InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Choice ( Chapter 23 )

A/N: Well, I didn't make you guys wait too long this time. Hey Syren, which lines have been deemed signature worthy? I'm just so darn curious.

 

And finally, at long last, beware of citrusy content. Quite citrusy, actually.

 

--About damn time!--

 

Hush, you. I was building up characters and plot and . . .

 

--rotten fruit flying through the air--

 

Okay, okay, just go and enjoy. Jeez. :-p It's not like I own any of them or anything.

 

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“It will take your family quite some time to set this to rights again.”

 

“Hai.”

 

Mizuki leaned against a wall as she looked around the complex. “I would not have destroyed so many buildings if the situation was not so dire.”

 

“It can be rebuilt.” Seiji pushed at some rubble with his foot. “And now what? The entire complex is deserted or dead. Do we simply wait for reinforcements?”

 

“I would guess so. We cannot leave now, or someone else will try to take power.”

 

“We are in no condition to leave, either way.” Seiji pulled his hand away from the nasty injury that Tsuki's accomplice had given him. Blood was still sluggishly running down his body. “This may take a day or two to heal. I have not needed to have a wound actually tended to in some time.”

 

Still refusing to show the condition she was actually in, Mizuki touched her leg where blood had leaked through her clothing. “I will also need some time to heal, as well as tending to Shou.”

 

“Then it is settled. We will make camp here tonight and try to piece ourselves back together. I, for one, could do with a bath and new clothing as well as bandages and rest.”

 

Sighing, Mizuki looked down at her own clothing. After two major battles in two days, she was in a sad state. `This is the downfall of jumping on to Shou and charging in without preparations.'

 

“We can also check my mother's wardrobe. She is not much taller then you.”

 

Startled, the hanyou's head snapped up. “Nani?”

 

“You must be quite tired, since that expression was blatantly obvious. I do not think we can do much about your armor, but perhaps the Fates will leave us alone for a time.”

 

“Do not concern yourself about that. I am so tired of wearing my armor that I doubt I would put it back on even if the Fates decided to be cruel.”

 

Smiling, Seiji gestured for her to follow him through the destruction. “The family's wing is on the other side of the building, so hopefully our enthusiastic attacks did not destroy that as well.”

 

“Your mother will not mind?”

 

“I think she will owe you at least that much after your help. My sisters are much too small to lend you clothing.”

 

Mizuki fought to keep her head up and to continue walking in a straight line. All bravado aside, her body was rapidly reaching its limits. `Soon. Soon I will be able to rest.'

 

“I think we are in luck.” The doors that Seiji slid open were intact, and the room beyond was not damaged more then some things knocked over. He slid the door open to his mother's closet and looked inside. “A bit messy, but you should be able to find something to change into. I am going to my room down the hall, and I will leave you to find new clothing.”

 

“Arigato, Seiji-san.” Mizuki looked at the scattered silk, and tried not to groan. `Colorful. Each and every one. At least they are tasteful colors, but I will feel like a cluster of flowers on Mama's desk. Still, it is better then being blood splattered.'

 

A quick search came up with an acceptable pile of silk made of subdued colors. The sad remains of her own clothing were tossed aside and replaced with a robe. There was no point in actually changing until she had finished cleaning herself up. The act of pulling the robe up over her shoulders made her hiss as a forgotten injury made itself known.

 

“Mizuki-san?”

 

Sash and supplies secure, Mizuki threw the door open. “I am fine, Seiji-san. Where does your healer keep his supplies?”

 

“They should be two corridors over. I will take you there.”

 

The raid on the healer's supplies was a complete success. Mizuki loaded herself down with bandages and jars that would help her care for their injuries.

 

Mizuki tried to shake her hair back, but it would not move. It was almost plastered into place with the blood from the fighting. “Is it too much to hope for that your family had a hot spring on the property?”

 

“It is behind the family's wing. With any luck the building is still standing.”

 

“It does not matter, as long as there is hot water still available.”

 

The weary army of three dragged itself to the bath house, universally relieved that it was still standing.

 

“Go ahead, Seiji-san. I will wait here and tend to Shou.” Mizuki dropped her supplies onto the little porch at the entryway.

 

“And if you sit down, I doubt you will begin to move again. I have plenty of experience in bandaging injured dragons.” Seiji gave the female a shove towards the door. “Go.”

 

“You are bleeding everywhere.”

 

“And so are you. I will not perish while you are gone, and neither will Shou.”

 

With a final glare, Mizuki turned and limped into the bath house.

 

“I am rather shocked she went.” Seiji unbound Shou's leg, smiling as the dragon made that hissing sound that was obviously a laugh. “She must be tired.”

 

“I am not so tired that I am deaf, Seiji-san!” Mizuki's voice echoed through the building and to the door.

 

“I believe she will be difficult to live with for the next few days as she recovers.”

 

Shou nodded gravely.

 

“Lovely.” The damage to the little dragon's leg was extensive, and Seiji was concerned as to whether or not the limb would be able to repair itself. The bone seemed to be broken in two places, and was only held on by a strip of muscle and skin. “It is quite convenient that you can change sizes, my friend. This would be nearly impossible at your full size.”

 

The bones were lined up to the best of Seiji's ability, and a piece of wood from the convenient debris served as a splint. Shou hissed as the pieces were moved into place, looking away from the mess. The skin and muscle would knit itself together without the need for stitches, but it would need to be held together until it had started healing. The end result was a swath of white around Shou's leg that also included some loops up and around his chest.

 

“Do not look at me like that. Next time you will not let your opponent get a hold of you like that.” Seiji tied off the last of his work.

 

“He looks ridiculous.” Mizuki was still rubbing at her hair as she walked out onto the porch. She had not wasted any time, and even now her robe was still sticking to her still damp body.

 

Seiji realized he was staring and snapped his head away. “It will not take very long for him to recover.”

 

“But in the meantime, he does look ridiculous.”

 

“Hai.”

 

“Your turn, Seiji-san.”

 

After Seiji left Mizuki settled to the floor, pulling supplies towards herself. The cut on her leg was still sluggishly bleeding, and it would need to be covered. `Very inconvenient. The back of my leg is much more difficult to see.'

 

As she wound a bandage around her leg she tried to assess her other injuries. Her body hurt from top to bottom, so it was hard to locate anything that was serious. The cuts across her arm were closed, and the hits to her chest had left some spectacular bruises, but no open cuts. `I may have gotten off light.'

 

“And are you intending to continue bleeding all over?”

 

`I am in absolutely no mood to deal with him right now.' Mizuki snapped her head around to glare at Seiji. “I have covered it. The stench of my blood will fade soon, but it does take me some time to heal.”

 

“I was not referring to your leg.” Seiji forced his eyes away from the leg exposed to the thigh and instead put his hand against her back. When he drew it away it was black with blood.

 

“How?” The hanyou touched her own back, finding that her clothing was soaked through.

 

“While you were fighting the dragons. Do you remember anything of that?”

 

Mizuki stared at her own hand, no color left in her face. “No. I remember nothing.”

 

Seiji snagged a bandage and tugged at the back of her robe.

 

“Excuse me?” The hanyou's death grip on her robe brought the dragon to a stop.

 

“You cannot see this. It seems that you were not even aware of it. How do you intend to care for it?”

 

“I will find a way.” Mizuki swung an elbow back, trying to force Seiji away.

 

“Enough, Mizuki-san. You are insisting on helping me, then you will allow me to help you. I will not allow you to tend to any of my injuries unless I can tend to yours.”

 

The wound through Seiji's torso was still actively bleeding, and Mizuki could not force herself to refuse to help him. She turned her eyes away, but did not move as her robe was pushed down in the back so the dragon could care for her. His hand was on her bare shoulder, and she was suddenly very aware of how little she was wearing. Her hands clenched on the front of her robe, feeling like an animal in a trap.

 

“I am done, Mizuki-san.”

 

Seiji had barely finished speaking before Mizuki had her robe secured over her shoulders again, tossing a glare over her shoulder at him. “Is it still worth my trouble to assist you, or have you completely healed already?”

 

“I doubt even your father could recover that quickly.” Seiji casually slipped his robe off of one shoulder, showing the hole that was smaller but still ran completely through him. “That bastard knew how to do a lot of damage.”

 

Mizuki's glare evaporated when she took in the damage. Without another word she wound a bandage around his torso, blushing when she had to slip her hands across his chest and under the other half of his robe to complete this. The blush was not lost of Seiji, who found it rather appealing.

 

“Are you hurt anywhere else, Seiji-san?”

 

The hanyou's voice was quieter then usual, and her eyes were avoiding his.

 

“No, Mizuki-san. I believe that is the only injury that is still bleeding.” The ice blue eyes watched as Mizuki pulled away, swallowing hard. Her sudden change in behavior was confusing, and having her so close with just a thin layer of silk on was having a rather unexpected effect. `But it should have been expected just after a battle. I have always wondered if females were affected the same way.'

 

“We should check to make sure that there are no more surprises.” Mizuki used the wall to pull herself to her feet. “I will change, and then we can go and search the grounds.”

 

“You can barely walk, Mizuki-san. I do not think there is any good in going out looking for trouble tonight.”

 

“And there is even less good in resting with our enemy laying in wait.” A bundle of silk was scooped up and hauled back into the bath house.

 

Seiji was fairly certain he could hear cursing as the hanyou dressed herself. The question was if it was directed at him, the clothing, or both. While she was away he did pull on a pair of hakama and drop his ruined robe. Careful inspection showed that he still had a full range of motion, even if it was quite painful. He adjusted the bandage so it would not get in the way of his sword arm.

 

“Seiji-san, finish dressing.”

 

The dragon found Mizuki behind him, her cheeks again stained with crimson. She was dressed in one of his mother's outfits in shades of blue, complete with long sleeves and an elaborate obi. She had evidently lopped a couple of feet off of the end of the obi so that she could keep it to a simple knot that she could manage on her own. He found that he liked the way she looked dressed in blue, and the hint of embarrassment amused Seiji to no end. “You just finished bandaging my chest. Why are you so shocked now?”

 

“That was necessary. Now you should dress yourself so that we can begin our search.”

 

“We are not going to search these buildings. It is dusk. Tsuki's forces have run, and the bastard is dead. Tomorrow we will be in danger, but tonight they are too busy fleeing to organize a return.”

 

“You may be comfortable resting like this, but I am not.” A pale hand shoved Seiji, trying to move him out of the doorway. “Let me by.”

 

“No. You are not going out there.”

 

“Do not make me move you.”

 

Seiji grabbed onto Mizuki's arm. “You are in no condition to make threats.”

 

“Do not touch me.” She twisted, trying to break away. Her voice was the same temperature as the peak of Mt. Fuji in the dead of winter. “You have no right to order me to do anything.”

 

“Damn it all, Mizuki!” In an instant Seiji had Mizuki flattened against a wall, holding her by her shoulders. “Do not fight me just for the sake of fighting me.”

 

“In case you have forgotten, I hate you.”

 

“You are a pathetic liar, Mizuki.” Seiji moved in closer, keeping his eyes locked on hers. “You do not hate me. If you did, you would not have interfered with Tszuki.”

 

“Do not flatter yourself. You are nothing more then the lesser of two evils.”

 

“Admit it. You do not hate me.”

“I will admit no such thing until it is true.”

 

Ignoring the fact that they were both injured, Seiji shook Mizuki hard. “You are an impossible bitch.”

 

“If you have the sense of a newborn pup you will let me go. Now.”

 

“I am not afraid of you.”

 

“Baka.” Mizuki twisted hard, her claws burying themselves in his arms. Seiji released her shoulders so he could grab her wrists with his own claws.

 

“Do not poison me, Mizuki. You do not want me weakened.”

 

`Fuck.' Furious, Mizuki dragged her claws back out of his arms. When she felt him start to relax she slammed into him, sending them both to the floor. Seiji did not let go of her, and instead rolled so that she was now pinned underneath him.

 

Her vision was completely filled with a growling taiyoukai, crushing her to the ground as he glared into her eyes. Plans flashed through her mind on how she would exact her revenge.

 

His mouth dropped over hers, turning her world completely upside down. It was a hungry, forceful kiss that left her with little choice but to respond. Mizuki's eyes slid shut as she gave herself over to the feel of his lips on her own, of his body pushing against her own.

 

Slowly Seiji pulled away, gazing into her slightly dazed eyes. He ducked down to nuzzle her hair, whispering to her. “Admit it.”

 

`Bastard.' Mizuki slammed her fist into his temple, sending him rolling away from her. A surge of adrenaline and defiance got her back to her feet and out the door, racing through the debris and out the open gate.

 

----

 

Mizuki watched the wind toss the leaves about while she tried to catch her breath.

 

`What was that? I hate him, I know I do. Then why . . . `

 

Her body was not happy with her, and wished to return to that dragon. She set her head against the trunk of the tree she was sitting in and tried to wrap her logical mind around the absolute pandemonium that the kiss had caused.

 

`He is attractive, I cannot argue with that. However, this is not the first time I have kissed someone. It is of little concern.'

 

The frenzy was not settling.

 

`It is of little concern.'

 

A primitive part of her mind snarled at her.

 

`Perhaps it is of concern.' Mizuki let her eyes slide shut. Between the stress, the battles, and her injuries it was more effort to keep them open then it was worth. `The real question is what I will do about this.'

 

The now rather noisy back of her mind supplied some ideas on what she should do.

 

`Absolutely not. He deserved to be knocked off of me, and if he is foolish enough to attempt anything of that sort again . . . `

 

The silver head drooped. `He is correct. I am a pathetic liar. I cannot even lie to myself. I will react the exact same way. If he had not restarted that fight I would have . . . ` Mizuki shook her head hard. `Perhaps it is for the best he aggravated me.'

 

`I hate this. I hate not understanding my own mind and responses. Half of me begrudges him every breath he takes, but the other half . . . `

 

Mizuki would have sworn she heard a soft growl coming from her own mind.

 

`And since when do I feel like I have a second opinion coming from my own head? It is as if one part of me has already chosen him.'

 

Realization slowly washed over her. `Is this what mother had meant when she said father did not have a choice? Has the choice been made for me as well?'

 

Katsuro would have never asked about her ability to feel if he could have seen her face as the pieces fell into place.

 

She was furious.

 

`My own mind has turned against me! I will not stay with him against my will, forced to follow him about like a lapdog!' A fist slammed into the tree, sending wood and blood flying.

 

As quickly as it had started, the storm was over. Mizuki was just too spent to maintain it. `What can I do?'

 

A single tear slipped down her cheek. `I need my father.'

 

----

 

Seiji's first reaction, once his mind had stopped reeling from the surprisingly strong punch, had been to hunt her down. What he would do after that was not too clear, but it was not pleasant. His head was aching, and her reaction had caught him completely off guard.

 

He bolted for the door, but stopped when he felt a sharp pain on his arm. Shou was zig zagging in front of him, hissing.

 

The little dragon had bit him.

 

“You little. . . “ Seiji stopped himself. He could not attack a tiny, injured dragon that had just fought alongside of him. “Stay out of this, Shou.”

 

Shou continued to hiss.

 

“I will not truly hurt your mistress. Even if she wishes to be alone, I cannot leave her out there. She is in no condition to defend herself.”

 

The little dragon was not budging.

 

“I promise that I am not going to bring serious harm to your mistress.”

 

To Seiji's surprise, Shou settled on his shoulder.

 

“Chaperoning me? Very well. We will even spend enough time to let your lady calm a bit, or it will be difficult to bring her in without injuring her. Is that acceptable?”

 

Shou gave him a sharp nod.

 

They found the exhausted hanyou sitting in a tree, fresh blood on her hand and the tree's trunk.

 

“And what did the tree do to you?”

 

She did not even open her eyes when he spoke. She ignored him completely. A quick movement dashed a tear away, but Seiji had already seen it.

 

`Evidently she has not calmed enough.' Seiji did not like the fact that he could smell salt on her, or that she was not even glaring at him. She looked defeated. “Mizuki.”

 

“Hai, Seiji.”

 

“If I come up there are you going to attack me?”

 

There was a flicker of movement, almost a smile. “A tempting thought, but I do not think I am in any condition to follow through on it.”

 

Seiji had a brief argument with Shou, ending with the little dragon staying on the ground. Despite Mizuki's assurances that it was safe, Seiji felt rather cautious approaching her. “And what foul crime did the tree commit?”

 

“It was there.”

 

“If that is grounds for attack, I do not think I will ever be safe again.'

 

“Most likely not, Seiji.”

 

The pair quietly watched the trees for a time, keeping the destruction behind them.

 

“I did not mean to offend you so severly, Mizuki.”

 

Mizuki actually chuckled. “That was not why you were hit.”

 

Seiji's eyebrows went up. “No? Then why did you hit me? Because I was there?”

 

“No, because you tried to make me say I do not hate you.”

 

“So you do hate me.”

 

“I do not know, Seiji.” The sapphire eyes finally opened, showing her exhaustion. “I truly do not know.”

 

Seiji started to reach for her shoulders, but caught himself. “With your permission?”

 

“You are safer now then you will probably ever be again. I am to the point that I am in danger of falling out of this tree.”

 

The unresisting form was pulled over to lean against his bare chest, her silver hair falling around them both. A curious hand picked up a lock, running it between his fingers.

 

“What are you doing, Seiji?”

 

“I have never seen it loose before.”

 

“Ah.”

 

The only sounds that Mizuki could hear were the beat of the dragon's heart, his steady breathing, and the rustling of the leaves.

 

Seiji brushed the hair away from her face, looking over her carefully. “You were not exaggerating about your imminent collapse. We should return.”

 

“I am not particularly motivated to move.”

 

Mizuki bit back a gasp as Seiji pulled her up into his arms and dropped out of the tree.

 

“The world will continue to function without you for just one night, Commander. You have done enough.”

 

“It does not seem I have much of a choice.” Mizuki let her head rest on his shoulder.

 

“I am taking tonight off, and so are you. I am not the Eastern Lands heir, and you are not a Commander in the Western Armies. Let them fend for themselves.”

 

“Hai, Seiji-san.”

 

Shou hitched a ride on Mizuki's shoulder as Seiji took her back to what shelter they had. It was a fight for Mizuki to keep her eyes open, and she gave it up.

 

The change in Mizuki's breathing let Seiji know that she was now sound asleep. He was rather startled that she had fallen asleep in his arms, but he certainly did not mind.

 

In the family's wing he found an interior room that was mostly undamaged. Well aware that she may kill him for it later, Mizuki was settled into bed with Shou by her head.

 

Seiji settled next to the door, leaning against the wall. He could doze, knowing that any sound would wake him. There was only one way into this room, and it was through him.

 

----

 

`Where am I?'

 

Mizuki sat up slowly, letting her eyes roam around the dark room. Shou was snoring away on her pillow, his one wrapped leg sticking out. Her hands went to the bandage still wrapped around her leg. `I am in Seiji's home.'

 

A pair of ice blue eyes was watching her, visible even in the gloom of night.

 

“Seiji-san.”

 

“Hai, Mizuki-san.”

 

“How long have I been out?”

 

“Only half of the night. Go back to sleep.”

 

“No.” Mizuki was relieved that she had recovered a fair amount of her strength and was able to stand on her own. “It is your turn to rest.”

 

“I am resting.”

 

“Sleep, Seiji-san. I will keep watch.”

 

“You are the one who is supposed to be sleeping.”

 

`I am going to kill him.' Mizuki walked right up to Seiji, close enough that her kimonos were brushing his leg. “Go and sleep, Seiji.”

 

“No.”

 

Mizuki pinched the bridge of her nose, looking surprisingly like her mother. “You are not moving unless you are forced, correct?”

 

“You can force me?”

 

“I have knocked shatei over the head and sent him to bed before.”

 

Seiji shook his head. “And you would do it to me as well.”

 

“Hai.”

 

“Are you not tired of fighting?”

 

“I was dealing with assassins before your parents had even met. This has only been a few days of battle.”

 

“I meant with me.”

 

Mizuki swallowed, but allowed a small smile. “Fighting with you comes very naturally to me.”

 

The dragon found his feet, keeping his eyes on the hanyou across from him. “And are we going to fight now?”

 

“Only if you insist on arguing with sensible ideas.”

 

The sapphire eyes widened when she realized that Seiji had pinned her to the wall for the second time that night.

 

“I am taking tonight off, and that includes fighting with you.”

 

“Then you will sleep?”

 

“No.”

 

The part of Mizuki's mind that had been driving her to distraction was having an absolute party. Seiji's body was pressed against her own, his lips a breath away. `Not good, not good, not good.'

 

Which one moved first to close the distance was a mystery, but Mizuki's hands dug into his shoulders as she tried to devour him. Seiji's hands went to her hips, pulling up hard against him. She felt his claws break through her skin and bit him on the lip.

 

Seiji snapped his head away, giving her a glare as a few drops of blood ran down his chin. Mizuki leaned in slowly and licked them away.

 

Deciding that it was worth the risk, Seiji reclaimed her mouth, enjoying this new battle for dominance. Her hands slid over his chest, claws trailing carefully over his skin and the bandages she had so carefully put on. His mouth trailed down her neck, making her gasp and her hands flex. His chest sported several new cuts when he nipped at her throat. Her head fell back, allowing him to continue as her hands moved to tangle in his hair.

 

A very small voice in the back of Seiji's mind mentioned that his mother would not be pleased, but he ripped through the kimonos anyways. They were in his way. His mouth followed the tear, dropping down until one of her breasts was caught. He heard her breathing hitch again, her hands tightening their grip and forcing him even closer. A quick movement had her on her back on the futon, his mouth never leaving her.

 

The aloof female was gone, replaced by a primitive creature that looked like she wished to devour him. Her obi was nothing but a fond memory, leaving the remains of her kimono to fall away and reveal her body. Seiji was in no mood to savor the view, and for that matter neither was Mizuki. Seiji's clothing was ripped apart, her claws raking dangerously across his skin. Mizuki's hands returned to his hair, pulling his head back so that she could run her mouth over his throat.

 

The long, pale legs were sliding around Seiji's hips. A low growl rumbled through his chest as he felt her pulling him in closer with both her hands and legs. He locked her wrists over her head, pulling her hands free of his hair. The two pairs of blue eyes locked as Seiji pressed against her, slowly sliding into her. The sapphire eyes slowly shut, a low moan escaping her.

 

When the slow motion was replaced by a hard thrust her eyes flew back open. Mizuki tried to break his grip on her wrists, but he had no intention of letting her get away. She arched her back against him, gasping when he continued to thrust into her. His fangs trailed down her throat, making her shiver. Seiji set a relentless rhythm, and Mizuki met his every movement with her legs wrapped snuggly around his waist.

 

Seiji felt her body tense, knew that she was nearing her release. He captured her mouth again, sliding his hands from her wrists down to her legs. The now free hands grabbed onto his shoulders, flexing as her entire body shook. The dragon followed her, his body tensing against hers as his hips thrust a final time.

 

“Mine.” Seiji trailed his mouth over Mizuki's arm, tasting the blood from one of her many cuts.

 

Mizuki felt her pulse thundering in her ears. Her body was still trembling, reacting to the feel of his mouth brushing against her skin. He slid off of her, pulling her up against his chest so that her back was pressed against him. Slowly, their breathing steadied. Seiji ran his claws in a lazy pattern across her stomach.

 

“I think this may be an acceptable substitution.”

 

The dragon blinked in the dark. `Any other female, flowery words. Her? I have no idea what she is talking about.' “Substitution, Mizuki?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“And what is this a substitution for?”

 

“I have no need for Sesshomaru's daughter, so I should take you as the prize along with the Eastern Lands.”

 

`I am still not a prize.' Seiji grumbled to himself.

 

“Do not fuss. At least this means that you still have a chance to be the Lord of the East.”

 

Seiji picked his head up to glare at the smaller hanyou. She smiled back at him, looking quite delighted with the situation. “Wench.”

 

A pale hand grabbed onto a rather delicate piece of Seiji's anatomy that was exposed. “I do not recommend insulting me while you are so very vulnerable.”

 

`Holy Kami.' The dragon froze.

 

Mizuki stretched up kiss the rather rigid dragon on the chin. “So long as we understand each other.” She released her hold.

 

“As much as we ever will, Mizuki.”

 

It was surprisingly soothing to have Seiji pressed against her, his breath blowing past her ears. Mizuki let her eyes close again, trailing her claws along the arm that was wrapped around her waist.

 

`Mama is going to have a fit.'

 

----