he gently tipped her face up to meet his. The tears had escaped their tiny prison and were making a run down her cheeks to freedom.

 

“Have I done something to upset you?” His didn't attempt to hide the concern from his voice.

 

Takana shook her head from side to side a couple times as she tried to brush away the evidence of her tears with her kimono clad arms. The lump in her throat was just too large at the moment to utter anything out loud.

 

“You do not doubt my words...do you?” He asked with a hint of worry.

 

Takana finally found her voice, broken as it was. “No, it's not that...I just don't expect to hear you say things like that and when you do...well...I just don't expect it is all.” Her gaze fell back to the ground.

 

“They are the truth. I want for nothing more than your comfort and safety and for this.” He reached out to gently caress her stomach. He heard her quiet intake of breath when he touched her. It was a sound that called to him and stirred feelings within him that he'd been careful to keep in check for the last several months. The pent up feelings combined with her nearness and the intimacy of the situation served to embolden him. With his other hand he gently cupped her face and tilted it up to his. He silently prayed that she would not push him away. He ached to taste her lips again. With a slowness that nearly killed him, he leaned down and lightly brushed his lips against her forehead and then to the tip of her nose and finally to her lips.

 

His heart nearly jumped out of his chest when she did not pull away. With that small victory in hand he allowed himself to press his lips more firmly against hers. He was then granted the moment he'd been waiting for after what seemed like a lifetime.

 

She kissed him back.

 

When he deepened the kiss and she allowed it, he wanted nothing more that to pick her up and carry her back to their rooms, never breaking the connection between them. That was what he wanted but it was not what he was going to do. Instead, he continued with the gentle play between them before reluctantly breaking away from her. He had come this far, he would not scare her off now with his and his body's desire for more carnal pursuits. He was simply content for the moment to be allowed this after all his waiting and quiet pursuit.

 

Takana lost herself in that kiss and let out a small whine when he pulled away. When she opened her eyes, she looked at the most contented expression she'd ever seen him wear. She couldn't help but smile at how young he appeared at that moment

 

“Thank you.” She said quietly as she blushed. Even though they had been lovers in the months preceding her coming here, it felt as though they were starting all over again. This had felt like their first kiss. She was both filled with longing and yet grateful that he had stopped it when and where he had. He easily could have done more. She knew that she wouldn't have stopped him but he had out of a respect for her. It brought more tears to her eyes just thinking about it.

 

His reply to her thanks was simple and perfect. He smiled. She absolutely loved to see his smiles. She knew they were rare and she couldn't help but feel privileged to be the one that earned them.

 

*****

 

Eyes of an unseen and unnoticed party quietly took in the tender scene before slipping away to complete another task.

 

*****

 

Sarath looked at the fragment of a sentence that the newest missive comprised.

 

~~more than mere affection...lovers ~~

 

This was just more good news. He wondered just how long events would continue to play out in his favor.

 

 

AN: Tsk, tsk, tsk...this was a first, my fan fiction dot net readers tied my media miner dot com peeps in the review department. Slackers. Hehe, just kidding...I just like to see the visit counter go up but I had to mention it since it is the first time that's ever happened. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chap!

 

Gar!! Today be respond like a pirate to reviewers day. Ye be lucky souls be you!

angelsfalltearfully: Ye misunderstand me... never did I be plannin on leaving the story... just hit a bit of a rough patch in the motivation/life/writer's block department. Savy? Ye praise be mighty kind and ye be right, Sess isn't one to take kindly to plots against him and truthfully, me doesn't know why anyone bothers. Shiver me timbers, *mentally smacks forehead* cause if they didn't, me plot might be a bit limp in the antagonist department.

Cochrann: Avas, I be rights back where I's belong and me be mighty happy that ye find this little tale to be to your likin. But it be time for me to shove off so yo ho matey.

 

Don't ask.