Tender Love

Chapter 15

Once Sesshomaru and Inuyasha made it back to the castle they were met by an excited Shippo, a smiling Mina and a panicky Jaken.

"Inuyasha!" yelled Shippo as he flung himself into her opened arms. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," she said holding him tight. "Have you been a good boy while I’ve been away?"

"He’s been an absolute angel," said Mina smiling.

"And what about Sya?"

"Haven't heard a peep out of that one since you've been gone. She leaves the castle for hours on end and returns around dinner time."

"I see," said Inuyasha frowning. "I’ll talk to her."

"No, you will not," said Sesshomaru walking up behind her.

"But Sess . . ." Inuyasha was about to argue but the dog lord silenced her with a glare.

"I will not have you stressed out dealing with the likes of her. I will talk with her."

"Lord Sesshomaru," said Jaken, "this message arrived for you while you were gone." He handed the scroll over to his lord.

"What is it?" asked Inuyasha petting the little kitsune on top of his head.

"It seems that your father and stepmother will be coming to visit . . . at the end of the week," said Sesshomaru.

"WHAT!" yelled Inuyasha yanking the paper out of hand. "Why didn't you inform me about this sooner?"

"The note arrived two weeks ago," said Jaken.

"Why the hell didn't you send word then." Snarled the enraged demoness.

"Because the message was addressed to Lord Sesshomaru and marked as personal. I do not read my lord's personal messages." The toad tilted his nose upward in indignation.

"You cannot blame Jaken for your temper. In a way it is your own fault," said the demon lord.

"My . . . how in the hell did you come by that?" she growled at her mate.

"Well, if you had not put it into that silly little head of yours to make me 'appreciate you' we would have been home when the message arrived." He smirked at the look of shock on her face.

"Yes, what did happen?" asked Mina. "The only thing I got from the wolves was that you were staying with their leader."

"Never mind that,” said Inuyasha quickly changing the subject. "I have to send messages to your father, Sango and Miroku, and Ayame and Koga."

"Hold it, I do not want you stressing about this," said Sesshomaru.

"I am not stressed out as you keep implying but I will be if you keep telling me not to. Besides, this is not stress. It’s excitement. My father is coming to visit. I haven't seen him since I left China. 'I wonder if he's bringing that thing with him? Oh well, now I can rub my happiness in her face.' She glared at the crowd that was gawking at her. "Well why are you all just standing here. We have a dinner party to get ready for." She clapped her hands together shooing everyone away.

For the next few days Sesshomaru watched the silver blur that was his mate prepare things for her father's arrival. Inuyasha would try to get Sya to help but the girl would decline saying 'they are not my parents' and then leave and not return until dinner time. Inuyasha really didn't think the lazy bitch would help but she was trying to be nice and give her the benefit of the doubt.

However, Sesshomaru had had enough of the obnoxious demoness. It was three days before the arrival of Lord Akemi and his mate when he summoned Sya into his study. Sya sat before the desk and waited impatiently for Sesshomaru to state his business so she could leave. Sesshomaru sat at his desk continuing to read the scrolls not even acknowledging Sya’s presence. He mentally smirked in satisfaction when he smelt the anger and impatience radiating off the demoness.

Sya sat there grinding her teeth behind her closed mouth. She hated being there at the castle. She hated everyone including the noisy little fox brat that constantly had booby-traps set for her. She could have killed the little beast when he had set a bucket of water on the door to her room and when she opened it, she was drenched in rotten fish heads and dirty, smelly water. She wanted so badly to strangle the pest. But this was not her home. She was a guest. It sours her belly to see the brat can get away with stuff like that but she cannot punish him.

She wished Sesshomaru would state his business because her rear was becoming numb from sitting for so long. Just as she was about to say something. Sesshomaru placed the scrolls to the side and stared at Sya stonily. "I’ve noticed that Inuyasha is getting everything prepared for the arrival of her parents."

Sya said nothing but snorted. "Those are her parents."

"Yasha's stepmother is your aunt. Shouldn’t you be preparing to welcome your aunt as well?"

‘Like I care if the bitch is comfortable,' she said under her breath. But she said aloud. "I’m sure Inuyasha will have things ready. After all, that is her job as your mate."

"Whether it is her job or not as a guest that is living with her you should have offered to help. It is called common courtesy."

Sya growled and glared at the demon lord. "If that half breed wants to behave like a servant that's her business. After all, isn’t that all a half breed is good for. I mean you felt the same way. My aunt told me all about how much you loathed half breeds and humans."

"Yes, I am ashamed to say that I did hate all hanyous but that was because of that bastard Naraku."

Upon hearing her loves name Sya sat up straight and listened.

"I believed that all half demons were disgusting, vile creatures that should be wiped from the face of the Earth because I thought they were all heartless, greedy, evil, hateful creatures like Naraku." A gentle smile curved at the corner of his lips as he thought about his beautiful Inuyasha. "But Yasha changed that for me. She made me realize that not all hanyous are alike. She made me see that I should not judge all hanyous because of one murderous bastard."

Sya snorted. Sesshomaru arched a delicate brow. "I take it you do not believe that."

"No, I do not!" Sya growled as she had had enough of being in the castle with this weak pathetic demon and that vile half breed. All she wanted was to leave. She wished Naraku would come and take her away. "I hate them all. The only good half breed is a dead half breed or one as your personal slave.”

“Is that how you feel?” asked Sesshomaru.

“Yes, that’s how I feel. Half breeds are a curse that is a slap in the face to all full blooded demons. They are a stain that should be rubbed out from the face of the Earth.” In her rage, she did not realize that she was contradicting herself. She claimed to be in love with Naraku who is himself a half breed as she continued to spew forth her hate filled words. “Those filthy half breeds are nothing but a bug that should be stomped out of existence. The only good half breed is a dead half breed.”

"I see," said Sesshomaru leaning back in his chair and glaring icily at the demoness. "If that is how you feel. Once Lord Akemi and his mate leave, you will no longer be welcomed in my home."

"What?" Sya said staring at him in shock.

"If you did not understand me the first time than I shall tell you in a way that even you can understand. I want you out of my home. I have put up with your bitchy behavior toward my mate for long enough." His eyes flashed red. "You should be thankful for Inuyasha. If not for her kindness I would have either thrown you out or killed you long ago. So, I suggest you have your rags packed and be prepared to leave." He stood to his feet towering over her shaking form. "You can go back to China with your aunt or become a geisha. I care not as long as you are gone from out of our lives and our home. Now, get out!" He growled dismissing her as though she was a lowly servant.

Sya could feel the tears stinging her in the back of her eyes. She would not cry before this bastard. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her tears. Sya got to her feet and stormed out of the room. As she closed the door behind her she glared at Inuyasha as the half demoness sat on a settee underneath an opened window.

"You. This was all your doing wasn't it? You hated me so much that you got your mate to kick me out."

"As much as I would love to take the credit for it Sya. I had nothing to do with it. I didn't even know Sess was talking to you. I just came because I wanted to talk to him about something," said Inuyasha staring at the demoness with a blank expression on her face. "No Sya, if you want to blame someone. Just look in the mirror. You did this to yourself." Inuyasha stood up and walked up to Sya. "I warned you about your attitude. Did you think someone like Sesshomaru was going to sit on his hands forever as you showed nothing but contempt and disrespect to his mate? You're lucky he hasn't killed you. I could change his mind but I am not going to. I gave you every chance. Hell, some of the chances I gave you others would have thrown you out long ago. Now you will have to live with the consequences of your own actions." Inuyasha walked passed the stunned Sya and went into the study.

Sya stomped up to her room, slammed the door open and close and leaned with her back against the door. 'No, this can't be happening.' She slid down the length of the door and sat with a soft plop to the floor. 'My beloved will be furious with me. He wanted me to stay here and keep an eye on that half breed bitch.' She bit her bottom lip nervously. 'What shall I do? I can't go back with my aunt. She will only throw me out and I refuse to beg." She got up and walked over to the vanity. She sat down and stared at her reflecion in the mirror. Suddenly a smile appeared on her face. 'Maybe this will work out. Perhaps Naraku will finally take me away from this wretched island.' She picked up a comb and raked it through her hair. Today, she would be seeing her beloved and tell him the good news. She was finally free to stay with him. Forever.

xxxxx

Inuyasha entered the study and walked around to stand behind her mate. Wrapping her arms around his neck she rest her cheek on top of his head. "Are you all right?"

He snorted. "I should be asking you that?"

"I know how much Sya rubs you the wrong way." She kissed him along his neck. He moaned. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right."

He whimpered and gasped as her hand slipped in between the folds of his kimono and gently pinched his left nipple. He moaned again and panted as she nipped at his pointed ear. Sesshomaru grabbed her wayward hand and pulled her onto his lap.

"Now now puppy, you know the healer said no sex for you." He wrapped his arms around her pinning her arms at her side.

"She's not the one that's hot all the time," growled the hanyou as she tried to free her arms but it was no use. "I hate this. I want to feel you inside me again." She traced his bottom lip sensuously with her tongue.

Sesshomaru groaned and pressed his lips against her in passionate, but short kiss. "We can't. After you fainted the other day, the healer felt it necessary that we abstain from any sexual activity."

"I think she only said that because she wasn't getting any." She rested her head against the crook of his neck and inhaled his scent of musk.

He chuckled and kissed her cheek. "So, how goes the preparation for your parents arrival?"

"Fine. Everyone has accepted except for your father. I'm waiting to receive word from Inutaisho. According to his servants, he went to visit his friend Totosai and he should be back today."

"It goes without saying. Father will definitedly be coming." Sesshomaru kissed her on the forehead. "It's been a while since he's seen his friend. He will want to see Lord Akemi."

Inuyasha nodded her head while rubbing her swollen belly. She sat silently on his lap in the safety of his arms as her mind wandered back to the day when she overheard the village women talking about how they knew of someone that died while giving birth. They talked about how the woman was in so much pain until finally she just died. It had been going through her mind all day and no matter what she did, she could not shake the conversation from her mind. She came to her mate in the hopes of him calming her nerves but not even his caresses could make her forget. It was all becoming too overwhelming for her to take anymore.

Sesshomaru was about to say something when he heard gentle sobs coming from his mate. "Yasha, what is it? Are you in pain?" he asked her, beside himself with worry.

"No." She could only sob. She had no wish for him to know of the terrible fears which had been attacking her all day.

Sesshomaru tightened his hold on her and rocked gently with her. "There, there, beloved. Tell me what is ailing you? I do not like to see you like this. It tears at my heart to see you weeping so."

She could not take it any more as the fear became unbearable. "Sess, Sess, hold me tight. I am so afraid." She wept. He tightened his hold on her and gently but firmly tried to persuade her to talk. "Tell me, dearest, what is it, the baby? Is that what you are afraid of?" He could only fathom that she was remembering the terrible pain that comes with having a baby when Ayame was giving birth to Koji.

Inuyasha sat quiet for a time, secure in his strong arms. Then between sobs, she spoke to him. "I love you so, Sess, and I shall bear any pain to have our child, but what frightens me so is that our baby could be born dead or I could die and I could not bear to be away from your love and gentle touch. I should be ashamed to feel this way, but I overheard some of the village women talking about babies dying and the mothers dying, and I just can't stand the thought."

Anger flashed over Sesshomaru momentarily. 'Stories, she said. Damn those old hens sitting around flapping their beaks.' Then all of a sudden, his anger turned into fright. 'Could she . . .?' He swallowed a lump that was lodged in his throat as he did not want to finish his frightening thoughts. His own mother had died giving birth to him. 'No! I swore to myself, I would keep my mate with me and let nothing happen to her.' He had nothing to worry about.

"Inuyasha, listen to me," he said tilting her damp, tear-stained face up to his own. "We shall have a fine, healthy son and you will be fine as well. I promise you this; nothing will ever take you from me. Your pain to bring our son into the world will be my pain and I shall be there beside you and bear it every minute with you. I told you once before you did not have enough faith in my love.” He kissed her hand and held it to his heart. “I tell you now you must forget this fear and have faith in me, for I shall never let anything happen to you." His dark amber eyes pleaded for her to believe in him as he looked deep into the liquid, golden pools before him.

Inuyasha sighed as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She could not do anything but believe him; no harm would come to her or her pup as long as Sesshomaru took care of her. Her earlier fright seemed to vanish with his words. "Thank you, my beloved," she whispered, closing her eyes and fell asleep in her mate's arms.

He kissed the top of her head and stood up with her in his arms. He walked out of his study and headed up to their room. As he carried his mate, several thoughts crossed his mind. Would he truly be able to keep his promise? What would he do if anything did happen to his beautiful mate? Would he be able to live without her and what their pup? Would the child live or die? No, he can't think like that. His family will make it through this, healthy and alive. Yes, he would be able to keep his promise as he remembered something very important. 'Besides, father has Tenseiga.' He smiled as he pushed the door opened and closed it as he walked into their room. Laying her on the bed, he laid down beside her and held her gently in his arm.

xxxxx

Sya slipped out of the castle with some of her belongings in a bundle and went to meet her lover at the river where they first met. There she waited until she picked up his scent about half an hour later after she arrived. Turning she saw him walking out of the forest. She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to kiss his lips.

"I can sense you are excited about something," Naraku said after breaking the kiss.

"I'm free," Sya said smiling at him.

Naraku frowned. "I don't understand."

"I mean I can leave with you now. Sesshomaru has asked me to leave." Her blue eyes were bright with happiness. But her smile fell away at the look of rage in her beloved's crimson eyes. "What's wrong? This is wonderful news. Now we don't have to sneak around anymore. We can be together like you always told me."

"You little fool!" Naraku said in anger.

"Naraku, I don't understand. Why are you so angry?"

"You've ruined everything. My plan for destroying Sesshomaru depended upon you being inside the palace informing me about everything that was going on there and now . . . you fool!" He turned away from her in disgust and began to think of someway to keep the little bitch in the palace until he was able to take the lovely Inuyasha away. Then he turned to face her. "Go back to Sesshomaru and beg him to let you stay."

"What?" Sya said shocked. "No, I won't do it. I will not lower myself to begging that barbarian to stay. I want to be with you." She took his hands into her hands and held them against her chest. "I love you and I don't want to leave you ever again."

"And I love you as well, my precious," said Naraku freeing one hand and resting it against her cheek. "I want to be with you as well but before we start our new life together I want to make sure Sesshomaru is destroyed." He arched a dark brow at her. "I thought you wanted to make Inuyasha suffer."

"I do. I would like nothing better than to see her suffer for all the humiliation she put me through." Her eyes became hard as ice at the mentioning of Inuyasha's name.

"Than you will go back to Sesshomaru and beg him to let you stay." Naraku walked behind her and undid her obi and pulled her kimono down. Cupping her breast roughly, he nipped her ear and cheek. "Will you do this for me . . . for us?" He smirked as he pulled down his hakama. Grasping his swollen erection, he nipped and kissed Sya’s neck as he slipped his throbbing length into her anus and he slipped two fingers into her vagina.

She bit her bottom lip to hold back her scream as he thrust none too gently into her tight ass. As the pain dulled, she leaned forward to give him a better angle in which to thrust deeper and moaned as tiny shivers of pleasure trickled up her spine. "Yes, I’ll do it," she said panting. She moaned louder and opened her legs wider. "Deeper . . . more." She cried out in pleasure as her orgasm wracked her body.

Naraku thrust a few more times before releasing his seeds into her. Pulling out of her, he turned her around and forced her to her knees. He smirked down at her as she stared up at him puzzled. "Clean me," he demanded.

She was about to search through her bundle when he stopped her.

"No, I mean clean me with your mouth."

Sya swallowed a lump that lodged in her throat and stared at the thick, limp glistening flesh. Not wanting Naraku to be angry with her again and leave her, she took the slick flesh into her mouth. She took as much as she could of it into her mouth and lapped his cock causing him to moan. It was the first reaction she had gotten out of him and she wanted to hear more as the limp flesh became hard in her mouth.

"That's enough," he said but when she would not stop he struck her across the face. She fell to the ground staring up at him in fear. Kneeling beside her, he cradled her bruised stinging cheek. "Now see what you made me do. I do not like hurting you, but when I tell you something I expect you to do it."

"I’m sorry it's just that . . ." Tears fell from her eyes as she buried her wet face against his chest.

"I know. It felt good but you must always obey me." Naraku pulled away and stared down into her face. "I will not tolerate any disobedience especially from one who will become my mate when this is all over with."

Sya smiled up at him and lowered her head in an apology. "I’m sorry for my disobedience. I will not do so again and I will do what you want."

Naraku smiled and helped her to her feet. "Good. Now since your obedience has put me in a good mood. I think I will let you finish what you started.” Wrapping his arm around her waist, he lead her into the forest to a nearby hot spring.