InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Tale of Sesshoumaru ❯ Shinobi Sesshoumaru ( Chapter 13 )

Disclaimer: I do not own copyright to any of the Inuyasha characters. Wish I did. I make no profit off of my fan fiction. Wish I did.

 

Disclaimer #2: I do own the character of Akanesuji, Smart Ass, Hizumeha and Kuza . If you would like to use them, please contact me at skycladstrega@yahoo.com

 

 

_________________________________________________________________ _

Cousin Koga was as welcoming as ever, even though his pack was decimated down to only two and his cave was pretty bare. He traveled a lot more now and Akanesuji thought herself lucky to have run into him on her way back home. Settling into a large bear pelt thrown on the ground as a fire was started near the mouth of the cave, Koga and Akanesuji shared a venison haunch while his two men at arms ate scraps at the back of the cave.

 

At first they talked about their shared relatives, as they were only family by marriage. Wolves and dogs made good family, both being very loyal and pack oriented. They caught up on deaths and marriages, births and engagements. When she told him about her and Sesshoumaru finally tying the knot, he was very happy and gave her a big warm squeeze.

 

“I'm sorry though that I have no wedding gifts to give you. I am afraid things have been very bad for us lately,” he apologized.

 

“You do have something to give me Koga. I need information about Inuyasha.” the female said.

 

Koga was quick to stand to his feet and punch at the air in anger. “I hate that whelp. He keeps me from Kagome, my one true love!”

 

“Kagome? The priestess he travels with?” she asked, an incredulous look on her face. “Since when have you wanted human women?”

 

“Oh Akanesuji...you should see her. Her face is so beautiful...and her hair...it is so shiny and smells like flowers, even in the fall. She is gentle and sweet and tends to my wounds when I have them.”

 

“Oh I see,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You have fallen for someone who makes you feel like a strong youkai. Her tenderness melts your heart doesn't it?”

 

The wolf demon blushed and grinned. He was so incredibly whipped.

 

“So why not take her from Inuyasha? What does he have that you don't?”

“Trust me, I have tried...but that bastard steps in between us every time we see each other. He puts her on his back and carries her off. I swear to you over this fire that someday I will have her as my own!”

 

“What? Is he stronger than you?”

 

“With that sword of his he is. It would be a fairer fight without it.”

 

“Keep that thought in mind Koga. I hope to trade my jewel shards for it.”

 

“He won't fall for that. He will fight you for those things.”

 

“Then how come you still have yours?”

 

“I don't know. Kagome let me keep them.”

 

“She must like you too then.” Akanesuji took another bite of her venison and chewed for a while thoughtfully. “Why else do you think that she would keep Inuyasha around?”

“Because she needs him to protect her...” his voice trailed off.

 

“Either that, or he needs her to protect him.” the female demon added. “I will have to think on this,” she said, taking yet another bite.

 

“Try not to worry about me getting Kagome, cousin. I will get her all on my own when the time is right.”

 

“I am sure you will Koga,” she said confidently. “You are a good man and deserve a good mate. By the way, what ever happed to that wolf girl?”

 

“I sent her home.”

 

“You know she would make you a fine first wife,” the woman picked at the bone. “You could get some fine, fine sons out of her.”

 

“But I don't love her,” he sighed. “You're the lucky one Akanesuji. You love Sesshoumaru, and somewhere in that cold ass heart of his he loves you too, and now...now you will have beautiful strong sons and daughters.”

 

“I do understand Koga. For many years I was the unlucky one, and there are times now I pinch myself because I think I am still asleep dreaming.”

 

In the morning she walked out of the cave in her eel skin uniform, her hair once again up in tall horse tails and her obi belting filled with knives and blades. Sesshoumaru clearly could see her demeanor change. The way she carried herself was taller, prouder, and her eyebrows knit together more seriously. She was a different woman than the night prior. Determination shone brightly on her face, her hair pulled back tight to reveal her bright red forehead stripes. She and Koga briefly hugged and said their goodbyes, the later going back into the cave while she mounted the horse swiftly and wiggled her butt into the seat. Untying her twin wakizashis from her saddle, she carefully set them at her hips.

 

He found the bulge in his pants uncomfortable. Damn how good she looked dressed as a demon slayer. Damn how weak he was for thinking such thoughts at a time like this.

 

For the next leg of the journey he had to wait for her to cross the mountain tops alone. There were no trees to hide in and he knew his smell would travel easily by the wind. Using her trick of animal fats, he covered himself in squirrels and rabbits and other lower creatures. Once he was assured he could cross safely, he found her camped in the tree line. She was alone with a horse youkai who wore a similar costume. He sat on his shins with his head bowed in respect as she stood above him, the two conversing about what events had happened over the winter. When she finally sat down, he handed her a large satchel of scrolls which she promptly opened and read by the fire.

 

She didn't speak for some time, and sat simply reading. Sesshoumaru admired the complete change in her demeanor. She was regal and authoritarian, a complete 180 degree turn from her time with him in the winter.

 

“Good news, Hizumeha! Roba has agreed to let his daughter come and visit us so that you may court her,” the inu said, never looking up from her papers. The black haired man put his forehead to the ground in a complete bow. “Get up Hizumeha. We are alone. You need not do all that.”

 

“But I must do it all the time, or I will some day slip up and forget.”

 

“You are not so stupid.”

 

“Thank you for saying so my lady.” The tall lean man sat up, but still kept his head bowed.

 

“I have something for you,” she said, pointing to a satchel that was dumped on the ground out of the ox cart. She pointed to it lazily as she read another scroll. “I made it myself.”

 

Hizumeha opened it to find the beautifully embroidered furisode. “I cannot accept this. It won't fit me.”

 

“Quit the dumb act. It's to impress the Lady Kusa when she gets here.” The man frowned and continued to stare at the pattern, rubbing his hand over the delicate flowers and insects. There were even grasshoppers and blades of grass. “Just say thank you and accept it.”

 

“What if she does not want me?”

 

“She wants to wed you. Why else would she be here? To tend my gardens and keep my grass from growing too high?”

 

“She will if you let her. All mares like grass.”

 

“See Hizumeha? You already know her well.”

 

The horse grumbled, “but I am unworthy of her.”

 

With the back of her hand she smacked him without ever looking up. “If I hear that again, I will demote you and her father will not allow this marriage.”

 

“Thank you for everything Lady Akanesuji. You are truly a most generous and wondrous ruler.”

 

“Blah, blah, blah.” she said, her nose stuck in yet another scroll.

 

Yes, Sesshoumaru thought. She was a kind and generous ruler. She obviously loved her servant and wanted the best for him. Sesshoumaru had never thought of such things for Jaken, and maybe it was time he rewarded his loyalty to him over the years with some kind of favor.

 

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” she asked her servant, who continued to run his hands over the embroidery, deep in his own thoughts.

 

“Yes. I brought everything you required.”

 

“Thank you.” Akanesuji put away all of her letters and repacked the ox cart to her liking. “I have something to tell you Hizumeha. Sesshoumaru and I have wed. The announcements went out a few days ago.”

 

“How does this change your plans?”

 

“Very little. I will continue to go to him in the winters and come back in the summers. I will depend on you more and more though.” The horse demon gave her a very curious look. “Our people will grow to depend on you and less on me. I think that is as it should be. You will make a fine protector.”

 

“You're pregnant aren't you?”

 

“That easy to figure out huh?” They both smiled at each other warmly like close friends.

 

“Get some rest then, my lady. We have much work to do tomorrow.” He pulled her large white fuzzy mantle off the cart and handed it to her, like he had so many times before on their hunting trips. She curled up into it like a second skin and watched the embers of the fire die down. Hizumeha kept watch over her, looking out into the forest and sniffing the air often.