InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed ❯ Mounting Tensions ( Chapter 38 )

Chapter Thirty Eight - Mounting Tensions

 

Takana woke the next morning with a soft smile painted on her lips. She was warm and comfortable though the previous night's activities announced themselves clearly enough when she decided to move. She turned her head to find that she was now alone. Pushing aside her slight disappointment as she sat up, she faintly heard quiet voices in the adjoining room. Easing herself out of bed, she quickly covered her naked form with a discarded robe and then quietly walked to the door. Having been left slightly ajar, Takana peered out to see Tomo, Yuti and Sesshoumaru all talking in quiet earnest.

 

For a moment she wondered if they had decided to continue last night's discussion without her until she noticed that Tomo was constantly referring to some large document that sat on one of the higher tables in the room. Stretching onto her tiptoes and squinting her eyes for a clearer view, she discerned that the document was actually a map. Tomo's voice sounded as tense as he looked, while Yuti appeared more contemplative with a small amount of confusion peppered across her features.

 

Sesshoumaru on the other hand had once again taken to wearing that emotionless mask that he seemed so fond of using. Not wanting to spy on matters that she neither understood nor could add to, the little human moved away from the door. She had no intention of interrupting the trio of generals in their work. She knew nothing of the planning or making of war. All she did know of such things was of the inevitable destruction and death that followed in its wake no matter its political reason. She dressed and escorted herself into the garden to complete her morning ritual of tending to the large koi that swam languidly in the cool morning waters. Today, however, it would not be the well being of the fish that would be on her mind but the little snippets of the pervious night that kept worming their way into her thoughts. Each one causing a new smile to break out on her still glowing features.

 

 

Yuti looked again at the map and the markers that her mate had placed on it to indicate both enemy and friendly positions. The Northern Lord was acting far too aggressively lately. He'd already amassed large numbers of troops in a threatening posture along key areas of the two land's shared border. Light skirmishes had, as a result, been breaking out for weeks now and was only succeeding in increasing the already tense attitude between the two powers. It was a military situation that made absolutely no political sense.

 

In terms of individual strength, the Northern Lands paled in comparison to the might of the West. In fact, all of the other four lands, taken one at a time, were no match for Sesshoumaru and his armies. The West was the best equipped, most highly trained and largest force of any of the others. The only thing that kept the West from gobbling up the other states was the pact they had made with one another to aid in their mutual defense if the West attempted any aggressive actions.

 

This pact however, only pertained to defense, not aggression. If the North had plans to attack, they would be acting alone and as such, would be easily defeated. All of these facts were the basis for Yuti's current confusion. She simply didn't see what the Eastern Lord stood to gain from such an unwise and potentially disastrous buildup.

 

Even though it didn't show in the countenances of the two males in the room, they too shared Yuti's confusion. It was these illogical actions that were causing the majority of Sesshoumaru's concern.

 

“There is more going on here than what we are seeing.” He stated calmly.

 

“I agree.” Was Tomo's distracted response as he tried to figure out just what that `something' could be. “Unfortunately,” he added after a moment, “there's nothing we can do but be on our guard. Unless you have thought of something I haven't my Lord.” He voiced as he looked at the other two.

 

“I have nothing.” Yuti added and turned her gaze to her brother. The mated couple waited as Sesshoumaru continued to stare at the map. After a long silence, he finally looked up at his generals and shook his head. He didn't like this continuing complication. He had enough to worry about at the moment, such as the grumblings of some of his under lords concerning Takana's continued stay inside the castle and within his private quarters. It would undoubtedly become common knowledge soon enough that he was indeed intimate with her as well, which would only increase said grumblings.

 

“Continue with the increased border patrols and bring all of the ranks into active service despite the rotation. That is all we can do for now.”

 

Tomo and Yuti nodded their agreement. With the military discussion effectively at an end, Yuti turned to her brother.

 

“What will my schedule with Takana be today?”

 

In a perfect world, Sesshoumaru would have told Yuti that her services as stand-in protector would not be needed for the day. In a perfect world, he would spend the entire day with his Takana but unfortunately they were not living in a such a fantasy. In this world, he needed to further analyze the current military buildup along his border and also begin to take measures that should help offset the complications that his relationship with a human was beginning to cause.

 

“Return in two hours.” He told her simply and then turned to seek out the human that had left their room for the gardens not too long ago. Tomo and Yuti took their leave when he'd left the room.

 

 

Takana allowed her fingertips to graze the water's surface, catching the eyes of the ever watchful koi. They would swim at their leisure over to the foreign objects that intruded into their realm and determine weather or not they were suitable for eating. Their soft, toothless mouths would lightly suckle at her fingers until satisfied that they were not gaining anything by doing so. They would then slowly swim off, having lost interest. A few minutes later however, they would check back once more just to make sure.

 

She smiled as they touched her and wondered if they were always as content as they looked. She shivered when she felt the whisper of silk settle close behind her, announcing the presence of a very welcome visitor.

 

“It seems even the fish wish to be near you.” His deep baritone sounded from behind her.

 

She smiled but didn't turn. “They just hope that I'm going to feed them is all. They're always hungry it seems.” Strong hands settled on her waist and effortlessly lifted her back onto his welcoming lap.

 

“As am I”.

 

As simple as those three little words were, they had a profound affect on her. She flushed from head to toe, her heart fluttered a little more carelessly in her chest and a tingling down below were all evidence of his powerful affect on her. Once she was comfortably settled, she let her head rest on his shoulder and freely allowed his arms to encircle her. Even with her growing belly, he easily looped his arms around her.

 

“You should eat then.” She replied matter-of-factly, as though she hadn't picked up on his words' double meaning.

 

“I intend to.” He said as he began to lightly nibble at the neck that she had so nicely presented to him.

 

She couldn't help but laugh. Not only did his ministrations tickle slightly but this playful banter seemed so unlike him. It amazed her that he could so easily change his mood to fit the situation. When she'd spied him through the doorway earlier, he'd been wearing that emotionless face of his and now he was purring out teasing little snippets. She pulled away from him slightly and turned her head to look at him. She was surprised to see his stoic facade still in place despite the way he held and spoke to her.

 

“Is something wrong?” She asked quietly.

 

He focused on her for a moment before looking out into the distance. He wondered if he should involve her in such matters. Should he tell her of the complications that keeping her here was causing or of the military matters with the North. He didn't like the idea of burdening her with such information but he also didn't like the idea of what might happen if she found out he was keeping things from her, even if it was to protect her. He made his decision and sighed.

 

“The lands to the north are acting unusually though they have not done anything hostile yet.” He said in a tone of voice that he hoped would not alarm her.

 

“That's what you were talking to Yuti and General Tomo about?” She queried.

 

He nodded.

 

“Is it serious?” She probed. He didn't make it sound like it was but she'd found that one could never tell with this man. He was too good at hiding his emotions for her not to still be concerned by something that required an early morning general to general meeting.

 

He paused a moment, not really wanting to admit was he was about to. “I don't know.” It hurt to say but he found he would go to almost any length for the woman he now held.

 

Takana smiled at his admission. She wasn't a fool and knew very well just how hard such a thing had been for him to say. With little warning, she leaned back into him and kissed his jaw. When she moved to give another of the same, she found her lips pressing not against his jaw but against his lips. Gods he could move fast, she thought to herself.

 

They stayed there in the warm morning sun, exchanging little sentiments until it was time for Sesshoumaru to go. He left her with a kiss and a quiet promise that he would be back as soon as he could that evening. Little did either of them know but it would be some time before they would see one another again.

 

 

 

Lamb: Oh happy days, to be forgiven! I think you jinxed by my applauding the last chapter's timely update but this one sure wasn't. But that's what happens when you sell your house and only have two weeks before closing. Moving is a pain in the butt and I'm sooooo glad that I'm done. Now I can get back to telling my little story in a stress free environment! *wipes sweat from brow* The next time I get down on myself though, I will remember how lucky I am to have you as a reviewer. :) Your last statement, on the other hand, has me a little worried....we'll see how you react.

Nikkie23534: So happy I did right by you in the story and tell Mikkie to hand in there and not get too mad. Happy pregnant mom's make happy healthy babies. At least that's what I think but I'm no doctor so... Happy reading! Oh and DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, you are my 200th review....yeah!!!

mrskcgoodman: Thank you very much, I'm so proud. I would like to thank the academy and... oh wait, wrong place. But seriously, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to review, you make it all the more fun to write! Sorry to make you wait so long for the update but I'll try not to take so long on the next one, I promise!