I am the Moon

A/n: I do not own Inuyasha, Rumikio Takahashi does. These are my mind's wanderings.


The Hour Before the Moonrise


I watched in horror as Hideaki was decapitated. Blood spurted from the neck and his body fell; lifeless to the ground. I watched Jing walk over to his corpse and dip her fingers in his blood and lick it off her fingers. She almost reverently lifted his head and chuckled. I could do nothing; I was in the shadows. Jing lifted the head up for closer inspection and laughed again joyfully and started singing a child's nursery rhyme in Chinese.
I vaulted up into a sitting position; sweat poured down my brow. I had screamed out Hideaki's name. My chest was heaving trying to get in a lung full of air. Katashi sat up next to me and put his lips to my mark and nuzzled my neck to calm me. I had only had a handful of premonitions in my life. My mother had them all the time. It was unnerving to know that she knew things before hand or about situations. It took so much strength to see what she saw; I doubted I had that strength.
“I saw Hideaki's demise.” I whispered.
“How? You were not there.” Katashi said gently.
“I was there; just now. I saw it. We have to stop her no matter what. She has no honor.” I stated emphatically.
“Are you a seer?” He asked in astonishment.
“Hai.”
“We must rise.” He said taking my hand.
We were both still naked and I looked at him askance. He raised a brow at me then laughed.
“You have no clothes here.” He said stating the obvious.
“We arrived before my trunks. Perhaps your serving wenches have something that will suffice?” I said.
“Hai. You would also look good wearing my clothes.” He said smirking.
“Hand me a dressing gown of yours for now.” I said.
He went to a wardrobe and opened it and pulled out a very elaborate dressing gown that was black. It was edged in fur and motifs of dragons. He handed it to me and I slipped it on. I stood and swayed on my feet. I was dizzy and felt as I was falling. I shut me eyes and another vision passed before my minds eye. I saw Sheng; he was bound and being tortured. He was deeper in the forest of Zhuanghe. I opened my eyes and they were red. I growled at the vision and looked at Katashi. He stared at me in concern.
“Get me some clothing and armor. I have seen Sheng and he still lives.” I said snarling.
“Another vision? Alright, I will be back momentarily.” Katashi said leaving me to get a servant.
I was going on instinct but I had a feeling Katashi was right and Jing was a fallen Kami. I wondered if the other Kamis were sending me these premonitions to help stop her. I shuddered at the sheer madness this creature displayed. Defending honor and family was worth killing for but not for sheer pleasure like she did. I enjoyed slaying my enemies that were truly evil. Katashi returned with his hands full. The wench by the name of Jun followed him with a green quju; it was similar to a haori but crisscrossed the chest and tied at the sides. It was edged in black. The sleeves were loose and slightly gathered. He also had a pair of ku; they were short cropped pants that were green. He also had leather and bronze breast plate armor. He carried a pair of black clogs and handed them to me.
“Thank you Jun.” he said as the wench laid the clothing down.
“Hai master.” She said bowing
“Jun this is Lady Asuna. Her word is law as is mine.” He said.
“Hai my Lord.” She said reverently.
I nodded my head to her and she bowed and left. As soon as she left and the doors shut; I dropped the dressing gown and started dressing. I braided my silver hair to keep it out of the way. Katashi was attending to his own clothing as I finished. I went to the bathing room and retrieved my katana and slipped it into the sash that was slung around my hips. I reentered the room and slipped the armor over my clothing and tied it in place. Katashi had dressed similarly and was tying his own armor in place. His clothing was black as was his armor. I came up behind him and tied his hair back at the nape of his neck. He slipped his katana into his sash and turned and faced me.
“Is your katana a magic blade?” I asked curiously.
“Hai. I can channel my yoki through it.” He said surprised at my question.
“Mine is forged from my father's fang but I have yet to reach its full potential.” I stated.
“You are young still.” He replied smiling.
“Hai but I still would like to be able to channel my own yoki as well.” I said heading for the door.
“Did you see where Sheng is?” He asked following me.
“Hai. He is still in the forest surrounding Zhuanghe.” I said.
“Alright.” He replied.
“I will transport us there; it takes less of my yoki.” I said firmly.
“Hai.” He said reaching for my hand.
I transformed him and me into my energy sphere and we traversed the distance in just a matter of minutes. I transformed us back into our humanoid forms and Katashi looked amazed.
“You continue to surprise me my love.” He said.
“My father made me channel certain abilities. I remember being in his dojo with him training as a very young pup. He has been molding and shaping me my entire life.” I said with pride.
“Did he ever just sit and play with you?” he asked.
“Why would he do that? I had Osamu and my ningen sister Rin for that.” I laughed.
“You had a ningen sister?” he asked surprised.
“Hai. Father married her to a noble within the West. She is happily settled in her house with pups of her own.” I said.
“I am surprised that a taiyouki of your father's renown would raise a ningen child.” He stated quietly as we walked.
“Rin is special. Father brought her back from the Netherworld with Tensaiga. It is a very long story that revolves around Naraku and the Shikon no Tama.” I said quietly.
“I have heard some of the stories. I have also heard stories of your hanyou uncle.” He replied with a smile.
“You will meet Uncle Yasha. He is a force of nature. Father and he still fight rather openly. Their father mated a ningen and produced Inuyasha. Father's mother is by far colder and more calculating than I have ever been. Father banished her before I was birthed.” I said.
“I will have to hear these stories. You history is fascinating.” He replied with interest.
“I will have to hear yours as well. Your house was obviously open with your emotions.” I said distantly.
I was recognizing the area that we were entering and I put a clawed digit to my lips to silence us. He nodded his understanding and put his hand to his blade. I released my Dakkasou and listened and scented very carefully. We stayed hush and continued to lift our noses and search the wind for Sheng's scent. We caught it at the same time as the wind changed direction from the south. I could scent a large amount of blood and prayed to the Kamis that we were not too late. I broke out into a run that was faster than a ningen could see and found Sheng; Katashi was right beside me. Sheng had been bound to a large conifer tree. He had been shackled with manacles that were oozing dark magic's. His belly had been torn open and intestines could be seen. He had been ripped open in so many places that I could not believe he still lived. His throat had been cut but he breathed; though barely. Jing had left him for dead and he very nearly had. Anger welled up in white and hot. Fury burned in my eyes as well as Katashi's. The bitch was making her move and we were scrambling. Katashi raised his katana and I got a preview of its power. The sword pulsed with a blue light and he smashed through the shackles. Before Sheng could fall to the ground; I caught him. I cradled his head on my knees and looked up at Katashi. Sheng's eyes rolled back in his head and he was passed out.
“I will transport him and me back to your palace at Shenyang.” I said.
“I will be right behind you.” He said rather calmly.
I could tell Katashi was starting to get into a blood lust and I looked deeply into his eyes. He nodded to me and I transformed Sheng and I and brought us back to Shenyang. I had set down within the palace walls and Katashi appeared just a moment later. He and I were both going to be exhausted before this day was out. I was using more of my yoki than I ever had to and I was carrying a pup. Katashi called for his healer and men came and brought Sheng into apartments next to Katashi's. I sent a runner to see how far Yuudai and my warriors were from the palace. My mate went with Sheng to find out the exact extent to his injuries and I went in search of sustenance.
I wandered around the palace for about an hour memorizing the routes and different rooms. There was a Great Hall on the main floor with a garden next to it. I entered and saw two inu bitches dressed in formal attire sitting at the table. Both of them had black hair and I assumed there was a familial connection with Katashi. They both looked at me with curiosity. They had eyes similar in color to my mate and no markings. I stared at them with a frank stare and one stood. It struck me that they were dressed as proper bitches were supposed to be and I was dressed as a warrior.
“Who are you?” the standing one asked.
“I am the Lady Asuna of the West. I am from the islands. Who are you?” I asked raising a silver brow with contempt.
“I am Xiu Jaun and this is my sister Annchi.” She answered coldly.
She looked at me coolly and her eyes looked me up and down. She looked disdainfully at me and sat down.
“Arrogant bitch.” I muttered.
“I know you not. My sister and I are cousins to Lord Katashi.” She said.
“I see. Could you see to it that some venison is brought for the Lord?” I commanded.
“Who are you to command me, you Japanese sow.” Xiu Jaun exploded.
“I am your Lady now. Lord Katashi is my mate.” I said slowly.
They both looked at me in shock and the other sister stood and bowed to me.
“My humblest apologies my Lady. We will see to it immediately.” Annchi said.
“See that you do.” I said with as much disdain as I could. I pinned Xiu Jaun with a hateful stare.
“Never speak to me with such disrespect again wench. I am a Lady in my own right and you will respect that.” I growled.
“Hai.” She said looking down.
The runner that I had sent came into the Great Hall and bowed before me.
“My Lady, your army has arrived. There was a small skirmish outside of the city with Ming troops.” He said.
“Causalities?” I asked.
“Hai. Only one of your men and the Ming were driven back. There were more than two hundred ningen dead.” He answered.
“I see. Thank you. Go to General Yuudai and have him come to me. I will be in the Lord's chambers.” I commanded.
“Hai my Lady!” the runner said.
The young inu runner left and did as I bade him. I was taking in that this area was heavily populated by inu. I had not seen a different species except outside of the palace. Xiu Jaun and Annchi were staring openly at me. I was sure they were not used to seeing a female with so much authority over an army.
“Have the venison brought to Katashi's chambers.” I commanded of the sisters and I left.
I was glad that Yuudai had made it and with so few losses. Now that we were here, the enemy was on the move and preparing to invade if they had not already done so. I made my way to Katashi's doors but then went to the chambers that Sheng was being healed in.
I knocked quietly on the doors and I heard my mate's voice say come. I pushed open the doors and walked in. I looked at Sheng upon a massive bed and his whole abdomen was wrapped in bandages. His throat had been stitched and the healer was putting a pungent salve on the awful wound.
“Has he been able to speak?” I asked.
Katashi shook his head no and I touched his hand. He looked at me gratefully. I leaned over to Sheng and whispered to him.
“I will avenge you. I will see to it that bitch dies by my hand.”
Sheng's eyes fluttered open for a moment and he looked at me. I noticed his eyes were light blue in color and quite striking. His hair was dark brown and his eyes were almond shaped. He could not speak and I decided to path to him.
-I am truly sorry for putting you in this danger. - I thought to him.
His eyed widened at me and I nodded to him.
-Rest my friend. The army has arrived and we are beginning our offensive.-
His eyes shut again and his breathing was evening out. I looked at Katashi and he looked at me with curiosity.
“I took the liberty of ordering venison to your chambers. The army has arrived and Yuudai will be meeting with us to mobilize the rest of your army.” I said.
“You have taken up the mantle of the Lady with amazing talent.” He said in admiration.
I decided to shock my mate and I bowed from the waist. I looked up at him with mischief in my eyes. He brought out a side of me that was playful; even in the direst circumstances.
“I am retiring to our chambers. I am going to sit and eat. I shall see you soon.” I backed away and left the room.
I walked next door and opened the dragon doors. I undid the ties of the armor and slipped it off. I noticed that my trunks had arrived and looked forward to wearing my own armor. I let me hair down and slipped off my clogs. I went to the desk against the far wall and waited on my meal and my general. I did not have to wait long as there came a knock and the inu girl Jun came in with a tray laden with venison and a pitcher of sweet wine.
“Thank you Jun.” I acknowledged her.
“Hai my Lady.” She bowed to me and left.
I attacked the venison with gusto as I was famished. I was still eating the succulent meat when another knock came.
“Hai!” I called out; my mouth full of food.
Yuudai came in and bowed to me. When he looked up; he gave me a brilliant smile. I grinned back as though we were pups again.
“I am not being dignified I know but I have not eaten well in several days.” I exclaimed.
“Far be it for me to tell you what is dignified my Lady. I can scent that you are pupped.” He said.
“Hai. I have been masking it but apparently it was not enough.” I said looking away.
“Lord Katashi is your mate?” he asked quietly.
“Hai.” I responded.
“I am happy for you my Lady.” He said.
“We have always been friends Yuudai; I see no reason for that to change.”
“Hai but I will have to keep my distance or your mate will kill me.” He said bluntly.
“Hai, what news of your battle with the filthy Chinese ningen?” I asked.
“They attacked us about twenty kilometers outside of the city. They were well organized but there were no youki amongst them. We decimated them.” He reported.
“Good. I am well pleased.” I stated.
“I will be meeting with Lord Katashi's general this evening.” He said.
“Very good. Sheng was found and is recovering.” I stated.
“Very good news my Lady. I am sure his Lordship is happy.”
“Hai he is.” I responded.
I looked down and I had finished the venison on the tray. I looked up Yuudai and laughed.
“Could you ask Jun to bring more for Katashi?” I said with a smile.
“Hai my Lady.” He said bowing.
He exited and I sat back against the chair I was sitting in. My feelings for Sheng had changed and I respected him. His unwavering loyalty to my mate made it so. I felt hatred brewing in me that would not be denied. I stood and felt much better after having eaten. I decided to find Katashi's dojo. I grabbed my weapon and exited the chambers. The moon was rising in the night sky and I felt dread as the war was starting to spill onto the steps of the palace.