InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Youkai and the Exterminator ❯ Chapter Twelve ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter Twelve

 

 

Sesshomaru stood alone on the top of the tallest tower. From this vantage point he could overlook the entire fortress and most of the valley. The predawn air had a certain chill to it that the demon lord associated with the change of seasons. He stood staring at the sky, waiting for the sun to come up and warm away the deep unease he felt.

 

As a daiyoukai lord, he felt intimately connected with his territory. Although not fond of touring the countryside or visiting the many individual dens and holds of his lands, he still knew every last one of them, from the chill, isolated and abandoned mountains in the north, to the far more temperate and indolent territories of the south. He knew every step of the rocky coastline and the deepest darkest recesses of the thick forests held no secrets from him.

 

And so when he'd awakened in the darkest hours before dawn, he felt that tingle, that slight shiver of unease that crawled up his backbone like a spider. Something was wrong somewhere and although instinct was useful for a good many things, it didn't make him prescient, and it didn't make him sleep any easier knowing that there was a darkness creeping like a sickness in his land.

 

The wind lifted his hair and made it swirl around him, the long fur cloak rippled out, striking into the dark sky like a flail. He frowned slightly, deciding on the next course of action. An observer would have found his stoic and icy expression as unchangeable as the very stones under his feet, it would be impossible to divine his thoughts by trying to read his face.

 

The youkai lord was brooding over it.

 

Although he was doing a good job of distracting himself from thinking about the subject, once again his mind wandered back to what he wanted to avoid.

 

She loved him.

 

Sesshomaru swore lightly under his breath. What had ever possessed the woman to make a statement like that? He was, after all, a chill and dark demon lord. Powerful. Demanding. He did not inspire feelings of affection, let alone love, in any living creature. He would not let himself be responsible for such emotions; his distrust of the very word was enough reason. He did not love. Sango must be a fool to think so.

 

Only, and here he allowed himself to chew absently at his bottom lip, he didn't take the exterminator for a fool. She seemed to be a reasonable and intelligent woman. Surely she understood enough of youkai nature for her to understand the absurdity of what she'd said? There were those among youkai who played at those emotions, toying with the psyche of mortal lovers out of some game or jest.

 

Sesshomaru didn't play games, not with humans, not with anyone. Instead his wrath was lightning quick as he'd never leave any of his people in doubt of his pure demon nature.

 

Obviously Sango had made a mistake. She had taken the physical response of her body and interpreted it as something else. Yes, that made logical sense of the situation. Either that or she had rationalized her desire for him in such a way for the purpose of accepting it. A woman raised to hunt and kill youkai must have some reservations regarding their attraction. Love might be a suitable excuse, a justification for her continued submission to his power over her body.

 

Of course, the nagging back of his brain reminded him, Sango's reasoning didn't explain a damn thing about his need for her.

 

Damn it all, he had fallen into the same trap as his father, pure and simple. Blinded by lust, snared by the delicious taste of her, he'd let himself be drawn in. Hadn't she seduced him, after all? Taking a matter of obligation to the next level, making him want her so badly it kept him awake at night. From the very first time he'd had her; his blood had ached for more.

 

Honestly, Sesshomaru expected better of himself, self control had been burned into him by his father, the iron will he possessed had been forged and shaped by the hands of the demon that'd sired him.

 

He was not a half-breed fool like his brother, ignorant of everything about his heritage and undisciplined as a wildfire burning through a forest.

 

Only, the taste of her, her scent, and the way her hair fell across her cheeks. The sound of her voice calling his name as she gave herself to him fanned the flame of his passion to an excruciating level. She belonged to him, it was sheer youkai possessiveness and he had nothing to feel ashamed of in wanting her. Why should he want to consider her feelings in the first place?

 

Her whispered confession didn't matter, it certainly didn't change things. He had been surprised, that was all.

 

It was entirely possible that Sango might not even remember what she'd said. Women often said things in bed that they might not say otherwise and Sesshomaru wasn't one to mistake a tender endearment in the night for something else in the cold light of dawn.

 

She didn't love him. She couldn't possibly.

 

A movement behind him caught his attention and he turned to watch Jano appear out of the darkness, moving silently as a deadly shadow. He turned his back to him, his golden eyes still searching the creeping dawn for answers. It was extremely late, or extremely early, depending on your point of view.

 

However, if he couldn't find rest he saw no reason that Jano should either. His bodyguard stood quietly, waiting to determine the reasons behind the summons.

 

“My lord?”

 

Sesshomaru felt a faint smile cross his lips. How formal, apparently Jano was still aware of how much he'd annoyed him with his impulsive behavior. Sesshomaru could hold a grudge better than anyone alive and even his oldest friend and bodyguard didn't expect him to let it go lightly.

 

“I want you to send the patrols out again,” he said without preamble. “There's something brewing out there and I want answers.”

 

Jano scratched at the back of his head, frowning. “It would help if I could tell them what they're looking for.”

 

“I'd tell you if I knew,” Sesshomaru murmured.

 

Jano stared at him, catching the uneasy, uncertain tone of his lord's voice. He scowled, sensing something wrong in the air himself. “I'll see to it,” he snapped. This time they'd come back with real information or he'd personally grill them for their laziness. Jano wasn't any more tolerant of sloppiness than Sesshomaru and certain members of the guard lived in fear of his temper.

 

Sesshomaru raised his hand, asking Jano to wait. The light of the dawn was creeping over the mountains and for a moment he found himself entranced with the growing radiance. “And I also need you to send a messenger to lord Barou in the south. Tell him I request his presence on the full moon. No, that's not a request. Make sure he understands that I insist.”

 

Jano raised an eyebrow. “Barou? You think he's plotting against you?”

 

His lord gave a humorless laugh. “Of course not. I suspect everyone, but not Barou. He might be able to come up with answers for me; at least he's more observant than the average patrol and more involved in policing his territory than other clanlords. He might be the most suspicious demon ever born, but he pays attention and uses his brain.”

 

Apt description, Jano thought to himself. He's also about as friendly as a nest of hell hornets and vicious to the point of paranoia. “I'll send someone immediately, my lord.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded and waved his hand to dismiss his friend. Jano paused before descending the steep stair. “Sessh, is there something bothering you?”

 

“No.”

 

He hesitated, truly not wanting to invade his lord's privacy. The woman's scent was all over him, casting shadows and implications all over the chill gray morning. “You only come up here when something is eating at you. If there's something I can do about it...”

 

“You've done quite enough.” Sesshomaru's voice was cold with a lack of inflection. Jano bit back a reply, wanting to harass Sessh into some kind of confession but thinking he'd probably pushed his luck this week. He turned to go, leaving Sesshomaru to his early morning meditations.

 

“One more thing, Jano.”

 

His bodyguard turned and saw Sesshomaru looking at him, a faint smirk on his face. “My lord?”

 

“Take that ridiculous thing off your shoulder. You look like a fool.”

 

oOo

 

Sango let Aiko lead her through the fortress to join her friends for breakfast. She felt about as conspicuous as anything, following along behind the sweet-faced demon girl. Her hands kept brushing against the soft silk of the delicate kimono, snagging against old blisters and calluses that formed from her repeated use of Hiraikotsu. She'd practically gotten down on her knees and begged Aiko to let her wear her own clothes, figuring her armor wouldn't look all that out of place in a fortress of youkai.

 

Her face had turned about three different shades of red when Aiko held out the shredded remains of her old yukata. There was a smile in the girl's eyes that Sango could feel all the way down to her toes.

 

“Will you want this to be repaired, miss?”

 

There wasn't enough left of it to sew back together, Sango thought, flushing hard. She'd tried to put on her uniform and armor then, earning a stern glare from Aiko.

 

“Oh I think not, miss.”

 

“What's wrong with it?” Sango wanted to know.

 

Aiko's raised eyebrows and twist of a smile left the exterminator feeling like she'd already lost the battle. “For a start, this armor is filthy; I can smell the blood from here. That I can clean easily enough and I will make sure it's returned to you, good as new if not better. You look like you could do with something more comfortable, why don't you just try on the kimono. As a favor for me?”

 

Between the wheedling tone and Sango's realization that her exterminator's uniform was quite dirty, she now found herself traipsing after Aiko and feeling distinctly like a dressed up doll. At least she'd won the war over her hair, flatly refusing to let Aiko do anything more than wash the thick dark tresses and brush them dry. She did let the girl tie a soft ribbon around it to keep it back from her face, which was at least practical.

 

She couldn't say the same of her new clothing, the pale lavender of the silk brought out the color in her eyes, so Aiko said. Sango didn't know that she wanted her eyes brought out in any such way.

 

How can I fight in something like this, she thought, cranky with imposed finery.

 

“Sis!” Kohaku's voice immediately lightened her mood and Sango went with unabashed delight to hug her little brother. She ruffled his hair and snuggled him tight, it felt so wonderful whenever she saw him.

 

“You look really pretty,” he said, smiling at her.

 

“Shut up,” she said, trying to hold back a laugh. “I'm just wearing this because my armor is too dirty and so are my other clothes.” Kohaku didn't seem to notice and dragged her over to the table. Her cheeks were pink as she tried not to look at her friends. Kagome was smiling widely, Miroku was undoubtedly thinking something perverted. Inuyasha was so involved with his food that he wouldn't have noticed if she'd walked in stark naked.

 

He finally looked up and grunted. “You can't fight wearing something like that. Make sure they give your armor back before we leave.”

 

He yelped when Kagome's hand smacked the back of his head. “You are so rude, I think Sango looks lovely.”

 

Sango accepted a bowl of rice from Miroku, who had a slightly wistful look on his face. “The color does suit you, Sango.”

 

“Thank you, houshi-sama,” she answered softly. She met his eyes and saw only approval. “Aiko forced me into it; I didn't want to wear this fluffy thing.”

 

“Good. I'm glad she's done her job so well,” Makiko said, smiling at the exterminator from the doorway. “I trust my sister kept a polite tongue in her head while you bathed?”

 

Sango nodded and started to attack her breakfast. It kept her mouth busy so she didn't have to answer any embarrassing questions. She was taking a sip of the fragrant hot tea when Kohaku nudged her. “Where's Kirara, sis?”

 

The exterminator glanced around as if she expected the cat to appear out of thin air. She vaguely remembered the soft white form cuddling up against her when she had first lain down to sleep the day before. “I don't know, Kohaku. She wasn't with me when I woke up this morning.”

 

She must have left when Sesshomaru came to see me, Sango decided. She had wondered what the cat would do when confronted with the demon lord. At least she didn't attack him. But now Kirara's absence had her confused. It wasn't like her to hide; she would have thought her friend would have sought out Kohaku, or maybe Kagome and Shippou, if she didn't want to stay in the same room with her mistress.

 

“Makiko-san, do you think someone could find Kirara for me? I don't want her wandering around alone.”

 

Makiko started to reply and then abruptly covered her face to smother a laugh. “I think that's taken care of.”

 

Sango looked over her shoulder and had to suppress a grin herself. Jano was standing in the doorway, a dour expression on his handsome face, a white kitten fast asleep on his shoulder. “I think I have something that belongs to you.”

 

“I'm sorry,” Sango said, trying to hold back a giggle at the unlikely pair. The sight of the tall, intimidating bodyguard and the adorable kitten tickled her for some reason. “I hope she wasn't any trouble for you.”

 

His dark eyes glinted humorously. “All I know is that last night I went to bed alone and this morning I woke with her curled up on top of my head. Surprised the hell out of me, I thought I was being attacked when I heard the purring.”

 

Kirara yawned, stretching out her claws and wrapped her twin tails tighter around Jano's neck. One of her eyes opened to regard Sango soberly for a moment before snuggling tighter against the bodyguard. A contented purr vibrated in the tiny chest and slow flush crept over the tips of Jano's ears.

 

He dropped down into the seat next to the exterminator and grinned. “I can't persuade her to leave.”

 

“Kirara,” Sango said, trying to dislodge the feline. The small claws had a deathgrip on the black leather of Jano's armor. She resisted Sango's attempt to pull her away and purred even louder, nudging the top of her head hard against the bodyguard's jaw. Rin and Shippou couldn't help themselves any longer and started to dissolve into silent giggles.

 

Jano sighed. “As fond as I am of female admiration, even I have my limits.”

 

Sango finally managed to extract the claws from Jano long enough to yank the cat off his shoulder. Kirara gave a purely discontented yowl and shot across the breakfast table, knocking things out of her way deliberately with her tails. Kohaku managed to rescue the teapot and Kagome and Miroku moved quickly to gather the bowls that had clattered to the floor.

 

Makiko's eyes were fairly sparkling at Jano's uncomfortable expression. He scowled faintly, knowing this story was going to make its way all through the household staff and beyond. His dignity was definitely going to take a beating from this incident and resigned himself to the teasing that was sure to come.

 

“I can't help it if females find me irresistible.”

 

“Oh please,” Makiko snorted, a smug look still on her face. “Try not to let it go to your head, unless you really want to go around with a kitten attached to you. I'm sure the household guard would find it most amusing.”

 

“They have enough to laugh about already,” Jano said gruffly. He glanced around at the humans and let his eyes fall on the young hanyou. “So how was your evening? I hope everyone rested well.”

 

“Some better than others,” Kagome said, her eyes twinkling as she nudged Inuyasha. He snorted and looked at her out the corner of his eye. She'd been poking, nudging or whacking him a lot recently. It seemed like she was using any excuse to touch him and although he had been annoyed by her suddenly tactile behavior at first, he couldn't say it bothered him now.

 

“So are we free to leave or what?” he asked bluntly.

 

Jano blinked at him. “Of course, I haven't given anyone orders to stop you from going anywhere you want inside the fortress or if you leave. And everyone here knows you're my guests and no harm will come to you within these walls.”

 

His face broke into a slow grin, the challenge evident in his gaze. “I can't promise the same when you leave.”

 

“What about Kohaku?” Sango asked, her voice soft. She wasn't sure she was ready to leave just yet, but she knew she didn't want to be parted from her brother again so soon.

 

“Kohaku is not free to leave,” Jano said flatly, standing up and heading for the door. He still had a lot he needed to do this morning and it wasn't his place to discuss Kohaku's situation. “That's not my decision to make, but you are free to take it up with Sesshomaru-sama if you wish.”

 

Her brother's hand curled into hers and Sango looked at him. “I'm sorry I'm so much trouble, sister. You can go if you don't want to stay here. I'll be fine with Makiko and Rin.”

 

“You're not trouble,” she burst out. “It's not your fault what happened, not your fault that bastard put a shard in your back and made you his slave.” He opened his mouth to protest and she covered it with her hand. “No, Kohaku. Don't you even think of apologizing for what was done to you."

 

The boy's eyes were suddenly full of tears. “I missed you so much, ” his voice choked and rough. “I was always so scared, I didn't mean to kill father and the others. Please don't leave without me!”

 

Sango held her brother as he cried into her chest, wetting the fine silk of her kimono. At long last, Kohaku was managing to vent the grief and pain that had filled him for so long.

 

“Hush,” she whispered, rocking him back and forth like he was still a baby.

 

A comforting hand touched her shoulder and she felt Miroku's silent support as she held her brother. Kagome's eyes were shining with tears and even Inuyasha's face was flushed with some unspoken emotion. They wouldn't leave without her and she wouldn't leave without Kohaku. They might have to rely on Sesshomaru's hospitality for a little while longer, but after last night, she didn't think the demon lord had any intention of running them out of his fortress any time soon.

 

Makiko was smiling gently at the scene when she noticed the confusion on Rin's face at Kohaku's sudden emotional outburst of tears. The sight upset her; she liked the boy very much and didn't understand what was making him cry. Makiko reached over to take Rin's hand.

 

“Let's go, little one. The cooks have made up some sweet buns for lunch and will need your help to taste them.”

 

Shippou's ears perked up at that. “Can I go too?”

 

She gave the hopeful kitsune an appraising glance. “All right, you can come too. But keep yourself out of mischief, young fox. I'm quite aware of kitsune tricks and I won't hesitate to relieve you of your tail if you give me reason.”

 

Shippou didn't look too alarmed at her words, being somewhat used to threats having received them at least three times a day from Inuyasha. He happily followed Makiko and Rin, hoping the sweet buns were going to be as tasty as breakfast. He'd already eaten his weight in food, but the fox thought something sweet would just top off a good morning.

 

Rin seemed to agree with this as she let Makiko lead her away and wore a docile expression. The little girl looked up at the serene youkai and frowned. “Makiko, what made Kohaku cry?”

 

“That's not easy to explain, Rin,” the woman said quietly. “Something very terrible was done to him, he was hurt very badly. Don't pester him about it,” she added when Rin started to ask another question. They had reached the kitchen and Makiko led her young charges to a corner where the fragrant smell of fresh baking filled the air.

 

Shippou sniffed happily when Makiko placed a pile of sweet, sticky looking morsels in front of them. “Now behave yourselves,” she admonished.

 

Leaving Rin and the kitsune munching away gleefully at the sweets, Makiko turned to other matters that required her attention. She'd been spending far too much time playing nursemaid to humans. Not that she really minded the extra duties, Kohaku was delightfully polite for a human and it had pleased her to see him returning to a state of health. Jano had told her just enough about what the boy had been through, having heard the story from Sesshomaru-sama himself, to fill her with sympathy for the poor child.

 

Still, a household this size didn't run itself and as head of staff, Makiko's time and energy was much in demand.

 

She was in the process of sorting out an ongoing dispute between the head cook and his assistant when she noticed her young half-sister Aiko crossing the kitchen with a stack of linens. She waved her hand to get the girl's attention and saw her immediately swerve in response.

 

“Yes, sister?”

 

“I just wanted to let you know that I approved of your choice of clothing for the human woman. Very fetching, quite suitable.”

 

Aiko grinned, her sister rarely approved wholeheartedly of anything. “She fought against it, let me tell you. That one has a mind of her own, even for a human. Almost had to wrestle her into the bath to make her let me groom her hair. I don't know if it was prudish human modesty or something else.”

 

Makiko sighed, shuffling through the small ledger that was part of her inventory. “I imagine she was unsettled by having demon hands touch her.”

 

Her sister snickered suddenly, her eyes sparkling wickedly. “Not all demon hands. You were right to send me to bathe her, she needed it badly. The smell was indecent!”

 

Glaring, Makiko snapped the book shut and regarded her younger sister. “Aiko, for the last time, keep a civil tongue in your head. That's your lord that you're referring to so casually.”

 

Aiko was unrepentant. “I'm not the only one talking, the story is all over the household by now that Sesshomaru-sama has taken a human for a lover.” She sighed and leaned on her elbows, a wistful expression on her young face. “There are some mighty jealous ladies in the court right now, I wouldn't be surprised if that nice human got some challenges over it.”

 

Disapproval written all over her face, Makiko reached out to tweak her sister's ear. “She will not, Sesshomaru-sama has already forbidden any youkai to so much as touch any of the humans. A challenge to one of them, formal or not, would be a death sentence. If you're going to spread tales, sister, spread that one so that no one gets any stupid ideas.”

 

Her sister smirked. “I'd say it's unnecessary, that woman looked like she could take care of herself. I had to send her gear to the armory for cleaning. Her weapons have seen hard use also. Personally, I'd like to see her take on one of those arrogant little bitches...”

 

“Aiko,” she said warningly.

 

Her sister shrugged, sensing a good time to change the subject. “Don't worry, sister, I won't spread rumors to start anything.”

 

“Good,” Makiko said shortly, going back to her ledgers. Aiko regarded her thoughtfully.

 

“Actually, most of the young females aren't paying much attention to the humans. They're far more curious about Sesshomaru-sama's brother. After all these years, he's finally come home and they're dying to find out what he's really like. You talked to him, didn't you?”

 

“Yes,” her sister said, smiling a little. “He's extremely rude, has no manners, a foul mouth and a fouler temper.”

 

Aiko raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Really?”

 

Her sister nodded and then frowned when the dreamy, wistful expression returned to Aiko's eyes. “It doesn't matter, I heard he was beautiful to look at. All the staff is talking about it. You don't think maybe he also needs a bath?”

 

Makiko tried to look disapproving but couldn't help herself and started to laugh at Aiko's presumption. “He does, but I think he'll fight harder than that woman did if you try to help him. That's one rough young pup and it's very obvious he hates being here at all.”

 

“Why?” Aiko asked, curious. “Why should he hate his own people? Unless maybe Sesshomaru-sama...” Aiko face flushed and she glanced down at the floor nervously.

 

Makiko smiled at her sister, her hand going out to pat the girl's arm. “There is more going on here than just a young outcast hanyou returning home. It's a private matter between the lord and his brother.

 

“It's not our place to question the hatred that bonds them so.”