InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Daimyo's Son ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 10 )

A/N: Okay, I'm evil. I admit it. I shouldn't have done this but I couldn't help myself. Sorry Sho-kun!

Inutaisho was a bit tired, but he had to admit it was a damn satisfying feeling. Everything had fallen into place, he was also feeling damn appreciative of his staff at the moment. They worked themselves into a frenzy on his orders, but now he could relax and enjoy the rest of his evening. No, he wouldn't sleep, he was far too worked up for sleep. His mind was buzzing with all the little details that were involved in shifting such a large force into action. Even if he'd been able to quiet his mind or soothe his body into some kind of slumber, the youki that had awoken earlier wouldn't let him rest. It called him to action, flickering inside him. A casual observer wouldn't notice much more than a minute bit of extra tension in the demon lord's posture, but Inutaisho felt on fire from it, he could sense the youki crackling just beyond his fingertips.

So, instead of calling for one of his weary servants to bring him a late supper, the lord of the West found himself trotting down the long stair to the kitchen. It was rare enough that he stalked the corridors of the massive fortress, much less invaded the household's inner warrens. The kitchens were a great circular cavern, usually bustling with cooks and stewards, the many members of his staff that kept the fortress fed and content. This late at night the kitchens would be nearly deserted, but there was always something hot for those who didn't keep regular meals.

Inutaisho followed his nose to the far end of the kitchen, smelling a rich stew simmering somewhere. He was surprised to see his head chef sitting near the hearth, her feet propped up on a crate that used to hold fresh vegetables. "Masae," he said softly, not wanting to startle the woman. She jumped anyway, Masae was a thin, nervous creature, a slip of a youkai that looked likely to be knocked down by a stiff wind. Inu grinned, that was what anyone who had never seen her in action would think. She ruled the kitchen much as he ruled his territories and it would take more courage than most battalion commanders possessed to cross her in her element.

"My lord Daimyo," she greeted him, trying to stand up to give him a proper bow. He let his hand drop to her shoulder to keep her from rising. Inutaisho felt more than saw her consternation when he took a bowl and helped himself to the simmering stew, hiding a smile. In Masae's eyes, the lord of the territory having to wait on himself in HER kitchen was a grave matter indeed. He settled on the wide ledge next to the hearth and sipped the tasty stew, enjoying Masae's disapproval that he wouldn't allow her to serve him a proper meal.

"You really should have more than that if that stew is all you've had for dinner, my lord," she said, her voice full of matronly authority.

"I don't need a mother, Masae," he murmured. She was undoubtedly correct and her concern warmed his heart. Masae made a disapproving snort and got out of her chair to fill a cup with some light wine. "Incorrigible," she said under her breath.

His eyes twinkled merrily at her. "As always."

Masae started to bustle around the hearth, wiping nonexistent dust from the lintel. "I suppose I don't have to ask why you're down here at such a late hour, my lord. Every time the army is preparing to set out, I find you in my kitchen the night before."

He had finished the stew and stood up, draining the cup she'd handed him. "Am I truly so predictable, Masae? Is that why you were waiting up? To see if I'd creep in here like one of the pups looking for a midnight snack?"

A grin pulled at the woman's mouth. "Not predictable, my lord Daimyo. I don't know anyone that would describe you as such. Although, there is a certain comfort in keeping to an established routine."

The Daimyo smiled at her assessment and nodded genially as he left the kitchen to its master.

Her comments had left him feeling thoughtful as he slowly climbed the stair back to his study. Predictable or not, he supposed he had known that Masae would be watching for him. He wondered if anyone else had noticed such a habit on him. Not that it mattered, he felt reasonably safe from assassination attempts from the kitchen. Having a Tai-Youkai constitution managed to foil most poisons, not to mention he'd always smell their presence.

As he rounded the corner to the long corridor that led back to his rooms, Inutaisho suddenly became aware of a waiting presence, someone hiding in the deep shadows. His face never lost its relaxed expression when he turned and threw out a long arm to capture the unfortunate observer. The young woman gasped when his claws touched her flesh. "Explain yourself," he ordered. "This corridor is off limits."

"I'm…I'm sorry, my lord," she whispered fearfully.

"Chinatsu?" he asked. He was twice as surprised to see that his captive was none other than Himishima's young outcast daughter. Surely she had better sense than to prowl the fortress in the dead of night. "Don't tell me you're lost," he said, letting her go with a tinge of annoyance.

"I apologize, my lord Daimyo," she murmured, looking down at her feet and flushing. "I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. I've been wandering for almost an hour."

"And you weren't born with the basic common sense to ask someone for directions?" he asked sarcastically. She was twice the fool he'd thought her. Chinatsu looked distinctly uncomfortable. "I was afraid to ask the guard for help, my lord. I don't want Tashiki-san to find out that I left my rooms."

"I'll send for someone to guide you," he said stiffly. Like he really needed such an annoyance on this night. "How you settle with Tashiki is no concern of mine."

"Oh, please," she cried softly, catching his arm before he could turn away. "If Tashiki-san complains of me, my father will be angry. My lord, can't you just let me go by myself?"

Irritated, he grabbed her wrist to pull her hand away. "Of all the stupid, fluff-brained, useless…" he trailed off, found himself staring into her soft, pleading eyes. The scent took him completely unawares and Inutaisho was suddenly helpless to control himself. The youki that had been simmering under his skin for hours flared to full force and all rational thought was lost to him. He snatched the girl by her arms and slammed her into the wall, pinning her with his body while he covered her mouth with a brutal kiss. Chinatsu responded avidly, grinding her hips against him while she raked her claws down his back.

His hands had a mind of their own and Chinatsu cried out when his claws dug into her thighs, forcing them apart as he lifted her off her feet. She snarled into his mouth, biting his lip, fanning the angry flame of lust to a fevered pitch. He let her lips free long enough to sink his fangs into her soft breast, his claws having torn her clothing away from her body. Panting, her blood on his tongue, his fingers sought between her legs and worked themselves inside. Growling, he thrust his hand against her, making her ready for him while Chinatsu moaned low and eager into his throat. Her legs clamped tightly around his waist and her arms twisted around his neck, supporting herself while she made her body available to his.

Just what in the HELL do you think you're doing? The voice echoed in the back of his mind, coming from some deep corner of his psyche that wasn't overwhelmed by an animalistic need to rut. Inutaisho hesitated, his eyes glazed by primitive instinct, the undeniable flood of hormonal urgency was devouring him. He wanted to rut her now, he wanted to fuck the little bitch right through the stone wall. Nothing else was important.

And here I thought we were in control of our youki, the voice snarled sarcastically. Think about it, you stupid rutting demon. Are you so helpless against a female's heat stench that you'll surrender your will to her? Make yourself her puppet?

Fuck no, he answered, coming back into himself with a cold flash of reality. Chinatsu writhed urgently against his body. "Now, my lord," she whispered heavily. "Take me now!"

No female's heat came on that suddenly, he realized. Not that sudden and not that strong. He tested the air and felt his fury start to overtake him, driving out the lustful need that had consumed his mind only moments before. False heat inducers, he decided. You rotten bitch.

Inutaisho wrenched himself free of the girl, flinging her down on the floor in a cold, wrathful anger. "You miserable wench," he ground out, using every last ounce of control he'd ever possessed to not tear her apart. False heat could be induced in a female, there were herbs, compounds that could fool the body into making those pheromones. The scent of it had turned in his nostrils and sickened him. She stared up at him, her face white and shocked. "My lord?"

Deliberately and in full control of himself by now, he leaned over to seize her hair and drag her to her feet. "Run," he hissed. "Get out of my sight before I decide to make you pay for that insult."

"I don't understand," she whimpered. His eyes were glowing fiercely and Chinatsu suddenly knew what it meant to be afraid of the Daimyo. He'd caught her, resisted the scent she'd induced to trap him. Her body froze, fearful with dread. He struck her hard across her face, once, twice, and let go of her hair so she could stagger away from him. "GO!" he thundered after her, making her turn and flee from him. Her feet couldn't move fast enough to get her out of his reach, Chinatsu stumbled against the wall, looked back at him, and ran for her very life.

His body still trembling with reaction, Inutaisho leaned his forehead against the cold stone of the wall. It took massive effort to bring himself under control and he felt dizzy as his blood recirculated through his body. Miserable, fucking bitch.

He didn't think she could possibly comprehend how close she'd come to getting herself killed by his hands. Stupid wench, he'd bet she'd used this trick before, thinking it would work on any male. Not hardly, Chinatsu was young, she didn't have the experience to understand the effort it took a demon like him to constantly control his instincts. Her drug-induced scent had driven that control away, let loose the darkness that lived within. She couldn't have known that. He would have laid her, oh yes, most definitely he would have fucked her unconscious if he could. And when that wasn't enough to satisfy the darkness, slake the bloodlust that was as much a part of him as his own flesh, he would have savaged the girl. He would have torn her apart with his bare claws and left her bloody remains on the floor of this corridor.

Maybe she even deserved it, he thought, wearily forcing himself to go back to his rooms. Dark, hateful memories swam in his mind, his mouth twisted in disgust. He'd seen such atrocities first hand, seen the way his father liked to play with females. Inutaisho had spent his entire life fighting against that bastard, physically, mentally, and now even in his own demon blood. No, Chinatsu was a foolish, incompetent child. Maybe she had tried to seduce him on her father's orders, maybe she just thought it was a way to increase her own status. He could tell she was not the innocent she'd pretended to be. What had possessed her to try something that dangerous? Maybe she just wanted to screw him. He didn't know and frankly, he didn't fucking care.

*****

She was scared half to death, the other half of her was livid. Chinatsu railed against herself as she made her legs carry her as far from the Daimyo as possible. Where did I go wrong, she thought furiously. She found herself caught, her plan had failed. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," she chanted to herself.

Now she was in too deep to climb out. Would he send her away from the fortress, her plan only half fulfilled? Damn it, she thought, her hands still trembling. I should have known it wouldn't work, but those herbs never failed me before.

Her father was going to kill her when he found out what she'd done. He'd warned her, warned her hard, don't play around with Inutaisho. Even if you're lucky enough to pass yourself off as a dizzy, innocent girl, that white-haired son of a bitch can smell traps from miles away. She'd agreed with Himishima, dropping her eyes and looking away. Seducing the Daimyo was not part of the plan, not what her father wanted for her. Chinatsu leaned against the wall and shuddered. Her hand reached under her clothes to feel where his fangs had pierced her skin. A thrill of lust made her weak and she forced herself to focus. She just wanted him bad enough to be reckless about it, used the drugs that were supposed to be for an emergency and put herself under his nose.

"Don't you know how to think?" she demanded out loud. Damn, this false heat was going to drive her to distraction. Without relief she'd spend the next few days whimpering to herself, trying to ride out the hormonal surges that make a fire rage between her legs. She'd have to have some male and soon. Her lip curled with contempt, realizing that her best bet was to find the nearest member of the household guard and spread her legs like a cheap tavern slut. It made her want to retch, but now she was stuck, nowhere to turn, the object of her lust having rejected her most soundly.

Reject me, will you? Chinatsu's face twisted in grim amusement, a better idea forming in her mind. She'd have a male tonight and it would work out better than she'd imagined. It even fit in with her father's plan, although he'd left it up to her how far to take the details. The girl straightened her clothes, smoothed back her hair and without much effort, started to work up a good batch of feminine tears. He was going to be hers all right. Sesshomaru wouldn't know what hit him.

*****

"All right, all right," Sesshomaru yelled, groggy with an interrupted sleep. The pounding at his door had startled him awake and now he sat up in bed, trying to pull his thoughts together. "This had better be important," he muttered, throwing a robe over his shoulders. It wasn't necessary to lock his door at night, the Daimyo's fortress was safe and his rooms were located in the most secure wing. However, when you never knew when a hanyou might sneak up on you, it was best to take precautions. Over the years, Naota had engineered a series of very nasty, humiliating pranks on his sleeping cousin. Sessh decided he either had to lock his door at night or face the fact that he might just have to kill the brat and make it look like an accident.

He threw back the bolt with a yank and swung the door open. "What the hell…" he started. Something warm and soft flung itself at him and the young demon staggered back. "I had to see you," Chinatsu sobbed.

"Wha…Chi-chan, what's the matter?" He was about as surprised as he'd ever been and also eager to hold her soft form in his arms. He'd looked for her after supper, not finding her and scratching his head in confusion. He'd thought she'd seek him out, since they were going to be separated for a few weeks. Sesshomaru wanted to tell her he'd miss her.

"I had a nightmare," she said, crying into his bare chest. "I dreamed you got killed in battle, Sho-kun. I couldn't stand it, I had to see you."

"I'm not gonna get killed," he murmured. How do you like that, he thought in befuddled confusion. "Chi, pull yourself together, it's okay. It was just a dream."

"I don't care," she sniffed. He took a hold of her chin to look her in the eye. "Don't you think you're overreacting," he asked softly.

She thrust against him suddenly, bearing him backwards with her body. Sessh tripped over his own feet and landed hard on his back. "Chinatsu!"

Her hands were tearing at his clothes, the robe and the light sleeping trousers he wore were being shredded by her claws. Chinatsu pinned him to the floor, her legs straddling him and her hands bearing down on his shoulders. "I want you, Sesshomaru."

His face went even paler. "You want me?" This wasn't happening, this wasn't what he'd been thinking about for the past few weeks. He'd seen himself courting her, stealing kisses from her when they met. Slowly, she'd begin to open up to his advances, shyly at first, then with more confidence as their trust of each other grew. Sessh lay still as her mouth pressed against his, her tongue urgent and fierce. His lips opened under the pressure of herself and he started violently when she put her hands where he'd been dreaming. "Are you sure about this," he whispered.

In the darkness of his room, he couldn't see her smile. Something was happening inside his body, her smell was so different, so demanding. Sessh found himself breathing hard and shaking. She took his hands and folded them over her bare breasts. "You wouldn't reject me, would you, Sesshomaru?"

Reject her, he couldn't even think straight. "Uh," he said stupidly, wondering why his blood was pounding in his head like that. Roughly, she tore away the clothing that was keeping them apart and forced her body down on his. "I want you, you want me, nothing else matters," she said, hissing as her body finally received what it had been craving. She drove herself furiously against him, Sesshomaru gasping for air and holding tightly to her hips. Chinatsu dug her fingers into his chest, leaving long crimson welts on his pale skin. Her eyes were closed and she forgot about the young man under her, focusing her mind on what she'd felt earlier with his father. I want you, but I can't have you, she told Inutaisho, anger working in her body. So I'll take your son, he'll do whatever I tell him and we'll see who wins this game. The thought made her peak hard and Sesshomaru cried out suddenly before she devoured his mouth is a long, breathless kiss.