InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snowfall ❯ Shelter from the Rain ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

::Author's Notes::
Once more another chapter to be had. Looks like something is beginning to stir again between Sesshoumaru and Aiyuki. Will their love ever be healed?

~~ Katherine Torrence~~

Chapter Nine:  Shelter from the Rain


The air all around the area was thick with the scent of rain. The downpour began only a few minutes after they had found a cave to take shelter in. Then, the whole storm let loose, lightning brightening the sky in a white glow while thunder boomed. The storm's din was thick enough to even the humans that it felt it could be pierced with a katana. The fire that Tasuke and Miroku had started was enough to keep them all warm and they had managed to gather enough firewood to keep the fire going for quite a while, perhaps even the whole night if it took that long. Sesshoumaru stuck close to the cave, his eyes trained on unconscious female wolf. Kagome had managed, with the help of Rin, to gather enough herbs to make some sort of salve that would heal the wounds. Whatever it was the concoction was working even better with her quick healing time.

"It looks like her wounds may take only a couple more hours to heal." Kagome smiled as she finished changing out the bandage for the last time. She had stopped bleeding which gave relief to the dog lord, the hanyou and the High General. “I'm sure when she wakes up she'll want to eat something.”

“Well, not much longer before the stew is ready. Rin, those mushrooms you found smell delicious.” Sango smiled to the little girl who was sitting next to Jaken.

“I knew they would come in handy.” Rin gave the demon slayer a gentle smile as she poked at the fire with a small stick she had found. She was relieved to know that Lady Aiyuki was going to be to be alright, the poor girl didn't have much luck when it came to wolves it would seem but the female and the High General of hers had protected Rin from their own. She deemed the two of them good and had no fear of them.

A soft groan came from Aiyuki catching everyone's attention. The demoness slowly opened her eyes and saw the fire that had been made with care. Slowly sitting up she found no pain in her belly and looked upon the white gauze that covered her mid-section. The sweet pungent scent of a salve filled her nose along with something savory and delicious. Looking over she watched Sango fill a bowl up with stew that had been cooking over the fire. She came to the conclusion as the bowl was handed to her that everyone else hadn't been served as of yet, she was the first. Inclining her head a small smile appeared upon her lips.

“I thank you. It seems I am yet again indebted to all of you.”

“Think nothing of it, Lady Aiyuki.” Sango replied with a warm smile of her own. The hunter was now filling more bowls and passing them around. Even Sesshoumaru indulged them with partaking in the meal since Run had helped gather for it. Aiyuki looked to Sesshoumaru, puzzlement littering her features as to why he was there.

“I have no quarrel with you, Aiyuki.” He said it as if it should have been obvious to her. A soft blush tinted her cheeks as she continued to eat her fill, her strength already returning to her.

“A moment of truce, then.” She muttered softly as she placed her empty bowl down in front of her.

“The wolves had a meeting didn't they?” Inuyasha spoke up as he poured himself a second helping.

“Yes. We had the Gathering of the Clans yesterday.” Tasuke offered that little bit of information to the hanyou and Aiyuki could tell that was not going to be enough.

“They called for a cease order None of the remaining numbers are to seek a fight with Naraku.” Aiyuki closed her eyes as she relayed the orders to them.

“Kouga won't settle for that.” Inuyasha smirked and continued to eat.

“Nor will I.” Aiyuki opened her ice blue eyes once more and they looked to her adoptive brother. He almost choked on the mouthful he had as he gave her a glare, but it was the monk who spoke.

“That is unwise of you, Lady Aiyuki.”

“It is of no use.” Sesshoumaru spoke once more. “Her mind is made up. She will hear none until she has finished what Naraku began between them, even if it means her death.”

All Aiyuki could do was nod her head gently thus solidifying Sesshoumaru's words. The group sat in silence, the only sounds being made were the storm continuing its path and the fire wood crackling with in the flames. The little fox kit, Shippou, had become a little bored with the adult talk and began sifting through Kagome's yellow backpack in search of entertainment for him and Rin. Stopping as his hands rested upon a black case he had never seen before his teal eyes looked up to whom he now considered an adoptive mother.

“Kagome?” As he got the miko's full attention he carefully revealed the case to her. “What's this?”

“I had to bring it for my music classes. It's a violin.” She carefully brought the case out and opened it to reveal the wooden stringed instrument. “I admit I'm not very good at playing the thing.”

“May I?” Aiyuki asked the miko though her eyes were trained on the contents of the case.

“You know how to play?” Kagome asked as she took the violin from the case and passed it to the female wolf. She then pulled the bow from its haven on the lid and tightened it up as she had been taught in her music lessons.

“Our mothers insisted we learned to play some sort of instruments.” Sesshoumaru had watched as Aiyuki went to the task of making sure the violin was properly tuned. “Her choice was the violin.” He smirked as he closed his eyes once Kagome had passed the bow to the female youkai.

“I have not played in such a long time.” Aiyuki stood up and brought the violin to rest properly on her left shoulder, her chin pressing to the chin guard. She closed her eyes and placed the bow against the strings. Something from long ago pulled her in to a state of meditation, her fingers working the instrument to at first play something so hauntingly beautiful that the most any of them could do, save for Sesshoumaru, was stare in complete awe as they listened to the melody. When she had stopped the song her eyes opened and her face reddened. She held the instrument back towards Kagome again.

“No...” Kagome shook her head softly. “Please play it again. Play as long as you'd like.”

“I...” Aiyuki was a bit flustered but after seeing the eagerness of her audience she simply shook her head and chuckled. “Very well.”

She once again became lost in the violin's voice but this time her music was more upbeat and happy. It put everyone in a much better mood than they had been. The human adults had even enjoyed themselves by dancing with the tune. Though he would never admit, Inuyasha liked Kagome teaching him how to dance. The children delighted in dancing their own way to the music that echoed through out the cave. They had allowed themselves that moment of happiness, even Sesshoumaru became less guarded as the sight of Aiyuki dancing to her own songs reached him deep within, warming a part of him that he had discarded long ago. He internally vowed to himself that no matter the outcome with the battle against Naraku, he was not going to lose her again.

'She is MINE!' The thought that rang in his head startled him, the claim so profound and the reaction the rest of him gave that his very being was so on board with that proclamation rattled him. Tearing his eyes away from the demoness' figure he stared out in to the rain, drowning out the sounds completely to give himself silence. The hours had passed by, Aiyuki had placed the violin back where it belonged as everyone had fallen to sleep. More firewood was added to the flames to keep the night's chilled air from causing discomfort to the human companions. Aiyuki stared in to the fire for a long while, well aware that Sesshoumaru was not asleep at all.

“Have you been to see your Mother or Rieka since they left?” The question was personal and she did not quite expect him to answer her. The silence that went on for a while seemed more deafening than the now quieting storm outside of the cave.

"No." Sesshoumaru answered her after quite some time."Ah." She replied as she poked at the fire for a while. "Do you plan to?" She caste her glance in his direction and found him staring at her so intently it almost startled her."I am sure I will eventually." Sesshoumaru turned his eyes towards the entrance of the cave once more not offering much in the conversation, yet he was still having an internal war with himself. The subject, her.

"I think, once I have finished my task I will go visit with them. I do miss them dearly." Aiyuki smiled serenely and looked over seeing her High General was beginning to stir. The rain having stopped now she let out a gentle sigh and stood up. Tasuke did not take long to awaken and ready himself as well, they were departing.

"My Lady?" Tasuke inquired of Aiyuki as he walked towards the mouth of the cave.

"It is time we were on our way." She paused and glanced to Sesshoumaru, inclining her head in her own formal fair well she walked outside with Tasuke. They were able to put a good distance between them and the cave, the clouds were beginning to break with the promise of moonlight to illuminate their path. Aiyuki paused after quite a moment and found that the feeling she was getting was Sesshoumaru following behind the both them.

“Are you alright, my Lady?” Tasuke looked to Aiyuki and seeing the smile appearing upon her lips he had to chuckle while giving his head a gentle shake. “I will go on ahead, scout out the area. As Tasuke continued to walk ahead in the direction they were going, Aiyuki looked behind her and watched as Sesshoumaru appeared from the thicket of tree. She was not quite able to read his expression yet, the turmoil in his eyes were evident.

"Sesshoumaru, I have to do this." The way her voice sounded it was almost like she were convincing herself more than him. “I can not leave them to Naraku's vices.”

“I will not argue. You seem solid in your resolve.” Sesshoumaru walked up to her, keeping their eyes locked as they had the moment he came from behind the trees. He reached up and carefully brushed a rogue strand of her hair from her cheek. It would seem that coming to her like this had solidified his own resolve.

“My hopes are for a speedy return.” She in return of his simple gesture of affection gave him a slight bow of her head before turning to continue on her journey.

“Aiyuki.” His voice was on the verge of being frantic as he reached out and quickly grabbed a hold of her arm, relentless to let her go. Sesshoumaru gripped a hold of Aiyuki's arm tightly, his claws gently biting in to her flesh. His eyes stared in to hers as she stopped and turned towards him. He hadn't wanted her to leave, no, he wanted her at his side always and yet he was still angry for what happened in their past. His lips parted to speak but his words were silenced as her thumb gently pressed his lips while her fingers brushed his cheek.

"Sesshoumaru... I can not stay. I have to go and finish what I have started." Her eyes held sadness as if she could read everything he had wanted to say in his glance alone. The full moon peaking from out of the dark clouds that covered the sky. She moved her hand away slowly and gave him a soft smile.

"Naraku will kill you."

"No, and nor will I kill him. That is not my destiny. That is yours and Inuyasha's." She looked to his chest. "I will not let him take my life Sesshoumaru... that... is your destiny as well." She leaned in and kissed his lips softly before she pulled away. In mere seconds she was gone from his sight, her words repeating in his mind. The feeling of her lips gingerly pressing against his still vivid with in his body's mind.