I am the Moon

A/n: I do not own Inuyasha; Rumikio Takahashi does.


Shenyang

We were on the water for three days. In the down time; I kept myself busy with preparations. The ningen were likely to attack in an organized fashion whereas the youki would lie in wait…waiting for what they supposed was a weak moment. I wondered at the lack of attacks during Katashi's absence. There had been minor skirmishes but not direct battles. I was apprehensive about entering Katashi's lands and not having enough information on Bai Gu Jing. I was also apprehensive in appearing in Katashi's court. I was reading reports that Hideaki had dispatched. Jing rivaled Naraku in sheer evilness. Hideaki has reported anecdotal information of entire villages being slain; the gore had been terrible. I was getting uncomfortable with the situation and I wanted to find a quick solution to this problem. I was starting to have symptoms of pregnancy; I was ravenous all the time except I did not keep the food down. I continued the mask the scent but within two moon cycles it would be evident that I was pupped. I also kept Katashi's scent off of me, he was not pleased but we did not argue on the topic further.
The following day, land was sighted and we disembarked at the village of Lushun. I was surprised and shocked at how the ningen and youki alike fell prostrate before Katashi. They treated him as if he was a Kami. I held myself in check when other females touched him. I had to turn my head and not look. We made it as far as Zhuanghe the first day; the village was along the coast. We stayed at the village inn for the evening. I laid on the futon and wished for more patience. I had wanted to tear out several bitches throats today and I was cold to Katashi. I knew as soon as he finished his duties he would be here to talk to me; I was in no mood for it. I rolled to my side and read more on my mate. He was three hundred ninety eight summers. He had never been mated before and apparently was much loved by his peoples. I wondered how much love was supplied by rutting partners. I should not care but I did. He knocked on the shoji door and entered.
“You are not eating.” He remarked.
“I do not feel up to it.” I snapped.
“The pup needs the nourishment.” He said firmly.
“Do not command me Katashi.” I said flippantly.
“Asuna, what bothers you?” he asked sitting next to me.
I threw the papers I had been reading at him. I hissed in anger and rolled back to my side away from him.
“This is just biographical information about me, what ails you about this?” he asked smirking.
“Your people touch you too much.” I snarled at him.
“What?” he asked incredulously.
“You get angered when I practice my skill with one of my warriors but your people touch you.” I accused him.
“Asuna, you are acting ill rational. Koi, I have a good relationship with those that I rule.”
“You get jealous of males around me but if a bitch touches you.” I snapped again.
“I saw how that warrior looked at you. I could scent his intentions.” He replied calmly.
“That is fine. The next bitch that touches you other than me will have her throat ripped out.” I growled.
He laughed and lay beside me. I tried elbowing him but he nuzzled my mark and I calmed.
“I am afraid and I hate being afraid. I hate double standards and I absolutely hate walking in blind to an enemy's clutches.” I said.
“We are not walking in blind. I have tried the diplomatic route and I see the proverbial handwriting Asuna. I went to Japan to get support from a familial clan. I will not allow the skirmishes to get worse.” He replied smoothly.
“You realize that I am a liability to you. You act as though there is nothing wrong Katashi. I cannot sense much apprehension in you at all.” I stated.
“You are my mate. You cannot do anything but bring me strength. I do not feel apprehension because it will do no good.”
“I do not understand you at times. Knowledge is power and that same knowledge can be used against you.” I said sitting up.
“Do you doubt that I could protect you?” he asked me surprise.
“I am not some helpless pup that cannot defend itself. If I remember correctly, I did substantial damage to you in our little contest. I do not need your protection.” I replied.
“Why is my desire to protect you so offensive?” he asked in a serious tone.
“Because it means you think less of my abilities. It means you do not think of me as your equal.” I said.
I had actually been honest with him and without being horrible to him. I disliked myself in my weakness. I cursed my beast for forcing me into a situation where I had to care!
“Kamis Asuna! You are the most powerful inu bitch I have ever seen. You have abilities I have never seen. My desire to protect you is because I love you.” He said forcing me to look at him.
“Do not say that.” I said suddenly angry.
“That I love you?” he asked confused.
“Yes. There is no room for love right now. Do not make things so easy for your enemies.” I said thinly.
“Fine, I will not say it. I can think whatever I wish. Now can we have a meal?” He said in good humor.
I stared at him in disbelief. He was naturally good natured and was free with his emotions and it truly boggled my mind.
“I want to hunt. I am not keeping this ningen food down.” I said standing.
“I will hunt with you.” He said also standing.
“Why?” I said exasperated.
“Because I promised to show you my true form.” He said winking at me.
I thrilled at the idea and nodded. He pulled me to him and leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.
Will you allow me to hunt for you without seeing it as a slight against your abilities?” he asked against my lips.
“Yes, I would be honored.” I said back.
He gave me one of his dazzling smiles that made me weak in my knees. Yes, I would have to rip out any bitch's throat that would touch him. He pulled me behind him and we slipped out of the inn like two errant pups. We went in the direction of the forest. He led me a few kilometers until we came to a small river. He had a rebellious gleam in his eye and I realized that he enjoyed the freedom as much as I did.
“Close your eyes.” He commanded quietly.
“Why?” I asked arching a brow.
“Because I want you to.” He said tracing my mating mark with a clawed digit.
I nodded and closed my eyes. I was thrilling at our little adventure and I was being overcome with desire. I felt him step back from me and the air in the area changed. I recognized the pressure of yoki and knew he was changing; I obediently kept my eyes closed. A few moments passed and I felt a rather large nose sniffing me. I opened my eyes and smiled rather wide. He was black as I thought he would be. He was larger than I was in my true form. His eyes were red but his pupils were not blue…they were green. His fur was the blackest black and long. I reached out and touched his side and he lowered his muzzle and pushed me a little with his nose. I smiled at him and rubbed the fur between his eyes. His eyes held a sparkle in them as if he was amused. He was heavily muscled but sleek.
“You are magnificent.” I said in awe.
His tongue came out and licked my face. I placed a chaste kiss on his nose and proceeded to peruse his body. Yes, he was magnificent. No one would know his true power because he kept it hidden. His was always at the surface but just below. He was always underestimated I surmised, and that would prove fatal for his enemies. His ears were twitching and he lifted them. He lifted his muzzle and sniffed the air. I realized that he had caught the scent of prey. I recognized the change in his air. He looked behind me and stared me down.
“I will stay here. Go and catch our meal mate.” I said softly.
He took off in a run and I sat down by the stream. I was not used for anyone hunting for me but I found it pleasing. I had been alone for a few minutes when I felt a very strong aura that was not Katashi's. I stood up slowly and looked around. I could not see anything but that did not mean something was not there. I put a claw on my katana and moved further into the trees. I could not pinpoint the direction of the aura. The presence was malevolent and the pressure was getting stronger. I allowed my Dakkasou to rise to the surface of my left claw. I had not mastered changing the Dakkasou in a weapon of energy as my father had. I could grow it into a ball of pure acidic poison and throw it; that had served me well in the past. The aura passed and I slipped my katana back into its sheath. I reabsorbed my poison and decided I was better served standing. I leaned against a tree and waited. Not even a moment passed and I was knocked flat on my back.
I snarled in surprise. Above me was a thinning mist and a female youki stood over me. Her hair was black with white streaks. Her eyes were black and opaque. She was thin, almost skeletal. She wore a formal robe of black and white. Her hair almost came to the ground. Her aura was pulsing and it was sickening.
“So you are my new enemy.” She stated smirking down at me.
I got my wits about me and rolled to my side and quickly pushed myself up off the ground.
“And who in the seven hells are you?” I sneered.
“Ah well I go by many names but you may call me Jing.”
I was getting sick to my stomach and I realized that all the reports were wrong. Bai GU Jing was female and she was a creature from the netherworld. I stared at her with contempt and waited. She seemed to be circling me.
“You are a curious creature. You are inu, that I have no doubt. You stink like the dog you are.” She said laughing.
“Why accost me here and alone?” I asked arching a silver brow.
“To return something you obviously lost.” She said smiled.
I grew apprehensive and my mind grew concerned for Katashi. She reached into her robes and removed the head of my general Hideaki. She rolled it to me and it touched my feet. I was growing sicker by the minute and I wanted to disembowel her.
“These will be my lands. You would be wise to understand that. He tasted so sweet. It must have been his foreign blood.” She stated with a smirk.
I prayed to the Kamis for Hideaki soul and I put my claw to my katana ready to strike.
“You really are a tiresome creature, consider this your warning. I would feast but seeing as I have already eaten for the night, I will spare you. I imagine I will be seeing you again, you inu are terribly persistent.” She said licking her lips and staring at my general's head. I rushed her intent upon stabbing her with my blade but she vanished in mist. I heard laughter and it finally stopped. I turned my head away from the severed head and vomited. Hideaki had been a loyal and courageous warrior. His eyes were still open and I bent down and closed them. I could not bring myself to pick it up and my hands were shaking. I vomited till I was dry heaving. I had not counted on such a personal attack, the enemy knew more than what we had anticipated.
I moved away from the head and went to the stream and cupped some water in my hands and drank trying to get the bile out of my mouth. I hated to leave the area but I intended to get the army up and moving. I intended to be in Katashi's capital of Shenyang no later than tomorrow.
I moved away from the stream and used my yoki and turned into a ball of light. I was almost instantly back at the inn. I transformed back into my humanoid form and a little ningen man jumped up frightened.
“Calm yourself. I need you to find me your Lord's advisor, Sheng.” I said gently.
“Hai my Lady!” he said running.
I went into the inn where my officers were and went to Yuudai's room. I knocked sharply on the screen and waited for him to answer.
“Come.” I heard the sleepy reply
I entered and he rose up from his futon and bowed. I inclined my head and spoke.
“Hideaki is dead; you are the new general. I need the warriors roused and ready to mobilize in the hour.”
“My lady?” he said getting off his futon.
“I met the enemy. She delivered me Hideaki's severed head. We need to meet up with Lord Katashi's army as soon as possible.”
“Hai my lady. What shall I do about the general's remains?” he asked quietly.
“I will need you to retrieve it and we will burn his remains. He deserves to rest well in the netherworld.” I commanded; my face blanching.
“Hai my lady.”
I turned on my heel and head to my own room. I was sick again when Sheng came to my room. He walked in and I looked up at him. My eyes had watered from the vomiting and he was surprised.
“My general has been killed. I met Jing tonight. Katashi is hunting in the forest.” I managed.
“My lady have you been harmed.” He asked with concern.
“I see you know about the pup.” I observed.
“I grew up with Katashi my lady, we are as brothers.” He said defensively.
“There is no more animosity Sheng. I am his mate and I accept him. I need you to find him.” I requested.
“Hai!”
“He is in his true form.” I stated.
“I understand.” He said leaving.
I went to window and stared out. It had begun.