InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sesshoumaru's Secret Life ❯ Sesshoumaru's Choice ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Sesshoumaru's Choice

 

“Why is this castle so popular all of a sudden?” Jaken grumbled letting Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Kirara, Shippou and Kohaku enter.

 

“What?” Inuyasha questioned.

 

“Nothing,” grumped the toad. “Wait here, I'll tell my lord you're here.” Jaken let out a long suffering sigh as he headed off to his masters study.

 

“Shippou,” yelled Rin as she came into the room to see who had appeared today. She was happy to see it was her friend again. “Come play with Rin.”

 

Shippou looked to Kagome who smiled. “Do you think it would be okay, Inuyasha?”

 

“I don't see why not, go ahead Shippou.”

 

“You too, Kohaku, come with us,” Rin invited the older boy cheerfully. Sango nodded, smiling as her brother ran off with the two younger kids.

 

“I think he's starting to come around, he's not so sad anymore,” she said wistfully.

 

Kagome smiled at her friend, “I'm so happy, Sango. I'm sure we'll be able to figure out a way to get the shard and keep Kohaku with us.

 

They all looked up as Sesshoumaru entered the room. She was not wearing her normal attire, now she was dressed in a man's light yukata the same color as her eyes. It was tied with a deep green obi and had a small design of pink sakura blossoms along the edge of the sleeves. Rather than boots the demoness was wearing simple wooden geta on her feet. “Sesshoumaru, you look so…pretty,” Kagome stated in awe.

 

“What do you want?” Sesshoumaru asked not unkindly, ignoring the compliment but secretly pleased by it.

 

“We're looking for Miroku,” Inuyasha responded. “He took off a few days ago. I thought he might have ended up here.”

 

“He is here. I have had a room prepared for him. I will have rooms made up for you as well,” she told them calling to Jaken.

 

“Yes my lord, three more rooms,” the toad replied, hurrying to do his lord's commands and grumbling under his breath at all the work this was making for him. “Jaken, get the rooms ready, Jaken, get the food ready. When did I become a maid?” he muttered quietly as he left. Sesshoumaru choose to ignore her disgruntled retainer for the moment promising herself she would have a few `words' with him later.

 

Sango and Kagome had been curious as to why Inuyasha was so sure that Miroku would have gone to Sesshoumaru's castle and they gave each other quizzical looks now. Before they could ask anything a tall grey haired demon appeared.

 

“Looks like you have more guests,” he stated looking over the group before him.

 

“This is Inuyasha, my brother and your cousin,” Sesshoumaru told him causing Inuyasha and the girls to look at the inu demon with surprise and curiosity. “This girl is Kagome, the slayer is Sango. This is Anoki, son of Hisoka who was a cousin of our father,” she introduced.

 

“Seems like we're having a family reunion,” Anoki grinned. “I'm pleased to meet you cousin, he said to Inuyasha. The hanyou was surprised to meet another of his family, especially one that didn't say anything about him being a half-demon. He was also pleased that Sesshoumaru had introduced him as her brother and not her half-brother which she normally did.

 

“Uh, hi,” he returned feeling a bit self conscious under the scrutiny of the elegant demon before him.

 

“Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango,” Miroku called out, happy to see his friends but wondering why they were here. He came in and stood beside Sesshoumaru giving Anoki a glare. The demon frowned and turned his head from the human, stepping closer to Sesshoumaru.

 

The three friends shared confused looks at the sudden tension they felt in the room. Sesshoumaru gritted her teeth in annoyance at the two males. They had been driving her crazy with their rivalry and she had tried to avoid them as much as possible. “If you'll excuse me brother, I have a few things to finish but I will join you at dinner. Jaken will see you to your rooms.”

 

She turned to leave and Anoki went to grab her arm to stop her. He pulled his hand away in surprise when all the latched onto was the long sleeve, he hadn't realized his cousin was missing a limb. Sesshoumaru gave him an icy glare. My cousin has certainly changed since last I saw him, his eyes, they're so cold. “My apologies, cousin, but I hope to speak to you.”

 

“I also wish to speak to lord Sesshoumaru,” stated Miroku, his hands fisting at his side. Anoki cast the human an angry glare.

 

“Later,” Sesshoumaru growled out. She was irritated by the two men but also flattered by the attention she was receiving from them, something she never would have dreamed of before. She knew she was going to have to make a decision and again turned and walked out the door to go back to her study to ponder what she was going to do about the bizarre situation she found herself in. She hoped she would be able to think clearly, she could feel the signs from her body that her heat would be upon her soon.

 

Jaken soon came back into the silent room, passing his lord as he entered. Inuyasha, Kagome and Sango were looking from the demon to the monk as they stared each other down, neither one backing away. “My lord should throw you all out for disturbing him, come I'll take you to your rooms and show you the bath. Where did all those kids go?” he questioned irritably “They shouldn't be allowed to run all over the place.” Jaken continued to grumble and complain until Inuyasha rapped him on the head with his knuckles, scowling mightily at the imp. Anoki had left to go elsewhere and Miroku followed his group to their rooms.

 

Sango pulled Miroku aside as Kagome and Inuyasha went to inspect their rooms. “What is going on, Miroku?” she asked.

 

“Well, uh…I…I want to court Sesshoumaru,” he stuttered out. He was unsure of how Sango would take the news. They hadn't been more than friends really, although at one point they could have been more. Since Kohaku had joined them they had not had time to be together and had drifted apart. On his end, he was content just to be friends.

 

Sango looked a bit stunned but not upset. “Oh,” she said. Sango gave the monk a grin, “you like her?”

 

“Yeah,” he returned blushing. “Look., Sango…”

 

“It's okay.” She knew what he was going to say and felt the same as the monk. She had her brother to consider right now so a romance was the last thing on her mind. Kohaku still had a long way to come before he would be able to forgive himself for the deaths of his family and fellow slayers. She was just glad that he had decided that he wanted to live. “We'll still be friends right?” she asked, smiling at her former crush.

 

“Of course, always,” he replied, grinning himself now.

 

“Have you told Inuyasha?” she asked.

 

“Well, not really. I kind of made Sesshoumaru upset and he's sort of mad.”

 

“I bet I know exactly what you did to get Sesshoumaru to punch you that day,” Sango huffed, crossing her arms.

 

Miroku lowered his head. “I came here to make it up to her but that Anoki was here. He likes her too.”

 

“And you're worried that she'll accept him and not you,” Sango stated.

 

“Yeah,” he returned quietly. Miroku couldn't think of any really good reason that Sesshoumaru would want to be with him. He was human and wouldn't live any where near as long as Anoki. Anoki was strong and handsome and could help her rule the western lands, and they seemed to share some past relationship that he knew nothing about. He was afraid that Sesshoumaru wouldn't forgive him for flirting with the village girl as well. He was hoping that he would get the chance to show the demoness that he had changed his ways.

 

Sango broke into his thoughts. “Just be yourself, Miroku,” she told him putting her hand on his shoulder. “I'm sure she'll forgive you, but I'd suggest you change your wandering ways if you are serious about her.” Sango smiled at him, giving him courage to keep trying and to not give up.

 

Sesshoumaru sat in her study in one of the plush chairs by the fireplace staring off into space with the beginnings of a headache tickling the back of her skull. She had come to a resolution as to who she wanted to be with but it had been a frightening decision. To give herself so wholly to someone was something she had never thought she would be able to do and she was still uncertain if she truly could do so. She had contained and denied her emotions for so long she was afraid she would not be able to show the love she felt in her heart for the one she had chosen. But she had decided to take the chance, even if she made mistakes and did end up getting hurt in the end. She heard the door creak open and the scent of her cousin wafted in the air. “Anoki, what are you doing here?”

 

“Sesshoumaru,” he stated softly coming and kneeling on the floor in front of her. He reached out his hand and gently caressed his knuckles against her cheek.

 

She moved her face away and looked at her cousin. “There is much you do not know of me, Anoki.”

 

“Tell me then, there is nothing you could say that would change my mind. I loved you when were children, I love you now, my heart will not change,” he told her seriously.

 

“I am not who you think I am and I cannot tell you the truth.” She tried to look unconcerned at the slight hurt she saw reflected in his eyes but could not. She leaned forward looking directly into his eyes, “What we had was a long time ago and it is precious to me but I cannot live in the past. Our time is done, cut short by circumstances we could not control. I have chosen Miroku,” she stated.

 

“Are you sure of this?” Anoki questioned incredibly. “He is mortal, you know our kind mate for life. It will destroy you when he dies. Also, human love is often fickle; he could leave you at anytime, they do not share our loyalty. I can offer you so much more, please reconsider.” Anoki took her hand in his, gently rubbing his thumb over the long fingers.

 

Sesshoumaru ignored the pleasant sensation and slowly pulled her hand from his. “I have made my choice,” she stated firmly. She closed the short distance between them and gave her cousin a soft kiss goodbye. Miroku who had just cracked the door open at that exact moment to see if she was in the room felt his heart break. He closed the door behind him softly and went in search of his friends.

 

“I am sorry, Anoki,” Sesshoumaru whispered as she sat back in the chair.

 

“I am too,” he replied, standing and leaving her alone in the room. But I won't give up, Sesshoumaru. His lifespan is but a small time, I will return for you.

 

Sesshoumaru's head was feeling much better now that she had made up her mind. She smiled and then stood to go find Miroku.