I am the Moon

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

Sheng

Sheng lay in his bed in terrible pain and utter frustration. He looked upon his friend and Lord and tried to speak.
“Sheng do not speak yet.” Katashi admonished him.
“Katashi my Lord.” He whispered hoarsely.
“Sheng.” Katashi said with regret.
“Lady Asuna is a telepath.” He said barely audible.
“I am still discovering all of her abilities.” He said with a grin.
“Water, please?” Sheng said breathing heavily.
“My friend you must stop talking. Your throat was cut. It will take you time to recover from this.” Katashi said with a scowl.
He went to a pitcher and poured water in a goblet and brought it to his friend's lips. Sheng drank and then leaned back against the silk pillows. Sheng looked around and was relieved to see his own quarters at the summer palace. He looked at his childhood friend and felt relief. He had been terrified that the witch had gotten to him. When he had seen Asuna and no Katashi, he became careless. He Gang needed its Lord. He wanted to speak with Asuna again. Her way of communicating was much easier on him at that moment.
“Lady Asuna, can I see her?” He whispered.
“Hai my friend. It would be much easier speaking through her.” Katashi said.
Sheng nodded and closed his eyes. It took a lot of effort to stay awake and talk at all.
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-Sheng- I thought to him gently.
He was rousing slowly and I pressed a goblet of a pain relieving teas to his lips. His eyes opened slowly and they looked clouded with fever.
“Drink.” I commanded quietly.
He took slow draughts of the strong smelling liquid and he made a face.
“It does not taste very well but the healer told me that it would take the pain and fever away. Katashi needs you back in health.” I said.
He was still making faces and I then put water to lips. He drank it without protest and leaned back and put up his hand signaling enough.
“You are a noble. You also act like a petulant pup.” I said looking at his profile.
He turned his amazing blue eyes on me and scowled. I scowled back at him and he growled low in his throat.
“Is that supposed to be intimidating to me?” I asked with amusement.
He sighed angrily and I put a cloth to his head.
“I am not pathing because I do not particularly want you to strain too much.”
He again scowled at me and I actually laughed.
“I ask your forgiveness for almost getting you killed. I also ask your forgiveness in the way I treated you while we were still in Japan. My honor demands that I rectify the wrongs I have done you.” I said searching his face.
He scowled yet again and I relented; I opened my mind to him. I hated pathing because it was terribly intimate and I always stood the chance of passing on memories and feelings.
-What is it you are demanding to say? - I thought.
-I want to kill her myself. - He thought vehemently
-Get in line. - I laughed in his mind.
He looked thoughtfully at me and shook his head no. I got the impression of youth from him and I wanted to know more about my mate's closest confidant.
-How many summers are you?-
-I am two hundred sixty seven. - He thought.
-How long have you known Katashi?-
-All my life. His father adopted me when I was just a pup. My parents had been killed.-he thought to me.
He gave me a weak smile and I returned it. I saw why Katashi and he were so close. They both had the same open air about them.
-You wished me to relay a message to him?-
-To you both really. It really is probably a minor weakness but she feeds on fear.-He thought rapidly.
“Slow your thoughts. Your mind is racing.” I commanded.
-I am sorry but your abilities it seems would be key in stopping her.-he pathed quickly.
“You give me far too much credit.” I said with my voice.
He sighed in frustration and narrowed his eyes at me.
“Like I said a petulant pup.” I smirked at him.
He glared daggers at me and I sat back amused.
“You are enjoying my weakness.” He whispered hoarsely.
“Do not speak.” I commanded.
I put the goblet with water back to his lips and he swallowed obediently. He again tried to speak and I put a clawed finger to his lips.
-We need you Sheng. We need you well in order to defeat Jing. Your brother needs you. - I thought to him.
-Then do not cut me off Lady Asuna. - He pathed strongly.
I put my hands to my temples and looked at him.
“Please do not scream in my head. This is why I do not like this ability and rarely use it. My mother used to scream while pathing and I would keep a headache.” I growled.
He crossed his arms across his chest and glared at me. I stood and inclined my head.
“Sleep.” I commanded.
He continued to glare at me and I slipped out through his door.
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Katashi was away in the inner court organizing and choreographing the two armies into one. He and I agreed that we wanted to be mobilized within the week. I had put in my instructions and left to speak with Sheng as my mate had asked of me. I had to leave Sheng; I could not handle having that close of a connection. I was privy to his innermost thoughts and desires. My current responsibilities made me want to run away to the forest. I had too much to do and there were too many unknowns for my liking. I stood fixing to go into the chambers I shared with Katashi then changed my mind. I went back into Sheng's room. I went and sat by his bed and kept a cool cloth to his forehead. He was strong to survive the injuries he had sustained. There was great danger of infection especially with the injury to his gut. Youki and ningen alike succumbed to bowel injuries. Sheng was a survivor.
“He will overcome this illness.” The healer said behind me.
“Katashi will be glad of it.” I said.
“Like two sides of the same coin those two.” The old inu healer said.
“Tell me about them.” I said.
“Ah well Sheng's father was a brave inu. He was brash and lucky with the females.” She said chuckling.
“And go on.” I said interested.
“Well Katashi was still young; when Sheng came to stay with the old Lord. Sheng's father went and got himself killed; Sheng's mother too. Well the old Lord adopted him and Katashi had a brother.” She said.
“What about Katashi's mother?” I inquired.
“Amah well she died having the young Lord. She was always a fragile thing. Broke Lord Tekeshi's heart it did.” She said sitting by me.
“That is unfortunate.” I said.
“Hai it is. I will leave him to your care my Lady.” The healer said bowing.
“Many thanks for saving Sheng healer.” I said.
“Thank yourself my Lady. He will need another dose of the pain relieving tea soon.” She said leaving.
I watched her leave and in turn watched Sheng sleep. I understood Katashi's feelings for his dear friend much better now. I would have to wake him soon to give him the foul smelling brew. I wondered what his great need to speak was about. I gently shook his sleeping form and he did not rouse. I did not wish to reopen his wounds so I dipped into his mind.
My eyes widened in shock at what I was feeling. He was dreaming of the torture and it pained me to see it. The look of bliss on Jing's face as she injured an innocent made me hate her even more. I doubted that even Naraku had been this evil.
-Sheng, wake up.-
-No! - came his thought
-I know you hear me, now wake up! - I commanded through the telepathy.
One eye opened and he groaned in pain. Slowly he was roused and I pressed the goblet to his lips.
-Drink!-I commanded in thought.
-You drink that shit!-he growled in my head.
“You are predisposed to telepathy as well.” I accused him aloud.
“Hn.” Was he hoarse response.
“Do not speak. You are an overgrown puppy. Are you always this cross?” I scolded him.
He shook his head no and I laughed.
“Drink now or I will force it down your throat. I will not be accused of killing you.” I threatened.
I pressed it to his lips and tilted the goblet up and he drank it. He was growling and groaning intermittently.
“Why are you fighting the medicine that will help heal you faster; and why are you being disagreeable with me now.” I said as I pressed the water goblet to his mouth again.
-I have been disagreeable with you since I met you and I told you that crap tastes awful. - He pathed to me.
“You are very reserved in mixed company. You act like a spoilt child the rest of the time?” I asked staring at him.
-Why do you care what I act like? - He snarled in my head.
“Because I have the misfortune of being a sister-in-law of sorts to you. If you matter to Katashi you matter to me.” I said glaring at him.
He turned his head away from me and frowned. I gently turned his head to look at me once more.
“When did you discover you had the power of telepathy? It is not a common gift amongst inu.” I asked him.
-All my life.-he thought.
“You are too handsome to be frowning so. Tell me what exactly happened.” I said in a serious tone.
-You mean besides being tortured? Well we had a picnic too.-He snapped in thought.
“Earlier you told me you thought my power was the key to destroying her.” I replied changing the subject.
-Yes. You are obviously the stronger telepath and I have seen you use psycho-kinesis. - He thought.
“Minor abilities compared to others. What does that have to do with what she feeds on?”
-Turn her hunger against her.-
I looked at him thoughtfully and I saw why Katashi had him as an advisor. He was immensely intelligent and obviously very loyal.
“We shall discuss this as a battle strategy later on. It has merit. I must confess that I have seen much already in your mind. You do not shield well. I must teach you this for if you do not you are an open book.” I said to him.
-Seen what exactly? - He asked in thought and narrowing his eyes.
“I am not discussing your personal memories and thoughts. Learn to shield so I am not so bombarded.” I said in exhaustion all of sudden.
He actually looked sheepish and I put up my mind to stop his train of thought.
“I am very appalled at what happened to you at that monster's hands. I have seen it and the evidence thereof. There is no use in continuing to relive it. You have to mentally see a block to create one in your mind.” I commanded.
-You are kind to spare my feelings on the matter. - He stated without words.
“It is because of me that you are hurt. I will not allow it to happen again.” I said very quietly.
“I can instruct you in this matter so that you can better protect yourself. Right now you are an open book.” I continued.
He looked at me and I stared right back at him.
“Try to read me.” I commanded.
He shook his head no and I nodded yes.
“I know that you are still weak from your injuries but you need to do this Sheng.” I said.
I was putting myself at risk by allowing him to access my mind at all. I already had a headache of massive proportions but if he was right about Jing then I needed to train him and quickly. I really did not want to be so familiar with him but there was no choice. I allowed my shields down marginally and I felt warmth and sensual prodding of my barrier. I allowed him in briefly. I gasped at his presence. He was powerful and his yoki spread like a wildfire. A shudder went down my spine and his power enveloped me. My extremities were tingling and I fought against him. I slammed my barriers up and stared him. He stared at me with his eyes wide. This had been too personal and I got up quickly.
“Stop.” He whispered hoarsely.
“No! Do not speak. I am too tired for this now.” I stammered.
His eyes were expressive and demanding I stay.
-Stay.-he demanded in my head.
“Sheng stop. I am in need of rest.” I said straightening my back.
-You cannot handle it. You run when faced with emotion. - He thought to me narrowing his eyes.
“You are too unpredictable right now. I have a right to my privacy the same as you and your untrained power is too invasive.” I said coldly.
“Liar.” He whispered harshly.
“I cannot do this.” I snapped at him.
-You will not do it. You are being a coward.-he accused.
My eyes flashed red and I glared at him. He was challenging me and I despised it. I hated being vulnerable and he knew that obviously. I nodded at him and sat further away from him. He stared at me expectantly and I dropped my shield. The warmth and power spread over me and I suppressed the shudder. The feeling of his yoki inside of me was almost palatable; I fought the feeling of euphoria. I dipped into his mind and I could see through his eyes. I knew he was feeling the same as I.
-Force me out. - I demanded.
He shook his head and it felt like I was being stroked in the most sensual of ways. I forced him back and he fought. He intended to educate himself thoroughly to stop Jing. He had felt weak and powerless at her hands. In his need to avenge himself, he was plundering me in a way.
“No.” I moaned audibly.
-Just a little while longer.-he demanded of me.
I shook physically. He was forcing a bonding of sorts and I did not want it. He was pressing me shields to my deepest memories and I started to fight him almost like a wild animal. His power was stifling and I wondered of his heritage. He may be untrained in this talent but he was learning quickly. He pressed harder and I could not fight him. My head pounded and he knew me. It was like he was touching my every thought, want, and desire. I screamed in my mind and he retreated. He had completely possessed me and I pushed him back. I was angry and I decided to return the intrusion. He attempted to block me and I smirked as I as deepened the connection. It was his turn to gasp and moan. I had to fight my utter disgust when I felt his memories of recent torture. I felt the claws tear into my gut and a blade slice my throat.
“No.” I cried out in pain.
Again he attempted to push me out and I pressed harder. The feeling of rapture was overcoming us both.
-Enough.-he cried out in thought.
I pulled back from his memories and we both physically spasm from the connection.
-Force me out. Visualize a barrier and keep me from speaking. - I whispered gently in his mind.
He did as I bade him and I was unable to access his thoughts anymore. I looked at him in the eyes and he looked away.
“You forced this Sheng. You are the one that made this happen.” I said shaking with anger.
He shook his head and continued to look away from me.
“Damn you. You will not act as though this did not happen.” I seethed.
His behavior was all too clear to me. I had learned more on Sheng than I had wanted. He was honorable but morose at times. He was used to getting his way and of course Katashi listened to everything he said. I turned his head towards mine and forced him to acknowledge me.
“You demanded this bond. You forced your way in. You made us feel this thing.” I snarled.
I knew he was feeling the same violent turbulence of emotions as I was. I had demanded he not speak and he was not. I looked away and worked on repressing my emotions. The presence of his yoki mingling with mine had about sent me over the edge. He was strong and demanding; his desire for revenge had overcome his good sense. I would need him in destroying Jing as well as needing Katashi. I understood Sheng's behavior for it had been similar to mine when I had met Katashi; reckless and obsessive.
“There will be an end to her Sheng, I have promised you that. You will not have suffered in vain.” I said quietly.
He lowered the shield that I had just taught him to use and I felt his thoughts brush mine.
“Do not do that.” I whispered strained.
We did not physically touch but I was aware of every breath and movement. His desire to defend his friend and brother, revenge, and now me; I was awash in it. I shut my eyes and realized that he enjoyed this intimacy; no betrayal and in his mind no consequences. I had underestimated this inu and I would never do so again, he would not let me.