InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Consequences ( Chapter 24 )

A/N: Hey, look, I bribed my muse into giving me a chapter! I had to promise another story after this one, since she refused to play. I don't think she wants the story to end. I have no idea when I'll get another chapter out of her, but hopefully my bribe will keep her working for long enough to finish this beast up. Just a couple of chapters left. And I still haven't taken over the world, so I'm still broke and own nothing of financial value.

 

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`There has to be a way to shut this off. I'm going to lose it!'

 

`You have no right to complain, miko.'

 

`Nani?'

 

`My mind is much more disciplined then yours.'

 

`Says who? I'm not the one who answers with a single word and follows it up with some snide thought. How long have you been thinking stuff like that about everyone?'

 

Sesshomaru glanced at his mate out of the corner of his eye. `What are you referring to?'

 

`I can hear your little scenarios for torturing Merkamou. That's just not nice.' Kagome folded her arms and turned her glare up another notch.

 

`That depends on your perspective.'

 

`Arrgh!'

 

If it was not for the fact that they were hurtling through the sky at a terrifying pace, Kagome would have jumped out of his arms. Her unspoken thought made Sesshomaru tighten his grip with a little surge of protectiveness.

 

`Until I figure out how to turn this off, let Merkamou carry me.'

 

`No.' Sesshomaru made a point of steering his mind away from torturing Merkamou so Kagome would not be tempted to attack him. Again.

 

Kagome started to hum. `I've been searching for a man, all across Japan, just to find, to find my samurai.'

 

The taiyoukai's jaw tightened. `No.'

 

`Someone who is strong, but still a little shy, yes I need, I need my samurai.' (1)

 

“Merkamou.”

 

“Hai, Sesshomaru.” Merkamou, in his flame form, dove down to hover just out of the frustrated taiyoukai's reach.

 

“You will carry her.”

 

Merkamou flickered, visibly shocked even as a ball of flame. “If you are certain of that, Sesshomaru.”

 

Still humming quietly, Kagome could not keep the victorious smile off of her face. `Kagome: one. Arrogant bastard: zip.'

 

`I can still drop you, miko.' Sesshomaru ignored his mate's squeak and sudden death grip. “Hai.”

 

The flame was replaced with a hawk while Sesshomaru wrestled with his mate. The miko had to be pried loose and dropped to her new perch. With a second squeak she landed in a heap on Merkamou's back.

 

“Arigato, Merkamou. I couldn't stand it! I've got to figure out a way to stay out of each other's heads.” Kagome idly ruffled Merkamou's feathers. “These are so pretty, Merkamou.”

 

“Hn.”

 

Kagome glared up at her mate. “I know exactly what is behind those `hn's now, so you better stop that. I can sing out loud, you know.”

 

“I will refrain.”

 

The miko leaned down close to the hawk's ear. “I haven't had to pull that trick since Mizuki was a pup.”

 

“Miko.”

 

Not for the first time, Merkamou was wishing that he could speak while transformed. If he could distract Kagome away from her mate, the storm that was brewing would pass them by. A small dive served the same purpose and kept his passenger from answering her mate. The few moments of blessed silence picked up an ominous quality as they stretched out. Under the feathers Kagome could feel Merkamou becoming tense.

 

“Merkamou?” The miko tried to look the hawk in the eye.

 

The hawk let out a soft hiss and added even more speed to his flight.

 

“Sesshomaru, do you know what's wrong?”

 

“Blood and destruction.”

 

`Mizuki.'

 

----

 

It was not the first time that Mizuki had opened her eyes and wondered where she was. She was injured, but it was not life threatening. Shou was snoring quietly by her ear as usual. What set her mind into a frenzy was the feeling of a body pressed against her own. Reflexes kicked in and she attacked the creature that was attacking her in her sleep.

 

“Gah!” Seiji awoke to a strong grip hauling him out from underneath the blankets and out of his rather pleasant doze. He grabbed onto his attacker and rolled them both out of the bed, trying to keep himself safe while his brain struggled to remember why he was being attacked. Seeing Mizuki's sapphire eyes snapped his mind to where he was, and the feel of her naked body under his reminded him of what they had been doing just before he dozed off.

 

The pair slammed into the far wall. Blinking slowly, Mizuki eased her grip on the confused dragon. “Seiji.”

 

“Mizuki. Is this how you usually start a day?” Seiji sat up, smirking a bit at her slightly perplexed expression.

 

“There is usually no one that close to me while I am sleeping unless they are a threat.” A quick twist tossed Seiji off of her and let her stand. “Besides, we never decided if you were a threat or not.”

 

Lying on his back, Seiji indulged in banging his head on the floor one time. “You are the single most stubborn female I have ever met. If I were a threat, you would be dead now. You fell asleep in my arms yesterday.”

 

Heat washed over Mizuki's face. She spun around to collect her thoughts while the memories of the previous day continued to fall into place. The impossible battle, defeating Tsuki, a kiss, the tree, and then . . . `Oh, what have I done?'

 

“I see that I have refreshed your memory.” The dragon moved around Mizuki so he could see her face but stayed out of reach.

 

“Last night was an anomaly.” The white hair was tossed back as Mizuki brought her chin up to look Seiji in the eye.

 

“That occurred three times, if memory serves.”

 

The blush was back with a vengeance, and Mizuki was suddenly very interested in not looking at him. “I do not suppose that you left any of my clothing wearable.”

 

“No more then you left mine.”

 

Mizuki was quite certain that her face was going to burst into flame. “We cannot continue to wander about naked, Seiji.”

 

“No one else is here, and I have seen everything already.” The expression that Mizuki flashed the dragon made him back up a step. “But I am certain we could arrange something.”

 

The screen door rattled as Mizuki flung it open to go find Akira's room. The truth was that she was far too comfortable with her state of undress around that dragon, and she was not at all certain that she could trust herself around him. Not when images of last night's activities danced behind her eyes and tempted her to repeat them until the source of her torment could not walk anymore. She needed to get away from him and get her mind back under some semblance of control.

 

Her search uncovered a simple enough kimono, and another obi was sacrificed to her need for expedience. While securing the shortened obi, she heard a sound just at the edge of her hearing. There were sounds coming from the courtyard, but they were too soft for her to make out.

 

Mizuki was not surprised to find Seiji already dressed and armed, standing just on the other side of the screen with his eyes pointing towards the source of the noise. A slight nod, and Mizuki grabbed her naginata and the still soundly sleeping Shou. The three defenders eased out of the building, looking for the intruders.

 

“Mizuki-chan!”

 

A small figure hurtled towards them, ignoring Seiji's move to block the perceived threat. The dragon was casually knocked down with a glowing pink wall while Mizuki dropped her naginata to catch her mother.

 

“I was so worried!” Kagome pulled back enough to look her daughter over. “Are you okay? What happened with Tsuki?”

 

“He is dead, Mama. We are fine.” Mizuki gave her mother a small but real smile. “We won, and I did not kill him.”

 

“Good girl.” Kagome let go before he daughter could pull away. “And what about you, Seiji-san? None the worse for wear?”

 

The dragon's mumbled response was too quiet for the ningen, but made Mizuki glare.

 

Merkamou and Sesshomaru kept their distance, letting the demonstrative miko have her moment.

 

“You missed your calling in life, Sesshomaru.” Merkamou smiled brightly, watching the dragon pick himself up to reclaim his spot next to Mizuki. “You should have been a fortune teller.”

 

The inu-youkai's glare, which should have struck terror into the hawk's heart, simply made him burst out laughing.

 

Kagome looked over in confusion. “What are you two up to over there?”

 

“Mizuki.” Sesshomaru turned and walked back out the gate, with his daughter following him out silently.

 

“Nani? Where are they going?” Kagome watched them walk away. “What was that all about?”

 

“I think he needs to have a word with his daughter about her recent behavior.” The hawk gave Seiji a grin.

 

“Behavior? He just got here, and he doesn't even feel mad. I can't even really tell what he's feeling, more protective then anything.”

 

“I forget that you have the life-span, but not the senses of a youkai, Kagome-sama.”

 

“The senses? What are you talking about now? If you don't start making sense I'm going to singe your feathers right off.”

 

Merkamou touched his nose and raised an eyebrow at Seiji.

 

Very slowly Kagome turned around. The air started to crackle as her aura jumped to life and her voice dropped. “What have you done to my daughter?”

 

`I am dead.' Seiji fought to not back away from the enraged miko. He did notice out of the corner of his eye that the great Southern Lord was already running for cover. `I am not even sure what I have done to cause this level of rage.'

 

“I said, what did you do to my only daughter, Seiji-san?”

 

“I did nothing to harm your daughter, Kagome-sama.”

 

“Liar!”

 

Seiji hit a wall, knocking his head hard.

 

“I think she is referring to your scent on her daughter, Seiji-san!” Merkamou was staying behind some rubble, but that did not mean he was not watching the show.

 

`Oh. So how do I explain last night to an enraged, over protective miko and survive the experience?' The dragon took a deep breath and stepped away from the wall. “I did not force or take advantage of your daughter, Kagome-sama.”

 

“He is still alive, so I believe him, Kagome-sama!”

 

Seiji glared at the hawk before refocusing on the miko.

 

“But you were with her, right?” Kagome slammed Seiji back against the wall and held him there. “You slept with Mizuki.”

 

“Hai, Kagome-sama.”

 

The wall collapsed, sending Seiji to the ground.

 

“Run, Seiji-san!”

 

Kagome turned to glare at her friend. “Quit trying to help, troublemaker, or you're next!”

 

Seiji picked himself up, refusing to flee. “It was her choice, Kagome-sama.”

 

The miko punched the dragon in the gut, leaving a nasty burn as well as knocking him back. A barrier kept him pinned to the ground with enough pressure to make it difficult for him to breathe. “Is she your mate, Seiji-san?”

 

“We have not discussed it.” Seiji was barely able to speak or breathe with the force Kagome was putting on him.

 

“Do not kill him, Kagome-sama!”

 

“Shut up, Merkamou!” Kagome was growling, but she did take some of the pressure off. “I swear, if you are taking after your father . . . “

 

“I have heard this story, Kagome-sama. You can ask anyone, I am nothing like my father.” The ice blue eyes locked with Kagome's gaze. “I have no intention of casting her aside. I never did.”

 

“You better not.” The barrier disappeared, and Kagome forced her jaw to unclench. Seiji was barely on his feet before he was knocked several feet back into a pile of rubble, courtesy of a right hook and a healthy dollop of pissed off miko energy. “And that's for your lousy decision making skills. I can't believe Sesshomaru just walked away and didn't even touch you!”

 

Merkamou seemed to think that things were settling, since he was coming out of his protected position. “Kagome, he was already thinking of them being a mated pair. He was not really surprised to find this one's scent on Mizuki.”

 

“And her! What was she thinking? She is in so much trouble!”

 

Kagome whirled around and took off after her daughter.

 

Shaking his head, Merkamou offered a hand to the dragon that was picking himself up out of the rubble. “Can you stand?”

 

“Hai. I would rather face Sesshomaru-sama in a fury then his mate.” Seiji ran his fingers over the burn on his jaw from Kagome's powers and fist.

 

“You will probably get a chance to compare them.”

 

“Perfect. As if I have not seen enough violence.”

 

Merkamou clapped him on the shoulder. “Welcome to the pack, Seiji-san.”

 

----

 

“Well?”

 

Mizuki realized she was hanging her head like a scolded puppy. She drew her shoulders back and looked her father in the eye. “Hai.”

 

“Hn.” Sesshomaru sat down in the grass, draping one arm over his knee. His daughter settled next to him, tucking her hands inside of her sleeves.

 

Mizuki braced herself. `I have to know.' “Is there a choice?”

 

“No.” The taiyoukai kept his gaze locked on the trees. `It is much harder to tell that to my daughter then to face it myself.'

 

“Will I be like mother?” `Will I be locked to his side the rest of my life?'

 

“No.”

 

“And him?”

 

“The same as you.” `He will be pulled into this bond. Most likely he already is.' Sesshomaru sniffed lightly, catching the faint scent of old blood. “Did he harm you?”

 

“No, father.”

 

“Should he live?”

 

Mizuki smirked, one corner of her mouth turning up. “Hai.”

 

“You will tell me.” Sesshomaru turned to face his daughter. `If he ever hurts you, he answers to me.'

 

“Hai, Papa.”

 

Sesshomaru blinked in surprise. Mizuki had not used that name since she was tiny and had just found out what hanyou meant.

 

The blue eyes slanted over to study the taiyoukai. “You had no choice.”

 

“Hai.”

 

“Do you regret?” `Do you wish you could have chosen for yourself, father? Do you regret Mama?'

 

“No. Do you?”

 

Mizuki sighed. “I do not know.”

 

“It is progress.”

 

A soft chuckle was Mizuki's reply. `True. I now know that I do not hate him.'

 

“Kagome is upset.”

 

“Hai.” Mizuki could practically smell her mother's annoyance as she stomped over to them.

 

“You are grounded, young lady!”

 

Mizuki and Sesshomaru both felt their eyebrows disappear into their hair.

 

“You hate him, but you slept with him? Now his family is going to be convinced that you are his mate, and it's going to be a huge mess to get you out of this since you don't want him and all because you did something stupid. You've never done something stupid, so I guess you're just making up for that, but next time you want to be stupid can we at least keep it in the west and not involve a whole mess of dragons? I can see it. He's attractive, near death experience, and I'm really not one to talk, but I didn't sleep with an heir that I hate! And how, exactly, do you suggest we deal with this?” Kagome finally inhaled, having run out of things to say for the moment.

 

“I already have a plan on how to deal with this.” Mizuki had to fight to not smile at her mother's expression.

 

“Well, would you mind sharing with your mother?”

 

“I will be the next Lady of the East.”

 

“Unacceptable!” Kagome threw her hands up over her head.

 

Sesshomaru stepped into the conversation. “It is not truly a choice anymore, Kagome.”

 

“Nani?” Kagome stared at her mate. “Just because he slept with her? That's ridiculous! She's not the first female to slip up like that.”

 

“She is bound to Seiji, and I would suspect that he is bound to her.”

 

“Nani?” The miko dropped to her knees, staring at her daughter. “No. It can't be. She can't be bound to someone she hates!”

 

“I do not hate him, Mama.”

 

“That's just your bond talking.” Kagome suddenly stopped. “I sound like the psycho, don't I?”

 

Sesshomaru nodded while Mizuki looked puzzled.

 

“Damn it.”

 

“Kagome.” Sesshomaru took Kagome by her shoulders and turned her so that her eyes were on him. “You said that you would trust me on this matter.”

 

“I know. And I'm trying! But she said she hated him, over and over and . . . “

 

“And do you remember what I said?”

 

“That if she truly hated him, he would be dead already.”

 

“Hai.”

 

The cobalt eyes looked up at the passing clouds. “So she never truly hated him, and this is something I should stop fighting, especially now that the decision's already made.”

 

“Hai.”

 

“But I still don't like it!”

 

“I am still sitting here.” Mizuki gave both of her parents a glare.

 

“Have some faith in your daughter, Kagome.”

 

“She can take care of herself, I know.” `But I'm her mother.'

 

`She is grown, Kagome.'

 

`I know she is. And stay out of my head, would you?' Kagome pulled back enough to make Sesshomaru let go of her shoulders. “Fine. I'll stop fighting this. But you're still grounded, young lady!”

 

“Nani?” Mizuki's jaw dropped as she watched her mother get to her feet and head back towards the remains of the Eastern court.

 

“It was still a stupid move, and if you weren't bound it could have ended very badly! And now I have to go check on your new mate. He's not used to being thrown through walls yet.”

 

“You threw Seiji through a wall?” Mizuki jumped to her feet. “Father, if he dies . . . “

 

“Unpleasant.”

 

Mizuki ran after the miko. “Do not kill him, Mama.”

 

----

 

Word had evidently spread about Tsuki's attempt to take over the Eastern Lands. A unit of soldiers from Akira's family arrived the same day that Sesshomaru, Merkamou, and Kagome did. Mizuki had taken command the second they had walked in the gate and set them to work patrolling and cleaning up. A massive pyre was soon burning behind the complex and fresh eyes were watching for any other threats. The hanyou sat on the edge of the outer wall, watching the sun set. She had been avoiding Seiji all day, but she knew her luck had run out.

 

“What is the point of assigning a watch if you are to spend all night out here anyways?”

 

Mizuki looked down at the dragon that was now bound to her for the rest of her life. “I do not intend to sleep up here.”

 

“And where is it that you intend to sleep?”

 

The sapphire eyes widened then snapped back to the horizon. She knew she was blushing and wished that either she or Seiji would just disappear. Preferably him.

 

Seiji was moving, and Mizuki knew he was coming up to her. Plans for escape flashed through her mind, but she did not move. Sooner or later she had to face him.

 

“Well? I would like to know what your plans are so I can plan accordingly.” Seiji sat across from her, watching her face as she stared out at the horizon.

 

“I had not made any plans yet.”

 

“Some how I doubt that. You always have a plan, Mizuki. I would guess that you have several and you are waiting for a crucial bit of information before you choose one.”

 

Mizuki finally looked to Seiji, smiling. “Am I that predictable?”

 

“I can only predict that you have a plan. What you are planning is completely unpredictable. However, since there is a chance that I will be affected, I would like at least a guess as to what you are planning for tonight.”

 

“What are you planning for tonight, Seiji?”

 

The dragon kept his gaze steady. “My plan is to go along with your wishes.”

 

“Very well. Which plan would your prefer I choose?”

 

“Enough, Mizuki. I will die of old age if we keep this up. We just need to get this conversation over with.”

 

Sighing, Mizuki dropped back to lie on the wall. “Hai.”

 

“Have you chosen, Mizuki?”

 

“It is no longer my choice, and it is not truly yours, either.”

 

“Explain.”

 

Mizuki stared up at the darkening sky, hoping that Seiji was able to control his temper. Her body was still in no condition for a real fight. “Inu-youkai mate for life. I am already bound to you.”

 

“I know.”

 

The hanyou's head popped up. “How?”

 

“Why else would I have the urge to abandon my prey and save you? Besides, when your mother tries to match you up with an inu-youkai, you do ask around about that specie's habits. I came to this conclusion last night while you were sleeping.”

 

“Fair enough.” Mizuki's head dropped back down. “I guess that settles the question of our sleeping arrangements.”

 

“At the risk of sounding like a sentimental fool, I would like to hear you say that you accept me, Mizuki. If nothing else, I would like to have that argument should your mother attack me again.” Seiji tipped his head to the side. “Unless I need to fight for your approval.”

 

“I have no interest in fighting tonight.” Mizuki sat up, meeting Seiji's gaze. “I will be your mate, Seiji, if you will have me.”

 

“No more questioning, Mizuki. I have only been waiting for you to make up your mind.”

 

“It was not my mind that made the decision.”

 

“Whichever part of you made the decision is not my concern, as long as the decision was the one I wanted.” Seiji smiled. “Are we going to kill each other?”

 

“Probably.”

 

“Wonderful. I was afraid you were turning into one of those emotional females.” Dodging her swing, Seiji jumped to his feet. “We should go inside before your mother or father comes looking for us. I have limited interest in being pummeled again today.”

 

“Then you should run, Seiji.” Mizuki launched after him.

 

----

 

“They're trying to kill each other again.”

 

“Relax, Kagome.” Merkamou smiled as Mizuki tried to knock Seiji off of the wall. “Did you honestly think that your daughter was going to have a sweet and romantic relationship?”

 

“Well, not really, but some emotion would be nice.” The miko watched with concern as Seiji got in a shot that dropped her daughter onto her back. “How could she be happy with him?”

 

“She looks happy to me.”

 

“No, she looks pissed off.”

 

“Kagome, I know she is not my daughter, but I have known her for a long time. Do you remember when we came in and that pair came out to challenge us? Did you see the way the two were standing? They may not be in love, but they are a team. I believe that is what Mizuki wants more then love. An equal partner.”

 

“Is this a youkai thing?”

 

“Part of it. Part of it is just who she is.” Merkamou looked down at his friend. “I am a youkai as well, and I do not function as they do.”

 

“True. You fell head over heels into a forbidden love and risked everything to have it.”

 

“That I did, and I would do it again if I had the choice.”

 

Seiji was knocked off of the wall, landing in a heap while Mizuki chuckled. “Had enough, mate?”

 

“Oh, Kami help us all, that sounds like me!” Kagome's eyes widened to the size of teacups.

 

“I was wondering when you would catch on to that.”

 

“Well, I still have Katsuro to give me a happy, romantic ending. I hope everyone is okay. I hate not knowing.”

 

Merkamou gave his friend's shoulder a squeeze. “Now that Akira's forces are here we can leave. You will be able to see the rest of your brood soon, and I will be able to check on my own chick.”

 

“I can only imagine the chaos that is going on without us there.”

 

----

 

A/N: (1) Butterfly, off of Dance Dance Revolution (I can't find the singer right now, sorry)