InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Of Gods and Monsters ❯ Chapter 1: Water, Water, Everywhere... ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: The Inuyasha universe does not belong to me. No profit has been made; no infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks to Merith for the beta

Part 1: Water, Water, Everywhere...

"My Lord, you have returned!"

Sesshoumaru stalked into the den's main hall, casting a disparaging eye at the bowing, scraping toad demon. "Jaken. Draw a bath. Now." Without another word he strode to his chambers, pulling his sheathed swords off and dropping them carelessly on the futon. He crossed the room and dropped into a heavy chair, bringing his hands together to rest under his chin contemplatively. His jaw tightened, his expression dark.

Amusing. He was amusing.

A low growl formed in the back of his throat as the taunting words replayed themselves in his mind.

'I find you amusing.'

He ground his teeth, seething at the memory of the battle - there had been no clear winner. He had left, after all.

He'd left. Like a common coward. With a low growl, he straightened and pulled the wolf arm from his body, throwing it carelessly on the floor, where, after a few seconds, it crumpled into dust.

His earlier wounds had indeed hindered him, slowed him, but he had refused to listen to his good sense - he'd gotten involved instead of... Instead of what, exactly? He had followed the sounds of her song out of curiosity. He had approached her when she beckoned to him, because to do otherwise would have shown weakness. And he had attacked because...

'A mere demon would not be permitted to enter. Now, demon, your name? Or I shall be forced to merely call you 'Demon.''

He had attacked her body because she had attacked his pride.

And then she had called him amusing.

Sesshoumaru looked down at his hands, his right hand still smeared with the being's blood. It hadn't dried yet, strangely enough, and the liquid clung to his skin, making it shimmer like the morning sun over the sea. His nose twitched and he finally placed the scent - her blood was heavy with the tang of an ocean breeze.

Daughter of Poseidon, goddess of the Sirens, yes, but who was Poseidon and what in the hell was a Siren?

His brows lowering in thought, Sesshoumaru licked at the blood, shivering suddenly as a tingling sensation slid down his throat, sending tiny, needle-like shots of pure pleasure racing through him.

The youkai was yanked from his reverie by the sound of Jaken clearing his throat. "Your bath, Sesshoumaru-sama."

***

The hot water flushed the demon lord's pale skin, and as Sesshoumaru passed his hand through the liquid, his forehead was creased in thought. He thought briefly of the ease with which that woman - Teles - had controlled the water to disperse the wolves. She had even manipulated the mists from the waterfall. If she was indeed a goddess, as she had claimed, it seemed only logical that she was associated with water. He lifted his hand from the water and watched intently as droplets slid down his fingertips to gather at the sharp ends of his claws before falling heavily back into the bath.

He lowered his shoulders, allowing the heat of the water to penetrate his skin, warming the uncomfortable joints. He ducked his head under the water and resurfaced, feeling the almost-ticklish sensation of water soaking his hair before trickling down his scalp and neck. He closed his eyes and relaxed, letting the soothing liquid lap at his body.

Left with nothing more than the soft sounds of water licking against his skin, Sesshoumaru's mind slid back to the encounter, allowing himself to replay the memory again. He had at first thought that the female was a human - or at least part human - until he had been able to catch her scent and witness her abilities. A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he recalled her treatment of the wolf youkai.

She had known he was there, and yet had stood clearly in his sight, brazenly showing him her nakedness. Apparently modesty is not a hindrance. He had noted it, and on some level had appreciated her aesthetic quality, but what had truly captured his attention was the power that he had felt around her. The air had fairly crackled with it, not unlike the way a bolt of lightning charges the atmosphere with energy once it has hit the earth.

And then, unbidden, the youkai's mind vaulted back to the expression in those green eyes as she had straddled him, her legs tight around his waist. The unmitigated confidence and smug pleasure were writ large on her face as she had kissed him. The contact hadn't been unpleasant, though a very large part of him galled at the idea that a bitch had dominated him so quickly. God-like powers or no, Sesshoumaru's pride ached from the blow.

Then again, the encounter wouldn't have been half as interesting if he had been able to overpower her easily.

After a while, before the water had cooled completely, Sesshoumaru stood, squeezing the water from his hair and stepping out of the bath before drying off and dressing himself in silence. It was late; he would retire for the night before heading out early the next morning.

An idea had begun to form.