Chronicles of the West

Chapter One hundred and Eight

The day of the bonding ritual dawned brightly. Aislin was swathed in bright silks and prepared for her marriage. Toga had grumbled a great deal over the period of separation from her. She was glad that it was over, but she was nervous as well. For all that she had experienced in his arms, she was still innocent and the thought of not being so was daunting.

She had confessed as much to Ryu and Silvana. Ryu had blushed slightly over her words but absently patted her hand and told her everything would be fine. Silvana had laughed out loud over his reaction to Aislin's concerns but being a woman she was better versed to deal with such things.

She explained to Aislin exactly what would happen and that she needn't worry. At first she felt odd having this conversation with Aislin about Toga, but she knew better than anyone that Toga would help her through it. Most of her thoughts remained unspoken, though they were both all too aware that he would have been the one to lay claim to both their innocence.

Satisfied that Aislin was calmer, Silvana left her with hugs and well wishes. Ryu leaned against the outer wall, his arms crossed over his chest. "Was is that way for you?" he asked her. She blinked in question. "Your first time" he clarified, "Were you afraid like that?".

Silvana smiled gently, "Petrified" she told him, "I had heard tales of blood and pain". Ryu lifted a brow, "Yet you went through with it". She nodded, "I did. I had little other choice, if I was ever to be happy".

Ryu surprised her by pulling her into his arms, nuzzling her ear, "I wish I had been the one" he told her honestly and she kissed his cheek, "So do I. But at least Toga was kind about it. He didn't abuse that or make it worse". Ryu nodded, "Good thing too, or I would kick his ass".

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"Toga, stop fussing with that collar" Taisha snapped. Toga removed his claws from the silken neckline, "It itches" he informed her for the tenth time. She adjusted the lacquered sticks in his silver hair and then hugged him tightly from behind.

He looked over his shoulder at her, surprised to see wetness on her lashes. "Taisha" he soothed, turning to gather her against his chest, "Tears?". She dropped her head and laughed, a small broken sound, "I'm being silly" she told him, "Perhaps I am merely jealous that I no longer have my brother all to myself".

He hugged her, nuzzling the top of her head, "You will always have me Taisha. And being your twin, I know perfectly well that at the moment you are full of it". She pulled back to look up at him, "Not nice Toga" she told him, wagging her finger at him. He nipped it playfully, "Never did care for scoldings" he reminded her.

She laughed brightly, and then sobered when he captured her face in his hands, "Go and see him" he told her, "Hear him out". Taisha shook her head, "I…….can't" she whispered, then brightened, "But this is not the day to think on such things. This is your wedding day!". Toga laughed along with her, "So it is. To a human woman. Who would have thought?"

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The court assembled as once again the house of the west expanded. No one mentioned that more and more humans were finding their way into that number. Rin was moving among the guests with bright smiles for all of them. Her eyes traveling time and again to one captain who stood near the back of the hall. Beside her, Kirara walked. Her brilliant crimson eyes, sparkling with happiness.

She'd only just returned from many adventures abroad. Sesshoumaru had kept her rather busy as one of his emissaries. When Sango and Miroku had grown old and passed on, she'd not had the heart to remain in the village. So, he'd given her a position and she'd taken it.

The handsome captain bowed his head respectfully to Rin and she continued on her way. Sesshoumaru watched the exchange knowingly. Ayeka looked up to see his gaze transfixed elsewhere, "Sessh?" she asked softly. He turned his warm golden eyes to her and leaned low to whisper in her ear.

She turned to watch her adopted daughter move through the throngs of guests and smiled. The glitter of jewels in her hair catching the light. No one bothered to point out that all her jewels with the exception of a rare few matched the shade of her mate's eyes.

The assemblage fell silent as Toga strode proudly through them to stand near the grumpy looking fire demon. He stood, tall and powerful the envy of the demon world. Like his uncle, like his father, like his entire line.

The doors opened and Aislin stepped into the streaming sunlight. Her tiny form richly adorned. She glowed with her happiness and moved in slow graceful steps to where Toga stood. She tilted her head back to smile at him and he peered down at her with warm eyes.

Words were spoken, the energy circle at their feet thrumming with power. The symbol of their unity shared between them. Gleaming bands, that had become tradition in the house of the moon. The ring between them glittered. Aislin smiled brightly as Toga pulled her into it and against him. They were oddly matched, like the ruling lord and lady of the west. Fire and Ice, tall to small. Sun to the moon.

Aislin felt Toga's large hand cradle the base of her skull and let her head fall back. His lips closed over hers and she clutched his silk covered chest. Moaning into his mouth as he deeped the kiss, his mouth sliding over her jaw and down her throat. His heated kisses making her knees weaken.

Toga lapped at the area of his mark with careful strokes, masterfully bringing her to greater passion even as his fangs closed over ivory flesh. Puncturing tender skin. The sweet warmth of her blood met his tongue and he pulled deeply at it.

His hand moved between them, nicking the base of his throat. Aislin, though in a haze knew what was to be done and sealed her lips over the small wound before it could heal. Blood combined, she whimpered as her brow began to itch and then burn.

Toga crashed his lips back to hers, stealing away thought. The light and wind swirled around them, flaring brightly, before dying down to reveal them still locked together. Toga became aware of the others before she did. Breaking their kiss and pulling her into his side.

The guests bowed deeply and the couple returned the gesture, keeping their own heads above the others. The rest of the day passed in a blur of well wishes and passing faces. When at last Aislin was led away by her attendants, she nearly sighed with relief.

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Taisha sat on her father's left when the guests parted to allow Kurama passage. He bowed low before the inu lord and lady. "I have come to say my farewells" he stated. Sesshoumaru leaned forward, "You are leaving my lands then?" he asked. He knew that Taisha had not spoken to Kurama since that fateful night.

Kurama nodded, "I believe it is time". Ayeka tensed and was about to speak. Sesshoumaru felt it and covered her hand with his own. She fell silent. Sesshoumaru studied the fox for a long minute, "You are free to do as you please Kurama. You have been a faithful ally for many years" he said quietly.

Kurama gave a lopsided grin, "I do not wish to abuse your good nature further". Inuyasha chuckled at his words. "Why ARE you leaving?" Sesshoumaru asked. The court fell silent, curious now. Kurama wanted to kick the arrogant dog but straightened. "I have no place here any longer my lord" he replied, his eyes flickering to Taisha.

"I have made a grave mistake, one unworthy of your house and so I would remove myself to prevent further pain to one that I care for deeply". Sesshoumaru pounced, his silver brow lifting, "Care for deeply?" he asked. Kurama growled softly, "One that I love my lord. Her happiness is all I desire now".

Sesshoumaru wanted to gloat inwardly. He knew that this had not been an easy admission for the proud kitsune. Yet, he knew that this was perhaps the only forum in which this sentiment might be heard by his stubborn to her very soul daughter.

Sesshoumaru rose and approached the fox, "You are always welcome in my halls" he said quietly. He locked eyes with Kurama, a world of information passing between them. Kurama nodded and turned, striding through the demons. The court parting for the legendary thief like water round a stone.

Sesshoumaru caught the tiny sound that escaped his daughter but chose to ignore it. For now. He resumed his seat and spoke in low tones to his wife. Mundane affairs really, and from the corner of his eye, he noted that Taisha looked pale.

"Are you well Taisha?" he asked softly. She turned her eyes to his, "Fine father" she replied, "I am perhaps tired is all". Sesshoumaru nodded and asked if she might go and check on Amari and Tohru. They had gone above stairs sometime ago to find the solace of the library.

She rose and departed the room on silent feet, not even her silks spoke of her passage. When she was beyond sight and hearing, she sagged against the wall. Her hand moving to her cover her face. He was leaving. Kurama was leaving the west, quite possibly never to return.

The times he'd sought her out, to speak of what had happened, perhaps make amends flashed through her mind. Oh, but she'd been stubborn, not listening to him and now his heart was through with her coldness. He was going to vanish from her world, for as long as it took to forget him. Forever, for she knew she'd not ever forget his smiles, his touch, the very taste of his kiss that lingered on her palate.

She moved on numb feet to her chambers, staring at the bed, wishing the silver fox was in it. For long hours into the night she lay there, exhausted but unable to sleep. Her heart demanding she put aside her pride and go to him, even as her mind told her he had no right to act as he had.

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Sesshoumaru strode into the cool night air, his golden eyes finding the fox unerringly. On silent feet he bridged the distance between them. Kurama sat among the boughs of a tall tree, staring upwards through the leaves.

He was well aware of the Taiyoukai's presence, "Come to rub it in?" he asked softly. Sesshoumaru pushed his long silver hair behind his ear, "Hardly. My daughter hurts and that is not acceptable to this Sesshoumaru". Pale golden eyes lowered to lock with deeper ones. "So that is it?" Kurama asked, "Your word is such law that you can decree it and make it so?" he snapped, "Time does little to change you".

The inu shrugged, "Perhaps. However at this moment, my female prepares for me in our chambers and despite our uncertain beginnings we know happiness". Kurama grumbled under his breath. Sesshoumaru sank to the grass at the base of the tree. "You will really leave?".

Kurama sighed, his silver ears pinning back, "I fear I must. I cannot remain close to her and not have her as my own". Sesshoumaru understood that feeling all too well, but he'd not give the fox his sympathies just yet. "Don't you find it odd that you saw her born?" he asked, "You held her when first she breathed life in this world".

The kitsune growled softly, he did recall. Recalled the little pink body, the green eyes clouded from the fluids of the womb. Her lusty little grunts and cries, how they fell silent at the touch of her sire. Tiny clawed fingers wrapping round silver hair.

"She was easier to deal with as a pup" Kurama muttered, "She grew up too much like her father". Sesshoumaru snorted, "Her mother you mean. And therein lies the answer for you Kurama. Which means more to you? My child, or your pride?"